OBJECTIVETo observe the difference in the therapeutic effects on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) among auricular electroacupuncture therapy plus isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste (combined therapy), electroacupuncture (EA) and TDP irradiation.

METHODSEighty-nine cases were randomized into three groups. In the combined therapy group (30 cases), the auricular electroacupuncture therapy was adopted together with the isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste. The auricular points were xi (AH4), pizhixia (AT4), shenmen (TF4), etc. The Lingxian herbal paste was applied at Yanglingquan (GB 34), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Heding (EX-LE 2) and Ashi points. In EA group (29 cases), EA was applied at the acupoints that were same as those in the isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste. In TDP group (30 cases), TDP irradiation was given at the affected knee. The treatment was given once every day, 10 treatments made one session and there was 1 week at the interval among sessions. Totally, 3 sessions of treatment were required. KOA clinical symptom and physical sign score and the single item pain symptom score of Lequesne index were observed before treatment and 1 week after treatment in the patients of each group separately. The efficacies were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSOne week after treatment, the total score of symptoms and physical signs of the patients in each group was reduced significantly as compared with that before treatment (all P < 0.05). The improvements in the symptoms and physical signs in the combined therapy group were better than those in the other two groups (1.50 +/- 1.57 vs 2.52 +/- 1.82, 2.63 +/- 1.97, both P < 0.05). The improvement in pain in the combined therapy group was also better than that in the other two groups (2.37 +/- 0.81 vs 2.83 +/- 0.92, P < 0.05; 2.37 +/- 0.81 vs 3.03 +/- 0.77, P < 0.01). The curative rate in the combined therapy group was 40.0% (12/30), which was higher than 17.2% (5/29) in EA group and 20.0% (6/30) in TDP group separately (both P < 0.01). The overall efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe auricular electroacupuncture therapy plus isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste is advantageous at the total score of the symptoms and physical signs and the overall efficacy in the patients of KOA as compared with EA at the local acupoints and local TDP irradiation.

Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Cochlear Implantation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications

OBJECTIVETo discuss the relative association of soft tissue tension and cervical physiological curvature chang in patients with scapula muscle fasciitis.

METHODSFrom February 2012 to December 2012,29 patients with scapula muscle fasciitis were investigated. There were 10 males and 19 females with an average age of 27.77 years old (ranged from 22 to 40 years old). Routine AP and lateral cervical X-rays were done in all patients. Cervical lordosis was measured according to Borden's method and the pain point tension was measured by soft tissue tension meter. Finally,perform statistic analysis to bove data.

RESULTSLateral X-rays showed 9 cases were normal cervical lordosis, 18 cases were cervical lordosis decreased, 2 cases were cervical lordosis increased. The regression equation of cerical lordosis changes D(Y) and soft tissue tension displacement D0.5 kg (X) was Y = -15.069 + 3.673X.

CONCLUSIONThere is linear relationship between soft tissue tension and cervical physiological curvature change. With the soft tissue tension increases, the cervical lordosis trend to decrease.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cervical Vertebrae ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Fasciitis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Scapula ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the influence of transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) on the proliferation of hUVEC induced by the supematant from human prostate cancer cells (DU145). Methods Experiment group was treated with the mixture of DU145 cells supernatant and DMEM medium in different ratio, control group was treated with DMEM medium. The change of cell proliferation was detected by MTT method, and TRPC6 gene and protein was detected by PCR and Western-blot methods respectively. Results After incubated for 48h with the supematant from cultured DU145 cells,the population of hUVECs increased obviously, and the expression of TRPC6 genes and protein had clearly up-regulation. Conclusion The supernatant from cultured DU145 cells could effectively enhance the proliferation of hUVECs. The mechanisms might be that the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was mediated by TRPC6.

Objective To investigate the curative effects of curcumin(CUR)or dexamethasone (DXM)on ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)of rat lung grafts.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided 4 groups:CUR group(CUR was administered intraperitoneally to both donors and recipients at 3 h prior to operation);DXM group(DXM was administered intraperitoneally at 30 min prior to operation);vehicle group(Animals were injected with the DMSO to both donors and recipients at 3 h prior to operation);sham group(Time-matched control animals underwent the same surgery,except that no graft was implanted).Six animals were sacrificed at different reperfusion periods of 2 h and 24 h,respectively.Oxygenation indexes(PO_2/FiO_2),lung injury scores,wet/dry ratio(W/D)and myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity in the transplanted lung were measured.Malondialdehyde(MDA), total anti-oxidative capacity(TAOC),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-?and interleukin(IL)-6 in the transplanted lung and serum were determined.Results The levels of LPV PO_2/FiO_2 were significant- ly higher in the CUR and DXM groups than in the vehicle groups both 2 and 24 h after reperfusion,re- spectively(P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the chemical constituents of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction products from Rhodiola tibetica.

METHODThe chemical constituents were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULT26 Components were identified, and their relative contents were determined by normalization method of area.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides foundation for the exploitation of the resources of R. tibetica.

1-Butanol ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Carbon Dioxide ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhodiola ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for analyzing the chemical compositions of Gegen and Fenge extracts using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE).

METHODSUsing HPCE/DAD, the chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed with the buffer solution of 40 mmol/L borax containing 16.7% methanol, with injection pressure at 137.9 kPa for 5 s, separation voltage at 25 kV in 0-5 min time range and at 22 kV in 5-25 min time range, and the temperature of the capillary of 20 degrees celsius.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe method for analysis of Gegen and Fenge extracts was established, which identified puerarin and daidzein as the two major components. This simple and rapid analysis method can be used for Gegen and Fenge extract fingerprinting.

Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo culture rat prostate glandular epithelial cells and study their barrier functions in vitro.

METHODSRat prostate glandular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro. The expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, the structure and composition of the epithelial cells observed under the inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope. The transepithelial electrical resistances (TEERs) were monitored with the Millicell system. The permeability of the prostate glandular epithelial cells was assessed by the phenol red leakage test.

RESULTSCompact monolayer cell structures were formed in the prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of tight junctions between the adjacent glandular epithelial cells. The TEERs in the cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells reached the peak of about (201.3 ± 3.5) Ω/cm2 on the 8th day. The phenol red leakage test manifested a decreased permeability of the cell layers with the increase of TEERs.

CONCLUSIONThe structure and function of rat prostate glandular epithelial cells are similar to those of brain capillary endothelial cells, retinal capillary endothelial cells, and intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells have the barrier function and can be used as a model for the study of blood prostate barrier in vitro.

Animals ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; Cells, Cultured ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Electric Impedance ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phenolsulfonphthalein ; pharmacokinetics ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Tight Junctions

BACKGROUND:Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can result in many complications, such as bone cement leakage and adjacent-level fractures.
OBJECTIVE:To verify the possibility of biodegradable mesh-like microporous polymer bal oon for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
METHODS:Biodegradable mesh-like microporous P(DLLA-CL) bal oons were fabricated by electrospinning technique. Coated bal oons with the same specification was fabricated by coating P(DLLA-CL) onto the same mould. Morphology of the bal oons was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The bal oon leakage was observed by eyes after the injection of water or cement. The initial strength and stiffness were measured by a universal testing machine. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cel s on the bal oons was determined by laser confocal microscope and cel counting kit-8 assays. The biodegradation of bal oons in simulated body fluid, porcine pancreatic lipase, and fresh human serum was studied by residual weighing and scanning electron microscopy observation. Burst pressure of bal oons was measured after the bal oon was placed into a hole in the vertebral bone. For the in vitro calcium release tests, the bal oons were fil ed with calcium cement, tied, placed into 6atm ultrapure water, and then the calcium concentration was regularly determined.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mesh-like microporous bal oons presented with good fiber morphology, thickness distribution, and the presence of pores;on the coated bal oon surface, there was absence of specific morphology and porosity. Compared with the coated bal oon, the mesh-like microporous bal oon showed better mechanical properties, liquid permeability and burst pressure, to prevent leakage of bone cement and promote osteoblast adhesion and proliferation. In addition, the degradation of the mesh-like microporous bal oons was more uniform and stable than the coated bal oons, which may increase the calcium concentration in the injured vertebrae and wil be beneficial to the new bone growth and fracture healing.

Objectives To explore the effect of erythromycin on glutathione hormone (GSH) and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) in premature newborn rats exposed to hyperoxia, to study the intervention effect of erythromycin on hype-roxia-induced lung injury. Methods One-day old preterm SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group, eryth-romycin group, hyperoxia group, erythromycin+hyperoxia group. Hyperoxia group and hyperoxia+erythromycin group were continuously exposed to oxygen (oxygen concentration>0.85), control group and erythromycin group were in room air. Via cau-dal vein, the preterm rats was injected with erythromycin in erythromycin group and hyperoxia+erythromycin group, sodium chloride in control group and hyperoxia group daily. After 1,7,14 day(s) of hyperoxia (or air ) exposure, the preterm SD rats of four groups were killed, whole lung of these rats were isolated and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, GSH andγ-GCS of pulmonary tissue homogenate were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme linked im-munosorbent assay. Total lung RNA was extracted andγ-GCS mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain re-action. Results The results showed that:After 1 and 7 day(s) of exposure, the expression of GSH、γ-GCS andγ-GCS mRNA in four groups showed significant differences(P<0.05). Among them, GSH expression in erythromycin + hyperoxia group was higher than that in the other three groups in 1,7,14 day(s) of exposure with significant differences (P<0.05);GSH expression in erythromycin+hyperoxia group and hyperoxia group reached the peak after 7 days of exposure. The expression ofγ-GCS andγ-GCS mRNA in erythromycin+hyperoxia group and hyperoxia group were higher than the other two groups after 1and 7 day(s) of exposure, the expression ofγ-GCS mRNA in erythromycin+hyperoxia group were higher than that of hyperoxia group with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusions The expressions of GSH andγ-GCS in the lung of premature SD rats were abnor-mal by oxidation outbreak. Erythromycin may increase the activity ofγ-GCS, improve the anti-oxidation ability of GSH, and al-leviate hyperoxia mediated lung injury in premature rats.