Objective To study the bovine coronary artery endothelial cells(BCAEC)damage induced by cigarette abstracts and further clarify the relationship between smoking and cardiovascular diseases.Methods BCAEC were treated with nicotine, mainstream smoke extract(MSW)and sidestream smoke extract(SSW)which had the normal concentration(1.0?10~(-5),0.8?10~(-5), 0.9?10~(-5)mol/L)of nicotine in smoker.The morphological changes of BCAEC were recorded by microscope digital image system. The quantification of apoptotic BCAEC cells was performed by visualization of nuclei stained with 4,6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole and trypan blue exclusion assay was used to examine the percentage of necrotic BCAEC.The caspase activity assay was employed to discuss the mechanism of BCAEC apoptosis.Results BCAEC exposed to nicotine and MSW appeared the typical morphological alteration of apoptosis and necrotic morphological alteration were observed after BCAWC were treated with SSW. 5.89% and 11.94% apoptotic ceils were found after BCAEC were exposed to nicotine and MSW for 24 hours.The level of BCAEC necrosis after treated with SSW was 62.84%.Caspase-3 activity was induced by nicotine and MSW.Conclusion Cigarette smoke extract can induce the cell death of BCAEC.Nicotine and MSW can induce caspase-3 activity increase.Even in the presence of a non-cytotoxic concentration of nicotine and mainstream smoke solution,protease-induced apoptosis of BCAEC can be significantly increased.Sidestream smoke solution may cause BCAEC necrosis instead of apoptosis.Caspase-3 activation is probably the mechanism of BCAEC apoptosis.

AIM: To observe the effect of antisense bcl-2 oligodeoxynucleotides(AS-PS-ODN) on bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression, cell proliferation,viability and apoptosis in a small-cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H446. METHODS: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was performed to detect the bcl-2 mRNA expression, the Bcl-2 protein was determined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis, and the effect of bcl-2 AS-PS-ODN on cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis were investigated by colony assay , cell count, DNA content analysis and TUNEL. RESULTS: ① 1 ?mol/L bcl-2 AS-PS-ODN significantly down-regulated the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and protein. The inhibition rate of mRNA and protein were 69.5% and 62.7%, respectively. ② bcl-2 AS-PS-ODN decreased cell proliferation and viability , induced cell apoptosis.The apoptosis rate was 22.3%-32.7% in cells treated with 1?mol/L bcl-2 AS-PS-ODN. CONCLUSION: bcl-2 AS-PS-ODN down-regulated expression of bcl-2 mRNA and protein, inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a small cell lung cancer cell line, NCI-H446.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of line probe assays for drug- resistant tuberculosis (TB) in China. Methods: Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, VIP Information) and English databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) were used to retrieve the literatures regarding the accuracy of line probe assays in the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis in China between January 1, 2000 and September 1, 2017. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Sensitivity and specificity in different studies (using drug sensitivity test or gene sequencing as gold standard) were combined by Meta-analysis using bivariate or univariate model. In addition, subgroup analysis (GenoType MTBDRplus, GenoType MTBDRsl and Reverse dot blot hybridization) and sensitivity analysis were also carried out. Results: A total of 24 literatures involving 82 studies were included in the final analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of line probe assays for rifampicin resistant TB were 0.91(0.88-0.94) and 0.98 (0.97-0.99), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of line probe assays for isoniazid resistant TB were 0.80 (0.77-0.83) and 0.98 (0.96-0.99), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of line probe assays for multidrug-resistant TB were 0.81 (0.76-0.85) and 0.99 (0.99-1.00), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of line probe assays for quinolone resistant TB were 0.92(0.88-0.95) and 0.94 (0.91-0.97), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of line probe assays for second-line injectable drug resistant TB (including kanamycin, Capreomycin, amikacin) were 0.79(0.58-0.91) and 0.98 (0.90-1.00), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of line probe assays for extensively drug-resistant TB were 0.46 (0.19-0.75) and 1.00 (0.98-1.00), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the overall diagnostic accuracy of GenoType MTBDRplus and GenoType MTBDRsl was higher than that of Reverse dot blot hybridization. According to the results of sensitivity analysis, the results of this study were robust. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of line probe assays for drug-resistant TB is high.
Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use* ; Biological Assay/methods* ; China ; Humans ; Isoniazid/pharmacology* ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/isolation & purification* ; Rifampin/pharmacology* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/drug therapy*

