OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) and medicine on acute lumbar sprain.

METHODSThree hundred cases of acute lumbar sprain were randomly divided into two groups, a electroacupuncture (EA) group and a medication group, 150 cases in each group. The EA group were treated with EA at Houxi (SI 3), once each day, 3 sessions constituting one course, and the medication group with Mobike, once daily, 7. 5 mg each time. Their therapeutic effects were evaluated after treatment for 7 days and one month respectively.

RESULTSFor the short-term therapeutic effect, the effective rate was 97. 3% in the EA group and 89. 2% in the medication group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0. 01); for the long-term therapeutic effect, the effective rate was 99. 3% in the EA group and 93. 2% in the medication group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONBoth the short-term and the long-term therapeutic effects of EA at Houxi (SI 3) on acute lumbar sprain are better than those in the medication group.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; injuries ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Sprains and Strains ; therapy

OBJECTIVEIt has been known that the intrahepatic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in the fibrogenesis in livers. Aldosterone (Aldo), the principal effector molecule of the RAAS, exerts local effects on cell growth and fibrogenesis. However, the signal transduction mechanisms underlying the effects of Aldo on hepatic fibrogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the signal transduction mechanism underlying the effects of Aldo on the signal passageway of active protein-1 (AP-1).

METHODSIn vitro, HSCs-T6 cell line was treated with Aldo for 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min and 180 min, and protein expression of Phospho-P42/44 was detected by Western blot. In addition, HSCs-T6 cell line was preincubated for 60 min or not with U0126 (an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK kinase), and also with antioxidant-N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prior to exposure to Aldo for the indicated times. Protein expression of Phospho-P42/44 was measured by Western blot. DNA biding activity of AP-1 was analyzed by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). By means of RT-PCR, expression of alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA was detected.

RESULTSAldo stimulated HSC via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. Time course experiments showed that Aldo induced Phospho-P42/44 expression, which was abrogated by U0126, reaching a maximum at 10 minutes, and then declined progressively. NAC inhibited the Phospho-P42/44 expression. EMSA showed that stimulation of HSC by Aldo markedly increased AP-1 DNA binding activity. U0126 markedly reduced AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by Aldo; NAC partly decreased AP-1 activity induced by Aldo. Aldo up-regulated expression of alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA, which was attenuated by U0126 and NAC.

CONCLUSIONStimulation of HSC by Aldo results in activation of AP-1 via ERK1/2 pathway, leading to up-regulation of AP-1 target gene alpha1(1) procollagen mRNA expression.

Aldosterone ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the biomarkers of styrene and to provide theoretical basis for bio-monitoring of styrene.

METHODSUrinary mandalic acid (MA), phenylglyoxalic acid (PGA) and mercapturic acid (MUA) of styrene were examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSThe correlation regression equations between exposure dose and MA, PGA and MUA level in morning urinary samples were: ŷ = 2.58x + 70.82; ŷ = 1.66x + 37.42; ŷ = 0.05x + 0.55 respectively. The correlation regression equations between exposure dose and MA, PGA and MUA level in post-shift urinary samples were: ŷ = 1.85x + 89.02; ŷ = 1.33x + 4.32; ŷ = 0.04x + 0.68 respectively. All showed close dose-response relationship.

CONCLUSIONSThe level of MA, PGA and MUA in morning or post-shift urinary samples may be used as bio-monitoring indexes of styrene.

Acetylcysteine ; urine ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Environmental Monitoring ; Glyoxylates ; urine ; Humans ; Male ; Mandelic Acids ; urine ; Regression Analysis ; Styrene ; metabolism

Objective It is rarely reported whether myricetin inhibits the activation and function of cardiac fibroblasts and thereby prevents myocardial fibrosis. This study was to investigate the effects of myricetin on the activation,proliferation and secretion of cardiac fibroblasts and its possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fibroblasts isolated from 1-3 days old rats were cultured and their activation,proliferation and secretion were induced with the transforming growth factor (TGF). The fibroblasts were incubated with myricetin at different concentrations of 1,3,10,30 and 100 μmol/L for 24 hours followed by detection of their proliferation with the CKK8 kit,the transcription levels of fibrotic factors by RT-PCR and the expression levels of α-SMA and signal proteins by immunoflu-orescence staining and Western blot,respectively. Results The expression of α-SMA was significantly up-regulated in the cardiac fi- broblasts of the rats in the TGF-β,30 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β and 100 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β groups as compared with that in the control group (P<0.05) but down-regulated in the 30 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β and 100 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β groups in com-parison with that in the TGF-β group (P<0.05). At 48 hours,the transcription levels of collagenⅠ,collagenⅢ,fibronectin and con-nective tissue growth factor were markedly higher in the TGF-β,30 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β and 100 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β groups than in the control group (P<0.05) but lower in the 30 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β and 100 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β groups than in the TGF-β group (P<0.05). The phosphorylation levels of smad2 and smad3 were remarkably elevated in the TGF-β,30 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β and 100 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β groups and the expression of smad4 reduced in the TGF-β group as com-pared with the control group (P<0.05). The levels of smad2,smad3 and smad4 were all significantly decreased in the 30 μmol/L myr-icetin+TGF-β and the 100 μmol/L myricetin+TGF-β groups in comparison with the TGF-β group (P<0.05). Conclusion Myricetin suppresses the activation,proliferation and secretion of cardiac fibroblasts induced by TGF-β via inhibiting the smad signaling pathway.

Objective To learn the willingness to engage in elderly care among nursing students in junior college in order to provide the basis for the training of geriatric nursing staff.Methods Totally 1 1 76 junior college nursing students in Ningbo were selected by stratified sampling method and were investigated with a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior.The willingness and plan to engage in elderly care among the students were analyzed.Results Fifty six percent of the nursing students would like to work in geriatric nursing.The average score of behavioral attitude,subjective norm,and perceived behavior control were (52.1 2 ±9.52),(1 6.42 ±6.21 ),and (31 .54 ±7.94).The regression analysis showed that the score of behavior attitude (β=0.1 8),subjective norm (β=0.35 ),and perceived behavior control (β=0.25 )were the factors influencing the willingness to work in geriatric nursing.Different major,grade, experience in elderly care and knowledge had different attitude and behavior in the willingness to engage in elderly care work(P <0.05).There were positive correlations among behavioral attitude,subjective norm,perceived behavior control and behavior intention (P <0.01 )Conclusion The investigation suggested that training nursing staff achievements previews in this area.Nursing students in higher vocational colleges have good professional intention in the work of geriatric nursing work.

BACKGROUNDNatural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in host immune defense, while the quantities and subset distributions may vary among different races. To address the difference, we compared these variables among Chinese Han, the Caucasians and the Blacks. The study may provide critical background information for both basic research and clinical investigation.

METHODSBlood samples collected from populations of different races were tested within 12 hours after collection and subsets of NK cells were characterized using flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe absolute NK count in the Chinese Han was significantly higher than that in the Caucasian. The Han and Caucasian groups showed higher percentages of cytotoxic subset compared to that of the Black group. The percentage of cytokine-producing subset of Chinese Han group was lower than that of Caucasian and Black groups. Black group had a higher percentage of function-unknown NK subset than that of the Han and Caucasian groups.

CONCLUSIONOur data indicated that NK cell count and the distribution of different subsets varied among different races, which should be taken into consideration in related investigations.

Adult ; African Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C ; metabolism

Bone marrow (BM) is the major source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In most experiments, MSC were classically cultured from mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated by density gradient centrifugation method. However, several studies have demonstrated that this method was less efficient for MSC recovery. This study was aimed to investigate whether BM particles were the cause resulting in less efficiency of this method and how to isolate them. A total of 20 patients were enrolled in this study. MNC were cultured by standard adherence and BM particles were cultivated by primary explant culture. For BM from patients 1-10, MNC were first isolated and BM particles were then filtered out. The morphology and the fibroblastic colony number were compared between cultures of MNC and BM particles. For BM from patients 11-20, MNC isolation and BM particle filtration were processed in opposite order, then the immunophenotype and function between adherent cells expanded from MNC and BM particles were compared. In addition, for patients 11-20, the left BM aspirates were cultured too after BM particles and MNC were isolated separately. The results showed that adherent cells from BM particles were MSC. After BM particles were filtered out and cultured separately, MSC could be recovered completely from MNC isolated by density gradient centrifugation and no MSC were left in the residual BM aspirates. BM particles, which have been mostly discarded by the method of density gradient centrifugation, are another important source of MSC and they can be cultivated reliably by primary explant culture. It is concluded that more MSC are recovered from a single BM sample by culturing BM particles and MNC separately.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of prostatectomy on nocturia in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSThe data of patients who had received prostatectomy for BPH between June 2006 and December 2007 were collected. Nocturia severity was assessed preoperatively and 3 to 6 months after prostatectomy by the number of nocturia events, the time from falling sleep to the first awakening to void (hours of undisturbed sleep, HUS), the score of the nocturia quality of life (N-QOL) questionnaire, the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and the quality of life (QOL) score.

RESULTSOne hundred and twenty five cases were included. Of them, 73 patients finished the follow-up completely. There were 62 patients whose number of nocturia events before the operation was equal or more than 2. The data from these 62 patients were analyzed. Of them, 56 patients underwent transurethral resection of prostate, the remaining 11 patients suprapubic prostatectomy. Significant improvement (P < 0.01) was noted in all the following parameters after treatment: the number of nocturia events decreased from 4.2 ± 2.4 to 2.2 ± 1.0, HUS increased from (1.8 ± 0.7) h to (3.0 ± 1.4) h, N-QOL score raised from 30 ± 10 to 40 ± 7, IPSS decreased from 23 ± 5 to 8 ± 5, and QOL score fell down from 4.4 ± 0.7 to 1.5 ± 1.0.

CONCLUSIONThe prostatectomy can markedly improve the symptoms of nocturia, sleep and life quality in the BPH patients who accompanied with nocturia.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nocturia ; complications ; surgery ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo discuss the impacts of moxibustion for regulating spleen and stomach function on the survival quality of the patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD) with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

METHODSOne hundred and nine cases of uremia with MHD from 3 hemodialysis centers were randomized into an observation group (58 cases) and a control group (51 cases). The regular hemodialysis and conventional medication were used in the two groups. In the observation group, on the basis of the common treatment, moxibustion was applied to Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), 2-3 times a day, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session. Totally, 3 sessions were required and the follow-up lasted for 3 months. KDQOL-SF (kidney disease quality of life short form,KDQOL-SFTM 1. 3) was adopted for the questionnaire investigation on survival quality before treatment, after treatment and at the end of follow-up separately in the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the survival quality scores in terms of physical functioning (83.62+/-13.27 vs 79.32+/- 22. 17), general health (58. 88+/- 20.24 vs 48.82+/-20.89) and vitality (77.07+/-15.56 vs 70. 59+/-22.61) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0. 05). In comparison before and after treatment in the same group, the survival quality scores in terms of physical functioning, general health, vitality and symptoms/problems were all improved in the observation group (all P<0. 05). At the end of follow-up, the survival quality scores in terms of physical functioning, general health, mental health, social functioning, vitality, effects of kidney disease and cognitive function were higher in the observation group as compared with those in the control group (all P<0. 05). In comparison of the results at the end of follow-up with those before treatment, the survival quality scores in terms of vitality, symptoms/problems and cognitive function in the observation group were improved (all P< 0. 05). The differences were not significant in all of the 19 fields of survival quality evaluation before and after treatment, and after follow-up in the control group (all P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion for regulating spleen and stomach function improves the survival quality of the patients with hemodialysis in terms of physical functioning, general health and vitality, which benefits the psychological condition of the patients, resulting in the improvements of the survival quality in the fields of mental health, social functioning, effects of kidney disease and cognitive function.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Stomach ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo identify the candidate auto-antigen of rheumatic heart disease as a molecular marker for this disease.

METHODSThe total RNA of the heart tissue of patients with rheumatic heart disease was extracted and reverse-transcribed into long cDNA to construct the phage expression library. The library was screened using the serum from patients with active rheumatic fever, and the positive clone was identified and analyzed by bioinformatics and expressed in vitro. The expressed products were evaluated with Western blotting and its cross-reactivity was assessed.

RESULTSThe phage expression library of the heart tissue of patients with rheumatic heart disease was constructed, with the titer of the primary library of 3.3×10(6) pfu/ml, recombinant rate of 99%, and 81% of the inserted segments were larger than 1 kb. An auto-antigen RHDAG1 was identified by screening, which was homologous to keratin 18. RHDAG1 was detected in the serum of patients with active rheumatic fever and of those with rheumatic heart disease, but not in the serum of healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONPhage display library can be an effective strategy to screen the auto-antigens of rheumatic heart disease. The auto-antigen RHDAG1 can be a candidate molecular biomarker of rheumatic heart disease and/or rheumatic fever.

Autoantibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Autoantigens ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Autoimmune Diseases ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Peptide Library ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; immunology