Objective The stimulating factors and etiology of myocyte hypertrophy are not yet clear.We aim to investigate the mechanisms of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)-induced H9C2 myocyte hypertrophy in rats by activating the extracellular signal regulating kinase ( ERK1/2) signaling pathway. Methods Rat H9C2 myocytes were cultured, the model of BMP4-induced H9C2 myocyte hypertrophy was established, and the cells were randomly di-vided into control A, BMP4 A, and angiotensinⅡ( AngⅡ) groups to be treated for 48 hours.The changes in the expression of ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation were observed at 0, 10, 30, 60, and 120 min after treated with BMP4 at the concentration of 50 μg/L and at 30 min after treated with BMP4 at 0, 10, 50, and 100 μg/L.The changes of the H9C2 myocytes were also observed after blocking the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.The cells were divided into control B, BMP4 B, BMP4+PD98059, and PD98059 groups to be cultured with 50μg/L BMP4 for another 48 hours after 30 min blockage with PD98059 at 50 ×10 -6 mol/L.The size and area of the cells were measured by inverted microscopy and image J Software, their total protein content detected by BCA, and the expressions of p-ERK1/2 and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) determined by Western blot. Results Compared with control A, the BMP4 A, and AngⅡ groups showed markedly larger cell areas ([649.74 ±2.03] vs [744.85 ±1.31] and [748.39 ±1.54] μm2), higher protein contents ([243.18 ±3.69] vs [340.09 ±2.14] and [347.43 ± 3.30] pg/cell), and higher expressions of the BNP protein ([0.72 ±0.44] vs [0.96 ±0.55] and [1.07 ±0.55]/GAPDH), with statistically significant differences between any two groups (P>0.05).After BMP4 intervention, the expression of p-ERK1/2 manifes-ted a time-dependent trend of first going up and then coming down, reaching the peak at 30 min, with the ERK1/2 protein phosphoryl-ation significantly higher at 30 min than at 10 min (P>0.05), especially than at 0, 60, and 120 min (P>0.01).The level of p-ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation in the mytocytes was elevated with the increased concentration of BMP4, remarkably higher at 50μg/L than at 0 and 10μg/L, but lower than at 100μg/L ( P>0.01) .The cell area, protein content, and BNP protein expression of the H9C2 myocytes were significantly lower in the BMP4+PD98059 group ([650.49 ±1.28] μm2, [244.06 ±3.48] pg/cell, and [0.55 ±0.15]/GAPDH) than in the BMP4 B group ([746.04 ±1.45] μm2, [343.57 ±4.11] pg/cell, and [0.79 ±0.55]/GAPDH) (P>0.01). Conclusion BMP4 may induce hypertrophy of rat H9C2 myocytes by activating the ERK1/2 signaling path-way.Early blocking of ERK1/2 activation may contribute to the management of myocardial hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for the improvement of Pharmaceutical Equipment & Workshop Design teach-ing. METHODS:Task-driven teaching was adopted,CIDO engineering educational model was referred to,task was designed from the conception to run with task-based;theoretical and teaching exploration and practice was carried out by cross-learning of individ-uals and groups,applying of pilotscale experiment platform,developing course design and forming evaluation. RESULTS & CON-CLUSIONS:It changed the traditional teaching method that emphasized on class teaching to make students participate in multi-task learning,so that students can better grasp the equipment selection,understanding and application of workshop design in pharmaceu-tical process. The method gives full play to students' initiative and creativity and it is conducive to students’comprehensive ability for adapting the development of pharmaceutical industry.

The combination of Angelicae sinensis Radix (Danggui, DG) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi, HQ) is a popular herb pair commonly used in clinic for the treatment of blood deficiency syndrome in China. The aim of this paper is to study the interaction of DG and HQ nourishing and tonifying blood effects by response surface method. The blood deficiency mice were induced by injecting N-acetylphenylhydrazine (sc) and cyclophosphamide (ip). The blood deficiency mice were administrated intragastrically with DG-HQ extracts (0:1, 1: 5, 2:5, 2:3, 1:1, 3:2, 5:2, 5:1, 1:0). The changes of the peripheral blood indexes and organ indexes were observed. The indexes were integrated by comprehensive index method; the interactions of DG and HQ were analyzed by the response surface diagram established with Matlab software. The results showed that DG and HQ at most of their combination ratios had synergic effect. Within the range of 1:5 - 5:1, all of the extracts of DG-HQ showed synergic effect, and among which, high-doses had better effects than low-doses. The highest value (-1) of the synergic effect was showed when DG was 10 - 40 g at the same time of HQ as 90 -180 g, and DG was 50 - 100 g at the same time of HQ as 20 - 100 g. DG-HQ at all combination dosages within Chinese Pharmacopeia (DG: 6 - 12 g, HQ: 9 - 30 g) had certain synergic effect, and Danggui Buxue Decoction (DG: 6 g, HQ: 30 g) also was at this range. The results provided scientific basis to the clinical application of DG and HQ. And the response surface method was firstly applied to quantitatively evaluate the bio-activity change of herb combination, which provided a novel way for modern basic research on the interaction of herbs.

For effective inhalable dry-powder drug delivery, tetrandrine-PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) nanocomposite particles have been developed to overcome the disadvantages of nanoparticles and microparticles. The primary nanoparticles were prepared by using premix membrane emulsification method. To prepare second particles, they were spray dried. The final particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dry laser particle size analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared analysis (IR) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The average size of the primary particles was (337.5 ± 6.2) nm, while that second particles was (3.675 ± 0.16) μm which can be decomposed into primary nanoparticles in water. And the second particles were solid sphere-like with the drug dispersed as armorphous form in them. It is a reference for components delivery to lung in a new form.

OBJECTIVETo establish the techniques for the purification of Huanglian Jiedu decoction by macroporous resins combinations, and to lay the foundation of improvement of dosage forms in clinical application and realization of industrialized production about Huanglian Jiedu decoction.

METHODFour kinds of macroporous resins (X-5, S-8, HPD100, AB-8) were chosen and combined in six different forms. Adsorption and desorption experiments were carried out and contents of six index constituents, gardenoside, baicalin, palmatine, berberine, baicalein and wogonin, in different groups were compared before and after purification.

RESULTAdsorption rates of six index constituents in Huanglian Jiedu decoction of different combinations of macroporous resins groups were all nearly 100%, but desorption rates had remarkable differences.

CONCLUSIONThrough comprehensive comparison, macroporous resins combination 6 resulted in high contents of index suitable relatively. It is suitable for purification of Huanglian Jiedu decoction.

Adsorption ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of sustaining the viable status of a liver graft in at least 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

METHODSEight extracorporeal porcine liver perfusions using autologous blood were performed, each for 96 h with hepatectomy, cold preservation, cannulation of vessels, and initiation of perfusion with normothermic oxygenated porcine blood. The graft viability was assessed by metabolic, synthetic, hemodynamic, and histologic parameters.

RESULTSAfter 96 h of normothermic, extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood, the isolated livers maintained normal physiological levels of pH and electrolytes with sustained hepatic protein synthesis (complement and factor V) throughout the perfusion. Hemodynamic parameters maintained normal physiological ranges. Histological inspection demonstrated good preservation of the liver with a good architectural integrity.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to sustain the viable status of a liver graft within 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

Animals ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Organ Preservation ; Organ Preservation Solutions ; Swine

Bronchiectasis is a complex and heterogeneous group of diseases with their own characteristics in terms of etiology, symptoms, infections and inflammation, among which infections are both the most common cause of bronchiectasis and the most important factor contributing to the progression of the disease and affecting the prognosis. The current paper will focus on the characterization, diagnosis and treatment of pathogenic bacteria in bronchiectasis.