Objective To study the interaction between telomerase activity and abnormalities of the p16 gene in liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Methods Telomerase activity was detected by a non-isotopic PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, and homozygous deletions of the p16 gene were detected by a semiquantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction in tissue samples from 24 liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma and 5 primary colorectal carcinomas. Results Telomerase activity was observed in 19 (79.2%) of 24 liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Telomerase activity was also observed in all 5 primary colorectal carcinomas and in 3 of their liver metastatic samples. The incidence of telomerase activity in liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma was not significantly correlated to tumor diameter, number of tumors, cirrhosis, and HBsAg. Homozygous deletions of the p16 gene were found in 9 of 24 (37.5%) liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Homozygous deletions of the p16 gene were observed in 2 of the 5 primary colorectal carcinomas and in 1 of the matching liver metastatic cancers. There was a correlation between telomerase activity and homozygous deletions of the p16 gene. Conclusions There is a correlation between telomerase activity and homozygous deletions of the p16 gene in liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma, suggesting its crucial role in liver metastases. However, telomerase activation and homozygous deletions of the p16 gene might not be the initiating event in liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of gamma knife radiosurgery for residual tumors after surgical resection of hemangioblastoma in children. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 9 children who received gamma knife radiosurgery for the residual tumors after a previous surgery for hemangioblastoma resection. Results The 9 children were followed up for 12-48 months, and 6 children showed a tumor volume reduction by over 50% with obviously improved clinical symptoms. One child showed no response to the treatment and received a second gamma knife radiosurgery. In 2 children, the tumor volume increased progressively after the radiosurgery, and a second radiosurgery was performed in 1 case and open surgery in the other. Conclusion Gamma knife radiosurgery is safe and effective for treatment of the residual tumors in children with previous surgical resection of hemangioblastoma.

Objective:To investigate the technique and efficacy of PTES for treatment of L5/S1 disc herniation.Methods:PTES was performed on 52 cases of L5/S1 herniations without spinal instability and central spinal canal stenosis,including 24 cases of high iliac crest,from November 2012 to April 2013.The operation duration,frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy,blood loss and hospitalization days were recorded.Leg pain was evaluated by using the visual analog scale(VAS)Preoperatively and immediately,1 week,1 month,2 months,3 months,6 months,1 year and 2 years after surgery.The results were determined to be excellent,good,fair,or poor according to the Macnab classification,and complications were observed at 2-year follow-up.Objective:The mean operation duration was(56.3 ±11.5)min per segment.The median frequency of intraoperatively fluoroscopy was 5(3-14)times.The median blood loss was 5(2-20)mL.The median hospital stay was 3(2-4)days.The average postoperative follow-up was(26.2±2.0)months.The median preoperative VAS score of leg pain was 9(6-10),1(0-3)immediately after the operation and 0(0-3)2 years after operation,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).There were 3 cases of lower limb rebound pain 1 week after operation,which were relieved within 2 months after operation.The rate of excellent and good curative effect was 98.1％(51/52)2 years after operation.No complications such as nerve injury,infection,abdominal organ damage and rupture of large vessels occurred.No recurrence occurred.Conclusions:PTES for L5/S1 disc herniation including the cases with high iliac crest is an easy,effective and safe technique.The method has the advantages of simple positioning,easy puncture,simple steps and less fluoroscopy,and the learning curve is not steep for surgeons.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role and potential mechanisms of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in coronary artery lesions in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease (KD)-like vasculitis. METHODS: Four-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a model group, with 10 mice in each group. The model group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mL of lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) to establish a mouse model of KD-like vasculitis, while the control group mice were injected with an equal volume of normal saline. The general conditions of the mice were observed on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day after injection. Changes in coronary artery tissue pathology were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The level of CHI3L1 in mouse serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression and localization of CHI3L1, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in coronary artery tissue. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of CHI3L1, vWF, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE cadherin), Caspase-3, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB) in coronary artery tissue. RESULTS: The serum level of CHI3L1 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the expression of CHI3L1 in the coronary artery tissue was higher, while the expression of vWF was lower in the model group. The relative expression levels of CHI3L1, Bax, Caspase-3, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of vWF, VE cadherin, and Bcl-2 were lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the LCWE-induced mouse model of KD-like vasculitis, the expression levels of CHI3L1 in serum and coronary arteries increase, and it may play a role in coronary artery lesions through endothelial cell apoptosis mediated by inflammatory reactions.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/pathology* ; Coronary Vessels/pathology* ; NF-kappa B ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 ; von Willebrand Factor/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cadherins

Human apolipoprotein (a) (LPA) gene is highly polymorphic, and the polymorphic loci on this gene include the Kringle 4 subtype 2(KIV-2) repeat polymorphism, the pentanucleotide repeat (TTTTA)n polymorphism, and a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms. KIV-2 repeat polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with coronary heart disease(CHD), and the reducing number of KIV-2 repeats is a risk factor for CHD. Both the increase and decrease of the pentanucleotide repeat(TTTTA)n polymorphism repeats are possibly associated with CHD risk. In single nucleotide polymorphisms loci, the rs10455872 and rs3798220 loci were widely reported to be associated with CHD, while other loci were less reported. The association between LPA polymorphisms and CHD may be mediated by either the elevation of plasma LPA level or the change of LPA subtypes. This article reviews the association between the LPA polymorphisms and CHD and the underlying mechanisms.
Apoprotein(a) ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

Objeetive As to the high incidence of arteriovenous fistula(AVF) stenosis,surgical operation will result in the exhaustion of vascular resources in patients,while percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) can maintain vascular resources for ostomy.However,there is still no clear definition between the choices of PTA and surgical resection.The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of PTA and surgical resection followed by reconstruction for the treatment of arteriovenous fistula stenosis in order to find appropriate treatment.Methods Retrospective analysis had been done on 46 hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula stenosis in Nanjing BenQ hospital from January 2015 to March 2017,which included 22 cases treated with PTA (PTA group) and 24 cases treated with surgical operation (operation group).Comparison was made in general clinical situation,patency rate at six months after surgery,over patency time and adverse reactions to surgery between the two groups.Results The number of stenoses in PTA group was bigger than that in operation group and the difference was of statistic significance (2.78±1.43 vs 1.67±0.71,P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in patency rate between the two groups (P =0.828).There were 57 venous stenoses in PTA group,among which 12 stenoses were anastomotic (21.05％) with 79.3％ average stenosis degree and 43 stenoses were at venous outflow tract of fistula (75.44％) with 84.26 average stenosis degree.In PTA group,3 patients had hematoma brachial puncture position and recovered by self-absorption without special treatment.In operation group,1 patient had mild blood oozing and recovered after treatment;4 patients recovered gradually from mild swelling on the back of the hand of the operation side.No difference was found in adverse reactions between two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion PTA treatment is preferred for multiple stenoses(n ≥ 3),which ensures better preservation of vascular resources at a comparable patency rate.

This paper summaries the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I), a tool for evaluating risk of bias about Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions (NRSI), and introduces the application of ROBINS-I in a published NRSI. According to the characteristics of NRSI, evaluation field and signaling question were designed in ROBINS-I to provide essential information about risk of bias for NRSI included in systematic reviews. ROBINS-I is the tool in assessment of risk of bias in observational studies and quasi-randomised studies. Although the tool has been used in practice to some extent, but it still needs further improvement. Attention should be paid to its update and progress.
Animals ; Bias ; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; Selection Bias