OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on the expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNG-FR, TrkA, GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H in Schwann cells, and investigate the possible mechanism of Draconis Sanguis to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group (orally administered with Draconis Sanguis-containing balm solution) and the blank group (equivoluminal balm) to prepare Draconis Sanguis-containing serum and blank control serum. Schwann cells were extracted from double sciatic nerves of three-day-old SD rats, divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group and the blank control group, and respectively cultured with 10% Draconis Sanguis-containing serum or blank control serum. The mRNA expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and other genes in Schwann cells were measured by RT-PCR analysis 48 hours later.

RESULTMost of the Schwann cells were bipolar spindle and arranged shoulder to shoulder or end to end under the microscope and identified to be positive with the immunocytochemical method. To compare with the blank group, mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 significantly increased (P < 0.01). Whereas that of BDNF decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and so did that of TrkA, CNTF (P < 0.01), with no remarkable difference in NF-H-mRNA.

CONCLUSIONTraditional Chinese medicine Draconis Sanguis may show effect in nerve regeneration by up-regulating mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 and down-regulating mRNA expressions of TrkA, BDNF and CNTF.

Animals ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Neurofilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serum ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at point Shanzhong(CV17) plus cupping on Back-Shu points in treating migraine. Methods Seventy migraine patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 35 cases each. The control group received conventional acupuncture and the treatment group, acupuncture at point Shanzhong(CV17) plus cupping on Back-Shu points in addition. The VAS score was counted in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 88.6%and 100.0%, respectively, in the treatment group and 62.9%and 94.3%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure and marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the VAS score in the two groups (P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the VAS score between the treatment and control groups (P>0.01). The clinical symptom improvement rate was (78.3±10.6)%in the treatment group and (49.8±11.2)%in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.01). Conclusion Acupuncture at point Shanzhong plus cupping on Back-Shu(CV17) points is an effective way to treat migraine.

No abstract available.
Atrophy* ; Brain*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor*

No abstract available.
Adenosarcoma* ; Endometrium* ; Female

No abstract available.
Adenosarcoma* ; Endometrium* ; Female

No abstract available.
Chondrogenesis* ; Ear*

Objective To investigate the effect of cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) on the content of 4-hydroxy-2-noneral (HNE) and infarct volume after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in mice.Methods A total of 96 healthy male mice were randomly divided into four groups:ischemia/reperfusion (n =27),CART (n =27),normal saline control (n =27) and sham operation (n =15) groups.A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was induced.Two hours after MCAO,CART 55-102 and equivalent normal saline were injected respectively via the tail veins of mice in the CART group and the normal saline control group,and then they were injected every other 24 hour.The neurological scores,infarct volume and the HNE content of lipid metabolism of oxidative stress were performed and detected respectively at 12,24,48 and 72hours after reperfusion.Results CART could significantly improve the neurological deficit scores (all P ＜0.05) and reduce infarct volume (all P＜0.05) at different time points after ischemia/reperfusion.The content of HNE was upregulated (all P＜0.05) at different points after referfusion.CART could significantly down-regulate the increased HNE levd in brain after ischemia (all P＜0.05).Conclusions CART may protect ischemic brain injury in mice by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Objective To investigate the spectrum,diagnosis,time of therapy and management of the congeni-tal heart disease(CHD)in patients with Down′s syndrome(DS).Methods A retrospective report was undertaken of 96 cases in children with DS accompanied by CHD in Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Beijing Anzhen Hospital Af-filiated to Capital Medical University.Data were collected and analyzed about their clinical characteristics,and types of cardiovascular abnormalities,and the important laboratory examinations such as echocardiography and catheterization as well as the procedures of diagnosis and treatments were summarized.Then the interventions,complications and prognosis of different patients were estimated.Results (1)Single congenital heart disease was found in 33 cases (34.38%),a-mong which ventricular septal defect was the most common (14 cases,14.58%),followed by atrioventricular septal de-fect and atrial septal defect (equally,7 cases,7.29%).Multi -cardiovascular abnormalities were discovered in 63 ca-ses,and patent ductus arteriosus turned out to be the most common (42 cases,66.67%).(2)Cat-heterization was car-ried out in 18 cases of serious pulmonary arterial hypertension,and 8 cases were proved resistant pulmonary arterial hy-pertension without operation opportunity.The other 8 cases were estimated as high pulmonary arterial hypertension and medical therapy was suggested before reassessment to reduce surgical risks.(3)Operations were undertaken in 61 ca-ses,among which percutaneous interventional occlusion was performed in 7 cases and surgical interventions were per-formed in 54 patients,in which perioperation complications and death were found in 5 cases and 4 cases,respectively. Conclusions Operation interventions are practicable and most cases recovered well with systematic examinations and assessment in patients with DS and cardiovascular malformations.Early diagnosis and timely interventions are highly suggested.Also close attentions should be paid to follow -up and re -estimation after medical therapy.

Background and purpose:For patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma harboring an activating EGFR gene mutation, the current standard of care is EGFR-TKI alone. This study aimed to compare efficacy and safety of gefitinib plus chemotherapy with gefitinib or chemotherapy alone for treating advanced lung adenocarcinoma with an activatingEGFR gene mutation.Methods:This study included 61 patients with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an acti-vatingEGFR gene mutation (19 exons deletion and exon 21 L858R mutations) whose ECOG performance status was 0 or 1. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A (n=20) were given carboplatin/pemetrexed of a 4-week cycle, six cycles at most, plus gefitinib (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, d1; carboplatin AUC 5, d1; gefitinib 250 mg/d, d 5-21), and then re-ceived pemetrexed of a 4-week cycle plus gefitinib as maintenance therapy; Group B (n=20) were given carboplatin/peme-trexed of a 4-week cycle, six cycles at most (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, d1; carboplatin AUC 5, d1), then received pemetrexed as maintenance therapy; Group C (n=21) were given gefitinib (gefitinib 250 mg/d). Patients continued to receive therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or death. The primary end point was middle PFS and 12 months PFS rate. The secondary end points included objective response rate and adverse events.Results:Groups A and C both lost 1 case during follow-up. Median PFS for patients was 20.1 months (95%CI:18.0-22.2) in group A, 5.5 months (95%CI:3.9-7.2) in group B, and 9.8 months (95%CI:6.8-12.8) in group C. PFS rates of 12 months for groups A, B and C were 78.9%, 15.0% and 40.0%, respectively. The overall objective response rates for groups A, B and C were 84.2%, 35.0% and 65.0%, respectively. Serious adverse events were reported by 36.8% for group A, 30.0% for group B, and 5.0% for group C. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (3 cases in group A, 4 cases in group B), fatigue (2 cases in group A, 2 cases in group B) and liver function impairment (2 cases in group A, 1 case in group C).Conclusion:Among patients withEGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma, combination of chemotherapy with gefitinib as first-line treatment demonstrates an improvement in PFS. Long-term survival results will be further followed up.