Objective To observe the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (BTXA) in the treatment of small sample patients with acute acquired concomitant esotropia. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 6 patients (3 female and 3 male) with acute acquired concomitant esotropia aged 6 to 34 years. Methods All the patients were received 2.5 units of BTXA injected into the bilateral medial rectus muscles once under electromyographic control. They were performed alter prism-cover test,synoptophore and stereoscopic charts test. Main Outcome Measures The alignment of eyes and binocular vision. Results The follow-up of patients was 4 to 39 months. The pre-injection angle of deviation was 43.3?1.0△; the angle of deviation at the last follow-up was 3.3?8.2△,and 5 patients achieved alignment. In pre-injection,one patient had distance stereopsis,2 patients had near stereopsis with 600 seconds and 40 seconds; after injection,5 patients demonstrated distance and near stereeopsis (3 patients 40 seconds,1 patient 60 seconds,and 1 patient 200 seconds). Conclusion This small sample study shows that BTXA injection is effective alternative in treating acute acquired concomitant esotropia.

Currently praziquantel is one of the major drugs used in treatment of schistosomiasis and other trematode infections.Recent experimental studies indicate that a new anthelmintic,tribendimidine,is used in the treatment of intestinal nematodes,also possesses effect against several species of trematodes including Clonorchis sinensis,Opisthorchis viverrini and Echinostoma caproni.Tribendimidine is even more effective against C.sinensis in rats that a single 300 mg/kg oral dose cures almost all of the animals treated,a lower cure dose than praziquantel(375-500 mg/kg).The anti-malarial drugs artemether and artesunate are not only effective in the prevention of schistosomiasis,but also effective against several species of trematodes,especially C.sinensis.The single oral dose of both drugs to cure or achieve high efficacy in infected rats is 75 mg/kg.This review summarized research progress on tribendimidine,artesunate,and artemether in experimental animals infected with C.sinensis and other species of trematodes.

This study was aimed to establish fingerprints of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus from different geographical origins,and to use the method of pattern recognition to compare the differences of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus from different habitats.In this study,high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish fingerprints for 25 batches of Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus from 4 habitats.Furthermore,similarity evaluation,cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed.The results from established fingerprints showed that a total of 26 common peaks were pointed out and 4 peaks were identified as the common peaks.The CA and PCA can be used to compare Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus from different habitats.It was concluded that Cirri Sarcodactylis Fructus in near geographic origins had a higher similarity,while the different geographic origins had a higher difference.

Objective: To observe the effect of different moxibustion durations on rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the relationship between moxibustion amount and moxibustion efficacy.Methods: Eight rats were randomly selected as a normal group from the 40 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the other 32 rats were used to establish typeⅡ collagen-induced RA models. After successful modeling, the 32 rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion for 20 min group, a moxibustion for 40 min group and a moxibustion for 60 min group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group did not receive modeling and moxibustion intervention; rats in the model group did not receive moxibustion after modeling; rats in the moxibustion for 20 min group, the moxibustion for 40 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group were treated with moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 20 min, 40 min and 60 min, respectively. Six days were a course of treatment, with a total of 3-course treatments and a 1-day rest between the courses of treatment. After treatment, the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, arthritis index (AI) scores, toe volumes and pathological score of synovitis were evaluated in the rats.Results: Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, and the toe volumes in the model group were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01), before the treatment. Compared with the model group, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, toe volumes and arthritis index (AI) scores were significantly decreased in the moxibustion for 20 min group, the moxibustion for 40 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group (P<0.05 orP<0.01 ). Compared with the moxibustion for 20 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group, serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, toe volumes and AI scores were decreased more significantly in moxibustion for 40 min group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 orP<0.01). There were no significant differences in serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, AI scores and toe volumes between the moxibustion for 20 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group (allP>0.05). The synovial histopathological improvement was the most obvious in the moxibustion for 40 min group, when the synovial histopathological changes were compared among the moxibustion for 20 min group, moxibustion for 40 min group and moxibustion for 60 min group.Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion for 40 min in RA rats was more significant than that of moxibustion for 20 min and moxibustion for 60 min, indicating that the duration of moxibustion is the main factor affecting its therapeutic efficacy.

