Preliminary in vitro and in vivo assessment of a new targeted inhibitor for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration usually causes blindness. We established a novel targeted inhibitor for CNV in age-related macular degeneration. The inhibitor CR2-sFlt 1 comprises a CR2-targeting fragment and an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) domain (sFlt 1).

[The value of assessment of area of ground glass opacity in lungs cast by high-resolution computed tomography on the prognosis of patients with acute paraquat intoxication].

Objective: To assess the value of the area of ground glass opacities (GGOs) in lungs displayed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in paraquat (PQ) poisoned patients in evaluating prognosis.

Methods: Clinical and imaging data of 137 patients with acute PQ poisoning admitted to Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces from January 2012 to August 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The plasma concentration of PQ on admission and the area of GGOs were compared between two groups.

[Application of PiCCO monitoring in patients with neurogenic pulmonary edema].

Objective: To evaluate the application of pulse induced contour cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring in patients with neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE), and to assess the accuracy of capacity parameters such as intra thoracic blood volume index (ITBVI) and global end diastolic volume index (GEDVI) and pressure parameters such as central venous pressure (CVP) in estimating severity of NPE, and to assess the prognostic significance of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) on patients with NPE.

Methods: In this prospective study, 36 patients with NPE in the department of neurological intensive care unit (NICU) underwent PiCCO monitoring, including mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), CVP, ITBVI, GEDVI, EVLWI, pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI). The correlation between ITBVI, GEDVI, CVP and EVLWI was assessed.

Clinical epidemiology of posttraumatic epilepsy in a group of Chinese patients.

Objective: To explore the incidence, types of onset, and risk factors of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE).

Methods: This is a retrospective follow-up study of patients discharged from the Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of the Chinese People's Armed Police Forces between September 2004 and September 2008 with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Results: Complete clinical information was available on 2826 patients.

[Clinical analysis of linezolid in treatment of infection with methicillin--resistant Staphylococcus in 14 neurosurgical patients].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of linezolid in the treatment of post-neurosurgical intracranial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) infection.

Methods: The data from 14 patients, admitted to neurological intensive care unit (ICU) of Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces between March 2009 and November 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. All these cases suffered from post-neurosurgical intracranial infection by MRS and received linezolid treatment.

[Anti-MDR tumor mechanism of CIP-36, a podophyllotoxin derivative].

This study is to investigate the antitumor activity of CIP-36 on multidrug resistant human oral squamous carcinoma cell line (KBV200 cells) in vitro and the possible anticancer mechanisms. MTT assay, Hoechst fluorescein stain, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were carried out on KBV200 and KB cells. The growth of many tumor cells was obviously inhibited by CIP-36, especially the multidrug resistant cells KBV200.

[Differential analysis of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis profiles in the protective effects of resveratrol on HaCaT cells induced by UVB irradiation].

Objective: To analysis the differences of protein expression and possible protective mechanisms of resveratrol (Res) on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) irradiated by ultraviolet B (UVB).

Methods: MTT test was used to assay the effects of Res on the proliferation of HaCaT cells. The tested objects were divided into four groups, the control, UVB irradiation, Res intervention and UVB + Res intervention (r-u) groups.

Scutellarin benzyl ester partially secured the ischemic injury by its anti-apoptosis mechanism in cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of scutellarin benzyl ester on neonatal rats' cardiomyocytes injured by ischemia and its anti-apoptosis mechanism.

Methods: The cardiomyocytes in primary culture were prepared from ventricular tissue of 1- to 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats and the cells in good condition were assigned to five groups: control group, ischemic model group and three scutellarin benzyl ester groups (doses of 100, 50 and 25μmol/L, respectively). The model of ischemic injury was established in the primary culture of cardiomyocytes under glucose-free anoxic condition.

LC, a novel estrone-rhein hybrid compound, promotes proliferation and differentiation and protects against cell death in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells.

Estrogen analogs are promising drugs for postmenopausal osteoporosis, but because of their possible side effects, estrogens which exert their estrogenic effects selectively on bone are desired. Based on our previous studies that rhein had high affinity for the bone mineral, we synthesized estrone-rhein hybrid compounds and confirmed that one of these hybrid compounds, LC, exhibited a selective profile in the bone and prevented bone loss but had no effect on endometrium growth in ovariectomized rats. However, the mechanisms underlying its actions on human bone cells have remained largely unknown.

Autocrine production of interleukin-8 confers cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

It has been widely reported that interleukin-8 (IL-8) is overexpressed in ovarian cyst fluid, ascites, serum, and tumor tissue from ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients, and elevated IL-8 expression correlates with a poor final outcome and chemosensitivity. However, the role of IL-8 expression in the acquisition of the chemoresistance phenotype and the underlining mechanisms of drug resistance in OVCA cells are not yet fully understood. Here we show that both exogenous (a relatively short period of treatment with recombination IL-8) and endogenous IL-8 (by transfecting with plasmid encoding for sense IL-8) induce cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance in non-IL-8-expressing A2780 cells, while deleting of endogenous IL-8 expression in IL-8-overexpressing SKOV-3 cells (by transfecting with plasmid encoding for antisense IL-8) promotes the sensitivity of these cells to anticancer drugs.

[Effects of scutellarin benzyl ester on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in cardiomyocytes injured by acute hypoxia].

Objective: To investigate the effects of scutellarin benzyl ester on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in cardiomyocytes after acute injury of hypoxia.

Methods: Cardiomyocytes harvested from neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were cultured for 4 days. The cells of the primary culture were assigned randomly to five groups: control group, hypoxia model group (acute hypoxic injury was induced by exposing cells to anoxic condition with 95%N₂ and 5%CO₂) and high, moderate and low dose of scutellarin benzyl ester groups (pretreated with 100, 50 and 25 μmol/L scutellarin benzyl ester before hypoxia) with 6 wells in each group.

Long-term MMP inhibition by doxycycline exerts divergent effect on ventricular extracellular matrix deposition and systolic performance in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Pharmacologic inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) by doxycycline is of therapeutic potential for a number of cardiovascular diseases characterized by excessive activation of MMP. So far, long-term administration of doxycycline in the treatment of hypertensive ventricular remodeling has not been systemically investigated. Seven-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were fed with doxycycline (30 mgKg(-1) daily) for 26 weeks, when the mortality rate of the control group reached 50%.

[Proteomic changes in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with experimental congenital hypothyroidism].

Objective: To screen differentially expressed brain proteins with proteomic method in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with congenital hypothyroidism.

Method: From the 13th day of gestation, pregnant Wistar rats from the experimental group were given intragastrically with 2.5 ml of 1% propylthiouracil daily.

Disassociation between left ventricular mechanical and electrical properties in ischemic rat heart after G-CSF treatment.

Objective: The effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on post-infarct ventricular remodeling remains controversial. We hypothesized that the timing of G-CSF administration after myocardial ischemia plays an important role in determining its efficacy.

Methods: Rat myocardial ischemia was induced by 60 min coronary ligation and reperfusion.

Postinfarction healing dynamics in the mechanically unloaded rat left ventricle.

The healing process is a key determinant for postinfarction left ventricular (LV) remodeling and the development of heart failure, which could be influenced by mechanical (pressure and/or volume) load. So far, limited information exists regarding an indepth characterization of the postinfarct healing process in the mechanically unloaded state. In the present work, we performed isogenic Lewis-to-Lewis rat abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation, which is characterized by hemodynamic unloading in the left ventricle, and simultaneously ligated the left anterior descending coronary artery (T-infarct group).

[Recent progress in the study of cyclodextrin-based environment sensitive hydrogel].

This is a review of recent progress in the study on environment sensitive hydrogel based on cyclodextrin and their most recent and relevant applications in the intelligent drug delivery systems. Based on relevant literatures, the development of environment sensitive hydrogel responsive to physical, chemical and biochemical stimuli was introduced, involving their categorization, design principles, mechanism of action and potential application. Various new types of intelligent drug delivery system, which responds to various triggers, could be constructed by using the cyclodextrin-based environment sensitive hydrogel.

[Effect of atorvastatin on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the tissue inhibitor-1 of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of rats with experimental pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods: Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin in 30 female rats, which were further divided into two groups: Group M (without treatment) and Group A (treated with atorvastatin 10 mg/kg); control group (n = 5, Group C) was intratracheally administrated with same volume of saline. Five animals were sacrificed at 2 weeks (M2 and A2), 4 weeks (M4 and A4) and 6 weeks (M6 and A6) after model establishment, respectively.

LC, a novel estrone-rhein hybrid compound, concurrently stimulates osteoprotegerin and inhibits receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and interleukin-6 production by human osteoblastic cells.

Estrogen analogues are promising drugs for postmenopausal osteoporosis, but because of their possible side effects such as increased risk of cancer, estrogens which exert their estrogenic effects selectively on bone are desired. It has been shown that rhein inhibits osteoclast formation and bone resorption activity and has an antitumor role in several types of cancers. Having found that rhein had high affinity for the bone mineral, we synthesized estrone-rhein hybrid compounds and confirmed that one of these hybrid compounds, LC, exhibited a selective profile in the bone and prevented bone loss but had no effect on endometrium growth in ovariectomized rats.

Cholesterol metabolism is modulated by quercetin in rats.

Quercetin has attracted much attention recently because of its antioxidant capacity and potential in the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. However, its actions and the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. In this study, male Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 0.

[Screening and identification of differential expression genes related to stress fracture by cDNA microarray assay].

Objective: To evaluate the differentially expressed genes between the Stress fracture (SF) cases and controls.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted and purified from peripheral blood sample of 3 SF cases and 3 controls who conducted a 1:1 matched case-control study, then used for Human Genome Array analysis. The hybridization data were analyzed using SAM software.

[Effect of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 siRNA and ouabain upon cell cycle in human hepatoma HepG2 cell and its mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the in vitro anti-cancer effects of ouabain combined Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 siRNA upon HepG2 cells and its molecular mechanism.

Methods: The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit expressions of human hepatoma tissue, normal liver tissue and human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2, SMC7721 and Bel7402) were determined. The cells received different treatments (0.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate induces human endothelial VEGF and MMP-2 production via transcription factor ZNF580: novel insights into angiogenesis.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-induced migration and proliferation of endothelial cells are critical for angiogenesis. C2H2-zinc finger (ZNF) proteins usually play an essential role in altering gene expression and regulating the angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a novel human C2H2-zinc finger gene ZNF580 (Gene ID: 51157) is involved in the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells stimulated by S1P.

Autocrine production of interleukin-6 confers cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

It has been shown that IL-6 is elevated in the serum and ascites of ovarian cancer patients, and increased IL-6 concentration correlates with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. However, the role of IL-6 expression in the acquisition of the chemoresistance phenotype and the underlining mechanisms of drug resistance in ovarian cancer cells remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that both exogenous (a relatively short period of treatment with recombination IL-6) and endogenous IL-6 (by transfecting with plasmid encoding for sense IL-6) induce cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance in non-IL-6-expressing A2780 cells, while deleting of endogenous IL-6 expression in IL-6-overexpressing SKOV3 cells (by transfecting with plasmid encoding for antisense IL-6) promotes the sensitivity of these cells to anticancer drugs.

[Study of geniposide-acid on anti-inflammatory action for adjuvant-induced arthritis rats and mechanism of synoviocyte apoptosis in vitro].

Objective: To study the effect of geniposide-acid(GA) on the anti-inflammatory action for adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats and the proliferation of synoviocytes in AA rats and the feasible mechanism of apoptosis in vitro.

Method: Forty-eight health male Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups and were administered respectively with 200, 100, 50 mg x kg(-1) GA and 0.75 mg x kg(-1) MTX and normal sodium (normal or model control group) for four weeks when right posterior paw pads of rats excluding normal control group were injected intrademally with complete Freund's adjuvant after 19 days.

[Effect of ERK/AP-1 signaling pathway on proliferation of hepatoma cells induced by PAR-2 agonists].

Objective: To investigate the expression of protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) in human HepG2 hepatoma cells and elucidate the effects of trypsin and PAR-2 agonist peptide SLIGKV-NH(2) upon the proliferation of hepatoma cells and its intracellular signaling mechanism.

Methods: PAR-2 protein and mRNA expression were detected by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The cells were treated with SLIGKV-NH(2), trypsin, reverse PAR-2 agonist peptide VKGILS-NH(2) or PD98059.