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Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 are important cytokines involved in the immune response of TA in some ethnicities. We investigated whether the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL-6 and IL-10 genes and their expressions were associated with TA in a Chinese Han population. One hundred eighty-four TA patients and 235 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. DNA and RNA were extracted from peripheral blood cells. Genotyping of IL-6 and -10 was performed using polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR). The mRNA levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were semi-quantified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Plasma levels of them were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA levels of IL-6 in active phase of TA were higher than those in stable phase (p = 0.015); the IL-10 in active phase was lower compared with stable phase (p = 0.046). Plasma levels of IL-6 in TA were higher than those in HC (p = 0.024). Plasma levels of IL-10 showed no difference between the two groups (p = 0.264). Plasma levels of IL-6 in active phase were increased than those in stable phase (p = 0.043) while those of IL-10 were decreased in active phase (p = 0.041). We found no significant differences between TA and HC in the frequency of any of the variations in the SNPs of IL-6 and IL-10 genes. The expression levels of both cytokines were associated with the disease status, indicating that they may serve as potential biomarkers for monitoring disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In our previous study, we found the increased expression of p75NTR and sortilin by Western blotting in ischemic retina induced by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Cell specific expression of sortilin and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) was now characterized in normal and ischemic rat retina induced by elevated IOP by double-labeling immunochemistry. Two patterns of sortilin staining in normal retina were identified: punctate and consistent. The former was seen in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) bodies, probably in Golgi apparatus. The latter was found in astrocytes and Müller glial cells (MGCs). The expression pattern of sortilin did not change in ischemic state induced by elevated IOP. p75NTR was not found in RGCs, but in MGCs of most of the retinal layers, especially the inner plexiform layer (IPL), and outer plexiform layer (OPL) of normal retina. Taken together, the enhanced expression of sortilin in MGCs might be involved in the neuro–glial interactions in ischemic retina, but may not directly contribute to RGCs death through proNGF binding to complex receptor composed of sortilin and p75NTR in ischemic retina. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Elevated introcular pressure (IOP)-induced retinal neuron ischemic death includes an early phase of necrosis and prolonged phase of apoptosis. We used this ischemic model to observe the changes of sortilin and p75NTR protein expressions in rat retina. The results of Western blot analysis showed the expression of p75NTR at the band of 75 (mature form), 60 (non-glycosylated pieces) and 50kDa (ectodomain shedding pieces), and the expression of sortilin at the 95 and 90kDa (the mature form). The protein expressions of p75NTR (60 and 50kDa pieces) and sortilin (90kDa) increased significantly (p <0.05) at days 3, 5 and 7 after retinal ischemia. This effect was also confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. Sortilin was primarily present in cell membrane of the ganglion cells layer (GCL) and large ganglion cell bodies by immunofluorescence labeling. There was little expression of p75NTR in the normal retina, while expression increased extensively in GCL, inner plexiform layer (IPL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) after retinal ischemia. p75NTR was shown to co-localize with neurofilament in the axons of neuronal cells by double-labeling. These results suggested that the protein expressions of 60 and 50kDa forms of p75NTR, and the 90kDa mature form of sortilin increased in ischemia-induced retinal neuron of rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) promote metastasis of multiple cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Melatonin (Mel) reportedly exerts anti-metastatic effects on OSCC. However, little is known about the anti-OSCC effects of Mel involved in TANs. In this study, intensive infiltration of TANs was positively associated with advanced stage, lymphatic metastasis, and poor prognosis of OSCC. Moreover, Mel reduced the survival and migration of OSCC-associated neutrophils. Mechanistically, Mel suppressed the TAN release of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL4, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 by blockage of p38 MAPK and Akt signaling. Mel-fostered TANs decreased the migration and invasion of OSCC cells and reduced tube formation in vitro. Additionally, Mel-hampered pro-motility and pro-angiogenesis effects of TANs were dependent on MMP-9 suppression in OSCC. Overall, The beneficial roles of melatonin in retarding OSCC metastasis were implicated with inhibition of TANs., Competing Interests: None.

Objectives: Despite the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA), few studies have identified its clinical correlates. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of CVD and its association with traditional CV risk factors and disease-related variables in patients with TA., Methods: A total of 262 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of TA between January 2009 and July 2013 were included in this study. The primary outcome was CVD, defined as the presence of a previous history of myocardial infarction, angina, coronary disease, coronary bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, and stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship of conventional CV risk factors and TA-related variables to the presence of CVD., Results: CVD was present in 64 (24.4%) of patients with TA. Of the total cohort, 16 (6.1%) had a history of myocardial infarction, 31 (11.8%) had angina and 24 (9.2%) had stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that anaemia (OR, 2.449; 95% CI: 1.167-5.141, p=0.018), low body mass index (OR, 0.821; 95% CI: 0.723-0.932, p=0.002), advancing age (OR, 1.050; 95% CI: 1.013-1.088, p=0.007), hyperlipidaemia (OR, 3.792; 95% CI: 1.647-8.727, p=0.002), and family history of CVD (OR, 2.915; 95% CI: 1.188-7.153, p=0.019) were significantly associated with the presence of CVD., Conclusions: Our study suggests that in addition to traditional CV risk factors, anaemia and low body mass index are independently associated with increased CVD in patients with TA.

Objective: To explore effects of zinc on the contents of cyclin D2, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and their DNA and total cellular protein in human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCBMSCs)., Methods: hUCBMSCs were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation adherence method in vitro. At the serial subcultivation, the hUCBMSCs were randomly divided into 7 groups. In control group, hUCBMSCs were cultured with DMEM medium (containing 15%FBS). In treatment groups, hUCBMSCs were cultured with DMEM medium (containing 15%FBS plus ZnSO4.7H2O). The final concentrations of zinc were 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 mg/L, respectively. The cellular surface antigens of CD29, CD34, CD44, and CD45 at the 3rd generation of hUCBMSCs were detected by flow cytometry. MTT assay was used to detect cell activity of the 3rd generation of hUCBMSCs. The optimum concentration of zinc was selected by the results of MTT as experimental group. The cell growth curves of experimental group and control group were drown by counting cell. The cell surface antigen, reproductive cycle, and DNA content were detected by flow cytometry mothers. The contents of cyclin D2 and CDK4 were detected by Western blot method., Results: The positive expression rates of CD29 and CD44 were more than 70% in hUCBMSCs. The cell activity of 2.5 mg/L treatment group was superior to other treatment groups, as experimental group. At 7, 14, and 28 days, the contents of DNA, total cellular protein, cyclin D2, and CDK4 of hUCBMSCs were significantly higher in experimental group than those in control group (P < 0.01). The percentage of hUCBMSCs at S stage and proliferation index in experimental group were also significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Zinc (0.5-4.5 mg/L) has the promoting effect on the hUCBMSCs activity, and 2.5 mg/L is the optimal concentration. Zinc (2.5 mg/L) can accelerate the proliferation and DNA reproduction of hUCBMSCs and increase the contents of cyclin D2, CDK4, and cellular total protein.

Objective: To compare the difference of preparing the acellular larynx scaffold between perfusion method and immersion method, and find better way to make acellular larynx scaffold for tissue engineering., Methods: Twenty 6-month-old male New Zealand rabbits, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg, were divided into perfusion group (n=10) and immersion group (n=10) at random. All the larynxes were excised in a sterile fashion. The acellular larynx scaffold was obtained by perfusion method and immersion method respectively, and then comparative examinations were performed by the macroscopic view, histological view, scanning electron microscope (SEM), cartilage vitality assay and toluidine blue staining., Results: Macroscopic view showed that the larynxes perfused by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) became transparent after 2 hours of perfusion, but the larynxes immersed by SDS over 16 hours still appeared pink-white. Histology and SEM indicated that compared with immersion group, perfusion group showed better acellular effect, more vintages and collagen fibers were retained, no intact cell or nuclei remained in acellular matrix and chondrocytes were still survival. The porosity was 85.39% +/- 3.16% in perfusion group and 34.72% +/- 4.51% in immersion group, showing significant difference (P < 0.01). The chondrocyte vitality rate of perfusion group (86.93% +/- 1.52%) was higher than that of immersion group (77.73% +/- 1.66%), showing significant difference (P < 0.01). Toluidine blue staining showed that the chondrocyte heterochromatin was stronger in perfusion group than that in immersion group., Conclusion: Compared with immersion method, perfusion method is a better way to construct acellular larynx scaffold because it can achieve better acellular effect and retain chondrocyte vitality at the greatest extent in the acellular larynx scaffold.

Objective: Liddle syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominant monogenic form of hypertension caused by mutations in the C-termini of the epithelial sodium channel beta- or gamma-subunit encoded by SCNN1B and SCNN1G, respectively, and often presenting with a familial history of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mutations of SCNN1B or SCNN1G were present in a patient clinically suspected to have Liddle syndrome with no familial history of hypertension., Design and Patients: We screened the C-terminus of SCNN1B and SCNN1G in the patient, and also screened for the mutation in his parents, 50 hypertensive patients and 50 controls., Results: In this patient, no mutations were found in the C-terminus of SCNN1B. However, we found a frameshift mutation caused by an 'AGCTC' deletion at the 583 codon in SCNN1G. The frameshift resulted in a new termination site at the 585 codon of the gamma-subunit and the deletion of its PY motif. Neither his parents nor 50 randomly selected patients with hypertension nor 50 controls have the mutation, indicating that this is a de novo mutation and not a common genetic polymorphism., Conclusion: The de novo mutation is the first reported frameshift of the gamma-subunit causing Liddle syndrome. These data imply that a familial history of hypertension is not an essential criterion for the diagnosis of Liddle syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of coronary artery involvement resulting from aortoarteritis and discuss the potential difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease., Methods: Of 121 consecutive hospitalized patients with aortoarteritis from 1998 to 2001, the patients, who were found to have more than 50% diameter reduction of coronary artery by angiography because of clinically suspected coronary artery involvement, were studied retrospectively., Results: In the study, there were totally 10 cases with coronary artery involvement of aortoarteritis, which accounted for 8.26% (10/121) of all the hospitalized patients with aortoarteritis. Nine of the 10 cases were female, aged 19 - 45 (31 +/- 9) years. There were evidences of peripheral arterial lesions and angina pectoris in all the cases. Of the 10 cases, 7 had abnormal electrocardiography and 5 abnormal echocardiography. Aortic root angiography or coronary angiography was the most useful tool for definitive diagnosis. Coronary ostia were most frequently involved. Coronary revascularization improved angina pectoris in most of the patients. However, the long-term efficacy and survival rate should be investigated further., Conclusion: Coronary artery may be involved in aortoarteritis. Appropriate measurements should be taken to detect and to treat the lesion.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of stent revascularization as treatment for renal artery stenosis., Methods: Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent (PTRAS) was performed on 30 consecutive patients with severe renal artery stenosis for poorly controlled hypertension or preservation of renal function. They subsequently underwent 3-month clinical follow-up for the effect of the procedure on renal function, blood pressure control and the number of antihypertensive medications used., Results: Angiographic success was obtained in 29 (96.7%) of the 30 patients after PTRAS. 3 months after the procedure systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased (from 173.5 to 135.8 mm Hg and from 95.8 to 75.6 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.001) and less antihypertensive medications were taken (from 2.5 to 1.5). Blood pressure in 5 (16.7%) of the 30 patients became normal without taking any antihypertensive medication and blood pressure control was more facile in 22 (73.3%) of the patients. However, there was no improvement in 3 (10.0%) of the patients. Creatinine slightly decreased in 2 (6.7%) of the 30 patients and remained stable in 28 (93.3%) of the 30 patients. There was no statistical significance in this respect., Conclusions: Renal artery stent revascularization has a short-term beneficial effect on blood pressure control and a nondeleterious effect on renal function. The long-term efficacy should be investigated. The procedure is safe in usual.