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The present study determined the changes in the expression levels of MYPT1, CPI-17 and MLC20 in the ileum of mice with neonatal induced necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) to provide a basis for a pathogenesis model that includes smooth muscle changes during NEC. A group of 7-day-old BALB/c mice were fed with formula (40 μl/g, 5 times/day) and given hypoxia treatments (5% O2 and 95% N2 for 10 min, twice daily) for 4 days to induce NEC and establish a mouse model. A control group of 7-day-old BALB/c mice were left with their mother for the duration of the treatment. After establishing the model, the two groups of mice were sacrificed, and the terminal ileum tissue was collected and subjected to western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The results showed the expression levels of MYPT1 and pMYPT1 in the ileum of the mice in the NEC group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The levels of CPI17 and pCPI17 were higher in the NEC group compared with those in the control group. The expression level of MLC20 in NEC group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01), but the level of pMLC20 in the NEC group was higher (P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the staining intensities of MYPT1, CPI-17 and MLC20 in the NEC group were lighter than those in the control group, and the proportion of positive cells was also lower in the NEC group (P<0.01). Taken together our results suggest that establishment of NEC is accompanied by changes in the protein levels of MYPT1 and pCPI-17, which can regulate smooth muscle contraction in the ileum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the association between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and the prognosis of patients with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. A total of 708 inpatients with cardiovascular disease (mean age, 66 years; 395 males and 313 females) were grouped according to initial BNP and were followed-up for 20-51 months (average, 30.86 months) until endpoint events occurred. Endpoints were defined as mortality or readmission due to cardiovascular disease, or mortality due to any other reason. A total of 67 and 77 events were reported in the BNP ≤80 pg/ml and BNP >80 pg/ml groups, respectively. The occurrence rate of the endpoint was significantly higher in the BNP >80 pg/ml group, as compared with the BNP ≤80 pg/ml group (26.28 vs. 16.14%; relative risk=1.63). Furthermore, the durations of patient survival were significantly shorter in the BNP >80 pg/ml group, as compared with the BNP ≤80 pg/ml group (P=0.0006), and patient survival decreased as BNP levels rose (P=0.0074). Among the 708 patients, 677 underwent echocardiographic detection at the same time. No significant correlation was detected between BNP levels and survival time in 178 patients with normal LV diastolic function [mitral Doppler flow, early diastolic (E)/late diastolic (A)>1] (P=0.2165); whereas a negative correlation was determined in 499 patients with LVD dysfunction (E/A≤1) (Spearman's rho=-0.0899; P=0.0447). The prognoses of patients with elevated BNP levels were correspondingly worse in the present study and these correlations were demonstrated to be significant in patients with LV diastolic dysfunction. Therefore, BNP levels may be used to predict the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]