AIM　To study the effects of praeruptorin C (pra-C), a pure constituent isolated from “Qian-Hu”, the roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. (Umbelliferae), on vascular hypertrophy, collagen content, transient ［Ca2+］i, NO and vascular response of the thoracic aorta of renovascular and spontaneously hypertensive rats (RHR, SHR). METHODS　RHR and SHR were given pra-C 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 9 weeks, ig. Blood pressure of both rats were measured using tail cuff manometry. Under inverted microscopy the length and width of the smooth muscle cells were measured by using computer software MICC (Dongnan University). ［Ca2+］i of smooth muscle cell (SMCs) was measured with Fura-2/AM. By measuring the specific aminoacid hydroxyproline content, the collagen content was obtained. By using Griess reagent, the NO in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was measured. RESULTS　The intermedia of the thoracic aorta in RHR was enlarged than that of the normal and pra-C groups. The size (length×width) of the SMCs of thoracic aorta from RHR increased 73.4 μm vs nomal 34.5 μm and pra-C 34 μm. The collagen content of thoracic aorta was 39%±6.8% dry weight in RHR, they were 26.5%±3% dry weight in normal and 25.6%±1.1% dry weight in pra-C, RHR vs pra-C. The resting ［Ca2+］i of single cell of SMCs was (62±6) nmol.L-1. In Hanks solution containing CaCl2 1 mmol.L-1, the resting ［Ca2+］i of SMCs was (150±8) nmol.L-1 in normal. (226±11) nmol.L-1 in RHR. In presence of KCl 60 mmol.L-1, NE 10 μmol.L-1, ANG II 100 nmol.L-1 and ATP 30 μmol.L-1 the ［Ca2+］i of SMCs were increased by 128%; 132%; 233% and 152% in RHR, respectively. The pra-C group was similar to the normal group. The resting ［Ca2+］i of SMCs was (71±6) nmol.L-1 in control of SHR, in Hanks solution containing CaCl2 1 mmol.L-1. The resting ［Ca2+］i of SMCs was (160±8) nmol.L-1 in normal, and (362±18) nmol.L-1 in SHR. In presence KCl 60 mmol.L-1 and NE 10 μmol.L-1 the ［Ca2+］i of SMCs were increased by 235% and 200% in SHR, respectively. Pra-C group was similar to normal group. NO of SMCs was decreased 76% in SHR, pra-C group was nearly normal. The pra-C improved vascular responses of the thoracic aorta of RHR. CONCLUSION　These results indicate that pra-C improved the vacular hypertrophy by decreasing the size of SMCs cells, collagen content. SMCs ［Ca2+］i and increasing NO production.

Purpose To investigate the expression of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) and to evaluate its clinical significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods RT-PCR was performed to analyze SFRP4 mRNA expression level in 30 paired PDAC lesion and matched adjacent non-tuimor tissue.Immunohistochemistry staining detection of 205 matched cases tissue microarray was conducted to explore SFRP4 protein expression pattern.The correlation between SFRP4 and clinical characteristics was also analyzed,including overall survival.Results SFRP4 expression pattern both at mRNA and protein level in PDAC lesion was higher than that in matched adjacent non-tumor tissue.At mRNA level,to found that expression of SFRP4 was elevated in 90％ (27/30) of PDAC tissues (P =0.007 2).To found that high expression of SFRP4 was detected in 56.5％ (116/205) of PDAC tissue,while only 28.8％ (59/205) in the adjacent non-tumor tissue.Moreover,no significant association was observed between SFRP4 expression and clinical characteristics.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed high level of SFRP4 expression was correlated with poor overall survival (x2 =3.467,P =0.024).Conclusion SFRP4 can be a novel prognostic biomarker in PDAC.

A study was made on the effects of Dephenetin on vascular resistance and cardiotonic action in anesthetized dogs. The results showed that Dephenetin reduced left coronary cifcumflexus, vertebral and femoral ateries resistance, it increased cardiac out put without significant heart rate changes.The results also showed that Dephenetin dilates peripheral vessels and produced positive inotropic action.

In the isolated rabbit aorta, like verapamil ( Ver ) anisodamine ( Ani ) might inhibit the contraction induced by phenylephrine ( PE ) and high K+ with IC50 value of 120 and 86 ? mol/L, respectively. PE/K+ ratio of IC50 was 1.4 which was less than that of Ver. It showed that although PDC may be more sensitive to Ani than ROC, the difference in sensitivity of Ani on 2 calcium chan- nel are less marked than that of some calcium antagonists. Ani had inhibitory effects on 2 contractile components of serotonin (5-HT ) . Ani and Ver could obviously inhibit post-resting potentiatipn and staircase phenomenon in guinea pig atria. Ani also might inhibit the contraction induced by calcium and shift concentration-response nonparallelly to right on both tissues above.The results suggest that Ani possesses nonspecific calcium antagonistic effect and reduces the tension by affecting PDC and ROC to decrease extracellular calcium influx and inhibiting intracellular calcium release.

Objective To investigate the relationship between axon degeneration of Goll’s column system and Amyloid ? protein (A?) deposit sludge. Methods A? protein deposition in area of axon degeneration of Goll’s columns was measured by using immunohistochemical method.Results There was found strong positive round like A? deposit in the area of axon degeneration of Goll’s column system of GAD mouse. Spheroid appeared in the area of medullar nucleus of the Goll's column system at an age of 4 weeks. However the A? was negative and 9 weeks later, it became positive in partial spheroid and formed a strong round like material and became more and more standing up with age increase. The material mentioned above appeared consistently progressive in degeneration of axon in sequence.Conclusion It was suggested that the deposition of A? should be the result secondary to degeneration of nervous axon and be closely correlated with axon degeneration.

Objectives To study the effect of Lactulose oral solution combined with polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder on the intestinal cleanness.Methods One hundred and twenty patients undergoing electronic colonoscopy were divided into the experiment group and the control group,60 cases in each group.The experiment group orally took Lactulose oral solution and polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder 1d before the check,while the control group polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder 1d before the check.The two groups were compared in terms of intestinal cleanness and adverse reactions.Results The experiment group was significantly better than the control group in intestinal cleanness(P>0.05)and there were no significant difference has in adverse reactions(P>0.05).Conclusion The combined use of polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder and Lactulose Oral Solution may improve the intestinal cleanness and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.

Objective In order to enhance the understanding of Churg- Strauss syndrome, the clinical manifestations and the pathological features of 15 patients were reviewed. Methods The clinical and patho- logical findings of 15 patients with Churg- Strauss syndrome admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospi- tal were retrospectively analysed. Results In 15 cases, the initial clinical manifestations were poly- mononeu- ropathy, gastrointestinal disorders and skin lesions. Peripheral eosinophilia was significant in all cases. Biopsies were taken in all cases. The typical pathological features usually demonstrated in diffiferent stage of the dis- ease. Conclusions If a patient shows a clinical manifestation of fever, skin lesions, neuropathy, abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as eosinophilia in peripheral blood, the diagnosis of Churg- Strauss syndrome should be considered. It is necessary to take biopsies from several sites at different time.

Objective: To explore the inhibitiory effect of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(ASODN) of survivin gene on the cultured osteosarcoma cell line MG63 and its sensitization effect to chemotherapy.Methods: survivin phosphorothioate ASODN was synthesized and transfected into MG63 cells by lipofectamine 2000.MTT assay was used to detect cell inhibition ratio.Apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry.Survivin mRNA and protein expression were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.Results: The proliferation of the cells transfected by lipofectamine 2000 was inhibited by survivin ASODN in a dose and time dependent manner.A higher total apoptosis rate(81.12?3.2)% could be induced in MG 63 cells in group Lip-ASODN than in group Lip-SODN(27.09?2.1)%(P

Objective To analyze the relation between ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR)and the changes of left ventricular systolic synchrony and volume parameters before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)in patients with subacute myocardial infarction and to evaluate the impact of PCI on IMR by measuring such changes with three-dimensional echocardiography volume quantitation technology. Methods Eighty-seven patients were enrolled and echo data were acquired before and 6 months after PCI. Patients were classified into alleviation group (group Ⅰ)and non-alleviation group (group Ⅱ)according to the change of mitral regurgitation volume (MRvol).The systolic synchrony indexes (Tmsv 1 6-SD%,Tmsv 1 6-Dif%)and left ventricle volume parameters (LVEDVI and LVESVI)before and after PCI for patients of two groups were measured and contrasted.Results Systolic synchrony indexes of all patients of two groups were improved after PCI.Left ventricular volume parameters were decreased after PCI in group Ⅰ,and the remodeling was reduced.Correlation analysis of the parameters variations showed that,there was significant positive correlation between variations of left ventricular volume and MRvol in all patients and no significant correlation between variation of systolic synchrony index and MRvol.Conclusions PCI can improve left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony for submyocardial infarct patients.Left ventricular volume index that reflects the remodeling process is closely related to IMR.

Discussed in the paper are case-based payment practice in China,and outcomes of this practice for the past ten years.The authors pointed out that compared with DRGs,such a practice is exposed to such risks as low coverage of diseases,incompatible policies,defective pricing method,and lack of comprehensive evaluation.It indicates that China is on the initial stage of case-based payment reform which should be promoted with reference to international experiences.