Differentiation of autoimmune pancreatitis with pancreatic carcinoma remains a challenge to physicians.

Objective: The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical features of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and review the advances in the differential diagnosis with pancreatic carcinoma, thus help to make a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgery in clinical practice.

Methods: Five patients diagnosed as AIP in accordance with the HISORt criteria in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from 2008 to 2010 were enrolled in the study. Clinical features were analyzed and related literature was reviewed.

Neuroprotective effect of dauricine after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats: involvement of Bcl-2 family proteins.

Previous studies have shown that the bisbenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid dauricine can protect the brain against ischemic damage. We investigated here whether dauricine could inhibit neuronal apoptosis and modulate Bcl-2 family protein levels in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a 60 min temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO).

Daurisoline suppressed early afterdepolarizations and inhibited L-type calcium current.

Our previous studies have shown that daurisoline (DS) exerted antiarrhythmic effects on various experimental arrhythmias. In this study, the effects of DS on early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and its possible mechanisms have been investigated. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in rabbits by coarctating the abdominal aorta.

Inhibitory effects of dauricine on early afterdepolarizations and L-type calcium current.

We have previously reported that dauricine exerted antiarrhythmic effects on various experimental arrhythmias. To further clarify its mechanism, the effects of dauricine on action potential duration (APD), early afterdepolarizations (EADs), triangulation, which is defined as the repolarization time from APD at 30% level (APD30) to APD at 90% level (APD90), and L-type calcium current (I(Ca-L)) were studied using standard microelectrode techniques on rabbit papillary muscles and whole-cell patch clamp techniques on single myocytes isolated from rabbits by enzymatic digestion, respectively. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by coarctating the abdominal aorta of rabbits.

Phase I evaluation of the safety and pharmacokinetics of a single-dose intravenous injection of a murine monoclonal antibody against Hantaan virus in healthy volunteers.

Anti-Hantaan virus monoclonal antibody (AHM) is a murine monoclonal antibody against Hantaan virus being developed for the treatment of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The purpose of the present study was to describe the tolerance and pharmacokinetics of an intravenously administered single ascending dose of AHM in Chinese healthy volunteers. Four cohorts of 22 healthy subjects received AHM at 2.

Neuroprotective effect of dauricine in cortical neuron culture exposed to hypoxia and hypoglycemia: involvement of correcting perturbed calcium homeostasis.

We have previously reported that dauricine protects brain tissues from focal cerebral ischemia. To corroborate this effect, neurotoxicity due to hypoxia and hypoglycemia was assessed in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons by using a trypan blue exclusion method. To further clarify the mechanism, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) of dissociated rat cortical cells were monitored by fura-2 fluorescence measurements and flow cytometry, respectively.

Inhibitory effect of dauricine on inflammatory process following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Our previous experimental studies showed that dauricine could protect the brain from ischemic damage, but the underlying mechanisms were unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of dauricine on the changes of the inflammation process induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). After I/R, the enzyme activity of MPO, the expression of ICAM-1 and the transcription of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA were all significantly increased (p < 0.

Neuroprotective effects of dauricine against apoptosis induced by transient focal cerebral ischaemia in rats via a mitochondrial pathway.

1. Previous experimental studies have shown that dauricine can protect the brain against ischaemic damage, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we examined whether dauricine inhibits neuronal apoptosis in the penumbra in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia.

[Effect of phenolic alkaloids of Menispermum dauricum on thrombosis and platelet aggregation].

Aim: To observe the effect of phenolic alkaloids of Menispermum dauricum (PAMD) on thrombosis and platelet aggregation, and to explore its mechanism of action.

Methods: Thrombosis was observed with arteriovenous shunt thrombus model in rat; platelet aggregation was determined by Born's method; ultrastructure of platelet was observed by transmission electron microscope; TXB2 or 6-keto-PGF1alpha levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay; and NO was determined by colorimetric method.

Results: PAMD dose-dependently inhibited experimental thrombus formation, platelet aggregation induced by ADP, AA and THR in vivo and ultrastructure changes stimulated by THR; PAMD increased the generation of 6-keto-PGF1alpha in thoracic aortae and NO level in plasma; and had no influence on TXB2 release (P > 0.

Effects of Gingko biloba extract on gap junction changes induced by reperfusion/reoxygenation after ischemia/hypoxia in rat brain.

Gap junction communication between astrocytes plays an important role in the brain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Gingko biloba extract (GBE) on the changes of connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein expression levels of rat cortex and hippocampus induced by ischemia-reperfusion and astrocyte gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation. After 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 hours of reperfusion, there was obvious neurological deficit in rats.

Effects of gingko biloba extract on glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i changes in cultured cortical astrocytes after hypoxia/reoxygenation, H2O2 or L-glutamate injury.

Aim: To investigate glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i changes in cultured rat neonatal cortical astrocytes after hypoxia/reoxygenation, H2O2 or high concentration of L-glutamate injury. In the meantime, the effects of Gingko biloba extract (GbE) were examined.

Methods: [Ca2+]i changes in astrocytes were monitored by laser scanning confocal microscopy with the Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent probe fluo-3.

[Protective effect of procyanidins from the seedpod of the lotus on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat].

Aim: To study the protective effect of procyanidins from the seedpod of the lotus (LSPC) on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

Methods: Myocardial injury model was made by ligating the coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 45 min in anesthetized rat and 30 min of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion in the isolated rat heart. All animals were given the medicine or normal saline before the experiment.

[Effects of phenolic alkaloids of Menispermum dauricum on the hemodynamics and coronary circulation in anesthetized dog].

Aim: To observe the effect of phenolic alkaloids of Menispermum dauricum (PAMD) on the hemodynamics, coronary circulation and oxygen metabolism of the myocardium in anesthetized dogs.

Methods: In this study, the changes of LVSP, LVEDP and +/- dp/dtmax, the flow of coronary artery and myocardial energy metabolism were measured in anesthetized dog with PAMD or NS.

Results: In the anesthetized dogs, compared with pre-treatment status, PAMD at 3.