Objective To observe the effect of acupoint thread-embedding at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) on anxiety and sleep disorders after heroin withdrawal. Method Sixty-seven patients with heroin addiction were randomized into a Neiguan group (25 cases), a Zusanli group (22 cases) and a Neiguan plus Zusanli group (20 cases), to receive corresponding treatments once every 20 d, for 4 sessions in total. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were adopted to observe the anxiety and sleep condition before and after the treatment. Result After 60 d thread-embedding treatment, the total and standard SAS scores, sleep initiation time and total PSQI score were significantly decreased in the 3 groups (P<0.05), and the sleep durations were significantly extended (P<0.05); in comparing the improvement of anxiety, Neiguan plus Zusanli group > Neiguan group >Zusanli group (P<0.05); in comparing the improvement of sleep, Neiguan plus Zusanli group was superior to both Zusanli group and Neiguan group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between Zusanli group and Neiguan group (P>0.05). Conclusion It's effective to use thread-embedding at Neiguan and Zusanli independently or together for anxiety and sleep disorders after heroin withdrawal, but the efficacy is more significant when the two points are used in combination, indicating the synergy of acupoints.

Objective To investigate the effect of intravenous infusion of hyper-oxygenated solution (HOS) on small intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits.Methods Twenty-four rabbits of both sexes,weighing 2.5-3.2 kg,were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n =8 each):sham operation group (group S),I/R group,and HOS group.Small intestinal I/R was produced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 1 h followed by 2 h of reperfusion in I/R and HOS groups,while the SMA was only clamped in group S.HOS was infused intravenously at a rate of 20 ml· kg-1 ·h -1 via the auricular vein starting from the time immediately after clamping the SMA in group HOS and the equal volume of normal saline was infused instead of HOS in group I/R.Blood samples were obtained from the inferior vena cava at 2 h of reperfusion to detect the concentration of serum lactic acid.The animals were then sacrificed and the small intestine was removed for determination of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content,and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in intestinal tissues and for microscopic examination.The pathological changes of the intestinal epithelia were observed and the damage.to the mucous membrane was scored.The internal organs were removed and bacterial translocation from gut to the internal organs was observed.Results Compared with group S,the level of MDA and lactic acid,and rate of bacterial translocation were significantly increased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased in groups I/R and HOS ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the level of MDA and lactic acid,rate of bacterial translocation,and activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased in group HOS ( P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Intravenous infusion of HOS can reduce small intestinal I/R injury in rabbits.

This study is to investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Uygur medicine bugloss (BTF) on rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to explore the mechanisms by which it acts. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in rats was occluded for 30 min followed by 4 h reperfusion. Meanwhile, BTF dissolved in saline was administered intraperitoneally at dosage of 10, 30 and 50 mg x kg(-1). Electrocardiograph, infarction index, serum myocardial enzymes and heart function were determined to evaluate the effect of BTF. Some other observations were carried out to explore whether inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms underlying BTF. Our results showed that in ischemia/reperfusion injured rats BTF could dose-dependently reduce myocardial infarction index and myocardial enzyme leakage, and enhance heart function, indicating that it possesses significant cardio protection. ELISA analysis showed that BTF could decrease the content of myocardial inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Western-blotting confirmed that BTF could increase the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and reduce the expression of proapoptosis protein Bax. Further more, the phosphorylation level of PI3K and Akt was upregulated by BTF treatment. BTF can protect rat against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Anti-inflammation and inhibition of apoptosis through upregulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway may contribute to the protective effect of BTF.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart ; Interleukin-6 ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Myocardium ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protective Agents ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

OBJECTIVEAs an endogenous antioxidant, taurine could retard the development of diabetic cardiovascular complications. Whereas, whether TAU has a protective effect on diabetic vascular endothelium in young patients is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of taurine on early vascular endothelial dysfunction and its possible mechanism by detecting the changes of oxLDL/LOX-1 system in young STZ-induced diabetic rats. Doing so, the authors expect to find an effective approach in clinical practice to the prevention and treatment of diabetic vascular complication.

METHODSix-week-old rats were divided randomly into normal control (CN group, n=8), diabetes mellitus group (DM group, n=8) and taurine supplement group (DM+TAU group, n=8). Diabetes was induced in the rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg) and after the onset of diabetes, the rats in DM+TAU group were given free access to drinking water containing 1% taurine. At the end of 4 weeks, blood glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and sICAM-1 levels were determined, meanwhile LOX-1 and ICAM-1 expression on abdominal aortas were examined by immunostaining, Western blotting and reverse transcription PCR, respectively. The results were quantified by densitometry.

RESULTCompared to normal control, in STZ-induced diabetic rats, the levels of serum TC, TG, LDL, oxLDL and sICAM-1 were all increased (P<0.01 for all), meanwhile LOX-1 and ICAM-1 expression (protein and mRNA) in the endothelium layers of abdominal aortas were also markedly enhanced (P<0.01 for all); while in taurine supplemented rats, the levels of serum TG (0.64+/-0.12 vs. 0.97+/-0.18), TC (0.82+/-0.18 vs. 1.01+/-0.23), oxLDL (3.1+/-0.6 vs. 4.2+/-0.6), sICAM-1 (108.3+/-18.0 vs. 130.7+/-17.4), expression of LOX-1 and ICAM-1 protein (1.02+/-0.19 vs. 2.60+/-0.33, 1.21+/-0.22 vs. 2.98+/-0.31) as well as mRNA (0.45+/-0.09 vs. 0.96+/-0.15, 0.50+/-0.07 vs. 0.87+/-0.16) were all markedly lower than those of untreated diabetic rats (P<0.05 for all). Also, the level of LOX-1 protein expression was positively correlated with levels of serum oxLDL (r=0.922, P=0.001), sICAM-1 (r=0.753, P=0.031) and ICAM-1 expression on abdominal aorta (r=0.849, P=0.008).

CONCLUSIONVascular endothelial dysfunction was present in early stage of young diabetic rats and taurine supplement could protect against this early endothelial dysfunction by its antioxidation to inhibit the role of oxLDL/LOX-1 system in young rats with diabetes mellitus.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; prevention & control ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Taurine ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AHR) mR-NA and tryptophan dioxygenase (TDO) mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients with acute leukemia.Methods Sixty-five patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from August 2013 to August 2014 were selected as observation group,and there were 50 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia(AML) and 15 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia(ALL).Fifteen patients with anemia were selected as control group in the same period(excluding the malignant disease of blood system).The expression of AHR mRNA and TDO mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients in the groups was detected by real time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The correlation between AHR mRNA and TDO mRNA was analyzed.Results The expression of TDO mRNA and AHR mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells of AML and ALL patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of TDO mRNA and AHR mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells between AML and ALL patients (P ＜ 0.05).There was significantly positive correlation between the expression of TDO mRNA and AHR mRNA in bone marrow mononuclear cells of AML and ALL patients(r =0.801,0.922;P ＜ 0.05).The levels of white blood cell,hemoglobin,platelet and lactate dehydrogenase were not related to the expression of TDO mRNA and AHR mRNA in AML and ALL patients(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The expression of TDO and AHR in bone marrow mononuclear cells of acute leukemia patients is high,and the TDO-KYN-AHR pathway promotes the development of acute leukemia.

Objective To discuss the effect of proximal interphalangeal joint(PIPJ) motion on the tension of the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon through measuring the extensor tendon and find the fixed position of PIPJ when the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon at minimum tension,and to provide reference for best fixed position in clinical treatment.Methods The maximal passive flexion angles of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP J) of the index,distal,ring and little fingers were measured in 20 cadaver hands when the PIPJ flexed at 0 °,20 °,40 °,60 °,80 ° and 100 °.Making an incision over the back of the DIPJ to expose the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon.Incising the extensor tendon laterally at the level of the DIPJ with the DIPJ fixed in extension position to make a mallet finger.Pierced a Kirschner wire through and perpendicular to the distal phalangeal basement as a sign.Parallel to this sign,marked the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon and measured its relative distance to the sign as the sliding distance of the extensor.Recording the widest gap between the tendon edges and the tendon sliding distance while the PIPJ was in extension and 20°,40°,60°,80° and 100°flexion position,severally.Results The maximal passive flexion angle of the DIPJ increased with the PIPJ flexed from 0°to 100°in 80 fingers.The gap between the extensor tendon edges in zone Ⅰ was (1.322 8 ± 1.078 9) mm when the PIPJ was in extension position.The proximal extensor tendon glide distally while the PIPJ flexed to 100° with an average sliding distance of(1.540 5 ± 0.690 7) mm.Conclusion The zone Ⅰ extensor tendon has the maximal tension while the PIPJ is in extension position.Flexing PIPJ can make the tension decrease.

Despite its dual role in determining cell fate in a wide array of solid cancer cell lines, autophagy has been robustly shown to suppress or kill acute myeloid leukemia cells via degradation of the oncogenic fusion protein that drives leukemogenesis. However, autophagy also induces the demise of acute leukemia cells that do not express the known fusion protein, though the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Nevertheless, since it can induce cooperation with apoptosis and differentiation in response to autophagic signals, autophagy can be manipulated for a better therapy on acute myeloid leukemia.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of mesenteric lymph reperfusion (MLR) aggravates multiple organs injury in superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) shock and its mechanism.

METHODSTwenty four Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6): Sham group (only anesthetized and operated), MLR group rats performed 1 h occlusion of mesenteric lymph duct (MLD), then followed by 2 h of reperfusion, SMAO group (rats performed 1 h occlusion of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and then followed by 2 h of reperfusion), SMAO + MLR group (rats performed 1 h occlusion of SMA and MLD and then followed by 2 h of reperfusion). The blood sample was taken out from abdominal aortic for plasma and the liver, kidney, myocardium, lung tissues in fixed position were prepared for making homogenate after reperfusion of 2 h respectively. And the levels of endotoxin (ET) in plasma and homogenates were determined with kinetic turbidimetric technique of tachypleus amebocyte lysate, the contents of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), lipopolysaccharide receptor (CD14) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in homogenates were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

RESULTSThe indices have no statistics difference between sham group and MLR group. The ET levels of the plasma and hepatic, renal, myocardial, pulmonary homogenates in SMAO and SMAO + MLR groups were significant higher than that of sham and MLR groups, and these indices in SMAO + MLR were increased significantly than those in SMAO group. The CD14, LBP and TNF-alpha contents of the hepatic, renal, myocardial and pulmonary homogenates in SMAO and SMAO + MLR groups were significant higher than those in sham and MLR groups, and these indices in SMAO+ MLR were higher than SMAO group significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of MLR aggravates multiple organs injury in SMAO shock may be associated with enterogenous ET through intestinal lymphatic pathway to translocate, activate the LBP/CD14 as endotoxin sensitizing system and promote inflammatory response.

Animals ; Endotoxins ; Intestines ; blood supply ; Lymphatic Vessels ; pathology ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; Shock, Septic ; pathology

BACKGROUNDThe clinical behavior and management of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) are very different from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). By comparing the clinical and ultrasonographic features between the two tumors, we proposed to provide more possibilities for recognizing PDTC before treatment.

METHODSThe data of 13 PDTCs and 39 age- and gender-matched PTCs in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 2003 and September 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and ultrasonic features between the two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe frequencies of family history of carcinoma, complication with other thyroid lesions, lymph node metastases, recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries, and distant metastases were higher in PDTCs (30.8%, 61.6%, 69.2%, 23.1%, and 46.2%, respectively) than those in PTCs (2.6%, 23.1%, 25.6%, 2.6%, and 2.6%, respectively) (P < 0.05). The mortality rate of PDTCs was greatly higher than PTCs (P < 0.01). Conventional ultrasound showed that the size of PDTCs was larger than that of PTCs (3.1 ± 1.9 cm vs. 1.7 ± 1.0 cm). Clear margins and rich and/or irregular blood flow were found in 92.3% of PDTCs, which differed substantially from PTCs (51.7% and 53.8%, respectively) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPDTC is more aggressive and its mortality rate is higher than PTCs. Accordingly, more attention should be given to suspicious thyroid cancer nodules that show large size, regular shape, and rich blood flow signals on ultrasound to exclude the possibility of PDTCs.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Groundwater is believed to possess many beneficial effects due to its natural source of various minerals. In this study, we examined the effects of natural Jeju groundwater S1 (Samdasoo(TM)), S2 and S3 pumped up from different locations of Jeju Island, Korea, along with local tap water, on body weight gain, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and liver histopathology in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups. Different water samples were supplied to the hyperlipidemic rats as their daily drinking water and the widely-used anti-hyperlipidemic drug simvastatin was used as a positive control. Body weight, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured weekly. Liver weight, liver index and liver histopathology were examined after the execution of the rats. RESULTS: After drinking Jeju groundwaters for two months, S2 but not S3 significantly reduced weight growth and serum triglycerides levels and increased high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) without affecting total cholesterol or LDL-C. S1 and particularly S2 significantly reduced the severity of liver hypertrophy and steatosis. All Groundwaters had much higher contents of vanadium (S3>S2>S1>>tap water) whereas S1 and S2 but not S3 markedly blocked autoxidation of ferrous ions. CONCLUSION: Jeju Groundwater S1 and particularly S2 exhibit protective effects against hyperlipidemia and fatty liver and hypothesize that the beneficial effect of Jeju Groundwaters may be contributed from blockade of autoxidation of ferrous ions rather than their high contents of vanadium.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Fatty Liver ; Groundwater* ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertrophy ; Ions ; Korea ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Minerals ; Rats* ; Simvastatin ; Triglycerides ; Vanadium ; Water