Animals ; Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mitochondria, Liver ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the analeptic action of Xingnaojing injection(XNJI) in patients undergoing total intravenous anesthesia and the possible mechanism.METHODS: 60 patients undergoing selective abdominal operation with tracheal intubation(scored grade Ⅰ or grade Ⅱ using ASA score) were transferred to post-anesthctic ICU(PACU) after surgery and randomly divided into two groups of 30 each: X group(XNJI 0.5 mL?kg-1) and C group(control group).The X group received XNJI(0.5 mL?kg-1) by drip infusion within 10 minutes,while C group received same amount of normal saline.The vocal reaction recovery time,autonomous breath recovery time,extubation time and duration of PACU stay were recorded.The mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),the concentrations of Epinephrine(E),and Norepinephrine(NE) and ?-endorphin(?-EP) in arterial blood were detected at 0,5,15,30 and 45 minutes before and after medication.RESULTS: No significant differences were noted for X group in hemodynamics parameters after medication as compared with before medication,but significant differences were noted for C group at 30 min and 45 min when compared with before medication or compared with X group at the same different time points.The vocal reaction recovery time,autonomous breath recovery time,extubation time and the duration of PACU stay were all significantly shorter in X group than in C group(P

Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1B is a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. Phosphotyrosine (pTyr) mimetics still dominate the currently available PTP1B inhibitors. The phenoxyacetic acid moiety was taken as a pTyr mimetic herein and phenoxyacetic acid-based compounds 2a-2g and 3a-3c were designed. Among them, compounds 2a-2g exhibited potent inhibition against PTP1B, and compound 2g showed an IC₅₀ of 0.42 μmol·L^-1 against PTP1B. Compound 2f exhibited pharmacological profiles similar to that of rosiglitazone, and could improve the insulin sensitivity and the serum total cholesterol level. The results suggest that PTP1B inhibitors might be effective in treating type 2 diabetes as well as associated metabolic syndromes.

AIMThe changes of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) expression in mouse ovary during pregnant and postpartum period were studied to investigate the role of TIMP-4 in corpus luteum (CL).

METHODSRT-PCR was used to deter mine the change of TIMP-4 mRNA and indirect immunofluorescence was used to observe the change of TIMP-4 protein. The expression of TIMP-4 mRNA was observed in various periods throughout the stage of pregnancy and postpartum day 1.

RESULTSThe expression of TIMP-4 was gradually enhanced from day 1 to day 8, reached a maximal expression at day 8, while decreased at day 11 and to the lowest level at postpartum day 1. Indirect immunofluorescence results further indicated that TIMP-4 protein was localized to CL and theca-intera cells in various periods throughout the pregnancy and postpartum day 1. In addition, the change pattern of TIMP-4 protein agreed with that of the TIMP-4 mRNA in pregnancy CL.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TIMP-4 in mouse ovary during pregnancy and postpartum is in spatio-temporal pattern and it may be involved in the formation and function maintain of CL during pregnancy in mice.

Animals ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating severe a cute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSSixty SARS patients were diagnosed and observed according to the universal standard, and divided into the ICWM group (n = 31, treated with ICWM) and the control group (n = 29, treated by conventional western medicine alone).

RESULTSICWM showed better effect than that of western medicine alone in improving clinical symptoms, promoting the absorption of inflammation in lung, increased oxygen saturation (P < 0.01) and decreased the dosage of corticoid used (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of ICWM is better than that of simple western medicine in treating SARS.

Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Single-Blind Method

OBJECTIVETo isolate antifungal compound from Paeonia suffruticosa, and to find the antifungal mechanisms by observing the ultrastructural modifications of yeasts in growth phase produced by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG).

METHODSPeony (Paeonia suffruticosa) root bark (PRB) was separated by solvent extraction and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using analytical and preparative reversed phase C18 column on the basis of bio-assay method. In order to investigate the antifungal mechanism of PGG, Yeasts were submitted to different concentrations [3 × minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), 0.3 × MIC] for 1 h under constant stirring at 30 °C, and transmission electron microscopy was performed.

RESULTSBased on the antifungal activity of PRB on Candida glabrata CBS138, the antifungal compound were isolated in ethyl acetate layer of PRB and identified as PGG by mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, with molecular weight of 940 and molecular formular as C41H32O26. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PGG degraded the cell wall envelope.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that PGG may be responsible for the antifungal activity of PRB by disrupting the structure of cell wall directly.

Antifungal Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

OBJECTIVETo explore a methods of 3-Dimension expansion of zygomatic suture in a goat model.

METHODSSeven goats were used in this study. The 3-D extensive applicator was designed and used to extend the zygomatic suture of the goats by placing it in the zygomatic bone through an infraorbital incision. Ten days after the first operation, it was gradually extended on a speed of 0.09 cm/d for 7 days. The zygomatic movement and the osteogenesis of the suture was evaluated in two weeks.

RESULTSThe zygomatic bone was extended for 0.6 cm long in average, and the osteogenesis was also shown significantly in the suture.

CONCLUSIONThe above mentioned technique could be a safe and effect method to be applied for the zygomatic extension.

Animals ; Cranial Sutures ; Goats ; Humans ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; instrumentation ; methods ; Zygoma

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation.

METHODSSixteen patients with atlantoaxial dislocation were treated from Dec. 2005 to June 2007, included 10 males and 6 females, aged from 38 to 45 years old (means 40.5 years). Among them 12 patients combined with nerve injury, according to ASIA grade: there were 3 cases in grade B, 5 cases in grade C, 4 cases in grade D. All patients received preoperative CT, radiograph and skull traction. Intraoperative posterior approach general spine pedicle screw-rod orthopaedics fixation system used and iliac bone block were implanted in space of posterior atlantal arch and axial vertebral plate. The outcome and complications were observed in the near future.

RESULTSThere was no vascular or neural injury found. The patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (means 18 months). All head pain, acid storm symptoms were improved after operation. According to the Odom's clinical efficacy evaluation standard, 12 cases were excellent, 4 were good. Eleven cases of 12 with nerve injury recovered significantly. By ASIA classification: 1 cases was in grade B, 2 cases were in grade C, 5 cases were in grade D, 4 cases were in grade E. No looseness or breakage of screw occurred. Bony fusion was achieved in all cases.

CONCLUSIONPosterior approach atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation have the advantages of direct screw placement, short-segment fusion, intraoperative reduction, fixation reliable, high fusion rate, and it can restablish the upper cervical vertebrae stability and help to recover the spinal cord and nerve function.

Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore treatments of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection by integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM), in order to elevate the curing rate as well as to lower the death rate.

METHODSBased on conventional ways of Western medical treatments of 18 cases of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection, such as putting the patients in single individual ward, antibiotics to prevent infection, respiratory machines, blood filtration, nutritional support, steroids, and maintaining electrolytes balance, we applied integrated Chinese medicinal treatments, like altering conventional prescription "pneumonia III", and conducted clinical observation of effectiveness, and indexes including white blood cell (WBC), neutrophilic granulocyte, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), etc.

RESULTSOf the 18 cases studied, 7 were already cured, 8 proved the treatment effective, 3 died. All clinical indexes had statistically significant changes compared with those of before treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONICWM can increase curing rate and lower death rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lung Diseases ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Opportunistic Infections ; drug therapy ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology

BACKGROUNDThe infection rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing yearly due to the overprescription of antibiotics. Traditional Chinese compound medicines are less inclined to induce bacterial resistance in the clinical setting because of their multi-acting mechanisms. However, most current research is limited to bacteriostasis in vitro using single extracts or formulations. Plasma pharmacology is an in vitro method, using what is called "medicine serum". The aim of this study was to investigate whether the medicine serum of compound Qingre granules (QRKL) alone or in combination with antibiotics may treat MRSA infection in the clinic.

METHODSAn animal model of MRSA resistance was created by injecting rabbits with the standard strain of MRSA ATCC43300. Infected rabbits were treated with QRKL by intragastric administration. Sixty minutes after the last intragastric administration, serum was obtained from the rabbits by heart puncture to obtain what is termed "medicine serum". The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of QRKL, medicine serum alone, or serum combined with antibiotics was assessed by agar dilution.

RESULTSwere compared with the growth of sixteen isolates of MRSA.

RESULTSThe MIC of QRKL to the standard strain ATCC43300 was 10.00 mg/ml. The MIC(90) of vancomycin was 1.00 microg/ml, which, when combined with QRKL, dropped to 0.50 microg/ml. The MIC(90) of cefuroxime alone was 512.00 microg/ml. This level also decreased to 256.00 microg/ml when combined with QRKL. The addition of QRKL thus significantly reduced the MIC of both cefuroxime and vancomycin compared with antibiotics alone (P < 0.01). The MIC(90) of vancomycin with medicine serum decreased to 0.50 microg/ml, and the MIC of vancomycin with medicine serum also descended compared with using vancomycin alone (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe growth of MRSA can be inhibited by QRKL or medicine serum of QRKL in vitro. The addition of QRKL results in increased sensitivity of MRSA to vancomycin and this may provide a novel treatment for patients with MRSA infection.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Vancomycin ; pharmacology