Objective To investigate the effect of glucocorticoid on ischemia-induced neuronal damage in gerbil hippocampus with forebrain ischemia model.Methods Twenty-one gerbils were randomly assigned to 3 groups (7 animals each). The animal was anesthetized and both common carotid arteries were exposed and separated. Silk threads were looped around these arteries. In group A and group B ,10 ?l saline was given and in group C dexamethasone-water soluble ( 3?g dissolved in 10 ?l saline ) was administered intracerebroventricularly. After a stabilization period of 60 min, transient forebrain ishcmia for 2.5 min was induced in group B and group C by pulling the arteries with 8g weights under the brain temperature of 37.5℃?0.2℃. Seven days after the ischemia, the brains were taken out and fixed with 10% buffered formalin. Brain slices, 5 ?m thick, were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The numbers of preserved pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 field per 1 mm length of stratum pyramidal were counted.Results (1) Compared with those in group A, the preserved pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 field were reduced in group B and group C (P

BACKGROUND:There is no effective therapy for obliterative bronchiolitis after tracheal transplantation. A therapeutic strategy at microRNA (miRNA) molecular level plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of complications after organ transplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the miRNA differential expression profile in response to obliterative bronchiolitis after orthotopic tracheal transplantation in rats.
METHODS:The obliterative bronchiolitis model after lung transplantation was established through orthotopic tracheal transplantation in inbred strains of rats, and then was identified using histoIogical examination. Total miRNAs were detected by miRNA array and significantly differential expressed miRNAs were filtrated in the transplanted trachea tissues. The miRNA-146a, miRNA-155 and miRNA-451 with significantly differential expressions were used for relative quantitative study. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was applied to verify the reliability of miRNA array results.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The pathological examination showed that, obliterative bronchiolitis model in rats was successful y established at 4 weeks after orthotopic tracheal transplantation. A total of obliterative bronchiolitis-related 29 miRNAs were found in miRNA expression profiles, including 14 miRNAs with significantly down-regulated expression and 15 miRNAs with significantly up-regulated expression. Among them, the significantly up-regulated miRNAs (miRNA-146a and miRNA-155) and the significantly down-regulated miRNA-451 were involved in immuno-inflammatory reaction. The miRNAs play an important role in regulating pathophysiological changes of obliterative bronchiolitis after lung transplantation.

To investigate the protective effect of preconditioning with hyperoside ( Hyp) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats and the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. MIRI was established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min in rats. Male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group,model group (MIRI),Hyp preconditioning group(Hyp), Hyp preconditioning + LY294002 (a PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor) group (Hyp + LY), and LY294002 group (LY). At the end of reperfusion, hemodynamic parameters were recorded as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) , left ventricular end-diastolic pressure ( LVEDP) and maximal rate of increase and decrease of left ventricular pressure (± dP/dt(max)). Myocardial infaret size, the oxidative stress markers, myocardial enzymes indicators and inflammatory factors were also analyzed. The expressions of Akt, p-Akt, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was detected by using Western blot method. The results showed that Hyp preconditioning remarkably improved cardiac constriction and relaxation function, reduced myocardial infarct size and enhanced the activities of oxidative stress markers about correlated to MIRI, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and decreased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) as compared with MIRI group. Simultaneouly, the levels of myocardial enzymes, i. e. creatine kinase ( CK) and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and inflammatory factors, for instance tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were decreased. Hyp pretreatment apparently restrained myocardial apoptosis as evidenced by decreasing the level of Bax expression, increasing the levels of phosphorylation of Akt and Bcl-2 expression. These effects were inhibited by LY294002, a blocker of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings indicated that the cardioprotection of Hyp preconditioning against MIRI may be related to activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, upregulating the expression of BCL-2 protein and down-regulating the expression of Bax protein.
Animals ; Creatine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Heart ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; prevention & control ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the imaging quality and radiation doses of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary angiography at a low tube voltage in patients with medium and low heart rate.Methods Eighty-five patients[heart rate (HR) ＜ 91 beats per minute (bpm); body mass index (BMI) 17. 51-30. 00 kg/m2]suspected of coronary artery disease received retrospectively ECG-gating coronary angiography with dual-source CT scanner (Somatom Definition, Siemens) at a tube voltage of 100 kVp. For all patients, no beta-blocker was used before CT scan. According to the HR, the patients were divided into three groups: Group A, HR ≤ 59 bpm, n = 27; Group B, HR 60-69 bpm, n = 29; Group C,HR ≥70 bpm, n = 29. All images were transferred to a workstation for postprocessing. The best R-R interval reconstruction images of all groups were evaluated. The value of pitch, CT volume dosage index (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP)and effective dose (ED)were recorded. The pitch, the score of imaging quality of coronary artery segments and the radiation dose were compared with one-way ANOVA. The influence of HR on image quality and radiation doses of coronary artery was analyzed. Results The value of pitch in Group A, Group B and Group C was 0. 241 ± 0. 025, 0. 286 ± 0. 034 and 0. 335 ± 0. 036,respectively. The mean score of imaging quality of coronary artery segments in Group A, Group B and Group C was 4. 78 ± 0. 26, 4. 66 ± 0. 56 and 4. 70 ± 0. 46, respectively. The value of CTDIvol in Group A,Group B and Group C was (18.06 ±5. 16), (19. 62 ±7. 15) and (17. 50 ±7. 13) mGy, respectively. The value of ED in group A, Group B and Group C was (4.23 ± 1.76), (4.59 ± 1.75) and (4.12 ±1.39) mSv, respectively. There was statistical difference in value of pitch among the three groups (F =60. 00, P= 0. 00). There were no statistical difference in score of imaging quality, CTDIvol and value of ED among the three groups (F = 0. 53, P = 0. 59; F = 0. 83, P = 0. 44 ; F = 0. 86, P = 0. 43). Conclusion Medium and low HR have little influences on image quality of dual-source CT coronary angiography at a low tube voltage. When the auto ECG-gating is selected, there is little influence on radiation dosage as well.

To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of hyperoside (Hyp) on the vascular endothelium function in middle cerebral artery (MCA) ex vivo in rats. Isolated arterial segments from MCAs of rats were used for surveying vasomotoricity in a pressurized chamber. Transmembrane potential was recorded by using glass microelectrodes to evaluate hyperpolarization. Hyp (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) mol . L-1) was utilized to observe the effect on 1 x 10(-7) mol . L-1 U46619-preconstricted MCA in rats. The results showed that 1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) mol . L-1 Hyp significantly induced concentration-dependent vasodilatation and hyperpolarization, leading to the maximal diastolic ratio of (73. 2 ± 6. 1)% and maximal changes in membrane potentials of (-13. 2 ± 2. 2) mV. Hyp still elicited vasorelaxation and hyperpolarization by removal of endothelium in MCA of rat, which was notably attenuated as compared with vascular endothelium-intact group (P <0. 01). In the MCAs preconstricted by U46619 (1 x 10(-7) mol . L-1), Hyp (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) mol . L-1) produced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation and hyperpolarizition that were partially attenuated by 3 x 10(-5) mol . L-1 L-NAME(a NOS inhibitor) plus 1 x 10(-5) mol . L-1 PGI2 ,(a synthetase inhibitor). The residual effects were further decreased by 1 x 10(-3) mol . L-1 TEA (an inhibitor of Ca2+-activated potassium channel) or 1 x 10(-5) mol . L-1 PPG (a blocker of endogenous H2S synthese-CSE). Similarly, 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) mol . L-1 NaHS (a donor of exogenous H2S) or 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) mol . L-1 L-Cys (the substrate of endogenous H2S synthesis) obviously evoked dose-dependent vasodilatation and hyperpolarization of MCA in rats. These findings indicated that Hyp may induce endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses. And the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation may be related to the increases of endogenous H2S that has been promoted Hyp in the endotheliocyte of MCAs, and activated Kca and opening of Kca channels, resulting in the hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle cell membrane and subsequent reduction of Ca2+ influx and vasodilation.
Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfides ; metabolism ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and the clinical value of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in treatment of localized prostate cancer.Methods Clinical data of 26 patients with localized prostate cancer treated with extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were analyzed retrospectively.All patients were pathologic diagnosed with prostate cancer by preoperative prostate biopsy or transurethral resection of prostate surgery.Gleason grade was from 6-8.Results Twenty-six operations were successfully accomplished ,without converting to open approach.The operative time was 120-270 min(mean was 165 min) ,the intraoperative blood loss was 180-650 ml (mean was 320 ml) ,indwelling catheter time 12-19 d (mean was 14 d).There were 6 cases with little uroclepsia, satisfactory with urination after contract urethral sphincter for 1-3 Months.Pathologically confirmed all prostate cancer;2 cases of positive margins after surgery plus endocrine therapy.All the cases were followed up from 2 to 36 months.The biochemical recurrence was 5 cases who had undergone endocrine therapy.Conclusion Extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a safe and feasible procedure with little trauma, small bleeding and fast recovery which is well worth popularizing.Replace open surgery may become frist choice therapeutic method for localized prostate cancer.

Objective To investigate the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25 (OH)2D3] on PCNA expression and cell proliferation in human glomerular mesangial cells. Methods The cultured human mesangial cells, which was subcul?tured 3-8 generations, were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (plus the DMEM medium containing 5%fetal bovine serum), proliferation in the control group (EGF group, plus 10μg/L of EGF), general intervention group [VD group, plus 10-8 mol/L of 1,25(OH)2D3], proliferation in the intervention group [EGF+VD group, plus 10μg/L EGF and 10-8 mol/L 1,25(OH)2D3] for treatment of 48 h. The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry,and the expression of PCNA was detected by Western blot assay in four groups. Results (1) Compared with normal control group, G1 phase cells were signifi?cantly reduced, S, G2/M phase cells were increased and PI index was higher in EGF group. And G1 phase cells were signifi?cantly increased, S and G2/M phase cells were significantly decreased, and PI index was lower in VD group. Compared with the EGF group, G1 phase cells were significantly increased in VD group and EGF+VD group, and S, G2/M phase cells de?creased, PI index was lower. (2) Compared with normal control group, the expression of PCNA was higher in EGF group, and lower in VD group. Compared with EGF group, the expression of PCNA was lower in VD group and EGF+VD group. Conclu?sion 1,25 (OH) 2D3 inhibits the proliferation of human glomerular mesangial cells by arresting cell cycle and inhibiting the expression of PCNA protein.

The discovery of drug targets plays a crucial role in drug research. Accurate information of small molecule drug-protein interaction can be provided by label-free target discovery technology without any structural modification at the small molecule. So, the label-free drug target discovery technology had become the powerful tool to discover the targets of drugs. Due to the “multi-component and multi-target” characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the research on its targets and mechanism had been restricted. Based on potential of the label-free target discovery technology in the research of TCMs, this paper summarized the label-free target discovery technology and its application in TCMs research. It will provide a reference for the discovery of targets of TCMs and a new view for promoting the modernization of TCMs.

Objective To retrospectively determine the features of stones and calcifications in hepatobiliary system on virtual nonenhanced (VNE) dual-energy computed tomography (CT), and to evaluate the possibility of VNE images in diagnosis for those lesions.Methods A total of 128 gall stones and calcifications of the liver found in 110 patients were examined with triple phase abdominal CT scan from July 2007 to December 2011, in which true nonenhanced (TNE) phase and arterial phase were performed with single-energy CT (120 kVp) and portal venous phase was performed with dual-energy CT (100 kVp and 140 kVp). VNE images were generated from the portal venous phase dual-energy CT data sets by using commercially VNC software. The mean CT values for the stone, liver, bile and paraspinal muscle, mean lesion density and size in area dimension, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of lesion to the liver or bile, and image noise were assessed and compared between VNE and TNE images. The effective dose and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were also calculated.Results The mean CT values of the lesions measured on VNE images declined significantly compared with those measured on TNE images (164.51±102.13 vs. 290.72±197.80 HU, P<0.001), so did the lesion-to-liver CNR (10.80±11.82 vs.18.81±17.06, P<0.001) and the lesion-to-bile CNR (17.24±14.41 vs. 21.32±17.31, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in size of lesions area between VNE and TNE images (0.69±0.88 vs. 0.72±0.85 cm, P=0.062). Compared to the 128 lesions found in TNE images, VNE images showed the same density in 30 (23.4%) lesions, lighter density in 88 (68.8%) lesions, while failed to show 10 (7.8%) lesions, and showed the same size in 61 (47.7%) lesions and smaller size in 57 (44.5%) lesions. The CT cutoff values of lesion and size were 229.21 HU and 0.15 cm, respectively. The total effective dose for triple phase scan protocol with TNE images was 19.51±7.03 mSv, and the SSDE was 39.84±11.10 mGy. The effective dose for dual phase scan protocol with VNE images instead of TNE images was 13.29±4.89 mSv, and the SSDE was 27.83±9.99 mGy. Compared with TNE images, the effective dose and SSDE of VNE images were down by 32.05%±3.69 % and 30.63%±2.34 %, respectively.Conclusions Although the CT values and CNR of the lesions decreased in VNE images, the lesions of which attenuation greater than 229.21 HU and size larger than 0.15 cmcould be detected with good reliability and obvious dose reduction. There was good consistency in the size of stones and calcifications in hepatobiliary system between VNE images and TNE images, which ensured the possibility of the clinical application of VNE images.