OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on the expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNG-FR, TrkA, GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H in Schwann cells, and investigate the possible mechanism of Draconis Sanguis to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group (orally administered with Draconis Sanguis-containing balm solution) and the blank group (equivoluminal balm) to prepare Draconis Sanguis-containing serum and blank control serum. Schwann cells were extracted from double sciatic nerves of three-day-old SD rats, divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group and the blank control group, and respectively cultured with 10% Draconis Sanguis-containing serum or blank control serum. The mRNA expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and other genes in Schwann cells were measured by RT-PCR analysis 48 hours later.

RESULTMost of the Schwann cells were bipolar spindle and arranged shoulder to shoulder or end to end under the microscope and identified to be positive with the immunocytochemical method. To compare with the blank group, mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 significantly increased (P < 0.01). Whereas that of BDNF decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and so did that of TrkA, CNTF (P < 0.01), with no remarkable difference in NF-H-mRNA.

CONCLUSIONTraditional Chinese medicine Draconis Sanguis may show effect in nerve regeneration by up-regulating mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 and down-regulating mRNA expressions of TrkA, BDNF and CNTF.

Animals ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Neurofilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serum ; chemistry

Objective To explore the influence of self-concealment level on patients'quality of life and clinical curative effect for curing refractory chronic prostatitis(RCP)by high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU). Methods Patients of RCP who meet the diagnostic criteria were assessed with the Self-Concealment Scale(SCS), TDL's table of self-assessing quality of life and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI).The patients whose SCS score were above the average score plus a standard deviation were taken as the high SCS group,and whose SCS Score were below the average score minus a standard deviation were taken as the low SCS group.The scores for CPSI and TDLs table of self-assessing quality of life and the clinical curative effect of the two groups were determined before and after the treatment by HIFU, respectively.Results The SCS score(35.75±10.34) of the RCP patients before HIFU treatment was significantly higher than the norm for male college students(29.20±8.73)(t=4.26,P<0.01).Two and six weeks after the HIFU application,the CPSI of both the high and the low SCS group decreased significantly(P<0.01),and the CPSI of the low SCS group de-creased more greatly than that of the high SCS group(P<0.01).The scores for TDL Life Quality Scale of low SCS group were significantly higher before and after two and six weeks'HIFU treatment than that of high self-concealment group(P<0.01).The TDL quality of life scale score of thelow SCS group increased respectively after two and six weeks'HIFU treatment (P<0.01),while for the high SCS group,this score increased only after six weeks' HIFU treatment(P<0.05).Six weeks after HIFU treatment,the clinical curative effect for the low SCS group was, observably better than that for high self-concealment(P<0.05).The SCS scores was significantly positive with CPSI scores(P<0.01),and significantly negative with the scores of TDL Life Quality Scale (P<0.01).Conclusion The symptom abatement,quality of life and clinical curative effect the RCP patients with a high self-concealment level were respectively worse after the HIFU treatment than that for whom with a low self-concealment level.

Objective To study manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and observe its relation to metastatic potential. To investigate the diagnostic performance of manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) for detecting metastatic potential of CRC. Methods High and low metastatic potential CRC cell lines SW620, HCT116, LoVo and SW480, DLD-1, HCT15, Caco-2, as well as normal colon mucosal cell CCD841 CoN were cultured. MnSOD expression level in cells was detected by western blot and the measurement was repeated for three times. HCT15, DLD-1, LoVo and SW620 cells were selected to perform in vitro MEMRI and subcutaneous xenografts were developed for subsequent in vivo MEMRI. MnCl2·4H2O solution was utilized as the contrast agent and T1 shortening was calculated. The differences of MnSOD expression level in cells, average T1 value shortening of cells and xenografts were separately compared by one-way ANOVA.Results The difference of MnSOD expression level in CRC cells were significant (P<0.05). All CRC cells have shown higher level of MnSOD expression than normal cell, except for Caco-2. The highest expression were shown in low metastatic potential cells (HCT15 and DLD-1). Whereas relatively low MnSOD expression was found both in high and low metastatic potential cells (LoVo, SW620, HCT116 and SW480). In vitro MEMRI demonstrated that the average T1 value shortening was greatest in high metastatic potential cells SW620 and LoVo [(289.33±0.57) and (268.45 ± 6.87) ms)], was significantly lower in low metastatic potential cells DLD-1 and HCT15, was lowest in CCD841 CoN [(65.12 ± 0.12)ms] (P<0.05). Twenty nine xenografts were successfully developed, high metastatic potential SW620 and LoVo tumors of 5 and 10 mm group showed greater T1 shortening, low metastatic potential DLD-1 and HCT15 tumors showed significantly less T1 shortening (P<0.05). However no significant difference was found in similar metastatic potential tumors (P>0.05). Conclusions MEMRI has the potential to noninvasively distinguish different metastatic potential CRC by revealing greater T 1 value shortening in more aggressive one. However the MnSOD expression in CRC cells is not corresponding to malignant potential.

AIM: To study the effect of garlicin on protecting nonalcoholic fat liver in rats induced by high fat diet and explore the pathogenesis involved. METHODS: According to the dosage of garlicin and diet, fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: normal control group, model control group and garlicin (10, 20, 30 mg/kg) groups. Apart from the rats in normal control group, the rats were all fed with high fat and high cholesterol diet. After 12 weeks, the levels of serum endotoxin (ETX), total cholesterols (TC), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), transaminase and free fatty acids (FFA) were detected. The levels of MDA, SOD, glutathione hormone (GSH) in hepatic tissue were also detected. Then the features of live pathology were observed. RESULTS: The levels of ETX, TC and TG in garlicin groups were significantly lower than those in model control group (P

Objective:To observe clinical therapeutic effects of method for supplementing Qi,activating blood circulation and resolving phlegm and effects on vascular endothelial function and blood coagulation system in senile patient of hyperlipemia.Methods:96 senile patients of hyperlipemia were randomly divided into a treatment group(n=56)and a control group(n=40).The patients of the treatment group were treated by oral administration of Danshen Jueming Granules and the control group by oral administration of Xuezhikang Capsules.Blood lipids,vascular endothelial function,blood coagulation system and safety were observed.Results:After treatment,the treatment group in decrease of plasma total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)was superior to the control group(P

Objective To explore the effect on walking ability of the orthotic insole produced by the International College of Biomechanics (ICB) when it is combined with an ankle foot orthosis (AFO).Methods A total of 40 stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,each of 20.In addition to conventional medical treatment and rehabilitation,the control group received AFOs and walking rehabilitation training.The observation group accepted walking training with an ICB orthotic insole combined with an AFO.The experiment lasted 4 weeks.Timed up and go test (TUGT) times,10 m maximum walking speed (10 m MWS) and Berg balance scale (BBS) ratings were recorded before and after the treatment.Results Before the treatment there was no significant difference between the group averages in terms of any of the measures.After the treatment,significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements,with the improvements in the observation group significantly better than those in the control group,on average.Conclusion An ICB orthotic insole combined with an AFO results in better improvements in the walking ability of hemiplegic subjects than an AFO alone.

Objective Toinvestigateserumalanineaminotransferase(ALT)andtotalbilirubin(TB)concentrationsofchildrenin Panyu district of Guangzhou ,and establish the reference ranges for ALT and TB tests for healthy children of different gender and different age .Methods 4 065 children were chosen randomly ,and their serum ALT and TB were determined .After excluding the outliers ,the results were analyzed statistically .Results After excluding outliers ,a total of 4 000 children were enrolled in the stud-y ,including 2 241 males ,1 759 females ,aged 2- <9 years old .According to statistical analysis ,reference ranges were established . For male the ALT reference ranges were as follows ,2- <3 years old :5 .0-36 .0 U/L ,3- <4 years old :7 .0-21 .0 U/L ,4- <8 years old :6 .0-21 .0 U/L ,8- <9 years old :5 .0-24 .0 U/L ;TB reference ranges of male were as follows ,2- <3 years old :3-12μmol/L ,3- <7 years old :4-15 μmol/L ,7- <8 years old :4-16 μmol/L ,8- <9 years old :7-12 μmol/L .ALT reference range of female were as follows ,2- <3 years old :6 .0-30 .0 U/L ,3- <4 years old:7 .0-22 .0 U/L ,4- <9 years old :6 .0-19 .0 U/L ;female TB reference range ,2- <3 years old :3 .0-12 .0 μmol/L ,3- <4 years old :3 .0-13 .0 μmol/L ,4- <9 years old:4 .0-16 . 0 μmol/L .Conclusion Established the reference ranges of ALT and TB test for healthy children in Panyu district .

OBJECTIVE To study the changes in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA, tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA and the ratio of MMP-9 mRNA/TIMP-1 mRNA in the lungs of paraquate poisoning rats, and to investigate the protective effects of sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS, Unithiol). METHODS One hundred and twenty male SD rats were divided into 12 groups (n=10) randomly: normal control, DMPS control, PQ poisoning 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 d model groups, (DMPS+PQ) 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 d groups. PQ poisoning model was established by intraperitoneal injecting paraquate. The expression of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA in lung tissues was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS ①By observing the changes of action and observing the lung tissues sections, the rats' PQ poisoning models was successfully established. ②The histopathology of lung showed infiltration of inflammatory cell in acute phase(within 2 weeks), the inflammation decreased gradually after 2 weeks, hyperplasia of collagen and pulmonary fibrosis were instead. Howerer, the pathological changes were alleviated obviously in the (DMPS+PQ) groups. ③Compared with the PQ groups, the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA in lungs diminished greatly in the DMPS+PQ groups after rats injected DMPS(P<0.05); the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 mRNA was bigger at 7, 14 and 28 d in the DMPS+PQ groups after rats injected DMPS. CONCLUSION Down-regulation of the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA and up-regulation ratio of MMP-9 mRNA/TIMP-1 mRNA by DMPS may be one of mechanisms by which pulmonary injury and pulmonary fibrosis are prevented in the acute paraquate poisoning.

A bacterial strain DN25, effective on cyanide-degradation, was isolated from contaminated soil and identified as Alcaligenes sp. on the basis of phenotype analysis and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. It showed great tolerance to the cyanide, which can grow in the medium containing 500mg CN -/L. The suitable condition for the cell growth and boitransformation was pH8.0 and 30oC and the transformation rate for 500mg CN - /L could achieve 99% in 10 h. It has also been found that the screened strain had the ability of K 4Fe(CN) 6 transformation with 96% of transformation rate at 12 h for the concentration of 500 mg CN /L.

Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) for the detection of significant coronary artery stenosis ( ≥50% lumen reduction). Methods We enrolled 61 patients (47 male, 14 female; mean age 62.8 ± 9.7 years) with suspected coronary artery disease into the study and performed selective coronary angiography (SCA) within 2 weeks after CTCA examination. Results One patient was excluded from the analysis because of unsuccessful CTCA evaluation as a result of severe coronary artery calcification in 4 vessels. 240 vessels of remaining 60 patients were achieved good coronary artery imaging by CTCA. Sensitivity,specificity and positive and negative predictive value of CTCA for detecting significant coronary artery sternosis on a per-vessel basis were 90.0 % ,91.9% ,84. 7% and 94.8% ,respectively. Conclusions Our data indicated that 64-slice CTCA is a noninvasive method to reliably rule out significant coronary sternosis with high diagnostic value in negative prediction.