Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in rats.Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after STZ administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value,and the rats with type 2 DNP were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP),curcumin group (group Cur) and solvent control group (group SC).Curcumin and corn oil 100 mg/kg (25 mg/ml) were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 14consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozocin in Cur and SC groups,respectively.Another 27 normal rats were served as control group (group C) and were fed with common forage.MWT and TWL were measured at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection (T1 3),and the lumbar segment 4-6 of the spinal cord and DRGs were removed at the same time for determination of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was up-regulated at T1-3 in DNP and SC groups,and at T1 in Cur group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was down-regulated at T2,3 in Cur group (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the MWT,TWL and expression of p-ERK and p-CREB between DNP and SC groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can attenuate type 2 diabetic DNP by inhibiting up-regulation of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG in rats.

BackgroundSweep pattern visual evoked potential(SPVEP) acuity,as an objective detective technique of visual function,can be used to measure visual acuity in children and uncooperative adults.Recent studies have shown that the amplitude-logarithm of the visual angle (A-LogVA) function regression method was more accurate than the amplitude-spatial frequency (A-SP)function regression method in evaluating SPVEP acuity.Objective This study was to explore the clinical use of SPVEP acuity in visual developing children and compare the evaluating the SPVEP acuity of children between A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method.Methods Twenty-six eyes of 26 asthenopic children with age range of 3-12 years and 31 age-matched normal children were enrolled in this study.SPVEP acuity was recorded with GT-2000 NV ( GUOTE MEDICAL APPARATUS LTD,China) using sinusoidally modulated horizontal gratings of 10 different spatial frequencies from 0.99 to 12.89 cpd as stimulus.The responses were averaged and displayed through discrete Fourier transformations (DFT) on the monitor display.SPVEP acuity was estimated by using both the SPVEP A-SP function regression method and the SPVEP A-LogVA function regression method.The LogMAR chart was used to acquire LogMAR visual acuity.ResultsIn the normal group,the correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was 0.600 (P＜0.01).The correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-LogVA function regression method was 0.733 ( P＜0.01 ).The ANOVA of the LogMAR acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were 113.173 (P＜0.01 ),which indicated that there were significant difference among all of subjects.The differences of the mean values of LogMAR visual acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were respectively 0.40±0.02,0.26 ±0.02 and 0.14 ± 0.02.In the amblyopia group,the correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was 0.134 (P =0.515 ).The correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-LogVA function regression method was 0.456 ( P＜0.05 ).The ANOVA of the LogMAR acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were 3.433 (P＜0.05),indicating that there were significant difference among all of subjects.The differences of the mean values of LogMAR visual acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were 0.07±0.05,0.12±0.05 and 0.05 ±0.01 respectively.Conclusions SPVEP can evaluate the visual acuity in children,although SPVEP acuity may overestimate or underestimate acuity in comparison with different LogMAR visual acuities.The amplitude-LogVA function regression method is more accurate in extrapolating SPVEP acuity.

Objective To investigate the MR features of different clinical staging of scapulohumeral periarthritis and provide relevant support data for the clinical staging of scapulohumeral periarthritis, so as to guide clinical treatment. Methods 30 patients with scapulohumeral periar-thritis received in the hospital from June 2015 to February 2017 were selected to form the observation group and 8 same-sex and same-aged volunteers without such disease were selected to form the control group. MR imaging was used to observe and measure the structure of shoulder joint of the people in the two groups and statistical analysis was performed to analyze the changes in the structure of the shoulder around dif-ferent clinical stages. Results The thickness of joint capsule and coracohumeral ligament ( CHL) , the ratio of subcoracoid fat triangle re-placed were significantly greater in patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis than those in the control group, and the difference was statisti-cally significant (P<0. 05). Comparing the thickness of joint capsule in the third stage of the scapulohumeral periarthritis group compare with those in the first and second stages, the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). There was no statistically significant differ-ence (P>0. 05) in the thickness of the coracohumeral ligament and the ratio of subcoracoid fat triangle replaced in the scapulohumeral peri-arthritis group between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd stages. Conclusion Patients with different stages have different structures around the shoulder joints. The thickness of joint capsule can be used as an important reference for diagnosing scapulohumeral periarthritis and can guide the clin-ical staging. The thickness of coracohumeral ligament and the ratio of subcoracoid fat triangle replaced can be used as a basis for diagnosing scapulohumeral periarthritis, but it cannot be used as a guideline for clinical staging.

Objective: To observe the effect of coxsackie virus B3 on airway tract and lung morphology, and to study the relation between CVB infection and asthma. Methods: We established CVB3 infective model: 5 d neonatal rats inhaled CVB3 by ultrasonic brume. CVB3-IgM was examined 10 d after inoculating of CVB3, and LW/BW, airway tract and lung pathological change 10 d and 30 d after inoculation of CVB3 were observed. Results: Rats from the virus group had higher D of CVB3-IgM than control's (+2s ) and had higher LW/BW 10 d after inoculation of CVB3 than control (P<0.01). Neonatal rats had acute inflammatory changes 10 d after inoculation of CVB3 and persistent changes in morphology and cytology. Conclusion: Neonatal rats virus model is established. Respiratory infection by CVB3 in neonatal rats has persistent changes in airway tract inflammatory and morphology.

OBJECTIVETo study apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in experimental different denervated guinea-pig facial muscle.

METHODAn experimental model was established with guinea pigs by compressing the facial nerve 30 second (reinnervated group) and resecting the facial nerve (denervated group). TUNEL method and immunohistochemical technique (SABC) were applied to detect the apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins bcl-2 and bax from 1st to 8th week after operation.

RESULTExperimentally denervated facial muscle revealed consistently increase of DNA fragmentation, average from(34.4 +/- 4.6)% to (38.2 +/- 10.6)%, from 1st week to 8th week after operation; Reinnervated facial muscle showed a temporal increase of DNA fragmentation, and then the muscle fiber nuclei revealed decreased DNA fragmentation along with the function of facial nerve recovered, latterly normal, average from (32.0 +/- 8.03)% to (5.6 +/- 3.5)%, from 1st week to 8th week after operation. In denervated group, bcl-2 and bax were expressed strongly; in reinnervated group, bcl-2 expressed consistently, but bax disappeared latterly along with the function of facial nerve recovered.

CONCLUSIONExpression of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis-related proteins in denervated muscle are general reaction to denervation. bcl-2 can prevent early apoptotic muscle fiber to survival until reinnervation. It is concluded that proteins control apoptosis may give information for possible therapeutic interventions to reduce the rate of muscle fiber death in denervated atrophy in absence of effective primary treatment.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Denervation ; Facial Muscles ; cytology ; innervation ; metabolism ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of iptakalim (Ipt), an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, on cardiac remodeling induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in Wistar rats.

METHODSISO was given subcutaneously (85 mg/(kg x d), sc, 7 days) to induce cardiac remodeling in rats. The rats in Ipt treated group were administrated with Ipt 3 mg/kg (po) after ISO injection. After treated with Ipt for 6 weeks, the hemodynamic parameters were tested by an eight channel physiological recorder (RM-6000). Then the heart weight was weighed and the cardiac remodeling index was calculated. HE stain and Masson's stain were employed to perform histological analysis, the hydroxyproline(Hyp) content in cardiac tissue was detected by colorimetric method, radioimmunoassay was used to measure the plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and prostacyclin (PGI2).

RESULTSSix weeks after ISO injection, the cardiac functions of model group were damaged markedly compared with those of normal group. The characteristics of ventricular remodeling in model group included that the heart weight index, myocyte cross-sectional area, myocardial fibrosis, and the hydroxyproline content in cardiac tissue were all increased significantly. The plasma level of ET-1 was increased, while the plasma level of PGI2 was decreased significantly. These changes could be reversed by Ipt treatment (3 mg/(kg x d) for 6 weeks).

CONCLUSIONIpt can reverse cardiac remodeling induced by isoproterenol in rats. The endothelial protective effect regulating effects of Ipt on the balance between the ET-1 and PGI2 system may be involved in its mechanisms.

Animals ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Hemodynamics ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; KATP Channels ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Prostaglandins I ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and GRACE score in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

METHODSA total of 246 patients with chest pain to hospital time < 24 hours were followed up to 30 days. Admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was measured by point-of-care. Endpoints included death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and new onset of congestive heart failure. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate prognostic value of BNP and GRACE score. The logistic regression models were used to assess the prognostic contribution of BNP level and GRACE score.

RESULTSThe mean age was (67.6 +/- 12.0) years (61.8% males) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 135 patients (54.9%). During the follow up, 34 endpoints (13.8%) were recorded including 9 deaths (3.7%). The systolic blood pressure [(121 +/- 29) mm Hg vs. (130 +/- 23) mm Hg, P = 0.034; 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] was significantly lower while the heart rate and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group. TNI and CRP levels were similar between the two groups. The BNP level at admission (median 883.5 ng/L vs. 216.5 ng/L) and GRACE score (median 164.5 vs. 142.0) were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group (all P < 0.05). The prognostic criteria for BNP level (area under cure, 0.704) was 194.5 ng/L determined by ROC (P = 0.043). For GRACE score, the predictive value for endpoints was 0.742 (P = 0.003) and the cut-off point was 158. In the logistic regression model, BNP concentration (> 194.5 ng/L, OR = 3.174) and GRACE score (> 158, OR = 4.031) were independent predictors of endpoints in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONBoth BNP level at admission and GRACE score were independent predictors for endpoints at 30 days in patients with ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; analysis ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Uighur medicine gu-jing-mai-si-ha tablet (GJMSHT) for treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) and to explore part of its mechanism.

METHODSThe condition of patients was scored by related questionnaire, and the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was observed before and after GJMSHT treatment, with the blood levels of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) detected in PE patients as well. The results were compared with those in the control group.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of PE and IELT, as well as the levels of NO and PGF2alpha, all increased significantly compared to those before treatment in the treated group (P<0.01), while in the control group, all the parameters were insignificantly changed (P>0.05). Therefore, the difference of these parameters between the two groups after treatment all showed statistical significance (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGJMSHT could treat PE effectively, its mechanism is possibly by strengthening the coordination of the related smooth muscles through increasing the blood levels of NO and PGF2alpha, and the endurance of patients to the cavitary effect of prostatico-urethral pressure, thus postponing the arrival of urgent ejaculatory feeling.

Adult ; Dinoprost ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ejaculation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo identify the original plant of "Daibaijie", commonly used Dai herb.

METHODThe literature review, morphology and anatomy, pharmacognosy, molecular biology, chemistry were used to analysis.

RESULTDaibaijie's historical scientific name, Dregea sinensis Hemsl., was mistakenly given "Daibaijie" and D. sinensis have significant differences from the distribution, morphology and anatomy, pharmacognosy, molecular biology and chemical composition. "Daibaijie" matches with the characteristics of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon in Flora of China in English.

CONCLUSIONDaibaijie's original plant is M. tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon. The description and illustration of M. tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon in Flora of China in China are wrong. The illustration of M. tenacissima in Flora of China in English is wrong too.

China ; ethnology ; Herbal Medicine ; Marsdenia ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Components, Aerial ; anatomy & histology ; classification

Abstract:Objective　To investigate the clinical characteristics and early diagnostic methods of patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection, so as to reduce the mortality of patients. Methods The clinical characteristics and microbiological analysis data including fungal culture, smear examination and mass spectrometry were collected from 18 patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Tuberculosis, and Department of Critical Respiratory Medicine in Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021, and descriptive analysis was conducted. Results　All the 18 patients were confirmed to be infected with Talaromyces marneffei by conventional culture and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). The main infection sites of 18 patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection were lungs and lymph nodes, and the patients were accompanied by clinical manifestations such as cough, sputum and fever. The imaging features such as patchy shadows, mediastinal lymph node shadows and nodular shadows were common. Microbiological testing showed a statistically significant difference between smear and culture with a higher positive culture rate (χ2=13.74, P<0.05). The positive rate of blood culture in microbiological test was 60.0% (9/15), the positive rate of bronchial lavage fluid culture was 26.7% (4/15), the positive rate of sputum culture was 5.6% (1/18), one case each of pus, bone marrow, pleural fluid and cerebrospinal fluid was positive for culture and the other cases were negative, one case of sputum and one case of pus were positive for smear and the rest were negative. Colony characteristics showed that the colony morphology was mycelial phase at 25 ℃, producing red pigment, and the branching pattern of the penicillus was seen microscopically as monoverticillate or biverticillate; At 35 ℃, the yeast phase appeared at the initial stage, and then the mycelium phase changed after 5-6 days; the yeast phase was observed at 37 ℃, and yeast-like cells were seen under the microscope. All 18 patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection got better after using antifungal drugs. Compared with non-HIV patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection, leukopenia and anemia were common in HIV patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). 　Conclusions The infection of Talaromyces marneffei can be divided into localized type and disseminated type, which usually invade the lungs, skin, lymph nodes and other places. The main manifestations of patients are fever, cough, phlegm and other atypical symptoms. At present, the diagnosis of Talaromyces marneffei infection is mostly based on the fungal culture test, and the application of MALDI-TOF MS method can effectively shorten the diagnosis time of Talaromycosis marneffei. Clinical characteristics combined with microbiological analysis provide an objective basis for early diagnosis of patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection, and timely use of antifungal therapy can improve the prognosis of patients.