Acupuncture Points ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Terminology as Topic

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

Objective To investigate the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)variation in folate metabolism pathway genes and its interaction with environmental risk factors to the etiology of NTD. Methods In 275 families from central China, a total of 278 aborted fetal tissues or blood samples were collected from NTD individuals, 478 maternal and/or paternal blood samples were also obtained as controls. Folate supplementation, maternal diabetes mellitus and medication before pregnancy and during the first trimester of pregnancy were investigated. SNP analyses of all samples were performed by CEQ 8800. Case-parent control study and transmission/disequilibrium tests (TDT) were performed according to environmental cofactors stratification to evaluated 28 SNP in 12 folate pathway genes associated with human NTD. Results Only gene MTHFR rs1801133 was significantly associated with NTD, and synergistic effects of environmental risk factors (no folate supplementation and maternal diabetes) were shown on the occurrence of NTD. Linkage disequilibrium between BHMT rs3733890 and NTD existed in case of no folate supplementation,whereas the genotype alone did not contribute to the etiology of NTD. Other SNP were not significantly associated with NTD. Conclusions MTHFR rs1801133 is a risk factor of NTD, but BHMT rs3733890 is not an independent risk factor. Further investigations in folate and methionine cycle genes are requird in larger scale to enclose the interactions between gene and gene, or gene and environmental factors.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of pre-arrest and post-arrest mild hypothermia after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) on myocardial function, ultrastructure, apoptosis of myocardial cells in rabbits with ventricular fibrillation.Methods Sixty-two male New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into five groups: namely normothermic control group (NTC group,n = 10), hypothermia control group (HTC group,n = 10), normothermic resuscitation group (NTR group,n = 14), hypothermia pre-arrest group (HPRA group,n = 14), and hypothermia post-arrest group (HPOA group,n = 14). The normal temperature was controlled at (39.0±0.5)℃, and the hypothermia (33.5±0.5)℃. Ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (CA) was reproduced in rabbits by transcutaneous epicardium electrical stimulation. The parameters of hemodynamics were monitored dynamically for 4 hours in all the groups, including heart rate (HR), left ventricular end diastolic and systolic pressure (LVEDP/LVESP), maximal rate of increase/decrease in left ventricular pressure (±dp/dt max), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The body temperature of rabbits in hypothermia groups was maintained by surface cooling for 4 hours followed by rewarming. The survived rabbits were sacrificed at 48 hours after resuscitation, and myocardial apical tissue was harvested for observation of ultrastructure with electronic microscope, and to observe apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.Results① Resuscitation investigation: there was no significant difference in rate of ROSC, time of CPR and energy of defibrillation among HPRA, HPOA, and NTR groups [rate of ROSC: 85.71%, 71.43%, 71.43%; time of CPR (seconds): 45.3±30.2, 61.2±41.3, 82.3±63.8;energy of defibrillation (J): 14.3±8.9, 22.0±15.5, 25.0±15.8, allP> 0.05].② Hemodynamics: compared with normal temperature groups, animals in hypothermia groups exhibited lower levels of HR (allP< 0.05). Compared with NTR group, HPRA group exhibited higher levels of LVESP (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours post ROSC (0.5 hour: 103.8±14.3 vs. 91.6±13.3, 1 hour: 107.2±14.1 vs. 82.7±8.5, 2 hours: 109.0±16.9 vs. 88.8±12.9, 3 hours: 109.1±14.6 vs. 89.3±14.3, allP< 0.05). Compared with NTR group and HPOA group, HPRA group exhibited lower levels of LVEDP (mmHg) at 0.5 hour post ROSC (3.70±0.85 vs. 7.61±2.73, 7.02±3.12, both P< 0.05). Compared with NTR group, HPRA group exhibited lower levels of LVEDP at 1 hour post ROSC (4.34±1.44 vs. 6.99±1.96,P< 0.05). In HPRA group, the level of+dp/dt max (mmHg/s) was higher than that of NTR group and HPOA group at 1 hour and 2 hours post ROSC (1 hour: 2 759.5±321.6 vs. 2 123.0±304.5, 2 283.7±234.2, 2 hours:2 730.6±425.1 vs. 2 221.5±392.9, 2 252.6±476.0, allP< 0.05). There were no significant differences in -dp/dt max and MAP levels among three CPR groups.③ The survival rate at 48 hours post ROSC of NTR, HPRA and HPOA groups was 60%, 75%, and 100%, respectively. Compared with NTR group, higher survival rate was found in HPOA group at 48 hour post ROSC (P< 0.05).④ Compared with NTR group, less damage to myocardial ultrastructure was found in HPRA and HPOA groups. Apoptosis index (AI) was lower in HPRA and HPOA groups than that in NTR group [(28.05±9.82) %, (26.39±8.98) % vs. (42.02±13.36) %, bothP< 0.05].Conclusions Our study shows that mild hypothermia has no effect on ROSC rate. Pre-arrest hypothermia can ameliorate myocardial systolic function of rabbit in early stage after ROSC, and it has no negative influence on diastolic function. Post-arrest mild hypothermia produces no negative influence on myocardial function of rabbit, but it improves 48 hours survival rate in ROSC rabbits. Both pre-arrest and post-arrest mild hypothermia therapy can attenuate myocardial injury in CA model of rabbits by ameliorating mitochondrial injuries and suppressing apoptosis of myocardial cells.

Objective To study the supporting role of traditional Chinese medicine GanFuAn in the treatment of high-risk state of liver cancer by color Doppler ultrasound.Methods Based on a number of joint detection of tumor markers,85 patients of liver cancer were selected from patients with chronic hepatitis B.Among these 85patients,50 patients were selected in a treatment group and treated with Chinese herbal preparation GanFuAn,with ultrasound and tumor markers serving as joint monitoring; while the other 35 patients were selected in a control group and treated with conventional treatment.Results In the treatment group,the liver tumor markers or liver tumor continually diminished.5 cases showed tumor disappear.38 cases showed effective results,while 7 cases showed no effects.The total incidence rate of liver cancer was 14％;while in the control group,none case showed tumor disappear.20 cases showed effects and 15 cases showed none effects.The cumulative incidence rate of liver cancer induced by chronic hepatitis was 43％,with all the cases have been confirmed by pathology.Conclusion Color doppler ultrasound was an intuitive,non-invasive dynamic method to monitor liver tumor's growth and decline.

BACKGROUND: Peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) in preterm infants is one of the most important reasons for mortality and disability. Moreover, investigative exponents may bring supported data for incidence rate of PIVH and high-risk factors of preterm infants with PIVH.OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidence rate and analyze the high-risk factors of PIVH in preterm infants.DESIGN: Survey and analysis.SETTING: Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Beijing Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical Universit; Qinhuangdao Maternity and Infants' Hospital of Hebei Province.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1 122 preterm infants of 26.3-36.8 gestational age were selected from Beijing Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Qinhuangdao Maternity and Infants' Hospital from January 2002 to August 2005. All infants received ultrasonic examination on skull within 1 week. There were 594 boys and 528 girls, and the birth weight was 850-4 500 g.METHODS: All infants received ultrasonic examination on skull within 1 week. New Philips 5500 and GE Healthcare Logiq 400 ultrasonic diagnosis devices were provided by Philip Company, Dutch and GE Company, respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence rate and related high-risk factors of PIVH.RESULTS: All 1 122 preterm infants were involved in the final analysis. Among 1 122 preterm infants, 619 cases (55.2%) had PIVH; especially, 110 had severe PIVH with the degree more than Ⅲ, which was accounted for 17.8%.High-risk factors were mainly low gestational age, low birth weight, mechanical ventilation, hypoglycemia, hypercapnia,hyperlactic acidemia, acidosis, hypoxia, abnormal blood coagulation, and so on. Antenatal corticosteroid could reduce the incidence rate of PIVH. However, there was no obvious effect on preterm infants of old gestational age.CONCLUSION: Routine intracranial ultrasonic examination is useful for the diagnosis of PIVH in preterm infants.

Objective To evaluate the results of NiTi shape memory alloy four-corner arthrodesis concentrator (NTMA-FCAC) for carpal collapse. Methods We reviewed retrospectively 13 patients who underwent scaphoid excision with four-corner arthrodesis using NTMA-FCAC for carpal collapse from August 2006 to June 2009. There were eight males and five females, with an average age of 38 years (range, 23-61years). The cause of carpal collapse was SNAC in 7 cases, perilunate dislocations in five and SLAC in one.The injury mechanisms included traffic accidents (5 cases), falling from a height (4 cases), crashes (3 cases)and sprain (1 case). Objective measurements included grip strength and range of the wrist. Radiographs were performed in all patients. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess wrist pain. The results were evaluated according to the Krimmer wrist scores. Results The mean follow-up time was 26.5 months (range,6-36 months). Clinical evaluation yielded the mean grip strength of (32.49±6.21) kg (80.8% of opposite side).The mean range of the wrist reached over 53% of the healthy side. Non-union and wound infection were not seen. The mean VAS scores had improved from 4.46±1.27 preoperatively to 1.31 ±0.95 postoperatively. The mean pain scores under stress had improved from 7.00±1.41 preoperatively to 2.62±1.26 postoperatively.There were remarkable differences between them. The mean Krimmer wrist score was 79. Conclusion Four-corner arthrodesis using NTMA-FCAC is an effective method for carpal collapse, preserving a majority of wrist function.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture-moxibustion at different intervals on persistent allergic rhinitis. Methods: A total of 90 patients conforming to the inclusion criteria were randomized into three groups named A, B and C by randomized block method. Patients in all three groups received the same treatment of acupuncture and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at the same acupoints, while the treatment frequency was different. Patients in group A received the treatment once a week, group B twice a week and group C three times a week, and all the treatment lasted for 4 weeks. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS), total ocular symptom score (TOSS) and Sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20) were evaluated before and after treatment. The self-rating score of symptoms was evaluated during treatment and 2 weeks after treatment. Results: The total effective rate was 80.0% in group A, 93.3% in group B, and 100.0% in group C. The total effective rate in group A was statistically different from that in group B and group C (both P＜0.05), but there was no significant inter-group difference in total effective rate between group B and group C (P＞0.05). After treatment, scores of TNSS, TOSS and SNOT-20 in all three groups dropped significantly, and statistically different from those before treatment (all P＜0.05); between-group comparison showed group B and group C decreased more obvious than group A (all P＜0.05). In self-rating score of symptoms, there were no inter-group statistically significant differences in the first 3-week treatment (all P＞0.05); after 4-week treatment, the score in group A was higher than that in group B and group C, and showed statistical significant (both P＜0.05); at 2 weeks after treatment, the score in group A was higher than that in group B and group C based on an everyday record, showing statistical significance (both P＜0.05). At the 11th day after treatment, the score in group B was higher than that in group C (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences between group B and group C at other time points (all P＞0.05). Conclusion: All three protocols are effective for allergic rhinitis. With the increase of treatment frequency, the therapeutic efficacy with a treatment frequency of twice a week and three times a week is superior to that of once a week. Frequency of three times a week has a better long-term effect than once and twice a week, together with the least fluctuation of symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of ecdysterone (ECR) against beta-amyloid peptide fragment(25-35) (Abeta(25-35))-induced PC12 cells cytotoxicity, and to further explore its mechanism.

METHODSExperimental PC12 cells were divided into the Abeta group (treated by Abeta(25-35) 100 micromol/L), the blank group (untreated), the positive control group (treated by Vit E 100 micromol/L after induction) and the ECR treated groups (treated by ECR with different concentrations of 1, 50 and 100 micromol/L). The damaged and survival condition of PC12 cells in various groups was monitored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and MTT assay. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by fluorometric assay to indicate the lipid peroxidation. And the antioxidant enzymes activities in PC12 cells, including superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were detected respectively.

RESULTSAfter PC12 cells were treated with Abeta(25-35) (100 micromol/L) for 24 hrs, they revealed a great decrease in MTT absorbance and activity of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CAT and GSH-Px as well as a significant increase of LDH activity and MDA content in PC12 cells (P < 0.01). When the cells was pretreated with 1-100 micromol/L ECR for 24 hrs before Abeta(25-35) treatment, the above-mentioned cytotoxic effect of Abeta(25-35) could be significantly attenuated dose-dependently, for ECR 50 micromol/L, P < 0.05 and for ECR 100 micromol/L, P < 0.01. Moreover, ECR also showed significant inhibition on the Abeta(25-35) induced decrease of SOD and GSH-Px activity, but not on that of CAT.

CONCLUSIONECR could protect PC12 cells from cytotoxicity of Abeta(25-35), and the protective mechanism might be related to the increase of SOD and GSH-Px activities and the decrease of MDA resulting from the ECR-pretreatment.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Catalase ; analysis ; Ecdysterone ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; analysis ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; analysis ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; PC12 Cells ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of quercetin, a flavonoid, on the learning and memory ability of 3-day-old neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain white matter damage (WMD).

METHODSSixty 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, WMD model,and quercetin treatment groups (20 and 40 mg/kg). There were 15 rats in each group. Rats in the WMD model and the two quercetin treatment groups were subjected to right common carotid artery ligation followed by 2 hrs of exposure to 8% O2 to induce periventricular white matter injury. After the operation quercetin was administered daily in the two quercetin treatment groups for 6 weeks. Six weeks later, Morris water maze and open-field tests were carried out to test memory and learning ability as well as behavior and cognition.

RESULTSFrom the second day of training, escape latency in the Morris water maze test was more prolonged in the WMD model group than in the control group (P<0.01). The escape latency in the two quercetin treatment groups was shortened significantly compared with the WMD model group (P<0.05). The WMD model group crossed the original platform fewer times compared with the control and quercetin treatment groups (P<0.05). The open-field test indicated that the number of rearings increased and time spent in the centre was extended in the WMD model group compared with the control group. Compared with the WMD model group, the number of rearings was significantly reduced (P<0.05) and time spent in the centre was significantly shortened in the quercetin treatment groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQuercetin treatment can improve memory and learning ability as well as cognitive ability in neonates with WMD, suggesting that quercetin protects against WMD resulting from hypoxia-ischemia.

Animals ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley