Adolescent ; Adult ; Automobile Driving ; China ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Stress, Psychological ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Vibration ; adverse effects

This study aims to investigate the effect of total flavones of Fructus Chorspondiatis (TFFC) on the mRNA and protein expression of collagen type I and III of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and explore its anti-myocardial fibrosis molecular mechanism. Neonatal rat CFs were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats (1-3 d after birth). The expression of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The study showed that stimulation of neonatal rat CFs with 100 nmol.L-1 of Ang II for 72 h resulted in a significant increase of the expression of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein. The changes on the expression level were blocked by TFFC. The results demonstrated that TFFC can inhibit myocardial fibrosis induced by Ang II in rats, which is probably associated with the collagen type I and III mRNA and protein levels up-regulated by Ang II, and TFFC was shown to decrease the expression levels of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein.

This study aims to investigate the effect of total flavones of Fructus Chorspondiatis (TFFC) on the mRNA and protein expression of collagen type I and III of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and explore its anti-myocardial fibrosis molecular mechanism. Neonatal rat CFs were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats (1-3 d after birth). The expression of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The study showed that stimulation of neonatal rat CFs with 100 nmol.L-1 of Ang II for 72 h resulted in a significant increase of the expression of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein. The changes on the expression level were blocked by TFFC. The results demonstrated that TFFC can inhibit myocardial fibrosis induced by Ang II in rats, which is probably associated with the collagen type I and III mRNA and protein levels up-regulated by Ang II, and TFFC was shown to decrease the expression levels of collagen type I and III mRNA and protein.
Anacardiaceae ; chemistry ; Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flavones ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Myocardium ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of Tiaozhi Jiangtang Tablet (TZJT) on patients suffering from diabetes mellitus with blood stasis syndrome.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups, the TZJT group (n = 30) treated with TZJT tablet and asprin, the control group (n = 30) treated with asprin alone.

RESULTSThe improvement of symptoms was more significant in the TZJT group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Levels of serum endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO) content and blood viscosity were decreased in both groups after treatment, and the effect of TZJT plus asprin was superior to that of asprin alone.

CONCLUSIONTZJT combined with asprin is effective in improving the serum content of ET and NO and reducing blood viscosity.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

AIM: To study the clinical efficacy, complications and visual related quality of life(VRQoL)of Ozurdex in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).

METHODS: Totally 30 patients with ME, which had developed secondary to either CRVO(13 eyes)or BRVO(17 eyes), were monitored for 6mo after treatment with Ozurdex in the Department of Ophthalmology of our Hospital. We measured the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), central macular thickness(CMT)at different time after treatment(1wk, 1mo, 2mo, 3mo, 4mo, 5mo, and 6mo after treatment), and we also measured the Chinese version vision related quality of life questionnaire-25(CVRQoL-25)at 3mo after treatment and compared them separately with the ones measured before treatment to evaluate the efficacy, adverse reactions and the visual related quality of life.

RESULTS: Generalized estimation equation results showed that BCVA, CMT and IOP all had differences at different time points(P<0.001). A BCVA increase was achieved and CMT decreased in all patients at any time point after the onset of treatment(P<0.001). The changes of BCVA and CMT were the largest in the 2mo compared to the baseline(P<0.001). The score of CVRQol-25 at 3mo after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment and then the central retinal thickness decreased and a BCVA increased compared to the baseline level(P<0.01). The score of CVRQoL-25 at 3mo was negatively correlated both with the LogMAR BCVA evaluated before treatment and at 3mo after treatment(rs= -0.717, -0.746, all P<0.001); Meanwhile, the score of CVRQoL-25 was also negatively correlated with CMT at 3mo after treatment(rs= -0.862, P=0.001). In 19 eyes(63%)of the patients with RVO-ME,a relapse was observed after a follow-up time of 1-3mo and the average recurrence time was(2.8±0.5)mo. In follow-up of 6mo, about(2.3±0.4)intravitreal Ozurdex injections per eye was observed. The increase in IOP was observed at 1wk, 1, 2, 3mo after pretherapy(P<0.05). The mean IOP values reached a peak at 2mo after injection, which rose(7.85±0.32)mmHg above the baseline level(P<0.05)and decreased to normal at 4mo after treatment. 10% of patients had an elevation in IOP above 25mmHg, which could be medically controlled and 4 eyes(13%)of patients had cataract formation, two of which needed to surgery.

CONCLUSION: Ozurdex proved to be efficacious with increase in visual acuity and reduction of central retinal thickness and improve the visual function-related quality of life of RVO-ME patients. After single injection of Ozurdex, visual acuity benefited for 2-3mo. 63% of the patients relapsed at about 3mo after treatment. Adverse reactions associated to the use of Ozurdex include the formation of cataracts and an increase in IOP.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the retroperitoneum (MFHR).

METHODSThe clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of 31 patients with MFHR were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 52.7 +/- 14.1 years. Male:Female = 22:9. The primary symptoms were abdominal mass and pain. The average diameter of tumor was 15 cm. The histopathologic types of the tumor were inflammatory, storiform-pleomorphic, myxoid and giant cell in 16, 10, 4 and 1 cases. The overall survival rate of 1-, 3- and 5-year was 61.3% +/- 9.8%, 31.6% +/- 11.3% and 21.1% +/- 11.4% with a median survival time of 17.0 +/- 6.3 months. Complete resection of the tumor was the major prognostic factor. Postoperative radiotherapy of 20 - 45 Gy was able to prolong the median survival from 12.1 +/- 11.6 months of surgery alone to 26.4 +/- 22.0 months of surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy though without statistical significance (P = 0.051). Postoperative CHOP chemotherapy was not shown to be beneficial.

CONCLUSIONChemotherapy remains the important method of cure. The survival in patients with MFHR might be improved by complete resection combined with chemotherapy or/and radiotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; secondary ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pancreatectomy ; Postoperative Period ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Splenectomy ; Survival Rate ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDThe virtual reality (VR) system can provide the neurosurgeon to intuitively interact with and manipulate the three dimensional (3-D) image similarly to manipulate a real object. It was seldom reported that the system was used in diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysms. This study aimed to investigate the application of VR system in diagnosis and therapeutic planning of cerebral aneurysms.

METHODSA total of 24 cases of cerebral aneurysms were enrolled in this study from 2006 to 2008, which diagnosed by 3-D digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA) or VR-based computed tomography angiographies (CTA). The VR system and 3D-DSA system were used to observe and measure aneurysms and the adjacent vessels. The data of observation and measurements were compared between VR image and 3D-DSA image. All the patients underwent surgical plan and simulated neurosurgical procedures in the VR system.

RESULTSThere were 28 aneurysms detected in VR system and 3D-DSA system. The VR system generated clear and vivid 3-D virtual images which clearly displayed the location and size of the aneurysms and their precise anatomical spatial relations to the parent arteries and skull. The location, size and shape of the aneurysms and their anatomical relationship with the adjacent vessels were similar between 3-D virtual image and 3D-DSA, but the spatial relationship between aneurysms and skull only been displayed by VR system. This VR system also could simulate simple surgical procedures and surgical environments.

CONCLUSIONSThe VR system can provide a highly effective way to provide precise imaging details as same as 3D-DSA system and assist the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms with virtual 3-D data based on CTA. It significantly enhances the chosen therapeutic strategy of cerebral aneurysms.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on vascular inflammation and blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODSFour weeks old male SHR rats were treated with saline (control, n = 7), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a H2S donor, n = 7) and propargylglycine (PPG, endogenous H2S production inhibitor, n = 6) for 5 weeks. Age-natched male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats served as normotensive controls (n = 8). Five weeks later, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured in conscious and quiet rats by means of the standard tail-cuff method. The protein expressions of intercellular adhesive molecule-1 (ICAM-1), nuclear transcriptional factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) and inhibitor of nuclear transcriptional factor-kappaB (IkappaB-alpha) in thoracic aorta of rats were detected by immunohistochemical assay, while the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in thoracic aorta of rats were investigated by in situ hybridization.

RESULTSSBP of control SHR rats was significantly higher than that of WKY rats (P < 0.05) accompanied by significantly upregulated expressions of ICAM-1 mRNA, ICAM-1 protein, NF-kappaB p65 protein in aortic endothelial cells (all P < 0.01), while the expression of IkappaB-alpha protein in aortic endothelial cells in SHR control group was significantly lower than that of WKY control group (P < 0.01). NaHS treated SHR rats showed significantly reduced SBP and downregulated expressions of ICAM-1 mRNA, ICAM-1, NF-kappaB p65 in aortic endothelial cells and upregulated expression of IkappaB-alpha protein in aortic endothelial cells compared to untreated control SHR rats (all P < 0.05). In SHR rats treated with PPG, the expressions of ICAM-1 mRNA, ICAM-1 protein, NF-kappaB p65 protein in aortic endothelial cells were further increased while the expression of IkappaB-alpha protein further decreased compared with control SHR rats (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONH2S might attenuate the development of hypertension through by attenuating vascular inflammation reactions.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antioxidant activities of different chemical constituents from Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and their protection against xanthine (XA)/xanthine oxidase (XO)-induced toxicity in PC12 cells.

METHODSThe compounds of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge were isolated by chromatography and the structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data interpretation. Their antioxidant activities were detected by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities in a cell-free system. Meanwhile, the effects against XA/XO-induced toxicity were assessed using MTT assay in PC12 cells.

RESULTSTen principal constituents were isolated and identified as formononetin (I), ononin (II), calycosin (III), calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (IV), 9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (V), adenosine (VI), pinitol (VII), daucosterol (VIII), beta-sitoster (IX) and saccharose (X) from Astragalus mongholicus Bunge. The compounds I, III, and IV scavenged DPPH free radicals in vitro. Formononetin and calycosin were found to inhibit XA/XO-induced cell injury significantly, with an estimated EC50 of 50 ng/mL.

CONCLUSIONCompound II, VI, and VII are first reported in this plant. Calycosin exhibits the most potent antioxidant activity both in the cell-free system and in the cell system.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Xanthine ; toxicity ; Xanthine Oxidase ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPTC) on the changes of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) protein and mRNA levels in rat heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion, and explore the mechanism by which IPTC protects myocardial interstitium following ischemic/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSTwenty four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): sham control (SC) group, I/R group and IPTC group. The parameters of left ventricular function including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and its derivate (±dp/dt) were measured; the amount of myocardial collagen contents was determined by hydroxyproline quantification; the plasma activity of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected; the protien levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was measured by Western blot and the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were significantly decreased in I/R group compared with those of SC group, wherease the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-2 were significantly enhanced in I/R group when compared to SC group. Compared with I/R group, the myocardial collagen contents, left ventricular function and the protein and mRNA levels of TIMP-2 were increased in IPTC group, the activities of CK and LDH in the plasma and the protein and mRNA level of MMP-2 were decreased in IPTC group.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that IPTC has protective effects on myocardial interstitial after the myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and IPTC may exert its cardioprotectve effect via inhibiting MMP-2 and enhancing TIMP-2 expression in cardiac muscle.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Creatine Kinase ; metabolism ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left