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Early studies from several independent laboratories demonstrated that acupoints possess the characteristics of low electrical resistance. New devices are developing to increase the reliability of electrical skin impedance measurements for counteracting the factors including skin dryness, skin thickness, size of the sensing electrode, pressure applied on the electrode, interelectrode distance, room temperature, and humidity. Morphological studies have identified that blood vessels, hair follicles, and nervous components are enhanced in the meridians/acupoints, which represent areas of potentially high neuronal activity. Recent evidence shows that nitric oxide (NO) concentrations are enhanced in skin acupoints/meridians. L-arginine-derived NO synthesis modifies skin norepinephrine (NE) synthesis/release in acupoints/meridians, and NO-NE activations play an important role in mediating the skin conductance responses to electrical stimulation. NOergic signaling molecules interact with gap junction and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1. Other studies reported that the high conductance at acupoints is a result of the release of the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide during neurogenic inflammation in the referred pain area. Pathological body conditions caused considerable changes in skin conductance or impedance at acupoints. Although systematic research with an improved equipment and research design to avoid the influencing factors are requested for a definite answer in this field, the results from anatomical and biochemical studies consistently show that acupoints exist higher levels of nervous components, and NOergic signaling molecules and neuropeptides involved in the skin low resistance at acupoints. The increased interest in the acupoints/meridians has led to an open-minded attitude towards understanding this system, which is fundamental important to establish the valid aspects of scientific basis of Chinese medicine mechanisms and therapies.
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@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the influences of human lung adenocarcinoma PC-9 cells on tight junction proteins of blood brain barrier (BBB) under CXCR4/SDF-1 axis by establishing a model of BBB in vitro. Methods: The immortalized mouse brain microvascular endothelial Bends cells were used to establish a model of BBB in vitro by monolayer culture; Subsequently, transendothelial electric resistance (TEER) and fluorescein sodium permeability experiment were used to detect the function of in vitro BBB model and observe the effect of PC-9 cells on the function of BBB model, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of PC-9 cells on function of BBB model and expressions of endothelial tight junction proteins under the treatment of single or combined AMD3100 and SDF-1 (1 μg/ml AMD3100,100 ng/ml SDF-1, AMD3100+SDF-1). Transwell assay was used to detect the influence of CXCR4/SDF-1 axis on the ability of PC-9 cells transmigrating the cell layer of BBB model. Results: Monolayer culture of Bends cells can form tightly connected BBB withhighTEER,which reached (182.13±5.19) Ω.cm2 at the 96 h; in the meanwhile, fluorescein sodium permeability experiment showed that BBB had significantly lower permeability than that of control group ([40.31±2.43]% vs [150.10±3.17]%, P<0.05). The TEER of BBB decreased to (46.7±4.35) Ω·cm2 after coculture with PC-9 cells for 24 h, and at the same time the sodium fluorescein permeability of BBB significantly increased than that of pre-treatment ([136.32±4.93]% vs [50.24±6.21]%, P<0.05). PC-9 cells up-regulated the expressions of tight junction proteins of Bends cells under the treatment of AMD3100 (P<0.05). The number of PC-9 cells transmigrating the BBB inAMD3100 treatment group was significantly lower than that of CON group (43±2 vs 81±2, P<0.05). Conclusion: AMD3100 can reduce the ability of PC-9 cells destroying the tight junction of the BBB model established in vitro by Bends cells.
ABSTRACT
A new type of embedded acupoint recognition device was developed for acupoint recognition and teaching. Through improving the acupoint electric resistance detection technique of the two-electrode method, combined with mechanical structure design and embedded control technology, the human acupoint database was assembled in the embedded chip with the international symbol, acupoint name, , location, chart, manuscript and audio information included, a new type of embedded acupoint recognition device was designed. The device was composed of 3 modules, named the acupoint electric resistance detection system, the embedded control system and mechanical system. It achieved skin contact sensation, the collection of electric resistance at the required skin region, the wireless communication, the liquid crystal display (LCD) human-computer interaction and acupoint magnetic head massage. When used, the resistance value of the detected skin is read on LCD to determine whether the detected skin resistance meets the features of low resistance of acupoint and further to identify the acupoint zone. Afterward, the data collected are matched with the human acupoint database to determine the information of acupoint. The control mechanical structure achieves the acupoint pressing and kneading. After verified by many operation staff, it is shown that the device not only improves the recognition speed and precision of acupoint, but also contributes to the acupoint teaching with the human acupoint database displayed on LCD. The achievements benefit the promotion of meridians and acupoints as well as the development of acupuncture devices.
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Se efectuó un estudio para comparar entre sí 3 ecuaciones para la estimación de la masa libre de grasa --seleccionadas aleatoriamente de la bibliografía sobre el tema-- y estas, a su vez, con aquella estimada a partir del criterio clínico. Para esto se tuvieron en cuenta los valores no corregidos y corregidos de la resistencia eléctrica corporal, y se usaron como criterios estadísticos las diferencias de medias (distribución de la t de Student) y el método de Bland Altman. Los resultados mostraron que estas ecuaciones de estimación para la masa libre de grasa pueden usarse en la evaluación clínica (en sujetos aparentemente sanos y en enfermos) si a cada una le es introducido un factor de corrección
A study with the purpose of comparing 3 equations --selected at ramdom from the literature on the topic-- for the estimation of fat free mass was carried out, and these, in turn, with that estimated when using the clinical approach. For this, the not corrected and corrected values of the corporal electric resistance were taken into account, and mean differences were used as statistical approaches (distribution of the Student´s t test) and the Bland Altman method. The results showed that these estimate equations for fat free mass can be used in the clinical evaluation (in apparently healthy persons and in sick individuals) if a correction factor is introduced to each of them
Subject(s)
Electric ImpedanceABSTRACT
Se realizó un estudio transversal y controlado, a fin de evaluar la influencia de los valores no corregidos y corregidos de la resistencia eléctrica, medidos con los analizadores Bodystat® 1500-MDD y BioScan® 98 en el agua corporal total y la masa libre de grasa, de 31 sujetos aparentemente sanos y 31 niños con diferentes afecciones, atendidos en el Servicio de Oncohematología del Hospital Infantil Sur de Santiago de Cuba, desde septiembre hasta octubre del 2009. Se emplearon 2 ecuaciones por cada parámetro biológico, y como criterio estadístico la prueba t de student de 2 medias de muestras apareadas. La diferencia entre los valores no corregidos y corregidos de la resistencia eléctrica no influyó significativamente en los 2 parámetros biológicos; por tanto, es posible usarlos indistintamente para estimar el agua corporal total y la masa libre de grasa en individuos aparentemente sanos y pacientes con diferentes enfermedades.
A cross-sectional and controlled study was carried out, in order to evaluate the influence of the unadjusted and adjusted values of electric resistance, measured with the analyzers Bodystat® 1500-MDD and BioScan® 98 in the total body water and the fat free mass, of 31 apparently healthy persons and 31 children with different disorders, assisted in the Oncohematology Service of the Southern Pediatric Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from September to October, 2009. Two equations were used for each biological parameter, and as statistical criterium the paired samples T test was used. The difference between the unadjusted and adjusted values of the electric resistance didn't influence significantly in the 2 biological parameters; therefore, it is possible to use them indistinctly to estimate the total body water and the fat free mass in apparently healthy individuals and patients with different diseases.
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The objective of this experiment was to assess the relationship between electrical resistance of the vaginal mucosa and plasma progesterone for optimal mating time in the bitch. Eight mature beagle bitches were examined, and we observed eight times of estrus. Vaginal electric resistance was recorded weekly using a Draminski ovulation detector in anestrus, and daily in estrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was estimated by radioimmunoassay. In the bitch, incline in vaginal electric resistance (376.20 +/- 105.63 units) showed a closely association with the onset of proestrus. Ovulation day was determined as the first day when plasma progesterone concentration increased above 5.0 ng/ml (Day 0). On Day 0, vaginal mucous electric resistance was 438 +/- 132 units. Vaginal mucous electric resistance showed a slight decrease or was maintained until Day 0. However, it showed an explosive increase, and peaked on Day 1~3, which was above 600 units. Two of eight cases peaked on Day 1, three of eight cases were revealed on Day 2, and others were revealed on Day 3. After Day 4, resistance showed a rapid drop to below 600 units and reached 200 units on Day 8. The optimal mating time was determined when vaginal mucous electric resistance was above 600 units.
Subject(s)
Female , Anestrus , Electric Impedance , Estrus , Mucous Membrane , Ovulation , Plasma , Proestrus , Progesterone , RadioimmunoassayABSTRACT
Objective: To establish an in vitro model of brain blood barrier (BBB) using cultured mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC). Methods: Mouse BMVEC were seeded on micro pore membrane of gelatin coated cell culture insert and cultured to confluence. The establishment of BBB was preliminary judged by a 4 h water leaking test. The tight junctions between BMVEC were demonstrated by scanning and transmission electron microscope. The transendothelial electrical resistance(TEER) over BMVEC was measured. The permeability of Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) through the BBB was analyzed and the effect of RMP 7 on permeability of the BBB was investigated. Results: The 4 h water leaking test became positive when BMVEC were cultured to confluence. By scanning and transmission electron microscope, the tight junctions were demonstrated on confluent BMVEC. The TEER over BMVEC monolayer increased 3.2 and 7.68 times and the permeability rates for HRP were 13.4% and 6.7% respectively, as compared with sub confluent BMVEC and human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayer(HUVEC). The HRP permeability rate in the model of BBB increased 2.7 times after treatment with RMP 7. Conclusion: The established in vitro model of BBB has basic characteristics of BBB in vivo , and is suitable for central nervous system (CNS) drug research over BBB.
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Objective To study the dynamic changes of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) on our in vitro model of brain blood barrier (BBB) made from primary culture of BALB/c mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC), and to explore the relation between TEER and BBB permeability, and search for the best culture condition. Methods BMVEC were isolated from BALB/c mouse and cultured on a transwell insert with special micro-pore. The cells were identified with immunohistochemical methods and electron microscope. TEER over BMVEC was measured after BBB model establishment for determining the 3H-Glucose permeability of BBB in vitro. Results BMVEC cultured in the transwell insert exhibited typical "flagstone" appearance and in a tight monolayer structure under electron microscope. Immunohistochemical detection of ZO-1 protein, a marker antigen of tight junction, showed smooth, continuous and tight junctions between confluent BMVEC. TEER over BMVEC monolayer increased to (346?10) ?/cm2 when the permeability for 3H-Glucose was decreased to the minimum. Conclusion BBB model in vitro made from primary culture of BMVEC in transwell has the basic characteristics of BBB in morphology, electrical resistance and permeability.
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Using morphometry and impregnation technique of lanthanum nitrate,acomparative investigation on the epidermis structure of high and low electricresistance skin points was carried out in mice and rabbits at both light and electronmicroscope level,with special emphasis on the structure of gap junctions in epidermis.It was observed that the frequency of gap junctions in low resistance points wassignificantly higher,and their diameter was larger than that in high resistancepoints,while no difference was found in other structure parameters examinedbetween the two types of skin points.It is assumed that the gap junctions may bethe structure basis for the difference in skin electric resistance.