Intestinal dysfunction of spinal cord injury treated with moxibustion: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect on intestinal dysfunction of spinal cord injury (SCI) between the comprehensive therapy of moxibustion (moxibustion for opening the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) and rehabilitation training and the simple treatment with rehabilitation training.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with intestinal dysfunction of SCI were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group and a rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each one (3 cases were dropped out in each group). On the base of the routine western medicine treatment and rehabilitation training, the bowel training and rectal function training were provided, once a day in the rehabilitation group. In the comprehensive therapy group, on the base of the treatment as the rehabilitation group, the moxibustion was exerted at Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Zhiyang (GV 9), Dazhui (GV 14) and Baihui (GV 20), etc, once a day, 30 min each time. In both groups, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one course and 3 courses of treatment were required. Separately, before treatment, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the scores of neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) and World Health Organization quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were observed and the clinical effect was evaluated after 12 weeks of treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the total effective rate was 88.9% (24/27) in the comprehensive therapy group, which was higher than 74.1% (20/27) in the rehabilitation group (<0.05). After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, NBD scores were all reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.01). After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, NBD scores in the comprehensive therapy group were lower than the rehabilitation group (both <0.05). After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the scores of all of the domains (psychology, physiology, social relations and environment) in WHOQOL-BREF were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.01). After 4 weeks of treatment, the scores in the psychology and physiology domains in the comprehensive therapy group were higher than the rehabilitation group (all <0.05). After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the scores of all of the domains in the comprehensive therapy group were higher than the rehabilitation group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The comprehensive treatment of moxibustion and rehabilitation training achieves the better effect on intestinal dysfunction of SCI than the simple rehabilitation training and greatly improves the quality of life in SCI patients.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improve learning ability of the aging rat / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: At present, studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have self-renewal ability, which can be used as ideal seed cells for repairing tissue and organ damages caused by aging and lesions. OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in the levels of oxidation, inflammatory factors and neurotrophic factors (BDNF) in the brain of aging rats undergoing BMSCs transplantation, and to analyze the mechanism underlying the repair of learning and memory ability in the aging rats. METHODS: A total of 30 clean Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and BMSCs group, 10 rats in each group. Aging models were made in the rats by 3-month subcutaneous injection of D-galactose. After modeling, BMSCs treatment was performed via tail vein injection in the BMSCs group.The injection was performed once a week,for 8 continuous weeks.Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and memory abilities of the rats in each group after the final injection of BMSCs. Superoxide dismutase activity in the brain tissue of rats was detected by xanthine oxidase method. Level of malondialdehyde in the rat brain tissue was detected by thiobarbituric acid method. Total antioxidant capacity of the brain tissue was detected by Fe3+reduction method. Real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA and protein in the brain tissue of the aging rat, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model group, the BMSCs group exhibited significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase, stronger total antioxidant capacity, and higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA and protein (P < 0.05), but the lower malondialdehyde level in the brain (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, there was less time and higher frequency for passing through the platform in the BMSCs group (P < 0.05). Our findings further indicate that BMSCs can improve the abilities of learning and memory in aging rats, and the underlying mechanism is likely to improve antioxidant capacity and to regulate the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors.

Potential Value of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Hematological Malignancies--Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), as one of the most important components of tumor microenvironment, which plays important role in tumorigenesis, development, infiltration and metastasis of cancers. In a variety of solid tumors, CAF can even determine the fate of tumor cells. In view of its pivotal role in promoting tumor progression, CAF has recently become a therapeutic target for a variety of tumors. However, there are a few studies on CAF in hematological malignancies. Recent studies have found that the resistance, relapse of AML, MM, CLL and myelofibrosis of MPN closely relate with CAF, so targeting CAF can effectively enhance the killing effect of chemotherapy drugs on tumor cells, thus improve the efficacy, CAF is expected to become a new target for the treatment of hematological malignancies. This review summarizes recent advances in cancer-associated fibroblasts in hematological malignancies.

Rutaecarpine inhibits angiotensin II-induced proliferation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects and possible mechanisms of rutaecarpine on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VSMCs were isolated from Male Sprague-Dawley rat aorta, and cultured by enzymic dispersion method. Experiments were performed with cells from passages 3-8. The cultured VSMCs were randomly divided into control, model (Ang II 0.1 μmol/L), and rutaecarpine (0.3-3.0 μmol/L) groups. VMSC proliferation was induced by Ang II, and was evaluated by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and cell counting. To examine the mechanisms involved in anti-proliferative effects of rutaecarpine, nitric oxide (NO) levels and NO synthetase (NOS) activity were determined. Expressions of VSMC proliferation-related genes including endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and c-myc hypertension related gene-1 (HRG-1) were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rutaecarpine (0.3-3.0 μmol/L) inhibited Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation and the best effects were achieved at 3.0 μmol/L. The Ang II-induced decreases in cellular NO contents and NOS activities were antagonized by rutaecarpine (P <0.05). Ang II administration suppressed the expressions of eNOS and HRG-1, while increased c-myc expression (P <0.05). All these effects were attenuated by 3.0 μmol/L rutaecarpine (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rutaecarpine is effective against Ang II-induced rat VSMC proliferation, and this effect is due, at least in part, to NO production and the modulation of VMSC proliferation-related gene expressions.</p>

Evaluation of vaporized hydrogen peroxide fumigation as a method for the bio-decontamination of the high efficiency particulate air filter unit / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the performance of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) for the bio-decontamination of the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter unit.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Self-made or commercially available bioindicators were placed at designated locations in the HEPA filter unit under VHP fumigation. The spores on coupons were then extracted by 0.5 h submergence in eluent followed by 200- time violent knocks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Due to the presence of HEPA filter in the box, spore recovery from coupons placed at the bottom of the filter downstream was significantly higher than that from coupons placed at the other locations. The gap of decontamination efficiency between the top and the bottom of the filter downstream became narrower with the exposure time extended. The decontamination efficiency of the bottom of the filter downstream only improved gently with the injection rate of H2O2 increased and the decontamination efficiency decreased instead when the injection rate exceeded 2.5 g/min. The commercially available bioindicators were competent to indicate the disinfection efficiency of VHP for the HEPA filter unit.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This assay developed can detect all 16 β-lactams demanded by the European Union (EU). The whole procedure takes only 45 min and can detect 42 samples and the standards with duplicate analysis.</p>

In vitro tracing of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells using the fluorescent dye CFSE / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the optimal condition for labeling rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using the fluorescent dye CFSE and the maximum time length allowed by CFSE staining for MSC tracing in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat MSCs were labeled with CFSE at different concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 micromol/L) for 1, 5 or 10 min. The transfection efficiency and fluorescence intensity in the cells were measured by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope to determine the optimal condition for MSC labeling. Under the optimal condition, the effect of CFSE on the growth of MSCs was evaluated by MTT assay, and flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope were used to determine the maximum time length following CFSE labeling to allow MSC tracing.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Staining with CFSE at 20.0 micromol/L for 5 min was optimal for labeling rat MSCs in vitro, which allowed detection of the MSCs as long as 21 days after the labeling without obviously affecting the cell growth (P>0.05).</p>

Create mathematical model and analysis of correlation between Chinese medicinal characteristics and immunoregulatory activity based on literature informatics / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Intends to create mathematical model and analysis of correlation between Chinese medicinal characteristics and immunoregulatory activity based on literature informatics.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The numbers of the Chinese medicines with immune effects were worked out within the framework of "The China Pharmacopeia" of 2005 edition, from the literature publicized since 1980. The correlation and mathematical model were figured out between Chinese medicinal characteristics including biological classification, different tastes, channel tropism as well as the parts used and immunoregulatory activity based on the statistical software SPSS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The results showed that the immunoregulatory activity was related to the five tastes of Chinese medicines, and the pungent medicines had less immune effect. The Chinese medicines of underground parts had more immune effect compared with other parts of the medicine. Medicines acting upon heart and kidneys were more powerful as for the immune effects (P <0.05). The coincidence was 74.7% between mathematical computing and original classification.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are correlations,between Chinese medicinal characteristics and immunoregulatory activity. The mathematical model based on these results can be used for immunopharmacology.</p>