To explore the role of connexin43 (Cx43) in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and propagated sensation along meridians, the expression of Cx43 in the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts was studied both in vitro and in vivo. With the in vitro study, the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts were cultured together, and the localization of Cx43 was detected by immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescent cytochemistry and under confocal microscopy. And the expression of Cx43 on the surface of the cells was examined by flow cytometry. With the in vivo examination, 20 SD rats were randomized into control group (n = 10) and electrical acupuncture group (EA group, n = 10). EA ( 0.5-1. 5 V, 4-16 Hz , 30 min) was applied to "Zusanli" acupoint for 30 min at rat's hind paw, the localization of Cx43 was immunohistochemically detected. The immunohistochemical staining and indirect immunfluorescent cytochemistry showed that Cx43 was localized on the surface of the cells and in the cytoplasm. The relative expression level of Cx43 on the cellular membrane surfaces of the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as determined by FACS, were 13.91% and 29.53% respectively. Our studied suggested that Cx43 might be involved in GJIC and propagated sensation along meridians.
Cells, Cultured ; Connexin 43/*biosynthesis ; Connexin 43/genetics ; Epithelial Cells/cytology ; Epithelial Cells/*metabolism ; Fibroblasts/cytology ; Fibroblasts/*metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Gap Junctions ; Meridians ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Random Allocation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the influence of acupuncture on promoting rat blastocyst nidation with Cx43 expression at the acupoints silenced, and to relate Cx43 with acupuncture's effects. Methods Ma-ted female rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control, model, acupuncture, interference-control and interference. Mifepristone was used to induce a model of nidation disorder, and RNA interference technology was used to silence the expression of Cx43 at acupoints. P-Cx43-shRNA (1) was injected locally into the acu-points of rats in the interference group, and P-con-shRNA was injected in the interference-control group. Acu-puncture was administered to the acupuncture, interference-control and interference groups for 7 days. On the 8th day of pregnancy, the quality of blastocysts, pregnancy rates, and the average amount of blastocysts in each group were observed. Results ①The mRNA and protein level of Cx43 at the zusanli (ST36) acupoints in the interference group were significantly lower than in the acupuncture group ( P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the interference-control group and the acupuncture group. ② Compared with the normal control group, the quality of blastocysts in the model and interference groups was bad, and the amount was less. Their size was comparatively small, they were inhomogeneous, poorly distributed and had poor blood supply. The results improved in the acupuncture group and the interference-control group compared with the model group. ③The pregnancy rates in the normal control, model, acupuncture, interference-control and inter-ference groups were 100% , 50% , 75% , 75% , and 50% respectively, but these differences were not statisti-cally significant. ④The average amount of blastocysts in the model and interference groups was significantly less than in the normal group (P≤0.01). Compared with the acupuncture group, the average amount of blastocysts in the interference group was lower (P≤0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the quality and quan-tity of blastocysts in a rat model of nidation disorder. Local injection of Cx43 shRNA expression vector can si-lence the expression of Cx43 in acupoints and markedly influence acupuncture's effect. This demonstrated that Cx43 was involved in acupuncture's effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the interpersonal trust and coping modes in aged patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).MethodsA total of 246 aged patients with CHD at home and in hospital were tested on their interpersonal trust and reply modes by adopting the Interpersonal Trust Scale (ITS) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ).ResultsThe interpersonal trust level of patients with higher educational background was significantly higher than those with poor educational background ( P<0.05). The patient's interpersonal trust was significantly positive correlation to the confrontation coping mode ( r=0.388, P=0.000) and significantly negative correlation to the compromising coping mode ( r=-0.434, P=0.000), but was not significantly correlation to avoidance coping mode ( P>0.05).ConclusionThe interpersonal trust of aged patients with CHD can influence their choice of coping modes.

This study examined the effects of Bangdeyun on the expressions of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the endometrium of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction (EID) during the implantation time (namely on pregnancy day 5, 6, 7 and 8) and explored the local immune regulatory effects of Bangdeyun. The gestational mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and Bangdeyun-treated group. EID models of mice were established by using indomethacin. The endometrial expression of NF-kappaB was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. IFN-gamma and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that in the normal group, NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma were weakly expressed and IL-10 was strongly expressed in the endometrium during the whole implantation period. In the model group, the expressions of NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma were increased on pregnancy day 5, 6 and 7, and IL-10 expression decreased during the whole implantation time when compared with those in the normal group (P<0.01 for all). In the Bangdeyun-treated group, little amount of NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma was expressed and IL-10 expression was strong, much the way they were expressed in the normal group (P>0.05). The expressions of NF-kappaB and IFN-gamma were much lower in the Bangdeyun-treated group than those in the model group on pregnancy day 5, 6 and 7 (P<0.01 for all), while the expression of IL-10 was much higher than in the model group during the whole implantation time (P<0.01). It was suggested Bangderun may favor a shift from Th1- to Th2-type immune response, therefore inhibiting the maternal immune rejection, inducing the immune tolerance and improving the fetal implantation.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/*pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation, Delayed/*drug effects ; Embryo Implantation, Delayed/immunology ; Endometrium/*immunology ; Endometrium/metabolism ; Interferon-gamma/genetics ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism ; Interleukin-10/genetics ; Interleukin-10/metabolism ; NF-kappa B/genetics ; NF-kappa B/metabolism

To explore the role of connexin43 (Cx43) in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and propagated sensation along meridians, the expression of Cx43 in the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts was studied both in vitro and in vivo. With the in vitro study, the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts were cultured together, and the localization of Cx43 was detected by immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescent cytochemistry and under confocal microscopy . And the expression of Cx43 on the surface of the cells was examined by flow cytometry. With the in vivo examination, 20 SD rats were randomized into control group (n = 10) and electrical acupuncture group (EAgroup, n=10). EA ( 0.5-1.5 V, 4-16 Hz , 30 min) was applied to"Zusanli"acupoint for 30 min at rat's hind paw, the localization of Cx43 was immunohistochemically detected.The immunohistochemical staining and indirect immunfluorescent cytochemistry showed that Cx43was localized on the surface of the cells and in the cytoplasm. The relative expression level of Cx43on the cellular membrane surfaces of the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as determined by FACS, were 13.91 % and 29.53 % respectively. Our studied suggested that Cx43 might be involved in GJIC and propagated sensation along meridians.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of six-slice coronal reformations in patients with acute midepigastric pain. Methods A total of 974 patients with acute midepigastric pain were included in this study and divided into group A(coronal reformation)and group B(non-coronal reformation).For group A,reconstructed coronal and oblique-coronal images were acquired.A comprehensive diagnosis was made based on coronal reformations and axial planes.Anatomical nomenclature was adopted,including kidney-ureter plane,abdominal aorta plane,superior mesenteric artery plane,ascending colon-appendix plane,stomach-cholecyst plane and colon-small intestine plane.For group B,the diagnosis was made based on axial planes.Finally,a comprehensive analysis was made,missed cases in these two groups were counted and compared,and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software(version SPSS V17).Results For group A,the missed diagnosis was made in 12 cases(1.23%)and it was 53 cases(6.58%)for group B.There was a statistically significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Combined with axial planes or oblique coronal reformations,six-sclice coronal reformation can reduce the the rate of missed diagnosis of acute midepigastric pain.

<0.01). It was suggested Bangderun may favor a shift from Th1-to Th2-type immune response, therefore inhibiting the maternal immune rejection, inducing the immune tolerance and improving the fetal implantation.

Objective: To establish a simple method for isolation, purification and cultivation of primary retinal microvascular pericytes (RMPs) from mice. Methods: Retinas were isolated from mice following with mechanical morcel, enzymatic digestion and filtration.The retinal fragments were incubated with low glucose DMEM with 20% fetal bovine serum after 24 hours pre-incubation.Differential digestion was used for purification of primary RMPs.Morphological examination of cells was performed by phase contrast microscopy, and further characterization was analyzed by immunocytochemistry.Functional assay was evaluated by the pericytes-endothelial cells (ECs) co-culture system.The treatment and use of experimental animals followed the regulations on the administration of experimental animals promulgated by the state science and technology commission. Results: Cells migrated out of fragments after 24 hours of incubation, and developed into small or large colonies gradually.The cells and their subpassages presented typical pericyte morphology with large irregular triangular cell bodies and multiple long processes.No contact inhibition was observed.Most cells uniformly expressed the cellular markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), a few cells expressed the cellular markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but no cell expressed von Willebrand factor (vWF). The purity rate of RMPs was up to 97%.In the co-culture system, RMPs directly contacted with ECs to form the capillary-like cords in vitro. Conclusions A simple method for the isolation, purification cultivation of mouse RMPs is established, and active RMPs can be readily obtained by this method.

ObjectiveTo observe the lower limb muscle activation strategy of healthy middle-aged and old women during stair ascent and descent with surface electromyography. MethodsFrom August, 2021 to February, 2022, 20 healthy middle-aged and old women were measured the surface electromyography root mean square (RMS) and integrated electromyography (iEMG) of bilateral vastus lateral, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and semitendinosus during stair ascent and descent, and co-contraction ratio was calculated. ResultsDuring stair ascent, the RMS of bilateral vastus lateral, rectus femoris and vastus medialis was higher at starting stage than at following stage (|t| > 6.650, P < 0.001), while the RMS of biceps femoris and semitendinosus was lower (t > 3.559, P < 0.01); and the co-contraction ratio of hamstrings/quadriceps was lower at starting stage than at following stage (t > 8.185, P < 0.001). During stair descent, the RMS of bilateral vastus lateral, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and semitendinosus was higher at following stage than at starting stage (t > 2.345, P < 0.05), as well as the co-contraction ratio of hamstrings/quadriceps (t > 2.405, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe activities of the muscles around the knees are almost symmetrical during stair ascent and descent for healthy middle-aged and old women. The activation and co-contraction ratio of quadriceps and hamstring are various at starting/following stages.