Curcumin upregulates the Nrf2 system by repressing inflammatory signaling-mediated Keap1 expression in insulin-resistant conditions.

Both oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the development of insulin resistance (IR). Curcumin (Cur) not only has an anti-inflammatory effect but also has an antioxidative stress effect via the activation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Since there is close cross-communication between inflammation and oxidative stress, we examined whether Cur could modulate Nrf2 function via its anti-inflammatory ability and investigated its underlying mechanism.

Sea-level haemoglobin concentration is associated with greater exercise capacity in Tibetan males at 4200 m.

What is the topic of this review? Recent developments link relatively lower hemoglobin concentration in Tibetans at high altitude to exercise capacity and components of oxygen transport. What advances does it highlight? Haemoglobin concentration (ranging from 15.2 to 22.

Low haemoglobin concentration in Tibetan males is associated with greater high-altitude exercise capacity.

Tibetans living at high altitude have adapted genetically such that many display a low erythropoietic response, resulting in near sea-level haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. We hypothesized that absence of the erythropoietic response would be associated with greater exercise capacity compared to those with high [Hb] as a result of beneficial changes in oxygen transport. We measured, in 21 Tibetan males with [Hb] ranging from 15.

Increased blood-oxygen binding affinity in Tibetan and Han Chinese residents at 4200 m.

High-altitude natives are challenged by hypoxia, and a potential compensatory mechanism could be reduced blood oxygen-binding affinity (P50), as seen in several high-altitude mammalian species. In 21 Qinghai Tibetan and nine Han Chinese men, all resident at 4200 m, standard P50 was calculated from measurements of arterial PO2 and forehead oximeter oxygen saturation, which was validated in a separate examination of 13 healthy subjects residing at sea level. In both Tibetans and Han Chinese, standard P50 was 24.

Exaggerated respiratory chemosensitivity and association with SaO2 level at 3568 m in obesity.

To investigate whether obesity is associated with alterations in respiratory chemosensitivity, we compared the ventilatory response to hypoxia (HVR) and hypercapnia (HCVR) in 9 obese men (BMI: 37.0+/-4.3 kg m(-2)) and 10 lean men (BMI: 25.

[Clinical study on the effect of Vitapex paste in apexification].

Objective: The purpose of this article was to observe the effect of Vitapex Paste in apexilication.

Methods: 64 younger permanent teeth with underdeveloped apex and necrotic pulp were randomly selected. After root canals were prepared and sterilized, Vitapex paste was used in the apexification.

[Determination of finasteride in human plasma by HPLC-MS].

Aim: To develop an HPLC-MS assay for determination of finasteride in human plasma and to investigate the bioequivalence in healthy volunteers.

Methods: After alkalization with sodium hydroxide, plasma was extracted with ethyl acetate and separated using a C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (85:15). LC-ESI-MS was performed in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using target ions at m/z 395 for finasteride and m/z 407 for the IS.

A retrospective survey of mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV infection in Malaysia: analysis of 182 cases.

A retrospective analysis of 182 HIV positive Malaysians was done in two centers, the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur (UHKL) and the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GHKL) from March 1997 to February 1998. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed. The analysis showed that 130 out of 182 patients had mucocutaneous disorders (71.

Successful treatment of a patient with 100% total burn surface area at high altitude.

A patient with 100% total burn surface area has been treated in our department which is situated at 2261 meters above sea level in July 1993. This paper reports the treatment experience.

[Changes in blood gas in burned patients in Xining].

The changes in arterial blood gas were observed and analysed in twenty-seven burned patients at high altitude. It was showed that a serious hypoxemia existed in burn patients, both in survivors and dead cases, and that hypoxemia occurred earlier in the cases with inhalation injury or dead cases than without inhalation injury. These results suggest that patients with inhalation injury should undergo tracheostomy as early as possible to ensure oxygen supply, and patients without inhalation injury should be give oxygen therapy routinely.

[Influence of colchicine upon morphology of intervertebral disc of rabbit].

The morphological changes of intervertebral disc of rabbit in the culture liquids of containing colchicine was observed by microscopy and transmission microscopy and hydroxyproline density of culture liquids was measured by stages. Meanwhile, set up control groups. Undiscovery that colchicine can produce discolysis and shrinking.

[The effects of rapid entry into plateau on SODs and LPO levels in rats].

The activities of CuZn-SOD and Mn-SOD in rat plasma and liver dropped (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) but LPO levels increased significantly (P < 0.

[Early coverage of deep partial-thickness burn wound with porcine dermal collagen membrane. An experimental study].

Collagen was extracted by pepsin digestion from porcine skin and collagen membrane was prepared by salt precipitation. Collagen membrane as a wound dressing was evaluated in a deep partial-thickness burn wounds in a rat model. Burn wound, 4 x 4 cm, were inflicted by exposing skin to 75 degrees C for 15 seconds followed by de-epithelization.

Porcine dermal collagen as a wound dressing for skin donor sites and deep partial skin thickness burns.

Collagen was extracted by pepsin digestion from porcine skin, and collagen membrane was prepared by salt precipitation. The porcine collagen membrane was evaluated as a burn wound dressing in deep partial skin thickness burn wounds in rats. Burn wounds, 4 x 4 cm, were inflicted by exposure of skin to 75 degrees C for 15 s followed by de-epithelialization.

[Sputum drainage by ultrasonic nebulization and the diagnosis of pulmonary carcinoma].

From June 1984 to June 1989, the sputum drain age by ultrasonic nebulization was done in 1155 cases of suspected lung cancer. From 286 positive cases, 157 (54.9%) were confirmed to be pulmonary cancer histologically.

[Effect of Tibetan drug Arenavia kansuensis Maxim. var. ovatipetala Tsui on inflammation and immunological function].

It has been found that the Tibetan drug Arenaria kansuensis has significant inhibitory action on edema in the ears of mice induced by cotton oil and granuloma, on acute inflammation in the form of swollen feet of rats induced by albumen injection and carrageenan, on phagocytosis of histiocytes in the abdomen of mice, and on the formation of antibody (serum HC50). Being low in toxicity, the drug is conducive to the smooth functioning of the liver and kidney.

[The protective effect of selenium on acute myocardial hypoxia at high altitude].

The protective effect of selenium on acute myocardial hypoxia due to exposure to high altitude were studied by light microscope and transmission, electron microscope. The blood concentration of selenium of Wistar Rats given with sodium selenium were examined by fluorometry began from lower altitude area and were killed after reaching each correspondent elevation areas. The experiment was similar to that human 'laddering Mounting' to high altitude.

Fructose 1-6 diphosphate prevents intestinal ischemic reperfusion injury and death in rats.

This study of ischemic and postischemic reperfusion intestinal injury in rats evaluates the potential therapeutic value of fructose 1-6 diphosphate on the basis of its ability to enhance anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism during ischemia and to prevent additional tissue injury after reestablishing blood flow by inhibiting the neutrophils to produce oxygen free radicals. In pursuit of this goal, 28 rats were randomized into 4 groups: pretreated with fructose 1-6 diphosphate (n = 7); pretreated with glucose (n = 7); post-reperfusion treated with fructose 1-6 diphosphate (n = 7); and post-reperfusion treated with saline (n = 7). Five additional rats were sham operated.