Objective To explore the mechanism of therapeutic action of needle knife “regulating sinews and treating bones” on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by observing the effect of needle knife intervention on KOA rabbit behaviors, mechanical characteristics of patellar ligament (PL), and expressions of interleukin-4 (IL-4), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and aggrecan in knee cartilages.Methods Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to blank, model, needle knife and electroacupuncture groups, 10 rabbits each. A rabbit model of KOA was made by the modified Videman method of immobilization in extension position. After model making, the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups received needle knife and electroacupuncture treatments, respectively. A behavioral assessment was made using the modified Lequesne MG knee grade evaluation method in every group after model making and treatment. The samples were taken after treatment. PL tension, stress relaxation and creep state were tested using a Bose Electro Force 3300 protracted test machine. Cartilage cell IL-4 expression was examined by ELISA. MMP-3 mRNA and aggrecan mRNA expressions were detected by real-time PCR.Results After model making, there was a statistically significant difference in the Lequesne MG score between the model and blank groups (P<0.01); there was no statistically significant difference in the Lequesne MG score between the needle knife or electroacupuncture group and the model group (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the Lequesne MG score between the needle knife or electroacupuncture group and the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in PL maximum stress, maximum displacement, elastic modulus, stress relaxation rate and creep rate between the model and blank groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment post-treatment differences in PL maximum stress, maximum displacement, elastic modulus, stress relaxation rate and creep rate between the needle knife and model groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in elastic modulus between the electroacupuncture and model groups (P<0.01). The IL-4 content and aggrecan mRNA expression decreased significantly and MMP-3 mRNA expression increased significantly in the model group after model making and there were statistically significant differences compared with the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05). After treatment, the IL-4 content increased significantly in the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups compared with the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and aggrecan mRNA expression tended to increase in the two groups. The regulation of aggrecan mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expressions was better in the needle knife group than in the electroacupuncture groups, but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the model group (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of action of needle knife treatment on KOA may be that it improves ligament mechanical characteristics, regulates intra-articular stress environment, and modulates aggrecan mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expressions and inhibits cartilage degeneration through IL-4 mechanical signal pathway, to produce the therapeutic effect of “regulating sinews and treating bones”.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; secondary

Objective To investigate the variation and correlation between tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)and transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN)in plasma and explore their effects on kidney lesion in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP).Methods Plasma TNF-? and TGF-?1 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 30 cases with HSP,38 cases with HSPN and 30 normal controls,urinary protein excretion with urinary analyze method in these children.Renal biopsies were performed and renal biopsy specimens were observed by light,immunofluorescence and electron microscopy in 32 out of 38 cases with HSPN.The SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results 1.Comparing with normal controls,the plasma level of TNF-? and TGF-?1 in children with HSP increased with significant difference in statistics(Pa

To investigate the mechanism of agarwood formation in Aquilaria sinensis induced by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, the fermentation liquor of L. theobromae was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). JAs were detected in the fermentation liquor. The effect of the fermentation liquor on the abundance of sesquiterpenes in the callus of A. sinensis was analyzed by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). And the fermentation liquor stimulated alpha-guaiene, alpha-humulene and delta-guaiene biosynthesis in calli. It was inferred that L. theobromae produced JAs, which resulted in a significant increase of sesquiterpenes in A. sinensis.
Ascomycota ; physiology ; Fermentation ; Sesquiterpenes ; metabolism ; Thymelaeaceae ; metabolism ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of morphological characteristics and failure modes of two types of glass-fiber posts luted with self-adhesive resin cement and etch-and-rinse adhesive system.

METHODSThirty-six intact single-rooted premolars were collected and removed the crown. After root canal therapy, teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A: Self-adhesive with POPO fiber post. Group B: Etch-and-rinse with POPO fiber posts. Group C: Self-adhesive with Para Post. Group D: Etch-and-rinse with Para Post. Each root was sectioned into six 1 mm-thick serial slices and a push-out test was performed. The dentin-cement-post adhesive interface of each specimen and failure modes after fracture were evaluated by stereomicroscope observation.

RESULTSInterface morphology observe indicated that voids present in group B (64.2%) and D (66.7%) were significantly higher than group A (5.8%) and C (13.7%) (P < 0.001). Interface gaps appeared at the resin-dentine interface in group D (41.2%) were significantly higher than group A (13.5%) and C (11.8%) (P < 0.0083), and the failure modes in each group were significantly different (P < 0.0083) except for group A and B (P = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONVoids present in cement layer were associated with the luting agent involved. Morphological characteristics of the fiber post-resin luting agent-root dentin adhesive interface were discrepant with failure modes in different root region. There were interaction between adhesive systems and fiber posts.

Adhesives ; Composite Resins ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dentin ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; Glass ; Humans ; Methacrylates ; Post and Core Technique ; Resin Cements ; Tooth Root

OBJECTIVETo explore an optimal anesthesia method with less impact on hemodynamics and electrocardiogram (ECG) of old patients with coronary artery disease (CHD) during abdominal operation.

METHODSThe 133 CHD patients waiting for abdominal operation were randomly divided into continuous epidural anesthesia (EA) group, general anesthesia group (GA) and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) group. Continuous monitoring was carried out during operation and mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SaO2), abnormal ECG were measured respectively at different time for comparison and the differences of the above hemodynamic parameters and abnormal ECG features were compared among the 3 groups.

RESULTSAt the 15 min and 30 min point after anesthesia, SaO2 in GA group was significantly increased compared to that in the EA group (P < 0.05). At 15 min, 30 min and 60 min point after anesthesia, MAP in CSEA group was significantly increased compared to that in the EA group (P < 0.05). At 30 min point after anesthesia, HR in CSEA group was increased significantly compared to the EA group (P < 0.05). At 15 min and 30 min point after anesthesia, SaO2 in the CSEA group was increased significantly compare to the EA group (P < 0.05). Compared with preanesthesia (T0) in EA group, MAP, HR and SaO2 decreased significantly at 15, 30 and 60 min after anesthesia (P < 0.05). The fluctuation of the three parameters in GA and CSEA groups were relatively small (P > 0.05). As well as the comparison of abnormal ECG among the 3 groups was concerned, the incidence of ST-T changes in GA and CSEA groups were significantly lower than that in EA group at the time of 15 min, 30 min and 60 min after anesthesia and at the time of surgery termination (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The incidence of arrhythmia in GA and CSEA groups were significantly lower than that in EA group at the time of 15 min, 30 min and 60 min after anesthesia (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with T0 in the same group, the incidences of ST-T changes and arrhythmia in GA or CSEA group at the time of 15, 30 and 60 min after anesthesia and at the time of surgery termination were significantly lower than that before anesthesia (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGA and CSEA have less impact on hemodynamics and have smaller incidence of abnormal ECG of old CHD patients with abdominal operation.

Aged ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Coronary Disease ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period

OBJECTIVETo build a type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model with cardiac ischemia.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were fed high sucrose and high fat diet for four weeks and then injected with streptozoticin (STZ) (40 mg/kg .i.p.). The levels of fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were monitored every week. The body weights of rats were also measured every week. The blood levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured following the electrocardiograph used BL-410 biological experiment system.

RESULTSThe serum insulin levels of diabetic rats were 4.05 ng/ml after four weeks high sucrose and high fat diet. The fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic rats were 17.9 mmol/L after injection. Compared with normal group, there was obvious change of S-T segment in the electrocardiograph of diabetic group at the fourteenth week. The levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in diabetic group significantly increased in comparison with those in normal group.

CONCLUSIONThe cardiac ischemia of diabetic rats model is suitable for investigating cardiac disease of diabetes mellitus.

Animals ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Dietary Sucrose ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP) on morphology of spinal cell apoptosis in rats injured by 192Ir irradiation.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups: the model group, the JSP group, the prednisone group and the normal group. Corresponding pharmaceutics were given to rats once a day for 14 days respectively. Then except rats in the normal group, the others received 192Ir interstitial irradiation with the dosage of 22 Gy using back-fixing technology. The injured segments of spinal cord were taken out for HE staining, TUNEL examination and observation with electron microscope 8 hrs, 24 hrs and 4 weeks after irradiation.

RESULTSHE staining examination showed no obvious histological change in rats 8 and 24 hrs after irradiation, but pathological changes, as tissue rarefaction and hemorrhage did found in white matter of spinal cord shown by TUNEL 4 weeks later. Electron microscopic examination and TUNEL staining showed that as compared with the model group, the apoptotic index in the JSP and predinisone treated groups was significantly lower (P < 0.01) 8 hrs after radiation, but it showed insignificant difference between groups at the time points of 24 hrs and 4 weeks after radiation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJSP could act against apoptosis of gliocyte in spinal cord of rats in early stage after brachytherapy, indicating that JSP possessing a prednisone-like action.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Iridium Radioisotopes ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Radiation Injuries ; pathology ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect mechanism of warm acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy and its efficacy on insomnia by monitoring the level of brain neurotransmitters in the insomnia patients.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty patients with insomnia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 65 cases in each one. In the observation group, based on the treating principle of warming yang and benefiting qi, acupuncture was applied to Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Shenmen (HT 7). Warm acupuncture was supplemented at Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3). The treatment was given once every day. In the control group, estazolam tablets, 0. 5 to 1 mg were prescribed for oral administration, 30 min before sleep at night. The treatment of 14 days was taken as one session and 2 sessions were required in the two groups. The encephal of luctuograph technology was used to observe the sleep quality and brain neurotransmitters before and after treatment in the two groups and the efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 83.1% (54/65) in the observation group and 87.7% (57/65) in the control group. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the observation group, after treatment, 5-HT and GABA/Glu were all increased compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and norepinephrine (NE) was reduced compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). The level of each index did not change significantly before and after treatment in the control group (all P > 0.05). The regulations of 5-HT, GABA/Glu in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of warm acupuncture and auricular point sticking method for warming yang and benefiting qi effectively improves brain neurotransmitters and essentially improves sleep quality of the patients with insomnia differentiated as yang deficiency pattern.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; metabolism ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; therapy ; Young Adult ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the parameters of urodynamic tests for patients with type-III B prostatitis and evaluate the significance of the results of urodynamic tests in the choice of therapies for this disease.

METHODSUrodynamic tests were performed for 87 type-III B prostatitis patients aged 22-45 (30.7 ± 8.5) years, who had moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and failed to respond to routine therapy. Different treatments were administered according to the results of urodynamic tests followed by observation of the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSUrodynamic abnormalities were found in 70 of the 87 patients, bladder outlet obstruction in 28 (32.2%), detrusor overactivity in 25 (28.7%), bladder hyperesthesia in 18 (20.7%), low compliance in 10 (11.5%), detrusor-external urethral sphincter dyssynergia in 1 (1.1%), and impaired detrusor contractile function in 1 (1.1%). Treatments achieved obvious effectiveness in 26 cases (29.9%), effectiveness in 51 (58.6%), and no effectiveness in 10 (11.5%).

CONCLUSIONUrodynamic tests contribute significantly to the choice of therapies for type-III B prostatitis patients with moderate or severe LUTS.

Adult ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urethra ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; physiopathology ; Urodynamics