Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Hematoma ; etiology ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Peritoneal Diseases ; etiology ; Radial Artery

Astragalus polysaccharide has been widely used in food and medicinal industry owing to its health-promoting properties. In order to characterize better the relationship among molecular weight, structure-activity and activities, a simple method was used different concentration of ethanol including 30% (PW30), 50% (PW50), 70% (PW70), 75% (PW75), 80% (PW80) and 90% (PW90) to precipitate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight. As a result, PW90 showed smooth surface and the strongest antioxidant activity among these six fractions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, graded ethanol precipitation was a simple method to separate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight with different antioxidant activity fractions.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacology

?AlM: To investigate the expression of miR-181 in the lens tissue of cataract and the regulating mechanism of miR-181 on apoptosis of human lens epithelial cell.
?METHODS:Real time q-PCR was used to measure the expression of miR-181 in the anterior lens capsules of age - related cataract and human lens epithelial cell apoptosis model. miR- 181 mimic and inhibitor were transfected using Lipofectamine 2 000 to regulate the expression of miR-181, and then Real time q-PCR was used to verify transfection efficiency. Flow cytometry was used to detect the change of cell apoptosis rate.
? RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of miR-181 was significantly higher in both the anterior lens capsules of age-related cataract and human lens epithelial cell apoptosis model; the relative expression of miR-181 in lens epithelial cells transfected with miR-181 mimic was increased, whereas decreased in cells transfected with miR-181 inhibitor;the apoptosis rate of cells transfected with miR - 181 mimic was increased, while reduced in miR-181 inhibitor group. Each result was statistically significant (P<0. 01).
?CONCLUSlON:High expression of miR-181 is detected in anterior lens capsule of age-related cataract. miR-181 might play a certain role in the pathogenesis of cataract via promoting human lens epithelial cell apoptosis. miR-181 probably becomes a new approach for the nonoperative treatment of cataract, but the concrete mechanism still needs to be further studied.

Objective To investigate the incidence,pathogenetic factors,prognosis and correlation factors of acute kidney injury(AKI) in the hospitalized elderly patients. Methods The clinical data of 4781 elderly patients (aged 65 years and over) in our hospital from June 2008 to December 2009 were collected in this study using the hospital information system(HIS).The patients with AKI were picked out and were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 4781patients,515cases (10.8％) suffered from AKI and the incidence of AKI increased with growing age. Single factorial analysis of etiology showed that infections (39.2％) was the most common causes of AKI.Multifactorial analysis revealed that the major causes of AKI were infections (81.0％),followed by hypovolemia (67.2 ％ ),nephrotoxic drugs (64.1％ ),cardiovascular diseases (32.3 ％),respiratory failure(17.7％) and neoplasm (9.5％). Multivariate logistic analysis and cox proportional hazard models indicated multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS),gastrointestinal bleeding,mechanical ventilation and malnutrition were independent risk factors inducing end events such as dialysis or death and influencing time of live. Conclusions There is high incidence of AKI in the elderly hospitalized patient.Infections,hypovolemia,nephrotoxic drugs and cardiovascular diseases are the common causes of AKI.Active treatment of primary diseases,early diagnosis and prevention are beneficial for improving the prognosis of AKI.

To observe the protective effect and mechanism of Sailuotong capsule in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reperfusion model was established. The expressions of dynamin-related protein 1 ( Drp1) and optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were tested by Western blot. The transmission electron microscope was used to observe the changes in the mitochondrial ultra-structure. The pathological morphological changes were observed through the HE staining. The immunohistochemical method was used to test Drp1 and Opa1 expressions. Sailuotong capsule (33, 16.5 mg x kg(-1), ig) can inhibit the abnormal mitochondrial fission and fusion in the cortical area on the ischemia side and the mitochondrial fission gene expression and promote the mitochondrial fusion gene Opa1 expression, so as to alleviate the energy metabolism disorder caused by ischemia/reperfusion. Sailuotong capsule can inhibit the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in peri-ischemic regions and maintain the normal morphology of mitochondria, which may be the mechanism of Sailuotong capsule in promoting the self-recovery function in the ischemic brain region.
Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Dynamins ; genetics ; metabolism ; GTP Phosphohydrolases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVE To established the andrographolide nanosuspensions (ADG-NS) with improved its dissolution and membrane permeability.METHODS ADG-NS were prepared by wet media milling technique.The quality of the nanosuspensions was characterized including the particle size and distribution, Zeta potential, particle morphology and crystal physical state.In vitro dissolution test and Caco-2 permeability test were used to preliminarily evaluate the ADG-NS.RESULTS The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and Zeta potential of ADG-NS were (215.6 ± 3.3) nm, 0.165 ± 0.020 and (-36.9 ± 2.8) mV, respectively.SEM analysis showed that there was no adhesion and aggregation between particles, the particles were rod or block, and the size distribution was uniform.DSC and XRPD results showed that the nanoparticles were present in the amorphous form.The dissolution rate of ADG-NS were significantly enhanced in different pH buffer solutions compared to ADG and commercial dripping pills.Caco-2 permeability test revealed that ADG-NS showed a significant increase in the membrane permeability (Papp) compared to the group of ADG (P<0.01).CONCLUSION The ADG-NS prepared by wet media milling technique can improve the in vitro dissolution rate and membrane permeability of andrographolide (ADG).

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Methods Forty-nine cTnI-negative patients with coronary artery disease who were documented by angiography [31 cases with ACS,18 cases with stable angina (SAP)], and 28 healthy persons were selected as controls. PAPP-A and hs-CRP were analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Circulating PAPP-A and ha-CRP levels were significandy higher in patients with ACS than those in patients with SAP and controls (P < 0.05). PAPP-A threshold value of 2.79 μg/ml identified patients who had ACS with a sensitivity of 81.0% and a specificity of 84.6%. PAPP-A levels were correlated with hs-CRP levels in patients with ACS (r = 0.418, P < 0.01). Conclusion PAPP-A is a strong candidate marker of ACS, especially to eTnl-negative patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of the Weinaokang (WNK) and its active compound bilobalide on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion, and their mechanisms.

METHODThe 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was adopted to establish the 24 h-14 d reperfusion model. The expression of Beclin-1 was detected by the Western blotting technique. The transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes. Neurogenesis was detected by the immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTWNK (20, 10 mg x kg(-1), ig) or its active compound bilobalide (10, 5 mg x kg(-1), ig) could promote the generation of mature neurons (BrdU(+) -MAP-2+) at the ischemic side, and inhibit expression of autophagy-related gene Beclin-1, so as to reduce the neuron injury induced by focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONWNK and its active compound bilobalide can inhibit neuron autophagy and improve neurogenesis in ischemic peripheral area, suggesting that neurogenesis may be the intervention target for WNK to promote self-repairing of ischemic area.

Animals ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Cyclopentanes ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Furans ; pharmacology ; Ginkgolides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Neurons ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest on two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) was demonstrated to help detect coronary artery disease (CAD).However,the optimal cut-off point of GLS and its diagnostic power for detecting critical CAD in non-diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are unknown.In the present study,211 patients with suspected CAD were prospectively included,with DM patients excluded.All patients underwent echocardiography and subsequently coronary angiography within 3 days.Left ventricular (LV) GLSs were quantified by 2D STE.Territorial peak systolic longitudinal strains (TLSs) were calculated based on the perfusion territories of the 3-epicardial coronary arteries in a 17-segment LV model.Critical CAD was defined as an area stenosis ≥70％ in ≥1 epicardial coronary artery (≥50％ in left main coronary artery).Totally 145 patients were diagnosed as having critical CAD by coronary angiography.Significant differences were observed in all strain parameters between patients with and without critical CAD.The area under the receiver operating charcteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for GLS in the detection of left main (LM) or threevessel CAD was 0.875 at a cut-off value of-19.05％ with sensitivity of 78.1％ and specificity of 72.7％,which increased to 0.926 after exclusion of apical segments (cut-off value-18.66％;sensitivity 84.4％ and specificity 81.8％).The values of TLSs were significantly lower in regions supplied by stenotic arteries than in those by non-stenotic arteries.The AUC for the TLSs to identify critical stenosis of left circumflex (LCX) artery,left anterior descending (LAD) artery and right coronary artery (RCA),in order of diagnostic accuracy,was 0.818 for LCX,0.764 for LAD and 0.723 for RCA,respectively.In conclusion,in non-DM patients with suspected CAD,GLS assessed by 2D STE is an excellent predictor for LM or three-vessel CAD with high diagnostic accuracy,and a higher cut-off point than reported before should be used.Excluding apical segments in the calculation of GLS can further improve the predictive accuracy of GLS.It is unsatisfactory for TLSs to be used to identify stenotic coronary arteries.