OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms involved in the ligustrazine alleviation of the pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) during exacerbation.

METHODSSeventy patients of COPD and CCP with acute exacerbation were randomly and equally divided into control group and treatment group. The control group received standard treatment with antibiotics, antiasthmatic and expectorant medications, and oxygenation; and the ligustrazine treatment group received ligustrazine treatment (80 mg/d; i.v.; for 2 weeks) in addition to the standard treatment. Before and at the end of 2 week treatment, the clinic responses of the two regimens were evaluated, plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined; arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), outflow tract of right ventricle (RVOT), and internal diameter of right ventricle (RV) were measured.

RESULTSGood clinic benefits were achieved in both the standard and ligustrazine regimens, plasma level of ET-1, values of mPAP, RV and RVOT decreased significantly, plasma level of NO and PaO2 values decreased (all P < 0.01 vs pre-treatment to all parameters). Compared with the control group, ligustrazine greatly enhanced the clinic efficacy from 77.1% to 97.1% (P < 0.05), and also resulted in more significant changes of all these parameters (P < 0.01 vs control group for all parameters). For both groups, the levels of plasma ET-1 were positively correlated with values of mPAP, RVOT, and RV (r = 0.710, 0.853, and 0.766, respectively, all P = 0.000), and negatively correlated with plasma NO and PaO2 (r = - 0.823, and - 0.752, respectively, all P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine is effective in treating pulmonary artery hypertension during acute exacerbation of COPD and CCP in patients from the plateau area. The observed changes in the plasma levels of NO and ET-1 in response to ligustrazine treatment suggest that ligustrazine may act through the selective effect on pulmonary blood vessels to enhance the synthesis and release of NO and suppress those of ET-1 from lung vascular endothelial cells, thus reducing pulmonary artery pressure and decreasing pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Altitude ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Chronic Disease ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Respiration

Objective To investiagte the serum adiponectin concentration in preeclampsia and its relationship with serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels.Method The level of adiponectin,leptin and soluble leptin receptor in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 38 patients with preeclampsia and 42 patients as control.The relationship of free leptin index(leptin/soluble leptin receptor) to preeclampsia was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in maternal age,gestational age and body mass index(BMI)between two groups.But the gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in preeclampsia than in control.The patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher levels of serum adiponectin, leptin and free leptin index(1691.7?g/ml,37.5 ng/ml and 0.95 respectively)than the control(689.4?g/ml, 19.3 ag/ml and 0.49,respectively).But there was no significant difference in serum level of soluble leptin receptor between the groups(35.0 ng/ml vs 42.2 ng/ml).Serum adiponectin was not significantly correlated with the level of leptin,soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index.Area of serum adiponectin,leptin and free leptin index in preeclampsia under the ROC curve were less than 0.5.Conclusions The patients with preeclampsia have paradoxical higher serum levels of adiponecfin and more bioavailability of leptin,suggesting these may be important factom of this complication.

AIM AND METHODSThe distribution of ErbB2 in mouse testis, epididymidis, ovaries, oocyte-cumulus cells-complexes in oviducts and sperms was investigated immunohistochemically. To study the effect of c-erbB2 on mouse fertilization in vitro, various concentrations of c-erbB2 antisense oligonucleotides (c-erbB2 ASODNs) were incubated with sperms and oocyte-cumulus cells-complexes during fertilization in vitro. To explore possible mechanisms involved in fertilization, the relationship between c-erbB2 ASODNs and GABA, or dbcAMP, or verapamil during fertilization in vitro was also observed.

RESULTSErbB2 oncoprotein was observed in epithelial cells in epididymis, sperms and cumulus cells. C-erbB2 ASODNs inhibited the rate of fertilization in vitro in a dose-dependent way. The fertilization rate of the control group, low (5 micromol/L), medium (10 micromol/L), high (20 micromol/L) concentration c-erbB2 ASODNs group, and nonsense at oligonucleotides group (20 micromol/L) was 38.3%, 19.6%, 10.7%, 5.0%, and 33.8% respectively. Integral optical density immunostaining of ErbB2 in sperms was notably reduced. Medium and high concentration of c-erbB2 ASODNs notably inhibited cumulus cells adhering to inner wall of Petri dish. Treated alone with GABA or dbcAMP, the rate of fertilization was increased. Both GABA and dbcAMP partially inversed the ASODNs inhibition effect on fertilization rate, but neither of them showed significant effect on sperm integral optical density of ErbB2 immunostaining. In contrast, verapamil inhibited fertilization rate. Co-treated with c-erbB2 ASODN, verapamil showed synergic inhibiting effect on fertilization with c-erbB2 ASODN. Verapamil also inhibited the expression of c-erbB2 in sperms.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that c-erbB2 is closely correlated with fertilization. Ca2+ may inhibit fertilization in vitro through regulation the expression of c-erbB2 gene in sperm cells, while both of GABA and dbcAMP may affect the process of fertilization through the way other than c-erbB2 expression in sperm cells.

Animals ; Bucladesine ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; physiology ; Epididymis ; physiology ; Female ; Fertilization ; physiology ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Oocytes ; physiology ; Ovarian Follicle ; physiology ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; physiology ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Verapamil ; pharmacology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish New Zealand rabbit hepatoma models with VX2 cell line, and modify the hepatic artery catheterization technique.

METHODSForty New Zealand rabbit models bearing hepatoma were established by implanting VX2 cells into the left and right liver lobes. Two weeks after the tumor cell implantation, 26 rabbits in the experimental group underwent modified hepatic artery catheterization procedures using microsurgical technique, and 10 rabbits in the control group were catheterized with 3F micro-catheter using Seldinger technique. The VX2 hepatomas were observed before and after the catheterization with multi-slice spiral CT scan and digital subtractive angiography (DSA).

RESULTSTumor growth after the tumor cell implantation was confirmed in 36 rabbits by CT scans and open operations. The success rate of catheterization was 88% (23/26) in the experimental group, and 40% (4/10) in the control group. VX2 hepatomas appeared as hypointense or isointense nodules on multi-slice spiral CT, and hepatic artery angiography showed that VX2 hepatomas had homogeneous or nodular tumor staining.

CONCLUSIONThe modified hepatic artery catheterization using microsurgical technique has higher success rate than catheterization with 3F micro-catheter by Seldinger technique, and significantly decreases X-ray exposure for the staff undertaking the operations.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Catheterization ; methods ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Radiography, Interventional ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

The presence of a large palatal or maxillary defect after partial or total maxillectomy for tumor, trauma or congenital deformation poses a challenge to prosthodontists, particularly when the use of an implant cannot be considered. This case report described the use of an air valve in a hollow silicone obturator to manufacture an inflatable obturator that could be extended further into undercut area to retain itself. The inflatable obturator exhibited adequate retention, stability and border sealing, thereby improving the masticatory,pronunciation and swallowing functions of patients. It may be a suitable alternative treatment option to an implant-retained obturator.
Dental Impression Technique ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis Retention ; Denture Retention ; Denture, Complete, Upper ; Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla ; surgery ; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; rehabilitation ; Palatal Obturators ; Silicones ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Based on the 2 x 2 contingency table, by using multi-species relevance (variance ratio, VR), chi2-test, Ochiai index, Dice index, Jaccard index, t-test of v/x and F-test of Morisita, s index, the interspecific relationships and the spatial distribution pattern between 20 dominants in Kangding Zheduo Mountain of Sichuan province were studied. The results indicated that the interspecific association between dominants of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum community in this area did not show significant association, which suggested that the S. hexandrum community was in mature stage, and showed stronger independency, among total 190 pairs in 20 dominant species, 2 species pairs exhibited extremely significantly positive association, 12 species pairs showed significantly positive association, 6 species pairs exhibited significantly negative association and there were no pairs showed extremely significantly negative association. S. hexandrum in community did not show significant association, which indicates they are independent in community, the spatial distribution pattern of S. hexandrum is characterized by random distribution.
Berberidaceae ; classification ; growth & development ; Biodiversity ; China ; Ecosystem ; Endangered Species ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; growth & development

Qigui Tongfeng tablet (QLTFT) is a traditional Chinese medicine with good effect for treating gout. Here, network pharmacology method and molecular similarity analysis were utilized to study the effective substance basis and molecular mechanism of the QLTFT on the gout. The similarity to the medicinal compounds is reflected in the Tanimoto coefficient that gives the structural similarity of two compounds. Operationally, similar modifiers were described as pairs of concepts with a similarity score of 0. 500. The results of the molecular similarity analysis suggested that the flavonoids in QLTFT could be new leads for gout. Furthermore, complex biological systems may be represented and analyzed as computable networks. Two important properties of a network were degree and betweenness. Nodes with high degree or high betweenness may play important roles in the overall composition of a network. And the results of network analysis showed that dongbeinine, verticinone-N-oxide, verticine N-oxide, peimine, peiminine, isobaimonidine, dongbeirine, peimisine and simi-arenol which with high degree acted on xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, an arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, tyrosine-protein kinase and etc. Inhibition of these targets can prevent the formation of uric acid, reduce inflammation by uric acid and regulate the body's immune response. Thus, these compounds may be the main effective substance basis. The research results not only reveals its molecular mechanism, but also provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of drugs and clinical application.
Gout ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pharmacology ; methods ; Tablets ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and pathological features of Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS).

METHODThree DDS cases who were treated in our department from December 2009 to June 2011 were subjected to this study by reviewing of literature.

RESULTBoth case 1 and case 2 were female, with karyotype 46, XX. Case 3 was male with bilateral cryptorchidism. The ages of nephropathy onset of the three cases were 1 year and 9 months, 2 years and 8 moths, and 3 months respectively. Proteinuria in case 2 and case 3 were evidenced to be resistant to steroid. Case 1 was partially responsive to tacrolimus, plasma albumin and cholesterol were improved, although proteinuria was persistent after Tacrolimus was administered. Remission was achieved in case 2 after administration of cyclosporine A and later tacrolimus, and her renal function remains normal till present (4 years and 9 months). Residue renal histology revealed diffused mesangial sclerosis (DMS) in all three patients. All of the three patients had developed right unilateral Wilms tumor. A novel WT1 missense mutation exon 9 c.1213C > G was detected in case 1. WT1 exon 9 c.1168C > T nonsense mutation and exon 8 c.1130A > T missense mutation were detected in case 2 and case 3, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical manifestation of nephropathy in DDS is variable. The majority present with early onset nephropathy and reach renal failure before the age of 4 years. But in a few patients, nephropathy can also be present much later and progress slowly. Proteinuria in DDS is resistant to steroid but is responsive to calcineurin inhibitors, including Cyclosporine A. The effectiveness of tacrolimus was also observed in this study. DDS is evidently caused by WT1 mutation. DMS is the characteristic renal pathological change in DDS.

Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Denys-Drash Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Genes, Wilms Tumor ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Proteinuria ; drug therapy ; Sclerosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Tacrolimus ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; WT1 Proteins ; genetics ; Wilms Tumor ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology

AIMTo investigate the antiepileptic effect of dizocilpine (MK-801) on amygdala kindling models in rats and the effects of its combination with general antiepileptic drugs.

METHODSTo establish amygdala kindling models in rats and observe the effect of dizocilpine on kindling models and its combination with general antiepileptic drugs (phenobarbital, valproate and nicardipine) at ineffective dose. The influence of dizocilpine on convulsions induced by semicarbazide (SCZ) in mice were also observed.

RESULTSDizocilpine (0.1-0.25 mg.kg-1, i.p.) was shown to dose-dependently inhibit amygdala kindled seizure, shorten the after discharge duration (ADD) and reduce the Racine's stage (P < 0.01). The combination of dizocilpine with phenobarbital, valproate, nicardipine at ineffective dose shortened ADD or reduced Racine's stages (P < 0.01). Dizocilpine (0.1-0.25 mg.kg-1, i.p.) significantly prolonged the latency and reduced the rate of convulsions and death in mice.

CONCLUSIONDizocilpine inhibits the seizure of the amygdala kindling and improve the antiepileptic activity of phenobarbital, valproate and nicardipine, indicating that these combination may provide a new approach for treating epilepsy.

Amygdala ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Electric Stimulation ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Kindling, Neurologic ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Nicardipine ; pharmacology ; Phenobarbital ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Semicarbazides ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish a method of microscopic identification of Tibetan medicinal herb " Songdi" (Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata).

METHODThe different characteristics and microscopic identification of 4 species of Songdi were compared, including the main variety (Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata ) and approximate varieties (S. unguiculata, S. przewalskii and S. tanguTi,) were studied and compared.

RESULTThe botanical anatomy characteristics of Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata (including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, stalks and fruits) have been measured. The methods for powder identifications and transverse section of stems root and leaves of four species of Songdi were established.

CONCLUSIONFour species of Songdi can be identified by the growth pattern of basal leaves, type of hair, type of inflorescence, number of flowers, proportion of tissue structures in stem, form of pollen grains.

Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Microscopy ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Saxifragaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology