Alkaloids ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Chemical Phenomena ; Chemistry ; Harringtonines

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of taurine (Tau) on the proliferation of hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and study whether the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway participated in the Tau-inhibited PASMC proliferation process and the possible molecular mechanism.

METHODThe primary culture was performed for PASMCs in rats. The second to fifth generations were adopted for the experiment. The Tau concentration was 80 mmol x L(-1). The concentration of ERK1/2 blocker (PD98059) was 50 micromol x L(-1). The drug administration time was 24 h. The effect of Tau on the PASMC proliferation was detected by MTT assay, immunofluorescence staining method and western blot under different conditions. The PASMCs were growing were divided into four groups: the normoxia group, the normoxia + Tau group, the hypoxia group and the hypoxia + Tau group. The Western blot was adopted to detect whether the ERK1/2 signal pathway participated in the Tau-inhibited PASMC proliferation process. Subsequently, the PASMCs were divided into five groups: the normoxia group, the hypoxia group, the hypoxia + Tau group, the hypoxia + Tau + PD98059 group and the hypoxia + PD98059 group.

RESULTHypoxia could induce the PASMC proliferation. Under the conditions of normoxia, Tau had no effect on the PASMC proliferation. Under the conditions of normoxia and hypoxia, Tau had no effect on the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) among PASMCs. Tau could reverse the expression up-regulation of hypoxia-induced proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (P < 0.01) and Cyclin A (Cyclin A) (P < 0. 05). Under the conditions of normoxia, Tau had no effect on the expression of phosphoryl extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2). Hypoxia could up-regulate the p-ERK1/2 expression (P < 0.01). Tau could reverse the up-regulation of the hypoxia-induced p-ERK1/2 expression(P < 0.01). Both PD98059 and Tau could inhibit the up-regulated expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A and p-ERK1/2. According to the comparison between the single addition of Tau and PD98059 under conditions of hypoxia, the hypoxia + Tau + PD98059 group showed more significant down-regulation in the expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A and p-ERK1/2.

CONCLUSIONTau could inhibit the hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation, and may regulate it through ERK1/2 pathway.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Taurine ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Adult ; Agriculture ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plastics ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of single administration of aqueous extracts from aconite on "dose-toxicity" relationship and "time-toxicity" relationship of mice hearts, through changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) and serum biochemical indexes.

METHODMice were grouped according to different drug doses and time points, and orally administered with water extracts from aconite for once to observe the changes of mice ECG before and after the administration, calculate visceral indexes heart, liver and kidney, and detect levels of CK, LDH, BNP and CTn-I in serum.

RESULTAccording to the "time-toxicity" relationship study, at 5 min after oral administration with aqueous extracts from aconite in mice, the heart rate of mice began rising, reached peak at 60 min and then slowly reduced; QRS, R amplitude, T duration and amplitude and QT interval declined at 5 min, reduced to the bottom at 60 min and then gradually elevated. The levels of CK, LDH, BNP and CTn-I in serum elevated at 5 min and reached the peak at 60 min, with no significant change in ratios of organs to body at different time points. On the basis of the "dose-toxicity" relationship, with the increase in single dose of aqueous extracts from aconite, the heart rate of mice. QRS, T duration and amplitude and QT interval declined gradually, and levels of CK, LDH, BNP and CTn-I in serum slowly elevated, with a certain dose dependence and no significant change in ratios of organs to body in mice.

CONCLUSIONSingle oral administration of different doses of aqueous extracts from aconite could cause different degrees of heart injury at different time points, with a certain dose dependence. Its peak time of toxicity is at 60 min after the administration of aqueous extracts from aconite.

Aconitum ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice

Background Research demonstrated that alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid GluR2 (AMPA-GluR2) is associated with amblyopia.It has been shown that levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline can improve visual function of amblyopic children,but the mechanism is unclear.Objective This study was to explore the possible effects of levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline on amblyopia.Methods Monocular deprivation (MD) animal models were created in 60 2-week-old SD rats by monolateral eyelid suturing and observed for 31 days and reared in natural light together with 15 other matched normal healthy SD rats.The models were randomly divided into the MD group,levodopa group,cytidine diphosphate choline group and normal saline control group,with 15 rats for each group.40 mg/kg of levodopa,80 mg/kg of cytidine diphosphate choline,I ml normal saline were given to the rats,respectively,for 28 consecutive days.Expressions of the AMPA-CluR2 protein and AMPA-CluR2 mRNA in the rat visual cortex were detected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein (AMPA-GluR2/β-actin) and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA (2-△△Ct) were significantly lower in the MD group than those of the normal control group (protein:0.32 ± 0.02 vs.0.64 ± 0.05,t =13.287,P＜0.05 ;mRNA:0.30±0.01 vs.0.84±0.03,t=38.184,P＜0.05).Those in the levodopa group were significantly increased in comparison with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.59 ±0.04 vs.0.33 ±0.03,t =11.628,P＜0.05 ; mRNA:0.71±0.06 vs.0.33 ±0.02,t =13.435,P＜0.05).The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA were significantly increased in the cytidine diphosphate choline group compared with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.52 ± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.03,t =8.497,P ＜ 0.05 ; mRNA:0.48± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.02,t =7.500,P＜0.05).Conclusions AMPA-GluR2 is associated with the plasticity of visual development.Levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline may improve visual function by down-regulating the expression of AMPA-GluR2 in the visual cortex.

Objective To analyze monitoring results of iodized salt and distribution characteristics of problem areas with non-iodized salt in Gansu province during 2001 - 2009 and to provide a basis to develop countermeasures to iodine deficiency disorders. Methods According to the criterion of "The National Scheme of Iodized Salt Surveillance", two levels of monitoring were carried out on production and wholesale-level(during 2001 -2007) and household-level(during 2001 - 2009). Salt iodine was determined by direct titration method (GB/T13025.7-1999), and Sichuan salt or special salt was determined with an arbitration method. Criteria for qualified iodized salt was (35 ± 15)mg/kg(20 - 50 mg/kg), and for non-iodized salt was ＜ 5 mg/kg. Results During 2001 - 2007, a total of 4900 salt samples at production and wholesale-levels were examined, with a qualification rate of 97.80% (4792/4900). Non-iodized salt rates were all below 5% in Gansu province, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was higher than 90% after 2003. During 2001 - 2009, cities(states) with non-iodized salt problems appeared 23 times, with Linxia accounting for 39.1%(9/23), Wuwei accounting for 21.7%(5/23). During 2001 -2009, counties(districts) with non-iodized salt problem appeared 123 times, including 68 times of ethnic minorities and state poverty counties, accounting for 55.3%(68/123). During 2001 - 2005 and 2006 - 2009, ethnic minorities and state poverty counties were accounting for 49.4%(44/89) and 70.6%(24/34) in counties with non-iodized salt problem. Conclusions The quality of iodized-salt at production and wholesale level is satisfactory in Gansu province, household consumption rate of qualified iodized salt have reached national standard for eliminating iodine deficiency disorders. But ethnic minorities and state poverty counties are main regions with non-iodized salt problem,these areas will be the key areas of prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in Gansu province in the future.

Clove oil and turmeric oil were absorbed by mesoporous carbon. The absorption ratio of mesoporous carbon to volatile oil was optimized with the eugenol yield and curcumol yield as criteria Curing powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorietry (DSC). The effects of mesoporous carbon on dissolution in vitro and thermal stability of active components were studied. They reached high adsorption rate when the absorption ratio of mesoporous carbon to volatile oil was 1:1. When volatile oil was absorbed, dissolution rate of active components had a little improvement and their thermal stability improved after volatile oil was absorbed by the loss rate decreasing more than 50%. Absorbing herbal volatile oil with mesoporous carbon deserves further studying.
Adsorption ; Carbon ; chemistry ; Drug Stability ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; methods ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo study perioperative inflammatory response status in patients with acute aortic dissection. To analyze the reason and outcome of the inflammatory activation.

METHODSBetween August 2011 and December 2011, 30 patients (22 male and 8 female, mean aged (43 ± 9) years) had undergone open repairs of aortic dissection or aneurysm with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Indications for surgical intervention were type A aortic dissection in 26 patients and aortic aneurysm in 4 patients. In detail, ascending aorta and arch replacement combined with stent elephant trunk were done in 29 patients, arch replacement combined with stent elephant trunk in 1 patient. According to the time from clinical onset of the dissection to operation, acute group (less than 7 days, group A) 20 patients, chronic group (more than 30 days and aortic aneurysm, group C) 10 patients. White blood cell, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were assayed before and after operation. These valuables were recorded and compared statistically between two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in age, operation time, and blood transfusion volume (P > 0.05). Preoperative serum level of inflammatory indicators in group A were significant higher than in group C (t > 3, P < 0.05). Postoperative serum peak level of these indicators were significant higher than preoperative level in both groups (t > 4, P < 0.05). There were much more complications occurred on patients in group A (21 cases) than in group C (0 cases). The occurrence of early postoperative complications in group A was much higher than group C (χ(2) = 12.209, P = 0.000). Mechanic ventilation time in group A and group C were (35 ± 58) hours and (18 ± 9) hours respectively. ICU length of stay in two group were (49 ± 61) hours and (33 ± 12) hours, respectively. The patients with mechanic ventilation time more than 24 h, ICU length of stay more than 5 days in group A was more than in group C significantly (χ(2) = 5.161, P = 0.010; χ(2) = 3.657, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONSAcute aortic dissection and surgical procedure induce an acute phase inflammatory reaction. The patients with acute aortic dissection involved more serious organic injury and worse outcome following surgery compared with chronic aortic dissection.

Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; blood ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; blood ; surgery ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period

Flavonoids are natural products that are ubiquitous in the natural world, with wide physiological activities and low toxic and side effects. In recent years, their anti-tumor effect has caused widespread concern and studies. According to the findings, flavonoids have prominent effects in preventing and treating lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer and so on. Their anti-tumor mechanisms mainly include anti-oxidation, anti-free radical, induction of apoptosis of cancer cells, impact on cell cycle, immune regulation, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, inhibition of COX-2, inhibition of telomerase activity and so on. This article focuses on the advance in domestic and foreign studies on anti-cancer activity and mechanism of flavonoids, in order to provide theoretical basis and research ideas for the further development and clinical application of flavonoids.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans

The rapidly aging population has attracted extensive attention to the health of elderly people .The elderly are a vulnerable group in society .Their adverse physical and mental health not only affects their own well-be-ing but also brings a heavy burden on families and society .Numerous studies have found that health inequality of the elderly is a problem throughout the world, and differences in gender, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, and social capital among the elderly are all contributing factors .This paper summarizes these factors through a literature review.We suggest that cross-sectional and longitudinal data should be combined and suitable indicators and mathe -matical models to Chinese conditions should be established in order to analyze the mechanisms of various factors and their effects on health inequality and serve as a reference for promoting the overall health of the elderly .