OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on posterior circulation ischemia between acupuncture at stellate ganglion and conventional acupuncture as well as the impacts on blood pressure.

METHODSEighty cases of posterior circulation ischemia were randomized into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied to the bilateral stellate ganglions on the neck, stimulated with reinforcing technique by rotating the needles. In the control group, the acupuncture of reducing technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the excess syndrome. The even needling or reinforcing technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for the deficiency syndrome. The treatment was given once every 3 days and 4 treatments were required totally in the two groups. The changes in total syndrome score, peak Systolic blood flow velocity (Vp) of vertebral artery and basilar artery, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total syndrome score was reduced apparently after treatment compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the reducing was more obvious in the observation group as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in the observation group, higher than 67.5% (27/40, P < 0.05) in the control group. After treatment, the reduced Vp of vertebral artery was not improved apparently as compared with that before treatment in the control group, Vp in blood velocity abnormality (including vascular spasm, stenosis or reduced velocity) of vertebral artery and basilar artery was all improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the improvements in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the systolic and diastolic pressures were reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups, and the reduced systolic and diastolic pressures in the observation group were more apparent than those in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at stellate ganglion achieves the satisfactory efficacy in the treatment of posterior circulation ischemia and the significant efficacy of reducing blood pressure, more advanced than the conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

Soxhlet extraction is a common method of sample preparation. However, there has been no discussion about the efficiency of Soxhlet extraction from different batches and the factors that cause content fluctuation. In this study, Panax ginseng was selected as a model sample. Soxhlet extraction by means of a water bath, which has always been neglected, was identified as a novel key factor in the poor repeat-ability in different batches of Soxhlet extraction, as it can affect the siphon times and reflux time, which have been positively correlated with the ginsenoside contents. By substituting round bottom flasks in the same column, the relative standard deviation of the most fluctuated compound, ginsenoside Rb1, was decreased from 24.6% to 5.02%. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the breakdown of the surface of the ginseng powder in the Soxhlet extraction led to a better dissolution of ginsenosides, indicating that chloroform may promote the extraction of ginsenosides by disrupting the cell structure. Moreover, 70% methanol was regarded as the better solvent for extracting the ginsenosides. Overall, this work offers a practical and effective protocol for improving the accuracy and repeatability of Soxhlet extraction methodology for ginsenosides and other analytes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the antitumoral effect of indirubin on androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSWe measured the inhibitory effect of indirubin on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells using MTT assay, detected their cell cycles by flow cytometry, and determined the expressions of the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1 and its related downstream gene c-myc by Western blot.

RESULTSThe viability of the PC-3 cells was significantly decreased by indirubin in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced to 52. 2% and 13. 6% at 5 and 10 µmol/L, respectively. The cell cycle of the PC-3 cells was markedly inhibited by indirubin at 5 µmol/L, with the cells remarkably increased in the G0 and G1 phases and decreased in the S and G2/M phases. Meanwhile, indirubin also inhibited the expressions of cyclin D1 and c-myc in the Wnt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONIndirubin can suppress the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells, which may be associated with its inhibitory effect on the cell cycle and Wnt signaling pathway.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Coloring Agents ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Indoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment for patients with early stage primary tonsil non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSTwo hundred and thirteen patients with previously untreated early stage primary tonsil NHL were reviewed. All patients were pathologically confirmed. According to Ann Arbor classification, 35 patients were stage I, 178 stage II. The primary treatment for stage I was radiotherapy alone in 12 and combined modality therapy (CMT) in 23 patients. The primary treatment for stage II was radiotherapy alone in 57,chemotherapy alone in 2, and CMT in 119 patients.

RESULTSThe 5-year overall survival, cancer specific survival (CSS) AND disease-free survival (DFS) for the early stage primary tonsil non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were 65%, 70% and 61%, respectively. The 5-year CSS was 63% for the radiotherapy alone group and 72% for the CMT group (p = 0.064), and the 5-year DFS were 56% for the radiotherapy alone group and 62% for the CMT group. For patients with stage I disease, The 5-year CSS were 100% in both radiotherapy alone and CMT groups, and the 5-year DFS were 100% and 80% in these two groups (p = 0.148), respectively. There was no significant difference of efficacy between the two treatment s for the patients with stage I disease. For the patients with stage II disease, the 5-year CSS was 58% in radiotherapy alone group and 66% in CMT group (p = 0.051). However, CMT significantly improved DFS in stage II disease, with a 5-year DFS of 46% for radiotherapy alone and 60% for CMT (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONPatients with stage I tonsil non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with radiotherapy alone or CMT can achieve an excellent outcome. CMT significantly improve the DFS in stage II patients. There was a trend that CMT improved the survival rates in the patient with early stage disease. It was suggested that CMT should be used for the patients with early stage primary tonsil non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of the cryoprotectant containing glucose and that containing sucrose on the motility of post-thaw human sperm.

METHODSThe cryoprotectant containing glucose and that containing sucrose were applied to 50 semen samples and the motility of the post-thaw human sperm was compared before and after cryopreservation and between the study groups.

RESULTSThe forward motility and total motility of the sperm were (58.4 +/- 5.7)% and (63.4 +/- 6.1)% before cryopreservation, (43.8 +/- 7.6)% and (48.4 +/- 7.6)% after thawing with the cryoprotectant containing glucose, and(42.6 +/- 8.9)% and (48.0 +/- 8.5)% after thawing with the cryoprotectant containing sucrose. Decreased sperm motility was observed after cryopreservation, with statistic significance (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the forward and total motility of the post-thaw sperm between the two cryoprotectants.

CONCLUSIONCryopreservation inflicts obvious damage on sperm. Sucrose is a feasible sperm cryoprotectant.

Adult ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Cryoprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Semen Preservation ; methods ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sucrose ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sensitivity to bortezomib of RPMI8226 cells after co-cultured with down-regulated Caveolin (Cav)-1 expression of HUVECs by transfection with Cav-1 shRNA (HUVECs(Cav-1 low)).

METHODSExposure to bortezomib with or without 50 nmol/L dexamethasone at different concentration, the proliferation of RPMI8226 was analyzed by MTT assay when it was cultured alone or co-cultured with HUVECs(Cav-1 low). Cav-1 expression was detected by using of Western blot and cell cycle, apoptosis and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCav-1 expression was notably down-regulated in HUVECs(Cav-1 low) (0.2199±0.0288 vs 1.3195±0.2393) (P<0.01). The IC(50) of bortezomib for RPMI8226 cultured alone, co-cultured with HUVECs orHUVECCav- 1 low were 20 nmol/L, 50 nmol/L and 65 nmol/L, respectively. The percentages of G₀/G₁ phase in RPMI8226 cultured alone, co-cultured with HUVECs and HUVECs(Cav-1 low) were 28.49%, 30.41%, and 36.15% respectively. The protection of RPMI 8226 against apoptosis by HUVECs was demonstrated that the apoptosis/death rates were 66.8%, 10.7% and 8.6% in RPMI8226 cultured alone, co-cultured with HUVECs and HUVECs(Cav-1 low) after exposure to 20 nmol/L bortezomib for 24 h. RPMI8226 could induce the oxidative stress of HUVECs before and after co-culture. The ROS level was raised from 15.0% to 35.2% in RPMI8226, from 80.4% to 91.0% in HUVECs, and from 84.6% to 96.8% in HUVECs(Cav-1 low).

CONCLUSIONThe down-regulated Cav-1 expression of HUVECs could promote proliferation and induce apoptosis of RMPI8226 cells, lead to G₀/G₁ phase arrest, and reduce the sensitivity to bortezomib.

Apoptosis ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Caveolin 1 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Down-Regulation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo select the best preparation method of vincristine transfersomes (VCR-T) and predict its possibility of being a new formulation of VCR.

METHODOrthogonal design was used to optimize the preparation methods on the basis of single factor pretests; and the permeation tests in vitro were performed in modified Franz diffusion cells.

RESULTThe optimum formula was: pH was equal to 7.3, the ratio of lecithin to sodium deoxycholate is 70/20, the weight of VCR is 10 mg, hydrating time is 30 minutes. The optimized solution was light yellow and transparent colloid solution. The VCR-T are spherical and smooth with average diameters of 94 nm and an encapsulation ratio of 90%. The test in vitro showed that VCR-T could permeat through mouse skin at zero rate with the cumulative penetrating quality amounting to 63.8%.

CONCLUSIONTransfersomes may become a promising carrier of VCR for clinic use.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Deoxycholic Acid ; Drug Carriers ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Mice ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylcholines ; Skin Absorption ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To explore the biological functions of retinoic acid-inducible gene-I(RIG-I) in vivo through phenotype analysis of RIG-I knockout mice. Methods The gene expression of RIG-Ⅰ in various tissues of mice was examined with Northern blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.The phenotypes observed included body weight measurement,differential count of peripheral blood cells,metabolic parameters measurement and histopathologic examination. ResultsRIG-Ⅰ expressed in various tissues of mice with different levels.No gross developmental abnormalities and expected maturation arrest in granulocytic differentiation were observed in RIG-Ⅰ knockout mice.However,RIG-Ⅰ knockout mice exhibited an unexpected increase in the ratios of neutrophiles to lymphocytes in peripheral blood and increased susceptibility to bacteria infection. Conclusion RIG-Ⅰ may play an important role in immune regulation in mice.

OBJECTIVETo characterize the hepatitis A virus (HAV) wild type strains circulating in Hebei Shijiazhuang of China during 2005-2007, to provide the bases for further investigation of the sources of HAV infection.

METHODSThe VP1/P2A junction regions were detected by RT-PCR from HAV IgM positives serum samples during 2005 and 2007, the 34 RT-PCR positive samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis by Neighbor Joining (NJ) method.

RESULTSAll the detected HAV strains were identified as sub-genotype I A, the homology of nucleotide sequence in the VP1-2A imation region ranged from 95%-100%, the amino acid sequences of HAV strains almost had no difference.

CONCLUSIONThere are different HAV strains existing in Hebei Shijiazhuang of China, same HAV strain may exist in different areas; or in one area, identical or different HAV strains may be detected. This work provides the bases for further investigation of the sources of HAV infection and also for effectively control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; virology ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Viral Structural Proteins ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide a new method in the fixation of sacral fracture by means of three-dimensional reconstruction and reverse engineering technique.

METHODSPelvis image data were obtained from three-dimensional CT scan in patients with sacral fracture. The data were transferred into a computer workstation. The three-dimensional models of pelvis were reconstructed using Amira 3.1 software and saved in STL format. Then the three-dimensional fracture models were imported into Imageware 9.0 software. Different situations of reduction (total reduction, half reduction and non-reduction) were simulated using Imageware 9.0 software. The best direction and location of extract iliosacral lag screws were defined using reverse engineering according to these three situations and navigation templates were designed according to the anatomic features of the postero-iliac part and the channel. The exact navigational template was made by rapid prototyping. Drill guides were sterilized and used intraoperatively to assist in surgical navigation and the placement of iliosacral lag screws.

RESULTSAccurate screw placement was confirmed with postoperative X-ray and CT scanning. The navigation template was found to be highly accurate.

CONCLUSIONThe navigation template may be a useful method in minimal-invasive fixation of sacroiliac joint fracture.

Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Sacrum ; injuries ; surgery