Objective To investigate whether smoking affects metabolism and methylation of arsenic. Methods Six papers about the relation between smoking and arsenic metabolism, methylation were collected until December,2008, and the data were quantitatively analyzed with random and fixed effect models. Results In the group of smoking, the summary weighted mean difference of percent of inorganic in urinary was 0.59 (95% CI:-0.01-1.18). The summary weighted mean difference of percent of MMA in urinary was 2.44 (95%CI:1.95-2.94). The summary weighted mean difference of percent of DMA in urinary was -3.04 (95%CI:-4.01- -2.07). Current evidence suggested that percent of MMA was higher, percent of DMA was lower in smoking or ever smoking group compared with nonsmoking group. Conclusion Smoking may be considered a risk factor for metabolism and methylation of arsenic on human.

Objective To compare the five different methods of extration process of Curcuma Long. Methods With the content of curcumin and yield of extract as evaluation index, the best extraction process of Curcuma long L. was optimized. Results The content of curcumin extracted in 80 ℃ ethanol immersion was higher, that was the optimum condition. Conclusion The extractive content of curcumin is higher by this process. It is easy to operate and proved to be stable and feasible.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effect of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH rats were induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (60 mg x kg(-1), sc) and were administered with chrysin (50 or 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) were monitored via the right jugular vein catheterization into the right ventricle. Right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) + septum (S) and RV to tibial length were calculated. Right ventricular morphological change was observed by HE staining. Masson's trichrome stain was used to demonstrate collagen deposition. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in right ventricle were determined according to the manufacturer's instructions. The expressions of collagen I, collagen III, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were analyzed by immunohistochemisty, qPCR and (or) Western blot. The results showed that chrysin treatment for 4 weeks attenuated RVSP, mPAP and right ventricular remodeling index (RV/LV+S and RV/Tibial length) of PAH rats induced by monocrotaline. Furthermore, monocrotaline-induced right ventricular collagen accumulation and collagen I and collagen III expression were both significantly suppressed by chrysin. The expressions of NOX4, NF-κB and MDA contents were obviously decreased, while the T-AOC was significantly increased in right ventricule from PAH rats with chrysin treatment. These results suggest that chrysin ameliorates right ventricular remodeling of PAH induced by monocrotaline in rats through its down-regulating of NOX4 expression and antioxidant activity, and inhibiting NF-κB expression and collagen accumulation.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual source CT angiography (DSCTA) for coronary artery stenosis.Methods During the period from November 2012 to November 2013, a total of 210 patients with coronary artery disease underwent DSCTA and selective coronary arteriography (CAG). Taking CAG as the gold standard, the diagnostic accuracy of DSCTA for coronary artery stenosis was evaluated. Thirty patients receiving DSCTA and 30 patients receiving CAG were selected, and all of them underwent stent implantation in the anterior descending branch after imaging examination. The angiography positions, the used time of PCI and the used dosage of contrast agent were compared between the two groups. Results DSCTA was performed in 210 patients and a total of 2 630 segments of coronary stenosis or occlusion were detected. Compared with CAG, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of DSCTA were 95.4%, 96.2%, 91.3%and 100%respectively, which were not significantly different from those obtained by CAG (P=0.066). In performing DSCTA, 2-3 angiography positions were used (2-4 positions less than that of CAG), the used time of PCI was about 15 min (about 10 min less than that of CAG), and the mean used dosage of contrast agent was 48 ml (30-150 ml) (about half less than that of CAG). Conclusion DSCTA has higher accuracy in diagnosing coronary artery stenosis, quite similar to that of CAG. DSCTA is a safe, reliable and noninvasive examination method. Preoperative DSCTA can reduce exposure positions during angiography, can reduce the dosage of contrast agent, and can shorten the time of PCI as well, thus, iatrogenic radioactive radiation dose can be reduced.

Objective·To establish a cell-based screening system for identification of compounds with activity in regulating retinoic acid receptor (RARα) stability. Methods·The modified pMSCV plasmid constructs, named as RARα-EGFP-IRES-DsRed, consists of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusing to RARα and red fluorescent protein (DsRed) as internal references incorporating the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) as interval sequence. The RARα-EGFP-IRES-DsRed plasmid was stably transfected into NB4 cells which were named as NB4-pMGIR-RARα. Fluorescence signals of EGFP and DsRed indirectly reflecting the expression of RARα, were detected by flow cytometry in cells that were treated with all-trans retinoic acid, sodium valproate, cytarabine, lenalidomide, etoposide, montelukast and gambogic acid, respectively. Effects of these compounds on the expression of RARα protein were further examined by Western blotting. Results·A double fluorescence reporter system for screening compounds that can increase the stability of RARα protein was successfully established, and sodium valproate was identified as a potent compound to promote the stability of RARα. Conclusion·The double fluorescence reporter system can be used to screen compounds regulating the stability of RARα protein, which can be further used to identify compounds regulating the stability of other proteins.

AIM:To observed the protective effect of diminazene aceturate ( DIZE) , an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activator, on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.METHODS:Male Wistar rats (n=30) were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, DN group and DIZE group (each group consisted of 10 rats).The rats in DN group and DIZE group were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at dose of 65 mg/kg.After 12 weeks, the rats in DIZE group and DN group received subcutaneous injection of DIZE (15 mg· kg -1 · d-1 ) or vehicle for 4 weeks. The samples of blood and urine were collected at week 16, and ratio of kidney weight to body weight (KW/BW), plasma glucose (GLU), 24 h urinary protein (24UP) and serum creatinine (SCr) were measured.The renal pathological changes in each group were observed by periodic acid-Schiff ( PAS) staining and immunohistochemistry .The levels of AngⅡ and Ang-(1-7) in the plasma, and TGF-β1 and VCAM-1 in the renal tissues were measured by ELISA .The mRNA and protein levels of collagen I and FN were determined by quantification real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry .The effects of DIZE on the expression of ACE2 in DN rats were determined by Western blot .RESULTS:DIZE remarkably increased the expression of ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) in DN rats.Compared with NC group , the GLU, KW/BW, 24UP, SCr, and the ex-pression of collagen I , FN, TGF-β1 and VCAM-1 in DN group and DIZE group were increased .However , after treatment of the DN rats with DIZE, these indicators were decreased except the KW/BW.The GLU showed no significant change . CONCLUSION:DIZE raised the activity of ACE2 and increased the expression of Ang-(1-7), thus alleviating fibrosis and inflammation in the kidney and having therapeutic potential for diabetic nephropathy .

Objective To assess the safety and efifcacy of a novel biodegradable polymer-coated Cobalt-Chromium alloy sirolimus-eluting stent in a porcine model. Methods Bare metal stents (BMS) (n=15), commercial available EXcellstents (n=21), and Cobalt-Chromium alloy PLAG-coated sirolimus-eluting stents (Co-P-SES) (n=21) were implanted in left anterior descending coronary (LAD, n=28)and left circumflex coronary (LCX, n=13), and right coronary artery (RCA, n=16) of 30 mini-pigs randomly. Coronary angiography was performed 28 days, 90 days and 180 days after the stenting procedure to evaluate luminal loss (LL), and then, histomorphology analysis was performed. Results 28 days and 91 days after the implantation, there were no significant differences in LL, neointimal area, Inflammation score and endothelialization score among the three groups. 28 days after the implantation, better endothelialization was observed in Co-P-SES group compared with EXcellgroup under scanning electron microscope. 182 days after the implantation, there were larger lumen area and less neointimal area in Co-P-SES group compared with EXcellgroup under similar internal elastic lamina area[(4.31±0.94) mm2 vs. (2.62±1.17) mm2, P=0.020];[(1.87±0.53) mm2 vs. (0.84±0.41) mm2, P=0.004]with statistical significance. Conclusions The novel biodegradable polymer-coated Cobalt-Chromium alloy sirolimus-eluting stents showed similar safety compared with commercial available EXcellstents. There would be a better potential of the novel stent on inhibiting the neointimal proliferation and endothelialization. However, further preclinical study including long term endpoints and clinical study should be conducted in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the novel Co-P-SES.

Objective To investigate the association of Her-2 protein expression and gene expression in gastric cancer by different methods,and to explore the effective approaches of Her-2 in gastric cancer detection.Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to mark Her-2 protein in 68 cases of gastric cancer,and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)wasused to detect the Her-2 gene amplification.Results Among 68 cases,IHC Her-2 protein in 12 cases(17.65 ％)was positive expression,including ++ 3 cases ++ 9 cases,+ 7 cases and-49 cases.By FISH,Her-2 gene in 11 cases(16.17 ％)was overexpression.Corresponding to the IHC results,FISH results was 3 cases(100 ％),8 cases(88.89 ％),0 cases,0 cases,respectively.Conclusion Her-2 protein expression and gene overexpression occur in gastric cancer.Her-2 protein expression in gastric cancer shows significant heterogeneity.Her-2 gene overexpression and Her-2 protein expression is correlated (P＜0.05).The differences of Her-2 expression in gastric cancer by IHC and FISH mostly occur in IHC++ groupe.Suggestion of Her-2 gene test should be given for patients with IHC++ who will be undertaken Her-2 gene therapy.

Objective To explore changes of brain function among patients with partial epilepsy in resting state by using the blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques.Methods fMRI scanning was performed in resting state among 60 patients with partial epilepsy and 60 gender,age and educational levels matched normal controls.The functional connectivity analysis was applied to calculate the default mode network ( DMN ) functional connectivity in resting-state fMRI.SPM5 was used to analyze differences in functional connectivity between the two groups( P ＜0.001,cluster ＞50).Results Left precuneus and adjacent posterior cingulate cortex ( Pcu/PCC),angular gyrus,and cingulate gyrus were involved in the DMN of epileptic patients.By contrast,the DMN of controls included left Pcu/PCC,right angular gyrus,bilateral medial frontal lobe and temporal lobe.Compared with normal controls,patients with partial epilepsy showed a significantly decrease in functional connectivity of DMN region such as left inferior parietal lobule,supramarginal gyrus,parahippocampa gyrus and superior temporal gyrus,and bilateral uncus,while no regions were found increased functional connectivity in patients group.Conclusions Patients with partial epilepsy show abnormal changes in functional connectivity of DMN in resting state by fMR],which may associate with the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy.The findings demonstrate that the resting-state fMRI might detect the extensive changes of brain function in partial epilepsy with negative results of conventional MRI,suggestive of fMRI as an effective and non-invasive method to explore brain function in epilepsy.

Objective To discuss the treatment action and mechanism of Wenjing Tongluo Formula on oxaliplatin-induced perpheral neurotoxicity in rats. Methods Intraperitoneal injection was used to inject oxaliplatin 4 mg/kg to establish oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity rat models. Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, and TCM group. TCM group was given Wenjing Tongluo Formula to soak rats’ limbs and tails. Rats in the model group were soaked with deionized water for comparison. Rats in the normal group received intraperitoneal injection with 5%glucose. Algesia hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis were detected under the mechanical stimulation and temperature. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of GFAP in L4-L6 spinal dorsal horn of rats. Explore the level of GLT-1 in L4-L6 dorsal root ganglia by RT-PCR. Results Rats in model group showed obvious behavioral changes compared with normal group (P<0.05);Rats in the TCM group improved in behavioristics compared with model group (P<0.01);number of positive cells in GFAP of rats in the model group increased compared with normal group (P<0.05);the increase in the TCM group was not obvious. Compared with normal group, astrocytes in spinal dorsal horn of model group were enlarged, protuberances increased, became coarse, and GLT-1 mRNA is decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with model group, active cells and protuberances in the TCM group decreased (P<0.01), GLT-1 mRNA is increased (P<0.01). Conclusion Wenjing Tongluo Formula can improve behavioral changes of model rats under temperature and mechanical stimulation, probably related to harmful signal transmission induced by inhibition of astrocyte in spinal dorsal horn.