Spiral wave could be observed in the excitable media, the neurons are often excitable within appropriateparameters. The appearance and formation of spiral wave in the cardiac tissue is linked to monomorphic ventricula...Spiral wave could be observed in the excitable media, the neurons are often excitable within appropriateparameters. The appearance and formation of spiral wave in the cardiac tissue is linked to monomorphic ventriculartachycardia that can denervate into polymorphic tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The neuronal system oftenconsists of a large number of neurons with complex connections. In this paper, we theoretically study the transitionfrom spiral wave to spiral turbulence and homogeneous state (death of spiral wave) in two-dimensional array of theHindmarsh-Rose neuron with completely nearest-neighbor connections. In our numerical studies, a stable rotating spiralwave is developed and selected as the initial state, then the bifurcation parameters are changed to different values toobserve the transition from spiral wave to homogeneous state, breakup of spiral wave and weak change of spiral wave,respectively. A statistical factor of synchronization is defined with the mean field theory to analyze the transition fromspiral wave to other spatial states, and the snapshots of the membrane potentials of all neurons and time series of meanmembrane potentials of all neurons are also plotted to discuss the change of spiral wave. It is found that the sharpchanging points in the curve for factor of synchronization vs. bifurcation parameter indicate sudden transition fromspiral wave to other states. And the results are independent of the number of neurons we used.展开更多
Objective The predictive value of the metabolic syndrome （MetS） for mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease （CVD） in the Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this present study was to compare MetS...Objective The predictive value of the metabolic syndrome （MetS） for mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease （CVD） in the Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this present study was to compare MetS with its individual components as predictors of mortality in Chinese elderly adults. Methods A cohort of 1,535 subjects （994 men and 541 women） aged 50 years or older was selected from employees of a machinery factory in 1994 and followed until 2009. Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratios （HRs） predicted by MetS according to the harmonized defmition and by its individual components. Results The baseline prevalence of MetS was 28.0% in men and 48.4% in women. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 414 deaths occurred, of these, 153 participants died from CVD. Adjusted for age and gender, the HRs of mortality from all-cause and CVD in participants with MetS were 1.47 （95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.20-1.80） and 1.96 （95%CI： 1.42-2.72）, respectively, compared with those without MetS. Non-significant higher risk of CVD mortality was seen in those with one or two individual components （HR = 1.22, 95%CI： 0.59-2.50; fir = 1.82, 95%CI： 0.91-3.64, respectively）, while a substantially higher risk of CVD mortality only appeared in those with 3, 4, or 5 components （H_R = 2.81-3.72）, compared with those with no components. On evaluating the MetS components individually, we found that, independent of MetS, only hypertension and impaired glucose predicted higher mortality. Conclusions The number of positive MetS components seems no more informative than classifying （dichotomous） MetS for CVD risks assessment in this Chinese cohort.展开更多
Objective To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 5 （PDCD5） in tissues of normal human prostate （NP）, benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）, and prostate cancer （PCa） in order to assess the clinica...Objective To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 5 （PDCD5） in tissues of normal human prostate （NP）, benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）, and prostate cancer （PCa） in order to assess the clinical role of PDCD5 in PCa. Methods PDCD5 expression was determined by EnVision immunohistochemical staining in forma-lin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 12 subjects with NP, 22 with BPH, and 22 with PCa. In addition, PCa cases were classified as low/middle-risk （Gleason sumS7） and high-risk （Gleason sum〉7） on the basis of Gleason grade. Positive expression rates and intensity of PDCD5 protein were observed under light microscope and analyzed with computer imaging technique. Expression of PDCD5 was compared among different prostatic tissues. Results The expression of PDCD5 was significantly lower in tissue of PCa than in tissues of NP and BPH （P〈0.01）. However, there was no significant difference in PDCD5 expression between tissues of NP and BPH. In addition, the expression of PDCD5 was further downregulated with the increase of Gleason sum in PCa. Conclusions By downregulating apoptosis, low PDCD5 expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of PCa. PDCD5 is supposed to have a potential clinical value to be a new predictor of progression and target of gene therapy in PCa.展开更多
Background Very elderly patients represent a distinct patient group in clinical setting in terms of a decision for trans-catheter aortic valve replacement （TAVR） when one considers the potential improvement in the q...Background Very elderly patients represent a distinct patient group in clinical setting in terms of a decision for trans-catheter aortic valve replacement （TAVR） when one considers the potential improvement in the quality of life （QoL） on one hand and the benefit to risk ratio on the other. This study aimed to compare functional and QoL outcomes of TAVR between octogenarians and septuagenarians. Methods This prospective cohort study included 136 elderly patients （70 to 89 years of age）, who tmderwent Wansfemoral TAVR due to degenerative aortic stenosis. Patients were allocated into one of the following age groups： septuagenarians （n = 67） and octogenarians （n = 69）. Preoperative and early postoperative clinical parameteT：s were recorded. In addition, QoL of the patients was evaluated using SF-36 questionnaire preoperatively and six month postoperatively. Results Groups were similar in terms of early postoperative mortality and morbidity parameters. The mean New York Heart Association （NYHA） class improved after TAVR in both groups. In addition, all SF-36 norm-based scale and SF-36 summary scale scores improved significantly in both groups during the postoperative period. Postoperatively, physical functioning, general health and physical component summary scores were significantly better in the septuagenarian group （P = 0.02, 0.01, 0.03, respectively）. ConcLusion Although the improvement in the QoL in terms of physical health was more marked in septuagenarians than in octogenarians, substantial benefits on the QoL and particularly on mental health seem to justify re-consideration of TAVR indications in the very elderly.展开更多
OBJECTIVE To study the changes in the matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 （MMP2, MMP9） induced by ^60Co γ-ray external irradiation of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. METHODS Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were ir...OBJECTIVE To study the changes in the matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 （MMP2, MMP9） induced by ^60Co γ-ray external irradiation of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. METHODS Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were irradiated with different doses of ^60Co γ-rays. Cell migration and invasiveness were evaluated and the expression of MMP2, and MMP9 was investigated by RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry（FCM）. RESULTS Irradiation enchances invasive protential at the doses of 1,3 and 5 Gy,whereas it significantly inhibits cell migration. CONCLUSION The different doses of ^60Co γ-ray external irradiation for prostate cancer may have different effects through the changes of MMP2, and MMP9 expression.展开更多
Prorocentrum donghaiense has caused large-scale red tides off the Chinese coast in recent years. Expressed sequence tag （EST） analysis was carried out for this dinoflagellate in order to identify the functional gene...Prorocentrum donghaiense has caused large-scale red tides off the Chinese coast in recent years. Expressed sequence tag （EST） analysis was carried out for this dinoflagellate in order to identify the functional genes involved in its biological processes. A cDNA library was constructed for P. donghaiense at exponential growth phase, and 565 usable sequencing reads were obtained from 700 clones selected randomly. Messenger RNA corresponding reads were clustered into 36 contigs and 272 singletons （EST groups）. Twenty-two EST groups were found to tag the genes involved in diverse biological processes including programmed cell death （PCD）. Two EST groups showed significant homologies with the encoding genes of cysteine protease （caspase） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, respectively, two key proteins involved in PCD.展开更多
The recently introduced multivariate multiscale sample entropy(MMSE)well evaluates the long correlations in multiple channels,so that it can reveal the complexity of multivariate biological signals.The existing MMSE a...The recently introduced multivariate multiscale sample entropy(MMSE)well evaluates the long correlations in multiple channels,so that it can reveal the complexity of multivariate biological signals.The existing MMSE algorithm deals with short time series statically whereas long time series are common for real-time computation in practical use.As a solution,we novelly proposed our dynamic MMSE(DMMSE)as an extension of MMSE.This helps us gain greater insight into the complexity of each section of time series,producing multifaceted and more robust estimates than the standard MMSE.The simulation results illustrated the feasibility and well performance in the brain death diagnosis.展开更多
Objective： To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the number of associated phosphorylated proteins in brain tissues of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） rats, based on the protein microarray technique. ...Objective： To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the number of associated phosphorylated proteins in brain tissues of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） rats, based on the protein microarray technique. Methods： The MCAO model was prepared according to the modified occlusion method using occlusion lines. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using the lottery method： a sham operation group, a model group, a control point group and an acupoint group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the sham operation group and the model group only received binding without acupuncture. Rats in the acupoint group received acupuncture at Dazhui （GV 14）, Baihui （GV 20） and Shuigou （GV 25）; rats in the control point group received acupuncture at non-acupoint control points. The needle was twisted once for 1 min after insertion and another time in the middle of the 30 min needle retaining. Acupuncture was conducted once every 12 h for 6 consecutive times. At the end of the experiment, the neurological impairment score was collected, and cells of the ischemic brain tissues were extracted. The protein phosphorylation of the related signaling was detected using the 720 phosphorylated antibody microarray technique, and the differentially expressed proteins between groups were screened. Results： The neurological impairment scores after 72 h of treatment： compared with the sham operation group, the scores of the model group, the control point group and the acupoint group were significantly increased （P〈0.01）; compared with the model group, the scores of the acupoint group and the control point group were significantly decreased （P〈0.01,P〈0.05）; the score of the acupoint group was better than that of the control point group （P〈0.05）. The results of the protein microarray： compared with the sham operation group, 48 proteins showed up-regulated phosphorylation （≥1.5 times） in the model group and the down-regulated was 28; compared with the model group, 35 proteins showed up-regulated phosphorylation in the control point group, and the down-regulated was 24. There were 29 proteins showing up-regulated phosphorylation in the acupoint group and the down-regulated was 51. The numbers of proteins involved in the function and signal transduction pathways were also different. Conclusion： Acupuncture at Dazhui （GV 14）, Baihui （GV 20） and Shuigou （GV 25） can effectively repair brain injury. The ischemic injury of brain tissue may be caused by imbalance of a variety of proteins, and acupuncture can promote brain tissue repair by multi-functional and multi-channel regulation of the protein disorders.展开更多
Although microRNAs （miRNAs） have been intensively studied in cardiac fibrosis, their roles in drug-mediated anti-fibrotic therapy are still unknown. Previously, Pioglitazone attenuated cardiac fibrosis and increased...Although microRNAs （miRNAs） have been intensively studied in cardiac fibrosis, their roles in drug-mediated anti-fibrotic therapy are still unknown. Previously, Pioglitazone attenuated cardiac fibrosis and increased miR-711 experimentally. We aimed to explore the role and mechanism of miR-711 in pioglitazone-treated myocardial infarction in rats. Our results showed that pioglitazone significantly reduced collagen-I levels and increased miR-711 expression in myocardial infarction heart. Pioglitazone increased the expression of miR-711 in cardiac fibroblasts, and overexpression of miR-711 suppressed collagen-I levels in angiotensin II （Ang II）-treated or untreated cells. Transfection with antagomir-711 correspondingly abolished the pioglitazone-induced reduction in collagen-I levels. Bioinformatics analysis identified SP1, which directly promotes collagen-I synthesis, as the putative target of miR-711. This was confirmed by luciferase assay and western blot analysis. Additionally, increased SP1 expression was attenuated by pioglitazone in myocardial infarction heart. Furthermore, transfection of antago- mir-711 attenuated pioglitazone-reduced SP1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts with or without Ang II stimulation. We conclude that pioglitazone up-regulated miR-711 to reduce collagen-I levels in rats with myocardial infarction. The miR-711-SPl-collagen-I pathway may be involved in the anti-fibrotic effects of pioglitazone. Our findings may provide new strategies for miRNA-based anti-fibrotic drug research.展开更多
基金Supported by National Nature Science of Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 10747005, 10847140the Natural Science of Lanzhou University of Technology under Grant No. Q200706
文摘Spiral wave could be observed in the excitable media, the neurons are often excitable within appropriateparameters. The appearance and formation of spiral wave in the cardiac tissue is linked to monomorphic ventriculartachycardia that can denervate into polymorphic tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The neuronal system oftenconsists of a large number of neurons with complex connections. In this paper, we theoretically study the transitionfrom spiral wave to spiral turbulence and homogeneous state (death of spiral wave) in two-dimensional array of theHindmarsh-Rose neuron with completely nearest-neighbor connections. In our numerical studies, a stable rotating spiralwave is developed and selected as the initial state, then the bifurcation parameters are changed to different values toobserve the transition from spiral wave to homogeneous state, breakup of spiral wave and weak change of spiral wave,respectively. A statistical factor of synchronization is defined with the mean field theory to analyze the transition fromspiral wave to other spatial states, and the snapshots of the membrane potentials of all neurons and time series of meanmembrane potentials of all neurons are also plotted to discuss the change of spiral wave. It is found that the sharpchanging points in the curve for factor of synchronization vs. bifurcation parameter indicate sudden transition fromspiral wave to other states. And the results are independent of the number of neurons we used.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China，Ministry of Science and Technology of China，National Department Public Benefit Research Foundation by Ministry of Health of China
文摘Objective The predictive value of the metabolic syndrome （MetS） for mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease （CVD） in the Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this present study was to compare MetS with its individual components as predictors of mortality in Chinese elderly adults. Methods A cohort of 1,535 subjects （994 men and 541 women） aged 50 years or older was selected from employees of a machinery factory in 1994 and followed until 2009. Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratios （HRs） predicted by MetS according to the harmonized defmition and by its individual components. Results The baseline prevalence of MetS was 28.0% in men and 48.4% in women. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 414 deaths occurred, of these, 153 participants died from CVD. Adjusted for age and gender, the HRs of mortality from all-cause and CVD in participants with MetS were 1.47 （95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.20-1.80） and 1.96 （95%CI： 1.42-2.72）, respectively, compared with those without MetS. Non-significant higher risk of CVD mortality was seen in those with one or two individual components （HR = 1.22, 95%CI： 0.59-2.50; fir = 1.82, 95%CI： 0.91-3.64, respectively）, while a substantially higher risk of CVD mortality only appeared in those with 3, 4, or 5 components （H_R = 2.81-3.72）, compared with those with no components. On evaluating the MetS components individually, we found that, independent of MetS, only hypertension and impaired glucose predicted higher mortality. Conclusions The number of positive MetS components seems no more informative than classifying （dichotomous） MetS for CVD risks assessment in this Chinese cohort.
文摘Objective To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 5 （PDCD5） in tissues of normal human prostate （NP）, benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）, and prostate cancer （PCa） in order to assess the clinical role of PDCD5 in PCa. Methods PDCD5 expression was determined by EnVision immunohistochemical staining in forma-lin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 12 subjects with NP, 22 with BPH, and 22 with PCa. In addition, PCa cases were classified as low/middle-risk （Gleason sumS7） and high-risk （Gleason sum〉7） on the basis of Gleason grade. Positive expression rates and intensity of PDCD5 protein were observed under light microscope and analyzed with computer imaging technique. Expression of PDCD5 was compared among different prostatic tissues. Results The expression of PDCD5 was significantly lower in tissue of PCa than in tissues of NP and BPH （P〈0.01）. However, there was no significant difference in PDCD5 expression between tissues of NP and BPH. In addition, the expression of PDCD5 was further downregulated with the increase of Gleason sum in PCa. Conclusions By downregulating apoptosis, low PDCD5 expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of PCa. PDCD5 is supposed to have a potential clinical value to be a new predictor of progression and target of gene therapy in PCa.
文摘Background Very elderly patients represent a distinct patient group in clinical setting in terms of a decision for trans-catheter aortic valve replacement （TAVR） when one considers the potential improvement in the quality of life （QoL） on one hand and the benefit to risk ratio on the other. This study aimed to compare functional and QoL outcomes of TAVR between octogenarians and septuagenarians. Methods This prospective cohort study included 136 elderly patients （70 to 89 years of age）, who tmderwent Wansfemoral TAVR due to degenerative aortic stenosis. Patients were allocated into one of the following age groups： septuagenarians （n = 67） and octogenarians （n = 69）. Preoperative and early postoperative clinical parameteT：s were recorded. In addition, QoL of the patients was evaluated using SF-36 questionnaire preoperatively and six month postoperatively. Results Groups were similar in terms of early postoperative mortality and morbidity parameters. The mean New York Heart Association （NYHA） class improved after TAVR in both groups. In addition, all SF-36 norm-based scale and SF-36 summary scale scores improved significantly in both groups during the postoperative period. Postoperatively, physical functioning, general health and physical component summary scores were significantly better in the septuagenarian group （P = 0.02, 0.01, 0.03, respectively）. ConcLusion Although the improvement in the QoL in terms of physical health was more marked in septuagenarians than in octogenarians, substantial benefits on the QoL and particularly on mental health seem to justify re-consideration of TAVR indications in the very elderly.
文摘OBJECTIVE To study the changes in the matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 （MMP2, MMP9） induced by ^60Co γ-ray external irradiation of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. METHODS Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were irradiated with different doses of ^60Co γ-rays. Cell migration and invasiveness were evaluated and the expression of MMP2, and MMP9 was investigated by RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry（FCM）. RESULTS Irradiation enchances invasive protential at the doses of 1,3 and 5 Gy,whereas it significantly inhibits cell migration. CONCLUSION The different doses of ^60Co γ-ray external irradiation for prostate cancer may have different effects through the changes of MMP2, and MMP9 expression.
基金Supported by the Key Laboratory of Mariculture of Chinese Education Ministry, Ocean University of China (No. 200405)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No. 2005CCA02400,2001CB409700)
文摘Prorocentrum donghaiense has caused large-scale red tides off the Chinese coast in recent years. Expressed sequence tag （EST） analysis was carried out for this dinoflagellate in order to identify the functional genes involved in its biological processes. A cDNA library was constructed for P. donghaiense at exponential growth phase, and 565 usable sequencing reads were obtained from 700 clones selected randomly. Messenger RNA corresponding reads were clustered into 36 contigs and 272 singletons （EST groups）. Twenty-two EST groups were found to tag the genes involved in diverse biological processes including programmed cell death （PCD）. Two EST groups showed significant homologies with the encoding genes of cysteine protease （caspase） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, respectively, two key proteins involved in PCD.
基金supported by KAKENHI(Grant Nos.21360179,22560425)(JAPAN)supported by the Key Project of National Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11232005)The Ministry of Education Doctoral Foundation(Grant Nos.20120074110020)
文摘The recently introduced multivariate multiscale sample entropy(MMSE)well evaluates the long correlations in multiple channels,so that it can reveal the complexity of multivariate biological signals.The existing MMSE algorithm deals with short time series statically whereas long time series are common for real-time computation in practical use.As a solution,we novelly proposed our dynamic MMSE(DMMSE)as an extension of MMSE.This helps us gain greater insight into the complexity of each section of time series,producing multifaceted and more robust estimates than the standard MMSE.The simulation results illustrated the feasibility and well performance in the brain death diagnosis.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 81303051, No. 30901901Province and Ministry Co-construction Key Laboratory for Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the Education Ministry of China No. ZYNK201501+1 种基金Tuina Department of Yueyang Hostpital Affiliated to Hunan University of Chinese Medicine State Clinical Key SpecialtyTuina Key Discipline of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine~~
文摘Objective： To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the number of associated phosphorylated proteins in brain tissues of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） rats, based on the protein microarray technique. Methods： The MCAO model was prepared according to the modified occlusion method using occlusion lines. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using the lottery method： a sham operation group, a model group, a control point group and an acupoint group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the sham operation group and the model group only received binding without acupuncture. Rats in the acupoint group received acupuncture at Dazhui （GV 14）, Baihui （GV 20） and Shuigou （GV 25）; rats in the control point group received acupuncture at non-acupoint control points. The needle was twisted once for 1 min after insertion and another time in the middle of the 30 min needle retaining. Acupuncture was conducted once every 12 h for 6 consecutive times. At the end of the experiment, the neurological impairment score was collected, and cells of the ischemic brain tissues were extracted. The protein phosphorylation of the related signaling was detected using the 720 phosphorylated antibody microarray technique, and the differentially expressed proteins between groups were screened. Results： The neurological impairment scores after 72 h of treatment： compared with the sham operation group, the scores of the model group, the control point group and the acupoint group were significantly increased （P〈0.01）; compared with the model group, the scores of the acupoint group and the control point group were significantly decreased （P〈0.01,P〈0.05）; the score of the acupoint group was better than that of the control point group （P〈0.05）. The results of the protein microarray： compared with the sham operation group, 48 proteins showed up-regulated phosphorylation （≥1.5 times） in the model group and the down-regulated was 28; compared with the model group, 35 proteins showed up-regulated phosphorylation in the control point group, and the down-regulated was 24. There were 29 proteins showing up-regulated phosphorylation in the acupoint group and the down-regulated was 51. The numbers of proteins involved in the function and signal transduction pathways were also different. Conclusion： Acupuncture at Dazhui （GV 14）, Baihui （GV 20） and Shuigou （GV 25） can effectively repair brain injury. The ischemic injury of brain tissue may be caused by imbalance of a variety of proteins, and acupuncture can promote brain tissue repair by multi-functional and multi-channel regulation of the protein disorders.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81100164,31271212,81070196,81030001)the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (20100001110101,20110001120015)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University,the Beijing Talents Foundation
文摘Although microRNAs （miRNAs） have been intensively studied in cardiac fibrosis, their roles in drug-mediated anti-fibrotic therapy are still unknown. Previously, Pioglitazone attenuated cardiac fibrosis and increased miR-711 experimentally. We aimed to explore the role and mechanism of miR-711 in pioglitazone-treated myocardial infarction in rats. Our results showed that pioglitazone significantly reduced collagen-I levels and increased miR-711 expression in myocardial infarction heart. Pioglitazone increased the expression of miR-711 in cardiac fibroblasts, and overexpression of miR-711 suppressed collagen-I levels in angiotensin II （Ang II）-treated or untreated cells. Transfection with antagomir-711 correspondingly abolished the pioglitazone-induced reduction in collagen-I levels. Bioinformatics analysis identified SP1, which directly promotes collagen-I synthesis, as the putative target of miR-711. This was confirmed by luciferase assay and western blot analysis. Additionally, increased SP1 expression was attenuated by pioglitazone in myocardial infarction heart. Furthermore, transfection of antago- mir-711 attenuated pioglitazone-reduced SP1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts with or without Ang II stimulation. We conclude that pioglitazone up-regulated miR-711 to reduce collagen-I levels in rats with myocardial infarction. The miR-711-SPl-collagen-I pathway may be involved in the anti-fibrotic effects of pioglitazone. Our findings may provide new strategies for miRNA-based anti-fibrotic drug research.
