OBJECTIVETo explore the functional brain localization with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after acupuncturing the Yuan-Source and He-Sea acupoints of Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST).

METHODSThe study was performed in 30 healthy volunteers who underwent acupuncture at Yuan-Source acupoint (Chongyang, ST42) and He-Sea acupoint (Zusanli, ST36) (ST group). Ten of these were also underwent acupuncture at the non-acupoints as the control group. Blood oxygenation level dependent functional MRI was performed.

RESULTSIn the ST group, signal increasing areas were demonstrated in bilateral superior temporal gyri (Broadmann 22), bilateral supramarginal gyri (Broadmann 40), bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, bilateral cingulate gyri and isthmus of cingulate gyri (Broadmann 32, 30), bilateral superior parietal lobules (Broadmann 7); signal decreasing areas were shown in bilateral orbital gyri (Broadmann 11), bilateral temporal pole (Broadmann 38), right inferior frontal gyrus (Broadmann 47) and right medial occipitotemporal gyrus (Broadmann 36). In the control group, signal increases areas were demonstrated in superior temporal gyri, precentral gyri, cingulate gyri, thalamus, insula and cerebellum. The size, signal intensity and number of increasing areas in control group are less than in ST group.

CONCLUSIONCombined acupuncture of Yuan-Source and He-Sea acupoints of ST can activate and decrease the multiple brain regions of "splanchnic brain" and thus reach a new functional balance to relieve pain.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Brain ; physiology ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meridians ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthases/H2S pathway in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.Methods Wistar rats were subdivided into 4 groups:(1) 2-kidney,1-clip (2K-1C group,n=7),(2) control (n=7),(3)sham (n=7),and (4) 2K-1C plus sodium hydrosulfide (NariS) (NariS-treated group,n=7).The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by a tail-cuff method using a pulse transducer once a week.Four weeks later,all rats were killed and the concentration of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S),the activity of the H2S syntha.ses in the kidneys on both sides,the plasma angiotensin Ⅱ concentration,and the left-to-whole heart weight ratio were measured.Results The SBP was significantly increased in the 2K-IC group (185.4± 14.0mmHg) comparing with those in the sham group (112.9±6.5mmHg,,or the NariS-treated group(134.8±9.5mmHg) (both P＜0.01).At 4 weeks,the angiotensin Ⅱ concentration in the plasma was increased in the 2K-1C and NariS-treated group,comparing with the control and the sham group (306.92±7.03 pg/ml and 240.73±13.22 pg/ml vs 122.6±25.49 pg/ml and 125.95±10.55 pg/ml,respectively,both P＜0.05).The plasma H2S concentration and the activity of H2S synthases in the left kidney were decreased in the 2K-1C group comparing with those in the sham and the control groups.There was no difference of the activity of the H2S synthases in the right kidneys among the 4 groups.The left-to-whole heart weight ratio was increased in the 2K-1C and the NariS-treated group camparing with that in the sham and natural control groups.Conclusions Dysfunction of the H2S synthases/H2S pathway was involved in the 2K-1C-induced renovascular hypertension in rat.Exogenous administration of H2S donor can attenuate the development of hypertension.These findings suggest that the H2S synthases/H2S pathway participates in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.

OBJECTIVETo propose a new algorithm for medical image segmentation based on Gibbs morphological gradient and distance map (DM) Snake model, which allows identification of the correct contours of the objects when processing medical images with noises and pseudo-edges.

METHODSGibbs morphological gradient was deduced and the method for image segmentation based on Gibbs morphological gradient and distance map Snake model was presented.

RESULTSThis new medical image segmentation algorithm proved to effectively suppress the noises and pseudo-edges when calculating distance map.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed algorithm is robust for image noise suppression and allows easy implementation in clinical image segmentation without the need of user interventions.

Algorithms ; Computer Simulation ; Fuzzy Logic ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To evaluate the relationship between Multi-slices spiral(MSCT) perfusion and microvessel density (MVD) in maxillofacial tumors. Methods Thirty-one cases of maxillofacial tumors were studied with MSCT perfusion imaging before operation. The time-density curve, perfusion, time to peak(TTP), and Peak enhancement imaging (PEI) of tumors were calculated. MVD of the tumors was measured with immuno-histochemical method by means of detecting factor Ⅷ in all the histologic specimens. Relativity analysis was carried between MSCT perfusion imaging parameters, perfusion curve types and MVD. Results MVD of maxillofacial tumors were higher than normal tissue. MVD remarkably correlated with malignancy of the tumors. Perfusion and time to peak (TTP) correlated well with MVD(t=7.09,4.10, P0.05). Significant difference of MVD in three types of perfusion curve was found(F=8.09,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of Fas mRNA and protein expression and apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSNorthern blot and flow cytometry (TUNEL method) were used to detect the expression of Fas mRNA and Fas protein, cell cycle and apoptotic level in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The relationship between Fas gene expression and OSCC apoptosis was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSFas mRNA and protein could be detected in all five normal oral mucosa specimens. There was positive correlation between expression of Fas mRNA/protein and cell differentiation as well as apoptosis in OSCC (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Fas gene was highly correlated with the differentiation and apoptosis in OSCC.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and bone marrow mononuclear cells(BMMNCs) have been both used to treat spastic cerebral palsy. However, the differences in their therapeutic effects remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of BMMSCs and BMMNCs in cerebral palsy children as well as on fine motor function. METHODS: 105 children with spastic cerebral palsy were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups: BMMSCs group, BMMNCs group and control group. Patients in the two transplantation groups received four intrathecal cell injections, and those in the control group received Bobath therapy, twice a day, for consecutive 3 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Fine Motor Function Measure (FMFM) were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy at 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 3 months after cell transplantation, scores in A dimension of GMFM and in A, C dimensions of FMFM in BMMSC group were all superior to those of BMMNC group and control group (P < 0.05). At 6 months after cell transplantation, scores in A, B dimensions of GMFM and in A, B, C, D and E dimensions of FMFM in BMMSC group were better than those of BMMNC group and control group (P< 0.05), and total scores of GMFM and FMFM were also better in the BMMSC group (P < 0.05). At 12 months after cell transplantation, scores in A, B and C dimensions of GMFM and A, B, C, D and E dimensions of FMFM scores in BMMSC group were all superior to those of BMMNC group and control group (P < 0.05) as well as the total GMFM and FMFM scores. There were six cases of low intracranial pressure headache in BMMNC group and six cases of low-grade fever in BMMSC group. In summary, both BMMSCs transplantation and BMMNCs transplantation are safe, effective and feasible for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy in children, and moreover, BMMSCs transplantation is a better method than BMMNCs transplantation to improve gross and fine motor functions of spastic cerebral palsy children.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β₁ on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Tb cell line.

METHODSCell counting method was used to examine the inhibitory effect of TGF-β₁ on Tb cell and flow cytometry (FCM) assay performed to measure the changes of cell cycle. Superarray was used to screen the changing expression of genes in TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway.RT-PCR method was used to detect the results of Superarray.

RESULTSTGF-β₁ showed significant inhibiting effect on OSCC Tb cell line. TGF-β₁ blocked the cell cycle at G₁ phase. The expression level of activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ACVRL-1), anti-mullerian hirmine (AMH), cyclim-dependent kinase inhibitor-2B (CDKN-2B) and transforming growth factor-beta-indnced factor (TGIF) was higer in the cells treated with TGF-β₁ than in control, while TDGF-1 expression was down-regulated. ACVRL-1 and CDKN-2B gene expression was consistent with the results of Superarray.

CONCLUSIONSTGF-β₁ can inhibit the growth of OSCC Tb cell line. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of cell cycle and the expression of ACVRL-1 and CDKN-2B in TGF-β₁-Smads signaling pathway.

Activin Receptors, Type II ; metabolism ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and its signaling pathway molecules in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and analyze the association between these factors and genesis and metastasis of OSCC.

METHODSThe express of TGF-beta1, TbetaRI, TbetaRII and Smad4, a pivotal downstream molecule of its signaling, in 10 normal oral mucosa tissues and 108 OSCC was detected by SP immunohistochemistry, and thier correlation with genesis and metastasis of OSCC were assessed.

RESULTSThe expressions of TbetaRII and Smad4 were lower in the tumors (34.3%, 38.9%) than those in the normal oral epithelium (80.0%, 100.0%, P < 0.05). The positive expression rates of TGF-beta1 and TbetaRI in the normal oral epithelium and OSCC were not significantly different (P > 0.05). There was an inverse correlation between TGF-beta1, Smad4, TbetaRII, TbetaRI expression and clinical stages (P < 0.01). The expression of TGF-beta1 was related with histological differentiation and tumor localization (P < 0.05). There was a relationship beteween Smad4 expression and histological differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The expression of TbetaRII in the samples with lymph node metastasis was less than that in the ones without lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01), although there was no association between expression of TbetaRII and lymph node metastasis status.

CONCLUSIONThere is an important relationship between the abnormal TGF-beta1/Smad4 signal pathway and genesis and development of OSCC, while the low expressed Smad4 and TbetaRII may promote the metastasis of OSCC.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smad4 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEGlutamine has protective effects against renal injuries. This study was designed to explore the possible mechanism underlying the protections by examining the effects of glutamine on extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and p38MAPK expression in the kidney in rats with endotoxemia.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-one 18-day-old Wistar rats were randomly injected with LPS (4 mg/kg; n=55), LPS (4 mg/kg)+glutamine (1 mL/kg) (n=55), or normal saline (control group; n=11). The two LPS groups were subdivided into five groups sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, 24 and 72 hrs after administration (n=11 each). ERK-2 and p38MAPK mRNA and protein expression in the kidney were measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared to the control group, the mRNA and protein expression of both ERK-2 and p38MAPK in the LPS group significantly increased 2, 4, 6, 24 and 72 hrs after administration (P<0.01), and reached a peak at 6 hrs (P<0.01). In the LPS+glutamine group, the trend of ERK-2 and p38MAPK expression was similar to the LPS group but their expression levels were significantly lower than those in the LPS group at all time points (P<0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth ERK-2 and p38MAPK expression increased in young rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia. Glutamine alleviates renal injuries possibly by decreasing the expression of both.

Animals ; Endotoxemia ; enzymology ; pathology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; analysis ; genetics ; Female ; Glutamine ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; enzymology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; analysis ; genetics

The integration of Chinese medicine (CM) and Western medicine (WM) is the only way for the development of medicine, and it is the best form for unifying systems theory and reductionism. In this paper, systems biology and its application in medical research were discussed. The authors put forward that systems biology may possibly interpret the scientific connotation of the complex theoretic systems of CM, which will make WM to well know the human body and disease. We hold that systems biology is a bridge of integrated CM and WM.
Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Systems Biology