The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of isosorbide-5-mononitrate (ISMN) on the electric field stimulation induced sympathetic purinergic vasoconstriction of the rabbit saphenous arterial rings. Isometric vasoconstrictive responses to electric field stimulation and to exogenous noradrenaline and adenosine triphosphate were recorded. We found that the vasoconstrictive responses to electric field stimulation (15 V, 1 ms pulse duration, 2 - 16 Hz) were frequency-dependant in the rabbit saphenous arterial rings, and abolished by tetrodotoxin (0.1 micromol x L(-1)). The alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (1 micromol x L(-1)) did not affect the vascular responses to the electric field stimulation (2 -8 Hz). After a combination treatment with both alpha,beta-meATP (3 micromol x L(-1), desensitizing P2X1 receptors) and prazosin (1 micromol x L(-1)), the vasoconstrictive responses to electric field stimulation were abolished. When the arterial preparation was treated with ISMN (one preparation was exposed to only one concentration of ISMN), ISMN at 0.1 mmol x L(-1) significantly inhibited the vasoconstriction induced by electric stimulation at 8 Hz, 0.3 and 1.0 mmol x L(-1) significantly inhibited the vasoconstrictive responses to electric stimulation at 2 - 16 Hz. The highest concentration of ISMN (1.0 mmol x L(-1)) reduced the vasoconstrictive responses by 46% (2 Hz), 47% (4 Hz), 34% (8 Hz) and 22% (16 Hz), separately. ISMN (0.3 and 1.0 mmol x L(-1)) did not affect the vascular responses to exogenous noradrenaline (0.01-100 micromol x L(-1)) and adenosine triphosphate (1 mmol x L(-1)). It is reasonable to suggest that ISMN inhibits the purinergic vasoconstriction induced by sympathetic nerve stimulation via a prejunctional mechanism.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Arteries ; drug effects ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Electric Stimulation ; Isosorbide Dinitrate ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Prazosin ; pharmacology ; Purinergic P2 Receptor Agonists ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the content variation of triptolide in medicinal material of Tripterygium and provide theoretical basis for the hereditary improvement, the gathering and process, the quality evaluation and the provenance division in medicinal material of Tripterygium.

METHODHPLC method was used to determine the content of triptolide.

RESULTThe relations between triptolide and germplasm, growth year, gathering season were found out basically.

CONCLUSIONThe triptolide contents in xylem are affected by hereditary factors remarkably. While the triptolide contents in phloem are not affected obviously. The accumulation of triptolide needs the certain growth years. However when growth is beyond certain years, the triptolide content decreases with the disintegration of secondary metabolism in xylem. The triptolide in xylem is highest in winter and decreasing in growing season. The triptolide in phloem is less affected by the season.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Epoxy Compounds ; analysis ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seasons ; Species Specificity ; Time Factors ; Tripterygium ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Xylem ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between the effort-reward imbalance at work and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers.

METHODSThe effort-reward imbalance at work was conceptualized in terms of the Chinese version of the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Chinese version of the Center of Epidemiology Survey Depression (CES-D) scale. The data came from the cross-sectional survey of 1 179 healthcare workers aged between 18 and 73 employed in 6 affiliated hospitals of Zhejiang University. The questionnaire comprised questions on the effort-reward at work, over-commitment, the full CES-D scale of depression and a range of other characteristics. Univariate analyses were used with Spearman's correlation, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson chi(2) test and likelihood chi(2) test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses was used to discover factors associated with depressive symptoms.

RESULTSThe prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare workers was 48.12% (95% CI: 45.08% to 51.16%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among nurses was 52.40% (95% CI: 47.87% to 56.93%) higher than doctors' 44.70% (95% CI: 10.64% to 48.77%) with the significant difference (chi(2) = 6.077, P = 0.014). Positive associations were found between the high effort-low reward, level of work-related over commitment and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.859, 95% CI: 1.337 to 2.585; OR = 2.207, 95% CI: 1.656 to 2.942) among healthcare workers, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe high effort-low reward and the work-related over-commitment have a negative impact on healthcare workers' health.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Depression ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Models, Psychological ; Occupational Health ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo compare the tubulogenesis capability of malignant glioma-derived microvessel endothelial cells (GDMEC) from human brain with that of ECV304 cells in a three dimentional model and to explore the significance of GDMEC in the study on angiogenesis.

METHODSThe GDMEC were isolated from malignant gliomas of human brain and purified by selective binding to the monoclonal antibody against CD105 bound to the magnetic MACS MicroBeads. GDMEC and endothelial-like cell line ECV304 were compared with their capabilities of formatting tubule-like structure (TLS) in the three dimentional collagen matrix, with or without inducement by various concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

RESULTSThe obtained GDMEC had a high purification (98%) and could be successfully cultured in vitro. GDMECs formed more TLS than ECV304 cells of the same number and at the same time points. VEGF could induce rapid formation of TLS in a dose-dependent manner, however, ECV304 cells were less response to VEGF stimulation.

CONCLUSIONSGDMEC could maintain their endothelial characteristics and potential capability of angiogenesis. They were more response to VEGF than ECV304, therefore, more suitable for in vitro studies on tumor angiogenesis.

Brain Neoplasms ; blood supply ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Glioma ; blood supply ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; Microcirculation ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Aged ; Femur ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

BACKGROUNDScreening libraries against a molecular target in vitro are idealized models that cannot reflect the real state in vivo where biomolecules coexist and interact. C-terminal amide tripeptides labelled with Technetium-99m can provide a unique noninvasive approach to trace a large number of compounds in vivo.

METHODSThe C-terminal amide tripeptide libraries were synthesized on Rink Amide-MBHA resin using iterative and pooling protocol. Technetium (V) oxo core [TcO(3+)] was bound to each tripeptide via 4 deprotonated nitrogen atoms to form a library of 8000 (99m)Tc tripeptoid complexes. The radiocombinatorial screening (RCS) in vivo was carried out on SD rats and A549 tumour bearing mice.

RESULTSSignals of tissue distribution and metabolism of libraries were recorded by counting or imaging and tissue targeting leads identified by both random and directed RCS. Among them, (99m)Tc RPA, (99m)Tc VIG and (99m)Tc RES had specific tissue targeting in kidney, liver and tumour respectively. The percent injected dose per gram tissue of (99m)Tc labelled leads in their target tissue was highly structure dependent. Because the nontarget tissue binding and the metabolism of (99m)Tc tripeptoid sublibraries were simultaneously monitored successfully by RCS, the interference of background activity was limited to the lowest level. Optimization of renal function agent from the labelled libraries was carried out by directed screening. (99m)Tc DSG was finally identified the most promising agent for renal function studies.

CONCLUSIONSRCS in vivo is a powerful tool for the discovery of tissue targeting drugs. The potential screening bias is probably the major limitation of labelled libraries.

Animals ; Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques ; Drug Design ; Female ; Isotope Labeling ; Kidney Function Tests ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; diagnostic imaging ; Peptide Library ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; chemical synthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Technetium ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo observe the X-ray features of bone damage in patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis and the changes of X-ray after treatment with herbal therapy.

METHODSFrom 2007.12 to 2009.8,114 patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group by central randomization system. There were 60 patients in treatment group including 26 males and 34 females,aged from 39 to 60 years with an average of (51.68 +/- 4.98) years; There were 54 patients in control group included 30 males and 24 females, aged from 39 to 60 years with an average of (52.15 +/- 4.86) years. Both treatment and control groups were treated with basic treatment including calcium supplementation and preparation stage with herb decoction. Patients were orally given 600 mg Caltrate everyday for calcium suptrointestinal function and promoting the digestion and absorption of herb decoction for 3 days. Patients in treatment group were rally given Guo's Maqian decoction(200 ml,twice daily) for 8 weeks. Eight weeks later,Guo 's Maqian decoction was replaced y Guokangning capsule (0.44 g per cansule,2 capsules,three times daily) for 4 weeks. The treatment course lasted 12 weeks. The time for followed-up after treatment was 24 weeks. When the treatment finished, 7 experts on orthopaedics and radiology evaluated and statistically analyzed the X-ray features pre and post treatment,using expert evaluation scale (including the appearance and changes of osteosclerosis,osteoporosis softening,joint changes close to the bone and mixed changes) designed referring endemic skeletal fluorosis X-ray findings and sub-degree standard(WS192-2008).

RESULTSAll X-ray features of endemic skeletal fluorosis appeared in the X-ray of the 114 patients with moderate endemic skeletal fluorosis. Osteosclerosis: 4 cases in forearm, 7 in calf,4 in pelvis,4 in lumbar vertebrae ;Osteoporosis and bone softening: 23 cases in forearm patients, 23 in calf, 5 in pelvis, 8 in lumbar vertebrae; Mixed changes: 6 cases in forearm, 9 in calf, 10 in pelvis, 1 in lumbar vertebrae patients; oint changes: 107 cases in forearm, 47 in calf, 28 in pelvis, 19 in lumbar vertebrae. There were X-ray no changes before and after the treatment in all of parts in control group. In treatment group, there were only 2 patients showed extraperiostealin and joint changes after the treatment, in which one showed better ossification of interosseous membrane of leg and another one showed disappearance of the lateral hyperplasia of the left pelvic acetabulum. There were no changes between before and after treatment in X-ray of all parts in the rest patiens of the treatment group. There was no significant difference between before and after treatment in both groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is no obvious improvement in radiology of patients with skeletal fluorosis treated by Guo's therapy.

Adult ; Bone Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endemic Diseases ; Female ; Fluorine ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Osteosclerosis ; chemically induced ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study clinical features, treatment and curative effects in children with acute clenbuterol poisoning, in order to provide a basis for early diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSClinical data of 28 hospitalized children with acute clenbuterol poisoning in April 2011 were retrospectively studied.

RESULTSOf the 28 patients, there were 15 males and 13 females, aged 1 to 13 years (mean age 6.5±4.8 years). Vomiting, palpitations and limb shaking were found as main clinical manifestations in the patients. Main changes of blood biochemical included hypokalemia, lactic acidosis, hyperglycemia, hypsocreatinkinase. Snus tachycardia and S-T segment depression were observed on ECG. Patients' symptoms were gradually alleviated after 12-78 hours by use of beta blockers, potassium supplement, protecting the heart and other symptomatic and supportive treatment. Blood biochemical indexes were improved after 48 hours of admission. All of the patients were cured after 5 days. The symptoms of the patients do not longer occur during a follow up of half a month.

CONCLUSIONSAcute clenbuterol poisoning is characterized by vomiting, palpitations, limb shaking, hypokalemia, lactic acidosis and tachycardia in children. An early effective treatment of this disease can improve prognosis in children.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; poisoning ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clenbuterol ; poisoning ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the effects of geraniin ( Ge) on the pro-liferation and osteogenic differentiation of murine bone marrow mesenchy-mal stem cells ( BMSCs).Methods BMSCs were isolated and cultured from mouse long bones.Four groups were designed, blank group (DMEM/F12 complete medium), Ge low,middle,high -doses groups (1 ×10 -9 ,1 ×10 -8 ,1 ×10 -7 mol· L-1 Ge+DMEM/F12 complete me-dium).Cell counting Kit-8 ( CCK-8) was used to detect the prolifera-tion of BMSCs.Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis.Alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) detection kits were used for the detection of ALP activity.Alizarin Red-S method was used to study the mineralization of BMSCs.Results After 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of osteogenic induction, Ge dose -dependently promoted the proliferation and inhi-bited the cell apoptosis rate of BMSCs.Compared to the blank group (0.29 ±0.03), the A450value of BMSCs treated with three-dose Ge for 3 days were 0.41 ±0.06, 0.37 ±0.04 and 0.33 ±0.05, the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05 ).Compared to the blank group (4.22 ±0.58)%, the cell apoptosis rate of BMSCs treated with three-dose Ge for 3 days were (2.53 ±0.40)%, (3.02 ±0.46)% and (3.71 ±0.54)%, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Meanwhile S phase of cell cycle and the ALP activity increased, G0/G1 phase was down and the cell apoptosis decreased remarkably, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).After 21 day of osteogenic induction, Ge dose -dependently promoted the quantification of numbers of calcium nodules compared with blank group, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion Geraniin could promote proliferation via affecting cell cycle distribution and inhibiting BMSCs apoptosis and it could induce the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.