A newly developed topological vector of atom Y_C, equilibrium electro-negativity of atom q_e, molecular structural information parameter[N_H~i(i=α, β)] and γ calibration parameter were used to describe the local chemical microenvironment of 63 acyclic alcoholic compounds. Quantitative structural spectrum relationships (QSSR) was systematically made on relationship between ~(13)C NMR chemical shifts of 353 carbon atoms and their molecular structure descriptors. By partial least square regression(PLS), the statistical results indicated that the model correlation coefficient and standard error were 0.9915 and 2.4827, respectively. And the average absolute error was only 2.01×10~(-6) between the calculated and experimental chemical shifts for 353 carbon atoms. To validate the estimation stability for internal samples and the predictive capability for external samples of resulting models, leave-molecule-out(LMO) cross validation(CV) and external validation were performed. Compared with the reported result, not only the number of descriptors employed in this study was much fewer, but also the calculation was much easier.

A simple, sensitive, selective, and reproducible liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of repaglinide and metformin in human plasma using d5-repaglinide and d6-metformin as internal standards (ISs). After a simple protein precipitation using acetonitrile as the precipitation solvent, both analytes and ISs were separated on a Venusil ASB C 18 (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) via gradient elution using acetonitrile--10 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate as the mobile phase. A chromatographic total run time of 7.5 min was achieved. Mass spectrometric detection was conducted with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization under positive-ion and multiple-reaction monitoring modes. The method was linear over the 0.2 to 60.0 ng x mL(-1) concentration range for repaglinide and over the 4 to 1 000 ng x mL(-1) range for metformin. For both analytes, the intra- and inter-accuracies and precisions were within the +/- 15% acceptable limit across all concentrations. The validated method was successfully applied to a clinical bioequivalence study.

Objective: To investigation the correlation between sleep duration and hypertension among adults in Zhejiang Province, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of hypertension. Methods: Permanent residents at age of 18 years and older were enrolled from 10 surveillance sites for risk factors of chronic diseases included in the 2018 China Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance Program. Subjects' demographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep duration and development of hypertension were collected, and following complex weighting calculations, the association between sleep duration and hypertension were examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 5 770 adults were included, including 2 952 men (50.72%) and 3 178 women (49.28%), and the prevalence of hypertension was 29.39% (2 702 cases). There were 712 (8.37%), 1 077 (18.77%), 1 582 (28.68%), 1 717 (34.60%) and 682 adults (9.57%) with sleep duration of <6 h/d, 6 to 7 h/d, 7 to 8 h/d, 8 to 9 h/d and 9 h/d and longer, respectively. Taking the sleep duration of 7 to 8 h/d as a reference, multivariable logistic regression analysis identified a significant association between sleep duration of <6 h/d and the risk of hypertension (OR=1.709, 95%CI: 1.184-2.466), a significant association between sleep duration of 9 h/d and longer and the risk of hypertension (OR=1.369, 95%CI: 1.006-1.862) in men, significant associations between sleep duration of <6 h/d (OR=2.174, 95%CI: 1.528-3.093) and 6 to 7 h/d (OR=1.412, 95%CI: 1.078-1.850) and the risk of hypertension in women, and significant associations between sleep duration of <6 h/d (OR=3.095, 95%CI: 1.025-9.347) and 6 to 7 h/d (OR=2.046, 95%CI: 1.156-3.622) and the risk of hypertension in residents at ages of 18 to 44 years. Conclusions Short sleep duration may increase the risk of hypertension among adults at ages of 18 to 44 years in Zhejiang Province. Short sleep duration may increase the risk of hypertension in women and long sleep duration may increase the risk of hypertension in men.

Orthotopic liver transplantation has proven to be effective in the treatment of a variety of life-threatening liver diseases, however, the limitations of donated organs available and long-term immunosuppression provided an impetus for developing alternative therapies. Cell replacement strategies have been one major effective approach for overcoming the obstacles of organ transplantation in recent years. The exogenous cells should be able to proliferate and differentiate into mature hepatic cells after grafting. Use of mature hepatocytes is also hampered by limited tissue source and inability to proliferate and maintain the function for a long term in vitro. Embryonic stem cells are immortal and pluripotent and may provide a novel cell source for potential cell therapy. This review summarizes the mechanisms of controlling early liver development and hepatic differentiation of visceral endoderm in embryoid bodies, and provides an overview of diverse differentiation systems in vitro and in vivo that were applied to hepatic research in recent years. Several studies have demonstrated that ES cell-derived hepatocytes can incorporate into liver tissue and function in vivo , but a few of them have shown complete restoration of liver function after transplantation into mice with liver diseases. Further studies should be made to exploit efficient methods and clinical applications of hepatocytes derived from ES cells in the future. In addition to clinical transplantation for treatment of liver diseases, ES cells can provide a valuable tool for drug discovery applications and study on of molecular basis of hepatic differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; transplantation ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; therapy

A simple, sensitive, selective, and reproducible liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of repaglinide and metformin in human plasma using d5-repaglinide and d6-metformin as internal standards (ISs). After a simple protein precipitation using acetonitrile as the precipitation solvent, both analytes and ISs were separated on a Venusil ASB C 18 (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) via gradient elution using acetonitrile--10 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate as the mobile phase. A chromatographic total run time of 7.5 min was achieved. Mass spectrometric detection was conducted with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization under positive-ion and multiple-reaction monitoring modes. The method was linear over the 0.2 to 60.0 ng x mL(-1) concentration range for repaglinide and over the 4 to 1 000 ng x mL(-1) range for metformin. For both analytes, the intra- and inter-accuracies and precisions were within the +/- 15% acceptable limit across all concentrations. The validated method was successfully applied to a clinical bioequivalence study.
Administration, Oral ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Area Under Curve ; Carbamates ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drug Stability ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Metformin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Middle Aged ; Piperidines ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Therapeutic Equivalency ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) activated natural killer cells (rhIL-2-NK) on angiogenesis and cardiac function of rats with myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSNatural killer cells (NKs) were isolated and activated by rhIL-2 in vitro. Untreated NKs were used as the control, the killing capacity of rhIL-2-NK were evaluated with cytotoxicity assay. Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were cocultured with rhIL-2-NK. One hour after MI, rats were randomly divided into rhIL-2-NK group, NK group and blank control group and NK, rhIL-2-NK and PBS were injected directly in the infracted myocardium. At the 0, 1(st), 3(rd), 5(th), 7(th) and 20(th)th day after MI, the mRNA expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were was detected by q-PCR essay. At the end of the therapy, the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated through immunohistochemical assay, and the cardiac function observed with echocardiography, homodynamic measurements.

RESULTSThe NKs were isolated successfully and the CMEC were proliferated remarkably by coculturing with rhIL-2-NK (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of MCP-1, TNF-α, CD31 and rhIL-2, VEGF were significantly upregulated in rhIL-2-NK group than in the PBS control group (P < 0.01). Four weeks after operation, LVEF was significantly higher in rhIL-2-NK group than in the PBS control group [(77.56 ± 15.67)% vs. (41.47 ± 12.21)%, P < 0.05)] and histomorphology assay revealed that the density of microvascular endothelial (MVD) of rhIL-2-NK group was significantly higher than that of PBS control group (17.35 ± 1.82 vs. 4.76 ± 0.92, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMyocardial injection of rhIL-2-NK could promote angiogenesis and improve cardiac function in MI rats.

Animals ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; physiology ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

Objective To study the variation of gross tumor volume (GTV) and clinical target volume (CTV) definition for lung cancer between different doctors.Methods Ten lung cancer patients with PET-CT simulation were selected from January 2008 to December 2009.GTV and CTV of these patients were defined by four professors or associate professors of radiotherapy independently.Results The mean ratios of largest to smallest GTV and CTV were 1.66 and 1.65, respectively.The mean coefficients of variation for GTV and CTV were 0.20 and 0.17, respectively.System errors of CTV definition in three dimension were less than 5 mm, which was the largest in inferior and superior (0.48 cm,0.37 cm,0.32 cm;F=0.40,0.60,0.15,P=0.755,0.618,0.928).Conclusions The variation of GTV and CTV definition for lung cancer between different doctors exist.The mean ratios of largest to smallest GTV and CTV were less than 1.7.The variation was in hilar and mediastinum lymphanode regions.System error of CTV definition was the largest (<5 mm) in cranio-caudal direction.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the clinical effect and therapeutic mechanism of Nanmiqing capsule made of rheum palmatum, leech, astragalus memberanaceus on patients with chronic prostatitis(CP).

METHODSSeventy-six CP cases were treated with Nanmiqing, while 32 CP cases were treated with Qianliekang as a control. The changes of EPS were observed pre- and post-treatment. The rat model of CP got by Xiaozhiling inducing were treated with Nanmiqing and Qianliekang respectively. The concentration of endothelin, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and SOD, IgG, IgA in plasma were measured pre- and post-treatment, meanwhile, pathological changes of prostate tissues were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 89.47% in treatment group, which was significantly higher than 71.88% in the control group (P < 0.01). Experimental study for CP rats showed that the Nanmiqing was more effective medicine than Qianliekang (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNanmiqing was an effective medicine for CP. The mechanism of clearing heat and resolving toxin, activating blood and removing stasis and reinforcing Qi in chinese medicine could be the explanation of the useful treatment including three therapentic ways.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha ; metabolism ; Adult ; Capsules ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thromboxane B2 ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

AIM:To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on acute alcoholic hepatic injury in mice and to explore the possible mechanisms .METHODS:Kunming mice (n=50) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10):normal saline control (NS) group, acute alcoholic hepatic injury model (E) group, low-dose (10μg/kg) DEX (E+L) group, medium-dose (50 μg/kg) DEX (E+M) group and high-dose (100 μg/kg) DEX (E+H) group.The animals were sacrificed at 6 h after gavage of alcohol or normal saline .The levels of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) , as-partate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dis-mutase ( SOD) were measured .The livers were removed for evaluation of histological characteristics and determining the content of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) amd interleukin-1β( IL-1β) in the liver tissues by ELISA .The expression levels of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and nuclear factor -κB (NF-κB) in the liver tissues were evaluated by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with NS group, the levels of ALT, AST and TG were obviously increased in E group , which were obviously decreased in E +M and E+H groups.Compared with NS group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1βand MDA were obviously increase in E group , which were obviously decreased in E +M and E+H groups.Compared with NS group, the activity of SOD and the content of GSH were obviously decreased in E group , which were obviously increased in E +M and E+H groups.Compared with NS group, the expression of CYP2E1 and NF-κB was obviously increase in E group , which was obviously decreased in E +M and E+H groups.Compared with NS group , ethanol induced marked liver histo- logical injury, which was less pronounced in E +M and E+H groups.CONCLUSION: DEX has a protective effect on mouse liver with acute alcoholic injury by the involvement in the processes of antioxidation and antiinflammation , and its mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of CYP 2E1 and NF-κB expression.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acute ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureterie stones during middle and late pregnancy.Methods From June 1998 to March 2005,17 pregnant women(mean age,27 years;age range,21-35 years)with ureteric stones were treated by ureteroscopy when the fetus was at 20-36 weeks of gestation(mean,29 weeks).All the cases presented with urgent symptoms such as recurrent renal colic(11 cases),fever(4)or acute obstructive anuria(2).Among 17 cases,the stones(between 6 mm?7 mm and 13 mm?21 mm)were located in the upper(8 cases),middle(5)or lower ureter(4);and on the left side(5 eases),on the right(10)and on both(2)of the lower ureter. Mild hydronephrosis were observed in 6 cases and moderate hydronephrosis in 11,Of the 17 cases,14 under- went ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy;in 1 case the calculi were pushed to the renal pelvis;and 2 cases were treated by Double-J catheter drainage.Results All the urgent symptoms in 17 cases were relieved after treatment.The stone-free rate of initial treatment was 82.4%(14 of 17).Three cases with residual stones were treated by Douhle-J catheters,which were replaced every 3 months until the calculi were re- moved.No abortion,premature delivery or complications such as ureter perforation occurred.Mild renal colic occurred in 1 case after insertion of Douhle-J catheter,and it was relieved 3d later;gross hematuria occurred in l case and disappeared 6 d later without treatment.All 17 patients had normal delivery and gave birth to healthy children.Conclusions Ureteroscopy is a safe and reliable method for the treatment of ureteric calculi during middle and late pregnancy.