Using ultrasound three-dimensional speckle tracking technology to explore the role of SIRT1 in ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of SIRT1 in ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction using ultrasound three-dimensional speckle tracking (3D-STI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with acute myocardial infarction diagnosed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College from June 2015 to July 2017 were enrolled in the study. They were divided into ventricular remodeling group and ventricular non-remodeling group. Fifty-eight healthy people underwent physical examination were controls. 3D-STI was used to detect end-diastolic ventricular septal thickness (LVST), end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), systolic peak radial strain (PRS). SIRT1 expression levels in peripheral blood samples of the 3 groups were measured. Rats with acute myocardial infarction were treated with SIRT1 agonist. After 4 weeks, LVEDV, LVESV, LVEF, stroke volume (SV) were recorded by three-dimensional ultrasound; rat myocardial tissue protein was extracted, and SIRT1 and TGF-ß, α-SMA, Vimentin and other fibrosis indicators were detected to explore the effects of SIRT1 on ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis. RESULTS: At the time of initial diagnosis, SIRT1 level in healthy group > non-ventricular remodeling group > remodeling group (p<0.05); at the return visit, SIRT1 levels in the remodeling group and non-ventricular remodeling group were significantly elevated (p<0.05), but that in the remodeling group was significantly lower than that in the non-ventricular group (p<0.05). The expression level of SIRT1 in H9c2 hypoxia-reperfusion cell model control group > SIRT agonist treatment model group > model group. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, SIRT1 in the peripheral blood is negatively correlated with the degree of ventricular remodeling. The expression of SIRT1 in myocardial tissue is related to the cardiac morphology expansion and relief of reduced function in vivo after acute myocardial infarction. Up-regulation of SIRT1 expression in cell models can reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inhibit cardiomyocyte fibrosis. SIRT1 has a good application prospect in predicting and treating myocardial infarction and delaying ventricular remodeling.

[Epidemiologic characteristics of fall in the elderly in urban and rural areas in Shanghai].

Objective: To understand the epidemiologic characteristics of fall in the elderly in Shanghai, as well as the differences between urban and rural areas, and provide evidence for targeted fall prevention and intervention. Methods: From January to March in 2017, a questionnaire survey was conducted in the elderly aged 60 or above selected from 7 urban communities and 6 rural communities in Shanghai to understand the epidemiologic characteristics of fall in the elderly and analyze the gender and urban-rural differences. Results: In urban area, a total of 3 386 elderly people were surveyed, in whom 441 (13.0%) had fall and 261 (7.7%) were injured after fall. In rural area, a total of 2 826 elderly people were surveyed, in whom 320 (11.3%) had fall and 169 (6.0%) were injured after fall. Fall risk in women were higher than that in men in both urban and rural areas with OR of 1.62 (95%CI: 1.42-1.86) and 1.16 (95%CI: 1.38-1.98) respectively, but the differences of fall related injury were not significant. Compared with urban areas, fall risk and fall related injury risk were both lower in rural areas with OR of 0.86 (95%CI: 0.73-0.99) and 0.74 (95%CI: 0.56-0.99). Compared with urban areas, men had lower risk for fall, and women had lower risk for fall related injury with OR of 0.68 (95%CI: 0.51-0.90) and 0.66 (95%CI: 0.47-0.93) respectively. Fall mainly occurred at home. Fall in urban area more frequently occurred on stairs, and fall in rural area more frequently occurred during farming. More than 60% of the falls had environmental risk factors. Slippery ground and uneven ground were main reasons. The incidence of fracture resulted from fall was high indicated by 89 fracture cases in urban areas (28.2%) and 64 fracture cases in rural areas (36.1%). Conclusions: The risk for fall in Shanghai had gender and urban-rural differences. Targeted intervention should be conducted according to the characteristics of fall in the elderly.

Cytogenetic evaluation of cataract patients occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in northeast China.

Long-term radiation exposure is hazardous to health; late-onset effects of exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) pose risks to the lens, and are associated with other non-cancerous diseases. Individuals occupationally exposed to low-dose IR are prone to developing eye cataracts. Cytogenetic evaluations suggest that IR is associated with chromosomal aberrations in occupationally exposed individuals. However, data regarding the association between chromosomal aberrations in cataract patients and occupational exposure to IR is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to report the characteristics of chromosomal aberrations in cataract patients from a Chinese population, occupationally exposed to IR. We found that the average age and frequency of numerical chromosomal aberrations were significantly lower in the exposed patients as compared with that in the non-exposed patients. In addition, the frequencies of dicentric and acentric chromosomes were significantly higher in the exposed patients as compared with those in the non-exposed patients. Therefore, chronic occupational exposure to IR affects cataract development in the Chinese population. The age of cataract patients exposed to IR was significantly lower than the age of cataract onset in normal individuals. Based on this study, we suggest that there is an urgent need for improved radiation safety and eye protection in individuals exposed to IR in the work place.

Sperm quality and DNA damage in men from Jilin Province, China, who are occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.

Long-term radiation exposure affects human health. Ionizing radiation has long been known to raise the risk of cancer. In addition to high doses of radiation, low-dose ionizing radiation might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, lens opacity, and some other non-cancerous diseases. Low- and high-dose exposures to ionizing radiation elicit different signaling events at the molecular level, and may involve different response mechanisms. The health risks arising from exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation should be re-evaluated. Health workers exposed to ionizing radiation experience low-dose radiation and have an increased risk of hematological malignancies. Reproductive function is sensitive to changes in the physical environment, including ionizing radiation. However, data is scarce regarding the association between occupational radiation exposure and risk to human fertility. Sperm DNA integrity is a functional parameter of male fertility evaluation. Hence, we aimed to report sperm quality and DNA damage in men from Jilin Province, China, who were occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Sperm motility and normal morphology were significantly lower in the exposed compared with the non-exposed men. There was no statistically significant difference in sperm concentration between exposed and non-exposed men. The sperm DNA fragmentation index was significantly higher in the exposed than the non-exposed men. Chronic long-term exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation could affect sperm motility, normal morphology, and the sperm DNA fragmentation index in the Chinese population. Sperm quality and DNA integrity are functional parameters that could be used to evaluate occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.

Cotransport of graphene oxide and Cu(II) through saturated porous media.

This study examines the cotransport of graphene oxide (GO) and Cu in porous media. The impacts of GO concentration and ion strength (IS) on Cu transport in laboratory packed columns were investigated. The results indicated that GO had fairly high mobility at a IS of 1mM, and could serve as an effective carrier of Cu(II). The facilitated transport was found to increase with increasing concentration of GO (CGO). The peak effluent concentration (C/C0)max of Cu was 0.57 at CGO of 120mg/L and IS=1mM and 0.13 at 40mg/L and IS=1mM. The Cu appears to be irreversibly adsorbed by the sand because no Cu appeared in the effluent in the absence of GO. However, the GO-facilitated Cu transport was reduced as the IS increased from 1 to 1000mM. In fact, the facilitated transport was zero percent at an IS of 1000mM. Particle size analysis, Zeta potential measurements and DLVO calculations demonstrated that higher IS values made the GO became unstable and it flocculated and attached to the sand. We also fed GO into the column pre-equilibrated by Cu as sequential elution experiments and found that the later introduced GO can complex the pre-adsorbed Cu from the sand surface because GO has a higher adsorption affinity for Cu. An advection-dispersion-retention numerical model was able to describe the Cu and GO transport in the column. Our work provides useful insights into fate, transport and risk assessment of heavy metal contaminants in the presence of engineered nanoparticles.

The left ventricular assist effect and biocompatibility study of a novel para-aortic counterpulsation device.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemodynamic characteristics and biocompatibility of a new para-aortic counterpulsation device in animal experiment studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Para-aortic counterpulsation device (PACD), a monoport device, consists of a blood chamber anastomosed to the descending aorta by means of a valveless graft and an air chamber connected to IABP machine. Hemodynamic parameters during the PACD-assisted beats were compared with those during the unassist beats. Acute heart failure was induced in all animals, and the hemodynamic effects of PACD were then reassessed. RESULTS: We successfully induced heart failure in all cases, in conditions of which cardiac output (CO) and MAP decreased 17.6% and 27.7% respectively, and PCWP increased 57.7%. Hemodynamic indexes, cerebral and heart perfusion improved significantly after PACD assisting. PACD activation increased significantly CO and MAP 6.29% and 2.04% respectively. Both of SAP and DAP decreased significantly from 85.00 to 81.88 mmHg and 59.63 to 54.63 respectively, at the same time, MADP increased 19.4%, after PACD assist. The value of MDLMF, LMF and CSF was increased by 14.0%, 13.8% and 11.6% respectively. LCAF increased by 11.23%, after PACD assist. The PFH increased significantly in the first six hours. There was no statistically significant difference in the last two hours. When the acute animal experiments were completed, there were no infarct ischemic, thrombosis change in organs by Gross and histologic observation. CONCLUSIONS: PACD with good biological compatibility significantly reduced the left ventricular afterload, increased diastolic arterial pressure and myocardial perfusion, improved heart function and cerebral perfusion.