Objective: The present study is to observe and compare the different effects of electroacupuncture(EA) at acupoint Neiguan (PC 6), intravenous administration of L-arginine(L-Arg, a precursor of nitric oxide), and the drug administration combined with the EA on acute myocardial ischemia(AMI) in rats. Methods: The rat model of AMI was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, then the animals were divided randomly into 5 groups,i.e. control group, AMI group, L-Arg treatment group, EA treatment group and L-Arg plus EA treatment group, the mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate(HR) and the cardiac functions were observed and recorded. Results: The data showed that MAP, HR and all the indices of cardiac functions in the AMI group were significantly lower than those in control group, and the indices in each treatment group were all improved to different extents, especially in L-Arg plus EA treatment group. Conclusion: The combined use of L-Arg and EA had the better therapeutic effect on the AMI.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of the reversal effect of acupuncture on the fall of blood pressure induced by angiotensin-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)] in the caudal ventrolateral medulla(CVLM) of rats. Methods: Ang-(1-7) and its selective receptor antagonist (D-Ala7), Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(779) were microinjected into the CVLM respectively to induce the change of blood pressure, during which, the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters were detected by means of microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)combined with fluorescent detector, on the other hand, the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the level of blood pressure and the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters were also observed. Results:Unilateral microinjection of Ang-(1-7) into the CVLM could decrease the blood pressure (BP), which was accompanied by an increase in the release of Glu and a decrease in the release of Tau in the same site; Whereas microinjection of Ang-779 into the CVLM could elevate BP, which was accompanied by a decrease in the release of Glu and an increase in the release of Tau; EA at acupoint Zusanli (ST 36) for 20 min could inhibit the fall of blood pressure induced by microinjection of Ang-(1-7) into the CVLM and the elevation of blood pressure induced by microinjection of Ang-779 into the CVLM, and in the meantime, it could inhibit the changes of the release of Glu and Tau induced by microinjection of Ang-(1-7) and Ang-779 into the CVLM. Conclusion: The reversal effect of EA on the fall or elevation of blood pressure induced by microinjection of Ang-(1-7) or Ang-779 into the CVLM might be related to the changes of Glu and Tau release.

To investigate whether changes of amino acid neurotransmitter releases in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) were related to acupuncture and to the antihypertensive effect of melatonin (Mel) microinjected into the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) of rats with stress-induced hypertension (SIH), as well as to compare and analyze the relationship between the both antihypertensive mechanisms of acupuncture and of Mel in the AHA. Methods: Animal model of SIHR was made by electric foot shocks combined with noises. Electroacupuncture (EA) was used and Zusanli acupoint of both side was selected. The technique of drug microinjection into the brain was used to observe the change of blood pressure (BP), and synchronously, brain microdialysis was performed for collecting dialysate samples, and then the concentration of amino acid neurotransmitters in the dialysate samples was determined by high performance liquid chromatography combined with fluorescent detection (HPLC-FD). Results: After the animal received stress treatment, the BP elevated, synchronously, the release of glutamate (Glu) in the rVLM increased, and when EA was performed, the elevated BP of the rats with SIH decreased,simultaneously, the release of Glu in the rVLM decreased also. After Mel was microinjected of into the AHA of the SIHR, the elevated BP attenuated, meanwhile, the release of Glu decreased,and those of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine (Tau) increased in the rVLM.Administration ofbicuculline, an antagonist of GABAA receptor, into the rVLM prior to microinjection of Mel into the AHA could partially block the depressor effect of Mel in the AHA. Conclusion: The decrease in the release of Glu in the rVLM contributes to the antihypertensive effect of both acupuncture and Mel in the AHA in the rats with SIH, and the increase in the release of GABA and Tau in the rVLM is also important to Mel in the AHA.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition,and nutritional support in elderly hospitalized patients.Methods2386 elderly hospitalized patents (aged ≥65 years) in Beijing Hospital from April 2007 to June 2009 were consecutively enrolled.Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) was performed on the next morning after admission.Body mass index (BMI)lower than 18.5 kg/m2 or serum albumin lower than 35 g/L was diagnosed as malnutrition.Results Among 2517 enrolled patients,NRS 2002 was completed by 94.8％,including 466 cases in Department of Respiratory,580 cases in Department of General surgery,549 cases in Department of Neurology,180 cases in Department of Nephrology,301 cases in Department of Gastroenterology and 310 cases in Department of Thoracic Surgery in Beijing Hospital.The prevalence of nutrition risk was 28.2％ (673/2 386),and the ratioes of nutrition risk in Department of Respiratory,General Surgery,Neurology,Nephrology,Gastroenterology and Thoracic Surgery were 27.5％,30.3％,28.5％,29.4％,25.9％ and 25.4％,respectively.The prevalence of malnutrition was 26.4％,and the ratios of malnutrition in Department of Respiratory,General surgery,Neurology,Nephrology,Gastroenterology and Thoracic Surgery were 26.2％,29.8％,26.9 ％,28.3％,22.3％ and 22.9％,respectively.Among 48.1％ of patients with nutrition risk who received nutritional support,the proportions of nutritional support in Department of Respiratory,General Surgery,Neurology,Nephrology,Gastroenterology and Thoracic Surgery were 30.1％,85.2％,26.1％,18.2％ 73.8％ and 64.9％,respectively.Among 15.1％ of patients without nutrition risk (NRS＜3) who received nutritional support,the proportions of nutritional support in Department of Respiratory,General Surgery,Neurology,Nephrology,Gastroenterology and Thoracic Surgery were 10.6％,25.2％,6.3％,3.8 ％,34.2％ and 17.4 ％,respectively.The ratio of parenteral nutrition (PN) over enteral nutrition(EN) was more than 4:1.ConclusionsA large proportion of elderly hospitalized patients are at nutrition risk and malnutrition.And nutritional support is somehow inappropriately applied.Evidence-based guideline of PN or EN is needed to improve this situation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition among hospitalized elderly abdominal surgical patients with malignant tumors.MethodsTotally 269 elderly patents ( ≥ 65 years) with malignant tumor who were hospitalized in our department of abdominal surgery from December 2009 to November 2010 were consecutively enrolled.Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 ( NRS 2002 ) was performed on the next morning after admission.Body mass index (BMI) lower than 18.5 kg/m2 was considered as malnutrition.Results The NRS 2002 was completed in all the 269 enrolled patients.The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 30.1％ (81/269) ; more specifically,37.5％ (21/56) among geriatric patients ( ≥80 years) and 17.6％ (43/245) among the other age groups (P =0.001 ).The overall rate of nutrition risk was 38.3％ (103/269) ; more specifically,57.1％ (32/56) among the geriatric patients and 29.3％ (72/245) among the other age groups (P ＜0.001 ).The rate of nutrition risk in patients with pancreas cancer was 58.3％,which was higher than other elderly patients; on the contrary,and the rate of nutrition risk in the patients with colorectal cancer was relatively lower.ConclusionThe rates of nutrition risk and malnutrition in hospitalized elderly abdominal surgical patients ( ≥ 65years) with malignant tumor are relatively higher than other age groups,especially among the geriatric patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical outcome of the combined nutrition support for colorectal cancer patients.MethodsTwo research arms were obtained using a cohort sampling method.Ann A ( the study group): from 2009 to 2010,30 colorectal cancer patients were enrolled.They received nutritional risk screening (NRS) 2002 after admission.Nutritional risk was defined as NRS 2002 score ≥3 three days before operation.Patients with nutritional risk received enteral nutrition (EN) for bowel preparation without laxative drug and enema.After operation,they received EN combined with parenteral nutrition (PN) supports provided.Arm B (control group): 30 cases with historically confirmed colorectal cancer were enrolled from 2007 to 2008.They received routine bowel preparation (diet control,laxative drug,and enema) and PN supports after operation.Nutritional parameters,the rate of infectious complications,the rate of systemic inflammatory response syndrome,and the duration of hospital stay were analyzed.ResultsThere were no significant difference in body weight and plasma albumin between these two arms ( P ＞ 0.05 ). The incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (13.3 ％ ),infectious complications (10.0％ ),and the duration of hospital stay [ (12.3 ± 6.5 ) d ] in arm A were significantly lowerthan those in arm B [33％,30％,and (15.0 ±7.2) d,respectively] (P =0.038,P =0.042,P =0.045).Conclusion For the colorectal cancer patients,nutritional risk screening on admission,bowel preparation with eneral nutrition before operation,and combined nutritional support after operation can improve the clinical outcome.

AIM: To isolate, purify and differentiate endothelial progenitor cells from cord blood in vitro and to study their biological characteristics. METHODS: CD133~+ cells were selected from fresh cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) by magnetic activated cell-sorting system (MACS). EPC was studied by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. Isolated cells were cultured in IMDM medium supplemented with or without VEGF, bFGF, SCF. RESULTS: The percentage of CD133~+ cells of cord blood MNC was (1.41?1.14)%, and purity was 75%-85% (FACS method). CD133~+ cells were grown on fibronectin-coated chamber slides in the presence of VEGF, bFGF, SCF. Within 1-2 hours of culture cells became adherent. On day 7-10, the adherent cells displayed a typical "cobblestone" morphology. After 14 days of culture, the adherent cells revealed a heterogeneous cell population, comprising small-sized round cells, spindle-like cells and formed tube-like structure. Weibel-Palade bodies were shown on the transmission electron microscopy photomicrographs. Compared with the (original,) cell markers CD133 and CD34 decreased significantly (77.0%?3.3% to 1.6%?2.2% and 93.1%?4.7% to 37.4%?4.9%, P

Objective To study the effect of hyperbaric oxygen(HBO) treatment on plasma endotoxin,sCD14 and plasma endotoxin inactivation capacity(EIC) in acute necrotizing pancreatitis(ANP) in rats and its possible mechanism.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into control group,sham operation group,ANP group and ANP+HBO group.Rat ANP models were made by retrograde injection of 3.5% sodium(taurocholate)(2.5mL/kg) into the pancreatic duct.Thirty minues after models had been made,ANP+HBO group was treated by hyperbaric oxygen for 2h.At 3h,6h,and 10h after establishment of rat models,the plasma endotoxin,sCD14,EIC,TXB_2 and 6-K-PGF_(1a) leves were determined in each group.Results At 3h and 6 h after rat models were established,the levels of endotoxin,sCD14,and TXB_2 in ANP+HBO group were significantly lower than those in ANP group(P

renal dysfunction.Logisitic regression showed that cardiovascular disease and hypoalbuminemia were correlated with perioperative death rate significantly. Conclusions Improving the perioperative management is very important for lowering the perioperative mortality in elderly patients with digestive tract disease.

Objective To investigate whether physical training can activate the PI3K/Akt (phosphatidyli-nositol 3-kinase/Protein Kinase B) signal transduction pathway after focal brain isehemia, leading to the reduction ofendothelial cell apoptosis. Methods Twenty-four male adult Sprague-Dawley rats (2 ～ 3 month old, n = 24) weresubjected to 60-min right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). All rats were randomly assigned to one of thethree groups: physical training group, control group and sham operation group. 24 hours after MCAO ,physical train-ing group underwent 30 min treadmill training per day for 2 weeks. Results After two weeks, the phosphorylationlevel of PI3K/Akt in the physical training group was significantly higher when compared with that in the control group(P <0.05), while the expression level of Bax in physical training group was lower when compared with that in thecontrol group( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Physical training can activate PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway,which may be associated with the neurological recovery.