Objective To observe the characteristics of the full-field flash electroretinogram (F-ERG) in rats with oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR).Methods Twenty-four neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were divided into OIR group and control group.In OIR group,12 rats were exposed to (75 ± 2)％ oxygen for 7 days and then to room air for 7 days;in control group,12 rats were raised in room air for 14 days.At postnatal day 21,F-ERG tests were performed to examine the rod response,the maximum mixing reaction and the cone reaction.Results Compared with the control group,the b-wave amplitudes decreased (t=3.650) and the implicit times increased (t=2.410) in rod response in OIR group,the differences were statistically significant (P＜ 0.05);the a-and b-wave amplitudes decreased (t=3.333,2.562) and the implicit times increased (t=2.725,2.482) in the maximum mixing reaction in OIR group,the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).There was no difference between OIR and control group on a-and b-wave amplitudes (t=0.650,0.204) and implicit times (t=0.422,0.076) in cone response (P＞0.05).0.001 cd.s/m2 light intensity stimulation on rats F-ERG wave almost no response.0.010 cd.s/m2 light intensity stimulation on rats can be recorded to the rod response waveform,with the increase of light intensity,the amplitude of b-wave increases,the a-wave extraction.Conclusions F-ERG of OIR rat showed that the amplitude and sensitivity of the rod response and maximal rodcone response was decreased.The intensity of light had effect on the OIR rod cells,and the amplitude of b-wave increased with the increase of light intensity,the a-wave extraction.

The compatibility of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) formulae containing enormous information, is a complex component system. Applications of mathematical statistics methods on the compatibility researches of traditional Chinese medicines formulae have great significance for promoting the modernization of traditional Chinese medicines and improving clinical efficacies and optimizations of formulae. As a tool for quantitative analysis, data inference and exploring inherent rules of substances, the mathematical statistics method can be used to reveal the working mechanisms of the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicines formulae in qualitatively and quantitatively. By reviewing studies based on the applications of mathematical statistics methods, this paper were summarized from perspective of dosages optimization, efficacies and changes of chemical components as well as the rules of incompatibility and contraindication of formulae, will provide the references for further studying and revealing the working mechanisms and the connotations of traditional Chinese medicines.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; statistics & numerical data ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Drug Incompatibility ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Background There is a growing interest in studying the relationship between intrinsic resistance and biofilms resistance to drugs. However, the relationship still remains unclear in the macroscopic bacterial growth. Our study is to illuminate the change of bacterial drug resistance of gyrA mutant and active efflux pump during the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms. Methods The strains of type Ⅱ topoisomerase gene mutant (gyrA mutant) and multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pump were clinical isolates and detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The process of bacterial biofilms development was observed by scanning electron microscope. Triparental mating experiments were performed to transfer report gene of green fluorescent protein (GFP) into P. aeruginosa biofilms strains and followed by analysis of bacterial survival rate between intrinsic resistance and biofilms resistance.Results The fluorescent strains with pGFPuv could develop mature biofilms on Teflon surface. Before a period of 72 hours, the survival rate of biofilms bacteria and intrinsic resistance strains in ciprofloxacin solution was significantly different (P<0.05). The survival number of intrinsic resistance strains (gyrA mutation and active efflux pump) was illustriously higher than biofilm strain in the initial stage of biofilms development. After 72 hours incubation, there was no clearly difference between mutants and biofilms strains in the survival rate (P>0.05). The carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and azithromycin could significantly reduce the drug resistance of biofilm strains and efflux pump strains.Conclusions In the development of P. aeruginosa biofilms, the strains of gyrA mutation and MDR efflux could be conferred with new level of drug resistance. When co-cultured mutated strains with biofilm strains, biofilms may play a major role in bacterial resistance. But after 72 hours incubation (a mature biofilms had been developed), there was no clearly difference between the number of mutant strains and biofilm strains.

The study was aimed to explore the NF-kappaB continual activity and the expression of WT1 and MDR1 in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) patients, and to investigate if the three factors affect the curative effect of ANLL together as to provide some theoretical basis for finding new measures to improve the curative effect of refractory ANLL. The bone marrow samples of 45 ANLL patients was collected. 45 patients including 20 primary ANLL patients (A group) and 25 refractory ANLL patients. Refractory ANLL patients were divided into 2 sub-groups (B, C groups). The primary patients who was no effect after more than two courses of treatment were taken as group B, and the patients with more than two relapses were taken as group C. At the same time, 15 patients with simple iron deficiency anemia were collected as negative control. The NF-kappaB continual activity was measured by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and the expressions of WT1, MDR1 were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the activity of NF-kappaB and the expressions of WT1, MDR1 were not detected in 15 samples of simply iron deficiency anemia subjects. The NF-kappaB continual activity, the expression levels of WT1 and MDR1 in the refractory group were significantly higher than that in primary group (P<0.001). But the NF-kappaB continual activity, the expression of WT1 gene and MDR1 gene were not significantly different between group B and group C (P>0.05). By assaying the relativity between the them the NF-kappaB continual activity and the expression of WT1 or MDR1 had positive correlation in ANLL patients. It is concluded that the NF-kappaB continual activity, the overexpression of WT1 and MDR1 may be one of the reasons causing poor curative effect in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. The NF-kappaB continual activity and the expression of WT1, MDR1, all show positive correlation in ANLL patients.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; WT1 Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

To investigate the chemosensitizing effect of pyrroledithiocarbomate (PDTC) on daunorubicin in drug-resistant leukemic cells in vitro, MTT method was used to observe the changes of the proliferation of intractable leukemia MNC treated with daunorubicin (30 microg/ml) combined with PDTC (25, 50 or 100 micromol/L). The results showed that inhibiting rate of daunorubicin combined with PDTC(25, 50 or 100 micromol/L) on drug-resistant leukemic cells was significantly higher than that of daunorubicin alone (P < 0.05). Among the three different doses of PDTC, the concentration of 50 micromol/L of PDTC inhibited the proliferation of drug-resistant leukemic cells significantly. In conclusion, PDTC can sensitize anti-tumor effect of daunorubicin in vitro. The concentration of 50 micromol/L of PDTC has stronger chemosensitizing effect on daunorubicin than that of the other concentrations of PDTC (25 micromol/L or 100 micromol/L) in vitro.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Leukemia ; blood ; pathology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; pathology ; Proline ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUND: The introduction of cyclosporin A (CsA) has greatly enhanced the early survival rate of kidney graft, but the long-term graft survival rate is still limited. Whether tacrolimus prevents chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and prolongs survival time is now becoming a hot spot in field of renal transplantation.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and safety of converting CsA to tacrolimus (FK506) in preventing progression of CAN. DESIGN: Observation and controlled trial.SETTING: Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, Center of Organ Transplantation, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 73 patients who had received kidney transplantation at the Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, Center of Organ Transplantation, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April 2001 to October 2005, and had been diagnosed as CAN by graft biopsy (42 male patients and 31 female patients; age ranged 19-69 years), were enrolled in the study approved by the ethics committee of this hospital after their written informed consents. CsA soft capsules (Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Limited Company or Huabei Pharmaceutical Limited Company); mycophenolate mofetil capsules (Shanghai Roche Pharmaceutical Limited Company); prednisone acetate tablets (Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University); tacrolimus capsules (Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Limited Company).METHODS: Seventy-three patients voluntarily participated in CsA group (n =30) or FK506 group (n =43). The two groups were homogenous regarding patients' sex, age and general data (P > 0.05). Patients in the CsA group were continued on their initial immunosuppression protocol, which consisted of CsA, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone acetate. In the FK506 group, CsA was stopped, and FK506 was started at a dose of 0.08-0.1 mg/(kg·d) 24 hours later, twice daily, administered 2 hours after breakfast and supper. Three days later, the blood trough concentration of FK506 was tested and adjusted to a target range of 5-8μg/L. FK506 dosage adjustment was based on the blood trough concentration, serum creatinine (SCr) and its side effects. All 73 patients were treated for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SCr, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 24-hour urine protein excretion, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and the toxic side effects of calcineurin inhibitors (incidences of tremor, hyperglycemia and hypertension) were monitored during a follow-up of over 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were involved in the result analysis.①12 months after conversion, the level of SCr was statistically reduced and GFR levels were markedly elevated in the FK506 group compared with the CsA group (P < 0.01). TC, TG and LDL levels in the FK506 group were significantly lower than those in the CsA group (P < 0.01).②Compared with the CsA group, the incidence of tremor was obviously increased [30% (9/30), 5% (2/43), P < 0.01] and the incidence of hypertension was obviously decreased [56% (24/43), 83% (25/30), P < 0.05] in the FK506 group.CONCLUSION: Conversion from CsA to FK506 can postpone renal dysfunction, reduce proteinuria and improve hyperlipidemia. FK506 treatment is an effective therapy in slowing the progression of CAN.

2 in some patients with the loss of high and medium sized vWF multimers in plasma.Eight patients with vWD were identified, wherein two were characterized as type 1,4 as type 2A and 2 as type 3 respectively.Conclusion The panel of tests is suitable for diagnosis and classification of vWD.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been shown to be involved in the growth, production, proliferation and differentiation of the bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells, while aplastic anemia (AA) is a disease in which proliferation ability of the BM hematopoietic cells is damaged with defective hematopoietic microenvironment. To investigated the pathogenesis of AA, the rennin activity, angiotensin I (Ang I) and angiotensin II (Ang II) concentration in peripheral blood and BM of 22 AA patients were detected by radioimmunoassay, 16 nonhematological disease patients with normal blood counts and BM picture were used as control, and the difference between two groups was compared. The results showed that BM Ang II concentration in the AA patients was significantly lower than that in the control (P < 0.01). In nonhematological disease patients, Ang II concentration in BM was significantly higher than that in peripheral blood, the renin activities and Ang I concentrations were not significantly different in the two groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the decreased BM Ang II concentration in AA patients may be involved to the pathogenesis of AA.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Angiotensin II ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renin ; analysis ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology

A quick HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of three chemical compositions in Usnea, including usnic acid, diffractaic acid, and ramalic acid. The separation was performed on a chromatographic column of Agilent ZORBAX SB-C, (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm), and the mobile phase was methanol (0.05% formic acid)-0.05% formic acid solution (4 mmol ammonium acetate), with an isocratic elution at a flow rate of 0.8 ml · min⁻¹. Multiple reaction monitoring scanning mode (MRM) was performed combined with the ion switching technology in positive and negative ion switching mode to apply for the quantitative determination. The calibration curves for the above three compounds were linear in corresponding injection amount. Their average recoveries were 95.0%-105.1%, with RSDs of 1.1%-5.2%. The method was simple, rapid, accurate with high repeatability, which could provide a reference for overcalling evaluation the quality of Usnea.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Usnea ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEfrom the perspective of mitochondria.

METHODSTweleve SAMP8 mice aged 8 months were randomly divided into a model group (n = 6) and an electroacupuncture group (n = 6), and six SAMR1 mice aged 8 months were selected as a control group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Taixi" (KI 3) for 20 min, once each day, 10 days for a course, and lasted for 3 courses. The other two groups were grasped and fixed in the same way at the same time without the other treatment. After the end of treatment, the learning and memory abilities of the mice were measured by Morris water maze, the activity of hippocampal mitochondrid respiratory chain enzyme complex was performed by spectrophotometry, and the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were detected by a reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the average escape latency significantly lengthened, the residence time on the plateau phase shortened, the activity of respiratory chain enzyme complexe I, II, III, and IV was decreased, and ATP concentration was decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the average escape latency significantly shortened, the residence time on the plateau phase lengthened, the activity of hippocampal mitochondrid respiratory chain complexes I, II, III, and IV was significantly increased, and ATP concentration was increased in the electroacupuncture group.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can increase the activity of hippocampal mitochondrid respiratory chain enzyme complexe and ATP concentration and improve mitochondrial function, which may be one of underlying mechanisms of electroacupuncture in treatment of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; therapy ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Electron Transport ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; metabolism