Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy

Objective To study the protective role against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity by using radix astra-gali in rats. Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group A received saline as controls. Group B received radix astragali. Group C received injection of cisplatin(4 mg/kg) as experiments for 6 days. Group D received both radix astragali (5 g/kg) and cisplatin (4 mg/kg). Distortion product acoustic emission (DPOAE) was applied to each rat before and 7 days after cisplatin injection. All the animals were sacrificed on the 7th day. Half of the cochleas were observed by frozen section and the apoptosis of hair cells was detected by TUNEL meth-od. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to evaluate the cochlear morphology of the other rats. Results The DPOAE amplitudes of Group C decreased significantly compared to the group A and group B(P<0.01). The dam-age and apoptosis of hair cells were noted in the group C and group D, while the hair cells of group A and group B showed no sign of apoptosis or damage. Compare to experimental group , the DPOAE amplitudes of group D were higher, and the damage and apoptosis of hair cells were significantly lower(P<0.05). Conclusion This study sug-gests that radix astragali can effectively reduce cisp[atin ototoxicity.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect ofpinacidil hyperpolarizaed arrest on p38 mitogen-activited protein kinase (p38MAPK) during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in isolated rat hearts.MethodsFortyeight male SD rats weighting 250-300 g were randomly divided into 6 groups( n =8 each): natural arrest group (group A) ; St.Thomas group (group B) ; pinacidil hyperpolarization arrest group (group C) ;5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) group (group D);HMR-1098 group(group E) and 5-HD + HMR-1098 group(group F).Langendorff reperfusion model was established and K-H solution was retrogradely perfused for 15 min.In group A the hearts were arrested naturally afar perfusion was stopped; in group B St.Thomas solution was perfused; in group C pinacidil hyperpolarization solution was perfused; in the other three groups,K-H solution was perfused to isolated rat hearts for 10 min followed by 5 min 5-HD (group D) or HMR-1098(group E) or 5-HD and HMR-1098(group F) perfusion,then hyperpolarization arrest solution was given in each group.Each hearts suffered 60 min ischemia after arrest followed by 30 min K-H solution reperfusion.Coronary flow(CF),HR,left ventricular developed pressure( LVDP),left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP) and the maximum rate of pressure rise (dp/dtmax) were measured at the end of 15 min K-H solution perfusion and at 20 min of reperfusion.Myocardial phosphatic and nonphosphatic p38MAPK expression was determined by Western blot at 30 min of reperfusion.ResultsCompared with group C,CF,HR,LVDP,LVSP and dp/dtmax were significantly decreased at 20 min of reperfusion and phosphatic p38MAPK expression was down-regulated,non-phosphatic p38MAPK expression was up-regulated at 30 min of reperfusion in groups A,B,D,E and F (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group E,CF,HR,LVDP,LVSP and dp/ dtmax were significantly decreased at 20 min of reperfusion and phosphatic p38MAPK expression was down-regulated,non-phosphatic p38MAPK expression was up-regulated at 30 min of reperfusion in groups D and F ( P ＜0.05).ConclusionHyperpolarized arrest induced by pinacidil can improve cardiac function following myocardial I/R injury by up-regulating phosphatic p38MAPK expression,down-regulating non-phosphatic p38 MAPK expression and mitochondrial potassium channel is more important than membranous one during the regulation of phosphatic p38MAPK expression.

Objective The feasibility and effectiveness of bilingual teaching combined with CBL (case-based learning) was evaluated in our study. Methods From 2011 to 2012, 69 students from Shanghai Jiaotong University were randomly divided into Bilingual CBL group (36 students) and Chinese CBL group(33 students). A case of salvage of multiple trauma patients was selected as a text-book case and students' acceptance to textbooks and teachers was assessed. Besides, students' self-evaluation, teachers' evaluation of students, students' achievement in procedures and the final theory test scores were evaluated as the outcome of the assessment. Results Students' acceptance of textbook in Bilingual CBL group is lower than that in the Chinese CBL group(P=0.035). Differences in students' evaluation of teacher (P=0.093), students' self-evaluation (P=0.816), and teachers' evaluation of the student(P=0.812) were not statistically significant. Final written examination scores(P=0.100), operat-ing procedures in tracheal intubations (P=0.489), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P=0.764) were not statistically different . Only central venous puncture showed a statistical difference ( P=0 . 011 ) . Conclusions Medical bilingual CBL teaching is feasible, without affecting the original teaching of medical knowledge. Bilingual teaching can improve students' English proficiency and enhance their interest in learning.

BacKground:RectaI carcinoid is a rareIy seen neuroendocrine tumor. TiII now,there is controversiaI for the treatment modaIities of rectaI carcinoids with diameter between 1-2 cm. Aims:To study the expression of Ki-67 in rectaI carcinoids and the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection. Methods:A totaI of 83 rectaI carcinoid patients with tumor diameter Iess than 1. 5 cm were enroIIed. AII patients were pathoIogicaIIy diagnosed and underwent endoscopic mucosaI resection from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2013 at Chongqing Three Gorges CentraI HospitaI and Wuhan Tongji HospitaI. The medicaI records were retrospectiveIy reviewed and expression of Ki-67 in tumor tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results:AII patients underwent preoperative endoscopic uItrasonography. Tumors were Iimited to mucosa or submucosa, and no muscuIaris propria invoIvement or metastasis was seen. The mean foIIow-up duration was 38 months,and no recurrence or metastasis occurred. Ki-67 was IowIy expressed in aII rectaI carcinoids(0. 84% ± 0. 67%). When tumors were grouped by size,no significant differences in gender,age,tumor site and Ki-67 expression IeveI were seen between <1. 0 cm group and 1. 0-1. 5 cm group(P >0. 05). Furthermore,when tumors were grouped by a cutoff vaIue of mean Ki-67 index 0. 84%,differences in cIinicopathoIogicaI parameters between the two groups were not significant either( P >0. 05 ). Conclusions:Ki-67 is IowIy expressed in rectaI carcinoids Iess than 1. 5 cm in diameter enroIIed in this study,which denoted an inactive proIiferation. For rectaI carcinoids with diameter Iess than 1. 5 cm,with Iow Ki-67 expression and without muscuIaris propria invoIvement and metastasis, IocaI endoscopic excision is an effective and safe treatment modaIity.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of gelatin sponge particles(GSP)or polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) for hemoptysis secondary to bronchiectasis or pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods The clinical data on 271 patients with bronchiectasis- or tuberculosis-induced hemoptysis were retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy and rates of recurrence and complications were analyzed. Results A total 271 patients were included in this study, 176 of whom suffered from bronchiectasis and the rest 95 had tuberculosis. One-week cure rate was signifi-cantly higher in bronchiectasis group than in tuberculosis group(73.3%vs. 46.3%,P<0.05),and one-year recur-rence rate was significantly lower in bronchiectasis group(17.6%vs. 26.3%,P<0.05). One-year recurrence rate was slightly higher in patients receiving GSP than in those undergoing PVA(bronchiectasis group:22.2%vs. 10.3%, P<0.05;tuberculosis group:28.8%vs. 22.2%,P>0.05). No severe complications occurred. Conclusions In-terventional artery embolization therapy for hemoptysis secondary to bronchiectasis is better than tuberculosis-induced hemoptysis,and PVA is more effective than GSP. Recurrence of massive hemoptysis mostly occurrs within one month ,and most of the patients are complicated with blood supply and have a history of hemoptysis.

Objective To study the pattern of cerebral gray matter and white matter volume changes among smokers with differ-ent level of nicotine dependence (addition)using voxel-based morphometry (VBM).Methods The current case-control study recrui-ted 53 healthy male smokers and 53 healthy non-smokers from outpatients of our hospital during January 2013 to May 2014.Personal information (including for example age,sex and addition dependence of subjects)was collected using a questionnaire.3D-T1 images of whole brain structure were collected and were analyzed using DARTEL toolbox of SPM8.Smokers were divided into mild to mod-erate nicotine dependence group (n=23)and severe nicotine dependence group (n=30)based on Fagerstr?m Test for Nicotine De-pendence (FTND)score.Independent sample t-test analyses were performed to compare the volumes of gray matter and white mat-ter between smokers with different levels of nicotine dependence and non-smokers.Results Compared with non-smokers,gray and white matter volumes of smokers were smaller in multiple brain areas,mainly in the middle occipital gyrus,posterior cingulate,cer-ebellum anterior lobe,precuneus,caudate body and insula,which however,had larger number and scope of focal areas with gray and white matter atrophy in the mild to moderate nicotine dependence group than that in the severe nicotine dependence group.Conclusion Smokers with mild to moderate nicotine dependence have more pronounced gray and white matter atrophy than that smokers with severe nicotine dependence have.

Objective To investigate the change of plasma marinobufagenin (MBG) level and the expression of its receptor Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) in renal biopsy specimens of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) patients. Methods Twenty-eight CGN patients and 14 healthy people were enrolled in the study. The plasma MBG concentration was measured by competitive inhibition ELISA system. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining were applied to detect the expression of NKA in renal biopsy specimens of 28 CGN patients and analyzed by semi quantitively. Results Compared with healthy controls, CGN patients had significant lower plasma MBG concentration [(0.579±0.214) nmol/L vs (0.715±0.154) nmol/L, P＜0.05], without further significant difference between CGN patients with hypertension and with normal blood pressure [(0.595±0.231) nmol/L vs (0.557±0.197) nmol/L, P＞0.05]. Meanwhile, proximal tubular staining of NKA was decreased compared with normal controls. The NKA positive staining area of the CGN group was lower than that of normal controls [2.1% (0.5%-6.2%) vs 5.6% (3.5%-10.8%), P＜0.01] and correlated with 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (r=0.551, P＜0.01).Conclusion Decreased plasma MBG level and its receptor expression on proximal tubules may play a role in the regulation of sodium in CGN.

Animals ; In Vitro Techniques ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Trachea ; drug effects