Paralytic ileus is one of the post-stroke familiar complications, belonging to the field of TCM"Changjie".Tongyuan Needling is invented by Professor LAI Xin-sheng,including two laws of promoting governor vessel to nourish spirit and leading qi to its origin, which focuses on regulating original qi and views governor and concept vessels as the key of regulating yin and yang, and then to regulate qi activity and hold the essence through leading qi to its origin,and finally to achieve balance between yin and yang.Fuzi Lizhong Decoction mainly consists of Lizhong Pills and Aconiti Lareralis Radix Praeparata, which is composed of processed Aconiti Lareralis Radix Praeparata, Codonopsis Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which is an important prescription for warming yang and tonifying kidney, invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen. This article introduced one case adopting the therapy combination of Lai's Tongyuan Needling and Fuzi Lizhong Decoction to treat post-stroke paralytic ileus, and then summarized the experience of clinical acupoint selection and prescription.

·AIM:To determine the effect of anterior-posterior joint surgery on choroidal thickness in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). · METHODS: A retrospective, case - control study enrolled 60 eyes of 60 patients with PDR diagnosed at Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The patients, who had conditions that warranted anterior - posterior joint surgery,were divided into a clinically significant macular edema group (PDR/CSME+;31 patients,31 eyes) and a non-CSME group (PDR/CSME-;29 patients,29 eyes). Twenty-seven eyes of 27 normal patients were included in the control group. All affected eyes underwent anterior - posterior joint surgery. After surgery, the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and the nasal choroidal thickness (NCT) and temporal choroidal thickness (TCT), which were obtained at a distance of 1500μ m from the fovea in the nasal and temporal directions, respectively, were measured in the control and PDR groups by enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SDOCT) at 1wk,1,3, and 6mo after surgery. Changes in choroidal thickness after anterior - posterior joint surgery were compared between the groups. ·RESULTS:The SFCT,NCT,and TCT were significantly thicker at 1mo than at 1wk, 3, and 6mo after surgery in the PDR/CSME+ and PDR/CSME- groups(P<0.05). The SFCT, NCT, and TCT were significantly thinner at 6mo than at 1wk,1,and 3mo after surgery in the PDR/CSME+and PDR/CSME- groups(P<0.05). The SFCT,NCT,and TCT in the PDR/CSME+ and PDR/CSME- groups at 1wk, 1, and 3mo after surgery were significantly thicker than those in the control group (all P<0.05), but the SFCT, NCT, and TCT at 6mo after surgery showed no significant difference compared with the control group (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the SFCT,NCT, or TCT at 1wk, 1, 3, or 6mo between the PDR/CSME+ and PDR/CSME- groups (P>0.05). ·CONCLUSION:The choroidal thickness of PDR patients increases within 1mo after surgery, and decreased after 1mo,but is not significantly different between the control group and the PDR groups at 6mo after surgery. Whether PDR is associated with CSME has no effect on the choroidal thickness after surgery.

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.

OBJECTIVESTo study the inhibitory effect of KF-950 on human acrosin and sperm acrosome.

METHODSHuman acrosin was extracted and purified with 2% acetic acid, and its residual activity was evaluated by BAEE/ADH assay after treated with different concentrations of KF-950. ABC assay was used to observe the effect of KF-950 on human acrosome with Biotin-PSA as a probe.

RESULTS1. The activity of normal sperm acrosin was (37.65 +/- 4.47) U/L. 2. The residual activity was inversely related to the concentration of KF-950 (r = -0.998), and had a dose-response curve. The result could be described by Y = 7.57-1.895X. 3. With increase of KF-950 concentration and prolongation of action time, the staining rate of acrosome obviously dropped (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSKF-950 directly inhibits acrosin activity and assumely injures sperm acrosome. It might be a new kind of highly effective inhibitor.

Acrosin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Acrosome ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo illustrate the morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery.

METHODSThe morphological characteristics of cervicocerebral atherosclerotic lesions in digital subtracted angiography were retrospectively reviewed in 120 cases.

RESULTSTotally 217 atherosclerotic lesions were detected. Of all the lesions, moderately and severely stenosed lesions accounted for 62.21% and mild stenosed lesions for 37.79%; long lesions were found in 18.89% and short ones in 81.11%; 37.33% of the lesions were ulcerated while 62.67% were non-ulcerated; 13.36% were angulated lesions and 86.64% non-angulated; 50.23% were eccentric lesions and 49.77% were concentric; lesions with adjacent artery dilation were found in 9.22%, and lesions without with adjacent artery dilation in 90.78%.

CONCLUSIONThe atherosclerotic lesions are characterized by moderate to severe stenosis and non-ulcerated, non-angulated, eccentric lesions without adjacent artery dilation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; methods ; Atherosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo understand the characteristics of embB gene mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from tuberculosis patients in Chongqing, and the value of embB306 as a molecular marker used to diagnose ethambutol (EMB)-resistant MTB strains.

METHODSDirect sequencing was used to analyze the polymorphism of embB mutation in 51 EMB-resistant MTB strains and 50 EMB-sensitive MTB strains. And diagnostic testing was used to evaluate the value of embB306 as a molecular marker of EMB -resistant MTB strains as compared with the traditional sensitivity test.

