Clinical effects of treatment with Tirofiban on patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS after PCI

OBJECTIVE

To explore clinical effects of Tirofiban treatment on patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

107 patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS after PCI were selected and were divided into two groups. One group of 56 patients was treated with Tirofiban and a second group of 51 patients was taken as control. The occurrence conditions of creatine kinase-myoglobin (CK-MB), cardiac troponin1 (cTnI) level, hemorrhage incidents and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) incidents after treatments were compared.

RESULTS

After 24 h operation, CK-MB and cTnI level in Tirofiban group were both significantly lower than those in control group (p < 0.05), while the difference of hemorrhage incidents between two groups is of no statistical significance (p < 0.05); and the differences in overall occurrence rate of MACE incidents and the occurrence rate of angina pectoris after infarct between two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Tirofiban could improve the blood supply condition of hearts of patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS after emergent PCI, lower the occurrence rate of MACE incidents, and decrease the risk of hemorrhage.

The use of reduced copper metal–organic frameworks to facilitate CuAAC click chemistry

A reduced copper metal–organic framework (rCu-MOF) containing Cu^I ions was prepared and employed as a catalyst for ‘Click’ reactions. The rCu-MOF presents higher catalytic activity, good structural stability as well as facile recyclability compared to traditional copper halide catalysts.

Relationship between B-type natriuretic peptide and short-term prognosis in non-diabetic patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in serum or plasma of the STEMI patients with different infarction sites. To explore the relationship between the BNP level and the short-term prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 216 STEMI patients were enrolled in this study from June 2012 to June 2014. All patients received coronary angiography (CAG). Based on electrocardiography (ECG) and CAG results, patients were divided into three groups. Group A included 80 patients with anterior/lateral wall myocardial infarction, group B included 76 patients with inferior/posterior wall myocardial infarction and group C included 60 patients with right ventricular myocardial infarction. We enrolled 53 patients with normal CAG results as Group D. BNP levels were compared among these groups. and according to BNP levels, all patients were subdivided into normal BNP group (< 100 ng/mL, n = 53), mild-higher BNP group (100-400 ng/mL, n = 105) and marked-higher BNP group (≥ 400 ng/mL, n = 58). The occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including secondary heart failure, severe arrhythmia, post-infarction angina, recurrent myocardial infarction, and cardiac death within 6 months after disease onset were assessed.

RESULTS

BNP levels showed a gradually decreasing trend in groups A, B, C and D (p < 0.05). Significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were found among normal BNP group, mild-high BNP group and marked-higher BNP group (p < 0.05). The MACE occurrence presented no statistical differences between normal BNP group and mild-higher BNP group (p > 0.05). The MACE prevalence in marked-higher BNP group was significantly higher than normal BNP group and mild-higher BNP group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BNP levels can be used as a clinical indicator to predict short-term prognosis in STEMI patients.

Investigation into the photolytic stability of RAFT agents and the implications for photopolymerization reactions

The photolytic stability of RAFT agents under blue LED irradiation has been investigated with regard to photopolymerization reactions.

Combined non-pharmacological interventions for newborn pain relief in two degrees of pain procedures: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Non-pharmacological interventions are effective neonatal pain reduction strategies. We aimed to study the effects of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) and swaddling on infants' behavioural and physiological parameters during shallow or deep heel stick procedures.

METHOD

In this prospective, multi-centred, randomized controlled clinical trial, we enrolled 671 newborns. The infants undergoing shallow or deep heel stick procedures were randomized into four groups: oral sucrose (routine care, group S), oral sucrose combined with NNS (group NS), oral sucrose combined with swaddling (group SS) and oral sucrose combined with NNS and swaddling (group NSS). The behavioural responses were evaluated by the Revised Neonatal Facial Coding System and the physiological signals were monitored by electrocardiogram monitors.

RESULTS

A significant synergistic analgesic effect was observed between the NS and SS groups in both the shallow (F = 5.952, p = 0.015) and deep heel stick (F = 7.452, p = 0.007) procedure. NSS group exhibited the lowest pain score. For the deep heel stick procedure, the NS group had a significantly lower increase in heart rate (HR)% and decrease in SPO2 % than the S group (F = 17.540, p = 0.000, F = 10.472, p = 0.001), while this difference was not observed in the shallow heel stick procedure. No difference was found between the S and SS groups, in terms of different physiological parameters.

CONCLUSION

Non-nutritive sucking and swaddling had synergistic effects on pain relief when used with oral sucrose. For the deep heel stick procedure, oral sucrose combined with NNS and swaddling provided the best pain relief effect. For the shallow heel stick procedure, addition of NNS and swaddling did not improve the effects.

High-mobility group box 1 induces neuron autophagy in a rat spinal root avulsion model

Autophagy, a tightly regulated lysosome-dependent catabolic pathway, is implicated in various pathological states in the nervous system. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an inflammatory mediator known to be released into the local microenvironment from damaged cells. However, whether autophagy is induced and exogenous HMGB1 is involved in the process of spinal root avulsion remain unclear. Here, we investigated the induction effect of autophagy and the possible role of HMGB1 during spinal root avulsion. It was found that autophagy was activated in the anterior horn of the spinal cord as represented by the increased expression of the autophagic marker microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), degradation of sequestosome 1 (p62), and formation of autophagosomes, and that autophagy was inhibited after intraperitoneal injection of anti-HMGB1-neutralizing antibodies in the rat spinal root avulsion model. In addition, HMGB1-induced autophagy and activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in primary spinal neurons, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38MAPK. Inhibition of JNK or ERK activity significantly blocked the effect of HMGB1-induced autophagy in primary spinal neurons. Finally, HMGB1-induced autophagy increased cell viability in primary spinal neurons under oxygen-glucose deprivation conditions. The above results suggest that HMGB1 is a critical regulator of autophagy and HMGB1-induced autophagy plays an important role in protecting spinal neurons against injury, which may provide new insights into the pathophysiological process of spinal root avulsion.

Pre-PCI medication using clopidogrel and ticagrelor in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare preoperative treatment using clopidogrel and ticagrelor for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to investigate the efficacy and safety of these medications in the management of AMI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between February 2013 and December 2014, 74 patients with AMI admitted for emergent PCI therapy were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups: study group and control group. Patients in the study group received different pre-PCI treatment with a loading dose of 180 mg ticagrelor, and those in the control group received treatments with a loading dose of 600 mg clopidogrel. After PCI procedure, all patients were orally administered 75 mg clopidogrel once a day for maintenance therapy, and patients were monitored for one week at the hospital and further followed up for one month Platelet aggregation rates (PAR) of each patient was measured before medication, at 30 min, 2h, 24h and one week after medication, respectively. PAR, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow, clinical outcomes and adverse reactions were compared between groups.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in PAR before treatment between groups (p>0.05), whereas PARs were significantly different after treatment between groups (p<0.05), with the efficacy of medications peaking at 2h after the treatment. In addition, PARs were significantly different between different time points after treatment (p<0.05). Evaluation of TIMI flow grade showed that in study group, 6 patients (16.22%) were grade 2 and 31 (83.78%) were grade 3 for the study group; for the control group, 11 patients (27.73%) were grade 2 and 26 (72.27%) were grade 3. No significant differences were observed in TIMI flow grades between different groups (p>0.05). No recurrence of the disease was observed, but one case (2.70%) of mucosal bleeding in the nasal cavity and four cases (10.81%) of vomiting were found in the study group. However, in the control group, four patients (10.81%) presented with recurrent disease, six patients (16.22%) experienced mucosal bleeding in the nasal cavity and 11 patients (29.73%) vomited. Significant differences were observed in the incidence of adverse events between different groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with 600 mg clopidogrel, a loading dose of 180 mg ticagrelor could effectively inhibit platelet reactivity at the early stage of AMI, resulting in more favorable clinical outcomes and lower occurrence of adverse events and, thereby, can be used in clinical practice.

A short-term transition from a high-fat diet to a normal-fat diet before pregnancy exacerbates female mouse offspring obesity

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Recent findings have highlighted the detrimental influence of maternal overnutrition and obesity on fetal development and early life development. However, there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding the optimal strategy for dietary intervention before pregnancy.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

We used a murine model to study whether switching from a high-fat (HF) diet to a normal-fat (NF) diet (H1N group) 1 week before pregnancy could lead to in utero reprogramming of female offspring obesity; comparator groups were offspring given a consistent maternal HF group or NF group until weaning. After weaning, all female offspring were given the HF diet for either 9 or 12 weeks before being killed humanely.

RESULTS

H1N treatment did not result in maternal weight loss before pregnancy. NF offsprings were neither obese nor glucose intolerant during the entire experimental period. H1N offsprings were most obese after the 12-week postweaning HF diet and displayed glucose intolerance earlier than HF offsprings. Our mechanistic study showed reduced adipocyte insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and hepatic IRS2 expression and increased adipocyte p-Ser(636/639) and p-Ser(612) of H1N or HF offspring compared with that in the NF offspring. Among all groups, the H1N offspring had lowest level of IRS1 and the highest levels of p-Ser(636/639) and p-Ser(612) in gonadal adipocyte. In addition, the H1N offspring further reduced the expression of Glut4 and Glut2, vs those of the HF offspring, which was lower compared with the NF offspring. There were also enhanced expression of genes inhibiting glycogenesis and decreased hepatic glycogen in H1N vs HF or NF offspring. Furthermore, we showed extremely higher expression of lipogenesis and adipogenesis genes in gonadal adipocytes of H1N offspring compared with all other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that a transition from an HF diet to an NF diet shortly before pregnancy, without resulting in maternal weight loss, is not necessarily beneficial and may have deleterious effects on offspring.

A survey of outcomes and management of patients post fragility fractures in China

We found that the fragility hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this Chinese female population, which was unexpectedly lower than those in western countries and other Asian countries. This was the first nationwide survey relating to post-fracture outcomes conducted among Chinese population in Mainland China.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the mortality, self-care ability, diagnosis, and medication treatment of osteoporosis following fragility hip and vertebral fractures through a nationwide survey among female patients aged over 50 in Mainland China.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on medical chart review and patient questionnaire. Female patients aged 50 or older admitted for low-trauma hip or vertebral fractures and discharged from Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2012 were followed.

RESULTS

Total of 1151 subjects of hip fracture and 842 subjects of vertebral fracture were included. The mean age was 73.4 ± 10.0, and the median of duration from index fracture to interview was 2.6 years. The overall 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year cumulative mortality rates were 3.5, 7.0, 11.2, 13.1, and 16.9 %, respectively. The first year mortality rates in hip (3.8 %, 95% CI 3.3-4.4 %) and vertebral fracture (3.1 %, 95% CI 2.5-3.7 %) were significantly higher than that in the general population (1.6 %). Impaired self-care ability was observed in 33.2, 40.6, and 23.8 % of overall, hip fracture, and vertebral fracture group, respectively. The overall diagnosis rate of osteoporosis was 56.8 %, and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement had never been conducted in 42.0 % among these women. After the index fracture, 69.6 % of them received supplements and/or anti-osteoporotic medications, among which 39.6 % only received calcium with/without vitamin D supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

The osteoporotic hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this population of Mainland China. The current diagnosis and medical treatment following the fragility fractures is still insufficient in Mainland China.

Effect of low temperatures on BAX and BCL2 proteins in rats with spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury

We evaluated changes in BAX and BCL2 expression levels after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCII) and hypothermia during operations in rats. Eighty rats were divided into four groups: Group A (N = 20, 18°C); Group B (N = 20, 28°C); Group C (N = 20, room temperature); and Group D (N = 20, sham operation control). Spinal cord ischemia was induced for 90 min. Hypothermia was induced 15 min before, and maintained during ischemia, followed by heating to normothermia for 30 min after reperfusion. Motor function of the lower limbs was evaluated according to the Tarlov score at 72 and 168 h. For each rat, spinal cord samples were taken at 6, 24, 72 h, and 1 week to evaluate the histopathological changes, neuronal apoptosis, and BAX and BCL2 expression levels. Compared with normothermia, hypothermia significantly improved hind limb function; Group B achieved a higher score than Group A. Group D showed no neurologic deficiency, while the other groups showed various degrees. Group C exhibited greater neuronal apoptosis, higher BAX expression, but lower BCL2 expression than the other groups. Compared with Group A, BAX was expressed less and BCL2 more in Group B, and there was less apoptosis in Group B. Hypothermia preserves hind limb motor function and reduces neuronal death, thereby protecting rats from SCII. The spinal cord may be protected from SCII by inhibition of BAX and activation of BCL2. However, deep hypothermia may inhibit the expression of BCL2, resulting in a worse outcome than mild hypothermia.

RNA interference-aided knockdown of a putative saccharopine dehydrogenase leads to abnormal ecdysis in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

The brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens is a serious phloem-feeding pest of rice in China. The current study focuses on a saccharopine dehydrogenase (SDH) that catalyzes the penultimate reaction in biosynthesis of the amino acid lysine (Lys), which plays a role in insect growth and carnitine production (as a substrate). The protein, provisionally designated as NlylsSDH [a SDH derived from yeast-like symbiont (YLS) in N. lugens], had a higher transcript level in abdomens, compared with heads, wings, legs and thoraces, which agrees with YLS distribution in N. lugens. Ingestion of Nlylssdh targeted double-stranded RNA (dsNlylssdh) for 5, 10 and 15 days decreased the mRNA abundance in the hoppers by 47, 70 and 31%, respectively, comparing with those ingesting normal or dsegfp diets. Nlylssdh knockdown slightly decreased the body weights, significantly delayed the development of females, and killed approximately 30% of the nymphs. Moreover, some surviving adults showed two apparent phenotypic defects: wing deformation and nymphal cuticles remained on tips of the legs and abdomens. The brachypterours/macropterours and sex ratios (female/male) of the adults on the dsRNA diet were lowered compared with the adults on diets without dsRNA. These results suggest that Nlylssdh encodes a functional SDH protein. The adverse effect of Nlylssdh knockdown on N. lugens implies the importance of Lys in hopper development. This study provides a proof of concept example that Nlylssdh could serve as a possible dsRNA-based pesticide for planthopper control.

CXCL12/CXCR4 signal involved in the regulation of trophoblasts on peripheral NK cells leading to Th2 bias at the maternal-fetal interface

OBJECTIVE

In the early pregnancy, large number of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are present in decidua, which exhibit distinctive phenotype and functions from peripheral blood NK cells (pNK)1. Unlike the cytotoxic pNK cells, dNK cells display more pronounced characteristics of immune tolerance, which contribute the Th2 bias at the maternal-fetal interface and ensure successful pregnancy2. However, the origin and the differentiation program of dNK still remain unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our previous study has demonstrated that the CXCL12/CXCR4 signal axis is involved in the shaping of Th2 bias at the maternal-fetal interface3,4.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated the first-trimester human trophoblast cells secrete chemokine CXCL12 that can recruit pNK cells to the decidua. We've also found that the pNK cells differentiate locally under the influence of trophablast cells. After co-culture with trophoblast cells, pNK cells could acquire dNK characteristics phenotypically while compared to the dNK cells; however, the blocking of CXCL12/CXCR4 signal of pNK cells has abrogated the modulation of trophoblast cells on the pNK cells. We've also found that JNK1/2/MAPK and ERK/MAPK signal pathways were required for the modulation of trophoblast cells on the pNK cells. MAPK signal pathway is involved in the functional modulation of human first-trimester trophoblast cells and decidual stromal cells on pNK and dNK cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has elucidated that CXCL12/CXCR4 can recruit pNK cells to the decidua, then positively modulate pNK cells differentiation into the dNK cells, which thus results in Th2 bias and maternal-fetal immune tolerance.

Effect of DDAH/ADMA/NOS regulation pathway on cavernae corporum cavernosorum rat penis of different age

The effect of DDAH/ADMA/NOS pathway in penile tissue of rats of different age was investigated to better understand the mechanism of age-related erectile dysfunction (ED). The Sprague Dawley male rats were assigned as the young group (3 month old, n = 10) and the old group (18 month old, n = 10) respectively. Intracavernous pressure (ICP) was measured before and after papaverine intracavernous injection. Pathology structure of penile tissue was evaluated under transmission electron microscope. The expression amounts of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in penile tissue were detected by ELISA; the expression levels of isoform-specific DDAH and NOS were assessed via Western blot. Compared with the young group, the ICP in the old group rat decreased significantly (33.46 ± 5.37 versus 39.71 ± 3.67 mmHg, P = 0.02) after papaverine injection. Diffused fibrosis and impairment of endothelial cell were observed in corpus cavernosum in the old group rats. Higher level of ADMA (10.83 ± 0.96 versus 7.51 ± 1.39 μmol per gpro, P = 3.14 × 10(-4) ) and lower level of cGMP (29.42 ± 3.84 versus 47.09 ± 6.07 nmol per gpro, P = 1.57 × 10(-6) ) were detected in penile tissue of the old group compared with those of the young group. Expression of DDAH1, DDAH2, endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS(nNOS) all decreased significantly in penile tissue of the old group rat. The DDAH/ADMA/NOS regulation pathway changes dramatically accompanying with lower ICP in old group rat compared with those of the young group. Such findings in rats are suggestive in understanding the mechanism of age-related ED in humans.

TceSR two-component regulatory system of Brucella melitensis 16M is involved in invasion, intracellular survival and regulated cytotoxicity for macrophages

The mechanisms of invasion and intracellular survival of Brucella are still poorly understood. Previous studies showed that the two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) play an important role in the intracellular survival of Brucella. To investigate if TCSs involve in the virulence and cytotoxicity of Brucella melitensis, we introduced a mutation into one of the TCSs in chromosome II in Br. melitensis 16M strain, and generated 16MΔTceSR, a mutant of Br. melitensis 16M strain. In vitro infection experiments using murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) showed that the survival of 16MΔTceSR mutant in macrophages decreased 0·91-log compared with that of wild type Br. melitensis 16M strain at 2 h postinfection, replication of 16MΔTceSR mutant in macrophages was 5·65-log, which was much lower than that wild type strain. Results of lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assays in macrophages demonstrated high dose infection with wide type strain produced high level cytotoxicity to macrophages, but 16MΔTceSR mutant had very low level cytotoxicity, indicating mutation of TCSs impaired the cytotoxicity of Br. melitensis to macrophages. Animal experiments showed that the spleen colonization of 16MΔTceSR was significantly reduced compared with its wild type strains. The lower levels of survival of 16MΔTceSR in various stress conditions suggested that the mutation of the TCSs of Br. melitensis was the causative factor of its reduced resistance to stress conditions. Taken together, our results demonstrated TCS TceSR involves in the intracellular survival, virulence and cytotoxicity of Br. melitensis during its infection. Significance and impact of the study: Two-component systems (TCSs) are predominant bacterial signal transduction mechanisms. The pathogenicity of Brucella is due to its ability to adapt to the intracellular environment including low levels of acidic pH, high-salt and heat shock. TCSs are designed to sense diverse stimuli, transfer signals and enact an appropriate adaptive physiological response. Here, we show that Br. meilitensis TCS TceSR is not only involved in regulation of Br. meilitensis virulence and adaptation of environmental stresses, but also can regulate cytotoxicity in macrophages.

Differences between high- and low-motility buffalo sperm identified by comparative proteomics

This study was undertaken to investigate differences in protein expression between high- and low-motility sperm of swamp buffalo. The research used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) to analyse the different proteins. The results showed 18 different expression protein spots between high- and low-motility buffalo sperm; eight of these proteins were up-regulated in low-motility sperm, five were down-regulated, one deleted and four proteins specifically expressed. Finally, four proteins were successfully identified by MS as belonging to three unique proteins; they are outer dense fibre of sperm tails protein 2 (ODF2), ATP synthase subunit alpha (ATP5A1) and succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit beta (SUCLG2). In summary, these results help to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with low-motility sperm and provide clues for finding molecular markers associated with sperm motility.

Comparisons of sarcopenia prevalence based on different diagnostic criteria in Chinese older adults

The study aimed to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia and discussed the applicability of different diagnostic criteria in Chinese older adults. 286 Chinese adults (136 men and 150 women) aged 60-88 were recruited. The prevalence of sarcopenia were calculated using different diagnostic criteria. Physical functioning was compared in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults. Compared with the standard of EWGSOP (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People), the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher when the IWGS (International Working Group on Sarcopenia) standard was applied (Men: 7.4% vs. 0.8%; Women: 4.7% vs. 0%). If the AWGS (Aisa Working Group on Sarcopenia) standard was applied, the prevalence was 5.9% in men and 0.7% in women. In conclusion, the prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese older adults ranged from 0% to around 10% when the diagnostic criteria of IGWS, EWGSOP and AGWS were applied. Further studies are still needed to investigate appropriate diagnostic criterion of sarcopenia for Chinese population.

PROX1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation and sorafenib resistance by enhancing β-catenin expression and nuclear translocation

Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is frequent in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and contributes to HCC initiation and progression. This abnormal activation may result from somatic mutations in the genes of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and/or dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The mechanism for the latter remains poorly understood. Prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) is a downstream target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human colorectal cancer and elevated PROX1 expression promotes malignant progression. However, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway does not regulate PROX1 expression in the liver and HCC cells. Here we report that PROX1 promotes HCC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in HCC xenograft mice. PROX1 and β-catenin levels are positively correlated in tumor tissues as well as in cultured HCC cells. PROX1 can upregulate β-catenin transcription by stimulating the β-catenin promoter and enhance the nuclear translocation of β-catenin in HCC cells, which leads to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, we show that increase in PROX1 expression renders HCC cells more resistant to sorafenib treatment, which is the standard therapy for advanced HCC. Overall, we have pinpointed PROX1 as a critical factor activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC, which promotes HCC proliferation and sorafenib resistance.

Histopathological alterations during breast carcinogenesis in a rat model induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz (a) anthracene and estrogen-progestogen combinations

Studies have shown that the development of breast cancer (BC) is a multi-step process that occurs sequentially from normal to usual hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, and finally the invasive stages of carcinoma. Our study investigated the histopathological alterations in breast tissue in a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) and estrogen-progestogen (E-P). Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 each) and administered the E-P/DMBA combination. After the induction of BC, breast tissue samples were obtained from the rats and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Breast tissues from 10 rats and 10 human patients were obtained for comparison. The expression of P63, CK5/6 and CK34βE12 was observed and analyzed using the SPSS 17.0 software. The HE results showed ductal epithelial hyperplasia with forming a second lumen or papillary structure, atypical hyperplasia with atypical proliferative cells, forming a cross-bridge or cribriform structure in breast tissues from the rats samples. The IHC results showed that the expression of P63 was not significantly different between rat and human breast tissue (P > 0.05), but its expression in rat and human tissue was significantly different between UDH, ADH, DCIS and IDC (P < 0.01). A similar trend was observed for the expression of CK5/6 and CK34βE12 too. Thus, the findings in this model may reflect the histopathological changes that occur during the progression of human BC. Therefore, this model could be used for the establishment of BC models to investigate the prevention and treatment of BC.

Identification of molecular markers in patients with hypertensive heart disease accompanied with coronary artery disease

We investigated the plasma hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and apelin levels in patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) plus coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with hypertension hospitalized in Xuzhou Central Hospital were categorized into the HHD group and the HHD plus CAD group; 40 healthy subjects served as the control group. hs-CRP expression was determined with chemiluminescence. The expression of ox-LDL and apelin was analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HHD was chiefly responsible for left atrial enlargement (P < 0.05) and left ventricle diastolic function insufficiency (P < 0.05). hs-CRP and ox-LDL were significantly higher in the HHD group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control and HHD groups, significant increases in hs-CRP and ox-LDL levels were observed in the HHD plus CAD group. Apelin expression significantly decreased in the HHD group compared with that in controls (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, apelin expression significantly decreased in the HHD plus CAD group compared with that in the HHD (P < 0.05) and control (P < 0.05) groups. Logistic regression analysis for the binomial response variable indicated that high systolic pressure/diastolic pressure, increase in hs-CRP level, and decrease in apelin concentration were the risk factors for hypertension and cardiac impairments. HHD plus CAD has a greater influence on cardiac function than HHD alone. Increased inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as decreased secretion of cardiac protective factors, may be associated with the simultaneous onset of HHD and CAD.