This study was aimed to reveal the effector mechanisms of Chinese medicine aconite, ginseng, astragalus and dried ginger on the intervention of adriamycin (ADR) cardiotoxicity model rats. The analysis was made on the interactive relationship between aconite and ginseng, astragalus as well as dried ginger. A total of 72 rats were randomly divided into nine groups. There were eight rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with 2.5 mg·kg-1 of ADR according to their body weights. The injection was given once a week and continued for four weeks. The total dosage was 10 mg·kg-1. In the aconite, dried ginger group, the intragastric administration dosage of herbal decoction was 1.75 g·kg-1. The decoction dosage in the gin-seng, astragalus group was 0.875 g·kg-1. The decoction dosage in the Shenfu, Qifu group was 2.625 g·kg-1. The decoction dosage in the Jiangfu group was 3.5 g·kg-1. The intragastric administration was given once a day and continued for four weeks. Indexes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), cardiac troponins (cTn), cytochrome C (CytC), myocardial mitochondria of Bax, Bcl 2, caspase-3, caspase-9 were detected. The colligation score was calculated associating with the close index. One-way ANOVA was given on different indexes and colligation indi-cators among different drug groups and the factorial design variance analysis was given to reveal the drug interac-tions. The results showed that compared with the normal group there were statistical significances among different indexes in the model group (P < 0.05). Aconite, ginseng, astragalus, dried ginger had varying degrees of impact on different indicators. There were statistical significances on the interaction between aconite and ginseng, astra-galus, dried ginger (except Bax). It was concluded that herbal medicine aconite, ginseng, astragalus, dried ginger had certain protective effect to the heart of ADR model rats. The combination of aconite and ginseng, astragalus, dried ginger can enhance the effect compared with a single herb.

Objective To test whether feeder cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs) could support the growth of mESCs themselves. Methods mESCs were induced to form mouse embryoid bodies(EB),and then fibroblast-like cells were derived from further differentiated mEB(mEB-dF),which served as feeder cells.The undifferentiation of mESCs grown on mEB-dF was confirmed by morphological analysis,colony efficiency and cell differentiation rate of mESCs,immunocytochemistry,alkaline phosphatase staining and RT-PCR.The pluripotency of mESCs grown on mEB-dF was examined by RT-PCR,inducing their differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Results(Forty-eight) fibroblast-like cells lines were derived from the same EB at three periods(d 10,d 15 and d 20),and five of them,mostly derived from d15 EB,were able to maintain mESCs in undifferentiated status and pluripotential ability over 10 passages.mESCs cultured on these feeder cell lines expressed alkaline phosphatase and specific mESCs markers,including SSEA-1,OCT-4,NANOG,and formed EB in vitro and teratomas in vivo.However,the majority of mEB-dF lines(43/48) has no such ability. Conclusion This study not only provides a novel feeder system for mESCs culture,avoiding lot of disadvantages of mouse embryo fibroblasts used as the feeder,but also indicates that fibroblast-like cells derived from mESCs take on different functions.The molecular mechanism of different function of these fibroblast cells is worthy of further investigations.

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium fluoride(NaF) on proliferation, differentiation and the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ ligand (RAN KL) of mouse osteoblasts. Methods Osteoblasts were isolated from calvarias of Kunming mice born in 1 - 2 d and cultured. Various concentrations of NaF(0, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3mol/L) were added to the culture medium, the proliferation and activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was determined after 72 h or 120 h. The expression of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA was analyzed by semi-quantification RT-PCR. Difference among groups was analyzed by One-Way AN0VA. Difference between two groups was analyzed by LSD-t test. Results There was significant difference in cell proliferation among groups after 72 h(F = 13.806, P < 0.05). Compared with control group(0.434 ± 0.010) , the proliferation was significantly induced in 10-7 - 10-4 mol/L groups treated osteoblasts (0.448 ± 0.010, 0.453 ± 0.013, 0.454 ± 0.016, 0.449 ± 0.018, all P< 0.05), and was significantly suppressed in 10-3 mol/L group(0.401 ± 0.009, P < 0.05). There was statistic difference in the activity of ALP among groups(F = 9.021, P < 0.05). Compared with control group (1.677 ± 0.682), the activity of ALP significantly increased in 10-7 - 10-5 mol/L groups[ (2.447 ± 0.756) × 106, (2603 ± 0.183) × 106, (2.687 ± 0.886) × 106 U/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ] and significantly decreased in 10-4 mol/L group[ (1.479 ± 0.366) × 106 U/L, P < 0.05 ]. There was significant difference in the expression of OPG mRNA among groups(F = 11.299, P< 0.05). Compared with control group (1.000 ± 0.000), the expression of OPG mRNA was significantly increased in 10-7 - 10-4 mol/L groups( 1.058 ± 0.027, 1.053 ± 0.026, 1.088 ± 0.055, 1.069 ± 0.008, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) , while significantly decreased in 10-3 mol/L group (0.941 ± 0.029, P< 0.05). There was no difference in RANKL mRNA expression among groups (F= 1.311, P> 0.05). The ratio of RANKL/OPG decreased with increasing doses of fluoride and increased in 10-4, 10-3 mol/L groups, but there was no difference between groups(F = 1.376, P> 0.05). Conclusions A biphasic pattern of proliferation and differentiation has been induced in mouse osteoblasts, which manifests stimulation effect in low doses and suppression in higher doses. Low doses of sodium fluoride suppress differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts by increasing expression of OPG mRNA, while high doses of sodium fluoride enhance differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts by decreasing expression of OPG mRNA.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the expression levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneu-moperitoneum on nude mice xenografts from human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells in the same pressure at different times. Methods:A total of 40 animal models of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell-bearing nude mice xenografts were established. The animals were ran-domly divided into four groups (n=10), namely, the simple anesthesia group, 0.5 h laparotomy group, and 0.5 and 1 h CO2 pneumoperi-toneum groups. After the aforementioned treatments in the groups, the expression levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNAs of tumor tis-sues were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), whereas those of the CXCL12 and CXCR4 proteins were detected by Western blot. Results:The 40 animal models of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell-bearing nude mice were success-fully established. After the treatment, RT-PCR results reveal that the CXCL12 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the 1 h CO2 pneumoperitoneum group than that in the other three groups. However, no differences were observed in the CXCR4 mRNA expression of each group. Western blot analysis also obtained the same results. Conclusion:The expression level of CXCL12 in SKOV3 cells of the 1 h CO2 pneumoperitoneum group increased, which possibly promoted the growth of peritoneal tumors, and had a slight effect on tu-mor metastasis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on patients with suspected cervical cancer recurrence. Methods Fifty-one cervical cancer patients, clinically suspected to have tumor recurrence during follow-up, underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. 18 F-FDG PET/CT results were compared with those of conventional images, as referred to histopathology or clinical follow-up. Impacts of 18F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated based on documented changes of clinical management. Results In total, 43 patients were found to have positive lesions by 18F-FDG PET/CT, in which 40 were true recurrence,but 2 were pelvic abscess and 1 was radiation enterocolitis. Other 8 patients were found negative by 18F-FDG PET/CT and confirmed by pathology or follow-up. In patient-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of tumor recurrence were 100% (40/40), 72. 73% (8/11),and 94.12% (48/51) respectively. In 7 patients, the clinical management was changed due to 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is an efficient tool for determining the recurrence of cervical cancer and instructing the clinical management.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous intervertebral foramina endoscopic lumbar discectomy for elder patients with lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome.

METHODSFrom July 2006 to July 2011, 60 elder patients with lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome were treated with surgical operation, including 32 males and 28 females with an average age of (66.7 +/- 2.5) years old ranging from 72 to 83 years. These patients were divided into the traditional surgery group and percutaneous intervertebral foramina endoscopic discectomy groups (PTED group), 30 cases in each group. The index of the preoperative and postoperative, operative incision visual analogue scale (VAS) of two groups were compared. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) of two groups at 6, 24 months of the follow-up were also evaluated on activity of daily living.

RESULTSThe average operative time, the average blood loss, the number of cases using analgesic drug, hospitalization time of PTED group were better than those of the traditional surgery group (P < 0.05). The improvement of incision VAS in PTED group was better than that in the traditional surgery group (P < 0.05). All patients were followed up for 24 months at least. The ODI at 1, 24 month after operation were better than that of preoperative in two group respectively (P < 0.05), but the improvement of PTED group was better than that of the traditional surgery group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPTED has the advantages of smaller incision, less bleeding, less postoperative stay and hospitalization time, tissue trauma and quicker recovery. It is a safe and efficacious minimally invasive surgical technique for elder patients with lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study whether total saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) can prevent renal interstitial fibrosis occurrence through blocking the IL-1alpha induced tubular epithelial cell and decrease the secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM).

METHODSNormal rats' tubular epithelial cells NRK52E were cultured in vitro, their morphological changes were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. Flow cytometry technique and immuno-histochemical method was used to detect the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and ELISA was used to quantitatively detect the fibronectin (FN) in the supernatant

RESULTSIL-1alpha could induce the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial myofibroblast, showing hypertrophy of cells elongated and fusiform-shaped, with significantly enhanced expression of alpha-SMA and increased secretion of FN (P<0.05). After adding PNS of different concentrations, the morphology of cells restored close to normal tubular epithelial cells, with the increase of alpha-SMA expression and FN secretion significantly inhibited (P<0.05) in dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). But addition of different dosages of PNS alone showed no effect on tubular cells.

CONCLUSIONIL-1alpha could induce the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial myofibroblast, promote the deposition of ECM component FN. PNS could inhibit IL-1alpha induced the transdifferentiation of NRK52E and secretion of ECM, therefore, PNS could be taken as a new drug for prevention and treatment of renal interstitial fibrosis and terminal stage of renal diseases.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Fibronectins ; analysis ; Fibrosis ; prevention & control ; Interleukin-1 ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Rats ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Objective To study morphological changes of rabbit artery endothelial cell injury and atherosclerosis caused by high fluoride and the role of selenium. Methods Twenty healthy male New Zealand white rabbits, body weight (2.0 ± 0.5)kg, were randomly divided into control group(drinking deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), selenium group(drinking selenium 1 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride plus selenium group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, selenium 1 mg/L of deionized water, fed basic diet). The experimental period was 6 months. At 0, 3, 6 months of the experiment, serum fluorine and selenium levels were determined. At the end of the experiment,thoracic aorta was collected to observe its pathology and ultrastructural changes. Results Serum fluoride was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment(all P ＜ 0.01 ) in fluoride group[ (0.589 ± 0.146),(0.772 ± 0.175)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.502 ± 0.094), (0.693 ± 0.158)mg/L] than in control group[ (0.174 ± 0.002), (0.208 ± 0.031 )mg/L] and serum fluoride was significantly higher at 6 months than at 3 months(P ＜ 0.05 ) in fluoride group. Serum selenium was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment (all P ＜ 0.01 ) in selenium group[ (0.252 ± 0.022), (0.319 ± 0.052)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.239 ±0.016), (0.294 ± 0.018)mg/L] than in control group[(0.135 ± 0.014), (0.167 ± 0.019)mg/L], and serum selenium was significantly higher at the 6th month than at 3rd month of experiment in selenium group(P ＜ 0.05). Endothelial cell apoptosis indices were (4.92 ± 1.32)%, (30.30 ± 6.80)%, (6.57 ± 2.14)% and (14.29 ± 2.99)%, respectively in control group, fluoride group, selenium group and fluoride plus selenium group. Their main effect of fluorine and selenium was statistically significant (F = 106.833,20.082, all P ＜ 0.01 ). There were antagonistic effect between fluoride and selenium(F = 30.402, P ＜ 0.01 ). Pathological changes of rabbit aortic endothelial cells in fluoride group included endothelial with attached fibrin and red blood cells, and structural of the cells changed, with serious vascular injury; in fluoride plus selenium group apoptosis of endothelial cells decreased, with reduced number of attached red blood cells and fibrin, endothelial cell structure normal, the extent and scope of vascular damage significantly reduced. Conclusions Appropriate amount of selenium inhibits the apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by high fluoride, reduces aortic structural damage caused by high fluoride, and maintains the integrity of endothelial cells, thereby antagonizes the vascular damage and atherosclerosis induced by high fluoride.

0.05).At post- operative 30 days and 90 days,ECD were(6.39?0.90)%,(6.54?1.24)% respectively in the torsional group and(13.17?1.78)%, (13.67?2.36)% respectively in the US group,the differences between two groups were statistically(P0.05).Conclusion The torsional mode may provide more effective lens re- moval with a lower level of phacoemulsification time and energy.It can reduce the ultrasound energy and the intraocular trauma.(Oph- thalmol CHN,2008,17:82-85)

Objective To evaluate quantitatively the spasticity of elbow flexor biceps in stroke patients using integrated EMG (IEMG),and to correlate the IEMG with Ashworth scale.Methods The IEMG data was recorded from the biceps while passively stretch the elbow joint of a group of 90 subjects,and was correlated with the varying levels of Ashworth category(20 cases with grade 0,6 cases gradeⅠ,16 cases gradeⅠ~+,20 cases gradeⅡ,and 18 ca- ses gradeⅢ).Results The IEMG data were positively correlated with simultaneous Ashworth scale categories.The range of IEMG value corresponding to the Ashworth category is as follows:1.3～12.1 (6.7?5.4)?V?s vs Ash- worth grade 0;4.6～12.3 (8.5?3.9)?V?s vs Ashworth gradeⅠ.15.3～28.4(21.8?6.6)?V?s vs Ashworth gradeⅠ~+;37.2～68.9 (53.1?15.6)?V?s vs Ashworth gradeⅡ;82.3～144.1 (113.2?30.9)?V?s vs Ash- worth gradeⅢ.Conclusion The IEMG value can be used to quantify the spasticity of elbow flexor in stroke pa- tients.