Objective To study the effects of asiaticoside on the growth of melanoma B16 cell cultures in vitro. Methods Melanoma B16 cells were subcultured and the inhibition of cellular growth was investigated. The morphology of the cells was observed after inhibition. The induction of apoptosis by asiaticoside was determined by flow cytometry. Results It was found that asiaticoside could significantly inhibit the growth of B16 cell cultures in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. The annexin-v positive cells were increased, along with that cells intaking R123 marked mitochondria were decreased, and PI positive cells increased, which indicated that cellular apoptosis was induced. Conclusion Asiaticoside plays an inhibitory role in the growth of melanoma B16 cells.

Purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and Nod like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contribute to the inflammatory activation.Great attention has been paid to P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasome in recent years,especially in the fields of central nervous system.To further elucidate the role of the P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasome in the central nervous system,we review the latest research progress of composition and physiological functions of P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasome and how they play their roles in diseases of the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the prosthesis-patient mismatch has a deleterious impact on survival after mitral valve replacement.

DATA SOURCESA comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect was carried out. References and cited papers of relevant articles were also checked.

STUDY SELECTIONAll articles published after January 1980 was initially considered. Non-English and non-human studies, case reports, and reviews were excluded from the initial search. References and cited papers of relevant articles were also checked.

RESULTSA total of 8 retrospective cohort studies were identified for this review. The overall incidence of prosthesis-patient mismatch (<1.3 to <1.2 cm(2)/m(2)) after mitral valve replacement ranged from 3.7% to 85.9% (moderate prosthesis-patient mismatch (0.9 to 1.2 cm(2)/m(2)) in 37.4% to 69.5%, severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (<0.9 cm(2)/m(2)) in 8.7% to 16.4%). Four studies demonstrated an association of prosthesis-patient mismatch with reduced long-term survival, but the other four studies found no significant deleterious impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch after mitral valve replacement. No definite conclusion could be derived from these conflicting results.

CONCLUSIONSCurrent evidence is insufficient to derive a definite conclusion whether mitral prosthesis-patient mismatch affects long-term survival because of the biases and confounding factors that interfere with late clinical outcomes. Goodquality prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of mitral prosthesis-patient mismatch after mitral valve replacement in the future.

Heart Valve Prosthesis ; adverse effects ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; mortality ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of caspase-8, caspase-9 activity and apoptosis rates in the process of trichloroethylene-induced damage in keratinocytes, and explore the tentative mechanism of apoptosis.

METHODSHuman keratinocytes were exposed to 0.125, 0.250, 0.500, 1.000 and 2.000 mmol/L trichloroethylene for 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The inhibitive groups were pretreated with 100 micromol/L Z-LEHD-FMK (a specific inhibitor of caspase-9) for 1 h, and were stimulated with 2.000 mmol/l TCE for 12 h. MTT assay was used to detect the viability of different cells; The activity of caspase were calculated according to spectrophotometry; Change of the apoptotic rates was assessed by flow cytometer (FCM) after double-stained with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI).

RESULTS(1) The minimum effective concentration for cell viability reduction was 0.125 mmol/L at 12 h and the shortest time required to produce a change was 4 h at a concentration of 2.000 mmol/L (compared with control group, P < 0.01). Cell viability in all the groups markedly decreased from 12 h to 24 h (P < 0.05). (2) The activity of caspase-8 in the various dosage groups at different times had no statistical difference compared with the control group, P > 0.01. (3) At 8 h, 1.000 and 2.000 mmol/L TCE groups could significantly enhance caspase-9 activity (P < 0.05). The caspase-9 activity in all the groups showed differences and was significantly higher than those of control cells when time was over 12 h (P < 0.05). (4) After exposing to different dosages of TCE for 12 h, the rate of apoptosis rose to (80.43 +/- 4.21)% with the increase of dosage, compared with the control group, (9.40 +/- 2.98)%, which showed a dose-effect relationship. (5) The cells pre-treated with caspase-9 inhibitor resulted in a decrease in the caspase-9 activity and apoptosis rates (compared with 2.000 mmol/L TCE exposed group, P < 0.01). However, there was no statistical significance in comparison with the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCaspase-9 may be an important mediator of apoptosis in keratinocytes induced by trichloroethylene.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore mechanism of dermal toxicity of trichloroethylene(TCE).

METHODSNormal human keratinocytes (KC) were isolated from foreskins of healthy donors undergoing circumcision by two-step trypsin digestion and cultured in serum-free medium. Cells were treated with medium, 1% acetone (volume fraction) 0.125, 0.500 or 2.000 mmol/L TCE for different time (4, 8, 12 or 24) hours. After treatment, MTT assay and ATPase activity detected, inhibition ratio of mitochondrial enzyme was calculated according to optical density (A) value of MTT assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by flow cytometry FCM after being stained with Rhodamine123 (Rh123). Morphological changes were also observed through transmission electron microscope (TEM).

RESULTSCellular viability and ATPase activity declined with dose of TCE, while inhibition ratio of mitochondrial enzyme increased with dose of TCE. FCM results showed that after treatment with 2.000 mmol/L TCE, fluorescence density of Rh123 decreased quickly from 18.73 +/- 0.45(0 h) to 8.20 +/- 0.66(8 h) (P < 0.01). After 8 h, fluorescence density maintained at the level equal to that of 8 h (fluorescence density of Rh123 were 8.20 +/- 0.36 and 8.20 +/- 0.40 for 12 and 24 h respectively, compared with that for 8 h group, P > 0.05). The results also showed that MMP diminished with dose of TCE. Under TEM, mitochondria in TCE-treated group appeared extensive swelling and vacuolar degeneration with less matrix and obscure or vanished mitochondria cristae but in control group, mitochondrial structure was integrated, with uniform matrix and visible mitochondria cristae.

CONCLUSIONSTCE could inhibit mitochondrial metabolic enzyme, reduce ATP production, diminish MMP, and destroy ultrastructure of mitochondria in KC, all these contributing to the cytotoxicity of TCE.

Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo detect the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in aqueous humor of patients with active choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODSAqueous humor samples were obtained from 32 patients with active CNV. The concentrations of VEGF and PEDF in aqueous humor were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative analysis. VEGF and PEDF in 10 samples of aqueous humor from patients with cataract were also detected by the same methods as control.

RESULTThe mean VEGF and PEDF concentrations in aqueous humor of active CNV patients were higher than those in the control group (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe patients with active CNV exhibit significantly higher VEGF and PEDF levels than those in control, indicating that VEGF along with PEDF may modulate the formation of CNV.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aqueous Humor ; chemistry ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; metabolism ; Eye Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Growth Factors ; analysis ; Serpins ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

Background/Aims: Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) has been widely used in diagnosing small bowel disease. We conducted this study to systematically appraise its technical and clinical performance. Methods: Studies on SBE published by September 2018 were systematically searched. Technical and clinical performance data were collected and analyzed with descriptive or meta-analysis methods. Results: In total, 54 articles incorporating 4,592 patients (6,036 procedures) were included. Regarding technical parameters, the pooled insertion depths (IDs) for anterograde and retrograde SBE were 209.2 cm and 98.1 cm, respectively. The pooled retrograde ID in Asian countries was significantly greater than that in Western countries (129.0 cm vs 81.1 cm, p<0.001). The pooled anterograde and retrograde procedure times were 57.6 minutes and 65.1 minutes, respectively.The total enteroscopy rate was 21.9%, with no significant difference between Asian and Western countries. Clinically, the pooled diagnostic yield of SBE was 62.3%. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) was the most common indication (50.0%), with a diagnostic yield of 59.5%. Vascular lesions were the most common findings in Western OGIB patients (76.9%) but not in Asian ones (31.0%). The rates of severe and mild adverse events were 0.5% and 2.5%, respectively. Conclusions SBE is technically efficient and is clinically effective and safe, but total enteroscopy is relatively difficult to achieve with this technique. Etiologies of OGIB in Asian countries differ from those in Western countries.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between CHI3L1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the susceptibility to childhood asthma.

METHODSA total of 316 children diagnosed with asthma between January 2011 and October 2013 and 297 healthy children were selected as asthma group and control group respectively. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all subjects. Chemiluminescence and flow cytometry were applied to measure total IgE level and the percentage of eosinophils. ELISA was used to measure YKL-40 level. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood hemocytes, and the genotype and allele frequencies at CHI3L1 SNPs rs4950928, rs10399805, and rs883125 were determined by MALDI-TOP mass spectrometry.

RESULTSThe total IgE and YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (P<0.05), while the percentage of eosinophils showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The frequency of GG genotype at rs883125 in the asthma group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). For rs4950928, the asthma group had a significantly lower frequency of CC genotype (P<0.05) but a significantly higher frequency of CG genotype (P<0.05) compared with the control group. In the asthma group, the patients with GG and CG genotypes at rs4950928 had significantly increased total IgE and YKL-40 levels compared with those with CC genotype at this locus (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSYKL-40 is a potential molecular biomarker for the primary diagnosis of childhood asthma. CHI3L1 SNPs rs4950928 and rs883125 may be associated with childhood asthma. G allele at rs4950928 may increase the risk of childhood asthma.

Adipokines ; blood ; genetics ; Asthma ; etiology ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Lectins ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

BACKGROUNDInsulin resistance (IR) is significantly associated with coronary artery disease and cardiovascular events in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of IR on long-term outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation.

METHODSA total of 467 consecutive patients undergoing SES-based PCI were divided into IR group (n = 104) and non-IR group (n = 363). The patients were followed up for one year. The rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and recurrent angina pectoris was compared by the log-rank test, and the independent risk factors were identified by the Cox regression analysis.

RESULTSMACEs occurred more frequently, and cumulative survival rate was lower in the IR group than in the non-IR group during the follow-up (all P < 0.05). IR was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of cardiac death and non-fatal myocardial infarction (OR = 2.76, 95%CI = 1.35 - 5.47, P = 0.034). Old age, diabetes, and multi-vessel disease were determinants for recurrent angina pectoris after PCI (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that IR (OR = 3.35, 95%CI = 1.07 - 13.59, P = 0.013) and multi-vessel disease (OR = 2.19, 95%CI = 1.01 - 5.14, P = 0.044) were independent risk predictors for recurrent angina pectoris in patients with diabetes after PCI.

CONCLUSIONSIR is associated with reduced MACE-free survival and remains an independent predictor for recurrent angina pectoris after PCI with SES implantation.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Disease ; mortality ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models

BACKGROUNDWeight gain following smoking cessation increases cardiovascular risk, but its effects on prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between weight gain post smoking cessation and one-year clinical outcome in patients who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stent (DES).

METHODSA total of 895 consecutive male smoking patients were divided into quitters (n = 437) and continuers (n = 458) according to their smoking status after PCI. Weight gain, major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including cardiac deaths, myocardial infarction and revascularization), and recurrent angina were recorded during follow-up for one year.

RESULTSAverage weight gain in quitters was more than that in continuers (1.5 kg vs. -0.03 kg, P < 0.001). Weight was unchanged or increased by more than 1.5 kg in 78.17% of continuers, while 50.57% of quitters had a weight gain of less than 1.5 kg. Compared with continuers, MACE in quitters was significantly reduced after PCI (6.12% vs. 4.81%, P = 0.049), especially recurrent angina (13.97% in continuers vs. 9.84% in quitters, P = 0.027). After adjusting for weight gain and other factors, smoking cessation was independently associated with a lower risk of MACE and recurrent angina (OR = 0.73, P = 0.035). However, weight gain > 1.5 kg (OR = 1.55, P = 0.026) could curtail the benefits from smoking cessation.

CONCLUSIONSWeight gain may reduce the benefits of smoking cessation after PCI with DES implantation. Thus, although smoking cessation is recommended after PCI, weight control should also be highly encouraged for these patients.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Smoking Cessation ; Weight Gain