AIM: To investigate the affected proteins by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? in endothelial cells, and further explore the potential molecular mechanism of TNF-? on endothelial cells. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) production in the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured by a NO assay kit. Proteomic alterations were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: NO production in HUVECs decreased significantly after TNF-? treatement. Proteomics analysis showed 21 protein spots were changed including 9 spots that were increased and 11 spots that were decreased after TNF-? stimulation, and 1 spot was only detected in TNF-? activated cell gels. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased expression of ecNOS by TNF-? might result in decrease in NO production. Up-regulated MAP/ERK kinase 3 expression might imply that TNF-? activates the expression of adhesion molecules. Cytoskeletal protein actin is also involved in TNF-? injuried HUVECs. Proteomic analysis can find some clues for identifying new potential target of TNF-?. [

Objective To examine the stability of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)during serum incubation at different temperature and time periods.Methods Ten healthy volunteers (4 males and 6 females,aged 24 to 59 years)from Beijing Hospital were recruited in May 2015.Fasting venous blood samples were collected and centrifuged to separate the sera.Serum samples were incubated at 4℃ for 24 h,25℃for 0,1,8 and 24 h (with or without an LCAT inhibitor).Serum to-tal cholesterol (TC),total free cholesterol (TFC)HDL-C and HDL-FC were measured by the HPLC Method.Results HDL-FC and HDL-C changed -6.91% and -2.17% during serum incubation at 4℃for 24h.TFC,HDL-FC and HDL-C changed significantly (averaged -13.70%,-25.88% and -1.53% respectively)during serum incubation at 25℃ for 24 h,in which the decrease of TFC and HDL-FC were inhibited by the addition of the LCAT inhibitor.The decrease of HDL-C was even higher in the presence of the LCAT inhibitor.Conclusion Serum TFC,HDL-C and HDL-FC levels changed during serum incubations,which were caused by the LCAT and CETP activities and the transfer of cholesterol among lipoproteins. For accurate measurement of serum HDL-C,prolonged serum storage should be avoided in clinical laboratories.

Objective To develop a solid phase extraction and Folin-Ciocalteu method for the measurement of total polyphenols in urine samples.Methods From a group of individuals attending an annual physical examination at Beijing hospital, 123 healthy volunteers (52 males and 71 females, ranging in age from 18 to 81 years ) were recruited during the period from December 2013 to April 2014.Urine samples were stored in 0.5%HCl at -80 ℃.For analysis, samples were applied to the Plexa PAX solid phase extraction cartridge, to purity the polyphenols through washing, evaporating and reconstituting.Total polyphenols were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, calculated by gallic acid standard curve, and corrected by urine creatinine concentrations.The relationship between total polyphenols and fruits and vegetable intake and cardiovascular disease risk factors were analyzed. Results Gallic acid standard solution and urine samples were stable in 0.5% HCl for 48 h at RT and 7days at 4 ℃, respectively.The PAX cartridge effectively eliminated the possible interfere materials in urine and had better recovery for most of the polyphenol types.The inter assay and total CVs for the measurement of total polyphenols were 2.7%-3.8% and 2.4%-4.6 %, respectively.Total polyphenol concentrations of 123 healthy subjects were 114.13(82.97-146.70) mg GAE/g Crea.Total polyphenol levels positively correlated with both HDL-C (r=0.194, P=0.032) and apoAI (r=0.312,P<0.001), and negatively correlated with serum uric acid levels(r=-0.220,P=0.014).Conclusions We established a measurement of total polyphenols in urine samples using solid phase extraction and Folin-Ciocalteu method.This simple, precise method reliable and may be use to assess dietary polyphenols intake.

Objective To evaluating the effectiveness of comprehensive measures to control the plague in epidemic areas in Longlin county Guangxi from 2001 to 2010.Methods Original epidemic places was deratised,indicative animals were investigated,and epidemic clues were searched.Cage trapping method was used to capture rat and rat body fleas were collected in the plague epidemic areas.The flea-carrying rates and flea index of rodents were calculated based on the number of fleas collected from caged rodents.The animals were then subjected to etiological and serological tests to determine the plague infection rate.Results A total of 1008 rats were captured and 571 fleas were collected from 2001 to 2010,of which Rattus Flavipestus accounted tor 81.65％(823/1008) and Xenopsylla Cheopis for 64.10％(366/571).The annual average rodents infected with flea and the index of flea were 23.02％ (177/769) and 0.74,respectively.The annual average density of rodents decreased from 3.99％ (859/21 508,before deratised) to 0.96％ (149/15 600,after deratised).The deratization rate was 75.94％.Conclusion The risk of a plague epidemic in Longlin county is reduced after continued comprehensive measures be taken to deal with the disease.

OBJECTIVEWe aimed to perform a meta-analysis of clinical trials on the efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs) transfer for patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.

METHODSWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database through September 2009. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of autologous BMCs infusion in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. We gathered information about left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and death, and did a random-effect meta-analysis to obtain summary effect estimates for outcomes. The pooled analyses were performed and forest plots were generated with RevMan 5.0 software. Heterogeneity was assessed by meta-regression with STATA 10.0 software. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to compare the effect of intracoronary BMCs transfer with intramyocardial cell injection on LVEF.

RESULTSEleven trials with 490 participants were identified. There were 268 patients in BMCs group, and 222 in control group. In control group, the patients received saline injection or autologous plasma injection or no injection. BMCs transfer was performed via intracoronary transfer or intramyocardial injection. Compared with controls, BMCs transfer significantly improved LVEF by 4.63% (95%CI 2.42 to 6.84; P < 0.01). BMCs transfer was also associated with significant reductions in LVEDV (standardized mean difference -0.55, 95%CI -0.94 to -0.17, P = 0.005) and LVESV (standardized mean difference -0.45, 95%CI -0.73 to -0.17, P = 0.002). In addition, BMCs treatment was associated with a significant effect on death (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.18 to 1.01, P = 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated that intramyocardial cell injection was preferred due to its more significant improvement of LVEF than intracoronary cell therapy. Meta-regression suggested the existence of a negative association between baseline LVEF and LVEF change.

CONCLUSIONBMCs infusion is associated with a significant improvement in LVEF, and an attenuation of left ventricular remodeling.

Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; surgery ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Transplantation, Autologous

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDThere has been a long debate among scholars surrounding the relationship between language and cognition. The worldwide study of aphasia is actively exploring the function of language from cognitive point of view. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between linguistic functions and cognitive functions in a clinical study of Chinese patients with post-stroke aphasia.

METHODSCognitive functions of 63 Chinese patients with aphasia following a stroke were assessed with the Chinese version of the second edition of Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) battery and their linguistic functions were tested with the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) Scale, respectively. The correlation between the results observed on the LOTCA battery and those on the WAB was analyzed. Aphasia quotient, performance quotient, cortical quotient, and linguistic function of the patients were compared. Then, each language function was analyzed by way of dependent adopt multiple regression analysis.

RESULTSThe total score of 63 patients as shown on the LOTCA battery was significantly correlated with the aphasia quotient, performance quotient, and cortical quotient observed on the WAB Scale (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). However, the correlation between visuomotor organization under LOTCA and repeat under WAB was not significant (P > 0.05). The attention of LOTCA and WAB's spontaneous speech, repeat, naming, and aphasia quotient was not relevant either (P > 0.05). In addition, correlations between the results observed on the LOTCA battery and the WAB were significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Among the significant variables finally entered into the standardized canonical discriminant functions, main factors affected the aphasia. Multiple regression analysis showed that orientation, spatial perception, and visual perception had a notable influence on aphasia quotient and naming. Orientation and thinking operation was found to have a notable influence on spontaneous speech. Spatial perception and visual perception was found to have a notable influence on auditory comprehension. Thinking operation and orientation was found to have an obvious influence on reading. Thinking operation, spatial perception, and attention was found to have a notable effect on writing (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere exists a close relationship between linguistic functions and cognitive orientation, spatial perception, visual perception, and thinking operation in a clinical study of Chinese patients with post-stroke aphasia.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aphasia ; physiopathology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cognition ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Space Perception ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to develop a new perimembranous VSD occluder and to evaluate it.

METHODSThe shape of VSD occluder was designed as fabric frame "I" shape that comprised two types: symmetric and asymmetric. The safety, efficacy, feasibility and complication were tested in 22 animal models and in 58 VSD patients in clinical trial. The device were compared with Amplatzer occluder in this study.

RESULTSThe new perimembranous VSD occluder was passed the national material test. In animal study, artificial VSD were all occluded by using the new devices with no complication in follow up except one pig expresented wound infection. In clinical trial, all 58 VSD cases were healing with the new device. One patient suffered with atria-ventricular block 5 days after procedure and was free from AV block with medicine therapy. Compared with Amplatzer perimembranous VSD occluder, the new devices had lower frequency of residual shunt.

CONCLUSIONThe new perimembranous VSD occluder is a safe and effective perimembranous VSD interventional apparatus, and the effect of the new occluders seems not worse than that of the Amplatzer ones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Balloon Occlusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Swine ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of microRNA-155 and microRNA-146a in the CD19(+) B cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), and to analyze its clinical significance.

METHODSPeripheral blood (PB) (78 cases) and bone marrow (BM) samples (9 cases) from 53 CLL patients, 13 MCL patients, 19 SMZL patients, and 12 healthy donors were collected. Mononuclear cells were isolated and B cells were purified with a CD19(+) magnetic-bead system. Total RNA was extracted from purified CD19(+) cells and microRNAs expression were measured using the TaqMan microRNA quantitative PCR. The results combined with the clinic data of patients were analysed.

RESULTS(1) The expression of microRNA-155 in CLL (4.49 ± 0.83) was significantly higher than in MCL (3.83 ± 0.45) and SMZL (3.80 ± 0.61) (P < 0.05); (2) The level of microRNA-146a in SMZL (3.81 ± 0.59) was significantly higher than in CLL (2.58 ± 0.90) and MCL (2.27 ± 0.88) (P < 0.01); (3) The level of microRNA-155 was significantly higher in IgVH unmutated patients than in mutated patients in CLL (P = 0.012); (4) The microRNAs expression had no statistical difference between two prognostic groups in CLL.

CONCLUSION(1) The expression of microRNA-155 and microRNA-146a is different in malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD); (2) Deregulation of the microRNAs expression might play a critical role in the pathogenesis and prognosis in the LPD.

B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; genetics ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the overrepresentation of specific gene segments of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IgVH) among unmutated and mutated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and its prognostic implication.

METHODSMultiplex PCR was used to identify the expression of IgVH segment and its mutation status in CLL.

RESULTSAnalyses were successfully performed in 80 of 85 samples. Marked skewed IgVH families were disclosed. The most commonly used VH was VH3 (40.0%), followed by VH4 (30.0%), VHI (13.8%), VH2 (10.0%) and VH5, VH7 (2.5%). Fifty-six patients (70.0%) had mutated VH, 24 (30.0%) unmutated VH. Nine cases (11.3%) were with 100% germline sequence. Fifteen cases (15/24, 62.5%) in VH4, 29 (29/32, 90.7%) in VH3, and 4 (4/11, 36.3%) in VH1 had mutated VH. The most frequently used IgVH gene was VH4-39 (13.8%), and VH4-34 (8.8%). J4 (36/66, 54.5%) and D3 (25/66, 37.8%) were the most frequently used in J and D genes. The progression-free survival (PFS) was 82 and 17 months (P = 0.000), and the overall survival (OS) was 90 and 41 months (P = 0.009), respectively, for mutated and unmutated cases. Recurrent CDR3 sequences were found in our patients and 2 patients with VH1-69 had CDR3 sequences highly similar to those reported in literature.

CONCLUSIONThere is difference in IgVH gene segment usage and mutational status in different area CLL patients. Recurrent CDR3 sequences were found in specific IgVH gene segments, which highlights the importance of immunoglobulin mediated stimulation in the development of CLL.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; Genes, Immunoglobulin ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation