Objective To investigate the relationship between in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of Shenqi injection and its effect on immunologic function in H22 tumor-bearing model mice,and explore the cellular immunologic mechanism of Shenqi injection in inhibiting tumor growth.Methods Three different doses of Shenqi injection were given to H22 tumor-bearing model mice in treatment groups.The tumor growth inhibitory rate(IR) and the index of phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophage were calculated.MTT assay was used to observe the effect of Shenqi injection on spleen lymphocytes stimulated by ConA in vitro separated from H22 tumor-bearing mice.Murine serum IL-2 and IFN-? were detected by means of ELISA assay.Results IR was significantly reduced in two treatment groups compared with that of the model mice(60.72%,48.65%,P

Objective To design a novel electronic device for measuring the pressure in the cuff of the artificial airway; and to study the advantage of this device on continuous and intermittent cuff pressure monitoring. Methods ① a portable electronic device for cuff pressure measurement was invented, which could turn pressure signal into electrical signal through a pressure transducer. Meantime, it was possible to avoid pressure leak from the joint and the inside of the apparatus by modified Luer taper and sophisticated design. If the cuff pressure was out of the normal range, the apparatus could release a sound and light alarm. ② Six traditional mechanical manometers were used to determine the cuff pressure in 6 tracheal tubes. The cuff pressure was maintain at 30 cmH2O (1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa) by the manometer first, and repeated every 30 seconds for 4 times. ③ Study of continuous cuff pressure monitoring: We used a random number generator to randomize 6 tracheal tubes, 6 mechanical manometers and 6 our products by number 1-6, which has the same number of a group. Every group was further randomized into two balanced groups, one group used the mechanical manometer first, and the other used our product first. The baseline pressure was 30 cmH2O, measurement was performed every 4 hours for 6 times. Results When traditional mechanical manometer was used for cuff pressure monitoring, cuff pressure was decreased by an average of 2.9 cmH2O for each measurement (F = 728.2, P = 0.000). In study of continually monitoring, at each monitoring point, the pressure measured by electronic manometer was higher than the mechanical manometer. All the pressures measured by mechanical manometer were dropped below 20 cmH2O at 8th hour, and there was no pressure decrease below 20 cmH2O measured by electronic manometer in 24 hours by contrast. In study of intermittent monitoring, the same result was found. The pressure was dropped significantly with time when measured by mechanical manometer (F = 61.795, P = 0.000), the drops below 20 cmH2O began at 8th hour; but when measured by electronic manometer, all the value stayed unchanged around the baseline in 24 hours (F = 0.511, P = 0.796). Conclusions Compared with traditional mechanical manometer, cuff pressures monitored by our novel electronic manometer were steadier in both continuous and intermittent monitoring. The device is compact and convenient, and can provide a good solution for continuously monitor of the tracheal cuff pressure.

This study was aimed to establish a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method coupled with Evaporative Light-scattering Detector (ELSD) in order to develop the determination of fingerprint of terpene lactones in Ginkgo biloba tablets. An Agilent Extend-C18 (4.6 mm í 250 mm, 5 μm) was employed as the analysis column and the normal propyl alcohol-tetrahydrofuran-water (1:15:84) as mobile phase. The column temperature was 30℃. And the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1. HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS) was used to identify the common peaks. The fingerprint was further evaluated by chemometrics methods including principal component analysis (PCA), similarity analysis (SA) and hierarchical clus-tering analysis (HCA). The results showed that the precision, stability and repeatability of this method were favorable. Five common peaks were identified by LC/Q-TOF MS as ginkgolide J ( M ) , C , A , B and bilobalide , respectively . Fourteen batches of Ginkgo biloba tablets were determined. With the aid of PCA, SA and HCA, the common pattern of the fingerprint of terpene lactones was established. Samples were divided into 4 clusters by their quality differ-ence. It was concluded that the method established in this paper can be used for quality evaluation of terpene lac-tones in G ink go b ilob a tablets.

Seven meroterpenoids and five small-molecular precursors were isolated from Penicillium sp., an endophytic fungus from Dysosma versipellis. The structures of new compounds, 11beta-acetoxyisoaustinone (1) and isoberkedienolactone (2) were elucidated based on analysis of the spectral data, and the absolute configuration of 2 was established by TDDFT ECD calculation with satisfactory match to its experimental ECD data. Meroterpenoids originated tetraketide and pentaketide precursors, resepectively, were found to be simultaneously produced in specific fungus of Penicillium species. These compounds showed weak cytotoxicity in vitro against HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, NCI-H1650, and A2780 cell lines with IC 50 > 10 micromol x L(-1).
Berberidaceae ; microbiology ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Lactones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Monoterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Penicillium ; chemistry

Rho kinase, also named Rho associated kinase, is one of the important kinases found in recent ten years, which regulates cell movement including cytodieresis, contraction, adherence, migration, secretion, etc. The Rho kinase up-regulation in activity or in expression involves the progress of cardio-cerebro-vascular disorders, and Rho kinase has been regarded as a key target in drug discovery and development. With more and more Rho kinase inhibitors popping up, Rho kinase inhibitors are becoming a promising solution to cardiovascular diseases, neural disorders and other diseases. The article reviews the advances in the study of Rho kinase pathway andits inhibitors, other information associated with Rho kinase is also discussed.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Amides ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Pyridines ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Signal Transduction ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; rho-Associated Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; chemistry ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian on the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of healthy people in resting state (R1) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSTotally 16 healthy subjects received structure scan of T1 and T2. Then two fMRI scans were conducted for each participant. fMRI included the resting-state scan (R1; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s), the stimulating-acupoint scan (AP; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s). fMRI data acquisition from structure scanning and function scanning were processed with format conversion and statistical analysis.

RESULTSUnder R1 state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals included bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, precuneus, superior temporal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus. Under the AP state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals were bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and declivis. Compared with R1 state, obvious difference of ALFF signal areas of the brain caused by acupuncture at pericardium were: bilateral cuneus, precuneus, left posterior cingulate gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and right occipital lingual gyrus.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian could significantly change inherent activity states of the cerebral cortex, especially in bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, and precuneus.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Pericardium

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histologic effect of botulinum toxin type A (Botox A) injection on myocutaneous flap expansion in minipigs model.

METHODSSeven minipigs were included in this study. Two symmetric tattoo area, 10 cm x 6 cm in size, were selected on the bilateral flank of the pigs. The Botox A was injected into one tattoo area randomly, 4 U every point, 2 cm apart, with a total dose of 96 U. The same dose of sterile normal saline (0.9%) was injected in the same fashion on the opposite side as control. 3 days after injection , two 200 ml expanders were inserted beneath the cutaneous muscle at the tattoo area. After complete expansion of 200 ml, the specimens were drawn from both groups symmetrically and were stained by means of HE and Masson. The histologic changes of myocutaneous flap were compared. Thickness of each layer in myocutaneous flap was measured in histological section.

RESULTSThe thickness of cutaneous muscle, capsule, dermis were (275.74 +/- 28.93) microm, (468.03 +/- 34.28) microm, (1990.79 +/- 102.10) microm in Botox group, and (409.13 +/- 44.63) microm, (626.55 +/- 44.05) microm, (2508.44 +/- 70.71) microm in saline group, respectively, show a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). The Masson stained slice showed that collagen average gray of capsule in Botox group was 185.38 +/- 9.56, which was significantly higher than that in the saline group (120.77 +/- 10.31, P < 0.01). Light microscope (HE stained sections ) showed that muscle in Botox group was significantly atrophy and cross-section of muscle fiber decreased. The muscle fiber in saline group was generally normal. It was observed through transmission electron microscope that the light and dark band of muscle cell became fuzzy and the Z line bending in Botox group. The light and dark band in saline group arranged neatly, the Z line was clear.

CONCLUSIONSApplication of Botox A in myocutaneous flap expansion can make the muscle atrophy and reduce the content of collagen in capsule layer, making the myocutaneous flap thinner which is suitable for reconstruction in face and neck.

Animals ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Surgical Flaps ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tissue Expansion

A novel human ScFv H12 against SARS-CoV has been selected from a SARS immune library. In order to produce a large amount of ScFv H12, pET28a-H12 expression vector was constructed and ScFv H12 was expressed at yield about 30% of total proteins in E. coli . Here two different refolding procedures were used to refold ScFv H12 from inclusion body: gel filtration chromatography and dilution. The results showed that ScFv H12 could be efficiently refolded by both procedures. However, the refolding via gel filtration was 1.5 time more effective than that of dilution. The affinity of ScFv H12 to SARS-CoV virion was detected as Kd = 73.5 nmol/mL.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Inclusion Bodies ; genetics ; immunology ; Protein Renaturation ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; immunology ; SARS Virus ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model of congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow for better understanding the pathophysiology of pulmonary vascular development and related regulatory mechanisms of congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow.

METHODOne to two months old pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control group (group C, n = 6) with right chest small incisions induced transient pulmonary blood reduction; light-moderate stenosis groups (group T(1), n = 7): artificial atrial septum defect (ASD) plus controlled pulmonary artery banding to generate a systolic pressure gradient of 20 - 30 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa); severe stenosis groups (group T(2), n = 7): similar surgical procedures as group T(1), and controlled pulmonary artery banding to generate a systolic pressure gradient ≥ 30 - 50 mm Hg. 64-slice computed tomography scanning was performed at one month post operation. Arterial blood gas analysis, hemoglobin value, pulmonary vessel, ASD and banding ring diameters and trans-pulmonary artery banding pressure (Trans-PABP) were determined at two months post operation.

RESULTSOne pig died due to tracheal intubation accident in the C group, one pig died due to bowel obstruction in the T(1) group and two pigs died due to acute right heart failure and chronic heart failure respectively in T(2) group. 64-slice CT angiography results showed that aortic diameter of T(1) group was significantly lower than that of C group and banding diameter was significantly lower than aortic diameter in the T(1) and T(2) groups at one month post operation. Two months after operation, the size of ASD were (8.0 ± 0.5) mm and (8.9 ± 1.4) mm (P > 0.05) respectively in the T(1) and T(2) groups after operation. The Trans-PABP was significantly higher in the T(1) and T(2) groups than in C group (P < 0.01), and the Trans-PABP was significantly higher in the T(2) group than in T(1) group (P < 0.01). PaO2 and SaO2 in the T(1) and T(2) groups were significantly lower than those in C group.

CONCLUSIONArtificial atrial septum defect combined pulmonary artery banding procedures could be successfully used to establish model of congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow and this model could help to understand the pathophysiology and monitor therapy efficacy for patients with congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; physiopathology ; Lung ; blood supply ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Pulmonary Veins ; physiopathology ; Swine

BACKGROUNDA fatal complication after liver transplantation is anastomotic embolization of the hepatic artery. In order to solve this problem, the portal venous arterialization (PVA) is used to reconstruct the hepatic arterial blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of PVA on rats with acute occlusion of hepatic artery.

METHODSRat PVA models were established and then randomly divided into Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (jaundice group), Group 3 (bile duct recanalization group), and Group 4 (portal vein arterilization group). Recanalization of the common bile duct and PVA were performed 5 days after bile duct ligation in the rats. The influence of the PVA on general conditions, hepatic changes of structure and function, portal vein pressure and hepatic micrangium were observed for one month.

RESULTSFive days after common bile duct ligation the serum bilirubin, transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased. Compared with group 1, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). These rats then underwent bile duct recanalization and PVA. After a month, the liver functions and microscopic structures completely returned to normal and, compared with group 1, there was no statistically significant difference in portal vein pressure (P > 0.05). Vascular casting samples showed that hepatic sinusoids were slightly thicker and more filled than normal ones and although they had some deformations, the hepatic sinusoids were still distributed around the central vein in radial form.

CONCLUSIONWithin a month after operation, bile duct recanalization and PVA do not show obvious adverse effects on liver hemodynamics and hepatic micrangium, and the liver function and microscopic structure can return to normal.

Animals ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Hepatic Artery ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver ; blood supply ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Liver Circulation ; Male ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley