OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spores on Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and mitochondrial calcium in the testis of NIDDM rats.

METHODSFifty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups: model, ganoderma and normal control, the first two groups injected with 2% STZ through vena caudalis, and the last one with half-and-half sodium citrate/citrate buffer solution. Two weeks after normal diet, glucose tolerance tests were performed and the rats with abnormal glucose tolerance from the model and ganoderma groups received high-fat and high-carbohydrate food, the ganoderma group given Ganoderma lucidum spores (250mg/[ kg x d] ) in addition, both for 10 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests were repeated 1 day before the end of the experiment and the rats were castrated and relevant indexes measured.

RESULTSThe NIDDM model was successfully constructed. In the model group, the levels of mitochondrial Cyt-C and mitochondrial calcium were significantly lower (P <0. 05) while that of the plasma Cyt-C was significantly higher than in the ganoderma and the control groups.

CONCLUSIONCyt-C and calcium ion are involved in the damage of the testis. Ganoderma lucidum spores can protect the testis of NIDDM rats.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reishi ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role and significance of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the pathological process of hypoxia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HHPV) and the relationship with ERK1/2 signal pathway in rats.

METHODSWe made the third pulmonary artery rings of SD rats, used the model of pulmonary artery rings perfusion in vitro. Under acute hypoxia hypercapnia condition, and observed the effects of the three stages of HHPV incubated by glybenclamide(Gly) and the combined application of Gly and U0126. At the same time, the values of rings' tension changes were recorded via the method of hypoxia hypercapnia conditions reactivity.

RESULTSUnder the normoxia condition, the values of the third pulmonary artery rings tension were relatively stable, but under the hypoxia hypercapnia condition, we observed a biphasic pulmonary artery contractile response compared with N group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). When the third pulmonary artery rings incubated by Gly, it's phase II persistent vasoconstriction was enhanced compared with the H group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the phase I vasoconstriction was also heightened. Moreover, under the hypoxia hypercapnia condition, U0126 could significantly relieve the phase II persistent vasoconstriction compared with HD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) induced by Gly, but the phase I acute vasoconstriction and the phase I vasodilation had no changes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGly may mediate HHPV via activating ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Glyburide ; pharmacology ; Hypercapnia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of chloride channel blocker--niflumic acid (NFA) on the pathological process of hypoxia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in rats.

METHODSWe used the model of hypoxia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction rats, and divided the second, third branch pulmonary artery rings randomly into four groups (n = 8): control group (N group), hypoxia hypercapnia group (H group), DMSO incubation group (HD group), niflumic acid group (NFA group). Under acute hypoxia hypercapnia conditions, we observed the effects of the three stages of hypoxia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HHPV) incubated by NFA in the second, third brach pulmonary artery rings. At the same time, the values of rings' tension changings were recorded via the method of hypoxia hypercapnia conditions reactivity. And investigated the effect of NFA to HHPV.

RESULTS(1) Under the hypoxia hypercapnia condition, we observed a biphasic pulmonary artery contractile (the phase I rapid contraction and vasodilation; the phase II sustained contraction) response in both the second and the third branch pulmonary artery rings compared with the control group (P < 0.05 , P < 0.01); (2) The second and third pulmonary artery rings incubated by NFA which phase II persistent vasoconstriction were significantly attenuated compared with the H group (P < 0.05 , P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe blocker of the chloride channels attenuates the second and third branch pulmonary artery rings constriction in rat, especially the phase II persistent vasoconstriction, so then have an antagonistic effect on HHPV.

Animals ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Hypercapnia ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Niflumic Acid ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Rats ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with local advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed prognosis in 191 patients with advanced gastric cancer, of whom 71 were treated with NAC and 120 received surgery only between February 2007 and July 2013. Postoperative complication rate was recorded. Survival by clinicopathological features, pathological T and N stages, and histopathological tumor regression was retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAccording to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, none of the 71 patients in the NAC followed by surgery group showed complete response, 36 showed partial response, 25 had stable disease, and 10 had progressive disease. The chemotherapy response rate was 50.7%; the disease control rate was 85.9%. Grade 3/4 adverse events were seen in less than 20% patients, with acceptable toxicities. No difference was found in the overall postoperative complication rates between the two groups (7 versus 22 cases, P=0.18). Median survival time was significantly different, at 54 months in the NAC combined with surgery group and 25 months in the surgery-only group (P=0.025).

CONCLUSIONIn patients with operable gastric adenocarcinomas, NAC can significantly improve overall survival without increasing surgical complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia is the legal technical standard which should be followed during the research, production, use, and administration of drugs. At present, the new edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia is planned to be promulgated and implemented. This article summarizes and analyzes the main characteristics and the content of updates and amendments of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition(Volume Ⅰ), to provide a reference for the correct understanding and accurate implementation the new edition of the pharmacopoeia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influences of mobile phone radiation on the quality and DNA methylation of human sperm in vitro.

METHODSAccording to the fifth edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, we randomly selected 97 male volunteers with normal semen parameters and divided each semen sample from the subjects into two equal parts, one exposed to mobile phone radiation at 1950 M Hz, SAR3. 0 W/kg for 3 hours while the other left untreated as the control. We obtained routine semen parameters as well as the acrosomal reaction ability, apoptosis and DNA methylation of sperm, and compared them between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the control, the radiation group showed significantly decreased progressive sperm motility ([36.64 ± 16.93] vs [27.56 ± 16.92]%, P < 0.01) and sperm viability ([63.72 ± 16.35] vs [54.31 ± 17.35]%, P < 0.01) and increased sperm head defects ([69.92 ± 4.46] vs [71.17 ± 4.89]%, P < 0.05), but no significant differences in sperm acrosomal reaction ([66.20 ± 6.75] vs [64.50 ± 3.47]%, P > 0.05). The early apoptosis rate of sperm cells was remarkably higher in the radiation group ([6.89 ± 9.84]%) than in the control ([4.44 ± 5.89]%) (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the control and radiation groups in the DNA methylation patterns of the paternal imprinting gene H19 ICR ([0.60 ± 0.02] vs [1.40 ± 0.03]%, P > 0.05) or the maternal imprinting gene KvDMR1 ([0.00 ± 0.00] vs [1.80 ± 0.031%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMobile phone radiation reduces the progressive motility and viability of human sperm and increases sperm head defects and early apoptosis of sperm cells.

Cell Phone ; DNA Methylation ; radiation effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Semen ; radiation effects ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Head ; radiation effects ; Sperm Motility ; radiation effects ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; radiation effects

BACKGROUNDThis study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in patients with spinal osteoid osteoma.

METHODSTwo patients suffered spinal osteoid osteoma were treated with CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation under local anesthesia. Lesions located in sacral vertebrae and cervical vertebrae, which were adjacent to nerve root and spinal canal respectively. Tumors were treated under 90°C radiofrequency temperature lasting 4 minutes by an electrode placement. Visual analog scale was used to evaluate the pain improvement.

RESULTSNo complications were observed pre- and post-operation. Patients recovered to normal activities immediately and achieved complete pain relief in 24 hours. No symptoms were recurrent in 5 months and 4 months follow up. Mild scoliosis has been recovered in case 2.

CONCLUSIONSCT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoid osteoma is safe, effective and has more clinical benefits. The long-term outcome needs further observation.

Adult ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoma, Osteoid ; therapy ; Spinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

The present study aimed to investigate the protective mechanism of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against gastric ischemia /reperfusion (GI/R) injury in rats. After intravenous injection (IV) of NAC (150 mg/kg) into femoral vein, the rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia induced by clamping the celiac artery followed by 60 min of reperfusion. After the gastric mucosal damage index (GMDI) had been calculated, gastric mucosal cell in situ apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. The protein expression of p-ERK, p-JNK and NF-kappaB, and mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and Caspase-3 in gastric mucosa were evaluated by using Western-blot or RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that NAC not only attenuated the GI-R injury, but also decreased gastric mucosal cellular apoptosis. Furthermore, NAC increased the protein expression of p-ERK, while inhibited protein expression of p-JNK, NF-kappaB in gastric mucosa. NAC also decreased the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA in gastric mucosa. Capsazepine (CPZ) (400 mg/kg, IV) reversed the protective effect of NAC against GI/R injury in rats. These results suggest that NAC can protect rats against GI/R injury. This protective effect is possibly mediated by the up-regulation of p-ERK and down-regulation of p-JNK and NF-kappaB. In addition, vanilloid receptor subtype 1 may be involved in the protective mechanism of NAC against GI/R injury.
Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Male ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Stomach ; blood supply

BACKGROUNDSuperior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is gradually recognized by otologists in recent years. The patients with SSCD have a syndrome comprising a series of vestibular symptoms and hearing function disorders which can be cured by the operation. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of patients with SSCD and determined the effectiveness of treating this syndrome by resurfacing the canal via the transmastoid approach using a dumpling structure.

METHODSPatients with SSCD, confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography and hospitalized at Beijing Tongren Hospital between November 2009 and October 2012, were included in the study. All of the patients underwent the unilateral transmastoid approach for resurfacing the canal, and received regular follow-up after surgery. Data from preoperative medical records and postoperative follow-up were comparatively analyzed to evaluate the effect of surgery.

RESULTSIn total, 10 patients and 13 ears (three left ears, four right ears, three bilateral ears) were evaluated in the study, which included 7 men and 3 women. Different symptoms and distinctive manifestations of vestibular evoked myogenic potential were found in these patients. After surgery, 4 patients had complete resolution, 5 had partial resolution, and 1 patient, with bilateral SSCD, had aggravation. None of the patients suffered from serious complications such as sensorineural hearing loss, facial paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or intracranial hypertension.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with unilateral SSCD, resurfacing the canal via the transmastoid approach using a dumpling structure is an effective and safe technique. However, more consideration is needed for patients with bilateral SSCD.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Semicircular Canals ; abnormalities ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of down-regulating Smoothened (SMO) gene expression through short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on the proliferation of breast cancer stem cells.

METHODSHuman SMO shRNA was designed, synthesized chemically, and transfected into MCF-7 cells to down-regulate SMO gene. By using G418, stable cells with down-regulated SMO were selected. In vitro proliferation of these cells was measured by CCK8 assay. The proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) cells was detected by flow cytometry and the mammospheres formation was determined by suspension sphere culture. The expression of SMO, GLI1 and Oct4 was detected by Western blot. In vivo, the volume of tumor was measured every 3 days and the expression of SMO, GLI1 and Oct4 detected by Western blot.

RESULTSIn vitro, the cells were transfected with SMO-shRNA and selected by G418 after 21 days. SMO-shRNA effectively down-regulated the expression of SMO gene and protein, and inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and markedly reduced the proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) cells and mammospheres. In vivo, SMO-shRNA treatment of MCF-7 significantly inhibited the volume of tumor. The positive rate of SMO in negative control and SMO-shRNA group was 5/5 and 2/5, respectively. The expression of SMO, GLI1 and Oct4 in different groups were 0.72 ± 0.17 and 0.21 ± 0.09, 1.21 ± 0.21 and 0.47 ± 0.12, 0.83 ± 0.13 and 0.25 ± 0.07. SMO, GLI1 and Oct4 down-regulation significantly suppressed at protein levels (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe shRNA by chemical synthesis can effectively down-regulate SMO gene expression and inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer stem cells.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; MCF-7 Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smoothened Receptor ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden ; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1