Prognostic implications of left ventricular torsion measured by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS: The prognostic implication of left ventricular (LV) torsion on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) findings of 420 patients from a registry study (NCT03768453). These patients received CMR examination within 1 week after timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention. LV torsion and other CMR indexes were measured. Compared with healthy control subjects, STEMI significantly decreased patients' LV torsion (1.04 vs. 1.63°/cm, P < 0.001). During follow-up (median, 52 months), the reduction of LV torsion was greater in patients with than without composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs, 0.79 vs. 1.08°/cm, P < 0.001). The risk of MACCEs would increase to 1.125- or 1.092-fold, and the risk of 1-year LV remodelling would increase to 1.110- or 1.082-fold for every 0.1°/cm reduction in LV torsion after adjustment for clinical or CMR parameters respectively. When divided dichotomously, patients with LV torsion≤ 0.802°/cm had significantly higher risk of MACCEs (40.2 vs. 12.3%, P < 0.001) and more remarkable LV remodelling (46.1 vs. 11.9%, P < 0.001) than patients with better LV torsion. The addition of LV torsion to conventional prognostic factors such as the LV ejection fraction and infarction size led to a better risk classification model of patients for both MACCEs and LV remodelling. Finally, tobacco use, worse post-PCI flow, and greater microvascular obstruction size were presumptive risk factors for reduced LV torsion. CONCLUSION: LV torsion measured by CMR is closely associated with the prognosis of STEMI and would be a promising indicator to improve patients' risk stratification. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03768453.

Impact of Concomitant Impairments of the Left and Right Ventricular Myocardial Strain on the Prognoses of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The impact of concomitant impairments of left and right ventricular (LV and RV) strain on the long-term prognosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not clear. Methods: We analyzed CMR images and followed up 420 first STEMI patients from the EARLY Assessment of MYOcardial Tissue Characteristics by CMR in STEMI (EARLY-MYO-CMR) registry (NCT03768453). These patients received timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 h and CMR examination within 1 week (median, 5 days; range, 2-7 days) after infarction. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) of both ventricles were measured based on CMR cine images. Conventional CMR indexes were also assessed. Primary clinical outcome was composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, re-hospitalization for heart failure and stroke. In addition, CMR data from 40 people without apparent heart disease were used as control group. Results: Compared to controls, both LV and RV strains were remarkably reduced in STEMI patients. During follow-up (median: 52 months, interquartile range: 29-68 months), 80 patients experienced major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, heart failure, and stroke. LV-GCS > -11.20% was an independent predictor of MACCEs (P < 0.001). RV-GRS was the only RV strain index that could effectively predict the risk of MACCEs (AUC = 0.604, 95% CI [0.533, 0.674], P = 0.004). Patient with RV-GRS ≤ 38.79% experienced more MACCEs than those with preserved RV-GRS (log rank P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with the concomitant decrease of LV-GCS and RV-GRS were more likely to experience MACCEs than patients with decreased LV-GCS alone (log rank P = 0.010). RV-GRS was incremental to LV-GCS for the predictive power of MACCEs (continuous NRI: 0.327; 95% CI: 0.095-0.558; P = 0.006). Finally, tobacco use (P = 0.003), right coronary artery involvement (P = 0.002), and LV-GCS > -11.20% (P = 0.012) was correlated with lower RV-GRS. Conclusions: The concomitant decrease of LV and RV strain is associated with a worse long-term prognosis than impaired LV strain alone. Combination assessment of both LV and RV strain indexes could improve risk stratification of patients with STEMI. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03768453. Registered 7 December 2018 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03768453.

Cardiac Structural and Functional Characteristics in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Serial Echocardiographic Study

BACKGROUNDIncreasing attention has been paid to cardiac involvement in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, scarce information is available regarding the morphological and functional features of cardiac impairments in these patients. METHODSWe conducted a prospective and serial echocardiographic study to investigate the structural and functional cardiac changes among COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). From January 21 to April 8, 2020, a total of 51 ICU patients (31 critically ill and 20 severely ill) with confirmed COVID-19 were monitored by serial transthoracic echocardiography examinations. Outcomes were followed up until April 8, 2020. RESULTSOf 51 ICU patients, 33 (64.7%) had cardiovascular comorbidities. Elevations of levels of cardiac biomarkers including high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I (hs-cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide were observed in 62.7% and 86.3% of patients, respectively. Forty-two (82.3%) had at least one left-heart and/or right-heart echocardiographic abnormality. The overall median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 65.0% (IQR 58.0-69.0%), with most (44/86.3%) having preserved LVEF. Sixteen patients (31.4%) had increased pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and 14 (27.5%) had right-ventricle (RV) enlargement. During the study period, 12 (23.5%) patients died. LVEF was comparable between survivors and non-survivors, while non-survivors had more often pulmonary hypertension (58.3% vs. 23.1%; P=0.028) and RV enlargement (58.3% vs. 17.9%, P=0.011). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated similar survival curves between patients with vs. without echocardiographic left-heart abnormalities (P=0.450 by log-rank test), while right-heart abnormalities had adverse impact on mortality (P=0.012 by log-rank test). CONCLUSIONSTypical cardiac abnormality in ICU patients with COVID-19 was right-heart dysfunction with preserved LVEF. Echocardiographic right-heart dysfunction was associated with disease severity and increased mortality in patients affected by COVID-19. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATIONUnique identifier: NCT04352842.

Clinical effect and safety of sofosbuvir-based regimens in treatment of hepatitis C virus-associated glomerulonephritis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect and safety of sofosbuvir-based regimens in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated glomerulonephritis (HCV-GN). MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 5 patients with HCV-GN who were given sofosbuvir-based antiviral therapy in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from April 2015 to October 2018, and their clinical outcome and safety were analyzed. The patients were evaluated in terms of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment ended (SVR12), changes in liver/renal function and urinary protein during and after treatment, and safety. ResultsFive patients were enrolled, with an age of 27-81 years. There were 4 male patients, among whom 2 had liver cirrhosis. Of all patients, 4 had genotype 1b and 1 had genotype 2a. Renal biopsy was performed for 2 patients, who were diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, respectively. Of all patients, 2 received sofosbuvir+ribavirin, 2 received ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, and 1 received sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 12 or 24 weeks. All 5 patients achieved SVR12. There were significant reductions in alanine aminotransferase and 24-hour urinary protein excretion from baseline to the end of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up, with a slight increase in serum albumin. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were improved or showed no change. Only 1 patient experienced adverse gastrointestinal events associated with ribavirin. ConclusionSofosbuvir-based regimens have good clinical effect and tolerability in patients with HCV-GN. Long-term follow-up should be performed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of renal disease after HCV clearance.

Antifungal Activity of Gallic Acid In Vitro and In Vivo.

Gallic acid (GA) is a polyphenol natural compound found in many medicinal plant species, including pomegranate rind (Punica granatum L.), and has been shown to have antiinflammatory and antibacterial properties. Pomegranate rind is used to treat bacterial and fungal pathogens in Uyghur and other systems of traditional medicine, but, surprisingly, the effects of GA on antifungal activity have not yet been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of GA on fungal strains both in vitro and in vivo. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the NCCLS (M38-A and M27-A2) standard method in vitro, and GA was found to have a broad spectrum of antifungal activity, with MICs for all the tested dermatophyte strains between 43.75 and 83.33 µg/mL. Gallic acid was also active against three Candida strains, with MICs between 12.5 and 100.0 µg/mL. The most sensitive Candida species was Candida albicans (MIC = 12.5 µg/mL), and the most sensitive filamentous species was Trichophyton rubrum (MIC = 43.75 µg/mL), which was comparable in potency to the control, fluconazole. The mechanism of action was investigated for inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis using an HPLC-based assay and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Gallic acid reduced the activity of sterol 14α-demethylase P450 (CYP51) and squalene epoxidase in the T. rubrum membrane, respectively. In vivo model demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection administration of GA (80 mg/kg d) significantly enhanced the cure rate in a mice infection model of systemic fungal infection. Overall, our results confirm the antifungal effects of GA and suggest a mechanism of action, suggesting that GA has the potential to be developed further as a natural antifungal agent for clinical use. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Functions of cyclophilin A in atherosclerosis.

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a ubiquitously distributed protein present both in intracellular and extracellular spaces. In atherosclerosis, various cells, including endothelial cells, monocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and platelets, secrete CypA in response to excessive levels of reactive oxygen species. Atherosclerosis, a complicated disease, is the result of the interplay of different risk factors. Researchers have found that CypA links many risk factors, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes, to atherosclerosis that develop into a vicious cycle. Furthermore, most studies have shown that secreted CypA participates in the developmental process of atherosclerosis via many important intracellular mechanisms. CypA can cause injury to and apoptosis of endothelial cells, leading to dysfunction of the endothelium. CypA may also induce the activation and migration of leukocytes, producing proinflammatory cytokines that promote inflammation in blood vessels. In addition, CypA can promote the proliferation of monocytes/macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to the formation of foam cells and the remodelling of the vascular wall. Studies investigating the roles of CypA in atherosclerosis may provide new direction for preventive and interventional treatment strategies in atherosclerosis.

Expression of genes encoding cytokines and corticotropin releasing factor are altered by citalopram in the hypothalamus of post-stroke depression rats.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a rat model of post-stroke depression (PSD), and examine expression of genes encoding corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the hypothalamus of PSD rats. METHODS: Rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and chronic mild unpredictable stress (CUMS). Open field test and sucrose preference were used to examine depressive-like behaviors. Observed changes in gene expression levels in the hypothalamus of PSD rats were evaluated. RESULTS: MCAO with CUMS resulted in reduction of sucrose preference and locomotor activity. Genes encoding TNF-α, IL-1ß and CRF were highly expressed in the hypothalamus of rats subjected to MCAO and CUMS. The antidepressant citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, had inhibitory effects on the expression of the aforementioned genes. We observed a correlation between CRF and IL-1ß mRNA levels in the citalopram-treated group of rats. CONCLUSION: The etiology of PSD is associated with cytokine expression in the hypothalamus and with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Citalopram administration inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß transcripts in the hypothalamus, suggesting that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be appropriate for PSD therapy.

Expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract in rats with chronic renal failure / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of ghrelin and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore their relationship with the disorder of gastrointestinal tract motility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n=8) and CRF group (n=16), and in the latter group, the rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy to induce CRF. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the distribution of mRNA and protein of ghrelin and GHS-R in the gastric fundus, duodenum, and hypothalamus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rats in the CRF group showed a significantly higher expression of ghrelin mRNA and protein in the gastric fundus but a lower expression in the hypothalamus than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), but the expression in the duodenum was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The expression of GHS-R mRNA and protein in the gastric fundus was significantly higher in the CRF group than in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), while in the hypothalamus and duodenum, the expression was significantly lower in the CRF group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The different distribution patterns of ghrelin and GHS-R in the tissues may be an important pathological basis of gastrointestinal motility disorder in CRF.</p>

[A cross-sectional study of neurological disease in the veterans of military communities in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of cognitive and motor disorders as well as emotional and sleep abnormality in the veterans from military communities in Beijing. METHODS: The participants underwent a comprehensive in-person evaluation including detailed neuropsychological testing, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and special questionnaires for movement and sleep disorders. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of cognitive impairment, extrapyramidal diseases was 32.7%, 8.8%. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinson disease, essential tremor, anxiety and depression was 26.2%, 6.5%, 2.0%, 6.1%, 1.4% and 4.1% respectively. Prevalence of all kinds of sleep disorders ranged from 10.3% to 53.9%. The prevalence of cognitive impairment had no significant difference of sex, but were correlated to age and education, the correlation coefficient was 0.326 and -0.221 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Veterans from military communities had higher prevalence of cognitive impairment, extrapyramidal diseases and sleep disorders and lower that of anxiety and depression relatively.

Role of renal sympathetic nerves in renal sodium transport in ouabain-hypertensive rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of renal sympathetic nerves in renal sodium transport in ouabain-hypertensive rats (OHR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen male SD rats with sham renal denervation (Sham-RDNX) and 16 with renal denervation (RDNX) were randomly into normal control group and ouabain group to receive intraperitoneal injection of normal saline (1 ml/kg) and ouabain (27.8 µg/kg) once a day, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate and body weight were recorded weekly. Food consumption of the rats was determined twice a week. After a 4-week treatment, blood and 24 h urine samples were collected to measure the serum and urinary concentration of sodium, trace lithium and creatinine. Endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), fractional excretions of sodium (FENa), fractional excretions of lithium (FELi) and fractional reabsorption of sodium in the postproximal tubules (FDRNa) were calculated. Plasma renin activity was determined by radioimmunoassay. Norepinephrine was extracted from the renal tissue and assayed for norepinephrine content by HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight, food intake and heart rate showed no significant difference among the 4 groups (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks, the SBP of control RDNX group (CDNX) was significantly lower than that of the control Sham-DNX group (Csham)(P < 0.05); the SBP of ouabain RDNX group (ODNX) was also significantly lower than that of ouabain Sham-DNX group (Osham) (P < 0.05); RNDX lowered SBP by about 10 mmHg in both ouabain groups and control groups. The SBP was significantly higher in Osham and ODNX groups than in the corresponding control groups (P < 0.01), also significantly higher in ODNX group than in Csham group (P < 0.01). Ccr showed no significant difference among the 4 groups(P > 0.05). FENa, FELi and FDRNa were significantly lower in ouabain groups than in the corresponding control groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but FENa, FELi and FDRNa of ODNX group were similar with those of Osham group (P > 0.05); FENa , FELi and FDRNa were similar between CDNX and Csham groups (P > 0.05). The plasma renin activity was comparable between the 4 groups (P > 0.05). Renal norepinephrine level was markedly reduced in RDNX group compared with that in Sham-RDNX group in both ouabain and control groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The increase of proximal tubule sodium reabsorption in OHR is not dependent on the renal sympathetic nerve.</p>

The effect of Levocarnitine on nutritional status and lipid metabolism during long-term maintenance hemodialysis / 药物分析学报

Objective To investigate the effect of Levocarnitine on lipid metabolism and nutritional status of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and possible mechanism. Methods A total of 40 MHD patients [mean age (53.5±7.1) years] who underwent normal hemodialysis more than 6 months were randomly classified into two groups, Levocarnitine supplemented group (LS-G) (n=20; Levocarnitine supplementation after each normal hemodialysis session, at a dose of 1.0 g/day by intravenous administration) and control group (C-G) (n=20; normal hemodialysis). Before treatment, one month and three months after treatment we respectively measured or observed the following items, the tolerance to hemodialysis, carnitine level in plasma, C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α, percentage of neutrophil, and some relevant nutritional parameters, such as lipid profile, transferrin, total protein, albumin and prealbumin levels. Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups. Results In LS-G three months after treatment, the levels of carnitine, hemoglobin, and prealbumin in plasma were significantly increased (P<0.05), but C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in contrast to those in C-G and before treatment. Transferrin, total protein, and albumin were elevated in LS-G, with no statistical significance. Conclusion There was a significant improvement of lipid metabolism and nutritional status for the long-term maintenance hemodialysis patients with Levocarnitine supplementation. And this improvement is related to the decrease of inflammatory factors.

EMMPRIN mediates matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and monocyte migration: evidence from EMMPRIN knockdown by RNA interference / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: Although the evidence indicates that extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is closely associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in tumor cells, tumor invasion and metastasis, no direct proof that EMMPRIN regulates MMPs in monocytes, especially in the atherogenic milieu is observed. Here we tested this hypothesis by examining MMP-9 expression in macrophages/foam cells and monocyte migration through EMMPRIN knockdown by siRNA. METHODS: The methods of qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the suppressions of EMMPRIN mRNA and protein expression in macrophages and foam cells transfected with EMMPRIN-specific siRNA. The protein expression of MMP-9 in macrophages and foam cells was also determined. Monocyte migration after EMMPRIN knockdown was observed by a Transwell assay. RESULTS: EMMPRIN knockdown by siRNA markedly abolished the MMP-9 expression by 50% and 40% in macrophages and foam cells, respectively. Migration induced by chemotactic factor MCP-1 and VEGF was significantly attenuated (P<0.05) in monocytes treated with EMMPRIN-siRNA. CONCLUSION: The protein expression and secretion of MMP-9 are down-regulated by EMMPRIN knockdown during monocyte differentiation into macrophages and foam cells. Moreover, EMMPRIN siRNA treatment also prevents monocyte migration. Thus, EMMPRIN plays a key regulatory role for MMP activity and monocyte migration, making it a potential target for pharmacological intervention of atherosclerosis.

Comparison between anti-ouabain egg yolk(IgY) and rabbit antibody(IgG) in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To improve specificity and accuracy of endogenous ouabain measurement assay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Anti-ouabain polyclonal antibody egg yolk (IgY) and anti-ouabain rabbit antibody (IgG) were prepared respectively. In the presence of two kinds of antibody, then the specificity and accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ELISA, in the presence of IgY, provided a sensitivity of the average intraassay coefficient of variation(CV) was 2.03%, and the inter-assay CV was 2.34% respectively. In contrast, IgG were 2.83% and 3.29%. No significant interferences were observed with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. There was 3.45% vs. 5.95%, 3.20% vs. 5.20% of crossreaction with cedilanid and digoxin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The specificity and accuracy of ELISA, in which IgY was used, were more better than IgG.</p>

Resveratrol inhibits expression of EMMPRIN from macrophages / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of resveratrol on EMMPRIN expression of macrophages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human monocytic cell line THP-1 cells were co-cultured with EMMPRIN-highly-expressed MCF-7 cells; MMP-9 production was assayed by zymography. THP-1 cells were induced by PMA, expression of EMMPRIN was assayed by Western blotting. Cells were treated with resveratrol or PPARgamma agonist--pioglitazone during differentiation, EMMPRIN expression and MMP-9 activity were assayed. U937 cells were co-transfected with PPARy expression and luciferase-coding reporter vector, then cultured with pioglitazone or resveratrol, the activating capability of resveratrol on PPARgamma was evaluated by measuring the luciferase activity. THP-1 cells were pretreated with PPARgamma antagonist--GW9662 before pioglitazone or resveratrol treatment, then assayed for EMMPRIN expression and MMP-9 production.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EMMPRIN expression was greatly increased during the differentiation from monocytes to macrophages; co-culturing with MCF-7 cells significantly increased MMP-9 production by monocytes. Both resveratrol and pioglitazone markedly inhibited EMMPRIN expression during monocytes differentiation. Resveratrol significantly activated PPARgamma and GW9662 greatly decreased the effect of resveratrol on EMMPRIN and MMP-9.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EMMPRIN expression is greatly up-regulated from monocytes to macrophages, which may play a role in inducing MMPs production by monocytes/macrophages. Resveratrol can significantly inhibit EMMPRIN expression via activating PPARgamma, which may be the underlying mechanism of its inhibitory effect on MMPs production by monocytes/macrophages.</p>

Changes in renal sodium transport during hypertension development in ouabain-hypertensive rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in renal sodium transport during development of hypertension in ouabain-hypertensive rats (OHR) and further elucidate the role of ouabain in the pathogenesis of hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty male SD rats weighing 80-100 g were randomized equally into normal control and ouabain groups and treated with intraperitoneal injection of normal saline (1 ml/kg) and ouabain (27.8 microg/kg) once daily, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and body weight of the rats were recorded weekly. One week before sacrifice scheduled at weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8, respectively, the rats were individually housed in metabolic cages to determine food consumption twice. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure serum and urine concentration of sodium, trace lithium and creatinine. Endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), fractional excretions of sodium (FENa), fractional excretions of lithium (FELi) and fractional reabsorption of sodium in the distal tubules (FDRNa) were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight and food intake between ouabain groups and control groups were comparable during the experiment (P>0.05). Blood pressure was also comparable in the two groups after 2 weeks (P>0.05). At week 4, however, blood pressure of ouabain group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.001) and increased in a dose-dependent manner. The SBP in ouabain group appeared to reach a plateau at week 7. Ccr and plasma sodium (PNa) were similar in the 2 groups during the experiment (P>0.05). FELi was significantly lower at weeks 2, 4 and 6 in ouabain group than in the control group (P<0.01), and FELi decrement in ouabain group was accompanied by reduced sodium excretion. FENa was significantly lower at week 4 in ouabain group than in the control group (P<0.05), but this difference was not significant in weeks 2 and 6 (P>0.05). At weeks 2, 4 and 6, ouabain group showed significantly lower FDRNa than the control group (P<0.05), suggesting the compensation of the distal nephron segments. After 8 weeks, FENa, FELi and FDRNa were similar between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ouabain can increase renal proximal tubule reabsorption of sodium and consequently decrease renal sodium excretion in OHR, which can contribute to alteration of the pressure-natriuresis relationship in OHR, and play an important role in the development and maintenance of hypertension of OHR.</p>

Renal sodium handling in ouabain-hypertensive rats / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate renal sodium handling of ouabain-hypertensive rats and the role of renal sodium handling in pathogenesis of hypertension using endogenous trace lithium as a marker of proximal sodium reabsorption.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighting 180-220 g were equally divided into normal control group and ouabain group randomly. Rats were infused with normal saline 1 ml/ (kg x d) or ouabain 27.8 microg/ (kg-d) intraperitoneally once a day respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and body weight were recorded weekly. Rats were sacrificed after 2 and 6 weeks respectively. Blood and 24 hour urine sample were collected to measure the serum and urinary concentration of sodium, potassium, trace lithium, and creatinine. Endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), fractional excretions of sodium (FE(Na)), and fractional excretions of lithium (FE(Li)), the ratios of urinary lithium to sodium (U(Li)/U(Na)), the ratios of urinary potassium to sodium (U(K)/U(Na)), and fractional reabsorption of sodium in the postproximal tubules (FDR(Na)) were also calculated. All were studied on their normal diet and ate salt freely.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood pressure had no significant difference in these two groups after 2 weeks (P > 0.05); After 4 weeks, however, blood pressure was significantly higher in ouabain group than in control group (P < 0.01). Body weight of rats had no significant difference during the experiment period (P > 0.05). Ccr and FE(Na) were similar in these 2 groups (P > 0.05). FE(Li), U(Li)/U(Na), U(K)/U(Na), and FDR(Na) of ouabain group were significantly lower than control group after 2 and 6 weeks (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The reabsorption of sodium increases in the proximal tubule in ouabain-hypertensive rats, and such increase occurs before the development of hypertension. Therefore, increase of proximal reabsorption of sodium may be involved in the pathogenesis of ouabain-induced hypertension.</p>

[Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and elderly people in the community: results from the Beijing Dementia Cooperative Study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and normal elderly people living in the Chinese community of Beijing. METHODS: A cross-sectional study derived from the Beijing Dementia Cooperative Study was carried out a population survey was carried out on a total of 1540 participants aged 65 years and older living in Beijing city and rural areas. All the individuals and 373 demented elderly people completed a series of neuropsychological examination and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). RESULTS: Among the dementia participants, 49.33% had exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms (35.66% rated as clinically significant), in which 80.4% reported 2 or more disturbances, with depression (23.86%), apathy (21.72%) and anxiety (20.38%) being most common. Of the 1540 normal individuals, 18.25% of them exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms (6.49% rated as clinically significant), in which 53% reported 2 or more disturbances, with sleepless (10%), depression (8.9%) and anxiety (6.97%) being the most common. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this was the first multi-center study on neuropsychiatric disturbances in dementia and cognitive normal elderly people. Neuropsychiatric symptoms occurred mainly in persons with dementia and of clinical severity. Though the neuropsychiatric disturbances reported in cognitive normal individuals were lower and less serious compared to dementia, they should not be neglected. These finding suggested that a screening programme focusing on identifying these symptoms should be included in the physician's diagnostic tools for dementia.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and elderly people in the community: results from the Beijing Dementia Cooperative Study / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and normal elderly people living in the Chinese community of Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study derived from the Beijing Dementia Cooperative Study was carried out a population survey was carried out on a total of 1540 participants aged 65 years and older living in Beijing city and rural areas. All the individuals and 373 demented elderly people completed a series of neuropsychological examination and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the dementia participants, 49.33% had exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms (35.66% rated as clinically significant), in which 80.4% reported 2 or more disturbances, with depression (23.86%), apathy (21.72%) and anxiety (20.38%) being most common. Of the 1540 normal individuals, 18.25% of them exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms (6.49% rated as clinically significant), in which 53% reported 2 or more disturbances, with sleepless (10%), depression (8.9%) and anxiety (6.97%) being the most common.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To our knowledge, this was the first multi-center study on neuropsychiatric disturbances in dementia and cognitive normal elderly people. Neuropsychiatric symptoms occurred mainly in persons with dementia and of clinical severity. Though the neuropsychiatric disturbances reported in cognitive normal individuals were lower and less serious compared to dementia, they should not be neglected. These finding suggested that a screening programme focusing on identifying these symptoms should be included in the physician's diagnostic tools for dementia.</p>

Effect of PPAR ligands on extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer expression in macrophages and foam cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the role of PPAR ? or ? ligands in regulating the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer(EMMPRIN).METHODS: THP-1 monocytes were induced into macrophages and foam cells in vitro then interfered with clofibrate and pioglitazone.The cells and supernatant were collected after 24 h,respectively.EMMPRIN gene and its protein were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blotting in different interferences.The concentration of matrix metalloproteinases(MMP-9) was measured with ELISA method and the activity of MMP-9 was detected with gelatin zymography.RESULTS: Two known PPAR ? or ? ligands,colfibrate and pioglitzaone,were found,both of which inhibited EMMPRIN expression in macrophages and foam cells.The inhibition was correspondent to the secretion and activity of MMP-9 simultaneously.CONCLUSION: Both PPAR ? and ? ligands inhibit EMMPRIN expression,which may account for their effect on inhibition of MMPs.