ObjectiveTo determine the effect of telmisartan on the levels of serum adiponectin and C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)in elderly hypertensive patients with unstable angina pectoris. MethodsOne hundred and twenty elderly hypertensive patients with unstable angina pectoris were randomized into two groups, telmisartan(n=60) and perindopril(n=60) groups.The levels of hs-CRP,adiponectin, lipid factors, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were measured before and 6 months after telmisartan and perindopril treatments.ResultsAt the end of 6 months, the telmisartan group showed more reduction in plasma levels of hs-CRP and more increment in serum adiponectin concentrations and ISI significantly. The frequency of cardiovascular events was significantly lower in the patients of the telmisartan group than that of the perindopril group.ConclusionsCompared with perindopril, telmisartan significantly decreases plasma levels of hs-CRP and increases serum adiponectin concentrations in elderly hypertensive patients with unstable angina pectoris. It also significantly decreases the frequency of cardiovascular events in these patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) on inducing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to neuron stem-like cell in vitro. Methods MSCs isolated from umbilical cord were transfected with plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and GFP-fusion ILK, wild and mutant, respectively; and cultured in serum-free media with basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor and B27. It was assessed with the proliferative activity and the efficiency of differentiation into neural stem-like cell. Results MSCs transfected with GFP-fusion wild ILK expressed ILK and kinase-dead mutant ILK stably. The activity of proliferation increased and more of them differentiated into neural stem-like cell, which express CD133 and Nestin validated by PCR and Western blotting, and more of wild than of mutant. Conclusion Integrin-linked kinase may play a positive role in MSC differentiation into neural stem-like cell, which may associate with the activity of kinase.

Objective:To explore the effects of laser irradiation parameters (irradiation frequency and single duration) on tear secretion, lens and retina.Methods:Thirty-six healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into 6 groups with random number table method according to different frequency and single exposure duration of laser to the eye, namely, high frequency short time (HFST) group, high frequency long time (HFLT) group, medium frequency short time (MFST) group, medium frequency long time (MFLT) group, low frequency short time (LFST) group and low frequency long time (LFLT) group, 6 for each group.The right eyes were irradiated with 500 lx laser as experimental eyes, and the left eyes of the guinea pigs served as the control eyes.The high, medium and low irradiation frequencies were defined as 15 times, 10 times and 5 times, respectively, and the short and long period was defined as 30 seconds and 60 seconds each time, respectively.The right eyes were irradiated based on the grouping at a 10-minute interval.The tear secretion was detected by SchirmerⅠtest; lens opacity was assessed under the slit-lamp microscope; fundus photography was performed to evaluate the general morphology of retina; retinal function was evaluated by electroretinogram (ERG) record and the thickness of retinal outer nuclear layer was measured by histopathology examination.This study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Air Force Military Medical University (No.20181203), and the use and care of the experimental animals complied with the ARVO statement.Results:The tear secretion was 8.00(7.37, 9.00), 8.75(8.25, 9.00), 8.50(7.75, 9.50), 9.00(8.50, 9.50), 8.00(7.37, 8.75) and 8.25(7.75, 8.75) mm/5 min in the HFST group, HFLT group, MFST group, MFLT group, LFST group and LFLT group, respectively, without significant difference among the groups(χ 2=5.502, P=0.240); after laser irradiation, there were no statistically significant differences in tear secretion between the control eyes and laser-irradiated eyes in all the groups (all at P>0.05). The lenses were clear and the fundus was normal through the experimental duration in all the groups.The amplitude of ERG a-wave was significantly reduced in the HFST group in comparison with the LFST group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the b-wave amplitude among the six groups (F=1.358, P=0.268). The ERG a-, b-wave amplitudes were not significantly different between the control eyes and laser-irradiated eyes in various groups (both at P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the thickness of the outer nuclear layer of retina among the HFST group, HFLT group, MFST group, MFLT group, LFST group and LFLT group (F=0.952, P=0.463). Conclusions:The 500 lx laser irradiation is safe to ocular surface and lens, but there are some injuries to retinal function, and the injury degree is related to laser irradiation frequency.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of testosterone on oxidized low-density lipoproteins ( ox-LDL)-stimulated phenotypic transition and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMCs) in vitro, and to explore its possible mechanisms. Methods Rat VSMCs cultured in vitro were divided into control group, ox-LDL group(50μg/mlox-LDL),fetalbovineserum(FBS)group(10% FBS),andtestosteronegroups(5×10-8 or5×10-7 mol/L testosterone plus 50μg/ml ox-LDL) . The effect of testosterone on ox-LDL-induced proliferation of VSMCs was explored by WST-1 assay. The cell cycle distribution was determined using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used todetecttheexpressionsofmitofusin2(Mfn2),phosphorylatedextracellularsignal-regulatedkinases1/2(p-ERK1/2) , proliferating cell nuclear antigen ( PCNA) ,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) ,and osteopontin ( OPN) . Results Compared with control group, the proliferation of VSMCs was promoted by ox-LDL, the number of VSMCs decreased in G0/G1 phase and increased in S phase significantly, the expression levels of Mfn2 and α-SMA were significantly reduced, and the expression levels of p-ERK1/2, PCNA, and OPN were significantly raised in ox-LDL group. Compared with ox-LDL group, the proliferation of VSMCs was inhibited, the number of VSMCs increased in G0/G1 phase and decreased in S phase in two testosterone groups, along with the increased expressions of Mfn2 andα-SMA, and the descended expressions of p-ERK1/2, PCNA, and OPN. Conclusions Testosterone inhibits phenotypic transition and proliferation of VSMCs induced by ox-LDL in vitro, which may be related to the up-regulated expression of Mfn 2 and the suppression of ERK1/2 pathway.

ObjectiveTo study the correlation of urinary iodine and thyroid function in elderly men in Harbin,and to provide the basis for formulation of health measures for the elderly.MethodsSeventy five cases of clinically healthy elderly men were enrolled for check-up of urinary iodine,thyroid function and B-ultrasound in Geriatric Ward the Forth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in 2010.The subjects of investigation were divided into iodine appropriate and iodine sufficient groups and thyroid function parameters and B-ultrasound results were compared.ResultsThe average age of the 75 cases of healthy elderly men was (79.07 ± 4.78) years old and the median of urinary iodine was 198.4 μg/L.There were 62.67％ (47/75) elderly males whose iodine nutritional status was appropriate,but there were still some individuals(6.67％,5/75) in the iodine excess state.The level of TSH of the iodine appropriate group [(1.91 ± 0.82)mU/L] was lower than that iodine sufficient group [(4.98 ±0.60)mU/L,t =12.58,P ＜ 0.05],while the level of FT3 of the iodine appropriate group[(4.71 ± 0.56)pmol/L]was higher than that iodine sufficient group[(3.31 ± 0.43)pmol/L,t =12.18,P ＜ 0.05].But the difference of FT4between the two groups [(14.91 ± 3.12),(14.06 ± 2.79)pmol/L] was not statistically significant (t =1.40,P ＞0.05].The thyroid volume of iodine sufficient group[(20.9 ± 6.1 )cm3] was higher than that iodine appropriate group [(17.9 ± 5.6)cm3,t =2.11,P ＜ 0.05].ConclusionsSufficient quantities of iodine intake may affect the thyroid of elderly people.Whether the quantity of iodine intake of the elderly population should be decreased or not need to be further studied.

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of renal pelvic carcinoma associated with renal stone.Methods A total of 13 patients,aged from 49 to 73 years old and averaged 59years old.The history of renal stone was 16 years.13 patients accepted B ultrasound check and 1 was found soft tissue occupying.8 patients accepted IVU check and none was found soft tissue occupying.7 patients accepted CT scan and 4 were found soft tissue occupying.The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) examination was done for 2 patients and both were positive.6 patients were found lesions at renal pelvis mucous membrane during the operation of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy,4 accepted radical operations of renal pelvic carcinoma and 2 patients accepted radical nephrectomy according to the biopsy pathology.4 were found soft tissue occupying before operation and accepted radical operation of renal pelvic carcinoma ultimately.1 patient suffered gross hematuria and renal insufficiency accepted the renal pelvic carcinoma vaporization under the ureteroscope.Results The pathology showed that 7 cases were transitional cell carcinoma,4 were transitional cell carcinoma combined squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metaplasia and 2 were squamous cell carcinoma.6 of 8 patients' stone chemical composition were infection stone and 2 were calcic blended stone.3 patients were followed up 1 to 2 years and survival with no tumor recurrence.The tumor recurred 10 months of the patient accepted the operation of renal pelvic carcinoma vaporization and accepted vaporization again.1 patient bsuffered SCC and local lymph node metastasis.He died 13 months post-operation.Conclusions For the patient who had long history of stone,combining infection with symptoms of severe hematuria and postoperation hematuria,the possibility of renal pelvic carcinoma should be considered.CT scan and urine FISH may help for diagnosis.The biopsy should routinely perform for the doubtful mucosa lesion during the cavity stone operation.Early and timely diagnosis and operation is the key for the patients with pelvic carcinoma associated with renal stone.

Objective To estimate the influence of palmitic acid (PA) on the proliferation of and production of inflammatory mediators by a human keratinocyte line HaCaT.Methods Cultured HaCaT cells were treated with PA of eight concentrations (0-200 μmol/L) for 3-24 hours followed by the evaluation of cell proliferation by using the cell counting kit-8.According to the proliferation assay,four concentrations (75,100,125,150 μmol/L) of PA were selected and used to treat HaCaT cells for 24 hours,then,fluorescence-based immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65,enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the level of interleukin (IL)-6 in the supernatant of culture medium,real-time PCR to detect the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor oα (PPARα) and IL-6,and Western blot to quantify the protein expressions of PPARα as well as total and nuclear NF-κB p65.Those HaCaT cells receiving no treatment served as the control group.Statistical analysis was carried out by one-factor analysis of variance using the GraphPad Prism 5.0 software.Results The HaCaT cells treated with PA of 50-175 μ mol/L showed accelerated proliferation compared with the control HaCaT cells (all P ＜ 0.05).PA from 75 to 150 μmol/L enhanced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65,mRNA and protein expressions of PPARα,as well as the mRNA expression and supernatant level of IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner.The relative expression level of nuclear NF-κB p65 protein was 0.4536 ± 0.0173,0.5184 ± 0.0206,0.5333 ± 0.0231,0.6160 ± 0.0297,and the supernatant level of IL-6 was (31.5677 ± 0.2268),(32.3773 ± 0.4156),(32.9837 ± 0.0029) and (33.6890 ± 0.0936) ng/L,in HaCaT cells treated with PA of 75,100,125 and 150 μmol/L,respectively,compared to 0.3237 ± 0.0114 (all P ＜ 0.01) and (30.4577 ± 0.5131) ng/L (all P ＜ 0.01) in the control HaCaT cells,respectively.Conclusions PA can accelerate the proliferation of HaCaT cells,enhance NF-κB nuclear transfer,PPARα expression and IL-6 secretion in a dose-dependent manner within a certain concentration range,and may exert a promoting role in the activation and expression of some inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total protein (TP), salivary flow rate, and pH value between Pi deficiency (PD) children and healthy children, thereby providing evidence for Pi controlling saliva theory.

METHODSTwenty PD children were recruited, and 29 healthy children were also recruited at the same time. Saliva samples from all subjects were collected before and after citric acid stimulation. The sAA activity and amount, TP contents, salivary flow rate, and pH value were determined and compared.

RESULTS(1) Citric acid stimulation was able to significantly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, sAA activities, sAA specific activity and sAA amount (including glycosylated and non-glycosylated sAA amount) in healthy children (P<0.05), while it could markedly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, and glycosylated sAA levels in PD children (P<0.05); (2) Although there was no statistical difference in determined salivary indices between the two groups (P>0.05), salivary indices except salivary flow rate and glycosylated sAA levels decreased more in PD children. There was statistical difference in sAA activity ratio, sAA specific activity ratio, and the ratio of glycosylated sAA levels between PD children and healthy children (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPD children had decreased response to citric acid stimulation.

Neuropathological, clinical epidemiology and animal models studies provide clear evidence for the activation of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is linked with reduced risk to develop the disease. But the clinical trials got a negative outcome with traditional NSAIDs treating AD. The therapeutic effects of NSAIDs on Alzheimer's disease are still not clear based on the present research. Profound study for anti-inflammatory mechanisms and standardized clinical trials are needed. As cause and effect relationships between neuroinflammation and AD are being worked out, the challenge is how to realize the effect of traditional NSAIDs on treating AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the common variant rs1512268 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) of NKX3.1 gene and the risk of prostate cancer,and to explore its interaction with related risk factors.MethodsTotally 122 patients with prostate cancer and 105 age matched male people (prostatic specific antigen ＜ 4 μg/L,without family history of prostate cancer) as control group were enrolled.Polymerase chain reaction - high resolution melting curve(PCR - HRM) combined with gene sequencing methods were used to determine the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of the rs1512268 SNP.ResultsThe distributions of GG,AG,AA genotypes were 42 cases(33.4％),66 cases(54.1％),14 cases(11.5％) in patients with prostate cancer,and 45 cases(42.9％),51 cases(48.6％),9 cases(8.6％) in healthy control,respectively.There were no significant differences in the distribution of genotype(x2 =1.70,0.69,0.52) and allele frequency (x2 =1.575) between the two groups(P＞ 0.05).The different genotypes of rs1512268 of NKX3.1 gene were not associated with age,Gleason score,PSA levels and clinical stage of prostate cancer (P＞0.05). Conclusions rs1512268 SNP of NKX3.1 gene is not obviously associated with prostate cancer and may be not the genetic risk factor in Chinese.