Association between inflammatory biomarkers and hypertension among sedentary adults in US: NHANES 2009-2018.

Our study focuses on the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and hypertension among sedentary adults in the United States, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2018. We categorized 24,614 participants into two groups based on their daily sedentary time: 9607 individuals in the sedentary group (≥7 h) and 15,007 in the non-sedentary group (<7 h). We found that the sedentary group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension than the non-sedentary group. Using weighted multiple logistic regression and smoothing curves, we assessed the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and hypertension among the sedentary adults. The odds ratios for hypertension were 1.92 for the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), 1.15 for the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and 1.19 for the natural logarithm of the systemic immune-inflammation index (lnSII), all showing nonlinear associations. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between sedentary time and inflammatory biomarkers (MHR, SIRI, and lnSII). Our findings suggest that prolonged sedentary behavior in the US significantly increases hypertension risk, likely due to marked increases in inflammation markers.

Phosphonium-Catalyzed Monoreduction of Bisphosphine Dioxides: Origin of Selectivity and Synthetic Applications.

Controlling product selectivity in successive reactions of the same type is challenging owing to the comparable thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reactions involved. Here, the synergistic interaction of the two phosphoryl groups in bisphosphine dioxides (BPDOs) with a bromo-phosphonium cation was studied experimentally to provide a practical tool for substrate-catalyst recognition. As the eventual result, we have developed a phosphonium-catalyzed monoreduction of chiral BPDOs to access an array of synthetically useful bisphosphine monoxides (BPMOs) with axial, spiro, and planar chirality, which are otherwise challenging to synthesize before. The reaction features excellent selectivity and impressive reactivity. It proceeds under mild conditions, avoiding the use of superstoichiometric amounts of additives and metal catalysts to simplify the synthetic procedure. The accessibility and scalability of the reaction allowed for the rapid construction of a ligand library for optimization of asymmetric Heck-type cyclization, laying the foundation for a broad range of applications of chiral BPMOs in catalysis.

Deoxygenation of Phosphine Oxides by PIII/PV═O Redox Catalysis via Successive Isodesmic Reactions.

Deoxygenation of phosphine oxides is of great significance to synthesis of phosphorus ligands and relevant catalysts, as well as to the sustainability of phosphorus chemistry. However, the thermodynamic inertness of P═O bonds poses a severe challenge to their reduction. Previous approaches in this regard rely primarily on a type of P═O bond activation with either Lewis/Brønsted acids or stoichiometric halogenating reagents under harsh conditions. Here, we wish to report a novel catalytic strategy for facile and efficient deoxygenation of phosphine oxides via successive isodesmic reactions, whose thermodynamic driving force for breaking the strong P═O bond was compensated by a synchronous formation of another P═O bond. The reaction was enabled by PIII/P═O redox sequences with the cyclic organophosphorus catalyst and terminal reductant PhSiH3. This catalytic reaction avoids the use of the stoichiometric activator as in other cases and features a broad substrate scope, excellent reactivities, and mild reaction conditions. Preliminary thermodynamic and mechanistic investigations disclosed a dual synergistic role of the catalyst.

Clinical Efficacy of Blood Ultrafiltration Therapy in Patients with Acute Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure Running Title: Blood Ultrafiltration Therapy for Heart Failure.

In this study, we investigated the clinical effects of blood ultrafiltration therapy in patients with acute decompensated chronic heart failure. We enrolled 78 patients with acute decompensated chronic heart failure who were admitted to a hospital from September 2017 to December 2021, and divided them into two groups based on the digital randomization method. The FQ-16 heart failure ultrafiltration dehydrating device blood ultrafiltration therapy was administered to the observation group (39 patients) for 8-16 hours, while the control group (39 patients) received the stepped drug therapy. Echocardiography was used to assess the changes in cardiac function of the patients in both groups before and after treatment. The changes in urine volume, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plasma renin, and serum creatinine levels were measured before and after the treatment to compare the overall response rate of the patients in both groups. The differences in left ventricular end-systolic dimension and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and the ejection fraction between the groups before treatment were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), however, the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension in the observation group was significantly lower and the ejection fraction was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with that before treatment; the urine volume, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plasma renin, and serum creatinine were significantly improved in both groups after treatment compared with that before treatment. All indexes in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05), 74.36%. The overall response rate of the observation group was 94.87%, x2 = 4.843 and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Blood ultrafiltration therapy for patients with acute decompensated chronic heart failure can improve their cardiac and renal functions, reduce NT-proBNP, reduce volume load, and enhance efficacy while ensuring high safety.

Catalytic Vilsmeier-Haack Reactions for C1-Deuterated Formylation of Indoles.

The Vilsmeier-Haack reaction is a powerful tool to introduce formyl groups into electron-rich arenes, but its wide application is significantly restricted by stoichiometric employment of caustic POCl3. Herein, we reported a catalytic version of the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction enabled by a P(III)/P(V)═O cycle. This catalytic reaction provides a facile and efficient route for the direct construction of C1-deuterated indol-3-carboxaldehyde under mild conditions with stoichiometric DMF-d7 as the deuterium source. The products feature a remarkably higher deuteration level (>99%) than previously reported ones and are not contaminated by the likely unselective deuteration at other sites. The present transformation can also be used to transfer other carbonyl groups. Further downstream derivatizations of these deuterated products manifested their potential applications in the synthesis of deuterated bioactive molecules. Mechanistic insight was disclosed from studies of kinetics and intermediates.

Synthetic applications of NHPs: from the hydride pathway to a radical mechanism.

The unique heterocyclic skeletons of N-heterocyclic phosphines (NHPs) endow them with excellent hydridic reactivity, which has enabled NHPs to be applied in a great array of catalytic hydrogenations of unsaturated substrates in the past few decades. Recently, applications of NHPs in radical reductions, especially in a catalytic fashion, have emerged as a promising forefront area. This new reaction pattern, distinctive from but complementary to the well-established hydride pathway, can greatly expand the reaction scope to σ-bond scission. Herein, we briefly summarized some representative examples of synthetic applications of NHPs in both hydridic and radical reductions with an emphasis on their radical reactivity, including the structural and property studies of NHP radicals and their precursors as well as their applications in radical processes.

Genetic variation and structure of Ubame oak, Quercus phillyraeoides, in Japan revealed by chloroplast DNA and nuclear microsatellite markers.

Genetic variation and structure of Ubame oak (Quercus phillyraeoides A. Gray), a shrub tree on the Pacific coast of Japan, were examined to elucidate historical population dynamics using five chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) marker regions and 11 nuclear microsatellite loci. Three cpDNA haplotypes (A, B and C) were identified in a screen of 41 populations across the entire distribution range in Japan. Haplotype A was the most prevalent and was found in the entire range. Haplotype B was locally restricted to the Kii Peninsula, while haplotype C was restricted to the southwestern part of Japan. These haplotypes corresponded with the nuclear genetic constitution revealed by microsatellite markers. Two genetically differentiated major groups were identified by STRUCTURE analysis applied to 536 individuals from 28 populations, and they mostly corresponded with the two major cpDNA haplotypes, A and C. These populations were further divided into three geographically identified groups: group 1 in the area including Kanto and Tokai regions, the Kii Peninsula and the Muroto-misaki Cape on the Pacific coast; group 2 in the Bungo-suido Channel area; and group 3 in southern Kyushu and Okinawa. Populations in the Seto Inland Sea were divided into two groups: one was included in group 1 and appears to have originated from last glacial maximum (LGM) refugia located in the Kii Peninsula, while the other was included in group 2 and appears to have originated from LGM refugia located in southern Kyushu. These groups can be considered as conservation units for the preservation of unique seashore ecosystems, or as a seed source to foster coastal protection forests and next-generation production forests. Considerable care should be taken to protect isolated populations that may be specialized to unique local environments, such as those on the islands of Koshikijima and Izenajima.

[Arthroscopy-guided core decompression and bone grafting combined with selective arterial infusion for treatment of early stage avascular necrosis of femoral head].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of arthroscopy-guided core decompression and bone grafting combined with selective arterial infusion for early stage avascular necrosis of femoral head. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2014, 76 patients(76 hips) diagnosed as Ficat II stage avascular necrosis of femoral head were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, there were 27 males and 8 females aged from 24 to 55 years old with an average of (43.96±6.81) years, treated with arthroscopic-guided core decompression and bone grafting combined with selective arterial infusion. Along the direction of the femoral neck, an 8 mm-diameter tunnel to necrotic areas was drilled, then curettage of necrotic bone was performed under arthroscope, and the iliac bone was grafted. In the control group, there were 29 males and 12 females aged from 26 to 56 years old with an average of (44.62±7.33) years, treated with percutaneous core decompression combined with selective arterial infusion. The preoperative and postoperative Harris scores were recorded and the changes of X-rays were analyzed. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up with an average of 30 months. Postoperative follow-up at 12 months showed that there was significant difference in imaging outcome between two groups(P<0.05), the experimental group was better than that of control group. According to Harris hip score system, at the final follow-up, Harris score of the experimental group was 86.72±4.37 on average, 6 cases got excellent results, 24 good, 4 fair and 1 poor. Harris score of the control group was 78.62±5.62 on average, 2 cases got excellent results, 20 good, 15 fair and 4 poor. After Ridit analysis, there was significant difference in the effect between the two groups(P<0.05). By pairing sample t test, there was significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative Harris score in the both groups(P<0.05). Between the two groups, there was no significant difference in preoperative Harris score(P>0.05), but there was significant difference in postoperative Harris score(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two surgical procedures for early femoral head necrosis are effective. Using arthroscopic-guided core decompression method, the necrotic bone can be positioned and scraped more accurately, and can obtain better results.

[Simvastatin prevented myocardium of diabetes rats from apoptosis through inhibition of oxidative stress].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects and the possible mechanisms of simvastatin on myocardial injury induced by diabetes. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats (180~220)g were randomly divided into control group (control, n=8) and modeled groups(n=16), the modeled groups were injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. Then the modeled rats were randomly divided into diabetes mellitus group (DM group, n=8) and diabetes mellitus + simvastatin group (DM+S group, n=8). Rats in DM+S group were treated with simvastatin at the dose of 40 mg/(kg·d)by gavage for 4 weeks, and the other two groups were treated with the same amount of saline. At the end of experiments, the heart tissues were collected for further observation. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in heart tissues were measured by spectrophotometry; HE staining of rat heart slides was used to observe the pathological changes; TUNEL assay was used to determine the apoptosis index of myocardial cells in each groups; The distribution of p53 in the heart tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry; Western blot was used to detect the expressions of p53, p53-phospho-serine 15, Bax and Bcl-2 in the heart tissues. RESULTS: ①Compared with control group, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was decreased significantly in DM group (P<0.01). After simvastatin administration, the activity of SOD was increased and the content of MDA was decreased significantly (P<0.01). ② HE staining results showed that the myocardial cells in the DM group were disorganized, with unclear morphological structure and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration. Compared with DM group, the myocardial morphology in DM+S group was improved significantly. ③TUNEL staining results showed that the apoptosis index of myocardial cells in DM group was increased significantly compared with that of control group, and the apoptosis index was decreased significantly after the treatment of simvastatin (P<0.01).④ Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with control group,the expression of p53 in DM group was increased significantly, and was expressed in both cytoplasm and nucleus, while the expression of p53 in DM+S group was decreased and the expression of p53 in nucleus was decreased significantly (P<0.01). ⑤ The results of Western blot showed that the expression levels of p53, p53-phospho-serine15 and Bax were higher than those in control group, and the expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in control group (P<0.01). After simvastatin administration, the expression levels of p53,p53-phospho-serine 15 (P<0.01) and Bax were decreased significantly (P<0.05) and the expression of Bcl-2 was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin exerted protective effects on myocardial injury caused by diabetes through improving the abnormal morphological changes of diabetic myocardium, alleviating oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis of myocardial cells. The mechanism is related to the regulation of apoptosis pathway mediated by p53.

[Protective effect of simvastatin on kidney of rats with diabetes mellitus and the possible mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of simvastatin on renal injury in diabetic rats and to explore the possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group (n=8) and modeling group (n=16).The rats in modeling group were injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally at a dose of 55 mg/kg to establishing diabetic rat model. After diabetic ratmodel established successfully, the diabetic rats were randomly subdivided into diabetes mellitus (DM) group and diabetes mellitus + simvastatin (DM+Sim) group (n=8).Rats in DM+Sim group were given simvastatin at a dose of 40 mg/kg by oral gavages, once a day for 4 weeks. Morphological changes and interstitial fibrosis of kidney were observed by histopathological method. The expressions of relative protein in endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory molecules in renal tissues and cells apoptosis were detected by molecular biology method. RESULTS: ① Compared with NC group, the pathological changes of glomerulus and tubulointerstitium were obvious, and the collagen fibers were obviously erythrophilous and unevenly distributed in DM group. Compared with DM group, the morphological changes and fibrosis were significantly improved in DM+Sim group. ② The expressions of GRP78, p-IRE1α, NF-κB p65 and MCP-1 in DM group were significantly higher than those in NC group (P<0.05), while the expressions of GRP78, p-IRE1α, NF-κB p65 and MCP-1in DM + Sim group were decreased (P<0.05). ③ There were a small number of apoptotic nuclei in the glomeruli and adjunctive renal tubules in NC group detected by TUNEL assay, while there were a large number of apoptotic nuclei in DM group (P<0.01). The number of apoptotic nuclei was decreased significantly in DM+Sim group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Morphologicalchanges and fibrosis of renal tissue are improved obviously, and the number of apoptotic cells is decreased significantly after administration of simvastatin in diabetic rats. Simvastatin exertsthe protective effect on diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway, and reducing renal cell apoptosis.

Long-Term Survival Analysis of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Versus Liver Resection for Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) versus liver resection for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤5 cm with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study included 117 patients with small HCCs with 1 or 2 nodules. Eighty-two patients received SABR (SABR group), and 35 patients underwent liver resection (resection group). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. One-to-one matched pairs between the 2 groups were created using propensity score matching to reduce the potential confounding effect of treatment and selection bias. RESULTS: There was no between-group difference in OS and PFS. Before propensity score matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS was 96.3%, 81.8%, and 70.0% in the SABR group and 93.9%, 83.1%, and 64.4% in the resection group, respectively (P=.558). The 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS was 81.4%, 50.2%, and 40.7% in the SABR group and 68.0%, 58.3%, and 40.3% in the resection group, respectively (P=.932). After propensity score matching, 33 paired patients were selected from the SABR and resection groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS was 100%, 91.8%, and 74.3% in the SABR group and 96.7%, 89.3%, and 69.2% in the resection group, respectively (P=.405). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS was 84.4%, 59.2%, and 43.9% in the SABR group and 69.0%, 62.4%, and 35.9% in the resection group, respectively (P=.945). There was a similarity of hepatotoxicity between the 2 groups. The SABR group showed fewer complications, such as hepatic hemorrhage, hepatic pain, and weight loss. Acute nausea was significantly more frequent in the SABR group than in the resection group. CONCLUSION: For patients with small primary HCC with 1 or 2 nodules and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, SABR has local effects that are similar to those with liver resection. Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy has an advantage over resection in being less invasive.

Long-term survival analysis in combined transarterial embolization and stereotactic body radiation therapy versus stereotactic body radiation monotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma >5 cm.

BACKGROUND: The survival following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone is still low in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with almost patients developing disease progression after treatment. There is need to investigate additional therapeutic options that would intensify the initial response to TACE. The present study was to retrospectively compare the outcome and evaluate the prognostic factors of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) alone or as an adjunct to transarterial embolization (TAE) or TACE in the treatment of HCC >5 cm. METHODS: From January 2011 to April 2015, 77 patients received SBRT followed by TAE or TACE (TAE/TACE + SBRT group) and 50 patients received SBRT alone (SBRT group). The dose of SBRT was 30-50 Gy which was prescribed in 3-5 fractions. Eligibility criteria were: a longest tumor diameter >5.0 cm and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) Class A or B. Exclusion criteria included tumor thrombus, lymph node involvement and extrahepatic metastasis. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 20.5 months. Median tumor size was 8.5 cm (range, 5.1-21.0 cm). Median overall survival (OS) in the TAE/TACE + SBRT group was 42.0 months versus 21.0 months in the SBRT group. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS was 75.5, 50.8, and 46.9 % in the TAE/TACE + SBRT group and was 62.4, 32.9, and 32.9 % in the SBRT group, respectively (P = 0.047). The 1-, 3- and 5-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was 66.3, 44.3, and 40.6 % in the TAE/TACE + SBRT group and was 56.8, 26.1, and 17.4 % in the SBRT group, respectively (P = 0.049). The progression-free survival (PFS) and local relapse-free survival (LRFS) were not significantly different between the two groups. In the entire patient population, a biologically effective dose (BED10) ≥100 Gy and an equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) ≥74 Gy were significant prognostic factors for OS, PFS, LRFS and DMFS. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT combined with TAE/TACE may be an effective complementary treatment approach for HCC >5 cm in diameter. BED10 ≥100 Gy and EQD2 ≥74 Gy should receive more attention when the SBRT plan is designed.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for small primary or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in 132 Chinese patients.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: From March 2009 to April 2015, we treated 132 small HCC patients with SBRT. Eligibility criteria included longest tumor diameter ≤5.0 cm; Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) Class A or B; unfeasible, difficult or refusal to undergo other surgery or percutaneous ablative therapies; and tumor recurrence after other local treatment. The dose of 42-46 Gy in 3-5 fractions and 28-30 Gy in 1 fraction was prescribed. RESULTS: Of the treated patients, 114 were classified as CTP A and 18 as CTP B. Median tumor size was range 1.1-5.0 cm. The local control rate at 1 years was 90.9%. OS at 1, 3, and 5 years was 94.1%, 73.5%, and 64.3%, respectively. PFS at 1, 3, and 5 years was 82.7%, 58.3%, and 36.4%, respectively. Hepatic toxicity grade ≥3 was observed in 11 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that CTP B was associated with worse OS (P < 0.001) and multiple nodules were associated with worse PFS (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SBRT is a promising alternative treatment for patients with primary or recurrent small HCC who are unsuitable for surgical resection or local ablative therapy.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy using CyberKnife for locally advanced unresectable and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy using CyberKnife for locally advanced unresectable and metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS: From June 2010 to May 2014, 25 patients with locally advanced unresectable and metastatic pancreatic cancer underwent stereotactic body radiotherapy. Nine patients presented with unresectable locally advanced disease and 16 had metastatic disease. Primary end-points of this study were overall survival, relief of abdominal pain, and toxicity. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were treated with a total dose of 30-36 Gy in three fractions and the remainder with 40-48 Gy in four fractions. Median follow-up was 11 mo (range: 2-25 mo). The median survival duration calculated from the time of stereotactic body radiotherapy for the entire group, the locally advanced group, and the metastatic group was 9.0 mo, 13.5 mo, and 8.5 mo, respectively. Overall survival was 37% and 18% at one and two years, respectively. Abdominal pain relief was achieved within 2 wk of completing radiotherapy in the patients who received successful palliation (13 of 20 patients had significant pain). Five patients (20%) had grade 1 nausea, and one (4%) had grade 2 nausea. No acute grade 3+ toxicity was seen. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic body radiotherapy using the CyberKnife system is a promising, noninvasive, palliative treatment with acceptable toxicity for locally advanced unresectable and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Carbachol exhibited positive inotropic effect on rat ventricular myocytes via M2 muscarinic receptors.

The present study was aimed to investigate the positive inotropic mechanism of carbachol (CCh) on rat ventricular myocytes. The effects of CCh on L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)) and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange current (I(Na/Ca)) were investigated in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. After loading myocytes with Fura-2/AM, electrically triggered Ca(2+) transient and cell shortening in single myocyte were measured simultaneously using ion imaging system with charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. CCh (100 mumol/L) increased I(Na/Ca) in forward mode from (1.18 +/- 0.57) pA/pF in the control group to (1.65 +/- 0.52) pA/pF (P<0.01) and that in reverse mode from (1.11 +/- 0.49) pA/pF in the control group to (1.53 +/- 0.52) pA/pF (P<0.01), respectively. CCh had no effect on I(Ca,L). The stimulatory effect of CCh on I(Na/Ca) was blocked by application of atropine, a non-selective M muscarinic receptor antagonist, and methoctramine, a selective M(2) muscarinic receptor antagonist. CCh (100 mumol/L) increased cell shortening from (3.00 +/- 0.67) mum in the control group to (3.55 +/- 1.21) mum. Ca(2+) transient was also increased from 203.8 +/- 50.0 in the control group to 234.8 +/- 64.3 in 100 mumol/L CCh group. KB-R7943, a selective inhibitor of reverse mode Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, did not change the baseline level of cell shortening and Ca(2+) transient, while completely abolished CCh-induced increments of both Ca(2+) transient and cell shortening. CCh increased cell shortening and Ca(2+) transient in the presence of nicardipine, indicating that the positive inotropic effect of CCh was through activation of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange. Calcium sensitivity was not changed by CCh. Both atropine and methoctramine abolished the positive inotropic effects of CCh, demonstrating that CCh induced positive inotropism via the M(2) muscarinic receptor. The results suggest that CCh increases cell contraction and Ca(2+) transient in rat ventricular myocytes. This positive inotropic effect of CCh is through activation of reverse mode Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, and M(2) receptors are involved in mediating CCh-induced contraction.

Reducing non-point source pollution with enhancing infiltration.

The rainfall system was set up on a slope land, which was used with some materials to enhance soil infiltration. The results showed that it was effective to enhance the infiltration of rainwater in soil and reduce the pollutants of surface runoff. After the soil meliorated by the lignin polymer and zeolite, runoff was delayed about 10 min and reduced by 44.40%-50.00%, synchronously, the pollutant loads, such as total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand by ditromate (COD(Cr)), total nitroger (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), were reduced on averages by 44.58%, 37.80%, 51.62% and 44.11%, respectively. It is an available technique to control the pollution of non-point source from sources.

[Correlation between fibrinogen polymorphisms and the type of cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of beta-fibrinogen(Fg) gene -148 C/T and 448 G/A polymorphisms, plasma Fg concentration, molecular reactivity and the type of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The plasma Fg concentration and the molecular reactivity were also determined. RESULTS: The Fg concentration in MCI patients with T -148 allele was higher than that in PCI patients and controls. The MCI patients with A448 allele had higher Fg concentration, FMPV and FMPV/Amax when compared with controls, and had higher FMPV/Amax when compared with PCI patients. CONCLUSION: FgB beta -148 and 448 mutational genotypes have impact on Fg concentrationì and therefore increase the risk of MCI.

Carbachol augments Na/Ca exchange current via M2 muscarinic receptors in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

Stimulation of cardiac mAChRs by carbachol (CCh) produces a biphasic inotropic response. The mechanisms of the positive inotropic response by higher concentration of CCh appear to be paradoxical. This article was aimed to study the mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of CCh in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The effects of CCh on L-type calcium current (I(Ca)) and Na/Ca exchange current (I(Na/Ca)) were observed in voltage-clamped guinea pig ventricular myocytes by using Axon 200A amplifier. The results showed that CCh (100 micromol/L) increased both forward mode and reverse mode I(Na/Ca) from (1.2+/-0.1) pA/pF to (2.0+/-0.3) pA/pF for forward mode (P<0.01) and from (1.3+/-0.5) pA/pF to (2.1+/-0.8) pA/pF for reverse mode (P<0.01), respectively. CCh had no effect on I(Ca). The stimulating effect of CCh on I(Na/Ca) could be blocked by application of atropine, a nonselective blocker of muscarinic receptors, which means that the stimulating effect of CCh is through the activation of muscarinic receptors. We made a further study by using methoctramine, a selective antagonist of M2 muscarinic receptors. It completely abolished I(Na/Ca) induced by 100 micromol/L CCh, indicating that the effect of CCh on I(Na/Ca) was mediated by M2 muscarinic receptors. It is generally accepted that contraction in cardiac myocytes results from elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Ca2+ enters the cells through two pathways: L-type Ca2+ channels and, less importantly, reverse mode Na/Ca exchange. The calcium influx via both pathways promotes the contraction of cardiac myocytes. Because CCh had no effect on L-type Ca2+ current, the increase in Na/Ca exchange current might be the main factor in the positive inotropism of CCh. These results suggest that the positive inotropic effect of CCh in guinea pig heart is through stimulation of Na/Ca exchange and is mediated by M2 muscarinic receptors.

Inotropic effects of MCI-154 on rat cardiac myocytes.

Calcium sensitizers exert positive inotropic effects without increasing intracellular Ca(2+). Thus, they avoid the undesired effects of Ca(2+) overload such as arrhythmias and cell injury, but most of them may impair myocyte relaxation. However, MCI-154, also a calcium sensitizer, has no impairment to cardiomyocyte relaxation. To clarify the underlying mechanisms, we examined the effects of MCI-154 on Ca(2+) transient and cell contraction using ion imaging system, and its influence on L-type Ca(2+) current and Na(+)/ Ca(2+) exchange current with patch clamp technique in rat ventricular myocytes as well. The results showed that: (1) MCI-154 (1-100 micromol/L) had no effect on L-type Ca(2+) current; (2) MCI-154 concentration-dependently increased cell shortening from 5.00+/-1.6 microm of control to 6.2+/-1.6 microm at 1 micromol/L, 8.7+/-1.6 microm at 10 micromol/L and 14.0+/-1.4 microm at 100 micromol/L, respectively, with a slight increase in Ca(2+) transient amplitude and an abbreviation of Ca(2+) transient restore kinetics assessed by time to 50% restore (TR(50)) and time to 90% restore (TR(90)); (3) MCI-154 dose-dependently increased the electrogenic Na(+)/ Ca(2+) exchange current both in the inward and the outward directions in rat ventricular myocytes. These results indicate that MCI-154 exerted a positive inotropic action without impairing myocyte relaxation. The stimulation of inward Na(+)/ Ca(2+) exchange current may accelerate the Ca(2+) efflux, leading to abbreviations of TR(50) and TR(90) in rat myocytes. The findings suggest that the improvement by MCI-154 of myocyte relaxation is attributed to the forward mode of Na(+)/ Ca(2+) exchange.