ObjectiveTo investigate the role of T-type calcium channel in the spinal neurotoxicity of intrathecal (IT) lidocaine in rats.MethodsForty-eight adult male SD rats in which IT catheter was successfully implanted,weighing 230-270 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =12 each):dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)group (group D),lidocaine group (group L),mibefradil + lidocaine group (group M),normal saline + lidocaine group (group N).Another 12 rats served as control group (group C).DMSO and 10％ lidocaine 20μl were injected intrathecally in groups D and L respectively.After mibefradil 200 μg/10μl and normal saline 10 μl were injected intrathecally in groups M and N respectively,10％ lidocaine 20 μl was injected intrathecally in the two groups.The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured before IT injection and at 2,4,8 and 12 h and 1,2,3,4 and 5 d after IT injection (T0-9).Four rats were sacrificed at T6 in each group and their lumbar enlargements were removed for microscopic examination.ResultsCompared with group C,no significant change in MWT and TWL was found at each time point in group D,MWT was significantly increased at T1-8 and TWL was significantly prolonged at T1-7 in groups L and N,and MWT was significantly increased at T1-6 and TWL was significantly prolonged at T1-6 in group M ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with groups L and N,MWT was significantly decreased at T1-4 and TWL was significantly shortened at T1-4 in group M ( P ＜ 0.05).Pathological injury was significantly reduced in group M as compared with groups L and N.ConclusionT-type calcium channel is involved in the spinal neurotoxicity of IT lidocaine in rats.

Objective To study the DWI characteristics,Bcl-2 gene expression and the relevance of the DWI and Bcl-2 in rabbit models of hepatic VX2 tumors after three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3D-CRT).Methods Forty hepatic VX2 tumor models were successfully created.After the tumor grew to more than 1 cm in diameter,28 tumor models were treated with 3D-CRT and then divided into four groups using random number table.The remaining 12 tumor models were used as controls and randomly assigned to each group.MR scanning were performed at different times(1st day,5th day,10 th day,15 th day) for each group respectively.ROIs of the VX2 tumor tissue and normal liver tissue were taken and ADC values measured with calculation of their ratio.Expression of apoptotic Bcl-2 gene was determined by using Rt-PCR method.ADC value with their ratio and the relative gray value of Bcl-2/β-actin were calculated using one dimensional analysis of variance and two samples t-test at different times,compared within the group and between groups.Results On the 1st,5 th,10 th and 15 th day,the ADC ratios of the radiotherapy groups were 0.55±0.13,1.32±0.27,0.96±0.34,0.72±0.17 respectively,the corresponding ADC ratios of control groups were 0.69±0.20,0.78±0.24,0.71±0.23,0.79±0.21.The ratio of ADC values for radiotherapy group and the control group were compared,t value was 1.283(P＞0.05),4.974(P＜0.01),3.191(P＜0.01),0.776(P＞0.05)respectively for each group.On the 1st,5 th,10 th and 15 th day,the Bcl-2 gene relative gray value of the radiotherapy groups were 0.92±0.31,0.56±0.28,0.42±0.24 and 0.31±0.15 respectively,the corresponding Bcl-2 gene relative gray value of control group were 1.18±0.50,1.15±0.43,1.16±0.41,1.46±0.19.The Bcl-2 gene relative gray value for radiotherapy groups and the control groups were compared,with t value 0.987(P＞0.05),3.863(P＜0.01),5.401(P＜0.01),5.894(P＜0.01)respectively.The ADC value ratio and Bcl-2 gene relative gray value correlation analysis showed that there was significant negative correlation(r=-0.493,P＜0.01).Conclusion DWI ADC values can reflect the dynamic changes at the molecular level for hepatic VX2 tumors after radiotherapy at different times.

Objective To evaluate the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMK Ⅱ) in the up-regulation of expression of Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels in spinal cord in a rat model of neuropathic pain (NP).Methods Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 3 months,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly divided into 6 groups (n =8 each)∶ sham operation group (group S),group NP,dimethyl sulfoxide group (group D) and different concentrations of a specific CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor KN93 groups (groups K1-3).NP was produced by chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion.The rats in groups D and K1-3 received a single intrathecal injection of dimethyl sulfoxide and KN93 15,30,60 nmol/L (10 μl),respectively,on 5th day after NP.Paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation (MWT) and paw withdrawal latency to thermal nociceptive stimulus (TWL) were measured before NP,before intrathecal injection on 5th day after NP,and at 30 and 60 min and 3,6 and 8 h after intrathecal injection on 5th day after NP (T1-7).The rats were sacrificed after the measurement of pain threshold at T7 and their lumbar enlargements were removed to detect the expression of Cav3.2 mRNA and protein using Western blot and RT-PCR.Results Compared with group S,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened and the expression of Cav3.2 mRNA and protein was up-regulated in NP,D and K1-3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with NP group,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged and the expression of Cav3.2 mRNA and protein was down-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner in K1-3 groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group D (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion CaMK Ⅱ is involved in the development and maintenance of chronic NP by up-regulating the expression of Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels in rat spinal cord.

Objective To evaluate the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMK Ⅱ) in the neuronal damage induced by lidocaine.Methods SH-SY5Y cells were seeded in 96-well plates (100 μl/hole) with a density of 5 × 105/ml and randomly divided into 4 groups (n =63 each):normal culture group (C group),CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor KN93 (K group),lidocaine group (L group) and KN93 + lidocaine group (KL group).KN93 (final concentration 1 μmol/L) was added to the culture medium and the cells were then cultured for 24 h in group K.Lidocaine (final concentration 10 mmol/L) was added to the culture medium and the cells were then cultured for 24 h in group L.KN93 (final concentration 1 μmol/L) and lidocaine (final concentration 10 mmol/L) were added to the culture medium and the cells were then cultured for 24 h in group KL.The cell morphology was examined with microscope after 24 h of incubation.The viability of cells was measured by MTT assay before incubation and at 1,6,12 and 24 h of incubation.The apoptosis in the cells was assessed by flow cytometry.The apoptotic rate was calculated.Results Compared with C and K groups,the cell viability was significantly decreased and the apoptotic rate was increased in L and KL groups (P ＜ 0.05).The cell viability was significantly higher and the apoptotic rate was lower in group KL than in group L (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the cell viability and apoptotic rate between C group and K group (P ＞ 0.05).The pathological changes were obviousin group L and significantly reduced in group KL.Conclusion CaMK Ⅱ is involved in the neuronal damage induced by lidocaine.

Objective To investigate the effects of post-operative analgesia with oxycodone or morphine for patients undergoing colon cancer radical surgery on platelet activation and cellular immunity.Methods Forty colon cancer patients scheduled for radical surgery, 23 males and 17 females, ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=20 each): oxycodone group (group O) and morphine group (group M).Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used for post-operative analgesia.PCIA solution contained oxycodone 1 mg/kg and tropisetron 6 mg in 100 ml normal saline in group O or morphine 1 mg/kg and tropisetron 6 mg in 100 ml normal saline in group M.Blood samples were obtained from the patients at 5 min before anesthesia induction (T0), 4 h after surgery (T1), 24 h after surgery (T2) and 48 h after surgery (T3).The levels of glycoprotein (GP)Ⅱb/Ⅲa, P-selection (CD62P), natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, and natural Treg (nTreg) cells were detected.The platelet aggregation rate (PAR) was determined.Results Compared with T0, the levers of GPⅡb/Ⅲa, CD62P, PAR and nTreg cells were significantly higher at T1 in group O and at T1, T2 in group M (P<0.05).Compared with T0, the levels of NK and NKT cells were decreased significantly at T1 in group O and at T1-T3 in group M (P<0.05).The levels of GPⅡb/Ⅲa, CD62P, PAR and nTreg cells at T2 and T3 in group O were decreased significantly as compared with group M (P<0.05).The levels of NK cells, NKT cells at T2 and T3 in group O were significantly higher than those in group M.Conclusion Post-operative analgesia with oxycodone for patients undergoing colon cancer radical surgery exhibits a more significant effect of decreasing platelets activity and presents a less disturbance on cellular immunity as compared with morphine.

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin preconditioning on the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) during intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 180-220 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),intestinal I/R group (I/R group),and curcumin preconditioning group (Cur group).Intestinal I/R was induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 75 min followed by reperfusion.Curcumin 200 mg/kg was given everyday for 5 days before intestinal I/R in Cur group and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead of curcumin in S and I/R groups.The rats were sacrificed at 4 h of reperfusion and the intestinal specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of pathologic changes which were graded using Chiu scoring system and for determination of XOD activity,content of malondialdehyde (MDA),and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.Results Compared with S group,the Chiu score,activity of XOD and content of MDA were significantly increased,while the activity of SOD was decreased in I/R and Cur groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with I/R group,the Chiu score,activity of XOD and content of MDA were significantly decreased,and the activity of SOD was increased in Cur group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin preconditioning can attenuate intestinal I/R injury in rats,which may be due to inhibition of XOD activity and decreased oxidative stress in intestinal tissues.

Objective To study the expression of PINCH and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.Methods We detected the expression of PINCH and VEGF-C by immunohistochemistry SP in 58 cervical squamous cell carcinoma cases and 30 normal cervical epithelial tissue and analyzed their relationship to the clinical pathological features.Results The expression of PINCH and VEGF-C in 58 cervical squamous cell carcinoma(62.1％,36/58 ;67.2％,39/58 ) were higher than that in normal cervical epithelial tissue(0,0/30).The difference was significant( x2 =31.512,12.534,P ＜ 0.001 ).The expression of PINCH protein was not significantly associated with the age,tumor size and tumor differentiation grade ( P ＞ 0.05 ),but was associated with the lymph node metastasis and clinical stage ( x2 =9.090,8.236,P ＜ 0.001 ).The expression of VEGF-C had no significant correlationship with the age and tumor size( P ＞ 0.05 ) but had a correlationship with the lymph node metastasis,tumor differentiation grade and clinical stage( x2 =10.775,13.496,5.001,P ＜ 0.05 ).The expression of VEGF-C was correlated with the expression of PINCH protein( C =0.341,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion It is possible that VEGF-C and PINCH take part in the development and progress of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and play an important role in the invasion and metastasis mechanism altogether.

Objective To evaluate the role of C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway in spinal neurotoxicity induced by lidocaine in rats.Methods Seventy-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-260 g,were randomly divided into 6 groups (n =12 each):control group (group Ⅰ),sham operation group (group Ⅱ),JNK inhibitor group (group Ⅲ),dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (group Ⅳ),lidocaine group (group Ⅴ),and JNK inhibitor and lidocaine group (group Ⅵ).Group Ⅰ received no treatment.Intrathecal catheter was placed in the subarachnoid space in group Ⅱ.SP600125 25 μg and DMSO 20 μl were injected intrathecally in Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups,respectively.In group Ⅴ,10％ lidocaine 20 μl was intrathecally injected.SP600125 25 μg was injected intrathecally and 30 min later 10％ lidocaine 20 μl was injected intrathecally in group Ⅵ.Paw withdrawal threshold to yon Frey filament stimulation (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency to nociceptive thermal stimulation (PWL) were measured before intrathecal catheter was implanted (T0),before intrathecal administration (T1) and at 4,8 and 12 h and on 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 days after intrathecal administration (T2-10).At 24 h after intrathecal administration,4 rats were randomly chosen from each group and sacrificed.Their lumbar enlargements were removed for determination of phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) expression (using Western blot) and neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL).The apoptotic index was calculated.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,no significant difference was found in MWT and TWL in Ⅱ,Ⅲ groups and expression of p-JNK in Ⅱ and Ⅳ groups (P ＞ 0.05),MWT at T2-4,6-8 and TWL at T2-4,7 in group Ⅴ and MWT at T2-6 and TWL at T2-5 in group Ⅵ were significantly increased,the expression of p-JNK was down-regulated and the apoptotic index was decreased in group Ⅲ (P ＜ 0.05),and the expression of p-JNK was up-regulated and the apoptotic index was increased in Ⅴ and Ⅵ groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group Ⅴ,MWT and TWL were significantly decreased,the expression of pJNK was down-regulated and the apoptotic index was decreased in group Ⅵ (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Activation of JNK signal transduction pathway is involved in spinal neurotoxicity induced by lidocaine in rats possibly through promoting neuronal apoptosis in the spinal cord.

BACKGROUND: Female hypertension has its own epidemicologic character and the chief interventions on it are various.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of female hypertension and observe the effects on rehabilitative and preventive intervention in demonstrative community for comprehensive prevention and treatment of cardiac cerebral vascular disease in Guizhou.DESIGN: Group randomization was designed. The samples of certain percentage were randomized according to total population from each village of 13 administrative areas.SETTING: Guizhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Renmin Hospital of Yunyan District in Guiyang, Guizhou Clinical Examination Center.PARTICIPANTS: Since 1996, a series of comprehensive prevention and treatment had been carried in the communities for cardiac cerebral vascular disease in Guizhou, involved 13 administrative areas and 112 villagecitizen groups, in which, 26 604 people were employed, living in the regions between town and country. Social natural condition and life behavior of majority citizen reflected the common state of people in town and country. Totally 3 934 people aged over 15 years were investigated in the communities, and were all in the known of investigation. The samples without complete data were excluded.METHODS: ① Base-line investigation was carried on for the groups over 15 years old according to the requirement for administrative region designed by Institute of Preventive Medicine of China Academy of Sciences from April 1st 2001 to May 15th . ② Health education and health promotion activity were carried on for the included groups. ③ Survey after intervention was given for females according to the survey items designed by Institute of Preventive Medicine of China Academy of Sciences from July 2002to June 2003. ④ Normal body-mass index (BMI) was 18.5-23.9 kg/m2,overweight was indicated if BMI was 24-27.9 kg/m2 and obesity was diagnosed if BMI ≥28 kg/m2. ⑤ Analysis was applied on comparison of BMI,waist to hip ratio (WHR), average blood pressure, the rates of incidence,awareness and treatment of hypertension and rate of high-salty and lipid diet. ⑥ t test was adopted for comparison of means between two samples and x2 test was used for rate comparison.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Comparison of the rates of incidence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension for females of different ages in community base-line investigation in Guizhou. ② Comparison of BMI, WHR and BP of females of various ages in baseline investigation.③ Comparison of incident rate of hypertension for females with various BMI in baseline investigation. ④ Comparison of BMI, WHR, BP, smoke, alcohol, rate of high-salty and lipid diet, the rates of incidence, awareness,treatment and control of hypertension for females between baseline investigation and post-intervention survey.RESULTS: In baseline investigation, 6 361 correct and complete forms were collected, with 99.84% qualified rate, of which, there were 3 934females. 1 141 data were qualified after intervention. It was indicated in community baseline investigation: ① Rates of incidence, awareness and treatment of hypertension for females were improved with increased age (P ＜ 0.05), and the control rate was decreased with increased age (P ＜ 0.05). ② BMI, WHR, SBP (systolic blood pressure) and DBP (diastolic blood pressure) and PP (pulse pressure) were improved significantly with in creased age (P ＜ 0.01). BMI for females was increased with ages, but was declined with age ≥60 years. ③ The incident rates of hypertension for groups of normal body mass, overweight and obesity were 15.05%, 23.87% and 39.37% successively, indicating that the hypertension inci dent rate was increased significantly with improved BMI (paired compari son, P ＜ 0.05). Comparison between post-intervention survey and base-line investigation: ① In the comparison, the results of BMI, WHR and BP means were reduced for most cases at same age and significant difference was displayed in majority (P ＜ 0.05). ② After intervention, smoke rate of females was increased significantly and rate of high-salty and lipid diet was decreased (P ＜ 0.05). ③ Incident rate after health intervention was decreased significantly compared with that before intervention (P ＜ 0.05),and the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were enhanced significantly (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: ① The rates of incidence, awareness, treatment and control of female hypertension are different in ages in community of Guizhou. ② The severity of risk factor of female hypertension is enhanced with increased age in community of Guizhou. ③ The increased body mass is the important factor of incident rate of hypertension. ④ Health education probably decreases the severity of risk factor of hypertension and increases the rates of awareness, treatment and control.

The pathogenesis of gouty arthritis contains internal cause and external cause. The deficiency of Zang Fu organs is the internal cause and the invasion of external pathogens is the external cause, which is related to the liver, spleen and kidney. In clinical treatment, we should grasp the pathological factors such as dampness, heat and blood stasis, and treat this diseaseaccording to different stages and types, anddeal with both symptoms and the root cause. Clinically, orally taken Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, collateral pricking and bleeding, and external application of TCM are the common methods to treat this disease and combining various methods together has better curative effect, which could significantly relieve the pain and alleviate inflammation with safetiness. However, the operation methods and standards of the existing studies are not unified, which needs long-term follow-up, large samples and high-quality studies.