OBJECTIVETo study features of brain gray matter injury in cerebral infarction patients and intervention of scalp acupuncture by using voxel-based morphology.

METHODSA total of 16 cerebral infarction patients were recruited in this study, and assigned to the scalp acupuncture group and the control group, 8 in each group. Another 16 healthy volunteers were recruited as a normal group. All patients received scanning of T1 structure. Images were managed using VBM8 Software package. Difference of the gray matter structure was compared among the scalp acupuncture group, the control group, and the healthy volunteers.

RESULTSCompared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients mainly occurred in 14 brain regions such as cingulate gyrus, precuneus, cuneus, anterior central gyrus, insular lobe, and so on. They were mainly distributed in affected side. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the scalp acupuncture group still existed in 8 brain regions such as bilateral lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, left cuneus, right precuneus, and so on. New gray matter injury occurred in lingual gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the control group existed in 23 brain regions: bilateral anterior cingulum, caudate nucleus, cuneate lobe, insular lobe, inferior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, precuneus, paracentral lobule, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, lingual gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and so on. New gray matter injury still existed in 9 cerebral regions such as lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONSBrain gray matter structure is widely injured after cerebral infarction. Brain gray matter volume gradually decreased as time went by. Combined use of scalp acupuncture might inhibit the progression of gray matter injury more effectively.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Gray Matter ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Scalp ; Stroke ; therapy

Adult ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Peracetic Acid ; toxicity

Objective To outline the research fronts of ten major sub-specialties in internal medicine.Methods Based on their impact factor scores and the proportion of the journals of 10 subspecialties (endocrinology & metabolism,cardiac & cardiovascular systems,hematology,infectious diseases,nephrology,gastroenterology & hepatology,respiratory system,rheumatology,critical care medicine,clinical neurology) in Journal Citation Report (JCR),and careful consulation of expert clinicians,we identified 50 journals.Their bibliographic records (including references) published in 2011 were downloaded,and the frequency of the references (citations) in each sub-specialty was counted and the highly cited records were extracted.We performed a clustering analysis according to the co-cited times among any pairs of the highly cited records.To tag each cluster of highly cited records,we browsed the titles and abstracts of all highly cited records in the same cluster,and concluded the main topics of each cluster.Finally,we extracted the current published papers devoted to particular cluster by some clustering analysis indicators.The clusters of highly cited records were considered as the intelligence base,and the main topics in current papers which citing these highly cited papers were considered as research fronts.Results Totally 50 journals on 10 sub-specialties in internal medicine were identified.A total of 202 highly cited papers,38 clusters (knowledge bases),and 152 corresponding current citing papers presenting the research fronts were selected.Conclusions We confirm and present research fronts in 10 major sub-specialties of internal medicine.This study provides a synchronic structure of contemporary research activities in internal medicine sub-specialties.

Objective Objective TO investigate the potential association between matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and risk of ischemic stroke in Western Guangdong population.Methods This hospitalbased case-control study recruited 251 patients with ischemic stroke and 96 controls.Using Multiplex SNaPshot method was used to detect the genotype of MMP-9 gene rs3787268、rs3918241 and rs3918242 polymorphisms.The association between MMP-9 gene polymorphisms and risk of ischemic stroke was analyzed.Results ① There were significant differences in the genotype distribution of rs3787268 between ischemic stroke group and the controls (P=0.042).In the recessive model,the individual risk of A/A genotype was higher (OR=2.21,P=0.046) than that of the G/G+G/A genotype.② Compared with the controls,the genotype and allele distribution of rs3918242 in the ischemic stroke group were significantly different (P=0.007,P=0.038).In the dominant model,the risk of individuals carrying the T genotype was significantly elevated (OR=2.14,P=0.009) compared with individuals with the C/C genotype.③ The genotype distribution of rs3787268 polymorphisms in the LAA but not in no-LAA subgroup was significantly different from that in the controls (P =0.039).The genotype distribution and allele frequency of rs3918242 polymorphisms in the LAA subgroup were significantly different from that of the control group (P=0.009,P=0.047).There was no significant difference in the genotype distribution and allele frequency between no-LAA subtype and the control group.Conclusions The MMP-9 gene rs3918242 and rs3787268 polymorphisms may be the risk factors of ischemic stroke in Han population in the western part of Guangdong province,China.The MMP-9 gene rs3918242 and rs3787268 polymorphisms may be the risk factors of large-artery atherosclerotic stroke.

By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), an open reading frame of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) was isolated from Panax notoginseng and named as PnPR1. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses of PnPR1 revealed that an open reading frame of 501 bp was predicted to encode a 166-amino acid protein with a deduced molecular mass of 18.1 kD. Homology analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence of PR1 protein of Panax notoginseng had a high similarity with other higher plants had the same conservative structure domain of cysteine-rich secretory protein (CAP). The recombinant expressed plasmid pET28a(+)-PnPR1 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The expression conditions were optimized by induction at different times, different temperatures, different IPTG concentrations and different giving times. The optimum expression condition was 0.4 mmol.L-1 IPTG at 28 degrees C for 20 h. The successful expression of PnPR1 provides some basis for protein purification and preparation of the monoclonal antibody.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Alignment

The primary object of this fundamental research was to survey the synergistic cardiovascular effects of iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) opener, and clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs, such as calcium antagonists, thiazide diuretics and β receptor blockers by a 2 x 2 factorial-design experiment. It would provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combined antihypertensive therapy program after iptakalim is applied to the clinic. Amlodipine besylate, hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol were chosen as clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and cardiac functions were observed in anesthetized normal rats by an eight-channel physiological recorder. The results showed that iptakalim monotherapy in a low dose could produce significant antihypertensive effect. There was no interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P > 0.05). However, the effects of combination iptakalim/amlodipine on the maximal changes of SBP, DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP were more obvious than those of iptakalim or amlodipine monotherapy. And there was strong positive interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of HR (P>0.05). According to the maximal changes of DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP (P < 0.05) of combination iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide, there was strong positive interaction between them. But there was no interaction between iptakalim and hydrochlorothiazide on the maximal drop of SBP and HR (P > 0.05). According to the maximal drops of DBP, MABP of combination iptakalim with propranolol, there was strong positive interaction between them (P < 0.05). But there was no interaction between iptakalim and propranolol on the maximal changes of SBP, LVSP, LVEDP and HR (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was the first time to study the effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol, which had different mechanisms of action from iptakalim, on cardiovascular effects of iptakalim in anesthetized normal rats. This study proved that the combination of iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol respectively had significant synergism on lowering blood pressure, while the combination of iptakalim/amlodipine had additive action on lowering blood pressure. Meanwhile the antihypertensive effect was explicit, stable and long-lasting. Iptakalim thus appears suitable for the clinical treatment of hypertensive people who need two or more kinds of antihypertensive agents.
Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Heart Rate ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats

Objective:To study the correlation between HBV Pre-S1 antigen,HBeAg levels and HBV DNA copies,so as to assess the clinical value of Pre-S1 in detection of HBV replication.Methods:A total of 363 HBsAg-positive samples were col- lected.The levels of Pre-S1 antigen,HBeAg and HBV DNA copies were determined by ELISA,time-resolved immuno-fluores- cent method and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR),respectively.The correlation between the determination re- sults was analyzed.Results:Pre-S1 antigen level was correlated with the level of HBeAg(X~2=94.4,P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides fannae drops on children with allergic rhinitis of different age groups (4-5 years old group and 11-12 years old group).Methods Sixty-two children aged 4-5 years,and 71 children aged 11-12 years,who suffered from dust mite induced allergic rhinitis,was randomly divided into the sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) + drug group and drug group.SLIT + drug group was treated with a standardized sublingual immunotherapy drops of Dermatophagoides fannae and combined with symptomatic therapy,drug group was treated with mometasone furoate nasal spray and desloratadine tablets as symptomatic treatment.These children were followed up for 2 years with one visit in every 3 months,then visited at the end of the study and 2-years after the treatment ended.Symptom scores and medication scores were recorded at each visit.Comprehensive evaluation of symptoms,medication,and patients' degree of satisfaction were used.Results Two years after SLIT finished,symptom scores (SLIT + drug group:1.13 ± 1.05 ; drug group:4.68 ± 3.09),medication scores (SLIT + drug group:0.07 ± 0.04 ; drug group:0.36 ± 0.25) of SLIT + drug group were significantly lower than those in drug group (t value were-8.43,-8.87,respectively,all P ＜ 0.01).Also,the subjective assessment of patients' symptoms,medication,and treatment satisfaction in SLIT + drug group was significantly lower than those in drug group.Subjective assessment symptoms,medication,and treatment satisfaction in age group 4-5 was the same as in age group 11-12.After SLIT ended for 2 years,subjective assessment and treatment satisfaction in age 11-12 group was better than those in age 4-5 group in medication score.Conclusions SLIT demonstrated clinical improvement in children of different ages during 2 years treatment.Two years after withdrawal,the symptom scores,medication score and subjective satisfaction in 11 years old group are better than those in 4-5 years old group.

OBJECTIVETo observe central immediate effect of acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) on passive movement of cerebral infarction paitents with hemiplegia by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provide reference for clinical treatment.

METHODSWith 1. 5 T MRI scanner, six cases of right cerebral infarction paitents with left hemiplegia in recovery stage were scanned during passive fingers movement before and after acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34), which was controlled with sham-acupoint acupuncture to observe immediate activated part of the corresponding brain.

RESULTSThe activated areas of the passive movement in all the patients were mainly motor sensory cortex on the right side. Compared with sham-acupoint, in the left anterior insula, in ferior frontal gyrus, central gyrus, fusiform gyrus, cerebellum, acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) has better central effect. These areas were involved with several brain networks.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture at Yan glingquan (GB 34) could promote recover of helmiplegia by regulating motor-related network.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome

3-Iodobenzylguanidine ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pheochromocytoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Radionuclide Imaging