Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: From molecular research to target therapy / 国际药学研究杂志

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which primarily affects women, is a rare lung disease characterized by diffuse cystic lesion and abdominal tumor(angiomyolipoma or lymphangioleiomyomas). It has two forms, sporadic LAM (sLAM) and tuberous sclerosis complex associated LAM (TSC-LAM). The mutations in the TSC genes on LAM cells lead to inappropriate activation of mam-malian target of sirolimns (Rapamycin) kinase (mTOR), which causes the development of LAM. The important role of mTOR pathway in the mechanism of LAM promotes the clinical use of mTOR inhibitors (such as sirolimns) in LAM patients. This article summarizes the mechanisms of LAM and reviews the clinical trials with mTOR inhibitors in LAM patients.

Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) among Study Population with Cardiovascular Risk; use and Substitution for Conventional Medicine in Pahang, Malaysia

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Malaysia. There is evidence of high traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use among population with cardiovascular risk and there have been anecdotal reports about substitution of conventional medicines with TCM. We investigated the prevalence of TCM use, treatment preference and substitution of conventional medicines in study population with cardiovascular risk factors in Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in five districts of Pahang. A total of 1250 households were chosen through proportionate and systematic sampling. Respondents aged 18 years and above were selected. Results: The study population with cardiovascular risk factors who used TCM was higher than the general population (31.7% versus 25.9%). There were no clear preferences in using TCM by gender, age groups, educational level and income even though other bumiputeras showed a slight inclination towards TCM use. Among the study population with cardiovascular risk factors who consumed TCM, 20-30% of them were using TCM as a substitute for their conventional medications. Respondents from the younger age group (18-40 years) (57.1%), highest educational level (43.2%), other bumiputeras (38.4%) and highest income group (31.4%) preferred the combination of both conventional and traditional medicine. Conclusion: TCM use among population with cardiovascular risk factors is high. The high preference for combination therapy of TCM and conventional medications among young adults and the use of TCM to substitute conventional medications show that much research is needed to provide proven TCM therapies to avoid self-mismanagement of cardiovascular risk in Malaysia.

Characteristics of serum lipid metabolism in patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the serum lipid panels in consecutive autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis(APAP)patients and analyze their relationship with anti-granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF)antibody and other markers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two non-diabetic APAP patients were enrolled in the study. Serum lipids of these patients and 100 healthy volunteers were tested after an overnight fasting. Anti-GM-CSF antibody levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation of serum lipids with lactate dehydrogenase,carcinoembryonic antigen,pulmonary function,and artery blood gas parameters were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [(5.54±0.99)and(3.73±0.83)mmol/L respectively] were significantly higher in APAP patients than in healthy volunteers [(5.05±0.97)and(3.17±0.89)mmol/L respectively](all P<0.05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)level of the APAP group [(1.10±0.18)mmol/L ]was significantly lower than that of the healthy group(P<0.05). Low-density lipoprotein/HDL and total cholesterol/HDL ratios in the APAP group(3.47±0.90 and 5.14±1.12 respectively)were significantly higher than those in the healthy group[(2.63±0.87)and(4.18±1.12)](all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in triglyceride level between the two groups(P>0.05). HDL-C level was negatively correlated with alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference(r=-0.436,P<0.05)and positively correlated with arterial oxygen saturation(r=0.459,P<0.05). None of the lipid markers correlated with serum anti-GM-CSF antibody levels(all P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>APAP patients were likely to suffer from disturbed lipid metabolism,which was correlated with disease severity to some degree. Lipid markers deserved more attention in the management of APAP patients.</p>

Inactivation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by rapamycin in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, a key cellular signaling pathway associated with various cellular functions, has distinct roles in the inflammatory process. In this study, the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (Rapa) was used to test whether inhibition of mTOR activation attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a murine model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice pretreated with Rapa or vehicle were given LPS intratracheally. Local cell numbers and inflammatory cytokines present in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), wet-to-dry weight ratio, histopathology of the lungs, and survival were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The phosphorylation of S6, a major downstream target of mTOR, had a 3-fold increase in lung tissue after LPS stimulation, but the increase was blocked by Rapa. Rapa reduced the levels of TNF-α (LPS vs. LPS + Rapa, (1672.74 ± 193.73) vs. (539.17 ± 140.48) pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.01) and IL-6 (LPS vs. LPS + Rapa: (7790.88 ± 1170.54) vs. (1968.57 ± 474.62) pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.01) in the BAL fluid. However, Rapa had limited effects on the overall severity of ALI, as determined by the wet-to-dry weight ratio of the lungs, number of neutrophils in the BAL fluid, and changes in histopathology. In addition, Rapa failed to reduce mortality in the LPS-induced ALI model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>We confirmed that mTOR was activated during LPS-induced ALI and strongly inhibited by Rapa. Although Rapa reduced the levels of the mediators of inflammation, the overall severity and survival of the ALI murine model were unchanged.</p>

Effect of CT-aided Scalp Surrounding Needling on Infarction Dementia by Retaining Long Time / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effect of CT-aided scalp surrounding needling on infraction dementia by retaining long time. Methods 53 infraction patients following dementia were randomly divided into treatment group (n=26) and control group (n=27). The control group was treated with CT-aided scalp surrounding needling for 30 minutes, while the treatment group was treated with CT-aided scalp surrounding needling for 3 hours. The course was 8 weeks. The therapeutic effect was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE), Hasegawa Dementia Scale(HDS-R) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Results The scores of ADL, MMSE, and HDS-R improved obviously after treatment in two groups (P<0.05), and the treatment group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion CT-aided scalp surrounding needling by retaining long time may facilitate to enhance the clinical effect on infarction dementia.

γδ T lymphocyte function and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V δ chain in lungs of asthmatic patients / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the function of gamma delta T lymphocytes and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain in the lungs of asthmatic patients and explore the role of gamma delta T cells in airway inflammation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid BALF was obtained from 7 asthmatic patients and 7 healthy control individuals. The percentage of gamma delta T cell in BALF was measured by flow cytometry. The gamma delta T cell in BALF was purified by magnetic labeled beads. Proliferous activity was examined by MTT assay. Cytokines secreted by gamma delta T cells in medium was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was detected by RT-PCR and gene scan analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proportion of gamma delta T cell in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(6.39+/-0.71)%] was significantly higher than that in control subjects [(2.62+/-0.37)%] (P<0.01). The proportion of macrophage in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(81+/-4)] was significantly lower than that in control subjects [(86+/-2)] (P<0.05). The proliferation rate of asthmatic patients [(284.2+/-43.6)%] was significantly higher than that of control subjects [(217.5+/-59.5)%] (P<0.05). Interleukin-4 secreted by gamma delta T cells of asthmatic patients [(18.9+/-3.1) pg/ml)] significantly increased when compared with the control subjects [(14.1+/-3.0) pg/ml] (P<0.05). The polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was not significantly different between these two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increase of gamma delta T cells in the lung of asthmatic patients further exacerbates Th1/Th2 disturbance and airway inflammation. Antigen recognition by gamma delta T cells is non-specific.</p>

The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire in lymphangioleiomyomatosis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the correlation between the health-related quality of life measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the commonly used physiological measures in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study retrospectively analyzed the SGRQ scores and other measures (the Borg scale of breathlessness at rest, 6-minute walking distance, blood oxygen levels, and pulmonary function) of patients diagnosed and confirmed with LAM. Altogether 38 patients between June 2007 and November 2009 were included.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean values of the SGRQ three components (symptoms, activity, and impacts) and total scores in the LAM patients were 46.95 +/- 28.90, 58.47 +/- 25.41, 47.89 +/- 29.66, and 51.11 +/- 26.35, respectively. The SGRQ total or component scores were correlated well with the Borg scale of breathlessness, 6-minute walking distance, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, spirometry and diffusion capacity of lung. There were poor correlations between SGRQ score and residual volume or total lung capacity. In our preliminary observation, sirolimus improved the SGRQ total and three component scores and the Borg scale of breathlessness significantly after 101-200 days of treatment (n = 6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The SGRQ score in LAM is correlated well with physiological measures (Borg scale of breathlessness, 6-minute walking distance, blood oxygen levels, and pulmonary function tests). The SGRQ could therefore be recommended in baseline and follow-up evaluation of patients with LAM. Treatment with sirolimus, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, may improve the quality of life and patient's perception of breathlessness in LAM.</p>

Clinical features and prognosis in 21 patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the spectrum of causes, clinical features, differences between disease phases, and prognosis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with EAA diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 1983 to May 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Their medical records were examined to gather clinical, laboratorial, radiological, and histopathological data. Patients were divided to three phases (acute, subacute, and chronic) according to clinical presentations. Follow-up data regarding treatment response, subsequent radiological and pulmonary function studies, and clinical outcomes were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 21 cases were enrolled. Among them, 11 were subacute, 10 were chronic. The most common exposure was pet birds (6 cases, 28.6%). The primary abnormality of pulmonary function was restriction and/or reduction in diffusing capacity (12 cases, 63.2%). The most common findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were ground-glass opacities (13 cases, 68.4%) and centrilobular nodules (8 cases, 42.1%). Airway obstruction in pulmonary function test, emphysema, lung cysts, and fibrosis on HRCT were more frequently seen in chronic than in subacute patients, though the differences were not statistically significant. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed lymphocytosis. The total cell count and the percentage of neutrophils were significantly higher in subacute than in chronic patients (P<0.05). Nonnecrotizing granulomas were seen in 8 (47.1%) cases. Improvement or normalization in symptoms, radiography, and pulmonary function test after treatment were seen in all 18 patients with available follow-up data. Five patients recurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The characteristic abnormalities of pulmonary function, findings on HRCT, and pathology are essential for all phases of EAA, and the atypical manifestations such as obstruction and fibrosis can also be present frequently, particularly in chronic cases. Differential cell counts of BALF are related to the phase of the disease. The treatment response and prognosis of EAA are good.</p>

Pathologic study of diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis caused by chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the pathologic characteristics of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, especially the pattern of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis; and to compare the histologic features with those of idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HE-stained paraffin sections of 10 cases of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis encountered during the period from 2000 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were altogether 6 males and 4 females, with age of patients ranging from 23 to 59 years (mean=47.2 years). Clinically, the patients presented with chronic cough and shortness of breath for 4 months to 6 years. Histologically, 7 cases showed usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP)-like fibrosis. Patchy fibrosis was observed under the pleura, adjacent to interlobular septa and around bronchioles. In all of the 7 cases, foci of fibroblastic proliferation, as well as bronchiolar metaplasia of peribronchiolar alveoli and mild bronchiolitis, were noted. Three cases presented with mild honeycomb changes of lung and 3 cases showed non-specific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP)-like fibrosis, in which the alveolar septa were expanded by fibrous tissue and collagen, with relative preservation of alveolar architecture. Bronchiolitis and lymphocytic infiltrates in alveolar septa were seen. Schaumann bodies were identified in 1 case. In general, patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis were younger than patients with idiopathic UIP. Computed tomography often showed upper and middle lobar involvement and mosaic attenuation. Compared with idiopathic UIP, the UIP-like fibrosis of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis often occurred not only under the pleura and adjacent to interlobular septa, but also around bronchioles and was accompanied by bronchiolar metaplasia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis can mimic other types of lung conditions with interstitial fibrosis, especially UIP and NSIP. As a result, some cases of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis may be misdiagnosed as such.</p>

Clinicopathologic study of primary marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT type and lymphoid hyperplasia of lung / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement results of primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty cases, included 13 cases of pulmonary MALToma and 7 cases of pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia, encountered during the period from 1989 to 2007, were retrospectively analyzed. The samples were paraffin-embedded and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical study and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction for IgH gene rearrangement were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 13 cases of primary pulmonary MALToma were composed of a spectrum of lymphoid cells, including lymphocyte-like cells, centrocyte-like cells and mononuclear B cells with plasmacytoid differentiation. They often had diffuse or marginal zone growth patterns. Lymphoid follicles with neoplastic colonization were apparent. The lymphoma cells spread along alveolar septa and bronchovascular bundles. Vascular invasion was noted in 9 cases, pleura involvement in 6 cases and nodal involvement in 2 cases. Lymphoepithelial lesions (LEL) were identified in 9 cases of pulmonary MALToma. Immunohistochemically, the lymphocytes in LEL were CD20-positive and CD3-negative. On the other hand, LEL was also present in 2 of the 7 cases of lymphoid hyperplasia studied, with a mixture of CD20-positive B cells and CD3-negative T cells. Eight of the 9 cases of primary pulmonary MALToma were positive for IgH gene rearrangement, while all of the 7 cases of lymphoid hyperplasia were negative.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Histologically, the cell population of primary pulmonary MALToma is similar to that of extranodal MALToma occurring in other organs. LEL, though commonly observed in pulmonary MALToma, are not specific and can also be seen in cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. The immunophenotype of intraepithelial lymphocytes in pulmonary MALToma and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia is different. The presence of a monotonous population of CD20-positive intraepithelial lymphocytes supports a diagnosis of MALToma. IgH gene rearrangement study is also useful in differentiating both entities.</p>

Acupoint-injection of BCG polysaccharide nuclear acid for treatment of condyloma acuminatum and its immunoregulatory action on the patient / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into immunological mechanisms and clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint-injection of BCG polysaccharide nuclear acid (BCG-PSN) for treatment of condyloma acuminatum (CA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred cases were randomly divided into 4 groups. After removed the CA by laser, the treatment group (group A) was treated with acupoint-injection of BCG-PSN, the control group I (group B) with intramuscular injection of BCG-PSN, the control group II (group C) with intramuscular injection of interferon, and the blank control group (group D) with no treatment. The levels of cellular immune function were detected before treatment and after treatment of 6 months, and the cases of relapse were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate of 94.3% in the group A was significantly higher than 78.0% in the group B, 80.4% in the group C and 78.2% in the group D, with significant differences (P < 0.05); in the group A, CD4+ percent increased, CD8+ percent decreased, CD4+ /CD+ ratio increased, and NK cell activity increased with a low relapse rate, and with significant differences as compared with the control groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupoint-injection of BCG-PSN has a better therapeutic effect and it can obviously reduce the recurrence rate of CA. The cellular immunoregulatory action is one of the mechanisms of this therapy in preventing relapse of CA.</p>

Practice of Constructivism Learning Theory in Network Teaching of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Science / 中华医学教育探索杂志

According to the constructivism learning theory,the paper analyzed the method and the value of applying the constructivism learning theory to teaching Acupuncture and Moxibustion Science in the universities and colleges of Chinese medicine from designing and developing the pedagogy platform and online learning courseware for Acupuncture and Moxibustion Science to the experiment of teaching mode and the effect on teaching experiment based on constructivism learning theory etc.The advantages and effect are also summed up in this article.

Low dose pirfenidone suppresses transforming growth factor beta-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and protects rats from lung fibrosis induced by bleomycina / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the optimal dosage of pirfenidone for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in Wistar rats, and the alteration of expressions of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in lung tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Wistar rats were endotracheally instilled with bleomycin or normal saline. Pirfenidone (25-800 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), dexamethasone (3 mg/kg), or 1% carboxymethylcellulose sodium were given daily by feed 2 days before instillation of bleomycin. Groups T7 and T14 were fed pirfenidone 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) at 7 days or 14 days after bleomycin instillation. Lungs were harvested at 28 days after bleomycin instillation. Patholological changes in lung tissues were evaluated with HE staining. Lung collagen was stained by sirius red and measured by content of hydroxyproline. Expression of proteins of TGF-beta 1, TIMP-1, and MMP-13 were detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), pirfenidone had significant anti-fibrotic effects for bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis, and these effects were most significantly attenuated at the dosage of 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) (HE: P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P = 0.064; sirius red: P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05; hydroxyproline: P = 0.595, P < 0.01, and P = 0.976). Pirfenidone at a dosage of 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) inhibited protein expression of TGF-beta1 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue in the early phase (0.79 and 0.75 times of control group), but had no effect on expression of MMP-13.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Low dose pirfenidone, especially at dosage of 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), has significant anti-fibrotic effects on bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis. Pirfenidone partially inhibits the enhancement of the expression of TGF-beta 1 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue.</p>

Effect of CT localization needing around the lesion area at skull on the concomitant symptoms and hemorheological changes in stroke patients during restoration period / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Vascular dementia is a syndrome characterized by cognitive impairment, which is induced by ischemic or hemorrhagic apoplexy or ischemic-anoxic brain injury. It is assigned to "imbecility", "dementia", "sluggish consciousness", "susceptible to forget things" etc. By traditional Chinese medicine. Impairments of memory and cognition etc. Caused by dementia seriously affect psychosomatic health and quality of life of elderly people.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of shuanggen cephalocathartic decoctum on learning, memory and spatial discrimination ability of vascular dementia rats.DESIGN: Randomized control trail taking experimental animals as objects.SETTING: Teaching and Research Section of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Preclinical Medicine College, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Laboratory of Viscerastate of Teaching and Research Section of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Preclinical Medicine College, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from January to February 2004. A total of 40 male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, model plus traditional Chinese medicine group and model plus Western medicine group, with 10 in each group. Before the experiment, all the rats were adaptively fed for one week, free drinking and eating before and during the experiment. Medicine and reagent are shuanggen cephalocathartic decoctum and Nimotop tablet, and main experimental apparatuses are DTT-2 jumping apparatus and SMG-2 water maze apparatus.METHODS: Blood was collected from left ventricle under aseptic condi tion, and dried in incubator at 37 ℃, after trituration, it was sifted with sieve of 200μm meshes and embolus was prepared. 1 mg embolus and 0.3 mL physiological saline was mixed and shaken up into suspension. Common carotid artery was temporarily occluded with a vascular clamp, and external carotid artery was retrogradely intubated and the embolus suspension was injected into encephalon to establish model of multiple cerebral infarction. In sham operation group, canulate tubule was intubated only to the bifurcation of common carotid artery, with no fluid injected in. Before the experiment, rats in model group and sham operation group were normally fed, while rats in model plus traditional Chinese medicine group were additionally given shuanggen cephalocathartic decoctum [4 g/(kg·d)] infusion and rats in model plus western medicine group were additionally given Nimotop [2 mg/(kg·d)] infusion, once a day for consecutive 15 days. Passive escape jumping experiment was conducted on rats in each group on the 9th day.Recorded the reaction time for rat jumping onto the rubber cushion after electric shock and the frequency of mistakes of suffering electric shock due to jumping down from the platform in 3 minutes, and took the results as learning indexes. The test was repeated on the 10th day. Put the rat into the box for 3-minture adaptation, then put it on the rubber cushion; recorded the latency for rat first jumping down from the rubber cushion and the frequency of jumpingdown from the rubber cushion in 3 minutes, and took the results as memory indexes. Water maze spatial discrimination experiment was conducted on rats in each group on the 11th day, recorded the frequency of mistakes of rats entering dead end and the latency for landing on safe platform. Every time, took a 40-second rest after swimming. Each rat was trained 10 times a day for consecutive three days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of passive escape jumping experiment and water maze spatial discrimination experiment. RESULTS: Each group had a rat dead in the process of operation except sham operation group in which all rats moved normally. Totally 37 rats entered results analysis. ① Results of passive escape jumping experiment: On the 9th day, compared with model group, the reaction time of rats in sham operation group, model plus traditional Chinese medicine group and model plus western medicine group significantly shortened (P < 0.01 -0.05), the frequency of mistakes in 3 minutes remarkably decreased in sham operation group and model plus traditional Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05); on the 10th day, the latency was significantly prolonged in sham operation group as compared with model group (P < 0.05); compared with model group, the frequency of mistakes in 3 minutes significantly decreased in sham operation group, model plus traditional Chinese medicine group and model plus western medicine group (P < 0.05). ② Results of water maze spatial discrimination: On the 3rd day, compared with model group, the frequency of mistakes of rats entering dead end significantly decreased in sham operation group, model plus traditional Chinese medicine group and model plus western medicine group (P < 0.001-0.05); the frequency of mistakes in model plus traditional Chinese medicine group obvi ously decreased as compared with model plus western medicine group (P < 0.05). During the 2nd and 3rd days of water maze experiment, the time for the rat reaching terminal was significantly shortened in sham operation group, model plus traditional Chinese medicine group and model plus western medicine group as compared with model group (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Shuanggen cephalocathartic decoctum can significantly improve learning and memory ability of rat model of vascular dementia, and is more effective than Nimotop in the aspect of improving spatial discrimination ability of rat.

Inhibition of human lung fibroblast proliferation and the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway by dexamethasone / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on human lung fibroblast cell proliferation, cell cycles, and cell mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) passway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dexamethasone was used at various concentration in culture medium. Cell number was counted using a hemacytometer. Whole cell propidium iodide staining and flow cytometric analysis were performed to determine cellular DNA content. MAPK proteins and activation were tested by Western blot analysis with antibodies to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phospho-JNK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phospho-ERK, p38 and phospho-p38.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1x10(-7) mol/L and 1x10(-6) mol/L dexamethasone suppressed the proliferation of lung fibroblast cells by 34% and 72%, respectively, than that of control. This suppression was dose-dependant. Dexamethasone suppressed cell cycle with accumulation of cells in G1/G0 stage. It increased from 81.9% to 90.1% compared with that of control. We did not find any apoptosis induced by dexamethasone for lung fibroblast cells. Using Western blot analysis, we found that dexamethasone resulted in decreased activity of ERK, but had no effects on JNK and p38.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Dexamethasone may suppresses the proliferation of lung fibroblast cells, which is partly resulted from the facts that it can inhibit ERK activation in MAPK-signaling pathway but has little effect on JNK and p38 pathway. Dexamethasone may not induce lung fibroblast cell apoptosis directly.</p>

Treatment of Skin Pruritus with Auricular Acupuncture / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Auricular points of Lung (MA-IC1), Fengxi (MA-SF), EarShenmen (MA-TF1), Subcortex (MA-AT1), Adrenal Gland (MA-T) and Large Intestine (MA-SC4) were selected in the present paper, 25cases of skin pruritus were treated by combination of the auricular acupuncture and routine method, andanother 25 cases were treated with the routine method as the control group. The result showed better therapeutic effect in the former than the latter with statistical difference.

Courses Design of the New Subject Meridian and Acupuncture / 中华医学教育探索杂志

We began our teaching reform by following the step of national adjustment of majors frame at the end of last century.We perfected our teaching contingent,created advanced content, composed high quality text book,used multiple teaching methods and ways, paid attention to practical teaching,carried out effective access system and in the end,we firstly combined Meridian and Collateral and Acupuncture,which are the two major courses,into one basic course called Meridian and Acupoint.It covers different levels of students including doctors,postgraduates,undergraduates and seven-year-class students and has the features of abundant and detailed content,creative methods and excellent effects.

The Study on Teaching and Experiment of Acupuncture andMoxibastion Science under the Internet Environment / 中华医学教育探索杂志

This article explains in detail the experiment of the education transformation of acupuncture and Moxibastionscience, which is based on the use of internet resources, and the assessment method of education results. The article alsostresses the importance of using the above method to enhance education reformation in the universities of the traditionalChinese medicine, to change the education mode and to improve the education quality.[

Observation on efficacy of CT positioning scalp circum-needling combined with Chinese herbal medicine in treating poly-infarctional vascular dementia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the short-term effect of patients with poly-infarctional vascular dementia (PIVD) treated by CT positioning scalp circum-needling (SCN) combined with Chinese herbal medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-nine patients of PIVD were enrolled and divided into the treated group (n = 57) and the control group (n = 32). They were all treated with oral taking of Fuyuan mixture (FYM, consisted of ginseng, medlar, salvia, bitter cardamon, etc). To the treated group, SCN was applied additionally with the unilateral area around the reflecting region (localized by CT) in scalp as main needling points and Ganshu, Shenshu, Zusanli, Hegu as supplementary points. Two courses of SCN were performed. The changes of clinical symptoms, intelligence and hemorrheological characteristics in patients were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After two courses of treatment, the total effective rate in the treated group was 96.5%, which was better than that in the control group (75.0%), with significant difference (u = 2.423, P < 0.01); HDS scores increased in both groups after treatment, showing significant difference as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01), hemorrheologic parameters were also apparently improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CT positioning SCN combined Chinese herbal medicine treatment has definite therapeutic effect in treating PIVD.</p>

Clinical Observation of Vascular Dementia Treated by Surrounding-acupuncture of the CT-located Area / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Purpose To observe the clinical effect of Surrounding Needling Technigue through CT Location in treating vascular dementia. Method Fifty cases of vascular dementia were randomly divided into surrounding Needling Technigue through CT location and routine acupuncture groups, 25 cases in each group,and were given surrounding Needling Technigue through CT location and routine acupuncture respectively. Results The effective rates in surrounding Needling Technigue through CT location and routine acupuncture groups were 88% and 60% respectively, and there was significant difference between the two groups, P ＜ 0.01.Conclusion Therapeutic effect of surrounding Needling Technigue through CT location in treating vascular dementia was satisfactory, and better than that of routine acupuncture.