Objective To compare the effect of electroacupuncture at head points and body points on glucose metabolism of the cerebral motor function regions in normal subjects.Methods To observe the change of glucose metabolism of cerebral motor area in normal subjects between before and after acupuncture during the movement by PET.Talairach coordinates(Atlas of brain) and statistical parametric mapping(SPM) software were used to deal with the acquired imaging data.Results ① Acupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and left Qubin(GB7) could increase metabolism of glucose in bilateral Lps and precuneus,the activation of left area in the brain being more significant.②Acupuncture at right Quchi(LI11) and Zusanli(ST36) change metabolism of glucose in left gyrus precentralis,right loblus paracentralis,right gyrus frontalis medialis,both cerebellums and both putarnens.Conclusion All acupoints can change glucose metabolism in cerebral structures related to motor function in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres,different acupoints active different motor areas.The function of acupuncture is a kind of comprehensive regulative process.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by serous detachment of the sensory retina as a consequence of the focal leakage of fluid from the choriocapillaries to subretinal space through a defect of the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE). The exact cause of CSC is not well unknown. Psychological stress is thought to contribute to CSC, but the physiologic mechanisms are unclear. It is hypothesized that psychological stress can induce CSC through the mechanism of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system. Psychological stress can adversely affect HPA axis and causes glucocorticoid levels to elevate. Increased glucocorticoids constrict choroid vessels, which leads to ischemia of choroids and damage vascular endothelial cells, thus causing vasopermeability to increase. RPE dysfunction will occur as a result of abnormalities in the choroidal circulation. The large molecules including protein may enter the subretinal space through the damaged vessels and RPE.

Objective To observe the effect and significance of high-expression HOXB4 in controlling proliferation and cycle of human cartilage endplate stem cells (CESCs).Methods CESCs were divided into adenovirus-mediated HOXB4 delivery group (Group A),empty virus delivery group (Group B) and blank control group.Gene and protein expressions of HOXB4 in Group A were detected by PCR and Western blot respectively; cell proliferation among those groups were determined using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) technique; cell cycle among those groups was measured by propidium iodide (PI) assay and flow cytometry.Results (1) Over-expressed HOXB4 virus was transferred to CESCs successfully; (2) Real-time quantitative PCR results showed 3.6 times higher expression of HOXB4 in Group A than in blank control group.Western blotting indicated HOXB4 protein in Group A was 3 times the level in control group; (3) HOXB4 promoted CESCs proliferation (P ＜ 0.05) and blocked the cells at phase S.Cells at phase S in Group A was increased from 29.27 to 30.28 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Over-expressed HOXB4 accelerates proliferation of CESCs and increases cell population at phase S,indicating that HOXB4 hindering CESCs degeneration may be an approach to treat lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of Ligustrazine Injection (LI) against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSThirty healthy adult guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups, 10 in each group, i.e., the normal control group, the cisplatin group, and the LI group. Guinea pigs in the normal control group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline at 3 mL/kg for 7 consecutive days. Those in the cisplatin group were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin at 3 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days. Those in the LI group were intraperitoneally injected with LI at 140 mg/kg for 7 days, but cisplatin (3 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected from the opposite side starting from the 4th day. Brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) was performed in all animals before and after injection. All animals were sacrificed after the final testing under anesthesia and their cochleas collected. Half the cochleas of each group were collected for silver nitrate staining of cochlear basilar membrane stretched. The other half the cochleas of each group made into paraffin sections to observe the apoptosis of cochlea cells by TUNEL method and the expression levels of c-Jun detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the difference of BAEP threshold among the 3 groups before injection (P > 0.05), but the BAEP threshold increased in the cisplatin group and the LI group (P < 0.05). Besides, it was higher in the cisplatin group (P < 0.05). In the cisplatin group, most hair cells were missing, spiral ganglion cells obviously decreased, more TUNEL positive cells occurred, and the expression of c-Jun was stronger. But the aforesaid impairment in the LI group was obviously lessened (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLI showed certain antagonist effect on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Its mechanism might be associated with scavenging oxygen radicals of the cochlea tissue, improving the microcirculation, and fighting against apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; toxicity ; Cochlea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Guinea Pigs ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

RAPD molecular marker was widely applied to the studies of edible fungi due to it’s simplicity , rapidity and economy. The principle of RAPD molecular marker and its applications to edible fungi were summarized. The applications of RAPD to edible fungi were introduced in species and parental strain identification,genetic diversity, gene clone, gene isolation and the construction of gene linkage map. RAPD molecular marker provids a powerful tool for the studies of edible fungi.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; metabolism ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate HRCT features of otosclerosis.Methods HRCT findings of 61 ears with the diagnosis of otosclerosis based on clinical diagnostic criteria in 34 patients were evaluated retrospectively.Results Hypodense regions in the bony otic capsule were found on HRCT in 55 ears and no abnormality was identified on HRCT in 6 ears.In 55 ears with abnormal HRCT findings, HRCT demonstrated the hypodense region of bony otic capsule anterior to oval window alone in 6 ears, the hypodense region anterior to oval window associated with thicked stapedial footplate and pericochlear hypodensity in 6 ears, the hypodense region anterior to oval window associated with thicked stapedial footplate and hypodensity posterior to oval window in 11 ears, the hypodense region anterior to oval window associated with thicked stapedial footplate in 20 ears, the hypodense region anterior to oval window associated with pericochlear hypodensity in 10 ears, and pericochlear hypodensity in the bony otic capsule alone in 2 ears.Conclusion HRCT can detect abnormalities in the bony otic capsule and the stapedial footplate,contributing to confirming diagnosis of otosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 against cisplatin (CDDP)-induced ototoxicity and its mechanisms. Methods: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into five groups with ten rats in each group, namely control group, cisplatin group, 5 mg/kg Rg1 + CDDP group, 10 mg/kg Rg1 + CDDP group, and 20 mg/kg Rg1 + CDDP group. Animals in the control group were administered with normal saline (NS, 3 mL/kg) via intraperitoneal (ip) route for 7 consecutive days. Cisplatin group were injected with cisplatin alone (3 mg/kg, ip) for 7 consecutive days. Rg1 + CDDP groups were given 3 consecutive days of Rg1 (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg ip respectively for each group) ahead of the application of Rg1 + cisplatin (3 mg/kg, ip) for 7 consecutive days. For the 7 consecutive days of co-treatment of Rg1 with cisplatin, Rg1 was injected peritoneally 1 hour before the injection of CDDP at the contralateral side. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test was used to evaluate the auditory function of rats in each group before and after administration of CDDP. Stretched preparation of cochlear basilar membrane was examined for morphological changes of outer hair cells (OHC). The general case of diet, loss of hair, and activity status of guinea pigs were observed every day. HE staining techniques and optical microscopy were used to evaluate the lesions of spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). The levels of malondiadehyde (MDA) and superoxidedismutase (SOD) activities in cochlear tissues were detected by biochemical assay kits. The protein expressions of Caspase-3, p53, p-Akt, and Nrf2 were determined by western blotting. Results: Compared with CDDP group, Rg1 co-treatment significantly lowered the CDDP-induced ABR threshold elevation (P < 0.05) in a dose dependent manner. The severe damages of cochlear OHCs and SGNs exhibited in CDDP group were also markedly attenuated by co-treatment with Rg1 in the Rg1 + CDDP groups. In CDDP group, the MDA levels were significantly increased while the SOD activity was decreased in cochlear tissue after CDDP injection. Rg1 treatment evidently reduced the level of MDA and enhanced the SOD activity (P < 0.05). Western blot results indicated that Rg1 treatment significantly attenuated CDDP-induced pro-apoptotic protein expressions (Capase-3 and p53). Furthermore, treatment with Rg1 resulted in an increased expression of p-Akt and intranuclear Nrf2 in cochlear tissue compared to the CDDP group. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 protects auditory functions from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity via the Akt/Nrf-2 pathway in guinea pigs.

Objective To explore the treatment of hemangioma associated with thrombopenia(Kasabach-Merritte syndrome,KMS) in infant.Methods The clinical manifestation and the therapy of 14 cases patients with KMS in hospital from 2003 to 2006 were collected ang analyzed,the 400 g/L urea(manufactured by ourself)combined with methylprednisolone local injection were used and followed 0.5 to 1.0 year.Results Two in 14 cases were emergency exairesis,7 cases were recurred for several times,12 cases were cured,1 case was improved,1 case was loss the connection.Conclusions It is an ideal therapy method to use the urea combined with glucocorticoid to treat infancy KMS,little trauma,definite effective,low side effect,high cure rate.

·AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA) as treatment for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion(RVO).·METHODS: The study group consisting 30 patients (30 eyes) with RVO combined with macular edema received intravitreal 4mg TA. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), examination with slit-lamp microscope, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography(OCT) were observed during the follow-up. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS 12.0 software.·RESULTS: The visual acuity(VA) of all patients was significantly improved and the central macular thickness (CMT) was significantly relieved. There was no correlation between course, age, CMT before injection and the type of RVO. There was positive correlation between visual acuity before injection and after injection.·CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of TA is an easy-operated and safe therapy. After injection, macular edema can be rapidly relieved. VA at baseline is the predictor for the prognosis of VA. Some patients experience recurrence of macular edema between 3 to 6 months after injection.