The effects of capsaicin microinjection into area postrema (AP) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were investigated in 36 anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Following microinjection of capsaicin (10 μmol/L, 50 nl) into the AP, MAP, HR and RSNA were significantly increased from 12.34±0.53 kPa, 328.52±7.54 bpm and 100±0% to 15.17±0.25 kPa (P<0.001), 354.81±8.54 bpm (P<0.001) and 156.95±7.57% (P<0.001), respectively. (2) Ruthenium red (RR, 100 mmol/L, 0.2 ml, iv), a capsaicin receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited these effects of capsaicin. (3) Pretreatment with a NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (500 μg/kg, 0.2 ml, iv) also reduced these effects of capsaicin. The above results indicate that microinjection of capsaicin into AP induces excitatory effects on MAP, HR and RSNA, which are mediated by capsaicin receptors with glutamate involvement.

Objective To study effective treatment for deep burn on the face caused by coal-dust burning and blasting to prevent severe disfigurement.Methods Early conservative eschar-scraping, delayed skin graft,early strain-diminution for the eyelids in both sides,and wound expansion with skin graft were used to treat 12 patients with deep burn on their faces caused by coal-dust burning and blasting. Results Facial wound of all the 12 patients healed within three weeks after burn.No significant cicatricial hyperplasia and deformity were found on their faces during three-month follow-up,with natural facial expression and abundant emotion.Conclusions Early eschar-scraping and delayed skin graft for deep facial burn can promote fast repair of burn-wound,diminish cicatricial hyperplasia and prevent deformity on the face.

Objective: To prepare a nanoprobe, anti-human melanoma ganglioside single chain variable fragment (GD/ScFvMEL) antibody conjugated with CdTe quantum dot, and to observe its ability to specifically bind human malignant melanoma cells. Methods: The GD/ScFvMEL gene was cloned into pET32a (+), and the plasmid was then transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) for GD/ScFvMEL protein antibody expression. The expressed GD/ScFvMEL antibody was purified by denaturing method and further refolded by modified dialysis method. The purified GD/ScFvMEL antibody was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The GD/ScFvMEL-QDs nanoprobe was prepared by conjugating GD/ScFvMEL antibody with CdTe quantum dot, and its specificity was observed by incubating with MGC-803 cells and melanoma A375 cells. Results: The recombinant pET32a-GD/ScFvMEL was constructed and confirmed by PCR, restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequencing. The proportion of expressed GD/ScFvMEL antibody in total bacteria proteins was about 40% as detected by SDS-PAGE. The purified- and refolded-GD/ScFvMEL antibody was effectively conjugated with CdTe quantum dot, and the resulting GD/ScFvMEL-QDs nanoprobe was successfully prepared. The GD/ScFvMEL-QDs nanoprobe could specifically bind melanoma A375 cells, but could not bind stomach cancer MGC-803 cells. Conclusion: We have successfully prepared an anti-human melanoma ganglioside single-chain antibody-CdTe quantum dot nanoprobe, which can specifically bind melanoma cells.

This case report describes a 44-year-old woman with primary spinal cord malignant melanoma localized in the lumbar region. This is a very rare lesion. The patient presented with back pain and slight weakness in her lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense signals on T1-weighted images and hypointense signals on T2-weighted images. The entire tumor was removed surgically. The patient's postoperative clinical examination revealed mild neurological improvements. Histopathological investigations confirmed the tumor was a malignant melanoma. When treating common lesions of the lumbar spinal cord with a benign appearance, surgeons should be aware of the potential for malignant tumors.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanoma ; diagnosis ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; diagnosis

Objective To investigate the effects of high spermatic vessel dissection on testicular morphological alteration of SD rats in prepuberty,puberty and sexual maturity phases.Methods Thirty-day-old SD rats were divided into 2 groups underwent sham operation and left high spermatic vessel dissection as a simulation of Palomo′s maneuver.Detailed morphological investigations were made at 3 different postoperative intervals among the 3rd day,30th day and 56th day.Results High spermatic vessel dissection in prepubertal rats induced acute testicular ischemia in the operated testes on the 3rd day.Most of the operated testes on the 30th day showed testicular atrophy.And all the operated testes showed testicular atrophy and sperm disappearance in epididymis on the 56th day.Conclusion High dissection of spermatic vessel in prepubertal rats induced testicular ischemia in prepuberty and testicular growth failure in puberty,testicular atrophy completely and sperm production losing in sexual maturity phase.

Objective: To observe the effects of microwave on the activity of SOD and the contents of MDA in renal cortex and testis of mice. Methods: Microwave generator(2 450 MHz, 10 mW/cm2) was used to expose mice; NBT,DTNB and TBA were used to mearure the activity of SOD and the contents of MDA in renal cortex and testis of the mice after microwave exposure.Results: The content of MDA in renal cortex and testis of the mice increased progressively on days 1,6,12 and reached the highest level on day 24 after the microwave exposure (P<0.01). The activity of SOD in renal cortex and testis of the mice decreased progressively on days 1, 6, 12 and reached the lowest level on day 24 after the microwave exposure (P<0.01). Conclusions: Microwave exposure can produce reactive oxygen free radicals and lead to depress SOD activity.

The present study was undertaken to define whether intracarotid injection of capsaicin induces Fos expression associated with the activation of NOS-containing neurons in brainstem nuclei by combining the immunocytochemical method for Fos with NADPH-d histochemical technique for NOS. The results obtained are as follows: (1) Intracarotid injection of capsaicin caused a significant increase of Fos-like immunoreactive neurons in area postrema (AP), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), paragigantocellularis lateralis (PGL) and locus coeruleus (LC), without influence upon the neurons of raphe nuclei (RN) and periaqueductal gray (PAG). (2) NO-containing neurons in PGL and NTS and the double-labeled neurons in PGL were also increased significantly following intracarotid injection of capsaicin. Small numbers of NO-containing neurons were found in LC, but there was no change in the number of NO-containing neurons in RN and PAG. No NADPH-d histochemical activity could be found in AP. (3) The above responses to capsaicin were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with either a capsaicin receptor antagonist ruthenium red or a NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. The above results indicate that intracarotid injection of capsaicin may activate the neurons in brainstem nuclei involved in cardiovascular regulation, and that NO only plays an indirect role in the modulation of the responses of brainstem nuclei to capsaicin. These effects of capsaicin are mediated by capsaicin receptors with involvement of glutamate.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Guangdong Liangcha Keli on restraint stress-induced liver damage in mice.

METHODThirty-five male C57BL/6J mice of 7 weeks old were divided into 5 groups randomly with 7 mice in each group: normal group, restraint stress group, 250 mg kg(-1) Vitamin C, Guangdong Liangcha Keli 500 mg kg(-1) and 250 mg kg(-1). After 18 hr restraint stress, the ALT acitivity in plasma, MDA level in plasma and liver, GSH content, GSH-PX and GST activities, NO level and ORAC value in liver were determined.

RESULTCompared with restraint model group, Guangdong Liangcha Keli could markedly reduce ALT activity (92.75 +/- 1.91 vs 39.29 +/- 2.56, 32.69 +/- 1.46) U L(-1), and protect the liver damage induced by oxidative stress. In addition, Guangdong Liangcha Keli could effectively increase the ORAC value, GSH content, GSH-PX activity and GST activity and reduce the MDA level and NO level in liver.

CONCLUSIONOral treatment of Guangdong Liangcha Keli is found to reduce restraint stress-induced liver damage in terms of above mentioned biochemical parameters, and these protective effects may be related to its free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; blood ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Psychological ; complications

China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; epidemiology ; Rural Population ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on simple obesity of different syndrome types, so as to understand the syndrome type most suitable to this therapy.

METHODSUsing prospective and double blind method one hundred and thirty-seven cases were divided into a group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (n=30), a stomach heat-dampness stagnation group (n=30), a group of stagnation of liver qi (n=27), a group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney (n=26) and a group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency (n=24). They were treated with catgut implantation at main acupoints Liangmen (ST 21), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Fenglong (ST 40) and adjuvant points selected according to different syndromes, once each week, 4 weeks constituting one course, for 2 courses. Changes of body weight, body mass index (BMI), circumferences of chest, waist and hip, and symptoms and signs before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the body weight, BMI, circumferences of waist and hip in the 5 groups had significant changes; the total effective rates in the group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency, the stomach heat-dampness stagnation group, the group of stagnation of liver qi, the group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney deficiency, the group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency were 83.3%, 93.3%, 48.2%, 69.2% and 41.70%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoints is the best for simple obesity of the stomach heat-dampness stagnation type and the worst for the type of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Catgut ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Prostheses and Implants ; Young Adult