Objective To investigate the expression of GRP78 and caspase-12 on the auditory cortex and to study the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the auditory cortex neuron apoptosis after the brain ischemia reperfusion injury in guinea pig.Methods Fifty healthy male guinea pigs were selected and randomly divided into 5 groups which were hormal group group A(reperfusion for 6 hours),group B(reperfusion for 12 hours),group C (reperfusion for 24 hours),group D(reperfusion for 72 hours).The cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury model was produced by the occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries.The guinea pigs were sacrificed at reperfusion of 6, 12,24,and 72 hours respectively after they received ABR tests.The pathological changes were observed by HE and the levels of GRP78 and caspase-12 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results The hearing thresholds increased gradually from the normal group to group B,and decreased gradually from group C to group D,but the thresholds of group D were still higher than that of the normal group.HE staining showed that the neurons in the normal control group were arranged in order,the cytoplasm was abundant,large and round.The cells were stained clearly.After reperfusion,the number of neurons in each time point was decreased,the nucleus presented atrophic,fragmented,the disappeared.The expression of GRP78 and caspase-12 protein in normal con-trol group was only a trace or a small amount by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.The expression of GRP78 and caspase-12 began to inerease.The expression of GRP78 reached the peak at reperfusion of 12 hours and de-creased gradually.There were significant statistic differences between each group comparison.The expression of caspase-12 reached the peak at reperfusion of 24 hours,then decreased gradually.There was no statistic difference between group A and group B.There were significant statistic differences anong other groups.Conclusion Endo-plasmic reticulum stress(ERS)may be induced by brain ischemia reperfusion injury,and can increase the expression of GRP78 and caspase-12.GRP78 and caspase-12 participate in the process of neuron apoptosis on auditory cor-tex caused by ERS.

This present work is to study the chemical constituents of Swertia angustifolia. The whole plants of air-dried Swertia angustifolia was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H2O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and nBuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and identified based on spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Fourteen compounds were isolated and characterized as 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 7-dimethoxyxanthone (1), 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 5, 7-trimethoxyxanthone (2), 7-hydroxy-3, 8-dimethoxyxanthone-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), 8-0-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-6) -β-D-glucopyranosyl] -1, 7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (4), (+) -syringaresinol (5), ferulic acid (6), trans-coniferyl aldehyde (7), sinapaldehyde (8), trans-coniferyl alcohol (9), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (10), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (11), isophthalic acid (12), 2-furoic acid (13), and 2-methyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone(14). Compounds 2-14 were obtained from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Swertia ; chemistry

This study is to investigate the chemical constituents of Swertia kouitchensis. The whole plants of air-dried Swertia kouitchensis was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H2O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and their structures were identified based on spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Twenty-eight compounds were obtained, and characterized as erythrocentaurin (1), erythrocentaurin dimethylacetal (2), swertiamarin (3), vogeloside (4), 2'-O- actylswertiamarin (5), swertianoside D (6), gentiocrucines A-B (7-8), gentiocrucine (9), 1-hydroxy-3, 7, 8-trimethoxyxanthone (10), 1-hydroxy-3, 5, 6-trimethoxyxanthone (11), 3-epitaraxerol (12), erythrodiol 3-O-palmitate (13), (+) -syringaresinol (14), caffeic acid (15), trans-coniferyl aldehyde (16), trans-coniferyl alcohol (17), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (18), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (19), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic aldehyde (20), 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (21), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (22), 3-acetoxybenzoic acid (23), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (24), 3-hydroxybenzoic alcohol (25), nicotinic acid (26), 2-furoic acid (27), and uracil (28). Compounds 1-4, 6-28 were obtained from S. kouitchensis for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Swertia ; chemistry

Chemical constituents of Swertia patens. The whole plant of air-dried Swertia patens was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H₂O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isola- ted and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and identified based on spectral analyses (MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C- NMR). Eighteen compounds were isolated and elucidated as 3, 4-dihydro-1H,6H,8H-naptho [1,2-c:4,5-c', d'dipyrano-1, 8-dione (1), angelone (2), gentiogenal (3), erythricin (4), erythrocentaurin (5), gentianine (6), swertiakoside B (7), swertiamarin (8), 2'-O-actylswertiamarin (9), amarogentin (10), 1, 3, 5-trihydroxyxanthone (11), 1, 3-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone (12), 1-hydroxy- 2, 3, 5-trimethoxyxanthone (13), gentiocrucine (14), 3-hydroxyphenylketone (15), n-hexacosyl ester 4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamate (16), n-hexacosyl ester 4-hydroxy-cis-cinnamate (17), and cholest-4-en-3-one (18). Compounds 1-7, 9-18 were obtained from S. patens for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Swertia ; chemistry

This article discusses the application of multimedia courseware to the physiology teaching.During making multimedia courseware hypertext interlinkage,diagram and simulating writing on blackboard should be applied.The physiology teaching should evoke study interest and activity of the students to improve teaching quality of physiology comprehensively.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of histologically proven prostatitis with the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, PSA density (PSAD), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual volume (PVR) in men with symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSTotally 673 patients surgically treated for BPH were divided into Groups A and B in accordance with histological findings, the former including those with histological prostatitis, and the latter without it. Comparisons were made between the two groups in the PSA level, prostate volume, PSAD, IPSS, Qmax and PVR.

RESULTSThe PSA level, prostate volume, IPSS and PVR were significantly higher in Group A ([5.64 +/- 2.48] microg/L, [43.66 +/- 13.11] ml, 24.72 +/- 5.39 and [124.90 +/- 49.80] ml) than in B ([4.97 +/- 1.99] microg/L, [40.41 +/- 11.44] ml, 23.40 +/- 6.21 and [112.73 +/- 50.03] ml) (P<0.05), while Qmax markedly lower in the former ([6.94 +/- 3.23] ml/s) than in the latter ([7.75 +/- 3.52] ml/s) (P<0.05), but PSAD showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (0.129 +/- 0.048 vs 0.123 +/- 0.034, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHistological prostatitis can significantly increase the PSA level, prostate volume, IPSS and PVR, and reduce the Qmax of the patient, but is not correlated with PSAD. It is an important factor influencing the clinical progression of BPH.

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; urine ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; pathology ; urine

OBJECTIVETo study the vasodilation effect of the procyanidin (PC) extracted from grape seeds on rabbit thoracic aortic rings in vitro, decreasing blood pressure in vivo and the possible mechanism.

METHODRabbits aortic rings were isolated and were divided into six groups including removal of endothelium, integrity of endothelium, 1 x 10(-5) mol X L(-1) indomethacin (Indo), 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) propranolol (Prop), 1 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) methylene blue (MB). Then the thoracic aortic rings were treated with PC with cumulative concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 mg x L(-1) respectively and the changes of tension were recorded, and investigate the effect of 40 mg x L(-1) PC on the contraction of aortic smooth muscles, thoracic aortic rings were pre-treated with NA (1 x 10(-8) to approximately 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1)), KCl (6.3 to approximately 100 mmol x L(-1)) and CaCl2 (1 x 10(-5) to approximately 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1)) followed by treatment with PC. Then, rabbits common carotid artery was intubated and arterial blood pressure in vivo was recorded. PC with cumulative concentrations of 4.0, 8.0, 16, 32, 64, 84 mg x kg(-1) was injected into vein and the changes of arterial blood pressure were observed.

RESULTPC could relax isolated rabbit aorta and showedan obvious concentration-dependent relaxation (r = 0. 63, P < 0.001). The relaxant effect of PC was significantly reduced by removal of endothelium and by treatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NNA, or guanylyl cyclase inhibitor MB. In addition PC could decrease the dose response curves of aortic rings to NA, KCl and CaCl2. PC has a significant concentration-dependent negative effect on arterial blood pressure in vivo (r = 0.92, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONPC has a vasodilation effect not only in an endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide involved manner, but in inhibition of calcium release and blockage of potential-dependent calcium channels. PC could decrease the rabbit's arterial blood pressure significantly in vivo.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; physiology ; Calcium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle Relaxation ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Potassium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

Objective o investigate the clinical characteristics of middle cranial fossa arachnoid cyst (MCFAC) and its therapeutic effects with different surgical methods. Methods Three hundred and fifty-two patients with MCFAC (about 2.58% of patients with intracranial space occupying lesion),admitted to our hospital from May 2001 to May 2008, were chosen in out study; their clinical data,surgical approach and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. The gender ratio of patient with MCFAC adopted resection of arachnoid cyst and arachnoid cyst-peritoneal shunt was performed in 28 patients.Results Follow-up was performed for 3 months to 3 years. The headache completely disappeared in 75 patients (58.59%) and partial remission in 41 (32.03%) after the operation. The frequency and degree of seizures obviously decreased in 8 of the patients with MCFIAC. Eleven patients with dystropy,attention-deficit disorder or difficulty of learning got improvement. The head circumference and local skull eminentia was stable. The cyst disappeared completely in 46 patients (13.07%), partially in 257 (73.01%) and no changes in 49 (13.92%). Conclusion The clinical features of MCFAC is that it mainly occur in the left side of male. The younger the patient with MCFAC is, the better the treatment effect in the surgical intervention is. good outcome can be achieved by resection of the parietal layer of arachnoid cysts. The indication of shunt with meso-low pressure shunt system is for larger arachnoid cyst.

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of trace immunoglobulin M (IgM) deposits in glomerular mesangium in children with minimal change primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS).

METHODSOne hundred and six children who were clinically diagnosed with PNS and pathologically diagnosed with minimal change disease (MCD) and trace deposition of IgM in renal tissues were enrolled as subjects. Eighty-one PNS children with MCD but no deposition of immune complexes were used as the control group. The clinical characteristics and efficacies of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants were retrospectively analyzed in the two groups. All patients were given full-dose prednisone by oral administration, and patients with glucocorticoid resistance or frequent relapses were additionally given immunosuppressants.

RESULTSThe incidence of glucocorticoid resistance in the IgM deposit group was significantly higher than that in the control group (27.2% vs 12.3%; P<0.05). The incidence of frequent relapses in the IgM deposit group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (48.1% vs 10.4%; P<0.05). The complete remission rate for glucocorticoid-resistant patients treated with prednisone combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was 68% and 62% respectively in the IgM deposit and control groups (P>0.05). The relapse frequency in patients with frequent relapses was significantly reduced in both groups after treatment with prednisone and MMF in combination (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTrace deposition of IgM in renal tissues may be an important factor for glucocorticoid resistance and frequent relapses in PNS children with MCD. Prednisone combined with MMF may be a better choice in the treatment of patients with glucocorticoid resistance or frequent relapses.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance ; Female ; Glomerular Mesangium ; immunology ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; analysis ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Infant ; Male ; Nephrosis, Lipoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the effect of Phenobarbital (PB) on experimental rats,observe the histological changes of immature brain and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in neurons detected by immunohistochemistry,and to explore the influence and mechanism of PB on brain damage at therapeutic levels to immature brain maturation of rat in order to provide the theoretical and experimental base for clinic.Methods A total of 40 healthy 18-day-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats (male or female) were randomly assigned into 2 groups:normal saline (NS) treated as control group(20 cases),PB group(20 cases).Each group was further randomly divided into longterm(4 weeks) treated group and short-term(2 weeks) treated group(10 rats in each group).The rats in PB group received intragastricadministration with PB (30 mg/kg).The rats in control group were handled by injection of NS into stomach and abdomen according to 4 mL/kg.All performances were undertaken for twice every day.At the end of the therapeutic period,body and brain weight were measured when the rats were sacrificed.Histological studies on the tissues of frontal lobes and hippocampus were performed by Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining.Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in neurons were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results There were no significant differences in body and brain weights or histological studies index among control group as well as PB group before and after treatment for short term(P ＞0.05).Remarkable reduction of brain weight was only observed in immature rats exposed to PB compared to control group for long period,and significant neurodegeneration,neuronal necrosis were observed in immature rats exposed to PB compared to control group(all P ＜ 0.01).The expression of Bax protein in the frontal lobe increased significantly in immature rats receiving PB for long period comparing with control (P＜0.01).In contrast,expression of Bcl-2 protein did not change at therapeutic level.The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was obviously increased.Conclusions Chronic treatment with PB will result in significant neuronal apoptosis and necrosis and persistent cognitive impairment and brain damage to immature rates.Brain damage of PB at therapeutic level to immature brain may be irreversible.The significant expression of Bax protein in the frontal lobe and the high rate of Bax/Bcl-2 are probably the main reasons which cause brain weight decreasing and brain damage by PB in immature brain tissue.