Synapse is the key part of information transmission between neurons,which has certain plasticity.Glutamate receptor plays an important role in the synaptic plasticity of the central nervous system,and acupuncture can regulate the glutamate receptor to normal under pathological conditions,and its research is also deepening.This paper summarizes the recent research literature on the effects of two types of glutamate receptors,ionic glutamate receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor,on synaptic plasticity,as well as acupuncture regulating the expression of ionic glutamate receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor,in order to provide a theoretical basis for acupuncture regulating synaptic plasticity based on glutamate receptor expression,and provide reference for subsequent research.

Swertia patens Burk. is a commonly used herbal medicine of the Yi nationality in Yunnan, China. It is widely used in the treatment of children with spastic abdominal pain, cholecystitis, and other diseases, mainly containing iridoid glycosides and ketone compounds. The highest and most significant pharmacological activity, with antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, liver-protecting, stomach-protecting, and other effects, is closely related to its effects of soothing the liver, clearing heat, and relieving stomach pain. As a very distinctive pediatric folk medicine, the related quality standards of Swertia patens Burk. have not been perfected, and the development of preparations is relatively lagging.

Objective: To explore the abnormal changes in neuroelectric activity in the primary visual cortex of rats deprived of vision in one eye and to investigate the regulatory effect of acupuncture in the sensitive period on the abnormal coding and conduction of electrical signals of rats' optic neurons.Methods: Sixty 14-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an early-stage acupuncture group, a middle-stage acupuncture group, and a late-stage acupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. Rats in every group except the blank group received right eyelid suturing to create a monocular deprivation model in the sensitive period of visual development (from the day rats open their eyes to the 45th day after their birth). Rats in the three acupuncture groups started to undergo acupuncture respectively on the 3rd, 12th, and 21st days after the model replication was done, with each group receiving nine-day treatment. The activity level of the neuroelectrical signal of the primary visual cortex in each group, including the latency and amplitude of P100 wave, average discharge frequency and amplitude of neurons, the power spectral density (PSD), and interspike interval (ISI), were measured by neuroelectric evaluation technology after the acupuncture treatment was finished. Results: Compared with the blank group, the latency of P100 wave in the visual center of vision-deprived eyes was significantly prolonged, and the amplitude was significantly reduced (P<0.05); the average discharge frequency and amplitude of the neurons in the visual cortex also decreased significantly (P<0.05); PSD decreased and ISI was prolonged significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the abnormal electrical activity of optic neurons in the three acupuncture groups ameliorated, the latency of P100 shortened, and the amplitude of P100 increased (P<0.05), the discharge frequency and amplitude increased significantly (P<0.05), the PSD reduced, and the ISI shortened (P<0.05). In addition, among the three acupuncture groups, the early-stage acupuncture group had the best effect on various indicators. Conclusion: Abnormal electrophysiological activity is significant in the visual center of vision-deprived rats, and acupuncture treatment in the sensitive period of visual development can enhance the bioelectrical activity of visual nerve cells, improve the efficiency of optic nerve conduction, and regulate the inhibition and retardation of visual response caused by visual deprivation.

Objective To investigate the genetic carrier rate of thalassemia and its gene mutation types as well as the distribution characteristics among couples of reproductive age in Dongfang City of Hainan Province,and to provide a basis for making prevention and control strategies against thalassemia.Methods Samples were collected from 1 000 couples undergoing premarital and pregestational screenings for thalassemia in Dongfang City of Hainan Province from September 2012 to March 2013,in which the positive ones in preliminary screening were further tested by genetic diagnoses and the genotypes were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 1 000 couples,322 spouses were diagnosed with thalassemia gene mutation and the carrying rate was 16.10％ (322/2 000).In those carriers,246 spouses were α-thalassemia and the carrying rate was 12.30％ (246/2 000),accounting for 76.40％(246/322) of all thalassemia carriers,among them,there were 197 cases of α-deficiency genotype,accounting for 61.18％ (197/322),32 carried mutated α-gene,accounting for 9.94％ (32/322),17 carried both deleted and mutated α-gene,accounting for 5.28％ (17/322);43 spouse were β-thalassemia and the carrying rate was 2.15％(43/2 000);33 spouse were both α-and β-thalassemia and the carrying rate was 1.65％ (33/2 000).In spouses diagnosed with α-thalassemia,the major genotype was-α37/αα,accounting for 19.25％ (62/322);the second ranked was-α4.2/αα,accounting for 17.70％ (57/322),and the third ranked was--SEA/αα,accounting for 8.70％ (28/322).In spouses diagnosed with β-thalassemia,the major genotype was CD41-42/N,accounting for 9.63％ (31/322).Conclusions The population carrying rate of thalassemia in Dongfang City of Hainan Province is high,and its major type is α-thalassemia.For the purpose of decreasing the birth rate of thalassemia,major,local public health department should attach great importance to thalassemia prevention,and strengthen premarital and pregestational screening for thalassemia.

As an important reference index to evaluate the quality of Chinese medicinal materials, the commodity specification and grade of traditional Chinese medicine has an effect on the medicinal material's price, can promote "high quality and high price" of the traditional Chinese medicine, prompt market transactions more convenient and standard, and has a great significance to the development of the whole traditional Chinese medicine industry. The formation of traditional Chinese medicine specifications and grades experienced a long historical development process. In order to provide the reference for modification of the product specifications and grades standards and management of traditional Chinese medicine products, the author consulted a large number of materia medica books and related references, sorted and analyzed the historical development process. The author divided the formation and development process into four stages, including germination stage before the Southern and Northern Dynasties, development stage of Tang and Song Dynasty, mature period of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the inheritance development stage since the foundation of the People's Republic. The author believes that the clinical curative effect is the driving force to promote the development of commodity specifications and grades. In addition, the national pharmaceutical policy, international status, the level of science and technology also influence the development of commodity specifications and grades in some extents. Finally, the author provides three piece of suggestions for the modification of the product specifications and grades standards, according to the historical development rule.

Objective To understand the histological characteristics of the major endocrine organs of tree shrew , and provide a normal histological atlas of endocrine organs of tree shrew .Methods Ten artificially fed healthy tree shrews were killed and dissected after anesthesia .The thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands were observed by gross inspection and samples were taken for routine histological examination with HE staining .Results ( 1 ) The thyroid gland was pale yellow, located on both sides of the 2-4 tracheal rings.The thyroid gland was plate-shaped, its surface was covered with a thin fibrous capsule . The thyroid parenchyma was divided into several lobules by stretched capsule membrane .Follicular and parafollicular cells were distributed in the lobules , and red colloid was present in follicular cavity.(2) Each side had one parathyroid , located on the cranial or the outer surface of the middle part of the thyroid gland, and was slightly covered by thyroid .The gland was round or oval , and its parenchyma was made up of the principal cells and eosinophil cells , and acinar structure appeared in the parenchyma .( 3 ) The adrenal glands were oval , yellow color, located in the renal hili , and linked to the kidneys .They were surrounded by a thin capsule .The parenchyma was divided into cortex and medulla .The cortex was divided into zona glomerulosa , zona fasciculata and zona reticularis from outside to inside.The zona glomerulosa was the thickest layer and the zona fasciculata was the thinnest .The medulla cells formed clumps or mesh, with central vein in the central part .(4) The pituitary gland was located in the sella turcica , with no recessus hypophysis .The pituitary gland was composed of the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis .Its surface was covered with a connective tissue capsule .The pituitary gland was divided into distal part , middle part and pars tuberalis . neurohypophysis was made up of neural and pars infundibularis .Conclusions The histological atlas of endocrine organs in the tree shrew is established , which is close to that of the primate animals in the morphology , and provide histological evidence for the study of tree shrew endocrine organs and disorders , as well as the animal model of human diseases .

Objective To study the immunologic mechanism of electroacupuncture at Sanyin points on chronic abacterial prostatitis rats. Methods Forty-eight male rats were divided randomly into normal group, model group, drug group and electroacupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. The animal model was made by SC purified prostate protein twice with immunologic adjuvant, and the rats in electroacupuncture group and drug group were treated by electroacupuncture at Sanyin points and feeding Cernilton for 15 days. The changes of prostate weight, index, pathology and contents of IgG, expressions of IL-2 and IL-8 in prostate homogenate were observed. Results Compared with normal group, the prostate weight and index were significantly increased in model group (P<0.05), the content of IgG was significantly increased (P<0.05), cytokine IL-2 and IL-8 were highly expressed (P<0.05, P<0.01), prostate tissue’s morphology and structure were significantly impaired in model group. Compared with model group, the prostate weight and index were significantly decreased in electroacupuncture group after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), pathological changes reduced significantly, the content of IgG decreased significantly (P<0.05), the expressions of cytokine IL-2 and IL-8 were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the pathological manifestation of chronic inflammation was significantly improved. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Sanyin points can reduce the secretion of local prostate antibody IgG, regulate the expression of cytokine IL-2 and IL-8, protect the morphology and structure of prostate tissue from damage. Electroacupuncture at Sanyin points can adjust local immunologic function and promote the recovery of prostate.

Objective To study the indication,feasibility and short-term efficacy of combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for the treatment of esophageal cancer.Methods Retrospective medical records analysis was conducted for 139 esophageal cancer patients who underwent combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy in our department from December 2009 to August 2011.The tumors were located in upper esophagus in 16 cases,middle esophagus in 107 cases,and lower esophagus in 16 cases.The surgery started with the thoracoscopic mobilization of thoracic esophagus and lymph nodes dissection,which were followed by the laparoscopic stomach mobilization and gastroesophageal anastomosis in left neck.Postoperative pathological staging identified stage Ⅰ esophageal cancer in 25 cases ( stage Ⅰ a:13 cases,stage Ⅰ b:12 cases),stage Ⅱ esophageal cancer in 71 cases,stage Ⅲ esophageal cancer in 31 cases ( stage Ⅲ a:16 cases,stage Ⅲ b:15 cases) and stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer in 12 cases.Results Except for open conversions in 4 cases (2.9％),all surgical operations were completed smoothly.Postoperative anastomotic leak was found in 6 cases(4.3％ ),chylothorax in 1 case(0.7％ ),arrhythmia in 4 cases(2.9％ ),and dumping syndrome in 1 case( 0.7％ ).All of these complicated cases fully recovered after conservative treatments.Postoperative lung infection was found 11 cases (7.9％),3 of whom required tracheotomy and assisted ventilation and 1 case died as a result of the infection (mortality rate:0.7％ ).Ten cases(7.2％ ) presented with hoarseness postoperatively.Out of the 139 cases,130 cases were successfully followed up with durations ranged from 1 to 20 months,during of time the esophageal cancer spread to liver in 2 cases,celiac lymph nodes in 4 cases,lung in 2 cases,and bone in 1 case.Ten cases died,and all remaining cases remained alive during the follow up.The one-year survival rate was 88.9％ for these cases.Conclusion Combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy is a technically safe and feasible treatment for esophageal cancer.The short-term efficacy results are satisfactory.This technique is indicated not only for early and middle stage esophageal cancer,but also for some of the advanced esophageal cancer cases.

Objective To evaluate the changes of left ventricular(LV) 3-dimension peak displacement (3D-D) during different cardiac pacing patterns. To provide a reliable mechanical data base for the optimization cardiac pacing. Methods Cardiac pacings in open-chest Beagle canine models( n = 10) were performed using three patterns[I, e. , right ventricular apical pacing (RVA-P), LV lateral pacing (LVL-P)and LV apical pacing(LVA-P)],3D full volumetric real-time imaging were acquired in a completed cardiac cycle. The 3D-D,3D-D peak time (3D-DTc) and the standard deviation of TC(3D-DTSD) were calculated and analyzed in different pacing patterns for difference and spatial correlationship. Results ① The 3D-D of LVL-P and LVA-P state decreased compared with BASE and RVA-P state, there were significant 3D-D difference of mid anterior,mid anteriorspetal, mid interior,mid posterior, mid lateral between LVL-P and BASE, RVA-P patterns( P ＜0.05). There were significant 3D-D difference of mid anterior,mid lateral,mid posterior between LVA-P and RVA-P patterns groups( P ＜0.05). There were significant 3D-D difference of all segments in apical level between LVL-P,LVA-P and BASE, RVA-P states( P ＜0.05). ② Corrected by the heart rate,the 3D-DTC of different cardiac pacing patterns were shorter than BASE state. ③ There were no significant 3D-DTSD difference between different cardiac pacings and BASE patterns. There were significant 3D-DTSD difference between RVA-P and LVA-P patterns (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions LV mechanical activation and synchronization could be maintained during RVA-P rather than LVA-P and LVL-P. Echocardiographic study of left ventricular 3D-D can actually reveal myocardial mechanical state during different cardiac pacings and BASE patterns.

Objective To evaluate the mechanical homogeneity pattern of isolated carotid atherosclerotic plaque intima on longitudinal axis view using ultrasonic velocity vector imaging.Methods Fourty six patients with 48 isolated plaques were undergone the high frequency ultrasound scanning,the real-time two-dimensional longitudinal-axis gray scale view at the maximal thickness of the plaque was obtained in three complete cardiac cycles.A dedicated velocity vector imaging(ⅤⅤⅠ)workstation was used for the off-line dynamic two-dimensional gray-scale image analysis and mechanics parameter(i.e.,the peak strain and the absolute difference of the peak strain)assessment at the sites of the upper,middle and down stream separately.The length and direction distribution of the velocity vectors at the carotid atherosclerotic plaque intima were observed.Wilcoxon test was utilized for the comparison of the peak strain and the absolute difference of the peak strain between two sites.Results The chaos phenomenon of velocity vector distribution at the sites of plaque intima occurred significantly differed from those uniform velocity vectors at the reference sites.According to the two groups of the higher strain value side and the lower strain value side on the upper stream and the down stream of the plaque intima,the peak strain at the higher strain value side was significantly higher than the lower strain value side(P=0.000).There was a significantly difference between the absolute difference of peak strain from the higher strain value side to the middle stream point of the plaque intima and the absolute difference of peak strain from the lower strain value side to the higher strain value side of the plaque intima(P＜0.017).Conclusions The length and direction distribution of velocity vectors of the isolated carotid atherosclerotic plaque intima on longitudinal axis view are uneven,the mechanical heterogeneity pattern exists at the plaque intima and could be visualized and quantitatively evaluated using ultrasonic velocity vector imaging.