Ultrasound-guided minimal traverse-cross technique repair for acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore clinical effects of ultrasound-guided minimal traverse-cross technique repair for acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures.@*METHODS@#From January 2015 to March 2017, 20 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture were treated by minimal traverse-cross technique repair with ultrasound guided. Among them, including 13 males and 7 females, aged from 28 to 49 years old with an average of(31.3 ±4.5) years old. All patients were single side injury. Fifteen patients on the left side and 5 patients were on the right side. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 5 days with an average of (2.5±0.7) days. Operative time, postoperative complications were observed, and AOFAS score before and after operation at 12 months were compared.@*RESULTS@#All patients were followed up for 12 to 27 months with an average of(15.2±4.9) months. Operative time ranged from 33 to 65 min with an average of(43.7±5.6) min. Incision of one patient were continued oozing and improved after changing dressings, other patients were healed at stage I. No sural nerve irritation symptoms and palindromic rapture of heel tendon occurred. AOFAS score was improved from 65.2±7.4 before operation to 97.7±4.7 after operation at 12 months (t=22.5, <0.01); 18 patients got excellent results and 2 good.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Ultrasound-guided minimal traverse-cross technique repair for acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures, which promise minimal incision, protect sural nerve, ensure quality of tendon anastomosis and fixation, and is a ideal method for repairing acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures.

Improvement of voltage regulator for traditional X-ray machine / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To improve the voltage regulator for the traditional X-ray machine to provide heating voltage and current to X-ray tube filament heating circuit.Methods The circuits included the ones for regulator output voltage sampling,desired voltage generation,control voltage generation,synchronous pulse triangular signal generation,phase control,siliconcontrolled rectifier (SCR) and regulator input voltage sampling.Negative feedback control was executed by the sampling,detection and comparison of the regulator output voltage,and the comparison was carried out with the synchronous pulse triangular signal to generate the signal for controlling SCR.The regulator output voltage was kept stable by regulating the modes of SCR conduction angle.Results Installing and debugging of designed circuit for domestic power frequency X-ray machine contributed to realizing voltage regulation for the filament heating circuit.The test also measured voltage waveform distortion in AC circuits,and this kind of adverse effect did not affect the filament heating circuit.Conclusion The improved system has small volume,low heat,little noise and high performance,which can replace the traditional MSVR.

Effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein on transformation of valvular myofibroblasts to osteoblast-like phenotype / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate the roles of Wnt signal pathway in transformation of cardiac valvular myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype, the primary cultured porcine aortic valve myofibroblasts were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 50 mg/L), and divided into four groups according to the ox-LDL treatment time: control group, ox-LDL 24-h group, ox-LDL 48-h group, and ox-LDL 72-h group. Wnt signal pathway blocker Dickkopf-1 (DDK-1, 100 μg/L) was added in ox-LDL 72-h group. The expression of a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteogenic transcription factor Cbfa-1 was detected by Western blotting, and that of β-catenin, a key mediator of Wnt signal pathway by immunocytochemical staining method. The Wnt/β-catenin was observed and the transformation of myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype was examined. The expression of α-SMA, BMP2, ALP and Cbfa-1 proteins in the control group was weaker than in the ox-LDL-treated groups. In ox-LDL-treated groups, the protein expression of a-SMA, BMP2, ALP, and Cbfa-1 was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner as compared with the control group, and there was significant difference among the three ox-LDL-treated groups (P<0.05 for all); β-catenin protein was also up-regulated in the ox-LDL-treated groups in a time-dependent manner as compared with the control group (P<0.05), and its transfer from cytoplasm to nucleus and accumulation in the nucleus were increased in the same fashion (P<0.05). After addition of DKK-1, the expression of α-SMA, bone-related proteins and β-catenin protein was significantly reduced as compared with ox-LDL 72-h group (P<0.05). The Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway may play an important role in transformation of valvular myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype.

Effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein on transformation of valvular myofibroblasts to osteoblast-like phenotype / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate the roles of Wnt signal pathway in transformation of cardiac valvular myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype, the primary cultured porcine aortic valve myofibroblasts were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 50 mg/L), and divided into four groups according to the ox-LDL treatment time: control group, ox-LDL 24-h group, ox-LDL 48-h group, and ox-LDL 72-h group. Wnt signal pathway blocker Dickkopf-1 (DDK-1, 100 μg/L) was added in ox-LDL 72-h group. The expression of a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteogenic transcription factor Cbfa-1 was detected by Western blotting, and that of β-catenin, a key mediator of Wnt signal pathway by immunocytochemical staining method. The Wnt/β-catenin was observed and the transformation of myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype was examined. The expression of α-SMA, BMP2, ALP and Cbfa-1 proteins in the control group was weaker than in the ox-LDL-treated groups. In ox-LDL-treated groups, the protein expression of a-SMA, BMP2, ALP, and Cbfa-1 was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner as compared with the control group, and there was significant difference among the three ox-LDL-treated groups (P<0.05 for all); β-catenin protein was also up-regulated in the ox-LDL-treated groups in a time-dependent manner as compared with the control group (P<0.05), and its transfer from cytoplasm to nucleus and accumulation in the nucleus were increased in the same fashion (P<0.05). After addition of DKK-1, the expression of α-SMA, bone-related proteins and β-catenin protein was significantly reduced as compared with ox-LDL 72-h group (P<0.05). The Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway may play an important role in transformation of valvular myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype.

Mechanism of tanshinone II A in inhibiting transformation of aortic valvular myofibroblast to osteoblast-like phenotype / 中国中药杂志

Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is a pathological process correlated with multiple disease causes and actively regulated by cardiac valve cells. In this study, porcine aortic valve myofibroblasts cultured in vitro were treated with 50 μg z L(-1) of pathological factor tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Tanshinone II A (TSN) with the concentration of 50 mg x L(-1) and TNF-α were combined in incubating cells for 72 h (3 d) and 120 h (5 d). The Western blotting and Real-time PCR were adopted to detect the changes in smooth muscle α actin (α-SMA), bone morphogenetic protein 2 ( BMP2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in cells, and expressions of key effect proteins GSK-3β and β-catenin on Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. According to the findings, TNF-α can significantly increase the expression of myofibroblasts α-SMA and add the transformation activity to them, with nearly no expression of BMP2, ALP and mRNA in the control group and the TSN group but significant increase in their expressions in the TNF-α group (P < 0.01), which showed osteoblast-like phenotype. Moreover, TNF-α down-regulated the expression of up-streaming regulator GSK-3β and mRNA expression (P < 0. 01) , notably increased the expression of key effect protein β-catenin, but with no significant difference in mRNA with the control group and the TSN group. The result demonstrated that TSN showed a certain inhibitory effect on TNF-α's pathological impact (P < 0.05) in a time-dependent manner. Inflammatory factor TNF-α may promote the transformation of aortic valvular myofibroblasts to osteoblast-like phenotype by activating Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in aortic valvular myofibroblasts, so as to cause AVC. Tanshinone II A can have a preventive effect in AVC by activating GSK-3β proteins and regulating signal transduction of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

Synthesis of caffeic acid ester derivatives and their bioactivities / 中草药

Objective: To design and synthetise the natural products caffeic acid ester derivatives, and to study the lipid metabolic disturbance regulation activity of the derivatives. Methods: Applying caffeic acid as material, the target compounds were prepared by two routes and evaluated for antihyperlipidemic effects in HepG2 cells. Results: Ten caffeic acid ester derivatives were synthesized, and compound C5 has not yet been reported. The structures of the target compounds were identified by spectrum. Pharmacological results showed that eight derivatives had potency of lipid-regulating in different levels. In particular, compounds C3 and C5 showed significant lipid-regulating effects compared to the lead compound caffeic acid and positive drug Simvastatin. Conclusion: Compound C5 is a new caffeic acid ester derivative. The primary structure-activity relationships are discussed in this article.

Application of the multi-planar reconstruction in endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Although Multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) has been considered a diagnostic imaging technique that observes more perspectives for diseases, few people have applied it surgically. In fact, MPR is also very useful to clinical operation, especially for patients with type B aortic dissection. It helps the surgeon to locate accurately with more information about aortic dissection, so that the safety and effectiveness of operation can be improved. This study examined the application of the MPR in intraoperative DSA imaging for precise positioning by accurately obtaining a cross-section, a spin angle of the coronal plane, and a tilt angle of the sagittal plane in treatment of type B aortic dissection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The conventional and the MPR approaches were compared on positioning the aortic arch for surgery. A group of 40 patients (group A) and another group of 42 patients (group B) was sampled. About the comparison of baseline characteristics, a fourfold table χ(2) test was conducted on gender, and two independent samples t-test was applied to age between group A and group B. Spin as well as tilt angles for group A were obtained from the patients using both approaches, and their effectiveness was compared with pair t-tests; The MPR data guided stent-grafting in this group. Stent graft placement of group B was based on the conventional approach. Percentages of proximal distributed markers as well as incidences of complications were collected from both groups after stent graft placement. They were also compared with a fourfold table χ(2) test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gender difference was not found between group A and group B (χ(2)0.80, P > 0.05), and age difference was not statistically significant (F = 2.55, homogeneity of variance, t = -1.46, P > 0.05). A significant difference was found between the conventional and the MPR approaches for spin angle (t = 9.17) as well as tilt angle (t = 2.07), P < 0.05. Percentage of proximal distributed markers (5.0%) of group A was significantly lower than that of group B (42.9%), χ(2) = 15.92, P < 0.05; and incidence of complications (5.0%) of group A was also significant lower than that of group B (21.4%), χ(2) = 4.76, P < 0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Application of the MPR facilitated intraoperative angle adaption and led to satisfactory DSA. It is feasible in endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection, and can effectively and safely guide surgical operations.</p>

Progress in genetic study of aortic dissection / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Genetic study can provide important insight into the etiology of aortic dissection. To explore the pathogenesis and natural history of aortic dissection, a number of genes have been identified through microarray chip screening and undergone testing of polymorphisms to find mutations strongly associated with the disease. The results suggested aortic dissection to be a multi-gene disorder. Multiple genes probably work together to promote its development. Several diseases with a genetic predisposition are closely connected with aortic dissection, which also implied a role of genetic changes and malfunction in this disease.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with Parkinson disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been proposed as a candidate gene for susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD). This study was set to assess the association between VDR gene Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms and PD in a Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and eighty five sporadic PD patients and 285 healthy controls were genotyped for the Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms in VDR gene using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was detected in genotype or allele distribution of both Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms between PD patients and controls (P U+003E 0.05). No TT genotype for Taq I was found in the studied population. For Taq I, the distribution of genotype was significantly different between male PD patients and controls (U+03C7 2=4.187, P=0.032, OR=2.149, 95%CI: 1.011-4.567), and the frequency of T allele was significantly higher in male PD patients than male controls (U+03C7 2=3.867, P=0.036, OR=2.064, 95%CI: 0.989-4.307).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VDR gene Apa I polymorphisms are not associated with sporadic Parkinson's disease, but Taq I may be a risk factor for male PD.</p>

Effect of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase signalling pathway during the proliferation process of HL-60 cells exposed to benzoquinone / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway on the proliferation of HL-60 cells exposed to benzoquinone (BQ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL60 cells were divided into 3 groups: control group (treated with PBS), BQ group (treated with 3 micromol/L BQ) and LY294002 plus BQ group (treated with 20 micromol/L LY294002 plus 3 micromol/L BQ). The cell proliferation was measured with alamar blue dye assay. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of p-Akt and Akt proteins and flow cytometer was used to observe the cell cycle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell proliferation rate and the cell proportion in the S, G2 phase of BQ group were 185.00% +/- 30.00%, 48.23% +/- 1.37% and 15.40% +/- 1.21%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (100.00% +/- 0.00%, 42.47% +/- 0.45% and 5.40% +/- 0.40%) of control group (P<0.05). But the cell proportion rate (36.37% +/- 0.40%) in the G1 phase in BQ group was significantly lower than that (52.13 +/- 0.75%) in control group (P<0.05). The expression level of p-Akt protein in BQ group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The cell proliferation rate and the cell proportion in the S, G2 phase of LY294002 plus BQ group were 82.59% +/- 15.00%, 42.03% +/- 0.50% and 3.87% +/- 0.47%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of BQ group (P<0.05). But the cell proportion rate (54.43% +/- 0.40%) in the G1 phase in LY294002 plus BQ group was significantly higher than that in BQ group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PI3K/Akt signal pathway may play an important role in the proliferation of HL-60 cells exposed to BQ.</p>

Effect of tanshinone II A on the transforming growth factor beta1/Smads signal pathway in rats with hypertensive myocardial hypertrophy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the molecular mechanism of tanshinone II A (TSN) for preventing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by studying the expressions of angiotensin I type 1 receptor (AT1R), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and intracellular signal protein gene (Smads gene) in the hypertrophic myocardium of hypertensive rat models induced by pressure over-loading.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rat model of LVH was established by abdominal aorta constriction. The model animals were randomly divided into 4 groups 4 weeks after modeling, the untreated model control group (C1), the two tested groups (T1 and T2) treated respectively with high (20 mg/kg) and low (10 mg/kg) dose of TSN II A per day via intraperitoneal injection, and the positive control group (C2) treated with 10 mg/kg of Valsartan per day by gastric perfusion, with 8 animals in each group. Besides, 8 SD rats managed with sham operation were set up as the sham-operated control group (C3) After an 8-week treatment, the caudal arterial pressure, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), myocardial fiber dimension (MFD, by pathologic examination with HE staining) in rats were measured. Meanwhile, mRNA expression of AT1R, protein expression of TGF-beta1 and activity of Smad-3, 4, 7 in the ventricular tissue were detected by RT-PCR analysis and Western blotting respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Blood pressure in Group T1 and T2 was unchanged after treatment, which was significantly higher than that in Group C2 and C3 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (2) LVMI and MFD in Group T1, T2 and C2 were higher than that in Group C3 (P < 0.01), but remarkably lower than that in Group C1 (P < 0.01). (3) Levels of AT1R, TGF-beta1 and Smad-3 expression increased significantly in the model rats (P < 0.01), but they were down-regulated in Group T1 and C2, and the TGF-beta1 regulating effect in the C2 was more potent than that in Group T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). (4) Protein expression of Smad-7 was up-regulated in Group T1, T2 and C2 obviously (P < 0.01), and the effect in Group T1 was superior to that in C2 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The myocardial hypertrophy inhibition effect of TSN II A is a blood pressure independent process, and it may be related to the inhibition of AT1R mRNA expression and blocking of TGF beta1/Smads signal pathway.</p>

Effect of reactive oxygen species during the leukemogenic process associated with exposure to benzene / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the leukemogenic process associated with exposure to benzene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL-60 was treated with 3 micromol/L benzoquinone (BQ). Generation of ROS in cells was measured by DCFH-DA method. For proliferation assays,cells were stained with alamar blue dye and counted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ROS production and the proliferation of cell were all increased in BQ-treated cells (13.10 +/- 0.15, 185% +/- 30.00%) as compared with control cells (11.32 +/- 0.09, 100% +/- 0.00%) (P < 0.05); The addition of catalase just before BQ addition reduced ROS generation to basal levels and decreased the growth of cell (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ROS may play an important role in the process of proliferation of HL-60 cells induced by BQ.</p>

Association between SNPs in SOD2 and noise-induced hearing loss / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the association between SNPs in SOD2 and noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was designed to study the effect of environmental risk factors on susceptibility to NIHL in 201 sensitive workers and 202 resistant workers. A questionnaire was designed to carry out an investigation, and an occupational health survey was used to identify the occupational risk factors. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells samples using standard procedures of Qiagen kit. SNPs were detected using standard procedures of TaqMan probe allele identification method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In SOD2 gene, the C allele of rs4880 was a risk factor of NIHL, compared with the T allele, OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.17 approximately 2.63, P = 0.006. CC and CT genotypes compared with TT were risk factors, crude OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.43 approximately 3.50 and adjusted OR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.51 approximately 3.96, P < 0.001, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In Chinese Han population, SOD2 rs4880 SNP in the mitochondrial targeting sequence is associated with noise induced hearing loss.</p>

Effect of environmental risk factors in occupational noise exposure to noise-induced hearing loss / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of environmental risk factors in occupational noise exposure on hearing loss and find out the susceptible population of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was designed to study the effect of environmental risk factors on NIHL. 2400 workers exposed to 75 approximately 120 dB noises from an air conditioning factory in southern China served as the subjects. 202 workers were selected from 10% of population with the maximum hearing shift of the left ear to 3000 Hz noises as the NIHL susceptible group while 204 workers from 10% of population with the least hearing shift as the NIHL tolerant group. A questionnaire was designed to carry out an investigation, and an occupational health survey was used to identify the occupational risk factors which might affect the hearing system. The univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to observe the effect of environmental risk factors on NIHL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of univariate analysis showed that smoking, alcohol drinking, organic solvent, heavy metal, heat, dust were significantly was associated with NIHL (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only heat was associated with NIHL (P < 0.05), and OR value was 1.804 (95% CI: 1.101 approximately 2.958).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to heat may be a high risk factor of NIHL.</p>

Effect of tanshinone II A on angiotensin receptor in hypertrophic myocardium of rats with pressure over-loading / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular biological mechanism of tanshinone II A (TSN) in preventing hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH) through studying the effects of TSN on angiotensin receptor (ATR) expression and free calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) in rats with hypertrophic myocardium caused by abdominal aorta constriction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were established into HLVH model by abdominal aorta constriction operation, they were randomly divided into the model group, the three treated groups treated respectively with intra peritoneal injection of low dose TSN (10 mg/kg) and high dose TSN (20 mg/kg) and gastrogavage of Valsartan (10 mg/kg) once a day 4 weeks after modeling. Besides, 8 sham-operated SD rats were set up as the control group. Eight weeks later, rats' caudal arterial pressure was measured, and their hearts were taken for measuring the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and myocardial fiber diameter (MFD) by HE stain of the pathological section. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expressions of AT1 and AT2 receptors in the left ventricular tissue were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and [Ca2+]i concentration was determined with laser-scanning confocal microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The elevated blood pressure in the TSN treated groups, either high or low dose, remained unchanged, significantly higher than that in the control group and the Valsartan treated group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (2) LVMI and MFD in the three treated groups were significantly lower than those in the model group (P <0.01), respectively, although they were higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). (3) The mRNA and protein expressions of AT1 receptor were obviously lower in the three treated groups than those in the model groups (P < 0.05); but the lowering was more significant in the valsartan treated group (P < 0.05). (4) The mRNA and protein expressions of AT2 receptor were significantly higher in the Valsartan treated group as compared with other groups (P < 0.05), while the difference among the other groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). (5) The elevated (Ca2+]i concentration in hypertrophic myocardium after modeling was significantly lowered after treatment in the three treated groups (P < 0.05), but the lowering in the high TSN treated group was more significant than that in the Valsartan treated group (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The inhibition of TSN on myocardial hypertrophy is blood pressure independent, its mechanism is possibly related with the inhibition on AT1R gene expression and the blocking of free calcium ion influx in cardiac muscle cells. AT2 receptor may participate the effect of Valsartan in lowering blood pressure and reversing myocardial hypertrophy.</p>

Effect of tashinone on nitric oxide synthase in hypertrophic cardiomyocyte of rats suffered abdominal aorta constriction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular biological mechanism for tanshinone II A reversing left ventricular hypertrophy, it would be studying the effect of tashinone on the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase C (PKC) in the hypertrophic cadiocyte of rats suffered abdominal aorta constriction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were operated with abdominal aorta constriction and 8 rats were done with sham surgery. After 4 weeks, all rats were divided into 4 groups: myocardial hypertrophy group, low dose tanshinone II A group (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), high dose tanshinone II A group (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and valsartan group (10 mg x kg(-1) d(-1) intragastric administration). 8 weeks later, the rats were used to measure the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) with the tissue of left ventricle and myocardial fiber dimension (MFD) by pathological section and HE stain, to detect the nitric oxide content by nitrate reductase, to detect the genic expression of eNOS by RT-PCR and to detect the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>1) The blood pressure in group myocardial hypertrophy [(186 +/- 13) mmHg] and tansginone II A [low and high dose (188 +/- 11,187 +/- 14) mmHg] was obviously higher than that in group sham surgery and valsartan group [vs (117 +/- 8, 136 +/- 15) mmHg, P < 0.01]. But there was no difference between group myocardial hypertrophy and group tanshinone II A (low and high dose). 2) The LVMI and MFD were obviously higher in group tanshinone II A low and high dose) and group valsartan than those in group sham surgery (P < 0.05), and lower than those in group myocardial hypertrophy (P < 0.01). 3) The NO level was obviously higher in group tanshinone II A (low and high dose) and group valsartan than that in group myocardial hypertrophy (12.78 +/- 1.66, 11.95 +/- 1.39, 12.26 +/- 2.08 vs 5.83 +/- 1.06) micromol x L(-1), (P < 0.01 ), and lower than that in group sham surgery (vs 19.35 +/- 1.47) micromol x L(-1), (P < 0.05). 4) The expressive level of eNOS mRNA and protein in myocardial hypertrophy group was less than that in other groups (P < 0.01). And valsartan group was less than tanshinone II A groups and sham surgery group (P < 0.05), but there were no difference among the two tanshinone II A groups and sham surgery group. 5) The level of PKC protein in group myocardial hypertrophy was obviously higher than that in all the other groups (1.291 +/- 0.117 vs 0.563 +/- 0.094, 0.605 +/- 0.051, 0.519 +/- 0.062, 0.827 +/- 0.086, P < 0.01), and the level in group valsartan was higher than that in group sham operation and group tanshinone II A (low and high dose).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NO/NOS system in local myocardium has close relationship with the pathological process for myocardial hypertrophy. Tanshinone II A can produce the pharmacological action to reverse myocardial hypertrophy by inhibiting the activity of PKC and promoting the genic expression of eNOS in local myocardium and the production of endogenous NO.</p>

Diet-induced obesity affects testis development in pubertal rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of diet-induced obesity on the developmental process of testes in pubertal rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty 21-day-old male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=32) and an experiment group (n=48), and fed respectively on a normal diet and a high-fat diet. And changes in the body weight, Lee's index, testis weight and epididymis weight were measured at the end of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th week after the treatment, that is, when the rats were 6, 7, 8 and 9 weeks old. The concentrations of testosterone and estradiol were determined by Access immunoassay system and the morphological alterations in testis development observed by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight of the high-fat group obviously increased at the end of the 3rd week (P < 0.05), 26.6% heavier than that of the control by the end of the 6th week (P < 0.01), and Lee's index was also obviously increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the controls, the testicular coefficient declined in the high-fat group at the end of the 5th and 6th week (P < 0.05), plasma TG and TC remarkably increased, the testosterone level obviously decreased (P < 0.05), estradiol concentration lowered at the end of the 3rd, 4th and 5th week but dramatically increased at the 9th, with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Microscope examination showed that spermatogenic epithelial cells were arranged in disorder, the spermatogenic cell layers reduced and the number of mature sperms reduced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-fat diet can induce nutritional obesity in pubertal rats, which in turn may lead to the underdevelopment of the testis and the abnormal level of gonadal hormones.</p>

Effect of tanshinone II A on angiotensin II induced nitric oxide production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of tanshinone II A on porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PAEC were stimulated with angiotensin II (Ang- II) for different acting time (1 h, 6 h and 24 h) and Tanshinone II A was added along with Ang- II stimulation (Group A) or 6 h after it (Group B). The nitric oxide (NO) level, the protein and mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in PAEC were measured by nitric acid deoxidizing assay, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With the prolongation of acting time of Ang- II, the level of NO and eNOS expression in PAEC sequentially decreased in a negative acting time dependent manner (P < 0.01), which could be inhibited by tanshinone II A treatment independent to the dosage used (P< 0.01). The inhibitory effect of tanshinone II A was better in Group A than that in Group B either at 1 h or at 6 h after treatment (P<0.05). However, 24 h later, no significant difference was found between the effect in the two groups (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tanshinone II A could inhibit the negative effect of Ang- II on NO production and eNOS expression in PAEC.</p>

Impact of different ablation strategies on the delayed cure after trans-catheter ablation for treating patients with atrial fibrillation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Delayed cure had been observed in recurrent cases after index ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), however, its mechanism and incidence have not been elucidated in detail. This study aims to investigate the impact of different ablation strategies on the incidence of delayed cure and its possible mechanisms after trans-catheter ablation of AF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty-one consecutive cases with highly symptomatic, drug refractory AF were included in this study [M/F = 109/42, mean age (56.0 +/- 11.2) (18 - 79) years]. Segmental pulmonary vein ablation (SPVA) was performed in 83 patients with the guidance of circular mapping catheter (SPVA Group), circumferential PV linear ablation (CPVA) was carried out in the rest 68 cases under the guidance of 3 dimensional mapping system in conjunction with circular mapping catheter (CPVA Group). Delayed cure was defined as that early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (AF, atrial tachycardia, or atrial flutter) after ablation procedure was no longer observed during subsequent follow-up, and stable sinus rhythm was maintained > or = 2 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias was detected in 41 cases from SPVA group and 23 cases from CPVA group, and delayed cure occurred in 21.9% (9/41) of the cases from SPVA group and 47.8% (11/23) of the cases from CPVA group, more delayed cure in later group was observed (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, patients in SPVA group took a longer time to achieve a delayed cure [(27.0 +/- 18.0) days vs (14.0 +/- 8.1) days, P < 0.05], and presented more recurrent episodes [(3.50 +/- 1.08) times a week vs (2.42 +/- 1.11) times a week, P < 0.05]. However, recurrent episodes after index ablation were markedly decreased in cases with delayed cure from both groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Despite of an early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias after index ablation of AF, delayed cure occurs in a significant number of patients undergoing either SPVA or CPVA. However, different ablation strategies place different impact on the delayed cure, more delayed cure is obtained with CPVA approach, and the delayed cure occurs earlier with this approach; the average recurrent episodes before delayed cure are also less frequently detected in CPVA group compared with those in SPVA group.</p>

Clinical results of circumferential pulmonary vein linear ablation in 100 patients with atrial fibrillation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) linear ablation guided by 3 dimensional mapping system and single circular mapping catheter.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 2004 to January 2005, PV isolation with circumferential PV linear ablation guided by CARTO system (in 76 patients) or EnSite-NavX system (in 24 patients) was performed in 100 consecutive patients with significantly symptomatic, drug refractory AF. The procedural end-point was complete electrical isolation of bilateral PV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Up to 200 linear circles were produced around each ipsilateral PVs in all 100 cases, and 95.0% (190/200) of PV isolation rate was achieved with a mean procedure time of 150-365 (240 +/- 65) min and a mean fluoroscopy time of 23-61 (37 +/- 12) min, respectively. Eight cases with recurrent AF (8.0%) underwent second session. Cumulative atrial tachyarrhythmias-free rate was 85.0% (85/100) during a mean follow-up of 5.5-12 (10.2 +/- 5.7) months. Atrial tachyarrhythmias-free rate was 66.0% (66/100), 82.0% (82/100), 87.0% (87/100), 85.0% (85/100), 85.0% (85/100), and 88.6% (70/79) during the follow up at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months and 6 months, respectively. There were 2 complications (1 tamponade and 1 PV stenosis), which were rehabilitated after conservative treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PV isolation with circumferential PV linear ablation guided by 3 dimensional mapping system is safe and effective for treating AF.</p>