OBJECTIVETo explore the improvement effect and the regulating mechanism of electroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription methods on learning memory and immunosenescence in aging rats with yang deficiency.

METHODSForty female Sprague-Dawley rats, 5-month-old, were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, an aging yang deficiency model (M) group, an electroacupuncture with Shuanggu Yitong prescription methods (EA) group and an electroacupuncture control (EAC) group, 10 rats in each group. The aging model rats with yang deficiency were established by hypodermic injection of D-galactose for 40 days and then intramuscular injection of Hydrocortisone for 7 days in the latter three groups except the NC group The EA group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20), and the EAC group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3), six times per week for 4 weeks. The escape latency was examined by Morris water maze from the first day of the 4th week. After completion of electroacupuncture treatment, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) were examined by flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique respectively, the differences among all the groups above were compared.

RESULTSIn comparison with the NC group, the escape latency [(25.4 +/- 3. 6)s vs. (16.23 +/- 2.3)s], the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis [(27.25 +/- 3.3)% vs. (13.2 +/- 3.1)%] and the serum content of TNF-alpha [(15.54 +/- 3.56) pg/mL vs (7.35 +/- 2.89) pg/mL] in the M group those were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01). In the EA group, the escape latency of (17.42 +/- 3.9)s, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis of (17.2 +/- 3.25)% and the serum content of TNF-alpha of (9.51 +/- 3.53) pg/mL were all significantly lower than those in the M group (all P < 0.01) and the EAC group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription can significantly improve the spatial learning and memory. The protective mechanism is related with the action of electroacupuncture in lowering the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of TNF-alpha, and the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20) is superior to that of electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3).

Acupuncture Points ; Aging ; immunology ; psychology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Memory ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; immunology ; Yang Deficiency ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy

AIMTo study the antidiabetic effects of cortex Moutan polysaccharide-2b (CMP-2b) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.

METHODSThe T2DM model rats were induced by a single intravenous injection of low dose streptozotocin (STZ) and intake of high sucrose-fat diet. CMP-2b was given to T2DM rats daily through gavage for 4-5 weeks. The body weight, water and food intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, serum insulin, and insulin receptor (Ins R) were determined.

RESULTSOral administration of CMP-2b significantly decreased water and food intake, FBG, total cholesterol (Tch), and triglyceride (TG), improved the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and remarkably raised the number of low affinity InsR and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) in T2DM rats.

CONCLUSIONCMP-2b may be useful for treating T2DM and its complications.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucose Intolerance ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Insulin ; blood ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Insulin ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate whether mitochondrial calcium uniporter participates in the cardioprotection of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) pretreatment in isolated rat hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion.

METHODSIsolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 min regional ischemia (occlusion of left anterior descending artery) and 120 min reperfusion. The infarct size, coronary flow (CF) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release during reperfusion were measured. The mitochondria of the heart were isolated and suspended in the swelling buffer for measurement of absorbance at 520 nm.

RESULTSPretreatment with TNFa at 10 U/ml for 7 min followed by 10 min washout reduced the infarct size and LDH release, and improved the recovery of CF during reperfusion. Administration of spermine (20 micromol/L), an opener of mitochondrial calcium uniporter, for 10 min during early reperfusion attenuated the reduction of infarct size and LDH release, and improvement of CF induced by TNFalpha. In isolated mitochondria of the heart pretreated with TNFalpha, the absorbance at 520 nm decreased less than that of mitochondria without TNFalpha pretreatment. Administration of spermine (50 micromol/L) attenuated the change of the absorbance induced by TNFalpha.

CONCLUSIONThe findings indicate that TNFalpha protects myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via inhibiting mitochondrial calcium uniporter opening as well as mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Male ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; drug effects ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermine ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

AIM To evaluate saponins in Paris Polyphylla Smith var.chinensis (Franch.) Hara from twentyone growing areas.METHODS HPLC was adopted in the content determination of pennogenins { pennogenin-3-O-β-D-glu (1→3) [α-L-rha (1→2)]-β-D-glu (PGGR),polyphyllinsⅥ,Ⅶ,H} and dioscins (gracillin,polyphyllins Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅴ),then SPSS 22.0 software was used for principal component analysis and cluster analysis.RESULTS Pennogenin was the main kind of Paris Polyphylla var.chinensis saponins,and PGGR,polyphyllins Ⅰ,Ⅴ,Ⅶ,H were the main effective constituents of this medicinal material.The comprehension scores of seven growing areas were more than zero,which was in sequence of Bazhong ＞ Qingchuan ＞ Yanjin ＞ Tongjiang ＞ Nanchuan ＞ Chongzhou ＞ Hongya.Twenty-one batches of samples were divided into four types,which was similar to cluster analysis results.CONCLUSION Bazhong,Qingchuan,Chongzhou,Hongya,Tongjiang in Sichuan,Yanjin in Yunnan,and Nanchuan in Chongqing are suitable for cultivating Paris Polyphylla var.chinensis,which can guarantee the stability of saponins.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid ; Animals ; Blood Platelets ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Cognition Disorders ; Dementia ; Dendritic Spines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; Learning ; Memory ; Metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Plant Extracts ; Plants ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Spatial Learning

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.

OBJECTIVEDue to its minimal-invasive approach, endovascular procedure had replaced surgery in treating Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). The interventional therapy was a safe and effective treatment in adults with BCS and the cure rate was high. However Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is rare. Published literature on interventional procedure for Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is scarce. The aim of the study was to present results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stents placement in children and adolescents with BCS and to evaluate the efficacy and safety in these patients of this approach.

METHODTwenty-five patients [16 boys and 9 girls; average age of (14.5 ± 3.4) years old; age ranged from 5 to 17 years] with Budd-Chiari syndrome who were hospitalized from December 1990 to August 2012 were presented. All of them were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound scan while 12 of them had magnetic resonance venography (MRV) scan. All of the patients had undergone angiographic examination. Four cases with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) were treated with PTA. One case with segmental block of IVC was treated with PTA and stent placement. Five cases with membranous obstruction of IVC and hepatic vein (/and accessory hepatic vein) were treated with PTA. Among 8 cases with membranous obstruction of hepatic veins, 6 cases were treated with PTA and the others with PTA and stent placement. Among 4 cases with blocks of 3 hepatic veins (HVs), one was treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement and the other one was unsuccessful. Three cases with obstruction of HV and accessory HV (AHV) were treated with PTA. Totally, 24 patients were treated with interventional approach and followed up.

RESULTThe procedure was successful in 24 patients. The involved veins (hepatic veins or IVC) were patented after interventional procedure. The pressure of hepatic vein was (42.1 ± 4.2) cm H2O (37-50 cm H2O) (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) before the interventional therapy, while it was (17.3 ± 3.3) cm H2O (14-26 cm H2O) after it. The pressure of IVC was (30.6 ± 2.9) cm H2O (26-36 cm H2O) before the interventional therapy, while it was (18.8 ± 4.2) cm H2O (15-26 cm H2O) after it. The symptoms and signs vanished instantly after interventional procedure. There were no procedure-related complications. The rate of overall initial cure was 96%. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25.8 months (range 6 months to 8 years). Seven cases developed restenosis after first procedure. Five of them were treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement. All of the involved veins were patented again. Clinical symptoms were relieved. There were no procedure-related complications as well.

CONCLUSIONThe interventional procedure in children and adolescents with BCS is the same as in adults. Radiological therapeutic intervention is efficacious and safe in children and adolescents with BCS.

Adolescent ; Angioplasty ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Phlebography ; methods ; Radiography, Interventional ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Venous Thrombosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for detection of common chromosome aneuploidy in amniotic fluid (AF) cells in order to obtain an accurate, rapid, cost-effective and high-throughput method in routine prenatal clinical practice.

METHODSThe MLPA test was performed on 500 AF samples by using kit P095 and the results were obtained by using analysis software RH-MLPA-v511. The results were compared with that from fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and traditional karyotyping (TK). The technical critical issues were analyzed in routine diagnostic application.

RESULTSThe absolute specificity and sensitivity of the MLPA test to detect the aneuploidy were 100%. For the 500 AF samples, the success rate of the MLPA tests was 97%. Among them 92% were finished within three working days and 5% required more days for repeating. The test failure rate was 3%. The results confirmed that for the 38 detectable aneuploid samples, the probe reliability weighted mean ratio values were more than 4SD compared to normal diploids and the 2 suspected trisomy samples were more than 2SD. In this study, authors analyzed hybridization efficiencies of 8 probes for chromosome 21, and the presence of a trisomy was considered if at least 4 of the 8 probes gave probe ratio of >1.3.

CONCLUSIONThedata suggested that MLPA is a rapid, simple and reliable method for large scale testing for aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, or Y in AF. The MLPA technology is complementary to AF culture and valuable for prenatal diagnosis.

Amniotic Fluid ; cytology ; Aneuploidy ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Female ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trisomy ; diagnosis ; genetics

To investigate the distribution of ticks and to detect the new bunyavirus in ticks and infection rate in animals in Shanghai,outdoor free ticks were captured by flag method and ticks on animals were collected by animal capture.SFTSV in ticks were detected by real-time RT-PCR.Total antibodies against SFTSV in host animal sera were tested by double antigen sandwich method.Results showed that during 2012-2014,free ticks were captured in Chenshan Park and Jinshan Island,which were all Haemaphysalis longicornis.Ten of seventeen districts found ticks on animals which were dominantly Rhipicephalus sanguineus.No nucleic acid of SFTSV was detected in 143 ticks.Main host animal for ticks was dog,sheep was in the second.Sera in 198 dogs from 6 urban districts,120 swine from Pudong and Fenxian districts and 36 sheep from Chongming District were all SFTSV antibody negative.Ticks were not found with SFTSV in Shanghai during 2012-2014.No SFTSV infection was found in host animals.Therefore,there is no evidence that Shanghai is the natural foci of SFTSV.Further surveillance and investigations should be carried out in the future.