OBJECTIVETo observe morphological changes of enteric nervous system (ENS)-interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)-smooth muscle cell (SMC) structure injury in deep muscle nerve plexus offunctional dyspepsia (FD) rats, and the repair of Shuwei Decoction (SD) on it, and to explore its effecton FD.

METHODSTotally 72 rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the lowdose SD group, the medium dose SD group, and the high dose SD group, the Mosapride group, 12 ineach group. Rats in the low dose SD group, the medium dose SD group, and the high dose SD group were intragastrically fed with SD at 0.767, 1.534, 3.068 g/mL, respectively. Rats in the Mosapride group were intragastrically fed with Mosapride (1.37 mg/kg). FD rat model with Gan depression Pi deficiency syndrome (GDPDS) was established using complex pathogenic factors. Corresponding liquors were respectively administered to rats in corresponding groups from the 3rd day after modeling. Distilled water(10 mL/kg) was administered to rats in the control group and the model group, once per day for 14 successive days. Rats were sacrificed and small intestine tissues collected for observing ENS-ICC-SMC structure injury using immunofluorescence double labeling, laser scanning confocal microscope, and transmission electron microscope at day 15. Repair of SD on it was also observed.

RESULTSENS-ICC SMC structure was incomplete, with obvious injury in mutual link of ICC, ICC, SMC, and connecting structure. ENS-ICC-SMC structure was more complete in high, medium, and low dose SD groups, with close link of ICC and SMO. Their connecting structures were in good conditions.

CONCLUSIONSD could keep the integrity of ENS-ICC-SMC structure by promoting regeneration and morphology of ICC, thereby, improving gastrointestinal movement disorder and showing therapeutic effect on FD.

Animals ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dyspepsia ; drug therapy ; Enteric Nervous System ; drug effects ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; drug effects ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats

Objective To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on aphasia recovery after stroke. Meth-ods From April, 2012 to January, 2013, 20 aphasic patients after stroke were enrolled in an A-B experiment design. During phase A, ten times of sham tDCS and language training (five days a week) were implemented, then ten times language training combined with tDCS (five days a week) were implemented in phase B. The treatment lasted for four weeks. Picture naming was measured for all patients before and af-ter treatment both in phase A and phase B. Results The D-value scores of picture naming before and after treatment were significantly more in phase B than in phase A in both treatment items and non-treatment items (t>3.030, P<0.05). Conclusion tDCS could raise the accuracy of picture naming in patients with aphasia after stroke.

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibition and molecular mechanism of icaritin (ICT) combined doxorubicin (DOX) on human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe control group, ICT groups (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 µmol/L), DOX groups (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 µg/mL), and combination groups (20 µmol/ L ICT +1 µg/mL DOX, 20 µmol/L ICT +2 µg/mL DOX, 20 µmol/L ICT +4 µg/mL DOX, 40 µmol/L ICT +1 µg/mL DOX, 40 µmol/L ICT +2 µg/mL DOX, 40 µmol/L ICT +4 µg/mL DOX, 80 µmol/L ICT +1 µg/mL DOX, 80 µmol/L ICT +2 µg/mL DOX, 80 µmol/L ICT +4 µg/mL DOX) were set up. Human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were respectively cultured and their effects on morphological changes were observed using inverted phase contrast microscope after 24-and 48-h intervention. The cell proliferation inhibition rate of each group was de- termined using CCK-8, and IC50 calculated. The MG-63 apoptosis rate was detected using Annexin V-FITC/ PI double dye flow cytometry. Expression levels of bcl-2, caspase-3, and p21 were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSICT and DOX could obviously inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 cell. Along with ICT concentration increasing from 10 µmol/L to 160 µmol/L, the cell proliferation inhibition rate also increased gradually from 9.67% ± 3.62% to 89.18% ± 9.66%. The IC50 was 46.93 µmol/L and 3.87 µg/mL respectively. ICT and DOX could cause either early or late stage apoptosis, down-regulate Bcl-2 gene expression, and up-regulate gene expressions of Caspase-3 and p21 respectively (P < 0.05). Aforesaid changes were more obviously seen in combination groups than in lCT groups and DOX groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCT combined DOX had additive or synergistic inhibition effect for the proliferation of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, which might be related with regulating gene expressions of bcl-2, caspase-3, and p21.

Apoptosis ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia (IADE), also known as dilatative arteriopathy of the brain vessels, refers to an increase in the length and diameter of at least one intracranial artery, and accounts for approximately 12% of all patients with stroke. However, the association of IADE with stroke is usually unclear. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is characterized by pathological changes in the small vessels. Clinically, patients with CSVD can be asymptomatic or present with stroke or cognitive decline. In the past 20 years, a series of studies have strongly promoted an understanding of the association between IADE and CSVD from clinical and pathological perspectives. It has been proposed that IADE and CSVD may be attributed to abnormal vascular remodeling driven by an abnormal matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase pathway. Also, IADErelated hemodynamic changes may result in initiation or progression of CSVD. Additionally, genetic factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of IADE and CSVD. Patients with Fabry’s disease and late-onset Pompe’s disease are prone to developing concomitant IADE and CSVD, and patients with collagen IV alpha 1 or 2 gene (COL4A1/COL4A2) and forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) variants present with IADE and CSVD. Race, strain, familial status, and vascular risk factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of IADE and CSVD. As well, experiments in mice have pointed to genetic strain as a predisposing factor for IADE and CSVD. However, there have been few direct genetic studies aimed towards determining the association between IADE and CSVD. In the future, more clinical and basic research studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship between IADE and CSVD and the related molecular and genetic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVETo explore the morphotic characteristics of hypoechoic nodules in the outer gland of the prostate with benign

METHODSTwenty-two hyperplastic hypoechoic nodules in the prostatic outer gland were biopsied guided by prostatic hyperplasia. transrectal ultrasound. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry combined with computer assisted quantitative image analyses were adopted to examine the mean percentages of the area densities of stroma, epithelium, glandular lumen and smooth muscle cells.

RESULTSThe area densities of stroma, epithelium, glandular lumen and smooth muscle cells were (72.52 +/- 13.14)%, (20.57 +/- 9.01)%, (6.85 +/- 4.51)% and (24.14 +/- 6.31)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONHyperplastic hypoechoic nodules may develop in the outer gland as well as in the inner gland of the prostate, but the mean percentages of the components are different between the two kinds of nodules.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; Epithelium ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo analyze and evaluate the characteristics of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

METHODSForty-eight BPH patients confirmed by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Contrast pulse sequencing technique (CPS) and quantitative software-ACQ were used, and the parameters of beginning enhancement time, disappearing and transit time and peak intensity (PI) of the inner gland and outer gland were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSThe prostate was rich with blood and enhanced significantly on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The beginning enhancement time of the prostatic inner gland, especially the area around the urethra, was much earlier than that of the outer gland, (26.68 +/- 3.76) and (31.24 +/- 5.33) s, respectively (P = 0.000). The contrast disappeared later in the inner gland than in the outer gland, (200.68 +/- 59.40) and (157.56 +/- 50.66) s, respectively (P = 0.000). The transit time of the contrast in the inner gland was much longer than in the outer gland, (173.94 +/- 60.14) and (129.21 +/- 56.91) s, respectively (P = 0.000). PI of the inner gland was much higher than that of the outer gland, (90.45 +/- 42.19) and (65.32 +/- 25.15) dB, respectively (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced ultrasound makes it possible to continuously observe the blood perfusion process of BPH, and promises to be an effective means for observing the blood supply in BPH.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; Regional Blood Flow ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ultrasonography ; methods

Prostate cancer has the highest incidence among malignant tumors of the urinary system in China. Radical prostatectomy (RP) is the most effective treatment for localized prostate cancer with a good long-term prognosis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication after RP, which seriously affects the patient's quality of life. With the rising incidence and early diagnosis of prostate cancer, the proportion of young cases of RP is increasing, and so is the importance of the treatment of post-RP ED. The restoration of erectile function after RP is closely related to the timing of penile rehabilitation as well as to pre- and intra-operative measures such as surgical strategies and methods. Common options for the treatment of post-RP ED include oral medication of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, application of vasoactive substances in the urethra or corpus cavernosum, use of vacuum erection devices, and implantation of penile prosthesis. Stem cell therapy, nerve transplantation, low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and erythropoietin have shown great potential in penile rehabilitation after RP. At present, the stress is placed on the remission of symptoms in the treatment of ED. Stem cell therapy may reverse the cause of disease or cure ED by reversing its pathophysiological changes. A series of clinical trials of stem cell therapy are underway and have preliminarily confirmed the safety of stem cell therapy and proved that it can improve erectile function in patients with post-RP ED. This review focuses on the progress in the prevention and treatment of ED after RP.
China ; Erectile Dysfunction ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penile Prosthesis ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Treatment Outcome ; Vacuum ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the effects of artery-interventional therapy and drug treatment on patients with symptomatic carotid artery total occlusion,and observe the follow-up results of cerebrovascular events after clinical interference.Methods According to patient′s intention,62patients with symptomatic carotid artery total occlusion,admitted to our hospitals from February 2004 to January 2009,were divided into artery-interventional therapy group(n=21)and drug treatment group (n=41).In the artery-interventional therapy group,patients were given revascularization of internal carotid by endovascular intervention.In the drug treatment group,patients were given aspirin,clopidogrel and statins.The major end-point outcome of follow-up survey was the 2-year functional prognosis evaluated by modified Rankin Scale(mRS),and Rank sum test was employed to compare the differences of mean rank of the 2 groups; the minor end-point outcome was the cardiovascular events,and Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression were employed to analyze the median time and independent risk factors.Results During the 3,6 and 9 months,1 and 2 years of follow-up,mRS average ranks in the artery-interventional therapy group were statistically lower than those in the drug treatment group(P＜0.05).The median times of recurrence of cardio-cerebrovascular events in the artery-interventional therapy group and drug treatment group were(17.42±1.20)months(95％CI:15.07-19.76)and(19.43±1.51)months(95％CI:16.48-22.38),respectively,and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference(P＞0.05).Survival Cox regression analysis showed that independent factors of cardio-cerebrovascular events were smoking(RR=3.189,95％CI:1.020-9.968,P=0.046),diabetes(RR=2.717,95％CI:1.113-6.631,P=0.028),and baseline NIHSS scores(RR=2.984,95％CI:1.049-8.485,P=0.040),but treatment methods(artery-interventional therapy and drug treatment)were not independent factors(RR=1.191,95％CI:0.430-3.296,P=0.737).Conclusion Artery-interventional therapy is superior to drug therapy in achieving better functional prognosis; however,the 2-year-follow-up shows that the artery-interventional therapy can not reduce the occurrence of cardio-eerebrovascular events.Smoking,diabetes and baseline NIHSS scores are independent factors of recurrence of cardio-cerebrovascular events.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of fucoidan on renal injury in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)mice and its mechanism.Methods Female MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into model group,low dose experimental group,high dose experimental group and positive control group,with 10 mice in each group.Another 10 female MRL/MpJ mice were selected as control group.Mice in low dose experimental and high dose experimental groups were intragastrically given 150 and 300 mg·kg-1 fucoidan,mice in positive control group were intragastrically given 5 mg·kg-1 of prednisone,mice in control group and model group were intragastrically given the same amount of normal saline.After 4 weeks of administration,blood and organs of thymus,spleen and kidney were collected and stored for later use.The histopathological changes of kidney were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Serum blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and serum creatinine(Scr)levels were detected by the kit.Serum inflammatory factors were detected by kit method.The expression levels of Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and caspase-1 in renal tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results The spleen index of mice in control group,model group,low dose experimental group,high dose experimental group and positive control group were 4.56±0.24,2.41±0.38,2.91±0.23,3.70±0.35 and 3.12±0.51;BUN levels were(4.02±0.57),(11.26±1.60),(9.38±0.63),(7.73±0.42)and(7.09±0.70)mmol·L-1;IL-18 levels were(15.11±1.60),(62.45±7.45),(42.64±5.76),(23.88±2.96)and(30.65±2.77)ng·L-1,respectively.The above indicators,model group compared with control group;low dose experimental group,high dose experimental group and positive control group were compared with model group,respectively;high dose experimental group compared with low dose experimental group,the differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Fucoidan can improve the histopathological changes of kidney in SLE mice,regulate immune function,control inflammation and improve renal function,which may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies.

Objective To develop a PFGE protocol for Streptococcus suis.Methods We developed and optimized a PFGE protocol for S.suis,in terms of plug preparation,choice of restriction endonucleases and optimized electrophoresis parameters.By analyzing the genome sequences of S.suis P1/7 with Mapdraw of DNAStar.we found three restriction enzymes,Swa Ⅰ,Sma Ⅰ and Apa Ⅰ,were more suitable than others.Results Analysis of 100 isolates of S.suis including 34 of 35 serotypes identified,59,53 and 43 patterns were obtained from Swa Ⅰ,Sma Ⅰ and Apa Ⅰ restriction,respectively.The enzyme Swa Ⅰ had the greatest power for discrimination ability.Conclusion By optimization of the protocol at various conditions,a rapid,reproducible,economic and practical PFGE method for S.suis was developed.