Objective　To evaluate the effect of Naogongfude (NGFD, a traditional Chinese medicine orally administrated) on learning and memory and the expressions of synaptophysin (SY) and Tau-protein in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in aged rats and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods　Rats were divided into normal and neural disturbance groups according to the outcomes of active avoidance reaction (AAR) test, and then each group was randomly divided into control and NGFD-treated experimental groups. Animals were orally fed with NGFD for 2 months (5 ml/d) in experimental group or routinely fed in control and taken AAR and passive avoidance reaction (PAR) tests. After the rats were sacrificed, the synaptosome count, the expression of SY and Tau-protein, and the neuron apoptosis in cerebrum were examined. Results　The rats after 2-month NGFD administration had an increased AAR acquisition, obviously delayed AAR extinction and prolonged step through latency (STL) of PAR. The number of synaptosomes was raised and the immunoreactive intensity of synaptophysin was increased remarkedly, while Tau-protein immunoreactivity and apoptotic cells were decreased in cerebrum. Conclusion　NGFD does have the effect of improving brain function and putting off the aging of rat brain according to the results of behavior study and morphological observation.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical function and lumbar and abdominal myodynamia in patiants of lumbar disc herniation treated with moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and acupuncture.

METHODSForty cases were randomized into a moxibustion group and an acupuncture group, 20 cases in each group. In the moxibustion group, the warm moxibustion was applied alternatively at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) once every other day, 1 h each time, once every day. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to the corresponding acupoints based on the affected lumbar vertebras, such as Jiaji (EX-B 2), Shens-hu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Huantiao (GB 30), etc. , once evey day 30 min each time. The treatment for 3 weeks was taken as one session in each group. Totally, one session treatment was required. Surface electromyography (SEMG) of bilateral paraspinal muscle and rectus muscle, and JOA score of low back pain were observed in the two groups.

RESULTS(1) JOA score: the score of subjective symptoms, score of activity of daily living (ADL) and total score were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The results of subjective symptoms score, score of ADL and total score in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the moxibustion group after treatment (6.95+/-0.94 vs 5.50 +/-0.89,10. 90+/-1.86 vs 8.90+/- 1. 92,22.50 +/- 2.82 vs 19.35 +/- 2. 70, all P<0. 05). (2) SEMG comparison: root-mean-square value (RMS) was all reduced in SEMG of the anteflexion, rear protraction, orthostatism, bilateral bending and neck and leg rear flexion for strengthening lumbar muscle as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P< 0.05, P<0. 01). RMS of the anteflexion and bilateral bending in the acupunture group were reduced much obviously as compared with the moxibustion group. In terms of sitting position anteflexion, rear protraction, orthostatism, bilateral bending and neck and leg rear flexion for strengthening lumbar muscle, median frequency (MF) after treatment was all improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). In terms of anteflexion, the electrode MF after treatment was improved much obviously in the acupuncture group(P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and conventional acupuncture all improve muscle function, relieve muscle fatigue, increase the ability of anti-muscle fatigue, strengthen lumbar vertebral stability, release subjective symptoms and improve ADL. But, the effects of moxibustion are slightly lower than those of acupuncture.

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

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of type 1 diabetes varied in different countries, different nations and different regions. This survey was conducted to clarify the incidence of type 1 diabetes of children in Beijing area between 1997 and 2000, to compare and analyze the difference in incidence of type 1 diabetes between the 2 periods of 1988 - 1996 and 1997 - 2000.

METHODAccording to the criteria of WHO Diabetes Mondial (DIAMOND), data were collected from all the children younger than 15 years of age in Beijing area who had the onset of type 1 diabetes during Jan. 1st, 1997 to Dec. 31st, 2000. Using the capture-recapture methods, 95% confidence intervals of incidence were calculated with Poisson's distribution formula. The significance of differences was tested with Chi-square method.

RESULTSThe incidences of type 1 diabetes during 1997 - 2000 were around 0.76/100 000 to 1.21/100 000. The average yearly incidence was 1.014/100 000 (95% confidence interval was 0.98/100 000 - 1.16/100 000). There was no significant difference in the incidence between 1988 - 1996 and 1997 - 2000, and it showed the same result when the incidences were adjusted by age according to the Chinese population census in 2000 (The incidence was 0.83/100 000 in 1988 - 1996 and 0.86/100 000 in 1997 - 2000, respectively). The incidence was higher in 10 - 14 year-old group than the younger groups (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between male and female groups, either.

CONCLUSIONSNo significant difference was found between the periods 1988 - 1996 and 1997 - 2000 when the average yearly incidence of type 1 diabetes of children in Beijing was compared. These results were different from the other countries' reports that the incidence of type 1 diabetes was increasing by 3% - 5% per annum. There was no significant difference between male and female groups either and there was a higher incidence of type 1 diabetes in 10 - 14 yr group than the other groups in 1997 - 2000. Although the life-style of Beijing people changed a lot, it didn't affect the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children in this area. But since many people migrated to Beijing from other parts of the country, the changes in constitutive proportions of population might have some impacts on the results of the survey.

Age Factors ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency and clinical phenotypes of 22q11.2 microdeletion in patients with non-syndromic tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

METHODSSix-eight non-syndromic TOF patients (38 males and 30 females, aged 0-11 years) were selected and evaluated by history, physical examination and review of medical records. After informed consent was obtained, peripheral blood was drawn for genomic DNA extraction. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion was screened by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Suspected cases were confirmed with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Data was analyzed with SPSS 11.5 software. Phenotype-genotype correlations were assessed using Fisher's exact test. P values less than 0.05 on a 2-sided test were considered to be significant.

RESULTSSix-eight non-syndromic TOF children were screened for a 22q11.2 deletion, among which 59 (86.8%) presented pulmonary stenosis (PS) and 9 (13.2%) presented pulmonary atresia (PA). Seven patients (10.3%) were found to have carried a deletion. Among these, four had TOF-PS, three had TOF-PA. The frequency of 22q11.2 deletion in patients with TOF-PA (3/9, 33.3%) is much higher than that of TOF-PS (4/59, 6.80%) (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION22q11.2 microdeletion is present in approximately 10.3% of patients with non-syndromic TOF. The deletion tends to have a higher prevalence in patients with TOF-PA. 22q11.2 deletion should be screened in non-syndromic TOF children and genetic counselling may be provided.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Phenotype ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; diagnosis ; genetics

BACKGROUND: With the continuous development of finite element method in biomechanics of orthopedics, the study of spine-related diseases by finite element method has become the main research direction nowadays. Especially, the stress analysis of internal fixation of the spine, the mechanical effect of different internal fixation and the development of new internal fixation are the current hot spot. Spondylolysis is a common disease of the spine. Especially when anatomical bone defects occur, the pathological model and biomechanics of the spine after surgery have corresponding mechanical changes. OBJECTIVE: To review the method of establishing spondylolysis models, the verification of the models and the pplication of finite element models of spondylolysis in various fields, and to summarize the application prospect and value of finite element modeling in lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS: The first author used computer to search the PubMed database and China Journal Full-text Database from January 1998 to December 2016 for related articles. Key words were "finite element, lumbar spine, isthmus, model". A total of 123 related articles were retrieved and 53 articles met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) At present, finite element analysis of spondylolysis can well reflect the mechanical condition of internal bone. The finite element model of spondylolysis can be used to evaluate the structure and shape of lumbar spine (such as the defect isthmus), the material properties of different anatomical sites (lamina terminalis, cancellated bone and cortical bone) as well as the load of the spine under different exercise states. In particular, stress analysis of the internal structure of the vertebral body and the ancillary structures of the spine (such as disc and articular process) has obvious advantages. (2) In addition, the reconstruction data of the finite element model are derived from the original CT of the patient,and the simulation is high.Compared with the in vitro experiments,the finite element simulation of spondylolysis is reliable and can reduce the damage to the experimental subjects caused by external forces and radiation, and can effectively avoid medical ethics problem.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in transcatheter closure of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) combined with secoundum-type atrial septal defect (ASD). METHODS: Fourteen patients (3 males and 11 females) who had ASA combined with secoundum-type ASD were diagnosed by TTE or transesophageal echocardiography. The ASA projected to the right atrium in all patients. The width of basilar part was 13 approximately 24 (18.5+/-3.9) mm, and the vertical extent was 7 approximately 11(9.7+/-1.8) mm. Ten patients combined with single hole ASD and 4 patients with multiple hole ASD. Blood shifting from the left atrium to the right atrium was displayed in color Doppler in all patients. All patients were treated by transcatheter closure under the guiding of X fluoroscopy and TTE, and examined with TTE during the follow-up. RESULTS: Transcatheter closure was successfully performed by 14 occluders in all patients. No residual shunt was detected immediately by TTE after the procedure in all patients. During the 6 approximately 12 month follow-up, no residual shunt or occluder shifting was found, the dimensions of the heart became normal in 11 patients (79%) and were significantly decreased in 4. CONCLUSION Transcatheter closure is feasible in patients with ASA combined with secoundum-type ASD, and extra attention must be paid to the specialty. TTE is very important in case selection before transcatheter closure, and it may be used to monitor and guide the procedure during transcatheter closure.
Adult ; Atrial Septum ; Balloon Occlusion ; methods ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Aneurysm ; complications ; therapy ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; complications ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Young Adult

Objective:The purpose of this article was to observe the effect of modified Shengjiangsan on podocyte apoptosis in membranous nephropathy （MN） rats， to explore the molecular mechanism of its treatment of MN and to provide experimental basis for its clinical application. Method:The MN rat model was established by injection of cationic bovine serum albumin into the tail vein of rats. The successfully modeled rats were then randomly divided into model group （equal volume of normal saline）， modified Shengjiangsan group （27.3 g·kg^-1） and benazepril group （10 mg·kg^-1）， with corresponding drug dosage once a day for 4 weeks of continuous intervention. After drug administration， the 24-hour urine protein （UTP） was detected. Real time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and immunohistochemical （IHC） methods were used to detect Podocalyxin， Nephrin， Podocin， Synaptopodin mRNA and protein expression levels in rat kidney tissue. terninal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase medsated nick and labeling （TUNEL） method was used to detect cell apoptosis rate in rat kidney tissue， and Western blot was used to detect Notch1， Hes1， B lymphoblastoma-2 （Bcl-2） associated X protein （Bax）， and Bcl-2 protein expression levels in rat kidney tissue. Result:Compared with the normal group， UTP in the model group increased significantly， renal tissue cell apoptosis increased significantly， podocyte marker proteins podocalyxin， Nephrin， Podocin， Synaptopodin mRNA and protein expression levels decreased significantly， and Notch1， Hes1， Bax protein expression increased significantly， and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly reduced（P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， UTP levels in MN rats were significantly reduced in modified Shengjiangsan and benazepril groups， with reduced rate of renal cell apoptosis， increased mRNA and protein expression levels of podocalyxin， Nephrin， Podocin， and Synaptopodin in renal tissue， decreased Notch1， Hes1， Bax protein expression， and increased Bcl-2 protein expression（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Modified Shengjiangsan can inhibit the Notch signaling pathway， reduce the apoptosis of rat kidney tissue podocytes， and reduce the kidney injury of MN rats.

Objective:To explore the intervention effect of modified Shengjiangsan in rats with membranous nephropathy (MN) and its related mechanism. Method:Rats were injected with cationized bovine serum Albumin (C-BSA) in the tail vein to establish a rat model of membranous nephropathy. The normal group, model group, modified Shengjiangsan group (27.3 g·kg^-1) and benazepril group (10 mg·kg^-1) were established in this study. Each group was given corresponding dosage of the drug once a day for 4 weeks of continuous intervention. After the administration, the levels of 24-hour urine protein (UTP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), total protein (TP), Albumin (Alb), creatinine (SCr), urea nitrogen (BUN) level was detected. we observed the pathological changes of rat kidneys by the technology of Masson staining, silver hexylamine iodate (PASM) staining and transmission electron microscopy. immunofluorescence technology was used to detect immunoglobulin （Ig）G deposition in rat kidneys. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key proteins in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/proline protein kinase B/rapamycin target protein (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway and autophagy marker proteins LC3 and Beclin1. Result:Compared with normal group, the UTP, serum TC and TG levels were significantly increased, TP and Alb levels were significantly reduced in model group(P<0.05). We detected the kidney pathological changes include of glomerulus enlargement, basement membrane thickening,vacuolar degeneration, pheotropin deposition, glomerular capillary loop IgG diffuse deposition, electron dense deposits of varying sizes and podocytes under the epithelium extensive integration of foot processes， the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR protein was significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of autophagy marker proteins LC3 and Beclin1 protein decreased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with model group, the UTP, serum TC and TG levels were decreased in the benazepril group and modified Shengjiangsan group, and the TP and Alb levels were increased (P<0.05)， the histopathological changes of rat kidney were all reduced， the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR protein was significantly reduced(P<0.05)， autophagy marker proteins LC3 and Beclin1 protein expression were significantly increased. Conclusion:Modified Shengjiangsan can reduce urinary protein, reduce kidney pathological damage and delay disease progression, which is related to its inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and activation of renal autophagy.