AIM: To explore the role of Akt signal pathway in apoptosis of neural cells in adult rats treated with Zuogui Pill, a Chinese medicine. METHODS: Flowcytometry and Western blotting methods were used to investigate the changes of cellular apoptosis rate and Akt signal pathway. RESULTS: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) could increase cellular apoptosis rate and significantly restrained the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and Akt (Thr308), and markedly increased the levels of phospho-FKHR (ser256), GSK-3? (Ser9) and PTEN. Zuogui Pill partly inhibited the above effects of MSG. CONCLUSION: Zuogui pill effectively inhibits the neural apoptosis induced by MSG, and Akt pathway is involved in the neuronal protection of Zuogui pill. [

AIM: To explore the changes of related proteins of neural stem cell differentiation and proliferation in rats treated with corticosterone (CORT). METHODS: Western blot method was used to investigate the changes of related protein of neural stem cell differentiation and proliferation. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, related proteins (Notch1, hes5, Mash1 and NeuroD) of neural stem cell differentiation and proliferation were significantly decreased in the CORT rats on the day 30 and 60, especially for Mash1 and NeuroD (P

In order to investigate the expression of Notch-1 in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP) and its relation with apoptosis of pancreatic cells, mild AP (MAP) and severe AP (SAP) models were established by retrograde injection of different concentrations of sodium taurocholae into pancreatic duct. The apoptosis index and the expression of Notch-1 protein and mRNA were detected by using TUNEL, Western blot and real-time PCR in MAP and SAP at different time intervals. The results showed that in MAP group the apoptosis index was significantly elevated during 4 to 24 h after induction of pancreatitis, but there was no significant difference among different time intervals. In SAP group, the apoptosis index reached the peak at 4th h after induction of pancreatitis, then gradually declined. There was significant difference in apoptosis index between MAP and SAP groups. Starting from 4th after induction of pancreatitis, the expression of Notch-1 in both MAP and SAP group was increased at different time intervals, but that in SAP group was significantly higher than in MAP group (P<0.05). The expression of Notch in MAP and SAP groups reached the peak at 12th and 8th h respectively after induction of pancreatitis. It was concluded that there was significant difference in apoptosis index and the Notch-1 expression in different types of AP. The overexpression of Notch-1 could aggravate AP by inhibiting the apoptosis of pancreatic cells.

BACKGROUND:Because of osteoporosis, short-segment transpedicular fixation or screw-rod system fixation is prone to screw loosening depending on its poor anti-pul-out strength in patients with thoracolumbar fracture with ankylosing spondylitis.
OBJECTIVE:To probe the clinic outcomes of multi-segment transpedicle spinal fixation for thoracolumbar fractures with ankylosing spondylitis.
METHODS:Eleven patients with ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture in the Fourth Department of Orthopedics, Meizhou Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, China from January 2009 to December 2012 were selected. Al the patients underwent posterior reduction and multi-segment transpedicle spinal fixation, among whom, six cases were subjected to internal fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al of the 11 patients were fol owed up for 13 to 36 months. Solid bone healing was achieved in al of the patients, and there were no complications related to the internal fixation systems such as loosening or breakage. Three cases of spinal cord injury achieved Frankel’s class E from class C recovery. Lumbodorsal pain rate achieved 100%according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring. Results confirmed that it is effective to treat thoracolumbar fractures with ankylosing spondylitis by posterior reduction and multi-segment transpedicle spinal fixation. Strong internal fixation and fracture union can be achieved by operation.

According to the TCM theory, human growth, development and aging are closely related to kidney function and the main cause of human senility is deficiency of “kidney essence”. Recent studies showed that the “kidney” in TOM include the regulatory function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems.
In this paper, the effect of Guzhen Recipe (_??__??__??_), an aging retarding prescription composed of kidney tonifying herbs such as Radix Polygoni Multiflori (_??__??_), Herba Cistanchis (_??__??_) Rubus Chiagii (_??__??__??_) etc. on the hippocampus and HPAT axis in senile rats were observed. The results showed : (1) With age the number of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) in the hippocampus, the concentrations of NE, DA, 5-HT in the hypothalamus were markedly decreased, while the plasma corticosterone concentration in senile rats was obviously increased. (2) The thymocyte GCR nuclear transition rate was increased significantly ; (3) The contents of cytoplasmic protein, nuclear RNA and DNA, the thymus weight/body weight ratio, the serum thymic factors as well asthe rate of lymphocyte transformation, the activity of IL-2 and NK cells in senile rats were obviously decreased compared to those of young control rats. Guzhen recipe however, was capable of improving these changes in the neuroendocrine-thymic net work in senile rats to varying degrees, suggesting that the kidney with Chinese Medicine might retard the functional degeneration of thymic endocrine partly by improving the feedback regulation of the hippocampal GCR and increasing the concentrations of NE and 5-HT of hypothalamus, thus decreasing the plasma corticosterone ; Simultaneously weakening the nuclear transition rate of thymocyte GCR, which in turn improving the immune function of the senile animal.
We concluded that Guzhen Recipe may retard the functional degeneration of both the hypo-thalamuspituitary-gornadal-thymic and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroidal-thymic axis. All the above results revealed that retarding the aging effect using TCM in volves multiple-leves, multiple-systems and links. Using holistic regulation, imbalance links in aging process are modulated and the equilibrium of Yin and Yang are maintained. This is an important characteristic of the TCM to retard aging.
This research was supported by funds from National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 38970908.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for intracranial infection after external ventricular drainage and provide basis for preventing and controlling the drainage-associated intracranial infection. Metheds the clinical data from three hundred sixty-seven cases of ventricular hemorrhage patients were retrospectively analyzed, using Logis?tic regression to screen risk factors of intracranial infection after external ventricular drainage. Results There were 29 cases with intracranial infection and infection rate was 8.19%, 8.04% and 7.32% at ventricle drainage tube indwelling 1-week group, 2-week group and 3 week-group, respectively. Glasgow coma score (GCS) [OR= 2. 569 CI (1.792 3.378) %, P< 0.05), urokinase perfusion (OR= 2.897, 95%CI (1.297 5.061), P< 0.05), cerebrospinal fluid sampling (OR= 3.399, 95%CI (2.705 4.175), P< 0.01] and comorbidities [OR= 3.751, 95%CI (2.032 5.371), P< 0.01] were risk factors for ventricle drainage operation. Conclusion Ventricle drainage tube indwelling 3 weeks is safe. Less use of urokinase perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid sampling and active treatment of comorbidities diseases can reduce the intra?cranial infection incidence of external ventricular drainage after Intraventricular hemorrhage .

Objective To evaluate the treatment of lateral tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral condyle with double plate fixation via the combined anterolateral and posterolateral approaches.Methods From January 2013 to August 2015,12 patients with lateral tibial plateau fracture involving the posterolateral condyle were treated by double plate fixation via the combined anterolateral and posterolateral approaches.They were 8 males and 4 females,with an average age of 36.9 years (range,from 23 to 58 years).According to the Schatzker classification,we had 8 ones of type Ⅱ,3 ones of type Ⅴ and one of type Ⅵ.Firstly,the posterolateral condylar fractures were stabilized temporarily by the Kirschner wire after reduction through the posterolateral approach.Secondly,the lateral tibial plateau fractures were dealt with via the anterolateral approach,and fixated with a proximal tibial locking plate.Finally,a T-shaped plate for the distal radius was used to support the posterolateral condyle.The clinical and radiographic results were evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and the Rasmussen Score,respectively.Results The average operative time was 143.3 min (range,from 110 to 210 min);the average intraoperative blood loss was 190.0 mL (range,from 100 to 300 mL).The follow-ups for the 12 cases ranged from 12 to 24 months (average,16.6 months).All the cases obtained clinical healing after 12 to 24 weeks (average,16 weeks).At the last follow-up,the HSS knee-scores ranged from 65 to 98 points (average,84.6 points),giving 7 excellent cases,3 good ones and 2 fair ones.The Rasmussen radiological scores ranged from 13 to 18 points (average,17.1 points),giving 8 excellent and 4 good cases.Conclusions The combined anterolateral and posterolateral approaches can offer excellent exposure for articular reduction and fixation with double plates,achieving satisfactory radiological and functional results in lateral tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral condyle.First reduction of the posterior lateral condylar fractures,followed by reduction and fixation of the anterolateral plateau fractures and finally fixation of the lateral condylar fractures,can lead to effectively improved knee function for the patients.

AIM: To investigate the influence of Sini decoction (SND) on the proliferation and apoptosis of rabbit abdominal aorta smooth muscle cells after ballon injury and discuss the effect of vascular smooth muscle cell's (VSMCs) proliferation and apoptosis in post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) restenosis (RS) and the feasibility of SND preventing post-PCI RS. METHODS: The animal model of rabbit abdominal aorta ballon injury was set up and the therapertic group was treated with SND. The shape of proliferative and apoptotic cell were investigated by electron microscope. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed using ?-actin,PCNA and Cyclin E monoclonal antibodies. In situ Cell Death Detection Kit was used to identify apoptotic cells. Abdomial aorta angiography was operated in the 84th day subgroup and the stenosis degree was evalued by quantitative angiographic analysis. RESULTS: As compared with the control group, the therapeutic group displayed a lower proliferative percentage and a higher apoptosic percentage (P

Breathing gas carries important physiological information. Technology for detection of breathing gas has become a research focus because of the advantages of nondestructive sampling and convenient operation. Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) plays an irreplaceable role because of the advantages of high sensitivity, fast response and good specificity. In this paper, the principle of PTR-MS is introduced first, followed by research progress of PTR-MS in the field of breathing gas detection. Factors influencing the test results are analyzed. Finally, future prospects of development for PTR-MS in the field of breathing gas detection are discussed.
Gases ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Protons

BACKGROUND:Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Buyang Huanwu Decoction could expand blood vessels,improve microcirculation,decrease oxidative stress,Inflammation and platelet activation,so protect and improve the function of endothelial cells.But its certain mechanism is still unclear,especially for its impact on the restenosis of the coronary artery after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA).OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effects of Jiawei Buyang Huanwu Decoction on vascular stenosis and oxidative stress after balloon injury of rabbit iliac artery.METHODS:New Zealand rabbits,were randomized and divided into three groups,control group,model group and drug group respectively.Rabbits of control group were fed with common forage,but model group and drug group fed with high fat diet.Two weeks later,the iliac arteries were injured by balloon for model group and drug group.Meanwhile drug group were fed with Jiawei Buyang Huanwu Decoction after the operation,2 mL/kg per day.Control group underwent sham operation control.At the end of4 weeks,serum samples were stored to assay the levels of cholesterol,activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and levels of malondialdehyde(MDA).Injured iliac artery was fixed by neural formalin to observe the endothelial hyperplasia by light microscope,and the results were analyzed by picture analysis system.Differences of measurement were compared with one-way analysis of variance as well as repetitive measurements analysis of variance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Iliac artery intima was thin,with Intact structure,without arteriosclerosis In the control group.The vascular lumina were narrower,intima was thicker and there were more enormous arteriosclerosis plaques in model group rabbits.The plaque thickness was reduced and stenosis was mild in drug group.TotaI cholesterol,triglyceridemia,low-density lipoprotein of cholesterol(LDL-C)and MDA levels were significantly lower in the drug group compared with the model group.whereas high-density lipoprotein of cholesterol(HDL-C)and serum SOD levels were significantly greater than the model group(P<0.05).The results showed that Jiawei Buyang Huanwu Decoction has significant preventive effect on intimal hyperplasia and the development of artherosclerosis in rabbits with iliac artery injury,and the mechanism of which may be related to modifying lipid metabolism and cleaning oxygen free radical anti-oxidative stress.