The research progress of anti-tumor effect of polymethoxyflavonoids / 中国药理学通报

Tumor is a disease with high mortality rate,which seriously threatens the human life and health.To study the antitumor effect,sensitization and anti-drug-resistant action of effective ingredients extracted from traditional Chinese medicine or natural medicine is a hotspot.Polymethoxyflavone is a class of flavonoids with strong anti-tumor activity found in recent years.In this paper,the research progress on anti-tumor action and its mechanisms of polymethoxyflavonoids is reviewed.

Alterations in cardiac structure and function in a modified rat model of myocardial hypertrophy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study was aimed to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the development of LVH. The abdominal aorta of male Wistar rats (80-100 g) was constricted to a diameter of 0.55 mm between the branches of the celiac and anterior mesenteric arteries. Echocardiography using a linear phased array probe was performed as well as pathological examination and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement at 3, 4 and 6 weeks after abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). The results showed that the acute mortality rate (within 24 h) of this modified rat model was 8%. Animals who underwent AAC demonstrated significantly increased interventricular septal (IVS), LV posterior wall (LVPWd), LV mass index (LVMI), cross-sectional area (CSA) of myocytes, and perivascular fibrosis; the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and cardiac output (CO) were consistently lower at each time point after AAC. Notably, differences in these parameters between AAC group and sham group were significant by 3 weeks and reached peaks at 4th week. Following AAC, the plasma BNP was gradually elevated compared with the sham group at 3rd and 6th week. It was concluded that this modified AAC model can develop LVH, both stably and safely, by week four post-surgery; echocardiography is able to assess changes in chamber dimensions and systolic properties accurately in rats with LVH.

Design of a satisfaction evaluation indicator system based on patients' experience of medical services / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a satisfaction evaluation indicator system based on patients' experiences of medical services.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A questionnaire was designed by expert interview and literature review and 400 copies were randomly handed out to inpatients and outpatients from five 3A-public hospitals in Shanghai. The patient's evaluation of importance of various factors in medical services was analyzed and the mean and weight of indicators in terms of recognition, importance and evaluation were determined to establish a satisfaction evaluation indicator system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 396 valid questionnaires were retrieved, with an effective response rate of 99%. By analyzing survey data, the patient satisfaction evaluation indicator system was constructed with 5 primary indicators (hospital environment, medical procedures, attitude, and quality of care and patient rights) and 25 secondary indicators (convenient hospital environment, auxiliary facilities, reasonable arrangement, clearly mark, convenient appointment, simple procedures, short time, the attitude of medical staff, solutions of medical dispute, medical technology, treatment, medical equipment, medical expenses, respect, patient privacy, etc.).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A patient satisfaction evaluation indicator system has been established based on patients' experience of medical services in the study, which may be applicable to measure patients' satisfaction and to improve medical services in hospitals.</p>

Alterations in cardiac structure and function in a modified rat model of myocardial hypertrophy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study was aimed to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the development of LVH. The abdominal aorta of male Wistar rats (80-100 g) was constricted to a diameter of 0.55 mm between the branches of the celiac and anterior mesenteric arteries. Echocardiography using a linear phased array probe was performed as well as pathological examination and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement at 3, 4 and 6 weeks after abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). The results showed that the acute mortality rate (within 24 h) of this modified rat model was 8%. Animals who underwent AAC demonstrated significantly increased interventricular septal (IVS), LV posterior wall (LVPWd), LV mass index (LVMI), cross-sectional area (CSA) of myocytes, and perivascular fibrosis; the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and cardiac output (CO) were consistently lower at each time point after AAC. Notably, differences in these parameters between AAC group and sham group were significant by 3 weeks and reached peaks at 4th week. Following AAC, the plasma BNP was gradually elevated compared with the sham group at 3rd and 6th week. It was concluded that this modified AAC model can develop LVH, both stably and safely, by week four post-surgery; echocardiography is able to assess changes in chamber dimensions and systolic properties accurately in rats with LVH.

Role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent calcineurin signaling pathway in neuropeptide Y-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway in neuropeptide Y (NPY)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cardiomyocytes of neonatal Wistar rats were cultured in the presence of 10 and 100 nmol/L NPY, and cyclosporine A (CsA) was applied to inhibit the activity of CaN. The protein synthesis rate, c-jun mRNA expression, CaN protein expression, CaN activity and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in the cardiomyocytes were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, (3)H-Leu incorporation and expression of c-jun mRNA in the cardiomyocytes treated with 100 nmol/L NPY increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.001), and the effect of NPY was blocked by CsA. The activity of CaN (P<0.05), CaN expression (P<0.05), and Ca(2+) concentration in the cytoplasm (P<0.001) and nuclei (P<0.001) of the cells with 100 nmol/L NPY treatment also significantly increased compared with those in the control cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NPY can induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in rats, in which process Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent CaN signaling pathway plays an important role.</p>