Structural optimization and neurotrophic activity evaluation of neurotrophic gentiside derivatives.

C14 alkyl benzoate ABG001, derived from naturally occurring gentisides, was reported to exhibit neurotrophic activity which is similar to NGF (Nerve Growth Factor). In this research, ABG001 was modified by the strategy of isosteric replacement and conformational restriction with the purpose of improving the bioactivity. The cellular neurotrophic activity of those ABG001 derivatives were evaluated, among which 3-hydroxyquinolin-2-(1H)-one A3 and 4-decylphenol ester B7 displayed much better neurotrophic activity compared with ABG001, which highlights the potential of those novel scaffolds for future neurotrophic agent development.

PI3K/Akt and HIF­1 signaling pathway in hypoxia­ischemia (Review).

Hypoxia­ischemia (H­I) is frequently observed in perinatal asphyxia and other diseases. It can lead to serious cardiac injury, cerebral damage, neurological disability and mortality. Previous studies have demonstrated that the phosphatidylinositol­3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, which regulates a wide range of cellular functions, is involved in the resistance response to H­I through the activation of proteins associated with survival and inactivation of apoptosis­associated proteins. It can also regulate the expression of hypoxia­induced factor­1α (HIF­1α). HIF­1α can further regulate the expression of downstream proteins involved in glucose metabolism and angiogenesis, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and erythropoietin, to facilitate ischemic adaptation. Notably, HIF­1α may also induce detrimental effects. The effects of HIF­1 on ischemic outcomes may be dependent on the H­I duration, animal age and species. Thus, further investigation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may provide further insights of the potential targets for treating diseases accompanied by H­I.

[Analysis of 112 cases of infectious endocarditis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations, epidemiological features, pathogens, treatment and outcomes of 112 patients with infectious endocarditis. METHODS: The clinical data were reviewed for all the patients with the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis in Nanfang Hospital over the period from 2002 to 2012. RESULTS: The average age of disease onset was 46∓17.1 years among these cases. Seventy patients (62.5%) had underlying cardiac conditions, including, in the order of frequency, rheumatic heart disease, congenital cardiovascular anomalies, and senile valve degeneration. Clinically the patients presented with fever, anemia, congestive heart failure, and embolism events, etc. Echocardiography found endocardial neoplasms in 105 cases, and the mitral valve was often involved. Blood culture yielded positive results in 61 cases, and the most common causative bacteria were Streptococcus (20.5%), Staphylococcus (19.6%) and Enterococcus (5.4%). Surgical intervention was performed in 78 cases. Ninety-one patients were cured or improved after comprehensive treatment, and 10 discontinued treatment for financial reasons; 11 died of cardiac failure (8 cases), pulmonary embolism (2 cases) and central nervous system events (1 case). CONCLUSION: Infectious endocarditis shows a significant change in the clinical profiles and its mortality remains high despite improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

[Calcification and biomechanics in vivo of ultra-microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study in vivo calcification and biomechanics of the ultra-microporous expanded polytetrafluo- roethylene (UePTFE) in rabbits in comparison with glutaral-treated bovine pericardium (BP), so as to assess the potential of UePTFE as a material for cardiac valve prosthesis. METHODS: Factorial analysis was adopted in the experiment. UePTFE and glutaral-treated BP of appropriate sizes were embedded beneath skin of young New Zealand rabbits, and at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months following the implantation, the materials were measured for the content of calcium and biomechanics properties. RESULTS: Lower level of calcification of the UePTFE occurred after the implantation, as compared with BP, and the biomechanics indices of the former UePTFE were obviously suprior to those of the latter. CONCLUSION: UePTFE is a better material than BP for cardiac valve prosthesis.

[Surgical treatment of ascending aortic aneurysm by Bentall's procedure: report of 14 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in surgical treatment of ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA) with aortic insufficiency in 14 cases of by Bentall's procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: All the patients underwent replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with composite valved vascular prosthesis and received direct implantation of the aortic graft of the coronary orifices (Bentall's procedure) with satisfactory results. Five patients had ascending aortic dissection and 4 had typical Marfan's syndrome. All the patients suffered severe aortic insufficiency while 2 had mitral insufficiency. Coronary orifices were implanted in situ in 13 cases while in 1 case, Cabrol's method was adopted. No death occurred during the surgery and in the subsequent follow-up, and all the patients had good recovery. CONCLUSION: Bentall's procedure can be effective in the treatment of AAA with aortic insufficiency.