Applied research of ultrasound attenuation parameter in the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, establish a diagnostic model, and value of ultrasound attenuation parameters (UAP) to diagnose hepatic steatosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its relevant disorders. Methods: 3770 cases were selected from the Health Examination Center of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between October to December 2020. MAFLD diagnosis was based on the Asia-Pacific region MAFLD clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines. The degree of hepatic steatosis was divided into mild, moderate and severe according to ultrasound imaging. UAP, clinical characteristic indexes, serum biochemical indexes, characteristics of hepatic steatosis and related factors were compared and analyzed in MAFLD patients and healthy controls. Logistic regression method was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the progression of hepatic steatosis in MAFLD to establish the diagnostic model. The clinical efficacy of UAP and the new model in diagnosing MAFLD was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). One-way ANOVA was used to compare means among multiple groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare non-normally distributed measurement data between the two groups, and rank-sum test was used to compare multiple groups. χ2 test was used to compare count data between groups. Results: Among the 3 770 cases, 650 were MAFLD, with a prevalence rate of 17.24%, and the highest prevalence was 37.23% in the age group of 60-69. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in male than female (30.34% vs. 9.17%). Age-sex analysis showed that the prevalence rate in males aged 30-69 years was 38.26%, and that in females aged over 60 years was 31.94%. UAP was significantly higher in patients with MAFLD than healthy controls (278.55 dB/m vs. 220.90 dB/m, Z=-12.592, P＜0.001), and an increasing trend with increased degree of hepatic steatosis (mild:257.20 dB/m, moderate:286.20 dB/m, and severe: 315.00 dB/m) were observed. The cut-off values of UAP for the diagnosis of mild, moderate and severe hepatic steatosis were 243≤UAP＜258 dB/m, 258≤UAP＜293 dB/m, ≥293 dB/m in MAFLD. The sensitivity and specificity were 67.20%, 93.60%, 95.90%, and 82.10%, 72.00%, and 84.80%, respectively. UAP, alanine aminotransferase and fasting blood glucose were independent risk factors for the progression of hepatic steatosis in MAFLD. The combined MAFLD classification model (UAG model) was established. The AUC of mild, moderate and severe hepatic steatosis in MAFLD were 0.906, 0.907, and 0.946, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity were 76.50%, 82.10%, 98.00%, and 90.80%, 83.30% and 76.10%, respectively. Conclusion: MAFLD is a common disease in the general population, with a higher incidence in male and elderly female over 30 years of age. UAP can be used as a new noninvasive diagnostic technique to evaluate hepatic steatosis in MAFLD. The UAG model has a good diagnostic efficacy on MAFLD and its relevant disorders, and thus can be used as a guide for evaluating clinical diagnosis and prognosis.

Optimization of prescriptions for Yuanhu Zhitong Orally Disintegrating Tablets based on central composite design-response surface methodology / 中草药

Objective To optimize the best prescription of Yuanhu Zhitong Oral Disintegrating Tablets (YZODT). Methods Using the single factor test, the prescription of the tablets was optimized by central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) with the tablet wetting time and the disintegration time limit as evaluation index, so as to determine the best preparation process. Results The dosages of the optimized prescription of MCC, L-HPC, and PVPP were 30%, 15%, and 5%, respectively. The average disintegration time of the optimized YZODT was 42.89 s, and the deviation from the predicted value was 3.27%. Conclusion The optimized YZODT has the advantages of fast disintegration, moderate hardness, convenient use, and simple process.

Research progress on Chinese materia medica spray and its application in product development / 中草药

Spray with its unique form of administration, greatly facilitates the patients in the oral cavity, skin, and mucous membrane of the drug delivery. And it has been widely used in the treatment of local and systemic diseases in clinical application. Chinese materia medica (CMM) spray combined with traditional medicine and modern preparation technology and technique has developed rapidly in recent years. The number of researches and development products of Chinese materia medica spray is numerous, but on the whole, the technical level of the products is low and many problems exist in the prescription design, quality control, etc. By consulting the relevant literature of recent years, this paper reviewed the current situation of product development, preparation technology, and quality control of CMM spray, in order to provide new ideas for the research of spray, and to provide a reference for the better development of CMM spray products.

Parathyroid hormone inhibits the apoptosis of osteoblast MC-3T3E1 cells through a non-PLC-dependent protein kinase C pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the non-PLC-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) pathway of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the apoptosis and proliferation of osteoblast MC-3T3E1 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MC-3T3E1 cells were seeded in 96-well plates at the density of 1.5×10(4) cells/mL and incubated for 3 day. The cells were then exposed to 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+1 µmol/L Go6983, 1 µmol/L Go6983, or deionized water (control) for 1, 24 or 48 h. After the treatments, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Caspase-Glo® 3/7 Assay (Caspase-3) were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CCK-8 results showed that hPTH(1-34) increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983 at 1 h and 24 h, but this difference was not statistically different. At 48 h, treatment with hPTH(1-34), as compared with hPTH(1-28), significantly increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells (P<0.05), and this effect was blocked by the PKC inhibitor Go6983 (P<0.05). hPTH(1-34) did not result in significant inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis at 1 h and 24 h as compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983, but significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis as compared with hPTH(1-28) (P<0.05); this inhibitory effect was blocked by Go6983 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>s A relatively long time (for 48 h) of exposure to PTH can inhibit apoptosis and promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1cells through a non-PLC-dependent PKC pathway.</p>

Activation of phospholipase C-independent protein kinase C signaling pathway of parathyroid hormone enhances CITED1 expression in mouse osteoblasts / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the functions of phospholipase C (PLC)-independent protein kinase C signaling pathway (PTH/nonPLC/PKC) of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and its role in bone metabolism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Osteoblasts isolated from the calvaria of 2- or 3-day-old C57BL mice, identified by alkaline phosphatase staining and Alizarin red staining, were treated for 4 h with 100 nmol/L [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28) plus 10 nmol/L RP-cAMP, 10 nmol/L [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34) plus 10 nmol/L RP-cAMP , 10 nmol/L PTH(1-34), or and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The total RNA was then isolated for screening differentially expressed genes related to PTH/nonPLC/PKC pathway using Affymetrix mouse 12x135K gene expression profile microarray, and the identified genes were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. MC3T3-E1 cells treated with [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28)+RP-cAMP, [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+RP-cAMP, [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+ RP-cAMP +100 nmol/L Go6983, or 0.1% TFA were also examined for GR(1-28)- or GR(1-34)-mediated gene expression changes using real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Alizarin red staining visualized red mineralized nodules in the osteoblasts at 28 days of culture. According to the genechip results, we selected 56 target genes related to PTH/nonPLC/PKC pathway, among which CITED1 showed higher expressions in [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+ RP-cAMP group than in both the control group and [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28)+RP-cAMP group (P<0.05), and its expression was the highest in PTH(1-34) group (P<0.05). RT-PCR of MC3T3-E1 cells yielded consist results with those in the primary osteoblasts, and the cells treated with Go6983 (a PKC inhibitor) did not show GR(1-28)- or GR(1-34)-mediated differential expression of CITED1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The activation of PLC-independent protein kinase C signaling pathway of PTH enhances the expression of CITED1 in mouse osteoblasts to mediate the effect of PTH on bone metabolism, and this pathway is not dependent on the activation of PLC or PKA signaling.</p>

Light propagation along the pericardium meridian at human wrist as evidenced by the optical experiment and Monte Carlo method / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the characteristics of light propagation along the Pericardium Meridian and its surrounding areas at human wrist by using optical experiment and Monte Carlo method.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An experiment was carried out to obtain the distribution of diffuse light on Pericardium Meridian line and its surrounding areas at the wrist, and then a simplified model based on the anatomical structure was proposed to simulate the light transportation within the same area by using Monte Carlo method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The experimental results showed strong accordance with the Monte Carlo simulation that the light propagation along the Pericardium Meridian had an advantage over its surrounding areas at the wrist.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The advantage of light transport along Pericardium Merdian line was related to components and structure of tissue, also the anatomical structure of the area that the Pericardium Meridian line runs.</p>

Bone metastasis of lung cancer in a mouse model with normal immune function / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a model bearing human lung cancer xenograft with bone metastasis in mice with normal immune function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty female C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups, including a control group and 3 immunosuppression groups treated with low, moderate, and high doses of dexamethasone (50, 100, and 150 mg, respectively). Four days after immune suppression, the mice were subjected to percutaneous injection of1.0×10(9) L(-1) A549 cells into the tibial plateau, and the bone defects were assessed radiographically 28 days after modeling. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to examine the tumor tissues and bone tissue damages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In each of the 4 groups one mouse died during tumor cell injection. Only 1 mouse showed tumor formation in low-dose immunosuppression group, as compared to 7 and 4 in moderate- and high-dose immunosuppression groups. X-ray and microCT scan showed significant tibial bone destruction in moderate- and high-dose groups. The moderate- and high-dose groups showed similar ALP activities but both were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immunosuppression with a moderate dose of dexamethasone results in longer survival time of the human lung cancer xenograft-bearing model mice as well as a higher tumor formation rate.</p>

Advances in reverse genetics-based vaccines of foot and mouth disease / 病毒学报

Reverse-genetic engineering of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) can improve the productivity, antigen matching, antigen stability, immune response ability, and biological safety of vaccines, so vaccine candidates with anticipated biological characteristics can be promptly achieved. Negative influence in taming of virulent strains can also be decreased or avoided. Reverse genetics not only make up for deficiencies like limitation of viral nature, low success rate, and time and energy consuming, but also realize more active designing of vaccines. Therefore, reverse genetics is significant in improving integral quality and efficiency of vaccines. In this review, we use FMDV vaccines as an example to summarize improvement in biological characteristics of virulent strains and provide a reference for related researches.

Effect of parathyroid hormone (1-34) on bone metastasis of lung cancer cells in mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of parathyroid hormone (1-34) (PTH) on tumor growth in a mouse model of lung cancer with bone metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mouse models of proximal tibial bone metastasis of lung cancer were established in 30 female BALB%c mice. The mouse models were randomly divided into 3 groups and received injections with 40 mg%kg PTH (1-34), equal amount of solvent (blank control), or cyclophosphamide (positive control). Body weight of the mice was measured every 2 days and the right hind limb tumor growth was observed. The mice were sacrificed after 28 days for X-ray and CT examinations to observe the tumor shape, size, tibial bone density, and tumor volume. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to observe the tumor morphology and pathological type, and serum concentration of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight change curves did not show significant difference between PTH (1-34) group and the blank control group (P>0.05). In both PTH (1-34) group and the blank control group, X-ray and micro-CT revealed significant bone defects, and in cyclophosphamide group the bone cortex was basically intact with only mild bone destruction. The tumor volume was similar between PTH (1-34) group and the blank control group (P>0.05), but significantly smaller in cyclophosphamide group (P<0.05). The bone density in PTH (1-34) group was significantly greater than that in the blank control group, but lower than that in cyclophosphamide group (P<0.05). Pathological examination revealed mainly osteolytic lesions mixed with bone destruction, which was severer in PTH (1-34) group and blank control group with obvious tumor cell filling of the defects; immunohistochemistry identified the tumors as adenomas. ALP activity was higher in PTH (1-34) group than in the other two group and differed significantly between the 3 groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intermittent small-dose injections of parathyroid hormone PTH (1-34) does not promote bone metastatic tumor growth in mice and increases the bone quantity around the metastatic lesions.</p>

Establishment of HEK293 cell lines stably expressing human parathyroid hormone receptors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish HEK293 cell lines with stable expression of human parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The purified gene fragments of PTH-related peptide receptor (PTHR) and its mutant form (DSEL) were cloned separately into pcDNA3.1(+) vector after digestion with EcoR I and Not I, and the resulted pcDNA3.1(+)-PTHR and pcDNA3.1(+)-DSEL plasmids were verified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. HEK293 cells were transfected with these plasmids and the expression of PTHR and DSEL in the cells were examined by RT-PCR and ELSIA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion analysis showed that PTHR and DSEL cDNAs were correctly cloned into pcDNA3.1(+)vector. After a 48-h transfection of HEK293 cells with the recombinant plasmids and G418 selection, the positive cell clones stably expressing the constructs were obtained, which showed expressions of PTHR and DSEL mRNAs detected by RT-PCR. These positive cells showed high levels of PLC and aAMP production in response to PTH stimulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The HEK293 cell lines with stable expression of PTH1R or DSEL gene established in this study provide useful cell models for studying the physiological functions of PTH peptides.</p>

Protective effect of oligosaccharides from Morinda officinalis on beta-amyloid-induced dementia rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of oligosaccharides of Morinda officinalis (OMO) on beta-amyloid-induced dementia rats, and study its pharmacological mechanism in treatment of dementia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The dementia model rats were established by injecting Abeta25-35 10 microLg into bilateral hippocampus. OMO high-dose (60 mg . kg-1 . d-1) group, OMO low-dose (20 mg . kg-1 . d-1 ) groups, the blank group, the sham operation group and the positive donepezil HC1 group (0. 125 mg kg-1 . d-1) were designed for the experiment. They were continuously administered with drugs at the 15th day after operation for 25 days. Kit microplate method was used to detect the contents of super oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSH-Px), acetylcholine (ACh) , acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na+ /K+ -ATPase.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the model group, all of administration groups showed higher SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels, and lower MDA in the brain tissues. Besides, they also showed rise in the activities of ACh and Na+ /K+ -ATPase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>OMO can ameliorate on beta-amyloid-induced dementia rats by enhancing oxidation resistance, activating brain energy metabolism and improving the injury of cholinergic system.</p>

Effects of daunorubicin on KG1a cell proliferation and Eps8 expression / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to observe the inhibitory effect of daunorubicin on KG1a cells and the expression of Eps8 which is a novel tumor-associated antigen with its full name epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8), and to explore the effect of daunorubicin on Eps8 expression in KG1a cells at mRNA and protein levels. The KG1a cells were treated with different concentration of daunorubicin for 24, 48, 72 h, then trypan blue staining was used to detect the inhibitory rate of KGla cells, RQ-PCR and Western blot were used to detect Eps8 mRNA and Eps8 protein expression. The results showed that daunorubicin inhibited the proliferation of KG1a cells in a dose and time dependent manner (r = 0.983, P < 0.01). Daunorubicin could reduce the mRNA and protein levels of Eps8 expression in dose and time dependent manners in KG1a cells (r = 0.979, P < 0.05). It is concluded that with the increasing of concentration and time of daunorubicin acting on KG1a cells, the cell proliferative inhibitory effect increased and the expression of Eps8 decreased, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of daunorubicin on KG1a cell proliferation is realized through downregulation of Eps8 expression.

Research on the effect of light and heat sensing along meridian of Chinese medicine

Photonics refers to the technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. Photonic technology in the meridian and acupoints research has shown the unique advantages, by which the microcosmic material basis and macroscopic phenomena research can be integrated to interpret the occurrence of propagated sensation along meridian [PSM] and its underlying mechanism. This study seeks to investigate light and heat sensing action along meridian. From the modern research of meridian point of view, PSM is the break point to research the essentiality of meridian. The bio-photonic feature of meridian is the most promising research direction to investigate the PSM phenomena for its contribution to prove the existence of meridian objectively and spontaneously. Therefore, the bio-photonic features of meridian under physiological, pathological, therapeutic, and mechanical conditions were analyzed. Firstly, the four aspects of light sensing action were discussed, i.e. light sensing effect along meridian, blocking effect, laser induced effect and underlying mechanism of light sensing action along meridian. Secondly, the four items of heat sensing action were discussed as well, i.e. thermo-effects, heat perception ability, laser induced heat effect, underlying mechanism on heat sensing effect along meridian. The authors point out that photonic technology, e.g. ultra-weak luminescence, photonic imaging, infrared imaging and infrared spectrum analysis, biological photons detection and laser Doppler application, can achieve purposes of in vivo, dynamic, multiple comparable studies. Thereby, the effect of light and heat sensing along meridian can be detected and illustrated by the use of natural science. The effect of light sensing and heat sensing along meridians with the help of advantages of photonics is expected to interpret and quantify the meridian doctrine, to provide an important experimental basis for meridians and acupoint properties of light and heat, to find a kind of non-invasive diagnostic technique, and to promote the integration and development of meridians and modern medicine. Light and heat information can be investigated to analyze the relationship between zang-fu organs and meridians, and the functional characteristics of the meridian. Hence, the effect of light and heat sensing along meridian is the break point of the research of photonics in meridian, which is beneficial to further study the meridian optics

Necessity of splenectomy in radical resection of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the necessity of splenectomy in radical resection of gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve studies comparing outcomes after radical resection of gastric cancer with or without splenectomy were identified. Both fixed effect model and random effect model were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 2628 patients in total. There were significant differences in complications between splenectomy group and spleen-preserving group(OR=1.91, 95% CI:1.28-2.87, P<0.05), while no significant difference in 5-year survival rate was noticed(HR=0.90, 95% CI:0.73-1.11, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radical resection of gastric cancer combined with splenectomy is not associated with improved survival but increased postoperative complications.</p>

Optical transport properties along the pericardium meridian under different pressure

This study seeks to discuss the light wave transport characteristics variation along the pericardium Meridian under different pressures. We selected 36 healthy students at the school for this study, tied up the desktop blood pressure cuff onto subjects'right proximal arms, fixed the detection probe immovably on the Neiguan [PC6] acupoint and the reference point which was 1cm off the PC6, and collected the light signal along the meridian and non-meridian when the laser irradiate Jianshi[PC5], Ximen[PC4] and the corresponding reference points respectively under pressure of 0, 100, 130 and 160. The differences in optical transport properties between meridian and nonmeridian were significant: under the same pressures [0s, 100s,130s, and 160mmHg], the relative attenuation rate of optical signal at the same distance between meridian and non-meridian were significant[p<0.001], the optical signal attenuates slower when it transported along meridians; however, there is no significant difference for the relative attenuation rate of optical signal along meridian or non-meridian under different pressures[p>0.05]. Under four different pressure situations, the optical signal at acupoint[PC5] and non-acupoint[NP] along the meridian were significantly different with the corresponding reference points along the non-meridian[P<0.001]; the optical signal on the meridian is stronger than the non-meridian one; the optical signals are strikingly different at acupoints, non-acupoints, and reference points between and 100, 130, and 160mmHg pressures [P

Effect and safety evaluation of catgut implantation at acupoint for levels of bone metabolism and free radicals in postmenopausal women / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect and safety evaluation of catgut implantation at acupoint and drugs for levels of bone metabolism and free radicals in postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five postmenopausal women were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut implantation group (33 cases) and a medication group (32 cases). Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were used as main points combined with adjunct points according to syndrome differentiation in the acupoint catgut implantation group, once two weeks. The medication group was treated with oral administration of 2 pills of Fu fuchun capsule, once a day. Three months constitute one course in the both groups. The scores of the symptoms and signs were evaluated, and elbow vein blood was drawn to detect the correlative index on the beginning and the ending day of the treatment respectively. The safety of catgut implantation at acupoint was evaluated after one course of treatment. Besides, the sex hormone test in ovulatory period was detected in twenty-eight normal women in reproductive age with regular menstrual cycle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) The total effective rate of the acupoint catgut implantation group was 93.9% (31/33), and that of the medication group was 96.9% (31/32), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The contents of bone gla protein (BGP), calcitonin (CT), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the both groups had significant differences after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01); 2) The content of estradiol (E2) in serum in the both groups was decreased more obviously than those of normal women in reproductive age (both P<0.001). The content of E2 in the both groups was obviously increased after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), this function in the acupoint catgut implantation group was weaker than that of the medication group (P<0.05), while the incidence rate of adverse effect in the acupoint catgut implantation group was lower than that of the medication group (P<0.05); 3) There were significant differences of the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) before and after treatment in the acupoint catgut implantation group, the level of SOD was obviously increased after treatment (P<0.01), while the level of MDA decreased obviously (P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Catgut implantation at acupoint can improve the low level of estrogen of postmenopausal women, with good safety. It can regulate the levels of bone metabolism and free radicals of postmenopausal women, so it is very meaningful to prevent and treat postmenopausal degenerative diseases including the osteoporosis and to delay the process of apolexis.</p>

Effect of acupoint catgut-embedding on the quality of life, reproductive endocrine and bone metabolism of postmenopausal women / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy on the quality of life (QOL), the reproductive endocrine and bone metabolism of postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total A total of 65 women with climacteric syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups, thirty-three in the treatment group on whom acupoint catgut-embedding was performed with Shenshu (BL23), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Guanyuan (CV4) as main acupoints, and thirty-two in the control group who were only medicated with Fufuchun Capsule (妇复春胶囊). The treatment course for both groups was 3 months. Before and after Before and after treatment, the clinical symptoms, the QOL score, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)), testosterone (T), osteocalcin (BGP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were measured. In addition, another 28 women with childbearing potential and normal regular menstrual cycle were selected and the reproductive endocrine hormone were tested in the ovulatory period as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of serum FSH and LH of postmenopausal women were higher, and serum E(2) and T were lower than those of normal women (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of serum E(2) In both groups and T in the treatment group were increased, while in the control group the serum E(2) increase was more significant than that in the treatment group (P<0.05), and serum T showed no statistical difference. The levels of serum FSH, LH, BGP, CT, PTH and AKP were reduced significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05). The QOL scores were Increased remarkably in both groups on physiological functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental health after treatment (P<0.05),but the improvement of bodily pain and mental health in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effect between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupoint catgut-embedding showed an obvious effect on climacteric syndrome, and enhanced the QOL in postmenopausal women. The therapy could regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis to raise the serum E(2) level which may be significant in preventing and curing the osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.</p>

Preliminary study on a single balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recently, bilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty with a single balloon was performed for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures (OVCFs) to reduce the fees of the operation, but the time of operation and radiation exposure are longer. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of a single balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty for OVCFs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six patients with painful OVCFs (61 vertebrae) were enrolled in this research. Unilateral transpedicular puncture was performed under the fluoroscopy monitoring of an oblique angle down the pedicle. A single balloon was introduced through unipedicular approach. The final balloon position was in the midline of the vertebral body with the balloon cross-midline expansion and bone cement filled. Clinical outcomes were determined by comparison of the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiographic assessment included restoration of vertebral height and correction of kyphosis. Follow-up was conducted for 6 - 12 months (mean 9.2 months).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-six consecutive patients with 61 vertebrae were successfully operated on with a mean operation time of 37.4 minutes per vertebra. All patients had dramatic pain relief and functional recovery within 96 hours after the procedure with no surgery or device-related complications. VAS score improved from 7.27 +/- 1.02 preoperatively to 2.71 +/- 0.75 postoperatively (P < 0.01). ODI score was decreased from (71.14 +/- 10.94)% preoperatively to (26.56 +/- 6.35)% postoperatively. The average loss of anterior body height was (14.33 +/- 2.76) mm before procedure and (10.03 +/- 1.83) mm after procedure (P < 0.01), while the average loss of middle body height was (10.15 +/- 2.70) mm before procedure and (5.89 +/- 1.83) mm after procedure (P < 0.01). The kyphotic deformity was corrected from (23.43 +/- 5.00) degree to (16.16 +/- 2.77) degree (P < 0.01). The pain relief and functional recovery were substantial and maintained to the last follow-up without any re-collapse or adjacent level fracture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A single-balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty for OVCFs is an effective and safe procedure with less cost, less operation time and less radiation exposure when compared with the conventional kyphoplasty technique.</p>

Activated brain areas during simple and complex mental calculation--a functional MRI study / 生理学报

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study the activated brain areas of human during simple and complex digital calculation, and to investigate the role of cortical and subcortical structures involved in the mental calculation. Sixteen right-handed healthy volunteers performed mental calculation of simple and complex addition/subtraction respectively, while the fMRI data were recorded by a Seimens 1.5 T MR machine. Block-design was used in the tasks. Two calculation tasks and one base-line tasks were performed for the block-design. Simple calculation task was single-digit addition and subtraction, while the complex was multi-digit addition and subtraction. The base-line task was to tell whether the two numbers were the same in every trial. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM99) was employed to process data and localize functional areas. We compared the average activation intensity of each activated brain regions in the same calculation task and the activation intensity of the same regions in both tasks respectively. Both the cortex and the subcortical structures including basal ganglia and thalamus were activated during simple and complex mental calculations. Similar brain regions in subjects including frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cingulate gyrus, thalamus and cerebellum were engaged in simple and complex addition/subtraction. In the same task, activation intensity of all activated brain areas differed insignificantly. Compared with the complex task, the right parietal lobe was not activated in the simple one. The subcortical structures such as the caudate nucleus and the left marginal division of the striatum (MrD) were activated in both two calculation tasks. The cortical regions involved in both simple and complex addition/subtraction were similar. In conclusion, both the cortex and the subcortical structures were activated during the mental calculation. The cortex including the frontal cortex, parietal cortex, and cingulate gyrus were activated during mental calculation, while the subcortical structures such as the caudate nucleus, the globus pallidum and the left marginal division of the striatum also played a critical role in the neural networks of the calculation at the same time. Right parietal lobe (supramarginal gyrus) was engaged only in the complex task, which suggested that this region might be involved in the visuospatial memory and processing.

Colocalization of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I and glucocorticoid receptor and its significance in rat hippocampus / 生理学报

This paper was designed to observe the colocalization of 11beta-HSD1 and GR, and its significance in the rat hippocampus. Immunocytochemical dual-staining showed that not only 11beta-HSD1 but also GR immunoreactive substances were present in the cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Moreover, they were colocalized in the same hippocampal neuron. Synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) up-regulated the protein expression and activity of 11beta-HSD1 in the cultured hippocampal neurons, as determined by Western blot and thin layer chromatography (TLC) respectively. The transfection of PC12 cells with the plasmid containing promoter sequence of 11beta-HSD1 gene and the reporter gene of CAT enzyme was conducted. DEX up-regulated the reporter gene expression in the system described above. The up-regulation of 11beta-HSD1 and reporter gene expression induced by DEX were both blocked by GR antagonist RU38486. Our study suggests that the colocalization of 11beta-HSD1 and GR in the hippocampus may be implicated in the up-regulation of 11beta-HSD1 expression by glucocorticoids combining to its promoter region, which in turn produces more biologically active glucocorticoids necessary for the binding of low affinity of GR.