OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of the acupoint catgut implantation on postpartum pain of uterine contraction with qi and blood deficiency.

METHODSOne hundred and ten primiparas of natural delivery differentiated as qi and blood deficiency pattern in TCM were selected as the subjects. They were randomized into an acupoint catgut implantation group (55 cases) and a routine nursing group (55 cases). In the acupoint catgut implantation group, the catgut was implanted in Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Pishu (BL 20) and Geshu (BL 17) in 6 h after delivery; additionally, the routine post-delivery nursing was adopted. In the routine nursing group, the routine post-delivery nursing was applied simply. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pain relief time of uterine contraction were compared in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS Scores in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation in the acupoint catgut implantation group were lower apparently than those in the routine nursing group (3.31 +/- 0.39 vs 4.31 +/- 0.29, 1.86 +/- 0.29 vs 2.66 +/- 0.25, 0.89 +/- 0.21 vs 1.59 +/- 0.24, 0.35 +/- 0.10 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, all P < 0.05). The pain relief was achieved in (72.06 +/- 6.83) h in the acupoint catgut implantation group and was (123.42 +/- 11.12) h in the routine nursing group. The pain relief in the acupoint catgut implantation group was achieved more quickly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe intervention of acupoint catgut implantation in 6 h after natural delivery in primiparas prevents effectively postpartum pain of uterine contraction.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; therapy ; Pain ; prevention & control ; Postpartum Period ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Qi ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Background and purpose:Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of breast carcinoma by inhibiting the tumor growth and inducing the apoptosis.MAPK transduction pathway is closely related to proliferation and apoptosis of varieties of tumor cells,inhibition of MAPK pathway may increase the efficiency and decrease the toxicity of chemotherapy.Our study was to investigate the effect of MEK inhibitor PD98059 in response of breast cancer cell lines to Epirubicin.Methods:Human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR were used as cell models.Epirubicin(EADM),PD98059(inhibitor of MAPK Kinase-MEK),or EADM+PD98059 was added into the culture medium,the expression of MEK2 and p-ERK were measured by Western blot,the growth of the two cell lines were measured by MTT.Results:ERK activity was elevated in MCF-7 after the treatment of EADM,the cells were more sensitive to EADM if combined with PD98059,while in MCF-7/ADR,ERK activity kept unchanged after EADM treatment,and PD98059 has no effect on the sensitivity of cells to EADM.Conclusion:MAPK signal transduction may be activated in some cells treated by EADM,adding inhibitor of MAPK signal transduction could improve the sensitivity of the cells to EADM.

Objective:To evaluate the changes of left ventricular (LV) myocardial systolic strain and twist motion including global longitudinal strain(GLS), global circumferential strain(GCS), global radial strain(GRS), global area strain(GAS), LV basal segment rotation angle (Rotation-basal), LV apical segment rotation angle (Rotation-apical), LV twist angle (Twist), LV torsion(Torsion) by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI) in adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and further to analyze the correlations between LV twist and its morphology and global systolic function.Methods:A total of 45 patients with HCM from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2017 to June 2019 were enrolled. In addition, 50 healthy subjects were recruited as a control group. Left atrial dimension(LAD), interventricular septal end-diastole dimension(IVSD), LV posterior wall end-diastole dimension (LVPWD), LV mass index(LVMI) and other parameters were respectively measured by conventional two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. LV end-diastole volume(EDV), LV end-systole volume(ESV), calculated stroke volume(SV) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were respectively measured by 3D transthoracic echocardiography. Full-volume 3D dynamic images were performed using matrix transducer X5-1. LV Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion, GLS, GCS, GRS and GAS were respectively analyzed by off-line TomTec software. The differences of those parameters between the two groups were compared. The correlations between 3D-Torsion parameters and those parameters by two-dimensional echocardiography was further analyzed.Results:Compared with control group, LAD, IVSD, LVPWD and LVMI of HCM group were increased(all P<0.01), EDV, ESV, SV, LVEF and E/A were decreased(all P<0.01). Compared with control group, GLS, GCS and GRS of HCM group were decreased(all P<0.01). Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion were increased(all P<0.01), and there was no significant difference of GAS between the two groups( P>0.05). In HCM group, IVSD was not correlated with Rotation-basal ( P>0.05), but negatively correlated with Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion ( r=-0.327, -0.439, -0.374; all P<0.05); LVEF and LVMI were not correlated with Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion (all P>0.05). Conclusions:①3D-STI can detect the earlier subtle changes of left ventricular three-dimensional systolic strain in HCM patients; ②LV three-dimensional Twist inereases considerably in HCM patients; ③LV Twist, Torsion and Rotation-apical are significantly decreased with the increase of IVSD in HCM patients; However, LVEF and LVMI are not significantly correlated with Rotation-basal, Rotation-apical, Twist and Torsion.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether taking atorvastatin for long time has positive effects on age-related renal impairment.

METHODS20-month-age normal female Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 9). First group were fed atorvastatin 10 mg/(kg x d). Second group were fed atorvastatin 1 mg/(kg x d). Third group were fed the same volume normal saline served as control. All the rats were sacrificed after four months. 3-month-age normal female Wistar rats (n = 9) also served as normal control. Kidney weight, serum creatinine (Scr) and blood-lipoids were measured. Paraffin sections of renal tissues were stained with PAS and Sirius red. Sclerosis index of glomerulus was calculated.

RESULTSRenal mass diminution was found in all the groups of aging rats. Scr was decreased in the group of aging rats with atorvastatin 1 mg/(kg x d). The level of blood-lipoids of aging rats was higher than that of young rats. The level of serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were decreased in first group (both P < 0.05) and only LDL decreased in second group (P < 0.05). Morphological changes of aging kidney were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, widen of mesangial region, infiltration of inflammatory cells and sclerosis of arteriole. The treatment of atorvastatin improved the pathologic changes in the aging rats significantly, especially in the first group.

CONCLUSIONTaking atorvastatin for long time can notably improve the pathological changes of aging kidney. All these effects may be induced by lowing of blood-lipoids, relieving the sclerosis of renal arteriole and reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Arteriosclerosis ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; prevention & control ; Pyrroles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renal Artery ; pathology

Objective: To explore the determinants for health-seeking behavior of the residents after cough for more than 3 weeks in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, in order to provide reference for prevention and control of respiratory diseases. Methods: A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to recruit the community residents aged 5 years and above in Yiwu. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted to collect demographic information, features of cough and health-seeking behaviors in the past month. The multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the associated factors for health-seeking behavior after a cough for more than 3 weeks. Results: Among 6 374 residents investigated, 152 cases had a cough for more than 3 weeks in the past month, accounting for 2.48%. They were( 45.00±21.15 ) years old, including 70 ( 46.05% ) males and 82 ( 53.95% ) females. About 58.55% ( 89 ) of them sought medical treatment. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that females ( OR=2.100, 95%CI: 1.005-4.391 ), middle school education level ( OR=0.406, 95%CI: 0.168-0.983 ), family annual income of 100 000 to 199 999 yuan ( OR=2.993, 95%CI: 1.215-7.373 ) were associated factors for health-seeking behavior after a cough for more than 3 weeks. Conclusion The rate of health-seeking behavior after a cough for more than 3 weeks among the residents in Yiwu is 58.55%, which is associated with gender, education level and income.

BACKGROUND: The poor retention and survival of donor cells implanted into the myocardium limit the efficacy of cell therapy for myocardial infarction. Embedding cells in natural or synthetic biomaterials is a strategy to address this issue. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) encapsulated in hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel on cardiac function after myocardial infarction. METHODS:BMSCs from male Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and cultured,and then HA-encapsulated BMSCs were cultured in vitro in the three-dimensional manner. A model of myocardial infarction was made by cutting the anterior descending artery of female Sprague-Dawley rats. After 1 week, the model rats were screened by ultrasonic testing and then eligible ones were randomly divided into four groups: PBS group (n=8), HA group (n=8), BMSCs group (n=29), and HA-encapsulated BMSCs group (n=29). At 1 week after modeling, the model rats underwent the secondary thoracotomy and the implants were injected into the marginal zone and infarcted region in corresponding groups. The survival rate and apoptosis of implanted cells were examined at post-injection day 1, week 1 and week 2 by RT-PCR and TUNEL respectively. At post-injection week 4, changes of cardiac microstructure and function were evaluated by histological examination and echocardiography. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the BMSCs group, HA hydrogel significantly enhanced the survival rate and reduced the apoptotic rate of BMSCs at post-injection day 1 and week 2 (both P < 0.05). At post-injection week 4, the HA+BMSCs combined treatment yielded the best recovery of cardiac function (P < 0.05). To conclude, HA hydrogel can act as a vehicle for BMSCs delivery and improve the beneficial effects of implanted BMSCs in early myocardial repair(within 2 weeks after infarction)via enhancing cell retention and survival.

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP)/silicone composite automatic expanded material as implants.

METHODSThe PVPP hydrogel was mixed with silicone through the location at the high temperature. Implants with different ratio of PVPP to silicone were placed under the back and nose skin in 24 New Zealand rabbits. The surrounding tissue reaction, material and skin expansion were observed and compared with those with pure silicone implants.

RESULTSThe study lasted for 200 days. Compared with pure silicone implants, the composite material could expand automatically and stop expanding at about 2 weeks after implantation. Histological study showed similar inflectional and foreign body reaction around the composite material and the pure silicone.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with pure silicone, the PVPP/silicone composite implant has the advantage of automatic expansion, so as to expand the soft tissue.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Female ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Povidone ; analogs & derivatives ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Rabbits

Aim To investigate the protective effect of Aconitum coreanum polysaccharides ( ACP) on TGF-β induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition ( EndMT) and its underlying mechanism. Methods HUVECs EndMT model was reproduced by 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β cultured for 72 h in vitro. The effect of ACP(50, 100, 200 mg·L-1) at various concentrations on TGF-β in-duced EndMT of HUVECs was explored. CCK8 assay was employed to detect the cell viability of HUVECs stimulated by ACP. Scratch test was used to analyze the migration ability of cells. The expressions of CD31, α-SMA, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3 were deter-mined by Western blot. Results CCK-8 assay showed that various concentrations of ACP could promote HU-VECs viability obviously by 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β cul- tured for 36 h. Scratch test showed that TGF-β en-hanced transfer ability of HUVECs significantly, while this case was apparently reversed under the costimula-tion of TGF-β and ACP. Western blot showed that CD31 expression decreased significantly, and the ex-pressions of α-SMA, p-Smad2, p-Smad3 increased significantly, and this phenomenon could be regressed with ACP. Conclusion ACP can inhibit EndMT in HUVECs induced by TGF-β clearly, and the mecha-nism is related to down-regulation of p-Smad2, p-Smad3.

OBJECTIVETo identify whether SH3GL1 gene serves as a disease associated gene of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

METHODSPositioning candidate cloning: "case-sibling or case-family control design" research scheme based on family constellation was designed. Fifty-six AIS patients (15 male and 41 female, mean age 15 years old, ranged from 8 to 22 years old, Cobb angle from 25 degrees to 110 degrees , average Cobb angle of 67.5 degrees ) from November 2007 to December 2008 were recruited. In all patients, blood preparation was collected, and genome DNA was extracted. According to nucleotide sequence of gene SH3GL1, primer pair for PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing with 10 exons as emphasis was designed. Sequence comparative analysis for exon sequencing result between sib pairs or family pairs, and that between sib pair or family pairs and NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) were conducted through Vector NTI Advance 10.3 software to judge whether basic group mutation occurred or not. Amino acid sequence comparative analysis for prediction was made.

RESULTSTen exons of the candidate gene SH3GL1 were successfully amplified and cloned in genome DNA of an AIS sib pair and family pairs, and the sequencing obtained positive results. Twelve basic group mutations were found in 10 exons of the candidate gene SH3GL1 of patients with AIS. These mutations were located in the second exon (3 mutations), the fourth exon (1 mutations), the fifth exon (4 mutations), the sixth exon (1 mutations), the eighth exon (1 mutations), and the tenth exon (2 mutations, noncoding region). If basic group in 515 of mRNA was mutated to T, termination codon(TAG) came into being and open reading frame was altered. The sequence of protein showed brachytmema protein was encoded, which could cause changes of primary structure.

CONCLUSIONSH3GL1 is possibly one of the disease associated genes of AIS.

Adolescent ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Scoliosis ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Young Adult