Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

Current Hui prescriptions are mostly recorded in the Arabic language. Their fussy and inconsistent names (Arabic names) result in the restriction in the clinical application of Hui prescriptions. Having collected and screened out 101 Hui prescriptions for stroke, the author further studied some of their names in literatures, in order to facilitate clinical application of these prescriptions (i. e. unification of their Arabic and Chinese names, and textual research of identical drugs with different Arabic names). This lays a foundation for the clinical application of Hui prescriptions and the analysis on compatibility regulatory, and provides scientific basis for studies on new Hui medicines.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Arabic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Stroke ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacies of portal vein stenting and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined therapy performed with or without endovascular implantation of iodine-125 (125I) seeds strand in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT).

METHODSOne-hundred-and-six patients with HCC complicated by MPVTT who were treated with portal vein stents and TACE, either with (Group A, n=56) or without (Group B, n=50) endovascular implantation of 125I seeds strand, between July 2005 and April 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival, stent patency, and procedure-related adverse events were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe technical success rate was 100% for placement of 125I seeds strands and stents in the obstructed main portal vein. No serious procedure-related adverse events were recorded. Group A had significantly higher median survival (335 days vs. group B: 146 days; P=0.001, hazard ratio (HR)=2.244). Additionally, group A had significantly higher median stent patency (400 days vs. group B: 190 days; P=0.005, HR=2.479).

CONCLUSIONThe combination therapeutic strategy of portal vein stenting and TACE with endovascular implantation of 125I seeds strands improves the survival of HCC patients with MPVTT complication.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Venous Thrombosis ; complications ; therapy

Objective To study the clinical features and to improve the treatment on the elderly patients with brain tumor.Methods Retrospective analysis of 163 cases with brain tumor which had been confirmed by CT,MRA or pathology.Results Of all the 163 cases,121 were located in supratentorium,most of which were meningiomas and gliomas.Most patients(129 cases)had comorbidity.After operation,symptoms disappeared or obviously improved in 126 cases,moderately improved in 19 cases,and did not changed in 6 patients.Twelve cases died after operation in a month, in which 9 patients were over 75 years old.The death rate of operation was 6.1%.Conclusions It is important to know the atypical manifestation of brain tumor in the elderly,which may prevent clinical misdiagnosis and mistherapy.The perioperative management is indispensable to the prognosis of the patients.The choice of operation and medication should be in individualized.

To investigate the effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on JAK2-STAT3 pathway and the growth of gastric cancer cell lines at different GHR expression status, the eukaryotic expression vector targeting human GHR (pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shGHR and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-scramble) was constructed and transfected into MGC803 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. Stable expressive cell lines were obtained by G418 screening. The expression of GHR was analyzed by Western blotting. After being stimulated with rhGH, cell growth was detected by MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. The components of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting. There is no significant difference of GHR expression between MGC803 and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-scramble-transfected cells (named as MGC803-NC) (P > 0.05). Compared with MGC803, the GHR expression in pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shGHR-transfected cells (named as MGC803-shGHR) decreased significantly (protein decreased 50%). The cells were treated with rhGH at 0, 150 and 300 ng x mL(-1), the growth rate of MGC803 and MGC803-NC increased significantly, PI and the number of G2/M phase cells all increased significantly, and apoptosis decreased significantly. Western blotting revealed that the expression of pJAK2 and pSTAT3 was up-regulated after being treated with rhGH in MGC803 and MGC803-NC cells. In contrast, similar change was not observed in MGC803-shGHR cells. Knockdown of GHR gene may decrease the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to rhGH, and down-regulating of components of the expression of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway may be the potential mechanisms.
Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Human Growth Hormone ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Somatotropin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection

This experimental study was aimed to construct the recombinant adenovirus vector containing human GDF-5 gene, and to use it for infecting human MSCs and detecting the expression of the gene GDF-5. The core sequence of human GDF-5 was amplified by PCR from pCMV-SPORT6, and then was cloned to pAdtrack-CMV. The linearized shuttle plasmid pAdtrack-CMV-GDF-5 was homogenously recombined with pAdeasy-1 in BJ5183. The potential clone was analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion. The correct clone was linearized and transfected into QBI-293 cells for packing and amplifying so as to obtain adenovirus pAd-GDF-5 and identify it, while the titer was also determined by TCID50. MSCs were infected by the harvested virus, and the expression of GDF-5 was detected by RT-PCR. The recombinant adenovirus vector containing human GDF-5 gene was constructed successfully, its titer was 1 x 10(9) PFU/ml, and it could infect MSCs efficiently. The human MSCs infected by constructed adenovirus vector could continue expressing GDF-5 in a certain time, and the transgenic MSCs would be much potential on tissue regeneration.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Growth Differentiation Factor 5 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo analyse the cartilage erosion related blood biochemical and immune factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the special influences of Chinese medicine (CM) and Western medicine (WM) on these factors.

