Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on spatial learning and memory ability, long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptophysin (Syp) levels in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated control group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group. A rat model of vascular dementia (VD) was established by repeated ischemia and reperfusion after pretreatment with sodium nitroprusside. EA was applied to the rat homologues of the human "Baihui" (GV20) and "Dazhui" (DU14) acupoints of the rats in the EA group for 20 min, once daily for 10 d.Morris water maze tests were conducted for evaluating the rats,learning and memory ability. LTP in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was recorded as an electrophysiological index for evaluating learning and memory. Antigenic Syp produced in hippocampal tissue was examined with immunohistochemical assays. Results In comparison the with model group, escape latency (EL) shortened and target-platform crossing times increased significantly in the EA and medication groups. After high frequency stimulation the population spike (PS) latency shortened in the EA group compared with the model group, and the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) slope and PS amplitude increased.All of these differences were statistically significant. Syp positive cells also increased significantly in the EA-treated rats. Conclusions EA can increase Syp expression and improve the learning and memory ability of rats with this model of VD. EA could facilitate the induction and maintenance of LTP in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus through influencing synaptic transmission.

Objective To evaluate the correlation of the ion selectivity electrode assay and arsenazo Ⅲ assay for serum calcium determination and compare the differences between two methods.Methods 142 serum samples were collected from patients and detected by ion selectivity electrode assay and arsenazo Ⅲ assay,the differences of two methods were compared,person correlation and Bland -Altman was used to discuss the correlation.Results The serum calcium concentration detected by ion selectivity electrode assay was (2.23 ±0.10)mmol/L and detected by arsenazo Ⅲ assay was (2.24 ±0.12)mmol/L,the difference between the two methods was not statistically significant (t =-1.09,P >0.05).The person correlation analysis demonstrated that the two methods had a positive correlation (r =0.393,P <0.01).The Bland -Altman consistency analysis showed that ion selectivity electrode assay was agreed with arsenazo Ⅲ assay.Conclusion The two methods for serum calcium concentration determination,the ion selectivity electrode assay was coincidence with the arsenazo Ⅲ assay.

Aim To observe the effect of Guishao-tongluo ( GSTL ) on the angiogenesis of vasa vasorum and oxidative stress in the early stage of atherosclero-sis. Methods The rabbits ( n =84 ) were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=12):control group,high-fat group, adventitial injury group, GSTL high(GH)and medium ( GM ) dose group, atorvastain group ( ATO ) , and Tongxinluo group ( TXL ) . The normal group was fed with common foodstuffs, and high-fat foodstuffs for the high-fat group to establish an early model of hyper-lipidemia, and all the other groups were fed with high-fat diet combined with carotid artery cannula to build early atherosclerosis carotid artery injury rabbit mod-els. The GSTL high and medium dose was given Guishaotongluo ultrafine powder 4. 16,2. 08 g·kg-1 · d-1 respectively. The atorvastain group and Tongxinluo group were given suspension of atorvastain solution 2. 5 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 , Tongxinluo supermicro powder 0. 6 g ·kg-1 ·d-1 . All groups were treated with gastric per-fusion for 4 weeks. Biochemical method was applied to detect blood lipid change. HE staining was used to ob-serve the pathological morphology of intima-media. Aactivity of serum superoxide dismutase( SOD) ,malon-dialdehyde ( MDA ) content and the total antioxidant capacity ( T-AOC ) in artery serum were detected. NADPH subunits p22phox mRNA, gp91phox mRNA in carotid arteries were located and semi-quantitated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of VEGF, VEGFR-2 in the carotid artery adventitia was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with normal group,the contents of TC,TG and LDL-C were significantly increased, and VEGF, VEGFR-2 protein levels were remarkly increased in high-fat and adventi-tial injury group. The carotid artery injuries,the degree of angiogenesis of vasa vasorum and NADPH subunits p22phox, gp91phox mRNA in adventitia tissue of the GH,GM, ATO and TXL group were milder in varying degrees compared with those of the vasa injury group. Also the activity of SOD,T-AOC increased,while MDA content,VEGF,VEGFR-2 protein levels were remarkly decreased ( P < 0. 5 or P < 0. 01 ) . Conclusions GSTL can inbibit adventitial neovascularization in the early stage of atherosclerosis, and its mechanism might be related to the increase of total antioxidant capacity of the vascular system and adventitia tissue.

Objective To investigate environmental risk factors associated with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods A retrospective study was carried out from Feb 2005 to Apr 2006.A total of 108 cases with PCOS and 108 patients without PCOS(control group)were interviewed using a designed questionnaire.Results Univariate analysis of environmental factors indicated that risk factors related to PCOS were:occupation,education,disposable plastic cup for drinking,cooking oil fume and indoor decoration,all of which were significantly related to PCOS(P

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of endovascular repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair(OSR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm in high-risk patients. Methods The clinical data of 55 patients from 1998 to 2008 with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm who received surgical treatment were analyzed by using the customized probability index. The perioperative and short term advantages and disadvantages of OSR group (n=20) were compared with EVAR group (n=35). Results All patients in OSR group were followed up, 94% patients in EVAR group were followed up, the mean follow up time were 75 and 70 months respectively. (1) Compared to OSR group, the EVAR group had shorter operation time [(3.1±0.6) h vs (4.9±0.9) h, P<0.05], (2) EVAR group had shorter ICU and hospital stay after operation and less blood loss (P<0.01), (3) Compared to OSR group, the EVAR group had lower mortality within 30 d(2.86% vs 15%), (4)the EVAR group had lower peri-operative complications(17% vs 40%), (5) The main complications of EVAR were endoleak (8.57%), (6) The main complications of OSR was cadiovascular incidence(25%). Conclusions Endovascular treatment, indicated for AAA in high-risk patients, can cut down the perioperative incidence of cadiovascular events, mortality and complications. CPI is useful to estimate the perioperative incidence of cadiovascular events, mortality and complications, and can be used to guide the therapeutic method.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.

RESULTSAfter 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.

CONCLUSIONICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; therapy ; Oocytes ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

Objective To evaluate the risk of plague occurrence via surveying and analyzing indoor rat density and flea index in natural villages having previous plague experience. Methods During August to September 2007, 30 natural villages experiencing previous plague were selected based on the surveillance data, and then all households were coded with numbers and 20 households in each village were randomly selected via computer. Cages and sticky papers were set in 600 selected households to capture rats and fleas. Rat density, flea prevalence, flea index and median were estimated. Results One hundred thirty-three Rattus flavipectus and 33 Suncus murinus were caught and averaged rat density was 2.8 rats per one hundred cage. nights (166/6000), the median was 5 rats each village. One hundred and one mice infected fleas, flea prevalence on rats was 60.8% (101/166), 296 Xenopsylla cheopis and 48 Leptopsylla segnis were collected. Rat flea index was 2.1 fleas per rat (344/166). A total of 315 dissociated flea was caught, average dissociated flea index was 0.026 fleas per sticky paper (315/11888). The median was 5.5 dissociated fleas per village. Of dissociated fleas, Ctenocephalides felis felis (205) and Xenopsylla cheopis (103) accounted for 97.8% (308/315). The proportion for species of the rat flea and the dissociated flea was different(Fisher test: P < 0.01). The rat flea was significantly associated with the rat density(r = 0.68, P < 0.01), but the dissociated flea was significantly associated with neither the rat density(r = -yield than fried wheat batter(χ2 = 5.59, P < 0.05). Conclusions In these villages having previous plague experience of Lianghe County, Rattusflavipectus was dominant species of indoor rats, Xenopsylla cheopis and Ctenocephalides felis felis were dominant species of rat flea and dissociated flea, respectively. Mengsong, Bangdu, and Tangjiatun village had potential risk of plague emergence.

Objective To investigate the application value of identification of the scalp surface locations of cerebral ischemia lesions before direct revascularization for moyamoya disease and to design surgical approaches according to this by using the fusion of single photon emission computed tomography ( SPECT) cerebral perfusion imaging with CT imaging. Methods The clinical data of 13 adult patients with ischemic-type moyamoya disease underwent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery were analyzed retrospectively. SPECT cerebral perfusion imaging was fused with CT imaging of the same machine before procedure. The lesions of ischemia were located on the cortical surface. The surgical approaches were designed at the center of the ischemic lesions. The patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months after procedure. The improvement of clinical symptoms and cerebral perfusion of the patients were observed after operation. Results One patient had perioperative cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome,and the others did not have any perioperative complications. At one-month follow-up, the improvement of symptoms in 4 patients were excellent,in 5 were good,in 4 were fair,and none was poor. At 6 to 12 month follow-up,the improvement of symptoms in 9 patients were excellent,in 4 were good,and none was poor. The postoperative visual SPECT cerebral perfusion imaging analysis suggested that the cerebral perfusion was improved significantly as compared with before procedure in all patients. Quantitative analysis:There was significant difference in target ischemic lesions between preoperative Fb and postoperative Fb ([2. 13±1. 06]% vs. [4. 13±2. 09]%;P<0. 05). There was significant difference between preoperative Fb and Fe ([2. 46±1. 97]% vs. [2. 13±1. 06]%;P<0. 05). The postoperative BFCR was [67. 57±3. 78]%( >50%) , which indicated that the efficacy of the procedure was remarkable. The superficial temporal arteries fed to brain of the patients were observed after procedure by using the head CT angiography. The postoperative head MRI reexamination showed no new infarcts occurred at 6 months. Conclusion Combine SPECT cerebral perfusion imaging with CT imaging to design surgical approach for superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery may improve the efficacy and reduce the risks of operation.

Objective To evaluate endovascular management for isolated iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA). Methods From May 1997 to Jan 2006, 15 IIAA cases underwent endovascular treatment, including 12 true aneurysms and 3 psudoaneurysms. There were 9 common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAA), 3 internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAA) , and 3 external iliac artery aneurysms (EIAA). The average diameter was (5. 97?1. 49) cm (3. 5-9. 0 cm). IIAA was treated with metallic coils and CIAA/EIAA by stent-grafts. Results Unilateral internal iliac artery was preserved in 14 cases, and bilateral internal arteries were preserved in one case. Postoperative endoleak was found in 2 cases. There was no other major complications nor mortality. One case suffered buttock claudication because of internal iliac artery exclusion. The operation time was 1. 9?1. 1 h, blood loss was 126. 7?70. 1 ml. Patients were up and about after 2. 1?1. 1 d, hospital stay was 5.5?4.7 d. Conclusions Endovascular treatment is safe and effective for isolated iliac artery aneurysm. Internal iliac artery preservation and prevention of endoleak is of great importance.

Objective: To observe the effect of Tongxinluo (TXL) on homocysteine-induced rat’s cardiac micro vascular endothelial cell (RCMECs) injury and to study the oxidative stress mechanism. Methods: Primary RCMECs were cultured with tissue explants process, cell morphology was observed by inverted microscope and the cell was identiifed by CD31 immunolfuorescence method. RCMEC injury model was established by Homocysteine (Hcy) induction and the cells were divided into 5 groups: Control group, with normal cells, Hcy group, the cells were treated by Hcy at 10 mmol/L, Low-dose TXL group, Hcy treated cells were cultured with TXL at 100 mg/L, Middle-dose TXL (200 mg/L) group and high-dose TXL (400 mg/L) group. Cell survival rates were detected, supernatant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined, intracellular protein expressions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were detected and mRNA expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) was measured in different groups respectively. Results: Compared with Control group, Hcy group showed decreased cell survival rate (74.61 ± 2.88)% vs (100.00 ± 2.07)%, increased supernatant level of MDA (4.10 ± 0.18) nmol/ml vs (1.92 ± 0.10) nmol/ml, reduced SOD activity (7.55 ± 0.71) U/ml vs (20.77 ± 0.68) U/ml, elevated ROS level(38.17 ± 10.28) % vs (19.83 ± 2.97) %, up-regulated mRNA expression of ET-1 and down-regulated protein expression of eNOS. Compared with Hcy group, the above indexes were improved in each TXL group at different levels. Conclusion: TXL could decrease Hcy induced RCMECs injury, such protection was conducted by reducing the oxidative stress mechanism in cells.