Objective To observe the effect of panax notoginseng saponins on pulmonary artery pathology in chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertensionp (HPH) rats models, discuss the role and possible mechanisms of panax notoginseng saponins in prevention of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n =10).Group C: control group;Group H: rats were treated with hypoxia only;Group HC: rats were treated with hypoxia and captopril;and Group HP: rats were treated with hypoxia and panax notoginseng saponins.To observe the effect of panax notoginseng saponins prophylactic treatment in chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension rats,after the establishment of the model of hypoxic rat animal pulmonary hypertension models, transthoracic direct pulmonary artery intubation was measured in rat pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure, at the end of separation and cut for pulmonary artery to observe the pathological changes of pulmonary artery, results were recorded and statistically analyzed.Results (1)Transthoracic direct pulmonary artery intubation was measured in rat pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure: pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) were significantly higher in Group H than in Group C (P ＜ 0.05), Group HP was no significant difference relative to Group C.(2)Pathological section shew that the primary pathological change of group H is vascular intimal hyperplasia and the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, medial hypertrophy, extracellular matrix increased, thickening of the vessel wall and the vascular stenos.Conclusions Panax notoginseng saponins inhibit the formation of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats,and have the effect of prevention and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To review and summerize effectiveness and method of the Boston's balloon dilation in cardiac achalasia. Methods The intensified guide wire was inserted into stomach through mouth cavity under TV controll. The Boston's balloon was inserted to the cardiac stricture through the guide wire and dilatated with 15% contrast medium with to a maximum diameter for five minutes and then the balloon was dilatated again for 3～5 minutes, all together for 3～4 times. The severe stricture must be pre dilatated with 20～25mm diameter balloon. Results The balloon insertion was technically successful in all 26 patients. The once succese of ballon dilation was achieved in 24 patients and twice in other 2. Follow up time was from 2 weeks to 31 months(mean 10.6 months). Recurrent stenosis had not occurred in all patients. Remission rate of dysphagia was 100%. Esophageal reflux occurred in 3 patients. Conclusions The Boston's balloon dilatation is simple and effective for treatment of cardiac achalasia. The method sometimes may replace surgical procedure.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of composite skin grafts consisting of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix and autologous scalp in the repair of defects after excision of giant pigmented nevi in children.Methods Eighteen children with giant pigmented nevi were included in this study.All the patients received excision of giant pigmented nevi.The defects were repaired using composite skin grafts consisting of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix and autologous razor-thin scalp grafts in 10 children from June 2009 to October 2012 (test group),and using autologous thin or intermediate-thickness skin grafts in 8 children from March 2006 to May 2009 (control group).Donor site healing time,skin graft survival rate,and the degree of scar proliferation were compared between the two groups.Results Significant differences were observed at donor sites between the test group and control group in healing time ((5.31 ± 1.45) vs.(11.63 ± 1.69) days,P ＜ 0.05) and scar score (1.62 ± 0.38 vs.6.38 ± 0.58,P ＜ 0.05).At recipient sites,the survival rate of skin grafts was similar between the test group and control group ((94.44 ± 2.56)％ vs.(95.13 ± 3.13)％,P ＞ 0.05),while scar score was significantly different (5.38 ±0.62 vs.8.40 ± 0.41,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Composite skin grafts consisting of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix and autologous scalp appear to be a good option for the repair of defects after excision of giant pigmented nevi in children,with minor donor-site injuries and satisfying cosmetic and functional outcomes at recipient sites.

Objective To screen for genomic copy number variants(CNVs)in six neonates with Pierre Robin sequence(PRS)by Affymetrix 2.7 M chip to identify possible loci related to PRS.Methods Six neonates with PRS admitted into the Department of Neonatology,Children's Hospital of Fudan University from June 2009 to May 2010 were enrolled in this study.CNVs were detected by Cytogenetic Whole Genome 2.7 M array.Rare CNVs with potential clinical significance that deletion segments' size ＞50 kb and duplication segments' size ＞200 kb were selected based on the analysis of Chromosome Analysis Suite(ChAS)software,false positive CNVs and segments of normal population were excluded.The identified CNVs were compared with those in relative published literatures.Results(1)Among 6 PRS patients,two patients had facial deformation,two had congenital heart defects,one had congenital dysplasia of the laryngeal cartilage and one had choroidal space occupying lesion.(2)Seven rare CNVs whose size from 51-11 956 kb were identified in four neonates,including a 739 kb duplication on lp26.23-p36.22,a 6273 kb deletion on lq43-44,a 51 kb and a 55 kb deletions on 14q32.31,a 1022 kb duplication on 14q11.1-11.2,a 11 956 kb duplication on 20p13 and a 105 kb deletion on 4q23.3.(3)Published literatures showed that deletions of 1q43-44 and 14q32.31 might relate to micro/retrognathia and abnormal palate.Region of chromosome 1q43-q44 contained AKT3 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U(hnRNPU)genes,and the haploinsufficiency of AKT3 and hnRNPU genes might cause developmental human microcephaly and agenesis of the corpus callosum,speech delay and seizures respectively.Region of chromosome 14q32.31 contained some C/D small nucleolar RNA,and the human imprinted 14q32 domain shared common genomic features with the imprinted 15q11-q13 loci.Conclusions This study established a method to discover whole genome CNVs in identifying novel submicroscopic deletions and duplications.Reviewing of published literatures suggested that deletions of chromosome 1q43-q44 and 14q32.31 might cause Pierre Robin sequence.

Objective To evaluate the effect of polydatin on neuropathic pain in rats.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 200-230 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),neuropathic pain group (group NP),polydatin 5 mg/kg group (group P1),polydatin 10 mg/kg group (group P2),and polydatin 20 mg/kg group (group P3).Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury in NP and P1-3 groups.In group S,the sciatic nerve was only exposed but not ligated.In S and NP groups,normal saline 0.1 ml was injected intraperitoneally immediately after operation and at 1,3,5 and 7 days after operation (T1-4).In P1-3 groups,polydatin 5,10 and 20 mg/kg (in normal saline 0.1 ml) were injected intraperitoneally immediately after operation and at T1-4.At 1 day before operation (T0) and T1-4,the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured.After measurement of pain threshold at T4,the rats were sacrificed,and L4-6 segments of the spinal cords were removed for determination of the expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1),Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),interleukin-1beta (IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) by Western blot.Results Compared with group S,the MWT was significantly decreased,and the TWL was significantly shortened at T1-4 in group NP,the MWT was significantly decreased at T1-4,and the TWL was significantly shortened at T2-4 in group P1,the MWT was significantly decreased at T1-4,and the TWL was significantly shortened at T3.4 in group P2,the MWT was significantly decreased at T1-4 in group P3,and the expression of HMGB1,TLR4,IL-1β,TNF-α and MCP-1 was significantly up-regulated in NP,P1 and P2 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group NP,the MWT was significantly increased at Tt-4,and the TWL was significantly prolonged at T1,2 in group P2,the MWT was significantly increased,and the TWL was significantly prolonged at T1-4 in group P3,the expression of HMGB1,TLR4,IL-1β,TNF-α and MCP-1 was significantly down-regulated in P2 and P3 groups (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group P1 (P＞0.05).Compared with group P1,the MWT was significantly increased at T4 in group P2,and the MWT was significantly increased at T14,the TWL was significantly prolonged at T3,4,and the expression of HMGB1,TLR4,IL-1β,TNF-α and MCP-1 was significantly down-regulated in group P3 (P＜0.05).Compared with group P2,the MWT was significantly increased at T3,4,and the expression of TLR4,IL-1β,TNF-α and MCP-1 was significantly down-regulated in group P3 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Polydatin can alleviate neuropathic pain through inhibiting inflammatory responses in the spinal cord of rats.

Through comparative study on Naotaifang containing serum and plasma proteomics (peptide), this article revealed differential proteins (peptides) in the Naotaifang. The characteristics of differential proteins were identified with mass spectrometry. It provides scientific evidences for the pharmacodynamic material basis and Chinese herbal medicine plasma pharmacological method development in the exploration of Naotaifang. A total of 20 healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, Naotaifang treatment group according to their weights. Ten rats in each group. Intragastric administration of medication was given for seven consecutive days. Before surgery, rats were fed with water but without food. One hour after the last drug administration, 10% chloral hydrate was injected for intraperitoneal anesthesia. Blood was taken through the common carotid artery. Serum and plasma samples were made after blood was taken from each rat. Serum and plasma samples of five rats were randomly selected from each group. And the two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) technique was used in the comparative study of serum pro-teomics (peptide). The 300 DPI scanning and PDQuest 7.3.0 were used in the analysis. The ESI-MS/MS was used to identify important differences in proteins and screen characteristic serum and plasma protein. The results showed that 20 differential proteins of 5 plasma samples were identified. There were 15 types of proteins expressing up-regulation and 5 types expressing down-regulation. Comparative analysis on the 2-DE gel pictures of Naotaifang containing serum, 19 differential proteins of 5 plasma samples were identified, among which 15 types of proteins express up-regulation and 4 down-regulation. Comparative analysis on the 2-DE gel pictures of Naotaifang containing serum and Naotaifang containing plasma showed that 24 differential proteins of 5 plasma samples were identified, among which 9 types of proteins express up-regulation and 15 down-regulation. The highly expressed proteins were selected to MALDI-TOF-MS between Naotaifang containing serum and Naotaifang containing plasma. There were six successful-ly identified proteins, which were inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor, heavy chain 3, group-specific component, comple-ment factor B, Receptor Complexed with A Heterodimeric Fc, isoform CRA-d, Transferrin. It was concluded that protein with obvious changes in the Naotaifang containing serum and plasma may be related with fibrinolysis and an-ticoagulant. These proteins are involved in angiogenesis, inflammation and other pathological regulations of physiolog-ical processes. They are of great significance in the study of effective target and its signal transduction pathway of Naotaifang.

The present study examined the protective effect of the ethanol extract of Sarcopyramis nepalensis (EESN) on agents-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and the possible mechanism. Acute liver injury was induced by administration of either CCl(4) or D-GalN. The animals were divided into 5 groups in terms of different treatment: normal group, CCl(4) or D-GalN group, silymarin or bifendate group, low dose EESN group (10 mg/kg) and high dose EESN group (30 mg/kg). Liver function was evaluated by detecting the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The oxidize stress markers were measured, including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Liver tissues were histopathologically examined by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The acute toxicity study revealed that there was no toxicity of EESN at the dose of 5 g/kg in mice. The levels of ALT and AST in serum, and the MDA level in live tissues were significantly increased and the activities of SOD and GSH substantially decreased in mice after CCl(4) or D-GalN treatment. These biochemical and oxidize stress markers were profoundly improved after treatment with EESN at different doses, which was similar to the results of silymarin or bifendate treatment. The histophathological examination revealed the significant improvement in the pathological changes of the liver in EESN-treated mice as compared to those in CCl(4) or D-GalN group. It was concluded that EESN possesses potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties and has therapeutic potential for liver diseases.

Aim To investigate the effects of Naotai formula extract(NTE)on the expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and hephaestin(Heph) in hippocampus of rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion by Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.Methods Eighty rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: sham operation group(Sham), cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group(I/R), low dose group of NTE(4.5 g·kg-1), middle dose group of NTE (9 g·kg-1) and high dose group of NTE(18 g·kg-1).Rats were pretreated by intragastric administration for three consecutive days, and then subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) 2 hours before reperfusion.The rats were administered with intragastric administration for two days.After cerebral ischemia reperfusion 72 hours, the behavioral activity of rats was recorded by Zea Longa neurological score, and the infarct volume was measured by TTC staining.The expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and Heph in hippocampus of cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats were observed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results Compared with model group, the neurobehavioral scores significantly decreased in NTE high-dose and middle-dose groups (P<0.01);the infarct volume of NTE groups markedly decreased (P<0.01);the expression of HO-1 mRNA apparently increased (P<0.05) in NTE groups;the expression of Heph mRNA significantly increased in NTE middle-dose and high-dose groups (P<0.05);the expression of Nrf2 and Heph protein evidently increased in the NTE middle and high dose groups (P<0.05, P<0.01);and the expression of HO-1 protein also increased in NTE groups(P<0.01).Conclusions Naotai formula can relieve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.The mechanism might be associated with activating Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways, promoting HO-1 generation, advancing the expression of Heph, and then reducing brain iron deposition, to achieve the protection of neurons after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

In this paper, the changes of volatile oil and non-volatile ingredients in Cortex Magnolia Officinalis before and after primary processing were determined by an HPLC and a GC-MS method. The method is based on quantitative determination of three index ingredients, beta-eudesmol, honokiol and magnolol, and on qualitative fingerprinting analysis using HPLC and GC. Big differences were observed between processed and unprocessed samples according to their chromatographic fingerprinting data calculated by statistic software. Compared with unprocessed samples, the contents of honokiol and magnolol in processed samples increased, whereas the contents of beta-eudesmol and magnoloside A in processed samples decreased. Magnoloside A was isolated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenesis of thromboembolism in patients with mitral stenosis in a pre-thrombotic state.

METHODSThe biochemical markers' levels in plasma for platelet activity [soluble P-selectin (GMP-140)], states of thrombin generation [antithrombin III (AT III) and protein C (PC)], fibrinolysis [D-dimer (DD), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and FDP] and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were determined from blood specimens obtained from the femoral veins and arteries and the right and left atria of 43 consecutive patients (20 with atrial fibrillation and 23 with sinus rhythm) with mitral stenosis (MS), undergoing percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. The same parameters were compared with those of 15 control subjects, who had no detectable heart disease, but with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation of the left accessory pathway through a transseptal passage.

RESULTSBlood from the left atrium contained an excessive amount of platelet activity, thrombin generation and fibrinolysis compared with the blood from the right atrium, and the femoral veins and arteries. However blood from the right atrium was much lower in these activities when compared with those from the left atrium, and the femoral veins and arteries in both groups. Compared with those in the control subjects, GMP-140 in the left atrium was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and AT III was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients with MS. Compared with the patients with MS and spontaneous left atrial echocontrast (LASEC) /= 2 had significantly higher levels of GMP-140 in plasma (P < 0.05), and significantly lower levels of AT III (P < 0.05) and PC (P < 0.01) levels in the left atrium. However, there were no significant differences between patients with atrial fibrillation and those with sinus rhythm regarding amounts of plasma coagulation markers in the left atrium. Univariate regression analysis revealed that LASEC was negatively correlated with plasma levels of blood from the left atria in the patients with MS.

CONCLUSIONCoagulability is increased in the left atria of patients with MS and is positively correlated with LASEC.

Adult ; Antithrombin III ; analysis ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Heart Atria ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; complications ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Protein C ; analysis ; Regression Analysis ; Thromboembolism ; etiology ; Thrombophilia ; blood ; complications ; von Willebrand Factor ; analysis