OBJECTIVETo observe effects of mild moxibustion and lovastatin on immunologic function in rabbits with chronic hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis (AS) to initially explain regulating rules of mild moxibustion on immunologic function.

METHODSAmong thirty-two Japanese male big-ear rabbits, 8 rabbits were randomly selec ted as a blank group, the rest 24 rabbits were fed with method of endothelial injury and high-fat diet to establish AS model. The blank group was raised with normal diet and free water. After ten weeks of model establishment, the rest 24 rabbits were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and a medicine group, eight rabbits in each one. Moxibustion was applied at "Shenque" (CV 8) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 10 min per acupoint per day in the moxibustion group, while intragastric administration of 3.6 mg/kg lovastatin capsule was applied in the medicine group. After treatment, serum was acquired. Spectrophotometry method was adapted to measure cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and evaluated atherosclerosis index (AI), while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4).

RESULTS(1) The serum TC and HDL-C in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group, moxibustion group and medicine group (all P < 0.01). The mean value of AI was 1.683 +/- 0.486 in the moxibustion group, which was obviously lower than 20.301 +/- 4.022 in the model group (P < 0.01). (2) The ratio of Th1/Th2 was 0.569 +/- 0.143 in the moxibustion group and 0.445 +/- 0.079 in the medicine group, which were significantly lower than 0.917 +/- 0.255 in the model group (both P < 0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between the moxibustion group and the medicine group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion for AS could reduce atherosclerosis index, influence drift and bias of helper T cell and regulate balance between humoral immunity and cellular immunity. As a result, status of relative balance of immunity is acquired, which could slow down the development of atherosclerosis and process of thrombus burst.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; immunology ; therapy ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rabbits ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

Background As a new tonometer,it is necessary to assess the clinical value of Icare rebound tonometer.Objective This study was to compare the intraocular pressure(IOP)values measured by Icare with that measured by GAT,and discuss the clinical value of leare rebound tonometer. Methods IOP measurement was performed on 152 eyes of 78 subjects with suspicious glaucoma,glaucoma,refractive error and normal examinnee by Icare and GAT respectively.The Icare IOP was measured firstly and then the GAT IOP was carried out with the 3-or 5-minute interval.The IOP values were compared between Ieare and GAT.This study was approved by Ethic Committee of Wuhan General Hospital of Chinese PLA.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to this study. Results The mean IOP values of Icare and GAT were(19.16±5.03)mmHg and(18.41±4.52)mmHg respectively.The differences between Icare IOP and CAT IOP were less than or equal to 1 mmHg in 96 of 105 eyes(63.2%).The positive correlation was found between the Icare IOP and GAT IOP(r=0.940,P<0.01).The Ieare IOP was lower than that of GAT when IOPIcare<16 mmHg,however,the IOP of Icare were higher when IOPIcare≥6 mmHg;the IOP of Icare were higher than that of GAT in the total CCT range.The correlation coefficients of IOP of Icare or CAT with CCT were 0.341(P<0.01)and 0.333(P<0.01),respectively. Conclusion Compared with GAT,Icare is more feasible in clinic because it is practicable and reliable.

OBJECTIVETo explore effects and action mechanism of warm moxibustion on regulation of blood lipids and anti-atherosclerosis.

METHODSForty-one male Japanese big-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rabbits), a model group (10 rabbits), a moxibustion group (10 rabbits) and a medication group (11 rabbits). Normal diet was applied in the blank group while high-cholesterol diet combined with injection of bovine serum albumin were applied in the rest groups to establish rabbit model of atherosclerosis. After establishment, the model group was not intervened and warm moxibustion was applied in the moxibustion group at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) and "Shenque" (CV 8), 10 min per acupoint per day for continuous 4 weeks. The medication group was treated with intragastric administration of lovastatin capsule (3.6 mg/kg) for continuous 4 weeks. The level of blood lipids, such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and content of CD40 ligand (CD40L), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and expression of nuclear factor NF-kappaB were tested after 4 weeks.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the moxibustion group and medication group could effectively reduce the contents of TC and low density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05), lower the level of sCD40L [(8.310 +/- 1.221) ng/mL in the model group, (7.097 +/- 0.846) ng/mL in the moxibustion group and (7.354 +/- 0.631) ng/mL in the medication group], reduce expression of CD40L [(0.235 +/- 0.179) mm2 in the model group, (0.072 +/- 0.079) mm2 in the moxibustion group and (0.039 +/- 0.015) mm2 in the medication group] and NF-kappaB [(0.145 +/- 0.052)mm2 in the model group, (0.052 +/- 0.012) mm2 in the moxibustion group and (0.036 +/- 0.013) mm2 in the medication group], indicating the significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the moxibustion group and medication group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe warm moxibustion has great effect on regulation of blood lipids and anti-atherosclerosis, in which lowering expression of CD40-CD40L could be one of possible mechanisms to take effect of anti-atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; therapy ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the value of child oral health for Chengdu parents, their intentions, and factors influencing their decision to acquire oral insurance coverage for their childrens.

METHODSA total of 562 Chengdu parents were interviewed using questionnaires by convenient sampling, and the results were analyzed using SPSS 20.0.

RESULTSThe age of children (B = -1.741, P = 0.004), age of parents (B = 2.031, P = 0.003), level of oral discomfort (B = 0.569, P = 0.000), incurring/not incurring oral care expenses in the previous year (B = 1.897, P = 0.014), the last time parents' had teeth cleaned (B = 0.777, P = 0.006), and acquiring/not acquiring commercial insurance coverage (B = 1.632, P = 0.031) significantly influenced the intention of acquiring child oral insurance.

CONCLUSIONChild oral health, health and insurance awareness of parents, and other factors influenced the intention of parents to purchase oral insurance coverage for their children, which were significant to establish pediatric dental insurance.

Child ; China ; Dental Care ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Insurance, Dental ; economics ; Oral Health ; economics ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

AIM:To investigate the effect of vitrectomy in treatment of metal intraocular foreign bodies and the factors affecting visual prognosis.
METHODS:Fourty seven cases ( 48 eyes ) with foreign bodies from January 2010 to June 2013 in our hospital underwent vitrectomy combined with intraocular foreign body removal were retrospectively analyzed. The changes of visual acuity, the size of foreign body, the complications of preoperative, and the relationship between treatment time and visual acuity were recorded.RESULTS: Totally 46 eyes were successfully removed the complete foreign body, 2 eyes of orbital foreign bodies had not been removed. After 6mo of followed-up, the best corrected visual acuity were all improved in varying degrees (P<0. 05), intraocular foreign body size combined with retinal detachment was the risk factor for visual impact (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION:Vitrectomy has obvious advantages in the treatment of metal intraocular foreign bodies. Timely and appropriate vitrectomy is very important to the recovery of visual function.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of subchronic exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on the mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-9) and the activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 in the hippocampal neurons of rats and to investigate the neurotoxic mechanism by which B[a]P induces the apoptosis of neurons.

METHODSFifty-two healthy SD rat were randomly divided into five groups according to preliminary neurobehavioral test results: blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0, 2.5, and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups; the rats in exposure groups were intraperitoneally injected with B[a]P every other day for 90 days. The Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory ability of rats; flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptosis ratio of hippocampal neurons; real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related genes; spectrophotometry was used to measure the activities of their en-coded proteins.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group, the 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups hada significantly longer mean escape latency period (P < 0.05) and a significantly increased number of times of platform crossing (P < 0.05), and the 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group had significantly lower length and percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant (P < 0.05). The early apoptosis ratio rose as the dose of B[a]P increased (P trend < 0.05); the early apoptosis ratios of 1.0, 2.5, and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups were significantly higher than those of blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups, the 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group had significantly increased Bax expression (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased Bcl-2 expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P < 0.05). The 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups had significantly higher expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-6 than the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group (P < 0.05). The activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 were significantly higher in the 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups than in the blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 and early apoptosis ratio of hippocampal neurons in rats (r = 0.793, P = 0.019; r = 0.886, P = 0.006; r = 0.773, P = 0.025). There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9 among these groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSubchronic exposure to B[a]P can induce apoptosis of hippocampal neurons; its mechanism may be related to the fact that B[a]P can induce upregulated expression of Bax, inhibit expression of Bcl-2, lead to decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio, induce upregulated expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-6, and cause increase in the activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-6, and Caspase-9.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To investigate effects of different times and procedures of postoperative radiation and chemotherapy on treatment efficacy of high-grade gliomas.Methods A prospective clinical trial was conducted in 71 patients with high-grade gliomas (HGG); they were separated randomly into two groups:one group including 39 patients received chemo-radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy sequentially (RC+C) and the other group including 32 patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy sequentially (C+RC+C).The clinical benefit rate (CBP),progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were followed up after the treatment.Results No significant difference on CBP 5 months after treatment was noted between the two groups (P＞0.05),but the CBP in the C+RC+C group (87.5％) was significantly higher than that in the RC+C group (66.7％)8 months after treatment (P＜0.05).No significant difference on OS was noted between the two groups.The median PFS of patients in C+RC+C group was 11.5 months while that in the RC+C group was 8.6 months; the PFS of patients in C+RC+C group was significantly longer that in the RC+C group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Procedure of C+RC+C can prolong the PFS of patients with HGG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Delayed Graft Function ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Transplantation ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT) on hippocampal protein expressions in senescence accelerated mouse-prone/8 (SAMP8).

METHODThe 12-month-old senescence accelerated mice (SAM) were divided into three groups: SAM-resistance/1 (SAMR1), SAM-prone/8 (SAMP8) and SAMP8 treated with HLJDT. The effect of HLJDT on expressions of hippocampal proteins was analyzed by two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

RESULTCompared with same age SAMR1, there were 29 differential expressed hippocampal proteins in SAMP8. After treated with HLJDT, the expressions of 38 hippocampal proteins of SAMP8 were changed significantly. 12 reactive proteins of HLJDT were chosen to be identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and the results were searched in MASCOT database. Among 12 reactive proteins, the expressions of 4 hippocampal proteins which expressed differentially between SAMR1 and SAMP8 could be improved by HLJDT.

CONCLUSIONHLJDT may improve the aging of SAMP8 by regulating the expressions of proteins related with energy metabolism, signal transduction, cytoskeletal, amino acid metabolism and so on.

Animals ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase ; metabolism ; Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteome ; analysis ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of occupational stress on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and IL-4.

METHODSA cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 200 workers from the refrigerator assembly line in Henan province in China. Psychosocial work conditions were measured by using the job demand-control model, the effort-reward imbalance model questionnaires and occupational stress measurement scale. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-4 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay or immunoradiometric assay method respectively.

RESULTSSerum TNF-α concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher affective balance level and control groups [(1.947 ± 0.173) and (2.029 ± 0.240) fmol/ml] (P < 0.05). Serum IL-1β concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher effort level and control groups [(0.133 ± 0.034) and (0.118 ± 0.031) ng/ml] (P < 0.05). Serum IL-2 concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher role ambiguity level [(1.658 ± 0.376) and (1.491 ± 0.033) ng/ml] and control groups (P < 0.05), as well as between workers with higher role conflict level and control groups [(1.774 ± 0.311) and (1.589 ± 0.380) ng/ml] (P < 0.05), between workers with higher daily life stress level and control groups [(1.759 ± 0.361) and (1.606 ± 0.381) ng/ml] (P < 0.05). Serum IL-4 concentration was statistically significantly different between workers with higher reward level and control groups [(1.449 ± 0.025) and (1.466 ± 0.041) pg/ml] (P < 0.05). Stepwise regression analysis indicated that affective balance was the predictor of serum TNF-α (R(2) = 0.029). Effort and mental health were the predictors of serum IL-1β (R(2) was 0.029 and 0.055, respectively). Role conflict, daily life stress and role ambiguity were the predictors of serum IL-2 (R(2) was 0.040, 0.078 and 0.104, respectively). Reward was the predictor of serum IL-4 (R(2) = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONUnhealthy psychological stress factor might be induce a marked increase in the concentrations of serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, as well as IL-4.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Stress, Psychological ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult