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.

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

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

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

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

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

Objective： This study was designed to construct the eukaryotic expression vector of HBV X gene for exploring the role of X gene in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods： X gene containing EcoR Ⅰ and Pst Ⅰ endoenzyme sites was obtained using PCR; Double enzyme digestion was conducted for vector PAS2-1 and PCR product of X gene; Both fragments were connected using ligase and transferred to Eco-JM105; Reconstitute plasmid sequence was examined by auto-sequencing assay and was named as PAS2-1X; Reconstituted plasmid was transformated into the yeast cell AH109 by Liac-mediated transformation; The X protein expressed in the yeast cell was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Results： Reconstituted plasmid PAS2-1X included the anticipated fragment of X gene was proved by auto-sequencing assay. Western blot analysis showed that reconstitute plasmid PAS2-1X can express the X protein in the yeast cell. Conclusion： Reconstitution of PAS2-1X vector laid a foundation for better understanding of the mechanism of HBV X gene and X-protein in carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and was helpful for finding the X-related protein that was supposed to react to X-protein in vivo by yeast two-hybrid system.

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.

Objective To explore relationship between different HBV genotypes and peripheral blood HBV specific and nonspecific CTL of patients with cirrhotic hepatitis B and its significance. Methods HBV genotypes were tested in 91 patients with cirrhotic hepatitis B, differences of HBV specific and nonspecific CTL between patients infected with genotype B and C were compared and its significance was explored. Results In 91 cases of cirrhotic hepatitis B, 55 cases (60.44% ) belong to genotype C, 35 cases (38. 46% ) belong to genotype B, 1 case (1. 1% ) belongs to mixture genotype B and C. In genotype C,27 cases (49.09% ) had positive (HLA)-A2, HBV specific CTL was 0. 18% ±0.03%. In genotype B, 18 cases (51.43% ) had positive HLA-A2, HBV specific CTL was 0. 38% ± 0.04% , higher than that in genotype C,t =5. 01, P <0. 01. Nonspecific CTL: genotype C (11. 87% ± 1. 50% ) ; genotype B( 11. 90%± 1. 51% ), t =0. 14, P ＜0. 05. HBV DNA level; genotype C (6. 01 ± 0. 81) log10 copy/ml, higher than that in genotype B (5.01 ± 0.54) log10 copy/ml, t =5.01, P ＜0.01. ALT; genotype C (251. 13 ± 131. 11) U/L, higher than that in genotype B (121. 25 ± 63. 21) U/L, t =3. 61, P <0. 01. TBil (45. 61± 15.11) μmol/L, higher than that in genotype B (28.11 ±6.25) μmol/L, t = 3.05, P ＜ 0.01. Conclusion Compared with patients infected with genotype B of cirrhotic hepatitis B, HBV specific CTL of patients infected with genotype C was lower, resulting in higher level of HBV DNA and more severe damage of liver function.