Aqueous Extracts of Tribulus terrestris Protects Against Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

Objective:To investigate the role of aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris(TT) against oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) dysfunction in vitro.Methods:HUVECs were pre-incubated for 60 min with TT(30 and 3 μg/mL respectively) or 10~(-5) mol/L valsartan(as positive controls) and then the injured endothelium model was established by applying 100 μg/mL ox-LDL for 24 h.Cell viability of HUVECs was observed by real-time cell electronic sensing assay and apoptosis rate by Annexin V/PI staining.The cell migration assay was performed with a transwell insert system.Cytoskeleton remodeling was observed by immunofluorescence assay.The content of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was assessed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometer.Key genes associated with the metabolism of ox-LDL were chosen for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to explore the possible mechanism of TT against oxidized LDL-induced endothelial dysfunction.Results:TT suppressed ox-LDL-induced HUVEC proliferation and apoptosis rates significantly(41.1%and 43.5%after treatment for 3 and 38 h,respectively;P0.05).It also prolonged the HUVEC survival time and postponed the cell's decaying stage(from the 69 th h to over 100 h).According to the immunofluorescence and transwell insert system assay,TT improved the endothelial cytoskeletal network,and vinculin expression and increased cell migration.Additionally,TT regulated of the synthesis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species(P0.05).Both 30 and 3 μg/mL TT demonstrated similar efficacy to valsartan.TT normalized the increased mRNA expression of PI3Kα and Socs3.It also decreased mRNA expression of Akt1,AMPKα1,JAK2,LepR and STAT3 induced by ox-LDL.The most notable changes were JAK2,LepR,PI3 K α,Socs3 and STAT3.Conclusions:TT demonstrated potential lowering lipid benefits,anti-hypertension and endothelial protective effects.It also suggested that the JAK2/STAT3 and/or PI3K/AKT pathway might be a very important pathway which was involved in the pharmacological mechanism of TT as the vascular protective agent.     

苯中毒性再生障碍性贫血患者免疫细胞及免疫相关因子的检测

目的通过苯中毒性再生障碍性贫血患者免疫细胞及免疫相关因子的检测,探讨其发病机制。方法用ELISA方法对100例苯中毒性再生障碍性贫血患者血清中肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)、可溶性白介素(sIL-2、sIL-3)、白介素2受体(sIL-2R)含量进行检测,用流式细胞仪对患者外周血T细胞进行分群。结果苯中毒性再生障碍性贫血患者血清中TNF、sIL-2含量增高,sIL-3、sIL-2R含量降低;T细胞亚群比例异常。结论苯中毒性再生障碍性贫血患者存在免疫功能异常。     

The role of fibrin glue instillation under skin flaps in the prevention of seroma formation and related morbidities following breast and axillary surgery for breast cancer: A meta‐analysis

A systematic review of randomised, controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of fibrin glue (FG) in reducing the postoperative seroma and seroma related morbidities following breast and axillary surgery was conducted. FG failed to influence the incidence of postoperative seroma, average volume of seroma, wound infection, complications and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. However, a major multicentre and high quality randomised, controlled trial is required to validate these findings. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:783–795. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Menstrual Problems and Health Seeking in Sri Lanka

Menstruation is associated with some morbidity, although it is a normal physiological event. In this article, we draw on qualitative research conducted in Sri Lanka in 2006–2007, which included eight key informant interviews with healthcare providers, six focus group discussions with eight women in each, and five case studies. We describe and analyze women's perceptions of menstruation and menstrual problems, their help-seeking behaviors to reduce these health problems, and the consequences of them on their lives. The majority of women perceived menstruation as a physiological process and related problems to changes in hormone levels, pathological conditions of the uterus, and the side effects of contraceptive methods. Menstrual problems significantly affected their daily activities, mental well-being, social life, and sexual life, but few sought medical advice to resolve these problems. Implications of the findings included the need for health care providers and educators to provide accurate information on menstruation to girls and women to enable them to identify normal variation of menstruation and to take appropriate action regarding health care.     

Psychological defence and nuclear war

Society is influenced by the unconcious aspects of the minds of the member individuals. This paper describes a psychoanalytic approach to some aspects of the social processes that give rise to the attitudes in Western society towards nuclear war and the nuclear threat. It is concluded that there are profound hidden factors that work against changing the current views on war and nuclear war, and that some peace groups are inadvertently recruited into maintaining the status quo.