Objective: To investigate the effects of early exposure of new born rats to octylphenol (OP) on breast cancer incidence and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) expression. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (Con) group, model (Mod) group, OP 20, OP 40, OP 80 groups. OP was subcutaneously injected into rats from d 21 to d 27. The rats were given dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) intragastrically on d 42 and were sacrificed on 180 d. The incidence of breast cancer, the changes in serum levels of estradiol and progesterone, the alteration of estrogen receptor (ER) expression and BRCA1 mRNA and protein expression in breast cancer tissues were observed. Results: No breast cancer occurred in Con group. The incidence rate of breast cancer in the Mod group, OP 20 group, OP 40 group, and OP 80 group were 70% (14/20), 60% (12/20), 25% (5/20), and 50% (10/20), respectively. The fluorescence intensities of BRCA1 expression were 31.54 ± 6.15, 36.27 ± 7.57, 61.69 ± 9.96 and 47.38 ± 10.45, respectively; the logarithm value of BRCA1 mRNA expressions were 3.46 ± 6.52, 4.12 ± 0.86, 5.53 ± 0.75, and 4.35 ± 0.58, respectively. The ER expression in breast cancer tissues decreased after the rats were exposed to OP. Conclusion: OP decreased the occurrence of DMBA-induced breast cancers, which may be related with up-regulation of BRCA1 expression and down-regulation of ER expression in breast cancers.

Triptolide (TPT), an active compound extracted from Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii , has been used in therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, after synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis (RASFs) were treated with TPT, we investigated its effect on the differentiation of Th17 cells. Firstly, the mRNA level of cyclooxygenase (COX) wad detected by qRT-PCR and the protein level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was tested by ELISA in RASFs treated with different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 nmol L-1 ) of TPT. Then after TPT pre-treated RASFs and RA CD4 + T cells wer e co-cultured for 3 days in the presence or absence of PGE2, IL-17 and IFN-gamma production in CD4 T cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed TPT decreased the mRNA experssion of COX2 and the secretion of PGE2 in RASFs in a dose-dependent manner(P <0. 05). We further found that differentiation of Thl7 cells was downregulated in a dose-dependent manner, and exogenous PGE2 could reverse the inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation(P <0. 05). Taken together, our results demonstrated that TPT inhibited the mRNA level of COX2 and the secretion of PGE2 in RASFs, which partly led to impaired Th17 cell differentiation in vitro.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Synovial Fluid ; drug effects ; Th17 Cells ; drug effects ; pathology

Objective To investigate the CT features of pulmonary sarcoidosis.Methods Ninety patients with histologically proved pulmonary sarcoidosis were retrospectively studied by using CT scans and clinical recording.Results The main CT findings of pulmonary sarcoidosis were nodules which were seen in 69 cases(76.7%),and the nodules mostly distributed around the bronchovascular bundle(n=37, 41.1%).Other abnormalities included consolidation(n=31,34.4%),ground-grass(n=39,43.3 %), thickening of bronchovascular bundle(n=30,33.3%),interlobular septal lines(n=58,64.4%), fibrosis(n=17,18.9%)including bronchial distortion(n=8,8.9%),linear shadow(n=5,5.6%), and honeycombing shadow(n=4,4.4%),air-trapping(n=3,5.3%),bronchial straitness(n=8, 8.9%),pleural thickening(n=42,46.7%),and hilar and mediastinal adenopathy(n=76,84.4%). Two or more abnormal findings co-existed in 83 cases.The pulmonary lesions co-existed with hilar and mediastinal adenopathy in 76 cases.The nodules(n=25),consolidation(n=9),ground-grass(n=11), thickening of bronehovascular bundle(n=10)were improved after therapy.Ten cases of the interlobular septal(10/22),0 of bronchial distortion(0/4),1 case of diffuse linear(1/3),and 0 case of honeycombing(0/2)were improved.Conclusion CT manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis are varied, but has some specific radiographic features.A correct diagnosis can be made.combined with hilar and mediastinal adenopathy.

OBJECTIVETo optimize the method in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for determining Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

METHODTanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B were selected as the index in optimization of the sample preparation method of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Orthogonal test was used to optimize the extraction process of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and concentration of contents were detected by high performance liquid chromatography method. A detection of using methanol-water (85: 15) at wavelength of 270 nm was employed for tanshinone II(A) and a detection of using methanol-acetonitrile-formic acid-water (30:10:1: 59) at wavelength of 286 nm was employed for salvianolic acid B.

RESULTThe optimized extraction process of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B was: extracted by 90% methanol and reflux twice (0.5 h each time) at 75 degrees C, extracted by 70% methanol and reflux twice (1.5 h each time) at 75 degrees C, respectively.

CONCLUSIONOptimized extraction and determination methods could be used to reflect the content of tanshinone II(A) and salvianolic acid B in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma more accurately and efficiently.

Benzofurans ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Temperature

AIM:To remark the effect of Qingguang'an Ⅱ on expression of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA of rats with chronic high intraocular pressure.METHODS:Totally 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, that was:A:blank group, B:model group, C:Qingguang'an Ⅱ low dose group, D:Qingguang'an Ⅱ moderate dose group, E:Qingguang'an Ⅱ high dose group, F:Yimaikang disket group.B, C, D, E, F groups of experimental rats were established the model of chronic high intraocular pressure (IOP) by cauterizing of superficial scleral vein.Animal model was established successfully by using monitoring IOP consistently keep above 25mmHg for 8wk as cut-off criterion.Tissues of Eyes were obtained after intragastric administration for 2wk and 4wk.The expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA were investigated by Real-time PCR.RESULTS:At the time-point of 2wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group B were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with other groups (P<0.05).Moreover, at the time-point of 4wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C, D and E were statistically expressed in higher level comparing with group F (P<0.05).Besides, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with group E (P<0.05).PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were expressed in similar level(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:In summar, Qingguang'an Ⅱ and Yimaikang disket can remarkably increase the expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2, which suggest protecting the optic nerve of rats caused by chronic high IOP.What's more, this study indicated that, in the protection of optic nerve of rats with chronic high IOP, the high dose of Qingguang'an Ⅱ at the time-point of 4wk was the better choice.

For the establishment of chemical library of protoberberines provided for the bio-activity screening, the target compounds were synthesized by thermal degradation and nucleophilic substitution reactions with the bio-active alkaloid, palmatine (1), as the raw material, and their structures were identified and conformed by 1H-NMR and MS spectra. Among them, 13 compounds were new.
Berberine Alkaloids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure

Aged ; Anthracosis ; complications ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; pathology ; Edema ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; etiology ; pathology

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAK-4) in hypoxic neurons and explore their role in regulation of inflammatory reaction. Methods The B35 cells exposed to hypoxia of 3% O2,5% CO2 and 92% N2 were cultured for 1,3,6, 12,24,48,72 and 96 hours respectively. Then, mRNA and protein expressions of IRAK-4 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, the expression of IRAK-4 in the cells were observed by laser scanning con-focal microscope (LSCM), and the concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA method. Results After hypoxia, the mRNA and protein expressions of IRAK-4 were increased at one hour, reached the peak at six hours (P<0.05), kept at a high level at 12 hours (P<0.05) , but decreased gradually to the normal oxygen level at 24 hours (P < 0.05) and to below the normal oxygen level at 48 hours (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that the fluorescence intensity of IRAK-4 was gradually increased with time. The changes of IL-6 in the supernatant were positively correlated with protein expression of IRAK-4 (r =0.84, P < 0.05 ). Conclusions Hypoxia can increase the expression of IRAK-4 at transcription and translation levels in a certain period of time, which may participate in down-stream inflammatory reaction and lead to increase of IL-6 expression.

Objective To evaluate systematically whether administration of hypertonic saline transfusion affects clinical outcomes with compared to standard fluid in the early stage of resuscitation for traumatic shock patients.Methods Seven English and Chinese routine biology and medicine databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from January 2002 to August 2012,and established inclusion and exclusion criteria to evaluate these RCTs.The quality assessment was based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1 and Jadad' s score scale.RevMan 5.0 statistical software was used for meta-analysis.Results After evaluated 211 related literatures,five RCTs met all the inclusion criteria and were enrolled for meta-analysis.The meta-a nalysis demonstrated that early hypertonic transfusion did not decrease short-term (first 48 hours after admission) mortality (RR =1.04,P =0.74); nor did it decrease later-term (7day to 3month after injury) mortality (RR =0.97,P =0.72).It also did not decrease the total volume of fluid and blood transfusion required during the first day (P =0.38).Similarly,it did not affect the incidents of infections (RR =1.04,P =0.70),the length of stay in ICU (P =0.2) and total length of stay in the hospital.Conclusions Compared to standard fluid,there was no advantage on mortality and hospital infection by using hypertonic supplement transfusion in the early stage of resuscitation for traumatic shock patients.Hypertonic transfusion did not have any significant effect on the volume of total fluid and blood transfusion required the first day,and no trend of reduction for the length of ICU and hospital stay.Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of hypertonic transfusion to traumatic shock patients while in ICU.

Objective To explore the application value of three-dimensional (3D) female pelvic visualization model on transvaginal gynecological ultrasound imaging.Methods The second digital Chinese woman visible human datasets was selected,and a female pelvicvoxel-based model was constructed in Amira software for analog simulation combined with transvaginal gynecological ultrasound.The main structures and the space position variation of female pelvic cavity were observed,and the comparison study with conventional section of ultrasound was carried out.Results A high accuracy 3D visualization model of female pelvic was successfully constructed,and the anatomy structures can be dynamically and clearly displayed in any section orientation.An analog simulation research was carried out according to the scan mode of gynecological ultrasound,and a series of high resolution images consistent with scan sections of dynamic ultrasound were obtained,which had provided the optimal scan pathway for the fast inspection of the uterus,fallopian tubes and ovaries.Conclusion The 3D female pelvic visualization model based on digital Chinese woman human datasets has provided detailed and accurate anatomy information for transvaginal gynecological ultrasound imaging,which could be the benefit for doctors to understand the ultrasound images of female pelvic,as well as the accurate positioning ability to the lesions of female pelvic cavity.