Objective To evaluate the changes in cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in hippocampi global in aged rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R ) injury .Methods One hundred and twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats , aged 18-22 months ,weighing 450-600 g ,were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n= 60 each):sham operation group (group S) and global cerebral I/R group (group I/R) .The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10% chloral hydrate 0.4 ml/100 g .Global cerebral I/R was induced by 4-vessel occlusion method described by Pulsinelli .Fifteen rats were sacrificed at 1 ,3 ,5 and 7 days of reperfusion ,and brains were removed for determination of neuronal apoptosis and expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR ) , choline acetyltransferase (ChAT ) ,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the hippocampal CA1 region .The apoptosis rate was calculated .Results Compared with group S ,the apoptosis rate was increased and the expression of α7nAChR ,ChAT ,TNF-αand IL-1βwas up-regulated in group I/R ( P<0.05 or 0.01 ) . The expression of α7nAChR and ChAT was up-regulated gradually during reperfusion and peaked at 5 day of reperfusion ( P< 0.05 ) .Conclusion Global cerebral I/R injury can activate cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in aged rat hippocampi ,and the activation of this pathway is the endogenous mechanism of inhibition of excessive inflammatory responses in brain tissues .

Objective To study the risk factors and prognosis of very/extremely low birth weight preterm (VLBW/ELBW) infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) during the first three years of life.Method From January 1st to December 31st,2012,a retrospective study was conducted on the VLBW/ELBW preterm infants with ＞ 28 days of hospitalization in the NICU of our hospital.The infants were assigned into BPD group (FiO2 ＞ 21％) and non-BPD group depending on the oxygen requirement on the 28th day after birth.The incidences of bronchitis,pneumonia,wheezing and re-hospitalization during the first three years of life were analyzed.The pulmonary function tests were performed at one-year-age.Independent-sapmles t test,Kruskal-wallis test and x2 test were used to compare the results between the two groups.Result A total of 72 patients were enrolled into this study.34 patients in the BPD group and 38 in the non-BPD group.The gestational age,birth weight and the use of INSURE technique of BPD group were significantly lower than non-BPD group,while the duration of hospital stays were longer than non-BPD group (P ＜0.05).The ratio of male,neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS),patent ductus arteriosus (PDA),intrauterine infection,mechanical ventilation,nosocomial infection and the inhalation of high concentrations of oxygen were significantly higher in BPD group than non-BPD group (P ＜ 0.05).Incidences of bronchitis and wheezing during 0 ～ 1,1 ～ 2 and 2 ～ 3 years of age in the BPD were significantly higher than non-BPD group,separately.No significant differences existed in the incidences of pneumonia and re-hospitalization between the two groups.Pulmonary function test showed that the respiratory rate (RR) and peak tidal expiratory flow in the BPD group were significantly higher than non-BPD group,while the tidal volume,peak expiratory time and peak expiratory volume were significantly lower in BPD group than non-BPD group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion BPD often occurs in preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks.It may cause impaired pulmonary function,characterized by obstruction in small airway,and increases the risk of bronchitis and wheezing during the first three year of life.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of transforaminal endoscopic spine system in surgical revision of lumbar vertebrae.

METHODSFrom January 2012 to October 2013,14 patients who needed reoperations of lumbar vertebrae were treated using transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS). There were 8 males and 6 males, aged from 27 to 84 years old with an average of (50.4 ± 18.9) years. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA) were compared before and after surgical revision. Macnab standard was used to assess the clinical effect.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 6 to 27 months with the mean of 18 months. Preoperative VAS score was 6.79 ± 1.31, and in a week,3 months and 6 months after operation were 2.50 ± 1.29, 2.21 ± 1.53, 1.64 ± 1.08, respectively, which were all much lower (P < 0.01) than preoperative score. Preoperative JOA score was 12.43 ± 1.95, and the above corresponding postoperative JOA scores were 21.50 ± 3.78, 21.93 ± 4.55, 23.36 ± 4.33, respectively, which were all much higher than preoperative score (P < 0.01). According to the modified Macnab criteria, 5 patients got an excellent results, 7 good, 1 fair and 1 poor. The nerve root injury of L5 occurred in 1 case during paracentesis and no other complications were found.

CONCLUSIONSelecting the appropriate indications using TESSYS in surgical revision of lumbar vertebrae can successfully avoid the operation scar, reduce the surgical complications and obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Reoperation ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors which may affect the rate of HBeAg seroconversion and its durability after long-term lamivudine therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients.

METHODS81 patients were treated in a phase III clinical trial with lamivudine 100 mg daily for up to 5 years. The mean period of treatment was (48.84+/-10.52) months (range: 16 approximately 60 months). When HBeAg seroconversion occurred in the patients, which was defined as loss of HBeAg and detection of anti-HBe antibody, HBV DNA level less than 10 mEq/ml more than two times (once every 3 months), the lamivudine treatment was stopped and they were followed-up for another 6 approximately 12 months. The HBV DNA level was detected using Branched DNA assay (Chiron). The HBV markers were detected using IMX assay (Abbott). HBV genotyping was performed using type-specific PCR. The data were analyzed using logistic multivariant analysis.

RESULTS(1) The distribution of HBV genotypes was as follows: type B, 17 (20.97%), type C, 62 (76.54%), and type B+C, 2 (2.47%). (2) 26 patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion (32.10%). The annual seroconversion rates were 16.05% (13/81) in the 1st year, 19.75% (16/81) in the 2nd, 27.16 % (22/81) in the 3rd, 28.40% (23/81) in the 4th and 32.10% (26/81) in the 5th year. Four patients had a reappearance of HBeAg and an elevation of HBV DNA. Therefore the stability ratio was 84.62% (22/26). The mean baseline ALT and HBV DNA levels in those who were seroconvered were (104.8+/-86.3) U/L and (940.1+/-1123.7) mEq/ml, respectively. Mean baseline ALT and HBV DNA of non-seroconverters were (48.3+/-46.9) U/L and (2152.3+/-3063.5) mEq/ml. There was a significant difference between the two groups shown by Kruskal-Wallis Test (P < 0.05). Analysis by logistic multivariate analysis showed that the rate of HBeAg seroconversion and its durability rate correlated with a high baseline ALT. In contrast, a relatively low seroconversion rate and durability rate was observed in patients with high baseline HBV DNA. The durability rate also correlated with additional lamivudine treatment after HBeAg seroconversion.

CONCLUSIONContinuation of lamivudine therapy for more than 6 months after HBeAg seroconversion might increase the durability of response.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Objective To establish biological reference intervals of neonatal T lymphocyte subsets and IgG, IgA,IgMlevels in 24 -hour newborns in Guangxi.Methods Maternal history and neonatal clinical data were evalua-ted and recorded.Venous blood samplings were collected within 24 hours of birth and were sent for testing in half an hour.The neonates were divided into the early -preterm,the late -preterm and the term neonates group,1 1 0 cases for each group.The parturients were divided into Dexamethasone treatment group and without Dexamethasone treatment group.Data in neonates and the parturients and the sex were analyzed by SPSS 1 7.0 software and the biological refe-rence values were calculated.Results The two -sided reference intervals of 95% in the early -preterm group,the late -preterm group and the term neonates group were as follows:CD3 +:52.07 -88.92 g/L,58.1 6 -90.42 g/L, 56.1 5 -95.67 g/L;CD4 +:25.20 -59.26 g/L,31 .27 -72.91 g/L,28.44 -82.66 g/L;CD8 +:7.30 -36.26 g/L, 9.1 3 -38.49 g/L,1 1 .09 -48.99 g/L;CD4 +/CD8 +:0.34 -4.58,0.34 -4.58,0.32 -3.80;CD1 9 +:3.95 -27.59 g/L,4.04 -30.94 g/L,4.08 -38.70 g/L;NK cell:1 .34 -6.64 g/L,2.88 -8.92 g/L,3.07 -9.35 g/L;IgA:0.000 4 -0.039 6 g/L,0.000 0 -0.069 0 g/L,0.000 0 -0.069 0 g/L;IgM:0.001 6 -0.1 58 4 g/L,0.020 0 -0.1 40 0 g/L,0.020 0 -0.420 0 g/L;IgG:3.22 -1 0.98 g/L,1 .1 0 -1 4.62 g/L,5.00 -1 3.66 g/L.Moreover the ca-ses with Dexamethasone treatment were as follows:the late -preterm infants CD8 + 1 0.35 -40.33 g/L,NK 3.1 0 -9.46 g/L,term NK 6.60 -9.50 g/L;those in without Dexamethasone treatment:the late -preterm infants CD8 +8.42 -34.96 g/L,NK 2.94 -7.80 g/L,term NK 2.98 -8.94 g/L;according to gender,the males in the late -pre-term infants CD8 + 8.26 -35.66 g/L,term CD3 + 51 .90 -92.94 g/L;females in the late -preterm infants CD8 +1 1 .08 -40.68 g/L,term CD3 + 61 .1 0 -96.1 4 g/L.Conclusions Testing values of neonatal T lymphocyte subsets and IgG,IgA,IgM levels in 24 -hour newborns in Guangxi disperse largely and show some differences among the early -preterm neonates,the late -preterm neonates and the term neonates,and maternal Dexamethasone treatment during pregnancy and gender play a role in neonatal immunity.

Objective: To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods: In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion: In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of phosphorus (P) deficiency on the morphological and functional characteristics of erythrocytes in cows. Forty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in mid-lactation were randomly divided into two groups of 20 each and were fed either a low-P diet (0.03% P/kg dry matter [DM]) or a control diet (0.36% P/kg DM). Red blood cell (RBC) indices results showed RBC and mean corpuscular hemoglobin decreased while mean corpuscular volume increased significantly (p < 0.05) in P-deficient cows. Erythrocyte morphology showed erythrocyte destruction in P-deficient cows. Erythrocytes' functional characteristics results showed total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase activity levels in the serum of P-deficient cows were significantly higher than those in control diet-fed cows. Activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes were lower, while the malondialdehyde content was greater, in P-deficient cows than in control diet-fed cows. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities were lower in P-deficient cows than in control diet-fed cows; however, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity was not significantly different. The phospholipid composition of the erythrocyte membrane changed and membrane fluidity rigidified in P-deficient cows. The results indicate that P deficiency might impair erythrocyte integrity and functional characteristics in cows.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Diet ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; Erythrocytes ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Malondialdehyde ; Membrane Fluidity ; Phosphorus* ; Superoxide Dismutase

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antiviral activity and safety of entecavir in patients with chronic HBV infection as a preliminarily step in selecting 0.1 mg or 0.5 mg as a better dosage for a further large scale clinical trial.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled and dose-ranging trial of entecavir usage in 212 patients with chronic HBV infection. The patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 0.1 mg entecavir (69), 0.5 mg entecavir (72) and, placebo (71) groups and treated for 28 days. The patients were then followed for 56 days without treatment.

RESULTSThe proportion of subjects who achieved the primary endpoint at day 28, with their HBV DNA level decreased >2 log or undetectable, was significantly greater in the entecavir 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg dose groups compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01 for both comparisons). The mean change from baseline in HBV DNA levels at day 28 was greater for entecavir 0.1mg and 0.5 mg groups compared with the placebo group (both P < 0.01). The mean change from baseline in HBV DNA levels at day 28 for entecavir 0.5 mg group was greater than that of the entecavir 0.1 mg group (P < 0.01). During the 56-day post-dosing follow-up phase, the entecavir 0.5 mg group was associated with greater and more sustained suppression of viral replication than the entecavir 0.1 mg group (P < 0.01). There were no clinically meaningful differences in the incidence of any adverse events between the entecavir dosing and the placebo groups.

CONCLUSIONEntecavir at both 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg doses demonstrated superior antiviral activity compared with a placebo. Since the entecavir 0.5 mg dose appears to have greater antiviral activity than the 0.1 mg dose and with a comparable safety and tolerability profile, the 0.5 mg entecavir dose could be used in further trials.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guanine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To discuss the topical action characteristics of the biological transmission of moxibustion heat via temperature collection and numerical modeling.Methods:Temperature of moxibustion was measured at multiple points at a distance of 3 cm to obtain the moxibustion temperature field nephograms by the high-accuracy temperature measure array.Finite element analysis was used to imitate the three-dimensional dynamic distribution of temperature in acupoint tissues.Results:Through numerical analysis,the one-dimensional,two-dimensional and three-dimensional distributions of temperature in human acupoint tissues at 5 min of moxibustion were established.The result showed that moxibustion heat mainly transmitted from the surface of the tissue to the internal,and the influence of moxibustion heat decreased with the depth of the tissue.The analysis of the nephograms of acupoint tissue temperature at 5,10,15 and 20 min of moxibustion showed that with the increase of the moxibustion time,the temperature in acupoint tissues constantly rose,and the transmission depth of moxibustion heat also further expanded inside acupoint.Conclusion:By establishing the three-dimensional dynamic model of heat transmission inside acupoint tissues with the biological parameters of human tissues and the temperature values obtained,this study used finite element analysis software ANSYS 14.0 and discovered the rules in the transmission of heat in body tissues during moxibustion,and the features in moxibustion heat transmission (from the proximal to the distant) and heat penetration (from the surface to the internal).This study provides theoretical and experimental support for the application of moxibustion in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo. We compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), Chinese symptom score (CSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume between the two groups of patients before and after 6 months of medication.

RESULTSAfter treatment, there were 5 cured cases, 13 markedly effective cases, 9 effective cases, 1 ineffective case, and 2 eliminated cases in the experimental group, as compared with 2 cured cases, 8 markedly effective cases, 10 effective cases, 7 ineffective cases, and 3 eliminated cases in the control group. The total effectiveness rate was obviously higher in the former (96.4%) than in the latter (74.1%). IPSS, Qmax, and CSS were improved in both of the groups after medication, even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (IPSS: 15.22 ± 2.98 vs 18.15 ± 5.88, P <0.05; Qmax: [13.56 ± 2.26] ml/s vs [11.78 ± 2.97] ml/s, P <0.05; CSS: 6.18 ± 2.13 vs 9.52 ± 3.15, P <0.05). Because of the difference in the QOL score between the two groups at the baseline (P = 0.038 <0.05), no more comparison was made in this aspect after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of Longbishu Capsule with mesylate doxazosin is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Double-Blind Method ; Doxazosin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination