Global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest on two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) was demonstrated to help detect coronary artery disease (CAD).However,the optimal cut-off point of GLS and its diagnostic power for detecting critical CAD in non-diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are unknown.In the present study,211 patients with suspected CAD were prospectively included,with DM patients excluded.All patients underwent echocardiography and subsequently coronary angiography within 3 days.Left ventricular (LV) GLSs were quantified by 2D STE.Territorial peak systolic longitudinal strains (TLSs) were calculated based on the perfusion territories of the 3-epicardial coronary arteries in a 17-segment LV model.Critical CAD was defined as an area stenosis ≥70％ in ≥1 epicardial coronary artery (≥50％ in left main coronary artery).Totally 145 patients were diagnosed as having critical CAD by coronary angiography.Significant differences were observed in all strain parameters between patients with and without critical CAD.The area under the receiver operating charcteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for GLS in the detection of left main (LM) or threevessel CAD was 0.875 at a cut-off value of-19.05％ with sensitivity of 78.1％ and specificity of 72.7％,which increased to 0.926 after exclusion of apical segments (cut-off value-18.66％;sensitivity 84.4％ and specificity 81.8％).The values of TLSs were significantly lower in regions supplied by stenotic arteries than in those by non-stenotic arteries.The AUC for the TLSs to identify critical stenosis of left circumflex (LCX) artery,left anterior descending (LAD) artery and right coronary artery (RCA),in order of diagnostic accuracy,was 0.818 for LCX,0.764 for LAD and 0.723 for RCA,respectively.In conclusion,in non-DM patients with suspected CAD,GLS assessed by 2D STE is an excellent predictor for LM or three-vessel CAD with high diagnostic accuracy,and a higher cut-off point than reported before should be used.Excluding apical segments in the calculation of GLS can further improve the predictive accuracy of GLS.It is unsatisfactory for TLSs to be used to identify stenotic coronary arteries.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of rhIL-6 and rhEPO on hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes, and mechanism of rhEPO in treatment of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). The HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes were cultured with medium containing different concentrations of rhIL-6 and rhEPO for a certain time, then mRNA was isolated and its RT-PCR was performed, the bands were photographed and analyzed by UVI band, the hepcidin and G3PDH mRNA ratio were semi-quantitatively analyzed. The expression levels of hepcidin in GepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes at different conditions were compared. The results showed that the hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes could be enhanced by rhIL-6, the rhEPO could inhibit rhIL6-induced hepcidin mRAN expression. The rhEPO alone basically did not influence hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. It is concluded that Hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes can be elevated by rhIL-6 with concentration- and time-dependent manner in certain range. rhEPO can inhibit this effect of rhIL-6.
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

The effects of pretreatment of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) on the supramolecular structure of cellulose and the cellulase catalyzed reaction were investigated. The cellulase activity was not affected when it was treated with SC-CO2 at 10MPa and at 50 degrees C for 30 min. But when the cellulase was treated by SC-CO2 in the presence of cellulose, the catalytic activity of the cellulase was lost. The cellulose pretreated with or without cellulase under the same SC-CO2 condition was then hydrolyzed with tresh crude cellulase. The final reducing sugar yield from the hydrolysis of the cellulose pretreated with cellulase was higher than that of the cellulose pretreated without cellulase. It was also found that the improvement of the enzymolysis had a direct relevance with the amount of cellulase used during the SC-CO2 pretreatment. The moisture content of cellulose before SC-CO2 pretreatment had an obvious influence on the subsequent enzymolysis. When the moisture content of cellulose was 60% (W/W), the reducing sugar yield was higher than when the moisture content was over 100% (W/W). The FT-IR spectra showed that the structure of the cellulose pretreated with cellulase under the SC-CO2 condition was different from that of the cellulose pretreated without cellulase. In the presence of the enzyme, the strength of the hydrogen bonds and the I beta phase at 710cm(-1) in the crystalline cellulose was weakened. These results suggest that the change in the cellulose structure induced by the SC-CO2 treatment favous the subsequent enzymolysis.
Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Cellulase ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation with ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction.

