To investigate the neuroprotective of ligustilide (LIG) against glutamate-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, cell viability were examined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was applied to assay cell apoptosis rate. Intracellular calcium concentration was measured by using fluorescent dye Fluo-3/AM. Cytochrome C (Cyt C), Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression were assayed by western blot. The results showed that glutamate is cytotoxic with an inhibitory concentration 50 (ID50) of 15 mmol · L(-1). Pretreatment with LIG (1, 5, 15 μmol · L(-1)) significantly improved cell viability. The apoptosis rate in glutamate-induced PC12 cells was 13.39%, and decreased in the presence of LIG (1, 5, 15 μmol · L(-1)) by 9.06%, 6.48%, 3.82%, separately. Extracellular accumulation of Ca2+ induced by glutamate were significantly reduced by LIG. The results of western blot manifested that pretreatment LIG could decrease the release of Cyt C from mitochondria, down-regulate Caspase-3 protein expression and up-regulate Bcl-2/Bax ratio, thereby protects PC12 cells from apoptosis. In summary, LIG had protective effect on glutamate-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells through attenuating the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and inhibiting the release of Cyt C from mitochondria to cytoplasm.

Objective The association between Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection and allergic diseases was controversial.The aim of this study was to investigate the association between H.pylori infection and allergic diseases.Methods A questionnaire survey regarding the general health condition and allergic diseases was carried out in patients who had taken gastroscopy at People's Hospital of Peking University from September 2015 to April 2016.H.pylori infection was detected by the H.pylori antibody,rapid urease test and gastric mucosa pathology.Results There were 1 034 patients were enrolled in this study.The rate of H.pylori infection was 20.5%(212/1 034).The frequencies of contact dermatitis,urticaria,food/drug allergy,allergic rhinitis,bronchial asthma were 6.9%(71/1 034),15.5%(160/1 034),18.0%(186/1 034),20.8%(215/1 034) and 3.4%(35/1 034),respectively.The rate of the food/drug allergy was significantly lower in the H.pylori-positive group than in the H.pylori-negative group(11.8 %(25/212) vs.19.6%(161/822),χ2=6.940,P=0.008).The risk of food/drug allergy in H.pylori-positive group was 0.611(95% CI:0.386-0.966,P=0.035) in the multivariate analysis.When the patients were divided into age-dependent groups,the rate of the food/drug allergy was significantly lower in the H.pylori-positive group than in the H.pylori-negative group(10.9 %(11/101) vs.20.6%(101/490),χ2=5.152,P=0.023) in those patients ≥50 years old.There were not statistically significant differences on contact dermatitis,urticaria,eczema,asthma and allergic rhinitis between helicobacter pylori positive group and negative group(P>0.05).Conclusion H.pylori infection may be a protective factor in food/drug allergy and the protective effect enhanced by infection time.

Objective To establish a monitoring and evaluation indicator framework in the context of malaria elimination in pilot areas in China,so as to further assess the malaria elimination work in the future. Methods Based on the consultancy, and according to the government documents such as Action Plan for Malaria Elimination in China (2010-2020),Technical Guidance for Malaria Elimination,Programme Evaluation on Malaria Elimination,the indicators were set up at both provincial and county levels and their application was conducted in Yunnan and Anhui provinces to assess the accountability,accessibility and applicability. Results An indicator framework was built up including four key components,which were input,process, output and impact indicators,in which 95 were provincial indicators and 98 were county indicators. The completion rate of the indicators of Yunnan and Anhui provinces were 94.7%(90/95)and 95.8%(91/95)respectively;and the completion rate of in?dicators of Tengchong and Feidong counties were 93.9%(92/98)and 92.9%(91/98)respectively. Conclusion The estab?lished indicator framework is reliable and applicable,which could effectively help to track the malaria elimination progress and identify gaps.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for storage management of injection drugs protected from light in inpatient phar-macy of hospital. METHODS:From Jan. to Mar. 2016,the storage items of injection drugs protected from light in inpatient phar-macy of our hospital and the current storage situation were surveyed,the quality management tool PDCA circulation was adopted to improve storage situation and evaluate the effect of PDCA. RESULTS:For improper storage of injection drugs protected from light caused by employees lacking knowledge in photophobic knowledge,unfamiliar to the list of injection drugs protected from light, no packaging in returned drugs,after developing and carrying out corresponding countermeasures,including reinforcing staff train-ing,studying characteristics of the new-coming drug timely,renewal photophobic knowledge and the list of injection drugs protect-ed from light,and ameliorating working procedure,the light storage pass rate was increased from 96.5% to 100% in 310 injection drugs protected from light in inpatient pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS:Appling PDCA can effectively improve the storage management of injection drugs protected from light and provide reliable protection for the drugs'safe and effective application.

