Objective To investigate the angiographic coronary atheroslerosis findings with the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and ?-granule membrane protein (GMP-140). Methods 74 patients undergone selectrive coronary angiography (CAG) were divided into 3 groups based on plaque morphology, Group S(n=15), concentric or eccentric stenosis with smooth borders; Group C(n=37), eccentric stenosis with complex borders; Group N (n=22), CAG without coronary atheroslerosis. 37 patients in group C were divided into group Ⅰ (n=10, one-vessel involved CAD), group Ⅱ (n=12, two-vessel involved CAD) and group Ⅲ (n=15, three-vessel involved CAD) based on major epicardial coronary branches lesion. These 37 patients were divided into group x(n=21, ≤3 segments) and group y(n=16,≥4 segments) based on coronry stenotic segments. The plasma levels of vWF and GMP-140 were assayed by ELISA before angiography. Results (1)The plasma levels of vWF and GMP-140 in group C were significantly higher than those in group S(P

Objective To measure the parameters of mitral valve leaflets and mitral annulus in patientswithmildmitralregurgitation( MR )byreal timethree-dimensionaltransesophagealechocardiography (RT-3D-TEE),and explored the mechanism of MR.MethodsFifty-seven MR subjects were selected and twenty-eight subjects without mitral regurgitation were served as control group,all subjects were examined by RT-3D-TEE and acquired image,mitral valve quantification (MVQ) software was used for post-processing.Mitral annulus parameters (H/DAIPm,E2D,θAv-Mv,mitral annulus θnpa) and mitral valve leaflets parameters(A3DE,L2DAIPm,VA1-3tentVp1-3tentVtentHtentθnpa ) at the end of systolic were measured.The results of two groups were compared,and the most affected parameters to mild mitralregurgitation were selected.Results Compared with control group,VA3tent was decreased,mitral annulus θnpa and L2DAIPm increased,and the mitral valve leaflets θnpa was independently correlation factor of mild mitral regurgitation.ConclusionsThe mitral annulus geometry to flat in subjects with mild MR,the mitral valve local area is increased in subjects with mild MR,the mitral valve leaflets θnpa is independently correlation factor of mild mitral regurgitation.

Objective To investigate the relation between microembolic signals (MES) and vertebral basilar artery ste?nosis in patients with brainstem infarction. Methods A total of 156 patients with acute brainstem infarction, who were de?termined the cerebral infarction lesion and vertebral basilar artery stenosis by cranial magnetic resonance imaging and CT an?giography, and were monitored by transcranial Doppler via occipital window of basilar arterial MES monitoring in 7 days of the onset, were divided into microembolus signal negative group (n=136) and positive group (n=20). The clinical data were compared between two groups. The differences of different degrees of stenosis were analyzed in two groups. The differences of different locations of stenosis in patients with vertebral basilar artery stenosis were analyzed in two groups. Logistic regres?sion analysis was used to analyse the factors affecting MES. Results There were no significant differences in age, gender, history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus between the two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the dif?ferent degrees of stenosis between two groups, no or mild stenosis was found in MES-negative group and severe stenosis in MES-positive group (P<0.05). There were 70 cases with no vertebral basilar artery stenosis, 86 cases with mild, moderate and severe stenosis, in which 14 cases were MES-positive and 72 cases were negative. There were significant differences in different locations of stenosis between the two groups. The proportion of multiple infarctions was significantly higher in MES-positive group than that of MES-negative group (P<0.05). The intracranial vertebral basilar artery stenosis and 75%of ver?tebral basilar artery stenosis were the independent risk factors of MES-positive. Conclusion Severe stenosis of the verte?bral basilar artery is more vulnerable to occur MES of posterior circulation, leading to cerebral infarction. Microemboli may be the cause of multiple infarctions in patients with vertebral basilar artery stenosis.

Poly(β-amino esters) (PBAE) are used for drug carrier and have many advantages, such as pH-sensitivity, low toxicity, structural diversity and the synthetic method of PBAE is easy. Therefore they are possessed broad application prospect in tumor-targeted drugs delivery systems. In this paper, the structural features and target drugs delivery property of PBAE are reviewed. The application forms of PBAE and different anti-cancer drugs loaded in the copolymer for tumor-targeted drugs delivery systems are introduced particularly.

Objective To investigate the effects of MG132 on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats induced with streptozocin. Methods Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (NC, n=24), DN group (n=24) and DN treated with MG132 group (DN+MG132, n=24). At the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks, 24 hour urinary protein excretion rate (UPER) was detected. Morphology of kidney was examined by special staining of periodic acid-schiff (PAS). Renal 26S proteasome activity was determined by quantifying the hydrolysis of S-LLVY-AMC in a fluorescence reader. Urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) level and renal SOD and GSH-PX activity were detected by commercial kits. Renal SOD, GSH-PX and p47phox mRNA expressions were determined by real-time fluorescence PCR. Renal p47phox protein expression wasdetermined by Western blotting. Results Compared with NC group, the DN group showed a significant increased of UPER at week 4, 8, 12 (all P<0.05), of mesangium proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion at week 12. In DN+MG132 group, UPER was significantly decreased compared with DN group at the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.05, respectively), and the glomeruler pathological alteration induced by diabetes was attenuated. Increased renal 26S proteasome activity in DN rats was significantly inhibited after MC132 administration (P<0.05). Moreover, renal p47phox mRNA expression in DN group was 155%, 149% and 120% more than those in NC group at 3 time points (all P<0.05), and so was the renal p47phox protein expression, 139%, 152% and 186% more (all P<0.05). Urinary MDA levels in DN group were 1.95-, 2.04-and 2.62-folds more than those in NC group (all P<0.05). In addition, compared with NC group at 3 time points, in DN group, renal SOD activity was decreased by 23.09%, 33.59% and 53.31% (all P<0.05); renal GSH-PX activity was decreased by 28.57%, 33.06% and 48.76% (all P< 0.05); renal SOD mRNA was decreased by 38.09%, 61.44% and 76.53% (all P<0.05); renal GSH-PX mRNA group was decreased by 29.16%, 37.26% and 62.40% (all P<0.05). Compared with DN group, renal p47phox mRNA and protein expression, and urinary MDA levels were significantly lower in DN+MG132 group (all P<0.05); renal SOD and GSH-PX activity as well as mRNA expression were significantly increased in DN+MG132 group (all P<0.05). Conclusions MG132 treatment can provide renoprotection for DN rats effectively maybe through enhancing renal anti-oxidative ability.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,diagnosis and therapy of adrenal incidentalomas. Methods The data of 66 cases of adrenal incidentalomas were retrospectively analyzed. Results The accuracy rates of localization detected by B-Ultrasound,CT scan and MRI were 84.3%,100% and 100% respectively. The accuracy rates of qualitative diagnosis by B-Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI were 30.0%,75.5% and 79.2% respectively. There were 60 cases underwent operation and the postoperative pathological examination confirmed that there were 31 cases of adrenal cortical adenoma, 6 cases adrenal cyst, 5 myelolipoma, 5 pheochromocytoma, 3 adrenal cortical carcinoma, 3 metastatic carcinoma, 3 ganglioneuroma, 1 adrenal neurilemmoma, 1 adrenal hematoma, and 1 nodular hyperplasia of adrenal cortex. Conclusions Ultrasonography is the first choice of scanning adrenal incidentaloma. However the CT scan and MRI are satisfactory in localization of the tumour. The qualitative diagnosis of adrenal incidentaloma will depend on the diameter, imaging features of tumors, the age of patients, and endocrine examination.

Objective To investigate the effect of 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA)on the renal pathogenesis of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and its mechanism. Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group(NC group,n=18),diabetic nephropathy group(DN group,n=18),diabetic nephropathy plus 4-PBA treatment group(4-PBA group,n=18).At the end of 4,8 and 12 weeks,index of kidney weight/body weight ratio(KI)were measured and calculated.Serum creatinine (Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),urinary MDA levels,urinary SOD activity,and 24 hour urinary protein excretion ram(UAER)were detected by HITACHI automatically.Morphology of kidney wag examined by special staining of periodic acid-schitt (PAS).The p47phox and nitrotyrosine (NT) expression in kidney were determined by real-time fluorescence PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with the NC group, the DN group rats showed a significant increase of KI(P＜0.05), UAER(mg/24 h) (4.92±0.70 vs 0.26±0.07, 5.29±0.83 vs 0.28±0.08, 5.54±0.81 vs 0.29±0.04,respectively, P＜0.05]for indicated time, mesangial cells proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion at 12 week. However,4-PBA treatment could significantly inhibit the increase of KI (P＜0.05), decrease UAER (mg/24 h) (3.71±0.37, 3.47±0.36, 3.28±0.40, respectively, P＜0.05]for indicated time, and prevent the glomeruler pathological alteration induced by diabetes. Moreover, the mRNA expression of p47phox in the kidney of DN group was 154.72%, 148.60% and 91.95% more than that of NC group (all P＜0.05) for indicated time. The protein expression of p47phox was 118.00%, 140.10% and 177.82% more than that of NC group (all P＜0.05), and the protein expression of NT was 45.29%,59.13% and 89.28% more than that of NC group (all P＜0.05). In addition, urinary MDA levels in DN group were 2.05-, 2.26- and 2.43- folds of NC group, and urinary SOD activities were decreased by 64.78%, 71.29% and 79.32% of NC group. Compared with the DN group, the mRNA and protein expression of p47phox, and protein expression of NT in 4-PBA group were decreased markedly (all P＜0.05) at the end of 8 and 12 weeks. The urinary MDA level was decreased, and the urinary SOD activity was increased significantly in rats with diabetes after 4-PBA treatment for indicated time (all P＜0.05). Conclusion 4-PBA treatment can significantly inhibit the renal pathogenesis of rats with diabetes through inhibition of oxidative stress.

This study is to investigate the cytoprotective role of NaNO2 preconditioning against ethanol induced damage in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells. The cells were preconditioned with NaNO2 (0.25 mmol x L(-1)) for 24 hours or 4 weeks, and then exposed to ethanol (200 mmol x L(-1)) for additional 12 h and untreated cells served as control. Both temporal and chronic NaNO2 preconditioning could prevent ethanol elicited cytotoxicity as evidenced by thiazolyl blue (MTT). NaNO2 preconditioning also could inhibit ethanol-induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by FITC-Annexin V/PI flow cytometer and Hoechst 33258 and PI staining. Further, simultaneous NaNO2 preconditioning treatment along with ethanol showed protection against ethanol mediated cellular damage as indicated by significantly decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Western blotting analysis revealed that in ethanol treated cells preconditioned with NaNO2, the HIF-1alpha and Bcl-2 increased obviously, while the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, including Bax, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 decreased. The results showed that low doses of NaNO2 preconditioning resistant to ethanol-induced human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells apoptosis, which mechanism may be related to increased expression of HIF-1alpha in the cells.

Objective To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and its relationship with infiltrating lymphocytes in lichen planus(LP).Methods Tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions of 60 patients with LP and normal skin of 20 human controls.Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression of TNF-α,and infiltrating lymphocytes were counted in TNF-α-positive tissue sections.Results TNF-α was expressed in 72％ of the LP specimens but in none of the control specimens(P ＜ 0.01).Positive staining for TNF-α was mainly located in the membrane of prickle cells,cytoplasm or membrane of dermal infiltrating lymphocytes.The expression of TNF-α in LP was uncorrelated with age,sex or disease course(all P ＞ 0.05),but was positively correlated with infiltrating lymphocyte number (rs =0.47,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion TNF-α seems to play a certain role in the pathogenesis of LP.

AIM: To study the cytoprotective role of NaNO_2 preconditioning against H_2O_2 induced damage in PC12 cells. METHODS: PC12 cells were treated with different concentrations of NaNO_2 for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The viability of the cells was measured by MTT method and cell counting. The apoptotic rate of PC12 was determined by Hoechst 33258 staining to calculate the ratio of the cells between concentrated and broken nucleus in the total cell count. PC12 cells were pretreated with NaNO_2 at concentration of 3 mmol/L for 24 h. The cytoprotective role to the toxicity of H_2O_2 at concentration of 1.1 mmol/L for 6 h was observed by MTT. The cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and staining with Hoechst 33258 and PI. The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the changes of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by the method of colorimetry. RESULTS: The dose-response results showed that the effect of NaNO_2 on PC12 cell proliferation was a typical β-shape curve. The maximal stimulatory response was at 24 h, and the concentration of the maximum stimulatory response was 1.4 mmol/L. The maximal stimulation of the concentration-responses was 156% above the control. No observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 6 mmol/L. IC_(50) was 45 mmol/L. When the cells were pretreated by NaNO_2 at concentration of 3 mmol/L for 24 h, and then exposed to H_2O_2 at concentration of 1.1 mmol/L for 6 h, the proliferation rate was increased as compared to the cells treated with H_2O_2 alone. Under the conditions of treating the cells with NaNO_2 at concentration of 3 mmol/L to induce the adaptive response, then exposing the cells to H_2O_2 at concentration of 1.1 mmol/L, the apoptosis rate in non-preconditioning group was 44.9%, the apoptosis rate in preconditioning group was 19.1%, the difference was significant (P<0.05). The cytoprotective effect of NaNO_2 was inhibited by nitric oxide (NO) scavenger ferrohemoglobin. The activities of SOD, CAT and the level of GSH-Px were markedly increased, the content of MDA decreased in preconditioning group. CONCLUSION: Exposure of NaNO_2 at concentration of <6 mmol/L induces hormesis on PC12 cells. Low dose of nitrite plays an important role in cytoprotection by reducing nitrite to NO, indicating that decrease in lipid peroxidation and increase in endogenous antioxidants may play a key role in cytoprotection induced by preconditioning with low dose of NaNO_2 in PC12 cells.