BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most serious vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Compound preparation of huangqi and dahuang, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to preventing or treating diabetic nephropathy for several years, and has a certain protective effect on the kidney of diabetes mellitus patients. But its exact mechanism remains unknown and needs to be studied more.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of compound preparation shenkang wan on the proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix in cultured rat mesangial cells induced by high glucose.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled study.SETTING: Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Nephrology of Zhujiang Hospital and Medicine Department of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University.MATERIALS: The serum pharmacological experiment was performed in Animal Experimental Center of Southern Medical University in A pril 2005.The cell culture experiment was conducted in Cell culture room of Southern Medical University from April 2005 to July 2005. Totally 16 normal Wistar male rats, weighted varied from 190 g to 220 g, were used in the study.METHODS: Sixteen normal Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal serum group, capoten group, shenkang wan group (high dose and low dose); shenkang wan was mainly constituted of huangqi,dahuang, leech, gordon guryale seed and corn stigma and made in Pharmacy Department of Zhujiang Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, agent number: 20031214). ① The rats in capoten group and high and low dose shenkang wan group were given the corresponding drugs respectively according to 5 mg/kg, 2.4 g/kg, 1.2 g/kg weight. The rats in normal serum group were given the same volume water. After treated 7 days, all rats were hocused and separated medication serum. ② Mesangial cell was cultured in vitro with different concentrations of glucose (10, 20, 30 and 40 mmol/L).The proliferation of mesangial cell was observed with the methyl-thiazoltelrazolium colorimetric assay at 24, 48, 72 hours and 96 hours. ③ Then the cultured mesangial cells were divided into six subgroups :Low glucose control group (10 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group (30 mmol/L glucose);normal serum group (30 mmol/L glucose); capoten group (30 mmol/L glucose); shenkang wan group (high dose and low dose, 30 mmol/L glucose).After cultured 72 hours, the proliferation of mesangial cell was detected with the methyl-thiazol-telrazolium colorimetric assay, the secretion and mRNA gene expression of fibronetin levels in mesangial cell were respectively detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Proliferation of mesangial cell induced by different concentrations glucose. ② Proliferation and secretion and mRNA gene expression of fibronectin in every group.RUSULTS: ① Effect of different concentrations glucose on the prolifera-tion of mesangial cell: Compared with low concentrations glucose(10 mmol/L), 20 mmol/L glucose could accelerate the proliferation ofmesangial cell during 96 hours experiment period, but only had a statisti-cally significant difference at 72 and 96 hours (P ＜ 0.05). 30 mmol/L glu-cose could significantly accelerate the proliferation of mesangial cell thanthat of 10 mmol/L glucose from 24 hours to 96 hours (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01),and this effect was increasing with time in 72 hours and reduced after 72hours. 40 mmol/L glucose could significantly increase the proliferation ofmesangial cell than of low concentrations glucose in 48 hours (P ＜ 0.05),and this effect was reduced after 48 hours and even conversed to restraineffect. ② Effect of different medication serum on the proliferation ofmesangial cell: The optical density value in high glucose group is obviouslyhigher than that of low glucose control group (P ＜ 0.01). Compared withhigh glucose group, the optical density value in capoten, shenkang wangroup (high dose and low dose) was decreased markedly (P ＜ 0.01 or P＜ 0.05). While the optical density value in normal serum group was showedno difference with the high glucose group (P ＞ 0.05). ③ Effect of differentmedication serum on secretion of fibronectin in mesangial cell: Content offibronectin in high glucose group was increased more markedly than that oflow glucose group (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with high glucose group, contentof fibronectin in capoten and shenkang wan group (high dose and low dose)was showed a significantly decrease (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05), while contentof fibronectin in normal serum group was showed no difference with thehigh glucose group (P ＞ 0.05). ④ Effect of different medication serum onexpression of fibronectin mRNA in mesangial cell: The optical density val-ue of fibronectin strip in high glucose group was brighter than that in lowglucose group and the ratio of it and β-actin were increased markedly too(P ＜ 0.01). Compared with high glucose group, the optical density value offibronectin strip in capoten and shenkang wan group (high dose and lowdose) was showed a significantly decrease and the ratio of it and β-actinwas reduced distinctly too (P ＜ 0.01), while the ratio of it and β-actin innormal serum group was showed no difference (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: High glucose could accelerate proliferation, increase thesecretion and mRNA gene expression of fibronectin in mesangial cell,while shenkang wan could inhibit proliferation and secretion of the extra-cellular matrix in mesangial cell induced by high glucose.

Aged ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Sinus ; pathology ; Female ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Humans ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Berberine Capsule (BC) on patients with mild hyperlipidemia.

METHODSTotally 102 mild hyperlipemia patients were recruited. All patients were suggested to have proper diet and physical activity as basic therapy for 1 month of run-in period. Totally 97 patients completed it. Then they were randomly assigned to the berberine group (the treatment group, 49 cases) and the placebo group (the control group, 48 cases). Patients in the treatment group took BC 300 mg, while those in the control group took placebo 300 mg, thrice per day for 3 successive months. Then placebos and BC were interrupted for 2 months (as washout period). All subjects received only diet control and physical activity during washout period. After washout period, placebos and BC were re-administered to all patients in the same way for 3 months. Body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were assessed after run-in period, washout period, at month 1, 2, 3 after the first therapy, at month 1, 2, 3 after second treatment, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the end of run-in period, TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05) after first 3 months of treatment. Compared with 3 months after the first therapy, TG, TC, and LDL-C increased and HDL-C decreased in the treatment group after washout period (P < 0.05). Compared with the end of wash- out period, TC and LDL-C decreased in the treatment group at month 2 after second treatment (P < 0.05); TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and HDL-C increased (P < 0.05) at month 3 after second treatment. Compared with the control group at month 3 after second treatment, TG, TC, and LDL-C all decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC was effective in improving blood lipid level in mild hyperlipidemia patients.

Berberine ; therapeutic use ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Mass Index ; Capsules ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood

Objective To analyze the causes and outcome of conversion from tacrolimus (FK506) to cyclosporine-A (CsA) in recipients after liver transplantation.Methods 317 consecutive liver transplantation recipients in our department received anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody,FK506, mycophenolate mofetil and corticoid for prophylaxis of cellular rejection.The blood FK506 trough level was (10-15)?g/L within the first 30 days,(8-12)?g/L within next 60 days,and (5-8)?g/L was kept during 90 to 180 days after transplantation.All recipients reveived a follow-up of 6 months. Remits Sixteen out of 317 recipients (5.05%) required conversion from FK506 to CsA.The clinical indications for conversion included:neurological adverse effect of FK506 in 5 cases (31.25%),hema- tological adverse effect in 2 cases (12.5%),gastrointestinal effect in one case (6.25%),not capable of reaching therapeutic window concentration in 3 cases (18.75%),refractory hyperglycemia in 2 ca- ses (12.5%),and economic factor in 3 cases (18.75%).The majority of recipients demonstrated clinical improvement after the switch,except 2 of 16 patients (12.5%) had to be reconverted to FK506 due to renal disadvantage.No dead recipient and adverse effect correlated to immunosuppres- sive agent conversion were seen.Conclusion If necessary,conversion from FK506 to CsA in patients undergoing liver transplantation is safe and effective.

Vascular endothelium plays an important role in regulating vascular homeostasis. Over the past years, it has become clear that endothelial dysfunction is a key event of pathophysiological changes in the initiation and progression of injuries induced by extreme environmental factors. The present review summarizes current understanding of vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by hypoxia, cold and heat, and provides the information for prevention and treatment of environmental exposure injuries.
Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Environment ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Temperature ; Vascular System Injuries

Photo refractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) have been used for over a decade and become popular in China. Principles and characteristics of eye trackers made by several famous foreign manufacturers are introduced in this paper and their developing direction in the future is pointed out too.
Cornea ; surgery ; Eye Movements ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; instrumentation ; Lasers, Excimer ; Myopia ; surgery ; Photography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; instrumentation ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Video Recording

In order to investigate the mechanism, the correlation between the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and 5-HMF were studied. Required samples were retrieved from Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process. Statistical quality control (SQC) was used to analyze the response values acquired by the electronic nose. At the same time, the content of 5-HMF was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the above two. Experimental results showed that SQC model established by response values of all samples could show the change law of odor in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and changes of 5-HMF content was dropped after the first increase. Correlation analysis showed that the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and 5-HMF were significantly correlated (P < 0.05). Sugar degradation reaction and the Maillard reaction may be one of the mechanisms of the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Crataegus ; chemistry ; Furaldehyde ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Odorants ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of serum galactemannan(GM) for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in critically ill patients. Methods Study was conducted between February 2007 and July 2008. Included patients on admission ICU who suffer from suspected IPA. GM test and culture were collected 2 weekly. Chnical feature, mycological evidence and optical density index (ODI) were noted. Clinically invasive fungal infection(IFI) were defined proven, probable and possible. The patients were classified into neutropenia, non-neutropenia and treated with immunosuppressive agents, non-neutropenia and non-immunosuppressive agents. To compared of the sensitivity and specificity of GM in different patients. Results 94 patients were included, 4 patients were proven, 29 patients were probable, 34 patients were possible IFI, 27 patients were non-IPA. The positive rate of the GM was 31.9% (30/94). The sensitivity and specificity of GM in proven cases and probable cases are 66.7% and 92.6%. GM assay tended to become positive earlier than the culture 2-10(5.33±2.17)d. We found that differences in patient diagnosis and selection might account for the disparities seen for positive rate for the GM test. There was positive in three of the four patients with proven, the positive rate of GM was 65.5% for probable cases, for possible cases was 17.6%, for non-IPA cases was 7.4% (P=0.001). For patient with neutropenia , treated with immunosuppressive agents and without immunosuppressive agents, the positive rate of GM was 52.9%vs 41.7% vs 34. 6% (P=0.015) ;the sensitivity was 80.0% vs 70. 0% vs 53.8% (P=0.011), the ODI was 1.365 (0.582-6.736) vs 1. 123 (0. 623-6.868) vs 0.554 (0.522-0.823), P=0. 005, respectively. Conclusion These results show that GM test is useful for early diagnosis IPA in critically ill patients. Differences in patient selection and diagnosis might account for the disparities seen for positive rate and sensitivity for the GM test. It has been higher sensitivity and ODI in the patient treated by immunosuppressive agents.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum glycocholicacid(CG),hyaluronic acid(HA),procollagen type Ⅲ(PCⅢ) in neonatal diseases.Method The levels of serum CG,HA and PCⅢ were measured by radioimmunoassay in 46 neonates with different diseases and 20 healthy neonates.Results Serum CG and HA in patients group were significant higher than those in healthy control group(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of the radiologic characteristics of osteoporotic Kummell's disease.

METHODSTotal 16 patients with pathologically confirmed osteoporotic Kummell's diseases were reviewed from May 2010 to May 2012, including 4 males and 12 females with the mean age of 73.4 years (ranged, 67 to 83 years old). Radiologic imagings of all patients, including X-ray, CT and MRI, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSIntravertebral linear clefts could be seen on the AP and lateral X-ray films of vertebrae. Sagittal and axial CT scans demonstrated the vacuum cleft phenomenon with liquid and air was identified within the vertebral body. Sagittal MRI showed the callapsed vertebral segment and the area of fluid signal with clear and intact border within the vertebral body. The fluid signal was low on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images and stir images, which was corresponding to an intravertebral vacuum cleft.

CONCLUSIONThe radiologic characteristics of Kurmmell's diseases can provide valuable evidences for the early diagnosis.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osteonecrosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed