Objective:To observe the efficacy of acupuncture at points of Shaoyang meridians plus moving cupping on neck and shoulder for migraine. Methods:A total of 64 migraine cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. Random number table method was used in allocation. Acupuncture at points of Shaoyang meridians and cupping on neck and shoulder were used for cases in the observation group, which contain acupuncture 5 times a week and cupping once a week. Oral flunarizine hydrochloride capsules were used for cases in the control group, 10 mg for each dose, 1 dose a day. 2 weeks constitutes a course of treatment. The patients were treated for two courses of treatment in both groups. After that, the changes of visual analogue scale (VAS) and the migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) were observed, as well as the clinical efficacy. Results:The total effective rate and recovery and marked effective rate in the observation group were 93.8% and 71.0% respectively, versus 78.1% and 43.8% in the control group, showing statistical significant differences (both P<0.05). There were significant decreases in VAS and MIDAS scores after treatments in both groups (both P<0.05). VAS and MIDAS scores in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining acupuncture at points of Shaoyang meridians and cupping on neck and shoulder can relieve headache and reduce influence of migraine on life. It can produce a better efficacy than oral flunarizine hydrochloride capsules in treating migraine patients.

Objective To determine the significance of renin angiotensin system (RAS) expressed on placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Methods The expression of placental angiotensin Ⅱtype 1 receptor (AT 1R) and angiotensinogen (AGT) in patients with PIH ( n =20) were investigated and compared with controls ( n =15) using immunohistochemistry and semi quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results AT 1R was mainly found in the syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts,the vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. The expression of AT 1R in PIH group (112.43?11.75) was higher than that of control group (170.47? 10.59) ( P

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is the most common alkylating antineoplastic agent, as well as a strong immunosuppressant that is frequently applied to autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation. It is metabolized by cytochrome P450 oxidases (CYPs) to its active metabolite which played a critical role in therapy. CPA has serious and even fatal side effects, and its efficacy and adverse reactions are significantly varied among individuals. In this review, the association of the genetic polymorphisms in the metabolic enzymes and transporters involved in the disposition of CPA with the efficacy and adverse effects of CPA were summarized, thereby providing fundamental reference for further pharmacogenomic study of CPA.
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating ; pharmacology ; Cyclophosphamide ; pharmacology ; Humans ; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase ; metabolism ; Pharmacogenetics

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for all three nitric oxide synthase (NOS isoforms), which plays an important role in vascular diseases. GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH 1) is the first-step and rate-limiting enzyme for BH4 biosynthesis in its de novo pathway. Common GCH1 gene variant C+243T in the 3'-untranslated region predicts NO excretion. The present study examined the predictive role of GCH 1 gene 3'-UTR C+243T variant in the long-term outcome of ischemic stroke. A total of 142 patients with first-onset ischemic stroke were recruited and detected for genotype of GCH1 3'-UTR C+243T by a TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay. Subsequent vascular events and death were determined over a 5-year follow-up period. The frequency of GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype was significantly increased in patients with endpoint events as compared with those without events (74% vs 57.8%, P=0.06). Cox regression survival analysis indicated that an increased probability of death or new vascular events was found in patients with GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype compared with those with GCH1 3'-UTR C/C genotype (40.6% vs 25.5%), GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype relative to GCH1 3'-UTR C/C genotype was associated with the increased risk of death or vascular events even after adjustment for other risk factors (OR=2.171, 95% CI: 1.066-4.424, P=0.033). It was concluded that GCH1 3'-UTR C+243T variant was an independent predictor of worsening long-term outcomes in patients with first-onset ischemic stroke.

This paper describes a calibration phantom system for QCT bone mineral density determination, which consists of 4-standard-solid-sample calibration phantom, a quality assurance (QA) phantom and the bone mineral density analysis software. The system adds to the new applications of CT systems, and provides a new method with a good accuracy and reliability for the examination, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of osteoporosis diseases and the observation of curative effect of drugs.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; instrumentation ; methods ; Algorithms ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Calibration ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on autophagy in melanocytes,and to explore its possible regulatory mechanisms.Methods Normal human melanocytes at exponential growth phase were divided into several groups:blank control group receiving no treatment,positive control group treated with 100 nmol/L sirolimus solution,and experiment groups treated with H2O2 solution at different volume fractions of 10-7-10-3 respectively.After 4-hour treatment,cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate the cellular proliferative activity and detect apoptosis of melanocytes respectively.Acridine orange staining was performed to detect autophagosome formation,transmission electron microscopy to observe ultrastructural changes of autophagosomes,and Western blot analysis to measure the expression of autophagy-specific protein Beclin 1 and microtubuleassociated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B).A total of 84 autophagy-related genes were analyzed by RT2 Profiler PCR Array,so as to screen differentially expressed autophagy-related genes.Results After the treatment with H2O2 at different volume fractions of 10-3,5 × 10-4,10-4,5 × 10-5,10-5,5 × 10-6 and 10-6,experiment groups showed significantly decreased cellular proliferative activity,but significantly increased apoptosis rate compared with the blank control group (F =286.95,301.23,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).With the increase in volume fractions of H2O2,the cellular proliferative activity was significantly gradually decreased (P ＜ 0.05),while the apoptosis rate showed an opposite trend (P ＜ 0.05),except that the 5 ×10-6 H2O2 group showed no significant differences in the apoptosis rate compared with the 10-5 H2O2 group and 10-6 H2O2 group.Acridine orange staining and electron microscopy showed autophagosome formation in the 10-5 H2O2 group,10-6 H2O2 group and positive control group.Western blot analysis revealed that Beclin1 expression and LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ ratio were significantly higher in the 10-5 H2O2 group,10-6 H2O2 group and positive control group than in the blank control group (all P ＜ 0.05).RT2 Profiler PCR Array showed significant up-regulation of ATG12,ATG3,ULK1,PIK3CG,PTEN and PIK3C3 genes and significant downregulation of EIF2AK3 gene in the 10-5 H2O2 group,10-6 H2O2 group and positive control group compared with the blank control group.In the 10-5 H2O2 group and positive control group,the mTOR gene was significantly up-regulated,and the ULK2 gene was significantly down-regulated.The 10-6 H2O2 group showed no obvious changes in the expression of mTOR gene,but significant up-regulation of AMPK and JNK1 genes.Conclusion H2O2 at volume fractions of 10-5 and 10-6 can induce autophagy in melanocytes,likely by influencing the expression of some related signaling molecules.

Objective To investigate changes of the interhemispheric coordination integrity in patients with hemi-parkinsonism using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI) homotopy technique called voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity(VMHC).Methods Sixteen Parkinson disease(PD) patients with right body side motor symptom onset(RPD),15 patients with left side onset(LPD),and 19 age-,gender-,and education-matched healthy controls(HC) were included in this study.rs-fMRI scanning and pre-processed the raw data were performed.Then by using analysis of variance(ANOVA) and two sample t tset,we performed VMHC analyses on rs-fMRI data of these participants(P＜0.05,corrected with AlphaSim,clusters≥16 voxels).Exploratory linear correlations analyses were performed between the VMHC of regions showing significant group differences and the clinical features of LPD or RPD patients.Results Compared with HCs,patients with LPD had significantly reduced VMHC in visual regions,sensorimotor regions,and the cerebellar cortex(voxels size of 17-77,t=-5.06--3.42,P＜0.05).Patients with RPD exhibited decreased VMHC in the prefrontal cortex and sensorimotor regions.Both LPD and RPD groups had increased VMHC in subcortical regions.When compared with the RPD group,the LPD group displayed decreased VMHC in the visual regions,sensorimotor regions(voxels=16 and 18; t=-3.68and-3.87,respectively,both P＜0.05) and increased VMHC in the supramarginal gyrus(voxels=4,t=4.72,P＜0.05);ROI-based correlation analyses indicated that the VMHC in the inferior occipital gyrus and the postcentral gyrus was negatively correlated with the BDI-Ⅱ scores in the LPD group(r=-0.58 and-0.59,respectively; both P＜0.05),and positively correlated with the MMSE scores(r=0.56 and 0.52,respectively;both P＜0.05).In the RPD group,a positive correlation was found for the VMHC in the supramarginal gyrus and the illness duration(r=0.56,P＜0.05) and for the VMHC in the postcentral gyrus and the(mini-mental state exam) MMSE(r=0.53,P＜0.05).Conclusions The differential pattern of deficits in the interhemispheric coordination integrity in hemi-parkinsonism reflected by VMHC may provide insights into the neurological pathophysiology underlying the asymmetry of symptom appearance in PD.

Objective To investigate how gene silence of CD40 by small interfering RNA(siRNA)influences the balance between Th1 / Th2 and Th17 / Treg in rats with experimental autoimmune myocarditis(EAM). Methods Lewis rats were divided into a normal - control group,EAM group,CD40 siRNA - therapy group and siRNA - control group by using random number table. EAM,CD40 siRNA - therapy and siRNA - control groups were immunized on day 0 and day 7 with purified porcine cardiac myosin to establish EAM,and CD40 siRNA was administered intravenously on day 7. The basic data of each group were observed,and the rats were executed on day 21 to study the pathology of myo-cardial tissues and the myocardial histopathology scores were calculated,and than the changes in electrocardiograms (ECG)and echocardiogram were recorded. Enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to determine the levels of interferon(IFN) - γ,interleukin(IL) - 10,IL - 17 and transforming growth factor(TGF)- β in peripheral blood. Results (1)The overall incidence of EAM,CD40 siRNA - therapy and siRNA - control group was 100% ,and no rats died from day 0 to day 21.(2)There were only 2 premature rats in EAM and siRNA - control groups,and the ECGs of normal - control group and CD40 siRNA - therapy group were normal.(3)The echocardiogram of EAM,CD40 siRNA - therapy and siRNA - control group,displayed the left ventricular dilatation,hypertrophy of the left ventricle, the weakening of the left ventricular wall motion,and heart failure,and pericardial effusion was discovered. The left ven-tricular fractional shortening(LVFS)and the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)of rats treated by CD40 siRNA were higher than those of rats in the EAM group[(46. 70 ± 8. 25)% vs(34. 28 ± 11. 81)% ,(80. 92 ± 11. 76)% vs (64. 03 ± 12. 60)% ,F = 0. 652,0. 234,all P ﹤ 0. 05].(4)Pathologic examination of the EAM group,CD40 siRNA therapy group and siRNA control groups,showed myocardial fiber fracture,myocardial tissue necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. But myocardial tissue pathological scores of the cardiac tissue of CD40 siRNA therapy group was lower than those of the EAM group(2. 10 ± 1. 07 vs 3. 40 ± 0. 72,F = 1. 290,P ﹤ 0. 05).(5)ELISA method examination re-vealed that the levels of IFN - γ,IL - 4,IL - 17 and TGF - β in EAM group were increased compared with those of nor-mal control group[(1 245. 55 ± 244. 56)ng/ L vs(501. 53 ± 18. 93)ng/ L,(78. 03 ± 10. 47)ng/ L vs(30. 77 ± 1. 74)ng/ L,(80. 82 ± 13. 33)ng/ L vs(27. 98 ± 3. 01)ng/ L,(156. 27 ± 12. 11)ng/ L vs(4. 33 ± 0. 79)ng/ L,t =7. 408,10. 764,9. 250,30. 608,all P ﹤ 0. 05]. However,the levels of IFN - γ and IL - 17 in CD40 siRNA therapy group were lower than those in the EAM group[(940. 62 ± 128. 40)ng/ L vs(1 245. 55 ± 244. 56)ng/ L,(60. 42 ± 12. 40) ng/ L vs(80. 82 ± 13. 33)ng/ L,t = 2. 704,2. 745,all P ﹤ 0. 05],while the levels of IL - 4 and TGF - β were higher [(97. 91 ± 13. 62)ng/ L vs(78. 03 ± 10. 47)ng/ L,(178. 84 ± 12. 10)ng/ L vs(156. 27 ± 12. 11)ng/ L,t = 2. 835, 3. 229,all P ﹤ 0. 05]. Conclusions The administration of CD40 siRNA markedly reduces myocardial inflammation of EAM rats and improves their cardiac function,which can be explained by Th1 - type and Th17 - type cytokines inhibi-ted,Th2 - type and Treg - type cytokines increased,and so then the imbalance of Th1 / Th2 and Th17 / Treg corrected.

Objective To determine the utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging ( MR DWI ) in detecting tumor necrosis with histological correlation after neoacljuvant chemotherapy. Methods Conventional MRI and DWI were obtained from 36 patients with histological proven esteosarcoma. Magnetic resonance examinations were performed in all patients before and after 4 cycles of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were calculated. The degree of tumor necrosis was assessed using the histological Huvos classification after chemotherapy. T-test was performed for testing changes in ADC value between the 2 groups. P value less than 0. 05 were considered as a statistically significant difference. Results The differences in ADC between viable [ (1.06±0. 30) ×10-3mm2/s ] and necrotic [ (2. 39±0. 44 )×10-3mm2/s] tumor were significant (t= 3. 515,P<0. 05). Changes in ADC value was greater in good responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy than in poor responses, the ADC value in good responses was increased from (1.18±0. 19)×10-3mm2/s to (2. 27±0. 20)×10-3mm2/s, the corresponding value in poor responses was increased from (1.45± 0.11)×10-3mm2/s to (1.83±0. 16)×10-3mm2/s, There was significant difference in changes of ADC values between good responses and poor responses ( t = 4. 981, P < 0. 01 ). Conclusion Diffusion-weighted MRI permits recognition of tumor necrosis induced by chemotherapy in osteosarcoma. DWI is correlated directly with tumor necrosis. They have potential utility in evaluating the preoperative chemotherapy response in patients with primary osteosarcoma.

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the extract of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma and the optimization of synthesis was studied. The absorbance of UV-visible spectroscopy was determined under the different influencing factors such as extracting time of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma powder, reation temperature of synthesis, volume of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma extract and concentration of AgNO3 to seek the optimization conditions. By means of FT-IR, TEM, DLS and XRD, the silver nanoparticles were characterized. The results showed that when the boiling time of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma powder was 5 min, resultant temperature was 25 degrees C, the volume ratio of 0.1 g x mL(-1) Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma extract and 1 mmol x L(-1) AgNO3 was 1 to 10, and the reaction time was 3.5 h, the obtained silver nanoparticles had mean size about 27 nm and Zeta potential about -34.3 mV with good uniformity and dispersivity. Therefore, the green synthesis method of silver nanoparticles using extract of traditional Chinese medicine is stable and feasible.
Fagopyrum ; chemistry ; Light ; Metal Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Particle Size ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Scattering, Radiation ; Silver ; chemistry ; Silver Nitrate ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Temperature ; X-Ray Diffraction