Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Ventricular Remodeling

Objective To evaluate the regulatory role of mTOR signaling in activation of renal interstitial fibroblasts and the potential effect on interstitial fibrosis. Methods 8-week old female C57BL/6 mice (n=30) underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) to induce renal interstitial fibrosis. Animals were randomly divided into rapamycin (2 mg·kg-1· d-1) group and UUO group (vehicle-treated) (n=15 each group). Daily intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin or saline was applied to animals from day 1 before operation to the end of experiment.Three mice were sacrificed at day 1,3,7,14 respectively and kidneys were harvested for further analysis.NIH3T3 cells were stimulated by TGF-β for 12 hours with the presence or bsence of rapamycin (100 nmol/L). Results Immunofluorescent co-staining revealed that active fibroblasts highly expressed pS6K and α-SMA in kidney interstitium.Administation of rapamycin significantly inhibited activation of mTOR signaling in fibroblasts and ameliorated interstitial fibrosis of obstructed kidneys.Real-time PCR confirmed that rapamycin decreased the mRNA expression of FSP1,TGF-β,CTGF and Col4A1 in fibrotic kidneys. In vitro experiment revealed that TGF-β induced highly expression of pS6K and αSMA in cultured NIH3T3 cells,which could be markedly inhibited by rapamycin. Conclusions mTOR signaling highly activates in interstitial fibroblasts during kidney fibrosis.Inhibition of mTOR signaling by rapamycin decreases the activation of fibroblasts and ameliorates interstitial fibrosis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of prefilling blood reservoir with mannitol-adeninephosphate MAP) solution on the damage to erythrocytes in intraoperative salvaged blood in patients.Methods One hundred and fifty blood samples were collected from 150 patients who were scheduled for elective spinal surgery requiring blood salvage,and were equally and randomly divided into 5 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:group N,group N1,group N2,group M1 and group M2.The blood reservoir was not prefilled before surgery in group N,while the blood reservoirs in N1,N2,M1 and M2 groups were prefilled with normal saline (NS) 100 ml,NS 200 ml,MAP solution 100 ml and MAP solution 200 ml,respectively.Blood sauples were obtained for erythrocyte osmotic fragility test after the salvaged blood was washed,and hemolysis rates in different concentrations of hypotonic NaCl solution were calculated.The concentration of free hemoglobin in the clear supernatant liquid (FHb) of washed blood placed for 0 h (T0),1 h (T1) and 2 h (T2) were detected.Results Compared with N and N1 groups,the hemolysis rate of washed erythrocytes under 0.48％ 0.68％ NaCl solutions was significantly decreased,the concentration of FHb at T1 was decreased,and no significant change was found in FHb at T2 in group M1.Compared with N and N2 groups,the haemolysis rates of washed erythrocytes under 0.48％-0.68％ NaCl solutions were significantly decreased,and the concentrations of FHb at T1,2 were decreased in group M2.The concentration of FHb was significantly lower at T2 in group M2 than in group M1.Conclusion Prefilling blood reservoir with MAP solution can mitigate the damage to erythrocytes in the intraoperative salvaged blood in patients,and the efficacy of prefilling of 200 ml is superior to that of prefilling of 100 ml.

OBJECTIVETo review the bioactivity of angiotensin II and the effects of Chinese herbs on it.

METHODThe correlative documents published in recent years were summarized.

RESULTAngiotensin II plays an important role in the development of many diseases, such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, myocardial lesion due to ischemia and reperfusion, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, dysfunction of fibrinolytic system, thrombosis, renal failure etc. Some Chinese herbs inhibit the actions of angiotensin II.

CONCLUSIONFurther researches must be done to investigate the bioactivity of angiotensin II and the effects of Chinese herbs on preventing the body tissue from being impaired by it.

Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; physiology ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Cardiomegaly ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the leukogenic function of Shuanghuang Shengbai (SHSB) granule and the related mechanisms.

METHODMouse leukopenic models were induced by radiation. Mice were divided into normal control group, model control group, positive control group-Li kejun tablet group and three different dose (high, middle, low-dose) groups of SHSB granule. The peripheral hemogram, thymus index (TI), spleen index (SI), bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) and colony forming unit-spleen (CFU-S) were evaluated. The proliferation of bone marrow cells was determined. The in vitro cultured colony forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) was estimated. The index of CD34+ cell in BMNC were determined by flow cytometry. The ultra-micro structure of bone marrow were observed by electromicroscope.

RESULT(1)SHSB rranule could increase the WBC of model mice; (2)SHSB granule could increase BMNC and promote the proliferation of bone marrow cell; (3)SHSB granule could increase CFU-S, CFU-GM and CD34+ cell index in BMNC of model mice significantly; (4)SHSB Granule could also protect the bone marrow hemotopoietic microenvironment from the harm of radiation; (5)SHSB granule could increase the SI of model mice, indicating the enhancement of immunological function.

CONCLUSIONSHSB granule has apparent leukogenic function. The mechanism may be related to enhancing the proliferation of hematopoietic cells and protecting the bone marrow hemotopoietic microenvironment.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukopenia ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) could induce extensive and rapid future liver remnant hypertrophy. However, the morbidity for ALPPS is very high. This paper reports a modified ALPPS (associating microwave ablation and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, AMAPS), which was successfully applied in the treatment of huge hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis, and the procedure of operation was greatly simplified. Hence, AMAPS is feasible and safe in selected patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Fibrosis* ; Hepatectomy* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ligation* ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Microwaves* ; Portal Vein*

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shuanghuang Shengbai granule on mice leukopenia induced by ip cyclophosphamide (CTX) or radiation.

METHODMice leukopenia models were induced by ip CTX or radiation, and then treated with Shuanghuang Shengbai granule per oral. The peripheral hemogram, thymus index, spleen index, bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) and colony forming unit-spleen (CFU-S) were detected. The bone marrow cell differentiation was examined. The pathological slices of bone marrow were observed.

RESULTShuanghuang Shengbai granule could increase the WBC, BMNC, CFU-S of model mice significantly; Shuanghuang Shengbai granule could make the granulocyte and erythrocyte index recovered to normal level and it could also protect the bone marrow hemotopoietic microenvironment from the harm of radiation.

CONCLUSIONShuanghuang Shengbai granule has apparent leukogenic function.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; ultrastructure ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Cell Count ; Cesium Radioisotopes ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Granulocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Whole-Body Irradiation

OBJECTIVE Ginsenoside metabolite compound K (CK) is a degradation product of ginsenoside in the intestine by bacteria. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of CK have been reported. This study investigated whether CK exerted its immunoregulatory effect through modulation of dendritic cells (DCs) function. METHODS In vivo, severity of collegen-induced arthritis (CIA), T cells and DCs subsets, phenotype of DC were assayed by flow cytometry, CCL19 and CCL21 level in lymph nodes assayed by ELISA. In vitro, bone marrow-derived DCs from normal mice were matured with lipopolysaccharide and treated with CK for 48 h. In vivo, bone marrow-derived DCs were generated from CIA mice before and 2 weeks into CK treatment. DCs were analyzed for migration, phenotype and T- cell stimulatory capacity. RESULTS CK alleviated the severity of CIA, decreased pDCs and mo-DCs, increased na?ve T cells in CIA mice lymph nodes, and suppressed CCL21 expression in lymph nodes. CK suppressed DCs migration induced by CCL21 and T cells-stimulatory capability of DC, down-regulated LPS-induced expression of CD80, CD86, MHCII and CCR7 on DCs. CONCLUSION This study elucidated the novel immunomodulatory property of CK via impairing function of DCs in priming T cells activation. These results provide an interesting novel insight into the potential mechanism by which CK contribute to the restoration of immunoregulation in autoimmune conditions.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)in the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.Methods We retrospectively re- viewed the clinical outcomes and complications of 33 patients who underwent MPCNL for lower caliceal cal- culi from March 2001 to April 2005.The average diameter of the calculi was 2.8 cm.Single tract nephrosto- my was performed in all 33 cases;among them renal access was obtained through a middle calyx in 10 cases and a lower calyx in 23.Nine cases had F14 renal access;and 24 cases,F16.Results Of 33 cases,28 (85%)achieved stone-free at 1 session.A second-look was needed in 3 cases due to intraoperative bleed- ing;ESWL,in 1 case with residual,calculi;no treatment,in 1 case with residual calculi＜4 ram.The mean operative time was 93 min;mean blood loss was 113 ml;mean hospital stay was 11 d.Blood transfusion was needed in 1 patient who suffered from hepatic cirrhosis preoperatively;another experienced severe bleeding 7 d after operation and was cured with hyperselective spongia gelatinosa embolization of the renal artery.Fol- low-up was available in 19 cases for 2-48 months,and no recurrence of renal calculi was noted.Conclu- sions Minimally invasive percutaneous nepbrolithotomy has advantages of safety,less invasion,and easy re- covery for the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.

This paper analyses the defects of bubble oxygen inhalators currently used, and investigates into their solutions for improvement.
Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Oxygenators ; standards