Comparison of Mitoxantrone in Combination with Intermediate-dose Cytarabine versus High-dose Cytarabine as Consolidation Therapies for Young Non-APL Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with Favorable and Intermediate Cytogenetics

In this study,we compared the efficacy of mitoxantrone in combination with intermediate-dose cytarabine（HAM） with that of high-dose cytarabine alone（Hi DAC） as consolidation regimens in non-acute promyelocytic leukemia（APL） acute myeloid leukemia patients with favorable and intermediate cytogenetics.A total of 62 patients from Shenzhen People＇s Hospital were enrolled in this study.All patients enrolled received standard induction chemotherapy and achieved the first complete remission（CR1）.In these patients,24 received Hi DAC and 38 received HAM as consolidation.The median relapse free survival（RFS） and overall survival（OS） were similar between these two consolidation regimens.Even in subgroup analysis according to risk stratification,the combination regimen conferred no benefit in longterm outcome in patients with favorable or intermediate cytogenetics.However,in patients receiving HAM regimen,the lowest neutrophil count was lower,neutropenic period longer,neutropenic fever rate higher,and more platelet transfusion support was required.HAM group also tended to have higher rate of sepsis than Hi DAC group.According to our results,we suggest that combination treatment with mitoxantrone and intermediate-dose cytarabine has limited value as compared to Hi DAC,even in young non-APL AML patients with favorable and intermediate cytogenetics.

Correlation between Survivin Expression and Laryngeal Carcinoma:A Meta-analysis

In order to provide evidence for evidence-based medicine in the treatment and prognosis of laryngeal cancer in China, the meta-analysis electronically retrieved the case-control studies published in China about the Survivin expression and its association with clinical pathological features in the tissues of laryngeal carcinoma. The results showed that a total of 25 case-control studies were finally included with 1333 cases of laryngeal cancer and 528 cases of controls. The difference in the expression of Survivin between the two groups was statistically significant [OR=18.34, 95% CI（11.82, 28.47）, P〈0.00001]. The difference in the expression of Survivin between laryngeal carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis or not was statistically significant [OR=0.25, 95% CI（0.17, 0.37）, P〈0.00001]. The expression of Survivin in clinical Ⅰ–Ⅱ stage group was significantly lower than in the clinical stage Ⅲ–Ⅳ group [OR=0.24, 95% CI（0.18, 0.32）, P〈0.00001]. The expression of Survivin in patients with low/medium differentiation was significantly lower than that in those with high differentiation [OR=0.33, 95% CI（0.26, 0.43）, P〈0.00001]. The difference in the expression of Survivin among different T stages of laryngeal carcinoma was statistically significant [OR=0.35, 95% CI（0.21, 0.58）, P〈0.00001]. In conclusion, Survivin may play an important role in the occurrence and development of laryngeal carcinoma, and its high expression is related to the poor prognosis of patients with laryngeal cancer.

Efficacy of Different Fluids Preload on Propofol Injection Pain:A Randomized,Controlled,Double-blinded Study

Injection pain of propofol remains a common clinical problem. Previous studies demonstrated that propofol injection pain was alleviated by applying nitroglycerin ointment to the skin of injection site, which inspires us to test whether venous vasodilation induced by fluid preload could alleviate the pain. Different types or volumes of fluid preload were compared. 200 ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ adult patients were randomly assigned to five groups of 40 each. A 20 G cannula was established on the dorsum or wrist of the hand. When fluid preload given with Plasma-Lyte A 100 m L（P100 group）, 250 m L（P250 group）, 500 m L（P500 group）, 0.9% saline 500 m L（N500 group） or Gelofusine 500 m L（G500 group） was completed within 30 min, respectively, Propofol（0.5 mg/kg, 1%） was injected at a rate of 0.5 m L/s. A blind investigator assessed the pain using a four-point scale. Incidence of pain in P100, P250, and P500 groups was 87.5%, 57.5% and 35%, respectively（P〈0.05）. The median pain intensity score was significantly lower in P500 group than that in P250 and P100 groups（P〈0.05 and P〈0.01, respectively）. Comparison of the effect of different types of solution preload indicated that the highest incidence of pain was in N500 group（62.5%）（N500 vs. P500, P=0.014; N500 vs. G500, P=0.007）. The median pain intensity score in N500 group was higher than that in P500 group（P〈0.05） and G500 group（P〈0.05）. There was no significant difference between P500 and G500 groups. It is suggested that Plasma-Lyte A or Gelofusine preload with 500 m L before propofol injection is effective in alleviating propofol-induced pain.

IFN-γ Secretion in Gut of Ob/Ob Mice after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and Its Function in Weight Loss Mechanism

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy（VSG） is becoming more and more popular among the world. Despite its dramatic efficacy, however, the mechanism of VSG remains largely undetermined. This study aimed to test interferon（IFN）-γ secretion n of mesenteric lymph nodes in obese mice（ob/ob mice）, a model of VSG, and its relationship with farnesoid X receptor（FXR） expression in the liver and small intestine, and to investigate the weight loss mechanism of VSG. The wild type（WT） mice and ob/ob mice were divided into four groups： A（WT＋Sham）, B（WT＋VSG）, C（ob/ob＋Sham）, and D（ob/ob＋VSG）. Body weight values were monitored. The IFN-γ expression in mesenteric lymph nodes of ob/ob mice pre- and post-operation was detected by flow cytometry（FCM）. The FXR expression in the liver and small intestine was detected by Western blotting. The mouse AML-12 liver cells were stimulated with IFN-γ at different concentrations in vitro. The changes of FXR expression were also examined. The results showed that the body weight of ob/ob mice was significantly declined from（40.6±2.7） g to（27.5±3.8） g on the 30 th day after VSG（P〈0.05）. At the same time, VSG induced a higher level secretion of IFN-γ in mesenteric lymph nodes of ob/ob mice than that pre-operation（P〈0.05）. The FXR expression levels in the liver and small intestine after VSG were respectively 0.97±0.07 and 0.84±0.07 fold of GAPDH, which were significantly higher than pre-operative levels of 0.50±0.06 and 0.48±0.06 respectively（P〈0.05）. After the stimulation of AML-12 liver cells in vitro by different concentrations of IFN-γ（0, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 ng/m L）, the relative FXR expression levels were 0.22±0.04, 0.31±0.04, 0.39±0.05, 0.38±0.05, 0.56±0.06, and 0.35±0.05, respectively, suggesting IFN-γ could distinctly promote the FXR expression in a dose-dependent manner in comparison to those cells without IFN-γ stimulation（P〈0.05）. It was concluded that VSG induces a weight loss in ob/ob mice by increasing IFN-γ secretion of mesenteric lymph nodes, which then increases the FXR expression of the liver and small intestine.

Effects and Clinical Significance of Pentoxifylline on the Oxidative Stress of Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy（DN） is a common and serious clinical complication of diabetes and presently there are no effective ways to prevent its occurrence and progression. Recent studies show that pentoxifylline（PTX） can improve renal hemodynamics, reduce urinary protein excretion, and alleviate or delay renal failure in DN patients. In this study, we focused on the anti-oxidative stress effect of PTX on alleviating renal damages of DN using rat models. DN rats were established with injection of streptozotocin. Blood glucose, urinary protein excretion, serum cystatin C, renal biopsy, superoxide dismutase（SOD） and malondialdehyde（MDA） in serum and renal homogenate and renal nitrotyrosine levels were analyzed before and 12 weeks after the treatment of PTX. Before treatment, all the DN rats had elevated blood glucose, increased urinary protein excretion and elevated serum cystatin C. Morphologically, DN rats exhibited renal tissue damages, including swelling and fusions of foot processes of podocytes under electron microscope. Masson staining revealed blue collagen deposition in glomeruli and renal interstitium. With treatment of PTX, symptoms and renal pathological changes of DN rats were alleviated. Furthermore, the MDA levels were increased and the SOD levels were decreased in the serum and kidneys of DN rats, and these changes were reversed by PTX. The expression of nitrotyrosine was up-regulated in DN rat model and down-regulated by PTX, indicating that PTX was able to inhibit oxidative reactions in DN rats. PTX could alleviate renal damage in DN, which may be attributable to its anti-oxidative stress activity.

Development of a Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Determination of Butoconazole Nitrate in Human Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Summary： A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） method was developed and validated for the determination of butoconazole in human plasma. Human plasma samples of 0.2 μL were pretreated by a single step protein precipitation procedure and analyzed using a high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） electrospray tandem mass spectrometer system. The compounds were eluted isocratically on an Inertsil ODS-SP column （100 min×2.1 mm, 3 μm）, ionized using a positive ion atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization source and analyzed using multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode. The ion transitions monitored were m/z 412.8→q65.1 for butoconazole and m/z 453.4→230.3 for the internal standard. The chromatographic run time was 3.5 min per injection, with retention time of 2.47 rain and 2.15 min for butoconazole and repaglinide, respectively. The method was validated to be linear over the range of 20 to 8000 pg/mL （r〉0.999） by using a weighted （1/x2） quadratic regression. The mean recovery rate was more than 86.7%, and the intra- and inter-day precision of the quality control samples （QCs） was less than 8.3% and the accuracy ranged from 96.0% to 110.2%, which indicated that the quantitative method was reliable and accurate. The method is simple, rapid, and has been applied successfully to a pharmacokinetics study of butoconazole nitrate suppositories in healthy Chinese females.

Effect of Dexamethasone on Expression of AGR2 Protein in Asthmatic Mice

This study examined the expression of the anterior gradient-2 （AGR2） protein and Muc5ac protein in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone, with an at- tempt to explore the role of AGR2 in the over-secretion of mucus in the airway. Eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into asthma group, control group and dexamethasone group. In dexamethasone group, dexamethasone was intraperitoneally administered. Expression of AGR2 protein and Muc5ac protein in the murine lung tissues was immunohistochemically detected. IL-13 level was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） by ELISA. The results exhibited that the expression of AGR2 protein in asthma group （0.522±0.041） was significantly higher than that in normal controls （0.361±0.047） （P〈0.01） and bore a positive linear relationship to the expression of Muc5ac protein （r=0.873, P〈0.05） and IL-13 level （r=0.828, P〈0.05）. Expression of AGR2 protein in the dexa- methasone group （0.456±0.049） was significantly lower than that in the asthma group. It was concluded that： （1） the expression of AGR2 protein was significantly higher in asthmatic mice as com- pared with their normal counterparts; （2） the expression was obviously related to the expression of Muc5ac protein and IL-13; （3） dexamethasone could down-regulate the expression of AGR2 protein. Our findings suggested that AGR2 might be involved in the over-secretion of mucus in the airway in asthma.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Two Strains of Dermatophytes

In this study, we used traditional morphological and molecular identification methods to preliminarily identify two strains of dermatophytes. The two strains were observed under the micro- scope. And then the dermatophytes were cultured on Sabouraud＇s dextrose agar （SDA）. The 18S rRNA regions of the two dermatophyte strains were amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, and the PCR products were sequenced and compared with GenBank data. BLAST tools and DNAMAN soft- ware were used to analyze the sequences. To further determine highly homologous sequences, a phy- logenetic tree was constructed using the Neighbor-Joining method. The two strains of dermatophytes were identified by traditional morphological identification as Epidermophyton floccosurn and Micro- sporum ferrugineum. The 18S rRNA sequence analyses showed high similarities to Cladosporium cladosporioides isolate Cll5LM-UFPR and Ascomycete sp. LB68A1A2. Epidermophyton and Cladosporium belong to dermatophyte, while Microsporum ferrugineum and Ascomycete belong to mi- crosporum. The two novel strains of dermatophytes were therefore identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides isolate C115LM-UFPR （JN650537, Cladosporium ） and Ascomycete sp. LB68A1A2 （AY770409, Ascomycete sp）.

Dexamethasone Reduces IL-17 and Tim-3 Expression in BALF of Asthmatic Mice

Summary： This study investigated the expression of interleukin-17 （IL-17） and T cell immunoglobulin mucin and domain-containing molecule-3 （Tim-3） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone （DEX） on these factors. Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into three groups： normal group, asthmatic group and DEX group. The mouse model of asthma was es- tablished by sensitization with ovalbumin in both the asthmatic and DEX groups. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β were measured in BALF by enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression level of Tim-3 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The ratio of Tim-3＋CD4＋ cells to total CD4＋ cells in BALF was determined by flow cy- tometry. Differential inflammatory cells in BALF were detected. The correlations among IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, Tim-3 and inflammatory cells were analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-17, IL-6 and Tim-3 were substantially increased and the IL-10 level decreased in BALF in the asthmatic mice, which was significantly reversed by DEX treatment. IL-17 expression was positively correlated with IL-6 and Tim-3 expression and the number of inflammatory cells but negatively with IL-10 expression. These results indicate that the increased expression of IL-17 and Tim-3 in BALF may be implicated in the occurrence and development of asthmatic inflammation; the mechanism by which DEX suppresses asthmatic airway inflammation involves down-regulation of IL-17 and Tim-3 levels.

Effect of Baicalein on the Expression of VIP in Extravillous Cytotrophoblasts Infected with Human Cytomegalovirus In Vitro

Summary： This paper aimed to study the ability of baicalein to block human cytomegalovirus （HCMV） infection in extravillous cytotrophoblasts （EVT） and its effect on the vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） expression in HCMV-infected EVT in vitro. A human trophoblast cell line （HPT-8） was chosen in this study. HCMV with 100 TCIDs0was added into culture medium to infect HPT-8 cells, and then HCMV pp65 antigen was assayed by immunofluorescence staining. The infection status was determined by vi- rus titration. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR） was used to detect virus DNA load in the infected cells. The expression of VIP mRNA and protein in the infected cells was measured by qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Concentration of VIP secreted in supernatants was determined by ELISA. Red-stained HCMV pp65 antigens were found in infected HPT-8 cells 48 h after infection. HCMV replicated in large quantity in infected HPT-8 cells 4 days after infection, reaching a peak at day 6 post-infection. After treatment with baicalein, virus DNA load in in- fected HPT-8 cells was decreased （P〈0.05）, and the levels of VIP mRNA and protein, and the concen- tration were raised to the normal （P〉0.05）. Our study suggested that baicalein exerts a positive effect on the VIP expression in HCMV-infected EVT at maternal-fetal interface.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells Homing to the Orthotopic Implanted Liver Tumor of Nude Mice

This study investigated the 'homing' phenomenon in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).The 'homing' specificity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) by establishing an orthotopic implantation model in nude mice.EPCs harvested from the marrow cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation.Fluorescence microscope,flow cytometry (FCM) and double fluorescence staining with FITC-UEA-I and DiI-ac-LDL,were employed to identify the cells.4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) labelling and real-time PCR were used for detecting the expression of CD133 and chemokines to trace and observe the distribution of EPCs.Our results showed that the distribution rate of EPCs was obviously higher than that in other important organs and the negative control group.Detection of CD133 and chemokines yielded similar results in difference tissues.Our experiment confirmed that the chemotaxis of EPCs does exist in HCC.Moreover,HIF-1α,SDF-1 and VEGF might play important roles in the 'homing' of EPCs in HCC.EPCs might be a potential candidate for targeting vector of HCC for gene therapy.

Inhibition of HBV Replication by VPS4B and Its Dominant Negative Mutant VPS4B-K180Q In Vivo

This study examined the anti-hepatitis B virus （HBV） effect of wild-type （WT） vacuolar protein sorting 4B （VPS4B） and its dominant negative （DN） mutant VPS4B-K180Q in vivo in order to further explore the relationship between HBV and the host cellular factor VPS4. VPS4B gene was amplified from Huh7 cells by RT-PCR and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pXF3H. Then, the VPS4B plasmid and the VPS4B-K180Q mutation plasmid were constructed by using the overlap extension PCR site-directed mutagenesis technique. VPS4B and HBV vectors were co-delivered into mice by the hydrodynamic tail-vein injection to establish HBV vector-based models. Quantities of HBsAg and HBeAg in the mouse sera were determined by ElectroChemiLuminescence （ECL）. HBV DNA in sera was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Southern blot analysis was used to assay the intracellular HBV nuclear capsid-related DNA, real-time quantitative PCR to detect the HBV-related mRNA and immunohistochemical staining to observe the HBcAg expression in the mouse liver tissues. Our results showed that VPS4B and its mutant VPS4B-K180Q could decrease the levels of serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV-DNA. In addition, the HBV DNA replication and the mRNA level of HBV in the liver tissues of treated mice could be suppressed by VPS4B and VPS4B-K180Q. It was also found that VPS4B and VPS4B-K180Q had an ability to inhibit core antigen expression in the infected mouse liver. Furthermore, the anti-HBV effect of mutant VPS4B-K180Q was more potent than that of wild-type VPS4B. Taken together, it was concluded that VPS4B and its DN mutant VPS4B-K180Q have anti-HBV effect in vivo, which helps develop molecular therapeutic strategies for HBV infection.

Protective Effect of Diallyl Trisulfide on Liver in Rats with Sepsis and the Mechanism

The protective effects of diallyl trisulfide on liver were examined in rats with sepsis. Sepsis was reproduced in rats by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (group S, n=8), sepsis model group (group C, n=24), diallyl trisulfide (DATS)-treated group (group D, n=24). Animals in groups C and D were further divided into three subgroups according to different observation time points, with 8 rats in each sub-group.Rats in group D and C were intravenously injected with normal saline or DATS respectively at a dose of 20 mg/kg after the establishment of sepsis model. Eight rats in groups C and D were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 24 h post-CLP and their livers were harvested for detection of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), c-fos, c-jun, malondialdehydethhe (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and for pathological examination. The results showed that the levels of serum IRAK-4, NF-κB and TNF-α in hepatic tissues were higher in group C than group S (control group) (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of IRAK-4 and NF-κB in the hepatic tissues and serum TNF-α in group D were lower than those in group C (P<0.05). The levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were higher in group C than in group S (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were significantly lower in group D than in group C (P<0.05). When compared with group S group, concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues in group C was significantly lower (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues was higher in group D than in group C (P<0.05). These findings suggested that treatment with DATS could ameliorate sepsis-induced liver injury in rats. The protective effect might be related to its ability to inhibit the signal pathway of IRAK-4 and NF-κB, thereby decreasing the production of oxygen free radicals and down-regulating the expression of c-fos and c-jun.

Laparoscopic Repair of Esophageal Hiatal Hernia

This study was to appraise safety and feasibility of laparoscopic approach and investigate the clinical effects of laparoscopic tension-free repair of esophageal hiatal hernia using mesh. From August 2006 to July 2009, 24 patients with esophageal hiatal hernia underwent laparoscopic repair. Twenty-three patients received laparoscopic tension-free repair using mesh, at the same time, Toupet or Dor partial fundoplication was performed. One patient was converted to open surgery. The average operating time was 90 min （70-210 min） and the blood loss was between 10-110 mL. There was no death. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days （3-30 days）. During a follow-up period of 12-20 months （mean 15 months）, there was no recurrence of the hernia, and no complication with use of mesh.The present study suggested that laparoscopic approach was secure and minimally invasive operation for esophageal hiatal hernia and the use of mesh could reduce recurrence rate.

Analysis of 287 Patients with Aortic Dissection:General Characteristics,Outcomes and Risk Factors in a Single Center

The general characteristics,outcomes and risk factors of the patients with aortic dissection（AD） were evaluated in a single medical center.From January 2002 to December 2008,284 patients with AD were treated and followed-up at our institution,including 105 cases of type A AD and 179 cases of type B AD.The patients in each type were divided into three groups according to management：medical treatment group（A or B）,open surgery group（A or B）,and stent-graft group（A or B）.The characteristics and follow-up outcomes were compared between the groups or subgroups.The results showed that there was significant difference in the prognosis for type A AD between medical treatment group and open surgery group,but there was no significant difference in the prognosis for type B AD between medical treatment group and stent-graft group.Independent risk factors of follow-up mortality for patients with type A AD included a history of atherosclerosis（HR,3.80795% confidence interval [CI],1.489 to 7.611P=0.003）,in-hospital hypotension/shock（HR,4.68795% CI,1.846 to 11.900P=0.001）,in-hospital myocardial ischemia or infarction（HR,3.73495% CI,1.613 to 8.643P=0.002）,pleural effusion（HR,2.21095% CI,1.080 to 4.521P=0.030）,branch vessel involvement（HR,2.74795% CI,1.202 to 6.278P=0.016） and surgical treatment（HR,0.17795% CI,0.063 to 0.502P=0.001）.And there were insignificant independent predictors for mortality of the patients with type B AD.It was concluded that there were significant differences in characteristics and one year mortality between type A AD and type B AD,but after one year,there was no significant difference in the mortality and complications of them.There were several discordant risk factors of AD,such as female gender,age,thrombus,abrupt onset of pain that were considered as the risk factors in some papers.And there was no definite risk factor of mortality in this study in the patients with type B AD.

Deep Vein Thrombosis:Related to Anemophilous Pollen?

The etiology of deep vein thrombosis（DVT） is still not elucidated nowadays.Based on the accordance between DVT incidence and the anemophilous pollen concentration in the air,we proposed the hypothesis that allergic reaction induced by anemophilous pollen may cause ＂idiopathic＂ DVT,and proinflammatory factors may play an important role in the thrombosis process.

Wave Intensity Analysis of Carotid Artery:A Noninvasive Technique for Assessing Hemodynamic Changes of Hyperthyroid Patients

This study examined the wave intensity (WI) of the carotid artery in patients with hyperthyroid in order to assess the hemodynamic changes of hyperthyroid patients.A total of 86 hyperthyroid patients without cardiac morphological changes and arrhythmia, and 80 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.Right common carotid artery (RCCA) was selected for ultrasonic imaging to obtain WI indices, including amplitude of the peak during early systole (W1), amplitude of the peak during late systole (W2), area of the negative wave during mid-systole (NA), interval between R wave of electrocardiogram and W1 (R-1st), interval between W1 and W2 (1st-2nd).The levels of serum thyroid hormones, consisting of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), were measured in hyperthyroid patients.Echocardiographic indices including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) were determined in each subject.The results showed that the W1, W2, NA, and (1st-2nd×HR) in hyperthyroid patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls.There was no significant difference in LVEF and LVFS between the two groups.FT3 was correlated with W1, W2, NA, (1st-2nd×HR), pulse pressure (PP) and heart rate (HR) in hyperthyroid patients.Several abnormal waves on WI curves were present in 19 hyperthyroid patients during mid-systole.It was concluded that WI technique may prove a real-time, noninvasive, sensitive and convenient tool for assessing the cardiac function and hemodynamic alterations in hyperthyroid patients.

Roles of Human Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis

This study examined the adipocytokine-vascular interactions and link between epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery atherosclerosis.Thirty-four patients undergoing open heart surgery were chosen randomly, and divided into groupⅠ(non-coronary artery disease group) and group Ⅱ(coronary artery disease group).Blood samples were taken through peripheral vein prior to surgery.Plasma levels of a panel of proteins (adiponectin, IL-10, TNF-α) were detected by using ELISA.Epicardial adipose tissue was taken near the proximal tract of the right coronary artery and subcutaneous adipose was taken from the leg before cardiopulmonary bypassing, adiponectin and CD68+ were detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.Our results showed that plasma adiponectin level was significantly lower in the group Ⅱ as compared with group Ⅰ(P【0.05).There were no differences in plasma concentration (IL-10, TNF-α, tatal-chol, HDL-chol, LDL-chol) between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ.The number of CD68+ cells in epicardial adipose tissue of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than that in subcutaneous adipose tissue.Adiponectin mRNA expression was 6 fold higher in subcutaneous adipose tissue than in epicardial adipose tissue of group Ⅱ (P【0.01).Furthermore, the level of adiponectin mRNA in the epicardial adipose tissue in group Ⅱ was also significantly lower than in group Ⅰ (P【0.05).We are led to conclude that inflammation that occurs locally in epicardial adipose tissue of CAD contributes to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

Effect of Spindle Checkpoint on Akt2-mediated Paclitaxel-resistance in A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells

Recent evidence has suggested that Akt2 plays an important role in the protection of cells from paclitaxel （PTX）-induced apoptosis and control of the cell cycle. In addition, some scholars suggested that the PTX sensitivity depends on a functional spindle assembly checkpoint. In the present study, we investigated the role of the Akt2/Bubl cross-talking in apoptosis and cell cycle after exposure of the A2780 ovarian cancer cells to paclitaxel （PTX）. Recombinant expression plasmid WT-Akt2 was transfected into A2780 cells by lipofectamine2000, and then the expression level of Akt2 gene was detected by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining after treatment with PTX. Moreover, we compared the expression level of Bubl in different groups by Western blotting. Our study showed that up-regulation of Akt2 contributed to A2780 ovarian cancer cells overriding PTX-induced G2/M arrest, and inhibited Bubl expression. Our findings might shed light on the molecular mechanism of PTX-induced resistance in ovarian cancer and help develop novel anti-neoplastic strategies.

Assessment of Left Atrial Function in Diabetes Mellitus by Left Atrial Volume Tracking Method

The value of the left atrial volume tracking (LAVT) method in the evaluation of left atrial (LA) function in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) was examined in this study.Fifty-eight DM patients as DM group and 40 healthy people as normal control group were enrolled in this study.EUB-6500 echocardiographic imaging system with LAVT was applied to display and analyze the LA volume curve imaging on LV apical two and four chamber views.The maximal LA volume at end-systole (LAV max),LA volume at the onset of ECG-P wave (LAV p),the minimal LA volume at end-diastole (LAV min) from the LA volume curve were acquired and recorded.All values above were standardized by body surface area (BSA).Then the passive,active and total LA volume (LAVIpass,LAVIact,LAVItotal) and empting rate (%LAVIpass,%LAVIact,%LAVItotal),effective passive and active empting rate (%eLAVIpass,%eLAVIact),and the proportionality of passive empting volume and active empting volume were calculated.The LAVIp,LAVIact,LAVItotal,%LAVIact,%LAVItotal and %eLAVIact were significantly higher in the DM group than those in the control group,whereas the LAVIpass,%LAVIpass,%eLAVIpass and LAVIpass/act were lower (all P【0.05).For the LA volume change in DM,the active empting volume was enhanced at end-diastole.It was concluded that LAVT is a potentially useful tool to evaluate the function of LA.