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Tetranitroethane is a potential eco-friendly energetic compound. Its alkali and alkaline earth metal salts show a visible flame color and good thermal stability, which may have good potential application in the field of novel eco-friendly flame.

The aim of this study was to evaluate its feasibility of a non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing strain, Ac63 (Azotobacter chroococcum), to promote biomass of common vegetable crops and its colonization mechanisms in their roots. Root exudates of common vegetables, including Amaranthus tricolor (AT), Willow amaranth (WA), Chrysanthemum coronarium (CC), cabbage, and lettuce, were collected, and a chemotaxis assay with Ac63 was performed. Components in exudates for the most differential chemotaxis effect crops (AT and lettuce) were determined with GC-MS. Then, the traditional screening strategies of chemotaxis, swarming, and in vitro were utilized to find the signal molecule for this strain. Finally, the colonization effects of Ac63 in roots of these two crops were verified with a soil pot experiment. Chemotaxis effects of root exudates on Ac63 follow the lists of AT > WA > CC > cabbage ≈ control (water) ≈ lettuce. With a 30-μM concentration of l-glutamic acid, bacterial amount of Ac63 in chemotaxis and in vitro was observed with 2.9- and 7.4-times enhancement compared with that in the control. Laser confocal microscopy indicated that l-glutamic acid induced Ac63 to form a robust biofilm in roots, suggesting that l-glutamic acid is a signal molecule for the colonization of this strain. Soil pot assay showed that the biomass, chlorophyll, and available nitrogen of AT significantly increased than those of lettuce after Ac63 inoculation, resulting from this strain was substantially increased in roots of AT with l-glutamic acid secretion. l-Glutamic acid induced the colonization of high-efficiency nitrogen-fixing strain Ac63 in AT roots, which provides a practical information for its agricultural applications.

The study of brain diseases has long been of interest to researchers worldwide, and stroke is the third leading cause of death that threatens human health. At the same time, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is closely associated with high rates of disability and mortality. The conditions of the 6-aminoquinolyl N-hydroxysccinimidyl carbamate method for the derivatization of amino acids in the bone marrow fluid and hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were explored and optimized, such as the column temperature, concentration of derivatization reagents and mobile phase concentration. The mobile phase consisted of 20 mm sodium acetate solution (phosphoric acid to adjust pH 5.0) and 60% acetonitrile solution at a flow rate of 1 ml min

BACKGROUND: Risk stratification has been one of the main steps in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), which is a common complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Elevated arterial lactate is a biomarker indicating severe disease condition and post-intervention complications. The relationship between lactate and CIN has not been established. This study is performed to investigate the relationship between elevated arterial lactate level and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) were prospectively enrolled, with lactate measured within 0.5–1 hours before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, any forms of severe anaerobic condition, or end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis were excluded. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine ≥0.5 mg/dL or 25% within 72 hours after PCI. The Mehran Risk Score (MRS) is widely regarded as a classic risk model for CIN and the risk factors of MRS were applied in our multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 227 enrolled patients, 47 (20.7%) developed CIN according to the definition. The mean lactate level was higher in the CIN group than in the non-CIN group (2.68±2.27 vs. 1.74±1.94, P

Two microporous gallium phosphates substituted by Fe and Co: NH4[Ga2Fe(PO4)3(H2O)2] (1) and NH4[Ga2Co(PO4)3(H2O)2] (2) have been ionothermally synthesized by using the ionic liquid [Bmim]Br as structure-directing agent and solvent. X-ray single crystal diffractions show that 1 and 2 are isostructural and possess 3D channel filled by ammonium groups. The morphologies of compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by scanning electron micrographs (SEM). Effects of P2O5/Ga2O3 ratio on the crystallization of compound 2 are investigated. The optimal synthesis condition with the molar composition of Ga2O3:6P2O5:3.6HF:3Co salt:40[Bmim]Br is determined, and X-ray powder diffraction indicates that the compound 2 is pure crystalline phase under the optimal conditions. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the framework of 2 collapses at temperatures above 460 °C. Compound 2 exhibits antiferromagnetic property by magnetic test.

In this work, we designed a series of energetic materials with a windmill-like structure based on guanidine and nitroazole, and optimized them at the B3LYP/6-311G** level using density functional theory (DFT). Based on the optimization results, we predicted the properties of all molecules, such as density, enthalpy of formation, detonation velocity, detonation pressure, and impact sensitivity. The results show that this series of compounds is a promising new energetic material. We screened out 6 molecules with a planar structure from these 14 molecules and calculated their geometry, natural bond orbital (NBO) charge, frontier molecular orbital, and molecular surface electrostatic potential. In addition, we also summarized the relevant laws of the formation of planar structures of this series of compounds and the structural components with excellent detonation properties.

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is a potent drug used in the treatment of insulin resistance; however, it is associated with marked skeletal toxicity. RSG-induced osteoporosis may contribute to the promotion of adipogenic differentiation at the expense of osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow stromal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether RSG-induced bone toxicity can be reversed by combined treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We examined different osteogenic markers in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) following treatment with RSG, ATRA, or RSG and ATRA in combination. We examined the effects of RSG and/or ATRA on ectopic bone formation, and dissected the possible molecular mechanisms underlying this process. We found that ATRA or RSG both induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the MEFs, and that the ATRA-induced ALP activity was enhanced by RSG and vice versa. However, only the combination of RSG and ATRA increased the expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin, promoted matrix mineralization, and induced ectopic ossification in MEFs. Mechanistically, we found that the osteogenic differentiation induced by the combination of RSG and ATRA may be mediated partly by suppressing RSG-induced adipogenic differentiation and activating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Smad signaling. On the whole, our findings demonstrate that RSG in combination with ATRA promotes the commitment of MEFs to the osteoblast lineage. Thus, the combination of these two agents may prove to be a promising and novel therapeutic regimen for insulin resistance without skeletal toxicity. It may also be a better strategy with which to prevent RSG-induced osteoporosis.

A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method with electrochemical detection employing boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD) was established for simultaneous determination of eleven bioamines with their precursor amino acids and metabolites, including two precursors (tyrosine and tryptophan), three catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) and their four metabolites (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3-methoxytyramine, homovanillic acid, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol), as well as serotonin and its metabolite (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), in a single run of 20 min using vanillic acid as internal standard. The separation was performed on an ODS2 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm) with column oven temperature of 30 °C. Quantification was accomplished at an oxidation potential of 700 mV vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode after a range of applied voltages were tested. Several parameters of this new chromatographic method were validated after optimizaton of the analytical conditions. The new method was successfully applied to test cortex and hippocampus samples from Sprague-Dawley rats with good separation. These eleven compounds in cortices and hippocampi were compared, which was used for monitoring their variations in neuroscience research.

A novel multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with excellent stability, repeatability and anti-interference was synthesized and it exhibited an electrocatalytic signal for hydroquinone (HQ) compared to bare GCE, which suggested that the presence of MWCNTs efficiently enhances electron transfer. Various parameters such as pH, modifier volume, and scan rate were optimized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods. Under optimum conditions, linear responses for HQ in 0.1mol·L-1 phosphate buffer solution of pH 6.0 were obtained in the range of 5×10-6 mol·L-1 to 2×10-4 mol·L-1 with detection limits of 2.7×10-6 mol·L-1 (signal-to-noise ratio of 3). Such MWCNTs-modified GCE was successfully applied for the determination of hydroquinone in simulated water samples and can be developed for the the detection of HQ.

