Aim To investigate the effects of EDT on anoxia and ischemic injury in cultured PC12 cells. Methods Cultured PC12 cells were treated with 1 mmol?L -1 Na 2S 2O 4 and 20 mmol?L -1 NaCN in combination with glucose deprivation. The protective effects of EDT on these two models were evaluated by lactate dehydrogenate (LDH) efflux assay and colormetric MTT assay.ResultsEDT, within the range of 10 -8～ 10 -6 mol?L -1, significantly antagonized LDH efflux induced by two models and increased the optical density at 570 nm tested by colorimetric MTT assay in concentration-dependent manner. 10 -6 mol?L -1 EDT might time-dependently inhibit two injuries and reach maximal level at 48 h. Conclusion EDT can protect PC12 cells from anoxia and ischemic injury.

AIM: To study the effects of propofol on membrane fluidity and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in PC12 cells and discuss its relevant mechanism. METHODS: PC12 cell lines were divided into seven groups: control, solvent and propofols (1, 3, 10, 30, 100 mg·L-1). Fluorescence depolarization method was used to measure dynamically microviscosity in PC12 cells and [Ca2+]i was detected using calcium fluorescentprobe Fluo-3/AM and a laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: 1 Acute administration of various doses of propofol induced a significant decrease of microviscosity in PC12 cells dose-dependenty. 2 Solvent, propofol at dose of 10 mg·L-1 had no effect on [Ca2+]i in PC12 cells, however, after 30 and 100 mg·L-1 administration, [Ca2+]i increased markedly at 20-30 seconds (increase percentage were 119% and 140% respectively) and then recovered to their pre-administration levels within 50 seconds. CONCLUSION: The propofol can significantly increase membrane fluidity in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner and elevate [Ca2+]i in PC12 cells at doses of 30 and 100 mg·L-1. These changes are consistent with each other and related closely with anesthetic effect of propofol.

Objective To assess the left ventricular function of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by speckle tracking imaging (STI).Methods 75 AMI patients who had AMI for the first time and have been treated by primary PCI were enrolled.Dynamic images were acquired before PCI,at 6 months after PCI and analyzed by STI.Dynamic images were analyzed for longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS),radial peak systolic strain (RPSS) and circumferential peak systolic strain (CPSS) values by STI.According to the comparison of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before PCI and 6 months after PCI,patients were divided into left ventricular function improved group (△LVEF≥5％) and not-improved group.Results Compared to non-improved group,LPSS (P ＜0.001),RPSS (P ＜0.05,P ＜0.001) and CPSS (P ＜0.001) of improved group were all higher before and 6 months after PCI.LPSS (r =-0.578,P ＜0.001) and CPSS (r =-0.817,P ＜0.001) before PCI were both closely related to △LVEF.In single parameter mode of ROC curve analysis,the area under the ROC curve (AUC) (0.867),sensitivity (94.7％) and specificity (74.4％) of CPSS are relatively higher than other STI parameters.In multiple parameters united mode of ROC curve analysis,AUC (0.897),sensitivity (94.7％) and specificity (74.4％) of LPSS,RPSS and CPSS united were the highest among all the combinations of all STI parameters.Conclusions Left ventricular function improvement of patients with AMI 6 months after PCI is accurately assessed and predicted by STI.CPSS is a strong predictor for left ventricular function improvement 6 months after PCI of AMI patients among all the STI parameters and is an effective indicator for the assessment of left ventricular function improvement of AMI patients.

Objective To create a three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3DSTI) multiparameter analysis model to improve the diagnostic efficiency of obstructive coronary artery stenosis.Methods One hundred and four patients with chest pain were divided into two groups:coronary heart disease(CHD) group (61 patients) and control group (43 patients) according to the result of selective coronary angiography (SCA).The two groups' clinical data and echocardiographic parameters were aquired,including mitral flow E and A velocities,E peak deceleration time,isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT),mitral annulus velocity e' and a' peak in diastolic and s' peak in systolic by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI),and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).The global longitudinal peak strain (2D-GLPS) by two dimensional speckle tracking,global longitudinal peak strain (3D-GLPS),circumferential peak strain(3D-GCPS),radial peak strain (3D-GRPS) and area peak strain (3D-GAPS) were acquired.Results For conventional parameters,there were no significant difference between the two groups.Compared with control group,TDI e' peak,3D-GRPS decreased,significantly E/e',2D-GLPS,3D-GLPS,3D-GAPS,3D-GCPS increased significantly (P ＜0.01).For single parameter,area under the ROC curve (AUC) were successively 3D-GAPS(0.766) ＞ 3D-GLPS(0.746) ＞ 2D-GLPS(0.746) ＞3D-GRPS(0.727) ＞ s' (0.703) ＞E/e' (0.688)＞3D-GCPS(0.686).AUC for single and multi technology were successively p-Union(0.856)＞p-3DSTI(0.772) ＞ p-TDI (0.757) ＞ p-2DSTI (0.746).Conclusions 3DSTI together with multi-parameter analysis model can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency of obstructive coronary artery stenosis.Area strain is an independent predictor of obstructive coronary artery stenosis.

Objective To assess left ventricular function early and late improvement of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by speckle tracking imaging (STI).The clinical values of the assessment of STI for the prognosis and heart function improvement of AMI patients treated by PCI were discussed.Methods 73 AMI patients who had AMI for the first time and had been treated by primary PCI from September 2010 to July 2011 and were examined in the follow-ups from December 2010 to February 2012 in our hospital were enrolled.Dynamic images were acquired before PCI,at 3 months and 6 months after PCI and analyzed by STI.Dynamic images were analyzed for longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS),radial peak systolic strain (RPSS) and circumferential peak systolic strain (CPSS) values by STI.According to the comparison of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before PCI and 6 months after PCI,patients were divided into left ventricular function improved group (ΔLVEF6＞5％) and not-improved group.According to the comparison of LVEF before PCI and 3 months after PCI,improved group were divided into left ventricular function early-improved group (ΔLVEF3 ＞5％) and late-improved group.Results The values of all STI parameters before PCI,3 months and 6 months after PCI in improved group were higher than those in not-improved group (P ＜0.001,all).LPSS before PCI and at the follow-ups and RPSS at 3 months after PCI in early-improved group were higher than those in late-improved group (LPSS at 3 months after PCI:P＜0.001;Other parameters:P ＜0.05).There were significant correlations between all STI parameters and both ΔLVEF3 and ΔLVEF6.LPSS before PCI was more closely related to ΔLVEF3 (r =-0.781,P ＜0.001).CPSS at 6 months after PCI was more closely related to ΔLVEF6 (r =-0.834,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions Early and late function improvement of left ventricle in AMI patients who is treated by PCI are accurately assessed by STI.The precise analyses of longitudinal and circumferential movements in STI are important for clinical diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZDD) on mRNA and protein expressions of transient receptor potential family vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential family vanilloid subtype 5 (TRPV5) in Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU)-infected rat semens and spermatogenic cells, and to explore the pathomechanism of UU-infected infertility and the intervention of ZDD.

METHODSTotally 45 were randomly selected from 60 4-5 months old SD rats. UU testicular infected animal models were set up after bladder inoculation of UU suspension. The remaining 15 rats were simultaneously injected with normal saline as a normal control group. After a successful modeling, UU infected model rats were randomly divided into the model group, the azithromycin group, and the ZDD group, 15 in each group. Rats in the ZDD group were administered with ZDD at the daily dose of 1 g/kg by gastrogavage. Rats in the azithromycin group were administered with azithromycin suspension at the daily dose of 0. 105 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily for 21 successive days. Testes and epididymis were extracted after rats were killed and UU positive rates were compared among all groups. Sperm cells were separated using a mechanical separation technique. Sperm motility parameters were detected using color sperm motion detection system. mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermatogenic cells were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe UU positive rate was obviously higher in the model group than in the normal control group [(86.7% (13/15 cases) vs. 0] P < 0.05). It was lower in the ZDD group [33.3% (5/15 cases)] and the azithromycin group [26.7% (4/15 cases)] than in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, class A and B sperms were reduced, the linear velocity and the average velocity were significantly lowered, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermated genic cells significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, class A and B sperms were increased, linear and curve velocities and the average velocity were significantly elevated, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 significantly increased in the ZDD group and the azithromycin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with azithromycin group, class A and B sperms were increased, the linear velocity and the average velocity were significantly elevated, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 significantly increased in the ZDD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZDD could fight against UU infection and elevate semen quality, which might be associated with up-regulating mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermatogenic cells.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Infertility ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; TRPV Cation Channels ; metabolism ; Testis ; Ureaplasma Infections ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

Objective To develop simple theories and methods for health quality evaluation in moderately prosperous society, and to establish a health quality index (HQI) model to assess the improvement in health quality. Methods Four health quality - related indexes were selected following screening. HQI was then calculated. In 5 provinces, empirical analysis of HQI was conducted. Results In F test, there was significant difference in HQI between different regions of China in 2005. Conclusions The study provides a scientific, comprehensive, sensitive, and intuitive evaluation index, HQI, which may be helpful in assessing the health level.

Objective To analyze longitudinal layer‐specific strain in endocardial ,midcardial and epicardial layers of left ventricle (LV) by two‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D‐STI) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to evaluate the regional or global systolic function of LV . Methods Seventy‐eight patients with suspected CHD were divided into CHD group (46 subjects) and control group (32 subjects) according to the results of selective coronary arteriography . According to the stenosis degree or number of coronary arteries ,the CHD group was divided into mild stenosis group ( corresponding blood‐supply vessel stenosis 50% -75% ) ,severe stenosis group ( corresponding blood‐supply vessel stenosis ≥75% ) or single‐vessel stenosis group ,multi‐vessel stenosis group . Two‐dimensional images with high frame rate were recorded in apical four‐chamber ,long‐axis ,two‐chamber of LV in all subjects . The strain parameters by EchoPAC analysis software included territorial longitudinal strain ( TLS ) of endocardial , midcardial and epicardial layers ( TLSendo ,TLSmid ,TLSepi) and global longitudinal strain ( GLS) of endocardial ,midcardial and epicardial layers ( GLSendo ,GLSmid ,GLSepi) . Results Regardless of with or without corresponding blood‐supply coronary artery stenosis and range of coronary artery stenosis , TLSendo ,TLSmid ,TLSepi and GLSendo ,GLSmid ,GLSepi all showed a gradient decrease( P < 0 .05) . Compared with the control group ,TLSendo ,TLSepi of mild stenosis group and severe stenosis group decreased significantly( P <0 .05) ,while there was no significant difference about TLSmid between the two groups( P > 0 .05) . Compared with the mild stenosis group ,TLSendo ,TLSepi of severe stenosis group decreased significantly( P < 0 .05) ,while there was no significant difference about TLSmid( P > 0 .05) . Moreover ,compared with the control group ,GLSendo ,GLSmid ,GLSepi of single‐vessel stenosis group and multi‐vessel stenosis group decreased significantly( P < 0 .05) . Compared with the single‐vessel stenosis group ,GLSendo ,GLSmid ,GLSepi of multi‐vessel stenosis group decreased significantly( P < 0 .05) . For predicting corresponding blood‐supply vessel stenosis ≥75% ,the sensitivity and specificity were 55 .6% , 72 .6% and 57 .8% ,76 .4% ,when the cut‐off of TLSendo and TLSepi were 20 .5% and 15 .5% respectively . For predicting multi‐vessel stenosis ,the sensitivity and specificity were 54 .5% ,71 .4% ;50 .0% ,87 .5% and 63 .6% ,87 .5% ;when the cut‐off of GLSendo , GLSmid , GLSepi were 21 .5% , 17 .5% and 16 .5%respectively . Conclusions Systolic dysfunction of LV happened through all layers in CHD patients . The longitudinal strain of layer‐specific by 2D‐STI can accurately evaluate the regional and global systolic function of LV in patients with CHD ,which can also be used to predict the degree or range of coronary artery stenosis .

Objective To evaluate intra-and interatrial synchronization in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by dual gate Doppler and discuss the predictive value of atrial asynchrony for detecting PAF.Methods Twenty-nine patients with PAF as AF group and 24 healthy volunteers as control group underwent echocardiography.The time interval of the onset of a'wave between mitral annular septal and lateral site was T1 by dual gate Doppler,which was used to evaluate left atrial synchronization.The time intervals from the onset of a'wave at tricuspid annular right ventricular free wall site to a'wave at tricuspid annular septal site and mitral annular lateral site were T2 and T3,which were respectively used to evaluate right atrial and interatrial synchronization.The greater time interval predicted the worse synchronization.Compared these indexes between two groups,the most valuable index was obtained and combined with left atrial volume index (LAVI) to predict PAF,its optimal values were found out by ROC curve.Results ①There were no significant differences in many other basic indexes between two groups (P ＞0.05).However,compared with control group,the ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and mitral annular velocity of septal site (e'),the diameters and volume indexes of atria were significantly increased in AF group.②T1,T2 and T3 (standardized before and after) increased significantly in AF group (P ＜0.01).Standardized T1 had the largest area under curve (AUC) for detecting PAF.The AUC of standardized T1 and LAVI were 76.6％ and 84.1％.Standardized T1 ≥29.55 ms and LAVI≥ 21.60 ml/m2 were combined for detecting PAF (sensitivity 82.8 ％,specificity 79.2％,AUC 87.1％).③ Standardized T1 was positively correlated with age,left atrial systolic diameter,LAVI,RAVI and E/e'(P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with PAF have worse intra-and interatrial synchronization and left atrial asynchrony can provide predictive value for detecting PAF.Dual gate Doppler is expected to be a new technique for evaluating intra-and interatrial synchronization accurately and detecting the risk of AF.

This study is to establish the methods for determination of iridoid glycosides and triterpenic acids in Corni Fructus and provide technical support for the quality control of Corni Fructus. Morroniside, loganin and sweroside were determined by HPLC-UV method with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase, and the detective wavelength was set at 240 nm. Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid were determined by HPLC-ELSD method with methanol-0.5% ammonium acetate (87:13) as the mobile phase. The results showed that the linear ranges of morroniside, loganin and sweroside were 5.335-213.4 mg · L(-1) (r = 0.9999), 5.515-220.6 mg · L(-1) (r = 1.0000), 1.992-79.68 mg · L(-1) (r = 1.0000), respectively. The average recoveries of the above three iridoid glycosides were 98.49%-99.28% with RSDs of recoveries being less than 2%. The linear ranges of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid were 7.74-154.8 mg · L(-1) (r = 0.9964), 10.82-216.4 mg · L(-1) (r = 0.9996), respectively. The average recoveries of the above two triterpenic acids were 98.11%-99.27% with RSDs of recoveries being less than 3%. The method established in this research is simple, rapid and reliable, and can be used for quality control of Corni Fructus. Furthermore, the research provided experimental data for the improvement of present quality standard of Corni Fructus, which has important significance to guarantee its quality and clinical curative effect.
Cornus ; chemistry ; Drug Stability ; Oleanolic Acid ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Triterpenes ; analysis