Versatile polyvinylidene fluoride hybrid ultrafiltration membranes with superior antifouling, antibacterial and self-cleaning properties for water treatment.

Novel ultrafiltration membranes with both superior antibacterial and self-cleaning properties were fabricated. By using a non-solvent induced phase separation method (NIPS), N-halamine epoxide and siloxane were grafted onto the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (N-Si-MWNTs) to fabricate polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hybrid membranes. The membrane morphology was observed under a field emission scanning electron microscopy.

Efficacy and Safety of Laser Surgery and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Treating Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: a Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Traditional meta-analyses or systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been used to compare laser surgeries and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP), but they cannot provide a hierarchy regarding efficacy and safety of treatment.

Objective: We therefore performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare and create hierarchies for efficacy and safety of TUPR and laser surgeries for BPH.

Materials And Methods: We searched for reports of RCTs published up to April 25, 2015.

[Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on expression of phospholamban and intracellular calcium in cardiomyocytes].

Objective: To explore the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) on the expression of phospholamban (PLB) and sarco (endo) plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a) and concentration of intracellular free calcium in myocardiocytes.

Methods: The neonatal rat myocardiocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups: treatment with different concentrations of TNFalpha (1,10,30,50,and 70 microg/L, respectively) and without TNFalpha (control). The mRNA and protein expression of PLB and SERCA2a were detected with one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

Combined effects of ramipril and angiotensin II receptor blocker TCV116 on rat congestive heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is the cornerstone in its treatment. However, CHF continues to progress despite this therapy, perhaps because of production of angiotensin II (Ang II) by alternative pathways. The present study was conducted to examine the combined effects of a chronic ACEI, ramipril, and a chronic Ang II type 1 receptor blocker, TCV116, on rat CHF after myocardial infarction (MI).

Early association of electrocardiogram alteration with infarct size and cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

Objective: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the main cause of heart failure, but the relationship between the extent of MI and cardiac function has not been clearly determined. The present study was undertaken to investigate early changes in the electrocardiogram associated with infarct size and cardiac function after MI.

Methods: MI was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats.

[Effect of tongxinluo capsule on function of vascular endothelium in patients with unstable angina pectoris].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Tongxinluo (TXL) Capsule on function of vascular endothelium in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

Methods: Forty-six UAP patients were randomly divided into two group, the 28 patients in the treated group treated by conventional therapy plus TXL and the 18 patients in the control group treated by conventional therapy alone. Changes of blood levels of endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), Von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble vascular cell adhesive molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intracellular adhesive molecule-1 (sICAM-1) from before treatment to after two months of treatment were observed, and the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in brachial artery was detected at the same time using ultrasonography.

[Protective effect of trimetazidine on rabbit myocardium during ischemia- reperfusion].

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of trimetazidine on rabbit myocardium in ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: Fourty rabbits were divided into five groups randomly: normal control group, ischemia control group, ischemia and drug intervention group, reperfusion control group, reperfusion and drug intervention group. Ischemia lasted for 30 minutes and reperfusion was given for 30 minutes.

[Experimental study on the relationship between insulin and hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the association between insulin and hypertension.

Methods: Twenty spontaneously hypertension rats(SHR) and twenty Wistar-Kyoto rats(WKY) were randomly divided into two groups control group and insulin injection group. Systolic blood pressure(SBP),pulse rate(P), fasting blood sugar(FBS), fasting serum insulin(FINS) and insulin sensitivity index(ISI) were observed or calculated before and at the 60th day of the experiment.

[Angiotensin II increases the expression of lectin-like oxidize low-density lipoprotein receptor- 1 in cultured human umbilical vein endothlial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe whether angiotensin II (AngII) influences expression of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) in cultured human umbilical vein endothlial cells(HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were incubated with 10(-5)mol/L approximate, equals 10(-10) mol/L AngII for 24 h or with 10(-6) mol/L AngII for various time up to 48 h. Then HUVECs LOX-1 protein expression was measured by endothlial cell enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA level of LOX-1 was detected by quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

[intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and CD11a/CD18 expression in coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1) and CD11a/CD18 in coronary heart disease(CHD). METHODS: The sICAM-1 and CD11a/CD18 levels were measured by ELISA and flow cytlemetry in 76 CHD patients and 65 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The level of sICAM-1 and CD11a/CD18 were significantly higher in CHD patients than healthy subjects [SICAM-1(g/L):263.