OBJECTIVETo explore the role of Xuebijing Injection (XBJI) in inhibiting inflammatory factors associated with anoxia/reoxygenation myocardial inflammatory response of rats.

METHODSTotally 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, 280 ± 30 g were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the normal control group (N group), the balanced perfusion group (BP group),the model group (M group),the low dose XBJI group (XBJI(L) group), the middle dose XBJI group (XBJI(M) group),and the high dose XBJI group (XBJI(H) group), 6 in each group. The myocardial anoxia/reoxygenation rat model was established by Langendorff isolated heart perfusion. The concentration of TNF-α in the myocardial tissue was detected by ELISA. The expression of nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) protein and Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein were detected using Western blot. The expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Ultrastructural changes of anoxia-reoxygenation rats' heart muscle were observed under transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the M group,the TNF-α concentration, expression levels of NF-κB p65 protein and mRNA, TLR4 protein and mRNA decreased to various degrees in the XBJI(L) group, the XBJI(M) group, and the XBJI(H) group. The TNF-α expression level decreased most significantly in the XBJI(L), group (P < 0.01), while other indices decreased most obviously in the XBJI(M) group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Expression levels of NF-κB p65 and TLR4 protein were obviously lower in the XBJI(M) group than in the XBJI(L) group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in other indices among the three XBJI groups (P > 0.05). Myocardial fibers were loose and broken with disappearance of transverse striation, and mitochondrial cristae was dissolved and severely damaged in the M group. The aforesaid condition was improved after treated by XBJI, with the most obvious effect obtained in the XBJI(M) group.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent doses of XBJI could attenuate inflammatory reactions after myocardial anoxia/reoxygenation rats' heart muscle through inhibiting TLR4-NF-κB-TNF-α signal transduction pathway. The best effect could be obtained by 4 mL/100 mL XBJI.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypoxia ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

AIMTo analyze the chemical components in Danggui (the roots of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel).

METHODSHPLC-MS/MS was used to identify the main components in Danggui. Furthermore, the MS fragmentation regularity of the phthalides was proposed. The mobile phase of HPLC consisted of 0.5% acetic acid in water and 0.5% acetic acid in acetonitrile, analytical column was Hypersil ODS2 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm), flow rate 1.0 mL x min(-1), injected volume 2 microL. The ionization source was ESI in positive ion mode.

RESULTSFerulic acid, nine known phthalides and one unknown phthalide derivative were tentatively identified in chromatograms based on their MS data and the comparison of their UV spectra with those published in the literatures.

CONCLUSIONThe structural information of phthalides was obtained via HPLC-MS/MS, which provides an accurate and fast method to identify the phthalides and provides more scientific information for quality control of Danggui.

4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; chemistry ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Phthalic Anhydrides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Acquired drug resistance and metastasis are the main causes of treatment failure in lung cancer. Tumor microenvironment is a complex network for the survival and progression of tumor cells, in which inflammatory factors play a critical role in drug resistance and metastasis. Interleukin (IL)-8 is one of critical pro-inflammatory cytokines responsible for cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, drug resistance and early recurrence in lung cancer. A serum based approach is advantageous for providing a real-time detection and evaluation of disease status in patients. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of IL-8 in predicting prognosis and radiation-induced lung toxicity (RILT), as well as increasing resistance and stem-like characteristics of lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the adhesive and invasive ability of four common periodontal pathogens,Pg33277,Pi25611,Aa29522 and Fn10953 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC).Methods The model of infection of HUVEC by periodontal pathogens was established in vitro.The invasive ability of four periodontal pathogens in HUVEC was tested by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and antibiotic protection assays-colony-forming units(CFU).Results All of the four periodontal pathogens were found to adhere to HUVEC by SEM and invaded HUVEC at invasion numbers of(0.8±0.1)×10~8,(4.1±0.5)×10~6,(1.6±0.3)×10~6 and(5.0±0.4)×10~6 CFU/L respectively by antibiotic protection assays-CFU.The invasion efficiencies were(0.400±0.050)%,(0.021±0.003)%,(0.008±0.002)% and(0.025±0.002)%,respectively.The invasive ability of Pg33277 was significantly greater than those of the other three periodontal pathogens(P＜0.001).There was no difference in invasive abilities among Pi25611,Aa29522 and Fnl0953(P＞0.05).Conclusions All of the four common periodontal pathogens,Pg33277,Pi25611,Aa29522 and Fnl0953 could adhere to and invaded HUVEC,with Pg33277 being the strongest.

Objective To compare the ability of adhesion and invasion to epithelial cells by Porphyromonas gingivalis ( Pg) strains with different fimA separated from Chinese. Methods Cultured method and antibiotic protection method were used to determine the adhesive and invasive ability of Pg with different fimA genetypes. The adhesion was observed by scanning electron microscope. Results All the strains adhered and invaded to KB cells, and the adhesion rate ranged from 0.523% to 37. 125% and invasive rate from 0. 017% to 3. 750%. The adhesive and invasive ability among different fimA genotypes showed no significant difference (P >0. 05).Conclusions There is no significant correlation between fimA genotype and ability in adhesion and invasion to KB cells.

OBJECTIVETo compare mini-probe endoscopic ultrasonography (MCUS) with computed tomography (CT) in preoperative T and N staging of esophageal cancer, and to find out the MCUS parameters to judge lymph node metastasis for esophageal cancer.

METHODSThirty-five patients received both MCUS and CT preoperatively, on both of which the T and N stages were determined. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predicting value and negative predicting value were compared with the postoperative pathological results.

RESULTSThe accuracy of MCUS was 85.7% in T staging and 85.7% and 80.0% in N staging by the two different methods, which were 45.7% and 74.3%, respectively, by CT.

CONCLUSIONMCUS is better than CT in preoperative staging for esophageal cancer. The ratio of short to long axis (S/L) combined with short axis is a useful way to determine lymph node metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Endosonography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagus ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Preoperative Care ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety between propofol and sevoflurane in free flap breast reconstruction.Methods:The data of patients,who underwent free flap breast reconstruction with propofol(P group,n=16)or sevoflurane(S group,n=19),were collected.Postoperative complications of flap,postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)and intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure were retrospectively analyzed.Objective:No statistical significance of the baseline patient characteristics,duration of surgery and anesthesia was found between the two groups.The incidence of flap compromise was 6.3％in the P group while it was 10.5％in the S group.No statistical significance of the history of PONV,motion sickness and smoking was found between two groups.Also no statistical significance of intraoperative sufentanil and remifentanil administered,postoperative PCIA consumption was found between the two groups.The incidence of nausea(from 0 to 2 h)was significantly decreased in the P group(18.8％vs 68.4％,P=0.003).The incidences of vomiting(from 2 to 6 h,0 to 24 h)were significantly reduced in the P group(18.8％vs 52.6％,P=0.039;18.8％vs 57.9％,P=0.019).No statistical significance of preoperative mean arterial blood pressures was found between two groups([88.06±6.86] mmHg vs [88.10±8.13] mmHg,P=0.987).Significant decreases in intraoperative mean arterial blood pressures compared with preoperative mean arterial blood pressures were observed in both groups(P<0.05).Intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure was lower in the S group compared with the P group(P<0.05).More ephedrine was used in the S group(P<0.05).There was no intraoperative awareness in both groups.There were no significant differences in extubation time and 24 h quality of recovery score between the two groups.Conclusions:There was no difference in the outcome of flap between propofol and sevoflurane.Compared with sevoflurane,propofol improves postoperative nausea and vomiting with less intervention in mean arterial blood pressure.

BACKGROUNDCarotid artery stenting (CAS) as a competing treatment modality has had to adhere to limits to gain widespread acceptance in some studies. This study analyzed the clinical data of 1700 consecutive patients after CAS to retrospectively evaluate the 30-day outcome of CAS for internal carotid artery stenosis in a Chinese population.

