italic>Cannabis sativa, one of the ancient medicinal plants, has been used to alleviate pain and seizures. However, cannabinoids are often addictive, which limits their clinical use. Cannabidiol (CBD) as a non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, has much weaker adverse effects than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and therefore has received widespread attention. CBD has been found to ameliorate a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases, but the precise mechanism(s) of action are still unclear. Due to its low affinity for classical cannabinoid receptors current studies are focusing on other targets outside the endocannabinoid system. In the present review we mainly summarize the effects and molecular mechanisms of CBD in neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, anxiety, and depression.

Objective To screen for differential expression of genes in bone marrow mesenchymal stem ceils (MSCs) stimulated by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and to study the mechanism of differentiation of the bone mar- row MSCs induced by EMFs.Methods Mouse bone marrow MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro.The third- passage cells were stimulated by EMFs,then the total RNA was extracted,purified to cDNA and reversely transcribed to yield a cRNA probe.The cRNA probes from stimulated and control cells were labelled with Cy5 and Cy3,respec- tively.The two samples were hybridized with a mouse oligo microarray,and the hybridization signals were scanned. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify the interesting genes:Duspl and Rabl.Results A total of 153 differentially expressed genes were found comparing the stimulated group and the control group.There were 74 up-regulated genes and 79 down-regulated genes in the stimulated group.Semi-quantita- tive RT-PCR confirmed that the Duspl and Rabl mRNA expression levels of the stimulated group were up-regulated. Conclusion The gene expression profiles of the bone marrow MSCs were altered after EMF exposure.The genes are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation,transcription control,metabolism and response to stress.These re- sults provide deeper insight into the mechanism of differentiation of the bone marrow MSCs.

Objective To study the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on the in vitro proliferation of human osteosareoma cell line MG-63 with different cell densities.Methods Four different magnetic intensities(1 mT, 2 mT,3 roT,4 mT)were used to stimulate the cells,and the experiment was repeated with different cell densities. The method of MTT was employed to evaluate the level of proliferation.Results Fifty Hz magnetic fields signifi- cantly affected the level of proliferation of human osteosareoma cell line MG-63,and the 2 mT intensity exerted the greatest influence on it.The effects of the magnetic field differed with different cell densities.Conclusion The effect of 50 Hz magnetic fields on the in vitro proliferation of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 was not only relat- ed to the magnetic intensity,but also the cell density,

To generate recombinant adenovirus expression vector of human Sema4C gene and observe its expression in mouse myoblasts cell line C2C12 for ensuring easy access to investigate the role of Sema4C gene during myogenesis. The recombinant plasmid was packaged and amplified after being transfected in HEK293 cells through Lipofectamine. After infecting C2C12 myoblasts with recombinant adenovirus vector, the adenoviral infection efficiency was determined by confocal microscope which showed that the expression of green fluorescence could be detected at 12h and then reached peak at 24h after recombinant adenovirus infection. The infection efficiency was almost 100% confirmed by FACS examination. Detection of WB indicated that the expression of Sema4C in C2C12 of recombinant adenoviral infection group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P

OBJECTIVE: To study ApoB gene genetic polymorphism of Han nationality and Mongolian nationality in midwest area of Inner Mongolia. METHODS: Some unrelated individuals of Han nationality and Mongolian nationality in midwest area of Inner Mongolia were selected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technology was used to check the presence of Xba I (X+) and EcoR I (E-) sites of rare alleles. The genotype frequency, allelic frequency and population genetics parameters were calculated. RESULTS: The frequencies of Xba I (X+) and EcoR I (E-) rare alleles were 2% and 4.6% in Han population. There was no Xba I (X+) or EcoR I (E-) rare alleles found in Mongolian nationality. CONCLUSION The allelic frequencies of ApoB gene Xba I and EcoR I sites are very different in different races. These sites may be used in identification of ethnicity.
Alleles ; Apolipoprotein B-100/genetics* ; Asian People/genetics* ; China ; Ethnicity ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mongolia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo assess the effectiveness and safety on post-stroke dysphagia in chronic stage treated with magnetic-ball sticking therapy at the auricular points.

METHODSNinety cases of post-apoplexy dysphagia in chronic stage were randomized into an auricular points group and an acupuncture group. In the auricular points group, the magnetic-ball sticking therapy was applied to subcortex (pizhixia, AT4), brainstem (naogan, AT(3,4i)), mouth (kou, CO1), cheek (mianjia, LO(5,6i)), tongue (she, LO2) and throat (yanhou, TG3) on one ear each time, and were changed on the other ear once every 3 days. In the acupucnture group, acupuncture was applied to Feng-chi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Shanglianquan (Extra), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Shuigou (GV 26) and Tongli (TH 5), etc. The needles were retained for 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was gi-yen once a day in the two groups and the treatment of 6 days made one session. There was 1 day at an interval among the sessions. Totally, 3 sessions of treatment were required. The video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed for 4 kinds of food with different properties and shapes in each patient. The main indices were Rosenbek penetration-aspiration score, oral-retaining score and throat-retaining score. The efficacy, and the incidences of aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition were compared between the two groups. The nutrition indices were compared before and after treatment between the two groups, such as the skinfold thickness of triceps brachii muscle, serum albumin and peralbumin.

RESULTSIn 21 days of treatment, in the auricular points group, the 1 mL liquid loversol Rosenbek penetration-aspiration score (1.51 +/- 0.69), oral-retaining score (1.17 +/- 0.38) and throat-retaining score (1.30 +/- 0.66) were all lower than those (2.51 +/- 0.67, 1.63 +/- 0.72, 1.67 +/- 0.7) in the acupuncture group separately. The 10 mL liquid loversol Rosenbek penetration-aspiration score (2.27 +/- 0.65), oral-retaining score (1.60 +/- 0.50) and throat-retaining score (1.49 +/- 0.51) were all lower than those (4.19 +/- 0.73, 2.30 +/- 0.51, 2.41 +/- 0.50) in the acupuncture group separately. The 10 mL paste loversol Rosenbek penetration-aspiration score (1.68 +/- 0.81), oral-retaining score (1.11 +/- 0.31) and throat-retaining score (1.10 +/- 0.31) were all lower than those (3.91 +/- 0.68, 1.63 +/- 0.76, 1.60 +/- 0.76) in the acupuncture group separately. The 1/4 cake-form loversol Rosenbek penetration-aspiration score (2.60 +/- 0.65), oral-retaining score (1.40 +/- 0.50) and throat-retaining score (1.74 +/- 0.49) were all lower than those (4.14 +/- 1.10, 2.40 +/- 0.73, 2.30 +/- 0.83) in the acupuncture group separately. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 14.9% (7/47) in the auricular points group, which was lower than 55.0% (22/40) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01). The incidence of malnutrition was 8. 5% (4/47) in the auricular points group, which was lower than 50.0% (20/40) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01). In 21 days of treatment, the results of the skinfold thickness of triceps brachii muscle and serum albumin in the auricular points group were better than those in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe magnetic-ball sticking therapy at auricular points achieves the definite efficacy on post-stoke dysphagia in chronic stage and decreases the incidences of aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. The efficacy of this therapy is better than acupuncture.

Acupuncture, Ear ; instrumentation ; Aged ; Deglutition Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetics ; instrumentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of melatonin on residual hair follicle cells of scald rats at early stage.

METHODSEighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into scald group, treatment group, sham group , with 6 rats in each group. The rats in scald group and treatment group were subjected to 30% TBSA partial thickness scald on the back, and were resuscitated with balanced solution after 1 hour, while those in sham group were immersed in water at 37 degrees C for 25 s to simulate scald, and did not receive fluid replacement. Rats in treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg melatonin solution at 1 minute, 8 hours and 12 hours after scald, while those in sham group and scald group were given equal volume of 1% alcohol sodium-isotonic saline instead. Tissue samples were harvested at 6, 12 and 24 post scald hours (PSH) for determination of MDA and GSH levels. Apoptosis of residul hair follicle was detected by TUNEL method and immunohistochemistry of caspase-3.

RESULTSThe level of MDA in scald group at each time point was much higher than that in sham group (P < 0.01) and treatment group (P < 0.05), and it peaked at 12 PSH. The changes in GSH were just opposite to that of MDA. Under fluorescence microscope, the residual hair follicle cells were blue, and the apoptotic cells appeared green. The apoptosis rate in scald group at 6, 12, 24 PSH was obviously higher than that in sham (P < 0.01) and treatment groups (P < 0.05), which was (20.2 +/- 3.4)% vs (4.3 +/- 2.3)% vs (10.9 +/- 3.2)%, (31.2 +/- 3.6)% vs (5.1 +/- 2.5)% vs (19.1 +/- 3.7)%, (22.4 +/- 2.7)% vs (4.1 +/- 2.4)% vs (13.1 +/- 3.4)%, respectively. The score of caspase-3 positive cell in scald group was higher than those in sham group (P < 0.01) and treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is obvious correlation between oxidative stress and apoptosis rate of hair follicle cells in rats with partial thickness scald. Early administration of melatonin may have anti-apoptosis ability for residual hair follicle cells by attenuation of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Burns ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Danshensu on the lipid metabolism of hyperlipidemic rats.

METHODSixty clean male SD rats were selected. Twelve of them were selected in the basic control group and fed with common foods, and the remaining rats were fed with the high-fat feeds. After the successful modeling, they were randomly divided into the high-fat control group and low dose (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), medium dose (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and high dose (40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) Danshensu (dissolved in saline) groups. Both of the two groups were abdominally injected with the same volume of normal saline once a day for consecutively 30 days. The serum TG, TC, HDL-C and liver ACC1, FAS, HMGR, CPT-I mRNA expressions were detected.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONDanshensu could inhibit the LDL-C level, timely clear redundant cholesterol and effectively regulate the lipid metablism of hyperlipidemic rats by reducing the TC content, decrease the fatty acid by reducing the FAS mRNA expression, and reduce the synthesis levels of endogenous cholesterol by inhibit the HMGR mRNA expression.

Animals ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Lactates ; pharmacology ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The aim of the present study is to supply direct experimental proof that the medial region of nucleus retrofacialis (mNRF) is the site generating basic rhythm of respiration. Medullary slices of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats, including hypoglossal nerve root and mNRF, were made according to Suzue's method. Simultaneous recordings of the respiratory rhythmic discharge activity (RRDA) in hypoglossal nerve root with suction electrode and the respiratory neuronal discharge in the mNRF with whole cell patch clamp were performed on the brainstem slice in vitro. Not only the electrophysiological characteristics of pacemaker and non-pacemaker neurons, but the cadmium-sensitivity of pacemaker neurons was observed. The nature of the discharge in the respiratory pacemaker neurons in mNRF was spontaneous, rhythmical and voltage-dependent burst behavior, generating an ectopic burst in response to a depolarizing or hyperpolarizing current. There were no significant differences in capacitance of membrane (C(m)), input resistance of membrane (R(m)) and leak inward current (I(leak)) between the pacemaker neurons and the non-pacemaker ones. Moreover, most pacemaker neurons in the mNRF were Cd(2+)-insensitive. In conclusion, these results support the idea that the mNRF is the site generating basic respiratory rhythm.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Electrodes ; Medulla Oblongata ; physiology ; Neurons ; classification ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiration ; Respiratory Center ; physiology

Objective To investigate the feasibility and the efficacy of ultrasound in promoting PLGA nanoparticle-mediated gene transfection in vivo.Methods Prostate cancer cell line PC-3 was used to generate xenografts in nude mice for gene transfection experiment in vivo.GFP plasmid was encapsulated in PLGA-based nanoparticles.Nanoparticles were injected into tumors locally.Two hours later,xenografts were exposed to ultrasound.Xenograft tissues were harvested in different time points to assess the efficiency of gene expression with regard to different parameters of ultrasound. Results PLGA nanoparticle-encapsulated GFP plasmids were readily transfected to PC-3 cells in vivo.A large number of GFP expressing cells were observed after exposed to ultrasound with 1.0 MHz 50% duty factor continuous wave.In comparison,ultrasound exposure with 40% duty factor pulse wave in vivo had low efficacy in terms of GFP expression.No animal death was noticed due to ultrasound exposure.Conclusions Ultrasound exposure can enhance the release of plasmid DNA content delivered by PLGA nanoparticles in vivo,local exposure to ultrasound wave would be used in conjunction with PLGA nanoparticle-mediated targeted delivery to the tissue or organ of interest.