RESULTSAll 34 of 51 EMB-resistant strains (66.7%) and 3 of 51 EMB-sensitive strains (6%) had had embB306 mutation. The embB306 mutation rate in EMB-resistant strains coming from previously treated case was 87.5%, showing significantly higher than that from new cases (48.1%, P < 0.01); embB306 mutation rate was increased with the number of the resistant drugs; embB306 mutation serving as a marker to diagnose EMB-resistant MTB strains comparing with the traditional sensitivity test, had the rate of sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 94.0%, accuracy = 80.2% and Youden index = 60.7%.

CONCLUSIONembB306 mutation should be the main mechanism of MTB resistance to EMB in Chongqing, showing an association with the history of the treated and numbers of the resistant drugs. embB306 mutation should be a good marker to diagnose EMB-resistant MTB strains.

China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Pentosyltransferases ; genetics ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; microbiology

This study is to investigate the effect of rhein lysinate on inducing human breast cancer cell line SK-Br-3 apoptosis and the role of HER-2 signal pathway in the apoptosis. MTT assay was used to detect SK-Br-3 cell proliferation. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression and the protein phosphorylation of HER-2 signal pathway were detected by Western blotting. The level of HER-2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the level of HER-2 expression was also detected by immunofluorescence cytochemical methods. The results showed that rhein lysinate remarkably inhibited breast cancer SK-Br-3 cell proliferation. The IC50 value for 48 h treatment was 85 micromol x L(-1). Apoptosis in SK-Br-3 cells was induced by rhein lysinate in a dose dependent manner. The protein expressions of HER-2, NF-KB, and the protein phosphorylation of HER-2 were downregulated, however the protein expression of p53 and p21 was upregulated after rhein lysinate treatment. The level of HER-2 mRNA decreased by using RT-PCR assay and the level of HER-2 expression was also decreased by using immunofluorescence cytochemical assay after rhein lysinate treatment. It can be concluded that rhein lysinate could inhibit SK-Br-3 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. HER-2/NF-kappaB/p53/p21 signal pathway might be involved in this process. Rhein lysinate has a good prospect to be an adjuvant chemotherapeutic drug.
Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lysine ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) in preoperative assessment of TNM stage and tumor angiogenesis for patients with gastric carcinoma.

METHODSSixty- four patients with gastric carcinoma preoperatively underwent TAUS, in whom transabdominal color Doppler ultrasonography was used for measuring color Doppler vascularity index (CDVI) of each tumor in 37 cases and microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated by using immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti- CD34 antibody.

RESULTSThe overall accuracy rate was 56.0% for T staging of gastric carcinoma (T (1) 2/3 cases, T (2) 28.6% , T (3) 73.1% , T (4) 50.0% , respectively) by TAUS. The diagnostic accuracy rate was 63.3% for lymph node status of gastric carcinoma. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for lymph node metastasis was 37.9% and 100% respectively. The overall accuracy for N staging of gastric carcinoma was 57.1% (N (0) 100% , N (1) 16.7% , N (2) 35.3% , respectively). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for determining distant metastases was 58.3% and 100% respectively. The CDVI of gastric carcinoma determined by color Doppler ultrasonography was significantly correlated to vascular invasion (P=0.0418), a linear correlation between CDVI and MVD was determined by logistic regression analysis (r=0.5628, P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTAUS can be a routine diagnostic approach for preoperative gastric carcinoma patients.

Abdomen ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

BACKGROUNDA monoclonal antibody would be an effective tool for the detection of circulating antigens in the serum of patients with schistosomiasis, but the traditional way of producing monoclonal antibodies is not cost-effective. The objective of this study was to find a new method for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies against Schistosoma japonicum (Sj).

METHODSA phage display antibody library for Sj was constructed. To obtain a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFv) against Sj, the library was screened with metabolic antigens from adult Sj worms (Sj-MAg) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The soluble scFvs selected were used to detect Sj antigens in the serum of acute and chronic schistosomiasis patients.

RESULTSSix positive clones with good reactivity to Sj-MAg were obtained from the phage display antibody library of about 1.07 x 10(6) individual clones. Only two of these six clones bound specifically to Sj-MAg and were chosen for further analysis. Specific soluble anti-Sj-MAg scFvs were produced by inducing the 2 clones with isopropyl-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The characteristics of the scFvs were then determined. The results of Western blot showed that these scFvs could bind to Sj-MAg specifically and had a molecular weight of about 31 kD. When testing serum from schistosomiasis patients with one of the two specific scFvs, its sensitivity was found to be 60% and 37% in acute and chronic patients, respectively, with a specificity of 90%. When the two specific scFvs were combined, their sensitivity was found to be 75% and 57% in acute and chronic patients, respectively, with a specificity of 85%.

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that the scFvs are potentially useful for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The library construction also provides a useful tool for the further screening of other antibodies for both diagnostic and immunotherapeutic applications and for epitope analysis and vaccine design.

Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Antigens, Helminth ; blood ; Base Sequence ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peptide Library ; Rabbits ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests

Adult ; Coronary Disease ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies