Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms for the development of cardiac hypertrophy in hypertension,the present study provided the differential protein expression analysis of hypertrophied heart at differ- ent stages in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Methods The profiles of protein expression of left ventricu lar myocardium in SHR and its normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats at the age of 4 and 20 weeks were analyzed with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with matrix assisted laser desorption ioniza- tion-time of flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) mass spectrometry.Results Although the blood pressure of SHR was normal at 4 weeks age,hypertrophy of the left ventricle had already developed.The expression pattern in the hy- pertrophic myocardium was found 27 modulated proteins,20 of which were identified.These proteins are involved in reactions of energy metabolism,mitoehondrial oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress,etc.The expres- sion of 13 proteins was significantly changed in SHR rats at early stage prior to the development of sustained hyper- tension,while the expression changes of other 7 proteins occurred only at late stage in SHR rats when the blood pressure was significantly elevated.Conclusions lncrease in glycolysis and decrease in oxidation of fatty acid and glucose was shown in the hypertrophied myocardium from early stage in SHR prior to the development of hyperten sion.The significant changes in protein expression of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and antioxidative molecules support the hypothesis that oxidative stress promotes and accelerates the development of hypertensive car- diac hypertrophy.

AIM: To observe the curative effect of PDT combined with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab treatment for age-related macular degeneration with choroidal neovascularization ( CNV) .
METHODS:In accordance with the inclusion criteria, by indocyanine green choroidalangiography ( ICGA ) and optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) examination confirmed the diagnosis of macular CNV in 27 patients (27 eyes), treated with PDT 3 ~ 7d professional intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. At 1, 3, 6mo after treatment, the results of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), FFA, ICGA, OCT examination and complications were observed.
RESULTS: The BCVA improved in 17 eyes ( 63%) , stable in 6 eyes ( 22%) , and decreased in 4 eyes ( 15%) . Before treatment, the average leakage area was 1 005. 69±105. 47μm, it were 875. 54 ± 103. 27μm, and 423. 37 ±79.68μm at 1 and 3mo after treatment, there were significant differences compared with before treatment ( P<0. 01). Average central macular thickness of retina before treatment was 485. 58±122. 59μm, and 398. 84±105. 32μm, 297. 74±89. 18μ m at 1 and 3mo after treatment, there were significant differences compared with before treatment( P<0. 01).
CONCLUSION: The method that PDT closed CNV combined with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab can effectively block angiogenesis recurrence, reduce the number of PDT treatment again and complications, improve the therapeutic effect.

Abstract?AlM:To analyze of the clinical features of acute retinal pigment epitheltis ( ARPE) .?METHODS: The clinical data of 36 ARPE patients ( 40 eyes) attending this center from January 2008 to January 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Of them, 21 patients (58.3%) were male (male :female=1:0. 71). The mean age was 40. 92±7. 13 years old (range:17~60y). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0. 50±0. 26 with a range of 0. 3 ~ 1. 0. Thirty-two patients were unilateral cases. All the patients were examined for BCVA, funds photography, fluorescein fundus angiography ( FFA ) , optical coherence tomography ( OCT) . FFA was shown as three types: type ▏ to multiple black light or grape variety fluorescent spot; Type II for l lesions visible fluorescence leakage; Type Ⅲ lesions with choroid neovascularization ( CNV ) . OCT was the following three forms: multiple RPE lesions layer reflection intermittent, proliferation ( type ▏); pigment epithelial detachment with limitations neural epithelium ( typeII);types l and ll with CNV ( type Ⅲ) .?RESULTS: Ocular fundus showed that the lesions were multiple dark-gray spots with a dark circumscribed area at the macular or nearby in all 40 eyes. FFA showed:21 eyes were type ▏, 17 eyes were type II and 2 eyes were typeⅢ, BCVA between type ▏ and type II was statistically significant (P<0. 05), the same was between type 芋. BCVA between different cases in the same type and between type II, Ⅲ, was no statistical difference ( P>0. 05). OCT showed 21 eyes wwere type ▏, 17 eyes were type II and type Ⅲ 2 eyes. BCVA average between type▏ andIIwas statistically significant (P<0. 05). The mean BCVA was no statistically significant difference between type II and Ⅲ patients (P>0. 05).?CONCLUSlON:ARPE fundus demonstrated the multiple dark gray discrete lesions, the degree of visual impairment related with the presence of pigment epithelial barrier and lesion location. OCT and FFA characterized three types. FFA is shown asblack light orgrape variety fluorescent spot, and is the basis of diagnosis. OCT can display the lesions organization form of each layer clearly. lt plays a more and more important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ARPE.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of ethanol extracts from Sedum sarmentosum (ESB) on STAT-3 signaling and its probable molecular mechanism in inducing apoptosis.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the impact of ESB on HepG2 cell proliferation. FITC-Annexin V-FITC /PI double-labeling were used to investigate the impact on hepatoma carcinoma cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to test the expression levels of cell apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, Caspase-9, PARP, P-STAT-3 (Tyr705) , STAT-3, Bcl-2, Mcl-1.

RESULTESB could notably inhibit proliferation of HepG2 cells, and induce HepG2 cell apoptosis, with the dose-dependent inhibitory effect. In addition, ESB could inhibit STAT-3 signaling, down-regulate Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 expressions, and induce degradation/activation of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 and PARP degradation in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONESB inhibits HepG2 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting STAT-3 signaling and Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 expressions.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Flow Cytometry ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Sedum ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on Alzheimer's disease between acupuncture and medicine.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-one patients were randomized into an acupuncture group (72 cases) and a medicine group (69 cases). In the acupuncture group, the needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence was used at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhangwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Zusanli (ST 36). The supplementary acupoints were selected according to the symptoms and physical signs. Acupuncture was given once a day and 6 treatments were required for a week. In the medicine group, the choline sterase inhibitor, donepezil (aricept) was prescribed for oral administration, 1 tablet (5 mg) each time, once every night. Four weeks later, the dose was increased to 2 tablets (10 mg) each time. In the two groups, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session and 4 sessions were required. The changes of scores before and after treatment in the minimum mental state examination (MMSE), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognition (ADAS-cog) and the digit span (DS) were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, scores of MMSE and DS were increased as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05) and scores of ADL and ADAS-cog were reduced as compared with those before treatment. The score differences in MMSE, ADL, ADAS-cog and DS before and after treatment were significant in the two groups (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence significantly improves the overall function, cognition and activity of daily life in the patients of Alzheimer's disease and the efficacy is better than donepezil.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; psychology ; therapy ; Cognition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: von Willebrand factor (vWF) is only released from endothelial cells and platelets and is an in vivo and in vitro marker of endothelial injury in septic patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Interleukin-8 (IL-8), as a proinflammatory mediator causing recruitment of inflammatory cells, induces an increase in oxidant stress mediators and makes it as a key parameter for localized inflammation. However, it has not been well established whether the level of serum IL-8 is associated with the severity of lung injury and whether it is a prognosis marker for severe lung contusion. This study was to investigate the expression of plasma vWF and IL-8 and their association with the severity and outcomes of severe pulmonary contusion. METHODS: A total of 63 patients were divided into a severe pulmonary contusion with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) group and a non-ARDS group, or a survivor group and a non-survivor group, or an injury severity score (ISS) <20 group and an ISS ≥20 group. Another 20 healthy volunteers served as controls. The levels of plasma vWF and serum IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after injury. The expression patterns of the plasma vWF and serum IL-8 were compared between different groups. RESULTS: The concentrations of plasma vWF and serum IL-8 were significantly increased in all severe pulmonary contusion patients at all time points in comparison with the control group. The concentrations of plasma vWF in patients with ARDS increased during the whole study period, but vWF in patients with non-ARDS increased gradually until day 5 and then decreased at day 7. The concentration of serum IL-8 showed a similar expression pattern in both groups, but the expression increased more significantly in the ARDS group than in the non-ARDS group. Interestingly, both plasma vWF and serum IL-8 levels steadily increased in the non-survivor group. Furthermore, the level of plasma vWF was higher in the ISS≥20 group than in the ISS<20 group. The level of serum IL-8 in the ISS≥20 group was consistently high, while that in the ISS<20 group peaked at day 3 and decreased at day 5. In addition, the level of plasma vWF was positively correlated with platelet count, but negatively correlated with oxygen index. The level of serum IL-8 was positively correlated with white blood cell count and ISS score, and inversely correlated with oxygen index. CONCLUSION: The elevated levels of plasma vWF and serum IL-8 in severe pulmonary contusion patients reflect the severity of pulmonary injury and patients outcomes, suggesting that the plasma vWF and serum IL-8 are sensitive markers for clinical evaluation of the severity of pulmonary injury and predication of patient prognosis.

An old male patient visited the hospital due to shortness of breath and palpitation for 6 h, with fever 3 days before and pump failure at admission. Having no risk factor of coronary diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity, with ST-T changes and abnormal Q wave on ECC, the signs were compatible with those of acute anterior wall myocardial infarction, while the characteristics of cardiac biomarkers ( significant increase in Troponin I and creatine kinase's isoform, and normal creatine kinase) were not in accordance with those of acute myocardial infarction. Emergency angiography was performed, which indicated normal coronary artery, normal pulmonary artery and global systolic dysfunction of left ventricle. The diagnosis of acute severe myocarditis was established, and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was employed to provide hemodynamic support. Severe myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction may be fatal, and can be easily misdiagnosed. Careful analysis of clinical manifestations, early diagnostic angiography and possible IABP placement are important for the successful treatment.

Neuritin is a new neurotrophic factor found recently. In order to identify the function of Neuritin clearly, the coding sequence of human neuritin was amplified by PCR from neuritin cDNA , this fragment digested by NocI and NotI was inserted into pET32a by T4 ligase and transformed into E. coli BL21 then the recombinant plasmid named pET32a-neuritin was constructed successfully . Neuritin was expressed distinctly after inducing by EPTG. The product was identified as neuritin by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis . The expression production was purified on Ni2+-NTA column.

Objective To determine the effect of mitochondria on the protection of heat-shock proteins B1(HSPB1) from oxidative damage in rat cardiac cell.Methods HSPB1 gene-transfected rat cardiomyocytes cell line H9c2 (HSPB1 H9c2) and empty vector transfected H9c2 (control) were established,and treated by 0-1000?mol/L H_2O_2 for 2h.And then the cell morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected. Results (1)HSPB1 inhibited the morphological changes induced by H_2O_2 markedly.(2)HSPB1 inhibited the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by H_2O_2.Following the stimulation of 0,75,150,300,500,1000?mol/L H_2O_2,mitochondrial membrane potential in HSPB1 and control H9c2 cells were (10.0?0.11)vs (7.01?0.26),(9.11?0.17)vs (6.05?0.19),(7.69?0.28)vs (5.14?0.28),(6.95?0.13)vs (4.66?0.11),(6.61?0.20)vs (1.85?0.35),(6.60?0.05)vs (1.19?0.01),respectively (all P0.05).Conclusions HSPB1 protects rat cardiomyocytes cell line(H9c2) from oxidative damage,which suggests that stabilization of mitochondrial membrane potential and the decreased endogenous reactive oxygen species after oxidative stress may be involved in the protection of HSPB1 against oxidative stress in H9c2.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the coil-and-glue method for the reduction of lung volume in rabbit emphysema model.Methods Sixteen rabbits of emphysema model were divided into the occlusion group(n=10),in which both anterior bronchi were occluded using the coil-and- glue method,and the control group(n=6).The maximal static pressure of airway(P_(max)),peak expiratory flow(PEF),end-expiratory volume(EEV)and pressure of oxygen(PO_2)were measured at ante- emphysema,post-emphysema,1 week and 4 week after occlusion respectively.The expectoration(or migration)of coil and collapse of lung were also investigated.Results P_(max)was(20.0?1.3)and(17.1? 1.4)cm H_2O(1 cm H_2O=0.098 kPa)in the occlusion group at ante-emphysema and post-emphysema respectively.P_(max)was(19.2?1.4)cm H_2O in the occlusion group in the 1 week after the occlusion,while (17.1?1.5)cm H_2O in the control group(F=6.68,P