Bisoprolol reverses down-regulation of potassium channel proteins in ventricular tissues of rabbits with heart failure

Remodeling of ion channels is an important mechanism of arrhythmia induced by heart failure （HF）. We investigated the expression of potassium channel encoding genes in the ventricles of rabbit established by volumeoverload operation followed with pressure-overload. The reversible effect of these changes with bisoprolol was also evaluated. The HF group exhibited left ventricular enlargement, systolic dysfunction, prolongation of corrected QT interval （QTc）, and increased plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in the HF rabbits. Several potassium channel subunit encoding genes were consistently down-regulated in the HF rabbits. After bisoprolol treatment, heart function was improved significantly and QTc was shortened. Additionally, the mRNA expression of potassium channel subunit genes could be partially reversed. The down-regulated expression of potassium channel subunits Kv4.3, Kv1.4, KvLQT1, minK and Kir 2.1 may contribute to the prolongation of action potential duration in the heart of rabbits induced by volume combined with pressure overload HF. Bisoprolol could partially reverse these down-regulations and improve heart function.

Deep-Tissue Photothermal Therapy Using Laser Illumination at NIR-Ⅱa Window

Photothermal therapy(PTT)using near-infrared(NIR)light for tumor treatment has triggered extensive attentions because of its advantages of noninvasion and convenience.The current research on PTT usually uses lasers in the first NIR window(NIR-I;700–900 nm)as irradiation source.However,the second NIR window(NIR-II;1000–1700 nm)especially NIRIIa window(1300–1400 nm)is considered much more promising in diagnosis and treatment as its superiority in penetration depth and maximum permissible exposure over NIR-I window.Hereby,we propose the use of laser excitation at 1275 nm,which is approved by Food and Drug Administration for physical therapy,as an attractive technique for PTT to balance of tissue absorption and scattering with water absorption.Specifically,CuS-PEG nanoparticles with similar absorption values at 1275 and 808 nm,a conventional NIR-I window for PTT,were synthesized as PTT agents and a comparison platform,to explore the potential of 1275 and 808 nm lasers for PTT,especially in deep-tissue settings.The results showed that 1275 nm laser was practicable in PTT.It exhibited much more desirable outcomes in cell ablation in vitro and deep-tissue antitumor capabilities in vivo compared to that of 808 nm laser.NIR-IIa laser illumination is superior to NIR-I laser for deep-tissue PTT,and shows high potential to improve the PTT outcome.

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Soil Organic Matters in Se-rich Areas of Hainan Island in Recent 30 Years

[Objectives] The aim was to reveal the distribution of soil organic matter content in cultivated land in the Se-rich areas of Hainan in 1980and 2010, so as to provide reference for the study on the evolution of soil organic matter content.[Methods] With the combination of field investigation with indoor analysis, the characteristics of organic matter content in the Se-rich areas of Hainan in 1980 and 2010 was revealed by means of spatial analysis, and the differences were analyzed.[Results] In the last 30 years, the proportion of 20-30 g/kg of soil organic matter content in the Se-rich areas of Hainan was reduced, but the content of soil organic matter in the area generally increased. The average value of the content of organic matter in the area was increased from 25.3 g/kg in the 1980s to 28.1 g/kg, but its spatial distribution was uneven.[Conclusions] The farmers should be guided to change the fertilization structure, and attention should be paid to the application of organic fertilizer, so as to improve the soil organic matter content.

Distribution of Soil Nutrients in Se-rich Areas of Hainan Island

[Objectives] The aim was to reveal the distribution of soil nutrients in Se-rich area of Hainan and to clarify their specific contents, so as to provide references for the development of Se-rich area agriculture in Hainan.[Methods] With the se-rich area in Hainan as the object, field investigation and indoor analysis were combined to elucidate the nutrient status of cultivated soil in the area and analyze its nutrient distribution.[Results] The soil in the se-rich area in Hainan province was generally acidic with the average soil pH value of 5.0. The difference in soil pH between different landforms and different altitudes was not significant, ranging from 4.9 to 5.3. Soil available P and available K contents were low to intermediate, and the soil available N content was moderate. The farming system, chemical fertilizer application structure and meteorological factors were the main causes of the distribution of soil nutrient elements. The soil exchangeable calcium and magnesium content was rich, and the distribution of trace elements in the arable soil of different terrains and elevations was closely related to the distribution of soil parent material in the region. The increase of soil organic matter content in arable land could be achieved by increasing the application of organic fertilizer and guiding the farmers to enhance the application of straws to fields.[Conclusions] The application of soil N, P and K fertilizers should be combined with the application of soil organic fertilizers to improve the soil fertility of cultivated land.

Cerebral cysticercosis mimicking subarachnoid hemorrhage:a case report

Background:Dense exudate during the calcification of cerebral cysticercosis in basal subarachnoid space was easy to be misdiagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH);clinical evaluation and MRI can help differentiate SAH from pseudo-SAH.Case presentation:A case of ventricular expansion accompanied by high-density shadows in cisterna circinata cerebri was taken to the hospital for treatment due to sudden faint.This patient was diagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage according to computed tomography(CT)in another hospital.We believe that the high density in cisterna circinata cerebri was misdiagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)1 year ago.The main etiology of SAH is aneurysm;non-aneurysmal SAH associated with cerebral cysticercosis is extremely rare.Only 5 patients have been reported.Conclusion:This case indicated that although the specificity of CT for SAH is very high,the physicians should be aware of rare false positive findings,called pseudo-SAH.