BACKGROUND:Previous studies concerning neuromechanism of acupuncture for regulating gastric function mainly focused on peripheral nerve, involving in central nervous system. In particular, there are few studies addressing higher central nervous system.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) on gastric-related neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
METHODS:Using microelectrode extracellular recording technique, gastric related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were found in gastric distension rats. Stimulation was conducted for 30 seconds by hand acupuncture at Neiguan and Zusanli. The effects of acupuncture on gastric-related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The discharge of 109 neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of 60 rats was recorded. A total of 56 gastric-related neurons of the 109 neurons were observed. The number of neurons response to acupunctures at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu (BL20) and Weishu (BL21) were respectively 44, 47, 29, and 33, with the reaction proportion of 78.57%, 83.47%, 51.79%and 58.93%. Results suggested that there exist gastric distension stimulation and acupuncture stimulations from neurons soma to visceral reaction in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, which simultaneously participates in the regulation of acupuncture on the gastric function.

BACKGROUND:Preliminary studies of our research group mainly focus on the role of nucleus of solitary tract in gastric noxious stimulation and acupuncture point, while dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve, nucleus of solitary tract and area postrema are the necessary component for vagus nerve complex, and dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the regulation of gastric functions. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu acupoints on the gastric-related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. METHODS:The gastric related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of gastric distension rats were identified using extracellular recording technique, according to neuroelectrophysiology method. Acupuncture stimulation was given to Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu for 15 seconds. The effect of body stimulation on the gastric distension related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of rats was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Among the involved 24 rats, 90 neurons at paraventricular hypothalamic necleus exhibited discharge. Among the discharged neurons, 54 neurons were related to gastric distension. After acupuncture stimulation at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu, there were 44, 39, 38, 27 neurons giving a response, the reaction rate was 82%, 72%, 70%and 50%, respectively. Acupunture at different nerve segment acupoints can activate the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve to different degrees, which is involved in the regulation of gastric motility.

To set standards for histomorphological studies on Lysimachia fortunei, an efficacious and widely applied folk medicine in this study, in order to develop its resources. Its species were identified by observing plant morphology and herbs appearance characters, preparing slices with routine methods and defining structural characters. According to the results of morphologic observation, leaves, stamen and pistil of this plant were different from the descriptions in Flora of China. The whole herb can be used in medicines, mainly including rhizomes, stems and leaves. According to the findings in the first study on microscopic structures, its rhizomes, stems and leaves were characteristic and worth identifying. The transaction tissue structures of rhizomes and stems were under developed and contained endodermis, secretory structures; Stems had sclerenchymata of different shapes of sclereids; Leaves were bifacial and had vascular bundles under midribs, which were surrounded by parenchymal sheathes. On the surface of leaves, stomata, glandular hairs and keratin lines were morphologically different in upper and lower epidermis. The herbal power had glandular hairs, sclereids and vessels. In conclusion, herbs of L. fortunei can be identified by the above histomorphological characteristics, which lays a foundation for further development and application of L. fortunei.
Medicine, Traditional ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Primulaceae ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

Objective To reveal the characteristics and stability of the system through the analyzing the surveillance data of respiratory-feverous syndrome via the syndromic surveillance system which was established during the Shanghai World Expo in Pudong New District and provide references for the development and operation optimization on this Mass Gatherings Surveillance Systems.Methods Data used was from the surveillance data of respiratory-feverous syndrome collected from Pudong New District Syndromic Surveillance System,through May 1 to October 31,2010.On the basis of description of data characteristics,correlation analyses were conducted,when compared to the surveillance data of respiratory-feverous syndrome and Pudong influenza-like illness (ILI) used as reference.Comparison of variances on the surveillance data and the report lag time of the earlier and later surveillance periods were also carried out to evaluate the quality and stability of data.Results Reports on the respiratory-feverous syndrome showed a peak in late September with day-of-week effects and holiday effects.Correlation between respiratory-feverous syndrome and ILI was the strongest in the same day (r=0.596,P＜0.05).In the earlier surveillance period from 2010-05-01 to 2010-07-31,the correlation between respiratory-feverous syndrome and ILI was not obvious (r=-0.058,P＞0.05) ; however,the two-time series showed consistent trend with the correlation coefficient as 0.798 (P＜0.05),in the later period from 2010-08-01 to 2010-10-31.In addition,variability of the surveillance data on respiratory-feverous syndrome was less in the later period than in the earlier one,with quality of the report on relatcd data better in the later period.Analyses on the correlations of reference sequence,variability and quality of report indicated that the stability of the later surveillance period was better than the earlier one.Conclusion Only with the operation of syndromic surveillance system for a certain period of time,could data in the system maintain stability.Surveillance data showed both day-of-week effects and holiday effects,suggesting that there was a need to choose early warning models with short baseline data.

BACKGROUNDThe low-temperature resistance aging performance of Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) is the key effective factor that influences the long-term success rate of prosthesis. The objective of this study was to test and compare the aging performances for resisting low temperature of Lava Frame, Cercon Smart, and Upcera Yttria-stabilized zirconia core materials, via analyzing the micro and the crystal phases of the materials, and measure the three-point bending strength and the fracture toughness.

METHODSThe three zirconia green bodies were prepared as 60 test samples for three-point bending strength and as 60 test samples for fracture toughness. The test samples for three-point bending strength and fracture toughness were assigned to five groups and were treated respectively for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 hours to observe the micro and the crystal phases of the test samples. Then the three-point bending strength and fracture toughness were tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD).

RESULTSThe m phase content of Lava Frame was raised from 7.70% to 13.01%; the m phase content of Cercon Smart was raised from 4.95% to 8.53%; and Lava Frame is raised from 10.84% to 35.18%. The three-point bending strengths of the three zirconia core materials were higher than 1100 MPa and the fracture toughness was higher than 3 MPa·m(1/2). The three-point bending strength and the fracture toughness of Upcra zirconia decreased the most, followed by Lava Frame, and then by Cercon Smart.

CONCLUSIONThe aging resistance sequences of the three zirconia core materials are, from strong to weak, Cercon Smart, Lava Frame, and Upcera.

Ceramics ; chemistry ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Temperature ; X-Ray Diffraction ; Yttrium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry

Objective:To compare and explore the effects of needling acupoints at different nerve segmentson the oxytocin (OT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and the intragastric pressure, and discuss the possible mechanisms. Methods: Thirty-two healthy adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were numbered and divided into 4 groups according to the random number table, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, a Neiguan (PC 6) group, a Weishu (BL 21) group and a control group, with 8 rats in each group. Except the control group, rats in the other three groups received acupuncture at the corresponding acupoints. To observe the differences in double-labeled OT neurons and c-fos neurons of the hypothalamic PVN and the intragastric pressure after acupuncture among the three groups of needling acupoints at different nerve segments. Results:Compared with the control group, the numbers of double-labeled cells in the PVN of the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Neiguan (PC 6) group decreased significantly, while the intragastric pressure increased significantly (allP<0.05), and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The intragastric pressure in the Weishu (BL 21) group decreased significantly, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the Weishu (BL 21) group, the numbers of OT/c-fos double-labeled cells in PVN of the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Neiguan (PC 6) group decreased significantly, and the intragastric pressure increased significantly, the inter-group differences were statistically significant (allP<0.01). Conclusion:Acupoints at different nerve segments have different regulation effects on intragastric pressure. The difference may be related to the different nerve conduction pathways by acupoints at different nerve segments in regulating the intragastric pressure. The PVN may be one common integration center for the regulation of gastric function in the three acupoints [Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Weishu (BL 21)] at different nerve segments.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of gradually induced occlusal disorders on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) of condylar cartilage in rat.

METHODSThe model of gradually induced occlusal disorders was established in rat. The expression of bFGF was examined by SABC technique of immunohistochemistry. The expression of bFGF was analyzed by amount of positive cells.

RESULTSbFGF was expressed positively in the proliferative cell layer, maturative layer and hypertrophical cell layer in the rat mandibular condyle cartilage. In control group, expression of bFGF increased from 2-week-old to 6-week-old, then it had a decrease during experiment. Compared with the control group, bFGF of experiment group was increasing at 2 week, 6 week and 8 week during experiment. But there was decreaseing at 4 week. There was no difference between young experiment group and the adult experiment group.

CONCLUSIONThe gradually induced occlusal disorders may lead to significant increase of expressiong of bFGF in condyle cartilage, which suggests that the bFGF may be involve in the procedure of repairing process of articular cartilage.

Animals ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Mandibular Condyle ; Rats

OBJECTIVEThis article was to study the effect of induced occlusal disorders and removed occlusal disorders on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) of condylar cartilage.

METHODSYoung and adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided respectively into induced occlusal disorders group, removed occlusal disorders group and control group, 3 rats every group. For induced occlusal disorders rats, the elastic rubbers were inserted between the first and second molar in the left upper side and right lower side to form the disordered occlusion. They were killed under anaesthesia 8 weeks after the treatment. For removed occlusal disorders rats, the first molars that caused disordered occlusion were extracted 6 weeks after forming disordered occlusion. 2 weeks later, they were killed under anaesthesia. For normal rats, they were killed at the same time with experimental rats. Hibateral temporomandibular joints of each rat were removed and stained with HE and monoclone antibody of BMP-2. The thickness of condylar cartilage was measured. The expression of BMP-2 in condylar cartilage was detected by half-quantity immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSFor adult induced occlusal disorders group, the thickness of cartilage in intermediate part of condyle decreased. However, it increased in the posterior part. After removing occlusal disorders, the thickness of posterior condylar cartilage returned to normal level. But it was still thinner than control group in the intermediate part. The expression of BMP-2 in anterior, intermediate, posterior part of condylar cartilage of young induced occlusal disorders group was higher than that of young removed occlusal disorders group expression of BMP-2 showed induced occlusal disorders group was higher than removed occlusal disorders group, which was higher than control group. and control group. No difference of the expression of BMP-2 was found in young removed occlusal disorders group and control group. For the expression of BMP-2 in intermediate part of condylar cartilage, both adult induced and removed occlusal disorders groups were higher than adult control group. For the posterior part of adult condyle cartilage, the expression of BMP-2 showed induced occlusal disorders group was higher than removed occlusal disorders group, which was higher than control group.

CONCLUSIONInduced occlusal disorders can lead higher expression of BMP-2 in condylar cartilage of young and adult rats. Adaptability of condylar cartilage of adult rats is weaker than young rats, especially the intermediate part.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Mandibular Condyle ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temporomandibular Joint

OBJECTIVETo clarify the origin and provide pharmacognostical evidences for the leaves of 5 species in Chloranthus.

METHODHistological observation and microscopic identification through different slice-making techniques were applied to the research.

RESULTThere were subtle differences between the histological characteristics. In microscopical identification, the different structures of vascular bundles in veins were observed, appendages and non-glandular hairs were distinct.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used to distinguish the features of 5 species in Chloranthus. This article offers information for the further research and exploitation of Chloranthus.

Magnoliopsida ; anatomy & histology ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Epidermis ; anatomy & histology ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; Plant Vascular Bundle ; anatomy & histology ; Plants, Medicinal ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of OSAHS in quality of life (QOL) for children and its changes before and after surgery.

METHODSPediatric OSAHS disease-specific quality of life survey (OSA-18) and polysomnography (PSG) were used to analysis in 54 cases within 4 weeks before surgery. They were treated by tonsillectomy in 8 cases and adenoid tonsillectomy in 32 cases, adenoidectomy alone in 14 cases and were followed up in 12 to 18 months post-operation.

RESULTSThe impact of pediatric OSAHS on QOL was severe in 61.11% patients. There were significant statistically correlation between OSA-18 and AHI, LSaO2 before surgery. After surgery, the total scores of QOL were improved in 75.92% cases in general. The domains of sleep disturbance in 88.89% cases, caregiver concerns in 74.07% and physical suffering in 70.37% were significantly improved, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPediatric OSAHS had severely influenced in quality of life of children. There are significant correlations between the survey in quality of life of pediatric OSAHS (OSA-18) and the objective data in PSG. OSA-18 can be a valuable measure in clinical diagnosis and treatment follow-up.

Adenoidectomy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Quality of Life ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tonsillectomy