Objective:To investigate the correlation between the disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) and the immunohistochemical distribution of calprotectin in colon mucosa,as well as the levels of calprotectin in fecal. Methods:Monoclonal antibody against calprotectin was used to investigate the distribution of these proteins in colon mucosa from 42 patients with ulcerative colitis and 20 healthy controls. ELISA assay was used to measure the concentrations of calprotectin in fecal. The disease activity of UC was determined by Truelove-Witts histological criteria. Results: Calprotectin was demonstrated in the majority of granulocytes and macrophages in colon mucosa of patients with active UC, while negative in patients with unactive UC and healthy controls. A strong calprotectin immunoreactivity was presented in ulcerative and erosion lesions in the colon. The concentration of calprotectin was significantly higher in patients with active UC than that with unactive UC and healthy controls (P

Objective:To investigate the effects of clinically achievable dose of lovastatin on prostate cancer PC3 cells.Methods:PC3 prostate cancer cells were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),or lovastain only,or lovastatin with mevalonic acid for 24,48 and 72 hours respectively.MTT assay was used to detect the cell viability.By means of [3H] thymidine incorporation tests,the effects of lovastatin on cell proliferation were analyzed.Western blot was used to detect activated casepase3,caspase7,and cleaved PARP(cPARP),the important molecules on the apoptosis pathway.Results:Cell proliferation of PC3 was significantly inhibited by 39.29%[(63.69%?3.69%) vs(102.98%?6.84%),P=0.000] after 48 h treatment with lovastatin at its clinically achievable dose of 2 ?mol/L.After 72 hours the cell proliferation was inhibited by 44.24% [(52.79%?9.88%) vs(97.03%?0.87%),P=0.048].The cell number was also markedly decreased(4.86?105 ? 0.10?105) vs(9.66?105?0.10?105),P=0.000] after 72 h treatment at this low concentration of 2 ?mol/L.The viability of PC3 cells was significantly decreased 50.12%(56.52%?6.40%) vs(106.64%?5.27%),P=0.000] and 60.05%(41.99%?11.64%) vs(102.94%?8.49%),P=0.000] after 48 h and 72 h treatment,respectively.In addition,2 ?mol/L lovastatin induced activation of casepase7 and led the death substrate PARP to cleavage.Conclusion:Clinically achievable dose of lovastatin inhibits prostate cancer PC3 cell proliferation and induces PC3 cell apoptosis.

AIM: To study the activation and the immune regulation of paecilomyces cicadidae total polysaccharides on macrophages in old rats. METHODS: The ability of devouring neutral red and stimulating index in the alveolar macrophages (AM) and peritoneal macrophages (PM) were observed. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP) and arginase (Arg) were detected by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The shape and structure of spleen macrophages were observed by electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the activity of the LDH/ACP/Arg in the AM or PM and in the culture fluid of the AM or PM were significantly increased (P

The article is to discuss the physiology teaching methods for the foreign students.The teaching effect can be highly improved by preparing well before the class,reforming teaching methods and renovating systems of review and examination.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare benign neoplasm which originates from the smooth muscle cells and is usually confined to the pelvic venous system. Rarely, intracaval and intracardiac extension has been described. Death can occur as a result of intracardiac involvement. We reported 4 cases of IVL with right heart involvement (intracardiac leiomyomatosis, ICL). Three of them suffered recurrent sudden syncope, and the other one was totally asymptomatic. All of them were successfully treated through one-stage operation under extracorporeal circulation.

Through detailed investigation of the market circulation of Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, at the same time, this article collected relevant articles, conducted comparative study on genuine and conventionally used Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix from the aspects of textual research, functions, chemical composition and pharmacological effect, and discussed the results of the study.

Some unhealthy life habits, such as long-term smoking, heavy drinking, sexual overstrain and frequent stay-up could induce the Yin deficiency symptoms of zygomatic red and dysphoria. Stems of Dendrobii officinalis flos (DOF) showed the efficacy of nourishing Yin. In this study, the hyperthyroidism Yin deficiency model was set up to study the yin nourishing effect and action mechanism of DOF, in order to provide the pharmacological basis for developing DOF resources and decreasing resource wastes. ICR mice were divided into five groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the positive control group and DOF extract groups (6.4 g · kg(-1)). Except for the normal group, the other groups were administrated with thyroxine for 30 d to set up the hyperthyroidism yin deficiency model. At the same time, the other groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs for 30 d. After administration for 4 weeks, the signs (facial temperature, pain domain, heart rate and autonomic activity) in mice were measured, and the facial and ear micro-circulation blood flow were detected by laser Doppler technology. After the last administration, all mice were fasted for 12 hours, blood were collected from their orbits, and serum were separated to detect AST, ALT, TG and TP by the automatic biochemistry analyzer and test T3, T4 and TSH levels by ELISA. (1) Compared with the normal control group, the model control group showed significant increases in facial and ear micro-circulation blood flow, facial temperature and heart rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum AST, ALT (P < 0.01), T3 level (P < 0.05), TSH level (P < 0.05) and notable deceases in pain domain (P < 0.01), TG level (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the model control group, extracts from DOF (6 g · kg(-1)) could notably reduce facial and ear micro-circulation blood flow, facial temperature and heart rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and AST (P < 0.05) and enhance pain domain (P < 0.01) and TG (P < 0.01). Extracts from DOF (4 g · kg(-1)) could remarkably reduce AST and ALT levels (P < 0.01, 0.05). Extracts from DOF (6 g · kg(-1) 4 g · kg(-1)) could significantly reduce T3 and increase serum TSH level (P < 0.05). DOF could improve Yin deficiency symptoms of zygomatic red and dysphoria in mice as well as liver function injury caused by overactive thyroid axis. According to its action mechanism, DOF may show yin nourishing and hepatic protective effects by impacting thyroxin substance metabolism, improving micro-circulation and reducing heart rate.
Animals ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Thyroxine ; metabolism ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of saline infusion test (SIT) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PHA). Methods: A total of 116 patients with PHA or essential hypertension (EH) treated in our hospital from 1994-06 to 2013-05 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: PHA group,n=72 and EH group, the patients with excluded PHA,n=44. post-SIT plasma levels of aldosterone and post-SIT ratio of aldosterone/renin activity were evaluated by ROC curve in order to analyze the diagnostic capability and the best diagnostic cut-off point. Results: The area under curve (AUC) by ROC for post-SIT aldosterone level was 0.759, the sensitivity and speciifcity were 74.6% and 63.6% respectively; AUC for post-SIT ratio of aldosterone/renin activity was 0.899, the sensitivity and speciifcity were 83.6% and 88.6% with the best diagnostic cut-off point at 111 [ng/dl:ng/(ml?h)]. Conclusion: Post-SIT plasma level of aldosterone and post-SIT ratio of aldosterone/renin activity had the diagnostic value of PHA; post-SIT ratio of aldosterone/renin activity had the higher diagnostic value of PHA.

Objective To investigate the association of rs1412125 at high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) gene with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese Han population. Methods 396 patients with AF and 726 control subjects were recruited to this study. A case-control association analysis was applied to assess the as-sociation between rs1412125 in HMGB1 and AF. Results There were no significant differences in rs1412125 and the frequency of genotype distribution between the study group and the control group (allelic association:object P value was 1.05E-06, adjust P value was 0.176; genotypic association: additive P value was 0.146, dominant P value was 0.162, and recessive P value was 0.998). The interactions analysis showed that rs1412125 allele C increased the risk of AF in male subjects with rheumatic heart disease (adjust P value was 2.07E-04, rectify OR = 8.20, and 95%CI: 2.70-25.0). Conclusions There is no independent genetic association between rs1412125 at HMGB1 and atrial fibrillation. However , the interactions between rs1412125 and both gender and rheumatic heart disease might increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.

Aim To investigate the effect of hypercholesterolemia on L-type Ca2+(ICa-L) current and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single ventricular myocytes of hypercholesterolemic rats.Methods 12 male wistar rats were randomly divided into two dietary groups:a group fed a normal diet(n=6)and a group fed high-cholesterol diet(n=6) for 4 weeks,respectively. The level of serum lipid was examined.Zymolytic method was used to isolate single ventricular myocytes from hypercholesterolemic and normal rats,which were loaded with Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-3/AM.[Ca2+]i represented by fluorescent intensity(FI)was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope.Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record ICa-L.Results There was no significant influence exhibited on TG level.However, the serum total cholesterol(TC)level of hypercholesterolemic rats was much higher than that of model control group; at the test potential of 0 mV, ICa-L decreased from(-8.56?1.29)pA/pF(Control)to(-5.24?0.90) pA/pF(HC)(n=6 in each group,P