A reliable method for simultaneous determinition of eleven representative components (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, shanzhiside, geniposidic acid, genipin-1-β-D-gentiobioside, geniposide and secoxyloganin) in combination of chromatographic fingerpint analysis for Reduning injection was developed by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The method was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 anlytical column (3. 0 mm x 100 mm, 1. 8 µm) with a guard column of Agilent UPLC Guard ZORBAX SB-C18 (3.0 mm x 5 mm) at the column temperature of 30 °C. The gradient mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (A)-0. 1% phosphoric acid (B) with a flow rate of 0. 4 mL . min-1. The injection volumn was 2 µL. The detection wavelengths were set at 324 nm and 238 nm for quantit tive analysis and 225 nm for fingerpint chromatography. Neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, shanzhiside, geniposidic acid, genipin-1-β-D-gentiobioside, geniposide and secoxyloganin were baseline seperated with good linearity relationships (r >0. 999) between concentration and peak areas over the linear ranges. The average recoverys of the investigated compounds were 103.5%, 100. 2%, 103. 3%, 102. 8%, 101. 3%, 102. 8%, 97. 36%, 99. 62%, 98. 16%, 102. 8%, 99. 27%, respectively. Reduning injection of forty-five batches was analyzed by UPLC finge print chromatography. Thirty batches were selected to generate the reference fringerprint chromatography with fourteen common peaks. The similarity values between the reference fringerprint chromatography and the remaining fifteen batches were higher than 0. 99. The developed method was fast, accurate and sensitive. It could be used as a reference for the quality control of multiple components determination and fingerprint chromatography for Reduning injection in future.
Chlorogenic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Iridoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Time Factors

To explore the antibacterial activity and mechanism of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on Aeromonas hydrophila, and determine the effect of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on minimum inhibitory concentrations, permeability and fluidity of cell membrane, conformation of membrane proteins and virulence factors of A. hydrophila. The results showed that both total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma had antibacterial activities on A. hydrophila, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 62.5 and 125 mg · L(-1), respectively. Total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the fluidity of membrane, change the conformation of membrane porteins and increase the permeability of bacteria membrane by 24.52% and 19.66%, respectively. Besides, total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma significantly decreased the hemolysis of exotoxin and the mRNA expressions of aerA and hlyA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the secretion of endotoxin and the mRNA expression of LpxC (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results suggested that the antibacterial activity of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on A. hydrophila may be related to the bacteria membrane injury. They inhibited the bacterial growth by increasing membrane lipid fluidity and changing conformation of membrane proteins, and reduced the secretion of virulence factors of A. hydrophila to weaken the pathogenicity.
Aeromonas hydrophila ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Toxins ; biosynthesis ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of α3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on apoptosis and p38 signal transduction pathway in SH-SY5Y cells and to assess the roles of α3 nAChR in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThe levels of α3 nAChR mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA. The mRNA level of bcl-2 and bax was measured by the real-time PCR. The siRNA transfected SH-SY5Y cells and control were then treated with 10 µmol/L Aβ25-35 for another 48 h, and the change in apoptotic rate and the levels of p-p38 and p38 were measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. Subsequently these SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a blocker of p38 protein, and the apoptotic rate was measured again.

RESULTSCompared to the controls, the expression of α3 nAChR at mRNA and protein levels in the SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA decreased by 95% and 86%, respectively; the mRNA levels of bax increased 2.11 times and that for bcl-2 decreased 0.53 times. The apoptotic rate was unaffected (3.40% ± 0.20%); but it increased after Aβ25-35 treatment (24.52% ± 1.59%); the level of p-p38 protein also increased by 178% in the α3 nAChR inhibited cells treated with Aβ25-35. Compared to controls, the Aβ25-35-treated SH-SY5Y cells and the Aβ25-35-treated and siRNA-transfected cells both showed a reduction in apoptosis after treatment with p38 blocker, especially in the former.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA silencing of α3 nAChR mRNA may enhance the effect of Aβ25-35 on the cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of p38 protein and bax mRNA and decreasing the level of bcl-2 mRNA, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To obtain acquired immunity evidence in hamsters elicited by third stage hookworm larvae of Necator americanas(NaL3).morphology changes of NaL3 and inflammatory responses in the skin and undedying subcutaneous tissue and muscles of hamsters were observed.Methods Hamsters were immunized subcutaneously with one dose of 150 NaL3 at 2 weeks earlier,and then challenged pereutaneously with 900 NaL3.Skins were excised from post-challenge hamsters at 6,24,72 hours and 1,2 weeks,and then examined under light microscopy.Non-immunized hamsters served as negative controls.Results In non-immunized hamsters the number of NaL3 were 15,33,11.0 and 0 at 6,24,72 hours and 1,2 weeks post-infection.No damaged or dead NaL3 section was observed.All NaL3 exhibited no structural damage and infihrating inflammatory cells were absent from the sunDunding tissues.There were no cutaneous changes.In contrast.the total number of Nak sections in the skin of immunized hamsters were 25,53,15,5 and 4 at 6,24,72 hours and 1,2 weeks post-challenge.Among these NaL3 sections,damaged and dead section number were 0,24,6,0,0 and 0,0,7,5,4.At 24 hours post-challenge the Nak exhibited cutieular swelling and damage.By 72 hours post-challenge pyknosis of the somatic cells nuclei and sparseness or loss of definition in the internal structures of NaL3 were seen.One or two weeks after chanenge,the NaL3 showed severe damage or even dead with remnants.Inflammatory responses including macrophages,epithelioid cells and eosinophils infiltrating and granulomata forming were mainly seen around the NaL3 sections in the skin of immunized hamsters.Conclusions Hamsters initially immunized with NaL3 exhibited obvious acquired immunity protection against percutaneously challenged infection as evidenced by vigorous inflammatory responses in the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue and muscle.

Background Elevated intraocular pressure leads to the loss of retinal ganglion cells and vigorous reaction of retinal glial cells.The expression of nestin in retinal glial cells secondary to hypertention and its significance are unclear.ObjectiveThis study aim to investigate the expression of nestin in retinal glial cells (RGCs) in ocular hypertention rats.Methods The ocular hypertention models were established by cauterizing the limbus-draining veins in the right eyes of 42 SD rats,and a conjunctival incision in the left eyes of the rats served as the sham group.The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with the Tono-Pen XL tonometer.The number of RGCs in the rats with ocular hypertention was counted.The expression of the nestin protein in RGCs was semi-quantitatively analyzed using Western by immunochemistry.Double immunofluorescence was carried out to evaluate the the confocal laser scaning microscope.Results Significant differences were found in the IOP between the model group and the sham group at various time points (P＜0.05).In 1 week to 3 weeks after operation,the number of RGCs significantly declined in the model group compared with the sham group (P＜0.05).Immunochemistry showed that from 2 hours through 1 week after operation,the expression of nestin was gradually enhanced in the model group in comparison with the sham group.Western blot revealed that the expression of the nestin protein reflected a similar tendency to that of immunofluorescence.The increased introcular pressure as manifested by the induced expression of nestin.Immunoelectron microscopy also confirmed the induced expression of nestin especially at their end-feet suggests a potential neuroprotective mechanism in neuronal degeneration.Nestin may be a useful biomarker for retinal injury study.

Objective To explore the methods and clinical value of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in detecting rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) with head scanning probe.Methods A total of 12 patients had the ultrasonic examination through the rectum with the head scanning probe.Preoperative ultrasonic findings were compared with the pathological results.Results Of the 12 patients,the patients were divided into three groups,including 3 cases with low-degree severity,6 cases with moderate-degree severity and 6 cases with high-degree severity.The lymph node metastasis was not found near intestines.Rectal GIST appeared as a hypoechoic mass with clear limit、regular form and expanded growth under TRUS.The CDFI showed abundant flow in the tumor and TRUS had an overall accuracy rate of 75.0%(9/12)in the diagnosis of rectal GIST.The accuracy of TRUS in the staging diagnosis of rectal GIST was 83.3%(10/12).Conclusion The TRUS with the head scanning probe is of great value for pre-operative diagnosis and staging of rectal GIST.Rectal water window and felicitous check-up technique can enhance the accuracy of TRUS.