Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tennis Elbow ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the effect of serum testosterone level on the pathologically aggressive behavior and the synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex of puberty rats after gonadectomy. Methods Thirty male rats, 21 days old, were randomly divided into 3 groups: gonadectomized group, model group and control group. The gonadectomized and model groups were given a series of standard stress from 21 days old to puberty to induce animal model of pathological aggressive behavior. Resident-intruder experiment was performed to observe the variation of aggressive behaviors of animals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine the serum testosterone level. Western blotting analysis was used to determine the expression of postsynaptics density-95 (PSD-95) and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in the prefrontal cortex. Results Resident-intruder experiment showed that the latency to the first attack in the gonadectomized group decreased significantly (P<0.01,P<0.01) and the attack times after yield increased significantly compared with those in the other two groups (P<0.01,P<0.01). The serum testosterone in the gonadectomized group was significantly decreased compared with the other two groups as shown by ELISA results (P<0.01, P<0.01). In addition, the aggressive-related behavior indices had a moderate to high negative correlation with the testosterone level (P<0.01). Western blotting analysis showed that prefrontal cortex expression of PSD-95 and GAP-43 in the gonadectomized group was significantly lower than those in the other two groups(P<0.01, P<0.01). Conclusion Low serum testosterone level can cause damage to the neuroplasticity of prefrontal cortex in puberty rats, which might be related to the pathologically aggressive behavior.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; pathology ; HSP47 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of two-dimensional speckle tracking technology in the evaluation of right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary disease .Methods Thirty patients with pulmonary heart disease were divided into two groups:group of compensated pulmonary heart disease(compensated group ) (n =15),group of decompensated pulmonary heart disease (decompensated group)( n =15).30 healthy subjects were enrolled in control group .The displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the midpoint(TADmid),the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the free wall (TADfre) and the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the septum (TADsep) were acquired,and simultaneous real-time three-dimensional ultrasound detection of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were taken.The correlation of TADmid with RVEF and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP) were analyzed.Results TADmid of the healthy control group,the compensated group and the decompensated group were(17.1 ±3.9)mm, (13.6 ±2.6)mm,and(9.5 ±3.2)mm respectively.TADfre were(21.1 ±3.0)mm,(17.6 ±4.2)mm,and (11.5 ±3.8) mm respectively.TADsep were(12.0 ±2.5) mm,(9.7 ±3.3) mm,and(7.4 ±2.7) mm respectively.RVEF were(56.3 ±8.2)%,(39.6 ±6.4)%,and(28.1 ±5.9)% respectively.PASP were (20.6 ±2.6) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa), (63.3 ±5.6) mm Hg, and (82.5 ±11.2)mm Hg respectively.There were significant differences of TADmid , RVEF, and PASP among the 3 groups ( F =8.581,7.816,9.300,6.507,10.235, all P <0.05).TADfre, TADmid, TADsep and RVEF were all decreased in the compensated group comparing to the healthy control group ,while PASP was increased.The decrease of TADmid was the most significant ,while that of TADfre was the slightest .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.703,2.536,2.379, 2.817,3.026,all P<0.05).TADfre,TADmid,TADsep and RVEF of decompensated group reduced more significantly than the compensated group , while PASP was increased significantly .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.519,2.493,2.236, 2.621,2.985,all P<0.05);TADfre and TADmid were decreased more apparently in decompensated group than that in compensated group ,and so were TADsep and RVEF,while PASP were increased.There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups (t =1.947, 2.680,2.016,2.653,2.893,all P<0.05).There was significant positive correlation between TADmid and RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound (r =0.904,P <0.01 ).There was significant negative correlation between TADmid and PASP (r=-0.686,P<0.01).The cut-off point value of TADmid measured by speckle tracking technology for evaluation of RVEF <45% and<30% were 13.65 mm and 9.80 mm,respectively.The sensitivity were 94.4%and 90.0%respectively,and the specificity were 78.6%and 90.0%respectively.Conclusions TADmid is hardly affected by the external factors ,and it can better reflect the changes of right ventricular systolic function for patients with pulmonary heart disease .TADmid is positively correlated with RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound and negatively correlated with PASP.Further more,the correlations is significant.The three parameters can authenticate mutually ,and the combination of them can evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary heart disease precisely.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of expansive pedicle screws fixation combined Wright artificial bone implantation in treating thoracolumbar burst fracture of the elderly.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to July 2009, 12 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with surgery in the study. There were 7 males and 5 females, with an average age of 62.3 years (from 56 to 71 years). Nerve functions of all patients were ASIA classified grade E. According to TLICS score system, 6 points were in 5 cases and 7 points were in 7 cases. Expansive pedicle screw system was used and Wright artificial bone was injected into the injuried vertebrae. The anterior border height of vertebral body and Cobb angle were observed at the preoperation, postoperation and final follow-up.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 10 to 15 months with an average of 12 months. Wounds healed well, pain in the chest-back abated, no the expansive pedicle screws loosened or broke down. The anterior border height of vertebral body increased from (32.3 +/- 9.1)% preoperatively to (95.3 +/- 3.2)% postoperatively; and the Cobb angle decreased from (31.6 +/- 6.8) degrees preoperatively to (4.5 +/- 3.2) degrees postoperatively. There was significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). After 3 months, the anterior border height of vertebral body was (94.7 +/- 3.3)% and the Cobb angle was (4.6 +/- 3.4) degrees; at the final follow-up, the anterior border height of vertebral body was (93.2 +/- 3.6)% and the Cobb angle was (5.3 +/- 3.7) degrees. There was no significant difference between the two data (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of expansive pedicle screws fixation and Wright artificial bone injection is a good treatment for thoracolumbar burst fracture, with advantages such as easy operation and good effect, which mainly applied to patients with no obvious nerve injuries.

Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thoracic Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) treats ischemic disease by promoting arteriogenesis, however, its mechanism of action is not known. The notch signaling pathway plays an important role in neovascularization. The relationship between the proliferation and migration ability of artery endothelial cells and the Dll4-Notch-Hey2 signaling pathway in the process of arteriogenesis was investigated as a mechanism of action of HGF.

METHODSBased on the prophase study cells and supernatant were harvested at the indicated time after human femoral artery endothelial cells (HFAECs) were infected with adenovirus-HGF (Ad-HGF) at 200 pfu/cell. Cells were analyzed for HGF expression and Notch1, Dll4 and Hey2 expression by ELISA and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The changes in the proliferation and migration ability of HFAECs were observed by MTT and Transwell migration experiments. Ad-GFP-infected HFAECs were used as control.

RESULTSCompared with the control group the Ad-HGF group's HGF expression was not increased with time, and the induction by HGF of Notch1, Dll4 and Hey2 gene transcription was not enhanced with an increase of HGF. The proliferation ability of Ad-HGF-transduced HFAECs was enhanced and their migration ability was also enhanced in the presence of HGF.

CONCLUSIONSThrough activating the Dll4-Notch-Hey2 signaling pathway, HGF indirectly promotes the proliferation and migration ability of cells, so that offspring artery branches are formed.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Notch ; genetics ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology

AIMTo study the protective effects of phenolic alkaloids from Menispermum dauricum (PAMd) on inflammatory injury following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

METHODSThe right middle cerebral artery of the rat was occluded by inserting a nylon suture through the internal carotid artery for 2 h, followed by reperfusion by withdrawing the suture. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was observed by immunohistochemistry staining. The adhesiveness and infiltration of leucocytes were observed by HE staining. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the content of nitric oxide (NO) in the cortex and hippocampus were measured.

RESULTSPAMd was shown to markedly inhibit ICAM-1 expression, alleviate the adhesiveness and infiltration of leucocytes, and decrease the MPO activity and the NO content in ischemic cortex and hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONPAMd has protective effects on inflammatory injury following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by inhibiting ICAM-1 expression, alleviating the adhesiveness and infiltration of leucocytes and decreasing the generation of NO.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Benzylisoquinolines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Leukocytes ; pathology ; Male ; Menispermum ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tetrahydroisoquinolines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

The novel antimicrobial peptide in submerged fermentation by Bacillus sp. fmbJ224 is strongly influenced by many internal and external factors, namely medium constituents and fermentation conditions. In this study, Plackett-Burman design was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the seventeen factors. By the statistical regression analysis, the significant factors affecting the novel antimicrobial peptide in submerged fermentation by Bacillus sp. fmbJ224 were determined as follows: glucose, NH4NO3, glutamic acid, CaCl2, MnSO4. In the second phase of the optimization process, a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the above critical internal factors, and to find out the optimization concentraction levels and the relationships between these factors. By solving the quadratic regression model equation using appropriate statistic methods, the optimal concentration of the variables were determined as: 8.13 g/L glucose, 6.14 g/L NH4NO3, 4.2 g/L glutamic acid, 3.98 mg/L CaCl2, 4.87 mg/L MnSO4. The content of the novel antimicrobial peptide was increased from 1304.21 microg/mL to 1487.58 microg/mL. The experimental data under various conditions have validated the theoretical values.
Anti-Infective Agents ; metabolism ; Bacillus ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Culture Media ; Fermentation ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Regression Analysis

This study was purposed to explore the mechanisms of preventive effect of tetrandrine (TTD) on doxorubicin (ADM)-induced multidrug resistance (MDR) in human leukemia cell line K562 from two aspects of the transcription control of MDR1 gene and cell apoptosis. The experiment was divided into 3 groups: group I-blank control; group II-ADM-induced drug-resistance; group III-ADM-induced drug-resistance after pretreatment with TTD. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of c-Jun, YB-1 and Survivin genes. Western blot was used to determine the nuclear protein expression levels of c-Jun and YB-1. Flow cytometry was used to assay the apoptosis of cells. The results showed that as compared with group I, the expression levels of c-Jun mRNA and nuclear protein decreased (p < 0.05), as well as the expression levels of YB-1 mRNA and nuclear protein increased in group II (p < 0.05). However, the expression of Survivin mRNA had no change (p > 0.05); the apoptosis rate of cells was 8.31%. As compared with group II, the expression levels of c-Jun mRNA and nuclear protein increased (p < 0.05), expression levels of YB-1 mRNA and nuclear protein as well as Survivin mRNA decreased in group III (p < 0.05). The apoptosis of cells was 97.2%. It is concluded that TTD can inhibit the expression of YB-1 and up-regulate the expression of c-Jun, thus inhibit the expression of MDR1 gene. TTD can also inhibit the expression of Survivin and increase the apoptosis of cells induced by ADM.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; metabolism ; Y-Box-Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDCisplatin based chemotherapy is a well recognized risk factor for coagulation disorders and thrombosis. The pathophysiological mechanisms by which cisplatin promote thrombosis are not well understood.

METHODSRed blood cells (RBCs) were separated from peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer (n = 10) and healthy adults (n = 6) and treated with cisplatin. Coagulation time of RBCs was assessed by one step recalcification time and the productions of thrombin, intrinsic and extrinsic factor Xa were measured in the presence or absence of various concentrations of lactadherin. Exposed phosphatidylserine was stained with lactadherin and observed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

RESULTSNeither fresh RBCs nor RBCs treated without cisplatin had potent procoagulant activity. Cisplatin treatment increased procoagulant activity of RBCs in a cell number- and concentration-dependent manner. Exposed phosphatidylserine was stained with lactadherin and after cisplatin treatment, strong fluorescence was revealed by confocal microscopy. Lactadherin bound RBCs from patients with breast cancer increased from (1.9 +/- 0.5)% on control RBCs to (68.0 +/- 3.5)% on RBCs treated with 10 micromol/L cisplatin for 24 hours.

CONCLUSIONSCisplatin treatment increases procoagulant activity of RBCs, which have a strong association with exposure of phosphatidylserine. The increased procoagulant activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of thrombophilia during cisplatin based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques