OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of the compatibilities of ginsenosides Rg1 and aconitine on myocar-dial cell of in vitro cultured heart failure model. METHODS:The myocardial cells of neonate rat were grouped into normal control group,model group,positive control group(Deslanoside injection,1×10-7 mol/L),ginsenosides Rg1 group(1×10-8 mol/L),acon-itine group (1 × 10-9 mol/L) or their compatibilities groups (1∶1,2∶1,1∶2,V/V). Except for normal control group,other groups were given 0.8%pentobarbital sodium to induce heart failure model of myocardial cells. After modeling,each group was given rele-vant medicine for 1 h,and then the activities of T-ATPase,Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase,Na+-K+-ATPase in cells were all detected. The activi-ties of acyl carrier protein(ACP)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and the contents of brain natriuretic party(BNP),TNF-α and total glycogen were measured in cell culture fluid. RESULTS:Compared with normal control group, T-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities were decreased significantly in model group;meanwhile,Na+-K+-ATPase activity was increased signifi-cantly,and ACP,LDH activities and BNP content in cell culture fluid were increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with mod-el group,the activities of T-ATPase in treatment groups were increased significantly,while the activity of LDH in cell culture fluid was decreased significantly;when the volume ratio of ginsenoside Rg1 to aconitine was 2∶1,protective effect was the strongest;the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase in aconitine group and compatibility groups were all decreased significantly,with statistical signifi-cance(P<0.05). The activities of ACP and BNP in cell culture fluid were all decreased in treatment groups,but the content of to-tal glycogen in cells and the TNF-α content of in cell culture fluid had no change (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Compatibility of ginsenosides Rg1 and aconitine can improve ATPase activities and membranous permeability,regulate BNP secretion and protect myocardial cell of heart failure model,especially the compatibility of ginsenosides Rg1 to aconitine of 2∶1 ratio.

Aim To establish two new rat models of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS by two chemical irritants.Methods Acetic acid or mustard was infused for six days in intestines of adult rats.After modeling,the rectal distention was performed and the thresholds of abdominal withdrawal reflex were measured.The frequency,peak value,peak-nadir value and area of the gastric and enteric electrical activity were recorded.And the contents of 5-HT in the blood serum were detected.Results Compared with the control group,the colon and rectum's sensitivity(P<0.05)and the frequency(P<0.01) of the acetic acid model were heightened.Meanwhile,the colon and rectum's sensitivity(P<0.01),the frequency(P<0.01),peak value(P<0.05),peak-nadir value(P<0.01)and area(P<0.01),and the contents of 5-HT(P<0.05)in serum of the mustard model were all changed,which indicated the increasing of sensitivity of the model.The colon and rectum's sensitivity,the gastric and enteric electrical activity and the contents of 5-HT in serum of the proving group were recovered to some extent.Conclusion The new rat model of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS is successfully set up by stimulating the intestines of adult rats with chemical substances.

The low dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) in human lung cancer cell line A549 was investigated, the changes of ATM kinase, cell cycle and apoptosis of cells at different doses of radiation were observed, and the possible mechanisms were discussed. A549 cells in logarithmic growth phase were irradiated with (60)Co gamma-rays at doses of 0-2 Gy. Together with flow cytometry for precise cell sorting, cell survival fraction was measured by means of conventional colony-formation assay. The expression of ATM1981Ser-P protein was examined by Western blot 1 h after radiation. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining flow cytometry 24 h after radiation. Cell cycle distribution was observed by flow cytometry 6, 12 and 24 h after radiation. The results showed that the expression of ATM1981Ser-P protein was observed at 0.2 Gy, followed by an increase at >0.2 Gy, and reached the peak at 0.5 Gy, with little further increase as the dose exceeded 0.5 Gy. Twenty-four h after radiation, partial cells presented the characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis, and the cell apoptosis curve was coincident with the survival curve. As compared with control group, the cell cycle almost had no changes after exposure to 0.1 and 0.2 Gy radiation (P>0.05). After exposure to 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 Gy radiation, G(2)/M phase arrest occurred 6 and 12 h after radiation (P<0.05), and the ratio of G(2)/M phase cells was decreased 24 h after radiation (P<0.05). It was concluded that A549 cells displayed the phenomenon of HRS/IRR. The mode of cell death was mainly apoptosis. The activity of ATM and cell cycle change may take an important role in HRS/IRR.
Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins/physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins/*physiology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Lung Neoplasms/*pathology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/*metabolism ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation Tolerance/*physiology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of combined electroacupuncture and nerve growth factor (NGF) injection at acupoints in the treatment of common fibular nerve paralysis and provide evidences for integrative Chinese & western medicine against diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods: Forty subjects were randomized into two groups and NGF injection; and control group was given herbal suffocation, oral Dibazol and compound vitamin B and Mecobalamin Injection. The clinical symptoms and nerve conduction velocity were observed and compared. Results: The cure rate was higher in treatment group than in control group (P<0.05); after treatment, the nerve conduction velocity was improved in both groups (P<0.01), with a significant improvement in treatment group than in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Combined electro-acupuncture and NGF injection at acupoints is quite effective in the treatment of common fibular nerve paralysis.

Objective To establish and evaluate 3 kinds of minimally-invasive valve implantation model in vivo.Methods A novel tissue engineered heart valve(TEHV) manufactured by branched polyethylene glycol cross-linked acellular porcine valve and a minimally-invasive valve implantation system according to the design of Corevalve revalving system were adopted.After anesthesia,18 adult male goats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the ulrasound-directed orthotropic group (group A,n =6),angiography-directed orthotropic group (group B,n =6) and direct-released heterotopic group (group C,n =6),and all received minimally-invasive valve implantation orthotropically or heterotopically.4 weeks later,the valvular function was evaluated by CTA and/or echocardiography.Results All 3 kinds of caprine model were successfully constructed.The operation success rate of each group was A: 66.7％,B: 50.0％ and C: 100.0％,respectively(multiple x2 analysis,group A and B P ＞0.05; group A and C,group B and C,P ＜0.05).The operation-time of each group was A: (79 ± 18) min,B:(61 ±23) min,C: (45 ± 15) min(one-way ANOVA,P ＜0.05).The survival rate at4 weeks was A: 100％,B: 100％ and C: 83.3％ (multiple x2 analysis,P ＞ 0.05).Echocardiography and CTA proved the short-term function of implanted TEHV was satisfactory.Conclusion All 3 kinds of caprine valve implantation model can be established without cardiopulmonary bypass and blood transfusion.The devices and equipments required in group A is relatively simple,but the procedure cost longer time for it is hard to determine the right position by ultrasound.The application of angiography made the positioning much easier in group B while the procedure had to be performed in specific operation room with angiographic apparatus.Group C did rely on neither special equipments nor complex operation,but the valve leaflets cannot work normally,so this model was only suitable for testing in vivo characteristics such as biocompatiblities.

Objective To evaluate the effect of family interventions on the prevention of falls in elderly hypertensive patients. Methods One hundred elderly hypertensive patients were divided into the experiment group and the control group in equal number. The control group returned for regular visits after discharge while the experiment group received the family intervention including cognitive,psychological,behavioral and environmental intervention.The two groups were compared in terms of fall rate and degree of injury.Results The incidence of falls in the experiment group was significantly lower than that of the control group,the incidence of soft tissue injury after a fall in the experiment group was significantly lower than that of the control group(both P<0.05).Conclusion Family intervention is effective in prevention of falls in elderly hypertensive patients for it may reduce the incidence of falls and the degree of fall injuries.

Objective To investigate the metabolite changes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with and without neuropsychiatric symptoms using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and explore the associations between image findings and clinical variables. Methods Twenty-two SLE patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSLE), twenty-one SLE patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms (non-NPSLE) and twenty healthy controls (HCs) underwent routine MRI scan and multivoxel magnetic reson-ance spectroscopy (MVS). The absolute metabolite concentrations were measured bilaterally in the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG), dorsal thalamus (DT), lentiform nucleus (LN) and posterior paratrigonal white matter (PWM) using LCModel and SAGE software. The relationships between metabolite con-centrations and cognitive function scores were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Single-factor Chi-square analysis and t-test were used for analysis. Results ① Compared to control subjects, NPSLE patients had significantly lower N-acetylaspartate (NAA) values in bilateral PCG and DT, with the mean differences of -1.504 [95% confidence interval ( CI) (-2.335, -0.672), P=0.001], -1.460 [95%CI (-2.349, -0.570), P=0.002], -1.259 [95%CI (-1.894, -0.625), P=0.000] and -1.022[95%CI (-1.688, -0.356), P=0.003] for RPCG, LPCG, RDT and LDT, respectively. The concentration of total creatinine were observed to decline in RPCG and RDT, with the mean differences of-1.094 [95%CI (-1.845, -0.342), P=0.003], -0.955 [95%CI (-1.630, -0.280), P=0.006], -1.259 [95%CI (-1.894,-0.625), P=0.006] respectively. Glutamine and glutamate-values decreased significantly in RDT [mean difference=-2.586, 95%CI (-4.139, -1.033), P=0.002]. ② Compared to non-NPSLE patients, NPSLE patients had a lower NAA level in LPCG [mean difference=-1.256, 95%CI (-2.146, -0.367), P=0.006]. Positive correlations between mini-mental state examination scores [RPCG: rs=0.312, P<0.05; LPCG: rs=0.355, P<0.01], Montreal cognitive assessment scores (RPCG: rs=0.362, P<0.01; LPCG: rs=0.285, P<0.05) and NAA values in bilateral PCG were detected. Conclusion Both NPSLE and non-NPSLE patients may have metabolite dysfun-ctions in different brain regions. The cognitive disorder in SLE patients may be interpreted by neuronic damage of PCG.

Objective: Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) is an X-linked lethal recessive disease caused by mutations in the dystrophy gene. There is no efficient treatment for this serious and disabling disease. We established a combination method to detect carriers and perform prenatal diagnosis. Methods: In our study, from 1994 to 2005, using a different combination of 5 methods, including SRY gene amplification, multiplex PCR, multiplex Fluorescence PCR capillary electrophoresis, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and linkage analysis of short tandem repeats (STR), 36 prenatal diagnosis were performed for pregnancies at risk of having a DMD/BMD baby through amniocentesis. Results: Fourteen out of 21 male fetuses were found to be affected and respective pregnancies were terminated. A combined diagnostic rate of 83% was achieved for 30 cases with deletions, duplications, and non-deletion mutations after tested by more than one method. Conclusion: Using a combined method, we can diagnoses patients and carriers in DMD families, and perform prenatal diagnosis for the risk fetus. MLPA provides a simple, rapid and accurate method for deletions and duplications of all the 79 DMD exons. MLPA method for DMD diagnosis is the first report in our country.

Objective:To conjugate IVIG and MTX to produce a specific cytotoxicity upon phagocytes.Methods :MTX was conjugated with IVIG by indirect conjugating methods. HSA was used as an intermedi-ary to conjugate MTX with IVIG. The indirect immunofluorescence was adopted to test the binding abilityof Fc fragment. MTT assay was used to measure the cytotoxicity of conjugation on phagocytes. Results:Conjugation showed stronger cytotoxicity upon target cells than free MTX,and it showed only less cyto-toxic effect on Fc receptor negative cells compared with the positive ones. The specific cytotoxicity of IVIG-HSA-MTX was significantly stronger than that of MTX. Conclusion: In vitro the conjugation showed ahighly specific cytotoxicity upon phagocytes.

The technology of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy(MRS) is a newly-developed mean for analyzing some specific nucleus and their compounds making use of the principles of magnetic resonance and the effects of chemical shift. Currently, among MRS applications, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) is the most widely applied one developed from single voxel to three-dimensional multi-voxel scanning technique. It provides a lot of important information for clinical studies. This article mainly reviews the methods for absolute quantification measurement of brain metabolites using multi-voxel MRS.