Alterations in the balance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix( ECM) and its remodeling may result in an accumulation of ECM molecules and lead to tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis and end-stage renal failure. The major physiologic regulators of ECM degradation in the glomerulus are matrix metalloproteinases ( MMP). Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 and-1 (TIMP-2 and TIMP-1)are endogenous inhibitors of MMP-2 and MMP-9 respectively. The expression or activity of MMP and TIMP is different in all kinds of kidney diseases or pathophysiological processes. This article reviews the interrelationship of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and kidney diseases.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a disease with high disability and mortality rate.It is still lack of effective treatment means in clinical practice.Studies in recent years have found that early brain injury may be the primary causes that result in higher mortality and poor prognosis in patients with SAH.This article mainly reviews the animal models and pathogenesis of early brain injury after SAH.

Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is a well-established technique for evaluation of colorectal cancer (CRC). Signiifcant advances have been made in the technique of CTC since its inception. Besides being an excellent tool for detection of CRC, it is minimally invasive, less time-consuming and well tolerated by patients. Furthermore, it has fewer complications than conventional colonoscopy (CC) or barium enema (BE). The application of new technologies, such as electronic cleansing (EC) and dual-energy CT (DECT), enriches the examination of CTC. In 2005, a standardized reporting scheme, CT colonography reporting and data system (C-RADS), was put forward by the working group on virtual colonoscopy. They proposed that the report should include lesion size, number, morphology, location, attenuation and recommendations for lesion surveillance. New research progress and clinical applications of CTC in CRC are reviewed in this article. In addition, the paper also brielfy touches upon technique, indications, contraindications, safety and risk of CTC.

Objective To explore the effects of isoflurane on blood plasma metabolites (BPM) and its correlation with cognitive dysfunction.Methods Thirty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups:rats in the control group (n =10) received 80％ oxygen for 2 hours (h);and rats in the isoflurane-treated group (n =20) were anesthetized with isoflurane and 80％ oxygen for 2 h.Cognitive functions were examined using a Y-maze test to explore the learning times of rats.The level of blood plasma metabolites was detected through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS).Results The learning times of rats in the isoflurane-treated group was more than the learning times of rats in the control group [(70.75 ± 15.30) vs (45.40 ± 11.21),P ＜ 0.05].D-fructose,arabinofuranose,n-butylamine,and inositol significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05),respectively.Whereas,L-analine and L-proline significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05) in isoflurane-treated rats when compared to those in the control rats (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,plasma concentrations of d-fructose,arabinofuranose,n-butylamine,inositol,and L-proline were positively correlated with the degree of cognitive dysfunction in the isoflurane-treated rats.Conclusions Changes of plasma concentrations of inositol,and d-fructose in aged rats are useful in predicting the occurrence and progression of post-anesthesia cognitive dysfunction.

Objective To discuss the relationship between heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and oxygen consumption in therapeutic exercises for stroke patients. Methods Eighteen stroke patients a-ble to walk independently participated in the test. K4b2 Pulmonary Function Equipment was used to record their heart Rates(min-1)and specific oxygen consumption(ml·min-1·kg-1)during the following exercises:relaxed sitting,sit-to-stand transfers, leaning against a wall and elevating the hips (strength training of the gluteus maximus) , raising the unaffected leg while the affected leg is weight bearing, raising the affected leg while the unaffected leg is weight bearing, climbing up and down stairs, and walking 60 meters. RPE was surveyed after each exercise. Results The correlation between HR and oxygen consumption was moderate (r = 0.618, P≤0.001), but it was weak between RPE and oxygen consumption (r = 0.325 ,P≤0.001). Conclusion Heart rate is a better index than RPE for eval-uating exercise intensity with stroke patients able to walk independently.

Objective To explore the effects of fibroblast transdifferentiation for myofibroblast (MFB) in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to explore the antifibrotic mechanism of interferon γ (IFN-γ) in SSc.Methods The fibroblasts derived from the skin lesions of SSc patients and healthy adult controls were cultured in vitro and the MFB proportion in fibroblasts was examined by qualitative and quantitative α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) detection.By adding IFN-γ to the culture system with several doses,the influence on fibroblast proliferation and transdifferentiation for MFB in SSc was observed with MTT and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively.Differences in the means of two independent samples were tested by Student' t-test.The means among multiple independent samples were com-pared by ANOVA.Results The means of positive α-SMA in SSc fibroblasts were higher than those in the controls (P＜0.01).With extended culture time,α-SMA levels of the two groups all increased gradually (P＜ 0.01 all),but there were higher α-SMA levels in SSc fibroblasts (24 h:130±19,48 h:183±21,72 h:249± 22) than those in controls (24 h:98±21,48 h:143±16,72 h:174±19) (P＜0.05 all).Although fibroblast proliferation and α-SMA levels were not influenced after adding of IFN-γ 10 U/ml (P＞0.05 all),but IFN-γ at concentration of 100 U/ml and 1000 U/ml could obviously repress fibroblast proliferation and α-SMA levels (P＜0.05 all),and 1000 U/ml had the strongest inhibiting effect at 24,48,72 h.Conclusion The fibroblasts in the skin of SSc patients have a strong potency to transdifferentiate to MFB.Early appropviate dose of IFN-γ could repress fibroblast proliferation and transdifferentiation in SSc.

Objective To determine the relationship between plasma cytokeratin polypeptide 19 (CK 19) level and prognosis of patients with first occurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods This prospective trial enrolled 60 patients with PTC.The plasma CK19 level was determined by ELISA and the other clinical data were collected on admission.All patients were followed up for 12 months.The patients were divided into recurrence group (27 patients) and non-recurrence group (33 patients) according to the results of follow-up.Results Single factor analysis showed that age,female,history of smoking,Graves disease,occupational exposure,the level of thyroid peroxidase antibody,thyroglobulin antibody,triglyceride and CK19 between two groups had significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Multiple factors analysis showed that female,history of smoking,occupational exposure,the level of thyroid peroxidase antibody,thyroglobulin antibody and CK19 were independent risk factors for recurrence (P =0.01).The recurrence rate of CK19 ≥4.12 μg/L patients was 79.31％ (23/29),significantly higher than that in CK19 ＜4.12 μg/L patients [12.90％ (4/31)] (x2 =5.17,P ＜ 0.05).The recurrence rate of CK19 ≥ 4.12 μ g/L was significantly higher than that in CK19 ＜4.12 μ g/L (x2 =4.11,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The plasma CK19 level is an independent risk factor for recurrence of PTC patients.It can be used as a significant independent predictor for recurrence of PTC patients.

Tumor-specific promoters can induce high-efficiency and specific expression of exogenous genes in tumor cells. At present, commonly used promoters include alpha-fetoprotein promoter, carcinoembryonic antigen promoter,prostate specific antigen promoter,human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter and multidrug resistance gene promoter and etc. Dual promoters, enhancer, regulatory element and other physical or chem-ical factors could be used to reconstruct or modify promoters to increase the expression and location of exogenous genes in tumor cells. Tumor-specific promoters play an important role in cancer gene targeted therapy by cou-pling with suicide gene, anti- oncogene, antiseuse nucleic acid, apoptosis gene and RNA interference.

Objective To study the effect of Chinese herb medicine compound on general state and bone-muscle system in simulated weightlessness rats, and to observe the synergistic action of other ingredients in the compound on calcium. Methods Thirty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups:control group, tail suspend group, tail suspend and medicine group which were given Chinese herb medicine compound by intragastric administration. After 3 weeks simulated weightlessness, body weight (BW), muscle weight (MW) and index (MI) of posterior limb, bone length (BL), wet weight (BWW), index (BI), dry weight (BDW), content of organic (ORG) and inorganic (INO) substance, bone mineral density (BMD), and mechanical properties (MEC) of femur were observed. Results At the middle-later stage of the experiment, BW of tail suspend group decreased significantly (P

0.05 ). However, benazepril+losartan group was better than benazepril group in improving heart composition and function (P