Objective Cardiac muscle cells play a critical role in maintaining normal function of the heart.Cardiotrophin-1(CT-1),a potent cardiac survival factor,is capable of inhibiting apoptosis or promoting survival in cardiomyocytes.To elucidate the mechanism of CT-1 promoting cardiac myocyte survival in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.To explore the potential signaling pathway that might be responsible for this effect.Methods We examined the cardiac myocyte survival effect of CT-1 in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.The cardiomyocytes were stained [3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiaziazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,MTT] and the counted.Results The survival rate of cardiac myocytes was increased by CT-1 in a dose-dependent manner(10-10～10-7 mol/L) and in a time-dependent manner(1～4 d,10-8 mol/L) in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.Pretreatment of PD098059(5?10-5mol/L),a MAPK blocker,decreased significantly survival rate of cardiac myocytes by promoted CT-1.The phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)(10-5mol/L),a PKC activator,increased significantly this effect of CT-1,but inhibited significantly by MAPK blocker PD098059.Conclusion CT-1 is a potent factor of promoting cardiac myocyte survival,and increase significantly survival rate of cardiac myocytes in a dose-dependentand a time-dependent manner in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.The MAPK signaling pathway mediates CT-1 induced cardiac myocyte survival.PKC signaling molecule may be a upstream signaling transduction pathway which cascades of MAPK in CT-1 induced cardiac myocyte survival.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of mild hypothermia on cells in the CA_1 region of the hippocampus in gerbils following global ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI),and to explore their mechanism. Methods IRI models were established in 75 gerbils.Any changes in TUNEL positive cells and the expression of Bax and Cytochrome C were then observed in normothermic(N) ,hypothermic(H)and sham(S) groups through immu- nohistochemistry methods.Results In the H group(as compared with the N group)apoptotic cells in the CA_1 sub- field of the hippocampus significantly decreased.The expression of Bax and Cyt C at 3 h,6 h and 1 d were de- creased,and the expression fastigium was delayed.Conclusion Mild hypothermia can moderate and delay cell ap- optosis,and its mechanism might be related with reducing and delaying the expression of Bax and Cyt C released by mitochondria.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of dorsal double locking compression plate (LCP) in treatment of stretched unstable distal radial fractures.Methods Fourteen cases of stretched unstable distal radial fractures were treated by reduction and internal fixation using straight or L-shaped anatomic LCP via dorsal approach.Wrist functional exercise was conducted immediately after operation.Follow up was made after operation to assess motion pain,functional score of wrist,and complication incidence at postoperative 12 weeks,24 weeks,and 1 year.Results Follow-up was lasted for 5-24 months.At postoperative 12 weeks,24 weeks and 1 year,mean visual analogue scale (VAS) was (1.88 ±0.26) points,(0.87 ± 0.14) points and (0.37 ± 0.06) points respectively and wrist functional score (Gartland-Werley score) was (6.45 ± 1.72) points,(2.73 ± 0.52) points and (2.10 ± 0.31) points respectively.According to Garfland-Werley score in the latest follow-up,the results were excellent in 10 cases,good in two,and fair in two.Besides,one case was combined with myotenositis of extensor pollicis longus muscle tendon and another case with myotenositis of extensor tendon.Conclusion Dorsal double LCP is one of the effective methods for stretched unstable distal radial fractures that can reconstruct anatomical structure of the wrist efficiently and attain satisfactory functional recovery,with no obvious pain.

The effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on growth performance and humoral immune response in Miichthys miiuy were evaluated. One hundred and fifty Miichthys miiuy weighing approximately 200-260 g were divided into five groups and reared in 15 tanks with closed circuiting culture system. The animals were fed 5 diets: basal diet only (control) or supplemented of the basal diet with C. butyricum at doses of 10(3) (CB1), 10(5) (CB2), 10(7) (CB3) or 10(9) (CB4) CFU/g. Compared with the control, the serum phenoloxidase activity was significantly increased by the supplementation (P<0.05), acid phosphatases activity was increased significantly (P<0.05) at the doses of 10(9) CFU/g. Serum lysozyme activity peaked at dose of 10(7) CFU/g and in the skin mucus at dose of 10(9) CFU/g. Immunoglobulin M level in the serum and skin mucus was increased except at dose of 10(3) CFU/g (P<0.05). The growth at the dose of 10(9) CFU/g was higher than that of the control (P<0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of C. butyricum can mediate the humoral immune responses and improve the growth performance in Miichthys miiuy.
Animal Feed ; microbiology ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; physiology ; Clostridium butyricum ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; microbiology ; Fishes ; growth & development ; immunology ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage

To observe therapeutic effects of acupuncture on female's climacteric depression and to study on the mechanism. Methods Sixty cases enrolled were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture were given at Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Xinshu (BL 15), etc. with uniform reinforcing-reducing method, once each day, and the control group were treated with oral administration of fluexertine hydrochloride, 20 mg, once daily. HAMD scale was used for assessment before treatment and 2,4,6 weeks after treatment. Blood dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents were detected before treatment and after one therapeutic course. Results The total effective rate was 86.7% in the acupuncture group and 92.9% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, DA content increased significantly in the acupuncture group with a significant difference as compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05); and after treatment NE and 5-HIAA contents in the two groups significantly increased as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can benignly and comprehensively regulate general functions, and increase contents of monoamines in the body, so as to play the role of anti-depression.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Climacteric ; psychology ; Depression ; blood ; therapy ; Dopamine ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ; blood ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Norepinephrine ; blood

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of the spinal cord during neck flexion in Hirayama disease for diagnosis.Methods MRI examinations in neutral neck position and a fully flexed neck position were performed on 18 cases of Hirayama disease and 31 young normal control subjects.We measured an antero-posterior diameter(APD)and transverse diameter(TD)of the cervical cord at the superior margin of the C6 vertebral body for each position,and investigate the dynamic changes.The different in frequency of these findings between the control and patient groups was examined by means of the x~2 test.The group means were compared by independent-sample t-test.Significance was defined as P

This paper is to build a finite element model of brain with a real brain shapeon which simulation studies of electrical impedance tomography EIT in the brain is based. A curve of a real brain shape is simulated with the curve-fitting methods and EIT in the brain is finished with finite-element methods and Equipotential Lines Back-Projection algorithm.The locationarea and amplitude of the change of the resistivity are reconstructed accurately. But the image quality has to be further improved.This paper provides a basis for clinical applications of EIT in brain.

ObjectiveTo observe the rehabilitative effect of patients with shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke by manipulation treatment. MethodsThe patients with shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly divided into two groups, manipulation group (180cases) and control group (128 cases). Patients in the manipulation group were regularly given a passive quantitative movement on shoulder, elbow and hand joints,while patients in the control group were irregularly given a passive movement or ordered to perform an autonomic movement. The signs and symptoms of patients in these two groups were not much different. The rehabilitative effects were compared 3 months later. ResultsSigns and symptoms in the manipulation groups improved much better than that of the control group. Conclusions The manipulation treatment for the post-stroke patients with shoulder-hand syndrome is the method that is simple, effective and easy to perform.

Osteoporotic fractures represent the most severe complications of osteoporosis,characterized by insidious onset,high mortality and disability rates,and a steadily increasing incidence,imposing a significant socioeconomic burden.Western medicine has advantages in diagnosis and surgical interventions,while traditional Chinese medicine excels in holistic manage-ment and the restoration of bodily equilibrium.The integration of both traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and western medicine emerges as an effective therapeutic strategy for osteoporotic fractures.In order to propagate the concept of integrated diagnosis and treatment,foster the advancement of integrated medical techniques for osteoporotic fractures,and establish standardized and nor-mative protocols for disease prevention,diagnosis,and treatment,a consensus expert group,led by Geriatric Branch of Chinese Geriatrics Society,the Young Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Association,Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Physician Association,and Osteoporosis Professional Committee of the Shanghai Society of Inte-grated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,was established.This group engaged in deliberations and formulated the"Ex-pert Consensus on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporotic Fractures"elu-cidating the concept of integrated medicine and offering recommendations in the domains of prevention,diagnosis,and treatment,with the aspiration of ameliorating the prognosis of osteoporotic fractures and enhancing the quality of life for these patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSC)to osteoblasts.Methods Six male Beagle dogs weighed 10-15 kg each were divided into three groups,group A:medicine serum group,group B:non-medicine serum group and group C:bovine serum group.The serum of group A was obtained from the femoral artery of 2 Beagle dogs drinking equivalent dose of traditional Chinese medicine according to body surface area for 7 continuous days.The serum of group B was collected from the femoral artery of 2 Beagle dogs fed with equal volume of normal saline for 7 days.The serum of group C was fetal bovine serum.The tibia marrow was harvested from another 2 Beagle dogs and MSC were isolated and purified by density gradient centrifugation.MSC were cultured in DMEM solution with fetal bovine serum. After MSC were digested by trypsin.MSC were cultured in DMEM solution wuth the osteogeneic inducer,which contained dexamethasone,antiscorbutic and β-glycerophosphate.Morphological and histological changes of the MSC were observed under an inverted microscope.Alizarin monosulfonate and nitric acid argentum staining was performed to observe the calcium deposition.MSC were curtured in DMED solution with medicine serum(group A),non-medicine serum(group B)and bovine serum(group C)respectively.The growth curve was detected by the methyl thiazoly tetrazolium (MTT). The alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities were detected to observe the differentiation of MSC. Results The original MSC were observed as fibroblast-like cell shapes. After the osteogeneic inducer was added, MSC were polygon cells with a few polyprocess. Calcium deposition appeared during 10-14 days and alizarin monosulfonate and Von Kossa staining presented positive. MTT results showed that the number of adherent cells of group A was more than that of group B and that of group C significantly after 6 days (P <0. 05). ALP detection proved that ALP activity of group A was more than that of group B and that of group C significantly after 5 days ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions The traditional Chinese medicine promotes the differentiation of MSC to osteoblasts and osteogenesis.