Air Pollution, Indoor ; analysis ; Environment, Controlled ; Humidity ; Radon ; analysis ; Temperature

Objective To evaluate the anti-tumour effect of 60℃ LipiodoI in the embolization of VX_2 hepatocarcinoma in rabbits.Methods VX_2 carcinoma cells were surgically implanted into the left liver lobe in 30 male New Zealand white rabbits,which were randomly divided into 3 groups by figure and table method with 10 rabbits in each group.Physiological saline,Lipiodol(37℃),and Lipiodol(60℃)were injected in each group via hepatic artery and liver cancer was embolized.The volume of tumour and serum level of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were observed after one week,and the survival period of VX_2 rabbits was also observed.Results In the group of Lipiodol(60℃),the growth rate of tumour(0.92? 0.21)was significantly lower than that of control group(3.48?1.17)and Lipiodol(37℃)groups (1.69?0.26),respectively(F=34.95,P0.05),but was significantly higher than the control group(68.6?6.6)U/L(t=19.24,P

Objective To optimize the extraction process of Paeoniae radix alba. Methods Extraction rates of paeoniflorin and total glucosides from Paeoniae radix alba and yield of dry extract were served as research indexes. Extraction process was optimized by central composite design-response surface methodology. Results Optimum condition of extraction technology was to extract 2 times with 9-fold of 85.00% ethanol for 100 min each time. Results of the three batches of confirmatory test were accordant with the predicted values. Conclusion The observed and predicted values were close to each other,and the optimum formulation by CCD-RSM was successful. The established model has a reliable predictability. The optimum extraction process is reasonable,stable and feasible.

AIM To study the protective effects of Jingqi Capsules (Cordycps Militaris,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,Lycii Fructus,) on the damage to rat reproductive system induced by cyclophosphamide.METHODS After low and high dose groups of Jingqi Capsules and positive group were administered for two weeks in advance,cyclophosphamide [25 mg/(kg · d)] modeling was conducted consecutively by intraperitoneal injection for five days except the normal group,while the treatment groups were administered consecutively.All the rats were executed the day after the end of the modeling.Serum testosterone content was measured by radioimmunoassay;body weight,testis,epididymis and prostate of rats were weighed and organ coefficient was calculated;morphology of testis was observed by HE;sperm count and sperm motility were detected by CASA;apoptosis of cells was observed by TUNEL.RESULTS Compared with the model group,each dose group of Jingqi Capsules increased in the level of serum testosterone and organ coefficient of testis,epididymis and prostate.The damage to seminiferous epithelium relieved and the number of all spermatogenic cells increased.Sperm count and sperm motility increased.Decrease in apoptosis of cells was demonstrated by TUNEL.CONCLUSION Jingqi Capsules has protective effects on damage to rat reproductive system induced by cyclophosphamide.

To observe the effects of total flavones of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng (TFM) on volume-overload cardiac hypertrophy and the expression of c-Fos protein in rat. Methods　Volume-overload cardiac hypertrophy of rat was induced by aortocaval shunts. The rats were given ig TFM (400, 40 and 4 mg/kg/d). c-Fos protein in the ventricles were measured by immunocytochemical study. Results　TFM at the above dosage decreased heart weight and contents of RNA and protein in the myocardium, inhibited the expression of c-Fos protein in the ventricles. Conclusion　TFM can prevent volume-overload cardiac hypertrophy in rats. The inhibitory effects on the expression of c-Fos protein may be its mechanism in the molecular level.

Adult ; Burnout, Professional ; Female ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Middle Aged ; Occupations ; Professional Competence ; Work ; psychology ; Young Adult

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory responses during the progression of renal tissue and tissue injury related causes its progression to end-state renal disease. Among them, nuclear factor (nuclear factor, NF)-kappaB signaling pathway by regulating the corresponding nuclear expression of target gene transcription, as well as affecting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, induction of inflammation lead to kidney damage and renal fibrosis. Some single herbs and their extracts (such as Astragali Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Ginkgo Folium) and some traditional Chinese medicine (such as Danggui Buxue decoction, Qilian decoction) can reduce the inflammatory damage induced by renal tissue NF-kappaB signaling pathway and delay the progression of CKD.
Animals ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

In China, combustion of fossil fuels and biomass has produced serious air pollution that does harm to human health. Based on dose-response relationships derived from epidemiological studies, the authors calculated the number of deaths and people with health problems which were thought to be attributable to China's air pollution in the year of 2000. In order to estimate the corresponding economic impacts from the national point of view, the general equilibrium approach was selected as an analysis tool for this study. A computable general equilibrium (CGE) model was constructed involving 39 sectors and 32 commodities. The human capital approach (HCA) was also used for comparison. The economic burden of disease for people estimated by HCA was equivalent to 1.26 per thousand (ranging from 0.44 per thousand to 1.84 per thousand) of China's gross domestic product (GDP). China's GDP loss estimated by the general equilibrium approach reached 0.38 per thousand (ranging from 0.16 per thousand to 0.51 per thousand). The difference between the two approaches and the implications of the results were discussed.
Air Pollution ; adverse effects ; economics ; China ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; economics ; Health Status ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Morbidity ; Mortality ; Public Health ; economics

There are currently two commonly used approaches to assessing economic impacts of health damage resulting from environmental pollution: human capital approach (HCA) and willingness-to-pay (WTP). WTP can be further divided into averted expenditure approach (AEA), hedonic wage approach (HWA), contingent valuation approach (CVA) and hedonic price approach (HPA). A general review of the principles behind these approaches by the authors indicates that these methods are incapable of unveiling the mechanism of health impact from the point of view of national economy. On a basis of economic system, the shocks brought about by health effects of environmental pollution change the labor supply and medical expenditure, which in turn affects the level of production activity in each sector and the total final consumption pattern of the society. The general equilibrium approach within the framework of macroeconomic theory is able to estimate the health impact on national economy comprehensively and objectively. Its mechanism and applicability are discussed in detail by the authors.
Environmental Health ; economics ; methods ; standards ; Environmental Pollution ; economics ; Models, Theoretical

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology