Objective To explore the roles of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and TGF-?1 in aldosterone-induced PAI-1 production.Methods Quiescent rat mesangial cells (MCs) were treated by aldosterone.The level of ROS in MCs induced by aldosterone was measured by confecal laser scanning microscopy and the TGF-?1 activity in the supematant of culture was measured by mink lung epithelial cell (Mvllu) proliferation inhibition MTT assay.Then,before the addition of aldosterone,MCs were pretreated with NAC or TGF-?1 neutralizing antibody to decrease cellular ROS or inhibit activity of TGF-?1 induced by aldosterone respectively.PAI-1 mRNA was examined by semi-quantification RT-PCR and PAI-1 protein by Western blotting.Results The intracellular ROS induced by aldosterone increased by 5-fold compared to that of control group,and the activity of TGF-?1 stimulated by aldosterone increased markedly.TGF-?1 neutralizing antibody and NAC effectively decreased aldosterone-induced PAI-1 mRNA expression by 30% and 32%,and PAI-1 protein expression by 21% and 11%,respectively.However,neither TGF-?1 neutralizing antibody nor NAC alone could regulate aldosterone-induced PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression to normal level in 24 hours.Conclusions ROS and TGF-?1 play important roles in up-regulation of aldosterone- induced PAI-1 in MCs.ROS and TGF-?1 are not the exclusive pathway of PAI-1 expression induced by aldosterone in MCs.

Objective Kangfuling granules can be used for the treatment of radiation damage , but its quality criteria has not been established .This paper aimed to establish the quality criteria of Kangfuling granules to control its quality . Methods Radix as-tragali and Radix angelicae sinensis in the formula both were identified qualitatively by TLC .The content of astragaloside IV was exam-ined by HPLC:Agilent Zorbax Extend-C18 (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5μm) was used as the chromatographic column .The mobile phase was consisted of acetonitrile-water (32:68) with a flow rate at 1.0 mL/min.The evaporative light scattering detector was used to detect the compound.The content of astragaloside IV and ferulaic acid was examined by HPLC: Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5 μm) was used as the chromatographic column .The mobile phase was consisted of acetonitrile-0.085% phosphoric acid water (17:83) with a flow rate at 1.0 mL/min.The wave length was 320 nm and column temperature was set at 35℃. Results The same color spot was shown in the chromatogram of the test sample and the control sample in the corresponding position with no interference of negative control.The linear range for Astragaloside IV 0.030 6 mg/mL~0.612 0 mg/mL with R2 =0.999.The RSD of stability test was 2.17%.The RSD of precision test was 1.89%.The RSD of re-peatability test was 1.58%.The average recovery was 101.26%. The linear range for ferulaic acid 0.24-4.80 μg/mL with R2 =0.999.The RSD of stability test was 1.37%.The RSD of precision test was 0.83%.The RSD of repeatability test was 1.14%.The average recovery was 98.39%.This product was tentatively calculat-ed according to the dry matter , the amount of Astragaloside IV and ferulaic acid should not be less than 0.19 mg/g and 0.08 mg/g, re-spectively. Conclusion In this study, the established TLC was used for the qualitative identification of Kangfuling granules , and the content of Astragaloside IV and ferulaic acid was not less than 0.19 mg and 0.08 mg in per gram of Kangfuling granules , respectively. The established standard is suitable for the quality control of Kangfuling granules .

The numerous noxious reactions caused by misusing medicinal plant ingredients have been widely concerned at home and abroad. The problems of safe drug use needed to be solved. DNA barcode is a powerful molecular identification method, which can cover the shortage of tradditional morphological and chemical identification. In recent years, DNA barcode provided new aspects for the identification of Chinese herbal medicines and have obtained outstanding achievement. Several popular DNA regions ( ITS, ITS2, ps-bA-trnH, rbcL and matK) have been used for the identification of Chinese herbs.

Objective: To summarize the application and efficacy of fresh autologous pericardial tri-leaflet pulmonary artery conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: A total of 18 relevant patients received fresh autologous pericardial tri-leaflet pulmonary artery conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in our hospital from 2007-08 to 2012-12 were studied. The patients were at the mean age of (2.12±2.02) years with body weight ≥ (9.41±3.62) kg including 10 male. Echocardiography was followed-up at 1 month, 3-6 and ≥12 months post-operation. Results: All 18 patients had successful operation. 2 patients died at early post-operative stage including 1 with severe infection and respiratory failure, 1 with low cardiac output syndrome. 16 survivors had the average ICU stay time (140.2±124.5) h, mechanical ventilation (94.4±87.6) h, transcutaneous O2 saturation at quiet condition without O2 inhalation at (97.1±3.34) %. There were 3 patients lost contact during followed-up period and 13 received periodical examination. No obvious calcification was found in chest X-ray; echocardiography showed infrequent stenosis of right ventricular outflow tract, pulmonary valve ring and main pulmonary artery; left and right pulmonary artery stenosis at the second place. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of fresh autologous pericardial tri-leaflet pulmonary artery conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction was fine for treating relevant patients, the mid and long term effect should be further observed.

Objective To explore the function of fluorescent probe JC-1 in detecting the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential(△?m)in early apoptotic cells.Methods After 2-ME was used to induce MUTZ-1 cell apoptosis,cells were dyed with fluorescent probe JC-1,and then the changes of △?m in the early stage of apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry or detected under fluorescent microscope. Results The control cells with high △?m are those forming JC-1 aggregates in the inner membrane of mitochondria,thus showing orange-red fluorescence.2-ME caused decrease of △?m in MUTZ-1 cells,in which JC-1 maintains monomeric form,thus showing only green fluorescence.The decreases of △?m were in a time-dependent manner,which were significantly higher than those in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo introduce the framework of evidence-based practice with a case of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) as an example.

METHODSA clinical question was formulated according the clinical scenario. A systematic search was conducted for the published literature in the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trial Registries, and Web of Knowledge up to Dec 2014. The identified literature was reviewed for quality appraisal before the evidence was applied to clinical practice.

RESULTSThe treatment was effective and the patient achieved disease remission.

CONCLUSIONEvidence-based practice should be integrated with clinical scenario, current evidence, and patients' willingness, and follow a systematic framework.

Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; therapy

Objective: Monitoring the unbound drug concentration in blood in combination therapy is necessary, because its concentration determines the efficacy of drug therapy. This study was designed to explore the effect of Dan Hong Injection (DHI) on the unbound warfarin using two approaches including an in vivo pharmacokinetic and in vitro fluorescence studies. Methods: The effect of DHI on the pharmacokinetic properties of the unbound warfarin was investigated by a microdialysis sampling method coupled with LC–MS/MS. The effect of DHI and salvianolic acid B (SaB) on warfarin binding with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was conducted by fluorescence spectrometry. Results: The AUC0-tn of warfarin with DHI group was higher than that of warfarin alone group. The result showed that DHI could increase the concentration of unbound warfarin in rat blood, which may be due to the competition between warfarin and DHI as well as its components binding to serum albumin. The competition process was demonstrated by fluorescence study. Conclusion: Combination therapy of DHI with warfarin could enhance the release profile of warfarin from serum protein.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of rehabilitation on post stroke depression with different treatment methods.Methods68 post stroke depression patients were randomly divided into treatment group, who accepted Bobath approach combined with Chinese herbs and acupuncture, and control group, who accepted Bobath approach only. Evaluation was conducted before treatment and 3 and 6 weeks after treatment with Hamilton Assess Depression Scale (HAMD), and activity of daily living (ADL).ResultsThere was no significant difference before the treatment between these two groups. 3 weeks after treatment, the score improved, but no significant enough in the both groups. 6 weeks after treatment, the scores of MBI and HAMD in treatment group significantly improved compared with that before treatment(P<0.05). ConclusionBobath approach combined with Chinese medicine is effective on improving depressive symptoms and ADL in post stroke depression patients.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Its pathogenesis is not only related to abnormal activation of trypsinogen, but also related to calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated and needs to be further studied. Currently, there is no effective treatment for AP. It is difficult to prevent the loss of pancreatic function. An in-depth understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of AP may help to identify the potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review recent advances in the mechanism of AP in order to provide more research direction for treatment.

BACKGROUNDContrast media administration can result in severe nephrotoxicity under pathological conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, congestive heart failure, dehydration, et al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary hypercholesterolemia on contrast media-induced changes in renal function, blood flow, and histopathology.

METHODSRats were fed either on a normal rodent diet (group N) or a high-cholesterol supplemented diet (group H; 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid) for 8 weeks. Half of the animals (n = 6) from each diet group were then given a tail vein injection of 60% diatrizoate (6 ml/kg; group NC and group HC) and the other half were administered saline. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, and cortical nitric oxide production were determined one day following contrast media administration. Renal blood flow was determined by color Doppler flow imaging and pulsed-mode Doppler. Renal histopathology was observed by light microscopy.

RESULTSTotal serum cholesterol and resistance indices of renal blood vessels increased significantly, while creatinine clearance rate and production of nitric oxide in the renal cortex decreased markedly in group HC and group H when compared to group N and group NC. The creatinine clearance rate decreased significantly in group HC compared to group H. Serum creatinine levels and fractional excretion of sodium and potassium in group HC were significantly higher than those in the other three groups. Severe tubular degeneration and necrosis, protein cast accumulation, and medullary congestion were found in group HC.

CONCLUSIONHypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for contrast media-induced nephropathy. Hypercholesterolemia aggravates contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity through the reduced production of nitric oxide.

Animals ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; toxicity ; Contrast Media ; toxicity ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renal Circulation