Crocetin, a naturally occurring carotenoid, possesses antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties, of which the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of crocetin (0.1, 1, 10 μmol·L(-1)) on angiotensin II (Ang II, 0.1 μmol·L(-1)) induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. The effects of crocetin on the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also observed. The results demonstrated that crocetin notably suppressed Ang II induced NF-κB activation (P<0.01) and VCAM-1 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) in HUVECs, accompanied by a markedly reduced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, preincubation with crocetin resulted in a significant enhancement of cellular antioxidant capacity (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Ang II induced intracellular ROS decreased markedly (P<0.05, P<0.01). These results indicated that crocetin was capable of suppressing Ang II induced VCAM-1 expression and monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion by suppression of NF-κB activation, which might be derived from the enhancement of antioxidant capacity and subsequent reduction of intracellular ROS.
Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Carotenoids ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Monocytes ; cytology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in the treatment of idiopathic pulmo-nary fibrosis (IPF),and provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment. METHODS:Retrieved from Cochrane Library, PubMed,EMBase,CJFD,CBM,VIP Database and Wanfang Database,randomized controlled trials (RCT) about the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone (test group) versus placebo (control group) in the treatment of IPF were collected,and Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.1.7 software after data extracting and quality evaluating by modified Jadad. RESULTS:Totally 4 RCTs were enrolled,involving 1 153 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed the decrease value of lung capacity [WMD=0.39,95%CI(0.16,0.61), P<0.001] and decrease value of the percentage of forced vital capacity to expected value [RR=0.68, 95%CI(0.53,0.87),P=0.002] in test group were lower than control group,there was significant difference between 2 groups;there was no significant difference in the lowest oxygen saturation [WMD=0.53,95%CI(-0.78,1.84),P=0.43] between 2 groups,however,the results of subgroup analysis showed the remission degree of 1 200 mg/d PFD for the decrease of lowest oxy-gen saturation was superior to placebo group,there was significant difference between 2 groups [WMD=1.72,95%CI(1.33,2.10), P<0.001],but therewas no significant difference between the remission degree of 1800 mg/d and placebo;and there was no signifi-cant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between 2 groups [RR=1.70,95%CI(0.46,6.31),P=0.43],but the incidence of photosensitivity veactions in test group was significantly higher than that of control group,there was significant difference [RR=9.35,95%CI(4.23,20.67),P<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS:The efficacy of pirfenidone in the treatment of IPF is good,but the inci-dence of photosensitivity reactions should be noticed.

BACKGROUND:Buyanghuanwu decoction has excel ent neuroprotective effect and can efficiently suppress nerve cel apoptosis caused by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanisms of Buyanghuanwu decoction on neuronal apoptosis around hematoma in cerebral hemorrhage rats.
METHODS:Seventy-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Buyanghuanwu decoction group, and Ginkgo biloba group. Except the sham operation group, rat models of cerebral hemorrhage were established in other three groups. At 2 days after modeling, rats in the Buyanghuanwu group and Ginkgo biloba group were given Buyanghuanwu decoction 26 g/(kg?d)and Ginkgo biloba 3.5 mg/(kg?d) daily by gavage, for 14 consecutive days. Rats in the sham operation group and model group received an equal volume of saline for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration, brain tissue was obtained. TUNEL assay was utilized to detect neuronal apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2, and BAX protein expression. Wet and dry weight method was used to detect brain water content. Evans Blue assay was utilized to determine blood-brain barrier permeability.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Compared with the sham operation group, the number of apoptotic neurons, brain water content, Evans blue content and PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2, BAX protein expression increased in the model group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the model group, the number of apoptotic neurons, BAX protein expression, brain water content and Evans blue content were significantly reduced in the Buyanghuanwu group and Ginkgo biloba group (P<0.05), but PI3K, Akt and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly increased (P<0.05). (3) Results suggested that Buyanghuanwu decoction inhibited neuronal apoptosis and protected brain tissue by reducing blood-brain barrier permeability, cerebral edema, and by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, regulating Bcl-2 and BAX protein expression ratio.

Parathyroid adenoma is the main cause of primary hyperparathyroidism and often associated with thyroid nodular goiter.Thyrothymic thyroid rest belong to the ectopic thyroids which are classified into 4 grades according to the state of their connection with the proper neck thyroid gland.Thyrothymic thyroid remnant can also develop into nodular goiter and may be difficult to be distinguished from parathyroid adenoma.We present herewith the diagnosis and treatment of a rare case of parathyroid adenoma accompanied by thyrothymic thyroid remnant nodular goiter in order to remind clinicians of the attention to the thyrothymic thyroid remnant disease.

To evaluate the separation of T lymphocyte subsets by immunomagnetic beads and to find optimization of strategy for specific binding of antibody-coated beads to cells, two strategies to isolate enriched T lymphocyte subpopulation CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from small volumes (< 5 ml) of peripheral blood by using immunomagnetic beads or complement cytotoxicity method were compared. The purity and activity of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry, trypan-blue dye exclusion test, etc. The results showed that the yields of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes by using immunomagnetic beads were (94.2 +/- 1.4)% and (93.8 +/- 3.0)% respectively, higher than those of control group and the group of using completement cytotoxicity method (P < 0.05). At the same time, the yields of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes by using complement cytotoxicity method were (76.0 +/- 2.8)% and (77.0 +/- 3.0)% respectively, higher than those of unenriched group (P < 0.05). The trypan-blue dye exclusion test confirmed that there were no influences on activity of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells when immunomagnetic beads were used for separation of these cells from peripheral blood. It is concluded that the immunomagnetic bead method has a higher efficiency for separation of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood than complement cytotoxic method, especially for small sample. This method has no influence on activity and proliferation of T lymphocyte subpopulations, and would be expected to establish conditions for research of biological characteristics of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in future.
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; methods ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To explore the perinatal outcomes of women with pulmonary hypertension complicating congenital heart disease(CHD).Methods Clinical data of 45 cases of pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension complicating CHD from Apr 1995 to May 2007 were analyzed and they were divided into three groups:29 cases of slight group[pulmonary hypertension of 30 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) to 49 mm Hg],8 cases of moderate group(pulmonary hypertension of 50 mm Hg to 79 mm Hg)and 8 cases of severe group(pulmonary hypertension equal to or higher than 80 mm Hg).The types of CHD,cardiac functional status(New York heart association,NYHA),gestational weeks of pregnancy termination,mode of delivery,pregnancy after CHD operation and outcomes of infants were compared between the groups. Results(1)The highest incidence of CHD were atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect(58%, 26/45).The rate of pregnant women after CHD operation was 29%(13/45),they were mainly in slight group and their NYHA class were in Ⅰ-Ⅱ.(2)The occurrence rate of NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ was 7/8 in severe group.The rate of NYHA class Ⅰ-Ⅱ as 6/8 in moderate group.The rate of NYHA class Ⅰ- was 97%(28 /29)in slight group.(3)The rate of term delivery was 93%(27/29),preterm labor 3% (1/29),abortion 3%(1/29),and the birth weight was(3153?399)g on average in slight group.The rate of term delivery was 5/8,preterm labor occurred in 3 cases in moderate group.The rate of term delivery was 5/8,preterm labor occurred in 2 cases,and iatrogenic abortion in 1 case in severe group.The average birth weight between slight group and moderate or severe group had a significant difference.(4)Caesarean section rate was 78 %(35/45)among all patients.The rate of cesarean section delivery was 76%(22/29)in slight group,6/8 in moderate group,and 7/8 in severe group.(5)The rate of pregnant women who had portent heart failure or heart failure was 24%(11/45),overall maternal mortality was 4%(2/45).Conclusions The higher the pulmonary hypertension,the worse the outcome of the mother and fetus;The pregnant women with good heart function after cardiac operation would have a good perinatal outcome.Cesarean section is more suitable for those women.

Objective:To explore the related factors to the effect of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Methods:A prospective and open-label,self-control study was designed.Eighty-five adult patients from outpatient department with ADHD diagnosed with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ).All the patients received 12 weeks of CBT,the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) was used to evaluate ADHD core symptoms,and according to the post-treat ADHD-RS reduction ratio,41 patients were divided into responders(ADHD-RS reduction ratio≥25％)and 44 patients were divided into non-responders(ADHD-RS reduction ratio ＜ 25％).The t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the differences of sociodemographic variables,clinical variables and early efficacy (ADHD-RS reduction ratio≥25％ in the fourth week) between the two groups,and logistics regression was used to analysis the related factors.Results:Comparing with the group of non-responders,there was more cases with early efficacy (P ＜ 0.05)in the group of responders.Logistic models indicated that higher scores of BIS-motor (OR =1.27),early efficacy (OR =11.87) were associated with better CBT efficacy.Conclusion:It suggests that ADHD adults with more sever motor impulsiveness symptom,and early efficacy may get favorable response to CBT.

OBJECTIVETo explore the in vivo effects of myxoma virus (MV) on gliomas of rat model. Methods C6 glioma cells were implanted into the frontal lobe of SD rats using stereotactic methods to establish animal models of glioma.

METHODSC6 glioma cells were implanted into the frontal lobe of SD rats using stereotactic methods to establish animal models of glioma. Models were divided into 4 groups randomly after tumor growth was affirmed, and MV, 5-FU, MV + 5-FU, and denatured myxoma virus (DV) were implanted into the tumors using stereotactic methods, bodyweight, tumor size, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Akt of each model were observed.

RESULTSThe gliomas in all SD rats were established successfully. And tumor growth in MV, 5-FU, MV + 5-FU were significantly decreased as compared with DV group after injection, sizes of some tumors were lessened, and GFAP expression decreased in MV, 5-FU and MV +5-FU groups. The expression of PI3k, Akt and mTOR were decreased in MV and MV +5-FU groups.

CONCLUSIONC6 glioma SD rat models could be established successfully using stereotactic methods. MV may enhance biological activity of chemotherapeutic drugs on tumor cells of animal models in vivo by regulating some genes of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signal pathway.

Animals ; Brain Neoplasms ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Glioma ; therapy ; Male ; Myxoma virus ; Oncolytic Virotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the susceptibility of C6 glioma cells to Myxoma virus and the killing effect of Myxoma virus to the C6 glioma cells in vitro.

METHODSC6 glioma cells were infected with myxoma virus, used death virus as the negative control, 5-FU as the positive control, DEMD as blank control. The number of living cells were counted every 24 h, and Western-Blot method, inverted microscope and MTT assay were applicated to observe the cell morphology and survival rate in each group.

RESULTSThe cell number were decreased rapidly in virus effected group and 5-FU group, with significant differences to the negative and blank control groups. And cells in virus effected group appeared cytopathic effect.

CONCLUSIONSC6 glioma cells were susceptible to myxoma virus and myxoma virus had killing effect to C6 glioma cells in vitro.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Glioma ; therapy ; Humans ; Myxoma virus ; Oncolytic Virotherapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology

Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is a major public health and social problem worldwide. Mostly abused drugs mainly include opioids such as morphine, tramadol, methadone and fentanyl, sedative-hypnotics such as benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines, and central stimulants such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and modafinil. Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs not only causes direct damage to multiple systems of the body, but also significantly increases risks of mental and physical diseases, imposing a heavy burden on individuals, families and society. Therefore, the prevention and control of pharmaceutical drug abuse are of vital importance. The Chinese government has taken strict administration measures for pharmaceutical drugs with abuse risk. However, confronting endless new drugs and changing abuse trends, it is necessary to further strengthen management and prevention of pharmaceutical drugs, monitor the trend of abuse, establish rapid response mechanisms, popularize relevant knowledge, and develop specific therapeutic drugs and intervention means, in order to promote prevention and treatment of pharmaceutical drug abuse.
Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Illicit Drugs/adverse effects* ; Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control*