Hypoxic preconditioning with different simulated altitudes (3?000 m and 5?000 m) was performed on Wistar rats and the evoked population spikes were recorded from the hippocampal slices of these rats. The results showed that the appearance of hypoxic injury potential (HIP) and the disappearance of presynaptic volley (PV) were significantly delayed in response to acute lethal hypoxia. HIP and PV delay became more apparent when the hypoxic preconditioning altitude was increased from 3?000 m to 5?000 m. After reoxygenation, the recovery rate of PV in hypoxic preconditioning groups at 3?000 m and 5?000 m was apparently higher than that of control. The above results suggest that hypoxic preconditioning of animals in vivo increases hypoxic tolerance of hippocampal neurons.

Objective To report a case of foot hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium subglutinans. Methods Medical history was collected and physical examination performed for this patient.Biopsy samples were obtained from the inner side of right ankle of this patient and subjected to pathological examination. Discharge was collected from the lesions for direct microscopic examination and culture.Results A 72-year-old woman presented with an ulcer on the right foot for 3 years.Physical examination disclosed an ulcer,measuring 3 cm x 1.5 cm,with a moist surface and obvious tenderness,at the inner side of the right ankle.Proliferation of dusky-red granulomatous tissue was observed at the base of the ulcer.Pathological examination revealed necrotic granulomatous tissue and slender,septate and hyaline hypha-like structure in the superficial dermis with scattered infiltration of inflammatory cells.PAS staining showed sausage-like hypha and scattered orbicular-ovate spores.Microscopic examination of lesional discharge exhibited septate, branching and hyaline hypha.The isolated fungus was identified as Fusarium subglutinans by culture,and appeared to be highly sensitive to terbinafine,nystatin and amphotericin B.The lesion completely healed after 2 months of treatment with oral terbinafine (0.25 g,twice a day).Conclusions This is a case of foot hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium subglutinans,and terbinafine is effective for this condition.

The purpose of the present study was to explore whether substance P (SP) modulates the response mediated by GABAA receptors. Experiments were carried out on cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons of rats. GABA-activated inward currents were recorded using the whole-cell-patch-clamp techique. The majority of the neurons examined (66/92, 72%) were sensitive to both GABA and SP. When the neurons were treated with SP prior to application of GABA, the GABA-activated current (IGABA) was inhibited markedly, which was concentration-dependent and could be blocked by spantide, an NK1 receptor antagonist. With 10－8, 10－7, 10－6 and 10－5 mol/L SP, IGABA was inhibited by 18%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 28% respectively. Intracellular application of H7, a potent inhibitor of PKC, abolished inhibition of IGABA by SP, suggesting that the inhibition of IGABA by SP may be a result of intracellular phosphorylation of the GABAA receptor.

The effect of CoCl(2) pretreatment on glucose transport activity of cultured newborn rat hippocampal neurons and its role in neuronal hypoxic tolerance were observed. The results showed that the 2-deoxy-D-[1-(3)H ]glucose uptake rate and the mRNA expressions of glucose transporters (GLUT1 and GLUT3) in the hippocampal neurons were significantly increased after a 24-hour pretreatment with CoCl(2). The cell injury induced by 6-hour or 8-hour hypoxic exposure was also greatly reduced by CoCl(2) pretreatment. The protective effect of CoCl(2) on the neurons was largely abolished by cytochalasin B, a specific inhibitor of glucose transporters. The results suggest that CoCl(2) can increase mRNA expressions of GLUT1 and GLUT3 and glucose transporter activity of the neurons, which may be an important mechanism for the increased tolerance of the neurons to hypoxia.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cobalt ; pharmacology ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 3 ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Organometallic Compounds ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo study the effects of hypoxic preconditioning on anoxic tolerance and Jun expression in cultured rat hippocampal neurons after anoxia/reoxygenation.

METHODS12 day cultured hippocampal neurons in control and hypoxic preconditioning group were exposed to anoxic environment (0.90L/L N2 + 0.10 L/L CO2) for 4 h, and then reoxygenated for either 24 h or 72 h. The neurons were immunocytochemically stained using the antiserum against Jun. The number of survival neurons and the percentage of Jun expressing neurons were investigated.

RESULTSThe percentage of Jun expressing neurons induced by anoxia in hypoxic-preconditioning group was significantly less than that in control group. The number of survival neurons was more in the hypoxic-preconditioning group than that in control group after anoxic reoxygenation.

CONCLUSIONHypoxic-preconditioning can induce the development of anoxic-tolerance in cultured hippocampal neurons. The decrease in Jun expressing neurons in hippocampus may be an adaptive reaction to acute anoxia.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Genes, jun ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To evaluate the MRI features of central neurocytoma (CNC). Methods Thirteen patients with CNC (7 males and 6 females, aged 18-28), admitted to our hospital fiom January 2007 to January 2010, were chosen; preoperative plain and contrast enhanced MRI scans were performed on these 13 patients and 1 also received CT scan. The clinical and imaging data and pathological features of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results The largest tumor enjoyed its maximum diameter of 3.2-8.5 cm; the CNC in 12 patients located at the lateral ventricle and that in 1 patient at the parenchyma of the left frontal and temporal lobes. Lobulated solid tumors were noted in these lesions,showing T1 isointense and T2 hyperintense in MRI; some multiple, scattered cystic lesions showed stronger T1 and T2 signal than the former ones; vascular "flow void" signal was shown in 6 patients in T2WI, and slightly weak T1 signal was shown in 8. All the tumors demonstrated inhomogeneous enhancement and the tumor vessels in 6 patients were noted under contrast MRI. Focal calcification was found. Conclusion CNC in the lateral ventricle enjoys typical location; considering the age of patients, non-contrast and contrast MRI findings, correct diagnosis of CNC can be made; however, CNC outside the lateral ventricle is hard to diagnose.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of kushenin in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C after renal transplantation.

METHODSFifty-five patients were randomly assigned by lottery to the treatment group (29 cases) and control group (26 cases). The same immunosuppression therapy was given to all patients in both groups. Patients in the treatment group were treated with kushenin 0.6 g once a day, while those in the control group were treated with conventional liver protective agents such as vitamins. The treatment duration of both groups was 3 months. The incidences of serious hepatitis and acute rejection reaction, serum biochemistry parameters including indicators of liver and kidney functions, hepatic fibrosis index, and serum HCV-RNA were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS(1) The incidence of serious hepatitis in the treatment group and the control group was 3.45% (1/29 cases) and 11.54% (3/26 cases), respectively, which was insignificantly different between the two groups (P=0.335). (2) The incidence of acute rejection in the treatment group was 6.90% (2/29 cases) and that in the control group was 7.69% (2/26 cases), showing insignificant difference (P=0.335). (3) The differences in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), direct bilirubin (DBIL), hyaluronic acid (HA), propeptide collagen type III (PC III), laminin (LN), collagen type IV (Col IV) levels between the two groups were insignificant before transplantation (P>0.05), while the above-mentioned parameters in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group after transplantation (P<0.05). The difference in serum creatinine (SCr) and endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr) between the two groups was insignificant before and after transplantation (P>0.05). (4) The negative conversion rate of HCV-RNA in the treatment group was 31.03% (9/29 cases), significantly higher than the value of 11.54% (3/26 cases) in the control group after transplantation (P<0.05). (5) The levels of serum ALT and DBIL in patients with HCV-RNA converted to negative were significantly lower than those with still-positive HCV-RNA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSKushenin has a certain effect on inhibiting the proliferation of HCV, protecting liver cells, and anti-liver fibrosis. On the other hand, it has no obvious influence on renal allograft function. Thus, the drug is clinically safe and effective for use in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C after renal transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Pterocarpans ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Viral ; blood

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxing effect of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on human intramammary artery (HIMA).The vasorelaxing effect of VNP on HIMA was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The effects of HS-142-1, TEA, 8-Br-cGMP and methylene blue (MB) were also observed. It was found that VNP caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA which was independent of the endothelium. 8-Br-cGMP (0.1-1000 micromol/L) also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in HIMA. The vasorelaxing effect of VNP disappeared in the presence of HS-142-1 (20 micromol/L), an antagonist of the natriuretic peptide guanylate cyclase (GC) receptor. MB (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of GC, not only blocked completely the relaxation of HIMA, but also enhanced the vascular contraction induced by norepinephrine. TEA (1 mmol/L), an antagonist of calcium activated potassium channels (K(Ca)), reduced but not completely blocked the vasorelaxing effect of VNP. These findings suggest that VNP can relax HIMA, which is independent of the endothelium. This effect is possibly achieved by the binding of VNP with the natriuretic peptide GC receptors in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), leading to an increase in intracellular cGMP level. Moreover, the vasorelaxing effect of VNP is associated with K(Ca).
Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mammary Arteries ; drug effects ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; metabolism ; Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled ; metabolism ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; physiology

BACKGROUNDThe risk of radial artery occlusion (RAO) needs particular attention in transradial intervention (TRI). Therefore, reducing vascular occlusion has an important clinical significance. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate puncture site during TRI through comparing the occurrence of RAO between the different puncture sites to reduce the occurrence of RAO after TRI.

METHODSWe prospectively assessed the occurrence of RAO in 606 consecutive patients undergoing TRI. Artery occlusion was evaluated with Doppler ultrasound in 2 days and 1 year after the intervention. Risk factors for RAO were evaluated using a multivariate model analysis.

RESULTSOf the 606 patients, the RAO occurred in 56 patients. Compared with TRI at 2-5 cm away from the radius styloid process, the odds ratio (OR) for occlusion risk at 0 cm and 1 cm were 9.65 (P = 0.033) and 8.90 (P = 0.040), respectively. The RAO occurred in the ratio of the arterial diameter to the sheath diameter ≤1 (OR = 2.45, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONDistal puncture sites (0-1 cm away from the radius styloid process) can lead to a higher rate of RAO.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01979627; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01979627?term = NCT01979627 and rank = 1.

Aged ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; etiology ; Cardiac Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Radial Artery

Based on the optimum clinical evidence, consulting the international guide, the outstanding guidelines of acupuncture clinical practices is formulated in order to promote the process of acupuncture modernization and internationalization. According to consensus of experts, using the questionnaire method, integrating the characteristics and requirements for acupuncture clinical practices, the guidelines reflect the characteristics of acupuncture, for instance, applicability, inheritance, holism, and the discipline characteristics. Thus, the guidelines will standardize the treatments in acupuncture clinical practices, strengthen medical service quality management, control medical costs, and promote the process of acupuncture modernization and internationalization.
Acupuncture Therapy ; standards ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Practice Patterns, Physicians' ; standards