OBJECTIVE:To investigate the inhibitory effects mechanism of scallop skirt glycosaminoglycan(SS-GAG)on inju-ry in human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVEC). METHODS:In the test,there was a negative control group,a model group and the groups of SS-GAG at high,middle and low concentrations(mass concentrations of 200,100 and 50 mg/L respective-ly). The cells in latter 3 groups were cultured in SS-GAG at different mass concentrations for 12 h,and then in 50 μmol/L oxidized low-density lipoprotein(OX-LDL)for 24 h. MTT method was used to detect cell viability and the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH),the flow cytometer to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),real-time fluorescence quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect mRNA expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), and Western blot to detect NOX4 protein expression. RESULTS:Compared to the cells in the negative control group,those in the model group demonstrated lower viability,higher activity of LDH,higher level of ROS,and stronger expressions of LOX-1 mRNA and NOX4 protein. There was statistical significance (P<0.01). Compared to the cells in the model group,those in the groups of SS-GAG at high,middle and low concentrations showed higher viability,lower activity of LDH,lower level of ROS and weaker expressions of LOX-1 mRNA and NOX4 protein. There was statistical significance (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:SS-GAG can protect HUVEC to some degree by a mechanism which may be related to inhibiting ROS production via LOX-1/NOX4 pathway and relieving oxidative stress injury.

Objective To detect the disparity of three biological molecules Caveolin-1,IL-1β,VEGF in cerebrospinal fluid of children with viral encephalitis at the different stages; to explore the role of Caveolin-1,IL-1β,VEGF in the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis;and to evaluate their clinical significance in assessing the severity and prognosis of viral encephalitis.Methods We recruited 65 inpatients children with viral encephalitis in the Second Neurology Department of Hunan Children's Hospital from July 2011 to July 2012.Subjects were divided into 2 groups:54 cases of acute phase and 11 cases of recovery phase.According to the clinical manifestations,they were re-divided into 40 patients with mild viral encephalitis and 25 cases of severe viral encephalitis.Twenty healthy age matched controls (10 cases of epilepsy and 10 cases of congenital abnormality) were also taken for the study.Cerebrospinal fluid exam,EEG,head MRI and other tests were performed in all patients.Caveolin-1,IL-1β and VEGF levels in cerebrospinal fluid of 65 children with viral encephalitis and 20 age-matched controls were measured using ELISA.Results Cerebrospinal fluid Caveolin-1,IL-1β,VEGF levels in the acute phase of viral encephalitis were (49.209 ± 22.320) pg/ml,(16.923 ± 6.823) ng/ml,(44.342 ± 19.264) ng/ml respectively,and (33.253 ± 20.349)pg/ml,(11.724 ± 3.009)ng/ml,(30.312 ± 18.147) ng/ml in recovery phase,which were significantly higher than those of controls (P ＜0.01).The difference was statistically significant between acute phase and recovery phase (P ＜ 0.05).Acute viral encephalitis patients had higher Caveolin-l,IL-1β,VEGF levels than the epilepsy group,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).In viral encephalitis group,children with cerebrospinal fluid protein content (0.5 ～ 1.0 g / L) had higher of Caveolin-1,IL-1β and VEGF levels as compared with those with cerebrospinal fluid protein content ≤ 0.5 g/L,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).Cerebrospinal fluid Caveolin-1,IL-1 β and VEGF showed no significant difference among children with different severity of encephalitis,different levels of frequent seizures,different degrees EEG changes (P ＞ 0.05).But in the patients with severe head MRI changes,cerebrospinal fluid Caveolin-1,IL-1β,VEGF levels increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Caveolin-1,IL-1β and VEGF may participate in the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis.Detection of these parameters may be helpful to the evaluation of the severity and prognosis of viral encephalitis.

OBJECTIVEAccurate and reliable assessment of renal function is important in the management of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best index of assessing kidney function. For assessment of GFR, both gold standard tests and prediction equations have been used. The well-known 24-hour endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr), the Schwartz formula and the Filler formula are increasingly used in daily clinical practice. However, there are few studies on the applicability of these prediction equations for estimating GFR in Chinese children with CKD. The aim of this study was to compare these prediction equations estimating GFR with an isotope clearance method [isotope glomerular filtration rate (rGFR)] in such patients.

METHODChildren aged 1-16 years who underwent isotope (99m)Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ((99m)Tc-DTPA) GFR testing (Gates' method) between the year of 2002 and 2005 were studied retrospectively. GFR was estimated using: (1) 24-hour Ccr, which was calculated using the standard formula: [urine creatinine (milligrammes per millilitre) × 24-hour urine volume/serum creatinine (milligrammes per millilitre) × 1440] × [1.73 (m(2))/body surface area (m(2))]; (2) the Schwartz formula, which is: eGFR (ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) = k × height (centimetres)/serum creatinine (micromoles per litre), where k is 62 in males at 13 years of age and older, 40 in infants, and 49 in all other children; and (3) the Filler formula, which is: logGFR = 1.962 + [1.123 × log(1/Cys C)], where cystatin C is measured in milligrammes per litre. Serum and urinary creatinine levels were detected by alkaline kinetic method. Serum cystatin C was analysed by particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Bias and precision were evaluated.

RESULTThirty subjects (18 males and 12 females; mean age 9.4 years) fulfilling both inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were included in this study. The mean (SD) rGFR was 81.57 (36.92) ml/min per 1.73 m(2); 18 subjects were in CKD stage I, 8 in CKD stage II, 8 in CKD stage III, and 1 in CKD stage IV. Only the mean 24 h Ccr-eGFR was slightly higher than rGFR (0.4 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) higher). Within 95% limits of agreement, the maximum absolute value of bias was about 50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Accuracy (estimated GFR values within ± 30% of rGFR) for all formulae was poor, ranging from 23.3% to 43.3%. All formulae overestimate or underestimate rGFR in different CKD stages.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese children with CKD, there was a significant difference between measured GFR and estimated GFR using 24h Ccr, Schwartz formula and Filler formula. More suitable GFR predictive equations to assess glomerular function of such patients should be developed.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; physiopathology

Extraction is the critical link during pharmaceutical process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is directly related to the quality of drugs. So the key to technology upgrading of pharmaceutical equipment in Chinese materia medica enterprise is the development of new extraction techniques, which concerns the modernization of TCM. In this paper, fundamentals, traits, and development status of new extraction technologies were firstly introduced, including ultrasound extraction, microwave extraction, super fluid extraction, semi-bionic extraction method, enzymatic treatment extraction, continuous countercurrent extraction, vacuum extraction. Then information of projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China was analyzed in order to recognize the assistance and research results of new extraction techniques. The patents authorized by the State Intellectual Property Office were also summarized for the purpose of understanding the achievement transformation. The information about extraction equipments was collected and screened to acquire the characteristics and market situation. The results showed that there are still problems about new extraction technologies, such as weak basic study, hard transformation of achievements, and the disconnection between research study and practical application. It is necessary to discuss the approaches and methods for accelerating the transformation of fundamental research, which will provide references for the long-term development of new extraction techniques of TCM.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; economics ; methods ; trends ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; economics ; isolation & purification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; trends ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Translational Medical Research ; trends

Objective To explore the effect of QizhiJiangtang Capsule on the insulin resistance (IR)in the diabetic rats,and to clarify the action mechanism.Methods The diabetes rat models were induced by high fat diet combined with STZ injection.The successful models of the rats were randomly divided into diabetes group (DM), ShenqiJiangtang Granule group (SQ)and high (QJH),middle-(QJM),low (QJL)doses of QizhiJiangtang Capsule groups;at the same time control group (NC)was established. The drug concentrations in high, middle and low-doses of QizhiJiangtang Capsules groups were 1.35, 0.68, and 0.34 g · kg-1 respectively;and the concentration of ShenqiJiangtang Granule was 0.27 g·kg-1.After the diabetic model was established successfully, the rats were treated for 8 weeks on the basis of drug dose.Then the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG),fasting insulin (FINS),insulin resistance index (IRI)and biochemical indexes related to lipid metabolism of the rats were measured using blood glucose detector and automatic biochemistry analyser.The gene expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1),phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K),and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4)in liver tissue were examined by Real Time PCR.The levels of tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α)and adiponectin (ADPN)in serum were detected using ELISA.Results Compared with control group,the levels of FBG,FINS and IRI of the rats in diabetes group were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01 );the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG)and low density lipoprotein (LDL)levels were significantly increased (P<0.05 ), while the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)level was significantly decreased (P<0.05);the mRNA expression levels of IRS-1,PI3K and GLUT4 in liver tissue were decreased (P<0.05);the level of serum TNF-αwas increased (P<0.05),but the ADPN level was decreased (P<0.05).Compared with diabetes group,the FBG level and IRI of the rats in QizhiJiangtang Capsule and ShenqiJiangtang Granule groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01);the levels of FINS of the rats middle and high doses of in QizhiJiangtang Capsule groups and ShenqiJiangtang Granule group were significantly decreased (P<0.05);the levels of serum TC,TG and LDL of the rats in middle dose of QizhiJiangtang Capsule group and ShenqiJiangtang Granule group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01),but the HDL level was increased (P<0.05);the mRBA expression lvels of IRS-1,PI3K and GLUT4 inliver tissue were increased (P<0.05);the levels of serum TNF-αof the rats in middle dose of QizhiJiangtang Capsule group and Shenqijiangtang Granule group were significantly decreased (P<0.05),but the serum ADPN levels were increased (P<0.05 ). Conclusion QizhiJiangtang Capsule can significantly improve the IR in the diabetic rats,and the pharmacological mechanisms are related to adapting the blood lipid component and insulin signal transduction pathways.

This study investigated the effects of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on chronic neuropathic pain in rats.The behavior of rats with experimental chronic neuropathic pain was observed,and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) and the activation and proliferation of astrocytes in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn were detected.Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham-operated group,sham-rTMS group,1 Hz group and 20 Hz group (8 rats in each group).Chronic constriction nerve injury induced by sciatic nerve ligation was made to establish the models of the chronic neuropathic pain in rats except those in the sham-operated group.Then we applied different frequencies of rTMS to the primary motor cortex (M1) contralateral to the pain side once daily for 10 consecutive days.Pain behavior scores were observed before and after treatment.Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of nNOS in ipsilateral L4-6 DRGs.Double immunofluorescent labeling for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was employed to observe the activation and proliferation of astrocytes in the ipsilateral L4-6 spinal dorsal horn.After rTMS treatment,the spontaneous pain behavior scores were significantly lower in the 20 Hz group than those in the sham-rTMS group (P＜0.05).Moreover,the brush-evoked pain behavior scores were significantly lower in the 20 Hz group than those in the sham-rTMS and 1 Hz group (P＜0.05),suggesting that the spontaneous pain and brush-evoked pain in the 20 Hz group were significantly alleviated.Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of nNOS in ipsilateral L4-6 DRGs was significantly decreased in the 20 Hz group as compared with the sham-rTMS group and the 1 Hz group (P＜0.01) after rTMS treatment.Double immunofluorescence suggested that the expression of GFAP and the co-localization with BrdU in astrocytes were less in the sham-operated group than those in the sham-rTMS group and the 1 Hz group in L4-6 spinal dorsal horn ipsilateral to the neuropathic pain.After rTMS treatment,the expression of GFAP and the co-localization with BrdU decreased in the 20 Hz group as compared with the sham-rTMS group and the 1 Hz group (P＜0.05).In addition,the alleviation degree of spontaneous pain and brush-evoked pain in the 20 Hz group was negatively correlated with the expression of nNOS in ipsilateral DRGs and the number of GFAP/BrdU co-labelled astrocytes in L4-6 spinal dorsal horn ipsilateral to the neuropathic pain (P＜0.05).It was suggested that high-frequency rTMS may relieve neuropathic pain through down-regulating the overexpression of nNOS in ipsilateral DRGs and inhibiting the activity and proliferation of astrocytes in L4-6 spinal dorsal horn ipsilateral to the neuropathic pain.

Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphism of mec Ⅰ in the clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus anreus(MRSA).Methods 40 isolates(MRSA)carrying mecA gene were selected randomly from the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus anreus from Jan,2005 to Aug,2006 in our hospital.The mec Ⅰ gene was detected by PCR followed with sequencing.Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec)in MRSA were detected by multiplex-PCR.Agar dilution method was used for determining the MICs of oxacillin against MRSA.Results 35 of 40(87.5%)MRSA carried mec Ⅰ gene.All isolates carrying mec Ⅰ gene have mecI 202C→T substitution,which resulted in Gln at 68 aminophenol position replaced by stop condon.32 isolates carried single point mutation.3 isolates carried double-point mutation,including additonal A at 3 positon,A→C at 41 position and C→T at 142 position beside C→T at 202 position,respectively.Among 35 isolates carrying mec Ⅰ gene,there were 27 isolates of SCCmec Ⅲ, 7 isolates of SCCmec Ⅲ A and 1 isolate of SCCmec Ⅱ.Among 5 isolates with deletion of mec Ⅰ gene,there were 3 isolates of SCCmecⅣ,1 isolate of SCCmec Ⅰ and 1 isolate of non-known SCCmec tpye.The MICs of oxacillin were 256-512 ?g/ml,≥512 ?g/ml and 8-256 ?g/ml in 31 isolates with single point mutation at 202 position in mec Ⅰ gene,3 isolates with double-point mutation in mecI gene and 5 isolates with deletion of mec Ⅰ gene,respectively.1 isolate with single point mutation in mec Ⅰ gene had contrary result(MIC

Aromatic traditional Chinese medicines have a long history in China, with wide varieties. Volatile oils are active ingredients extracted from aromatic herbal medicines, which usually contain tens or hundreds of ingredients, with many biological activities. Therefore, volatile oils are often used in combined prescriptions and made into various efficient preparations for oral administration or external use. Based on the sources from the database of Newly Edited National Chinese Traditional Patent Medicines (the second edition), the author selected 266 Chinese patent medicines containing volatile oils in this paper, and then established an information sheet covering such items as name, dosage, dosage form, specification and usage, and main functions. Subsequently, on the basis of the multidisciplinary knowledge of pharmaceutics, traditional Chinese pharmacology and basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, efforts were also made in the statistics of the dosage form and usage, variety of volatile oils and main functions, as well as the status analysis on volatile oils in terms of the dosage form development, prescription development, drug instruction and quality control, in order to lay a foundation for the further exploration of the market development situations of volatile oils and the future development orientation.
Databases, Pharmaceutical ; statistics & numerical data ; Drug Therapy ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Oils, Volatile ; classification ; therapeutic use ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; statistics & numerical data ; Phytotherapy ; statistics & numerical data ; Plant Oils ; classification ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDMurine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) early protein M112-113 is involved in viral DNA replication and believed to play a crucial role in the viral pathogenesis. To investigate the biological function of M112-113 protein in the pathogenesis of the brain disorders caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), a screening for proteins interacting with M112-113 was performed by a yeast two-hybrid system.

METHODSBait plasmid pGBKT7-M112-113 was constructed and transformed into AH109 yeast. After confirmation of the expression of MCMV M112-113 in yeast, the bait yeast was mated with a prey yeast containing mouse brain cDNA library plasmid to screen the proteins interacting with M112-113. Interactions between M112-113 and the obtained proteins were verified by yeast two-hybrid assay and chemiluminescent co-immunoprecipitaion.

RESULTSTwo proteins interacting with M112-113 were identified, including metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1) and zinc finger, CCHC domain containing 18 (ZCCHC18). M112-113 protein could interact with MTA1 or ZCCHC18 in yeast and mammalian cells.

CONCLUSIONThe interactions of M112-113 with MTA1 or ZCCHC18 may be related to the pathogenesis of MCMV-associated disease in central nervous system.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Mice ; Muromegalovirus ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Protein Binding ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Viral Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of high oxygen exposure on signaling pathway of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)-NF-κB of lung in newborn rats and the mechanisms of protecting lung injury for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC).

METHODSTwenty-four newborn Sprague-Dawley rats from three litters were randomly divided into three groups, as hyperoxia exposed + hMSC group (group A), hyperoxia exposed group (group B), and air-exposed group (group C). The rats from the group A and B were placed in a sealed Plexiglas chamber with a minimal in-and outflow, providing six to seven exchanges per hour of the chamber volume and maintaining O(2) levels above 95%, while rats in the group C only exposed to air simultaneously. Seven days later, rats in the group A were injected intravenously with hMSC (5×10(4)) after hyperoxia exposure, but rats in group B and C received subcutaneous injection with PBS alone at the same time point. Then all the rats were exposed to air, and were sacrificed three days later. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of RAGE in lung tissue. The levels of TNF-α and sRAGE in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and in serum were detected by ELASA, RAGE mRNA and NF-κB mRNA in tissue homogenates were detected by RT-PCR, RAGE and NF-κB by Western blotting; also the value of lung damage score were calculated with histology under light microscope.

RESULTSThere were significant differences among three groups in the fields of lung damage score (F = 51.59, P = 0.000), mRNA and protein of RAGE (F = 37.21, P = 0.000; F = 15.88, P = 0.000) and NF-κB (F = 5.695, P = 0.011; F = 4.223, P = 0.0288) in lung tissue homogenates, and the level of TNF-α (F = 38.29, P = 0.000) in BALF, all these parameters in group A and group B were higher than that in group C. While sRAGE in BALF in group A and group B were less than that in group C (F = 4.804, P = 0.0191). There were also significant differences between group A and group B in these parameters (P < 0.05). There were also no significant differences neither in TNF-α nor in sRAGE in serum among three groups.

CONCLUSIONShMSC protects hyperoxia-induced lung injury via downregulating the signaling pathway of RAGE-NF-κB.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperoxia ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism