Effect of electroacupuncture on urodynamics and Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in spinal cord tissue of rats with detrusor hyperreflexia after suprasacral spinal cord injury. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹éª¶ä¸Šè„Šé«“æŸä¼¤åŽé€¼å°¿è‚Œåå°„äº¢è¿›åž‹å¤§é¼ å°¿æµåŠ¨åŠ›å­¦åŠè„Šé«“Raf/MEK/ERK信号通路的影响.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on urodynamics and Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in spine cord tissue of rats after suprasacral spinal cord injury (SSCI), so as to explore its possible mechanism in improving bladder function in rats with detrusor hyperreflexia after SSCI. METHODS: Female SD rats were randomly divided into blank, sham operation, model, EA and EA+PD98059 groups, with 12 rats in each group. Thorax (T) 10 spinal cord transection was performed by surgery. Rats in the EA group were given EA (10 Hz/50 Hz, 20 min) at "Ciliao" (BL32), "Zhongji" (CV3), "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Dazhui" (GV14) once daily for 7 d. Rats of the EA+PD98059 group received intraperitoneal injection of PD98059 (5 mg/kg) 2 h before EA intervention. The urodyna-mics was used to measure the base pressure, leak point pressure, maximum pressure, maximum capacity and comp-liance of bladder, and the morphology of bladder detrusor tissue was observed with HE staining. The TUNEL staining was used to detect the cell apoptosis of the spinal cord tissue. The expression levels of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 2 (Epac2), Rap, phosphorylated rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (p-Raf), phosphorylated mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-MEK), phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the base pressure, leak point pressure and maximum pressure of bladder were significantly increased (P<0.01), the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance were decreased (P<0.01), the cell apoptosis rate of spinal cord tissue was increased (P<0.01), and the expression levels of Epac2, Rap, p-Raf, p-MEK, p-ERK1/2, and Bcl-2 protein in spinal cord tissue were decreased (P<0.01), while the expression level of Bax protein was increased (P<0.01) in the model group. After the treatment and compared with the model group, the base pressure, leak point pressure and maximum pressure of bladder, the cell apoptosis rate of spinal cord tissue, the expression level of Bax protein were decreased (P<0.05) in the EA group, while the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance, the expression levels of Epac2, Rap, p-Raf, p-MEK, p-ERK1/2, and Bcl-2 protein in spinal cord tissue were all increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). In comparison with the EA group, the base pressure, leak point pressure and maximum pressure of bladder, the cell apoptosis rate, the expression level of Bax protein were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance, and the expression levels of p-MEK, p-ERK1/2, and Bcl-2 protein were decreased (P<0.05) in the EA+PD98059 group. Results of HE staining showed disordered transitional epithelial cells and destroyed lamina propria in bladder detrusor tissue, with the infiltration of monocytes in the model group, which was obviously milder in both EA and EA+PD98059 groups, especially in the EA group. CONCLUSIONS: EA can improve the bladder function in detrusor hyperreflexia rats after SSCI, which may be related to its effect in up-regulating Epac2 and Rap, activating the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway, and reducing the cell apoptosis of spinal cord tissue.

Pharmacokinetics of Single and Multiple Doses of Omega-3 Carboxylic Acids in Healthy Chinese Subjects: A Phase I, Open-Label Study.

In patients with coronary heart disease undergoing primary prevention, hypertriglyceridemia is a residual risk for cardiovascular events. Omega-3 carboxylic acid (OM3-CA), a mixture of the free fatty acid forms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may be beneficial in reducing triglyceride levels. As part of the clinical development program of OM3-CA in China, this phase I study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability profile of OM3-CA in healthy subjects. The pharmacokinetic results of this study were also compared with those of available data for Western populations. Fourteen healthy Chinese subjects (aged 18-45 years) received once-daily oral OM3-CA 4 g for 14 consecutive days. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed from both baseline-uncorrected and baseline-corrected plasma concentrations vs time profile of EPA, DHA, and EPA plus DHA. Following single and multiple oral doses of OM3-CA, the absorption of EPA, DHA, and EPA plus DHA was steady with median tmax occurring at 5.5-6 hours after both single and multiple dosing. Close to steady-state concentrations in plasma were reached after 14 days of continuous once-daily dosing, and accumulation was confirmed for EPA, DHA, and EPA plus DHA. Of the 14 subjects treated with OM3-CA, 6 (42.9%) reported at least 1 adverse event (diarrhea) during the study, which was determined as mild and treatment emergent. No serious adverse events were reported. In summary, the pharmacokinetic profile of oral OM3-CA 4 g after single and multiple dosing in healthy Chinese subjects is consistent with that observed in other ethnic populations.

Micheliolide ameliorates diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting Mtdh-mediated renal inflammation in type 2 diabetic db/db mice.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the principal cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide and few treatments are available. Because immunomodulators are pivotal to DKD pathophysiology, anti-inflammatory agents may be useful for treating DKD. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of micheliolide (MCL), a novel guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone with well-known anti-inflammatory effects, on DKD. Treatment with dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL), the pro-drug of MCL currently under clinical trial in oncology, protected the kidneys against proteinuria, renal failure, histopathological injury, and inflammation in db/db mice. This effect was associated with metadherin (Mtdh) downregulation. We observed aberrant upregulation of Mtdh in the kidneys of db/db mice and high-glucose (HG)-induced mouse tubular epithelial cells (mTECs). Downregulation of Mtdh obviously inhibited nuclear factor-κB signaling activation and suppressed its downstream inflammatory cytokines, such as monocyte chemotactic peptide-1, interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 in HG-induced mTECs, which was similar to the effect of MCL. Mtdh overexpression largely reversed the anti-inflammatory role of MCL. Moreover, MCL downregulated Mtdh by both inhibiting the transcription level and promoting ubiquitin-mediated degradation. These findings suggest that DMAMCL is a promising anti-inflammatory agent useful for preventing renal injury in DKD by inhibiting Mtdh-mediated renal inflammation.

A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for insomnia secondary to cervical cancer: Sleep effects.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction on objective and subjective sleep parameters and hypnotic medication use of patients with insomnia secondary to cervical cancer. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial enrolled insomnia patient who were caused or worsened by cervical cancer. Seventy patients with insomnia caused or aggravated by cervical cancer were at random divided into either a usual care group or an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction group. Subjective sleep parameters, objective sleep parameters and hypnotic medication consumption were assessed at baseline, after the program, 6- and 12-month after finishing the interventions. RESULTS: The results showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction had a positive effect on subjective sleep parameters (Total wake time: ∆ = 45.32, P < 0.05; Sleep efficacy: ∆ = 6.87, P < 0.05; Total sleep time: ∆ = 22.22, P < 0.01). Compared with control group, polysomnography data in mindfulness-based stress reduction group were not improved significantly. There were no associations between subjective sleep parameters and objective sleep parameters. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness-based stress reduction had a definite impact on patients with insomnia that was secondary to cervical cancer just after the intervention, but no long-term influences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800018571; 9/25/2018; retrospectively registered.

Effect of ultrasound on the properties and antioxidant activity of hawthorn pectin.

In this paper, the effects of ultrasonic on the degradation kinetics, structure properties, and antioxidant activity of hawthorn pectin were studied. According to our study, as ultrasonic time extended, the intrinsic viscosity for different hawthorn pectin concentrations decreased. The ultrasonic degradation of hawthorn pectin reaction conformed to the first-order kinetic equation. As the reaction rate constant (k) decreased, hawthorn pectin concentration increased. When ultrasonic time was 10 min, the Gal A increased by 10.62% and the DE decreased by 45.57% compared with control, additionally, the particle size, turbidity and gel properties of hawthorn pectin decreased. Hawthorn pectin molecular weight and its distribution all decreased after ultrasonic treatment. FTIR analysis indicated that ultrasonic treatment did not change pectin's primary structures, and SEM analysis showed that the surface characteristic of ultrasonic treatment pectin was different from native pectin. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant activity assays indicated that ultrasonic treatment significantly improved the antioxidant activity of pectin. It was concluded that ultrasonic treatment not only affected the properties of pectin, but also affected its antioxidant activity.

Retracted: A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for insomnia secondary to cervical cancer: Effects on sleep.

Retraction: 'A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for insomnia secondary to cervical cancer: Effects on sleep' DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.1190 by Huashuang Zhang, Yang Li, Mingming Li, Xiaowen Chen. The above article, published online on 29 May 2019 in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, Huashuang Zhang, Yang Li, Mingming Li, Xiaowen Chen, the journal Editor in Chief Nidhi Bansal, and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed because of an honest error discovered by the authors in the data presented in Table 4 that impacts the overall conclusions of the article.

Drug-resistance dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus between 2008 and 2014 at a tertiary teaching hospital, Jiangxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND: To understand the relationship between the Staphylococcus aureus infection rate and the reasonable usage of antibiotics, which will help in the effective control of MRSA infection. METHODS: All data were obtained by the application of the nosocomial infection surveillance network. Drug resistance, departmental sources, and isolated sites as well as infection rate variations of S. aureus were analyzed in the 7-year period in key departments. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2014, 2525 strains of S. aureus isolates, mainly from sputum, skin/soft tissue, bloodstreams were collected from several hospital departments including respiratory, burn, brain surgery, orthopedics, ICU, and emergency. During these periods, the resistance rate of S. aureus to most drugs, including oxacillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin, showed a tendency to decrease. The resistance to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim showed the opposite trend (P = 0.075) and there were no S. aureus strains resistant to linezolid and vancomycin. The MRSA infection rate was different across crucial hospital departments, with the burns department and ICU maintaining a high infection level. Over the 7-year period, both the brain surgery and the emergency departments had an expected upward trend (P < 0.05), while the orthopedic department showed a clear downward trend (P < 0.05) in MRSA infection rate. CONCLUSION: Hospitals should continue to maintain the current pattern of antibiotic administration, while more effective measures should be taken to reduce the high MRSA infection rate in some important hospital departments.

Relaxant Effect of Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulphonate on Mouse Tracheal Smooth Muscle.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate, a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, has been proven to possess versatile biological properties, but its pharmacological effect on tracheal smooth muscle remains elusive. This paper presents a study on the relaxant effect and underlying mechanisms of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate on mouse tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate was evaluated in mouse tracheal rings using a mechanical recording system. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured in primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells using confocal imaging system. The results showed that sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate induced dose-dependent relaxation of mouse tracheal rings in a ß-adrenoceptor- and epithelium-independent manner. Pretreatment with the ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker glibenclamide partly attenuated the relaxation response. Administration of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate notably inhibited the extracellular Ca2+-induced contraction. High KCl or carbachol-evoked elevation in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was also abrogated by sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate in tracheal smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, the tracheal relaxant effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate was independent of ß-adrenoceptor and airway epithelium, mediated primarily by inhibition of extracellular Ca2+ influx via L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and partially by activation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel. These results indicate the potential therapeutic value of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate for asthma treatment.

Sweet sorghum bagasse and corn stover serving as substrates for producing sophorolipids.

To make the process of producing sophorolipids by Candida bombicola truly sustainable, we investigated production of these biosurfactants on biomass hydrolysates. This study revealed: (1) yield of sophorolipds on bagasse hydrolysate decreased from 0.56 to 0.54 and to 0.37 g/g carbon source when yellow grease was dosed at 10, 40 and 60 g/L, respectively. In the same order, concentration of sophorolipids was 35.9, 41.9, and 39.3 g/L; (2) under similar conditions, sophorolipid yield was 0.12, 0.05 and 0.04 g/g carbon source when corn stover hydrolysate was mixed with soybean oil at 10, 20 and 40 g/L. Sophorolipid concentration was 11.6, 4.9, and 3.9 g/L for the three oil doses from low to high; and (3) when corn stover hydrolysate and yellow grease served as the substrates for cultivating the yeast in a fermentor, sophorolipid concentration reached 52.1 g/L. Upon further optimization, sophorolipids production from ligocellulose will be indeed sustainable.

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi ethanol extract inhibits osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells via the RANKL signaling pathway.

Fructus ligustri Lucidi (FLL) is the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait and a traditional Chinese medicine, primarily known for its role in osteoporosis prevention and treatment. The present study aimed to elucidate the effect and underlying mechanism of action of ethanol extract of FLL on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, and to identify the active compounds within it. RAW264.7 murine monocyte/macrophage cells were stimulated with the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) to induce osteoclast differentiation in vitro. The present study demosntrated that FLL extract and its two primary components, oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), significantly suppressed RANKL­induced tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and multinucleate osteoclast formation without inducing cytotoxicity; however, no effect was observed on the apoptosis of mature osteoclasts. Additionally, RANKL­induced mRNA expression levels of the key transcription factors, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor­6, nuclear factor of activated T cell­c1 and c­Fos, and the osteoclast markers, TRAP, cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase­9 were suppressed by FLL, OA and UA. However, no effect was observed on RANKL­induced mRNA expression levels of Src. These results demonstrated that FLL may inhibit osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells via RANKL signaling pathways. OA and UA are active compounds in inducing this effect; however, their specific roles remain to be elucidated.

Prader-Willi syndrome in neonates: twenty cases and review of the literature in Southern China.

BACKGROUND: Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic abnormality that can be challenging to diagnose early, but for which early interventions improve prognosis. METHODS: To improve understanding of Prader-Willi syndrome in neonates in Asia, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 20 affected newborns diagnosed in the Department of Neonatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China from January 2007 to December 2014 and performed a review of the relevant literature. RESULTS: Fourteen boys and six girls presented with hypotonia, poor responsiveness, feeding difficulty, and infrequent, weak crying. Different from western patients, the 20 Asian patients exhibited at least five of the following typical features: prominent forehead, narrow face, almond-shaped eyes, small mouth, downturned mouth, thin upper lip, and micromandible. All 14 boys had a small scrotum, including nine with cryptorchidism. Diagnoses were made with microarray comparative genomic hybridization. All 20 infants required feeding tubes. Fifteen received swallowing training immediately after admission; the period of continuous tube feeding for these patients ranged from 8 to 22 days (mean, 14 ± 5.3 days). For the five patients who did not receive swallowing training, the period of continuous tube feeding ranged from 15 to 35 days (mean, 18 ± 4.3 days). Comprehensive care measures included: giving parents detailed health education and basic information about this disease, teaching skills to promote feeding and prevent suffocation, increasing children's passive activity, providing nutrition management for normal development, and preventing excessive or inadequate nutrient intake. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates with Prader-Willi syndrome in Asia have hypotonia, poor responsiveness, feeding difficulty, infrequent and weak crying, genital hypoplasia, and characteristic facial features. Recognition of the syndrome in neonates with confirmation by genetic testing is essential, because early diagnosis allows early intervention. Treatment measures including swallowing training can improve prognosis, prevent growth retardation and obesity, and elevate quality of life in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.

[Shenkang pill down-regulates AOPP-induced expression of inflammatory factor MCP-1 via a p38MAPK/NF-κB-dependent mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the serum of rats fed with Shenkang pill in regulating monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) expression induced by advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: MPC5 cultured in vitro were incubated for different time lengths in the presence of different concentrations of serum of rats medicated with Shenkang pill, and the cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay. In MPC5 treated with AOPP prior to exposure to the rat serum, the changes in the protein expressions of p38MAPK and IκBα were examined with Western blotting, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay, and MCP-1 expression in the supernatant was determined using ELISA kits. RESULTS: The medicated rat serum time- and concentration-dependently promoted the proliferation of MPC5, with the optimal serum concentration of 5% and incubation time of 24 h. AOPP significantly increased MCP-1 expression in the cell supernatant in a time-and concentration-dependent manner; pretreatment with SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) or parthenolide (a NF-κB inhibitor) significantly decreased MCP-1 expression, and treatment with the medicated serum significantly decreased AOPP-induced MCP-1 expression. AOPP concentration-dependently increased the protein expression of P-p38 but decreased that of IκBα. Both the medicated serum and SB203580 increased IκBα protein in AOPP-induced cells, but the effect was more obvious with the medicated serum. The medicated serum also decreased NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in AOPP-induced MPC5. CONCLUSION: Shenkang pill-medicated serum can decrease AOPP-induced expression of MPC-1 in MPC5 by regulating p38MAPK/NF-κB to mediate its anti-inflammatory effect. This finding provides a new theoretical basis for the application of Shenkang pill to treat diabetic nephropathy.

A study on hypoglycaemic health care function of Stigma maydis polysaccharides.

The objective of this paper was to study the therapeutic effect of Stigma maydis polysaccharides in diabetic mice. Mouse models of types 1 and 2 diabetes were established. The body weight, food intake, water intake as well as blood sugar level and glucose tolerance of mice were measured. Stigma maydis polysaccharides can improve the symptoms of weight loss and polydipsia in diabetic mice, and had an obvious antagonistic effect on alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia. The glucose tolerance test also showed that the Stigma maydis polysaccharides had very good effects on suppression and prevention of acute hyperglycaemia. Stigma maydis polysaccharides have some improvement effect on alloxan-induced types 1 and 2 diabetes.

Genomic, proteomic, and biochemical analyses of oleaginous Mucor circinelloides: evaluating its capability in utilizing cellulolytic substrates for lipid production.

Lipid production by oleaginous microorganisms is a promising route to produce raw material for the production of biodiesel. However, most of these organisms must be grown on sugars and agro-industrial wastes because they cannot directly utilize lignocellulosic substrates. We report the first comprehensive investigation of Mucor circinelloides, one of a few oleaginous fungi for which genome sequences are available, for its potential to assimilate cellulose and produce lipids. Our genomic analysis revealed the existence of genes encoding 13 endoglucanases (7 of them secretory), 3 ß-D-glucosidases (2 of them secretory) and 243 other glycoside hydrolase (GH) proteins, but not genes for exoglucanases such as cellobiohydrolases (CBH) that are required for breakdown of cellulose to cellobiose. Analysis of the major PAGE gel bands of secretome proteins confirmed expression of two secretory endoglucanases and one ß-D-glucosidase, along with a set of accessory cell wall-degrading enzymes and 11 proteins of unknown function. We found that M. circinelloides can grow on CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) and cellobiose, confirming the enzymatic activities of endoglucanases and ß-D-glucosidases, respectively. The data suggested that M. circinelloides could be made usable as a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) strain by introducing a CBH (e.g. CBHI) into the microorganism. This proposal was validated by our demonstration that M. circinelloides growing on Avicel supplemented with CBHI produced about 33% of the lipid that was generated in glucose medium. Furthermore, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis showed that when growing on pre-saccharified Avicel substrates, it produced a higher proportion of C14 fatty acids, which has an interesting implication in that shorter fatty acid chains have characteristics that are ideal for use in jet fuel. This substrate-specific shift in FAME profile warrants further investigation.

The relaxation mechanisms of tetrandrine on the rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro.

The relaxation mechanisms of tetrandrine (Tet) on the rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro were investigated. Strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum were mounted in organ chambers. The effects of Tet were examined on isolated muscle strips pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE) alone, in the presence of N(W)-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), 1-H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one(ODQ, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), tetraethylammonium (TEA, Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blocker), 4-aminopiridine (4-AP, voltage dependent K(+) channel blocker) and glibenclamide (ATP sensitive K(+)channel blocker). The effects of Tet on KCl-induced contraction of isolated muscle strips were also investigated. The procedure of calcium absence-calcium addition was designed to observe the effect of Tet on the two components of the contractile responses to PE based on the source of Ca(2+) (extracellular vs. intracellular). Corpus cavernosum strips showed relaxation in response to Tet (10(-8) approximately 10(-3) mol L(-1)) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 3.73 x 10(-5) mol L(-1). However, they were not affected by LNNA, ODQ, indomethacin and K(+)-channel blockers. Tet (10 micromol L(-1), 30 micromol L(-1)) concentration dependently reduced the maximal contraction response of isolated strips induced by KCl to (73.0 +/- 3.8) and (41.5 +/- 3.4)%, respectively (p < 0.01). In the procedure of calcium absence-calcium addition, Tet 100 micromol L(-1) inhibited both intracellular calcium-dependent and extracellular calcium-dependent contraction induced by PE (20 micromol L(-1)) (p < 0.05). The inhibition ratios were (23.8 +/- 7.1) and (40.7 +/- 11.2)%, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that Tet possesses a relaxant effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum tissues, which is attributable to the inhibition of extracellular Ca(2+) influx and the inhibition of release of intracellular-stored Ca(2+), but not mediated by the release of nitric oxide, prostaglandins or by the activation of potassium channels.

[Therapeutic effect of compositive rehabilitation on lumber disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of different physical rehabilitation techniques on patients with lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Eighty-four patients were randomly divided into Group A, Group B and Group C. Group A were treated with the computerized pelvis traction and ultrashort wave, Group B were treated with the computerized pelvis traction only, while Groups C were treated with the computerized pelvis traction, the ultrashort wave and the traditional Chinese medicine iontophoresis. The outcome was measured with the Japanese Orthopaedics Association Score (JOA score) about lower back pain (LBP). RESULTS: Compared with before the treatment, the JOA score of all the 3 groups increase markedly after the treatment (P<0.001). Compared with group B, the JOA score of Groups A and Group C significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with Group A, the JOA score in Group C significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The curative effect of comprehensive rehabilitation on lumbar disc herniation is better than that of the single rehabilitation.

[The relaxation effects of six extracts from Chinese herbs on the corpus cavernosum tissue of rabbit in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relaxants effects of six extractions from Chinese Herbs (neferine, tetrandrine, kakonein, scutellarin, ginsenoside Rgl and ginsenoside Rb1) on the corpus cavernosum tissue of rabbit in vitro. METHODS: Isolated stripes of rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue were precontracted with 10(-5) mol/L phenylephrine (PE). Relaxation in response to cumulative doses of six extracts at (10(-8) - 10(-3)) mol/L was determined. RESULTS: On rabbit cavernosal muscle stripes precontracted with PE, neferine, tetrandrine, kakonein and scutellarin showed dose dependent relaxation. IC50 values were 4.60 x 10(-6), 3.73 x 10(-5), 8.03 x 10(-4) and 3.33 x 10(-3) mol/L, respectively. However, in the meantime, it was found that the relaxant effects of ginsenoside Rgl and ginsenoside Rbl less significant to stripes precontracted with PE. When the final concentration was 10(-3) mol/L, the relaxations were only (16.32 +/- 5.45)% and (11.21 +/- 3.10)%. CONCLUSION: Among the six extracts which showed relaxant effects to rabbit cavernosal muscle stripes precontracted with PE, neferine had greater functions than the other five extracts.

[Inhibitory effect and its kinetic analysis of baicalein on recombinant human protein kinase CK2 holoenzyme].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous and pleiotropic Ser/Thr protein kinase in eukaryotic cells. CK2 activity has been shown to be markedly elevated in solid tumors and leukemia cells. Its alpha or alpha' gene is a protooncogene. CK2 is attracting increasing attention as a potential target for anti-neoplastic. This study was to search specific CK2 inhibitors in tumor cells through observation of the inhibitory effects of baicalein on recombinant human protein kinase CK2 holoenzyme and its kinetics in vitro. METHODS: Recombinant human protein kinase CK2 alpha' and beta subunits were cloned and expressed by gene engineering, and purified to homogeneous. These 2 subunits were mixed at equal molar ratio to reconstitute CK2 holoenzyme. The CK2 activity was evaluated by detecting radioactivity of 32P of [gamma-32P]ATP which was incorporated into the substrate in various conditions. RESULTS: Baicalein was shown to strongly inhibit the holoenzyme activity of CK2 with IC50 of 2.54 micromol/L. Kinetic studies of baicalein on CK2 showed that baicalein acted as an inhibitor of noncompetitive with ATP(KI=7.73 micromol/L) and mixed types with casein(KI=3.07 micromol/L). CONCLUSION: Baicalein is an effective inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 in vitro.