BACKGROUND: In the research, the recipe for kidney tonification is prepared into "topical form" and "oral form". According to the interrelationship of "acupoints-meridans and collaterals-internal organs-target organs", osteoporosis is treated by the approaches of point compress and oral application respectively. According to the traditional theory of Chinese medicine, it is to infer that the herbs bring the adjustment into play by"being attributive to kidney meridian", but,whether does the specialty of herbs on "targeting medication" happenpractically or not? Hormones in "hypothalamus-pituitary- target gland" system is assayed to further analyze estrogen receptor and androgen receptor of target organs,such as kidney,bone, uterus, thyroid gland and testis so as to observe the relativity between "tropism and receptor".DESIGN: Complete random design with the objects of osteoporosis rats, and the control experimental study with kidney tonification recipe administrate with different approaches.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effect of kidney tonification recipe on pituitary-thyroid axis in experimental osteoporosis.SETTING: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hebei Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Chinese-Western integrated Basic Experiment Room of Hebei Medical University from January 2000 to December 2004. Sixty SD healthy female rats of 3-month old were employed,weighted(300 ± 20) g. The experimental animals were provided by Hebei Experimental Animal Center. After bred routinely for 1 week in Experimental Room, the rats were randomized into 6 groups,namely normal control(10rats), pathological model group(10 rats), infusing group(10 rats) in which kidney tonification recipe was applied based on 0. 8 g/100 g body mass,acupoint paste on bladder meridian group (10 rats), acupoint paste on kidney meridian group(10 rats) and paste on non-meridian group(10 rats). METHODS: Osteoporosis model was prepared with injection of dexamethasonc. Antagonism osteoporosis acupoint paste(AOAP)on acupoints and non-neridian places was administrated to compare with oral recipe for kidney tonification in the treatment of osteoporosis. It took the changes in serum estrogen, bone density, calcitonin/parathyroid hormone(CT/PTH), thyrotropic hormone(TSH), freeT3andfreeT4asthemeasuringindexes. Immunocyto-chemistry stain and morphological measurement of TSH cell,follicular adenoma of thyroid gland(C cell) and thyroid globulin(Tg) were applied in pituitary gland and thyroid gland to observe the therapeutic results.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Adjustment of the recipe for kidney tonification on thyroid function. ② Adjustment of the recipe for kidney tonification on bone density.RESULTS: AOAP improved the levels of estrogen, CT/PTH, TSH, free T3and free T4, increased bone density. The counts of TSH cell, C cell and Tg positive reaction substance were increased and they were colored deeply.CONCLUSION: AOPA, by "multiple relevant convergence reaction", adjusts and affects systematically the endocrinal function of bone metabolism,improves the levels of estrogen and CT/PTH, reverses the declining tendency of pituitary-thyroid axis function and improves thyroid function so as to weaken osteocyte in the bony absorption, enhance osteoblast in osteogenesis and increase bone density.

OBJECTIVEIn order to get the method for improving the salt resistance of Lycium ruthenium seeds and seedlings under NaCl stress, the seed germination and physiological characteristics of L. ruthenium seedlings was studied.

METHODSeveral physiological indexes of L. ruthenium seeds under NaCl stress, such as the germination rate (Gr), germination vigor (Gv), germination index (Gi), vigor index (Vi), and relative salt damage rate were measured. Other indexes of the seedlings like relative water contents (RWC) , chlorophyll contents, soluble protein contents, electrolyte leakage, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD) were also measured.

RESULTNaCl at lower concentration could promote the seed germination but inhibit the seed germination at higher concentration. After the treatment by CaCl2 at the different concentrations, all germination indexes were increased. With the increase of salt concentration, the relative water contents and the contents of chlorophyll were decreased, the content of MDA and electrolyte leakage were increased. The change trend of POD activity showed the first increase and then decrease with the increase of salt concentration, which was similar to that of the soluble protein. After the treatment by CaCl2, relative water contents, chlorophyll and POD activities were decreased more slowly, and also electrolyte leakage and MDA contents increased slowly.

CONCLUSIONThe CaCl2 could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium under NaCl stress, and promote the salt resistance to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium.

Calcium ; pharmacology ; Germination ; drug effects ; Lycium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Chloride ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method for the determination of cholesteryl palmitate in Oviductus Ranae.

METHODA HPLC method was set up, using Zorbax Silica column and cyclohexane-diethyl ether (40:1) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the UV detection wavelength was 203 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.60-8.92 microg (r = 0.9997), the average recovery of the method was 98.4%. RSD 1.8% (n = 6).

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that method was reliable and accurate.

Animals ; Cholesterol Esters ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Female ; Materia Medica ; analysis ; chemistry ; Oviducts ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rana temporaria

BACKGROUND:Sepsis has become the greatest threat to in-patients, with a mortality of over 25％.The dysfunction of gut barrier, especially the immunological barrier, plays an important role in the development of sepsis. This dysfunction occurs after surgery, but the magnitude of change does not differentiate patients with sepsis from those without sepsis. Increased intestinal permeability before surgery is of no value in predicating sepsis. The present study aimed to observe the changes of intestinal mucosal immunologic barrier in rat models of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. METHODS:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sepsis group (n=45) and a control group (n=15). The rats in the sepsis group were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), whereas the rats in the control group underwent a sham operation. The ileac mucosa and segments were harvested 3, 6 and 12 hours after CLP, and blood samples were collected. Pathological changes, protein levels of defensin-5 (RD-5) and trefoil factor-3 (TFF3) mRNA, and lymphocytes apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa were determined. In an additional experiment, the gut-origin bacterial DNA in blood was detected. RESULTS:The intestinal mucosa showed marked injury with loss of ileal villi, desquamation of epithelium, detachment of lamina propria, hemorrhage and ulceration in the sepsis group. The expression of TFF3 mRNA and level of RD-5 protein were decreased and the apoptosis of mucosal lymphocyte increased (P<0.05) in the sepsis group compared with the control group. Significant differences were observed in RD-5 and TFF3 mRNA 3 hours after CLP and they were progressively increased 6 and 12 hours after CLP in the sepsis group compared with the control group (P<0.05, RD-5 F=11.76, TFF3 F=16.86 and apoptosis F=122.52). In addition, the gut-origin bacterial DNA detected in plasma was positive in the sepsis group. CONCLUSION:The immunological function of the intestinal mucosa was impaired in septic rats and further deteriorated in the course of sepsis.

Objective To explore the fire prevention management to ensure the operating of the data room in the hospital. Methods The hidden risks in the fire prevention of the data room were pointed out in auto fire fighting system,precision air-conditioning equipment, UPS and battery pack, compatibilization and expansion, high-voltage power supply circuit, lightningproof grounding and etc.It's indicated that the maintenance staff had deficiency in mastering related knowledge on gas fire-extinguishing system.Results The maintenance had to be strengthened for the auto fire fighting system,precision air-conditioning equipment,UPS and battery pack,and the detection should be reinforced for the high-voltage power supply circuit and lightningproof grounding system. It's suggested that standardized construction be executed during data room compatibilization and expansion,corresponding management system be established,and the knowledge be mastered on the composition,operation and announcements.Conclusion The fire prevention management of the data room is enhanced in the hospital,and the hidden risks are eliminated for fire fighting.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on cardiac function and the receptor mechanism in anesthetized rats. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), the left ventricle systolic pressure (LVP) and the maximal/minimum rate of LVP (+/-LV dp/dt(max)) were measured. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Low dose of CCK-8 (0. 4 microgram/kg i.v.) caused tachycardia and slight increase in MAP, LVP and LV dp/dt(max) (P<0.01), while medium dose (4.0 microgram/kg i.v.) and high dose of CCK-8 (40 microgram/kg i.v.) elicited a bradycardia and marked increase in MAP, LVP and LV dp/dtmax (P<0.01). (2) Proglumide (1.0 mg/kg i.v.), a CCK-receptor (CCK-R) antagonist, significantly inhibited the pressor effects of CCK-8, whilst it reversed the bradycardic responses (P<0.01). (3) Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), CCK-A receptor (CCK-AR) and CCK-B receptor (CCK-BR) mRNA were expressed in myocardium of rats. The above results indicate that CCK-8 may enhance cardiac function in a dose-dependent manner and elicit a change in HR, which is likely induced by the activation of CCK-R on myocardium.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; drug effects ; Sincalide ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects ; Ventricular Pressure ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the response of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs and calvarial osteoblasts to mechanical strain and the consequent changes of cytoskeleton F-actin.

METHODSBone marrow MSCs and calvarial osteoblasts were isolated from SD rats and cultured in vitro. Mechanical stretch was performed on passage 3 cells at 2 000 microepsilon for 0, 2, 6 and 12 hours using four-point bending system. The response of cells and the distribution of F-actin were observed using fluorescent staining under laser scanning confocal microscope and the morphological parameters were quantified using image analysis software Laserpix.

RESULTSUnder mechanical stretch, the fluorescent staining decreased obviously at both MSCs and osteoblasts, and F-actin filaments were rearranged and became tenuous, thinner, and abnormally distributed. The outline of nucleus became unclear and apoptotic changes were observed at some of both cells. Cellular size decreased more significantly in MSCs than in osteoblasts. Quantity analysis showed that total area of cells, total fluorescent density and green fluorescent density (F-actin) were all significantly decreased in MSCs (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and total fluorescent density, green fluorescent density and red fluorescent density (nuclei) did also in osteoblasts (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMechanical stretch caused extensive response on both MSCs and osteoblasts which led to the rearrangement of F-actin filament and apoptosis in some of these cells. MSCs were more sensitive to mechanical strain than osteoblasts.

Actin Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeleton ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Microtubules ; Osteoblasts ; Rats ; Stress, Mechanical

BACKGROUNDRetinocytoma (RB) is a very common intraocular malignant tumor during infancy. Chemotherapy has gradually been used as the first-line treatment for intraocular RB in recent years. In this study, Livin and PTEN expressions were observed in the RB tissue, along with the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-induced effects of topotecan (TPT) on RB HXO-Rb44 cell strain. This study aimed to investigate the antigrowth effects of TPT on RB cell strain HXO-Rb44.

METHODSMax-Vision(TM) rapid immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect Livin and PTEN expressions in the normal retina and in RB, and their relationship with RB clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Human RB cell strain HXO-Rb44 was cultivated and passaged. MTT method was used to measure the survival rates of HXO-Rb44 cell strains under various TPT concentrations. IC50 values were calculated. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of various TPT concentrations on HXO-Rb44 cell apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect the differences of Livin and PTEN protein expressions during cell apoptosis.

RESULTSThe positive expressions of Livin and PTEN in the RB group were obviously different from those in the normal control group. In RB tissue, Livin expression was relevant to PTEN expression. TPT could significantly induce the occurrence of cell apoptosis and had a dependent relationship with drug concentration. Livin and PTEN expression levels varied with the extension of the effect time of TPT based on Western blotting analysis.

CONCLUSIONSLivin and PTEN have high and low expression levels in the RB tissue, respectively. Both of them have key roles in RB occurrence and development. TPT could induce human RB cell strain HXO-Rb44 cell apoptosis, and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of Livin and PTEN expressions.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; analysis ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; analysis ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; analysis ; Retinal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Retinoblastoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Topoisomerase I Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Topotecan ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimum proportion of Mosaicplasty and genes-enhanced tissue engineering for the repair of acute osteochondral defects.

METHODSWestern blot test was conducted to detect the expression of hTGF-beta1, Col II and Aggrecan in 3 groups, including hTGF-beta1, transduction group, Adv-betagal transduction group and control group without transduction. Eighteen 6-month-old Shanghai male goats (weight: 22 to 25 kg) were used. BMSCs were isolated from the autologous bone marrow, and were subcultured to get the cells at passage 3. Thirty-six medial femoral condyles were used and divided into 6 groups named AR, AL, BR, BL, CR, and CL. Acute cylindrical defects (9 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth)were created in the weight bearing area of the medial femoral condyle of hind limbs. In the single group, the autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty was performed to repair the defect; in the combination group, besides the mosaicplasty, the dead space between the cylindrical grafts and the host cartilage were injected with the suspension of hTGF-beta1, gene enhanced autogenous BMSCs in sodium alginate, and CaCl2 was dropped into it to form calcium alginate gels. The autologous osteochondral transplantation cover rates of group AR was 44.44% single group, AL was 44.44% combination group, BR was 33.33% single group, BL was 33.33% combination group, CR was 22.22% single group, and CL was 22.22% combination group. The goats were killed 24 weeks after operation to receive gross and histology observation, which was evaluated by the histological grading scale of O'Driscoll, Keeley and Salter. Immunohistochemistry and TEM observation were also performed.

RESULTSWestern blot test showed the expression of the hTGF-beta1, Col II and the Aggrecan in the hTGF-beta1 transduction group were significantly higher than that of the Adv-betaga1 transduction and the blank control groups. The gross and histology observation revealed that each defects of six groups had different degrees of repairing. There was no significantly difference among the BL, AR, and AL groups. But the scores of the other three groups (BR, CR, and CL) were significantly poorer than the former three groups.

CONCLUSIONMosaicplasty associated with genes enhanced tissue engineering could repair the osteochondral defects effectively. With the autologous osteochondral transplantation coverage reducing, the advantage of the combination could have a better representation.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Line ; Goats ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Male ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate autogenous vein grafts and inside-out vein grafts as conduits for the defects repair in the rabbit facial nerves.

METHODSThe 10 mm segments of buccal division of facial nerve were transected for 48 rabbits in this study. Then the gaps were immediately repaired by autogenous vein grafts or inside-out vein grafts in different groups. All the animals underwent the whisker movement test and electrophysiologic test during the following 16 weeks at different time points postoperatively. Subsequently, the histological examination was performed to observe the facial nerve regeneration morphologically.

RESULTSAt 8 weeks after operation, the facial nerve regeneration has significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in electrophysiologic test and histological observation. However, at the end of this study, 16 weeks after operation, there was no significant difference between inside-out vein grafts and standard vein grafts in enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggest that both kinds of vein grafts play positive roles in facial nerve regeneration after being repaired immediately, but the autogenous inside-out vein grafts might accelerate and facilitate axonal regeneration as compared with control.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; Facial Nerve ; physiology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Transplantation, Autologous ; methods ; Veins ; transplantation