Objective Astrgaloside Ⅳ derivative (ASId) is one of Astragaloside Ⅳ (ASI) derivatives with higher water-solubility and may have more druggability than ASI. The present study aims at observing the effects of ASId on cardiovascular parameters in chronic heart failure in rats. Methods Using echocardiographic and haemodynamic measurements, the effects of ASId on congestive heart failure (CHF) induced by ligation of the left coronary artery in rats were investigated.ventricle (LV) pressure (dp/dt) in ASId treated groups were significantly increased. Both LV volumes in diastole and in systole were decreased significantly after ASId treatment, accompanied with a trend towards normalization of relative stress. ASId treatment also inhibited compensatory hypertrophy of depressed heart. Conclusion ASId could improve cardiac functions and inhibite compensatory hypertrophy and LV remodelling, which suggests the possibility of ASId as a new therapeutic drug for the treatment of CHF.

Objective The astragaloside Ⅳ(ASI)has been proved to play an important role in protecting against cell death on cardiovascular diseases.This study aims to investigate the effect of the astragaloside derivate.(ASId)on confronting oxidative stress and hypertrophy in myocardial cells.Methods Following exposure embryonic rat cardiac H9c2 cells to hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)and angiotensin Ⅱ for developing oxidative stress and hypertrophy,ASId at final concentrations(0.1,1,and 10 μmol/L)was added to study its role in protecting cardiomyocytes by biochemical detection and cell size measurement In addition,the mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP)opener atractyloside(20 μmol/L)and inhibitor cyclosporin A(CSA)(1 μmol/L)were employed to investigate the possible mechanisms for anti-oxidation.Results ASId at 1 and 10 μmol/L in cultures suppressed oxidative stress at different degrees,which induced the decrease in LDH activity and MDA content,and also the increase in SOD activity in comparable with the model group; The mPTP opener atractyloside and inhibitor CSA weakened and strengthened the role of ASId,respectively.ASId at 10 μmol/L inhibited cell hypertrophy,and the cell diameter,surface area,and protein content were all decreased in comparable of those cells in model group.Conclusion ASId is involved in the cytoprotective effects on oxidative stress through a pathway mediated by mPTP,and also has a protective effect against hypertrophy.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Di'ao Xinxuekang (DAXXK) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and to explore its mechanisms. Methods The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established by the ligation of descending coronary artery in rats. Then animals after the modeling were randomized into model group, DAXXK-d (31.5 mg/kg) group, DAXXK-g (63.0 mg/kg) group and Diltiazem (24.8 mg/kg) group. A separate sham group was used as control. The treatment group was given DAXXK once a day for 7 days. Cardiac function and cardiac configuration were measured by color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic method. Hemodynamics was measured by Millar catheter method. The arterial oxygen saturation and blood oxygen pressure were measured by i-STAT 300 blood gas analyzer. Inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2, Bax were detected by ELISA. Myocardial apoptosis was measured using TUNEL method. Results Compared with model group, the left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), the systolic and diastolic function were improved, and the left ventricular pressure maximum rise/ fall rates (± LVdp/dtmax) were increased, in DAXXK group. DAXXK improved lung function, increased arterial oxygen pressure and oxygen content. The inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were decreased in DAXXK group. The myocardial swelling and inflammatory infiltration were relieved, myocardial apoptosis was reduced, the expression of Bcl-2 protein was increased and the expression of Bax protein was decreased in DAXXK group. Conclusion DAXXK can protect myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, which involved in the inhibition of apoptosis and reduction of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective To study the application of 99Tcm in rabbit cerebral thromboembolic stroke and thrombolysis effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).Methods The 0.5 mL radioactive pertechnetate sodium (specification:5 mCi/2mL and radiation intensity 92.5 MBq/mL) was combined with 30 μL stannous chloride (5 mg/mL),and the 20 μL mixture was joined to whole blood,red blood cells,and plasma for labelling.Then 50 μL CaCl2 (0.5 mol/L) and bovine thrombin (50 IU/mL) were doped in mixture,and rapidly sucked into a polyethylene plastic pipe (PE80).Thrombus was formed for 2 h at 37 ℃ and cut into small pieces of 10 mm.Autologous blood clots combined with 99Tcm from external carotid artery were injected to internal carotid artery of rabbit,the radioactivity (counts per minute,CPM) was measured by gamma counting instrument,and the improvement of rt-PA 4.5 mg/kg (clinical equivalent dose) on this model was observed.Results After thromboembolism,CPM increased approximately by (5.1 ± 1.3) times,which suggested that the model was reliable.The rt-PA 4.5 mg/kg had significant progressive thrombolysis effect.Conclusion 99Tcm tracer technology could be applied to rabbit cerebral stroke model,which is stable and reliable

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting YAP on the proliferation and apoptosis of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

METHODSSynthesized sequences of siRNA were transfected into hPDLSCs by Lipofectamine™ 2000. The expression of YAP was identified by using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Proliferation activity was detected by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Changes in the cell cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by using flow cytometry. Results were analyzed by using SPSS 19.0, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSExpression of YAP mRNA and protein were significantly downregulated after 48 h of transfection (P < 0.001). No obvious difference was found in the expression levels of YAP protein between 48 and 72 h, thus indicating that siRNA could inhibit the expression of YAP persistently and effectively. Proliferation activity was inhibited, and apoptosis rate was increased. Cell cycle was changed as the proportion of G₁and S phases increased (P < 0.01) and G₂ phase decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKnocking down YAP gene by siRNA could inhibit proliferation activity, induce apoptosis, and change the cell cycle of hPDLSCs. Thus, YAP could regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of hPDLSCs.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; drug effects ; Phosphoproteins ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Transfection

A 25-year-old women was admitted to the department of Neurology in Affiliated 2nd Hospital of Hainan Medical University due to recurrent syncope for 8 years and return for 2 months. She had multiple episodes of syncope at onset. She presented with the feeling of weakness in both lower limbs, and fatigue in the past year. She experienced pain in the waist and limbs joint in recent three months. Physical examination showed joint hyperactivity in metacarpophalangeal joints of both upper limbs, increased skin elasticity. Active-standing transcranial Doppler (TCD) test showed that the average heart rate (HR) and the average middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity in the supine position were 79 beats/min and 62 cm/s, respectively; while the average HR and the average MCA blood flow velocity in the standing position were 126 beats/min, 47 cm/s. Meanwhile,the blood pressure was normal during the test of supine-to-standing TCD. Genetic testing indicated LDB3 transgenation. The patient was diagnosed as postural tachycardia syndrome (joint-hypermobility-related), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and relieved by fluid infusion and rehabilitation therapy.

Weight loss is common in non-motor symptoms in Parkinson disease (PD).It may predate motor symptom onset,and may be associated with the development of disease.However,it was less accounted of clinically.The pathophysiology of weight loss in PD is very complicated.This review discusses the pathogenesis of PD weight loss from dopaminergic dysfunction,energy expenditure/intake imbalance,central mechanisms of feeding behavior regulation,and neuroendocrine abnormalities.

Objective:A case of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma with autonomic dysfunction was reported and its pathophysiological mechanism was discussed.Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient with autonomic nervous dysfunction such as paroxysmal syncope was summarized, and the pathophysiological mechanism of this case was analyzed by searching related literature.Results:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma characterized by autonomic dysfunction was rare and had a poor prognosis. Autonomic dysfunction caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma was associated with carotid sinus syndrome, parapharyngeal space syncope syndrome, glossopharyngeal nerve reflex and paraneoplastic neuropathy.Conclusions:Early detection and treatment is a key factor affecting the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Clinicians should consider nasopharyngeal carcinoma as one of the differential diagnoses in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with autonomic nervous dysfunction combined with cranial nerve damage.

Objective To investigate the effect of short-term blood glucose control on neurovascular coupling in pa-tients with diabetes mellitus type 2(T2DM).Methods The patients with T2DM who were admitted to Department of En-docrinology,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University,from December 1,2021 to May 30,2023 were consecutively included in this study,and according to whether examination was performed before or after blood glucose control,they were divided into pre-blood sugar control T2DM group(T2DM-Pre-c group)and post-blood sugar control T2DM group(T2DM-Pro-c group).Healthy volunteers matched for age and sex were enrolled as healthy control(HC)group.Transcranial Doppler was used to monitor cerebral blood flow parameters,including mean blood flow velocity(Vm)of the middle cerebral artery during elbow flexion,and the T2DM group and the HC group were compared in terms of the changes in cerebral blood flow parameters after blood glucose control.Results A total of 52 T2DM patients and 36 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.Compared with the HC group,the T2DM-Pre-c group had significantly higher exercise-induced pulsatility index,resistance index,and time to peak of Vm(TTP-Vm)(all P<0.05).The T2DM-Pre-c group had a significantly lower Vm slope than the HC group(P=0.031).The T2DM-Pro-c group had a significant in-crease in Vm slope and a significant reduction in TTP-Vm after blood glucose control(P<0.05).Conclusion Impair-ment of neurovascular coupling is observed in patients with T2DM during the state of hyperglycemia,and short-term blood glucose control can improve neurovascular coupling.

Objective To investigate the relationship between cerebrovascular reactivity(CVR)and emotional disorders in the patients undergoing continuous hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease(ESRD).Methods The clinical data of the ESRD patients undergoing continuous hemodialysis were collected.Anxiety and depression of the patients were assessed by the Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)and Beck depression inven-tory,respectively.The cerebral hemodynamic changes during the breath holding test were monitored by transcrani-al Doppler sonography,and the breath-holding index(BHI)was calculated.The BHI≥0.69 and BHI＜0.69 indi-cate normal CVR and abnormal CVR,respectively.Binary Logistic regression was employed to analyze the factors affecting the depressive state of ESRD patients.Results The group with abnormal CVR exhibited higher total cholesterol level(P=0.010),low density lipoprotein level(P=0.006),and incidence of depression(P=0.012)than the group with normal CVR.Compared with the non-depression group,the depression group dis-played prolonged disease course(P=0.039),reduced body mass index(P=0.048),elevated HAMA score(P=0.001),increased incidence of anxiety(P＜0.001),decreased BHI(P=0.015),and increased incidence of abnormal CVR(P=0.012).Binary Logistic regression analysis indicated anxiety as a contributing factor(OR=22.915,95％CI=2.653-197.956,P=0.004)and abnormal CVR as a risk factor(OR=0.074,95％CI=0.008-0.730,P=0.026)for depression.Conclusion Impaired CVR could pose a risk for depression in the patients with ESRD.