In recent decades, the mortality and morbidity of diabetes have increased such that it is becoming a major worldwide public health problem. Intensive blood glucose control could significantly raise the patients life and their survival quality nevertheless it develops hypoglycaemia. Repeated hypoglycemia leads to glucose conterregulate deficiencyand hamper reaching glucose target goals. Astragalus, a traditional Chinese herb used in diabetic therapy for thousands years, has also proven its glucose counterregulationeffect on preventing hypoglycemia. Here, we summarize its glycemic regulation mechanism in different extracts. It is projected that the efficacy and safety of astragalus extracts will be proven in clinical trials and animal experiments in future, and this herb extract might be known as a new class of anti-diabetic drug without hypolycemia danger.

ObjectiveA general experiment platform of electrical impedance tomography(EIT) based on field programmable gate array(FPGA) was designed to meet the requirements of EIT digital measurement.A digital current source and the research on digital demodulation method was completed.MethodsFor construction of the experiment platform,DDS module,D/A and A/D interface module,digital demodulation module and RS-232 communication module were all integrated in one FPGA chip.ResultsThe source can provide multi-frequency excitation signals of 2 mA in the range of 6.1-390.6 kHz.The output impedance of the source was higher than 190 kΩ.Both the real and the virtual information of measured impedance could be extracted.ConclusionMeasurements based on bioimpedance-equivalent circuit model verified the validity of the platform.The research results of this paper provides a foundation for the construction of a practical EIT system.

Objective To study the influence of laparoscopic gastric surgery on the gut barrier function (GBF).Methods There were 64 gastric cancer patients undergoing respectively laparoscopic radical procedures (32 cases) and open gastric surgery (32 cases).Blood was drawn on day one before surgery,day 1,day 3 and day 7 after the surgery for the measurement of plasma D-lacate and plasma diamine oxidase activity by using ultraviolet spectrophotometry.Results There was no statistical difference among demographic,clinicopathological characterastics between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The difference on the operative time,blood loss and the time starting to take food after the surgery was significant between the two groups,P ＜ 0.05.The differences of plasma D-lacate level and the diamine oxidase (DAO) on perioperatively respective all time points were not significant between the two groups,P ＞ 0.05.Conclusion Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy is comparable to open procedures in causing damage to patient's gut barrier functions.

Objective To establish human choriocarcinoma JeG-3 cell line resistant to floxuridine (FUDR)and describe the characteristics of this FUDR-resistant subline.The thymidylate synthase (TS) expression level in FUDR-resistant subline was also discussed.Methods The FUDR-resistant sub-line JeG-3/FUDRA was established by intermitted exposure to grads increased FUDR.Reversed microscope was used to observe the morphological changes in FUDR-resistant sub-line.Population doubling time was calculated and compared based on the growth curve of these two cell lines,cell cycles and chromosomal ploidy were assayed with flow cytometry methods.The chemo-luminescence assay was used to detect the hormone secretion by two kinds of cell lines.The resistant index (RI) was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8)assay.Quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression level of TS and we also detected the TS mRNA expression level in different doses exposed subline.Results The RI of JeG-3/FUDRA was 31.62.Compared with the JeG-3 cell,the FUDR-resistant cell line had gross changes in morphological,cell growth,cell cycles and chromosomal numbers.The ability of human chorionic gonadotrop(hCG) and progesterone secretion was lower in JeG-3/FUDRA subline.The trend of TS mRNA expression was:while exposed to low concentration of FUDR,the TS mRNA expression level was downregulated,then followed the increasing dose of the drug,the expression level of TS mRNA ascended gradually.When the terminal concentration was reached,the expression level of TS mRNA in JeG-3/FUDRA subline was higher than that of JeG-3 cell line (P＜0.05).Conclusions We established the FUDR-resistant subline of JeG-3 successfully.The TS mRNA expression level is stage-related to the different concentration and different phase in FUDR exposure.Our data suggested that TS mRNA expression level may not be used as a biomarker to predict the chemosensitivity in FUDR-based chemotherapy.

Objective To investigate the adverse effects of nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2 )on kidney tissues in healthy rats and rats with oxidative stress (OS).Methods Thirty-six healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, alloxan-treated group, nano-TiO2 treated (NM) group, and alloxan and nano-TiO2 dual treatment (OS-NM)group.Nano-TiO2 of three concentrations (0.5,5 and 50 mg/kg body weight)was injected intraperitoneally.The level of OS biochemical factors and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)and pathological changes of kidney were determined.Results Compared with those in NM and OS groups,the levels of O2 -· and superoxide dismutase (SOD)in OS-NM group were significantly increased after exposure to nano-TiO2 of 5 mg/kg body weight (P <0.05).Nano-TiO2 of 50 mg/kg body weight led to significant changes of O2 -·,SOD,and glutathione (GSH) levels in OS-NM group in comparison with OS and NM groups (P <0.01).The levels of O2 -· and GSH between OS group and NM group changed significantly (P < 0.05 ).Compared with healthy rats,OS rats showed significant increased BUN level (P <0.01),cell number and edema of renal tubular epithelial cells after nano-TiO2 exposure.A synergic effect between OS condition and nano-TiO2 level was shown on the increased level of O2 -·.Conclusion Nano-TiO2 induced more adverse effects on the kidney in OS rats,suggesting a synergistic effect between nano-TiO2 and OS.This result provides experimental evidence for patients’safe use of nano-TiO2 .

Background:The pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia(FD)is complicated and unclarified yet. Gastrointestinal hormone dysfunction may contribute to the development of FD. Aims:To investigate the correlation of different subtypes of FD with gastrointestinal hormone motilin(MTL),neuropeptide Y(NPY)and leptin(LEP). Methods:A total of 57 FD patients fulfilling Rome Ⅲ criteria were recruited and divided into epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)group(n = 24)and postprandial distress syndrome( PDS) group( n = 33 ). Ten healthy volunteers were served as controls. Fast and postprandial levels of MTL,NPY and LEP in peripheral blood were detected by radioimmunoassay. Results:Peripheral levels of fast MTL in EPS and PDS groups[(182. 90 ± 108. 57)pg/ mL and(145. 21 ± 67. 18)pg/ mL vs.(224. 47 ± 64. 55)pg/ mL,P < 0. 05],fast NPY in EPS group[(57. 40 ± 28. 75)pg/ mL vs.(90. 75 ± 49. 57)pg/ mL,P < 0. 01], and fast and postprandial NPY in PDS group[fast level:(38. 25 ± 20. 66)pg/ mL vs. (90. 75 ± 49. 57)pg/ mL,P <0. 01;postprandial level:(30. 26 ± 15. 12)pg/ mL vs.(65. 23 ± 54. 42)pg/ mL,P < 0. 01]were significantly lower than those in control group at same time points,especially the PDS group. Fast and postprandial levels of NPY were significantly lower in PDS group than in EPS group at same time points( P < 0. 05). No significant differences were observed in peripheral LEP levels among the three groups at any time points(P > 0. 05). Conclusions:The pathogenic mechanism of FD is related to the level of gastrointestinal hormones,and is different in EPS and PDS subtypes. Reduced MTL and NPY levels might be involved in the pathogenesis of PDS.

BACKGROUND:Conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cels (MSC-CM) that contains abundant MSCs paracrine substances may represent a promising alternative to MSCs transplantation. However, normal MSC-CM with insufficient paracrine ability is not effective for tissue damage repair. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of MSC-CM with (MSC-CMHyp) and without hypoxic activation (MSC-CMNor) on the proliferation and apoptosis of radiation-induced injured intestinal epithelial cels (IEC-6) and to further discuss the paracrine mechanisms. METHODS: IEC-6 cels were exposed to 10 Gy irradiation and cultured in MSC-CMHyp, MSC-CMNor, and DMEM-F12 medium, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Findings from trypan blue staining, flow cytometry and western blot assay showed that, compared with the DMEM-F12 medium group, treatment with MSC-CMHyp significantly enhanced IEC-6 viability proliferation after radiation-induced injury, as wel as significantly decreased cel apoptosis and expression of Caspases-3/8 (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the MSC-CMNor group and DMEM-F12 medium group (P > 0.05). On the other hand, the increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and interleukin-10 were detected in the MSC-CMHyp group compared to the MSC-CMNor group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the MSC-CMHyp improves the viability and proliferative capacity of IEC-6 cels after radiation-induced injuryvia up-regulating secretion of cytokines and down-regulating apoptotic signaling.

Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a special type of cerebrovascular disease characterized by cerebral venous return disturbance with increased intracranial pressure due to variety of causes. CVST accounts for 0. 5% ~ 1% in al the cerebrovascular diseases. The early diagnosis and treatment of CVST have a significant impact on the prognosis of the patients. This article reviews the advances in the treatment of CVST.

Objective To clarify the cellular localization of triptolide and to explore its in-cell action sites.Methods 4-(Bro-momethyl)-7-methoxycoumarin was employed to label triptolide,then labelled triptolide was incubated with human hepatoma carci-noma cells.Subsequently,incubated cells were subjected to stain with fluorescent dye DiI or PI,which were specific to cytoplasmic membrane system and nucleus,respectively.Results Compared with the non-triptolide control,coumarin labelled triptolide shown a light blue fluorescence under UV excitation;Co-localization with DiI showed that triptolide exist in cytoplasm and(or)on cell mem-brane;Co-localization with PI showed that triptolide located in cell nucleus.Moreover,microscopic observation indicated that the fluorescence intensity in nucleus was denser than that in cytoplasm.Conclusion The presnt study demonstrate that triptolide main-ly act in nucleus,followed by acting in cytoplasm and(or)on cell membrane.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between galectin-3 (Gal-3) and myocardial fibrosis, and to clarify the role of Gal-3 in ventricular remodeling in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency.METHODS: A rabbit model of ischemic cardiac insufficiency was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.The 20 rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation group and cardiac insufficiency group by random number table method.After 4 weeks of coronary artery ligation, the cardiac function was measured by cardiac echocardiogram.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium.The serum Gal-3 contents were measured by ELISA.HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the degree of fibrosis development in myocardial tissues after infarction.RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, the mRNA expression of Gal-3 in cardiac insufficiency group was significantly increased.At the same time, type I collagen, type III collagen and collagen type I/III ratio were also increased significantly.The protein contents of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen were increased significantly.The serum Gal-3 levels were significantly increased.The pathological changes were observed in cardiac insufficiency group as the myocardial cell morphological disorder and marked hyperplasia of fibrous tissue were seen.CONCLUSION: Gal-3 aggravates myocardial fibrosis in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency, and promotes the ventricular remodeling and the occurrence of heart failure.