OBJECTIVE:To optimize the drying technology of Zingiber officinale peel and establish its quality standard. METHODS:Moisture content was determined in samples after being dried for different time(0.5-10.0 h)under 50,60,70,80, 90 ℃. Optimal drying time under each temperature was screened by using moisture content of 7%-13% as dryness for controlling standard. Then contents of 6-gingerol,8-gingerol,6-shogaol,10-gingerol in samples dried for optimal drying time under different temperatures were measured,using the 4 gingerol contents as indexes to optimize the drying temperature and time. And verification test was conducted. The moisture,total ash,water soluble extract,volatile oil,6-gingerol,8-gingerol and 10-gingerol of Z. offici-nale peel from 10 different producing areas were detected to establish quality standard after being dried with the optimal technology. RESULTS:The drying time of Z. officinale peel under 50,60,70,80,90 ℃ was determined as 10.0,4.2,2.6,1.5,1.1 h,re-spectively. The optimal drying technology was 50 ℃ drying for 10.0 h. Verification test showed RSDs of 6-gingerol,8-gingerol, 6-shogaol,10-gingerol contents were 1.46%,1.09%,1.35%,1.12%(n=3),respectively. The quality standard of Z. officinale peel was suggested that total ash was no more than 18.0%;water soluble extract,volatile oil,6-gingerol,8-gingerol,10-gingerol were respectively no less than 18.0%,1.30%,0.730%,0.060%,0.100%. CONCLUSIONS:The optimized drying technology of Z. officinale peel is reasonable,reliable,stable and simple,which provides a scientific basis for standardizing the drying technolo-gy and quality standard of Z. officinale peel. The established quality standard is feasible.

Objective To investigate the effects of autologous bone mesenchymal stem cells(MSC) transplantation on malignant arrhythmia induced by electrophysiological (EP) stimulation and cardiomyocyte ion channels remodeling in a mini-swine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods Immediately after AMI(LAD occluded for 120 min),MSC(10×107,labeled by colloidal gold and cocultivated with 5-azacytidiRe,5-aga,n=12) or equal volume saline (n=10) were iniected through over-the-wire (OTW) balloon in LAD at distal over D1.EP stimulation is performed after 2 hours and 4 weeks in both groups to induce arrhythmia.The variance of heterogeneity of sodium currents(INa)and INa steady-state inactivation curves in different zones of infracted wall were investigated by patch clamp technology and the relationship between ionic channel and ventrieular arrhythmia is analyzed.Results EP induced malignant ventficular arrhythmia (VT) rate was similar (MSC 75% vs.saline 90%.P=0.455) at 2 hours post AMI and was significantly lower in MSC group(25% vs.80%,P=0.012) at 4 weeks post AMI.The Peak INa current densities of the Endo,Media and Epi were significantly lower in MSC group[(-14.04±3.82)pA/pF,(-29.26±5.70)pA/pF,(-12.43±3.04)pA/pF] compared those in saline group [(-9.71±3.38)pA/pF,(-18.98 ±4.05)pA/pF,(-8.47±3.34)pA/pF,all P<0.05].The IHa steady-state inactivation curves of the Epi,Endo and Media in mini-swine with VT in MSC group [(-126.2±10.9)mV,(-106.7±11.9)mV,(-105.4±11.0)mV] were similar as those in saline group with VT[(-129.1±10.9)mV,(-112.2±9.9)mV,(-109.7±9.2)mV,all P>0.05] while significantlylower compared to MSC group without VT[(-93.1±13.8)mV,(-95.2±15.5)mV,(-103.4±8.7)mV,all P<0.05].The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that INa current density (RR=1.449,95%CI 1.276-2.079,P=0.029) and INa steady-state inaetivation curves(RR=1.092,95%CI 1.008-1.917.P=0.012) were the independent factors for reduced VT.Conclusions Autologous MSC attenuated malignant ventricudar arrhythmia induced by EP at 4 weeks in nlini-swine with AMl which might due to altered eardiomyocyte ion channels remedcling induced by MSC.

OBJECTIVESalvia miltorrhiza Bunge (SMB) is a traditional Chinese herb, which is considered to promote blood flow and remove blood stasis. This study examined whether SMB can alleviate injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in human kidney proximal tubular cells-2 (HK-2 cells).

METHODSThere were 3 experimental groups: control, H/R injury and SMB-treated H/R injury. H/R injury of HK-2 cells was induced by first covering the cells with and then removing liquid paraffin wax. Different concentrations of compound SMB solution (0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15% or 0.20%) were administered to the SMB-treated H/R injury group before the hypoxic injury. After 4, 12 and 24 hrs of hypoxia and 4, 12, 24 and 48 hrs of reoxygenation, morphologic changes of HK-2 cells were observed under an inverted microscope. Cell viability was measured by the MTT method. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the culture supernatants was assayed using biochemical methods; TNF-alpha levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSThe number of HK-2 cells was significantly reduced in the H/R injury group after hypoxia, and reached a nadir 24 hrs after hypoxia treatment. Various concentrations of SMB-treated groups showed significantly greater number of HK-2 cells than the H/R injury group. SMB solution (0.10%) produced the best effect. The levels of LDH and TNF-alpha in the H/R injury group were significantly increased, and reached a peak between 24 hrs of hypoxia and 4 hrs of reoxygenation when compared to the control group. Pre-treating with 0.10% SMB resulted in significantly lower levels of LDH and TNF-alpha than in the untreated H/R injury group at various time points of H/R.

CONCLUSIONSSMB has protective effects against H/R injury of HK-2 cells, possibly through inhibition of inflammatory cytokines.

Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoprotection ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; drug effects ; pathology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors for hospital mortality after operations for type A aortic dissection.

METHODSTotally 766 consecutive patients (586 male and 180 female patient, aged (45±12) years, ranging from 16 to 78 years), who underwent surgery for type A aortic dissection from January 2001 to December 2010, were studied retrospectively. Preoperative and operation related clinic factors were analyzed by univariate analysis, followed by Logistic regression model, to identify the risk factors of hospital mortality.

RESULTSOverall, 37 patients (4.8%) died during hospitalization. On univariate analysis, significant risk factors for hospital mortality were male, acute status, renal dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, cardiopulmonary bypass time, duration of operation, volume of blood transfusion, re-operation for bleeding (χ2=4.008-27.093, P<0.05). On Logistic regression model, independent risk factors were acute status (OR=2.784, 95%CI: 1.166-6.649, P=0.021), renal dysfunction (OR=6.285, 95%CI: 1.738 - 22.723, P=0.005), cardiac dysfunction (OR=3.052, 95%CI: 1.083-8.606, P=0.035), re-operation for bleeding (OR=3.690, 95%CI: 1.262-10.791, P=0.017), volume of blood transfusion (OR=1.033, 95%CI: 1.008-1.058, P=0.010). Additionally, male (OR=0.387, 95%CI: 0.177-0.848, P=0.018) was protective factor, and alternatively, female was indeed one of the independent risk factors for hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONFemale, acute status, renal dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, re-operation for bleeding, volume of blood transfusion were independent risk factors for hospital mortality after operations for type A aortic dissection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; mortality ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; mortality ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe necrosis of a large number of myocardial cells after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in a decrease of cardiac function and ventricle remodeling. Stem cell transplantation could improve cardiac function after AMI, but the involving mechanisms have not been completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via the coronary artery on the ventricle remodeling after AMI as well as the mechanisms of the effects of transplantation of different stem cells on ventricle remodeling.

METHODSA total of 36 male pigs were enrolled in this study, which were divided into 4 groups: control group, simple infarct model group, BM-MNC transplantation group, and MSCs transplantation group. At 90 minutes when a miniature porcine model with AMI was established, transplantation of autologous BM-MNC ((4.7 +/- 1.7) x 10(7)) and MSCs ((6.2 +/- 1.6) x 10(5)) was performed in the coronary artery via a catheter. Ultrasound, electron microscope, immunohistochemical examination and real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used respectively to observe cardiac functions, counts of blood vessels of cardiac muscle, cardiac muscle nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, myocardial cell apoptosis, and the expression of the mRNA of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in cardiac muscles. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation factors of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD).

RESULTSThe number of blood vessels in the infarct zone and around its border in the BM-MNC transplantation group was more than those in the infarct model group and MSCs group (P = 0.0001) and there was less myocardial cell apoptosis in the stem cell transplantation group than that in the infarct model group (all P < 0.01). The positive rate of NF-kappaB in the stem cell transplantation group was lower than that in the infarct model group (P = 0.001). The gene expression of VEGF in the infarct border zone of the BM-MNC group was higher than that in the MSCs group (P = 0.0001). The gene expression of bFGF in the infarct border zone in the MSCs transplantation group was higher than that in the infarct model group and the BM-MNC group (P = 0.0001). Left ventricular ejection fraction was inversely proportional to the apoptotic rate of myocardial cells and cardiac muscle NF-kappaB but positively correlated with the number of blood vessels and the expression of VEGF and bFGF in the infarct zone and infarct border zone. The Multivariate Logistic regression analysis on the factors influencing the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter after stem cell transplantation showed that the expression of VEGF mRNA in the cardiac muscles in the infarct zone, the number of apoptotic myocardial cells and the expression of NF-kappaB in the infarct border zone were independent factors for predicting the inhibitory effect on the dilation of left ventricular EDD after stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONSTransplantation of autologous BM-MNC and MSCs in pigs can improve the condition of left ventricular remodeling and recover the cardiac functions after AMI. The improvement of cardiac functions is related to the increase of blood vessels, the increased expression of VEGF and bFGF, the reduction of myocardial cell apoptosis, and the decrease of NF-kappaB level in cardiac muscle tissues after stem cell transplantation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart Function Tests ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Swine ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of low-dose testosterone undecanoate capsules combined with tadalafil on late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) accompanied with ED.

METHODSNinety cases of LOH accompanied with ED who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group and a combination therapy group, the former treated with tadalafil and the latter with low-dose testosterone undecanoate capsules combined with tadalafil. The LOH symptoms, IIEF-5 scores, sexual encounter profile (SEP) scores, prostate volumes, and the levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were recorded and compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe IIEF-5 and SEP scores and the TT and FT levels were 20.6 +/- 3.8, 4.02 +/- 1.08, (15.4 +/- 3.4) nmol/L and (0.391 +/- 0.062) nmol/L, respectively, in the combination therapy group after treatment, significantly higher both than 15.7 +/- 3.9, 1.49 +/- 0.82, (10.1 +/- 1.2) nmol/L and (0.200 +/- 0.045) nmol/L before treatment (P < 0.01) and than 8.6 +/- 3.6, 3.50 +/- 1.21, (10.2 +/- 1.2) nmol/L and (0.210 +/- 0.051) nmol/L in the control group after treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLow-dose testosterone undecanoate capsules combined with tadalafil has a definite clinical effect and no obvious adverse reactions in the treatment of LOH accompanied with ED.

Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Erectile Dysfunction ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tadalafil ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the effects of interleukin-8 monoclonal antibody on smooth muscle cell proliferation and balloon inflation-induced abdominal aorta stenosis in rabbits.Methods Thirtysix New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to balloon inflation group (group A,n =12),intedeukin-8 monoclonal antibody pre-treated rabbits (2 mg/kg for 3 days before balloon inflation,group B,n =12) and sham-operated control group (group C,n =12).Peripheral blood was collected before experiment and at 4 h,1,3,7,14,and 28 days post balloon inflation or sham operation and the levels of IL-8 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The ratio of positive and negative masculine cells in the high power microscopic field was determined in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained slide.Histopathologic examination was performed in abdominal aorta and luminal area,intima and tunica media area were measured.Results Plasma interleukin-8 began to rise at 4 h and peaked at 1 day and remained increased up to 28 days after balloon inflation in rabbits of group A,plasma interleukin-8 level in group A was significantly higher than in group B and C at 4 h and thereafter post operation.The ratio of positive and negative masculine cells was significantly increased in group A compared to group C and was significantly lower in group B than in group A.Abdominal aorta stenosis,luminal area,intima and tunica media area were significantly reduced in group B than in group A.Correlation analysis indicated that there were positive relations between plasma IL-8 level and intima thickness,area of intima and tunica medias,respectively (r =0.894,0.783,0.801,0.912,all P ＜0.01).Conclusions Plasma IL-8 level is increased in this abdominal aorta stenosis model and is positively correlated to the severity of abdominal aorta stenosis.IL-8 monoclonal antibody could significantly reduce abdominal aorta stenosis in this abdominal aorta stenosis model.

Objective To measure the distance between the lateral compression Ⅱ(LC-Ⅱ)screw guide needle and the surrounding important structures around the anterior inferior iliac spine in pelvic fractures and to locate the needle point,so as to provide anatomical reference for clinical nail placement.Methods Totally 40 adult gross specimens of embalming were implanted with LC-Ⅱ screw guide needle under the surveillance of C-arm machine,and the specimens were dissected.The shortest distance between the insertion point and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve,femoral nerve,femoral artery,femoral vein,anterior superior iliac spine and inguinal ligament was measured.The triangle was constructed between the insertion point,anterior superior iliac spine and inguinal ligament,and the exact location of the entry point was calculated.Results The average distance between the insertion point of the male needle and the femoral vein was(50.67±7.29)mm＞the anterior superior iliac spine(43.83±7.58)mm＞the femoral artery(38.35±6.63)mm＞the femoral nerve(31.17±1.67)mm=the inguinal ligament(28.69±6.59)mm＞the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(7.98±3.81)mm.The mean distance between the insertion point of the female needle and the anterior superior iliac spine was(45.28±7.07)mm=femoral vein(43.72±6.89)mm＞femoral artery(33.76±6.33)mm＞femoral nerve(25.66±6.46)mm=inguinal ligament(23.22±5.00)mm＞lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(8.97±4.76)mm.The projection distance of the entry point was 31.77 mm for men and 38.41 mm for women.The Angle b was 42.81°for men and 31.71° for women.Conclusion The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is most vulnerable to injury when LC-Ⅱ screw is inserted,and the risk of injury has nothing to do with sex.The insertion point positioning method a and b made LC-Ⅱ screw placement quickly,safely and accurately,and reduced fluoroscopy time and frequency.

The chromatic values of the broken-fried and single-fried Gardeniae Fructus Praeparatus(GFP) were measured by the color analyzer to analyze the color variation rule, and the contents of 10 main components were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). The multivariate statistical analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and discriminant analysis were conducted to investigate the color and components of GFP samples. The experimental results revealed that L~*, a~*, b~*, and E~*ab decreased continuously during processing, and the color of samples gradually deepened. The trend and range of chromatic values during broken-frying and single-frying processes were basically identical. Gardenoside, crocin-Ⅰ(C-Ⅰ), and crocin-Ⅱ(C-Ⅱ) showed an obviously downward trend, while the contents of geniposidic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF) increased significantly. Shanzhiside, deacetyl-asperulosidic acid methyl ester, and geniposide(G2) showed a downward trend. Scandoside methyl ester rose first and fell later. Genipin-1-O-gentiobioside(G1) went through a decrease-increase-decrease trend. The change trends of component contents during broken-frying and single-frying processes were generally consistent, but the change range was different. Among all the components, scandoside methyl ester and G1 showed obvious change. Because of different stir-frying time, the change rate of each component content in the process of broken-frying was higher than that in single-frying process. Additionally, geniposidic acid, gardenoside, scandoside methyl ester, C-Ⅰ, C-Ⅱ, and 5-HMF exhibited a higher correlation with apparent color. On the basis of above findings, the discriminant function of two frying processes was established, which could be applied to the discrimination of broken-fried and single-fried samples. This study analyzed the dynamic quality change rule of GFP during broken-frying and single-frying processes based on color-component correlation analysis, and found the two methods showed consistent change trend, yet with slight difference in the quality of samples. This study can provide data support for the processing of GFP.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Fruit ; Gardenia

Aim To explore the protective effect of an-thocyanin B2(PCB2)on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in human oli-godendrocytes(MO3.13)and the underlying mecha-nism.Methods The optimal concentration of H2O2 and PCB2 for action was screened,and divided into normal group,PCB2 group(100 mg·L-1 PCB2 treat-ment for 24 hours),H2 O2 model group(500 μmol·L-1 H2O2 treatment for 24 hours),and H2O2+PCB2 group(500 μmol·L-1 H2O2 and 100 mg·L-1 PCB2 co-treated for 24 hours).FRAP method was used to detect the antioxidant capacity of PCB2;CCK-8 meth-od was used to detect the survival rate of cells in each group,while LDH method was used to assess cytotoxic-ity.Microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ELISA were used to examine the levels of LDH,NO,H2O2,as well as the activities of CAT and SOD in each group of cells.Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of NRF2,xCT,HO-1,ferritin,and GPX4 in each group of cells.FerroOrange fluorescent probe was used to de-tect the intracellular content of ferrous ions(Fe2+).Results H2O2 could induce MO3.13 oxidative dam-age and lead to cell ferroptosis,while PCB2 could alle-viate MO3.13 oxidative damage and ferroptosis.Com-pared with the H2O2 model group,PCB2 intervention could significantly increase LDH content in MO3.13,reduce NO and H2O2 content,and improve SOD and CAT activity,and up-regulate the protein expression levels of NRF2,xCT,HO-1,ferritin,and GPX4.Conclusion PCB2 can enhance cellular antioxidant capacity and alleviate H2O2 induced MO3.13 oxidative damage through the NRF2/HO-1/xCT/GPX4 axis.