OBJECTIVETo explore the curative effect and safety of acupuncture for mild cognitive disorders after stroke.

METHODSRandomized controlled trial was adopted and one hundred cases conforming to criteria were divided into a combined acupuncture and medication group (group A) and a medication group (group B), 50 cases in each group. The basic treatment of cerebrovascular disease was applied in two groups. The group A treated was with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24) and Qucha (BL 4) etc. and oral administration of Nimodipine. In group B, Nimodipine was taken orally. The treatment lasted for 3 months, the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), modified Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) and Barthel Index (BI) were observed before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in group A was 66.7% (32/48), which was superior to 30.4% (14/46) in group B (P < 0.05). The scores of MMSE, HDS-R and BI after treatment were apparently improved as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.01). The improvements in group A were superior to those in group B (all P < 0.05). There was no adverse event reported during the treatment in two groups.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve activity of daily living and has significant effect in treating mild cognition disorders after stroke without adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

PcoI-PcoR is a quorum-sensing (QS) system influencing the biofilm formation and rhizosphere colonization in Pseudomonas fluorescens 2P24. The expression of the pcoI, a N-acyl-homoserne lactone (AHL) biosynthase gene, is under the regulation of a number of chromosomal factors, such as the GacS-GacA two-component system. In this paper, we investigated the upstream regulators that influence the transcription of pcoI gene using a chromosomal pcoI-lacZ fusion reporter strain PM203. Cosmids containing genomic DNA of the wild-type strain 2P24 were introduced into the reporter strain PM203 (gacA—, pcoI-lacZ) to screen positive transcriptional regulators of pcoI gene. One of them named pP32-24, which contained a 5-kb Pst I functional fragment was selected. Further analysis identified that the pcoI was the gene responsible for the increase of the pcoI-lacZ expression. The expression of pcoI-lacZ reporter was alsoimproved in both PM101 (pcoI-lacZ) and its gacAmutant PM203 after addition of exogenous AHL, indicating that the expression of pcoI is positively regulated by AHL (autoinduction) in strain 2P24. In addition, deletion mutagenesis and complementation experiments demonstrated that the transcriptional regulator PcoR positively controlled the expression of pcoI and the formation of biofilm. These results suggest that, in strain 2P24, the expression of PcoI-PcoR QS system is auto-inducted, and the transcriptional factor PcoR is involved in the regulation of pcoI transcription and the biofilm formation.

Adult ; Faculty ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sampling Studies ; Sleep ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE:To put forward policy suggestions on the selection and revision of National Essential Drug List (NEDL) in China. METHODS: The selection principles, criteria and procedures of WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Directory which was commonly regarded as Essential Drug List of Australia were analyzed to provide reference for the selection and revision of NEDL in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The selection and revision of NEDL which were strongly supported by related policies demand active participation of all social sectors, open and transparent working procedures, scientific and operational methods for selection and revision, authoritative monitoring and aftereffect evaluation system.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Leukemia ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles ; genetics

We developed and designed a new type of artificial trachea. The basic structure of the artificial trachea was polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis linked with titanium rings on both sides. Dualmesh was sutured on titanium rings. This experimentation follows the replacement of trachea in dogs with a combined artificial trachea to investigate the feasibility of this type of prosthesis. Sixteen dogs were implanted with the combined artificial trachea after resection of 5 cm of cervical trachea. The 5 cm-long trachea of dogs on the necks were resected and the reconstruction of the defect of the trachea was performed with trachea prosthesis. According to the method of trachea reconstruction, the models were divided into 2 groups, artificial trachea implantation group (the control group, n = 8) and group of artificial trachea implantation with growth factor (the experimental group, n = 8). Then computer tomography scan (CT), bronchoscope and pathologic examination were conducted periodically to observe the healing state of the hybrid artificial trachea. None of the dogs died during operation of cervical segmental trachea construction. But four dogs in the control group died of apnea in succession because artificial trachea was displaced and the lumen was obstructed, while 2 dogs died in the experimental group. In the first month there was granulation around anastomosis with slight stenosis. The rest of dogs were well alive until they were sacrificed 14 months later. The mean survival time of the experimental group was longer than that of the control group. The rate of infection, anastomotic dehiscence, severe stenosis and accidental death in the experimental group were lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Artificial trachea was encapsulated by fibrous tissue and no mucous membrane was seen in the lumen of the artificial trachea. The artificial trachea can be used to reconstruction of the defect of the trachea with long-term survival of the animals. The unique design of artificial trachea reduces stenosis around anastomosis effectively but infections and split or displacement of the artificial trachea are still major problems affecting long-term survival of the animals. Application of growth factors to a certain extent promotes tissue healing by changing the local environment.
Animals ; Artificial Organs ; Dogs ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Titanium ; Trachea ; surgery

BACKGROUND: Angiotensinogen (AGT) gene is the firstly discovered candidate gene for essential hypertension, both the T174M and M235T polymorphisms locate at the second exons of AGT gene, and there is existence of linkage disequilibrium. The polymorphism at A-6G and G-217A sites in promotor region plays an important role in regulating the gene expression, and the products of keep close correlation with the level of blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the polymorphism of AGT gene at A-6G, T174M and G-217A sites and the risk for the attack of essential hypertension in Chinese Han population, DESIGN: A cluster sampling and case-control analysis. SETTINGS: Department of Geriatrics and Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Southern Research Center of National Human genome; Department of Cardiology, Dongtai People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province. PARTICIPANTS: The experiment was carried out in the countryside of Dongtai county, Yancheng city, Jiangsu province. All the subjects were selected from the countryside of Dongtai county, Yancheng city, Jiangsu province. Totally 177 patients with essential hypertension who had never accepted any drug treatment, were taken as the essential hypertension group, and hypertension was diagnosed according to the diagnostic standard of hypertension set by WHO/ISH in 1999 (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg); Another 86 normal person were taken as the normal control group. ② Inclusive criteria: The enrolled subjects should be Han nationality; long-term local residents but not from other places; able to answer questions clearly; diagnosed by disease history, clinical symptoms, physical signs and assistant examinations; have complete data of investigation of uniform questionnaires by face-to-face interview (including demographic information, profession history, family history and life styles of smoking, drinking, drinking tea, etc.). ③ Exclusive criteria: The patients with secondary hypertension in the essential hypertension group, subjects having family hisory of hypertension in the normal control group, and those with chronic diseases of liver and kidney, and diabetes mellitus in both groups were excluded. METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and DNA was extracted from human peripheral blood with FlexiGene DNA Kit (250). The Primer3 software was applied to design primers, and the polymorphism sites in the primer sequence were excluded. After multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 3 μL products were selected to detected the amplified results by agarose gel electrophoresis. The successfully amplified PCR products were purified with the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit, and the purified products were fragmentized with Dnase Ⅰ . The fragmentized products of enzyme digestion were labeled with fluorescein by deoxynucleotide terminal transferase. Two allele specific probes and one mismatched probe were designed respectively for each single nucleotide polymorphism. The chips were prepared with the OmniGridTM 100 TLC samler, each probe was repeated for three times to form three matrix. The hyridization solution was degenerated at 95 ℃ for 10 minutes, and then immediately cut on ice. 10 μL hybridization solution was added onto the chip matrix, hybridized at 50 ℃ for 2 hours, then washed and dried. The chips were scanned with the GenePix 4000B laser confocal scanner (Figure 2),and the intensity of the fluorescent signal for each probe was extracted with GenePix Pro, and the allele score of each single nucleotide polymorphism was calculated to judge the genotype. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Comparison of the frequencies of genotype distribution at each polymorphism site of AGT gene in both groups; ② Correlation analysis of the polymorphism of AGT gene at A-6G and T-174M sites with the risk for the attack of essential hypertension; ③ Effects of the polymorphism of AGT gene at A-6G, T-174M and G-217A sites on blood pressure.RESULTS: According to the intention-to-treat analysis,all the 263 subjects were involved in the analysis of results. ① At the A-6G site of AGT gene, the frequencies of AA, AG and GG genotypes (P=0.014) and A and G alleles (P=0.004, OR=0.44) had significant differences between the essential hypertension group and normal control group; At the T174M site, the frequencies of CC, CT and TT genotypes (P=0.031) and A and G alleles (P=0.014, OR=0.55) were significantly different; At the G-217A site, no obvious differences were found in the GG, AG and AA genotypes (P=0.722) and G and A alleles (P=0.403, OR=0.80). ② The risk of essential hypertension in the individuals carrying AA genotype of A-6G polymorphism and CC genotype of T174M polymorphism was reduced by 57% (95%CI= 0.23-0.82, P= 0.010) and 56% (95%CI= 0.25-0.79, P= 0.006) respectively. ③ There were no significant differences in the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure among different genotypes at the A-6G, T174M sites and G-217A sites (F=0.100- 2.911, P ＞ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The AA genope at A-6G and the CC genotype at T174M site of AGT gene may reduce the risk for the attack of essential hypertension in Chinese Hun population, and no significant correlation was found between the genotype of G-217A polymorphism and the attack of essential hypertension.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of the 14-3-3 protein overexpression on the injury of PC12 cell induced by MPP~+ and its mechanisms.Methods For expression in mammalial cells, pcDNA3.1(+)-14-3-3 plasmid was constructed and transfeeted into PC12 cell with Lipofectamine~(TM)2000. The overexpression of transfected 14-3-3 gene in PC12 cell was determined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.The effects of 14-3-3 overexpressing on the cells viability,apoptotie ratio and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)as well as glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)of PC 12 cell treated with MPP~+ were measured by MTT assay,flow cytometry analysis and microplate reader respectively.Results The expression of 14-3-3 protein in transfection group(1.19?0.06)increased evidently compared with control group(0.75?0.05).And the antioxidant enzyme activity assession,MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis shows that the overexpression of 14-3-3 protein elevates the activity of SOD(transfection group:(9.13? 0.41)U/mg protein,MPP~+ group:(6.45?0.52)U/mg protein)and GSH-Px(transfection group: (89.66?3.42)?mol/mg,protein MPP~+ group:(82.73?4.15)?mol/mg protein),increases the cell viability(transfection group:0.78?0.06,MPP~+ group:0.54?0.07),and inhibits cell apoptosis (transfeetion group:11.87%?3.26%,MPP~+ group:36.30%?2.39%)of PC12 induced by MPP~. Conclusion The overexpression of 14-3-3 protein could elevate the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px,reduce oxidant stress,alleviate MPP~+ toxicity,and thus inhibit the apoptosis of PC12 cell induced by MPP~+.

Objective To analysis and determine the possibility of the Citellus undulatus infected with Yersinia pestis surviving the winter in an experimental study, and to provide scientific experimental basis for the study on the mechanism of Yersinia pestis preservation. Method In 2006,09 to 2007,04 and 2007,09 to 2008,04 in Xinjiang Wusu-Gurtu natural foci of plague, under natural conditions, the over the winter process of Citellus undulatus carrying the plague bacteria was simulated, and 178 Citellus undulatus were infected with Yersinia pestis (1×107 Bacteria/mouse) using artificial injection method. One hundred seventy-eight Citellus undulatus infected with Yersinia pestis were kept into a construction of the black (1-5 ℃) basement (2 meters under the ground) in the plague focus. In doing so, these Citellus undulatuses almost simultaneously stepped into hibernation. After waking up from hibernation in following year in April, the survived mice carrying the plague bacteria were observed. Results Sixty-eight mice survived among the 178 infected with Yersinia pestis after 6 months of hibernation (through October to the following year in April), and the remaining 110 were all dead without pulling through the hibernation period. The survival rate was 38.2% (68/178). The organ culture of Yersinia pestis of the 110 dead mice(Citellus undnlatus) were tested, 67 were negative(-), 43 positive(+), with a positive rate of 39.1%(43/110). Among the rats with positive plague bacteria, the congestive pulmonary edema and the pathological changes of the hemorrhagic inflammation of the heart, liver, spleen, kidney and injection site could be seen clearly; the plague-free mice were not found to have any pathological changes. The survived 68 mice over the winter were autopsied and observed after being fed up for 20 days. No any pathological changes were found among these mice, and culturing of Yersinia pestis of the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and the tissue of injection site of these mice were all negative (-). Conclusions Citellus undulatus can carry Yersinia pestis during hibernation, but some fail to carry the bacteria through the entire process of hibernation persistently. Yersinia pestis was negative in the survived mice at the end of hibernation. The results showed that Citellus undulatus can not carry Yersinia pestis over the winter.

Vitexin, a naturally occurring flavone glycoside in plants, has many pharmacological effects, which is widely distributed in nature. This paper reviewed the research progress of the distribution of vitexin in the plant resources and its pharmacological effects, and summarized its application prospects, aiming to provide a useful reference for the development of vitexin-enriched plant resources.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Plant Dispersal