METHODSTwenty-one Wistar rats were divided into MSCs-iv group (MSCs-iv), ultrasound+MSCs-iv group (US+MSCs-iv), ultrasound+microbubble+MSCs-iv group (US+MB+MSCs-iv) with intravenous MSC transfer, ultrasound and microbubble treatment as indicated. The skeletal muscles were obtained from the rats for microscopic examination with HE staining. The hindlimb gracilis and semimembranosus muscles were sampled 7 days after MSC transplantation, and the transplanted MSCs were detected by immunohistochemistry. The vital organs were collected from rats in US+MB+MSCs-iv group for immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn US+MB+MSCs-iv group, HE staining demonstrated the presence of red blood cell leakage into the tissue space in the gracilis and semimembranosus muscles, and immunohistochemistry identified large numbers of transplanted MSCs in the the gracilis and semimembranosus muscles and the spleen, whereas no labeled cells were detected in the skeletal muscles in other groups.

CONCLUSIONUltrasound-targeted microbubble destruction provides a useful means for enhancing the efficiency of stem cell transplantation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Movement ; radiation effects ; Female ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Microbubbles ; Muscle, Skeletal ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVETo validate the efficacy of velocity vector imaging (VVI) and quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) for evaluating left ventricular diastolic function.

METHODSFifty-one patients underwent left heart catheterization were included in this study. Mean of peak early diastolic velocity (Em), EF and the ratio of early (E) to late (A) mitral valve flow velocity (E/A) were measured by echocardiography and the ratio of E to Em (E/Em) was calculated. Left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was measured during catheterization examination.

RESULTSE/Em derived from VVI or QTVI was significantly correlated with LVEDP (r = 0.808, P < 0.01 and r = 0.692, P < 0.01, respectively) and the correlation coefficient between VVI and LVEDP was significantly higher than that between QTVI and LVEDP (Z = 2.246, P = 0.025). Em derived from VVI and QTVI also negatively correlated with LVEDP (r = -0.740, P < 0.01 and r = -0.567, P < 0.01) and the correlation coefficient between VVI and LVEDP was significantly higher than that between QTVI and LVEDP (Z = 2.595, P = 0.009). However, there was no correlation between E/A and LVEDP (r = 0.117, P = 0.415).

CONCLUSIONE/Em and Em derived from VVI and QTVI are valuable parameters for evaluating LV diastolic function.

Blood Flow Velocity ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Diastole ; physiology ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe in vivo stem cell distribution and viability after transplantation by noninvasive imaging of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) labeled autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells.

METHODSMyocardial infarction was established in 8 swine by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery after anesthesia. Bone marrow (20 ml) was drawn through ileum. After isolation, mononuclear bone marrow cells were labeled by radionuclide 18F-FDG and intramyocardially injected into infarction region. Whole body planar scan and myocardial tomography scan were performed immediately, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h post stem cell injection. Viability and stability of radionuclide labeled stem cells were determined at 3 h post labeling in vitro.

RESULTSThe labeling efficiency was (67 +/- 14)%. Mean dose of radioactive in marrow cells was (32 +/- 7) MBq. Trypan blue staining showed in vitro viability was (95 +/- 3)% at 3 h post labeling. After intramyocardial injection, labeled mononuclear bone marrow cell retention rate in infarction region was (83 +/- 6)%, (49 +/- 8)%, (32 +/- 6)% and (24 +/- 5)% immediately, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h post injection, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDistribution and viability of stem cell after cardiac transplantation could be effective monitored by 18F-FDG labeled autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell technique in acute stage in this model.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; diagnostic imaging ; Cell Survival ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Graft Survival ; Heart Transplantation ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo explore potential epigenetic biomarkers for toxic effects, tumor-related chemical prevention and biological monitor by a genome-wide screening for differential DNA methylation during human cell malignant transformation in vitro.

METHODSThe two in vitro cell transformation models included B(a)P-induced human bronchial epithelial cell introduced by H-Ras (HBER) cell transformation and simian vacuolating virus 40 small T antigen induced (SV40 ST-induced) HBER cell transformation. Methylated genes were collected by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and whole genome amplification (MeDIP-WGA) at three time points during cell transformation which represented different transformation stage. Then, CpG island microarray was used to screen differentially methylated genes. The mRNA levels of hypermethylated genes were also observed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe CpG island microarray showed that the number of hypermethylated genes in HBER, HBERNT, HBERT cells were 733, 661 and 738 respectively.83 genes were hypermethylated in pre-transformed cell and transformed cell. Moreover, 25 of 83 genes were also hypermethylated in SV40 ST-transformed cell (HBERST). We further confirmed that the mRNA expression of six of these 25 genes, namely family with sequence similarity 178, member A (FAM178A), retinoic acid receptor responder (tazarotene induced) (RARRES1), ubiquitin specific peptidase 28 (USP28), Scm-like with four mbt domains 2 (SFMBT2), family with sequence similarity 59, member A (FAM59A) and nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 3 (NR4A3) were suppressed during B(a)P-induced transformation.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal hypermethylation of specific genes was a common event in the two kinds of human cell transformation models, which shed light on the study for chemical exposure monitor and tumor-related epigenetic biomarkers.

Biomarkers ; analysis ; Carcinogens, Environmental ; analysis ; Cell Line ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome ; Humans

Carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality have become hot issues of political and economic activities in China and abroad. The structure and development of various industries in China will be profoundly affected in the process of accomplishing "Dual Carbon" goals. Eco-agriculture of Chinese medicine(EACM) highlights the balance and sustainable development of the ecosystem while producing high-quality medicinal materials. With chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators prohibited, EACM emphasizes the recycling of agricultural and sideline products and the reduction of waste output, which results in the minimal negative impact on the ecological environment. Therefore, it is typical agriculture with low-carbon sources and high-carbon sinks. This study reviewed the mechanism and potential of EACM in carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality, analyzed the specific ways of EACM in reducing carbon sources and increasing carbon sinks based on the typical ecological planting pattern, and proposed the point of view to strengthen EACM as well as the "Dual Carbon" theory and research methods, so as to direct low-carbon and efficient deve-lopment. Furthermore, this study advocated to comprehensively promote the transformation of Chinese medicine production from chemical agriculture to eco-agriculture to improve the comprehensive benefits of contribution rate of carbon neutrality, explore and establish carbon sink compensation mechanism to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of EACM, and strengthen the training of EACM and "Dual Carbon" theory and technologies to continuously improve the capacity of EACM in sustainable development. This study is expected to provide a reference for the development of ecological functions in EACM and the development of economic functions through ecological functions.
Agriculture ; Carbon Dioxide ; China ; Ecosystem ; Fertilizers ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Weeds is one of the important parts of agricultural ecosystem of Chinese materia medica. Weeds is a double-edged sword with advantages and disadvantages for the cultivated medicinal plants. In this study, we firstly analyzed the positive and negative effects of weeds on the yield and quality of Chinese materia medica. We then explored the possible mechanisms for the weeds' positive effects from the aspects of interspecific relationship, soil microecological environment, light environment, natural control of pests and so on. We also summarized three basic principles of weed control, that is, "making medicinal plants and weeds coexist harmoniously, achieving the overall optimum growth of medicinal plants", "prevention first, integrated control" and "preserving beneficial weeds and increasing their beneficial effects, removing harmful weeds and control their adverse effects". Finally, we introduced several common weed ecological control technology in field of the cultivated medicinal plants in China, including technology of controlling weeds by no-tillage, stral mulch, rotation, alternative herbs, competitive crops, and allelopathy. This study is aimed to apply the ecology theory to guide weed management and control, so as to achieve the goal of advantages promotion and disadvantages elimination of weeds to cultivated medicinal plants, making weeds into treasure and to promote the sustainable and healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials production and the protection of weed diversity.
Agriculture ; China ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; Plants, Medicinal

The study is aimed through field experiments to study the effect of combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers on the growth and quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza, provide ideas for reducing fertilization while increasing the efficiency as well as improving the quality of produces. The experiment included 6 treatments viz., no fertilization(CK), full application of chemical fertilizer(F), 25% orga-nic fertilizer with 75% chemical fertilizer(M25), 50% organic fertilizer with 50% chemical fertilizer(M50), 75% organic fertilizer with 25% chemical fertilizer(M75), and fully apply organic fertilizer(M100). The results showed that:(1)from the perspective of yield and economic benefits, M75 was the best and M100 second;(2)for effective components, the combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers increased the content of main water-soluble components and the total content of effective components, among which M25 and M50 were better.
Agriculture ; Fertilizers/analysis* ; Nitrogen ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Soil