Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy

Objective\ To exam the expression and the distribution of the aromatase mRNA in the brain of the mouse. Methods\ RNA dot\|blotting as well as in situ hybridization technique were used. Results\ (1)There were aromatase specific mRNA expression in the brain tissue during the period from E16 to P300,the highest levels of mRNA were detected at postnatal 6 days,and the lowest levels were found at adulthood.(2)The location of the aromatase mRNA was confined to neuronal(but not glial)cell bodies and their processes.(3)The mainly distribution of aromatase mRNA was detected in the regions of the cerebral cortex,thalamus,hypothalamus and limbic system.Many heavily labeled cells were found in the layer of pyramidal cells of cerebral cortex,medial preoptic area.medial septal nucleus,pyramidal layer of hippocampus,amygdaloid nuclei.cingulate cortex,piriform cortex and periamygdaloid cortex.The moderately dense signal was present in several thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei such as ventromedial nucleus,ventrolateral nucleus,laterodorsal thalamic nucleus,paraventricular nucleus,etc. Conclusion\ There was relationship between the gene expression of aromatase with the development of brain,there was good agreement between the distribution of aromatase mRNA and aromatase activity as previously reported.The high levels of aromatase mRNA in the region of hippocampus and cerebral cortex suggested that aromatase may implicate for sex dimorphism in cognition as well as learning and memory.\;

Objective To explore the gene expression of aromatase and estrogen receptor (ER-?) in malignant glioma cell line SHG-44. Methods Cell culture, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and RT-PCR techniques were used. Results Aromatase and estrogen receptor gene expressions were detected in SHG-44 cells.The aromatase gene in these cells was expressed by means of the multi promoters (1^3, 1^4 and P Ⅱ).Conclusion It may provide some new data for the hormone regulation in carcinoma of nerve system.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Bloodletting ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Headache ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Neuralgia ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and side effect of combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and extracorporeal shock wave therapy(ESWT) on patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods50 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated by combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and ESWT(study group, n=22) or combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and pain-point injection of betamethasone(control group, n=28). The parameters included pain intensity (Numeric Rating Score, NRS) at rest and at exercise, pain relief rate, the time when pain disappeared and times of betamethasone administration or ESWT. The side effects were also evaluated.ResultsNRS decreased in the two groups after treatment, while NRS was not different between the two groups(P>0.05) except 1 week after the treatment(P<0.01).ConclusionThe combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and extracorporeal shock wave is a safe and effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

Acute Disease ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism ; therapy

Aged ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; complications ; Male ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Astragali Radix on the denervated tibial muscle atrophy in rats, and discuss its mechanism.

METHODTotally 60 SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were selected in the common peroneal nerve crush model, and then randomly divided into 6 groups: Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose, low-dose groups, the Mecobalamin group, the model group, and the sham operation group. They were administered with drugs after the operation. At 18 d, the pathological section staining and morphological analysis were performed. The wet-weight ratio and section area of tibial muscles were also measured. The real-time fluorescence quantification was adopted to detect the differential expression between Angptl4 and PI3K genes.

RESULT(1) Wet-weight ratio: The wet-weight ratio in Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose groups was much higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Section area: The sham operation group was higher, with regular morphology; Whereas the model group showed significant decrease, with chaotic structure and obvious connective tissue proliferation; Astragali Radix groups and the mecobalamin group showed relatively small section areas, with chaotic structure and unobvious connective tissue proliferation. Compared with the model group, Astragali Radix groups showed significant increase (P < 0.01). (3) Motor end plate: The sham operation group was in uniform brownish black color and oval or round shape; Astragali Radix medium-dose and high-dose group and the mecobalamin group showed rough line edges; Astragali Radix medium-dose and low-dose groups and the model group showed decline in the number, with irregular morphology, rough line edges and a light color. (4) Angptl4 and PI3K: Compared with the model group, the Astragali Radix high-dose group showed significant increase (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAstragali Radix has a significant effect in preventing and treating denervated tibial muscle atrophy. It may delay the muscle atrophy by increasing Angptl4 and PI3K gene expressions.

Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein ; Angiopoietins ; genetics ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

Aged ; Anthracosis ; complications ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications

Objective: To establish a nicotine-treatment and -withdrawal rat model and to evaluate its characteristics and application through analyzing 3 parameters. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 10-11 weeks old, were randomly divided into normal saline group(subcutaneous injection of saline [0.5 ml/kg] for 6 weeks), nicotine-treated group (injection with nicotine [0.5 ml/kg, 3 mg/(kg · d)] for 6 weeks), and nicotine-withdrawn group (injection with nicotine [0.5 ml/kg, 3 mg/(kg · d)] for 3 weeks and followed by saline injection for additional 3 weeks). Body weight, food intake, and water intake of animals were recorded during the treatment in 3 groups. The model was evaluated through analyzing body weight, serum parameters and adipose tissue weights. Results: The body weight of rats, as well as the serum levels of triglyceride and insulin, were all decreased after nicotine treatment; the weights of subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and periaortic fat were also decreased. The above indicators increased after withdrawal of nicotine. Conclusion: The established model can be used to study multiple pharmacological effects of nicotine; it can also be used for smoking and smoking cessation related studies.