Decursin inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and protects human aortic endothelial cells against oxidative damage.

Atherosclerosis is the pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which are the leading cause of death worldwide. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis itself is complex. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation has been shown to increase lipid peroxide levels in arterial wall of atherosclerosis lesion site.

[Preparation and application of cooling bag for heat stroke in wild field].

Cooling bag for heat stroke in wild field was invented in order to fulfill rapid cooling for heat stroke in field environment. The cooling bag is composed of the hood, the body cover (which is made up of the anterior portion, the linking, and the posterior portion), the fixed straps, the handles. The length is 200 cm, the regulative width is 60-70 cm, the folding volume is 26 cm × 20 cm × 9 cm, and the weight is 1.

[Changes in ultrastructure and bone morphogenetic protein expression in reconstructed mandibular condylar cartilage under continuous mandibular advancement in adult rats].

Objective: This study investigated the reconstructed mandibular condylar cartilage and the ultrastructural variations in mandibular condylar cartilage in adult rats as a result of mandibular advancement.

Methods: Thirty 9-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Rats in the experimental group were subjected to mandibular advancement.

The effect of adrenomedullin and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide on angiotensin II induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the effects of adrenomedullin (ADM) and proadrenomedullin N- terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) on angiotensin (AngII)-stimulated proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Materials And Methods: Thoracic aorta was obtained from Wistar rats and VSMCs were isolated from aorta tissues and then cultured. In vitro cultured VSMCs were stimulated with Ang II (10(-8) mol/l) followed by various doses of PAMP or ADM (10(-9), 10(-8), or 10(-7) mol/l).

Bladder cancer cells re-educate TAMs through lactate shuttling in the microfluidic cancer microenvironment.

Background: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of lactate shuttling on the functional polarization and spatial distribution of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCCB) cells and macrophages.

Methods: We designed a microfluidic coculture chip for real-time integrative assays. The effect of lactate shuttling on the re-education of macrophages by TCCB cells was explored by measuring the levels of NO using a total NO assay kit and by evaluating the protein expression of iNOS, p-NFkB-p65, Arg-1 and HIF-1α via cell immunofluorescence and western blotting.

[Apoptosis and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the penis of diabetic rats].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the penis cavernosal tissues of diabetic rats.

Methods: Fifty male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups: 10 as normal control and 40 used to induce diabetes by intravenous injection of alloxan (AXN) (50 mg/kg). After 8 weeks, their penises were harvested.