Objective Our purpose was to report Initial clinical application experience and assess the immediate and short-term effect of transcatheter closure secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) using Amplatzer atrial septal ocluder.Methods Procedures were perfomed under fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography monitoring. Nine patients (3 male, 6 female) underwent attempted transcatheter closure of a ASD using the Amplatzer atrial septal ocluder device with 10F, 11F or 12F long sheath at a mediant age of 33.0?5.2 years (range 8 to 52 years) and weighed 22 kg or more. Other congenital cardiac anomanies which require surgery were excluded. The mediant diameter of ASD at its narrowest segement were mensureted with the balloon catheters was 23.3?6.2 mm (ranger 11 to 30 mm). Systolic pressures of pulmonary arteries were 24.4?5.5 mm Hg (24-46 mm Hg) with catheterization mensuration. After the procedure, TEE were perfomed immediately to find whether there any residual shunt retained. Follow-up evaluation was color flow mapping at 24 h, 1, 3 and 6-months after closure. Results Nine patients had successful device placement. Transesophageal echocardiography showed that 8 patients had complete immediate closure and one had a small residual shunt after the operation, and could get up in the next day. The complication of cerebral throumbus embolism occurred in one woman patient during the procedure. She accepted immediately thrombolysis therapy with urokinase and recovered after several days. Conclusion Transcatheter closure of secondum ASD using Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device is an effctive nonsurgical therapy method. The operation has specialities of simple, safe with a high succes rate of placement and a fine occlusion effect. Further clinical trias are underway.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents and activities of Linum usitatissimum L.aboveground. Meth-ods The chemical constituents were separated through silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20,and semi-preparative RP-HPLC chroma-tography and identified by optical rotation and spectroscopic analysis. All of the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities by the luciferase assay. Results Eight dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans were separated from L. usitatissimum and identified as(-)-hinoki-nin(1),(-)-bursehernin(2),(-)-dimethylmatairesinol(3),(-)-yatein(4),(-)-thujaplicatin trimethyl ether(5),nemerosin (6),(+)-E-7,8-dehydromatairesinol dimethyl ether(7),and E-7,8-dehydrothujaplicatin trimethyl ether(8),respectively. Conclu-sion Compounds 7 and 8 were isolated from L. usitatissimum for the first time,and NMR spectral data of compound 8 were reported for the first time. Compounds 1 and 3 showed moderate inhibitory activities on IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway with IC50 values of 42.12 and 43.43μmol/L,respectively.

[Objective]The oxidative injury of retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)plays a key role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration(ARMD). This study is to investigate the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the vital transcriptional factor X-box binding protein 1(XBP1)in acrolein-induced oxidative damage of RPE.[Methods]RPE cells were treated with acrolein (75μmol/L)for 2~24 h,expression of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78)and XBP1 was determined by Western blot analysis. After being transfected with XBP1 siRNA with 24 h,the expression of XBP1 was knocked-down in RPE cells. Protein level of Nrf2 and SOD2 was then determined by Western blot analysis and intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS)generation was determined by DCF staining. Acrolein was added for 8 h after being transfected with XBP1 siRNA or control siRNA for 24 h. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay before and after the treatment. Subretinal injection of Cre or GFP adenovirus was performed in XBP 1flox mice. After 1 week the mice were sacrificed. Total RNA was extracted from mice eyecups using TRIzol and real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the two XBP1 down-stream genes,ERdj4 and p58IPK. Cryosectioning and immunofluorescent staining were performed to look at the expression of XBP1,Nrf2 and SOD2 in mice RPE.[Results]Protein level of GRP78 was significantly un-regulated after exposure to acrolein for 2 and 4 h. XBP1 was activated after acrolein treatment for 6 h. Knock-down of XBP1 by siRNA down-regu?lates anti-oxidant genes expression and increased ROS generation in RPE cells. Loss of XBP1 exacerbates acrolein-induced cell apoptosis. XBP1 was knocked-down in the RPE of XBP1flox mice after subretinal injection of Cre adenovirus. Decreased mRNA level of ERdj4 and p58IPK,and decreased Nrf2 and SOD2 expression were seen in the Cre-injected group.[Conclusions]Acrolein induces ER stress and activates XBP1 in RPE cells. Knock-down of XBP1 down-regulates anti-oxidant genes expression ,increases ROS generation,and exacerbates acrolein-induced cell apoptosis. XBP1 plays a role in the anti-oxidant defense in the RPE cells.

Objective To investigate the influence of Zhuanggu granule on the concentration of IL-1β and TN-F-α in knee cavity of patients with knee degenerated osteoarthritis. Methods A total of eighty patients with knee degenerated osteoarthritis were recruited into a Zhuanggu granule group (30 cases), a Sulphuric acid Glucosamine group (15 cases) and a Sodium Hyaluronate group (15 cases) according to Doll grouping method. After all groups were treated for 4 weeks, the changes of concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α was detected before and after the therapy Results After the treatment, the concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α in Zhuangu granule group was significantly lower than the other two groups (Sodium Hyaluronate and sulphuric Glucosamine group). Conclusion Zhuangu Granule could influence the concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α in patients of knee degenerated osteoarthritis.

Objective To evaluate mini-dose pre-injection test in the use of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA), and to inspect the possibility of contrast medium peak-time prediction by age, body weight and heart rate.Methods The data from mini-dose pre-injection test of contrast medium before vertebral artery CEMRA were retrospectively reviewed in 55 patients. The linear correlation and regression of the data including age, body weight, heart rate, and the reaching-time, peak-value-time, duration and peak-value-signal of contrast medium was performed by using SPSS software.Results The age (n=55, =62 years old, M=59 years old), body weight (n=55, = 63 kg), heart rate (n=40, =73 beats per minute), peak-value-time (n=55,=17.5 seconds), peak signal intensity (n=55,=472), and duration of contrast (n=49,=10.35 seconds)were analyzed. No statistically significant correlation existed between peak-value-time of contrast medium and the age (r=0.231, t=1.728, P=0.090), body weight (r=0.118, t=0.865, P=0.392), and heart rate (r= -0.046, t=-0.284, P=0.776). The peak-value-time correlated negatively with peak signal intensity (r=-0.322, t=-2.56, P=0.016)and positively with duration of contrast (r=0.658, t=5.99, P=0.000). The peak signal intensity was negatively correlated with body weight(r=-0.356, t=-2.77, P=0.008). The linear regression analysis show b=-0.284, t=-2.285, P=0.026 between peak-value-signal and peak-value-time, b=-0.322, t=2.590, P=0.012 between peak-value-signal and body weight.Conclusion Mini-dose pre-injection test was more helpful to adjust the rate of contrast medium injection and determine the time delay during scanning. But the prediction of contrast peak-time based on age, body weight and heart rate was unreliable.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Ulinastatin (UTI) on the expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and neurons apoptosis in cerebral cortex of rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Methods Thirty-six healthy male adult Wistar rats were induced ventricular fibrillation untreated for 7 min and then received CPR.The animals were infused UTI 100 000 U/kg or phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) at once after ROSC.At 2,4 and 8 h after ROSC,cerebral cortex were removed to determine the mRNA expressions and levels of TNF-α protein and IL-6 protein,the translocation ratio of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus and the apoptotic neurons.Results The plasma levels of TNF-α (ng/mL) in animals of UTI group were (17.7 ± 1.4),(21.9 ± 2.1) and (17.1 ± 0.6) at 2,4 and 8 h after ROSC respectively,and significantly lower than those in PBS group at the given intervals.Mean while,the levels of IL-6 (ng/mL) were (208.9 ± 14.1),(281.5 ±25.9) and (251.8 ± 15.3) at 2,4 and 8 h after ROSC respectivèly in animals of UTI group,and lower than those in PBS group.The expressions of TNF-α mRNA and IL-6 mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in UTI group were both lower than those in PBS group at given intervals,respectively.The translocation ratio of NF-κB p65 from plasma to nucleus in PBS group at each given interval after ROSC was significantly higher than that in UTI group.The number of viable neurons in cerebral cortex in UTI group was higher than that in PBS group,while the number apoptosis neurons was fewer in UTI group.Conclusions UTI attenuated the general inflammatory response after ROSC in rat,decreased the activation of NF-κB pathway,and subsequently attenuated the expression of TNF-α and IL-6,and finally decreased the neurons apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE:To screen and identify endophytic fungi from Schisandra chinensis with antioxidant activity. METH-ODS:The tissue isolation skill was used to isolate endophytic fungi from roots,leaves,stems and fruits of S. chinensis. And anti-oxidant activity of endophytic fungi were screened by DPPH radical scavenging assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. The to-tal DNA were extracted;the 18S rDNA ITS were amplified and sequenced with primer ITS1 and ITS4;the results of sequencing were analyzed comparatively based on homology to confirm the classification of active strains. RESULTS:23 strains were isolated from S. chinensis. GSR-12,isolated from roots of S. chinensis,had strong antioxidant activities. The scavenging rate on DPPH and the hydroxyl radical were 87.96% and 82.31% respectively. GSR-12 strain was identified as Clonostachys rosea by analyzed com-paratively. CONCLUSIONS:1 strain of C. rosea,isolated from roots of S. chinensis,has strong antioxidant activity.

Objective To study the influence of probiotic bacteria on rats blood lipids and immune function.Methods Rats fed with high fat diet,as a positive control of lovastatin in different kinds of experimental rats fed with probiotic bacteria.Before the experiment and 30 days after the experiment,the serum TC,TG and immune indicators were examined,compared with the control group.Results Probiotic bacteria feeding rats compared with control group rats,TC and TG in probiotic bacteria feeding rats blood are obviously lower than the eontroled group,(P＜0.01),the immune index is obviously higher than the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Probiotic bacteria obviously reduces TG and TG in Probiotic feeding rats blood,and improves the immunological function of probiotic bacteria feeding rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of resveratrol on the expressions of E-selectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in activated endothelial cells.Methods After being pretreated with resveratrol followed by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulation, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were randomly divided into three groups: TNF group,resveratrol+TNF-α group and control group. The expression of E-selectin molecule on the surface of HUVEC was detected by flow cytometric analysis and the mRNA expressions of E-selectin and MCP -1 were determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR. ResultsTNF-α induced the expression of E-selectin and MCP-I of HUVEC.Resveratrol (10 μmol/L) inhibited E-selectin expression.The positive cells of E-selectin in TNF group, resveratrol + TNF-α group and control group were(47.84±3.2)%, (15.3±1.7)% and (3.74±1.6)%, respectively, and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Resveratrol may contribute to the anti-atherosclerotic effect by inhibiting the expression of E-seleetin and MCP-1 of HUVEC.

Objective To explore the effect of resveratrol on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) in soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L)-activated macrophages. Methods Human monocytic cell line THP-1 cells under an inducing of phorbol ester differentiated into macrophages. Then the macrophages were sitimulated by sCD40L independently and after a preincubation with resveratrol. The mRNA expression of MMP-9 and tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in macrophages were investigated by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The secretions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 protein were measured by Western blot. The MMP-9 activity was analyzed by gelatin zymography technique. Results The expressions of MMP-9 gene(1.53±0.04 vs. 0.75±0.01,P＜0.05) and protein(244 930.8±31 268.6 vs. 192 976.8±20 223.1,P＜0.05)were higher in macrophages when stimulated by sCD40L. Resveratrol (10 μmol/L and 50 μmol/L)can inhibit the CD40L-induced gene expression and the protein secretion of MMP-9 (P＜0.01). The activity of MMP-9 was degraded by resveratrol (P＜0.05). Meanwhile resveratrol could increase the gene expression and protein secretion of TIMP-1 (P＜0.05). Conclusions Resveratrol can inhibit the CD40L-activated macrophage expression of MMP-9. It may be one of its mechanisms on antiatherosclerosis and stabilization of atheromatous plaques.