OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Compound Salviae Miltiorrhizae Tablet (CSMT) on the expressions of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hippocampus CA1 of chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) rats.

METHODSTotally 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the CSMT group, the EA group, and the EA +CSMT groups, 10 in each group. The CCI model was prepared by permanent bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion. One week after modeling, CSMT at 0.75 g/kg was given to rats in the EA + CSMT group and the CSMT group by gastrogavage, once daily, for 5 successive weeks. EA at Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (DU14) was performed to rats in the EA group and the EA + CSMT group, lasting for 30 min, once daily, for 5 successive weeks. The expressions of BDNF and VEGF in the hippocampus CA1 area were detected by immunohistochemical assay and image analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the number of positively expressed BDNF and VEGF neurons and their expression intensity in the hippocampus CA1 of the model group obviously decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the number of positively expressed BDNF and VEGF neurons and their expression intensity in the hippocampus CA1 of the CSMT group, the EA group, and the EA + CSMT groups obviously increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The number of positively expressed BDNF and VEGF neurons and their expression intensity were obviously higher in the EA + CSMT group than those of the CSMT group and the EA group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEA combined with CSMT could significantly increase the expressions of BDNF and VEGF in the hippocampus CA1 of CCl rats. Besides, their effects were significantly higher than those of the CSMT group or the EA group.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; therapy ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Carcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo probe into the relationship of different needle-retained time with therapeutic effects.

METHODSForty experimental rats were evenly randomized into 5 groups, electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 5 min, 15 min, 30 min and 60 min groups, who received EA for 5, 15, 30 and 60 min respectively, and a control group who did not receive EA. Nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) method and computer image analysis system were used to detect the meangray of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive neurons in the septum.

RESULTSNOS positive neurons in the septum did not change as the EA for 5 min group compared with the control group (P > 0.05); the number of heavily staining NOS positive neurons increased significantly (P < 0.05) and the meangray of the NOS positive neurons significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in some septal subnuclei (lateral septum, and medial septum, vertical diagnonal band) after EA for 15, 30, 60 min as compared with the control group, and the numbers and the meangray of the NOS positive neurons in the septum were not significantly difference among the 3 EA groups.

CONCLUSIONNOS expression in the septum increases and keeps a same level from EA for 15 min to 60 min.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Septum of Brain ; enzymology

AIM: To clarify the effect of SC58125 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG-2 cells and explore the molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Cell culture, MTT, TUNEL, DNA ladder, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were employed in the present study. RESULTS: SC58125 inhibited the growth of HepG-2 cells and induced the apoptosis. Furthermore, it arrested G_0/G_1 phase and inhibited S phase in HepG-2 cells. Depressed expression of P33 cdk2 ,P34 cdc2 ,cyclin B_1,cyclin E ,Mpm-2,Rb ,PCNA proteins were found in HepG-2 cells treated with SC58125. CONCLUSION: SC58125 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, which may be related to the altered low protein levels of P33 cdk2 ,P34 cdc2 ,cyclin B_1,cyclin E ,Mpm-2,Rb,PCNA

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

METHODSThirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and an electroacupuncture group. The single prolonged stress (SPS) method was used to set up the PTSD models in latter two groups. After SPS Stimulation, EA group was treated with 2Hz electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV 20) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 30 min, once a day for a week. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immuno-histochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of nNOS in the hippocampus of rats in the each group.

RESULTS(1) The nNOS mRNA expression in hippocampus in model group was higher than that in normal group (P < 0.05). But the expression in EA group was lower significantly than that in model group (P < 0.05). (2) The nNOS protein expression in hippocampus CA1 and CA3 in model group was higher than that in normal group (P < 0.05). But after electroacupuncture treatment, its expression in EA group was lower significantly than that in model group (P < 0.05). The nNOS protein expression in hippocampal CA2 had no difference among all three groups.

CONCLUSIONThe elevated nNOS expression in hippocampus may be involved in the pathological process of PTSD. Electroacupuncture play a down-regulation effects in the hippocampal nNOS expression, which may be one mechanism of electroacupuncture for treatment of PTSD.

Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; enzymology ; genetics ; therapy

Objective To determine the curative effect of dilation for achalasia with temporary cardia stent in different diameters based on a long-term follow-up.Methods The study cohort was comprised of 135 patients of achalasia.Among them differentiated by stent diameters as followings:30 patients were treated under fluoroscopy with dilation of temporary cardia stent in 20 mm diameter(group A), 30 patients with dilation of temporary eardia stent in 25 mm diameter(group B),and 75 patients with dilation of temporary cardia stent in 30 mm diameter(group C).135 cardia stents were temporarily placed in the 135 patients and withdrawn after 3 -5 days via gastroscopy.All the stents were inserted and withdrawn successfully.The follow-up in all groups lasted 6-128 months.Results Six(20.0%)out of 30 patients,6(20.0%)out of 30 patients,5(22.7%)out of 22 patieuts,6(37.5%)out of 16 patients,5 out of 9 patients,3 out of 3 patients in group A exhibited dysphagia relapse during 6 months,1 year,3 years,5 years,8 years,and 10 years follow-up,respectively. Four(13.3%)out of 30 patients,4(13.3%)out of 30 patients,3(13.0%)out of 23 patients,4(22.2%)out of 18 patients,5(45.5%)out of 11 patients,and 3 out of 4 patients in group B exhibited dysphagia relapse during 6 months,1 year,3 years,5 years,8 years,and 10 years follow-up,respectively.No(0.0%)out of 75 patients, 1(1.5%)out of 66 patients,4(8.3%)out of 48 patients,6(18.2%)out of 33 patients,6(33.3%)out of 18 patients,2 out of 5 patients in group C exhibited dysphagia relapse during 6 months,1 year,3 years,5 years,8 years,and 10 years follow-up,respectively.Conclusion Dilation with temporary cardia metal stent in 30 mm diameter is the best dilation for achalasia in long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effects of manipulative reduction with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis in treating distal tibiofibular fractures.

METHODSFrom 2009 to 2011, 60 patients with distal tibiofibular fractures were treated by manipulative reduction with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis. Among them, there were 32 males and 28 females aged from 14 to 70 years old with an average of 41.22 +/- 2.06. According to AO classification of fractures,5 cases were type A1, 22 cases were type A2,21 cases were type A3 and 12 cases were type C1. Operation time, blood loss,time of callus and fracture healing were observed, Mazur scoring of ankle joint were used to evaluate therapeutic.

RESULTSFifty-eight incisions were healed at stage I ,and 2 cases were infected at distal tibial. Operation time was with an average of (62.34 +/- 5.66) min ranged 45 to 90 min;blood loss was 30 to 150 ml with an average of (80.57 +/- 5.59) ml;formation of callus appeared from 4 to 12 weeks,with an average of (8.24 +/- 2.06) weeks, and fracture healing time was from 3 to 6 months, with an average of (4.50 +/- 1.13) months. According to Mazur scoring of ankle joint 40 cases got excellent results, 18 good, and 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONManipulative reduction with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis can obtain reliable fixation. It is a good choice of treating distal tibiofibular fractures by protecting blood supply of fractures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, especially in relation to metastasis.

METHODSSerum VEGF expression level, measured by quatitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, R&D system), was measured before, 3 days and 4 weeks after TACE in 30 patients with HCC. The development of metastasis was evaluated at the end of the third month after TACE.

RESULTS1. The serum VEGF level in 30 patients was 154.47 +/- 90.17 pg/ml, 2. Post-TACE total serum VEGF level increased as compared with their basal level in 30 patients (P < 0.05) and serum VEGF level had a tendency to increase in patients with heterogeneous uptake of iodized oil and portal vein thrombosis. During the follow-up of 1 - 2 years, metastatic foci were found in 74% (20) patients with SVEGF increase, while none of the patients showing SVEGF decrease developed metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSerum VEGF expression increase is associated with the development of metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

Despite Salvia miltiorrhiza being one of the most important medicine plants in China, there is a limited availability of genomic resources, especially of the expressed sequence tag-based markers. In this study, we selected and characterized functional markers in S. miltiorrhiza, which consisted of 4,192 non-redundant expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from 10,288 identified S. miltiorrhiza ESTs in dbEST data bank. Among them, 159 simple sequence repeats (SSR) were detected, which amounted to 3.79% of the non-redundant starting sequence population. This incidence was equivalent to one EST-SSR in every 12.74 kb of S. miltiorrhiza ESTs. Among the different motifs ranging from 1 bp to 6 bp, di-nucleotide repeat motif was the most abundant (77, 48.43%), followed by tri-nucleotide (41, 25.79%), hexa-nucleotide (23, 14.47%), penta-nucleotide (12, 7.55%) and tetra-nucleotide (6, 3.77%). In 47 identified motif types, the detected frequency above 5% were GA/CT (16.35%), AG/TC (15.09%), TCA/AGT (10.69%), AT/TA (6.29%), GAAAAG/CAAAAC (6.29%) and TA/AT (5.03%). Based on flank sequence of detected SSR, a total of 83 EST-SSR primer pairs were designed and tested for the amplification efficiency, polymorphism and transferability in thirteen S. mihiorrhiza samples and other ten species from the genus Salvia. The results showed that 72 primer pairs were successfully amplified in S. miltiorrhiza samples to yield and 279 loci with an average of 3.88 loci per primer pair. The cross-transferability of S. miltiorrhiza EST-SSR markers to other ten Salvia plants was very high, ranging from 60% to 100% with an average of 85%. Further analysis of the genetic similarity based on the polymorphic bands showed the EST-SSR could detect the genetic diversity on different levels among the whole test samples and distinguish the S. miltiorrhiza from other Salvia plants effectively. It is expected that the potential markers described here would add to the repertoire of DNA markers needed for genetic analysis, linkage mapping and comparative genomics studies in S. miltiorrhiza and related Salvia genus plants.
DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence, age and gender distribution and clinical features of HIV/AIDS oral lesions in patients in Guangxi province, and to provide the epidemiological information for prevention and treatment of these diseases in the certain population.

METHODSA total of 64 HIV/AIDS patients were included in this study. All patients HIV serum-status was confirmed in Guangxi Center of Disease Control (GXCDC). Oral examination was carried out by standardized specialists. HIV/AIDS orofacial lesions were recorded and diagnosed using the EC Clearing House Criteria on Oral Problems related to HIV Infection (1992).

RESULTSAmong the total of 64 HIV/AIDS patients included in this study, there were 53 males and 11 females, with mean age of 36.1 years. Candidiasis was the most common lesion with the pseudomembranous type predominating. High prevalences of xerostomia, 11 oral ulceration and 7 HIV related periodontitis were noted. 6 Herpetic stomatitis and 3 herpes zoster, 2 oral hairy leukoplakia and 1 Kaposi's sarcoma and 1 lymphadentitis also were found.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows a high prevalence of candidiasis, salivary gland disease. Maybe oral ulceration prevalence is not increased, but lesion severity is increased with more severe heperiform or major RAU. It suggested that HIV/AIDS usually shows oral lesion and partly can appear in early phase.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Adult ; Candidiasis, Oral ; China ; Female ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Leukoplakia, Hairy ; Male ; Mouth Diseases ; Periodontitis ; Prevalence ; Sarcoma, Kaposi