Objective To investigate the effects of Yishen dianpi Yangxue Tongli Fang (YSJP) on IGF-1 mRNA expression in the ovary of PCOS rat, and study its mechanism on the molecular level. Methods Seventy two female SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, clomifene group and low-, mid-, high-dose Chinese medicine group. The animal model established by capsulae levonorgestreli silasticus was used to observe the IGF-1 mRNA expression in ovary by hybridization in situ. Results IGF-1 mRNA expression of PCOS model group was higher than the normal control group obviously. The semi-quantitative image analysis showed that TCM treatment could decrease IGF-1 mRNA expression. Conclusion Yishen Jianpi Yangnue Tongli Fang could decrease the IGF-1 mRNA expression in ovary and improve the insulin resistance of PCOS rats.

Objective: To explore the effect of Fuzheng granules on immune function activities in animal models.Methods: The effects of Fuzheng granules were investigated in normal mice and immunosuppressive mice by macrophage englobement rate and index of phagocytosis,leucocyte quantity,lymphocyte conversion ratio induced by adhesin,serum hemolysin,content of serum con-complement.Results: Fuzheng granules could significantly elevate the macrophage englobement rate,index of phagocytosis,leucocyte quantity,lymphocyte conversion ratio induced by adhesin,serum hemolysin,content of serum con-complement in above mice.Conclusion: Fuzheng granules had the effect of improving immune function activities.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.

RESULTSIn the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Aged ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Two hundred thirty specimens of wild birds were collected from some areas in Heilongjiang Province during the period of 2003~2004, including two batches of specimens collected randomly from a same flock of mallards in Zhalong Natural Reserve in August and December, 2004, respectively. Primary virus isolation and identification for avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were performed. The results showed that only two specimens of young mallards collected from Zhalong Natural Reserve in August, 2004 were positive to AIV (isolation rate 0.9%), and one strain (D57) of these two virus isolates was identified to be H9 subtype by hemagglutination inhibition test. Meanwhile, the two batches of blood serum samples of mallards from Zhalong were also examined for antibodies against AIV and NDV. Among 38 blood serum samples collected in August, antibodies against the hemagglutinin of H1, H3, H5, H6 and H9 subtypes of AIV were found in 1, 0, 2, 0 and 8 samples, respectively; and 11 samples were found with antibody against NDV. Whereas the NDV isolation in both two batches of specimens of mallard was negative, all of the 32 blood serum samples collected in December were negative for antibodies against AIV and NDV.
Animals ; Animals, Wild/*virology ; Antibodies, Viral/isolation&purification ; Birds/virology ; China/epidemiology ; Hemagglutination Tests ; Influenza A virus/*isolation&purification ; Influenza in Birds/epidemiology/immunology/*virology ; Newcastle Disease/epidemiology/immunology/*virology ; Newcastle disease virus/*isolation&purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo prepare three quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) monomers, and to compare their antibacterial activities against four oral bacterial strains.

METHODSThree antibacterial monomers [methacryloxyethyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-BC), methacryloxyethyl m-chloro benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-m-CBC), methacryloxyethyl cetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-CB)] were synthesized according to the general structure of target monomers. Their antibacterial effects were investigated using the broth dilution test on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella melaninogenica ).

RESULTSThree different monomers were successfully obtained. All the tested bacterial strains were susceptible to the three monomers, among which DMAE-CB exhibited the lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.2 to 4.8 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONSAll these three QAS monomers have different antibacterial activities against four oral bacteria strains. The data indicate that DMAE-CB may be a candidate antibacterial agent for oral infectious diseases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo construct a three-dimensional finite element model of mandible and to analyze the stress distribution in mandible advanced with Forsus.

METHODSOne growing patient with mandibular retrusion was selected. After leveling and aligning with MBT (Mclaughlin Bennett Treriri) straight-wire appliance to achieve the request of forsus with the spiral CT, a three-dimensional finite element model was constructed and the stress distribution in mandible after advancing at 1 second, 15 seconds and 300 seconds was analyzed.

RESULTSThe three-dimensional finite element model included MBT straight-wire appliance. The stress concentration areas were located in the front side of the condylar process, the sigmoid notch and mandibular molar areas at 15 seconds and 300 seconds after mandibular advancement. The maximum stress values were 34.47 MPa and 34.45 MPa, respectively. With the extension of loading time, the largest displacement increased from 3.30 x 10(-2) mm to 1.15 mm and the region of the largest displacement extended backwards along the body of mandible. However, the displacement of condyle reduced from 1.65 x 10(-2) mm at 1 second to 3.27 x 10(-5) mm at 300 seconds after mandibular advancement.

CONCLUSIONSThe three-dimensional finite element model considered the viscoelasticity and viscoelasticity of mandibular. The result suggested that the stress distribution in the mandible gradually became stable after the application of Forsus and the appliance caused downward and forward mandibular modification.

Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Mandible ; physiopathology ; Mandibular Advancement ; Models, Anatomic ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Stress, Mechanical ; Temporomandibular Joint

OBJECTIVETo study the contribution of executive function to abnormal recognition of facial expressions of emotion in schizophrenia patients.

METHODSAbnormal recognition of facial expressions of emotion was assayed according to Japanese and Caucasian facial expressions of emotion (JACFEE), Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), positive and negative symptom scale, and Hamilton anxiety and depression scale, respectively, in 88 paranoid schizophrenia patients and 75 healthy volunteers.

RESULTSPatients scored higher on the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales, displayed lower JACFEE recognition accuracies and poorer WCST performances. The JACFEE recognition accuracy of contempt and disgust was negatively correlated with the negative symptom scale score while the recognition accuracy of fear was positively with the positive symptom scale score and the recognition accuracy of surprise was negatively with the general psychopathology score in patients. Moreover, the WCST could predict the JACFEE recognition accuracy of contempt, disgust, and sadness in patients, and the perseverative errors negatively predicted the recognition accuracy of sadness in healthy volunteers. The JACFEE recognition accuracy of sadness could predict the WCST categories in paranoid schizophrenia patients.

CONCLUSIONRecognition accuracy of social-/moral emotions, such as contempt, disgust and sadness is related to the executive function in paranoid schizophrenia patients, especially when regarding sadness.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Executive Function ; Facial Expression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Schizophrenia, Paranoid ; psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical efficacy and significance of gluteal muscle contracture release for the treatment of gluteal muscle contracture induced knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2010,52 patients with gluteal muscle contracture induced knee osteoarthritis were reviewed. Among the patients,15 patients were male and 37 patients were female, ranging in age from 15 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years. Eighteen patients had left knee osteoarthritis, 30 patients had right osteoarthritis, and 4 patients had double knee osteoarthritis. All the patients were treated with gluteal muscle contracture release. Lysholm knee score was used to evaluate therapeutic effects before and after operation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 12 to 37 years,with a mean of 15 months. The Lysholm knee score improved from preoperative (68.12 +/- 0.78) points to postoperative (91.23 +/- 0.47) points at the last follow-up, the difference had statistical difference (t=31.269, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGluteal muscle contracture release is effective to relieve symptoms of gluteal muscles contracture and knee osteoarthritis. The patients with gluteal muscle contracture should be treated early so as to prevent effects of gluteal muscle contracture on knee joint, slow down degeneration of knee joint at early stage, and prevent occurrence of knee osteoarthritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Buttocks ; Contracture ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA, and explore the changes of apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS).

METHODSOf 18 CMS patients and 16 controls were enrolled in this study. The apoptotic index (AI) of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) was measured by TUNEL technique, the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in BMMNC of CMS patients and controls were determined by RT-PCR. Results (1)The AI of BMMNC in patients with CMS (8.51 ± 3.35)% was lower than that in controls (16.00 ± 4.28)% (P < 0.01); (2) The values of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA were (0.28 ± 0.07) and (0.23 ± 0.08) respectively, in CMS patients, which were significantly lower than those of (0.45 ± 0.09) and (0.41 ± 0.09) respectively, in the controls (both P < 0.01); (3) Hemoglobin (Hb) value was negatively correlated with levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA (r values were -0.52 and -0.61 respectively, both P < 0.05) in CMS patients. There was a negative correlation between AI and Hb (r value was -0.89, P < 0.01) in CMS patients. However, the significant relationship was not found between AI and level of caspase-8 or caspase-9 mRNA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed a decrease apoptosis of BMMNCs and reduced levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in CMS patients, the latter might be involved in the change of BMMNCs apoptosis.

Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; metabolism ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged