OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with branch-foundation acupoint combination on the indices regarding pituitary-target gland axis in aging rats with yang deficiency, so as to explore its regulating mechanism on aging rats with yang deficiency.

METHODSForty healthy Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an EA group and an EA control group, 10 rats in each group. Except the normal control group, the rats in the rest 3 groups were all treated with subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 d, followed by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone for 7 d to establish aging model with yang deficiency. After the successful establishment of model, the EA group was treated with EA at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui "(GV 20) while the EA control group was treated with EA at "Zhongji" (CV 3) "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (GV 29); the rats in the normal control group and model group were immobilized and fixed during the same time period. The treatments were given 6 times per week totally for 4 weeks. With radiation immunity analysis method, the 8 biological indices of pituitary-target gland axis, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine-4 (T4), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected to observe the changes of their content.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the serum level of TSH, T3, T4 and E2 were reduced in the model group (P<0.05, P< 0.01) while those of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum level of TSH, T3, T4 and E2 were increased in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01) while those of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the EA control group, the content of TSH was increased in the EA group without statistical significance (P>0.05), that of T3, T4 and E2 was increased (all P<0.05) and that of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH was significantly reduced (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination has benign regulating effects on the key hormones of pituitary-target gland axis, which could effectively improve the dysfunction of pituitary-target gland axis that is caused by aging with yang deficiency; the efficacy of electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination is superior to that of adjacent control acupoint combination.

Acupuncture Points ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; secretion ; Aging ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Estradiol ; blood ; secretion ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; secretion ; Humans ; Pituitary Gland ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood ; secretion ; Yang Deficiency ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy

Objective To explore the value of conventional and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in the diagnosis of tumors in front of the orbit equator . Methods Clinical data included conventional ultrasound and CEUS image of 133 cases (156 eyes) with orbital lesions were analyzed retrospectively . All lesions were confirmed by surgical pathology or clinical cure ,which included 26 cases of cystic lesions (epidermoid cysts ,dermoid cysts ,sebaceous cysts and mucous cysts) ,29 cases (30 eyes) of orbital hemangioma ,13 cases ( 16 eyes ) of inflammatory pseudotumor ,11 cases of lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenoma ,3 cases (5 eyes) of lymphoepithelial lesion ,36 cases (53 eyes) of malignant lymphoma ,5 cases of meibomian gland carcinoma ,4 cases of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma ,3 cases of malignant melanoma and 3 cases of basal cell carcinoma . Results CEUS of benign cystic lesions showed the tumors were enhanced inhomogenously . Most CEUS of benign tumours displayed?slow in and slow out ,and high enhancement when reached the peak but the size of images had no change . While CEUS of malignant tumours showed?fast in and fast out ,homogeneous or inhomogeneous high enhancement and ill‐defined or irregular shape ,and volume increased compared to two‐dimensional ultrasound when reached the peak .Some other former district orbital lesions ,such as cystic lesion ,cavernous hemangioma ,pleomorphic adenoma and malignant lymphoma ,had their own ultrasound features . Conclusions CEUS combines with conventional ultrasound may contribute to the qualitative diagnosis of tumors in front of the orbit equator .

Objective: To study quantitative changes of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion cells after blast exposure in guinea pigs. Methods: The number of hair cells was calculated using the surface specimen technique and computer image analysis technique after blast exposure. The number of spiral ganglion cells was calculated using pathologic technique and computer image analysis technique after blast exposure. Results: Quantitative observation was carried out 21 days after blast exposure. The number of total hair cells in uncus, the first and second gyre in normal control group and in blast group was 3 599?159.6 and 6 022?98.4 respectively, and the number of spiral ganglion cells in the 2 low parts of cochlear in normal control group and in blast group was 51? 4.72 and 27? 6.94 respectively, the difference in mean value between the groups being significant. Conclusion: Not only the hair cells reduce, but also the spiral ganglion cells are severely damaged after blast exposure. [

OBJECTIVETo discuss the results and significance of the detection of the CFTR gene mutation in azoospermia patients with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD).

METHODSWe collected peripheral blood samples from 6 azoospermia patients with CUAVD for detection of the CFTR gene mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms. We analyzed the genome sequences of the CFTR gene in comparison with the website of the UCSC Genome Browser on Human Dec. 2013 Assembly.

RESULTSMissense mutation of c. 592G > C in exon 6 was found in 1 of the 6 azoospermia patients with CUAVD and splicing mutation of c. 1210-12T[5] was observed in the noncoding region before exon 10 in 2 of the patients, both with the V470 haplotype in exon 11.

CONCLUSIONMutations of the CFTR gene can be detected in azoospermia patients with CUAVD and the detection of the CFTR gene mutation is necessary for these patients.

Azoospermia ; genetics ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; genetics ; Exons ; Humans ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; genetics ; Mutation, Missense ; genetics ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

Backgroud and Objective Proline-rich tyrosine kinase2(Pyk2) is a Ca~(2+) sensitive,non-receptor tyrosine protein kinase.Previous reports showed Pyk2 involved in development of left ventrieular hypertrophy. The present paper aimed to study the effects of valsartan on ventricular hypertrophy and its effect on the expression of Pyk2 in myocardium in renovascular hypertensive rats(RHR).Methods Two-kidney and one-clip(2K1C) renal hypertensive model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by chronic partial occlusion of left renal artery,and ran- domized to receive valsartan (30 mg/kg?d) or without treatment for 4 or 8 weeks.Left ventricular mass to body mass ratio was measured.Pyk2 protein expression and phosphorylation was detected by Western blotting.Results Blood pressure,left ventricular mass to body mass ratio,Pyk2 activity in myocardium of RHR were increased gradu- ally.Valsartan reduced BP and prevent myocardial hypertrophy(P

Objective To develop a standard and procedural protocol for the perioperative management of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis(MG) patients and thus to reduce the incidence of MG crisis.Methods From June 1996 to March 2016,466 MG cases received thymectomy we continuously explored key technologies of surgical treatment for MG 466 patients,there were 209 male cases and 259 female cases,with age ranging from 5 to 77 years and chief complaint history ranging from 12 days to 18 years.Symptoms included drooping eyelids,double vision,weakness,shortness of breath,coughing,dysarthria,and difficulties in swallowing and chewing.According to the modified Osserman classification,there were 248 type Ⅰ MG cases,58 type Ⅱa MG cases,66 type Ⅱb MG cases,71 type Ⅲ MG cases,and 23 type Ⅳ MG cases respectively.116 cases received thymecotomy via full sternotomy,204 cases via J type semi-sternotomy,and 146 case via thoracoscopy (including 13 cases via sub-xiphoid approach).Results Perioperatively one case died of sudden death,another patient died of respiratory failure after the second operation for metastatic thymoma,with a mortality rate of 0.42％ (2/466);13 cases had M G crisis (13/466);Six cases underwent tracheotomy (6/466);2 cases had plasmapheresis hypotonic syndrome (accounting for 3.4％ in plasmapheresis cases) and were reoperated to stop bleeding.Postoperatively pathological diagnosis was made,including three thymic atrophy cases,272 thymic hyperplasia cases,178 thymoma cases,and 13 thymic cyst cases.Conclusion A standard and procedural protocol for the perioperative management of thymectomy for MG patients can be developed,which can reduce the morbidity of MG crisis and the incidence of tracheotomy.

Objective · To investigate the difference in myocardial strain of left ventricle between obstructive hypertrophy cardiomyopathy (HCM) and nonobstructive HCM. Methods · Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam was performed on 48 sequential enrolled patients with HCM (18 with obstructive HCM, and 30 with nonobstructive HCM), whose left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) were over 50%. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were examined as normal controls. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferentialstrain (GCS), LVEF, left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricularmass (LVM), left ventricular end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were collected and compared. Radial strain, circumferential strain and peak radial displacement were also measured in medial segment of left ventricle according to American Heart Association (AHA) 17-segment model. Results · ① LVEF of the patients with obstructive HCM was bigger than those of nonobstructive HCM patients and control group (P<0.05). LVM and LVMI of the HCM groups were bigger than those of control group (P<0.01). ② Left ventricle GLS, GRS, and GCS significantly decreased in the patients with nonobstructive HCM compared to those with obstructive HCM (P<0.05). The three parameters of two HCM groups were significantly lower than those of healthy volunteers (P<0.05). ③ Compared with obstructive HCM patients,the segmental parameters of left ventricule, the medial segment circumferential strain and radial strain of nonobstructive HCM patients significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the two parameters of both HCM groups were lower than those in healthy volunteers. Compared with obstructive HCM patients and healthy volunteers, peak radial displacement of left ventricule medial segment in nonobstructive HCM witnessed a significant decrease, while no significant difference was observed between obstructive HCM patients and healthy volunteers. Conclusion · In the LVEF preserved HCM patients, the myocardial strain of left ventricle in nonobstructive HCM patients decrease significantly than that in obstructive HCM patients, which may result in the different clinical outcomes intwo types of HCM patients. It is suggested that the myocardial strain is more sensitive than ejection fraction in the evaluation of myocardial performance of HCM patients.

Objective To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible 1 alpha(HIF-lα)and glucose transporter 1(Glut1)in human breast cancer and its relationship to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)protein and clinical pathologic factors.Methods Immunohistochemical staining was used to measure the expression of HIF-lα.Glut1 and PCNA in human breast fibroadenoma,usual hyperplasia and breast carcinoma.Results HIF-1α expression was not found in breast fibroadenoma and hyperplastic Iesions.In contrast.the positive rate of HIF-1α was found in the ductal carcinoma in situ 55%(DCIS,11/20)and the invasive breast carcinoma 85%(51/60).Glut1 positivity in breast carcinoma was 58.8%(47/80).The totsl positive rate of PCNA in breast carcinoma was 75%(60/80),that in DCIS was 65%(13/20)and that in invasive carcinoma was 78.3%(47/60).There was a positive correlation between HIF-lα and Glut 1 level (r=0.653,P＜0.01),a positive correlation between HIF-1α and PCNA level(r=0.693,P＜0.01);and also a positive correlation between Glutl and PCNA level(t=0.742.P＜0.01).conclusion The overexpression of HIF-lα and its target gene Glut1 played important roles in carcinogenesis and progression of breast carcinoma and closely correlated with cell proliferation of breast carcinoma and may become a new target for treatment of breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Studies demonstrated that small intestinal submucosa (SIS) had no immunogenicity, which can not lead to rejection following transplantation, thus, this is an ideal skin substitutes for natural skin.OBJECTIVE: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene was transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs),and combined the cells with SIS to construct tissue-engineered skin.METHODS: BMSCs were obtained from Japanese big-earad rabbits, and in vitro cultured. Then the subculturad BMSCs were transfected by pCDNA3.1 plasmid, followed by incubation on swine SIS to construct the tissue-engineered skin. The growth of cells and phenotype of BMSCs were detected by flow cytometry. In addition, the result of transfecting BMSCs with pCDNA-bFGF vector was measured by Western blot, and the structure of tissue-engineered skin was observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After passaged, BMSCs were grown quickly with Iong-fusiform shape. The cells were positive expressed CD90 and CD44, but negative expressed CD45. bFGF had been transfected into BMSCs, and stable expressed. The transfected BMSCs grew well in SIS. By this method, tissue-engineered skin can be constructed in vitro.

To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on rabies among a mass of the exposed population in Beijing so as to provide scientific evidence for development of measures on the prevention and protection of rabies, the descriptive studies were employed, in which patients were interviewed face to face with a standard questionnaire in hospital or the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), including history of exposure, knowledge on rabies, post-exposure treatment etc. Of 478 respondents, 76% of them were bitten on the upper limbs with the exposure proportions in category Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ of 24%, 70% and 6% respectively. The proportions of awareness of knowledge in rabies before biting, its prevention, the correct measure to treat their wounds themselves, rabies vaccine inoculation, and injections with rabies antiserum constituted in 82%, 55%, 59%, 99% and 22% respectively. Result of this investigation indicates that most of the people investigated had a lower awareness of knowledge on rabies, the correct measures to treat rabies after biting as well as the measures to prevent rabies, suggesting that community-based prevention and control measures should be emphasized, especially targeting the population with high risk and the heath education on rabies should performed promptly by several governmental departments.