OBJECTIVETo establish a simple but effective method of laser scanning confocal microscopic imaging for Ca2+ oscillations of pancreatic acinar cells in adult mice.

METHODSPancreatic acinar cells from adult Kunming mice were isolated acutely with collagenase, and then loaded with fluo-4-AM, a Ca2+ indicator. A laser scanning confocal microscope armed with 488 nm laser was employed to record the dynamic fluorescent signals in-time and synchronously while acetylcholine (ACh) was added in the pancreatic acinar cells.

RESULTS(1) The classic pancreatic acinar cell Ca2+ oscillations were induced by a certain concentration of ACh (100 nmol/L) successfully and steadily, which could be blocked by atropine completely. (2) Plasmic Ca2+ oscillations from different parts of one acinar cell were usually with different amplitudes and almost the same frequencies. But both of amplitudes and frequencies were different among different cells. (3) The acinar cell Ca2+ oscillations were induced by ACh in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONThe laser scanning confocal microscopic imaging for adult mouse pancreatic acinar cell Ca2+ oscillations was established successfully. The features of being easy to use, direct to see lively, high efficiency and good flexibility make it a popular tool for researchers to choose.

Acinar Cells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calcium ; analysis ; Calcium Signaling ; Cells, Cultured ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; methods ; Pancreas ; cytology

Herpetin (HPT) is an active monomer constituent isolated from lignanoid in seeds of Herpetospermum caudigerum. HPT shows inhibitory effects in hepatic injury and HBV-DNA and the replication. In the study, we successfully prepare herpetin liposomes by film dispersion method for the first time. The prescription process was optimized, with the entrapment efficiency as the index. According to the optimized prescription, the mass ratio of HPT: phospholipids: cholesterol was 2.44:78.05: 19.51, the hydration and de-molding process was performed with 0.5% F68 solution at 50 degrees C, and the water-bath ultrasonic time was 20 min. The HPT liposomes prepared by this method showed an average entrapment efficiency of (94.50 +/- 2.15)% and a particle size of (119.2 +/- 10.7) nm, which was consistent with the trial expectations and will lay a solid foundation for the hepatic targeting delivery system in future.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Cholesterol ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Phospholipids ; chemistry ; Ultrasonics

Objective To investigate antifungal activities of AMB, ICZ, VRC, CBF against 72 strains of filamentous fungi in vitro. Methods Based on CLSI M38-P and M38-A scheme, MIC of antifungal drugs were determined. The growing inhibitory concentration of 100%, 100%,≥80%, for AMB, VRC ,ICZ act as respective MIC. For caspofungin, the minimal effective concentration (MEC) was determined as the lowest drug concentration showing morphology change of filaments. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was used to evaluate the effect of combination therapy. FIC was calculated by the following equation: FIC = MICcombination/MICA drug alone+ MICcombination/MICB drug alone. Results MIC90 of AMB, ICZ, CBF, VRC against 72 isolates of filamentous fungi were 8 μg/ml, 4 μg/ml, 2 μg/ml, 8 μg/ml, respectively. MICs range of combined AMB + ICZ, AMB + VRC, ICZ + VRC were 0. 125-16. 97, 0. 2452-1.25, and 0.0625-8. 25 μg/ml respectively. The percent of synergistic interaction of AMB + VRC against filamentous fungi (20.0%-88.9% ) was higher than those of AMB + ICZ ( 10.0% -62.5% ) and ICZ + VRC ( 20.0% - 44.4% ) ( P=0.007 <0.05 ). Conclusions The antifungal activities of four kinds antifungal drugs against 72 strains of filamentous fungi vary in vitro. The therapy of AMB combined with VRC is maybe better than AMB + ICZ and ICZ + VRC for severe fungi infection.

Animals ; Carbon Radioisotopes ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo analyze characterization and determination of nitrogen in the preparation of Qingkailing injection and its intermediate products.

METHODHitich amino acid auto analyzer was used, with the packed analysis column (2.6 mm x 50 mm) and the type of was Hitich 2622 SC resin. The speed of buffer solution and ninhydrin colorimetric solution were 0.4 mL x min(-1) and 0. 3 mL x min(-1) respectively. Program heating was used for controlling column temperature, from 57 degrees C (0.0 min) to 65 degrees C (36 min) to 57 (50 min). The reaction temperature was set at 130 degrees C.

RESULTFree and binding amino acid the existenceare the main form of nitrogen is amino acid in Qingkailing injection and its intermediate products. The total contents of amino acid in the preparation of Qingkailing injection and its intermediate products, including hydrolyzed solution which is made from neutralization of Concha Margaritifera solution extracted by diluted sulfuric acid and Cornu Bubali solution extracted by diluted sodium hydroxide, aqueous solution of Radix Isatidis extract, 4-blended solution, 6-blended solution and 8-blenede solution, were 59.56%, 24.88%, 41.84%, 13.49, 14.63% respectively. The type of bonded amino acid was founded in the preparation of Qingkailing injection and its intermediate products, including hydrolyzed aqueous solution of Radix Isatidis extract, 4-blended solution, 6-blended solution and 8-blenede solution, and the contents were 9.33%, 15.07%, 16.85%, 19.94% and 19.55%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe main resource of the total nitrogen was Bubalus bubalis L. and Isatis indigotica Fort.

Amino Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Buffaloes ; metabolism ; Chromatography ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Isatis ; chemistry ; Nitrogen ; analysis ; chemistry

Objective To explore the effects of postoperative compression cryotherapy at different durations on patients underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy. Methods Sixty patients underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy were divided into 3 study groups by random digits table method: group 1 (20 cases), group 2(20 cases),group 3(20 cases).The study populations with routine care were offered compression cryotherapy at different durations:group1 was managed with 30 mins postoperative cryotherapy every 8 h within 24 h, group2 with the same treatment within 48 h, group 3 within 72 h. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)was used to assess preoperative as well as postoperative pains,and perimeters of three parts(20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus,and armpit)were measured to assess swelling at different durations-preoperatively and 24,48,72 h after operation. Results There was no significant difference in the scores of VAS at 24 h after operation among three groups(P>0.05).The score of VAS at 48 h after operation in group 1,group 2,group 3 was(3.65±1.23),(2.65±1.50),(1.80±1.11)points,and there was significant difference(F=6.838,P=0.002),a further comparison,there was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).The score of VAS at 72 h after operation in group 1,group 2,group 3 was(3.50± 1.10),(2.65±1.50),(2.05±1.10)points,and there was significant difference(F=10.366,P=0.000),a further comparison, there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the swelling of 20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus, and armpit at 24 h after operation among three groups(F=1.208, 2.097, 0.427, P>0.05). There was significant difference in the swelling of 20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus,and armpit at 48 h after operation among three groups(F=15.577, 17.128, 5.109, P<0.05), a further comparison, there was significant difference between group 1 and group 2, group 1 and group 3(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group 2 and group 3(P>0.05).There was significant difference in the swelling of 20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus,and armpit at 72 h after operation among three groups(F=24.159, 20.963, 8.496, P<0.05), a further comparison, there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions 72 h postoperative compression cryotherapy for patients underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy can be the most statistically significant factor to alleviate pain and swelling effectively,beneficial to early functional exercise and shoulder joint recovery.

Objective To explore risk factors of influencing operating efficiency of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric mucosal lesions. Methods The data of 304 cases with gastric mucosal lesion undergoing ESD in Xijing Hospital of Digestive Disease from April 2009 to February 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The procedure time and complete resection rate ( R0 resection rate ) were regarded as indicators of ESD efficiency. Risk factors influencing procedure time and R0 resection rate were analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results Using median procedure time of 45 min as the cutoff value, Chi-square test showed that specimen size ( P=0. 000) , lesion location ( P=0. 001) , and pathological type ( P=0. 003) affected the operation time. Further logistic regression analysis indicated that specimen size (≥40 mm/<40 mm, P<0. 001, OR=3. 748, 95％CI: 2. 247-6. 254) and lesion location (upper or middle 1/3 of stomach/lower 1/3 of stomach, P=0. 001, OR=2. 180, 95％CI: 1. 318-3. 606) were independent risk factors of procedure time. Using R0 resection as outcome measure, neither single nor multiple parameter analysis was statistically significant. Conclusion Specimen size and lesion location are independent risk factors influencing efficiency of gastric mucosal ESD, and could be possibly used to estimate the procedure time of ESD.

This paper describes, in detail, the basic principles, composition and specifications of JH-2000 heamodialyzer.
Equipment Design ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; therapy ; Renal Dialysis ; instrumentation ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the apoptosis and survivin expression in human lung squamous cell carcinoma cell line SK-MES-1.

METHODSSK-MES-1 cells were divided into Rg3 treatment group, blank control group and positive control (arsenic trioxide) group. The apoptotic rate of the cells in each group was determined using flow cytometry, and the expression of survivin protein and mRNA was detected by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSA 48-h treatment with Ginsenoside Rg3 induced increased apoptotic rate of SK-MES-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Ginsenoside Rg3 significantly downregulated the expressions of survivin protein and mRNA as compared with the expression levels in the blank control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rg3 can induce the apoptosis of SK-MES-1 cells, the mechanism of which may involve inhibited survivin expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on hypertension of phlegm-stasis blocking collateral type and the mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases of hypertension were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Taicehong (LR 3), and oral administration of Captori, and the control group only with Captoril, for 4 therapeutic courses. The changes of blood pressure, clinical symptoms, hemorheologic parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), TC, TG, HDL and LDL levels after treatment were observed.

RESULTSIn the treatment group, blood pressure significantly decreased, and contents of CRP, TC, TG and LDHD decrease, the hemorheologic parameters improved and HDL level increased. Both the cumulative scores of clinical symptoms and the therapeutic effect for each symptom were improved significantly, with very significant differences as compared with those before treatment and the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture treatment has obvious effect of decreasing blood pressure, and reverses or delays the course of atherosclerosis, which mechanisms are possibly related with the function of protecting vascular endothelium.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucus