Objective To study the quality difference of various processing methods about Angelica dahurica. Methods Samples were selected from different places, clean silt by washing and brushing, cut slices and cut blocks in equal division, dried and comminution, to determine total ash, ethanol thermal extract, imperatorin content and HPLC fingerprint similarity. Results The content of total ash was the lowest in “washed”and “washed & cut slice” sample, dilute ethanol thermal extract was the highest in“cut blocks”and“washed&cut blocks”sample, imperatorin content was the highest in“non-washed”and“non-washed & cut slice” sample. Conclusion Washed and cut process is not suitable in place of origin about Angelica dahurica.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of sinomenine (SIN) in inducing the immunosuppressive effects of rat-derived dendritic cells (DCs).Methods:The bone marrow-derived precursor cells from Wistar rats were cultured in vitro. The morphological differences between sinomenine treated DCs (sinomenine modified group, SIN group) and conventional induced DCs (conventional induced group, control group) were observed under microscope. The CD phenotype of DCs was detected by flow cytometry. DCs were induced maturation by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation. The impact of SIN on the expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR3 and TLR4 on the DCs surface were detected by flow cytometry. Results:In the conventional induction group, the cells showed clusters or suspension growth, with obvious granular sense on the cell surface; while in the sinomenine induction group, the cells were clustered together, with no significant change in cell volume and morphology. The relative expressions of CD80 and CD86 were 70.7% and 71.3% in the conventional induction group, while 51.7% and 49.4% in the SIN group. The relative expression of TLRs on DCs in SIN + LPS group was TLR2 (51.2±0.34)%, TLR3 (50.3±0.14)%, TLR4 (52.1±0.16)%, which were significantly lower than those in LPS group [(94.35±0.16)%, (97.55±0.16)%, (94.6±0.12)%].Conclusions:SIN may induce immune tolerance by inhibiting the maturation of DCs via inhibiting the TLRs signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) on post-operative cognitive function and the change in serum S-100beta protein under the compound anesthesia of acupuncture and drugs.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-four patients of abdominal operation at selective time were randomized into a routine drug anesthesia group (group A, 24 cases), a meridian point 2 Hz group (group B, 26 cases), a me ridian point 2 Hz/100 Hz group (group C, 25 cases), a meridian point 100 Hz group (group D, 24 cases) and a transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation 2 Hz/100 Hz group (group E, 25 cases). In group A, the endotrachea-lgeneral anesthesia was applied. In the rest groups, the acupuncture anesthesia was induced for 30 min before the endotracheal general anesthesia, at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29) and Neiguan (PC 6), with G6805-2 electric acupuncture apparatus used. In group B, the continuous wave and 2Hz in frequency were selected. In group C, the disperse-dense wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency were selected. In group D, the continuous wave and 100 Hz in frequency were selected. In group E, the disperse-dense wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency were selected, and the electrode pads were stick on the acupoints and connected with the electric stimulation till the end of operation. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was adopted to evaluate and record the changes in cognitive function 1 day before operation and on the 3rd day after operation. The conditions of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the patients and the changes in serum S-100beta protein were monitored before and at the end of operation.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of POCD on the 3rd day after operation was 41.7% (10/24) in group A. The incidence rates of POCD were 26.9% (7/26), 16.0% (4/25), 33.3% (8/24) and 16.0% (4/25) in group B, C, D and E separately. Compared with group A, the incidence rate of PCOD in group B, C, D and E were reduced (all P<0.05), the incidence rate in group C and E were lower than that in groups B and D (all P<0.05). At the end of operation, the level of serumS-100beta protein was (0.186 +/- 0.027) microg/L in group A, the levels were (0.165 +/- 0. 028) microg/L, (0.166 +/- 0.027) microg/L, (0.163 +/- 0.025) microg/L and (0.164 +/- 0.025) microg/L in group B, C, D and E separately. The levels of serum S-100beta protein in group B, C, D and E were lower than that in group A separately (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe general anesthesia assisted with EA at different frequencies reduces the incidence of cognitive dysfunctionand, decreases the level of serum S-100beta protein after intestinal cancer resection. The effects of the meridian point electric stimulation at 2 Hz/100 Hz and the transcutaneous electric stimulation at 2 Hz/100 Hz are the best. Hence, these two approaches of anesthesia deserve to be recommended practically.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, General ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period

OBJECTIVETo find an appropriate feature representation in the biclustering of symptom-herb relationship in Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSFour different representation schemes were tested in identifying the complex relationship between symptoms and herbs using a biclustering algorithm on an insomnia data set. These representation schemes were effective count, binary value, relative success ratio, or modified relative success ratio. The comparison of the schemes was made on the number and size of biclusters with respect to different threshold values.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe modified relative success ratio scheme was the most appropriate feature representation among the four tested. Some of the biclusters selected from this representation scheme were known to follow the therapeutic principles of CM, while others may offer clues for further clinical investigations.

Algorithms ; Cluster Analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; drug therapy

Aim To establish in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model with characteristics of simulation of in vivo BBB by primi-tive co-culture of brain-microvessel endothelial cells (BMECs) with brain-microvessel pericytes (BMPC)and astrocytes (AS). Methods BMECs,BMPC and AS from SD rats were primitively isolated,purified and cultured,and then primitive culture cells were identified by cellular morphological and immunocytochemi-cal staining methods.Five types of in vitro BBB models were es-tablished by using Millicell culture insert (pore diameter 0.4μm)and their barrier functions were evaluated by detection of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER),permeability of sodium fluorescent (Na-FLU ),expression of alkaline phospha-tase (AKP)and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT1 ),and simi-larity of permeation amount for positive drugs in vitro and in vivo BBB conditions.Results Primitive culture of BMECs presented typical pebbles-like structure,BMPC presented larger soma with branching property,AS presented slender synapse and shallower cytoplasm.Moreover,immunocytochemical staining results iden-tified primitive cells were targeted cells.TEER value for co-cul-ture of BMECs,BMPC and AS reached (478 ±25 )Ω· cm2 , permeability coefficients (Papp )value of Na-FLU was [(8.23 ± 0.78) ×10 -6 ]cm·s-1 ,expression of AKP and γ-GT1 were (6.90 ±0.27 )King unit · g-1 Pro and (4.39 ±0.32 )μg · g-1 Pro respectively.Moreover,good correlation could be found in Papp for positive controls in vitro and in vivo BBB models (R2=0.92).Conclusion The established in vitro BBB model by using primitive co-culture of BMECs with BMPC and AS posses-ses in vivo BBB properties in cell morphology,structures and barrier functions,and can be used as a powerful tool for studying physiology,pathology of BBB and screening candidate com-pounds.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of acupuncture-anesthetic composite anesthesia (AACA) on the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and changes of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in elderly patients.

METHODSTotally 83 patients undergoing surgical resection of gastrointestinal tumor were randomly assigned to the simple anesthesia group (A group, 41 cases) and the AACA group (B group, 42 cases). Patients in Group A received endotracheal general anesthesia. Those in Group B were induced by acupuncture anesthesia for 30 min by needling at Baihui (DU20), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36). The electro-acupuncture (EA) apparatus was connected after arrival of qi, with the wave pattern of density 2/100 Hz. The stimulus intensity was set by patients' tolerance, with the peak current of 5 mA. Then the endotracheal general anesthesia was performed and the EA lasted till the end of the surgery. The cognitive function of all patients was assessed before operation and at day 3 after operation using mini-mental state examination (MMSE). POCD was confirmed if with one or more decreased stand- ard. The peripheral venous blood was collected before anesthesia induction (TO), immediately at the end of surgery (T1), 24 h after operation (T2), and 48 h after operation (T3), and serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were correspondingly measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe postoperative anesthesia awakening time was shorter in Group B than in Group A [(20.37 +/- 6.09) min vs (29.24 +/- 7.48) min, P < 0.05]. The remifentanil dose used during the operation was less in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). The incidence of POCD at day 3 was lower in Group B than in Group A [10/41 (23.8%) vs 15/42 (36.5%), P < 0.05]. The concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha at T1-T3 were higher than those at TO in the two groups (P < 0.05). The increment of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was less in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION AACA could reduce the incidence of POCD and inhibit postoperative release of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Cognition Disorders ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate CT findings,of the non-epithelial benign tumors of the larynx and their value in diagnosis and treatment.Methods Thirty-nine patients with non-epithelial benign tumors of larynx were examined with CT before treatment.Results Twenty-two cases with hemangioma displayed phebolithes in 9 cases,plain CT in 8 cases showed isodensity with respect to muscle near them and enhanced CT in 14 cases showed moderate to marked enhancement(9 cases)and no contrast enhancement(5 cases). Among 6 cases of neurogenic tumor,neurilemmoma(5 cases)presented as low to intermediate density on plain CT scan(1 case)and enhancement with homogeneous or inhomogeneous after enhanced CT,another case of neurofibroma presented as low density with homogeneous on plain CT imaging.Chondroma(3 cases) showed enhancement with inhomogeneous on enhanced CT scan.Pleomophic adenoma(3 cases)showed moderate to marked enhancement and one of the three cases presented as marked cystic degeneration. Lipoma(2 cases)demonstrated low density with no contrast enhancement.Lymphangioma,leiomyoma and fibroma(each has 1 case)displayed no contrast enhancement(lymphangioma)and moderate to marked enhancement(leiomyoma and fibroma)on enhanced CT scans.Conclusion CT can definitely display the shape,range and density of the tumors in larynx and provide information for diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To develop a portable device to monitor and record the exercise quantity of navy serviceman. The device was composed of control components, a oscillator clock, buttons, 3D acceleration sensor and a organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen. The monitoring involved in two modes of exclusive use and use combined with exercise apparatus.Methods The device could be connected with PC for data transmission through USB interface. Results Trials proved that the device met the desired requirements and could be used for the data acquisition and monitoring of the exercise quantity of the serviceman.ConclusionThe device can record and evaluate the physical fitness training of navy serviceman.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of locking plates in the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures.

METHODSFrom February 2006 to December 2008,108 patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures treated with locking plate and DHS were retrospective analyzed. Fifty-one patients were treated with locking plates, including 23 males and 28 females, aged 45 to 86 years old (averaged 66.0 years old); and fifty-seven patients were treated with DHS, including 26 males and 31 females,aged 43 to 81 years old (averaged 64.1 years old). The outcome measures collected for statistical analysis on the following aspects: operative time, blood loss, drainage, healing time, complications and Harris scores.

RESULTSOne hundred and eight patients were followed up ranging from 8 to 24 months (averaged 12.5 months). In locking plate group, the operative time was (87 +/- 14) minutes; blood loss was (367 +/- 213) ml; drainage was (63 +/- 14) ml; healing time was (11.9 +/- 3.4) weeks; 7 patients had complications; and the Harriss score was (85 +/- 6). While in DHS group, the operative time was (115 +/- 23) minutes; blood loss was (582 +/- 243) ml; drainage was (98 +/- 16) ml; healing time was (12.4 +/- 2.5) weeks; 9 patients had complications; and the Harriss score was (84 +/- 8). There were no significant differences in the healing time, complications and Harris scores between two groups (P > 0.05),but there were significant differences in the operative time,blood loss, drainage between two groups (P < 0.05). Comparing with DHS group, the locking plate group was of shorter operative time, fewer blood loss and drainage.

CONCLUSIONProximal femoral locking plate is simple, minimally invasive,stable fixation with fewer complications, and is an effective method for intertrochanteric hip fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Hip ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Hip Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

GLuc (Gaussia luciferase) is a secreted luciferase with high sensitivity. In this study, we primarily compared expression character of PTTR with that of PCMV, relied on easy secretion, high sensitivity and simple and fast detection of GLuc. We firstly constructed two plasmids pAAV2-neo-TTR-GLuc and pAAV2-neo-CMV-GLuc. Then, 4 cell lines were transfected with the two plasmids in aid of Lipofectamine 2000, including Huh7 and HepG2, which are derived from liver cells, as well as HEK293 and HeLaS3 cells, which are non-liver cell lines. We monitored the expression of GLuc in the supernatant of these cell cultures at different time points post-transfection. Furthermore, we injected the two plasmids with different doses into BALB/c mice by the means of hydrodynamic delivery and monitored the GLuc expression in vivo with 2.5 microl tail tip blood since 2 h post-injection. The cell assay results suggested that the expression of GLuc driven by CMV promoter was significantly higher than that of GLuc driven by TTR promoter. And, the luciferase activity of GLuc driven by CMV promoter was 50-300 times higher than that of GLuc driven by TTR promoter in HEK293 and HeLaS3 cell lines, but less than 10 times higher than that of GLuc driven by TTR promoter in the HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines, indicating the relative liver-specificity of TTR promoter. In the animal assay, the higher luciferase activity was determined in CMV promoter group than in TTR promoter group at different doses of the two plasmids. But the expression patterns for the two promoters differed obviously. The expression of GLuc driven by CMV promoter reached the maximum 10 hours post-injection and declined rapidly; while the expression of GLuc driven by TTR promoter reached the maximum 48 hours after delivery, and declined very slowly. These results implied that PTTR could keep expression of driven gene in a long time although its expression intensity is lower than PCMV's. Thus, it is more suitable for maintaining longer expression of target genes in liver.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Luciferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Prealbumin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic