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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of row needling at the Governor Vessel on the head for poststroke insomnia, analyze the changes of sleep structure, serum amino acid neurotransmitters, vascular endothelial cell function and cognitive function, in order to explore the mechanism of this therapy.Methods: A total of 41 patients with poststroke insomnia were included in an observation group and treated with row needing at the Governor Vessel on the head; 33 patients with poststroke insomnia were included in a control group and given routine acupuncture treatment. The patients in both groups were treated consecutively for one month. The efficacy was observed and the changes of related indicators were compared. Results: After treatment, the efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The sleep latency in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05); the total sleep duration, deep sleep duration, light sleep duration and rapid eye movement sleep duration in the observation group were significantly longer than those in the control group (P<0.05); the total waking duration and the waking times over 5 min were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum glutamic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, calcitonin gene-related peptide, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and nitric oxide levels were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). The tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, bradykinin, and endothelin-1 levels were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The Pittsburgh sleep quality index score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01), and the mini-mental state examination score was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Row needling at the Governor Vessel on the head can effectively improve the sleep structure, cognitive function, and sleep quality of patients with poststroke insomnia. The possible mechanisms are regulating serum amino acid neurotransmitters and improving the function of vascular endothelial cells.
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Objective:To investigate the influence of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma 143B cells and its possible regulatory mechanism.Methods:Different concentrations of ATRA were used to treat human osteosarcoma 143B cells, and the optimal concentration and treatment time those affected cell proliferation were selected. The MTS method, Transwell migration and invasion experiments were used to detect the changes in the proliferation, migration and invasion of 143B cells after ATRA treatment. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression changes of miRNA-34a (miR-34a), E2F1 and Eag1 in osteosarcoma 143B cells after ATRA treatment. Then miR-34a was interfered and E2F1 was overexpressed, and the abilities of cell proliferation, invasion and migration abilities as well as the expression changes of miR-34a, E2F1 and Eag1 in 143B cells were detected.Results:The proliferation inhibition of 143B cells was most obvious when 143B cells were treated with 10 μmol/L ATRA for 72 h. The cell migration and invasion numbers when 143B cells were treated with 10 μmol/L ATRA for 72 h were lower than those in the negative control group [(73±3) cells vs. (182±5) cells, t = 21.46, P<0.01; (94±3) cells vs. (203±7) cells, t = 13.70, P<0.01]. 10 μmol/L ATRA could promote the expression of miR-34a in 143B cells and inhibit the expressions of Eag1 and E2F1 (all P<0.01). Compared with ATRA group, the ability of cell proliferation in ATRA+miR-34a interference group was restored after 72 h of treatment [cell survival rate (41.0±2.2)% vs. (25.0±3.6)%, t = 108.68, P<0.01]. Compared with ATRA group, the abilities of cell migration and invasion in ATRA+miR-34a interference group were restored [(122±14) cells vs. (64±10) cells, t = 21.06, P<0.01; (103±10) cells vs. (59±8) cells, t = 24.27, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of Eag1 and E2F1 in cells were promoted (both P<0.01). Compared with ATRA group, the ability of cell proliferation in ATRA+E2F1 overexpression group was restored [cell survival rate (40.0±3.4)% vs. (24.0±3.1)%, t = 108.74, P<0.01]; the abilities of cell migration and invasion in ATRA+E2F1 overexpression group were restored [(78±12) cells vs. (29±8) cells, t = 13.52, P<0.01; (75±12) cells vs. (49±10) cells, t = 6.28, P<0.01], and the mRNA and protein expressions of Eag1 and E2F1 in cells were promoted (both P<0.01). Conclusion:ATRA inhibits the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma cells via regulating miR-34a-E2F1-Eag1 signaling pathway, and it may become one of the effective treatment drugs for osteosarcoma.
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Objective To explore the effect of concave and convex interface on in vitro culture of mouse embryonic stem cells. Methods Mouse embryonic stem cells were cultured on substrate with concave and convex interface. The biological morphology of cell colony was observed. The pluripotency of embryonic stem cells was detected by immunofluorescence and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. Results Embryonic stem cells on concave substrates and convex substrates had higher stereo degree and circularity than those on flat substrates, but it was more obvious on concave substrates. Besides, the expression level of Oct4-GFP and the staining intensity of ALP in embryonic stem cells which were cultured on concave substrates and convex substrates were significantly higher than those on flat basement, especially on concave substrates. Conclusion sCompared with flat substrates, concave substrates and convex substrates had positive effects on the pluripotency maintenance of embryonic stem cells, which could help to maintain pluripotency, but concave substrates had better effects. Changing the substrate curvature could help to maintain pluripotency of embryonic stem cells cultured in vitro. The research findings are of great significance to the study and clinical application of embryonic stem cells.
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Objective@#To Effects of n-hexane on learning and memory and the expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA of brain tissue in mice exposed to N-hexane.@*Methods@#40 Kunming mice were randomly divided into low-dose group, meddle-dose group, high-dose dose group and control group, with 10 mice in each group. All the groups were orally exposed to n-hexane in different doses: low-dose group with 43.5 mg/kg, middle-dose group with 86.5 mg/kg and high-dose group with 173.0 mg/kg, 1 time per day for 20 d. After the poisoning, the Y-arm test and the expressions of NGF mRNA and NGFR mRNA and the concentrations of NGF and NGFR in the brain tissues of each group were measured.@*Results@#In the first Y-arm test, there existed a significant difference in correct reaction rate generally in all groups (P<0.05), and correct reaction rate in the middle-dose group and the high-dose group were low significantly compared with that in the control group(P<0.05). In the second Y-arm test, there existed a significant differences in total electric shock time and correct reaction rate generally in all groups (P<0.01), and the total electric shock time prolonged significantly and the correct response rate decreased significantly in 3 dose groups compared with those of the control group(P<0.05). The expression levels of NGF mRNA in brain tissues of low, meddle and high dose-groups were 0.81±0.66, 0.67±0.37 and 0.69±0.26, and the expression levels of NGFR mRNA were 1.22±0.42, 1.98±0.84 and 2.01±2.01, respectively. Compared with the control group, the expressions of NGF mRNA in the 3 dose groups decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression of NGFR mRNA in middle-and high-dose groups increased significantly (P<0.05). The concentrations of NGF in brain tissues of low,meddle and high dose-groups were 39.97±7.24 ng/L, 39.26±7.88 ng/L,31.70±8.21 ng/L,and the concentrations of NGFR were 17.37±6.82 ng/L,21.37±7.16 ng/L, 22.46±7.70 ng/L, respectively. Compared with the control group, the concentrations of NGF in high-dose groups decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the concentrations of NGFR in middle-and high-dose groups increased significantly (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#N-hexane exposure can result in decrease of learning and memory in mice, which may be related to abnormal expression of NGF mRNA and NGFR mRNA in brain tissue.
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BACKGROUND:Chitosan (CS) holding a good biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial property and hemostasis effect cannot only promote wound healing and tissue repair, but also exhibit sustained-control release when carrying berberine hydrochloride (Bh). Therefore it functions as an excellent antibacterial and hemostatic material. OBJECTIVE:To prepare the porous CS/Bh composite xerogel and observe its antibacterial and hemostatic properties. METHODS:The porous CS/Bh composite xerogel was prepared using freeze-drying method, and its microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The biocompatibility was detected through MTT assay and the in vitro antibacterial and hemostatic properties were observed through antibacterial test and blood clotting index. RESULTS AND COCNLUSION:The porosity of the CS/Bh composite xerogel was 83.1%-90.5%and almost degraded after 72 hours of immersion in PBS. The in vitro antibacterial and hemostatic properties of the composite xerogel were significantly better than those of CS, which were enhanced with the Bh content increasing. Additionally, the CS/Bh (10%) composite xerogel showed the best hemostatic and antibacterial abilities in vitro. To conclude, the CS/Bh composite xerogel possesses a good biocompatibility and strong hemostatic and antibacterial abilities, which is a promising postoperative antibacterial and hemostatic material.
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BACKGROUND: Irradiation crosslinking can remarkably increase the abrasive performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), thereby reducing its wear rate. OBJECTIVE: To review the recent progress in irradiated crosslinking UHMWPE. METHODS: A computer-based online search of ISI Web of knowledge was performed for articles related to irradiated crosslinking UHMWPE published from January1995 to April 2012 using the keywords of“irradiation crosslinking UHMWPE” in English. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At present, domestic studies on irradiation crosslinking of UHMWPE mainly focus on the wear resistance, oxidation resistance and mechanical properties. Under high-energy radiation, radicals generate from the UHMWPE, which are inter-crosslinked. Irradiation crosslinking dramatical y enhances the UHMWPE wear resistance, while reduces its oxidation resistance and mechanical properties. In the future, the research wil focus on how to develop new UHMWPE composite with good wear resistance, oxidation resistance and mechanical properties.
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Objective To further investigate clinical manifestations and management for thallium poisoning. Methods Clinical data of 6 patients who were hospitalized in Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College in May 2008 with diagnosis of acute or chronic thallium poisoning,were retrospectively analyzed.Results Six patients (4 male and 2 female) ,aged from 12 to 50,came from one family (two sisters with their husbands and sons). Five of them (3 acute and 2 chronic,for the second time in half a year,thallium poisoning) initiated with peripheral neuritis,represented with severe burning pain,numbness,paresthesia in the lower limbs,accompanied with or without gastrointestinal symptoms. A 12 year-old boy with obviously elevated urinary thallium concentration was asymptomatic. Blood and urinary thallium concentrations of the patients were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and were all significantly elevated.Treatment was initiated using potassium supplementation,diuresis,oral laxatives,Prussian blue and intramuscular injection of dimercaptopropansulfonate sodium.Meanwhile two of them were treated with hemoperfusion. Finally,two of them recovered,another two were transferred to a specialized hospital for continuous treatment,and the rest two deteriorated rapidly with occurrence of unconsciousness and died of multiple organ failure. Conclusions The main clinical manifestations of thallium poisoning are multiple peripheral neuritis,gastrointestinal symptoms and dermatological changes. In order to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis,a high suspicion should be arose for thallium poisoning when a patient suffering from the above symptoms.Prussian blue was considered traditionally as an effective therapeutic strategy for the condition,and hemoperfusion may be a more effective treatment for acute thallium poisoning.