Trigger point theory as the soul of western acupuncture is very similar to acupoint theory of traditional acupuncture and moxibustion science. After comparison, it is found that over 92% of trigger points (235/255) is corresponding to acupoints in anatomy, and the local pain treated by 79.5% acupoints are similar to corresponding myofascial trigger point. Both of them can induce similar linear propagation of needling response, with complete uniform or basically complete uniform of 76%, and a part uniform of 14%; next, both of them can treat symptoms of internal organs such as diarrhea, constipation, dysmenorrhea, etc. Therefore, they are very similar in anatomic location, clinical indications, and the linear propagation of needling response induced by acupuncture, etc.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Cistanche deserticola (C. deserticola) has a protective effect on the liver, but its active fraction and mechanism are not clear. In order to identify the effective fraction of C. deserticola Y. C. Ma, an acute alcoholic liver injury model in mice was established with 56-proof Erguotou and different fractional extracts of C. deserticola Y. C. Ma (total glycosides, polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides) were administered. After 14 days of oral administration, liver pathology and lipid deposition were measured and the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf-2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1), and plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein-1 (PV1) were measured by immunofluorescence. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), endotoxin (ET), diamine oxidase (DAO), and D-lactic acid (D-LA) in serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver were measured by ELISA. All animal experiments were carried out with approval of the Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Peking University Health Science Center. The results show that the total glycosides of C. deserticola Y. C. Ma (400 mg·kg^-1) could decrease liver pathology, decrease serum endotoxin, diamine oxidase, and D-lactic acid, and reduce hepatic lipid deposition. Total glycosides also promoted Nrf-2 transfer into the nucleus and decreased the expression of Keap-1 and PV1. In summary, the total glycosides of C. deserticola Y. C. Ma had a protective effect in acute alcoholic liver injury and the mechanism may be related to the activation of the Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway, improvement of intestinal wall integrity, and inhibition of the transport of harmful substances into the liver.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A(CIP2A) in human colorectal cancer, and to examine the association of CIP2A expression with clinicopathology and prognosis.

METHODSCIP2A expression in colorectal cancer tissue microarray of 92 cases was detected by immunohistochemistry method.

RESULTSUp-regulated CIP2A expression was closely related with TNM staging, histological type, peritoneal seeding and liver metastasis (all P<0.05), but not related with gender, age, tumor location, CEA, family history and grade of differentiation. Overall survival rates of 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year in high CIP2A expression group were 97.1%, 71.4%, 59.2%, and 44.4% respectively, significantly lower than 98.2%, 85.7%, 80.3%, and 74.9% in low CIP2A expression group(P=0.021). Multivariate analysis showed that CIP2A was not an independent factor associated with prognosis(P=0.099, HR=1.982, 95%CI:0.879 to 4.469).

CONCLUSIONSUp-regulated CIP2A expression is closely related to clinicopathology of colorectal cancer. CIP2A may be used as a potential predictive marker of metastasis, prognosis and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.

Autoantigens ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; Membrane Proteins ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Protein Phosphatase 2 ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Array Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of utilizing self-designed score system for lower lumbar vertebral burst fractures to select surgical approach.

METHODSFrom January 2006 to December 2011, the clinical data of 56 patients with lower lumbar vertebra burst fractures who underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed. There were 42 males and 14 females with an average age of 43.1 years old (ranged, 19 to 65). Causes of injury included falling down (40 cases), traffic accidents (12 cases), and crashing injury by heavy objects(4 cases). Injury site was L3 in 37 cases, L4 in 16 cases, and L5 in 3 cases. According to the AO classification, 17 cases were type A3.1, 14 cases were type A3.2, 25 cases were type A3.3. According to Frankel grade of nerous function, 2 cases were grade B, 5 cases were grade C, 9 cases were grade D and 40 cases were grade E. Surgical methods and approaches were chosen based on the comprehensive evaluation of AO classification, condition of posterior column injury and spinal canal encroachment. Surgical methods and approaches included trans-vertebra fixation (15 cases), intra-vertebra pedicle screw fixation (21 cases), combination of anterior and posterior approaches (11 cases), one-stage posterior approaches (9 cases). Cobb angles, restorations of the affected vertebral anterior border height, and conditions of spinal canal encroachment were compared before and after surgery. Conditions of bone graft fusion and internal fixation (if bending, loosening or breakage existed) were observed. Spinal cord functions were assessed according to Frankel grade. Localized pain and working status of patients were also assessed at the last follow-up.

RESULTSNo incision infection was found and no spinal nerve symptoms improved in all of 56 patients. All patients were followed up for 12 to 60 months with a mean of 28.5 months, without internal fixation loosening or breakage. There was significant differences in Cobb angle, vertebral anterior border height and recovery of spinal canal encroachment between preoperative and postoperative instantly (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference between postoperative instantly and final follow-up (P > 0.05). Thirteen cases obtained fusion by trans-vertebra fixation, 20 cases obtained fusion by intra-vertebra fixation, and 20 cases were treated by the combination of anterior and posterior approaches or one-stage posterior approaches all of patients obtained fusion. Spinal nervous function recovered I to II grade, 1 case was grade C, 3 cases were grade D, 52 cases were grade E. Localized pain was assessed as P1 in 52 cases, P2 in 3 cases, and P3 in 1 case. Working status was classified into W1 in 12 cases, W2 in 39 cases, and W3 in 5 cases.

CONCLUSIONThe lower lumbar vertebra and thoracolumbar junction exhibit different injury characteristics due to variations in anatomy and biomechanics. A comprehensive score of the AO classification, posterior column injury and degree of spinal canal encroachment will guide the selection of surgical method and approach for the treatment of lower lumbar vertebra burst fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

Growth year is one of the important factors for the quality of Polygala tenufolia. In this study, primary metabolites and secondary metabolites were compared in 1, 2 and 3 years old P. tenufolia cultivated in Shaanxi Heyang. The samples were subjected to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, and the obtained data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and other statistical analysis methods. In addition, content and correlation of different metabolites were also calculated. The results showed no significance between main component contents in 2 year-old and 3 year-old P. Tenufolia, but 1 year-old was statistically different. The contents of primary metabolites, such as fructose, sucrose, and choline increased as time goes on, while glycine and raffinose decreased. The contents of secondary metabolites, such as onjisaponin Fg, polygalasaponin XXVIII, polygalasaponin XXXII increased, while polygalaxanthone III and parts of oligosaccharide multi-ester including tenuifoliose A, tenuifoliose C, tenuifoliose C2 and tenuifoliose H decreased with the extension of the growth years. Growth years has important impact on the quality of P. tenuifolia and the existing growing years of commodity P. tenuifolia have its scientific evidence. This study supplied a new method for the quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal materials.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolomics ; Oligosaccharides ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygala ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and localization of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) in macrophages after stimulation by silicon dioxide in vivo and in vitro and to discuss the role of Egr-1 in the development of silicosis.

METHODSThe expression of Egr-1 in animal model of silicosis was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry. Western-blot, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR analysis were used to detect the expression and localization of Egr-1 protein and the dynamic changes of Egr-1 mRNA in cultured macrophages RAW264.7, after stimulation by silicon dioxide.

RESULTSIn animal model with induced silicosis, there was an increased expression of Egr-1 in pulmonary macrophages. The expression levels peaked at the 14th day. In vitro, the transcription of Egr-1 increased in RAW264.7 macrophages during 15 to 240 minutes after the administration of silicon dioxide. The response peaked at 15 minutes and diminished to a minimal level at 480 minutes. Nuclear translocation was most apparent at 60 minutes, lasted till 120 minutes and diminished gradually. During the period from 60 to 120 minutes, the expression of Egr-1 protein also reached a peak.

CONCLUSIONSSilicon dioxide can activate the nuclear transcription factor Egr-1 in vivo and in vitro in macrophages. Egr-1 may thus play an important pathogenetic role in the development of silicosis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To work out the suitable iodine content in iodized salt among general population in Enshi Autonomous prefecture,Hubei province by determination of the iodine content in salt.Methods The method of direct titration was used to determine the iodine content in salt samples collected from residents in natural villages sampled from four directions of east,west,south and north in each township which was sampled from five directions of east,west,south,north and center in each city(county) in Enshi Autonomous prefecture,and salt samples were collected in Hubei Salt Industry Group Co.,Limited.Enshi Branch in 2011.The method of three-days weighing was used to estimate the resident's daily per capita intake of iodized salt.The appropriate iodine content for general population in salt was worked out according to the iodine content in salt from households and enterprises in Enshi Autonomous prefecture,the amount of iodine loss in iodized salt,the amount of per capita daily intake of iodized salt and the national iodine nutrition monitoring results.Results The median of iodine content in salt from residents and the production enterprises in 2011 was 33.5 mg/kg and 34.7 mg/kg,respectively.The residents' per capita salt intake was 10.9 g,actual intake of iodine wss 335.0 μg/d.Iodine content in iodized salt was 20 mg/kg ±30％ for the general population,actual intake of iodine was 149.4-250.4 μg/d.Conclusions The residents iodine intake is higher in Enshi Autonomous prefecture.Considering the comprehensive factors,including food iodine,water iodine,and iodine cooking loss,that affect the intake of salt iodine,the appropriate iodine content in iodized salt is 20 mg/kg ± 30％ for the general population.

Objectives: To analyze the role of pharmaeconomics during drug list formulation procedure and the enlightenment to China. Methods: Using literature review and comparative analysis method, it compared the drug list formulation procedure of WHO, Australia, UK, Tailand and the role of pharmaeconomics. Results: Using pharmaeconomics method was common in international experience. The methodology of pharmaeconomics was also well developed. Conclusions: To improve China drug selection procedure, China should enhance government policy invest in pharmaeconomics usage and support the research, break down the grey benefit relation between medicine and medical.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of AP-1 in the secretion of Type I collagen in TGF-beta1-stimulated human lung fibroblasts. METHODS: Human lung fibroblasts cell line (HLF-02) was cultured, and then stimulated with 10 microg/L TGF-beta1 at different time points. Curcumin was added into the culture medium to inhibit the AP-1 activity before incubating with TGF-beta1. AP-1 DNA binding activity was assayed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and the expression of Type I collagen was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 could induce the transcription and secretion of Type I collagen in HLF-02 cells(P<0.05). TGF-beta1 could upregulate the AP-1 DNA binding activity ( P<0.05). Curcumin ( 5, 10, 15, and 20 micromol/L) could inhibit the AP-1 DNA binding activity in TGF-beta1-stimulated cells (the inhibition ratio was 17.1%, 17.6%, 24.2%, and 31.3%; P<0.05). Curcumin (5, 10, 15, and 20 micromol/L) could also inhibit the secretion of Type I collagen significantly (the inhibition ratio was 62.1%, 58.8%, 62.1%, and 59.6%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION AP-1 is responsible for the secretion of TGF-beta1-induced Type I collagen in human lung fibroblasts.
Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

The primers and probes for the Real-time RT-PCR were designed based on the multiple sequence (swine and humans HEV strains) alignments of the ORF3 region of genotype 4 HEV. A rapid, sensitive and stable TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR assay was established, and its specificity and sensitivity were assessed, and comparison of the Real-time RT-PCR with conventional and nested RT-PCR was performed. The results found that the crossing points showed linearly proportional to the logarithm of the input copy number. The correlation coefficient (R2) and the slope value of the standard curves with plasmid DNA were 0.994 and -3.312, respectively. The efficiency (E) of the PCR was 100%. Coefficients of variation values of the different diluted plasmid DNA were low in the same or different repeated experimental group. In addition, the assay was able to correctly detect genotype 4 HEV RNA from swine fecal samples. The sensitivity of established assay was 100-fold higher than that of conventional RT-PCR and 10-fold higher than nested RT-PCR.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Disease Reservoirs ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Fluorescence ; Genotype ; Hepatitis E ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Swine ; virology