Objective To observe the effect and safety of low dose milrinone used in patients suffering from refractory heart failure and renal dysfunction. Methods Forty-two patients with refractory heart failure and renal dysfunction were divided into treatment group(21 cases ) and control group(21 cases )by random digits table. All the patients accepted a therapy of cardiac booster, diuretics and vasodilators, and treatment group also accepted the therapy of milrinone [0.375 μ g/( kg· min), 10 mg/d, for 7 days]. And then the symptom, signs, blood pressure, heart rate, heart function and renal function before and after the treatment were observed. Results The total effective rate in treatment group was 85.7%( 18/21 ) ,significantly higher than that in control group [57.1% (12/21)] (P ＜0.05＝. After treatment,the heart rate,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,stroke volume,cardiac output and left ventricular ejection fraction in treatment group and control group improved significantly than those before treatment, and these index improved better in treatment group [(79.3 ± 12.4) beats/min vs. (85.4 ± 10.2) beats/min, ( 107.6 ± 15.4)mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs.( 119.1 ± 13.5 ) mm Hg, (60.8 ± 9.4) mm Hg vs. (65.8 ± 8.5 ) mm Hg,(66.3 ± 10.2 ) ml vs. (61.2 ± 9.3 ) ml, (5.3 ± 0.6 ) L/min vs. (4.8 ± 0.9) L/min, (56.6 ± 8.4 )% vs. (48.9 ±7.3)% ,P ＜ 0.05＝. In two groups,there were no statistical difference in renal function. Conclusions Low dose of milrinone can improve the heart function of the patients with refractory heart failure and renal dysfunction and has good renal safety.

Objective To evaluate the plasma levels of D‐dimer in lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and their clinical significances .Methods The plasma of 130 patients with lung cancer ,126 patients with PTB and 50 healthy controls were collected .All the patients were enrolled in Beijing Affiliated to Chest Hospital Capital Medical University ,from July 2014 to October 2014 .Full‐automatic analyzer was used to examine the level of plasma D‐dimer .Results The levels of plasma D‐dimer in patients with lung cancer were significantly higher than patients with PTB and healthy controls (Z=2 .704 ,P<0 .01);The levels of plasma D‐dimer in patients with PTB were significantly higher than healthy controls (Z=2 .54 ,P<0 .05);The levels of plasma D‐dimer were significantly higher in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ than stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ(Z=2 .195 ,P<0 .05);The positive rate in patients with lung cancer was significantly higher than patients with PTB (χ2 =10 .525 ,P<0 .01) .Conclusion Activation of coagulation and fi‐brinolysis exist in lung cancer and PTB patients ,the level of plasma D‐dimer is related to the clinical stage of lung cancer .

Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Lipase ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-CagA and the urease metabolite NH₄⁺ on mucin expression in AGS cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AGS cells were transfected with CagA and/or treated with different concentrations of NH₄⁺CL. Mucin gene and protein expression was assessed by qPCR and immunofluorescence assays, respectively. RESULTS: CagA significantly upregulated MUC5AC, MUC2, and MUC5B expression in AGS cells, but did not affect E-cadherin and MUC6 expression. MUC5AC, MUC6, and MUC2 expression in AGS cells increased with increasing NH₄⁺ concentrations until reaching a peak level at 15 mM. MUC5B mRNA expression in AGS cells (NH₄⁺ concentration of 15 mM) was significantly higher than that at 0, 5, and 10 mM NH₄⁺. No changes in E-cadherin expression in AGS cells treated with NH₄⁺ were noted, except at 20 mM. The expression of MUC5AC, MUC2, and MUC6 mRNA in CagA-transfected AGS cells at an NH₄⁺ concentration of 15 mM was significantly NH₄⁺ concentration, and was significantly higher compared to that in untreated cells. No significant change in the expression of E-cadherin mRNA in CagA-transfected AGS cells was observed. Immunofluorescence assays confirmed the observed changes. CONCLUSION: H. pylori may affect the expression of MUC5AC, MUC2, MUC5B, and MUC6 in AGS cells via CagA and/or NH₄⁺, but not E-cadherin.
Ammonium Chloride ; Ammonium Compounds* ; Cadherins ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Mucins* ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach ; Urease ; Virulence*

In this study, we observed the levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) in myocardium and aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) in comparison with Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats. Contents of ADM and PAMP were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in plasma, myocardium and aorta. The amount of Pro-ADM mRNA of myocardium and aorta was determined by competitive quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In SHRs the amounts of Pro-ADM mRNA of myocardium and aorta were 66.7% (P<0.01) and 73% (P<0.01) higher than those in WKY rat, respectively. In SHRs, the levels of ADM in plasma, myocardium and aorta were 29%, 76.7% and 79% (all P<0.01) higher than those in WKY rats, respectively. The level of PAMP in SHRs was increased by 42.5% in plasma (P<0.01), 47.2% in myocardium (P<0.0.1) and 27.3% in aorta (P<0.05) compared to WKY rats, respectively. In addition, the ratio of ADM content to PAMP content in SHRs group was increased compared with that in WKY group (2.0+/-0.25 vs 1.64+/-0.3 and 2.2+/-0.18 vs 1.56+/-0.28, in myocardium and aorta, respectively, P<0.01). These results suggest that ProADM gene expression is up-regulated and the increase in ADM and PAMP is different in SHRs. The significance of inconsistency of increase in ADM and PAMP in SHRs needs to be further investigated.
Adrenomedullin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Up-Regulation

X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is caused by mutations of erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthetase (ALAS2) gene. In this study a eukaryotic expression vector of ALAS2 was constructed and transfected into eukaryotic cells to observe the expression of ALAS2 gene. The full length cDNA of ALAS2 gene was inserted into plasmid pDs-red2-N1, named pDs-red2-N1/ALAS2. Then, the vector was transfected into K562 cells via electroporation. At 48 hours after transfection, total RNA from K562 cells was extracted, expressions of ALAS2 gene and protein with red fluorescence in the K562 cells were detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. The vector was also transfected into COS 7 cells via liposome. Both mRNA and protein expression in COS7 cells were detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy. The result showed that after the pDs-red2-N1/ALAS2 eukaryotic expression vector was digested by KpnI and BamHI, two fragments of 4 700 bp and 1 764 bp were displayed by electrophoresis on agarose gel. Sequence method confirmed that the sequence was correct. RT-PCR amplified the total RNA extracted from the transfected K562 and COS7 cells, and could find mRNA of ALAS2 gene that can't be found in K562 and COS7 cells usually. The expressions of both fluorescein and ALAS2 were significantly increased. The percentage of positive cells reached about 19.2% and 10.7%, respectively. ALAS2 expression lasted for 10 days in COS7 cells and the peak was at the third day. It is concluded that the eukaryotic expression vector of ALAS2 gene is successfully constructed; K562 and COS7 cells transfected with the vector via electroporation and liposome can express ALAS2 protein. So, the vector has the potential in gene replacement and can be used for patients with XLSA in future.
5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase ; genetics ; Anemia, Sideroblastic ; genetics ; therapy ; Animals ; COS Cells ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the diagnostic value of arterial spin labeling (ASL) technology in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHODSeven full-term newborn infants without any history of asphyxia and other nervous system diseases were selected as the control and 33 full-term newborn infants were assigned into HIE group. The patients in HIE group were further divided into three subgroups (19 cases of mild, 6 cases of moderate and 8 cases of severe HIE) based on their clinical diagnosis. The control group and HIE group were examined with GE Signa EXCITE HD 3.0T superconducting MRI scanner with a head phase array coil. Both groups were scanned with conventional axial MRI (T1FLAIR, T2WI and T2FLAIR), 1HMRS (PRESS sequence) and ASL (FAIR). Original images of 1HMRS and ASL were processed by Functool software of ADW 4.3 workstation. ASL perfusion images were observed and the signal intensity values of the region of interest (bilateral gray, white matter and basal ganglia) of the two groups were quantitatively measured, and mean value were calculated and compared between groups. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 13.0 software, and statistically significant difference was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTThe perfusion images of two groups were obtained perfectly. The signal intensity values of bilateral gray, white matter and basal ganglia of control group were 125.34 ± 11.76, 73.42 ± 11.67 and 173.65 ± 15.49, respectively and there was a statistically significant difference between the different areas. The signal intensity values of bilateral gray, white matter and basal ganglia of HIE group were 153.47 ± 11.72, 71.35 ± 10.37 and 217.13 ± 12.51, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the average signal intensity value of gray matter and basal ganglia, but there were no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in white matter between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONASL Perfusion technique can assess HIE comprehensively and accurately. Furthermore, it can evaluate the brain damage of hypoxic ischemia. The results provide a strong basis for clinical treatment.

Case-Control Studies ; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; diagnosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Spin Labels

AIMTo study the protective effect of Quinacrine(QA) on rat striatum neurons from the injury caused by heat environment treatment, to probe the relationship between cell membrane injury and cellular injury protection, and to seek the possibility of QA as a preventive agent to heat injury.

METHODSPrimary cultured striatum neurons from newborn rats were pretreated with QA at different concentration for 1 h, and then heat-treated at 43 degrees C for another 1 h. Cell necrosis was detected by Trypan blue staining, and apoptosis was evaluated through Activated Caspase-3 dye and TdT dye.

RESULTSHeat treatment effected the survival of striatum neurons and resulted in great number of cell death, which was mainly mediated by cell necrosis process. It was shown that treatment of QA itself had little effect on the survival of striatum neurons, while QA pretreatment decreased cellular necrosis caused by following heat treatment.

CONCLUSIONQA protects striatum neurons from heat environment injury at about 20 pmol/L, and the protection may mediated by reduction of necrosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Corpus Striatum ; cytology ; Heat-Shock Response ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Quinacrine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience about surgical treatment of aortic dissection.

METHODSThe clinical data of 51 patients with aortic dissection admitted from December 2004 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 35 male and 16 female patients with a mean age of 55.7 years (ranged from 18 to 83-years-old). Twenty-seven patients of type I was performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selected cerebral perfusion with stent-graft which was implanted into the descending aorta through aorta arch. Five patients of type II was performed including Bentall operation in 3 patients, Wheat operation in 1 patient, ascending aorta replacement in 1 patient. Nineteen patients of type III was performed with stent-graft which was implanted into the descending aorta through aorta arch under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

RESULTSThe time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in type I patients was 250 to 290 min with an average of (274 +/- 53) min, and the arrest time was 40 to 59 min with an average of (53 +/- 14) min. CPB time of type II patients was 130 to 159 min with an average of (146 +/- 43) min, and the cross clamp time was 60 to 79 min with an average of (66 +/- 15) min. CPB time of type III patients was 240 to 280 min with an average of (260 +/- 28) min, and the arrest time was 20 to 27 min with an average of (24 +/- 3) min. The mean hemorrhage volume of the entire group was (500 +/- 250) ml. The mean ICU retention time was (5.0 +/- 1.5) d and the length of stay was (15.0 +/- 2.5) d. Three patients died during perioperative period. Two patients appeared cerebrovascular accident after operation. One patient appeared descending aorta dilation in the follow-up of 2 to 21 months.

CONCLUSIONDifferent clinical manifestations and treatment should be selected according to the different condition of aortic dissection aneurysm.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents

This study was to investigate the anti-lymphocytic malignancy immunologic effects induced by two types of the idiotypic nucleic acid vaccines which were constructed from the genomic DNA and RNA of the human B lymphoma cell line respectively. Namalwa cell line and BALB/c mice were used as the models. The gene fragments of the IgH variable region (IgHV), which were obtained from the genomic DNA and RNA of Namalwa cell respectively, were cloned into the eukaryocytic expression vector pcDNA 3.0 to be used as the idiotypic nucleic acid vaccines. After transfecting COS cells with one of vaccines constructed from the genomic DNA by using LipofectAMINE, the result of transcription was identified by using RT-PCR. The experimental mice were immunized by intramuscular injection with two types of vaccines. The specific anti-idiotypic antibody was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that the nucleic acid vaccine constructed from the genomic DNA can be transcribed in COS cells, the transcription product turned shorter, and the intron region of 86 bp was spliced accurately. When immunizing the mice, two vaccines both induced the anti-idiotypic antibody against Namalwa cell, the anti-idiotypic antibody could be detected since detected since after immunization, and got to the peak of titer on the sixth week. It was concluded that the nucleic acid vaccines against lymphoma can be constructed from both the genomic DNA and RNA.
Animals ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; blood ; immunology ; Base Sequence ; COS Cells ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; immunology ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Time Factors ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology