BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation training after sports injury is of so great importance in the remaining and relieving of exercise ability that the researches in thisfield need to develop.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of isokinetic training on the functional recovery of knee flexors and extensors and the muscle force around the joint after knee meniscus injuries receiving arthroscopy.DESIGN: Case-control observation SETTING: Department of Police Training, Liaoning Advanced Police Officer School PARTICIPANTS: A total of 20 patients with acute meniscus injury of lateral knee joint were selected from the Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University between September 2004 and January 2005. They were randomly divided into experimental group and control group,including 11 cases respectively. METHODS: All the patients were treated with arthroscope operation, additionally the control patients received routine blocking, physiotherapy and massage, etc. To recover the function. From the 2nd to 4th days postoperative, the patients of experimental group began to carry out the functional rehabilitation, and received isokinetic exercise in both knees flexors and extensors with the Cybex-6000 isokinetic dynamometer 3 weeks later.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peak torque values, total work, torque accelerating energy and average power in both knee flexors and extensors at different angular velocities [60, 120 and 180(°)/s].RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were involved in the result analysis.①After arthroscope operation and isokinetic training, the range of joint movement were extended, and the maximum flexion angle changed from (132±25)° to (158±21)°. There were significant differences before and after training by t test (P ＜ 0.01).②The experimental group had statistical significance compare with control group in the test index at 60, 120 and 180(°)/s(P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The arthroscope combining with isokinetic training can speed up the rehabilitation after knee meniscus injury, enhance the muscle force around knee joint and maintain the stability of knee joint and motor ability.

Objective To study the changes of intestinal epithelial barrier function in rats with aging.Methods SD rats were divided into 3 groups:3-month-old group (group A),12-month-old group (group B) and 24-month-old group (group C,established by D-galactose injection with the dose of 0.125 g· kg-1 · d-1subcultaneously for 6 weeks) (n=10,each).The terminal ileum was obtained to make microtome section,and the morphology of small intestine mucous membrane,trophonema altitude and thickness were observed under light microscope.Occludin and ZO-1 protein expressions in terminal ileum mucous membrane were detected by immunohistochemistry.The expressions of Occludin and ZO 1 mRNA were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The small intestinal mucosa thickness and villus height were lower in group C and B than in group A [thickness:(87.6± 6.32) μm,(131.8± 5.22) μm vs.(162.9±7.28) μm; villus height:(56.4±5.38) μm,(76.7±5.40) μm vs.(108.1±6.42) μm;both P＜0.05].The small intestinal mucosa thickness and villus height was lower in group C than in group B (both P＜0.05).Occludin and ZO-1 protein expressions in small intestine tissue were reduced in group C and B as compared with group A [Occludin protein:(2.23±0.60)％,(4.21±0.61)％ vs.(12.31±0.94)％; ZO-1 protein:(2.03±0.54)％,(4.02±0.65) ％ vs.(12.21±0.81)％ ; both P＜0.05],and Occludin and ZO-1 protein expressions were less in group C than in group B (both P＜0.05).The levels of Occludin and ZO-1 mRNA in small intestine tissue were reduced in group C and B as compared with group A [Occludin:(0.20±0.03),(0.38±0.02) vs.(0.66±0.03) ; ZO-1:(0.18±0.03),(0.37±0.02) vs.(0.63±0.03); both P＜0.05],and Occludin and ZO-1 mRNA expressions were less in group C than in group B (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The small intestinal mucosa thickness and villus height are reduced,the levels of Occludin and ZO-1 expressions are significantly decreased in small intestinal mucosa,and the intestinal barrier function is impaired with rat aging.

To simultaneously determine the contents and explore the pharmacokinetics of ferulic acid and paeoniflorin by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after oral administration of Modified Xiao-yao Decoction (MXYD), a compound of traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Annexin A3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactoylglutathione Lyase ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors

Object To develop an improved RP-HPLC method for determining ferulic acid in the human serum. Methods The determination was carried on RP-HPLC, using Kromasil-C 18column, methanol-water-acetic acid (36.4∶63∶0.6) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and at the detection wavelength of 322 nm, and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde was used as internal standard. The serum sample was deproteinized with acetonitrile to extract ferulic acid. Results The calibration curve showed good linearity over the range of 9.94-159.04 ng/mL (r=0.992 5). RSD was less than 10% within day and day-to-day, the average recovery was 99.77% and the minimal concentration in serum was 5 ng/mL. Conclusion This method, which is simple, rapid, sensitive, reproducible and low toxic, is appropriate for the quantitative determination of ferulic acid in the human serum.

Objective To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expressions of sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (Ntcp) and bile salt export pump (Bsep),as well as the liver function markers in the serum including total bilirubin (TBIL),total bile acids (TBA),alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mice.Methods One hundred and twenty-eight C57BL/6 mice were intra-peritoneally injected with different doses of 5,10,20 or 40 mg/kg LPS (n =24),respectively.No treatment or treated with 0.9％ NaC1 in mice as controls.Serum TBIL,TBA,ALT and AST levels were measured at 24 h,48 h and 72 h after LPS injection in each group.The mRNA expressions of Ntcp and Bsep were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).The liver histological sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E).Results The Ntcp and Bsep mRNA expressions in mice liver were significantly lower in livers of LPS-treated mice within 24-72 h compared with control group,and the lowest level was reached at 24 h in a dose-dependent manner.And the relative expressions of Ntcp mRNA and Bsep mRNA were (0.64 ± 0.02),(0.53 ± 0.14),(0.25±0.09),(0.15±0.07)and (0.74±0.12),(0.58±0.11),(0.41±0.09),(0.27 ± ± 0.11) in livers of mice injected with LPS in the different doses of 5,10,20,40 mg/kg,respectively.In addition,serum levels of TBIL,TBA,ALT,and AST were significantly increased in mice of LPS-treated group compared with control group,particularly within 24 h after LPS treatment.Serum levels of TBIL,TBA,ALT,and AST were significantly decreased in mice of 40 mg/kg LPS-treated 72 h group compared with 24 h group presenting them with (1.29 ± 0.25) μ mol/L vs.(1.71 ± 0.22) μ moL/L,(6.97 ± 0.98) μmol/Lvs.(8.96±1.01) μmol/L,(120.17±21.08) U/L vs.(179.22±16.57) U/L,(360.34 ±35.31) U/L vs.(510.97 ± 34.70) U/L,respectively.Furthermore,histological changes in liver depend on dose and the course of LPS treatment.Cytoplasm rarefaction and inflammatory cells infiltration were detected at 24 h after treatment with 5 or 10 mg/kg LPS.Acidophilic and vacuolar degeneration,neutrophils infiltration in the hepatic sinusoid and portal area,the proliferation of bile ductulus were observed at 48 h,72 h after treatment with 5 or 10 mg/kg LPS.In the 20 or 40 mg/kg LPS treatment groups,focal necrosis,infiltration with inflammatory cells,proliferation of bile ductulus and expansion of duct were observed at 24 h,48 h and 72 h after LPS treatment.Conclusions LPS decreases the mRNA expressions of Ntcp and Bsep in a dose dependent manner in mice,contributing to mechanism of liver injury induced by endotoxin.

OBJECTIVETo observe the difference in acupuncture for pain threshold at different time points among the groups of 9 TCM constitutions.

METHODSThe cross-sectional survey was adopted to investigate TCM constitutions among 600 subjects and determine 9 TCM constitution types (neutral constitution, qi-deficiency constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, yin-deficiency constitution, phlegm-damp constitution, damp-heat constitution, blood-stagnation constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, special diathesis constitution). The same acupuncture manipulation was applied to Zusanli (ST 36) on the left side in the subjects and the needle was retained for 30 min. The tenderness threshold was detected with 2390 type Von Frey apparatus at different time points, named before acupuncture, at the moment after qi arrival, in 10 min of needle retaining, in 30 min of needle retaining and in 15 min after needle withdrawal in the subjects of 9 TCM constitutions.

RESULTSThe interactive effect happened between the constitution type and time point (P < 0.05). Among the groups of 9 TCM constitutions, the pain threshold values at the moment after qi arrival (except blood-stagnation constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, special diathesis constitution) in 10 min of needle retaining and in 30 min of needle retaining were increased as compared with those before acupuncture separately (P < 0.01), among which, the value increase was the most significant in 30 min of needle retaining. The differences in the pain thresholds were significant in 15 min after needle withdrawal in the groups of neutral constitution and damp-heat constitution as compared with those before acupuncture (both P < 0.01). In 10 min of needle retaining and in 30 min of needle retaining, as compared with the group of neutral constitution, the changes in pain thresholds of the rest abnormal constitutions were apparently lower (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) presents different effects among the groups of different constitution types. The effect maintaining durations are different.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pain Management ; Pain Threshold ; Yang Deficiency ; therapy ; Yin Deficiency ; therapy ; Young Adult

So far there exists no corresponding quality test procedures and grading standards for the seed of Prunus humilis, which is one of the important source of base of semen pruni. Therefor we set up test procedures that are adapt to characteristics of the P. humilis seed through the study of the test of sampling, seed purity, thousand-grain weight, seed moisture, seed viability and germination percentage. 50 cases of seed specimens of P. humilis tested. The related data were analyzed by cluster analysis. Through this research, the seed quality test procedure was developed, and the seed quality grading standard was formulated. The seed quality of each grade should meet the following requirements: for first grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 68%, thousand-grain weight 383 g, purity ≥ 93%, seed moisture ≤ 5%; for second grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 26%, thousand-grain weight ≥ 266 g, purity ≥ 73%, seed moisture ≤9%; for third grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 10%, purity ≥ 50%, thousand-grain weight ≥ 08 g, seed moisture ≤ 13%.
Cluster Analysis ; Germination ; Prunus ; growth & development ; Seeds ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of Modified Xiaoyao Powder (MXP) on electrogastrogram (EGG) and pharmacokinetic characteristics of ferulic acid (FA) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) of Gan-qi stagnation with Pi-deficiency syndrome type (FD-GP).

METHODSThe study was conducted following method of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics synchronous determination. The 20 patients with FD-GP and 21 healthy volunteers enrolled were orally administrated with MXP to observe the changes in symptom scores, EGG and pharmacokinetic characteristics of FA in patients using gastrointestinal analyzer and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the symptom scores of patients significantly decreased (P < 0.01). EGG showed that the average amplitude of peak and dominant frequency, etc. at the monitoring points, including gastric body, lesser curvature and the near gastric antrum part of greater curvature, etc. were lower than the normal range, the changes were especially obvious and would be worsened after meals (P < 0.01). After treatment by MXP, all the above indexes were improved either before or after meals. The pharmacokinetic parameters of FA in patients of FD-GP before treatment were lower than those in the healthy control group (P < 0.05) and they were insignificant different by MXP comparing with those in the healthy control group.

CONCLUSIONMXP is effective not only in improving clinical symptoms and EGG, but also on pharmacokinetic parameters of FD-GP patients.

Adult ; Coumaric Acids ; pharmacokinetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Dyspepsia ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Myoelectric Complex, Migrating ; Phytotherapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Objective To observe the effects of deep electroacupuncture on carlilage tissue in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rabbits. Meth-ods 40 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group (A, n=10) and model group (n=30). The model group was modeled KOA with Hulth-Telhag way, and identified with X-ray. Then they were divided into no-treated group (B, n=10), deep electroacupuncture group (C, n=10) and routine electroacupuncture group (D, n=10) randomly. The groups C and D accepted electroacupuncture since 6 weeks after modeling, for 4 weeks. They were measured with pH of joint fluid, observed structure and pathology of cartilage under transmission electron microscope, detected apoptosis index, and determined the expression of acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) and p53 with Western blotting, and distribution of ASIC1 with immunohistochemistry in cartilage tissue. Re-sults The pHs of joint fluid from high to low were ranged as the groups A=C>D>B (P<0.01). The cartilage structure was more complete in the groups A, C and D than in the group B. The apoptosis rates from less to more were ranged as the groups A=C