Purpose To investigate the effects of human vitreous fluid on proliferation of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and vascular endothelial cell lines(VEC304). Methods Human RPE cells and VEC304 were cultured and treated in different human vitreous conditioned medium (VCM) with or without serum, vitreous volume concentrations of VCM were 1∶8, 1∶4 and 1∶2. Cells proliferation was assayed by tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry at the 2nd, 4th and 6th day respectively. Results In the presence of serum, 1∶4, 1∶2 VCM had a significantly stimulative effect on RPE cells proliferation compared with control group at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th day retrospectively ( P

Objective To describe cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells transdifferentiation and investigate the effects of human vitreous fluid on the morphologic and cytoskeleton changes of RPE cells in vitro. Methods Cytoskeleton characteristics in the 2 nd, 5 th, 8 th passage of RPE cells in normal culture, which included cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) were analyzed by Western blot. RPE cells were cultured in human vitreous-conditioned medium (VCM) at the concentration of 1∶4 for 6 days, morphologic changes were examined by light and electron microscopy, and cytoskeleton characteristics were analyzed by imunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results During culture in vitro, RPE cells lost epithelial characteristics and aquired fibroblast-like phenotype. The expression of CK18 was the highest at the 5 th passage, and it decreased in the following passage, but ?-SMA increased gradually. The morphologic transdifferentiation from epithelial to fibroblast-like cells of RPE was accelerated by VCM. Ultrastructural changes such as decreased microvilli and gradually increased rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex were found during the cultivation. CK18 produced by RPE cells decreased in VMC (P

Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Pancreatitis ; chemically induced ; Pesticides ; poisoning

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; complications

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and to elucidate its possible mechanism. METHODS: The proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was detected by XTT method. Lipid droplets accumulated in cytoplasm of the differentiated preadipocytes were observed by using red O staining and quantified by colorimetry. The expressions of peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP alpha) mRNAs and proteins were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. RESULTS: APS at different concentrations (0.025-0.8 g/L) affected 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation dose-dependently. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with 0.4 g/L APS had lots of lipid droplets in the cytoplasma, which were similar to cells treated with rosiglitazone (ROS). APS significantly increased the mRNA and protein expressions of PPAR gamma and C/EBP alpha (P<0.05, P<0.01, compared with the normal control group) in the course of 3T3-LI preadipocyte differentiation. CONCLUSION: APS can promote the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, enhance the accumulation of lipid drops, and increase the terminal differentiation of preadipocytes, which may be associated with its effects in increasing the expressions of PPAR gamma and C/EBP alpha mRNAs and proteins. The study suggests that APS has potential in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

To explore new agents of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives with more potent antiepileptic activity, a series of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyramide derivatives were designed and synthesized. All of the novel compounds (5a-51) were synthesized from GABA as starting material, and their structures were confirmed with IR, 1H NMR, EI-MS and elemental analysis. Preliminary pharmacological test in vitro showed that all target compounds displayed strong antiepileptic activities and were worth for further study. The structure-activity relationship of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyramide derivatives was also discussed preliminarily.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the negative effects of continuous drought on the breeding, production and sales of Panax notoginseng, and to search countermeasures. METHODS:Field survey, literature review and key character interviews were carried out in stricken production area. Mechanism of negative effects and its future influence were analyzed preliminarily. RESULTS:Southwest China suffered from 1-in-100 chance serious drought, and noted production area of P. notoginseng located serious disaster area. The development of P. notoginseng industry was destroyed by continuous drought. CONCLUSION:The basic strategies of P. notoginseng industry reconstruction should be formulated to provide reference for sustainable development strategies of TCM industry suffering from drought in Southwest China.

Objective To investigate the value of 3D-TEE,2D-TEE,CTA and X-ray contrast in assessing left atrial appendage (LAA) shape,size and guidance for the choice of occlusion.Methods Forty-three cases of left atrial fibrillation who were referred for LAA closure were performed TEE to measure the opening maximum diameter,and maximum depth of 2D-TEE at 0°,45°,90° and 135°.When LAA showed most clearly,the opening maximum and minimum diameter of LAA were measured by using 3D-ROOM mode,and the results were compared with those measured by CTA and X-ray contrast.Results There was no significant difference for opening maximum diameter of LAA measured by 3D-TEE,2D-TEE and X-ray contrast (all P＞0.05),but that of CTA statistically larger than 3D-TEE,2D-TEE,X-ray contrast (all P＜0.01).There were significant difference between 2D-TEE at 90°,135° and CTA,2D-TEE at 135° and X-ray contrast in assessing maximum depth of LAA (all P＜0.05).Opening maximum diameter of LAA measured by 3D-TEE was significantly correlated with each angle of 2D-TEE,CTA,and X-ray contrast (r=0.70-0.77,0.57,0.58,all P＜0.01),and the opening maximum diameter measured by 2D-TEE also correlated with CTA and X-ray contrast (r =0.57-0.71,0.45-0.51,all P＜0.01).Also the opening maximum diameter measured by 3D-TEE,2D-TEE,CTA and x-ray contrast were correlated with occluder size (r=0.93,0.70-0.77,0.57,0.47,all P＜0.01).Conclusion Compared with 2D-TEE,CTA and X-ray contrast,3D-TEE is more instructive for occluder selection.

Objective To establish a RP-HPLC method investigate the processing technique and mechanism of Eucommiae Cortex.Methods The RP-HPLC method was applied to simultaneously determining six ingredients,geniposidic acid,geniposide,genipin,chlorogenic acid,(+)-pinoresinol-di-β-D-glucopyranoside,and(+)-syringaresinol-di-β-D-glucopyranoside,in the different processed barks of Eucommia ulmoides.Results The valid method with good accuracy could be well used to study the processing technique of E.ulmoides;Besides,target ingredients in E.ulmoide were decreased within 6 h when they were processed.Conclusion Established RP-HPLC is a reliable method which could be used to research the processing technique of the barks ofE.ulmoides.Moreover,the result of this study could be provided with significant evidence of processed barks of E.ulmoides.