BACKGROUND:Matrix metaloproteinases are now generaly considered to be able to degrade al extracelular matrices. Hypersecretion of matrix metaloproteinases or reduction in tissue inhibitors of matrix metaloproteinases leads to destruction of the dynamic balance of extracelular matrix. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of matrix metaloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metaloproteinase-1 in the pathogenesis and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:A total of 60 patients with intervertebral disc degeneration were included. Mild, moderate, and severe degeneration signals appeared on MRI imaging of the patients. Meanwhile, 20 patients with vertebral fracture, mainly cervical spine fracture, were selected as the control group. Venous blood samples were colected before the surgery; the intervertebral disc specimens were sequentialy colected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Serum and tissue levels of matrix metaloproteinase-1 in patients with intervertebral disc degeneration were significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and furthermore those were significantly increased in patients with severe disc degeneration compared with patients with mild and moderate disc degeneration (P < 0.05). However, serum and tissue levels of tissue inhibitors of matrix metaloproteinases did not differ significantly between the disc degeneration and control groups (P > 0.05). These results indicate that hypersecretion of matrix metaloproteinase-1 occurs in patients with intervertebral disc degeneration; however, the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metaloproteinase-1 is not correlated with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective To understand the change of erythrocyte immunity and matondialdehyde (MDA) in perioperative patients with mammary cancer. Methods30 patients were divided randomly into two groups:group A(general anesthesia) and group B(epidural block). To estimate the activity of erythrocyte complement receptor I (CR- I ) and the lever of MDA, the venous blood were collected at the time points of before anesthesia, after anesthesia, during operation, and on the 1st, the 3rd, the 5th postoperative day. ResrltsCompared with before anesthesia, the RBCC3bRR, RBCCaR and RFER in group A were decreased statistically at the time points of after anesthesia, during operation, and on the 1st, the 3rd postoperative day(P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01). Above mentioned index in group B were reduced significantly only during operation and on the 1st postoperative day. Between two groups, above mentioned index in group A were lower than those in group B(P＜0.05).Compared with before anesthesia, RFIR and MDA in group A were higher at the time points of after anesthesia, during operation, and on the 1st, the 3rd postoperative day(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).but above mentioned index in group B rose only on the 1st postoperative day.CR- I and MDA in two groups restored to the lever of be fore anesthesia on the 5th postoperative day. ConclusionThe perioperative immunological function of erythrocyte is obviously depressed by general anesthesia and epidural block, especially the former. This depression is relevant to the disorder of erythrocyte immunity regulating function and the lever of plasma MDA.

Objective To study the changes of reactive astrocytosis after heat shock protein 70 (HSPT0) was blocked by anti-HSP70 antibody. Methods We established cell model of scratch inju-ries by in situ culture and prurification of rat astrocytcs. Anti-HSP70 antibody was added into the nutrient medium at once after injury for intervention (intervention group). Then, immunocytochemical staining of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was done at different time points in control group and intervention group to observe astrocytosis and morphologic changes, mRNA expression of GFAP was observed by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Compared with the con-trol group, average cell area, average dentritic length and number of dentrities of astrocytes were signifi-cantly reduced in the intervention group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with down-regulated mRNA expression of GFAP (P < 0.05). Conclusion HSP70 plays a facilitative role in reactive astrocytosis after injury of astrocytes. Reactive astrocytosis can be controlled to some extent by blocking HSP70 with anti-HSP70 antibody.

Plaque rupture,platelet aggregation,and thrombogenesis are the main mechanisms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS),and inflammation factors play key roles in plaque unstability.Psychological stress promotes acute inflammatory response,leading to increased circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP),IL-6,and serum intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1.But it is not clear that whether psychological stress has a direct effect on atherosclerotic plaque stability.The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of chronic psychological stress on inflammatory marker (ICAM-1 ) in atherosclerotic plaque,and inflammatory markers in peripheral blood.Materials and methods Sixty male rabbits were randomized into 2 groups:the control group (n =10) and the atherosclerotic group (n =50).The latter were fed on high fatty diet and were given a large dose of vitamin D3 (3 600 000IU/kg) via intraperitoneal injection.After 8 weeks,the atherosclerotic model was estaslished.Then the 50 atherosclerotic model rabbits were divided into 3 subgroups:no-stress subgroup (n = 16),physiological stress subgroup (n = 16) and psychological stress subgroup (n =18).In physiological stress subgroup and psychological stress subgroup,drinking was cut from twice a day to once a day.At the same time,psychological stress subgroup was given empty bottle stress,and this process lasted for 2 weeks.One hour after the last stress,the blood samples were collected and the serum levels of CRP,IL-6 amd ICAM-1 were tested by radioimmunoassay or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The aorta and heart were extracted for pathology examination,and the express of ICAM-1 was tested by immunohistochemical examination.Results (1) After effective atherosclerotic animal model construction,the expression of ICAM-1 in aorta was higher in atherosclerotic group than that in control group (P＜0.01),and was notably higher in psychological stress subgroup than that in no-stress subgroup or in physiological stress subgroup (2.18±0.17 vs 1.58±0.22,1.22±0.15,P＜0.001,respectively).The expression in physiological stress subgroup was higher than that in no-stress subgroup (584±0.22 vs 1.22±0.15,P=0.001).(2) The serum level of IL-6 (51.80±4.60 pg/ml vs 27.60±4.19 pg/ml,8.01±1.39 pg/ml,7.83±1.37 pg/ml),sICAM-1 ( 1.24±0.25 vs 0.85±0.09,0.62±0.17,0.57±0.11),CRP ( 1.004±0.37 vs 0.90±0.29,1.01±0.22,0.71±0.13) in psychological stress group were significantly higher than that in other groups (All P＜0.05).There was a positive relationship between the serum level of CRP,IL-6 and ICAM-1 and the expression of ICAM-1 in aorta wall ( r =0.59,r =0.75,r =0.87,P＜0.01,respectively).Conclusions Psychological stress induces an increased expression of ICAM-1 in aortic atherosclerotic plaque,a higher serum level of CRP,IL-6,and sICAM-1 expression.Psychologial stress has a direct effect on the transition from stability to unstability through in-plaque and out-plaque inflammation.The serum level of CRP,IL-6 and ICAM-1 can reflex the inflammatory degree in atherosclerotic plaque.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:235-242)

Objective To investigate the effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation treatment on patients with acute left heart failure and hyoxemia.Methods Sixty-two patients with acute left heart failure and hyoxemia were divided into control group (31 cases) and treatment group (31 cases).All patients were treated with a conventional therapy plan and patients in treatment were received noninvasive positive pressure ventilation beside conventional therapy.Blood gas analysis,plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and clinical manifestation before and after treatment were monitored.Results The time of clinical manifestation al0leviation in treatment group was (33.7 ±7.9) min,shorter than that of control group ((55.9 ± 12.1) min,t =8.554,P ＜0.01).Compared with pre-treatment,heart rate (HR),respiratory rate(RR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),pH,oxygen saturation of blood (SaO2),arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2) and BNP in treatment group were improved significantly(HR:(133.89 ± 5.45) beat/ min vs.(87.27 ± 5.74) beat/min,t =32.794,P ＜ 0.01 ; RR:(34.25 ± 5.67) beat/min vs.(20.15 ± 2.54) beat/min,t =12.636,P ＜ 0.01 ; MAP:(104.52 ± 7.25) mmHg vs.(76.57 ± 3.76) mmHg,t =19.055,P ＜0.01; pH:(7.29±0.06) vs.(7.40 ±0.06),t=7.218,P＜0.01;SaO2:(81.52 ±5.01)％ vs.(97.16±1.27) ％,t =16.848,P ＜ 0.01 ; PaO2:(55.30 ± 7.14) mmHg vs.(92.80 ± 6.24) mmHg,t =22.019,P ＜0.01;PaCO2:(46.23 ±10.30) mmHg vs.(40.56 ±5.19) mmHg,t =2.737,P＜0.05;BNP:(831.59 ±292.65) ng/L vs.(265.52 ±65.39) ng/L,t =10.511,P ＜0.01).And after treatment,HR,RR,MAP,SaO2,PaO2,BNP in control group were improved compared with that before treatment (HR:(132.13 ± 5.31) beat/min vs.(92.15 ± 4.28) beat/min,t =32.638,P ＜ 0.01 ;RR:(34.96 ± 4.78) beat/min vs.(23.91 ± 3.27) beat/min,t=l0.634,P＜0.01;MAP:(102.56 ±7.14) mmHg vs.(82.83±3.52) mmHg,t =13.800,P＜0.01;SaO2:(82.15 ± 5.24) ％ vs.(93.16 ± 2.59) ％,t =10.488,P ＜ 0.01 ; PaO2:(54.56 ± 6.27) mmHg vs.(75.19 ±3.52) mmHg,t =15.974,P ＜0.01 ;BNP:(823.15 ±277.26) ng/L vs.(371.15 ±87.55) ng/L,t =8.656,P ＜0.01).Statistical differences of pH and PaCO2 were not found in the control group before and after treatment(pH:7.32 ± 0.05,t =1.426,P =0.159 ;PaCO2:(43.78 ± 6.74) mmHg,t =0.253,P =0.801).HR,RR,MAP,pH,SaO2,PaO2,PaCO2 and BNP in treatment group were more significantly improved than that of control group(t =3.795,5.056,6.767,5.703,7.721,13.686,2.107 respectively,P ＜ 0.01or P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The therapy plan of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on patients with acute left heart failure and hyoxemia can improve cardiac function and oxygenation quickly,and decrease the plasma BNP level.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the effect of organic cation transporter 2 [(OCT2)808G>T] gene polymor-phism on the metformin hydrochloride pharmacokinetics in vivo,and to provide evidence-based reference for clinical medication. METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed,EMBase,Foreign Medical Journey Service,CJFD,VIP database and Wanfang database,re-lated studies about the effect of (OCT2)808G>T gene polymorphism on the metformin hydrochloride pharmacokinetics in vivo were collected,and Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.1 statistics software. RESULTS:A total of 5 retrospective studies were included,involving 172 patients. The result of gene type was type GT,type TT and type GG. Results of Meta-analysis showed,compared with type GT volunteers,type TT could prolong the half-time period of metformin hydrochloride;compared with type TT,type GG could increase the peak concentration. However,(OCT2)808G>T gene polymorphism had no effects on the renal clearance rate,creatinine clearance rate and area under the drug-time curve. CONCLUSIONS:(OCT2)808G>T gene poly-morphism has certain effect on the half-time period and peak concentration of metformin hydrochloride in vivo of health volunteer, and has no effect on the renal clearance rate,creatinine clearance rate and area under the drug-time curve. Due to the limit of re-search methodological quality,large-scale and high quality studies are required for further validation of the conclusions.

Pim kinases contribute to tumor formation and development of lymphoma, which shows enhanced DNA replication, DNA recombination and repair. Endothelial cells^(ECs) express all the three members of Pim kinase gene family. We hypothesized that DNA repair gene would regulate Pim expression in ECs. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were isolated and maintained in M199 culture medium. The cellular distribution of Pim-3 in ECs was determined by immunofluorescent staining. The siRNA fragments were synthesized and transfected by using Lipofectamine LTX. The total cellular RNA was extracted from the cells by using Trizol reagent. cDNAs were quantified by semi-quantity PCR. The effects of LY294002 and wortmannin on RNA stability in ECs were also examined. Our data showed that LY294002 and wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and PI3K-like kinase inhibitors, increased Pim mRNA expression in ECs without altering the mRNA stability. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) increased mRNA expression of Pim-3 and Pim-1, respectively. Silencing of Akt decreased Pim-1 instead of Pm-2 and Pim-3 gene expression in ECs. But etoposide, a nucleoside analogue, which could activate DNA-PKcs and ATM, increased Pim expression in ECs. Our study indicates that the expression of Pim kinases is physiologically related to DNA-PKcs and ATM in ECs.

Objective To identify a clinical isolate of Mycobacterium abscessus.Methods A pus sample was collected from a patient with suspected nontuberculous mycobacterial infection who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University on December 18,2017,and was subjected to bacterial culture,Gram staining and acid-fast staining.Drug sensitivity test was conducted by the proportion method.The genome DNA of the strain was extracted and amplified by PCR with the universal primer of 16S rRNA.The PCR products were sequenced after collection and purification,and were compared with the known sequence of Mycobacterium abscessus in GenBank database.The isolate was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).Results The clinical isolate was identified as Mycobacterium abscessus both by MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.The drug sensitivity test showed that the strain was sensitive to amikacin,moxifloxacin,levofloxacin,but was resistant to streptomycin,isoniazid,rifampicin,ethambutol,ofloxacin,kanamycin,capreomycin,aminosalicylic acid,protionamide and rifabutin.The patient was diagnosed with subcutaneous soft tissue infection in the left knee joint.According to the results of drug sensitivity test,the patient was treated with amikacin and levofloxacin,and her condition was improved after treatment.Conclusion The 16S rRNA gene detection and MALDI-TOF MS both can be applied in the identification of Mycobacterium abscessus.

Objective: The present study investigated the role of a diode laser in the treatment of fistula chronic periapical periodontitis in elderly people. Methods : A total of 114 cases of fistula chronic periapical periodontitis in the elderly were randomly divided into an experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, a diode laser was used to disinfect the root canal and the internal wall of the fistula after root canal preparation, and Vitapex paste was used in both groups for root canal disinfection. The control group was treated with conventional root canal therapy without laser treatment. The fistula healing rate was calculated, and root canal filling was performed in both groups two weeks later if the fistula was healed. A curative effect was observed at 3 months and 12 months. Results : The fistula healing rate was 90.0% in the experimental group and 75.8% in the control group after 2 weeks. There was a significant difference between the two groups at 2 weeks (χ2 = 4.19, P < 0.05) but not at 3 months and 12 months (P > 0.05). Conclusion The use of a diode laser to disinfect the root canal and fistula of teeth in the elderly with fistula periapical periodontitis can significantly shorten the healing time of fistula.

In the differentiation and treatment of recurrent urinary tract infection （rUTI） from the perspective of the seminal orifice， it is proposed that the urinary tract belongs to the category of "seminal orifice"， and the physiological process of urination is closely related to the function of the seminal orifice. From the three dimensions of orifice body， orifice pivot and orifice spirit， the physiological relationship between seminal orifice and the function of five zang-organs （脏） is constructed， that is， lung heat， yin damage and pathogen counter-restriction lead to malnutrition of orifice body； burning heart fire and spirit disorder lead to unfavorable orifice spirit， and kidney deficiency， liver constraint and spleen stagnation lead to unfavorable orifice pivot. In the early stage of rUTI， there is usually unfavo-rable orifice pivot， for which the treatment principle should be treating the root and the branch simultaneously， consi-dering both deficiency and excess， and paying attention to the management of accompanied symptoms. Zishui Qinggan Beverage （滋水清肝饮） and Modified Shenzhuo Decoction （肾着汤加减） are often selected based on syndrome differentiation. In the middle stage， lack of nourishment of the orifice body and unfavorable orifice spirit and pivot coexist， and the treatment should be draining the orifice and unblocking strangury， commonly withmodified Qingxin Lianzi Beverage （清心莲子饮）. In the late stage， loss of nourishment of the orifice body is the main pathogenesis， and it is necessary to further nourish the orifice body to prevent recurrence， and modifed Wuzi Yanzong Pills and Erxian Decoction （五子衍宗丸合二仙汤） is often used. Furthermore， the specific medicinals should be selected targeting at the orifice body， orifice pivot， and orifice spirit， so as to nourish orifice body by dispelling external pathogens and rectify healthy qi， to drain orifice pivot by freeing emotions and minds and unblocking qi movement， and to calm orifice spirit by unblocking heart and kidney and nourishing heart spirit.