Experiments were performed on in vitro brainstem slice preparations from neonatal rats that retain respiratory network activity. Extracellular recordings were made from 99 neuronal units, respiratory-related or non-respiratory related with rhythmical activity, out of which there were 7 biphasic expiratory and 11 inspiratory ones. Possible roles of non-NMDA receptors in reciprocal excitation among the biphasic expiratory neurons and in excitatory synaptic inputs to inspiratory neurons were investigated by administration of non-NMDA receptor agonist KA and its antagonist DNQX in the perfusion solution. Bath application of non-NMDA receptor agonist KA increased the peak frequency of both biphasic expiratory and inspiratory neuronal discharges, and increased the discharge frequency of the biphasic expiratory neurons and the inspiratory neurons in the middle phase, while the frequency of discharge in the early and late phases were less affected. All of these effects were blocked by addition of the non-NMDA receptor antagonist DNQX, suggesting the involvement of non-NMDA receptors.

This paper was aim to optimize the purification technology of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata extract with macroporous adsorption resin. With the content of manninotriose as index, the absorptive flow and time were investigated, as well as kinds, amount, flow of eluent. D-101 type macroporous adsorption resin was the best choice for the purification of manninotriose. The optimized parameters were as follows: the content of manninotriose at 161.16-53.72 mg x g(-1), absorption time 240 min, eluting solvent of purified water, volume flow at 1.5 BV x h(-1), and eluant volume at 6 BV. D-101 type macroporous adsorption resin could significantly increase the purity of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata extract with the advantage of high absorption, remove most part of impurity, and the effect of semi-works production was better.
Adsorption ; Chemical Fractionation ; Chromatography, Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; chemistry

Objective To study the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors in the generation and modulation of basic respiratory rhythm. Methods Respiratory rhythmical discharge activity (RRDA) of the hypoglossal nerve was recorded by suction electrode on the brainstem slices isolated from the neonatal rats, and the effects of the excitatory amino acids and its antagonists on the RRDA were investigated by adding these drugs into the modified Kreb's solution perfusing the brainstem slices. Results After application of the non-NMDA receptors agonist KA, it was found that the respiratory cycle and the expiratory time were slightly lengthened, but the NMDA receptor agonist NMDA had no effect on the RRDA. Both of the mutual antagonist DNQX and AP5 remarkably decreased the discharge frequency and the integral amplitude, accompanied by the shortening of the inspiratory time; DNQA simultaneously shortened the respiratory cycle and the expiratory time. Conclusion During the generation and the modulation of the mammalian respiratory rhythm, NMDA receptors act mainly to regulate the amplitude of the respiratory activity, and the non-NMDA receptors can not only affect the respiratory amplitude but also modulate the respiratory rhythm.

Objective To study the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors in the generation and modulation of basic respiratory rhythm. Methods Respiratory rhythmical discharge activity (RRDA) of the hypoglossal nerve was recorded by suction electrode on the brainstem slices isolated from the neonatal rats, and the effects of the excitatory amino acids and its antagonists on the RRDA were investigated by adding these drugs into the modified Kreb's solution perfusing the brainstem slices. Results After application of the non-NMDA receptors agonist KA, it was found that the respiratory cycle and the expiratory time were slightly lengthened, but the NMDA receptor agonist NMDA had no effect on the RRDA. Both of the mutual antagonist DNQX and AP5 remarkably decreased the discharge frequency and the integral amplitude, accompanied by the shortening of the inspiratory time; DNQA simultaneously shortened the respiratory cycle and the expiratory time. Conclusion During the generation and the modulation of the mammalian respiratory rhythm, NMDA receptors act mainly to regulate the amplitude of the respiratory activity, and the non-NMDA receptors can not only affect the respiratory amplitude but also modulate the respiratory rhythm.

Hypercoagulability state is the result of the interplay of genetic predisposition and risk factors. Many key enzymes and reactions in coagulation and anti-coagulation system are involved. Hereditary antithrombin deficiency is one of the major risk factors of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), whereas hyperhomocysteinemia may also play a role. This article reviews the recent researches on the contributions of these two factors to VTE.
Antithrombin III Deficiency ; complications ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; complications ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period

AIM: To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomies combined with air tamponade for the treatment of idiopathic macular hole (IMH).METHODS: Thirty eyes of 27 patients with IMH were included in this prospective interventional study.All patients underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with phacoemulsification and air tamponade.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), perimetry and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) were conducted before and after the operation.Anatomical changes were evaluated with optical coherence tomography (OCT).RESULTS: The macular holes closed successfully in 28 eyes after the primary vitrectomy.The mean BCVA improved from 0.72±0.22 logMAR preoperatively to 0.29±0.18 logMAR postoperatively (P<0.001).In the visual field of central 10°, the average mean deviation (MD) decreased from-3.59±1.83 dB preoperatively to-2.51±1.36 dB postoperatively (P<0.001) and the average pattern standard deviation (PSD) decreased from 1.86±0.68 dB preoperatively to 1.33±0.32 dB postoperatively (P=0.001).The retinal response densities of mfERG in the foveal and perifoveal area increased significantly, and implicit times of rings 4-6 prolonged significantly (P<0.05).The symptom duration and baseline N1 amplitude densities at ring 1 had a significant impact on postoperative BCVA (P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively).CONCLUSION: The 25-gauge PPV and air tamponade with 1 day prone positioning produce favorable anatomic and functional outcomes.

?AlM: To investigate repeatability and accuracy of a latest Keratograph for evaluating the tear film stability and to compare its measurements with that of traditional examination methods.
?METHODS: The results of noninvasive tear film break-up time ( Nl-BUT ) including the first tear film break-up time ( BUT-f ) and the average tear film break-up time ( BUT - ave ) were measured by Keratograph. The repeatability of the measurements was evaluated by coefficient of variation ( CV ) and intraclass correlation coefficient ( lCC) . Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to compare Nl-BUT with fluorescein tear film break-up time ( FBUT) to confirm the correlation between Nl-BUT and FBUT, Schirmer l test values. Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate consistency.
?RESULTS: The study recruited 48 subjects ( 48 eyes ) (mean age 38. 7±15. 2 years). The CV and lCC of BUT-f were respectively 12. 6% and 0. 95, those of BUT-ave were 9. 8% and 0. 96. The value of BUT-f was lower than that of FBUT. The difference had statistical significance ( 6. 16±2. 46s vs 7. 46±1. 92s, P<0. 01). There was significant positive correlation between Nl-BUT and FBUT, Schirmer l test values ( P< 0. 01 ). The scope of 95% limits of agreement (LoA) was 4. 46s in BUT-f and FBUT, while the scope of LoA was 3. 64s in BUT-ave and FBUT.
?CONCLUSlON: Keratograph can provide Nl-BUT data that has a better repeatability and reliability, which has great application prospects in diagnosis and treatment of dry eye and refractive corneal surgery.

To combine the fibrinolytic with anticoagulant activities for therapy of thrombotic deseases, a fusion protein made of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and hirudin was constructed and expressed in chia pastoris. To improve thrombolytic properties of t-PA and reduce bleeding side effect of hirudin, FXa-recognition sequence was introduced between t-PA and hirudin molecules.The anticoagulant activity of hirudin can be target-released through cleavage of FXa at thrombus site. t-PA gene and hirudin gene with FXa-recognition sequence at its 5'-terminal were obtained by RT-PCR and PCR respectively. The fusion protein gene was cloned into plasmid pIC9K and electroporated into the genome of Pichia pastoris GS115. The expression of fusion protein was induced by methanol in shaking flask and secreted into the culture medium. Two forms of the fusion protein, single-chain and double-chain linked by a disulfide bond (due to the cleveage of t-PA at Arg275-Ile276), were obtained. The intact fusion protein retained the fibrinolytic activity but lacked any anticoagulant activity. After cleavage by FXa, the fusion protein liberated intact free hirudin to exert its anticoagulant activity. So, the fusion protein is a bifunctional molecule having good prospect to develop into a new targeted therapeutic agent with reduced bleeding side effect for thrombotic diseases.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electroporation ; Hirudins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Professor LUO Cai-gui's experience of acupuncture at acupoint "Baliao" with twisting manipulation for treatment of low back pain is introduced. This method has significant efficacy on improving low back pain and numbness of lower extremities, which is characterized with short-time manipulation, quick de-qi and long effective time. The acupuncture methods, manipulations, precautions, etc. are elaborated in details. A typical case is added.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged