Brazilein is one of the active ingredients of a Chinese medicine Caesalpinia sappan L. This study was aimed to test the vasodilator effect of brazilein on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro from the perspective of molecular biology. The results showed that brazilein mainly acted through the influence of potassium ion channels, reducing membrane depolarization in order to affect the vessel relaxation. This effect can be influenced by blocking 5-HT receptor, and, simultaneously, correlating with the regulation of intracellular calcium ion concentration, affecting calmodulin and downregulating MLCP. In addition, the alterations of cAMP, PKA and PGI2 were involved in the pharmacological process of brazilein.

Lidamycin (LDM) is a potent antitumor antibiotic. Previous studies have shown that LDM could inhibit proliferation and migration in endothelial cells. In the present report, the effect of LDM on angiogenesis of zebrafish embryo was studied. The results showed that treatment of zebrafish embryos with LDM resulted in significant inhibition of angiogenesis. Morphological observation, quantitative endogenous alkaline phosphatase (EAP) assay, alkaline phosphatase staining, and transgenic zebrafish assay were performed to evaluate vascular development defects in zebrafish. The results indicated that after the zebrafish embryos were exposed to LDM, angiogenesis defects of zebrafish embryos were observed, including pericardial edema, reduced numbers of circulating red blood cells, suppression of zebrafish vessel growth, and absences of SIV (subintestinal vein). The expression of VEGF was detected by RT-PCR assay, quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay and Western blotting analysis. The results revealed that LDM could inhibit the expression of VEGF protein, while the expression of mRNA was not significantly affected. The study suggests that LDM could inhibit the zebrafish embryo angiogenesis by down-regulation ofVEGF expression.

Objective To study the feasibility and curative effect of laparoscopic radical resection of rectal carcinoma. Methods Sixty-two cases were enrolled in this study between Feb 2003 and Mar 2005, including 32 cases undergoing laparoscopic radical resection (19 Dixon and 13 Miles) , and 30 cases undergoing open radical resection (22 Dixons and 8 Miles). Results The mean operation time of laparoscopic group was 195 min, and open group was 156 min (P 0. 05 ). The GI and urination function of laparoscopic group recovered faster than open group ( evacuated was 2. 7 days vs. 3. 7 days, P

OBJECTIVETo screen the active component of Wuzhuyutang (WZYT, Evodiae prescription) and investigate the regulatory effects of the components in WZYT on the TPH2 promoter, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of WZYT on migraine.

METHODBy transfecting a TPH2 promoter regulating Red Fluorescent Protein expressing plasmid into PC12 cell, the global fluorescence intensities and calculations of fluorescent cells after components treatment were statistically evaluated.

RESULTDifferent regulatory effects of different components in WZYT with different concentrations on TPH2 promoter were observed.

CONCLUSIONTPH2 promoter drove Red Fluorescent Protein expressing cell line can be used as system screening components targeting TPH2 promoter activity. The possible mechanism of WZYT on migraine may due to its stimulating effects on TPH2 promoter, and promote the synthesis and release of 5-HT in cerebral.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; PC12 Cells ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; drug effects ; Rats ; Tryptophan Hydroxylase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of embryonic toxicity of Senecio scandens, its total alkaloid and Qianbai Biyanpian so that to provide guidance for the safety of medication during pregnancy.

METHODTwo hundred and twenty pregnant SD rats were divided into 11 groups: control group, positive group (cyclophosphamide 10 mg x kg(-1)). Water extract of S. scandens (doses: 7.5, 15.0, 30.0 g herb of S. scandens per kilogram body weight respectively). Qianbai Biyanpian and total alkaloid at the same doses levels with the water extract of S. scandens (doses were expressed as herb of S. scandens per kilogram body weight). The test articles were given to the pregnant rats by gavage from day 6 to day 15 of pregnancy. Body weight and the food consumption of pregnancy rats, and fetal weight and length were measured. The number of absorbed and dead embryos was recorded. Fetuses were examined in viscus and bones.

RESULTWeight and the food consumption of pregnancy rats in high-dose of Qianbai Biyanpian and total alkaloids decreased. All treatment groups had no significant change in the number of absorbed embryos, but the stillbirths were significantly increased in high-dose groups of water extract and total alkaloids as compared with control group. Bone deformities such as fontanel expanding, hypoplasia of parietal bone, occipital bone and cervical arch were observed. Rib abnormality could also be seen in some rats. All water extract of S. scandens, Qianbai Biyanpian and total alkaloid could cause the bone abnormalities, but the percentage of bone deformities of total alkaloids was the highest (up to 80%).

CONCLUSIONS. scandens and its total alkaloids, its formula Qianbai Biyanpian can cause rat skeletal deformities in fetuses when they were given during pregnancy. It is suggested that S. scandens and the product containing S. scandens should not be used during pregnancy.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Eating ; drug effects ; Embryo, Mammalian ; drug effects ; Female ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Senecio ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the retrobulbar hemodynamic changes in elderly patients with ischemic ophthalmopathy(IOP).Methods Three groups of 35 elderly unilateral IOP(n=35 patients),32 elderly normal eye(n=32 volunteers)and 30 non-elderly normal eye(n=30 volunteers) were recruited in our hospital for the IOP or not,for elderly(aged≥60)or not(aged ＜60).The peak systolic velocity(PSV),end-diastolic velocity(EDV),resistance index(RI),color Doppler blood stream spectrum form and arm-retinal circulation time(A-RCT) in both ophthalmic artery(OA) and central retinal artery(CRA)were measured on three groups by color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI)and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA).Results Compared with elderly normal eye group,or with non-elderly normal eye group,the elderly unilateral IOP group showed that PSV and EDV of both OA and CRA were decreased,RI was increased,CD blood stream spectrum form was changed and A-RCT was prolonged(all P＜0.05).Compared the non-elderly normal eye group,the elderly normal eye group showed that the difference in PSV,EDV,RI,A-RCT had no statistical significance(all P ＞0.05),while CD blood stream spectrum form was changed(P＜0.05).Conclusions In the elderly unilateral IOP patients,PSV and EDV of both OA and CRA are decreased,RI is increased,blood stream spectrum form is changed,and A-RCT is prolonged.The color Doppler uhrasound-detected hemodynamic changes are displayed clearly so that CDFI can provide a reliable evidence for clinical diagnosis of IOP.

Objective:To compare the clinicopathological differences between elderly and non-elderly patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN).Methods:Patients diagnosed with IMN via renal biopsy at Beijing Huairou Hospital, Beijing Changping Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to August 2021 were retrospectively enrolled.They were classified into the elderly group(≥65 years)and the non-elderly group(<65 years), and the clinicopathological differences between the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 207 IMN patients were included in the study, with a male to female ratio of 1.7∶1.0.There were 56 patients in the elderly group, aged(68.2±3.1)years, and 151 patients in the non-elderly group, aged(48.2±6.2)years.Compared with the non-elderly group, the elderly group had a longer time from onset to renal biopsy and a higher proportion of patients with renal insufficiency and hypertension( P<0.05). The elderly group had a lower eGFR, lower serum albumin, higher serum cholesterol, and higher low-density lipoprotein than the non-elderly group( P<0.05). The proportions of patients with glomerulosclerosis, renal tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis in the elderly group were higher than in the non-elderly group( P<0.05). The positive rates of glomerular PLA2R antigen staining in the two groups were 90.6%(29/32)and 91.0%(111/122), respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.IgG4 deposition represented the most common IgG subtype, with 93.8%(30/32)in the elderly group and 94.3%(115/122)in the non-elderly group.There was no statistical significance between the two groups( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with non-elderly IMN patients, a higher proportion of elderly IMN patients has renal insufficiency, hypertension and chronic renal pathology.The glomerular deposition of pathogenic antigens in elderly IMN patients was similar to that in non-elderly IMN patients, suggesting no difference in pathogenesis between the two groups.The clinicopathological differences between the two groups may be related to age and complications.

Objective:To explore the correlation between protein energy wasting(PEW)and frailty in elderly patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)and influencing factors of frailty.Methods:Clinical data of patients over 60 who had received regular hemodialysis treatment at Beijing Huairou Hospital between September to December 2021 were collected.According to Fried's evaluation criteria, patients were divided into a frailty group and a non-frailty group, and differences between the two groups were compared.Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between protein energy wasting and frailty.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients on MHD.Results:A total of 81 MHD patients enrolled in this study, with 36 in the frailty group.The frailty group was older, had a higher proportion of patients with PEW, and underwent more months of dialysis, with a higher proportion of patients with diabetic nephropathy as the primary disease, having high levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), and having low KT/V, hemoglobin, albumin, body mass index(BMI), mid-arm circumference(MAC)and mid-arm muscle circumference(MAMC), and the differences with the control group were statistically significant(all P<0.05). The Fried frailty phenotype was positively correlated with age( r=0.021, P=0.047), but negatively associated with HGB( r=-0.329, P=0.003), albumin( r=0.021, P=0.047), BMI( r=0.021, P=0.047), TSF( r=-0.274, P=0.013), MAC( r=-0.554, P<0.001)and MAMC( r=-0.293, P=0.008). A Logistic regression equation was constructed using frailty as the dependent variable.The results showed that age, months of dialysis, KT/V, serum albumin and CRP were independent factors influencing the development of frailty in elderly patients with MHD. Conclusions:PEW and frailty coexist and interact with each other in elderly patients with MHD.Clinicians should place emphasis on the assessment of frailty and protein energy wasting in elderly dialysis patients and achieve early detection and intervention to avoid adverse clinical outcomes.

Objectives To study the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of cancer metastases to the thyroid gland.Methods At Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital,from 1980 to 2016 30 patients were identified with a metastatic malignant tumor of the thyroid gland.Results Primary tumor sites were in the esophagus (26.7％),lung (16.7％),and kidney (13.3％).The median age at discovery of thyroid metastasis was 56 years old.The time lapse ranged from 0 to 108 months.There were 18 patients with metachronous metastasis with median survival of 36 months,12 patients were with synchronous metastasis,and the median survival was 8 months (P ＜ 0.01).20 patients were treated with thyroid surgery,and of which 15 patients were given post-op radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Patients who underwent thyroid resection had a median survival of 15 months,while that was 8 months in those without thyoid surgery (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Metastases to the thyroid gland is a rare clinical phenomenon,the prognosis of patients is mainly related to the biological behavior of primary tumors,but surgical resection and combined treatment can increase the survival rate.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of rectus femoris island myocutaneous flap for repairing bedsores in III and IV phases at the femoral greater trochanter area as a result of paraplegia.

METHODSThirteen paraplegic patients who suffered bedsores in III and IV phases at the greater trochanter of femur area were hospitalized from July 2009 to June 2013. The bedsores ranged from 4.5 cm×4.0 cm to 10.0 cm× 9.0 cm in area. After debridement, the size of soft tissue defect ranged from 5.0 cm×4.5 cm to 10.5 cm×10.0 cm. Rectus femoris island myocutaneous flaps were used to repair these defects, with flap area ranging from 5.0 cm×5.0 cm to 11.0 cm×10.0 cm and muscular pedicle length ranging from 8 to 12 cm. The donor sites of muscular pedicle were closed by direct suture, while those resulted from forming myocutaneous flap were closed by the transplantation of autologous skin obtained from thigh.

RESULTSNecrosis appeared at the edge of myocutaneous flap in one patient, and it was healed after dressing change. The other 12 myocutaneous flaps survived well. Patients were followed up for 2 to 30 months, and bedsore did not recur.

CONCLUSIONSRectus femoris island myocutaneous flap, with characteristics of reasonable design, large donor area, big rotation angle, and with wear-, tear-, and pressure-resistance, is suitable for repairing bedsores at III and IV phases at the greater trochanter of femur area in paraplegic patients.

Debridement ; Femur ; surgery ; Humans ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Paraplegia ; Pressure Ulcer ; surgery ; Quadriceps Muscle ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome