AIM:To investigate the effect of insulin and selenium in combination on the apoptosis and the ex-pression of Ku70, acetylated Ku70, Bax and cytochrome C in myocardial cells of the rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), and to explore the mechanism of insulin and selenium in their synergistic anti-DCM effect.METHODS:SD rats (n=50) were randomly grouped into control, DCM, DCM with insulin treatment (DCM+In) group, DCM with selenium treatment (DCM+Se) group, and DCM with insulin and selenium combination treatment (DCM+In+Se) group.Mito-chondrial membrane potential ( MMP) was measured by flow cytometry .The cell apoptosis was observed by terminal-deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL).The levels of Ku70, Bax and cytochrome C were examined by Western blot .The acetylation status of Ku 70 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation .RESULTS: The rats in DCM group showed marked cell apoptosis compared with the control rats .The levels of Ku70 and acetylated Ku70 declined sig-nificantly compared with control group .Bax significantly translocated from cytoplasm into mitochondria and cytochrome C translocated from mitochondria into cytoplasm compared with control group .Compared with DCM +In group or DCM +Se group, insulin and selenium in combination significantly inhibited the apoptosis , down-regulated Ku70 and acetylated Ku70 levels, and prevented Bax and cytochrome C translocation .CONCLUSION: Insulin and selenium synergistically inhibits myocardial apoptosis by regulating Ku 70 acetylation and inhibiting Bax translocation .

Objective To evaluate the safety of helical tomotherapy (HT) for hepatocellular carcinoma confined to the liver,and to investigate the efficacy of HT by comparison with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT).Methods In June 2011,hypofractionated HT was performed in 35 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma confined to the liver who had no distant metastasis or tumor thrombosis.The dose in each fraction increased from 2.4 Gy to 5.0 Gy with a median dose of 3.2 Gy.The median dose for the total treatment was 50.0 Gy.Within the same period,45 patients received conventionally fractionated 3DCRT with a median dose of 54.0 Gy.The adverse reactions,clinical outcomes,and survival time were compared between the two groups.The survival rate was calculated with Kaplan-Meier method,and log-rank test was used to estimate statistical significance of survival differences.Multivariate analysis of survival was carried out with Cox' s regression model.Results There were no significant differences in adversc reactions between the two groups.The objective response rate was significantly higher in the HT group than in the 3DCRT group (60％ vs.33％,P=0.024).There was no significant difference in the disease control rate between the two groups (94％ vs.89％,P=0.459).The HT group showed significantly higher 1-,2-,and 3-year overall survival rates than the 3DCRT group (97％ vs.80％,P=0.025;81％ vs.55％,P =0.008;67％ vs.50％,P =0.048).The multivariate analysis indicated that tumor smaller than 8 cm,transarterial chemoembolization before radiotherapy,and HT were associated with improved survival (P=0.005;P =0.000;P=0.002).Conclusions HT shows an advantage in precise treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma confined to the liver.With acceptable toxicity,hypofractionated HT shortens the treatment duration and improves the survival in patients.

Aim To explore the mechanism of insulin in combination with selenium preventing myocardial apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats .Methods SD rats ( n =50 ) were randomly divided into five groups: control , diabetic cardiomyopathy ( DCM ) , DCM with insulin treatment , DCM with selenium treat-ment, and DCM with insulin and selenium combination treatment .The cell apoptosis was observed by TUNEL . The levels of Bcl-2, caspase-3, PARP, Cbl-b and p38 MAPK were examined by Western blot .The inter-actions of Cbl-b-p38 MAPK and Ku70-Bax were detec-ted by immunoprecipitation .Results Insulin in com-bination with selenium synergistically inhibited apopto-sis, up-regulated Cbl-b, down-regulated p38MAPK ex-pressions and increased the interactions of Cbl-b-p38MAPK and Ku70-Bax.Conclusion Insulin and selenium synergistically inhibit myocardial apoptosis by regulating Cbl-b-inhibited p38 MAPK and preventing Bax translocation .

Since the polyjuice potion ingredient is complex, we need to develop an analysis method with well separation and high stability to perform qualitative analysis. After dividing chemical components of Mahuang Decoction into fat-soluble and water-soluble constituents by gradient extraction, GC-MS was used to analyze the chemical components of the ethyl acetate extraction. The results showed that forty compounds had been identified by NIST MS search 2.0 standard mass spectrometry Library and literatures. Next, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was applied to idendify the chemical components of the water extraction. The results showed that thirty-nine compounds had been identified by MZmine-2.9.1, Isotope Pattern, fragmentation regularity of mass spectrometry and literatures. This experiment will provide evidences for elucidation of the effective substance in Mahuang decoction and can be used as a simple, shortcut method for analysis and identification for the polyjuice potion.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ephedra ; chemistry ; Ephedra sinica ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Objective To explore the effects of long-term Tai Ji exercise on risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and incidence of chronic diseases. Methods The elderly involved were divided into control group (n=62) and Tai Ji group (n=63). Both of them received 2-years health education. The Tai Ji group exercised with the frequency of 30~40 minutes each time, 3 times a week, while the control group didn't change their daily behavior. They were observed 2 and 6 years later. Results 2 years later, the blood pressure, weight and waistline decreased in Tai Ji group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 6 years followed, 1 people died and 4 people occured cardiovascular diseases in Tai Ji group, while 2 people died and 12 people occured cardiovascular diseases in the control group. The incidence of chronic diseases was lower in Tai Ji group (9.52%) than in the control group (33.87%) (P<0.01). And the blood pressure, waistline, and hipline in Tai Ji group decreased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion Long-term Tai Ji Exercise can ameliorate the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases.

To establish an HPLC-MS/MS method for the analysis of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin in rats plasma and study its pharmamacokinetics after an intragastrical administration of Hippophae rhamnoides extracts. Five healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given single doses of H. rhamnoides extracts (quercetin 26.35 mg x kg(-1), kaempferid 4.040 mg x kg(-1), isorhamnetin 31.37 mg x kg(-1)), and then their orbital sinus blood samples were collected at different time points. The drug plasma concentration of the three flavonoids was determined by HPLC-MS/MS method. After that, the main pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated by using Kinetica 5. 0. 11 software. The methodological test showed that the linear concentration ranges of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin were 7.500-600.0 μg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 5), 1.000-80.00 μg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 5 ) and 10.00-800.0 μg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.998 0), respectively. The inner and inter-days precisions were both less than 14.0%. The plasma samples showed a good stability and consistency with the requirement of biological sample analysis after the samples were frozen once and placed at - 20 degrees C for 15 d and room temperature for 6 h and the treated analytes were placed at -20 degrees C for 24 h. For quercetin, the pharmacokinetic parameter t(½β), AUC(0-∞), MRT(0.∞), C.(max) and T(max) were (113.3 ± 19.37) min, (12 542.14 ± 3 504.05) μg x h x L(-1), (119.6 ± 13.29) h, (164.6 ± 27.33) μg x L(-1) and (5.199 ± 0.840 3) h, respectively. For kaempferid, the pharmacokinetic parameters t(½β), AUC(0-t), MRT(0-∞), C(max) and T(max) were (79.85 ± 17.15) min, (934.51 ± 94.59) μg x h x L(-1), (81.50 ± 13.75) h, (80.15 ± 14.24) μg x L(-1) and (3.827 ± 0.902 7) h, respectively. For isorhamnetin, the pharmacokinetic parameters t1,2,, AUC(0-t), MRT(0-∞), C(max) and T(max) were (118.3 ± 20.73) min, (26 067.77 ± 4 124.60) μg x h x L(-1), (129.0 ± 16.30) h, (269.6 ± 29.32) μg x L(-1) and (6.513 ± 1.450) h, respectively. The HPLC-MS/MS analysis method established in this study was proved to be sensitive and accurate and could be applied in the pharmacokinetic study of quercetin, kaempferid and isorhamnetin in rat plasma.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Hippophae ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

This article reviewed pharmacological study development of Punica granatum L. both at home and abroad in recent years. P. granatum has a long medical usage history. Different parts of P. granatum have wide applications in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other ethnic medicine. Its main chemical compositions were tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and organic acids. It has obvious pharmacological activities. In recent years, the pharmacological research progress on P. granatum in terms of antibacterial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, antitumor, adjusting blood lipids, antioxidant, and immunoregulation has rapid development. The scientific collection and analysis on effects and new pharmacological research results of P. granatum are hoped to provide references for the study, clinical application, development and utilization of P. granatum and its products.

Aim To investigate the age-related changes of TrkB mRNA in hippocampal formation of aged rats,and the effects of ginsenosides(GS),and provide reliable experimental evidence for anti-aging.Methods 24 Wistar female rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Young,aged and GS group(fed with GS from 17 to 27 months).In situ hybridization(ISH) method was applied into qualifying and quantitating the TrkB mRNA expression in hippocampal formation.Results TrkB mRNA expression in aged CA3,CA1 and dentate gyrus decreased by 24.2%,13.4% and 50.6%(P

A research combined trickling filter system and active sludge aeration system was applied in the treatment of industrial wastewater from gas-generating with heavy oil. The wastewater contained both high contents of NH+4-N and mixed hydrocarbons including various PAHs. Its BOD5/COD ratio was less than 0.3 and belongs to recalcitrant, toxic wastewater. The results showed a touch-growth biofilms system was formed on the porous packing material and it played a key role in the decrease of toxicity of the influent. It could also improve the biodegradability of the wastewater.

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of zero-profile implant for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in treating single cervical disc herniation.

METHODSFrom August 2011 to June 2012,30 patients with single cervical disc herniation were treated with ACDF using zero-profile implant in one motion segment. There were 18 males and 12 females with a mean age of 55.3 years old (ranged, 36 to 68). Incidence of dysphagia, height of intervertebral space and condition of bone fusion were observed after operation. Spinal nerves function and clinical results were assessed according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Odom criteria.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of 15.9 months. The mean intraoperative blood loss was (85.3 +/- 14.2) ml (70 to 120 ml) and operative time was (90.0 +/- 12.8) min (70 to 120 ml). Preoperative, postoperative at 3 months and 1 year, JOA score was 8.72 +/- 2.36 (5.0 to 13.0), 14.72 +/- 1.66 (11.5 to 17.0) and 15.65 +/- 1.03 (13.5 to 17.0), respectively. One year after operation, according Odom criteria to assess, 22 cases got excellent results, 7 good, 1 fair. All dysphagiaes vanished completely at 3 months after operation. The lost height of intervertebral space was (0.34 +/- 0.13) mm (0.1 to 0.6 mm) and (0.39 +/- 0.15) mm (0.2 to 0.7 mm) at 3, 12 months after operation, respectively. All patients obtained bone fusion at 1 year after operation.

CONCLUSIONThe zero-profile implant is a valid alternative to anterior cervical plate in treating single cervical disc herniation with ACDF, it has advantages of convenient procedure, satisfactory effect, lower incidence of postoperative dysphagia, reliable stability and less implant-related complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Diskectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostheses and Implants ; Safety ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome