Objective To evaluate the effect of acute hypoxia on the contractile function of isolated small pulmonary arteries in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Seven patients with lung cancer,of both sexes,scheduled for elective pulmonary lobectomy,with no pulmonary hypertension and with normal pulmonary function after examination,were included in the study.Six cases were diagnosed as having moderate COPD.Lung tissues 5 cm away from the tumor tissues were taken during operation and the small pulmonary arteries were isolated and divided into 2 groups:control group (n =7) and COPD group (n =6).The contractile amplitude of small pulmonary arteries was detected using vasomotor tone meter under the state of acute hypoxia.Results Contractile amplitude of small pulmonary arteries in response to hypoxic stimulus was significantly decreased in COPD group compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Acute hypoxia can further reduce the contractile function of isolated small pulmonary arteries in patients with moderate COPD.

Objective To examine clinical features, neuroimaging presentation and treatment of intracranial fungal granulomas (ICFG) in order to improve the accuracy rates of diagnosis and cure. Methods Three pathologically proven cases with ICFG were retrospectively analyzed. Cases of ICFG reported in literature were also summarized. Results Among the 3 patients with ICFG, 1 patient had a history of head trauma and craniotomy and 1 had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and a long history of exposure to doves. In all 3 patients, the symptoms started with headache and vomiting, accompanied by low-grade fever, convulsion, and cranial nerve deficits. Intracranial mass lesion was revealed on brain computed tomography (CT) scan and (or) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with or without intravenous contrast. CT scan showed low-density lesions and granulations with ring and homogenous enhancement, indicating fungal abscesses. MRI in all 3 cases showed one or multiple circumscribed intracranial space-occupying lesion, with ring, heterogeneous contrast enhancement and perilesional edema. The treatments were initiated with craniotomy and surgical resection of granulations followed by intravenous injection of amphotericin B (AMB) combined with fluconazole. The daily administration of AMB was increased gradually from 0.25-1.50 mg/kg and the total dosage of 2-4 g should be achieved within 3 months. The combination therapy with fluconazole (400 mg/d ) was also given by intravenous injection. To increase penetration into cerebrospinal fluid, intrathecal injection of AMB had also been given at the maximum dosage of 1 mg every time, twice a week. Two patients were administered fluconazole (200 mg/d ) orally for 3, 6 months consecutively after completing the combination therapy of AMB with fluconazole, while the other patient refused continuous antifungal treatment 1 month postoperatively. All 3 patients were followed up for a period between 3, 24, 48 months. The 2 patients that completed full antifungal treatment were cured without recurrence. The other patient had improved transiently after operation but died after 3 months. Conclusions Because no distinct chnical and neuroimaging features are presented in ICFG, it is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Indications for surgery include diagnosis, relief mass effect and increase efficiency of drug treatment. Use of appropriate and completed antifungal treatment decreases mortality. The treatment requires continued and long-term administration of antifungal medication to prevent relapses, whether granulomas are totally removed or not.

Objective To investigate the changes in femoral gene expression profiles in C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) via clustering analysis of DNA microarray.Method Sixteen male C57BL/6 mice (4w old) were randomly assigned to two groups,8 in each,after 4-d ordinary diet for adaptation.The control group was fed with an ordinary diet,and the HFD group with HFD(19.5% lard).All mice were sacrificed at the end of 12w and the femoral gene expression was detected by oligonucleotide microarray analysis with Affymetrix Gene Chip Mouse U430A.DAVID,an online tool,was used for clustering analysis on femoral gene expression.Results Longtime administration of HFD caused femoral gene expressed differences related to cation ion channel,transcription regulation and signal transduction,bone mineralization,phosphate metabolic process regulation,and collagen synthesis.Conclusion Longtime intake of HFD will change the expression of numerous bone metabolism-related genes in bone of mice,and then inhibit bone formation.

Objective:To explore the effect of lipoic acid (LA) on chronic oxidative stress,cytokines and inflammatory gene expression with mice fed with high fat diet (HFD) and whether LA supplementation could prevent development of chronic inflammation.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups.The control group were administrated with an ordinary diet.The two experimental groups were fed with a high fat diet or high fat plus 0.1% LA.Antioxidants defense index such as SOD,CAT,GSH-Px and MDA were examined after 10 week.Cytokines such as IFN-?,IL-4,IL-6,TNF-? and IL-10 were examined after 10 week,respectively.Gene expression related to oxidative stress and inflammation were confirmed by QRT-PCR.Results:HFD led to potently weaken antioxidant defenses in mice.HFD significantly increased levels of IFN-?,IL-6 and TNF-?,and decreased levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in mice plasma.QRT-PCR results showed an up-regulation of inflammation related genes and a down-regulation antioxidant-related genes.Conclusion:LA is a possibly effective supplementation with HFD,both to prevent from the development of long-term oxidative stress and to attenuate chronic inflammation.

Objective To explore the effect of high-fat diet(HFD) on redox states of duodenum and calcium absorption in mice,and to analyze the relation between them.Method Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to five groups.The control group consumed an ordinary diet(0.6% Ca,w/w),and other four groups were fed with HFD(19.64%lard,0.6% Ca),HFD plus 0.1% lipoid acid(LA),HFD with calcium supplement(1.6%Ca) and HFD with 1.6% Ca and 0.1% LA supplement.Calcium apparent absorption was measured by mineral balance study after feeding for 8 w.Plasma and duodenum levels of ROS,SOD,CAT,MDA,GSH/GSSG,and T-AOC were measured to evaluate the antioxidant status.Results HFD induced oxidative stress of duodenum and decrease of intestinal calcium absorption in mice.There were positive correlations between calcium apparent absorption with GSH/GSSG(r=0.801,P

Objective To investigate the expression changes of microRNAs and VEGF-NOTCH in renal ischemic injury in mice, and to explore the potential mechanism associated with renal angiogenesis.Method Male Balb/c mice were subjected to a standard renal ischemia to induce acute kidney injury (AKI) after 45 min of bilateral renal artery clamping. Following 4 h, 24 h of reperfusion or sham operation, kindey tissues were collected and subjected to detect the expression changes of microRNAs which relatived with angiogenesis and VEGF, Flk-1, Notch1 mRNA by Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR. Flk-1 protein was detected by Western blotting analysis at 24 h and 72 h following Ischemia/Reperfusion(I/R) injury. The expression of CD31 was examined in tissue sections by immunohistochemistry staining, and the microvessels in ischemic region of each group were counted. Results miRNA-210 and miRNA-92a expression increased significantly, with prominent changes at 4 h and 24 h after reperfusion( P ＜ 0.05 ). VEGF and Flk-1 mRNA expression and Flk-1 protein were increased in renal I/R compared with control group respectively (P＜0.05 ).Immunohistochemistry staining results of CD31 showed a significant increase of microvessels in renal ischemic region. Conclusion This study first reported the changes in miRNAs expression in response to kidney I/R in mouse. our results implied that miRNAs may be involved in targeting VEGF-Notch pathway signaling to regulate angiogenesis after renal I/R injury. It provided novel insights into the angiogenesis mechanism of renal ischemic injury.

Objective:By applying moxibustion to the eight confluent points in different periods of time,to observe the changes in thermal pain threshold latency of acupoints based on Fei Teng Ba Fa.Methods:A total of 468 healthy college student volunteers received moxibustion at the eight confluent points in three different periods of time,i.e.Chen (7:00-9:00),Wu (11:00-13:00) and Xu (19:00-21:00).The thermal pain threshold latency was adopted to measure the changes in pain threshold of the eight confluent points under different conditions (different periods of time,different genders,different acupoints and different states of the acupoints) based on Fei Teng Ba Fa.Results:Finally,thirty subjects dropped out and 438 subjects were included.The comparison of thermal pain threshold latencies of the eight confluent points in the same opening or closing state based on Fei Teng Ba Fa:latencies of the closing points and adjunct points were significantly different in different periods of time (P＜0.05);the latencies of the males were significantly longer than those of the females (P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the latency between the left and right sides (P＞0.05);in the female group,there was a significant difference in the latency between the lower-limb points and the upper-limb points (P＜0.05).The comparison of thermal point threshold latencies of the eight confluent points in different opening or closing state:in the period of Wu (11:00-13:00),the latencies of the opening points were significantly longer than those of the closing points and adjunct points (P＜0.05);for men,their opening and closing points had significantly longer thermal pain threshold latencies than their adjunct points (P＜0.05);despite the gender,the latencies of the upper limb opening and closing points were significantly longer than the latency of the adjunct points (P＜0.05);in the female group,the latencies of the lower-limb opening points were significantly shorter than those of the lower-limb closing and adjunct points (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Based on Fei Teng Ba Fa,the pain thresholds of the eight confluent points vary in different periods of time,gender,acupoint location and opening/closing state,which can be taken as the evidence of making time-based acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions.

Objective To determine the effect of resveratrol on constrictions of isolated human intrapulmonary arteries and its mechanisms. Methods Intrapulmonary arteries (1-1.5 mm in diameter) were dissected and cut into rings (1.8-2.0 mm in length) under microscope, and were then mounted in a Multi Myograph system. The rings were stimulated with 100 nmol/L U46619, 30 nmol/L endothelin-1, or 60 mmol/L KCl to produce sustained contraction of the intrapulmonary arteries, after which resveratrol was applied cumulatively. Endothelium denudation, L-NAME and indomethecin were used to investigate the effect of resveratrol on constrictions of the isolated arteries, suing DMSO as the control. Results Resveratrol induced concentration-dependent relaxations in endothelium-intact rings that contracted in response to stimulations with U46619, ET-1 and KCl, with pD2 of 3.82 ± 0.20, 3.84 ± 0.57, and 3.68 ± 0.27, Emax of (99.58 ± 0.83)%, 100%, and (99.65 ± 0.98)%, respectively. Treatment of the arterial rings with the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, but not with indomethecin or endothelium denudation, obviously affected the relaxant effects of resveratrol. Conclusion Resveratrol can concentration-dependently produce relaxant effect on human intrapulmonary arteries independent of the endothelium possibly by promoting synthesis and release of NO.

Objective To determine the effect of resveratrol on constrictions of isolated human intrapulmonary arteries and its mechanisms. Methods Intrapulmonary arteries (1-1.5 mm in diameter) were dissected and cut into rings (1.8-2.0 mm in length) under microscope, and were then mounted in a Multi Myograph system. The rings were stimulated with 100 nmol/L U46619, 30 nmol/L endothelin-1, or 60 mmol/L KCl to produce sustained contraction of the intrapulmonary arteries, after which resveratrol was applied cumulatively. Endothelium denudation, L-NAME and indomethecin were used to investigate the effect of resveratrol on constrictions of the isolated arteries, suing DMSO as the control. Results Resveratrol induced concentration-dependent relaxations in endothelium-intact rings that contracted in response to stimulations with U46619, ET-1 and KCl, with pD2 of 3.82 ± 0.20, 3.84 ± 0.57, and 3.68 ± 0.27, Emax of (99.58 ± 0.83)%, 100%, and (99.65 ± 0.98)%, respectively. Treatment of the arterial rings with the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, but not with indomethecin or endothelium denudation, obviously affected the relaxant effects of resveratrol. Conclusion Resveratrol can concentration-dependently produce relaxant effect on human intrapulmonary arteries independent of the endothelium possibly by promoting synthesis and release of NO.

Objective To develop thrombus-targeted urokinase immune iiposome through incorporating D-dimer monoclonal antibody (DDmAb) to liposome and observe the thrombolytic efficiency in a rabbit pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) model. Methods Reverse-phase evaporation method was used to develop targeted urokinase immune liposome by coupling DDmAb to urokinase liposome (liposomal-encapsalated urokinase) with glutaraldehyde. The PE models were induced by injecting 4 autologous emboli (2 mm×5 mm) through jugular vein catheter into pulmonary arteries. New Zealand white rabbits (n=32) were randomized into four groups: A group (TBS), B group (150 000 IU/kg UK), C group (30 000 IU/kg urokinase liposome) and D group (30 000 IU/kg urokinase immune liposome). The right ventricular pressure and the emboli size in pulmonary arteries were determined. Results The right ventricular pressure increased significantly in PE rabbits (P<0.01), the average value is (6.75±6.82)mm Hg(1 mm Hg= 0.133 kPa). Eighty minutes post various treatments, right ventricular pressure remained unchanged as post PE in group A [(40.15±11.22) mm Hg vs. (41.67±14.23) mm Hg], decreased to baseline level in group BandD [(34.71±8.67)mm Hg vs. (33.98±9.32)mm Hg, (30.65±6.67)mm Hg vs. (30.77± 6.85)mm Hg, all P>0.05], decreased but not returned to normal value in group C. Residual emboli size remained unchanged in group A and partly reduced in group C and more significantly reduced in group B and D. Hemorrhage of heart, kidney and liver was evidenced in group A but not in other groups. Conclusion Acute PE could be successfully treated by the thrombus-targeted ttrokinase immune liposome with D-dimer monoclonal antibody.