Objective To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on postoperative cognitive func?tion in elderly patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Methods Fifty patients of both sexes, aged≥65 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ orⅢ, with the educational level≥ the level of primary school, scheduled for elective unilateral carotid endarterectomy, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table: control group ( group C) and electroacupuncture group ( group EA). In group EA, electroacupuncture (frequency 2∕100 Hz, intensity 5-12 mA) of Baihui (GV20), Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) was performed throughout surgery starting from 30 min before opera?tion, and then general anesthesia was performed. General anesthesia was performed directly in group C. Before operation ( T0 ) , at the end of operation ( T1 ) and at 24 h after operation ( T2 ) , blood samples were collected from the internal jugular vein for determination of plasma S?100βprotein, tumor necrosis factor?αand brain?derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) concentrations by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay. The cognitive function was assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment at T0,2 and at 3 and 7 days after opera?tion ( T3,4 ) . Results Compared with group C, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were significantly increased at T2?4 , the plasma S?100β protein and tumor necrosis factor?α concentrations were significantly decreased at T1,2 , and the plasma BDNF concentrations were significantly increased at T2 in group EA ( P<0?05) . Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve postoperative cognitive function in the elderly pa?tients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, which may be related to inhibition of inflammatory responses,
promotion of BDNF production and reduction of brain injury.

Aim To study the chemical constituents of Cypripedium tibeticum. Methods Compounds were isolated by repeated silica gel chromatography and purified on Sephadex LH-20 and structures were determined by spectral analysis. Results Cypritibetquinones A and B were isolated from the ethyl acetate residue and their structures were determined as 7-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1, 4-phenanthraquinone ( 1 ) and 7-hydroxy-2,10-dimethoxy-1,4-phenanthraquinone ( 2 ), respectively, by extensive spectral analyses. Conclusion Cypritibetquinones A and B are two new phenanthraquinones.

Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on inflammatory responses in brain tissues of the patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.Methods A total of 40 ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients,aged 65-80 yr,scheduled for elective unilateral carotid endarterectomy under general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:dexmedetomidine group (group Dex) and control group (group C).In group Dex,dexmedetomidine 0.03 μg · kg-1 · min-1 was infused over 10 min before induction of anesthesia,and after tracheal intubation dexmedetomidine was then infused at a rate of 0.3 μg · kg-1 · min-1 until 30 min before the end of operation.The equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.At 20 min before induction of anesthesia (T0),10 min after induction of anesthesia (T1),15 min after carotid artery clamping (T2),15 min after carotid artery unclamping (T3),and at 6 and 24 h after operation (T4,5),blood samples were drawn from the ispilateral jugular bulb for determination of serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) (by TBA) and S100B,tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (by ELISA).Results Compared with group C,the serum S100B concentrations were significantly decreased at T3-5,the serum TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were decreased at T2.5,and the serum MDA concentration was decreased at T3 in group Dex.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the brain damage through mitigating inflammatory responses in brain tissues of the patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Face ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium avium Complex ; isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection ; metabolism ; microbiology ; pathology ; Nasal Cavity ; microbiology ; Nose Diseases ; metabolism ; microbiology ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

China ; Coltivirus ; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne ; virology ; Humans

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

The technique of liquisolid compress is a new technique developed in 1990s, which was considered to be the most promising technique to improve the dissolution of water-insoluble drugs. In this article, tanshinone II(A) and the extracts of the ester-solubility fractions were chosen as the model drugs to evaluate the effects of the liquisolid technique for enhancement of dissolution properties of tanshinone II(A). Several liquisolid tablets (LS) formulations containing different dosage of drugs and various liquid vehicle were pre-pared and for all the formulations, microcrystalline cellulose and silica were chosen as the carrier and coating materials to evaluate their flow properties, such as angle of repose, Carr's compressibility index and Hausner's ratio. The interaction between drug and excipients in prepared LS compacts were studied by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The dissolution curves of tanshinone II(A) from liquisolid compacts were investigated to determine the technique's effect in improving the dissolution of tanshinone II(A) and its impacting factors. According to the results, the dissolution increased with the rise in the dissolution of the liquid-phase solvent. The R-value and drug dosage can significantly affect the drug release, but with less impact on active fractions. This indicated that liquisolid technique is a promising alternative for improvement of dissolution property of water-soluble drugs, and can make a synergistic effect with other ester-soluble constituents and bettern improve the release of tanshinone II(A). Therefore, the technique of liquisolid compress will have a better development prospect in traditional Chinese medicines.
Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; chemistry ; Solubility ; X-Ray Diffraction

Tutor system has been widely applied in the cultivation of talents, such as undergraduates, graduate students and young scientist.Scientific research tutor system promotes the interaction between tutors and students, and improves the level of personnel training.In view of the problems of cultivation of the young scientists in hospital, we established a model of cultivation of young scientists by setting mentors.After a preliminary practice, more significant results have been achieved.

Objective The aim of the study is to explore the sexual life situation of adult males with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Methods Data of experience about sexual life of 12 male CAPD patients was collected using in-depth interview and were analyzed with category approach.Results Five themes were sublimated:declined sexual desire,decreased self-confidence to get and to maintain an erection,restraint of sexual life,changes in sexual and marriage satisfaction,and urgent desire for sexual knowledge.Conclusions There are varying degrees of sexual dysfunction in adult male CAPD patients.Nurses should pay attention to and supply the education of sexual knowledge.

BACKGROUND: During recent years, mononucleotide polymorphism of some genes is possibly related to affectability of osteoarthritis (OA). However, previous researches mainly compare the gene expression of synoviocytes between OA and rheumatoid arthritis (RhA); therefore, the correlation of gene expression between synovioblast and fibroblast in other tissues should be further studied as compared with OA.OBJ ECTIVE: To observe the differences of gene expression between OA synovioblast and skin fibroblast.DESIGN: Observational contrast analysis.SETTING: People's Hospital of Shenzhen City.PARTICIPANTS: Synovium tissue was derived from OA patients who received replacement of knee joint in the Department of Orthopaedics, People's Hospital of Shenzhen City. All OA patients met the diagnostic criteria of osteoarthritis established by American College of Rheumatology in 1995. Three patients including 1 male and 2 females aged more than 65 years old and they did not have cardiac and pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus. Three male normal volunteers who aged 25 to 35 years did not have rheumatic disease, osteoarthritis and dermatosis. All subjects provided a confirmed consent. The main reagents were detailed as follows: RPMI1640 culture medium, fetal bovine serum and TRIZOL agent (Invitrogen Life Technologies Company, USA); pGEM-T pUC (Progema Company, USA);Display PROFILE-BASIC and Display PROFILE Probe kits (Qbiogen Company, USA).METHODS: The experiment was carried out in People's Hospital of Shenzhen City from January to June 2005. Synovium of OA patients were treated with primary culture to obtain synovioblast; meanwhile, skin fibroblast treated with primary culture from normal subjects was regarded as the control group. Restricted enzyme section differential display was used to separate the different-expressed genes of synovioblast and skin fibroblast in OA patients. In addition, blast technique was used to compare the resulted ranks with Genbank ranks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences of gene expression between synovioblast and skin fibroblast in OA patients.RESULTS: Gene expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), TFPI2, CXCL2, CXCL6 and transforming growth factor (TGF) were high in synovioblast of OA patients as compared with those in skin fibroblast of normal subjects.CONCLUSION: Gene expressions of SOD, TFPI2, CXCL2, CXCL6 and TGF are high in synovioblast of OA patients as compared with those in skin fibroblast of normal subjects. This suggests that gene may play a certain role in onset of OA.