OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Weizhong" (BL 40) on rats with bupivacaine-induced multifidus muscle injury, so as to explore the action mechanism.

METHODSA total of 72 rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a Weizhong group and a Shenshu group, 18 rats in each group. Each group was again randomly divided into a 4-day subgroup, a 7-day subgroup and a 14-day subgroup, 6 rats in each subgroup. Rats in the model group, Weizhong group and Shenshu group were treated with intramuscular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine (BPVC) to establish the model of multifidus muscle injury. Rats in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group were treated with EA at "Weizhong" (BL 40) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), 20 min per treatment, once a day. Each subgroup was treated for 4 days, 7 days and 14 days respectively. Rats in the control group and model group were treated with immobilization. The morphology and cross sectional area (CSA) changes of multifidus with HE and Masson staining at different time points were observed; the expression of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and myogenic differentiation antigen (MyoD) was measured by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSAfter the modeling, there were significant morphology changes of multifidus at different time points, which was not fully recovered after 14 days. The morphological observation in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group was superior to that in the model group. At 7th day, the CSA in the Weizhong group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05); at 14th day, the CSA in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). At 4th day and 7th day, the expression of IGF-1 in the model group was higher than that in the control group (both P < 0.01); at 4th day, that in the Weizhong group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01), and that in the Weizhong group was higher than that in the Shenshu group (P < 0.05), and that in the Shenshu group was as higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05); at 14th day, that in the Shenshu group was higher than that in the model and Weizhong group (P < 0.01). At 4th day, the expression of MyoD in the Weizhong group and Shenshu group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01), which was more significant in the Weizhong group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL 40) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) can both promote the regeneration of multifidus muscle injury. EA at "Weizhong" (BL 40) has a better effect at early phase, which may be related to the up-regulation of IGF-1 and MyoD and the completion of the proliferation of myoblast in advance.

Acupuncture Points ; Anesthetics, Local ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Bupivacaine ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; injuries ; physiopathology ; Muscular Diseases ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration

Objective To explore the effects of teaching method of concept-map orientation on cultivating intern nursing students' autonomous learning competencies. Methods 120 volunteers were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group with 60 students in each group. The students from the experimental group participated in the training activities, in which concept-map orientation and clinical case served as a vehicle. While the students from the control group attended lectures held by nursing department. All the students fulfilled the Measure Scale of Autonomous Learning Competencies of Nursing Undergraduates before and after this study. Results There was significant difference between before and after the study, and significant difference was also seen in total score and score of each dimension between the experimental group and the control one. Conclusions The teaching method of conceptmap orientation can cultivate nursing students' autonomous learning competencies.

Background and purpose: Paclitaxel is believed to be efficient in treating malignant ascites in gastric cancer. However, researches are still needed to get more evidence. The aim of this study was to discuss the efficacy and safety of the treatment of malignant ascites in gastric cancer with paclitaxel. Methods: Six cases of late phase gastric cancer patients were enrolled into the study, paclitaxel 60 mg/m~2 and 1 500-2 000 mL natural solution were administered via intraperitoneal injection, qw, for a of total 2-4 weeks. Efficacy and toxicity were determined according to WHO criteria. Results: Five (5/6) had complete response, and one (1/6) with partial response. The malignant ascites recession time was 0.5-10 months, overall survival time 2-10 months, 4 cases suffered grade Ⅰ-Ⅲabdominal pain, 4 cases grade Ⅰ leucopenia, 3 cases grade Ⅰ hair loss, 1 case grade Ⅰ liver injury (with past history of hepatitis). Conclusion: Paclitaxel is effective and relatively safe to treat malignant ascites of gastric cancer.

Both interleukin-1 and IgE are important in the pathogenic mechanism of the allergy asthma. cDNA of interleukin-1receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and IgE were cloned and a prokaryotic expression vector IL-1ra-Fcepsilon/pBV220 was constructed. The vector was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The fusion protein was expressed successfully in the form of inclusion body. The recombination protein of IL-1ra-Fcepsilon was highly purified by chromatography of gel filtration and ion exchange, which was identifited by Western blotting. The cell assay showed that the activity of IL-1ra-Fcepsilon was as high as IL-1ra in vitro after refolding. The pharmacokenetic profile of IL-1ra-Fcepsilon and L-1ra was analyzed, and the half time of IL-1ra-Fcepsilon is 4.78 times than that of IL-1ra.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Fusion ; Immunoglobulin E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the metabolic profile of hydrocortisone-induced 'Kidney-yang deficiency syndrome'in rats and the intervention effects of Morinda officinalis.

METHODProton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) technique was used to analyze the rat metabonome in serum. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were processed to analyze the metabonome difference between the control and hydrocortisone treated samples. Twelve potential biomarkers were selected, via the parameter of variable importance in the projection (VIP). Principal components analysis (PCA) was employed to process the data from the M. officinalis. treatment group and the intervention effects of M. officinalis, was investigated through the selected potential biomarkers.

RESULTAfter hydrocortisone treatment, the energy metabolism, amino acids metabolism and gut microflora environment were seriously disturbed and transmethylation was surpressed. M. officinalis could effectively alleviate the disturbance of energy and amino acids metabolism and enhance transmethylation, but could not modulate the gut microflora environment.

CONCLUSIONThe results obtained suggested that metabonomic studies could better reflect the whole status of metabolism in bio-systems, and could be treated as a potential powerful approach in pharmacological studies and investigation of the essence of 'syndrome' in traditional Chinese medicine.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Morinda ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen and viral replication and liver tissue inflammation damage in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and to analyze the relationship of core antigen expression differences with clinical and pathological features in e antigen-negative and e antigen-positive CHB patients.

METHODSSixty-three treatment-naive patients diagnosed with CHB who underwent liver biopsy were included in this retrospective analysis. Liver pathology was assessed, and the karyotype, pulp type, and pulp karyotype were determined. Core and e antigen expression was quantitatively determined by automated immunoassay. Blood samples were used to determine the amount of peripheral lymphocytes or monocytes and HBV DNA load. Results The median titer of HBV DNA was significantly higher in the CHB patients with e antigen positivity (n = 48) than those with e antigen negativity (n = 15) (5.4 * 106 copies/ml vs. 5.4 * 104 copies/ml, P = 0.003). The core antigen positive expression rate was significantly higher in the e antigen-positive CHB patients than in the e antigen-negative CHB patients (80.33% vs. 53.33%, P = 0.042). For the e antigen-positive CHB patients, the HBV DNA titer in karyotype core antigen cases was higher than that in the pulp karyotype mixed-type cases (P = 0.008) and in the negative cases (P = 0.013); in addition, the karyotype patients showed higher titer than the plasma patients (P = 0.019). Also for the e antigen-positive CHB patients, the HBV DNA titer was positively correlated with the rank level of pulp karyotype in core antigen expression (r = 0.589, P = 0.003) but negatively correlated with lobular inflammation, interface inflammation, and fibrosis level (r = -0.552, P = 0.000; r = -0.381, P = 0.008; r = -0.555, P = 0.000); in addition, the level of peripheral blood lymphocytes was negatively correlated with lobular inflammation and fibrosis level (r = -0.361, P = 0.012; r = -0.356, P = 0.013). For the e antigen-negative CHB patients, the level of peripheral blood lymphocytes was negatively correlated with lobular inflammation and interface inflammation (r = -0.702, P = 0.004; r = -0.578, P = 0.024), while the level of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was negatively correlated with lobular inflammation, interface inflammation, and fibrosis level (r = -0.682, P = 0.005; r = -0.620, P = 0.014; r = -0.527, P = 0.044); in addition, age positively correlated with interface inflammation (r = 0.690, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONThe pulp karyotype mixed-type of core antigen expression may reflect the level of HBV replication. Negative expression of core antigen may be associated with variation in pre-C or C zone. The monocyte-macrophage system may be involved in the pathogenesis of e antigen-negative CHB, while the mechanism of immune escape may play an important role in increasing HBV DNA titer in an e-antigen-negative CHB condition.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Viral Load ; Virus Replication ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the results of prenatal karyotype of the external quality assessment program in 2013 in order to provide references and recommendations for improving the capability and performances of karyotype analysis of prenatal screening laboratories.

METHODSFive lots of quality control cell photos were sent to 500 laboratories. The participants were asked to decide whether the photos have demonstrated any abnormal karyotype and determine the abnormal type. The results should be submitted before the deadline and compared with the standard results to evaluate the performances of the laboratory.

RESULTSOne hundred forty three laboratories have returned their karyotype results for the survey. The standard answers were 7,XX,+18, 46,X,i(X)(q10), 46,XY,i(21)(q10) or 46,XY,+21,der(21;21)(q10;q10), 46,XY and 47,XY,+21 in sequential order, which were used to estimate the score of each participant. The pass rates for five lots were 97.9%, 97.2%, 95.8%, 100.0% and 97.9%, respectively. The total pass rate was 97.7%. The error rates were 2.1%, 2.8%, 4.2%, 0 and 2.1%, respectively. The total error rate was 2.3%.

CONCLUSIONSome laboratories did not correctly identify the abnormal karyotypes, while some could not determine the right type of karyotype. The external quality assessment program of prenatal diagnosis of karyotype analysis should be conducted annually in order to improve the capability and performances of karyotype analysis of prenatal screening laboratories.

Adult ; Chromosomes, Human ; genetics ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; methods ; standards ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; standards ; Young Adult

Recombinant structural protein VP1 of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O was expressed in Escherichia coli and then purified using Nickel affinity chromatography. A chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) method was established using the purified recombinant protein as coating antigen to detect antibody of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O in swine. The specificity of VP1-CLEIA method is 100%. The coefficients of variation in the plate and between plates are 1.10%-6.70% and 0.66%-4.80%, respectively. Comparing with the commercial indirect ELISA kit or liquid phase block ELISA kit, the calculated coincidence rate is 93.50% or 94.00%. The high specificity and stability suggested this detection method can be used to monitor the antibody level of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O in swine.