Objective: To investigate the effects of a Chinese herbal formula for calming liver and suppressing yang on the protein expressions of vascular tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and to explore the mechanism of efficacy. Methods: Twenty SHRs were randomly divided into model group and treatment group. Another 10 Wistar-Kyoto rats were selected as a normal control. SHRs in the treatment group were administered with the formula for calming liver and suppressing Yang for 4 weeks. During the course of treatment, blood pressure and heart rates were monitored every week and the ethology of rats, including irritability and rotation endurance was also evaluated. After treatment, thoracic aorta was obtained and its proteins were separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and database query. Results: The formula for calming liver and suppressing yang not only decreased the systolic blood pressure and heart rate, but also improved irritability degree and rotation endurance time of SHRs. This experiment had established the 2-DE graph of protein expressions of vascular tissues in SHRs. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of 15 proteins were down-regulated, and 12 proteins were up-regulated in vascular tissues of the model group. The formula for calming liver and suppressing yang treatment up-regulated expressions of 10 proteins in the 15 down-regulated proteins, and down-regulated 8 proteins in the 12 up-regulated proteins in vascular tissues of SHRs. After analysis, 16 obviously differentially expressed proteins were found, and 13 of them were identified. Conclusion: The formula for calming liver and suppressing yang can improve the ethology of SHRs. The mechanism is probably concerned with regulating the protein expressions of vascular tissues.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of retrievable esophageal covered metal internal stent in treating patients with achalasia.Methods Under DSA guidance,peroral"Z-type"double horn covered metal internal stent implantation was performed in 16 patients with achalasia.Esophagography was carried out about 28 days after the procedure and the stent was retrieved.Results Of 16 cases,the stent fell off into the stomach two weeks after the operation in one.And the stent was successfully replaced after it was taken out.The placed stent was successfully retrieved in all cases 28 days after the treatment.No serious complications occurred.All the patients were followed up for 3 months to 3 years.During the follow-up period restenosis of the esophagus developed in two cases(at one and 1.5 years respectively),and the restenosis degree was relived after balloon dilation.Clinically,no esophageal symptoms,such as dysphagia,occurred in all patients.Conclusion As a simple and safe technique,the retrievable esophageal covered metal internal stent implantation is very effective with fewer complications for the treatment of achalasia.Moreover,the technique carries lower restenosis occurrence.

Objective To investigate the age-related pattern of normal skull bone marrow with 3. 0 T MR T1WI. Methods Cranial MR T1WI images which were defined to be normal were retrospectively reviewed in 360 cases. Patients with known diffuse bone marrow disease, focal lesions, history of radiation treatment or steroid therapy were excluded, while patients whose cranial MRI and follow-up visits were all normal were included in this study. All the subjects were divided into 7 groups according to the age: < 1, 1--2,3--5, 6--14, 15--29, 30--49, >50 years group. Mid- and para- sagittal T1WI images were used to be analyzed and the type of cranial bone marrow was classified according to the thickness of diploe and the pattern of the signal characteristics. Statistical analysis was conducted to reveal the relationship between the age and the type. Results The normal skull bone marrow could be divided into four types as follows: (1) Type- Ⅰ : 115 cases, 47 of which appeared type- Ⅰ a and the mean thickness was ( 1.24±0. 31 ) mm; 68 of which appeared type- Ⅰ b and the mean thickness was ( 1.76 ± 0. 37 ) mm. Type- Ⅱ : 57 cases and the mean thickness was (2.78 ±0.69) mm. Type-Ⅲ: 148 cases, 18 of which appeared type-Ⅲ a and the mean thickness was (2. 33±0. 65) mm; 88 of which appeared type-Ⅲ b and the mean thickness was (4. 01 ± 0. 86) mm; 42 of which appeared type-Ⅲ c and the mean thickness was (4. 31±0. 73) mm. Type-Ⅳ: 40 cases, 25 of which appeared type-Ⅳ a and the mean thickness was (5. 17 ± 1.02) mm; 15 of which appeared type-Ⅳ b and the mean thickness was (5.85±1.45) mm. (2) <1 year group: 40 cases, 20 of which appeared type- Ⅰ a, 20 type- Ⅰ b and the mean thickness of this group was ( 1.47 ± 0. 42 ) mm. 1-- 2 years group: 40 cases, 16 of which appeared type- Ⅰ a, 18 type- Ⅰ b, 6 type- Ⅱ and the mean thickness of this group was ( 1.68±0. 52) mm. 3--5 years group: 40 cases, 8 of which appeared type- Ⅰ a, 18 type-Ⅰb, 14 type-Ⅱ and the mean thickness of this group was (1.84±0.73) mm. 6--14 years group: 60 cases, 3 of which appeared type- Ⅰ a, 12 type- Ⅰ b, 27 type-Ⅱ , 12 type-Ⅲb, 6 type-Ⅲc, and the mean thickness of this group was (2.92±1. 00) mm. 15--29 years group: 60 cases, 7 of which appeared type-Ⅱ , 5 type-ma, 27 type-Ⅲb, 15 type-Ⅲc, 6 type-Ⅳa and the mean thickness of this group was (3.95 ± 0.97) mm. 30---49 years group: 60 cases, 3 of which appeared type-Ⅱ , 7 type-Ⅲa, 29 type-Ⅲb, 15 type-Ⅲc, 3 type-Ⅳa and 3 type-Ⅳb and the mean thickness of this group was (4. 30 ± 1.35) mm. ≥50 years group: 60 cases, 6 of which appeared type-Ⅲ a, 20 type-Ⅲb, 6 type-Ⅲc, 16 type-Ⅳa and 12 type-Ⅳb and the mean thickness of this group was (4.51 ± 1.40) mm. (3) There is a linear relationship between ages and types that is revealed by chi-square test (x2 = 266. 36, P < 0. 01 ). Conclusion There is characteristic in the distribution of normal skull bone marrow with age growing. And skull bone marrow transforms gradually from type- Ⅰ to Ⅳ with aging.

BACKGROUND: In the research, the recipe for kidney tonification is prepared into "topical form" and "oral form". According to the interrelationship of "acupoints-meridans and collaterals-internal organs-target organs", osteoporosis is treated by the approaches of point compress and oral application respectively. According to the traditional theory of Chinese medicine, it is to infer that the herbs bring the adjustment into play by"being attributive to kidney meridian", but,whether does the specialty of herbs on "targeting medication" happenpractically or not? Hormones in "hypothalamus-pituitary- target gland" system is assayed to further analyze estrogen receptor and androgen receptor of target organs,such as kidney,bone, uterus, thyroid gland and testis so as to observe the relativity between "tropism and receptor".DESIGN: Complete random design with the objects of osteoporosis rats, and the control experimental study with kidney tonification recipe administrate with different approaches.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effect of kidney tonification recipe on pituitary-thyroid axis in experimental osteoporosis.SETTING: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hebei Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Chinese-Western integrated Basic Experiment Room of Hebei Medical University from January 2000 to December 2004. Sixty SD healthy female rats of 3-month old were employed,weighted(300 ± 20) g. The experimental animals were provided by Hebei Experimental Animal Center. After bred routinely for 1 week in Experimental Room, the rats were randomized into 6 groups,namely normal control(10rats), pathological model group(10 rats), infusing group(10 rats) in which kidney tonification recipe was applied based on 0. 8 g/100 g body mass,acupoint paste on bladder meridian group (10 rats), acupoint paste on kidney meridian group(10 rats) and paste on non-meridian group(10 rats). METHODS: Osteoporosis model was prepared with injection of dexamethasonc. Antagonism osteoporosis acupoint paste(AOAP)on acupoints and non-neridian places was administrated to compare with oral recipe for kidney tonification in the treatment of osteoporosis. It took the changes in serum estrogen, bone density, calcitonin/parathyroid hormone(CT/PTH), thyrotropic hormone(TSH), freeT3andfreeT4asthemeasuringindexes. Immunocyto-chemistry stain and morphological measurement of TSH cell,follicular adenoma of thyroid gland(C cell) and thyroid globulin(Tg) were applied in pituitary gland and thyroid gland to observe the therapeutic results.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Adjustment of the recipe for kidney tonification on thyroid function. ② Adjustment of the recipe for kidney tonification on bone density.RESULTS: AOAP improved the levels of estrogen, CT/PTH, TSH, free T3and free T4, increased bone density. The counts of TSH cell, C cell and Tg positive reaction substance were increased and they were colored deeply.CONCLUSION: AOPA, by "multiple relevant convergence reaction", adjusts and affects systematically the endocrinal function of bone metabolism,improves the levels of estrogen and CT/PTH, reverses the declining tendency of pituitary-thyroid axis function and improves thyroid function so as to weaken osteocyte in the bony absorption, enhance osteoblast in osteogenesis and increase bone density.

Objective To explore six-degree-of-freedom (6-DF) registration methods between planning and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) during image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in esophageal cancer.Methods Thirty pairs of CBCT images acquired before radiation and the corresponding planning computed tomography (CT) images of esophageal cancer were selected for further investigation.Registration markers for 6-DF image registration were determined and contoured in those images.The results of registration as well as time cost were compared among different registration methods of bone match, gray value match, manual match, and bone plus manual match.Results Contouring bone and spinal canal posterior to the target volume of esophageal carcinoma as registration marker could make 6-DF registration quick and precise.Compared with manual match, set-up errors of v rotation in bone plus manual match (-0.55° vs.-0.88°, t=2.55, P=0.020), of x-axis and v rotation in bone match (0.12 mm vs.-2.33 mm, t=5.75, P=0.000; -0.35° vs.-0.88°, t=3.00, P=0.007), and of x-axis and w rotation in gray value match (7.20 mm vs.-2.33 mm, t=3.10, P=0.006; -0.10° vs.-0.59°, t=2.81, P =0.011) were significantly different.Compared with manual match, the coincidence rate of bone plus manual match was the highest (85.55%), followed by bone match and gray value match (74.45% and 74.45%).The time cost of each registration method from longest to shortest was:6.00 -10.00 minutes for manual match, 1.00 - 5.00 minutes for bone plus manual match, 0.75 - 1.50 minutes for gray value match, and 0.50 - 0.83 minutes for bone match.Conclusions Registration marker is useful for image registration of CBCT and planning CT in patients with esophageal cancer.Bone plus manual match may be the best registration method considering both registration time and accuracy.

Objective To explore the effects of Tongfu Huayu Daotan Decoction (通化阏导痰汤)on the serum concentration of S-100β protein, neuron-specific enolase(NSE) and Prognosis in patients with severe craniocerebral injury.Methods Sixty patients with severe craniocerebral injury were randomly divided into a a'eatment group and a control group.The treated group was treated with Tongfu Huayu Daotan Decoction plus conventional treatments including dehydration,antibiotics, organ functional support, nerve nutrition, prevention of complication, etc.; the control group was treated with conventional treatments alone. The concentration of serum S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase(NSE) in plasma at admission and at24, 36, 72huors, and 5, 7 days after treatment were determined respectively; the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS)and neurological deficits scoring at 2weeks and 4weeks after hospitalization were compared to observe the efficacy of the patients. Results The concentration of serum S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in plasma at previous treatment and at 24, 36 hours after the treatment had no statistical difference in the two groups(P＞0.05 ), The concentration of serum S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in plasma at 72huors, 5 and 7 days after the treatment in the Tongfu Huayu Daotan Decoction group were lower than those in the control group, the differences being significant (P＜0.01). The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and neurological deficits scoring at 2weeks and 4weeks after the treatment in the Tongfu Huayu Daotan Decoction group were significantly nigher than those in the control group, the differences being significant (P＜0.01) .Conclusion Tongfu Huayu Daotan Decoction can alleviate the plasma concentrations of S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients with severe craniocerebral injury and markedly improve the clinical therapeutic effects. Combined Tongfu Huayu Daotan Decoction and western medicine can significantly reduce mortality and improve the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), neurological deficits scoring and therapeutic effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan San(CHSGS) ,a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine,on the behavior and plasma levels of corticosterone level and corticotrophin releasing hormone ( CRH) mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus of mice with chronic mild unpredicted stress depression. Methods 40 adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group,the model control group,the fluoxetine group and CHSGS group. Except the normal control group, mice were exposed to an unpredicted sequence of mild stressor for continuous 21 days to induce depression. Since the 8th day, mice were intragastrically administered with equal volume agents respectively for 14 days (normal saline for the normal control group and the model group,fluoxetine(2. 6 mg · kg-1 ) for fluoxetine group and CHSGS (8.45 g · kg-1) for CHSGS group). Body weight and behaviors were investigated,the plasma levels of CORT in different groups were detected by radioimmunoassay, and the mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus were semiquantified by the RT-PCR method. Results In comparision with the model group, body weight changes ( (13.22 ±3.57)g) and consumption of sucrose solution((1. 90 ±0. 74) ml) of CHSGS groups were significantly increased, and the duration of immobility during the forced swimming ((62.20±13.73)s) and tail suspension((58. 10 ± 11.71 )s) ,the levels of plasma CORT((12.61 ±4.63)ng/L) and the CRHmRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex(0.34 ±0.10) and the hypothalamus(0.70 ±0.09) were significantly decreased. Conclusion CHSGS can reverse the depressive behavior, reduced the levels of plasma CORT and down-regulated CRHmRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus of the depressive mouse caused chronic stress.

OBJECTIVEThis study is to make sure if the constructed pcDNA3 carrying encoding gene of sIL-1R can be expressed in mammalian cells in vitro.

METHODSCOS-1 cells and CHO cells were respectively transfected with recombinant plasmid pcDNA3/sIL-1R by liposome. The protein expression products were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe results indicated that the protein expression products could be detected in the cell plasma and the cell culture supermatant. The expression level in experimental groups was much higher than that in control groups(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe constructed pcDNA3/sIL-1R can express interest protein in mammalian cells and this establishes the basis for future investigation on gene therapy of periodonititis and other inflammatory diseases.

Animals ; CHO Cells ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; DNA, Complementary ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Transcription, Genetic ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to construct a eukaryote expression vector carrying human sIL-1R gene.

METHODSBoth sIL-1R gene and plasmid pcDNA 3.1(+) DNA were digested with KpnI and XhoI. After purification, the two fragments obtained were ligated by using TakaRa DNA Ligation Kit. This recombinant DNA was then transformed into E. coli Competent Cells JM109 and positive clones were selected on the LB agarose plate containing Ampicillin (80 micrograms/ml).

RESULTSSix single clones were identified by double digestion with KpnI and XhoI, and two fragments with the size of 5.4 kb and 1.0 kb were produced as expected.

CONCLUSIONThe sIL-1R gene was successfully inserted into the eukaryote expression vector plasmid pcDNA 3.1(+) by the recombination technique in vitro.

Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Recombinant ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; immunology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of prostasin gene rs12597511 polymorphism with clinical features and pregnancy outcomes among patients with severe preeclampsia.

METHODSClinical manifestations, pregnancy outcomes and the genotypes of 179 patients with severe preeclampsia [early-onset group (≤34 gestational weeks): 79 cases; Late-onset group (>34 gestational weeks): 100 cases] and 222 normal-term pregnant women (control group) were collected.

RESULTSIn the early-onset group, the patients with TC or CC genotype at rs12597511 had higher incidences of total complications, liver dysfunction, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal intracranial hemorrhage and perinatal mortality compared with those with TT genotype (P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the complication rates of severe preeclampsia patients are closely related to TC or CC genotypes, 24 h urinary protein and gestational weeks of onset (OR=1.049, 95% CI:1.007-1.093, P=0.021; OR=1.031, 95% CI: 0.350-0.883, P=0.013; OR=0.733, 95% CI: 0.566-0.950, P=0.019), and the perinatal mortality is related to gestational weeks at delivery (OR=0.542, 95% CI: 0.331-0.887, P=0.015).

CONCLUSIONPolymorphism of the prostasin gene is closely associated with poor pregnancy outcomes of early-onset severe preeclampsia.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pre-Eclampsia ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics