OBJECTIVE: Dicerl plays an important role in generation of microRNA, the purpose of this study was to evaluate Dicerl expression and its prognostic value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD: The protein expression of Dicerl was examined by immunohistochemistry in 276 NPC specimens, and the mRNA levels of Dicerl were analyzed by qRT-PCR in 56 NPC and 11 nasopharyngitis tissues. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors, and a prognostic score model was constructed for survival prediction. RESULT: Expression of Dicerl was downregulated in NPC tissues at both the mRNA and the protein levels, and there was a notable positive correlation between the expression levels of Dicerl mRNA and protein. Low Dicerl expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis (P<0. 01) and death (P<0. 05). In addition, low expression of Dicerl was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (HR = 2. 32, 95% CI: 1. 30 ~ 4. 14, P<0. 01) and poorer distant metastasis-free survival (HR = 2. 56, 95% CI: 1. 39 ~ 4. 74, P<0. 01). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that low expression of Dicerl and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage were independent prognostic indicators for NPC patients. A prognostic score model combining the Dicerl expression and TNM stage had a better prognostic value than the TNM stage alone model or Dicer) expression alone model (P< 0. 05). CONCLUSION Dicerl was downregulated in NPC tissues at both the mRNA and the protein levels, and low expression of Dicerl could be served as novel prognostic biomarker for NPC patients.
Carcinoma ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proteomics ; RNA, Messenger ; Ribonuclease III ; biosynthesis

Objective To study the changes of platelet, endothelial functions and fibrinolytic activity of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients before and after PTCA Methods 26 negative patients of coronary angiocardiography (CAG) serving as negative control and 16 positive ones of CAG but unsuitable for PTCA as positive control, we observed the dynamic changes of plasma P selectin? thrombomodulin and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 of 24 CAD patients before and after PTCA Results In PTCA group, the levels of plasma Ps and TM were higher 5 min after PTCA than those before PTCA ( P

Genomics ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; genetics

Objective To analyze the effects of dominant hand position on the quality of external chest compression for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the employment of the high-fidelity real-time feedback manikin system.Methods A total of 228 medical students of Wuhan University were enrolled in 2013 after standard CPR training courses.Participants were brought to a simulation scenario in which an adult happened to have heart arrest out of a hospital.Each studeut was asked to do five cycles of conventional CPR.In accordance with the dominant hand and the actual compressing hand position,the students were divided into dominant hand (DH) group and non-dominant hand (NH) group.Comparisons of chest compression rate,chest compression depth and chest recoil between two groups were carried out,respectively.The data were analyzed by the software of SPSS 13.0.Results There was no significant difference in overall chest compression rate between two groups (P ＞ 0.05) while the frequency distributions of chest compression rate showed differences (P ＜0.01),and chest compression rates above 100 cycle per min in DH group were higher than that in NH group (97％ vs.92％,P =0.002).There was significant differences in chest compression depth between two groups (DH 44±8 mm vs.NH 43±8mm,P=0.001).In NH group,the depth in cycle 5 (41 ±8) mm is obviously less than that in cycle 1 (44 ±7) mm,cycle 2 (43 ±7) mm and cycle 3 (43 ±8) mm.Totally,there was no differences in chest recoils between two groups [NH (98 ±8)％ vs.DH (97 ± 10)％,P =0.13],but full chest recoils were seen more in NH group (85％ vs.79％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The dominant hand position can improve the quality of CPR resulted from the higher compression rate,deeper compression depth as well as delayed fatigue.

ObjectiveTo explore the psychological training methods on improving the mental adaptation and performance of recruits.MethodsAccording to army's squad establishment,372 recruits were randomly extracted and divided into intervention group (182) and control group (190).A series of special group psychological trainings,such as Warm barracks,Friendly Care,Self-awareness,Interpersonal communication,etc,was applied to the recruits of the intervention group through the squad leaders given psychological training.The effect was assessed with Psychosocial Stress Survey For Groups (PSSG),General Maladjustment Scale (GM),Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS),General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES),Wallace Slef-Concept Scale (WSCS) and Examined Performance.ResultsThe scores of negative emotion was [(3.89±2.01) score vs (2.56±1.65) score ],negative copy was [(3.96±2.52) score vs (2.97±1.78)score],total stress was [(46.36±21.74)score vs (33.71±17.56) score],maladjustment was [(11.26±5.04)score vs (9.10±4.53)score] in the intervention group,which was significantly reduced than those in the control group(P＜0.01).But the scores of positive emotion was [(3.70±1.62) score vs (4.16±1.84) score],positive copy was [(5.21±1.94) score vs (6.93±2.17) score ],subjective support was [(21.37±3.59)score vs (22.56±3.53)score] and support utilization was [(7.03±2.16) score vs (8.92±2.44) score],self-concept was [(74.33±15.72) score vs (80.65±13.98) score],self-efficacy was [(2.44±0.56) score vs (2.91.±0.52) score ] and the examination performance was [(pull-up:(5.12±3.77) times vs (12.09±4.52) times; sit-up:(30.82±9.54) times/3 min vs (70.20±16.83) times/3min; push-up:(21.32±9.73)times/2 min vs (61.75±17.62)times/2 min; Running 3000 meters:(14.17±1.14) s vs (12.82±0.32) s; standing grade throw:(26.68±4.62) mvs (35.38±8.44) m ],which was significantly improved (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).ConclusionsComprehensive group psychological training implemented by Squad leader could effectively improve the ability of adaptation of recruits and promote the performance.

Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; etiology ; Homocysteine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

AIM: To observe the effect of simvastatin on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) induced by serum and growth factor PDGF-BB and the effect of simvastatin on the expression of PTEN,a important regulator of G 1/S cell cycle transition. METHODS: The DNA synthesis was determined by -TdR incorporation, cell cycle was examined with flow cytometry, the protein level of PTEN was measured by Western blot method. RESULTS: (1)Simvastatin inhibited -TdR incorporation in a dose dependent manner. (2) Flow cytometric DNA analysis revealed that simvastatin induced significantly enhancement of G 0/G 1 phase and decrease in S phase VSMCs.(3)Simvastatin increased protein level of PTEN and mevalonate, a metabolite of HMG-COA, reversed the effect of simvastatin on PTEN protein expression. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin may inhibit proliferation of VSMCs and retarded cell cycle in G 0/G 1 phase by increasing PTEN expression through inhibiting synthesis of mevalonate.

AIM: Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, such as simvastatin, have been shown to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by mechanisms unrelated to its lipid-lowering effect. Several studies have shown that simvastatin induces apoptosis in a varieties of cell lines including vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The aim of this study was to investigate the signal pathways involved in apoptosis induced by simvastatin. METHODS: Cultured VSMC were treated with simvastatin. Calpain activity was determined by measuring Ca 2+ ionophore-specific calpain substrate (suc-LLVY-AMC), caspase-3 activation was detected by Western blot, and apoptotic changes were distinguished by annexin Ⅴ binding and DNA laddering. RESULTS: After incubated with 30 ?mol/L simvastatin for 8 h, calpain activity had a marked increase ( P

AIM: To explore the effects of high D-glucose on the mRNA and protein expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) in endothelial cells and to study the possible mechanism by which diabetes is easily accompanied by vascular diseases. METHODS: Cell morphology was observed with inverted phasecontrast microscope. LOX-1 mRNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in vascular epithelial cells cultured with different concentration D-glucose (7 5, 15 or 30 mmol/L) or with the same concentration D-glucose (15 mmol/L) in different time (0, 12, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h), LOX-1 protein expression was also examined by immunohistochemisty. RESULTS: Cells, exposed to high concentration D-glucose, were crude with clear profiles and bright granules in the plasma. Different high concentration D-glucose could induce LOX-1 mRNA expression and the effect of 30 mmol/L glucose on LOX-1 mRNA was the most significant (P

Objective To explore the effect of chromofungin (CHR), a chromogranin A (CGA) derived peptide CGA47-66, on hyper-permeability of blood brain barrier in septic mice. Methods 120 healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into groups, with 12 mice in each group. Seventy-two mice were used for dynamic observation of the contents of water and Evan blue (EB) in brain tissue after being treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Another 48 mice were divided into normal saline control group (NS group), LPS induced sepsis model group (LPS group), low-dose CHR pretreatment group (CL+LPS group), and high-dose CHR pretreatment group (CH+LPS group). The septic model was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg LPS 0.1 mL, and the mice in NS group was given equal volume of normal saline. The mice in CL+LPS group and CH+LPS group were intraperitoneally injected with 15.5 μg/kg and 77.5 μg/kg CHR 10 minutes before LPS injection. Six hours after LPS injection, 4 mL/kg of 2% EB was injected via caudal vein, the contents of water and EB in brain tissue were determined, and EB immune fluorescence in brain tissue was determined to assess the changes in permeability of blood brain barrier. Brain pathology was observed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Results With the extension of time after LPS injection, the contents of water and EB in brain tissue were gradually increased, and the time of difference with statistical significance appeared earlier when compared with that of control group in the contents of water than that in EB contents (3 hours and 6 hours, respectively). The contents of water and EB in brain tissue in LPS group were significantly increased as compared with NS group [water content: (79.77±0.62)% vs. (78.28±0.44)%, P < 0.01; EB content (μg/g): 13.87±4.50 vs. 7.13±1.76, P < 0.05]. CHR pretreatment with either of two dosages could reverse the increase in water and EB contents in brain tissue induced by LPS, and the effect was more significant in CH+LPS group [water content: (78.15±0.73)% vs. (79.77±0.62)%, EB (μg/g): 7.09±2.59 vs. 13.87±4.50, both P < 0.05]. It was shown by EB fluorescence observation that the fluorescence signal displayed only in the meninges in NS group, and EB fluorescence was widely distributed in brain parenchyma in LPS group, indicating that the EB leakage in LPS group was more marked than that of NS group. In CHR pretreatment groups, EB fluorescence was decreased in brain parenchyma, indicating that EB leakage was significantly less marked, while it was more obvious in high dose CHR group. It was shown by HE staining that cerebral blood vessel structure was intact in NS group, and the gap around blood vessel was not significant increased. On the other hand, brain structure in LPS group appeared loose, with widening of small perivascular spaces and obvious edema. Brain edema in CHR pretreatment groups was improved as compared with that of the LPS group, and it was more apparent in high dose CHR group. Conclusions LPS induced change in blood brain barrier permeability in mice in a time-dependent manner. Exogenous CGA derived peptides CHR can inhibit LPS induced hyper-permeability of blood brain barrier in septic mice, thus reduces brain edema, protects the brain tissue, and the effect is more obvious with a high dose of CHR (77.5 μg/kg).