OBJECTIVETo observe the inhibiting effect of acupuncture on blood lipid, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice with hyperlipemia, and explore its possible action mechanism.

METHODSTen inbred mice (C57) were applied. Forty ApoE(-/-) mice who removed gene of apolipoprotein E were randomly divided into a control group, a non-acupoint group, an acupoint group and a medication group. The points 0. 5 cm and 1 cm next to the end of mice tail were respectively punctured in the non-acupoint group; "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) were punctured in the acupoint group; intragastric administration of simvastatin was applied in the medication group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the changes of total cholesterol (TC) and ratio of heart to body mass in each group were measured; changes of cardiac muscle fiber and ventricular wall thickness were observed; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the level of angiotensin II (Ang I ) in plasma, and western blotting method was used to test protein content of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type A receptor (ETAR) in the heart.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks of intervention, compared with the control group, rising range of blood lipid was obviously decreased (P<0.01) in the acupoint group and medication group, ratio of P<0.01), myocardial heart to body mass was decreased (P<0.05), thickness of ventricular wall was reduced (P fibrosis was relieved, levels of Ang II and ET-1 in plasma were decreased (P<0. 05), content of NO was increased (P<0. 05), and protein content of AT1R and ETAR was decreased in the heart (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSION40) could inhibit the rising of blood lipid in ApoE(-/-) mice, lower the levels of Ang II and ET-1 in peripheral blood, increase the content of NO and inhibit the expression of AT1R and ETAR in heart tissue, which could relieve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis to play a protective role on heart.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardium ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the resistant mechanism of imipenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.Methods The minimal inhibitive concentrations (MICs) of the antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest.Isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF),plasmid extraction,conjugation, transformation,PCR amplification,cloning and sequencing were carried out for analyzing the encoding gene of ?-1actamases.Results Three kinds of ?-1actamases were detected with pIs of 7.2,6.7,and 5.4.in a clinical strain of K.pneumoniae.These ?-1actamases were TEM-I (pI,5.4),SHV-12 (pI,8.2) and KPC-2 ( pI,6.7 ) confirmed by sequencing of the PCR products.Only one band of ?-1actamase with pI 6.7 was displayed in the transformant.A 1500 bp segment,which contained the KPC-2 gene confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis,was cloned from a 60 000 bp plasmid of the transformant.Conclusion The strain of K.pneumoniae resistant to imipenem produces a plasmid-mediated carbapenemase KPC-2 which belongs to Bush group 2f,class A ?-1actamase.

Objective To study the correlation between cognitive dysfunction and cholinergic neuron changes in basal forebrain(BFB)and brainstem reticular formation(BSRF)areas after brain con- cussion(BC)in rats.Methods Eighty-four Spragne-Dawley rats weighing 250-310g were used.The BC rat models were reproduced by a self-made simple pendulum impact device,then the rats were ran- domized into one control group and six experimental groups(1 day,2 day,4 day,8 day,16 day,and 24 day groups;n=12 in each group).A Morris Water Maze(MWM)test was used to assess learning and memory function of the rats.Cholinergic neurons in the BFB and BSRF were identified with choline acetyltransferase(CHAT)antibody and quantitated.Results Compared with the control group,the la- tency to find the platform in MWM was much longer on days 1-3 after BC,but there was no statistical difference on days 4-21 after BC.The cell number and the ChAT expression activity of cholinergic neu- rons in the BFB were obviously decreased after BC,and reached the lowest level at 8 days after BC,then increased gradually and nearly reached the normal level at 24 days.The ChAT expression activity in BSRF declined on the first 2 days after BC,then went up gradually,and reached the peak at the 24th day.Conclusion The spatial cognition deficit of BC rats can be detected by MWM in the early period (1-3 days after BC).There are significant changes in the number and ChAT expression activity in BFB and BSRF after BC.The change of cholinergic neurons may be correlated with cognitive deficits in BC rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of EBV immediate-early protein Zta on cell cycle of Daudi cells and the involved mechanisms.

METHODSThe expression vector encoding Zta was constructed and electroporated into Daudi cells. Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the cell cycle, Western blot to the protein levels of p21, Rb and E2F-1.

RESULTSThe vector was constructed successfully, the expression of Zta protein inhibited the proliferation of Daudi cells and promoted cell cycle from G(0)/G(1) phase \[(30.0 ± 3.4)%\] to S phase \[(47.7 ± 1.1)%\]. Meanwhile, Rb expression was significantly downregulated, E2F-1 and p21 expression upregulated by Zta.

CONCLUSIONZta could promote G(0)/G(1) phase to S phase transition in Daudi cells, which might be associated with the reduced expression of Rb and increased expression of E2F-1 and p21 protein.

Cell Cycle ; genetics ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; E2F1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transcriptional Activation ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To set up a classification standard of mild and moderate traumatic brain injury, for the purpose of reliable data comparison derived from different laboratories. METHODS: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats was prepared by using a metallic pendulum-striker device. After injury, five variable parameters including the time of apnea and the areflexia, time of corneal reflex, external auditory canal stung reaction, body-righting reflex and needling reaction were determined and scored by using rat coma criterion. These data were judged and classified into mild and moderate head injury by brain patho-anatomy changes. Then the data were used to set up a multivariate discriminate equation. RESULTS: The distinguished probability of mild and moderate TBI according to actual direct measured value and the criterion were 88.9% and 91.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION This method is able to classify mild and moderate TBI in rats.
Animals ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Coma/etiology* ; Forensic Medicine ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of sexual dysfunction with psychological abnormalities by analyzing the sexual function and mental state of the patients with redundant prepuce or phimosis.

METHODSThis study included 216 randomly selected patients with redundant prepuce or phimosis and 85 normal male controls. We conducted investigations among the subjects using a questionnaire on the general data of the patients, Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation (CIPE), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). Then we assessed the status of premature ejaculation (PE) and erectile dysfunction (ED), calculated the incidence of psychological abnormalities, such as depression and anxiety, and analyzed the correlation of PE and ED with the mental state of the patients.

RESULTSThe PE and ED patients scored significantly higher than normal controls on SCL-90, somatization, compulsion, depression, anxiety and other factors (P < 0.05). CIPE scores were correlated with the scores on SCL-90, somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety and other factors, while ED-related scores showed no correlation with the scores on SCL-90 and other factors.

CONCLUSIONPatients with redundant prepuce or phimosis have poor mental health, and there is an interaction between PE and the mental state of the patient.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phimosis ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; physiopathology ; psychology

ObjectiveTo introduction of perforator flaps,muscle flaps pedicled by descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery,method and their clinical application that multiple soft tissue defects of hand are repaire by muliplefoliated tissue flap only branch lateral circumflex femoral artery.MethodsFifteen patients with multiple soft tissue defects of hand were repaired muliplefoliated tissue flap only pedicled bydescending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery.At first,the anterolateral thigh perforator flap was designed and harvested according to the soft tissue defects of hand, then the descending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery was dissected at the same time the segmented perforator flap,fascia lata flap,rectus femoris muscle flap, vastus lateralis muscle flap, vastus intermedius muscle flap and distal spatium intermusculare flap were harvested in need according to distance among soft tissue defects.The muliplefoliated tissue flap was harvested only pedicled by descending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery, at last muscle flaps and fascia lata flaps were covered by skin graft, so the multiple soft tissue defects of hand were repaired in one time.ResultsNo vascular crisis happened. All skin grafts survived well, the contour of all repaired soft tissue defects was good and protective feeling was recovered by skin grafts of all flaps. All cases were got follow-up and the range was from 6 to 20 months(the average was 8.7 months).Wound of donor site healed well, muscle strength of quadriceps and motion of knee were normal. Three cases were excellent,nine cases were well and 3 cases were good, according to upper extremity function evaluation criteria of Chinese Medical Society for the Surgery of the Hand, the rate of good was 80 percent.ConclusionMultiple soft tissue defects of hand can be repaired by muliplefoliated flap only pedicled by descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. Its advantages included reduction of operation time and treatment, good recovery of hand contour and function. It is a good method to repair multiple soft tissue defects of hand.

BACKGROUNDUlcerative colitis (UC) is associated with differential expression of genes involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UC by regulating the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and control crucial physiological processes. This study aimed to identify aquaporin 8 (AQP8) expression and its relationship with miRNA in UC patients.

METHODSHuman colon samples, in this study, were obtained from 20 patients with UC and 16 healthy subjects undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2009 and June 2010. We screened different genes from UC tissues and healthy subjects using genome-wide microarray, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Regulation of gene expression by miRNAs was assessed by luciferase reporter construct assays and transfection of specific miRNA mimics and inhibitor.

RESULTSWe identified that 1596 genes were increased and 1301 genes were decreased in UC patients compared to healthy subjects. Among them, we focused on the analysis of AQP8 which was decreased three folds in UC tissues (P < 0.01). The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were decreased in UC tissue and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α treated HT29 cells compared with controls (P < 0.05). We searched candidate target miRNAs of AQP8 through bioformatics and the luciferase report assay analysis indicated that miR-424, miR-195, miR-330, miR-612, and miR-16 which has complementary site in the 3-untranslated region (3'UTR) of AQP8 could decrease the relative luciferase activities by 10% - 45%.

CONCLUSIONAQP8 and its relationship with miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of UC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aquaporins ; genetics ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of intracoronary administration of anisodamine on myocardial blush grade (MBG) and left ventricular regional and global systolic function and synchrony in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with no-reflow phenomenon post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSForty-seven AMI patients who underwent PCI within 12 hours of onset and MBG was 0 - 1 were randomized to receive standard therapy [group B, n = 23, 18 males, mean age (62.72 +/- 11.48) years] or standard therapy plus intracoronary administration of anisodamine [200 microg/ml, group A, n = 24, 18 males, mean age (64.23 +/- 12.27) years]. The left ventriculography (LVG) was performed immediately and 6 months after PCI to measure the ventricular volume, LVEDP and wall motion score (WMS). Equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA) was performed 1 week and 6 months after PCI to determine the parameters of left ventricular regional, global systolic function and systolic synchrony. Incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the follow-up was analyzed.

RESULTSAnisodamine [(2530 +/- 340) microg/person)] was well tolerated by patients. The MBG remained unchanged in group B and significantly increased from grade 0.74 +/- 0.32 to grade 2.33 +/- 0.28 10 min after anisodamine injection in group B. Six months post PCI, LVESVI [(40.53 +/- 8.12) ml/m(2) vs. (50.32 +/- 8.26) ml/m(2)], LVEDVI [(80.13 +/- 9.74) ml/m(2) vs. (87.17 +/- 10.25) ml/m(2)], WMS [(8.24 +/- 1.31) vs. (10.23 +/- 1.82)] and LVEDP [(13.36 +/- 4.21) vs. (16.38 +/- 3.21) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] were significantly lower in group A compared with that in group B (all P < 0.05) while LVEF [(44.02 +/- 5.86)% vs. (38.52 +/- 5.18)%], PER [(1.86 +/- 0.09) EDV/s vs. (1.61 +/- 0.09) EDV/s] and PFR [(2.19 +/- 0.32) EDV/s vs. (1.78 +/- 0.17) EDV/s] measured by ERNA were significantly increased in group A compared with that in group B (all P < 0.05). (2) LrEF(2)-LrEF(8) in group A were higher by 13.96%, 25.02%, 30.36%, 22.86%, 27.67%, 22.07% and 18.71% respectively compared with that in group B. (3) Phase analysis showed that the left ventricular systolic synchrony parameters PS [(46.04 +/- 8.93) degrees vs. (53.19 +/- 162) degrees ], FWHM [(23.02 +/- 6.27) degrees vs. (25.02 +/- 5.31) degrees ] and PSD [(7.92 +/- 4.12) degrees vs. (11.76 +/- 4.11) degrees ] were also significantly lower in group A than that in group B (all P < 0.05). (4) During the 6 months of follow-up, the incidence of MACE in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntracoronary administration of anisodamine is safe and could partly attenuate the no-reflow phenomenon, improve the left ventricular systolic function and synchrony and reduce the incidence of MACE in patients with no-reflow phenomenon post AMI-PCI.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Solanaceous Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Ventricular Function

OBJECTIVETo study the surgical treatment effect and factors influencing prognosis of recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant.

METHODSFrom 1990 to 2003, clinical data of 60 patients underwent surgical operation again because of recurrence carcinoma within gastric remnant after radical resection were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe mean survival time was 32.6 months and the median survival time was 27.0 months. Thirty-seven patients (61.7%) received radical resection with the mean survival time of 45.0 months. Twenty-three patients received palliative treatment with the mean survival time of 12.7 months (P< 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the clinical stages, pathologic classification, radical resection, peritoneal seeding, liver metastasis, the expression of CD44v6, PCNA and MVD were significantly correlated with survival time (P< 0.01), but were not correlated with sex,age,recurrence time after the first operation (P> 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the clinical stages, peritoneal seeding and radical resection were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical stages, peritoneal seeding and radical resection are independent prognostic factors of recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant. The radical resection maybe the most effective way to treat the recurrent carcinoma within gastric remnant.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Analysis