Effects of Danshen Injection on the Malignant Obstructive Jaundice in the SD Rat Model

To observe the effects of Danshen on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in the SD rats, a model of malignant obstructive jaundice was established by inoculation of transplanted tumor into the hepatic portal with the walker-256 hepatocarcine line, which resulted in the obstruction by the infiltration and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. SD rats were divided into 4 groups： the rats were treated by 0.9 % NS （n=24, control group）, inosine＋vitamin C （n=40, InV group）, Danshen （n=40, DS group） and 5-FU （n=40, 5-FU group）, respectively. The liver function, morphological changes and the expressions of PCNA, VEGF and ICAM-1 in carcinoma foci, peri-carcinoma tissues, adjacent lobe （left-internal lobe） and lung tissues were observed after the treatment with the 4 agents. Our results showed that the protective effect of Danshen on liver function was significantly better than that of NS and 5-FU （P〈0.01）. No significant difference in protective effect was observed between DS group and lnV group （P〉0.05）. Danshen also provided protective effect on the morphological damage of liver caused by obstructive jaundice. The rates of carcinoma-inhibition and metastasis inhibition were significantly higher than those of NS and inosine＋vitamin C （P〈0.01）. No significant difference in this regard existed between DS group and 5-FU group （P〉0.05）. The expressions of PCNA,VEGF and ICAM-1 PCNA, VEGF and ICAM-1 in carcinoma foci, peri-carcinoma tissues, adjacent lobe （left-internal lobe） and lung tissues were lower than those in control group and InV group, with the differences being significant （P〈0.01）. No significant differences were found between DS group and 5-FU group in the expression levels of PCNA and VEGF （P〉0.05） but ICAM-1 （P〈0.05）. It is concluded that Danshen injection not only has protective effects on liver injury caused by obstructive jaundice, but can inhibit the proliferation and growth of hepatocarcinoma, interfere with the vascularization of tumors, prevent recurrence and metastasis of hepatocarcineoma.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia induces cardiac inflammation and dysfunction in a rat obstructive sleep apnea model

Chronic intermittent hypoxia is considered to play an important role in cardiovascular pathogenesis during the development of obstructive sleep apnea（OSA）.We used a well-described OSA rat model induced with simultaneous intermittent hypoxia.Male Sprague Dawley rats were individually placed into plexiglass chambers with air pressure and components were electronically controlled.The rats were exposed to intermittent hypoxia 8 hours daily for 5weeks.The changes of cardiac structure and function were examined by ultrasound.The cardiac pathology,apoptosis,and fibrosis were analyzed by H＆E staining,TUNNEL assay,and picosirius staining,respectively.The expression of inflammation and fibrosis marker genes was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.Chronic intermittent hypoxia/low pressure resulted in significant increase of left ventricular internal diameters（LVIDs）,endsystolic volume（ESV）,end-diastolic volume（EDV）,and blood lactate level and marked reduction in ejection fraction and fractional shortening.Chronic intermittent hypoxia increased TUNNEL-positive myocytes,disrupted normal arrangement of cardiac fibers,and increased Sirius stained collagen fibers.The expression levels of hypoxia induced factor（HIF）-l α,NF-κB,IL-6,and matrix metallopeptidase 2（MMP-2） were significantly increased in the heart of rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia.In conclusion,the left ventricular function was adversely affected by chronic intermittent hypoxia,which is associated with increased expression of HIF-lα and NF-κB signaling molecules and development of cardiac inflammation,apoptosis and fibrosis.

Numerical simulation of pedestrian flow past a circular obstruction

In this paper, a revisiting Hughes’ dynamic continuum model is used to investigate and predict the essential macroscopic characteristics of pedestrian flow, such as flow, density and average speed, in a two dimensional continuous walking facility scattered with a circular obstruction. It is assumed that pedestrians prefer to walk a path with the lowest instantaneous travel cost from origin to destination, under the consideration of the current traffic conditions and the tendency to avoid a high-density region and an obstruction. An algorithm for the pedestrian flow model is based on a cellcentered finite volume method for a scalar conservation law equation, a fast sweeping method for an Eikonal-type equation and a second-order TVD Runge-Kutta method for the time integration on unstructured meshes. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm. It is verified that density distribution of pedestrian flow is influenced by the position of the obstruction and the path-choice behavior of pedestrians.

Analysis on the Theory of Blow-up and Verification on Numerical Prediction of Heavy Rain in Sichuan Basin

By dint of V-3θ diagram from the Blown-up theory,a continuous heavy rain process in western Sichuan basin from July 14 to 17,2009 is analyzed in this paper.Situation field and precipitation of ECWMF and T213 are verified and discussed.Results show that V-3θ diagram can describe the heavy rain process accurately.Combining with additional conventional weather charts,experience and numerical forecast products,the heavy rain falling area is determined.The forecast accuracy of situation field of EC is significantly higher than that of T213 and the forecast accuracy of T213 for heavy rain forecast is relatively low.

The effects of Kangxianling on renal fibrosis as assessed with a customized gene chip

OBJECTIVE:To determine the mechanisms by which Kangxianling(KXL) treats renal interstitial fibrosis using a customized gene chip.METHODS:Twelve out of 18 specific pathogen-free sprague dawley(SPF SD) rats underwent a unilateral ureteral occlusion.These rats were then randomly assigned into either the model unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) or Kangxianling(KXL) group.The other six rats were assigned to the sham-operated group.The UUO and sham-operated groups were given normal saline via intragastric administration,whereas the KXL group was given KXL via intragastric administration.All rats were sacrificed for renal tissue collection(i.e.left nephridial tissue),and the detection of genetic changes with the customized chip.RESULTS:Compared to the sham-operated group,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),Smad2,and Smad3 genes were significantly up-regulated in the UUO group,with >1.5-fold rise(P<0.01).The Smad7 gene was significantly reduced in the UUO versus sham-operated group,with a down-regulation of >1.5-fold(P<0.01).In the KXL group,TGF-β1,Smad2,and Smad3 genes were significantly reduced compared to the UUO group,with a down-regulation of >1.5-fold(P<0.01),whereas the Smad7 gene was significantly increased compared to the UUO group,with an up-regulation of >1.5-fold(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:It was found that KXL can significantly reduce the gene levels of TGF-β1,Smad2,and Smad3.Immunohistochemistry findings also revealed significantly lower TGF-β1/Smads-mediated gene transcription activity.These findings suggest that KXL may negatively regulate the TGF-β1/Smads signal pathway to inhibit the occurrence of renal fibrosis.