OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Huayu Tongluo"(Blood-stasis Dispersing and Meridian-collateral Dredging) moxibustion on the delayed memory and expression of Nestin and Doublecortin (DCX) proteins in the hippocampus in vascular dementia (VD) rats in the view of neurogenesis produced by intracerebral transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). METHODS: Healthy male Wistar rats were randomized into control group, VD model group,NSCs＋EPCs group and NSCs＋EPCs moxibustion group. The VD model was established by using a modified 2-vessels occlusion method, and neurogenesis was produced by transplantation of NSCs＋EPCs (2×106cell/10 µL) into the lateral ventricle for rats of the NSCs＋EPCs groups 3 days after successful VD-modeling. Moxibustion was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Shenting" (GV 24) once daily for 21 days with an interval of one day between every two 7 days. The Morris Water Maze was used to test the rat's delayed memory ability before and 24 h after the treatment. The expression of Nestin and DCX proteins in the hippocampus tissues was detected using double-labeled immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS: Following modeling, Morris Water Maze tests showed that the average escape latency of location navigation task was significantly prolonged in VD rats(P<0.008)and the times of target platform crossing (spatial probing task) within 120 s were remarkably reduced in VD rats (P<0.008). Compared with pre-treatment in the same one group, the escape latency of NSCs＋EPCs and NSCs＋EPCs moxibustion groups were considerably reduced (P<0.05), and the average times of target platform crossing of the NSCs＋EPCs moxibustion group were markedly increased(P<0.05). The effect of NSCs＋EPCs moxibustion was evidently superior to that of simple NSCs＋EPCs in shortening the escape latency (P<0.008). The expression levels of Nestin protein were significantly higher in the NSCs＋EPCs moxibustion group after 1 and 3 period treatment than those in the NSCs＋EPCs group (P<0.05)．. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion intervention is able to improve the delayed memory in VD rats, which may be related to its effect in up-regulating the expression of hippocampal Nestin and DCX proteins within 15 days via accelerating neurogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the alteration of delayed memory and its relationship with neurogenesis and angiogenesis in vascular dementia (VD) rats after moxibustion therapy. Methods: Two hundred adult male SPF Wistar rats were chosen for the experiment. Thirty-six rats were randomly selected as the sham operation group. Except for rats in the sham operation group (n=36), the others were made into VD models by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAo). After modeling, the 108 survived rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a model group, a neural stem cells (NSCs) plus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) moxibustion group and a NSCs moxibustion group. Co-transplanted implant was transplanted into the rats in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group, and the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group were transplanted by NSCs only. The NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion therapy at Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenting (GV 24), (each group was divided into 3 subgroups by the treatment course as 1, 2 and 3 courses). Every group was measured by Morris water maze to evaluate its delayed memory after 3 treatment courses and the rat’s brain was taken out after perfusion of 4% paraformaldehyde one day after 1, 2 and 3 treatment courses, respectively. Marker protein expression was detected by laser confocal microscope to analyze the effect on neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Results: VD rats showed delayed memory in Morris water maze test 3 d after ischemic injury. After 3 courses of moxibustion therapy, VD-induced delayed memory deficits were improved in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group. The expressions of nestin, doublecortin (DCX) and CD34 increased significantly in the two moxibusiton groups after every treatment course (all P＜0.05), which might contribute to the neurogenesis and angiogenesis in hippocampus. In addition, compared with the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group, the expressions of nestin, DCX and CD34 increased significantly in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion can reverse VD-induced delayed memory deficits, which may be related to the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVETo study the growth rules, the output and the influence factors of cultivated Phyllanthus urinaria, and provide basis for standardized cultivation.

METHODOrthogonally designed field experiments with three factors and three levels, comparing the characters of cultivated plants and the wild ones of P. urinaria.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONUnder the manual planter condition, the characters, such as branching number, single dry weight, single output etc, enhanced enormously, and the increase of single output reaches 3.27 times. The sowing time was the most sensitive factor, which affected the single character and the yield per unit of area, whereas the different levels of sowing thickness and fertilizer also remarkably influenced the output. When the seeds were sowed at the mid-April earlier period, drilling with the 20 cm row spacing, they started to emerge about 1 week later, the growth flush period was from June to August, the growth slowed down in September, and the output per hectare could reach to 5.750 kilograms at harvest in late October.

Fertilizers ; Phyllanthus ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Seasons ; Seeds ; growth & development

BACKGROUND:For the patients with proximal humeral fractures or serious complications, internal fixation is the effective method that cannot influence the activity of the shoulder with few trauma. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of percutaneous plate combined with anatomical locking plate fixation for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. METHODS:Seventy-five patients with proximal humeral fractures were selected from Department of Orthopedics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between March 2007 and December 2011. The healing after the locking plate fixation and the shoulder joint score after internal fixation were observed. The biomechanical advantages of locking plate fixation in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures were analyzed. RESUTLS AND CONCLUSION:Al the 75 patients were fol owed up for 6-24 months, average 13.3 months. The X-ray film after treatment showed al the screws were in correct position with satisfactory fracture reduction, and the fractures were healed without neurovascular injury and humeral head necrosis;one case had infection and healed after treatment, 72 cases had no shoulder pain, while three cases had occasional shoulder pain. The Neer score was excel ent in 57 cases, good in 11 cases, moderate in seven cases and poor in none, and the excel ent and good rate was 90.7%. Compared with other fixation implants, the locking plate fixation in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures has the advantages of high fixation strength and satisfactory effect, becoming the first choice for the clinical treatment of proximal humeral fractures.

A method for the determination of cyromazine and dicyclanil residues on greasy wool was developed with HPLC and confirmed with HPLC-MS/MS.The cyromazine and dicyclanil residues on greasy wool were extracted with 1% trichloroacetic acid solution with ultrasonic, and cleaned up by MCX SPE column.The HPLC separation was performed on a Hypersil NH_2 using water-acetonitrile (V/V) as the mobile phase with gradient elution and detected at the wavelength of 214 nm.The corroboration method of HPLC-MS/MS was used with electro-spray ionization of positive ion mode.The [ M + H ]~+ and characteristic ions of dicyclanil were m/z 191.0, 150.0 and 163.0, and cyromazine were m/z 167.0, 85.0 and 125.0.The linear ranges of cyromazine and dicyclanil were 0.05-5.0 mg/L.There were good linear relationships between the peak area and concentration in the linear range.The correlation coefficient was 0.9999.The detection limit of cyroma zine was 0.02 mg/kg, and dicyclanil was 0.01 mg/kg.The average recoveries of cyromazine and the dicycla nil were 95.0%-99.9% and 83.6%-92.2%, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo study the change of paeonol and paeoniflorin, the two major active ingredients contained in Cortex Moutan cultivated in Dianjiang county of Chongqing, due to the change of some influence factors, and explore suitable plant conditions and quality cotrol methods of Cortex Moutan.

METHODPaeonol and paeoniflorin were determined by HPLC in samples from Dianjiang.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe ratio of paeonol and paeoniflorin in Cortex Moutan was regularly influenced by altitude, the growth years and harvest time. Cortex could be cultivated at altitude of 400 m to 800 m but 600 m is the best aria because of the peak of the percentage composition of paeonol and paeoniflorin at 600 m. The first and middle third of October in the fifth year is the best picking time of Cortex Moutan because of the maximum of the percentage composition of paeonol and paeoniflorin.

Acetophenones ; analysis ; Altitude ; Benzoates ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Seasons ; Soil

OBJECTIVETo screen low molecular weight protein biomarkers relevant to portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) in serum of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSSerum samples were obtained from 12 healthy volunteers, 12 HCC patients without PVTT and 12 HCC patients with PVTT. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in which the second dimension was 16% SDS-PAGE, serum protein images of the 3 groups were analyzed by ImageMaster software. The differential protein spots were further identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS.

RESULTSComparing the results using 12.5% SDS-PAGE gel, there were more protein bands (between 3 x 10(3) and 20 x 10(3)) and low molecular weight (MW) protein spots (less than 20 x 10(3)) were clearly shown in the 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Fifteen differential protein spots representing 5 proteins were found in the 3 groups by inter-class comparison and they were then identified. Compared with those in the healthy group, apolipoprotein A-I, lipoprotein CIII, transthyretin and DNA topoisomerase II were all down regulated in HCC groups and haptoglobin-2 was over expressed. All 5 proteins decreased more in the PVTT group than in the non-PVTT group.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of low MW serum protein obviously changes in the beginning and in the progressive stage of HCC, and differentially expressed low MW proteins might be potential biomarkers in an early prognostic prediction and surveillance in the treatment for HCC and PVTT.

Adult ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Proteome ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo identify the effect of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after radical resection.

METHODSFrom year 2001 to 2007, 2436 HCC patients underwent radical resection were retrospectively selected. Patients underwent resection only were classified into control group, while those received adjuvant TACE within 2 months after operation were classified into intervention group. Patients were further stratified into those with tumor5 cm and presenting low or high risk factors for recurrence. Patients with single tumor and without microscopic tumor thrombus were defined as low risk for recurrence; otherwise they were defined as high risk. The effect of adjuvant TACE on late (>2 years) recurrence was evaluated.

RESULTSRecurrence rates of tumor5 cm and presenting low, high risk factors for recurrence at 2-year after resection were 20.38%, 33.06%, 30.54% and 50.82%, respectively in the control group, compared with 25.41%, 39.61%, 40.55% and 51.57%, respectively in the intervention group; there were no significant differences between intervention group and control group in each stratum. For patients recurred or died within the first 2 years after resection, the median survival of tumor>5 cm and presenting high risk factors for recurrence was 24 months in the intervention group and 12 months in the Control group. Only in this subgroup, the survival curve of the intervention group was significantly higher than that compared to the control group. For patients who remained recurrence free and survived within the first 2 years after resection, there were no significant differences in the recurrence curves between the intervention group and control group in each stratum; while cumulative survival rates in the subgroup of patients with tumor size is less than or equal to 5 cm and presenting low risk factors for recurrence were 93.95%, 91.50% and 88.42% respectively in the control group, compared with 91.70%, 81.32% and 78.19% respectively in the intervention group at 3-, 4- and 5-year after resection (P=0.0062); for other subgroups, there were no significant differences in the survival curves between the intervention group and the control group in each stratum. Cox regression model suggested adjuvant TACE was not an independent risk factor for late recurrence; however, it might have negative effect on survival [hazard ratio (HR)=1.50, P=0.062] for those patients (especially patients with tumor is less than or equal to 5 cm and presenting low risk factors for recurrence).

CONCLUSIONSThe value of adjuvant TACE was mainly due to its therapeutic actions on residual tumor or early recurrence. It had no effect on postponing or eliminating late recurrence; moreover, it could be a risk rather than a benefit in patients at low risk for recurrence (especially those with tumor is less than or equal to 5 cm and presenting low risk factors for recurrence).

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; therapy ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo identify the phenotype and immune function of dendritic cells derived from HBV-related HCC patients's peripheral blood monocytes pulsed with soluble tumor antigen, and their relation to immune escape.

METHODSPeripheral blood monocytes were isolated from 18 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, 11 HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients (LC) and 10 health blood donors; DCs were induced in the completed medium containing GM-CSF and IL-4. The morphology of DCs was studied using a confocal microscope and scanning electronic microscope, and the phenotype of DCs were detected by flow cytometric analysis. The mixed leucocyte reaction test was employed to determine the stimulatory capacity of DCs before and after being pulsed with soluble tumor antigen (prepared from HCCLM6 cell line). IL-12 ELISA kit was used to investigate IL-12 secretion of DCs in the supernate of MLR.

RESULTSThe amount of PBMC and DCs was significantly lower in LC and HCC compare to those in the healthy subjects; the expression levels of HLA-DR, CD1a, CD80 and CD86 on DC surfaces were lower in LC and HCC patients than those of the healthy group; the stimulating capacity of DC in MLR and levels of IL-12 in supernate of MLR were also lower in LC and HCC, but were enhanced after tumor antigen pulsed in all three groups, particularly in the LC group; the secretion of IL-12 in MLR supernate was still lower than that of the healthy group.

CONCLUSIONThe phenotype and function defects of DC derived from PBMC of LC and HCC patients might play a key role in immune escape in HBV infection and HCC. The function of DC of LC patients can be enhanced after the tumor was antigen-pulsed.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; virology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; virology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; virology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed

Non-progressive congenital myopathy is a group of muscle diseases occurring at birth or during teenage years. A number of new reports of congenital myopathy, such as homogeneous bodies myopathy, muscle quality control myopathy and type 1 fiber predominance have recently been reported, but they lack of sufficient quantity and constant clinico-pathologic manifestations. This paper reports two cases of congenital myopathy with type 1 fiber predominance confirmed by muscle biopsy. The clinical manifestations of the two children (a 4.5-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy) included non-progressive symptoms of muscle weakness, skeletal deformities and other clinical features of congenital myopathy. The physical examinations showed a long face or figure and funnel chest or kyphosis/scoliosis, high palatal arch and wing-like shoulder. Serum levels of creatine kinase were normal but slightly elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels were noted in the two children. The skeletal muscle biopsy by ATPase staining showed that type 1 fibers accounted for more than 90% of the total number of muscle fibers. No other abnormal pathological changes, such as central cores, muscle tube and central nuclei, were found in the two children.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; pathology ; Myopathies, Structural, Congenital ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy