OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture therapy on damaged cholinergic neurons in hippocampus in aged rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Thirty six aged male rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham-operated group, untreated group and electroacupuncture group. Animal model of AD was established with fimbria-fornix transection. The rats in the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Baihui (DU 20), Yongquan (KI 1), Taixi (KI 3) and Xuehai (SP10). The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in septal area of brain was detected by radioimmunoassay, and the protein expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and c-fos in CA3 region of hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemical assay. RESULTS: The ChAT activity and the expression levels of NGF and c-fos proteins in the electroacupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture therapy can protect cholinergic neurons in hippocampus in aged rats with AD by means of promoting synthesis of c-fos protein and increasing the expression level of NGF.

This study was aimed to apply the electronic nose (E-nose) in the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The discussion was made on difficulties of using E-nose. The solution plan was proposed and the discrimination model was established. It provided a simple, rapid and effective analysi method in the identification of TCM. It also provided new ideas for the research and application of gas sensor arrays. E-nose was used in the ex-traction of TCM scent characteristics. Based on ion mobility spectrometry of MOS sensor, the fingerprint of TCM scent was established. The maximum response value of the sensor was used as analysis index. According to the diffi-culties of identification, two solution plans were proposed. Firstly, different detectors were employed to complete the classification. Secondly, radial basis function (RBF) and random forests (RF) were combined and then a cascade classifier was constructed in order to achieve the maximum of information obtained in conditions where the number of measurements, metal oxide semiconductor sensors in E-nose was limited. The results showed that both plans were accurate and practical with relatively high upper correct judge rate and better cross-validation (The highest upper correct judge rates were 95% and 100%, 96% and 80%, respectively). It was concluded that this study firstly ap-plied cascade classifier in the establishment of TCM identification by E-nose. With limited amount of sensors, the maximum information was received through data mining. Using E-nose in the identification of TCM was rapid and accurate. The established pattern recognition method was maneuverable with accurate identification rate and stability compared to conventional sensory identification method. It provided a simple and rapid analysis method for the iden-tification of TCM.

12E7 Antigen ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Wilms Tumor ; pathology

Adult ; Hodgkin Disease ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Sclerosis

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocarditis ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

Choosing the right solvent and timely use is the basis of rational drug use and the most direct and efficient way to improve the safety of traditional Chinese medicine injections. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of solvent and drug preparation time on Shuanghuanglian injection inducing pseudo-allergic reactions with mouse mode. The two tests were carried out: (1) Comparative experiment between different solvent: Shuanghuanglian injection preparation to the appropriate concentration with 0.9% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose injection, mixed with Evans blue, at one time intravenous injected into mice, 30 minutes later, the mouse ears vascular permeability were observed and compared. (2) Comparative experiment among different preparation time: placed 10 min, 2.5 h, 6 h and 24 h after Shuanghuanglian injection were prepared and then to detect the pseudo-allergic reactions in mice using the same methods as in (1). The results showed that there was no significant difference in the pseudo-allergic reactions in mice which induced by the same dose of Shuanghuanglian injection, respectively with 0.9% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose injection preparation, and with the extension of preparation time, the degree of pseudo-allergic reactions of Shuanghuanglian injection was gradually severe.
Animals ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Injections ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Solvents ; Time Factors

To evaluated the pseudo-allergic reactions of cordate houttuynia, pulse-activating and Qingkailing injection in mice, the ICR mouse were divided into different test groups, then were intravenously injected with three traditional Chinese medicine injections, positive control compound 48/80 and physiological saline as normal control. All test substances were mixed with 0.4% Evans blue. The reaction and vascular permeability of the ears were observed and measured 30 min after injection. At the same time, the mechanisms of the traditional Chinese injections' pseudo-allergic reactions was studyed. ICR mice were injected with the test substances as above without EB, blood in a part of mice were collected after 5 min, and the level of histamine in the plasma were measured. Blood in the other part of mice were collected after 30 min, and the level of VEGF, TNF-α and IL-10 in the serum were measured. The reasults showed that except the cordate houttuynia injection, pulse-activating injection in 1. 5 times clinical concentration and Qingkailing injection in 3.3 times clinical concentration caused mild pseudo-allergic reactions mainly for vascular permeability, no pseudo-allergic reactions occurred when the concentration of the two injections was below the concentration metioned above; 5 minutes after intravenous injection of the three TCM injections into ICR mice with the highest dose, the levels of histamine in plasma of pulse-activating injection and Qingkailing injection groups were increased significantly, 30 minutes later, the levels of VEGF, TNF-α and IL-10 in the serum of all groups were no significant change compared to normal group. The mouse of pulse-activating and Qingkailing injection groups showed inflammatory changes in ear and lung tissues. It can be conluded that when the dose or concentration increased to a certain extent, pulse-activating and Qingkailing injection could induce pseudo-allergic reactions on ICR mice, the increased histamine realease maybe the main reason for pseudo-allergic reactions of the two traditional Chinese medicine injections. In addition the author preliminary thought that inflammatory mechanisms leading to hyperpermeabilities were the main reason of the traditional Chinese medicine injection's pseudo-allergic reaction.
Animals ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Humans ; Injections ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR

ObjectiveTo investigate the iodine nutritional status of residents in Shanxi province,and to provide a scientific basis for adjustment of control strategies and measures to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).MethodsIn the 11 cities and 119 counties(cities,districts),except high water iodine townships,9 townships were selected in each county according to their sub-area positions of east,west,south,north and center,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 8 households were selected in each chosen village in every chosen county (cities,districts ) with 9 or more townships.In every chosen county (cities,districts) with 6 to 9 townships,1 township was selected respectively in east,west,south,north and center sub-areas of the township,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 15 households were selected in each chosen village.In the county (cities,districts) with 5 or less townships,all township were selected,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 15 households were selected in each chosen village.Edible salt samples from these households were collected; iodized salt was determined by direct titration.In the 119 counties(cities,districts),1 township was selected,respectively,in east,west,south,north and center sub-areas in each county,and 20 children aged 8 - 10 in each of the selected townships were selected to collect urine samples and urinary iodine was determined by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometry.Evaluation criteria:median urinary iodine ＜ 100 μg/L was iodine deficiency,100 - 199 μg/L as appropriate,200 - 299 μg/L as more than appropriate,and ≥ 300 μg/L as iodine excess.ResultsMedian iodine of the 34 808 household salt samples was 31.55 mg/kg.The coverage rate of qualified iodized salt was 99.18％(34 521/34 808) and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.12％(33 805/ 34 808).In the 11 cities,119 counties(cities,districts),the median of urinary iodine of 11 967 children aged 8 -10 was 244.0 μg/L,of which ＜ 50 μg/L acoounted for 2.6％(312/11 967),50 - 99 μg/L accounted for 6.9％(823/11 967),100- 199 μg/L accounted for 26.3％(3145/11 967),200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 28.7％(3440/11 967),and 300 μg/L or higher accounted for 35.5％(4247/11 967).The medians of urinary iodine in the 9 municipal cities were 200 - 300 μg/L,and other 2 cities were 300 - 400 μg/L At the county level,the medians urinary iodine of children of the 119 counties(cities,districts) were 100 - 199 μg/L that accounted for 15.1％(18/119),200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 63.9％(76/119),and 300 μg/L or higher accounted for 21％(25/119).Conclusions The iodine nutrition level of residents in Shanxi province is more than appropriate.The salt iodine concentration in Shanxi province needs to be reduced,but the space is not wide.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) paraprotein in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and to explore its clinical associated laboratory features and prognostic implication.

METHODSSerum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis were performed by automatic electrophoresis apparatus to identify serum Ig paraprotein. Immunonephelometry was used to measure serum Ig levels.

RESULTSOut of 101 CLL patients, serum Ig paraprotein detection was found in 20 (19.8%) cases, 13 (12.9%) patients with IgG paraprotein, 7 (6.9%) patients with IgM paraprotein and 1(1.0%) patient with IgA paraprotein. Among these 20 cases, 1 patient had both IgG and IgM paraprotein, 2 patients had both κ and λ light chains. The incidence of serum IgG paraprotein was high in the group of advanced Binet stage (P = 0.032) and high level of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) (P = 0.013). The incidence of serum IgM paraprotein was high in the group of advanced Binet stage (P = 0.037), high level of TK1 (P = 0.017) and cytogenetic abnormalities of del(11q22.3) (P = 0.006). With a median follow-up of 30 months (range 1 - 101 months), 66 patients received therapy after initial diagnosis. Survival analysis showed that the patients with serum Ig paraprotein had significantly shorter treatment-free survival (TFS) times than the patients without serum Ig paraprotein (P = 0.024). And the patients with serum IgM paraprotein had significantly shorter treatment-free survival (TFS) times than the patients without serum Ig paraprotein (P = 0.013). However, serum Ig paraprotein or IgM paraprotein was not independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONSerum Ig paraprotein can be detected in a subset of patients with CLL, which could be of value as a prognostic factor in CLL.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraproteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in selective patients with left main coronary artery disease.

METHODFrom October 2002 to November 2007, 44 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) on left main coronary artery lesions, including 5 patients with concurrent left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction<40%), 2 with chronic respiratory dysfunction and 5 with chronic renal failure. The findings in coronary angiography, procedural success rate, severe complications and the follow-up results of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSThe immediate procedural success rate was 100% in these patients without any severe complications. No non-fatal acute myocardial infarction or emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed and death occurred in none of the cases during hospitalization. In the follow-up period for 14.2-/+9.3 (6-65) months after PCI, no subacute or late thromboses were found. One patient died from heart failure 4 months after PCI, and 6 patients (13.6%) experienced recurrent angina. Thirty-seven patients (84.1%) were free of any major cardiovascular events (MACE) after the procedure. A repeat coronary angiography was performed in 35 patients (79.5%) within 6 months after PCI, and 3 (8.6%) of them were confirmed to have restenosis, including 1 patient with distal bifurcation restenosis who were subsequently treated with CABG and two patients with side-branch ostium restenosis managed with cutting balloon dilation.

CONCLUSIONSImplantation of drug-eluting stents is safe and effective for management of left main coronary artery disease with good immediate and long-term outcomes.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; therapy ; Coronary Restenosis ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome