Effect of gap junction protein Cx43 inhibitor on cognitive function and its possible mechanism in epileptic rats / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of gap junction protein Cx43 inhibitor carbenoxolone (CBX) on cognitive function and its possible mechanism in epileptic rats.Methods:One hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, epilepsy group, epilepsy+solvent group, and epilepsy+CBX group ( n=30). The models of temporal lobe epilepsy in the later three groups were prepared by injection of kainic acid in the hippocampus. Intraperitoneal injection of CBX (20 mg/kg) or equal amount of normal saline were given to the rats in the epilepsy+CBX group and epilepsy+solvent group 30 min before modeling. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of phosphorylated (p)-Cx43 and microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) in the hippocampus 6, 12, and 24 h after modeling; the protein localization of p-Cx43 and LC3 in the hippocampus and optical density of their positive cells were detected by immunohistochemistry 24 h after modeling; the learning and memory abilities of rats were tested by Morris water maze experiment 30 d after modeling. Results:Western blotting results showed that as compared with those in the sham-operated group, p-CX43 and LC3 protein expressions in the hippocampal CA3 regions of epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group were significantly increased at 6, 12 and 24 h after modeling ( P<0.05); as compared with the epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group, the epilepsy+CBX group had statistically decreased p-CX43 and LC3 protein expressions in the hippocampal CA3 regions at each time point ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that p-CX43 was localized at the cell membrane and cytoplasm of hippocampal astrocytes; LC3 was located at the cytoplasm of hippocampal neurons. As compared with those in the sham-operated group, the optical density values of p-CX43 and LC3 positive cells in hippocampal CA3 regions of epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group were increased ( P<0.05). As compared with those in the epilepsy group and the epilepsy+solvent group, the optical density values of p-CX43 and LC3 positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 regions of the epilepsy+CBX group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Morris water maze test results showed that as compared with that in the sham-operated group, the escape latency in the epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group was significantly prolonged ( P<0.05); as compared with that in the epilepsy group and epilepsy+solvent group, the latency in the epilepsy+CBX group was significantly shortened ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CBX can weaken the neuronal autophagy and reduce the damage to cognitive function by inhibiting the p-Cx43 protein expression in the astrocytes of the hippocampal CA3 regions.

Observation on therapeutic effect and mechanism research of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical therapeutic effect and mechanism of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 97 patients with headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke were randomized into an acupuncture group (57 cases) and a western medication group (40 cases). In the western medication group, flunarizine hydrochloride capsule was taken orally 5 mg each time, once a day. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Qiuxu (GB 40), Zulinqi (GB 41), Xuanli (GB 6), Shuaigu (GB 8), Fengchi (GB 20) and Baihui (GV 20) for migraine; Chongyang (ST 42), Neiting (ST 44), Jiexi (ST 41), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Baihui (GV 20) for forehead pain; Jinggu (BL 64), Kunlun (BL 60), Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) for occipital headache; Taichong (LR 3), Yongquan (KI 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) for parietal headache. The needles were retained for 30 min each time, once a day and 5 times a week. Both of the two groups were given consecutive treatment for 14 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the headache scores before and after treatment and the recurrence rate 1 month after treatment were observed to evaluate the therapeutic effect, before and after treatment, the contents of substance P (SP), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), alpha-endorphin (α-EP) and beta-endorphin (β-EP) in plasma were determined by ELISA in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, the headache scores and the contents of SP, DA and 5-HT in plasma were reduced and the contents ofα-EP andβ-EP in plasma were increased in the two groups (all <0.01). After treatment, the changes of the VAS score, the headache score and the contents of pain-related factors and endogenous opioid peptides in plasma in the acupuncture group were larger than the western medication group (all <0.05). The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 84.2% (48/57), which was superior to 62.5% (25/40) in the western medication group, and the recurrence rate in the acupuncture group was lower than the western medication group (both <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke is superior to flunarizine hydrochloride capsule, and the mechanism may relate to down-regulate the pain-related factors and up-regulate endogenous opioid peptides in plasma.

Mechanism of high temperature promoting artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua / 中国中药杂志

Artemisia annua also known as Qinghao, is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine. Its active ingredient is artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone compound with a peroxy bridging group structure. A. annua is an effective antimalarial drug. Artemisinin, a secondary metabolite in A. annua, can be induced by many physical and chemical factors, such as salinity, moisture, light, and plant hormones. Temperature, as an important growth factor, also has a great influence on the synthesis of artemisinin. This article aims to study the effect of high temperature on inducing artemisinin biosynthesis in A. annua. The A. annua seedlings were placed at 25, 40 °C, and the samples were taken after 0, 3, 12 and 36 h. The content of artemisinin in each sample was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total RNA was extracted from the samples, and then transcriptome sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to quantitatively analyze the expression of the key enzyme genes in artemisinin synthesis pathway and competition pathway. The results showed that artemisinin content was increased by 20%, 42% and 68% after 3, 12, 36 h of treatment at 40 °C. The expression levels of FDS, ALDH1, CYP71AV1 and ADS were up-regulated by 4.3, 3.3, 2.5, 1.9 times, and the expression levels of SQS and BPS were down-regulated by 37% and 90% respectively. In summary, high temperature can promote the biosynthesis of artemisinin by promoting the expression of synthetase genes in artemisinin synthesis pathway and inhibiting the expression of synthetase genes in artemisinin-competition pathway.

Application of ureteral access sheath with vacullm suction during fexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy in treatment of renal stones / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of ureteral access sheath (UAS) with vacullm suction during flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy in treatment of renal stones. Methods 96 cases of renal stones patients who received flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups:control group with 50 cases and treatment group with 46 cases. The stones free rate, operation time, intrapelvic pressure, renal colic, formation of steinstrasse, SIRS, Calcitonin Zymogen, leukocyte count, hospitalization time, hospitalization costs and treatment efficiency were evaluated after one month. Results The average, maximum and minimum intrapelvic pressure of treatment group was much lower than that of control group (P < 0.05); After one month, the treatment efficiency and stones free rate of control group was 70.0% and 82.0%, lower than that of treatment group (P < 0.05); The operation time of control group and treatment group was(108.6 ± 3.5) min, (86.3 ± 5.2) min (P < 0.05); The cases of renal colic, steinstrasse and SIRS of control group after treatment was 13 cases, 11 cases, 10 cases which was more than that of treatment group with 2 cases respectively (P < 0.05); The hospitalization time, hospitalization costs of control group and treatment group was (8.8 ± 1.1) d, (23 067.5 ± 392.8) RMB and (7.7 ± 1.2) d, (21 957.3 ± 378.6) RMB (P < 0.05); The Calcitonin Zymogen, leukocyte count of control group and treatment group was (1.5 ± 0.3) and (0.3 ± 0.1) ng/ml, (14.6 ± 0.5)×109/L and (6.4 ± 0.6)×109/L (P < 0.05). Conclusion The application of ureteral access sheath with vacullm suction during flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy in treatment of renal stones was simple, safe and effective, and can shorten the operation time, improve the rate of clearing stone and treatment efficiency, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. The application can be extended.

The Role of CBS in Injury Time Estimation after Brain Contusion / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the changes of cystathionine β-synthase （CBS） expression in the cerebral cortex after brain contusion at different times.@*METHODS@#An experimental model of traumatic brain injury （TBI） in mice was established by an improved weight-drop device. Then Western blotting and immunohistochemical examination were used to detect the CBS expression in cerebral cortex around injury at different time points （1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d）.@*RESULTS@#The results of Western blotting revealed that the expression level of CBS was down-regulated and reached its lowest level at the 3rd days after injury, and then restored to normal level after 7 days. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that CBS was present in the normal brain cortex. CBS expression gradually decreased at the 3rd days after injury, and then restored to normal level after 7 days.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CBS has the potential to be a reference index for time estimation after brain contusion in forensic practice.

Anti-platelet adhesive effect and mechanisms of Xueshuantong capsules under flow conditions / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the anti-platelet adhesive effect and possible mechanisms of Xueshuantong capsule (XST) under flow conditions. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human platelets were employed as experimental materials, and TNF-α (20 μg•L⁻¹) was used to establish vascular endothelial cell injury models. In vivo flow conditions were simulated under controlled shear stress of 0.1 Pa and 0.9 Pa by Bioflux1000 assays accordingly. Anti-platelet adhesive effects of XST at 0.3 g•L⁻¹ were dynamically monitored by microscopic time-lapse photography. Western blotting was employed to detect the VCAM-1 expression on endothelial cells, and the release of 6-keto-PGF1α and TXB2 was tested by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that XST could inhibit the platelets adhesion under both physiological and pathological flow conditions, and the inhibition rate was 15.0% and 34.1% respectively. Under pathological low shear stress or static conditions, XST could significantly inhibit endothelial cells VCAM-1 expression and TXB2 release (P<0.05). These results suggested that XST inhibited platelets adhering to injured endothelium via decreasing VCAM-1 expression and TXA2 secretion from endothelium. From the interactions among blood flow, vascular endothelium and platelets, the anti-thrombosis effects of XST were possibly related to endothelial cells protection and therefore inhibiting platelets adhesion. Under different flow conditions, the antiplatelet adhesion effect of XST was different, and the pathological low shear stress was more conducive to the efficacy of XST.

Contralateral head leading turning accompanied by ipsilateral eye staring in a patient with seizure onset from posterior inferior temporal sulcus, a SEEG case report

The epileptic eye and head movements during epileptic seizures may be much more complicated thanpeople originally understood, which can be ipsilateral or contralateral to the electroencephalographyfocus. Here, we describe a male patient with drug resistant focal seizures associated with a directionalseparation between head and eye movement before evolving into generalized tonic-clonic seizure.His contralateral head leading turning showed forced, sustained, and unnatural features companiedby ipsilateral eye staring. Stereoeletroencephalography monitoring was performed, and 4 habitualseizures were recorded over 5 days. Three seizures showed left head leading turning and generalizedtonic-clonic seizure, and only one showed dizziness and ringing in the ears. All the seizures showedthat the ictal onset contacts were located in the posterior inferior temporal sulcus which borders onthe anterolateral part of medial superior temporal area. The patient underwent a resection includingtemporooccipital region, and the histopathology showed focal cortical dysplasia type Ic. He has beenseizure free for two years after operation. The scores of the intelligence and memory quotient improvedhalf year after operation.

Balance between cardiovascular pharmacological and hemolytic effects of saponins of Panax notogenseng / 中国中药杂志

PNS (total saponins of Panax notognseng, PNS) has a clear effect and wide application prospect for cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, saponins have hemolytic properties, which are related to its molecular structure type and dosage. On one hand, this article summarizes the research progress of PNS in heart cerebrovascular pharmacology pharmacological in recent five years, a number of studies both in vitro and in vivo for overall body, organs, cells and molecules, show that PNS could improve myocardial and cerebral ischemia injury, and it has effects in resisting thrombosis, inflammation, oxidation, atherosclerosis, and modulating vascular endothelial cells function and improving the cerebral ischemia injury etc. On the other hand, the hemolysis effect of PNS is closely related to its molecular structure type and administrating dosage. Different structures bring about different hemolysis activities. Structure-activity relationship suggests that the length of sugar side chains attached to C-20 and the disaccharide connection mode on C-3 may influence the hemolysis activity of PNS. Within the dose range from 2.5 to 250 mg•L⁻¹, PNS has no hemolysis activity. However, PNS exhibits hemolytic properties at high concentrations(≥500 mg•L⁻¹). Based on the hemolytic or anti-hemolysis characteristics of saponins, and dose-response relationship, the rational clinical application of PNS can be guaranteed by controlling the ratio of hemolytic monosaponins in PNS and improving the hemolytic test method.

Anti-platelet aggregation bioassay based quality control for XST capsules / 中国中药杂志

A in vitro platelet aggregation bioassay was developed for the quality control of XST capsules. The in vitro anti-platelet aggregation effect in rats was observed to detect the bioactivity of XST capsules. Panax notoginseng saponins and Xuesaitong lyophilizedpowder for injection were taken as standard control substances to determine the potency. According to the results, XST capsules showeda significant inhibitory effect on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. The in vitro anti-platelet activity oflyophilized powder for injection was stabler than that of Panax notoginseng saponins, and so suitable to serve as a standard control substance. The biological potency of XST capsules compared with standard control substance was detected by using parallel line assay. According to the results, the established bioassay method had a good repeatability (RSD 2.92%). The sample test results could pass thereliability test(linear deviation P > 0.05, parallel deviation P > 0.05). This bioassay method could be used as one of the complementary quality control methods for XST capsules.

Clinical research of electroacupuncture at acupoints of qijie area combined with spine balance-regulating massage on posterior circulation ischemia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy difference between electroacupuncture (EA) at qijie area combined with spine balance-regulating massage and medication for posterior circulation ischemia (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred cases of PCI were randomly divided into a treatment group (50 cases) and a medication group (50 cases). The treatment group was treated with EA at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Danzhong (CV 17), etc. in qijie area combined with spine muscle-relieving massage and comprehensive chiropractic. The medication group was treated with oral administration of nimodipine (30 mg per time, three treatments per day) and vinpocetine injection with 500 mL of glucose injection or intravenous drip of 500 mL 0.9% sodium chloride injection, once a day. Ten treatments were taken as one course in both groups, and two courses were given. The symptom score, mean resistance index (RI) of vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA), mean velocity of blood flow (Vm) and comprehensive clinical efficacy were compared before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured and markedly effective rate was 79.6% (39/49) in the treatment group, which was superior to 54.7% (23/42) in the medication group (P<0.05). The symptom score was both significantly improved after treatment in two groups (both P<0.05), which was more obvious in the treatment group (P<0.05). The RI of VA and BA, Vm of VA and BA were significantly improved after treatment in two groups (all P<0.05), which were more obvious in the treatment group (all P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The electroacupuncture combined with spine balance-regulating massage has superior effect on improving mean velocity of blood flow and resistance index of vertebral artery and basilar artery as well as symptom score to medication, and is believed to be a safe and effective treatment for posterior circulation ischemia.</p>

Clinical research of primary trigeminal neuralgia treated with electroacupuncture at qi streets acupoints combined with spinal regulation therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) between the comprehensive therapy of electroacupuncture (EA) at qi streets acupoints combined with spinal regulation method and medication with carbamazepine (CBZ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group (30 cases) and a medication group (30 cases). In the comprehensive therapy group, the acupoints at qi streets on the head such as Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and those at qi streets on the chest and abdomen such as Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. were selected. After arrival of qi, EA was attached on 2 to 4 groups of acupoints. After acupuncture, the spinal regulation method was applied. This comprehensive therapy was given once a day. In the medication group, CBZ was used for oral administration, 100 mg at the first time, twice a day, and 400 to 600 mg each day as the maintenance dose. Separately, before and after treatment, in 2 and 6 months in follow-up, pain rating index (PRI), life satisfaction index B (LSI-B) and hamilton depression scale (HAMD) were adopted to evaluate comprehensively the clinical efficacy in the two groups and compare the adverse reaction during the treatment between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the curative and markedly effective rate in the comprehensive therapy group was 76.7% (23/30), which was better than 63.3% (19/30) in the medication group (P < 0.01). The difference in PRI was not significant after treatment between the two groups (all P > 0.05). In 2 and 6 months follow-up, PRI grade in the comprehensive therapy group was superior to that of the medication group (both P<0. 05). After treatment and in follow-up, HAMD score was all reduced in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and the result in follow-up in the comprehensive therapy group was significant as compared with that in the medication group (all P<0. 05). After treatment, LSI-B score was increased obviously in the two groups (all P < 0.05) and the result in the comprehensive therapy group was better than that in the medication group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the comprehensive therapy group was 16.7% (5/30), which was lower than 30.0% (9/30, P < 0.01) in the medication group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The comprehensive therapy of EA at qi streets acpoints combined with spinal regulation method achieves the long-term efficacy on PTN as compared with oral administration of CBZ in terms of the improvement of psychological condition, analgesia and life quality. It is the safe, effective and stable therapy.</p>

Effect of acupuncture on transmembrane signal pathway in AD mice: an analysis based on lipid-raft proteomics / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the transmembrane signal pathway participating in regulating neuron functions of treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SAMP8 mice was used for AD animal model. The effect of acupuncture method for qi benefiting, blood regulating, health supporting, and root strengthening on the amount and varieties of transmembrane signal proteins from hippocampal lipid rafts in SAMP8 mice was detected using HPLC MS/MS proteomics method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, acupuncture increased 39 transmembrane signal proteins from hippocampal lipid rafts in SAMP8 mice, of them, 14 belonged to ionophorous protein, 8 to G protein, 8 to transmembrane signal receptor, and 9 to kinase protein. Totally 3 main cell signal pathways were involved, including G-protein-coupled receptors signal, enzyme linked receptor signal, and ion-channel mediated signal. Compared with the sham-acupuncture group, acupuncture resulted in significant increase of kinase signal protein amount. From the aspect of functions, they were dominant in regulating synapse functions relevant to cytoskeleton and secreting neurotransmitters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cell biological mechanism for treating AD by acupuncture might be achieved by improving synapse functions and promoting the secretion of neurotransmitters through transmembrane signal transduction, thus improving cognitive function of AD patients.</p>

Treatment of cervical spondylosis by spinal balancing combined with intervention of pathway of qi: a randomized controlled study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy of cervical spondylosis between the combined therapy of spinal balancing and the intervention of pathway of qi and the conventional acupuncture and massage therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and seventy-four cases of cervical spondylosis were randomized into a spinal balancing group and a conventional acupuncture group, 137 cases in each one. In the spinal balancing group, the points on the pathway of qi on the head and on the abdomen were selected [the pathway of qi on the head: Baihui (GV 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Wangu (GB 12) and the others; the pathway of qi on the abdomen: Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and the others]. The bimanual needling technique was applied in combination with spinal balancing therapy. In the conventional acupuncture group, the points were Jiaji (EX-B 2) (C3-C7), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Baihui (GV 20), etc. The conventional acupuncture technique and massage therapy were adopted. The neck pain questionnaire (NPQ) was adopted to assess the clinical efficacy of the two groups before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NPQ score was all improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The result in the spinal balancing group was superior to the conventional acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The curative and effective rate was 83.2% (114/137) in the spinal balancing group, which was better than 69.3% (95/137) in the conventional acupuncture group (P < 0.05). In terms of the types of cervical spondylosis, from high to low, the efficacy sequence was cervical type, nerve root type, vertebral artery type, sympathetic nerve type and spinal cord type.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of spinal balancing and the intervention of pathway of qi achieves the superior efficacy on various types of cervical spondylosis as compared with the conventional acupuncture and massage therapy. It apparently relieves the symptoms and improves the life quality of the patients.</p>

Lumbar disc herniation treated with qi pathway intervention and spinal adjustment: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) between the comprehensive therapy of qi pathway intervention and the spinal adjustment and the conventional therapy of acupuncture and Tuina and explore the analgesic mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-one cases were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group (36 cases) and a conventional therapy group (35 cases). In the comprehensive therapy group, the acupoints in the region of abdominal qi pathway were selected and stimulated manually with both hands. In combination, the spinal adjustment therapy was applied. In the conventional therapy group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) on the affected side were selected and stimulated with the conventional needling technique. Additionally, the routine Tuina therapy was applied. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) questionnaire, the health related quality of life (SF-36) questionnaire and the level of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were adopted to determine analgesic effect and clinical efficacy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the comprehensive therapy group, the curative and effective rate was 91.7% (33/36), which was apparently superior to 77.1% (27/35) in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05). The analgesic effect in the first 10 treatments in the comprehensive therapy group was apparently superior to that in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05). ODI after treatment was improved significantly in both groups (both P < 0.05), in which the result in the comprehensive therapy group was superior to that in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the SF-36 values of gener al health, bodily pain, physiological functioning, social functioning and emotional functioning in the comprehensive therapy group were superior to that in the conventional therapy group (all P < 0.05). After 15 treatments, the level of serum TNF-alpha in the comprehensive therapy group was lowered as compared with that before treatment and lower apparently than that in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05); after 30 treatments, it was also lower than that in conventional therapy group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the guide of the theory of qi pathway, the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture and spinal adjustment intervention achieves the quick and good efficacy on LDH as compared with the conventional acupuncture and Tuina and improves the quality of life for the patients to certain extent. The analgesic effect of this therapy is relevant with the decrease of serum TNF-alpha.</p>

Combination of acupoints based on the theory of qi tonification, blood regulation and strengthening the primary source / 中国针灸

The acupuncture technique of tonifying qi, regulating blood and strengthening the primary source of human life is established on the base of the new pathology of dementia due to dysfunction of sanjiao by Prof. HAN Jing-xian. It is held that Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli(ST 36) and Waiguan (TE 5) were the basic points for treatment of dementia. There are 3 characteristics of the point combination. Firstly, emphasis should be put on regulation of the stomach and the spleen so as to promote transportation, transformation and distribution; secondly, monarch, minister, assistant and guide points should be selected on the base of meridians, and more attention should be paid to the entity and connections among organs; and thirdly, treatment should be given according to physiological functions of the viscera.

Screening for bioactive mutants with antitumor activity from an actinomycetic wild-type strain without antitumor activity by antibiotic-resistant mutation technique and by coupled with chemical mutagen-induced mutation / 军事医学科学院院刊

Objective To obtain antibiotic-resistant mutants producing metabolites with antitumor activity from wild-type actinomycete strains without antitumor activity. Methods An actinomycete strain L35-1 was used as an initial strain for obtaining antibiotic-resistant mutants, which is a marine-derived wild-type strain without antitumor activity with an inhibition rate of 2.8% at the 1000 μg/ml of high sample concentration on K562 cells. The antibiotic-resistant mutants both from auto-mutagenesis and chemical mutagen-induced mutagenesis were selected by single colony isolation on antibiotic-containing plates according to the method for obtaining drug-resistant mutants in ribosome engineering. The antitumor activity was assayed by the MTT method using K562 cells for the mutants with aqueous acetone extracts of the whole broth of their fermentation.Results A total of 114 neomycin-resistant (ner) and 68 streptomycin-resistant (str) mutants, all from auto-mutagenesis, was obtained on drug-containing plates. Among them, the 7 ner and 3 str mutants appeared to be bioactive with an inhibition rate above 20% at the 100 μg/ml sample concentration on K562 cells. On the other hand, 41 str and 32 ner mutants from DES-induced mutagenesis and 46 ner mutants from NTG-induced mutagenesis were obtained by mutagen-induced mutation coupled with the single colony isolation on antibiotic-containing plates, among which, one str mutant from DES-induced mutagenesis and one ner mutant from NTG-induced mutagenesis were bioactive with an inhibition rate over 20% at the 100 μg/ml sample concentration on K562 cells. Conclusions The present result has revealed that the wild-type actinomycete strains without bioactivity might become a great source initial strains to obtain bioactive mutants by drug-resistant mutation technique.

Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on blood vessels and the blood flow rate in patients with takayasu arteritis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on takayasu arteritis of brachiocephalic artery type and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-one cases were treated by acupuncture and moxibustion at main acupoint Renying (ST 9) and adjuvant acupoints selected according to the symptoms. The therapeutic effect and changes of color Doppler's ultrasonic flow image (CDFI) of relevant arteries in patients before and after treatment were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical total effective rate was 90.3%. Of the 31 cases, 5 cases were clinically cured, 16 cases were markedly effective, 7 cases improved and 3 cases were ineffective; and it was showed that acupuncture and moxibustion could enlarge the inner diameter of the injured blood vessel, increase the volume of blood flow and the elastic index of the injured blood vessel, and improve the abnormal velocity and the abnormal crest form of blood flow.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion has a good therapeutic effect on takayasu arteritis of brachiocephalic artery type; acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the stenotic degree of the injured blood vessel and abnormal hemodynamics of blood flow in the limb and brain.</p>

Effects of acupuncture on nervous function in the patient of extensive cerebral infarction after operation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find a better therapy for extensive cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases with extensive cerebral infarction were treated by surgical decompression. After operation, they were randomly divided into an acupuncture plus medication group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the medication group were treated by routine western medicine, and the patients in the acupuncture plus medication group by the routine western medicine plus acupuncture 2 days after operation with Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10) and Shuigou (GV 26) selected. They were treated for 10 days. The nervous functions were assessed by Chinese Stroke Nerve-function Rating Scale and criteria for clinical therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After surgical decompression, the death rate was 20.0%; after operation, acupuncture could significantly improve the neurological functional deficit degree of the patient. The total effective rate of 40.0% in the acupuncture plus medication group was better than 13.3% in the medication group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The surgical decompression is able to decrease the death rate of extensive cerebral infarction; after the operation, acupuncture and western medicine have cooperative effect on extensive cerebral infarction with a good therapeutic effect.</p>

Application of multislice helical computed tomography in maxillofacial distraction osteogenesis / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop the method and investigate the value of the application of multislice helical computed tomography (CT) in the maxillofacial distraction osteogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve cases of maxillofacial distraction osteogenesis (3 in zygoma, 2 in maxilla, and 7 in mandible) were scanned by the multislice helical CT, then the reconstruction of three dimensional and fault image and the relative measurement were carried out to study the effect of distraction and osteogenesis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three dimensional image provided clear and high resolution stereoscopic view that the effect of distraction osteogenesis could be evaluated easily and exactly. The fault image could be set up in private computer by Mimics and the measurements, such as distance, thickness and density, could be performed as expected. The effect of 12 cases was satisfied, and the average distracted distance was 16.73 mm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Basing on multislice helical CT scanning, the high resolution image reconstruction and relative measurement data could be obtained which could meet the need of clear and direct observation. Its application in the maxillofacial distraction osteogenesis is expecting and promising.</p>

Effects of acupuncture on expressions of transcription factors NF-E2, YB-1, LRG47 in the SAMP10 mouse / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in delaying aging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using SAMP10 mice and normal control SAMR1 as model and applying RT-PCR and DIG probed Northern blot techniques to observe expression of NF-E2, YB-1, LRG47 genes in whole brain, cortex and hippocampus in the 8-month SAMR1 control group, 8-month SAMP10 control group, 8-month SAMP10 acupuncture group and 8-month SAMP10 non-point acupuncture group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the SAMP10 control group, the expression of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 were down-regulated in the whole brain, cortex and hippocampus, and after acupuncture they were up-regulated and tended to normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aging of the SAMP10 mouse brain is related with expression of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 genes, and acupuncture can regulate the expression of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 genes, improving the functions of erythrocyte series, increasing proliferation of cells and immune function of cells in anti-bacteria, hence anti-aging.</p>