The effects of an aqueous extract of Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim. (DtM ) on p, b.b-1/ H. Hct. ESR. ESR-kand EPT of rats were studied by ip route. The animals were divided into three groups: normal pressure control group (NCG ). iowpressure treatment group (LTG )and lowpressure control group (LCG ). A11 p,b. Het. ESR-k increased stignificantly in rats exposed to stimulated altitude of 6500m for 10 days (8h/day),and the platelet and the ratio of left to ri1ght ventricle weights were obviously decreased in comparison with NPG. The above parameters of LTG .except Het.have noobvious difference as compared with NCG, Het in LTG increased obviously but lower than LCG. These results suggested that DtM may be used as an inhibitory agent against the changes of induced-hypoxia blood rheology, decreased platelet and hypertrophic right ventricle. In addition,the observation of tissue morphology showed that DtM possesses sometherapeutic effects to injuries of lung. liver and kidney of hypoxia rats.

Adolescent ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Erythropoietin ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI)and multi artifact reduction system(MARs)in re-ducing metallic implants artifacts,and find the best monochromatic images.Methods Twenty-one patients with metal implants in our hospital receievd GSI examination ,MARS reconstruction and polychromatic images(140 kVp).Eleven groups of monochromatic and MARS images were obtained from 40 keV to 140 keV every interval of 10 keV by the special GSI viewer ,respetively.Subjective image quality of two methods were assessed by 3 radiologists in consensus.For every patient one group monochromatic images and blend enery images were selected two heaviest artifacts level and no artifacts level,the CT value and the standard deviations(SD)value of the region of interest(ROI)were meatured of artifacts.Contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)and artifacts index(AI)were also caculated and were analyzed with paired-t test.Results There was significant statistical differences of CNR between energy spectral images and blend energy images in energy level of 40 to 120 keV(P <0.05),while there was no difference in energy level of 130 to 140 keV (P >0.05),and the optimal CNR was acquired at the energy level of 70 keV(CNR=8.75±3.28).The value of AI for two mehtods has no difference in energy level scope 40 to 60 keV(P >0.05),there was significant statistical differences of AI between energy spectral images and blend energy images in energy level of 70 to 140 keV(P <0.05),and the lowest of AI(AI=26.95±9.64)was ac-quired at 1 10 keV images.Conclusion The energy spectral CT possess superiority in decreasing the artifacts and will provide high image quality in the metal implants.Gemstone spectral CT has great significance for postoperative patients with metal implants in imaging diagnosis.

Objective To observe whether the increase of oxidative stress in PC12 cells could influence the levels of protein carbonyls and nitrotyrosine and alter the cytoskeleton and cell morphology under clinostat condition,and whether the increase of content of nitrate/nitrite in cell culture medium could influence the cell proliferation and differentiation.Method Cell morphology,carbonylated actin and nitrotyrosinated tubulin,and mRNA and protein express of nNOS and iNOS were observed and determined with immunofluorescence and RT-PCR technology in clinostat rotated and control static groups.At the same time,cell density was measured and cell cycles were detected with flow cytometry.The relationship between all these changes and NOS were also analyzed.Result The levels of carbonylated and nitrotyrosinated cytoskeleton protein were altered,no obvious changes in cell morphology but neurite outgrowth after on a clinostat rotation.Cell density also increased significantly,DNA synthesis in cell cycles was shortened.Conclusion All of these results indicate that simulated weightlessness do not alter cell morphology and is beneficial to the growth of PC12 cells.The mechanism involved may be associated with the increase of NOS activity.

In recent years, non-viral gene vectors have attracted great attention for efficient gene delivery due to the advantages, including low toxicity, low immunogenicity and simple preparation. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the typical non-viral gene carriers that have been widely utilized for gene delivery owing to its superior capabilities in gene compression and buffering capacity. This article discusses the processes of gene delivery and the barriers of PEI-based carrier during the gene delivery, such as low biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, lack of specific targeting and insufficient gene release, etc. Therefore, we summarize the multiple approaches for the modifications of PEI in terms of improved biocompatibility, degradability, specific targeting and buffering capacity. Furthermore, we also review on the recent impressive progresses of smart stimuli-responsive PEI carriers, including endogenous stimuli (pH, reactive oxygen species, glutathione, biomolecular, etc), exogenous stimuli (light, temperature, magnetic field, etc) and dual-responsive strategies, which might provide guidance for the development of more efficient and safer non-viral gene vectors.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for dysmenorrhea due to deficiency cold. Methods: A total of 70 patients with dysmenorrhea who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into a mild moxibustion group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group by the random number table, with 35 cases in each group. Shenque (CV 8), Zhongji (CV 3) and bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1) were selected for both groups. The treatment continued for 3 menstrual cycles. The visual analog scale (VAS) and COX menstrual symptom scale (CMSS) were scored in both groups before treatment, after treatment and at the end of the 3rd menstrual cycle after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated at the end of the 3rd menstrual cycle after treatment. Results: After treatment, the clinical efficacy of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group had the tendency to be superior to that of the mild moxibustion group, while there was no statistically significant difference in the overall efficacy between the two groups (P>0.05). The VAS and CMSS scores after treatment and at the follow-up were significantly lower than those before treatment in both groups (all P<0.05). At the follow-up, the VAS scores in both groups had no significant intra-group differences from those after treatment (both P>0.05). The CMSS scores in both groups were significantly lower than those after treatment (both P<0.05). The VAS scores at the follow-up of both groups had no statistical differences from those after treatment (both P>0.05). After treatment, the CMSS score in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was significantly lower than that in the mild moxibustion group (P<0.05). At the follow-up, there were no statistical differences in the CMSS score between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion has the same therapeutic efficacy for dysmenorrhea as the mild moxibustion; the two moxibustion methods can significantly improve the concomitant symptoms of dysmenorrhea, and the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion is little better.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of prepared rhubarb, in order to explore the bidirectional effects in hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity of prepared rhubarb and the objective authenticity for attenuating toxicity by processing.

METHODNormal and pathological animals were adopted simultaneous to investigate the effect of total extracts from prepared rhubarb within a high dose range (2.0, 5.4, 14.7, 40.0 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) on normal state, biochemical index and histopathology of experimental animals. The factor analytic approach was used to analyze the dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of prepared rhubarb.

RESULTThe factor analytic approach was used to extract two common factors from the nine biochemical indexes. The firs common factor was mainly dominated by HA, LN and TGF-β1, and could be explained as fibrotic factors. The second common factor was mainly dominated by ALT, AST and ALP, and could be explained as cellular factor. The results of the factor analysis suggested that prepared rhubarb showed significant bidirectional effects in hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity, which could protect liver in CC14 injured chronic hepatic injury, but had a certain hepatotoxic effect to normal animals. The pathological examination showed consistent results with the factor analysis. Under comparable dosages, prepared rhubarb showed a stronger liver protecting effect than crude rhubarb, with a lower toxicity.

CONCLUSIONAlthough prepared rhubarb has a certain hepatotoxic effect to normal animals, it has also a significant therapeutic effect to animals with liver injury. The results proved the symptom-based prescription theory and the scientificity of the symptom-based medication. The symptom-based prescription theory is important to correctly realize the dosage-efficacy/toxicity relationship of traditional Chinese medicines and guide the symptom-based medication.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Toxicity Tests

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Endoscopes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Smell ; Turbinates ; surgery ; Young Adult

Chromosome Mapping ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic ; Erythropoietin ; genetics ; Exercise ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; Physical Endurance ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the morphological characteristics of alveolar bone defects of the patients with chronic periodontitis using cone-beam CT (CBCT).

METHODSSixty patients with chronic periodontitis were included in this study. CBCT was used to scan the alveolar bone and NNT software to measure the alveolar bone defects and bone loss types in different regions.

RESULTSSeventy-five percent (45/60) of the alveolar bone defect was the generalized type, 25% (15/60) was the localized type. In incisor and canine area, the defect of the mandibular alveolar bone was more severe than in the same sites of maxilla. There was less bone loss in the premolar area of mandible than in the same site of maxilla. In the mesial and buccal sites of mandibular molars and in the lingual site of maxillary molars, the most severe alveolar bone loss was found.

CONCLUSIONSThe obvious alveolar bone defect areas in chronic periodontitis were the palatal side of maxillary molars and the lingual side of mandibular incisors. CBCT can clearly demonstrate the degree of alveolar bone defects in different regions of chronic periodontitis.

Adult ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; diagnostic imaging ; Chronic Periodontitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged