Objective To evaluate the expression of ? opioid receptor of the knee joint synovium tissue in patients with chronic inflammation. Methods The patients were divided into inflammatory group and control group(n=25 for both). Those who were allocated to the inflammatory group were diagnosed as osteoarthritis by arthroscopy, and in the control group, the patients were having dislocation of patella and took internal fixation with arthroscopy. The synovium tissues were harvested from suprapateller bursa, articulation vestibule, intercondylar fossa and articulation metacele. The synovium were taken to measure ? opioid receptor by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in both groups. Results Immunohistochemical and RT-PCR results revealed that the expression of mRNA and the optical density (OD) of immunoreaction of ?-opioid receptor in the knee synovium tissue in the chronic inflammation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P0.05). Conclusion The expression of ? opioid receptor of the knee joint synovium tissue in chronic inflammation was significantly up-regulated. It may play a partial role in the peripheral mechanism of morphine.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of S-methylisothiourea (SMT) for treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis (TMJOA) of goats.

METHODSNine purebred black goats were randomly devided into three groups: Normal control group, control group and experimental group. The upper compartments of both temporomandibular joint of the goats in control group and experimental group were injected with collagenase only once to induce osteoarthrosis. Normal control group received no treatment. The upper compartments of both TMJ were injected with 0.5 mL of normal saline, and experimental group, the upper compartments of both TMJ were injected with 0.5 mL of SMT. The TMJ of goats was examined with scanning electron microscopy and microscopy after sacrificed.

RESULTSExamined in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, normal control group showed normal performance, the control group showed severe osteoarthrotic changes in the temporal surface, disk and condyle, while the experimental group showed improvement of different degree.

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of 3-month following-up study, repeated intra-articular injection of SMT may play a role in inhibiting TMJOA progression.

Animals ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Isothiuronium ; analogs & derivatives ; Osteoarthritis ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene determination in the rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

METHODS16S rRNA gene from bacterial DNA in ascites was determined by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 76 patients with suspected SBP and 6 patients with non-infectious ascites. The results were compared with those obtained from bacterial culture.

RESULTSThe positive rate of SBP was 22.4% among patients detected with ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR, which was significantly higher than that (7.9%) in patients only received bacterial culture (P<0.05). In addition,in 6 patients with non-infectious ascites,both the 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR and bacterial culture showed negative results.

CONCLUSIONS16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR can be an effective tool for the rapid diagnosis of SBP. It is more sensitive than the bacterial culture.

Adult ; Aged ; Ascitic Fluid ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; diagnosis ; DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritonitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

OBJECTIVETo discuss the significance of testing hepatitis B virus (HBV) from saliva in HBV patients.

METHODSHBV DNA content in serum and saliva of 200 HBV patients and 20 healthy subjects were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. According to the serum level of HBV content, four groups were divided: control group A, group B negative, low virus C (1 x 10(3) - 1 x 10(5) copies/ml) and high-group D ( > 1 x 10(5) copies/ml). The relationship of serum and virus content in saliva was analysed.

RESULTSOf 200 HBV cases, 180 were found HBV DNA in serum with positive rate of 90.0%; while 145 were found HBV DNA in saliva with positive rate of 72.5%, and there was no significant difference (chi2 = 1.35, P > 0.05). The significant difference was observed in testing serum and saliva in Group C (100.0% vs. 38.5%; Z = 14.11, P < 0.01). In group D, there was no significant difference found either (100.0% vs. 83.8%; chi2 = 1.05, P > 0.05). Group D virus serum had a high average level of (6.63 +/- 1.55) log copies/ml virus and in the saliva had an average level of (5.21 +/- 1.85) log copies/ml; saliva had serum viral load lower than an order of magnitude average. No HBV DNA was found in serum or saliva from 20 health subjects.

CONCLUSIONWhen the serum contains a high content of HBV DNA virus, the content of saliva HBV DNA virus should be likely high, which might pose a threat of source of infection. A precise quantitative detection of HBV DNA in saliva might be used as evaluation of the level of virus in the body copy for judgment of infection.

Case-Control Studies ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; diagnosis ; transmission ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Saliva ; virology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the significance of determining ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA by quantitative PCR combined with microarray (PCR-microarray) in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

METHODSAscitic bacterial 16SrRNA was determined by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR-microarray in 76 cases of suspected SBP and 6 cases of non-infectious ascites with chronic liver diseases. The results were compared with ascitic bacterial culture simultaneously.

RESULTSOf 76 ascitic samples, 17 were detected bacteria positive by PCR-microarray, including 8 Grams positive(G+) and 9 Grams negative(G-), which was higher than that by bacterial culture which had only 6 ascitic samples detected positive (all G-); the positive rates were 22.4% vs 7.9%, respectively (P < 0.01). The bacterial strains detected by both methods in 6 cases had a consistency with each other. No bacteria were detected in another 6 cases of non-infectious ascites with chronic liver diseases.

CONCLUSIONSDetermination of ascitic bacteria 16S rRNA by PCR-microarray has a higher specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of SBP as compared with the bacteria culture. Application of this novel method can not only accelerate SBP diagnosis but also stratify the different pathogens.

Adult ; Aged ; Ascitic Fluid ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Peritonitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Bacterial ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on gait time cycle of ischemic stroke between yin-yang respiratory reinforcing and reducing needling technique (yin-yang needling) and the conventional acupuncture.

METHODSSixty cases of ischemic stroke were randomized into a conventional acupuncture group and a yin-yang needling group, 30 cases in each one. The basic treatment (the control of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid, the intravenous drops of ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection and vinpocetine injection) were applied in the two groups. Additionally, in the conventional acupuncture group, the acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming [Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), etc.] were selected and stimulated with the even needling technique. In the yin-yang needling group, the acupoints of yin meridians such as Zuwuli (LR 10), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. and the acupoints of yang meridians such as Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected. The reducing manipulation of respiratory reinforcing and reducing technique was applied to the acupoints of yin meridians and the reinforcing manipulation was applied to the acupoints of yang meridians. The kinematics time parameters were determined and compared before and 4 weeks after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the differences in the gait cycle, the phase time of standing (%), the phase time of single support (%), the phase time of unilateral sway (%) on the affected (healthy) foot and phase time of double support (%) were significant as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P < 0.05), in which, the gait cycle (1.75 +/- 0.21 vs 2.02 +/- 0.37), the phase time of standing (%) on the affected (healthy) foot [(65.41 +/- 5.20)% vs (68.37 +/- 6.24)%, (70.99 +/- 6.47)% vs (74.51 +/- 5.19)%], the phase time of unilateral sway (%) on the affected (healthy) foot [(36.08 +/- 4.86)% vs (33.65 +/- 2.94)%, (31.04 +/- 3.41)% vs (26.77 +/- 2.67)%] and the phase time of double support (%) [(36.91 +/- 5.10)% vs (41.22 +/- 5.39)%] in the yin-yang needling group were improved much obviously after treatment as compared with those in the conventional acupuncture group. The differences in support phase time (%), single support phase time (%) and sway phase time (%) were significant between the affected limb and healthy limb of the two groups after treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYin-yang respiratory reinforcing and reducing needling technique effectively improves hemiplegic gait movement cycle and walking function in patients of ischemic stroke, which is superior to the conventional acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Time Factors ; Yin-Yang

OBJECTIVETo study the biotransformation of podophyllotoxin by the cell suspension culture and root culture systems of Rheum palmatum.

METHODUsing plant tissue culture technology and HPLC techniques to isolate products. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means.

RESULTCell suspension culture of R. palmatum could convert podophyllotoxin to produce picropodophyllotoxin with the yield of 73.8%, while root culture of R. palmatum could convert podophyllotoxin to produce epipodophyllotoxin and apopodophyllotoxin.

CONCLUSIONPodophyllotoxin did not affect the pH value of the media used in tissue cultures. Both cell suspension culture and root culture of R. palmatum can convert podophyllotoxin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; Podophyllotoxin ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Rheum ; metabolism ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact on lower limbs balance function in treatment of yin-yang meridians acupuncture with respiratory reinforcing and reducing manipulation involved in the patients of stroke by applying B-PHY balance function test training system so as to provide the objective evidence in treatment of stroke; with acupuncture.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. In the control group, the basic treatment was applied, without other relevant rehabilitation therapies associated. In the observation group, with the basic treatment as the control group's, the therapy of the yin-yang meridians acupuncutre with respiratory reinforcing and reducing manipulation was adopted. On the yin meridians, Zuwuli (LR 10), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and the others were selected and stimulated with reducing manipulation achieved by the coordination of patient's respiration. On the yang meridians, Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and the others were selected and stimulated with reinforcing manipulation achieved by the coordination of patient's respiration. The treatment was given once a day and for 28 days totally. Before treatment and in 28 days of treatment, B-PHY balance function test training system was used to determine the weight shift track parameters (track length, peripheral square, track length of per unit square, left-right offset and rectangle square), the weight shift track distance parameters [mean of X axle weight shift distance (Mean-X), mean of Y axle weight shift distance (Mean-Y), maximum of X axle weight shift distance (Max-X), maximum of Y axle weight shift distance (Max-Y), weight shift distance (LSKG), weight shift square (SSKG), square ratio of weight shift (LFS)], stability coefficient (SI) and weight distribution coefficient (WDI).

RESULTSAfter treatment, the differences in the weight shift track parameters, SI and WDI were significant as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P<0.01); while the differences in the weight shift distance parameters in the observation group were improved obviously after treatment as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), the differences of Mean-X, Max-Y and LFS in the control group were improved after treatment as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). Except SSKG, the improvements after treatment in the rest indices in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe yin-yang meridians acupuncture with respiratry reinforcing and re- ducing manipulation effectively improves the lower limbs balance function in the patients of stroke.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; physiopathology ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Postural Balance ; Respiratory System ; physiopathology ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Yin-Yang

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of toxicity of ammonium perchlorate (AP) on thyroid of rats.

METHODSEighty-eight Wistar rats were treated orally with different dosages of AP. Three treated groups received 129, 257, 514 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) of AP respectively and one control group drunk water for 13 weeks. Another 3 groups received 1.2, 46.5, 465.0 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) of AP respectively and one control group drunk water for 36 weeks. The behavior and change of body weight in rats were observed. The levels of thyroid hormones in serum were measured and the pathological changes of thyroid tissue were observed as well.

RESULTSThere were no differences in behavior and change of body weight between different AP exposure time. When the rats were treated with AP 514 mg for 13 weeks, free triiodothyronine (FT3, 2.48 pmol/L), free thyroxin (FT4, 13.33 pmol/L) were lower than those in control group (3.24, 20.92 pmol/L respectively, P<0.05). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, 0.375 mIU/L), thyroglobulin (TG, 3.37 microg/L) were higher than those in control group (0.29 mIU/L, 2.00 microg/L respectively, P<0.05). When the rats were treated with AP 465 mg for 36 weeks, FT3 (2.65 pmol/L) was lower than that in control group (4.97 pmol/L, P<0.01). FT4 in 46.5, 465 mg groups (10.63, 2.17 pmol/L respectively) were lower than that in control group (15.74 pmol/L, P<0.05, P<0.01). TSH in 465 mg group (0.34 mIU/L) was higher than that in control group (0.14 mIU/L, P<0.05). Histopathologic examination showed that follicle proliferation, no colloid in follicle, gore, follicular diminishing or atresia were found in 46.5, 465 mg groups with a dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONSThe toxic effects of AP on the growth of rats were not found, but those on the thyroid of rats were found significantly. Thyroid is the target organ of AP. It is considered that none effect dose of AP for rat thyroid may be 1.2 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), its threshold dose may be 46.5 mg.kg(-1).d(-1).

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Male ; Perchlorates ; toxicity ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; pathology ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood ; Thyrotropin ; blood