OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles and their association with the expressions of aquaporins (AQP) in the prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles of castrated rats.

METHODSWe randomly divided 18 eight-week-old male SD rats into a control, a castration, and a testosterone (T) replacement group. Four weeks after surgical castration, we detected the plasma T level and measured the volumes of the secretions and the expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the rats.

RESULTSThe plasma T level was significantly lower in the castrated models ([30. 98 ± 28. 84] ng/dl) than in the rats of the control ([700.78 ± 123.8] ng/dl) and T replacement groups ([688.08 ± 132. 47] ng/dl) (P <0. 05). The castration group, in comparison with the control and T replacement groups, showed remarkably reduced ratios of prostatic secretion volume / prostate weight ([11.1 ± 0.30] vs [2.32 ± 0.61] and [2.13 ± 0.56] %, P <0. 05) and seminal vesicle secretion volume / seminal vesicle weight ( [4. 78 ± 1. 97 ] vs [57. 36 ± 11. 86] and [55. 74 ± 7. 21] %, P < 0. 05). Immunohistochemistry revealed the expressions of AQPs 3 and 7 in the epithelial envelop and cytoplasm and that of AQP 11 the in endothelial envelop and cytoplasm of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Western blot exhibited significantly lower expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the castrated rats than in the animals of the control and T replacement groups (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSignificant decreases of the secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles may be related to the reduced expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles in castrated rats.

Animals ; Aquaporins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminal Vesicles ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood

Aim To investgate the mechnism through which ginkgolides affect learning and memory capabilities of the Alzheimers disease-like rats. Methods Okadaic acid(OA)was injected into the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus and the rats were gavaged with ginkgolides. The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed through Morris water maze behavioral test, and the expressions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and ChAT were observed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results Compared with the control rats, the capabilities of learning and memory were lowered significantly(P

Objective To analyze the curative effect of minimally invasive incision combined with plate fixation for calcaneal fractures.Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 30 cases(30 feet) of calcaneal fractures who were treated with minimal incision(sinus tarsi approach combined with posterior lateral incision) from August 2014 to August 2015.Minimally invasive incision combined with plate fixation were performed for the treatment.X-rays were taken in the regular follow-up,B(o)hler and Gissane angle as well as the complications were measured.The final curative effect was comprehensively assessed according to the ankle hind foot score of American Aryhopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS).Results All cases were followed up for an average of 14.5 months (from 12 to 16 months), and all fractures healed with no complication such as incision infection or poor healing.The average B(o)hler angle was improved from preoperative(13.42°±4.2°) to (29.3°±3.8°) at the last follow-up with a significant difference(t=-20.424,P=0.000),and the average Gissane angle was significantly improved from preoperative(97.8°±9.7°) to (123.6°±6.5°) at the last follow-up (t=-17.5,P=0.000).The outcomes were evaluated with AOFAS,resulting in an excellent and good rate of 83.3%.Conclusion Treatment of calcaneal fractures with minimal incision has the advantages of less trauma,lower incision complication rate,stronger reduction and fixation,which can achieve satisfactory outcomes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the current application and features of Aconite prescriptions with incompatible herbs in grade A class three hospitals in east China and central China through a clinical study and comparative analysis.

METHODClinical prescriptions containing Aconite with incompatible herbs were collected. Association rules were utilized to analyze the compatible features of these herbs.

RESULTThis analysis found that the frequently used incompatible herba; pairs are Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, with the support rate of 44.45%, occupying nearly half of the surveyed prescriptions; Pinelliae Rhizoma is the most frequently used herb in the two areas, with support rate up to 76.24%. Among the top 10 herbal pairs in the support rate, except for Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Pinelliae Rhizoma, the top 10 herbs in Central China were mostly for warming the middle jiao and tonifying qi, such as Zingiberis Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Codonopsis Radix; Whereas those in east China were mostly for activating and nourishing blood, such as Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Among the top 10 herbal pairs in the support rate, except for Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, the core herbal pairs applied in central China were mainly for resolving phlegm and warming the middle jiao, such as Pinelliae Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Pinelliae Rhizoma-Zingiberis Rhizoma; Whereas those in east China were principally for activating blood and tonifying qi, like Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Pinelliae Rhizoma. Among the core herbal groups in the two areas, the most frequently used herbal groups in the two areas are Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma with the support rate of 59.73%, accounting for the highest proportion among all of herbal groups.

CONCLUSIONThere are the combined clinical application of Aconite with incompatible herbs, mostly with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Pinelliae Rhizoma, but with differences in the combined application in east China and central China.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Drug Incompatibility ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of auricular acupuncture on the learning and memory abilities of model rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and investigate its mechanism.

METHODSThirty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an auricular acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. The model rats with AD were established by multiple injections with Okadaic Acid into the CA1 region of hippocampus. In the control group, the same quantity injection with Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) was applied on experimental rats. The auricular acupoints of "Nao" (brain) and "Shen" (kidney) were used for treating in the auricular acupuncture group, in contrast, the auricular region were not treated in the model and the control groups. The learning and memory capabilities of the rats were assessed with Morris Water Maze behavioral test, and the expressions of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSComparing with the model group, the treated AD rats with auricular acupuncture was showed that the average escape latency was obviously shortened in the place navigation test (P<0.01), the movement time in plateform quadrant was obviously prolonged in the spatial probe test (P<0.05), and the number of traversing platform obviously increased (P<0.01) after the platform was taken away. The expression of ChAT increased in the hippocampus and cortex (P<0.01, P<0.05), but the expression of GFAP obviously decreased in the CA1 region of hippocampus (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAuricular acupuncture can improve the learning and memory capability of the model rats with AD. Its mechanism might be related with decreasing cholinergic neuron damage and reducing the abnormal activation and hyperplasia of astrocyte.

Acupuncture, Ear ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy ; Animals ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This text has introduces a new-type laser treatment device. It utilizes the ultrasound atomized gas passage as its optics and makes the laser beams together with the atomized medicine to be transmitted to the patient's respiratory track and lungs for treatment.
Drug Delivery Systems ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; instrumentation ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Ultrasonics

Objective To explore human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)colonization in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE)rats brain.Methods Models of 7-day-old newborn rats with HIE brain injury were established.Meanwhile,on the same day,MSCs were transplanted with Hoechst 33258 for 24 hours into rats models marked by flurescent nucleotide dye injected through caudal vein or with stereotactic instrument.After 15-30 days,then MSCs were detected with fluorescene microscope.Results With the improved rice methods,HIE animal model was successfully attained.Majority of MSCs were distributed in the cortex,hippocampus of the lesioned hemisphere,especially in the forehead.And abtained a good fusion with HIE rats brain tissue.Conclusion Human umbilical cord blood MSCs can be cultured,when transplanted into the HIE rats model,they can move into intracranial,and integer with rats brain tissue.

OBJECTIVETo investigate CT and MRI characteristics of primary spinal large B cell lymphoma.

METHODSCT and MRI data of 23 patients with primary spinal large B cell lymphoma confirmed by histopathology were retrospectively analyzed from March 2011 to August 2015. Among them, including 14 males and 9 females aged from 28 to 70 years old with an average of 53.4 years old. The clinical manifestation mainly focus on pain around spinal and minority peripheral nerve symptom. The courses of disease ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months with an average of 9 weeks. Nine patients underwent CT plain scan, 8 patients underwent plain and enhanced CT; 21 patients underwent MRI plain scan and enhanced; 15 patients underwent CT and MRI examination. The location, bone changes, shape, density, signal intensity and enhancement characteristics of lesions were observed and compared with pathology.

RESULTSLocation and size of lesion showed cervical vertebrae in 1 case, thoracic vertebrae in 16 cases, lumbar vertebrae in 2 cases, and sacral vertebrae in 4 cases. Mass was larger, the largest cross-sectional size of group was up to 73 mm× 125 mm. CT examination showed that 11 cases with "cloud and mist" shape change, 6 cases with compression fractures, and with "floating ice" shape change, 9 cases with "oversleeve" shape change, 11 cases with spinal stenosis; enhancement scan showed obvious reinforcement. MRI showed slightly low signal on T1WI and T2WI were slightly high signal, and signal was uneven, and enhancement scan showed obvious reinforcement, 13 of 16 cases with spinal canal stenosis changed like "oversleeve", intervertebral space showed no significant stenosis. Comparison of CT and MRI showed the manifestation of bone destruction by CT was superior than that of MRI, but the range of lesion, and related surrounding structures were not better than MRI. MRI displayed the range of lesion usually bigger than CT. Pathology results showed that 23 patients were all primary spinal large B cell lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary spinal large B cell lymphoma has certain features in age, location and imaging findings. The "cloud and mist", "floating ice" and "oversleeve" shape bony destruction by CT and MRI has certain significance to diagnosis of primary spinal large B cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUNDRetroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is an uncommon disease that is characterized by development of fibrosclerotic tissues involving retroperitoneal structures. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of 30 patients with RPF in a single center in Beijing in a 10-year period.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data on demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, radiological findings, modalities of treatments, outcomes and prognosis of 30 patients with RPF. Patients were treated in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital between January 2003 and December 2013.

RESULTSThe mean age of patients with RPF was 56.7 ± 14.4 years. Twenty-three patients were men and seven patients were women. Acute phase reactants were elevated in most patients. Rheumatic factor was positive in 4/25 (16.0%) patients, and antinuclear antibody was positive in 6/22 (27.3%) patients. Elevation of IgG4 was observed in 9/22 (40.9%) patients. The most common type was I + III (n = 13), followed by I + II + III (n = 12). Five patients undertook an 18 F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography examination and increased uptake was detected in four patients. Eight patients received combination therapy with glucocorticoids and tamoxifen. Surgical intervention treatments included intraureteral double-J stent implantation (n = 26), percutaneous nephrostomy (n = 2), open ureterolysis and intraperitonealization of the ureters (n = 5) and laparoscopic ureterolysis and intraperitonealization of the ureters (n = 5). Three patients underwent hemodialysis because of renal failure.

CONCLUSIONSClinical characteristics of RPF patients in our study are similar to those previously reported. Steroids and immunosuppressive therapy combined with ureterolysis could be a viable choice of treatment for RPF. More prospective, multi-center studies with a longer follow-up are warranted.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tamoxifen ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome