Objective To observe the effects of moxibustion on learning and memory ability and nerve cell ultrastructure in CA1 region of hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD);To discuss its mechanism of action to AD.Methods A total of 40 male SD mice was randomly divided into normal group, model group, moxibustion group and sham-operation group. Stereotactic injection agglutinated Aβ25-35 into bilateral hippocampus of rats in model group and moxibustion group to prepare AD models. Rats in moxibustion group were treated by moxibustion at the points which were located above 2-3 cm away from Shenshu, Zusanli and Baihui. Rats in normal group received no treatment. The learning and memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test. Morphological changes of rat nerve cell ultra structure in hippocampal CA1 region were observed by transmission electron microscope.Results In model group, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days was significantly lengthened, and the times across the platform position significantly decreased. Transmission electron microscope indicated nerve cell structures were damaged and displayed unclearly;mitochondrion swelled, even mitochondrial crista was abnormal and deformed, endoplasmic reticulum of inter organelle expanded and the deposition of lipofuscin increased. After the treatment by moxibustion, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days was shortened obviously, and the times across the platform position significantly increased. In moxibustion group, the edema of nerve cells significantly decreased;dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria swelling significantly improved;golgi bodies, mitochondria and ribosomes obviously increased in comparison with the model group. Conclusion Moxibustion can improve the learning and memory impairment caused by Aβ by promoting repairing of nerve cells in brain.

This study was aimed to probe into the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 40 male 15-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, moxibustion group and sham-operation group. Stereotactic injection of agglutinated Aβ25-35 into rat’s bilateral hippocampus was used to prepare AD models. Equal amount of normal saline was injected to rat’s bilateral hippocampus in the sham-operation group. Model rats were treated by moxibustion at the distance of 2-3 cm above points of‘BL23-Shenshu’, ‘ST36-Zusanli’ and ‘GV20-Baihui’. No intervention was given to rats in the normal group. The learning and memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test. Changes on expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 of hippocampus zone were detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that in the model group, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days were significantly lengthened. And the times across the platform position were significantly reduced. Compared with the normal group and the sham-operation group, expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 in the hippocampus were significantly increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was obviously decreased (P < 0.01). In the moxibustion group, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days were shortened obviously, and the times across the platform position were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced, and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the action mechanism of AD treatment with moxibustion may be through the reducing of proapoptotic protein Bax and Caspase-3 releasing, promoting the releasing of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, so as to improve the learning and memory impairment caused by Aβ.

Anemia, Aplastic ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVE:To compare the quality control index between Jinzhen Suanzao teabag and decoction,and explore the alternative supplement of teabag to decoction. METHODS:The test sample solutions of Jinzhen Suanzao teabag and decoction were prepared by hot-maceration method and water-decoction method. The contents of water soluble extract and total flavonoids were de-termined and compared between 2 kinds of preparation. The leaching rates of teabag were investigated at different soak time(0,5, 10,15,20,25,30 min) to optimize soaking time. RESULTS:The average content of water soluble extract were 50.56% and 44.45%(P<0.05) respectively for the teabag and decoction. The total flavonoids content were 0.64 mg/g and 0.69 mg/g (P<0.05). The dissolution amount of teabag were increasing and leaching rate increased within first 20 min,and reached balance gradu-ally 25 min later. CONCLUSIONS:According to the convenience of use and results of each index,the difference in quality control index is not great between 2 kinds of preparation. Teabag can be as the supplement of decoction.

Objectives To investigate the relationship between atherosclerotic acute myocardial infarction (AMI),acute cerebral infarction (ACI)and homocysteine (Hcy). Methods Three hundred and twenty consecutive patients with primary acute myocardial infarction (AMI)(group A)were admitted to the Department of Cardiology,310 patients with primary large artery atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (group B)were admitted to the Department of Neurology,and 327 healthy individuals without cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (group C)at the Department of Physical Examination,Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were enrolled retrospectively from March 2010 to October 2011. The age and sex were matched in the 3 groups. All the clinical data of subjects were colleted in detail and then were compared and analyzed. Results (1)The Hcy levels (μmol/L)of group A,B,and C were 15. 10 (12. 43, 19.47),15. 80 (13. 10,20. 83),and 13. 20 (11. 00,16. 50;median [interquartile range]),respectively. There were significant differences among the 3 groups (P<0. 05). The incidences of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)were 92. 8%(n=297),97. 1%(n=301),and 84. 7%(n=277)(P<0. 05). (2)Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for ACI were HHcy (OR 8. 97,95% CI 3. 01-26. 71),hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia and blood ureanitrogen;the independent risk factors for AMI were HHcy (OR 4. 36,95% CI 1. 70-11. 21),hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,and total blood cholesterol. Conclusion HHcy is an independent factor for ACI and AMI,which have closer relationship with ACI. ACI and AMI have some common risk factors,but their degrees of action are different.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe (QTR) on the expression of desmin and CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats.

METHODSThe adriamycin-induced nephropathy rat model was induced by a disposable intravenous injection of adriamycin. The model was successfully established after 3 weeks. Rats were then randomly divided into the blank control group (Group A, n =12), the model control group (Group B, n = 8), the small, medium, large dose QTR group (Group C, n = 8; Group D, n = 8; Group E, n = 8), and the positive control group (Group F, n = 8). From the fourth week normal saline was given to rats in Group A and Group B, QTR 1.0 g/mL, 2.1 g/mL, and 4.2 g/mL was respectively administered to those in Group C, D, and E. Prednisone 25 mg/kg was given to rats in Group F. All medication was performed by gastrogavage at 10 mL/kg, once daily, for 28 successive days. 24-h urinary protein excretion and sera biochemical indices were determined during medication. At the end of the experiment, ultrastructure was observed, mRNA expression of desmin, mRNA and protein of CD2AP were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS(1) Compared with Group B, 24-h urinary protein excretion significantly decreased in Group C, D, E, and F (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with Group B, Alb in Group C, D, and E increased (P < 0.05) and TC significantly decreased (P < 0.05). TG significantly increased in Group F (P < 0.05). (3) Results of electron microscope showed, compared with Group B, the morphology of foot cells was improved to various degrees in Groups D, E, and F, especially the foot process structure and the number of foot processes were significantly improved, which was more obviously shown in Group D and Group E. (4) mRNA expression of desmin, mRNA and protein of CD2AP increased in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats (P < 0.05). After intervention, when compared with Group B, mRNA expression of desmin and CD2AP were significantly lower in Group C, D, E, and F (P < 0.05). (5) Compared with Group A, expression of desmin and CD2AP significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with Group B, the expression of desmin protein were obviously lower in Group C, D, E, and F, and the protein expression of desmin obviously decreased in Group D, E, and F (P < 0.05). The protein expression of desmin and CD2AP gradually decreased in Group C, D, and E (P < 0.05). Compared with Group F, the expression of CD2AP protein obviously increased in Group C and D (P < 0.05); the expression of CD2AP protein obviously decreased in Group E (P < 0.05); the expression of desmin protein was higher in Group C, D, and E (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQTR's therapeutic effect on adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats might be achieved through altered expression of desmin and CD2AP.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Podocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This study was aimed to detect the expression of B7-H1 gene in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and to explore its clinical significance. The B7-H1 gene expression was detected by real-time quantitative PCR in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from 40 newly diagnosed AML patients, 10 normal volunteers and 10 relapsed patients. The results showed that the expression of B7-H1 from de novo AML patients was lower than that from the normal volunteers, but it was higher in the relapsed patients. The expression level of B7-H1 gene before therapy was significantly higher in non CR patients than that in CR patients after therapy. It is concluded that there is a correlation between the expression level of B7-H1 gene and response to therapy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; B7-H1 Antigen ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Recurrence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

ObjectiveAnalyze preoperative clinical relevanted factors of acute type A aortic dissection with hypoxemia according to a group clinical data.MethodsFrom January 2011 to June 2011,we have collected 54 preoperative cases of acute type A aortic dissection,including 42 males,12 females,aged 28-73 years old,onset to treatment time is 0.4-14.0 days.General information:age,gender,time of onset,body mass index,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,smoking,drinking,heart ejection fraction,prothrombin time,quantitative fibrinogen,fibrinogen degradation products,D-dimer,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,ICU time,length of hospital stay.According to the blood gas analysis of quiet state case without oxygen,with PaO2 ＜ ( 100-age ×0.33 ±5) mm Hg is for the hypoxemia group,equal or higher than this is no-hypoxemia group.ResultsNo-hypoxemia group has 14 cases,11 males,3 females,average aged (51.14 ± 14.24) years old,including 12 operation patients ( no death) and 2 no-operation patients(2 cases death).Hypoxemia group has 40 cases,31 males,9 females,average aged (50.53 ± 9.73 ) years old,including 33 operation patients(2 cases death) and 7 no-operation patients(7 cases death).There is no significant difference in age,gender,time of onset,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,smoking,drinking,cardiac ejection fraction,prothrombin time and fibrinogen.There is statistically significant on body mass index,fibrinogen degradation products,D-dimer,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,ICU time and length of hospital stay time ( P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionPreoperative hypoxemia with acute type A aortic dissection is associated with obesity,excessive inflammation and activation of coagulation and fibrinclytic system,and hypoxemia may prolong the time of operative patients with acute type A aortic dissection in ICU and hospital.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)granules made by the formula of Shegan Mahuang decoction for treatment of patients with asthma. Methods A prospective study was conducted,51 cases of light to moderate asthma(cold type)patients were randomly divided into treatment group (25 cases)and control group(26 cases). Conventional symptomatic treatments were of the same in two groups. The patients in control group were given salbutamol aerosol inhalation,100μg each time,4 times per day;based on the treatment of the control group,additionally the above mentioned TCM granules dissolved in water was administered orally 1 dose/day taken twice once in the morning and another once in the evening in treatment group. The therapeutic course was 12 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment,the asthma control test(ACT)score,forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)and peak expiratory flow(PEF)were observed. The therapeutic effect,adverse reaction and compliance were evaluated. Results The number of patients with asthma completely controlled in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(16 cases vs. 9 cases,χ2=4.82,P=0.028). In the patients of two groups,FEV1,PEF and ACT scores were significantly improved after treatment,and in the treatment group,they were obviously higher than those in control group〔FEV1(L):2.67±0.46 vs. 2.32±0.47,PEF(L/min):327.6±49.4 vs. 273.1±42.8,ACT score:22.8±2.0 vs. 21.1±2.6,all P<0.05〕. After treatment,FEV1%predicted value was increased in the treatment group but decreased in control group,there was significantly statistical difference〔(0.68±0.07)% vs.(0.80±0.11)%,P<0.05〕,no significant adverse reaction was found,compliance was good. Conclusion TCM granules made by formula of Shegan Mahuang decoction can improve the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function and control level in patients with asthma,so it is an effective medicine for the control of asthma.

Liver transplantation is an effective curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. However, most patients lost the change of surgery when diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma. Through local or systemic treatment, hepatocellular carcinoma can be treated in a downstaging manner to reduce tumor burden, so that patients who are beyond the transplantation criteria can still be up to the transplantation criteria after treatment, and finally receive liver transplantation. At present, pre-transplant downstaging treatment has been widely accepted. In this review, we summarized the indications, treatment options, treatment endpoints, and treatment outcomes of pre-transplant downstaging treatment.