Objective To master of the characteristics of development and variation in plague natural foci of Marmota sibirica, and to analyze the plague monitoring results from 2004 to 2008. Methods From May to September every year, we monitored plague in Manzhouli, Chenbaerhuqi, Xinbaerhuzuoqi, Xinbaerhuyouqi,Ewenkeqi and Yakeshi city. The monitored area was 20 000 - 40 000 hm2 in every county. The density of Marmota,ground squirrel and moonlighting rats was surveyed by path method, one-day bow-clip method and a clamp was placed every five meters, respectively. The classification and identification of ectoparasite fleas were done by using low power lens. The fleas in the ground squirrel hole were collected by flannel rubber stick, then classified and identified. According to National Standard of Plague Diagnostic Criteria(GB 15991-1995), the collected rats and fleas were detected by isolation and cultured Yersinia pestis, the serums of collected rats were tested by indirect hemagglutination test. Results In five years, the density of Marmota and ground squirrel was 0.010/hm2 and 0.602/hm2, respectively. The capture rate of moonlighting rats was 2.69％ (258/9600). The flea infection rate of Marmota was 17.54％(10/57) and the fleas index was 2.54. The fleas infection rate of ground squirrel was 28.40％(213/750) and the fleas index was 1.01. Flea infection rat of ground squirrel hole was 5.60％(46/822) and the fleas index was 0.17. The total number of various hosts of Yersinia pestis detected was 1351, the groups number of the variety of cultured fleas was 127, and the pathogen test results were negative. The number of serum tested was 1064, positive number was 43, and the detection rate was 4.04％(43/1064). The highest positive titer was 1 : 1280. Other than 2006, the remaining four years were found positive for blood clotting material; positive serum was found in a total of three regions, they were Manzhouli, Xinbaerhuzuoqi, and Xinbaerhuyouqi; and 30, 12 and 1 copies of hemagglutination-positive sera were detected. Conclusions The epidemic of plague natural foci of Marmota sibirica is in a active state, and gradually expands the scope. We must continue to strengthen the inspection of the bacteria, bearing in mind the replacement of the region's main host, make every effort to prevent and control of human plague.

In this article we built formula database of health food containing Gardeniae Fructus with Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System (V2.0). And on this basis, use data mining method such as association rules of the software, to analyze commonly used formula raw materials or materials combination of formula containing Gardeniae Fructus and raw material application having assisted function formula to protect chemical liver injury. The result shows that of the 71 health food formulas containing Gardeniae Fructus, most used materials are Gardeniae Fructus, Lycii Fructus, Angelica Sinensis Radix, Poria and so on. Commonly used materials combination mostly are Gardeniae Fructus and Lycii Fructus, Gardeniae Fructus and Angelica Sinensis Radix, Gardeniae Fructus and Poria, Gardeniae Fructus and Paeonia. There are nearly 18 healthcare functions of the health food containing Gardeniae Fructus, and most of these are assisted functions to protect chemical liver injury, and then immune modulating function. Of 23 formulas containing Gardeniae Fructus having assisted function formula to protect chemical liver injury, Gardeniae Fructus usually combined with traditional Chinese medicine which nourishs blood and liver such as Pueraria, Lycii Fructus, Hawthorn, Paeonia and Turnjujube. Analyzing formula raw materials application of health food containing Gardeniae Fructus contributes a lot to the further development and utilization.
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; Data Mining ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Food, Organic ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) on central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke, and explore dose-effect relationship among different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) as well as its optimal treatment plan.

METHODSAccording to different acupuncture stimulation intensities which were based on treatment time and needle insertion direction, fifty patients were randomly divided into a Hegu 1 group, a Hegu 2 group, a Hegu 3 group, a Hegu 4 group and a control group, ten cases in each one. Different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) combined with facial paralysis acupoints, including Yingxiang (LI 20), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6) and Quanliao (SI 18), were applied in Hegu 1 to 4 groups; meanwhile acupuncture at stroke acupoints, including Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and medication treatment were adopted. Except acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), the treatment of the control group was identical as Hegu groups. The treatment duration lasted for 14 days. The House-Brackmann facial never grading systems (H-B), Toronto facial grading system (TFGS), degrees of facial never paralysis (DFNP), facial disability index (FDI) and clinical efficacy were compared among groups.

RESULTS(1) Compared before the treatment, H-B, TFGS, DFNP and physical function score in FDI were all improved significantly in the Hegu 1 to 4 groups (all P < 0.05), but social function score in FDI was not obviously improved (all P > 0.05); all the scores in the control group were not evidently changed (all P > 0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, differences of H-B before and after treatment in the Hegu 1 to 4 groups, differences of TFGS in the Hegu 2 group and differences of DFNP in the Hegu 1 and Hegu 2 group were significantly improved (all P < 0.05). The differences of any scale among Hegu 1 to 4 groups were not significant (all P > 0.05), in which the most evident change was found in Hegu 2 group. (3) The total effective rate was 90.0% (9/10), 100.0% (10/10), 90.0% (9/10) and 80.0% (8/10) in Hegu 1 to 4 groups, which were significantly higher than 60.0% (6/10) in the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) has affirmative clinical efficacy on central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke, in which oblique insertion along the opposite direction of meridian for 5 s of twirling manipulation has the best clinical effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Facial Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications

Yeast strains with improved ethanol yield are important for efficient bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass for fuel ethanol.Candida shehatae CICC1766 was adapted to 4%(v/v)ethanol,and then subjected to UV mutagenesis.One respiration deficient mutant Rd-5 with improved xylose fermentation capability was selected.Protoplasts of Rd-5 were inactivated by UV treatment,followed by the PEG-mediated protoplast fusion with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with good ethanol-fermenting capability.The xylose fermenting capability of the fusants was investigated,and the fusant F6 demonstrated good ethanol fermentation performance,producing 18.75g/L ethanol from 50g/L xylose with an ethanol yield of 0.375 or 73.4% of its theoretical value of 0.511.Comparing with its parent Candida shehatae strain,the ethanol yield of F6 was increased by 28%.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) guided radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy (RF-TR) in treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN).

METHODSFrom 1999 to 2001, 18 patients with ITN were treated with percutaneous controlled RF-TR. Intraoperative 3D-CT scanning was performed to guide the trajectory of the puncture. After correction of the needle tip according to the CT scans and stimulation effects, 2 to 5 lesions were made for a duration of 60-90 seconds at a temperature of 60 degrees C to 75 degrees C depending on the pain distribution and the age of patient.

RESULTSThe needles located in foramen ovale. Pain alleviated immediately with no serious complication in all patients. The patients were followed up for an average of 31.5 months (range 24-41 months). Acute pain relief was experienced by 17 patients after the procedure, reaching an initial success rate of 94.4%. Early (< 6 months) pain recurrence was observed in 2 patients (11.1%), whereas late (> 6 months) recurrence was reported in 3 patients (16.7%). Thirteen patients had complete pain control, with no need for medication thereafter. Five cases experienced partial pain relief, but required medication at a lower dose than in the preoperative period.

CONCLUSION3D-CT foramen ovale locations can raise the successful rate of puncture, enhance the safety, and reduce the incidence rate of complication.

Adult ; Aged ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Rhizotomy ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and distribution of KDR, VEGF and CD34 in yolk sac and liver of human embryo at different development stage.

METHODSYolk sacs and livers of 15 human embryos were analyzed by the immunohistochemical SP kits for the expression of KDR, VEGF and CD34.

RESULTSKDR, VEGF and CD34 were all expressed in yolk sacs and livers of the embryos. In the intermediate liver group, the grey value of KDR and VEGF were 103.8 +/- 6.1 and 96.4 +/- 6.3, respectively, stronger than that in the late liver group which were 90.4 +/- 6.0 and 87.4 +/- 6.3, respectively (P < 0.05). A positive correlation between the levels of KDR and VEGF was observed (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of KDR and CD34 in yolk sac and liver of embryo suggests the presence of hemangioblast in these organs. Interaction of KDR and VEGF might relate to survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of hemangioblasts.

Embryo, Mammalian ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; embryology ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis ; Yolk Sac ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bufalin on nucleus-mitochondria localization of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) by exploring its effect on proliferation and apoptosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells.

METHODSEC9706 cells were treated with bufalin at various concentrations, and then the cell growth inhibition of EC9706 cells was examined by CCK-8 assay and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was calculated.Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry with PI staining, and nucleus morphology of apoptosis were observed by fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining. The apoptotic index was measured by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. hTERT subcellular localization and protein expression were determined by Western blotting and multiple immunofluorescence labling combined with laser confocal scanning microscopy.

RESULTSThe proliferation of EC 9706 cells was significantly inhibited by bufalin along with the increase of processing time and concentrations (p<0.01). After the EC9706 cells were exposed to 100 nmol/L bufalin,the number of cells gradually decreased in G(1) phase and increased in S and G(2)/M phases(p<0.05). The typical nucleus morphological changes of apoptosis were observed and the apoptotic index was increased(p<0.01). The expression of hTERT decreased in nucleus but increased in mitochondria(p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBufalin can inhibit the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It can arrest cell cycle in S and G(2)/M phases and induce the apoptosis of EC 9706 cells. hTERT is localized in both nucleus and mitochondria,and can be partially translocated from nucleus to mitochondria during the bufalin-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Telomerase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of c-fos protein(Fos) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) staining in the brain of rat after experimental brain contusion. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry of c-fos and NGFR were applied to investigate the brain contusion. RESULTS: (1) The expression of Fos protein could be observed at 0.5 h after injury and then increased with the prolonging of time. By 3 h after injury, the positive staining cells could be detected massively not only in and round the wound site but also in other areas of the whole ipsilateral cortex. The stains decreased 6-12 h later and could hardly be detected 1 d after the brain contusion. The control-experiment is negative. (2) NGFR positive staining cells could be found round the wound area 1 d postlesion. At 3 d following injury, a peak of massive positively stained cells appeared both in number and in intensity, showing significant differences compare with that of 1 d after damage (P < 0.01). 5 d later the positive express declined slowly. The express in the control-rat is negative. CONCLUSION There is a rule that the expression of Fos and NGFR positive staining changes with time going after brain contusion, which will be of great value in estimation of brain injury time. Detection of Fos can be used for time deduction in earlier period after injury, while NGFR in later period. They are also very important for distinguishing between antemortem or postmortem injury.
Animals ; Brain Concussion/complications* ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neuroglia/metabolism* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism* ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study is to explore the treatment and outcome of epileptogenic temporal lobe cavernous malformations (CMs).

METHODSWe analyzed retrospectively the profiles of 52 patients diagnosed as temporal lobe CMs associated with epilepsy. Among the 52 cases, 11 underwent a direct resection of CM along with the adjacent zone of hemosiderin rim without electrocorticogram (ECoG) monitoring while the other 41 cases had operations under the guidance of ECoG. Forty-six patients were treated by lesionectomy + hemosiderin rim while the other six were treated by lesionectomy + hemosiderin rim along with extended epileptogenic zone resection. The locations of lesions, the duration of illness, the manifestation, the excision ranges and the outcomes of postoperative follow-up were analyzed, respectively.

RESULTSAll of the 52 patients were treated by microsurgery. There was no neurological deficit through the long-term follow-up. Outcomes of seizure control are as follows: 42 patients (80.8%) belong to Engel Class I, 5 patients (9.6%) belong to Engel Class II, 3 patients (5.8%) belong to Engel Class III and 2 patients (3.8%) belong to Engel Class IV.

CONCLUSIONPatients with epilepsy caused by temporal CMs should be treated as early as possible. Resection of the lesion and the surrounding hemosiderin zone is necessary. Moreover, an extended excision of epileptogenic cortex or cerebral lobes is needed to achieve a better prognosis if the ECoG indicates the existence of an extra epilepsy onset origin outside the lesion itself.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporal Lobe ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the vasodilatation activity of the coumarin-containing Angelica dahurica var. formosana and to further analyze active components in the herb extracts.

METHODS(1) The vasodilatation effects induced by different extracts (cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, 95 % ethanol and water) of Angelica dahurica var. formosana on mouse thoracic aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine were investigated. (2) The amount of imperatorin and isoimperatorin in each extract was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. (3) The vasodilatation effects of imperatorin and isoimperatorin on mouse thoracic aorta were compared using the same in vitro method. (4) The vasodilatation mechanism of imperatorin in the mouse thoracic aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine was studied using the methods of denuded endothelium, NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), and propranolol.

RESULTS(1) The cyclohexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Angelica dahurica var. formosana decreased the maximal response of phenylephrine-induced mouse thoracic aorta contraction dose-dependently, with 50% inhibiting concentration (IC(50)) values of 35.3+/-12.4 mg/L and 40.5+/-12.0 mg/L, respectively. The vasodilatation effect of imperatorin and isoimperatorin was dose-dependent. (2) The cyclohexane extract, showing the strongest vasodilatation effect, possessed the highest contents of imperatorin (4.09%) and isoimperatorin (0.27%, w/w). There was a correlation between the vasodilatation activity and the contents of imperatorin and isoimperatorin in the extracts. (3) The vasodilatation effect of imperatorin was about 4-fold stronger than that of isoimperatorin. (4) The vasodilatation effect of imperatorin was signifificantly attenuated to 24.88%+/-4.06% in the denuded endothelium group compared with the intact endothelium group. And 1 mmol/L L-NAME reduced the imperatorin-induced vasorelaxation by 32.18 %+/-11.29 %.

CONCLUSIONSThe principal effective component of Angelica dahurica var. Formosana was found to be imperatorin. Imperatorin-induced vasodilatation is at least partially regulated by nitric oxide, and has no correlation to beta-receptor.

Angelica ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; Furocoumarins ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Phenylephrine ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Vasodilation ; drug effects