Objective To study the relationship between microalbuminuria and inflammation media of C-reactive protein(CRP) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in type 2 diabetes mellitus,and to explore the clinical significance.(Methods)Ninety-six patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into 3 groups according to the urine albumin excretion rate(UAER): normal albuminuria group(NA),microalbuminuria group(MA) and clinical proteinuria group(CP).The serum levels of CRP,IL-6,fasting plasma glucose,creatinine and fasting insulin were measured in all the cases. Results The levels of CRP and IL-6 in MA group were significantly higher than those in NA group(P

Objective To examine the relationship between plasma homocysteine level and status of congestive heart failure. Methods Plasma homocysteine level was determined in 106 patients with congestive heart failure(CHF).Among them,40 patients were diagnosed as having recent onset of CHF(group 1) and the remaining 66 were receiving conventional treatment(group 2).Thirty healthy subjects were served as a control group. Results(The plasma) homocysteine levels in group 1,group 2 and the control group were(14.87?5.22),(13.25?5.45) and((7.52)?1.73) ?mol/L,respectively.The plasma homocysteine level was significantly higher in group 1 and group 2 than in the control group(P

Objective To investigate the expression of homeobox gene MSX-2 during cranial suture fusion of SD rats and discuss its significance. Methods SD rats aged 1, 2, 5, 8, 12, 15, 18, 22, 30 and 45 days were selected, and immunohistochemistry and Real-time PCR were employed to localize and quantify the expression of MSX-2 in different regions of cranial sutures. Results MSX-2 expressed in calvarial suture tissues including the extreme ends of the osteogenic fronts and the underlying dura mater. The expression of MSX-2 was low in posterior frontal suture (PF) and sagittal suture (SAG) from postnatal day 1 to day 8 before the initiation of suture fusion, while it was higher in PF than in SAG from postnatal day 12 to day 22 after the initiation of PF suture fusion. The expression of MSX-2 significantly declined in PF and was moderately higher than that in SAG from postnatal day 30 to day 45 after the initiation of suture fusion. Conclusion There is different expression of MSX-2 in PF and SAG during different suture fusion periods, which suggests the expression of MSX-2 may participate in the regulation of cranial bone development and the fusion of cranial sutures.

Objective To measure serum surfactant protein (SP) A and D levels in patients with interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Serum SP-A and SP-D levels of RA,RA-ILD patients and healthy controls were assessed using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The relationship between SP-A and SP-D and RA-ILD was analyzed.The serum SP-A and SP-Dpositive rate was calculated for the three groups.The correlation between SP-A and SP-D with RF,anti-CCP,antinuclear antibody,antikeratin antibody,anti-perinuclear factor,C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,were analyzed.Mean value of groups were compared with variance analysis,Spearmam rank correlation test was used for correlation analysis.Results The levels of serum SP-A in RA-ILD patients and RA patients as well as in healthy controls were [ (51.2±9.2),(25.9±2.6),( 15A±0.3 ) μg/L] respectively.The level of serum SP-D of the three groups was [ ( 42.5 ±8.1 ),(20.8 ± 1.5 ),( 16.6±0.8 ) μg/L ] respectively.The levels of serum SP-A and SP-D in patients with RA complicated with ILD were higher than those simple RA patients and healthy controls (P＜0.05).The levels of serum SP-A and SP-D in patients with RA were not significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P＞0.05).The positive rate of serum SP-A and SP-D in RA-ILD patients were significantly higher than those in simple RA patients and healthy controls.The positive rate of serum SP-D of RA-ILD patients was higher than that of SP-A.The levels of serum SP-A and SP-D in patients with RA complicated with ILD were correlated positively with age,C-reactive protein.The level of serum SP-D was correlated positively with RF,anti-CCP,antikeratin antibody.There was no correlation between the level of serum SP-A and SP-D with RA-ILD and antinuclear antibody,antiperinuclear factor,erythrocyte sedimentation rate.Conclusion The levels of serum SP-A and SP-D are correlated with RA-ILD and may be useful markers for ILD in patients with RA.These two paramenters may be helpful to early diagnosis of RA-ILD.The Serum SP-D levels are more sensitive in predicting the development of RA-ILD than other parameters and can help in assessing the severity of lung damage.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics and prognosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Methods The clinical data of 107 DM related ILD,and its frequency rate was 26.2%. Arthritis as the first symptom had a higher presenting rate in patients with ILD than in patients with non- ILD. Arthritis, dry cough and short of breath occurred more dyspnea presented in patients with DM-ILD, and there was serious myalgia and muscle weakness in patients More DM-ILD patients had high HBDH and AST than those in PM-ILD. High CK and CK-MB were more The 7 of 8 severe cases had DM-ILD in which 5 died of respiratory failure (death rate was 17.9% in PM/elevated ESR and CRP tend to complicate with ILD. The DM patients who have characteristic skin rashes and high AST level are prone to develop ILD. The PM patients who have high CK and CK-MB are susceptible to

Objective To observe the effect of nitric oxide(NO)on cardiovascular activities in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), so as to understand the role of central NO in cardiovascular regulation. Methods The changes of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were observed following treatments with increased or decreased NO in the NTS and RVLM of anaesthetized SD rats. Results Microinjection of the NO precusor L-arginine (L-Arg, 2 nmol in 50 nl) into the NTS, a key relay of cardiovascular reflex transmission, produced significant decreases in BP, HR, and RSNA (P<0. 05), and injection of NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME, 10 nmol in 50 nl) into the NTS produced significant increases in these cardiovascular parameters (P<0. 05). However, injection of L-Arg (2 nmol in 100 nl) into the RVLM, a key region controlling sympathetic outflow, significantly increased basal BP, HR, and RSNA (P<0. 05), and injection of L-NAME (10 nmol in 100 nl) into the RVLM showed a cardiovascular inhibition effect (P<0. 05). Conclusion NO exhibits different effects in different cardiovascular centers, suggesting that it plays a special role in maintaining the basal cardiovascular activity.

Background There is multi-dimensional order of spatial stereopsis perception in human,however,current stereopsis examination is zero-order of position disparity.A multi-dimensional space perception model is very important for the detection of stereoacuity.Objective This study was to screen the deficit of zero-order,first-order,second-order multi-dimensional spatial stereopsis perception in amblyopia and strabismus children and to explore the association of zero-order,first-order,second-order spatial perception deficit.Methods Multidimensional spacial perception was examined in 79 children aged 4-14 years in Beijing Children' s Hospital.Nineteen normal children,19 children with ametropia amblyopia,12 children with anisometropic amblyopia,18 children with strabismus and 11 children with strabismus combined amblyopia were included this study.The random-dot and line spatial stereopsis perception in zero-order,first-order and second-order were examined with a new system of multidimensional space perception screening.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject or custodian before any ocular examination associated with this study.Results Absence of zero-order,first-order,second-order random-dot channel was found in 24 children (24/79,30.4％),18 children (18/79,22.8％) and 24 children (24/79,30.4％) respectively,with an average percentage of 27.9％.Absence of zero-order,first-order,second-order line channel was examined in 37 children (37/79,46.8％),37 children (37/79,46.8％),32 children (32/79,40.5％),with an average percentage of 44.7％.In the children with a deficiency of the zero-order spatial perception,the children who still remained the first-order or/and second-order spatial perception of random-dot accounted for 41.6％ and that of lines accounted for 43.2％.In children without deficiency of zero-order random-dot or lines spatial space perception,deficiency of first-order and/or second-order spatial perception was in 37.5％ children.Various order spatial perception deficiency was seen in children suffering from amblyopia or strabismus compared with normal group(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions There exists spatial perception deficiency in children with amblyopia or strabismus.The patients with zero-order spatial perception absence partially remain a first-order or/and second-order spatial perception;while the patients with normal zero-order spatial perception might have first-order or second-order spatial perception deficiency.The multi-dimensional space perception model has a directive role for the training of visual information process and the treatment of spatial perceptual learning in children with amblyopia or strabismus.

