Study on the photosynthetic growth characters in Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim under different supplemental light environments.

Cimicifuga dahurica (C. dahurica) is an important medicinal plant in the northern region of China. The best supplemental light environment helps plant growth, development, and metabolism.

Rhein promotes TRAIL-induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells by up-regulating DR5 expression.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) combined with sensitizer is a potential method to reverse TRAIL-resistance in tumor cells. Rhein (RH) is a monomer extracted from Chinese herbs that has been reported to show anti-tumor effects in a variety of tumor cells, but the role of RH in TRAIL-induced anti-tumor effects in bladder cancer cells has not been reported. In this study, we found that the combined treatment of a non-toxic concentration of RH with TRAIL significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in both TRAIL sensitive and resistant bladder cancer cell lines.

[Establishment of an ovalbumin-induced bronchial asthma model in mice with intrauterine growth retardation].

Objective: To establish and evaluate an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced bronchial asthma model in mice with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and to explore the molecular mechanism of relationship between IUGR and asthma.

Methods: A total of 16 pregnant BALB/c female mice were divided into a low-protein diet group (n=8) and a normal-protein diet group (n=8), which were fed with low-protein (8%) diet and normal-protein (20%) diet respectively. The neonatal mice were weighed 6 hours after birth.

[Persistent chest pain for 4 months and progressive lower limb weakness for 2 months in a boy].

A boy, aged 5 years, was admitted due to chest pain for 4 months, right lower limb weakness for 2 months, and weakness of both lower limbs for 10 days. There were no symptoms of defecation/urination disorders or disturbance of consciousness, and the boy had upper motor neuron paralysis in both lower limbs, without cranial nerve involvement or sensory disorder. Spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed tumor in the spinal canal between cervical vertebra 6 and thoracic vertebra 2, which put pressure on the spinal cord.

[Prognosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: a follow-up during infancy].

Objective: To investigate the physical development, incidence of common respiratory diseases, and motor development during infancy in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical features and infantile outcomes of preterm infants with BPD who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2012 and December 2015. Preterm infants without BPD were used as controls who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit during the same period and had similar gestational age and birth weight.

[Asymmetric crying facies and vocal cord paralysis accompanied by congenital heart disease in an infant].

A female infant was admitted to the hospital due to perioral cyanosis two hours after birth. The infant was born at the gestational age of 35 weeks by cesarean section with a birth weight of 2 400 g. Physical examination revealed wry mouth to the left side while crying, small auricles, and high palatal arch; fibrolaryngoscopy suggested bilateral vocal cord paralysis; echocardiography suggested ventricular septal defect; single nucleotide polymorphism testing showed 22q11.

[17α-Hydroxylase deficiency with severe hypertension as the initial symptom in a child].

A 14-year-old female (social gender) patient was admitted to the hospital due to severe hypertension for 11 days. The patient had primary amenorrhea. The blood pressure was 146/90 mm Hg.

[Clinical analysis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome complicated by cardiac abnormalities in preterm infants].

Objective: To investigate the complications of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in preterm infants and to analyze the clinical conditions and prognosis of cardiac abnormalities in TTTS recipients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 17 pairs of preterm infants with TTTS born between June 2009 and December 2012.

Results: Compared with the recipients, the donors had significantly lower body weights (1.

Effects of endogenous sulfur dioxide on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Aim: The present study aimed to explore the protective effect of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the development of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the MCT group receiving MCT treatment, the MCT+L-aspartate-beta- hydroxamate (HDX) group receiving MCT plus HDX treatment, the MCT+SO2 group receiving MCT plus SO2 donor treatment, and the control group. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and structural changes in pulmonary arteries were evaluated.

Hydrogen sulfide regulates lung tissue-oxidized glutathione and total antioxidant capacity in hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats.

Aim: To investigate the modulatory effect of sodium hydrosulfide on lung tissue-oxidized glutathione and total antioxidant capacity in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH).

Methods: After 21 d of hypoxia, the mean pulmonary artery pressure was measured by cardiac catheterization. The plasma H2S level and production of H2S in the lung tissues were determined by using a spectrophotometer.

[Effect of hydrogen sulfide on oxidative stress in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension].

Objective: To study the modulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) on oxidative stress in the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia.

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6), hypoxic group (n=6) and hypoxia+NaHS group (n=8). Hypoxic challenge was performed everyday for 21 days.