Cardiac remodeling is the heart's response to external or internal stimuli. Weightlessness/simulated weightlessness leads to cardiac atrophy and heart function declining. Understanding the mechanism of cardiac atrophy under weightlessness is important to help astronaut recover from unloading-induced cardiovascular changes after spaceflight. Unloading-induced changes of hemodynamics, metabolic demands and neurohumoral regulation contribute to cardiac atrophy and function declining. During this process, Ca(2+)-related signaling, NF-κB signaling, ERK signaling, ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and autophagy are involved in weightlessness-induced cardiac atrophy. This article reviews the underlying mechanism of cardiac atrophy under weightlessness/simulated weightlessness.
Atrophy ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Space Flight ; Weightlessness ; Weightlessness Simulation

Resveratrol, an important phytoalexin, has a variety of physiological activities in the treatment of diseases and in health care. In recent years, it has been extensive and in-depth researched in the field of plant sources, food and pharmaceutical industry, plant physiology, and so on. The natural plant resources which contain resveratrol are included in this article. The advances in study on resveratrol are reviewed, which includes the methods of extraction, detection, synthesis, metabolism, absorption, distribution, and pharmacological action, to provide the valuable reference for researching and developing resveratrol.

In this paper, the RP-HPLC specific chromatography was adopted, with DIKMA-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm) as the chromatographic column, with a gradient elution compose of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid at flow rate of 0.8 mL · min(-1), the detection wavelength was 220 nm. The difference of the HPLC specific chromatograms between the Lu Dangshen and other different base sources and different producing area of Codonopsis Radix was compared, involved in the similarities and differences of the number and the relative peak area of characteristic peaks in the HPLC specific chromatograms. The HPLC specific chromatograms of Lu Dangshen was established and the relative retention times of seven peaks was determined, and the peaks of codonopyrrolidium B, syringin, lobetyolin, tangshenoside I and atractylenoide III were identified; The HPLC specific chromatograms of Lu Dangshen provided a method for scientific evaluation and effective control the quality of Lu Dangshen from Shanxi famous-region.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Phenylpropionates ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo analyse a special kind of Schisandra chinensis with the white fruit using ITS2 barcode at molecular levels.

METHODITS2 regions were sequenced bidirectionally. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner, MEGA 5.0 software was used to align the sequences. The ITS2 secondary structure was predicted using ITS2 web server, BLAST 1 method was used to identify the S. chinensis with the white fruit.

RESULTThe length of the ITS2 sequence was 231 bp. And the sample was identified as S. chinensis using the method of BLAST 1. Their mean interspecific genetic distance (K2P distance) among the populations of the S. chinensis with the white fruit and S. chinensis was far lower than the mean interspecific genetic distance between the S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera.

CONCLUSIONBy using ITS2 the S. chinensis with the white fruit was identified as S. chinensis, and the ITS2 barcode could be used to identify S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera.

DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Fruit ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Software

The effect of plant growth regulator forchlorfenuron (CPPU) 1 x 10(-6), 0.67 x 10(-6), 0.5 x 10(-6) on fruit morphology and effective components lignans was studied. Those morphologies were the combination of four basic morphological changes. The result showed, diametre were increased and longitudinal diametre of fruits were inhibited by foliage fertilizers including CPPU. At the same time, 1 000-grain weight and yield showed the varying degrees increase under CPPU. The order of the degree was 0.5 x 10(-6) > 1 x 10(-6) > 0.67 x 10(-6). Six lignans content of Schisandra chinensis of different harvest time and different CPPU processing groups were determined, the results showed that lignans accumulation occurred mainly in periods of premature the half mature fruiting stages. Under the 0.67 x 10(-6) CPPU treatment, schisandrol B, schisandrin B, schisandrin C content of S. chinensis showed different increase.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cyclooctanes ; analysis ; metabolism ; Dioxoles ; analysis ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fruit ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Lignans ; analysis ; metabolism ; Phenylurea Compounds ; pharmacology ; Polycyclic Compounds ; analysis ; metabolism ; Pyridines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the content of six lignans of different parts of Schisandra chinensis.

METHODAgilent TC-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used with acetonitrile-water gradient system as mobile phase. Wave length was 250 nm. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1). Column temperature was 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe total lignans content of wild Schisandra chinensis was higher than that of the cultivated varieties. The total lignans content of different parts varied significantly, wherein the root > main branch > side branches > leaf.

CONCLUSIONThis method is stable, reliable, can be used for the quality evaluation of different parts of Schisandra.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Lignans ; analysis ; Schisandra ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effects of post-stroke hand dysfunction treated with acupuncture at Zhongzhu (TE 3) and Waiguan (TE 5).

METHODSSixty cases of post-stroke hand dysfunction were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Routine medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other rehabilitation trainings were applied in both groups; Zhongzhu (TE 3) and Waiguan (TE 5) were punctured in observation group. Scores of nervous functions deficit by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), hand function, walking ability, activities of daily living (ADL) by Modified Barthel Index Scale were e valuated in both groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of hand function, walking ability, ADL and NIHSS were improved in both groups (all P < 0.01), and the hand function, walking ability and ADL in observation group were superior to those in control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRoutine medicine and rehabilitation trainings combined with acupuncture at Zhongzhu (TE 3) and Waiguan (TE 5) to treat post-stroke hand dysfunction can obviously improve the hand dysfunction after stroke, enhance the abilities of walking and daily living, and increase the curative effect.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Hand ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Walking

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and influence factors on knee joint peripheral fractures and/or dislocations with an associated vascular injury through retrospectively study.

METHODSFrom March 2002 to November 2007 31 patients with knee joint peripheral fractures and/or dislocations with an associated vascular injury were treated, including 24 males and 7 females with a mean age of 41 years (range from 21 to 62 years). Definite diagnosis of vascular injury by combining colored ultrasonic, CTA, operative exploration with clinical signs, fixing fractures and/or dislocations with fixators, plates and screws, reconstructing blood circulation based on the condition of the vascular injury by vascular repair, homograft vein or artificial vascular grafting separately and analysing the effects of PSI, diagnosis and treatment methods on salvage lower extremities.

RESULTSSuccessful reconstruction was carried out in 31 cases, however there were 1 death because of mult-fractures and brain injury and 6 amputation, 24 cases successful salvage followed up mean 24.2 months, 6 cases bone nonunion and infected bone defect were cured by delayed bone planting or bone transportation. Ligaments repair reconstruction of 7 cases knee joint dislocation were done in delayed 3 or 4 weeks after first operation, the good functional rate was 71.4%.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients of PSI under 10 grades in knee joint peripheral fractures and/or dislocations with an associated vascular injury should been carried out treatment, early definite diagnosis and blood circulation reconstruction are the key factors of successful salvage treatment.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee Dislocation ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Artery ; injuries ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Grafting ; Vascular System Injuries ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the experience with three-dimensional reconstruction technique in initial clinical application in gastrocnemius muscle flap surgery.

METHODFrom 2007 to 2008, 7 patients received gastrocnemius muscle flap surgeries to repair the wounds. Preoperative CT angiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed after injection of the contrast media for individualized three-dimensional gastrocnemius muscle flap reconstruction using Amira4.1 software. According to the size of the defect in the wound, individualized three-dimensional gastrocnemius muscle flap was designed and harvested from the posterior leg.

RESULTSIndividualized three-dimensional reconstruction of the gastrocnemius flap was performed in 7 cases, and the reconstructed flaps clearly displayed the blood vessels, skin and the adjacent three-dimensional structures. In 6 cases the main perforating branched and trunk of the blood vessels in the designed flap were consistent with the surgical findings; in 1 case, the perforating branches failed to be clearly displayed in the designed flap, and surgical examination identified perforating branches with an average diameter of 0.5 mm (minimally 0.3 mm). The flaps survived in all the 7 cases.

CONCLUSIONSThree-dimensional reconstruction of the gastrocnemius flap based on the lower limb CT angiography or MRI allows three-dimensional observation of the anatomy of the flap and accurate marking of the extent of the flap to be harvested, therefore avoiding intraoperative injuries to the blood vessels to better survival of the flaps.

Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Preoperative Period ; Surgical Flaps ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To determine the hosts of hantavirus (HV) and its molecular epidemiological characteristics, to provide evidence for prevention and control on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Methods Rodents were captured by a special trap within the residential area. The antigens of HV in lung tissues were detected by direct immuno-fluorescence assay (DFA). Nucleotide sequences of HV were amplified by RT-PCR with HV genotype-specific primer. The amplified genes were then sequenced. Phylogenetic tree were built on nucleotide sequence with Clusta1X 1.83 software. Results 1421 rodents were captured and classified into 8 species of 4 Genera in the epidemic area within 10 counties of Chuxiong prefecture, Yunnan province, between 2005 and 2006. Out of the 1421 rodents, 1056 (74.31%) of them were Rattus norvegicas and 280 (19.70%) belonged to Rattus flavipectus. The antigens of HV were detected by DFA in lung tissues and the total positive rate of HV was 5.15% (53/ 1029). After applying the sequencing nucleotide method to the 53 positive specimens, data showed that 21 specimens were positive and all of them belonged to Seoul type ( 15 samples were from Rattus norvegicus, 4 samples Rattasflavipectas, 2 samples Rattus nitidas). The partial S segments from 12 specimens were sequenced which appeared homologic with R22, L99 and HLD65 from GenBank in relatively high level (87.1%-99.7%). When compared to 76-118 strain of Hantaan type, their homologic degree was only 64.4%-69.1%. Results from Phylogenetic analysis showed that 12 specimens belonged to Seoul type. As for their homology, they were significantly similar to Seoul type and could be tentatively divided into two subtypes S1 and S3. Conclusion It was confirmed that the Seoul type virus, as HFRS' s pathogenetic agent mainly carried by rats, prevailed widely in Chuxiong prefecture. Owing to the local ecological environment, we also noticed the characteristics of different HV subtypes among Seoul type.