This study was purposed to explore the significance of tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (IFPI) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the evaluation of development, curative effect and prognosis of AL patients. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TF, TFPI and IL-1beta in plasma of 20 healthy individuals and 24 newly diagnosed AL patients. All the three indications of patients were measured in different stages including pre-chemotherapy phase, at 72 hours after chemotherapy, complete remission phase. The results showed that as compared with normal control, levels of TF, TFPI and IL-1beta in plasma of AL patients during pre-chemotherapy phase were higher (p < 0.01); as compared with pre-chemotherapy phase, levels of TF, IL-1beta were elevated at 72 hours after -chemotherapy (p < 0.05). However, the levels of TFPI was much lower than that of 72 hours after chemotherapy (p < 0.01). 16 out of 24 patients got complete remission, there was no difference of TF, TFPI and IL-1beta between complete remission group and normal control group. It is concluded that the levels of TF, TFPI and IL-1beta in plasma can be used as the indicators for understanding clinical features, evaluating disease status and predicting prognosis in acute leukemia patients.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Leukemia ; blood ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVELennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is one of the most severe and refractory form of childhood epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and EEG characteristics of patients with LGS.

METHODSSixty-two patients with LGS, including 37 males and 25 females, were followed-up regularly per three months or per six months, therapy was adjusted according to the changes in seizures and EEG, and the clinical data were analyzed in detail.

RESULTSThe onset occurred between the age of 8 months and 12 years, with the peak at 1-4 years of age, accounting for 61%; a late onset which occurred after 8 years of age, was unusual. Furthermore, one patient who developed LGS at the age of 13 years and remained to have all the features of seizures and EEG at 35 years of age was identified as adult's LGS. Forty-three patients were classified as symptomatic, perinatal events were the predominant factors in this group. The others were cryptogenic. It was noted that 11 cases had a history of West syndrome. A transformation process from West syndrome to LGS was observed in another 7 cases. Every patient had two or more seizure types during the course of the disease; tonic seizure, atypical absence seizure, head drop or sudden falls were the characteristic types. The degree of mental deficit was variable from slight to profound deterioration, but mental and behavioral disturbances existed in every case as a rule. In all cases electroencephalogram (EEG) background was abnormal and consisted of diffuse slow spike-and-waves (1-1.5CPS), predominant in frontal and temporal regions. Twenty-four cases had the polyspike-wave. Bursts of fast rhythms (10-14CPS) were observed in 29 patients during sleep. The choice of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) was based on the seizure types; routinely, 2 or more kinds of AEDs were used in combination, the classic drugs, valproate and clonazepam were firstly recommended; the other drugs, such as lamotrigine and topiramate that are used as add-on therapy were further consideration. Although the total effect was not satisfactory, the severity and frequency of seizures in almost all cases had lessened to some extent.

CONCLUSIONLGS shows diverse manifestations; comprehensive diagnosis is crucial, active and efficacious treatment can improve the mental and behavioral development and prognosis as a whole.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsies, Myoclonic ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Intellectual Disability ; complications ; Male ; Spasms, Infantile ; complications ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Energy metabolism plays an important role in life survival for species living in high altitude hypoxia condition. Air-breathing organisms require oxygen to create energy. Tibetans are the well-adapted highlanders in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. It was thought that different metabolic approaches could lead to different adaptation traits to high altitude hypoxia. Recently identified hypoxia inducible factors pathway regulators, endothelial PAS domain protein1 (EPAS1)/HIF-2a and PPARA, were involved in decreasing hemoglobin concentrations in Tibetans. Because EPAS1 and PPARA also modulated the energy metabolism during hypoxia, we hypothesized that positive selected EPAS1 and PPARA genes were also involved in unique energy metabolisms in Tibetans. In this brief review, we take a look into genetic determinations to energy metabolisms for hypoxia adaptations traits in Tibetans and mal-adaptive conditions such as high altitude diseases.
Acclimatization ; genetics ; Altitude ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Phenotype ; Tibet

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aim To investigate the effect of Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract(AH) on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced acute liver injury in mice,and to ex-plore whether the mechanism was related to the inhibi-tory effect of AH on oxidative stress and c-Jun N-termi-nal kinase (JNK). Methods ConA(20 mg·kg-1) was administered via tail vein injecting to induce he-patic damage in mice. The groups of AH were given at 12.5,25,50 mg·kg-1by oral gavage separately for 20 days. The serum levels of AST,ALT,TP,and Alb were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer and the A/G ratio was calculated. TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were assayed by ELISA. The liver tissue was attained by HE and the histopathological changes were calculat-ed. The MDA, SOD, GSH contents of liver tissues were assayed by related kits. The activity of caspase-3 was detected by spectrophotometry. The expressions of cytochrome C and Bax, Bcl-2, p-JNK and p-Akt were detected by Western blot. Results The serum levels of ALT, AST, IFN-γ and TNF-α in AH groups were significantly lower than those in ConA-injured group, while the levels of TP,Alb and A/G were significantly higher. The SOD and GSH levels of liver tissues signif-icantly increased and MDA level decreased; liver his-topathological changes were consistent with those of the serological indicators, and AH treatment significantly reduced the pathological damage induced by ConA. In AH group,the expression of cytochrome C,caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and p-JNK markedly decreased, while the expression of p-Akt protein increased compared with ConA model group. Conclusion AH could sig-nificantly protect the ConA-induced acute liver injury in mice via inhibition of ROS and JNK pathway.

A new ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UANE) method coupled with solid phase extraction (SPE) using ultrasonic fountain was established for the extraction of eight common ginsenosides from leaves of Panax quinquefolium L. The extraction system has been designed and several experimental parameters,including the type and volume of extraction solvent,pH value and salt concentration of extraction solvent,type and volume of elution solvent,and amount of C18, extraction time were examined and optimized. Under the optimal conditions,the recoveries of ginsenosides were in the range of 96. 3% -110. 6%, the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 2.8%-4.3%,indicating that the method has a good performance for the extraction of these ginsenosides. Compared with traditional UANE-SPE method, the modified method simplified the extraction device,shortened the extraction time and improved the extraction efficiency.

A green, rapid and efficient method was developed for the extraction of 4 kinds of hosenkosides from the seeds of Impatiens balsamina L. The hosenkosides were extracted by ionic liquid, and then enriched by solid phase extraction. The effects of the kinds and volume of ionic liquid, pH value, ultrasonic time, solid phase extractant and eluent on the extraction fields were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the recoveries of 4 kinds of hosenkosides were between 92. 1％ and 108. 2％ , the correlation coefficients were 0. 9945-0. 9975, and the detection limits were 1. 8-4. 5 μg / mL. The RSD values were all less than 3. 9％ . The experimental results showed that this method was fast, efficient, environmental protection. This study provided a reference for the extraction and enrichment of trace components in Chinese medicinal herbs.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of series of Muskone (the muskone includes Slender Dutchmanspipe Root, Inula Root and neither kind of Common Aucklandia Root) on the heart hemodynamics and myocardial consumption of oxygen in experimental dogs, and to explain its pharmacological action on cardiovascular system.

METHODArterial blood pressure, coronary blood flow, resistance in coronary artery, total peripheral resistance, work of left artrium and oxygen consumption index of the cardiac muscles were observed in anaesthetic dogs.

RESULTThe series of Muskone decreased arterial blood pressure significantly, dilated coronary artery and peripheral arteries significantly, increased coronary blood flow, decreased resistance in coronary artery, improved the work of left artrium, the oxygen availability of cardiac muscles and the complaisance of arteries in cardiac muscles.

Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Cycloparaffins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Drug Combinations ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Inula ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; drug effects ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Vascular Resistance ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of the series of Muskone (the Muskone includes Slender Dutchmanspipe Root, Tumuxiang, and not Slender Dutchmanspipe Root) on myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction and hematological index in experimental canines, and to explain the pharmacological action and characteristic of its therapeutic effect on ischemic heart disease.

METHODThe range and degree of myocardial ischemia was evaluated by epicardial electrogram mapping, and the range extent of myocardial infarction was determined by quantitate histology (N-BT staining method). Meanwhile, the changes of ET, TXB2, 6-Keto-PGF1alpha were determined to study the effects of the series of Muskone on myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction and hematological index in experimental canines.

RESULTThe series of Muskone can improve myocardial ischemia and infarction in experimental canines, and relieve significantly the degree of myocardial ischemia (Sigma-ST) determined by epicardial electrogram mapping, decrease the range of myocardial ischemia (N-ST) determined by epicardial electrogram mapping and decrease infarction zone determined by N-BT staining method. And it has a significant inhibition on activity of ET induced by myocardial ischemia and infarction, and increases 6-Keto-PGF1alpha and 6-Keto-PGF1alpha/TXB2 induced by myocardial ischemia.

CONCLUSIONThe series of Muskone has significant therapeutic effect on myocardial infarction.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha ; blood ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Cycloparaffins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelins ; blood ; Female ; Inula ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood

The present study was designed to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of rat conduit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the response to acute hypoxia. PASMCs of the 1st to 2nd order branches in the conduit pulmonary arteries were obtained by enzymatic isolation. The PASMCs were divided into acute hypoxia preconditioned group and normoxia group. Hypoxia solutions were achieved by bubbling with 5% CO2 plus 95% N2 for at least 30 min before cell perfusion. Potassium currents were compared between these two groups using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The total outward current of PASMCs was measured under normoxia condition when iBTX [specific blocking agent of large conductance Ca-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channel] and 4-AP [specific blocking agent of delayed rectifier K(+) (K(DR)) channel] were added consequently into bath solution. PASMCs were classified into three types according to their size, shape and electrophysiological characteristics. Type I cells are the smallest with spindle shape, smooth surface and discrete perinuclear bulge. Type II cells show the biggest size with banana-like appearance. Type III cells have the similar size with type I, and present intermediary shape between type I and type II. iBTX had little effect on the total outward current in type I cells, while 4-AP almost completely blocked it. Most of the total outward current in type II cells was inhibited by iBTX, and the remaining was sensitive to 4-AP. In type III cells, the total outward current was sensitive to both iBTX and 4-AP. Acute hypoxia reduced the current in all three types of cells: (1614.8+/-62.5) pA to (892.4+/-33.6) pA for type I cells (P<0.01); (438.3+/-42.8) pA to (277.5+/-44.7) pA for type II cells (P<0.01); (1 042.0+/-37.2) pA to (613.6+/-23.8) pA for type III (P<0.01), and raised the resting membrane potentials (E(m)) in all these three types of cells: (-41.6+/-1.6) mV to (-18.6+/-1.5) mV (P<0.01), (-42.3+/-3.8) mV to (-30.6+/-3.0) mV (P<0.01), (-43.3+/-1.6) mV to (-28.4+/-1.4) mV (P<0.01), for type I, II, III cells, respectively. These results suggest that acute hypoxia suppresses the potassium current and improves the E(m) in PASMCs. These effects may be involved in the modulation of constriction/relaxation of conduit artery under acute hypoxia. Different distribution of K(DR) and BK(Ca) channels in these three types of PASMCs might account for their different constriction/relaxation response to acute hypoxia.
4-Aminopyridine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; physiology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley