Objective To investigate the effects of chronic renal failure rabbit serum on proliferation and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation of rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods Rabbit model of chronic renal failure was established by the ligation of renal arterial branches. ASMCs were incubated in the media with various concentrations of chronic renal failure serum cultured in vitro. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT. Cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst33342 staining. NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was analyzed by immunofluorescence. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and NF-κB p65 proteins in response to chronic renal failure serum in ASMCs was determined by Western blotting. Results Lower concentrations of chronic renal failure serum (≤ 10%) could significantly promot the proliferation of ASMCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Higher concentrations of chronic renal failure serum (＞10%) could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of ASMCs compared to the normal control (P＜0.05). Under the stimulation of lower concentrations of chronic renal failure serum, the expression of PCNA and NF-κB p65 increased significantly compared to the normal control (P＜0.01), while decreased markedly under the stimulation of higher concentrations of chronic renal failure serum compared to the normal control (P＜0.01). Under the stimulation of 10% chronic renal failure serum, nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in ASMCs was found. Conclusions Different concentrations of chronic renal failure rabbit serum can effectively induce ASMCs proliferation or apoptosis. The mechanism of promoting proliferation may be mediated by activating NF-κB, which will be useful for the treatment of accelerated atherosclerosis in chronic renal failure.

Objective To explore the property and diagnostic significancec of transnasal gastroscope(EG-470N5)in children with upper gastrointestinal tract disorders.Methods Sixty children with upper gastrointestinal tract disorders were examined by using EG-470N5.The scope was inserted either through nose(n=28)or via mouth(n=32).Beside the routine preparations,nasal spray of lidocaine or nasal drib of ephedrine was added to those who received nasal intubation.Results Examination of upper gastrointestinal tract subjects in all succed with no obvious side response in 28 cases(46.7%)who received the examination via nose,27 cases(45%)had mild nausea and 5 cases(8.3%)had serious nausea and dysphoria.Children with esophagostenosis and pyloristenosis and 2-day-old neonate were examined without adverse effect.Conclusions Transnasal gastroscope is preponderant to children due to its slim diameter and supple body,especially to those having swallow difficulty and confined tract.It is more favorable practical prospect than routine gastroscope.

Objective To study the biological exposure limit in bone metabolism damage caused by coexposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning in exposed population.Methods One hundred and ninety-eight cases of fluoride and arsenic co-exposed people from Liuchang village,Qinzhen city,Guizhou province were enrolled in the study.Urinary fluorine (UF),urinary arsenic (UAs),urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP),ross-linked Ntelopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen(UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected.BMDS Version 2.1 software was used to calculate UF,UAs benchmark dose (BMD) and its lower confidence limit (BMDL) on the damage of bone metabolism caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning.Results The BMD and BMDL range of UF caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning were 0.68-1.35 mg/g Cr,0.57-1.11 mg/g Cr.The BMD and BMDL range of UAs caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning were 8.36-18.77 μg/g Cr,7.12-15.40 μg/g Cr.Conclusion The biological exposure limits of UF and UAs for bone metabolism toxicity are proposed as 0.57 mg/g Cr and 7.12 μg/g Cr in co-exposure to fluoride and arsenic from coal burning,respectively.

Resveratrol, as a natural polyphenolic compound, has a wide range of beneficial effects, which includes anti-tumor, cardiovascular protection, anti-oxidant and estrogen-like effects, and so on. Its various physiological properties are closely related to the therapeutic principle for prevention and treatment of high altitude hypoxia injury. Resveratrol may play an important role in relieving or curing high altitude diseases, especially high altitude polycythemia(HAPC). However, the literature about study and application of resveratrol in plateau medicine field is rarely reported up to now. In this review, we summarized the physiological effects of resveratrol, discussed the possible main principle of resveratrol for HAPC therapy, and looked forward to resveratrol's perspective or potential application in high altitude medicine.
Altitude ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Polycythemia ; drug therapy ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of serum Bushen Huoxue prescription(Chinese characters) on classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways of osteoblasts, and explore mechanism of Bushen Huoxue prescription (Chinese characters) for preventing osteoporosis.

METHODSTwenty health female rats were randomly divided into two groups, including Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and saline group,10 in each group. Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and Saline group were gavaged Bushen Huoxue and saline every day for 1 week. Bushenhuoxue containing serum and saline containing serum were got according to methods of serum preparation of drug-containing. The osteoblasts was cultured with neonatal rat skull according to Enzyme Consumer Law, and was identified by Wright-Giemsa staining (R-J) and alkaline phosphatase staining (ALP). The third generation of osteoblasts was divided into three groups, including saline group, normal group,Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group. Each group were added to 15% appropriate medium. ALP activity of osteoblasts and osteoblasts proliferation rate were tested, mineralized nodules were observed, the expression of β-catenin, Runx2, Osx mRNA of osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThere was blue granules in cytoplasm, cell nucleus was flint with 1 to 3 nucleoli showed by R-J staining, morphology of osteoblasts were cultured. ALP staining showed cytoplasm with purple granules, the results showed that the cultured cell was osteoblasts. The content of ALP in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group was (6.272±0.131) ,appreciation rate was (0.81? 0.172), and could significantly improve differentiation and proliferation activity of osteoblasts compared with Saline group (P< 0.01). There were four different size orange nodules, the Maximun nodule was 1.0 x 1.0 cm in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group after Alizarin red staining, the results showed Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously improve mineralization of osteoblasts. The expression of mRNA of β-catenin, Runx2 and Osx in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group were (1.782±0.944), (1.935±0.994) and (1.610±0.811) by RT-PCR,it was significantly increased compared with saline group (P<0.01), but there was no difference between Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group and normal group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously promote differentiation, proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts through activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway. It suggested that the mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue (O'f f Il.t)particle clould prevent osteoporosis through the activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

Various geometric shapes and structures self-assembled of amphiphilic lipids when present in an aqueous environment, as active delivery vehicles, are becoming one of focuses of drug delivery system. Lipid-based cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles (or Cubosomes) consisting of "honeycombed (cavernous)" structure spontaneously formed when a certain concentration of amphiphilic lipids dispersed in aqueous solution has curved bicontinuous lipid bilayer in three dimensions, separating two congruent networks of water channels. Its unique structure consists of internal double water channels and large interfacial areas, which reveal great flexibility in encapsulation efficiency of various polarities and amount of drugs, and has variegated range of drugs encapsulated. As a drug delivery vehicle, high drug payloads, stabilization of peptides or proteins and simple preparation process are also its advantages. The ability of cubic phase to incorporate and control release of drugs of varying size and polar characteristics, and biodegradability of lipids make it an interesting drug delivery system for various routes of administration, including oral, topical (or mucosal) and intravenous administrations, with extensive application in a multitude of dosage forms. Furthermore, a number of different proteins in cubic phase appear to retain their native conformation and bioactivity, and are protected against chemical and physical inactivation. In this paper, investigations of lipid-based cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles are reviewed and summarized, with a hope to provide a reference for its in-depth study. At the end, the authors made a development prospect of this novel excellent candidate for active ingredients delivery vehicle.
Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Lipids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Liquid Crystals ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles

Objective To investigate the dosimetric influence of pure carbon fiber treatment tabletop of Elekta Precise new linear accelerator in radiotherapy.Methods Surface-axis distance (SAD) technology was employed for the measurement.Two groups of fields were set and both of them were SAD opposed portals ( one of them went through the tabletop,while the other did not).A PTW electrometer and a 0.6 cm3 Farmer ionization chamber were utilized for comparison measurement.Then dose attenuation of the main table board,extended body board,the extended board for head,neck and shoulders,and the joints of these boards were calculated.Results Under the energy of 6 MV,the dose attenuations of the following locations were:1.4％ - 7.2％ at the main treatment table board; 2.8％ - 38.7％,1.4％ -30.1％,1.5％ -20.8％ and 1.4％ - 11.2％,respectively at distances of 1,4,7 and 8 cm from the joint of the main table board ;0.5％ - 5.0％ at the extended body board; 4.7％ - 15.4％ at distance of 1cm from the joint of the extended body board; 0.5％ -3.3％ at the neck position of the extended board for head,neck and shoulders; 5.3％ - 16.7％ at the shoulder positions; and 6.8％ -30.4％ at the joint between the extended boards and the main table board.Conclusions The dose attenuations of the new linear accelerator pure carbon fiber treatment tabletop vary at different locations. Considerable higher attenuations are observed at the table board joints than other locations.

Objective To explore the effect of fluoride and arsenic pollution on bone metabolism in exposed population. Methods One hundred and fifty-two fluoride and arsenic exposed people were selected from Jiaole village, Yuzhang town, Xingron county, Guizhou province in 2006, and 59 not exposed people from Daguoduo village 13 km away from Jiaole village were selected as control. Urinary fluorine(UF), urinary arsenic (UAs), urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP), cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected. Results The main effect of fluoride on UHYP and UNTX were statistically significant (F = 9.785, 4.225, P < 0.01 ), but was not significant on STI(F = 0.183, P > 0.05). The main effect of arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F = 2.660, P < 0.05 ), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F = 2.012, 0.183,all P > 0.05). The interaction between fluoride and arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F= 2.429, P <0.01), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F= 1.218, 1.001, all P> 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride exposure can affect the metabolism of collagen and bone resorption, and Arsenic exposure main affect bone resorption, fluoride and arsenic co-exposure have more significant effect on bone resorption. UNTX may be used as biological biomarker of bone metabolism for population co-exposed to fluoride and arsenic in health monitoring.

The potential of Rhizobium sp. N613 to produce the exopolysaccharide (REPS) was studied in this paper. Using an orthogonal design in a flask-shaker culture system, the fermentation medium and conditions of synthesizing REPS were optimized. Based on these results, the fermentation kinetic parameters were obtained in the batch fermentation with a 10L fermentor. The REPS yield of 11.31g/L was achieved by metabolic regulation during 40 h fed-batch fermentation. Transplanted tumor models of sarcoma 180 in mice were used to evaluate the anti-tumor effect. The result of anti-tumor activities showed that inhibition rate was 53.40%, when dose of REPS was 5mg/kg. These results indicate that REPS has the following properties: the short duration of fermentation, the high yield, the low cost, the effective immunocompetence and thickening. Thus, REPS has the value of development and application.

Adolescent ; Altitude ; Brain ; drug effects ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Tablets