Objective Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been proposed to be used as an endogenous cardioprotective agent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-apoptosis effect of HGF on rat cardiomyocytes after being irradiated by single dose gamma ray. Methods The study was performed using primary cell cultures of cardiomyocytes isolated from hearts of new-born rats. After being cultured for 72h in vitro, cardiomyocytes were irradiated with gamma ray in a single dose of 20Gy. In the HGF treated groups, cells were incubated with HGF in the dose of 20 and 40ng/ml 3h prior to irradiation, respectively. At 48h post-irradiation, the concentration of LDH in the supernatant of cell culture was determined. Apoptosis and cell cycle were determined with flow cytometry. Results LDH concentration in the supernatant of cell culture of irradiated cardiomyocytes was increased significantly compared to that of un-irradiated cells (P

Objective To investigate the pathophysiological changes in irradiation-induced heart injury in rats in order to provide preventive and therapeutic strategies for irradiation-induced heart disease(RIHD).Methods Experiments were performed using female Wistar rats with body weight of approximately 220g.12 female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups(sham-irradiated group and irradiated group).Heart of rats was locally irradiated with 60Co ?-ray at a dosage of 20 Gy.During the post-radiation period,the intake of food and activities of the animals were observed daily and the body weight was recorded monthly.On the 120th day after irradiation,myocardial perfusion was tested using real time myocardial contrast echocardiography(RTMCE).On the 180th day after irradiation,the hearts were isolated from the rats of the both groups,and they were perfused with a Langendorff apparatus.Hemodynamic measurements,including peak systolic LV pressure(LVSP),maximal rate of LV pressure rise(LV dp/dtmax)and fall(LV dp/dtmin)were studied.Then the hearts were examined pathologically with HE staining.Results Animals irradiated with single dose of 20Gy locally were apparently in a good condition during the observation period of 180 days.No differences in food intake,physical activities and body weight were observed between irradiated and control animals.However,myocardial blood velocity(beta)of irradiated rats was significantly lower than that of sham irradiated group(P

Objective To explore the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with PTEN gene involving in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) C1 signaling genes polymorphisms and autism in children.Methods A total of 97 cases with autism were enrolled from Mar.2011 to Dec.2012 in this study,who came from the child and adolescent out-patient department in Shanghai Mental Health Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.Single SNP association and haplotype association analysis were performed using the family-based association test and Haploview software.Results 1.In a family-based association test,two SNPs showed significant association with autism(rs17107001 G:Z =2.982,P =0.003 ; rs2299941 G:Z =2.524,P =0.012).After the correction of false discovery rate,they all remained significant.2.Haplotype association analysis showed significant transmission disequilibrium in haplotype T-T-G and C-T-A generated from rs532678-rs17562384-rs2299941 (block2) in LD Block,and haplotype T-T-G was over transmitted to offspring(Z =-2.986,P =0.003) while haplotype C-T-A was the opposite (Z =-2.197,P =0.028).Conclusion The SNPs of PTEN genes might have a correlation with autism in children.

Objective: To investigate the expression of MDR1 and GFP in the human hematopoietic cells mediated by adeno-associated virus. Methods: The GFP gene was transferred into the human hematopoietic cells by AAV vectors and created strong visible fluorescence by purely molecular biological means. Using adeno-associated virus vectors, we have transferred human mdr-1 gene into human hematopoietic cells and investigated the drug resistence of human hematopoietic cells modified with mdr-1 gene. PCR analysis confirmed that mdrl cDNA had been successfully transferred into the human hematopoietic cells. An assay of MTT proved that the human hematopoietic cells modified by mdrl gene had resistance to colchicine. Results: It was about 30% of the hematopoietic cells that expressed the green fluorescent proteins. The resistance of hematopoietic cells was increased parently when the cells were infected by the crude virus stocks. Conclusion: It is conducted that the AAV vector could successfully transfer the foreign gene into the human hematopoietic cells. The cells modified with mdrl gene have increased the resistance to drugs.

Objective:To explore the regional brain activities in healthy adolescent subjects after sleep deprivation (SD) using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method.Methods:Total of 16 healthy adolescent subjects (8 males,8 females;aged 13-20 years) were recruited in the community and the campus through the internet and posters.Each of the 16 healthy adolescent subject underwent the attention network test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session twice:once was after rested wakefulness (RW condition),and the other was after SD condition.Amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method was used to assess the local brain features.The mean ALFF signal values of the different brain areas were performed to investigate their relationships with the accuracy rate,reaction time and lapse rate in the attention network test,and were analyzed with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to investigate their sensitivities and specificities to distinguish the SD condition from the RW condition.Results:Subjects showed a lower response accuracy rate [(83 ± 12) ％ vs.(97 ± 4) ％,P ＜ 0.05],a longer response time [(832 ± 134) ms vs.(715 ± 97) ms,P ＜ 0.05] and a higher lapse rate [(15 ± 11)％ vs.(2.4 ±7.3)％,P ＜0.05] under SD condition than under RW condition.They showed higher ALFF area in the right cuneus (BA 17,BA 18),and lower ALFF areas in the right lentiform nucleus,right claustrum,left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 46) and left inferior parietal cortex (BA 39) under SD condition than under RW condition.Under SD condition,the mean ALFF signal value of the right claustrum showed a significant positive correlation with the accuracy rate (r =0.69,P ＜0.05),and a negative correlation with the lapse rate (r =-0.71,P ＜0.05).The mean ALFF signal value of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a significant positive correlation with the reaction time (r =0.68,P ＜ 0.05).The values of area under the curve of the right cuneus,right lentiform nucleus,right claustrum,left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal cortice were 0.9,0.8,0.9,0.8 and 0.9,respectively.These different ALFF areas also showed high degree of sensitivities and specificities.Conclusion:Sleep deprivation leads to the dysfunction in the default mode network,anticorrelatedtask-positive network,and advanced cognitive function brain areas,and the functional compensation in the visual network.

OBJECTIVETo identify the risk factors for no-reflow (NR) phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODSA total of 843 patients with AMI underwent primary PCI within 12 h following onset of the ischemic symptoms. According to TIMI flow grade and myocardial blush grade, the patients were divided into reflow group and NR group after primary PCI, and the clinical data, angiography findings and surgical data were compared to analyze the factors contributing to NR.

RESULTSNR occurred in 15.9% of the AMI patients after primary PCI. Univariate analysis showed that previous myocardial infarction, Killip classes of MI, time to reperfusion, IABP use before PCI, TIMI flow grade before primary PCI, long target lesion, pre-PCI thrombus score and method of reperfusion were correlated to NR (P<0.05 ). Multiple logistic analysis identified the time to reperfusion (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.02-2.73), TIMI flow grade before primary PCI (OR=1.1; 95% CI: 1.04-1.16), long target lesion (OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.19-1.69), and pre-PCI thrombus score (OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.47-2.76) as the independent predictors of NR after primary PCI.

CONCLUSIONThe time to reperfusion, TIMI flow grade before primary PCI, long target lesion, and pre-PCI thrombus score are independent predictors of NR after primary PCI for AMI.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; No-Reflow Phenomenon ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism by which exendin-4 promotes paracrine secretion of cytokines by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).

METHODSIn vitro cultured SD rat ADSCs (fourth passage) with or without exendin-4 treatment underwent flow cytometry to characterize the surface markers. MTT assay was performed to assess the proliferation of the cells exposed to different concentrations (0-20 nm/L) of exendin-4, and the paracrine secretion of cytokines (bFGF, VEGF, HGF, and IGF-1) by the ADSCs was evaluated by qPCR. The changes in the expressions of p-Akt in the cells were analyzed by Western blotting and qPCR in response to exendin-4 (10 nm/L) with or without exposure to PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY-294002 (50 nm/L); bFGF, VEGF, HGF, and IGF-1 production in the cells were detected using ELISA kits.

RESULTSTreatment with exendin-4 for 12 h did not affect the surface marker profile of the ADSCs but promoted the cell proliferation (P<0.05). Exendin-4 significantly increased the mRNA expressions of VEGF, bFGF, HGF, and IGF-1 in a concentration-dependent manner, and 10 nm/L was the optimum concentration (P<0.05). Exendin-4 treatment resulted in significantly increased p-Akt expressions in the ADSCs, and PI3K/Akt inhibitor not only reversed such effects of exendin-4 on p-Akt but also diminished the exendin-4- mediated up-regulation of the paracrine cytokines.

CONCLUSIONExendin-4 can concentration-dependently promote the proliferative and paracrine capacities of ADSCs partially through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway without affecting the surface marker profile of the cells.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromones ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Morpholines ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Venoms ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the effect of liraglutide, an analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1, on the proliferation and migration of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) and explore the mechanism. Methods In vitro cultured CMECs of SD rats were purified by differential adhesion method and identified immunocytochemically using CD31 antibody and factor VIII. MTT assay was performed to assess the proliferation of the first- generation cells exposed to different concentrations (0-1000 nm/L) of liraglutide. Western blotting was used to detect the activation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. BrdU fluorescent labeling and scratch assay were performed to observe the proliferation and migration of CMECs following liraglutide treatment, and PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitors LY294002 and PD98059, respectively, were used to further confirm the role of these signaling pathways in regulating the proliferation and migration of CMECs. Results Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated a proportion of double positive cells exceeding 95%. The cells exhibited a logarithmic growth 48 h after plating. Liraglutide exposure concentration-dependently promoted the proliferation of CMECs with the optimal concentration of 100 nmol/L (P<0.05). Liraglutide exposure of the cells for 24 h significantly increased the levels of intracellular phosphorylated Akt and ERK (P<0.05), but pretreatment of the cells with Akt and ERK signaling pathway inhibitors 1 h before liraglutide obviously reversed such effect (P<0.05). BrdU and scratch assay showed that 100 nmol/L liraglutide significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of CMECs (P<0.05), but such effects were obviously suppressed by Akt and ERK inhibitors (P<0.05). Conclusion Liraglutide promotes the proliferation and migration of CMECs in vitro via PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the effect of liraglutide, an analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1, on the proliferation and migration of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) and explore the mechanism. Methods In vitro cultured CMECs of SD rats were purified by differential adhesion method and identified immunocytochemically using CD31 antibody and factor VIII. MTT assay was performed to assess the proliferation of the first- generation cells exposed to different concentrations (0-1000 nm/L) of liraglutide. Western blotting was used to detect the activation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. BrdU fluorescent labeling and scratch assay were performed to observe the proliferation and migration of CMECs following liraglutide treatment, and PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitors LY294002 and PD98059, respectively, were used to further confirm the role of these signaling pathways in regulating the proliferation and migration of CMECs. Results Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated a proportion of double positive cells exceeding 95%. The cells exhibited a logarithmic growth 48 h after plating. Liraglutide exposure concentration-dependently promoted the proliferation of CMECs with the optimal concentration of 100 nmol/L (P<0.05). Liraglutide exposure of the cells for 24 h significantly increased the levels of intracellular phosphorylated Akt and ERK (P<0.05), but pretreatment of the cells with Akt and ERK signaling pathway inhibitors 1 h before liraglutide obviously reversed such effect (P<0.05). BrdU and scratch assay showed that 100 nmol/L liraglutide significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of CMECs (P<0.05), but such effects were obviously suppressed by Akt and ERK inhibitors (P<0.05). Conclusion Liraglutide promotes the proliferation and migration of CMECs in vitro via PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.

Objective To explore the effects of the same dose of fractionated radiation and single radiation on radiation-induced heart damage in mice.Methods Twenty-one wild-type C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group,fractionated radiation group and single radiation group.18 Gy X-ray,via fractionated(3 Gy/time,6 times)radiation or single radiation,was used to establish a radiation-induced heart damage model.The concentrations of myocardial enzyme damage markers(creatinekinase(CK),creatinekinase-MB(CK-MB),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and LDH1)and peripheral serum ions(K+,Ca2+,Fe2+and Cl-)were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer at day 7 and 28 after radiation.Ultrasound was used to detect and analyze the cardiac function of mice at day 28 after radiation,including the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF),left ventricular fractional shortening(FS),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular mass(LV mass)and left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV).The opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP)and changes of mitochondrial membrane potential of myocardial cells were observed using a laser confocal microscope.The ultrastructure of myocardia was observed under a transmission electron microscope(TEM)and cardiac fibrosis was checked by Masson staining.The atherosclerosis of the aorta was examined by gross oil red staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting were performed to detect the expressions ofapoptosis-related genes and proteins,B cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein(BAX)and casepase-3.Results Seven days after 18Gy X-ray irradiation,the expression levels of CK,CK-MB,LDH and LDH1 in the single radiation group increased significantly or trended up,while only CK and LDH1 in the fractionated irradiation group continued to increase.Twenty-eight days after radiation,the expression levels of 4 enzymes in myocardial zymogram were increased by both radiation methods.Seven and twenty-eight days after radiation,the concentrations of serum ions K+,Fe2+,Ca2+and Cl-were significantly decreased by both radiation methods that could lead to the decrease of EF and FS,and the increase of LV mass,LVEDV and LVESV.Single radiation made more difference to EF and FS,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.Both methods could decrease the mPTP and mitochondrial membrane potential,especially single radiation,and there was significant difference between the two groups.The results of TEM showed that the mitochondrial cristae of myocardial cells decreased and vacuolated,and the myocardial fiber bundles became thicker after X-ray radiation.Masson staining showed that collagen fibers were deposited in the heart tissue ofmice after X-ray irradiation,particularly in the single radiation group.Gross oil red staining ofthe aorta showed that both methods could damage the aorta of mice,and the area of atherosclerotic plaques in the single radiation group was larger,which was statistically different from that of the fractionated radiation group.The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that X-ray radiation could increase the expression levels of apoptosis-related BAX and caspase-3 in cardiac tissue,especially in the single radiation group.The mRNAexpressions of BAX and caspase-3 increased more significantly in the single radiation group.Conclusion Both fractionated radiation and single radiation at the same dose can cause heart damage,so they can be used to establish a radiation-induced heart damage model of mice.Single radiation can cause more significant damage to the heart.Different modeling methods can be selected as required.