Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine used in SEP and MEP monitoring in patients undergoing neurosurgery. Methods Eighty patients undergoing neurosurgery receiving SEP and MEP monitoring were randomly divided into 4 groups(n = 20 each):group C,group D1,group D2 and group D3. In groups D1 ,D2 and D3 ,dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg was infused over 10 minutes before anesthesia induction,and then was infused at a rate of 0.1,0.3 and 0.5μg/(kg·h)respectively toward the end of operation. Group C received the equal volume of normal saline. HR ,MAP and BIS were recorded at admission to the operating room(T1),skin incision(T2),when the muscle relaxants were stopped(T3)and 50 minutes later(T4). The current intensity and the time when first MEP was induced after muscle relaxant was stopped ,the amplitudes and latencies of SEP(N20-P25,N20)and MEP on thenar muscle at T4,the total consumption of propofol,and development of adverse affects were also recorded. Results Compared with groups C and D1,HR and MAP were decreased at T2-T4 in groups D2 and D3(P<0.05). The amount of propofol consumed were lower in groups D2 and D3 than in groups C and D1(P < 0.05). The current intensity inducing MEP was lower and the amplitude of MEP at T4 was higher in group D2 than in groups C,D1 and D3,and the situation was same in group D3 than in group C (P<0.05). No significant change was found in the other parameters in groups C ,D1 ,D2 and D3(P>0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine infused at 0.3 μg/(kg · h) after infusion of a loading dose of 0.5 μg/kg could improve monitoring quality of MEP through reducing the amount of propofol consumed ,have less inhibition on MEP than other groups,have no obvious effects on SEP,andmaintain hemodynamic stability.

The intracellular trafficking and subcellular distribution of exogenous gene is very important for gene delivery. A successful gene vehicle should overcome various barriers including endosomal membrane barriers to delivery gene to the target organelle. Traditional nonviral vehicle is unable to avoid endosomal pathway efficiently, so the efficiency of gene delivery is low and the application of gene drugs is limited. In order to achieve efficient nonviral gene delivery, a lot of researches based on endosomal escape have been carried out and some agents with the function of endsomal escape have been found. These agents facilitate the endsomal escape via various mechanisms, such as fusion into the lipid bilayer of endosomes, pore formation in the endosomal membrane, proton sponge effect and photochemical methods to rupture the endosomal membrane. In this review, various reported strategies for endsomal escape are described according to the escape mechanisms, and their applications in intracellular gene delivery are also discussed.
Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Endosomes ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

A test was conducted to examine the effect of several electron donors such as glucose, sodium acetate, Fe0, Fe0+glucose and Fe0+sodium acetate on reductive dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) through inoculating the unacclimated anaerobic mixed bacteria. The optimum condition and sus-tainability of Fe0 as electron donor was also been discussed. The results showed that, Fe0+glucose enhanced the dechlorination of contaminant effectively compared to glucose. Sodium acetate, Fe0 and Fe0+sodium acetate were all effective electron donors and Fe0 was the optimum, the optimum initial pH was 8.0 and quantity of added Fe0 was 2.0 g/L. 4-CP was the mainly intermediate product for 2,4-DCP dechlorination. Fe0 could support the electron for reductive dechlorination of 2,4-DCP continuously. In contrast, when so-dium acetate as electron donor, the effect of dechlorination was inferior to Fe0 with the consumption of sodium acetate.

This study aimed to explore the impact of depression caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on in vivo activity of six kinds of CYP450 isoforms in rats. According to 'Katz' method, the model of CUMS was established. Tolbutamide, chlorzoxazone, theophylline, midazolam, omeprazole and dextromethorphan were chosen as probe substrates of CYP2C6, CYP2E1, CYP1A2, CYP3A2, CYP2D1 and CYP2D2 of rats. Plasma concentration of six kinds of CYP450 in control group and model group were determined by LC-MS/MS and computed pharmacokinetic parameters. Consequently, metabolism of theophylline and chlorzoxazone accelerated significantly (P < 0.01), but tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, omeprazole and midazolam had no significant difference. The present study proved that depression caused by CUMS had strong induction to CYP1A2 and medium induction to CYP2E1.
Animals ; Chlorzoxazone ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Depression ; Dextromethorphan ; metabolism ; Liver ; enzymology ; Midazolam ; metabolism ; Omeprazole ; metabolism ; Rats ; Stress, Physiological ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Theophylline ; metabolism ; Tolbutamide ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo screen phosphopeptide specific for acute leukemia.

METHODSMononuclear cells from bone marrow were collected from 16 newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 20 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Peptides were extracted and purified, analyzed by immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

RESULTS(1) Non-receptor tyrosine kinase family members Fyn, Yes, Src widely expressed in acute leukemia; (2) Some phosphopeptides, including non-receptor tyrosine kinase family members Abl/iso1 and Abl, non-receptor Ser/Thr protein kinase family members Bcr, JNK2, JNK2 iso2, Adaptor/scaffold members Cas-L, Cbl, CrkL CENTD1 (Centaurin delta1) ZO2, transcriptor GFR-1 and phosphatase SHIP-2 were detected in Ph positive ALL, but not in other kinds of ALL. (3) Hck, Lyn and Fgr selectively expressed in AML (except AML-M(3)).

CONCLUSIONSome phosphopeptides were specific for ALL and AML, and may be useful for diagnosis and therapy of acute leukemia.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Phosphopeptides ; analysis ; Phosphorylation ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between pathological characteristics of target organs and excess evil syndrome in IgA nephropathy.

METHODSData were collected in multicenter cooperation. Totally 266 IgA nephropathy patients were typed into exogenous wind-heat affection syndrome (49 cases), lower energizer damp-heat syndrome (100 cases), damp-phlegm syndrome (43 cases), and blood stasis syndrome (74 cases). Meanwhile, percutaneous renal biopsy was performed in all patients for Hass classification, Oxford classification, Katafuchi integral, and Jiang's classification methods. The correlation between excess evil syndrome and pathological index was analyzed.

RESULTSFour syndrome types were correlated with their Hass levels (r = 0. 341, P <0. 01). Affection of exogenous wind-heat syndrome was correlated with segmental proliferation of endothelial cells and damaged active lesions of segmental capillary loops. Lower-energizer damp-heat syndrome was associated with Hass III level, destroying active lesions of capillary loops, segmental proliferation of endothelial cells, glomerular segmental lesions, focal interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, focal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Blood stasis syndrome was associated with Hass IV level, glomerular sclerosis, segmental glomerulosclerosis (S)/adhesion, mesangial hypercellularity (M), angiohyalinosis, multi-foci interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, multi-foci interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Phlegm-damp syndrome had higher proportions of Hass I and III levels, but with no association with other pathological parameters.

CONCLUSIONSExcess evil syndrome was associated with partial pathological characteristics of IgA nephropathy. It could reflect pathological damage degree of target organs, activities, chronic lesions, and prognosis of IgA nephropathy to certain extent. Correlated pathological characteristics and its evolution could indicate excess evil syndrome types and their evolution rules.

Capillaries ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; pathology ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans ; Kidney Glomerulus ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prognosis ; Syndrome

To observe the serum samples and the anti-inflammatory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating RA by using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, make a correlation analysis on concentration-time and effect-time curves, and explore RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in rats by PCR. Methotrexate, tripterine and high-dose T. wilfordii could down-regulate RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in AA rat lymph nodes. The study on PK-PD model showed correlations between inflammatory factors and blood concentration of T. wilfordii. T. wilfordii and its main active constituent tripterine could show the inflammatory effect and treat RA by inhibiting IL-17 cytokine.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tripterygium ; Triterpenes ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the long-term results of minimal incision osteotomy for hallux valgus.Methods From February 1996 to May 1999,372 cases(705 feet)with hallux valgus were treated with minimal incision osteotomy.Seventy-nine cases after surgery were followed up for more than 5 years,including 6 males(10 feet)and 73 females(140 feet)with an average age of 47 years(range,13-75 years).The average follow-up time was 7.5 years(range,5.3-13.2 years).The preoperative and postoperative hallux valgus angles(HVA),intermetatarsal angles(IMA),the tibial sesamoid position(TSP),American orthopedic foot and ankle society(AOFAS)score,range of movement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint,and lateral metatarsalgia etc.were observed and measured.And the clinic outcome were studied and evaluated.Results Based on Wen Jian-min's clinic curative effect evaluation criterion(2001),56 feet(37.3%)were excellent,88 feet(58.7%)good ,6 feet(4.0%)fair.The rate of excellent or good was 96.0%(144/150).The postoperative mean AOFAS score was 84.20±4.32 points(range,60-100 points).The mean HVA decreased from 33.28 to 12.31 degrees,the mean IMA from 11.75 to 6.80 degrees.The TSP was corrected from an average preoperative grade of 4.29 to a grade of 3.07 at final follow-up.There are no nonunion or delayed union of osteotomy,avascular necrosis of the 1st metatarsal head,infection,hallux varus.Four feet(2.7%)had numbness in the medial of the big toe.The 1st metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion decreased from 70.20 to 69.53 degrees.There were 97 feet(64.7%)with the 2-5 metatarsalgia before operation,and 35 feet(23.3%)disappeared,54 feet(36.0%)improved,8 feet(5.3%)aggravated after operation.Conclusion Minimal incision osteotomy technique is sound and reliable method to treat hallux valgus.The osteotomy technique is simple,and could provide satisfactory long-term results with lower complication rate.