AIM: To evaluate the effects of the extract of Buddleja officinalis eye drops in basic tears secretory volume, tear film stability, expression of androgen receptors(AR) in castrated rats with dry eye, and to investigate the therapeutic effects of extract of Buddleja officinalis on dry eye caused by gonadal hormones level imbalance. METHODS:A total of 45 Wistar masculinity rats were divided at random into 9 groups, including normal group(A1,A2 and A3), model group(B1,B2 and B3), therapy group with extract of Buddleja officinalis eye drops(C1,C2 and C3). The "1" stood for being fed for 1 month, and "2" for 2 months, and "3" for 3 months. The dry eye model was established with orchiectomy on group B,C. Group C was treated with Buddleja officinalis extract eye drops for one month. All rats were checked with Schirmer Ⅰ test (SⅠt) and tear film break-up time (BUT). Expression of AR was analyzed by flow cytometer(FCM). RESULTS:The SⅠt value of group C was significantly higher than that of group B (P<0.01) and the BUT value of group C was significantly longer than that of group B (P<0.01), which indicated the eye drop could significantly keep basic tears secretory volume and tear film stability. And the expression of AR of group C was much higher than that of group B,which showed that available composition of the eye drops maybe display androgen-like activity.CONCLUSION:The main components of extract of Buddleja officinalis is the flavonoids which could significantly inhibit happening of dry eye of rat after androgen level lowered. Its mechanism is like androgen's and it could display androgen-like activity to keep basic tears secretory volume and tear film stability.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine alone or fluoxetine hydrochloride combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) with anxiety symptoms.Methods:One hundred and two inpatients diagnosed as MDD with anxiety symptoms were randomly divided into the combination group (rTMS plus fluoxetine,51 patients) and the control group (fluoxetine only,51 patients).The course of treatment was 8 weeks.Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA),Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and the treatment emergent symptoms scale (TESS) were used to evaluate the efficacy and side effects at baseline,2,4 and 8 weeks after treatment.Results:The total effective rate,HAMA and HAMD main effects of time and between groups,and the TESS score of the combined treatment group were better than those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions:The efficacy and safety of fluoxetine hydrochloride combined with rTMS are better in the treatment of depression with anxiety symptoms than those of fluoxetine alone.

To explore the role of regulatory peptides in the secretion of bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), we observed the effects of four peptides, i.e.vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), on the secretion of ILs from unstimulated or O3-stressed BECs. The results of the experiments showed that VIP exerted an inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-1 and IL-8 from unstimulated and O3-stressed BECs, VIP also decreased the secretion of IL-5 from O3-stressed BECs; EGF promoted secretion of IL-1 and IL-8 from unstimulated BECs, but decreased the secretion of ILs from O3-stressed BECs; ET-1 and CGRP enhanced the secretion of IL-1, IL-5, and IL-8 from unstimlated BECs, CGRP also increased the secretion of ILs from O3-stressed BECs. The results obtained demonstrate that intrapulmonary regulatory peptides modulate the secretion of ILs from BECs, and may play an important part in transduction of inflammatory signals.
Animals ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; pharmacology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Female ; Interleukins ; secretion ; Male ; Rabbits ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; pharmacology

To study the effect of Siwu decoction on the function and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells. The Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of MDR1 gene in Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometer was used to study the effect of Siwu decoction on the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells, in order to evaluate the efflux function of P-gp. Western blotting method was used to detect the effect of Siwu decoction on the P-gp protein expression of Caco-2 cells. Compared with the blank control group, after Caco-2 incubation with Siwu decoction at concentrations of 3.3, 5.0, 10.0 g x L(-1) for 24, 48, 72 h, the mRNA expression of MDR1 was up-regulated, suggesting the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the expression of MDR1. After the administration with Siwu decoction in Caco-2 cells for 48 h, the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells decreased by respectively 16.6%, 22.1% (P < 0.05) and 45.4% (P < 0.01), indicating that the long-term administration of Siwu decoction can enhance the P-gp efflux function of Caco-2 cells. After the incubation of Caco-2 cells with Siwu decoction for 48 h, the P-gp protein expression on Caco-2 cell emebranes, demonstrating the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the protein expression of P-gp.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; genetics ; metabolism ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of lactic acid on semen-derived amyloid (SEVI) fibril formation.

METHODSPAP248-286 (2 mg/mL) was incubated with 4.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 mg/mL of lactic acid. After incubation for different times, aliquots were drawn from each sample for Thioflavin T (ThT) and Congo red staining to monitor semen-derived amyloid fibril formation. The β sheet structure formation of PAP248-286 was measured by circular dichroism spectrum, and the morphology of amyloid fibrils incubated with or without lactic acid was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The enhancing effect of amyloid fibril incubated with lactic acid at different time points was determined using virus infection assay. PAP248-286 (2 mg/mL) was incubated with dilutions of vaginal secretion from healthy women, and amyloid fibril formation was detected with ThT and Congo red staining.

RESULTSLactic acid inhibited SEVI fibril formation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Lactic acid at 0.5 mg/mL completely inhibited 2 mg/mL SEVI fibril formation within 48 h. After incubation for 48 h, lactic acid at 1 mg/mL inhibited the formation of β-sheet structure of SEVI (2 mg/mL) and completely inhibited 2 mg/mL PAP248-286 aggregation as observed with TEM. In the presence of lactic acid, PAP248-286 lost the ability to enhance virus infection. Vaginal secretion inhibited SEVI fibril formation in a dose-dependent manner, and virtually no SEVI fibril occurred after incubation of 2 mg/mL PAP248-286 with 67% vaginal secretion.

CONCLUSIONLactic acid inhibits SEVI fibril formation in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo observe the change in vital signs and arterial blood gas in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected heat exposed rats.

METHODSMale pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: saline-injected normothermic control (C-Group), saline-injected heat exposed (H-Group), LPS-injected normothermic control (L-Group), LPS-injected heat exposed (HL-Group). Rectal temperature (Tr), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), arterial blood gas were continually monitored.

RESULTS(1) The rats in HL-Group displayed significantly high values of Tr (43.04 degrees C +/- 0.11 degrees C) and HR [(660 +/- 42) beats/min] and low values of MAP [(49.0 +/- 3.5) mm Hg] compared with C-Group. There was a significant difference in the values of Tr, HR, and MAP between HL-Group and L-Group and in the values of HR and MAP between HL-Group and H-Group. (2) The values of PaO(2), HCO(3)(-), PaCO(2) were significantly lower than those in C-Group at 40 min after LPS-injected heat stress. At 120 min, the PaO(2) [(11.59 +/- 1.11) kPa], HCO(3)(-) [(10.42 +/- 1.06) mmol/L], PaCO(2) [(2.82 +/- 0.81) kPa] in HL-Group were significantly lower than those in L-Group. A significant difference in the values of HCO(3)(-) and PaCO(2) between HL-Group and H-Group was also observed.

CONCLUSIONLPS-injected heat stress primes the rat to advance and augment the change in vital signs, arterial blood gas, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Animals ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Body Temperature ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Heat Stress Disorders ; blood ; physiopathology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDResection of sacral chordomas is challenging. The anatomy is complex, and there are often no bony landmarks to guide the resection. Achieving adequate surgical margins is, therefore, difficult, and the recurrence rate is high. Use of computer navigation may allow optimal preoperative planning and improve precision in tumor resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of computer navigation-aided resection of sacral chordomas.

METHODSBetween 2007 and 2013, a total of 26 patients with sacral chordoma underwent computer navigation-aided surgery were included and followed for a minimum of 18 months. There were 21 primary cases and 5 recurrent cases, with a mean age of 55.8 years old (range: 35-84 years old). Tumors were located above the level of the S3 neural foramen in 23 patients and below the level of the S3 neural foramen in 3 patients. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed with a computed tomography-based navigation system combined with the magnetic resonance images using the navigation software. Tumors were resected via a posterior approach assisted by the computer navigation. Mean follow-up was 38.6 months (range: 18-84 months).

RESULTSMean operative time was 307 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 3065 ml. For computer navigation, the mean registration deviation during surgery was 1.7 mm. There were 18 wide resections, 4 marginal resections, and 4 intralesional resections. All patients were alive at the final follow-up, with 2 (7.7%) exhibiting tumor recurrence. The other 24 patients were tumor-free. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 27.3 (range: 19-30).

CONCLUSIONSComputer-assisted navigation can be safely applied to the resection of the sacral chordomas, allowing execution of preoperative plans, and achieving good oncological outcomes. Nevertheless, this needs to be accomplished by surgeons with adequate experience and skill.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

This paper introduces the philosophy and method of regulating and treating polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)byTCM master Xia Guicheng.Circular motion biological clock rhythm of female reproductive axis was analyzed with the conceptof waxing and waning,conversion of yin and yang in Tai Chi of Yi-ology.He proposes heart-kidney interaction,priority of balancingyin and yang,coordination of liver and spleen,qi and blood,and regulating the changes of menstruation cycle to treatmenstrual disorder.It is believed that the disorder of the circular motion biological clock rhythm of reproductive axis is thesource of PCOS.Dysfunction of main zang-fu organs is the key of PCOS,including lack of essence-generation source due to theinsufficiency of reproduction-stimulating essence,rhythm disorder due to non-interaction between the heart and the kidney,yindeficiency with yang hyperactivity due to insufficiency of liver-yin,phlegm and fat causing disease due to spleen and stomach.The dysfunction of storing and discharging of extraordinary fu organs is the apparent factor of menstruation disorder in PCOS.

Objective To investigate the prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in salivary gland and its influencing factors.Methods Clinical and following-up data of 76 patients with ACC in salivary glands were reviewed. Major gland tumors represented 35.5％ whereas minor gland tumors comprised 64.5％ of the cohort,with 8 cases ( 10.5％ ) in stage I,23 (30.3％ ) in stage Ⅱ,18 (23.7％) in stage Ⅲ and 27 (35.5％) in stage Ⅳ. Survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Merier method.Cumulative survival curves were evaluated using the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model.Results The regional recurrence rate was 28.9％ and distant metastasis rate was 21.1％.The overall 5-year survival rate,tumor-free survival rate and tumor-related survival rate were 73.7％,61.8％ and 74.9％ respectively.The overall 10-year survival rate,tumor-free survival rate and tumor-related survival rate were 48.2％,39.8％ and 56.2％ respectively.Univariate survival analysis showed pathological type,clinical stage and perineural invasion were relevant to the prognosis of ACC and multivariate analysis showed they were the independent prognostic factors of ACC in salivary gland.Conclusions Clinical stage,pathological type and perineural invasion were the independent prognostic factors for adenoid cystic carcinoma in salivary gland. Surgery was the first choice for the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma in salivary gland,and postoperative radiotherapy may prolong the tumor-free survival time of patients in stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of anluohuaqianwan on experimental hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) in rats.

METHODS36 male SD rats were randomly dividied into three groups: model group, normal group, anluohuaqianwan group. The rats in the three groups were treated with DMN daily for 4 weeks. The liver function was detected using auto biochemistry analyzer, the serum HA, LN, IV-C, PIIIP were detected by immunoradiometry, the histopathology was observed in the left liver lobe after HE staining, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB and the contents of HA, LN, IV-C in model group were significantly increased compared to these in the normal group (P less than 0.01). The serum levels of ALT, AST and the contents of HA in anluohuaqianwan group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P less than 0.01). The liver MMP-2 in the model group was significantly increased compared to that in the normal group (P less than 0.05). The expression of MMP-2 in liver tissue of model group was lower than that in the anluohuaqianwan group (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnluohuaqianwan can inhibit liver fibrosis in rats induced by DMN.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley