OBJECTIVETo explore the pharmacologic mechanism of cinnabar (CA) and realgar (RG) in Angong Niuhuang powder (ANP) by way of studying the characteristics of their effects on organism under physiologic and pathologic states.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into six groups, 8-10 rats in each group. Group A: untreated normal rats; Group B: normal rats administered by ANP (drug I) 278 mg/kg; Group C: normal rats administered by ANP subtracted CA and RG (drug II) 222.7 mg/kg; Group D: brain edema model rats established by unilateral common carotid artery injection of Bacillus pertussis 250 million/kg; Group E: model rats administered by ANP 278 mg/kg 1 hr before modeling; Group F: model rats administered by drug II 222.7 mg 1 hr before modeling. Blood sample and brain tissue in Group D were obtained 4 hrs after modeling and those in other groups obtained 5 hrs after drug administration. The total activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum and brain tissue was determined by colorimetry and that of serum LDH isoenzymes (LDH(1-5)) were determined by gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSAs compared with Group A, LDH, LDH1 and LDH2 activities increased in Group D (P < 0.01), and increased also in Group B and C (P < 0.05), while LDH4 and LDH5 decreased obviously in Group B and C. But except that of LDH5, no significant difference of LDH(1-4) in brain tissue and serum was shown in comparison of Group B and C. As compared with Group D, LDH was lower (P < 0.01) and LDH5 was higher (P < 0.01) in Group E and F without significant difference, LDH2, LDH3 were lower in Group E (P < 0.01) but unchanged in Group F, LDH1 and LDH4 were not changed in Group E but significantly lowered in Group F (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAdministration of ANP in normal physiologic condition would cause damage on myocardium and kidney to certain extent, administration of ANP and drug II in pathologic (infectious brain edema) would suppress the hyper-activated LDH, with no significant difference between the effects of drug II and ANP. However, CA and RA in ANP are proven to have influence on the serum LDH isoenzymes, indicating that the two ingredients may have some potential pharmacological effects.

Animals ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Brain Edema ; enzymology ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Encephalitis ; complications ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Mercury Compounds ; pharmacology ; Powders ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Wenjingtong Composita (WJTC) on blood glucose and advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) in sciatic nerve of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

METHODSSTZ-induced diabetic rats were randomized to WJTC prevention group and WJTC treatment group. The levels of blood glucose and AGEs in sciatic nerve of the animals were checked after 12 weeks treatment and compared with that of aminoguanidine (AG) treatment group.

RESULTSBlood glucose level in the WJTC prevention and treatment group, and AGEs in sciatic nerve of the WJTC prevention group and the AG group were lower than those of the non-treated group (P < 0.01). Blood glucose level in the AG group was higher than that in the WJTC prevention group (P < 0.05), but was not significantly different from that in the non-treated group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWJTC might prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy by decreasing blood glucose and inhibiting AGEs formation in sciatic nerve in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glycosylation ; drug effects ; Guanidines ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sciatic Nerve ; metabolism ; Sciatic Neuropathy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Xianzhen tablet (XZT, a Chinese patent compound recipe) on advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and mRNA expression of AGE-specific cellular receptor (RAGE) in renal cortex of diabetic rats in order to explore the mechanism of XZT in protecting kidney.

METHODSThe diabetic rat model with persistent hyperglycemic renal damage was reproduced by streptozotocin. Fluorescent assay and RT-PCR were used to determine the content of AGEs and expression of RAGE mRNA in renal cortex in model rats, which were treated with XZT and controlled by aminoguanidine (AG) administration.

RESULTSThe relative content of AGEs and RAGE mRNA expression in renal cortex of model rats 12 weeks after modeling were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05), while those in model rats treated by XZT or AG were markedly lower than those in non-treated model rats (P < 0.05), the effect of the both groups showed insignificant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXZT could reduce the accumulation of AGEs in renal cortex of diabetic rats, down-regulate the over-expression of RAGE mRNA, with the effects similar to that of AG, the inhibition of XZT on protein non-enzymatic glycosylation might be one of the mechanisms of its effect in protecting kidney.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tablets

Objective:To investigate any change in the effective connectivity between the bilateral anterior central gyruses after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).Methods:Twenty-one healthy subjects were examined using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) before and after receiving continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). The brain atlas of the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was used for fine partitioning of the bilateral anterior central gyruses. Granger causality analysis was used to compare any changes in the effective connectivity between them.Results:After the cTBS inhibited the right M1 area, significant changes in effective connectivity among the sub-regions of the bilateral M1 area were observed. The effective connectivity of the right upper limb to the left upper limb and the left head to face were weakened, while that of the left upper limb to the right head, as well as of the face to the right upper limb was enhanced.Conclusion:For people whose right M1 area has been inhibited by cTBS, the effective connectivity changes in both upper limb functional areas of the M1 region reflect inter-hemispheric inhibition. Opposite changes were found in the trunk and upper limbs.

According to the trend of the development of the quality education, it is necessary to re-form the traditional homework assignments in medical microbiology for improving the innovation ability of students. This program attempts to reform the homework on clinical medicine undergraduates. First, the teacher must master diversified knowledge, and then the student design and finish the homework combine with personal characteristic from the training requirements of experimental confirmation, theoretical cognition and social survey. The questionnaire shows the personalized homework can help students to master the pro-fessional knowledge, stimulate study interest and improve the comprehensive quality.

Objective To construct expression vectors of calmodulin(CaM)mutants N2 and C2,and to express,purify,and identify the mutant proteins,in order to study the interactions between CaM and calcium channels. Methods The cDNA of N?lobe and C?lobe of CaM were used to prepare the cDNA of N2 and C2. Next,the recombinant cDNAs were cloned into a pGEX?6p?3 plasmid,and the recombinant plasmids were trans?ferred into E.coli BL21 cells. The transfected BL21 cells were stimulated with IPTG. The fusion proteins were extracted by ultrasonication and puri?fied by using GS?4B beads. Finally,protein activity was identified by the pull?down assay. Results Both the restriction digestion map and the DNA sequence identification results confirmed that the recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. SDS?PAGE results showed high purity and concentration of N2 and C2 proteins. Their activities and binding abilities with the calcium channel fragment were confirmed by the pull?down assay.Conclusion In this study,expression vectors of N2 and C2 are successfully constructed,and physiologically active N2 and C2 CaM mutant proteins are obtained.

BACKGROUNDFibrinogen-depleting agents are promising in the treatment of cerebral ischemic disease. They were studied by many trials, and the outcomes were different because of different regimens and different doses. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of defibrase on acute cerebral infarction in China.

METHODSA search using Chinese hospital knowledge database (CHKD) and MEDLINE database for randomized controlled trials was carried out. A CHKD (1994 June 2005) search was performed with the keyword "defibrase", then a second search for the keyword "acute cerebral infarction"; a MEDLINE search (1950 June 2005) was performed with the following keywords: [(cerebral ischemia), OR (acute cerebral infarction), OR (stroke)], AND [defibrase]. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan software 4.2.

RESULTSIncluded were 14 studies comparing the efficiency and safety of defibrase with other drugs in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Patients' records were pooled (total 646 patients; defibrase, n = 328, no defibrase n = 318). Neurological deficit score (NDS) before treatment showed weighted mean differences (WMD) = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (-0.60, 2.50), P = 0.23; NDS after treatment showed WMD = -2.20, 95% CI = (-4.21, -0.18), P = 0.03; Barthel index at 3 months showed WMD = 4.45, 95% CI = (-0.13, 9.03), P = 0.06; the plasma fibrinogen level before treatment showed WMD = 0.02, 95% CI = (-0.16, 0.19), P = 0.86; plasma fibrinogen level after treatment showed WMD = -1.51, 95% CI = (-1.88, -1.15), P < 0.00 001.

CONCLUSIONSWith the given dose and regimen of defibrase in China, defibrase may play a role of anticoagulation. It might inhibit the progression of stroke and prevent the recurrence of stroke.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Batroxobin ; therapeutic use ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; drug therapy ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND: Ventilation dysfunction caused by bronchomalacia induced bronchostenosis following high-risk heart transplantation is an acute clinical disease, which seriously impairs the function of transplant heart. The case of emergency bronchial stent placement following heart transplantation with high-risk multi-complication has not been reported yet.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of emergency stent placement for worse left main bronchial malacia, stenosis and collapse following orthotopic heart allotransplantation.DESIGN: A case analysis.SETTINGS: National Ministry of Health Transplantation Engineering and Technical Research Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Department of Cardiosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Xiamen University.PARTICIPANTS: An 18-year-old female patient with dilated cardiomyopathy accompanied by moderate to severe pulmonary artery hypertension, who sequentially carried out orthotopic heart allotransplantation, was selected from the Department of Cardiosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Xiamen University in April, 2004. She had suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy for 15 years, and the mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) was 50-51 mm Hg, she was also accompanied by left main bronchial malacia, stenosis and collapse, mixed (mainly central-) sleep apnea syndrome, left inferior pulmonary sequestration, right emphysema, and rheumatoid arthritis for half a year.METHODS: After heart transplantation, bronchus inflammation, congested edema aggravated the severity of bronchial malacia, stenosis and collapse, tenosis reduced to 4/5, and led to obstructive type of ventilation, and the patient was also accompanied by supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular extrasystole, and hypofunction of transplant cardiac systolic function (peak E＜peak A, ejection fraction reduced to 40%, inharmonious motion of ventricular wall). Attempted with inotropic agents and ventilator/support were not relieved, which resulted in the aggravation of illness. In order to improve the post-transplant cardiac function, to relieve bronchial collapse and stenosis, and correct the obstructive type of ventilation, an emergency bronchial stent placement surgery was carried out on the sixth day after heart transplantation. Under monitoring of electrocardiogram (EGG) and percutaneaous oxygen saturation (SpO2), patient was awake and in supine to relieve left main bronchial stenosis with a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy stent (Diameter: 12 mm; length: 20 mm) by D20 fiberoptic bronchoscope. Fibrobronchoscopy was used to observe the proximal end of bronchostenosis and set the proximate location mark by using video fluoroscopy; the patency of distal end was explored by stricture, and set the distal location mark; guidewire was inserted into working path of bronchofibroscope and led through the stricture; then loaded the Ni-Ti stent on a special placement apparatus, and led in bronchial stent implantation apparatus along guidewire. When targeting well, the stent was slowly released and adjusted properly. When it was completely released, the stent implantation apparatus was drawn out. Bronchofibroscope was performed postoperatively to observe the adherence of stent; immediately photographed to observe its unfolding. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) was given postoperatively as supportive treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ameliorations of the cardiac and pulmonary functions of the patient.RESULTS: ①Carbon dioxide retention and hypercapnia were remarkably improved as compared with those preoperatively; hypertensive pulmonary vascular disease was alleviated gradually, and MPAP reduced to 30 mm Hg. One week later, re-examination of bronchofibroscopy was carried out, and the results showed that bronchi of left upper lobe, lingual lobe as well as left lower lobe could be seen distinctly, mucous membrane had slightly congested edema, and lumens were unobstructed.②Supraventricular tachycardia and premature ventricualr contraction disappeared, and the transplant cardiac function recovered well (peak E ＞ peak A, ejection fraction 70%, FS41%), and the heart rate fluctuated at 100-110 beats per minute. ③The chest-radiography and CT postoperatively indicated the relief of left main bronchial stenosis. When the ventilation function of the patient was improved, the parameters of breathing machine were reduced gradually, and replaced by low-flow oxygen. There was no recurrence of obstructive ventilatory disorder. The sleep apnea syndrome of the patient was moderated.CONCLUSION: Emergency treatment with stent placement for bronchial malacia, stenosis and collapse occurring after orthotopic heart allotransplantation cAN improve ventilation dysfunction caused by bronchial malacia and stenosis,and increase the survival rate of heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possibility of the human bone marrow multipotent adult progenitor cells (hMAPCs) to differentiate into hepatocytes with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/ fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) in vitro.

METHODS(1) Obtaining the hMAPCs. Bone marrow was obtained from volunteers and then centrifuged through density gradient centrifugation methods. The collected mononuclear cells were cultured through adheret culture to get mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The hMAPCs were obtained through collecting and isolating the MSCs by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) through depletion selection by use of CD45 and GlyA microbeads. (2) Differentiation of the hMAPCs with HGF+FGF-4. Group A: HGF (20 ng/ml) + FGF-4 (10 ng/ml) induced hMAPCs; group B (positive control group): L-02 human hepatocytes(cell lines); and group C (negative control group): the undifferentiated hMAPCs. (3) The expressions of albumin (Alb), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), and cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) were detected with immunocytochemistry to identify the characteristics of the differentiated cells at different times and the ratio of the positive cells was determined. (4) ALB, AFP, CK-18, and CK-19 expressions of the differentiated cells were detected by RT-PCR assay to investigate the mRNA transcriptions of characteristic hepatic proteins. (5) Alb expressions of the differentiated cells at different times were detected by Western blot on the 21st and 35th days.

RESULTS(1) The results of immunocytochemistry. The staining of Alb, CK18 were essentially positive in group A. As an early marker of immature hepatocytes, AFP staining was positive on the 7th day but negative in later differentiating periods in group A. (2) The results of RT-PCR. On the 7th day, the differentiated hMAPCs expressed AFP mRNA but were negative in later differentiating periods. On the contrary, the mRNA of Alb and CK-18 were positive at all times. (3) The results of Western blot assay. Alb protein was positive on the 21st day and 35th day.

CONCLUSIONSUnder some definite inducing conditions hMAPCs can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. They may serve as a potential cell source for liver engineering.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 4 ; pharmacology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology