Perfusion of hepatocellular carcinomas measured by diffusion-derived vessel density biomarker: Higher hepatocellular carcinoma perfusion than earlier intravoxel incoherent motion reports.

Diffusion-derived vessel density (DVDD) is a physiological surrogate of the area of microvessels per unit tissue area. DDVD is calculated according to DDVD(b0b2) = Sb0/ROIarea0 - Sb2/ROIarea2, where Sb0 and Sb2 refer to the liver signal when b is 0 or 2 s/mm2. Pathohistological studies and contrast-enhanced CT/MRI data showed higher blood volume in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) relative to native liver tissue. With intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging, most authors paradoxically reported a decreased perfusion fraction of HCC relative to the adjacent liver. This study applied DDVD to assess the perfusion of HCC. MRI was performed with a 3.0-T magnet. Diffusion-weighted images with b-values of 0 and 2 s/mm2 were acquired in 72 HCC patients. Thirty-two patients had microvascular invasion (MVI(+)) and 40 patients did not have microvascular invasion (MVI(-)). Fifty-eight patients had Edmondson-Steiner grade I or II HCC, and 14 patients had Edmondson-Steiner grade III or IV HCC. DDVD measurement was conducted on the axial slice that showed the largest HCC size. DDVD(b0b2) T/L = HCC DDVD(b0b2)/liver DDVD(b0b2). DDVD(b0b2) T/L median (95% confidence interval) of all HCCs was 2.942 (2.419-3.522), of MVI(-) HCCs was 2.699 (2.030-3.522), of MVI(+) HCCs was 2.988 (2.423-3.990), of Edmondson-Steiner grade I/II HCCs was 2.873 (2.277-3.465), and of Edmondson-Steiner grade III/IV HCCs was 3.403 (2.008-4.485). DDVD(b0b2) T/L approximately agrees with contrast agent dynamically enhanced CT/MRI literature data, whereas it differs from earlier IVIM study results, where HCC perfusion fraction was paradoxically lower relative to native liver tissue. A weak trend was noted with MIV(+) HCCs had a higher DDVD(b0b2) T/L than that of MVI(-) HCCs, and a weak trend was noted with the poorly differentiated group of HCCs (Edmondson-Steiner grade III and IV) had a higher DDVD(b0b2) T/L than that of the better differentiated group of HCCs (Edmondson-Steiner grade I and II).

Repeatability and reproducibility comparisons of liver IVIM imaging with free-breathing or respiratory-triggered sequences.

For liver intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) data acquisition, respiratory-triggering (RT) MRI is commonly used, and there are strong motivations to shorten the scan duration. For the same scan duration, more b values or higher numbers of excitations can be allowed for free-breathing (FB) imaging than for RT. We studied whether FB can be used to replace RT when careful IVIM image acquisition and image processing are conducted. MRI data of 22 healthy participants were acquired using a 3.0 T scanner. Diffusion imaging was based on a single-shot spin-echo-type echo-planar sequence and 16 b values of 0, 2, 4, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 46, 60, 72, 100, 150, 200, 400, and 600 s/mm2 . Each subject attended two scan sessions with an interval of 10-20 days. For each scan session, a subject was scanned twice, first with RT and then with FB. The mean image acquisition time was 5.4 min for FB and 10.8 min for RT. IVIM parameters were calculated with bi-exponential model segmented fitting with a threshold b value of 60 s/mm2 , and fitting started from b = 2 s/mm2 . There was no statistically significant difference between IVIM parameters measured with FB imaging or RT imaging. Perfusion fraction ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient) for FB imaging and RT imaging in the same scan session was 0.824. For perfusion fraction, wSD (within-subject standard deviation), BA (Bland-Altman) difference, BA 95% limit, and ICC were 0.022, 0.0001, -0.0635~0.0637, and 0.687 for FB and 0.031, 0.0122, -0.0723~0.0967, and 0.611 for RT. For Dslow (×10-3  s/mm2 ), wSD, BA difference, BA 95% limit, and ICC were 0.057, 0.0268, -0.1258~0.1793, and 0.471 for FB and 0.073, -0.0078, -0.2170-0.2014, and <0.4 for RT. The Dfast coefficient of variation was 0.20 for FB imaging and 0.28 for RT imaging. All reproducibility indicators slightly favored FB imaging.

Magnetic Resonance Deep Learning Radiomic Model Based on Distinct Metastatic Vascular Patterns for Evaluating Recurrence-Free Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The metastatic vascular patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are mainly microvascular invasion (MVI) and vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC). However, most existing VETC-related radiological studies still focus on the prediction of VETC status. PURPOSE: This study aimed to build and compare VETC-MVI related models (clinical, radiomics, and deep learning) associated with recurrence-free survival of HCC patients. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: 398 HCC patients (349 male, 49 female; median age 51.7 years, and age range: 22-80 years) who underwent resection from five hospitals in China. The patients were randomly divided into training cohort (n = 358) and test cohort (n = 40). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3-T, pre-contrast T1-weighted imaging spoiled gradient recalled echo (T1WI SPGR), T2-weighted imaging fast spin echo (T2WI FSE), and contrast enhanced arterial phase (AP), delay phase (DP). ASSESSMENT: Two radiologists performed the segmentation of HCC on T1WI, T2WI, AP, and DP images, from which radiomic features were extracted. The RFS related clinical characteristics (VETC, MVI, Barcelona stage, tumor maximum diameter, and alpha fetoprotein) and radiomic features were used to build the clinical model, clinical-radiomic (CR) nomogram, deep learning model. The follow-up process was done 1 month after resection, and every 3 months subsequently. The RFS was defined as the date of resection to the date of recurrence confirmed by radiology or the last follow-up. Patients were followed up until December 31, 2022. STATISTICAL TESTS: Univariate COX regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, C-index, and area under the curve (AUC). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The C-index of deep learning model achieved 0.830 in test cohort compared with CR nomogram (0.731), radiomic signature (0.707), and clinical model (0.702). The average RFS of the overall patients was 26.77 months (range 1-80 months). DATA CONCLUSION: MR deep learning model based on VETC and MVI provides a potential tool for survival assessment. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Streptococcus strain C17T as a potential probiotic candidate to modulate oral health.

In the microbiome, probiotics modulate oral diseases. In this study, Streptococcus strain C17T was isolated from the oropharynx of a 5-year-old healthy child, and its potential probiotic properties were analysed using human bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE) used as an in vitro oropharyngeal mucosal model. The results demonstrated that the C17T strain showed tolerance to moderate pH ranges of 4-5 and 0·5-1% bile. However, it was more tolerant to 0·5% bile than 1% bile. It also demonstrated an ability to accommodate maladaptive oropharyngeal conditions (i.e. tolerating lysozyme at 200 µg ml-1 ). It was also resistant to hydrogen peroxide at 0·8 mM. In addition, we found out that the strain possesses inhibitory activities against various common pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, C17T was not cytotoxic to 16-HBE cells at different multiplicities of infection. Scanning electron microscopy disclosed that C17T adhesion to 16-HBE cells. Competition, exclusion and displacement assays showed that it had good anti-adhesive effect against S. aureus. The present study revealed that Streptococcus strain C17T is a potentially efficacious oropharyngeal probiotic.

Single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse left ventricle reveals cellular diversity and intercommunication.

Previous studies have revealed the diversity of the whole cardiac cellulome but not refined the left ventricle, which was essential for finding therapeutic targets. Here, we characterized single-cell transcriptional profiles of the mouse left ventricular cellular landscape using single-cell RNA sequencing (10× Genomics). Detailed t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (tSNE) analysis revealed the cell types of left ventricle with gene markers. Left ventricular cellulome contained cardiomyocytes highly expressed Trdn, endothelial cells highly expressed Pcdh17, fibroblast highly expressed Lama2, and macrophages highly expressed Hpgds, also proved by in situ hybridization. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analysis (ListHits > 2, P < 0.05) were employed with the DAVID database to investigate subtypes of each cell type with the underlying functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Endothelial cells included 5 subtypes, fibroblasts comprising 7 subtypes, and macrophages contained 11 subtypes. The key representative DEGs (P < 0.001) were Gja4 and Gja5 in cluster 3 of endothelial cells, Aqp2 and Thbs4 in cluster 2 of fibroblasts, and Clec4e and Trem-1 in cluster 3 of macrophages perhaps involved in the occurrence of atherosclerosis, heart failure, and acute myocardial infarction proved by literature review. We also revealed extensive networks of intercellular communication in left ventricle. We suggested possible therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease and autocrine and paracrine signaling underpins left ventricular homeostasis. This study provided new insights into the structure and function of the mammalian left ventricular cellulome and offers an important resource that will stimulate studies in cardiovascular research.

[Factors associated with psychological distress after surgery and quality of life before and after radiotherapy in 216 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma].

PURPOSE: To investigate the degree of psychological distress of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma after operation and its influencing factors, and the impact of radiotherapy on their quality of life. METHODS: Univariate analysis and regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between psychological distress and socio-economic and therapeutic factors. The quality of life of the subjects before and after radiotherapy was evaluated by paired t-test using the Chinese version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30/ Head and Neck 35. SPSS 22.0 software package was used to deal with the data. RESULTS: Age, AJCC stage and median incision of lower lip were the main factors affecting psychological distress. In addition, there were significant differences in scores of most functional areas and specific items before and after radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should select individualized treatment programs and procedures for patients of different ages and stages, and screen high-risk groups for psychological distress and provide additional psychological and social support. In addition, radiotherapy can improve or aggravate some special symptoms of patients. Clinicians should take targeted preventive measures.

[Effect of long chain non-coding RNA H19 on the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells and its molecular mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the long chain non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) on the invasion and migration of oral cancer cells and its related molecular mechanism. METHODS: The expression levels of lncRNA H19, miR-107, and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) in the immortalized oral epithelial cell line HIOEC and the oral cancer cell line CAL27 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CAL27 cells were transfected with siRNA H19, miR-107 mimics, pcDNA H19, or anti-miR-107, and the effects of H19 and miR-107 on the invasion and migration of cells were examined via Transwell assay. The TargetScan database predicted the targeting of H19, miR-107, and CDK6. Double luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to detect interactions among H19, miR-107, and CDK6. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the effects of H19 and miR-107 on the protein level of the target gene CDK6. RESULTS: Compared with that in HIOEC cells, the expression of H19 was significantly increased in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). After transfection with siRNA H19, the expression of H19 decreased, and the invasion and migration ability of CAL27 cells were inhibited (P<0.05). H19 could bind specifically to the 3'-UTR of miR-107 to modulate the expression of miR-107. Compared with that in HIOEC cells, the expression of miR-107 significantly decreased in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). The expression of miR-107 increased after transfection with siRNA H19, and anti-mir-107 co-transfection could promote the invasion and migration ability of siRNA H19 in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). Compared with that in HIOEC cells, CDK6 expression significantly increased in CAL27 cells (P<0.05), and the expression level of the gene was coregulated by H19 and miR-107 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA H19 plays an important role in the development of oral cancer. It can regulate the invasion and migration of oral cancer cells by targeting the miR-107/CDK6 signaling axis.

Clinical analysis of percutaneous computed tomography-guided injection of cyanoacrylate for localization of 115 small pulmonary lesions in 113 asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the clinical feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a computed tomography (CT)-guided cyanoacrylate injection system and investigate the relationship between clinical features and pathologic characteristics of diminutive pulmonary lesions. METHODS: In total, 115 pulmonary nodules from 113 patients (63 female, 50 male) with a diameter of <20 mm were percutaneously localized with a CT-guided cyanoacrylate injection system and then resected. RESULTS: Of the pure ground-glass opacities (GGOs), 16.0% were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), 18.7% were adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 49.3% were lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), and 16.0% were benign inflammatory fibrosis/fibrotic scars. Of the mixed GGOs, 18.2% were AAH, 22.7% were AIS, 22.7% were ADC, and 36.4% were benign lesions. Lesions of >10 mm and those located in relation to vessels were significantly more likely to be malignant. The success rate of both the cyanoacrylate injection system and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was 100% with no severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative localization of small pulmonary nodules using a cyanoacrylate injection system is a safe, simple, and useful technique.

Method to Calculate the Retention Index in Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Using Normal Fatty Acid Derivatives as Calibrants.

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS) is a complementary technique to reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (RPLC-MS) and has been widely used to expand the coverage of the metabolome in MS-based metabolomics. However, the use of HILIC retention time (HILIC RT) in metabolites annotation is quite limited because of its poor reproducibility. Here, we developed a method to calculate the retention index in HILIC (HILIC RI) for calibration of HILIC RT. In this method, a mixture of 2-dimethylaminoethylamine (DMED)-labeled fatty acid standards with carbon chain length from C2 to C22 were selected as calibrants to establish a linear calibration equation between HILIC RT and carbon number for the calculation of HILIC RI. The calculated HILIC RIs based on a regression equation could efficiently calibrate the retention time shifts for 28 DMED-labeled carboxyl standards and DMED-labeled carboxyl metabolites in rat urine, serum and feces on a HILIC column with different gradient elution conditions. Furthermore, the developed HILIC RI strategy was applied to RT calibration of screened metabolites, the annotation of isomers in HILIC-MS-based metabolomics analysis for real samples, and the correction of isotope effects in chemical isotope labeling HILIC-MS analysis. Taken together, the resulting HILIC RI strategy is a promising analytical technique to improve the accuracy of metabolite annotation; it would be widely used in HILIC-MS-based metabolome analysis.

[Role and mechanism of Galectin-3 gene in proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: The effect and mechanism of Galectin-3 gene expression on proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were investigated. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-
PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein of Galectin-3 gene in OSCC. OSCC Tca8113 was divided into control, negative control, and Galectin-3 transfection groups. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Galectin-3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, Cleaved Caspase-3, ß-catenin, and Cyclin D1 protein after transfection for 48 h in each group. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8. Cell invasion ability was detected by using a Transwell chamber. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of Galectin-3 gene in OSCC were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). Galectin-3 protein expression in Tca8113 cells significantly decreased after RNA interference. Cell survival rate and invasion as well as MMP-2, MMP-9, ß-catenin, and Cyclin D1 protein expression were significantly lower than the blank group. Apoptosis rate and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of Galectin-3 gene expression in OSCC can significantly reduce the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells and induce apoptosis. The mechanism is related to downregulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

[Systematic retrospective study of oral cancer-related quality of life scale].

OBJECTIVE: The quality of life (QOL) related to oral cancer has recently become a focus of clinical studies. This study aims to systematically review the current research situation of QOL of local and foreign oral cancer patients and explore the existing related problems and future research directions to provide references and solutions. METHODS: Through relevant key words, PubMed, Wiley InterScience, Science Direct, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were first searched. The related target literature from 2000 to 2017 were screened. Finally, the frequency of oral cancer related to QOL scale used in literature was calculated, and the related scales were briefly introduced. RESULTS: From the target literature, 218 English target literature, 55 Chinese target literature, 24 English scales, and 12 Chinese scales were selected. The most widely used scales for assessing the QOL of patients with oral cancer were as follows: University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL), European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30/Head and Neck 35 (EORTC QLQ-C30/H&N35), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). CONCLUSIONS: The QOL related to oral cancer was well underway, and the study of geographical distribution was widespread. However, the work on self-developed scale remains inadequate. UW-QOL, EORTC QLQ-C30/H&N35, and FACT-H&N can be utilized as the preferred scales for evaluating the QOL of oral cancer patients. A specific disease-related function scale can also be selected according to specific research objectives.

Effect of Levothyroxine on Blood Pressure in Patients With Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) have elevated blood pressure, but the effect of levothyroxine (LT4) therapy on blood pressure among those patients is still unclear. This study aimed to assess whether LT4 therapy could reduce blood pressure in SCH patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of LT4 therapy on blood pressure or prospective follow-up studies comparing the blood pressure level before and after LT4 treatment were included, and the mean difference of systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was pooled using random-effect meta-analysis. Results: Twenty-nine studies including 10 RCTs and 19 prospective follow-up studies were eligible for the analysis. Meta-analysis of 10 RCTs suggested that LT4 therapy could significantly reduce SBP in SCH patients by 2.48 mmHg (95% CI -4.63 to -0.33, P = 0.024). No heterogeneity was observed among these 10 RCTs (I2 = 0%). Meta-analysis of the 19 prospective follow-up studies found that LT4 therapy significantly decreased SBP and DBP by 4.80 mmHg (95%CI -6.50 to -3.09, P < 0.001) and 2.74 mmHg (95%CI -4.06 to -1.43, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that LT4 replacement therapy can reduce blood pressure in SCH patients, which needs to be validated in more clinical trials with larger samples.

[Influencing factors on the quality of life and medical coping style of patients with oral cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influencing factors on the postoperative quality of life and to analyze the coping styles of patients with oral cancer. METHODS: A total of 131 oral cancer cases confirmed through diagnostic criteria were investigated to analyze the influencing factors on the quality of life (QOL) and the relationship between coping style and QOL of these patients by using the fourth edition of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UWQOL) and medical coping modes questionnaires (MCMQ), respectively. RESULTS: Among the 131 questionnaires collected, only 126 were valid with a recovery rate of 96.18% (126/131). Single factor analysis showed that age, marital status, educational level, other systemic diseases, personal income level, tooth loss, operation times, adjuvant radiotherapy, cancer staging, cervical lymph node dissection, recurrence, and jaw resection yielded different UWQOL scale scores (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the loss of teeth, cancer staging, recurrence, and jaw resection yielded statistically significant differences in the total score of UWQOL (P<0.05). Among the coping styles, the average scores of  "confrontation", "avoidance", and "yielding" were 17.54±4.97, 17.79±2.19, and 12.97±5.70, respectively. Compared with the norm, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that "confrontation" and "avoidance" were positively correlated, whereas "yielding" was negatively correlated to QOL (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Age, marital status, educational level, other systemic diseases, personal income level, tooth loss, operation times, adjuvant radiotherapy, cancer staging, cervical lymph node dissection, recurrence, and jaw resection have different effects on the quality of QOL. Tooth loss, cancer staging, recurrence, and jaw resection are the main causative factors affecting the patients' perceived QOL. Personalized treatment and nursing care should be strengthened to improve the coping style and quality of life of patients.

[Use of Zhengzhou University-quality of life scale in 218 postoperative patients with oral cancer].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the best threshold of Zhengzhou University-quality of life(ZZU-QOL) scale in patients with oral cancer 3 to 6 months after operation. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 218 patients with oral cancer who met the inclusion criteria. The patients were asked to fill in the ZZU-QOL and the University of Washington Quality of Life Scale(UWQOL). A total of 178 valid questionnaires were collected and the recovery rate was 81.65%. The UWQOL was used as "the gold standard", and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to determine the optimal threshold of quality of life scale of Zhengzhou University. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 20 software package. RESULTS: There was a moderate positive correlation between total score of quality of life scale of Zhengzhou University and the total score of the UWQOL (r=0.685, P<0.05). When the ZZU-QOL threshold was 55.682, ROC curve was closest to the upper left corner, its sensitivity and specificity, false negative rate, false positive rate and Youden index were 0.797, 0.676, 0.203, 0.324 and 0.473, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.809, the standard error of the area was 0.047, the 95% confidence interval was 0.718 - 0.901, and the threshold was 56 when the integer was taken. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal threshold of ZZU-QOL in oral cancer patients 3 to 6 months after operation was 56 points, which may be used as the theoretical guidance and basis for evaluation and screening of postoperative quality of life in patients with oral cancer.

SOX2-mediated inhibition of miR-223 contributes to STIM1 activation in phenylephrine-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is the key molecule responsible for store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Numerous studies have demonstrated that STIM1 levels appeared to be enhanced during cardiac hypertrophy. However, the mechanism underlining this process remains to be clarified. In this study, phenylephrine (PE) was employed to establish a model of hypertrophic neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (HNRCs) in vitro, and low expression of primary and mature miR-223 was detected in PE-induced HNRCs. Our results have revealed that downregulation of miR-223 by PE contributed to the increase of STIM1, which in turn induced cardiac hypertrophy. As expected, overexpression of miR-223 could prevent the increase in cell surface and reduce the mRNA levels of ANF and BNP in cardiomyocytes. To address the mechanism triggering downregulation of miR-223 under PE, we demonstrated that PE-induced inhibition of GSK-3ß activity led to the activation of ß-catenin, which initiates the transcription of SOX2. Increased expression of SOX2 occupied the promoter region of primary miR-223 and suppressed its transcription. Therefore, miR-223 appears to be a promising candidate for inhibiting cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and miR-223/STIM1 axis might be one of interesting targets for the clinical treatment of hypertrophy.

Protective effect of hyperoside on cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury through inhibition of ER stress and activation of Nrf2 signaling.

OBJECT: To study the protective effect of hyperoside (Hyp) on cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Rats were divided into two groups for the evaluation, the Hyp (50 µM Hyp; n = 8) and the control group (n = 8). Rat hearts were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB) for 30 min. After being inhibited with cardioplegic solution, they were stored for 4 h in B21 solution at 4 °C. Afterwards, rat hearts were perfused with KHB again for 45 min. In this period, Hyp was added into solutions of cardioplegia for storage and KHB. Parameters of cardiac functions, including heart rate, the systolic pressure of the left ventricle, the end-diastolic pressure of the left ventricle, the developed pressure of the left ventricle, the left-ventricular systolic pressure and the peak rise rate of the pressure of the left ventricle were recorded. The levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the content of malondialdehyde and apoptotic cells were determined to evaluate the protective effect of Hyp on hearts suffered from ischemia reperfusion injury. Moreover, cultured cardiac myocytes were subjected to the process simulating ischemia/reperfusion. What were analyzed included the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress hallmarks expressions, such as binding immunoglobulin protein and C/EBP homologous protein, using the western blot and real-time PCR. Besides, the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression was measured to explore the potential mechanism. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the Hyp group had better cardiac functional parameters and higher ATP levels; pretreatment of Hyp greatly relieved the apoptosis of myocyte, decreased oxidative stress as well as ER stress and activated the signaling pathway of anti-oxidative Nrf2 to a further extent. CONCLUSIONS: Hyp plays an important role in preserving cardiac function by improving ATP levels of tissue, easing oxidative injury of myocardium and reducing apoptosis following IRI dramatically, while the ER stress inhibition and the downstream Nrf2 signaling activation may contribute to the effects of protection.

[The expression and changes of apoptosis protein Bcl-2 and Bax in oral lichen planus].

PURPOSE: To analyze the changes in epithelial cells, and observe the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and apoptosis in oral lichen planus. METHODS: Thirty five OLP patients and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Immunohistochemical S-ABC was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax expression in OLP group and control group. TUNEL and flow cytometry were used to study the apoptosis of the epithelial cells. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe the changes of ultra-microstructure of oral membrane of OLP. The data was analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: The expression of Bcl-2 in OLP group was not significantly different from control group (P>0.05), but the expression was remarkably elevated in lymphocyte infiltration zone. Bax positive expression rate and intensity in OLP group significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.01). The apoptosis index was remarkably increased in the epithelial cells in OLP group compared with the control group (P<0.01), which was consistent with the result of flow cytometry(the apoptotic percentage of the epithelial cells in OLP group was significantly higher than the control group). TEM showed that the apoptotic cells of mucous membrane of OLP increased, with chromatin margination, and apoptotic body. CONCLUSIONS: The ultra-microstructure change in the lesional tissue, increased apoptotic cells, elevated Bcl-2 in lymphocyte infiltration zone and elevated Bax in epithelial basement keratin suggest that apoptosis may be related to the carcinogenesis and development of OLP.

[Study on articulation characteristics of patients after cleft palate repair in Henan province].

PURPOSE: To establish the pathological speech characteristic of patients after cleft plate repair in Henan province by unusual speech frequency and vowel formants. METHODS: One hundred normal speech patients and 121 patients after cleft palate repair were selected, their formant frequency of vowels/ a,o,e,i,u,ü/ were obtained. The pathological speech frequency was collected in 121 postoperative patients. The acoustic features of the vowel were compared by SPSS17.0 software package with two independent sample t test. RESULTS: According to articulation position, 21.9% of misarticulation of postoperative patients occurred in dental consonants, 5.2% in retroflex consonants, 21.6% in alveolar consonants, 19.2% in palatal consonants, 12.9% in velar consonants and 6.6% in dorsum consonants. The average value of F2 of/a, o, e, u/did not show significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).The difference of average value of F2 of /i,ü/ was significant (P<0.05). The average value of F1 of/a, o, e, I, u/did not show significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Except /a/,the average value of F3 of vowel /o, e, i, u, ü/showed significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Misarticulation of patients after cleft palate repair in Henan province mainly occurred in dental consonants, alveolar consonants and palatal consonants; tongue over curly can be observed in operated patients with cleft palate. There was no significant difference between the two groups in mouth opening.

[Biochemical regulatory mechanism of asiaticoside in preventing and treating stent restenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss whether asiaticosides could effectively reduce the endothelial cell damage as a biochemical modulator, so as to further inhibit the post-stenting intima-media membrane hyperplasia. METHOD: Human aortic smooth muscle cells and aortic fibroblasts were selected and divided into the blank group, the rapamycin group and the asiaticoside group and the rapamycin and asiaticoside group. The expressions of muscle cells and fibroblasts TGF-beta1, Smad7 and I-collagen gene were determined by RT-PCR. The expression quantity of I-collagen protein was assayed by ELISA. The coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) between rapamycin and asiaticoside was calculated. Additionally, 16 Chinese mini-swines were randomly divided into group A and group B. One sirolimus drug-eluting stent of the same type was implanted after the high-pressure pre-expansion of anterior descending artery balloon. After the operation, the group A was intravenously injected with normal saline 30 mL x d(-1). Whereas the group B was intravenously injected with asiaticoside 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)(diluted to 30 mL). The expressions of plasma vWF of the two groups were measured at the 7th and 14th days after the operation. At the 28th day after the operation, tissues of the stented vessel segments were sliced and stained to calculate the vessel area, inner stent area, lumen area and neointima area RESULT: Compared with the control group, the combination group showed significant up-regulation in smooth muscle cells and fibroblast Smad7 gene, down-regulation in TGF-beta, and obvious inhibition of I-collagen gene expression (P < 0.01). As for smooth muscle cells, there was no difference in the expression of I-collagen between the combination group and the rapamycin group, with CDI at 0. 83. As for fibroblasts, there was a significant difference in the expression of I-collagen between the combination group and the rapamycin group (P < 0.05), with CDI at 0.77. Plasma vWF of the group B was significantly lower than that of the group A (P < 0.05) at the 7th and 14th days after the operation. At the 28th day after the operation, no difference was observed in vessel area and stent area between the two groups. However, the lumen area in the group B was significantly larger than that of the group A(P < 0.05), and the neointima area of the group B was significantly smaller than that of the group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As an effective biochemical modulator for rapamycin, asiaticosides could inhibit TGF-beta expression, significantly decrease the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix, further inhibit the post-stenting intima-media membrane hyperplasia and reduce the endothelial cell damage by effectively up-regulate the expression of Smad7 protein.