Therapeutic Window of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and its correlation with IVIG-resistant in Kawasaki Disease: a retrospective study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the optimal timing of initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients. Methods: KD patients were classified as the early group (day 1-4), conventional group (day 5-7), conventional group (day 8-10), and late group (after day 10). Differences among the groups were analyzed by ANOVA and Chi-square analysis. Predictors of IVIG resistance and the optimal cut-off value were determined by multiple logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in IVIG resistance among the 4 groups (p = 0.335). The sensitivity analysis also confirmed no difference in the IVIG resistance between those who started the initial IVIG ≤ day 7 of illness and those who received IVIG >day 7 of illness (p = 0.761). In addition, patients who received IVIG administration more than 7 days from the onset had a higher proportion of coronary artery abnormalities (p = 0.034) and longer length of hospitalization (p = 0.033) than those who started IVIG administration less than 7 days. The optimal cut-off value of initial IVIG administration time for predicting IVIG resistance was >7 days, with a sensitivity of 75.25% and specificity of 82.41%. Conclusions: IVIG therapy within 7 days of illness is found to be more effective for reducing the risk of coronary artery abnormalities than those who received IVIG >day 7 of illness. IVIG treatment within the 7 days of illness seems to be the optimal therapeutic window of IVIG. However, further prospective studies with long-term follow-up are required.

Prediction of coronary artery lesions based on C-reactive protein levels in children with Kawasaki Disease: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective Since coronary artery lesions (CALs) are the most severe complication of Kawasaki disease (KD), clinically speaking, early prediction of CALs is crucial. The authors aimed to investigate the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting CALs in KD patients. Methods KD patients were divided into the CALs group and the non-CALs group. The clinical and laboratory parameters were collected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of CALs. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to determine the optimal cut-off value. Results 851 KD patients who met the inclusion criteria were studied, including 206 in the CALs group and 645 in the non-CALs group. Children in the CALs group had significantly higher CRP levels than the non-CALs group (p< 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that incomplete KD, male, lower hemoglobin, and higher CRP were independent risk factors for predicting CAL (all p< 0.05). The optimal cut-off value of initial serum CRP for predicting CALs was 105.5 mg/L, with a sensitivity of 47.57% and a specificity of 69.61%. In addition, KD patients with high CRP (≥105.5 mg/L) had a higher occurrence of CALs than those with low CRP (<105.5 mg/L) (33% vs 19%, p< 0.001). Conclusion The incidence of CALs was significantly higher in patients with high CRP. CRP is an independent risk factor for CALs formation and may be useful for predicting CALs in KD patients.

Therapeutic effects of the extract of Sancao Formula, a Chinese herbal compound, on imiquimod-induced psoriasis via cysteine-rich protein 61 / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is prone to recurrence, and the proinflammatory factor, cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61), is important in its pathophysiology. Long-term clinical practice has shown that Sancao Formula (SC), a Chinese herbal compound, is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, but the precise mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the mechanism by which SC extract alleviates imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis.@*METHODS@#The expression of Cyr61 in psoriatic lesions and normal healthy skin was detected using immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the biological role of Cyr61 in models of psoriatic inflammation. A psoriatic mouse model was established by topical application of IMQ, and the effect of topical application of SC extract was evaluated using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and histopathological features of the skin. Next, a HaCaT cell inflammation model was established using interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and the effect of SC extract on the mRNA and protein levels of Cyr61 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was confirmed using Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses.@*RESULTS@#Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of Cyr61 in psoriatic lesions was higher than that in normal skin samples (78.26% vs 41.18%, P < 0.05), and the number of Cyr61-positive cells in psoriatic lesions was also significantly higher than in normal skin (18.66 ± 2.51 vs 4.33 ± 1.52, P < 0.05). Treatment in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis showed that SC extract could significantly improve the inflammatory phenotype, PASI score (10.875 ± 0.744 vs 3.875 ± 0.582, P < 0.05), and pathological features compared with those in IMQ model group; SC treatment was also associated with decreased levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1. In the IFN-γ-induced inflammatory cell model, the mRNA and protein levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1 were upregulated, while the SC extract downregulated the levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1.@*CONCLUSION@#The results provide a theoretical basis for the involvement of Cyr61 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and suggest that SC should be used to target Cyr61 for the prevention of psoriasis recurrence.

Expression of CREB in children with recurrent wheezing and its effect on ORMDL3 gene expression / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the expression level of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in children with recurrent wheezing under three years of age and its effect on the expression of the serum orosomucoid 1-like protein 3 (ORMDL3) gene.@*METHODS@#Thirty-six children with recurrent wheezing under three years of age who visited the hospital from June 2017 to June 2019 were selected as the recurrent wheezing group. Twenty-four healthy children from physical examination were selected as the control group. The CREB expression level in peripheral blood was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were cultured, and dual-luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real-time PCR were used to investigate the effects of overexpression and siRNA interference of CREB on the promoter activity and mRNA expression of the ORMDL3 gene in the BEAS-2B cells.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of CREB in the recurrent wheezing group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). In BEAS-2B cells, overexpression of CREB significantly up-regulated the promoter activity and mRNA expression of the ORMDL3 gene (P<0.05), while siRNA interference of CREB significantly reduced the promoter activity and mRNA expression of the ORMDL3 gene (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The expression of CREB is increased in children with recurrent wheezing, and CREB may be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheezing by regulating expression of the ORMDL3 gene.

Advance in Mechanism of Limb Spasm after Spinal Cord Injury (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

After spinal cord injury, patients often suffer from limb spasm, which affects their daily life and the progress of rehabilitation. Balance among spinal cord excitability network, presynaptic inhibition and motor neuron excitability was broken, background of motor neuron activity changed, membrane ion channels, serotonin receptors and transporter concentration changed after spinal cord injury, which promote formation and development of spasm.

Application of U-shaped convolutional neural network in auto segmentation and reconstruction of 3D prostate model in laparoscopic prostatectomy navigation / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy of intraoperative cognitive navigation on laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using 3D prostatic models created by U-shaped convolutional neural network (U-net) and reconstructed through Medical Image Interaction Tool Kit (MITK) platform.@*METHODS@#A total of 5 000 pieces of prostate cancer magnetic resonance (MR) imaging discovery sets with manual annotations were used to train a modified U-net, and a set of clinically demand-oriented, stable and efficient full convolutional neural network algorithm was constructed. The MR images were cropped and segmented automatically by using modified U-net, and the segmentation data were automatically reconstructed using MITK platform according to our own protocols. The modeling data were output as STL format, and the prostate models were simultaneously displayed on an android tablet during the operation to help achieving cognitive navigation.@*RESULTS@#Based on original U-net architecture, we established a modified U-net from a 201-case MR imaging training set. The network performance was tested and compared with human segmentations and other segmentation networks by using one certain testing data set. Auto segmentation of multi-structures (such as prostate, prostate tumors, seminal vesicles, rectus, neurovascular bundles and dorsal venous complex) were successfully achieved. Secondary automatic 3D reconstruction had been carried out through MITK platform. During the surgery, 3D models of prostatic area were simultaneously displayed on an android tablet, and the cognitive navigation was successfully achieved. Intra-operation organ visualization demonstrated the structural relationships among the key structures in great detail and the degree of tumor invasion was visualized directly.@*CONCLUSION@#The modified U-net was able to achieve automatic segmentations of important structures of prostate area. Secondary 3D model reconstruction and demonstration could provide intraoperative visualization of vital structures of prostate area, which could help achieve cognitive fusion navigation for surgeons. The application of these techniques could finally reduce positive surgical margin rates, and may improve the efficacy and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Effects of Prevention and Treatment by Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on TCM Constitutions of Community Diabetic Patients / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the improved the effects of prevention and treatment by integrated tradition Chinese and Western medicine on TCM constitutions and relevant indexes of community diabetic patients; To provide a reference for the comprehensive prevention and treatment of community diabetes.Methods By using cluster sampling method, 700 patients with diabetes aged 45 to 65 in healthcare service center in Minhang District in Shanghai were chosen randomly and divided into intervention group and control group, with 350 cases in each group. The control group used information platform, and was treated with standardized management and treatment of diabetes. On the basis of the treatment of the control group, the intervention group was identified TCM constitutions once a month, developed personalized community diabetes prevention and treatment of TCM norms, and gave guidance and intervention for health preserving and disease prevention for a year. The TCM constitution improvement was observed. Diabetic symptoms grading scale and anxiety self-rating scale, depression self-rating scale were assessed, and the complications were observed.Results Before intervention: TCM constitution of yin-yang harmony (51.43％) > yin asthenia (18.29％) > qi asthenia (11.71％) > yang asthenia (9.71％) > damp-heat (1.57％). After intervention: TCM constitution of yin-yang harmony (63.71％) > yin asthenia (8.71％) > qi asthenia (6.57％), yang asthenia (6.29％) > damp-heat (1.71％). There was difference in constitutions of yin-yang harmony, yang asthenia, and damp-heat before and after and through intervention and group interaction (P<0.05). There was statistical significance in diabetes symptoms curative effect index between the two groups (P=0.021). There was statistical significance in ophthalmoscopy results before and after and through intervention and group interaction (P=0.002).Conclusion The prevention and treatment by intervention of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine can improve the TCM constitutions of diabetic patients in community and influence the symptoms of diabetes.

Prospects of a comprehensive evaluation system for traditional Chinese medicine services / 中西医结合学报

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a unique health resource in China and one of the main representative traditional medicines globally. TCM has formed a new way of looking at medical practices, health care, scientific research, education, industry and culture. It focuses on promoting and safeguarding the health of people, with an increasing contribution to economic and social development. Establishing a comprehensive evaluation system in accordance with the characteristics of TCM services could promote the scientific merit and the standardization of services management. This would improve health service quality and the social and economic benefits of TCM. It would broaden the field of TCM services research. It would also provide the basis for the formulation of relevant government policies. This study estimates the prospect of establishing a comprehensive evaluation system of TCM services.

Delineating a case with a complex karyotype by using combined genetic techniques / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pathogenesis of a child with growth retardation, liver damage and congenital heart disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>G-banded chromosomal karyotyping, high-throughput next-generation sequencing (HT-NGS)and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) were used to characterize the structural chromosomal aberration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The child was found to have a karyotype of 46, XX, t(1;2) (q25;q21), t(7;20) (q21;p13). HT-NGS has detected a microdeletion at 2q21.3 and 7q21.11, respectively, which were verified by FISH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined cytogenetic and molecular analysis can detect chromosome micrdeletions more precisely. The abnormalities of the child may be attributed to heterozygous deletion of ZEB2, ABCB4 and SEMA3A genes.</p>

MiR-20 Regulates Myocardiac Ischemia by Targeting KATP Subunit Kir6.1 / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study aimed to examine the functional role of microRNA-20 (miR-20) and its potential target,Kir6.1,in ischemic myocardiocytes.The expression of miR-20 was detected by real-time PCR.Myocardiocytes were stained with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) reagent for apoptosis evaluation.Western blotting was used to detect the Kit6.1 protein in ischemic myocardiocytes transfected with miR-20 mimics or inhibitors.Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the targeting effect of miR-20 on KCNJ8.The results showed that miR-20 was remarkably down-regulated,while the KATP subunit Kir6.1 was significantly up-regulated,during myocardial ischemia.The miR-20 overexpression promoted the apoptosis of ischemic myocardiocytes,but showed no such effect on normal cells.Under ischemic condition,myocardiocytes transfected with miR-20 mimics expressed less Kir6.1.On the contrary,inhibiting miR-20 increased the expression of Kir6.1 in the cells.Co-transfection of miR-20 mimics with the KCNJ8 3’-UTR plasmid into HEK293 cells consistently produced less luciferase activity than transfection of the plasmid alone.It was concluded that miR-20 may regulate myocardiac ischemia by targeting KATP subunit Kir6.1 to accelerate the cell apoptosis.Therefore miR-20 may serve as a therapeutic target for myocardial ischemic disease.

Effects of Roughly Focused Extracorporeal Shock Waves Therapy on the Expressions of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Osteoprotegerin in Osteoporotic Fracture in Rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Roughly focused extracorporeal shock waves therapy (ESWT) is characterized by a wide focal area, a large therapy zone, easy positioning, and less pain during treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of roughly focused ESWT on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in osteoporotic fractures in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, 3 months old, were divided into sham-operated group (n = 6) and an ovariectomized (OVX) group (n = 66). Sixty OVX SD rats were used as a model of double proximal tibial osteotomy and inner fixation. The osteotomy site in the left tibia was treated with roughly focused ESWT once at an energy density of 0.26 mJ/mm2, 60 doses/min, and 2000 pact quantities. The contralateral right tibia was left untreated and served as a control. Expression of OPG and BMP-2 in the callus of the osteoporotic fracture area was assessed using immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Bone mineral density (BMD) at the proximal tibia, femur, and L5 spine was significantly reduced after ovariectomy. BMD of proximal tibia was 12.9% less in the OVX group than that in the sham-operated group. Meanwhile, bilateral oophorectomy resulted in a lower trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the proximal tibia of the sham-OVX animals. Three months after bilateral oophorectomy, BV/TV was 14.29% of baseline BV/TV in OVX legs versus 45.91% in the sham-OVX legs (P < 0.001). These data showed that the SD rats became a suitable model of osteoporosis, 3 months after they were OVX. Immunohistochemical analysis showed higher levels of BMP-2 and OPG expression in the treatment group than those in the control group. Compared with the contralateral controls, decreased expression of OPG and BMP-2 at 3 days after roughly focused ESWT, followed by a later increase at 7 days, was indicated by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis. The OPG messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels peaked at 6 weeks after the shock wave treatment, paired with a much earlier (at 4 weeks) increase of BMP-2, and declined close to normal at 8 weeks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Roughly focused ESWT may promote the expression of OPG and BMP-2 in the osteoporotic fracture area in rats. BMP-2 and OPG may act synergistically and may lead to a significant enhancement of bone formation and remodeling.</p>

Expression level of miR-155 in peripheral blood

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the relationship between the expression level of miR-155 and the severity of coronary lesion, and explore the action mechanism.@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated form blood simple from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina (UAP), stable angina (SAP) and chest pain syndrome (CPS). RT-PCR was performed to analysis the expression level of miR-155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma and RAW264.7 macrophagocyte. MTT was used to analyze the cell viability of OxLDL treated RAW264.7 macrophagocyte.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of miR-155 in blood sample from coronary heart disease patients was much lower than in the blood sample of non-coronary heart disease (P<0.05). The level of miR-155 in PBMCs was much higher in the blood sample from CPS group than the other three group, and the level of miR-155 in plasma was higher in the CPS group than in the UAP and the AMI group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression level of miR-155 in PBMCs is positively associated with the level in the plasma (r=0.861, P=0.000). OxLDL can induce the expression of miR-155 in RAW264.7 macrophagocyte, decrease the cell viability of RAW264.7 macrophagocyte, and with the concentration and the treatment time of OxLDL increased, the effort become more obvious. The inhibition effort of OxLDL to RAW264.7 macrophagocyte with high miR-155 expression is much lower than the control group, and it is statistically significant after treated for 12, 24 and 48 h.@*CONCLUSIONS@#miR-155 plays a protective role in the progression of atherosclerosis, and it may be achieved by reducing the apoptosis effort of OxLDL to RAW264.7 macrophagocyte.

Mechanism of Profilin-1 in regulating eNOS/NO signaling pathway and its role in hypertensive myocardial hypertension

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of Profilin-1 in regulating eNOS/NO pathway and its role in the development of myocardial hypertrophy.@*METHODS@#Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) aged 5 weeks were injected with different adenovirus vectors to induce Profilin-1 expression knockdown (SHR-I) or over express (SHR-H) or to use as control (SHR-C). All these treatment were compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (SKY) treated with control adenovirus vectors (WKY-C). The same injection was executed at the sixth week during the experiment of 12 weeks. After experiment, the left ventricular weight-to-heart weight ratio (LVW/HW) and left ventricular long axis (LVLA) were measured. Meanwhile, NO contents in blood and myocardium, Profilin-1, eNOS and Caveolin-3 mRNA and protein levels and phosphorylated eNOS (P-eNOS) protein level in myocardium were determined.@*RESULTS@#Compared with WKY-C group, the SHR-C group was statistically higher in LVW/HW (0.79±0.03), LVLA (11.82±0.58 mm) and Profilin-1 mRNA and protein level (P<0.05), but lower in NO content [(18.63±6.23) μmol/L] in blood and [(2.71±0.17) μmol/L] in myocardium), eNOS activity and Caveolin-3 expression (P<0.05). The over expressing Profilin-1 led SHR-H group to a higher value of LVW/HW [(0.93±0.03) mm and LVLA (14.17±0.69) mm] in comparison with SHR-C group (P<0.05), and to a lower value of NO content (in myocardium), eNOS activity and Caveolin-3 expression (P<0.05); however, this phenomenon was reversed by the knockdown Profilin-1 expression (SHR-I group).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Profilin-1 expression, being negative in regulating Caveolin-3 expression and eNOS/NO pathway activity, promotes the development of myocardial hypertrophy which can be reversed by Profilin-1 silencing.

Mechanism of Profilin-1 in regulating eNOS/NO signaling pathway and its role in hypertensive myocardial hypertension

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Profilin-1 in regulating eNOS/NO pathway and its role in the development of myocardial hypertrophy. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) aged 5 weeks were injected with different adenovirus vectors to induce Profilin-1 expression knockdown (SHR-I) or over express (SHR-H) or to use as control (SHR-C). All these treatment were compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (SKY) treated with control adenovirus vectors (WKY-C). The same injection was executed at the sixth week during the experiment of 12 weeks. After experiment, the left ventricular weight-to-heart weight ratio (LVW/HW) and left ventricular long axis (LVLA) were measured. Meanwhile, NO contents in blood and myocardium, Profilin-1, eNOS and Caveolin-3 mRNA and protein levels and phosphorylated eNOS (P-eNOS) protein level in myocardium were determined. Results: Compared with WKY-C group, the SHR-C group was statistically higher in LVW/HW (0.79±0.03), LVLA (11.82±0.58 mm) and Profilin-1 mRNA and protein level (P<0.05), but lower in NO content [(18.63±6.23) μmol/L] in blood and [(2.71±0.17) μmol/L] in myocardium), eNOS activity and Caveolin-3 expression (P<0.05). The over expressing Profilin-1 led SHR-H group to a higher value of LVW/HW [(0.93±0.03) mm and LVLA (14.17±0.69) mm] in comparison with SHR-C group (P<0.05), and to a lower value of NO content (in myocardium), eNOS activity and Caveolin-3 expression (P<0.05); however, this phenomenon was reversed by the knockdown Profilin-1 expression (SHR-I group). Conclusions: Profilin-1 expression, being negative in regulating Caveolin-3 expression and eNOS/NO pathway activity, promotes the development of myocardial hypertrophy which can be reversed by Profilin-1 silencing.

Expression level of miR-155 in peripheral blood

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression level of miR-155 and the severity of coronary lesion, and explore the action mechanism. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated form blood simple from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina (UAP), stable angina (SAP) and chest pain syndrome (CPS). RT-PCR was performed to analysis the expression level of miR-155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma and RAW264.7 macrophagocyte. MTT was used to analyze the cell viability of OxLDL treated RAW264.7 macrophagocyte. Results: The expression level of miR-155 in blood sample from coronary heart disease patients was much lower than in the blood sample of non-coronary heart disease (. P<0.05). The level of miR-155 in PBMCs was much higher in the blood sample from CPS group than the other three group, and the level of miR-155 in plasma was higher in the CPS group than in the UAP and the AMI group, the difference was statistically significant (. P<0.05). The expression level of miR-155 in PBMCs is positively associated with the level in the plasma (. r=0.861, P=0.000). OxLDL can induce the expression of miR-155 in RAW264.7 macrophagocyte, decrease the cell viability of RAW264.7 macrophagocyte, and with the concentration and the treatment time of OxLDL increased, the effort become more obvious. The inhibition effort of OxLDL to RAW264.7 macrophagocyte with high miR-155 expression is much lower than the control group, and it is statistically significant after treated for 12, 24 and 48 h. Conclusions: miR-155 plays a protective role in the progression of atherosclerosis, and it may be achieved by reducing the apoptosis effort of OxLDL to RAW264.7 macrophagocyte.

Icariin attenuates left ventricular remodeling in SHR by up-regulating PPARαand PPARγ / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of Icariin ( Ica) on remodeling of left ventricular in SHR and ex-plore the mechanism. Methods Twenty-one male SHR aged 14 weekswere randomly divided into model group(n=7), low-dose of Ica-treated group(20 mg· kg-1 . bid, n =7 ) , high-dose of Ica-treated group ( 40 mg·kg-1. bid,n=7), and WKY as control group(n=7 ) . Low- and high-dose of Ica-treated groups were given Ica from the age of 14 weeks to 26 weeks. The other rats in the model group and control group were given the same amount of double distilled water. Then, the content of hydroxyproline ( Hyp) was measured by ELISA. The morphological changes of the left ventricu-lar were observed by Masson staining. The mRNA and the protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ were ex-amined by real time RT-PCR and Western blot tech-nique respectively. Results Compared with the nor-mal control group, interstitium fibrosis and myofibrilla were lined up in disorder; the content of Hyp was in-creased and the mRNA and protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ were down-regulated in model group(P<0. 01). Compared with the model group,the myocardial cells were arranged less disorderly and the myocardial fibrosis was reduced; the content of Hyp was decreased in low-and high-dose of Ica-treated groups(P<0. 01 or P<0. 05);the mRNA and protein expression of PPARα and PPARγwere up-regulated in low- and high-dose of Ica-treated groups ( P <0. 01 or P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion Ica may attenuate left ven-tricular remodeling in SHR by up-regulating PPARαand PPARγ.

Etiology of community-acquired pneumonia among pediatric inpatients in Guangzhou during 2012 and 2013 / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To determine the viral etiology and its epidemic features of community-acquired pneumonia ( CAP) among pediatric inpatients in Guangzhou.Methods A total of 1 539 children with CAP admitted in Guangzhou Women and Children’ s Medical Center during June 2012 and June 2013 were enrolled in the study.Throat swab specimens were collected, and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( FQ-PCR) was performed to detect 11 respiratory pathogens.SPSS 17.0 was used for data processing, and χ2 test was performed to compare the infection rates among different groups.Results Among 1 539 patients, 550 cases (35.7%) were infected with at least one pathogen, and 101 (6.6%) were infected with two or more pathogens.The most popular viral etiologies were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (102, 6.6%), rhinovirus (RHV)(101, 6.6%), adenovirus (ADV) (78, 5.1%), influenza virus A (IVA) (78, 5.1%) and bocavirus (HBOV) (74, 4.8%).RSV infection often occurred in children with age≤3 years, while ADV or IVA infection often occurred in those with age >3 years.RSV infection rate peaked in winter and spring, IVA infection rate peaked in spring and summer, while ADV and HBOV infection rates peaked in summer.The rate of multiple infections in critically ill children (22/135, 16.3%) was significantly higher than that in other CAP patients (79/1 404,5.6%,χ2 =116.049, P<0.01).Conclusions Viral infection is common in pediatric inpatients with CAP, and RSV infection is the most popular.Multiple infections are more often to cause critical conditions.

Analysis of the phase of left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time in healthy people using dual-channel echocardiography / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To exacted analysis each time interval in isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) of normal subjects through observin the changes of cardiac structure and hemodynamics during the IVRT. Then to provide the evidence of cardiac resynchronization therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Quantitative analysis was performed for 60 subjects. The dual-channel echocardiography(DCE), pulse wave doppler (PW) and tissue wave dapper (TDI) examination of all the subjects were recorded, and IVRT was divided into two intervals, isovolumic relaxation time of early intervals (IVRTe) and isovolumic relaxation time of late interval (IVRT1). Then measured the time of each interval. Indicators were used including: (1) IVRT; (2) IVRTe; (3) IVRTI; (4) IVRTI/IVRT; calculating the data after heart rate corrected; (5) cIVRT; (6) clVRTe; (7) clVRTI; (8) clVRTI/clVRT; (9) measuring the time difference in mitral blood and tissue (TE-é) of DCE group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The i-wave within IVRT in PW images was found in 45 subjects, and the i-wave was about 1/2 of IVRT (49.17 +/- 5.37) ms. IVRT was divided into IVRTe and IVRTI by a turning point at descending branch of i-wave as t-point. The j-wave was observed in 84% TDI images, and the j-wave was about 1/2 of IVRT (43.13 +/- 4.83) ms. IVRT was divided into IVRTe and IVRTI by a turning point of the onset of j-wave as t-point. A significant difference was found between PW and TDI with measurement of IVRT, IVRTe, IVRTI (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the common group and DCE group (P > 0.05). After heart rate corrected, the data showed no significant difference using pairwise comparisons among the three groups (P > 0.05). The mean and standard deviation of IVRTI/IVRT, cIVRTI/clVRT were (0.50 +/- 0.12) ms. There were little difference of time intervals and good consistenc using DCE measured IVRT with multiple tests confinmed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study found that IVRT might be divided into IVRTe and IVRT1 phases. There were i-wave in IVRTe and j-wave in IVRT1. The t-point was nearly midpoint inisovolumic relaxation time.</p>

Tounongsan extract induces apoptosis in cultured Raji cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Tounongsan () extract (TNSE) on proliferation and apoptosis of the human lymphoma cell line Raji and its possible mechanism of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The viability of TNSE-treated Raji cells was measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The molecular mechanisms of TNSE-mediated apoptosis were further investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the mRNA expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), Bcl-xL, Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad), caspase-9 and caspase-3. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NF-κB, Bad, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TNSE inhibited Raji cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners. After 48-h treatment with various concentrations of TNSE (125, 250 and 500 μg/mL), the apoptosis rates of Raji cell were 12.23%±1.98% (P<0.05), 20.97%±3.96% (P<0.01) and 30.4%±4.87% (P<0.01), respectively, compared with those of the control (6.02%±1.01%). RT-PCR demonstrated that NF-κB mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in Raji cells treated with 250 μg/mL TNSE for 48 h (P<0.05), while Bad, caspase-9 and caspase-3 mRNA levels were upregulated (P<0.05). Moreover, TNSE treatment resulted in downregulation of NF-κB protein expression and strikingly upregulated protein expressions of Bad, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TNSE exhibits significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in Raji cells, which may be involved in regulation of NF-κB and Bad, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.</p>