Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on osteoporotic fracture healing .Methods Bone marrow of the rat bilateral femur and tibia bone tissue were collected ,and BMSCs were isolated by the whole bone marrow adherence method .Sixty female 11‐week‐old SD rats were ovariectomized (OVX) to induce osteoporosis followed by bilateral fracture generation .Twenty rats were left without giving any further treatment (OVX controls) ,20 received injection of saline (OVX+placebo control) and 20 were given injection of BMSCs (OVX+BMSCs) .X‐ray scan was performed at 3‐day ,4‐week and 8‐week post‐fracture ,respectively .Results Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the isolated BMSCs express sur‐face antigens similar to those reported previously .X‐ray results showed that compared with OVX and OVX+placebo groups ,BM‐SCs treatment markedly accelerated fracture healing of in osteoporotic rats .Conclusion Transplantation of BMSCs can effectively improve the healing of primary osteoporotic fracture .

Extracellular single-unit discharges were obtained from 106 spontaneously active neurons in the region of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) by glass microelectrode from 73 brain slices of Sprague-Dawley rats. Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 0.1 ～ 3.0 mmol/L) inhibited the electrical activity of 84 out of 106 RVLM neurons dose-dependently. The inhibitory effect of GABA could be blocked by GABAA with BMI or PTX alone, the firing rates of most of the RVLM neurons were significantly increased. In 41 neurons responding to GABA, baclofen (0.1 ～ 3.0 μmol/L), a GABAB receptor selective agonist, inhibited the discharges of 33 of the neurons dose-dependently. GABAB receptor antagonist CGP35348 ( n = 13) blocked the inhibition due to baclofen ( n = 21). After perfused with CGP35348 alone, the firing rates of most of the RVLM neurons were significantly increased. Taken together, the inhibition of GABA on RVLM neurons is mediated through either GABAA or GABAB receptors and some intrinsic GABA neurons exert tonic inhibition activity.

Designation of days and hours in terms of the heavenly stems and earthly branches is held as an important basis for point selection according to the ancient acupuncture theory of Ziwu Liuzhu (midnight-moon ebb flow). While the heavenly stems and earthly branches are predicted on the base of particular times. Therefore, what standard of time should be adopted is essential for acupuncture based on Ziwu Liuzhu. The article has pointed out the possible errors in adopting Beijing time, local mean solar time and real solar time. It proposes that real solar time should be adopted as the time standard for acupuncture based on Ziwu Liuzhu in the view of analysis of the theory itself and history background of the generation of the theory. It is also suggested to explore a particular software or establish a website for assistance of the acupoint selection.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; China ; Humans ; Time Factors

Ligustrazine, one of the major effective components of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, has been reported plenty of biological activities, such as protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, neuroprotection and anti-tumor, et al. Because of its remarkable effects, studies on structural modification of ligustrazine have attracted much attention. Ligustrazine synthetic derivatives reported in recent decades are mainly derived from four primary intermediates (TMP-COOH, TMP-OH, TMP-NH2, HO-TMP-OH). To explore the neuroprotection activitiy of ligustrazine intermediates, six ligustrazine intermediates (2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13) were synthesized and their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells were studied. The target compounds were prepared via different chemical methods, including oxidation, substitution, esterification and amidation without changing the structure nucleus of ligustrazine. Compared with TMP (EC50 = 56.03 micromol x L(-1)), four compounds (2, 5, 12 and 13) exhibited higher activity (EC50 < 50 micromol x L(-1)) respectively, of which, compound 2 displayed the highest protective effect against the damaged PC12 cells (EC50 = 32.86 micromol x L(-1)), but target compounds 8 and 11 appeared lower activity (EC50 > 70 micromol x L(-1)). By structure-activity relationships analysis, the introduction of carboxyl, amino to the side chain of ligustrazine and appropriately increase the proportion of ligustrazine may contribute to enhance its neuroprotective activity, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis and activity screening of relevant series of ligustrazine derivatives in the future.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ; Cobalt ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Pyrazines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo compare effects of different point combinations of Zusanli (ST 36) for improving acute gastric mucosa injury and study on the mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, Zusanli (ST 36) group (group A); Zusanli and Neiguan (PC 6) group (group B); Zusanli and Zhongwan (CV 12) group (group C); Zusanli and Gongsun (SP 4) group (group D); Zusanli, Neiguan and Zhongwan group (group E); Zusanli, Neiguan and Gongsun group (group F); Zusanli, Zhongwan and Gongsun group (group G); Zusanli and Neiguan, Zhongwan, Gongsun group (group H); model group (group I); blank control group (group J), 10 rats in each group. Gastric mucosa injury model was made by intragastric infusion of dehydrated alcohol (0. 6 mL/100 g). The gastric mucosa injury index (UI), epidermal growth factor (EGF), nitric oxide (NO) and gastrin (GAS) contents were detected.

RESULTSContents of EGF and NO were significantly increased and GAS content decreased in all of the EA groups as compared with those in the model group (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05), with no significant differences among group A, B and D, and significant differences as group A compared with group C, F and group H compared with other EA groups.

CONCLUSIONDifferent point combinations of Zusanli (ST 36) can improve acute gastric mucosa injury, with the strongest effect in the Zusanli and Neiguan, Zhongwan, Gongsun group.

Acupuncture Points ; Acute Disease ; Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Ethanol ; toxicity ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Gastrins ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of urethral plate combined with unilateral crescent flap in the treatment of hypospadias in children.Methods The clinical data of 14 cases of hypospadias treated from March 2017 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,with average age of (3.3 ± 2.1) years.The external urethral orifice was located in the middle and distal part of the ventral side of the penis,with mild and moderate bends of the penis.The prepuce was piling up on the penile dorsal side,the ventral skin was deficient,and there was no concomitant disease such as penis scrotum transposition or cryptorchidism.All children were primarily treated with urethroplasty with urethral plate and one crescent flap.One side of the free urethral plate had a crescent superficial fascia,which was used as the new urethral material together with the urethral plate.By design,the urethra sutured deviating from the midline.The external urethral orifice was formed by trimming the anterior opening of urethra in the form of shallow "V" shape,and the new urethra was covered with the dorsal fleshy vascular pedicle.The pterygoid flap of the penis was sutured to form the penile head,and the foreskin was cut to cover the body of the penis.The specimens were taken for HE staining.Results The operation was successfully completed in 14 children.The length of the penis was measured before it is stretched out.The penile length was(3.5 ±0.5)cm,the penile diameter was(1.2 ±0.3) cm at the coronal sulcus,and the diameter of the tortoise head was (1.5 ± 0.3) cm at the pterygoid.The width of urethral plate was (0.6 ± 0.1) cm.Remeasurement was performed after complete correction of penile bending deformity.The length of the penis was (3.5 ± 0.5) cm,and the urethral defect was (1.7 ± 0.7)cm.According to Barcat method,there were 2 cases of coronal sulcus type,7 cases of anterior penile type and 5 cases of middle penile type.The results of HE staining showed that the number of blood vessels in the dorsal prepuce and fascia was (8.5 ± 2.1),dorsal foreskin plate was (5.1 ± 1.6),ventral prepuce internal plates was (7.6 ± 1.8),and ventral outer prepuce plates was (4.8 ±1.6).The number of superficial fascia vessels and deep fascia vessels were (10.3 ± 1.4) and (4.2 ± 1.7).The analysis of variance showed that there was significant difference in the mean number among groups(P =0.036),which was compared with each other by SNK-q test.The number of fasciae in dorsal prepuce was the most abundant,there was significant difference between dorsal and outer prepuce(P =0.033),and there was also significant difference with ventral prepuce(P =0.047).But there was no significant difference between the two groups(P =0.326).There was no significant difference in the number of blood vessels between the dorsal and ventral prepuce (P =0.682).The number of superficial fascia vessels near the skin was significantly more than that of deep fascia(P =0.037).On the transverse plane,there are more branches of the superficial fascia to the urethral plate at the junction of the ventral external plate and the urethral plate.All 14 cases were followed up for 3 to 9 months with an average of(5.4 ± 2.1) months.The penis was straight and satisfactory,urethral orifice was not cracked,urination was laborious and not forked,and there was no fistula.One patient with middle penile type developed postoperative infection and was controlled after antiinfective treatment.One patient with anterior penile type had slight urination after operation,but had no difficulty in urination.F6 metal urethral dilator was used to dilate for 2 months,and the urination was normal.Conclusion Urethral plate combined with crescent flap urethroplasty for hypospadias has a satisfactory appearance and fewer complications.It provides an optional operative method for the children who need no transection of urethra plate to straighten the penis,especially for the poor development of the penis and the insufficiency of the new urethral materials.The superficial fascia tissue on both sides of the urethral plate is an ideal material for the new urethra because of its abundant blood supply adjacent to the urethral plate and direct vascular connection.

[Objective]To study the clinical efficacy of embolization in treating cerebral arteriovenous malformations(AVMs) using a new liquid embolic agent,FuAiLe medical adhesive (FAL,main ingredients:α-octyl cyanoacrylate and α-butyl cyanoacrylate).[Methods]Femoral artery was catheterized under local anesthesia,and then superselective catheterization to intracranial lesions were obtained using marathon 1.3F microcatheter.Fifteen cerebral AVMs were embolized by FAL.The diameter of AVMs was larger than 6 cm in 4 cases,3-6 cm in 7 cases and smaller than 3 cm in 4 cases.Single blood supply was observed in 3 cases,2 blood supplies in 5 cases and 3 blood supplies in 7 cases.Surgical ablation was applied after embolization in 3 cases,and gamma knife treatment was applied after embolization in 2 cases,[Results] A total of 26-time embolization was obtained in 15 patients;more than 80％ embolization was achieved in 8 cases,including 5 with complete embolization;and 50％-80％ embolization was achieved in 5 cases;less than 50％ embolization was achieved in only 2 cases.No serious complication associated with embolization was noted in all patients.[Conclusion] It is safe and effective for FAL to treat cerebral AVMs and FAL may be an ideal embolic agent.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of SiO(2) on the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in human lung fibroblasts in vitro and vivo.

METHODSThe experimental group comprised 32 rats while 32 rats were included in the control. In vivo, the expression of alpha-SMA in lung tissues of rats exposed to SiO(2), the supernate of RAW264.7 cells, SiO(2) and the growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) were investigated, respectively.

RESULTS(1) alpha-SMA positive myofibroblasts appeared in the lung tissues of the 28th day groups exposed to SiO(2). (2) The expression of alpha-SMA in HLF-02 cells was unregulated by TGF-beta(1) and supernate of RAW264.7 cells exposed to SiO(2). (3) The expression of alpha-SMA in HLF-02 cells was not induced by SiO(2).

CONCLUSIONMyofibroblasts related to silicosis, and the appearance of myofibroblasts (in vitro) are independent on direct stimulation by SiO(2), but related to the mediator (TGF-beta(1)) secreted by SiO(2) stimulated macrophages.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung ; cytology ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; Silicosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution patterns and proliferative activity of lymphatic vessels in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and their relationship with tumor metastasis and disease prognosis.

METHODSThe microlymphatic density (MLD) and microvascular density in tumoral and non-tumoral areas of 96 cases of CRC were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies for podoplanin and CD34 respectively. The Ki-67 expression of the lymphatic and blood vessels was detected by double-labeling immunohistochemistry. The relationship between MLD and clinicopathologic features and prognosis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe lymph vessels at central and superficia1 portions of CRC often had a reticular architecture with numerous tiny and ill-defined lumina, while those at the tumor borders had large and open lumina. The MLD at tumor borders (51.2 +/- 25.5) was significantly higher than that in normal colorectal mucosa (29.4 +/- 9.0) and other portions of CRC (P < 0.01). The Ki-67 labeling index of the lymphatic lining cells at tumor borders (0.23 +/- 0.17) was significantly higher than that in other portions of CRC (P < 0.05). The MLD significantly correlated with lymphatic involvement by tumor cells, regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (P < 0.01). The 5-year survival rate was also significantly lower in patients with high MLD (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNeolymphatic vessels are commonly seen in CRC, especially at tumor borders. High MLD at tumor borders is associated with metastasis. The detection of MLD at tumor borders may thus be useful in predicting lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with CPC.

Adenocarcinoma ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; immunology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impacts of three different surgical approaches to urethral stricture on the erectile function of the patients.

METHODSThis study included 126 male patients with urethral stricture, 35 treated by substitution urethroplasty (group A), 52 by anastomotic urethroplasty (group B), and 39 by internal urethroplasty (group C). We evaluated the pre- and postoperative erectile function of the patients using IIEF-5 scores by telephone calls and interviews. We also monitored their nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT).

RESULTSThe IIEF-5 scores in groups A, B and C were 13.5 +/- 4.5, 11.1 +/- 4.8 and 14.5 +/- 4.41 respectively after surgery, all significantly decreased as compared with 17.1 +/- 2.6, 17.1 +/- 3.0 and 17.6 +/- 2.2 preoperatively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAll the three surgical approaches can reduce IIEF-5 scores in patients with urethral stricture, but anastomotic urethroplasty may induce a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction than the other two approaches.

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods ; Young Adult