Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Ganglioneuroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Paraganglioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

Objective: To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) and Tianshu (ST 25) with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score. Results: Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5 at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers. Conclusion: The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion.

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.

Objective: To explore family correlates of physical aggression among students in concentrated poverty-stricken minority areas. Methods: By using cluster sampling, questionnaire survey was conducted among 2 960 students in Dongjing county, Wucun county and Babie village in Baise City. Information of general demographic characteristics and physical aggression was collected. Results: Family economic status, family structure, family education system, family emotional atmosphere and household function showed significant effects on physical aggression(F/t=35.15, -5.78, 5.57, 9.54, 60.86, P<0.05).From multivariate logistic regression showed that family structure, parenting style, family emotional atmosphere and household function significantly accounted for variation of physical aggression, with one-unit improve of above indicators resulted in 0.11, 0.17, 0.17 and 0.36 decrease in physical aggression, respectively. Conclusion Parents should be encouraged to construct a harmonious family atmosphere, democratic parenting and well-functioning family, and cultivate positive attitude and outlook on life of their children through active life perspectives, aiming to reduce physical aggression and promote physical and mental well-being.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of Compound Salvia injection (CSI) on nitrate ester tolerance.

METHODSEighty-four patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were randomly divided into three groups, Group A treated with isosorbide dinitrate (ISD, 15 mg, 4 times per day) alone, Group B with ISD plus CSI and Group C with ISD plus vitamin C. The therapeutic course for all groups was 10 days. The tolerance to nitrate ester and blood pressure were monitored. Before and after treatment, the color Doppler ultrasonic apparatus was used to detect the baseline value of humeral arterial internal diameters (D0), the humeral arterial dilatory response under compression [D1, that is, the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD)] and the vasodilatory response after sucking of nitroglycerin (D2). And the blood levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression were determined. The endothelial-dependent vasodilation (EDD) was expressed by (D1 - D0)/D0 x 100%, and the endothelial-independent vasodilation (EID) was expressed by (D2 - D0)/D0 x 100%.

RESULTS(1) The occurrence rate of nitrate tolerance in Group B and C (28.57% and 35.7%) was lower than that in Group A (64.29%), but insignificant difference was found between the former two. (2) After treatment, blood pressure increased in Group A to the level of pre-treatment, that in Group C also increased but still lower than that of pre-treatment, while insignificant increase was observed in Group B, comparison between Group B and C showed significant difference (P < 0.05). (3) After treatment, EID lowered in Group A, EDD increased in Group B and C (P < 0.05), EDD and EID in Group B and C were higher than those in Group A (P < 0.05), and EDD was higher in Group B than in Group C (P < 0.05). (4) After treatment, ET-1 mRNA expression lowered in Group B, eNOS mRNA expression increased in Group B and C, with significant difference as compared with those before treatment and those in Group A (P < 0.05), and eNOS mRNA expression in Group C was lower than that in Group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCSI could partially prevent the occurrence of tolerance to nitrate ester, with the effect better than vitamin C, the mechanism might be related with its regulation on eNOS, ET-1 mRNA expression and protection on vascular endothelial function.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Drug Resistance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Endothelin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isosorbide Dinitrate ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To explore the multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanism of ABC superfamily transporters in the tumor stem cells(TSC) from human brain glioma tissues. METHODS: Samples of glioma were obtained from 30 patients undergoing microsurgical tumor resection. The CD133(+) cells and CD133(-) cells from these tumor specimens were isolated by magnetic activated cell sorting(MACS). These cells were cultured, proliferated and passaged. The protein and activity expression of multidrug-resistance protein 1(MDR1) and multidrug-resistance associated protein 1(MRP1) were analyzed between CD133(+) and CD133(-) cells by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR respectively. RESULTS: CD133(+) cells generated free floating neurosphere like brain tumor spheres(BTS) and abnormal proliferating capacity in the serum-free medium(SFM) in vitro. Three cases from glioblastoma stem cells could form BTS in the complete medium, and could be cultured for 1-3 passages. The range of positive cell proportion for MDR1 and MRP1 expression in CD133(+) cells was 18%-67% and 23%-73% respectively. The expression levels of MDR1 and MRP1 mRNA were higher in CD133(+) glioma stem cells than those in the differentiated tumor cells(TC), the protein activity was increased to 16.1 and 19.6 times respectively compared with that of TC. The protein and activity expression were positively related to the pathological grades of tumors. MDR1 or MRP1 drug resistance was not expressed in all the tumors and there was obvious correlation between MDR1 and MRP1. CONCLUSION Only a small proportion of cells in the heterogeneous glioma is CD133(+) brain tumor stem cells which display the strong capacity of self-renewing, abnormal proliferation and intrinsic multidrug resistance to traditional chemotherapy. The high expression of MDR1 and MRP1 by the CD133(+) brain tumor stem cells is one of the main mechanisms in the chemoresistance of tumors. CD133(+) brain tumor stem cells can be served as the root of multidrug resistance and key therapeutic target for glioma chemotherapy.
AC133 Antigen ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD ; immunology ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Glioma ; metabolism ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Spheroids, Cellular ; drug effects ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and the related mechanisms of the components of Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue decoction (DGBXD) on improving blood deficiency.

METHODThe effects of promoting hematopoietic function were observed with the blood difficient model mice, by giving components of DGBXD. RBC, WBC, reticulocytes and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) were determined. The components of DGBXD on proliferation of BMNC and on clony forming unit (CFU) were also determined.

RESULTThe components of DGBXD remarkably increased the quantity of RBC, WBC, and BMNC. Some of the components promoted the proliferation of BMNC and increased the quantity of CFU-Mix. Among them, polysaccharide of angelica was most potent.

CONCLUSIONThe studies show that the extracts and some components of DGBXD can promote the hemopoietic function system of the model mice, and they exert the effects in a comprehensive way.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the variation of specific antibody among convalescent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients through a three-year program.

METHODSSera samples were collected from SARS cases in the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset of the illness. The SARS-CoV specific antibody was detected for all of them by ELISA and neutralized test simultaneously. The titer of neutralizing antibodies was calculated using Reed-Muench method, and the comparison between different time groups was analyzed regarding the variance of data on repeated measures after logarithm conversion.

RESULTS13, 17 and 13 sera samples were collected in the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset. Results showed that despite the fact that the positive rates of ELISA antibody were 100%, 82.4% and 84.6% respectively,the neutralizing antibody was still positive for all the samples. The average neutralizing antibody titers were 1:43 (1:16-1:203), 1:36 (1:17-1:59) and 1:21 (1:10-1:39) on the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset, and the differences were statistically significant (F = 60.419, P < 0.001). On the 35th month after the onset, 30.8% (4/13) of the patients were still having the neutralizing antibody level of above 1:36, but the neutralizing antibody level in another 30.8% (4/13) of the patients had decreased to as low as 1:10, when the cut-off level was set as 1:8.

CONCLUSIONResults of the study indicated that the neutralizing antibody of SARS cases could last for at least three years, but the sera specific antibody in SARS cases decreased gradually when time went by. However, neutralizing antibody in some of the cases decreased to a lower level on the 35th month. Further follow-up study was worthwhile to observe the long-lasting profile of antibody existence on SARS cases.

Antibodies, Neutralizing ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology

For determination the ionic mechanisms of the hypoxic acclimatization at the level of channels, male Spradue-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control normoxic group and chronic intermittent hypoxic group [O2 concentration: (10 +/-0.5)%, hypoxia 8 h a day]. Using whole cell patch-clamp technique, voltage-gated potassium channel currents (IK(V)) were recorded in freshly isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of rat with acute isolated method. The effect of acute hypoxia on IK(V) of PASMCs from chronic intermittent hypoxia group was investigated to offer some basic data for clarifying the ionic mechanisms of the hypoxic acclimatization. The results showed: (1) In control normoxic group, after acute hypoxia free-Ca(2+) solution, the resting membrane potential (Em) of PASMCs was depolarized significantly from -47.2+/-2.6 mV to -26.7+/-1.2 mV, and the IK(V) of PASMCs was decreased significantly from 153.4+/-9.5 pA/pF to 70.1+/-0.6 pA/pF, the peak current percent inhibition was up to (57.6+/-3.3)% at +60 mV, and current-voltage relationship curve shifted to the right. (2) In chronic intermittent hypoxic group, the IK(V) of PASMCs was decreased significantly by exposure to intermittent hypoxia in a time-dependent manner, appeared to start on day 10 and continued to day 30 (the longest time tested) of hypoxia, and current-voltage relationship curve shifted to the right in a time-dependent manner. (3) Compared with the control normoxic group, the percent IK(V) inhibition by acute hypoxia was significantly attenuated in the chronic intermittent hypoxia group and this inhibition effect declined with time exposure to hypoxia. The results suggest that K(V) inhibition was significantly attenuated by chronic intermittent hypoxia, and this effect may be a critical mechanism of the body hypoxic acclimatization.
Animals ; Cell Separation ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The applications accepted and approved by general program, young scientist fund and fund for less developed region of national natural science funds in the discipline of Chinese materia medica, NSFC in 2012 have been introduced. The research contents of the funded projects in the popular research areas have been summarized and the problems in the applications have been analyzed to give a reference to the scientists in the field of Chinese materia medica.
China ; Financing, Organized ; organization & administration ; Humans ; Laboratory Personnel ; economics ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; Natural Science Disciplines ; economics ; manpower ; organization & administration