AIM: To analyze the effects of pterostilbene on myocardial function, myocardial fibrosis and inflammatory response in rats with acute myocardial infarction and on Notch1/eIF3a signaling pathway. METHODS: Seventy-five Wistar male rats of SPF grade were selected and divided into 5 groups. The low-, medium-, high-dose groups of pterostilbene were pretreated with pterostilbene solution before modeling. The dosage was 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of the pterostilbene sputum solution, rats of the model group and the normal group were intragastrically administered with the same dose of normal saline; except for the normal group, other rats were prepared with AMI model. The left ventricular function, cardiac blood flow index, myocardial histopathology and fibrosis, myocardial inflammatory factor content, eIF3a and Notch1 protein and mRNA expression were observed. RESULTS: LVFS and LVEF were lower in the model group than in the normal group. LVEDd, LVESd, LVESV and LVEDV were higher than those in the normal group. The LVFS and LVEF in the low, medium and high dose groups of the pterostilbene were higher than those in the model group, LVEDd, LVESd, LVESV, and LVEDV were lower than the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).In the model group, the -dp/dtmax, +dp/dtmax, and LVSP were lower than the normal group, and the LVEDP was higher than the normal group. The -dp/dtmax, +dp/dtmax, and LVSP in the low, medium, and high dose groups of the pterostilbene were increased as compared with model group; while LVEDP was lower than the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the myocardial tissue of the model group were higher than those in the normal group. The contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the myocardial tissue of rats with low, medium and dose groups of the pterostilbene were decreased as compared with the model group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression of eIF3a and Notch1 protein and mRNA in the myocardial tissue of the model group was higher than that in the normal group. eIF3a, Notch1 protein and mRNA expression in the low-, medium-, and high-dose rat myocardial tissue were lower than the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The development of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in AMI rats may be associated with the increase of eIF3a expression in the downstream of Notch signaling pathway. Pretreatment of pterostilbene can significantly improve ventricular remodeling in AMI rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of eIF3a and Notch1 expression.

Curcumae Radix, Curcumae Rhizoma, and Wenyujin Rhizoma Concisum all are genuine medicinal materials. The main processing methods of Curcumae Radix are frying, wine, vinegar, and steaming. The main processing methods of Curcumae Rhizoma are wine, vinegar, and steaming; The main processing methods of Wenyujin Rhizoma Concisum is cutting process. At present, the three mainly chemical compositions are oil of zedoary turmeric, curdione, elemene, and curcuminoids, and the three main active ingredients are volatile oil and curcumin. Curcumae Radix has many pharmacologic activities such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, ease pain, relieve fever, anti-oxidant, and anti-thrombosis. The pharmacologic activities of Curcumae Rhizoma are antitumor, anti-mutagenesis, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, ease pain, anti-thrombosis, and strengthen immunity. There are many pharmacologic effects of Wenyujin Rhizoma Concisum, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-early pregnancy, and terminal pregnancy. The results of clinical study showed that all three kinds of pieces had antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic effects. The processing history and the modern research development of Curcumae Radix, Curcumae Rhizoma, and Wenyujin Rhizoma Concisum were reviewed in this study, which provided reference and basis for the research of the processing.

From the event of TU You-you winning the Nobel Prize, this paper briefly reviewed the history of formation and development of policies on Chinese medicine (CM) in China. On the basis of analyzing the causes of policies on CM, it is believed that policies on CM in China may have 4 kinds of enlightenments to the development of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the world. Forming the political advantages of policy-making by main leaders of the country attaching importance to CAM; implementing a diversified health care system policy for the goal of maximizing people's health interests; ensuring development of CAM by the coerciveness of law and the timeliness of policy adjustment; and promoting the protection and mining, sorting out and improving of CAM based on open and comprehensive policies.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of curcumin on nitric oxide (NO) in plasma of atherosclerotic rabbits, activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and discuss curcumin's effect against AS and its correlation with ADMA.

METHODThirty-eight male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (eight rabbits fed with standard diets), the model group (ten rabbits fed with high-fat diets), the low dose curcumin group (ten rabbits fed with high-fat diets and 100 mg . kg-1 d -1 ) and the high dose curcumin group (ten rabbits fed with high-fat diets and 200 mg kg-1 d-1 curcumin). At the end of the 12th week, their plasmas were tested for TC, LDL-C, NO, endothelin (ET) , ADMA and activity of aortic cNOS. Aortic tissues were collected for histological examinations.

RESULTThe three groups fed with high-fat diets showed higher plasma ADMA and ET than the control group (P <0. 01) , but with decrease in plasma NO concentration and arterial cNOS activity (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group (P <0. 05) , the curcumin groups showed lower plasma ADMA and ET (P <0. 05), but higher plasma NO concentration and arterial cNOS activity than the model group (P <0. 01). There was no significant difference between the two curcumin groups.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin may play an important protective role in AS process by reducing plasma ADMA level. [Key words] atherosclerosis; asymmetric dimethylarginine; crucumin; nitric oxide; nitric oxide synthase

Animals ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; therapeutic use ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rabbits

Ionic liquids are not limited to the traditional use of solvents because of their high permeability and excellent physicochemical and unique biological properties. Nowadays, with the deep understanding of their toxicity and biocompatibility, ionic liquids have been tailored as novel solutions to address potential problems of marketed drugs. Based on the research and development of modified new drugs, ionic liquids have been incorporated into drug synthesis and emerged as attractive environmental-friendly reaction media with milder reaction conditions, higher yields and easier reaction workups and drug delivery systems. In addition, they have been designed for effective drug carriers removing undesirable properties of solid drugs. Further, ionic liquids forming active pharmaceutical ingredients dedicated to the liquefaction of drugs for promising clinical applications.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Conduction System

【Objective】To observe and assess the changes of refraction error，axial length，anterior chamber depth， intraocular pressure，and corneal topography parameters 1 month after discontinuation of orthokeratology，and analyse the related factors of refraction error growth. 【Methods】 This was a retrospective self-control clinical study ． A total of 66 children（66 eyes）with a history of wearing orthokeratology lens and voluntary discontinuation，aged 8 to 15 years，were enrolled in this study. They had worn orthokeratology lens for about 1 year，averaged 13（S = 3）months，with about 1 month of discontinuation ，averaged 29（S = 4）days. Observation of refraction error ，axial length ，anterior chamber depth ， intraocular pressure，and corneal topography parameters were taken before wearing orthokeratology lens and 1 month after discontinuation，and the changes and correlation were analyzed by paired t test and linear regression analyses.【Results】 Compared with the values at baseline，spherical equivalent refraction error and cylindrical degree increased［-0.13（-0.50~0.00）］D and［0.00（-0.25~0.00）］D，（P = 0.113）after 1 month of discontinuation，respectively. The value of steep Keratometry，and that of flat K，Em and Es both decreased 了 0.10（- 0.10~0.30）D，0.20（0.00~0.48）D，- 0.10（- 0.30~0.20）D，（P1 = 0.001，P2 < 0.001，P3 = 0.015）. Significantly，change of refraction error was only strongly correlated with axial elongation（X），and we built a predictive model for growth of refraction error（Y）：＾y = -1.294X+0.095（P < 0.001）.【Conclusion】 Refractive error exceed to baseline values completely ，and corneal power rebounded to baseline values basically after 1 month of discontinuation in children who wore orthokeratology lens for about 1 year.

Objective To evaluate CT in the diagnosis of olfactoryneuroblastoma.Methods The CT characteristics of 7 cases with esthesioneuroblastoma proven by surgery and biopsy were analyzed retrospectively.Results According to Kadish staging,there were 6 cases with stage C,1 case with stage B.All the tumor located in nasal cavity and invaded ethmoid sinus(7 cases),orbit(3 cases),maxillary sinus(2 cases),sphenoid sinus (2 cases),frontal sinus(1 cases).Intracranial invasion occurred in 3 cases.Among 4 cases of enhanced CT scanning,3 cases were obviously and heterogeneously enhanced,1 case was moderately enhanced.Conclusion CT scanning can define the area of tumor involvement and tumor staging,it is useful for clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the expression and activity of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) in the cavernous vascular structural remodeling of diabetic rats.Methods 52 adult male SD rats were randomly assigned to experimental group(DM) and control group(NDM).In DM group,diabetes was induced in rats 4 days after intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin.HbA1c was measured on 2,4,8,and 16 weeks after injection.Penile tissues were harvested.The protein expression of TGFβ1 and eNOS in situ was evaluated by the Envision immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to NDM group,the expression of the HbA1c increased significantly in DM group on the 16th week(P ＜0.01),both the penile erection rate and penile erectile times decreased significantly in DM group on the 16th week (P ＜ 0.01),and the value of eNOS decreased on the 16th week(P ＜0.01).The expression of TGF-β1 went up in DM group compared to NDM group on the 8th week (P ＜ 0.01) and sustained to the 16th week (P ＞ 0.05).In DM group,we found that TGF-β1 protein in cavernous body of penis was positively related with age in weeks(r =0.947,P ＜0.01) ; and eNOS in cavernous body of penis was negatively related with age in weeks (r =-0.945,P ＜ 0.01).Meanwhile,the expression of TGF-β was negatively related with the eNOS(r =-0.891,P ＜0.01).Conclusion Our results indicate that TGF-β1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic erectile dysfunction(ED) and TGF-β1 inhibition may be a promising strategy to prevent development of diabetic ED.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been extensively studied over the decades and have been identified as potential molecular targets for cancer therapy. To date, many miRNAs have been found participating in the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study was designed to evaluate the functions of miR-125b-1-3p in NSCLC cells. Methods: MiR-125b-1-3p expression was detected in tissue samples from 21 NSCLC patients and in NSCLC cell lines using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. A549 cell lines were transfected with a miR-125b-1-3p mimic or miR-125b-1-3p antisense. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing, Matrigel invasion assays, and flow cytometry were used to assess the effects of these transfections on cell growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins, expression of S1PR1, and the phosphorylation status of STAT3. Significant differences between groups were estimated using Student's t-test or a one-way analysis of variance. Results: MiR-125b-1-3p was downregulated in NSCLC samples and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-125b-1-3p inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation (37.8 ± 9.1%, t = 3.191, P = 0.013), migration (42.3 ± 6.7%, t = 6.321, P = 0.003), and invasion (57.6 ± 11.3%, t = 4.112, P = 0.001) and simultaneously induced more NSCLC cell apoptosis (2.76 ± 0.78 folds, t = 3.772, P = 0.001). MiR-125b-1-3p antisense resulted in completely opposite results. S1PR1 was found as the target gene of miR-125b-1-3p. Overexpression of miR-125b-1-3p inhibited S1PR1 protein expression (27.4 ± 6.1% of control, t = 4.083, P = 0.007). In addition, S1PR1 siRNA decreased STAT3 phosphorylation (16.4 ± 0.14% of control, t = 3.023, P = 0.015), as in cells overexpressing miR-125b-1-3p (16.7 ± 0.17% of control, t = 4.162, P = 0.026). Conclusion Our results suggest that miR-125b-1-3p exerts antitumor functions in NSCLC cells by targeting S1PR1.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness