The Jingluo is a great hypothesis and theory of Chinese traditional medicine. The physical existence of Jingluo phenomena has been proved by many medical practices, but its real mechanism is still unknown. Here is a conjecture about Jingluo: "The essence of Jingluo is in CNS, the lines of Jingluo on soma is only actually a mapping of some strong connection networks in cortex or white matter of brain". Many new modalities of medical imaging like fMRI, PET, SPECT and Mapping MEG can do a good job on functional brain imaging. If we improve their spatial resolution and develop new methods to indicate brain activities, maybe we can unveil the secret of Jingluo.
Central Nervous System ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians

Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Cartilage Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hamartoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Mesoderm ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Nasal Cavity ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nose Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C) on the expression of Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor(uPAR) protein in margin tissue of pigs with acute wounds and patients with chronic wounds.

METHODSAcute wounds were created on the two side of five male pigs' back, the experiment wounds on one side received V. A. C treatment and the control side received traditional treatment. Punch biopsies were taken from margin tissue of the wounds in 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 25 days after the V.A.C treatment. The uPA and uPAR positive cells were stained with immunohistochemical technique . Six human chronic wounds were also treated with the V. A. C treatment, and the samples of extravasate from those wounds were collected in 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 days after the treatment, and the levels of uPA and uPAR expression were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe expression of uPA and uPAR protein in margin tissues of pigs with acute wounds increased and peaked in 3 days after the treatment with V. A. C, then it presented rapidly downtrend, but the expression and staining in the experiment group were obviously higher than that of the control group. In the six chronic wounds, the high level expression of uPA and uPAR protein was decreased after the treatment with V. A. C.

CONCLUSIONThe V. A. C may increase the expression of uPA and uPAR protein in acute wound keratinocytes and decrease the high expression of uPA and uPAR in chronic wounds.

Adult ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; Swine ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; Wound Healing

Objective:To observe the lipid-lowering effect of different transdermal absorption enhancers applied to the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in hyperlipidemia model rabbits, and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods:Forty New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups using the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Rabbits in the blank group were fed routinely with normal diet; rabbits in the other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. Rabbits in the blank and the model groups were not treated. After the model was prepared, rabbits in the non-transdermal absorption enhancer group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion without transdermal absorption enhancer; rabbits in the laurocapram group and the borneol group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with laurocapram or borneol respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum was collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the liver tissues were isolated for immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western-blotting (WB) detection. Results: Serum ELISA results showed that leptin was significantly decreased in the model group compared with the blank group (P＜0.05); compared with the model group, leptin was significantly increased in the non-transdermal absorption enhancer, the laurocapram and the borneol groups (all P＜0.05); compared with the non-transdermal absorption enhancer group, leptin was significantly increased in the laurocapram group and the borneol group (both P＜0.05); there was no significant difference in leptin between the laurocapram and the borneol groups (P＞0.05). The qPCR results of rabbit liver tissues showed that the mRNA expressions of leptin, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the model group were significantly lower than those in the blank group (all P＜0.05); compared with the model group, the mRNA expressions of leptin, leptin receptor (LR), JAK2 and STAT3 in the non-transdermal absorption enhancer, the laurocapram and the borneol groups were significantly increased (all P＜0.05); compared with the non-transdermal absorption enhancer group, the mRNA expressions of leptin, LR, JAK2 and STAT3 in the laurocapram and the borneol groups were significantly increased (all P＜0.05); compared with the laurocapram group, the mRNA expressions of leptin, LR, JAK2 and STAT3 in the borneol group were significantly increased (P＜0.05). The trend of immunohistochemistry and WB detection results was basically consistent with the qPCR assay results. The immunohistochemistry and WB detection results of phosphorylated JAK2 (phospho-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (phospho-STAT3) were basically consistent with those of JAK2 and STAT3. Conclusion: The molecular expression of Leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in the hyperlipidemia model rabbits was decreased. The molecular expression of Leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway was significantly increased after the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion. The application of laurocapram and borneol, as transdermal absorption enhancers, in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion could more obviously up-regulate the factors of the Leptin/JAK2/STAT3 lipid-regulating pathway than the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion alone.

OBJECTIVETo investigate radiation protection and possible mechanisms of low intensity microwave on gamma-ray exposed mice.

METHODS96 healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal control, microwave (120 microW/cm(2), 900 MHz), gamma-ray irradiation (5 Gy), combined exposure of microwave and gamma-ray (120 microW/cm(2) + 5 Gy). The microwave group and combined group were exposed to 120 microW/cm(2) microwave firstly, 1 h/d, for 14 days. Then the ionization and combined group were exposed to 5 Gy (60)Co gamma-ray irradiation on the 15th day. Animals were sacrificed on the third, 6th, 9th and 12th day after irradiation. The sternum and spleen paraffin section were produced, and the histological changes were observed. Apoptosis rate of mice splenic cells in each group was examined by flow cytometry, and serum concentration of antioxidant and lipid peroxide was detected at the same time.

RESULTSBone marrow was obviously injured either by radiation or microwave exposure, characterized by undergoing four-phase lesions, namely apoptosis-necrosis, void, regeneration and recovery phase. Compared with the gamma-ray group, the pathological changes in combined group were slighter and the recovery was quicker. The pathological injuries of spleen were similar to that of bone marrow. Injuries in the combined group were slighter than gamma-ray group. It showed that apoptosis rate of splenic cells in combined group was significantly lower on the 6th and 9th day after gamma-ray radiation (23.02% +/- 15.18%, 25.37% +/- 11.62% respectively) from FCM results. Assays of oxidative damages suggested that serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in combined group increased while lipid peroxide level decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow intensity microwave may exert protection effects on injuries induced by ionizing radiation. The underlying mechanisms might be related with suppression on the hematopoietic cells apoptosis induced by gamma-ray radiation, inhibition of oxidative damages, and thus enhanced reconstruction of the hematopoietic system.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Gamma Rays ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; Radiation Protection

Adult ; Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the reliability and clinical value of intraoperative ultrasound combined with neuronavigation for resection of intracranial cavernous malformations.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to December 2009, 40 cases of intracranial cavernous malformations were operated under the application of intraoperative ultrasound combined with neuronavigation. There were 18 male and 22 female, aged 18 to 58 years, with a mean age of 34.5 years. Neuronavigation was used for all patients before operation to display the three-dimensional model of nervous system and lesions, so to design the operative approach and determine the scope of the incision. Lesions were allocated by real-time neuronavigation in order to continuously verify the accuracy of operative approach during the operation, supplemented by real-time monitoring of intraoperative ultrasound to guide the process of surgery and determine the extent of resection of lesions.

RESULTSThe registration error of neuronavigation was 1.3 - 3.2 mm, with an average of 2.0 mm. All the patients' three-dimensional model of nervous system and lesions were satisfactorily displayed, and the area of lesions were all accurately located. Structural brain-shifts occurred in 4 cases in the remove process of the lesion, with shift degree 5.0 - 10.0 mm, and were corrected by intraoperative ultrasound. All lesions were well displayed by intraoperative ultrasound. Gross total resection was achieved in all patients, with no patient infected or dead. Neurological deterioration was seen in 2 patients, the morbidity was 5.0%.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of neuronavigation and intraoperative ultrasound for resection of intracranial cavernous malformations can provide valuable intraoperative informations of the location and resection level of the lesion, thereby maximize the accuracy of lesion localization and the extent of resection, with less complications and enhanced efficacy of the surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuronavigation ; Neurosurgery ; methods ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the specific killing effects of combination of recombinant adenovirus mediated double suicide gene driven by KDR promoter and survivin antisense oligonucleotide(ASODN) on colorectal cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells.

METHODSThe 293 packaging cells were transfected with the plasmids of pAdEasy-CDglyTK and the recombinant adenovirus were generated. The KDR expressive cells of SW620, ECV304 were infected with adenovirus, meanwhile survivinASODN was transferred into the same cells. The infection rate of adenovirus and transfection efficiency of survivinASODN were observed and the expression of CDglyTK was detected by RT-PCR. The expression of survivin was measured by Western blot. The killing effects and bystander effects on SW620, ECV304 were examined through MTT method.

RESULTSThe cells which were infected with the adenovirus mediated double suicide gene could be transfected with the survivin ASODN and the infection rate was not affected as well as the transfection efficiency. The high expression of CDglyTK gene was found in SW620, ECV304 cells infected with recombinant adenovirus and survivin ASODN decreased the survivin protein level. The survival rate of gene therapy group was significantly lower than that of negative group. The combination of survivin ASODN and AdKDR-CDglyTK gene therapy showed significantly lower survival rate of SW620 and ECV304 cells as compared with the AdKDR-CDglyTK or survivin ASODN used alone (P<0.05). The survival rate was slightly lower in GCV 100 microg/ml, 5-FC 2000 microg/ml than that AdKDR-CDglyTK used alone (P>0.05). The combined therapy of AdKDR-CDglyTK and survivin ASODN showed synergistic killing efficacy and more significant bystander effects.

CONCLUSIONThe combined gene therapy of AdKDR-CDglyTK system and survivin ASODN has stronger specific killing effects on colorectal cancer cells and vein endothelial cells.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; genetics ; Transcription Initiation Site

OBJECTIVETo compare the durability of quantum dots with that of green fluorescein for labeling survivin antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) and investigate the difference in growth and apoptosis of cells transfected with the labeled survivin ASODN.

METHODSSurvivin ASODN labeled with quantum dots or green fluorescein was transfected into MCF-7 cells via Lipolifectmain(TM2000). The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was assessed with MTT assay, survivin mRNA expression determined by RT-PCR and its protein expression measured by Western blot analysis. The apoptosis rate of the transfected cells was estimated by flow cytometry, and the fluorescence distribution in the cells observed under fluorescent inverted microscope.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of survivin were significantly decreased in the MCF-7 cells after cell transfection with survivin ASODN labeled with quantum dots or green fluorescein, and no significant difference was noted between the two labeling methods (P>0.05). Nor did survivin ASODN transfection with different labeling methods produced significant difference in cell proliferation and apoptotic rate (P>0.05). For green fiuorescein labeling, the fluorescence disappeared 4 days after transfection, whereas the fluorescence sustained for 1 week for quantum dots labeling.

CONCLUSIONSurvivin ASODNs labeled with quantum dots and green fiuorescein do not significantly differ in survivin expression or the transfected cell proliferation and apoptosis rate, but quantum dot labeling can be more stable with longer maintcnance of the labeling.

Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescein ; chemistry ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; chemistry ; genetics ; Quantum Dots ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of VAC on starting the process of wound healing and decreasing apoptosis.

METHODSTo examine the variations in expression of proto-oncogenes c-myc, c-jun and Bcl-2 in pig wound model with acute full-thickness skin defect and human chronic wounds by immunohistochemistry, calculate the numbers of expressive positive cells and the labelling index (LI), and observe the process of wound healing.

RESULTS(1) In pig experiment, the wound in experimental group was very clean and without obvious exudates, many neoepiderm and granulation tissue rapidly appeared or formed after 6 days, and healed completely by the 25th day. On the contrary, in the wound of control group, more exudates and blood crust could be seen and fewer neoepiderm and granulation tissue appeared after 6 days and was healed by 30th day. Immediately after the wound was created, the expression of c-myc, c-jun and Bcl-2 was lower and mainly situated in nucleus or cytoplasma of the basilar cells. After the wound was created in control group, or after starting the VAC treatment in experimental group, their expression rapidly and obviously increased, the distribution of the positive cells also became enlarged, but the amount of expression decreased rapidly after the expressive peak have reached. In the successive 12 days following the wound was created, the expression of c-myc, c-jun and Bcl-2 in the experimental group was constantly higher than that of the control group. (2) In human chronic wounds, there wasn't obvious secretions and more healthy granulation tissue was rapidly formed after VAC treatment. The expression of c-jun was mainly located in cytoplasma of basilar cells of epithelium, dermal fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, and the positive cell and labelling index obviously decreased. The expression of c-myc and Bcl-2 was mainly in cytoplasma of basilar cells, but the amount of expression and the labelling index became obviously increased after VAC treatment.

CONCLUSIONSVAC could rapidly start the healing course of the pig' s acute skin wound and human chronic wound, decrease apoptosis of the reparative cells, so as to accelerate wound healing.

Adult ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogenes ; Swine ; Wound Healing