Objective To investigate the impact of paced QRS duration (pQRSd) on heart function in patients with right ventricular apical pacing. Methods Seventy-six patients with Ⅲ° atrioventricular block received pacemaker treatment were enrolled and randomized into group A (pQRSd < 190 ms, n = 52) and group B(pQRSd≥ 190 ms, n = 24). The concentration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP),parameters of left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular ejection fracetion (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic dimension (LVEDD) were measured before operation, at 12 months and 24 months after implanting, respectively. The parameters of echocardiography assay, the concentration of BNP and the incidence of heart failure event after implantation were compared between two groups. Results At 12 months after implanting, LVEF of the patients in the group B decreased significantly compared with that of group A (P < 0.05). However, the echocardiography paramenters and the concentration of BNP were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 24 months after implanting, LAD、LVEDD、LVESD of group B increased significantly compared with those of group A [LAD,( 44.5 ± 6.2) mm vs (41.6 ± 5.1) mm, LVEDD, (52.7 ± 9.3) mm vs (48.2 ± 7.5) mm, LVESD, (37.5 ± 5.6) mm vs (33.8 ± 4.9)mm, each P < 0.05, respectively]. The concentration of BNP of group B increased significantly [(408.2 ± 102.1)ng / L vs (243.7 ± 92.8)ng / L, P < 0.001], and LVEF of the patients in group B decreased significantly compared with those of group A [(46.3 ± 6.8)% vs (51.6 ± 5.2)%, P < 0.001], respectively. No significant difference in the incidence of heart failure event (41.7% vs 26.9%, P > 0.05)between two groups during 24-month follow-up. Conclusion The prolonged paced QRS duration has a detrimental effect on long-term cardiac function during RVA pacing in patients with Ⅲ°atrioventricular block.

Objective To transplant the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UCMSCs) derived from human umbilical cord into cisterna magna of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) rat model,and to observe their survival,proliferation and differentiation in the rat brain.Methods UCMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord of babies delivered after full-term normal cesarean section,and labeled by bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU).Pregnant rats were randomly divided into experimental group(n=6) and control group(n=1).HIE models were built by ligating both sides of the uterine arteries of full-pregnant rats(21 days) in experimental group rats for 15 minutes.The neonatal rats in experimental group were divided into stem cells group(n=24) and PBS group(n=19) at random.The labeled UCMSCs were injected into cisterna magna of the rats in stem cells group,while PBS was injected into the rats of PBS group.In 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after transplantation,the brain tissue section slides were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies against BrdU,Nestin,neuron specific enolase(NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and thionin.Control group with normal delivery was tested as concurrent control.Results At 1 week after transplantation,BrdU,Nestin,NSE and GFAP positive cells were found in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of the rats in stem cells group rats.The number of BrdU-positive and Nestin-positive cells increased(Pa0.05).The NSE-positive and GFAP-positive cells gradually increased from 1-4 weeks post transplantation and comparisons between groups had statistical significance(Pa

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; drug therapy ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion therapy at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) of rats with induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the serumal intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICMA-1) and the pathological tissue, to discuss the mechanism of the warming and activating effect of moxibustion. Methods: After establishing the RA rats model, the induced rats were treated with moxibustion therapy on the acupoint Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36), followed by analyzing the pathological section of the ankle of the hind limb and testing the ICAM-1 content with ELISA. Results: The plantar circumferences of the induced rat increased significantly compared with the rats in the control group (P<0.01), accompanying with the increase of the synovial layer, the erosion of phlogocytes to chondrocytes and the specific increase of ICAM-1 content. After the moxibustion therapy, the plantar circumferences decreased significantly (P<0.01) while the synovial layer tended to reduce. In addition, there was no pathological damage of the articular cartilage and the ICAM content decreased with significant deviation (P<0.01), compared to the model group. Conclusion: It was concluded that moxibustion therapy could inhibit the arthrosynovitis and hyperplasia, ameliorate the erosion of phlogocyte to cartilage, prevent articular periosteal lesions and delay the pathological course. The warming and activating effect of moxibustion therapy may involve the inhibition of the formation of ICAM-1 and pannus.

This article gives a profound exploration on the theoretical origin, prohibitions and mechanisms of moxibustion for heat syndrome. Based upon the ancient and modem literature, this article also gives a classified summarization on diseases of moxibustion for heat syndrome, in order to obtain a thorough understanding about the theory and clinical application of moxibustion for heat syndrome, hence to further perfect the theory of moxibustion and guide the clinical practice.

Objective: To observe the influence on IL-1β and IL-2 in rat models with rheumatoid arthritis after moxibustion on Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) points, and to discuss the mechanism of moxibustion. Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups,control group, model group, drug group, moxibustion group, and laser group, 10 for each. Four groups except the normal group were built on the model of rheumatoid arthritis. The changes of body weight and plantar circumference were measured and the level of IL-1β、 IL-2 in sera were examined by ELISA. Results: Compared with the model group, the weight and plantar circumference of rats in the moxibustion group were improved significantly after treatment (P＜0.01), and the improvement of plantar circumference also had significant differences compared with the drug group and the laser group (P＜0.05). The level of IL- 1β、 IL-2 in sera were down regulated in the moxibustion group and the laser group, which had statistical differences compared with the model group (P＜0.05), but no statistical differences were found when comparing with the drug group. Conclusion: Moxibustion obviously improves the toe tumefaction of the rats with rheumatoid arthritis, which is better than CO2 laser of 10.6μm. On the aspect of decreasing the amount of IL-1β、 IL-2, CO2 laser of 10.6 μm is similar with moxibustion.

BACKGROUND:Understanding the difference of miRNA-34s expression in normal tissue and tumor tissue wil contribute to screen out a miRNA with high sensitivity as the specific tumor molecular marker.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of miRNA-34s (miR-34a/b/c) between normal skin and keloid tissue using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and to evaluate the role and mechanisms of miRNA-34s in keloid formation and development.
METHODS:Ten cases of keloid tissue and two cases of normal skin tissue were col ected as specimens. Total RNAs were extracted from keloid and nomal skin tissue by Trizol method, and miRNA-34s were further isolated by Ambion’s miRNA Isolation Kit. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was applied to verify expression levels of microRNA-34s (miR-34a/b/c) in keloid tissue and normal skin tissue.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:miRNA-34s (miRNA-34a/b/c) expression was down-regulated in keloid tissue compared with normal skin tissue (P<0.01). The findings showed that miRNA-34s (miRNA-34a/b/c) are involved in keloid formation and development, and down-regulation of the family member may result in neoplastic growth of keloid.

To investigate the effects of manual acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) or Taiyuan (LU9) on the attention function of the brain, and to lay an experimental foundation for researching brain function and integration mechanisms of the human brain in relation to acupuncture stimulation.

The incidence of aduIt obesity,diabetes,hyperIipidemia and hypertention has been rising dramaticaIIy in recent years. Obesity and overweight have become a significant pubIic heaIth probIem worIdwide. Though obesity is caused by compIex interactions between genetic,behavioraI,and environ-mentaI factors,its etioIogy is stiII uncIear. There is growing evidence that exposure to bisphenoI A(BPA) during prenataI and neonataI or adoIescence periods Ieads to much body mass gain. In addition,in epi-demioIogicaI studies,the association between BPA exposure and obesity and type 2 diabetes has been found. The potentiaI mechanism may be attributed to promoted differentiation and function in adipocytes via aIteration of a number of genes. BPA may act aIso through other mechanisms. It can directIy bind to nucIear receptors acting as agonists or antagonists and indirectIy disrupt hormone IeveIs by inhibiting enzymatic activity or by activating expression of the P450 enzymes. This review is focused on the effects of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicaIs such as BPA on the deveIopment of obesity.

Objective To perform a risk factor analysis of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO),and compare the difference in risk factors between CRVO and BRVO.Methods Retrospective observational casecontrol study included 46 CRVO patients,33 BRVO patients and 79 control subjects with senile cataract or refractive error,the risk factors and blood lipid spectrum analysis were performed and compared.Results Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that higher serum levels of homocysteine (P ＜ 0.000 1),total cholesterol (P =0.003 0),lipoprotein (a) (P =0.027 0),hypertension (P =0.022 0) and shorter axial length (P ＜0.000 1) were significantly correlated with CRVO.BRVO was associated with higher serum levels of homocysteine (P ＜0.000 1),total cholesterol (P =0.008 0),hypertension (P =0.002 0),body mass index (P =0.004 0) and shorter axial length (P =0.001 0).There was no significant difference in risk factors between CRVO and BRVO patients on multivariate analysis.Conclusion Multiple systemic (hyperlipidemia,hypertension and hyperhomocystinemia) and ocular (shorter axial length) risk factors are associated with both CRVO and BRVO,but these risk factors are not different between CRVO and BRVO.