Myocardial fibrosis is a predominant pathological change of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) in late stage.It often occurs several or more than ten years after radiotherapy and can lead to myocardial remodeling, impaired cardiac function, and heart failure.At present there is no effective method to prevent or reverse the development of radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis.Many cells, cytokines, and other factors are involved in the development and progression of myocardial fibrosis in RIHD and some of them have been validated.But most investigators focused on the pathological changes and related mechanisms in early stage, and myocardial fibrosis was just regarded as an endpoint event.The definitive mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis in late stage remain unclear.This paper reveiws the studies about general mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis in RIHD and summarizes the roles of microcirculation dysfunction, mast cells, several cytokines, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and renin-angiotensin system, and points out the future research direction of the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis in RIHD.It provides new ideas for discovering the potential targets for clinical intervention of myocardial fibrosis in RIHD.

OBJECTIVETo observe changes of gonad functions of Gan-qi stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan-qi stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) model rats, and the effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD) on them.

METHODSRats were randomly divided into 7 groups according to romdom digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the GS model group, the GS medication group, the PD model group, the PD medication group, the GSPD model group,and the GSPD medication group, 10 in each group. Rats in the GS model group, the PD model group, and the GSPD model group were treated with chronic restraint, improper diet +excessive fatigue, chronic restraint +improper diet +excessive fatigue. The model was established for 4 successive weeks. Starting from the 15th day of modeling, CSD at the daily dose of 3.57 g/kg was given by gastrogavage to them for 14 successive days. Equal volume of distilled water was given by gastrogavage to rats in each model group and the normal control group for 14 successive days. The blood contents of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were detected in rats of each group.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, there was statistical difference in GnRH, T, E,, and FSH in the GS, PD, and GSPD model groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The content of LH was elevated in the GS model group (P < 0.05) and declined in the GSPD model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the GS model group, the contents of FSH, LH, and T decreased and E2 increased in the PD model group (all P < 0.05); the contents of FSH and LH also declined in the GSPD model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the PD model group, the T content increased and FSH decreased in the GSPD model group (all P < 0.05). Compared with each corresponding model group, the FSH content decreased (P < 0.01) and LH increased in the GS medication group; the T content increased, E2 and LH decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the PD medication group; the T content decreased (P < 0.01), GnRH, E2, FSH, and LH increased (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01) in the GSPD medication group.

CONCLUSIONSThere exist different degrees of abnormal function of the gonad axis in the GS, PD, and GSPD models. CSD had certain regulatory effect on the 3 syndromes. Of them, it showed a more comprehensive role in improving the gonad function axis. Results of this experiment had provided the experimental evidence for higher correlation between CSD and GSPD syndrome.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Gonads ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo compare postoperative blood loss under different negative pressures of drainage after total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

METHODSFrom January 1st to December 30th 2013, 74 patients with femoral neck fractures treated with total hip arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups: high negative pressure drainage group and low negative pressure drainage group. In high negative pressure drainage group, there were 34 cases including 10 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (75.94 ± 9.02) years old, and the patients were treated with 60 kPa negative pressure of drainage. In the low negative pressure drainage group, there were 40 cases including 13 males and 27 females, with an average age of (74.93 ± 8.90) years old, and the patients were treated with 30 kPa negative pressure of drainage. The amount of total drainage, total blood loss, and hemoglobin change were compared between these two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients got primary healing without infections. In high negative pressure drainage group,the change of hemoglobin was (41.74 ± 15.69) g/L, total blood loss was (1,217.73 ± 459.50) ml and the drainage volume was (312.94 ± 103.44) ml; while in low negative pressure drainage group,the results were (34.90 ± 12.90) g/L, (904.01 ± 381.58) ml and (129.25 ± 44.25) ml separately. All the results in high negative pressure drainage group were higher than those in the other group. Three days after operation, the change of hemoglobin was (46.00 ± 13.29) g/L and total blood loss was (1,304.72 ± 421.75) ml; while in low negative pressure drainage group, the changes of hemoglobin was (43.87 ± 11.39) g/L and total blood loss was (1,196.78 ± 344.20) ml; there were no statistically significant differences between two groups.

CONCLUSIONWhen placing drainage devices after total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures, the level of negative pressure should be chosen according to preoperative level of hemoglobin and HCT in patients. For old patients with femoral neck fracture, low negative pressure is more suitable.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the role of long noncoding RNA-AJ227913 in the pathogenesis of primary gout arthritis (GA). Methods The subjects were divided into three groups:30 acute gout patients (AGA), 30 non-acute gout patients (NAGA), 30 healthy controlsand 30 hyperuricemia patients (HUA). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to examine the expression of AJ227913 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) from four groups. 100 μg/ml monosodium urate (MSU) was used to stimulate the peripheral blood of NAGA and healthy controls patients. Then the expression ofAJ227913 was detected by RT-qPCR. Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlations were used for statistical analysis. Results The expression level of AJ227913 in the AGA group (0.0557 ±0.0156) was higher than that in the NAGA group (0.0223±0.018) and healthy controls group (0.0038±0.0013). There was significant difference between the NAGA group and healthy controls group (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of AJ227913 in NAGA group which were stimulated by MSU was significantly increased. The Spearman correlation analysis found that the AJ227913 expression levels in GA groups were correlated with UREA (r=0.608, P<0.01), CREA (r=0.337, P<0.05), CYSC (r=0.422, P<0.01). Conclusion Altered expression of AJ227913 may be involved in the inflammatory process of GA and the balance of uricacid.

Objective To investigate the expression profile variation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ankylosing sporidylitis (AS) and explore the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of AS.Methods The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AS patients and health controls (HC) were used to detect for differently expressed lncRNAs by microarray.The roles of lncRNAs were predicted with GO and pathway analysis.The results were verified by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results A total of 148 lncRNAs and 134 mRNAs were detected,which had more than 2-fold differentially expressed in AS patients.Bioinformatics analysis found that GO term enrichment included protein binding,regulation of transcription,metabolism,signal transduction,et al.and might involve in toll-like receptor pathway,protein kinase,complement pathway,notch signaling pathway and so on.The expressions of three lncRNAs were estimated by real time-PCR which found that consistent with that of microarrays.Among these,D90064 was the most aberrantly expressed lncRNAs.Conclusions Several lncRNAs expression was changed significantly in AS patients in comparison with HC,which implies that those different lncRNAs may have an important role in the development and progression of AS.

The objective of study was to investigate the combined effect of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (imatinib) and p15 gene on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562. p15 gene was amplified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by RT-PCR, and confirmed by DNA sequencing, then the recombinant p15-pcDNA3.1 vector was constructed and transfected into K562 cell line by Lipofectine. After screening with G418, p15-pcDNA3.1-K562 cell clone stably expressing P15 was isolated. P15 protein was identified by Western blot. The cell survival rate was determined by MTT, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that partial deletion of p15 gene in K562 cells was verified by DNA sequencing, leading to the function of P15 protein to be lost. The expression of P15 protein can be detected by Western blot in p15-pcDNa3.1-K562 cells. A strong inhibition of cell proliferation was observed in p15-pcDNA3.1-K562 cells as compared with that of the control K562 cell. The cells of G(0)/G(1) phase in p15-pcDNA3.1-K562 cells increased apparently, and S phase cells declined signifcantly. Cell cycle was arrested in G(0)/G(1) phase. The percentage of apoptotic cells greatly increased after transfection with p15-pcDNA3.1-K562 cells combined with imatinib, and cell survival rate notably declined. It is concluded that the imatinib in combination with the expression of p15 gene has a synergistic effect on the inhibition of K562 cell proliferation and promotion of its apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Base Sequence ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE: To construct hypoxia/radiation inducible promotor HRE1.Egr-1, and to observe its promotive effect on the expression of yCDglyTK gene in nasopharyngeal cancer HNE-1 cells and the anti-tumor effect of yCDglyTK and to lay an experimental foundation for further exploration of new gene-radio therapy of nasopharyngeal cancer. METHODS: pcDNA3.1(-)HRE1.Egr-1.yCDglyTK was constructed by gene recombination technique. Stable yCDglyTK-expressing HNE-1 cells were generated by transfecting the recombinant plasmid into the target cells with liposome. The expression of yCDglyTK was detected by Western blot in 4 groups: a normoxia group, a radiation group, a hypoxia group, and a hypoxia and radiation group. The killing effect of 5-FC in different circumstances was determined by MTT. RESULTS: The expression of yCDglyTK/5-FC gene in all the groups was significantly different(P<0.01),especially in the hypoxia and radiation group. The killing effect of 5-FC on HNE1 cells varied under different conditions, especially in the hypoxia and radiation group. CONCLUSION Hypoxia and radiation can induce the activity of fusion promoter HRE1.Egr-1, and obviously promote the anti-tumor effect of yCDglyTK/5-FC system, suggesting that yCDglyTK may be a candidate suicide gene for gene-radio therapy of NPC.
Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; genetics ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; Gene Fusion ; physiology ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Response Elements ; genetics ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUNDTo study the predictive factors associated with clinical deterioration in SARS patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 60 SARS patients were analyzed by logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTSIn logistic regression models, both older age (P=0.009) and severe lymphopenia (P=0.004) were significant predictors of clinical deterioration. In Cox's proportional hazard models, severe lymphopenia was significant predictor associated with prolongation of stay in hospital.

CONCLUSIONOlder age and severe lymphopenia seem to be statistically significant for predicting the clinical deterioration in SARS patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymphopenia ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Random Allocation ; SARS Virus ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology

The essence of endogenous turbidity in Chinese medicine (CM) is different from cream, fat, phlegm, retention, damp, toxicity, and stasis. Along with the development of modern scientific technologies and biology, researches on the essence of endogenous turbidity should keep pace with the time. Its material bases should be defined and new connotation endowed at the microscopic level. The essence of turbidity lies in abnormal functions of zang-fu organs. Sugar, fat, protein, and other nutrient substances cannot be properly decomposed, but into semi-finished products or intermediate metabolites. They are inactive and cannot participate in normal material syntheses and decomposition. They cannot be transformed to energy metabolism, but also cannot be synthesized as executive functioning of active proteins. If they cannot be degraded by autophagy-lysosome or ubiquitin-prosome into glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and other basic nutrients to be used again, they will accumulate inside the human body and become endogenous turbidity. Therefore, endogenous turbidity is different from final metabolites such as urea, carbon dioxide, etc., which can transform vital qi. How to improve the function of zang-fu organs, enhance its degradation by autophagy-lysosome or ubiquitin-prosome is of great significance in normal operating of zang-fu organs and preventing the emergence and progress of related diseases.
Autophagy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex

OBJECTIVETo compare changes of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in different rat models of Gan stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) syndromes, and to observe interventional effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating Pi) on them.

METHODSSeventy Wistar rats were divided into the normal control group (group 1), the GS group (group 2), the PD group (group 3), the GSPD group (group 4), the GS intervention group (group 5), the PD intervention group (group 6), and the GSPD intervention group (group 7) according to random digit table, 10 in each group. Rats in group 1 received no treatment. Rats in group 2 and 5 were modeled by chronic restraint method. Rats in group 3 and 6 were modeled by excess fatigue plus alimentary abstinence method. Rats in group 4 and 7 were modeled by chronic restraint, excess fatigue, and alimentary abstinence method. At the 2nd weekend of modeling, CSD at 2.86 g/kg was fed to rats in group 5, 6, and 7 by gastrogavage for 2 successive weeks. Equal volume of distilled water was given to rats in the rest 4 groups. On the 29th day, rats were killed, adrenal weight weighed, and adrenal index calculated. Levels of plasma and hypothalamus corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), plasma and pituitary adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) were determined using radioimmunity.

RESULTSCompared with group 1, adrenal index significantly decreased in group 2, 3, and 4 (P < 0.05). Of them, plasma and hypothalamus CRH, plasma CORT increased significantly in group 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma and pituitary ACTH increased in group 4 (P < 0.05). Plasma and pituitary ACTH, as well as plasma CORT decreased significantly in group 3 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, 3, and 4, adrenal index increased significantly in group 5, 6, and 7 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, plasma CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased significantly in group 5 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 3, plasma ACTH and CORT increased significantly in group 6 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 4, plasma CRH, ACTH, CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased in group 7 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe function of HPA .axis was damaged to varying degrees in rats of the three models in this experiment. Hyperactivity of HPA axis existed in GS syndrome and GSPD syndrome. Impairment of feedback regulation in hypothalamus and pituitary was accompanied in GSPD syndrome. Hypofunction of HPA axis existed in PDS. CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating'Pi, showed improvement on disarranged HPAA, but with optimal effect on GSPD syndrome. CSD had higher correlation with GSPD syndrome.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Corticosterone ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Animal ; Pituitary Gland ; metabolism ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar