Objective: To explore the effect of Chaishao Shugan Lidan Paishitang on inflammation, stress response and gastrointestinal function in gallstones patients with chronic cholecystitis. Method: Gallstones patients with chronic cholecystitis treated in our hospital from March 2017 to May 2018 were randomly divided into two groups, with 65 cases in each group. The control group was orally given ursodeoxycholic acid combined with metronidazole. In addition to the therapy of the control group, the Observation group was also given Chaishao Shugan Lidan Paishitang. Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), superoxide disproportionation alcohol (SOD), propylene glycol (MDA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), gastric dynamic element (MOT), gastrin-releasing (GAS) and somatostatin (SS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL) and total bile acid (associates), and total cholesterol (TC) levels before and after treatment were observed in two groups, and the curative effect, reactions and relapse were also observed. Result: The inflammatory effect, stone ablation effect and clinical effect of observation group were significantly better than those of control group (Z=2.329, P<0.05; Z=2.686, P<0.05; Z=2.940, P<0.05). The scores of right upper abdominal dull pain, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting, and pale red tongue in the observation group after treatment were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). The levels of ALT, AST, TC, TNF-α, hs-CRP, IL-6, CEA, CA19-9, SS and MDA in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05), while the levels of MOT, GAS and SOD in the observation group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The recurrence rates of observation group and control group were 3.17%(2/63) and 14.29%(9/63), respectively, with statistically significant difference between two groups (χ²=5.140, P<0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of gallstones patients with chronic cholecystitis by Chaishao Shugan Lidan Paishitang has a good curative effect, and can alleviate clinical symptoms, inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation, improve liver and bile functions and gastrointestinal function, and reduce the recurrence rate.

OBJECTIVEGua Sha and Blood-letting at the acupoints were Chinese traditional therapies for heatstroke. The purpose of present study was to assess the therapeutic effect of Gua Sha on the DU Meridian and Bladder Meridian combined with Blood-letting acupoints at Shixuan (EX-UE 11) and Weizhong (BL 40) on heatstroke.

METHODSAnesthetized rats, immediately after the onset of heatstroke, were divided into four major groups: Gua Sha group, Blood-letting group, Gua Sha combined with Blood-letting group and model group. They were exposed to ambient temperature of 43 °C to induce heatstroke. Another group of rats were exposed to room temperature (26 °C) and used as normal control group. Their survival times were measured. In addition, their physiological and biochemical parameters were continuously monitored.

RESULTSWhen rats underwent heatstroke, their survival time values were found to be 21-25 min. Treatment of Gua Sha combined with Bloodletting greatly improved the survival time (230±22 min) during heatstroke. All heatstoke animals displayed and activated coagulation evidenced by increased prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), D-dimer, and decreased platelet count, protein C. Furthermore, the animals displayed systemic inflammation evidenced by increased the serum levels of cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Biochemical markers evidenced by cellular ischemia and injury/dysfunction included increased plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were all elevated during heatstroke. Core temperatures (Tco) were also increased during heatstroke. In contrast, the values of mean arterial pressure were signifificantly lower during heatstroke. These heatstroke reactions were all signifificantly suppressed by treatment of Gua Sha and Blood-letting, especially the combination therapy.

CONCLUSIONGua Sha combined with Blood-letting after heatstroke may improve survival by ameliorating systemic inflflammation, hypercoagulable state, and tissue ischemia and injury in multiple organs.

Animals ; Blood Coagulation Disorders ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Bloodletting ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Complementary Therapies ; methods ; Cytokines ; blood ; Heat Stroke ; physiopathology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Ischemia ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the collateral flow of patients with acute ischemic stroke by dynamic CT angiography (CTA) and to analyze the relationship between collateral flow and outcome after intravenous thrombolysis.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed CT perfusion (CTP) imaging of 22 acute ischemic stroke patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion undergoing intravenous thrombolysis, and reconstructed the images for dynamic CTA in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2009 to October 2013. The total extent and flow speed of collateral flow based on dynamic CTA images of these patients were evaluated. The scores of National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) in different collateral flows were compared with repeated measuring. The nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the relationship between collateral flow and modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months after thrombolytic therapy.

RESULTSCompared with the poor collateral flow group, patients with good collateral flow had lower NIHSS at 1 month after thrombolysis (4.7±5.0 vs 25.1±15.1, P=0.001) and higher reperfusion percentage (69%±32% vs 23%±54%, P=0.044). The total condition score of collateral flow was positively correlated with mRS at 3 months after treatment (r=0.450, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONAcute ischemic stroke patients with good collateral flow after intravenous thrombolysis have a better outcome. The dynamic CTA can be used to evaluate the collateral flow and to predict clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke after thrombolysis therapy.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography ; methods ; Brain Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Collateral Circulation ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo determine the optimal parameters and their thresholds on CT perfusion (CTP) to predict the penumbra and core in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODSThe data of 39 thrombolytic candidates with acute cerebral anterior-circulation ischemic stroke admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2009 to October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients all underwent CTP at admission and CTP or magnetic resonance perfusion (MRP) 24 h after thrombolysis. Patients were classified as non-reperfusion group (to define the threshold of penumbra, n=10) and reperfusion group (to define the threshold of infarct core, n=21) by reperfusion status. According to the baseline CTP and 24 h imaging, the volumes of threshold-based hypoperfusion lesions and final infarction were calculated. Paired t test, correlation analysis and Bland-Altman plot were performed to assess the optimal thresholds for predicting the penumbra and infarct core.

RESULTSIn non-reperfusion group, the best agreement was found between final infarct volume and delay time>3 s (bias 3.3 ml, 95% limits of agreement:-41.7 to 48.3 ml, r=0.933, P<0.001), while in reperfusion group, the best agreement was noted between final infarct volume and rCBF<30% (bias -2.2 ml, 95% limits of agreement:-25.6 to 21.2 ml; r=0.923, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONDelay time>3 s and rCBF<30% are the optimal thresholds for predicting the penumbra and infarct core on CTP, respectively. These thresholds may be of help to estimate the mismatch status and select eligible patients for thrombolysis.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo observe the anatomical structure of Jiaji (EX-B 2) points at the level of lower lumbar region so as to provide evidence for the insertion angle and depth.

METHODSThirty spine samples of male adults were adopted, and perpendicular insertion of the needle was applied at 3 locations including 1 cun, 0.5 cun and 0.3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the lumbar vertebra. The needles were fixed at the local region. Structures and the adjacent major blood vessels and nerves were observed during the anatomy.

RESULTSWhen the needle was inserted perpendicularly at the point 1 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the lumber vertebra with the insertion depth of (35.77 +/- 5.86) mm, the zygapophyseal joints, the adjacent osteo-fibrous canal and osteo-fibrous aperture were touched by the tip of the needle, and the medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of spinal nerve and concomitant vessels were stimulated. Then, needles were inserted perpendicularly 0.5 cun and 0.3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the lumber vertebra with the insertion depth of (32.89 +/- 4.79)mm for both. When needle was inserted 0.5 cun lateral, the medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of spinal nerve and the concomitant vessels were touched by the tip of the needle at where they across the lamina periosteum and erector spinae. When needle was inserted 0.3 cun lateral, the body of the needle reached the terminal branches of the medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of spinal nerve and the concomitant vessels through the deep paraspinal muscles and the thoracolumbar fascia.

CONCLUSIONThe medial ramus of dorsal primary ramus of lumbar spinal nerve and concomitant vessels distributed at the region 1 cun, 0.5 cun and 0.3 cun beside the lower border of each lumbar spinous process. Therefore, the location of Jiaji (EX-B 2) points can be considered in the region from 0.3 cun to 1 cun beside the lower border of each spinous process.

Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; anatomy & histology ; Male ; Spine ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo explore the essence of acupoints by studying its anatomical characteristics and classification.

METHODSBased on numerous previous anatomic researches of acupoints, an adult male and a female corpses infused with red rubber at the location of acupoints were selected in order to observe the level and sectional anatomy of the acupoints, especially the specificity of the known structural distribution of acupoints.

RESULTS(1) The distribution of acupoints has two primary elements. Firstly, it is neurovascular bundles or connective tissue containing abundant nerves and blood vessels, which has the function of qi and blood infusion. It is considered as the acupoint kernel. Secondly, it is the cleft or the tunnel that formed by bones, muscles or fascia, which is also held as the acupoint shell. Different conditions of the human body can influence the opening and closing of the shell, control as well as regulate the function of the kernel so as to regulate the qi and blood circulation. (2) Based on anatomical characteristics, acupoints can be classified into 3 types: the type of cleft, the type of tunnel, and the terminal type. Points of the cleft and tunnel types can be mainly found in the twelve regular meridians which are composed of the kernel and the shell. The points of terminal type are on the Conception Vessel, the Governor Vessel and auricular point, the superficial fascia is the confluence of cerebro-spinal nerve terminal ramus and its concomitant vessels, and it is the site where the qi and blood of meridians distribute to the body surface.

CONCLUSIONAcupoints is the pore formed by bone, muscle or fascia where neurovascular bundles or connective tissue containing abundant nerves and blood vessels pass through and the position where the terminal branch of cranial and spinal nerves and their accompanying by blood vessels emerge and converge at the supiyeficial layer of central body axis. Acupoints are the nodes and terminal point where the zang-fu organs and meridians and qi and blood infused to body surface.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Connective Tissue ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; Skin ; anatomy & histology ; Skull ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo provide appropriate needling angle and depth for the acupuncture and acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6), and to avoid damaging nerves and vessels so as to produce its maximum effect.

METHODSThirty adults' upper-limb samples were used to dissect and observe the referred hierarchical structure and adjoining crucially nerves and vessels in needling Neiguan (PC 6) according to the national standard Acupoint Location (GB 12346-90).

RESULTSIn this punctuation region, there are three parts rich in connective tissues containing the nerves and blood vessels. The surface part is between the skin and the musculus flexor digitorum superficialis and it is the tissue which contains medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and its nutrient artery. The middle part is between the musculus flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus muscle and contains the median nerve, its palmar branch of and artery. The deep part is between the pronator quadratus muscle and the interosseous membrane and contains the anterior interosseous nerve. When perpendicular needling, the depth of needling the body from skin to the superficial surface of the musculus flexor digitorum superficialis and to the superficial surface of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle is (6.68 +/- 0.64) mm and (12.37 +/- 0.87) mm respectively. The depth of needling the body from skin to the superficial surface of the pronator quadratus muscle and to the superficial surface of the anterior interosseous terminal branch of the nerves is (17.83 +/- 1.00) mm and (30.87 +/- 1.85) mm respectively, and the proportional cun is (2.20 +/- 0.14) cm. The ulnaris cord of median nerves are located at the radial of the needle. The deep layers could touch the anterior interosseous nerve ending.

CONCLUSIONPerpendicularly needling Neiguan (PC 6) for 3 fen (6.68 mm), 5 fen (12.37 mm) and 1.4 cun (30.87 mm) will stimulate the nervus vascularis of the rich part of surface, middle and deep connective tissues respectively and produce the acupuncture effect. During the acupoint injection, perforating the needle perpendicularly at the middle point of the two tendons or deviating slightly to the direction of tendon of palmaris longus can avoid the damage of the median nerve cord.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; innervation ; Nerve Tissue ; anatomy & histology

The effect of Rhizoma curcumae oil on the learning and memory in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia and the possible mechanisms were investigated. The rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (14 animals in each group): control, chronic hypoxia, chronic hypoxia with low (5 mg/kg body weight), middle (10 mg/kg body weight) and high (20 mg/kg body weight) concentrations of Rhizoma curcumae oil injection. The animals undergoing chronic hypoxia were exposed to hypoxia in a hypoxic chamber containing 10% O(2) and 5% CO(2) for 10 h/d, lasting 28 d. Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to obtain the scores of leaning and memory. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) content were determined in the serum and hippocampus as well as [Ca(2+)](i) in the hippocampus. The expression of phosphorylated Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (p-CaMKII) in the hippocampus was evaluated by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Compared with the control group, the chronic hypoxia group showed the following changes: (1) The escape latency to the hidden platform was remarkably prolonged (P<0.05); (2) The content of MDA and [Ca(2+)](i) were obviously higher, but the activity of SOD and the expression of p-CaMKII were significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the chronic hypoxia group, groups with Rhizoma curcumae oil injection had the following changes: (1) The escape latency to the hidden platform was remarkably shorter in 10, 20 mg/kg body weight groups (P<0.05); (2) The content of MDA and [Ca(2+)](i) were markedly decreased in 5, 10, 20 mg/kg body weight groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), but the activity of SOD in the serum and the expression of p-CaMKII were significantly higher in 10, 20 mg/kg body weight groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results showed that the capacity of learning and memory was degraded following chronic hypoxia. The decrease in MDA content and [Ca(2+)](i) and (or) the increase in SOD activity and p-CaMKII expression might participate in the enhancing effect on learning and memory induced by Rhizoma curcumae oil.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Memory ; drug effects ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe effect of chronic stress on cognitive functions has been one of the hot topic in neuroscience. But there has been much controversy over its mechanism. Such single stressor applied in the past could not simulate complicated living circumstances that people confronted with. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic multiple-stress on learning and memory as well as on the levels of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), calmodulin (CaM) mRNA, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) mRNA in the hippocampus of rats.

METHODSThe rats were divided randomly into stressed and control groups. The stressed group was given chronic multiple-stress for 6 weeks to set up a chronic multiple-stressed model. The rats' performance of spatial learning and memory was tested using Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Y-maze. Meanwhile, the expressions of CaMKII, CaM mRNA and CREB mRNA of rats' hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. In addition, the width of synaptic cleft and the thickness of post-synaptic densities (PSD) were observed in the hippocampal CA3 region of rats by electron microscopy.

RESULTSAfter exposure to chronic multiple-stress for 6 weeks, the ability of learning and memory of the stressed group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The width of synaptic cleft was smaller and the thickness of PSD was larger in the hippocampal CA3 region of the stressed group than in that of the control group (P < 0.01). The CaMK II immunostaining of the stressed group was stronger than that of the control group in the stratum radiatum and oriens of the hippocampal CA1 and CA3, especially in the stratum oriens. Quantitative analysis indicated that the expression of CaMK II, CaM mRNA, and CREB mRNA in the hippocampus of the stressed group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe capacity of learning and memory can be enhanced after chronic multiple-stress. The increased levels of CaMK II, CaM mRNA, and CREB mRNA may contribute to the enhancing effect of chronic multiple-stress on learning and memory.

Animals ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases ; genetics ; Calmodulin ; genetics ; Chronic Disease ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Microscopy, Electron ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Physiological ; metabolism ; psychology ; Synapses ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of the blood vessels in the integument tissue of the channel area of legs.

METHODSThe integument tissue of the lower limbs in the 12 cadavers were dissected with macro-and micro-dissection, radiographical technique of systemic artery and technique of image pattern analysis to observe and analyze the origins, branches and anastomoses in the integument tissues along the channels of legs.

RESULTSThe distributional density of the blood vessels in the integument tissues of legs along the channel area of the three-yin meridians of the foot, the Gallbladder Meridian, and the Urinary Bladder Meridian was higher than that in the other parts. They formed an obvious nutrient vascular chain on the arteriogram. The distributional density in the channel area of the Stomach Meridian was not obviously increased and the obvious nutrient vascular chain could not be seen.

CONCLUSIONAn obvious nutrient vascular chain is formed in the integument tissue along the channel area of legs except the Stomach Meridian.

Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Leg ; blood supply ; Meridians