OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of grain-sized moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL 15) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) on early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) in transgenosis AD mice.

METHODSThe genotyping of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1(APP/PS1I) double-transgenic AD mice were detected by PCR method. Seventeen 1.5-month female transgenic (Tg 6799) mice were randomly divided into a model group (9 cases) and a treatment group (8 cases). Nine female C57BL/6J wild-type mice with identical age and background were selected into a normal group. The treatment group was treated with grain-sized moxibustion at bilateral "Xinshu" (BI. 15) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), once a day, ten treatments were considered as one course, and total 9 courses were given. The model group and normal group were treated with stimulus such as grabbing, immobilization and non-ignited moxa cone. Morris water maze (escape latency, crossing times and dwell time in the target quadrant) was applied to evaluate the learning and memory ability. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphology changes in the brains of AD mice. beta-amyloid protein 1-42 (Abeta(1-42)) in the area of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSAfter the treatment of grain-sized moxibustion, learning and memory ability in the treatment group was increased; compared with the model group, the escape latency was shorten, crossing times was increased, and dwell time in the target quadrant was prolonged (all P<0. 05). The crossing times and dwell time in the target quadrant in the treatment group were not significantly different from those in the normal group (both P>0.05). Compared with the normal group, the positive area and integral optical density of Abeta(1-42) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the model group were increased (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive area and integral optical density of Abeta(1-42) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the treatment group were reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe grain-sized moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL 15) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) could significantly improve the learning and memory ability in APP/PS1 double- transgenic AD mice, and inhibit the over expression and accumulation of Abeta(1-42).

Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Moxibustion ; Peptide Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism

Objective To observe hemodynamic changes in patients with primary hypertension with wave intensity (WI). Methods Carotid arteries of 36 patients with primary hypertension and 30 age-matched normal controls were examined with imaging technique of WI. The following parameters were measured: the first wave peak in early ejection (W1), the second wave peak in late ejection (W2), the negative area during the mid-ejection (NA), the interval between the R wave of the ECG and the first peak of W1 (R-1st), the interval between the first peak and the second peak (1~(st)-2~(nd)), the ratio of R-1st and a cardiac cycle time R-1_(HR)~(st)) and the ratio of 1~(st)-2~(nd) , as well as one cardiac cycle time (1~(st)-2(_(HR)~(nd)). Results ①W1 in primary hypertension group increased compared with those of normal controls (P＜0.01), while no significant difference of W2, NA, R-1st, 1~(st)-2~(nd), R-1_(HR)~(st), 1~(st)-2_(nd)~(HR) was detected (P＞0.05). ②Both W1 and W2 correlated positively with pulse pressure (PP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r=0.66, 0.55, P＜0.01;r=0.62, 0.44, P＜0.01). W1, W2 and age, DBP were not related significantly (P＞0.05). Conclusion The hemodynamic parameters of WI technology provide a new way to evaluate the dynamics of the heart and vascular system and their interaction.

Objective: To investigate whether grain-sized moxibustion at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23) can alleviate cognitive decline and other pathologic features in early-stage Alzheimer disease (AD) using transgenic mice with 5 familial AD mutations (5XFAD). Methods: The genotype of transgenic mice was detected by polymerase chain reaction. A total of 40 transgenic mice (1.5 months old) were randomly and equally allocated to an AD model group (5XFAD group) or a grain-sized moxibustion group (5XFAD + GM group), with 20 wild-type (WT) mice (C57BL/6J) serving as the normal control group (WT group). Mice in the 5XFAD + GM group were treated by grain-sized moxibustion at bilateral Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23). Mice in the WT group and 5XFAD group received no treatment but were restrained to ensure exposure to a similar experimental condition. Cognitive function and memory were assessed with the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. The amyloid β 40 (Aβ40) and amyloid β 42 (Aβ42) levels in the brain were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; amyloid plaque deposition in brain tissue sections was detected by thioflavin-S staining; the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the Morris water maze test, compared with the 5XFAD group, mice in the 5XFAD + GM group had a shorter escape latency and more target area crossings and spent more time in the target quadrant (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, compared with the 5XFAD group, the number of training times of the 5XFAD + GM group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), together with more correct responses (P<0.05). Compared with the 5XFAD group, the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the brain tissue of the 5XFAD + GM group were significantly lower (P<0.05); in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the total number of amyloid β plaque deposition were significantly lower (P<0.05); the expression levels of GFAP and CD11b were significantly reduced (P<0.05); and the expression levels of ChAT and BDNF were significantly increased (P<0.05).Conclusion: Grain-sized moxibustion at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23) greatly improves learning and memory functions, decreases the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42, inhibits amyloid β plaque deposition, decreases the expression of GFAP and CD11b, and increases the expression of ChAT and BDNF in AD mice to inhibit the progression of AD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of mouse erythroid differentiation and denucleation factor (MEDDF), a novel factor cloned in our laboratory recently, in erythroid terminal differentiation.

METHODSMouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA-MEDDF. Then we investigated the changes on characteristics of cell growth by analyzing cells growth rate, mitotic index and colony-forming rate in semi-solid medium. The expressions of c-myc and beta-globin genes were analysed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSMEL cells transfected with pcDNA-MEDDF showed significant lower growth rate, mitotic index, and colony-forming rate in semi-solid medium (P<0.01). The percentage of benzidine-positive cells was 32.8% after transfection. The expression of beta-globin in cells transfected with pcDNA-MEDDF was 3.43 times higher than that of control (MEL transfected with blank vector, pcDNA3.1), and the expression of c-myc decreased by 66.3%.

CONCLUSIONSMEDDF can induce differentiation of MEL cell and suppress its malignancy.

Activins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Friend murine leukemia virus ; Globins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Inhibin-beta Subunits ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Background and purpose: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the effective treatment methods for primary liver cancer and metastatic liver cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of residual tumor after RFA for hepatic malignancies. Methods:A total number of 302 hepatic malignancies cases with 691 tumors after ultrasound-guided RFA from Jan. 2010 to Mar. 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Single factor and multi-factor Logistic regression model were used to analyze the risk factors of residual tumor after RFA. Results:Complete ablation cases were 90.07%(272/302) for patients and 91.46%(632/691) for tumors, and the ablation residual rate was 8.54%. Ablation residual rates for tumor ≤3 cm, 3-5 cm and >5 cm in diameter were 6.30%, 9.57% and 28.57%, for tumor close to the intrahepatic vascular and gallbladder were 17.14%and 18.52%, for with and without combination with other local treatments were 7.02%and 13.41%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size>5 cm (P=0.044), proximity to large vessel (P=0.039) and without combination with other local treatments (P=0.001) were independent risk factors for ablation residual. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor near the intrahepatic vascular (P=0.014), single needle RFA (P=0.047) and without combination with other local treatments (P=0.023) were independent ablation residua risk factors for tumors between 3-5 cm in maximum diameter. Conclusion:Ultrasound-guided RFA can achieve satisfactory ablation effect. Tumor close to the intrahepatic vascular, tumor diameter>5 cm and without combination with other local treatment act as the independent risk factors for ablation residual. For tumors between 3-5 cm in diameter, in addition to close to intrahepatic blood vessels and without combination with other local treatment, single needle RFA is also another independent risk factor for ablation residual, and double-needle or multi-needle treatment can improve the ablation efifciency and reduce residual rate.

Objective To evaluate glucose metabolism in elderly inpatients with primary hypertension. Methods Based on the results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) ,130 elderly patients with primary hypertension were divided into the normal glucose tolerance (NGT )group ,the impaired fast glucose(IFG)group ,the impaired glucose tolerance(IGT)group and the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM )group.Clinical characteristics and morbidity were compared among the groups. Results Among patients with grade 1 ,2 or 3 hypertension ,14(32.6％ ) ,9(20.5％ )and 7(16.3％ )had NGT ,3(7.0％ ) ,5(11.4％ )and 4(9.3％ )had IFG ,16(37.2％ ) ,18(40.8％ )and 19(44.2％ )had IGT , and 10 (23.2％ ) ,12 (27.3％ ) and 13 (30.2％ ) had T2DM ,respectively.Moreover ,there was a significant difference in levels of 2 hours postprandial blood glucose between patients with grade 1 hypertension and those with grade 3 hypertension in the T2DM group(P< 0.05). Conclusions Abnormal glucose metabolism and diabetes mellitus are highly prevalent in elderly inpatients with essential hypertension.

Objective To study the effect of menopause status and the time of taking tamoxifen (TAM) on endometrial lesions after breast cancer surgery. Methods A total of 330 patients with postoperative vaginal irregular bleeding after breast cancer surgery or endometrial lesions after B ultrasonic from August 2007 to August 2017 in Northern Jiangsu People 's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 180 cases of taking TAM treatment (medicine-taking group), and 150 cases of not taking TAM treatment (non medicine-taking group). The patients were also divided into the menopause group and the premenopausal group. According to the time of taking TAM, the patients were divided into < 2 years group, 2-5 years group and > 5 years group. Chi-square and Fisher test were used to compare the differences. Results The endometrial lesions incidence in the medicine-taking group was higher than that in the non medicine-taking group [84.44 ％ (152/180) vs. 56.00％(84/150);χ2=51.701, P=0.000]. The endometrial lesions rate in the menopause group was higher than that in the premenopause group [medicine-taking group: 69.70 ％ (46/66) vs. 92.98 ％ (106/114), χ2= 17.254, P= 0.000; non medicine-taking group: 46.15 ％ (35/65) vs. 63.53 ％(54/85), χ2 = 4.513, P= 0.034]. For the patients in the menopause group and the premenopause group, the incidence of endometrial lesions for those who took medicine for>5 years [96.00％(48/50), 85.19％(23/27)] was higher than that in the<2 years group and 2-5 years group [78.26％(18/23), 42.86％(6/14);95.12％(39/41), 72.00％(18/25) respectively], and there were statistical differences (χ2=7.619, P=0.022;χ2= 8.070, P= 0.018). The menopause was not correlated with staging, muscular lawyer infiltration and lymph metastasis postoperative (P> 0.05), but with the type of endometrial cancer (P= 0.013); the length of taking medicine was related with the type of endometrial cancer and the lymph metastasis (P=0.027). With the prolonged time of medicine-taking for postmenopause patients, the incidence of type Ⅱendometrial cancer and positive rate of lymph metastasis were also increased. Conclusions Taking TAM after surgery for breast cancer patients increases the risk of endometrial lesions. The longer the patients take the medicine, the greater risk of the lesions take, and the worse the pathological, histological type and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma are, which is more obvious for postmenopausal women who take TAM for more than 5 years.

Objective:To evaluate the influence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D]on dyslipidemia in elderly female patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)mellitus aged 60 or over.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 175 type 2 diabetic older women meeting the inclusion criteria, admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital, between January and December 2020, with an average age of 66(63, 70)years.According to the diagnostic criteria of dyslipidemia(cholesterol ≥6.2 mmol/L, high density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.0 mmol/L, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥4.1 mmol/L or triglycerides ≥2.3 mmol/L), 110 participants(62.9%)were divided into a dyslipidemia group and 65 participants(37.1%)were assigned into a normal blood lipid group.Logistic regression was employed to investigate factors influencing dyslipidemia.Spearman correlation analysis was employed to analyze the correlation between serum 25(OH)D and blood lipid indexes.Results:The median serum 25(OH)D level of the 175 subjects was 10.92(8.1, 15.2)μg/L.For the dyslipidemia group, it was 9.1(5.8, 12.9)μg/L, lower than 11.9(8.4, 22.6)μg/L in the normal blood lipid group.The proportion of people with hypertension in the dyslipidemia group was higher than in the normal blood lipid group.The dyslipidemia group also had higher BMI, waist circumference and homocysteine levels( P<0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hypertension, waist circumference, and homocysteine were significant risk factors for dyslipidemia in elderly women with T2DM, whereas serum 25(OH)D was a protective factor( P<0.05). Correlation analysis results identified that cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were inversely correlated to 25(OH)D while high density lipoprotein cholesterol was positively correlated to it( P<0.05). Conclusions:There is a serious deficiency of serum 25(OH)D in older women with T2DM.25(OH)D is protective factor in elderly T2DM women against dyslipidemia.Clinicians should pay attention to vitamin D deficiency in patients during diagnosis and treatment and correct the deficiency.