The cardiac autonomic nervous system: A target for modulation of atrial fibrillation.

The cardiac autonomic nerve system (CANS) is a potentially potent modulator of the initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this review, we focus on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the pathophysiology of AF and the potential benefit and limitations of neuromodulation in the management of this arrhythmia from eight aspects. We conclude that Activation and Remodeling of CANS involved in the initiation and maintenance of AF. The network control mechanism, innervation regions, and sympathetic/parasympathetic balance play an important role in AF substrate. And the formation of Complex Fractional Atrial Electrograms also related to CANS activity. In addition, modulating CANS function by potential therapeutic applications include ganglionated plexus ablation, renal sympathetic denervation, and low-level vagal nerve stimulation, may enable AF to be controlled. Although the role of the ANS has long been recognized, a better understanding of the complex interrelationships of the various components of the CANS will lead to improvement of treatments for this common arrhythmia.

[Changes of soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and stoichiometry characteristics in marsh invaded by Spartina alterniflora]. / äº’èŠ±ç±³è‰å ¥ä¾µä¸‹æ¹¿åœ°åœŸå£¤ç¢³æ°®ç£·å˜åŒ–åŠåŒ–å­¦è®¡é‡å­¦ç‰¹å¾.

To clarify the effect of invasive alien plants on ecosystem functions, soil total carbon (TC), total carbon (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents were studied in the exotic invasive plant Spartina alterniflora marsh with different durations and the native species Cyperus malaccensis marsh in the Minjiang River estuary. The results showed that there were different variations of TC, TN and TP at 0-50 cm soil layer in the C. malaccensis marsh invaded by S. alterniflora, but the changes of TC and TN were similar and the change of the TP lagged behind them. Soil C/N increased continually with the increase of TC. Soil TP was a key factor affecting soil C/P and N/P during the S. alterniflora invasion, and the change of C/P and N/P followed a similar trend. The changes of TC, TN and TP were influenced by abiotic factors such as soil salinity, bulk density, soil water content and clay composition. C, N and P stoichiometric ratios were influenced mainly by soil salinity and grain composition. C/N and C/P were the good indicators for soil carbon enrichment ability in S. alterniflora marsh. S. alterniflora invasion induced the change of biomass and marsh habitats. Soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus contents, and their ecological stoichiometric ratios changed significantly in the C. malaccensis marsh invaded by S. alterniflora and showed diffe-rent change characteristics with different invasion duration.

[Protective effect of curcumin derivative B06 on kidney of type 2 diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and mechanism of curcumin derivative B06 on kidney from rats with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Thirty five male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups(n = 7): the normal control group, high-fat group, high-fat + B06-treatd group, diabetic group, diabetic + B06-treated group. After fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks, the later two groups were in- jected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. B06-treated groups were given B06 by gavage at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg . d for 8 weeks. After the treatment, the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were detected biochemically, the morphology of kidney was observed with light and transmission electron microscopy, the expression of collagen fibers was observed with Masson staining, the protein expression of collogen IV and fibronectin in kidney were determined by Immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: It was showed that the levels of the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen elevated significantly in diabetic group. In high-fat and diabetic groups, increased glomerular mesangial matrix and collagen fiber and thicken glomerular basal membrane were observed under light microscopy, swelling and fusion of foot process were found under electron microscope; increased green matrix within glomeruli was observed under Masson staining. collogen IV and fibronectin protein expression were significantly enhanced in high-fat group and diabetic group. After B06's intervention, the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were decreased in diabetic groups, the morphological change of kidney was obviously relieved, Collogen IV and fibronectin protein expression reduced. CONCLUSION: Curcumin derivative B06 exerts a protective effect on kidney in type 2 diabetic rats, reduced expressions of collogen IV and fibronectin, inhibition of the accumulation of extracellular matrix and glomerular mesangial proliferation, and then prevention of renal fibrosis may be the mechanism.

The molecular mechanism of rhein in diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by unclear pathogenesis. Recent medical data shows that the incidence of DN rises year by year. Rhein is the main compositions of rhubarb, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, which plays an active role in kidney protection. The prophylaxis and phytotherapeutic effects of rhein are due to its anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis properties. Here, we shed light on the renal protective role of rhein in diabetes mellitus (DM) with a particular focus on the molecular basis of this effect.

[Effects of compound Centella asiatica enema on kidneys coefficient, electrolytes and blood in chronic renal failure rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacological effects of compound Centella asiatica enema on chronic renal failure (CRF) rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into control group, CRF model group, Niaoduqing positive control group, compound Centella asiatica enema high, middle and low three groups kidney coefficient, electrolyte levels, hematocrit (HCT), red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) content were observed after 30 days's treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the level of the electrolyte, HCT, RBC, HGB of rats in compound Centella asiatica enema high-doses group and the Niaoduqing group were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: High-doses of compound Centella asiatica enema has significant therapeutic effect on CRF rats.

[Effect of human disturbance on ecological stoichiometry characteristics of soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in Minjiang River estuarine wetland].

To clarify responses of soil ecological stoichiometry in wetland to human disturbance, the ecological stoichiometry characteristics of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus elements of soil in Phragmites australis marsh, grassland, flat breed aquatics, cropland, pond aquaculture after human disturbance and abandoned cropland after human disturbance restoration in Minjiang River estuary were analyzed. The results showed: averaged values of C/N, C/P, N/P ratios were declined as the human disturbance increment, which appeared that Phragmites australis marsh, grassland (lower human disturbance, 25.53, 156.06, 6.11 and 27.58, 158.99, 5.78) were bigger than flat breed aquatics (medium human disturbance, 25.02, 96.90, 3.87), and flat breed aquatics (medium human disturbance) were bigger than cropland, pond aquaculture (higher human disturbance, 17.55, 46.19, 2.65 and 22.30, 57.51, 2.62). Compared with cropland, C/N, C/P, N/P ratios in abandoned cropland (human disturbance restoration) were (19.95, 63.81, 3.18) higher. The influencing factors were changed with the human disturbance intensity. Soil C/N ratios showed relatively small variation between different human disturbance and soil depth, while C/P and N/P ratios showed a high heterogeneity. The ratio of carbon to nutrition had preferable indication for carbon storage.

[Seasonal dynamics of nitrogen- and phosphorus absorption efficiency of wetland plants in Minjiang River estuary].

Taking the native Phragmites australis and invasive Spartina alterniflora in Minjiang River estuary as test objectives, this paper studied the seasonal dynamics of their biomass and nitrogen- and phosphorus absorption efficiency. A typical single-peak curve was presented for the seasonal dynamics of aboveground biomass and nitrogen- and phosphorus absorption efficiency of the two species. P. australis had the maximum aboveground biomass (2195.33 g X m(-2)) in summer, while S. alterniflora had it (3670.02 g X m(-2)) in autumn. The total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents of P. australis reached the peak (21.06 g x m(-2) of TN and 1.12 g x m(-2) of TP) in summer and in autumn, respectively, while those of S. alterniflora all reached the peak (26.76 g x m(-2) of TN and 3.23 g x m(-2) of TP) in autumn. Both of the two species had a higher absorption efficiency in TN than in TP (P < 0.01), and S. alterniflora had a significantly higher absorption efficiency of TN and TP than P. australis (P < 0.05). To some extent, the N/P, C/N, and C/P ratios of plants could indicate the nitrogen- and phosphorus absorption efficiency of the plants.