Background The computational fluid dynamics(CFD)approach has been frequently applied to compute the fractional flow reserve(FFR)using computed tomography angiography(CTA).This technique is efficient.We developed the D...Background The computational fluid dynamics(CFD)approach has been frequently applied to compute the fractional flow reserve(FFR)using computed tomography angiography(CTA).This technique is efficient.We developed the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value out of CTA images in five minutes.This study is to evaluate the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value from CTA images as an efficient method.Methods A single-center,prospective study was conducted and 63 patients were enrolled for the evaluation of the diagnostic performance of DEEPVESSEL-FFR.Automatic quantification method for the three-dimensional coronary arterial geometry and the deep learning based prediction of FFR were developed to assess the ischemic risk of the stenotic coronary arteries.Diagnostic performance of the DEEPVESSEL-FFR was assessed by using wire-based FFR as reference standard.The primary evaluation factor was defined by using the area under receiver-operation characteristics curve(AUC)analysis.Results For per-patient level,taking the cut-off value<0.8 referring to the FFR measurement,DEEPVESSEL-FFR presented higher diagnostic performance in determining ischemia-related lesions with area under the curve of 0.928 compare to CTA stenotic severity 0.664.DEEPVESSEL-FFR correlated with FFR(R=0.686,P<0.001),with a mean di&ference of-0.006士0.0091(P=0.619).The secondary evaluation factors,indicating per vessel accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value were 87.3%,97.14%,75%,82.93%,and 95.45%,respectively.Conclusion DEEPVESSEL-FFR is a novel method that allows efficient assessment of the functional significance of coronary stenosis.展开更多
Background Computed tomography （CT）-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a well-established technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and ...Background Computed tomography （CT）-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a well-established technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and complication rate of CT-guided lung biopsy in a Chinese population. Methods CT-guided cutting needle lung biopsies were performed in our institution on 1014 patients between January 2000 and October 2010. A chest radiograph was taken after the biopsy. Data about basic patient information, final diagnosis, and complications secondary to biopsy procedure （pneumothorax and bleeding） were extracted. Results The diagnostic efficiency of CT-guided lung biopsy was 94.8%; only 53 patients did not get a final diagnosis from lung biopsy. Final diagnoses found 639 malignant lesions （63.0%） and 322 benign lesions （31.8%）. Pneumothorax occurred in 131 patients and 15 required insertion of an intercostal drain. Small hemoptysis occurred in 41 patients and mild parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 16 patients. The overall complication rate was 18.5%. Conclusions CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions is a relatively safe technique with a high diagnostic accuracy. It can be safely performed in clinical trials.展开更多
Background Radial artery spasm （RAS） is the most common complication in transradial coronary angiography and intervention. In this study, we designed to investigate the incidence of RAS during transradial procedures...Background Radial artery spasm （RAS） is the most common complication in transradial coronary angiography and intervention. In this study, we designed to investigate the incidence of RAS during transradial procedures in Chinese, find out the independent predictors through multiple regression, and analyze the clinical effect of RAS during follow-up. Methods Patients arranged to receive transradial coronary angiography and intervention were consecutively enrolled. The incidence of RAS was recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to find out the influence factors of RAS, and logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the independent predictors of RAS. The patients were asked to return 1 month later for the assessment of the radial access.Results The incidence of RAS was 7.8% （112/1427） in all the patients received transradial procedure. Univariate analysis indicates that young （P=0.038）, female （P=0.026）, small diameter of radial artery （P 〈0.001）, diabetes （P=0.026）, smoking （P=0.019）, moderate or severe pain during radial artery cannulation （P〈0.001）, unsuccessful access at first attempt （P=0.002）, big sheath （P=0.004）, number of catheters （〉3） （P=0.048）, rapid baseline heart rate （P=0.032） and long operation time （P=0.021） were associated with RAS. Logistic regression showed that female （OR=1.745, 95% CI： 1.148-3.846, P=0.024）, small radial artery diameter （OR=4.028, 95%CI： 1.264-12.196, P=0.008）, diabetes （OR= 2.148, 95%CI： 1.579-7.458, P=0.019） and unsuccessful access at first attempt （OR=1.468, 95%CI： 1.212-2.591, P=0.032） were independent predictors of RAS. Follow-up at （28±7） days after the procedure showed that, compared with non-spasm patients, the RAS patients had higher portion of pain （11.8% vs. 6.2%, P=0.043）. The occurrences of hematoma （7.3% vs. 5.6%, P=0.518） and radial artery occlusion （3.6% vs. 2.6%, P=0.534） were similar. Conclusions The incidence of RAS during transradial coronary展开更多
Background Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） had become the major therapeutic procedure for coronary artery disease （CAD）, but the high rate of in-stent restenosis （ISR） still remained an unsolved clinica...Background Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） had become the major therapeutic procedure for coronary artery disease （CAD）, but the high rate of in-stent restenosis （ISR） still remained an unsolved clinical problem in clinical practice. Increasing evidences suggested that diabetes mellitus （DM） was a major risk factor for ISR, but the risk predictors of ISR in CAD patients with DM had not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and angiographic characteristic predictors significantly associated with the occurrence of ISR in diabetic patients following coronary stenting with drug-eluting stent （DES）. Methods A total of 920 patients with diabetes who diagnosed CAD and underwent coronary DES implantation at Beijing Anzhen Hospital in China were consecutively enrolled from January 2012 to December 2012. Of these, 440 patients underwent the second angiography within ≥ 6 months due to the progression of treated target lesions. Finally, 368 of these patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed up by angiography after baseline PCI. According to whether ISR was detected at follow-up angiography, patients were divided into the ISR group （n = 74） and the non-ISR group （n = 294）. The independent predictors of ISR in patients with DM were explored by multivariate Cox＇s proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 368 patients （260 women and 108 men） with a mean ages of 58.71 ± 10.25 years were finally enrolled in this study. Of these, ISR occurred in 74/368 diabetic patients （20.11%） by follow-up angiography. Univariate analysis showed that most baseline characteristics of the ISR and non-ISR group were similar. Patients in the ISR group had significantly higher serum very low density lipoprotein cholesterol （VLDL-C）, triglyceride （TG） and uric acid （UA） levels, more numbers of target vessel lesions, higher prevalence of multi-vessel disease, higher SYNTAX score, higher rate of previous but lo展开更多
Catalpol is the main active ingredient of an extract from Radix rehmanniae,which in a previous study showed a protective effect against various types of tissue injury.However,a protective effect of catalpol on uterine...Catalpol is the main active ingredient of an extract from Radix rehmanniae,which in a previous study showed a protective effect against various types of tissue injury.However,a protective effect of catalpol on uterine inflammation has not been reported.In this study,to investigate the protective mechanism of catalpol on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced bovine endometrial epithelial cells(bEECs)and mouse endometritis,in vitro and in vivo inflammation models were established.The Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and its downstream inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),western blot(WB),and immunofluorescence techniques.The results from ELISA and qRT-PCR showed that catalpol dose-dependently reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6,and chemokines such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8)and CXCL5,both in bEECs and in uterine tissue.From the experimental results of WB,qRT-PCR,and immunofluorescence,the expression of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 were markedly inhibited by catalpol compared with the LPS group.The inflammatory damage to the mouse uterus caused by LPS was greatly reduced and was accompanied by a decline in myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity.The results of this study suggest that catalpol can exert an anti-inflammatory impact on LPS-induced bEECs and mouse endometritis by inhibiting inflammation and activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.展开更多
Background Hypoxemic respiratory failure （HRF） is one of the most common causes for neonatal infants requiring aggressive respiratory support. Inhaled nitric oxide （iNO） has been established routinely as an adjunc...Background Hypoxemic respiratory failure （HRF） is one of the most common causes for neonatal infants requiring aggressive respiratory support. Inhaled nitric oxide （iNO） has been established routinely as an adjunct to conventional respiratory support in developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of iNO in neonates with HRF in resource limited condition with no or limited use of surfactant, high frequency oscillatory ventilation （HFOV） and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Methods A non-randomized, open, controlled study of efficacy of iNO was conducted over 18 months. Eligible term and near-term neonates from 28 hospitals with HRF （oxygenation index ＞15） were enrolled prospectively into two groups as either iNO or control. Oxygenation improvement and mortality as primary endpoint were determined in relation with dosing and timing of iNO, severity of underlying diseases, complications and burden. Intention-to-treat principle was adopted for outcome assessment. Response to iNO at 10 or 20 parts per million （ppm） was determined by oxygenation in reference to the control （between-group） and the baseline （within-group）.Results Compared to 93 controls, initial dose of iNO at 10 ppm in 107 treated infants significantly improved oxygenation from first hour （P=0.046）, with more partial- and non-responders improved oxygenation with subsequent 20ppm NO （P=0.018）. This effect persisted on days 1 and 3, and resulted in relatively lower mortalities （11.2% vs. 15%）whereas fewer were treated with surfactant （10% vs. 27%）,HFOV （＜5%） or postnatal corticosteroids （＜10%） in both groups. The overall outcomes at 28 days of postnatal life in the iNO-treated was not related to perinatal asphyxia,underlying diseases, severity of hypoxemia, or complications,but to the early use of iNO. The cost of hospital stay was not significantly different in both groups.Conclusions With relatively limited use of surfactant and/or HFOV in neonatal HRF, significantly 展开更多
Background Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） is a common disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS） and associated with an increased risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. However, most patients...Background Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） is a common disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS） and associated with an increased risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. However, most patients in previous study were treated with bare metal stents and the sample sizes were relatively low. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of OSA on the severity and prognosis of patients admitted for ACS. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients with ACS who were hospitalized for coronary angiogram/percutaneous coronary intervention and undergone polysomnography. We divided the patients into two groups： moderate to severe OSA group [apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） 〉 15 events/h] and control group （AHI ≤ 15 events/h）. They were followed up for up 32 months. Then, we compared the ACS severity and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE） in patients with different severity of OSA. Results Five hundred and twenty nine patients were included in the final analysis, with 76% of them being men and an average age of 59 ＋ 10 years. The overall mean AHI is 29 ± 19 events/h, 70.5% of them （373/529） being with moderate to severe OSA and 29.5% （156/529） assign into control group. Compared with controls, patients with moderate or severe OSA exhibited a higher prevalence of hypertension as well as higher body mass index, SYNTAX score, Epworth score and length of hospitalization. With a median follow-up duration of 30 months, accumulative rate of MACE was also higher in patients with moderate or severe OSA than that in the control group （8.6% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.028）. After adjusting for baseline confounders by cox regression model, moderate to severe OSA was an independent risk factor of long-term MACE （P = 0.047, HR = 1.618, 95% CI： 1.069-3.869）. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that moderate or severe OSA is correlated with disease severity and associated with worse long-term prognosis in ACS patients. The results rais展开更多
Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the I...Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin （OPG）, hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hsCRP） together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU （Agatston units） denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC （P 〈 0.001）. Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC （r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033）using Spearrnan＇s correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.展开更多
Background Gene therapy has been a hot spot in repair of bone defects in recent years. This study aimed to construct a recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-VEGF165, and to observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth fac...Background Gene therapy has been a hot spot in repair of bone defects in recent years. This study aimed to construct a recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-VEGF165, and to observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 （VEGF165） gene therapy on bone defects in rabbits. Methods Total RNA was extracted from rabbit bone tissues. VEGF165 cDNA fragment was prepared by reverse transcription and the gene was cloned by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Plasmid pMD18-T/VEGF165 combined with pcDNA3.1 was cloned to reconstruct pcDNA3.1-VEGF165 plasmid. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits weighing （2.50±0.13）kg were used to establish models of bone defects （1 cm in length） of the bilateral radii. The bone defects were repaired with absorbable gelatin sponge. After the operation, physiological sodium chloride solution was injected into the injured site in one of the forelegs of the rabbits as the control group, and pcDNA3.1-VEGF165 plasmid （0.2 ml, 200 ng） was injected into the opposite foreleg as the experiment groups. At weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 after the treatments, the bones were examined by X-ray, and the specimens of the bone defects were collected, stained with HE, and observed under a light microscope. The expression of VEGF165 mRNA was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RQ-PCR）. Results The pcDNA3.1-VEGF165 plasmid with a correct sequence was constructed successfully. Postoperative X-ray found no difference between the two groups at week 1. In the experiment group, callus and synostosis were observed after 2 weeks, and osteosis structure was normal at week 12; these phenomena occurred much later in the control group. In the experiment group, HE staining showed a large amount of newly formed blood vessels after 2 weeks, a number of bone trabeculae with osteoblasts proliferation at 4 weeks, and fresh bone cortex and reformed medullary cavity at 12 weeks; whereas in the control group these structures formed in later phases. The VEGF165 mRNA in the experiment group展开更多
钙调磷酸酶B类互作蛋白激酶(CIPK,CBL interacting protein kinases)是植物钙离子信号通路中响应非生物逆境胁迫的重要蛋白激酶之一。本研究以拟南芥和水稻中CIPK家族基因序列信息为基础,利用玉米参考基因组B73和生物信息学分析方法,全...钙调磷酸酶B类互作蛋白激酶(CIPK,CBL interacting protein kinases)是植物钙离子信号通路中响应非生物逆境胁迫的重要蛋白激酶之一。本研究以拟南芥和水稻中CIPK家族基因序列信息为基础,利用玉米参考基因组B73和生物信息学分析方法,全基因组范围内鉴定玉米CIPK基因家族成员,分析CIPK家族基因的进化关系、基因结构、基因表达模式和对干旱胁迫的响应。本研究共鉴定出44个玉米CIPK家族基因,并将其分为5个亚家族,每个亚家族有不同的外显子-内含子和UTR的结构特征;基于基因差异表达分析,筛选出5个与抗旱性相关的候选基因ZmCIPK3、ZmCIPK7、ZmCIPK44、ZmCIPK25和ZmCIPK28;进一步的遗传数据表明,干旱胁迫下ZmCIPK3拟南芥转基因株系的存活率明显高于野生型,提高了拟南芥的抗旱性;同时,干旱胁迫下ZmCIPK3拟南芥转基因株系中抗旱性相关生化指标过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于野生型,而丙二醛和脯氨酸的含量显著低于野生型。本研究在玉米全基因组水平上鉴定了CIPK基因家族成员,分析了其在不同抗旱性材料、不同水分处理下的基因表达模式,明确了ZmCIPK3是一个抗旱性候选基因。展开更多
文摘Background The computational fluid dynamics(CFD)approach has been frequently applied to compute the fractional flow reserve(FFR)using computed tomography angiography(CTA).This technique is efficient.We developed the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value out of CTA images in five minutes.This study is to evaluate the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value from CTA images as an efficient method.Methods A single-center,prospective study was conducted and 63 patients were enrolled for the evaluation of the diagnostic performance of DEEPVESSEL-FFR.Automatic quantification method for the three-dimensional coronary arterial geometry and the deep learning based prediction of FFR were developed to assess the ischemic risk of the stenotic coronary arteries.Diagnostic performance of the DEEPVESSEL-FFR was assessed by using wire-based FFR as reference standard.The primary evaluation factor was defined by using the area under receiver-operation characteristics curve(AUC)analysis.Results For per-patient level,taking the cut-off value<0.8 referring to the FFR measurement,DEEPVESSEL-FFR presented higher diagnostic performance in determining ischemia-related lesions with area under the curve of 0.928 compare to CTA stenotic severity 0.664.DEEPVESSEL-FFR correlated with FFR(R=0.686,P<0.001),with a mean di&ference of-0.006士0.0091(P=0.619).The secondary evaluation factors,indicating per vessel accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value were 87.3%,97.14%,75%,82.93%,and 95.45%,respectively.Conclusion DEEPVESSEL-FFR is a novel method that allows efficient assessment of the functional significance of coronary stenosis.
文摘Background Computed tomography （CT）-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a well-established technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and complication rate of CT-guided lung biopsy in a Chinese population. Methods CT-guided cutting needle lung biopsies were performed in our institution on 1014 patients between January 2000 and October 2010. A chest radiograph was taken after the biopsy. Data about basic patient information, final diagnosis, and complications secondary to biopsy procedure （pneumothorax and bleeding） were extracted. Results The diagnostic efficiency of CT-guided lung biopsy was 94.8%; only 53 patients did not get a final diagnosis from lung biopsy. Final diagnoses found 639 malignant lesions （63.0%） and 322 benign lesions （31.8%）. Pneumothorax occurred in 131 patients and 15 required insertion of an intercostal drain. Small hemoptysis occurred in 41 patients and mild parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 16 patients. The overall complication rate was 18.5%. Conclusions CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions is a relatively safe technique with a high diagnostic accuracy. It can be safely performed in clinical trials.
文摘Background Radial artery spasm （RAS） is the most common complication in transradial coronary angiography and intervention. In this study, we designed to investigate the incidence of RAS during transradial procedures in Chinese, find out the independent predictors through multiple regression, and analyze the clinical effect of RAS during follow-up. Methods Patients arranged to receive transradial coronary angiography and intervention were consecutively enrolled. The incidence of RAS was recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to find out the influence factors of RAS, and logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the independent predictors of RAS. The patients were asked to return 1 month later for the assessment of the radial access.Results The incidence of RAS was 7.8% （112/1427） in all the patients received transradial procedure. Univariate analysis indicates that young （P=0.038）, female （P=0.026）, small diameter of radial artery （P 〈0.001）, diabetes （P=0.026）, smoking （P=0.019）, moderate or severe pain during radial artery cannulation （P〈0.001）, unsuccessful access at first attempt （P=0.002）, big sheath （P=0.004）, number of catheters （〉3） （P=0.048）, rapid baseline heart rate （P=0.032） and long operation time （P=0.021） were associated with RAS. Logistic regression showed that female （OR=1.745, 95% CI： 1.148-3.846, P=0.024）, small radial artery diameter （OR=4.028, 95%CI： 1.264-12.196, P=0.008）, diabetes （OR= 2.148, 95%CI： 1.579-7.458, P=0.019） and unsuccessful access at first attempt （OR=1.468, 95%CI： 1.212-2.591, P=0.032） were independent predictors of RAS. Follow-up at （28±7） days after the procedure showed that, compared with non-spasm patients, the RAS patients had higher portion of pain （11.8% vs. 6.2%, P=0.043）. The occurrences of hematoma （7.3% vs. 5.6%, P=0.518） and radial artery occlusion （3.6% vs. 2.6%, P=0.534） were similar. Conclusions The incidence of RAS during transradial coronary
文摘Background Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） had become the major therapeutic procedure for coronary artery disease （CAD）, but the high rate of in-stent restenosis （ISR） still remained an unsolved clinical problem in clinical practice. Increasing evidences suggested that diabetes mellitus （DM） was a major risk factor for ISR, but the risk predictors of ISR in CAD patients with DM had not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and angiographic characteristic predictors significantly associated with the occurrence of ISR in diabetic patients following coronary stenting with drug-eluting stent （DES）. Methods A total of 920 patients with diabetes who diagnosed CAD and underwent coronary DES implantation at Beijing Anzhen Hospital in China were consecutively enrolled from January 2012 to December 2012. Of these, 440 patients underwent the second angiography within ≥ 6 months due to the progression of treated target lesions. Finally, 368 of these patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed up by angiography after baseline PCI. According to whether ISR was detected at follow-up angiography, patients were divided into the ISR group （n = 74） and the non-ISR group （n = 294）. The independent predictors of ISR in patients with DM were explored by multivariate Cox＇s proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 368 patients （260 women and 108 men） with a mean ages of 58.71 ± 10.25 years were finally enrolled in this study. Of these, ISR occurred in 74/368 diabetic patients （20.11%） by follow-up angiography. Univariate analysis showed that most baseline characteristics of the ISR and non-ISR group were similar. Patients in the ISR group had significantly higher serum very low density lipoprotein cholesterol （VLDL-C）, triglyceride （TG） and uric acid （UA） levels, more numbers of target vessel lesions, higher prevalence of multi-vessel disease, higher SYNTAX score, higher rate of previous but lo
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31472254)
文摘Catalpol is the main active ingredient of an extract from Radix rehmanniae,which in a previous study showed a protective effect against various types of tissue injury.However,a protective effect of catalpol on uterine inflammation has not been reported.In this study,to investigate the protective mechanism of catalpol on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced bovine endometrial epithelial cells(bEECs)and mouse endometritis,in vitro and in vivo inflammation models were established.The Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and its downstream inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),western blot(WB),and immunofluorescence techniques.The results from ELISA and qRT-PCR showed that catalpol dose-dependently reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6,and chemokines such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8)and CXCL5,both in bEECs and in uterine tissue.From the experimental results of WB,qRT-PCR,and immunofluorescence,the expression of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 were markedly inhibited by catalpol compared with the LPS group.The inflammatory damage to the mouse uterus caused by LPS was greatly reduced and was accompanied by a decline in myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity.The results of this study suggest that catalpol can exert an anti-inflammatory impact on LPS-induced bEECs and mouse endometritis by inhibiting inflammation and activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
文摘Background Hypoxemic respiratory failure （HRF） is one of the most common causes for neonatal infants requiring aggressive respiratory support. Inhaled nitric oxide （iNO） has been established routinely as an adjunct to conventional respiratory support in developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of iNO in neonates with HRF in resource limited condition with no or limited use of surfactant, high frequency oscillatory ventilation （HFOV） and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Methods A non-randomized, open, controlled study of efficacy of iNO was conducted over 18 months. Eligible term and near-term neonates from 28 hospitals with HRF （oxygenation index ＞15） were enrolled prospectively into two groups as either iNO or control. Oxygenation improvement and mortality as primary endpoint were determined in relation with dosing and timing of iNO, severity of underlying diseases, complications and burden. Intention-to-treat principle was adopted for outcome assessment. Response to iNO at 10 or 20 parts per million （ppm） was determined by oxygenation in reference to the control （between-group） and the baseline （within-group）.Results Compared to 93 controls, initial dose of iNO at 10 ppm in 107 treated infants significantly improved oxygenation from first hour （P=0.046）, with more partial- and non-responders improved oxygenation with subsequent 20ppm NO （P=0.018）. This effect persisted on days 1 and 3, and resulted in relatively lower mortalities （11.2% vs. 15%）whereas fewer were treated with surfactant （10% vs. 27%）,HFOV （＜5%） or postnatal corticosteroids （＜10%） in both groups. The overall outcomes at 28 days of postnatal life in the iNO-treated was not related to perinatal asphyxia,underlying diseases, severity of hypoxemia, or complications,but to the early use of iNO. The cost of hospital stay was not significantly different in both groups.Conclusions With relatively limited use of surfactant and/or HFOV in neonatal HRF, significantly
文摘Background Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） is a common disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS） and associated with an increased risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. However, most patients in previous study were treated with bare metal stents and the sample sizes were relatively low. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of OSA on the severity and prognosis of patients admitted for ACS. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients with ACS who were hospitalized for coronary angiogram/percutaneous coronary intervention and undergone polysomnography. We divided the patients into two groups： moderate to severe OSA group [apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） 〉 15 events/h] and control group （AHI ≤ 15 events/h）. They were followed up for up 32 months. Then, we compared the ACS severity and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE） in patients with different severity of OSA. Results Five hundred and twenty nine patients were included in the final analysis, with 76% of them being men and an average age of 59 ＋ 10 years. The overall mean AHI is 29 ± 19 events/h, 70.5% of them （373/529） being with moderate to severe OSA and 29.5% （156/529） assign into control group. Compared with controls, patients with moderate or severe OSA exhibited a higher prevalence of hypertension as well as higher body mass index, SYNTAX score, Epworth score and length of hospitalization. With a median follow-up duration of 30 months, accumulative rate of MACE was also higher in patients with moderate or severe OSA than that in the control group （8.6% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.028）. After adjusting for baseline confounders by cox regression model, moderate to severe OSA was an independent risk factor of long-term MACE （P = 0.047, HR = 1.618, 95% CI： 1.069-3.869）. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that moderate or severe OSA is correlated with disease severity and associated with worse long-term prognosis in ACS patients. The results rais
文摘Background Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin （IL）-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin （OPG）, hypersensitive C-reactive protein （hsCRP） together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU （Agatston units） denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC （P 〈 0.001）. Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC （r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033）using Spearrnan＇s correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.
基金Science and Technology Key Projects Program (No. 032050112) Natural Science Fundation (No.Q2006C08)of Shandong ProvinceHealth Department of Shandong Province Projects Program (No. 2003)
文摘Background Gene therapy has been a hot spot in repair of bone defects in recent years. This study aimed to construct a recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-VEGF165, and to observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 （VEGF165） gene therapy on bone defects in rabbits. Methods Total RNA was extracted from rabbit bone tissues. VEGF165 cDNA fragment was prepared by reverse transcription and the gene was cloned by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Plasmid pMD18-T/VEGF165 combined with pcDNA3.1 was cloned to reconstruct pcDNA3.1-VEGF165 plasmid. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits weighing （2.50±0.13）kg were used to establish models of bone defects （1 cm in length） of the bilateral radii. The bone defects were repaired with absorbable gelatin sponge. After the operation, physiological sodium chloride solution was injected into the injured site in one of the forelegs of the rabbits as the control group, and pcDNA3.1-VEGF165 plasmid （0.2 ml, 200 ng） was injected into the opposite foreleg as the experiment groups. At weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 after the treatments, the bones were examined by X-ray, and the specimens of the bone defects were collected, stained with HE, and observed under a light microscope. The expression of VEGF165 mRNA was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RQ-PCR）. Results The pcDNA3.1-VEGF165 plasmid with a correct sequence was constructed successfully. Postoperative X-ray found no difference between the two groups at week 1. In the experiment group, callus and synostosis were observed after 2 weeks, and osteosis structure was normal at week 12; these phenomena occurred much later in the control group. In the experiment group, HE staining showed a large amount of newly formed blood vessels after 2 weeks, a number of bone trabeculae with osteoblasts proliferation at 4 weeks, and fresh bone cortex and reformed medullary cavity at 12 weeks; whereas in the control group these structures formed in later phases. The VEGF165 mRNA in the experiment group
文摘钙调磷酸酶B类互作蛋白激酶(CIPK,CBL interacting protein kinases)是植物钙离子信号通路中响应非生物逆境胁迫的重要蛋白激酶之一。本研究以拟南芥和水稻中CIPK家族基因序列信息为基础,利用玉米参考基因组B73和生物信息学分析方法,全基因组范围内鉴定玉米CIPK基因家族成员,分析CIPK家族基因的进化关系、基因结构、基因表达模式和对干旱胁迫的响应。本研究共鉴定出44个玉米CIPK家族基因,并将其分为5个亚家族,每个亚家族有不同的外显子-内含子和UTR的结构特征;基于基因差异表达分析,筛选出5个与抗旱性相关的候选基因ZmCIPK3、ZmCIPK7、ZmCIPK44、ZmCIPK25和ZmCIPK28;进一步的遗传数据表明,干旱胁迫下ZmCIPK3拟南芥转基因株系的存活率明显高于野生型,提高了拟南芥的抗旱性;同时,干旱胁迫下ZmCIPK3拟南芥转基因株系中抗旱性相关生化指标过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于野生型,而丙二醛和脯氨酸的含量显著低于野生型。本研究在玉米全基因组水平上鉴定了CIPK基因家族成员,分析了其在不同抗旱性材料、不同水分处理下的基因表达模式,明确了ZmCIPK3是一个抗旱性候选基因。
