OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of drug-contained sera (DCS) of Naoluo Xintong (NLXT) and Zuogui Pill (ZGP) on the proliferation and differentiation of in vitro cultured embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) in rats.

METHODSRat's embryonic NSCs were cultured in medium supplemented with 10% DCS with NLXT and ZGP separately, the effects of DCS in enhancing proliferation and inducing differentiation were observed and compared by phase contrast microscopy and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSMajority of NSCs were induced to neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes in medium supplemented with either DCS-NLXT or DCS-ZGP, with the growth of them promoted to some extent. However, DCS-NLXT induced the differentiation rather slowly but with the differentiated neurons more resemble to the mature neuron in morphology, while DCS-ZGP promoted the stem cell growth more effectively.

CONCLUSIONBoth NLXT and ZGP could promote the differentiation and growth of in vitro cultured NSCs, but with exiguous difference. It is feasible to induce the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs by way of using Chinese medicine drug-therapy for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation as well as that for tonifying Shen to generate marrow.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Neural Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum ; chemistry

Animals ; Concanavalin A ; adverse effects ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To explore the establishment method of virtual three-dimensional model of the virtual artery and interven-tional devices,and its application value.Methods The virtual models including virtual artery system,catheter,guide wire,stent and coil were established by using the three-dimensional moulding software of 3D Studio MAX R3.The study about interventional preoperative simulation and assistant instruction were run in personal computer.Results ①All the virtual instruments and real in-struments were highly similar shape,the arterial system in the visual display was similar to realistic system.②All arteries branches had own name,could be arbitrarily adjusted curvature,diameter and established the lesion morphology.③The reference value of preoperative simulation results to guide the actual surgery included following aspects:to guide the reasonable shaping of micro-cathe-ter and micro-guide wire tip,to plan the coil and stent deployment location,number and size.④In training and teaching,the preop-erative simulation could assist doctors in learning and remembering the artery branch and establishing the concept of three-dimen-sional space,and enhanceing the intention understanding of surgery.Conclusion The establishment method of virtual model of the virtual artery and interventional devices is reliable.The preoperative simulation results can be used to guide practical operation with relatively high accuracy,and it has an important supporting role for the teaching and training of medical students.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the numbers, sizes and types distribution of diatoms in drowned and postmortem immersed rabbits' lungs. METHODS: Sixty-two rabbits were randomly divided into drowning group (n = 30), postmortem immersion group (n = 30) and land death group (n=2), and the diatoms in each lung lobe were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by microwave digestion and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: In the drowning group, the diatoms were detected in each lung lobe with Cyclotella and Melosira in the majority. In the postmortem immersion group, Cyclotella was in the majority. And the diatoms weren't detected in some lung lobes in postmortem immersion. There were significant differences in the detection rates of upper lobe of left lung, middle lobe and cardiac lobe of right lung in two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on the microwave digestion and scanning electron microscopy, the numbers, sizes and types distribution of diatoms in drowned and postmortem immersed rabbits' lungs can be analyzed and used as references for testing theory.
Animals ; Autopsy ; Diatoms/isolation & purification* ; Drowning ; Lung/microbiology* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microwaves ; Rabbits

[Objective]To investigate the value of"pericardium crescent sign"in the diagnosis of non-calcified con-strictive pericarditis in CT.[Methods]Twenty-seven patients with non-calcified constrictive pericarditis and forty-six cardiac tumors confirmed by surgical pathology were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent non-enhanced and enhanced CT scan preoperatively.Pericardial morphology,density,enhancement features,appearance of atrium,ventri-cle and inferior vena cava of non-calcified constrictive pericarditis were analyzed. Pericardial morphology of cardiac tumors was also analyzed.[Results]Of the 27 patients with non-calcified constrictive pericarditis,18 patients developed"pericardium crescent sign",accounting for 66.7%,ventricular varying degrees of deformation in 13 cases,accounting for 48%;venous dilatation in 26 cases,accounting for 93%;atrial enlargement in 7 cases,accounting for 26%. In 46 patients with cardiac tumors,only 1 patient had a similar"pericardial crescent"sign.For the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis using pericardial crescent sign,the sensitivity was 66.7%,the specificity was 97.8%,Youden index was 0.64. The area under the ROC curve was 0.82([0.71-0.94],P<0.001).[Conclusion]"Pericardium crescent sign"is important CT features of non-calcified constrictive pericarditis. It has high specificity for differentiating non-calcified constrictive pericarditis from pericardial tumor imaging.

OBJECTIVETo radiographically analyze the osseous fixation zone for the iliac crest external fixation with Schanz screws and in order to guide their placement.

METHODSNine adults with 2.0-mm-slice continuous pelvic axial CT scans were selected as research subjects. Each CT scan data was imported into MIMICS 10.0. The osseous fixation zone the upper portion of the anterior column of the acetabulum which is located between the anterior superior iliac spine and the gluteal medius pillar and between the iliac crest and the acetabulum-for the iliac crest external fixation with Schanz screws was reconstructed into true sagittal and true coronal planes by using the software. Then the measurements were taken on the reconstructed planes with measuring tools. Finally, the measured data was analyzed.

RESULTSThe palpable iliac crest segment, which was of 49.6 mm width and located 16.5 mm posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine could be used to locate the start points of the Schanz screws. Under the above-mentioned iliac crest segment, the osseous zone was deep, got ample bony materials and could intraosseously contain Schanz screws with 5.0 mm diameter. The screws could be safely inserted to a minimal depth of 71.7 mm towards the acetabular dome and to a maximal depth of 143.5 mm posterior to the acetabulum.

CONCLUSIONThe study can guide the effective insertion of the iliac crest Schanz screws. By setting a suitable start point in the above-mentioned iliac crest region and angling correctly relative to the acetabulum,the Schanz screw can be inserted into the relative strong cancellous bone above or posterior to the acetabulum with a considerable depth, to getting more bone engagement.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The contents of gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid and paeonol extracted in different growth years, collecting season and of different parts of Paeonia lactiflora were determined. The results showed that the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora collected in autumn are the highest, and the contents of benzoic acid was lower than that of those collected at other time. The longer is the age of Paeonia lactiflora, the higher is the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin. The contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in the root of Paeonia lactiflora were higher than those in other parts of the plant. There is a certain content of paeoniflorin in the leaves of Paeonia lactiflora. Judging from the result, paeoniflorin is synthesized in the leaf and then transported to the root. Catechin is not synthesized in the leaf, but mainly in the root. Paeonia lactiflora should be collected in autumn, and immature plant should not be collected.
Acetophenones ; analysis ; Benzoates ; analysis ; Benzoic Acid ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; Catechin ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seasons

0.05),but a significant difference at weeks 4,8,and 12 between two groups(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory effects of puerarin on the levels of transforming growth beta1 (TGF-beta1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in rats with alcoholic injury liver, and to probe into the prevention and cure mechanism of puerarin on alcoholic liver injury.

METHODSeventy five SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal group 10 rats. model group 20 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor twice per day), control group 15 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor + complex biejia ruangan pian 1 g kg(-1) d(-1)), puerarin high dose group 15 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor + puerarin tablet 1.5 g kg(-1) d(-1)), puerarin low dose group 15 rats (alcohol etc mixed liquor + puerarin pill 0.75 g kg(-1) d(-1)). After 8 weeks. femoral vein blood of the rats were taken out in all rats and then rats were sacrificed to obtain liver samples. Samples were collected to observe pathological change and to detect expression of TGF-beta1, and alpha-SMA in liver tissue.

RESULTPathological change and hepatic fibrosis integration of liver tissue in model group were significantly changed compared with other group (P<0.05). Meanwhile the level of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in both high and low dose puerarin groups were significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). Furthermore the level of alpha-SMA of puerarin high dose group were significantly decreased compared with control group (P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between puerarin low dose group and model group.

CONCLUSIONThere was an ascend in the level of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA expression in rats with alcoholic injury liver, and puerarin has regulatory effects on the expression of TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA.

Actins ; metabolism ; Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the aortic elastic properties and its clinical significance in intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

METHODSOne hundred and seven IAs patients (57 with hypertension) and 108 healthy subjects were recruited. The internal aortic diameters in systole and diastole were measured by the M-mode echocardiography, the aortic elasticity indexes were calculated and compared.

RESULTSThe aortic distensibility (DIS) was lower and the aortic stiffness index (SI) was higher in IAs patients than those in controls (both P <0.001). DIS was lower and SI was higher in IAs patients with hypertension (IAs-HP) than those in IAs with no hypertension (P <0.001). Similar results were obtained when the aortic elasticity index were adjusted for body surface area and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONAbnormal aortic elasticity is a common finding in IAs patients and hypertension is closely related to the severity of aortic elasticity.

Adult ; Aged ; Aorta ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Elasticity ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography