Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, which is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR), eosinophilia, elevated IgE, goblet cell metaplasia, airway remodeling and so on.Changes in airway epithelial structure and function are prominent features of asthma.Asthma airway epithelium has abnormal sensitivity to oxidative damage and apoptosis, and is more susceptible to reactive oxygen species(ROS)produced by infiltrating inflammatory cells.The effects of ROS accumulation and oxidative stress are the key links in the pathogenesis of asthma.Oxidants such as ROS can interfere with the structure of epithelial cells and cause tracheal remodeling.Conversely, tracheal remodeling can release inflammatory mediators and aggravate asthma.The main function of mitochondria is oxidative phosphorylation to synthesize ATP, and it is also an important source of ROS.Mitochondrial dysfunction includes energy metabolism conversion dysfunction, mitochondrial biological dysfunction, mitochondrial autophagy and kinetic abnormalities, and mitochondrial-dependent signaling pathway disorders.Mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular hypoxia play an extremely important role in the occurrence and development of bronchial asthma.This article reviews the changes in mitochondrial function of airway epithelial cells in asthma airways in recent years, in order to provide theoretical basis for mitochondria-targeted asthma treatment.

In intensive care units (ICU) , the occurrence of acute hypotensive episodes (AHE) is the key problem for the clinical research and it is meaningful for clinical care if we can use appropriate computational technologies to predict the AHE. In this study, based on the records of patients in ICU from the MIMIC II clinical data, the chaos signal analysis method was applied to the time series of mean artery pressure, and then the patient's Lyapunov exponent curve was drawn ultimately. The research showed that a curve mutation appeared before AHE symptoms took place. This is powerful and clear basis for AHE determination. It is also expected that this study may offer a reference to research of AHE theory and clinical application.
Humans ; Hypotension ; diagnosis ; Intensive Care Units ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Software

OBJECTIVE:To study the mechanism of histone deacetylase inhibitor RGFP109 in reversing resistance of glioma U251 cells. METHODS:TR/U251 cells resistance to temozolomide(TMZ)was extrablished. The test was divided into normal con-trol group,TMZ group(40 μmol/L)and TMZ(40 μmol/L)+RGFP109(0-120 μmol/L)different concentrations groups. After 24 h of adding into related medicines,CCK-8 was used to detect the cell survival rate and calculate the half inhibitory concentration (IC50). TUNEL and Annexin V/PI were used to detect the cell apoptosis in normal control group,TMZ group and TMZ+RGFP109 (42μmol/L)group. Immunoblotting was used to detect the O6-methyl guanine-DNA methyltransferase(MGMT),Survivin,B lym-phoma 2(Bcl-2),B lymphoma xL(Bcl-xL)protein expression;and gel migration test was used to detect the p65 acetylation level and its binding capacity with κB-DNA. RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,cell survival rate in TMZ+RGFP109 dif-ferent concentrations groups was obviously decreased (P<0.05),showing a concentration-dependent manner. When the RGFP109 concentration was 42 μmol/L,the sensitivity of TMZ to TR/U251 cells was the same with U251 cells. Compared with normal con-trol group,MGMT,Survivin,Bcl-2,Bcl-xL protein expressions in cells of TMZ groups were enhanced(P<0.01);p65 acetyla-tion level had no obvious changes,while the binding capacity of p65 and κB-DNA was strengthened (P<0.01). Compared with TMZ group,MGMT,Survivin,Bcl-2,Bcl-xL protein expressions in cells of TMZ groups were weakened(P<0.01);p65 acetyla-tion level was enhanced (P<0.01);and the binding capacity of p65 and κB-DNA was weakened (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:RGFP109 can reverse the resistance of U251 cells to TMZ by down-regulating the anti-apoptotic protein expressions adjusted by transcription factorκB(NF-κB)and weakening the binding of p65 andκB-DNA.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that dexamethasone can reduce type Ⅱ collagen and increase type I collagen in articular cartilage surface matrix, but the action mechanism of glucocorticoid to articular chondrocyte proliferation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dexamethasone sodium phosphate on rabbit articular chondrocytes cultured in vitro. DESIGN: Comparative observation.MATERIALS: New Zealand rabbits, 1 month old, were used for chondrocyte isolation and culture.METHODS: Rabbit articular chondrocytes cultured in vitro were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Cells of the control group were cultured in DMEM media without dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Cells of experimental groups were cultured in DMEM media with different concentrations of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (0.02, 0.1, 0.5 g/L), respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary and passage chondrocytes were observed. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry were used to observe the effect of dexamethasone sodium phosphate on cell proliferation and type Ⅱ collagen synthesis. The ultrastructural changes of cultured chondrocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The attachment and proliferation of experimental group chondrocytes was slower than control group. There average gray scale values of the experimental groups were significantly greater than the control group (P < 0.05). The cellular proportions of S phase and G_2+M phase of the experimental groups decreased but the cellular proportions of G0/G1 period increased. Under transmission electron microscope the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of the experimental groups decreased. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate inhibited articular chondrocyte proliferation, possibly due to the decrease of type Ⅱcollagen and protein synthesis ability of chondrocyte.

The present study retrospectively analyzed 13 patients with fibrous dysplasia of the adult proximal femur who received treatment at the Department of Orthopedics,Shenzhen Hospital,Peking University between March 2000 and June 2006.These patients comprised 6 males and 7 females,with an age of 21-35 years.Among 11 patients suffering from mild hip pain,6 presented with mild limping due to worsened pains,and 2 exhibited obvious manifestations of bone fracture.All patients underwent X-ray,CT examinations,and 3 were subjected to MRI examinations,prior to bone grafting and internal fixation.Monostotic lesion was observed in 10 patients and polystotic lesion in 3 patients,but endocrine disturbance was not observed in any patient.Nine patients suffered from lesions in the femoral neck and 4 from lesions in the femoral rotator.Curettage,autogenous and allogeneic bone grafting,and internal fixation with dynamic hip screws and proximal femoral nails were successfully performed in each patient.Internal fixation time averaged 165 minutes (range 120-210 minutes).During the early stage after surgery,weight-bearing activities were not permitted.Bone fracture healed after an average of 3 months.Eighteen to forty-eight months of follow-up demonstrated that clinical symptoms were relieved,with good hip joint function and basically normal gait.X-ray plains showed thickened cortical bone,as well as compacted ossification shadow in bone grafting region.In addition,partial bone absorption,but not recurrent clinically,was observed in 4 patients.These findings imply that thorough curettage,autogenous and allogeneic bone grafting,and internal fixation with dynamic hip screws and proximal femoral nails is a reliable method to treat fibrous dysplasia of the adult proximal femur and it can acquire satisfactory curative effects.

Objective To discuss the surgical treatment of the ankle and the foot soft tissue defects. Methods 41 cases of the ankle and the foot soft tissue defects were treated with different types of pedicle flaps transfer 9 types of flaps were used in all patients. Results 36 flaps of 41 cases were completely survived, 2 ease with superficial necrosis and 3 cases with distal edge partially necrosis and these 5 cases all healed by dressing change. All the easeswere followed up 3 to 36 months(averaged 12 months). The flaps completely survived. Conclusion The study showed that the soft tissue defects in ankle and foot can be constructed satisfactory by selecting a reasonable pedicle flap, especially the sural neurocutaneons island flaps.

Objective To explore the effect on metabolism of glucose and lipids, potential toxicity mechanism and possible biomarker candidates by analyzing urine metabonome changes of rats after oral administration of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners( PCBs) and high fat diet alone or in combination.Methods Male SD rats were divided randomly into control group,high fat diet group, PCBs group and combination group of PCBs and high fat diet.Urine samples were collected after 6-week treatment, 1 H NMR spectra were performed and analyzed by principal component analysis ( PCA) . Results The PCA scores plot of urine 1 H NMR data showed that the combined group could be easily distinguished from the other three groups, suggesting great difference in metabolism.The loading plot of the PCA revealed significant increase in the levels of lactate, glucose, creatine, 2-hydroxy-isovaleric acid and reduction in the levels of citrate, succinate, taurine, hippurate and trimethylamine oxide ( TMAO) in the combined exposure group after six-week exposure.Conclusion The altered levels of metabolites induced by combined exposure of PCBs and high fat diet may be related to the injury to mitochondrial function, reduction of energy metabolism in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TAC).These effects possibly lead to perturbations in the metabolism of glucose, lipid and amino acids.The altered metabolites may be considered biomarker candidates of toxicity induced by exposure to PCBs and high fat diet.

OBJECTIVETo establish a simple extraction, isolation and purification method for ginkgolide B from ginkgo leaf.

METHODThe optimum conditions of extraction, isolation and purification were studied by taking the transfer rate of ginkgolide B as index.

RESULTGinkgo leaf was extracted with 70% ethanol for three times, the extracts were concentrated to remove ethanol and diluted by water till the crude drug density reached 0.1 g x mL(-1). The dilution was adsorbed with HPD-450 macroporous resin. The impurities were eluted with 20% ethanol and ginkgolide B was eluted with 80% ethanol. Then the 80% ethanol eluant was concentrated and crystallized. Finally the crude crystals were recrystallized with isopropanol. The purity of the ginkgolide B recrystallization was 95%.

CONCLUSIONThe process was stable and easy to operate, which was suited to industrialized production.

Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Ginkgolides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Lactones ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

The rat model of dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation disease (PID), and uterine myoma were established to observe the effect ofGui-Zhi Fu-Ling Capsule (GZFLC) with the changes of main components. The molecular imprinted technology was used to quantitatively knock out main components in GZFLC (the knocked-out ratios were 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%). And the observation was made on the writhing times, latency, and effects on ET-1 and PGF2α of uterine tissues in the pitocin-induced dysmenorrhea rat model. Effects on TNF-α and IL-2 were observed in PID rat model induced by mixed bacteria plus mechanical damages. Effects on the weight and index of uterus, levels of E2 and P in serum were detected on the uterine myoma rat model induced by estrogen-burden. The results showed that the GZFLC efficacy was decreased with gradient knockout of 15 main components. When 10%-40% was knocked out, there was still significant difference compared to the model group (P < 0.01). However, when 50%-90% was knocked out, there was no significant difference compared to the model group (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the GZFLC efficacy was decreased significantly compared to the GZFLC group (P <0.05, orP < 0.01). It was concluded that 15 chemical compounds, which included gallic acid, paeoniflorin, paeonol, and etc., may be the main material basis of GZFLC. Meanwhile, it provided a useful reference for the quality control of main components in GZFLC.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method to rapidly determine and identify Guizhi Fuling capsule by portable acousto-optic tunable filter-near infrared spectroscopy.

METHODThe qualitative model was set up using principal component analysis. The correlation models between the NIR spectra and the reference values of five major constituents were obtained with partial least squares method.

RESULTThe identifying model accurately identified Guizhi Fuling capsule, and quantitative analytical models could precisely predicted the content of ellagic acid, baicalin, benzoylpaenoniflorin, cinnamaldehyde, and paeonol. The correlation coefficients of the calibration models were 0.924 2, 0.938 4, 0.924 2, 0.933 6, 0.934 7, the validation set coefficients of the calibration were 0.924 2, 0.938 4, 0.924 2, 0.933 6, 0.934 7, and the RMSEP were 1.138%, 3.014%, 0.751%, 0.625%, 3.455%, 1.363%, respectively. The results of external validation showed no significant difference between the predictive and the determining values by t-test.

CONCLUSIONThe method is accurate, rapid and non-destructive, and can be used for determining and identifying Guizhi Fuling capsule.

Acetophenones ; analysis ; Acrolein ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Calibration ; Capsules ; chemistry ; Drug Evaluation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ellagic Acid ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Models, Chemical ; Principal Component Analysis ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods