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BACKGROUND: It is proved that acupuncture can remarkably promote recovery of nervous function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Previous studies in our groups have been proved that electro-acupuncture can inhibit apoptosis in early period of SCI, but the mechanism is unclear yet.OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of electro-acupuncture on expressions of apoptosis inhibitory gene Bcl-2 mRNA and protein with hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry and discuss the possible mechanism of apoptosis inhibited by electro-acupuncture in early SCI.DESIGN:Opening animal study.SETTING: Department of Anatomy, the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; Shanghai Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center.MATERIALS:Adult male SD rats of pathogen-free aged 2-3 months were selected in this study. Bcl-2 hybridization in situ kit was provided by Wuhan Boshide Biotechnology Company Limited and Bcl-2 antibody (1:200) was provided by Santa Cruz Biotechnology Company.METHODS: The experiment was completed at the Laboratory of Anatomy of the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from July 2004 to December 2005. All experimental rats were randomly divided into model group, electro-acupuncture group, methylprednisolone group and sham operation group. T10 spinal cord was injuried by the modified Allen's method and treated with electro-acupuncture immediately, and then the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were evaluated with hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry combined with image quantitative analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in early SCI; ② effect of electro-acupuncture on expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein.RESULTS: The rats were supplied when they died during the experiment,and all 42 rats were involved in the final analysis. ① Moderate expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed in the sham operation group.Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was increased in model group at 6 hours after SCI, but expression ofBcl-2 protein was not changed. At 24 hours after SCI, both expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein were increased.Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was higher in electro-acupuncture group than that in mo del group (P ＜ 0.05), and there was no significant difference from that in methylprednisolone group. ② Amount of positive Bcl-2 mRNA cells was increased in electro-acupuncture group and methylprednisolone group at 6 hours after treatment, and gray value was decreased.There was significant and remarkably significant difference from those in sham operation group and model group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). After 24-hour treatment, amount of positive Bcl-2 mRNA cells was increased in electro-acupuncture group and gray value was decreased.There was significant and remarkably significant difference from those in sham operation group and model group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ③ After 24-hour treatment, amount of immunohistochenistry positive Bcl-2 cells was increased in electro-acupuncture group and gray value was decreased. There was significant and remarkably significant difference from those in sham operation group and model group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture can up-regulate the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein so as to inhibit apoptosis in early SCI.
ABSTRACT
As the transportation of O2 and CO2 inside human body is an integrated aspect of Qi-blood transportation, a hemodynamic model is established based on the analysis of the respiratory and circulation system. The results of such model show that the abnormality of the circulatory and respiratory parameters always lead to a reduction of Po2 (O2 pressure) in tissue fluid, and then a Lung Qi-Deficiency Syndrome (QDS). This model can be used to quantitatively explain, to some extent, the physiological phenomena of Lung QDS, and could combine all the discoveries of in clinical researches, on Lung QDS. The measurement of Po2 in tissue fluid as an index to analyze Lung QDS is in accordance with TCM and TMM (the theory of modern medicine). This model may provide a new approach in clinical research of Lung QDS.
Subject(s)
Hemodynamics , Lung Diseases , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Models, Biological , Qi , Respiratory MechanicsABSTRACT
Cardiac deficiency of qi(vital energy) is one of the main syndromes in terms of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). Based on our analysis of blood-tissue fluid circulation, we set up a hemodynamics model describing cardiac deficiency of qi. The model's theoretical results can reflect the manifestations of cardiac deficiency of qi, and are identical to those of clinical experimental discoveries, therefore it has substantiated our theory-cell's abnormal physiological function caused by undernourishment of tissue fluid is the reason of qi-deficiency.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Rabbits , Cardiovascular Diseases , Hemodynamics , Physiology , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Models, Cardiovascular , QiABSTRACT
Objective To study effects of recombinant ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on gene expression of Schwann cells in the injured peripheral nerves. Methods Sciatic nerve of rat was resected and sutured into silicone tube with local infusion of recombinant CNTF.One or two weeks after nerve repaired,the distribution and quantity of S100 protein (S100),growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43), phosphotyrosine (PTyr) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) immunoreactivity in the distal nerve of the injured sciatic nerve were observed and measured with immunohistochemical ABC method by computer image analysis. Results S100,GAP-43,PTyr and STAT3 immunoreactivity showed significantly higher in the distal nerve of the injured sciatic nerve in CNTF group than that in SAL group.Conclusion\ Recombinant CNTF could up-regulate the expressions of S100,GAP-43,PTyr and STAT3 in Schwann cells of the injured peripheral nerve.The results suggest that the JAK-STAT pathway can be strengthened,and the expressions of S100 and GAP-43 can be subsequently up-regulated by recombinant CNTF in Schwann cells.
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AIM: To investigate the effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on remodeling of renal arterioles in hypertension. METHODS: Eighteen 4 weeks old male rats were divided into three groups: Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) for normotensive group, and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) for hypertensive group, and SHR treated with losartan orally (15 mg?kg -1 ?d -1 ). The rats were raised to 16 weeks old. The morphometric parameters of the renal arterioles, and the widths of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and intercellular space were studied on kidney slices by light microscope and electromicroscope respectively, combined with computer-assistant image analysis system. The minimal renal vascular resistance (RVR min ) was studied by isolated kidney perfusion system. RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure of the tail artery, wall thickness, wall area, ratio of wall thickness to inner diameter, width of VSMC of renal arterioles and RVR min were all smaller or lower in losartan group than those of SHR. CONCLUSION: Ang II receptor antagonist losartan can prevent the remodeling of renal arterioles in SHR.
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Objective: To provide data for exploring the material basis of Acupoints and the relation of accumulation of calcium and vessels at Acupoints .Methods: (1) The distribution characteristics of vessels on tibial side of the interosseous membrane (ST channel 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th cun ) were observed on Chinese ink vascular perfusion adults legs. (2) The content of calcium on ST channel were determined by proton induced X ray emission analysis. Results: (1) The average density (Aa%) of vessels at the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th cun areas of ST channel was significantly higher than that between them ( P
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The m. extensor hallucis brevis and m. extensor digitorum brevis and their blood vessels and nerves of 30 feet of Chinese cadavers are observed and measured under the operative microscope. A. tarsea lateralis and the lateral branch of nervus peroneus profundus are the best choice as the pedicle of the musculo-cutaneous flaps at dorsalis pedis. According to necessities the size of muscle may be detected randomly from medial to lateral.
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Fifty adult lower limbs were studied macromicroscopically to reveal the extrinsic blood vessels of the menisci of the knee joint. It was found that the menisci were supplied from 2 sources, the genicular branches (except the superior lateral genicular branch) of the popliteal artery, and the descending branch of the descending genicular artery. A pair of additional genicular branches with independent stems from the popliteal artery, named as the posterior medial and the posterior lateral genicular arteries by the authors, constantly supplied the posterior part of both the menisci. The arterial branches formed a circular anastomotic arch around the menisci with small branches springing from the arch and getting into the menisci. The arterial arch communicated with the femoral and the popliteal arteries and became an important stem of a reentry channol in cases of popliteal artery occlusion.
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The blood vessels and nerves of the sole skin of 50 feet of Chinese adult cadavers were observed with an operative microscope. The blood supply of the central part of the sole comes mainly from the medial and lateral plantar ar teries (MPA and LPA). Their average diameter is larger than 2.0mm and their trunk is usually longer than 80mm. When a skin flap is designed, the cutaneous branches from LPA are much better than those from MPA so far as the number of the branches, their external diameter and the extent of the distribution are considered.When the sole skin is stripped away, the cut ends of the cutaneous arteries present a multiple dot-like appearance on the surface of the superficial fascia. The external diameter of the arterial branches, the number of the branches in an unit area, and the total area of the cross section of the branches are different among the regions of the heel and the metatarsal heads, and the central part of the sole. They vary with the weight born on each region.All the cutaneous arteries of the sole are accompanied with veins respectively. Most of the MPA and LPA are accompanied with two veins with a diameter larger than 1.9mm on average. The two veins terminate by joining into two posterior tibial veins.
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The azygos system was studied on 78 Chinese adult cadavers. The occurrence of the type of coexisted azygos, hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins is 64.10%. The components of hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins are sub- ject to such a large variation that the division of the azygos system into three major trunks is not always practicable since no generally-agreed criterion can be observed. The authors, according to Seib's suggestion! classify the azygos system into three types, that is, the double trunk, the intermediate, and the single trunk types, based on the condition of the interruptions of the hemiazygos. system Intermediate type occurs most frequently and its occurrence is 52.56% in this series.The interruptions of the hemiazygos system and the communications between azygos vein and hemiazygos system are far more numerous in Chinese than in Caucasians. The racial difference of the azygos system between Chinese and Caucasian subjects suggests that the azygos system of the Caucasians more likely belongs to the embryonic type. The middle segment of the azygos vein runs to the left of the midline in adults, and the origin of the azygos system usually connects with the inferior vena cava or the renal vein.The findings mentioned above might arouse the interest or the attention of the clinicians.
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There are 2 sets of arteries supplying the abdominal skin flap of the rat.The medial set consists of the medial branch of the lateral thoracic artery,the superficial epigastric artery and the perforating arteries and the lateral set is composed of the lateral branch of the lateral thoracic artery,the superficial circumflex iliac artery and the branches of the lumbar arteries.The former supplies the medial 2 thirds and the latter the lateral third of the abdominal wall.There is no significant difference in the number of vessels and the area fraction between the medial and lateral anastomotic areas.The abdominal skin flap of the rat is thinner than the human one and contain a little amount of fat and a layer of panniculus carnosus.The vascula-ture of the abdominal skin flap can be divided into 5 layers,that is,the superficial fascial,the pannicular carnosal,the profound dermal,the subpapillary and the papillary layers,which is similar to the vasculature of the human abdominal flap.But in the rat,there is no arterial anastomosis in the reticular layer of the dermis of the abdominal flap,which might be relatded to the insufficient thickness of the flap of the rat.
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The vessels of the medial skin flap of the leg was investigated on 50 cases of adult cadavers. Cutaneous branches of arteria tiblalis posterior distribute to the lower half of the medial surface of the leg, and the area of distribution is 134.03 cm2 in average. The muscular branches of the arteria tibialis posterior mainly distribute to the muscle flexor digitorum longus, and muscle soleus. Some attentions about taking free medial skin flap of the leg have been discussed.
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The description of the origin of the arteries supplying the middle and lower thirds of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) was not consistent in the literature. 50 specimens of SCM on adult cadavers were studied with macro-micro-dissections. The relative distribution areas of various muscular arteries of SCM were displayed on a diagram. It was clearly shown that the upper, middle and lower thirds of SCM were mainly supplied by the muscular branches of the occipital, external carotid and superior thyroid arteries respectively. In 39 out of the 50 specimens, there was an additional muscular artery coming from a branch of the subclavian artery to supply the origin of SCM. The distribution area of this additional artery was so limited that it could not be considered as one of the main muscular arteries of SCM.Thus the muscular arteries of SCM came from different origins. If a single- eaded myocutaneous flap of SCM is made, seperate muscular artery must be peserved for each head of the muscle to avoid necrosis of the muscular flap as well as the remaining muscle. If free arterial pedicle is employed, the musular branch of the external carotid or superior thyroid artery is the artery of choice since either branch is superficially located and has a diameter of 1.1 mm on average.The muscular arteries of SCM entered the muscle in a dispersed way, and there was no vascular porta formed on SCM.
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The middle lobe of the right lungs of 50 Chinese adults were dissected. Their shape, broncho-vascular pattern and interrelationship were studied. A superior angle, hitherto not mentioned in the literature, was identified in 76% of the specimens. In the lungs studied, 84% of the bronchus of the middle lobe bifurcated into a lateral and a medial segmental bronchus, 12% bifurcated into a superior and an inferior segmental bronchus, and in 4% trifurcated into three bronchi. Surface representation of the segmental bronchi of the right middle lobes was examined. The arterial supply of the middle lobe varied from one to three branches. 76% of the cases were supplied by two arteries. The arterial patterns of the middle lobe have been grouped into four types. The middle lobe was usually drained by one to four veins, 56% of the specimens being with only one vein. According to the tributaries of the veins, four types of venous pattern were recognized, most of them (80%) being emptied into the superior pulmonary vein. In 80% of our specimens, an intersegmental vein has been identified. There are only 24% of our specimens in which the vascular pattern was in accordance with that of the bronchial tree.
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The micro-vascular architecture of the mucosa and submucosa of human tongue was studied under the surgical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The long branches of the profunda lingual arteries and the terminal branches of the dorsal lingual arteries anastomose into a thick layer of arterial network, under the mucosa and over the superficial muscle of the whole body and root of the tongue. Arteriolae spring from the submucosal arterial network, which get into the mucosa to form the capillary network of mucosa and the 9apillary plexuses of variant papillae.The relationship between the architecture of the lingual submucosal arterial network and the design of flaps, and the clinical significance of tongue diagnostic signs has been discussed.
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In many textbooks and literatures the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) is generally described, but only its superficial main branch (SMB) is referred, Its deep main branch (DMB) is always neglected, though it is present constantly. In 56％ of fifty cases we studied the SCIA trunk possesses both these main branches.The SMB is present in 86％ of the cases studied. After it originates from the trunk, it usually emerges promptly from the back of deep fascia into the subcutaneous layer. The points of emergence were found in an area around a center located 15 mm lateral and 10 mm below the origin of femoral artery. The course of the SMB can be marked as a line which located between a point 15 mm below the origin of femoral artery and anterior superior iliac spine. The SMB supplies an area along the lateral half of inguinal ligament, and its terminal branch usually turns upwards to the lateral portion of the abdominal wall.The DMB is a constant branch in our cases. It runs parallel to and 15mm beow the inguinal ligament, It supplies the upper lateral portion of the thigh, and its terminal branch usually turns downwards and laterally into the superficial layer of the gluteal region. The site where the DMB penetrates the deep fascia was found in an area around a center located 20 mm below the anterior superior iliac spine.The caliber of each of the two main branches is intimately correlated with the size of the skin which supplies. The course of the(SCIV)is similar to one of the main branches of the SCIA or runs between them (70％) The axes, thickness, size of the groin skin flaps were discussed.
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The sectional morphology of the human brachial artery, ulnar artery, radial artery, palmar digital artery of the thumb and the middle finger were observed under microscopy. Excepting the brachial artery, the intima of the other 4 arteries are thick, especially the ulnar artery. The histological variations must be noticed during the artery is anastomosed. The percentage of the adventitia of the whole wall thickness decreases and the elastic fibers become looser gradually in accordance with the size of the arteries. The relative contents of elastin, collagen and smooth muscle of the above 5 arteries were measured by microspectrophotometer. The content of elastin of these arteries decreases(P
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In 82% of fifty groin regions of the cadavers studied, the superficial external pudendal artery (SEPA) possesses an upper and a lower main branches (UMB, LowMB). In 66% of them, the two main branches come from one common trunk and in the rest, they arise independently. Most of the SEPA trunks or main branches arise from the femoral artery. The penetrating points of the SEPA trunk or main branches through the cribriform fascia are located at the medial or lateral margin of the terminal end of the great saphenous vein around a center 10 mm medial and 50 mm distal to the origin of femoral artery. If the SEPA trunk or main branches are crossing the great saphenous vein, it is frequently found that the SEPA trunk and LowMB are crossing behind but the UMB in front of it.The UMB supplies the suprapubic, prepubic and medial part of the inguinal regions. A line which connects a point 50 mm distal to the origin of femoral artery with the pubic tubercle is suggested as the axis of UMB free skin flap. The LowMB supplies the upper part of anterior medial femoral and prepubic regions. A line which is parallel to the pubic crest and 50 mm distal to the origin of femoral artery is suggested as the axis of LowMB free skin flap. The caliber of each of the two main branches is intimately correladed with the area of the skin which they supplied.In 82% of cases, two sets of superficial veins are not present. These superficial external pudendal veins are also the accompanying veins of the corresponding arteries.The advantages of using these vessels as skin flap pedical vessels were discussed.
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1000 fibulae of Chinese adults were observed and measured. It was found that the angle between the capital articular surface and the long axis of fibula is positively correlated with the circumference of the fibula. In 84.3% among the 1000 specimens, the body of the fibula posesses four borders and four surfaces. It would be more rational, if the nomination of these surfaces were based on their muscle attachments.The average maximum length of the fibula is 340.42?22.76 mm, the smallest circumference is 33.68?4.40 mm, the middle circumference is 39.52?4.99 mm. The caliber index, middle caliber index and the diaphyseal index were calculated respectively. The results obtained show that the side difference as a whole was statistically insignificant, but the diameter at the middle part is an exception. In the paired bones, there are more cases with larger circumference and diameter at the middle on the right side than on the left.According to our observations, some of the relationships between the morphology and function of the fibula were discussed.
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The Arteria dorsalis pedis of 50 lower limbs of adult Chinese cadavers were injected with the chloroform solution of red pigment.Then the cutaneous arteries of the Ar- teria dorsalis pedis were dissected,observed and measured under an operating microscope. The arteria dorsalis pedis was divided into proximal,intermediate and distal portions. In all cases this artery gives off direct cutaneous arteries which are more concentrated in the proximal and distal portions. In the proximal portion,the cutaneous arteries are constantly provided with larger caliber and longer length of extension.The percentage of the presence of the cutaneous arteries of the distal portion is rather high,yet both their caliber and length of extension are smaller than the branches of the proximal portion. There are certain anastomoses between the neighboring cutaneous arteries.Most of the cutaneous arteries run along the course of the medial dorsal cutaneous nerves.This nerve may be considered as a guide to find those cutaneous arteries. The caliber of the most cutaneous arteries is large enough for microsurgical vaso- anastomosis.Thus the data of this article may be helpful to clinicians who want to make a vascularized free dorsalis pedis skin flap.