Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe differences of immediate effect of twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation at head acupoints on muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODSA total of 126 patients who met the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into a twirling reinforcing group, a mild reinforcing-reducing group and a twirling reducing group, 42 cases in each one. The lines between Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5) were selected and treated with successive insertion of three needles. The twirling reinforcing method was used in the twirling reinforcing group, and mild reinforcing-reducing method was used in the mild reinforcing- reducing group, and twirling reducing method was used in the twirling reducing group. Each needle was manipulated for 1 min, which was repeated once every 10 min. The needles were retained for 30 min. Muscle force was evaluated immediately after treatment.

RESULTS(1) Muscle force of upper limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends were all improved significantly in three groups (all P < 0.05), which was more obvious in proximal end (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end in the twirling reinforcing group was superior to those in the mild reinforcing-reducing group and twirling reducing group (both P < 0.05); the differences of the muscle force of remote end were not significant among three groups (all P > 0.05). (2) Muscle force of lower limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends was all improved significantly in the three groups (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end was superior to that of remote end in the twirling reinforcing group and mild reinforcing-reducing group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe twirling reinforcing manipulation at head acupoints is superior to mild reinforcing-reducing and twirling reducing manipulation for muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which is more significant in proximal end of limbs.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; therapy ; Lower Extremity ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Upper Extremity ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate the immediate effect of twirling reinforcing manipulation, twirling reducing manipulation and mild reinforcing-reducing manipulation on motor functions for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods Totally 116 patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into twirling reinforcing manipulation group (TRFM, n=39), mild reinforcing-reducing manipulation group (TRRM, n=37), and twirling reducing manipulation group (TRDM, n=40) by stratified blocked randomization. Each group was treated in Baihui-Taiyang acupoint area accordingly with twirling reinforcing manipulation, mild reinforcing-reducing manipulation and twirling reducing manipulation once. The operation time for each needle was 1 minute. Interval time between every 2 needles was 10 minutes, and each needle was retained for 30 minutes. Neurological deficit score (NDS) and simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) were evaluated before and immediate time, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after treatment. Results FMA in TRFM was higher than that of TRDM and TRRM at immediate time, 1 h and 2 h after treatment (P<0.05), but there was no difference at 3 h after treatment (P>0.05). DNS in TRFM decreased sharply at immediate time, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h compared with TRDM and TRRM (P<0.05). The statistical analysis showed no significant difference between TRDM and TRRM at all time points (P>0.05). Conclusion TRFM has an advantage over TRDM and TRRM in immediate effect of motor functions for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Aim The effects of midazolam on the whole-cell sodium currents in rat sympathetic neurons were studied to explore the mechanisms where by midazolam mediates hypotension. Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed on enzymatically isolated rat superior cervical sympathetic neurons. Results Midazolam dose-dependently blocked the whole-cell sodium currents evoked by a voltage step to 0 mV from a holding potential of -80 mV with a mean drug concentration required to produce 50% current inhibition (IC50) values of 18.35 ?mol?L-1; Clinically relevant concentration of midazolam(0.3 ?mol?L-1) reduced sodium peak currents by 19.98%(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of some apoptosis regulators during the development in rat cochlea.

METHODSThe morphological development process of cochlea was observed in Wistar rat aged between embryo day 13 to postnatal day 14 in this experiment. Survivin and caspase-3 were respectively detected at protein and mRNA levels by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe expression of survivin and caspase-3 located in the bottom wall of the cochlear duct. Not only they widespread in the cell proliferation, but also they gradually enhanced in the cell differentiation. Both of them had a crest-time, and survivin was prior to caspase-3. In organ of corti during adult time, caspase-3 was not present and survivin was only expressed.

CONCLUSIONSDuring the development of the rat cochlea, both of them had similar location and trend. But they were derangement. This showed that both of them participated in the cochlear morphological development. It was suggested that the interaction between survivin and caspase-3 regulated the apoptosis, promoted the cochlear morphological development.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cochlea ; embryology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors TrkB, TrkC and the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor p75 in spiral ganglion cell (SGC) of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

METHODSThe 50 adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups received intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin with vary dose. Control group was received equivalent volumes of saline. The group received 1 day intraperitoneal injection was cisplatin treated at a dose of 5 mg/kg and killed at next day. The group received 3 days was cisplatin treated for 3 days at same dose daily and then killed at next day. The group A received 5 days was cisplatin treated for 5 days and killed at next day. The group B received 5 days was cisplatin treated for 5 days and then were sacrificed after 7 days. The change of mRNA level of neurotrophin receptors in cochlear tissue were examined by RT-PCR. The expressing pattern of TrkB, TrkC, P75 in damaged cochlea were study by immunochemistry using antibodies against TrkB, TrkC, P75 protein.

RESULTSThe research data showed the expression of Trk B, Trk C, p75 exhibited in SGC was dynamic along with the administration lasting. The mRNA and protein level of Trk B (x(-) +/- s) at day 1 and 3 after cisplatin treatment were 0.76 +/- 0.06, 88.78 +/- 4.28, 0.82 +/- 0.09 and 91.64 +/- 4.06, with significant difference among those and other groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein level of TrkC at day 1 after cisplatin treatment were 0.80 +/- 0.06 and 89.66 +/- 2.76, with significant difference among that and other groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein level of p75 at the control group and cisplatin treated groups were 0.64 +/- 0.04, 55.16 +/- 3.10, 0.77 +/- 0.04, 78.46 +/- 3.86, 1.01 +/- 0.09, 105.02 +/- 6.61, 1.18 +/- 0.09, 111.10 +/- 6.08, 0.51 +/- 0.04 and 42.74 +/- 5.20, with significant difference among the control group and cisplatin treated groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Trk B increased to peak at day 1 - 3 after cisplatin treatment and decreased at day 5 early and following weeks. The expression of Trk C went up to peak at day 1 after cisplatin treatment and went down during subsequently time. P75 kept a trend of continuance increased during the drug treatment and decrease at drug stopped. The expression of Trk B, Trk C and P75 may be involved in cochlear insult with cisplatin-induced. Trk B and Trk C may play an important role in the reparative process of cochlear, especially at early stage of the damage. P75 could promote SGC apoptosis in cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

Animals ; Cisplatin ; toxicity ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Receptor, trkB ; metabolism ; Receptor, trkC ; metabolism ; Spiral Ganglion ; drug effects ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the effects of NPPB, a chloride channel blocker, on proliferation of mesangial cells.

METHODSCell proliferation was determined by measuring cell number and 3H-thymidine incorporation. The LDH activity released from these cells was measured as evaluation of cell viability. The phase of cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCell proliferation assays showed that treatment with both NPPB (50 and 25 micromol x L(-1)) and in hypertonic media (100% increased osmolarity with D-mannitol ) significantly reduced the number of human MC and 3H-thymidine incorporation in a dose-dependent manner. But the LDH activity was not significantly altered in the treatment with 50 micromol x L(-1) NPPB. Flow cytometry experiments showed that 50 and 25 micromol x L(-1) NPPB arrested (84.2 +/- 2.4) % and (80.8 +/- 2.9) % of cells at G0/G1 stage, versus (70.5 +/- 1.4) % of control cells. Conclusion NPPB suppresses cell proliferation and produces growth arrest at G0/G1 phase in human MC by a mechanism probably associated with changes in cell volume.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nitrobenzoates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTTo explore the better treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-two cases of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, sixty-six cases in each group. In observation group, Baihui (GV 20) penetrating to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiaji (EX-B 2), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied; in control group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied. Once a day, 6 treatments made one session and one day break between courses. The curative effects after 4 and 8 courses and the recurrence rate that 6 months after treatment were observed; the pain scale evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were observed.

RESULTSThe cured rate and total effective rate were 44.3% (27/61) and 100.0% (61/61) in observation group, 26.7% (16/60) and 93.3% (56/60) in control group after 4 courses; there were significant differences between two groups (all P < 0.05). After 8 courses, the cured rate and total effective rate were no significant differences between two groups (all P > 0.05). In observation group, the recurrence rate was 9.4% (5/53) 6 months after treatment, which was lower than that (24.1%,13/54) in control group (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scale were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and which in observation group were inferior to those in control group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with puncture by opening meridian and consolidating origin is rapidly effected with low recurrence rate.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement

BACKGROUNDIn vitro fertilization (IVF) researches have suggested that cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) is involved in oocyte development. However, little is known about the regional and cellular expression patterns of CBS in the ovary. The purpose of this study was to analyze the localization of CBS in mice ovaries and to investigate the expression profile during follicular development.

METHODSWe used in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis to determine CBS expression in the ovaries of female Balb/c mice. Then the follicles were collected from F1 (C57BL x Balb/c) mice and cultured in vitro. With the method of semi-quantitative RT-PCR, we also investigated the expression profile of CBS during follicular development.

RESULTSCBS was absent in the oocytes, although it was ubiquitously expressed in the ovary with the strongest expression in follicular cells at all stages. In late antral follicles, CBS expression was markedly higher in granulosa cells located close to the antrum and in cumulus cells around the oocyte. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that CBS mRNA was detected in follicles at all stages in vitro. In cumulus-oocyte complexes superovulated, CBS expression also increased rapidly.

CONCLUSIONSCBS was located mainly in the follicular cells in the ovaries. The level of CBS expression is high in follicles during folliculogenesis in mice. Differences in the CBS expression profile between oocyte and follicular cells suggest a role for CBS as a mediator in interactions between oocyte and granulosa cells.

Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; analysis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Ovarian Follicle ; physiology ; Ovary ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic factors and treatment choice for intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSClinicopathological data of 184 HCC patients with intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy were collected. The influences of twenty one clinicopathological factors and treatment modalities on the survival after recurrence were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis showed that preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >100 ng/ml, microscopic venous invasion, patients classified as Child-Pugh class B or C at diagnosis of recurrence, multiple recurrence foci and early recurrence (< or =12 months) were poor prognostic factors. Cox multivariate analysis showed that Child-Pugh class at diagnosis of recurrence, number of recurrent foci and time to recurrence were independent risk factors for survival in patients with recurrence. Median survival after recurrence was 34 months, 23 months, 15 months and 9 months, respectively, in patients treated by repeated hepatectomy, local ablation therapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or non-treatment in 69 patients with solitary recurrence. There were statistically significant differences among these four groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONclassification of Child-Pugh class A at the first time of diagnosis, solitary recurrence, late recurrence (> 12 months), and intrahepatic recurrence occurred after repeated hepatectomy or local ablation therapy are better prognostic factors in patients with HCC recurrence.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism