Objective To observe the changes of esophageal motility in patients with achalasia (AC) before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM ) and to evaluate the effects of POEM on esophageal motility in AC .Methods A total of 35 patients with AC received POEM .The esophageal motility in response to different food swallows (5 mL liquid and 2 cm × 2 cm × 2 cm solid food) was evaluated by high-resolution manometry (HRM) system before operation and one month after operation .The changes of parameters of esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were analyzed and compared before and after operation .The t-test ,non-parametric test or single factor analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis .Results Before POEM operation ,lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) of 35 patients in response to liquid swallows and solid swallows was (28 .94 ± 18 .70) mmHg (1 mmHg=0 .133 kPa) and (26 .41 ± 11 .57) mmHg ,respectively ;after operation it was (16 .02 ± 5 .46) mmHg and (15 .82 ± 5 .04) mmHg ,respectively ;and the differences were statistically significant (t= 4 .338 and 4 .726 ,both P<0 .01) .Before operation ,4 s integrated relax pressure (4 s IRP) during liquid swallows and solid swallows was (27 .18 ± 14 .63) mmHg and (28 .46 ± 11 .15) mmHg ,respectively ;after operation it was (12 .22 ± 6 .75) mmHg and (14 .54 ± 7 .83) mmHg ,respectively ;and the differences were statistically significant (t= 5 .902 and 5 .436 ,both P< 0 .01) .And after operation intra boluspressure (IBP) of liquid swallows and solid swallows also decreased compared to that before operation (t=5 .075 and 2 .944 ,both P< 0 .01) .Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation rate (LESRR) during liquid swallows and solid swallows increased compared to that before operation (t= -2 .990 , P< 0 .01 ;t=-0 .340 ,P>0 .05) .There was no difference in the distal contractile integral (DCI) and distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude in subtype Ⅰ and Ⅲ patients before and after operation (all P>0 .05 ) .All those parameters decreased in subtype Ⅱ patients (Z= -2 .704 and -2 .489 ,P< 0 .05 ;Z= -1 .929 and-0 .747 , P> 0 .05 ) . Proximal esophageal peristalsis was observed in two patients after operation , however there was no integrated esophageal body peristalsis .Clinical symptoms quickly relieved in all patients after POEM operation and clinical score significantly decreased compared to that before operation (0 .86 ± 1 .19 vs 8 .16 ± 1 .84 ,t=20 .605 , P<0 .05) .Conclusions POEM can effectively relieve LES relaxation disorder in AC patients and improve esophageal body peristalsis to a certain degree .The efficacy is regardless of AC types ,and further studies are need to shed light on the long-term efficacy .The long-term efficacy still need further follow-up study .

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible target and molecular mechanism of Radix Paeoniae 801 (RP801), an effective ingredient extracted from Radix Paeoniae, the Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, using experimental in vitro method by directly detecting the interaction between RP801 and endothelin-1 (ET-1).

METHODSPiezoelectric quartz crystal biosensor, namely, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was used to detect the specific combining between RP801 and ET-1 by binding avidin to the pre-activated Au surface of electrode of QCM, followed by immobilizing biotinylated ET-1 to it, and adding RP801, then the binding curve was recorded. PBS washing was applied at the end of every steps of combining reaction for dissociate the non-specific absorption.

RESULTSSpecific combining of RP801 and ET-1 was found.

CONCLUSIONET-1 could possibly be one of the acting targets of RP801 in the body, that is, RP801 could combine with ET-1 to impede the binding of ET-1 with its receptor, so as to counteract the action of ET-1, dilate blood vessels and inhibit platelet aggregation.

Biosensing Techniques ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electrochemistry ; Endothelin-1 ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Humans ; Models, Chemical ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Propyl Gallate ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Protein Binding ; Quartz

BACKGROUND:Mongolian Pharmaceutical Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil has achieved good clinical efficacy, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Mongolian Pharmaceutical Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis negative feedback function in the chronic depressed rats, and to explore anti-depression mechanisms of Mongolian Pharmaceutical Betel Shisanwei ingredients pil. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into ten groups according to the sugar consumption test (with eight rats in each group): normal control group, model group, fluoxetine group, high-, medium- and low-dose Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil groups, RU486 group, high-, medium- and low-dose Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil plus RU486 groups. Except normal control group, the other groups were treated with the chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation combined with lonely rising, to establish depression models. In the meantime, rats of the high-, medium- and low-dose Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil groups were given oral gavage of Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g/kg) for 28 days; rats of the normal control group and model group were intragstricaly administered with sodium carboxymethyl celulose; rats of RU486 group were given abdominal subcutaneous injection of RU486 from day 21 after modeling; rats of the high-, medium- and low-dose Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil plus RU486 groups were intragstricaly administered with Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g/kg) and subcutaneous injection of RU486 from day 21. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with normal control group, cortisone content increased significantly (P < 0.05), the expression of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland decreased significantly, and hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA expression increased significantly in the model group and RU486 group. Compared with model group, cortisone content decreased, the expression of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland increased significantly, and hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA expression decreased significantly in rats treated with Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil. Compared with RU486 group, Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil administration led to changed in cortisone content, glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland, as wel as hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA expression. Experimental findings indicate that, Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil can directly regulate excessive secretion of glucocorticoid, and improve the dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis central negative feedback through increasing glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression and decreasing corticotropin releasing hormone mRNA expression. After the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis negative feedback pathway is blocked, the effect of Betel Shisanwei Ingredients Pil is weakened.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill on AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathways in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of depressive rats.

METHODSixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups according to the sugar consumption test (10 rats in each group), normal control group,model group,fluoxetine group (3.3 mg x kg(-1)) and low dose, medium dose and high dose group (0.25, 0.5, 1 g x kg(-1)) of Betel shisanwei ingredients pill. Except the normal control,the other groups were treated with the chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation combined with lonely raising for 28 days. 10 mL x kg(-1) of drugs were given to each rat once daily,continuously for 28 days. The AC activity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were determined by radiation immunity analysis (RIA), while cAMP and PKA quantity were determinated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA).

RESULTThe AC activity, cAMP and PKA quantity of hippocampus and prefrontal of mouse model of Chronic stress depression decreased significantly than those of control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, the AC activity, cAMP and PKA quantity of rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in the fluoxetine group and the Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill group indecreased significantly than those of model group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Especially for the high dose group of Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill.

CONCLUSIONThe AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathways in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of depression model of rats is down-regulated, whereas Mongolian pharmaceutical Betel shisanwei ingredients pill could up-regulated it to resist depression.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Depression ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Prefrontal Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Peste des petits ruminants virus is a member of Morbillivirus Paramyxoviridae. The complete genome of a Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) isolate, China/Tib/07 was sequenced and molecular characteristics was analyzed. The internal sequences of the virus genome were amplified by RT-PCR with primers designed according to the published data in GenBank, while the sequences of the 3' and 5' ends of the genome were determined by RACE. Amplification products were directly sequenced,assembled and analyzed with DNAStar4.0. Results showed that China/Tib/07 genome consisted of 15 948 nucleotides in length, encoding six structural proteins and two non-structural proteins just like other known PPRV genomes. Phylogenetically, the virus genome shared homology of 91.6%-98.1% with Southwest Asian isolates among PPRV strains and the highest homology of 64.3% with rinderpest virus among morbillivirus members.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; China ; Genome, Viral ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peste-des-Petits-Ruminants ; veterinary ; virology ; Peste-des-petits-ruminants virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases ; virology ; Vero Cells ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of compound shenhua tablet (CST) on the residual kidney expressed macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) in rats.

METHODSCST was used to treat 5/6 nephrectomized rats for 12 weeks and the conditions of blood pressure, urinary protein, blood biochemical indices (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), kidney pathologic change and MIF expression were observed.

RESULTSCST could significantly lower the serum levels of creatinine (P < 0.05), and 24 hrs urinary protein (P < 0.01), reduce the MIF expression and macrophage infiltration in renal glomerulus and tubular mesenchym, and lower the degree of renal glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition on the highly expressed MIF may be an important mechanism of the drug in restraining chronic inflammation in residual kidney, delaying the sclerosis and fibrosis progression and protecting renal function.

Albuminuria ; blood ; Animals ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; metabolism ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tablets

OBJECTIVEClinical manifestations of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) in children were summarized and analyzed and the clinical features and therapeutic approaches to OMS were investigated in order to improve its diagnosis and management.

METHODSClinical information on features and management of 6 cases with OMS inpatients being followed up from 2006 to 2007 were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 6 cases, one was male and the other five were female. The age at the onset ranged from 12 to 26 months (average 21.0 months). Four of them had history of prior infection. The symptoms were opsoclonus, myoclonus, ataxia, sleep disturbances and behavioural problems in the 6 cases. Urinary DL-3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-acid amygdalin (VMA) was positive in 1 case. Abdominal B-mode ultrasound showed a mild hepatomegaly in 4 cases. The EEG showed abnormal findings such as slow background activity in 3 cases. Epileptiform discharges were found in none of the patients. MRI showed a high signal in medial longitudinal fasciculus and tectospinal tract on T2-weighted image in 1 case. Computerized tomography found L3-4 arachnoid cysts in 1 case and was normal in the others. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was given to all these patients and was effective in all during acute stage. In 2 cases the disease relapsed during follow-up stage.

CONCLUSIONOMS is a rare neurological condition with opsoclonus, myoclonus, ataxia, sleep disturbances and behavioral problems, which might relapse easily and is associated with adverse neurological outcome. ACTH therapy is effective in management of OMS.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the microbleeding incidence of healthy eldery population and patients with stroke.Methods 30 cases of healthy eldery population,32 cases of cerebral hemorrhage,46 cases of patients with ischemic cerebral vascular diseases were performed of MRI and GRE-T_2 ~* WI examination.Results The microbleeding incidences was 37.5% in cerebral hemorrhage group,28.1% in multiple cerebral infarction group,25.0% in Binswanger's disease group.The most frequently seen microbleeding foci located in ganglia areas,then in thalamus areas,subcortical areas and brain stem,last in cerebellar.Conclusion GRE-T_2 ~* WI,helpful for finding microbleeding and indicating lesion degree of microblooding vessels,plays an important role in the diagnosis of stroke and decision making of treatment.

AIMTo investigate the effects of NPPB, a chloride channel blocker, on proliferation of mesangial cells.

METHODSCell proliferation was determined by measuring cell number and 3H-thymidine incorporation. The LDH activity released from these cells was measured as evaluation of cell viability. The phase of cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCell proliferation assays showed that treatment with both NPPB (50 and 25 micromol x L(-1)) and in hypertonic media (100% increased osmolarity with D-mannitol ) significantly reduced the number of human MC and 3H-thymidine incorporation in a dose-dependent manner. But the LDH activity was not significantly altered in the treatment with 50 micromol x L(-1) NPPB. Flow cytometry experiments showed that 50 and 25 micromol x L(-1) NPPB arrested (84.2 +/- 2.4) % and (80.8 +/- 2.9) % of cells at G0/G1 stage, versus (70.5 +/- 1.4) % of control cells. Conclusion NPPB suppresses cell proliferation and produces growth arrest at G0/G1 phase in human MC by a mechanism probably associated with changes in cell volume.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nitrobenzoates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Objective To discuss the personality characteristics and blood lipid levels in patients with infertility and depression,and further analyze the relationship between the degree of depression and the two aspects.Methods We selected 190 infertility patients and they were tested with Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS) in Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to North China University of Science and Technology from December,2015 to December,2016.All the patients were allocated into depression group (with depression symptom) and non-depression group (without depression symptom).Blood lipid levels,including triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ) was applied to evaluate the personality traits in both groups.Results The patients in the depression group were mainly mild-to-moderate depression accouting for 64.4％,and patients with moderate to severe depression accouted for approximately 30.0％.The levels of TG and TC of patients in the depression group were significantly higher than those in the non-depression group(P＜0.01).The scores of neuroticism(N),validity scale(L) and psychoticism(P) of patients in the depression group were significantly higher than those in the non-depression group,while there was no significant difference in exextraversion (E) between the two groups.TG,E dimension,P dimension and L dimension were effective predictors of depression in infertile patients,and the Beta coefficient were 0.199,-0.240,0.424 and 0.220.Pearson partial correlation analysis showed that TG was positively correlated with P,N and L dimensions.Conclusion Infertility patients with depression may have dyslipidemia and personality changes.The degree of depression is positively correlated to the level of TG and the score of P and N.