OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Dazhui" (GV 14) on Wnt-β-catenin signal pathway in annulus fibrosus cells in intervertebral disc in rats with cervical spondylosis.

METHODSForty SD rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group, 10 rats in each one. Rats in the control group were treated with sham operation, only incision on local skin; rats in the remaining groups were made into cervical spondylosis models. After model establishment, rats in the control group and model group received fixed treatment under identical condition; rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Dazhui" (GV 14), 30 min per treatment; rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of meloxicam tablets. Treatments were both given once a day, and 14 days were taken as one session; there was an interval of 2 days between two sessions, and totally two sessions were given. After the treatments, immunohistochemistry was applied to measure the expression of Wnt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and Axin in annulus fibrosus cells; western blot was used to test the expression of P-β-catenin.

RESULTSIn the control group, there were more positive cells of Wnt, GSK-3β and Axin, which were intensively distributed, deeply colored, and strongly positive; In the model group, there were less positive cells of Wnt, GSK-3β and Axin, which were sparsely distributed and weakly positive. The expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, Axin and P-β-catenin in the model group was less than that in the control group (all P < 0.05); expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, Axin and P-β-catenin in the EA group and medication group was higher than that in the model group (all P < 0.05); expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, Axin and P-β-catenin was not significantly different between EA group and medication group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA could delay the degeneration of intervertebral disc, which may be related to EA inhibiting signal pathway of Wnt-β-catenin.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Spondylosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo study the features of lower limb vein thrombus patients after spinal cord injury and the effects of thrombolysis therapy.MethodsWe practiced ultrasonography on 207 patients with lower limb swelling after spinal cord injury. ResultsAmong the 207 patients, 66 had thrombus, the positive rate was 31%: acute thrombus 58 cases, subacute thrombus 1 cases and chronic thrombus 7 cases. Conclusions Ultrasonography provides an important basis for the qualitative diagnoses of lower limb vein thrombus. It has certain clinical guiding effects in choosing methods of treatment.

Objective To explore the culturing strategies,curiculum provision,courses conferring methods,teaching effects as well as the associated managerial evaluations on the basis of Sino-French cooperation on medical education with the hope of summarizing helpful suggestions to Sino-Foreign cooperation on medical education. Methods The achievements of our Sino-French cooperation on medical education were analyzed and compared in the teaching models,culturing strategies along with courses conferring processes among seven-year medical students from both English-teaching and French-teaching classes. Results Our Sino-French cooperation on medical education was featured in its distinct culturing purposes and effective teaching model.Its scientifically formulated culturing strategy found its full expression in French-teaching atmosphere.The Sino-French cooperation on medical education was consistently welcomed and favorably recommended by both faculties and students. Conclusion The Sino-French cooperation on medical education has not only gained precious experience in culturing the cutting-edge medical talents with the international visions but also conduced to fulfill the goal to establish a modernized and internationalized medical school.

Objective To investigate the blockade effects of soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) expressed in vivo on B7-H1/PD-1 signal transduction,and inhibitory effect in pulmonary metastasis of melanoma with combi- nation of Hsp70-B16 antigen peptides in mice.Methods The pulmonary metastasis model of melanoma was established in mice.Immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry were utilized to detect the expres- sion of PD-1 and B7-H1 respectively in pulmonary metastasis loci.Four days after the inoculation of tumor cells,forty murine models of pulmonary metastasis were randomly divided to be immunized with normal sodium (group A),empty vector pcDNA3.1 (group B),PDlA plasmid (group C) respectively via tail vein injection,subcutaneous injection of Hsp70-B16 antigen peptides (group D) or with the combination of intra- venous PDlA plasmid and subcutaneous Hsp70-B 16 antigen peptides (group E).The local infiltration with lymphocytes in pulmonary metastasis loci was observed and a series of immunological parameters were assessed 17 days after the inoculation of tumor cells.Results The melanoma pulmonary metastasis model was successfully established.There were a lot of PD-1 positive cells in these loci,and B7-H1 molecule was massively expressed on the surface of B16 cells in metastasis loci.The pulmonary metastasis was inhibited in the mice of group E,and the inhibition rate was 95%,higher than that in other groups (53%,76%,9% in group C,D,B,respectively).The quantity of CD8~+ T cells in pulmonary metastasis loci,cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes to tumor cells,and serum concentration of IL-2 and IFN-?were all significantly elevated in the mice of group E as compared with those of other groups (all P

OBJECTIVETo explore the ultrastructural changes of hepatocyte fibrogenesis in cholelithiasis in biliary tract.

METHODSl0 liver biopsies were taken from the patients suffered from gallstone and choledocholithiasis during surgical treatment and the ultrastructural changes were observed under electromicroscope.

RESULTSThere were plentiful collagenous microfibrils (CMFs) grown within some hepatocytes. These CMFs distributed locally or diffusely in cytoplasm even extended into nucleus. In 7 cases numerous megamitochondrias appeared in several hepatocytes, the inclusions mimicking fibrils could be frequently seen and grew beyond the envelope. Furthermore, typical CMFs could be seen in the large microbodies, and several vesicular or cystic structures similar as fibroblast were presented in marginal areas of the hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONSWe deduce that the fibrosed hepatocytes may be remained and take part in the hyperplasia of hepatic fibrous tissue.

Adult ; Cholelithiasis ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

In this study, five rhesus macaques were inoculated intravenously with SIVmac251 to establish a model of simian autoimmune deficiency syndrome (SAIDS). Peripheral blood samples were collected at different time points to monitor changes in the total T cell number and T lymphocyte subset. Plasma viral loads, cytokine expression levels and anti-SIV antibody levels were also assayed to acquire certain basic indexes to evaluate disease progression in the rhesus macaque SAIDS model. During the acute stage of infection, plasma viral loads reached a peak at week 1 post-inoculation and lasted for approximately 3 to 44 weeks. The CD3+ CD4+ T lymphocyte count in peripheral blood also transitorily decreased. During the same period, the level of interferon-gamma show an increasing trend, whereas IL-12 levels decreased; IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were maintained at normal levels or could not be detected. During the asymptomatic and ARC phases, plasma viral loads persisted above 10(4) RNA copies/mL and either increased or declined during the later stages of disease; CD3+ CD4+ counts showed a steadily declining trend and the ratio of CD4 to CD8 decreased during late-stage disease. Moreover, antibodies against viral proteins were detected in the plasma and showed a significant increasing trend, while there were no apparently changes in the levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha. In conclusion, the characteristics of the SIV animal models in our study are similar to those of patients with AIDS. Therefore, the rhesus macaque SIVmac251 infection models can be applied for further studies into AIDS.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; virology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; physiology ; Humans ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ; physiology ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of oral Propranolol in the treatment of infantile subglottic hemangioma.

METHODSEleven children (6 females and 5 males) with a median age at onset of treatment being 4 months were included in this study. Propranolol was given after laryngoscopy and a CT scan with contrast of the trachea confirming the presence of a subglottic hemangioma. The starting dose of Propranolol was 0.5 mg/kg per day, given in 2 or 3 divided doses. Heart rate and blood glucose were monitored during the treatment. If no side effects occurred, the dose was increased to 1 mg/kg per day at the third day and to 2 mg/kg per day at the sixth day. Treatment was continued at home after 10 days of inpatient treatment and the children were reevaluated monthly.

RESULTSAfter 24 - 48 hours of treatment, all of the children had improvement in their airway obstruction which was confirmed by fibro-laryngoscopy. The diameter of the subglottic stenosis from the hemangioma decreased from 3.9 - 5.0 mm to 1.5 - 2.0 mm,and the color was also lighter than before. In 3 children with cutaneous hemangioma, there was also significant improvement in the cutaneous lesions after treatment, with the color becoming lighter. There were no significant ECG, blood pressure or blood biochemical changes during the treatment. Two of the children had hypoglycemia at the first dose, but improved after blood transfusion and changing their diet. In five children, the treatment was stopped after 6 to 11 months when the obstructive symptoms improved. None of the children in this group had any evidence of recurrence. In the 5 children who stopped treatment, the obstructing mass in the subglottis was less than 10% of the diameter.

CONCLUSIONOral propranolol is a safe and effective treatment for infantile subglottic hemangioma. It may be used as a first-line therapeutic modality.

Female ; Glottis ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Propranolol ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy(HHE) syndrome.Methods The clinical data of 5 children with HHE syndrome were analyzed.Cranial magnetic resonance imaging MRI and /or computerized tomography(CT) and electroencephalogram(EEG) were done in all patients.Results The age of onset was less than 4 years in 4 of 5 patients and initial seizures were associated with fever in 3 cases.The longest duration of convulsive seizures lasted more than 2 hours in all cases,followed by the appearance of hemiplegia involving the side of the body where the convulsions were localized.Subsequent epilepsy developed within 2 years of the hemiplegia in all 5 cases,with 4 cases simple partial seizure and 1 case psychomotor seizures.All cases had mental retardation.Cranial MRI showed left hippocampal sclerosis in 4 patients and CT brain scan showed right cerebral hemiatrophy in 1 case.The EEG showed abnormality in all patients.Epileptiform discharges were found in 4 cases,and the damage hemisphere showed slowing and low voltage of background activity in 1 case.All cases received mainly carbamazepine therapy,and the seizures were satisfactorily controlled or partly controlled.Conclusions HHE syndrome is recognized as hemiplegia-epilepsy syndrome after prolonged hemiconvulsion.The hippocampal sclerosis may be the consequence of repeated seizures,but not the cause.Better understanding of the syndrome,early and adequate treatment of prolonged seizures,especially of febrile convulsion,will reduce the incidence of HHE syndrome.

Objective To explore the effects of smoking and alcohol drinking on arsenic metabolism of people exposed to different concentrations of arsenic in drinking water.Methods Residents in Shanxi exposed to different concentrations of arsenic in drinking water and age ≥ 18 years old adults were chosen as the subjects for this study in 2008,the subjects were divided into three groups according to the concentrations of arsenic in drinking water: high-arsenic exposure group (more than 0.05 mg/L),low-arsenic exposure group (between 0.01 and 0.05 mg/L) and control group(less than 0.01 mg/L),excluded recently had eaten seafood and had poisoning symptoms of chronic arsenic in drinking water in the crowd.Smoking and alcohol drinking habits were investigated by questionnaire.Arsenic species in the urine samples were detected with hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy.Total arsenic(tAs) was the sum of iAs％,MMA％ and DMA％.iAs％,MMA％ and DMA％ were calculated as iAs/tAs,MMA/tAs and DMA/tAs,respectively.The first methylation ratio(FMR) and the secondary methylation ratio(SMR) were calculated as (MMA + DMA)/tAs and DMA/(MMA + DMA),respectively.Results Three hundred and ninety-five adults were chosen in this study.In the high exposure group the alcohol drinking and smoking subjects had higher MMA％(16.24％) but lower SMR(82.19％ ) than the non-drinking and non-smoking subjects (12.16％ and 86.13％,respectively).The differences of both MMA％ and SMR were significant(P ＜ 0.05 ).No significant difference was observed between the non-smoking/non-drinking subjects and the smoking or the drinking subjects(all P ＞ 0.05 ).In the low exposure group there were higher MMA％( 13.86％,13.99％) lower DMA％(72.87％,77.76％)and lower SMR (83.48％,83.90％ ) in those with smoking or drinking/smoking compared with the non-drinking and non-smoking subjects (11.83％,80.35％ and 86.54％,respectively,all P ＜0.05 ).No significant difference was observed between drinkers and non-drinking/non-smoking subjects(P ＞ 0.05).In the control group there were a higher MMA％( 17.27％,17.06％) lower DMA％ (73.89％,72.29％) and lower SMR (81.48％,82.58％ ) in those with smoking or drinking/smoking compared with the non-drinking and nonsmoking subjects( 11.52％,79.68％ and 87.19％,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).No significant difference was observed between drinkers and the non-drinking/non-smoking subjects (all P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionThe arsenic methylation capacity of people with drinking and smoking is poorer than that of non-drinking and non-smoking subjects after arsenic exposure.

In order to adapt to the requirements of the modern clinical laboratory to medical laboratory technology personnel operation ability,our hospital has modified professional microbiology experiment course to modular teaching from the traditional teaching mode.In the process of teaching experiment,the experiment course and clinical practice class are arranged,and the experiment course of microbiology is divided into five modules:basic skills,application,comprehensive training,extension,and clinical practice module.Basic skills module focuses on the foundation that students learn to observe the microbial morphology and master the basic operation technology,at the same time,cultivates the students' sterile ideas and biological safety;Application module pays attention to the detection of various types of bacteria,lets the student have as many times of trying as possible,battle-hardened;Comprehensive training module emphasizes students' ability of analyzing and resolving problems;Extension module guides students actively to make diffusing thinking and comprehensive analysis of problems;The final clinical practice module that combines theory and practice,further consolidates the basic operation skills,cultivates students' comprehensive ability,improves students' the independent working ability and professional thinking and habits.Five modules link up with each other closely and have progressive layers of the process.In sum,modular teaching motivates the students' interest in learning,solves the problem of students' insufficient operating ability,improves the teaching effect and provides a reform method for improving the quality of microbiological test experiment.