OBJECTIVETo determine the expressions of ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channel (Cav1.3) in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of castrated rats and investigate the correlation of RyR1 and Cav1.3 with estrogen in female sexual dysfunction.

METHODSForty female SD rats of 8 weeks were randomly divided into Groups A (2-week sham operation), B (4-week sham operation), C (2-week castration) and D (4-week castration). Two and 4 weeks after surgery, the serum estradiol level was determined with the automated immunochemiluminescence system and the expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 in the vaginal smooth muscle were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Gray scale ratio was used to represent the mRNA expression levels of RyR1 and Car1.3, and the optical density value to denote their protein expression levels.

RESULTSSerum estradiol was significantly decreased in Group C ([0.210 +/- 0.026] nmol/L) as compared with A ([0.505 +/- 0.053] nmol/L) (P < 0.01), and so was it in Group D ([0.130 +/- 0.031] nmol/L) in comparison with B ([0.476 +/- 0.058] nmol/L) (P < 0.01). RyR1 and Cav1.3 were expressed in all groups. The mRNA expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 were significantly reduced in Group C (0. 680 +/- 0.073 and 0.580 +/- 0.043) as compared with A (0.950 +/- 0.064 and 0.870 +/- 0.019) (P < 0.01), as well as in Group D (0.220 +/- 0.032 and 0.190 +/- 0.020) in comparison with B (0.890 +/- 0.072 and 0.820 +/- 0.021) (P < 0.01). The protein expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 were significantly down-regulated in Group C (96.67 +/- 7.75 and 87.97 +/- 6.96) as compared with A (123.69 +/- 10.66 and 106.46 +/- 8.04) (P < 0.01), and so were they in D (86.45 +/- 8.16 and 69.43 +/- 8.30) in comparison with B (109.31 +/- 9.87 and 97.38 +/- 7.56) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth RyR1 and Cav1.3 were expressed in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of the rats, and estrogen might be involved in the regulation of female sexual reaction by acting on the expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; metabolism ; Vagina ; cytology

Adult ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Skull ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic laser lithotripsy (LL) and endoscopic pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) for ureteral stones. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 415 patients with ureteral calculi treated with endoscopic laser lithotripsy (n = 214 ) and pnumatic lithotripsy (n = 201 ). RESULTS: The overall successful fragmentation rate of all ureteral stones in a single session of the LL group was higher than that of the PL group (95% vs. 69%, P < 0.01). The average stonefree time of the LL group was shorter than that of the PL group (18 days vs. 31 days, P < 0.01). No complications such as perforation during the operation were observed in the LL group whereas 3 perforations occurred in the PL group. CONCLUSION LL has its advantage over PL in its better clinical effect for the stone fragmentation and low complication rate and is an effective and safe treatment for ureteral stones.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Holmium ; Humans ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Ureteroscopy

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of fiberform on the defecation condition after surgery for benign anorectal lesion.

METHODSA total of 121 cases undergoing surgery for benign anorectal lesion at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2009 to February 2010 were randomly divided into the treatment group (n=61) and the control group (n=60) according to random number table. Patients in the treatment group received fiberform granule for 2 weeks while patients in the control group did not receive any medication to promote defecation. Postoperative defecation symptom scores and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSOn postoperative day 7, patients in the treatment group had a lower defecation smoothness score (62.1% decrease), lower fecal character score (74.3% decrease), lower defecation interval score (80.2% decrease), lower defecation pain score (77.5% decrease), the differences were statistically significant. On postoperative day 14, the degree of decrease of the abovementioned score were 58.3%, 88.5%, 82.8% and 83.1%, respectively. Postoperative patient satisfaction rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). No patient in the treatment group experienced any adverse events such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and drug dependence.

CONCLUSIONFiberform can effectively prevent defecation disorders such as dry stool, unsmooth defecation, and anorectal pain.

Abdominal Pain ; chemically induced ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Defecation ; drug effects ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Dietary Fiber ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of plasma thrombomodulin (PTM) in different diseases or in different severity or complications of diseases, PTM in 979 patients and 60 healthy controls was determined by ELISA method. The results showed that the PTM level in the control group was 20.40 +/- 7.72 microg/L, there was no difference in sex and ages. In chronic primary glomerular disease, the PTM level in chronic renal failure (CRF) group was higher than that in non-CRF group (P < 0.01). PTM level > 70 microg/L was defined as its positive criterion. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value in PTM were 85.7%, 82.4% and 77.8% respectively. The PTM level in septemia group was higher than that in non-septemia group (P < 0.01), the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 86.6%, 89.5% and 76.5% respectively (> 50 microg/L as its positive criterion). With respect of multiple trauma, the PTM level in multiple organ failare (MOF) group was higher than that in non-MOF group (P < 0.01), while the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 77.8%, 77.3% and 73.7% respectively (> 40 microg/L as its positive criterion). For systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the PTM level in the patients with albuminuria was higher than that in the patients without albuminuria (P < 0.01), and the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 77.8%, 92.3% and 93.3% respectively (> 35.54 microg/L as its positive criterion). For diabetes, the PTM level in complication group was higher than that in group without complications, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 53.4%, 97.1% and 98.6% respectively (> 35.54 microg/L as its positive criterion). The PTM level in microangiopathy group was higher than that in macroangiopathy group (P < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 71.2%, 97.1% and 97.9% respectively. Acute leukemia (AL) and multiple myeloma (MM) had higher PTM level and PTM level was extremely high when renal failure developed (P < 0.01). As compared the acute stage with the restoration stage in stroke, pre-chemotherapeutics with post-chemotherapeutics in AL and MM, and pre-operation with post-operation in cancer, the PTM level was connected with clinical development. The PTM level in the patients with microangiopathy was higher than that in the patients with macroangiopathy (P < 0.01). The defined PTM level was higher than its normal upper limit as PTM positive criterion in microangiopathy diseases, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 77.7%, 71.2% and 75.6% respectively. It is concluded that PTM level is a good criterion in evaluating the microangiopathy, and PTM is also a valuable indicator in prediction or assessment of the severity of diseases, or evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sepsis ; blood ; Severity of Illness Index ; Thrombomodulin ; blood

Herb Genome Program (HerbGP) includes a series of projects on whole genome sequencing (WGS) and post-genomics research of medicinal plants with unique secondary metabolism pathways or/and those of great medical and pharmaceutical importance. In this paper, we systematically discussed the strategy of HerbGP, from species selection, whole-genome sequencing, assembly and bioinformatics analysis, to postgenomics research. HerbGP will push study on Chinese traditional medicines into the front field of life science, by selecting a series of plants with unique secondary metabolism pathways as models and introducing "omics" methods into the research of these medicinal plants. HerbGP will provide great opportunities for China to be the leader in the basic research field of traditional Chinese medicine. HerbGP shall also have significant impacts on the R&D of natural medicines and the development of medicinal farming by analysis of secondary metabolic pathways and selection of cultivars with good agricultural traits.
China ; Chromosome Mapping ; Genome, Plant ; Genomics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Mutation ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Aim To investigate the expression of formyl peptide receptor-2 (FPR2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced-BV-2 cells,and detect FPR2's influence on inflammatory response induced by LPS.Methods After 1 mg · L-1 LPS acting on BV-2 cells at 12 h,the extrinsic inflammatory model was established.We used the Western blot assay to test the levels of FPR2 protein.And the expressions of phosphorylated NF-κB,TNF-α and IL-1β were investigated when the LPS-induced-BV-2 was incubated with FPR2's agonist MMK-1 and antagonist Boc-2.Transwell assay was also used to detect the LPS-inducedBV-2 migration induced by MMK-1 and Boc-2.Resuits LPS up-regulated the expression of FPR2,and when its agonist was acted on LPS-induced-BV-2,the levels of phosphorylated NF-κB,TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher than those of LPS group.In addition,the chemotaxis of LPS-induced-BV-2 also increased by MMK-1.These effects were abolished by Boc-2.Conclusions LPS can increase the expression of FPR2 on BV-2 cells,and FPR2 enhances the inflammatory response induced by LPS.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of kinking of extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) in patients with transient ischemic attack. Methods Three hundred and thirty-four patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease performed digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were chosen; they were divided into 2 groups according to vascular morphology through DSA detection: kinking group (angulation smaller than 90°, n=110) and non-kinking group (angulation larger than 90°, n=224). According to the age, the patients were divided into youth group (18-45 years old),middle age group (46-64 years old) and elderly group (older than 65 years old). The influencing factors which may be related to the kinking of EICA, including gender, age, height and stenosis degree, and the risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases were statistically analyzed. Results Univariate analysis found that the kinking group and non-kinking group on the ratio of age, gender, height, and histories of hypertension, smoking and drinking were significantly different (P＜0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the kinking of EICA was obviously correlated to the history of hypertension (OR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.376-4.712, P=0.003) and age (taking youth group as reference group, middle age group:OR=2.610, 95% CI: 1.056-6.452, P=0.038, elderly group: OR=2.929, 95% CI: 1.159-7.401, P=0.023).Conclusion The history of hypertension and age are identified as independent predictors for kinking of EICA in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

The Solanaceae plants distributed in China belong to 105 species and 35 varietas of 24 genera. Some medicinal plants of Solanaceae are rich in tropane alkaloids(TAs), which have significant pharmacological activities. In this paper, the geographical distribution, chemical components, traditional therapeutic effect, pharmacological activities, and biosynthetic pathways of TAs in Solanaceous plants were summarized. Besides, the phylogeny of medicinal plants belonging to Solanaceae was visualized by network diagram. Fourteen genera of Solanaceae plants in China contain TAs and have medical records. TAs mainly exist in Datura, Anisodus, Atropa, Physochlaina, and Hyoscyamus. The TAs-containing species were mainly concentrated in Southwest China, and the content of TAs was closely related to plant distribution area and altitude. The Solanaceae plants containing TAs mainly have antispasmodic, analgesic, antiasthmatic, and antitussive effects. Modern pharmacological studies have proved the central sedative, pupil dilating, glandular secretion-inhibiting, and anti-asthma activities of TAs. These pharmacological activities provide a reasonable explanation for the traditional therapeutic efficacy of tropane drugs. In this paper, the geographical distribution, chemical components, traditional therapeutic effect, and modern pharmacological activities of TAs-containing species in Solanaceae were analyzed for the first time. Based on these data, the genetic relationship of TAs-containing Solanaceae species was preliminarily discussed, which provided a scientific basis for the basic research on TAs-containing solanaceous species and was of great significance for the development of natural medicinal plant resources containing TAs.
Biosynthetic Pathways ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; Solanaceae/genetics* ; Tropanes

According to the taste analysis of Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid, the unpleasant taste of the oral liquid is mainly caused by the inherent taste of Chinese medicine and the taste introduced in the preparation process, which leads to its unpopularity among children. Therefore, aiming at the special children patient group, Xiaoer Pudilan Xiaoyan Syrup was developed via technology optimization and dosage form improvement to improve the unpleasant taste and enhance the medication compliance among children. Based on the material properties of Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid and Xiaoer Pudilan Xiaoyan Syrup extracts, the authors compared the properties(pH, density, turbidity, viscosity, chromaticity, particle size), taste, content of five quality markers and in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics of these two preparations, to evaluate the suitability of Xiaoer Pudilan Xiaoyan Syrup. The results showed that compared with those of Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid, the pH, density, turbidity, viscosity and chromaticity of Xiaoer Pudilan Xiaoyan Syrup were significantly changed, and the unpleasant taste was reduced by 26%; the transfer rate of the main active ingredients chicoric acid was increased, while the transfer rate of baicalin had small difference from that of the oral liquid. In addition, pharmacokinetics revealed that the total absorption amount of baicalin in vivo was higher, and the time to peak T_(max) of baicalin and oroxindin in the syrup and the mean residence time MRT_(last )of corynoline in vivo were significantly prolonged. The absorption degree of Xiaoer Pudilan Xiaoyan Syrup and Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid in the body was the same: baicalin>oroxindin>corynoline. The new dosage form process was simpler than that of the original dosage form, safe, environmentally friendly, reasonable and feasible, meeting the mass production demand. This provided a basis for the reasonable and scientific optimization of Xiaoer Pudilan Xiaoyan Syrup, and also laid a foundation for its further safe and rational use, so as to expand the clinical application in children.
Child ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Glucuronates