Objectives To investigate the effects of matrine on the proliferation and apoptosis of SK-NEP-1 cells in vitro, and its possible mechanism. Methods Trials were divided into following groups:control group, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mg/ml of ma-trine intervention groups. The inhibition rate of SK-NEP-1 cells treated with different concentration of Matrine was detected by MTT colorimetric assay. Apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). RT-PCR analysis was employed to measure the PDCD4 mRNA expression. Results Matrine (final concentrations=0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mg/ml) could induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of SK-NEP-1 cells. Compared with the controls without matrine treatment (8.81±3.71)%, the inhibition rates of SK-NEP-1 cells were (20.79 ± 6.20)%, (31.25 ± 5.07)%, and (51.15 ± 12.70)%, respectively;the apoptotic rates of SK-NEP-1 cells treated with different concentration of matrine were (13.67±0.78)%,(17.43±1.65)%and (20.80±1.54)%, respectively. Significant difference in the inhibition and apoptotic rates of SK-NEP-1 cells between each drug group and control group was observed(P<0.05), and the inhibition and apoptotic rates of SK-NEP-1 cells increased gradually with increased matrine concentration, thus exhibiting a dose-dependent effect(P<0.05). To the expression of CXCR4 mRNA,the grey levels of SK-NEP-1 cells treated with matrine intervention group (final concentrations=0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/ml) were (0.720 ± 0.058), (0.540 ± 0.095) and (0.307 ± 0.050), respectively. The mRNA expression of CXCR4 was seen in SK-NEP-1 cells. Compared with control group, the expres-sion of CXCR4 mRNA was decreased significantly in matrine intervention group (P<0.01).There were significant difference in CXCR4 mRNA level among the SK-NEP-1 cells treated with 0.5,1.0,1.5mg/mL of matrine (P<0.01). Conclusions Matrine could induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of SK-NEP-1 cells in a dose-dependent way which may be associated with the down-regulated CXCR4 expression in SK-NEP-1 cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of Matrine on the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in human rhabdomyosarcoma RD cells in vitro.Methods Cultured human rbabdomyosarcoma RD cells were divided into Matrine intervention groups (0.5 g/L,1.0 g/L and 1.5 g/L) and a control group.The proliferation-inhibition rates in RD cells treated with different concentrations of matrine were detected by methylthiazolyl blue colorimetric assay.Flow cytometry analysis was performed for the apoptosis rates of RD cells.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to measure the XIAP mRNA expression.Results There was a significant difference in the proliferation-inhibition rates [0.5 g/L Matrine group:(15.84 ± 2.58)％,1.0 g/L Matrine group:(23.13 ±4.19)％,1.5 g/L Matrine group:(30.32 ±3.02)％,and the control group:(8.92 ± 1.23)％];apoptotic rates [0.5 g/L Matrine group:(12.33 ± 1.15)％,1.0 g/L Matrine group:(16.67 ± 0.99)％,1.5 g/L Matrine group:(25.33 ± 1.91)％,and the control group:(9.47 ± 0.96)％];XIAP mRNA expression(0.5 g/L Matrine group:0.633 ± 0.046,1.0 g/L Matrine group:0.441 ± 0.055,1.5 g/L Matrine group:0.326 ± 0.065,control group:0.794 ±0.029)in RD cells among 0.5 g/L,1.0 g/L,1.5 g/L Matrine groups and the control group (F =14.15,83.37,50.57,all P ＜ 0.05).The proliferation-inhibition and apoptotic rates in RD cells were gradually increased with the increasing Matrine concentration.The expression of XIAP mRNA was significantly decreased in different Matrine groups compared with the control group,exhibiting a dose-dependent manner.Conclusions Matrine can inhibit the proliferation of RD cells and induce the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner,which may be related to the down-regulated XIAP mRNA.

Objective To investigate the effects of matrine on proliferation and apoptosis of human rhabdomyosarcoma(RMS) RD cells line in vitro,to study the regulatory mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-influenced apoptosis of RD cells line by detecting the expressions of β-catenin protein,Bcl-2 protein and caspase-3 protein,and to explore Wnt/β-catenin mechanism during the process of RMS.Methods The human RMS RD cells line was treated with matrine of different concentrations (0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0 g/L)for 48 hours respectively,and the proliferation inhibition rates of different concentrations of matrine on RD cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay,while the apoptosis rates by flow cytometry (FCM) and the expressions of β-catenin,Bcl-2 and caspase-3 by Western blot.Results The proliferation inhibition rates between control group and different concentrations of matrine groups were(13.70 ±0.25)％,(33.16 ±0.11)％,(42.96 ±0.90)％,(56.26 ±0.79)％ and (67.89 ±0.63)％,respectively.The apoptosis rates were (5.49 ± 0.96) ％,(17.23 ± 5.03) ％,(25.84 ± 4.17) ％,(36.08 ± 3.68) ％and (47.79 ± 4.82) ％,respectively.The highest expression of β-catenin and Bcl-2 proteins and the minimum amount of caspase-3 protein were found in the control group.After intervention of matrine,the expressions of β-catenin and Bcl-2 reduced while the amount of caspase-3 rose significantly,which was concentration-dependent obviously.Differences were found between every concentration of matrine group with control group according to statistics (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Matrine can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of RD cells.Matrine can down-regulate the expression of β-catenin and Bcl-2 proteins in RD cells,while the amount of caspase-3 protein rises.Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway plays an important role in the apoptosis of RD cell induced by matrine,and its downstream proteins Bcl-2 and caspase-3 are also involved in the regulation of this process.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of glucose and insulin on the synthesis and secretion of adrenomedullin (ADM) by rat aortas in vitro.MethodsThe rat aortas were cut into pieces and divided into several equal groups. All the groups were incubated in K-H buffers including different levels of glucose,insulin and insulin+glucose for 3 hours,the group incubated in K-H buffer without glucose was used as control. To determine ADM in K-H buffers and tissues using RIA method.ResultsADM levels in insulin groups (100.0 μIU/ml,200.0 μIU/ml) and insulin+glucose groups were higher than that in control (P<0.05),the ADM levels in glucose groups and low level insulin group (20.0 μIU/ml) were not significantly difference compared with the control. ConclusionHigh levels of insulin can stimulate the synthesis and secretion of ADM.

BACKGROUND: As indicated by clinical research, if cerebral infarction could be effectively treated at early stage, especially normal specific therapy provided within 6 hours or even earlier after attack, the prognosis would be significantly better than delayed therapy. However, it is still unclear that whether the changes of cellular apoptosis-inducing or -inhibiting indicators could be used as criteria in the judgment of prognosis.OBJECTIVE: To test the content of cell apoptotic factor and to investigate the prognosis in hospitalized patients with cerebral infarction who received treatment at different time for further verification of the therapeutic timing for the disease.DESIGN: A same term randomized controlled study based on patients.SETTING: Department of neurology of a general hospital of a military area command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 144 male patients admitted in the Second Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between 2000 and 2002 were divided into four groups including 6 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours and 96 hours group according to different time of therapy provided.METHODS: Oral administration of 400 mg Lumbrokinase, 2 tablets of heparin sodium, 60 mg of nimodipine, and 100 mg of vitamin E, three times a day. 150 mL of normal saline(NS) containing 52.5 mg of Ginkgo biloba L extractive(Jin Na Duo) and 150 mL of NS containing 10 mL of Cerebroprotein Hydeolysate were used through intravenous drop once a day. Ten days were set as one therapeutic course and 2 courses were given. 200 g/L of mannite was given to dehydrate for patients with large area infarction(＞ 7 cm2) . Platelet membrane Fas, Apo2.7 and Bcl-2 percentage and prognostic assessment were tested in patients of four groups before and after therapy.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peripheral platelet membrane Fas,Apo2.7 and Bcl-2 percentage in patients of different group and prognosis evaluation.RESULTS: Percentage of platelet membrane Fas, Apo2.7 and Bcl-2 of 6 hours group was significantly higher or lower after therapy than before therapy ( P ＜ 0.05 ), and moreover, the difference with other groups was significant( P ＜ 0.05), As revealed in the analysis of prognosis, the effectiveness of patients who received therapy within 6 hours was significantly better than that of 96 hours group and the mortality reduced significantly.CONCLUSION: Normal hospitalizing therapy provided within 6 hours after attack could surely improve the prognosis and reduce the disability rate, and the abnormity and extent in Fas, Apo2.7 and Bcl-2 are closely correlated with prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of 128-slice spiral CT angiography( MSCTA)for bypass grafts in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods One hundred and thirty-three bypass grafts (44 IMA grafts,89 saphenous veins grafts) of 46 patients after CABAG operation for 12 to 76 months were examined by MSCTA.Then the coronary angiography(CAG) was performed on those patients 3 - 10 days after MSCTA examination.The MSCTA results were compared with the angiography results.Results Among the 133 bypass grafts,MACTA examination showed that 17 grafts were occluded and 20 grafts were severe restenosis( restenosis degree ＞ 50％ ).There was also 17 occluded grafts showed in CAG examination as in MSCTA results.But 21 restenosis ( restenosis degree ＞ 50％ ) bypass grafts were identified by CAG.Compared with the CAG results,there was 1 false positive and 2 false negative in the MSCTA results.The overall sensitivity and specificity of MSCTA on evaluating the bypass grafts were 94.7％ and 98.9％.The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 97.3％ and 97.9％,respectively.Conclusion As a noninvasive examination,128-slice spiral CT could accurately identify and evaluate the bypass grafts lesions after CABG.

AIM To evaluate the prevention and treatment of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine sodium (MPG-Na) and tiopronin (MPG) on acute liver injury. METHODS The experimental mouse model of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (Gal) was applied to investigate preventive and remedial effects. In the preventive experiment, the mice were ip administered with MPG-Na or MPG 37.5，75 and 150 mg·kg~(-1), respectively, for 7 d. Gal 800 mg·kg~(-1) was ip given into the mice 30 min after the last administration. In the remedial experiment, the mice were ip given Gal 800 mg·kg~(-1) and 30 min later followed by MPG-Na or MPG 37.5, 75 and 150 mg·kg~(-1) , respectively, for 2 d. The mice were euthanized and serum was prepared 24 h (pre-treatment) or 48 h (post-treatment) after Gal injection. The activities of serum glutamyl pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), the contents of total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb), and the Alb/globulin (A/G) ratio were determined. The liver tissues were collected for histopathological assessment (HE staining) under light microscope. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the activities of serum GPT and GOT in model group were significantly increased. The injuries such as fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis were observed. Compared with model group, the activities of GPT and GOT in pre-treatment groups were obviously decreased in MPG-Na 150 mg·kg~(-1) group. In post-treatment groups, the activity of GPT decreased in 3 MPG-Na groups. The contents of TP, Alb and A/G ratio had little change. In addition, MPG-Na alleviated the injuries such as fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis obviously. Compared with MPG, MPG-Na showed similar effect. CONCLUSION MPG-Na has an obvious protective effect against Gal-induced acute liver injury in mice and the efficiency is equivalent as MPG.

Objective To explore the changes of alveolar morphology and alveolar epithelial cells in rats with hyperoxia-induced chronic lung diseases (CLD). Methods CLD model in neonatal rats was established by inhalation of high concentration oxygen(85%～90% ). Eighty neonatal rats were randomly exposed to hyperoxia (model group) and to room air (control group) (n =40 each). Radical alveolar counts and the alveolar septum thickness were used to evaluate alveolar development. The site and intensity of expression of SPC,AQP5 protein were detected by immunohistochemical staining,the dynamic expression of SPC mRNA,AQP5mRNA was detected by RT-PCR on day 1,3,7,14 and 21 after exposure. Results There were no significant differences about alveolar wall thickness and RAC between experimental groups and control group on day 1～3 ( P > 0. 05 ). But there was significant difference between the model group and the control groups on day 7 and 14 (P <0. 01 ). For model group,alveolar septum thickness peaked on day 21, the difference was significant compared with control group ( 10. 62±5.01 vs 3.62±0. 88, P < 0. 001 ), but RAC decreased to the lowest level, the difference was significant compared with control group ( 3.57±1.24 vs 10. 47±0. 88,P <0. 001 ). The expression of SPC decreased on day 3 manifestedly but increased on day 7 and the levels of SPC were higher than that in the control group. Experimental group showed gradual decrease in AQP5 expression as the lung impairment devastated. Conclusion Alveolar development was delayed and alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) was damaged in the neonatal CLD rats. The changes of SPC,AQP5 expression suggested AECI was severely damaged and failed in full recovery, meanwhile the quantity of AEC Ⅱ was increased but the ability of its differentiation and transformation was decreased.

The paper reviewed clinical reports on the treatment of hypermenorrhea, menostaxis, and uterine bleeding with Ancong Decoction and modified Ancong Decoction. Although there were few reports concerned with clinical usage, Ancong Decoction has sound therapeutic effects, with more than 90% effective rate.

Objective To learn the overall results of the final test paper in nursing undergraduates of Peking Union Medical College, and to provide the theoretical support for teaching quality assessment of nursing undergraduates.Methods The difficulty coefficient, the discrimination index, the reliability (Cronbach α coefficient) and the degree of coverage were analyzed based on education measurement and education statistical methods.Results The mean total score was 67.8±12.5, ranged from 38 to 95.The difficulty coefficient, the discrimination index and the Cronbach α coefficient were 0.68, 0.30 and 0.71 respectively.The rates of loss score were 33.8% for choice questions, 37.2% for completion questions, 22.5%for true or false questions and 24.8% for calculation questions respectively.Among the total 30 examination questions, the proportions of the most difficult ones, the difficult ones, the moderate ones, the easy ones and the easiest ones were 30.0%,13.3%,20.0%,20.0% and 16.7% respectively.28 examination questions (93.3%) had the best or better discrimination.Conclusions The test paper held the moderate difficulty and the good discrimination, reliability and the degree of coverage.The results of the examination accurately reflect the knowledge and ability of the students.In addition, more attention should be paidto improve the knowledge of nursing undergraduates on the importance of the medical statistics in medical scientific research.