Objective To evaluate the reproducibility of quality intima-media thickness(QIMT) and quality arterial stiffness (QAS) technique in assessment of carotid under different measuring methods.Methods Between December 2012 and January 2014,carotid QIMT and QAS examinations were carried out in 30 health volunteers.QIMT and QAS indicators included IMT in QIMT and distensibility coefficient (DC),compliance coefficient(CC),stiffness index α(α),stiffness index β(β),pulse wave velocity(PWV) in QAS.The measurement employed unilateral/once,bilateral/twice,and unilateral/twice methods.Using intra observer and inter-observer variability,the reproducibility was compared between different QIMT and QAS indicators and measuring methods.Results Extremely high level of intra-observer reproducibility was found for both QIMT and QAS technique (ICC＞0.8).QIMT also showed an excellent inter observer reproducibility (ICC＞0.8).In contrast,the reproducibility of QAS technique varied in different indicators (PWV ＞ β ≈ α ＞ CC ＞ DC) and method ( unilateral/once ＞ bilateral/twice ＞ unilateral/twice).Conclusions QIMT measurement was highly reproducible.Whereas the reproducibility of QAS technique varied in different indicators and methods.Due to low reproducibility,the study result did not support the clinical application of DC indicator and unilateral/once method.

Ubiquitination on target proteins is the signal of cellular protein degradation.Ubiquitin ligase E3 is one of the key enzymes in ubiquitination,it recognizes a specific substrate protein and recruits an ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2,mediating the ubquitin transfer from the E2 to the substrate protein.Ubiquitin ligase E3 can be divided into two subfamilies according to their different structure characters and function mechanisms,the HECT(homologous to E6AP C terminus) family and the RING-finger family.Members of the HECT E3 share the common HECT catalytic domain,which can bind to an E2 and load the ubiquitin on themselves before catalyzing the transfer of ubiquitin to the target proteins.While the RING-finger E3 all contain an similar E2 binding domain and a unique substrate binding part,mediating direct ubiquitin transfer from the E2 to the substrate.The most recent progresses in the stuctural and functional studies of these two E3 famlies were summarized.

Objective To investigate the function of triggering receptor expresses on myeloid cells receptor-1 (TREM-1) in lymphocyte differentiation and regulation of Aspergillus infected immunosuppressed rats.Methods Cyclophosphamide (CTX) was intraperitoneally injected and Fumigatus spore suspension was inhaled by percutaneous tracheostomy to establish the immunosuppressive invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) rat model.After 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h inoculation, rats were sacrificed.Lung tissue specimens, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) , and plasma samples were collected.Plasma and BALF sTREM-1, plasma T cell-specific transcription factor (T-box expressed in T cells, T-bet) and eomesodermin(Eomes) were detected by ELISA.Biopsy specimens of lung tissue were used for periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining and culture.Results The mortality rate of immunosuppressed rats after Aspergillus inhalation for 96 h was as high as 54.4％.Biopsy of lung tissue suggested acute inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial lung congestion, alveolar structural damage, and visible Aspergillus hyphae in alveoli.Compared with normal control group[(110.50 ± 7.70)ng/L], plasma sTREM-1 in study groups were significantly increased [IPA : (146.77 ± 10.41) ng/L;CXT + IPA at 24 h : (226.00 ± 11.88) ng/L;CTX + IPA at 48 h : (200.77 ± 10.63) ng/L;P ＜ 0.05], so were T-bet levels [IPA : (561.17 ± 7.23) μg/L;CXT + IPA at 24 h : (647.00 ± 33.03) μg/L;CTX + IPA at 48 h : (619.23 ± 87.44) μg/L;control group : (340.03 ± 26.32) μg/L;respectively, P ＜0.05].However, plasma Eomes levels in IPA group, CTX + IPA at 24 h and 48 h were significantly lower compared with that in normal controls [IPA : (7.96 ± 0.65) ng/L;CXT + IPA at 24 h : (3.97 ± 0.35) ng/L;CTX + IPA at 48 h : (4.00 ± 0.74) ng/L;control group : (8.38 ± 0.51) ng/L;respectively,P ＜0.001].Compared with those in CTX + IPA vaccination after 24 h and 48 h, plasma sTREM-1 [(106.67 ±7.64)ng/L;(133.27 ± 32.79) ng/L] and T-bet [(299.64±63.07)μg/L;(398.02 ± 109.22) μg/L] in CTX + IPA at 72 h and 96 h inoculation were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.001).While Eomes [(8.38 ± 0.54) ng/L;(8.40 ± 0.70) ng/L] raised significantly higher (P ＜ 0.001).Compared with the control group, sTREM-1 levels in BALF of IPA + CTX 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h groups were consistently high (P ＜ 0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that sTREM-1 and T-bet had a significant positive correlation (r =0.91, P ＜ 0.001), yet Eomes was negatively correlated with them (r =-0.788, P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions sTREM-1 in rat plasma and BALF appears highly expressed in immune compromised Aspergillus infected rat model.Plasma sTREM-1 is closely correlated with T-bet and Eomes levels, which suggests that TREM-1 may be involved in lymphocytic regulation and differentiation during fungal infection.

Aim The protective effect and mechanism of TPG on PC12 cells in calcium overloading injury models were studied. Methods Two injury models induced by KCl and NMDA were used to assay the action of TPG in cultured PC12 cells. Results The morphological examination revealed that TPG possessed obvious protective effects on PC12 cells in injury models. MTT and LDH measurement indicated that TPG increased the number of live cells and reduced the extent of cell injury significantly. TPG also lessened the concentration of calcium ion in cytoplasm. Conclusion TPG protected rat PC12 cells against two calcium overloading injuries effectively in vitro. Its actions may deal with anti oxidation, inhibition of NO production and blocking of both types of calcium channel.

Objective To summarize the sonographic features and pathological features of ovarian tumor during pregnancy. Methods One hundred and five women with 114 pathologically proved ovarian tumors during pregnancy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively recruited. According to pathological diagnosis, the clinical treatment, the result of the pregnancy and sonographic examinations were reviewed and analyzed. The sonographic features of benign tumors were compared with low-grade malignant tumors. Results Among the 105 pregnant women with a total of 114 ovarian tumors, 65 tumors were found by ultrasound exam. The other 49 tumors were found during cesarean section. The sonographic features of pathologically proved ovarian tumors include regular shape and well-deifned margins, with 58 of benign tumors and 7 of borderline or low-grade malignant tumors. Compared with borderline or low-grade malignant tumors, benign tumors manifested as strong echoes or high echogenic mass without papillae in the tumors (50/58). As for borderline or low-grade malignant group, tumors manifested as papillae within the tumors (5/7). Pathological classiifcation of the 114 ovarian tumors included 84 germ cell tumors, 19 epithelial tumors, 9 sex cord-stromal tumors, and 2 germ cell tumors combined epithelial tumors. Surgical treatments were performed in 7 cases during the ifrst trimester, while 11 cases during the second trimester, and 87 cases during the third trimester. Pregnancy outcome of the 105 pregnant women included term delivery in 82 cases, premature delivery in 18 cases, artiifcial abortion during ifrst trimester in 4 cases, and induced abortion during second trimester in 1 case. Conclusions Most ovarian tumors treated in pregnancy are benign. The sonographic features of benign tumors include regular shape with well-deifned margins, strong echoes or high echogenic mass within the tumors. While the sonographic features of borderline or malignant tumors include papillae within the tumors. Ultrasound assessment of ovarian tumors can help to determine the risk of malignancy and guide the surgical management.

Paeoniflorin is the main active ingredient of Chinese herbaceous peony. This study is to investigate the protective effect of paeoniflorin (Pae) on acute brain damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the normal control, model control (LPS), as well as groups of paeoniflorin and lipopolysaccharide (Pae + LPS). Then the mice were administered intraperitioneally with normal saline or Pae (10, 30 mg · kg(-1)) once daily for 6 d. One hour after intrapertioneally treatment on the seventh day, each group were injected LPS (5 mg · kg(-1)) to establish the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide inflammation model except the normal group. The mice were sacrificed after 6 h and the brain homogenates were prepared and measured. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), succinatedehydrogenase (SDH), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase were dectected by the colorimetric method. The levels of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in subcellular fractions of brain tissue were detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that the administration with paeoniflorin reduced the levels of the MDA production; significantly increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX). In addition, paeoniflorin could enhance the total antioxidant capacity, decrease the level of H2O2, and increase the activities of SDH, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase. Furthermore, paeoniflorin can increase the expression of HO-1 and activate the nuclear transfer of Nrf2. Taking together, these findings suggest that paeoniflorin alleviate the acute inflammation in mice brain damage induced by LPS, which is related with its antioxidant effect and improvement of energy metabolism.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

Objective To summarize the sonographic features and differential diagnosis points of mass-type cornual pregnancy. Methods The sonographic ifndings of 23 pathological proven mass-type cornual pregnancy cases enrolled in PUMCH from 2011 January to 2013 January were retrospectively analyzed. Results All pathological proven mass-type cornual pregnancy were located at one corner of the uterus presenting as a heterogenous outward mass. Well-deifned margins were found in 20 cases, and interstitial-line signs were found in 15 cases. The surrounding muscle thickness is 0.1-0.3 cm. Typical hyperechoic villi were found on sonography in cases with bloodβ-hCG>20 000 IU/L. On Doppler, the lesion showed abundant peripheral vascularity with low resistance in 22 cases, 9 lesions also showed abundant internal vascularity. Among 23 mass-type cornual pregnancy cases, 7 cases were misdiagnosed as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) due to the similar sonographic characteristics including mixed-echo and abundant vascularity with low resistance. Sixteen cases were diagnosed by ultrasound preoperatively, with featured sonographic signs including mass located in the endometrial extension line;clear margin;peripheral vascularity;or detection of interstitial-line sign and typical villus. Conclusions Mass-type cornual pregnancy may be correctly diagnosed according to the location, boundary of the mass and the distribution of blood flow combining with clinical manifestation and bloodβ-hCG level. Transvaginal sonography could play an important role in diagnosis of cornual pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate left atrial (LA) function and synchrony in lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) patients by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and to explore the predictive value of 2D-STE parameters for AF recurrence after ablation procedure. Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: LAF group,n=50 patients diagnosed in our hospital from 2013-06 to 2015-05; it was further divided into 2 subgroups as Non-LA enlargement subgroup,n=34 and LA enlargement subgroup,n=16 and Control group,n=35 healthy subjects. With sinus rhythm, 2D-STE was conducted to obtain LA peak ventricular systolic longitudinal strain (PALS), strain rate (SRs) and atrial contraction longitudinal strain (ACLS), strain rate (SRa). Standard deviation for the time to peak (TPSD) of regional strain was calculated. TPSD during ventricular systole was named as SDs and TPSD during ventriculardiastole was named asSDa. Results: Compared with Control group, LAF group had reduced PALS (28.34±8.57) vs (38.73±6.13), SRs (1.17±0.31) vs (1.57±0.25), ACLS (14.11±4.91) vs (18.86±3.57 ) and SRa (-1.41±0.58) vs (-1.90±0.30), allP<0.05; while elevated SDs (8.11±3.00) % vs (4.67±1.48) % and SDa (5.57±2.26) % vs (3.11±1.13) %, bothP<0.05. Furthermore, Compared with Control group, Non-LA enlargement subgroup had decreased PALS, SRs, ACLS and SRa, allP<0.05; while increased SDs and SDa, bothP<0.05. Logistic regression analysis indicated that compared with traditional parameters, SDs and SDa could more effectively distinguish LAF patients from normal subjects (SDs with the sensitivity 83%, speciifcity 72% and SDa with the sensitivity 81%, speciifcity 76%). Elevated SDa and SDs were the best predictors for post-operative AF recurrence (SDs with the sensitivity 80%, speciifcity 71% and SDa with the sensitivity 86%, speciifcity 79%). Conclusion: 2D-STE may detect LA dysfunction and dyssynchrony in LAF patients, abnormal parameters could be found in LAF patients without LA enlargement. SDs and SDa were the best predictors for post-operative AF recurrence.

Objective To evaluate the contrast enhanced perfusion pattern of PTC micro-vascular imaging (MVI) quantitatively.Investigate the correlation between PTC MVI features and CD34 micro-vascular density (MVD).Methods Thirty-nine pathological and clinical confirmed sporadic PTCs were evaluated with real-time gray-scale contrast-ernhanced micro-vascular imaging under a low mechanical index.The micro-bubble agent was SoneVue.Of the 39 PTCs,33 were classical PTCs,6 were PTC with follicular variant (FVPTC).The △ ROI,which is the subtraction of peak echo intensity between the lesion region of interest (ROI) and normal thyroid parenchyma ROI,was used to evaluate the perfusion characteristics of PTC MVI quantitatively.The paraffined specimens were selected for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for CD3,and the correlation between △ ROI and the CD34 were evaluated.Results △ ROI was strongly correlated with the CD34 expression (P=0.000),significant differences were detected in the distribution pattern of △ ROI value among different CD34 expression levels,no overlapping of the mean △ ROI values and the 95％ confidence intervals was found among the 3 CD34 expression levels.The PTC MVI perfusion was classified into 3 patterns,low perfusion,focal perfiusion and high perfusion,on the basis of combining△ ROI values with the peak ehco pattem in time-intensity curve.Conclusions The △ ROI is strongly correlated with the CD34 expression in papillary thyroid cancer.It can be used for the quantitative evaluation ofPTC MVI pattem and intensity as an objective indicator.

AIM: To investigate the influence and mechanism of blue light on the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.METHODS: Cells were divided into two groups,including blue light group and control group.The 35W white light lamp with blue filter was used to establish damaged RPE cell model in vitro.Blue ray wavelength ranged between 470nm and 520nm.And the light intensity was about 2000Lx.After exposure to blue light,we tested the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells by CCK-8 kit.And then expression of miR-103 was measured by the real-time PCR.RESULTS: Exposure to blue light inhibited the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells and increased the expression of miR-103.Moreover,up-regulation of miR-103 inhibited the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells,and down-regulates miR-103 promoted the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.CONCLUSION: Blue light inhibits the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells by the up-regulation of miR-103.