Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the abatement of the mRNA,protein expression of RhoA and the improvement of the cardiac remodeling and cardiac disfunction after the myocardiac infarction in rats.Methods Rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group,the myocardiac infarction group and Simvastatin intervened group.After 8 weeks,cardiac weight index and hemodynamics were observed,mRNA and protein expression of RhoA in cardiac muscles was measured. Results Compared with the control group,the cardiac weight index and the mRNA and protein expression were increased in rats with myocardiac infarction and the hemodynamics was worsened(P

·Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are common outer retinal degenerative problems, which are also the predominant causes of most blinding retinal diseases. Retinal prosthesis is a promising solution for such photoreceptor degeneration diseases.Most of current concepts for a retinal prosthesis are based on neuronal electrical stimulation. In the past twenty years, retinal prosthesis has been developed in two different directions: epiretinal prosthesis and subretinal prosthesis. Each prosthesis technique has its advantages and disadvantages. For epiretinal prosthesis, it is easier to be implanted and has the advantage of keeping most of the electronics in the vitreous cavity, off the retinal surface, which greatly helps in dissipating the heat generated by the implant device. In this paper, a brief overview of retinal prostheses concepts is introduced. After that, several important aspects of epiretinal electrical stimulation will be discussed. Moreover, some practical epiretinal prosthesis devices developed by researchers in United States, Germany and Japan in the past have been reviewed. We hope that the devices will be used widely in the near future.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the rules for acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion in domestic clinical treatment of perimenopausal syndrome based on data mining technology in modern times.

METHODSThe relevant literature were retrieved from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database on this disease treated with clinical acupuncture and moxibustion in China from 1978 to 2013. The database of acupuncture-moxibustion prescription was set up. The relevant regulations of data mining technology were used to analyze the rules for acupoint selection.

RESULTSTotally, 211 papers, 254 acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions and 130 acupoints were included. The total frequency of acupoints application was 2193 times, with 14 meridians involved. The utilization of the acupoints in the lower limbs and on the back were 33.0% (723/2193) and 23.8% (521/2193) and those of yin and yang meridians were 51.8% (1136/2193) and 44.0% (965/2193), respectively. The utilization of the specific acupoints accounted for 88.7% (1946/2193).

CONCLUSIONIn clinical treatment of perimenopausal syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion in modern times, the acupoint selection from involved meridians is the basis, associated with multiple methods of acupoint combination; yin and yang meridians are equally important and the specific acupoints are considered particularly critical in application.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; China ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Perimenopause ; physiology

Background Chronic administration with inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (N_?-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester,L-NAME) induces persistent hypertension,cardiovascular remodeling,surrounding vascular fibrosis, necrosis and hypertrophy of myocardium,and inflammation in cardiovascular system.Local RAS involves in hyper- tension and remodeling of cardiovascular system,via increasing production of oxygen free radicals (OFR).Objec- tive To elucidate the preventive and therapeutic effect of antioxidant Ebselen and/or VitE on hypertensive heart damage in NO~- deficient rats induced by L-NAME.Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were administered with L- NAME 50 mg/(kg?d) by gavage for 8 weeks,and randomized to received a placebo(L),or Ebs(S,30 mg/kg?d), or VitE(V,40 mg/kg?d) or Ebs 30 mg/(kg?d)+VitE 40 mg/(kg?d),with 8 normal Wistar as control. Body mass and SBP were measured fortnightly.Plasma and homogenate of heart were collected for NO,Ang Ⅱ, GSH-PX,MDA and O_2~- determination.Results Eight weeks after L-NAME administration,SBP in experimental groups was obviously higher than that of control (P

OBJECTIVETo observe the travel, divisions, and the lengths, diameters, branches, artery supplies of the main segments of maxillary nerve.

METHODSFifty formalin-preserved adult half-head specimens with intravascular injection of red color emulsion were used for the gross and microanatomical studies of maxillary nerve. The lengths, diameters, branches and artery supplies of four main segments of maxillary nerve were observed. SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe length and diameter of cranial middle fossa segment of maxillary nerve were (10.70 ± 1.31) mm and (4.01 ± 0.52) mm respectively, which was supplied by inferior-lateral cavernous sinus artery. The length and diameter of pterygopalatine fossa segment were (16.21 ± 1.80) mm and (3.27 ± 0.62) mm respectively, in which one zygomatic branch, one to three posterior superior alveolar nerves, two ganglion branches and tuberal descending branches; were given off, and the segment was supplied by foramen rotundum artery. The length and diameter of infraorbital segment were (25.73 ± 2.03) mm and (3.30 ± 0.52) mm and it gave off middle superior alveolar nerve (64%) and anterior superior alveolar nerve and was supplied by infraorbital artery. Facial segment gave off superior labial branches, internal and external nasal branches, inferior palpebral branches, buccal branch and zygomatic branch and these branches were supplied by infraorbital artery and superior labial and angular artery originating from facial artery.

CONCLUSIONSUnderstanding of travel and artery supply of maxillary nerve is helpful to regional anaesthesia and surgery for maxillary nerve. Foramen rotundum, sphenopalatine foramen and infraorbital nerve are important marks for endoscopic surgery in pterygopalatine fossa.

Adult ; Cavernous Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Maxillary Artery ; anatomy & histology ; Maxillary Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply

OBJECTIVEThe application and therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) remains controversial. Previous studies have focused on the early pathological and biochemical outcomes and there is a lack of long-term functional evaluation. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term pathological and behavioral changes of early HBO therapy on neonatal rats with HIBD.

METHODSPostnatal 7 days (PD7) rat pups were randomly assigned into Control (n=18), HIBD (n=17) and HBO treatment groups (n=17). HIBD was induced by ligating the left common carotid, followed by 2 hrs hypoxia exposure in the HIBD and HBO treatment groups. The Control group was sham-operated and was not subjected to hypoxia exposure. The HBO therapy with 2 atmosphere absolutes began 0.5-1 hr after HIBD in the HIBD treatment group, once daily for 2 days. The spatial learning and memory ability were evaluated by the Morris water maze test at PD37 to PD41. The morphological and histological changes of the brain, including brain weight, survival neurons, AchE positive unit and NOS positive neurons in hippocampal CA1 region, were detected at PD42.

RESULTSThe rats in the HIBD group displayed significant morphological and histological deficits, as well as severe spatial learning and memory disability. In the Morris water maze test, the mean escape latency were longer (56.35 +/- 22.37 s vs 23.07 +/- 16.28 s; P < 0.05) and the probe time and probe length were shorter in the HIBD group (29.29 +/- 6.06 s vs 51.21 +/- 4.59 s and 548 +/- 92 cm vs 989 +/- 101 cm; both P < 0.05) compared with the Control group. The left brain weight in the HIBD group was lighter than that in the Control group (0.601 +/- 0.59 g vs 0.984 +/- 0.18 g; P < 0.05). The survival neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were less (100 +/- 27/mm vs 183 +/- 8/mm; P < 0.05), as well as the AchE-positive unit and NOS-positive neurons (18.50 +/- 2.24% vs 27.50 +/- 2.18% and 19.25 +/- 4.33 vs 33.75 +/- 5.57 respectively; P < 0.05) after HIBD. Early HBO treatment improved the abilities of spatial learning and alleviated the morphological and histological damage. The mean escape latency (39.17 +/- 21.20 s) was shortened, the probe time (36.84 +/- 4.36 s) and the probe length (686 +/- 76 cm) were longer, and the brain weight (0.768 +/- 0.85 g), the survival neurons (133 +/- 25/mm) and the AchE-positive unit (21.94 +/- 2.73%) increased significantly compared with those of the HIBD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly HBO treatment resulted in a protective effect against HIBD-induced long-term brain morphological and histological deficits and spatial learning and memory disability.

Acetylcholinesterase ; analysis ; Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Escape Reaction ; Female ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; pathology ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 on liver metastasis of human colon cancer.

METHODSExpression of CXCR4 in different colon cancer cell lines and SDF-1 in different tissues were detected by using Western-blot technique. Effect of SDF-1 and anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibody (McAb) on proliferation and migration of HT-29 cells were measured using MTT methods. Model mimicking liver metastasis of human colon cancer was established by injecting HT-29 cells intrasplenically into BALB/C nude mice. Mice were randomly divided into AMD3100 treated group and control group. Liver metastatic rate and tumor foci were measured 7 weeks after.

RESULTSHT-29 cells expressed higher level of CXCR4 protein, and liver tissue expressed higher level of SDF-1 protein. Compared with the control, SDF-1 could significantly induced the proliferation and migration of the HT-29 cells, and anti-CXCR4 McAb could inhibited both functions of SDF-1. The liver metastasis rate in the control group was 100%, and it was 40% in the AMD3100 treating group (P < 0.05). The mean liver metastasis number also significantly decreased by AMD3100 (7.8 +/- 2.6 vs 22.4 +/- 8.6, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSDF-1/CXCR4 biological axis play an important role in liver metastasis of human colon cancer. Arrest of CXCR4 can inhibit liver metastasis of colon cancer through blocking cell proliferation and migration induced by SDF-1.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; physiology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; secondary ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; physiology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

ABSTRACT Clinical application of standards for reporting interventions in clinical trials of acupuncture (STRICTA) is introduced in this article, and improving opinions are proposed as well. STRICTA has already been extensively applied in designation of acupuncture clinical trials, composition of articles and quality assessment of acupuncture literature. According to the present version of STRICTA, it is suggested that items such as "standards and methods on acupoint selection and location", "angle and direction of needle insertion" and "whether the subjects ever have been acupunctured" should be further perfected. Individuated treat protocols which is highlighted on treatment according to differentiation of syndromes according to different opportunities and stages of diseases should be promoted so as to give better expression to the characteristics of Chinese medicine and enhance the clinical value of the relative literature.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; standards ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Quality Improvement

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents in Flos Sophorae Carbonisatus.

METHODSilica gel column chromatography was used to separate and purify the chemical constituents. The structures were elucidated by spectral analysis.

RESULTSix compounds were isolated from Flos Sophorae Carbionisatus, and their structures were elucidated as maltol (1), 3-hydroxypyridine (2), malto-3-O-[6'-O-(4"-hydroxy-tans-cinnamoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl] sophoradiol ethyl ester (4), 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl] sophoradiol methyl ester (5), rutin (6).

CONCLUSION4 is a new compound, and 1,2,3,5 were first reported from Flos Sophorae Carbonisatus.

Coumaric Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyridines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Pyrones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sophora ; chemistry

Objective·To investigate the relationship between serum level of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods·A total of 126 consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction were recruited from July 2016 to January 2017 in Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The serum Cav-1 levels of all patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The neurological deficits were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the same time. Compared with the admission baseline NIHSS score, if second motor NIHSS score increased ≥ 1 point or the total NIHSS score increased ≥ 2 points within 3 days after hospitalization, they were classified as END group, otherwise they were classified as non-END group. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent predictors of END in the patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained to explore Cav-1 levels in predicting END. Results·Serum Cav-1 levels in END group were significantly higher than those in non-END group [(29.88±19.57) ng/mL vs (16.08±13.37) ng/mL, P=0.000]. Based on the ROC curves, the best cut-off point of serum Cav-1 for predicting END was 16.55 ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity were 73.33％ and 74.07％, respectively. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that Cav-1≥16.55 ng/mL remained an independent predictor of END (OR=4.936, 95％CI 1.608-15.155, P=0.005). Conclusion·Serum Cav-1 is an independent predictor of END in patients with acute cerebral infarction.