Apelin attenuates the osteoblastic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cells via the ERK and PI3-K/Akt pathways.

Aortic valve calcification (AVC), which used to be recognized as a passive and irreversible process, is now widely accepted as an active and regulated process characterized by osteoblastic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs). Apelin, the endogenous ligand for G-protein-coupled receptor APJ, was found to have protective cardiovascular effects in several studies. However, the effects and mechanisms of apelin on osteoblastic differentiation of AVICs have not been elucidated.

A study of ¹³¹iodine labeling of indomethacin, its in vivo biological distribution in Lewis-bearing lung cancer, and its induction of apoptosis in lung cancer.

Objective: To study the synthesis of 131iodine (I) labeled histamine-indomethacin (His-IN), its in vivo distribution in Lewis-bearing mice, and its effects on suppression of Lewis lung cancer growth and induction of apoptosis.

Methods: The present study was carried out in the Experimental Research Center, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University Hospital, Shenyang China between December 2008 and October 2009. Chemical synthesis of His-IN was carried out.

[A comparative study on mental health among students and adults in the earthquake-hit areas].

Objective: To understand mental health status of the students and adults in the earthquake disaster areas, as to providing guidance on intervention for post-disaster psychological crisis.

Methods: The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), an appendix of The Ministry of Health of "emergency psychological crisis intervention guiding principles", was used among 1222 victims in Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan province. This questionnaire survey was conducted in 729 students and 493 adult victims in a randomized method.