10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.26.024

BACKGROUND: Obesity is serious complex disease determined by multiple genetic factors. Body mass index (BMI) is a common phenotype for obesity. Although some candidate genes have been shown to be related with BMI variation, the underlying substantial relationship remains poorly understood.OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) Pvull genetic polymorphism is associated with BMI variation.METHODS: In total 390 premenopausal women from a local population of Nanchang City in Jiangxi Province People's Hospital.Body weight and height were measured. All participants were genotyped at the ER-α Pvull locus using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The ER-α Pvull genotype frequencies of PP, Pp and pp were 0.133, 0.485 and 0.382,respectively. The distribution of ER-Pvull genotypes was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant correlation between ER-α Pvull genetic polymorphism and BMI variation (P = 0.338). These findings indicate that ER-α Pvull genetic polymorphism does not greatly affect BMI variation of premenopausal women in Nanchang region.

BACKGROUND: Cholinergic system projected in brain and hippocampal structure is relevant with learning and memory. Piracetam acts on protecting and repairing cerebral neural cell, resisting cerebral functional injury due to physical and chemical factors and improving learning-memory capacity.OBJECTIVE: Chronic epilepsy in childhood animal and learning-memory complex animal model were self-prepared to observe the changes in content of acetylcholine and activity of cholinacetyltranslase in cerebral hippocampus and the intervention of piracetam.DESIGN: Randomized control experiment and non-blind evaluation were designed.SETTING: Department of Pediatrics of Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hebei Medical UniversityMATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Hebei Medical University and College of Life Sciences of Hebei Normal University from July to December 2004, in which, 50 Wistar childhood rats of clean grade and either sex were employed.METHODS: Coriamyrthin injection was administrated muscularly to duplicated chronic epileptic grand mal model in rats. Muscular injection was repeated once every three days. During modeling, those with general paroxysmal convulsion with posterior extremities standing or falling with standing or general stiffness-paroxysmal attack continuously for 3 times, the injection was changed to be once every 14 days. Ten rats were selected to be in normal control without modeling. The rest 40 rats after 3 months of modeling were randomized into 4 groups, named piracetam of 2.4 g/'L group (Group A), piracetam of 4.8 g/L group (Group B), dilantin 6 g/L +piracetam 4.8 g/L group (Group C) and model group (Group D), 10 rats in each. In each group, gastric infusion was performed continuously in 3 months after modeling, once per day, 10 mL/kg. In Group A and Group B,piracetam mixed solution of 2.4 g/L and 4.8 g/L was administrated for infusion respectively. In Group C, dilantin 6 g/L and piracetam 4.8 g/L were infused. In group D and the control group, normal saline 10 mL/kg was administrated. Relevant index determination was done 1 month after medication. Morris water maze test was performed to discover platform time and searching distance of epileptic rats, continuously for 3 days, twice per day. After test, the rats were sacrificed to collect brains to determine the content of acetylcholine in bilateral hippocampus. The activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase were determined with radioimmunity method.of acetylcholine in bilateral hippocampus and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase of rats in each group.ing platform time of rats in every group: the corresponding average searching time in Group D was increased compared with the control group [(63±11) s, (40±8) s; (61±9) s, (38±7) s; (57±8) s, (36±9) s; (55±11) s,(33±10) s; (52±7) s, (30±9) s; (49±9) s, (27±6) s, P ＜ 0.01]. In Group C and Group B, the searching time of 6 tests was decreased of various degrees compared with Group D [(44±9) s, (45±9) s;(43±9) s, (42±8) s; (42±7) s,(42±7) s; (40±9) s, (39±9) s; (38±7) s, (35±9) s; (35±6) s, (34±8) s,t=2.352-4.029, P ＜ 0.05-0.01]. In every medication group, the average searching time was decreased gradually by the increased frequency of erage searching distance in Group D was remarkably increased compared with the control [(793±74) cm, (420±81) cm;(763±89) cm, (418±57) cm;(690±67) cm, (382±69) cm; (623±81) cm, (356±71) cm;(592±98) cm,(330±69) cm;(550±54) cm,(301±97) cm,P＜ 0.01]. In Group C and Group B, the average searching distance of 6 tests was decreased of various degrees compared with Group D [(586±91) cm, (510±89) cm;(566±70) cm,(497 ±76) cm; (521 ±84) cm, (455 ±56) cm; (480 ±74) cm, (421 ±63) cm;(437±51) cm, (396±79) cm;(392±79) cm, (385±48) cm, t=2.364-4.230, P ＜ 0.05-0.01]. In every medication group, the average searching distance tent of acetylcholine in brain hippocampus and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase of rats in each group: those in Group D were all remarkably reduced compared with the control [(2.2±0.7) nmol/g,(3.8±0.9) nmol/g;(503.3±103.3) pkat/g, (778.3±125.0) pkat/g;(190.0±51.7) μkat/g, (368.3±86.7) μkat/g, P ＜ 0.01]. In mixed group and Group B, the content of acetylcholine and activity of acetylcholinesterase were remarkably higher than the Group D [(2.7±0.6) nmol/g, (2.9±0.6) nmol/g;(256.7±58.3) μ kat/g, (306.7±88.3) μkat/g, t=3.445-4.148, P ＜ 0.01]. In Group B, the activity of cholinacetyltranslase [(668.3±118.3) kat/g] was remarkably higher than those in the Group D(P ＜ 0.01). Every index in group A was basically same as model group.CONCLUSION: Grand mal of chronic epileptic rat model is characterized as declined capacity of spatial learning and memory and associated with decreased content of acetylcholine and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase in brain hippocampus, explaining the successful complex model of learning and memory disturbance. Piracetam 4.8 g/L may increase content of acetylcholine and the activities of cholinacetyltranslase and acetylcholinesterase in brain hippocampus and improve learning-memory capacity, but its effect at 2.4 g/L was not remarkable.

BACKGROUND:The important reason for failed back surgery syndrome is the postoperative epidural scar adhesions, therefore, exploring the methods of preventing postoperative lumbar epidural scar adhesions has always been a hot research in spine surgery field. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Shenshu point magnetic stimulation therapy on epidural scar adhesions in rat models of failed back surgery syndrome. METHODS:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rat models of failed back surgery syndrome were successfuly established using the method of laminectomy, and then divided into Shenshu magnetic therapy group and blank control group. Beginning from 1 week after modeling, rats in the Shenshu magnetic therapy group were subjected to bilateral Shenshu magnetic stimulation for 6 weeks, 5 days of treatment per week. Rats in the blank control group were not given any intervention. At 13 weeks after modeling, rats were harvested and the area ratio of epidural scars, range of adhesions and formation of colagen fibers were observed under light microscope. Fibroblasts were counted. Hydroxyproline content and transforming growth factor β1 expression in scar tissue were compared between these two groups.

Objective To investigate the value of CEUS quantitative analysis in diagnosis of different pathological stages of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Data of 112 patients with HCC confirmed by surgical or biopsy were analyzed retrospectively.All the diameter of single tumor or the sum of the largest two lesions in multiple tumors were within 3 cm.Three groups were classified based on the Edmonson stage:High differentiation group (n=50,stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ),median differentiation group (n=30,stage Ⅲ),low differentiation group (n=32,stage Ⅳ).Qontraxt ultrasound imaging analysis software was utilized to measure CEUS parameters,including the maximum intensity of tumor (TMAX),nontumor's intensity (NT),maximum intensity of nontumor (NTMAX),appear time,time to peak,washout time,and the ratio of TMAX/NT and TMAX/NTMAX were calculated.The differences among the three groups was compared by statistics test.Results The values of TMAX,TMAX/NTMAX and washout time were statistically different among the three groups (all P＜0.05).The maximum values of TMAX,TMAX/NTMAX and the shortest washout time were found in the low differentiation group.And the minimum values of TMAX,TMAX/NTMAX and the longest washout time were found in the high differentiation group.There were no statistical differences of NT,NTMAX,TMAX/NT,appear time and time to peak among the three groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusion The quantitative parameters of CEUS is helpful in distinguishing different Edmonson stage of small HCC.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compound anesthesia(ACA)for traditional thyroidectomy. Methods:Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)studying the use of ACA for traditional thyroidectomy were retrieved from PubMed,Excerpta Medica Database(EMBASE),Cochrane Library,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Chongqing VIP Database(CQVIP),Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database(Wanfang),and China Biology Medicine Disc(CBM)from inception to September 30,2021.Two investigators independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias and quality of the studies.Anesthesia effectiveness was the primary outcome,while the secondary outcomes included various pain scales,vital signs,analgesic consumption,and adverse events.Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.Weighted mean difference(WMD),standardized mean difference(SMD),and confidence interval(CI)were used for statistical descriptions. Results:A total of 16 papers were included,involving 1228 patients.Meta-analysis showed that anesthesia effectiveness was significantly improved after adding acupuncture as an adjunct[SMD=0.62,95%CI(0.40,0.83),P<0.0001,I2=36%].Besides,ACA can also moderate vital signs and reduce the feeling of pain[SMD=-1.61,95%CI(-2.61,-0.61),P<0.00001,I2=95%],analgesic consumption,and adverse events.Subgroup analysis of the electroacupuncture(EA)group further revealed that the effectiveness of low-frequency EA[WMD=0.43,95%CI(0.30,0.55),P<0.00001,I2=15%]and the entire operative stimulation of EA[WMD=0.55,95%CI(0.33,0.77),P<0.00001,I2=0%]was significantly better than high-frequency EA and short-time stimulation of EA during the operation.Further,no significant difference existed between conventional analgesia and acupuncture analgesia. Conclusion:ACA is beneficial to traditional thyroidectomy regarding efficacy and safety when acupuncture is applied as an adjunct.However,additional high-quality studies with larger sample sizes are needed to verify the findings.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) can promote the regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats, but the exact mechanism remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To screen effective indicators and analyze the mechanism of CCK-8 promoting sciatic nerve regeneration from the perspective of nerve growth factor and nerve regeneration microenvironment.
METHODS:Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats, for the preparation of unilateral sciatic nerve transection injury model, were randomly divided into two groups. In the CCK-8 group, the animal model received intraperitoneal injection of CCK-8 (8 nmol/kg) for consecutive 7 days, while the control group was injected with equal volume of normal saline. The nerve growth factor expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase in the spinal cord, serum superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde concentration, as wel as apoptotic cel s in spinal cord were al detected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the CCK-8 group, nerve growth factor expression was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), while inducible nitric oxide synthase and the number of apoptotic cel s were lower (P<0.01), serum superoxide dismutase activity was higher but malondialdehyde concentrations was lower (P<0.01, 0.05). The mechanisms of CCK-8 promoting sciatic nerve regeneration include protecting neurons, anti-apoptosis, inhibiting inflammatory response, anti-NO and anti-oxidation, reducing malondialdehyde, and al eviating free radical damage, as wel as stimulating nerve growth factor expression and release.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index(BMI)is a commonly used phenotype for obesity,which is determined by multiple genetic factors.OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether osteocalcin(also known as bone Gla protein,BGP)Hind Ⅲ genetic polymorphism is associated with BMI variation.METHODS: A total of 390 premenopausal women from a local population of Nanchang City were selected.Body weight and height were measured.All participants were genotyped at the BGP Hind Ⅲ locus using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The BGP genotype frequencies of HH,Hh and hh were 0.077,0.408 and 0.515,respectively.The distribution of BGP Hind Ⅲ genotypes was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(P > 0.05).The BGP Hind Ⅲ were significantly associated with BMI(P=0.002),which could explain about 5.47% of BMI variation.On average,BMI of individuals with HH genotype was the highest[(22.81±0.73)kg/m2],individuals with Hh genotype was intermediate[(21.50±0.53)kg/m2],while individuals with hh genotype was the lowest[(20.23±0.63)kg/m2].Therefore,carriers of HH and Hh genotypes had,respectively,approximately 12.75% and 6.28% higher BMI than carriers of the hh genotype.To our best knowledge,this is the first study reporting the association of BGP Hind Ⅲ genetic polymorphism and BMI in healthy premenopausal women.

Objective To evaluate the possibility of deep vein thrombosis defluvium of lower limb using ultrasonography to provide important reference for the implantation and retrieve of retrievable inferior vena cave (IVC ) filters.Methods Sixty-four patients who were diagnosed as lower limb deep vein thrombosis using ultrasonography were enrolled.Fourteen patients with critical values were allocated to high risk group,50 patients without critical value to low risk group.All the patients underwent inferior vena cava filter operation.Of all these patients,ultrosonography were performed once again before IVC filters were retrieved.Seventeen patients with broken thrombosis were allocated to unstable group,47 patients with stable thrombosis to stable group.Relationships between conditions of thrombosis and ultrasonography results were analysed.The conditions of thrombosis were recorded.The rates of thrombosis defluvium were compared.Results In high risk group,10 patients (71 .43%)had thrombosis.In low risk group,8 patients (16%)had thrombosis.There were significant differences in the rates of thrombosis defluvium beteen the high risk group and low risk group(P <0.05).In unstable group,12 patients (70.59%)had thrombosis.In stable group,6 patients (12.77%) had thrombosis,there were significant differences in the rates of thrombosis defluvium between the unstable group and stable group (P < 0.05 ).Conclusions Ultrasonography can be used to evaluate the possibility of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis defluvium which will guide the pratice of the retrievable inferior vena cava filter.

BACKGROUND:Cholecystokinin as an endogenous neuroprotective factor in the nervous system has garnered increasing attention. Findings from previous animal studies show that cholecystokinin can effectively promote the regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve. On this basis, further clinical trials wil be performed to observe whether local application of cholecystokinin at nerve anastomosis can promote peripheral nerve regeneration.
METHODS/DESIGN:As a prospective randomized controled trial, this study wil enrol 100 patients with complete rupture of the peroneal nerve, who wil be randomly divided into two groups: after nerve suture and partial gelatin sponge infiltration at nerve anastomosis, the patients wil be treated with 8 nmol/kg cholecystokinin (treatment group) or saline (control group). At 6, 12, 24 weeks after treatment, common peroneal nerve conduction velocity and electromyography and nerve fiber morphology wil be detected; the clinical efficacy at the last folow-up wil be assessed; and al adverse events during the folow-up wil be recorded to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety.
DISCUSSION:In this study, cholecystokinin as an inducing agent for nerve growth factor synthesis wil be observed and studied, with a view to providing a new idea for seeking peripheral nerve therapy.
ETHICAL APPROVAL: The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Putian University (approval No. 2014116). Written informed consent wil be obtained from patients before treatment.