OBJECTIVETo investigate the myocardial electrophysiological effect and its underlying mechanisms of atorvastatin (Ator) on isolated rat hearts injured by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSIsolated SD rat hearts were mounted on Langendorff system, and a local I/R was induced by ligation (30 min) and release (15 min) of the left anterior descending artery. During the reperfusion period, the effect of Ator on diastolic excitation threshold (DET), effective refractory period (ERP) and ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) on rat heart were measured.

RESULTCompared with the control group, medium concentration of Ator prolonged the ERP in normal rat hearts; low, medium and high concentration of Ator significantly inhibited the decrease of DET, ERP and VFT induced by I/R. However, pretreatment with L-NAME cancelled these cardiac electrophysiological effects of Ator.

CONCLUSIONAtor reduced electrophysiological alteration induced by I/R in isolated rat hearts, which may be mediated by activating nitric oxide pathway to enhance the myocardial electrophysiological stability.

Animals ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the active fractions against HIV in vitro, a crude ethanolic extract of Illicium simonsii.

METHODThe compounds were isolated with column chromatography methods. MS and NMR spectroscopic methods were used to determine the structures of the compounds.

RESULTSeven compounds were isolated from the active fractions against HIV in vitro of the 90% ethanol extract and their structures were elucidated as (+)-catechin (1), (-)-epicatechin (2), (+)-catechin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), erigeside C (6) and daucosterol (7).

CONCLUSIONSeven compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time, but none of them exhibited active against HIV in vitro. Compounds 3 and 6 were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Catechin ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; Illicium ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Rhamnose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical significance of changes of serum myocardial enzymes in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

METHODSTo determine the dynamic changes of the activity of myocardial enzymes and ECG in 62 patients with acute CO poisoning.

RESULTSIn patients with acute CO poisoning 5 kinds of myocardial enzymes begin to increase within 24 hours, the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-HBDH), CPK isoenzyme (CK-MB) were (20.2 +/- 12.3), (151.6 +/- 91.8), (146.8 +/- 50.4), (154.8 +/- 47.7), (13.8 +/- 8.1) U/L respectively, while those in control group were (12.1 +/- 6.7), (90.6 +/- 17.3), (118.7 +/- 13.5), (89.9 +/- 27.9), (5.9 +/- 3.3) U/L respectively. There was significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01); 3 d later, the activities of 5 enzymes were still increased [(21.3 +/- 12.3), (105.8 +/- 51.4), (144.8 +/- 51.4), (159.8 +/- 35.4), (16.2 +/- 9.1) U/L respectively]. 7 and 12 d later, the activities of alpha-HBDH and CK-MB were still higher than those of control (P < 0.01). LDH(1) and LDH(2) increased to peak value in 24 h after poisoning (35.3 +/- 5.8), (43.8 +/- 5.7) U/L vs (24.8 +/- 3.9), (36.9 +/- 4.3) U/L, P < 0.01. The abnormal rate of serum LDH(1) was 78.7%, LDH(2) 58.3%, LDH 45.2%, CK-MB 37.1%, alpha-HBDH 33.6% and the abnormal rate of ECG was less than 10%.

CONCLUSIONAcute carbon monoxide poisoning may cause myocardial injury. Determination of serum myocardial enzymes may contribute to showing myocardial injury, early diagnosis and treatment, results of treatment and prognosis.

Adult ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; blood ; enzymology ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; enzymology

BACKGROUNDDespite recent reports on the molecular epidemiology of cryptococcal infections in China, clinical isolates have been mostly reported from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients, and environmental isolates from China have rarely been included. The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological profile of Cryptococcus (C.) neoformans and C. gattii in China.

METHODSA survey was performed in 10 cities from 20°N (North latitude) to 50°N and in a Eucalyptus (E.) camaldulensis forestry farm at the Guixi forestry center, China.

RESULTSSix hundred and twenty samples of pigeon droppings from 10 cities and 819 E. camaldulensis tree samples were collected and inoculated on caffeic acid cornmeal agar (CACA). The brown-colored colonies were recultured to observe their morphology, growth on canavanine-glycine-bromothymol-blue (CGB) medium, phenol oxidase and urease activities, serotype and mating type. There were obvious differences in the positive sample rates of C. neoformans in pigeon droppings collected from the different cities, ranging from 50% in the cities located at latitudes from 30°N - 40°N, 29% at 20°N - 30°N and 13% at 40°N - 50°N.

CONCLUSIONSThere were no differences in positive bevy rates (approximately 80%) among the three grouped cities. Mycological tests of 101 isolates purified from pigeon droppings revealed that they were C. neoformans var. grubii. We also observed variable capsular size around the C. neoformans cells in colonies with variable melanin production and the bio-adhesion of the natural C. neoformans cells with other microorganisms. One urease-negative C. neoformans isolate was isolated from pigeon droppings in Jinan city. No C. gattii was isolated in this study.

Animals ; China ; Columbidae ; microbiology ; Cryptococcosis ; microbiology ; Cryptococcus ; isolation & purification ; Cryptococcus gattii ; isolation & purification ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; isolation & purification ; Eucalyptus ; microbiology ; Feces ; microbiology

S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), which plays a role in cell cycle regulation, is commonly overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and associated with poor prognosis. However, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not well understood. In this study, we examined the clinical significance of Skp2, with a particular emphasis on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), in NPC cases in South China, where NPC is an epidemic. Additionally, we explored the function of Skp2 in maintaining a cancer stem cell-like phenotype in NPC cell lines. Skp2 expression was assessed for 127 NPC patients using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry and analyzed together with clinicopathologic features, OS, and DFS. Skp2 expression was detectable, or positive, in 75.6% of patients. Although there was no correlation between Skp2 and any clinicopathologic factor, Skp2 expression significantly portended inferior OS (P = 0.013) and DFS (P = 0.012). In the multivariate model, Skp2 expression remained significantly predictive of poor OS [P = 0.009, risk ratio (RR) = 4.06] and DFS (P = 0.008, RR = 3.56), and this was also true for clinical stage (P = 0.012 and RR=3.201 for OS; P = 0.002 and RR=1.94 for DFS) and sex (P = 0.016 and RR=0.31 for OS; P = 0.006 and RR = 0.27 for DFS). After Skp2 knockdown, a colony formation assay was used to evaluate the self-renewal property of stem-like cells in the NPC cell lines CNE-1 and CNE-2. The colony formation efficiency in CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells was decreased. In Skp2-transfected CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells, side population (SP) proportion was increased as detected by flow cytometry. Skp2 is an independent prognostic marker for OS and DFS in NPC. Skp2 may play a role in maintaining the cancer stem cell-like phenotype of NPC cell lines.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; China ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Array Analysis ; Transfection ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Splenic Artery ; pathology

BACKGROUNDA multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage.

METHODSAdult PD patients who had taken PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution. After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the changes of safety indices.

RESULTSChanges of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L×1.73 m(-2)×w(-1). More adverse events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.

CONCLUSIONSThe domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical products.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dialysis Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; methods ; Young Adult

Increasing evidence suggests that cytokines and chemokines play crucial roles in chronic itch. In the present study, we evaluated the roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors TNF receptor subtype-1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2 in acute and chronic itch in mice. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, TNFR1-knockout (TNFR1-KO) and TNFR1/R2 double-KO (DKO), but not TNFR2-KO mice, exhibited reduced acute itch induced by compound 48/80 and chloroquine (CQ). Application of the TNF-synthesis inhibitor thalidomide and the TNF-α antagonist etanercept dose-dependently suppressed acute itch. Intradermal injection of TNF-α was not sufficient to evoke scratching, but potentiated itch induced by compound 48/80, but not CQ. In addition, compound 48/80 induced TNF-α mRNA expression in the skin, while CQ induced its expression in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. Furthermore, chronic itch induced by dry skin was reduced by administration of thalidomide and etanercept and in TNFR1/R2 DKO mice. Dry skin induced TNF-α expression in the skin, DRG, and spinal cord and TNFR1 expression only in the spinal cord. Thus, our findings suggest that TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling is required for the full expression of acute and chronic itch via peripheral and central mechanisms, and targeting TNFR1 may be beneficial for chronic itch treatment.
Animals ; Chloroquine ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Etanercept ; therapeutic use ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Pruritus ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; deficiency ; genetics ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II ; deficiency ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Skin ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; adverse effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine ; toxicity

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety of low-dose cyclophosphamide and high-dose cyclophosphamide in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A total of 1 022 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from 24 hospitals in China between March 2017 to July 2018 were enrolled. Their clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, adverse events, reasons for stopping receiving intravenous cyclophosphamide and comorbidities were collected. Among them, 506 SLE patients received short-interval low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy (SILD IV-CYC, 400 mg every two weeks), and 256 patients underwent high-dose cyclophosphamide therapy (HD IV-CYC, 500 mg/m² of body surface area every month), the side effects between the two groups were compared, the remaining 260 SLE patients were treated with IV-CYC irregularly. Moreover, a total of 377 patients in SILD IV-CYC group and 214 patients in HD IV-CYC group had medical records of the reasons for stopping recei-ving IV-CYC. The reasons for stopping receiving IV-CYC in these two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, only 40.27%(238/591)of the SLE patients stopped receiving intravenous cyclophosphamide for the causes of disease improvement, however, up to 33.67% (199/591) of the patients for the reason of drug-related side effects. There were 83 patients out of 214 (38.79%) with high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide treatment who stopped receiving IV-CYC for the drug-related side effects, which was significantly higher than that in the low-dose cyclophosphamide group (30.77%, 116/337, P=0.048). Of theses 506 patients in SILD IV-CYC group, 88 (17.39%) patients experienced gastrointestinal reactions, 66 (13.04%) suffered from infections, 49 (9.68%) had myelosuppression and 68 (13.44%) had alopecia, respectively. Among the 256 patients in the HD IV-CYC group, 80 (31.25%) experienced gastrointestinal reactions, 57 (22.27%) suffered from infections, 51 (19.92%) had myelosuppression and 49 (19.14%) had alopecia. Moreover, 71 (25.18%) of 282 female patients with age between 16 to 45 years in SILD IV-CYC group had abnormal menstruation, while menstrual disorder occurred in 39.72% (56/141) patients of HD IV-CYC group. There was no difference of drug-induced hepatic injury, hemorrhagic cystitis and fatigue between the two groups. CONCLUSION Low-dose cyclophosphamide showed a lower prevalence of adverse events than high-dose cyclophosphamide in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
Humans ; Female ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects* ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy* ; Administration, Intravenous ; Alopecia/drug therapy*

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications