OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhenqing Recipe (ZQR) on non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and the expression of hepatic salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-ic (SREBP-lc) in type 2 diabetes rats.

METHODSA rat model of type 2 diabetes was established by high fat/sucrose diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ) . Modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, the ZQR group, and the metformin group, 8 in each group. Eight rats were recruited as a normal control group. ZQR at the daily dose of 12 g crude drugs/kg was administered to rats in the ZQR group by gastrogavage. Metformin suspension at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg was administered to rats in the metformin group by gastrogavage. Equal volume of distilled water was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication lasted for 12 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), free fatty acid (FFA), serum triglyceride (TG), serum total cholesterol (TC), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected. The body weight and wet liver weight were weighed, and the liver weight index calculated. The liver TG content was measured. The pathological changes of liver and the expression of SIK1 were observed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression of SIK1 and SREBP-1c were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, FBG, FFA, TG, TC, ALT, AST, liver weight index, and liver TG contents significantly increased (P < 0.01); liver steatosis was severe, the mRNA and protein expression of SIK1 obviously decreased (P < 0.01); mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c increased (P < 0.01). After drug therapy, compared with the model group, FBG, FFA, TG, TC, ALT, AST, and liver weight index significantly decreased, liver TG contents significantly decreased, the mRNA and protein expression of SIK1 obviously increased, while mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the ZQR group and the metformin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); and the pathological changes were also improved. All the indices were improved more in the ZQR group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn this experiment, we found that the expression of SIK1 decreased in NAFL rats with type 2 diabetes. ZQR could alleviate lesion of NAFL type 2 diabetes rats possibly by up-regulating hepatic SIK1 expression at mRNA and protein levels.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Liver ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Reflex

Objective To investigate the effect of sepsis on vecuronium-induced inhibition of acetylcholine release in neuromuscular junction in rats.Methods Thirty-six adult male SPF SpragueDawley rats,aged 2-3 months,weighing 200-220 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),sham operation group (group S) and sepsis group (group Sep).Sepsis was induced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 350 mg/kg.At 12 h after CLP,the sciatic nerve-pretibial muscle was prepared.Vecuronium was added to the culture medium with the final concentration of 0.08 μg/ml,and the sciatic nerve-pretibial muscle was incubated for 15 min.Before and after administration,evoked endplate potentials (EPPs) and miniature endplate potentiais (MEPPs) were recorded by using intracellular microelectrode.EPP/MEPP ratio was calculated.Results Compared to C and S groups,EPPs,MEPPs and EPP/MEPP ratio were significantly increased before and after administration in group Sep.EPPs,MEPPs and EPP/MEPP ratio were significantly lower after administration than before administration in the three groups.Conclusion Sepsis can promote acetylcholine release in neuromuscular junction,thus weakening vecuronium-induced inhibition of acetylcholine release in neuromuscular junction in rats.

Objective To summarize the ultrasonographic features and differential diagnosis of uterine cornual pregnancy.Methods Trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound were performed in 93 uterine cornual pregnancy patients before surgery,ultrasonographic findings of uterine cornual pregnancy through different two approaches were analyzed and compared with surgical and pathologic findings.ResultsIn contrast with surgical and pathological diagnosis,66 cases(82.5%,66/80) of uterine cornual pregnancy were accurately diagnosed by ultrasonography before surgery,these cases were divided into gestational sac pattern (55 cases) and mixed mass pattern(11 cases); 11 cases were misdiagnosed as interstitial tubal pregnancy,2 cases were misdiagnosed as pregnancy in rudimentary horn,1 case was misdiagnosed as choriocarcinoma,misdiagnosed rate were 17.5%(14/80); uterine cornual pregnancy presented as adnexal mass in ultrasound in 13 cases,while ruptured uterine cornual mass were found in surgery,in which location and type of the masses couldn't be accurately diagnosed by ultrasound.Ultrasonographic features of uterine cornual pregnancy presented as a gestational sac located in extended cornual of uterus,surrounded by thin myometrium,and connected with endometrium.The misdiagnosed causes were: (1) Uterine cornual mass was not connected with endometrium or surrounded by thin myometrium,which were misdiagnosed as interstitial tubal pregnancy.(2) Uterine cornual pregnancy with thick lateral myometrium were misdiagnosed as pregnancy in rudimentary horn.(3)Uterine cornual pregnancy presented as cornual mass with abundant blood flow was misdiagnosed as choriocarcinoma.Conclusions Uterine cornual pregnancy can be accurately diagnosed by trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound.Ultrasonographic features are helpful in differential diagnosis of uterine cornual pregnancy.

Objective To evaluate the quality of the portal images acquired by computed radiography(CR)system and conventional screen-film system,respectively.Methods imaging plates (IP)and X-ray films of a home-devised lead phantom with a leakage of 6.45% were acquired,and modulation transfer function(MTF)curves of the both images were measured using edge method.Portal images of 40 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were acquired by IP and screen-film system respectively.Two doctors with similar experience evaluated the damage degree of petrosa] bone,the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of CR images and general images were drawn according to two doctors evaluation results.Results The identification frequency of CR system and screen-film system were 1.159 and 0.806 Lp/mm respectively.For doctor one,the area under ROC curve of CR images and general images were 0.802 and 0.742 respectively.For doctor two,the area under ROC curve of CR images and general images were 0.751 and 0.600 respectively.The MTF curve and ROC curve of CR are both better than those of screen-film system.Conclusion The image quality of CR portal imaging is much better than that of screen-film system.The utility of CR in linear accelerator for portal imaging is promising in clinic.

Objective To investigate the effects of different standard cross sections and angles on the measurement accuracy of induced postnatal fetal long bones. Methods Fetal long bones (femori and humeri) in 30 cases with induced abortion were measured utilizing ultrasound from different angles and /or at different directions. The values measured from different sections and angles with vernier calipers were compared prenatally and postnatally. Results There was no apparent difference between the pre-induced abortion and those of the post-induced abortion. The results in the 30 cases showed that: (1) the values measured from anterior 90 degree, the long bone length would best match with the bare long bone length up to 96.7%, the match rate of other angles and/or directions was up to 80%; (2) no apparent statistical difference was between the length of left and right bone and no difference was found using 4 different directions and 3 different angles; (3)there was no difference between the left and right femuri and humeri.Conclusions Though the measured value from anterior 90 degree direction was the most accurate one, the statistical analtical results showed no difference among 12 values measured from 3 different angles and/or 4 different directions.

Objective To evaluate the level of plasma endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) and thrombomodulin (TM)in the perioperative period of artificial joint replacement.Methods 119 patients (male 32,female 87,age distribution 57.75 ±12.04) who underwent total knee replacement and total hip arthroplasty from March to June 2015 in Department of Orthopedics of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were selected.The levels of plasma endothelial cell EPCR and TM were compared be fore and after operation for 1 and 3 days.Results ①The concentration of plasma EPCR on the first day after surgery was reduced by 40.34％ compared with preoperative,and on the third day after surgery reduced by 49.45％ compared with pre operative,and on the third day after surgery was reduced by 15.26％ compared with the first day after surgery.The differences were all statistically significant (F=5.63,P＜0.05).②The concentration of plasma TM on the first day after surgery was reduced by 12.77％ compared with preoperative,and on the third day after surgery reduced by 40.53％ compared with preoperative,and on the third day after surgery was reduced by 31.83％ compared with the first day after surgery.The differences were all statistically significant (F=7.87,P＜0.05).Conclusion The concentration of EPCR and TM were pro gressively reduced within 3 days after arthroplasty.

BACKGROUNDPrehospital delay remains one of the main causes of reduced benefit of reperfusion therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The largest proportion of prehospital delay involves the interval between the onset of symptoms and the decision to seek medical treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with the extent of care-seeking delay in Beijing for patients with AMI.

METHODSA structured interview was conducted in 102 patients with AMI in eight hospitals in Beijing.

RESULTSThe mean decision time in patients with AMI was (204 +/- 43) minutes, and prehospital delay time was (311 +/- 54) minutes. Only 34% of patients sought medical care within one hour and a further 36% of patients presented to one of the eight hospitals within two hours after onset. Educational level, atypical presentation of AMI, and family members at the site where AMI occurred were associated with longer delay time in seeking medical assistance (P < 0.05, respectively), whereas the intensity of chest pain was inversely related to patients' delay time (P < 0.01). Patients who perceived their family relationship as good, attributed their symptoms to AMI origin, knew the time-dependent nature of reperfusion therapy, or used emergency medical service tended to seek medical care in a more rapid manner (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with AMI in Beijing delay seeking medical care to a great extent. Health education to increase the level of awareness of the target population at increased risk of AMI, including patients and their family members, is probably beneficial to reduce patients' care-seeking delay.

Cognition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; psychology ; therapy ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Regression Analysis ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus capsules in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

METHODSEighty-five patients [male 32, female 53; age (45.31+/-11.72) years] were given live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus capsules 1260 mg/d t.i.d.x4 weeks. Syndrome scales were used to evaluate the efficacy in gastrointestinal syndrome. Fecal flora was also measured before and after the treatment. Six bacteria were cultured and the colony forming units were counted in stool. SPSS was used for data analysis.

RESULTSSeventy-four patients finished the follow-up. No side-effect was found. For treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, the effective rate of live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus capsules was 56.8% in the second week, 74.3% in the fourth week and 73.0% in the sixth week. Single symptom was improved, especially in abdominal pain and stool character. The probiotica containing live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus could increase bifidobacterium count (P<0.01) and lactobacillus count (P<0.05); decrease bacteroides count (P<0.05) and enterococci count (P<0.01); No obvious changes were observed in clostridium difficile colonitis and enterobacteriaceae (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe result of the study indicated that the administration of live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus improved the symptom of irritable bowel syndrome and that there was a gradual increase of this effect. Thereafter conditions remained stable for 2 weeks. That improvement may be associated with alterations in gastrointestinal flora.

Adult ; Bifidobacterium ; Enterococcus ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Lactobacillus ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use

This article describes the experiences of professor CHEN Quan-xin, an old famous TCM doctor, in the treatment of insomnia. He believes that insomnia stems from incoordination between nutrient qi and defensive qi and deficient cultivation of cardiac spirit, and treatment of insomnia need to regulate spirit and quiet heart coherently. Painless acupuncture method of Chen's flying needling is adopted including to select Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Anmian (Extra) as the main points and take special needling technique and grading reinforcing and reducing manipulations. During treatment, he pays attention to understanding patients' psychological and mental status through "watching one's expressions and weighing his words carefully".
Acupuncture Therapy ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Spirituality