Renal protective effects of helix B surface polypeptide in rats with puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy.

Background: Recent studies have reported that helix B surface polypeptide (HBSP), an erythropoietin derivative, exhibits strong tissue protective effects, independent of erythropoietic effects, in a renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury model. Meanwhile, the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily member glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) demonstrated protective effect on podocytes . Using a rat puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy (PAN) model, this study observed the renal protective effect of HBSP and investigated its renal protective effect on podocytes and mechanism related to GDNF.

[Research progress in biosynthesis-related enzymes of coumarin compounds and their bioactivities].

Coumarins are natural products with benzopyran ring as the parent nucleus. Numerous coumarin derivatives exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-coagulant, anti-osteoporotic, and insecticidal activities. Therefore, they play an important role in both medicine and agriculture.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of halogenated sesquiterpenes from natural sources].

Halogenated sesquiterpenes are important derivatives of sesquiterpenes, referring to chemical components of sesquiterpenes that contain halogens such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Halogenated sesquiterpenes have attracted attention from researchers in China and abroad because of their diverse structures, unique halogen elements, and extensive pharmacological activities. Studies have shown that halogenated sesquiterpenes exhibit significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, insecticidal, hypoglycemic, and enzyme inhibitory activities.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of natural prenylated flavonoids.

Prenylated flavonoids are a special kind of flavonoid derivative possessing one or more prenyl groups in the parent nucleus of the flavonoid. The presence of the prenyl side chain enriched the structural diversity of flavonoids and increased their bioactivity and bioavailability. Prenylated flavonoids show a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective effects, and anti-osteoclastogenic activities.

[Effectiveness of a Labor-Admission Education Program on Anxiety, Uncertainty, Locus of Labor Control, and Labor Outcomes in Pregnant Women].

Background: The process of hospital admission undergone by expectant mothers readily induces feelings of loss of control, anxiousness, and uncertainty. Thus, education to promote the proper response of women to their impending hospital admission may be beneficial in terms of minimizing the number of labor-related hospital trips and the wastage of medical resources.

Purpose: To explore the effects a labor-admission education program on perceived anxiousness, uncertainty, locus of control, and labor outcomes in expectant mothers.

The Long Journey of Pollen Tube in the Pistil.

In non-cleistogamous plants, the male gametophyte, the pollen grain is immotile and exploits various agents, such as pollinators, wind, and even water, to arrive to a receptive stigma. The complex process of pollination involves a tubular structure, i.e.

Radiological Aspect of Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: A Case Series With Review of Literature.

Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare angio-osteo-hypertrophic syndrome characterized by vascular malformations, soft tissue and/or bone hypertrophy, and varicose veins. For the purpose of describing the imaging findings and elucidating the role of medical imaging in the diagnosis and assessment of patient with KTS, we have reviewed the imaging data of 14 KTS patients. The imaging features on different imaging modalities were analyzed.

By up-regulating μ- and δ-opioid receptors, neuron-restrictive silencer factor knockdown promotes neurological recovery after ischemia.

We investigated the effects of neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) on proliferation of endogenous nerve stem cells (NSCs) and on μ- and δ-opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) expression in rats after cerebral ischemia. Among 100 rats subjected to cerebral ischemia, 20 rats were transfected with NRSF shRNA, and the remaining 80 were randomly assigned to normal, sham, model, and negative control (NC) groups. On days 7, 14, and 28 after ischemia and reperfusion, neurological function scores were assigned and a step-down passive avoidance test was conducted.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization for liver metastases from gastrointestinal cancers.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported to be effective for local control of different-sized hepatocellular carcinomas. However, it is unclear if these benefits could also be applicable to different-sized liver metastases from gastrointestinal cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of TACE combined with RFA for liver metastases from gastrointestinal cancers.

Clinical features and endovascular treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms.

Background: To analyze our experience with clinical features and endovascular treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPAs).

Methods: We performed endovascular treatments on 52 patients (34 men and 18 women) affected by VAPA. These cases were pseudoaneurysms of the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and their branches.

Percutaneous retrieval of PICC fractures via the femoral vein in six cancer patients.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and safety of the interventional technique of retrieving the fractured peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) segments within the vessels via the femoral vein.

Methods: From July 2007 to January 2012, we performed percutaneous retrieval of PICC fractures in six cancer patients who accepted chemotherapy via PICC. The fractures occurred during the traction of the catheter and were diagnosed with chest plain film radiography and/or computed tomography.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter therapy in rabbit VX2 liver tumors: effects and histopathological characteristics.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment (TACE-RFA) has been confirmed superior to TACE or RFA alone in animal liver tumors. TACE before RFA was shown to increase hepatocellular damage. Further optimization of the combination strategy for transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) or TACE combined with RFA is warranted.

Hepatic parenchymal changes following transcatheter embolization and chemoembolization in a rabbit tumor model.

Objective: To compare the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on liver function, hepatic damage, and hepatic fibrogenesis in a rabbit tumor model.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-nine New Zealand white rabbits implanted with VX2 tumors in the left liver lobes were randomly divided into three groups: TAE, TACE, and control group. In the TAE group (n = 15), polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVAs) were used for left hepatic artery embolization.

Experimental evaluation of inhibitory effect of 10-hydroxycamptothecin on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression and angiogenesis in liver tumors after transcatheter arterial embolization.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of transcatheter administration of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT), a hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor, on HIF-1α expression and angiogenesis in liver tumors after transcatheter arterial embolization in an animal model.

Materials And Methods: VX2 tumors were implanted in the livers of 30 rabbits. The animals were divided randomly into three groups of 10 animals each.

Correlation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha with angiogenesis in liver tumors after transcatheter arterial embolization in an animal model.

This study sought to determine the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and its relation to angiogenesis in liver tumors after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in an animal model. A total of 20 New Zealand White rabbits were implanted with VX2 tumor in liver. TAE-treated group animals (n = 10) received TAE with polyvinyl alcohol particles.

[Measurement of atmosphere NO2 amounts and angle spacial distribution using zenith-light spectra and sky-light spectra].

A novel approach to retrieving atmosphere NO2 slant column density is described, in which the sunlight scattered in the zenith direction and the skylight are used as the light sources. The slant column density of the same azimuth but different obliquities, which are between 0.5 x 10(16) and 11 x 10(16) molecule x cm(-2), with the angle from 85 degrees to 10 degrees, as well as that of the same obliquity but different azimuths, which are between 10(16) and 10(17) molecule cm(-2), were calculated.

[Optical multi-channel detection and analysis on solar ultra-violet irradiance spectrum].

The present paper reports a new type of ultraviolet CCD optical multi-channel analyzer and its application to detecting solar ultraviolet irradiance spectrum. Spectral detecting range of 200-1 100 nm, spectral resolution of 0.1 nm and detecting sensitivity of 0.

Vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides with lipiodol in arterial embolization of liver cancer in rats.

Aim: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the hepatic artery has been accepted as an effective treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, embolized vessel recanalization and collateral circulation formation are the main factors of HCC growth and recurrence and metastasis after TAE. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis.