Down-regulation of the Smad signaling by circZBTB46 via the Smad2-PDLIM5 axis to inhibit type I collagen expression.

Background: Abnormal type I collagen (COL1) expression is associated with the development of many cardiovascular diseases. The TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway and circRNAs have been shown to regulate COL1 gene expression, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood.

Methods: Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were prformed to study the effect of circZBTB46 on the expression of alpha 2 chain of type I collagen (COL1A2).

[Effects of PM2.5 exposure on Klebsiella pneumoniae clearance in the lungs of rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of PM2.5 exposure on susceptibility to Klebsiella infection and bacterial clearance, and to discuss its possible mechanisms.

Methods: Eighty-six healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a control group, a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection group(infection group), a PM2.

Influence of auricular plaster therapy on sleeping structure in OSAS patients.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of auricular plaster therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the influence on sleeping structure.

Methods: 45 OSAS patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases and a control group of 15 cases for comparison of the changes in parameters of respiration and sleep at night.

Results: The auricular plaster therapy significantly improved the hypoventilation index, respiratory disturbance index and other respiratory parameters as well as the sleeping parameters such as the time and rate of sleep at stage I and II, and the waking time and rate.

[The change and significance of the cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the change of exercise cardiopulmonary function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: Thirty OSAHS patients and 18 normal healthy adults (control group) were studied by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). The results including maximal oxygen uptake percent predicted (Vo(2)max% predicted), oxygen uptake to work rate (Vo(2)/WR), oxygen pulse percent predicted (Vo(2)/HRmax% predicted), anaerobic threshold to maximal oxygen uptake (AT/Vo(2)max), breathing reserve (V(E)max/MVV) and ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (V(E)/V(CO2)) were compared between two groups.

[Study on hemodynamic changes and cardiac troponin I level in pig model of acute experimental pulmonary embolism].

Objective: To evaluate the hemodynamic effects and cardiac troponin I (cTn I), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), myoglobin (Mb) releasing kinetics of acute experimental pulmonary embolism of pigs.

Methods: Sixteen juvenile pigs, of either gender and weighing 30 to 40 kg were studied, 8 in the embolism group and 8 in the control group. The 8 embolism animals received 0.