OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) and Xiaoyao Pill (XP) on cathepsin-L (Cat-L) mRNA in mice.

METHODSImmature mice were randomly divided into the normal group, the control group, the BTR group and the XP group, three in each group. Cat-L mRNA expression in mice was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after injecting 5 IU (human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG).

RESULTSCat-L mRNA expression increased gradually after HCG injection, the relative levels in the control group at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h were 0.066 +/- 0.005, 0.383 +/- 0.045, 0.737 +/- 0.024 and 1.036 +/- 0.073 respectively, comparisons between different time-points showed significant difference (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the Cat L mRNA expression was higher at 4 h in both BTR and XP groups (P < 0.01), at 8 h in the XP group (P < 0.05), and at 12 h in BTR group after injecting HCG (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, cat L mRNA expression showed no statistic difference at 8 h in BTR group and at 12 h in XC group.

CONCLUSIONSBTR promoted the ovulation by enhancing the expression of CatL gene, and that of XP by advancing the peak of CatL gene expression.

Animals ; Cathepsin L ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gonadotropins ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the hematological adverse events of sunitinib in treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.Methods Forty-four male patients and 18 female patients were included in this study.They were all with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and received sunitinib treatment at the dose of 50 mg daily in repeated 6 weeks cycle (4 weeks on and 2 weeks off).Toxicity was assessed every cycle with tumor assessments every 2 cycles via CT or PET-CT.Results Fifty patients (80.6％) had experienced treatment-related hematotoxicity,including leucocytopenia,anemia and thrombocytopenia.Severe hematological adverse events ( grade 3 -4 ) occured in 18 patients ( 29.0％ ) and slight events ( grade 1 - 2 ) in others (51.6％).Most of the hematological adverse events were manageable and reversible and treatment-changes (dose reduction,interruption) were necessary in severe cases.Almost half of the dose reduction (9/21,42.9％ ) were owing to hematotoxicity.Conclusions Sunitinib of 50 mg dose on schedule 4/2 is effective and well-tolerated in advanced renal carcinoma patients.Hematological adverse events are frequent in Chinese patients and can be controlled well.

BACKGROUNDRapid reexpansion of collapsed lungs leads to reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE). We aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin in the prevention of RPE formation.

METHODSWe used a Wistar rat model in which the left lung was collapsed by ligating the left bronchus for 48 hours and then reexpanded and ventilated for an additional 2 hours. Thirty minutes before reexpansion, we injected melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally. We compared the wet/dry ratio, oxygenation index, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels in the reexpanded lungs between untreated and treated animals.

RESULTSWe found that the wet/dry ratio of the melatonin group was significantly lower than that of the vehicle group, and the oxygenation index was higher in the melatonin group. Compared with the control, melatonin pretreatment significantly decreased the activities of IL-8, NO, MDA levels and MPO in lung tissues. Histopathology of reexpanded lungs showed that the melatonin pretreatment group had less pulmonary edema and less inflammatory cell infiltration.

CONCLUSIONMelatonin decreases pulmonary edema and improves oxygenation after reexpansion by attenuating oxidative stress and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Edema ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and mechanism of mexican tea herb and pilular adina herb (abbreviated to MP) on concrescence of gastric mucosa in experimental gastric ulcer rats by observing the changes of epidermal growth factor (EGF), nitrogen monoxidum (NO) and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

METHODSThe rat ulcer model was established by 100% glacial acetic injection into the subserosa. The ulcer index (UI) was measured by sliding caliper. The levels of NO and EGF in tissue and serum were measured by the nitrate reductase method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The expression of EGFR in the mucosa around the ulcer was detected by the immunohistochemical assay and microimage analysis system.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the model group, UI of MP groups (10, 15 and 20 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) and ranitidine group was lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the levels of NO and EGF in the tissue and serum were higher (P<0.05), the thickness of regenerated mucous membrane increased, and the width loss of lamina muscularis mucosa decreased (all P<0.05). (2) The expression of EGFR is weakly positive in gastric mucosa cells in the normal group, mainly in the cytoplasm and cytomembrane. In the model group, the expression of EGFR was mainly in epithelial cells in cervical part and basilar part of gastric gland around the ulcer margin, and the number of cells with EGFR weakly positive expression was more than that in the normal group. Compared with that in the normal and model groups, the number of cells with EGFR positive in MP groups and ranitidine group increased (all P<0.05), with weakly positive expression.

CONCLUSIONMP can protect gastric mucosa, cure gastric ulcer, restrain the secretion of gastric acid, and boost multiplication, differentiation, migration and repair of the endothelial cell by promoting the secretion of NO and EGF, and increasing the expression of EGFR of gastric mucosa epithelial cells.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; drug effects ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Regeneration ; Stomach Ulcer ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Tea

BACKGROUNDThe 5-hydroxytryptamine7 receptor (5-HT(7) receptor, 5-HT(7)R) plays an important role in the regulation of smooth muscle relaxation and visceral sensation and might be involved in the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal dyskinesia, abdominal pain and visceral paresthesia in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the 5-HT(7) receptor in the pathogenesis of IBS.

METHODSA rat model of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) was established by colonic instillation of acetic acid and restraint stress. A rat model with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) was established by stomach irrigated with 0 - 4 degrees C cool water daily for 14 days. The content and distribution of 5-HT in the brain and gut were examined by immunohistochemistry and the mRNA expression of the 5-HT(7) receptor was determined by fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in all the same tissues was measured by radioimmunity.

RESULTSThe models of IBS were reliable by identification. The immunohistochemistry results showed that there were significantly more 5-HT positive cells in the IBS-D group than in the control group in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, jejunum, ileum, proximate colon and distal colon (P < 0.05), as well as more than were found in the IBS-C group in jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). There were more 5-HT positive cells in the IBS-C group than in the control hippocampus, hypothalamus, ileum, proximate colon, and distal colon (P < 0.05). Real time-PCR results showed that the expression level of the 5-HT(7) receptor in both the IBS-C and IBS-D groups were enhanced compared with the control group in the hippocampus and hypothalamus (P < 0.05). The expression level of 5-HT(7) receptors in the IBS-C group was notably greater when compared with the controls in the ileum and colon (P < 0.05). The cAMP accumulation in the hippocampus and hypothalamus in both the IBS-C and IBS-D groups was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The cAMP accumulation in the IBS-C group was higher than that in the control group in the proximal and distal colon (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe increased 5-HT content in the brain and intestine is related to the IBS pathogenesis. The up-regulated expression of the 5-HT(7) receptor in the brain and colon might play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBS-C.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Serotonin ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Serotonin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of robotic mitral valve surgery using da Vinci S system.

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective review of 60 robotic mitral surgeries from March 2007 to December 2010. Of the 60 patients, 44 underwent mitral valve repair and 16 received mitral valve replacement. The surgical approach was through 4 right chest ports with femoral and internal jugular vein cannulations. Transesophageal echocardiography was used intraoperatively to estimate the surgical results.

RESULTSNone of the cases required a conversion to a median sternotomy. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest time was 132.2∓29.6 min and 88.1∓22.3 min for robotic mitral valve repair, and was 137.1∓21.9 min and 99.3∓17.4 min for robotic mitral valve replacement. Echocardiographic follow-up of all the patients revealed 3 cases of slight regurgitation in mitral valve repair group.

CONCLUSIONIn selected patients with mitral valve disease, robotic mitral surgery can be performed safely.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Mitral Valve Annuloplasty ; methods ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics ; methods ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Young Adult

To obtain bovine adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), bovine ADSCs were digested in collagenase type I solution. The growth curve of ADSCs was checked by cell counting. Chromosome analysis was checked. The molecular markers of ADSCs were detected with immunofluorescence staining. The morphology of ADSCs was identical to fibroblast like and the cells showed active proliferative ability. Vimentin, CD49d and CD13 antigens were detected, but CD34 antigen was negative. Alkaline phosphatase activity was greater in ADSCs during calcification, and Alizarin Red staining was positive. Lipid droplets were apparent around cells during adipogenesis, and Oil Red-O staining was positive. The results demonstrated that ADSCs could be used as seed cells for tissue engineering due to the simple isolation, differentiation and stable and active growth.
Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Cattle ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Human Interleukin-11(hIL-11)has no Cys residue in its natural form.By site-directed mutagenesis,a Cys residue can be introduced to replace the 1st residue Gly and the rhIL-11 was chemically modified by using 20 kDa mPEG-maleimide conjugated to this site.The mPEG-hIL-11 conjugate was purified and showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight.The biological activity of purified mPEG-hIL-11 was determined using a dependent cell line 7TD1.The remaining biological activity of PEGylated-rhIL-11 was 30% of native rhIL-11,suggesting chemical modification of rhIL-11 by PEG is a promising approach for improving the pharmacological efficacy.

Objective To explore the impact of cognitive training on cognitive function of the elderly in a community. Methods Ninety elderly people at and above sixty years old in a community of Shanghai were recruited in the study, and were divided into two groups: the cognitive training group and the control group.The cognitive training group conducted cognitive training for 12 weeks (24 times), a comprehensive training method incorporating cognitive training courses with Lumosity ( a brain functional exercise software) .The two groups were evaluated before and after the intervention with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale ( MoCA) . Results Before the intervention, the scores of four fields ( i.e. visual space and executive function, naming, delayed recall, and directional force) and the total score for the cognitive training group were higher than the control group ( P <0 .05 );there was no statistically significant difference in other three fields ( i.e.attention, language ability and abstract ability) between the two groups (P>0.05).After the intervention, the scores of four fields (i.e.visual space and execu-tive function, attention, abstract, delayed recall) and the total score for the cognitive group improved, compared with the control group ( P<0 .05 ) . Conclusion Cognitive training could improve or maintain cognitive function for the elderly in the community.

Objective To analyze the genetic diversity of Pomacea canaliculata based on the mitochondria DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunitⅠ(mtDNA COⅠ)gene as a molecular marker in Lincang City of Yunnan Province,so as to provide the scien-tific data for monitoring Angiostrongylus cantonensis in local areas. Methods The genotypes and polymorphisms of 38 speci-mens of P.canaliculata collected from Mengding Town of Lincang City were analyzed by sequencing COⅠgene.The phylogenet-ic tree and genetic distances were produced based on the haplotypes from GenBank and the present study by using the neighbour-joining method with the software MEGA version 6.06. Results Totally 31 sequences were acquired in the present study and they produced 3 unique haplotypes.Haplotype 1 showed a higher frequency compared to the others and it accounted for 83.9 % (26/31).The data showed that the least genetic distances ranged from 0 to 0.052 between P.canaliculata and 3 haplotypes,as well as the largest genetic distances ranged from 0.021 to 0.239 between Pila conica and 3 haplotypes.Otherwise,the analysis of the phylogenetic trees based on COⅠgene sequences of P.canaliculata indicated that all of 3 haplotypes clustered into one big clade with that from Japan(GenBank accession number: AB433769),China(GenBank accession number: KT313034)and USA(GenBank accession number:EU523129),which owned the closet relationship amongst them.Their genetic relationships were distantly related to the GenBank's reference sequences of P.insularum(GenBank accession number:EF514942),P.cam-ena(GenBank accession number: EF515059)and so on. Conclusion There is a P. canaliculata species in Lincang City of Yunnan Province as well as a high genetic diversity amongst the acquired 3 haplotypes in this study.