OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term and long-term effects on treatment of neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis with the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-five patients of neck pain were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion group (49 cases), an acupuncture group (48 cases) and a moxibustion group (48 cases). Acupoints of Bailao (Extra), Dazhui (GV 14), Jianzhongshu (SI15) and Zhongzhu (TE 3) were adopted for all the 3 groups. Acupuncture was applied at all the acupoints with 20 min needling retention for the acupuncture group. Moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone was used with 5 cones on each point for the moxibustion group. And both acupuncture and moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone were adopted for the acupuncture-moxibustion group. The treatment was applied once every 3 days, and 10 treatments should be finished within 4 weeks. Follow-up should be carried out for 3 months. The short-term and long-term effects were evaluated with the scores of Northwick Park Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) as the indices of therapeutic effect.

RESULTSThe NPQ score and MPQ score of all the 3 groups after the treating course and the 3-month follow-up were both decreased when compared with those before the treatment (all P<0. 05). The scores of NPQ and MPQ the acupuncture-moxibustion group were lower than that of the other two groups. And the difference had obvious significance (P<0. 05). High efficiency of pain relieving for cervical spondylosis could be found in all the 3 groups, which showed that short-term and long-term effects were good for all the 3 groups. And the highest curative effect could be found in acupuncture-moxibustion group.

CONCLUSIONCombination of acupuncture and moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone has reached a superior effect in short-term and long-term for neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; instrumentation ; Neck Pain ; etiology ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

To study the chemical constituents of Artemisia lactiflora. The compounds were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel, C18 reverse-phase silica gel, semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. Twelve compounds were isolated from alcohol extracts of A. lactiflora and identified as 7-hydroxycoumarin (1), 7-methoxycoumarin (2), balanophonin (3), aurantiamide (4), aurantiamide acetate (5), isovitexin (6), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside (7), rutin (8), caffeic acid ethyl ester (9), quercetin (10), methyl 3, 5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (11) and methyl 3, 4-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (12), respectively. Compounds 3-12 were obtained from this plant for the first time.
Artemisia ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To observe the antihypertensive effect of compound Yibazhen granules on spontaneous hypertensive rats ( SHR) . Methods Wistar rats were served as normal control group. Sixty SHR were randomly divided into model control group,captopril group,Jane chrysanthemum antihypertension tablet group and compound high dose group,middle dose group and low dose group ( n = 10 each group ) by digital table method. Captopril group was given captopril 30 mg.kg-1 .d-1 ,and Jane chrysanthemum antihypertension tablet group was treated with Jane chrysanthemum antihypertension tablet ( 0. 6 tablet per kg ) , compound Yibazhen granules high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group received compound of 13.18,6.59 and 3.3 mg.kg-1 .d-1 ,respectively. Normal control group and model control group were intragastrically administered with 0.9% sodium chloride solution for 8 weeks. Changes of systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats and blood urea,creatinine,nitric oxide (NO),nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) were observed. Results Diastolic pressure of rats in compound Yibazhen granules high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group decreased significantly in 2 weeks. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of compound Yibazhen granules high dose group decreased significantly in 4 weeks,compared with the model control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model control group, concentration of urea and crea in compound Yibazhen granules high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group were significantly lower( P<0.05) . The content of NOS and AngⅡ in rats of compound Yibazhen granules high dose group decreased significantly and the contents of NO increased, which were compared with the model control group ( P<0. 05, P<0. 01 ) . Conclusion The protective effect of compound Yibazhen granules in treating early renal damage in SHR is related to decreasing diastolic blood pressure,concentration of urea,crea and AngⅡ and regulating the levels of NOS and NO.

AIM : To construct and analyze eukaryotic expression plasmid inserted by Cx50 with V64G mutation through bioinformatics software.METHODS: The full coding domain sequence of Cx50 with V64G mutation was acquired from the blood of patients with cataract and was cloned into pcDNA3.1 /Amp (+).The constructed plasmid was identified with PCR , enzyme digestion and sequencing. The analysis of Cx50 with V64G mutation was performed with bioinformatics software.RESULTS : Cx50 with V64G mutation was successfully amplified and its eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed. Valine-64 is well conserved in the first extracellular loop of connexin 50 in different species and also in different human α -type gap junctional proteins.CONCLUSION : The successive reconstruction and verification of eukaryotic expression plasmid containing Cx50 with V64G mutation established the foundation for further studying the mechanism of cataract.

Objective To improve the conventional method of quantitative assessment of regional cerebral blood flows(rCBF)by a perfusion CT study based on maximal slope model at the general infusion rate(

OBJECTIVECoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Some studies suggested that CHD begins in childhood. Obesity and dyslipidemia are important risk factors of coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo)E gene associated with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. The present study was designed to investigate the expression status of apoE gene in peripheral blood monocyte and association of apoE gene expression with lipids in children with obesity.

METHODSAmong 32 children with obesity and 32 healthy children without obesity or overweight, ApoE gene expressions were determined by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood monocyte. The concentrations of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, apoB(100) and apoE were measured.

RESULTSExpression of apoE gene was detected in peripheral blood monocyte. Expression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in children with obesity as compared with control group (0.29 +/- 0.14 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA vs. 0.36 +/- 0.10 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA, t = 2.15, P < 0.05). The more severe was the degree of obesity, the more significantly reduced the expression of apoE gene; the degree of obesity was negatively correlated with the levels of expression of apoE gene (correlation coefficient = -0.40, P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and apoB(100) were higher, and those of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apoA I and apoE were lower in children with obesity [(1.68 +/- 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.99 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, (4.47 +/- 0.91) mmol/L vs. (3.33 +/- 0.90) mmol/L, (2.23 +/- 0.71) mmol/L vs. (1.13 +/- 0.96) mmol/L, (94.48 +/- 9.97) mg/dl vs. (83.81 +/- 15.64) mg/dl, (1.47 +/- 0.39) mmol/L vs. (1.73 +/- 0.36) mmol/L, (112.71 +/- 27.86) mg/dl vs. (134.80 +/- 45.36) mg/dl, (24.50 +/- 10.92) mg/L vs.(35.07 +/- 9.79) mg/L, respectively, P < 0.05]. ApoE gene expression was associated with plasma lipids metabolism in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was inversely associated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, positively correlated with apoE (correlation coefficient = -0.33, 0.35, respectively, P < 0.05). The quantity of apoE gene expression was not associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, and apoB(100) (correlation coefficient = -0.19, -0.11, 0.16, 0.09, 0.18, 0.22, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in peripheral blood monocyte in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was associated with degree of obesity and abnormality of blood lipids.

Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Child ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gene Expression ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the influent of the different components of nourishing kidney herbs on the main items of bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats induced with Dexamethasona(DXM).

METHODModels of three-month old SD female rats with osteoporosis here made by being fed with low calcium diet (containing calcium 0.2%) and distilled water, and injected with DXM 0.1 mg/100 g weight intramuscularly, twice a week. Then the osteoporosis rats were treated with different components of nourishing kidney herbs, and the change of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), calcitonin(CT), PTH, CT/PTH, estrogen(E2), testosterone(T), T/E2 and bone section and bone quantitative morphology in these osteoporosis rats were observed.

RESULTThe total components of nourishing kidney herbs could improve the general condition of osteoporosis rats, decrease PTH, increase CT, estrogen, testosterone, CT/PTH and T/E2. The total components of nourishing kidney herbs could improve osteoporotic state, promote bone formation, and inhibite bone resorption. But no effect of the A, B, C, D components of nourishing kidney herbs on the main items of bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats induced with DXM was found.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible that the purification and separation of these herbs weaken or destroy the integrative effect of nourishing kidney herbs or destroy effective components of nourishing kidney herbs during the process of purification and separation.

Animals ; Dexamethasone ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between simian acquired immunodeficiency syndromn (SAIDS) and autoimmunity in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected monkeys.

METHODSIndirect immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect plasma or serum autoantibodies in SIV-infected monkeys. The heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and lymph node of BALB/c mice, a strain of endothelial cell ECV304, and granulocytes were used as target antigens. These results were compared with HE stained slides of SIV-infected monkeys.

RESULTSThe levels of various autoantibodies, including anti-lymphocyte autoantibodies, anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies, and anti-granulocyte antibodies, increased after SIV infection in monkeys. Moreover, pathological examinations showed injuries in the lymphoid tissue and vascular pathological changes in cerebral cortex, submucosa of gastrointestinal tract, interstitial capillaries of myocardium, nephron of the kidney, and sinusoid cell of liver.

CONCLUSIONThe increased autoantibodies and the pathological changes of tissues and organs confirm the existence of autoimmunity in SIV-infected monkeys.

Animals ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Autoimmunity ; Endothelial Cells ; immunology ; Granulocytes ; immunology ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; immunology ; pathology ; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of unilateral pedicle screw fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) through paraspinal muscle approach for recurrent lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability.

METHODSA total of 35 patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability were treated between March 2008 and May 2010, including 15 patients managed by the paraspinal muscle approach with unilateral pedicle screw fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) (unilateral fixation group) and 20 patients by the posterior midline approach with bilateral pedicle screw fixation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (bilateral fixation group). Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were observed, preoperative and postoperative JOA score and VAS score in low back pain and legs pain, the interbody fusion condition were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 30 months with an average 16.8 months. All clinical symptoms had obviously improved postoperatively. X-rays showed good interbody fusion (only 1 case did not obtain fusion in bilateral fixation group) without cage displacement or settlement and implant loosening or breakage. There was significant difference in operation time and the intraoperative blood loss between two groups (P < 0.05). Postoperative JOA score had obviously decreased than preoperative one (P < 0.05). At 1 week after surgery, there was significant difference in VAS score of low back pain between two groups and there was no significant difference in VAS score of legs pain between two groups (P > 0.05); at final follow-up, there was no significant difference in VAS score of low back pain and legs pain between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTwo methods both can obtain satisfactory effect in treating recurrent lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability. Through the paraspinal muscle approach with unilateral pedicle screw fixation and TLIF has advantages of smaller surgical incision, shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, faster relief in low back pain after operation, etc.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Recurrence ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between two polymorphisms, Arg194Trp and Arg399Glu, of DNA repair gene X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and the susceptibility of breast cancer in Chinese women.

METHODSA case-control study with 698 histologically-confirmed female breast cancer cases and 813 cancer-free controls frequency-matched by age and residential area was conducted, and the genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assays. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Glu with susceptibility of breast cancer. A Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the association of Arg399Glu with breast cancer in Chinese women.

RESULTSThe genotype frequencies of Arg/Arg, Arg/Trp, Trp/Trp, Arg/Trp + Trp/Trp of XRCC1 gene 194 locus were 48.81% (327/670), 39.85% (267/670), 11.34% (76/670), 51.19% (343/670) in cases and 48.80% (387/793), 41.99% (333/793), 9.21% (73/793), 51.20% (406/793) in controls. Compared to Arg/Arg, the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 0.98 (0.75 - 1.28), 1.17 (0.76 - 1.80), 1.09 (0.86 - 1.40). The frequencies of Arg/Arg, Arg/Trp, Trp/Trp, Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln of XRCC1 399 locus were 52.40% (349/666), 38.29% (255/666), 9.31%(62/666), 47.60% (317/666) in cases and 52.22% (412/789), 38.53% (304/789), 9.25% (73/789), 47.78%(377/789) in controls. Compared to Arg/Arg, the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) were 0.93(0.63 - 1.08), 0.96 (0.42 - 1.09), 0.91 (0.62 - 1.05). No significant associations were found between these two polymorphisms and breast cancer risk, also in subgroups stratified by menopause status, history of breast-feed, reproduction and taking oral contraceptives. The overall ORs (95%CIs) of 399 Arg/Trp + Trp/Trp vs Arg/Arg from Meta analysis was 0.97 (0.85 - 1.10).

CONCLUSIONThe XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln may not play an important role in the susceptibility of breast cancer in Chinese women.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1