OBJECTIVETo apply needle-knife to treat lumber disc herniation (LDH) and surface electromyography were used to analyze biomechanical characteristic of patient's lumber muscle to make a comprehensive evaluation on its efficacy.

METHODSThirty patients who met the inclusive criteria were selected and treated with needle-knife, once a week for 2 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), ASLR and JOA score before and after treatment were observed. Surface electromyography was applied to test the surface electromyography signals. AEMG, MFs and MPF were calculated before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, VAS was significantly reduced, ASLR, JOA, AEMG and MPF were obviously increased, and the absolute value of MFs was lowed (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe needle-knife could significantly relieve lumbar muscle strength, muscle tone and muscle fatigue, improve in the imbalance of lumbar extensor muscle group, leading to the recovery of biomechanical characteristic, and the clinical efficacy is superior.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; metabolism ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

LC-Q-TOF-MS and LC-IT-MS in positive and negative ion mode were applied to simultaneously characterize the constituents in Suanzaoren tang. Analysis was performed on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18, Rapid Resolution HT column(4.6 mmx 50 mm, 1. 8 micro m) with gradient elution of acetonitrile(A) -aqueous solution containing 0. 05% formic acid(B) at a flow rate of 0. 6 mL min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degreesC. By comparing MS fragmentation, accurate molecular weight, literature date and standard compounds information, a total of48 compounds were successfully identified or speculated. The origins of these compounds were assigned to the corresponding Chinese medicine. Thirty-one compounds were reported in Suanzaoren tang for the first time. LC-Q-TOF-MS combined with LC-IT-MS is a simple and rapid tool for the identification of constituents of Suanzaoren tang, and the results could provide evidence for the research on quality combined and effective constituents of Suanzaoren tang.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and side effects of paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods82 PSD patients were randomly divided into the paroxetine group (n=42) and amitriptyline group (n=40). Before the treatment and at the ends of 2nd, 4th and 8th week after the treatment, all patients in two groups were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and TESS.ResultsAfter treatment, HAMD scores of patients of two groups were decreased significantly (P<0.01), but no difference was found between two groups. The side effects of the paroxetine group were obviously fewer and milder than that of amitriptyline group (P<0.01).ConclusionParoxetine is an effective and safe drug in the treatment of PSD.

To investigate the chemical constituents of the whole plants of Bidens bipinnata, the separation and purification of constituents were performed by chromatography on macroporous resin, silica gel, MCI and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as quercetin (1), quercetin-3-0-alpha-L-rhamnoside (2), keampferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), keampferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (4), 3', 5-dyhydroxy-3, 6, 4'-trimethoxyl -7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside flavonoid (5), 7, 8, 3', 4'-tetraflavanone(6), (2S)- and (2R)-isookanin-7-O-beta-D- glucopyranoside (7a/7b), (2S)- and (2R)-3'-methoxy-isookanin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8a/8b), 6, 7, 3', 4'-tetrahydroxyaurone(9), maritimetin (10), esculetin (11), 3-O-caffeoyl-2-methyl-d-erythrono-1, 4-lactone (12), (7S, 8R) balanophonin-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (13), eugenyl-O-beta-apiofuranosyl-( 1"-6') -O-beta-glucopyranoside (14), and (+)-syringaresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15). Compounds 8, 13, 14, and 15 were isolated from this genus for the first time. Compounds 1 and 6 were potent inhibitors against HSC-T6 cells in vitro and compounds 1, 2, 6, and 7 were capable of decreasing the inflammatory cytokine production of macrophage cells in vitro.
Bidens ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

In order to investigate the transmission risk of H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV) from sewage in Changsha poultry markets, the evolution relationship and molecular characteristics of non-structural (NS) genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage were analyzed. Nine H5N1 AIV environmental sewage specimens were collected from Changsha poultry markets. The NS genes were amplifyed by PCR and then sequenced with TA cloning. Amino acid(aa) sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were conducted by Lasergene and Mega5 software. Eight NS genes TA cloning were constructed successfully. Phylogenetic tree indicated that they were belonged to the allele A subgroup. Aa homology analysis showed 90.1% 92.5% identity in NS1 proteins and 91.0% - 92.6% identity in NS2 proteins compared with reference viruses of the allele A (A/chicken/ Hubei/ w h/ 1999). The homologies of the amino sequences of NS1 and NS2 in this study were 93.8%-100.0% and 98.4%-100.0%, respectively. The C terminal of all eight H5N1 NS1 proteins from sewage in poultry markets carried a ESEV of PL motif and the 92 amino acids were E, furthermore, the 80 to 84aa were missed which were the characteristics of highly pathogenic AIV. The NS genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage in poultry markets have molecular characteristics of highly pathogenic and have the potential risk of H5N1 virus spreading.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; transmission ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sewage ; virology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Delta-like 1 (Dll1) in differentiation and antigen pre-sensation of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). In the presence of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), mouse bone marrow cells were co-cultured with OP9-Dll1 and OP9-GFP cell lines respectively. After 8 days, the immature DCs were stimulated with tumor antigen. The surface molecules of the activated DCs including MHC II, CD80 and CD86 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Levels of IL-12 and IL-10 in the culture supernatant were detected by ELISA. In addition, the proliferation of T-cells co-cultured with DCs was analyzed by FACS through mixed T-lymphocyte reaction. The results showed that compared with OP9-GFP, the bone marrow cells co-cultured with OP9-Dll1 produced significantly more CD11c(+) DCs (p < 0.05), and possessed higher levels of surface molecule expression including MHC II, CD80 and CD86 after tumor antigen stimulation. The DCs secreted higher level of IL-12 (p < 0.05) and less IL-10 (p < 0.01). They also resulted in significantly stronger T-cell proliferation response. It is concluded that Dll1 can promote the differentiation of DCs from mouse bone marrow cells and enhance their antigen presentation capacity.
Animals ; Antigen Presentation ; immunology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVETo screen the antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (asONs) which could hybridize with KDR (kinase insert domain-containing receptor) mRNA in an effective and specific way and to explore their anti-tumor effects on breast cancer MCF-7 cell line in vitro.

METHODSThe asONs were firstly selected using oligodeoxynucleotides library hybridization or computer prediction, then their hybridization ability with KDR mRNA was further tested with oligonucleotide microarray. The asONs with strong hybridization intensity were selected. Their inhibitory effects on MCF-7 cells proliferation and KDR expression were assayed by MTT, RT-PCR and Western blotting assay, respectively.

RESULTSIn 13 asONs selected with oligodeoxynucleotides library hybridization, 8 (8/13, 61.5%) showed strong hybridization signals, while such was only 1 in 17 asONs designed by computer prediction. 9 asONs with strong hybridization intensity were selected and synthesized with phosphorothioated modification. All these asONs inhibited the MCF-7 cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, in which asON4 and asON7 screened by oligodeoxynucleotides library in combination with oligonucleotide microarray were the most effective, with inhibitory rates of 51.6% and 62.2% at 0.8 micromol/L, respectively. The KDR expression at mRNA and protein levels was reduced by both the two asONs, in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONasONs screened by oligodeoxynucleotides library hybridization are well consistent with that chosen with oligonucleotide microarray. The combination of oligodeoxynucleotides library with oligonucleotide microarray is an effective approach of asONs screening. The asONs targeting KDR mRNA showed prominent anti-tumor activity on breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gene Library ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between phospholipase D (PLD) activation and neutrophil priming induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and try to clarify whether CPB-induced systemic inflammatory response can be attenuated by inhibiting neutrophilic PLD activation.

METHODSNeutrophils were isolated from arterial blood of 8 patients undergoing valve replacement before operation and 30 min after initiation of CPB respectively. Both the preoperative and CPB-stirred neutrophils were subdivided into 5 groups by receiving different experimental interventions: (1) bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 ng x ml(-1)), (2) N-formylmethionylphenylalanine (fMLP, 1 micromol x L(-1)), (3) LPS+fMLP, (4) 1-butanol (0.5%)+LPS+fMLP, (5) vehicle. Elastase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release was measured for the parameters of neutrophil activation, neutrophil PLD activity was determined by quantitation of choline produced from the stable product of phosphatidylcholine catalyzed by PLD.

RESULTS(1) Preoperative neutrophils treated with LPS+fMLP presented significantly higher PLD activity (13.48+/-2.61 nmol choline x h(-1) x mg(-1)) and released more elastase and MPO than cells treated with vehicle (PLD activity 3.70+/-0.49 nmol choline x h(-1) x mg(-1)), P<0.01), LPS (P<0.01) and fMLP respectively. In 1-butanol+LPS+fMLP group, PLD activity of preoperative neutrophils was lower than that in LPS+fMLP group (P<0.01), besides the release of elastase and MPO decreased sharply below both LPS+fMLP and fMLP groups (P<0.01). In LPS group, PLD activity was higher (P<0.01), while elastase and MPO release did not differ from control. fMLP group presented PLD activity, elastase and MPO release higher than control (P<0.01); nevertheless, lower than LPS+fMLP group (P<0.01). (2) CPB-stirred neutrophils presented prominent PLD activity increment, and even the control level was 3.59-fold of the pre-operative control (P<0.01). PLD activity in LPS+fMLP group was higher than that in other groups. Notably, PLD activity was even nonstatistically lower in 1-butanol+LPS+fMLP group than that in LPS or fMLP group. CPB-stirred neutrophils in LPS+fMLP group released more elastase and MPO than control, LPS, and 1-butanol+LPS+fMLP groups did (P<0.01); however, neither of the release was statistically different from that of fMLP group.

CONCLUSIONSCardiopulmonary bypass enables neutrophil priming accompanied with significant increase in PLD activity. Inhibition of neutrophil PLD activation attenuates its priming and may alleviate CPB-induced systemic inflammatory reaction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophil Activation ; physiology ; Phospholipase D ; pharmacology ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between power Doppler vascularity index (PDVI) and microvessel density (MVD) and evaluate the angiogenesis in high-grade gliomas and the adjacent edema in patients with glioma using intraoperative power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) during gross total resection.

METHODSIn 25 cases of high-grade gliomas undergoing gross total tumor resections, PDUS was performed intraoperatively and the regions of interest within the tumor and the adjacent edema were analyzed with Photoshop software to measure the tumoral and peritumoral blood flow quantified as PDVI. The tumoral and adjacent MVD were determined using immunohistochemical staining for CD34. The correlation between PDVI in the gliomas and the adjacent edema and MVD in the corresponding areas were analyzed using Spearman correlation test.

RESULTSThe measurement of both PVDI and MVD revealed significant difference in vascularity between the gliomas and the adjacent edema (t=0.000, P<0.01), and PDVI was positively correlated to MVD measurement (r=0.7248 in the tumors and r=0.6608 in the adjacent edema).

CONCLUSIONSThe difference in the vascularity between the tumor and adjacent edema allows their distinction by PDUS during operation for high-grade glioma. Intraoperative PDUS provides an accurate and reliable means for measuring vascularity in the glioma and the adjacent edema tissue.

Adult ; Brain Edema ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Brain Neoplasms ; blood supply ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; methods ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; blood supply ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging