AIM: To discuss the effects of phytoestrogenic-genistein on cathepsin K (CK) expression stimulated by interleukin-1α (IL-1α) in osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) . METHODS: The OCLs were isolated from tissue of human giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) . The cells treated with reagents were divided into 7 groups including control (treated with phenol red-free-DMEM), vehicle (treated with 1.2 nmol· L-1 IL- 1α), 10-10-10-6genistein, genistein+ ICI 182.780, and 17[β-estrodiol (17β-E2) group. The cells were treated with 1.2 nmol· L-1IL-1α after pre-treated with genistein or 17β-E2 for 48 h (excluded the control group) . Expression of CK wasdetermined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot in OCLs stimulated by IL-1α in the presence of genistein or 17[β-E2. RESULTS: The obvious increase of expression of CK by IL1α in vehicle group was noted in comparing with control group (P ＜ 0.01 ) . Genistein down-regulated CK gene expression stimulated by IL-1α at the transcription level in a dose-dependent manner (r = 0.68, P ＜ 0.01 ) .Genistein down-regulated CK protein expression stimulated by IL-1α also in a dose-dependent manner (r = 0.61,P ＜ 0.01 ). The effects of genistein were abrogated partly after treatment with the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182.780. CONCLUSION: Genistein inhibits CK expression stimulated by IL-1α partly through estrogen receptor in OCLs.

0.05).At the late stage (8-48 h) of incubation,the presence time of E7_(49-57)/K~b was significantly pro- longed on the surface of Tat-E7_(49-57)-incubated cells than that on the surface of other peptides-incubated cells (all P

Objective To exlore clinical characteristics and changes of electroencephalography(EEG) in children with migraine.Methods Clinical data of 98 children with migraine provided by our hospitals clinic service were analysed.The cases′ history were inquired,physical examination made(EEG),Video-EEG(V-EEG) and transcranial doppler sonography(TCD) were examined.After(diagnosis) was made,the patients were treated and followed up.Results In 98 cases of migraine,27 cases were classical migraine and 71(cases) were ordinary migraine.EEG and V-EEG indicated most of them were in normal range and increase in diffused inactive echoes,and only 1 case of 98 EEG showed scattered epileptic waves;TCD indicated that the velocities of blood flow of intracranial arteries of 87 children with migraine were faster.Conclusions Clinical characteristics of children with migraine is similar with adault.Diagnosis of children with migraine and epilepsy,apply both EEG and TCD have great value in diagnosis of children with migraine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ear, Middle ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Mastoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo probe into periostin's role in the pathological mechanism of hyperplasic scars, by examining the expression of periostin in hyperplasic scar tissues. To investigate the correlations between periostin and TGF-beta1, TGF-beta R I, TGF-beta R II.

METHODSRT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta R I, TGF-beta R II in three kinds of tissues, which are keloid (K), hypertrophic scar (HS) and normal skin (SK). The protein expression of periostin was measured with Western blotting.

RESULTSThe mRNA level of periostin in K was higher than that in SK. The mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 in K was higher than that in HS and SK. The mRNA level of TGF-beta R I in K was higher than that in HS and SK. The significances above all was at P < 0.01. The protein expression level of periostin in HS increased, compared with that in SK (P < 0.05). Periostin was related to TGF-beta1 positively (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe periostin's expression is increased in keloids. Periostin is a cicatrix specific gene. Periostin appears to play an important role in the formation of keloids, which is related to TGF-beta1 closely.

Adult ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy on primary osteoporosis treated with spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation so as to provide the effective clinical therapeutic methods for osteoporosis.

METHODSSixty cases of primary osteoporosis were randomized into a spreading moxibustion group (30 cases) and a calcium tablet group (30 cases). In the calcium tablet group, caltrate was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg per day. In the spreading moxibustion group, on the basis of the treatment as the calcium tablet group, the spreading moxibustion was applied at Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) for warming yang and activating blood circulation. The duration of treatment was 12 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, TCM clinical symptom score and bone mineral density (BMD) were observed and compared before and after treatment in the patients between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS scores were reduced apparently after treatment in the two groups (both P < 0.01) and the results in the spreading moxibustion group were obviously superior to that in the calcium tablet group (2.36 +/- 0.43 vs 4.52 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). BMD were all increased in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the results in the spreading moxibustion group were superior to those in the calcium tablet group (both P < 0.05). The total clinical effective rate was 86.67% (26/30) in the spreading moxibustion group, apparently better than 63.33% (19/30) in the calcium tablet group (P < 0.05). TCM clinical symptom scores after treatment were all reduced apparently in the two groups (both P < 0.01), and the result in the spreading moxibustion group was obviously superior to that in the calcium tablet group (4.72 +/- 1.90 vs 6.82 +/- 2.30, P < 0.01). The total effective rate of TCM symptoms was 93.33% (28/30) in the spreading moxibustion group, apparently better than 70.00% (21/30) in the calcium tablet group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation and the oral administration of caltrate apparently relieves pain and TCM clinical symptoms, improves BMD in the patients of osteoporosis and achieves definite clinical efficacy in the patients of osteoporosis.

Aged ; Blood Circulation ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteoporosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; physiopathology ; therapy

Background and Objective Keshan disease is clinically characterized as a dilated eardiomyopathy. We analyze the prevalence trend during last decade of hypertension and Keshan-disease in Yangzhuang village which was a Keshan-disease epidemic area.Method The survey including medical history,blood pressure and ECG were carried out every two years during the follow up 13 years.Results During follow up period,the total detection rate(hypertension:13.4 % vs Keshan-disease:10.7 %,?~2=8.555,P=0.002)and the accumulative rate of hypertension were higher than those of Keshan-disease,which was on the contrary to that before 1993,when increasing rate of Keshan-disease was higher than hypertension.Furthermore,the accumulative increasing rate of hypertension was 240.0%,which was higher than the national average level during corresponding period with no significant differences between female and male.Conclusion The detection rate of hypertension in Keshan disease epidemic area was higher than the average rate nation-wide.Whether the hypertension prevalence was re- lated to Keshan-disease needs further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of autophagy in the death of dopaminergic neurons induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

METHODSRat models of Parkinson disease (PD) were established by stereotaxic administration of 6-OHDA (8 μg) into the unilateral substantia nigra par compact (SNpc). Autophagosomes in the SNpc were observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3 was determined with immunofluorescence (IF) assay.

RESULTSUnder TEM, the autophagosomes were found in the ipsilateral SNpc 6-24 h after 6-OHDA injection, which suggested the activation of autophagy. IF assay showed significantly increased LC3 expression in 6-OHDA-damaged TH-positive neurons as compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe increase of autophagosomes and activation of autophagy may play a role in dopaminergic neuron death induced by 6-OHDA.

Animals ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Oxidopamine ; pharmacology ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Phagosomes ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substantia Nigra ; drug effects

Lumbar interspinous process spacer, as a important aspect of dynamic stabilization system,through implant a spacer into interspinous process, which can limit the extension of the pathological segment, reserves the physiological activities basically, increases the volume of the spinal canal and intervertebral foramina, decreases the loading of the posterior of disc, and it doesn't affect the motion and the loading of the adjacent segment significantly. From the available documentary, the biomechanical and clinical results of various lumbar interspinous process spacers were optimistically. The purpose of this paper is to review these investigations in respect of lumbar interspinous process spacers.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; trends ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; trends ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

Objective To study the routine examination of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai and determine the contents of lappacontine and ranaconitine; To provide basis for establishing the quality standard of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai.Methods Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai were collected from different areas.A method of TLC was used for qualitative discrimination. The methods in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia were adopted for the determination of moisture content, ash content and extractives. Determination of lappacontine and ranaconitine were performed by HPLC. Results The TLC showed that the spots were clear and the separation was good. Individual provisional standards:the moisture,total ash and acid-insoluble ash content of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai were not more than 11.0%, 12.0%, and 7.0%, respectively; water soluble and alcohol soluble extractives were not less than 18.2% and 10.6%,respectively.The content of ranaconitine and lappacontine in Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai were not less than 0.125% and 0.815%, respectively. Conclusion The method established by the study is accurate and reliable,and can be used for quality evaluation of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai.