Objective Observed by ultrasound,this study investigated anatomical characters of median nerve affecting the minimal current intensity of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PNS).Methods Forty healthy adult volunteers were enrolled in this prospective observational stud-y.PNS was performed with a stimulating pen in 2 Hz,0.2 ms,3 mA probe mode for cubits the me-dian nerve localization.Stimulation current was adjusted according to the motor response and the min-imal current intensity at which the motor response was obtained was recorded.There after,the medi-an nerve was observed with ultrasound imaging at the location point.Then,the depth,diameter,area and circumference of the nerve were determined.Results The minimal current intensity was (1.9 ± 0.6)mA and the depth of nerve was (6.1±1.7)mm.The linear regression equation between the mini-mal current intensity and the depth of nerve is:Y (nerve depth,cm)=0.359 +0.135X1 (minimum current intensity,mA),the determination coefficient R2 =0.25 1 (P <0.01).Conclusion The stimu-lation threshold of PNS localization the median nerve was correlated to the depth of nerve,which sug-gests that PNS not only can determine the position of the peripheral nerve,but also can help predict the depth of the peripheral nerve according to the minimum stimulus current.

Objective To investigate the expression of Apelin in placenta tissue from women with hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy.Methods Thirty six women with hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy(HDCP)and 15 normal pregnant women were studied.The expression of Apelin-36 was analyzed semi-quantitatively using immunohisto-chemistry and image analysis in placenta tissue and the levels of Apelin mRNA expression were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR method.Results The levels of Apelin-36 and Apelin mRNA in placenta from normal pregnant women were 0.27?0.04 and 0.82 ?0.25,respectively.The levels of Apelin-36 and Apelin mRNA in placenta from HDCP women were 0.18 ?0.05 and 0.31?0.21;in gestational hypertensive women,the values were 0.24?0.02 and 0.59?0.16; in mild preeclampsia were 0.16?0.03 and 0.25?0.07,and in severe preeclampsia they were 0.14?0.02 and 0.17?0.09,respectively.The levels of Apelin-36 and Apelin mRNA in HDCP were lower than those in normal pregnant women(P

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 13 constituents including isovalerylshikonin, acetylshikonin, β, β-dimethylacrylshikonin, isobutyrylshikonin, β-acetoxy-isovaleryshikonin, β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin, propio-nylshikonin, 1-methoxyacetylshikonin, shikonin, shikonofuran A, shikonofuran B, shikonofuran D, and shikonofuran E in Arnebia plants by HPLC-MS. METHODS: The determination was performed on a Waters Sun Fire C18 column (2.1 mm×150 mm, 3.5 μm) with mobile phase A consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid and 10 mmol·L-1 ammonium formate and mobile phase B of acetonitrile under negative ionization MRM mode. The qualities of 22 batches of Arnebia plants samples obtained from medicinal materi-alsmarkets were investigated and evaluated after methodology validations. RESULTS: There were good linear relationships between the peak areas and predetermined content ranges of these compounds. The average recoveries varied from 87.3% to 107.6%. The contents of shikonins and shikonofurans of the 22 batches of Arnebia plants samples showed significant difference. CONCLUSION: The established method is feasible and simple for the quality control of Medicinal Arnebia plants and their related plants and preparations.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Dazhui" (GV 14) on Wnt-β-catenin signal pathway in annulus fibrosus cells in intervertebral disc in rats with cervical spondylosis.

METHODSForty SD rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group, 10 rats in each one. Rats in the control group were treated with sham operation, only incision on local skin; rats in the remaining groups were made into cervical spondylosis models. After model establishment, rats in the control group and model group received fixed treatment under identical condition; rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Dazhui" (GV 14), 30 min per treatment; rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of meloxicam tablets. Treatments were both given once a day, and 14 days were taken as one session; there was an interval of 2 days between two sessions, and totally two sessions were given. After the treatments, immunohistochemistry was applied to measure the expression of Wnt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and Axin in annulus fibrosus cells; western blot was used to test the expression of P-β-catenin.

RESULTSIn the control group, there were more positive cells of Wnt, GSK-3β and Axin, which were intensively distributed, deeply colored, and strongly positive; In the model group, there were less positive cells of Wnt, GSK-3β and Axin, which were sparsely distributed and weakly positive. The expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, Axin and P-β-catenin in the model group was less than that in the control group (all P < 0.05); expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, Axin and P-β-catenin in the EA group and medication group was higher than that in the model group (all P < 0.05); expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, Axin and P-β-catenin was not significantly different between EA group and medication group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA could delay the degeneration of intervertebral disc, which may be related to EA inhibiting signal pathway of Wnt-β-catenin.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Spondylosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of purulent meningitis caused by streptococcus pneumoniae.Methods We studied clinical features of 12 children with purulent meningitis caused by streptococcus pneumoniae who were hospitalized from Jan 2007 to Oct 2011 in our hospital.Results Twelve children were penicillin-resistant streptococcus pneumoniae.The ages ranged from 2 months to 10 years.Nine cases(75％) were aged less than 5 years,and 5 cases(41.6％) were aged less than 2 years.All cases were with fever,and with the nervous system symptoms involvement.All cases were with complications:9 cases(75％) with septicemia,8 cases (66.7％) with pneumonia.The white blood cells,blood C-reactive protein,peripheral blood procalcitonin,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,white cells and protein in cerebrospinal fluid were mostly significantly high,sugar in cerebrospinal fluid were low significantly.Eleven cases were eventually treatmented by vancomycin plus 3rd to 4rd generations of cephalosporins antibiotics or other antibiotics.Eight cases were cured,2 cases with serious sequela,and 2 cases died.Conclusion We should attach importance to the meningitis caused by streptococcus pneumoniae.For clinical suspects pneumonia streptococcus meningitis,to given the powerful therapy by vancomycin plus the other antibiotics,as early as possible.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; methods ; Critical Pathways ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; therapy

AIM:To investigate the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1(ET-1) in regulation of coronary vascular reserve (CVR) during hypoxia.METHODS: CVR were measured with 99m TC radiolabelled frog RBC, the changes of NO - 2,ET-1 contents, nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity and the myocardial morphometry were observed. RESULTS: (1) Acute hypoxia caused an increase in left and right ventricular myocardial blood flow,myocardial NO - 2,ET-1 contents,NOS activity,but CVR in the left and right ventricle were decreased compared with the control group.(2) Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia for 90 days did not lead to significant change in left ventricular CVR,myocardial ET-1/NO - 2 ratio. However, right ventricular myocardial ET-1 contents,ET-1/ NO - 2 ratio were increased,right ventricular CVR and myocardial NO - 2 contents were decreased. We also observed that perivascular collagen,arterial wall thickness in right ventricle, hematocrit,RV weight index were augmented. CONCLUSION: Rest myocardial blood flow was increased,CVR was decreased;The decreased coronary vascular reserve during chronic hypoxia might be resulted from the increased hematocrit,arterial wall thickness,perivascular collagen,ET-1 content, the decreased NO content and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Objective To investigate the phenotypes and expression of activated T-cell membrane molecules on lymphocytes in the peripheral blood(PB) of children with aplastic anemia (AA) and find out its clinical significance.Methods The lymphocytes from PB of the 115 AA patients were analyzed by flow cytometry and compared with normal group.Results The expression of CD8+ increased and the expression of CD4+ decreased. The ratio of CD4/CD8 cells decreased ,and was more significant in the patients with serious AA(SAA). The expression of HLA-DR and ??T-cell also increased, and was more significant in SAA patients. The expression of CD3+ was not significantly changed.Conclusions There is significant immune abnormal in AA patients and more important in SAA patients. The immunosuppressant is useful in clinical treatment.

Adult ; Burns, Chemical ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Nitriles ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; etiology

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; pathology ; False Negative Reactions ; Female ; Granuloma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Interventional ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Young Adult