Objective To investigate the effect of suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu(BL23) and Guanyuan(CV4) on the pituitary-adrenal axis and the pituitary-thyroid axis in rats with kidney yang deficiency. Method A rat model of corticosterone kidney yang deficiency was made by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone. The rats were randomized into model control and moxibustion treatment groups. A blank control group was set up. The moxibustion treatment group received suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu and Guanyuan 20 min once daily, for a total of 14 times. After the completion of treatment, serum CORT, ACTH, T3, T4 and TSH contents were measured by ELISA and pituitary expressions of ACTH and TSH mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. Result There was no significant difference in serum CORT (P>0.05), there were significant differences in serum ACTH, T4 and TSH and pituitary ACTH and TSH mRNA (P<0.05) and there was a very significant difference in serum T3 (P<0.01) between the moxibustion treatment and model control groups. There were no significant differences in the above indicators between the moxibustion treatment and blank control groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu and Guanyuan produces a therapeutic effect on rat kidney yang deficiency by decreasing serum TSH content, down-regulating pituitary TSH mRNA expression, increasing serum ACTH, T3 and T4 contents and up-regulating pituitary ACTH mRNA expression.

Objective:To investigate the marginal microleakage after cavity preparation by Er:YAG la-ser and conventional bur applying different adhesive systems , conditioning surface with acid etching or not.Methods:In the study, 50 primary teeth were divided into 5 groups.(1) Bur+etch-and-rinse sys-tem, (2) Bur+self-etching system, (3) Er:YAG laser+etch-and-rinse system, (4) Er:YAG laser+self-etching system, (5) Er:YAG laser+none-etched.The class V cavities were all filled with composite resin.The microleakage tests were performed , observed and scored under stereomicroscope .Results:Bur+etch-and-rinse group had higher microleakage than Er:YAG laser +etch-and-rinse group , and Bur+self-etching group had higher microleakage than Er:YAG laser +self-etching group ( P<0 .05 ) . There was no difference between Er:YAG laser+etch-and-rinse group and Er:YAG laser+self-etching group, while they had significantly lower microleakage than that of Er:YAG+none-etched group.Con-clusion:Composite resin restoration showed less marginal microleakage when all-in-one self-etch system was used after irradiation by Er:YAG laser on primary teeth .

Objective To compare the effects of Dan Shen Extract F(DSEF) and cimetidine (CI) on reperfusion injury in gastric antrum. Methods Nineteen Wistar rats were randomly allocated to receiving intravenously normal saline (group NS, n = 7), DSEF 1g/100g wt (group DSEF, n = 6) or CI 6.5mg/ 100g wt (group CI, n = 6 ) respectively. Model of hemorrhagic shock roperfusion injury was produced by Itch method. The index and depth of gastric mucosal lesion, prostaglandins content and intracellular calcium content of gastric antrum mucosa were measured. Results (1 ) As compared with those in group NS, the index and depth of gastric mucosal lesion (grade 2, 3) decreased significantly in group DSEF and CI (P 0.05 ). (3 ) The intracellular calcium content in group DSEF and CI was markedly lower than that in group NS (P 0. 05). Conclusions Both DSEF and CI can prevent largely the reperfusion injury in gastric antrum mucosa through different mechanisms, with DSEF having stronger potency.

Objective To investigate the effects of transection of cervical sympathetic trunk (TCST) on the blood flow of uterine artery (BFUA) and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and nitric oxide (NO) in rats with pregnancy hypertension (PIH) . Methods Forty pregnant Wistar rats weighing 240-270 g were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 animals in each group: control group( group C) , L-NAME induced hypertension groupl and 2 (group Bl, B2); TCST group and sham operation group. In control group no hypertension was induced. In group Bl and B2 hypertension was induced with L-NAME 12.5 mg.100-1 or 6.25 mg. 100-1 injected subcutaneously from 14 th to 20 th day of gestation. In TCST group TCST was performed on the 14th day of gestation and hypertension was induced as in group B1. In sham operation group cervical sympathetic trunk was exposed but not transected on the 14 th day of gestation and hypertension was induced as in group Bl. BFUA was measured and blood samples were taken from abdominal aorta for determination of plasma NE and NO concentrations on the 21 st day of gestation. Results (1) The mean BFUA during systole and systole + diastole was significantly lower in group Bl and B2 than that in group C ( P 0.05). (2) The plasma NE levels in group Bl and B2 were significantly higher than in that in group C (P

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of variable-frequency electroacupuncture treatment for elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with knee oste-oarthritis were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated with variable-frequency electroaeupuncture, while the control group was treated with muscle strength training. Before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment, the motor function of their knee joints was evaluated according to Lysholm' s knee scoring scale, quadriceps muscle strength was evaluated according to the maximum load capacity of knee ex-tension, and postural stability was evaluated using a static balance function test. Results Lysholm scores in the treatment group improved significantly compared with those before treatment, except for the item assessing support-ing. While in the control group, compared with before treatment, there were significant differences in the items as-sessing limp, inter-locking, instability, pain and stair activity. There were significant differences in the items as-sessing inter-locking, pain, swelling, stair activity and.squatting between the two groups after treatment. The maxi-mum knee extension load improved significantly in both groups. Static balance with the eyes both open and closed also improved significantly in both groups. There were significant difference in the length, covered area, rectangle-area and length/area of the sway traces of the two groups after treatment. Conclusions Variable-frequency elec-troacupuneture can effectively improve knee function, quadriceps muscle strength and postural stability in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture at Guanyuanshu, Xinshu, Neiguan points on cardiac function after acute myocardial ischemia in rabbits. Methods A total of 36 rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and a treatment group. Acute myocardial ischemia was induced with Jugular vein injection of pituitrin. At 10 min before modeling, 1 hour and 1 week after modeling, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and creatine kinase(CK) were determined respectively, the cardiac function was assessed as the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise(dp/dtmax)and the peak left ventricular pressure (LVSP). Results After 1 week of treatment, the serum levels of CK and MDA in the treatment group reduced significantly(120.21±10.67 U/L, 21.35±2.04 mmol/L], compared to the model group (162.37±13.21 U/L, 30.13±2.75 mmol/L) (all P<0.05);the dp/dtmax and LVSP decreased percentage in the treatment group (20%±2.43%, 7.22%±0.97%) decrease significantly compared to the model group (31.5%± 4.14%, 12.19%±2.21%) (all P<0.05). Conclusion Electro-acupuncture of Guanyuanshu, Xinshu, Neiguan acupoints can significantly improve cardiac function after acute myocardial ischemia and protect against acute myocardial ischemia in rabbits.

OBJECTlVE To study the effect of ganoderma poIysaccharide( GLP)on zebrafish ( Danio rerio)survivaI,deveIopment and senescence. METHODS A p53-knockout zebrafish modeI was estabIished by injecting of morphoIino phosphorodiamidate(mO)into normaI zebrafish eggs in the singIe ceII deveIopment stage. Different concentrations of GLP 1,2 and 3 g·L-1 were used to treat both wiId type and p53-knockout zebrafish embryos 8 h post fertiIization(8 hpf)under 28℃ for 3 d. The survivaI and maIformation rates were caIcuIated after 72 hpf,and the effect of GLP on ceII senescence was evaI-uated by senescence associated β-gaIactosidase(SA-β-gaI)staining both in wiId type and p53-knockout zebrafish embryos. In addition,the differentiaI gene expression of cancer inhibitor gene(p53),teIomer-ase reverse transcriptase( TERT),murine doubIe minute2( mdm2)and p21 was examined by RT-PCR both in wiId type and p53-knockout zebrafish embryos after treatment with different concentrations of GLP. RESULTS GLP 1 and 2 g·L-1 had no effect on deveIopment of wiId type zebrafish embryos,but after GLP 3 g·L-1 treatment,most of zebrafish embryos dispIayed maIformation and the survivaI rate was onIy 48.6%. GLP 1,2 and 3 g·L-1 had no effect on survivaI and deveIopment of p53-knockout zebrafish embryos. After GLP 2 g·L-1 treatment for 3 d,the SA-β-gaI staining positive rate of wiId type zebrafish embryos was reduced compared with controI group(P﹤0.01),whiIe there was no significant change in p53-knockout zebrafish embryos. The resuIts of RT-PCR showed that GLP 2 g·L-1 treatment depressed p21 and p53 gene expression(P﹤0.05,P﹤0.01),and had no effect on mdm2 and TERTgene expres-sion of wiId type zebrafish embryos. For p53-knockout zebrafish embryos,the TERT,mdm2,p21 and p53 gene expression dispIayed no significant difference after GLP 2 g·L-1 treatment. CONCLUSlON GLP 2 g·L-1 may improve senescence of wiId type zebrafish embryo ceIIs. GLP ≥3 g·L-1 may Iead to death and abnormaI deveIopment of wiId type zebrafish embryos. The improvement of GLP on senescence of wiId type zebrafish embryo ceIIs might be mediated by its down-reguIation of p21 and p53 gene expression.

The quality of some earlier developed antibiotics is usually ensured by the combination of HPLC purity and microbiological potency measurement in the pharmacopoeias of various countries because the relationship between their purity and potency is not clearly quantified. Due to potency is assessed using certain units of measurement, it can not be directly traced to the international system of units (SI unit). This has become a hotspot in the study of the quantitative relationship between purity and potency of antibiotics. It would be quite an achievement to simultaneously determine both purity and potency using HPLC methods during quality control. This study evaluated a multicomponent antibiotic product, gentamycin, as a test sample. First, pure samples of the C components of gentamycin: C1a, C2, C2a and C1 were prepared, separately. Second, quantitative relationship (theoretical potency) between the purity and potency of each C component of gentamycin were determined using 1H NMR, HPLC-ELSD and microbiological assay method. One milligram of gentamycin C1a, C2, C2a and C1 was equal to 1 286.98, 1 095.74, 1 079.52 and 739.61 gentamycin units, respectively. Finally, a method for the determination of gentamycin potency was established based on the proportion and content of C components of gentamycin. The unification of purity and potency for gentamycin was achieved using only HPLC-ELSD. It is also demonstrated that C components of gentamycin and micronomicin produce the same responses under ELSD, which means that it is not necessary to prepare separate reference standards for each C component of gentamycin and that quantitative testing can be performed accurately using only one micronomicin reference standard. This study simplified the previous method for the determination of the content of C components of gentamycin using HPLC-ELSD. The developed method is suitable for regular use as a part of quality control and can simplify the rigmarole quality control procedures provided in current pharmacopeias.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of electro-acupuncture (EA) at different frequency in improving synaptic plasticity injury in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats, and to provide the theoretical basis for the clinical application of electro-acupuncture for the treatment of AD. Methods Ninety Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, sham-operation group, and 2 Hz, 30 Hz, 50 Hz acupuncture groups, 15 rats in each group. AD rat model was established by injection of amyloid β1-42 (Aβ1-42) into the lateral ventricle. The rats in EA groups were treated with EA on Baihui and Shenshu acupoints at different frequencies (2, 30, 50 Hz). Learning and memory ability and space exploration ability of rats in each group were measured by Morris water maze test. The synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Nerve fibers were stained using Golgi techniques. The protein and phosphorylation levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) in the brain tissues were detected by Western blotting method. Results(1) Compared with the normal group, the average escape latency time in the model group was significantly prolonged (P < 0.05), and the number of platform crossing was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), indicating that AD model had been established successfully. The average escape latency of rats in EA groups was significantly shortened and the frequency of platform crossing was increased as compared with those of the model group (P < 0.05). (2) The synaptic morphology of the hippocampus showed that the anterior membrane, posterior membrane and the interspace of the synapses in the model group were blurred, and the membrane structures of synapses were incomplete and dissolved. But the synaptic ultrastructures of the 3 EA groups were improved.(3) In the model group, the neurofibrillary tangles were found in the brain tissue, while the neurofibrillary tangles were relieved and the nerve fibers became clear in EA groups.(4) The levels of GSK-3β and GSK-3β(pTyr216) in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05), whearas the GSK-3β(pSer9) level was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05). In the EA groups, the levels of GSK-3βand GSK-3β(pTyr216) were down-regulated, while GSK-3β(pSer9) level was increased with the frequency of EA, and there was significant difference compared with the model group (P<0.05). (5) Compared with 2 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups, the number of plateau crossing, the average escape latency and the protein and phosphorylation levels of GSK-3β in 50 Hz EA group were significantly improved (P < 0.05). The improvement of synaptic morphology and neurofibrillary tangles of 50 Hz EA group was superior to that of the other 2 EA groups. Conclusion EA at different frequency can improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats, and the effect of 50 Hz is stronger. The therapeutic effect might be achieved by regulating the expression level of GSK-3βprotein and phosphorylation levels, which can improve synaptic plasticity damage of AD rats.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a device that called bipolar RF (Aluma) for non-ablative treatment of facial laxity.Methods Thirty-nine Chinese volunteers of skin types Ⅲ-Ⅳ,with facial laxity and periorbital rhytides,received five times treatments at 10 days interval with Aluma RF energies (6-10 W).Standardized photographs were taken at baseline and serially for 3 months after the last treatment.The photographs were evaluated to assess the improvement in skin Iaxity by both doctors and patients.Results At 1-3 months after the last treatment,the results showed significantly subjective improvement in skin 1axity of cheek(P＜0.05),and mild to moderate Subiective improvement in skin laxity of periorbital area,nasolabial fold and upper neck.There was no serious complication.Conclusion The bipolar radiofrequency produces mild to moderate improvement of facial laxity in Chinese with no serious adverse sequelae.A high patients'satisfaction is achieved.However,further studies are necessary to demonstrate the long-term effects of the procedure and to optimize treatment parameters.