Extraction, Characterization, and Platelet Inhibitory Effects of Two Polysaccharides from the Cs-4 Fungus.

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with platelet hyperactivity, and downregulating platelet activation is one of the promising antithrombotic strategies. This study newly extracted two polysaccharides (purified exopolysaccharides, EPSp and purified intercellular exopolysaccharides, IPSp) from Cs-4 mycelial fermentation powder, and investigated the effects of the two polysaccharides and their gut bacterial metabolites on platelet functions and thrombus formation. EPSp and IPSp are majorly composed of galactose, mannose, glucose, and arabinose.

Coordination between NADPH oxidase and vascular peroxidase 1 promotes dysfunctions of endothelial progenitor cells in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats.

Previous studies have demonstrated that NADPH oxidase (NOX)/vascular peroxidase (VPO1) pathway - mediated oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between NOX/VPO1 pathway and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) dysfunctions in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). The rats were exposed to 10% hypoxia for 3 weeks to establish a PH model, which showed increases in right ventricle systolic pressure, right ventricular and pulmonary vascular remodeling, acceleration in apoptosis and impairment in functions of the peripheral blood derived - EPCs (the reduced abilities in adhesion, migration and tube formation), accompanied by up-regulation of NOX (NOX2 and NOX4) and VPO1.

Magnesium Lithospermate B Derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza Ameliorates Right Ventricle Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertensive Rats via Inhibition of NOX/VPO1 Pathway.

Right ventricle (RV) remodeling is a major pathological feature in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is a compound isolated from the roots of and it possesses multiple pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation and antioxidation. This study aims to investigate whether MLB is able to prevent RV remodeling in PAH and the underlying mechanisms.

Magnesium lithospermate B prevents phenotypic transformation of pulmonary arteries in rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension through suppression of NADPH oxidase.

Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) shows multiple biological activities including anti-oxidation and anti-proliferation in various diseases. However, the function of MLB in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the effect of MLB on hypoxia-induced phenotypic transformation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the underlying mechanisms.

Comparative effects of EtOH consumption and thiamine deficiency on cognitive impairment, oxidative damage, and β-amyloid peptide overproduction in the brain.

The effects of chronic EtOH consumption, associated or not with thiamine deficiency (TD), on cognitive impairment, oxidative damage, and β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide accumulation in the brain were investigated in male C57BL/6 mice. We established an alcoholic mouse model by feeding an EtOH liquid diet, a TD mouse model by feeding a thiamine-depleted liquid diet, and an EtOH treatment associated with TD mouse model by feeding a thiamine-depleted EtOH liquid diet for 7 weeks. The learning and memory functions of the mice were detected through the Y-maze test.

[A retrospective analysis of 19 splenic abscess patients].

Objective: To analyze the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with splenic abscess.

Method: The clinical data, including baseline clinical data, clinical features, past history, pathogen culture result, treatment and the prognosis were retrospectively analyzed in the patients with the discharge diagnosis splenic abscess from January 1991 to March 2012 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Results: The media time from onset to Peking Union Medical College Hospital of the 19 patients were 29 days.

Screening of natural antioxidants from traditional Chinese medicinal plants associated with treatment of rheumatic disease.

In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, the antioxidant capacities of 50 medicinal plants associated with treatment of rheumatic diseases were systemically evaluated using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays, and their total phenolic contents were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Their antioxidant activities of some of these plants were analyzed for the first time. The FRAP and TEAC assay results suggested that the antioxidant compounds in these plants possessed free radicals scavenging activity and oxidant reducing power.

Total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of selected chinese medicinal plants.

Antioxidant capacities of 56 selected Chinese medicinal plants were evaluated using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and their total phenolic content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The strong correlation between TEAC value and FRAP value suggested that the antioxidants in these plants possess free radical scavenging activity and oxidant reducing power, and the high positive correlation between antioxidant capacities and total phenolic content implied that phenolic compounds are a major contributor to the antioxidant activity of these plants. The results showed that Dioscorea bulbifera, Eriobotrya japonica, Tussilago farfara and Ephedra sinica could be potential rich sources of natural antioxidants.

L-carnitine and taurine synergistically inhibit the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Aim: To investigate the synergistic action of L-carnitine (LC) and taurine (TAU) on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods: DNA and protein synthesis of VSMCs were assessed using scintillation counting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content were determined to investigate the effects of LC and TAU on the osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of VSMCs.

Taurine restores Axl/Gas6 expression in vascular smooth muscle cell calcification model.

Our previous studies demonstrated that taurine inhibits osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscular cells (VSMCs) via the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway, but the underlying mechanism is not elucidated. The tyrosine kinase receptor Axl and its ligand growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) are expressed in VSMCs. Axl/Gas6 signaling system is known to inhibit VSMCs calcification.

[Indications and effect of the intra-aortic balloon pump in 38 patients during the cardiac surgery].

Objective: To review the indications and effect of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in 38 patients during the cardiac surgery.

Methods: From June 2004 to August 2007, 38 patients were performed IABP in the cardiac surgery, including 28 coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and 10 valve replacements. The intra-operation prophylactic use of IABP was in 5 cases, the use of IABP for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during the cardiac surgery was in 22 cases, and the rest use of IABP was after the operation in the intensive care unit.

[Experience in treatment of Eisenmenger's syndrome by heart-lung transplantation].

Objective: To summarize the experience in treatment of Eisenmenger's syndrome by heart-lung transplantation (HLT).

Methods: Two cases of congenital heart disease with Eisenmenger's syndrome, aged 20 and 22, underwent bicaval orthotopic HLT. Modified St.

[Study on the biological characteristics of permethrin-resistant and susceptible strains of Culex pipiens pallens].

Objective: To compare the biological characteristics of Culex pipiens pallens between permethrin-resistant strain and the susceptible strain.

Methods: In laboratory, the biological characteristics about bloodsucking, reproduction and development of permethrin-resistant and susceptible strains were observed and recorded. Life table of the experimental populations was constituted.