OBJECTIVETo assess effect of acupuncture combined with massage of sole on sleeping quality of the patient with insomnia.

METHODSFifty-eight cases of insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 26). The observation group were treated with oral administration of Alprazolam, massage of sole, and acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. on the abdomen as main points; the control group were treated with Alprazolam. Clinical therapeutic effects, and scores for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were assessed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 93.75 in the observation group and 88.46% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups; after treatment, there were significant or very significant differences in scores for various factors in the PSQI, SAS and SDS (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAbdominal acupuncture as main combined with massage of sole can obviously improve sleeping quality of the patient with insomnia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Male ; Massage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Cox7a2 on the LH-induced testosterone production and the involved autophagy regulating signals in TM3 mouse Leydig cells.

METHODSThe Cox7a2-pEYFP-N1 fluorescent protein vector was constructed and transfected into TM3 mouse Leydig cells. The level of testosterone was determined by ELISA, and the effects of Cox7a2 on the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and the phosphorylation of the autophagy regulatory factor P70S6K were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSLH stimulation increased the StAR protein expression and testosterone production, while Cox7a2 decreased P70S6K phosphorylation, reduced StAR expression and consequently inhibited LH-induced testosterone biosynthesis in the TM3 Leydig cells.

CONCLUSIONCox7a2 inhibits testosterone production by decreasing the StAR protein expression, which might be at least in part related with the activation of autophagy in TM3 mouse Leydig cells.

Animals ; Autophagy ; Cells, Cultured ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; genetics ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Luteinizing Hormone ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; biosynthesis

The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical significance of RBC blood group serological test in nonmyeloablative allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (NAPBSCT) of ABO group incompatibility in 4 patients with acute leukemia. ABO and MN blood group of donors and recipients were determined by hemagglutination test and Rh blood group by Diana Gel phenotype Rh card. The changes of blood group in recipients were observed and implant of donor cells was monitored by short tandem repeat-PCR method. The results showed that in 2 cases of 4 recipients the marrow cells appeared mixed chimera of donor and recipient cells, and blood group changed to donor type in 1 of the 2 cases on 100 days after transplantation. In another 2 cases, the marrow cells appeared mixed chimera without blood group chimera on 154 days after transplantation, and rejection of the transplant occurred in 1 of the 2 cases. The determination of hemagglutinin titer showed that the implant rate of donor cells was lower in the recipients with higher hemagglutinin titer and blood group chimera did not appear, conversely, the implant rate was higher in the recipients with lower titer and blood group chimera appeared early. It is concluded that examination of RBC blood group in NAPB SCT can indirectly reflect effectiveness of transplantation, contribute to decide the intensity of conditioning protocol and immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation, estimate prognosis and guide blood transfusion during transplantation.
Adult ; Blood Group Antigens ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; blood ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; blood ; therapy ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDIt has been proven that ultrasonic destruction of microbubbles can enhance gene transfection efficiency into the noncardiac cells, but there are few reports about cardiac myocytes. Moreover, the exact mechanisms are not yet clear; whether the characteristic of microbubbles can affect the gene transfection efficiency or not is still controversial. This study was designed to investigate whether the ultrasound destruction of gene-loaded microbubbles could enhance the plasmids carried reporter gene transfection in primary cultured myocardial cell, and evaluate the effects of microbubbles characteristics on the transgene expression in cardiac myocytes.

METHODSThe β-galactosidase plasmids attached to the two types of microbubbles, air-contained sonicated dextrose albumin (ASDA) and perfluoropropane-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin (PESDA) were prepared. The gene transfection into cardiac myocytes was performed in vitro by naked plasmids, ultrasound exposure, ultrasonic destruction of gene-loaded microbubbles and calcium phosphate precipitation, and then the gene expression and cell viability were analyzed.

RESULTSThe ultrasonic destruction of gene-loaded microbubbles enhanced gene expression in cardiac myocytes compared with naked plasmid transfection ((51.95 ± 2.41) U/g or (29.28 ± 3.65) U/g vs. (0.84 ± 0.21) U/g, P < 0.01), and ultrasonic destruction PESDA resulted in more significant gene expression than ASDA ((51.95 ± 2.41) U/g vs. (29.28 ± 3.65) U/g, P < 0.05). Ultrasonic destruction of microbubbles during calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection enhanced β-galactosidase activity nearly 8-fold compared with calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection alone ((111.35 ± 11.21) U/g protein vs. (14.13 ± 2.58) U/g protein, P < 0.01). Even 6 hours after calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction resulted in more intense gene expression ((35.63 ± 7.65) U/g vs. (14.13 ± 2.58) U/g, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUltrasonic destruction of microbubbles might be a promising method for the delivery of non-viral DNA into cardiac myocytes, and the gene tranfection is related to the characteristics of microbubbles.

Albumins ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; genetics ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Microbubbles ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transfection ; methods ; Ultrasonics ; methods ; beta-Galactosidase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the family aggregation and the role of hereditary factors in the pathogenesis of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD).

METHODSWith a stratified sampling method, the general population of 14 villages of Linyou County were studied, from whom 225 KBD probands were selected using systematic sampling at the rate of (1/2). A total of 304 siblings of the probands were ascertained, and in these sibling pairs, the segregation ratio, heritability in different age groups and weighted mean heritability of the siblings were estimated using the methods of Li-Mantel-Grart and Falconer.

RESULTSThe KBD distribution scope in the KBD families exceeded the scope of binomial distribution (P<0.001), suggesting obvious family aggregation. The prevalence rate in the siblings of the KBD pedigree was 19.41% (59/304), significantly higher than that in the 14 KBD villages [10.90% (1180/10823), chi2=21.62, P<0.001]. The segregation ratio and heritability in the siblings of the KBD pedigrees were 0.061 and 28.61%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONAs a polygenetic inheritance disease, KBD exhibits obvious familial aggregation, and genetic susceptibility accounts for (1/4) of the risk factors for KBD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Endemic Diseases ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Prevalence ; Selenium ; deficiency ; Siblings ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of oral propranolol in the treatment of periorbital proliferating phase infantile hemangioma.

METHODSA retrospective review of patient medical records was performed. 12 patients (9 female, 3 male; 1.5-8.5 months, average 3.3 months) with periorbital proliferating phase infantile hemangioma underwent oral propranolol therapy. The dosage was slowly increased to 2 mg/kg daily in divided doses for a mean duration of 16 weeks (range 4 weeks-41 weeks). Therapeutic outcomes and safety were established by evaluating colour, size of lesion, duration of treatment and side-effects of treatment before and after treatment.

RESULTSOf these, 9 had a signification reduction in colour and size of the lesions, 2 had no further growth. 1 is stopped therapy due to hypotension after drug administration. 11 other patients, although mild adverse effects were noted, no symptoms were severe enough to discontinue treatment.

CONCLUSIONSPropranolol appears to be a safe and effective treatment in the management of periorbital proliferating phase infantile hemangioma.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Orbital Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine injection on the early myocardial damage of severely burned patients.

METHODSTwenty severely burned patients hospitalized from January 2010 to August 2011, with burn area equal to or more than 50% TBSA, were divided into two groups following hospitalization sequence, with odd number patients entering treatment group (T, n = 10) and even number patients entering control group (C, n = 10). Patients in C group were treated with routine methods, including fluid resuscitation based on the Third Military Medical University formula, anti-infection treatment, support treatment, and organ-protection treatment, etc. In addition to routine treatment methods, patients in T group received intravenous infusion of 250 mL glucose injection (50 g/L) containing 10 mL salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine concoction, once a day, and continued for three days. Venous blood of patients was drawn at post burn hour (PBH) 12, 24, 48, and 72 to determine the plasma levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isozyme MB (CK-MB), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSAt each time point, levels of cTnI, CK-MB, and ANP were lower in T group than in C group. Differences in contents of these parameters between two groups were statistically significant at most time points, with t values from 2.136 to 2.918, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Plasma levels of cTnI, CK-MB, and ANP in both groups peaked at PBH 12, which were respectively (28 ± 10) ng/mL, (76 ± 13) U/L, (430 ± 87) pg/mL in T group, and (38 ± 11) ng/mL, (87 ± 10) U/L, (453 ± 91) pg/mL in C group. From PBH 24 to 72, contents of above-mentioned parameters decreased gradually in both groups.

CONCLUSIONSEarly use of salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine injection in severely burned patients can effectively reduce myocardial damage, thus protect the myocardium from injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; blood ; drug therapy ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Troponin I ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α agonist bezafibrate and oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) expression and apoptosis in cardiac endothelial cells.

METHODSThe mRNA level of FGF21 was determined by real time-PCR and the protein concentration of FGF21 in culture media was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cultured cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) incubated with 10, 50, 100 µg/ml ox-LDL, 50, 100 or 200 µmol/L bezafibrate alone or in combination with 100 µg/ml ox-LDL. CMECs apoptosis in various treatment groups was also determined.

RESULTSFGF21 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly upregulated in proportion to increased ox-LDL, and 200 µmol/L bezafibrate alone also significantly upregulated FGF21 expression and CMECs apoptosis was significantly reduced in 200 µmol/L bezafibrate + 100 µg/ml ox-LDL group compared to 100 µg/ml ox-LDL group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that bezafibrate and ox-LDL induced upregulation of FGF21 might mediate the protective effect against apoptosis. Endogenous FGF21 could thus play important roles in improving the endothelial function at the early stage of atherosclerosis and slowing the development of coronary heart disease.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bezafibrate ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; PPAR alpha ; agonists ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a new member of FGF super family that is an important endogenous regulator for systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to explore whether FGF21 reduces atherosclerotic injury and prevents endothelial dysfunction as an independent protection factor.

METHODSThe present study was designed to investigate the changes of FGF21 levels induced by oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and the changes of apoptosis affected by regulating FGF21 expression. The FGF21 mRNA levels of cultured cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were determined by real time-PCR and the protein concentration in culture media was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We analyzed the different expression levels of untreated controls and CMECs incubated with ox-LDL, and the changes of CMECs apoptosis initiated by the enhancement or suppression of FGF21 levels.

RESULTSThe secretion levels of FGF21 mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated in CMECs incubated with ox-LDL. Furthermore, FGF21 levels increased by 200 µmol/L bezafibrate could reduce CMECs apoptosis, and inhibit FGF21 expression by shRNA induced apoptosis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFGF21 may be a signal of injured target tissue, and may play physiological roles in improving the endothelial function at an early stage of atherosclerosis and in stopping the development of coronary heart disease.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bezafibrate ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Artery Disease ; prevention & control ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; analysis ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; toxicity ; Male ; PPAR alpha ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

This study is to explore the mechanism and effect of N, N'-di-(m-methylphenyl)-3, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-dihydro-1, 2, 4, 5-tetrazine-1, 4-dicarboamide (ZGDHu-1) on proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells in vitro and on A549 xenograft tumor in nude mice. With different concentrations of ZGDHu-1 at different times were used to treat A549 cells in vitro. The proliferation was determined by living cell count, SRB assay and Brdu-ELISA. Cell apoptosis was determined by cell morphology, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA content, Annexin V/PI and Hoechst 33258 labeling method. The nude mice model of A549 xenograft tumor was established by subcutaneous inoculation. The suppression activity of ZGDHu-1 by intraperitoneal injection on xenograft mice model was detected. The expressions of bcl-2, bax and p53 gene and protein were analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. ZGDHu-1 can inhibit A549 cell proliferation viability within a certain range of treating time and does, and a majority of A549 cells were arrested in G2-M phase. The A549 cells apoptosis was confirmed by typical cell morphology, DNA fragment, Sub G1 phase, Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V/PI labeling method with a time and dose related manner. When the xenograft tumor mice model were treated with 10, 20 and 40 mg x kg(-1) ZGDHu-1 for 14 days, the tumor growth inhibition rate were 43.7%, 56.9% and 60.0%, respectively. The expression of bax, bax/bcl-2 and p53 gene and protein increased significantly and bcl-2 decreased slightly by the treatment of ZGDHu-1. ZGDHu-1 can significantly suppress the growth of A549 xenograft tumor in vivo and inhibited proliferation by inducing tumor cell apoptosis in vitro. The mechanism may associate with its up-regulation of bax and p53 during the apoptosis process.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics