Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Periodontitis ; complications ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Platelet Aggregation ; physiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; pathogenicity ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor, PAR-1 ; metabolism ; Receptor, PAR-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Proteinase-Activated ; metabolism ; Receptors, Thrombin ; metabolism

The morphology and position of the AV node and AV bundle were observed in 13 human hearts with serial sections. 1.the AV node is a long sagittal flatt ened structure, its transverse section is triangular in shape with a right convex surface, sometimes the cross section is fusiform or half oval in shape. Its size is 3.5x3.3x1.1 mm in adult. In 5 cases the endocardium lying on the right surface of the AV node is elevated.2.The AV node is situated in the upper border of the atrioventricular septum (between the levels of the attachment lines of the mitral and tricuspid valves). The adult AV node is 1.8-5.8 mm anterior to the coronary sinus orifice, 0.3-0.7 mm from the endocardium of the right atrium, 3.3-7.5 mm above the upper border of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The left surface of the AV node contacts with the central fibrous body.3.The AV node can be divided in 2 parts: superficial and deep, the fibers of the super ficial part are longitudinal in sections and end in the lower border of the AV node. In one case, the deep part is subdivided in an upper part and a lower part. In the specimens in which the right atrial endocardium lying on the right surface of the AV node is elevated, the overlaying fibers end in the endocardium. At the upper border, right surface, and posterior margin of the AV node, there are atrial fibers ending to the AV node. 4. The adult AV bundle is 5.7-7.9 mm long, 1.1-1.5 mm in diameter. Its anterior part is on top of the muscular interventricular septum in 7 specimens, on its left surface in 3 specimens, and in the substance of the muscular interventricular septum in 2 specimens. In one case its course is very special, at first on the top of muscular interventricular septum, then at its left surface, finally in the substance of the right part of the muscular interventricular septum.

OBJECTIVE To observe the curative effect of Jieminqufeng decoction to the rats with allergic rhinitis. METHODS Fourty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. There were Jieminqufeng decoction group (A),cetirizine group (B),model control group(C) and normal control group (D). The rats with allergic rhinitis were established with ovalbumin. The behavioral changes of the rats were observed. The histological and cellular morphological changes were studied with light microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS The model control (C) group had typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis. By light microscope and transmission electron microscope,a lot of eosinophilic granulocytes were found in nasal mucosa. The mucosal cells were lost or destroyed. However,the histological and cellular morphological changes of nasal mucosa in Group A,B were similar to that in Group D. CONCLUSION The Jieminqufeng decoction is an effective drug to treatment of allergic rhinitis. It can decrease the aggregation and activation of eosinophilic granulocytes,lessen inflammatory reaction and block up the allergy.

0.05).There were more polycystic ovary (PCO) and (or) polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients,more basal antra] follicles,longer duration of Gn stimulation (range 16-33 days),higher Gn dose,lower serum peak estradiol (E_2) level,fewer oocytes,fewer embryos transferred,in group 1 compared with group 2 (P

OBJECTIVETo critically evaluate the currently available randomized clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture in palliative care for cancer patients, hence, to provide sufficient evidences for the widespread use of acupuncture in cancer treatment.

METHODSTwo independent reviewers extracted data from all of the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of acupuncture in palliative care for cancer patients. Seven databases were searched from their respective inception to December 2010. All eligible trials identified were evaluated by two independent reviewers using the Jadad scale, and data from the articles were validated and extracted.

RESULTSIn total, 33 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The effects of acupuncture on different cancer-related aspects were shown, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced side effects (13/33, 39.4%), cancer pain (6/33, 18.2%), post-operative urinary retention (4/33, 12.1%), quality of life (2/33, 6.1%), vasomotor syndrome (2/33, 6.1%), post-operative gastrointestinal dysfunction (2/33, 6.1%), prevention of prolonged postoperative ileus (2/33, 6.1%), joint symptoms (1/33, 3.0%), and immunomodulation (1/33, 3.0%).

CONCLUSIONSThe result of our systematic review suggested that the effectiveness of acupuncture in palliative care for cancer patients is promising, especially in reducing chemotherapy or radiotherapyinduced side effects and cancer pain. Acupuncture may be an appropriate adjunctive treatment for palliative care.

Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Palliative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of imprinted genes related to Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos for understanding the relationship between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and BWS.

METHODSUsing nested reverse transcription-PCR to analyze the expression of P57KIP2, LIT1, TSSC3 in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

RESULTSTranscripts of P57KIP2 were detected in human oocytes and at all stages of preimplantation embryos. LIT1 was expressed only in stages of 8-cell and blastocyst. Transcripts of TSSC3 could not be detected in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

CONCLUSIONTranscripts of P57KIP2 and LIT1, imprinted genes related to BWS, were detected in human preimplantation development; ART might affect the epigenetics of imprinted genes in early embryogenesis.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome ; genetics ; Blastocyst ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genomic Imprinting ; genetics ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Oocytes ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the neonatal outcomes of pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in relation to the occurrence of congenital malformations of the neonates.

METHODSA total of 1274 infants born after IVF-ET were reviewed. The neonatal outcome was evaluated based on gestational weeks, body weight, congenital malformations, manner of spermatization, maternal age and multiple gestation.

RESULTSIVF-ET resulted in 930 deliveries, giving birth to a total of 1274 newborns. Spontaneous delivery occurred in 115 cases (12.37%), with preterm birth in 224 cases (24.09%). Among these newborns, 363 (28.49%) had very low born weight (VLBW), 13 (1.02%) had congenital malformations, and neonatal mortality occurred in 15 cases (1.18%).

CONCLUSIONIVF increases the risks of twin pregnancies, preterm birth and VLBW, but does not increase the rate of congenital malformations and neonatal mortality. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is at higher risk of congenital malformations. Maternal age and twin pregnancies are not associated with congenital malformations. IVF can be safe for treatment of infertility.

Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of allogeneic leukocyte immunization combined with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for treatment of infertility induced by habitual abortion.

METHODSAllogeneic leukocyte immunization was performed in 9 patients with infertility induced by habitual abortion, with another 9 patients undergoing IVF-ET without habitual abortion as the control group. All the patients were treated with long GnRH-a protocols. The infertility patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion history were immunized with lymphocytes from the husband for before IVF-ET and after clinical pregnancy.

RESULTSThe fertilization rates of the immunotherapy group and control group were 81.3% and 82.2%, respectively, showing no significant difference (P>0.05). Five patients in each group had clinical pregnancy, and a twin pregnancy occurred in the control group. The embryo implantation rates were also comparable between the two groups (22.7% vs 28.6%, P>0.05). All the fetuses resulted from IVF-ET developed normally and were healthily delivered.

CONCLUSIONAllogeneic leukocyte immunotherapy along with IVF-ET is effective for treatment of infertility resulting from recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Abortion, Habitual ; physiopathology ; Adoptive Transfer ; methods ; Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo screen the antidepressant fractions of Banxia Houpu Decoction.

METHODBehavioral despair models in mice were used to evaluate antidepressant activities and the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in regions of animal brains were determined with spectrophotofluoremetry method.

RESULTThe extract of Banxia Houpu Decoction (AE) and its four fractions were able to elicit time-dependent reducing of duration of immobility in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test in mice. Among these test samples, AE, petrol fraction (AE-1) and water soluble fraction (AE-4) were more potent, but there was no significant difference between them. AE significantly increased 5-HT level in mice striatum and NE level in mice cortex, respectively, and did not affect any monoamine neurotransmitters in other regions of animal brain. AE-1 elevated 5-HT level in the striatum and the NE and DA level in the cortex, chloroform fraction (AE-2) only significantly increased DA level in cortex.

CONCLUSIONBanxia Houpu Decoction has antidepressant effect. The active parts are in AE-1 and AE-4. The antidepressant action of Banxia Houpu Decoction is probably by mediated in part through many monoamine neurotransmitter systems.

Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; Chloroform ; chemistry ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Serotonin ; metabolism

A practical approach to the synthesis of the A, B and C-ring subunit of cyclopamine has been developed. This synthetic tactic highlights the utility of mandelate acetal-mediated resolution of the fused ring ketone (±)-4 and IBX-mediated oxidation cascades from 12 to 9. The availability of advanced intermediates from enantiomerically pure (+)-4 and 2 could provide efficient access to biologically active and structurally diverse C-nor-D-homo-steroidal alkaloids such as cyclopamine.
Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Organic Chemistry Phenomena ; Stereoisomerism ; Steroids ; chemistry ; Veratrum Alkaloids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry