Aim To observe the improvement effects of parecoxib on ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats and its influence on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups(n=8):sham operation group (group S), ventricular remodeling model group(group R), low dose of parecoxib group(group P1), middle dose of parecoxib group(group P2), and high dose of parecoxib group(group P3).A myocardial infarction model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch(LAD) of coronary artery in group R, group P1, group P2 and group P3.One day after the operation,the rats were given intraperitoneal injection of 4,8,12 mg·kg-1 parecoxibin Group P1, group P2 and group P3,respectively, for two weeks.The same volume saline was given in group S and group R.Four weeks later, LVSP, LVEDP,+dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmax were monitored.The hearts were harvested to calculate left ventricular hypertrophy index.The pathological change of heart was examined with an optical microscope.The expressions of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) mRNA and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.The expression of PI3K,Akt,P-Akt and caspase-3 was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group S, the cardiac function was decreased, the left ventricular hypertrophy index, the expression levels of ANP,BNP mRNA, caspase-3 were increased, and the expression levels of PI3K, P-Akt were reduced in group R(all P<0.05).Compared with group R, the cardiac function was ameliorated, the left ventricular hypertrophy index were reduced in group P2 and group P3(all P<0.05).The expression levels of ANP,BNP mRNA, Caspase-3 were decreased, and the expression levels of PI3K and P-Akt were increased in group P1,group P2 and group P3(all P<0.05).Conclusions Middle and high doses of parecoxib can mitigate the process of ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarctionand improve the myocardial function, and its underlying mechanism may be related to activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of gemcitabine combined with cisplatin in the treatment of bladder cancer.MethodsFrom October 2012 to August 2015, 92 patients with bladder cancer were enrolled in our hospital.Patients were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method.On the basis of routine nutrition support and symptomatic treatment, cisplatin was administered by intravenous infusion of cisplatin 70mg/m2 in the first 3d in control group.On the 1d and 8d, gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 was intravenously infused in observation group and 21 days treatment was taken continuous for 2 courses.Curative effect, IL-17, IL-18, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and urinary TGF-β1 levels and adverse reactions of two groups were comparatively studied.ResultsThe total effective rate in the control group (63.05%) was significantly lower than that in the observation group (76.09%) (P<0.05).After treatment, the levels of serum IL-17, IL-18, TGF-β1 and VEGF in the two groups were significantly decreased and with significant difference between two groups (P<0.05).The levels of urinary TGF-β1 were significantly increased and with significant difference between two groups (P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the control and observation groups was 15.22% and 6.52%, respectively.There was no significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionGemcitabine combined with cisplatin has a significant clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of bladder cancer.

AIM: To investigate the effects of propofol on the expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in the hippocampus and the cognitive function in neonatal rats.METHODS: The 7-day-old rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the rats in control (CON) group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline for 7 d;the rats in single dose of propofol anesthesia (SP) group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline for 6 d and with propofol on the 7th day;the rats in repeated dose of propofol anesthesia (RP) group were intraperitoneally injected with propofol for 7 d.Blood glucose and blood gas analysis were tested in 6 rats of each group.The rats were randomly selected from each group to isolate the hippocampal tissues at 2 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 30 d after the last injection.The spatial learning and memory functions of the other rats aged 25 d were determined by Morris water maze.The morphological changes of the hippocampus were observed by HE staining and Nissl's staining.The expression of tPA and MMP9 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with group CON, the protein expression of tPA and MMP9 in RP group was significantly decreased at each time point, while no significant decrease was observed in SP group except at the time point of 24 h.Compared with CON group, the mRNA expression of tPA and MMP9 was down-regulated obviously in RP group, which was not significantly down-regulated in SP group.From the 3rd training day of Morris water maze beginning, the escape latency was prolonged, and the space exploration time and the number of crossing the original platform location were reduced in RP group compared with CON group and SP group, while no significant difference was observed between CON group and SP group.Compared with CON group, the number of nerve cells reduced and nerve cells arranged in disorder in the hippocampus in RP group.Moreover, the number of Nissl body decreased significantly and finally developed into neuronal degeneration and necrosis in RP group, and no significant difference between SP group and CON group was observed.CONCLUSION: Repeated dose of propofol anesthesia leads to long-term cognitive dysfunction in neonatal rats, which may be related to the down-regulation of tPA and MMP9 expression and destruction of normal morphology and function of neurons in hippocampus, whereas single dose of propofol anesthesia has no such effects.

Aim To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 down-regulation in the learning and memory dysfunction induced by propofol treatment in rats.Methods 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into three groups(n=18):control group(NS group) and repeated doses of propofol group(RP group) was intraperitoneally injected with normal saline and propofol respectively for consecutive seven days, single dose of propofol group(SP group) were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline first for consecutive six days, and then injected with propofol on 7th day.The blood gas and glucose levels were monitored of six rats randomly selected from each group.Morris water maze was conducted to test the learning and memory functions of the remaining rats.The expression of MMP-9, BDNF and caspase-3 was detected by Western blot, and the hippocampal neuron apoptosis was determinated by TUNEL staining.Results Compared with NS group and SP group, the escape latency in RP group was prolonged significantly, exploration time and the number of crossing the platform in RP group were markedly decreased(P<0.05).The expressions of MMP-9 and mBDNF in RP group declined, but the expression of proBDNF and the ratio of proBDNF/mBDNF in RP group were higher than those in NS group and SP group(P<0.05).Compared with NS group and SP group, the number of apoptotic neurons and the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 in RP group were increased significantly, but the expression of pro-Caspase3 in RP group was reduced(P<0.05).There was no difference between SP group and NS group regarding all the results(P>0.05).Conclusions Repeated exposure to propofol can lead to a decline in long-term learning and memory functions in neonatal rats, which may be related to the down-regulation of MMP-9 expression, proBDNF and mBDNF conversion disorder in hippocampus and the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.However, single exposure to propofol has no significant effect.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of partial cystectomy in treatment of localized muscle invasive bladder cancer.Methods From 1999 to 2005,data from 71 patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer(MIBC) were reviewed.There were 47 patients underwent partial cystectomy (PC) and 24 underwent total cystectomy (TC).The overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with MIBC with PC or TC were compared.All patients had pathologic T2-T3.Matched Kaplan-Meier survival analyses compared the effect of PC vs.TC on overall survival and disease-free survival.Univariate (log rank) and multivariate (Cox' proportional hazard model) analyses were used to test the statistical significance of several potential prognostic factors for survival rate.Results In the entire cohort,the overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate estimated at 5 years were 57％ and 50％ for PC patients,53％ and 46％ for TC patients,respectively (P＞0.05).On univariate analysis,T stage (include vessel tumor embolus) and whether the tumor was pedunculated were the significant predictors of tumor recurrence.Age,gender,tumor quantity,tumor size and histology category were not associated with prognosis.Cox proportional hazard regression model confirmed that the independent prognosis factors of tumor was T stage (EXP(B)=1.64,P＜0.05).Conclusions PC might not undermine cancer control in appropriately selected patients with MIBC.

Objective:To investigate the value of radiomics based on unenhanced CT texture analysis in predicting the WHO/International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).Methods:Postoperative pathology-confirmed ccRCC subjects ( n=90) who received CT scanning and had a definite pathological grading in Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences were collected retrospectively from December 2016 to May 2019. The cases were randomly divided into training group ( n=63) and test group ( n=27) as a ratio of 7∶3. All cases were classified into low grade (grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ, n=57) and high grade (grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ, n=37) according to the new pathological grading (WHO/ISUP grading, version 2016) of renal carcinoma. 3D-ROI segmentation was performed on unenhanced CT images and 93 texture features were extracted. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to reduct dimension of texture parameters and then the radiomics score (Rad-score) was established. The logistic regression was used to develop the prediction model with the pathological grading as the gold standard. The ROC curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the model, and the area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate calibration degree of the model. Results:The 10 non-zero coefficient texture features were screened out through dimension reduction steps. The Rad-score was formed according to the linear combination of these ten features and corresponding coefficients, and then the prediction model was developed. The AUC of the model in training group was 0.933 (95%CI 0.862-1.000), the sensitivity was 92.3%, the specificity was 89.2%, and the model accuracy was 90.5%. The calibration curve showed the good calibration ( P=0.257). The AUC value in test group was 0.875 (95%CI 0.734-1.000), the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 72.7%, 87.5% and 81.5%. The calibration curve showed the good calibration ( P=0.125). Conclusion:The radiomics prediction model based on unenhanced CT texture analysis have application potential for the evaluation of WHO/ISUP grading of ccRCC.

The use of actigraphy, which can be used to estimate sleep-wake patterns from activity levels, has become common in sleep research. Actigraphy is a simple, cost-effective and non-invasive method for healthcare providers and researchers to assess patients sleep quality and screen for potential sleep disorders in recent years. But, there is no wide recognition and application of actigraphy in China up till now. This review summarized the application of actigraphy in evaluation of sleep and diagnosis of sleep disorders.
Actigraphy ; China ; Humans ; Sleep ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; diagnosis

Objective To investigate the application of carotid artery resection and reconstruction in surgical management of thyroid carcinoma with carotid artery involvement.Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 10 patients whose common carotid arteries were invaded by thyroid carcinoma.All patients underwent tumor en bloc resection and carotid arteries reconstruction.Patients were evaluated by muhidisciplinary team and surgeries were cooperated by general surgeons,orthopedists and vascular surgeons.The perioperative complications and surgical outcomes were also recorded and analyzed.Results No patient had complications of central nervous system.One patient suffered Horner syndrome and one presented hoarseness postoperative.Two patients had wound infection,two patients presented carcinoma recurrence and two patients presented distant metastasis during the follow-up.Conclusion En bloc resection of tumor and carotid artery reconstruction is a feasible modality in treatment of thyroid carcinoma with carotid artery invasion.

Objective To study the effect of 1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25-(OH)2D3] on cytoskeleton,gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in osteoblasts (OB) in vitro. Method OB were isolated from calvaria bone. After 20 min and after 24 h treated by 1,25-(OH)2 VD3 (0,10-9,10-8,10-7 mol/L),[Ca2+]i was evaluated. F-actin and GJIC were observed after 24 and 48 h incubation later. Results Compared with the control group,[Ca2+]i in all 1,25-(OH)2 D3 groups was increased significantly at 20 min. [Ca2+]i in 10-9 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 group was the lowest at 24 h after treatment. OB in 10-8 and 10-7 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 groups were flat,and stress fibers were formed. The expression of F-actin in control group and 10-9 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 group was reduced at 48 h after treatment. Compared with the control group,GJIC was weakened very significantly after treated with 10-9 mol/L 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 48 h,but enhanced very significantly in the group with 10-8 and 10-7 mol/L. Conclusion Higher dosage of 1,25-(OH)2D3 can maintain the morphology of OB and stimulate the communication among OB,but lower dosage can inhibit it.

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known hepatotoxic environmental pollutant. We used rat hepatocytes as a model to study oxidative damage induced by Cd, effects on the antioxidant systems, and the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in protecting cells against Cd toxicity. Hepatocytes were incubated for 12 and 24 h with Cd (2.5, 5, 10 microM). Results showed that Cd can induce cytotoxicity: 10 microM resulted in 36.2% mortality after 12 h and 47.8% after 24 h. Lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities increased. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation increased in Cd-treated hepatocytes along with malondialdehyde levels. Glutathione concentrations significantly decreased after treatment with Cd for 12 h but increased after 24 h of Cd exposure. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase activity significantly increased after treatment with Cd for 12 h but decreased after 24 h. superoxide dismutase and catalase activities increased at 12 h and 24 h. glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities decreased, but not significantly. Rat hepatocytes incubated with NAC and Cd simultaneously had significantly increased viability and decreased Cd-induced ROS generation. Our results suggested that Cd induces ROS generation that leads to oxidative stress. Moreover, NAC protects rat hepatocytes from cytotoxicity associated with Cd.
Acetylcysteine/*metabolism ; Animals ; Antioxidants/*metabolism ; Cadmium/*toxicity ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity ; Hepatocytes/drug effects/metabolism ; *Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species/*metabolism