Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) on the expressions of P2X2 and P2X3 receptors in experimental pulpalgia rats.Method Forty-two male SD rats were randomized into a normal group (group N), a control group (group C), a pulpalgia model group (group M), an antagonist group (group A), an electroacupuncture group (group E), and an antagonist+electroacupuncture group (group AE), 7 rats in each group. Group N didn’t receive any interventions; group C received injection of normal saline into pulp cavity of the same dose as the injection in group M, and the cavity was then blocked by dental fillings 5-6 min later; in group M, maxillary first and second molar teeth were drilled (drill bit of 1 mm in diameter) to expose pulp and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution 5μg/μL was injected into the holes (1~3μL for each hole), and the holes were then covered by dental fillings 5-6 min later; group A received the same modeling method as that in group M, but A-317491 was injected together with LPS (0.5 mg/kg); group E received electroacupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI 4) with needles retained for 30 min, once a day, totally for 3 times; group AE received the same electroacupuncture intervention after receiving the same treatments as that in group A. The rats’ behaviors and weight were observed for 30 min after intervention each day. The rats were sacrificed on the 4th day, and the mRNA expressions of P2X2 and P2X3 receptors andβ-actin in trigeminal ganglion were detected by using RT-PCR. The mRNA expressions were then compared among the groups.Result The behavioral changes in group M, E, and AE were more significant than that in group C and N (P<0.01); the behavioral changes in group A, E, and AE were less significant than that in group M (P<0.01). The weight in group C was significantly lower than that in group N (P<0.01); the weights in group M, A, E and AE were significantly lower than that in group C and N (P<0.01); the weights in group E and AE were significantly higher than that in group M and A (P<0.01,P<0.05); the weight in group A was slightly higher than that in group M (P<0.05); the weights in group AE was significantly higher than that in group E (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of P2X2 receptor in group M, A, and AE were significantly higher than that in group N and C (P<0.01); the mRNA expressions of P2X2 receptor in group A, E, and AE were lower than that in group M (P<0.05); the mRNA expression of P2X2 receptor in group A was lower than that in group E (P<0.05); the mRNA expression of P2X2 receptor in group E was higher than that in group AE (P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of P2X3 receptor in group M, A, and E were significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.05) and group N (P<0.01); the mRNA expressions of P2X3 receptor in group A, E, and AE were significantly lower than that in group M (P<0.01); the mRNA expression of P2X3 receptor in group AE was markedly lower than that in group E (P<0.01).Conclusion The expressions of P2X2 and P2X3 receptors in trigeminal ganglion were increased in LPS-induced pulpalgia rats. Electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) and injection of A-317491 both can down-regulate the mRNA expressions of P2X2 and P2X3 receptors, which is plausibly the action mechanism of electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) in analgesia.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of pedistric Littre hernia.Methods Clinical data of 11 cases of Littre hermia admitted from January 2002 to December 2010 was studied retrospectively.Results The diagnosis of Littre hernia was all established by laparotomy.All of the 11 cases were boys,the median age was 1.2 years (22 days to 3 years and 7 months).The main clinical features were:painful,irregular and nonresetable mass in the groin area (11/11),vomiting in 6 cases (6/11 ),fever (＞38.5 ℃ ) in 4 cases (4/11 );X-ray showed intestinal obstruction in 9 cases (9/11 ),Ultrasound found mixed mass in the groin area in 11 cases ( 11/11 ),pouch-like structure were found in 6 cases (6/11).Eight cases (8/11) presented with elevated WBC ( ＞ 10000).Palpable lobulated structure were fell in 5 cases (5/11).All cases of Littre hernia were successfully operated on,Meckel diverticulum perforation was found in 2 cases ( 2/11 ),Meckel diverticulum adhered to the hernia sac in 8 eases (8/11).All patients were cured by surgery,and postoperative follow-up (10ms-8y) found no recurrence.Conclusions Pediatric Littre hernia is rare,preoperative diagnosis is difficult.Avoiding preoperative violent reduction and intraoperative injuring Meekel's diverticulum or the small bowel helps improve the cure rate of Littre hernia in children.

Objective To explore whether the respective implantation of vascular bundles and sensory nerve tracts into a tissue-engineered bone will affect the expression of CGRP (Calcitonin gene related peptide) and its receptor. Methods Fifty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 even groups for implantation of sensory nerve tracts (group A),implantation of vascular bundles (group B),and a control group of simple tissue-engineered bone (group C) . Animals were sacrificed 4,8,12 weeks after implantation,respectively. Masson staining was conducted to observe the process of bone formation and re-molding. CGRP and CGRPR-1 expressions in the new bone were measured by immunohistochemistry and Real-time PCR at 4,8 and 12 weeks after implantation. Results At all time points,the CGRP and CGRPR-1 expressions in groups A and B were significantly higher than in group C (P<0.05),and those in group A were higher than in group B too (P<0.05) . Over time,the expressions of CGRP and CGRPR-1 mRNA in each group in the new bone tissue were gradually reduced after an initial increase. The neuropeptide expression at the 8th week was higher than those at the 4th and 12th weeks. The neuropeptide expression at the 4th week was the lowest. The expression of CGRP was mainly localized in the periphery of newly generated bone,periosteum and the blood vessels. The expression of CGRPR-1 was mainly localized in the periphery of osteoblasts. Conclusions Implantation of either vascular bundles or sensory nerve tracts can promote neuropeptide secretion. The vascular bundle implantation may result in higher expressions of CGRP and CGRPR-1 than sensory nerve tract implantation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of elevated basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on both the quantity and quality of oocytes and embryos and the clinical outcomes of pregnancy in women under 35 years of age.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted for inspecting 294 in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles in women under 35 years of age. According to the basal FSH levels, the women were divided into groups A, B, and C with basal FSH of 10-14.99, 15-19.99 and ≥20 IU/L, respectively, to compare the average number of oocytes retrieved, morphologies of the oocytes and embryos, and clinical outcomes of pregnancy.

RESULTSGroup A showed greater average numbers of oocytes collected, total embryos and good-quality embryos with a lower gonadotrophin dose required to achieve follicular maturity than groups B and C. The 3 groups showed no significant differences in the percentage of metaphase II oocytes, optimal embryos-blastomere number, normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, good-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, pregnancy rates, live birth rate or miscarriage rate, but the pregnancy rates and live birth rate tended to decrease in women with basal FSH ≥15 U/L.

CONCLUSIONIn women below 35 years of age, an elevated serum FSH (especially one ≥15 U/L) indicates diminished ovarian reserve and reduced numbers of oocyte and embryo but not poor oocyte or embryos quality, and good clinical pregnancy rate can still be expected.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; blood ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the value of basal antral follicle count (AFC) and age in predicting ovarian response and clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSA total of 1319 oocyte retrieval cycles in women with an AFC&le;10 and complete IVF/ICSI cycles were analyzed retrospectively. According to the AFC, the patients were divided into groups A, B, and C with AFC&le;4, of 5-7, and of 8-10, respectively, and each was further divided into <38 years old group and ≥38 years old group. The oocytes retrieved, ovarian response, implantation rate, cancellations, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live births were evaluated.

RESULTSAs the AFC increased, the total gonadotrophin (Gn) dose increased and the follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved decreased significantly (P<0.001). Patients below 38 years of age had a lower total Gn dose and more follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved than older patients. An AFC>7 and age≥38 years was associated with significantly lower total Gn dose, greater number of follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved, and lower pregnancy rate than an AFC&le;7 and age<38 years (P<0.05). Bivariate correlation and linear regression analysis identified AFC as the best single predictor of ovarian response in IVF. The pregnancy rate differed significantly between the 3 groups, and older patients (≥38 years) had higher early miscarriage rate.

CONCLUSIONAntral follicle count&le;7 or age≥38 years old with AFC&le;10 is the suitable threshold of diminished ovarian reserve in controlled ovarian stimulation for infertile women. Combination of AFC and age is the best predictor of ovarian response in IVF. Age has a better predictive value of pregnancy rate than AFC. AFC influences mainly the oocytes quantity, while age also affects oocyte quality.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; physiology ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the clinical effect of sequential therapeutic intervention Yupei Qisun [compensating for weakness by invigorating Kidney (Shen) and Spleen (Pi) in advance] in Chinese medicine (CM) and hysteroscopic endometrial mechanical stimulation on the treatment of infertile patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF); and to study the differences in patients' endometrial thickness and type on the day of embryo transfer, serum hormone levels on embryo transfer day and clinical pregnancy outcomes.

METHODSIn the clinical study, 168 frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles for couples with RIF conforming to the research protocol were randomly divided into three groups: a CM group with 56 cycles (CM combined with FET), a hysteroscopy group with 55 cycles (hysteroscopic endometrial mechanical stimulation), and a control group with 57 cycles (conventional FET). Differences in endometrial thickness on the embryo transfer day, levels of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) on the embryo transfer day, the E2/P ratio on the embryo transfer day, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rate, abnormal pregnancy rate and other indices were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSEndometrial thickness, E2 and P levels, and the E2/P ratio on embryo transfer day and other factors had no significant differences among groups. The biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates of the CM and hysteroscopy groups were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences between these two groups. The abnormal pregnancy rate had no significant difference among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSSequential therapy of Yupei Qisun could significantly improve the clinical outcomes of rif-fet cycles, being equivalent to hysteroscopic endometrial mechanical stimulation, and provided a reliable method to treat such infertile couples.

Abortion, Habitual ; therapy ; Adult ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Loss ; therapy ; Embryo Transfer ; Endometrium ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy ; Infertility, Female ; pathology ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Physical Stimulation ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Retreatment ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) mRNA in childhood myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and to evaluate WT1 as a tool to differentiate MDS from aplastic anemia(AA).

METHODSThe quantitative expression of WT1 transcript by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) was performed in the bone marrow samples of 36 childhood MDS and 49 childhood AA, the samples were collected from September 2008 to December 2011.

RESULTS(1) The positive rate of WT1 in severe AA (SAA) was 0, 14.3% in chronic AA (CAA), 58.6% in refractory cytopenia (RC), 100% in refractory anemia with excessive blast (RAEB) and 97.5% in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The mean level of WT1 in SAA, CAA, RC, RAEB and AML was 0.041%, 0.357%, 7.037%, 12.680% and 24.210%, respectively. The positive rate of WT1 in RC patients was higher than that of SAA (P = 0.000) and CAA (P = 0.001). (2) The positive rate of WT1 in patients with hypoplastic MDS was 66.7% and was higher than that of SAA (P = 0.000) and CAA (P = 0.001). The mean level of WT1 in patients with hypoplastic MDS was (3.022 ± 5.040)% and higher than that of SAA \[(0.041 ± 0.047)%, P = 0.000\] and CAA\[(0.351 ± 0.479)%, P = 0.002\].

CONCLUSIONSThe level of WT1 in childhood MDS was higher than that of childhood AA. The degree of WT1 expression in MDS increased during disease progression. WT1 is a useful tool for differentiating the childhood hypoplastic MDS from AA.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; WT1 Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histological changes of cervical cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and to establish histological criteria for interpretation of chemotherapeutical effects.

METHODSFifty-six patients with FIGO stage Ib2-IIa cervical cancers treated by NACT and subsequent radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed, in which the pre- and post-chemotherapeutic histopathological changes were assessed.

RESULTSThe post-chemotherapeutic histopathological changes of 56 cases included grade 3 effects in 11 cases (19.6%), grade 2 in 24 cases (42.9%), grade 1 in 13 cases (23.2%) and no response in only 8 cases (14.3%). The histologic response rate was 62.5% (35/56) and the overall clinical response rate was 67.9% (38/56). The overall coincidence by both criteria was 78.6% (44/56). Four cases (7.1%, 4/56) had only histological response and 8 cases (14.3%, 8/56) had response by imaging. In comparison with the pre-chemotherapy specimens, the chemotherapy-associated histological changes included shrinkage and scattering of tumor nests,decrease of tumor cellularity,tumor cell degeneration and necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe histological changes in locally advanced cervical cancers induced by NACT are significant, which may challenge the diagnosis in the final specimens. There are some discreqancies between the histological criteria and imaging/gynecological ones for the therapeutic evaluation of cervical cancers,and it is thus recommended to use the pathological criteria for clinic practice.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Preoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To establish a simple, sensitive in vitro method to evaluate oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced injury of brain hippocampal slices in rats. METHODS: Rat hippocampal slices were incubated in 2% 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) solution after oxygen/glucose deprivation. They were then soaked in a measured volume of ethanol and dimethylsulfoxide (50:50) to extract the TTC formazan Product which was then measured by spectrophotometry. OGD induced LDH release was simultaneously measured. RESULTS: Progressive prolongation of OGD induced hippocampal injury resulted in decreased formazan coloration as determined by spectrophotometry. There was a parallel increase in LDH release, thus a negative correlation in these two products was noted. (r=-0.933,P <0.01). The injury was attenuated in the brain slices pre-treated with nimodipine, dexamethasone, and ketamine, but not ONO-1078. CONCLUSION: Solvent extraction and spectrophotometric quantification of formazan represents an objective measurement of OGD-induced injury of rat hippocampal slices.

AIM To establish the quality standard for Pogonostemon auricularius (L.) Hassk..METHODS The original,characteristic and microscopic features of P.auricularius were identified,after which TLC was used for qualitative identification,HPLC was adopted in the content determination of verbascoside,and the contents of water,total ash,acid-insoluble ash,extract were determined by Chinese Pharmacopoeia methods.RESULTS The clear TLC plots displayed good reproducibility.Verbascoside showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.102-2.04 μg (r =0.999 98),whose average recovery was 97.99％ with the RSD of 2.02％.In four-teen batches of samples,the content ranges of water,total ash,acid-insoluble ash,extract were 6.47％-12.07％,7.59％-12.35％,0.23％-3.55％,13.28％-26.82％,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the quality control of P.auricularius