The primary object of this fundamental research was to survey the synergistic cardiovascular effects of iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) opener, and clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs, such as calcium antagonists, thiazide diuretics and β receptor blockers by a 2 x 2 factorial-design experiment. It would provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combined antihypertensive therapy program after iptakalim is applied to the clinic. Amlodipine besylate, hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol were chosen as clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and cardiac functions were observed in anesthetized normal rats by an eight-channel physiological recorder. The results showed that iptakalim monotherapy in a low dose could produce significant antihypertensive effect. There was no interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P > 0.05). However, the effects of combination iptakalim/amlodipine on the maximal changes of SBP, DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP were more obvious than those of iptakalim or amlodipine monotherapy. And there was strong positive interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of HR (P>0.05). According to the maximal changes of DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP (P < 0.05) of combination iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide, there was strong positive interaction between them. But there was no interaction between iptakalim and hydrochlorothiazide on the maximal drop of SBP and HR (P > 0.05). According to the maximal drops of DBP, MABP of combination iptakalim with propranolol, there was strong positive interaction between them (P < 0.05). But there was no interaction between iptakalim and propranolol on the maximal changes of SBP, LVSP, LVEDP and HR (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was the first time to study the effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol, which had different mechanisms of action from iptakalim, on cardiovascular effects of iptakalim in anesthetized normal rats. This study proved that the combination of iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol respectively had significant synergism on lowering blood pressure, while the combination of iptakalim/amlodipine had additive action on lowering blood pressure. Meanwhile the antihypertensive effect was explicit, stable and long-lasting. Iptakalim thus appears suitable for the clinical treatment of hypertensive people who need two or more kinds of antihypertensive agents.
Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Heart Rate ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats

This study is to explore new lead compounds by inhibition of Pin1 for anticancer therapy using temperature sensitive mutants. As Pin1 is conserved from yeast to human, we established a high-throughput screening method for Pin1 inhibitors, which employed yeast assay. This method led to the identification of one potent hits, 8-11. In vitro, 8-11 inhibited purified Pin1 enzyme activity with IC50 of (10.40 +/- 1.68) micromol x L(-1), induced G1 phase arrest and apoptosis, showed inhibitory effects on a series of cancer cell proliferation, reduced Cyclin D1 expression, was defined as reciprocally matched for protein-ligand complex in virtual docking analysis and reduced cell migration ability. In vivo, we could observe reduction of tumor volume after treatment with 8-11 in xenograft mice compared with vehicle DMSO treatment. Altogether, these results provide for the first time the involvement of 8-11 in the anticancer activity against Pin1.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; methods ; G1 Phase ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; methods ; Humans ; Mice ; NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase ; Neoplasms ; pathology ; Peptidylprolyl Isomerase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Temperature ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Yeasts

Objective To investigate the value and diagnostic efficiency of the quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters using three dimention (3D)-histogram analysis for discriminating the Gleason score (GS) of prostate cancer. Methods A total of 53 patients pathologically confirmed as prostate cancer by systemic prostate biopsy who had routine , DCE and DWI-MRI scans were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 cases for low-risk and 38 cases for intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer. The 3D ROI of all lesions based on T2WI was achieved by image registration to get the quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI and DWI-IVIM. The parameters of DCE-MRI contains: transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep) and extracellular-extravascular volume fraction (Ve).The DWI-IVIM related quantitative parameters were ADC, diffusion coefficient (D), diffusion coefficient related to perfusion (D*) and perfusion fraction (f). Then the histogram analysis of these quantitative parameters was performed to get the mean, median, 25th percentile, 75th percentile, Skewness and Kurtosis. Using the Spearman rank correlation analysis to evaluate the correlation of these parameters and GS of prostate cancer. The diagnostic performance of these quantitative histogram parameters related to the GS in identifying low-risk and intermediate/high-risk of prostate cancer was carried by ROC. Results The Kep and Ktrans (mean, median, 25th, 75th) of DCE-MRI were positively correlated with GS (r value was 0.346 to 0.696, P<0.05). The ADC (mean, median, 25th, 75th), D (mean, median, 25th, 75th, Skewness, Kurtosis) and D*(25th) of DWI-IVIM were correlated with GS (r value was-0.544 to 0.428, P<0.05). The DCE-MRI quantitative parameters Kep (25th) had the highest area under curve (AUC, 0.961); The ADC (median) and D (25th) had higher AUC( 0.832, 0.888) in the quantitative parameters of DWI-IVIM, the difference between Kep(25th) and ADC (median) was statistically significant (Z value was 2.212, P value was 0.027). The difference of AUC between Kep (25th) and D (25th), D (25th) and ADC (median) was not statistically significant (Z values were 1.027 and 1.398, P values were 0.162 and 0.304, respectively).Conclusion DCE and IVIM quantitative parameters (Kep, Ktrans, ADC, D) histogram analysis results are correlated with GS, and can be used for distinguishing low-risk from intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer.