Aim To investigate the effect of baicalein on insulin secretion from rat islets and the underlying mechanism. Methods Pancreatic islets were obtained from the pancreas of male Wistar rats by collagenase P digestion and histopaque-1077 density gradient separa-tion. Single islet cells were dispersed from pancreatic islets by Dispase II digestion. Insulin secretion experi-ment was applied to observe insulin release after baica-lein stimulation. To study the potential mechanism, calcium imaging technique and patch-clamp experiment were applied to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentra-tion and voltage-dependent potassium channel currents (Kv). Results In 16. 7mmol·L-1 glucose, baica-lein accelerated insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Baicalein promoted the intracellular Ca2+ con-centration. The patch-clamp experiment showed that baicalein inhibited Kv current in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Baicalein can increase the in-tracellular Ca2+ concentration by inhibiting Kv chan-nels and eventually promoting insulin secretion.

AIM To study the secondary metabolites from symbiotic fungi Talaromyces amestolkiae of Syngnathus acus Linnaeus.METHODS The methanol extract from Talaromyces amestolkiae fermentation was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,TLC and preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Ten compounds were isolated and identified as 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)benzeneethanol(1),aspergillumarins A(2),peniciisocoumarins H(3),2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone(4),6-demethylvermistatin(5),penicimarin B(6),penicimarin C(7),8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylisocoumarin(8),polygonolide(9),ganoderpurine(10).CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new natural product.Compounds 3-5,8-10 are isolated from this fungi for the first time.

This study is to report the study of protective effects of myricitrin against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and the investigation of the possible mechanisms of action of myricitrin. The model of H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells was used to determine the protective effects of myricitrin. The levels of LDH, MDA and the activities of SOD, NO were measured using the respective kits. The H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells was detected using MTT reduction, TUNEL assay, JC-1 and ROS staining. The activation of Caspase-3 was also measured by fluorometry. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined with Western blotting assay. Myricitrin had significant protective effects against H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The results show that myricitrin could attenuate H2O2-induced decrease in the activities of SOD (P < 0.01). Myricitrin could decrease the levels of LDH, MDA and increase cell viability and the mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.01). Myricitrin had protective effects in a dose-dependent manner between 32 micromol x L(-1) to 64 micromol x L(-1). Myricitrin pretreatment could attenuate H2O2-induced increase of p-ERK. Moreover, myricitrin pretreatment could up-regulate the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, down-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and decrease the expression of Caspase-3, 9. In conclusion, myricitrin had significant protective effects against H2O2-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. Myricitrin can enhance the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and decrease the production of free radicals. The possible mechanisms of action of myricitrin are due to myricitrin-mediated inhibition of phosphorylation of the apoptosis signaling pathways-related kinase ERK, up-regulation of the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, and down-regulation of the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo preliminarily investigate the relationship between serum apelin level and pulmonary artery pressure in children with congenital heart disease.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-six children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical treatment were enrolled as subjects. The serum level of apelin was determined before surgery and at 7 days after surgery. The ratio of pulmonary artery systolic pressure to aortic systolic pressure (Pp/Ps) was calculated before extracorporeal circulation. According to the Pp/Ps value, patients were classified into non-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) group, mild PAH group, moderate PAH group, and severe PAH group. Pulmonary artery mean pressure was estimated by echocardiography at 7 days after surgery.

RESULTSThe non-PAH group had the highest serum level of apelin before and after surgery, followed by the mild PAH group, moderate PAH group, and severe PAH group (P<0.05). All groups had significantly increased serum levels of apelin at 7 days after surgery (P<0.05). The serum level of apelin was negatively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure before surgery (r=-0.51, P<0.05) and at 7 days after surgery (r=-0.54, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe decrease in serum apelin level is associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease. The significance of serum apelin in predicting the development and degree of pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease deserves further studies.

Apelin ; Blood Pressure ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; Infant ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; blood ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of Streptococcus pneumonia-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (SP-HUS) in children.

METHODClinical and laboratory data of a pediatric case of SP-HUS were retrospectively analyzed and the key points of diagnosis and therapy were reviewed.

RESULTAn 18-month old girl was admitted with chief complaint of fever and cough for 5 days combined with mild labored breath. Breath sound was found weakened in right lung with lower lobe dullness on percussion. Laboratory tests revealed: WBC 3.7×10(9)/L, Hb 83 g/L, PLT 11×10(9)/L, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 180 mg/L. Morphological study of the RBCs showed marked anisocytosis and schistocytosis. Urinalysis showed 42.66 RBCs per high-power field, occult blood (+++), proteinura (++++). Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from blood, pleural fluid and sputum. Serotyping with simplified chessboard system was 3. The direct Coombs test was positive. Serum complement levels (C3 and C4) were depressed at 0.699 g/L, 0.064 g/L, respectively. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusion and infection of the right hemothorax. The computerized tomographic scan of the chest revealed pneumatoceles in the right lower lobe. The diagnosis on admission we considered was SP-HUS. Intravenous antibiotic therapy (vancomycin + cefoperazone/sulbactam) was administered. The renal replacement theraphy was administered to maintain electrolyte and fluid balances and adequate nutrition. Transfusions of washed red blood cells were administered to correct the anemia. One month after admission the patient was good with recovery. Liver and renal function recovered and the pneumonia was resolving, anemia and platelets were corrected. The direct Coombs test turned to be negative. Serum complement levels (C3 and C4) were normal. After 3-month follow-up, no clinical anomalies were detected.

CONCLUSIONSP-HUS should be suspected when the following occurs in the context of pneumococcal infections: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute renal failure and a positive Coombs test result. Serotype 3 of SP was associated with HUS.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Coombs Test ; Female ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; microbiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pleural Effusion ; etiology ; Pneumococcal Infections ; complications ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Serotyping ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; classification ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Radix Astragali (RA) on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) and its mRNA in the bronchus of a rat model of asthma.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, asthma group, high dosage of RA group and low dosage of RA group. In the experiment, the rat model of asthma was established by the ovalbumin (OVA) challenge methods. The lung tissue was gainedfrom the left lung, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was gained from the right lung. The eosinophils (EOS) numbers and differentiated cell numbers in BALF were counted by different counting fluids; the protein expressions of STAT4 were detected by immunohistochemistry; the mRNA expressions of STAT4 were detected by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS(1) In the BALF of the asthma group, the absolute numbers of EOS, the ratios of EOS to the total cell numbers (EOS%) of asthma group [(35.81 +/- 7.30) x 10(7)/L, (8. 20 +/- 1.75)%] were all significantly higher than those of the control group [(1.51 +/- 1.04) x 10(7)/L, (0.70 +/- 0.48)%] (P < 0.01); the total cell numbers in BALF, the absolute numbers of EOS and EOS% of RA groups [(14.89 +/- 2.35) x 10(7)/L, (4.70 +/- 0.82)%; (10.98 +/- 1.81) x 10(7)/L, (3.56 +/- 0.53)%] were all significantly lower than those of asthma group (P < 0.01); (2) The concentration of IL-4 in BALF of asthma group (25.70 +/- 7.36) was significantly higher than that of the control group (8.55 +/- 2.97) (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-4 of BALF of RA groups [(31.89 +/- 5.46), (35.26 +/- 6.03)] was significantly lower than that of asthma group (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-12 of BALF of asthma group (16.10 +/- 3.38) was significantly lower than that of the control group (42.33 +/- 9.66) (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-12 of BALF of the RA groups [(31.89 +/- 5.46), (35.26 +/- 6.03)] was significantly higher than that of the asthma group (P < 0.01); (3) Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that the protein content of STAT4 and the STAT4 mRNA expression around the bronchus of asthma group [(0.096 +/- 0.012), (0.098 +/- 0.011)] were lower than those of the control group [(0.216 +/- 0.034), (0.228 +/- 0.032)], while those of RA groups [(0.176 +/- 0.012), (0.185 +/- 0.023); (0.183 +/- 0.011), (0.201 +/- 0.019)] were all significantly higher than that of the asthma group (P < 0.01), the airway smooth muscle cells, the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were the chief expression cells; (4) the STAT4 and the STAT4mRNA expression around the bronchus had positive correlation with the concentration of IL-12 in BALF while had negative correlation with the concentration of IL-4, absolute numbers of EOS in BALF.

CONCLUSIONSRA has an inhibitory effect on airway inflammation cells infiltration such as EOS, it raises the STAT4 protein and its mRNA expression in the airway smooth muscle cells, the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, and the key mechanism may be that the IL-12 composition is increased.

Animals ; Asthma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; genetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor 4 ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of external fixator and reconstituted bone xenograft (RBX) in the treatment of tibial bone defect, tibial bone nonunion and congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia with limb shortening.

METHODSTwenty patients (13 males and 7 females) with tibial bone defect, tibial bone nonunion or congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia with limb shortening were treated with external fixation. Two kinds of external fixators were used: a half ring sulcated external fixator used in 13 patients and a combined external fixator in 7 patients. Foot-drop was corrected at the same time with external fixation in 4 patients. The shortened length of the tibia was in the range of 2-9 cm, with an average of 4.8 cm. For bone grafting, RBX was used in 12 patients, autogenous ilium was used in 3 patients and autogenous fibula was implanted as a bone plug into the medullary canal in 1 case, and no bone graft was used in 4 patients.

RESULTSAll the 20 patients were followed-up for 8 months to 7 years, averaging 51 months. Satisfactory function of the affected extremities was obtained. All the shortened extremities were lengthened to the expected length. For all the lengthening area and the fracture sites, bone union was obtained at the last. The average healing time of 12 patients treated with RBX was 4.8 months.

CONCLUSIONSBoth the half ring sulcated external fixator and the combined external fixator have the advantages of small trauma, simple operation, elastic fixation without stress shielding and non-limitation from local soft tissue conditions, and there is satisfactory functional recovery of affected extremities in the treatment of tibial bone defects, tibial bone nonunion and congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia combined with limb shortening. RBX has good biocompatibility and does not cause immunological rejections. It can also be safely used in treatment of bone nonunion and has reliable effect to promote bone healing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pseudarthrosis ; surgery ; Tibia ; pathology ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of urinary kallidinogenase on subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rabbits.

METHODSRabbits symptomatic cerebral vasospasm model was built though Endo method, among the 40 rabbits, 8 died or had severe nervous system syndrome, the other 32 were randomly divided into 4 groups:group A, control group, injection of normal saline to the cisterna magna;group B, subarachnoid hemorrhage;group C, injection of human urinary tissue kallikreins;group D, treated with Nimodipine. The behavior scores, neurological scores and cerebral angiography changes were observed.

RESULTSFood intake obviously decreased and neurological deficit were seen in group B, while which were attenuated in group C and group D, and group A was normal. Comparing the diameter of basilar artery was (1.9 +/- 0.3) mm before SAH, the diameter of group B 4 d later was (1.5 +/- 0.3) mm, 7 d later (1.4 +/- 0.3) mm, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Comparing with group C on the day 4th and 7th, the diameters of basilar artery were significantly different (P < 0.001). Comparing with group D on the day 4th, 7th and 14th, there was no obvious improvement.

CONCLUSIONUrinary kallidinogenase and Nimodipine can obviously alleviate symptomatic cerebral vasospasm in rabbits remarkably, but the former's effect of attenuating vasospasm is better than that of Nimodipine.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nimodipine ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Tissue Kallikreins ; therapeutic use ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use ; Vasospasm, Intracranial ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS) for the treatment of congenital long QT syndrome.

METHODSUnder general anaesthesia, pleural cavity was entered via two or three small incisions in the left intercostal space. The left thoracic sympathetic chain was identified and resected from T2 approximately T5. The lower one at the third of the left stellate ganglion was also resected.

RESULTSVATS resulted in a significant shortening in corrected QT intervals in three patients. The average QT interval of the four patients was 537.5 ms before VATS and 512.5 ms after VATS. The heart rate of the patients remained unchanged. There were no major peri-operative complications apart from mild ptosis of the left upper eyelid in one patient who recovered in the following days. The syndrome recurred in one patient in syncopal events in four months after VATS.

CONCLUSIONVATS is a safe as well as an effective technique for the treatment of congenital long QT syndromes.

Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome ; congenital ; surgery ; Male ; Sympathectomy ; methods ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods

In the practice of forensic pathology, fat embolism is one of the common causes of death, which can be divided into two categories: traumatic and non-traumatic. Non-traumatic fat embolism refers to the blockage of small blood vessels by fat droplets in the circulatory blood flow caused by non-traumatic factors such as underlying diseases, stress, poisoning and lipid metabolism disorders. At present, it is believed that the production of non-traumatic fat embolism is related to the disturbance of lipid metabolism, C-reactive protein-related cascade reaction, the agglutination of chylomicron and very low-density lipoprotein. The forensic identification of the cause of death of non-traumatic fat embolism is mainly based on the case, systematic autopsy, HE staining and fat staining, but it is often missed or misdiagnosed by forensic examiners because of its unknown risk factors, hidden onset, the difficulty of HE staining observation and irregular implementation of fat staining. In view of the lack of attention to non-traumatic fat embolism in forensic identification, this paper reviews the concepts, pathophysiological mechanism, research progress, existing problems and countermeasures of non-traumatic fat embolism, providing reference for forensic scholars.
Autopsy ; Embolism, Fat/pathology* ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism/pathology*