Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Publishing ; standards ; Quality Control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; standards

To study the toxicokinetics of bakuchiol, hepatic and renal toxicity in rats after single oral administration of Psoraleae Fructus and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, in order to provide scientific evidences for clinical safe medication use. A total of 35 SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups: vehicle (distilled water) control group, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, positive control (aristolochic acid A) group, Psoraleae Fructus (40 g x kg(-1)) group( both male and female rats), Psoraleae Fructus and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (40 +20) g x kg(-1) group (both male and female rats). HPLC-UV method was used to determine the concentration of bakuchiol in rat plasma at different time points after single oral administration. Plasma alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma creatinine (Cr), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and kidney injury molecule 1 (Kim-1) were measured after administration for 24 h. The main toxicokinetics parameters of bakuchiol in rats exert significantly gender difference. When Psoraleae Fructus combination with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the total area under the plasma concentration-time curve( AUC), C(max), and plasma clearance (CL) of bakuchiol were increased, respectively; CL, half-life (t½) were decreased, and T(max) were prolonged. The biochemical indicators (including ALT, AST, BUN, Cr and KIM-1 level) in different dose of Psoraleae Fructus groups, were found no statistically significant difference when compared with vehicle control group. The level of NAG in both Psoraleae Fructus and compatibility with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma groups were significant increased (P < 0.05). There are obvious effects on toxicokinetics of bakuchiol in rats when Psoraleae Fructus combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Renal toxicity induced by Psoraleae Fructus at high dose was observed after single oral administration and no liver damage in rats was found.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Female ; Glycyrrhiza ; toxicity ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Phenols ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Psoralea ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; toxicity ; Toxicokinetics

OBJECTIVETo observe whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) reduces endotoxin-induced hepatic injury in rats and to explore the mechanism.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, a endotoxin group, an EA group, a normal group and a non-acupoint group. Hepatic injury rat model was prepared by injection of endotoxin (5 mg/kg) into the caudal vein, the normal group received the injection of the equal amount of saline; for the EA group, EA (2-100 Hz, 2 mA, 1.5 h) was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) half an hour after modeling, and for the non-acupoint group, acupuncture was given at the point 5 mm lateral to and 5 mm below "Zusanli" (ST 36), and other treatments were as same as those in the EA group.

RESULTSInjection of endotoxin into the caudal vein could significantly increase TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity (P<0.01), which were decreased by EA (P<0.01) and were not significantly changed in the non-acupoint group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal increases of TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity induced by endotoxin can be decreased by EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36), protecting the organ, and the mechanism is possibly related with the decrease of TNF-alpha content in the liver.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Endotoxins ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

BACKGROUNDThe level of c-Myc is closely associated with high pathological grade and the poor prognosis of gliomas. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important angiogenic factor that potently stimulates the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells. This study aimed to address the biological importance of c-Myc in the development of gliomas, we downregulated the expression of c-Myc in the human glioblastoma cell line IN500 and studied the in vitro effect on cellular growth, proliferation, and apoptosis and the expression of VEGF and the in vivo effect on tumor formation in a xenograft mouse model.

METHODSIN500Δ cells were stably transfected with shRNA-expressing plasmids for either c-Myc (pCMYC-shRNA) or as a control (pCtrl-shRNA). Following establishment of stable cells, the mRNA expressions of c-Myc and VEGF were examined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, and c-Myc and VEGF proteins by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Cell-cycle progression and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. The in vivo effect of targeting c-Myc was determined by subcutaneous injection of stable cells into immunodeficient nude mice.

RESULTSThe stable transfection of pCMYC-shRNA successfully knocked down the steady-state mRNA and protein levels of c-Myc in IN500, which positively correlated with the downregulation of VEGF. Downregulating c-Myc in vitro also led to G1-S arrest and enhanced apoptosis. In vivo, targeting c-Myc reduced xenograft tumor formation and resulted in significantly smaller tumors.

CONCLUSIONSc-Myc has multiple functions in glioblastoma development that include regulating cell-cycle, apoptosis, and VEGF expression. Targeting c-Myc expression may be a promising therapy for malignant glioma.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Cycle ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective:To explore that if the weak central coherence cognitive characteristic exist in metaphor semantic integration and how does it change through the familiarity of metaphor in the adults with high functioning autism (HFA).Methods:Totally 20 adults with HFA from a service institution of autistic disorder and their 20 typically developing (TD) peers from ordinary schools were recruited into present study who were matched on intelligence quotient (IQ).Priming task was used in present study,in which were set two groups of metaphor sentences (novel-metaphor sentences,conventional-metaphor sentences) as priming sentences and four groups of word (metaphor-relationship-explaining word,vehicle-relevance word,irrelevant word,pseudo words) as target words.A recognition task was used to support the results of priming task.Results:HFA adults showed the highest processing efficiency of vehicle-relevance word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor priming conditions,the reaction time were (960.7 ±9.7) ms and (747.5 ± 12.8) ms,and the accuracies were 94.8％ and 98.4％.TD adults showed the highest processing efficiency of metaphor-relationship-explaining word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor priming conditions,the reaction time were (817.4 ± 9.0) ms and (619.5 ± 9.9) ms,and the accuracies were 93.3％ and 98.2％.In recognition tasks,HFA adults showed the highest recognition efficiency of vehicle-relevance word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor conditions,the reaction time were (732.2 ±11.9) ms and (788.8 ± 11.7) ms,and the accuracies were 78.9％ and 81.8％.TD adults showed the highest recognition efficiency of metaphor-relationship-explaining word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor conditions,the reaction time were (694.0 ± 10.8) ms and 696.1 ± 11.2)ms,and the accuracies were 76.7％ and 84.2％.Conclusion:It suggests that HFA adults have weak central coherence cognitive processing characteristic on the deep semantic processing level such as metaphor,and this kind of characteristic would get more obvious from conventional-metaphor to novel-metaphor.

OBJECTIVETo compare the accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography and coronary angiography in the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODSThe imaging data of both 64-slice computed tomography and coronary angiography in 65 patients were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAmong the 455 coronary arteries evaluated, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography were 54.6%, 95.1%, and 85.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION64-slice computed tomography has a good potential in the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis with excellent sensitivity and specificity.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Background The level of c-Myc is closely associated with high pathological grade and the poor prognosis of gliomas.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important angiogenic factor that potently stimulates the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells.This study aimed to address the biological importance of c-Myc in the development of gliomas,we downregulated the expression of c-Myc in the human glioblastoma cell line IN500 and studied the in vitro effect on cellular growth,proliferation,and apoptosis and the expression of VEGF and the in vivo effect on tumor formation in a xenograft mouse model.Methods IN500△ cells were stably transfected with shRNA-expressing plasmids for either c-Myc (pCMYC-shRNA) or as a control (pCtrl-shRNA).Following establishment of stable cells,the mRNA expressions of c-Myc and VEGF were examined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR,and c-Myc and VEGF proteins by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Cell-cycle progression and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry.The in vivo effect of targeting c-Myc was determined by subcutaneous injection of stable cells into immunodeficient nude mice.Results The stable transfection of pCMYC-shRNA successfully knocked down the steady-state mRNA and protein levels of c-Myc in IN500,which positively correlated with the downregulation of VEGF.Downregulating c-Myc in vitro also led to G1-S arrest and enhanced apoptosis.In vivo,targeting c-Myc reduced xenograft tumor formation and resulted in significantly smaller tumors.Conclusions c-Myc has multiple functions in glioblastoma development that include regulating cell-cycle,apoptosis,and VEGF expression.Targeting c-Myc expression may be a promising therapy for malignant glioma.

BACKGROUNDVarious surgical approaches have been successfully used in the treatment of thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH). Although the anterior transthoracic approach has a reputation for better visualization than the posterolateral and lateral approaches, it involves the manipulation of the thoracic and pulmonary structures. Thus, this approach is technically demanding and prone to compromising the respiratory system. An ideal approach would involve adequate visualization and be accomplished through the posterior midline approach that is familiar to spine surgeons. The objective of this retrospective preliminary clinical study was to introduce a new surgical procedure, circumspinal decompression through a single posterior incision, for the treatment of TLDH (T10/11-L1/2) and to evaluate the surgical outcome of this procedure by comparing it to the conventional anterior transthoracic approach.

METHODSIn this study, 15 patients (10 males, 5 females; mean age 51 years) with symptomatic TLDH underwent the circumspinal decompression through a single posterior incision procedure between January 2008 and December 2009. Altogether, 17 herniated discs were excised, with 2 discs at T10/11, 4 discs at T11/12, 5 discs at T12/L1 and 6 discs at L1/2. Of these patients, 13 were followed up with a mean follow-up period of 23.5 months. Clinical outcomes, including operative time, blood loss, perioperative complications, postoperative time of hospitalization, neurologic status improvement, back pain and correction of local kyphosis, were investigated by comparing these data with the results from patients who underwent the anterior transthoracic approach for TLDH during the same period. The patients' neurologic status was evaluated by a modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system of 11 points. Neurologic status improvement after the surgery was assessed by calculating the recovery rate, which was equal to the (postoperative JOA score-preoperative JOA score)/(11-preoperative JOA score)×100%. The rates of patients who improved at the final follow-up were also assessed.

RESULTSThe mean operative time was 183 minutes, the mean blood loss was 1067 ml, and the mean postoperative hospitalization time was 8.4 days. Three patients suffered perioperative complications, but none of these complications involved the respiratory system. Local kyphotic angles at the fusion levels were reduced. Of the 13 patients that were followed up, 12 improved at the final follow-up, with a mean recovery rate of 52.8%. Patients who underwent the circumspinal decompression procedure showed a higher percentage of improvement at the final follow-up, a higher degree of local kyphosis correction and a lower percentage of complications (especially respiratory complications) compared to patients who underwent the anterior transthoracic decompression procedure.

CONCLUSIONSThe circumspinal decompression through a single posterior incision procedure is an effective and safe technique that is comparable to anterior tranthoracic approach for the surgical treatment of TLDH patients. It could be an attractive choice in certain circumstances.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDDislocation of the sternoclavicular joint is rare. However, posterior dislocation compressing important structures in the mediastinum may be fatal. Early diagnosis and prompt therapy of sternoclavicular joint dislocation are important. Computed tomography (CT) is an optimal means to investigate sternoclavicular joint anatomy; however, there are few reports on the imageological anatomical features of the sternoclavicular joint. The study investigated imageological anatomical features, and a new plate was devised according to these data to treat sternoclavicular joint dislocation.

METHODSFifty-three healthy Chinese volunteers examined with chest CT were included in the study. The coronal, sagittal, and axial images of the sternoclavicular region were reconstructed. The sternal head diameter in the inferolateral-to-superomedial direction, length of the clavicular notch, and angle between the clavicular notch and sternum were measured on coronal images. The angle between the presternum and trunk was measured on sagittal images. The following dimensions were measured on axial images: anteroposterior dimensions of the sternal head, clavicular notch, and presternum; width of the sternoclavicular joint; distance between bilateral clavicles; and minimal distance from the presternum to the underlying structures in the thoracic cavity. A new plate was designed according to the above data and was used to repair six sternoclavicular joint dislocations. All cases were followed up with a range of 9 to 12 months.

RESULTSThe proximal clavicle is higher than the presternum in a horizontal position. On axial images, the anteroposterior dimension of the sternal head was longer than the presternum, and the center region of the presternum was thinner than the edges. The left sternoclavicular joint space was (0.82 ± 0.21) cm, and the right was (0.87 ± 0.22) cm. Among the structures behind the sternum, the left bilateral innominate vein ran nearest to the presternum. The distance from the anterior cortex of the sterna to the left bilateral innominate vein was (2.38 ± 0.61) cm. The dislocated joints were reduced anatomically and fixed with the new plate. All cases obtained satisfactory outcomes in follow-up visits.

CONCLUSIONSNormal sternoclavicular joint parameters were measured on CT images, which can facilitate treatment of sternoclavicular joint dislocation or subluxation. This newly designed plate can be used to treat sternoclavicular joint dislocation effectively and safely.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sternoclavicular Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the role of OpenBCI module in the electroencephalographic (EEG) detection of epileptic discharge.Methods C57BL/6J mice aged 8-12 weeks were divided into two groups:the sham-operated group and kainic acid-induced epileptic group. Spontaneous seizures were monitored continuously for 3 weeks either by EEG or by OpenBCI.Results Up to 8 mice could be simultaneously monitored by OpenBCI. Meanwhile,the module accurately recorded the resting discharge,EEG spikes,and seizures.Conclusion Compared with the conventional brain function monitoring system,the OpenBCI module has lower cost and data occupancy and thus may be applied in clinical settings.
Animals ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Kainic Acid ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Seizures