Background:Calcium regulatory proteins-L-type Cachannels (LTCCs), ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), and Na/Caexchanger isoform 1 (NCX1) have been recognized as important protective mechanisms during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/RI). Both sevoflurane postconditioning (SevoPoC) and delayed remote ischemic preconditioning (DRIPC) have been shown to protect the heart against I/RI. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of SevoPoC and DRIPC on the expression of the three calcium regulatory proteins in an isolated rat heart model.

Methods:After 30-min balanced perfusion, isolated hearts from rats were subjected to 30-min ischemia followed by 60-min reperfusion. Totally 40 isolated hearts were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10/group): time control group, I/RI group, SevoPoC group, and DRIPC group. The effect of SevoPoC (3% v/v) and DRIPC were observed. Myocardial infarct size (IS), cardiac troponin I level, and heart function were measured. The protein and messenger RNA levels of LTCCs, RyR2, and NCX1 were determined.

Results:Both SevoPoC and DRIPC improved the recovery of myocardial function, and reduced cardiac troponin I release after I/RI. The decrease in IS was more significant in the SevoPoC group than that in the DRIPC group (16.50% ± 4.54% in the SevoPoC group [P = 0.0006], and 22.34% ± 4.02% in the DRIPC group [P = 0.0007] vs. 35.00% ± 5.24% in the I/RI group, respectively). SevoPoC, but not DRIPC significantly inhibited the activity of NCX1 (0.59 ± 0.09 in the I/RI group vs. 0.32 ± 0.16 in the SevoPoC group, P = 0.006; vs. 0.57 ± 0.14 in the DRIPC group, P = 0.072). No statistical significant differences were observed in the expression of LTCCs and RyR2 between SevoPoC and DRIPC. In addition, subsequent correlation analysis showed a significantly positive relationship between the cardiac troponin I level and the protein expression of NCX1 (r = 0.505, P = 0.023).

Conclusion:SevoPoC may be more effective in the cardioprotection than DRIPC partly due to the deactivation of NCX1.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality of life of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and their families, and to assess the changes in quality of life after treatment.

METHODSThe Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL), Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) questionnaires were used to evaluate quality of life in 109 children with AD and 55 normal children. The Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) was used to evaluate disease severity. The children were given external application of glucocorticoids according to the SCORAD index, and the clinical outcome and changes in quality of life were observed after 3 months of treatment.

RESULTSThe three items in both IDQOL and CDLQI questionnaires with higher scores were itching/scratching, mood problems, and sleeping disturbance in the AD patients. Sleeping disturbance, fatigue and mood problems were the three items in the DFI questionnaire with higher scores. There was a positive correlation between IDQOL/CDLQI score and SCORAD index (r=0.358, 0.386 respectively; P<0.05). In the younger group (1-4 years), there was a positive correlation between DFI score and SCORAD index (r=0.297; P<0.05). After treatment the severity of AD and quality of life in the children and their families (P<0.05) were significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONSAD has an adverse effect on quality of life in children with AD and their families. Topical glucocorticoids may control the symptoms of AD and improve the quality of life in children and their families.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Severity of Illness Index ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors and therapeutic outcome of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) in patients with acute leukemia after haploidentical peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 19 cases of acute leukemia underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplanttion during January 2010 and December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The effects of patients sex, donor-recipient sex difference, donor age, conditioning regimen, dosage of anti-thymocyte globulin(ATG), mononuclear cell and CD34cell counts on the intestinal aGVHD were analyzed by Logistic regression.

RESULTSIntestinal aGVHD occurred in 5 cases with 1 case at stage II 3 cases at stage III and 1 case at stage IV on the 7th, 22th, 27th, 70th and 154th day after transplantation, respectively. Single factor analysis showed that the patient's sex, donor-recipient sex difference, donor age, dosage of ATG, mononuclear cell and CD34cell counts were not related with the occurrence of the intestinal aGVHD, and the conditoning regimen was the risk factor for the intestinal aGVHD. 2 cases among 5 cases with intestinal aGVHD were treated with methylprednisolone at dosage of 1 mg/kg per day, 1 case was treated with methylprednisolone therapy combined with tacrolimus. 2 cases of methylprednisolone-resistance were treated with CD25 monoclonal antibody. Intestinal aGVHD of all patients was improved after the above-mentioned treatment.

CONCLUSIONConditioning regimen of haploidentical peipheral hematopoieitc stem cell transplantaion has effects on the intestinal aGVHD, which needs to be confirmed by further research.

To investigate the effect of clinical dose of Realgar-Indigo Naturais formula (RIF) and large-dose of Realgar on main drug-metabolizing enzymes CYP450s of rat liver, as well as its regulatory effect on mRNA expression. Wistar rats were administrated orally with tested drugs for 14 days. A Cocktail method combined with HPLC-MS/MS was used in the determination of 4 cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B, CYP3A and CYP2C) in liver of the rats, and the mRNA expression levels of the above subtypes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that RIF can significantly induce CYP1A2 and CYP2B enzyme activity, and inhibit CYP3A enzyme activity. This result was consistent with the mRNA expression. However, its single compound showed weaker or even contrary phenomenon. Different doses of Realgar also showed significant inconsistencies on CYP450 enzymes activity and mRNA expression. These phenomena may be relevant with RIF compatibility synergies or toxicity reduction. The results can also prompt drug interactions when RIF is combined with other medicines in application.

OBJECTIVETo detect the mutations of AML/MDS- related genes by using next generation sequencing (NGS), to analyze the mutation levels of each genes in the AML/MDS and the sensitivity of NGS, and to evaluate the feasibility of gene mutations for monitoring the MRD and predicating the progression of diseases.

METHODSThe specimens were collected from primary AML (68 cases) and MDS (57 cases) patients from August 2015 to June 2016 in the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology. The mutations of 22 related genes were detected by using AML/MDS-NGS chips.

RESULTSTET2 gene showed the highest mutation rate in AML (55.9%) and MDS (56.1%). The gene mutations were as follows: CEBPA (11.8%), DNMT3A (7.4%), C-KIT (7.4%) and FLT3-ITD (7.4%) in AML, and U2AF1 (10.5%) and SRSF2 (10.5%) in MDS. All the genes had specific mutation sites except TP53 and CEBPA. The mutations of FLT3, C-KIT and CEBPA became negative in the 5 AML patients in remission when compared with those at primary attack, but the mutation rate of TET2 gene was not obviously changed, whereas the mutation rate of the 5 MDS patients was not significantly changed. The new gene mutations appeared in 3 MDS patients with disease progression, but the mutation rate was not changed significantly in the disease progression. The gene mutation rate still has not been changed significantly even after remission.

CONCLUSIONBoth AML and MDS have their own specific mutated genes and sites. Some gene mutations, such as CEBPA, can be used as an effective indicator to monitoring MRD in AML patients, but those only used for the evaluation of the disease progression and prognosis in MDS patients.

OBJECTIVETo establish a SD rat model of vulvar lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) and investigate the expression of protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in the genital skin.

METHODSSeventy female SD rats were randomly divided into group A (blank control group, n=10), group B (with application of acetone solution 3 times per week for 10 weeks, n=10), group C (with chronic mechanical irritation 3 times per week for 10 weeks, n=10), and group D (with topical treatment with 0.5= 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene [DMBA] in acetone solution and chronic mechanical irritation 3 times per week for 10 weeks, n=40). The changes of the genital skin changes were observed regularly and the expression of PAR2 in groups A and D was detected with immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qRT-PCR.

RESULTSIn group D, LSC occurred in 23 rats (57.5=) at 8 weeks and in 38 rats (95=) at 10 weeks; 8 rats (20=) showed papilloma at 12 weeks. Acetone treatment or chronic mechanical irritation did not cause LSC in the rats. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qRT-PCR showed significantly increased expressions of PAR2 in group D at both the protein and mRNA levels as compared with those in group A (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION0.5= DMBA in acetone solution along with chronic mechanical irritation can induce LSC in female SD rats, and PAR2 is closely related with the occurrence and progression of LSC.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of low?intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in promoting repair of cyclophosphamide (CTX)?induced ovarian injury in female rats.

METHODSFifty female SD rats were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide at 30 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days to induce premature ovarian failure. Successful modeling was achieved in 43 rats, which were then randomized into model group (21 rats) and treatment group (22 rats), with another 13 rats without any injections serving as the normal control group. The rats in the treatment group received low?intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment, and those in the other two groups received no interventions. The estrous cycle of the rats was monitored during the experiment, and all the rats were sacrificed 7 days after the treatment for analysis of serum estradiol (E), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti?Mullerian hormone (AMH), morphological changes of the ovary and the number of follicles.

RESULTSCompared with those in the normal control group, the rats in the model group showed disorders in the estrous cycle, reduced number of follicles at all levels, significantly decreased serum Eand AMH, and increased serum FSH following CTX injection (P=0.01). Ultrasound treatment obviously promoted the recovery of estrous cycle, significantly increased the number of follicles and serum E(P=0.01), and decreased FSH (P=0.01) in the rats with CTX?induced ovarian injury, but AMH showed no significant changes after ultrasound treatment (P=0.50).

CONCLUSIONLow?intensity pulsed ultrasound can promote the repair of the CTX?induced ovarian injury in SD rats.

BACKGROUNDAt present, a diagnostic tool with high specificity for impaired endometrial receptivity, which may lead to implantation failure, remains to be developed. We aimed to assess the different endometrial microRNA (miRNA) signatures for impaired endometrial receptivity by microarray analysis.

METHODSA total of 12 repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients and 10 infertile patients, who conceived and delivered after one embryo transfer attempt, were recruited as RIF and control groups, respectively. Endometrial specimens from the window of implantation (WOI) were collected from these two groups. MiRNA microarray was conducted on seven and five samples from the RIF and control groups, respectively. Comparative, functional, and network analyses were performed for the microarray results. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on other samples to validate the expression of specific miRNAs.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, the expression levels of 105 miRNAs in the RIF group were found to be significantly up- or down-regulated (at least 2-fold) by microarray analysis. The most relevant miRNA functional sets of these dysregulated miRNAs were miR-30 family, human embryonic stem cell regulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and miRNA tumor suppressors by tool for annotations of microRNA analysis. Network regulatory analysis found 176 miRNA-mRNA interactions, and the top 3 core miRNAs were has-miR-4668-5p, has-miR-429, and has-miR-5088. Expression levels of the 18 selected miRNAs in new samples by real-time PCR were found to be regulated with the same trend, as the result of microarray analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a significant different expression of certain miRNAs in the WOI endometrium for RIF patients. These miRNAs may contribute to impaired endometrial receptivity.

Adult ; Embryo Implantation ; genetics ; physiology ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Microarray Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

The quality uniformity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation is the base for guaranteeing the safety and effectiveness of clinical medication. At present, the quality of TCM preparation is uneven. At present, the same TCM preparation in different manufacturers, TCM preparations in the same manufacturer, and even different batches of a same TCM preparation in the same manufacturer have great differences in quality, which can not reach stability and uniformity. This paper would discuss the possible factors that influence the uniformity of quality in the whole process of pharmacy by means of consulting relevant literature on quality control of Chinese herbal preparations and analyzing the present situation and problems of the quality of TCM preparation. In addition, some strategies such as standardization of cultivation of TCM, processing standardization, standardization of pharmaceutical equipment, mixed batch feeding, and Quality by Design would be also put forward to provide references for the quality uniformity of TCM preparation.