Objective: To explore the relationship between ambulatory arterial stiffness indexes (AASI), AASI-blood pressure variability (AASI-BPVR) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) left atrium diameter (LAD) in patients with hypertension.
Methods: A total of 286 hypertensive patients were enrolled in this study. The AASI, AASI-BPVR were calculated from 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Left ventricular internal dimension in diastole (LVIDd), interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd), posterior wall thickness in diastole (PWd), LAD were detected by echocardiography and LVMI, relative wall thickness (RWT) were calculated. The fasting blood glucose, blood lipids were examined. According to 24 h AASI, the patients were divided into 2 groups, Group A, the patients with AASI > 0.51, n=133 and Group B, the patients with AASI ≤ 0.51,n=153. Pearson and multi regression analysis were conducted to analyze the relevant correlations.
Results: Group A had increased LVMI than that in Group B,P<0.05, the left ventricular masses were similar between 2 groups,P=0.384. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that LVMI and LAD were not related to arterial stiffness index, the coefifcient between 24 h-AASI and LAD was atr=0.111,P=0.057.
Conclusion: AASI and AASI-BPVR were not the independent factors for left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement, therefore, they were not the predictors for cardiac damage in patients with hypertension at present time.

The counts of the chromosome and karyotypeanalysis of coix lachryma-jobi L. (a traditional Chi-nese medicinal herb) are represented in this pa-per. The results show that the number of the chro-mosome of coix lachryma-jobi L. is 2n=20. All ofthe homologous chromosomes have median kine-tochrores. The absolute length of the chromo-somes tanges from 2. 26～10. 5?m. The relativelength is 7. 19～13. 02%. The karyotype formulais K (2n)=20=20m. These results provide morecritical cytological criteria for identification of Coixlachryma--jobi L. on the chromosomal level. Inaddition, It can be provided the data for studyingof the fraditional Chinese medicinal herbs againstcancer.

Objective To isolate and purify polysaccharide from Angelica sinensis by ultrafiltration technology. Methods Extract of polysaccharide of Angelica sinensis was ultrafiltrated with different aperture membrane, the separation parameters on membrane separation efficiency of polysaccharide of Angelica sinensis were optimized by and orthogonal test. Results Polysaccharide of Angelica sinensis was separated with 200, 100, 50, 20 kD membrane. The contents of polysaccharide was 30.47% before ultrafiltration. The main component of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide was the fraction with 200 kD (65.42%). The optimum condition of ultrafiltration was obtained as follow:one times of extract volume, 35 ℃, 0.3 MPa. Conclusion The technology was simple and available, and the content of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide was higher.

Objective To investigate the association of serum angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)activity and ACE gene polymorphism with vascular dementia(VD)and Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR),ACE gene polymorphism was analyzed in 62 patients with VD,39 patients with AD and 50 healthy controls.The ACE activity in 56 patients with VD,33 patients with AD and 46 healthy controls was measured by means of capillary electrophoresis ultraviolet detection.Results The ACE activity showed no significant difference between VD,AD and healthy controls.We did not find any association of ACE gene polymorphism in patients with VD.The frequency of I allele was significantly higher in AD group than that in the controls(P

Objective To investigate the risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with acute isch?emic stroke of large-artery atherosclerosis. Methods One hundred twelve patients with acute ischemic stroke of large-ar?tery atherosclerosis admitted from July 2013 to January 2014 in Nanjing First Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical Uni?versity were enrolled. According to the results of MRI magnetic sensitive weighted imaging, the patients were divided into CMBs group or non-CMBs group. The history, general clinical data, serum biochemical results and MRI in both groups were enrolled. All the data were analyzed by the univariate and multivariate analysis. Results The results of univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age (61.620±11.479 vs. 70.620±11.185), serum uric acid (UA) level (278.920±69.512 vs. 353.460±111.206), serum creatinine (Cr) level (71.360±19.797 vs. 90.450±44.989), serum ho?mocysteine (Hcy) level (12.587±2.664 vs. 21.715±10.437) between the two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differ?ences in constituent ratio of Fazekas' s grade of periventricular hyperintensities and deep white matter hyperintensities between the two groups (P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age (OR=0.963, 95%CI:0.905~1.025, P<0.05) and serum Hcy level (OR=1.487, 95%CI:1.219~1.813, P<0.05) were the independent risk factors for CMBs in patients with acute ischemic stroke of large-artery atherosclerosis. Conclusions Age and serum Hcy level are the inde?pendent risk factors for CMBs in patients with acute ischemic stroke of large-artery atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate whether the administration of the ultra-filtration extract mixture from Angelica sinensis and Hedysarum polybotrys is able to protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative injury of rats induced by H2O2 and its potential mechanism. Methods Myocardial cells from 2—3 d neonatal rats were cultured in DF medium and the cellular injury was induced by H2O2. The ultra-filtration extract mixture from A. sinensis and H. polybotrys was given in three doses of 3.75,7.5,and 15 mg/mL. Morphological changes of cardiomyocytes were observed by microscope. Survival rate of myocardial cells was assessed using MTT. The cardiomyocyte damages were estimated by detecting lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) releases in the medium,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA),and myeloperoxidase (MPO) contents. The levels of caspase-3 and hsp70 expression in cardiomyocytes were measured by RT-PCR. Results The ultra-filtration extract mixture could protect the cardiomyocytes from H2O2 injury in a dose-dependent manner (3.75,7.5,and 15 mg/mL). The ultra-filtration extract mixture could significantly decrease LDH and CK leakages and intracellular MDA and MPO contents,increase SOD activity,upregulate hsp70 expression,and downregulate caspase-3 expression. Conclusion The ultra-filtration extract mixture has protection on cardiomyocytes injured by H2O2 through improving cell antioxidant ability,upregulating hsp70 expression,and inhibiting caspase-3 activity.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of C225(cetuximab),a chimeric human-mouse anti-epithelial growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody.combined with 60Co gamma irradiation against humall non-small cell lung cancer cell line H-520. Methods H-520 cells were treated either with different dose of 60Co irradiation(1,2,4,6,8 and 10 Gy)alone or together with C225(100 nmol/L).Colony forming capacity was determined to create the survival curve 10 days after the treatment.Cells in different groups were harvested 72 hours after irradiation for apoptosis analysis or 48 hours after irradiation for cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry assay. Results The clone number in combinational treatment group was less than that in irradiation only group,which suggested that the cell survival rate in the combinational treatment group was significantly decreased comparing with irradiation only group(F=6.36,P＜0.05).The sensitizing enhance rate(SER)was 1.35.The percentage of apoptotic H-520 cells was 5.56%±0.62%,13.86%±0.80%,25.36%±1.02%and 29.89%±2.09%,respectively in 0,2,4 and 8 Gy irradiation alone groups,which were significantly lower than 13.75%±0.83%.25.12%±1.60%.46.12%±2.60%and 50.5l%±4.06%.respectively in irradiation combined with C225 treatment groups(F=4.72,P＜0.05).The cellcycle analysis showed that cells arrested in G0+G1 phases for C225 treatment,in G2+M phases for 60Co irradiation,and in both G0+G1 and G2+M phases for C225 in combination with 60Co irradiation. Conclusions C225 has radiosensitizing effects on H-520 cells.which may through the enhancement of 60Co irradiation-induced cell death and cell cycle arrest.This study provides a supportive evidence for clinical treatment in non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the radiosensitising effect of recombinant human endostatin (endostar) on human lung squamous cancer cell line H-520 in vitro and its mechanism. Methods H-520 cells in exponential growing phase were treated with endostar alone, irradiation alone, or endostar plus irra-diation. Colony-forming assay was used to investigate the cytotoxicity and radiosensitising effects of endostar. Cell survival fractions of all groups were calculated and cell survival curves were fitted by single-hit multi-tar-get model. Cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and activated Caspase expression level were investigated by flow cytometry. Results The D0, Dq, D10 and SF2 values of combined treatment group were much lower than those of irradiation alone group. The sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) was 1.50 (ratio of D0 values). Endnstar induced H-520 cell apoptosis in a dose dependant manner. After administration of endostar, H-520 cell proliferation was inhibited, and cell apoptosis rate and apoptotic bodies were increased. After irradiation of 0 Gy, 2 Gy, 4 Gy and 8 Gy, the apoptosis rate of H-520 cells was 4.27% ±0.29%, 14.3% ±1.15%, 28.49% ± 1.58% and 54.79% ± 1.89% in the radiotherapy alone group, and 22.38% ± 1.61%, 35.01% ±1.16%, 46.83%±2.06% and 64.08%±4.28% in the combined treatment group, respective-ly. The difference between the two groups was significant (t = 19.17, 17.79, 25.64 and 3.44,all P < 0.05 ). Flow cytometric analysis showed that cell cycle distribution changed and G0 + G1 phase arrest oc-curred after endostar treatment, while irradiation induced G2 + M arrest. The expression level of activated Caspase in combination group (62.7% ±1.9% ) was higher compared to the control group ( 12.1%± 0. 1% ) , endostar alone group ( 54.6% ±1.0% ) and irradiation alone group ( 34.1%±1.2% ) ( t = 46.69, 6.55 and 22.54 ; all P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Endostar can enhance the radiosensitivity of H-520 ceils by inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis and facilitating cell cycle redistribution.

Acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is a common cardiovascular emergency in clinic.Early reperfusion is a typical and effective method for the treatment of AMI.However,the recovery of blood supply after reperfusion therapy will accelerate the damage of ischemic myocardium and cause myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI).In recent years,studies have found that TCM has the unique advantages of multi-component,multi-channel and multi-target in the intervention of MI/RI.Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling pathway is closely related to MI/RI,which can reduce MI/RI process by regulating inflammation,oxidative stress,cell proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.This article reviewed the mechanism of JAK/STAT signaling pathway in MI/RI and the research of TCM targeting this pathway,in order to provide references for the prevention and treatment of MI/RI and further drug development.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) refers to the presence of one or more species of bacteria in an individual's urine without the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Previous studies have shown that untreated ASB during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Many international guidelines recommend a single screen-and-treat approach to ASB during pregnancy. Still, this approach has not been proven favorable to pregnancy outcomes in low-risk populations by recent studies. ASB screening is not a routine obstetric examination in clinical practice in China. Given this, this article will review the evidence of ASB screening during pregnancy and analyze the recommendations and existing problems in the guidelines from various academic organizations. Clinical studies should be carried out according to the situation in the region, and the basic risks and treatment benefits of ASB in pregnancy should be analyzed in combination with specific data to establish a proper screening and treatment plan for ASB during pregnancy. Screening for ASB is recommended for pregnant women with high-risk factors at this stage.