OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Guizhi plus Gegen Decoction (GGD) on ultrastructural changes of intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells.

METHODSRats' intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells were isolated and cultured using adherence wall screening method. After annulus fibrosus cells were intervened by GGD, the microstructure and ultrastructural features of untreated annulus fibrosus cells and annulus fibrosus cells treated by GGD containing serum at different concentrations were observed under optical microscope and electron microscope.

RESULTSUnder optical microscope, most annulus fibrosus cells showed irregular polygons and few in star shape with rich superficial ecphyma. The nuclei were oval, large and complete. Under electron microscope, most cells in the blank group were oval after intervened by GGD containing serum at different concentrations. The nucleus was large, deviated, and irregular, the heterochromatin scattered diffusely, partial mitochondria vacuolized, and rough endoplasmic reticulum dilated. In the low dose GGD group, increased mitochondria and condensed density could be seen. The rough endoplasmic reticulum were expanded, lipid drops or glycogen could be occasionally seen. In the middle dose GGD group, increased endoplasmic reticulum expansion and condensed density could be seen. More medium density protein sediment could be seen. Increased mitochondria with condensed density could be seen, showing irregular cystic form with various sizes nucleus. In the high dose GGD group, increased rough endoplasmic reticulum with obvious expansion could be seen. More high density protein sediment could be seen. The nuclei were deviated. More mitochondria could be seen with secretory granules in them.

CONCLUSIONSAfter intervened by GGD containing serum at different concentrations, the ultrastructure of annulus fibrosus cells were manifested as follows: (1) The endoplasmic reticulum increased more in the middle and high dose GGD groups than in the blank group and the low dose GGD group. Greater density protein sediment occurred, especially in the high dose GGD group. (2) GGD played an important role in preventing ultrastructural changes induced by the degeneration of annulus fibrosus cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Intervertebral Disc ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Serum

Objective To study the prevalence of the mtDNA A1555G gene mutation in Chinese population with nonsyndromic hearing impairment.Methods PCR-RFLP,directional sequencing of PCR products were applied in 325 patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment and 50 normal controls.Results The mutation rate of the mtDNA A1555G was 14.5% (47/325),28 of 47 cases were homozygosis,19 of 47 cases were heterozygosis.The same mutation was not detected in the control subjects.Conclusion The mutation rate of the mtDNA A1555G is relatively high in the Chinese NSHI patients,the mutation type includes both heterozygosis and homozygosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of the sensitivity of myocardial cell injury after severe hypoxia.

METHODSDifferential expression of the genes in rat myocardium and skeletal muscles after severe hypoxia for 6 hours was determined by DNA chip containing 4096 mice genes.

RESULTSThere were high expressions of 125 genes in skeletal muscles and 111 genes in myocardial cells after 6 hours of severe hypoxia. Among them, high expression genes in myocardial cells included those encoding apoptosis activator Mtd, complement C3, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, integrin beta subunit and lipopolysaccharide binding proteins (LBP).

CONCLUSIONActivation of apoptosis of myocardial cells and inflammatory mediators played important roles in myocardial cell injury after 6-hour severe hypoxia.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Integrin beta Chains ; metabolism ; Mice ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of adenosine A2A receptor knockout (A(2A)RKO) on relationship between continuous activation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (P-JNK) and expression of nerve cell apoptosis in hippocampus CA1 domain of newborn mice after hypoxia/ischemia brain damage(HIBD) and its potential mechanism.

METHODSA(2A)RKO mice and adenosine A2A receptor wildtype (A(2A)RWT) littermates (n = 80) were divided into Sham operation group (S) and model group (M), 1, 3 and 7 day after HIBD, totally 8 groups. HIBD was developed with 7 day-old neonatal mice according classical Rice-Vannucci method. It was tested the effect of A(2A)RKO on short-term neurofunctional outcomes consisted of three developmental reflexes (righting, geotaxis and cliff aversion), the changes of brain pathology with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining, the expressions of nerve cell apoptosis with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling(TUNEL) staining and P-JNK were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe neurological behavior injuries and brain histopathological damages and nerve apoptosis cells were aggravated in A(2A)RKO newborn mice after HIBD. The positive expressions of P-JNK were significantly higher in the ischemic hippocampus CA1 domain after HIBD than ones in group S respectively (P < 0.01), reaching to peak at 1 day and then began gradually decreasing. P-JNK expression in model knockout(MKO) at 1, 3 and 7 day increased greatly compared to those in the previous time point of corresponding model wildtype (MWT) (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P > 0.05); there was a positive correlation between the expressions of P-JNK and nerve cell apoptosis after HIBD in newborn mice(r = 0.837, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEarly continuous activation of P-JNK might be involved in the aggravated nerve apoptosis cells and brain damage induced by A(2A) RKO newborn mice after HIBD.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the dried roots of Zanthoxylum dimorphophyllumr. spinifolium and to find out the active constituents of the plant.

METHODModern chromatography was used to purify chemical constituents, and their structures were identified by various spectral methods.

RESULTFour compounds were isolated and identified as isopimpinellin (I), xanthoxyletin (II), 6-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (III), 6-(2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy, 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methybutyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (IV).

CONCLUSIONAll of the above compounds were isolated from the above mentioned plant for the first time.

Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furocoumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the value of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT imaging combined with continual detection of CA_(125)in serum for diagnosis of early recurrent ovarian epithelial carcinoma.Methods Twenty six patients received PET-CT imaging,who were all diagnosed as primary epithelial ovarian cancer of stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ and had complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and multiple courses of chemotherapy in Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital.After a steady period,all patients experienced progressive rising of CA_(125)values 3 times in 2 months.But no positive lesion was found by CT, or although suspicious positive focus was found,the recurrent and(or)metastatic extent was not definite. Out of 26 patients,16 were delivered rechemotherapy and(or)radiotherapy,and 10 received re- cytoreductive surgery.Results(1)Of 26 patients,the value of CA_(125)was more than 35 kU/L in 17,and in 14 of 17,pelvic or abdominal cavity recurrence was diagnosed by CT and PET-CT,and 4 showed simuhaneously distant metastasis on PET-CT.In the remaining 3 patients of which CT findings were negative,2 had pelvic and abdominal cavity recurrence,and one had bone metastasis on PET-CT.Of 9 patients with progressive rising CA_(125)levels but the value was less than cut-off(

OBJECTIVETo determine the incidence of post-operative delirium after oral and maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia in elderly patients, and to examine its association with plasma concentrations of beta amyloid protein 1-40 (Abeta1-40).

METHODSFifty patients underwent elective oral and maxillofacial surgery were divided into two groups: Group C (n=20) aged from 20 to 60 years old, and Group T (n=30) aged from 62 to 78 years old. The two group received the same general anesthesia. Delirium rating scale-revised-98 (DRS-R-98) was used as an instrument to diagnose and access the postoperative delirium of the two groups. The scores of DRS-R-98 were recorded before operation (T0) and at 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2), 72 h(T3) and 96 h(T4) after the operation. Serial measurements of serum concentrations of Abeta1-40 were also performed at the same time.

RESULTSThe incidence of post-operative delirium after oral and maxillofacial surgery in Group T was 20.0%. The concentrations of plasma Abeta1-40 in group T were much higher than group C at TO, T1, T2 and T3 significantly (P < 0.01). The concentrations of plasma Abeta1-40 at T1 and T2 were higher than those at TO in the same group (P < 0.05). The scores of DRS-R-98 in Group T at T3 and T4 were much higher than those at T1 and Group C significantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe constant increase of plasma Abeta1-40 may be one of the important factors related to post-operative delirium in elderly patients underwent oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Aged ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Delirium ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; Surgery, Oral

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical components from dried roots of Zanthoxylum dimorphophyllum var. spinifoliun.

METHODThe chemical components were isolated by low pressure column chromatography and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTFive compounds were isolated and identified as 6-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (I), 6-(2',3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-methoxy-8-(3'-methyl-but-2'-enyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (II),6-(2',3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (III), 6-(2', 3'-oxiranyl-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-methoxy-8- (3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (IV), 7-methoxy-8-(3'-methyl-but-2'-enyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (V).

CONCLUSIONThese compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo compare the influence of propofol and isoflurane on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine response to perioperative period of tongue cancer surgery.

METHODSTwenty-four adult patients undergone the operation of tongue cancer were assigned to two groups randomly, propofol group (Group P) and isoflurane group (Group I). In group P, anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 2-3 microg/kg, propofol 2 mg/kg, atracurium 0.6 mg/kg and maintained with propofol 5-8 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) and inhalation of 50% nirous oxide (N2O:O2=50%:50%). In group I, anesthesia was induced with 3%-4% isoflurane, fentanyl 2-3 microg/kg, diazepam 0.06-0.1 mg/kg, atracurium 0.6 mg/kg and maintained with inhalation of 50% N2O and isoflurane (ended-tidal isoflurane was maintained at 0.6%), in two groups atracurium was given intermittently. Blood samples were taken from peripheral vein before anesthesia (TO), at the end of operation (T1), 24 h (T2) and 48 h (T3) after operation for determination of serum IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and body temperature in two groups were recorded.

RESULTSIL-6 and IL-10 levels increased significantly in two groups at T1, T2 and T3 compared with T0 (P < 0.01). The increasing trend of IL-6 and IL-10 levels were similar in both groups, whereas the level of IL-6 at T1 in propofol group was lower than that of isoflurane group significantly (P < 0.01), however the level of IL-10 was much higher in propofol group than that of isoflurane group at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe influence of total intravenous anesthesia of propofol on post-operation inflammatory response is much gentler than isoflurane.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Cytokines ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Isoflurane ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; Perioperative Period ; Postoperative Period ; Propofol

Objective To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of verapamil as prophylactic therapy for patients withcluster headache, and compare its efficacy with that of prednisone.Methods Prospectively, according to the order of visit, a total of 45 patients with episodic cluster headache or chronic cluster headache were divided into verapamil treatment group (n=23, the odd) and prednisone treatment group (n=22, the even). The seizure frequency, and times of and dosage of using acesodyne were observed in the 2 groups 1 week before treatment, 1 and 2 week after treatment.Results Mean frequency of headache occurrence decreased from 8.78 to 2.52 and 1.35 times,respectively, in the first and second week of treatment in the verapamil group (P=0.000) and from 8.09 to 2.95 and 1.64 times, respectively, at the corresponding time in the prednisone group (P=0.000). Mean abortive agent consumption decreased from 8.09 to 1.65 and 0.48 pills, respectively, in the verapamil group (P=0.000) and from 7.77 to 2.59 and 1.36 pills, respectively, in the prednisone group (P=0.000) in the first and second week of treatment; no significant differences existed in the mean frequency of headache and abortive agent consumption between the 2 groups at the same time point (P＞0.05). The side effects of verapamil were mild, including dizziness, constipation and bradycardia and those ofprednisone were insomnia, increased appetite combined with weight gain and discomfort of abdomen. Conclusion Both verapamil and prednisone prophylaxis therapy for episodic and chronic cluster headache yield significant reduction in headache frequency and abortive agent consumption; choices can be made according to different situations.