Background The special pathological change of diabetic retinopathy(DR)is microvascular disorder.Angiopoietin-like protein 2(Ang-2)is a new protein associated with genesis of blood vessels.Quercetin has multiple pharmacological action,including improving the microcircularion and the permeability of blood capillary.However,the action mechanism of Ang-2 on DR was unclear.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on Ang-2 and its receptor Tie2 expression in retina with diabetes mellitus.Methods Sixty clean male Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups and 10 rats for each group,and 10 rats served as blank control group.Streptozotocin of 35 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in 60 rats to establish the diabetic models.Quercetins encapsulated by liposome with the doses of 50,150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)(3-5 ml)were used to gavage in different groups of models for 12 weeks,and normal saline solution and calcium dobesilate were used at the same fashion as the negative control group and positive control group,respectively.Twelve weeks later,the animals were sacrificed and retinas were isolated.Expressions of Ang-2 protein and Tie2 mRNA in retinas were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR,respectively.The usage and rearing of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Sciences and Technology Commission.Results ELISA showed that the A450 of Ang-2 in 150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)quercetin groups was 0.796±0.057 and 0.842±0.043 respectively and was lower than that negative group(1.012±0.046),showing statistically significant differences(q =2.95,2.698,P＜0.05).RT-PCR assay showed that expression of Tie2 mRNA(Tie2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA)in retinas was 0.712±0.092 and 0.821±0.087,presenting statistically significant differences in comparison with negative group(1.182±0.098)(q =3.497,2.852,P＜0.05).The expression levels of Ang-2 and Tie2 mRNA in retina were lowest in 150 mg/(kg · d)quercetin group.Conclusions Quercetin can improve the retinal microcirculation by downregulating the expressions of Ang-2 and its receptor in early period of diabetic rats.

To establish a sensitive and specific method for simultaneous determination of gestodene, etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol in plasma by LC-MS/MS, plasma samples were extracted and derivatized before injection. An ESI ion source was used and operated in the positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Norgestrel was chosen as internal standard and performed on a C18 (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 5 microm) column. The concentrations of gestodene, etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol were measured, using step-gradient mobile phase and step-gradient flow rate. The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.1-20 ng x mL(-1) for gestodene and etonogestrel and 0.01-2 ng x mL(-1) for ethinylestradiol, and showed excellent linearity. The intra- and inter-assay accuracy and precision were below 10.0% and recovery was 93.6%-110.9% over the three concentration levels evaluated. The method was applied in pharmacokinetic study of the compound gestodene patch and the compound etonogestrel patch in rabbits. The LC-MS/MS method was selective, accurate and sensitive, especially the LOQ were 100 pg x mL(-1) for gestodene and etonogestrel and 10 pg x mL(-1) for ethinylestradiol. The method was successfully applied in pharmacokinetic study for contraceptives.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Serum Response Factor ; metabolism

Objective To investigate skin manifestations and comorbidities of chronic arsenicosis due to conta?minated drinking water, and to explore their possible risk factors. Methods Data about demographic characteristics, skin manifestations and comorbidities were collected from 95 patients with chronic arsenicosis due to contaminated drinking water in Inner Mongolia, and retrospectively analyzed. A logistic regression model was established to analyze associations of skin manifestations and comorbidities with patients′ gender, age, age at onset of drinking of arsenic?contaminated water, arsenic concentrations in water and duration of arsenic exposure. Results Among the 95 patients, 77 had hyperpigmentation, 75 hypopigmentation, 93 palmoplantar keratoderma, 27 skin cancer, and 8 multiple skin cancer. Five patients were complicated by tuberculosis, 15 by hypertension, 2 by rheumatoid arthritis, 4 by cerebral infarction, 7 by coronary heart diseases, 3 by internal malignancy, 6 by hepatic cirrhosis and 2 by anemia. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between hyperpigmentation and arsenic concentrations in water(OR=0.32, 95%CI=0.10-0.98;ORadjusted=0.27, 95%CI=0.08-0.90), between occurrence of hepatic cirrhosis and arsenic concentrations in water (OR=24.67, 95%CI=2.69-226.57;ORadjusted=22.51, 95%CI=2.38-213.11), and between occurrence of coronary heart diseases and duration of arsenic exposure(OR=6.41, 95%CI=1.09-37.88;ORadjusted=8.55, 95%CI=1.21-60.41). Conclusions There is a high incidence of aberrant pigment metabolism, palmoplantar keratoderma and skin cancer in patients with chronic arsenicosis due to contaminated drinking water. Different arsenic concentrations in water and duration of arsenic exposure seem to have different influences on the human body.

In order to optimize extraction process conditions of tannins from Geranium orientali-tibeticum by supercritical CO2, the content of tannins was determined by phosphomolybdium tungsten acid-casein reaction, with extraction pressure, extraction temper- ature and extraction time as factors, the content of tannins from extract of G. orientali-tibeticum as index, technology conditions were optimized by orthogonal test. Optimum technology conditions were as follows: extraction pressure was 25 MPa, extraction temperature was 50 °C, extracted 1.5 h. The content of tannins in extract was 12.91 mg x g(-1), extract rate was 3.67%. The method established could be used for assay the contents of tannin in G. orientali-tibeticum. The circulated extraction was an effective extraction process that was stable and feasible, and that provides a way of the extraction process conditions of tannin from G. orientali-tibeticum.
Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Geranium ; chemistry ; Tannins ; isolation & purification

Objective To discuss significance of continuous monitoring of jugular venous oxygen saturation(S_(jv)O_2)in the course of mild hypothermia treatment(MHT)for severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods Intracranial pressure(ICP),S_(jv)O_2 and brain tissue pressure(P_(bt)O_2)were contin- uously monitored in 36 cases with sTBI for analyzing the correlation between S_(jv)O_2 and P_(bt)O_2.Results (1)There was negative linear correlation between P_(bt)O_2 and ICP(r=-0.978,P＜0.05),negative lin- ear correlation between S_(jv)O_2 and ICP(r=-0.947,P＜0.05)and positive linear correlation between P_(bt)O_2 and S_(jv)O_2(r=0.965,P＜0.05)within 24 hours and at 36 hours and 48 hours after injury.(2) The cases with decreased S_(jv)O_2 value had a worse outcome than those with normal S_(jv)O_2.meanwhile,the cases with abnormal increase of S_(jv)O_2 value had worse prognosis.Prognnsis was improved significantly with increase of S_(jv)O_2 in certain range(P＜0.05).Conclusion Continuous monitoring of S_(jv)O_2 can reflect the condition of hemicerebral oxygen metabolism and guide treatment and predicting outcome.

OBJECTIVETo analysis the changes of two chemical constituents, namely 2, 3-dihydro-3, 5- dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) and 5-hydryoxymethyl-furfural (5-HMF) produced in Radix Polygoni Multiflori after processing, with processing time, and to determine the contents of 5-HMF in samples of Radix Polygoni Multiflori and Radix Polygoni Multiflori preparata.

METHODAn HPLC method was applied with a Zobax SB-C18 (3.9 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) column by a elution using methanol-water (10: 90) as the mobile phase. The detection was set at UV 280 nm.

RESULTThe contents of DDMP were increasing with the processing time until 24 hour, followed by a decrease until 60 hour process. The contents of 5-HMF were increasing gradually throughout the 60 hour steaming process. The contents of 5-HMF in 11 samples of Radix Polygoni Multiflori preparata were from 0.013% to 0.101%, and only one in 4 samples of Radix Polygoni Multiflori containing trace amount of 5-HMF.

CONCLUSIONThe chemical components in Radix Polygoni Multiflori were changed during the processing procedures. Therefore, the processing of Radix Polygoni Multiflori should be controlled and standardized.

Objective To study the different ultrasonic features in patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with or without obesity based on body mass index (BMI), and to investigate whether certain hormonal factors correlate with ovarian morphology and blood flow, and to discuss the role of ultrasound combined with hormone test in the diagnosis of obese PCOS. Methods One hundred and five women with PCOS were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups according to BMI;obese PCOS group (OB-PCOS, n=32, BMI≥25 kg/m2) and non-obese PCOS (NOB-PCOS, n=73, BMI<25 kg/m2). The ultrasonic parameters of follicle number (FN), ovarian volume (Vol), resistance index (RI) of ovarian stromal blood, RI of uterine artery and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the ratio of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), free testosterone (FT), prolactin (PRL), sex hormoe binding globulin (SHBG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), the extent of insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism (HOMA-IR) were measured and compared. The correlation of the ultrasonic parameters and hormonal factors were analyzed. Results The Vol of OB-PCOS group was significantly higher than NOB-PCOS group [(12.25±4.89) ml vs (10.73±2.30) ml, t=2.20, P < 0.05]. FN and uterine artery RI of OB-PCOS group had a rising trend and RI of ovarian interstitial was on a reducing trend compared with NOB-PCOS group. But the differences were not statistically significant. The levels of FINS and HOMA-IR in OB-PCOS group [(14.82±6.45) mU/L and (3.91±3.30)] were significantly higher than those in NOB-PCOS group [(8.04±4.57) mU/L and (1.64±1.20)] (t=4.87, 3.47, respectively, both P < 0.01). And FSH in NOB-PCOS group was significantly higher than OB-PCOS group [(5.95±1.91) U/L vs (4.65±1.88) U/L, t=-2.77, P<0.01]. In POCS patients, FN was significantly associated with LH/FSH (r=0.35, P<0.01), and FT (r=0.38, P<0.01). Vol was significantly associated with LH/FSH, BMI, HOMA-IR and FPG (r=0.27, P<0.05;r=0.25, P<0.05;r=0.40, P<0.01;r=0.32, P<0.01). RI of ovarian stromal blood flow was significantly associated with SHBG (r=0.28, P<0.05). In OB-POCS group, RI of uterine artery was significantly associated with PRL (r=-0.58, P < 0.05). Vol was significantly associated with HOMA-IR (r=0.47, P < 0.05). In NOB-POCS group, FN was significantly associated with LH/FSH (r=0.33, P<0.05), and FT (r=0. 56, P<0.05). Vol was significantly associated with FT (r=0.31, P < 0.05). Conclusion There are some differences in the ultrasound and endocrine parameters between obese and non-obese PCOS patients, and some correlations exist between them.

Objective:Study on proliferation of gastric cancer cells (GCCs) and expressions of VEGF under the CO2 pneumoperitoneum environment,and effect of Bcl-2 specific inhibitor on the expression of VEGF in GCCs/TAMs co-culture system.Methods:TAMs induced by PMA and IL-4 in vitro.TAMs and MKN-45 cells were co-cultured in Transwell chamber,in pseudo CO2 pneumoperitoneum environment.Proliferation activity of GCCs was detected by MTT assay,and ELISA method was used to detect VEGF concentration in the cell culture supernatant.Results:Co-culture system was divided into CO2 pneumoperitoneum group and control group.Proliferation activity of MKN-45 cell and expression of VEGF of 5mmHg,10mmHg and 15mmHg groups are no difference with the control group;25 mmHg group is opposite to the former.The cells in co-culture group and CO2 pneumoperitoneum group (15 mmHg) were added to ABT-737,VEGF expression of co-culture + ABT-737 group was significantly lower than that of in the control group(P=0.001).Co-cultured cells VEGF expression in pneumoperitoneum group was significantly lower than the control group without inhibitor (P=0.000).Conclusion:Normal laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum is no stimulation of tumor cell proliferation defects,And higher pneumoperitoneum pressure might increase the hypoxia status of tumor microenvironment,promote tumor malignant progression.The interaction between tumor cells and TAMs may be achieved by paracrine Bcl-2-VEGF loop.

This essay is to make brief comments on the Nitinol vascular stents fatigue lifetime requirements, finite element analysis and fatigue lifetime tests etc.
Alloys ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Finite Element Analysis ; Materials Testing ; Stents