Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periarthritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder Joint ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore basic regularities in sinew lesion distribution in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method Two hundred and thirty knee osteoarthritis patients with 253 affected knees were selected. Under the sinew theory, the positions and frequency of sinew foci around the knee joint were counted by palpation. Result In the distribution of foci, the total frequency accounted for 39.1% in the Foot-Yangming. Of them, the single Foot-Yangming sinew type accounted for 23.3% and the complex type accounted for 48.5%. The total frequency accounted for 32.4% in the Foot-Taiyang. Of them, the single Foot-Taiyang sinew type accounted for 21.3%, the complex type accounted for 44.5%. The Foot-Yangming + Foot-Taiyang sinew lesions accounted for 14.6% and the single foot-three-yin sinew type accounted for 15.0%. Conclusion Knee osteoarthritis of Foot-Yangming or Foot-Taiyang sinew type should be treated from “sinew”.

Objective To evaluate the effect of MRI in reflecting the pathological changes of VX2 carcinoma in rabbits after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) . Methods RFA was performed in the livers of 24 rabbits with planted VX2 carcinoma. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups. After RFA, the rabbits were killed after MR imaging on 0, 1, 2, and 4 weeks, respectively. The correlation between MRI and pathological findings was analyzed. Results In the acute phase, coagulative necrosis of the ablated tumors and inflammatory reaction with hyperemia around were detected at microscopic examination. The ablated tumor showed as hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI, while rim of high signal intensity on T1WI and low signal intensity on T2WI was found. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI showed a thin high signal rim surrounding the central coagulative necrosis. In the subacute phase, extensive coagulative necrosis and marked infiltration by neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and a peripheral fibrous generation rim were observed microscopically on the ablated tumor. The ablated tumor showed iso-or hyperintensity on T1WI and hypointensity on T2WI, while the periphery of ablated lesions was hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI. There was prominent rim enhancement along the ablated margin. In the chronic phase, peripheral fibrous rim became obvious, more regular and thicker than at subacute phase as hypointensity on T1WI and T2WI, and unenhancement was observed. Residual or recurrence of tumor was found in 17 rabbits as hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI, and irregular, thicker rim or nodular enhancing abnormalities. Conclusion MRI can effectively show the histopathological tissue changes of rabbit VX2 carcinoma after ablation and demonstrate the residual or recurrence of tumor.

AIM:Tostudywhe ther theangiotens in-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)]/Mas receptor axis protects cardio-myocytes against high glucose (HG)-induced injury by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway.METHODS:The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) were detected by DCFH-DA staining .The number of apoptotic cells was tested by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining .Mitochondrial membrane potential ( MMP) was examined by JC-1 staining.The levels of NF-κB p65 subunit and cleaved caspase-3 protein were de-termined by Western blotting.RESULTS: Treatment of H9c2 cardiac cells with 35 mmol/L glucose (HG) for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min significantly enhanced the levels of phosphorated ( p) NF-κB p65, peaking at 60 min.Co-treatment of the cells with 1 μmol/L Ang-(1-7) and HG for 60 min attenuated the up-regulation of p-NF-κB p65 induced by HG. Co-treatment of the cells with Ang-(1-7) at concentrations of 0.1~30μmol/L and HG for 24 h inhibited HG-induced cy-totoxicity, evidenced by an increase in cell viability .On the other hand, 1 μmol/L Ang-(1-7) ameliorated HG-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage , indicated by decreases in the number of apoptotic cells , cleaved caspase-3 level, ROS generation and MMP loss .However, the above cardioprotective effects of Ang-(1-7) were markedly blocked by A-779, an antagonist of Ang-(1-7) receptor (Mas receptor).Similarly, co-treatment of H9c2 cardiac cells with 100 μmol/L PDTC ( an inhibitor of NF-κB) and HG for 24 h also obviously reduced the above injuries induced by HG.CONCLUSION:Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis prevents the cardiomyocytes from the HG-induced injury by inhibiting NF-κB pathway .

Objective To compare the diagnostic values of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and T1ρ imaging in staging hepatic fibrosis (HF) in a rabbit model.Methods The institutional animal care and use committee approved all experiments.Sixty healthy rabbits were divided into HF group (n=44) and control group (n=16).Each eight rabbits in the HF group and 4 rabbits in the control group were randomly selected at the 4th,5th,6th week and the remaining rabbits at the 10th week after subcutaneous injection with 0.1 ml 50％ CCl4 oily solution per kilogram of body respectively,to undergo liver MR scan including axial liver MRE and T1ρ imaging.The values of liver stiffness (LS) and T1ρ were measured.Masson trichrome staining of liver tissue was used.According to the Scheuer scoring system,rabbits were classified into F0 to F4 group based on the percentage of hepatic fibrosis.The difference of LS values and Tip values among stage F0 to F4 were compared by the one-way ANOVA analysis.The correlations between pathological staging and LS,T1ρ values were performed by the Spearman correlation analysis.ROC curve analysis was performed to compare the value of MRE with T1ρ imaging.Results Forty three rabbits were included,there were 10,8,8,8,9 rabbits in F0,F1,F2,F3 and F4 stage,respectively.LS values were (1.051±0.155),(1.335±0.235),(1.401±0.163),(2.001±0.499) and (2.981±0.714) kPa in F0,F1,F2,F3 and F4,respectively,while T1 p values were (23.20±4.02),(24.28±2.93),(25.40± 1.82),(24.69± 1.85) and (31.54±3.39) ms (all P＜0.05).The correlation of LS values with hepatic fibrosis staging measured on MRE was stronger than T19 values (r values were 0.916 and 0.608,all P＜0.01).Area under ROC curve of LS value for differentiating hepatic fibrosis stage were 0.938 to 0.989,while the areas of T1ρ were 0.771 to 0.954.Conclusion MR elastography is an accurate technique for quantitatively staging hepatic fibrosis and superior to T1ρ imaging.

Objective Retrospectively evaluate the effect of Z-axis tube-current modulation technique with desired noise level to improve image quality (image noise level) and decrease radiation doses of MSCT (16-slice CT) in chest scanning. Methods Consecutive two hundred patients whose CT scan projection radiographs showed no significant abnormal were randomly divided into two groups by the examination order: Z-axis tube-current modulation (ZTCM) group (odd number, test group) and constant tube-current (CTC) group (even number, contrast group). The desired noise level of ZTCM group was 10HU and the machine automatically set the dynamic tube-current in scanning according to attenuated information of chest acquired in scan projection radiographs, the tubo-current of CTC group was set at 200mA, while the other scan parameters remained totally the same. The maximum tube-current value,CTDIvol, DLP and the tube-current of the slice at the maximum breast level of female patients were recorded respectively. The noise of image at upper lung, aorta arch, left atrium and bottom lung level were measured and compared. The qualities of Images were classified in three levels (excellent, good, poor) with double blind method. Results The mean value of maximum mA, CTDIvol, DLP and mA of the slice at the maximum breast level of ZTCM group were (178.5±125.6) mA, (10.5±3.8) mGy, (231.6±24.3)mGy/cm and (116.0±22.5) mA, those of CTC were 200.0 mA, 12.8 mGy, (274.7±18.4)mGy/cm and 200.0 mA, ZTCM group decreased by 10.8%, 19.9%, 15.7% and 42.0%,respectively, as compared with CTC group. The image quality at upper lung and bottom lung level in ZTCM group was improved significantly (P < 0.05) and the cases of excellent images in ZTCM group was significantly higher than that of CTC group (P < 0.05). Conclusion ZTCM technique not only contributes to more rational distribution of radiation doses but also realizes individuation, decreases the total radiation doses and improves image quality in chest CT scanning. It is valuable and promising in chest CT scan.

BACKGROUND: Chitosan is one of the most significant non-viral vector materials with the advantages of outstanding biocompatibility. Quarternary chitosan derivatives can improve transfection efficiency and solubility of chitosan in a broader range of pH values. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize a new vector of quarternary chitosan and to study its complex conditions with plasmid and transfection efficiency compared with chitosan. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A contrast observational study was performed in Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine of Zhejiang University between August and October 2008. MATERIALS: Quarternary chitosan was synthesized in Polymer Materials Lab of Beijing Institute of Technology. Plasmid pEGFP-C1 was presented friendly by Mr. Zheng of School of Medicine of Zhejiang University. Hela cells were provided by Miss. Cheng of School of Medicine of Zhejiang University. METHODS: Quarternary chitosan was prepared according to mass concentration of 0.2 g/L, pH value 5.5 (or 6.9, 7.6) and sodium acetate concentration of 50 mmol/L, and rapidly mixed with pEGFP-C1. The mixture was swirled for 15-30 second and stood at room temperature for 30 minutes at least. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The impacts of pH values and time on complex ability of quarternary chitosan and plasmid were studied by gel retardation test. Transfection efficiency of quarternary chitosan on Hela cells was observed by inversed fluorescence microscope and also compared with chitosan. RESULTS: Quarternaty chitosan could form complex with plasmid in acidic, neutral and basic conditions. It could be used in a broader range of pH values. In an acidic condition, the combination of quarternary chitosan with plasmid was superior to chitosan. A stable complex was formed via a combination of quarternary chitosan or chitosan with plasmid within 30 minutes, and the stability lasted for 12 hours. Transfection efficiency of quarternary chitosan on Hela cells demonstrated that transfection efficiency of quarternary chitosan was superior to chitosan. CONCLUSION: Quarternary chitosan has a broader range in use and higher transfection efficiency than chitosan; however, there is no significant difference in stability between quarternary chitosan and chitosan. Additionally, transfection efficiency of quarternary chitosan on Hela cells is superior to chitosan, which needs a further research.

Aim To explore the effect of survivin in PC12 cells against injuries induced by cobalt chloride(CoCl_2).Methods PC12 cells were exposed to CoCl_2 at different doses in different time to set up the chemical hypoxia induced PC12 cells injuries model.Cell viability was tested by using cell counter kit-8.Dose-effect(200～1 000 μmol·L~(-1))and time-effect(0～48 h)relationship between hypoxia induced by CoCl_2 and the expression of survivin was evaluated by western blot.Results PC12 cells viability was inhibited significantly by CoCl_2 in a dose and time dependent manners;At the concentrations from 200 to 600 μmol·L~(-1) CoCl_2 for 24 h,survivin expression was upregulated in a dose dependent manner,peaking at 600 μmol·L~(-1) CoCl_2 treatment,exceeding this concentration of CoCl_2,with dose increasing,survivin expression decreased.At the dose of CoCl_2 up to 1 000 μmol·L~(-1),survivin did not express basically;Treatment with 600 μmol·L~(-1) CoCl_2 in different time,within the range of 0～36 h,the expression of survivin enhanced in time dependent manner.But with the extension of time,survivin expression was declining; 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (2 μmol·L~(-1)),an inhibitor of Hsp90,not only decreased survivin overexpression but also obviously enhanced the injuries of PC12 cells induced by CoCl_2,which didn't damage PC12 cells alone.Conclusion Upregulation of survivin expression may be one of the endogenous defense mechanisms for PC12 cells against chemical hypoxia.

BACKGROUND:The knee joint acts as the body’s largest and most complex joint, which is a commonly seen perplex in patients because of synovium and cartilage diseases. Moreover, clinical physicians are often confused on the ultrasonic diagnosis of synovium and cartilage diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To review the ultrasound misdiagnosed cases of knee cartilage and synovial lesions and to summarize the common misconceptions and discrimination methods.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in the ultrasound misdiagnosed cases of knee cartilage and synovial lesions reported from 2002 to 2014, and then the common misconceptions and corresponding identification methods were summarized.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: High-frequency ultrasound is most likely to have six “mistaken ideas” addressing knee cartilage and synovial lesions: (1) cartilage degeneration; (2) synovial calcification; (3) echo intensity from synovial lesions; (4) blood flow in the synovium; (5) synovial effusion; (6) lesions involving intraarticular structures. High-frequency ultrasound runs through dynamical observation and contrast observation of bilateral knee joint lesions, which is a valuable imaging method for diagnosis of cartilage and synovial diseases based on vigilance at the “mistaken ideas” and mastery of the distinguishing ideas and methods.

AIM:To investigate the roles of ATP-sensitive potassium ( KATP ) channels in high glucose-induced cardiac injury and the inhibitory effect of hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S) on the cardiomyocyte injury.METHODS:The expres-sion level of KATP channel protein was tested by Western blot.The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The number of apoptotic cells was observed by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining.Mitochondrial membrane potential ( MMP) was exam-ined by JC-1 staining.RESULTS:After the H9c2 cells were treated with 35 mmol/L glucose ( high glucose, HG) for 1~24 h, the protein level of KATP channel was significantly reduced at 6 h, 9 h, 12 h and 24 h, reaching the minimum level at 12 h and 24 h.Pretreatment of the cells with 400μmol/L NaHS ( a donor of H2 S) prior to exposure to HG for 12 h con-siderably blocked the down-regulation of KATP channels induced by HG.Pretreatment of the cells with 100 μmol/L mito-chondrial KATP channel opener diazoxide, 50μmol/L non-selective KATP channel opener pinacidil or NaHS obviously inhibi-ted HG-induced injuries, leading to an increase in the cell viability, and decreases in the number of apoptotic cells and the MMP loss.Pretreatment with 100μmol/L mitochondrial KATP channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoic acid or 1 mmol/L non-selective KATP channel antagonist glibenclamide attenuated the above cardioprotective effects of NaHS.CONCLUSION:KATP channels mediate the inhibitory effect of H2 S on HG-induced cardiac injury.