AIM: To investigate if hydrogen peroxide may alter COX-2 gene expression in pulmonary artery endothelial cells(PAECs) and how CaMKⅡ functions in this process.METHODS: Cultured pulmonary arterial endothelial cells were treated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for different durations.The cells survival rates were measured by CCK-8 after the cells were treated by hydrogen peroxide.The level of COX-2 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS: The results showed that hydrogen peroxide up-regulated COX-2 mRNA and protein levels in a concentration-and time-dependent manners.Incubation with 100 ?mol/L H2O2 for 4 h increased COX-2 mRNA and protein level to 256.01%?22.36%(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the primary prevention role of Wuling Capsule (WC) on poststroke depression (PSD) patients.

METHODSAcute stroke patients were recruited and randomized into 2 groups by stratification, 55 in each group. All patients received same routine treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Patients in the experimental group additionally took WC (0.33 g each pill), 3 pills per day, three times per day; while those in the control group additionally took placebos, 3 pills per day, three times per day. Two weeks consisted of one therapeutic course. The diagnosis of PSD was performed once every other week. Those in accordance with PSD diagnosis discontinued any drug therapy. Those not in accordance with PSD diagnosis continued the drug therapy for 1-12 therapeutic course(s) (in total of 6 months). If they were still not in accordance with PSD diagnosis, then they discontinued the drug therapy. The morbidity of PSD, the average time of depression occurrence, Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) score, and adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3-, and 6-month morbidity of PSD was 8%, 16%, and 34% in the experimental group, while they were 19.6%, 29.4%, and 54.9% in the control group. The occurrence rate was lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Besides, there was statistical difference in the 6-month occurrence rate between the two groups (chi2 = 4.465, P < 0.05). The average time of PSD occurrence was longer in the experimental group than in the control group (14.96 +/- 8.31 weeks vs. 9.36 +/- 6.06 weeks; t=6.762, P < 0.05). The HAMD score at the PSD occurrence was 11.96 +/- 2.14 in the experimental group, lower than that of the control group (14.57 +/- 4.24), showing statistical difference (t=5.641, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWC was superior to the placebos in lowering the incidence of PSD, delaying the occurrence time of PSD, attenuating the depression degree of PSD, and had certain preventive effect on the incidence of PSD.

Aged ; Capsules ; Depression ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Primary Prevention ; Stroke ; complications

No abstract available.
Colon*

Objective To examine the relationship between gender and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI).Methods From January 1,1999 to December 31,2012,data on VLBWI and ELBWI,who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Yuying Children's Hospital within 14 d after birth,were retrospectively collected.The Chi-square test and t test were used to compare neonatal outcomes between male and female infants.The Logistic model was used to analyze the risk factors for IVH.Results A total of 1 008 cases were enrolled,including 615 males and 393 females,895 VLBWI and 113 ELBWI.The incidence of IVH was 15.1％ (152/1 008) and the incidence of severe IVH was 8.4％ (85/1 008).Compared with females,males had a higher total incidence of IVH [17.2％ (106/615) vs 11.7％ (46/393),x2=5.728,P＜0.05] and severe IVH [9.8％ (60/615) vs 6.4％ (25/393),x2=3.896,P＜0.05].These differences were also seen in VLBWI with a birth weight of 1 250 to 1 499 g [IVH:13.7％ (47/344) vs 7.8％ (17/217),x2=4.473,P=0.034; severe IVH:7.6％ (26/344) vs 2.8％ (6/217),x2=5.684,P=0.017].Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for IVH were as follows:gestational age ＜28 weeks (aOR=2.012,95％CI:1.288-3.143,P＜0.05),neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (aOR=l.584,95％CI:1.007-2.492,P＜0.05),invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR=2.743,95％CI:1.826-4.121,P＜0.05),electrolyte disturbance (aOR=2.128,95％CI:1.092-4.149,P＜0.05) and periventricular leukomalacia (aOR=2.901,95％CI:1.312-6.416,P＜0.05),but not male sex (aOR=1.351,95％CI:0.917-1.991,P=0.128).The risk factors for severe IVH were gestational age ＜28 weeks (aOR=2.200,95％CI:1.305-3.708,P＜0.05),invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR=4.714,95％CI:2.809-7.911,P＜0.05) and electrolyte disturbance (aOR=2.232,95％CI:1.047 4.759,P＜0.05),but not male sex (aOR=1.361,95％CI:0.823 2.252,P=0.247).Conclusions Male VLBWI and ELBWI have a higher incidence of IVH and severe IVH,but male sex is not a risk factor for IVH or severe IVH.

Objective Although heart transplantation (HTx) has become a standard therapy for end-stage heart diseases,experience with pediatric HTx is limited in China.In this article,we will try to provide the experience with indications,complications,perioperative management,immunosuppressive therapy,and survival for pediatric HTx based on our clinical work.Method This is a retrospective chart review of the pediatric patients undergoing HTx at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Union Hospital from September 2008 to December 2015.We summarized the indications,surgical variables,postoperative complications,and survival for these patients.Result Twenty-three pediatric patients presented for HTx at Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College,of whom 12 were male.The age at the time of transplantation ranged from 3 months to 18years (median 14 years).Patient weight ranged from 5.2 kg to 57.0 kg (median 36.0 kg).Pretransplant diagnosis included cardiomyopathy (16 cases),complex congenital heart disease (5cases) and tumors (2 cases).All recipients received ABO compatible donor hearts.Postoperative complications occurred in 14 patients,including cardiac dysfunction,arrhythmia,pulmonary infection,renal dysfunction,and rejection.Two of them experienced cardiac failure and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.The immunosuppression regimen was comprised of prednisone,a calcineurin inhibitor,and mycophenolate.All patients recovered with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class Ⅰ Ⅱ cardiac function and were discharged.Only one patient suffered sudden death 19 months after transplantation.Conclusion Orthotopic HTx is a promising therapeutic option with satisfactory survival for the pediatric population in China with end-stage heart disease.

Objective:To investigate the effect of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in modulat-ing the effects of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) invasion. Methods:Real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed to de-tect the expression of MALAT1 in samples of OSCC post-radical resection, normal oral mucosa samples, and oral squamous cell lines. MALAT1-siRNA was transfected into TSCCa human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Cell proliferation was determined by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium reduction assay. Cell migration and invasive ability were evaluated by scratch test and transwell assay. The expression of proteins that regulated invasion and apoptosis were examined using Western blot assay. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins in the cells. Tumor-bearing nude mouse models were established by subcutaneous implantation of TSCCa cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect up-regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9). Results:MALAT1 expression was significantly higher in OSCC than in normal tissues (P<0.05). MALAT1 expression was inhibited by transfecting MALAT1-siRNA. After MALAT1 expres-sion was down-regulated in TSCCa cells, proliferation was inhibited and invasion was attenuated, showing significant differences com-pared with the cells transfected with scrambled siRNA and control cells (P<0.05). Expression of N-cadherin and MMP-2/9 were down-regulated in the cells after MALAT1 was knocked down. Tumor growth was significantly slower in the MALAT1-siRNA group than in the control groups. IHC indicated that PCNA and MMP-2/9 expression of tumor tissues were significantly inhibited in MALAT1-siR-NA group. Conclusion:MALAT1 is over-expressed in human OSCC. MALAT1 reduction can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells. Furthermore, MALAT1 may promote OSCC invasion and metastasis by modulating EMT.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 (OH)D3) and urine vitamin D binding protein(uVDBP) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN),and to determine the relationship between 25 (OH) D3,uVDBP and DN,in order to provide a new method for early diagnosis and treatment of DN.Methods From January 2015 to December 2015,85 DN patients admitted into Weihai Municipal Hospital were selected.According to the ratio of UALB to UCR(UACR),the patients were divided into three groups.Type 2 diabetes had 28 cases of normal albuminuria group,31 cases of microalbuminuria group,and 26 cases of clinical albuminuria group.We also enrolled 25 healthy people who received outpatient service as control group.Serum 25 (OH) D3 levels were measured by chemiluminescence method.Urine VDBP levels were assayed by ELISA.FPG,HbA1 c,UREA,SCr,TC,TG were measured by electrochemiluminescence.Results The results showed that serum 25 (OH)D3 was significantly lower in the normal albuminuria group,microalbuminuria group and clinical proteinuria group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05),and there was statistically significant difference among the four groups [(20.04 ± 7.52) ng/mL,(16.54 ± 6.51) ng/mL,(10.77 ± 4.63) ng/mL,(29.65 ± 5.47) ng/mL,F =86.294,P ＜ 0.001].The results showed that uVDBP was significantly higher in the DN group than that in the control group(all P ＜ 0.05),and there was statistically significant difference among the four groups [(8.44 ± 3.20) mg/L,(14.22 ± 3.26) mg/L,(2 1.77 ± 5.87) mg/L,(4.95 ± 1.34) mg/L,F =125.583,P ＜ 0.001].Correlation analysis showed that serum 25 (OH) D3 decreased gradually with the increase of DN and negatively correlated with UACR (r =-0.575,P ＜ 0.01),while uVDBP level was positively correlated with UACR (r =0.436,P =0.015).Conclusion With the progress of DN,serum 25 (OH) D3 levels gradually decreased,indicating that 25 (OH) D3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of DN;uVDBP may be an early diagnostic method for DN.

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of Fengbaisan (, FBS) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in lung tissue of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to investigate the preventive and therapeutic mechanisms of FBS.

METHODSThe COPD rat model was established by cigarette smoke exposure and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intra-tracheal dripping. The histopathological changes of lung tissue was observed via hematoxylin/eosin staining. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe typical histopathological changes of COPD were displayed in the model group, Ambroxol Hydrochloride group and FBS group, and the pathological lesions in the FBS group were less than those in the model group. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the model group increased significantly compared with those in the normal group (P<0.05). After treatment for successive 28 days, the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the FBS group decreased remarkably as compared with the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFBS can regulate MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance to prevent airway and lung parenchyma remodeling process via reducing the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissue of COPD rats, and this may be a possible therapeutic mechanism of FBS on COPD.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of long-term exposure to carbon disulfide (SC(2)) on cardiovascular system of workers.

METHODSThe concentrations of CS(2) were detected in the representative workshops with different exposure levels. The indicators related to cardiovascular system were tested in 633 workers occupationally exposed to CS(2), which included blood pressure, electrocardiogram, blood routine (blood RT), cholesterol (TCHO), triglyceride (TG) and so on. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe exposure concentration of CS(2) for 389 workers was less than or equal to 5 mg/m(3), which for other 244 workers was higher than 5 mg/m(3). The maximum exposure concentration of CS(2) was 15.73 mg/m(3). There were no significant effects of CS(2) on the electrocardiogram, red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelet, TCHO and TG of workers. However, the positive effects of CS(2) on blood pressure and negative effects of CS(2) on hemoglobin were found. The rates of high TCHO, TG and hypertension in male workers were significantly higher than those in female workers (P < 0.05). The rates of high TCHO, hypertension and sinus arrhythmia in older workers (≤ 30 years old) were significantly higher than those in young workers (> 30 years old) (P < 0.05). The rate of sinus arrhythmia in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly higher than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly lower than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were no significant effects of CS(2) exposure on the indexes of cardiovascular system of workers.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of schisandrin B (Sch-B) on expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and signal transduction molecule mRNA in rat lungs exposed to SiO2, and explore the intervention mechanism of Sch-B on pulmonary fibrosis induced by SiO2.

METHODSNinety six Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (normal saline) group, SiO2 group and SiO2 plus Sch-B group. The rats were exposed to SiO2 by direct tracheal instillation to establish the silicotic animal models. SiO2 group and SiO2 plus Sch-B group were treated with 1 ml SiO2 (50 mg/ml) for each rat From the first day after model establishment, SiO2 plus Sch-B group were orally given Sch-B (80 mg/kg) a day, control group and silica group were orally given olive oil. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th days after treatment, 8 rats in each group were sacrificed and samples were collected. The histo-pathological examination of lung was performed by HE staining. The expression levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-betaR II and Smad4 mRNA in the lung tissues were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe results of histo-pathological examination showed that in SiO2 group, lung tissues were injured obviously; the alveolar inflammation with alveolus interval edema and inflammation cell infiltration appeared on the 3rd and 7th days; the alveolus interval became thicker, became thicker, fibroblast and collagen matrix increased markedly on 14th day; the alveolar structure was damaged, alveolar wall thickened obviously, collagen aggravation and pulmonary fibrosis displayed on 28th day. The alveolar inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in SiO2 plus Sch-B group were significantly less than those in SiO2 group. The expressions levels of TGF-beta1 TGF-betaR II and Smad4 mRNA (TGF-1beta: 1.03 +/- 0.31, 1.33 +/- 0.39,1.08 +/- 0.26, 0.82 +/- 0.16, TGF-betaR II: 0.65 +/- 0.11, 0.80 +/- 0.16, 0.83 +/- 0.24, 0.62 +/- 0.15, Smad4:0.87 +/- 0.15, 0.68 +/- 0.11, 0.78 +/- 0.19, 0.30 +/- 0.08) in SiO2 group were significantly higher than those in the control group (TGF-beta1:0.59 +/- 0.22, 0.55 +/- 0.25, 0.56 +/- 0.20, 0.55 +/- 0.12, TGR-betaR II :0.28 +/- 0.13, 0.31 +/- 0.15, 0.34 +/- 0.15, 0.27 +/- 0.09, Smad4:0.23 +/- 0.11, 0.40 +/- 0.12, 0.39 +/- 0.12, 0.18 +/- 0.06) (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but the expression level of TGF-beta1 mRNA was the highest on the 7th day. The expression levels of TGF-beta1 and Smad4 mRNA (TGF-beta1:0.68 +/- 0.28, 0.88 +/- 0.25, 0.75 +/- 0.11, 0.61 +/- 0.14,Smad4:0.25 +/- 0.12, 0.45 +/- 0.09, 0.44 +/- 0.07, 0.21 +/- 0.04) in SiO2 plus Sch-B group were significantly lower than those in SiO2 group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05 ), but there were no significant differences of the TGFbetaR II mRNA expression levels between SiO2 group and SiO2 plus Sch-B group.

CONCLUSIONSch-B can reduce the pulmonary fibrosis induced by SiO2 through inhibition of the mRNA express of TGF-beta1 and Smad4 in the lung tissue, modulating the TGF-beta1/Smad4 signal transduction pathway and inhibiting the target gene activation.

Animals ; Cyclooctanes ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lignans ; pharmacology ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Polycyclic Compounds ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Silicosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Smad4 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism