pcDNA3.1/Hygro(-)+pCMV?. Conclusions Transactivation competence of genotype B HBx was higher than that of genotype C HBx, while the antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of genotype B HBx was lower than of genotype C HBx. B and C genotype-specific functional differences of HBx may closely co-related with the pathogenicity of HBV.

Objective To study the effects of obstructive sleep apneas on endothelial function and autonomic modulation. Methods From June 2009 to June 2011, male patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) were consecutively enrolled in this study. Patients with an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) of greater than 15 and without previous treatment for OSAHS were included as Group OSAHS and obese subjects with an AHI of less than 5 were included as non-OSAHS controls (Group Control). Electrocardiography and beat-to-beat blood pressure were continuously recorded from the radial artery by applanation tonometry which was synchronized with polysomnography recording. Endothelial function was measured by arterial augmentation index (AAI). Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) were computed for cardiac parasympathetic modulation (high frequency power, HF); sympathetic modulation (low frequency power, LF), sympathovagal balance (LF/HF power of R-R variability, LF/HF) and BPV sympathetic modulation (BPV LF) in normalized units [total power of the components/(total power-very LF power)×100]. Results Finally, 27 moderate-severe OSAHS patients and 22 non-OSAHS obese controls were recruited in the Group OSAHS and Group Control, respectively. In Group OSAHS, the age was 43.3±9.3 year-old, body mass index (BMI) was 36.8±8.7 kg/m2; in Group Control, the age was 42.9±8.6 year-old, BMI was 34.4±7.9 kg/m2; there were no significant differences in age and BMI between the Group OSAHS and Group Control (all P>0.05). The baseline AAI (12.5%±2.2% vs. 8.2%±2.1%) and BPV LF (68.3%±13.5% vs. 61.1%±11.7%) of the Group OSAHS were significantly higher than those of the Group Control (all P<0.05). And after overnight sleep, systolic BP (143.7±14.2 vs. 132.8±13.3 mm Hg), diastolic BP (87.7±7.7 vs. 78.6±5.5 mm Hg), HRV LF (69.7%±14.4% vs. 64.3%±12.1%), HRV LF/HF (3.7±2.0 vs. 2.3±1.3) and BPV LF (77.8%±15.6% vs. 68.3%±13.5%) of the Group OSAHS were significantly increased (all P<0.001), while HRV HF was significantly decreased (21.1%±9.3% vs. 27.5%±10.3%, P<0.05) from baseline.
Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive

Objective To study the effects of vaginal estrogen application on blood flow of the lower urinary tract in post-menopausal women. Methods Arterial blood flow frequency spectrum, peak systolic blood flow, end-diastolic blood flow velocity and resistance index of the peri-urethra and neck of the urinary bladder, as well as changes in their genitourinary system, were measured with color Doppler ultrasound imaging in post-menopausal women before and three months after their use of premarin ointment containing natural estrogen per vagina. Results Three months after treatment with estrogen-premarin ointment per vagina in post-menopausal women, their peak systolic blood flow velocity of the peri-urethra arteries increased to 13.23 cm/s from 11.94 cm/s before treatment, end-diastolic blood flow velocity increased to 3.92 cm/s from 1.91 cm/s and resistance index decreased to 2. 79 from 3. 84 (P <0. 01 ). And, their peak systolic blood flow velocity of the arteries of the neck of the urinary bladder increased to 17.09 cm/s from 12. 77 cm/s before treatment, end-diastolic blood flow velocity increased to 2. 83 cm/s from 1.31 cm/s and resistant index decreased to 2. 78 from 3.78 (P<0.01). It indicated that local vasodilatation and decrease dresistance of the lower urinary tract made blood flow of the arteries of the peri-urethra and neck of the urinary bladder increase, urinary frequency and nocturia occurrence decrease, and sexual satisfaction improve.Conclusions Blood flow, symptoms of the lower urinary tract and their quality of life can be improved in post-menopausal women after treatment with natural estrogen-premarin ointment per vagina.

Purpose To explore the clinicopathologic characteristics, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extraskeletal myxiod chondrosarcoma. Methods The clinical and pathological features were studied with HE and immunohistochemical staining in 5 cases of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, and the related literatures were also reviewed. Results Extraskeletal myxoid chondro-sarcoma was male predominance (4 males: 1 female), and the age ranged from 32 to 62 years with an average of 52 years. Four tumors occurred in thigh and another in chest. Histologically, the neophlasm were composed of round and oval cells. Immunohisto-chemically, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin in five cases, synaptophysin expressed in one case, S-100 showed focal positivity in two cases, but negative for CK, p63, EMA, CD34, SMA in all cases. Molecular genetics detection shows chromosome exchange be-tween number 9 and 22. Conclusion Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare tumor which has no special characteristics in clinical and iconography, and its diagnosis mainly depends on the histopathologic features, immunohistochemistry and molecular genet-ics. Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma grows slowly, but have a high tendency for local recurrence and metastases.

Objective To investigate the relationship between carotid stiffness and coronary angiography in elderly patients with coronary heart disease(CHD). Methods Thirty-five elderly patients with CHD who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. The carotid stiffness was measured by ultrasound, the results were compared with those in hypertension group,hyperlipemia group and healthy elderly group. Results There were significant differences in carotid tensity (8.15 ± 1.54), arteriectasis ( 0.34 ± 0.07 ) and carotid stiffness ( 640.51 ± 150.98 ) of elderly patients with CHD compared to other groups (all P＜0.05 or P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was significant correlation between coronary angiography score and carotid stiffness in elderly patients of CHD(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Conclusions There is close relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and coronary atherosclerosis in elderly patients with CHD.

Objective To discuss the artery effects of enhanced external counterpulsation for the progressive stroke patients.Methods Ninety-two progressive stroke patients who were treated in the Fourth People's Hospital of Shenzhen from August 2010 to February 2015 were selected and equally divided into the treatment group and the control group based on the random number table.The control group were received conventional therapy,and the treatment group were added treated with enhanced extemal counterpulsation therapy.Results All patients were successfully completed treatment,the C-reactive protein (CRP) and Endothelin-1 (ET-1) were presented decreased significantly after treatment (P＜ 0.05),and the C RP and ET-1 values in the treatment group were (2.09±2.11) mg/L,(13.98±6.30) mg/L,significantly lower than those of the control group((8.12±2.46) mg/L,(46.09± 11.02) mg/L;t =15.309,14.985;P＜0.05).After treatment,the FMD and NMD values in the treatment group were significantly increased from (5.26±1.34)％ to (11.93 ±2.13) ％,and from (13.20±5.33)％ to (22.98±8.34)％,in the control groupand were from (5.27±1.33)％ to (8.10±1.43) ％,and from (13.67±4.10)％ to (16.09±5.12)％ (t=16.934,21.787,8.443,12.345;P ＜0.05),and the value of FMD and NMD in treatment group were significantly higher than in the control group(t =7.982,9.113;P ＜ 0.05).The cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) values in the treatment group were significantly reduced after treatment,the difference was significant (P＜0.05),and compared with the control group the difference was also statistically significant (t =4.281,8.456;P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Enhanced external counterpulsation for the progressive stroke patients can effectively inhibit the expression of endothelin and inflammatory factors,improve endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels,improve arterial elasticity,and thus play more effective treatment.

Objective To simulate the mechanical environment of cells in vivo and study cellular signal transduction mechanisms. Methods A device was developed which could provide high cell yield, control the time, strain magnitude, direction and frequency of stretch, and applied 10% cyclic strain to cell culture substrate with stretch frequency at 1Hz. Results After being stretched, morphology and cytoskeleton of cells were altered. The major axis of cells and the alignment of stress fibers were vertical to the orientation of cyclic stretch. Conclusion This device provides versatile options for the study on the cellular responses of mechanical loading.

Objective To explore the inner feelings of gestational diabetes at their primary use of the real-time blood glucose monitoring. Method Using the qualitative method, 10 gestational diabetic patients monitored their blood glucose using the real-time blood glucose monitoring for the first time and then were interviewed, the acquired results treated with phenomenological analysis. Result The inner feelings of the 10 patients were summarized including 5 themes:worry about the safety of the fetus, fear on alarming at monitoring, different views on four times input of finger blood glucose values, worry about inaccuracy in blood glucose monitoring data, changes in mental conditions and diets. Conclusion Health care workers should provide the gestational diabetic patients with targeted care strategies based on presence of psychological status and knowledge needs so as to improve their compliance, reduce the psychological burden of patients and control their blood glucose level.

To explore the expression and clinical significance of molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), HSP90 was detected in PBMC by Western blot assay and the plasma level of IL-6 was measured by ELISA in 38 SLE patients and 20 normal controls. The correlation analysis was performed between the SLE disease activity index (SLE-DAI) and the expression of HSP90 and IL-6. The results showed that there was increased expression of HSP90 in the SLE patients. The active SLE group exhibited higher HSP90 levels (0.82+/-0.10) than the inactive SLE group (0.54+/-0.09) (P<0.01). The expression of HSP90 in normal control group (0.37+/-0.11) showed significant statistical difference as compared to both the inactive and active SLE groups (P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively). The plasma level of IL-6 exhibited a significant increase in both the inactive and active SLE groups (28.99+/-1.74 pg/mL, 44.58+/-9.15 pg/mL, respectively) compared with normal control group (P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively). The expression of HSP90 and IL-6 in SLE patients showed significant positive correlation with SLEDAI scoring (r=0.80, P<0.01: r= 0.74, P<0.01, respectively). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the level of IL-6 and HSP90 in SLE patients (r=0.86, P<0.01). The increased expression of molecular chaperone HSP90 and IL-6 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE by regulating autoimmunity.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) inhibitor, on the proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. METHODS: The effects of NS-398 on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT. DNA fragmentation gel analysis was used to analyze the apoptotic cells; DNA ploidy and apoptotic cell percentage were examined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expression of COX-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA was identified by competitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: NS-398 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA ploidy analysis showed that S phase cells were significantly decreased with NS-398 concentration increasing. The quiescent G_0/G_1 phase was accumulated with decreasing of Bcl-2 mRNA. Whereas NS-398 had no effect on the expression of COX-2 mRNA, no correlations were found between COX-2 mRNA and the HepG2 cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by NS-398 (r=0.056 and r=0.119, respectively). CONCLUSION: NS-398 significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2. Mechanisms may be involved in accumulation of quiescent G_0/G_1 phase and decrease in Bcl-2 mRNA expression, but independent to COX-2 mRNA expression. [