Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tennis Elbow ; therapy ; Young Adult

This study is to investigate if madecassoside can protect against myocardial reperfusion injury in rabbit heart in vivo. The ischemia reperfusion model was established. Left ventricular function and ECG were monitored at the ischemia and reperfusion period. The infarct areas were expressed as percentage. The levels of LDH, CK, MDA and SOD were measured and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum was measured by ELISA kit. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis were measured by TUNEL staining. A monoclonal rabbit anti-goat Bcl-2 proteins as primary antibody was used for Bcl-2 immunohistochemical staining. Treatment with madecassoside (3.2, 1.6 and 0.8 mg x kg(-1)) i.v. during ischemia reperfusion injury attenuated myocardial damage, that is, characteristic of decreasing infarct size, decreasing LDH and CK release. Activities of SOD were diminished and MDA level increased obviously in control group whereas pretreatment with madecassoside significantly blunted the decrease of SOD activity, markedly reduced the levels of MDA, CRP and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Madecassoside has the protective effect against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, and effects of anti-lipid peroxidation, enhancement of SOD activity, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cardiotonic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Centella ; chemistry ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Electrocardiography ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of uterine contraction and stages of labor during delivery under continuous epidural block anesthesia.

METHODSTotaling 213 parturients in spontaneous labor under epidural block anesthesia with dilated cervical orifice of 3 cm were monitored for the contraction cycle, duration, intensity and curve types of uterine contraction, and recordings were made for 30 min before and 30, 60 and 120 min after the anesthesia took effect, respectively. The duration of the active phase in the first, second and third stages of labor was compared between 421 cases with anesthesia and 237 without anesthesia.

RESULTSSignificant difference was noted in the objective indexes of uterine contraction recorded after anesthesia had taken effect (P<0.05) in comparison with those before anesthesia, suggesting significantly attenuated uterine contraction after anesthesia, whereas these indexes underwent no significant further variation as compared between different time points after anesthesia (P>0.05). The average active phase in the first stage was significantly shorter in anesthesia group than that in the control group (P<0.05), but the average duration of the second and third stages of labor differed little between the two groups with appropriate use of oxytocin under strict monitoring (P>0.05). The rates of obstetric forceps utilization and use of oxytocin were higher in anesthesia group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEpidural block anesthesia produces certain influences on uterine contraction and stages of labor during delivery, for which appropriate treatment measures may prove beneficial.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; methods ; Anesthesia, Obstetrical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Labor, Obstetric ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo establish a murine model of sensitization, and investigate the effect and mechanism of sensitization on allogeneic donor bone marrow cells (BMCs).

METHODSSensitized BALB/c mice were established by transfusions of allogeneic splenocytes. The donor reactive antibodies were detected by binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays. After irradiation, 1 × 10(7) BMCs of C57BL/6 donor mice were injected into non-sensitized or sensitized BALB/c recipient mice. The distribution pattern of donor BMCs in peripheral blood, spleen and bone marrow of recipient mice were analyzed at different time points (2 h, 12 h and 48 h) post transplantation. Hematopoietic recovery post transplantation was assessed, and survival was monitored. Moreover, sera and splenocytes derived from non-sensitized or sensitized recipients were incubated with allogeneic BMCs in vitro, and the cytotoxic indexes were calculated in the immune experiments.

RESULTSThe binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays showed that a high level of donor reactive antibodies was presented in sensitized sera. Compared with the non-sensitized recipients, the homing assay showed significantly decreased distributions of allogeneic donor BMCs in peripheral blood, spleen and femur of sensitized recipients. Non-sensitized recipients survived long term after irradiation, while all the sensitized recipients died within 12-15 days. Fourteen days post transplantation, the white blood cells and BMCs of non-sensitized recipients were (3240 ± 300) × 10(6)/L and (396 ± 27) × 10(6)/femur, respectively; while the white blood cells and BMCs of sensitized recipients were (320 ± 80) × 10(6)/L and (6 ± 2) × 10(6)/femur, respectively; the differences were statistically significant between this two groups (P < 0.05). Seven days post transplantation, the percentage of donor cells in bone marrow of non-sensitized and sensitized recipients was (48.07 ± 4.70)% and (0.77 ± 0.11)%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the white blood cells and BMCs following transplantation decreased along with time in sensitized recipients. The immune experiments of complement-dependent cytotoxicity reaction, cytotoxic T lymphocytes reaction and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity showed the cytotoxic indexes were higher in sensitized group than the non-sensitized group.

CONCLUSIONA sensitized model was established by transfusions of allogeneic spleen cells. Allogeneic donor BMCs were rejected in sensitized recipients, and its mechanism might be through immune impairment pathways.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Graft Rejection ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of liposuction on insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.

METHODSThe levels of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and insulin sensitivity were measured pre-and 2-4 months postoperatively in 20 consecutive patients undergoing liposuction.

RESULTSCompared with preoperative, the insulin sensitivity increased significantly, the levels of TC and LDL-C decreased after the liposuction procedure.

CONCLUSIONSLiposuction may improve the insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipectomy ; Lipid Metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to establish sensitized animal models, explore the changes of immune function in these sensitized recipients, and investigate effects of sensitization on the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Different doses of spleen cells (1x10(5), 1x10(6) and 1x10(6)x2 at intervals of 7 days) from C57BL/6 were infused into BALB/c, the immunity function of sensitized models was tested by complement-dependent cytotoxicity method, mixed lymphocyte reaction and ELISA. After irradiation with gamma-ray of 60Co in dose 8 Gy, sensitized mice were transplanted 1x10(7) C57BL/6 bone marrow cells via tail vein or intra-bone marrow, and survival rate was detected daily. The results showed that different levels of donor reactive antibody were induced in all sensitized models. Comparing with normal mice, profound proliferation of spleen cells were found in groups of injected 1x10(6) and 1x10(6), continuous injections at intervals of 7 days. Sensitized model received bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 via tail vein died on day 10 to 14 after transplantation, and sensitized model mice received bone marrow cells of 1x10(6)x2 at intervals of 7 days via intra-bone marrow also died within two weeks after transplantation. It is concluded that different sensitized mouse models are established by different doses of allogeneic spleen cells infusion, the changes of immune function in sensitized mice are correlative with sensitization. Donor HSCs are rejected in sensitized models, and the engraftment can not be improved by intra-bone marrow injection.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDTanis was reported as a putative receptor for serum amyloid A (SAA) involving glucose regulated protein in insulin regulated resistance. It was found to be dysregulated in diabetic rats (Psammomys obesus, Israeli sand rat) and its homologue for humans is SelS/AD-015. The present study analyzed mRNA expression of SelS in omental adipose tissue biopsies from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and age- and weight-matched nondiabetic patients, the relationship of SelS mRNA with Homa-IR and serum SAA level.

METHODSHuman omental adipose tissues from ten cases of type 2 diabetic patients and twelve cases of nondiabetic individuals were analyzed for the expression level of SelS mRNA by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Homa-IR estimated by standard formula and SAA level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSSelS mRNA expression, Homa-IR and serum SAA were higher in T2DM sufferers than in nondiabetic control group. SelS mRNA level was positively correlated with Homa-IR and SAA level in each group.

CONCLUSIONSSelS protein may be involved in insulin resistance in Chinese with T2DM by acting as the SAA receptor, thus playing an important role in the development of T2DM and atherosclerosis.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Omentum ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Selenoproteins ; genetics ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; analysis

Study on features of acupoints with resistance test in the past half century is reviewed in this article. Mechanism and technology of the method are introduced as well as its shortcomings. The determination method of signal transmission along meridians with the combination of electrical network theories and practice is advanced. And the result of a series experiments on one meridian at the superficial part of the body are given as well. Thus, it is concluded that the signals of the point-in/point-out and the signals along a non-meridian path with the same distance are significantly different, which gives a verification of the feasibility of the method by using electrical network theories to set out characteristics of signal transmission along meridians dynamically.
Acupuncture Points ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Electrophysiology ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Meridians ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDDetrusor overactivity (DO) is a known cause of lower urinary tract symptoms and occurs in 50% - 75% of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients. We sought to investigate the clinical and urodynamic factors that are associated with the presence of DO in Chinese BPH patients.

METHODSTwo hundred and eighty-seven consecutive patients with clinical BPH were retrospectively evaluated in this study. Each patient underwent urodynamic evaluation and completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. Patients with neurological symptoms or other diseases likely to affect detrusor functions were strictly excluded. The 184 BPH patients included in the study were divided into groups according to the presence of DO as shown in urodynamic tests. Univariate analysis of factors associated with the presence of DO were performed using Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney test; multivariate analysis used stepwise Logistic regressions. The relationship between degree of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and DO was also investigated using a linear-by-linear association test.

RESULTSOf 184 BPH patients, DO was present in 76 (41.3%). On univariate analysis, patients with DO were older (P = 0.000), and showed smaller maximal bladder capacity (MBC, P = 0.000) and voided volume (P = 0.000), higher maximal detrusor pressure (P = 0.000) and projected isovolumetric pressure (PIP) (P = 0.005), higher Abrams-Griffiths number (P = 0.000) and degree of bladder outlet obstruction (P = 0.000), higher IPSS (P = 0.000) and irritative IPSS subscores (P = 0.000). Stepwise Logistic regression analysis showed that PIP (OR = 1.012, 95% CI 1.002 - 1.023, P = 0.019), age (OR = 1.030, 95%CI 1.005 - 1.067, P = 0.059), and MBC (OR = 0.993, 95%CI 0.990 - 0.996, P = 0.000) were independent risk factors for DO in BPH patients. Linear-by-linear association tests indicated a positive linear association between DO and severity of BOO, with incidence of DO increasing with BOO grade (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSIn Chinese BPH patients, PIP, MBC, and age were independent factors affecting the presence of DO. DO incidence continuously increases with the degree of BOO.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; complications ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; etiology

Objective To study the effects of environmental factors,including high temperature,high humidity and low temprtature,on the quality of whole blood.Methods Fresh blood was collected from 9 blood donors and divided into 40 parts.One group that comprised 20 samples was used to assess the effects of storage at high temperature and high humidity (0,3,6,12 and 24 h),and the other group(20 samples)was used to determine the effects of low temprtature(0,1,2 and 3 h).The serum free hemoglobin(FHb)concentration, plasma prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),thrombin time(TT)and fibrinogen(FIB)were measured and analyzed.Results The high temperature(27-37℃)and humidity(60%-90%RH)had no effect on FHb, PT, APTT, TT or FIB of whole blood. The low temperature(0-13℃and -18--20℃)had some effect on the quality of whole blood.The FHb of test group was higher than that of control group.There was no significant difference in PT, APTT, TT and FIB between the two groups.Conclusion Under high temperature and humidity conditions, 24 hours of whole blood placement is feasible. Under low temperature or cold conditions,short-term whole blood placement is feasible in a tent with heating facilities.