OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Huoxue Lishui Recipe (WHLR) containing serum on the expression of cathepsin L (CatL) in puromycin aminonucleoside-induced injury of mouse glomerular podocytes.

METHODSMouse podocyte cells (MPCs) in vitro cultured were divided into the normal control group, the model group, the dexamethasone (DEX) group, 10% WHLR containing serum group, 20% WHLR containing serum group, the vehicle serum control group. MPCs in the normal control group were cultured at 37 degrees C culture solution for 24 h. 45 mg/L puromycin was acted on MPCs in the model group for 24 h. On the basis of puromycin intervention, 1 limol/L DEX was co-incubated in MPCs of the DEX group for 24 h; 10% or 20% WHLR containing serum was co-incubated in MPCs of the 10% WHLR containing serum group and 20% WHLR containing serum group for 24 h. The vehicle serum control group was also set up by incubating with WHLR containing serum alone for 24 h. The expression of CatL and its substrate Synaptopodin in podocytes were detected by cell immunofluorescence staining. FITC-conjugated phalloidin was used to stain F-actin. A cortical F-actin score index (CFS index) was designed to quantify the degree of cytoskeletal reorganization in cultured podocytes.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the expression of synaptopodin significantly decreased and the expression of CatL significantly-increased in the model group. F-actin arranged in disorder, gradually forming pericellular F-actin ring. CFS index was obviously elevated (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the epression of synaptopodin increased, the expression of CatL decreased, and CFS index also decreased in the DEX group, 10% WHLR containing serum group, and 20% WHLR containing serum group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the DEX group, the expression of synaptopodin decreased in 10% WHLR containing serum group, CFS index also decreased in 20% WHLR containing serum group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWHLR could up-regulate the expression of synaptopodin, down-regulate the expression of CatL, and alleviate cytoskeletal reorganization of F-actin. It was helpful to stabilize the cytoskeleton of F-actin and improve the merging of podocytes.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cathepsin L ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; cytology ; Mice ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Podocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Puromycin Aminonucleoside ; adverse effects ; Up-Regulation

Animals ; Cells ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

A series of isoindoline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their double inhibitory activities. All of them were new compounds, and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and HR-MS. Preliminary in vitro pharmacological tests showed that all compounds exhibited 5-HT or NE reuptake inhibition activity. Among the tested compounds, compound I-3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against 5-HT and NE reuptake in vitro, and exhibited potent antidepressant activity in vivo. These compounds designed can be further optimized for finding more potent 5-HT/NE dual reuptake inhibitors and antidepressant candidates as well.
Antidepressive Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Biological Transport ; Drug Design ; Isoindoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)in the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.Methods We retrospectively re- viewed the clinical outcomes and complications of 33 patients who underwent MPCNL for lower caliceal cal- culi from March 2001 to April 2005.The average diameter of the calculi was 2.8 cm.Single tract nephrosto- my was performed in all 33 cases;among them renal access was obtained through a middle calyx in 10 cases and a lower calyx in 23.Nine cases had F14 renal access;and 24 cases,F16.Results Of 33 cases,28 (85%)achieved stone-free at 1 session.A second-look was needed in 3 cases due to intraoperative bleed- ing;ESWL,in 1 case with residual,calculi;no treatment,in 1 case with residual calculi＜4 ram.The mean operative time was 93 min;mean blood loss was 113 ml;mean hospital stay was 11 d.Blood transfusion was needed in 1 patient who suffered from hepatic cirrhosis preoperatively;another experienced severe bleeding 7 d after operation and was cured with hyperselective spongia gelatinosa embolization of the renal artery.Fol- low-up was available in 19 cases for 2-48 months,and no recurrence of renal calculi was noted.Conclu- sions Minimally invasive percutaneous nepbrolithotomy has advantages of safety,less invasion,and easy re- covery for the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.

Objective To compare the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT, 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy (BS), and combination of the two techniques (PET/CT + BS) for detecting bone metastasis by ROC curve analysis. Methods All 296 patients with various cancers, who underwent both 99Tcm-MDP BS and 18F-FDG PET/CT within two months, were retrospectively analyzed. These images were interpreted according to 5-point scale (0: definitely negative, 1: probably negative, 2: equivocal, 3: probably positive, 4:definitely positive for bone metastasis), and the scale of PET/CT + BS was the sum of PET/CT and BS. In light of the confirmed diagnosis derived from pathology or follow-up, ROC curve analysis was performed.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared by z-test. Results Of 296 cases, 61 (20.6%) were confirmed as bone metastases and 235 (79.4%) were negative. The AUC were 0. 919 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) :0. 867 - 0. 971) for BS, 0. 949 (95% CI: 0. 906 - 0. 991) for PET/CT, and 0. 994 (95% CI: 0.988-0.999) for PET/CT + BS, rctrospectively. The AUC of PET/CT + BS was statistically significantly larger than that of BS (z=2. 866, P=0.004) or PET/CT (z =2.027, P=0.043), while the AUC of PET/CT was larger than that of BS, but no statistically significance (z = 0. 881, P = 0. 378) was showed. The optimal sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) were 90. 2% (55/61), 85. 1% (200/235), 86. 1% (255/296), 61. 1% (55/90), 97. 1%(200/206) for BS, 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% (228/235), 95.3% (282/296), 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% for PET/CT, and 98.4% (60/61), 95.7% (225/235), 96.3% (285/296), 85.7% (60/70) for PET/CT + BS,respectively. The specificity (χ2 = 19.862, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 23. 361, P<0.001) and PPV (χ2 =11. 791, P =0.001) of PET/CT + BS were significantly higher than those of BS, the sensitivity of PET/CT +BS was significantly higher than that of PET/CT (χ2 =4.167, P=0.031). Compared with BS, PET/CT had a higher specificity (χ2 = 19.600, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 13. 755, P <0. 001), PPV (χ2 = 13. 608, P <0. 001), but their sensitivity showed no statistically significant difference (χ2 = 0, P = 1. 000). Conclusions The efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting malignant bone metastasis was superior to that of 99Tcm-MDP BS alone. The detection ability can be obviously improved by combination of the two techniques.

On account of the dense cuticles of the fresh stem and the light, hard and pliable texture of the dried stem, Dendrobii Caulis is difficult to dry or pulverize. So, it is very important to the ancient doctors that Dendrobii Caulis should be properly treated and applied to keep or evoke its medicinal effects. The current textual research results about the preliminary processing, processing and usage methods of Dendrobii Caulis showed that: (1) In history the clinical use of fresh or processed Dendrobii Caulis as teas and tinctures were very common. (2) Its roots and rhizomes would be removed before using. (3) Some ancillary approaches were applied to shorten drying times, such as rinsing with boiling mulberry-ash soup, washing or soaking with liquor, mixing with rice pulp and then basking, etc. (4) According to the ancients knowledge, the sufficient pulverization, by means of slicing, rasping, hitting or pestling techniques, was necessary for Dendrobii Caulis to take its effects. (5) The heat processing methods for Dendrobii Caulis included stir-baking, stir-frying, steaming, decocting and stewing techniques, usually with liquor as an auxiliary material. Among above mentioned, steaming by pretreating with liquor was most commonly used, and this scheme was colorfully drawn in Bu Yi Lei Gong Pao Zhi Bian Lan (Ming Dynasty, 1591 CE) ; moreover, decocting in advance or long-time simmering so as to prepare paste products were recommended in the Qing Dynasty. (6) Some different processing programs involving stir-baking with grit, air-tightly baking with ondol (Kangs), fumigating with sulfur, which appeared in modern times and brought attractive outward appearance of the drug, went against ancients original intentions of ensuring drug efficacy.
Dendrobium ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; history

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect and mechanism of total flavones of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB) on IgA1 induced injury of venous endothelial cells in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) children patients. METHODS Human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) were taken as subject. They were intervened by normal IgA1 and HSP children patients' serum IgA1, and added with different concentrations TFB at the same time. Then they were divided into the blank control group, the normal control group, the HSP IgA1 group, and HSP IgA1 plus TFB (1.0, 0.5, 0.25 mg/mL) groups. Levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in supernate were detected by ELISA. The NO level was detected by nitrate reductase method. mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in HUVECs were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group and the blank control group, levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO all significantly increased in the HSP group (P < 0.05). Compared with the HSP group, levels of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO significantly decreased after intervention of TFB (1.0 and 0.5 mg/mL; P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Results of fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot showed, as compared with the blank control group and the normal control group, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in HSP children patients' serum IgA1 induced venous endothelial cells significantly increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the HSP group, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-KB and ICAM-1 were obviously down-regulated after intervention of TFB (1.0, 0.5, 0.25 mg/mL), with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTFB could protect vascular damage by inhibiting in vivo high expression of NF-κB, reducing the production of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO in vascular endothelial cells of HSP children patients.

Bidens ; chemistry ; Child ; Flavones ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

The author introduces the basic concepts of microsatellite and population genetics and its characteristics, expounds the application of these theories for population genetic structure and genetic diversity, gene flow and evolutionary significant unit ESU division research. This paper discuss its applicationin study of genetic causes, origin of cultivation, different regional origins of geoherbs, aiming at providing a new theory and method for geoherbs.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Genetic Techniques ; Geography ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics

Endothelin can affect the contractile properties of cardiacmyocyte, stimulate myocyte growth and myofibrillogenesis, and increase resistance to apoptosis by intracellular signaling pathways. This article briefly reviews the regulative effects of these signaling pathways including protein kinase C, mitogen activated protein kinase, and phosphoinositide 3'-OH kinase/protein kinase B.
Animals ; Endothelin-1 ; physiology ; Endothelins ; physiology ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction