Carotid body denervation improves autonomic and cardiac function and attenuates disordered breathing in congestive heart failure.

In congestive heart failure (CHF), carotid body (CB) chemoreceptor activity is enhanced and is associated with oscillatory (Cheyne-Stokes) breathing patterns, increased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and increased arrhythmia incidence. We hypothesized that denervation of the CB (CBD) chemoreceptors would reduce SNA, reduce apnoea and arrhythmia incidence and improve ventricular function in pacing-induced CHF rabbits. Resting breathing, renal SNA (RSNA) and arrhythmia incidence were measured in three groups of animals: (1) sham CHF/sham-CBD (sham-sham); (2) CHF/sham-CBD (CHF-sham); and (3) CHF/CBD (CHF-CBD). Chemoreflex sensitivity was measured as the RSNA and minute ventilatory (VE) responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Respiratory pattern was measured by plethysmography and quantified by an apnoea-hypopnoea index, respiratory rate variability index and the coefficient of variation of tidal volume. Sympatho-respiratory coupling (SRC) was assessed using power spectral analysis and the magnitude of the peak coherence function between tidal volume and RSNA frequency spectra. Arrhythmia incidence and low frequency/high frequency ratio of heart rate variability were assessed using ECG and blood pressure waveforms, respectively. RSNA and VE responses to hypoxia were augmented in CHF-sham and abolished in CHF-CBD animals. Resting RSNA was greater in CHF-sham compared to sham-sham animals (43 ± 5% max vs. 23 ± 2% max, P < 0.05), and this increase was not found in CHF-CBD animals (25 ± 1% max, P < 0.05 vs. CHF-sham). Low frequency/high frequency heart rate variability ratio was similarly increased in CHF and reduced by CBD (P < 0.05). Respiratory rate variability index, coefficient of variation of tidal volume and apnoea-hypopnoea index were increased in CHF-sham animals and reduced in CHF-CBD animals (P < 0.05). SRC (peak coherence) was increased in CHF-sham animals (sham-sham 0.49 ± 0.05; CHF-sham 0.79 ± 0.06), and was attenuated in CHF-CBD animals (0.59 ± 0.05) (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Arrhythmia incidence was increased in CHF-sham and reduced in CHF-CBD animals (213 ± 58 events h(-1) CHF, 108 ± 48 events h(-1) CHF-CBD, P < 0.05). Furthermore, ventricular systolic (3.8 ± 0.7 vs. 6.3 ± 0.5 ml, P < 0.05) and diastolic (6.3 ± 1.0 vs. 9.1 ± 0.5 ml, P < 0.05) volumes were reduced, and ejection fraction preserved (41 ± 5% vs. 54 ± 2% reduction from pre-pace, P < 0.05) in CHF-CBD compared to CHF-sham rabbits. Similar patterns of changes were observed longitudinally within the CHF-CBD group before and after CBD. In conclusion, CBD is effective in reducing RSNA, SRC and arrhythmia incidence, while improving breathing stability and cardiac function in pacing-induced CHF rabbits.

Pillared Graphene Sheets with High-Rate Performance as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Pillared graphene composite (GP) is prepared by in situ polymerization and subsequent carbonization of graphene oxide (GO) and polyaniline (PANI) precursors. The interlayer spacing of GO layer can reach 1.418 nm with 200% increase compared with the original spacing of 0.706 nm by the intercalation of aniline monomer through π-π conjugate and electrostatic interactions. After carbonization, the graphene composite is reinforced by the intercalated PANI-converted carbon pillars and also has a nitrogen-doped level of ca. 4.49 atom%. Electrochemical characterization studies show that the GP composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 653 mAh g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 and an excellent rate capability (343 mAh g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1), which are superior to graphene owing to the unique pillared and the nitrogen-doped structure.

[Artesunate combined with vinorelbine plus cisplatin in treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To our knowledge, there has been no clinical report of artesunate in the treatment of lung cancer. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of artesunate combined with NP (a chemotherapy regimen of vinorelbine and cisplatin) and NP alone in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of advanced NSCLC were randomly divided into simple chemotherapy group (control group, n=60) and combined artesunare with chemotherapy group (trial group, n=60). Patients in the control group were treated with NP regimen, including vinorelbine (25 mg/m(2), once-a-day intravenous injection, at the 1st and 8th day) and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2), once-a day intravenous drip, at the 2nd to 4th day). Patients in the trial group were treated with the basal therapy NP (in the same method and doses as control group) and artesunate (120 mg, once-a-day intravenous injection, from the 1st day to 8th day, for 8 days). At least two 21-day-cycles of treatment were performed. The short-term survival rate, disease controlled rate (DCR), time to progression (TTP), mean survival time (MST) and 1-year survival rate were analyzed as the primary end points, and the toxicity and safety were estimated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the short-term survival rate, MST and 1-year survival rate between the trial group and the control group, which were 45.1% and 34.5%, 44 weeks and 45 weeks, 45.1% and 32.7%, respectively (P>0.05). The DCR of the trial group (88.2%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (72.7%) (P<0.05), and the trial group's TTP (24 weeks) was significantly longer than that of the control group (20 weeks) (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in toxicity between the two groups, such as myelosuppression and digestion reaction (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Artesunate can be used in the treatment of NSCLC. Artesunate combined with NP can elevate the short-term survival rate and prolong the TTP of patients with advanced NSCLC without extra side effects.

Angiotensin II enhances carotid body chemoreflex control of sympathetic outflow in chronic heart failure rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether Angiotensin II (Ang II) modulates peripheral chemoreflex function through carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors in chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: We measured renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in response to graded hypoxia before and after intravenous administration of Ang II (20 ng/kg/min, i.v. 30 min) or AT1 receptor antagonist (L-158,809, 0.33 mg/kg, i.v.) in conscious sham and pacing-induced CHF rabbits. We also investigated the effects of Ang II (100 pM) and L-158,809 (1 microM) on CB chemoreceptor activity in vascularly isolated-perfused CB preparations from sham and CHF rabbits. RESULTS: Ang II enhanced hypoxia-induced RSNA increases in sham rabbits but not in CHF rabbits. Conversely, L-158,809 attenuated hypoxia-induced responses in RSNA in CHF rabbits but not in sham rabbits. Using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemistry, we found that the mRNA and protein expression of AT1 receptor in the CB from CHF rabbits were greater than that in sham rabbits. CB chemoreceptor afferent activity during normoxia and graded hypoxia was increased in CHF rabbits compared with sham rabbits. Ang II increased the response of CB chemoreceptors to hypoxia in sham rabbits but not CHF rabbits. L-158,809 decreased CB chemoreceptor responses to hypoxia in CHF rabbits but not in sham rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that elevation of Ang II and concomitant upregulation of AT1 receptor in the CB contribute to the increased CB chemoreceptor activity and enhanced peripheral chemoreflex function in CHF.

Efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating Bell's palsy: a multicenter randomized controlled trial in China.

BACKGROUND: Bell's palsy involves acute facial paralysis due to inflammation of the facial nerve. Acupuncture and moxibustion (acu-moxi) is beneficial in treating facial palsy. In order to verify the efficacy of acu-moxi on Bell's palsy, a randomized single-blind, multicenter clinical trial was performed. METHODS: A total of 480 patients from four clinical centers were involved in this trial, of whom 439 completed the trial and 41 did not. All patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or to one of two treatment groups. The control group was treated with prednisone, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and dibazole; the treatment groups were treated either with acu-moxi alone or in combination with prednisone, Vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and dibazole. Symptoms and signs, the House-Brackmann scale, and facial disability index (FDI) scores were assessed and determined both pre- and post-treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment methods. RESULTS: The characteristics of the control and two treatment groups were comparable without statistically significant differences before treatment. There were significant differences between the control and treatment groups after treatment (chi(2) = 15.265, P = 0.018). According to evaluations based on the House-Brackmann scale and FDI scores, the effectiveness of treatment in the two treatment groups was better than in the control group and was most effective in patients receiving acu-moxi treatment alone (Z = -2.827, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of acu-moxi treatment for Bell's palsy is verified scientifically.

[Contributions of medical practitioners of Xin'an area on acupuncture theory].

Contributions of Xin'an medical school and physicians to acupuncture theory were introduced in the article. Academic theories or characteristics of several physicians of Xin'an school such as YANG Xuan-cao, WU Kun, WANG Ji, WU Yi-ding, ZHENG Mei-jian and XU Chun-fu, et al were sorted out. Contributions of inheriting and illustrations on acupuncture theory were analyzed so as to expound its significance and value on modern acupucture clinic.

[The effect of vitamin E on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in young and aged rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vitamin E on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI/RI) in young and aged rats. METHODS: The model of (RI/RI) was induced by bilateral clamping the renal artery and vein for 45 min followed by reperfusion. The contents of BUN, Scr, MDA, SOD, NO and iNOS were measured. Proteins of HSP70 were observed by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometer was used to estimate the apoptosis rate of renal cortex cells. RESULTS: After ischemia/reperfusion injury, the contents of BUN, Scr and iNOS were increased. Compared with young ischemia/reperfusion group, the contents of MDA were higher and the contents of SOD were lower in aged ischemia/reperfusion group. The expression of HSP70, the contents of NO and the apoptosis rate of renal cortex cells were higher in aged ischemia/reperfusion group than that in control group. Vitamin E significantly decreased the contents of BUN, Scr, MDA and iNOS, and increased the contents of NO and SOD after RI/RI. The expression of HSP70 was increased in both VE groups than that in both I/R groups. The apoptosis rate of renal cortex cells was less in both VE groups than that in both I/R groups. CONCLUSION: Vitamins E may up-regulate the expression of HSP70, increase the contents of SOD and NO, and enhance an ability of clear free radicals, which may contributes to decreasing renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in young and aged rats.

[Talk about training of the clinical thinking from Yang Ji-zhou's medical records].

To probe into training of the clinical thinking of the students of modern acupuncture and moxibustion speciality, analyze YANG Ji-zhou's clinical thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion from YANG Ji-zhou's medical records in Zhenjiu Dacheng. Results indicate that YANG Ji-zhou's many points of view in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion still can enlighten the train of thought of later generations, suggesting that YANG Ji-zhou's clinical thinking is of an important practical significance for training of the clinical thinking of the students of the acupuncture and moxibustion speciality.

[Multicentral randomized controlled clinical trials about treatment of perimenopausal syndrome with electroacupuncture of sanyinjiao (SP 6)].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on perimenopausal syndrome (PMS). METHODS: Multicentral randomized controlled trials and single blind test were adopted in the present study. A total of 157 PMS patients were randomly divided into EA group (n=81) and medication group (n=76) . EA (2/100 Hz, 8-10 mA) was applied to bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6), 3 times a week and for 3 months (mon). Patients of medication group were treated by oral administration of nylestriol, 2 mg/time, twice a mon for 3 mon. For PMS patients, medroxyprogesterone (6 mg/d, for 10 days) was added from the third mon on after the treatment. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by using "symptoms-signs score scale", and changes of serum estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteotrophic hormone (LH) were detected by chemiluminescence immune assay. Kupperman index was determined before and after the treatment. RESULTS: In comparison with pre-treatment, Kupperman index of EA group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). After the treatment, contents of serum FSH and LH of EA group decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while serum E2 contents of EA and medication groups increased significantly (P < 0. 01). Serum LH and E2 levels of EA group were significantly lower than those of medication group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between two groups in Kupperman index, markedly-effective rates and total effective rates (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) is able to regulate serum E2, FSH and LH levels and effectively improve perimenopausal syndrome.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on genito-endocrine in patients with perimenopausal syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the regulative effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on genito-endocrine in patients with perimenopausal syndrome (PMS). METHODS: A total of 175 PMS patients (157 cases with complete data) were randomized into EA group (n=81) and medication group (n=76) according to multi-center (3 hospitals) and single-blind control trial method. EA (2/100 Hz, 8-10 mA) was applied to bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 30 min, 3 times every week, with one month being a therapeutic course, 3 courses altogether. Patients in medication group were ordered to take nilestriol (2 mg, twice/month for 3 months) and medrysone (2 mg, t. i. d. for 10 days from the 3rd month on). Serum estradiol (E) 2, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected with a chemiluminescence immo-analysis system. RESULTS: After EA treatment, serum FSH and LH contents decreased significantly and serum E2 increased considerably (P < 0.001) compared with its basic values. Comparison between two groups showed that FSH, LH and E2 levels in EA group were significantly lower than those of medication group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) has a good regulative effect on reproductive endocrine function in PMS patients.

[Multicentral randomized controlled study on acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) for treatment of infantile malnutrition].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) on infantile malnutrition. METHODS: Multicentral, randomized, controlled and single blind test was adopted. 222 infants of malnutrition were divided into an acupuncture group (n=110) and a medicine group (n=112). The acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral Sifeng (EX-UE 10), once each week, for 4 times; and the medicine group were treated with oral administration of Yiqi Jianpi Oral Liquid, twice each day, one ample each time, for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by improvement of symptoms and signs in the syndrome cumulative score scale, and changes of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), pre-albumin (PA), hemoglobin and red-cell count. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-two cases were enrolled in the 4 centers and 212 cases completed the test. The acupuncture group in improvement of appetite, body weight, subcutaneous fat thickness of the abdomen, etc. were superior to the medicine group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in improvement of the body height. There was no significant increase of serum IGF-I level in the two groups, and the acupuncture group in increase of PA was superior to the medicine group (P < 0.05). After treatment, hemoglobin and red-cell count increased significantly in the treatment group (P < 0.01), and hemoglobin increased significantly in the medicine group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) has obvious therapeutic effect on infantile malnutrition.

[Simple analysis on collateral therapy in Huangdi's Internal Classic].

Collateral therapy includes treatment of diseases of collaterals, and treatment of human other diseases with collaterals as treating subjects. In collateral therapy of Huangdi's Internal Classic, collaterals were used as treating subjects, and the treatment was directly given at the collaterals of lesion; for treatment methods, acupuncture and moxibustion were adopted as main method, including pricking blood therapy, moxibustion of collaterals, acupuncture; the diseases and syndromes of treatment included diseases and syndromes of channels and collaterals, and human other diseases and syndromes; the principles of reinforcing and reducing, and the principles of treatment varying from time to time were stressed, and it indicated contraindications for treatment.