The decline of hippocampus-dependent learning and memory during normal aging is not associated with neuron death and synapse loss. Until now, age-related changes in the myelinated fibers of the hippocampus have not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, the myelinated fibers in the hippocampi of young (6 months), middle-aged (18 months), and old-aged (28 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied with transmission electron microscope and stereological methods, following spatial learning tests in a Morris water maze. The results showed that hippocampus-dependent spatial learning was impaired in old-aged rats but that the total volume, length, and mean diameter of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus, as well as the hippocampal volume, remained constant during the normal aging process. Our results suggest that the age-related decline in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning is not attributable to myelinated fiber changes in the hippocampus and that other, undetermined factors are responsible. Anat Rec, 297:1490–1497, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Biorobot which is also called robot animal, has become a hotspot nowadays. This paper reviews its current research and predict its application prospects.

We investigated whether high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were associated with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and long-term mortality after coronary angiography (CAG). Patients (N = 2133) undergoing CAG with preprocedural hsCRP were consecutively enrolled. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured before angiography. Median follow-up was 2.3 years. The overall incidence of CIN was 2.77% (59 of 2133). There was a positive trend of hsCRP quartiles (Q) with rates of CIN: 0.9% for Q1 (11.3 mg/L; P < .05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the cutoff point of hsCRP was 7.3 mg/L for predicting CIN with a 72.7% sensitivity and a 67.0% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.742, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.672-0.810; P < .05). The predictive value of hsCRP was similar to the Mehran score for CIN (AUChsCRP = 0.742 vs AUCMehran = 0.801; P = .228). After adjustment for other potential risk factors, hsCRP >7.3 mg/L still was an independent predictor of CIN (odds ratio [OR] = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.44-5.58; P = .003). Furthermore, hsCRP >7.3 mg/L was associated with higher mortality (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.30-3.19; P = .002).

A simple HPLC method was developed to quantify rabbit plasma tetrandrine (Tet) with propranolol (Pro) as internal standard. Based on the established method Tet and Pro were eluted at 7.1 and 12.0 min, respectively. It was shown that the concentration-time data of Tet fit the classical two-compartment model, no matter the drug was administered intravenously or orally to rabbits. The values of AUC(0 → ∞), clearance (Cl(0 → ∞)), volume of distribution (Vd), and elimination half-life (t(1/2β)) of Tet were 59861.149 ± 26962.196 μg/L⁎min, 0.503 ± 0.173 L/min/kg, 179 ± 76.185 L/kg, and 283.808 ± 162.937 min for intravenous injection of 5mg/kg, or 18986.217 ± 7462.308 μg/L⁎min, 0.805 ± 0.267 L/min/kg, 110.284 ± 94.176 L/kg, and 732.919 ± 847.32 min for gavage administration of 10mg/kg , respectively. The results indicate that Tet displays a limited absorption in intestinal tract, even though it has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile after oral or intravenous administration.

Transportation industry is an important field to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Scenario analysis of transportation industry can provide theoretical support to the formulation and implementation of carbon emissions reduction policy. In view of this, The transportation industry of Jiangxi province will be given into four departments including civil aviation, railways, highways and waterways, and it was used the LEAP model to set three scenarios in the different application of economic development mode and different traffic development mode, then forecasted the main carbon emissions of Jiangxi transportation industry in 2010-2030, and analyzed the result of forecasting. It shown that the way to ease the nervous energy supply and the pressure of carbon emissions, and achieve the sustainable development of energy and the environment, must be set the four departments of reasonable transportation distribution under the condition of different energy sources, and increase the scope of using the new energy and renewable energy.

The determination of amino acids and monoamine with actions like neurotransmitters or modulators has become increasingly important for studying the relationship between the dysfunction of neurotransmitters and the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy. Here, a high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method was developed to simultaneously determine nine monoamines and amino acids including three excitatory neurotransmitters (aspartate, glutamate, and serotonin), four inhibitory neurotransmitters (glycine, γ-aminobutyric acid, taurine, dopamine), a precursor of 5-HT (tryptophan) and methionine using homoserine as the internal standard. The separation was performed on a BDS column with methanol-buffer solution of 35 mmol/L sodium acetate and 5 mmol/L citric acid (pH 6.0) using a simple gradient elution. Several parameters including specificity, precision, and recovery were validated after optimization of the analytical conditions. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the cortex and the hippocampus samples from Sprague-Dawley rats. Our results showed that various neurotransmitters involved in diabetes mellitus may tend to be differentially modulated and present a different alteration tendency at different time course, which might be associated with the duration of diabetes mellitus.

The natural product caffeic acid is a specific inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX); it also possesses antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. The current study was designed to determine whether the neuroprotective properties of caffeic acid are due to inhibition of 5-LOX. Cerebral damage was induced in mice by intracerebroventricular microinjection of aluminum (5.0 microg aluminum in 2.0 microL, once a day, for 5 days). Caffeic acid was administered intragastrically at 30 min prior to aluminum and repeated daily for an additional 10 days. The brain injury was determined by observation of behavioral changes in mice, as well as by measuring biochemical and pathological changes in the cerebral tissue. The levels of 5-LOX proteins and 5-LOX mRNA expression were measured in brain tissue. Aluminum impaired learning and memory in mice produced neuronal death in hippocampi, elevated brain malondialdehyde levels, increased protein expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), amyloid beta, and 5-LOX. It also increased 5-LOX mRNA expression and decreased choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) protein expression in the brain tissue of mice. Caffeic acid prevented brain damage as well as behavioral and biochemical changes caused by aluminum overload. The results of this study suggest that overexpression of 5-LOX accompanies the cerebral injury induced by aluminum overload in mice, and that selective inhibitors of 5-LOX may have potential value in the treatment of aluminum neurotoxicity and conceivably of diseases associated with neuronal injury.

To observe the effect of total coptis alkaloids (TCA) on beta -amyloid peptide (A beta 25-35) induced learning and memory dysfunction in rats, and to explore its mechanism.Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the model group, the TCA low dose (60 mg/kg) group and the TCA high dose (120 mg/kg) group, 10 in each. A beta 25-35 (5microl, 2 microg/microl) was injected into bilateral hippocampi of each rat to induce learning and memory dysfunction. TCA were administered through intragavage for consecutive 15 days. Morris Water Maze test was used to assess the impairment of learning and memory; concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in cerebral cortex was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance to indicate the level of lipid peroxidation in brain tissues; activity of manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in cerebral cortex was determined by xanthine-oxidase to indicate the activity of the enzyme; and NF- kappa B protein expression in cerebral cortex was measured by SP immunohistochemistry.(1) Morris Water Maze test showed that, during the 4 consecutive days of acquisition trials, the rats in the model group took longer latency and searching distance than those in the control group (P0.01), which could be shortened by high dose TCA (P0.05); during the spatial probe trial on the fifth day, the rats in the model group took shorter searching time and distance on the previous flat area than those in the control group (P0.01), which could be prolonged after TCA treatment (for low dose group, P0.05; for high dose group, P0.01). (2) Analysis of cerebral cortical tissues showed that, compared with the control group, MDA level got significantly increased and Mn-SOD activity decreased in the model group (both P0.01). After having been treated with TCA, the MDA level got significantly decreased (P0.05 and P0.01 respectively for low and high dose group), while relative increase of Mn-SOD activity only appeared in high dose group (P0.05). (3) Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the protein expression of NF- kappa B got significantly increased after modeling, while high dose TCA can significantly inhibit it.TCA could improve A beta 25-35 induced dysfunction of learning and memory in rats, and its protective mechanism is associated with its actions in decreasing MDA level, increasing Mn-SOD activity and inhibiting the expression of NF-kappa B in cerebral cortex.

Background— Few studies have investigated the safe limits of contrast to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) based on hydration data. We aimed to investigate the relative safe maximum contrast volume adjusted for hydration volume in a population with a relatively low risk of CIN. Methods and Results— The ratios of contrast volume-to-creatinine clearance (V/CrCl) and hydration volume to body weight (HV/W) were determined in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Receiver–operator characteristic curve analysis based on the maximum Youden index was used to identify the optimal cutoff for V/CrCl in all patients and in HV/W subgroups. Eighty-six of 3273 (2.6%) patients with mean CrCl 71.89±27.02 mL/min developed CIN. Receiver–operator characteristic curve analysis indicated that a V/CrCl ratio of 2.44 was a fair discriminator for CIN in all patients (sensitivity, 73.3%; specificity, 70.4%). After adjustment for other confounders, V/CrCl >2.44 continued to be significantly associated with CIN (adjusted odds ratio, 4.12; P P 12 mL/kg). The best cutoff value for V/CrCl was 1.87 (sensitivity, 67.9%; specificity, 64.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.24; P =0.011) in the insufficient hydration subgroup (HV/W, ≤12 mL/kg; CIN, 1.32%) and 2.93 (sensitivity, 69.0%; specificity, 65.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.04; P =0.004) in the sufficient hydration subgroup (HV/W, >12 mL/kg; CIN, 5.00%). Conclusions— The V/CrCl ratio adjusted for HV/W may be a more reliable predictor of CIN and even long-term outcomes after cardiac catheterization. We also found a higher best cutoff value for V/CrCl to predict CIN in patients with a relatively sufficient hydration status, which may be beneficial during decision-making about contrast dose limits in relatively low-risk patients with different hydration statuses.

The decline of hippocampus-dependent learning and memory during normal aging is not associated with neuron death and synapse loss. Until now, age-related changes in the myelinated fibers of the hippocampus have not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, the myelinated fibers in the hippocampi of young (6 months), middle-aged (18 months), and old-aged (28 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied with transmission electron microscope and stereological methods, following spatial learning tests in a Morris water maze. The results showed that hippocampus-dependent spatial learning was impaired in old-aged rats but that the total volume, length, and mean diameter of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus, as well as the hippocampal volume, remained constant during the normal aging process. Our results suggest that the age-related decline in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning is not attributable to myelinated fiber changes in the hippocampus and that other, undetermined factors are responsible.

This study is to investigate the anti-tumor activities of a novel cyclophosphamide derivate 4, 6-diphenyl cyclophosphamide (9b) in vivo and in vitro, and its possible mechanism of action. The inhibitory effects of 9b on human hepatoma cell line HepG2, human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and human myeloid leukemia cell line K562 were measured by MTT assay in vitro. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rate were evaluated by flow cytometry. To evaluate the anti-tumor effect of 9b in vivo, mouse model bearing inoculated H22 tumor was established. The results indicated that 9b could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2, MCF-7 and K562 cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The ICo50 values of 9b were 32.34 micromol.L-1 to HepG2 cells, 87.07 micromol.L-1 to MCF-7 cells and 149.10 micromol.L-1 to K562 cells after incubation for 48 h. The results of flow cytometry indicated that after being treated for 48 h with different concentrations of 9b, the ratios of HepG2, MCF-7 cells at the Go/G1 phase and K562 cells at the G0/Gl phase and G2/M phase increased significantly compared with control group, and the apoptotic rate increased with the increase of the concentration of 9b. 9b could significantly reduce tumor weight of H22 solid tumor mouse model in vivo. To summarize, 9b showed significantly anti-tumor activity in vivo and in vitro, of which the mechanism might be associated with the change of cell cycle distribution and induction of tumor cell apoptosis.

Sequence variants in the β-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) genes have a close relationship with the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the patient's prognosis. However, there is a lack of data on the role of the variants in ADRBs genes in Han Chinese patients with CAD. We aimed to investigate the association of genetic variants in the ADRB1 and ADRB2 genes with the incidence of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in Han Chinese patients with CAD.A total of 545 Han Chinese patients with CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were recruited to the study and followed for one year. Three variant sites in ADRB1 (rs1801253) and ADRB2 (rs1042713 and rs1042714) were genotyped. The effect of the ADRB1 and ADRB2 genotypes on MACE within one year was assessed.There were 47 cases of MACE during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the incidence of MACE among patients carrying different genotypes of the three variants in ADRB1 and ADRB2 (Log-rank, all P0.05). Cox regression analysis showed no association between three variants in ADRB1 and ADRB2 genes and the incidence of MACE during one-year follow-up, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for rs1801253, rs1042713 and rs1042714 were 1.05 (0.54-2.02), 1.24 (0.58-2.64) and 1.66 (0.81-3.42), respectively.Our data did not support a relationship between the three polymorphisms of ADRB1 (rs1801253) and ADRB2 (rs1042713 and rs1042714) genes and risk of subsequent cardiovascular events after PCI in Han Chinese patients with CAD.

Emtricitabine (FTC) is used for the treatment of HIV infection and pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis. It is often used in combination with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). This study was designed to evaluate FTC pharmacokinetics in healthy male Chinese volunteers. Sixty subjects were recruited into this single-centre, randomised, open-label study and randomly received single (groups A, B and C) or multiple oral doses (once daily for 6 days; groups D, E and F) of 200-mg FTC capsules alone (A and D), or combined with 300-mg TDF tablets (B and E), or 200 mg of FTC plus 300 mg of TDF with a high-fat diet (C and F), respectively. FTC was well-tolerated in all groups. After a single dose, there were no differences in the mean AUC0-∞ values; however, there were significant differences in the mean Tmax values (1.05, 1.40 and 2.10 h for groups A, B and C, respectively; p < 0.05). In the multiple-dose study, our results were significantly different from published t1/2 values following single-dose FTC.

The objective of this study is to develop and validate a method of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) assay with ultraviolet (UV) detector after solid phase extraction (SPE) for simultaneous measure tenofovir and emtricitabine in Chinese population. Detection of analytes was performed with a Phecda C18 (250 ´ 4.6 mm, 5 μm), reversed-phase analytical column and a security guard column C18 (4 ´ 3.0 mm, 5 μm). An obviously extrusive separation was successively followed with the SPE method using BOND ELUT-C18 Varian columns and a 30 min gradient elution consisting of potassium phosphate monobasic buffer with 0.08% of triethanolamine (pH 3.52) and methanol with UV detector at 270 nm. The results of this study showed that the method used in this study was simple, accurate and sensitive with a wide linear range from 10 to 5000 ng/ml for both tenofovir and emtricitabine when 300 μl aliquots was analyzed. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy for both analytes were lower than ±20% at the limit of quantification (LOQ) and ±15% at the other quality control (QC) levels. The absolute recoveries for tenofovir and emtricitabine were 80.6 and 86.5%, respectively. This method is suitable for routinely monitor plasma concentrations of tenofovir and emtricitabine in Chinese population. Key words: High performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet (HPLC-UV), solid phase extraction (SPE), pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PrEP), tenofovir, emtricitabine.

To evaluate the influences of different aspiration results by Diver C.E. aspiration thrombectomy catheter on myocardium perfusion and clinical outcomes during emergency PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) for the patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).The patients undergoing emergent PCI and using Diver C.E. aspiration thrombectomy catheter with STEMI from July 2008 to February 2011 were enrolled into the study group. According to the aspiration results, they were divided into 2 groups: aspiration-positive group (n = 38) and aspiration-negative group (n = 28). And those undergoing routine PCI alone during the same period were enrolled into the control group (n = 66). The baseline profiles, immediate post-operative CAG (coronary angiography) and follow-up data were compared.No significant baseline differences existed among 3 groups. Compared with the control group, all parameters significantly improved in the aspiration-positive group. But in the aspiration-negative group, the differences of slow flow/no-reflow and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were insignificant (P0.05). Compared with the aspiration-negative group, cTFC (29 ± 9 vs 35 ± 11 frames, P0.05), ST segment (90% ± 20% vs 76% ± 25%, P0.05) and the peak serum levels of CK-MB (creatine kinase-MB) and TnT (troponin-T) [CK-MB: (201 ± 86) U/L vs (264 ± 93) U/L, P0.05; TnT: (41 ± 21) µg/L vs (60 ± 24) µg/L, P0.05] decreased significantly. But the differences in slow flow/no-reflow and MACE were insignificant (P0.05).Application of Diver CE. during emergent PCI i.s both safe and efficacious for STEMI patients with heavier thrombus burden. It may improve distal myocardium perfusion and abate myocardial damage. The patients with positive aspiration results have better clinical outcome. But the efficacy of aspiration-negative patients needs further evaluations.

An enriched environment has been shown to enhance learning and memory and to induce morphological changes in the hippocampus. In the present study, 14-month (middle-aged) female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into enriched environment (EE) rats and standard environment (SE) rats. EE rats were reared in an enriched environment and SE rats were reared in a standard environment for 4 months. The spatial learning capacity was assessed with Morris water maze. The hippocampus and the myelinated fibers in the rat hippocampus were quantitatively investigated with a transmission electronic microscope technique and stereological methods. The female rats housed in an enriched environment showed improved performance in the Morris water maze. There was no significant difference in the total volume of hippocampus between SE rats and EE rats. The total length and total volume of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus of the female and male EE rats were significantly increased, respectively, when compared to the female and male SE rats. The increase of the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampus was mainly due to the increase of the myelinated fibers with diameters from 0.5 to 0.9 μm. Our results showed that a 4 month enriched environment had significant effects on the spatial learning capacity and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampus of middle-aged rats. The present study might provide an important theoretical basis for searching for an ethological strategy to delay the progress of brain aging in the future.

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) remains an extremely poor prognosis and high mortality; better treatments are urgently needed. Tetrandrine (TET), a traditional anti-inflammatory drug, has been reported to exhibit hepatoprotective activities in several liver injury models. We now investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of TET on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and d -galactosamine ( d -GalN)-induced FHF in mice. TET (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 1 h before LPS/ d -GalN injection in mice. The mortality and liver injury was evaluated subsequently. The results showed that administering TET to mice reduced mortality and improved liver injury induced by LPS/ d -GalN in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TET dose-dependently inhibited LPS/ d -GalN-induced NF-κB activation, serum and hepatic tissues tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production, caspase-3 activation and hepatocellular apoptosis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (ECAM-1) expression. Our experimental data indicated that TET might alleviate the FHF induced by LPS/ d -GalN through inhibiting NF-κB activation to reduce TNF-α production.

To investigate the protective effects of the total base from rhizoma coptis chinensis (CTB) and berberine (Ber) on neurodegeneration induced by aluminum overload in rats.The study took place in the Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, between February 2005 and May 2007. Wistar rats were divided into control group, model group, Ber-treated group, CTB (55 mg/kg and 110 mg/kg)-treated group, and nimodipine-treated group (n=20). A rat brain damage model was established via intragastric administration of 400 mg/kg element aluminum once a day, 5 days a week for 12 weeks. The CTB, Ber, and nimodipine were intragastrically administered 4 hours after each aluminum administration for 12 weeks. The morphological changes of the neurons of the rat hippocampus and the changes of rat learning and memory functions were observed. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as the MAO-B expression in the rat brain were examined.The CTB, Ber, and nimodipine significantly improved the learning and memory ability impairment and hippocampal neuronal death. The CTB, Ber, and nimodipine also significantly blunted the decrease of SOD and ChAT activities, and the increase of MDA content, AchE activities, and MAO-B expressions and activity in the aluminum-overload rats.The CTB and Ber have protective effects on neurodegeneration induced by aluminum overload. The CTB (110 mg/kg) has more powerful neuroprotection than Ber.

To observe the effect of ketoconazole on the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 and 3A4 in hepatic microsomes of healthy adults.Human hepatic microsomes obtained from healthy adults were randomly divided into control group and ketoconazole-treatment groups at different concentrations. After 15 min of culture, the substrates (testosterone for CYP3A4 and phenacetin for CYP1A2) were added and incubated for another 20 min. The metabolites (6-testosterone and acetaminophen) were then measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to assess the activities of CYP3A4 and 1A2.Significant difference was found between the groups in the quantity of 6-testosterone and the relative activity of CYP3A4 (P0.05). The IC(50) of ketoconazole for CYP3A4 was 0. 16 mg/L. Both the quantity of 6-testosterone and the relative activity of CYP3A4 were reduced gradually with the increment of ketoconazole concentration. Significant differences were found between the ketoconazole groups and the control group in both the quantity of acetaminophen and the relative activity of CYP1A2 (P0.05). Ketoconazole at low doses reduced CYP1A2 activity and but increased the activities at high doses (P0.05).In the range of maximum clinical blood concentration, ketoconazole can inhibit the activity of CYP3A4, but not that of CYP1A2, in the hepatic microsomes in healthy adults.

To study the effects of total alkaloids(TA) from rhizoma Coptis chinensis on alcohol-induced gastric lesion in rats and the possible mechanisms.The experimental gastric damges were established by intragastric(ig) absolute ethanol, and possible protective effects of TA given orally previously were evaluated by following parameters: gastric damage indexes, gastric juice volume, acidity, and mucus quantity. The contents of NO, MDA, *OH, and SOD activity were also measured in gastric mucosa.TA showed significantly inhibitive effects on gastric damages induced by ig ethanol in a dose dependent manner. The effects of TA (120 mg x kg(-1)) were stronger than that of both cimitidine(70 mg x kg(-1)) and berberine(100 mg x kg(-1)), the quantity of later was equal to TA as calculated with berberine. TA significantly suppressed secretion of gastric acid caused by ethanol without clear influences on gastric juice volume and mucus secretion. TA obviously blunted ethanol-induced elevation of MDA and *OH, as well as decrease of NO level and SOD activity from gastric mucosa.It is suggested that the TA is a potent protective agent against ethanol-induced gastric damages. The mechanism of actions may be related with inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid and blunting the increase of MDA and *OH, as well as the decrease of NO level and SOD activity from gastric mucus.

To observe the neuroprotective mechanism of modafinil on Parkinson disease (PD) models induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).The model of PD was induced by intraperitoneally injecting MPTP into C57BL/6J mice for 4 d. Modafinil (i.p., 50 or 100 mg/kg(-1)/d(-1)) was administered at 30 min following MPTP for 4 d and for another 10 d continuously. The contents of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine (Glu) in the striatum, and the contents of GABA, Glu, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the substantia nigra (SN) of model mice were determined.Modafinil (50 and 100 mg/kg) prevented against the decrease of the contents of DA, 5-HT, and NA in the striatum and GSH, GABA in the SN induced by MPTP, but reduced the increase of MDA in the SN and GABA in the striatum induced by MPTP. Modafinil preferentially inhibited striatal GABA release, but it did not change the increase of nigrostriatal Glu release induced by MPTP.The anti-oxidation and the modulation of nigrostriatal GABA and striatal NA and 5-HT release contributed to the neuroprotective effects of modafinil on PD induced by MPTP.

Background Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels predict cardiovascular events incidence in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Genetic variants in the rs3798220, rs10455872 and rs6415084 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Lp(a) gene (LPA) correlate with elevated Lp(a) levels, but whether these SNPs have prognostic value for CAD patients is unknown. The present study evaluated the association of LPA SNPs with incidence of subsequent cardiovascular events in CAD patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods TaqMan SNP genotyping assays were performed to detect the rs6415084, rs3798220 and rs10455872 genotypes in 517 Chinese Han patients with CAD after PCI. We later assessed whether there was an association of these SNPs with incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and coronary revascularization). Serum lipid profiles were also determined using biochemical methods. Results Only the rs6415084 variant allele was associated with higher Lp(a) levels [41.3 (20.8, 74.6) vs. 18.6 (10.3, 40.9) mg/dl, p LPA genetic variants (rs6415084 and rs3798220) and MACE incidence (p > 0.05). Conclusions Our data did not support a relationship between genetic LPA variants (rs6415084 and rs3798220) and subsequent cardiovascular events after PCI in Chinese Han CAD patients.