Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by ventricular dilatation, and it is a common cause of heart failure and cardiac transplantation. This study aimed to explore potential DCM-related genes and their underlying regulatory mechanism using methods of bioinformatics. The gene expression profiles of GSE3586 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 15 normal samples and 13 DCM samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between normal and DCM samples using Limma package in R language. Pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs was then performed. Meanwhile, the potential transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) of these DEGs were predicted based on their binding sequences. In addition, DEGs were mapped to the cMap database to find the potential small molecule drugs. A total of 4777 genes were identified as DEGs by comparing gene expression profiles between DCM and control samples. DEGs were significantly enriched in 26 pathways, such as lymphocyte TarBase pathway and androgen receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, potential TFs (SP1, LEF1, and NFAT) were identified, as well as potential miRNAs (miR-9, miR-200 family, and miR-30 family). Additionally, small molecules like isoflupredone and trihexyphenidyl were found to be potential therapeutic drugs for DCM. The identified DEGs (PRSS12 and FOXG1), potential TFs, as well as potential miRNAs, might be involved in DCM.

Objective: We aimed to explore the effect of Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on loss of renal function and cyst progression compared to rapamycin in Han: SPRD rats. We also sought to assess whether the effect of combination therapy of MMF plus rapamycin was better than that of monotherapy. Methods: Sixty heterozygous (Cy/+) and littermate control (+/+) male Han: SPRD rats were weaned at 4 weeks of age, then divided into four groups randomly to receive different treatments by intragastric administration for 2 months: vehicle-treated group as control, MMF-treated group (20mg/kg/day), rapamycin-treated group (2mg/kg/day), and MMF+Rapa- treated group (MMF 20mg/kg/day plus Rapamycin 2mg/kg/day). Resulls: After 2 months of treatment, rapamycin caused a 22 % decrease in body weight in comparison to the control group, whereas MMF had no significant effect on weight gain. The steady increase of BUN in Cy/+ rats was reduced by 15% in MMF-treated Cy/+ rats. However, rapamycin and combination therapy reduced BUN by 42% and 43%, respectively. CCr was 0.93±0.11ml/min in vehicle-treated Cy/+ rats, 1.67±0.23 ml/min in MMF-treated Cy/+ rats (P<0.05), 1.72±0.44 ml/min and 1.83±0.21 ml/min in rapamycin- and MMF+Rapa-treated Cy/+ rats, respectively (.P<0.01). Cyst volume density was 57.1 % in vehicle-treated Cy/+ rats, 45.2% in MMF-treated Cy/+ rats (P<0.05), 32.9% and 37.7% in rapamycin- and MMF+Rapa-treated Cy/+ rats, respectively (P<0.01). MMF markedly ameliorated interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Rapamycin showed a similar effect on interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, but to a lesser degree. Conclusion : MMF is more tolerable than rapamycin and can retard deterioration of renal function in Han: SPRD rats, though its effect is weaker than that of rapamycin. Combination therapy does not exert more favorable effect than monotherapy.

Foi desenvolvido um método altamente sensível, seletivo e rápido para a determinação de mercúrio, a partir da reação rápida de mercúrio(II) com 5-(p-aminobenzilideno)-tiorodanina (ABTR) e posterior extração em fase sólida do quelato colorido, utilizando discos C18. Em pH 3,5 e na presença do emulsificante-OP, ABTR reage com mercúrio(II) para formar um quelato vermelho na razão molar 1:2 (mercúrio:ABTR). O quelato foi enriquecido pela extração em fase sólida com discos C18 e o quelato retido, eluído com dimethyl formamida (DMF). Um fator de enriquecimento na ordem de 50 foi obtido. Em DMF, a absortividade molar do quelato é 1,21<FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT>10(5) L mol-1 cm-1 a 545 nm, e a lei de Beer é obedecida no intervalo 0,01~3 µg mL-1 na solução medida. O desvio padrão relativo para onze replicatas a 0,01 µg mL-1 é 1,7%. Este método foi aplicado para a determinação de mercúrio em tabaco e aditivos de tabaco. Bom coeficiente de preconcentração foi encontrado, comparando-se o método proposto com outros similares.

A highly sensitive, selective and rapid method for the determination of mercury based on the rapid reaction of mercury(II) with 5-(p-aminobenzylidene)-thiorhodanine (ABTR) and the solid phase extraction of the colored chelate with C18 disks has been developed. At pH 3.5 and in the presence of emulsifier-OP medium, ABTR reacts with mercury(II) to form a red chelate of a 1:2 (mercury to ABTR) molar ratio. This chelate was enriched by solid phase extraction with C18 disks and the retained chelate eluted form the disks with dimethyl formamide (DMF). An enrichment factor of 50 was achieved. In the DMF medium, the molar absorptivity of the chelate is 1.21<FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT>10(5) L mol-1 cm-1 at 545 nm, and Beer's law is obeyed in the 0.01~3 µg mL-1 range in the measured solution. The relative standard deviation for eleven sample replicate measurements at the 0.01 µg mL-1 level is 1.7%. This method was applied to the determination of mercury in tobacco and tobacco additives and good preconcentration was found between proposed and comparative methods results.