Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on liver injury in the rats with ob?structive jaundice. Methods Forty?five healthy male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, aged 8-9 weeks, were divided into 3 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table: sham operation group ( S group) , obstructive jaundice group ( OJ group) and dexmedetomidine group ( D group) . Obstructive jaun?dice was induced in rats by division and double ligation of the common bile duct in OJ and D groups. Dexmedetomidine 100 μg∕kg was injected intraperitoneally at 72 h after establishment of the model in group D. At 3, 5 and 24 h after administration, blood samples were collected from hearts for determination of the plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and C?reactive protein (CRP) levels. After blood sampling at each time point, the specimens from the external right lobe of the liver were obtained for detection of the expres?sion of Toll?like receptor 4 ( TLR4) mRNA ( by real?time polymerase chain reaction) and TLR4 content ( by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay) in liver tissues and for pathological examination of liver tissues ( with light microscope) . Results Compared with group S, the plasma ALT and CRP levels were significantly increased at each time point after administration, and the expression of TLR4 mRNA in liver tissues was significantly up?regulated, and TLR4 content in liver tissues was significantly increased in OJ and D groups ( P<0?05) . Compared with group OJ, the plasma ALT and CRP levels were significantly decreased at each time point after administration, and the expression of TLR4 mRNA in liver tissues was significantly down?regulated, and TLR4 content in liver tissues was significantly decreased in group D ( P<0?05) . The degree of damage to liver tissues was significantly attenuated in group D compared with group OJ, and was aggrava?ted in group D compared with group S. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce liver injury in the rats with obstructive jaundice.

Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the expression of phosphor-cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) in isoloated hippocampal neurons of fetal rats.Methods SpragueDawley rats on 16-18 days of gestation were sacrificed and the fetal rats were obtained.The hippocampi of fetal rats were isolated and hippocampal neurons were seeded in culture medium for 8 days.The cells were then divided into 4 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),dexmedetomidine 0.001 μmol/L group (group D1),dexmedetomidine 0.010 μmol/L group (group D2),and dexmedetomidine 0.100μmol/L group (group D3).In D1.3 groups,dexmedetomidine with the final concentrations of 0.001 μmol/L,0.010 μmol/L,and 0.100 μmol/L was added to the culture medium,respectively,and then the cells were incubated for 3.5 h.The apoptosis in hippocampal neurons was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of p-CREB in hippocampal neurons was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with group C,apoptosis rate was significantly decreased and the expression of p-CREB was up-regulated in D1.3 groups.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine inhibits apoptosis in isolated hippocampal neurons of fetal rats by up-regulating the expression of p-CREB.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of the early slope value of enhancement in differentiating benign from malignant musculoskeletal masses.Methods Dynamic contrast-enhanced gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state imaging(GRASS) was performed to evaluate 36 musculoskeletal masses(18 malignant,18 benign).The difference of the early slope value of enhancement was analysed and compared between benign lesions and malignant ones.Using ROC curve plotting obtained the best decisive threshold.Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to determine the relation between slope and microvessel density of tumor tissues.Results The average early slope value of enhancement was (4.33?2.70)% per second (range 0.97%～10.50% per second)for malignant lesions,and was (1.46?0.97)% per second(range 0.37%～3.86% per second)for benign ones.There was an apparent statistical significance between benign and malignant tumors(?

Objective To investigate the serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP),interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2),and investigate their clinical diagnostic value in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.Methods Fifty three clinical serum samples of patients specifically diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome were collected.A total of 21 healthy subjects were enrolled as healthy controls.Serum IL-1β and Lp-PLA2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The concentration of hs-CRP was tested by immunoturbidimetry method.Results Compared to the healthy controls,the levels of serum hs-CRP,IL-1βand Lp-PLA2 were significantly higher in ACS and ACS subgroups (P ＜ 0.05),respectively.The level of Lp-PLA2 was gradually increased among healthy controls,angina pectoris (AP),ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STE-MI),non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) groups.The best cut-off value of hs-CRP,IL-1β and Lp-PLA2 was 7.44 mg/L,90.88 ng/L and 219.92 μg/L,respectively.The parallel test had better sensitivity (94.3％) and specificity (100％).Conclusions Serum hs-CRP,IL-1β and Lp-PLA2 play an important role in classifying the clinical types and monitoring the conditions of patients with ACS.Combination of hs-CRP,IL-1β and Lp-PLA2 is expected to be a new biomarker for ACS.

Objective To establish the standard of quality control for Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride (PCRV) and to identify two kinds of PCRV which are collected in different times. Methods In this article,volatile components and flavonoid in 10 batches of samples which were collected from eight provinces were determined by GC and HPLC-DAD,respectively. Their fingerprints were handled by weighted similarity of range and by principal component analysis (PCA). Results According to the result of similarity and classification,there were obvious differences between the two kinds of PCRV.To know whether the differences have great influences on the pharmacological actions of PCRV, pharmacological studies will be needed. Weighted similarity is suitable for this system which has a high content of similar components. Conclusion These methods are effective and will help us to establish the criterion of quality control for PCRV.

Objective To evaluate the effects of propofol on the proliferation of hippocampal neurons in fetal rats in vitro.Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at 16-18 days of gestation,were sacrificed and the fetal rats were taken out from the abdominal cavity.The hippocampal neurons of the fetal rats were isolated and seeded in culture plates.After being cultured for 9 days,the neurons were divided into 7 groups using a random number table(n =36 each):control group (C group),intralipid group (I group) and propofol 0.1,1.0,10.0,100.0,1 000.0 μmol/L groups (P1-5 groups).In group I,10％ intralipid was added to the culture media until the final concentration reached 100 μmol/L.In P1-5 groups,propofol was added to the culture media until the final concentration reached 0.1,1.0,10.0,100.0 and 1 000.0 μmol/L,respectively.The neurons were then incubated for 3 h.The proliferation of hippocampal neurons was determined by MTT assay at 12,24,36,48,60 and 72 h after the end of incubation with propofol.Results Compared with group C,the proliferation of hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased in P1-5 groups (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change was found in group I (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group P1,the proliferation of hippocampal neurons was significantly decreased in group P5 (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change was found in P2-4 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Propofol can decrease the proliferation of hippocampal neurons in fetal rats in vitro.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone injections combined with prednisone in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods A total of 71 patients diagnosed with sudden hearing loss were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injections plus prednisone (B group) or prednisone alone (A group). Hearing was evaluated by pure tone audiogram performed before initial treatment and at 4 weeks following the final treatment. Results The total recovery rate after the treatment was 81.8% in the B group and 55.3% in the A group. The diflference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study suggests that sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients treated with intratympanic dexamethasone combined with prednisone have a higher likelihood of hearing recovery than those treated with prednisone alone.

Objective To observe the pathological changes of bone hydatid cyst of meriones meridianus after radiation therapy,and to investigate the clinical effect of radiotherapy on bone hydatid disease.Methods Ascus was dissected sterilely from sheep liver that naturally infected with Echinococcus granulomas,sheared and sac skin removed.Then it was washed and precipitated with 0.9％ sterile saline for 3 times,and scolex was HE stained and counted,from which a 20 ml suspension was made containing 12 × 106/L of scolex.Health meriones meridianus (referred to as gerbil) 140,male and female were in each half,aged 2 to 3 months,body weight(38 ± 6)g,were involved in the study.Gerbil was injected a 0.2 ml suspension containing Echinococcus granulomas scolex into hind tibial periosteum,and X-ray was taken 12 months after the injection.According to the bone destruction in the vaccination site,gerbil hindleg tibia with clear jagged bone destruction was treated as inclusion criteria,and 72 animal were selected as gerbil bone hydatid disease animal models,male and female were in each half.A tatal of 72 gerbils were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,40 beequerel(Gy) group,50 Gy group and 60 Gy group,18 rats in each group,male and female in each half.The model animals were treated with radiotherapy for 5 times,with 2 d interval,and radiation dose was 300 cGy/min.Each group of gerbils was sacrificed after radiotherapy,bone Echinococcus granulomas cysts was taken out sterilely,and observed by light and electron microscope.Intracapsular cyst fluid was extracted,washed and precipitated with 0.9％ sterile saline repeatedly,and and the pellet was HE stained for observation of scolex morphology and activity by light microscope.Results The morphology and activity ofEchinococcus granulomas in cystic fluid in control group were normal; the morphology and activity of Echinococcus granulomas were still normal in the 40 Gy group,and Echinococcus granulomas was not stained red; but those were abnormal,deformation and atrophy and stained red in the 50 Gy group; and were stained red,deformed,fractured and were wrapped by unknown in the 60 Gy group.By light microscope,the germinal layer,cuticle layer,brood capsule and histological structure of protoscolex were basically normal in irradiated region in the control group.The pathological changes of hydatid cyst in the 40 Gy group were mainly degeneration,structure of hydatid cyst was abnormal,stratum corneum was extensive edema,germinal layer became thinner and the fertile cyst was rare.The main pathological change of hydatid cyst in the 50 Gy group was that corneous layer was widely fractured,and the germinal layer was edema,buckling folds,cells decreased,rare seen brood capsule and scolex; the main pathological changes of hydatid cyst were mainly necrosis in the 60 Gy group,cuticle was extensive fault,stratum corneum and germinal layer was separated,germinal layer was atrophy and disorder,no brood capsule and scolex.By electron microscope,cuticle structure of Echinococcus granulomas cyst was clear,microvillus arranged neatly,morphology and structure of the cell and organelle in cytoplasm were normal in the control group.There were many inflammatory cells infiltrating germinal layer of Echinococcus granulomas cyst,microfilament and contents in microfilament were reduced in the 40 Gy group.Microvillus of Echinococcus granulomas disappeared,nuclear membrane was unclear,endoplasmic and mitochon eclasis,lymphocyte nuclear chromatin was clumping and edge set and in circular permutation in the 50 Gy group.Microvillus disappeared,perinuclear membrane indistinct and ruptured,parts of nucleoli were fragmented and marinated,endoplasmic reticulum was extensive expansion,mitochondria was pyknosis and obvious vacuolization,lymphocyte nuclear chromatin clumping and edge set,lysosomes and macrophage emerge in the 60 Gy group.Conclusions Radiotherapy can destroy the morphology and structure of bone hydatid cyst,radioactivity at 50 Gy has a lethal effect on hydatid cyst.Radiation treatment of bone hydatid disease has a good clinical effect.

The lacquer figure with meridian-points marked of the western Han dynasty, unearthed in Tianhui town, Jinniu district, Chengdu in 2012, has been the earliest and the most complete human figure of meridian-acupoints in China so far. There were over ten courses of meridians, and over 100 visible acupoints as well as multiple intaglio inscriptions. All of them are valuable in academic study. The writers introduced the lacquer figure un- earthed in Laoguanshan in terms of the briefs and characteristics of meridian and acupoint distributions, which give the references to the future studies.
Acupuncture ; history ; instrumentation ; Acupuncture Points ; China ; History, Ancient ; Human Body ; Humans ; Meridians

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of intratympanic dexamethasone injection as a protec-tion agent against cisplatin ototoxicity.Methods Fifty five healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups.The guinea pigs groups received (group I)0.9% NaCl solution(16 ml/kg)intraperitoneally (IP),(group II)dexamethasone (10 mg/ml)intratympanically(IT),(group III)cisplatin (16 mg/kg)only intraperitoneally(IP) and (group IV)dexamethasone (10 mg/ml)IT followed after 1h by 16 mg/kg cisplatin.Before and 7 days following injections,the ototoxic effect was measured with auditory brainstem response(ABR).The contents of malondiade-hyde(MDA)and activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were also measured.Results ABR thresholds before and after dosing were 28.50±4.74,29.00±3.94 dB nHL and 28.67±5.82,31.33±5.81 dB nHL in group I and group II,respectively,with no significant differences (P>0.05).The contents of MDA and activities of SOD were 2.01 ±0.07 mmol/L ,234.10±13.09 U/ml and 2.06±0.09 mmol/L,233.20±13.24 U/ml in the group I and group II, respectively,with no significant differences (P>0.05).ABR thresholds after dosing were 55.33±4.81,and 40.67 ±3.72 dB nHL in the group III and group IV,which were significantly increased,but ABR thresholds in the group IV were significantly lower than that in the group III (P<0.05).The contents of MDA were 5.74±0.17,3.51± 0.18 mmol/L in the group III and group IV,which were significantly increased.SOD activities were 107.90 ± 14.21,and 162.70±11.25 U/ml,which significantly decreased.Nevertheless,in the group IV dexamethasone rela-tively reduced the contents of MDA(P<0.001)while increased the activities of SOD(P<0.001)compared with group III.Conclusion Intratympanic dexamethasone injection presents as an effective treatment modality to prevent cisplatin ototoxicity without any ototoxic effect.