Adult ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Surgical Wound Infection ; therapy

Adult ; Carbon Disulfide ; poisoning ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiphasic Screening ; Neural Conduction ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

Objective To discuss the effects of extract of Ginkgo BilobaLeaves(EGb) on expression of cytokine of renal interstitial fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) and extracellular matrix. Methods Cultured human kidney cells(HKC) were divided into three groups: control group,TGF-?1(8 ng/mL) group,and TGF-?1(8 ng/mL) added EGb(25,50,100,150 mg/L)group.After 72 h,expression of ?-SMA was detected by cell immunochemistry ABC,and collagen type I by Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results Treated with TGF-?1(8 ng/mL) for 72 h,expression of ?-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ were up-regulated markedly compared with control group.Treated with EGb(25,50,100,150 mg/L)and TGF-?1(8 ng/mL)concomitantly for 72 h,expression of ?-SMA and collagen typeⅠ were down-regulated in dosage dependent manner compared with TGF-?1 group. Conclusion EGb can inhibit expression of ?-SMA and collagen type I in HKC induced by TGF-?1,and the possible mechanism might be related to the inhibition of EGb on renal tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation.

Hemopexin (HPX) is a plasma protein with the strongest binding capacity to heme and widely involved in modulation of a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The main physiological function of HPX is to bind and transport free toxic heme. Recent studies indicate that HPX also plays roles of anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, immune regulation and organic protection. In addition, HPX participates in regulation of cell differentiation and extracellular matrix reconstruction. In recent years, a great deal of progress has been made in studies of the mechanisms of HPX protective effects and on possible clinical application. In the past few years, especially, a number of proteomic studies have demonstrated that HPX could be served as positive molecular biomarkers for cancers of lung, liver, kidney, colon, and uterine myoma as well as osteoarthritis. In this review, recent progress in the biochemical characteristics and function of HPX and its possible clinical applications are summarized.
Heme ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; Hemopexin ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and expression of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats, and the role of antioxidants on the AGEs-RAGE signaling.

METHODSDiabetic rats were induced by once intraperitoneal injection of STZ at the dose of 60 mg/kg, and randomly divided into the DN group (n=12, treated with normal saline by intraperitoneal injection, once daily), the extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) group (n=14, treated with EGb 300 mg/kg by oral administration, once every other day), and the alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) group (n=12, treated with ALA at the dose of 35 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection, once every other day). Rats of the normal control group (n=10) were given vehicle citrate buffer at the dose of 60 mg/kg. Rats were sacrificed at the 12th week and the 20th week of this study. The four groups were compared in terms of body weight, blood glucose, renal function, 24-h urine protein. Renal pathological changes were observed by PAS staining. Oxidative stress indices were detected using spectrophotometry. The concentrations of AGEs were measured using fluoro spectrophotometry, and the expressions of RAGE were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the 24-h urine protein quantitation was higher and the glomerular filtration rate increased in rats at the 12th week and the 20th week. The pathological tissue staining showed dilated glomerular mesangium, proliferated glomerular matrix, vacuolar degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium. Malonaldehyde (MDA) levels and 8-hydroxide radical guanine deoxyriboside (8-OHdG) levels increased, and catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH) levels decreased. The AGEs contents in serum and renal tissue homogenate increased. The expressions of RAGE mRNA and protein increased in the DN group at the 12th and the 20th week. The 24-h urine protein quantitation was reduced in the EGb group and the ALA group, with alleviated pathological changes, lowered MDA and 8-OHdG levels, increased CAT and GSH levels, decreased AGEs contents, and down-regulated RAGE expressions.

CONCLUSIONSAGEs contents increased and RAGE expression up-regulated in the circulation and local renal tissues in DN rats. EGb and ALA could inhibit AGEs production and down-regulate RAGE expressions by reducing oxidative stress, thus further improving the renal tissue structure and renal functions of DN rats. It had better application prospect in treatment and prevention of DN.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Ginkgo biloba ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Thioctic Acid ; pharmacology

ObjectiveTo isolate and identify endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from human umbilical cord,and to study the cell proliferation and gene transfection of green fluorescent protein plasmid in vitro.MethodsEPCs were isolated from human umbilical cord in enzyme digestion method.The biological characteristics of EPCs were identified by flow cytometry and laser confocal microscope.The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene transfection mediated by EPCs was investigated using Lipofectamine 2000 as transfection reagent.ResultsEndothelial progenitor cells isolated from umbilical cord formed typical endothelial cell colony 9 days later.These cellsdisplayed an improved positive expression of CD133 and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR).The endotheliallineage characteristics of expanded cells were confirmed by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-UEA-1 binding and DiI-ac-LDL uptake assay with the aid of laser confocal microscope.The transfection results demonstrated high expression of EGFP taking EPCs as host cell.ConclusionEndothelial progenitor cells isolated from umbilical cord can be propagated and induced to differentiate into endothelial cells in the appropriate culture conditions.EPCs demonstrated to be an ideal carrier for gene and cell therapy.

A comparison of the volatile compounds in Rhizomes Curcumae （Ezhu） and Radix Curcumae （Yujin） was undertaken using gas chromatography mass spectrometi-y （GC-MS）. Ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes, namely, α-pinene, β-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and curdione, in Ezhu and Yunjin. Good linearity （r〉0.999） and high inter-day precision were observed over the investigated concentration ranges. The validated method was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes in Ezhu and Yujin. The quantitative method can be effectively used to evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese curcuma in clinical use.

ObjectiveTo investigate the cytotoxicity and gene transfection mediated by NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles.MethodsN-methylene phosphonic chitosan (NMPCS) was synthesized using one-step reaction under homogeneous conditions.The NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles were prepared using complex coacervation method.The cytotoxicity of NMPCS alone and its complexes with plasmid DNA were determined by MTT assay on HeLa cells.The gene transfection mediated by NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles were investigated using pGL3control vector as reporter gene.ResultsThe MTT results suggested that the NMPCS and NMPCS/DNA complexes showed significantly lower cytotoxicity than PEI and PEI/DNA complexes,respectively.The gene transfection mediated by NMPCS/DNA nanoparticles were greatly improved compared with unmodified chitosan.ConclusionNMPCS would demonstrate great potential as a novel,safe,efficient non-viral vector for gene delivery.

A comparison of the volatile compounds in Rhizomes Curcumae (Ezhu) and Radix Curcumae (Yujin) was undertaken using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes,namely,α-pinene,β-elemene,curcumol,germacrone and curdione,in Ezhu and Yunjin.Good linearity (r＞0.999) and high inter-day precision were observed over the investigated concentration ranges.The validated method was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes in Ezhu and Yujin.The quantitative method can be effectively used to evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese curcuma in clinical use.

Objective To retrospectivel y analyze the abdominal CT findings and pathological results of the chronic schist osomiasis so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the disease. M ethods The plain abdominal CT scanning was performed in 103 cases an d enhanced CT scanning in 81 cases. The pathological specimen which was consist ent with the section of CT scan was obtained in each cases. Results On CT scanning, liver cirrhosis was seen in 84 cases, various calci fication in liver in 71 cases, liver cancer in 12 cases, enlargement of sple en in 78 cases, calcification in spleen in 13 cases, wall-thickening in colon i n 27 cases, calcification in colon in 31 cases, and colon cancer in 9 cases. Pa thological examination revealed various fibrosis and formation of pseudolobule. The eggs and calcification could be seen in pseudolobule and septa, colonic sub mucosa, and regional lymph nodes. Fibrous hyperplasia in colonic wall and hyper plasia in mucous membrane were obvious. Fibrous hyperplasia and calcification w ere seen in spleen, but the eggs were not found. Conclusion The liver and colon are the major organs affected by chronic schistosomias is in abdomen, and the CT findings are obvious too. The pathological features o f spleen are accompanied with liver cirrhosis. CT is the important imaging meth od in diagnosing chronic schistosomiasis and pathological changes.