OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of E 4031, a sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) agonist, on the isolated cardiac function and resting Ca2+ level in myocardial cells from rats with chronic heart failure.

METHODSRats chronic heart failure model was established by abdominal aorta coarctation with; Isolated heart perfusion by Langendorff apparatus was used to detect heart function and the effects of E 4031 on haemodynamic indexes; Myocardial cells of rats in the model group were extracted quickly and co-incubated with calcium fluorescent indicator fluo3/AM and the impact of E 4031 on the fluorescence intensity in myocardial cells were evaluated by confocal microscopy.

RESULTSHeart function of rats in the model group detected by Langendorff perfusion was significantly reduced after 12 weeks, E 4031 at 10 micromol/L could improve their left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP) and systolic / diastolic maximum rate (+/- dp/dtmax). Compared with the control and sham operation groups, the resting Ca2+ fluorescence intensity of the myocardial cells of rats in model group was at a higher level and went through a process of transient rise and drop, then stably remaining at a low level after co-incubated with 10 micromol/L E 4031.

CONCLUSIONE 4031 can improve the isolated heart function of rats with chronic heart failure, which may be associated with its enhancing the activity of NCX in the myocardial cell membrane and stabilizing intracellular Ca2+ level.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To design and construct the vector of protein-rich tyrosine kinase 2 small RNA interference and investigate the effect of the recombinant plasmid on the proliferation of adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. Methods The pAVU6+27-PYK_2 siRNA expression vector was constructed by gene recombination, then transfected into the cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts by DOTAP method. PYK_2 mRNA and protein in cardiac fibroblasts were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. Cell proliferation was tested by MTT and ~3H-TdR incorporation. Results The pAVU6+27-PYK_2 siRNA expression vector was successfully constructed. The recombinant plasmid can inhibit the proliferation of adult rat cardiac fibroblasts, as compared with control. Conclusion pAVU6+27-PYK_2 siRNA expression vector is efficient to suppress DNA synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts, which will be beneficial to further study of myocardial fibrosis.

Adenoma ; Adult ; Ear Neoplasms ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Humans ; Male

Objective To explore the potential of breast cancer stem cells in differentiating into vascular endothelial cells and participating in the angiogenesis of breast tumor.Methods The expressions of mutant P53, CD31 ,VEGF and Her-2 amplification in tumor blood vessels were detected and the single cell suspension of breast cancer was prepared.CD44+/CD24-/low cells were selected and cultured in culture system.The expressions of CD31 and CD105 on endothelial cell surface were detected by EGM-2 endothelial cell culture medium.The ability of uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein was measured.The endothelial cells were cultured in vitro to observe their vascular structure.Results The expressions of CD31,VEGF and mutant P53 were found in paraffin sections of breast cancer tissue samples, and they were arranged along the vessel lumen or blood vessel sphere. Immunofluorescence showed that CD31 and DAPI signals were expressed intravascularly in breast cancer tissues. Four samples of Her-2 positive amplification and 9 cases of non-amplification were detected in the samples.The successful separation of breast cancer stem cells was carried out by immunomagnetic sorting.The percentage of CD44+ cells in the pre-sorting cells was (7.5±2.6)% and that of CD44+ cells was about (94.3±4.7)% after magnetic sorting (P<0.05).The ratio of CD24+ cells was (48.2±9.4)% before sorting,and that of CD24+ cells was (4.3±1.6)% after immunomagnetic bead sorting.The proportion of CD105+ cells in mammary gland cells was (4.5±0.9)% and the proportion of CD31+ cells was (6.2±1.3)%.After cultured for three generations,the percentages of CD105+ cells and CD31+ cells were (79.6±9.3)% and (84.1±10.7)%,respectively (P<0.05). DiL-Ac-LDL could be phagocytized by endothelial cells cultured in endothelial cell culture system.Vessel-like structure was found in the endothelial cell group while the control group did not have the tendency of vascular changes.Conclusion Breast cancer stem cell-derived endothelial cells differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro and have the ability of vascular formation,suggesting that breast cancer stem cells may be involved in the formation of tumor blood vessels.

Objective To investigate effects of different doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in fetal mouse osteoblasts.Methods Calvaria osteoblasts of fetal mice of 19 days were cultured.The effects of rhBMP-2 at different doses and different action times on VEGF expression patterns in fetal mouse osteoblasts were observed with reverse transcrip- tion-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot staining.Results In the present study,RT-PCR detected a steady expression of VEGF mRNA in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.The levels of VEGF mRNA increased in an apparent biphasic manner with a maximum stimulation (about 2-fold above the control,P＜0.05 ) in both VEGF mRNA species observed at 300 ng/mL of rbBMP-2.After 48 h of rhBMP-2 treatment,the VEGF mRNA levels approached those in the control.The VEGF mRNA levels appeared to be biphasic in rhBMP-2-treated cultures,showing peak induction at 3 and 24 h and remaining elevated at 48 b.Compared with the individual control value at each time point,an apparent maximum increase (about 2.5-fold above the control,P＜0.05) occurred at 6 h.The second peak induction,about 2-fold above that in the control,occurred at about 36 h.Conclusions The expression of VEGF mRNA is steady in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.RhBMP-2 can promote the expression of VEGF in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dopamin receptors-2 (DR2) on myocardial ischemic postconditioning and explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe myocardial ischemic postconditioning (PC) model was established in cultured primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes which were then randomly assigned in the following groups: Nomial control group, Isehemia/reperfusion (L'R) group, PC (ischemic postconditioning) group, PC + Bro (Bromocriptine, a DB2 antagonist) group, PC + Hal (Haloperidol, a DB2 repressor) and PC + Hal + Bro groups. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cell medium were analyzed by colorunetry. The cell ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using flowcytometiy. The protein expression level of D112 and activity of p-p38 and p-JNK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the nonnal control group, hR increased the protein expression level of DB2, enhanced LDH activity and MDA content, promoted cell injury and apoptosis, decreased SOD activity, up-regulated the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Compared with the hR group, although PC further increased the expression of DR2 protein, it decreased LDH activity and MDA content, cell injury and apoptosis, increased SOD activity, down-regulated activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Bromocriptine treatment further enhanced PC-induced canlioprotective effect, yet Hal addition attenuated this enhancing effect exerted by bromocriptine.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of DB2 is involved in the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulating the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; physiology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

To understand the differences of the clinical research of acupuncture at home and abroad in methodological design and implementation, so as to provide reference for exploring acupuncture clinical study design program suitable to China. Reading clinical research literature of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of stroke at home and abroad and analyze and probe the methodological design and implementation. The results indicate that clinical research of acupuncture and moxibustion abroad has advantages in the randomized, controlled and double blind, etc. We should adopt the advantages of Chinese medicine, enrich and perfect research design program which can be approved by modern medicine and properly reflect the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on stroke.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design ; Stroke ; therapy

Objective　To investigate the feasibility of applying transvescal approach laparoendoscopic single-site radical prostatectomy (TVSSLRP) and assess the oncological and functional outcomes.Methods　Eight patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) of low risk underwent TVSSLRP.Demographic data were accrued including patient age,body mass index (BMI),preoperative PSA level,the International Index of Erectile Function 5,biopsy Gleason score,clinical TNM stage and D'Amico risk classification.One surgeon performed all TVSSLRP procedures.A homemade triple-port was introduced percutaneouly into the bladder to establish pneumovesicum through a 4 cm incision.The major steps of the surgery were described as follows:initial incision was made along posterior margin of the bladder neck to expose bilateral vas deference and spermatic vesicle.After opening Denonvilliers' fascia and extending the space to lateral prostatic pedicles,an intra-fascial nerve sparing procedure was performed.The puboprastatic ligaments were then separated close to the prostate surface and the dorsal vein complex was cautiously swept off.Subsequently,careful apical dissection and urethral transection was sequentially conducted. To reduce the tension of vesico-urethral anastomosis,3 additional incisions parallel to vesio-urethral margin were created and a novel tension - reduced V-LocTM barbed polydioxanone sutures was used.　Results　All the operations were successfully performed and there was no conversion to standard laparoscopic approach or open surgery.The total operative time range was 75 - 180 min with mean time of 125 min.The blood loss was 85 -450 ml with mean 140 ml and no blood transfusion was required.The catheter was removed after a mean (range) of 14 (9 -16) days.No intra-operative complications occurred. No patient had positive surgical margins.The mean (range) hospital stay was 17 (13 -25) days after surgery. All the cases were continent after removal of the catheter.No cases demonstrated vesico-urethral stricture and biochemical recurrence on 12 - 18 months follow up postoperatively.　Conclusions　TVSSLRP is technically feasible for cases with organ-confined prostate cancer with good oncological and functional results.

Background Research demonstrated that alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid GluR2 (AMPA-GluR2) is associated with amblyopia.It has been shown that levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline can improve visual function of amblyopic children,but the mechanism is unclear.Objective This study was to explore the possible effects of levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline on amblyopia.Methods Monocular deprivation (MD) animal models were created in 60 2-week-old SD rats by monolateral eyelid suturing and observed for 31 days and reared in natural light together with 15 other matched normal healthy SD rats.The models were randomly divided into the MD group,levodopa group,cytidine diphosphate choline group and normal saline control group,with 15 rats for each group.40 mg/kg of levodopa,80 mg/kg of cytidine diphosphate choline,I ml normal saline were given to the rats,respectively,for 28 consecutive days.Expressions of the AMPA-CluR2 protein and AMPA-CluR2 mRNA in the rat visual cortex were detected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein (AMPA-GluR2/β-actin) and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA (2-△△Ct) were significantly lower in the MD group than those of the normal control group (protein:0.32 ± 0.02 vs.0.64 ± 0.05,t =13.287,P＜0.05 ;mRNA:0.30±0.01 vs.0.84±0.03,t=38.184,P＜0.05).Those in the levodopa group were significantly increased in comparison with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.59 ±0.04 vs.0.33 ±0.03,t =11.628,P＜0.05 ; mRNA:0.71±0.06 vs.0.33 ±0.02,t =13.435,P＜0.05).The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA were significantly increased in the cytidine diphosphate choline group compared with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.52 ± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.03,t =8.497,P ＜ 0.05 ; mRNA:0.48± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.02,t =7.500,P＜0.05).Conclusions AMPA-GluR2 is associated with the plasticity of visual development.Levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline may improve visual function by down-regulating the expression of AMPA-GluR2 in the visual cortex.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between carotid plaque neovascularization and coronary heart disease using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Methods We studied carotid plaques in 312 patients with coronary artery disease by contrast-enhanced ultrasound [51 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 261 patients with stable coronary artery disease (sCAD) ]. We analyzed sonographic features of each plaque, including the enhancement intensity of plaque (A value), the ratio of plaque to carotid artery lumen in enhancement intensity (Ratio), plaque thickness and plaque echo (soft plaque, hard plaque, mixed plaque, calcified plaque). Results The average thickness of plaque in patients with ACS and in patients with sCAD had no significant difference in statistics [(2.6±0.4) mm vs (2.9±0.8) mm, t=-1.903, P=0.058) ]. The group with ACS:soft plaque 43 (84.3%, 43/51), mixed plaque 8 (15.7%,8/51), no hard plaque and calcified plaque. And the group with sCAD:soft plaque 174 (66.7%,174/261), hard plaque 19 (7.3%,19/261), mixed plaques 16 (6.1%,16/261), calcified plaque 52 (19.9%,52/261). The percentage of soft plaque in the acute coronary syndrome group was significantly higher than that in stable coronary artery disease group (χ2=6.274,P=0.012). The A value and Ratio in patients with ACS were prominently larger than those in patients with sCAD [ (11.3±3.2) vs (8.9±3.3) dB, t=7.150,P<0.01;0.6±0.2 vs 0.4±0.2, t=7.419,P<0.01].Conclusion Carotid artery plaque neovascularization density was significantly higher in patients with ACS than that in patients with sCAD by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound, revealing that the neovascularization density is closely related to clinical symptoms of patients with coronary heart disease.