Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency ultrasound (LFU) on the proliferation and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in rabbits with carotid atherosclerosis(CA).Methods CA models were established in 30 New Zealand rabbits using a high fat diet and air-drying.They were randomly divided into a control group and four LFU groups:group A received 0.5 W/cm~2 LFU for 5 min/d,group B 0.5 W/cm~2 for 10 min/d, group C 1 W/cm~2,5 min/d,and group D 1 W/cm~2,10 min/d.The rabbits' carotid arteries were autopsied after 20 d of the LFU treatment.The expression of PCNA and TUNEL staining were used to explore the proliferation and apopto- sis of SMCs,and the proliferation rates (PRs) and apoptosis rates (ARs) were calculated.Results Compared with the control group,the PRs in groups B,C and D were significantly lower,while the ARs in groups B,C and D were significantly higher.There was no significant difference in ARs or PRs among groups B,C and D.Con- clusion LFU can induce SMC apoptosis and inhibit SMC proliferation in rabbits with CA.

The dissolution of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix ultrafine granular powder and common powder, traditional pieces in water and simulated gastric juice in vitro was compared, and the effect of particles size of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix on the dissolution was studied. HPLC method was used for determination of five ginsenosides including Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc and Rd from ultrafine granular powder and common powder, traditional pieces of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix at different points in time, furthermore, the dissolution curves of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix ultrafine granular powder and common powder, traditional pieces were obtained. The dissolution characteristics of the three Panacis Quinquefolii Radix forms were also compared in this study. According to the results, the dissolution rates of ginsenosides from ultrafine granular powder exceeded 90% of the total content with 5 min, significantly higher than that of the other two forms in water in vitro. At the same time, the dissolved amount of the ultrafine granular powder was fourteen percent higher than that of the traditional pieces and eight percent higher than that of the common powder. Under the condition of simulated gastric juice in vitro, the dissolution rates of ginsenosides from ultrafine granular powder were little lower than that of the other two, but the maximum dissolved amount of the former was fourteen percent higher than that of the common powder and five percent higher than that of the extracts. Therefore the conclusion is that micronization of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix contributed to dissolution of effective components.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ginsenosides ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Powders ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of Staphylococcus aureus from infertile men on sperm motility and the relationship between virulence genes and the activity of spermatozoal immobilization.

METHODSWe collected 60 strains of non-repeated Staphylococcus aureus from the semen of 589 infertile males and analyzed the influence of Staphylococcus aureus on sperm motility using the computer-aided sperm analysis system. We selected the strains that apparently decreased sperm motility and detected their virulence genes by PCR.

RESULTSSperm motility was significantly decreased in 17 of the 60 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.05). The main virulence genes in these strains were hlg (33.3%), scn (23.3%), cna (20%), hlb (20%), and clfA (18.3%), others including icaA, fnbA, tst, seb, hld, eta and sea. The scn gene carriers accounted for 47.1% in the spermatozal immobilization positive group, significantly higher than 14% in the negative group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the percentages of the carriers of the other virulence genes between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInfections of Staphylococcus aureus in male reproductive system can lead to the decrease of sperm motility, which may be associated with the Staphylococcus complement inhibitor encoding gene scn.

Humans ; Infertility, Male ; microbiology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semen ; microbiology ; Species Specificity ; Sperm Motility ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Staphylococcus aureus ; pathogenicity ; Virulence ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the dose-effect relationship of electroacupuncture of different current intensities combined with Morphine of different dosage on alleviating the rats' tibial cancer pain, and explore the possible mechanism, which could provide the experiment basis for alleviating the tibial cancer pain by electroacupuncture combined with Morphine.

METHODSOne hundred female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and eight treatment groups, 10 cases in each group. The rats in the treatment groups were treated by combined therapies of electroacupuncture of different intensities with 2 Hz /100 Hz dense-disperse wave on "Jiaji"(EX-B 2)and different dosage Morphine in 2 factor 3 level conditions, once a day for 6 days. The pain thresholds were observed before the treatment and 0 min, 1 h, 2 h and 5 h after the first treatment as well as after 3 and 6 times of treatments. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was determined by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe rats' pain thresholds were significantly increased with electroacupuncture of 2 mA and 1 mA (all P < 0.01) on the 0 min, 1 h and 2 h of the first treatment, between which there were no significant differences (all P > 0.05). The pain threshold was still increased by electroacupuncture of 2 mA on the 5 h of the treatment (P < 0.01), while that of 1 mA failed to take effect (P > 0.05). After 3 and 6 times of treatments, both electroacupuncture of 2 mA and 1 mA had the effect of increasing the pain threshold (all P < 0.01), and the effect of 2 mA was superior to that of 1 mA (P < 0.05), had the synergistic effect with 5 mg/(kg x d) Morphine (P < 0.05). After 6 times of treatments, both electroacupuncture of 2 mA and 1 mA could inhibit the expression of GFAP (both P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). Both of 5 mg/(kg x d) and 2.5 mg/(kg x d) of Morphine, however, didn't bring about inhibition effect (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a does-effect relationship on electroacupuncture of different current intensity for alleviating the tibial cancer pain in rats. The electroacupuncture with 2 mA, which is better than that with 1 mA, has the synergistic effect with 5 mg/(kg x d) of Morphine. The electroacupuncture can inhibit the expression of GFAP to cooperate with Morphine for the purpose of alleviating the rats' tibial cancer pain.

Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pain ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pain Management ; instrumentation ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spine ; metabolism ; Tibia ; metabolism

5 mm and ≤8 mm in 4 cases.The mean value was 4.2 mm. Four patients noticed reduction in their vision and two had diplopia.Those patients were examined by CT or MR.Direct venography was performed in each patient.After the diagnosis of OVM was confirmed, intralesional injection of BLE was performed.The efficacy of the treatment and complications were observed during the following 8 to 42 months(mean 23 months).Results The BLE were successfully injected in all the patients.All patients had resolution of proptosis and diplopia.Three patients gained improvement of visual acuity.The periorbital swelling occurred in all patients after operation and resolved within 1 week without special treatment.Other complications,such as orbital hemorrhage and periorbital scar,were not observed during following-up.Conclusion Intralesional injection with BLE is convenient,safe and efficient for the treatment of OVM.

Objective To carry out mutation analysis of deafness-associated genes for deaf newborns and their parents, and to estimate the recurrence risk for their parents to have deaf descendants.Methods Suspected cases of inherited deafness were identified by neonatal hearing screening and questionnaires. Genomic DNAs of suspected cases and their parents were extracted from their peripheral blood samples . Common deafness-associated genes(i.e. GJB2,SLC26A4 and 12S rRNA genes)were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and those PCR products were sequenced for the mutation analysis.Results From 2013 to 2016, 193 cases of deafness were found in neonatal hearing screening,29 cases of suspected as hereditary deafness were screened,and 17 out of 29 cases were found to have mutations in deafness-associated genes(detection rate:58.62%). GJB2 homozygous mutations were identified in two cases and their parents,and the recurrence risk to have deaf descendants was 100%. Four cases of suspected hereditary deafness had GJB2 homozygous mutations,and their parents were both GJB2 mutation carriers. There was one case with SLC26A4 homozygous mutations,and their parents were both SLC26A4 mutation carrier. Two cases were detected to have GJB2 V371 homozygous mutations,and their parents were both GJB2 V371 mutation carriers. For those seven parents carrying deafness-associated mutations above,the recurrence risk of deafness for their descendants was 25%.Conclusion In addition to hearing screening,the genetic diagnosis of deafness-associated genes is helpful to clarify the cause of suspected neonatal hereditary deafness,and can provide objective reproductive counseling and guidance for those deaf parents or parents with deaf children.

Natural products are important sources for the discovery of anti-tumor drugs. Evodiamine is the main alkaloid component of the traditional Chinese herb Wu-Chu-Yu, and it has weak antitumor activity. In recent years, a number of highly active antitumor candidates have been discovered with a significant progress. This article reviews the research progress of evodiamine-based antitumor drug design strategies, in order to provide reference for the development of new drugs with natural products as leads.

Objective The Augmentation index(AI)is an indicator of pulse wave reflections.To under- stand the validity of AI in the elderly,we studied the determinants of AI in an elderly population.Methods All subjects older than 70 years living in Zhaoxiang Town,Qingpu District,Shanghai were recruited.Pulse wave a- nalysis at the left radial artery was performed by using Omron HEMg000AI device.The augmentation index (AI)adjusting for a heart rate of 75 beats/min was used for statistical analysis.Results One thousand two hun- dred eighty-six participants included 761(59 %)women,and 815(63 %)hypertensive patients with average age 76.3 years participate the study.Women had a significant higher AI than men(90.3% versus 85.8%,P

OBJECTIVETo probe into the best parameter of electroacupuncture (EA) for treatment of inflammatory pain in the rat.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups, normal control group, model group and 10 EA groups including A1 B1 C1, A1 B1 C2, A1 B2 C1, A1 B2 C2, A2 B1 C1, A2 B1 C2, A2 B2 C1, A2 B2 C2 (A1 : 2 Hz, A2: 100 Hz; B1 : successive wave; B2: intermittent wave; C1: 0.1 mA, C2: 0.2 mA), A3 B3 C1 (4/20 Hz, disperse-dense wave, 0.1 mA) and A3 B3 C2 (4/20 Hz, disperse-dense wave, 0.2 mA). The rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis in all of the EA groups were treated by EA with selected different parameters once every day for 6 days. Pain thresholds and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) content in the local tissue of inflammation were used as indexes to compare analgesic effects of EA of different frequencies, waveforms and currents by orthogonal experiment design and other methods.

RESULTSThe optimized parameters of raising the pain threshold was: 100 Hz, 0.1 mA, intermittent wave. EA at 100 Hz was better than 2 Hz for increasing the content of beta-EP in local tissue of inflammation. The analgesic effect of EA at 4/20 Hz, 0.1 mA, disperse-dense wave on the inflammatory pain in the rat was not significant different with that at 100 Hz, 0.1 mA, intermittent wave (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe best parameters are 100 Hz, 0.1 mA and intermittent wave for EA treatment of inflammatory pain in the rat.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Animals ; Arthritis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Pain ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pain Management ; Pain Threshold ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have suggested that interrupted clearance of nuclear DNA-protein complexes after cell death might initiate and propagate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Deoxyribonuclease I (DNaseI) may be responsible for the removal of DNA from nuclear antigens at sites of high cell turnover, thus preventing the onset of SLE. The purpose of this study was to genotype the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DNase1 and characterize its gene expression and alternatively spliced transcripts in Chinese patients with SLE in order to understand the pathogenic role of DNase1 in human SLE.

METHODSFour SNPs located at the 3' end of the DNase1 gene, as listed on the SNP website, were selected for analysis. Those SNPs with relatively high heterozygosity were chosen for genotyping in 312 Chinese SLE families using the Taqman minor groove binder (MGB) allelic discrimination method. Haplotypes were constructed and linkage disequilibrium tests were performed using GeneHunter. DNase1 mRNA expression was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and alternatively spliced transcripts were isolated using capillary electrophoresis. Any effects the specific SNP haplotypes had on DNase1 gene expression and the alternatively spliced transcripts were also assessed.

RESULTSrs179982 and rs1053874 had high heterozygosity, about 0.5 in this Chinese cohort, while rs1059857 was also found to be heterozygous. Analysis of the haplotype combining rs179982-rs1030874 (C-G) and rs179982-rs1030874-rs1059857 (C-G-G) revealed a skewed transmission in favor of affected offspring. DNase1 gene expression was higher in SLE patients than in normal controls (P < 0.001), but this was not related to disease activity or SNP haplotype. Capillary electrophoresis revealed that the pattern of alternatively spliced transcripts in patients differed from that of normal controls. Furthermore, different SNP haplotype combinations generated different transcript patterns in SLE patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe SNP haplotypes are in linkage disequilibrium in Chinese SLE patients and may induce the disease through a modification of DNase1 mRNA splicing rather than at the level of mRNA expression. There is a relatively unique transcript band in SLE patients independent of special haplotype, which suggests that other unknown factors might be involved in adjusting gene expression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alternative Splicing ; Deoxyribonuclease I ; genetics ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide