Effect of X-ray irradiation on renal excretion of bestatin through down-regulating organic anion transporters via the vitamin D receptor in rats.

Pharmacokinetic changes induced by radiation following radiotherapy ("RT-PK" phenomenon) are of great significance to the effectiveness and safety of chemotherapeutic agents in clinical settings. The aims of this study were to clarify the organic anion transporters (Oats) involved in the "RT-PK" phenomenon of bestatin in rats following X-ray irradiation and to elucidate its potential mechanism via vitamin D signalling. Pharmacokinetic studies, uptake assays using rat kidney slices and primary proximal tubule cells, and molecular biological studies were performed. Significantly increased plasma concentrations and systemic exposure to bestatin were observed at 24 and 48 h following abdominal X-ray irradiation, regardless of oral or intravenous administration of the drugs in rats. Reduced renal clearance and cumulative urinary excretion of bestatin were observed at 24 and 48 h post-irradiation in rats following intravenous administration. The uptake of the probe substrates p-aminohippuric acid and oestrone 3-sulphate sodium in vitro and the expression of Oat1 and Oat3 in vivo were reduced in the corresponding models following irradiation. Moreover, the upregulation of the vitamin D receptor (Vdr) in mRNA and protein levels negatively correlated with the expressions and functions of Oat1 and Oat3 following irradiation. Additionally, elevated plasma urea nitrogen levels and histopathological changes were observed in rats after exposure to irradiation. The "RT-PK" phenomenon of bestatin occurs in rats after exposure to irradiation, possibly resulting in the regulation of the expressions and activities of renal Oats via activation of the Vdr signalling pathway.

Measurement and Analysis of Near-Ground Propagation Models under Different Terrains for Wireless Sensor Networks.

The propagation model is an essential component in the design and deployment of a wireless sensor network (WSN). Although much attention has been given to near-ground propagation models, few studies place the transceiver directly on the ground with the height of antennas at the level of a few centimeters, which is a more realistic deployment scenario for WSNs. We measured the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of these truly near-ground WSNs at 470 MHz under four different terrains, namely flat concrete road, flat grass and two derived scenarios, and obtained the corresponding path loss models. By comprehensive analysis of the influence of different antenna heights and terrain factors, we showed the limit of existing theoretical models and proposed a propagation model selection strategy to more accurately reflect the true characteristics of the near-ground wireless channels for WSNs. In addition, we implemented these models on Cooja simulator and showed that simplistic theoretical models would induce great inaccuracy of network connectivity estimation.

The Protective Effects of 5-Methoxytryptamine-α-lipoic Acid on Ionizing Radiation-Induced Hematopoietic Injury.

Antioxidants are prospective radioprotectors because of their ability to scavenge radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The hematopoietic system is widely studied in radiation research because of its high radiosensitivity. In the present study, we describe the beneficial effects of 5-methoxytryptamine-α-lipoic acid (MLA), which was synthesized from melatonin and α-lipoic acid, against radiation-induced hematopoietic injury. MLA administration significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice after 7.2 Gy total body irradiation. The results showed that MLA not only markedly increased the numbers and clonogenic potential of hematopoietic cells but also decreased DNA damage, as determined by flow cytometric analysis of histone H2AX phosphorylation. In addition, MLA decreased the levels of ROS in hematopoietic cells by inhibiting NOX4 expression. These data demonstrate that MLA prevents radiation-induced hematopoietic syndrome by increasing the number and function of and by inhibiting DNA damage and ROS production in hematopoietic cells. These data suggest MLA is beneficial for the protection of radiation injuries.

Suture lateralization in patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis.

OBJECTIVES: To introduce a simplified suture lateralization (SL) technique to treat patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of surgical procedures by manual chart review. METHODS: The proposed endoscopic SL procedure was used for 20 patients operated on for BVFP between 2007 and 2013, with three attempts to remove a tracheostomy tube and 17 attempts to resolve the dyspnea. An adjustment procedure was also used to correct any excessive lateralization according to the individual's clinical symptoms, such as intolerable aspiration after SL in elderly patients and excessive breathiness of voice in socially active patients. St George's respiratory questionnaire was used to subjectively evaluate the efficacy of lateralization of vocal folds. Pulmonary function test with flow-volume loop was used to objectively evaluate the improvement of BVFP-related upper airway obstruction after surgery. Phonatory ability tests were also used to evaluate the degree of deterioration of voice quality. RESULT: Twenty patients underwent 22 episodes of SL. Two adjustment procedures were performed to correct excessive breathiness of voice or intolerable aspiration. Respiration was adequate in all 19 patients without artificial airways. Voice quality was socially acceptable in 19 of the patients and even equal to preoperative voice quality in 14 of them. Temporary mild aspiration occurred in 18 patients only in the first few days after the procedure. One decannulation failure and refusing adjustment procedure occurred in one elderly patient. All the patients were followed up for surgical outcomes for at least 9 and 33 months on average. CONCLUSION: SL is a simple, reversible, and minimally invasive reconstructive procedure for patients with BVFP. Our study supported its applicability for selected patients.

Anticancer activity of total flavonoids isolated from Xianhe Yanling Recipe (仙鹤延龄方).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anticancer activity of the total flavonoids isolated from a herbal formula, Xianhe Yanling Recipe (仙鹤延龄方), a recipe commonly used in cancer patients in China. METHODS: The in vitro anticancer activity of the total flavonoids was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on three cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line), HepG-2 (a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line) and ES-2 (a human ovarian cancer cell line). The in vivo anticancer effect of the total flavonoids was assessed in a mouse tumor model bearing H22-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, and cisplatin was used as a positive control. RESULTS: The total flavonoids exerted a powerful inhibitory effect on the three cell lines, with 50% inhibiting concentrations (IC(50)) of 24.948, 31.569 and 6.923 µg/mL, respectively. In vivo studies showed that the total flavonoids had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. CONCLUSION: The total flavonoids from Xianhe Yanling Recipe have potential anticancer activity, and further researches and development are warranted.

[Detection of DNA injury and repair with single cell gel electrophoresis radiation in biodosimetry].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between DNA repair in vitro and in vivo after irradiation, and to describe the curves of DNA repair which can improve the accuracy of radiation dose estimation. METHODS: The DNA double-strand break in lymphocytes of human and mouse was detected using neutral single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) after radiation and the curves of DNA repair individually were estimated, which were compared later. RESULTS: Along with the time lapsing, the DNA repair of human peripheral blood and mice increased significantly and the residual damage decreased gradually, which showed significant time-effect relationship. The curve of DNA repair in vitro of human lymphocytes presented the same log model as that of mouse DNA repair in vivo. The curve showed as followed respectively: Mice: Y(TM) = 55.8256 - 10.792 lnX (R(2) = 0.629, P < 0.01) and Y(OTM) = 25.4173 - 4.5273 lnX (R(2) = 0.661, P < 0.01); Human: Y(TM) = 30.242 7 - 7.383 6 lnX (R(2) = 0.686, P < 0.01) and Y(OTM) = 17.9772 - 3.9125 lnX (R(2) = 0.752, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The curve of DNA repair in vitro of human lymphocytes could be considered in biodosimetry estimation because the process of DNA repair in vitro could display the repair level and speed of DNA double-strand break in vivo.