Background Recent studies have demonstrated that epicardial flow in nonculprit arteries,which has been assumed to be normal,was slowed in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).However,the impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on blood perfusion in nonculprit arteries in patients with STEMI has not been clarified.The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of primary PCI on blood perfusion in nonculprit arteries in patients with STEMI and correlated clinical factors.Methods A total of 117 patients with anterior wall STEMI,the culprit artery being the left anterior descending artery (LAD),undergoing primary PCI (the study group) and 100 patients with normal coronary angiography (the control group) were enrolled.To observe the differences of corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) and myocardial blush grade (MBG) before and after primary PCI in both culprit and nonculprit arteries,the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX),cTFC and MBG in the LAD and LCX were measured in the study group and control group.The study group was divided into three groups; reflow in the culprit artery group (the R group),no reflow in culprit artery group (the NR group),and no reflow in both the culprit artery and nonculprit artery group (the NRB group) according to MBG grade.The level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP),catecholamine,and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) were assayed.The clinical and angiographic characteristics were also analyzed.Results cTFC (28.1±24.3 vs.20.3±19.3,P ＜0.05) and MBG in the LCX were different in the study group compared to the control group before primary PCI.cTFC (25.2±22.3 vs.28.1±24.3,P ＜0.05) and the MBG level in the LCX were improved after successful primary PCI,but were not recovered to the normal level.Patients with no reflow in the culprit artery had a higher incidence of no-reflow in the nonculprit artery (78％ vs.19％,P ＜0.0001),and the levels of CRP ((3.29±1.31) mg/dl vs.(2.51±1.14) mg/dl vs.(2.93±1.07) mg/dl,P ＜0.05,respectively),catecholamine ((epinephrine (693.48±89.78) pg/ml vs.(398.12±93.28) pg/ml vs.(562.54±96.22) pg/ml,P ＜0.0001,respectively),and norepinephrine ((7012.43±932.47) pg/ml vs.(4012.34±814.16) pg/ml vs.(5549.03±912.65) pg/ml,P ＜0.0001,respectively)) in the NRB group were higher than those in the R group and NR group.The level of FGF21 ((0.299±0.093) ng/ml vs.(0.612±0.071)ng/ml vs.(0.428±0.074) ng/ml,P ＜0.0001 respectively) in the NRB group was lower than that in the R group and NR group.Conclusions The blood perfusion in the nonculprit artery may be impaired in patients with STEMI.Although nonculprit artery perfusion may be improved after successful primary PCI,it is still lower than that in the control group,and may be involved in inflammation and spasms.

OBJECTIVE To explore a novel pH-sensitive fluorescent probe for in vivo tumor imaging. METHODS Zn5 were obtained in 140℃ after mixed with MeOH, water, Zn(NO3)2 · 6H2O, H4L and trimethylamine. The fluorescence spectra of Zn5 with the same concentration in different pH aqueous solutions were detected. And the stability of Zn5 was investigated by time dependent fluorescence emission spectra of Zn5 in BSA aqueous solution and 5.0% serum solution. Then, the cytotoxicity of Zn5 was detected by MTT assays. To clarify whether a similar fluorescence response occurs in biological organisms, HeLa cells were pretreated with probe Zn5 (0.5 μmol·L- 1) and fluorescence imaging were collected for targeting lysosomes in living cells because of lysosomes' acidic microenvironment. The A375 tumor-bearing mice were used to assess the imaging ability of Zn5 in vivo. Mouse tumor xenografts were established by injection of A375 cells with 2×106 cells per flank. Probe (1 μg·g-1) was administered to mice by injection. Images were obtained using IVIS Spectrum CT Imaging System. RESULTS There is a 11-fold intensity increasing as the pH values changing from 8 to 2. The almost unchanged emission intensities suggest Zn5 is stable in both BSA and serum. Zn5 has negligible cytotoxicity for HeLa, 293T and CHO-K1 cells. Zn5 can selectively display lysosomes in living cells. Both the 2D and 3D images in vivo distinguish the tumor from other tissues with good fluorescence contrast. CONCLUSION The high chemical stability, emission in the Vis/NIR range, pH sensitivity, a pKa located in the tumor pH range, and low toxicity make Zn5 is suitable for application as a pH- sensitive fluorescent probe for bio-imaging.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between SIRT1 gene polymorphisms and the longevity phenomena in Yongfu region of Guangxi. In this case-control study, 500 individuals from Yongfu region of Guangxi were recruited. The subjects were divided into a longevity group (n=223, average age=93.17 U+00B1 3.08 yr) and a healthy control group (n=277, average age=46.92 U+00B1 17.12 yr). Polymerase chain reaction-high resolution melting curve (PCR-HRM) and DNA sequencing were used to determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs3758391, rs3740051, rs2273773, rs4746720 and rs10997870 polymorphisms of SIRT1 gene in the two groups. The association between above polymorphisms and longevity was assessed.

RESULTSIn the longevity group, CT genotype of the rs4746720 locus was significantly more common than CC and TT genotypes (P=0.000, OR=2.098, 95%CI:1.412-4.117). However, no significant difference was found in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs3758391, rs3740051 and rs2273773 between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThere is an association between rs4746720 of SIRT1 gene and longevity in Yongfu region of Guangxi.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Gene Order ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sirtuin 1 ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between sensitivity to cisplatin (DDP) and the expression of HSP70 in cervical cancer cells in vitro.

METHODSCervical cancer Hela229 cells treated with different concentrations of DDP and the HSP70 inhibitor (PFT-µ) were examined for cell viability using MTT assay and colony forming ability. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining and DAPI staining, and JC-1 staining was used to determine mitochondrial membrane potential. The expressions of HSP70, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were measured with Western blotting. A nude mouse model bearing Hela229 cell xenograft was used to evaluate the effect of DDP and PFT-µ on tumor growth.

RESULTSHela229 cells expressed a higher level of HSP70 than normal cervical cells. The combined use of PFT-µ significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of DDP (P<0.01) and increased the cell apoptosis in Hela229 cells. JC-1 staining demonstrated that DDP combined with PFT-µ more obviously reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. DDP combined with PFT-µ more strongly lowered Bcl-2 expression and increased the expressions of casepase-3 and Bax than DDP alone. In the nude mouse model, PFT-µ significantly enhanced DDP sensitivity of Hela229 cell xenografts (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSInhibition of HSP70 expression can enhance the sensitivity of cervical cancer cell to DDP both in vivo and in vitro possibly by promoting cell apoptosis, suggesting the potential of HSP70 as a new target for gene therapy of cervical cancer.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

The tumors of central nervous system refer to a group of benign and malignant diseases originating from tissues or structures within the central nervous system. Common tumors of central nervous system are sporadic, but a few have familial onset. Compared with sporadic brain tumors, the clinical symptoms, diagnostic ideas and follow-up review plans of familial brain tumors are more complicated. The multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment (MDT) mode usually refers to a treatment mode in which a case involving multiple organs and systems is discussed, and the best treatment plan is formulated for the patient based on the comprehensive opinions of various disciplines. Because familial brain tumors often involve multiple organs, multiple disciplines and multiple systems, and their low incidence leads to less clinical experience for neurosurgeons, the MDT model is more conducive to efficient diagnosis, treatment and management of familial brain tumors. This review elaborates on the neurosurgeon-led MDT model, and introduces the latest research on the epidemiology, genetic characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic ideas and multidisciplinary management of familial brain tumors.

The effects of resveratrol on the discharges of neurons in CA1 area of rat hippocampal slices were examined by using extracellular recording technique. The results are as follows: (1) In response to the application of resveratrol (0.05, 0.5, 5.0 micromol/L, n=52) into the superfusate for 2 min, the spontaneous discharge rate of 46/52 (88.5%) neurons was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner; (2) Application of L-glutamate (0.2 mmol/L) into the superfusate led to a marked increase in discharge rate of all 8 (100%) slices in an epileptiform pattern. The increased discharges were suppressed by application of resveratrol (5.0 micromol/L); (3) In 7 slices, perfusion of the selective L-type calcium channel agonist, Bay K8644 (0.1 micromol/L), induced a significant increase in the discharge rate of 6/7 (85.7%) slices. The increased discharges were suppressed by application of resveratrol (5.0 micromol/L); (4) In 9 slices, perfusion of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 micromol/L) into the superfusate significantly augmented the discharge rate of 7/9 (77.8%) slices. Resveratrol (5.0 micromol/L) applied into the superfusate reduced the increased discharges of all 7/7 (100%) neurons; (5) In 10 units, the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blocker (tetraethylammonium chloride, TEA, 1 mmol/L) significantly increased the discharge rate of 9/10 (90%) slices. Resveratrol (5.0 micromol/L) applied into the superfusate inhibited the discharges of 8/9 (88.9%) slices. These results suggest that resveratrol inhibits the electrical activity of CA1 neurons. This effect may be related to the blockade of L-type calcium channel and a subsequent reduction of calcium influx, and probably has no association with large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channel Agonists ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; Electrophysiology ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; physiology ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo clarify the resource of medicinal plants of genus Polygonum s. lat. distributed in Anhui Province.

METHODConducting field investigation and consulting related specimens and data.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe distribution, growing environment and medicinal use of 32 taxa have been clarified. A scientific basis for further study for these medicinal plants has been provided.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; pharmacology ; Antidiuretic Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ecosystem ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Polygonum ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to March 2010, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages were performed on 45 patients who suffered from multi-segmental cervical myelopathy, among of them there were 23 male and 22 female, aged from 32 to 67 years (average 53 years). Recording the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and SF-36 scores in the protocol time point, in order to investigate the clinical outcome, meanwhile, accumulating the pre-operation and postoperation X-ray films of cervical spine for measuring the height of intervertebral space, whole curvature of cervical spine and the rate of fusion by repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up time was 28.4 months (24 - 35 months). JOA scores ascended from preoperative 6.5 ± 3.1 to postoperative 13.4 ± 1.7 (F = 17.84, P = 0.001), the 7 scores of SF-36 improved significantly after operation (t = 1.151 - 12.207, P < 0.05), but mental health not. The fineness rate was 91.1%. Height of disc space ascended from preoperative (5.5 ± 1.8) mm to postoperative (8.3 ± 0.8) mm (F = 11.71, P = 0.043), globle curvature of cervical spine ascended from preoperative 5° ± 7° to postoperative 10° ± 14° (F = 234.53, P = 0.000), the change of the two index was significantly, respectively. Fat necrosis in one case and hematoma in another case at the bone donor-site were found, both of the two cases were cured by physiotherapy. All of the 45 cases (111 segments) achieved bone fusion.

CONCLUSIONThe use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy possess many advantages as follows: satisfactory clinical outcome, minimally invasive, higher fusion rate, higher orthopaedic ability.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDCathepsin S and its endogenous inhibitor cystatin C are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in the plaque destabilization and rupture leading to acute coronary syndrome. However, whether circulating cathepsin S and cystatin C also change in association with coronary plaque morphology is unknown yet.

METHODSWe recruited 98 patients with unstable angina (UA, n = 6) or stable angina (SA, n = 2) who had a segmental stenosis resulting in > 20% and < 70% diameter reduction in one major coronary artery on coronary angiography. Thirty-one healthy subjects served as controls. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to evaluate plaque morphology. Plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C were measured as well.

RESULTSAt the culprit lesion site, plaque area ((7.85 +/- 2.83) mm(2) vs (6.53 +/- 2.92) mm(2), P = 0.027), plaque burden ((60.92 +/- 11.04)% vs (53.87 +/- 17.52)%, P = 0.025), remodeling index (0.93 +/- 0.16 vs 0.86 +/- 0.10, P = 0.004) and eccentricity index (0.74 +/- 0.17 vs 0.66 +/- 0.21, P = 0.038) were bigger in UA group than in SA group. Plasma cathepsin S and cystatin C were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01). Plasma cathepsin S was higher in UA group ((0.411 +/- 0.121) nmol/L) than in SA group ((0.355 +/- 0.099) nmol/L, P = 0.007), so did the plasma cystatin C ((0.95 +/- 0.23) mg/L in UA group, (0.84 +/- 0.22) mg/L in SA group; P = 0.009). Plasma cathepsin S positively correlated with remodeling index (r = 0.402, P = 0.002) and eccentricity index (r = 0.441, P = 0.001), and plasma cystatin C positively correlated with plaque area (r = 0.467, P < 0.001) and plaque burden (r = 0.395, P = 0.003) in UA group but not in SA group.

CONCLUSIONSPlasma cathepsin S and cystatin C increased significantly in UA patients. In angina patients, higher plasma cathepsin S may suggest the presence of vulnerable plaque, and higher plasma cystatin C may be a clue for larger atherosclerotic coronary plaque.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cathepsins ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after lumbar internal fixation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 147 surgical patients with lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spodylolisthesis undergoing surgeries between January 2002 and July 2007 in our hospital were reviewed. The correlations of gender, range of fixation, position of fixation, and characteristic of the adjacent disc to the occurrence of ASD were analyzed.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for a mean of 30-/+10 months (18-84 months). The incidence of ASD was 13.6% in these patients, occurring all at the cephalad adjacent segment. The presence of preoperative degeneration of the adjacent disc gave rise to increased risk of ASD following the surgery (chi(2)=6.272, P=0.012), and multivariate analysis indicated that preoperative adjacent disc degeneration was a risk factor for postoperative ASD (P=0.046), but gender, range of fusion and site of fusion were not the risk factors.

CONCLUSIONPresence of adjacent segment degeneration before the operation is associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative ASD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; etiology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Diseases ; etiology ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Spinal Stenosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Spondylolisthesis ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult