The Tongmai Yangxin pill (TMYX) has potential clinical effects on no-reflow (NR); however, the effective substances and mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. This study evaluates the cardioprotective effects and molecular mechanisms of TMYX against NR. We used a myocardial NR rat model (2 h after myocardial ischemia and 2 h after reperfusion) to confirm the effect and mechanism of action of TMYX in alleviating NR. In vitro studies in isolated coronary microvasculature of NR rats and in silico network pharmacology analyses were performed to reveal the underlying mechanisms of TMYX and determine the main components, targets, and pathways of TMYX, respectively. The experiment was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (LLBH-202212160001). TMYX showed therapeutic effects on NR by improving cardiac structure and function, reducing NR, ischemic areas, and cardiomyocyte injury, and decreasing the content of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Moreover, the mechanism of TMYX predicted by network pharmacology is related to the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways. TMYX increased the expression of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and HIF-1α. In vitro, TMYX enhanced the diastolic function of coronary microvascular cells; however, this effect was inhibited by GPER inhibitor (G-15), eNOS inhibitor (L-NAME), and sGC inhibitor (ODQ). This study integrates pharmacology and experimental evaluation to reveal that TMYX activates HIF-1α/eNOS signaling pathway by upregulating GPER to relax coronary microvessels, thereby significantly alleviating NR.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on circadian rhythm of temperature and melatonin (MT) in depression rats model induced by chronic stress, so as to explore the biological mechanism of EA for depression.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EA group, 8 cases in each one. Rats in the control group were treated with normal diet for 21 days without any treatment. In the model and EA group, rat model was established by chronic unpredictable stress combined with solitarily feeding method, and rats in the EA group was treated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Yintang" (GV 29) 1 h before stress stimulation everyday, 2 Hz in frequency and intensity was favorable with the head of rat slightly shivering. The needles were retained for 20 min, once a day for totally 21 days. After EA treatment, open-field experiment was adopted to observe the behavioral improvement; the rats temperatures were monitored at six time points (2:00, 6:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:00) and orbital blood sampling was collected. The level of serum MT was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The circadian rhythm changes of temperature and serum MT in each group were compared.

RESULTSThe numbers of horizontal movement and vertical movement in the model group were obviously lower than those in the control group (both P < 0.05), while those in the EA group were significantly improved compared with those in the model group (both P < 0.01). The circadian rhythm of temperature and MT disappeared in the model group, which was improved into normal level after EA treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture has regulation effects on circadian rhythm of temperature and melatonin in depression rat model induced by chronic stress.

Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; Depression ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Melatonin ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore role of 64-slices spiral CT in differetiation of acute chest pains.Methods Thirty six patients with acute chest pains were performed 64-slices spiral CT chest angiography.Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed in all patients by means of multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)(coronal,sgittal oblique),curved planar reformation(CPR), maximum intensity projection(MIP),and volume rendering(VR).All images were blindly reading by two experienced radiologist.DSA were performed at the same time in 16 cases.Results The coronary artery branches,pulmonary artery and aortic artery in all patients were showed clearly,The acute myocardial infarction were showed in 10 cases,The pulmonary artery embolism in 14 cases,The aortic dissection in 6 cases respectively,The Coronary embolism in One case ,pneumothorax In One case The constrictive pericarditis in 1 case respectively.Normal findings in 4 cases.Conclusion 64-slices spiral CT is a useful and noninvasive examination in acute chest pain.

Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pueraria ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of aging on the proliferative and differentiation capacity of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

METHODSHuman periodontal ligament tissues were obtained from surgically extracted third molars from 6 subjects aged 18-20 years (group A) and 6 subjects aged 45-50 years (group B). The proliferative capacity of PDLSCs isolated from the tissues was examined with MTT assay, and the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity of the cells were evaluated using alizarin red staining and oil red O staining. SA-βG expression was analyzed to assess the cell senescence. In both groups, PDLSCs were induced for osteogenic differentiation for 7 days, and the differentiation ability of the cells was assessed by examining alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and by detecting the expressions of osteocalcin (OCN) and ALP using Western blotting.

RESULTSHuman PDLSCs were successfully isolated from the 12 teeth and were characterized as MSCs. The PDLSCs derived from donors of different ages were all capable of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, but their proliferative and osteogenic differentiation capacity decreased with the donors' age. The cells also exhibited an age- related increase in adipogenic differentiation capacity and SA-βG expression. In both groups, the cells induced in osteogenic medium showed increased OCN expression and ALP activation, and the increments were more obvious in group A.

CONCLUSIONHuman PDLSCs can be isolated from periodontal ligament tissues even from donors of advanced ages, but their proliferative and differentiation capacity decreases and their adipogenic differentiation capacity increases with age.

The questionnaire and the result of 2010' Hwato Cup National University Students' Acupuncture Manipulation Skills Competition were analyzed in this paper. It was showed that the competition achieved the significant effects of enhancing acupuncture manipulation skills for the university students and promoting the standardization on teaching acupuncture manipulation skills. The teachers and students were not very satisfied with the current acupuncture manipulation skill education. In the competition, only the item of reciting the classics achieved more than 90 scores, which just displayed the memory ability. The results of the manipulation competition were generally not very high. It is suggested that concerning to teaching acupuncture and moxibustion in the future, the ratio of class time for improving the practice ability on the human body should be increased and the practice on some manipulation techniques such as inserting the needle by holding the needle tip with the pressing hand, reinforcing-reducing technique by twirling and rotating the needle and warming needle technique should be intensified. It is necessary to enhance the interpretation, emphasis and supplementation on the keys and details of some manipulations of acupuncture and moxibustion.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universities

Through stating the current situation of the doctor -patient relationship , and combining with its characteristics in emergency ICU (EICU), to analyze the application basements and skills of progressive doctor -patient communication in EICU , in order to explore the present stage to build a harmonious doctor -patient rela-tionship , a feasible way to safeguard the rights and interests of both doctors to provide the reference .

BACKGROUNDWith features of high tissue contrast, MRI can be used for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of atherosclerosis plaques. In this study we investigated the development of atherosclerosis plaque with high resolution 3T MRI in a rabbit model and compared the findings with the histopathological results.

METHODTwenty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into an experimental group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 4). Atherosclerotic lesions were induced in the abdominal aorta by balloon injury and cholesterol feeding. Multiple sequences MRI examination (ToF, T1WI, T2WI, and CE T1WI) were performed at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th months after aortic denudation. Vessel wall thickness, total vessel area, lumen area, and vessel wall area were recorded. Plaque components were analyzed using histological results as a standard reference.

RESULTSSeventeen rabbits (14 in the experimental group and 3 in the control group) received all three MR examinations. Gradually, from 2 months to 4 months, vessel wall thickness and area in the experimental group increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.01). In the lumen area progressive stenosis was not found, even a slight dilation had developed in the experimental group. Lipid, fibrotic and calcified plaques can be differentiated by MR image. According to histological results, MRI had good performance in detection of lipid plaque.

CONCLUSIONMRI can be used to monitor progression of atherosclerosis and differentiate plaque components.

Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of human insulin-like growth factor I (hIGF-I) gene transferred into the cultured goat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with liposome, and find a new method of cell-mediated gene therapy.

METHODSBone marrow was extracted from adult goats and cultured in vitro by monolayer. Then the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-hIGF was transfected into cells by FuGene 6. After transfection, the marker gene coding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was observed at different time points. The hIGF concentration in the supernatant fluids was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry stain of hIGF was performed to detect the target protein. Besides, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were also adopted in order to find out the changes of cells after transfection.

RESULTSBone marrow stem cells were all in the long shuttle-like shape and adhered to the disk. The expression of EGFP was first found at 4 h after transfection. The amount and intensity of EGFP increased gradually during the period of detection and got to the peak degree at 72 h, after that decreased slowly. EGFP was also seen in the second generation cells, but the intensity was relatively faint. The IGF-I concentration secreted into the supernatant was in accordance with the EGFP observed with the peak concentration at 34.75 ng/ml. The outcome of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was positive. The morphology of many stem cells was changed into triangular or irregular forms under the circumstance of the secreted hIGF-I. Percentage of stem cells in the S stage increased after transfection.

CONCLUSIONThe hIGF-I gene can be transfected efficiently and safely into BMSCs by FuGene 6, and the hIGF-I protein can be secreted into the supernatant in a relatively high level during a long period, therefore accelerate the proliferation and differentiation of the transfected cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Genetic Vectors ; Goats ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) are common congenital problems in infants. Association between CMT and DDH has been reported in literatures. The aim of this study was to assess coexistence of DDH in infants with CMT and curative effects of its rehabilitative therapy. Methods In total, 187 infants less than two months old with CMT were recruited in the study. DDH was diagnosed and graded by Graf's bilateral hip type B ultrasonography and pelvic X-ray films. Massage manipulation, magnetic strapping, postural orthosis at home and heat compress were instituted for CMT and frog spica device and hip-flexion abduction plaster immobilization were instituted for DDH. Their early rehabilitative effects were evaluated. Results DDH was coexisted in 24 of 187 infants with CMT, with incidence of 12. 8%. The hips of 22 infants were graded as type Ⅱ b (91.7%) and two as type Ⅲ a (8.3%), and eight at the left side and seven at the right side.Comorbid hips completely recovered normal with early frog spica device and hip-flexion abduction therapy in 24 infants. Conclusions Coexistence of CMT and DDH are relatively common in infants. Type B ultrasonography can be used as a measure for screening DDH in neonates with CMT. Early rehabilitative therapy is effective for those coexisted with DDH and CMT at the same time.