Objective To investigate the effect of strong ion-irradiation and active macrophage on vascular endothelial cells. Methods The vascular endothelial cells(ECV-304) were divided into 3 groups: ECV304(A), ECV-304 with radiation (B)and ECV-304 with active macrophage U937 and radiation(C). The survival rates, cell cycle and apoptosis of ECV-304 were determined 48 hours after irradiation. The concentrations of TGF-?1 and VEGF in the cultured supernatant were determined by ELISA method.The protein expression of the endothelial receptor KDR in ECV-304 cells was detected by immunofluorescence and flow-cytometry while its mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. Results After high dose of ion-irrdiation, the cellular proliferation activity decreased, apopototic cells increased and the cell ratio in G2/M phase increased.In addition,The secretion of VEGF and TGF-?1 was promoted with the increased KDR expression. Active macrophages could alleviate the decrease of cellular proliferation and the increase of apoptotic cells and cell ratio in G2/M phase induced by ion-irriation.Furthermore,the VEGF secretion and the KDR expression were enhanced and the secretion of TGF-?1 was inhibited by the active macrophages. Conclusions Ion irradiation could induce the decrease of cellular proloferation, the increase of apoptotic cells and the cells in G2/M phase.This might partly be related to the inhibiting roles of TGF-?1 secreted by the ECV-304 cells.Active macrophages might protect the endothelial cells from radiation injury.

Objective? To observe the effects of continuous quality improvement on the incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods? Totally 158 patients using ventilators in ICU of Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital between January and June 2016 were selected as the control group using convenient sampling, and another 165 patients using ventilators between January and June 2017 were selected as the observation group. Patients in the control group received conventional nursing care, while patients in the observation group received Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle Management with the quality of standardized nursing process, standardized upper respiratory tract management and hand hygiene continuously improved. Incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP), rate of pass in oral nursing care and hand hygiene compliance in medical and nursing workers were compared between the two groups before and after improvement. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results? The incidence rate of VAP during the first half of 2017 totaled 5.07‰, a decrease of 6.42‰ compared with the first half of 2016. There was statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of VAP between the two groups (P＜0.01); the rate of pass in oral nursing care after improvement (93.17%) was statistically higher than that before improvement (57.31%) (P＜ 0.01); and the hand hygiene compliance after improvement (93.67%) was statistically higher than that before improvement (67.33%) (P＜ 0.01). Conclusions? Continuous quality improvement can reduce the incidence rate of VAP in ICU, which is operable and worth promoting in clinical practice.

Objective:To analyze the effect of Croton leaf on ERK1/2 pathway in hippocampal of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods:A total of 216 SD male rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, nimodipine group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of croton leaf according to random nubmer table method, with 36 rats in each group. The MACO model of rats was prepared by the method of wire embolization. The high, medium and low dose groups were intragastrated with the water decoction 0.06 g/ml, 0.12 g/ml and 0.18 g/ml of Croton leaf; nimodipine group was intragastrated with nimodipine suspension 1.08 g/L; sham operation group and model group were intragastrated with equal volume of normal saline. Garcia JH score was used to conduct neurological function score, and HE staining was used to observe the morphology of hippocampal neurons after 7 days of continuous administration. Apoptosis of hippocampal CA3/DG region was detected by TUNEL assay. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins.Results:Compared with the model group at simultaneous point, the neurological function scores of low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Croton leaf increased ( P<0.01), the number of apoptotic cells decreased ( P<0.01), the expression of p-ERK1/2 / ERK1/2 [1 d: (0.22±0.03, 0.34±0.02, 0.46±0.01 vs. 0.19±0.02); 3 d: (0.38±0.02, 0.50±0.02, 0.68±0.02 vs. 0.27±0.02); 7 d: (0.29±0.03, 0.43±0.02, 0.59±0.02 vs. 0.21±0.03)] in hippocampus of the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Croton leaf significantly increased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Croton leaf could regulate the expression of ERK1/2 pathway protein upward, effectively improve the neural function and resist the apoptosis of hippocampal CA3/DG area of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND:Croton cream can activate ERK pathways and have anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cells.It is not clear whether it synergistically exerts anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 pathways. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of croton cream on neuronal damage and apoptosis in the ischemic cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:(1)Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream low-dose group,croton cream medium-dose group,croton cream high-dose group and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared in rats by the thread method.Rats in the three croton cream groups were given 20,40,and 60 mg/kg croton cream,respectively.Rats in the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The optimal concentration of croton cream,namely the high dose of croton cream,was selected based on neurological deficit score,TTC staining,brain tissue water content,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining.(2)Another 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream group,JNK inhibitor group,croton cream+JNK inhibitor group,p38 MAPK inhibitor group,croton cream+p38 MAPK inhibitor group,and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared using the thread method in all the groups except in the sham operation group.Thirty minutes before modeling,10 μL of SP600125(JNK inhibitor)and 10 μL of SB203580(p38 MAPK inhibitor)were injected into the lateral ventricle of the rats,respectively.Rats in croton cream groups were intragastrically given 60 mg/kg croton cream.Seven days later,the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway,apoptosis-related proteins and cell apoptosis were detected by western blot,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,neurological deficit score,cerebral water content,cerebral infarction volume and apoptosis rate were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05),where nerve cells showed scattered distribution.Compared with the model group,neurological deficit score,water content of brain tissue and cerebral infarction volume were significantly decreased in the croton cream medium-dose group,high-dose group and nimodipine group(P<0.05),and the pathological morphology of nerve cells was significantly improved.(2)Compared with the JNK inhibitor group,p-JNK/JNK,p-p38/p38 and Bax expressions in rat brain tissue and the apoptotic rate were significantly decreased in the croton cream+inhibitor groups(P<0.05),while the expression of and Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,croton cream may inhibit the activation of JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reduce neuronal apoptosis to achieve neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective:To investigate the efficiency, safety and complication of 0.7 mg dexamethasone sustained release agent (Ozurdex ?) vitreous cavity implantation for macular edema secondary to vitrectomy. Methods:A total of 15 patients (16 eyes) were included in this retrospective case series study. There were 7 males (8 eyes) and 8 females (8 eyes). Age ranged from 47 to 72 years old with an average age of (60.2±8.6)years. Among them, 8 cases were diabetic retinopathy (6 cases combined cataract surgery). 4 cases were silicone oil removal after retinal detachment surgery (all combined cataract surgery). 2 cases were epi-macular membrane (all combined with cataract surgery) and 1 case was vitreous hemorrhage (combined with cataract surgery). Ozurdex ? was implanted for macular edema after vitrectomy. The number of implantation was from 1 to 3 times (mean 1.67 times). The follow-up time was from 3 to 12 months, with an average of (7.33±3.50)months. Results:The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was improved in 10 cases (11 eyes), unchanged in 4 cases and decreased in 1 case within 3 months after Ozurdex ? implantation in the 15 cases (16 eyes). The macular edema was significantly improved in all cases. The central macular thickness (CMT) measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) was from 350 to 1 370 γm before surgery with average thickness (621.60±235.48)γm, and the CMT postoperative was 118 to 556 γm with average thickness (269.87±118.14)γm, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). Cataract was not progressive after Ozurdex ? implantation. Macular edema was recurrent in 7 cases after first implantation and stable for additional 1-2 injections. Intraocular pressure elevation occurred in 3 cases 1 to 2 months after implantation with the highest intraocular pressure of 36 mmHg, which were controlled by local anti-glaucoma eye drops. Drugs entered into the anterior chamber in 2 cases and was taken out in 1 case. Conclusions:The efficiency of Ozurdex ? vitreous cavity implantation is definite and the complications are controllable, so it is a safe and effective method to treat macular edema after vitrectomy.

Objective To investigate the effects of acute sleep deprivation on the behavior and synaptic protein expression of rats.Methods Seventy healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups,a Control group and sleep deprivation groups(24,48,72,96,120 and 144 hours).The sleep deprivation rat model was established by the modified multiplatform water environment sleep deprivation method.Spatial learning and memory were assessed by the Morris water maze.Anxiety was assessed by the open field test.The morphology and quantity of hippocampal neurons were observed by Nissl staining.Western blot and Real-time PCR were used to determine the expression of synaptophysin(SYN),post-synaptic density protein-95(PSD-95),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in rats.Results Compared with the Control group,the numbers of standing and modification were significantly increased by prolongation of the sleep deprivation time(P＜0.05).The escape latency and path length were significantly increased in 120 and 144 h groups(P＜0.05),whereas the number of platform crossings and the percentage of the target quadrant time were significantly decreased(P＜0.01)and negatively correlated to the sleep deprivation time.The expression levels of BDNF,SYN,and PSD-95 were significantly decreased with the prolongation of sleep deprivation time(P＜0.01).Conclusions With the increase in sleep deprivation time,cognitive dysfunction and anxiety gradually deteriorated,which may be related to decreases in the expression of synaptic biomarkers.

Humans ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/drug therapy* ; Benzofurans/therapeutic use* ; Double-Blind Method ; Treatment Outcome

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an extremely malignant pulmonary vascular disease of unknown etiology. ADAR1 is an RNA editing enzyme that converts adenosine in RNA to inosine, thereby affecting RNA expression. However, the role of ADAR1 in PH development remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the biological role and molecular mechanism of ADAR1 in PH pulmonary vascular remodeling. Overexpression of ADAR1 aggravated PH progression and promoted the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Conversely, inhibition of ADAR1 produced opposite effects. High-throughput whole transcriptome sequencing showed that ADAR1 was an important regulator of circRNAs in PH. CircCDK17 level was significantly lowered in the serum of PH patients. The effects of ADAR1 on cell cycle progression and proliferation were mediated by circCDK17. ADAR1 affects the stability of circCDK17 by mediating A-to-I modification at the A5 and A293 sites of circCDK17 to prevent it from m1A modification. We demonstrate for the first time that ADAR1 contributes to the PH development, at least partially, through m1A modification of circCDK17 and the subsequent PASMCs proliferation. Our study provides a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of PH and the evidence for circCDK17 as a potential novel marker for the diagnosis of this disease.