Backgroud and Objective Proline-rich tyrosine kinase2(Pyk2) is a Ca~(2+) sensitive,non-receptor tyrosine protein kinase.Previous reports showed Pyk2 involved in development of left ventrieular hypertrophy. The present paper aimed to study the effects of valsartan on ventricular hypertrophy and its effect on the expression of Pyk2 in myocardium in renovascular hypertensive rats(RHR).Methods Two-kidney and one-clip(2K1C) renal hypertensive model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by chronic partial occlusion of left renal artery,and ran- domized to receive valsartan (30 mg/kg?d) or without treatment for 4 or 8 weeks.Left ventricular mass to body mass ratio was measured.Pyk2 protein expression and phosphorylation was detected by Western blotting.Results Blood pressure,left ventricular mass to body mass ratio,Pyk2 activity in myocardium of RHR were increased gradu- ally.Valsartan reduced BP and prevent myocardial hypertrophy(P

OBJECTIVETo prepare a lymph node-targeted ultrasound/fluorescence bi-functional imaging contrast agents, and observe its effectiveness both on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and vivo near infrared fluorescence (NIR) imaging through animal experiments.

METHODSThe chimeric lymph node-targeted ligand (phosphatidylserine) and near-infrared fluorescent substance were assembled to form bi-functional contrast microbubbles. The morphology and size distribution were detected by optical microscope and Malvern potential tests. Five normal New Zealand white rabbits were subcutaneously injected with the prepared contrast agent in bilateral footpads, and the imaging effectiveness of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessel were observed by CEUS and NIR technique. Then blue dye was subcutaneously injected at the same site, and the rabbits were sacrificed for lymph nodes pathological examination.

RESULTSLipid ultrasound microbubbles,with a mean size of 3-5 Μm in diameter, appeared to be uniform in distribution and regular in configuration. The images of inflow lymphatic vessel and relevant lymph node were quickly showed up after the subcutaneous injection by CEUS, which was identical to the result detected by NIR. Biopsy confirmed that all the blue-stained lymph nodes could be displayed by NIR.

CONCLUSIONSThe self-made bi-functional contrast agent has a good imaging ability in CEUS and NIR imaging. It may be a better agent as lymph node tracer.

Animals ; Contrast Media ; chemistry ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo explore the characters of lung injury induced by tin dusts and to provide the diagnosis evidence of tin pneumoconiosis.

METHODSForty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the group exposed to tin dusts from smelting workshop, the group exposed to tin dusts from tin refining workshop, the positive control group exposed to standard quartz dusts and the negative control group exposed to saline. The pathological changes of rat lungs were observed dynamically.

RESULTSIn rats exposed to tin dusts, on the 30th day after exposure to tin dusts, the scattered hoar tip size of the spots in surface and section of the lungs were observed, the scattered focal granulomatous inflammation around the small bronchi and dust particles in lung tissue were observed under microscope; on the 90th day after exposure to tin dusts, the granulomatous inflammation increase, the fibroblasts proliferation, collagen fibers formation and positive VG staining were found. There were significant differences, as compared with positive or negative controls (P < 0.05). These pathological changes were basically the characters of specific pathological changes in early tin pneumoconiosis.

CONCLUSIONNon-ferrous metal tin dusts can induce the specific lung injury (granuloma formation) in lung tissue of rats exposed to tin dusts, which fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of specific pathological changes in early tin pneumoconiosis.

Animals ; Dust ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tin ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiologic characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010.

METHODSThe epidemiologic characteristics of HFMD were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods based on the data from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention.

RESULTSA total of 27383 cases of HFMD were recorded in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010. The incidence of HFMD increased from 66.4439/100000 in 2008 to 163.9276/100000 in 2009 and 471.5515/100000 in 2010 (P<0.01). The mortality rate was 0.1026/100000 in 2010, which was significantly lower than in 2009 (0.2821/100000) (P<0.05). HFMD occurrence showed seasonality and reached a peak between April and June. HFMD cases were commonly noted in children under 5 years old, and especially in children under 3 years old. The main detected pathogen was human enterovirus 71 (EV17) in 2009. Whereas in 2010 the disease was mainly caused by CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of HFMD in Guiyang increased year by year from 2008 to 2010, but the mortality rate decreased year by year. HFMD occurrence showed an obvious seasonality. HFMD was common in children under the age of five. The main pathogens of this disease included EV17, CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; isolation & purification ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the association of lipoprotein lipase gene Hind Ⅲ and S447X polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome among Kazakh and Han ethnicities in Xinjiang.Methods PCR-RFLP was used to detect 802 subjects' lipoprotein lipase Hind Ⅲ and S447Xgenotypes (including 201 controls and 200 metabolic syndrome patients in Kazakh and Han ethnicities, respectively). Results (1) Frequencies of H + H-/H-H- genotype (32.50% vs.47.76%), H- allele( 18.00% vs. 28.86%), SX/XX genotype (8.00% vs. 22.39%) and X allele (4.00%vs. 12.44% ) for metabolic syndrome in Hah ethnicity were all significantly lower than those in controls (P＜ 0.01 ). (2) The frequencies of H + H-/H-H- genotype (33.50% vs. 46.80% ), H- allele (22.00% vs. 28.60%), SX/XX genotype (10.50% vs. 22.90%) and X allele (5.50% vs. 12.44% ) in patients with metabolic syndrome in Kazakh were all significantly lower than those for controls (P＜0.01). (3) The frequencies of lipoprotein lipase gene Hind Ⅲ and S447X genotypes and alleles in Kazakh were not significantly different from Han (all P＞0.05). (4)The levels of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride and FPG in H + H-/H-H- and SX/XX genotype were significantly lower than those in H + H + and SS genotype.HDL-C was significantly higher than that in H + H + and SS genotype (P＜0.05). (5) The frequencies of H + H + and SS genotype increased along with the increase in number of metabolic syndrome component. Conclusion The lipoprotein lipase gene Hind Ⅲ and S447X polymorphisms were associated with metabolic syndrome risk in Kazakh, and H + H-/H-H- genotype, H- allele, SX/XX genotype and X allele might have served as protective factors of metabolic syndrome. H + H-/H-H- and SX/XX genotype seemed to have had beneficial effects for all the metabolic syndrome components, and the frequencies of H + H + and SS genotype were increasing along with the increase of number in the metabolic syndrome components.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenfu injection in the treatment of leukopenia induced by chemotherapy docetaxel, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide adjuvant chemotherapy ( TEC chemotherapy) after surgery of breast cancer.Methods A total of 106 patients with breast cancer were randomly divided into control group ( n=53 ) and treatment group ( n =53 ) .Control group was re-ceived 75 mg? m-2 docetaxel, intravenous infusion on day 1 +50 mg? m-2 epirubicin, intravenous infusion on day 1 +500 mg? m-2 cy-clophosphamide, intravenous infusion on day 1, 3 weeks for a course. Treatment group was given 50 mL Shenfu injection added 500 mL of 5%glucose intravenous infusion and plus the treatment of control group, 1 to 10 days for a course.Patients of two groups were received 2 courses of treatment.The clinical efficacy, the incidence of leukopenia, white blood cell count to improve the rate and quality of life before and after treatment, and adverse drug reactions in two groups were compared.Results After treatment, total effective rate in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group (84.91%vs 69.81%, P<0.05).After treatment 7,10 d, leukopenia rates in treatment group were 9.43%and 11.32%, significantly lower than 37.74%and 30.19%in control group (P<0.05).After treatment, the white blood cell count in the two groups all decreased than those before treatment, and the degree of decline in treatment group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05).After treatment, the rate of improvement of quality of life in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group (88.68%vs 54.72%, P<0.05).The incidence of adverse drug reactions in treatment group was significantly lower than that in control group ( P<0.05).Conclusion Shenfu injection has a definitive clinical efficacy for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, which may improve immune function and the quality of life, worthy of further promotion in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Xinjiang Uygur adults.

METHODSWith cluster random sampling, investigations including questionnaire, physical examination and blood testing were performed among 3442 Uygur adults among in Kashgar of Xinjiang on November 2010. Prevalence of MS in groups with different characteristics were calculated and non-conditional logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors.

RESULTSThe prevalence of MS was 21.2% (728/3442), and the age-adjusted prevalence was 18.5%. The prevalence among males and females was 14.5% (245/1694) (age-adjusted prevalence 12.7%) and 27.6% (483/1748) (age-adjusted prevalence 24.4%) respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of MS among 18 to 24 years old and 65 years old and above were 4.3% (21/490) and 28.9% (109/377) respectively. The prevalence of MS increased with age (χ(2) = 204.13, P < 0.05). The prevalence of low blood HDL-C, central obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia was 57.5% (1978/3442), 44.5% (1531/3442), 27.5% (948/3442), 20.2% (696/3442) and 8.6% (297/3442) respectively. Compared to age group 18 - 24, the risk of MS occurrence was higher in age group 25 - 34, 35 - 44, 45 - 54, 55 - 64 and 65 years-old above, the according OR (95%CI) values were 2.29 (1.38 - 3.81), 6.91 (4.31 - 11.09), 10.81 (6.72 - 17.40), 12.52 (7.74 - 20.26) and 10.20 (6.20 - 16.78), respectively. Smoking also increased the risk of MS (OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.64 - 3.37).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS in Xinjiang Uygur was in high level; The prevalence of MS is higher in female than in male; The risk factors of MS included female, age and smoking.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; ethnology ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

AIM:To investigate the role of microRNA (miR)-199a-5p in myocardial fibrosis and the potential target of miR-199a-5p.METHODS:C57BL/6 mouse cardiac fibroblasts were isolated and cultured for cellular experimen-tal study.Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the interaction between miR-199a-5p and the 3'-untrans-lated region (3'-UTR) of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1).The expression of SIRT1 and fibrosis markers collagen (Col) 1a1, Col3a1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS:The expression levels of miR-199a-5p, Col1a1, Col3a1 andα-SMA were marked-ly increased in cardiac fibroblasts after treatment with angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ).The over-expression of miR-199a-5p signif-icantly increased the expression of Col1a1, Col3a1 andα-SMA in cardiac fibroblasts.Moreover, the results of dual-lucifer-ase reporter assay revealed that miR-199a-5p interacted with the 3'-UTR of SIRT1.miR-199a-5p inhibited SIRT1 expres-sion at post-transcriptional level.Meanwhile, miR-199a-5p mimic, in parallel to SIRT1 siRNA, inhibited SIRT1 expres-sion, increased the expression of Col1a1, Col3a1 and α-SMA in cardiac fibroblasts.Inactivation of NF-κB signaling con-tributed to the decrease in miR-199a-5p in Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts .CONCLUSION:SIRT1 is a target gene of miR-199a-5p, which mediates the pro-fibrotic effect of miR-199a-5p on cardiac fibroblasts .

[Objective]To investigate the role and the potential target of miR-92b-3p in angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang-Ⅱ)-induced mouse cardiac hypertrophy.[Methods]Ang-Ⅱ-induced cardiac hypertrophy models were established in adult C57BL/6 mice. AgomiR-92b-3p,the cholesterol-modified miR-92b-3p mimic,was delivered to increase the level of miR-92b-3p in mouse myocar?dium via tail vein injection. In the present study,three groups of mice were used in the animal experiment as follows,the agomiR-negative control(agomiR-NC)+saline group,the agomiR-NC+Ang-Ⅱgroup and the agomiR-92b-3p+Ang-Ⅱgroup. A cell model of cardiac hypertrophy was also established in Ang-Ⅱ-induced neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes in this study Luciferase activity was assayed after transfection using a luciferase reporter assay system. The expression of Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2D( MEF2D) and hypertrophy-related genes atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP),cardiac muscle α-actin (ACTA1) and β-myosin heavy chain (MHC)at mRNA and protein levels in Ang-Ⅱ-induced hypertrophic myocardium and cardiomyocytes were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.[Results]The expression of ANP,ACTA1,β-MHC were markedly increased in Ang-Ⅱ-induced hypertrophic myocardium and cardiomyocytes. Dual luciferase reporter assay revealed that MEF2D is a potential target gene of miR-92b-3p. And miR-92b-3p can reduce the expression of MEF2D at the post-transcriptional level. Functionally,miR-92b-3p mimic, consistent with MEF2D siRNA,inhibited cell size increase and protein expression of ANP,ACTA1 andβ-MHC in Ang-II-treated mouse cardiomyocytes.[Conclusions]MEF2D is a novel target of miR-92b-3p,a target gene of miR-92b-3,which mediates the ef?fect of miR-92b-3p on attenuating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Objective To analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Kazakh population, using the NCEP-ATP Ⅲ, CDS, IDF MS standards. Methods Questionnaire-based survey,physical examination and blood testing were conducted according to cluster random samplings in Kazakh residents in Xinjiang. 2745 samples were collected and diagnosed by NCEP-ATP Ⅲ, CDS,IDF standards to analyze the prevalence, with the distribution of its main components of MS, among the Kazakhs population. Results The prevalence rates of MS diagnosed by NCEP-ATP Ⅲ, CDS,IDF standards were 18.5%, 14.2% and 26.6%, while they became 14.2%, 10.9% and 20.1% after standardized by age. The prevalence of MS diagnosed by NCEP-ATP Ⅲ and IDF standard in males were higher than in females, while CDS was in the opposite situtation. The prevalence of MS by these three standards increased with age. Among all the main components of MS diagnosed after these three standardization process, the prevalence of obesity, blood pressure rising and the abnormity of HDL-C were rather high. The prevalence of MS main components ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, ≥4, 5 ranked the highest compared to the lowest as to the IDF, ATP Ⅲ ' and CDS diagnostic. standards Conclusion The prevalence rates and gender distribution of MS diagnosed by different standards among Kazakhs were different. The prevalence of IDF standard was the highest, with the IDF standard better than the others in early identifying the risk factors of cardiovascular disease.