Objective To investigate whether Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) is capable of activating Rho kinase pathway which leads to smooth muscle cell proliferation and the intervention function of Rosuvastatin, and clarify the mechanism and intervention manner of anti-atherosclerosis by Rosuvastatin. Methods Wistar neonate rat smooth muscle cells were cultured, and the activity of cell proliferation was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). The expression of Rho kinase genes after the stimulation of TNFα was evaluated by RT-PCR. Western blot method was used to measure the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after TNFα stimulation and Rosuvastatin intervention in smooth muscle cell. Results The TNFα stimulation significantly enhanced the expression of Rho kinase and increased the expression of PCNA protein in smooth muscle cells (P < 0.05). These effects were positively correlated with prolonged treatment whereas additional Rosuvastatin administration inhibited the above-mentioned effects (P < 0.05). Conclusions The activation of TNFα mediated Rho kinase signaling pathway can significantly promote smooth muscle cell proliferation, and Rosuvastatin can not only inhibit this pathway but also the induced proliferation.

The expressions of StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) mRNA in testes from 7,14,23 and 37 day-old piglets were studied by tissue in situ hybridization. The results indicated that in the testes of piglets, StARmRNA was expressed in Leydig cells of pig testes. The expression level of StARmRNA was lower in 7 days piglets but higher in 14,23,37 days. The results indicated that StAR gene played an important role in steroid biosynthesis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in matrix metalloproteinase-2,7 (MMP-2,7) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in deep partial thickness burn during the process of wound healing, and the effects of bFGF on wound healing.

METHODSThe rats inflicted by 30% TBSA deep partial thickness burn were randomly divided into simple scald and bFGF treatment groups. Biopsies from wound skin were harvested at 3 and 6PBHs and 1, 3, 7, 14 PBDs for the detection of the epithelialization rate and collagen content. The above indices were also detected in the skin of another 6 normal rats as normal control.

RESULTS(1) The epithelialization rate in bFGF treatment group was higher than that in simple scald group during 3PBH to 14 PBD. (2) The collagen contents in both bFGF treatment group and simple scald group were continually decreased during 3 PBH to 3 PBD, and increased from 7 to 14 PBD, but still lower than that in normal control (P < 0.05). (3) The expression of MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 in simple scald group enhanced from 1 to 14 PBD, and peaked on 7 PBD. (4) The expression of MMP-2,7 in bFGF treatment group was similar to that in simple scald group from 3 to 6 PBH, while the expressions of MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 was higher than those in simple scald group from 1 to 14 PBD.

CONCLUSIONThe collagen deposition would be affected by the activities of extracellular matrix in scald wound in rats. Changes in MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 expressions were an important process of wound repair, which was closely related to the acceleration of wound healing by the application of bFGF.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Collagen ; analysis ; Epithelium ; physiology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; analysis ; Wound Healing

A quantitative HPLC-DAD method was developed for simultaneous determination of N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine and N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine in Solani Melongenae Radix from different cultivation regions in China The separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse XDB C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 30 degrees C with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was 300 nm. The calibration curves of N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine and N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine were linear over the ranges of 2.84-68.16, 3.10-74.40 mg x L(-1), and the average recoveries (n = 9) were 99.30% and 102.8%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of sixteen samples from different cultivation regions in China, which indicated that the method is simple, rapid, accurate, and reliable for quality evaluation of Solani Melongenae Radix.
Amides ; analysis ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Solanaceae ; chemistry ; classification

AIMTo investigate the preventive and reversional effect of praeruptorum caumarin compound on left ventricular hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR) and its mechanism.

METHODSThe two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) RHR model was used. The blood pressure, wet weight of the left ventricle, surface area of myocardial cells, resting [Ca2+]i level and Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of myocardial membrane and mitochondria were measured.

RESULTSPraeruptorum caumarin 30 mg.kg-1.d-1 was given ig for 9 weeks from the 6th or 9th week after operation in the preventive or regressive group. The blood pressure, left ventricle wet weight and area of myocardial cells of the preventive and regressive group were significantly reduced than that of the LVH group. The resting [Ca2+]i of the both praeruptorum caumarin treated groups (121 +/- 13, 133 +/- 9 nmol.L-1) were lower than that of the LVH group (158 +/- 7 nmol.L-1). The KCl-induced [Ca2+]i elevation was decreased more significantly in preventive and regressive group than that of the hypertrophic myocytes. The activity of Na+, K(+)-ATPase and Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase increased by 40% and 93% in the preventive group, 28.4% and 48.8% in regressive group than that of the LVH group.

CONCLUSIONPraeruptorum caumarin was shown to prevent and reverse hypertrophy of LVH by lowering [Ca2+]i and increasing the ATPase activity.

Animals ; Apiaceae ; chemistry ; Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Separation ; Coumarins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mitochondria ; enzymology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the aberrant methylation of CpG island in 5′promoter region of p16 gene in the pancreatic juice and its value in diagnosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods:Pure pancreatic juice(PPJ)was collected from the pancreatic duct by a nasopancreatic tube put under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP). Cytological examination was performed by H-E staining in pure pancreatic juice.Aberrant p16 methylation was detected using the methylation specific PCR(MSP)in the PPJ.Results:The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy cytological examination in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were 40%,100%,100%,45.4% and 60.0%,respectively.The DNA sequences were successfully extracted from the PPJ of 30 patients with pancreatic diseases and were subjected to MSP.Seven(35%)of the 20 cases with pancreatic cancer showed aberrant methylation of p16 gene.No aberrant methylation was detected in the pancreatic juice samples of patients with chronic pancreatitis and mucinous cystoadenocarcinoma of pancreas.When cytological examination combined with p16 methylation detection,the sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were 55%,100%, 100%,52.6% and 70%,respectively.Conclusion:Pancreatic juice collected by nasopancreatic drainage during ERCP can be used for molecular analysis.Detection of aberrant methylation of p16 gene in pancreatic juice combined with cytological examination is a better method for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the voice rehabilitation status in different period after treatment of Tis--T1 glottic carcinoma by CO2 laser with voice parameters. METHOD: A retrospective review of 41 cases with Tis--T1 glottic carcinoma treated by CO2 laser was performed, 23 cases were stage Tis (Tis group) and 18 cases with stage T1N0M0 (T1 group). The range of excision of the lesion by CO2 laser was according to the different stages of the tumor, and ensured theoperation negative margin was by intraoperative frozen pathological examination. We tested and compared the actual voice (coritaine F0, Jitter, Shimmer, NNE and MPT) of 30 cases of healthy middle-aged and old male(normal group) and all the patients at one day prior to operation, three months, six months and one year after operation respectively, which was to evaluate the voice rehabilitation status in different period after operation objectively. RESULT: Postoperative pathological examination revealed, 23 cases were squamous epithelium severe atypical hyperplasia, 16 cases were well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 cases were moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Palatoglossal arch mucosal tear occurred in 3 patients. Respiratory difficulties were not seen in all cases, and normal oral feeding was obtained in all cases in postoperative three days. All patients were followed up for one year. There was statistical significance in F0, Jitter, Shimmer of both Tis group and T1 group after operation in different periods(P<0.05). But there was no statistical significance in NNE and MPT between six months and one years after operation in the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION CO2 laser surgery is an effective treatment for early glottic carcinoma. Postoperative vocal function was improved in varying degrees, and voice quality gradually improved with the rehabilitation time. Partly objective parameters reflecting the vocal function gradually stabilized after half a year after operation.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; complications ; therapy ; Glottis ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; complications ; therapy ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Gas ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Voice Quality

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical signification of screening 16 target deafness mutations in GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4, WFS1 and mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA in 135 children patients with non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL) in Zibo City, Shandong province. METHOD: Peripheral blood samples of 135 subjects in the study diagnosed as NSHL were collected; Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were used to analyze the 16 mutation spots. RESULT: Sixty-two cases of 135 patients (45.9%, 62/135) were found out to be carries of at least one pathogenic gene mutation. Among them, 24 cases (17.8%, 24/135) had two mutated alleles (homozygote and compound heterozygote), and 38 cases (28.1%, 38/135) were single mutant carriers. Among all the children patients, 30 cases (22. 2%, 30/135) had SLC26A4 mutations, and 19 cases (14.1%, 19/135) had GJB2 mutations. In the study 86 Mutant alleles were detected, and the allele frequency of SLC26A4 c. 766_2A > G and GJB2 c. 235delC was 11.11% (30/270) and 8.5% (23/270) respectively. The allele frequency of SLC26A4 c. 2168A > G and WFS1 c. 2158A > G is 2.6% (7/270). CONCLUSION SLC26A4 mutation is the primary cause of the patients with NSHL in this study, and GJB2 mutation is the secondary. The most common mutant form is c. 766_2A of SLC26A4, and the second is c. 235delC of GJB2. GJB3 and WFS1 mutations were detected, whereas mtDNA mutations were not found out in this study.
Alleles ; Child ; Connexins ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Deafness ; Gene Frequency ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal

The quality of Chinese medicinal materials relates greatly to the clinical curative effect and security. In order to ensure the quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials, a systematic and operable traceability system needs to be established. It can realize the whole process of quality and safety management of Chinese medicinal materials "from production to consumption" through recording and inquiring information and recalling defective products, which is an important direction for the future development of traditional Chinese medicine. But it is still at the exploration and trial stage. In this paper, a framework of Chinese medicinal materials' quality and safety traceability system was established on the basis of the domestic and international experience about the construction of food and agricultural products traceability systems. The relationship between traceability system of Chinese medicinal materials' quality and GAP, GMP, GSP was analyzed, and the possible problems and the corresponding solutions were discussed.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PI3K p85alpha in normal colorectal tissue, colorectal adenoma and primary colorectal carcinoma and explore its significance in the progression of colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe expression of PI3K p85alpha was detected in 116 normal colorectal tissue, colorectal adenoma and primary colorectal carcinoma specimens using immunohistochemical staining, and the relationship between the expression of PI3K p85alpha protein and the clinicopathological factors was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of the expression of PI3K p85alpha protein increased gradually in the progression of colorectal cancer and showed significant differences between the tissues (P<0.05). A significant difference was also noted in the positivity rates of the PI3K p85alpha expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues at different Dukes' stages (P<0.05). No obvious correlation was found between PI3K p85alpha expression and the degree of the tumor differentiation.

CONCLUSIONSAbnormal PI3K p85alpha expression occurs in the progression of colorectal cancer in close relation to the clinical stage, and the PI3K/AKT pathway plays an important role in the progression of colorectal cancer.

Adenoma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Young Adult