Capture of RNA-binding proteins across mouse tissues using HARD-AP.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) modulate all aspects of RNA metabolism, but a comprehensive picture of RBP expression across tissues is lacking. Here, we describe our development of the method we call HARD-AP that robustly retrieves RBPs and tightly associated RNA regulatory complexes from cultured cells and fresh tissues. We successfully use HARD-AP to establish a comprehensive atlas of RBPs across mouse primary organs.

Incomplete Kawasaki disease complicated with acute abdomen: A case report.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis characterized by unknown etiology.

Case Summary: A 4.5-year-old boy developed an acute abdomen during the onset of incomplete KD.

Disruption of Planar Cell Polarity Pathway Attributable to Valproic Acid-Induced Congenital Heart Disease through Hdac3 Participation in Mice.

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy has been proven to contribute to congenital heart disease (CHD). Our previous findings implied that disruption of planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes might be a factor for the cardiac teratogenesis of VPA. In addition, the teratogenic ability of VPA is positively correlated to its histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition activity.

Autoimmune-associated Congenital Heart Block: A New Insight in Fetal Life.

Objective: Congenital heart block (CHB) is a rare but life-threatening disorder. More than half of CHB cases are associated with maternal autoimmune, which are termed as autoimmune-associated CHB. This review summarized the recent research findings in understanding autoimmune-associated CHB, discussed the current diagnostic approaches and management strategies, and summarized the problems and future directions for this disorder.

[Changes in electrocardiographic parameters in children with complete left bundle branch block early after transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect].

Objective: To observe the changes in electrocardiographic parameters in children with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) after the transcatheter closure of simple ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Methods: A total of 21 children with CLBBB early after transcatheter closure of perimembranous VSD were recruited. Another 21 children without any type of arrhythmia after transcatheter closure of perimembranous VSD were enrolled as the control group.

Effect of Histone Deacetylase Inhibition on the Expression of Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein 2 in a Human Placental Trophoblast Cell Line.

Background: Placental multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), encoded by ABCC2 gene in human, plays a significant role in regulating drugs' transplacental transfer rates. Studies on placental MRP2 regulation could provide more therapeutic targets for individualized and safe pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. Currently, the roles of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating placental drug transporters are still unclear.

[Effect of histone acetylation/deacetylation imbalances on key gene of planar cell polarity pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effect of histone acetylation/deacetylation imbalances on embryonic hearts of mice and its effect on key genes of planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway-Vangl2, Scrib and Rac1 in H9C2 cells.

Methods: Forty pregnant C57/B6 mice were randomly assigned into three groups: blank group (n=10), vehicle group (n=10), and valproic acid (VPA)-treated group (n=20). In the VPA-treated group, VPA, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, was administered to each individual dam intraperitoneally at a single dose of 700 mg/kg on embryonic day 10.

Efficacy of prenatal diagnosis of major congenital heart disease on perinatal management and perioperative mortality: a meta-analysis.

Background: There is no consensus on the effectiveness of prenatal diagnosis except for hospitalized outcomes. Hence, a meta-analysis of published literature was conducted to assess the effect of prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: Literature review has identified relevant studies up to December 2013.

[Research advances on role of microRNAs in congenital heart diseases].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, which mainly regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional process. They are highly conserved, tissue-specific and highly specific in miRNA-binding on 3'-untranslated regions. MicroRNAs have been identified as crucial regulators in myocardial cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, migration of cardiac neural crest cells, cardiac morphogenesis and cardiac patterning processes, which may provide a new insight into the research on developmental mechanism of congenital heart diseases.

[Significance of Tp-Te interval for risk stratification of ventricular premature contractions in children].

Objective: To investigate the significance of Tp-Te interval for risk stratification of ventricular premature contractions (VPC) in children.

Methods: A total of 120 children with VPC were divided into benign VPC (n=40), organic disease (n=40) and ventricular parasystole groups (n=40) according to the etiology of VPC; another 40 children who underwent physical examination were selected as the normal control group. The four groups were compared in terms of Tp-Te intervals and Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V3, V4 and V5.

[Perinatal integrative intervention for critical pulmonary artery valve stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of different operation time to percutaneous balloon pulmonic valvuloplasty (PBPV) to critical pulmonary valve stenosis (CPS).

Method: Twenty-one infants (age ≤ 60 days at operating day) suffered from CPS, diagnosed by fetal echocardiogram and confirmed by echocardiography after birth, were enrolled in this case-control-study with written informed consent during April 2007 to December 2011. Of the 21 cases, 7 had prenatal diagnosis in our prenatal diagnosis center (prenatal group, Pre) and 14 were referred from other hospitals, who were divided into postpartum group A (Post A, referred within 28 days after birth) and postpartum group B (Post B, referred 29 to 60 days after birth).

[Risk factors for accelerated junctional escape rhythm in children early after percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure].

Objective: To identify the risk factors for accelerated junctional escape rhythm (AJER) in children early after percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure.

Methods: A retrospective controlled study was conducted on 42 children who had AJER within one week after percutaneous VSD closure between January 2008 and October 2012. These subjects were compared with controls without AJER after VSD closure in terms of age, sex, diameter of VSD, occluder size, difference between occluder size and diameter of VSD, and distance between VSD and aortic valve ring.

Role of notch signal in angiotensin II induced pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Objective: Notch signal is particularly important to vascular remodeling during the process of embryonic development, vessel repair and tumor growth, but there are few studies about pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension. This study was to explore the effect of inhibiting Notch signal on pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by angiotensin II.

Methods: Vessel strips taken from healthy Wistar rats were cocultured with extrogenous angiotensin II and the potent smooth muscle cell proliferation stimulators for 7 days.

[The influence of inhibiting notch signal on pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by PDGF].

Objective: To explore the influence of inhibiting Notch signal on pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by PDGF.

Methods: Vessel strips taken from healthy Wistar rats were cultured together with extrogenous PDGF, the potent smooth muscle cell proliferation stimulators, for 7 days. Some vessel strips were cultured with PDGF and gamma-secretase inhibitor DAPT, a Notch signaling inhibitor for 7 days.

Transplacental digoxin therapy for fetal atrial flutter with hydrops fetalis.

Background: Without timely treatment, fetal atrial flutter (AF) could result in congestive heart failure, hydrops fetalis and even fetal demise.

Methods: Prenatal echocardiography was used to confirm AF and assess fetal cardiac function with cardiovascular profile score. Transplacental digoxin therapy was adopted, and the patient was followed up for 10 months.

[Effect of inhibition of Notch signal on pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by angiotensin Ⅱ].

Objective: It is known that Notch signal is very important to vascular remodeling during the process of embryonic development, vessel repair and tumor growth, but there are few studies about pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension. This study was to explore the effect of inhibiting Notch signal on pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by angiotensin II.

Methods: Vessel strips taken from healthy Wistar rats were co-cultured with extrogenous angiotensin II and the potent smooth muscle cell proliferation stimulators for 7 days.

[Echocardiography diagnosis of fetal cardiac structural abnormalities].

Objective: To investigate the application of echocardiography diagnosis of fetal cardiac structural abnormalities.

Methods: The echocardiography findings of 9 352 fetus were studied.

Results: A total of 472 cases showed cardiac structural abnormalities, including 7 cases of ventricular septal defect, 53 cases of atrioventricular septal defect, 49 cases of atrial septal defect, 26 cases of tetralogy of Fallot, 21 cases of persistent truncus arteriosus, 20 cases of Ebstein's anomaly and 206 cases of other cardiac abnormalities.

[Effect of polycythemia on hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of polycythemia on hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats.

Methods: The healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normoxia control group (C group), hypoxia group (H group), hypoxia + different doses of human recombine hemopoietin (rEPO) group. All rats in hyoxia groups were exposed to hypoxia, 8 hours every day, for 21 days.

[Effect of doxycycline on the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by four methods in rats].

Objective: Based on establishment of four rat models of experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH), the authors examined the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by doxycycline and its effect on the development of PH and associated pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Method: Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 350 g to 400 g) were randomly divided into nine groups: Normal control group (N), four model groups (H, M, P, PM) and their corresponding drug intervention groups (HD, MD, PD, PMD) in which doxycycline was given by gavage at a 20 mg/kg daily dosage. On day 28 (day 35 for PM and PMD models), the animals were catheterized to record mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and then sacrificed.

[Changes of MMP-2,9 and TIMP-1 expressions in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension after captopril and losartan interventions].

Objective: To determine the effect of captopril and losartan on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2,9 (MMP-2,9) and metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and the mechanisms of captopril and losartan in intervening the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods: Forty male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups randomly: pulmonary arterial hypertension (created by pneumonectomy plus MCT injection) model group (PAH Model), PAH model treated with captopril [PAH+Cap 10 mg/(kg x d)], losartan group [PAH+Los 15 mg/(kg x d)] and normal control group(Control). The mPAP, weight ratio of RV to LV+S, neointima formation, relative thickness of small pulmonary arteries, and degree of muscularization of non-muscular arterioles were measured at day 35.

[Effect of resveratrol on myocardial fibrosis in mice with chronic viral myocarditis].

Objective: Some research has shown that resveratrol can ameliorate myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in mice with acute viral myocarditis (VMC), and can inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in vitro. This study was designed to investigate whether resveratrol has similar effects in the mouse model of chronic VMC.

Methods: One hundred mice were inoculated with 0.

[Expression of connective tissue growth factor and its down-regulation by simvastatin administration in pulmonary hypertensive rats].

Objective: To explore the role of expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pulmonary vascular remodeling of pulmonary hypertensive rats, and investigate the regulation of CTGF expression by simvastatin in this animal model.

Methods: Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats (350 to 400 g) were randomized to 7 groups. The rats in group PM(1 - 21) (n = 10) and PM(1 - 35) (n = 12) were treated with pneumonectomy + monocrotaline (MCT), and sacrificed at the 21st or 35th experimental day;those in groups PMS(1 - 35) (n = 12), PMS(21 - 35) (n = 12), PMV(1 - 35) (n = 12) and PMV(21 - 35) (n = 12) were given daily lavage of simvastatin (or vehicle) as intervention measure which began from the 1st and 21st experimental days, respectively; additional 10 rats were used as control without any intervention.