Deer velvet antler is the only mammal organ which can continuous regenerate. Currently, international scholars are interested in antler that is defined as a perfect regeneration model of neuro, blood vessel, connective tissue, cartilage, and bones. In 1986, we started to study the separation of active protein and peptide of fresh velvet antler using classic biochemical methods. After entering the 21st century, we further investigated the differentiation of antler proteome from different growth periods using advance differential proteomics approach, and unveiled the correlation between the proteome difference and life cycle. The international antler research has entered the stage of molecular biology, and will no doubt have a profound impact on the modern biomedical fields, such as regenerative medicine, organ degeneration and dysplasia, trauma medicine and anti-inflammatory treatment, growth factor research, as well as creation of new medical thinking.
Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; Deer ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Regenerative Medicine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the modulation of pilose antler extract (PAE) on rat osteogenic cells UMR-106 in vitro.

METHODComponent P2 of PAE was isolated by Sephacryl S-200HR gel filtration chromatography. The proliferative effects of P2 and other components isolated by Sephacryl S-200HR on UMR-106 cells were investigated by MTT assay.

RESULTThe P2 could significantly increase the proliferation rate of osteogenic cells. When the protein concentration of P2 was between 0.972 mg x L(-1) and 97.2 mg x L(-1), it could inhibit the proliferation of UMR-106 cells. But while the concentration was equal to or greater than 97.2 mg x L(-1), the P2 could increase the proliferation rate of cells, especially 477.92% at 9.72 g x L(-1), which was approximated to 499.62% of PAE. The molecular weight of the P2 was about 59 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE. On the other hand, inhibition was also observed in the sample of the P3, P4 and P5.

CONCLUSIONThose regulative factors in PAE which have different molecular weight can affect the proliferation of UMR-106 cells two-wayly. And this adjustment also relies on the dose of those factors. This finding may help us to understand the possible mechanism of Chinese traditional medicine from animal materials.

Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Deer ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Rats ; Tissue Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo Assess therapeutic effect of ear point taping and pressing therapy combined with acupoint-injection on residual neuralgia of herpes zoster.

METHODSOne hundred and sixteen cases were randomly divided into a comprehensive group (n = 60) and a medication group (n = 56). The medication group were treated with routine western medicine, and the comprehensive group with ear point taping and pressing therapy combined with acupoint-injection besides the routine western medicine. Auricular points selected for ear point taping and pressing were Shemen, Neifenmi (endorine), Pizhixia (subcortex), Gan (liver), Dan (gallbladder), Fei (lung) and corresponding auricular points to the lesion parts, with the two ears alternatively used, pressing each day; points selected for point-injection of VitB12 were Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), Quchi (LI 11), Taichong (LR 3). The pain degrees, the time of pain alleviation and pain ceasing of the patient were regularly recorded.

RESULTSThe average time of pain alleviation and pain ceasing of the patient in the comprehensive group were significantly shorter than those in the medication group (P < 0.01). The cured rate and the cured and markedly effective rate were 60.0% and 83.3% in the comprehensive group, and 28.6% and 50.0% in the medication group, with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEar point taping and pressing therapy combined with acupoint-injection is effective and safe for treatment of residual neuralgia of herpes zoster.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; therapy

Objective To explore the relationship between immune and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the investigation of neurofilaments phosphorylation and ultrastructure features in spinal cord ventral horn motor neuron injury mediated by immune.Methods Using transmission electron microscope,we studied the uhrastructure features of abnormal accumulations of neurofilaments (NF) in motoneuron of the spinal cord ventral horn,and immunohistochemically investigated neurofilaments phosphorylation.Results Electron microscope found that there was abnormal accumulation of interwoven NFs in motor neuronal perikarya and proximal axons.Immunohistochemical study revealed that the SMI-32 immunoreactive positive neurons (12.00?1.05),compared with control (18.00?1.83),were reduced (P

OBJECTIVEThe activity of deer serum albumin on proliferation of rat osteogenic-like cells UMR-106 and the IGF-I secretion were investigated in order to elucidate pilose antler's bone-strengthening mechanism.

METHODDeer serum albumin was isolated from freeze-dry pilose antler powder extract. The methods were Sephacryl S-200HR gel filtration, POROS 20QE ion-exchange and TSK G3000SW chromatographies. The effect of deer serum albumin on proliferatio of UMR-106 cells was assaied by MTT, and the secretion of IGF-I of UMR-106 cells was assaied by RIA.

RESULTDeer serum albumin, with the molecular weight of 56.3 kDa, significantly increased the proliferation rate of the osteoblast-like UMR-106 cell and IGF-I secretion. When concentration of deer serum albumin reached 0.149 microg x mL(-1), UMR-106 cell proliferation rate was 241.03% and IGF-I secretion was 66.89 ng x mL(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe concentration of deer serum albumin, from 14.9 ng x mL(-1) to 14.90 microg x mL(-1), significantly increased the proliferation rate of the osteoblast-like UMR-106 cell and IGF- I secretion.

Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Deer ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; secretion ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Rats ; Serum Albumin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of acupuncture for treatment of chronic functional constipation (CFC).

METHODSNinety cases were treated with acupuncture. The following two groups of acupoints were used alternatively once every other day. The acupoints in the first group were Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Shangjuxu (ST 37) etc., and Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Dachangshu (BL 25) etc. in the second group, electroacupuncture was used at Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37), once a day, 10 times constituting one course. The defecation frequency, difficulty degree of defecation, defecation time, endless sensation of defecation, stool quality and awareness of defecation were observed and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) was evaluated by constipation patients' diaries.

RESULTSThe scores of defecation frequency, difficulty degree of defecation, defecation time, endless sensation of defecation, stool quality, awareness of defecation and PAC-QOL were obviously improved after treatment (all P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 67.7% (61/90). The effect of acupuncture for chronic functional constipation in different dynamic mechanism was different. The effect of slow transit constipation (STC) was better than that of spastic pelvic floor syndrome (SPFS) (P < 0.05), and the effect of constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) was better than that of SPFS and relaxant pelvic floor syndrome (RPFS) (both P < 0.05). Fifty-two cases were effectively followed up. Three cases were cured, 6 cases were remarkably effective, 23 cases were effective and 20 cases were ineffective after 1 month of treatment. Three cases were cured, 5 cases were remarkably effective, 16 cases were effective and 28 cases were ineffective after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of acupuncture for CFC with exact etiology, disease location and classification diagnosis is definite, but different dynamic mechanism has different effect. The treatment programs for SPFS and RPFS need to be optimized to improve the therapeutic effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the MS/MS fragmentation mechanism of Taxol, and based on it to establish HPLC-ESI-MS/MS technique to separate and identify Taxol in the crude extracts of Taxus cuspidata and its callus culture, consequently to provide a fast and credible method for the analysis of Taxol in natural products.

METHODSOptimized the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS parameters for the sample analysis, and then discussed the ionization and cleavage mechanism of Taxol in ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS, finally identified the Taxol in the samples with retention time, molecular weight and MS/MS spectra.

RESULTSElucidated the MS/MS fragmentation mechanism of Taxol, and developed HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method to analyze Taxol in the two samples.

CONCLUSIONThe HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method is rapid, highly sensitive and specific, so it is suitable for the separation and identification of Taxol in natural products.

Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Paclitaxel ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Taxus ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDVarieties of restorative materials are widely used in dentistry. The aim of this study is to explore the influence of different dental restorative materials on bond interface reliability.

METHODSA two-dimensional finite element analysis method was adopted to simulate the shear-bond efficacy test. The influence of elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio were investigated separately. Several dental restorative materials including resins, metals, and ceramics were analyzed in this study.

RESULTSThe deformation and peak equivalent stress level of the dentin-adhesive interface rose sharply following a decrease in the elasticity of restorative materials, especially those with a low elastic modulus range. The influence of the Poisson's coefficient was not significant. Ceramics and gold alloy were preferred to resin composite in restorations bearing extensive shear load during service.

CONCLUSIONSRestorative materials with an elastic modulus similar to that of teeth are not always the best clinical choice. This research provides a helpful guide for the application of different restorative materials in clinical practice.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Materials ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans

Objective To analyze the relation among aortic root dimension(ARD) measured by echocardiography, cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular disease in adult Beijing community population.Methods Echocardiography was performed in 1041 individuals in a suburban community of Beijing from 2004 to 2005. ARD and other echocardiographic parameters including left atria dimension, left ventricular mass, septal and posterior wall thickness and dimension were analyzed. Histories of cardiovascular disease as well as risk factors were obtained. Spearman correlation was used to determine the relation between ARD and other cardiovascular risk factors. Multifactorial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ARD and cardiovascular disease.ResultsAscending aortic dimension (AAD) and mean root dimension(MRD) were positively associated with age, weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, left atria dimension, left ventricular mass, left ventricular septal and posterior wall thickness, and left ventricular dimension. With the lowest quintile of AAD and MRD as the reference, ORs for the highest quintile of AAD for specific cardiovascular diseases in female were as follows: stroke (OR=2.20,95%CI:1.03-4.72,P=0.04),chronic heart failure (OR=2.62, 95%CI:1.49-4.61,P=0.001),total cardiovascular disease (OR=2.52, 95%CI:1.51-4.21,P<0.001).ORs of MRD were as follows: chronic heart failure (OR=2.19, 95%CI:1.26-3.80,P=0.01), total cardiovascular disease (OR=2.20, 95%CI:1.32-3.68,P=0.002). After adjustment for age, BMI, smoking status, TC,hypertension, diabetes mellitus, the ORs were not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion ARD was positively associated with several CHD risk factors, but was not independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. ARD may act as an intermediate risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Combined ARD and traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors might enhance the predict power for cardiovascular disease.

Objective To observe the relationship between serum uric acid and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) in Beijing community individuals.Methods This epidemiological survey was performed in residents of two communities from Shijingshan District in Beijing from 2007 to 2008.Cardiovascular risk factors and ba-PWV were measured. Two thousand five hundred and forty three individuals with both ba-PWV and serum uric acid measurements were included.Ba-PWV ≥ 1400 cm/s was defined as abnormal.The individuals were divided into four groups (Q1,Q2,Q3 and Q4 group) according to the gender-specific quartiles of serum uric acid. Univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the relation between various cardiovascular risk factors and ba-PWV abnormality.Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the relation between serum uric acid and ba-PWV abnormality after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.Results Body mass index,triglyeride and prevalence of hypertension increased with increasing levels of serum uric acid (all P ＜0.01 ).Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,gender,smoking,hypertension,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,diabetes,body mass index,total cholesterol,triglyeride and estimated glomerular filtration rate were related with ba-PWV abnormality( all P ＜0.01 ).Compared with Q1 group,ba-PWV abnormality OR value of Q4 group was 1.73 (95％ CI:1.34- 2.22,P ＜0.01 ).Multivariate logistic regression revealed that ba-PWV abnomality OR value of Q4 group was 1.66 (95％ CI:1.16 -2.37,P＜0.01 ) after adjusting for age,gender,smoking,hypertension,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,diabetes,body mass index,total cholesterol,triglyeride and estimated glomerular filtration rate when compared with Q1 group and OR values were 1.55 (95％ CI:0.88 -2.74,P＞0.05) and 1.65 (95％ CI:1.04-2.64,P＜0.05) in male and female respectively.Conclusion Increased serum uric acid was independently associated with ba-PWV abnormality in Beijing community residents.