Purpose To assess left ventricular diastolic function in the patients with essentialhypertension. Methods 25 normotensives,93 hypertensiives without hypertrophy (NLVH) and 47 withhypertrophy (LVH)(LVMI, left ventricular mass index ＞ 124 g/m2 in males and 110 g/m2 in females)underwent 2DE and Doppler echocardiography. Results The ratio of early to late peak velocity (E/A)was 1.21 ± 0.24 in normotensives and 1.03 ± 0.23 in NLVH patients( P ＜ 0.01 ); reversed pulmonaryvenous flow at atrial systole PA wave was (32.7 ± 7.5 ) vs (38.9 ± 8.7) cm/s (P ＜ 0.01 ) in normotensivesand in NLVH patients respectively. The isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and left atrial dimension (LAD)have significant differences in three groups ( P ＜ 0. 05 - 0. 001 ). EF value was similar betweennormotensives and NLVH patients, but it was lower in LVH patients ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions E/Aratio, PA wawe, Pai, IVRT and LAD are sensitive parameters indicating mild diastolic left ventriculardysfunction. Systolic left ventricular function has no change in NLVH patients.

Obesity is an established risk factor for endometrial cancer. Leptin, a secreted protein of the ob gene by white adipose tissue, plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy consumption in the brain and acts as a potential growth stimulator in normal and neoplastic cancer cells. However, a direct role for leptin in endometrial cancer has not been demonstrated. In the present study, the effect of leptin on the proliferation of Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells was investigated as well as the possible mechanism(s) underlying this action in endometrial cancers which express both short and long isoforms of leptin receptors. The expression of leptin receptor (ObRb) in Ishikawa cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The cells after serum starvation, were treated by leptin with various concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 150 ng/mL) for different durations (6, 12, 24 h). The effect of leptin treatment on cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay. Meanwhile, inhibitory effect of Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor AG490 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor PD98059 on the proliferation of Ishikawa cells induced by leptin was also studied. Ishikawa cells were treated with 100 ng/mL leptin for various periods (0, 20, 40, 60 min), and the levels of STAT3 phosphorylation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were examined by Western blotting. The results showed that leptin induced the phosphorylation of STAT3 and the activation of ERK1/2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Blocking STAT3 phosphorylation with the inhibitor AG490, or blocking ERK1/2 activation by the specific ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor, PD98059, abolished leptin-induced proliferation of Ishikawa cells. In addition, leptin was found to potently induce the invasion of endometrial cancer cells in a Matrigel invasion assay. Leptin-stimulated invasion was effectively blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of STAT3 (AG490) and ERK1/2 kinase (PD98059). These results suggested that leptin promotes endometrial cancer growth and invasiveness by activating STAT3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and therefore blocking its action at the receptor level can be a rational therapeutic strategy.

Objective To investigate whether the effect of puerarin on right ventricle hypertrophy of pulmonary hypertensive rats induced by chronic hypoxia-hypercapnia was related to new peptide Apelin or its receptor(APJ).Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, they are control group,hypoxia-hypercapnia 4-week model group,and hypoxia-hypercapnia 4-week plus puerarin group.The concentrations of Apelin-36 protein in plasma and homogenate of right ventricular muscle were detected by radioimmunoassay.The mRNA expressions of Apelin and APJ in right ventricu- lar muscle were measured by semi-quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results The weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum[RV/(LV+S)] in model group was significantly higher than that in control group(P0.05).The plasma concen- tration of Apelin-36 protein in model group was significantly higher than that in control group(P

Objective To explore the expression of HCK gene during the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and analyze the role of HCK gene in maintenance of pluripotency of embryonic stem cells.Methods Mouse embryonic stem cells were cultured,then induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes.Total RNAs were isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells in the differentiation days:0 day(D0),the second day(D2),the fourth day(D4),the sixth day(D6),the eighth day(D8),respectively.The levels of HCK mRNAs were assessed by the method of semi-quantitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).In the meanwhile,Total proteins were also isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells in the differentiation D0,D2,D4,D6,D8,and the levels of HCK proteins were evaluated by Western-blot.Results HCK mRNAs could be detected in the mouse embryonic stem cells in D0 and D2,however,they were undetectable from D4 to D8.The expression of HCK mRNAs was rapidly down-regulated during cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Expression of HCK proteins,which coincided with HCK mRNAs,down-regulated during differentiation and couldn't be detected in D4.Conclusions With the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells,the expression of HCK in the levels of mRNA and proteins are sharply down-regulated;HCK may play an important role in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cell.

OBJECTIVETo construct the adenoviral vector containing human Bcl-2 gene and to study the expression of the gene in the spiral ganglion cells (SGC) in vitro.

METHODSHuman Bcl-2 cDNA obtained from the plasmid pUC-CAGGS/Bcl-2 was cloned into the plasmid pAdTrack-CMV. Then, pAdTrack/Bcl-2 was cotransferred with adenoviral backbone vector into E. coli strain BJ5183. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid was identified by restriction analysis with Pac I and transfected into HEK293 cells to package and amplify recombinant adenovirus particles which would be identified by Electron microscope. After the adenovirus infected the rat spiral ganglion cells, the expression of Bcl-2 gene was detected by Western Blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe recombinant AdEGFP/Bcl-2 plasmid was correctly constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis. The viral particles in HEK293 cells were identified by Electron microscope. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that Bcl-2 gene was exactly transcripted and expressed in transgene SGC.

CONCLUSIONSThe method based on homologous recombination in bacteria is simple and high efficient. The recombinant adenoviral vector containing human Bcl-2 cDNA was constructed and the transgene SGC expressed human Bcl-2 gene in vitro successfully. It provided foundation for the further study of protection for the impaired SGC by hBcl-2 gene.

Adenoviruses, Human ; genetics ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Genes, Homeobox ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombination, Genetic ; Spiral Ganglion ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transgenes

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of serum sex hormones and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the biochemical markers of bone turnover in aged men.

METHODSWe collected the laboratory data of 465 men aged 60- 93 (73. 1 +/- 8. 3) years old, who came for routine physical examinations in our hospital. We obtained the levels of serum follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), PTH, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH) D3), and bone turnover markers C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), osteocalcin (OC) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP). We also determined free testosterone (FT) , bioactive testosterone (BT) , testosterone secretion index (TSI) and FT index (FTI), and analyzed the correlation of each index with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

RESULTSThe concentrations of serum FSH, LH, and SHBG increased, while the levels of FT, BT, TSI, FTI, PTH, CTX, OC and PINP decreased with age, especially in those over 80 years old (P <0.05). PTH was positively correlated with CTX, OC and PINP (r =0. 227, 0. 269 and 0. 162, P <0. 01), even after the adjustment for age, while SHBG negatively correlated with OC (r = -0. 100, P <0.05). The bone turnover markers increased with the elevation of the PTH quartiles, with significant differences between the first and the fourth quartile (P <0. 01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age was correlated inversely with CTX, OC and PINP ( beta = -0. 126, -0. 141 and -0. 122, P <0.05) , PTH positively with the three markers (beta = 0. 196, 0.279 and 0.189; P <0. 001), and SHBG negatively with OC ( beta = -0. 100, P <0.05) .

CONCLUSIONAging is the fundamental cause of reduced bone turnover in aged men. The levels serum PTH and SHBG are significantly associated with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Bone Density ; Bone Remodeling ; physiology ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Hormone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics of myleodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with PDGFRβ abnormalities.

METHODSChromosome specimens were prepared directly and/or short-time culture of bone marrow cells. Karyotyping was performed with R-binding technique. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using PDGFRβ, PDGFRα, FGFR1 break-apart probes and whole chromosome 5 and 12 painting probes, respectively. The expression of JAK2 V617F was measured with quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe clinical and hematological findings of 27 patients were compatible with diagnosis of MDS/MPN. PDGFRβ rearrangement was detected in 4 patients with D-FISH, and 2 of which were confirmed as t(5;12) by chromosome painting. PDGFRα, FGFR1 and JAK2 V617F mutation were not detected in these 4 PDGFRβ positive MDS/MPN patients with.

CONCLUSIONSPDGFRβ gene rearrangement may be detected in some MDS/MPN patients. FISH is a convenient and reliable approach to detect PDGFRβ gene.

Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; genetics ; Neoplasms ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; genetics

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is involved in vascular development and various vascular diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms of VSMC migration remain unclear. In this study, we established an inverted coverslip migration assay to study the migratory properties of cultured VSMCs on extracellular matrix. Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from rats were cultured and identified by immunocytochemistry. Each coverslip with a confluent monolayer of PASMCs was inverted to a larger coverslip which was coated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS, as a control), poly-D-lysine hydrobromide (PDL), laminin or Matrigel. After 24 h of migration over the larger coverslip, PASMCs were fixed, and reliably quantified. The roles and mechanisms of extracellular matrix in PASMC migration were further studied by wound-healing assay and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that: (1) The purity of the cultured PASMCs was (97 ± 3)%. (2) The number of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel migrating out from the inverted coverslip was significantly increased compared with that on PBS or PDL, and the migratory distance of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel was significantly farther than that on PBS or PDL. (3) The motility of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel was significantly higher than that on PBS at 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after wounding, respectively. (4) F-actin staining showed that F-actin was congregated along the brim of the migrating cells from the inverted coverslip, and vinculin (a cell marker of focal adhesion) staining showed that the distribution of vinculin in PASMCs plated on laminin or Matrigel was significantly lower than that on PBS or PDL. These results suggest that the inverted coverslip migration assay is suitable to study VSMC migration, and laminin and Matrigel substrates may promote VSMC migration through inhibiting the formation of focal adhesion and regulating the cytoskeletal proteins.
Actins ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Extracellular Matrix ; chemistry ; Laminin ; chemistry ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Proteoglycans ; chemistry ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Rats

The coverage of large soft tissue defects in heel is a problem for surgical reconstruction. Various reconstructive materials are available depending on the location, size and depth of heel defect, but unique function of heel skin cannot be restored easily by means of reconstruction. We used prefabricated flap of the foot heel to cover heel defect in a child and obtained satisfactory clinical results.
Amputation ; Child ; Heel ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Surgical Flaps

Nomination, apparatus, manipulating techniques, indications and theoretical basis of 14 single moxibustion styles including Chuijiu (insufflating moxibustion), Dianjiubi Jiu (pecking moxibustion with a pen-like stool), Jiujia Xunjiu (moxibustion with frame), Tongmai Wenyang Jiu (moxibustion for removing meridian obstructions and warming up yang), QifuJiu (moxibustion on umbilicus and abdomen), Xiongyang Jiu (moxibustion on the chest for reinforcing yang qi), Toujing Jiu (moxibustion on head and neck), Anmo Jiu (moxibustion with massage), Zhiti Jiu (moxibustion on extremities), Guan Jiu (moxibustion with a tube), Zu Jiu (moxibustion on foot), Wenzhenjiu (warm needling), Huanong Jiu (festering moxibustion) and Gewu Jiu (indirect moxibustion) are expounded in this article. And 10 compound moxibustion with the combination of 2 or more than 2 above mentioned single moxibustion style under the instruction of combination of local and distal points, combination of upper and lower points as well as combination of frontal and back points are also stated. It suggests to classify moxibustion into categories of festering moxibustion and mild moxibustion, indirect moxibustion and direct moxibustion, and to classify moxibustion apparatus into the categories of treating tools and assisting tools.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; history ; methods ; Schools