Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies in treating migraine.Methods: Ninety patients with migraine were divided into a low frequency electroacupuncture (LF-EA) group, a high frequency electroacupuncture (HF-EA) group and a variable frequency electroacupuncture (VF-EA) group by the random number table method. Shuaigu (GB 8), Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5), Taichong (LR 3), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Fengchi (GB 20) and Ashi points were selected for all three groups. After achieving needling sensation (Deqi), the LF-EA group received 2 Hz continuous wave EA stimulation; the HF-EA group received 100 Hz continuous wave EA stimulation, and the VF-EA group received 2 Hz/100 Hz sparse-dense wave EA stimulation. The EA stimulation lasted for 30 min in all the three groups, once a day, 10 times as a course, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after 2 consecutive courses of treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rates in the LF-EA group, HF-EA group and VF-EA group were 77.7％, 83.3％ and 93.3％, respectively. The difference in total effective rate between the LF-EA and HF-EA groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05), but the total effective rate was significantly higher in the VF-EA group than in the LF-EA and HF-EA groups (both P<0.01). After treatment, the headache scores significantly decreased in all three groups (all P<0.01). The difference in headache score between the LF-EA and HF-EA groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05), while the score was significantly lower in the VF-EA group than in the LF-EA and HF-EA groups (both P<0.01). Conclusion: VF-EA (2 Hz/100 Hz), compared with LF-EA (2 Hz) and HF-EA (100 Hz), shows superior clinical efficacy in treating migraine.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an essential cause of cervical cancer. HPV testing therefore may maximize the clinical benefits of cervical screening and abnormal cervical cytology management. A negative HPV test in combination with a normal Pap test result in women age 30 years or older allows the safe extension of the cervical screening interval to 3 years. However, because HPV infection is common in young women and is usually transient, HPV testing is not recommended as part of primary cervical screening for women younger than 30 years. HPV testing is recommended for women of any age as a triage test with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) results and as an option for follow-up of women with HPV-positive ASC-US, atypical squamous cells "cannot rule out high-grade", low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, or atypical granular cells not found to have CIN 2/3. HPV testing is also recommended as an alternative to colposcopy and/or cytology for follow-up of treated cases. Proper use of HPV testing improves the management of women with cytologic abnormalities.
Age Factors ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; pathology ; virology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; pathology ; virology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; virology ; Vaginal Smears ; Virology ; methods

Nogo is widely expressed in higher vertebrate animals. Nogo gene gives rise to multiple isoforms. All the subtypes of Nogo proteins are characterized by a 200-amino-acid C-terminal domain, including two long hydrophobic sequences. Biological functions of Nogo include inhibition of neurite growth from the cell surface via specific receptors, intracellular trafficking, cell division and apoptosis. Here, we briefly review the elementary structure, taxonomic distribution and tissue expression of Nogo, summarize recent discoveries about localization of Nogo and mechanism of action, and discuss the possible functions of Nogo.

Two new labdane diterpenoids were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of the leaves of Callicarpa formosana Rolfe by using silica gel column, MCI column, ODS column and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, NMR and ECD spectral data. All of them are new compounds, named 13E-6β-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid (1) and 13E-7α-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for antioxidant activity, and none of them had obvious activity.

PURPOSE: To describe the therapeutic effect and possibility of the ultra-early surgery for poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt-Hess grades IV - V). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine cases with intracranial aneurysms, demonstrated by computed tomographic angiography (CTA), were treated by ultra-early surgery under general anesthesia within 24 hours from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 5 cases were treated within 6 hours and 4 cases in 6 - 24 hours. Preoperative Hunt-Hess grade: 6 cases were IV and 3 cases were V. The clinical outcome was evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS). RESULTS: In operation, difficult dissection occurred in 5 cases (55.6%), and rupture of aneurysm occurred and temporary obstructions were performed in 4 cases (44.4%). After clipping of aneurysm, 2 cases underwent V-P shunt because of hydrocephalus, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 cases, hypothalamus reaction accompanied with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 2 cases. The clinical outcome were favorable (GOS 4 - 5) in 4 cases (44.4%), dissatisfied (GOS 2 - 3) in 3 cases (33.3%), and dead (GOS 1) in 2 cases (22.2%) when patients departed from our hospital. CONCLUSION: The ultra-early surgery can avoid early rebleeding of intracranial aneurysm, therefore, should be considered in the treatment of Hunt-Hess grade IV-V intracranial aneurysms. The appliance of CTA can make it possible to use of ultra-early surgery and improve the therapeutic effect.
Adult ; Aged ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm/pathology/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/pathology/*surgery

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid and simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method which discriminates extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) genes in sporadic Shigella isolates from 1998 to 2007 in Hangzhou city, China.

METHODSAfter ESBLs screening according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method, CTX-M, TEM, SHV and OXA-1 encoding genes were detected by using a multiplex PCR method, and the results were verified by 8 single gene PCR amplification.

RESULTSSeventeen isolates harbored ESBLs genes among 195 Shigella isolates (8.72%). Genes encoding CTX-M (17 strains), TEM (2 strains), OXA-1 (10 strains) and SHV (0 strains) were discriminated with multiplex PCR analysis, which coincided with eight single gene PCR analysis at 94.12%.

CONCLUSIONMultiplex PCR should be a suitable tool for initial rapid screening and discriminating ESBLs genes in Shigella isolates. With similar trend of national surveillance data, the proportion of sporadic Shigella isolates harbouring ESBLs genes might probably be on increase.

DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Shigella ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; beta-Lactamases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis in primary astrocytoma.

METHODSThirty-seven primary astrocytomas and 4 astrocytic hyperplasia samples were collected and divided into three groups according to histological grade. The expression of eNOS, VEGF and factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIRAg) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Microvascular density was assessed by FVIIIRAg immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunoreactivity was graded according to the percentage of positive tumor cells.

RESULTSNo eNOS and VEGF were expressed in the astrocytes and vascular endothelium in astrocytic hyperplasia. The expression of eNOS or VEGF was light in low-grade astrocytoma and strong in glioblastoma. eNOS expression in astrocytoma was very positively correlated with VEGF. eNOS and VEGF expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was median in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Lower microvascular density was found in low grade astrocytoma than that in higher grade malignant ones. The expressions of eNOS and VEGF were correlated with microvascular density and tumor malignancy.

CONCLUSIONThis finding suggests that eNOS and VEGF may have cooperative effect in tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary astrocytoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

AIM To study the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lamn.and the mechanism.METHODS Both inflammatory rat model induced by carrageenan and pain model induced by formalin were applied to investigating the analgesic effect of extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.ELISA kit was used to detect the contents of β-EP,5-HT and PGE2 in serum of carrageenan-treated rats,contents of TNF-αand IL-1β in skin tissue of inflammatory rats,and content of LTB4 in serum of formalin-treated rats;immunohistochemical method was used to observe the SP and FOS protein expressions in rat spinal cord.RESULTS The ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.could significantly reduce the rate of toe swelling.In the formalin test,the ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.reduced not only the total licking time,but also the content of PGE2,especially in the high dose group.And lowered serum 5-HT contents were observed in all the three dose groups,but a much better performance was found in both the high and low dose groups,and the high dose group's capability in increasing serum β-EP content was also noticed.TNF-α and IL-1β contents in skin tissue were reduced in various dose groups.Middle and high dose groups inhibited FOS protein expression.And the content of LTB4 in serum was obviously decreased in the high dose group.CONCLUSION The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.may associate with its power in increasing β-EP in serum,decreasing PGE2,5-HT,LTB4 contents,reducing TNF-α,IL-1β contents in skin tissue,and lowering SP and FOS protein expressions in spinal cord.

Objective To explore the relationship between the long-term presence of hypoxic tissue and astrocyte activation after cerebral infarction in rats. Methods Middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed in rats to induce permanent brain ischemia (PI group) or transient isehemia for 1.5 h followed by reperfusion (1.5 h IR group). Double immunofluorescence staining with EF5 and gliai fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies was used to observe the hypoxic tissue and status of astrocyte activation, respectively. On days 1, 3, 7 and 14 after the operation, GFAP fluorescence intensity and the presence of hypoxic tissue in the ischemic cortex were observed. Results The hypoxic tissues were present from day 3 to day 14 after the operation in 1.5 h IR group, but disappeared after day 3 in PI group. GFAP fluorescence intensity in the hypoxic tissue was significantly higher than that in the surrounding tissues at all the observation time points (P<0.05). GFAP fluorescence intensity increased progressive in both groups with the lapse of time (P<0.05), reaching the peak level on day 7 followed then by gradual declination. On each of the time points for observation, GFAP fluorescence intensity in 1.5 h IR group was significantly higher than that in PI group (P<0.05). Conclusion Astrocyte activation is especially obvious in the hypoxic brain tissues after cerebral infarction, which is closely associated with the long-term existence of hypoxic tissues.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis in primary astrocytoma. Methods: Thirty-seven primary astrocytomas and 4 astrocytic hyperplasia samples were collected and divided into three groups according to histological grade. The expression of eNOS, VEGF and factor Ⅷ related antigen (FVIIIRAg) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Microvascular density was assessed by FVIIIRAg immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunoreactivity was graded according to the percentage of positive tumor cells. Results: No eNOS and VEGF were expressed in the astrocytes and vascular endothelium in astrocytic hyperplasia.The expression of eNOS or VEGF was light in low-grade astrocytoma and strong in glioblastoma. eNOS expression in astrocytoma was very positively correlated with VEGF. eNOS and VEGF expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was median in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Lower microvascular density was found in low grade astrocytoma than that in higher grade malignant ones. The expressions of eNOS and VEGF were correlated with microvascular density and tumor malignancy.Conclusion: This finding suggests that eNOS and VEGF may have cooperative effect in tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary astrocytoma.