Molecular Mechanism of Mouse Uterine Smooth Muscle Regulation on Embryo Implantation.

Myometrium plays critical roles in multiple processes such as embryo spacing through peristalsis during mouse implantation, indicating vital roles of smooth muscle in the successful establishment and quality of implantation. Actin, a key element of cytoskeleton structure, plays an important role in the movement and contraction of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). However, the function of peri-implantation uterine smooth muscle and the regulation mechanism of muscle tension are still unclear. This study focused on the molecular mechanism of actin assembly regulation on implantation in smooth muscle. Phalloidin is a highly selective bicyclic peptide used for staining actin filaments (also known as F-actin). Phalloidin staining showed that F-actin gradually weakened in the CD-1 mouse myometrium from day 1 to day 4 of early pregnancy. More than 3 mice were studied for each group. Jasplakinolide (Jasp) used to inhibit F-actin depolymerization promotes F-actin polymerization in SMCs during implantation window and consequently compromises embryo implantation quality. Transcriptome analysis following Jasp treatment in mouse uterine SMCs reveals significant molecular changes associated with actin assembly. Tagln is involved in the regulation of the cell cytoskeleton and promotes the polymerization of G-actin to F-actin. Our results show that Tagln expression is gradually reduced in mouse uterine myometrium from day 1 to 4 of pregnancy. Furthermore, progesterone inhibits the expression of Tagln through the progesterone receptor. Using siRNA to knock down Tagln in day 3 SMCs, we found that phalloidin staining is decreased, which confirms the critical role of Tagln in F-actin polymerization. In conclusion, our data suggested that decreases in actin assembly in uterine smooth muscle during early pregnancy is critical to optimal embryo implantation. Tagln, a key molecule involved in actin assembly, regulates embryo implantation by controlling F-actin aggregation before implantation, suggesting moderate uterine contractility is conducive to embryo implantation. This study provides new insights into how the mouse uterus increases its flexibility to accommodate implanting embryos in the early stage of pregnancy.

Insufficient procedural anticoagulation during leadless pacing led to catheter-related thrombosis in a hemodialysis patient.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemaker was a promising innovation than traditional transvenous pacemaker, the procedural complications were prone to be bleeding-related. However, very few reports also concerned about the thrombus formation during the procedure. CASE PRESENTATION: A hemodialysis patient with diabetic gangrene of right foot suffered from catheter-related thrombosis during leadless pacing, resulting in failure of recapture the pacemaker. A low activated clotting time (ACT) level of 104 s confirmed the insufficiency of anticoagulation. Finally, the whole delivery catheter had to be removed from the delivery sheath, another new pacemaker system was applied and successfully implanted after adjusting the ACT level to 248 s. CONCLUSION: Catheter-related thrombosis could be a large obstacle for leadless pacemaker implantation. In addition to routine anticoagulation, ACT monitoring might be necessary during the procedure.

Association Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Atrial Fibrillation Risk.

BACKGROUND: Several studies were published to assess the association between serum uric acid levels and atrial fibrillation risk, but no consistent results were reported. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence of the association between hyperuricemia and atrial fibrillation risk. MATERIAL/METHODS: Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for prospective cohort studies assessing the association between hyperuricemia and atrial fibrillation risk. Relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were pooled using random-effect of meta-analysis to assess the risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals with hyperuricemia. RESULTS: Six cohort studies were finally included into the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of those 6 studies showed that hyperuricemia was significantly associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (RR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.24-1.79, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis by omitting single study sequentially by turns did not have any obvious influence on the pooled risk estimates. There was no obvious risk of publication bias in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the currently available data, hyperuricemia is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation.

[Antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin against influenza A H1N1 virus infection in vivo].

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1ß (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.

Effects of Excess Copper Ions on Decidualization of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of copper ions on decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) cultured in vitro. Firstly, non-toxic concentrations of copper D-gluconate were screened in HESCs based on cell activity. Then, the effects of non-toxic concentrations of copper ions (0~250 µM) were examined on decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells. Our data demonstrated that the mRNA expressions of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-1), prolactin (PRL), Mn-SOD, and FOXO1were down-regulated during decidualization following the treatments with 100 or 250 µM copper ions. Meanwhile, the amount of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the supernatant of HESCs was increased. These results showed that in vitro decidualization of HESCs was impaired by copper treatment.

[Prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in people with viral myocarditis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on prognostic value in patients with viral myocarditis. METHODS: A total of 48 patients with viral myocarditis and 42 healthy people were enrolled and followed up for two years. The NYHA class and LVEF were recorded and the concentration of BNP were measured. RESULTS: The concentration of BNP were higher and EF were lower in patients with viral myocarditis (P < 0.01) than contrast people. Higher levels of plasma BNP were related to higher mortality. CONCLUSION: Levels of brain natriuretic peptide measured in the plasma could be a useful biochemical marker for the myocarditis, and high concentration of BNP may correlate with poor prognosis in patients with myocarditis.

A novel angiographic technique, StentBoost, in comparison with intravascular ultrasound to assess stent expansion.

BACKGROUND: StentBoost (SB) is a novel angiographic technique which can enhance stent visualization and improve detection of inadequate stent expansion. Studies of SB that compare it with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), which is the current gold standard for detection of stent underexpansion, remain inadequate. This study aimed to test the correlation of IVUS and SB, and to evaluate the effect of SB guiding the stent postdilatation. METHODS: From March 2009 to June 2010, 52 patients were analyzed using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), IVUS, and SB. They included 37 patients (54 stents) with postdilatation and 15 patients (21 stents) without postdilatation. Correlations of stent diameter between the three modalities were determined. RESULTS: The minimum diameter, maximum diameter and average diameter of postdilatation obtained by QCA, IVUS, SB were significantly larger than that of poststenting, and the ratio (maximum stent diameter (MaxLD)-minimum stent diameter (MinLD))/MaxLD of postdilatation was smaller. Correlations of MinLD were the highest between IVUS and SB (r = 0.979, P < 0.0001) when compared with QCA and SB (r = 0.973, P < 0.0001), and QCA and IVUS (r = 0.964, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: SB has superior correlations for stent expansion measured by IVUS when compared with QCA. In addition, there is an important advantage for SB in guiding the stent postdilatation.