Objective To study the effects of intrathecally administered morphine and ketamine on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and nitric oxide content in the spinal cord.Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing 220-260 g were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg?kg-1 . A catheter was implanted in subarachnoid space at lumbal region. Sciatic constriction injury (SCI) was produced by loose ligation of right sciatic nerve trunk with 4-0 cutgut. On the 4th postoperative day the animals were randomly divided into four groups of 8 animals :(1) control group (C); (2) morphine group (M);(3) ketamine group (K) and morphine-ketamine group (KM) . Morphine 20 ?g / ketamine 20 ?g / morphine 10 ?g + ketamine 10 ?g were injected intrathecally every day for 7 consecutive days in group M, K and KM. In control group normal saline was injected intrathecally instead of morphine and / or ketamine. The withdrawal latenvies to radiant heat focused on plantar surface were measured as radiant heat threshold before intrathecal administration of the analgesic (baseline) and 30 min after intrathecal administration of ketamine and / or morphine every day for 7consecutive days. The percentage of maximal possible effect ( MPE % ) was calculated : MPE % = (latency after intrathecal administration-baseline latency) / (radiant heat cut-off time-baseline latency) X 100% . After 7 days of intrathecal administration the animals were decapitated and the spinal cord was immediately removed and the lumbal spinal cord was dissected on ice. NOS activity and nitric oxide ( NO) content were measured by spectrophotometry. Results MPE % was significantly higher in group M and KM than in group C and K ( P

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma adrenodullin(ADM) and C-type natriuretic peptide(CNP) level in children with chronic heart failure(CHF) and its clinical implications.Methods Forty-two children with CHF were collected.The patients suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy,congenital heart defects,and other heart diseases.According to a modified scoring system described by Ross and Reithman,16 patients were classified as class Ⅱ,14 as class Ⅲ,and 12 as class Ⅳ.Plasma levels of ADM and CNP were measured by radioimmunoassay assay in these patients and 11 healthy children.Echocardiography was performed to measure left ventricular function and the ratio of E/A.Results Plasma ADM and CNP levels of CHF patients were significantly elevated as compared with those of the control subjects [(218.27?106.53) ng/L vs(74.39?53.99) ng/L,P=0;(190.27?108.38) ng/L vs(92.59?(59.46) ng/L),P0.05).ADM levels were elevated with the advancing severity of CHF determined by a modified scoring system described by Ross.However,the plasma CNP levels in the normal state wasn′t significantly different from those observed in class Ⅱ.Likewise,the plasma CNP level in the class Ⅲ was not significantly different from that observed in class Ⅱ.Conclusions ADM and CNP might play a compensatory and defensive roles in the pathophysiology of the pediatric CHF.ADM may be a biochemical marker for evaluation the severity of the chronic heart failure in children,but also a new prognostic indicator of this syndrome.

Objective To explore the high risk factors, pathogenesis and methods of early diagnosis of periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) in premature infants.Methods The history of intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia was investigated in premature infants;TORCH-IgM antibodies in cord blood of premature infants were measured by ELISA; Nitric oxide (NO) levels in their cord blood were determined by nitric acid reducing enzyme means. Results Thirty-nine of 52 premature infants in PVL group had a history of intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia; TORCH-IgM antibody positive rate in cord blood of premature infants in PVL group was significantly higher than that in control group(P

The aim of this study was to develop the data element standard directory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical pharmacy information, to provide application standards and models of TCM clinical pharmacy for the electronic medical record (EMR). The developed line of work is as follows: initially establish research through four forms: literature analysis, questionnaires, discussion groups, expert advice. The research range from the Chinese herbal medicine research, herbal origin, harvesting, processing, identification of traits, physical and chemical identification, modern research, character, taste, Indications, clinical application, processing, dispensing medicine, Chinese medicine specifications, usage, dosage, caution, efficacy indications to small packaging applications, drug research, management and other related issues, including traditional Chinese medicine theory, application and hospital management information; according to the general and part 16 content of the national "Health Information Data Element Standards", and the basic method of extracting data element to study and develop the data element of TCM clinical pharmacy information from the defining content. Correspondingly propose the ideas and methods of construction of the "Data Element Standard Directory of TCM Clinical Pharmacy Information", sort out medicine clinical information data element standard catalog, divided into basic categories, clinical application class, management class three parts, and set norms and standards of identifying data elements, definitions, allowable value of traditional Chinese medicine clinical information, and discuss the sources and standards of information collection, leaving the interface, standardized and scientific terminology, docking with the existing standards, maintenance and management program and oter issues.
China ; Data Mining ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Database Management Systems ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Electronic Health Records ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Information Dissemination ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; statistics & numerical data

Diathesis education and innovative ability cultivating of students are a new position in higher education.Exploring experiment was applied in medical undergraduates of grade 2004 for enhancing integrative diathesis and cultivating innovative spirit and ability of students.It was proved that application of exploring experiment could increase adequately learning fervor and interest of students.Teaching quality of microbiological experiment was enhanced accordingly.Application of exploring experiment was useful supplement and attempt of traditional teaching mode.

Quality education and innovative ability cultivation of students are a new position in higher education.Exploring exper- iment was applied in teaching of microbiological experiment for enhancing integrative diathesis and cultivating innovative spirit and ability of students.The practice has been proved that learning fervor of students was increased adequately.Unaided operation abili- ty,integrative analysis ability and innovative idea were enhanced,too.Accordingly,teaching quality of microbiological experiment was improved.

Objective To observe the metabolism and distribution of arsenic in liver and brain of offspring rata by exposure to arsenic of pregnant rats or lactation dams and weaned pups,and explore if arsenic could penetrate the placental barrier,lactation barrier and blood brain barrier. Methods The Wistar female rots were randomly divided into four groups according to body weights,12 in each group,and were fed with drinking water that contained arsenic(NaAsO_2) 0,10,50,100 mg/L beginning from the gestafional day 6 until pups 42 days old. Pups were separately sacrificed on postnatal day(PND) 0,15,28,42. Arsenic in liver and brain of offspring rots and in breast milk was examined by atomic absorption speetrophotometer with an arsenic speeiation pretreatment system. Results Concentration of iAs,MMA,DMA of brain in 50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[0,0,0,(7.3±6.6),0,(44.2±27.4)ng/g]on PND 0,42[iAs: (120.0±46.0),(195.5±125.3),(216.5±278.4),(176.6±151.8) ng/g; M MA: (47.2±18.1),(199.6±389.1),(47.4±55.2),(82.7±79.2) ng/g; DMA: (984.3±377.4),(2222.1±1433.2),(998.1±368.3),(1781.3±715.7)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of DMA of brain in 50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(13.9±18.1),(50.6±98.3)ng/g]on PND 15,28 [(270.3±73.1),(323.9±72.7),(758.7±245.9),(1020.6±383.6) ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of iAs,DMA of liver in 10,50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group [(1.4±3.5),(49.7± 47.1),0,(100.4±30.2)ng/g]on PND 28,42 [iAs: (37.5±28.1),(268.8±246.4),(307.2±339.9),(15.4±9.4),(479.1±161.1),(408.4±51.9)ng/g;DMA: (594.5±148.8),(3181.9±519.0),(4834.2±2568.4),(1061.8± 85.2),(3697.1±553.7),(4120.0±732.8) ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of DMA of liver in 10,50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(13.2±20.5)ng/g]on PND 15[(182.0±60,2),(637.6±90.0),(1458.7±196.3)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of arsenicals of liver and brain showed a dose-dependent increase. The concentrations of DMA of breast milk in 50,100 mg/L groups were also higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(9.8±13.4),0 ng/g]on PND 0,15 [(182.3±85.9),(372.2±203.9),(124.2±33.1),(244.4±196.5)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. In the analysis of the change of arsenic on different postnatal day,we found the concentration of iAs,MMA,DMA,TMA in liver and brain of pups all decreased on postnatal day 15,and was lower than that on PND 0,28 and 42. Conclusions The distribution of arsenic and methyl-metabolism in liver and brain of pups is related with arsenic exposure dose. Arsenic can penetrate the placenta and blood brain barrier easily and lactation can hinder arsenic intake in some extent.

AIMTo investigate the possible involvement of glutamate(Glu) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the central regulation of baroreflex.

METHODSThe baroreflex was induced by intravenous injection of phenylephrine in conscious rats, and the extracellular concentration of Glu in the PVN region was measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. To determine whether the observed Glu release was involved in the baroreflex, NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists, MK-801 and CNQX, were perfused in the PVN region during baroreflex.

RESULTSDuring baroreflex, the Glu concentration in the PVN region immediately increased to 384.82% +/- 91.77% of basal level (P < 0.01). (2) During baroreflex, direct perfusion of MK-801 and CNQX in the PVN were attenuated the increase of blood pressure and enhanced the decrease of HR (P < 0.01),resulting a significant increase in baroreflex sensitivity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGlutamate in PVN is involved in central regulation of baroreflex, which may inhibit baroreflex via ionothopic glutamate receptors.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Baroreflex ; drug effects ; physiology ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Male ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo investigate the possible involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in cardiovascular responses induced by central salt loading.

METHODSDirect perfusion into PVN region with hypertonic saline (0.6 mol/L) was performed in conscious rats by using an in vivo brain microdialysis technique. Then, the extracellular concentration of GABA in the PVN region was measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques, and the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were with recorded simultaneously. Bicuculline (an antagonist of GABAA receptor) or saclofen (an antagonist of GABAB receptor) were coperfused hypertonic saline into PVN region, then the cardiovascular responses were examined.

RESULTS(1) The local perfusion of 0.6 mol/L saline elicited significant increases on BP and HR (P < 0.01). In addition, perfusion of 0.6 mol/L saline increased the extracellular GABA levels in the PVN region, which reached 561.96% +/- 173.96% (P < 0.05) of the basal level. (2) Bicuculline or salcofen significantly attenuated the in-response of BP (P < 0.01, respectively), whereas the antagonists did not influence the response of HR induced by hypertonic saline.

CONCLUSIONLocal perfusion of hypertonic saline in the PVN region elicits a local release of GABA, which may act via GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors to produce pressor response.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Microdialysis ; methods ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; metabolism ; physiology ; Pressoreceptors ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a central site for integration of the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. Despite a number of studies have pointed out the importance of the PVN in the central regulation of cardiovascular functions, the chemical mediators in the PVN responsible for mediating baroreflex are not well understood. In the present study, we used the conscious rats to investigate the possible involvement of glycine (Gly) in PVN in the central regulation of baroreflex induced by intravenous injection of phenylephrine (0.8 mug/0.04 mL, in 3 min). Then, the microdialysis sampling was performed in the PVN and the concentration of Gly in the microdialysate was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with electrochemical techniques, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded simultaneously. Injection of phenylephrine elicited a significant increase (P<0.01) in MAP from the baseline of (99.5+/-14.2) mmHg to the maximum of (149.8+/-19.5) mmHg and a decrease (P<0.01) in HR from the baseline of (400.8+/-33.1) beats/min to the minimum of (273.4+/-40.8) beats/min, respectively. Synchronously, the injection of phenylephrine increased the level of Gly in the microdialysate from the PVN to (162.9+/-27.3)% of the basal level (P<0.05). Perfusion of strychnine (100 mumol/L), an antagonist of Gly receptor, into the PVN enhanced the pressor response and attenuated the bradycardic response during the baroreflex, resulting in a decrease in baroreflex sensitivity (P<0.001). Whereas, the perfusion of Gly (1 mmol/L) into the PVN did not affect the pressor response but enhanced the bradycardic response during the baroreflex, resulting in an increase in baroreflex sensitivity (P<0.001). These results suggest that endogenous Gly in the PVN may act via strychnine-sensitive Gly receptor to produce a facilitative effect on baroreflex.
Animals ; Baroreflex ; drug effects ; Glycine ; pharmacology ; Heart Rate ; Microinjections ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; physiology ; Phenylephrine ; pharmacology ; Rats