Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus tuina in treating cervical vertigo (CV).Methods:One hundred CV patients were randomized into an observation group and an acupuncture group by the random number table,with 50 cases in each group.The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Xiang Ba Zhen (eight acupoints on the nape);the observation group received tuina treatment in addition to the Xiang Ba Zhen acupuncture.The two groups were both treated once every other day for 10 sessions in total.The two groups were examined by transcranial cerebral Doppler (TCD) before and after the treatment,and their therapeutic efficacies were evaluated.Results:After the treatment,the mean velocity (Vm) of vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) showed significant improvement in both groups (all P＜0.001);there were significant differences in the Vm of VA and BA between the two groups (both P＜0.05).The total effective rate was 100.0％ in the observation group versus 82.0％ in the acupuncture group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Xiang Ba Zhen acupuncture as a monotherapy or used together with tuina can improve CV,but Xiang Ba Zhen plus tuina can produce a more significant efficacy.

Objective To investigate the recent studies about the relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods The current literatures about the relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and abdominal aortic aneurysm were reviewed. Results Chlamydia pneumoniae is one of the most important factors for the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm since Chlamydia pneumoniae can cause abdominal aortic aneurysm through the metabolism of matrix metalloproteinases, the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells in the vessels and the chronic infection of the wall of the aneurysm. Conclusion There maybe a distinguishingly close relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and Chlamydia pneumoiae may take an important role in the development and progress of the abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective To investigate the influence of different timing of surgery on patients with poor-grade intracranial aneurysm. Methods The clinical data of 86 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt-Hess gradeⅣ toⅤ)were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into an ultra-early treatment group (the operative time within 24 h after onset;n=40),an early treatment group, (24 to 72 h after onset;n=27),and middle and late treatment group (>72 h after onset;n=19)according to the different timing of surgery. The prognosis of patients at 6 months after procedure was evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS)scores. The differences of the rate of good prognosis (mRS 0 to 2)and mortality in patients of the 3 groups were compared. Results (1 )The ratios of good prognosis in the ultra-early treatment group,early treatment group,and middle and late treatment group were 55. 0%(n=22),33. 3%(n=9),and 21. 1%(n=4),respectively. There were significant differences (P<0. 05). The mortality rate of the ultra-early treatment group (7. 5%)was lower than that of the early treatment group (25. 9%) or middle and late treatment group (42. 1%). There were significant differences (P<0. 05). (2)There were significant differences in the rate of good prognosis in different timing of surgery in patients with gradeⅣ(P<0. 05);there was no significant difference in the rate of good prognosis in patients with grade Ⅴ(P>0. 05). The mortality ratios in patients of the 3 groups were 2/18,4/11,and 6/11,respectively. There were significant differences (P<0. 05). Conclusion Ultra-early operation may benefit part of the patients with poor-grade aneurysm,particularly in patients with gradeⅣ. As for the patients with grade Ⅴ, ultra-early operation may help to reduce short-term mortality rate,however,the rate of vegetative state is high.

To study the compatible mechanisms and compatible proportion of Shaoyao Gancao decoction, the intestinal absorption of main ingredients in Shaoyao Gancao decoction SG11 (Baishao-Zhigancao 1: 1) , SG31 (Baishao-Zhigancao 3: 1), Baishao water decoction S and Zhigancao (G) were investigated and compared using in vitro everted intestinal sac model and in situ single pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model. The concentration of paeoniflorin (PF), liquiritin (LQ) and mono-ammonium glycyrrhizinate (GL) in test samples and samples of intestinal sac and intestinal perfusion was determined by HPLC. The intestinal absorptive amount and absorption parameters were calculated. Results showed that in the everted intestinal sac model, three ingredients could be absorbed by duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and the absorption in the jejunum was best for all 3 ingredients. The absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 was significantly higher than that in single decoction (P < 0.05), but had no significant difference compared with SG31. In SPIP model, the absorption rate constant K(a), the apparent absorption coefficient P(app) and the absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 were significantly higher than those in single decoction. Parameters of PF and GL in SG11 were significantly higher than those in SG31, but had no differences of LQ. It proved that the compatibility of Baishao and Zhigancao could improve the intestinal absorption of PF, LQ and GL. The absorption of each ingredient in SG11 was better than that in SG31.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) expression has been observed on numerous cell types. However, little is known about the functional expression of PAR-2 in human mast cells. In the current study, the actions of a PAR-2 agonist trans-cinnamoyl-Leu-Ile-Gly-Arg-Leu-Orn-amide (tc-LIGRLO) on tryptase release from dispersed human colonic mast cells were examined. The results showed that tc-LIGRLO was able to induce a fold increase in tryptase release over the basal level following a 15 min incubation of colonic mast cells, whereas tc-OLRGIL did not have any effect on tryptase release. The potency of tc-LIGRLO appeared greater than that of anti-IgE and calcium ionophore A23187 (CI) in induction of tryptase release. Extending the incubation time to 30 min had no significant effect on the actions of tc-LIGRLO or anti-IgE. In the time course study, it was observed that the tryptase release from mast cells induced by tc-LIGRLO started at 1 min and peaked at 3 min following incubation. The above-mentioned results indicate that tc-LIGRLO is a potent stimulus of tryptase release from human mast cells, which strongly suggests that PAR-2s are expressed in human mast cells.
Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Receptor, PAR-2 ; agonists ; Tryptases ; metabolism

AIMTo examine the ability of calcium ionophore (CI) to induce tryptase and histamine release from human mast cells and its mechanisms.

METHODSEnzymatically dispersed cells from human colons were challenged with CI, and the cell supernatants after challenge were collected. Tryptase release was determined with a sandwich ELISA procedure and histamine release was measured using a glass fibre-based fluorometric assay.

RESULTSCI was able to induce a concentration dependent release of histamine and tryptase from human colon mast cells following 15 min incubation. The maximum of induced histamine and tryptase release were approximately 5.3 and 2.8 fold more than the levels of spontaneous release, respectively. CI at the concentrations higher than 1.0 micromol/L was able to induce significantly more histamine than tryptase release from mast cells. The time course revealed that the action of CI on mast cells started from 10 s, peaked at 6 min and lasted at least 15 min following incubation. Pertussis toxin and metabolic inhibitors were able to inhibit mast cell response to CI.

CONCLUSIONHuman colon mast cells were able to release tryptase and histamine in response to CI. The process seemed to be associated with the activation of a G-protein coupled receptor on the membrane of mast cells and requires cell energy supply.

Calcium Ionophores ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Colon ; cytology ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; secretion ; Tryptases ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation for general anesthesia often leads to trauma of the airway mucosa, resulting in postoperative sore throat and hoarseness. Numerous studies have investigated the factors as contributing causes, but the influence of method of anesthesia induction and time for extubation of the endotracheal tube has not been systematically examined. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of the methods of anesthesia induction and timing of extubation on postoperative sore throat and hoarseness. METHODS: Eighty patients with ASA physical status 1 or 2 were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 patients (n=20) recieved succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg for intubation and early extubated ; group 2 patients (n=20) recieved succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg for intubation and lately extubated ; group 3 patients (n=20) recieved pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg for intubation and early extubated ; group 4 patients (n=20) recieved pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg for intubation and lately extubated. All patients were interviewed 6, 24, 48, and 72 hrs after operation by an anesthesiologist in a double-blind manner. RESULTS: The incidence of sore throat at postoperative 6 and 24 hrs were decreased in group 3 compaired with group 1, 2, and 4 (p<0.05), respectively. The severity of sore throat at postoperative 6 hrs were decreased in group 3 compared with group 1, 2 and 4 (p<0.05), and that of postoperative 24 hrs were decreased in group 3 compared with group 1 and 2 (p<0.05), respectively. The severity of hoarseness at postoperative 6 hrs were decreased in group 3 compared with group 2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that postoperative sore throat and hoarseness may be developed more when extubation was perfomed lately than early. Therefore, early extubation provide advantage in terms of reducing sore throat and hoarseness in limited cases of anesthesia.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Hoarseness* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Mucous Membrane ; Pancuronium ; Pharyngitis* ; Succinylcholine

Molecular glues are a class of small molecules that induce the formation of protein-protein interactions to confer new biological function or therapeutic effects. As a unique pharmacological modality, molecular glues could target proteins without druggable binding pockets. It exhibits a variety of functions, including regulating signal transduction, stabilization or degradation of targeted proteins, through sticking different proteins together. This review will summarize the development and current status of molecular glues derived from natural products and analogs by illustrating the discovery and interaction mechanism. We hope to present a systematic view, provide valuable clues for researchers and encourage them to explore more efficient and rational molecular glue discovery strategies.

In practice of forensic medicine, potential disease can be associated with fatal asphyxia in restraint position. Research has demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are plentifully distributed in skeletal muscle, contributing to the regulation of contractile and relaxation. In the current study, respiratory functions, indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions ex vivo, as well as NO levels in serum, the expressions of diaphragmatic inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA, and the effects of L-NNA on contractility of the diaphragm were observed in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) under the condition of restraint position. The results showed that in the CLP12-18h rats, respiratory dysfunctions; indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions (Pt, +dT/dt(max), -dT/dt(max), CT, Po, force over the full range of the force-frequency relationship and fatigue resistance) declined progressively; the NO level in serum, and iNOS mRNA expression in the diaphragm increased progressively; force increased significantly at all stimulation frequencies after L-NNA pre-incubation. Restraint position 1 h in CLP12 h rats resulted in severe respiratory dysfunctions after relative stable respiratory functions, almost all the indices of diaphragmatic biomechanical functions declined further, whereas little change took place in NO level in serum and diaphragmatic iNOS mRNA expression; and the effects of L-NNA were lack of statistical significance compared with those of CLP12 h, but differed from CLP18 h group. These results suggest that restraint position and sepsis act together in a synergistic manner to aggravate the great reduction of diaphragmatic contractility via, at least in part, the negative modulation of NO, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of positional asphyxia.
Animals ; Asphyxia ; Diaphragm/physiology* ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Rats ; Respiration Disorders ; Restraint, Physical ; Sepsis

Objective To compare the clinical effect between retropubic extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for giant benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).MethodsThe clinical data and follow-up of 128 cases of giant BPH were analyzed retrospectively.Seventy-two cases underwent TURP (TURP group) and 56 cases underwent retropubic extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation ( laparoscopic group ).The operation time,blood loss,gland mass excision,bladder washing time,catheterization time,hospital stay,hospital cost,international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) and quality of life questionnaires (QOL),maximum flow rate (MFR),residual urine volume (RUV) were compared between two groups.ResultsThe bladder washing time,catheterization time,hospital stay in laparoscopic group were less than those in TURP group[0 d vs.(2.8 ± 1.2) d,(2.3 ± 0.6) d vs.(5.2 ± 1.5) d,(4.2 ± 0.5) d vs.(7.5 ±0.5) d],gland mass excision in laparoscopic group was more than that in TURP group [(100.2 ±25.4) g vs.(85.6 ± 15.5) g],there were significant differences between two groups(P＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the operation time,blood loss,hospital cost between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).There were significant differences in IPSS,QOL,RUV and MRF before and after 3,6 months treatment for two groups [ laparoscopic group:(9.1 ± 3.4),(7.5 ± 2.5 ) scores vs.(27.5 ± 5.8) scores,( 1.8 ± 1.1 ),( 1.6 ± 0.8)scores vs. (5.5 t0.5) scores,(26.5 ± 11.5),(22.4 ± 12.6) ml vs. (145.0 ±48.0) ml,(17.6 ±8.4),(20.2 ± 5.4) ml/s vs.(8.3 ± 3.5) ml/s;TURP group:(9.2 ± 3.8),(7.8 ± 2.2) scores vs.(28.5 ± 5.4) scores,( 1.9 ± 1.2),( 1.7 ± 0.6) scores vs.(5.0 ± 0.5 ) scores,(28.5 ± 12.9),(23.0 ± 11.7) ml vs. ( 155.0 ± 47.0) ml,( 17.8 ± 9.2),( 19.8 ± 4.5 ) ml/s vs.(7.2 ± 3.2 ) ml/s ] (P ＜ 0.01 ),but there was no significant difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionsThe clinical effect of two microtrauma surgery are good.Laparoscopic technique is a feasible treatment option for patients suffered from giant BPH for which has the benefit of a quicker recovery,shorter hospital stay,less complications,no bladder washing.