Aim To investigate the effect of Sonic Hedgehog on normal hearts and hypoxic-ischemic myo-cardial cells. Methods A method for left anterior de-scending artery ( LAD ) ligation was employed to con-struct the myocardial infarction model, and ultrasonic cardiogram was used for identification. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect expressions of Shh, Ptch-1, Smo and Gli-1 in H9C2 cells and H2 O2-induced H9C2 cells, and that in 12 ca-ses of myocardial infarction tissues and 9 cases of nor-mal myocardium, respectively. Agonist and antagonist of Shh pathway were adminstered in the hypoxic-ische-mic myocardial H2 O2-induced H9C2 cell model, and once again expressions and strength of Shh, Ptch-1, Smo, Gli-1 were detected. Results Shh and Gli-1 were not expressed in normal hearts, but expressed in hearts with myocardial infarction;Ptch-1 and Smo were expressed in both normal hearts and hearts with myo-cardial infarction. Under the action of agonist, expres-sions of Shh and Gli-1 increased in the hypoxic-ische-mic H9C2 cell model. Similarly, Shh and Gli-1 were not expressed in normal H9C2 cells, but in H2 O2-in-duced H9C2 cells, and Ptch-1 and Smo were expressed in both normal H9C2 and in H2 O2-induced H9C2 cells. Conclusion Shh signaling pathway can be acti-vated in the condition of ischemia and oxidative stress, and then it promotes the repairing of myocardial cell damage.

Objective To assess the clinical short-term to mid-term efficacy of transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula by using patent ductus arteriosus occluder in pediatric patients. Methods During the period from Jan. 2008 to May 2013 at authors’ hospital, transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula using patent ductus arteriosus occluder was performed in 8 pediatric patients. The clinical data, including follow-up information, were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 8 pediatric patients with a mean age of (4.1 ± 3.8) years were enrolled in this study. The fistula originated from the right coronary artery in five cases and from the left coronary artery in three cases. The blood flow shunted to the right atrium (n=4) or to the right ventricle (n = 4). Obstruction of the fistula was successfully accomplished in all patients. All patients were followed up for (2.2 ± 1.2) years. No procedure-related complications or cardiac ischemia occurred. Conclusion For the treatment of coronary artery fistula in pediatric patients, the use of domestic patent ductus arteriosus occluder is safe and effective with satisfactory short-term to mid-term clinical efficacy.

BACKGROUND:Porous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes prepared previously is too thick and uneven in holes.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare the thin even porous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membrane, and to evaluate the cytocompatibility and differentiation capacity.
METHODS:Porous and nonporous, thin and even poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes were prepared by phase separation method. Its thickness and weight loss rate were determined. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were cocultured with porous and nonporous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes for 7 days. Ultrastructure of composite membranes was observed under the scanning electron microscopy. Surface markers of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s on the composite membranes were analyzed using flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The thickness of the porous and nonporous composite membranes was (0.041 ± 0.005) mm and (0.058±0.004) mm. Weight loss rates of porous and nonporous composite membranes were respectively 19.93%and 7.64%at 24 hours. Calcium metaphosphate particles were evenly distributed in porous and nonporous composite membrane. Cel s spread entirely, showing spindle shape. Calcium metaphosphate particles were evenly distributed in porous composite membrane. Pore in porous composite membranes was also uniformly distributed, and pore size was about 2-8μm. Cel s spread entirely, showing polygonal shape with multiple tentacles. The tentacles of some cel s entered into the scaffold. CD105, CD90, CD44, CD29 and CD73 expression was detected in porous and nonporous composite membranes. There was no significant difference in cel-positive rate. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes prepared in this study has good biocompatibility and could not promote cel differentiation.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the genome-wide methylation differences between coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and healthy volunteers,and to investigate the relationsip of DNA methylation with CHD from epigenetics. METHODS:In case-control study,subjects were divided into CHD group(50 cases)and health control group(50 cases). DNA of 2 groups were sequenced with methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing technology. The genome-wide methylation differences were analyzed and compared between 2 groups. RESULTS:The number of methylation peak in CHD group was higher than health group,with statistical signfi-cance(P<0.05). The methylation peak mainly distributed in 5'UTR,Intron functional elements. The number of reads in AQP1,SHB and other gene promoters in CHD group were lower than health group,and its methylation level decreased. The number of reads in GRK5 and serveal gene promoters on chrX in CHD group were higher than helath group,and its methylation level increased,with sta-tistical significance(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:The genome-wide methylation level of CHD patients are higher than those of healthy volunteers. The occurence of CHD is possibly associated with the change of methylation level of related gene promoters.

The provenances of Rongshui miniature pigs ( RMPs) were purchased from Rongshui, Guangxi, in 2012.130 RMPs were transported to Sanshui, Guangdong,China, which were breed according to the laboratory animal standards.83 RMPs were selected randomly from the first filial generations ( F1 ).The basic data were collected including breed characteristics, reproductive performance, grow curve, hematology, biochemical markers of serum and urine, organ coefficient, Chromosome analysis.According to the national and local standards, the quality control standards of RMP were set up including microbiological, parasitic, environment and facilities, fodder, pathology, genetic.The results showed that RMPs adapt to the climate of Guangdong.The natural mating and conceive rate was 88.3% with the pregnancy of 112 days.The average number of firstborn and still-born was 6.1 and 7.9 respectively.RMP was small body size with the adult body weight of 17.21 ±5.20 kg and 16.35 ±5.23 kg in female and male respectively.RMP was very tame.The mitochondrial genome analysis suggested RMP belonged a typical miniature pig breed in China, which is ancient than Lanyu pig.RMP could be breed as a new kind of laboratory animal.

BACKGROUND:Calcium metaphosphate has excel ent biocompatibility, degradability, and cel affinity. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s can grow and proliferate in the pores of the porous calcium metaphosphate, but less is known about calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and to analyze the effect of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles at different concentrations on apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s by flow cytometry.
METHODS:The calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were prepared by wet bal mil ing. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of the calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and the crystal structure of nanoparticles was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were mixed in the CYAGON Oricel TM basal medium, and the concentrations of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles in the medium were 10, 1, 0.1 mg/L. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were cultured for 7 days in the above-mentioned media, and apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s was analyzed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were successful y prepared by wet bal mil ing, irregular in shape, and the mean diameter was 10-30 nm. X-ray diffraction results showed the crystal structure of nonaparticles was mainlyβ-Ca(PO3)2. The cel ratio of G0/G1 phase and G2/M phase in 10 mg/L group was obviously higher than that in 1, 0.1 mg/L groups (P<0.01). The cel apoptosis rates during the early, middle, late stages in 10 mg/L group were obviously higher than those in 1, 0.1 mg/L groups (P<0.01), and the total cel apoptosis was also significantly increased in 10 mg/L group (P<0.01). These findings indicate that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s proliferation can be inhibited by calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and apoptosis rate is increased significantly when the concentration of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles increases from 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L.

AIM:To investigate whether the association of connexin 43 ( Cx43 ) and L-type calcium channel involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation ( AF) .METHODS:The biochemical assays and whole-cell patch-clamp technique were used to study the expression of Cx43 in human atrial tissue.The co-localization of Cx43 and L-type calcium channel, and the regulation of L-type calcium current in atrial myocytes were investigated.RESULTS:The expression of Cx43 at mRNA and protein levels was decreased in human atrial tissues of AF patients.In cultured atrium-derived myocytes ( HL-1 cells) , knockdown of Cx43 significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of L-type calcium channelα1c subunit, as well as L-type calcium current.Co-localization of Cx43 with L-type calcium channel α1c subunit in mouse atrial myocytes was observed.CONCLUSION:The decrease in Cx43 is involved in the pathogenesis of AF, probably through reducing the L-type calcium current in atrial myoctyes by co-localization with L-type calcium channel, thus representing the potential pathogenesis in atrial fibrillation.

AIM:Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation contributes to the initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation ( AF) .Al-though tumor necrosis factor ( TNF)-αlevels are increased in patients with AF , the role of TNF-αin the pathogenesis of AF remains unclear.Recent research has revealed that T-type Ca2+currents ( ICa,T ) play an important role in the pathogenesis of AF .METH-ODS:In this study , we used the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique and biochemical assays to explore the role of TNF-αin the regula-tion of ICa,T in atrial myocytes.RESULTS:We found that compared with sinus rhythm (SR) controls, T-type calcium channel (TCC) subunit mRNA levels were decreased , while TNF-αexpression levels were increased , in human atrial tissue from patients with AF .In murine atrial myocyte HL-1 cells, after cultured for 24 h, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/L TNF-αsignificantly reduced the protein expression levels of the TCC α1G subunit in a concentration-dependent manner .The peak current was reduced by the application of 12.5 or 25μg/L TNF-αin a concentration-dependent manner [from ( -15.08 ±1.11) pA/pF in controls to ( -11.89 ±0.83) pA/pF and (-8.54 ±1.55) pA/pF in 12.5 and 25 μg/L TNF-αgroups, respectively].TNF-αapplication also inhibited voltage-dependent inactivation of ICa,T shifted the inactivation curve to the left .CONCLUSION:These results suggest that TNF-αis involved in the path-ogenesis of AF, probably via decreasing ICa,T function in atrium-derived myocytes through impaired channel function and down -regula-tion of channel protein expression .This pathway thus represents a potential pathogenic mechanism in AF .

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies in the world, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for approximately 80%-85% of all pathological types. Approximately 30%-55% of NSCLC patients develop brain metastases. It has been reported that 5%-6% of patients with brain metastases harbor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion. ALK-positive NSCLC patients have shown significant therapeutic benefits after treatment with ALK inhibitors. Over the past decade, ALK inhibitors have rapidly evolved and now exist in three generations: first-generation drugs such as Crizotinib; second-generation drugs including Alectinib, Brigatinib, Ceritinib, and Ensartinib; and third-generation drugs like Lorlatinib. These drugs have exhibited varying efficacy in treating brain metastases in ALK-positive NSCLC patients. However, the numerous options available for ALK inhibition present a challenge for clinical decision-making. Therefore, this review aims to provide clinical guidance by summarizing the efficacy and safety of ALK inhibitors in treating NSCLC brain metastases.
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Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy* ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects* ; Crizotinib

ObjectiveBy comparing the difference of volatile components of the decoction pieces before and after being processed by braising method of Jianchangbang and steaming method included in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the influence of processing methods on the flavor formation of Polygoni Multiflori Radix （PMR） was compared. MethodHeadspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （HS-GC-MS） was used to detect the volatile components of 30 batches of PMR samples from 3 origins with 3 processing methods. The GC was performed under programmed temperature （starting temperature of 40 ℃， rising to 150 ℃ at 5 ℃·min^-1， and then rising to 195 ℃ at 10 ℃·min^-1） with high purity helium as carrier gas and the split ratio of 10∶1. Mass spectrometry conditions were electron impact ion source （EI） and the detection range of m/z 50-650， the peak area normalization method was used to calculate the relative mass fraction of each component. The chromaticity values of different processed products were measured by a precision colorimeter， the relationship between chromaticity values and relative contents of volatile components was investigated by OriginPro 2021， principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were performed on the sample data by SIMCA14.1. The differential components of different processed products of PMR were screened according to the principle of variable importance in the projection （VIP） value>1.5， and the material basis of different odor formation of PMR and its processed products was explored. ResultA total of 59 volatile components were identified， among which 34 were raw products， 33 were braised products， and 27 were steamed products. PCA and OPLS-DA results showed that there were significant differences between the three， but there was no significant difference between samples from different origins of the same processing method. Color parameters of a^*， b^*， E^*ab had no significant correlation with contents of volatile components， while L^* was negatively correlated with contents of 2-methyl-2-butenal， 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one and 2，3-dihydro-3，5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4（H）-pyran-4-one （P<0.05）. The contents of pungent odor components such as caproic acid， nonanoic acid and synthetic camphor decreased after processing， while the contents of sweet flavor components such as 2-methyl-2-butenal， furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural increased after processing， and the contents of furfural， 5-methyl-2-furanmethanol， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and other aroma components in the braised products were significantly higher than that in the steamed products. ConclusionHS-GC-MS can quickly identify the volatile substance basis that causes the different odors of PMR and its processed products. The effect of processing methods on the odor is greater than that of origin. There is a significant correlation between the color parameter of L^* and contents of volatile components， the "raw" taste of PMR may be related to volatile components such as caproic acid， pelargonic acid and synthetic camphor， the "flavor" after processing may be related to the increase of the contents of 2-methyl-2-butenal， furfural， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural， methyl maltol and furfuryl alcohol.