Objective To analyze HIV/AIDS epidemic characteristics in Henan Province.Methods The database of HIV/AIDS cases information and follow-up information from the national online case reporting were downloaded.Comprehensive analysis was performed.Results 42 879 cases were confirmed and reported HIV positive,69.05% were former paid plasma donors at the end of 2008.Among these cases reported in 2008,26.64% were heterosexual transmission,and 49.59% (1 802) were found via voluntary counseling and testing.Conclusions The epidemic characteristics of HIV/AIDS in Henan Province was mainly among former paid plasma donors.But the transmission through plasma donor had been interdicted.While the proportion of sexual transmission was increasing,this suggested that education and behavior intervention should be strengthened in order to interrupt further transmission.Counseling and testing become main source of detecting HIV infection.

Objective To investigate the effect of live Lactobacillus acidophilus on Caco-2 cells to release pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8.Methods Caco-2 cells were cultured for 2 h with live Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 1950103-12 and examined by reverse transcription-PCR for IL-6 and TNF-α induced IL-8 expression.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitate secreted IL-6 and IL-8.Results Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 1950103-12 had no ecffect on the mRNA expression and production of IL-6 and IL-8 in the Caco-2 cells.A significant mRNA expression and production of IL-6 and IL-8 by the Caco-2 cells were detected after exposure to TNF-α.Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 1950103-12 down-regulated IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression and inhibited constitutive synthesis by Caco-2 cells of IL-6 and IL-8 that induced by TNF-α.Conclusion Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 1950103-12 has potent direct anti-inflammatory activity on human epithelial cells.

Objective To study clinical features, treatment and prognosis of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome (HPS).Methods Retrospectively analysis method was used to analyze the clinical data of 3 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma associated HPS. Results 3 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma fulfilled the criteria of HPS. All patients had adverse prognostic factors of lymphoma.1 patient developed HPS as the main primary manifestations of underlying lymphoma,the other 2 patients developed HPS during lymphoma progression. In three cases, bone marrow was infiltrated with lymphoma cells.When HPS occurred,the disease progressed rapidly.The most obvious clinical features were fever,pancytopenia,hypofibrinogenemia,hyperferritinemia,and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow. After being treated according to the HLH-2004 combined with chemotherapy, all patients showed a clinical response,but with the progression of lymphoma,HPS quickly relapsed,and all patients died of severe hepatic dysfunction,coagulopathy,or DIC.Conclusion Nasal NK/T lymphoma associated HPS is an invariably fatal disease with poor prognosis,typically occurring at advanced stage or the terminal phase of the disease.HLH-2004 based protocol in combination with chemotherapy is helpful for nasal NK/T cell lymphoma associated HPS,which may delay disease progression and provid opportunities for the treatment of primary disease.

Insulin receptor substrate(IRS)-1 and IRS-2 expression levels of liver tissues and skeletal muscle in intrauterine growth retarded(IUGR)rats were investigated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.An IUGR animal model was established by maternal nutrition restriction during pregnancy.IRS-2 expression level of liver tissue and IRS-1 expression level of skeletal muscle in IUGR rats at 0 and 3 weeks old were significantly lower than those in normal rats at the same age respectively,and insulin resistance was induced in IUGR,and these findings might be the molecular mechanisms susceptible to metabolic syndrome in IUGR rats.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of preventing constipation by electroacupuncture intervention in ischemic stroke patients at acute stage.

METHODSThree hundred and forty ischemic stroke patients who matched the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a routine treatment group, 170 cases in each one. In the EA group, based on routine western treatment, rehabilitation training and common acupuncture, Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected and connected to SDZ-V Hwato brand electric acupuncture apparatus respectively, given stimulation of dense-disperse wave (10 Hz/50 Hz) with electric current of 0.1 to 1.0 mA, once every day and 5 times a week in the first 2 weeks, 2 times a week in the latter 2 weeks. In the routine treatment group, only basic treatment was applied. In the two groups, the course of treatment was 4 weeks and 8 weeks' follow-up was required after treatment. The actual numbers who independently defecated less than 3 times a week after 1 to 4 weeks' treatment and in the 4th and the 8th weeks' follow-up and condition taking laxative medicines during the 12 weeks in the two groups were observed and compared.

RESULTSCompared on the numbers of constipation cases after 1 to 4 weeks' treatment, those in the EA group were all less than those in the routine treatment group [24.7% (42/170) vs. 36.5%(62/170), 18.8% (32/170) vs. 30.6% (52/170), 10.5% (17/162) vs. 27.5% (44/160), 9.3% (15/162) vs. 19.4% (31/160),P<0.05, P<0.001]. In the 4th and the 8th weeks' follow-up, numbers in the EA group were still less than those in the routine treatment group [9.0% (14/156) vs. 18.1% (28/155), 7.7% (12/155) vs. 16.9 (26/154) both P<0.05)]. During the 12 weeks, the number of cases who took laxative medicines in the EA group was less than that in the routine treatment group [21.2% (36/170) vs. 34.7% (59/170), P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONThere is clinical significance to electroacupuncture at Tian-shui (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36) coibined with basic comprehensive treatment for preventing and treating constipation symptom in ischemic stroke acute stage.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications

BACKGROUND: Root canal files fracture is a kind of common oral clinical complications. Therefore, it is of clinical importance to study the cyclic fatigue of different types of stainless steel root canal files.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of the bending angle and cross-sectional area of root canal instruments on cyclic fatigue of stainless steel files.METHODS: Thirty 25# stainless steel K files (25 mm in length) were selected, the same to 30# and 35#. And these three kinds of files were respectively randomized into three groups (n=10 per subgroup). In the nine subgroups, the files were placed into self-made root canals at the bending angle of 45°, 60°, 90°, and driven by a 16:1 reducer (350 r/min).Fracture time in each subgroup was recorded and converted into the number of rotations. The microstructure of the fracture end of the files was observed under scanning electron microscope. Fractured files were collected and the crack tip length was measured by an electronic caliper.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the same bending angle, the number of rotations resulting in file fracture was significantly reduced with the increasing of the cross-sectional area of the files (P < 0.05). When the type and cross-sectional area were same, the number of rotations resulting in file fracture was significantly reduced with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals (P < 0.05), indicating a reduction in the cyclic fatigue performance of the files. Toughness fracture occurred in all the files, and circular or oval roughness nests with different sizes and microcavities formed on the fracture surface. In addition, brittle surfaces could be detective between the roughness nests. The diameter of roughness nests was gradually increased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals. For 30# and 35# files, the number of brittle surfaces was gradually increased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals. For 25# files, the crack tip length was gradually decreased with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). For 30# and 35# files, the crack tip length was significantly shortened with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals (P < 0.05). But there were no significant changes in the 35#-60° and 35#-90° groups (P=0.095). At the same bending angle, there were no regular changes in the crack tip length in the different types of files. In conclusion, with the increasing of the cross-sectional area, the cyclic fatigue performance of the files with the same length and taper is reduced and the files become easy to be fractured; with the increasing of the bending angle of the root canals, the files with the same types are apt to be fractured near the root tip, indicating the shorter length of the crack tip indicates the more difficulty in the removal of the broken files.