Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Rupture

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation betwe en necrosis and apoptosis in the hippocampus of exogenous bFGF on this process. METHODS: With Marmarou's method we produced a severe diffuse brain injury and studied the changes in the hippocampus by adapting a modified T dT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. At the same time we observed the effect of exogenous bFGF on neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. RESULTS: We found that together with cell necrosis there was an increase in the number of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampus CA2-3 sectors a s early as 4 h after injury, with numbers reaching a maximum at 7 d. Exogenous b FGF resulted in a definite reduction in the amount of necrosis and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Neuronal necrosis and apoptosis occur in combinati on after brain injury and that one of the causes may be the insufficience expres sion of the bFGF gene in the hippocampus after severe injury. Exogenous bFGF and similar substance may prove clinically useful after brain injury by reducing ce ll necrosis and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the usefulness of quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG), flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP) and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) as indicators of general neurological status.

METHODSComparison was conducted on healthy controls (n = 30) and patients with brain concussion (n = 60) within 24 h after traumatic brain injury. Follow-up study of patient group was completed with the same standard paradigm 3 months later. All participants were recorded in multi-modality related potential testing in both early and late concussion at the same clinical setting. Glasgow coma scale, CT scanning, and physical examinations of neuro-psychological function, optic and auditory nervous system were performed before electroencephalogram (EEG) and evoked potential (EEG-EP) testing. Any participants showed abnormal changes of clinical examinations were excluded from the study. Average power of frequency spectrum and power ratios were selected for QEEG testing, and latency and amplitude of F-VEP and ABR were recorded.

RESULTSBetween patients and normal controls, the results indicated: (1) Highly significance (P < 0.01) in average power of α1 and power ratios of θ/α1, θ/α2, α1/α2 of EEG recording; (2) N70-P100 amplitude of F-VEP in significant difference at early brain concussion; and (3) apparent prolongation of I-III inter-peak latency of ABR appeared in some individuals at early stage after concussion. The follow-up study showed that some patients with concussion were also afflicted with characteristic changes of EEG components for both increments of α1 average power and θ/α2 power ratio after 3 months recording.

CONCLUSIONEEG testing has been shown to be more effective and sensitive than evoked potential tests alone on detecting functional state of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Increments of α1 average power and θ/α2 power ratio are the sensitive EEG parameters to determining early concussion and evaluating outcome of post-concussion symptoms (PCS). Follow-up study associated with persistent PCS may be consistent with the postulate of substantial biological, rather than psychological origin. The study suggests that combination of EEG and EP parameters can contribute to the evaluation of brain function as a whole for clinical and forensic applications.

India is a parliamentary republic country located in South Asian. Its medical and healthcare insurance is paid by the state government and it has the world’s largest "free medical" service system. India has a long history of traditional medicine (TM) represented mainly by Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga etc. As early as the 2nd century BC, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was introduced to India along with religious exchanges and trade activities. At present, acupuncture has achieved independent legal status in India and there are many acupuncture clinics and associations. However, non-acupuncture TCM treatments lack development in India, but the application of acupuncture lacks of systematic standards.

Purpose: This study aimed to find a correlation between the occlusal plane and two reference planes that are frequently used in semi-adjustable articulators. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two males and fifty females with normal articulation were recruited and the lateral cephalograms of these patients were taken. The angles between the Frankfort horizontal (FH) and the occlusal planes, the angles between the gnathologic and the occlusal planes, and the angles between the FH and gnathologic planes were measured on the lateral cephalograms.Result: The mean angles between the FH and the occlusal planes was 8.29°±3.62°, with 8.88°±3.09° and 7.63°±4.10°for male and female patients, respectively. The mean angles between the gnathologic and the occlusal planes was 2.77°±3.62°, and the angle between the FH and the gnathologic planes was 5.52°±3.62°. No significant differences were found in the measured angles between the male and female patients (P>0.05). Conclusion Different guidance angles may be applied to articulators for prosthodontic restoration, depending on the reference planes that the articulators use.

The central nervous system regulates feeding, weight and glucose homeostasis in rodents and humans, but the site-specific mechanisms remain unclear. The dorsal vagal complex in the brainstem that contains the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and area postrema (AP) emerges as a regulatory center that impacts energy and glucose balance by monitoring hormonal and nutrient changes. However, the specific mechanistic metabolic roles of the NTS and AP remain elusive. This mini-review highlights methods to study their distinct roles and recent findings on their metabolic differences and similarities of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) action and glucose sensing in the NTS and AP. In summary, future research aims to characterize hormonal and glucose sensing mechanisms in the AP and/or NTS carries potential to unveil novel targets that lower weight and glucose levels in obesity and diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To study the neuroprotective effects of Shenzao jianna o oral liquid （SZJN）on Alzheimer ’s disease （AD）model mice and its mechanism. METHODS The mice were randomly divided into sham operation group ，model group ， Donepezil hydrochloride tablet group （0.65 mg/kg），SZJN low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.3，1.5 and 7.5 g/kg， calculated by crude drug quantity ），with 12 mice in each group ，half male and half female. Each group was given relevant medicine（intragastric administration of water at constant volume in sham operation group and model group ），twice a day ，for consecutive 28 d. On the 15th day of administration ，intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid 1-42（Aβ1-42）combined with intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine hydrobromide were used to induce AD model. Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and memory ability of mice. HE staining and Nissl staining were used to evaluate the pathological changes of brain tissue in mice. The levels of MDA and SOD in brain tissue of mice were detected. The phosphorylation level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein （CREB） and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in hippocampal tissues were detected by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with sham operation group ，the escape latency of the model group was significantly prolonged ，and the number of crossing the platform and the percentage of residence time in the target quadrant were significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. The level of SOD in brain tissue ，the phosphorylation level of CREB and the expression level of BDNF in hippocampus decreased significantly （P＜0.01），while the level of MDA increased significantly （P＜ 0.01）. In hippocampal CA 1 area and cortical tissue ，nerve cells showed significantly decreased number ，the disordered arrangement and large gap ；the shape of nucleus was irregular and deeply stained ，and Nissl body was blurred ，loosely arranged and the number decreased. Compared with model group ，the escape latency of mice in each dose group of SZJN was significantly shortened ，and the times of crossing the platform and the percentage of residence time in the target quadrant were significantly jing- increased（P＜0.01）. Above indexes of brain tissue in mice were reversed sig nificantly in SZJN high-dose group （P＜0.01），and pathological damage of brain tiss ue was improved. CONCLUSIONS SZJN can significantly improve the learning and memory ability of AD model mice ，and alleviate the pathological injury and oxidative stress of brain tissue ，which may be related to the activation of CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.

The detailed operating methods and the clinical application of the unique acupuncture therapy established by professor XIE Qiang and applied specially in otorhinolaryngologic department are introduced, ie. acupuncture and moxibustion methods for regulating channels and contacting qi, transferring focus of excitation, needling movement and needling ying combined with minimally invasive needle scalpel. Meanwhile, the position of the experience acupoints named Kaiyin 1 (ease-up the voice 1) and Kaiyin 2 (ease-up the voice 2) and their manipulation are recommended, and the clinical application of these acupuncture methods and acupoints for inflammation and pain in otorhinolaryngologic department are explained.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases ; therapy ; Pain Management ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) on hemolysis and antioxidant system of normal mice and its impact on the functions, while evaluating the oxidation reduction property of CR and berberine.

METHODIn the whole animal experiment, normal mice were orally administered with CR at the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1) for three days. Their blood were collected to detect the hemoglobin in plasma, the content of serum bilirubin, the number of peripheral blood reticulocytes, the T-AOC in whole blood, measure the contents of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of RBC membrane, determine the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase, fluidity, and observe its impact on the liquidity and deformability of RBCs. According to the electrical and biochemical experiment, the voltammetric behaviors of CR and berberine on glassy carbon electrode were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. In the RBC in vitro experiment, the impact of Coptidis Rhizoma on autoxidation hemolysis rate of RBCs of normal mice was observed.

RESULTThere was no significant effect on hemoglobin, serum bilirubin, and reticulocyte count in normal mice administrated with CR at the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1), and so is on RBC membrane SOD, G6PD, MDA, GSH and whole blood T-AOC activity. In addition, CR had also no significant effect on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase activity, and no notable impact on the fluidity and deformability of RBCs. There were two oxidation peaks at -0.27 V and 0.60 V induced by CR and one oxidation peak induced by berberine at 0.56 V, with no reduction peak at fly-back. CR could significantly inhibit oxidative hemolysis in RBCs at the dose of 0.125-2 g x L(-1) in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe normal dose of Coptidis Rhizoma can not cause hemolysis of RBC, and also can not change antioxidant system and functions of RBC, CR and berberine show antioxidant (reducing) properties.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice

BACKGROUNDTime-intensity curves derived from microbubble destruction/refilling sequences and recorded using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) can provide parameters that correlate with coronary blood flow. The response of these parameters to adenosine vasodilatation correlates with coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured by fluorescent microsphere techniques (FMT). Currently, no data exist regarding the effect of physiological variables, such as hypoxia, on the determination of CFR by MCE. The purpose of this study was to define the effects of decreases in blood partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) on CFR as measured by MCE.

METHODSStudies were performed in 9 closed chest swine. Low-energy, real-time MCE was performed with commercial instruments in short axis view at papillary muscle level while infusing BR1 at 30 ml/h. High-energy ultrasound bursts (referred to as FLASH frames) destroyed the bubbles every 15 cardiac cycles, and resultant time-intensity curves derived from these sequences were fitted to the exponential function y = A [1-e(-bt)] + c, from which the rate of signal rise (b) was obtained. CFR was calculated as the ratio of b values after adenosine infusion to baseline and was obtained during the control period and after decreasing blood PO2 by giving nitrogen via a respirator to create artificial hypoxic conditions. CFR was independently determined by FMT.

RESULTSNitrogen led to significant decreases in mean PO2, from (120.6 +/- 18.9) mmHg to (51.8 +/- 15.9) mmHg (P < 0.01). Adenosine produced a similar increase in CFR (2.5 fold vs 3.1 fold) as assessed by MCE and FMT during the control period. The decrease in PO2 post nitrogen resulted in a slight increase in values at rest: 0.46 +/- 0.15 to 0.53 +/- 0.18 for b and (1.39 +/- 0.66) ml x min(-1) x g(-1) to (1.72 +/- 0.30) ml x min(-1) x g(-1) for myocardial blood flow (MBF) (both P < 0.05). In addition, values decreased in response to adenosine using both techniques: 1.05 +/- 0.35 to 0.82 +/- 0.27 for b and (4.30 +/- 3.16) ml x min(-1) x g(-1) to (3.93 +/- 1.27) ml x min(-1) x g(-1) for MBF (both P < 0.05). Thus, CFR was markedly reduced under hypoxic conditions, to 1.4 by MCE (P < 0.05 compared with the baseline), and to 2.5 by FMT (P > 0.05 compared with the baseline).

CONCLUSIONSCFR values diminish under hypoxic conditions according to both MCE and FMT. The reductions in CFR involve both an increase in resting values and a decrease in post adenosine measurements, as determined by both techniques. The reduction in CFR under hypoxia is slightly greater using MCE than using FMT. Physiological variables, such as hypoxia, must be taken into consideration when assessing CFR by MCE.

Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Coronary Circulation ; Echocardiography ; Hypoxia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Microspheres ; Swine