Objective To investigate the static postural balance of patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods From January to September, 2015, thirty patients with LDH were as observation group, and thirty healthy adult people were as control group. Their bal-ance function were detected and compared. Results The sway length, sway area and anteroposterior sway velocity were higher in the obser-vation group than in the control group (t>2.262, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in mediolateral sway velocity between two groups (t=1.946, P=0.057) in eye-open condition. All of the indexes were higher in eye-closed condition in the observation group than in the control group (t>2.767, P<0.01), as well as the Romberg values (t>2.326, P<0.05). Conclusion Impairment of the proprioception and lower back pain affected the postural control of patients with LDH, who relied more on vision input to maintain postural stability.

The brain modulates the immune system in an asymmetrical way, as shown by the association between paw preference and immune response in the mice. The purpose of the present work was to study the relationship between plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and brain lateralization. In the study, paw preference test was used to select right-pawed, left-pawed and ambidextrous mice. Mice were classified as the right-pawed if the right paw entry (RPE) score was equal to or greater than 30 (30-50), as the left-pawed if the score was equal to or less than 20 (0-20), and as the ambidextrous if the score was between 21 and 29. One week after the paw preference testing, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with either sterilized 0.9% saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 microg/0.5 ml NS) and were killed 2 h later. Plasma was collected from each mouse. The level of plasma TNF-alpha was measured with ELISA kits provided by ENDOGEN. NO and NOS levels of plasma were detected with kits from Juli Biotechnology Company. The results showed that (1) in the normal mice, ambidextrous mice had higher NO levels compared with left-pawed mice (P<0.05). After the injection of LPS, plasma level of TNF-alpha was lower in left-pawed mice compared with those of the right-pawed and ambidextrous mice; plasma level of NO was higher in ambidextrous mice compared with those of the right- (P<0.01) and left-pawed (P<0.05) ones, and there was no significant difference in the plasma levels of NOS among ambidextrous, right- and left-pawed mice. (2) Immune parameters were correlated with the RPE scores. The shape of the curve describing this relation was similar to a parabola. In general, the levels of TNF-alpha, NO, NOS rose along with the increase of RPE if the scores were in the score range of left-pawed mice.After that, they reached a peak if the scores were in the score range of ambidextrous mice. Then they declined along with the increase of RPE if the scores were in the score range of right-pawed mice. In conclusion, plasma levels of TNF-alpha, NO and NOS were associated with brain lateralization, suggesting that the activities of Mo/Mphi were influenced by brain lateralization, and that the immune parameters were correlated with the RPE scores.
Animals ; Brain ; physiology ; Female ; Functional Laterality ; physiology ; Macrophages ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Study on the effects of Astragali Radix main active flavone calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside on Saposhnikoviae Radix main active ingredients prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and cimifugin, a UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and cimifugin in rat plasma was established, and the comparative pharmacokinetics of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and cimifugin after oral administration of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside-prim-O-glucosylcimifugin to rats were carried out, which might be conductive in exploring the rationality of Astragali Radix - Saposhnikoviae Radix herb couple. Twelve male SD rats were divided into two groups. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and cimifugin in rat plasma of different time points after oral administration of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside - prim-O-glucosylcimifugin to rats were determinated. And the main pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated using DAS 3. 2. 4. The established method was rapid, accurate and sensitive for simultaneous determination of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and cimifugin in rat plasma. The analysis was performed on a Waters Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 μm) with the mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid/water as mobile phase, and the gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL x min(-1). The analytes were detected by tandem mass spectrometry with the electrospray ionization (ESI) source and in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Compared with prim-O-glucosylcimifugin group, the AUC(0-t)., and AUC(0-∞) of p-O-glucosylcimifugin as well as the C(max) of cimifugin significantly increased (P < 0.05) in calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside-prim-O-glucosylcimifugin group. Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside could enhance the absorption of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and cimifugin and improve the bioavailability, explaining preliminarily the rationality of Astragali Radix-Saposhnikoviae Radix herb couple.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromones ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; blood ; pharmacology ; Isoflavones ; blood ; pharmacology ; Male ; Monosaccharides ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Xanthenes ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To determine the effect of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2(HbA2) expression in patients with β-thalassemia.Methods The participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the Pediatrics Department and Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and from some β-thalassemia major families.Blood samples from the participants were used for blood smear tests and hemoglobin electrophoresis and to analyze serum ferritin (SF),3 alpha-globin gene deletions,and 17 beta-globin point mutations.Results Of the 408 individuals,304 were assigned to group A (normal controls),26 to group B (iron deficiency),56 to group C (β-thalassemia),and 22 to group D (β-thalassemia combined with iron deficiency). The results for the comparison of the mean HbA2 values among pairs of groups were as follows: group A vs group B,q=5.074 7,P<0.05; group A vs group C,q=37.650 8,P<0.05; group A vs group D,q=16.043 0,P<0.05;group C vs group D,q=7.682 9,P<0.05; Group B vs group D,q=15.806 6,P<0.05. There were no significant correlation between SF and HbA2 in all 4 groups.Conclusions Iron deficiency decreased the HbA2 level in both controls and individuals with β-thalassemia. HbA2 levels decreased significantly in individuals with both β-thalassemia and iron deficiency as compared with β-thalassemia group alone. However,they remained significantly higher than both the control and iron-deficient groups. Therefore,the elevation of HbA2 could be used to diagnose β-thalassemia reliably even in the presence of iron deficiency.

Objective To explore the operative methods and clinical outcomes in emergency or sube- mergency repair for the complicated tissue defects in hand in first stage applying microsurgical technique. Methods From Jan.,2000 to Aug.,2005,49 emergency cases of complicated hand tissue defects were re- paired in the first stage with replantation,reconstruction,free flaps,combined finger reconstruction and flap transplantation,including 21 cases in mini tissue mass replantation or reconstruction,15 cases in replantation combined with free flap transplantation,8 cases in replantation and reconstruction combined with free flap transplantation,5 cases in combined multiple digits reconstruction with free flap transplantation.The free flap transplantation included the anterolateral femoral flap,the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap,the dorsalis pe- dis flap,the media pedis flap and the instep flap.Results All the flaps,the replanted and reconstruceted finger survived uneventfully except for one replanted finger necrosis.45 cases healed in the first stage and the other 4 cases healed in the second stage.During a follow-up from 6 months to 3 years postoperatively,a satis- factory appearance and function of the reconstructed hand was achieved.The excellent and good rate was 85.7% assessed with provisional functional assessment criterion for upper limbs issued by Chinese Society of Hand Surgery.Conclusion The emergency or subemergency repair for the complicated tissue defects in hand has the advantage of short-term treatment and desirable functional outcome.The emergency replantation and reconstruction combined with various flaps or tissue mass can be applied to repair tissue defect in hand in the first stage according to the position and area of the defect along with the technique level of the surgeon, having been proved to achieve desirable clinical outcomes.And the key points leading to a successful operation is the correct treatment for the raw surface of the defects,suitable choice for various flaps,logical design of combination pattern and prevention and timely treatment for vessel crisis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and the clinical significance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB) levels in neonates with asphyxia complicated by myocardial injury.

METHODSSixty-four neonates with asphyxia (39 mild, 25 severe) were enrolled. Of the 64 neonates, 30 had myocardial injury and 34 did not develop myocardial injury. Twenty-five healthy neonates served as a control group. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and GPBB were measured using ELISA. Myocardial enzymes and cardiac troponin I were stimultaneously measured, and electrocardiography and chest radiographs were obtained.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of NT-proBNP and GPBB in neonates with myocardial injury were significantly higher than those in neonates without myocardial injury and in the control group (P<0.01). The neonates with severe asphyxia had significantly increased plasma NT-proBNP and GPBB concentrations compared to those with mild asphyxia and the control group (P<0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that plasma NT-proBNP level was positively correlated with plasma GPBB level in neonates with asphyxia. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and GPBB were also positively correlated with plasma levels of CK-MB, CK and LDH (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth NT-proBNP and GPBB can be used as biomarkers of myocardial injury in neonates with asphyxia. The measurement of plasma NT-proBNP and GPBB levels was useful in early identification of myocardial injury and severity evaluation in neonates with asphyxia.

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; blood ; Cardiomyopathies ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Glycogen Phosphorylase ; blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical pathology and treatments on the pseudocyst of auricle.

METHODSSixty cases of auricular pseudocyst were treated by surgery from 1993 to 2008 in our hospital. Their operation effects and the clinic pathological features were analyzed.

RESULTSThe clinic pathological data showed that the source of serous effusion of auricular pseudocyst origin from cartilage membrane in the top wall. In the early stage of the cyst, the top wall of auricular pseudocyst was the cartilage membrane. With the course progresses, the cartilage membrane in the top wall of auricular pseudocyst was proliferating, thickened and generated new cartilage. The new cartilage was formed from small piece to the big one, and eventually became an entire new cartilage on the top wall of auricular pseudocyst. Serous effusion at this time was terminated, and this cyst became intra-cartilaginous effusion of auricle. Finally the fluid between cartilages was absorbed and organized. In the cyst, the new cartilage and auricle cartilage were organized and adhered together each other. The auricle became thickened and deformed. The observation of capsule wall under light microscope showed that there were a few fibrous desmoplasia, anapetia and lymphocyte infiltrating in the fibrous tissue, as well as that there were cartilage cell layers from firmness to thicker. The cartilage cells and their lacunes were small, and the cartilage capsule and the basilaris substantia was showed as eosin. This data indicated that the cartilage was neogenesis but not degenerating. Sixty patients were followed up from 3 months to 1 year. The effect of surgical treatment for the auricular pseudocyst was satisfactory. There was no auricular deformation in these patients with the operation.

CONCLUSIONSAuricular pseudocyst can be divided into the early period (acute exudative period), the medium period (cartilage formation period) and the late period (proliferative and organized period). The treatment should be based on the pathological findings of auricular pseudocyst. The operation is easy, safe and reliable. The key of the operation is the complete removal of perichondrium and cartilage at the top of auricular pseudocyst.

Adult ; Cysts ; pathology ; surgery ; Ear Auricle ; Ear Diseases ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To establish the cat models of acute morphine dependence, and explore the etiopathogenesis by investigating its electrophysiology and pathology changes of its brain tissue to provide pathological and electrophysiological evidences for clinical treatment. Methods Twelve cats were randomly divided into control group (n=3) and morphine dependent group (n=9); cats in the morphine dependent group were induced by injection of morphine hydrochloride in a daily increased manner, and at the same time, cats in the control group were injected physiological saline. After the success of model making, EEG was performed on the cortex, hippocampus and nucleus accumbens in cats of the 2 groups; the changes of every encephalic region and pituitary gland were observed under light microscope and electron microscope. Results Morphine dependent cat models were successfully established. EEG indicated that physiological waves decreased and pathological waves appeared frequently in cats of the morphine dependent group as compared with those in the normal ones.Physiological examinations showed that the neuronal degeneration, organelle reduction, mitochondria swelling, chromatin margination and karyopycnosis or even nuclear necrosis occurred in the cortex of every encephalic region. Conclusion Pathological changes and brain damages will appear under EEG after long-term use of morphine, which is intimately related to neuron ultramicrostructure changes.

Objective To explore the functional connectivity (FC) of the fronto-striatal circuitry in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) based on the resting-state fMRI and its correlation with the inhibitory function.Methods 27 medication-naive female patients with BN and 27 age-and education-matched female healthy control subjects were included in the study.All the subjects performed a stop signal task (SST) and underwent the resting-state fMRI scan,separately.The FC between striatal subregions and the frontal cortex was analyzed.Results Compared with healthy controls,FC between the right ventral rostral putamen (VRP) and the right supplementary motor areas (SMA) decreased (MNI coordinate:x =3,y =-15,z =51,K =27) in patients with BN.And the FC was also decreased between the right VRP and premotor area(PM) (MNI coordinate:x =27,y =0,z =57,K =44).FC between bilateral dorsal caudal putamen (DCP) (MNI coordinate:x=21,y=-6,z=48,K=43) and the right PM(MNI coordinate:x=21,y=-12,z=57,K=24) was decreased in patients with BN (P＜0.05,Alphasim corrected,voxel P＜0.005,clusters ≥ 20 voxels).FC between the right VRP and right SMA was negatively correlated with the stop signal reaction time (SSRT) in patients with BN (r=-0.595,P=0.004).The FC between right DCP and right PM was positively correlated with the impulsivity regulation subscale scores of the Eating Disorder Inventory-Ⅱ in patients with BN(r=0.483,P=0.023).Conclusion There is disrupted FC between the striatum and motor cortex in medication-naive female patients with BN based on resting-state fMRI,which may be related to impaired inhibitory control in patients with BN.

AIM To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on hearing function,cochlear morphology and autophagy-related protein expression in a rat model of presbycusis.METHODS Forty-five rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group and the low,medium and high dose G.biloba extract groups(10,20 and 30 mg/kg),with 9 rats in each group.The rat model of presbycusis was established by intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg D-galactose(D-gal).Eight weeks after the corresponding administration,the rats had their changes of hearing threshold detected by the auditory brainstem evoked potential(ABR);their morphological changes of cochlear hair cells,stria vascularis(SV)and spiral ganglion cells observed by HE staining;their number of hair cells inside and outside the cochlea detected by immunofluorescence staining;their ultrastructure changes of cochlear hair cells observed by transmission electron microscopy;and their expression of autophagy-related proteins in cochlea tissue detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group displayed increased ABR threshold(P<0.01);more severely damaged inner and outer hair cells,spiral ganglion cells and SV,decreased SV thickness and numbers of spiral ganglion cells,inner and outer hair cells and autophagosomes(P<0.01);decreased protein expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 Ⅱ and ratio of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ in cochlear tissue(P<0.01),and higher P62 protein expression(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the medium and high dose G.biloba extract groups shared decreased ABR thresholds(P<0.01);improved morphology of inner and outer hair cells and SV in the cochlea,normalized,morphology of spiral ganglion cells,and increased SV thickness and the numbers of spiral ganglion cells,inner and outer hair cells and autophagosomes(P<0.05,P<0.01);increased protein expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 Ⅱ and the ratio of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ in the cochlea(P<0.01),and decreased P62 protein expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION The protective effects G.biloba extract on hearing function and cochlear cells in the rat model of presbycusis may be associated with the up-regulated expression of Beclin1 and LC3 Ⅱ proteins and down-regulated P62 protein expression in cochlear tissues.