OBJECTIVETo dynamically observe the effect of Shenshuai Mixture (SM) on repair of kidney in acute renal failure (ARF) rats.

METHODSMale SD rats were divided into 4 groups randomly, the normal group, the SM group, the verapamil group and the model control group. Except those in the normal group were treated with normal saline without modeling, all remaining rats, after being made into ARF model by intra-muscular injection of glycerin, were treated with SM, verapamil and normal saline respectively via gastrogavage. Renal function, renal pathology, mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected once every day from the 1st day to the 5th day. Results (1) BUN and Scr levels increased markedly 24 hrs after modeling, but the Scr level in the two treated groups was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in the model group and the verapamil group, renal function was better in the SM group on the 3rd day (P < 0.01), and approach to normal level on the 5th day. (2) Renal pathological changes alleviated in every phase of ARF in the SM group than that in the model group, especially part of tubule regeneration could be seen on the 3rd day (metaphase), and renal structure was rehabilitated on the 5th day (convalescence), prior to those in the model group. (3) At the 3rd day expression of EGF mRNA and PCNA in tubule epithelial cell (TEC) increased remarkably in the SM group, higher than those in the model and verapamil group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSM could promote renal tissue regeneration and rehabilitation, and shorten the course of ARF through up-regulating mRNA expression of EGF in TEC.

Acute Kidney Injury ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the experiential compound prescription Shenshuai compound medicine (SSCM) on acute renal failure (ARF) rats, and expose its mechanism.

METHODMale SD rats were allocated into four groups at random. Except normal group, the others were injected glycerin into the musculi to induce a model of ARF. At the same time, rats in normal and model groups were given a dose (10 mL x kg(-1)) of normal saline; rats in the other two groups were given verapamil (Vp) 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and SSCM 22.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) respectively by gastric gavages. In this way they were killed at 24 h after injecting glycerin.

RESULTIn contrast with model group, SSCM and Vp could ameliorate the renal function of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) rats markedly, in a way protect the renal inherent cell ultrastructure such as tubular epithelial cell etc at ATN early-stage; especially SSCM could enhance NO contents in serum, and was reduce ET levels inplasma, evidently cut down TNF-alpha contents in serum, and was partly superior to Vp.

CONCLUSIONIt is indicated that SSCM can adjust thebalance of contract and stretch blood vessal active substance and clear away initiate inflammatory medium, consequently alleviate renal pathological changes, prevent and treat ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelins ; blood ; Epithelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Glycerol ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

The chemical constituents isolated from Desmodium species (Leguminosae) included terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids compounds. Modem pharmacological studies have showed that the Desmodium species have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antipyretic, analgesic and choleretic activity. This article mainly has reviewed the research advances of chemical constituents and biological activities of Desmodium species since 2003.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in ketamine-induced apoptosis in rat neurons.Methods Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12 cells) was seeded in the culture dishes 100 mm in diameter (10 ml/dish) or in 6-well plates (2 ml/well) at a density of 5 × 105 cells/ml.PC12 cells were divided into 4 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C);ketamine group (group K);endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor salubrinal group (group S);ketamine + salubrinal group (group K+S).In group C,the cells were cultured in the plain culture medium.In group K,1.5 mmol/L ketamine was added.In group S,30 mmol/L salubrinal was added.In group K + S,1.5 mmol/L ketamine and 30 mmol/L salubrinal were added.At 24 h of incubation,the cell morphology was observed under light microscope,the expression of Bip and caspase-12 in PC12 cells was detected by Western blot,and the cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.The apoptosis rate was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the expression of Bip and caspase-12 was significantly upregulated,and the apoptosis rate was increased in K and K + S groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group S (P＞ 0.05).Compared with group K,the expression of Bip and caspase-12 was significantly down-regulated,and the apoptosis rate was decreased in group K+S (P＜0.05).The degree of damage to PC12 cells was more serious in group K than in group C..The degree of damage to PC12 cells in group K+S was significantly mnilder than that in group K and more serious than that in group C.Conclusion The mechanism by which ketamine induces neuronal apoptosis is related to the enhancement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of different acupoints selected on restless legs syndrome.

METHODSEighty-one cases were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=41) treated by acupoint selection method according to nerve anatomy and combination of positive findings with neurobiological theory, and a control group (n=40) treated by traditional acupoint selection method.

RESULTSThe effective rate and the markedly effective rate were 97.6% and 90.3% in the treatment group, and 75.0% and 60.0% in the control group with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in the needed treatment times for the cured cases (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint selection method according to nerve anatomy, positive findings and neurobiological theory has a better therapeutic effect on restless legs syndrome as compared with the traditional method.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Restless Legs Syndrome

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of miconazole nitrate 1200 mg in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC).Methods An open,multicentre,non case control clinical trial was conducted in 568 patients suffering from VVC from Jul 1,2006 to Nov 30,2006.Routine examination,score of clinical symptoms and physical signs,mycetology test and safety evaluation were done in all patients before treatment,7-14 days after treatment and 30 days after treatment.Results Seven to fourteen days after treatment,563 patients could be followed and 323 patients(57.30k)were cured.The overall effective rate was 90.2%.The mycologic cure rate was 91.3%(514).Thirty days after treatment,480 patients could be followed and 411 patients(85.6%)were cured.The total effective rate was 96.0%.Mycologic cure rate was 92.3%(443/480).Adverse effect rate was 2.7%(15/563)and they were relieved without any treatment in one or two days.Conclusions Miconazole nitrate 1200 mg is effective in the treatment of WC,with good compliance and few adverse effects.Moreover,it can be accepted easily.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) on A549 cell growth in nude mice and angiogenesis on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.

METHODSThree pairs of hVEGF siRNA-plasmid and non-silencing-plasmid were constructed, and transfected into A549 cells through lipofectamine 2000, respectively. The most effective pair of hVEGF siRNA-plasmid was selected by ELISA and real-time RT-PCR. A549 cells transfected with selected hVEGF siRNA- plasmid, A549 cells transfected with non-silencing-plasmid and A549 cells without transfection were inoculated into nude mice, respectively. Chick embryos were randomly divided into four groups and CAM was treated by different solutions for 48 h: culture media DMEM as negative control group,un-transfected A549 cell culture supernatants as positive control group, hVEGF siRNA A549 cell culture supernatants as hVEGF siRNA group and nonsilencing siRNA A549 cell culture supernatants as non-silencing siRNA group. The CAMs were harvested on d12 for microscopic assays.

RESULTCompared with control group, hVEGF siRNA-plasmid induced 48% reduction in hVEGF secretion by A549 cells accompanied by 70% reduction in hVEGF mRNA. Compared with non-silencing siRNA group, the mean tumor volume of murine xenograft was reduced by 58% in hVEGF siRNA group; time for xenografts growing to 50 mm(3)was delayed by 5.4 d. hVEGF contents in xenograft were reduced by 54%; but mean doubling time of tumors and the growth rate of tumors were not significantly reduced. In CAM assays, hVEGF content was zero in negative group, and in hVEGF siRNA group that was 40%-44% of non-silencing siRNA group or positive group; vessels branch points of CAM in hVEGF siRNA group or non-silencing siRNA group or positive group were increased by 45%-55% compared with negative group; total vessel length of CAM in hVEGF siRNA group was increased by 53% compared with negative group, while in non-silencing siRNA group or positive group that was increased by 97% or 99%. Compared with negative control group, the proliferation of microvessels was increased when cell culture supernatant with hVEGF was added in hVEGF siRNA group, significant proliferated vessels were observed in non-silencing siRNA group or positive group.

CONCLUSIONA plasmid-mediated hVEGF siRNA has been constructed and verified, which can effectively downregulate the expression of hVEGF in human A549 cells, resulting in the inhibition of angiogenesis. hVEGF siRNA can delay initial growth of A549 tumor xenograft but not reduce the growth rate.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, China and to provide a basis for the management and control of banned pesticides.

METHODSLocal residents who lived in a town of Ledu County for more than 5 years were selected as subjects in August 2012. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 267 vegetable greenhouse farmers who were selected from five villages of the town by cluster random sampling.

RESULTSOf the 267 subjects, 249 (93.26%) completed and returned the questionnaires. Eighty-seven (34.9%) of the 249 subjects were aware of banned pesticides, and the banned pesticide awareness rate varied significantly among the subjects with different education levels (χ(2) = 11.061, P = 0.011). Only education level entered the regression equation in non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Only five (2.0%) of the 249 subjects knew the banned pesticides as well as the details. All the 249 subjects used banned pesticides to varying degrees in the past 5 years. Only 9.0% (17/189) of the vegetable greenhouse farmers knew the time pesticides were initially banned in China.

CONCLUSIONThe banned pesticide awareness rate is relatively low in the town of Ledu County, and this rate is influenced by education level. It is needed to spread the knowledge and hazards of banned pesticides.

Agriculture ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Pesticides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo establish a gas chromatographic method for determination of halogenated alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons including trichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene in the air of workplace.

METHODSAfter the air samples collected with activated carbon tubes and desorbed with CS(2), the target toxicants were separated with FFAP capillary columns and detected with flame ionization detector.

RESULTSThe coefficient of correlation was above 0.999 and the lowest detectable concentrations were 0.2 ∼ 3.6 mg/m(3) with the RSD of 1.2% ∼ 4.6%. The desorption efficiencies was 94.9% ∼ 100.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe method shows lower detection limit, high accuracy and precision. It is feasible for determination of the seven halogenated alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons in the air of workplace.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; analysis ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of API2-MALT1 mRNA in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, to investigate the expression pattern of API2-MALT1 variants, and to correlate the findings with the clinicopathologic features and prognosis.

METHODSSixty-two cases of MALT lymphoma (10 from lung, 31 from stomach, 9 from intestine and 12 from thyroid), 32 cases of extranodal DLBCL (16 from stomach, 13 from intestine and 3 from thyroid), 8 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 5 cases of reactive lymph nodes hyperplasia as negative controls were collected. The expression of API2-MALT1 mRNA was studied in all cases by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR. The 94 cases of lymphoma were subdivided into API2-MALT1-positive and API2-MALT1-negative groups. Among the patients, 78 were followed up for 6 to 120 months. The differences in clinicopathologic features and prognosis between the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTSAPI2-MALT1 transcripts were detected in 39 of the 94 lymphoma cases (with 28 cases being MALT lymphoma and 11 cases being extranodal DLBCL). mRNA expression was not detected in all cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the negative controls. Two fusion gene variants, A1446-M1123 and A1446-M814 were found, and A1446-M1123 expression was more common. As for MALT lymphoma cases, the frequency of the fusion gene expression was lower in thyroid, when compared with that in lung, stomach and intestine. API2-MALT1-positive cases had tumors in an earlier stage with milder infiltration of cancer cells, lower relapse rate, and higher five-year survival rate.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of API2-MALT1 mRNA can be detected in both MALT lymphoma and extranodal DLBCL, but not in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These cases tend to show a more indolent clinical course and better survival. The frequency of t (11; 18) (q21; q21) correlates with the primary sites of MALT lymphoma. The higher incidence of breakpoint at 1123 bp of MALT1 gene in Chinese people may be due to geographical variation.

Caspases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genetic Variation ; Hashimoto Disease ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Survival Rate