ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of non-linear dynamics characteristics of EEG during picture memory masks, and the application of non-linear dynamic analysis for memory research.MethodsEEGs of 30 healthy old volunteers were recorded under the states of opened eyes and picture memory. Correlation dimension (D2) was calculated for all subjects.ResultsD2 increased significantly during memory tasks compared with the rest state with eyes opened (P<0.05). In different memory tasks, the complexity of mental functions and the regions involved in the memory task were different.ConclusionNon-linear analysis is appropriate for the study of functional changes and working mechanism of brain during memory.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of intracoronary administration of eptifibatide oncoronary no-reflow and myocardium perfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 80 STEMI patients with emergent PCI were randomly divided into 2 groups: Eptifibatide group, the patients received intracoronary administration of eptiifbatide and Control group, the patients received the same volume of normal saline.n=40 in each group. The baseline condition, post-operative vascular recanalization, changes of platelet aggression at pre- and post-medication were compared between 2 groups. Echocardiography was examined at immediately and 24 weeks after operation;myocardial infusion imaging was examined at l week after operation. All patients were followed-up for 24 weeks to observe the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results: Compared with Control group, Eptifibatide group showed increased ratios of post-operative TIMI grade 3 (72.5%vs 92.5%) and myocardium perfusion (70.0% vs 90.0%), bothP<0.05; decreased post-operative and 2h post-medicinal platelet aggression and they were both lower than Control group at the same period, allP<0.05. Eptiifbatide group had obviously improved LVEDD and LVEF at 24-week than 1-week after PCI and they were both superior to Control group, allP<0.05. There were 7 (17.5%) patients in Eptiifbatide group and 7 (7.5%) in Control group suffering from small bleeding events, P>0.05; no severe bleeding eventand no in-hospital thrombocytopeniaoccurred. MACE occurrence rates during 24-week follow-up period were 12.5% vs 22.5%, P>0.05. Conclusion: Intracoronary administration of eptiifbatide in STEMI patients at emergent PCI could effectively improve coronary blood lfow,increase myocardium perfusion and enhance cardiac function without severe bleeding events.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of α3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on apoptosis and p38 signal transduction pathway in SH-SY5Y cells and to assess the roles of α3 nAChR in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThe levels of α3 nAChR mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA. The mRNA level of bcl-2 and bax was measured by the real-time PCR. The siRNA transfected SH-SY5Y cells and control were then treated with 10 µmol/L Aβ25-35 for another 48 h, and the change in apoptotic rate and the levels of p-p38 and p38 were measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. Subsequently these SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a blocker of p38 protein, and the apoptotic rate was measured again.

RESULTSCompared to the controls, the expression of α3 nAChR at mRNA and protein levels in the SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA decreased by 95% and 86%, respectively; the mRNA levels of bax increased 2.11 times and that for bcl-2 decreased 0.53 times. The apoptotic rate was unaffected (3.40% ± 0.20%); but it increased after Aβ25-35 treatment (24.52% ± 1.59%); the level of p-p38 protein also increased by 178% in the α3 nAChR inhibited cells treated with Aβ25-35. Compared to controls, the Aβ25-35-treated SH-SY5Y cells and the Aβ25-35-treated and siRNA-transfected cells both showed a reduction in apoptosis after treatment with p38 blocker, especially in the former.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA silencing of α3 nAChR mRNA may enhance the effect of Aβ25-35 on the cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of p38 protein and bax mRNA and decreasing the level of bcl-2 mRNA, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose (moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone), selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.

AIM:To observe the changes of macular thickness in patients after cataract operation.
METHODS: A total of 126 patients ( 133 eyes ) were divided into two groups that were included in this study. The group (68 eyes of 64 case) with phacoemulsification combined intraocular lens implantation and ( 65 eyes of 62 cases ) with manual small incision cataract surgery ( MSICS) . There was no complication before and during the surgery. Optical coherence tomography ( OCT) was examined 1, 3mo before and after surgery. The visual acuity and macular thickness were compared after surgery. The SPSS 17. 0 software was used for statistical analysis. The paired t-test was used before and after surgery. Independent-samples t test was used in two groups before and after surgery,α=0. 05.
RESULTS: The cataract phacoemulsification group:preoperative and 1mo after surgery, the mean macular thickness was 241. 3±10. 9μm and 279. 7±16. 5μm, with significant difference ( P < 0. 01 ). The mean macular thickness was 245. 6±12. 6μm 3mo after surgery without statistical difference compared with preoperative ( P>0-05). The mean macular thickness was 279. 7±16. 5μm 1mo after surgery and 245. 6±12. 6μm 3mo after surgery with statistical difference(P<0. 05). Three eyes displayed cystoid macular edema at 1mo after surgery and 2 eyes of them was resolved 3mo after surgery. The group of MSICS: preoperative and 1mo after surgery, the mean macular thickness was 240-5±11. 9μm and 280. 7±16. 8μm, with significant difference (P<0. 01). The mean macular thickness was 246. 6±13. 2μm 3mo after surgery without statistical difference compared with preoperative ( P >0-05). One month after surgery and 3mo after surgery, the mean macular thickness were 280. 7±16. 8μm and 246-6±13. 2μm, with statistical difference (P<0. 05). Two eyes displayed cystoid macular edema at 1mo after surgery and 2 eyes were resolved 3mo after surgery. Between the two groups pre-operation or after operation for 1, 3mo respectively P values were without statistical difference (P>0. 05).
CONCLUSION: The macular thickness and macular edema can be found 1mo after cataract phacoemulsification and MSICS. Three months post-operatively, macular edema disappears and does not show statistical difference compared with preoperative. The increase of macular thickness has no obvious relationship with the choice of surgery.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of angiotensin Ⅱ antagonist (Valsartan)and angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitor (Captopril) for the improvement of left ventricular systolic function(LVSF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at anterior wall. Methods A total of 75 patients with initial AMI at anterior wall were enlisted in the study. Patients were divided randomly into three groups: control group (n = 15), Captopril treated (n =30), and Valsartan treated (n =30). At 1 week and 28 weeks post AMI, the LVSF and left ventricular regional ejection fraction (LrEF) were measured by equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA). The t-test was used to compare the dada. Results ( 1 ) At 28 weeks, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular peak ejection rate (LPER) in Valsartan treated group were significantly increased as compared with those of control: ( 59.4 ± 8.6 ) % vs (44.9 ± 8.4)%, t = 3.87, P ＜ 0.01 for LVEF; (3.89 ± 1.01 ) end-diastolic volume (EDV)/s vs (2.84 ±1.05) EDV/s, t= 4.16, P ＜ 0.01 for LPER). The left ventricular time to peak ejection rate (LTPER) in Valsartan treated group was significantly decreased ( ( 116 ± 16 )ms vs ( 137 ±20) ms, t =2.16, P ＜ 0.05 ) as compared with control. (2)Compared with 1-week, 28-week Valsartan treated group had a significant increase inLrEF2, LrEF4, LrEF5, LrEF6: (71.6±18.8)% vs (57.0±11.4)%, t=2.11, P＜0.05;(78.1 ±16.8)% vs (68.9±21.0)%, t =2.06, P＜0.05; (70.5±16.9)% vs (59.9 ±23.4)%, t=1.99, P ＜ 0.05; and (58.1 ± 9.0) % vs (46.0 ± 18.9) %, t = 2.43, P ＜ 0.05, respectively. Conclusions Valsartan and Captopril are effective for the improvement of LVEF after AMI at anterior wall. The effects of the two drugs are similar.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of non-linear dynamics characteristic of EEG in patient with acute cerebral stroke under eyes closed state. MethodsEEG were recorded in 31 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 22 healthy volunteers under eyes closed state. Correlation dimension (D2) and Approximate Entropy (ApEn) were calculated for all subjects. ResultsD2 and ApEn of uninjured forehead cortex (FP1,FP2)reduced significantly in the group of cerebral infarction as compared with the group of normal control at eyes closed state. ConclusionDynamic analysis based on D2 and ApEn topographic maps might be helpful in understand the changes of mental functions after stroke, that can be used in the study of mental function.

This present work is to study the chemical constituents of Swertia angustifolia. The whole plants of air-dried Swertia angustifolia was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H2O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and nBuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and identified based on spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Fourteen compounds were isolated and characterized as 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 7-dimethoxyxanthone (1), 1, 8-dihydroxy-3, 5, 7-trimethoxyxanthone (2), 7-hydroxy-3, 8-dimethoxyxanthone-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), 8-0-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-6) -β-D-glucopyranosyl] -1, 7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (4), (+) -syringaresinol (5), ferulic acid (6), trans-coniferyl aldehyde (7), sinapaldehyde (8), trans-coniferyl alcohol (9), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (10), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (11), isophthalic acid (12), 2-furoic acid (13), and 2-methyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone(14). Compounds 2-14 were obtained from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Swertia ; chemistry

This study is to investigate the chemical constituents of Swertia kouitchensis. The whole plants of air-dried Swertia kouitchensis was extracted with 90% EtOH. The water extract was suspended in H2O and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography from the EtOAc fraction, and their structures were identified based on spectral analyses (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Twenty-eight compounds were obtained, and characterized as erythrocentaurin (1), erythrocentaurin dimethylacetal (2), swertiamarin (3), vogeloside (4), 2'-O- actylswertiamarin (5), swertianoside D (6), gentiocrucines A-B (7-8), gentiocrucine (9), 1-hydroxy-3, 7, 8-trimethoxyxanthone (10), 1-hydroxy-3, 5, 6-trimethoxyxanthone (11), 3-epitaraxerol (12), erythrodiol 3-O-palmitate (13), (+) -syringaresinol (14), caffeic acid (15), trans-coniferyl aldehyde (16), trans-coniferyl alcohol (17), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (18), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (19), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic aldehyde (20), 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (21), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (22), 3-acetoxybenzoic acid (23), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (24), 3-hydroxybenzoic alcohol (25), nicotinic acid (26), 2-furoic acid (27), and uracil (28). Compounds 1-4, 6-28 were obtained from S. kouitchensis for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Swertia ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method for treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-three cases were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 63) and a control group (n = 60). The treatment group were treated with injection of Huangqi injectio and Danshen Injectio into Ganshu (BL 18) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every other day; and the control group were treated with oral administration of Gankangning tablet and fufang yiganling tablet. The clinical symptoms, hepatic function, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B virus-desoxyribose nucleic acid (HBV-DNA) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.7% in the treatment group and 76.7% in the control group with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01); and the treatment group in hepatic function and the effects of turning negative for HBeAg and HBV-DNA was better than the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupoint-injection has a better therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B.

Acupuncture Points ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans