Role of chemokines in promoting instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaques and the underlying molecular mechanism

Our aim was to investigate the role of chemokines in promoting instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaques and the underlying molecular mechanism. Coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed in 60 stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients and 60 unstable angina pectoris (UAP) patients. The chemotactic activity of monocytes in the 2 groups of patients was examined in Transwell chambers. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated on activation in normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and fractalkine in serum were examined with ELISA kits, and expression of MCP-1, RANTES, and fractalkine mRNA was examined with real-time PCR. In the SAP group, 92 plaques were detected with IVUS. In the UAP group, 96 plaques were detected with IVUS. The plaques in the UAP group were mainly lipid 51.04% (49/96) and the plaques in the SAP group were mainly fibrous 52.17% (48/92). Compared with the SAP group, the plaque burden and vascular remodeling index in the UAP group were significantly greater than in the SAP group (P<0.01). Chemotactic activity and the number of mobile monocytes in the UAP group were significantly greater than in the SAP group (P<0.01). Concentrations of hs-CRP, MCP-1, RANTES, and fractalkine in the serum of the UAP group were significantly higher than in the serum of the SAP group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and expression of MCP-1, RANTES, and fractalkine mRNA was significantly higher than in the SAP group (P<0.05). MCP-1, RANTES, and fractalkine probably promote instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaque.

Sequence variation and bioinformatics analysis of Toxoplasma gondii GRA16 Gene

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It is anopportunistic zoonosis in warm-blooded animals and humans, with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 16 (TgGRA16) can modulate some functions in host cells and is considered a significant virulent factor of the parasite. The present study reports sequence variation in TgGRA16 gene among T. gondii strains from different hosts and geographical locations, and the construction of phylogenetic relationships of these T. gondii strains based on sequences of TgGRA16, and analysis of B cell epitopes in TgGRA16. Our results showed that all TgGRA16 gene sequences were 1518 bp and the C+G contents ranged from 52.17% to 52.59%. Sequence variation in the TgGRA16 gene was 0-1.51%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TgGRA16 gene sequence could not be used to differentiate the different T. gondii genotypes. Six B cell epitopes were predicted in TgGRA16. These results indicated that TgGRA16 gene is not an ideal marker for studying genetic relationships of T. gondii isolates, but may represent a good vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.

Different limited resection of pulmonary lobe methods under the thoracoscopy in the treatment of early nonsmall cell lung cancer occurred in the old age.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to explore clinical effect of limited resection of lung lobe under the thoracoscopy in the treatment of early nonsmall cell lung cancer occurred in the old age. METHODS: A total of 150 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer in the old age is treated by limited resection of lung lobe under thoracoscope. It can be divided into segmental resection group and wedge resection group by surgical methods, to make a comparative analysis of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stays, and complications during the perioperative period. And there will be postoperation follow‑up on survival, relapse and death situation etc., RESULTS: 10 cases are changed to make other operation because of maladaptation to limited resection, and a total of 140 patients have undergone limited resection. Operation time and hospital stays of wedge resection group are shorter than those of segmental resection group (P < 0.05); compared with the bleeding and indwelling drainage tube time in two groups, differences have no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Compared with cases of complications, recurrence and death for groups of segmental resection and wedge resection group, the differences have no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Limited resection of lung lobe in the early treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer occurred in the old age under the thoracoscopy is safe and feasible.