Objective To investigate the protective effect of butylphthalide for focal cerebral ischemiareperfusion injury and its possible mechanism.Methods A total of 60 healthy and clean adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation,saline control,low-dose butylphthalide and high-dose butylphthalide groups (n =15 in each group).A focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was induced by the suture method.At the beginning of reperfusion,100 rng/kg and 400 mg/kg butylphthalide injection were injected intraperitoneally in the rats of the low-dose butylphthalide and high-dose butylphthalide groups; 0.5 ml/kg saline was injected intraperitoneally in rats of the sham operation and saline control groups.All the rats were sacrificed after 24 h of ischemia-reperfusion.Results The degree of neurological deficit in the low-dose butylphthalide (t =1.488,P =0.000) and high-dose butylphthalide (t =2.362,P =0.000) groups were significantly improved compared to the saline control group,in which the high-dose butylphthalide group was improved more significantly than the low-dose butylphthalide group (t =-0.873,P =0.000).The infarct volume in the low-dose butylphthalide (t =18.589,P =0.000) and high-dose butylphthalide (t =36.963,P =0.000) groups were reduced significantly compared to the saline control group,in which the infarct volume of the high-dose butylphthalide group was reduce more significantly than that of the low-dose butylphthalide group (t =-18.374,P =0.000).HE staining showed that neurons were sparse,there were a large number of degeneration and necrosis,cell space became larger,and the intercellular substances showed vacuolar changes.In the butylphthalide group,the neuronal degeneration and necrosis reduced significantly,the survival of nerve cells increased,and the improvement of the high-dose butylphthalide group was more remarkable.SOD activity of the low-dose and high-dose butylphthalide groups were increased significantly compared to the sham operation and saline control groups (all P ＜0.05),in which the SOD activity in the high-dose butylphthalide group was significantly higher than that in the low-mall dose butylphthalide group (t =80.199,P =0.000); The MDA levels in the low-dose and high-dose butylphthalide groups were decreased significantly compared to the sham operation and saline control groups (all P ＜ 0.05),in which the MDA level in the high-dose butylphthalide group was significantly lower than that in the low-dose butylphthalide group (t =-1.308,P=0.000).Conclusions The protective effect of butylphthalide on ischemia-reperfusion injury may be associated with the increased antioxidant activity.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum (1-3)-β-D-glucan detection for invasive fungal infection (IFI) in neonates. Methods Eighty-seven neonates who were suspected to be IFI cases in neonatal intensive care unit from May 2008 to January 2010 were enrolled into this study. All subjects had infection symptoms, while did no react to the antibiotics treatment. The diagnosis of IFI was made according to Invasive pulmonary fungal infection diagnostic criteria of children set by Subspecialty Group of Respiratory Diseases, the Society of Pediatrics, Chinese Medical Association and Invasive fungal infection diagnostic criteria for critical patients set by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Chinese Medical Association. Circulating (1-3)-β-D-glucan levels were determined with GKT-5M set kinetic fungus detection kit. Levels of (1-3)-Β-D-glucan in IFI group and that in the control group were compared; optimal cut-off value was established with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; and the sensitivity and specificity at the cut-off value of 20.0 pg/ml and optimal cut-off value were calculated and compared. Results Among the 87 suspected cases, 59 cases were not diagnosed as IFI and 28 cases were diagnosed as IFI finally. Five patients were confirmed to be IFI; seven cases were clinically diagnosed and 16 cases were still suspected IFI. Among the five confirmed cases, four cases were blood culture positive for Candida parapsilosis, one case Candida albicans positive and two cases both cerebrospinal fluid culture and blood culture positive for Candida albicans. The median levels of (1-3)-β-D-glucan of patients diagnosed as IFI (n=28) was 131.6 pg/ml(18.6-9999.0 pg/ml), which was higher than that of the patients without IFI (8.5 pg/ml, 5.0-34.6 pg/ml)(Z=-5.064, P<0.05). Area under ROC curve was 0.806 (95% CI: 0.725-0.886, P<0.05). The sensitivity (96.43% vs 69.49%) and specificity (72.22% vs 84.21%) for (1-3)-β-D-glucan were different as 20.0 pg/ml and 53.7 pg/ml were used as the cut-off values for diagnosing IFI. Conclusions (1-3)-β-D-glucan level could be used to diagnose IFI of neonates, but further studies are needed to evaluate false-positive rates and its cut-off value in IFI diagnosis.

Objective To analyze the effects of fertilization methods and sperm sources in intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the developmental capacity of surplus embryos .Methods A retrospective study was carried out to compare the blasto‐cyst rate of the surplus embryos from 2 697 patients .According to the fertilization methods ,the embryos were divided into IVF group and ICSI group .According to sperm sources ,the ICSI group was divided into ejaculated group and testicular sperm group . The rates of blastocyst formation and good quality blastocysts were compared between different fertilization methods and sperm sources .Results There were 8 426 embryo developed in 2 697 patients .The blastocyst formation rate of surplus embryos was high‐er in the IVF group(n=1 048 ,53 .18% ) than that in the ICSI group(n=1 378 ,49 .27% ) ,but with no statistically significant differ‐ent(P> 0 .05) .The rates of blastocyst were not statistically significant different between the IVF group and in the rescue ICSI group(P>0 .05) .The rates of blastocyst were not statistically significant different between the ejaculated group and the testicular sperm group(P>0 .05) .Conclusion There were not statistically significant different of the rate of blastocyst between different fer‐tilization methods and sperm sources in ICSI .

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the left transthoracic approach in simultaneous antireflux surgery at the time of CDH repair in Infancy.Methods Between June 2008 and June 2012,18 patients underwent a left transthoracic approach in the treatment of type Ⅲ and Ⅳ hiatal hernia.,including 1 gastric volvulus.Clinical presentation in these patients included vomiting(n =12) 、pulmonary infections (n =9)、symptomatic anemia、failure to thrive (n =18).All the patients were evaluated before and after the surgery on clinical presentation,symptoms and functional assessment.Surgical techniques included extensive mediastinal esophageal dissection,Nissen fundoplication,resection of the hernial sac,crural closure.Results The average of operative time was 90 minutes.The mean blood loss was 5 ml.The average length of stay was 15 days.The hours stayed in PICU were 21.5 h.Mean follow-up was 22 months.There was no hospital mortality and hernia recurrence.Only one patient suffered gastroesophageal reflux disease after operation,and was controlled with antireflux medications.Conclusion Transthoracic is the optimal operative approach for treating the esophageal hiatal hernia,with relatively low postoperative morbidity and recurrence rates.Advantages of the transthoracic approach include the facilitation of Nissen fundoplication、esophageal lengthening procedures,and excellent exposure for the crural suturing.

Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Needles ; history

Objective:To study the effect of flavonoids extracts from semen Astragali complanati (FAC) on the growth of hepatocellular H22 cells and elucidate its action mechanism. Methods:The mouse model bearing H22 tumor cells was established. The effects of FAC on the growth of xenografted H22 tumor, the immune organ, survival time, phagocytic function of macrophages, and lymphocyte transformation in tumor-bearing mice were observed. Results:The growth of H22 transplanted tumor was significantly inhibited by FAC at high, middle and low doses,compared with normal control group (P<0.05). The tumor-inhibiting ratio in cyclophosphamide (CTX) group was similar with that in FAC high-dose group (P>0.05). FAC markedly elongated the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. The high, middle and low doses of FAC elongated the survival time of tumor-bearing mice by 64.9%, 56.7% and 28.1%, which were significantly different with control group (P<0.01). The high, middle and low doses of FAC greatly increased the thymus index and spleen index of tumor-bearing mice (P<0.05, vs control) and elevated the phagocytic function of macrophages and lymphocyte transformation capability (P<0.01, vs control). The effect of CTX on immune function of tumor-bearing mice was opposite with FAC. The difference between CTX group and control group was significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: FAC inhibits the growth of H22 hepatoma, elongates the survival time, and elevates the non-specific immune function of tumor-bearing mice, indicating that FAC maybe exert its anti-tumor effect via regulating immune function of tumor-bearing mice.

Objective To investigate the effects of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) short hair RNA (shRNA) delivered by lentiviral vectors (pGLV) on cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI) in aldosterone overload rats and to explore the mechanism.Methods Aldosterone overload rat myocardial infarction model was obtained by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery.The pGLV-shRNA was constructed,sequenced and injected into rats via tail vein.Rats were divided into 3 groups:pGLV-shRNA group (n=6),pGLV-shRNA-NC group (n=6,contained a nonsense shRNA) and the sham-operation group (n=6).Cardiac function was measured by cardiac ultrasound.Apoptosis was assessed by transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL).The p38 MAPK mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR.The protein expressions of p38 MAPK and caspase-3 were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,cardiac systolic function was reduced and myocardial apoptosis index was significantly increased [(31.26 ± 4.45) ％ vs.(15.20 ± 2.18) ％,P ＜ 0.01] in pGLV-shRNA-NC group.The mRNA and protien expressions of p38MAPK and caspase 3 protein expression were significantly increased in pGLV-shRNA-NC group (all P＜0.01).Compared with pGLV-shRNA-NC group,cardiac function was improved,myocardial cell apoptosis index was reduced [(22.35±3.59)％ vs.(31.26±4.45)％,P＜0.05],and the mRNA and protien expressions of p38MAPK and caspase 3 protein expression were decreased in pGLV-shRNA group (all P＜0.05).Conclusions Cardiac dysfunction is associated with p38MAPK-mediated myocardial apoptosis in aldosterone overload MI rats.pGLV-shRNA may inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve postMI cardiac function.

AIM: To study the exciting effects of ethanol extract of capitate phrynium (Phrynium Capitatum Willd) stem and leaf on the uterine smooth muscle of rat,mice,guinea pig and rabbit pretreated by diethylstilbestrol. METHODS: Conventional method was adopted to prepare animal uterine specimens both in vivo and in vitro. Different doses of the extract were given to the specimens and recorded their tensility, frequency and activity of contraction with the help of BL-420 biological experimental system. IC_(50) of the extract was calculated, with oxytocin as standard comparison. RESULTS: 95% ethanol extract and 50% ethanol extract of capitate phrynium and leaf had obviously stimulating action on the uterine smooth muscle of rat, mice, guinea pig and rabbit in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, whichinclude accelerating contraction frequency, raising tension (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, 50% ethanol extract also had a significant stimulating action on uterine smooth muscle of rabbit in vivo(P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: Ethanol extracts of capitate phrynium have an effect on rodent uterine. Smooth muscle indicates that clinical application of Chinese practitioner used to treat the dysfunctional uterine bleeding proves to be effective.

Opioid receptors have drawn highly attention to scientists since they were founded in the 1990s.As a member of G protein-coupled receptor family,opioid peptides are the endogenous ligands.It is well known to us that the basic structure consists of extracellular amino residues,seven transmembrane region and the hydroxyl residues of the cell.In recent years,the progress of science laid the foundation for further studies on the function of delta receptor.Aberrant expression of delta opioid receptor in a variety of tumors,and it plays an important role of the occurrence and development of tumors.This review describes the recent research advances on delta opioid receptor and its association with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide(H2S) on apoptosis of myocardial tissues of adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Weight-matched male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows:(1) ADR group(n=12),2.5 mg?kg-1 of adriamycin was injected intraperitoneally once a week for 10 weeks(total dose of 25 mg?kg-1);(2) ADR+small-dose-NaHS group(n=12),the dosage and use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 2.8 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time;(3) ADR+large-dose-NaHS group(n=12),the dosage and use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while NaHS solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 14 ?mol?kg-1?d-1 at the same time;(4) ADR+PPG group(n=12),in which the dosage and use of adriamycin were as mentioned above,while PPG solution was injected to rats at a dosage of 30 mg?kg-1?d-1;(5) control group(n=9),an equivalent volume of physiological saline was administered weekly for 10 weeks.(6) NaHS group(n= 9),14 ?mol?kg-1 of NaHS solution was injected to rats intraperitoneally for 10 weeks.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements were obtained 10 weeks after treatment.Histological examination was implemented at the 10th week after sacrificed.And apoptotic index,Fas and Bcl-2 expressions in myocardiocytes were analyzed semiquantitatively by TUNEL or immunohistochemical analysis.Meanwhile,H2S concentrations in serum and myocardial tissues were evaluated by a modified sulfide electrode-based method.Results Left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),difference of left ventricular pressure(△LVP=left ventricular systolic pressure minus left ventricular diastolic pressure) and ventricular peak rate of contraction(+LV dp/dtmax),peak rate of relaxation(-LV dp/dtmax) were significantly reduced in the group of ADR rats(P0.05).Conclusion H2S might play an important role in the development of adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy.Administration of exogenous H2S could protect the cardiac function and myocardial pathological lesions via the down-regulation of augmented myocardiocyte apoptosis.