Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) is a mesenchyme-derived pleiotropic factor which regulates cell growth,cell motility,and morphogenesis of various types of cells,and is thus considered a humoral mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions responsible for angiogenesis,apoptosis and oxidative stress,etc.This article reviewed the relationships between HGF and cardiovascular diseases.

Objective To evaluate the possible roles of IL-18 in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods Serum IL-18 level was measured using ELISA, and serum HBV DNA content was detected by FQ-PCR. Results There was significant difference in serum IL-18 level between the fulminant hepatitis patients and chronic hepatitis patients or normal controls (P

Objective To observe the rotenone induced changes of nitric oxide (NO) concentration and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rat caudate nuclei and blood plasma. Methods Wistar rats were daily administrated with rotenone at the doses of 0.335, 0.670 and 1.005 mg/kg(sc). Animals were sacrificed on days 30, 60 and 90. The NO concentration and the NOS activity in the caudate nuclei and blood plasma were determined by biochemical methods. Results At each time point of days 30, 60 and 90, rotenone induced significant increases in NO concentration and NOS activity in both the caudate nuclei and blood plasma in dose and time dependent manners. Conclusion Long term exposure to rotenone leads to the increase of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in brain tissues and blood plasma in rat.

Objective To investigate the expression of netrin-1 in placenta from patients with pre- eclampsia and the relation to placental angiogenesis.Methods Twenty patients with pre-eclampsia(12 mild cases and 8 severe cases)and 20 normal late pregnant women were investigated.The expression of netrin-1 mRNA and protein was determined with RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively.The placenta vascular density was examined by immunohistochemical F8 staining.Results (1)The values of netrin-1 mRNA in normal group and pre-eclampsia groups were 0.51?0.08 and 0.41?0.06;The values of netrin- 1 protein in normal group and pre-eclampsia groups were 26.4?1.8 and 20.5?1.3(P

Objective:To study the effects of IGF-1 on the proliferation,total protein amount and cytodifferentiation of mouse dental follicle cells.Methods:The dental follicle cells of passage 3 were incubated with different concentrations((0.005),0.01,0.05,0.1 and 0.5 mg/L)of IGF-1 respectively,cell proliferation,alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total protein amount were measured by MTT assay and spectrophotometer respectively.Effects of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L IGF-1 on mineralization potential were studied by Von Kossa staining.Results:IGF-1(ml/L) at 0.005~0.1 increased the proliferation and total protein amount(P

Objective To evaluate miniature probe endoscopic ultrasonography (mEUS) in diagnosis of submucosal tumor (SMT) of upper digestive tract.Methods We observed 91 patients with SMT,and mEUS was performed to assess the lesions arised from the specific layer of the wall.Results Among all cases,leiomyoma was the most common,57 cases,found in esophagus more than in stomach;14 of cysts,9 of vascular lesions,5 of lipoma,and 2 cases of malignant stromal tumors.Malignant lesions and part of benign lesions were confirmed by histological examination.Conclusion mEUS is a simple,safe and effective method for SMT,and it can be clue to the location and nature of SMT.

Traditionally, stem cells in adult tissues were believed to be restricted in their differentiation potential and limited to generate the types of cell present in the tissue in which the stem cell resides. Recently, however, many studies indicate that stem cells may display a broader differentiation potential, termed plasticity or transdifferentiation, than what was previously thought. But the validity of this understanding has been challenged by some investigators. In this review, the authors present some standpoints on stem cell plasticity and discuss some phenomena of stem cell plasticity observed on animal models those have been generally accepted currently.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of intracoronary stenting for senile patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods42 senile patients with AMI underwent intracoronary stenting were analysed. Before and after stenting, the changes of the patients' blood pressures, heart rates and cardiac functions tested by ultrasonography were observed.Results45 intracoronary stents were implanted in 42 patients, one patient falled during hospitalization. The blood pressure was increased significantly, the heart rate decreased and the candiac function improved after stenting.ConclusionIntracoronary stenting is a very effective and safe therapy for the senile patients with AMI.

Objective To investigate the relationship of circulating zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) as well as adiponectin with adiposity and insulin resistance in humans.Methods Serum ZAG and adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA in 285 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT),impaired glucose tolerance (IGT),and newly diagnosed cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).The relationships between circulating ZAG and insulin resistance or metabolic parameters were also explored.Results Circulating ZAG and adiponectin levels were all lower in T2 DM and IGT subjects than those in control subjects [ZAG:(37.14 ± 13.25 and 48.84 ± 18.74 vs 59.36 ± 16.20) mg/L,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ; adiponectin:(27.79 ± 11.23 and 33.00 ± 9.42 vs 41.81 ± 13.68) μg/L,P＜0.01].Circulating ZAG was correlated positively with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and adiponectin (all P＜0.01),and inversely with body mass index,waist-hip ratio,FAT％,diastolic blood pressure,triglyceride,fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,HbA1C,and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).By multivariate analysis,ZAG levels were independently associated with body mass index,HOMA-IR,diastolic blood pressure,and adiponectin (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusions ZAG levels,associated with fat,insulin sensitivity,and adiponectin expression,are likely to play an important role in insulin resistance and energy homeostasis in humans.

Objective To explore the proliferation of microglia in the frontal cortex,hippocampus and amygdala of the post-stroke depression (PSD) in rats.To understand the role of microglia in the pathogenesis of PSD.Methods The adult female SD rats were divided into four groups(n=5 per group):normal control group,depression group,stroke group and PSD group.In the depression group,the depression model rat were established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with separately breeding.In the stroke group,focal cerebral ischemic rat models were established with thread embolization method.In the PSD group,focal cerebral ischemic models rat were established with thread embolization method firstly,and then PSD models rat were established with comprehensive chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and separately breeding on this basis.After the procedure,rats were subjected to sucrose preference test and open field test.At the postoperative eighth weekend,immunofluorescence technology was used to detect the proliferation changes of OX42 positive cells in the frontal lobe,hippocampus and amygdale.Results At the 29th day after CUMS,the sucrose solution consumption ((23.8±0.8) ％),horizontal movement distance of open field test ((63.0± 1.2) cm) and vertical movement distance ((25.0± 1.0) cm) in PSD group were significantly lower than those in normal group((31.2± 1.9) ％;(69.8±2.3) cm;(31.0± 1.6) cm) and depression group((31.0±1.4) ％;(70.2±2.4) cm;(30.8± 1.1) cm) (P＜0.05).The number of OX42 positive cells of frontal lobe,hippocampus and amygdale in PSD group((20.8±2.6);(20.2±1.3);(19.8±2.6))increased significantly compared with those of normal group((7.4±2.3);(8.0± 1.6);(9.4±2.1)),depression group((8.0±2.0);(7.8 ±2.2);(9.2±1.9))and stroke group((9.6±1.1);(9.4±2.2);(10.2±2.6)) (all P＜0.05).Conclusion The number of microglia in PSD group in the emotional disorders related brain areas(the frontal lobe,hippocampus and amygdale) increases obviously and the increased expression of microglia in the emotional disorders related brain areas may be responsible for the pathogenesis of PSD.