UrotensinⅡis the earliest active peptide detected from the teleost fish spinal cord, which is correlated with various risk factors of cerebrovascular diseases.This article reviews the latest advances in reasearch on urotensinⅡin cerebrovascular diseases,so as to provide assistance for urotensinⅡin the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.

AIMTo investigate the effects of curcumin on the behavior of chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rats and the p-ERK, p-CREB, c-fos expression in dorsal root ganglion.

METHODS108 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: (1) Control group (treated with CCI); (2) Sham operation group; (3) Solvent contrast group; (4) Curcumin treated group(Cur 30, Cur 100, Cur 300), treated with CCI, intraperitoneal injected with curcumin 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 300 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 14 days after operation respectively. Thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of rats were determined, respectively. Rats were killed on the 3th, 7h, 14th day after operation. The expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, c-fos in dorsal root ganglion were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSIn Con group, the MWT and TWL declined gradually after operation. On the 3rd day, the rats represented the severest mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia(MWT was 15.3 +/- 3.0 g, TWL was 4.6 +/- 1.0 s). The expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, c-fos neurons were markedly increased in dorsal root ganglion. In Cur group, the MWT and TWL were also declined gradually, which were higher than Con group. On the 3rd day, the rats represented the severest mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia (MWT was 22.6 +/- 4.0 g, TWL was (5.6 +/- 1.1l)s in Cur 100 group), the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, c-fos in dorsal root ganglion were lower than control group at each timepoint in each group.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin could attenuate the activation of p-ERK, p-CREB, c-fos in dorsal root ganglion to ameliorate the CCI-induced neuropathic pain.

Animals ; CREB-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuralgia ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In order to affirm the cardioactive components in Fuzi, we identified a group of aminoalcohol- diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS) method. Among a total of forty-one isolated ingredients, thirteen major aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids were identified by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of the reference substances. Moreover, Fuzi samples from different places of origin and with different processing methods were examined and their components displayed a pattern of high similarity, though the relative abundance varies probably due to their different processing methods. Furthermore, the cardiac effect of each identified alkaloid was individually evaluated using the isolated bullfrog heart perfusion experiment. Among the thirteen aminoalcohol diterpenoid alkaloids tested, six of them significantly enhanced the amplitude rates. Taken together, we affirm that the cardioactive components in Fuzi are aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, shedding light on future studies of the mechanisms and development of these cardioactive compounds.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Amino Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rana catesbeiana ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the whole plant of Dracocephalum moldavica.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by using column chromatography with RA polystyrene resin, polyamide and silica gel as packing materials, and the structures of the compounds were identified by means of spectral data.

RESULTeight compounds were identified as apigenin(I), luteolin(II), kaempferol(III), isorhamnetin(IV), tilianin(V), agastachoside(VI), acacetin-7-O-(6-O-Malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) (VII) and syringaresinol(VIII).

CONCLUSIONCompounds I, II and III were isolated from genus Dracocephalum for the first time and compounds IV, VII and VIII were isolated from Dracocephalum moldavuca for the first time.

Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Luteolin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the value of serum S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in predicting the severity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

METHODSNinety children with HFMD were classified into three groups: common type, severe type, and critical type (n=30 each). Thirty healthy children were randomly selected as the control group. ELISA was used to measure serum levels of S100B protein and NSE before and at 7 days after treatment. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of S100B protein and NSE for the severity of HFMD.

RESULTSThe critical type group had significant increases in the serum levels of S100B protein and NSE compared with the other three groups (P<0.01). The severe type group had significant increases in serum levels of S100B protein and NSE compared with the common type and control groups (P<0.01). The critical type and severe type groups had significant reductions in serum levels of S100B protein and NSE after treatment (P<0.05). Serum S100B protein had the highest Youden value of 0.611 at the cut-off value of 0.445 μg/L, with a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 100%, in the prediction of serious HFMD (including severe type and critical type HFMD). Serum NSE had the highest Youden value of 0.533 at the cut-off value of 5.905 μg/L, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 73%, in the prediction of serious HFMD. Combined measurements of these two parameters had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 73% and had the highest predictive value for serious HFMD.

CONCLUSIONSThe serum levels of S100B protein and NSE help to predict the severity and treatment outcomes of HFMD. Combined measurements of these two parameters has a higher predictive value for serious HFMD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; blood

OBJECTIVETo examine modulations caused by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors on altered microenvironments and overbalanced neurotransmitters in pilocarpine-induced epileptic status rats and to investigate possible mechanisms.

METHODSCelecoxib (a COX-2 inhibitor) was administered 45 min prior to pilocarpine administration. The effects of COX-2 inhibitors on mIPSCs (miniature GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents) of CA3 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus were recorded. Expressions of COX-2, c-Fos, newly generated neurons, and activated microgliosis were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and expressions of alpha-subunit of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA(A)) receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) activity were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSPretreatment with celecoxib showed protection against pilocarpine-induced seizures. Celecoxib prevented microglia activation in the hilus and inhibited the abnormal neurogenesis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus by inhibiting MAPK/ERK activity and c-Fos transcription. Celecoxib also up-regulated the expression of GABA(A) receptors. NS-398 (N-2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl-methanesulfonamide), another COX-2 inhibitor, enhanced the frequency and decay time of mIPSCs.

CONCLUSIONThe COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib decreased neuronal excitability and prevented epileptogenesis in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats. Celecoxib regulates synaptic reorganization by inhibiting astrogliosis and ectopic neurogenesis by attenuating MAPK/ERK signal activity, mediated by a GABAergic mechanism.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Celecoxib ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibrocystic Breast Disease ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Nitrobenzenes ; pharmacology ; Pilocarpine ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, GABA-A ; biosynthesis ; Status Epilepticus ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Synapses ; drug effects ; pathology

Adult ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; etiology ; Male ; Phytotherapy

BACKGROUNDWhether the low molecular weight heparin microcapsule coated occluder is helpful to endothelialization in atrial-septal defect models is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the best conditions for low molecular weight heparin coated NiTi alloy occluder and provide the evidence of the efficacy and safety of atrial-septal defect occluders in vivo.

METHODSLow molecular weight heparin microcapsules were investigated using gelatin as microcapsule material. The prepared low molecular weight heparin gelatin particles were subjected to nickel and titanium alloy occluder coating by sodium hyaluronate. A dog model of atrial septal defects was established after treatment with low molecular weight heparin microcapsule coated occluder (n = 4) and uncoated occluder (n = 4). Endotheliocytes and fibroblastic cells in occluders were observed. And the rate of endothelialization was detected.

RESULTSWhen the concentration of gelatin was 1%, the diameters of particles were mostly about 100 microm, and the particle size was uniform. The envelope efficiency of low molecular weight heparin microcapsule was about 80%. The endothelialization of occluder in the model was more obvious in the coated group than in the uncoated group (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONSLow molecular weight heparin can be prepared into microcapsules with their particle size in nanometric grade. The antithrombotic properties are kept in the nickel and titanium alloy occluder successfully coated with sodium hyaluronate. The endothelialization after the interventional occlusion in the coated group is obvious, indicating that low molecular weight heparin is helpful to the growth of endothelial cells in the occlude and the healing after the interventional occlusion.

Alloys ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Capsules ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Gelatin ; chemistry ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; drug therapy ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Particle Size ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) and the relative risk factors for postoperative myasthenic crisis.

METHODSThe clinic data of 78 cases with MG who underwent thymectomy from June 1985 to June 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. The relative risk factors of postoperative myasthenic crisis were analyzed and the differences between new and old region of perioperative management were compared.

RESULTSThe symptom of MG was complete remission in 21 cases, significantly improved in 38 cases, improved in 11 cases and unchanged in 8 cases, respectively. The symptom duration before operation, preoperative serum level of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody, Osserman stage and pathological type of thymoma were independent relative risk factors for postoperative myasthenic crisis. The new region of perioperative management was significant better than the old one.

CONCLUSIONSurgical treatment shows significant clinical benefits for patients with MG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Weakness ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Myasthenia Gravis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo probe the accuracy and safety of using an aiming device in the transpedicular fixation of cervical spine.

METHODSEight cervical specimens were obtained. We used the computed tomography (CT) to scan C3 to C7, measured the medial angle of the pedicle, and determined the location of the pedicle projecting on the articular process. Then we took the oblique X-ray film, measured the cephalic/caudal angle of the pedicle, and determined the location of the pedicle projecting on the articular process. All the specimens were equally divided into two groups. Screws of 2.8 mm x 30 mm, were used. Specimens in one group were inserted with the transpedicular screw manually, while specimens in the other one inserted with the transpedicular screw using a self-designed aiming device that can be modulate at the three dimensions according to the angles of the pedicles.

RESULTSThe first group totally had 40 screws from C3 to C7. There were 13 screws in the pedicle, 9 violated the walls of the pedicle but not involved the adjunct structure, and 18 injured the important structure such as spinal cord, verteberal artery, or nerve root. In the other group, only 4 screws violated the walls of the pedicle but not involved the adjunct structure, and the others all in the pedicles. The difference was of statistical significance (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the cervical spine, transpedicular fixation using an aiming device can improve the accuracy and safety during operation.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Stereotaxic Techniques ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed