Objective To investigate the effects of statins on coronary artery disease in patients with coro-nary heart disease and lipid regulating effect on curative effect .Methods 126 cases of patients with coronary heart disease were randomly divided into the control group of 60 cases and 66 cases in the treatment group ,the control group was given routine treatment of coronary heart disease ,the treatment group was treated with routine treatment with simv-astatin bedtime,before treatment and after 3,12 months when the determination of lipids ,liver function and renal func-tion index,and compared between the two groups of cardiovascular events .Results 3 months after treatment , TG, TC,LDL-C of the treatment group decreased significantly ,while the control group in 3,12 months after treatment,TC, TG,LDL-C had the rise of certain level(t=5.43,5.21,4.85,all P<0.05).The two groups after treatment in 3, 12 months in TC,TG,LDL-C had significant differences(t=5.32,5.78,5.64,6.15,6.41,6.06,all P<0.05).Dur-ing follow-up,patients in the treatment group 33 cases of cardiovascular events ,the control group of 81 cases,two groups of cardiovascular event rate had a significant difference (χ2 =13.42,P<0.01).Conclusion Statins can re-duce blood lipids in patients with coronary artery disease ,thereby reducing the patients appear related to cardiovascu-lar accidents,improve the treatment effect of coronary heart disease .

Objective To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the fully automated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analy‐ser Monitor‐100 for determining ESR .Methods 146 outpatients and inpatinets were selected and detected ESR by the fully automa‐ted ESR analyser 1 h ,30 min and the Westergren method .Then these three kinds of method were compared and the repeatability test was performed .Results (1)The ESR values determined by the analyser 1 h ,analyser 30 min and Westergren method were 37 . 8 ± 34 .1 ,38 .1 ± 33 .7 ,36 .4 ± 32 .9 respectively ,there were no statistical significance between any two methods (P>0 .05) .(2)The detection rates of the positive results by the analyser 1 h ,analyser 30 min and Westergren method were 43 .2% ,44 .5% and 45 .2%respectively ,no statistical difference between them was found (P>0 .05) .(3)The Kapper values between the analyser 30 min with the analyser1h ,between the analyser 30 min with the Westergren method and between the analyzer 1h with the Westergren method were 0 .944 ,0 .875 and 0 .903 .4 respectively .(4)The CV values in the repeatability test were very lower and within the acceptable limits .Conclusion Compared with the Westergren method ,the fully automated ESR analyser Monitor‐100 has lower false positive rate and lower false negative rate ,moreover its consistency and repeatability are excellent ,it is convenient ,fast ,safe and should be largely promoted in clinic .

Objective To assess the effects of propofol on left and right ventricular function of isolated rat heart against ischemia reperfusion injury Methods Sixteen male SD rats were randomly divided into control and experiment groups The isolated rat hearts was connected to Langendorff preparation and perfused as in our previous experiment After being perfused for 25 min, the isolated heart was subjected to 30 min no flow global ischemia followed by 40 min reperfusion The temperature of the isolated heart was maintained at 36℃ 37℃ during global ischemia In experiment group the isolated heart was perfused with propofol 6?g/ml in perfusate for 10 min before global ischemia The heart rate was paced at 348 beats/min The isovolumetric force velocity indexes and coronary flow were monitored continuously with MacLab instruments Results As compared with the isolated hearts in control group, propofol (6?g/ml) perfusion before ischemia significantly improved left and right ventricular diastolic function by decreasing ventricular end diastolic pressure, dp/dt min and T value At the same time, propofol protected left and right ventricular systolic function by elevating developed pressure, dP/dtmax and Vpm during reperfusion At the end of reperfusion, ventricular tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly well preserved in the hearts pretreated with propofol Conclusions Propofol 6?g/ml perfusion before ischemia protects the isolated rat heart against ischemia reperfusion injury by improving diastolic and contracting function of right and left ventricles and intrinsic contractivity of myocardium Propofol increases coronary blood flow during reperfusion and increases SOD activity of myocardial tissue

BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of rats, but its influence to peripheral nervous system still needs further investigation.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of PNS on the fast-excitatory postsynaptic potential (f-EPSP) in stellate ganglion (SG) of rats.DESIGN: Observation and controlled trial.SETTING: Pharmacological Laboratory of Guangxi Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at the Pharmacological Laboratory of the Experimental Center of Guangxi Medical University from January 2005 to February 2006. Thirty healthy male SD rats of clean grade and (220±20) g, provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University; SEN-7203 digital three track strip stimulator, microelectrode amplifier (MEZ8301, Japan NIHON KOHDEN COMPANY); glass microelectrode puller, and microelectrode manipulator, both the products of Narishige Company, Japan; PNS, provided by Kunming Jacobson Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, and acetylchloride chline (Ach), the product of Sigma, U.S.A.METHODS: After the animals were executed acutely, their chest wall was opened to isolate SG rapidly under microscope, which was transferred to the perfusion chamber, and fixed with wire needles after peeling the connective tissue membrane. The ganglia were perfused continuously with the mixture of volume fraction 0.95 O2 and 0.05 CO2 plus Krebs solution with pH (7.4±0.05). Meanwhile, 0.08-0.16 g/L PNS was employed to perfuse and culture SG.①The glass microelectrode filled with 3 mmol/L KCI was used to puncture the isolated SG and record the amplitude and duration of depolarizing reaction of postsynaptic membrane.②PNS with the maximum concentration of 0.16 g/L, which could inhibit the f-EPSPs, was perfused to observe the effect of PNS on the amplitude and duration of depolarizing reaction of postsynaptic membrane induced by exogenous Ach (1 mmol/L, 1 minute).③PNS with the maximum concentration of 0.16 g/L, which could inhibit the f-EPSPs, was perfused to observe the effect of PNS on membrane resistance and membrane potential.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Amplitude of depolarizing reaction of postsynaptic membrane; ②Effect of PNS on the amplitude and duration of depolarizing reaction of postsynaptic membrane induced by exogenous Ach, and membrane resistance and membrane potential.RESULTS: Thirty rats were involved in the result analysis. ①PNS ranged 0.08 to 0.16 g/L could reversibly depress the f-EPSPs amplitude of, or change the forward active potential into f-EPSP; the higher the concentration of PNS, the more obvious the inhibition was. The depression appeared in 3-10 minutes after PNS perfusion, and the effect reached the peak at 0.16 g/L; f-EPSP was decreased evidently in 3 to 4 minutes. The inhibition nearly recovered to the control level after washing the ganglia with Krebs solution for 15 to 20 minutes. ②Effect of PNS on exogenous ACh-induced depolarization: The amplitude and duration of the Ach-induced depolarization did not significantly change before and 5 minutes after 0.16 g/L PNS perfusion [before: (15.5±2.4) mV, (256.1±21.5) seconds; after: (14.3±1.9) mV, (228.6±24.5) seconds, P＞0.05].③Effects of PNS on membrane potential and membrane resistance: The mean membrane potential and membrane resistance were not significantly changed after PNS perfusion [before:-(55.5±12.1) mV, (53.9±5.1) MΩ; after: -(54.3±10.4) mV, (55.1±4.8)MΩ, P＞0.05].CONCLUSION: PNS could reversibly depress the fast-excitatory postsynaptic potential in stellate ganglion of rats by presynaptic mechanism.

Objective To investigate the value of combination of B-flow imaging and spatio-temporal image correlation in prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart diseases. Methods Volume images of 50 normal fetuses and 14 fetuses with congenital heart diseases were recruited in the study. Surface mode was used to reconstruct the volume images. Results Sixty-three and twenty-six qualified volume images were obtained in 50 normal fetuses and 14 fetuses with congenital heart diseases respectively. All volume images were reconstructed successfully and showed the spacial relationship of cardiac blood vessel directly. Conclusions The combination of B-flow imaging and spatio-temporal image correlation was feasible and useful in prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart diseases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostatic epithelial RWPE-1 cells.

METHODSRWPE-1 cells cultured in vitro were treated with simvastatin at 0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by determination of their proliferation by MTT assay, and their apoptosis by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and Cx43 were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSAfter 72 hours of treatment with simvastatin at 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L, the inhibition rates of the RWPE-1 cells were (21.07 ± 6.41)%, (34.87 ± 9.65)%, and (47.18 ± 10.88)%, respectively, significantly higher than (1.21 ± 0.54)% in the control group (P < 0.05) and in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the cell apoptosis rates were (0.066 ± 0.016)%, (0.126 ± 0.023)%, and (0.192 ± 0.025)%, respectively, remarkably higher than (0.015 ± 0.005)% in the control (P < 0.05) and also in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were decreasing while those of Bax and Cx43 increasing with the increased concentration of simvastatin (P < 0.05). The expression of Cx43 was correlated negatively with that of Bcl-2 but positively with that of Bax.

CONCLUSIONSimvastatin inhibits the proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and induce their apoptosis by acting on the gap junctional intercellular communication.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostate ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo determine whether oral statins can delay the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 50-69-year-old males who came for physical examination in our hospital between January 2003 and December 2008. We designed the inclusion criteria, followed them up for 5 years, and investigated the relationship of oral statins with the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

RESULTSTotally, 653 men met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study, of whom 283 were treated with oral statins (group 1) while the other 370 with none (group 2). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age and baseline IPSS, Qmax, and prostate volume (PV) (P > 0.05). During the follow-up, 24 cases in group 1 and 35 cases in group 2 were excluded for obvious dys-uria. A gradual increase was observed in IPSS in both groups 1 and 2 year by year from the baseline to the 5th year of follow-up, but significantly lower in the former group (4.27 +/- 1.16, 4.63 +/- 1.05, 5.27 +/- 0.96, 6.41 +/- 1.04, 7.21 +/- 1.21, and 7.93 +/-1.50) than in the latter (4.24 +/- 1.35, 5.26 +/- 1.23, 6.84 +/- 1.20, 8.75 +/- 1.84, 10.82 +/- 3.01, and 12.98 +/- 4.21) (P < 0.01); a gradual decrease was seen in Qmax, though markedly higher in group 1 ([26.56 +/- 2.09], [24.06 +/- 1.94], [21.33 +/- 1.66], [19.24 +/- 1.54], [17.44 +/- 1.53], and [16.27 +/- 1.37] ml/s) than in group 2 ([26.74 +/- 2.40], [23.62 +/- 2.01], [20.63 +/- 1.69], [17.72 +/- 1.48], [14.82 +/- 1.11], and [11.86 +/- 1.24] ml/s) (P < 0.01); and a gradual increase was found in PV, but remarkably smaller in the former group ([19.82 +/- 4.94], [22.60 +/- 4.99], [25.80 +/- 5.20], [27.92 +/- 5.05], [29.11 +/- 5.24], and [29.97 +/- 5.26] ml) than in the latter ([20.21 +/- 4.78], [24.30 +/- 4.98], [28.50 +/- 5.14], [32.84 +/- 4.77], [36.99 +/- 4.78], and [40.90 +/- 4.78] ml) (P < 0.01). Longer medication of statins was associated with better efficacy.

CONCLUSIONOral statins can significantly delay the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

Aged ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Longitudinal Studies ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergistic cytotoxicity of TRAIL and paclitaxel on laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line Hep-2. METHOD: Hep-2 cells were exposed to various concentrations of TRAIL and paclitaxel respectively or jointly. The inhibition rate was measured by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis rate and the expressions of DR4, DR5, DcR1 and DcR2 in Hep-2 cells were detected by flow cytometry methods. RESULT: Hep-2 cells were resistant to apoptosis induced by TRAIL. Paclitaxel could enhance its sensitivity to TRAIL by up-regulating the expressions of TRAIL death receptors in Hep-2 cells. CONCLUSION The resistance of Hep-2 cell to TRAIL could be overcome by paclitaxel. TRAIL and paclitaxel have synergistic killing effects on Hep-2 cells, so they might have a promising prospect in clinical therapy of laryngeal squamous carcinoma.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology

The frequency and scale of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and marine algal toxin incidents have been increasing and spreading in the past two decades, causing damages to the marine environment and threatening human life through contaminated seafood. To better understand the effect of HAB and marine algal toxins on marine environment and human health in China, this paper overviews HAB occurrence and marine algal toxin incidents, as well as their environmental and health effects in this country. HAB has been increasing rapidly along the Chinese coast since the 1970s, and at least 512 documented HAB events have occurred from 1952 to 2002 in the Chinese mainland. It has been found that PSP and DSP toxins are distributed widely along both the northern and southern Chinese coasts. The HAB and marine algal toxin events during the 1990s in China were summarized, showing that the HAB and algal toxins resulted in great damages to local fisheries, marine culture, quality of marine environment, and human health. Therefore, to protect the coastal environment and human health, attention to HAB and marine algal toxins is urgently needed from the environmental and epidemiological view.
Amnesia ; chemically induced ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Ciguatoxins ; toxicity ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Dinoflagellida ; Environment ; Eukaryota ; chemistry ; Eutrophication ; Fisheries ; Food Contamination ; Foodborne Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Kainic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; poisoning ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Marine Toxins ; chemistry ; poisoning ; toxicity ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; etiology ; Okadaic Acid ; poisoning ; Oxocins ; poisoning ; Paralysis ; chemically induced ; Seawater ; Shellfish Poisoning

OBJECTIVETo analyze the electrical activity property changes in nucleus accumbens (NAc) of heroin-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) rats during different stages of heroin dependence and to explore NAc's roles in the formation of drug dependence.

METHODSRecording electrodes were bilaterally embedded into the NAcs of rats with the aid of stereotaxic apparatus, followed by establishment of heroin-dependent rat model. The NAc electrical activity during 3 different stages of heroin dependence, including heroin pre-exposure, immediate post-exposure and heroin withdrawal, were respectively recorded using EEG wireless telemetry techniques. The frequency distribution (ranging from 0.5 to 30 Hz) and the amplitude of NAc electrical activity were analyzed and measured.

RESULTSHeroin-dependent rat models were successfully established and their withdrawal symptoms were evident. All rats showed a conditioned place preference (CPP) for the white box after 5-10 days of heroin-exposure, and displayed a maximum withdrawal symptoms on 2d after heroin- withdrawal. During all statges of heroin-dependence, the NAc electrical activity contained the highest proportion of delta rhythm and the lowest proportion of alpha2 rhythm. The discharge frequence band was similar across different stages. There was a significantly increased ratio of low-frequency discharges (delta rhythm) and decreased ratio of high-frequency discharges (beta rhythm) in NAc of rats during the immediate post- heroin exposure stage when compared with that during pre-exposure and heroin withdrawal stages. During the withdrawal stage, the ratio of at rhythm was significantly lower than during pre- and post-heroin exposure stages (P < 0.01). Further, the mean discharge amplitude in NAcs during immediate post-exposure and withdrawal stages was significantly increased relative to pre-exposure stage. However, the mean discharge amplitude during heroin withdrawal stage was significantly lower than during immediate post-exposure stage.

CONCLUSIONThe electrical activity properties in rat NAcs showed a significant change during different stages of heroin-dependence, which suggested that neuronal activities in NAcs might contribute to the modulation of drug-dependence.

Animals ; Conditioning, Operant ; Heroin ; pharmacology ; Heroin Dependence ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nucleus Accumbens ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Telemetry