OBJECTIVE To determine the functional role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure through the inhibition of Ca2 +/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseⅡ (CaMKⅡ) using wild type and CSE knockout mouse models. METHODS Continuous subcutaneous injection isoprenaline (7.5 mg·kg-1·d-1), once a day for 4 weeks to induce heart failure in Male C57BL/6 (6-8 weeks old) mice and CSE-/- mice. 150 μmol·L-1 H2O2 was used to induce oxidative stress in H9c2 cells. Echocardiograph was used to detect cardiac parameters. H&E stain and Masson stain was to observation histopathological changes. Western blot was used to detect protein expression and activity. The siRNA was used to silence protein expression. HPLC was used to detect H2S level. Biotin assay was used to detect the level of S- sulfhydration protein. RESULTS Treatment with S-propyl-L-cysteine (SPRC) or sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), modulators of blood H2S levels, attenuated the development of heart failure in animals, reduced lipid peroxidation, and preserved mitochondrial function. The inhibition CaMKⅡ phosphorylation by SPRC and NaHS as demonstrated using both in vivo and in vitro models corresponded with the cardioprotective effects of these compounds. Interestingly, CaMKⅡ activity was found to be elevated in CSE-/- mice as compared to wild type animals and the phosphorylation status of CaMKⅡ appeared to relate to the severity of heart failure. Importantly, in wild type mice SPRC was found to promote S-sulfhydration of CaMKII leading to reduced activity of this protein however, in CSE-/- mice S-sulfhydration was abolished following SPRC treatment. CONCLUSION A novel mechanism depicting a role of S-sulfhydration in the regulation of CaMKⅡ is presented. SPRC mediated S-sulfhydration of CaMKII was found to inhibit CaMKⅡ activity and to preserve cardiovascular homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the functional role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure through the inhibition of Ca2 +/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseⅡ (CaMKⅡ) using wild type and CSE knockout mouse models. METHODS Continuous subcutaneous injection isoprenaline (7.5 mg·kg-1 per day), once a day for 4 weeks to induce heart failure in male C57BL/6 (6-8 weeks old) mice and CSE-/- mice. 150 μmol·L-1 H2O2 was used to induce oxidative stress in H9c2 cells. Echocardiograph was used to detect cardiac parameters. H&E stain and Masson stain was to observation histopathological changes. Western blot was used to detect protein expression and activity. The siRNA was used to silence protein expression. HPLC was used to detect H2S level. Biotin assay was used to detect the level of S-sulfhydration protein. RESULTS Treatment with S-propyl-L-cysteine (SPRC) or sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), modulators of blood H2S levels, attenuated the development of heart failure in animals, reduced lipid peroxidation, and preserved mitochondrial function. The inhibition CaMKⅡ phosphorylation by SPRC and NaHS as demonstrated using both in vivo and in vitro models corresponded with the cardioprotective effects of these compounds. Interestingly, CaMKⅡ activity was found to be elevated in CSE-/- mice as compared to wild type animals and the phosphorylation status of CaMK Ⅱ appeared to relate to the severity of heart failure. Importantly, in wild type mice SPRC was found to promote S-sulfhydration of CaMKⅡ leading to reduced activity of this protein however, in CSE-/- mice S-sulfhydration was abolished following SPRC treatment. CONCLUSION A novel mechanism depicting a role of S-sulfhydration in the regulation of CaMKⅡ is presented. SPRC mediated S-sulfhydration of CaMKⅡ was found to inhibit CaMKⅡ activity and to preserve cardiovascular homeostasis.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To ohserve the rat myocardial damage induced by citreoviridin(CIT)in the status of combined selenium and protein deficiency.Methods According to 2×2 factorial design,forty 4-week-old healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups.i.e.combined selenium and protein adequate with no CIT and with some CIT groups(Se+Pro+CIT-.Se+Pro+CiT+),combined selenium and protein deficiency with no CIT and with some CIT groups(Se-Pro-CIT-,Se-Pro-CIT+).The numbers of male and female were fifty-fifty.Theserats were fed with combined selenium and protein adequate and combined selenium and protein deficiency fodder until the 16th week. Cardiac toxicity of CIT was evaluated by general state of health, heart weight index, myocardial pathological change, the levels of selenium and the activities of glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) and creatine kinase (CK) in serum, and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) of myocardium. Results The interaction effects of combined selenium and protein deficiency and adequate CIT on body weight, serum levels of selenium and albumin, heart weight index, the activities of CK and GSH-Px in serum and SOD of myocardium were statistically not significant(F= 0.000, 1.210, 0.625, 0.981, 2.785, 0.074, 0.001, all P> 0.05). The main effects of combined selenium and protein on the levels of serum selenium and albumin, heart weight index and the activity of GSH-Px in serum were statistically significant(F = 507.698, 87.734, 4.201, 109.389, all P < 0.05). The main effects of CIT on body weight, the levels of serum selenium and albumin, heart weight index and the activity of CK in serum were statistically significant(F = 10.929, 4.371, 26.108, 24.844, 4.439, all P < 0.05). The mean levels of serum selenium of Se-Pro- groups [(70.4 ± 40.0), (87.7 ± 59.6 )μg/L] were lower than those of Se+Pro+ groups [(446.1 ± 74.8),(502.1 ± 39.2)μg/L, all P < 0.05]. The mean levels of serum albumin of Se-Pro- groups [(34.36 ± 1.28 ), (33.38 ±2.48)g/L] were lower than those of Se+Pro+ groups[(40.69 ± 1.30), (38.71 ± 2.15)g/L, all P < 0.05]. The mean levels of heart weight index of CIT+ groups[(4.14 ± 0.36) × 10-3, (4.39 ± 0.53) x 10-3] were higher than those of CIT-groups[(3.56 ± 0.26) x 10-3, (3.80 ± 0.28) x 10-3, all P < 0.05] respectively at the same levels of selenium and protein. The mean levels of CK in serum of Se-Pro-CIT+ group[(2.54 ± 0.56)kU/L] was lower than that of Se-Pro-CIT- group [(3.37 ± 0.67 )kU/L, P < 0.05]. The mean levels of activity of GSH-Px in serum of Se-Progroups[(408.1 ± 412.6), (510.5 ± 392.0)U/L] were lower than those of Se+Pro+ groups[(1667.8 ± 102.2),(1731.5 ± 144.4)U/L, all P < 0.05]. In Se+Pro+CIT+ group, there was part of intercalary disc of cardiac myocytes fragmented;the conjunctions between myoeytes were broken;in some region, cardiac myocytes became edematous,even dissolved. In Se-Pro-CIT- group, the change of cardiac myocytes membrane structures was not obvious;filament structure was disappeared around nucleus;deposition of mass floccule could be seen. In Se-Pro-CIT+ group,the structure of sarcomeres was not obvious;mitochondrial cristae was loosened;cavities in myocytes could be seen occasionally;there were lots of disseminated sareoplasmic reticulum extending. Conclusions .CIT is the main risk factor in inducing myocardial damage. The deficiency of combined selenium and protein can aggravate the damage,but its independent pathogenic effect is weak.

BACKGROUNDDue to the floating of the guideline, there is no evidence-based evaluation index on when to start the blood transfusion for patients with hemoglobin (Hb) level between 7 and 10 g/dl. As a result, the trigger point of blood transfusion may be different in the emergency use of the existing transfusion guidelines. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the scheme can be safely and effectively used for emergency patients, so as to be supported by multicenter and large sample data in the future.

METHODSFrom June 2013 to June 2014, patients were randomly divided into the experimental group (Peri-operative Transfusion Trigger Score of Emergency [POTTS-E] group) and the control group (control group). The between-group differences in the patients' demography and baseline information, mortality and blood transfusion-related complications, heart rate, resting arterial pressure, body temperature, and Hb values were compared. The consistency of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion standards of the two groups of patients with the current blood transfusion guideline, namely the compliance of the guidelines, utilization rate, and per-capita consumption of autologous RBC were analyzed.

RESULTSDuring the study period, a total of 72 patients were recorded, and 65 of them met the inclusion criteria, which included 33 males and 32 females with a mean age of (34.8 ± 14.6) years. 50 underwent abdomen surgery, 4 underwent chest surgery, 11 underwent arms and legs surgery. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for demography and baseline information. There was also no statistical differences between the two groups in anesthesia time, intraoperative rehydration, staying time in postanesthetic care unit, emergency hospitalization, postoperative 72 h Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, blood transfusion-related complications and mortality. Only the POTTS-E group on the 1 st postoperative day Hb was lower than group control, P < 0.05. POTTS-E group was totally (100%) conformed to the requirements of the transfusion guideline to RBC infusion, which was higher than that of the control group (81.25%), P < 0.01.There were no statistical differences in utilization rates of autologous blood of the two groups; the utilization rates of allogeneic RBC, total allogeneic RBC and total RBC were 48.48%, 51.5%, and 75.7% in POTTS-E group, which were lower than those of the control group (84.3%, 84.3%, and 96.8%) P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Per capita consumption of intraoperative allogeneic RBC, total allogeneic RBC and total RBC were 0 (0, 3.0), 2.0 (0, 4.0), and 3.1 (0.81, 6.0) in POTTS-E groups were all lower than those of control group (4.0 [2.0, 4.0], 4.0 [2.0, 6.0] and 5.8 [2.7, 8.2]), P < 0.05 or P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONSPeri-operative Transfusion Trigger Score-E evaluation scheme is used to guide the application of RBC. There are no differences in the recent prognosis of patients with the traditional transfusion guidelines. This scheme is safe; Compared with doctor experience-based subjective assessment, the scoring scheme was closer to patient physiological needs for transfusion and more reasonable; Utilization rate and the per capita consumption of RBC are obviously declined, which has clinical significance and is feasible. Based on the abovementioned three points, POTTS-E scores scheme is safe, reasonable, and practicable and has the value for carrying out multicenter and large sample clinical researches.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Emergency Medical Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Transfusion Reaction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe Medical Outcome Study of 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a well-validated generic questionnaire widely used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) is a specific HRQOL assessment designed for patients with liver diseases. The aim of our study is to evaluate the HRQOL based on SF-36 and CLDQ (Chinese version) in patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis, especially in the status of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE).

METHODSThe SF-36 and CLDQ were answered by 160 healthy volunteers, 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 106 patients with cirrhosis. HRQOL scores of the groups with different liver disease severities and with or without MHE were compared. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale that assesses eight health categories: physical functioning, role-physical, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotion, and mental health. CLDQ assesses 6 categories: abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms, activity, emotional function and worry.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy controls, patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis at baseline had a lower HRQOL on all scales of the SF-36 and CLDQ (P < 0.01 for all). Increased severity of liver cirrhosis (based on the Child-Pugh score but with MHE or without) was associated with a decrease in most components, both in SF-36 and in CLDQ. However, patients with Child-Pugh B and C disease had similar HRQOL scores on both the SF-36 and CLDQ (P > 0.05), except role-physical and vitality on SF-36. There was a significant difference between patients with and without MHE on the SF-36 score (P < 0.01), and no significant difference (P > 0.05) on CLDQ scores except in abdominal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese version of SF-36 along with CLDQ are valid and reliable methods for testing MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; epidemiology

Biphasic Insulins ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Insulin Aspart ; Insulin, Isophane ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish multiple short tandem repeat (STR) amplification by fluorescence labeling polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis for quantitative determination of chimerism, and to evaluate the status of engraftment and predict the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODSThirty-one patients received bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (NST) were evaluated. Peripheral blood and bone marrow were co-llected before and after transplantation in different period. Nine different STR markers were co-amplified in a single reaction by using a commercial AmpF/STR Profiler Plus PCR amplification kit. Separation of the PCR products and fluorescence detection were performed by ABI prism 310 Genetic Analyzer with capillary electrophoresis. The Genescan and Genotype software were used for size calling and quantification of peak areas. The formula to calculate donor chimerism values was based on the different allelic distribution type between donor and recipient.

RESULTS48.4% of the patients received sex-matched transplantation and the quantification of donor chimerism could only be performed by STR-PCR method. Comparison of values obtained by FISH analysis with that by STR-PCR in patients transplanted from sex-mismatched donors showed an excellent correlation. The median number of informative alleles was 6.7 (range 2 - 10). The donor's alleles appeared in all the patients on day 7 post-transplant. The median values of donor chimerism in BMT group were inferior to that in NST group on day 7, day 14 and 1 month post-transplant. However the difference disappeared in the midterm or later period of transplant. On day 21, all of the 31 patients had stable engraftment and the percentage of donor chimerism was more than 92%. Median follow-up was 17 (3.5 - 29.0) months after transplantation. Twenty-six of 31 patients had durable engraftment and donor chimerism ratio was more than 90%. So for all of them survived leukemia-freely. Four of the 31 patients had unstable mixed chimerism and relapsed within 6 months post allo-HSCT. Another patient with unstable mixed chimerism appeared graft rejection. Decreasing values of donor chimerism were detected prior to the occurrence of graft rejection and disease relapse. The incidence of GVHD was much higher in the group of full donor chimerism.

CONCLUSIONSequential and quantitative monitoring of STR is a valuable tool for studying engraftment dynamics, graft rejection, and relapse and for predicting GVHD. Furthermore it can provide a basis for early intervention of clinical treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; Transplantation Chimera ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo compare enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) and explore their roles in the auxiliary diagnosis of initial pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODSTotally 123 patients with initial pulmonary tuberculosis (tuberculosis group) and 102 patients with non-tuberculosis pulmonary disease (control group) were enrolled. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all participants were co-cultured with early secretiny antigen target-6/culture filtrate protein-10 fusion protein (ESAT-6/CFP-10), and spot forming cells (SFCs) were enumerated by ELISPOT (ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT). TST was also performed simultaneously.

RESULTSESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT showed significantly higher numbers of SFCs after stimulation in tuberculosis group than in control group (P = 0.000). The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT were 91.1% (111/123), 81.4% (82/102), 4.60, 0.12, 0.85, and 0.87 respectively, while the above values of TST were 65.6% (59/90), 45.1% (46/102), 1.31, 0.76, 0.51, and 0.60, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT were significantly higher than those of TST (all P = 0.000). The number of SFCs were not significantly different between smear-positive tuberculosis subgroup and smear-negative tuberculosis subgroup (P = 0.166). The sensitivities were 91.8% (67/73) and 88.0% (44/50) in these two subgroups, respectively, (P = 0.448).

CONCLUSIONSESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISPOT may be a more accurate approach for the auxiliary diagnosis of initial pulmonary tuberculosis; meanwhile, it offers certain diagnostic evidences for smear-negative tuberculosis. However, its specificity may be affected by latent tuberculosis infection. On the contrary, TST has poor value in the auxiliary diagnosis of initial pulmonary tuberculosis.

Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculin Test ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis