AIM: To investigate the effects of three extracts of Fufang Dihuang decoction on the relaxation of mesentery artery in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetic rat model was induced by i.p injection STZ at a dosage of 60 mg?kg~ -1 . 30 d later, 95% ethanol, 70% ethanol or water extract of Radix Rehmanniae was p.o administrated for 30 d at the dosage of 107.8 , 154.7 and 56.8 mg?kg~ -1 , respectively. On the 60th day, the responses of mesentery artery were determined in the absence or presence of L-argine (L-Arg), N-Nitro-L-argine (NLA) and Indomethacin (Ind). RESULTS: The relaxation of mesentery artery of diabetic rat was diminished compared with the normal control. The basal release of NO and the L-argine-induced release of NO decreased 64.6 %, 77.6 % respectively in diabetic group compared with the normal control, with the decreased proportion of NO in the endothelium dependent relaxation. 95% and 70% ethanol extract of Fufang Dihuang decoction ameliorated the impaired release of NO in rat's mesentery artery. CONCLUSION: Abnormal relaxation of mesentery artery in diabetic rat may be due to the decreased releasing of NO. The extracts of Fufang Dihuang decoction can protect the endothelium cells and improve the relaxation of mesentery artery, among them 70% ethanol extract exert the best potency, followed by 95% ethanol extract. And the water extract has a poor effect.

AIM: To investigate the CPU86017 and its enantiomers inhibit abnormal gene expression of calcineurin and NFκB in rat cardiomyopathy induced by L-thyroxin and compare the effect of CPU86017 (racemate) with its 4 enantiomers: (7S, 13R), (7S, 13S), (7R,13S), and (7R,13R)-CPU86017 in this model. METHODS: The animals were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rat hypertrophied model was produced by treatment with L-thyroxin 0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1, sc for 10 d and treated with CPU86017 or its enantiomers 4 mg·kg-1·d-1, sc from d 6 to d 10. The changes in left ventricular (LV) weight index, redox system, and the NO and iNOS activity in the myocardium were investigated. The expression of mRNA of calcineurin、NF-κB in the left ventricle was measured. RESULTS: There were significant cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress in rats treated by L-thyroxin. The expression of calcineurin, NFκB mRNA were upregulated (P<0.05, compared with that of control). After treatment with CPU86017 (racemate and enantiomers), LV remodeling and the redox system were improved. CPU86017 and (7S,13R)-CPU86017 showed a better improvement on LV remodeling and the redox than the other isomers and restored the normal expression of calcineurin, NF-κB (P<0.05, P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: It suggested that an up-regulation of calcineurin and NFκB possibly related to the altered intracellular calcium handling system plays a role in the progression of L-thyroxin induced cardiomyopathy and CPU-86017 and its 7S,13R-CPU86017 enantiomer effectively inhibit the abnormal expression of calcineurin and NFκB genes, the NOS enzyme and oxidant stress in the cardiomyopathy.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of three-dimensional (3D) skeletal ultrasound mode imaging, 3D helical computer tomography (3D-HCT) and MRI in diagnosing lower limb skeletal malformations of fetal sirenomelia.MethodsSeven fetuses were suspected of sirenomelia with routine prenatal ultrasonography examination. Three-dimensional skeletal ultrasound mode imaging and MRI were used to conifrm the diagnosis, and the results were compared to those of pathology, 3D spiral CT or X-ray after termination. Five of them underwent chromosome examination including chorionic villus or umbilical cord biopsy.ResultsSix fetuses were singletons and one fetus was a conjoined twin. Three fetuses were male, while four fetuses were female. All fetuses with sirenomelia showed varying degrees of skeletal abnormalities: 1 case of typeⅢ, 2 cases of typeⅣ, 3 cases of typeⅤ and 1 case of typeⅥ. No foot was detected in one case and only single foot was detected in other 6 cases. In 7 cases, 3D skeletal ultrasound mode imaging could demonstrate all the lower limb skeletal malformations, including abnormal femur and tibioifbula, single foot or no feet. Prenatal MRI could demonstrate abnormal femur in 4 cases, abnormal tibioifbula in 1case, and no foot malformation. The results of 3D spiral CT after termination were consistent with X-ray and pathological examination results.ConclusionsAs a new imaging technology for detecting fetal skeletal malformations, prenatal 3D skeletal ultrasound mode imaging and postnatal 3D spiral CT both can display fetal bone clearly. They both have important clinical value in diagnosing lower limb skeletal malformations.

Objective To explore the pneumoperitoneum signs of neonates on the bedside abdominal lying film.Methods The pneumoperitoneum signs of 52 neonates on the bedside abdominal lying films were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among 52 neonates with pneumoperitoneum,2 cases had no perforation,and there were 50 cases of digestive tract perforation,with 22 cases of gastric perforation,17 cases of small intestinal perforation and 11 cases of large intestinal perforation.Congenital muscular defect of gastric wall and necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)were the most common causes of perforation.Forty-three cases with anteroposterior films all had pneumoperitoneum signs;and in 9 cases with anteroposterior and lateral films,6 cases with anteroposterior and lateral films all showed pneumoperitoneum signs,while 3 cases showed pneumoperitoneum signs only on lateral films.Pneumoperitoneum signs included 38 episodes of liver falciform ligament signs,37 episodes of football signs,22 episodes of Rigler signs,21 episodes of round liver ligament signs,10 episodes of liver area bright shadows,9 episodes of inverted"V"signs,6 episodes of scrotal gas,5 episodes of triangular signs,4 episodes of Cupola signs and 1 episodes of dolphin sign.Two or more signs were seen in 46 cases and three or more signs were seen in 31 cases.There was no statistically significant difference in the pneumoperitoneum signs except for scrotal gas among the three groups of gastric,small intestinal and large intestinal perforations(P>0.05).Conclusion Various signs such as liver falciform ligament signs,football signs,Rigler signs and round liver ligament signs can be seen on the bedside abdominal lying film for neonates pneumoperitoneum,and understanding the above signs is conducive to rapid and accurate diagnosis.

Objective:To establish the reference for serum metabolomics profiles among healthy Han adults in China, and explore the variation on metabolomics profiles by geographic regions, sex, and age.Methods:Cross-sectional data and serum samples were obtained from the China National Health Survey. A total of 1 039 male and 1 032 female healthy adults(≥30 years) were included in this study. Serum metabolomics analyses were conducted with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS). Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) was performed to compare the differences of metabolomics among different region, sex, and age.Results:Significant differences on metabolomics profiles were identified among region, sex, and age. A total of 114 region-related metabolites were spotted, including 53 metabolites that involved in human metabolic pathways, mainly peptides(20 metabolites) and glycerophospholipid metabolism-related(14 metabolites). Fifty-nine metabolites were pinned down to be sex-related, among which cotinine was significant in all 7 provinces. Age-related metabolites were only found in Shaanxi and Hainan, with 22 metabolites were recognized.Conclusion:Serum metabolomics varies by geographic regions, sex, and age. When metabolomics is applied for diagnosis or biomarker screening in various studies, it shall take into consideration of setting tailored references.