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

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

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

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.

Objective To evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates.Methods PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review were electronically searched for Meta -analysis and network Meta-analysis about the effectiveness and safety of bisphospho-nates.The randomized controlled trials ( RCTs ) comparing different bi-sphosphonates were manually searched.We then complete the descriptive analysis about the direct and indirect comparison between bisphospho-nates.Results Seventeen Meta-analyses were included, including 1 Meta-analysis comparing different bisphosphonates, 10 Meta-analyses comparing bisphosphonates and placebo, and 6 network Meta-analyses. The results of direct comparison showed that there was no significant difference between different bisphosphonates in effectiveness and safety. The results of indirect comparison showed that zoledronic acid, alendr-onate or zoledronic acid, alendronate, risedronate ranked first in preven-ting vertebral fracture, hip fracture, wrist, non -hip -non -vertebral fracture among different bisphosphonates, respectively.Zoledronic acid, zoledronic acid, etidronate ranked highest in causing any gastrointestinal adverse events, nausea, and discontinuation due to adverse drug reactions among different bisphosphonates, respective-ly.Conclusion Bisphosphonates are effective and safe medications for treating osteoporosis.Although zoledronic acid ranked highest in preventing fracture, it was also more likely to cause gastrointestinal adverse events.However, the quality of a body of evidence comparing different bisphosphonates is low.More well -designed clinical studies are needed to support above conclusion.

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

Objective To summarize the present development by analysis of projects in schistosomiasis funded by National Science Foundation of China(NSFC). Methods Based on the ISIS database of NFSC,the projects in the studies of schistoso-miasis from 2005 to 2016 were analyzed. The distributions of sponsored numbers,amounts,types,agencies,disciplines and changes in research topics by means of network profiles were described. Results During the study period,198 projects were funded by NSFC totally with 76.05 million yuan in which the general and youth projects were main types. The main sponsored agencies were research institutes and medical colleges. The top three fields sponsored were medical pathogenic microbes and in-fection,veterinary and medical immunology. Conclusion The funding on schistosomiasis researches has a downward trend, but studies are continuing in depth. In this situation,innovative and interdisciplinary researches need to be encouraged to pro-mote the development of schistosomiasis.

OBJECTIVEHyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is an inborn error of metabolism in which the hydroxylation of phenylalanine (Phe) to tyrosine is disturbed. Accumulation of Phe leads to severe mental and psychomotor retardation. (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)HMRS) is a novel non-invasive method to quantitate the brain metabolites besides Phe concentration in HPA patients. And it could be acquired conveniently on clinical MRI routine scanners. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between blood Phe ([Phe](blood)) and [Phe](brain), the characteristics of blood-brain Phe metabolism and its impacts on mental retardation.

METHODTotally 32 untreated patients diagnosed with HPA were studied, including 18 boys and 14 girls (age ranging from 33 days to 13 years). The patients were divided into two groups: elder than 4 months old (n = 22) and younger than 4 months old (n = 10). (1)HMRS were performed in all patients. [Phe](brain) were measured by absolute [Phe](brain) using Creatinine as an internal reference. [Phe](blood) were measured and developmental quotient (DQ) or intelligence quotients (IQ) were evaluated.

RESULT(1) [Phe](brain) measured by (1)HMRS ranged from 0.0640 to 0.6296 (M = 0.1542) while the [Phe](blood) was from 0.3804 to 2.5140 mmol/L (M = 1.5210 mmol/L) in all the 32 cases of HPA patients. (2) There was a positive linear correlation (r = 0.6103 (P < 0.01)) between [Phe](blood) and [Phe](brain). And there were interindividual differences in [Phe](brain) in several patients. (3) Variable mental retardation were observed in 23/32 cases in this study. (4) There was a negative correlation between [Phe](blood) and [Phe](brain) to the mental retardation (r(blood) = -0.5045, r(brain) = -0.6471 (P < 0.01)) in 22 cases of the HPA patients older than 4 months. And [Phe](brain) had more significant correlation with mental development than [Phe](blood).

CONCLUSIONThe [Phe](blood) could correspondingly represent the [Phe](brain) in most HPA patients. The Phe concentration could reflect the degree of mental retardation substantially in 22 cases with HPA older than 4 months. And the [Phe](brain) could more accurately illustrate it. (1)HMRS can be used to quantitate intracerebral Phe concentrations non-invasively in HPA patients. Preliminary findings suggest that interindividual variations in the kinetics of Phe uptake and metabolism do exist. (1)HMRS has great clinical significance in understanding the mechanism of HPA patient's mental retardation, providing proper objective standards for better diagnosis and treatment of HPA patients.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intelligence Tests ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Phenylalanine ; analysis ; Phenylketonurias ; metabolism