Objective To explore the characteristics and survival of connective tissue disease (CTD) patients with both of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) arnd interstitial lung disease (ILD),and to compare with CTD patients with isolated PAH.Methods All adult CTD patients who visited one of the three referral centers in China with a diagnosis of PAH confirmed by right heart catheterization from July 2006 to May 2011 were enrolled.They were then divided into two groups (ILD with and without-ILD group) based on chest CT and then the comparison of baseline characteristics and survival at the endpoint of follow up were made between the two groups.T test,Mann-Whitney U test,x2 test,Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used for statistical analyses.Results One hundred and twenty-six patients were recruited into the study.Patients with ILD (n=27) were older than those without ILD (n=99).Lung function results including FVC [(75±18)％ vs (83±13)％,t=2.212,P=0.037] and DLCO [(54±22)％ vs (68±20)％,t=2.392,P=0.019] in ILD group were significantly wose than those without-ILD group.Although some important hemodynamic parameters such as mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were better in the ILD group than the without-ILD group,Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the short term survival of ILD group was significantly worse than that of the without-ILD group (72.7％ versus 94.7％ at 1 year and 63.6％ versus 81.1％ at 3 year,P=0.047).In ILD group,Cox regression analysis showed that SvO2 was the only independent factor for the short term survival [HR=0.19,95％CI (0.04,0.83),P=0.027],and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed patients with SvO2＜60％ had significantly lower short term survival than patients with SvO2 ≥60％ (1 and 2 year survival were 60.0％ and 40.0％ versus 92.9％ and 77.4％ respectively,P=0.002).Conclusion Patients with both PAH and ILD is a special subtype in CTD.Although with the superiority of hemodynamics,these patients have significantly worse survival than CTD patients with isolated PAH.Low SvO2 is the independent risk factor for the short term mortality in patients of CTD complicated by both PAH and ILD.More attention should be paid to these patients and the management strategy should be investigated further.

with 600-grit silicon carbide paper can increase the shear bond strength between silicone elastomer and acrylic resin.

Background Eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)function as the critical lipid mediators involved in several biological events in human body and play important role in suppressing the genesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),migration and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells.Many ocular diseases were proved to be associated with neovascularization.Objecfive The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of EPA on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) indueed by VEGF. Methods HUVEC strain was cultured and passaged,and difierent concentrations of EPA were added to the medium with and without VEGF.The cultured cells were identified by antiofactor Ⅷ polyclonal antibody.The suppressing role of different concentrations of EPA on the proliferation of VEGF-induced or-uninduced HUVEC was assessed by MTT method.The influence of difierent concentrations of EPA on the cellular cycle of VEGF-induced HUVEC was assayed using flow eytometry.The expression of Flk-1,a receptor of VEGF,in the HUVEC Was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Cultured HUVEC showed the ftlsiform in shape and presented with the cobblestone-like arrangement with the positive response for Ⅷ factor-related antigen.Various concentrations of EPA showed obviously inhibitory effect on VEGF-induced or-unindueed HUVEC at a dose-dependent manner (F=23.072.P=0.000).The inhibitory ability of EPA on VEGF-induced HUVEC was stronger than VEGF-uninduced HUVEC(F=41.417,P=0.000).In 24,48 and 72 hours,the action of EPA on the proliferation of HUVEC was gradually enhanced with the prolong of time(F=1.495,P=0.236).Cell cycle analysis indicated that EPA arrested VEGF-induced HUVEC in G0/G1 phase.The ratio of HUVEC in G0/G1 phase in EPA group was(75.83±1.56)%,and that in control groups was(68.62±1.44)%,showing a significant difference between them(t=-5.88,P=0.00),and no apoptosis of HUVEC was found in both groups.Flk-1 was strongly expressed in the cellular nucleus and cytoplasm in control group.However,the positive expressing intensity of Flk-1 in the HUVEC weakened,and the positive cell number was evidently less in EPA group. Conclusion EPA can inhibit the proliferation of VEGF induced HUVEC through arresting the synthesis of DNA of HUVEC and downregulate the expression of Flk-1 in HUVEC.These results suggest that EPA might exert an antiangiogenic effect.

Objective To investigate the injury of podocyte and its association with proteinuria in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Method Thirty-five patients of IgA nephropathy with proteinuria more than 1.0 g/24 h were enrolled in the study, and eight cases of renal harmatomaeetomy or renal cancinomaectomy were as controls. Cell cycle regulatory proteins (p21, p27), podocyte-associated molecules (integrin-β1, nephrin, α-actinin 4, nestin), foot process width (FPW) and the amount of podocyte were examined by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to podocyte number per volume (Nv): podocytopenia group (n=15, Nv<52.49×106/μm3) and normal number group (n=20, Nv≥52.49× 106/μm3). Proteinuria was followed up for eighteen months. Results Compared with the controls, podocyte p21 was re-expressed, while the expression of p27 was decreased (0.71±0.12 vs 0.91±0.07, P<0.05) in IgAN. The nestin protein level was markedly decreased in IgAN (13.4%± 0.04% vs 17.6%±0.04%, P<0.05). The mRNA expression of integrin-β1 was significantly increased (12.54±5.20 vs 1.02±0.30, P<0.05), while the amount of nephrin, α-actinin4 remained unchanged. Effacement of foot processes and podocyte detachment from the glomerulax basement membrane were observed in some cases. Nv was significantly less than that of controls (161.27± 225.92 vs 323.22±138.12, P<0.05), which was associated with the Lee's grade of IgA nephropathy. The integrin-β1 mRNA expression and Nv were negatively correlated with baseline proteinuria by univariate analysis (r=-0.840, P=0.034; r =-0.4483, P=0.014, respectively). Proteinuria in podocytopenia group was decreased more slowly than that in normal number group. Conclusions Podocyte injury exsists in IgAN with proteinuria, which manifests alterations in cell cycle regulatory protein and some podocyte-associated molecules, as well as foot process effacement and loss of pedocyte. Podocyte injury may be involved in proteinuria by affecting the progression of proteinuria in IgAN.

OBJECTIVETo observe the short-term clinical effectiveness of bone ring graft technique and to summarize the key points of related surgical operation to provide comprehensive clinical guidelines.

METHODSFifteen patients with severe alveolar bone absorption were selected to receive bone ring grafting and immediate dental implant. Final fixed prostheses were cemented five months after initial implantation. Cone beam CT scans were conducted on all subjects before the procedure, as well as four months post-operation to evaluate alveolar bone height and level of bone height and absorption around the implants. Four to six months after prosthesis installation, each implant's Jemt classification, gingiva attachment, and probing depth (PD) were analyzed. The difference of PD between implants and adjacent teeth, as well as the difference of the bone absorption between labial and lingual sides, was compared. The survival rate of the bone ring and the retention rate of implants were calculated. Complications and patient satisfaction were also investigated.

RESULTSBone graft survival rate was 94.4% and dental implantation retention rate was 100% four months post-operation. Average bone level increase was (6.06 +/- 1.06) mm, average bone absorption was (1.33 +/- 0.84) mm, and average bone thickness at the neck of the dental implant body was (6.94 +/- 0.73) mm. Approximately 4 to 6 months after crown restoration, average bone level increase was (5.62 +/- 1.03) mm, average bone absorption was (1.51 +/- 1.02) mm, and average bone thickness at the neck of the dental implant body was (6.77 +/- 0.72) mm. The PD around the implant body and the adjacent teeth was statistically insignificant. No major post-operative complication was observed, restorations were successful, and patient satisfaction level was high.

CONCLUSIONBone ring graft technique and immediate dental implantation are relatively simple to perform, and these techniques facilitate reduction in required treatment time. Short-term effect is reliable and satisfactory, whereas long-term outcomes require further follow up and study.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; Bone Transplantation ; Crowns ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; Dental Implants ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Humans

Objective To study the effect of injured podocytes on glomerular maturation and its underlying mechanism in neonatal mice.Methods Single i.p.injection with puromycin aminonucleoside (PA,0.1 mg/g BW) was given to ICR neonatal mice at day 1 after birth (1 dpp). Littermates injected with normal saline (NS) were used as control.Animals were examined for urine protein,blood pressure,kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW),renal histology at 2,4,8,12, 30,60 and 90 dpp (n=6～9 for each group).Immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR were performed to examine the expression of WT-1,CD31,VEGF,Flk-1,Ang-1,Ang-2,Tie-1 and Tie-2.Results Mice with PA injection had lower kidney weight and body weight at all time points as well as lower KW/BW at 4,8,12 dpp when compared with NS controls.Electron microscopy revealed nearly complete foot process effacement and segmental microvillous transformation as early as 1 day after PA injection.PA-injected kidneys showed fewer capillary loops and decreased maturation index as well as less CD31-positive endothelium in cortical glomeruli at 12 dpp. Glomerular mesangial injury and developing glomerulosclerosis along with proteinuria were noted in PA-injected kidneys starting from 30 dpp.Significantly increased systolic blood pressure was detected at 60 dpp in PA mice.Compared with NS injection,PA injection significantly induced decreased mRNA expression of Flk-1 and Tie-2 as well as increased expression of Ang-1,without obvious changes of VEGF at 2 dpp.Conclusions Podocytes in neonatal kidney of ICR mice are susceptible to PA. Such podocyte injury can alter the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin system in glomeruli,leading to abnormal development of glomerular capillaries,and subsequent proteinuria,hypertension and glomerulosclerosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Celastrol on induction of HL-60 cell apoptosis and its possible mechanism. The proliferative activity of HL-60 cells treated with 0.25 - 8.0 μmol/L of Celastrol for 24 - 72 hours was assayed by MTT method, the effects of Celastrol on apoptosis and cell cycle of HL-60 were detected by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double labeling, the expression of pAkt and cyclin D1 at protein and gene level in HL-60 cells treated with Celastrol were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR. The results showed that the Celastrol could obviously inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells in concentration-and time-dependent manners, the IC₅₀ value of Celastrol for 24 hours was 6.21 ± 0.242 μmol/L. The Celastrol concentration-dependently induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells, accompanying with morphological changes of apoptotic cells, which may be related with arrest of cells in G₀/G₁ phase. The Celastrol suppressed the expression of pAkt and Cyclin D1 in HL-60 cells to a varying degree which showed obvious concentration-and time-dependent manners. It is concluded that the Celastrol inhibits the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells. Its mechanism may be related with down-regulation of p-Act and cyclin D1 expressions.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish a neonatal pig model of hemolytic jaundice.

METHODSTwelve seven-day-old purebred Yorkshire pigs were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group (n=6 each). Immunization of New Zealand white rabbits was used to prepare rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell antibodies, and rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum was separated. The neonatal pigs in the experimental group were given an intravenous injection of rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum (5 mL), and those in the control group were given an intravenous injection of normal saline (5 mL). Venous blood samples were collected every 6 hours for routine blood test and liver function evaluation.

RESULTSThe experimental group had a significantly higher serum bilirubin level than the control group at 18 hours after the injection of rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum (64±30 μmol/L vs 20±4 μmol/L; P<0.05). In the experimental group, the serum bilirubin level reached the peak at 48 hours (275±31 μmol/L), and decreased significantly at 96 hours after the injection (95±17 μmol/L), but all significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 18 hours after the injection, the experimental group had a significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) count than the control group [(4.58±0.32)×10(12)/L vs (5.09±0.44)×10(12)/L; P<0.05]; at 24 hours, the experimental group showed further reductions in RBC count and hemoglobin level and had significantly lower RBC count and hemoglobin level than the control group [RBC: (4.21±0.24)×10(12)/L vs (5.11±0.39)×10(12)/L, P<0.05; hemoglobin: 87±3 g vs 97±6 g, P<0.05]. The differences in RBC count and hemoglobin level between the two groups were largest at 36-48 hours.

CONCLUSIONSThe neonatal pig model of hemolytic jaundice simulates the pathological process of human hemolytic jaundice well and provides good biological and material bases for further investigation of neonatal hemolysis.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Jaundice ; etiology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo study the technical conditions of the extraction and purification of the active composition from Polygonum orientale and Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. in Hongye Xingtong soft capsules with the macroporous resin.

METHODThe orientm, isorientm and hyperoside were used as index to screen the five kinds of resins. And the technical conditions of the enrichment and purification of D101 resin selected out of above were all-round studied.

RESULTThe D101 was fit for adsorbing orientm, isorientm and hyperoside. Under the optimal conditions, the transfer rate of orientm, isorientm and hyperoside was above 91%, and the total solid was cut down by more than 60%.

CONCLUSIONThe D101 is greatly effective for the enrichment and purification of the active composition of P. orientale and C. pinnatifida Bge.

Crataegus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Resins, Synthetic ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo further analyze and identify effective components of anti-asthma in acupuncture serum.

METHODSChanges of eosinophils in the peripheral blood of rats with eosinophilia were observed for 10 days after intravenous injection of the different segments of serum (serum: normal saline = 1:20, 2.5 mL/kg, from the first day of the model establishment, for 3 consecutive days).

RESULTSAfter intravenous injection of different segments of serum, the eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood decreased significantly from the 3rd day as compared with those of the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effective components of acupuncture serum from asthmatic rats treated by acupuncture for eosinophils are not a single component, and acupuncture stimulation may produce many kinds of components of anti-asthma.

Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Leukocyte Count ; Rats