Objective:To investigate the predictive value of color Doppler ultrasound combined with electrocardio-gram for right heart dys function in patients with pulmonary heart disease(PHD).Methods:A total of 100 PHD patients admitted in Dongcheng Branch of First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to results of 6min walking test(6MWT),pa-tients were divided into good right heart function group(n=64,≥350m)and right heart dysfunction group(n=36,＜350m).The indexes of cardiac color ultrasound[isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT),isovolumetric contraction time(IVCT)and right ventricular Tei index],ECG[24h mean R-R interval standard deviation(SDNN),normal R-R interval standard deviation per 5min(SDANN)and the ratio of low frequency components to high frequency components(LF/HF)]were compared between two groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasound,ECG and their combination for right heart dys-function in PHD patients.Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the association of color Doppler ul-trasound,ECG and their combination with right heart dysfunction in PHD patients.Results:Compared with those in good right heart function group,patients in right heart dysfunction group had significant higher IVRT[(120.64±14.08)ms vs.(97.87±10.93)ms],IVCT[(84.28±12.33)ms vs.(71.92±10.61)ms]and Tei index[(0.85±0.11)vs.(0.63±0.07)](P＜0.001 all),and significant lower SDNN[(75.52±12.58)ms vs.(85.58±11.75)ms],SDANN[(63.86±10.92)ms vs.(76.75±11.71)ms]and LF/HF[(1.33±0.19)vs.(1.84±0.27)](P＜0.001 all).ROC curve indicated that the AUC of color Doppler ultrasound combined ECG in diagnosing right heart dysfunction in PHD patients was 0.911(95％CI 0.838～0.959),which was significantly higher than those of color Doppler ultrasound[0.775(95％CI 0.681～0.853),Z=2.404,P=0.016]and ECG[0.688(95％CI 0.588～0.777),Z=3.968,P=0.001]alone.Spearman correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive correlation of color Doppler ultrasound(r=0.547),ECG(r=0.375)and their combination(r=0.810)with right heart dysfunction in PHD patients(P＜0.001 all),and the correlation between combined detection and right heart dysfunction in PHD patients was significantly higher.Conclusion:Color Doppler ultrasound combined with ECG possesses high diagnostic performance for right heart dysfunction in PHD patients.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of color Doppler ultrasound combined with electrocardio-gram for right heart dys function in patients with pulmonary heart disease(PHD).Methods:A total of 100 PHD patients admitted in Dongcheng Branch of First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to results of 6min walking test(6MWT),pa-tients were divided into good right heart function group(n=64,≥350m)and right heart dysfunction group(n=36,＜350m).The indexes of cardiac color ultrasound[isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT),isovolumetric contraction time(IVCT)and right ventricular Tei index],ECG[24h mean R-R interval standard deviation(SDNN),normal R-R interval standard deviation per 5min(SDANN)and the ratio of low frequency components to high frequency components(LF/HF)]were compared between two groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasound,ECG and their combination for right heart dys-function in PHD patients.Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the association of color Doppler ul-trasound,ECG and their combination with right heart dysfunction in PHD patients.Results:Compared with those in good right heart function group,patients in right heart dysfunction group had significant higher IVRT[(120.64±14.08)ms vs.(97.87±10.93)ms],IVCT[(84.28±12.33)ms vs.(71.92±10.61)ms]and Tei index[(0.85±0.11)vs.(0.63±0.07)](P＜0.001 all),and significant lower SDNN[(75.52±12.58)ms vs.(85.58±11.75)ms],SDANN[(63.86±10.92)ms vs.(76.75±11.71)ms]and LF/HF[(1.33±0.19)vs.(1.84±0.27)](P＜0.001 all).ROC curve indicated that the AUC of color Doppler ultrasound combined ECG in diagnosing right heart dysfunction in PHD patients was 0.911(95％CI 0.838～0.959),which was significantly higher than those of color Doppler ultrasound[0.775(95％CI 0.681～0.853),Z=2.404,P=0.016]and ECG[0.688(95％CI 0.588～0.777),Z=3.968,P=0.001]alone.Spearman correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive correlation of color Doppler ultrasound(r=0.547),ECG(r=0.375)and their combination(r=0.810)with right heart dysfunction in PHD patients(P＜0.001 all),and the correlation between combined detection and right heart dysfunction in PHD patients was significantly higher.Conclusion:Color Doppler ultrasound combined with ECG possesses high diagnostic performance for right heart dysfunction in PHD patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the differential expression of RING finger (RNF) proteins in Barrett esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). METHODS: The differential expression of RNFs in normal esophagus (NE), BE, and EAC was screened using microarray assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tissue microarray assay, and Western blot analysis were independently performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of screened RNFs. RESULTS: The expression of nine RNFs in the BE or EAC was 2-fold higher than those in NE. Among these proteins, the RNF32 and RNF121 expression in BE was 20.3-fold and 16.4-fold higher, respectively, than that in NE, and the expression of RNF24, RNF130, RNF141, RNF139, RNF11, RNF14, and RNF159 was upregulated more than 2-fold compared with NE. The expression of nine RNFs was not only upregulated in the EAC but was also positively related to the RNF expression in BE. The PCR results also indicated increased expression of these RNFs in BE and EAC compared to NE. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of all RNFs, except for RNF141 in EAC, was dramatically higher than those in the BE. Similar results were also obtained from the Western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A total of nine RNFs play critical roles in the progression of BE to EAC.
Adenocarcinoma/*enzymology/genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Barrett Esophagus/*enzymology/genetics ; Carrier Proteins/genetics ; Disease Progression ; Esophageal Neoplasms/*enzymology/genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proteins/genetics ; *RING Finger Domains ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics/*metabolism

Objective To explore whether there are gene mutations of Tolloid-like 1 ( TLL-1 ) gene in Chinese patients with sporadic congenital heart disease (CHD).Methods One hundred and fifteen patients with sporadic CHD were selected as CHD group.One hundred and two age and gender-matched healthy people were recruited as control group.After amplifying the exon 10 of the TLL-1 gene by polymerase chain reaction,the polymerase chain reaction products were purified,sequenced and analyzed in order to investigate the TLL-1 gene mutation.Results An insertion mutation of base A in the exon 10 of TLL-1 gene was identified in 7 out of 115 CHD patients,including 3 patients with atrial septal defect,2 patients with ventricular septal defect,1 patients with patent ductus arteriosus and 1 patients with complex CHD,the total mutation rate was 6.1％ in CHD group and 0 in control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions TLL-1 gene mutation with an insertion mutation of base A in exon 10 is often in Chinese patients with various CHD.The underlying pathogenesis between TLL-1 gene mutation and occurrence of congenital heart disease in Chinese people remains unclear and warrants further investigations.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; complications ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; surgery ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatorenal Syndrome ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; complications ; surgery ; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Telomere ; metabolism ; Telomere-Binding Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo review the recent research progress in pharmacological actions and mechanisms of ginkgolide B. Data sources Information included in this article was identified by searching of PUBMED (1987 - 2006) online resources using the key terms "ginkgolide B", "platelet activating factor", and "pharmacological". Study selection Mainly original milestone articles and critical reviews written by major pioneer investigators of the field were selected.

RESULTSThe key issues related to the pharmacological actions and mechanisms of ginkgolide B were summarized. The ginkgolide B possesses a number of beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. Meantime, their mechaniams were discussed.

CONCLUSIONSThe Ginkgolide B is the most potent antagonist of platelet activating factor (PAF) and exhibits therapeutic action in a variety of diseases mainly by the PAF receptor.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Ginkgolides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lactones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the mechanisms for human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) RNA interference (RNAi) in increasing hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis induced by TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).

METHODSCell apoptosis was identified by flow cytometry analysis after annexin V/PI double staining. Expression of apoptosis-related proteins, procaspase-8, -9, -3, Bax, Bcl-2 and hTERT, were identified by Western blotting analysis; telomerase activity and telomere length were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and telomere amount and length assay (TALA) methods.

RESULTSHepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL were all significantly increased by hTERT RNAi (P less than 0.05). For example, apoptosis rates were enhanced from 5.53% (untransformed) to 10.35% (transformed) in HepG 2 cells and from 14.73% to 77.24% in SMMC 7721 cells after being treated by 100 ng/ml TRAIL for 24 h. Moreover, activation of procaspase-8, -9 and -3 in transformed cells after being treated by TRAIL were all significantly raised (P less than 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of procaspase-8, -9 and Bcl-2 were effectively augmented (P less than 0.05), but expressions of Bax and hTERT were strikingly decreased (P less than 0.05). Meanwhile, telomerase activity was apparently suppressed and telomere length was markedly shortened (P less than 0.05). There were no remarkable differences in these effects between control cells and the untransformed cells (P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEnhanced cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL through hTERT RNAi may be related to up-regulation of procaspase-8 and -9 expressions. However the down-regulation of hTERT expression, reduced telomerase activity and shortened telomere length may not be related to expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) RNA interference (RNAi) on biological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721 and on apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).

METHODSSmall hairpin hTERT (shTERT) sequence was identified by PCR method; hTERT expressions, morphological features, cell proliferation and replicative senescence were respectively determined using RT-PCR, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, growth curve and beta-galactosidase (b-Gal) staining; cell cycle and apoptosis were identified using flow cytometry after propidium iodide (PI) staining and annexin V/PI double staining.

RESULTSshRNA were found in 6/8 HepG2 and 6/6 SMMC-7721 cell clones transformed by the recombined plasmid pSilencer 3.1-H1 neo-shTERT. The interference rates of hTERT on HepG2 and SMMC-7721 were 100% and 43.3% respectively. Cells in G2-M phases increased from 7.1% to 10.6% and from 6.9% to 7.9% respectively; and the percentage of replicative senenscence cells increased from 0 to 20.4% and from 3.6% to 10.0% respectively. The nucleus/cytoplasm ratios of the cells were obviously decreased after hTERT RNAi treatment. Moreover, apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and apoptosis induced by TRAIL were strikingly increased by hTERT RNAi (P < 0.05). For example, apoptosis rates were increased from 3.5% to 5.2% in HepG2 cells and from 4.8% to 7.9% in SMMC-7721 cells after hTERT RNAi treatment. Apoptosis rates were increased from 5.3% to 10.4% in HepG 2 cells and from 13.9% to 77.2% in SMMC-7721 cells after being treated by 100 ng/ml TRAIL for 24 h. However, there were no remarkable changes between control cells and untransformed cells.

CONCLUSIONhTERT RNAi not only has a significant effect on biological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, but also obviously can increase cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVESTo construct a novel virus-like particulate peptide-nucleic acid vaccine (VPNV) of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), and to study its anti-liver cancer immunity.

METHODSA cationic antigenic peptide was synthesized and purified, and then human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) and TERT gene were cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pTCAE. The peptide was combined with the nucleic acid vaccine to make a VPNV, which was transfected into eukaryotic cell COS-7. The immunogenicity of hGM-CSF and hTERT were detected using ELISA and Western blot. The efficacy of VPNV for inducing antigen specific CTL response was determined using the lactate dehydrogenase release method.

RESULTSVPNV was verified capable to trigger specific CTL responses and has shown a specific cytolytic activity to liver cancer cell HepG2.

CONCLUSIONA VPNV which can stimulate antigen specific CTL response was successfully constructed. This paves the way for our further investigation of anti-liver cancer immunity in mice.

Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; genetics ; immunology ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Peptide Nucleic Acids ; genetics ; immunology ; Telomerase ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology