Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Solvents ; analysis ; chemistry ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; analysis ; chemistry

Aged ; Animals ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Stroke ; drug therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding and surface electromyogram biofeedback therapy (sEMGBF) in the treatment of stroke patients complicated with shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS). METHODS: A total of 90 stroke patients with SHS were randomly divided into acupoint catgut embedment (ACE), sEMGBF and ACE+sEMGBF (combined treatment) groups (n=30 cases/group). The catgut embedment was performed at Jianliao (LI 14), Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, once every 3 weeks, twice altogether. The electromyographic biofeedback therapy (30-50 Hz, pulse duration 200 µs, 6 s-on and 10 s-off, appropriate strength) was applied to the skin area co-vering the deltoid muscle, flexor muscle of wrist and wrist extensor for 20 min, once per day, 5 times/week, for 6 weeks. The total effective rate was assessed by using Liao's and Zhu's methods (1996), the pain severity assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA, 66-points) scale and the patients' activities of daily living function (ADL, 100-points) were also scored. RESULTS: Before treatment, the VAS, FMA and ADL points of the three groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). After the treatment, the total effective rate (93.33%), FMA and ADL scores of the combined treatment group were significantly higher than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups (P<0.05), while the VAS score of the combined treatment group was significantly lower than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups (P<0.05). The total effective rates, FMA and ADL scores of the ACE and sEMGBF groups were comparable (P>0.05). The VAS score of the ACE group was markedly lower than that of the sEMGBF group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined administration of ACE and sEMGBF has a better therapeutic effect for stroke patients complicated with SHS relevant to simple ACE and simple sEMGBF therapy in improving the upper limb function, relieving pain, and enhancing the daily life quality.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlative factors for organic psychotic symptoms following traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: In the current study, 391 subjects who had undergone forensic identification of the organic mental disorders due to TBI were included, both the demographic and post-traumatic information collected. The relevant data were statistically analyzed in those confirmed as organic psychotic syndrome according to Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders 3rd version (CCMD-3). RESULTS: Fifty-two subjects (13.3%) were identified as organic psychotic symptoms. The chi-square test showed that the detectable organic psychotic symptoms were associated with the marriage status, damage nature, injury severity and treatment, and the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed good fitness of treatment and injury severity with the regression model (OR = 0.044, 95% CI: 0.017-0.114; OR = 2.145, 95% CI: 1.201-3.832, respectively). CONCLUSION The risks of organic psychotic symptoms following TBI can be involved in the alternative of craniotomy for the cases with trauma and moderate brain injury.
Brain Injuries/psychology* ; Humans ; Psychotic Disorders/etiology* ; Risk ; Syndrome

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of CT spectral imaging using quantitative iodine-based material decomposition images in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism. Methods Fifty-three patients underwent CT angiography with spectral imaging mode on a GE Discovery CT750HD scanner. Iodine distribution in the lung parenchyma using the iodine-based material decomposition images was quantitatively measured by post-processing. Monochromatic CT angiographic images were reconstructed from the same data sets and thee images were reviewed for the identification and localization of pulmonary embolism as well as the degree ( partial or complete) of the embolic occlusion. The number and location of perfusion defects were recorded. The iodine content of perfusion defects and normal lung parenchyma on the iodine maps were measured by one reader using an ROI analysis. Comparative analyses were obtained using the Chi-square test for categorical data. Two independent samples rank test and 2 related samples signed-rank test were used to compare iodine densities between different groups. Results CT angiography showed no pulmonary embolism in 33 patients, and iodine distribution was homogeneous. A total of 93 clots with lobar ( n = 26), segmental (n = 54) and sub-segmental (n=13) distribution were detected in 19 patients; Fifty-one clots were occlusive and 42 clots were non-occlusive. The iodine-based material decomposition images of all occlusive clots showed lobar, segmental or sub-segmental iodine distribution defects; whereas eleven of 42 non-occlusive clots had evidence of iodine distribution defects. There was significant difference ( x2 = 39. 94,P＜0. 01 ) in the perfusion defects between occlusive and non-occlusive clots. There was a significant difference in iodine content between normal lung parenchyma [ (1.92 ±0. 54) g/L] and perfusion defects [ (0. 30 ± 0. 20)g/L] (Z= -5.63, P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was a significant difference in the iodine content of peffusion defects before [ (0. 26 ± 0. 23 )g/L] and after anticoagulation [ (0. 94 ± 0. 50 )g/L ] ( Z = -3.93,P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion With the ability of iodine mapping, CT spectral imaging is areliable method in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism both qualitatively and quantitatively, and may be a useful tool in providing information regarding the severity of PE and monitoring therapeutic efficacy.

The study aims to investigate the embryo-fetus development toxicity of the novel PPAR-δ agonist HS060098 on SD rats. The pregnant rats that were randomly divided into the solvent control group (1% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose water solution) and HS060098 suspension groups (10, 30 and 100 mg x kg(-1) xd(-1)) were orally administered with HS060098 suspension or vehicle during the gestation of 6 -15 days (GD6-15). At termination (GD20), female rats were sacrificed. The pregnant females were evaluated by corpora lutea count, implantation sites, existence and death of embryos. Fetal sex, weight, externals, variations and malformations of viscus and skeleton were observed. The results show that there were no significant abnormality in maternal general conditions and fetal appearance as well as viscera, but in the 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) group, the maternal weight gain decreased greatly (P < 0.01) and the skeletal ossification delayed remarkably (P < 0.01); in the 30 mg x kg(-1) xd(-1) group, the fatal and litter number of incompletely ossified sternebrae II was higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05); the skeletal malformations occurred in all dose groups, which indicate that the novel PPAR-δ agonist HS060098 had maternal toxicity and adversely effected fetal skeletal development under the experimental conditions.
Animals ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; Embryonic Development ; drug effects ; Female ; Fetal Weight ; PPAR delta ; agonists ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Toxicity Tests

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yigu capsule contained serum on mRNA and protein expression of osteoblast estrogen receptor (ER), for investigating the mechanism of its preventing and treating osteoporosis by means of regulating estrogen.

METHODSOsteoblasts separated from newborn SD rats were cultured, and divided into 3 groups after being passaged, i.e. the drug-serum treated group, the blank serum group and the DMEM medium control group. The relative amount of ERalpha and ERbeta expression were determined with RT-PCR, the affinity (expressed by equilibrium dissociation constant, KD) and number of ER (RT) were analysed by radioligand assay.

RESULTSThe relative amount of ERbeta mRNA expression were increased in the drug-serum group, with significant difference as compared with that in the other two groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference among the three groups in ERa mRNA expression (P > 0.05). KD in the drug-serum group showed insignificant difference as compared with that in the other two groups (P > 0.05), but RT increased in the drug-serum group and the difference in the three groups was significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDrug-contained serum of Yigu capsule can up-regulate the expression of osteoblast ERbeta mRNA and increase the amount of ERs. Regulating estrogen is possibly one of the mechanisms of Yigu capsule in preventing and treating osteoporosis.

Animals ; Capsules ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Serum

BACKGROUND: Fish oil is one of mainly natural resources of n-3 fatty acids, which can inhibit cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and prolong the survival of cardiac allograft. But, the mechanism is unclear. Recent in vitro data suggested that n-3 fatty acids could inhibit the release of inflammatory transmitter by the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y (PPARy). OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil ameliorates CAV development via activating PPARy. METHODS: A total of 6 Lewis rats and 18 Fisher344 rats were randomly selected as heart donors. An additional 24 Lewis rats were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. In isograft group, heart transplantation was performed among Lewis rats, without any drug. In low-dose fish oil-treated group, F344→Lewis transplantation was performed. At 1 day following surgery, 0.03 mL/kg fish oil was treated by gavage for 8 weeks. In high-dose fish oil-treated group, F344→Lewis transplantation was conducted. At 1 day following surgery, 0.06 mL/kg fish oil was treated by gavage for 8 weeks. In control group, F344→Lawis transplantation was conducted. Cyclosporine A was administrated by gavage for 8 weeks. In the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups, cyclosporine A (1.5 mg/kg) was given daily by intramuscular injection for 2 weeks following surgery. CAV was evaluated by histological examination. Activity of nuclear factor (NF) k-B and PPARy was assessed in homogenate. Contents of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-inducible protein 10 were measured by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chemokine receptor CCR2 and CXCR3 expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All 24 receptor Lewis rats were survived following surgery. The donor heart could regularly beat at 8 weeks following transplantation. Compared with the isograft group, severe CAV was detected in the control group al 8 weeks. Compared with the control group, CAV was significantly relieved, the activity of PPARy was significantly elevated, the activity of NF k-B was significantly decreased, levels of intragraft monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-inducible protein-10 were significantly reduced in the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), especially in the high-dose fish oil-treated group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3 in the low-dose and high-dose fish oil-treated groups and control group. Our results demonstrated that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil can attenuate CAV development, possibly through activating PPARy and subsequently inhibiting the NF-kB activation, the chemokines secretion and its receptor expression in a dose-dependent fashion in rat models.

BacKground:Acetic acid spray combined with narrow-band imaging ( NBI ) endoscopy can improve the earIy diagnosis of coIorectaI cancer and precancerous Iesions. Aims:To assess the vaIue of acetic acid spray combined with NBI in diagnosis of earIy coIorectaI cancer and precancerous Iesions. Methods:A totaI of 236 coIorectaI cancer and precancerous Iesions in 180 patients detected by screening endoscopy from Nov. 2011 to JuIy 2013 were enroIIed in this study. Acetic acid spray combined with NBI( combination group),singIe NBI,and indigo carmine staining were used to observe pit pattern,bIood capiIIary forms of the Iesion and mucosa whitening time,and vaIues of the three methods in diagnosis of earIy coIorectaI cancer and precancerous Iesions were evaIuated. Results:Image cIarity of pit pattern in combination group was significantIy improved than that in NBI group and indigo carmine group(χ2 =15. 113,P=0. 000;χ2 =6. 128,P=0. 013);image cIarity of bIood capiIIary forms in combination group was significantIy improved than that in NBI group(χ2 =7. 384,P =0. 007). The overaII coincidence rates of diagnosis in combination group,NBI group, indigo carmine group were 91. 9%,89. 0%,86. 9%,respectiveIy. The diagnosis rate of pit pattern in combination group was significantIy higher than that in NBI group(χ2 =4. 490,P=0. 034),but no significant difference in bIood capiIIary forms was found between combination group and NBI group. The sensitivity of type Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ pit pattern,type Ⅱ,ⅢbIood capiIIary forms,mucosa whitening time <30 seconds for diagnosis of coIorectaI cancer and precancerous Iesions in combination group were 94. 0%,92. 8%,92. 2%,respectiveIy,the specificity were 87. 4%,88. 1%,88. 0%, respectiveIy,and the accuracy were 91. 5%,91. 1%,90. 7%,respectiveIy. The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of type ⅤN or highIy irreguIar ⅤI pit pattern,type ⅢB bIood capiIIary forms and mucosa whitening time 0-5 seconds for predicting invasive carcinoma in combination group were aII quite weII. Conclusions:Acetic acid spray combined with NBI can cIearIy show the pit pattern and bIood capiIIary forms of earIy coIorectaI cancer and precancerous Iesions,and is fairIy consistent with the pathoIogicaI diagnosis. It is heIpfuI for diagnosing the nature of Iesion and depth of invasion.

Aim To explore the effect of activated SK channels(small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels) on morphine-induced hyperalgesia in the spinal cord in mice.Methods Adult C57BL6/N male mice were chosen to establish the model of morphine-hyperalgesia.The changes of tail withdrawal latency(TWL), mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) and the threshold of visceral pain were observed after intrathecal 1-EBIO, the agonist of SK channels.Results Compared with the control group, TWL, MWT and the threshold of visceral pain were decreased after morphine injection.After intrathecal 1-EBIO, the TWL, MWT and visceral pain threshold were increased.The level of spinal membrane SK2 expression in morphine-treated mice was decreased compared with that of control group.After intrathecal 1-EBIO, the level of spinal membrane SK2 expression was increased.Conclusion SK channels in the spinal cord are involved in morphine-induced hyperalgesia in mice.