Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Injection(SFI)on endothelial damage in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock(HS).Methods:After being bled to a mean arterial pressure of40±3 mm Hg and held for 60 min...Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Injection(SFI)on endothelial damage in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock(HS).Methods:After being bled to a mean arterial pressure of40±3 mm Hg and held for 60 min,32 pigs were treated with a venous injection of either shed blood(transfusion group),shed blood and saline(saline group),shed blood and SFI(SEI group)or without resuscitation(sham group).Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed at baseline and 0,1,2,4,and 6 h after HS.Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),serum interleuking(IL)-6,and IL-10 levels were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1),von Willebrand factor(vWF),plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1)and Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase-3 proteins were determined by Western blot.Results:The serum level of TNF-αin the SFI group was significantly lower than in the other groups at 0,1,and 2 h after HS,while the level of IL-6 was lower at 4 and 6 h compared with the saline group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).The concentration of serum IL-10 was significantly higher in the SFI group than in the other groups at 0,1,4,and 6 h after HS(P<0.01).Western blot and immunohistochemistry of vascular tissue showed that the expression of caspase-3 was downregulated,and that of Bcl-2 and Bax was upregulated in the SFI group compared to other groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:SFI attenuated endothelial injury in the porcine model of HS by inhibiting cell apoptosis,suppressing the formation of proinflammatory cytokines,and reducing endothelial activation.展开更多
Endothelial damage is the initial and crucial factor in the occurrence and development of vascular complications in diabetic patients,contributing to morbidity and mortality.Although hyperglycemia has been identified ...Endothelial damage is the initial and crucial factor in the occurrence and development of vascular complications in diabetic patients,contributing to morbidity and mortality.Although hyperglycemia has been identified as a damaging effector,the detailed mechanisms remain elusive.In this study,identified by ATAC-seq and RNA-seq,JunB reverses the inhibition of proliferation and the promotion of apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with high glucose,mainly through the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways.Furthermore,JunB undergoes phase separation in the nucleus and in vitro,mediated by its intrinsic disordered region and DNA-binding domain.Nuclear localization and condensation behaviors are required for JunB-mediated proliferation and apoptosis.Thus,our study uncovers the roles of JunB and its coacervation in repairing vascular endothelial damage caused by high glucose,elucidating the involvement of phase separation in diabetes and diabetic endothelial dysfunction.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of endothelial cells on the permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) after brain injury and its effect mechanism. DATA SOURCES: We searched for the articles of permeability of...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of endothelial cells on the permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) after brain injury and its effect mechanism. DATA SOURCES: We searched for the articles of permeability of BBB and endothelial cell injury after brain is- chemia, which were published between January 1982 and December 2005, with the key words of "cerebral ischemia damage,blood brain barrier ( BBB),permeability,effect of endothelial cell (EC) and its variation mechanism"in English. STUDY SELECTION: The materials were primarily selected. The articles related to the changes in the permeability of BBB and the effect of endothelial cells as well as the change mechanism after cerebral ischemia damage were chosen. Repetitive studies or review articles were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Totally 55 related articles were collected, and 35 were excluded due to repetitive or review articles, finally 20 articles were involved. DATA SYNTHESIS: The content or viewpoints of involved literatures were analyzed. Cerebral ischemia had damage for endothelial cells, such as the inflow of a lot of Ca2^+, the production of nitrogen monoxide and oxygen free radical, and aggravated destruction of BBB. After acceptors of inflammatory mediators on cerebrovascular endothelial cell membrane, such as histamine, bradykinin , 5-hydroxytryptamine and so on are activated, endothelial cells shrink and the permeability of BBB increases. Its mechanism involves in the inflow of extracellular Ca^+2and the release of intracellular Ca^2+ in the cells. Glycocalyx molecule on the surface of endothelial cell, having structural polytropy, is the determinative factor of the permeability of BBB. VEGF, intensively increasing the vasopermeability and mainly effecting on postcapillary vein and veinlet, is the strongest known blood vessel permeation reagent. Its chronic overexpression in the brain can lead the destruction of BBB. CONCLUSION: The injury of endothelial cell participants in the pathological mechanism of BBB destruction after cerebral ischemla.展开更多
Previous studies suggest that reduction and dysfunction of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs),and dysregulation in stromal cell derived factor-1/CXC-chemokine receptor 4(SDF-1/ CXCR4) axis in diabetes coul...Previous studies suggest that reduction and dysfunction of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs),and dysregulation in stromal cell derived factor-1/CXC-chemokine receptor 4(SDF-1/ CXCR4) axis in diabetes could be therapeutic targets for diabetic ischemic stroke.This study investigated the efficacy of CXCR4-priming EPCs on cerebral repair following ischemic stroke in db/db diabetic mice.Bone marrow derived EPCs from db/+ control mice were transfected with adenovirus(1×10~7 IU) carrying CXCR4(Ad-CXCR4-EPCs)or null(Ad- null-EPCs).The db/db mice were divided into three groups for EPCs injection(2×10~5 cells/100μl): Ad-CXCR4-EPCs,Ad-null-EPCs or saline(vehicle), via tail vein 2 hrs after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery.Cerebral blood flow(CBF) was measured with laser Doppler flowmeter.Mice were sacrificed at 2 or 7 days thereafter.Level of circulating EPCs was measured by flow cytometry. Ischemic damage,cerebral microvascular density (MVD),angiogenesis and neurogenesis were determined by histological staining with Fluoro-J,CD31, CD31 +BrdU,NeuN +BrdU,GFAP+BrdU,respectively. Results(table) showed:1) Levels of CXCR4 expression were reduced in the brain and EPCs of db/db mice as measured by real-time RT-PCR and western blot analyses(data not shown);2) The level of circulating EPCs was more in the mice treated with Ad-CXCR4-EPCs;3)EPC transfusion improved CBF,increased MVD,angiogenesis and neurogenesis in peri-infarct area,and decreased ischemic damage.The efficacies were better in Ad-CXCR4 -EPCs group.Data suggest that transfusion of Ad-CXCR4-EPCs could be a therapeutic avenue for ischemia stroke in diabetes.展开更多
To investigate the effects of salvianolic acids on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) against damage induced by cholestane-3β-5α-6β-triol (chol-triol) Methods The viability of HUVEC was measured by M...To investigate the effects of salvianolic acids on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) against damage induced by cholestane-3β-5α-6β-triol (chol-triol) Methods The viability of HUVEC was measured by MTT method The apoptosis of HUVEC induced by chol-triol was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay The production of malondialdehyd (MDA) in HUVEC was tested by thiobarbaturic acid (TBA) assay Results The viability of HUVEC treated with chol-triol 100 μmol/L decreased by 39 8% while salvianolic acids 100 μg/ml increased by 27 9% The apoptotic rate of HUVEC measured by PI staining increased from 6%-8% to 17%-20% after chol-triol treatment for 12 h Salvianolic acids 100 μg/ml reduced the apoptotic rate to 10%-14% after treatment HUVEC for 1 h prior to chol-triol treatment In another experiment, chol-triol increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells 5 times, but salvianolic acids 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells by 36 9% and 61 2%, respectively The production of MDA in HUVEC increased by 120 7% after chol-triol treatment for 12 h Salvianolic acids 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml also decreased the concentration of MDA by 28 7% and 39 8%, respectively Conclusion Salvianolic acids has protective effect on endothelial cells against damage induced by chol-triol展开更多
Objective To observe the prevention of Fangshuan Capsule(FC)on percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)induced myocardial damage and vascular endothelial injury in patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP).Methods To...Objective To observe the prevention of Fangshuan Capsule(FC)on percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)induced myocardial damage and vascular endothelial injury in patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP).Methods Totally 100 UAP patients undergoing PCI were assigned to the control group and the展开更多
Objective: To assess the effect of Xinmaitong (XMT) capsule in treating coronaryheart disease (CHD). Methods: Thirty-eightpatients of coronary heart disease with myocardial ischemia were divided randomly intoXMT group...Objective: To assess the effect of Xinmaitong (XMT) capsule in treating coronaryheart disease (CHD). Methods: Thirty-eightpatients of coronary heart disease with myocardial ischemia were divided randomly intoXMT group (20 cases) and control group (18cases). Conventional western medical therapywas given to both groups and the XMT groupreceived additional XMT treatment. Thechanges of endothelin (ET ) and calcitoningene-related peptide (CGRP) levels, ST segment of ECG and clinical symptoms aftertreatment in all the patients were observed.Data of 14 healthy persons were taken as normal control. Results: The ET level of all patients was significantly higher than that of thenormal control (P < 0. 001 ), and level ofCGRP in patients was not different from normal control significantly (P > 0. 05 ). Aftertreatment, results showed that: (1 ) The ETlevels and the scores of clinical symptoms ofboth groups decreased significantly (P <0. 01 ), and ST segment elevated markedly(P< 0. 01) as compared with before treatment, and the changes revealed more evidentin XMT group in comparison with those of thecontrol group (P < 0.05 - 0.01 ). (2 ) Thelevel of CGRP was significantly increased inXMT group (P < 0. 01 ) while unchanged inthe control group (P > 0. 05 ). Conclusions:There is severe damage of vascular endothelialcells in CHD patients. XMT could not only reduce significantly the plasma ET content, butalso enhance markedly the production and release of CGRP, so it has a good anti--ischemiceffect, which may be closely related with itsaction on improving the function of vascularendothelial cells and regulating metabolism ofET and CGRP.展开更多
Vascular endothelial cells and oxidation reduction system play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis(AS).If these conditions are disordered,it will inevitably lead to plaque formation and even ruptu...Vascular endothelial cells and oxidation reduction system play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis(AS).If these conditions are disordered,it will inevitably lead to plaque formation and even rupture.Astragaloside IV(AsIV)and salvianolic acid B(Sal B)are the main active ingredients of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza,respectively,and found to ameliorate vascular endothelial dysfunction and protect against oxidative stress in recent studies.However,it is still unknown if the combination of AsIV and Sal B(AsIV+Sal B)can inhibit the development of plaque through amplifying the protective effect of vascular endothelial cells and anti-oxidative stress effect.To clarify the role of AsIV+Sal B in AS,we observed the efficacy of each group(Control,Model,AsIV,Sal B,and AsIV+Sal B)by biomolecular assays,such as observing the pathological morphology of the aorta by oil red O staining,evaluating the level of oxidative stress and endothelial cells in the serum by the Elisa test,and analyzing the changes of all small molecule metabolites in liver tissue by UPLC-QTOF-MS.Results showed that AsIV,Sal B and AsIV+Sal B decreased the deposition of lipid in the arterial wall,so as to exert the effect of anti-oxidant stress and vascular endothelial protection,where the inhibitory effect of AsIV+Sal B was the most obvious.Metabonomics analysis showed that Sal B regulated the metabolic pathways of arginine and proline.AsIV regulated glycerol metabolism and saturated fatty acid biosynthesis metabolism.AsIV+Sal B is mainly related to the regulation of the citrate cycle(TCA cycle),alanine,aspartic acid,and glutamate metabolism,cysteine,and methionine metabolism.Succinic acid and methionine are synergistic metabolites that exert an enhancing effect when AsIV and Sal B were used in combination.In conclusion,we demonstrated that AsIV acompanied with Sal B can be successfully used for anti-oxidative stress and vascular endothelial protection of AS,and succinic acid and methionine are the synergistic metabolites.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81372025)the 2015 Annual Special Cultivation and Development Project for the Technology Innovation of Beijing(No.Z151100001615056)。
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Injection(SFI)on endothelial damage in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock(HS).Methods:After being bled to a mean arterial pressure of40±3 mm Hg and held for 60 min,32 pigs were treated with a venous injection of either shed blood(transfusion group),shed blood and saline(saline group),shed blood and SFI(SEI group)or without resuscitation(sham group).Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed at baseline and 0,1,2,4,and 6 h after HS.Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),serum interleuking(IL)-6,and IL-10 levels were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1),von Willebrand factor(vWF),plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1)and Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase-3 proteins were determined by Western blot.Results:The serum level of TNF-αin the SFI group was significantly lower than in the other groups at 0,1,and 2 h after HS,while the level of IL-6 was lower at 4 and 6 h compared with the saline group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).The concentration of serum IL-10 was significantly higher in the SFI group than in the other groups at 0,1,4,and 6 h after HS(P<0.01).Western blot and immunohistochemistry of vascular tissue showed that the expression of caspase-3 was downregulated,and that of Bcl-2 and Bax was upregulated in the SFI group compared to other groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:SFI attenuated endothelial injury in the porcine model of HS by inhibiting cell apoptosis,suppressing the formation of proinflammatory cytokines,and reducing endothelial activation.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32090043 and 31771505)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFC0840101 and 2018YFA0108302)+5 种基金Sichuan Science and Technology Program,the Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Projects(2022ZYD0078)Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2023YFQ0008)Science and Technology Department of Tibet,the Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Projects(XZ202102YD0026C)the 1.3.5 Project for Disciplines of Excellence(ZYYC20001,ZYGD20010,and ZY2017201)the Project of Max Cynader Academy of Brain Workstation,WCHSCU(HXYS19005)the National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics(Z20191011,Z20201009,and Z2023YY003).
文摘Endothelial damage is the initial and crucial factor in the occurrence and development of vascular complications in diabetic patients,contributing to morbidity and mortality.Although hyperglycemia has been identified as a damaging effector,the detailed mechanisms remain elusive.In this study,identified by ATAC-seq and RNA-seq,JunB reverses the inhibition of proliferation and the promotion of apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with high glucose,mainly through the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways.Furthermore,JunB undergoes phase separation in the nucleus and in vitro,mediated by its intrinsic disordered region and DNA-binding domain.Nuclear localization and condensation behaviors are required for JunB-mediated proliferation and apoptosis.Thus,our study uncovers the roles of JunB and its coacervation in repairing vascular endothelial damage caused by high glucose,elucidating the involvement of phase separation in diabetes and diabetic endothelial dysfunction.
基金Special Topic of Scientific and Technological Re-search of Traditional ChineseMedicine of the State Adminis-tration of Traditional ChineseMedicine, No. 04-05JL13 theNational Natural Science Foun-dation of China, No.30371812
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of endothelial cells on the permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) after brain injury and its effect mechanism. DATA SOURCES: We searched for the articles of permeability of BBB and endothelial cell injury after brain is- chemia, which were published between January 1982 and December 2005, with the key words of "cerebral ischemia damage,blood brain barrier ( BBB),permeability,effect of endothelial cell (EC) and its variation mechanism"in English. STUDY SELECTION: The materials were primarily selected. The articles related to the changes in the permeability of BBB and the effect of endothelial cells as well as the change mechanism after cerebral ischemia damage were chosen. Repetitive studies or review articles were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Totally 55 related articles were collected, and 35 were excluded due to repetitive or review articles, finally 20 articles were involved. DATA SYNTHESIS: The content or viewpoints of involved literatures were analyzed. Cerebral ischemia had damage for endothelial cells, such as the inflow of a lot of Ca2^+, the production of nitrogen monoxide and oxygen free radical, and aggravated destruction of BBB. After acceptors of inflammatory mediators on cerebrovascular endothelial cell membrane, such as histamine, bradykinin , 5-hydroxytryptamine and so on are activated, endothelial cells shrink and the permeability of BBB increases. Its mechanism involves in the inflow of extracellular Ca^+2and the release of intracellular Ca^2+ in the cells. Glycocalyx molecule on the surface of endothelial cell, having structural polytropy, is the determinative factor of the permeability of BBB. VEGF, intensively increasing the vasopermeability and mainly effecting on postcapillary vein and veinlet, is the strongest known blood vessel permeation reagent. Its chronic overexpression in the brain can lead the destruction of BBB. CONCLUSION: The injury of endothelial cell participants in the pathological mechanism of BBB destruction after cerebral ischemla.
文摘Previous studies suggest that reduction and dysfunction of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs),and dysregulation in stromal cell derived factor-1/CXC-chemokine receptor 4(SDF-1/ CXCR4) axis in diabetes could be therapeutic targets for diabetic ischemic stroke.This study investigated the efficacy of CXCR4-priming EPCs on cerebral repair following ischemic stroke in db/db diabetic mice.Bone marrow derived EPCs from db/+ control mice were transfected with adenovirus(1×10~7 IU) carrying CXCR4(Ad-CXCR4-EPCs)or null(Ad- null-EPCs).The db/db mice were divided into three groups for EPCs injection(2×10~5 cells/100μl): Ad-CXCR4-EPCs,Ad-null-EPCs or saline(vehicle), via tail vein 2 hrs after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery.Cerebral blood flow(CBF) was measured with laser Doppler flowmeter.Mice were sacrificed at 2 or 7 days thereafter.Level of circulating EPCs was measured by flow cytometry. Ischemic damage,cerebral microvascular density (MVD),angiogenesis and neurogenesis were determined by histological staining with Fluoro-J,CD31, CD31 +BrdU,NeuN +BrdU,GFAP+BrdU,respectively. Results(table) showed:1) Levels of CXCR4 expression were reduced in the brain and EPCs of db/db mice as measured by real-time RT-PCR and western blot analyses(data not shown);2) The level of circulating EPCs was more in the mice treated with Ad-CXCR4-EPCs;3)EPC transfusion improved CBF,increased MVD,angiogenesis and neurogenesis in peri-infarct area,and decreased ischemic damage.The efficacies were better in Ad-CXCR4 -EPCs group.Data suggest that transfusion of Ad-CXCR4-EPCs could be a therapeutic avenue for ischemia stroke in diabetes.
文摘To investigate the effects of salvianolic acids on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) against damage induced by cholestane-3β-5α-6β-triol (chol-triol) Methods The viability of HUVEC was measured by MTT method The apoptosis of HUVEC induced by chol-triol was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay The production of malondialdehyd (MDA) in HUVEC was tested by thiobarbaturic acid (TBA) assay Results The viability of HUVEC treated with chol-triol 100 μmol/L decreased by 39 8% while salvianolic acids 100 μg/ml increased by 27 9% The apoptotic rate of HUVEC measured by PI staining increased from 6%-8% to 17%-20% after chol-triol treatment for 12 h Salvianolic acids 100 μg/ml reduced the apoptotic rate to 10%-14% after treatment HUVEC for 1 h prior to chol-triol treatment In another experiment, chol-triol increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells 5 times, but salvianolic acids 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells by 36 9% and 61 2%, respectively The production of MDA in HUVEC increased by 120 7% after chol-triol treatment for 12 h Salvianolic acids 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml also decreased the concentration of MDA by 28 7% and 39 8%, respectively Conclusion Salvianolic acids has protective effect on endothelial cells against damage induced by chol-triol
文摘Objective To observe the prevention of Fangshuan Capsule(FC)on percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)induced myocardial damage and vascular endothelial injury in patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP).Methods Totally 100 UAP patients undergoing PCI were assigned to the control group and the
文摘Objective: To assess the effect of Xinmaitong (XMT) capsule in treating coronaryheart disease (CHD). Methods: Thirty-eightpatients of coronary heart disease with myocardial ischemia were divided randomly intoXMT group (20 cases) and control group (18cases). Conventional western medical therapywas given to both groups and the XMT groupreceived additional XMT treatment. Thechanges of endothelin (ET ) and calcitoningene-related peptide (CGRP) levels, ST segment of ECG and clinical symptoms aftertreatment in all the patients were observed.Data of 14 healthy persons were taken as normal control. Results: The ET level of all patients was significantly higher than that of thenormal control (P < 0. 001 ), and level ofCGRP in patients was not different from normal control significantly (P > 0. 05 ). Aftertreatment, results showed that: (1 ) The ETlevels and the scores of clinical symptoms ofboth groups decreased significantly (P <0. 01 ), and ST segment elevated markedly(P< 0. 01) as compared with before treatment, and the changes revealed more evidentin XMT group in comparison with those of thecontrol group (P < 0.05 - 0.01 ). (2 ) Thelevel of CGRP was significantly increased inXMT group (P < 0. 01 ) while unchanged inthe control group (P > 0. 05 ). Conclusions:There is severe damage of vascular endothelialcells in CHD patients. XMT could not only reduce significantly the plasma ET content, butalso enhance markedly the production and release of CGRP, so it has a good anti--ischemiceffect, which may be closely related with itsaction on improving the function of vascularendothelial cells and regulating metabolism ofET and CGRP.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81974566)the Taishan Scholar Construction Project Grant Project(No.ts201712042)。
文摘Vascular endothelial cells and oxidation reduction system play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis(AS).If these conditions are disordered,it will inevitably lead to plaque formation and even rupture.Astragaloside IV(AsIV)and salvianolic acid B(Sal B)are the main active ingredients of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza,respectively,and found to ameliorate vascular endothelial dysfunction and protect against oxidative stress in recent studies.However,it is still unknown if the combination of AsIV and Sal B(AsIV+Sal B)can inhibit the development of plaque through amplifying the protective effect of vascular endothelial cells and anti-oxidative stress effect.To clarify the role of AsIV+Sal B in AS,we observed the efficacy of each group(Control,Model,AsIV,Sal B,and AsIV+Sal B)by biomolecular assays,such as observing the pathological morphology of the aorta by oil red O staining,evaluating the level of oxidative stress and endothelial cells in the serum by the Elisa test,and analyzing the changes of all small molecule metabolites in liver tissue by UPLC-QTOF-MS.Results showed that AsIV,Sal B and AsIV+Sal B decreased the deposition of lipid in the arterial wall,so as to exert the effect of anti-oxidant stress and vascular endothelial protection,where the inhibitory effect of AsIV+Sal B was the most obvious.Metabonomics analysis showed that Sal B regulated the metabolic pathways of arginine and proline.AsIV regulated glycerol metabolism and saturated fatty acid biosynthesis metabolism.AsIV+Sal B is mainly related to the regulation of the citrate cycle(TCA cycle),alanine,aspartic acid,and glutamate metabolism,cysteine,and methionine metabolism.Succinic acid and methionine are synergistic metabolites that exert an enhancing effect when AsIV and Sal B were used in combination.In conclusion,we demonstrated that AsIV acompanied with Sal B can be successfully used for anti-oxidative stress and vascular endothelial protection of AS,and succinic acid and methionine are the synergistic metabolites.