Objective This study evaluated the effects of combined procedure of surgical treatment and cell transplantation on dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods Eight patients (5 men and 3 women) with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation from end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy underwent surgery. Four patients were in functional class (FC) Ⅳ, six were in FC Ⅲ. There age ranged from 15 to 56 years. The preoperative ejection fraction (EF) ranged from 0.15 to 0.32 (mean 0.26 ± 0.08). Mitral valve replacement was performed in 5 patients and mitral valve repair in 3. Auto-bone marrow monenuclear cells were harvested, isolated, washed, and resuspended for direct injection after surgical procedure. Results All patients survived and were discharged from the hospital. After a mean follow-up period of 18 months ( 12 - 42 months). Echocardiography showed postoperative ejection fraction and wall movement velocity increased after 6 months. Radionuclide ventriculography showed myocardial perfusion improved significantly. Conclusion Combined procedure of surgical treatment and cell transplantation led to significant improvement in cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture along affected meridian on the mem- brane metallo-endopeptidase (MME) gene expression of migraine patients without aura (MO) of Gan-yang hyperactivity syndrome (GYHS).

METHODSTotally 20 MO patients of GYHS were randomly assigned to the acupoint group (acupuncture along affected meridian) and the non-acupoint group, 10 cases in each group. Needling was performed once per day for 10 consecutive days. Gene chip technology was used to obtain two sets of gene expression profiles and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO).

RESULTSIn the acupoint group, MME gene expression decreased after needling (P = 0.0023).That gene was rich in the beta-amyloid metabolic process (P = 3.16E-05) and the peptide metabolic process (P = 0.009612). Its expression was not seen in the non-acupoint group.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of point selection along affected meridian could be achieved possibly by regulating the MME gene expression.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endrin ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Humans ; Meridians ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy ; Syndrome

Objective:With proteomic approach,to find the differentially expressed proteins spots in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of healthy people and intracerebral hemorrhage patients with liver yang forming wind syndrome(LYFWS) treated by Zhenganxifeng decoction(ZGXFD) to investigate the possible proteins of LYFWS and the cure mechanism of ZGXFD.Methods: 10 intracerebral hemorrhage patients with LYFWS were treated by ZGXFD for 7-10 days.10 healthy people were selected taken as healthy controls.10ml venous blood was drawed from every subjects and PBMCs were isolated from blood by using lymphocytes separation medium.The total proteins was extracted from PBMCs.The total proteins from either intracerebral hemorrhage patients or healthy controls were prepared by means of immobilized pH gradient based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.After Coomassie brilliant blue G250 staining,gel-image analysis was performed by PDQuest.The differentially expressed proteins spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALD I-TOF-MS).Results: Gel-image analysis revealed that there were 22 proteins spots expressed differentially.20 proteins spots were expressed differentially in the intracerebral hemorrhage patients with LYFWS as compared with healthy control,of which 8 proteins were down-regulated,7 proteins were up-regulated and 5 proteins were lost.After treated by ZGXFD,4 proteins were down-regulated,5 proteins were up-regulated and 2 proteins were lost,9 proteins weren’t expressed di erentially as compared with healthy control.8 of 20 di erentially expressed proteins spots in the intracerebral hemorrhage patients with LYFWS identi ed by MALDI-TOF-MS as compared with healthy control.These proteins are related to cell metabolism,signal transduction and so forth,of which 6 proteins were down-regulated,1 proteins were up-regulated and 1 proteins were lost.After treated by ZGXFD,2 proteins were down-regulated,1 proteins were lost,5 proteins weren’t expressed di erentially as compared with healthy control.Conclusion: 2-DE pro les of intracerebral hemorrhage patients with LYFWS in PBMCs had been established.The proteins of intracerebral hemorrhage patients with LYFWS had been identi ed,which were related to cell metabolism,signal transduction and so forth.This research presented that ZGXFD could adjust multiple di erentially expressed proteins of intracerebral hemorrhage patients with LYFWS.It was also indicated that the cure mechanism of ZGXFD was to regulate multitarget proteins.

With more and more attention and investment on acupuncture scientific researches, considerable outcomes and achievements has been acquired, but the shortcoming of low transformation rate of acupuncture research achievements is gradually exposed. Nowadays there is no related report on this problem, so based on achievement translational research in other areas and practical situation of acupuncture, the existing problems and solutions are analyzed. As a result, the existing problems include (1) the research content is mainly basic research and clinical research but less acupuncture device research, leading to limited transformation efficiency; (2) the evaluation system and transformation pattern are still needed to be perfect. The solutions are (1) to properly evaluate the research achievements of acupuncture, (2) to advocate the concept and method of translational medicine, (3) to reform the policy and system, and (4) to establish valid platforms covering research, outcomes and transformation.
Acupuncture ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; Biomedical Research ; Biotechnology ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; China ; Humans ; Technology Transfer

Objective To establish an animal model for implantable ventricular assist device. Methods Seven male calves, body weight 120 to 180 kg, were anesthetized and underwent surgical implantation through a left thoracotomy at the 4th intercostal space. The domestic-made implantable ventricular assist device (DIVAD) was implanted after cardiopulmonary bypass and induction of ventricular fibrillation. The major indexes of mechanical properties of the DIVAD are similar to those of imported devices. The DIVAD was 29.5 mm × 72 mm, with a total weight of 158 g. The maximal pump speed was 9000 rpm and the maximal pump flow was 8 L/min in in vitro experiment. A flow meter was incorporated into the pump. The DIVAD was constructed with an external controller, and the pump can be monitored and adjusted through it. The inflow cannula was positioned into the left ventricle and the outflow cannula was sutured to the descending aorta. The pump was run at 3,500 to 8,000 rpm. The cardiopulmonary bypass was weaned. The pump output and animal condition was continuously monitored. Heparin was administered to maintain the activated clotting time at 1.5 to 2 times its baseline value. Results All the seven calves weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. The mean survival time is 20.28 hours with a range from 0.5 to more than 93 hours. Conclusion Calf is the right animal model for NIVAD implantation and there are some characteristics in its perioperative treatment. The establishment of this animal model may play important role for further improvement of NIVAD.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the regularity of selection of meridians and acupoints for treating migraine in past dynasties.

METHODSThe data were collected from 178 kinds of literature concerning acupuncture and moxibustion from the Pre-Qin Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, based on which bibliographic database in ancient acupuncture and moxibustion for treating migraine was established. By way of data excavation and analysis, meridians and acupoints and their combinations frequently used for the treatment in successive dynasties were screened, and the potential regularity was searched.

RESULTSIn the treatment of migraine, the Gall Bladder Meridian was the meridian used most frequently, and both local and remote points in the four extremities were used. Acupoints in yang meridians, especially Fengchi (GB 20), Sizhukong (TE 23) and Shuaigu (GB 8) in Shaoyang meridians were used most frequently. In terms of classification of the special points selected, besides the Crossing Points with meridian qi passing through and crossing in the head, points below the elbow and knee joints, such as Source points, Luo Points, Eight Confluence Points, as well as Five Shu Points were also much frequently used.

CONCLUSIONAccording to data excavation and analysis of references recorded on the treatment of migraine by acupuncture and moxibustion in past dynasties, it is concluded that meridian theories are the foundation and prerequisite for guiding clinical treatment and point selection, in which special acupoints are the main components and the core in point prescription.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Meridians ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy ; Moxibustion ; history ; methods

Summarize recent 20 years' achievements in studying literature of channels and collaterals, analyze the problems in literature studies of collaterals and comment on literature studies of collaterals, and hold that systematical summarization and study of traditional theories of collaterals can explore collateral theory and its clinical application value, and summarization of literature should refine and raise theoretical structure and scientific connotation of the collateral theory, and serve for modern studies of collaterals and collateral diseases on the basis of systematical summarization and studies of traditional literature of collaterals.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians

A PubMed search is carried out using the keyword "acupuncture" from in the top four journals: New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), The Lancet, and British Medical Journal (BMJ). The papers with full texts on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture are included up till July 2009, and the corresponding trial design and trial quality in these papers are extracted and analyzed. The results reveal that papers published in these four journals are mostly on randomized controlled trials with good design, high quality and large sample size. Therefore, if Chinese researchers publish papers in these journals, appropriate trial design adhering to the characteristics of acupuncture should be used; the results should be reported according to CONSORT statement and STRICTA recommendations. Moreover, obtaining assistance from foreign research team is also important.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Periodicals as Topic ; PubMed ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design

Objective To establish a large animal ( sheep) model to serve the experiments of domestic pulsatile ventricular assist device.Methods Three small-tail Han-sheep were anesthetized and the vein access and artery access were achieved.The cardiopulmonary bypass was established through left thoracotomy.Ventricular fibrillation was induced. An hole was made in the apex of left ventricle and the apex cannulation was sutured to it.The aortic cannulation was su-tured to the descending aorta.The two cannulations were connected to the domestic pulsatile ventricular assist device ( DP-VAD) and the driver was turned on.The working of DPVAD and the conditions of the animals were observed.Results The DPVAD worked well and uni-directional blood flow was driven by positive and negative pressure.The left ventricle was unloaded and the blood pressure was raised up.Conclusion The establishment of sheep model of pulsatile ventrieular as-sist device may play important role for the research and development of DPVAD in our country.

Objective 　Determination of Wilson disease gene mRNA expression in human fibroblast cell strain (Me32aT22/2L) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods　Using lipofection reagent, the plasmid vector carrying the Wilson disease gene (pRc/CMV-WD) was transferred into Me32aT22/2L cultured in serum free complement medium. RT-PCR was used to determine WD mRNA expression in Me32aT22/2L. Results　 Wilson disease gene expression was detected in Me32aT22/2L, while no specific signals were detected in untransfected fibroblast. Conclusions　It demonstrated that Me32aT22/2L strain could express the Wilson disease gene, suggesting that Wilson disease gene transfer might develop a new approach to study Wilson disease.