OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Guilingji Capsule (GC) on the fertility, liver functions, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of adult male SD rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone.

METHODSTotally 18 adult male SD rats and 36 adult female rats in child-bearing period were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to weight equilibrium principle, i.e., the normal group, the radiated group, and the GC group, 6 males and 12 females in each group. Male rats in the normal group and all female rats were not radiated. Male rats in the radiated group and the GC group received radiation for 4 h per day, lasting for 18 successive days. Rats in the GC group received GC suspension at the daily dose of 0. 15 g/kg by gastrogavage at the same time. Equal volume of normal saline was administrated to other male rats. Then male rats were mated with corresponding female rats from the 14th radiation night to the 18th radiation night in the ratio of 1:2. Male rats were killed following on the next morning of ending the radiation. Female rats were normally fed and then killed before delivery. The pregnant outcomes of female rats in responding groups (the rates of pregnancy and the number of death fetus, birth weight, body length, and tail length) were observed and compared. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), AST/ALT, and LDH levels of the male rats were detected by colorimetry. Histological and morphological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the pregnancy rates of female rats decreased and the number of death fetus increased, the serum LDH level obviously increased in the radiated group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT were no significantly changed in the radiated group. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration appeared. Compared with the radiated group, the pregnancy rates increased, the number of death fetus dropped, and the serum level of LDH decreased in the GC group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in serum levels of ALT, AST, or AST/ALT. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration were significantly attenuated. The histomorphological structures recovered to normal basically in the GC group.

CONCLUSIONSThe pregnancy rates could be decreased, the number of death fetus increased, histomorphological structures abnormal, and serum LDH level increased by exposure toy GSM 900 MHz cell phone. GC could prevent and treat the aforesaid lesion. But there was no statistical difference in serum ALT or AST levels.

Animals ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Radiation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the cause and pathogenesis of migraine based on TCM theory and modern researches to seek for new thinking and effective drugs in treating migraine.

METHODSNinety patients with migraine were divided into three groups, the treated group treated with Shutianing Granule (STNG) 9 g, three times a day, the control A group treated with composite Yangjiao capsule, 5 capsules each time, three times a day and the control B group treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsule, 5 mg, once a day. The treatment lasted for 28 days to observe the degree, lasting time and frequency of pain attack, and the headache index was calculated. Transcranial Doppler examination, serum beta evoked potential (beta-EP) and neuropeptide (NPY) determination were also performed before and after treatment. In the experimental study, effect of treatment of cerebral NPY and beta-EP were tested in SD rats with chronic pain in the treated or the control groups.

RESULTSIn the treated group, the markedly effective rate was 56.67% and the total effective rate was 90.00%, significant difference was shown in comparison with those in the control B group (P < 0.05), but with no difference in comparison with those in the control A group. Cerebral beta-EP level was raised and plasma NPY level was lowered in all the three treated groups. Compared with the normal saline group, there was significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTNG could improve the cerebrovascular function effectively, raise plasma beta-EP level, lower plasma NPY level and alleviate vascular tension in patients with migraine.

Adult ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Migraine Disorders ; drug therapy ; Neuropeptide Y ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

Adult ; Eccrine Glands ; pathology ; Female ; Hamartoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Sweat Gland Diseases ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To seek a exact method of estimating postmortem interval (PMI). METHODS: This study detected the concentration of magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) in vitreous humor of rabbit at 96 h after death and explored the relationship between their concentration and PMI using a method ICP-MS. RESULTS: The concentra-tion of Mg in vitreous humor of rabbit at 48 h after death and Fe in vitreous humor of rabbit at 6-48 h after death were related to PMI significantly. The formulae of the relationship between PMI and Mg concentrations is y = 0.0738x2 + 0.6997x + 11.45 (within 48 h, R2 = 0.9119). The formulae of the relationship between PMI and Fe concentrations is y = 0.0411x2 - 0.3148x + 1.4113 (within 6-48 h, R2 = 0.9594). CONCLUSION The concentration of Mg in vitreous humor of rabbit at 48 h after death and Fe in vitreous humor of rabbit at 6-48 h after death may be as reference indicator to estimate PMI.
Animals ; Iron/analysis* ; Magnesium/analysis* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rabbits ; Time Factors ; Vitreous Body/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To seek a precise method for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) in forensic medicine practice. METHODS: This study detected the concentration of 21 elements in the vitreous humor of rabbit within 96 hours after death and explored the relationship between their concentration and PMI using the method of ICP-MS. RESULT: It was shown that the concentration of 9 elements in vitreous humor of rabbit within different intervals after death were correlated to PMI available as a reference indicator to estimate PMI. CONCLUSION The changes in the concentration of certain elements in vitreous humor of vitreous humor are correlated with PMI and determination of such changes can be used to estimate the time of death.
Animals ; Calcium/analysis* ; Forensic Medicine ; Iron/analysis* ; Magnesium/analysis* ; Postmortem Changes ; Potassium/analysis* ; Rabbits ; Time Factors ; Vitreous Body/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To observe ultrastructure changes of electrical injury in rats. METHODS: An experimental model of rats suffered from the low voltage were designed. Ultrastructure changes of electrical injured tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: (1) Plasma of epithelium was concreted in the affected areas and inner membrane system was broken. (2) Hypercontraction bands were observed in skeleton muscles. (3) There was dissolved necrosis and hypercontraction bands in the myocardium. (4) Vacuoles were found in plasma of endothelium of blood vessels on electrical current path, and myelin sheath of nerve fiber were loosed. CONCLUSION The above mentioned ultrastructure changes could be used as assistant diagnostic index of electrocution. The mechanism of the changes were discussed.
Animals ; Electric Injuries/pathology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure* ; Nerve Fibers/ultrastructure* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency of navigation system for orbital wall reconstruction in unilateral orbital fractures.

METHODSFifteen patients (7 male and 8 female) with unilateral orbital fracture underwent orbital reconstruction with the help of intraoperative navigation system. The average age was 34.3 ± 9.5 years. All patients underwent spiral CT scanning preoperatively, and the CT data was imported to the BrainLab navigation system (Germany, BrainLab company). The orbit of the intact side was mirrored to the opposite side as the reference for pre-operative planning. The titanium mesh was mounted on the resin template made by rapid prototyping machine based on the mirrored CT data. When the injury was limited, the hydroxyapatite sheet was used for the orbital wall reconstruction. During the operation, the real-time navigation helped to ensure precise placement. The re-establishing result was assessed based on the postoperative CT data with the following four variables: the volumetric difference between the bilateral orbit, the volume of the herniated soft tissue, the global projection and the discrepancy between the simulated and the achieved position of the reconstructed orbital wall. The reconstructive discrepancy was measured only in the titanium plate grafting cases.

RESULTSThere were no serious complications such as infection, graft rejection and optic nerve injury in any case. Preoperatively, the average degree of enophthalmos was (3.5 ± 1.6) mm, the average volumetric difference between the injured and the unaffected orbit was (4.5 ± 1.8) ml, and the average volume of the herniated orbital soft tissue was (2.1 ± 0.7) ml. Postoperatively, the three values were respectively reduced to (1.3 ± 0.6) mm, (1.8 ± 0.9) ml and (0.7 ± 0.3) ml. The discrepancy of the medial and inferior wall were (2.5 ± 0.6) mm and (2.1 ± 0.4) mm.

CONCLUSIONSThe intraoperative use of navigation system for the orbital wall reconstruction in unilateral orbital fractures can provide reliable accuracy and achieve satisfactory results.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Enophthalmos ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Orbital Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Surgical Mesh ; Titanium ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:Carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) monitoring plays an important role in the management of malignancies,especially in colorectal cancer (CRC).The half-life (T1/2) of CEA has also been applied as a new predictor in the surveillance of some malignancies.This study was to examine the preoperative and early postoperative levels of CEA in CRC patients and calculate postoperative T1/2 of CEA to evaluate its potential role in prognosis prediction.METHODS:In this retrospective study, 98 CRC patients who had preoperatively elevated levels of CEA (≥5 μg/L)and serum CEA surveillance after radical operation were included.Postoperative T1,2 of CEA was calculated.Its correlation to prognosis was analyzed.RESULTS:Of the 98 patients,21 had local recurrence or distant metastasis (recurrence group),77 had no recurrence (non-recurrence group).The median value of preoperative CEA level was significantly higher in recurrence group than in non-recurrence group (23.9 μg/L vs.12.3 μg/L,P= 0.010);the median value of postoperative T1/2 of CEA was significantly longer in recurrence group than in non-recurrence group (6.2 days vs.4.7 days,P=0.042);the later the TNM stage was,the poorer the prognosis was (P<0.001).The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate were significantly higher in the patients with postoperative T1/2 of CEA of<4.8 days than in those with T1/2 of ≥4.8 days (87% vs.66%,P=0.017;90% vs.80%,P=0.032).The patients at earlier TNM stage had survival benefits both in DFS and OS:the 3-year DFS rates in stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ patients were 100%,93%,and 55%,respectively (P<0.001);the 3-year OS rates were 100%,98%,and 77%,respectively (P=0.192).In Cox regression analysis,both TNM stage and postoperative T1/2 of CEA were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors of CRC patients with preoperatively elevated CEA level.CONCLUSIONS:In addition to TNM stage,the T1/2 of CEA may be an independent prognostic factor in CRC patients with preoperatively elevated CEA level.The patients with longer T1/2 of CEA after radical operation have poorer prognosis.

OBJECTIVELamiophlomis rotata is a common wild herb in Tibetan traditional medicine with important medicinal and economic value. The paper examines the wild distributions, exploitation regime, and situations.

METHODA variety of research methods, such as literature survey, specimens inspection, market information collection in major Chinese herbal markets, questionnaire of herbalists and employers of local governments and institutions, and field quadrat survey and AcrGIS as well, have been used for this work.

RESULTTotal stock of wild resources of L. rotata is ranging from 3 713.49 tons to 6 896.56 tons (2 519-3 314 t in Qinghai, 490-1 414 t in Gansu, 641-1 167 t in Sichuan, and 422-999 t in Tibet, respectively), acceptable harvest quantity of the herb is ranging from 908-1 675 t per year, and actual harvest quantity is 2 520 t annually far beyond the acceptable harvest quantity.

CONCLUSIONHarvesting quantity of L. rotata is far more than that of acceptable, suggesting that utilization pattern of this wild resource plant is unsustainable. L. rotata seems to act as an indicating plant of degraded ecosystem of high-altitude grassland, shrub grassland, and wetland, and distributes in those degraded and degrading plateau ecosystems, and the plant is facing with pressure of ecological protection and wild resource population degradation. Wild population monitoring and standard cultivation are of importance for although they are far from implementation due to shortage of related basic studies.

China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Lamiaceae ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) on Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expression and cytokine production in human bladder cancer cell line T24.

METHODSHuman transitional carcinoma cell line T24 was cultured in RPMI1640 medium with 10% FBS, BCG was added into the cell culture with various doses in bacteria-cell ratio. After T24 cells were stimulated by BCG for 1 hour, total RNA of cells was extracted. RT-PCR procedure was conducted with the primer of TLR-2 and TLR-4, and the products were analyzed with agarose gels electrophoresis. Then the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in T24 cells was assessed by the analyzing system of gel imaging. After the stimulation culture for 12 hours, the supernatant of cells was collected. The levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in each sample were assayed by ELISA method.

RESULTSThe expression level of either TLR-2 or TLR-4 was increased by the stimulation of BCG in a dose-dependent manner, the effects reached the maximal level at the dose of BCG as 10 bacilli per cell. The production of IL-12 in T24 cells was also increased gradually by the stimulation of BCG in a dose-dependent manner, and the dose of BCG obtained maximal effect was 10 bacilli per cell, which is coincident with the results observed in the expression of TLRs. There was no difference showed on the production of IL-4 between T24 cells stimulated with BCG and control.

CONCLUSIONSThe stimulation of BCG not only up-regulated the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4, but also increased the production of IL-12 in bladder cancer T24 cell line. The expression of TLRs and the production of cytokine in bladder cancer cells may be related to the BCG-induced immunol response to human bladder cancer.

BCG Vaccine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; analysis ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology