Purpose To investigate the expression and clinical significance of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).Methods The human tissue specimens were paraffin-embedded blocks which were collected from the Department of Pathology.miR-21 was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) in 90 cases of PCa and 69 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Results The ISH data showed that the positive rate of miR-21 in PCa (71.1％) was significantly higher than that in BPH (24.6％) (P ＜ 0.05),the expression of miR-21 correlated with the Gleason grade (P ＜ 0.05),and no relationship was observed with other clinicpathological features (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The miR-21 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCa,which can be a new diagnostic target for PCa.

Aim To determine the effects of Qiliqian-gxin injected into lateral ventricle on Cardiac function, angiotensin Ⅱ( Ang Ⅱ) , angiotensin converting en-zyme(ACE), angiotensin type 1 receptor(AT1R) and the sympathetic nervous system in the hypothalamic pa-raventricular nucleus of rats with chronic heart failure. Methods Rat model of heart failure was prepared by acute myocardial infarction that was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Four weeks after heart failure, Qiliqiangxin and Losartan were continuously administered via a syringe pump in-jector connected to lateral ventricle. After four weeks, echocardiogram was used to evaluate the cardiac func-tion and HE was used to observe myocardial tissue morphology, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma norepinephrine( NE) , ser-um NT-proBNP and Ang Ⅱ in the paraventricular nu-cleus. The expression of ACE and AT1 R at mRNA and protein levels in the paraventricular nucleus was deter-mined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, and the RSNA was measured by PowerLab in anesthetized rats. Results Compared with the sham control, the cardiac function was significantly lower while the AngII, ACE, AT1 R expression in the paraventricular nucleus and RSNA were significantly increased in rats with heart failure. Compared with heart failure control, Qiliqian-gxin and Losartan decreased the RSNA and the AngII, ACE, AT1 R expression in the paraventricular nucleus. Conclusion Giving traditional Chinese medicine to the lateral ventricles can decrease the activation of the RAS system, reduce the renal sympathetic nerve activi-ty and improve cardiac function.

Aim To observe the effect of Guishao-tongluo ( GSTL ) on the angiogenesis of vasa vasorum and oxidative stress in the early stage of atherosclero-sis. Methods The rabbits ( n =84 ) were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=12):control group,high-fat group, adventitial injury group, GSTL high(GH)and medium ( GM ) dose group, atorvastain group ( ATO ) , and Tongxinluo group ( TXL ) . The normal group was fed with common foodstuffs, and high-fat foodstuffs for the high-fat group to establish an early model of hyper-lipidemia, and all the other groups were fed with high-fat diet combined with carotid artery cannula to build early atherosclerosis carotid artery injury rabbit mod-els. The GSTL high and medium dose was given Guishaotongluo ultrafine powder 4. 16,2. 08 g·kg-1 · d-1 respectively. The atorvastain group and Tongxinluo group were given suspension of atorvastain solution 2. 5 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 , Tongxinluo supermicro powder 0. 6 g ·kg-1 ·d-1 . All groups were treated with gastric per-fusion for 4 weeks. Biochemical method was applied to detect blood lipid change. HE staining was used to ob-serve the pathological morphology of intima-media. Aactivity of serum superoxide dismutase( SOD) ,malon-dialdehyde ( MDA ) content and the total antioxidant capacity ( T-AOC ) in artery serum were detected. NADPH subunits p22phox mRNA, gp91phox mRNA in carotid arteries were located and semi-quantitated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of VEGF, VEGFR-2 in the carotid artery adventitia was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with normal group,the contents of TC,TG and LDL-C were significantly increased, and VEGF, VEGFR-2 protein levels were remarkly increased in high-fat and adventi-tial injury group. The carotid artery injuries,the degree of angiogenesis of vasa vasorum and NADPH subunits p22phox, gp91phox mRNA in adventitia tissue of the GH,GM, ATO and TXL group were milder in varying degrees compared with those of the vasa injury group. Also the activity of SOD,T-AOC increased,while MDA content,VEGF,VEGFR-2 protein levels were remarkly decreased ( P < 0. 5 or P < 0. 01 ) . Conclusions GSTL can inbibit adventitial neovascularization in the early stage of atherosclerosis, and its mechanism might be related to the increase of total antioxidant capacity of the vascular system and adventitia tissue.

Objective To detect the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-33 in peripheral blood of patients with chronic urticaria.Methods Ninety-three patients with chronic urticaria were included in this study along with 30 healthy individuals.All the patients were treated with loratadine for four weeks.Blood samples were collected from the healthy controls and patients before and after the four-week treatment.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the serum levels of IL-25 and IL-33.The relationship between the expression levels of the two cytokines and urticaria severity was analyzed.Results The serum levels of IL-25 and IL-33 in the patients before treatment were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (IL-25,139.86 ± 28.48 vs.114.41 ± 34.00 ng/L,P ＜ 0.01; IL-33,91.95 ± 21.88 vs.79.80 ± 30.72 ng/L,P ＜ 0.05),and positively correlated with the severity of urticaria (r =0.38,0.42,respectively,both P ＜ 0.01).After four weeks of treatment,clinical improvement was observed in 81.72％ of these patients with a significant decrease in the serum IL-25 level (116.48 ± 21.94 vs.139.86 ± 28.48 ng/L,P ＜ 0.01),but no obvious changes in the serum IL-33 level (90.88 ± 20.62 vs.91.95 ± 21.88 ng/L,P ＞ 0.05) compared with those before treatment.Conclusions The expressions of IL-25 and IL-33 are elevated in peripheral blood of patients with chronic urticaria,and positively correlated with the severity of urticaria.

Aim To observe the effect of“Ying-nutrient and Wei-defense unblocking collaterals prescription”on the carotid sympathetic nerve in early atherosclero-sis. Methods The rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups:Control group, high-fat group, Complex mod-el group, GSTL-H group, GSTL-L group and ATO group. The control group was fed with common food-stuffs, High-fat group with high-fat diet to build early atherosclerosis model, and all the other groups with high-fat diet combined with carotid artery cannula to build early atherosclerosis carotid artery injury rabbit model. All groups were given corresponding medicines intragastrically once a day for 4 weeks. The GSTL-H and GSTL-L group was given Guishaotongluo ultrafine powder 0. 6 g·kg-1·d-1, 0. 3 g·kg-1·d-1, and the ATO group was given suspension of atorvastain so-lution 2. 5 mg · kg-1 · d-1 . Biochemical method was used to detect blood lipid change. HE staining was ap-plied to observe the pathological morphology of intima-media, The content of NE in the carotid arterial was detected by ELISA. The immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of NGF, TH around the carotid arterial. The expression of NGF, TH in the carotid artery adventitia was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with normal group, the levels of TC,TG and LDL-C in high-fat group and complex model group were significantly increased( P<0. 01). The degree of the intimal hyperplasia,the con-tent of NE and sympathetic density ( NGF, TH protein expression and distribution ) of the cartoid artery in complex model group were heavier compared with those in high-fat group; the lipid levels, degree of the inti-mal hyperplasia and sympathetic density ( NGF, TH protein expression and distribution ) in the GSTL-H, GSTL-L group were milder in varying degrees compa-ring with those in the complex model group(P<0. 05, P<0. 01 ) . Conclusion “Ying-nutrient and Wei-de-fense unblocking collaterals prescription” can reduce rabbit carotid atherosclerosis, and the mechanism may be related to regulating the sympathetic nerve of arterial wall.

Objective: To observe the effect of Tongxinluo (TXL) on homocysteine-induced rat’s cardiac micro vascular endothelial cell (RCMECs) injury and to study the oxidative stress mechanism. Methods: Primary RCMECs were cultured with tissue explants process, cell morphology was observed by inverted microscope and the cell was identiifed by CD31 immunolfuorescence method. RCMEC injury model was established by Homocysteine (Hcy) induction and the cells were divided into 5 groups: Control group, with normal cells, Hcy group, the cells were treated by Hcy at 10 mmol/L, Low-dose TXL group, Hcy treated cells were cultured with TXL at 100 mg/L, Middle-dose TXL (200 mg/L) group and high-dose TXL (400 mg/L) group. Cell survival rates were detected, supernatant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined, intracellular protein expressions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were detected and mRNA expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) was measured in different groups respectively. Results: Compared with Control group, Hcy group showed decreased cell survival rate (74.61 ± 2.88)% vs (100.00 ± 2.07)%, increased supernatant level of MDA (4.10 ± 0.18) nmol/ml vs (1.92 ± 0.10) nmol/ml, reduced SOD activity (7.55 ± 0.71) U/ml vs (20.77 ± 0.68) U/ml, elevated ROS level(38.17 ± 10.28) % vs (19.83 ± 2.97) %, up-regulated mRNA expression of ET-1 and down-regulated protein expression of eNOS. Compared with Hcy group, the above indexes were improved in each TXL group at different levels. Conclusion: TXL could decrease Hcy induced RCMECs injury, such protection was conducted by reducing the oxidative stress mechanism in cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) characteristics of hypopigmentation induced by local glucocorticoid injection.Methods A retrospective study was carried out on 26 cases of hypopigmentation induced by local glucocorticoid injection.The clinical manifestations,RCM characteristics and treatment outcomes of hypopigmentation induced by local glucocorticoid injection were analyzed in these cases.Results Of the 26 patients,22 were female and 4 were male.Lesions were round or oval,pale white or white patches with obscure boundaries.Different degrees of localized skin atrophy occurred in 15 patients,and subcutaneous venous networks were observed in 8 of the 15 patients.RCM imaging of lesions in the 26 cases showed different degrees of epidermal thinning in the areas of hypopigmentation,shortening or disappearance of trochanterellus,and decreased number or disappearance of chromocytes in the basal layer,which were totally different from RCM characteristics of vitiligo lesions.Conclusion Hypopigmentation induced by local glucocorticoid injection is a kind of depigmentation disease complicated by skin atrophy with definite inducements,and RCM is of great value to its diagnosis.

Objective This study was designed to validate the utility of a population pharmacokinetic model established for vancomycin in patients with severe neurosurgical disease . Methods The clinical data including patient gender , age , body weight ,serum creatinine and albumin were collected retrospectively from patients in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital to calculate the steady trough concentration of vancomycin using the previously established pharmacokinetic model .The predicted value was compared with the actual value .Results During the period from March 2013 to March 2014 ,53 blood samples with serum trough concentration of vancomycin were collected from 42 patients .The average trough concentration of vancomycin was 10 .9 mg/L (range from 1 .6 to 49 .1 mg/L) .The predicted trough level of vancomycin based on the population pharmacokinetic model was significantly correlated to the actual value(r=0 .857 ,P<0 .001) .The mean absolute percentage error was 0 .407 9 . The confidence interval was 9 .36‐14 .07 for the predicted values ,and 8 .92‐14 .32 for the actual values .Conclusions The pharmacokinetic model is valid and useful for planning intravenous dose of vancomycin in patients with severe neurosurgical disease .Large error (about 30% ) was observed in estimation of body weight due to coma .Reduced renal function following contrast agent and/or diuretic drug has an impact on the predicted results . The accuracy of prediction can be increased to nearly 70% after adjusting the covariates .

Objective To investigate factors that correlated to compliance of treatment in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to provide basis for clinical treatment, specialist consultation and health education. Methods Compliance was assessed by a questionnaire designed by reference to Morisky-Green test and therapeutic principles for PCOS. Interviews were performed in 128 infertile patients with PCOS in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei in China during March 2009 to September 2010. Data were analyzed with logistic regression. Results Logistic regression analysis revealed that a total of 41 (34.2% ) of 120 participants investigated showed good compliance. Factors that might significantly (P ＜ 0.05 ) correlate compliance of treatment included body mass index (BMI) of the patients ( OR = 2.426, 95% CI = 1.428 - 4.121 ), length of their marriage ( OR = 0.398, 95% CI =0.225 - 0.704) and their concerns for adverse drug reactions ( OR= 0.216, 95% CI = 0.067 - 0.694).Conclusions Patients with obesity, shorter length of marriage and concerns for adverse drug reactions show lower compliance. Publicity and intervention to those patients should be strengthened in clinics to improve their treatment compliance in patients with PCOS.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the transient outward potassium channel protein expression in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and its contribution to renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS:A rat model of CHF was prepared by acute myocardial infarction that was induced by ligation of the left ante -rior descending coronary artery .Four weeks after heart failure , echocardiogram was applied to identify the CHF model and plasma norepinephrine (NE), serum NH2-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were detected by ELISA. The expression of ransient outward potassium channel proteins Kv 4.2 and Kv4.3 at mRNA and protein levels was deter-mined by real-time PCR and Western blot .The mean arterial pressure ( MAP) , heart rate ( HR) and RSNA were measured in anesthetized rats with PVN microinjection of potassium channel blockers 4-AP.RESULTS:In CHF group , the rat car-diac function and Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expression in PVN were obviously lower while plasma NE and serum NT-proBNP were obviously higher than those in sham group .Microinjection of 4-AP into PVN induced an increase in MAP , HR and RSNA in both sham and CHF rats , while the CHF rats exhibited smaller responses to 4-AP than sham-operated rats .CONCLU-SION:Downregulation of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expression in the PVN may be a potential mechanism for sympathoexciation in the rats with chronic heart failure .