Notch signaling, a highly conserved pathway, is wide-ly found in invertebrates and vertebrates. By mediating cell com-munication, it can regulate many physiological and pathological processes in various kinds of cells, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in multi-cellular organism. Accu-mulating evidence shows that abnormality in Notch signaling is highly related to diabetes mellitus and its complications. Accord-ingly, this paper reviews the molecular basis of Notch signaling and the relations between its abnormal expression and diabetes mellitus, and focuses on the impact of key elements in the Notch signaling pathway on diabetic complications as well as correlative mechanisms.

This study is to report the study of protective effects of myricitrin against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and the investigation of the possible mechanisms of action of myricitrin. The model of H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells was used to determine the protective effects of myricitrin. The levels of LDH, MDA and the activities of SOD, NO were measured using the respective kits. The H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells was detected using MTT reduction, TUNEL assay, JC-1 and ROS staining. The activation of Caspase-3 was also measured by fluorometry. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined with Western blotting assay. Myricitrin had significant protective effects against H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The results show that myricitrin could attenuate H2O2-induced decrease in the activities of SOD (P < 0.01). Myricitrin could decrease the levels of LDH, MDA and increase cell viability and the mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.01). Myricitrin had protective effects in a dose-dependent manner between 32 micromol x L(-1) to 64 micromol x L(-1). Myricitrin pretreatment could attenuate H2O2-induced increase of p-ERK. Moreover, myricitrin pretreatment could up-regulate the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, down-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and decrease the expression of Caspase-3, 9. In conclusion, myricitrin had significant protective effects against H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. Myricitrin can enhance the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and decrease the production of free radicals. The possible mechanisms of action of myricitrin are due to myricitrin-mediated inhibition of phosphorylation of the apoptosis signaling pathways-related kinase ERK, up-regulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, and down-regulation of the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein.

Objective To study the anatomy of splenic hilum blood vessels in order to thread ligature(endoligature)instead of using stapler during the process of laparoscopic splenectomy and to evaluate the prelimnary clinical results.Methods 41 children patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy with this technique(endoligature)for various hematologic and autoimmune disorders,including 25 cases of hereditary spherocytosis,13 idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura,and 3 hypersplenic granulocytopenia.The anatomy of splenic pedicle,the adjacent relation between splenic vessel and pancreas were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography preoperatively.The above-mentioned parameters were compared with that found intraoperatively.Results The relationships of splenic vessel and pancreas was of type Ⅰ in 24 cases and type Ⅱ in 17.In 31 cases,the major splenic blood vessels were ramified into branches 2 cm away from the hilum and in 10 it was within 2 cm as detected by preoperative ultrasonography.These characters were largerly identified by laparoscopic laparotomy,and in all the 41 cases laparoscopic splenectomy was successfully accomplished using this endoligature instead of vasculature stapler.There was no serious complication.The mean operating time was(114 ±31)min,the estimated blood loss was(51 ±23)ml.Conclusions Ultrasonography could identify the anatomic type of splenic vessel,and its relation with the pancreas.Endoligature in the management of splenic pedicles during laparoscopic splenectomy is safe and reliable.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of ureaplasma urealyticum(Uu)resistance to macrolide antibiotics.Methods Twenty strains of clinical isolates of Uu with variable resistance to macrolides and reference strain ATCC 27618 were examined for mutations in 23SrRNA.Results As compared with the sequence of reference strain ATCC 27618 and GenBank,three mutations were found in 23SrRNA of Uu clinical isolates.C2243N(TorC)was found in the 23SrRNA in 5 strains with the phenotype resistance to roxithromvcin and azithromycin.A2149C and A2181T were found in the 23SrRNA in 9 strains with the phenotype resistance to roxithromycin and midrange resistance to azithromycin,and 6 strains with the phenotype of sensitivity to roxithromyein and azithromycin.Conclusions The mechanisms of Uu resistance to roxithromycin and azithromycin may be related with the mutations in 23SrRNA.It may warrant further investigation.

Objective By using percutaneous endovascular microcatheter technique to establish an animal model of coronary microembolization in mini-swine which is suitable for long-term observation.Methods Coronary microembolization was established in 10 mini-swine by infusing 15 × 10~4 microspheres (φ45μm) selectively into the left anterior descending artery (n = 10). Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was measured by Doppler wire and left ventricular eject fraction (EF) was assessed by echocardiography.Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye were used to demonstrate the presence of microembolization after the procedure of coronary microembolization. The ultra-structures of cardiomyocyte were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Before sacrifice, the CFR measurement and coronary angiography were performed again in survival animals. Results The coronary microvascular integrity (CFR < 2.0) and left ventricular function (EF < 50% ) were damaged by coronary microembolization. One month after the procedure, all the 10 animals survived and were able to receive the angiography and CFR measurement again. HE staining and NBT dye could demonstrate the presence of microembolization. The edema and fibrosis of cardiomyocytes could be revealed with TEM. Conclusion The animal model of coronary microembolization can be established in mini-swine by using percutaneous endovascular microcatheter technique. The model is suitable for long-term observation, the preparation is technically-simple and minimally-invasive with very low mortality. Therefore, this kind of animal model is an ideal experimental form for studying the mechanism of coronary microembolization.

AIM: To observe the effect of ginkgolide B (CB) on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ( [ Ca~(2+) ]_i) and mitochondrial function of cultured rat retinal neurons in vitro. METHODS: in vitro primary culture of rat retinal neurons was used in the experiment. The apoptosis model of glutamate - induced retinal neurons was established and co - cultured with ginkgolide B. The [ Ca~(2+) ]_i and mitochondrial membrane potential of the retinal neurons were detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: Glutamate decreased the survival rate of retinal neurons, increased the apoptosis and the [ Ca~(2+) ]_i, lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential. The [ Ca~(2+) ]_i was clearly diminished and the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly increased with the GB intervention, and the apoptosis decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: GB protects retinal neurons from glutamate induced neurotoxicity. The effect of GB on retinal neurons might be due to its ability to decrease the [Ca~(2+) ]_i and increase mitochondrial membrane potential.

Objective: To study the influence of Xinmailong injection (XML) on the isolated thoracic aorta of rats in different states.Methods: A cumulative dosing method was utilized to evaluate the influence of XML on the isolated thoracic aorta of rats in resting state, and KCl or noradrenaline (NA) induced contracted state.Different tool drugs were used to analyze the mechanism of the effects.Results: Compared with the control group, a specific concentration range of XML could excite the isolated thoracic aorta in resting state, further increase the vascular tension after KCl action, while decrease the vascular tension after NA action.The vasodilative effect of XML on blood vessel after NA action was inhibited by propranolol and diclofenac, while showed no influence from Nω-Nitro-L-arginine.Conclusion: XML has different effects on the isolated thoracic aorta of rats in different states, and the mechanisms of the effects are related to calcium channel, β-receptor and prostaglandins.

Objective To explore the application value of real-time shear wave elastography(SWE) in the liver injury caused by the blast injury.Methods The abdominal mild,moderate and severe blast injury animal models were built,liver and abdominal cavity conventional ultrasound scan and liver SWE measurement were processed before and immediately post-blast,and then the two groups' liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the liver pathology results were compaired.Results The conventional ultrasound scan,immediately after the injury,had found no abnormities of the hepatic tissue in the mild blast injury group,while varying degrees of liver capsular rupture,part of the liver parenchyma regional uneven echo,subcapsular hematoma,obvious liver parenchyma interruption,effusion between the disruption of liver parenchyma and abdominal cavity effusion etc.a series of liver injury had been found in the moderate and severe groups,and the severe blast injury group was more obvious.Three groups' immediately liver elasticity and ALT of post-blast liver injury were increased compared with the pre-blast,the liver elasticity and ALT of each group pre-and post-blast comparing had statistically signifcant (P ＜0.05),and the three groups post-blast immediately liver elasticity and ALT and any two groups' comparing also had statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Conclusions After the blast injury,the changes of liver elasticity were associated with the liver injury degree,the higher elasticity values suggest the heavier damage.Based on conventional ultrasonography,SWE could provide a new evaluation method for the judgement of liver balst injury,especially in the diagnosis of mild liver blast injury.

AIM:To observe the effect of ginkgolide B (GB) on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and mitochondrial function of cultured rat retinal neurons in vitro.METHODS:in vitro primary culture of rat retinal neurons was used in the experiment. The apoptosis model of glutamate-induced retinal neurons was established and co-cultured with ginkgolide B. The [Ca2+]i and mitochondrial membrane potential of the retinal neurons were detected by laser scanning confocal microscope.RESULTS:Glutamate decreased the survival rate of retinal neurons,increased the apoptosis and the [Ca2+]i,lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential. The [Ca2+]i was clearly diminished and the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly increased with the GB intervention,and the apoptosis decreased significantly.CONCLUSION:GB protects retinal neurons from glutamate induced neurotoxicity. The effect of GB on retinal neurons might be due to its ability to decrease the [Ca2+]i and increase mitochondrial membrane potential.

This article was aimed to study constructive standards for the database of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) documentation. Refer to relevant national standards, specifications and other fields of universal standards such as metadata specification of health information dataset, medical science data sharing, metadata standard, data of pop-ulation health sciences shared metadata standard, basic scientific data sharing network project standard, Chinese A-cademy of Sciences data application environment construction and service standards, combined with the specification for TCM literature resources, Chinese medicine literature database was constructed. The results showed that 6 major categories and 17 specifications were established to standardize the construction of TCM literature database. It was concluded that the standardization of TCM literature database was able to realize TCM literature database construc-tion standard and process, and to facilitate the sharing of TCM data resources.