Przewaquinone A inhibits Angiotensin II-induced endothelial diastolic dysfunction activation of AMPK.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction (ED), characterized by markedly reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, vasoconstriction, and a shift toward a proinflammatory and prothrombotic state, is an important contributor to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is widely involved in cardiovascular development. Przewaquinone A (PA), a lipophilic diterpene quinone extracted from Salvia przewalskii Maxim, inhibits vascular contraction.

Radix Glycyrrhizae extract and licochalcone a exert an anti-inflammatory action by direct suppression of toll like receptor 4.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Radix Glycyrrhizae (GL), a herbal medicine that is widely available, has shown advantages for a variety of inflammatory diseases. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway has been shown to play a key role in the progression of inflammation.

Aim Of The Study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of TLR4 in the anti-inflammatory mechanism of GL extract and its active constituent on acute lung injury (ALI).

Calycosin protects against oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating aldehyde dehydrogenase 2.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death worldwide, and oxidative stress is part of the process that causes MI. Calycosin, a naturally occurring substance with cardioprotective properties, is one of the major active constituents in Radix Astragali. In this study, effect of Calycosin was investigated in vivo and in vitro to determine whether it could alleviate oxidative stress and oxidative stress-induced cardiac apoptosis in neonatal cardiomyocytes (NCMs) via activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2).

The role of costotransverse radical debridement, fusion and postural drainage in the surgical treatment of multisegmental thoracic spinal tuberculosis: a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Purpose: We present a retrospective study of patients with multilevel contiguous tuberculous spondylitis of thoracic region that underwent single-stage posterolateral debridement and fusion and following posterior instrumentation.

Methods: From June 2000 to March 2009, 870 consecutive spinal tubercular patients including 36 patients who were diagnosed and treated as multilevel contiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis in our institution. Apart from five patients being treated conservatively, the 31 cases received surgery by single-stage posterolateral debridement, fusion, following posterior instrumentation and postural drainage.

Treatment of pediatric spinal tuberculosis abscess with percutaneous drainage and low-dose local antituberculous therapy: a preliminary report.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of computed tomography (CT) guidance using percutaneous catheter with low-dose drainage local chemotherapy (modified PCD) and antituberculous therapy (ATT) for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis in children.

Methods: Twenty-seven children suffering from spinal tuberculosis were treated with modified PCD and ATT in our institute from 2002 to 2012. We describe our treatment, which involves CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy (continuous low-dose (20 mL) irrigation).