Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of specific inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)aminoguanidine(AG)in rats with obstructive jaundice.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: normal control group, sham operation group, obstructive jaundice group and aminoguanidine therapeutic group.Each group had 10 rats.We assayed levels of liver function,hemobilirubin, endotoxin,lactic acid and malondialdehyde before and after therapy, and we also analyzed pathology of the liver and small intestine.Then we could explore the therapeutic effect of AG in rats with obstructive jaundice.Results The levels of endotoxin,lactic acid and malondialdehyde in blood increased progressively along with the pathological changes of the liver and small intestine.Each of the AG group parameters was significantly lower, and the pathological changes of liver and small intestine were improved.Conclusion AG could protect liver and small intestine by attenuating lipid peroxidative and endotoxemia,and provide a new way to cure obstructive jaundice.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the first-pass effect and mechanism of vitexin-4′-O-glucoside(VG)in rats so as to pro-vide a basis for new drug development. METHODS:10 SD rats were divided into a group of hepatic portal venous administration and a group of femoral venous administration,which respectively received VG iv at superior mesenteric vein and femoral vein,and then metabolic rate was calculated by finding out the AUC of VG in the rats’livers. 15 SD rats were divided into a group of gastric infusion,a group of intestinal infusion and a group of hepatic portal venous infusion,which respectively received VG by infusion at gastric fundus and duodenum and iv at superior mesenteric vein,and then metabolic rate was calculated by finding out the AUC of VG in the rats’stomachs and intestines. 15 SD rats were divided into a group of intestinal infusion,a group of femoral venous administration and a group of normal saline. At 10 min before administration,the former two groups were given by infusion vera-pamil injection(60 ml/kg),the substrate of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein(P-gp);and the group of normal saline were given by infu-sion of isometric normal saline,and then the rats were given VG as above to observe the effect of verapamil on intestinal absorp-tion of VG. RESULTS:The metabolic rates of VG in the liver,stomach and intestine were 54.9%,1.7% and 91.9% respectively. After infusion of verapamil,slight increase in AUC of VG was found in the rats in the group of intestinal infusion. CONCLU-SIONS:The first-pass effects in the liver and intestine are the main factors related to the low bioavailability of VG. Based on pre-liminary judgment,VG is the substrate of intestinal CYP3A and/or P-gp.

AIM:To investigate the effect of NF-κB binding element deletion on transcriptional regulation of (NOX1).METHODS:pGL3-Basic vector inserted with the NOX1 proximal promoter, and the same vector inserted with the NOX1 proximal promoter in the absence of the positive NF-κB binding element, were constructed.After cloning, diges-tion and purification, NOX1 proximal promoter (≈1 415 bp) was inserted into the multicloning site of the pGL3-Basic vec-tor and then sequenced ( pGL3-NOX1-1415) .NF-κB binding elements in the NOX1 promoters were predicted by Alibaba 2.1 software.The positive element was deleted by overlapping PCR.The deletion mutant was inserted into the pGL3 vector in the same way (pGL3-NOX1-1327).The plasmids were transfected into A549 cells, and then the cells were stimulated with TNF-α.The luciferase activity was monitored on MD SpectraMax M5 enzyme-labeled instrument.RESULTS:The se-quences of pGL3-NOX1-1415 and pGL3-NOX1-1327 were identified to be correct.Compared with control group, the lucif-erase activity was significantly higher in the cells transfected with pGL3-NOX1-1327 (P<0.05), but it was significantly lower than that in the cells transfected with pGL3-NOX1-1415 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: NF-κB plays an essential role in the transcriptional regulation of NOX1 in TNF-α-induced A549 cells.Activated NF-κB binds to specific elements in NOX1 promoter regions to control the transcription.

BACKGROUND:Endogenous hydrogen sulfide can be used as a new gaseous signaling molecule, and has important signal transfer function and biological regulation effects. OBJECTIVE:To study the neuroprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide in rats with acute cauda equina syndrome. METHODS: The 72 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Experimental group, model group: laminectomy was performed at the lumbar 4 (L4) level of the vertebra, and a piece of silicone (10 mm long, 1 mm thick, and 1 mm wide) was placed under the laminae of the L5-6 vertebra to produce the animal model of cauda equina syndrome. Sham surgery group: a simple laminectomy was performed in L4, but silicone was not implanted. In the experimental group, 20 μmol/kg NaHS was injected intraperitonealy at 1 hour before model establishment. Model and sham surgery groups: an equal volume of saline was injected intraperitonealy. At 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after model establishment, malonaldehyde and glutathione levels in cauda equina nerve tissue were detected. Simultaneously, hematoxylin-eosin staining and TUNEL staining were performed at 48 hours. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining demonstrated that cauda equina nerve tissue was dense and regular, with complete myelin sheath, no axon sweling in the sham surgery group. Cauda equina nerve tissue was sparse, with the presence of demyelination, and partial axons and myelin sheath sweling in the model group. Cauda equina nerve tissue was tight, with axonal sweling and demyelination in the experimental group. TUNEL staining demonstrated that the number of positive cels was less in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia in the sham surgery group. Abundant positive cels were detected in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia in the model group. The number of positive cels was significantly lower in the experimental group than that in the model group. Malonaldehyde levels were lower in the sham surgery and experimental groups than in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but glutathione levels were higher than model group (P < 0.05,P < 0.01). These results indicated that hydrogen sulfide could decrease oxidative stress and protect cauda equina nerve in rats with acute cauda equina syndrome.

Objective To investigate the correlation between cytomegalovirus infection and heart rate variability (HRV) in elderly patients with atherosclerosis.Methods 160 patients with coronary heart disease who met World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for coronary heart disease in 1979 were collected.According to the IMTHCMV PP65 antigen test results,patients were divided into positive group (observation group,n=103) and negative group (control group,n=57).We detected the levels of of HRV,metalloprotease-9 (MMP 9) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the two groups in order to access the plaque stability.Results The all sinus standard deviation of RR interval (SDNN),standard deviation of the average NN interval (SDANNI),mean value of sinus standard deviation of RR interval (SDNNI) were lower in observation group than in control group (P ＜0.05).There were no significant differences in square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD) level and percentage of differences exceeding 50ms between adjacent normal number of intervals (PNN50) between the two groups (P＞0.05).The levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein were higher and the levels of MMP 9 AND TNF α were lower in observation group than in the control group (all P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the plaque stability was decreased in observation group [20.4％ (21/103) vs.61.4％ (35/57),x2=4.273,P=0.015].Conclusions Patients with atherosclerosis combined with cytomegalovirus infection have a greater heart rate variability and poorer plaque stability.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and factors associated with knee osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lnpus erythematosus (SLE).Methods Medical charts of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000 to 2013 were reviewed to identify patients who were diagnosed as SLE with kuee osteonecrosis.Controls were selected and matched to the cases by age and sex.The clinical and laboratory variables were compared between SLE patients who were with and without knee osteonecrosis.Numerical data and categorical data comparisons were analyzed using t-test,x2-test,respectively.Results Sixteen patients developed knee osteonecrosis that constituted 0.37％ of all the 4 301 hospitalized SLE patients during the same period.Fifteen patients were female,who developed knee osteonecrosis with an average age of 36 years (range:17-67 years).The mean duratiou of SLE before the diagnosis of knee osteonecrosis was 64±40 months (range:16-120 months).The interval from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 0.5 to 24 months.The distal end of femur was involved in all 16 patients,while the proximal tibia necrosis also occurred in 8 patients.The detection rate of knee osteonecrosis by MRI was 100％,while it was only 19％ by plain radiography.The incidence of skin vasculitis,myositis,osteoporosis,hyperlipidemia,hypoalbuminemia and elevated serum immunoglobin G levels were significantly higher in SLE patients with knee osteonecrosis than in controls (P＜0.05).In addition,the use of anti-malarials was significantly lower in SLE patients with knee osteonecrosis than in controls (P＜0.05).Conclusion The knee osteonecrosis in SLE patients is affected by multifactors.The risk factors include skin vasculitis,myositis osteoporosis,hyperlipidemia,hypoalbuminemia and the elevated immunoglobin G level.The use of antimalarial drugs in SLE patients may protect against knee osteonecrosis development.Knee osteonecrosis coull be diagnosed early by MRI.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of frozen-thawed murine islets which were transplanted into diabetic rats after cultured with hyperbaric oxygenated rotary cell culture system (HORCCS). Methods The purified rat islets were divided into two groups: A. In vitro experiment groups (IvEG) : The rat islets in each subgroup were cultured in HORCCS or common medium for 30 days, then evaluated for the intracellular DNA and insulin contents of islets, and the viability and insulin secreting level of islets. B. Islet transplantation experimental groups (TxEG) : The frozen-thawed islets were cultured in HORCCS or common medium for 7 days, and then transplanted into the recipients. We observed the blood glucose level (BGL) and insulin secreting level in the recipients as well as the uhrastructure change of islets in TxEG. Results The viability and insulin secreting level of islets cultured with HORCCS at 14th day were much higher than those cultured with common medium (P <0.05). The blood glucose level in recipients transplanted with islets cultured with HORCCS recovered to normal value at the 2nd week and lasted for 8 weeks. All these recipients maintained the normal glucose tolerance curve. Electronic microscopy found microchannel outlets on the surface of the frozen-thawed islets cultured with HORCCS. Conclusions Frozen-thawed islets cultured with HORCCS could establish nutrient transmission microchannels, which were not only capable of oxygen and nutrients transmission, but also improving cryopreservation solution to diffuse inside the islet cells evenly and uniformly. So this method not only lessens islet damage from cryopreservation, but also improves the effect of transplantation.

Objective:To explore the prognosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in flood survivors 13 years after they had been diagnosed with PTSD symptoms,and investigate the relationship between their personality traits and the prognosis of PTSD.Method:In this cross-sectional study,the survivors of Dongting Lake flood in 1998-1999 in Hunan in China,who were investigated and screened as PTSD symptoms positive in 2000 were selected as the target population,from which a sample of 200subjects was drawn using amulti-stage random sampling method.The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale Civilian Version (PCL-C) was used to examine and re-screen the participants of PTSD symptoms in order to explore the prognosis of PTSD.Participants whose PCL-C scores were equal to 44 or higher were classified as the PTSD symptoms positive group,while those with PCL-C scores less than 44 were classified as the recovered group.Personality traits were then assessed,using the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC),in both the recovered group and the PTSD symptoms positive group.Finally,the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the prognosis of PTSD and personality traits.Results:Totally 200 subjects were eligible for this study and completed the questionnaires,but 16 of them had their questionnaires excluded from data analysis because they provided incomplete information.Thus,the response rate was 92.0％.According to the PCL-C's cut-off score,22 participants were still screened as PTSD symptoms positive and were classified as the PTSD symptoms positive group,whereas the other 162 participants were screened as PTSD symptoms negative and were classified as the recovered group.Compared with the recovered group,the EPQ-RSC extroversion scores for the PTSD symptoms positive group were significantly lower [(51.8 ± 10.7) vs.(45.1 ± 13.2),P ＜ 0.05] and their neuroticism scores were significantly higher [(46.5 ± 10.1) vs.(58.3 ± 12.2),P ＜ 0.05].The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed,after adjusting for the variables such as gender and age,that higher neuroticism (OR ＝ 3.63,95％ CI:1.05 -12.54) was a risk factor for the persistent PTSD symptoms in the flood survivors.Conclusions:It suggests that neuroticism is associated with prognosis of PTSD in flood survivors,those with higher neuroticism scores appear to have problems to recover from PTSD.

BACKGROUND:Under hypoxic environment, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α plays a dualregulatory role in cel apoptosis. Severity of hypoxia is the key to determine whether cels appear to have apoptosis or adapt to survive. When the cels are exposed to chronic or extreme hypoxia, a lack of protection mechanisms from hypoxia-inducible factor-1α can induce cel apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: To research the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in human lumbar nucleus pulposus of different herniated types and its relationships with cel apoptosis. METHODS: The nucleus pulposus was harvested from 60 cases of herniation of lumbar intervertebral discs, L4-5 in 41 cases and L5-S1 in 19 cases. The nucleus pulposus tissues were equaly divided into protruded and sequestered groups. Meanwhile, the nucleus pulposus tissues from another 10 cases of lumbar spine fracture were taken as control group. Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and apoptosis of lumbar nucleus pulposus cels were observed and detected with immunohistochemical technique and TUNEL method. Correlation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and apoptosis in human lumbar nucleus pulposus of different herniated types was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α was visualized in each case, but it was significantly higher in the sequestered group than in the protruded group and control group (P < 0.01). Apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cels were found in al the three groups, but the apoptotic rate was also higher in the sequestered group than in the protruded group and control group (P < 0.01). Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α was positively correlated with cel apoptosis in human lumbar nucleus pulposus (P < 0.01). Overal, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor1α in degenerative human lumbar nucleus pulposus is associated with herniated types, which is the highest in the sequestered type. The relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and apoptosis is positive.

Objective To study the effect of Src tyrosine kinase inhibition on subcutaneously transplanted tumor of human lung adenocarcinoma in mice and its mechanism. Methods For the subcutaneously transplanted tumor model, A549 cells or PC-9 cells were inoculated into SCID mice by subcutaneous injection. Immunohistochemistry was used to show the effect of Src tyrosine kinase inhibition on proliferation index (Ki-67 staining) and microvessel density (CD31 staining) of subcutaneously transplanted tumor of human lung adenocarcinoma in mice. Results Subcutaneously transplanted tumor of PC-9 cells was sensitive to src tyrosine kinase inhibitor. There was significant difference between treatment group and control group (P <0.01). There was significant difference between the two treatment group too (P <0.01). Stopping treatment for 1 week, the inhibition rate of tumor growth were 33.19 % and 84.79 % in 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 and 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 treatment group, respectively. The same treatment was less effective to subcutaneous tumors produced by A549 cells. Treatment with 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor significantly reduced the proliferation index of subcutaneously transplanted tumor produced by PC-9 cells (P<0.01) and tended to reduce the proliferation index of subcutaneously transplanted tumor produced by A549 cells (P >0.05). Treatment with 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor significantly reduced micro vascular density in both PC-9 and A549 induced subcutaneous tumors (P <0.05). Conclusion Inhibition of Src tyrosine kinase could suppress the progression of subcutaneously transplanted tumor, not only by the inhibition of cell proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells directly, but also by the inhibition of angiogenesis indirectly.