Objective:To analyze the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP) of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 gene (ABCA1) and lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD). Methods: The clinical data and peripheral blood were col-lected from 630 participants (314 LEAD cases and 316 normal controls) in Han population of Minnan. The 9 SNP genotypes in the ABCA1 gene were detected by Sequenom MassArray. Results:Among the 9 SNP genotypes, rs2980083 was rejected because it wasn' t in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Obvious linkage disequilibrium was found between rs2066714 and rs2066715, rs1800976 and rs2246293, rs2246293 and rs2980083, and rs1800976 and rs2980083(D′>0. 9,r2 >1/3). There were no significant differences (P>0. 05) in 6 haplotypes of ABCA1 gene groups between the LEAD cases and the normal controls. No significant differ-ences (P>0. 05) were found in frequency distribution between the LEAD cases and the normal controls in 8 SNP according to the re-sults of genotype statistics. There was no onset risk of LEAD according to the gene logistic regression analysis. Conclusion:The SNPs of rs10124755, rs2980083, rs1800976, rs4149341, rs2066714, rs2066715, rs2066716, rs2230808 and rs2246293 might not correlate with the susceptibility of LEAD in Han population of Minnan.

Objective To investigate the association between HLA-DRB1 alleles and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) in a Han population in Sichuan.Methods Polymerase chain reaction with sequencespecific primer (PCR-SSP) method was used for low-resolution and high-resolution typing of HLA-DRB1 alleles in 19 patients of Han nationality with PV and 25 healthy controls in Sichuan.Allele frequencies were calculated,and differences in the allele frequency between the above two groups were compared by using chisquare test.Results Totally,9 kinds of DRB 1 low-resolution alleles and 19 kinds of DRB 1 high-resolution alleles were identified in the PV patients and healthy controls.Frequencies of the DRB1* 14 allele (39.47％[15/38] vs.8.00％[4/50],x2 =17.43,P ＜ 0.05) and DRB1*1405 allele (15.79％[6/38] vs.2.00％[1/50],x2 =4.25,P ＜ 0.05) were significantly higher in the PV patients than in the healthy controls.Conclusion The HLA-DRB1*14 allele may be a common susceptibility gene for PV in the Han population in Sichuan,and the HLA-DRB1* 1405 allele may be most closely associated with PV.

Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cognitive function in D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging rats, and the correlation between the effect and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-ASC-Caspase-1 signaling pathway. Methods: Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10), a model group (n=12), an EA-7 d group (n=12) and an EA-21 d group (n=12). Except the control group, the other three groups received 42 consecutive days of intraperitoneal injection of D-gal to establish aging rat models with cognitive dysfunction. The control group received the same amount of normal saline via intraperitoneal injection. Two EA groups were given EA therapy for 21 consecutive days (began from the 22nd day of modeling) or 7 consecutive days (began from the 36th day of modeling) accordingly at Dazhui (GV 14), Baihui (GV 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36). After modeling/ intervention, all four groups received behavioral evaluations by Morris water maze (MWM) test, novel object recognition (NOR) test and step-down passive avoidance (SDPA) test followed by the Western blot (WB) detection of the expression levels of hippocampal NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1. Results: MWM (place navigation test, PNT) results showed that the escape latency in the model group was significantly longer than that in the other three groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference among the other three groups on the 1st day of the test (P>0.05). From the 2nd day to the 4th day of the test, there was no significant difference between the EA-21 d group and the control group (P>0.05) in the escape latency; the escape latency was significantly shorter in the EA-21 d group than in the model group and the EA-7 d group (P<0.05). MWM (spatial probe test, SPT) results showed that the time spent in the target quadrant was significantly shorter and platform crossover number was significantly lower in the model group than in the other three groups (P<0.05). The time spent in the target quadrant was longer in the EA-7 d group than in the model group (P<0.05), but was shorter than that in the control group and the EA-21 d group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the swimming speed among the four groups (P>0.05). NOR results showed that there was no significant difference in the recognition ratio between the EA-7 d group and the EA-21 d group (P>0.05), and the recognition ratio was significantly higher in the two EA groups than in the model group (P<0.05), but was lower than in the control group (P<0.05). SDPA results showed that the electric shock number was higher in the model group than in the other three groups (P<0.05), and the differences among the other three groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The model group had the shortest step-down latency, followed by the EA-7 d group, the EA-21 d group and the control group in order (P<0.05). The WB results indicated that the expression level of NLRP3 was significantly lower in the control group and the EA-21 d group than in the model group and the EA-7 d group (P<0.05). The expression levels of ASC and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the model group than in the other three groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference among these three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: NLRP3 inflammasome may be involved in the development of cognitive decline in aging rats; 7 consecutive days of EA intervention can partially improve the cognitive impairment in aging rats though the effect is rather limited; 21 consecutive days of EA intervention may improve the learning and memory abilities in aging rats via downregulating the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins in hippocampus.

Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Luohua Anshen oral liquid for patients with perimenopausal insomnia. Methods: A total of 66 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the randomized controlled trial and allocated to a treatment group and a control group at a ratio of 1:1, with 33 cases in each group. Both groups were given Luohua Anshen oral liquid as a basic treatment. The treatment group was additionally given EA every other day, three times a week. Both groups were treated for four weeks and a four-week follow-up was conducted. The scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Kupperman index (KI) and traditional Chinese medicine sleep syndrome scale (TCMSSS) were recorded at pre- and post-treatment, and at the follow-up. Meanwhile, adverse effects were monitored and recorded. Results: After four-week treatment, the global scores of PSQI, KI and TCMSSS in both groups declined significantly (all P<0.05), and the decreases in the treatment group were more significant than those in the control group (allP<0.05). The global scores of PSQI, KI and TCMSSS in both groups at the follow-up visit were significantly different from the corresponding baseline (allP<0.05), while insignificantly different from those assessed at post-treatment (allP>0.05). The total effective rate was 93.9％ in the treatment group, significantly higher than 72.2％ in the control group (P<0.05). No significant adverse event was reported in this trial excepted one patient experienced slight dizziness in the first acupuncture treatment. Conclusion: EA plus Luohua Anshen oral liquid is safe for perimenopausal insomnia with satisfactory short- and long-term effectiveness, and it shows certain advantage compared with using Luohua Anshen oral liquid alone.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of manual acupuncture for memory loss and sleep quality in chronic insomniacs.Methods:A total of 60 eligible participants were enrolled and randomized into either a treatment group or a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The treatment group was intervened by manual acupuncture whereas the control group was given sham acupuncture.In the two groups,the interventions were offered once every other day and three times a week,for 8 weeks in total.Before and after the treatment,Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and eventrelated potentials (ERPs) were used to assess the patients' sleep quality and memory,respectively.Meanwhile,adverse events were monitored and recorded.Results:After 8-week treatment,both the treatment group and the control group showed a significant decrease in the PSQI global score (P＜0.001,P＜0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P＜0.001).The intra-group comparisons of ERPs indicated that,the latencies of N1 and P3 were shortened and the amplitudes of N1 and P3 were increased in the treatment group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05,P＜0.001);in the control group,there were no significant changes in the latency and amplitude after the treatment (P＞0.05).The between-group comparisons of ERPs showed that the treatment group was more effective than the control group in shortening the latency of P3 (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment option for chronic insomnia coupled with memory impairment.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of dexzopiclone plus auricular acupressure in intervening primary insomnia.Methods:A total of 72 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial,with 36 cases allocated to a treatment group and 36 cases allocated to a control group.Both groups were given dexzopiclone as the routine treatment.Patients in the treatment group were given auricular acupressure with Wang Bu Liu Xing (Semen Vaccariae) seeds at the auricular acupoints related to sleep and emotion based on meridian theory,whereas for patients in the control group,the medical plasters with Wang Bu Liu Xing (Semen Vaccariae) seeds were only gently stuck to acupoints unrelated to sleep without stimulation.Patients in both groups were required to visit the hospital once a week for replacing the seeds and plasters.The course of intervention lasted for 8 weeks and the patients were followed up for another 4 weeks.Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Karolinska sleep diary (KSD) were used to evaluate the outcomes.Meanwhile,adverse effects were monitored and recorded.Results:In the enrolled 72 cases,4 patients (one in the treatment group and three in the control group) reported thirst and a bitter taste,and one case in the control group reported nausea and vomiting.At last,3 cases in the control group dropped out for adverse reactions,and 69 cases completed the clinical trial.After 8 weeks of treatment,the global scores of PSQI in both treatment and control groups decreased significantly compared with the baseline (both P＜0.001).Furthermore,the global score of PSQI in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.01).The global scores of PSQI in both groups at the follow-up were significantly different from the baseline (both P＜0.001),but insignificantly different compared with the post-treatment results (both P＞0.05).According to KSD,both treatment protocols could prolong the total sleep time,shorten sleep-onset latency,improve sleep efficacy and sleep quality significantly,and the changes in the treatment group were more significant.The total effective rate was 88.9％ in the treatment group,higher than 81.8％ in the control group,though the difference was statistically insignificant (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Dexzopiclone plus auricular acupressure is effective and safe for patients with primary insomnia both in short and long terms,and it is more effective than monotherapy of dexzopiclone.

Objective To observe the apeptosis in liver injury following limbs ischemia-reperfusion(IR) in rats and the protective effects of taurine.Methods The model of limbs ischemia-reperfusion injury was established.30 Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups: control group,IR group and tanrine + reperfusion group (TR group) (n = 10 for each group).The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and xanthineoxidas (XOD), calcium and myeloper-oxidase (MPO) in the liver tissue were measured.DNA fragmentation was observed and analyzed by agarose gel e-lectrophoresis.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL methods.The morphologic changes were observed with HE stai-ning.Results Compared with control group,the values of MDA, XOD, MPO, calcium in liver tissue were increased significantly in IR group (P<0.01), but the values of those in TR group were lower than in IR group (P<0.01).The percentage of apeptosis cell was higher in IR group than in control group(P<0.01).Compared with IR group, the percentage of apoptosis cell was lower in TR group (P<0.01).IR group presented DNA ladder pattern, while TR group showed no specific DNA ladder pattern in agarose gel electrophoresis.Conclusion Apoptosis participates in the liver injury after limb ischemia-reperfusion.Taurine can mitigate the liver injury and apoptosis after limb is-chemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Ac-Phe-Lys-PABC-DOX (PDOX) is a smart doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug designed to decrease toxicities while maintaining the potent anticancer effects of DOX. This study was aimed at elucidating the effectiveness and toxicities of DOX and PDOX in patient-derived MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro. The MCF-7 cells were exposed to both PDOX and DOX, and cytotoxicities, cell cycle and P53/P21 signaling alterations were studied. Abundant cathepsin B was found in the MCF-7 cells, and treatment with PDOX and DOX triggered dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity and resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability. The IC50 of PDOX and DOX was 3.91 and 0.94 μmol/L, respectively. Both PDOX and DOX caused an up-regulation of the P53/P21-related signal pathway, and PDOX significantly increased expression of P53 and caspase 3, and arrested the cell cycle at the G1/G2 phase. As compared with DOX, PDOX reduced toxicities, and it may have different action mechanisms on breast cancer cells.

Objective To exlore clinical characteristics and changes of electroencephalography(EEG) in children with migraine.Methods Clinical data of 98 children with migraine provided by our hospitals clinic service were analysed.The cases′ history were inquired,physical examination made(EEG),Video-EEG(V-EEG) and transcranial doppler sonography(TCD) were examined.After(diagnosis) was made,the patients were treated and followed up.Results In 98 cases of migraine,27 cases were classical migraine and 71(cases) were ordinary migraine.EEG and V-EEG indicated most of them were in normal range and increase in diffused inactive echoes,and only 1 case of 98 EEG showed scattered epileptic waves;TCD indicated that the velocities of blood flow of intracranial arteries of 87 children with migraine were faster.Conclusions Clinical characteristics of children with migraine is similar with adault.Diagnosis of children with migraine and epilepsy,apply both EEG and TCD have great value in diagnosis of children with migraine.

Exploring the influence of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) on the proliferation, apoptosis of ACC-2 cell in lacrimal adenoid cystic carcinoma and analyzing the influence of EGB on the gene expression of Survivin and TIP30 based on the levels of the gene and protein. ACC-2 cell in human with ACC of lacrimal gland disposed by EGB of different concentration was in vitro cultured. MTT method was used for cell proliferation detection. Annexin V/PI double-staining flow cytometer was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle. Survivin and TIP30 gene expression together with protein expression were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. And it is indicated that EGB has inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ACC-2 cell in vitro. Furthermore, the dose-effect relationship was significant. Compared with the control group, it had statistical difference (P <0.01). The inhibitory concentration 50% (ICso) is 88 mg . L-1. By flow cytometer examination, it was indicated that EGB can gradually increase ACC-2 cell in G0-G1 stage and decrease it in G2-M and S stage. With the increase of dose, the apoptosis rate of ACC-2 cell obviously increased (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Both of the expression results of RT-PCR and Western hybrid proteins have showed that the concentration of EGB increased, it could be seen a significant decrease in Survivin gene expression (P <0.01). Meanwhile, the TIP30 gene expression got a significant increase. Therefore, EGB can effectively inhibit ACC-2 cell Survivin gene expression in human with adenoid cysistic carcinoma of larcrimal gland as well as promoting TIP30 gene expression, inducing the ACC-2 cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, which provided a certain theoretical and experimental basis for the application of Chinese herbal medicinal ingredient in the treatment of tumors.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; drug therapy ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Gene Expression ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology