AIM:To observe the effects of hawthorn leaf polymeric procyanidins ( PPC) on calcium mobiliza-tion of vascular endothelial cells , and to study the underlying mechanism .METHODS: Free calcium in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was labeled with Fura-2.HUVECs were treated with ATP, a positive control drug, and PPC at concentrations of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/L..The intracellular calcium concentrations were measured with a living cell microscope for 30 min.RESULTS:PPC concentration-dependently increased the intracellular calcium concen-tration of HUVECs .The intracellular calcium concentrations in 25 and 50 mg/L PPC groups were significantly higher than that in normal group (P<0.01).The dynamic manner of calcium concentration elevations elicited by PPC was a slow in -crease which happened after a latency time of several minutes , lasted for several minutes , and reached a plateau finally . This manner was quite different from that elicited by ATP , a typical SOC operator , hinting different mechanisms between them .Inhibiting the intracellular calcium release did not influence the effects of PPC;however , deleting extracellular calci-um, inhibiting the reverse mode of Na +-Ca2+exchange, or deleting extracellular sodium , restrained or even abolished the effects of PPC.CONCLUSION:PPC elicits calcium mobilization in vascular endothelial cells , which may be one of the mechanisms of the vascular modulatory activity of hawthorn procyanidins .This effect may be achieved through inducing the influx of sodium and then activating the reverse mode of Na +-Ca2+exchange.

To determine alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in extract of Portulaca oleracea L. by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Aim To investigate the NIH3T3/STAT3CA cell proliferation ability and the STAT3 transcriptional activity affected by PTPMeg2 . Methods MTT assay and xenograft nude mice model were used to investigate the NIH3 T3/STAT3 CA cell proliferation inhibited by PTPMeg2 in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to measure the interaction between PT-PMeg2 and STAT3CA. STAT3 transcriptional activity was measured by dual-luciferase assay. Results The NIH3 T3/STAT3 CA cell proliferation ability was signifi-cantly inhibited by PTPMeg2 in vitro and in vivo com-pared with the control group ( P <0.05 ) . The tran-scriptional activity was increased by PTPMeg2 , but not the PTPMeg2 mutant (PTPMeg2C515S) and the ShPT-PMeg2 . Conclusion PTPMeg2 plays a role in inhibi-ting the proliferation ability of NIH3 T3/STAT3 CA cells through inhibiting the STAT3 transcriptional activity.

OBJECTIVE: Using the method of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, to observe the activities of rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) intervened by Tongluo Jiunao Injection (TLJNI), a traditional Chinese compound drug removing toxin to dredge brain collaterals, and then further study the effects of different kinds of conditioned mediums (CMECs-CM) of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells on ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion cerebral cortex cells, and to probe into the drug pharmacological mechanisms of CMECs in modulating the neurons. METHODS: Three kinds of CMECs (normal, ischemic and ischemic/reperfusional) were all treated by TLJNI previously, and then the three pairs of CMECs-CM without serum were collected respectively for LDH assay. Rat cerebral cortex neurons were also primarily cultured and then divided into similar three groups (normal, ischemic and ischemic/reperfusional). The neuron responses caused by CMECs-CM at different concentrations were observed by using LDH transudation rate assay. RESULTS: The LDH release values of ischemic and ischemic/reperfusional CMECs with TLJNI treatment were obviously reduced (P<0.01) compared with the same kinds of CMECs untreated. For ischemic neurons, both conditioned medium of ischemic CMECs (Is-CM) and conditioned medium of ischemic CMECs with drug treatment (IsT-CM) in high concentration of 100% increased the LDH transudation rate (P<0.01), while in low concentration of 10%, IsT-CM reduced the transudation rate (P<0.05). For ischemia/reperfusion neurons, all kinds of CMECs-CM reduced the transudation rate respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). As far as each group concentration was concerned, 10% or 50% showed relatively stronger effects, and both conditioned medium of normal CMECs (N-CM) group and conditioned medium of ischemic/reperfusional CMECs (Rp-CM) group had statistical significance (P<0.05 or P<0.01). For normal neurons, all kinds of CMECs-CM increased the transudation rate respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). As far as each group concentration was concerned, only conditioned medium of normal CMECs (N-CM) had statistical significance (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The study shows that TLJNI is capable of preventing the damage of CMECs from both ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion states. Chinese drug can restrain the brain ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion damage by the media that CMECs modulate the neurons, demonstrating the pharmacological mechanisms of TLJNI. This work also indicates that there exist some active substances against ischemia/reperfusion injury secreted from CMECs-CM with TLJNI treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and explore the effects of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh2 on the cytotoxicity, proliferation and the apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, and to illustrate the structure-activity relationship and possible mechanisms of anti-tumor active ingredients of ginseng.

METHODA549 cells were treated with different concentration gradient of ginsenoside Rh2 (S and R structure) and incubated for different time. Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity studies were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay, cell cycle and apoptotic was analyzed by PI stains and combination of Annexin V/Prop idium iodide double staining with flow cytometric analysis. The influences of activation on Caspase-3 were also detected by the immunofluorescence staining with fluorescence microscope.

RESULTMTT test indicated that ginsenoside Rh2 had a strong cytotoxicity activity to A549 cells. Ginsenoside Rh2 could obviously inhibit the cell proliferation in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 at the effective doses of 25 mg x L(-1) treated with 48 h. The inhibition ratio and the value of IC50 for48 h of 20(R)-Rh2 and 20(S)-Rh2 were respectively 28.5%, 33.6% and 33.4, 28.5 mg x L(-1). The inhibition of ginsenoside Rh2 to A549 showed structure relationship significantly, time-dependent and concentration-dependent. Flow cytometric analysis (FACS) with PI stains analysis results showed that the proportion of A549 cells in G1 phase increased, while the number of cells in S phase decreased significantly and those in G2 phase reduced slightly. This result indicated structure relationship significantly, especially in the 20(S) -ginsenoside Rh2 inhibited the proliferation of A549 cell dramatically and retarded A549 cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. The immunofluorescent of combination with Annexin VFITC/PI by flow cytometric suggested ginsenoside Rh2 can induce inchoate apoptsis rate and late apoptosis rate of A549 cell significantly. All the results showed structure relationship significantly, especially in the 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2. The immunofluorescent with fluorescence microscope suggested the activity of Caspase-3 were enhanced after ginsenoside Rh2 treated.

CONCLUSION20 (R) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 had a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation. Compared with 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2, 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rh2 has been shown to have significant anticancer effects and to be capable of blocking cell proliferation and causing G1 phase arrest in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. 20 (R) and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 have been shown to have anticancer effects and to be capable of increasing inchoate apoptotic rate, reducing apoptotic rate significantly, enhancing the activity of Caspase-3 and inducing apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Fluorescence

OBJECTIVETo explain a method for lower face and anterior neck reconstruction.

METHODSTissue expanders were implanted subcutaneously beside the defect. When the skin was properly expanded, the bipedicled expanded skin flap was created and transferred to the lower face and the anterior neck. If the defect can not be repaired by one stage, the expanded skin was re-expanded for the rest.

RESULTS11 patients have been treated with this method since 1990. All flaps survived and all the defects have been successfully repaired with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONThe bipedicled expanded flap, which provided good blood supply, improved the survival rate of the flap and reduced the incision scar on the face, is an effective surgical procedure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Most of patients with DTC are characterized by low invasiveness and good prognosis. With the development of medical imaging, fine needle biopsy and molecular biology technology, especially the progress of surgical technology, the early diagnosis rate of DTC and the survival rate after operation are significantly increased. However, the cognition understanding of DTC and some views of surgical treatment are still controversial. A systematic review and summary of the diagnosis and surgical treatment of DTC are made based on the changes in the past 40 years, especially the treatment strategy, surgical resection scope and indications of DTC primary focus and cervical lymph node metastasis, in order to propose a more reasonable and accurate individual diagnosis and treatment plan for patients with DTC.

【Objective】 To compare the platelet apheresis donation rate via telephone and WeChat appointment in Shijiazhuang area during the COVID-19 epidemic, so as to give suggestions for optimizing blood donation appointment in major public events. 【Methods】 The number and appointment type of apheresis donors from January to March 2019(the control) vs January to March 2020(study group 1) vs January to March 2021(study group2) in Shijiazhuang area were collected. A total of 1 204 and 1 305 questionnaires were distributed to two study groups to analyze their acceptance of telephone and WeChat appointment. 【Results】 More turnout donors preferred WeChat appointment, relative to telephone calls, during January to March 2020 and 2021. But some inactive donors preferred appointment given by telephone calls. 【Conclusion】 Different appointment methods should be adopted to recruit blood donors according to the targets of blood centers, in the event of national or local COVID-19 epidemic.