Electrophysiology examination is an important technique in studying amblyopia, which mainly includes electrooculography( EOG), electroretinography ( ERG), visual evoked potential( VEP). This study does not only summarizes the definition, the mechanisms and the meaning of these indexes in the relevant research progress in recent years, but also makes a comment on the controversies among the relevant research conclusions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristic changes in the infrared thermogram of chronic prostatitis (CP) patients and find some evidence for the auxiliary diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of the disease.

METHODSFifty CP patients and 20 healthy male volunteers were included in this clinical trial. The infrared thermograms of the subjects were compared between the two groups for characteristic changes. The values obtained were used for the auxiliary diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of the disease.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy males in the same age group, the CP patients showed extremely significant abnormal changes in the average temperature value in the hypogastrium (H), pubis (P), scrotum (S), and groin (G) (P < 0.01). The average H temperature value of the CP patients was correlated negatively with the CP symptom index (CPSI) (P < 0.01, Pearsons correlation coefficient = -0.519), while the S temperature positively with CPSI (P < 0.01, Pearsons correlation coefficient = 0.446). In addition to the H value, the P, S, and G values were all correlated in different degrees with CPSI (P < 0.01), which the S value exhibited the most significantly negative correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -0.898).

CONCLUSIONThere are some characteristic changes in the hypogastrium temperature of CP patients in the infrared thermogram, which has a potential application value for the auxiliary diagnosis, symptom assessment, and therapeutic evaluation of CP.

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)is a new type technique of gel electrophoresis which can be used to separate large DNA molecules.It has been widely applied to the karyotype analysis,identification of species groups,genetic orientation and genetic analysis for fungi.This article describes the principle,development and general manipulative procedure of PFGE,and elaborates the application in the molecular research of fungi.

Asthma is a common disease with recurrent onset which severely affects patients' quality of life.Acupuncture can improve pulmonary functions in asthma patients and thus treat this disorder.To summarize the status of acupuncture treatment for asthma,we have collected clinical literatures published in the recent 10 years and analyzed the influence of acupuncture on pulmonary functions in asthma patients from the aspects of frequently used points,needling techniques,manipulation and mechanisms to provide references for treating asthma with acupuncture.

Objective:To observe the effect of liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method on the resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),and to provide evidence for the effect mechanism study and clinical application of acupuncture intervention for PTSD.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,a grasping group,a paroxetine group and an acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank control group,rats in the other groups were subjected to preparing the PTSD models using 'incarceration plus electric shock' method.After interventions,changes in rat behavior of each group were observed;changes in resting-state EEG were collected and analyzed with multichannel EEG acquisition and analysis system,and image analysis and statistical processing were performed.Results:Compared with the blank control group,the average escape latency in the model group was significantly longer (P＜0.05),and the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas were all significantly reduced (P＜0.01).Compared with the grasping group,the average escape latencies in the paroxetine group and acupuncture group were significantly shortened (P＜0.05),and the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas were all significantly increased (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the average escape latency,the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas between the acupuncture group and paroxetine group (all P＞0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the α-wave power spectrum value in the model group was significantly decreased,and the power spectrum values of β-wave,δ-wave and a-wave were significantly increased (all P＜0.01);compared with the grasping group,α-wave power spectrum values in the paroxetine group and acupuncture group were significantly increased (both P＜0.01),and the power spectrum values of β-wave,δ-wave and a-wave were decreased significantly (all P＜0.01).The power spectrum values of α-wave,β-wave,δ-wave and (e)-wave of rats in the acupuncture group were not significantly different from those in the paroxetine group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method can significantly improve the abnormal EEG activity in PTSD rats,which may be one mechanism of liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method in effectively affecting the brain function in PTSD rats.

Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on blood oxygen concentration in the brain of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),thus to reveal the mechanisms of acupuncture in intervening the brain function of PTSD rats.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a grasping group,a paroxetine group and an acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except the blank group,rats in the other groups all received incarceration plus electric shock for 7 d to prepare the PTSD animal model.One hour before the stress model was established,rats in each group received the designated intervention:rats in the blank group and the model group did not receive any intervention;rats in the grasping group received grasping and fixation;rats in the paroxetine group received paroxetine hydrochloride solution by intragastric administration;and rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture.Six-day treatment was a course,with 2 courses of treatment conducted for a total of 12 d.After the modeling,rats in each treatment group received intervention for 5 d,and the fNIRS system was used to collect and record the changes in the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2),deoxygenated hemoglobin (d-Hb) and total hemoglobin (t-Hb) of the involved rat's brain regions,and also to assess the brain function.Results:Compared with the blank group,the concentration of HbO2 was significantly increased,the concentration of d-Hb was significantly decreased,and the concentration of t-Hb was significantly increased in the model group and the grasping group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the concentrations of HbO2,d-Hb and t-Hb in the grasping group did not change significantly (all P＞0.05).Compared with the grasping group,the concentration of HbO2 was significantly decreased,the concentration of d-Hb was significantly increased,and the concentration of t-Hb was significantly decreased in the paroxetine group and the acupuncture group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the concentrations of HbO2,d-Hb and t-Hb between the paroxetine group and the acupuncture group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can regulate the blood oxygen concentration in the brain of PTSD model rats,which may be an important mechanism of acupuncture in intervening the brain function in PTSD rats.

By summarizing the recent literatures on brain mechanisms with acupuncture intervention based on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the BOLD-fMRI examination and analysis methods, the points to be acupunctured, the corresponding meridian activation regions, the specific intensity range, functions and indications of the acupoints, the manifestation of 'bi-directional regulation' characteristics, fMRI performance of chronergy, laterality and needling qi of acupuncture were reviewed to provide the ideas for future research in this area.

BACKGROUND: Proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is associated with platelet concentration in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Low enrich multiple cannot reach proper effects, but high level had inhibitory effects on osteoanagenesis.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different volume fraction of PRP on dog BMSC proliferation.DESIGN: A cytological in vitro study.MATERIALS: Healthy 12-month male Beagle dogs were supplied by the Experimental Animal Center, Xiangya Medical College,Central South University.METHODS: Dog BMSCs of 5 passage were adjusted to 3×10~8/L, and incubated in a 96-well plate at 200 μL per well. Following 24 hours of routine culture, primary medium and non-adherent cells were discarded. Prepared PRP gel was mixed with serum-free low-glucose DMEM containing penicillin and streptomycin, and then diluted into 5%, 6.25%, 7.5%, 8.75%, 10% volume fraction. 200 μL above-described liquid was added into the 96-well plate, which was subsequently placed in a incubator.We set up a blank control.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MTT was used to investigate effect of different volume fraction of PRP on dog BMSC proliferation.RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, various volume fraction of PLP could promote dog BMSC proliferation in early stage. With prolonged time, proliferation speed began to increase at day 6 in the 8.75% and 10% PRP groups, entering platform stage. BMSC number was increased rapidly in the 5% and 6.25% PRP groups, especially in the 6.25% PRP group.CONCLUSION: PRP gel could promote BMSC proliferation markedly and proliferation strength of BMSCs was correlated to the density of PRP. BMSC proliferation would be accelerated by the low density of PRP.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains abundant growth factors that were needed for osteanagenesis. Moreover,the proportion of each growth factor formed by an organism, with good synergism.OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of PRP on osteogenetic activity of canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) after induction in vitro.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The in vitro cytological experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June 2007 to February 2008.MATERIALS: Healthy 12-month male Beagle dogs were supplied by the Experimental Animal Center, Xiangya Medical College,Central South University.METHODS: The 3~(rd) generation BMSCs were collected and divided into 4 groups. BMSCs in the control group were incubated in standard medium. BMSCs in the osteogenetic induction medium group were incubated in high-glucose DMEM containing fetal calf serum, dexamethasone, beta-sodium glycerophosphate and vitamin C. BMSCs in the PRP group were incubated in low-glucose DMEM containing 6.25% PRP. BMSCs in the combination group were incubated in high-glucose DMEM containing 6.25% PRP, dexamethasone, beta-sodium glycerophosphate, and vitamin C.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Alkaline phosphatase activities were measured. Expression of collagen type I was examined by immunocytochemical staining. Calcium tuberoses were labeled using modified Von Kossa staining. Expression of osteocalcin mRNA was examined by RT-PCR.RESULTS: Levels of alkaline phosphates of all groups became increased along with time. The alkaline phosphates level of combination group was strongest (P < 0.05). Following 7 and 14 days of induction, type I collagen expressed positively in the osteogenetic induction medium and combination groups, but negatively in the PRP and control groups. Following 14 days,formation of calcium nodules were found in the osteogenetic induction medium and combination groups. Following 7 and 14 days,expression of osteocalcin mRNA were similar between the control and PRP groups (P > 0.05), which was significantly lower than the osteogenetic induction medium and combination groups (P < 0.05). Expression of osteocalcin mRNA was significantly lower in the osteogenetic induction medium group compared with the combination group (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: PRP gel can effectively promote osteoblastic effect of BMSCs after induction in vitro following induction in osteogenetic medium.

The three-points five-needles acupuncture method developed by professor SHAO Jing-ming had achieved a significant efficacy in the treatment of asthma, and had been widely accepted by patients. After decades of development, SHAO's three-points five-needles acupuncture method had developed into a treatment with a complete theoretical system and numerous clinical study results. This article was to review the current clinical study progress of SHAO's three-points five-needles acupuncture method in treating asthma.