Objective To evaluate the effects of Radix Astr agali combined with prednisone and i mmunosuppressant for primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS)in adults and to compare the effects o f Radix Astragali in various prepata tions for PNS.Methods Randomized controlled trials were a pplied for systemic reviews.Electr onic and manual retrieve of Medline,Embase,Cochrane Library,CBMdisc a nd CEBM/CCD and relevant medical jou rnals in China were applied to search the RCTs of Radix Astragali,non -specific treatment,glucocorticoids and i mmunosuppresants for PNS,and the RCTs were analysed with RevMan 4.1.Results There were 14randomized controlled trials with 524cases involved.Meta-analysis showed that Radix Astragali could in crease the therapeutic effect of pre dnisone and immunosuppressant for PNS and re-duce its recurrence.Radix Astragali also had an effect in decreasing 24-hour proteinuria content and the pla sma levels of total cholesterol and albumin.There were no differences between single injection and compound decoction.Asymmetry showed in"Funnel plot"may be related to publication bias,l ow quality of methodology and small -size in sample.Conclusion Radix Astragali and its prescriptio n may become a prospect therapy for PN S and its recurrence and the com-bination of traditional Chinese med icine and western medicine can be more effective for PNS.The dedinite effect of Radix Astragali for PNS will be further con firmed by multiple -center,large -s ample randomized controlled trial.

An enzyme-displaying yeast as a whole-cell biocatalyst seemed an alternative to immobilized enzyme, due to its low-cost preparation and simple recycle course. Here, we tried to use a recombinant Pichia pastoris displaying Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) to catalyze the synthesis of short chain flavor esters in n-heptane. We studied some major influential factors of esterification reactions, such as carbon chain length of the substrates, alcohol structure, enzyme concentration, substrates concentration, molar ratio of the substrates. The acid conversions were determined by titration and gas chromatography analysis. About ten kinds of esters were synthesized successfully, and the acid conversions of eight esters reached as high as 90% after reaction for 6 h. The result also indicated that ethanol and hexanoic acid were the most suitable substrates for this whole-cell catalyst. Under the optimal reaction conditions (the amount of lipase 20 g/L (306.0 U/g-dry cell), hexanoic acid concentration 0.8 mol/L, the molar ratio of hexanoic acid to ethanol 1:1.1), hexanoic acid conversion reached 97.3% after reaction for 1.5 h. To our knowledge, the CALB-displaying P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst showed good tolerance for high substrates concentration and exhibited high reaction rate on esterification of short chain flavor esters among the present enzyme/cell reported. Thus, CALB-displaying P pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst was promising in commercial application for flavor esters synthesis in non-aqueous phase.
Biocatalysis ; Candida ; enzymology ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; Esters ; metabolism ; Fungal Proteins ; Lipase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of atorvastatin on contrast induced renal function change and plasma hsCRP in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS120 patients who underwent coronary angiography were randomized to receive atorvastatin (20 mg/qn, n = 60) or no atorvastatin (n = 60) treatment 2 to 3 days before coronary angiography. Urinary alpha1-MG, TRF and mALB were checked for evidence of tubular or glomerular damage at start, 1 day and 2 days after the administration of a radiocontrast agent. Serum creatinine, BUN, cystatin C and hsCRP levels were also assessed at the same time. Ccr and GFR were calculated according to Cockcroft-Gault and GFR (ml/min) = 74.835/Cys C(1.333) formulas basing on serum creatinine or cystatin C concentration.

RESULTS(1) In control group, comparison with the value before coronary angiography, urinary alpha1-MG, TRF and mALB or serum cystatin C and hsCRP significantly increased at day 1 after angiography (P < 0.01). In comparison to the levels at day 1 after angiography, urinary alpha1-MG, TRF, mALB, serum cystatin C significantly decreased at day 2 after angiography (P < 0.01), but alpha1-MG, cystatin C still exceeded the values before coronary angiography, TRF and mALB levels at day 2 after angiography had no significant change compared to baseline (P > 0.05), hsCRP level at day 2 after angiography had no significant change compared to that at day 1 after angiography (P > 0.05) too. (2) In comparison with the value before coronary angiography in atorvastatin-treated group, the levels of urinary alpha1-MG, TRF and mALB or serum cystatin C at day 1 and day 2 after angiography had no significant change compared to baseline (P > 0.05).Serum hsCRP significantly increased at day 1 after angiography compared to baseline (P < 0.01), but it had no significant change compared to day 2 after angiography (P > 0.05). (3) To compare to the atorvastatin-treated group, the values of urinary alpha1-MG, TRF and mALB or Cys C and hsCRP significantly increased at day 1 after angiography in control group (P < 0.01), the values of urinary alpha1-MG, cystatin C and hsCRP still significantly increased at day 2 (P < 0.01)too, but those of TRF and mALB had no significantly change at day 1 or day 2 after angiography between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant change in BUN, Cr, Ccr levels before and after angiography between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSLow dose contrast induces light renal function damage. Pretreatment with atorvastatin 20 mg/qn for 2 to 3 days could significantly reduce procedural inflammatory reaction, attenuate urinary protein and the effect of degrading GFR in coronary angiography patients.

Acute Kidney Injury ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Aged ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use

0.05).The effective rates of patients with recurrence or metastasis were respectively 92%(12/13) and 7/9.The rate of acute radiation reaction of the rectum between the treatment group and control group were respectively 46%(13/28)and 80%(24/30),with a significant difference(P0.05),while the rate of severe bone marrow depression between two groups showed a significant difference(0 and 13%,P 0.05).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of 3DCRT is similar to that of traditional radiotherapy in the treatment of cervical carcinoma,but the former treatment method has a lower rate of acute complications.

AIMTo investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor gene transfected MSCs transplantation on cardiac function and fibrosis in rats heart failure model induced by adriamycin.

METHODSMSCs were isolated from SD rats by density gradient centrifugation, purified, and transfected with Ad-hHGF. ELISA were used to detect the protein expression of hHGF in these MSCs. Forty SD rats underwent intraperitoneal injection with adriamycin to induce heart failure model. 8 healthy rats served as control, 24 survival rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): Rats in Ad-hHGF transfected MSCs group were injected with Ad-hHGF transfected MSCs 2 weeks after the establishment of the model, rats in MSC group injected with suspension of MSCs only, and model group was injected with cold culture fluid. Heart function was evaluated by a physiological recorder 4 weeks after cell transplantation. Myocardial cell morphology and interstitial collagen were studied by electron microscope and were stained by Sirus red. TGF-beta1 was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS(1) MSCs could be transfected efficiently by Ad-hHGF, manifested by a higher level of expression in vitro, persisting 14 days at least. (2) Four weeks after the cells transplantion, cardiac necrosis in MSC-hHGF rats was improved when compared with those in the MSCs (P < 0.05) and Model group (P < 0.01). The heart function of the MSC-hHGF rats was greatly improved with an significant increase in LVSP and + dp/dt(max), although LVEDP still highter than that of normal rats. (3) MSC-Ad-hHGF decreased Myocardial collagen content and the level of TGFbeta1 compaired with MSCs transplanted rats (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTransplantation of HGF gene transfected MSCs improved heart function, decreased myocardial collagen and the level of TGFbeta1.

Animals ; Doxorubicin ; Fibrosis ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Heart Failure ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transfection

Radiotherapy is an important treatment of cervical cancer,the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer mainly depends on external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy.However,in the process of the cervical cancer radiotherapy,the vagina has an ambivalent role in the treatment of cervical cancer,being as well a target organ (upper vagina) as an organ at risk.Vaginal radiation-induced injury will appear when it received high doses of radiation.And sexual dysfunction caused by radiation-induced injury has become an important problem cervical cancer survivor.In this article,recent vaginal dose and vaginal radiation injury-related studies have been summarized to unravel the pathophysiological changes,clinical symptoms,clinical diagnosis and treatment of vaginal radiation-induced injury.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizome of Cynanchum atratum.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified by silica gel chromatography and the structures were elucidated by the NMR spectra and physicochemical properties.

RESULTTwelve compounds were obtained and nine of them were identified as 2, 4-dihyroxyacetophe none (1), 2, 6-dihyroxyacetophenone (2), 4-hydroxybenzenemethanol (3), benzoic acid (4), beta-amyrin acetate (5), palmitic acid (6), beta-sitosterol (7), beta-daucosterol (8), glaucogenin C-3-O-alpha-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1 -->4)-alpha-D-oleandropyranoside (9).

CONCLUSIONSeven compounds were obtained from C. atratum for the first time.

Benzoic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Gel ; Cynanchum ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Palmitic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Silica Gel ; Silicon Dioxide

The objective of this study was to elucidate the correlation of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene diversity with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the Chinese southern Han population. KIR genotyping of peripheral blood samples from 67 patients with NPC and 77 randomly-selected healthy controls was performed by PCR-SSP, the relative risk (RR) value was calculated by means of Wolf method. The results showed that the KIR2DL3 gene frequency in NPC patient group was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (χ²>3.84, p < 0.05, RR = 0.08), whereas the KIR2DS5 and KIR2DL5B gene frequencies in patient group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (χ²>3.84, p < 0.05, RR > 1), the other KIR gene frequencies were no statistically different between two groups. It is concluded that the KIR2DL3, KIR2DS5 and KIR2DL5B genes may be correlated with pathogenesis of NPC in the Chinese southern Han population.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Receptors, KIR ; genetics ; Receptors, KIR2DL3 ; genetics ; Receptors, KIR2DL5 ; genetics

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of single-bout exercise on mitochondrial function, dynamics (fusion, fission), and mitophagy in cardiac and skeletal muscles. METHODS: Fischer 344 rats (4 months old) were randomly divided into the control (CON) or acute exercise (EX) group (n=10 each). The rats performed a single bout of treadmill exercise for 60 minutes. Mitochondrial function (e.g., O₂ respiration, H₂O₂ emission, Ca²⁺ retention capacity), mitochondrial fusion (e.g., Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1), mitochondrial fission (e.g., Drp1, Fis1), and mitophagy (e.g., Parkin, Pink1, LC3II, Bnip3) were measured in permeabilized cardiac (e.g., left ventricle) and skeletal (e.g., soleus, white gastrocnemius) muscles. RESULTS: Mitochondrial O₂ respiration and Ca²⁺ retention capacity were significantly increased in all tissues of the EX group compared with the CON group. Mitochondrial H₂O₂ emissions showed tissue-specific results; the emissions showed no significant differences in the left ventricle or soleus (type I fibers) but was significantly increased in the white gastrocnemius (type II fibers) after acute exercise. Mitochondrial fusion and fission were not altered in any tissues of the EX group. Mitophagy showed tissue-specific differences: It was not changed in the left ventricle or white gastrocnemius, whereas Parkin and LC3II were significantly elevated in the soleus muscle. CONCLUSIONS A single bout of aerobic exercise may improve mitochondrial function (e.g., O₂ respiration and Ca²⁺ retention capacity) in the heart and skeletal muscles without changes in mitochondrial dynamics or mitophagy.

OBJECTIVETo study the hypoglycemic effect of the extract of B. polyandra (SHG).

METHODThe diabetic mice were induced by alloxan in ICR mice. The blood glucose concentration was measured by glucose oxidase method. The serum insulin level was determined by 125I-insulin radioimmunoassay kit. The hypoglycemic effect was evaluated by the levels of both fasting and no-fasting blood glucose. The effect on serum insulin level was estimated by the values of the blood insulin and the changes of the blood glucose induced by the glucose intraperitoneal injection. The effect on the glucose absorption was investigated by the oral sucrose or starch tolerance test.

RESULTBoth of the fasting and no-fasting blood glucose levels were decreased significantly by the treatment of 20 or 30 g raw materials crude drug x kg (-1) SHG orally for 7-10 d in ICR mice or in alloxan diabetic mice. In the oral sucrose tolerance test or oral starch tolerance test, the administration of SHG reduced significantly the peak value of the blood glucose and the area under the blood glucose-time curve (AUC) in normal or alloxan diabetic mice, respectively. These effects of SHG were similar to those of acarbose, a kind of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. In the oral glucose tolerance test in normal and alloxan diabetic mice, SHG decreased both the blood glucose peak and the AUC induced by the glucose loading. But in the intraperitoneal injection glucose tolerance test the levels of insulin in both SHG and control mice were similar, however, the changes of the blood glucose level after the glucose-loading for 30 min in SHG mice was much lower than that in control mice.

CONCLUSIONWith the treatment of SHG, the fasting and no-fasting blood glucose concentrations were decreased and the glucose tolerance improved significantly in both normal and alloxan diabetic mice, and the inhibition of a-glucosidase might be one of its major mechanisms.

Administration, Oral ; Alloxan ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; chemically induced ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Insulin ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism