The present study is to investigate the protective actions of guggulsterone against the cytotoxicity produced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in PC12 cells. It was evaluated by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] reduction assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, and the release of nitric oxide (NO). ROS and Ca2+ in cells were evaluated by DCFH and Fura 2-AM, respectively. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by the retention of rhodamine 123 (Rh 123). Apoptosis and morphological alteration in PC12 cells were monitored with flow cytometry and electric microscope. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, was employed as a comparative agent. The results showed that preincubation of PC12 cells with guggulsterone (0.1-10 μmol·L-1) prevented cytotoxicity induced by H2O2. Extracellular accumulation of LDH, NO and intracellular accumulation of ROS, Ca2+ resulting from H2O2 were significantly reduced by guggulsterone. Incubation of cells with H2O2 caused a marked decrease in MMP, which was significantly inhibited by guggulsterone. The percentage of H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was 24.3%, and decreased in the presence of guggulsterone (0.1-10 μmol·L-1) by .8.4%, 15 .9%, 11.8%, respectively. Guggulsterone exhibited comparable potency against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in PC12 cells as that of vitamin E. The present findings showed that guggulsterone attenuated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, extracellular accumulation of LDH and NO, intracellular accumulation of ROS and Ca2+, loss of MMP, and apoptosis, which may represent the cellular mechanisms for its neuroprotective action.

Objective To evaluate the effect of early endoscopic treatment for patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis.Methods Ninety patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis were divided into three groups: Thirty patients underwent early endoscopic treatment(group A),30 patients underwent expectant treatment(group B) and 30 patients receive surgical treatment(group C),respectively.complications and safety were evaluated.Results The symptoms and signs disappeared in all 30 cases after early endoscopic treatment.All the 30 patients(100%) of endoscopic treatment(group A) were cured which significantly better than the other groups(group B 83.3% and group C 93.3%,respectively).Conclusions Early endoscopic treatment relieves the orifice obstruction of biliary and pancreatic ducts,decreases the pressure of biliary and pancreatic ducts,it is safe,mini-invasive and highly effective for the treatment of severe acute biliary pancreatitis.

Objective To evaluate the application of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of traumatic hemothorax. Methods We performed VATS in 60 cases of traumatic hemothorax with medium amount of bleeding or above from March 2000 to March 2004, including 12 cases accompanying the prodrome of shock and 6 cases associated with injuries of liver or spleen. Unilateral VATS was carried out in 48 cases, all of which were completed under thoracoscope except 3 cases of heart injuries were supplemented with mini-incision repair. Bilateral VATS was conducted in 6 cases and the combination of thoracoscopy with laparoscopy was required in 6 cases. Results The operation time was 45～175 min (mean, 105 min) and the postoperative hospital stay was 7～13 days (mean, 11 days). No complication occurred. Conclusions VATS in the management of traumatic hemothorax is safe, effective and minimally invasive, with a relatively short operation time and quick recovery.

Aim To study the effect of cyclosporin A and tetrand ri ne on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)of bovine brain capillary endothelial cell. M ethods The fluorescent dye, rhodamine-123 (Rh-123) was used to evaluate t he functional activity of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transport system in primary cultured bovine brain capillary endothelial cell (BCEC) monolayer. Results Rhodamine-123 accumulation was increased significantly in monola yer treated with the P-gp modifying agent, cyclosporin A and tetrandrine. Conclusion The observation suggests that this Rh-123 method is sens itive, stable to evaluate the function of P-gp of blood-brain barrier (BBB). R h-123 accumulation is also increased by tetrandrine in dose-dependent manner.

Objective:To probe the effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on the mitochondrial protein expression in fetal mouse cerebrum. Methods:Pregnant CD-1 mice were given 5.0 g/kg ethanol intragastrically from pregnant days (PD) 6-15. Fetal cerebral mitochondria were isolated on PD 18. The overall mitochondrial protein was applied to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed protein spots were cut off and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Activities of respiratory chain complex Ⅳ(72.3%?4.6% of control)and ATP synthase, and ATP content in the fetal cerebral cells were measured. Results:Expressions of some constructional and functional proteins were altered by in utero ethanol exposure. Activities of respiratory chain complex Ⅳ and ATP synthase (80.3%?5.1% of control)were both decreased. ATP content (67.9%?3.9% of control) in the cerebral cells was reduced in the in utero ethanol exposure fetuses. Conclusion:In utero ethanol exposure affects the mitochondrial protein expression of fetal mouse cerebrum, even in the tissue without obvious morphological malformations, which may be a possible mechanism of behavioral defects found in children with prenatal ethanol exposure.

Objective To observe clinical effects of fleabane injection treating patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Methods One hundred and sixty cases with UAP were randomly recruited into two groups: a control group (including 80 patients) received Asprin and Nitrate medication, and a treatment group(including 80 patients) received fleabane injection (20 mg/d, ivdrip) on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for two weeks. Results Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significantly better clinical effects and electrocardiograph. Conclusion Fleabane injection has obvious clinical effects for treating patients with UAP.

The progression of immunotherapy in Alzheimers disease was summarized,including active and passive immunotherapy. The therapeutic effect and side effects were indicated. The model of action and strategies for solution of side effects were analyzed.

Objective To evaluate the safety of simultaneous transurethral green laser vaporization therapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and nonmuscle-invasive bladder transitional cell carcinoma (NMIBT).Methods The clinical data of 27 patients (observation group) who had undergone simultaneous transurethral green laser vaporization therapy in BPH and NMIBT between May 2004 and October 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.Meanwhile 27 patients(control group) only had undergone green laser vaporization therapy in NMIBT during the same period were selected.Clinicopathologic parameters,rate of recurrence and progression,rate of recurrence in the bladder neck and prostatic urethra were determined and compared.Results The time of follow-up in observation group and control group were (28.61 ± 19.53) and (30.20 ± 21.46) months.The rates of recurrence,progression and recurrence in the bladder neck and prostatic urethra between observation group and control group had no significant differences [ 18.5％ (5/27) vs.25.9％ (7/27),3.7％ (1/27) vs.0,0 vs.0] (P ＞0.05).Conclusion Simultaneous transurethral green laser vaporization of NMIBT and BPH can be safely performed without increasing the risk of tumor recurrence in the prostatic urethra.

Objective To study the effect of antivirus therapy of HBV reinfection and YMDD mutation after liver transplantation. Methods Fifteen of 317 patients with HBV-related end-stage liver diseases received lamivudine ( LAM ) monothereapy, others received combination low-dose hepatitis B immune globulin( HBIG) and LAM (or adefovir dipivoxil, ADV) therapy, as prophylaxis against HBV reinfection after OLT. Hepatitis serum markers, HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAb-IgM, and HBcAg were detected every 2 weeks by immunohistochemistry. Serum HBV DNA was examined by PCR every 2 weeks. HBsAg and HBcAg in the liver specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry. YMDD mutation was detected by PCR in those patients with recurrence of positive HBV DNA posttransplantation. Results In LAM monotherapy group, 4 developed HBV reinfection out of 15 patients with pretreatment positve HBV DNA. Sixteen of 302 patients with combination HBIG and LAM therapy suffered from posttransplant HBV reinfection, the difference between the two groups was significant (26.7% vs. 5. 30% ,P

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of UPA and MMP-9 in gastric carcinoma and their correlation with histological type, growth-type, differentiation, vessel invasion, metastasis and prognosis. MethodsIn situ hybridization was used to detect the mRNA expression of UPA and MMP-9. ResultsIn situ hybridization revealed that among 105 cases, the positive rates of UPA mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA were both 58.1%. There was no significant relationship between UPA mRNA and histological type( r _ s = 0.123, P =0.210)and differentiation ( r _ s =0.102, P =0.298)of the tumor. However, there was a significant difference between growth-type( r _ s =0.344, P =0.001),tumor invasion depth( r _ s =0.296, P =0.002),vessel invasion( r _ s =0.198, P =0.042),lymph node( r _ s =0.332, P =0.001)and distant metastasis( r _ s =0.530, P =0.001);there was no significant relationship between MMP-9 mRNA staining and histological type( r _ s =0.143, P =0.145)and differentiation( r _ s =0.102, P =0.298)of the tumor. However, there was a statistically significant difference between growth-type( r _ s =0.267, P =0.006),tumor invasion depth ( r _ s =0.335, P =0.001)、vessel invasion( r _ s =0.209, P =0.032),lymph node( r _ s =0.343, P =0.001)and distant metastasis( r _ s =0.468, P =0.001);There was a positive relationship between UPA mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA expression( r _ s =0.237, P =0.015). The mean survival time in cases with positive UPA mRNA and MMP-9 mRNA expression were significantly shorter than that of cases with negative expression. ConclusionThe mRNA expression of UPA and MMP-9 can predict the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma, They can be used as markers of prognosis of gastric carcinoma in clinical practice.