Cirrhotic portal hypertension is associated with both increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and hyperdynamic circulation.These two pathogical changes of portal hypertension can be contributed to the unusually high or unusually low levels of vasodilator in liver and splanchnic organs.Vascular hyporesponsiveness due to reactive oxygen species is also a key factor which accounts for portal hemodynamic abnormalities.Transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),known by its role in anti-oxygenation,can initiate and enhance transcription of antioxidant response element (ARE) when exposure to oxidative stress occures.Related influence on expression of nitric oxide,carbon monoxide and their coenzymes has also been demonstrated for decades.The potential clinical significance will be unfolded if changes of Nrf2 expression,as well as the way modulating Nrf2,are found in cirrhotic portal hypertension.

AIM To investigate the effects of the compatibility of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) on pharmacokinetic changes of the plasma levels of glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin by UPLC-MS/MS.METHODS Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into two groups and orally administered with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (2 ∶ 1) Decoction.Blood samples were collected at different time points,and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS3.2.2 software.RESULTS Compared with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group,the AUC0-t and Cmax were decreased,the MRT0-t and t1/2z were extended,the Vz/F was increased for glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin;the CLz/F was increased for glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin;the Tmax of glycyrrhizic acid was shortened and the Tmax of glycyrrhetinic acid was extended.CONCLUSION After combining Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba,the bioavailability of glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin are reduced,the elimination of them delays,and the distribution volume increases.

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a new tool that can provide the element composition, size distribution, and number concentration of nanoparticles. Here we discussed the effects of dwell time and settling time on analysis of nanoparticles by SP-ICP-MS. We analyzed standard materials of gold nanoparticles (30, 40 and 60 nm AuNPs, from NIST and NCNST), showing that better signal-to-noise ratio and higher determination efficiency could be achived when using shorter dwell time and settling time. We utilized a nano mode for SP-ICP-MS, in which the dwell time was set as 0. 05 ms and the settling time was 0. The size of NIST AuNP standard material determined here was in accord with the certified size using the developed method. The detection limits of size and number concentration of AuNPs were 8 nm and 1. 1×105 particle / L, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo probe into the application value of the height shortening value as the self-examination index of the middle-aged and aged group's osteoporosis or reduced bone mineral density in communities.

METHODSFour communities were selected by cluster sampling at random in Changsha city to be the objects of study, among which women were 45 years old or older and men were 60 years old. Difference and the percentage proportion of the height shortening between the height of the research objects which was measured at their youth and the height measured at this study, were calculated. Mineral density of the anteroposterior lumber spine L2-L4, the left femur neck of each object of study with the DPX-IQ dual energy X-ray (DEXA) were both examined. Results examined by DEXA were recognized as "Golden Standards" and different absolute and relative height shortening values were taken as positive cutoff points. Sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index were calculated to draw the receiver operator characteristic curve in order to get the positive cutoff which was most suitable to both sensitivity and specificity, and to calculate the predicative values of that self-examination method among different groups.

RESULTS3 cm of height shortened seemed to be the positive cutoff of the self-examination of osteoporosis, and its sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index were 75.4%, 76.7% and 0.521 respectively. 2 cm of height shortened was suggested as the positive cutoff of the self-examination method of reduced bone mineral density, while its sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index were 81.7%, 75.6% and 0.573 respectively. In this self-examination method, positive predicative value was the highest (76.4%; 88.7%) among the women group aged over 65.

CONCLUSIONCertain height-shortening value could be used as the rough index of screening osteoporosis of reduced bone mineral density, which set a simple and easy way of self-examination for the middle-aged and elderly population.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Height ; physiology ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; epidemiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo determine the changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in rats with chronic immobilization stress (CIS) taking Xiaoyao Powder (XYP) and its modified prescription version, which lacks the volatile oils extracted from Herba Menthae.

METHODSTwenty-four experimental male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each: control, model, XYP-1 (containing volatile oils from Herba Menthae), and XYP-2 (lacking volatile oils). All rats except control group rats were subjected to CIS 3 h per day for 21 consecutive days. Groups XYP-1 and XYP-2 were given the extracted XYS with or without volatile oils (3.854 g/kg; suspended in distilled water) via gavage 1 h before CIS each day for 21 days. Rats were anesthetized using intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg) on the 22nd day. Observations were made using a Varian INOVA 600 MHz NMR spectrometer at 27 °C. Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) and longitudinal eddy-delay (LED) were applied, resulting in spectra showing only the signals from micro- and macro-metabolites.

RESULTSCompared to controls, rats subjected to CIS showed increased levels of plasma metabolites, such as acetic acid, choline, N-glycoprotein (NAC), saturated fatty acid, and blood sugars. Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and unsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The biochemical effects of XYS were characterized by elevated levels of VLDL, LDL, threonine, methionine, and glutamic acid in plasma.

CONCLUSIONSome common and characteristic metabolites on the anti-CIS of XYP and its modified prescription were obtained. The metabolomics technology is a valuable tool and may be used to identify the specific metabolites and potential biomarkers of therapeutic effect of Chinese medicinal prescriptions.

Animals ; Blood Proteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Metabolome ; drug effects ; Powders ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective·To analyze the basic medical insurance policies for children in Shanghai in 2011 and 2017, and compare with those of the other three municipalities to understand the basic medical security status of children in four municipalities in China and analyze the existing problems. Methods?·?The current effective children's basic medical insurance policies and child critical illness insurance policies and related insurance systems in four municipalities were collected systematically. The types of basic medical insurance for children in various municipalities and their funding standards, their own expenses and the proportion of government subsidies, the proportion of outpatient emergency payoff lines and reimbursement at all levels of medical institutions, and the coverage and coverage of major illness insurance reimbursement were collected and compared mainly. Results?·?The basic medical insurance for children in Shanghai is a "double insurance" system, which contained children's hospitalization fund and basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents. The basic medical insurance for children in other municipalities mainly consisted of basic medical insurance for urban (rural) residents. Compared with 2011, the level of financing and the reimbursement of the basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents and of the children's hospitalization fund in Shanghai in 2017 was increased. In 2017, the level of financing of basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents in Shanghai was 1?100 yuan, which was slightly lower than that of Beijing medical insurance for urban residents and new rural cooperative medical insurance and was higher than that of basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents in Tianjin and Chongqing, and the individual payment level of Shanghai was the lowest. The hospitalization payoff lines in Shanghai were lower than those of other municipalities. Shanghai's outpatient and inpatient reimbursement levels were higher those of than other municipalities. There wasn't a capping line in Shanghai. There were capping lines in other municipalities. There was a great difference in the insurance policy of the major diseases in four municipalities. Conclusion?·?According to their own actual conditions, models for children's medical care systems that suited each municipalities’ social and economic development have been established. Shanghai children's basic medical insurance basically meets the needs of children's growth but needs improvement in terms of the type and level of medical security for major illnesses.

Aim To evaluate the correlation between in vitro release and in vivo absorption of azithromycin cat-ionic micron niosomes (ACMNS)by Wagner-Nelson method and deconvolution method. Methods The in vitro release behavior of ACMNS was studied by dy-namic membrane dialysis. After a single dose of intra-gastric administration with ACMNS and AM in rats,the AM concentrations in plasma were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Wagner-Nelson and deconvolution method were used to reveal the in vitro / in vivo correlation. Results X used as cu-mulative in vitro release and Fa as the absorption per-centage,the regression equation was established:F a =3. 0524X - 5. 7709,r = 0. 8976,and X used as cumu-lative in vitro release and R as input function,the re-gression equation was established:R = 2. 3413X -58. 687,r = 0. 5217. r < r( 2,0. 05) = 0. 9500 (P <0. 05). Conclusion There is no correlation between in vitro release and in vivo absorption of ACMNS.

OBJECTIVETo examine the degree of intimal hyperplasia and the prevalence of atherosclerosis in radial arteries taken from the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to analyze the risk factors to obtain some helpful information for choosing arterial conduits.

METHODSForty-one radial arteries and 11 internal mammary arteries samples were collected. The average age of patients was 48.5 years, and they all were male. Intimal hyperplasia, atherosclerosis, medial calcification were evaluated by routine histological methods, and the severity of diseases was measured on the percentage of luminal narrowing and the intima-to-media ratio (the intima area/media area). The risk factors for coronary heart disease were also analyzed.

RESULTSNinety-three percent (38 of 41) of radial arteries showed mild intimal hyperplasia, which was not regarded to influence blood flowing after CABG. As a part of them, 54% (22/41) of radial arteries had a lower than 25% of luminal narrowing, meanwhile 39% (16/41) of radial arteries had the percentage of luminal narrowing between 25% and 50%. Only 7% (3 of 41) of radial arteries were found to have occlusive lesions, which made arterial lumen decreased more than 75%. The 3 patients including 2 with severe atherosclerosis and another 1 aged 17 years was involved by fibromuscular dysplasia. The later vessel was discarded after harvesting. The percentage of luminal narrowing and the intima-to-media ratio were higher in radial artery than that in internal mammary artery (t = 3.00, 2.49, P < 0.05). The two parameters were positively correlated with age (r = 0.398, 0.310, P < 0.05), but this study failed to show any relationship between intimal hyperplasia of radial artery and coronary lesions and other risk factors. Medial calcification was not found by routine histological method in all cases.

CONCLUSIONOnly mild intimal hyperplasia and no medial calcification are found in radial arteries used for CABG in the patients. Because the risk factors could not yet predict the severity of radial arterial lesions, this study strongly suggests that the Doppler ultrasonography and pre-operation clinical consideration should be emphasized to screen out some arteries with occlusive lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; pathology ; transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; pathology ; transplantation ; Risk Factors ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Tunica Media ; pathology

Pannexin-1 (Panx1) forms nonselective large channel in cell plasma membrane and has been shown to be associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ATP release and phagocytes recruitment. In the current study, by manipulation of Panx1 expression in human myeloid cells and application of Panx1 deficient mice, we failed to find a correlation between Panx1 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, although an interaction between these two proteins was evident. However, in thioglycollate induced peritonitis, Panx1 deficient mice showed much more phagocytes infiltration. Further analyses showed that mice deficient for Panx1 exhibited enlarged F4/80(low)Gr1(-)Ly6C(-)cell population in the peritonea. Our study thus reveals an important role for Panx1 in regulation of peritoneal cell population and peritonitis development.
Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Connexins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peritoneal Cavity ; cytology ; Peritonitis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; metabolism ; Thioglycolates ; toxicity

Objective In order to meet the needs of more precise surgical navigation during interventional procedures and minimally invasive surgery, Aurora electromagnetic tracking technology-assisted surgical navigation with free combination of various surgical instruments was tested, trying to further solve problems encountered in surgery. Methods Aurora electromagnetic tracking system was used to match the medical surgical environment with metal-containing material. The built-in control software in this electromagnetic tracking system, which was equipped with the software development kit, was used to write a set of VC programming language suitable for real-time display of clinical surgical navigation system, and relative performance tests and comparative experiments were conducted for different medical surgical navigation application in the hospital to measure the precision degree of the tracking system, as well as the statistics of various surgical instruments corresponding to the application in different surgeries. Results 160 patients in interventional surgery with coronary angiography were randomly selected, 80 patients treated by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) with electromagnetic tracking systems as the experimental group, and 80 patients by DSA only as the control group. It was found out that with obviously less operating time, the amount of contrast agent was significantly reduced in the experimental group, and the degree of controllability for interventional surgical procedure was increased from 95% success rate to 99%. Conclusions The comparative experiments proved that Aurora electromagnetic tracking technology could significantly improve the accuracy in surgery, with the mean value of navigation less than 2 mm. In terms of interventional procedures and minimally invasive surgery, this electromagnetic tracking technology can greatly relieve patients' suffering and reduce medical risks to make medical care safer, and enhance the surgical technology level in hospital.