METHODSMedical records of 1700 patients who underwent CAS at Xuanwu Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2001 and August 2012 were reviewed. Postoperative 30-day complication rates were analyzed and compared with those of other studies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with perioperation myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death.

RESULTSThe overall 30-day rate of MI, stroke, and death after CAS was 2.53%. In univariate analysis, patients who were symptomatic, had a neurological deficit (modified Rankin score (mRS) ≥3; P = 0.001), and who were not taking statins experienced a significantly increased rate of MI, stroke, and death (P = 0.017). In multivariate Logistic regression analysis, the presence of symptoms (odds ratio (OR) = 2.485; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.267-4.876; P = 0.008) and a neurological deficit (mRS ≥3) (OR = 3.025; 95% CI = 1.353-6.763; P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for perioperative MI, stroke, and death.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to this single-center experience, CAS may effectively prevent and treat carotid artery stenosis that would otherwise lead to stroke. Being symptomatic and having a neurological deficit (mRS ≥3) increased the risk of perioperative MI, stroke, and death.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Stenosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stents ; Stroke ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

HOXB4, a member of homeobox gene family, is closely related to the self-renewing and proliferative ability of primitive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (PHSC/PHPC). This study was aimed to investigate the self-renewing level of cord blood progenitor cells (CBPC) expanded in vitro. The HOXB4 expression at mRNA level was assayed by using real time RT-PCR. The results indicated that as culture prolonged, the total cells, CD34(+) cells greatly increased, however the HOXB4 expression gradually declined, even down to undetectable level similar to that of mature lymphocytes. Meanwhile, it was shown that CD34(+) cells co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) could abate the decline of HOXB4 expression. It is concluded that the self-renewing potential of CD34(+) cells gradually decreased during expansion in vitro, co-culture with BM-MSC was helpful to CD34(+) cell expansion and slowed the loss trend of its self-renewal.
Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Homeodomain Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDContrast induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is an important complication in the use of iodinated contrast media (CM). Our study was to evaluate the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C for early diagnosis of CIAKI.

METHODSThe patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was more than 30 ml × min(-1) × 1.73 m(-2) and nor more than 90 ml × min(-1)× 1.73 m(-2) were continuously enrolled. The blood samples of the first 50 patients were obtained before and at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours after procedure to identify the time points at which the biomarkers reached peaks and at which the blood samples of the rest of patients were obtained. The plasma NGAL and cystatin C measure used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The diagnostic characteristics of absolute and relative increasing NGAL and cystatin C for CIAKI were evaluated.

RESULTSTotal 311 patients were enrolled, among whom 39 (12.5%) developed CIAKI. Plasma NGAL increased at 2 hours and reached peak at 4 hours after procedure, while plasma cystatin C increased at 2 hours and reached peak at 24 hours after procedure. Thus, we determine rational point of time at 4 hours for NGAL and at 24 hours after procedure for cystatin C, respectively. The plasma NGAL at 4 hours after CM exposure showed largest area under curve (AUC) of 0.662 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.565 - 0.758, P = 0.002) with 51.5% sensitivity and 80.6% of specificity. The relative increasing 25% of NGAL showed the best sensitivity and specificity of 0.872 and 0.808, respectively, with maximum Youden index of 0.680, while cystatin C with relative increasing more than 25% had 76.9% of sensitivity and 81.2% of specificity. Combined two biomarkers might get more than 90% of specificity.

CONCLUSIONSSingle measurement of NGAL or cystatin C had poor sensitivity and specificity; however, the relative increasing 25% of NGAL at 4 hours after CM exposure demonstrated higher diagnostic values for CIAKI. Combining relative increasing plasma NGAL with relative increasing plasma cystatin C might perform better for early diagnosis of CIAKI.

Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Acute-Phase Proteins ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Creatinine ; blood ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipocalin-2 ; Lipocalins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; blood ; Renal Insufficiency ; complications