Objective To explore the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on ?-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABA_BR) subunits during recurrent febrile seizures (FS).Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (37.0 ℃ water,n=8), FS group (45.2 ℃ water,n=8), FS + SNP group (45.2 ℃ water,n=8), FS+L-NMMA group (45.2 ℃ water,n=8). FS rats were induced 10 times in a warm-water bath, once every 2 days. The plasma level of NO was detected by the spectrophotometer. The expressions of GABA_BR subunit mRNA and c-fos gene were examined by in situ hybridization. The expressions of GABA_BR subunit and Fos protein were observed by immunohistochemistry. Results The plasma level of NO increased in FS + SNP group while decreased in FS+L-NMMA group compared with that in FS group. The expressions of GABA_BR_2 were down-regulated in FS+SNP group, while GABA_BR_1 hardly changed compared with those in FS group. In FS+L-NMMA group, both the expression of GABA_BR_2 and GABA_BR_1 up regulated compared with those in FS group. The expressions of c-fos gene and Fos protein were significantly enhanced after recurrent FS. SNP elevated the expressions of c-fos gene and Fos protein, while L-NMMA down regulated the expressions of them.Conclusion NO may play a regulatory role through modulating GABA_BR function in the pathogenesis of recurrent FS.

Objective To explore the influence of ?-aminobutyric acid B receptor(GABA_BR)on carbon monoxide (CO)/heme oxygenase(HO-1)system during recurrent febrile seizures (FS).Methods Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly divi- ded into 4 groups:control group and FS group,FS+baclofen group,FS+phaclofen group.FS in rats were induced 10 times in a bath of warm water, once every 2 days.The plasma level of CO was detected by the dual wave lengh spectrophotometer;the expressions of GABA_BR and HO-1 mRNA were examined by insitu hybridization;the expressions of GABA_BR and HO-1 protein were observed by immunohistochemistry.Results The plasma level of CO increased in FS+baclofen group,while decreased in FS+phaclofen group compared with FS group.The expressions of GABA_BR and HO-1 upregulated in FS+baclofen group,while decreased in FS+phaclofen group compared with FS group.There were significant difference (All P

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy difference between segmentation scraping and conventional acupuncture for cervical spondylosis (CS) so as to provide effective treatment method.

METHODSEighty-five cases of cervical type of CS were randomly divided into a scraping group (44 cases) and an acupuncture group (41 cases). The segmentation scraping therapy was used in the scraping group. The scraping group was treated with focusing on scraping the head and joint part of neck and occiput in the upper cervical spine injury, and focusing on scraping the lower section of cervical and shoulder in the lower cervical spine injury, once every seven days, totally for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20),Wangu (TE 5), Tianzhu (BL 10),Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2), etc. were selected,once daily,for 15 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the immediate analgesic effect after the first treatment and the clinical efficacy was observed after the end of treatment.

RESULTSAfter the first treatment, the score of VAS was decreased significantly in the scaping group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the acupuncture group compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05); the score of VAS in the scaping group after the first treatment was lower than that in the acupuncture group (3.66 +/- 0.74 vs 5.43 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment, the scores of VAS were decreased significantly after treatment in two groups (both P < 0.01), but without significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05); the effective rate was 95.5% (42/44) in the scaping group and 87.8% (36/41) in the acupuncture group, the curative effects were similar (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth of scraping and acupuncture therapies have good analgesic effect for cervical spondylosis, and overall effects are similar, but the immediate analgesic effect of scraping thrapy is better than that of conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neck Pain ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

This study was aimed to investigate the expressions of genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 after interference of the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to the erythroid progenitors (CFU-E) in vitro by using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The cord blood was collected from 12 cases of fetal placenta umbilical vein and cultured by using culture technique of HSC in vitro. The proliferation and differentiation of HSC to CFU-E were interfered with 6 x 10(-8) mol/L of ATRA. The expression levels of genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 in blank control and ATRA groups were detected by FQ-RT-PCR on day 3, 7 and 10 of culture. The results showed that the expressions of genes Hoxb2 and hoxb4 were a little on day 3, obviously increased on day 7 and reached highest level on day 10 in 2 groups. The expression level of hoxb4 on day 3, 7 and 10 in blank control group was obviously higher than expression level of hoxb2. As compared with blank control group, the expressions of genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 in the ATRA group were significantly up-regulated. It is concluded that the genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 all expressed in process of proliferation and differentiation to erythroid progenitors, which suggests that hoxb2 and hoxb4 relate to erythroid hematopoiesis, and the hoxb4 has more great relevance to erythroid hematopoiesis as compared with hoxb2. The ATRA (6 x 10(-8) mol/L) can up-regulate the expression of hoxb2 and hoxb4 significantly.
Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the correlation between MSCT perfusion parameters and biologic characters in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC),and to investigate the clinical utility of MSCT perfusion for NPC.Methods Nasopharynx in 49 cases was studied using MSCT perfusion imaging,including 30 NPC cases before radiotherapy,14 post-radiotherapy NPC cases,and 5 cases of normal nasopharynx as controls. The perfusion data of tumors and nasopharyngeal wall such as blood flow(BF),peak enhancement index (PEI),time to peak (TTP),and blood volume (BV)were calculated.MVD defined by CD34 stain was counted in 16 cases of NPC.The correlation of MSCT perfusion parameters,MVD,and clinical stage was analyzed.Results 1 case of NPC failed in CT perfusion exam.In NPC group (n=29),BF,PEI,TTP, and BV were (48.6?16.9)ml?100 g~(-1)?min~(-1),(32.3?7.9)HU,(17.5?4.9)s,and (12.8? 4.4)ml?100 g~(-1),respectively.BF,PEI,TTP,and BV in control group (5 cases)were (15.9? 5.9)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(12.6?1.3)HU,(22.6?6.9)s,and (3.5?0.5)ml?100 g~(-1), respectively,and those in post-radiotherapy group (14 cases)were (25.2?7.0)ml?100 g~(-1)?min~(-1), (19.8 ?5.9)HU,(22.6?4.3 )s,and (6.1?2.4)ml?100 g~(-1),respectively.The perfusion values in NPC group had significant difference compared with those in the other two groups (P

This article introduces a new-type anti-rotation reduction internal fixator, which can be applied in various spine fractures and dislocations in order to shorten the operation time, to raise reduction effect, and to reduce the complications such as the loss of reduction, broken nail, broken rod etc. Biomechanical tests and clinical applications have proved that the internal fixator has the features of a short operation time, a definite fixation and few complications.
Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Equipment Design ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVEFebrile seizure (FS) is one of the most common seizure types in children. Our previous studies have demonstrated that both gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABABR) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are involved in the pathogenesis of FS. This study was designed to explore the effect of GABABR on H2S/cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) system in recurrent FS.

METHODSSixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly assigned into four groups: Control (37 degrees C water bath exposure), FS, FS+baclofen (GABABR excitomotor), and FS+phaclofen (GABABR inhibitor) groups (n=16 each). FS was induced by warm water bath exposure (45.2 degrees C, once every 2 days, 10 times in total. The plasma level of H2S was detected by the spectrophotometer. The expression of CBS mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization. The expressions of CBS protein was observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe plasma level of H2S increased in the FS+baclofen group (427.45 +/- 15.91 micromol/L) but decreased in the FS+phaclofen group (189.72 +/- 21.53 micromol/L) compared with that in the FS group (362.14 +/- 19.71 micromol/L). The expressions of CBS mRNA and protein were up-regulated in the FS+baclofen group but were down-regulated in the FS+phaclofen group compared with those in the FS group.

CONCLUSIONSGABABR modulated the expression of H2S/CBS system in recurrent FS.

Animals ; Baclofen ; pharmacology ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; genetics ; physiology ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; blood ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, GABA-B ; physiology ; Recurrence ; Seizures, Febrile ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEFebrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizure disorders in children. Approximately one third of children with a febrile seizure have recurrent events. Although most FS may not represent a serious health problem, those that are more prolonged and recurrent may cause hippocampal damage which is the most important pathological basis of temporal lobe epilepsy. The present study aimed to explore the effect of endogenous heme oxygenase (HO)-carbon monoxide (CO) system on brain damage induced by recurrent FS.

METHODTwenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 days were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (immersed in 37.0 degrees C water, n = 8), FS group (immersed in 45.2 degrees C water, n = 8), FS + zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPPIX) group (immersed in 45.2 degrees C water, n = 8). FS in rats were induced ten times in a bath of warm water, once every 2 days. The indirect production of CO in plasma was detected by a dual wavelengh spectrophotometer. The intensity, latency, duration and rectal temperature of the seizure in rats were recorded. Morphologic changes of hippocampal neurons were observed with HE staining. The ultrastructural changes of the hippocampal neurons were observed under electron microscope. Semiquantitative analysis of hippocampal neurons was carried out by using Nissl stain.

RESULTAfter recurrent FS, the content of CO in plasma in FS group was increased as compared with that in control group (P < 0.01). The content of CO in plasma in FS + ZnPPIX group was decreased as compared with that in FS group (P < 0.01), while no significant difference in CO content was found as compared with that in control group (P > 0.05). In FS group, with the increase of seizure number, there was a trend of gradual prolongation of the seizure duration. In FS + ZnPPIX group, the seizure latency was gradually shortened and the seizure duration was further prolonged. There were no significant differences in seizure intensity and rectal temperature between the two groups. After recurrent FS, by using light microscope we could see that the arrangement of hippocampal neurons was disordered, polarity was not clear and vacuolization appeared in some neurons. At the same time the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons under electron microscope changed, which manifested as mitochondrial swelling, dissolved and ruptured ridge and vacuole formation, and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). ZnPPIX aggravated neuronal injury. No obvious loss of hippocampal neurons was observed in FS group, while the number of hippocampal neurons in CA(1) and CA(3) subfields in FS + ZnPPIX group decreased respectively as compared with that in FS group and in control group (P < 0.01 for all).

CONCLUSIONThe study by using ZnPPIX which is an inhibitor of HO showed that endogenous HO/CO might act as a protective factor in FS-induced brain damage.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; physiology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; physiology ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Neurons ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Protoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recurrence ; Seizures, Febrile ; complications ; pathology

BACKGROUNDFebrile seizure (FS) is the most common seizure disorders. Approximately one third of children with a febrile seizure have recurrent events. The mechanism of FS remains unclear. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a member of the heat shock proteins family and can be induced in the brain by various stresses, including hyperthemia and seizure. This study aimed at investigating the changes of HO-1 in the cortex of rats after recurrent FS.

METHODSFS in rats was induced ten times, once every 2 days. In a bath of warm water, developing rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n = 16) and warm water-treated group (n = 50). The latter group was subdivided into hyperthermia group (n = 19) and FS group (n = 23). The expression and content of HO-1 mRNA in cortex were observed using in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The content of HO-1 protein in cortex was measured using Western blotting.

RESULTSHO-1 mRNA expression of cortex neurons in FS group was markedly increased in comparison with those in hyperthermia and control groups (P = 0.00), however, there was no statistic difference between hyperthermia group and control group (P = 0.16). The relative amount of HO-1 mRNA in cortex in FS group was increased by 53.13% and 96% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively (P = 0.00), but there was no obvious difference between the later two groups (P = 0.051). Western blotting analysis showed that the HO-1 protein content in cortex in FS group was increased by 198% and 246% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively (P = 0.00). There was no obvious difference in HO-1 protein content between the later two groups (P = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONSRecurrent FS in rats can cause the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein in cortex which may be involved in the mechanism of FS. The short-time recurrent hyperthermia can not induce the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; enzymology ; Fever ; enzymology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; analysis ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recurrence ; Seizures, Febrile ; enzymology

Objective To observe the efficacy difference between heavy-dose moxibustion at Sha-petechiae and ordinary suspended moxibustion in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis due to cold coagulation and blood stagnation.Method A total of 113 patients with neck-type cervical spondylosis due to cold coagulation and blood stagnation were randomized into a treatment group of 58 cases and a control group of 55 cases.The treatment group was intervened by heavy-dose moxibustion at Sha-petechiae after scraping therapy;the control group was treated with conventional moxibustion therapy.The cervical symptoms and signs were evaluated by using LU's scale scores.The improvement in symptoms and clinical efficacy were observed after the intervention and half a year later.Result The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and LU's scale scores were significantly changed after the intervention and half a year later compared with those before the intervention in both groups (P＜0.01).After the intervention and half a year later,there were significant differences in comparing the VAS and LU's scale scores between the two groups (P＜0.01).The total effective rate and markedly effective rate were respectively 94.8％ and 77.6％ in the treatment group versus 76.4％ and 52.7％ in the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion Heavy-dose moxibustion at Sha-petechiae is an effective approach in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis due to cold coagulation and blood stagnation,and its short-term and long-term efficacies are both superior to those of ordinary moxibustion.