METHODSThree hundred and ninety-seven patients, with confirmed diagnosis of active RA, were randomly assigned to the WM group (194 patients) and the CM group (203 patients). The WM applied covered non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents and slow acting medicine; and the CM given included basic remedy and syndrome differentiating medication. Related blood biochemical and immunological indexes were determined before and after treatment to screen out the cartilage erosion related factors and to compare the influence of CM and WM on them.

RESULTSPatients' peripheral red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) count were changed closely along with their degree of cartilage erosion. RBC count increased in the CM group and PLT count lowered in the WM group after treatment, all showed statistical significance; comparison of the two indexes between the two groups showed that statistical difference presented in RBC but not in PLT count.

CONCLUSIONBoth WM and CM can ameliorate the cartilage erosive factor in RA, but they are acting in different ways.

Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Platelet Count ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To study the trend and changes regarding risk factors of pulmonary embolism among inpatients in the last 10 years from the First Clinical Hospital of Jilin University.Methods 303 cases of pulmonary embolism inpatients in our hospital from 2001-2010 were included and analyzed on related incidence,mortality and risk factors.Results Data showed that:(1)the incidence of pulmonary embolism increased from 0.09‰ to 1.12‰ while the mortality dropped from 73.3％ to 12.0％ ;(2)major risk factors would include thrombosis of deep veins,surgical operations,heart diseases,varicosity or phlebitis of lower extremities,trauma and fracture etc.,according to the order of incidence rates.Surgical operations had become the second major risk factor in the last 10 years.Conclusion The incidence of pulmonary embolism in our hospital showed a gradual drop while the mortality had a remarkable drop.Surgical operations had become one of the major risk factors of pulmonary embolism.

AIM To optimize the preparation of Bishutongqiao Mixture.METHODS With solid total mass,contents of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside as evaluation indices,water addition,extraction time and extraction times as influencing factors,the aqueous extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test.With the contents and retention rates of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside as evaluation indices,the effects of normal pressure and decompression on the concentration process were investigated.And the effects of solubilizer (polysorbate 80),taste-masking agent (sucrose) and bacteriostatic agent (sodium benzoate) amounts on the forming process were studied as well.RESULTS The optimal aqueous extraction conditions were determined to be ten times for water addition,1 h for extraction time,and extracting twice,the comprehensive score was 91.67.The contents and retention rates of astragaloside A and calycosin-7-glucoside at normal pressure concentration were higher than those at decompression concentration.The optimal forming process was obtained at polysorbate 80,sucrose and sodium benzoate amounts of 1.43％,15％ and 0.3％,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can be used for the preparation of Bishutongqiao Mixture.

Objective Apoptosis was induced by oxidative stress in nerve cells after cerebral ischemia. It further breaks the dy-namic balance of mitochondrial division of fusion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of butylphthalide combined with edaravone treat-ment on the dynamic change of Drp1 and Mfn2 in rats with focal cere-bral ischemia cells and its protection mechanism. Methods 96 rats were divided into 4 groups according to random number table. The 4 groups were ischemia group,butylphthalide group,edaravone group and butylphthalide combined with edaravone groups(combine group),each group divided into three subgroups(3 d,7 d,14 d). Longa-Zea suppository method is adopted to establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model.Butylphthalide group,edar-avone group and combine group were injected butylphthalide(0.4 g/kg)and/or edaravone(10 mL/kg)peritoneally 2 hours before surgery and 1 day after surgery. The same volume of isotonic saline was given at the same time of the other 3 groups in ischemia group. The cerebral cortex of the left ischemic region was obtained at the day 3,7,14. The evaluation of the curative effect was evaluated with neurological function score.HE staining was used to observe the cerebral cortex neuron morphological structure,protein and mRNA lev-el of Drp1 and Mfn2 was measured by western blot and RT-PCR. Results At the day 3,7,and 14,the neurological function score was higher in ischemia group than the other 3 groups(P<0.05). Compared with the combine group at day 3,7,and 14[(1.06± 0.18),(0.82±0.13),(0.57±0.10)],the neurological function score was elevated in butylphthalide group[(2.02±0.18),(1.23± 0.13),(0.86±0.10)]and edaravone group[(2.08±0.17),(1.23±0.13),(0.85±0.12)](P<0.05). At the same time point,com-pared with the ischemia group,Drp1 protein and mRNA levels were lower in the other 3 groups(P < 0.05)while Mfn2 protein and mRNA levels were elevated(P<0.05). Compared with the butylphthalide group and edaravone group,Drp1 protein and mRNA levels were lower in combine group(P<0.05)while Mfn2 protein and mRNA levels were elevated(P<0.05). Conclusion The protective effect of edaravone combined with butylphthalide is better than single use. Its mechanism may be related to the removing of oxygen free radicals and reducing oxidative stress by edaravone,and the protection of the mitochondria by butylphthalide.