Relationship of platelet microparticle CD62P and activated GP IIb/IIIa with hypercoagulable state after atrial fibrillation radiofrequency catheter ablation.

OBJECTIVE: The morbidity of atrial fibrillation (AF) is 1%-2% in clinic. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is a type of radical interventional therapy for AF, whereas it may lead to a hypercoagulable state. This study evaluated platelet particle CD62P and platelet activation biomarker GP IIb/IIIa expressions in AF patients treated by RFCA, and aimed to analyze their relationships with the hypercoagulable state after RFCA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 AF patients received RFCA in our hospital were enrolled. The patients were divided into group A as hypercoagulable state group and group B as non-hypercoagulable group. Healthy volunteers were selected as normal control. Serum D-Dimer, parathyroid activity index 1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) content were tested by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while peripheral CD62P and GP IIb/IIIa expressions were detected by using flow cytometry before, after, and seven days after RFCA. RESULTS: D-Dimer and PAI-1 levels increased, while t-PA reduced in group A compared with that in group B and control (p<0.05). D-Dimer and t-PA contents gradually elevated, whereas t-PA level gradually declined in group A before, after, and seven days after RFCA (p<0.05). Serum CD62P and GP IIb/IIIa expressions in group A were significantly higher compared to that in group B and control (p<0.05). CD62P and GP IIb/IIIa levels were significantly higher seven days after RFCA compared with immediate after RFCA in group A (p<0.05). CD62P showed a positive correlation with GP IIb/IIIa in hypercoagulable state patients after RFCA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AF patient may appear in hypercoagulable state after RFCA. CD62P and GP IIb/IIIa significantly increased and exhibited a positive correlation.

The molecular mechanism of serum microRNA124b induced coronary heart disease by inducing myocardial cell senescence.

The article "The molecular mechanism of serum microRNA124b induced coronary heart disease by inducing myocardial cell senescence" by Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (7): 2070-2076 has been withdrawn.

The molecular mechanism of serum microRNA124b induced coronary heart disease by inducing myocardial cell senescence.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence and mortality of coronary heart disease are rapidly increasing in recent years. Myocardial cell dysfunction and cell senescence may play a role in coronary heart disease. MicroRNA controls a variety of biological processes, but leaving its role in coronary heart disease has yet to be explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with coronary heart disease were regarded as subjects, and healthy volunteers as the control, on both of which microRNA124b level of serum was studied by Real-time PCR, and the heart function of patients was detected by using ultrasound. The relationship between serum microRNA124b level and cardiac function was analyzed along with the model of rat coronary artery disease; the level of aging proteins P21 and P53 in cardiac muscle cells was also tested. RESULTS: MicroRNA124b in the serum of patients with coronary heart disease was increased, and the heart function of patients was decreased (p < 0.05). Serum level of microRNA124b in a rat model of coronary heart disease was increased, and the cardiac function was decreased (p < 0.05). When myocardial cell appeared ageing, the level of P21 and P53 was increased, and the level of microRNA124b was related with P53. CONCLUSIONS: The level of microRNA124b in the serum of coronary heart disease patients and rat model may be related to the occurrence of coronary heart disease; microRNA124b may lead to the occurrence of coronary heart disease by causing cell senescence.

Implication of peripheral blood miRNA-124 in predicting acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the expression of miR-124 in the patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and elucidated the role of miR-124 on early diagnosis of AMI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 90 AMI patients were recruited, along with 45 healthy individuals as the control group. Blood samples were collected at different time points (0 h at admission, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h of disease onset). Real-time PCR was used to test miRNA-124 level. ELISA was used to test serum troponin (cTnI) and creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) levels. The correlation between miRNA-124, cTnI and CK-MB was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze sensitivity and specificity of AMI. RESULTS: MiRNA-124 expression in experimental group was significantly elevated in peripheral blood of AMI patients. It can reach the peak at 6h after onset. AMI patients had significantly elevated cTnI and CK-MB expression level (p<0.05 compared to control group). The expression of miRNA-124 reached the peak earlier than cTnI and CK-MB. miRNA-124 was positively correlated with cTnI and CK-MB (p<0.05). The area under the curve of ROC of miRNA-124 was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.815-0.937), with 52% sensitivity and 91% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: AMI patients presented a significantly elevated level of miRNA-124 in peripheral blood. Our data suggested that miR-124 contributed to an earlier detection than other diagnostic markers for AMI. Therefore, peripheral miRNA-124 can serve as a novel biological marker for early diagnosis of AMI.

[Study on incidence and risk factors of fall in the elderly in a rural community in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of fall in the old farmers of Miyun county in Beijing. METHODS: The old farmers who lived in Jugezhuang and Fengjiayu townships of Miyun county were selected for a questionnaire survey to collect the information about the incidence of fall and their health status. RESULTS: A total of 2 397 old farmers, including 967 males and 1 430 females, were surveyed. Fall occurred in 347 old farmers(14.5%). The difference in the incidence of fall was significant between males(9.6%)and females(17.8%). A total of 282 falls occurred in courtyards, 45 falls occurred in field/hilly areas. Among the falls occurred, 216(27.2%)led to injuries. The most common site of injuries was hip(45 falls). Logistic regression analysis showed that physical exercise and high income were protective factors, but difficult standing up and walking, visual problem and stroke were the risk factors. In the males, the special risk factor was mid cognitive impairment, and in the females, the special risk factor was urinary incontinence, but afternoon nap was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: The incidence of fall in the rural community was relatively high with distinct area distribution, which has caused serious influence on the mental and physical health of the elderly.

[The clinical treatment experience of low-middle frequency sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid combined with dehydrant in 82 cases].

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the treatment of low-middle frequency sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid combined with dehydrant.Method:Eighty-two patients with diagnosis of low-middle frequency sudden sensorineural hearing loss were selected;All patients were randomly divided into systemic steroid therapy group and steroid combined with dehydrant therapy group.All patients received Alprostadil,Ginaton and Mecobalamin.Intravenous steroids was given in systemic steroid therapy group,while intravenous steroids and dehydrant were given in steroid combined with dehydrant therapy group.Finally,the results were collected and analyzed.Result:The total effective rate was 92.31% in systemic steroid therapy group,and 93.02% in steroid combined with dehydrant therapy group.There is no significant difference between the twogroups(P<0.05).The average time of hearting recovery was (7.03±1.22)days in systemic steroid therapy group,while(6.17±1.15)days in steroid combined with dehydrant therapy group,and significant difference was detected between the two difierent treatments(P<0.05).Conclusion:The treatment of low-middle frequency sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid combined with dehydrant can achieve a favorable prognosis,and may shorten the treatment time.

Biocompatibility of differently proportioned HA/PLGA/BMP-2 composite biomaterials in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to assess the histocompatibility of hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) composite materials in rabbits. Thirty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (N = 10). HA/PLGA/BMP-2 composite materials with the HA/PLGA proportions of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 were implanted in the animals, which were subsequently sacrificed on the 30th and 60th days post-implantation to allow for differences in routine blood and biochemical indices to be assessed between the animal groups. The degree of biomaterial degradation was also assessed in the three groups. Thirty and 60 days after the implantation of titanium plates and composite materials, no rabbits succumbed to inflammatory reactions, adverse reactions, abnormal blood routine and biochemical indices, or unstable liver functions. The presence of newborn tissues was identified within the 60 days post-implantation. No significant differences were observed between the three groups (P < 0.05). The wide clinical application of HA/PLGA/BMP-2 composite biomaterial, which is highly compatible with rabbits with no apparent effects on the animals, is highly feasible.

Analysis of the association between polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and dental caries in a Chinese population.

Environmental influences on the development and progression of dental caries are well known; however, there is little evidence of a genetic component imparting susceptibility to dental caries. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor TaqI locus and dental caries susceptibility in a Chinese population. This case-control study was conducted with a case group (264 patients with dental caries from northwestern China) and a control group (219 individuals without dental caries or systemic disease from the same area). DNA was extracted from the peripheral venous blood of the study participants; the distribution of TaqI locus genotypes and allele frequencies was determined via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and Chi-square test. The frequency of the Tt genotype in the case group (14.0%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (4.3%), as determined using the genotype TT as the reference. The risk of dental caries was increased 3.8-fold in individuals with the heterozygous Tt genotype compared to that in the individuals with the TT genotype. The proportion of the 't' allele in the case group (7.0%) and the control group (2.1%) was observed to be significantly different [P = 0.0003; OR = 3.592, confidence interval 95% (1.790-7.208)]. Our results therefore suggested that the allele 't' might be a genetic factor determining dental caries susceptibility in individuals from the northwest of China.

Relationship between CD4+CD25+ Treg and expression of HIF-1α and Ki-67 in NSCLC patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the CD4+CD25+ Treg cell proportion in the peripheral blood and the clinicopathologic features of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), Ki-67 expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to measure the CD4+CD25+ Treg cell level in peripheral blood and immunohistochemical staining used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and Ki-67 protein in cancer tissue of each of 50 NSCLC patients. RESULTS: The level of CD4+CD25+ Treg cell in peripheral blood was related to pathologic grades (t = 3.265, p = 0.006) and clinical stage (t = 4.417, p = 0. 001) of NSCLC instead of to patient's gender and pathologic type of tumor (p > 0.05). The level of CD4+CD25+ Treg cell was positively correlated with the expression of HIF-1α (r = 0.711, p = 0.003) and Ki-67 (r = 0.517, p = 0.04), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CD4+CD25+ Treg cell can be used as a predictor of immune status and prognosis of NSCLC patients and the levels of HIF-1α and Ki-67 protein expression may relate to inhibition of immune cells.

Electronic structure and optical transitions of Au(20-x)Cu(x) nanoclusters.

Gold nanoclusters are promising for photothermal therapy, radiotherapy and cancer cell imaging. We have performed a first-principles study to evaluate the electronic and optical properties of Au7, Au13, Au19, Au20, and Au(20-x)Cu(x) clusters. We have employed the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof form of generalized gradient approximation in the frame work of density functional theory. Calculations have been carried out in different configurations. With increasing Cu atoms, the HOMO-LUMO gap of Au(20-x)Cu(x) clusters is decreased due to the increase of electronic states in the HOMO. The results of imaginary part of the dielectric function indicate that the optical transition between HOMO and LUMO has shifted to the low energy range as the Cu atoms increase. The Au and Au(20-x)Cu(x) clusters show tunable optical properties.

[Study on the characteristics and applications of a new hydrophobic interaction chromatographic packing using chitosan as support].

Based on chitosan, by using valeraldehyd as ligand, a new hydrophobic interaction chromatographic (HIC) packing material was prepared by an improved method. The effects of salt concentration, temperature, pH on the adsorption of bovine serum albumin(BSA) were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption behavior of protein by packing material is in agree with the theory of hydrophobic interaction. The alpha-amylase could be separated by HIC with high recovery of enzymatic activity.