Objective To investigate the protective effects of extract of Periplaneta americana (APA) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. Methods Seventy SD rats were divided into five groups:normal con-trol group (C), model control group (M), extract of APA 1 group (APA1), extract of APA 2 group (APA2) and reduced glutathi-one group (R). The liver fibrosis model was induced by injecting 40%CCl4-olive solution subcutaneously for seven weeks in M, APA1, APA 2 and R groups. Drugs were given at the same time. Rats were killed at 7-week (C, M, APA1 and R groups), and were killed at 9-week (APA2 group). The serum values of transaminase (ALT, AST), albumin (ALB), hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN), and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were detected respectively. The expressions of apoptotic relat-ed gene Bcl-2 and Bax protein in central veins and portal areas of hepatic lobules were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results Rats showed poor nutritional status, and significantly increased transaminase, HA and LN in M group, but the serum level of ALB was significantly lower than that in C group. There was extensive necrosis of liver cells, obviously fi-brosis or cirrhosis in model rats’liver tissues. The serum contents of ALT, AST, HA and LN were significantly decreased, the serum level of ALB were significantly increased in APA1,APA2 and R groups (P<0.05). There were complete hepatic lobule and no obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia in liver biopsy of APA1 and R groups. The values of Bcl-2/Bax proteins in central vein of liver tissues were significantly higher in APA1,APA2 and R groups than those of M group (P<0.05), but the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was lower in periportal area of liver tissues (P<0.05). There were significantly higher body weight and ALB levels in APA1 group than those in R group (P<0.05). The level of transaminase was slightly higher in APA1 group than that of R group. The degeneration of liver cells was found mostly in R group. Conclusion The extract of Periplaneta americana has a role in protecting liver cells, inhibiting the progression of hepatic fibrosis, and improving the nutritional sta-tus of trial rats.

Hypoxia is the combined result of tumor over-growth and vascular structural abnormalities.Hypoxia is related to tumor invasiveness,radioresistance,and chemoresistance.18F-fluoromisoni-dzole (18F-FMISO) can selectively bind to hypoxic tissues of malignant tumors,and is thus useful for imaging of tumor hypoxia in cancer diagnosis and treatment.This review summarizes the state-of-art research of 18F-FMISO in comparison with other hypoxic agents when applied to animals and clinical studies.

The aim of this project is to establish a fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) signaling pathway targeted cell model, for screening a class of FGF-21 receptor agonists as anti-diabetic candidates. FGF-21 requires beta klotho transmembrane proteins as co-receptor for the activation of tyrosine kinase FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling, thereby activating a series of intracellular signaling pathways and regulating gene transcription for glucose metabolism. Firstly a recombinant plasmid expressing co-receptor beta klotho and EGFP reporter genes was constructed. After introducing the recombinant plasmid into package cells, the cell culture supernatant was used to infect 3T3-L1 cells, which were then screened for stably expressing beta klotho gene. Administration of FGF-21 increased the expression of GLUT1 and stimulated GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake. This novel cell model can be conveniently used in high-throughput drug screening of FGF-21 or FGF-21 analogues.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-pro-BNP) levels in critically ill infants. Methods Eighty-one critically ill infants were enrolled from January 2013 to January 2014 in pediatric intensive care unit. The minimum of pediatric critical illness score ( PCIS) and the number of dysfunction organs were calculated within 24 hour after admission. According to PCIS,the critically ill infants were divided into extremely critical group(PCIS≤70,n=25),critical group (PCIS 71-80,n=30)and non-critical group(PCIS>80,n=26). According to the prognosis,the critically ill infants were divided into survival group (n=68)and death group(n=13). The serum NT-pro-BNP levels were determined on the first day,third day and convalescent phase. The relationships of serum NT-pro-BNP levels with PCIS and the number of dysfunction organs and prognosis were observed. Results The study showed statistical significances of serum NT-pro-BNP levels among the extremely critical group, critical group and non-critical group,whether on the first day,or on the third day and convalescent phase(P<0. 01). There were statistical significances of serum NT-pro-BNP levels among different stages of the disease in each group(P<0. 01). Compared with survival group,PCIS was significantly lower and the serum NT-pro-BNP levels and the number of dysfunction organs were significantly higher in death group. The serum NT-pro-BNP level on the third day was higher than that on the first day in death group ( P<0. 01 ) , while no significant difference was found in survival group. The serum NT-pro-BNP levels on the first day and the third day and PCIS were negatively correlated(r= -0. 59,P<0. 01;r= -0. 66,P<0. 01). The serum NT-pro-BNP levels on the first day and the third day and the number of dysfunction organs were positively correlated(r=0. 40,P<0. 05;r=0. 57,P<0. 01). Conclusion The serum NT-pro-BNP levels of the critically ill infants are correlated with disease severity,and can be useful for assessing the severity of critical illness.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to laparotomy.Methods In 1020 LC patients,36 patients with conversion of LC to laparotomy were chosen as the case group,108 patients with successful LC were chosen as the control group.Univariate analysis and Logistic multivariate regression model were used to analyze the risk factors for conversion of LC to laparotomy.Results Age ＞ 65 years (0R=3.234,95％ CI:0.532-6.853),course of disease ＞ 72h (OR =2.342,95％ CI:0.568 ～ 5.656),history of upper abdominal operation (OR =2.453,95％ CI:0.345-7.453),thickness of gallbladder wall ≥ 6 mm (OR =2.453,95％ CI:0.453-6.343),white bloodcell count ＞ 15.0 × 109/L (OR =4.532,95％ CI:0.535-8.329) were risk factors for conversion of LC to laparotomy.Conclusion Preoperative comprehensive evaluation the risk factors and selecting suitable program have important clinical significant in reducing the rate of conversion LC to laparotomy.

Objective To compare the accuracy of jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2),somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative cerebral ischemia in patients undergoing clipping of intracranial aneurysm.Methods Forty-three ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 18-64 yr,with a body mass index of 20-25 kg/m2,undergoing clipping of intracranial aneurysm,were studied.Anesthesia was induced with sufentanil,rocuronium and propofol.The patients were tracheal intubated and mechanically ventilated.Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil and propofol.Blood samples were taken from the jugular bulb for detection of SjvO2 before aneurysm clipping or temporary occlusion of parent artery and at 1,3,10,20 and 30 min after clipping aneurysm or temporary occlusion of parent artery.The amplitude and latency of SSEPs and MEPs were recorded simultaneously.The occurrence of cerebral ischemia estimated by SjvO2,SSEPs and MEPs was recorded.The condition of nerve defect was recorded within 3 days after operation and the gold standard of cerebral ischemia was defined as the occurrence of nerve defect.Results Among 43 patients,14 cases were diagnosed as having brain ischemia.The sensitivity and specificity of SjvO2 in estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative brain ischemia were 71％ and 93％,respectively (P ＜ 0.01).The sensitivity and specificity of SSEPs in estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative brain ischemia were 71％ and 62％,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).When the diagnostic criterion of cerebral ischemia was defincd as a decrease in the amplitude of MEPs or prolongation of the latency MEPs,the sensitivity and specificity of MEPs in estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative brain ischemia were 79 ％ and 52 ％,respectively (P ＞ 0.05).When the diagnostic criterion of cerebral ischemia was defined as a loss of the amplitude of MEPs,the sensitivity and specificity of MEPs in estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative brain ischemia were 57％ and 93％,respectively (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The sensitivity of SjvO2 and SSEPs in estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative brain ischemia is higher,however,the specificity of SjvO2 and MEPs is higher,indicating that SjvO2 is a reliable criteria for estimation of the occurrence of intraoperative brain ischemia in patients undergoing clipping of intracranial aneurysm.

Huang-Qin is a traditional Chinese medicine with antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Its major bioactive compounds are diverse flavone O-glucuronides and glucosides. Although three flavonoid O-glycosyltransferases have been identified from S. baicalensis, this information is not sufficient to elucidate the structural diversity of flavonoid glycosides. In this study, nine glycosyltransferase candidate genes were discovered from S. baicalensis by BLAST analysis and their functions were characterized after heterologous expression. Three new flavone O-glycosyltransferases were able to catalyze the formation of major compounds in S. baicalensis, including baicalin and wogonoside. These enzymes could also utilize exogenous flavones as sugar acceptors. This work further elucidates biosynthetic pathways for Scutellaria flavonoid O-glycosides.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect and influence factors of silicone pessary in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse ( POP).Methods From October 2005 to October 2010,132 with symptomatic POP managed by pessary were enrolled in this retrospective study.Validated prolapse quality of life questionnaire (pelvic floor distress inventory short form 20,PFDI-20),pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form 7 (PFIQ-7) and the patients' satisfaction degree were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect.Clinical characteristic of the patients with successful using for more than 6 months ( successful fitting group),giving up within 6 months (giving up group),unsuccessful fitting (unsuccessful fitting group)were compared.Factors influencing satisfaction degree and causing discontinuation were investigated.Results One hundred and six among 132 ( 106/132,80.3％ ) patients were in successful fitting group,26 (26/132,19.7％ ) patients were in the unsuccessful fitting group.In the successful fitting group,86.8％ (92/106) patients were followed up,the median follow-up time was 12.5 months.And 78.3％ ( 72/92 ) patients continued to use pessary with the wearing time ranged 3 -69 months; 21.7％ (20/92) patients discontinued with the wearing time ranged 1 -38 month,14 patients (14/20) gave up in the initial 6 months.The median scores of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 questionnaires before pessary use were 50.0 and 47.6,which decreased to 8.9 and 0.0 after pessary use (P＜0.05).And 87.1％ (61/70) patients were satisfied.There was no significantly difference among 3 groups on clinical characteristics,such as age,body mass index ( BMI ),pelvic surgery and so on (P ＞ 0.05 ).The main factor influencing satisfaction degree and causing discontinuation was difficulties in placing and removing.Conclusions Silicone pessary is effective for patients with POP.It could relieve discomfort symptoms and improve quality of life.The main factorinfluencing pessary use is difficulties in placing and removing.Thus,More suggestions are needed for patients in the initial 6 months.

Objective To investigate the effects of 3％ and 7.5％ hypertonic saline (HS) on hemorrhagic shock patients in Emergency Department.Methods From December 2008 to February 2012,patients older than 15 years with severe trauma and systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤70 mmHg or 70 to 90 mmHg with heart rate≥ 108 per minute were divided into three groups randomly (random number).Group A:patients treated with 3％ hypertonic saline (HS) 300 mL + lactated Ringer' s solutions (LRS).Group B:patients treated with 7.5％ HS 300 mL + LRS.Group C:patients treated with LRS.The mean arterial pressure (MAP),blood pressure (BP),heart rate (HR) were recorded before infusion and at 10,30,45,60 minutes successively after infusion.Incidence of complications and mortality rates were compared between groups.Results Atotal of 148 patients were enrolled in this study.Compared with LRS grouop,MAP was restored more promptly and maintained persistently in 3％ HS group and 7.5％ HS group,and the total volume of fluid infused was decreased to almost 50％ of LRS in the first 1 hour.No significant differences in MAP levels were observed between group A and B except 30 minutes after infusion.Single bolus of 7.5％ HS infusion resulted in increased of HR to mean 127 beats per minute at 10 minutesafter fluid resuscitation.Higher incidence of arrhythmia and transient hypotension occurred in 7.5％ HS group.There were no statistical differences of changes of electrolytic indices,mortality rates,incidences of ARDS and MODS among three groups.Conclusions Resuscitation with 3％ HS provide similar benefits and lower risk of complications compared with 7.5％ HS and LRS.This study demonstrates the practicability and safety of 3％ HS for fluid resuscitation of patients with hypovolemic shock.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious threat for human health, the incidence of HCC in China accounts for more than 50% worldwide. There is an urgent need to develop novel anticancer agents for the treatment of HCC patients. Here we characterized the inhibitory effect and the molecular mechanism of protopine on HCC cancer cells. The results of a CCK-8 assay indicated that protopine displays anticancer activities on HCC cells. Flow cytometry and JC-1 staining confirmed that treatment with protopine decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis in HCC cells. Western blot analysis showed that protopine was able to increase protein expression in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway; the level of cytochrome C, apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), Bax, cleaved-poly ADP-ribose polymerase (cleaved-PARP), cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-9 were increased while the expression of Bcl-2 was suppressed significantly. An in vivo study revealed that protopine significantly suppressed the growth of tumors in nude mice bearing HepG2 cells. Administration of protopine intraperitoneally at a concentration of 50 mg·kg^-1 inhibited tumor growth by 72.46%. Animal experiments were carried out according to the Regulation of the Animal Ethics Committee of Southwest Medical University. This study provides preliminary evidence that there is potential to develop protopine as a lead compound for the treatment of HCC.