OBJECTIVETo observe whether ginsenoside Rg1 could reduce the infarcted area and improve the heart function by path of promoting bone marrow stem cells differentiated to vascular endothelial cells (VECs).

METHODSBone marrow was drawn from rabbit's ilium and labelled with red fluorochrome DiI, then it was transferred again into the rabbit's body. The rabbits was then made into myocardiac infarction model. The model rabbits were divided into the control group and the ginsenoside Rgl treated group (treated group). The infracted area at two weeks, and the left ventricular function at one and two weeks after infarction were determined respectively. The DiI positive cell rate of myelogenetic cells in ischmia area and CD31 positive cell rate of VECs were determined by confocal microscopy. Myocardial interstitial granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(GCSF) levels during ischemia and reperfusion period were determined also.

RESULTSDiI positive rate of CD31 staining positive cells in the treated group was obviously increased, and the concentration of G-CSF in myocardium interstitial obviously increased, accompanied with obviously improving of heart function and obviously reducing of infarcted area.

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rgl could stimulate the G-CSF secretion in local myocardiac tissues, thus to induce bone marrow mononuclear cells migrate to myocadial tissue and further differentiate to VECs. The regeneration of endothelium cells show certain direct action in promoting capillary regeneration of infarcted myocardium tissue and maintaining the blood supply.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of epidural ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl for labor analgesia on the clinical outcome of labor.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted involving 281 healthy primiparas, including 106 undergoing spontaneous labor who received epidural 0.15% ropivacaine in combination with fentany (1microg/ml) and 175 without epidural analgesia. The active phase duration, durations of each labor stages, delivery modes, management of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, incidence of fetal distress and asphyxia neonatorum were recorded in the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain of uterine contraction, and modified Bromage scoring system applied to evaluate the lower limb motor block.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the duration of the first, third or the total labor stages between the two groups, but the second labor stage was prolonged in the labor analgesia group. The ratio of spontaneous labor, assisted vaginal delivery, and incidence of asphyxia neonatorum were higher, whereas the duration of the active stage was shortened in the analgesia group.

CONCLUSIONEpidural ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl in labor can decrease the incidence of cesarean section, and the duration of the active stage can be shortened with application of ocytocin.

Adult ; Amides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Analgesia, Epidural ; methods ; Analgesia, Obstetrical ; methods ; Anesthetics, Combined ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fentanyl ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety ofventricular peritoneal shunt (VPS) in treating patients with intracranial hypertension combined with cryptococcal meningitis.Methods Twelve patients with cryptococcal meningitis,admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to January 2014 and underwent VPS for intracranial hypertension,were chosen in our study; the clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results before and after operation,and mannitol dosage before and after operation were compared; follow up for 2-25 months was performed.Results Except 1 patient had no improvement of consciousness,the other 11 patients had disappeared or mitigated headache,disappeared vomiting symptoms,and improved vision and hearing; two patients with disturbance of consciousness got improvement; one patient with eyes abduction got recovery; one patient had abnormal tongue and mouth did not achieve improvement.Different degrees of fever were noted in 10 patients after operation,9 recovered after treatment.The mannitol dosage for all patients were significantly reduced or discontinued.Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid pressure,amount of cryptococcus neoformans in 11 patients were decreased significantly (P＜0.05).Conclusion Early aggressive VPS on cryptococcal meningitis patients with intracranial hypertension is effective and safe.

Background and Objective: Mutations in DNA repair system are related to carcinogenesis.This study was to evaluate the correlations of polymorphisms and haplotypes of XPD gene with individual susceptibility to gastric cancer. Methods: Genomic DNA were extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of 207 gastric cancer patients and 212 healthy controls. Genotypes at codon 312 and codon 751 polymorphic sites were identified by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction(ARMS-PCR) or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRPFLP), respectively. Results: At codon 312, the frequency of GA or AA genotype was higher in the gastric cancer patients than in the healthy controls (P＜0.01,OR=3.41, 95% CI: 2.06-4.79; P＜0.01, OR=3.47,95% CI:1.39-8.68). No significant difference was found in the distribution of the polymorphism at codon 751 between the two groups(P＞0.05). By the haplotype AA (codon 312A-codon 751A) analysis, the frequency of heterozygote(-/AA) or homozygote (AA/AA) was higher in the patients than in the controls (P＜0.01 ,OR=2.81, 95% CI:1.82-4.34;P=0.02,OR=3.92, 95%CI:1.31-11.70,respectively). Whereas there were no significant differences of the other three haplotypes between the patients and the controls (P＞0.05).Conclusions: The polymorphism of XPD at codon 312 might contribute to the etiology of gastric cancer.The haplotype AA (codon 312A-codon 751A) would be a critical risk factor of the susceptibility to gastric cancer.

Objectives To explore the inhibition function of azithromycin on inflammation function in HaCaT keratinocyte cell induced by interleukin-22 (IL-22).Methods The cases were randomly divided into normal group, model group (100 μg? mL-1 IL-22) , azithromycin low, medi-um and high dose groups (100, 300, 1000 μg? mL-1 ).The content of nitric oxide ( NO) in medium was determined by Gries method.The con-tent of tumor nuclear factor ( TNF-α) , IL-6, IL-6 was examed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) .The phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB) p65 and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS ) was assayed by Western blot.The expre-ssion of NF-κB p65,iNOS,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8 mRNA was assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT -PCR ) . Results Compared with model group, the concentration of NO, the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 , IL-8 protein and mRNA was lower than in three dose azithromycin groups ( P <0.05 ) . The expression of TNF-α, IL-6 protein in model group and azithromycin medium group were [(39.12 ±3.45) vs (16.37 ±1.28)], [( 30.42 ±2.97) vs (13.29 ±1.52)].The expression of TNF-α, IL-6 mRNA in model group and azithromycin medium group was [(1.28 ±0.11) vs (0.72 ±0.07)],[( 0.89 ±0.08) vs (0.53 ±0.04)].The expression of iNOS protein and mRNA, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and the expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA was lower than in azithromycin medium and high dose groups ( P <0.05 ) . Conclusion The azithromycin could inhibit inflammation in HaCaT keratinocyte cell induced by IL -22, may be correlated with via blocking NF -κB signal pathway and down-regulation expression of iNOS.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate safety and efficacy of preoperative administration of enteral nutrition support in gastric cancer patients at risk of malnutrition.

METHODSA single center randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in 60 gastric cancer patients in West China Hospital from May to October 2012. Thirty patients were given enteral nutrition support(Ensure(R)) manufactured by Abbott Laboratories for ten consecutive days before surgical operation in the treatment group, and 30 patients were given an isocaloric and isonitrogenous homogenized diet in the control group for 10 days as well. The laboratory parameters of nutritional status and hepatorenal function were observed and compared between the two groups on admission, preoperative day 1 and postoperative day 3, respectively. Clinical observations, such as nausea and vomiting, were carried out until patients were discharged.

RESULTSBefore the intervention, there were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The levels of serum albumin [(33.9±5.6) g/L vs. (31.0±5.3) g/L, P<0.05], and hemoglobin[(103.4±7.7) g/L vs.(96.6±10.5) g/L, P<0.01] were significantly improved in the treatment group on postoperative day 3. However, the levels of body mass index, lymphocyte count, liver and renal function, serum glucose, sodium, and potassium were not significantly different between the two groups(all P>0.05). Moreover, two patients with nausea and one with vomiting in each group were found. In clinical observation period, no severe treatment-related adverse event were observed.

CONCLUSIONThe enteral supplement with Ensure(R) in gastric cancer patients at risk of malnutrition during preoperative period is effective and safe, which is superior to homogenized diet and an appropriate choice for gastric cancer patients with nutritional risk.

Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Malnutrition ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Nutritional Status ; Postoperative Period ; Preoperative Care ; methods ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways and its role in cell cycle regulation under endoplasmic reticulum stress in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

METHODSPI3K inhibitor LY294002 and MEK inhibitor U0126 were used to block the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways respectively, and constitutively activated Akt mutant construct was used to activate the PI3K/Akt pathway. Western blot was used to study the potential cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways under endoplasmic reticulum stress in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. the role of the cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways in cell cycle regulation was investigated by using propidium iodide staining.

RESULTSLY294002 not only blocked Akt activation efficiently but also increased ERK phosphorylation markedly under endoplasmic reticulum stress in SMMC-7721 and Hep3B cells. Furthermore, myr-Akt inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated ERK phosphorylation. In contrast, MEK inhibitor U0126 had no effect on endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced Akt activation. It is notable that both myr-Akt overexpression and MEK inhibitor U0126 inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced G0/G1 phase arrest in SMMC-7721 cells.

CONCLUSIONEndoplasmic reticulum stress-induced Akt activation is mediated through PI3K and the PI3K/Akt pathway inactivation is involved in increased ERK activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK cascades plays an important role in endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced human hepatocellular carcinoma cell cycle arrest.

Butadienes ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Nitriles ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of miR-221/222 in inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced human hepatocarcinoma cells apoptosis.

METHODmiR-221/222 mimics and inhibitors were used to mimic or block the function of endogenous miR-221/222 respectively. Western blot and flow cytometry were used to test the effects of miR-221/222 on cell cycle and apoptosis under endoplasmic reticulum stress in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

RESULTSEndoplasmic reticulum stress resulted in miR-221/222 down-regulation in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. miR-221/222 mimics and inhibitors inhibited and promoted respectively endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated p27Kip1 induction. Moreover, p27Kip1 suppression not only resulted in reduction in the fraction of G1 phase cells, but also promoted the endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

CONCLUSIONmiR-221/222 were downregulated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which subsequently protected human hepatocellular carcinoma cells against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis through p27Kip1 regulation.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the roles of alisma and gliclazide in the treatment of diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats.

METHODSGK rats were randomly divided into alisma group, gliclazide group, and blank group, and Wistar rats were used as the normal group. After two weeks of treatment, body weight, food intake,fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and other indicators were measured.

RESULTSThe body weight increased after the treatment in the normal group,blank group,and gliclazide group [(241.3 ± 7.0)g vs.(263.5 ± 11.1)g, (242.8 ± 7.1)g vs.(267.9 ± 16.8)g, (243.9 ± 12.2)g vs.(277.9 ± 9.8)g, P<0.05] but decreased in alisma group [(244.6 ± 9.2)g vs.(227.9 ± 13.7)g, P<0.05]. The food intake showed no significant change before and after administration among different groups(P>0.05). Fasting glucose was significantly lower in normal group than in control group,alisma group,and gliclazide group [(4.8 ± 0.2) mmol/L vs.(8.2 ± 1.4) mmol/L,(8.1 ± 0.6) mmol/L, (8.1 ± 0.9)mmol/L, P<0.05] one week after drug administration; it was not significantly different among blank group,alisma group,and gliclazide group before drug administration (P>0.05); however, it significantly decreased in alisma group and gliclazide group two weeks after administration [(6.9 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs.(8.1 ± 0.6) mmol/L; (5.8 ± 0.5) mmol/L vs.(8.1 ± 0.9) mmol/L, P<0.05]; compared with the blank group, the fasting glucose was significantly lower in the alisma group and gliclazide group,and it was also significantly different between these two groups [(6.9 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs.(8.8 ± 0.6) mmol/L,(5.8 ± 0.5)mmol/L vs.(8.8 ± 0.6)mmol/L, (6.9 ± 0.7) mmol/L vs.(5.8 ± 0.5)mmol/L, P<0.05]. Compared with the normal group,glucose tolerance was abnormal in blank group,alisma group,and gliclazide group;after two weeks of treatment,glucose tolerance was significantly improved in alisma group (P<0.05); compared with the pretreatment level and that in the blank group,the glucose tolerance in gliclazide group showed no significant difference (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth alisma and gliclazide monotherapy is effective in lowering fasting blood glucose. As a single-target drug,gliclazide has stronger effecacy in lowering fasting glucose. However, alisma, as a mixture, can also control weight and improve glucose intolerance.

Alisma ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Gliclazide ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar