Objective: To identify Rehmanniae Radiuxand its closely related species using the ITS2 barcode and to guarantee the quality and clinical curative effect of this medical material. Method: The sequences has been ana-lyzed and assembled using corresponding software. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances were calculated and NJ (neighbor-joining) tree was established based on the K2P methods to identify the Rehmanniae Radix. Results:The length of the ITS2 sequence of Rehmanniae Radix was 231 bp. The average intra-specific genetic distances of Rehmanniae Radix were 0.0004. The average inter-specific genetic distances between Rehmanniae Radix and its closely related species were 0.0312. The minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence. The Rehmanniae Radix can be identified using the NJ trees method. Conclusions: The ITS2 sequence can be used as DNA barcode to identify Rehmanniae Radix and its closely related species, which will lay the foundation for the clinical medication safety of Rehmanniae Radix.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of comprehensive acupuncture therapy in treating tinnitus in elderly neurosensory deafness. Method Eighty elderly neurosensory deafness patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Mecobalamin tablets, and the treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus acupoint injection plus auricular point sticking. The changes of tinnitus intensity after the treatment in the two groups were observed, the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between disease duration and therapeutic efficacy was also observed. Result The tinnitus degree was significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 83.3% in the treatment group, versus 57.1% in the control group. There was a significant difference in comparing the clinical efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05). In both groups, the clinical efficacy of the patients with a disease duration ≤3 years was significantly different from that of the patients with a disease duration > 3 years in the same groups (P <0.05). Conclusion Comprehensive acupuncture therapy is an effective method in improving tinnitus in elderly neurosensory deafness.

BACKGROUND:There are many researches on the finite element analysis of total hip arthroplasty, but the biomechanical distribution after hip surface replacement is little reported.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biomechanical characteristics after hip surface replacement based on three- dimensional finite element analysis.METHODS: The three-dimensional finite element model after metal-to-metal hip surface replacement was established.The load of 350 N paralleling to the gravity line was loaded on the acetabulum. The stress distribution of the prosthesis and femur and the stress of the different regions of the femoral head were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The stress value of the acetabular cup was significantly higher than that of the acetabular body ((0.63± 0.34) vs. (1.89±0.67) MPa, P < 0.05). (2) The stress was concentrated on the femoral neck. The femoral head and femoral neck junction appeared with stress occlusion. The stress around the femoral prosthesis stem was (158.24±28.79) MPa, and the stress value of the femoral prosthesis stem was (186.46±22.37) MPa, showing no significant difference (P > 0.05). (3) The stress value showed significant difference among femoral head regions (P <0.05), and the stress of the regions 6 and 8 was significantly higher than that of the other regions (P < 0.05). (4) These results show that after metal-to-metal hip surface replacement, femoral neck stress is concentrated, the stress of the femoral prosthesis is occluded, and the stress at the medial femoral neck as well as the junction of femoral neck prosthesis and bone is larger.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the ultra-filtration and the resistance to pollution of5ultra-filtrated membrane in respect of each of the compositions from the Isatis indigotica Fort.water-extraction,in order to produce the Isatis indigotica Fort.-preparation through ultra-filtrated method instead of ethanol-sedimentary method.METHODS:By measuring the quantities of the solid residue and the contents of polysaccharide,arginine and chloroform extraction in the ethanol-sedi?mentary solution and ultra-filtrated solution by gravimetry,TLC-scan and HPLC respectively.RESULTS:The solid residue in the ultra-filtered solution was lower than that in the ethanol-sedimentary solution;The content of polysaccharide in the ultra-filtered solution with polypropylene nitrile membrane and polysulfone-6000membrane were close to that in the ethanol-sedimentary solution.The arginine in the ultra-filtered solution was higher than that in the ethanol-sedimentary solution,but the chloroform extraction in the ultra-filtered solution was lower than that in ethanol-sedimentary solution;The resistance to pollution of polysulfone membrane was the strongest in these ultra-filtrated membrane.CONCLUSION:According to the requirement for isolation of active components,ultra-filtrated method with polysulfone-50000membrane could be used instead of ethanol-sedimentary method for efficient and economical application.

Folium Perillae (FP) is a traditional Chinese materia medica, which has been used for treating inflammatory diseases. In order to clarify the material basis of FP' s pharmacological activity and anti-inflammatory mechanism, we presented a review about some of the primary chemical components in FP, such as volatile oils, flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, glycosides, triterpenes and steroids, and about the anti-inflammatory activity of FP extract and its major mechanism, such as regulating the viability and function of innate immune cells, controlling the balance of helper T cells, based on related research in recent years. This study aims to provide reference for further research and development of new drugs based on FP.

This paper reviewed the research developments of identification and classification ofDendrobium species based on DNA sequences from nuclear genome, mitochondrial genome and chloroplast genome. The existing documents revealed that DNA sequences used in identification ofDendrobium mainly include ITS/ITS2,LEAFY, chloroplastrbcL, matK, trnH-psbA, rpoB, rpoC1, trnL-F, rbl16, trnl intron, and mtDNA, nad1 intron2. These DNA sequences had the reference meanings in the identification ofDendrobium species. This article discussed the feasibility of complete chloroplast genome as the“super-barcode”, which provided the references for identification of medicinal plants inDendrobium.

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomic mechanism of tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity.

METHODSSix cadavers (12 sides, 3 male, 3 female, an average age of 67.2 years) with tear trough deformity and palpbromalar groove deformity underwent lower eyelid and periorbital area dissection.

RESULTSTear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity locate at the junction of thin eyelid skin and thick cheek skin. Skin is closely attached to the orbicularis oculi muscle. The superior horder of the malar fat pad covers the junction of the palpebral and orbital portions of the orbicularis muscle, and does not descend with malar fat pad, which is also corresponded to the location of tear trough and palphromalar groove. The gap between the orbicularis oculi muscle and the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle is not correspond to tear trough. The orbicularis retaining ligament arises from the orbital rim and ends at the junction of the palpebral and orbital portions of the orbicularis muscle, and the ligament connects with the deep part of the orbicularis muscle which directly attaches to the infraorbital rim. Suborbicular oculi fat pads locate at the inferolateral of the orbital region, thin and flabby. Orbital septal arises from the infraorbital rim, and the orbital fat extrudes anteriorly and inferiorly.

CONCLUSIONSTear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity are resulted from combination of age-related relaxation, atrophy and ptosis of layers of tissues. The orbital septal and the orbicularis retaining ligament prevent tissues from descending, which makes tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity more visible.

Aged ; Cadaver ; Eyelids ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; anatomy & histology ; Skin Aging

Objective:To investigate the effect of piggyBac transpon,as a carrier of four defined transcription factors Oct4,Sox2,Klf4 and c-Myc,in the reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs)to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).Methods:The MEFs were isolated from Oct4-GFP fetal mice and transfected by piggyBac transposon with four factors (Oct4,Sox2,Klf4 and c-Myc).The morphological changes of clones were traced with microscope during the process of induction.The chromosomes were analyzed to evaluate the karyotypic variation of iPSCs.The mRNA expressions of Oct4, Nanog and FGF4 associated with embryonic stem cells (ESCs)in the iPSCs of mice were tested by RT-PCR;the protein expressions of SSEA-1,Nanog and Alkaline phosphatase in the iPSCs of mice were determined by flow cytometry,immunofluorescence and AP staining.The iPSCs were transplanted into the NOD-SCID mouse groin,4 weeks later,the teratomas were removed for HE staining and the differentiation of tissue was observed.Results:The iPSCs were successfully obtained from MEFs by piggyBac carrying Oct4,Sox2,Klf4,and c-Myc.The round or oval iPSCs clones were similar to ESCs with clear boundry and large dense nuleus.The iPSCs showed the normal karyotypic and expressed the marker genes (Oct4,Nanog and FGF4)and proteins (SSEA-1,Nanog and AP)of ESCs.Teratomas containing three germ layers were formed in NOD-SCID mice after tanspalantation of iPSCs.Conclusion:The iPSCs are reprogrammed from MEFs by piggyBac transposon with four transcription factors-Oct4,Sox2,Klf4 and c-Myc,and the iPSCs with normal karyotype possess the characteristics of ESCs.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of 3 month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice after six-month intervention with curcumin, in order to discuss the neuroprotective effect of curcumin.

METHODAPPswe/PS1dE9dtg mice were randomly divided into the model group, the Rosiglitazone group (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and curcumin high (400 mg x kg9-1) x d(-1)), medium (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and low (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) dosage groups, with C57/BL6J mice of the same age and the same background in the normal control group. After 6 months, the immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and the Western blot method were used to observe the changes in positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area, their distribution and protein expressions.

RESULTBoth of the immunohistochemical staining and the Western blot method showed more positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area and higher protein expressions in the model group than the normal group (P < 0.01). IHC showed a lower result in the Rosiglitazone group than the model group (P < 0.05), while Western blot showed a much lower result (P < 0.01). The number of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs positive cells and the protein expressions decreased in the curcumin high group, the medium group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01), and the low dose group also showed reductions in the protein expressions of Aβ40 and Aβ42.

CONCLUSIONThe six-month intervention with curcumin can significantly reduce the expressions of hippocampal Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice. Whether curcumin can impact Aβ cascade reaction by down-regulating expressions of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs and show the neuroprotective effect needs further studies.

Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage

Objective To investigate the characteristics of plaque morphology of the patients with unstable angina(UA)by intravascular ultrasound(IVUS). Methods24 patients with stable angina pectoris(SA)and 33 patients with unstable angina(UA)were examined by coronary coronary arteriograph(CAG)and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS).The culprit lesions about the characteristic of the plaque were studied,the external elastic membrane cross-sectional area and lumen cross-sectional area were measured,the plaque area,plaque burden,eccentricity index were calculated,and the remodeling index was examined. ResultsExternal elastic membrane area,plaque area and vascular remodeling ratio were significantly greater at target lesions in UA patients than in patients with SA(P＜0.05).Positive remodeling and soft plaque were predominantly in UA patients(P＜0.05). ConclusionThe morphological features of coronary artery plaques in UA group were significantly different from those in SA group.More soft plaque,plaque rupture,thrombus formation,and positive remodeling were found in UA patients compared with SA patients.