BACKGROUND: Recently, lithium was reported shown neuroprotective effect against apoptosis induced by a variety of insults in vitro and in vitro,but the precise mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effect remain unknown.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of lithium chloride on neuronal apoptosis and the expression of P53 or nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) protein in the CA1 region of the hippocampus after global ischemia in gerbils.DESIGN: A randomized controlled experimental research.SETTING: Department of Anatomy of Nanjing Medical University.MATERIALS: Fifty-four healthy male gerbils weighing 50-70 g, clearing grade, were purchased from Experimental Animal Center of Zhejiang Province.METHODS: Totally 54 gerbils were randomly divided into three groups namely: sham-operation group (SH group), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group) and lithium chloride group (LI group), with 18 in each group. SH group, IR group and LI group were further divided into 3 subgroups respectively (SH1d, SH3d, SH7d; IR1d, IR3d, IR7d; LI1d, LI3d, LI7d), according to the time of reperfusion, with 6 gerbils in each. Gerbils in LI group were injected intraperitoneally with lithium chloride 3 mEq /kg, once a day for 7consecutive days before operation. Normal saline was used instead of lithium in SH group and IR group as vehicle control. Forebrain ischemia was induced at 24 hours after the last injection of lithium chloride. After gerbils being anesthetized, the bilateral common carotid arteries were blocked with micro aneurysm clips for 5 minutes, and the micro aneurysm clips were removed and the cerebral blood flow restored. Sham-operation animals were underwent the same operation except occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries. Gerbils in each group were killed at every time points.4 μm coronal sections at 1.7-4.0 mm visual cross were cut at the level of the dorsal hippocampus. The apoptosis cells were assayed with in situ Cell Death Detection Kit, and assay of positive cell in cell apoptosis, P53 and positive NF-κB was performed with immunohistochemistry staining. The total number of TUNEL positive cells, P53 or NF-κB positive cells per image (area of 1 mm2) was counted.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neuronal apoptosis and expression of P53 or NF-κB protein in the CA1 region after cerebral ischemic reperfusion.apoptosis cell in cerebral hippocampus CA1 region: No TUNEL positive cells were detected in SH group, a large majority of TUNEL positive cells were detected in the CA1 region in IR group on the 3rd day after reperfusion [(552.0±145.5, 142.4±103.5) pcs/mm2, t= 5.623, P ＜ 0.01], and TUNEL positive cells declined on the 7th day after reperfusion. The numbers of TUNEL positive cells in the CA1 region of LI3d, LI7d group were significantly lower than those of IR3d, IR7d group [(408.0±119.8, 156.0±108.2) pcs/mm2,CA1 region: In IR group, the expression of P53 protein was increased on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after reperfusion compared with that in SH group and cerebral hippocampus CA1 region: No NF-κB protein was expressed in SH group. In IR group, the expression of NF-κB protein was increased on the 1st day after reperfusion (78.5±25.2)/mm2, significantly increased on the 3rd day after reperfusion (176.5±35.5)/mm2 and on the 7th day after reperfusion, the expression of NF-κB protein disappeared. There were no significant statistical difference between LI group and IR group on the 1st day after reperfusion. The expression of NF-κB protein in LI group was significantly lower than that in IR group on the 3rd day after reperfusion [(64.5±30.8)/mm2,t=5.824, P ＜ 0.01].CONCLUSION: Lithium chloride can significantly suppress neuronal apoptosis after global ischemia in gerbils. The down-regulation of expression of P53 or NF-κB protein is one of the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect by lithium chloride.

China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology

Archives ; China ; Humans ; Occupational Health ; Residence Characteristics

The heel vessel belongs to the eight extra meridians in human meridian system, which is closely related to the human motion function. Balance function plays an essential role in successful completion of activities in daily life, so the physiological function and pathology of heel vessel as well as human balance function are analyzed, and from the aspect of running course of heel vessel and syndrome, the correlation between heel vessel and human balance function is explored, and the application status of acupoints related to heel vessel for balance dysfunction is introduced. It is believed that heel vessel is closely related to human balance function, especially the motion regulation mechanisms of balance function, and it is hoped that new ideas and methods can be provided for acupuncture treatment for the balance function disorders.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Postural Balance

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on post-stroke upper limb spasmodio hemiplegia among the combined therapy of relaxing needling (Huici) technique combined with wheat-grain moxibustion, simple relaxing needling and conventional acupuncture.

METHODSNinety patients were-randomized into a group with the combined therapy of relaxing needling technique combined with wheat-grain moxibustion (a combined therapy group), a simple relaxing needling group and a conventional acupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. In the combined therapy group, the relaxing needling technique was used in combination with wheat-grain moxibustion. The relaxing needling technique was applied to Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), etc. The wheat-grain moxibustion was applied to Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Mingmen (GV 4), etc. In thel simple relaxing needling group, the relaxing needling technique was used simply. In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional lifting, thrusting and rotating technique with filiform needle was adopted at the same acupoints as the simple relaxing needling group. The treatment was given once every day; 6 treatments made one session. Totally 4 sessions were required, with 1 day at intervals. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Barthel index (BD were adopted to assess the upper limb muscle tension, motor functioni and daily life activity.

RESULTSAfter treatment, MAS score was all reduced as compared with that before treatment in each group, and FMA score and BI score were increased as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). MAS score in the combined therapy group was lower than that in either the simple relaxing needling group or the conventional acupuncture group (both P<0.01), and the score in the simple relaxing needling group was lower than that in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). FMA score and BI score in the combined therapy group were higher than those in the simple relaxing needling group and the conventional acupuncture group (both P<0.01). FMA score in the simple relaxing needleing group was higher than that the Enventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the combined therapy group was 93.3% (28/30), higher; than 86.7% (26/30) in the simple relaxing needling group (P<0.01), and 83.8% (25/30) in the conventionaP acupuncture group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of relaxing needling technique and wheat-grain moxibustion achieves more satisfactory efficacy on post-stroke upper limb spasmodic hemiplegia compared with the simple relaxing needling and conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Triticum ; chemistry

Objective To investigate how patients′ suicide events affects the nurses psychologically ,and seeking for the proper intervention when it happens .Methods Using the Zung self‐evaluating forms (SAS)and self‐made questionnaire to investi‐gate 41 oncology nurse and analyze the data .Results Three days after the patients′ suicide events ,the nurses′ SAS score was (63 .30 ± 9 .21) ,which was prominently different from the average score of nurses who did not face incidents like this (P< 0 .05) ;during the following four weeks ,the nurses′ working state and personal life experience was hugely influenced ,experience of mental stress were severe .Conclusion The management should realize that the impact ,which was caused by these incidents that the pa‐tients committed suicide ,would render psychological damage to the nurses .Therefore ,it is necessary to build up an intervention sys‐tem to prevent the nurses from suffering psychological problems .

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on ischemic myocardial injury, and to explain the response patterns and characteristics of the specific effect of acupoints along meridians in sodium channel in the level of cardiac organ.

METHODSA total of 60 SPF male rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a non-acupoint group, a Neiguan group and a Lieque group, 12 cases in each one. Except the blank group, rats in the remaining group were treated with subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline to establish the model of myocardial ischemia. Rats in the Neiguan group, Lieque group and non- acupoint group were treated with EA, dilatational wave, with a frequency of 2 Hz/20 Hz. The intensity was 2-3 mA. The needles were retained for 20 min per time, once a day for consecutive 7 days. In the blank group and control group, the rats were grasped and fixed at the treating time each day. The western-blot method was used to test the expression of voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunit (Nav 1.5), protein tyrosine kinase (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPs).

RESULTSThe expression of Nav 1.5 and PTKs in the model group was lower than that in the blank group (both P<0. 01); the expression in the Neiguan group and Lieque group was higher than that in the model group (all P < 0.01); the expression of Nav 1.5 and PTKs in the Neiguan group was higher than that in the Lieque group (both P < 0.01). The expression of PTPs in the model group and non-acupoint group was higher than that in the blank group (both P < 0.01); the expression of PTPs in the Neiguan group and Lieque group was significantly down-regulated, which was lower than the model group (both P < 0.01); the down-regulation in the Neiguan group was significantly different from that in the Lieque group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at "Neiguan" (PC 6), by down-regulating the expression of PTPs, up-regulating the expression of Nav 1.5 and PTKs, is likely to achieve the aim of regulation on sodium channel activity and calcium overload, further to improve myocardial ischemia, which provides experimental basis for the theory of the specific effect of acupoints along meridians.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Channels ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigated cerebral structural connectivity and its relationship to neuroleptic-na?ve individuals with first episode early-onset schizophrenia using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) which could demonstrate the white matter integrity . Methods We recruited subjects with first episode DSM-Ⅳearly-onset schizophrenia who had never been exposed to antipsychotic medication(n=19) and sex ,age-matched healthy volunteers (n= 19) .All subjects received DTI and structural magnetic resonance imaging scans .Voxel-based analysis was performed to investigate brain regions fractional anisotropy (FA) values .Results Statistics revealed that schizophrenia patients showed significant FA reduction in left inferior frontal gyrus ,left temporal gyrus ,left occipital lobe and right middle temporal gyrus as compared to healthy subjects .Conclusion Deficits of white matter integrity in widespread brain regions of the first episode neuroleptic-na?ve early-onset schizophrenia patients .The presence of white matter abnormalities in the early-onset patients is suggestive of being related to the etilology of schizophrenia .

Objective To investigate the effects of Furong-Tongmai capsules on the expressions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the sciatic nerve in diabetic rats.Methods A total of 50 rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,model group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose of Furong-Tongmai groups,10 rats in each group.Diabetes mellitus in rats were induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection (60 mg/kg).The rats in the low-,medium-,and high-dose of Furong-Tongmai groups were intragastric administrated with Furong-Tongmai suspension 0.7,1.4 and 2.8 g/kg daily for 8 weeks,respectively.The rots in the normal control group and model group were intragastric administrated with equal-volume normal saline daily for 8 weeks.The expression levels of IL-1 and TNF-α in the sciatic nerve were detected with immunohistochemistry staining.Results The expression levels of IL-1 (1.43％ ± 0.17％ vs.0.21％ ± 0.09％;P＜0.05) and TNF-α (1.98％ ± 0.12％ vs.0.35％ ± 0.03％;P＜0.05) in the model group were significantly increased than those in the normal control group.The expression levels of IL-1 (0.54％ ± 0.14％,0.51％ ± 0.13％ vs.1.43％ ± 0.17％;all P＜0.05) and TNF-α (0.57％ ± 0.17％,0.49％ ± 0.15％ vs.1.98％ ± 0.12％;all P＜0.05) in the medium-,and high-dose of Furong-Tongmai groups were significantly decreased than those in the model group and low-dose of Furong-Tongmai group (1.08％ ± 0.18％ in IL-1,1.11％ ± 0.09％ in TNF-α;all P＜0.05).Conclusion Furong-Tongmai capsules can reduce the expressions of IL-1 and TNF-α in sciatic nerve in diabetic rats.