Objective To investigate the expression difference of microRNA -21 (miRNA-21) in patients with chronic cardiac function and analyze its clinical significance. Methods Patients with chronic heart failure (trial group,150 cases) and the subjects without chronic heart failure (control group,45 cases) were enrolled. Patients with chronic heart failure were divided into three subgroups according to NYHA: group A (heart function classⅡ,49 cases),group B (classⅢ, 51 cases) and group C (class Ⅳ, 50 cases). miRNA-21 levels were detected by qRT-PCR method. The levels of B type natriuretic peptide urea (BNP),left ventricular end diastole diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were determined. Results miRNA-21 expression in patients with heart failure were higher than that of control group (P < 0.01),and miRNA-21 expression in group C was higher than that of group A.Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between expression of BNP (r = 0.763,P < 0.01), LVEDD (r = 0.691,P<0.01), and the level of miRNA-21 in patients with chronic heart failure.And a negative correlation between LVEF value and the level of miRNA-21 (r = -0.918,P < 0.01). Conclusion miRNA-21 might be a potential marker for diagnosis of heart failure and could be a basis for reference about prognosis evaluation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate in vitro effect of abnormal savda munziq (ASMq) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs).

METHODSHSFs were divided into six groups to receive different treatments as group A (blank control group), group B-E (ASMq in different concentration), and group F(5-Fu). Each group contains six specimens. The HSFs were cultured in vitro. After culture for 48 hours, the CCK8 test and flow cytometry methods were used to detect the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis.

RESULTSThe proliferation of HSFs in the B, C, D and E groups was inhibited at G2/M period, while it was inhibited at G0/S period in group F (P < 0.05). The inhibition effect of ASMq (0.1-1.0 mg/ml) on the fibroblasts enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis with annexin V-FITC and PI staining confirmed the apoptotic. When HSFs were exposed to ASMq at 1.0 mg/ml (group E) for 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased to (43.7 +/- 2.58)%, which was significantly higher than that of blank control group (2.2 +/- 0.59)%. The induced apoptosis effect was also increased in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONASMq has a inhibitory effect on the proliferation and an enhancement effect on the apoptosis of fibroblast. ASMq could be used as an effective drug for treatment of hypertrophic scar.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Division ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional

Objective To evaluate renal hemodynamic changes in hydronephrosis children with no image on intravenous urography by color doppler flow image(CDFI). Methods The resistance indexes(RIs)in main renal arteries(MRAs),interlobar renal arteries(IRAs)and arcuate renal arteries(ARAs)were measured in 48 children with hydronephrosis with no image on intravenous urography.The thickness and area were also measured in hydronephrotic kidneys.Resistive index ration(RIR=hydronephrotic kidneys RI/contralateral RI)was calculated. And pathological changes of kidneys were graded in these cases.Spearman's correlation test was used to compare RIR and pathological grades in these kidneys. Results In healthy and hydronephrotic kidneys,the relevant parameters were as fol1.13±0.14,1.14±0.09,respectively in MRAs,IRAs,ARAs in hydronephrotic kidneys(P＞ness,area of hydronephrotic kidneys(P＜0.05),also between RIR and thickness,araa(P＜0.05),MRAs,IRAs,ARAs and pathologic grades(P＜0.05),especially in IRP(s(r=0.795,P＜0.01).Conclusions RIR of IRA could be an ideal parameter of renal hemodynamics to evaluate renal damage in children with congenital hydronephrosis with no image on intravenous urography.

Objective To investigate the applicability of zebra fish thrombosis model in antithrombotic activity screening of Chinese materia medica.Methods The living zebra fish thrombosis model was induced by adrenaline hydrochloride. Zebra fish were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, positive medicine group and medication group. Each group was given the corresponding medicine or embryo culture water. O-anisidine staining solution was used to stain and calculate the staining intensity of erythrocytes in zebra fish heart, and quantitative analysis was carried out. The platelet aggregation of transgenic zebra fish was observed and under qualitative analysis. Results Compared with the model group, 100μg/mL salvianolic acid B, 300, 900μg/mL aqueous extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, 45μg/mL 95% ethanol extract and 400, 1200μg/mL hypothalamus could significantly inhibited the formation of zebra fish thrombosis (P<0.01).ConclusionZebra fish thrombosis model has good applicability in antithrombotic activity screening of Chinese materia medica.

In order to summarize and perfect the basic skill practicing method in acupuncture teaching and form a characteristic teaching, the research on skill training and technique improving of acupuncture and tuina major was carried out. The undergraduate students in acupuncture and tuina major from College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Students from both groups received the basic courses of acupuncture-moxibustion and tuina as requested in the syllabus and the special teaching was added to the experimental group, namely "three practice" (strength practice, coordination practice, targeted practice of acupuncture basic skills) and "three enlightenment" (technique enlightenment, mind and qi enlightenment, efficacy enlightenment). During and after the courses, the teaching effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of needling manipulation. The peacetime score in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (38.03 +/- 1.14 vs 33.25 +/- 1.31, P < 0.05), the total score in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (84.03 +/- 6.30 vs 78.05 +/- 6.55, P < 0.05). The special teaching method of "three practice" and "three enlightenment" can improve the effect of skill training teaching method. It highlights the unique feature of central plains by integrating the essence of Shaolin internal qigong and Chen-style Taiji, it can also provide new ideas for the practical teaching of TCM professional courses and the construction of characteristic professionals.
Acupuncture ; education ; manpower ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Students ; Teaching

During professor SHAO Jing-ming's academic research and medical practice, his academic opinion of focusing spirit is gradually developed. In terms of nurturing the spirit, attention should be paid on persistence as well as everyday health maintenance and exercise to nurture the spirit of physician. In terms of clinical diagnosis and treatment, patients' psychology, employment and life status should be observed and experienced, which could bring more methods to take essential care of patients' spirit. The treatment should work with psychological counseling, advocating that based on patients' qi and spirit, various forms of treatment methods should be properly used, such as acupuncture or moxibustion or combination of acupuncture and medicine, along with simple acupoint selection and harmony medication. Before clinical treatment of acupuncture, calming the mind is critically emphasized to make a clear diagnosis. During the acupuncture, calming and focusing the mind is necessary as well as emphasizing the details, so acupuncture could be integrated with Chi Gong to create a new warming-sensation technique. In a word, the academic opinion of focusing spirit is shedding an inspiring light upon further study.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; psychology ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Humans

Bel1, a transactivator of prototype foamy virus (PFV), plays pivotal roles in the replication of PFV. Previous studies have shown that Bel1 bears a nuclear localization signal (NLS), but its amino acid sequence remains unclear and the corresponding importins have not been identified. In this report, we inserted various fragments of Bel1 into an EGFP-GST fusion protein and investigated their subcellular localization by fluorescence microscopy. We found that the 215PRQKRPR221 fragment could direct nuclear localization, which accords with the consensus sequence K(K/R)X(K/R) of monopartite NLS. Point mutation experiments revealed that K218, R219, and R221 are essential for the nuclear localization of Bel1. The results of the GST-pulldown showed that the Bel1 fragment with residues 215-223, which bears the NLS, interacts with KPNA1, KPNA6, and KPNA7. This result suggests that KPNA1, KPNA6, and KPNA7 maybe involved in Bel1 nuclear translocation.
Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Humans ; Nuclear Localization Signals ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Transport ; Retroviridae Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Retroviridae Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spumavirus ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Trans-Activators ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; alpha Karyopherins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective　To study the similarities and differences on in vitro replication and expression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) between human fetal hepatocytes (HFH) and 7721 cell line. Methods　Human fetal hepatocytes and a hepatoma cell line 7721 were incubated with a serum from hepatitis C patient. After incubation, the presence of HCV RNA, the expression of HCV NS3 antigens in cells and/or supernatant were examined by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results　It was found that: ①The intracellular HCV RNA was first detected on d 2～3 post-incubation and then could be intermittently detected in cells and/or supernatant subsequently (HCV RNA could be detected in 7721 cells during a period of at least 66 days. In HFH, HCV RNA could be detected up to 25 days after incubation); ②HCV-NS3 antigen could be expressed in infected cells; ③Minus-strand RNA of HCV was mainly located within cytoplasm by in situ hybridization. Conclusion　The results suggest that both the fetal hpatocytes and the hepatoma cell line 7721 are susceptible to HCV, and especially 7721 cell line can stably support HCV replication in vitro and may be used as the target cell for long-term cultures of HCV.

OBJECTIVETo probe into the effect of acupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) on sleep and the mechanism.

METHODSForty-eight white mice were randomly divided into a Sishencong group, a Zusanli group, a model group and a blank control group, 12 mice in each group. In the mice of the first 3 groups, sleep rhythm disorders was induced by repeatedly regular intraperitoneal injection of small dose of Caffeine, and the mice of the first two groups were treated by acupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), respectively. Living state and, circadian activities were observed, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and nitric oxide(NO) content in the brain were detected.

RESULTSAcupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) or "Zusanli" (ST 36) could significantly increase NOS activity and NO content in the brain, with acupuncture at "Sishencong" (EX-HN 1) being significantly better than acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Sishencong (EX-HN 1) treats insomnia and regulates sleep and many mental and nervous symptoms, which are carried out partially through increasing NOS activity and NO content, promoting normal function of brain tissues.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of a novel tryptophanhydroxylase isoform(TPH2)gene rs11178997and depression,and suicidal behavior.MethodsThe specimens of peripheral blood were collected from Chinese Northern 300 depression and 300 controis.The amplification of TPH2 gene rs11178997 was executed by realtime-polymerase chain reaction (realtime-PCR),and analyzed by directed sequencing.And the association between the polymorphisms of TPH2 gene and depression and suicidal behavior was analyzed with SPSS 17.0.ResultsThe genotypic frequencies of the SNPs did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium both in patient and control groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).Compared with control group,significant difference of genotypes and alleles of TPH2 gene rs1 1178997 single nucleotide polymorphism had been found in patient group (75.7％ vs 39.7％,6.0％ vs 1.3％,18.3％ vs 1.3％ ; P＜ 0.05 for all),and the AA genotype frequency of rsl 1178997 was significantly higher in patients.Meanwhile there were not significant differences between genotypes of TPH2 gene rs11178997 and suicide behavior in patient group.Suicidal behavior of depression patients in allele genotypes was higher than nonsuicide behavior of depression patients (P ＞0.05).ConclusionTPH2 gene rs4570625 single nucleotide polymorphisms have association with the susceptibility of depression.