Acrocephalosyndactylia ; pathology ; Fetus ; pathology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the rhythm regulatory mechanism of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the process of moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSA total of 144 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a moxibustion group, a sham operation group, an operation group, an operation+moxibustion group, 24 rats in each one. Each group was divided into 4 time points (0:00 am, 6:00' am, 12:00 am, 6:00 pm), 6 rats in each time point. The Light-Dark 12 : 12 was given in all rats for light-dark cycle. Except the blank group, rats in the remaining groups were treated with intracutaneous injection of freund's complete adjuvant at right-side foot to establish the model of RA. After the model establishment, bilateral adrenal, glands were removed in the operation group and operation + moxibustion group, while those in the sham operation group were not removed with identical operation procedure. Rats in the moxibustion group and operation + moxibustion group were treated with grain-sized moxibustion from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) once everyday, 6 times were taken as one session and 3 sessions were required tatclly, while rats in the remaining groups received identical fixation without moxibustion. The general health state and foot volume of rats were measured before model establishment, after establishment and after treatment. After treatment, rats were sacrificed at each time point to collect the blood sample and measure the content of IL-6 by using enzymne-immunoassay method.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, the foot swelling in the model group was obviously increased (P<0. 05); the IL-6 maintained circadian rhythm (P<0. 05), but the peak phase had a backward trend, famplitude had an increased trend and the median was significantly lifted (P<0. 05). Compared with model group, !the foot swelling in the moxibustion group was obviously decreased (P<0. 05); the IL-6 maintained circadian. rhythm (P<0. 05), and the peak phase had a forward trend, amplitude had a decreased trend and the median was significantly reduced (P<0. 05). Compared with the moxibustion group, the foot swelling in the operation--moxibustion group was obviously increased (P < 0.05); the IL-6 maintained circadian rhythm (P < 0.5), but the peak phase moved forwrd, and the median was significantly elevated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe IL-6 in plasma maintains significant pathological circadian rhythm in RA rats; with the complete hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, moxibustion is likely to regulate the circadian rhythm of IL-6 to play an important role of anti-inflammatory effect in RA rats.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Circadian Rhythm ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

Child ; Humans ; Proteomics ; methods

A cardiac stimulator for rapid atrial pacing animal model was designed in this paper. According to the needs of clinical research, output pulse parameters of the cardiac stimulator can be designed. The cardiac stimulator will be controlled through magnet. Efficiency of the cardiac stimulator was validated by animal experiments.
Animals ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Electric Stimulation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Heart Atria ; Models, Animal

A wavelet threshold denoising algorithm for CR images is put forward here . A noised CR image is decomposed into wavelet coefficients, which are processed by the algorithm, and the denoised CR image is reconstructed based on the processed coefficients. Examples are too presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm on denoising and, maintaining the detail of the CR images.
Algorithms ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; methods ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiography ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different administrations of antibodies against adipocyte plasma membrane proteins on growth and fat deposition in rats.

METHODNinety six female SD rats that weighed approximately 140 g were allotted randomly into four groups which were given negitive control yolk and positive yolk containing antibody (IgY) against adipocyte plasma membrane (APM) proteins by intragastric administration (i.g.) and subcutaneous injection (s.c.) respectively. Rats were given 1 ml of yolk for every three days in i.g. groups. Rats were given 1 ml of yolk for 4 consecutive days, and the procedure was repeated after one month. The trial lasted for 75 days after which rats were slaughtered for carcass analysis and sampling.

RESULTSThe body weight gain and food intake of rats were not different between treatment and control groups. In i.g. goups, positive yolk decreased mesemteric fat index, paramertrial fat index and perirenal fat index (P < 0.05), reduced serum triglycerides (P < 0.05) and increased serum free fatty acids (FFA) (P < 0.01), and also decreased serum leptin, insulin and TNF-alpha levels ( P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but did not affect gastrocnemius muscle index and serum cholesterol. In s.c. groups, positive yolk increased gastrocnemius muscle index (P < 0.05), reduced serum triglycerides and serum leptin (P < 0.01), increased serum TNF-alpha (P < 0.05), but did not affect adipose tissue depots, serum FFA, cholesterol and insulin.

CONCLUSIONAdministration of yolk antibody against APM proteins could effectively improve body composition of rats, and the treatment by intragastric administration could give better effect than by subcutaneous injection.

Adipose Tissue ; growth & development ; Animals ; Antibodies ; pharmacology ; Body Composition ; Egg Yolk ; immunology ; Female ; Growth and Development ; physiology ; Immunization ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The sequences of ITS, matK, rbcL and psbA-trnH of 9 Gynostemma species or variety including 38 samples were compared and analyzed by molecular phylogeny method. Hemsleya macrosperma was designated as outgroup. The MP and NJ phylogenetic tree of Gynostemma was built based on ITS sequence, the results of PAUP phylogenetic analysis showed the following results: (1) The eight individuals of G. pentaphyllum var. pentaphyllum were not supported as monophyletic in the strict consensus trees and NJ trees. (2) It is suspected whether G. longipes and G. laxum should be classified as the independent species. (3)The classification of subgenus units of Gynostemma plants is supported.
Gynostemma ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To assess the clinical value of serum uric acid levels in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods A total of 502 consecutive patients with STEMI were enrolled from January 2005 to December 2010 for retrospective study.The level of serum lipid,echocardiographic data and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with hyperuricemia(n =119)were compared with those in patients without hyperuricemia(n =383).The relationship between the level of serum uric acid and the degree of diseased coronary artery was analyzed.All data were analyzed with SPSS version 17.0 software to make t test and x2 test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results Serum uric acid level was positively correlated with serum triglyceride level.Compared with non-hyperuricemia patients,hyperlipidemia was more commonly found among hyperuricemia patients (43.7％ vs.33.7％,P =0.047),and serum triglyceride level was significantly higher in hyperuricemia patients[(2.11 ± 1.24)mmol/L vs.(1.78 ± 1.38)mmol/L,P =0.014].But a significant association between serum uric acid level and one or more diseased vessels was not observed(P ≥ 0.05).Leftventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)was found to be larger in hyperuricemia patients than non-hyperuricemia patients[(53.52 ±6.19)mm vs.(52.18 ±4.89)mm,P =0.041].Higher incidence in left systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction was discovered in hyperuricemia patients(36.4％ vs.15.1％,P ＜0.01; 68.2％ vs.55.8％,P =0.023).Also,hyp-eruricemia patients had more in-hospital MACE(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Serum uric acid level is positively correlated with serum triglyceride level,but not with the severity of coronary artery disease.Hyperuricemia patients after STEMI tended to have higher incidence in left systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction,and have more in-hospital MACE.

Objective To establish an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)model with endo- cerebrovascular peroration.Method The right external carotid artery of SD rats were isolated,leaving a stump of approximately 3 to 4 mm.A-3-O monofilament nylon suture was inserted up through the stump of external carotid artery to the internal carotid artery for about 18～19 mm.A small resistance was usually felt,and the suture was then advanced 2 mm further and the suture was immediately withdrawn.Two hours or two days after SAH induction,SAH extension was observed.Two days after SAH induction,the diameter of the basilar artery was measured.Results SAH extends from the ipsilateral artery to the eontralateral artery after SAH induction.The diameters of basilar arteries in SAH animals were smaller than those of control rats,indicating the present of cerebrovascular spasm in SAH animals.Conclusions The endo-cerebrovascular perforation technique for establishing a non-craniotomy SAH model is reliable.

Objective This study is based on the physicians'appraisal system upon HIS system to annually assess the associate chief physicians in clinical departments in the mode of attending in charge. Methods 74 doctors above the title of associate chief physician from 14 departments in such mode were selected as objects of study and evaluated upon relative requirement of the performance appraisal index system by means of brainstorming,expert consulting and so on to confirm the content,standard and scoring method of appraisal.Work efficiency index and work amount can be acquired out of HIS system, while details and problems during the assessment can be dealt together with clinical practice.Finally all index and results were collected through HIS system and total scores of relative doctor can be automatically calculated.SPSS 13.0 statistics software also can be used to descriptively analyze the frequency and percentage data.Results The total appraisal scores and scores in every grade of the 74 doctors,who are attending in charge with title above associate chief physician as well as bearing the same responsibility in both medicine and surgery department,were collected,analyzed and respectively ranked respectively.Conclusion The results of appraisal basically indicate general level of the doctors,as well as provide strong evidence for enhancing human resource management of the hospital, which will continuously improve the basis for assessment to performance of associate chief physician under mode of attending in charge,as well as collect experiences for deeply optimizing program of assessment system.