Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the abatement of the mRNA,protein expression of RhoA and the improvement of the cardiac remodeling and cardiac disfunction after the myocardiac infarction in rats.Methods Rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group,the myocardiac infarction group and Simvastatin intervened group.After 8 weeks,cardiac weight index and hemodynamics were observed,mRNA and protein expression of RhoA in cardiac muscles was measured. Results Compared with the control group,the cardiac weight index and the mRNA and protein expression were increased in rats with myocardiac infarction and the hemodynamics was worsened(P

Background Chronic administration with inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (N_?-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester,L-NAME) induces persistent hypertension,cardiovascular remodeling,surrounding vascular fibrosis, necrosis and hypertrophy of myocardium,and inflammation in cardiovascular system.Local RAS involves in hyper- tension and remodeling of cardiovascular system,via increasing production of oxygen free radicals (OFR).Objec- tive To elucidate the preventive and therapeutic effect of antioxidant Ebselen and/or VitE on hypertensive heart damage in NO~- deficient rats induced by L-NAME.Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were administered with L- NAME 50 mg/(kg?d) by gavage for 8 weeks,and randomized to received a placebo(L),or Ebs(S,30 mg/kg?d), or VitE(V,40 mg/kg?d) or Ebs 30 mg/(kg?d)+VitE 40 mg/(kg?d),with 8 normal Wistar as control. Body mass and SBP were measured fortnightly.Plasma and homogenate of heart were collected for NO,Ang Ⅱ, GSH-PX,MDA and O_2~- determination.Results Eight weeks after L-NAME administration,SBP in experimental groups was obviously higher than that of control (P

·Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are common outer retinal degenerative problems, which are also the predominant causes of most blinding retinal diseases. Retinal prosthesis is a promising solution for such photoreceptor degeneration diseases.Most of current concepts for a retinal prosthesis are based on neuronal electrical stimulation. In the past twenty years, retinal prosthesis has been developed in two different directions: epiretinal prosthesis and subretinal prosthesis. Each prosthesis technique has its advantages and disadvantages. For epiretinal prosthesis, it is easier to be implanted and has the advantage of keeping most of the electronics in the vitreous cavity, off the retinal surface, which greatly helps in dissipating the heat generated by the implant device. In this paper, a brief overview of retinal prostheses concepts is introduced. After that, several important aspects of epiretinal electrical stimulation will be discussed. Moreover, some practical epiretinal prosthesis devices developed by researchers in United States, Germany and Japan in the past have been reviewed. We hope that the devices will be used widely in the near future.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the rules for acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion in domestic clinical treatment of perimenopausal syndrome based on data mining technology in modern times.

METHODSThe relevant literature were retrieved from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database on this disease treated with clinical acupuncture and moxibustion in China from 1978 to 2013. The database of acupuncture-moxibustion prescription was set up. The relevant regulations of data mining technology were used to analyze the rules for acupoint selection.

RESULTSTotally, 211 papers, 254 acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions and 130 acupoints were included. The total frequency of acupoints application was 2193 times, with 14 meridians involved. The utilization of the acupoints in the lower limbs and on the back were 33.0% (723/2193) and 23.8% (521/2193) and those of yin and yang meridians were 51.8% (1136/2193) and 44.0% (965/2193), respectively. The utilization of the specific acupoints accounted for 88.7% (1946/2193).

CONCLUSIONIn clinical treatment of perimenopausal syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion in modern times, the acupoint selection from involved meridians is the basis, associated with multiple methods of acupoint combination; yin and yang meridians are equally important and the specific acupoints are considered particularly critical in application.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; China ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Perimenopause ; physiology

Objective To observe the travel,divisions,and the lengths,diameters,branches,artery supplies of the main segments of maxillary nerve.Methods Fifty formalin-preserved adult half-head specimens with intravascular injection of red color emulsion were used for the gross and microanatomical studies of maxillary nerve.The lengths,diameters,branches and artery supplies of four main segments of maxillary nerve were observed.SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyze the data.Results The length and diameter of cranial middle fossa segment of maxillary nerve were ( 10.70 ± 1.31 ) mm and (4.01 ± 0.52 )mm respectively,which was supplied by inferior-lateral cavernous sinus artery.The length and diameter of pterygopalatine fossa segment were (16.21 ± 1.80) mm and (3.27 ±0.62) mm respectively,in which one zygomatic branch, one to three posterior superior alveolar nerves, two ganglion branches and tuberal descending branches; were given off,and the segment was supplied by foramen rotundum artery.The length and diameter of infraorbital segment were ( 25.73 ± 2.03 ) mm and ( 3.30 ± 0.52 ) mm and it gave off middle superior alveolar nerve (64％) and anterior superior alveolar nerve and was supplied by infraorbital artery.Facial segment gave off superior labial branches,internal and external nasal branches,inferior palpebral branches,buccal branch and zygomatic branch and these branches were supplied by infraorbital artery and superior labial and angular artery originating from facial artery.Conclusions Understanding of travel and artery supply of maxillary nerve is helpful to regional anaesthesia and surgery for maxillary nerve.Foramen rotundum,sphenopalatine foramen and infraorbital nerve are important marks for endoscopic surgery in pterygopalatine fossa.

OBJECTIVEThe application and therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) remains controversial. Previous studies have focused on the early pathological and biochemical outcomes and there is a lack of long-term functional evaluation. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term pathological and behavioral changes of early HBO therapy on neonatal rats with HIBD.

METHODSPostnatal 7 days (PD7) rat pups were randomly assigned into Control (n=18), HIBD (n=17) and HBO treatment groups (n=17). HIBD was induced by ligating the left common carotid, followed by 2 hrs hypoxia exposure in the HIBD and HBO treatment groups. The Control group was sham-operated and was not subjected to hypoxia exposure. The HBO therapy with 2 atmosphere absolutes began 0.5-1 hr after HIBD in the HIBD treatment group, once daily for 2 days. The spatial learning and memory ability were evaluated by the Morris water maze test at PD37 to PD41. The morphological and histological changes of the brain, including brain weight, survival neurons, AchE positive unit and NOS positive neurons in hippocampal CA1 region, were detected at PD42.

RESULTSThe rats in the HIBD group displayed significant morphological and histological deficits, as well as severe spatial learning and memory disability. In the Morris water maze test, the mean escape latency were longer (56.35 +/- 22.37 s vs 23.07 +/- 16.28 s; P < 0.05) and the probe time and probe length were shorter in the HIBD group (29.29 +/- 6.06 s vs 51.21 +/- 4.59 s and 548 +/- 92 cm vs 989 +/- 101 cm; both P < 0.05) compared with the Control group. The left brain weight in the HIBD group was lighter than that in the Control group (0.601 +/- 0.59 g vs 0.984 +/- 0.18 g; P < 0.05). The survival neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were less (100 +/- 27/mm vs 183 +/- 8/mm; P < 0.05), as well as the AchE-positive unit and NOS-positive neurons (18.50 +/- 2.24% vs 27.50 +/- 2.18% and 19.25 +/- 4.33 vs 33.75 +/- 5.57 respectively; P < 0.05) after HIBD. Early HBO treatment improved the abilities of spatial learning and alleviated the morphological and histological damage. The mean escape latency (39.17 +/- 21.20 s) was shortened, the probe time (36.84 +/- 4.36 s) and the probe length (686 +/- 76 cm) were longer, and the brain weight (0.768 +/- 0.85 g), the survival neurons (133 +/- 25/mm) and the AchE-positive unit (21.94 +/- 2.73%) increased significantly compared with those of the HIBD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly HBO treatment resulted in a protective effect against HIBD-induced long-term brain morphological and histological deficits and spatial learning and memory disability.

Acetylcholinesterase ; analysis ; Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Escape Reaction ; Female ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; pathology ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To investigate the inhibitory effect of Pluronic on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) drug efflux pump, Caco-2 cells and animal models were established to study the influence of Pluronic on celiprolol transport across Caco-2 cell monolayer and intestinal mucous membrane with verapamil set as a positive control. Drug concentration was measured by HPLC and the apparent permeability coefficient (P(app)), absorption rate constant (k(a)) and the effective permeability coefficient (P(eff)) were calculated. P(app) of basolateral to apical side and apical to basolateral side was (2.10 +/- 0.13) x 10(-6) and (0.333 +/- 0.018) x 10(-6) cm x s(-1), respectively. Transports of celiprolol across Caco-2 cell monolayer were influenced by both verapamil and Pluronic. The absorption constants (k(a)) of celiprolol at duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon were (0.09 +/- 0.03), (0.14 +/- 0.04), (0.11 +/- 0.03) and (0.05 +/- 0.02) h(-1), k(a) of celiprolol in verapamil group were (0.14 +/- 0.03), (0.24 +/- 0.02), (0.25 +/- 0.03) and (0.23 +/- 0.02) h(-1), and k(a) of celiprolol in Pluronic group were (0.13 +/- 0.02), (0.22 +/- 0.02), (0.22 +/- 0.03) and (0.20 +/- 0.03) h(-1), respectively. Pluronic showed significant effect on inhibiting P-gp of Caco-2 cell and intestinal mucosa in rats.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Caco-2 Cells ; Celiprolol ; pharmacokinetics ; Excipients ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Permeability ; Poloxamer ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To analyze the constituents in supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SFE-CO2) of Radix caulophylli, the Radix caulophylli was extracted with SFE-CO2, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis with a DB-5MS capillary column (30 mm x 0.32 mm ID, 0.25 microm film thickness) was used. The inlet temperature was maintained at 280 degrees C. The column oven was held at 80 degrees C for 2 min, then programmed from 80 to 280 degrees C at 5 degrees C x min(-1) and, finally, held for 4 min. Helium at a constant flow rate of 2.0 mL x min(-1) was used as the carrier gas. The mass spectrometry conditions were as follows: ionization energy, 70 eV; ion source temperature, 200 degrees C. The mass selective detector was operated in the TIC mode (m/z was from 40 - 500). For the first time 49 peaks were separated and identified, the compounds were quantitatively determined by normalization method, and the identified compounds represent 97.44% of total GC peak areas. Viz, n-hexadecanoic acid (31.4%), (E, E) -9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (26.54%), (Z)-7-tetradecenal (9.4%), hexadecenoic acid (3.23%), 10-undecenal (3.22%), octadecanoic acid (2.25%), and caulophylline (1.76%) etc. The results will provide important foundation for understanding the constituents and further exploitation of Radix caulophylli.
Carbon Dioxide ; Caulophyllum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Linoleic Acid ; analysis ; Palmitic Acid ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective·To investigate the relationship between serum level of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods·A total of 126 consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction were recruited from July 2016 to January 2017 in Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The serum Cav-1 levels of all patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The neurological deficits were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the same time. Compared with the admission baseline NIHSS score, if second motor NIHSS score increased ≥ 1 point or the total NIHSS score increased ≥ 2 points within 3 days after hospitalization, they were classified as END group, otherwise they were classified as non-END group. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent predictors of END in the patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained to explore Cav-1 levels in predicting END. Results·Serum Cav-1 levels in END group were significantly higher than those in non-END group [(29.88±19.57) ng/mL vs (16.08±13.37) ng/mL, P=0.000]. Based on the ROC curves, the best cut-off point of serum Cav-1 for predicting END was 16.55 ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity were 73.33％ and 74.07％, respectively. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that Cav-1≥16.55 ng/mL remained an independent predictor of END (OR=4.936, 95％CI 1.608-15.155, P=0.005). Conclusion·Serum Cav-1 is an independent predictor of END in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Objective To determine the expression of disabled homolog 2 interacting protein (DAB2IP) gene in the basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin,and to investigate its clinical significance.Methods Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 105 outpatients and inpatients who received skin mass resection in Department of Dermatology,Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital and Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology between January 2012 and November 2017.Totally,79 patients with pathologically diagnosed BCC of the skin served as patient group,and 26 patients with pathologically diagnosed skin tag but without other clinical manifestations served as control group.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the expression of DAB2IP in the two groups,and correlations of the DAB2IP expression with the clinical phenotype and pathological features of BCC of the skin were analyzed.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS21.0 software by using chi-square test for the comparison of enumeration data.Results The protein expression of DAB2IP was observed in 11 (42.3％) of 26 patients in the control group,as well as in 74 (93.7％) of 79 patients in the patient group,and there was a significant difference in the positive rate of DAB2IP protein between the two groups (x2 =33.50,P ＜ 0.05).The expression of DAB2IP was uncorrelated with gender or age of patients with BCC of the skin,or with the tumor size (all P ＞ 0.05).The positive rate of DAB2IP protein significantly differed between the patients with superficial BCC (5/7) and those with invasive BCC (95.8％,69/72;x2 =6.47,P ＜ 0.05).Of the 79 patients with BCC of the skin,Ki-67 protein was detected in 31 (39.2％),and the cancer cells expressing Ki-67 protein also expressed DAB2IP protein.Conclusion The expression of DAB2IP increases in BCC of the skin,which may be associated with the occurrence and infiltration of BCC of the skin.