Objective: To establish a method for the content determination of tannin in Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis. Methods: The content of tannin in Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis was detected by molybdophosphate colorimetric method. Results: The content of tannin in Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis from different drugstores varied from 0.2537% to 1.637%. Conclusion: This method was simple, accurate and can be used for the quality control of Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis.

Objective To investigate the protective effects and the mechanisms of 17β-estradiol on the propofol-induced neuroapoptosis in primary cultured rat cortical neurons.Methods The neurons were cultured for 7 days and then divided into three groups: vehicle-control group ( treated with equal volume of 20% intralipid ) , propofol-treated group ( treated with 500μmol/L propofol) , and propofol plus 17β-estradiol treated group ( treated with 500μmol/L propofol and 0.1 μmol/L 17β-estradiol).12 hours after the treatment, neuroapoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and TUNEL assay, and the levels of Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the vehicle-control group, the neuroapoptosis increased greatly ( P<0.01 ) , Bcl-2 level reduced ( P <0.01), Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels increased greatly (P<0.01), and Bcl-2/Bax ratio reduced significantly (P<0.01).Compared with the propofol-treatment group, the neuroapoptosis decreased greatly ( P <0.01), Bcl-2 level increased ( P<0.01 ) , Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels reduced greatly ( P <0.01 ) , and Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased greatly ( P <0.01 ) . Conclusions 17β-estradiol can protect cortical neurons against propofol-induced cortical neuroapoptosis by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Choledochostomy ; methods ; Common Bile Duct ; surgery ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; complications ; Drainage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; blood ; etiology ; surgery ; Jejunum ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; complications ; Survival Rate ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

Objective To investigate the therapeutic action and molecular mechanisms of Oxalis comiculata L. extracts on rats with alcoholic liver disease. Methods Forty-two male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=10),model group(n=8),moderate dose oxalis group(n=8),high dose oxalis group(n=8)and prednisone group(n=8). The model of rat with alcoholic liver disease was established by liquor gavage;after 12 weeks,moderate dose oxalis group,high dose oxalis group and prednisone group were given the total extract of oxalis 3.5 g?kg-1?d-1,7 g?kg-1?d-1 or prednisolone acetate 0.9 mg?kg-1?d-1,respectively,the remaining two groups were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage daily for 6 weeks. Levels of indexes of liver function,superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),antidiuretic hormone(ADH)and aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH)in rats were detected. The pathological changes of liver tissues in rats were observed under light microscope;tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) expression level was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with the normal control group, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT),alkaline phosphatase(AKP),γ-glutamyl transferase(GGT),MDA were increased significantly,while the levels of SOD,ADH and ALDH were obviously reduced in model group. Compared with the model group,AST,ALT,AKP,GGT and MDA contents were decreased significantly,while the levels of SOD, ADH and ALDH were markedly increased in the drug groups,and the changes of levels of AST,ALT,AKP,GGT, SOD,ADH in high dose oxalis group were the most obvious〔AST(U/L):117.38±22.75 vs. 201.62±17.95,ALT (U/L):33.51±11.64 vs. 59.14±9.52,AKP(U/L):95.19±24.85 vs. 169.39±37.21,GGT(U/L):46.54±14.55 vs. 89.37±12.49,SOD(U/mg):137.03±12.03 vs. 80.64±13.45,ADH(U/L):3.48±0.71 vs. 2.05±0.91,P<0.05 or P<0.01〕,and the most significant changes of MDA and ALDH were in oxalis moderate dose group〔MDA (mmol/mg):2.05±0.64 vs. 3.17±0.61,ALDH(U/L):7.59±1.95 vs. 5.71±1.33,both P<0.05〕. In normal control group,no obvious lesion was seen in the rat liver tissues. In the model group,fatty degeneration of liver cells with formation of bullae was found,while in the moderate and high dose oxalis groups,cells with macrovesicular steatosis were significantly decreased. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of TNF-α in the cytoplasm and part of cell membrane of macrophage was significantly decreased in liver tissues in oxalis moderate and high dose groups. Conclusion These results show that the Oxalis comiculata L. extracts possess certain therapeutic effect on alcoholic liver disease.

Objective To study the effects of radical surgical treatment for early esophageal cancer, and to investigate the prevention and cure of their complications,cancer recurrence and metastasis.Methods Treatments of 240 patients with early esophageal cancer of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2005 to January 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were treated by left thoracotomy,thoracic or cervical mechanical anastomosis surgical methods of treatment.Their postoperative adverse reactions,complications and 1 -,3-,5-year survival rates were observed and analyzed.Results The surgical resection rate was 1 00.00%. Complications included postoperative pulmonary infection (1 2 patients,5.00%), cardiac arrhythmias (1 patient,0.42%),delayed gastric emptying (2 patients,0.83%),pleural hemorrhage (1 patient, 0.42%),recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (2 patients,0.83%)and anastomotic fistula (1 patient,0.42%). One-year,3-year and 5-year survival rates after surgery were 1 00.00% (240 /240),97.9% (235 /240)and 95.8% (230 /240)respectively.The main causes of postoperative death were tumor recurrence and metastasis. Conclusion Timely surgery for early esophageal cancer can bring in good effect and long-term outcome,with little complication,which can obtain a good forward curative effect.

Liver X receptor (LXR), a member of the superfamily of nuclear receptors, plays an important role in the activation of transcription factors involved in cholesterol metabolism, glucose homeostasis inflammation and lipogenesis. It is shown that LXR agnoists have the potentiality to be used as drugs for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, which is its best investigated therapeutic indication. There are many compounds being studied in preclinical evaluation and biological assay. This paper will review briefly the LXR agonists in recent years.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; metabolism ; Amines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Benzimidazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cholesterol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipogenesis ; Liver X Receptors ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; agonists ; physiology ; Quinolines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression and clinical implication of receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) in mononuclear cells and coronary atherosclerotic plaques from patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODSmRNA and protein expressions of RACK1 were detected in mononuclear cells from 29 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), 41 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 30 healthy volunteers. RACK1 protein expression was also detected by immunohistochemistry in 17 coronary atherosclerotic plaques and 6 normal autopsy coronary samples.

RESULTS(1) mRNA expression of RACK1 was significantly upregulated in mononuclear cells from patients with ACS compared with those from patients with SAP (18.71 ± 5.45 vs. 12.18 ± 4.14, P < 0.05), and the latter was also significantly higher than in healthy controls (12.18 ± 4.14 vs. 3.65 ± 1.57, P < 0.05). (2) Similar changes were observed for protein expression of RACK1 for the three groups. (3) Increased expression of RACK1 was found in atherosclerotic plaques, especially in unstable plaques, positive RACK1 stain was evidenced in foam cells, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of RACK1 is significantly upregulated in mononuclear cells from patients with coronary artery disease, especially in patients with ACS, and in coronary atherosclerotic plaques, especially in unstable plaques. Our results thus suggest that RACK1 might play an important role in the development and progression of coronary artery disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors for Activated C Kinase ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To report the outcome of emergency repair of severe complex defect in forearm by transplantation of free flap and simultaneous functional reconstruction.Methods From Mar.1994 to Aug.2003,4 cases with severe complex defect in forearm was repaired by transplantation of free skin flap, free skin flap combined with fibula flap,or fibula osteocutaneous flap in emergency.Simultaneously the flexion and extension function were repaired by muscle transfer and/or tendon grafting,tenonectomy.Results All the cases were successful.Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 3 years postoperatively.The blood-supply,tex- ture and elasticity of transferred flaps were excellent with good bone healing.Opposition of thumb with four fin- gers was good.Sensory recovery of the hand was satisfactory.Conclusion Transplantation of free flap com- bined with simultaneous functional reconstruction is an ideal method in emergency repair of severe complex de- fect in forearm.

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxic effect of fluoride on the human thyroid cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) and its mechanism.

METHODSNthy-ori 3-1 cells were exposed to 0.0, 0.1, 1.0, 3.0 mmol/L of sodium fluoride (NaF) in vitro. After 24 hours incubation, 3 (4,5-Dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-3, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were used to measure cell viability and the LDH leakage rate. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, constituent ratio of the cell cycle, and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSComparing to viability of control group (set as 100.00%), the cell viability of the 1.0, 3.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated groups (76.64 +/- 9.13)%, (64.04 +/- 6.32)% were significantly decreased (all P values <0.01). LDH leakage rate and ROS level of the 3.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated group ((48.66 +/-7.15)%, (29993.50 +/- 1786. 86) FI) were significantly increased (all P values <0.01) compared to control group ((35.24 +/- 3.02)%, (13021.33 +/- 1067.55) FI). The G0/G1 phase cells of the 1.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated group ((40.76 +/- 5.65)%) were lower than control group (60.09 +/- 1.76)% (P < 0.01), yet the percentage of cells in S phase ((54.05 +/- 4.59)%) were higher than the control group (32.59 +/- 2.43) % (P < 0.01). Comparing to control group ((9.64 +/- 3.44)%), the percentage of apoptosis cells increased in the 3.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated group ((20.09 +/- 3.22)%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTo Nthy-ori 3-1 cells, fluoride under experimental concentrations decreases cell viability, improve the LDH leakage rate, and ROS level. It blocks the cells in S phase and induce cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Line ; Fluorides ; toxicity ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis ; Thyroid Gland ; cytology ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect in the treatment of the young patients(≤45 years old) with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)underwent emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) combined with Lipo-PGE_1.Methods 39 patients with AMI(paroxysm within 12 hours),were underwent emergent PTCA(coronary stem performed in some patients),including 18 cases which were treated combined with Lipo-PGE_1 in the mean time.And the clinical efficacy and the results of short-period follow-up were recorded.Results The in- farctive vasculars were re-open in 37 patients(23 cares were routinely placed translunrinal srents),and the successful rate was 94.9 %.Those who also used Lipo-PGE_1 were re-open in 17 patients.The successful rate was 94.4 %,their ST segments on EKG 30 minutes after operations reduced significantly than that of patients who did not use Lipo- PGE_1,their cardial functions were also improved significantly 24 hours after operations and no side effects on blood pressure and heart rate were observed.Conclusion The emergent PTCA combined with Lipo-PGE_1 for acute my- ocardial infarction can protect the cardial function and show a better early therapy effect.