S100A,a Ca2+-depending inotropic factor in the heart,is found decreased during hear failure. Increase of S100A1 protein expression can improve cardiac function by regulating Ca2+ transportation, inhibiting left ventricular remodeling, decreasing apoptosis,and restoring energy supply of failing heart. Therefore,recovery of S100A1 protein expression in the failing heart is an effective strategy for treatment of heart failure.

Amniotic Fluid ; cytology ; Cardiomyopathies ; therapy ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Abstract Tibet Plateau is one of the most prevalent areas of brick-tea type fluorosis in China. Effective management of brick-tea type fluorosis is a key point and a difficulty in endemic disease prevention and treatment in Tibet. Brick-tea type fluorosis is a human health concern that occurs under specific natural environments and social humanistic conditions in Tibet. Recently, the prevalence of brick-tea type fluorosis has been effectively reduced in the Tibet Plateau; however, there are still challenges for the overall brick-tea type fluorosis control, and the endemic status remains more severe than other regions endemic for brick-tea type fluorosis in China. Previous studies have shown that intake of high-fluoride brick-tea, dietary habits of drinking tea and specific natural environments are strongly associated with brick-tea type fluorosis in the Tibet Plateau. This review summarizes the advances in the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of brick-tea type fluorosis, so as to provide insights into the development of the long-term control strategy for brick-tea type fluorosis in the Tibet Plateau.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce and compare research support for rare disease and orphan drug innovation in China and United States, and provide reference for relevant policies in China. METHODS: Data of main source of funding for rare disease research in two countries ie. National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration in the United States and National Natural Science Foundation of China were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: US NIH gives substantial support for rare disease research every year with funded capital growing. FDA Orphan Products Grants program provides incentives for sponsors to develop products for rare diseases. In China, however, there is no specific support project for rare disease research, and there is a huge gap in funding efforts for rare disease research between China and the United States. CONCLUSION: China should establish rare disease research center to promote rare disease research and set up specific funding for rare diseases research, increase efforts to support research and innovation for rare diseases and orphan drugs, in order to protect the health interests of patients with rare diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce international reimbursement policies on drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and provide a reference for establishing relevant policies in China. METHODS: Reimbursement policies on PAH drugs of Australia, Canada, America and some EU countries were analyzed and compared with the status quo in China. RESULTS: Although expensive, PAH drugs are reimbursed by medical insurance in most countries included in this study. However, the accessibility of PAH drugs in China remains very poor with only a few cities including these drugs in the medical insurance. Patients with PAH face with poverty caused by disease, even abandoning treatment. CONCLUSION: Learning the experience from countries with rare disease act and good medical insurance system and analysing the earliest attempts to reimburse PAH drugs in China will help promote the reimbursement policy on PAH drugs in China.

Objective To explore the role of somatosensory evoked potentials elicited by paraspinal stimulation in the detection of spinal cord lesions.Methods Patients with clinically suspected spinal cord lesions underwent somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs)and spinal cord conduction velocity(SCCV)test using paraspinal stimulating method.96 patients aged 15 to 75 years old with suspected spinal cord lesions of various aetiologies were tested.36 patients had demyelinating disease of the spinal cord,26 had sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord,19 had myelopathy,10 had acute myelitis,5 had spinal cord corhpression.Results Paraspinal stimulation elicited somatosensory evoked potentials were Performed on all 96 patients,68 of whom underwent spinal MRI as well.SEPs and SCCV were found abnormal in a high ratio in all kinds of spinal cord lesions ; in general,78 among the 96 patients had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 81.25%.27 out of 36 with demyelinating disease of the spine had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 75.00%,23 out of 26 with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 88.46%,8 out of 10 with acute myelitis had abnormal SEPs,15 patients with myelopathy having abnormal findings,all 5 patients with spinal cord compression had abnormal SEPs.42 of 68 patients undergoing MRI revealed to be abnormal,in which 35 patients also had abnormal SEPs.The other 26 patients had normal spinal MRI,in which 21 patients had abnormal SEPs.Conclusions Paraspinal stimulation somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal cord conduction velocity may objectively document the abnormalities of electrophysiology,which occurs earlier than those of anatomy and radiological finds, therefore it may detect the dysfunction of spinal cord at an early stage.It is even more useful in the detecting of the metabolic myelopathy,which can hardly be detected by MRI.This technique is simple,inexpensive, and maybe useful in the diagnosis for patients with suspected spinal cord lesions.

Objective To establish the Flow-FISH method for simultaneous detection of telornere length and cell differentiation antigen. Methods HL60, Raji, Molt4 cells were cultivated. Each step and the conditions of the Flow-FISH procedure were optimized, standardized and validated, then 14 acute leukemia patients were observed for the changes of telomere length combined with differentiation antigen after complete remission by the method. Results Cells were stained with Alexa Fluor(R) 647-labeled antibody. Anti-gen-anfibedy complexes were covalenfly cross-linked onto the cell membrane before telomere staining. Cells were hybridized with telomere-specific fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes followed by being counterstained with propidium iodide(PI). Multicolor Flow-FISH was performed to analyze telomere length and differentiation antigen simultaneously. The patients showed longer telomere and lower antigen expression after complete remission. Conclusion The Flow-FISH method for simultaneous detection of telomere length and differentiation antigen was successfully established which might prove to be a promising means for leukemia research especially in those without special molecular markers.

Objective: To investigate the expression of MDR1 and GFP in the human hematopoietic cells mediated by adeno-associated virus. Methods: The GFP gene was transferred into the human hematopoietic cells by AAV vectors and created strong visible fluorescence by purely molecular biological means. Using adeno-associated virus vectors, we have transferred human mdr-1 gene into human hematopoietic cells and investigated the drug resistence of human hematopoietic cells modified with mdr-1 gene. PCR analysis confirmed that mdrl cDNA had been successfully transferred into the human hematopoietic cells. An assay of MTT proved that the human hematopoietic cells modified by mdrl gene had resistance to colchicine. Results: It was about 30% of the hematopoietic cells that expressed the green fluorescent proteins. The resistance of hematopoietic cells was increased parently when the cells were infected by the crude virus stocks. Conclusion: It is conducted that the AAV vector could successfully transfer the foreign gene into the human hematopoietic cells. The cells modified with mdrl gene have increased the resistance to drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of copovidone (PVP/VA), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) on drug dispersion and in vitro dissolution of solid dispersion by using nifedipine as model drug. METHODS: Nifedipine solid dispersion was prepared by hotmelt extrusion (HME) technology, and the drug dispersion was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dissolution test. RESULTS: DSC analysis results showed that nifedipine was amorphous in all HME extruders. Drug release from solid dispersion prepared with HPMCAS reached 100% in 30 min, but was only 75% for PVP/VA solid dispersion. Adding 5% HPMC E5 to PVP/VA extruders before dissolution test could raise the drug release from 75% to 90%. CONCLUSION: HPMCAS or combination of PVP/VA and HPMC E5 are desirable polymers for nifedipine solid dispersion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of polymers, including hydrophilic polymers and swelling aids, on floatability and dissolution of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride gastro-retentive tablets. METHODS: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) were used as hydrophilic swelling excipients, and disintegrants crospovidone (PVPP XL and PVPP XL-10) or croscarmellose sodium (CCS) were used as swelling agents to facilitate the swelling/floating and drug release. Initial floating time and floating duration were tested to evaluate buoyance, and drug dissolution was tested to evaluate the controlled release. RESULTS: Using HPMC K250 and PVPP XL as excipients for ciprofloxacin hydrochloride gastro-retentive tablets could obtain products with rapid onset of floating, long floating durion and desirable drug release. CONCLUSION: Variety and amount of polymers have dramatic effects on buoyance and drug release of gastro-retentive tablets. HPMC K250 and PVPP XL are suitable excipients for ciprofloxacin hydrochloride gastro-retentive tablets.