Objective: To observe the impact of vareniline tartrate on vascular endothelial function and inlfammatory factor releasing in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with nicotine dependence after smoking withdrawal treatment.
Methods: We recruited the in-hospital ACS patients who were smoking ≥10 cigarettes/day for more than 10 years with at least moderate nicotine dependence, and randomly divided them into 2 groups: Varenicline group, the patients received oral medication for 2 weeks and Self withdrawal group, the patients without medication assistance.n=52 in each group. All patients received (10-30) min daily mission and consulting for quit smoking for 2 weeks. The basic information was recorded and blood levels of NO, IL-6 and ET-1 were compared before and after withdrawal treatment.
Results: Compared with they were before, after 2 weeks withdrawal treatment, in Varenicline group, blood levels of ET-1 decreased as (33.950 ± 1.439) ng/L vs (170.198 ± 12.602) ng/L and IL-6 decreased as (0.103 ± 0.020) ng/L vs (0.307 ± 0.051) ng/L; in Self withdrawal group, ET-1 decreased as (60.795 ±7 .036) ng/L vs (170.511 ± 12.374) ng/L, all P<0.05; while NO levels were similar,P>0.05. After treatment, ET-1 level in Varenicline group (33.950 ± 1.439) ng/L was lower than Self withdrawal group (60.795 ± 7.036) ng/L and IL-6 level in Varenicline group (0.103 ± 0.020) ng/L was also lower than Self withdrawal group (0.258 ± 0.042) ng/L, allP<0.05; while NO levels were similar between 2 groups,P>0.05.
Conclusion: Compared with self withdrawal, varenicline tartrate may effectively inhibit inlfammatory factor releasing in ACS patients with nicotine dependence, and therefore improve the vascular endothelial function.

Objective To investigate the effect of valsartan (angiotensinⅡtypeⅠreceptor antagonists) on neointimal proliferation and expression of CD34 after angioplasty in rabbits.Method Twenty-four male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:the control group,fed up with common diet;the model group and the valsartan group,fed up with hypercholesterolemic diet for 4 weeks,f then and ballon angioplasty.At 4 weeks after operation,the model group was fed up with common diet,whereas the valsartan group was fed up with the admixture of valsartan 10 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) and common diet.All the rabbits were killed at the end of the 12th weeks.The abdominal aorta was performed with pathologic and morphologic analysis,and expression of CD34 in endothelial cells was analyzed with immunohistochemical method.Results Compared with the model group,the neointimal thickness and area of the valsartan group decreased by 56.58%and 66.81%, respectively.The expression of CD34 of the valsartan group was significantly higher (P

Objective To study the changes of proportion of peripheral blood dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with different degrees of cerebrovascular stenosis and after stenting,and explore the relation between DCs level and cercbrovascular stenosis. Methods Sixty-three patients,admitted to our hospital from November 2009 to February 2010 and from August 2010 to December 2010,were divided into control group (CG,n=9),mild/moderate stenosis group (MsG,n=17),severe stenosis group (SsG,n=30) and stent implanted group (SiG,n=7) according the results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and their clinical situation.Flow cytometry 4-color analysis was employed to detect the proportion of DCs subtypes in the peripheral blood. Results The percentage of peripheral blood myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) was significantly different in the above groups (P=0.000):that between CG and SsG,and that between MsG and SsG were significantly different (P＜0.05).Whereas, no obvious difference was founded in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) between each 2 groups (P=0.065).Conclusion The percentage of mDCs suggests the alterations of different degrees of cerebrovascular stenosis:the severer the stenosis,the lower the percentage of mDCs; stent implantation will not affect the distribution of DCs subtypes

BACKGROUNDMyelosuppression is the main dose-related toxicity of many chemotherapeutic drugs. The human multidrug resistance (mdr1) gene is well-known for its ability to confering drug resistance. In this study, we meant to transplant the placenta mesenchymal stem cells (P-MSCs) moderated by mdr1 gene into a nude mice model radiated by γ-Co(60) and to explore the chemoprotection for bone marrow (BM) toxicity.

METHODSHuman P-MSCs were isolated from trypsin-digested term placentas and then transduced by with reconstructed retroviral vector containing mdr1 gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene. The integration and expression of mdr1 gene was observed indirectedly by the expression of GFP. A nude mice model was constructed after irradiation with a sublethal dosage of γ-Co(60). These irradiated mice were transplanted with mdr1-MSCs through the caudal vein and then received paclitaxel (PAC) intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The Peripheral peripheral blood (PB) of the nude mice was collected, and the PB cells counts and values were determined using an automatic analyzer.

RESULTSAfter PAC treatment, mdr1-MSCs transplanted mice showed markedly improved survival upon compared to MSCs transplanted mice (85.7% vs. 57.1%). White blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts as well as the hemoglobin (Hb) values were significantly increased in PAC treated mdr1-MSCs mice compared to PAC treated control mice when PAC chemotherapy had been finished (all P < 0.05), but the difference was not found in the plateltes (PLT) count (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuman P-MSCs moderated by mdr1 gene when transplanted into nude mice may provide chemoprotection for hematopoietic toxicity.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Female ; Genes, MDR ; genetics ; physiology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Placenta ; cytology ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUNDPhloroglucinol plays an important role in oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. The effects of phloroglucinol have been proven in various disease models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and possible mechanisms of phloroglucinol in the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC).

METHODSThirty-two female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in this study. IC was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP). Rats were randomly allocated to one of four groups (n = 8 per group): A control group, which was injected with saline (75 mg/kg; i.p.) instead of CYP on days 1, 4, and 7; a chronic IC group, which was injected with CYP (75 mg/kg; i.p.) on days 1, 4, and 7; a high-dose (30 mg/kg) phloroglucinol-treated group; and a low-dose (15 mg/kg) phloroglucinol-treated group. On day 8, the rats in each group underwent cystometrography (CMG), and the bladders were examined for evidence of oxidative stress and inflammation. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by least square difference multiple comparison post-hoc test.

RESULTSHistological evaluation showed that bladder inflammation in CYP-treated rats was suppressed by phloroglucinol. CMG revealed that the CYP treatment induced overactive bladder in rats that was reversed by phloroglucinol. Up-regulated tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 expression in the CYP-treated rats were also suppressed in the phloroglucinol treated rats. CYP treatment significantly increased myeloperoxidase activity as well as the decreased activities of catalase of the bladder, which was reversed by treatment with phloroglucinol.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of phloroglucinol suppressed oxidative stress, inflammation, and overactivity in the bladder. This may provide a new treatment strategy for IC.

Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; toxicity ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phloroglucinol ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder ; drug effects ; pathology

BACKGROUNDThe treatment of high-grade developmental spondylolisthesis (HGDS) is still challenging and controversial. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of the posterior reduction and monosegmental fusion assisted by intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) navigation system in managing the HGDS.

METHODSThirteen consecutive HGDS patients were treated with posterior decompression, reduction and monosegmental fusion of L5/S1, assisted by intraoperative 3D navigation system. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The differences between the pre- and post-operative measures were statistically analyzed using a two-tailed, paired t-test.

RESULTSAt most recent follow-up, 12 patients were pain-free. Only 1 patient had moderate pain. There were no permanent neurological complications or pseudarthrosis. The magnetic resonance imaging showed that there was no obvious disc degeneration in the adjacent segment. All radiographic parameters were improved. Mean slippage improved from 63.2% before surgery to 12.2% after surgery and 11.0% at latest follow-up. Lumbar lordosis changed from preoperative 34.9 ± 13.3° to postoperative 50.4 ± 9.9°, and 49.3 ± 7.8° at last follow-up. L5 incidence improved from 71.0 ± 11.3° to 54.0 ± 11.9° and did not change significantly at the last follow-up 53.1 ± 15.4°. While pelvic incidence remained unchanged, sacral slip significantly decreased from preoperative 32.7 ± 12.5° to postoperative 42.6 ± 9.8°and remained constant to the last follow-up 44.4 ± 6.9°. Pelvic tilt significantly decreased from 38.4 ± 12.5° to 30.9 ± 8.1° and remained unchanged at the last follow-up 28.1 ± 11.2°.

CONCLUSIONSPosterior reduction and monosegmental fusion of L5/S1 assisted by intraoperative 3D navigation are an effective technique for managing high-grade dysplastic spondylolisthesis. A complete reduction of local deformity and excellent correction of overall sagittal balance can be achieved.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Radiography ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spondylolisthesis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult

Fibrinogen is a key protein involved in coagulation and its deposition on blood vessel walls plays an important role in the pathology of atherosclerosis. Although the causes of fibrinogen (fibrin) deposition have been studied in depth, little is known about the relationship between fibrinogen deposition and reactive carbonyl compounds (RCCs), compounds which are produced and released into the blood and react with plasma protein especially under conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of glycolaldehyde on the activity and deposition of fibrinogen compared with the common RCCs acrolein, methylglyoxal, glyoxal and malondialdehyde. At the same concentration (1 mmol/L), glycolaldehyde and acrolein had a stronger suppressive effect on fibrinogen activation than the other three RCCs. Fibrinogen aggregated when it was respectively incubated with glycolaldehyde and the other RCCs, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE, electron microscopy and intrinsic fluorescence intensity measurements. Staining with Congo Red showed that glycolaldehyde- and acrolein-fibrinogen distinctly formed amyloid-like aggregations. Furthermore, the five RCCs, particularly glycolaldehyde and acrolein, delayed human plasma coagulation. Only glycolaldehyde showed a markedly suppressive effect on fibrinogenesis, none did the other four RCCs when their physiological blood concentrations were employyed, respectively. Taken together, it is glycolaldehyde that suppresses fibrinogenesis and induces protein aggregation most effectively, suggesting a putative pathological process for fibrinogen (fibrin) deposition in the blood.
Acetaldehyde ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; chemistry ; Acrolein ; blood ; chemistry ; Blood Coagulation ; Congo Red ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fibrinogen ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Glyoxal ; blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; chemistry ; Polymerization ; Protein Carbonylation ; Pyruvaldehyde ; blood ; chemistry ; Solutions ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Thrombin ; chemistry

Objective To explore the association between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the risk of falls in community populations, so as to provide a reference for preventing falls in the elderly. Methods 826 community residents aged 55 years and older were enrolled in Wuzhong, Ningxia; cognitive function was assessed during the participants attending the basic public health examination, and self-report falling events were observed through telephone call survey after half a year. The incidence of falls among different populations was compared using unconditional Logistic regression model. Results A total of 521 participants completed the follow-up study, and 127 of them met criteria of MCI at baseline. 32 participants reported falling occurred during follow-up with a incidence of 6.1% (32/521), and the incidence of falls was higher (8.85%,23/260) in females than that of males (3.45%,9/261) (RR=2.56, P=0.010). The incidence among MCI group (9.45%,12/127) was 1.86 times of that among non-MCI group (RR=1.86, P=0.073). Under the controlling of demographic variables (gender, age and education level), there was no association between MCI and falls (RR=1.41, P=0.382). Conclusions The incidence of falls in the elderly communities is common, and females has higher risk of falls than males. There is no statistical association between MCI and risk of falls. Further validation is needed with large-sample studies in the future.

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokinecytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency and safety of two-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus (FK506) regimen in liver transplant recipients.

METHODSThere were 74 patients who treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from September 2006 to March 2008. Expect for 7 patients who didn't measure up, 67 adult liver transplant recipients were randomized into two groups: conventional protocol group (n = 35) in which steroid was withdrawn in 3 months after operation, and two-dose steroid group (n = 32). Comparison of rejection, infection (bacteria, fungal and cytomegalovirus) and metabolic complications rates were studied between two groups.

RESULTSThere were significant differences between two groups in the rate of early postoperation hyperglycemia, the average dosage of insulin consumption among hyperglycemia recipients as well as the rate of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and infection during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in early postoperation period, hyperlipemia and rejection rate during the follow-up period were similar in two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTwo-dose steroid combined with two-dose daclizumab and tacrolimus would be a safe and efficient immunosuppression strategy without increase the acute rejection rate hazard, that could reduce post-transplant infection and other complications from side-effect of long-term usage of steroid.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Immunosuppression ; methods ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Steroids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use