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Objective(s): The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) at different times in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rat myocardial tissue after mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) transplantation treatment and to assess its effects on apoptosis and oxidative stress of cardiomyocytes. Materials and Methods: The AMI rats were treated with mESCs, Calindol (a CaSR agonist) and Calhex231 (a CaSR inhibitor). Serum measurements, Echocardiographic analysis and TUNEL assay were performed. Myocardial ultrastructure changes were viewed by electron microscopy. Additionally, western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions.Results: Compared to the sham group, it was found that the expression levels of CaSR, caspase-3, cytoplasmic cytochrome C (cyt-C) and Bcl2-associated x (Bax), and the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased in both AMI and AMI + mESCs + Calindol groups with the development of myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the ultra-microstructure of cardiomyocyte was highly damaged, the expression levels of mitochondrial cyt-C and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) were significantly decreased, and there was decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, the combination of Calhex231 and mESCs transplantation could inhibit these changes. Conclusion: Our results suggested that CaSR expression in myocardial tissue of AMI rats was increased over time, and that Calhex231 could enhance the efficacy of ESCs transplantation for the treatment of AMI, which would be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AMI.

Background Cell pyroptosis has been characterized by cell swelling and pro-inflammatory factors release to aggravate inflammatory reaction., such as interlukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interlukin18 (IL-18). However, the function of famotidine, an antagonist of histamine H2-receptor antagonists, in cell pyroptosis remained unknown. Methods Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blotting (WB), LDH release assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) combined with inhibitor were performed to analyze the effect of famotidine on cell pyroptosis-related gene expression. Results In this study, we found that famotidine (300 μm) treatment led to a phenomenon of cell pyroptosis as confirmed by LDH assay. Further results showed that famotidine triggered cell pyroptosis in gastric cancer cells by activation of NLPR3 inflammasomes including ASC, Caspase-1 and NLRP, leading to enhanced IL-18, not IL-1β, mature and secretion. What’s more, the results also showed GSDME, not GSDMD, was increased in response to famotidine stimulation in BGC823 and AGS cells. Mechanically, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was drastically enhanced in present with famotidine treatment, while inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by U0126 could reverse the promotion of famotidine in IL-18 secretion. Conclusion These findings revealed a novel role of famotidine in cell pyroptosis in patients with gastric cancer, a comprehensive consideration is needed in treatment of gastric cancer.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP). This article introduces the clinical effects of TCM treatments including gavage, enema, external application of Chinese medicine, intravenous drip, and acupuncture, and points out that early application of Chinese medicine for AP can help alleviate clinical symptoms and signs, reduce complications, and decrease mortality. Combined treatment based on staging and syndrome differentiation is considered more effective for AP. It is suggested that TCM treatment plays a therapeutic role by reducing inflammatory cytokines, improving intestinal function and barrier, regulating immune function, and improving blood circulation to block the progression of inflammation.

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are a major component in air pollutants and pose great risks to both human health and environmental protection.Thermal catalytic oxidation has been proved to be a convenient innovative technology for its ability to degrade VOCs completely.As a catalyst,MnO2 has shown a lot of advantages such as higher removal efficiency of VOCs at room temperature over other catalysts and has been widely used in the process of thermal catalytic oxidation.This review was focused on the research in the characteristics,preparation technology,impact factors that affect the removal efficiency of VOCs and the loading materials of MnO2.

Plasma density and temperature can be diagnosed by x-ray line emission measurement with crystal, and bent crystals such as von Hamos and Hall structures are proposed to improve the diffraction brightness. In this study, a straightforward solution for the focusing schemes of flat and bent crystals is provided. Simulations ith XOP code are performed to validate the analytical model, and good agreements are achieved. The von Hamos or multi-cone crystal can lead to several hundred times intensity enhancements for a 200 upmu mplasma source. This model benefits the applications of the bent crystals.

Aristolochic acids (AAs), the major components in Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom stems (AMK), may cause Chinese herb nephropathy during clinical application. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish AMK from other herbs and Chinese medicines using AAs with high purity as standards. So, an efficient method for separation and purification of AAs is required because of their similar structures. In this study, six AAs with purities of >98% were obtained by pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography (PZRCCC) in a single run. The optimum two-phase solvent system was petroleum ether–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (3:7:3:7, v/v). Triethylamine (10 mM) was added to the aqueous mobile phase and trifluoroacetic acid (10 mM) to the organic stationary phase. As a result, 9.7 mg aristolochic acid IIIa, 12.0 mg aristolochic acid IVa, 32.2 mg aristolochic acid II, 103.7 mg aristolochic acid I, 24.6 mg aristolic acid II, and 26.1 mg aristolic acid I were obtained from 800 mg AAs crude extract. The elution order of AAs during PZRCCC separation corresponded with the pKa values and hydrophobicities of the target compounds. PZRCCC is an efficient method for isolation of AAs with similar structures.

A hot-electron driven scheme can be more effective than a laser-driven scheme within suitable hot-electron energy and target density. In our one-dimensional (1D) radiation hydrodynamic simulations, 20× pressure enhancement was achieved when the ignitor laser spike was replaced with a 60-keV hot-electron spike in a shock ignition target designed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), which can lead to greater shell velocity. Higher hot-spot pressure at the deceleration phase was obtained owing to the greater shell velocity. More cold shell material is ablated into the hot spot, and it benefits the increases of the hot-spot pressure. Higher gain and a wider ignition window can be observed in the hot-electron-driven shock ignition.