Anti-fungal activity, mechanism studies on α-Phellandrene and Nonanal against Penicillium cyclopium.

BACKGROUND: Essential oils from plants have been reported to have wide spread antimicrobial activity against various bacterial and fungal pathogens, and these include α-Phellandrene, Nonanal and other volatile substances. However, biological activities of α-Phellandrene and Nonanal have been reported only in a few publications. Further investigations are necessary to determine the antimicrobial activity of these compounds, especially for individual application, to establish the possible mechanism of action of the most active compound. RESULTS: The results are shown that α-Phellandrene and Nonanal have a dose-dependent inhibition on the mycelial growth of Penicillium cyclopium. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) are 1.7 and 1.8 mL/L for α-Phellandrene, 0.3 and 0.4 mL/L for Nonanal, respectively. The volatile compounds altered the morphology of P. cyclopium hyphae by causing loss of cytoplasmic material and distortion of the mycelia. The membrane permeability of P. cyclopium increased with increasing concentrations of the two volatile compounds, as evidenced by cell constituent release, extracellular conductivity and induced efflux of K+. Moreover, the two volatile compounds induced a decrease in pH and in the total lipid content of P. cyclopium, which suggested that cell membrane integrity had been compromised. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that α-Phellandrene and Nonanal could significantly inhibit the mycelia growth of P. cyclopium by severely disrupting the integrity of the fungal cell membrane, leading to the leakage of cell constituents and potassium ions, and triggering an increase of the total lipid content, extracellular pH and membrane permeability. Our present study suggests that α-Phellandrene and Nonanal might be a biological fungicide for the control of P. cyclopium in postharvest tomato fruits.

Anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil under spontaneous respiration assisted with high-frequency jet ventilation for tracheobronchial foreign body removal in 586 children.

BACKGROUND: Foreign body aspiration is a common life-threatening event in young children. Tracheobronchial foreign body removal is usually performed by rigid tracheobronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Anesthetic and ventilation techniques vary greatly among anesthesiologists and institutions. In the present retrospective study, we report our anesthetic experience over 5 years. We describe complications and outcomes and analyze the clinical characteristics of anesthesia and ventilation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed relevant clinical findings of 586 pediatric patients treated with rigid tracheobronchoscopy under general anesthesia. All procedures were performed under inhaled sevoflurane anesthesia combined with remifentanil infusion, with spontaneous respiration assisted by high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) and topical airway anesthesia. RESULTS: Among 586 patients, the foreign body was successfully removed by rigid tracheobronchoscopy in 558 patients, and no foreign body was found in 28 patients. Laryngospasm was observed during the procedure in five patients. Hypoxemia was observed in 15 patients (2.6%). No severe complications or deaths occurred. The mean operation time was 22 min and the average hospital stay was 2 days. CONCLUSION: Inhaled sevoflurane anesthesia combined with remifentanil infusion, with spontaneous respiration assisted by HFJV and topical airway anesthesia, is safe and effective for tracheobronchial foreign body removal.

[Effects of different anesthesia and analgesia on erythrocyte immune function of patients with ovarian benign tumor treated by laparoscopic therapeutic].

AIM: To investigate the effects of different anesthesia and analgesia on erythrocyte immune function of patients with ovarian benign tumor treated by laparoscopic therapeutic. METHODS: 120 patients with ovarian benign tumor treated by laparoscopic therapeutic were randomly divided into two groups with 60 cases each.In group A, patients received general anesthesia eombined with thoracic epidural anesthesia during surgery, patients in group B received general anesthesia. The cervical venous blood samples were obtained at the following time points: before induction of anesthesia(T0), 30 min after anesthesia (T1), 1 h during operation (T2), 24 h after operation (T3), 48 h after operation (T4) and 72 h after operation (T5).RRCR, RRICR and RTRR were measured at different time points. RESULTS: RRCR, RRICR and RTRR in two groups decreased significantly from T1(P<0.05). RRCR in two groups was on the low-water mark at T4 and RRICR, RTRR was on the low-water mark at T3.There were no significantly different of RRCR, RRICR and RTRR in two groups at T0. There were significantly different of RRCR, RRICR and RTRR in two groups from T1 to T4(P<0.05), the increase in group A was less than that in group B(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Anesthesia may harm on erythroeyte immune function of patients with ovarian benign tumor treated by laparoscopic therapeutic. The effect of general anesthesia combined with thoraeic epidural anesthesia on erythrocyte immune function was less.

Therapeutic time window and mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic time window and mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats and 20mg/kg tetramethylpyrazine was injected intraperitoneally at different time points. Neurological deficit scores and brain infarction volumes were measured 72 h after reperfusion started. The expression of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase were examined at 6h and at 24h after reperfusion. Our results included the findings of a significant reduction in neurological deficit scores and infarction volume in the treatment group as compared to the control group. Ischemia/reperfusion injury resulted in a decrease in the expression of thioredoxin, while tetramethylpyrazine administration greatly elevated the expression of thioredoxin-1/thioredoxin-2 mRNA and thioredoxin reductase-1/thioredoxin reductase-2 mRNA. These findings suggest that administration of tetramethylpyrazine, within a 4h time period post-transient focal stroke, may reduce cerebral ischemic reperfusion damage. Moreover, the neuroprotective effect of tetramethylpyrazine may be mediated, in part, by an increase in genetic transcription of thioredoxin.

[Neuroprotective effect of preconditioning with cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55, 212 - 2 on focal cerebral ischemia: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of preconditioning with cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonist WIN 55, 212 - 2 on focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly assigned to 5 equal groups: control group undergoing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h only without any preconditioning; 3 WIN 55, 212 - 2 preconditioning groups (WIN1-3) injected intraperitoneally with WIN 55, 212 - 2 at the doses of 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg respectively 24 h before MCAO for 2 h, and DMSO group injected intraperitoneally with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), solvent of WIN 55, 212 - 2 24 h before MCAO for 2 h. 24, 48, and 72 hours after reperfusion the neurological function score (NFS) was evaluated the rats were then decapitated with their brains taken out. Brain infarct volume was evaluated with 2% 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. RESULTS: The NFS values of the rats in WIN 55, 212 - 2 preconditioning groups were all significantly higher than those of the control and DMSO groups (all P < 0.05) while the infarct volumes of the WIN 55, 212 - 2 preconditioning groups were all significantly smaller than those of the control and DMSO groups (all P < 0.05) 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion. The infarct volumes of the WIN2 and WIN3 groups were both significantly smaller than that of the WIN1 group (both P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the infarct volume between WIN2 and WIN3 groups (P = 0.928). CONCLUSION: WIN 55, 212 - 2 preconditioning has neuroprotective effect on focal cerebral ischemia with a dose-dependent manner.

[Protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Seventy male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=10 for each): (1) CONTROL GROUP: animals were subjected to I/R. (2)RIPC groups: RIPC was performed by 3 cycles of occlusion/reperfusion of bilateral femoral arteries for 5 minutes/5 minutes. According to the different intervals between RIPC and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), 6 RIPC subgroups were established: RIPC 30 minutes, 1, 2, 12, 24 and 48 hours subgroups, with intervals between RIPC and cerebral I/R of 30 minutes, 1, 2, 12, 24 and 48 hours respectively. The duration of MCAO was 120 minutes and reperfusion for 24 hours. The neurological dysfunction score (NDS) was evaluated at 24 hours after reperfusion. The infarction volume was then assessed with tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. RESULTS: The NDSs of RIPC 1, 2 and 24 hours groups were significantly lower than that of control group (all P<0.05), while with no significant differences of RIPC 30 minutes, 12 and 48 hours groups (all P>0.05). The area percentage of infarction in RIPC 1 hour [(17.9+/-7.5)%, P=0.016], RIPC 2 hours [(18.3+/-11.2)%, P=0.019] and RIPC 24 hours [(20.2+/-11.9)%, P=0.047] groups was significantly smaller than that in control group [(30.5+/-9.8)%], while no significant differences were observed in RIPC 30 minutes, 12 and 48 hours groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The RIPC the brain against focal cerebral I/R injury in rats, and the protection window is 1 to 2 hours after pretreatment and resumes after 24 hours.

[Relationship between cardiomyocyte protein synthesis and cell viability].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the relationship between protein sythesis and cardiomyocyte viability in neonatal rats. METHODS: The protein sythesis in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was measured according to Brandford's method, the absorbance at 490 nm (A(490 nm)) of the cells was measured with MTT assay and the cell viability evaluated by the ratio of A(490 nm) to the total cell number. RESULTS: ET-1 increased cardiomyocyte protein synthesis dose-dependently, and this effect was attenuated by the application of lacidipine and tetramethylpyrazines Higher doses of ET-1 resulted in lower A(490 nm)/total cell number ratio, which was further lowered by larcidipine and tetramethylpyrazine. CONCLUSION: The status of protein synthesis is not associated with the viability of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Effect of dopamine and metaraminol on the renal function of patients with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Vasoactive drugs are often necessary for reversing hypotension in patients with severe infection. The standard for evaluating effects of vasoactive drugs should not only be based on the increase of arterial blood pressure, but also on the blood flow perfusion of internal organs. The effects of dopamine and metaraminol on the renal function of the patients with septic shock were investigated retrospectively in this study. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with septic shock were divided into three groups according to the highest infusing rate of metaraminol, with the lightest infusing rate of (0.1 - 0.5, 0.6 - 1.0, > 1.0) microgxkg(-1)xmin(-1) in group A, B and C respectively. Urine output, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), urine output, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), urine albumin (U-ALB), urine beta(2)-microglubulin (Ubeta(2)-MG) and Apache III scores were recorded. RESULTS: Before antishock therapy, hypotension, tachycardia and oliguria occurred to all the 98 patients with septic shock and CRE, BUN, U-ALB, Ubeta(2)-MG and Apache III scoring were abnormal in most cases. With the antishock therapy, MAP, HR, urine output, BUN and CRE in all patients returned gradually to normal (P < 0.05 or < 0.01 compared to those before antishock therapy). U-ALB, Ubeta(2)-MG output and Apache III scoring also reverted but remained abnormal (P < 0.01 compared to those before antishock therapy). No statistically significant differences in the changes of these indices with the time existed among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dopamine and metaraminol when applied to the patients with septic shock could effectively maintain the circulatory stability and promote restoration of renal function.

[A case report of simultaneous liver, pancreas-duodenum, and kidney transplantation in a patient with post-hepatitic cirrhosis combined with uremia and insulin-dependent diabetes related to chronic pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of triple organ transplantation (liver, kidney, and pancreas) in patient of end-stage liver disease with renal failure and diabetes, and to explore the optimal surgical procedure. METHODS: Simultaneous piggyback orthotopic heterotopic liver, pancreas-duodenum, and kidney transplantation was performed on a 43-year-old male patient with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and insulin-dependent diabetes related to chronic pancreatitis (CP) who developed hepatic and renal failure. The pancreatic exocrine secretions were drained enterically to the jejunum. Prednisone, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and ATG were used as immunosuppression therapy. RESULTS: Good liver and pancreas allograft function recovery was achieved within 7 days after the operation. And the recovery of renal allograft function was delayed. The renal allograft was removed because of break-down of renal blood flow 16 days after the transplantation. A new renal transplantation was performed at the same position. The second kidney graft recovered its normal function 3 days later. Up to the writing of this paper no acute rejection of organs and such complications as pancreatitis, thrombosis, and localized infection occurred. The patient became insulin independent with normal liver and renal function. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous piggyback orthotopic heterotopic liver, pancreas-duodenum, and kidney transplantation can be a good method for the patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and insulin-dependent diabetes combined with hepatic and renal failure.

[Effect of dopamine combined with norepinephrine on the renal function in patients with septic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine on the renal function in the patients with septic shock. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients with septic shock were divided into three groups (group A, B, C) according to the biggest infusing rate of norepinephrine, with the infusing rate of 0.5 - 0.9, 1.0 - 1.5, 1.6 - 2.0 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), urine output, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), urine albumin (U-ALB) and urine beta(2)-microglobulin (Ubeta(2)-MG) as well as APACHE III score in all the patients were detected. RESULTS: Before anti-shock therapy was given, hypotension, tachycardia and oliguria occurred in all the 87 patients, and CRE, BUN, U-ALB, Ubeta(2)-MG and APACHE III score were abnormal in most cases. With the anti-shock therapy, MAP, HR, urine output and BUN, CRE in all patients returned to normal levels gradually, and U-ALB, Ubeta(2)-MG levels and APACHE III score also restored but still remained abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: The first aim of treating septic shock should be restoring the organ blood supply, and based on volume resuscitation, dopamine, noradrenaline and other vasoactive drugs could be combined to maintain circulatory stability.

Neuroprotective effect of sodium ferulate on transient focal cerebral ischemia by weakening activation of postsynaptic density-95 in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sodium ferulate (SF), an intravenous drug made from traditional Chinese herbs, on activation of postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) and neuroprotection after transient cerebral artery occlusion in rats. METHODS: Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 2 groups (n=23 in each group): the control group and the SF group. After anesthesia, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was conducted with the intraluminal filament technique. The neurological deficit was assessed with the method devised by Bederson et al. The 2,3,4-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to assess the infarct volume. We adopted a modified six-point scale to conduct neurobehavioral evaluation. Immediately the activation of postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) was studied with Western blot analysis system in the cortex and striatum of rat brain. RESULTS: The neurologic deficit score of the SF group decreased substantially compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). The infarct volume of the control group (168.1 mm3 +/- 42.2 mm3) was significantly larger than that of the SF group (61.5 mm3 +/- 28.7 mm3) at 24 hours after reperfusion (P<0.01). And the rats showed some neurological deficit. The activity of PSD-95 in the SF group at most timepoints was less than that in the control group. No upregulation of PSD-95 protein could be detected in the contralateral cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium ferulate can induce a neuroprotective effect against the transient focal cerebral ischemic injury and weaken the activation of PSD-95 in ischemic area after MCAO.

[Experimental study of evaluation on neuroprotective effect for tetramethylpyrazine against focal cerebral ischemic injury with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) against focal cerebral ischemic injury in rats with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI). METHODS: Rat models of focal cerebral ischemic injury were established in 16 male SD rats. They were randomly divided into the TMP group and the control group, eight in each group, and pretreated with TMP and normal saline respectively before modeling. Change of infarcted cerebral focus was observed with DWMRI at 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hrs after infarction, and the infarction volume (IV) at 24 hrs after modeling was estimated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) stain. RESULTS: The IV in all time points observed in the TMP group with DWMRI was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P<0.01). Compared with that at 1 hr after infarction, in the control group at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hrs after modeling, the IV enlarged by 13.3%, 29.7%, 50.3% and 57.3% respectively, while that in the TMP group 9.9%, 21.3%, 37.1% and 40.5% respectively. The cerebral IV estimated by TTC stain 24 hrs after modeling was larger than that estimated by DWMRI. CONCLUSION: TMP pretreatment before modeling was effective in protecting brain against cerebral ischemic damage in rats. DWMRI dynamic scanning observation has important significance in observing the cerebral ischemic developing process and evaluating the effectiveness of brain protective measures.

[Effect of sodium ferulate on activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats and the effect of sodium ferulate (SF) on it. METHODS: Forty-five male adult SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the sham-operated group, the control group and the SF group. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by thread ligation method, and in the ischemic phase, to rats in the sham-operated and the control group 4 ml of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected, and to rats in the SF group, 100 mg/kg of SF dissolved in 4 ml of normal saline was injected. The rats were decapitated at 2 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 24 hrs and 72 hrs after reperfusion, 3 rats of every group at each time point, and rats brains were taken for immunohistochemistry and histopathological examination. RESULTS: Histopathological examination showed that the cerebral ischemic damage in the SF group was significantly milder than that in the control group at 2 hrs after reperfusion. The cerebral ischemia induced ERK activation reached the peak at 6 hrs and maintained to 72 hrs after reperfusion. As compared with the control group, the ERK activation in the SF group was significantly enhanced with increased positive immune reacted cells (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion could induce the activation of ERK in the ischemic brain cells, intervention of SF could enhance the activation and alleviate the ischemic injury in cerebral cortex.