Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and compliance with a new antidepressant mirtazapine to treat depressive patients.Methods:A open-labeled study was conducted and followed up six months for 60 depressive patients treated with mirtazapine, 62 cases with depression, as a control group, treated with Clomipramine and Fluoxetine, which were assessed by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD), Asberg Rating Scale for Side Effects(SERS), Clinical Global Impression(CGI) and Attitudes Questionaire made by ourselves. Results:The group treated with mirtazapine was superior to a control group in aspect of responsive time, early variety of factors in scales, side effects, prescription compliance , treatment attitudes and falling off cases(P

Objective To investigate the survival and differentiated situation of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) transfected with Sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene after chronic myocardial infarction (MI).Methods MSCs were obtained from bone marrow of limb bones by density gradient centrifugation combined with attachment culture method .SHH gene was cloned and eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA 3.1-SHH was constructed .Then nucleofector TM was used to transfer SHH gene into MSCs and the expres-sions of mRNA and protein of SHH gene were detected in vitro .Myocardial infarction model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch .A total of 150μl (3 ×106 ) of MSCs transferred with SHH gene was injected into ischemic area at the fourth week after MI model was set up .Brdu immunohistochemical staining and electron microscope examination were used to detect the survival and differentiation of MSCs with SHH in vivo at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th week after MSCs SHH transplantation.Results It was con-firmed that SHH gene clone and the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA 3.1-SHH construction were successful by gene se-quence analysis and double digestions with EcoR I and Bamh I .Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and West-ern-blot demonstrated that the expression of SHH mRNA was significantly increased in transfected MSCs compared with untransfected MSCs.Brdu immunohistochemical staining confirmed MSCs with SHH were survived from one to eight weeks in MI area after transplan -tation.Electron microscope examination showed that MSCs had the trend to be differentiated into myocardiac -like cells in MI area at the 4th and 8th week after transplantation .Conclusions The expression of SHH mRNA was significantly increased while MSCs were transfected with SHH gene , and MSCs SHH could survive and differentiate in good condition in the transplanted recipients .Those data provide the experimental basis for further transgenic cell therapy research of ischemic heart disease .

Objective To identify changes in the occurrence of endemic fluorosis in order to provide scientific basis for making countermeasures. Methods Five villages from 14 counties of mild, moderate and severe fluorosis affected areas were selected by stratified cluster sampling every year in the whole province during 2006 - 2010. Water and urinary fluorine were determined by ion selective electrode method(GB/T 8538-1995); dental fluorosis of children 8-12 years old was diagnosed with Dean method; skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed according to "clinical indexing standards of endemic skeletal fluorosis "(GB 16396-1996), between 2006 and 2008, and "clinical diagnosis standard of endemic skeletal fluorosis"(WS 192-2008) between 2009 and 2010. Results A total of 25 diseased villages were surveyed, 14 with water sources changed, covered a resident population of 8005 people, beneficiary population 7154, and accounting for 89.37% of the resident population; not changed villages 11. In accordance with the "State drinking water health standards", in the 14 changed villages the fluoride in drinking water was qualified (≤ 1.20 mg/L), there were 3 schools whose water fluorine content exceeded the standard; among the 11 villages that did not change water sources 7 drinking water samples fluorine content exceeded the standard. Of the 8 to 12 years old children in villages with changed water sources, 363 of them were checked and 142 dental fluorosis were found, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 39.12% (142/363); in villages with water sources not changed, 303 children were checked, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 43.89%(133/303). Of sixteen and elder adults in water source changed villages, 6424 people were checked and 403 skeletal fluorosis were found, skeletal fluorosis detection rate was 6.27% (403/6424); 3572 people were checked in not changed villages, the detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 13.89%(496/3572). In water sources changed areas, geometric mean of urinary fluoride was in the normal reference value(WS/T 256-2005, 1.40 mg/L)or less. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis is decreased in water improved areas, but in unimproved areas the disease is still severe, and control of endemic fluorosis is still an arduous task.

China ; Coltivirus ; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne ; virology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on posterior circulation ischemia between acupuncture at stellate ganglion and conventional acupuncture as well as the impacts on blood pressure.

METHODSEighty cases of posterior circulation ischemia were randomized into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied to the bilateral stellate ganglions on the neck, stimulated with reinforcing technique by rotating the needles. In the control group, the acupuncture of reducing technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the excess syndrome. The even needling or reinforcing technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for the deficiency syndrome. The treatment was given once every 3 days and 4 treatments were required totally in the two groups. The changes in total syndrome score, peak Systolic blood flow velocity (Vp) of vertebral artery and basilar artery, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total syndrome score was reduced apparently after treatment compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the reducing was more obvious in the observation group as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in the observation group, higher than 67.5% (27/40, P < 0.05) in the control group. After treatment, the reduced Vp of vertebral artery was not improved apparently as compared with that before treatment in the control group, Vp in blood velocity abnormality (including vascular spasm, stenosis or reduced velocity) of vertebral artery and basilar artery was all improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the improvements in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the systolic and diastolic pressures were reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups, and the reduced systolic and diastolic pressures in the observation group were more apparent than those in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at stellate ganglion achieves the satisfactory efficacy in the treatment of posterior circulation ischemia and the significant efficacy of reducing blood pressure, more advanced than the conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effects of four interior-warming drugs( galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger)on the tension of ileum smooth muscle and Ca2+-ATPase on the cell membrane in rabbits. Methods The effects of galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger were examined on normal ileum smooth muscle,in vitro intestinal muscle contraction caused by acetylcholine(ACh),barium chloride(BaCl2 )and histamine(His), and ACh-induced calcium release by using BL-420E+ biological signal collection and processing system.The average tension was measured within 1 min before delivery and within 3 minutes after the treatment,and the inhibition rate was calculated according to the average tension value.The effects of sera containing galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger on Ca2+-ATPase activity on the cell membrane of the intestinal smooth muscle were examined by phosphorus method. Results Galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger at high concentrations could restrain in vitro intestinal contraction in normal circumstances(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Significant inhibitory effects on intestinal contraction caused by ACh,His and BaCl2 were found in low,medium and high concentration groups(P<0.01).There was a dose-effectiveness relationship between the inhibition rate and final drug concentrations.The ACh-induced intracellular and extracellular calcium dependent contraction were significantly inhibited by the four interior-warming drugs( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01). The Ca2+-ATPase activities were( 0. 384 ± 0.070),(0.302±0.016),(0.307±0.016),(0.296±0.016),(0.313±0.003)U·mg-1 ,respectively,in intestinal smooth muscle in normal control group and high concentration groups of galangal,cinnamon,evodia rutaecarpa,and dried ginger(P<0.01). Conclusion Interior-warming drugs may relax intestinal smooth muscle by reducing the intracellular calcium release and the extracellular calcium inflow via receptor-controlled calcium channels,and inhibiting the Ca2+-ATPase activity in smooth muscle.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that arthroscopic al-inside technology for meniscus repair has achieved good outcomes, and arthroscopic suture combined with sodium hyaluronate has an important role in the cartilage repair. OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of arthroscopic al-inside suture repair combined with sodium hyaluronate injection in the repair of discoid meniscus tears. METHODS:Twenty-two patients with discoid meniscus injury were subjected to arthroscopic al-inside suture repair combined with sodium hyaluronate injection. Al cases were confirmed to have attached edge relaxation or longitudinal crack in operation. After repair, effective rehabilitation training was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The operations for the 22 cases were al successful and there was no complication. Al patients were fol owed up for over 18 months. According to Ikenchi’s method (Lysholm knee score criterion), 11 cases were rated excel ent, 8 were rated good, and 3 were rated fair, with an excel ent/good rate of 86.36%. It is demonstrated that the al-inside suture repair under the guide of arthroscopy in discoid meniscus cases can remain the most appropriate anatomical structure of the meniscus that can play an effective function, and has the advantage of minimal invasion. Arthroscopic al-inside suture repair combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate and standard rehabilitation training result in a lower complication rate and effectively promotes the meniscus repair.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic benefits of intravenous Xuebijing on acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats with paraquat intoxication. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided equally into three groups:sham group (n=8), paraquat group (n=8) and Xuebijing-treated group (n=8) using a random number table. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg of paraquat. One hour after paraquat administration, the rats were treated intravenously with Xuebijing (8 mL/kg). At 12 hours after paraquat administration, serum was collected to evaluate kidney function, then the rats were sacrificed and kidney samples were immediately harvested. AKI scores were evaluated by renal histopathology and pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA levels in kidney were assayed using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Serum urea nitrogen, creatinine and AKI scores were significantly higher in the paraquat group, compared with the sham group (P<0.05, respectively). Moreover, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels were significantly higher in the paraquat group (P<0.01, respectively). However, intravenous Xuebijing significantly decreased serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, AKI scores and IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels, compared with the paraquat group (P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intravenous Xuebijing attenuates AKI fol owing paraquat poisoning by suppressing inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Pinggan Qianyang Recipe (PQR) on inhibiting angiotensin II (Ang II) induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and changes of DNA methylation.

METHODSVSMCs were cultured using tissue explant method, and PQR containing serum was prepared. Primarily cultured VSMCs were divided into four groups, the normal group, the model group, the folate group (folic acid intervention) , and the PQR group. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was duplicated by Ang II. After 24-h Ang II induced culture, 40 microg/mL folic acid was added to the folate group for 48 h, while 5% PQR containing serum was added to the PQR group for 48 h. The cell growth curve of VSMCs was drawn by using Cell Counting Kit (CCK-8). The proliferative activity of VSMC was determined by MTT assay. The migration of VSMCs was measured by Millicell chamber. The general level of cytosine methylation in cell nucleus was detected via 5-mC antibodies immunofluorescence, and mRNA expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were measured by Real-time q-polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR).

RESULTSVSMCs were promoted by Ang II at 10(-6) mol/L for 24 h. Compared with the normal group, the proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously increased, and DNA methylation level obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell growth, proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously decreased and the general DNA methylation level increased in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression of DNMT1 decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA expression of DNMT1 in Ang II induced VSMCs was obviously enhanced in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPQR could inhibit Ang II induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and cause high genomic DNA methylation level. Changes of DNA methylation might be associated with DNMT1 expression.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects

0.05).Our data also showed no significant association between the genotypes and the severity of the disease.One-way ANOVA showed that BDNF genotype had no association to the age of onset for developing AD.Conclusions Our results indicate that Va166Met SNP in BDNF gene is not associated with AD.