OBJECTIVETo explore effective ways of integrated clinical and basic studies.

METHODSTry to sum up clinically basic laws of acupuncture from the study thinking of clinical and basic integration.

RESULTSSome laws of clinical acupuncture were raised based on classical theories of the channel and a great of clinical experiences, in combination with basic studies of modern neuroanatomy and physiology.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical symmetry-corresponding law, the segmental innervation law, the central-axial law, the distal limb dominance law, the law of sallow-deep correlation and the law of local feedback confirm with classical theories of the channels and clinical experiences.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Thinking

OBJECTIVETo construct an apparatus for the oxygen uptake measurement of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at different simulated altitude.

METHODSThe capacity of this apparatus was about 0.01 m3. It included animal experimental cabin, reference cabin, altimeter, altitude vertical velocity indicator, pressure difference inductor and oxygen compensator, low scale manometer, soda lime and calcium chloride, small fan, thermometer, circulating water system and vacuum pump. The oxygen uptake of the rats at 6 000 m, 4 000 m and 1 000 m simulated altitude was measured using this apparatus.

RESULTSThe oxygen uptake of the rats at 50 m, 4 000 m and 6 000 m simulated altitude was (24.4 +/- 2.1), (10.8 +/- 2.0) and (8.8 +/- 1.6) ml O2/(kg x min) respectively (average +/- s, n = 10). The oxygen uptake decreased as altitude increased.

CONCLUSIONThis apparatus can be used to measure the oxygen uptake of the rats at different simulated altitude.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Computer Simulation ; Equipment and Supplies ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Male ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PTEN (phosphatase and tension homology deletion on chromosome 10, PTEN) and its pseudogene PTENP1 in acute leukemia (AL) and correlation between them, and to explore the role of PTENP1 on the PTEN expression in AL cells.

METHODSPTEN and PTENP1 mRNA expression were evaluated in bone marrow (BM) samples from 138 newly diagnosed AL patients and 15 healthy controls by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). pCDH1-PTENP1 3'UTR-GFP lentivirus vectors were constructed. 293T cells were transfected by calcium phosphate precipitation to produce retrovirus. HL-60 cell line was infected with the retroviral vectors expressing pCDH1-GFP and pCDH1-PTENP1 3'UTR-GFP respectively. The flow cell sorter was used to sort the HL-60 with GFP positively expressed. The mRNA expression of PTEN and PTENP1 was detected by qRT-PCR, the expression of PTEN protein by western blot, and the impact of PTENP13'UTR on the proliferation of HL-60 cells by MTT assay.

RESULTSAML patients showed significantly lower PTEN and PTENP1 mRNA expression in BM compared to healthy controls. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of PTEN and PTENP1 mRNA were positively correlated (P < 0.05). The 108 cases of PTENP1(+) AML were classified according to the prognostic classification of 2011 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in AML, there was no difference among different subgroups. HL-60 cell line was infected with the retroviral vectors expressing pCDH1-GFP (control group) and pCDH1-PTENP1 3'UTR-GFP respectively. Compared with the control group, PTENP1 mRNA level of HL-60 infected with the retroviral vectors expressing pCDH1-PTENP1 3'UTR-GFP increased significantly, and PTEN mRNA level also increased. While the PTEN protein level and the cell growth rate of the PTENP1 3'UTR group didn't change significantly.

CONCLUSIONPTEN and PTENP1 mRNA expression level of BM cells from AL patients is significantly lower. There is a positive correlation between expression of PTEN and PTENP1 mRNA. PTENP1 may regulate the expression of PTEN in mRNA level.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Gene Expression ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; Pseudogenes ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection ; Young Adult

This study was to investigate the relationship between the CD34(+)CD38(-) cell population and its proportion in G(0) phase of de novo AML non-M(3) at diagnosis and the clinical and experimental characteristics. The flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of the cell surface antigen CD34 and CD38 in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) of the AML non-M(3) at diagnosis and investigate the cell cycle of the subpopulations, and then the relationships between the proportion of CD34(+)CD38(-)cell population and its G(0) state and the complete remission (CR) rate after the first induction chemotherapy was analyzed. The results showed that the proportion of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cell population and its G(0) phase had no relationship with the karyotypes and WBC count at new diagnosis and the Flt3/ITD status, but correlate with the blasts in the bone marrow after the first course induction chemotherapy. The proportion of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cells in patients who have visible blasts in the bone marrow at day 7 after completion of the first course induction chemotherapy was (12.47 ± 26.26)%, but the counterparts was (2.62 ± 7.20)% in the group of patients whose bone marrow had no visible blasts (p = 0.031). The proportion of the CD34(+) cell population in patients who had visible blasts in the bone marrow at day 1 after completion of the first course induction chemotherapy was (17.40 ± 21.20)%, yet the proportion of the CD34(+) cell populations was (5.64 ± 6.96)% in the patients who had no visible blasts in the bone marrow (p = 0.001). The proportion of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cell populations in the patients who achieved CR after the first course induction chemotherapy was (2.51 ± 9.72)%, which was lower than the proportion (24.92 ± 27.04%) of the non-CR patients (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the proportion (1.60 ± 4.82%) of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cell population in the AML non-M(2b) CR patients was more obviously lower than that in the non-CR patients (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, whether or not achieved CR after the first course induction chemotherapy correlated with age (p = 0.022), the proportion of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cell population (p = 0.008) and the proportion of the visible blasts in the bone marrow at day 7 after induction therapy (p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that only the proportion of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cells had correlation tendency with CR rate. It is concluded that the proportion of the CD34(+)CD38(-) cells in bone marrow of de novo AML non-M(3) is a prognostic factor to anticipate the CR rate of the first course for induction therapy.
ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Cycle ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the association between hypertension and tobacco exposure Luoping county of Yunnan province and estimate the direct cost attributable to hypertension .

METHODSUsing Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method, 5000 rural residents aged over 18 years were selected from 12 townships in Luoping county, Yunnan province in April 2011, from which 4611 subjects completed the survey. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect general information, smoking status, costs for outpatient consultation, inpatient, treatment, medication, travel, accommodation and extra-nutrition caused by hypertension as well as the information of health-related behavior. Their height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. The direct economic burden of hypertension was calculated. Chi-square (χ(2)) test was used to compare gender differences of hypertension prevalence, smoking and passive smoking. And t test was used to compare the differences of direct economic burden of hypertension among different gender, smoking and passive smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence factors of hypertension.

RESULTSAmong the 4611 subjects, the age was (46.90 ± 16.74) years old. Male accounted for 49.8% (2294/4611) and female 50.2% (2317/4611) . The smoking rate was higher in males (75.7% (1736/2294)) than in females(1.6% (38/2317)) (χ(2) = 2669.21, P < 0.01). The passive smoking rate was lower in males (10.0% (230/2294)) than in females (46.2% (1070/2317)) (χ(2) = 744.27, P < 0.05). Non-tobacco exposure rate in males (14.3% (328/1537)) was lower than in females (52.2% (1209/1537)) (χ(2) = 744.37, P < 0.05) . The risk of hypertension in smokers and passive smokers were higher than those without tobacco exposure, OR (95%CI) was 1.41 (1.15-1.71) (P < 0.05) and 1.31 (1.07-1.63) (P < 0.05) respectively. The per capita direct cost of hypertension was (3444.09 ± 3067.83) Yuan. Of this, tobacco exposure (4552.46 ± 3189.05) Yuan was higher than non-tobacco exposure (1907.71 ± 1383.94) Yuan (t = -3.81, P < 0.05) . Moreover, smokers were (6951.71 ± 3422.87) Yuan higher than passive smokers (3128.09 ± 2083.17) Yuan (t = 3.19, P < 0.05) and males (5827.39 ± 3240.50) Yuan were higher than females (2633.03 ± 2569.01) Yuan (t = 3.22, P < 0.05) . The total direct costs of hypertension attributable to smoking and SHS was 41 million and 38 million, respectively.

CONCLUSIONBoth smoking and SHS had significant impact on prevalence and economic burden of hypertension in Luoping county. Implementing effective strategies to control tobacco exposure is useful to reduce the economic burden of hypertension in the study region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; economics ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; economics ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of peroneal tendofascial flap combined with adipofascial flap for the repair of heel tissue defects.

METHODSThe lower extremities of five cadavers (10 sides) were perfused with red latex, the blood supply of peroneal tendofascial flap and vicinity adipofascial flap were observed. The diameter, course, branches and location of the blood vessels were measured. Eight fresh cadavers (16 sides) were perfused with lead oxide-gelatine mixture. The covering fascia tissues of the lower extremities was obtained and photographed by X-ray. The vascular anastomosis and association of nutrient vessel of peroneal tendofascial flap and vicinity adipofascial flap were observed. Two adult lower extremities specimens (4 sides) were used to construct vessel diagrams for observation of the course, distribution and anastomosis of the vessels. Eight cases were treated successfully with theses flaps.

RESULTSThe blood supply of the combined fascial flap is multi-originated. For the area within 4 cm below and above the lateral malleolus cusp, the blood supply includes 2-5 branches from heel lateral artery with an average diameter of (0.5 +/- 0.2) mm, 1-2 branches from posterior lateral malleolus artery with an average diameter of (0.6 +/- 0.2) mm and 2-3 branches from the descending part of perforating branches of peroneal artery with an average diameter of (0.5 +/- 0.2) mm. The blood supply of area 4 cm above lateral malleolus cusp is 1-3 branches from intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery with an average diameter of (1.0 +/- 0.2) mm. These above branches are anastomosed each other and also send off many smaller branches to form vascular net around tendon. The fascial flaps and free skin grafts in eight patients were completely survived. All patients were followed up for 3-24 months, the donor and recipient sites were healed very well. The functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSPeroneal tendofascial flap combined with adipofascial flap, with proximal pedicle or reverse distal pedicle, can be used to repair the defect at the lower leg and refractory small- and medium-sized defects at the heel.

Adipose Tissue ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Adult ; Aged ; Fascia ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibula ; Heel ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of metformin (Met) on biological characteristics of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4. NB4 cells were treated with various concentrations of Met for different time, MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation, the alteration of cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the change of cell adhesion ability was examined by cell adhesion assay. NB4 cells were pretreated with U0126, a specific inhibitor for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, ERK phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot analysis, apoptosis and cell adhesion ability were evaluated by flow cytometry and cell adhesion test respectively. The results showed that Met could inhibit the cell proliferation, induce the cell apoptosis and increase the ability of cell adhesion. The pretreatment of NB4 cells with 5 µmol/L U0126 could effectively inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK, and reduce cell apoptosis and adhesion induced by 5 mmol/L Met. It is concluded that Met can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis and adhesion of NB4 cells. MEK/ERK signaling pathway may be one of the molecular mechanisms of metformin on NB4 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation

Objective To establish a management system to promote early rehabilitation for work injured patients. Methods The 2015 hospitalized patients were set as control group (n=16,635), and the 2016 hospitalized patients were set as observation group (n=15,372). The control group was hospitalized for injury data collection surveys and was not implemented systematic rehabilitation propaganda, rehabilita-tion assessment and rehabilitation guidance. However, the observation group hospitalized after establishment of the Work Injuries Rehabilita-tion Investigation System and accepted work injuries rehabilitation intervention, such as rehabilitation propaganda, rehabilitation assessment and rehabilitation guidance. The changes of hand trauma rehabilitation indicators were compared between two groups. Results The rate of work injuries rehabilitation intervention was 80.6%in the observation group. In the observation group, the proportion of the patients who re-ceived early rehabilitation treatment in the designated hospital (56.8%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (17.0%) (χ2=2603.683, P<0.001);the proportion of injured patients who were admitted to the designated work injuries rehabilitation institutions (9.4%) was higher than that of the control group (4.3%) (χ2=285.906, P<0.001). The proportion of patients evaluated as disability in the observation group (17.4%) was significantly less than that of the control group (26.3%) (χ2=235.327, P<0.001). The disability score was significantly lower in the observation group (6.23±1.29) than in the control group (8.26±1.16) (t=68.371, P<0.001). Conclusion The Work Injuries Reha-bilitation Investigation System can promote the early rehabilitation for the hand trauma patients in the designated hospital for work injuries, improve the proportion of hand trauma patients to enter the designated work injuries rehabilitation institutions to receive rehabilitation treat-ment, reduce the proportion of disabled persons, and reduce the degree of disability, effectively promote the overall recovery of patients with hand trauma.

Background: Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes. Methods: In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity. Results: Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants. Conclusions We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.

[Abstract] Objective To study whether the regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2(mTORC2) / Akt signaling pathway has a protective effect on SH-SY5Y cell line damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and to clarify its molecular mechanism. Methods SH-SY5Y cells treated with retinoic acid (RA) were given 6-OHDA, mTORC2 signaling pathway inhibitor PP242 and agonist A-443654 respectively. The changes of cell number in each group were investigated by immunofluorescent staining; The total protein was extracted and the expression level and interaction of key proteins in mTORC2 signaling pathway were determined by Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP); The apoptosis rate of cells in each group was detected by flow cytometry. At the same time, the co-culture Parkinson’ s disease (PD) model was made using SH-SY5Y cell line and Bv-2 cell line; MTT colorimetric method was used to detect the cell viability of each group; ELISA was used to detect the content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in cell culture supernatant. Results The number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) / proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) / hochest-, TH / 5-bronmo-2’ -deoxyuridine(BrdU) -labeled positive cells in 6-OHDA-lesioned PD cell model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group; The apoptosis rate was higher; The expression of Rictor, p-Akt and regulated in DNA damage and development 1(REDD1) was increased; There was an interaction between Rictor and p-Akt or REDD1; The cell viability was significantly reduced in the co-culture model; the content of TNF-α and IL-β increased in the cell culture supernatant. With further up-regulation of the abovementioned protein expressions, the cell survival, apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in A-443654 group were significantly ameliorated, while PP242 group showed the opposite changes. Conclusion A-443654 activates mTORC2 signaling pathway by p-Akt, which increases the expression of Rictor and REDD1 protein. These changes contribute to the amelioration in cell survival rate, apoptosis rate, and the proliferation and differentiation and decreasion of apoptosis rate of SH-SY5Y cells. These result improved 6-OHDA-induced cell damage and inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.