OBJECTIVETo observe effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on carotid plaque in the patient of carotid atherosclerosis due to ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an acup-mox group and a drug group, 30 cases in each group. Plaque of carotid atherosclerosis and quality of the plaque were investigated by color B-ultrasonography and the thickness and area of the plaque were calculated.

RESULTSThe resolution rate of the plaque was 53.9% in the acup-mox group and 10.0% in the drug group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01), and with better effects on flat plaque and soft plaque. And the thickness and area of the plaque of corotid atherosclerosis were significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion can improve the plaque of corotid atherosclerosis, so as to alleviate and prevent from occurrence and development of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion

Objective To investigate the characteristics and diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in patients with secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions. Methods 18F-FDG PET/CT studies of 8 cases of secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions confirmed by histopathology or follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. The maximum standardized uptake value ( SUVmax ) of infiltrating peripheral nerves and contralateral normal peripheral nerves was measured and compared with their morphological appearances on CT. Paired student t-test was performed by SPSS 10.0. Results Twelve secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions with high 18F-FDG metabolism were found in 8 cases. On PET imaging,the lesions distributed along the neurovascular tissues or intervertebral foramina with appearances resembling those of fibre bundles,radices or nodes on PET but no density differences with the surrounding soft tissue or fat planes on CT. The SUVmax was 6.86 ± 3.87. The contralateral normal peripheral nerves showed no abnormal 18F-FDG uptake with a SUVmax of 1.10 ±0.46,which was significantly different from that of the secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions (t = 9.231,P ＜ 0.001 ). Conclusion 18 F-FDG PET/CT may be useful in locating the secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions and in assessing its regional infiltration.

OBJECTIVETo develop a cellular assay based on heat shock signal pathway and secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene for investigating/predicting the early toxicity of heavy metals on HeLa cells in Chinese traditional medicine (TCM).

METHODThe pHSE-SEAP plasmid was transfected into HeLa cells to build a HSE-SEAP-HeLa cell model. For validation of the model, the transfected cells were treated by either heating at 42 degrees C for 1 h or incubated with 5 mol x L(-1) CdCl2 for 4 h. Then the cells were covered in complete DMEM culture medium for 48 h and the activity of SEAP (reflecting the cellular level of heat shock protein) in cultural supernatants was measured; meanwhile, cell viability was determined by MTT assays. In addition, the cells were treated by four mercury compounds, HgCl2, merthilate sodium, HgS and cinnabar at the sub-lethal concentrations (determined by MTT assays). Then the heat shock response was detected likewise.

RESULTSignificant level of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) was found in pHSE-SEAP transfected HeLa cells treated either by heating (42 degrees C) or incubating with CdCl2. The heat shock protein was induced by CdCl2 before decrease of cell viability was observed. All four mercury compounds induced heat shock response in both time and concentration-dependant manner. However, there were big differences among the mercury compounds, suggesting potential differences for early-stage toxicity in vivo.

CONCLUSIONThe pHSE-SEAP transfected HeLa cells respond effectively to heat shock and metal stresses, and therefore provide a practical and repeatable assay for investigating/predicting the early toxicity of heavy metals and mineral-containing drugs in TCM.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Genes, Reporter ; HeLa Cells ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Mercuric Chloride ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Mercury Compounds ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Metals, Heavy ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Plasmids ; Response Elements ; genetics ; Time ; Transfection

Objective To construct a human tumor necrosis factor (hTNF-a) plasmid and identify it to optimize the fermentation conditions of hTNF-α protein so as to achieve high expression in Escherichia coli.Methods The gene of hTNF-a was cloned into pET24a vector to obtain the pET24a-hTNF-a expression plasmid that was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),and the expression conditions of BL21 (DE3) were optimized.Results The plasmid of pET24a-hTNF-α was successfully constructed and identified by PCR and digestion,which was consistent with the target fragment hTNF-α.The plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),the best induced expression conditions of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) were as follows:M9+LB medium,37℃,0.5 mmol/L IPTG,pH =7.5,and induction time was 5 h.The results showed that dry weight of the cells and the rate of TNF were increased by 2.56 times and 3.68 times,respectively,and the expression rate of hTNF-α was increased by 3.49 times from 9.38％ to 32.74％.Conclusion The optimal conditions for the expression of plasmid pET24a-hTNF-α in Escherichia coli were determined.

OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention timing of acupuncture in treatment of cerebral infarction and the relationship of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury with inflammatory cytokine receptor.

METHODSOne hundred and ten male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10), a sham operation group (n=10), a model group (n=10), an acupuncture at non-acupoint group (non-acupoint group, n=40), an acupuncture with regaining consciousness method group (regaining consciousness group, n=40). Four subgroups were set up 1 h ischemia reperfusion in 1 h group, 3 h group, 6 h group, 12 h group in the two acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each subgroup. Two acupuncture groups were treated with acupuncture at four time points (1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after ischemia reperfusion), and "Shuigou" (GV 26) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) were selected in regaining consciousness group, and the non-acupoints below the bilateral costal region were selected in non-acupoint group. At the corresponding time point, the tissues of the brain were removed and interleukin1 receptor (IL-1RI) and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR-I) mRNA and protein changes were detected by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot assay.

RESULTSThe expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in the model group were significantly higher than that in normal group, sham operation group, regaining consciousness group and non-acupoint group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in regaining consciousness group was weakest at 3 h after reperfusion followed successively by 6 h, 1 h, 12 h, and there was no significantly change of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein expression in non-acupoint group among different timing points, but which was decreased as compared with those in the model group at the same time point (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can reduce the expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion, inhibit the excessive expression of proinflammatory cytokine receptor, block apoptosis signal transduction and extend time window for treatment of cerebral ischemia, so as to play the protective effect for brain. Within 3 h of ischemia is the best time for intervention of acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of acupuncture on Chinese medicine syndromes of vascular dementia (VaD).

METHODSSixty-three VaD patients were divided into three groups. Those willing to be randomized were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture (random acupuncture group, 24 cases) or rehabilitation training (guided rehabilitation group, 24 cases) for 6 weeks. Those unwilling to be randomized also received acupuncture for 6 weeks (non-random acupuncture group, 19 cases). Patient syndromes and their severity were evaluated before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment, and at 4-week follow-up after the completion of treatment using a CM scoring system (scale of differentiation of syndromes of vascular dementia, SDSVD). The SDSVD scores of the random and non-random acupuncture groups, and of all patients who received acupuncture (combined acupuncture group, 43 cases), were compared with those in the guided rehabilitation group.

RESULTSIn the random, non-random, and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment and at follow-up than at baseline. In the guided rehabilitation group, SDSVD scores were similar to baseline scores at the end of treatment and at follow-up. However, there were no significant differences in SDSVD scores among the three groups or between the combined acupuncture group and the guided rehabilitation group at any time points. In the non-random and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment than at baseline in patients with hyperactivity of Liver (Gan)-yang or phlegm obstruction of the orifices.

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture reduced the severity of VaD. The improvement was the greatest in patients undergoing their treatment of choice. Treatments in this study were more effective for excess syndromes, such as Liver-yang hyperactivity or phlegm obstruction of the orifices than deficiency syndromes, such as Kidney (Shen)-essence deficiency.

Acupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To explore features and clinic values of LNR anatomy with multiple planar reconstruction techniques with 16-slice spiral CT at the same slice.Methods The lumbar vertebrae with normal adults of 55 cases and 23 cases with abnormal ENR caused by 8 cases with protrusion of lumbar disc, 5 cases with spinal stenosis,4 cases with malignant tumor,5 cases with trauma and 1 case with lumbar TB confirmed by operation were scanned with 16-slice spiral CT made in American GE company in routine posture of the lumbar vertebrae,reconstructed LNR with UNIX system in workstation (ADW 4.1),and analyzed their normal and abnormal anatomic manifestations at the same slice.Results All of LNR can symmetrically showed on oblique and coronal planes according to different segments:one segment from L1 to L5(55,100% ),two segments: from L1 to L2,L2 to L3 and L3 to L4(55,100% ),three segments: from L1 to L3 (49,88%),from L2to L4(46,84% )and from L3 to L5(20,36% ),four segments: from L1 to L4 (15,27% )and five segments:(8,15% ),respectively.Each LNR,including their whole shapes of passage from starting to end,direction,size,shape,tension and peripheral relationship and so on can showed clearly on oblique and coronal planes and on other planes. However,the later planes can increase LNR but decreasing numbers of LNR and especially increase very long one LNR reconstruction.Primary manifestation of all diseases can be showed on oppressing along its walking line,meanwhile,20 cases with adhesion, 14 cases with displacement,13 cases atrophy and 9 cases with increasing diameter.Conclusions Image anatomy features of full LNR with 16-slice spiral CT with the multiple plane reconstruction techniques is very ideal ways at the same slice.It is a very valuable way to make diagnosis and treatment of LNR diseases.The concept of"road sing"and showing"at the same slice"of LNR are tried to rise from in order to make foundation for studying their image.

BACKGROUNDNeuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common malignant solid tumors of childhood. It is still not clear whether the apoptosis of tumor cells or the non-tumor cells contributes to the increase of concentration of cytochrome c (Cyt c) in the serum of the cancer patients. The aim of this research was to identify the source of the Cyt c in the serum when the tumor grows up by subcutaneous inoculation of human NB cells into nude mice.

METHODSWe subcutaneously inoculated human NB cells (KP-N-NS) into nude mice and collected the sera of tumor-bearing mice (n = 14) and control mice (n = 25) 4 weeks later in order to screen for and identify differentially expressed proteins in the serum. Differentially expressed proteins in the serum were screened by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.

RESULTSThe relative intensity of a protein having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 11 609 was 3338.37 ± 3410.85 in the tumor group and 59.84 ± 40.74 in the control group, indicating that the expression level of this protein in the tumor group was 55.8 times higher than that in the control group. Serum proteins were separated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to produce peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs). Spectrum analysis and a database search revealed that the highly expressed protein (m/z = 11 605.4) from the serum of tumor-bearing mice was the mouse Cyt c.

CONCLUSIONSIncreased concentration of Cyt c in the serum of tumor-bearing nude mice might be partially attributed to the secretion of this protein by non-tumor cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cytochromes c ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neuroblastoma ; blood ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo study the incidence of cases with rash and fever illness (RFIs) after measles vaccine (MV) inoculation.

METHODSDuring 1999 to 2002, 150 RFIs cases reported by the special measles surveillance system in Shandong province, China, were investigated and analyzed epidemiologically.

RESULTS7 674 690 ml MV were distributed during 1999 to 2002 and the annual average incidence of RFIs cases after MV inoculation was 0.20/10 000 ml (0.2 ml per dose). There was significant difference of incidences each year (chi(2) = 10.13, P < 0.05). All RFIs cases were sporadically distributed without epidemiological links. Clinical symptoms showed that 88.67% of the 150 RFIs cases having > 38.5 degrees C fever and 75.33% of all cases appeared typical rash after 4 to 11 days (the medium was 8 days) after MV inoculation. The order of rash onset among RFIs cases was consistent with that of regular measles cases caused by wild virus. 68.67% of the RFIs cases had first MV inoculation and 94.71% were 8 to 12 month-olds. IgM sera antibody test from RFIs cases were rubella negative and 45.65% positive for measles.

CONCLUSIONRFIs due to allergic reaction or measles vaccine virus infection might occur after MV inoculation. There seemed to be a correlation between RFIs incidence and the doses of MV. Measles virus genotype analysis needs to be carried out to confirm if the onset of some RFIs cases is aetiologically associated to MV vaccine virus infection.

Exanthema ; etiology ; virology ; Fever ; etiology ; virology ; Humans ; Measles ; prevention & control ; Measles Vaccine ; adverse effects ; Measles virus ; immunology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vaccination

BACKGROUNDWilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is a cancer of the kidneys that occurs typically in children and rarely in adults. Early diagnosis is very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease. The aim of our study was to discover and identify potential non-invasive and convenient biomarkers for the diagnosis of Wilms' tumor.

METHODSNude mice were used to construct a Wilms' tumor model by injecting nephroblastoma cells into their bilateral abdomen. We collected 94 serum samples from mice consisting of 45 samples with Wilms' tumor and 49 controls. The serum proteomic profiles of the samples were analyzed via surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The candidate biomarkers were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and validated using ProteinChip immunoassays.

RESULTSWe finally retrieved two differential proteins (m/z 4509.2; 6207.9), which were identified as apolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin, respectively. The expression of apolipoprotein A-II was higher in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group (P < 0.01). By contrast, the expression of polyubiquitin was lower in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONApolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin may be used as potential biomarkers for nephroblastoma in children, and the analysis of apolipoprotein A-II may help diagnose and treat Wilms' tumor.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Polyubiquitin ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Wilms Tumor ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology