Objective To evaluate the efficacy of nerve block combined with oral administration drugs on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods 40 patients were assigned into 2 groups: group A (n=20) accepted carbamazepine, doxepin, diclofenac sodium, and vitamin B compound; while group B (n=20) combined with intercostal nerve block. The pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) before, 3 weeks and 6 months after treatment. Results The scores of VAS decreased significantly after treatment compared with the baseline in groups B (P<0.01), but only 3 weeks after treatment in group A, and it decreased more in group B than in group A (P<0.01) at any time after treatment. Conclusion Nerve block combined with oral administration drugs is effective on PHN.

The instability of secondary metabolite production is a ubiquitous problem in plant cell culture. To understand the instability, the investigation of anthocyanin accumulation in suspension cultures of Vitis vinifera, as a model system, has been initiated in our laboratory. Suspension culture of a relatively homogeneous cell line E of V. vinifera, was established by long-term cell line selection by anthocyanin content differentiation. The aggregate size of E was smaller than that of other cell lines obtained by routine screening method. The variation coefficients of anthocyanin content in suspension cultures of E were 8.7% in long-term subcultures and 5% in repeated flasks, respectively. The effects of elicitor, precursor feeding and light irridiation on biomass and anthocyanin accumulation in suspension cultures of E had been investigated and the results showed that all the variation coefficients were lower than 12% and this indicated the importance of homogeneity on stable production in plant cell culture. With the combination treatment of 30micromol/L phenylalanine and 218micromol/L methyl jasmonate in the dark in suspension cultures of E, the anthocyanin content and production in suspension culture of E was 5.89-fold and 4.30-fold of the controls, respectively, and all the variation coefficients of biomass and anthocyanin accumulation were lower than those of the controls in 5 successive subcultures.
Anthocyanins ; biosynthesis ; Biomass ; Cell Proliferation ; Light ; Suspensions ; Vitis ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration and neointima formation in rat carotid artery balloon injury model.

METHODSRat VSMCs were divided into control group, TNF-α (10 ng/ml) group, SAMe (0.2 mmol/L) group and TNF-α + SAMe group. VSMC migration distance and proliferation were examined by cell scrape tests and MTT method. NF-κB activity was analyzed by EMSA. PDGF mRNA expression was detected by Northern blot. SD rat were divided into control group, carotid balloon injury group treated with saline or SAMe (15 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) for 14 d), then blood vessel proliferation was observed histologically in rat carotid artery.

RESULTS(1) In vitro, the VSMCs migration distance, absorbance at 490 nm, PDGF mRNA expression, NF-κB activity were all increased in TNF-α group compared to the control group (P < 0.01), and decreased in TNF-α + SAMe group compared to the TNF-α group (P < 0.01). (2) In the balloon injury in vivo models, the intima area of saline group and SAMe group was increased compared to the control group, while the lumen area was larger and the intima area was smaller in the SAMe group than in the saline group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAMe could reduce TNF-α induced VSMC proliferation and migration possibly through inhibiting NF-κB activity and downregulating PDGF gene expression.

Animals ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; S-Adenosylmethionine ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Tunica Intima ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDMutations in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) gene can lead to tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1), a relatively rare autosomal recessive disorder. To date, no molecular genetic defects of HT1 in China have been described. We investigated a Chinese family with a HT1 child to identify mutations in FAH.

METHODSDNA sequencing was used for mutations screening in FAH gene. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine the FAH gene expression level. To confirm the presence of degradation by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway (NMD), the fragments containing R237X mutations were analyzed by primer introduced restriction analysis-polymerase chain reaction (PIRA-PCR) and cDNA sequencing. Finally, the effects of the mutations reported in this study were predicted by online softwares.

RESULTSA boy aged 3 years and 8 months was diagnosed clinically with HT1 based on his manifestations and biochemical abnormalities. Screening of FAH gene revealed two heterozygous mutations R237X and L375P transmitted from his mother and father respectively. In this pedigree, the amount of FAH mRNA relative to a healthy control was 0.44 for the patient, 0.77 for his mother and 1.07 for his father. Moreover, both PIRA-PCR and cDNA sequencing showed significant reduction of the FAH mRNA with R237X nonsense mutation. The missense mutation of L375P was not reported previously and prediction software showed that this mutation decreased the stability of protein structure and affected protein function.

CONCLUSIONSThis is the first case of HT1 analyzed by molecular genetics in China. The R237X mutation in FAH down- regulates the FAH gene expression, and the L375P mutation perhaps interrupts the secondary structure of FAH protein.

Child, Preschool ; China ; Humans ; Hydrolases ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense ; genetics ; Nonsense Mediated mRNA Decay ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tyrosinemias ; genetics

Adult ; Cecum ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

The theoretical basis, location, belonging of zang-fu, treatment function and indications, applying principle and manipulation of Umbilical Ring acupoints in Zhuang medicine are explained in this paper. According to Zhuang medicine, umbilicus is an epitome of the body and all the zang-fu and organs in the body have corresponding epitomes like a fetus in front-standing position. The umbilicus is not only a micro-diagnosis system, but also a window for illness treatment that could be divided into superficial, middle and deep layer to respectively communicate different zang-fu and organs. The umbilical inner ring and outer ring are collectively called Umbilical Ring acupoints, they could dredge paths, regulate the balance of qi and blood to regulate qi, expel poison, tonify deficiency and remove stasis to treat many types of diseases in the whole body.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Umbilicus ; anatomy & histology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

The commercial application of plant cell cultures is often hindered by the instability of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, where the metabolite yield fluctuates and decline dramatically over subcultures. This study proposed that such instability is due to the fluctuations of culture variables. To validate this hypothesis, the effects of the fluctuations of two culture variables (subculture cycle and inoculum size) on the biomass, anthocyanin biosynthesig, intracellular carbon, nitrogen and phosphate during continuous 10 subculture cycles were investigated. The subculture cycle was fluctuated for 12h in a 7 day cycle (6.5, 7 and 7.5 d), and the inoculum size was fluctuated by 20% on basis of 2.00 g (1.60, 2.00 and 2.40 g). It was found that all the measured culture parameters fluctuated over the 10 subculture cycles. The fluctuation in terms of inoculum sizes had a greater effect on the stability of anthocyanin biosynthesis in suspension cultures of V. vinifera. Among all the subculture conditions investigated, 7d-subculture cycle and 1.60 g-inoculum size was the best one to hold the relatively stable anthocyanin production. The anthocyanin yield presented a negative correlation with intracellular sucrose content or intracellular total phosphate content.
Anthocyanins ; biosynthesis ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Intracellular Space ; metabolism ; Phosphates ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Suspensions ; Vitis ; cytology ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) assisted suboccipital transtentorial approach (Poppen's approach) in the treatment of pineal region meningioma.

METHODSDuring the period of January 2005 to January 2010, 8 patients with pineal region meningioma were successfully treated using Poppen's approach through cerebral falx and tentorium. There were three male patients and five female patients were aged at a range of 41 - 64 years, average age was (54 ± 10) years. According to the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS), 5 patients' KPS scores were more than or equal to 80 and 3 were less than 80. MRI was used for the diagnosis of meningioma. 3D-CTA was applied to detect meningioma staining and blood supply. For preoperative concurrent hydrocephalus, follow-up observations were given. If hydrocephalus didn't get better or even became worse, ventriculoperitoneal shunt should be considered.

RESULTSAll the surgery were successfully performed, and venous complexes (VC) were well protected according to the CTA images. Out of the eight cases whose meningiomas were removed, one patient had got postoperative intracranial infection and recovered after given antibiotics. All patients were followed up for a period of 6 - 24 months. Preoperative concurrent hydrocephalus in 7 patients were improved. However, there was an aggravation of the hydrocephalus in one patient who was treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The MRIs which were performed at the end of follow-up period, showed no recurrence of meningiomas, and preoperative symptoms were improved to varying degrees, 7 patients' KPS scores were more than or equal to 80 and 1 was less than 80. A χ(2) test was used to analyze and to make comparisons between preoperative and postoperative KPS. The significance was indicated (χ(2) = 1.33, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor meningiomas in the pineal region, 3D-CTA is of great clinical value to distinguish the anatomic relationship among the meningioma, blood supply and VC. This case study has strongly supported using Poppen's approach assisted by 3D-CTA to proceed with the operation.

Adult ; Cerebral Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Meningioma ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Pineal Gland ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The low-production is a ubiquitous problem and has prevented the commercialization of secondary metabolite production in plant cell culture. In order to examine the effective approaches to improvement of secondary metabolite production in plant cell culture, the investigation of anthocyanins accumulation in suspension cultures of Vitis vinifera, as a model system, had been initiated in our laboratory. In this present research, various elicitors and the precursor of phenylalanine were used in combination to enhance the anthocyanins production in suspension cultures of Vitis vinifera. And an integrated process with the combination of elicitation, precursor feeding and light irradiation was reported for rational bioprocess design. Among the combination treatment of phenylalanine feeding and several elicitors (methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, dextran T-40, methyl jasmonate, extracts of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium orthoceras), the combination with methyl jasmonate gave the highest anthocyanins production in suspension cultures of Vitis vinifera. When compared to the controls, the anthocyanins content (CV/g, FCW) and production (CV/L) increased by 2.7-fold and 3.4-fold, respectively. The optimum time for the addition of phenylalanine and methyl jasmonate was 4 days after inoculation. Two cell lines with different anthocyanins-producing capacity responded differently to the optimum combination treatment of 30 micromol/L phenylalanine feeding, 218 micromol/L methyl jasmonate elicitation and 3000 to approximately 4000 1x light illumination. The high-and low-anthocyanins-producing cell lines of VV05 and VV06 produced the maximum of 2975 and 4090 CV/L of anthocyanins that were 2.5- and 5.2-fold of the controls, respectively.
Acetates ; pharmacology ; Anthocyanins ; biosynthesis ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Cyclopentanes ; pharmacology ; Light ; Oxylipins ; pharmacology ; Phenylalanine ; pharmacology ; Vitis ; cytology ; metabolism