[The role of the AMPK-mTOR pathway in paraquat-induce autophagy in PC12 cells]

Objective: To investigate the regulation of AMPK-mTOR signal transduction pathway in paraquat-induced autophagy of pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) . Methods: The PC12 cell were treated with terminal concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 μmol/L PQ for 24 hours, and the cells were induced by 300 μmol/L PQ for different time (6, 12, 24, 48 h) . MTT was used to detect the relative survival rate of cells, and the dose/time-effect relationship was determined respectively. The cells were treated with PQ at concentrations of 0, 100, 200 and 300 μmol/L PQ for 24 hours, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the culture supernatant was detected by spectrophotometry. The expression and distribution of autophagic lysosomes were observed by MDC staining. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) . The expression of microtubule-related protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was measured by immunofluorescence. The protein level of LC3Ⅱ, p62, Beclin1 and p-AMPK, p-mTOR were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the control group, the cell survival rate of the 100, 200, 300, 400 μmol/L PQ group decreased significantly, and showed a dose-dependent pattern (P<0.05) . The survival rate of cells treated with 300 μmol/L PQ decreased significantly with the prolongation of exposure time (12, 24, 48 h) (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the activity of LDH in 100, 200, 300 μmol/L PQ-treated group were significantly higher while The fluorescence intensity of ROS was significantly increased (P<0.05) . MDC staining showed the density of autophagic lysosomes and fluorescence intensity in PQ-treated group significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Immunofluorescence results showed the LC3 fluorescence intensity of PQ-treated group decreased which was consistent with MDC staining results. Western blot showed that compared with the control group, the expression levels of autophagy related proteins LC3Ⅱand Beclin1 in PQ-treated group were significantly lower, while the expression level of p62 protein was higher (P<0.05) . p-AMPK protein level decreased and p-mTOR protein expression increased in 200 and 300μmol/L PQ-treatd groups, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05) . Conclusion: AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway played a regulatory role in PQ-induced decreased autophagy of PC12 cell.

Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides against high-fat diet-induced renal injury and lipid deposition in rat kidneys

This study aimed to explore the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) against hyperlipidemia and lipid-induced renal injury in a rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=30) were randomly divided into three equal groups: a control group (fed a regular diet) and two experimental groups (fed a high-fat diet). By feeding rats a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, an animal model of hyperlipidemia was established, after which one experimental group received oral LBPs at a dose of 300 mg/kg per day. Blood lipids, renal function, and urinary proteins were measured after 12 weeks. Changes in renal pathology and expression levels of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1), interleukin-6 (IL- 6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were determined. Rats with hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet showed increases in blood lipids and blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urinary protein, as well as increases in renal levels of SREBP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 and decreases in renal levels of adiponectin and AMPK. Administration of LBPs restored blood lipid, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urinary protein levels, downregulated renal levels of SREBP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6, and upregulated renal levels of adiponectin and AMPK. These results indicate that LBPs may mediate lipid metabolism, enhance anti-inflammatory responses, and ameliorate renal injury caused by lipid metabolism isorders in a rat model of hyperlipidemia.

[Evaluation of transperineal sonography for lower urinary tract symptoms after pelvic floor reconstruction]

Objective: To evaluate transperineal sonography for lower urinary tract symptoms after pelvic floor reconstruction. Methods: Eighty-three patients with severe pelvic organ prolapse received surgeries in Fuzhou General Hospital from September 2014 to September 2015, dividing into two groups: 27 patients were selected to receive transvaginal mesh (TVM) pelvic floor reconstruction surgery with tension-free vaginal tape-Abbrevo (TVT-Abbrevo) incontinence surgery, named TVM+TVT-Abbrevo group; 56 patients were selected to receive TVM pelvic floor reconstruction surgery only, named TVM group. The ultrasonic parameters at rest, on contraction and Valsalva condition respectively were observed and measured, including the bladder neck descent (BND), urethral rotation angle, retrovesical angle, levator urethra gap (LUG), the existence of bladder neck funneling, position of the tape, by using 2D and 3D transperineal ultrasound. Results: The two groups were compared with the ultrasonic parameters before and after operation: two groups of patients with postoperative BND [(2.3±0.5) versus (3.1±0.7) cm, (1.6±0.4) versus (3.6±0.4) cm] were significantly reduced, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.02, P<0.01). The two groups of LUG before and after operation [(3.62±0.45) versus (3.26±0.92) cm, (2.96±0.47) versus (2.72±0.38) cm] both had significant difference by maximum Valsalva (P<0.01, P=0.04). There was statistical significance difference of urethral rotation angle in TVM+TVT-Abbrevo group by maximum Valsalva (P=0.01). Observation of morphology: (1) 2 patients with difficulty in urination in TVM+TVT-Abbrevo group, ultrasound showed when the position of the bladder down the urethra discount; 4 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), ultrasound showed slings off or release. (2) One patient with difficulty in urination in TVM group, but ultrasound showed lower urinary tract anatomy were normal; 5 patients with SUI, ultrasound showed the position of the bladder neck were significantly lower in 3 patients, showing high mobility, and the other 2 patients had a larger urethral diameter, showing a tendency of natural deletion. Conclusion: s Anatomy of lower urinary tract could be clearly showed by transperineal sonography. This could provide imaging support for the diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms after pelvic floor reconstruction.

[Distribution and drug resistance of pathogens at hematology department of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015: results from a multicenter, retrospective study]

Objective: To describe the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens at hematology department of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015 to provide reference for empirical anti-infection treatment. Methods: Pathogens were from hematology department of 26 tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or agar dilution method. Collection of drug susceptibility results and corresponding patient data were analyzed. Results: The separated pathogens amounted to 4 306. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 64.26%, while the proportions of gram-positive bacteria and funguses were 26.99% and 8.75% respectively. Common gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli (20.48%) , Klebsiella pneumonia (15.40%) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.50%) , Acinetobacter baumannii (5.04%) and Stenotropho-monas maltophilia (3.41%) respectively. CRE amounted to 123 (6.68%) . Common gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (4.92%) , Staphylococcus hominis (4.88%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.71%) respectively. Candida albicans were the main fungus which accounted for 5.43%. The rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia resistant to carbapenems were 3.5%-6.1% and 5.0%-6.3% respectively. The rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to tobramycin and amikacin were 3.2% and 3.3% respectively. The resistant rates of Acinetobacter baumannii towards tobramycin and cefoperazone/sulbactam were both 19.2%. The rates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistant to minocycline and sulfamethoxazole were 3.5% and 9.3% respectively. The rates of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis resistant wards vancomycin were 0, 6.4% and 1.4% respectively; also, the rates of them resistant to linezolid were 1.2%, 0 and 1.6% respectively; in addition, the rates of them resistant to teicoplanin were 2.8%, 14.3% and 8.0% respectively. Furthermore, MRSA accounted for 39.15% (83/212) . Conclusions: Pathogens were mainly gram-negative bacteria. CRE accounted for 6.68%. The rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia resistant to carbapenems were lower compared with other antibacterial agents. The rates of gram-positive bacteria resistant to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin were still low. MRSA accounted for 39.15%.

[Analysis of high-risk HPV infection and cervical cytologic screening in HIV positive women]

Objective: To analysis of high-risk HPV infection and cervical cytologic screening in HIV positive women, and to study the relationship between HIV infection and high-risk HPV infection. Methods: From June 2011 to May 2016, 58 cases of HIV positive women in Beijing Ditan Hospital for cervical screening were selected as the experimental group, and 59 cases of HIV negative women were selected as control group, thin-prep cytologic test(TCT)and HPV detection were used in two groups of subjects. The abnormal rate of TCT and the incidence rate of HPV were observed in the two groups, the relationship between HIV infection and HPV infection was analyzed. Results: TCT abnormal rate(91.4%, 53/58)of the experimental group was obviously higher than that of the control group(45.8%, 27/59), with statistically significant(χ²=12.365, P=0.036). High-risk HPV infection incidence(34.5%, 20/58)of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group(16.9%, 10/59), with traditional significance(χ²=10.359, P=0.041). CD₄⁺ T lymphocytes and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ ratio of high-risk HPV positive patients had significant difference with high-risk HPV negative patients(χ²=10.378, P=0.042; χ²=9.245, P=0.045). The proportion of different AIDS clinical stages of high-risk HPV positive patients had obvious difference with high-risk HPV negative patients(P<0.05). Conclusion: HIV positive women maybe have a large proportion of abnormal TCT and the infection with high-risk HPV, and infection of high-risk HPV in HIV positive women has relationship with CD₄⁺ T lymphocytes, CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ ratio and AIDS clinical stage.

FOXC1 overexpression is a marker of poor response to anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy in sporadic triple-negative breast cancer

Purpose

Because of its aggressive characteristics and poor prognosis, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has become a hot topic in cancer research. Chemotherapy is currently the only treatment for patients with TNBC. The transcription factor FOXC1 has been associated with TNBC prognosis, but little is known about its effect on chemosensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of FOXC1 on chemosensitivity.

Methods

A case–control study was performed on 25 TNBC patients who experienced relapse and/or metastasis. Another 25 patients without relapse or metastasis were randomly selected as controls. Medical records were reviewed for relevant information, and immunohistochemistry was performed to measure FOXC1 levels. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox analysis were used to analyze differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The correlation of FOXC1 expression with chemosensitivity was analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software, and a P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

In 15 of 22 case patients, FOXC1 was overexpressed, whereas only 8 control patients exhibited FOXC1 overexpression (P < 0.05). FOXC1 expression had no correlation with pathological indicators. An anthracycline-based regimen was administered to 21 study patients and 23 control patients. FOXC1 expression was significantly associated with a worse DFS (HR 2.62, 95% CI 1.05–6.50, P = 0.038) but presented no correlation with OS (HR 2.53, 95% CI 0.76–8.40, P = 0.131) among these 44 patients.

Conclusions

This study shows that FOXC1 is correlated with chemosensitivity to anthracycline and could be used as an indicator of chemosensitivity in sporadic TNBC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00280-017-3319-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Drug coated balloon with paclitaxel for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral artery disease: early and midterm results]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug coated balloon (DCB) with paclitaxel in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS

The clinical data of 18 patients, who were diagnosed as PAD and treated with DCB from October 2013 to June 2014 in Department of Vascular Surgery, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed.Thirteen male and 5 female patients were in the series, the mean age of the patients was (65±7) years, and the Rutherford's categories were level 3 to 5. Patients were followed up at 3- and 6-month postoperative. The main efficacy end point were late lumen loss(LLL), rate of restenosis and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). Meanwhile, the clinical events were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean lesion length, the percentage of total occlusions and the percentage of in-stent restenosis were (138±91) mm, 9/18 and 2/18, respectively. Rate of technical success was 18/18. At 6-month postoperative, LLL, rate of restenosis and TLR were (0.1±0.9) mm, 2/14 and 0, respectively. There was no deaths or no amputations.

CONCLUSION

DCB with paclitaxel is safe in patients with PAD, and associated with reductions in LLL, restenosis and clinically driven TLR 6-month postoperative.

[Reconstruct abdominal aortic branch arteries totally by endovascular repair in complex aortic aneurysms: a single-centre experience]

OBJECTIVE

To report experiences and results of complex aortic aneurysms involving the visceral arteries treating by total endovascular repair.

METHODS

Seventy cases of thoracoabdominal aortic lesions treating by total endovascular repair in Department of Vascular Surgery, People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2011 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 47 cases underwent chimney technique, 6 underwent sandwich technique, 15 underwent fenestration technique and 2 underwent branched stent grafts technique.

RESULTS

The average follow-up time was 21 months, range from 3 to 47 months. Completion angiography showed that typeⅠ endoleak of chimney, sandwich, fenestration and branched stent grafts group were 9/47, 5/6, 2/15 and 0, respectively. While at 30-day typeⅠ endoleak reduced to 7/47, 2/6, 0 and 0. During follow-up, there were 3 target vessel stents occlusion in chimney group, the patency rate of target vessel stent was 95.1% (58/61). In sandwich, fenestration and branched stent grafts group, all the target vessel stents kept patent.

CONCLUSION

In this study, chimney, sandwich, fenestration and branched stent grafts techniques show good short-term and midterm results, the long-term effects still need further studies.

[Observation on the clinical efficacy of spasmodic torticollis treated with matrix needling technique and acupuncture at "Wuxin points" mainly]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the difference in the efficacy on spasmodic torticollis between matrix needling technique combined with puncturing "Wuxin points" and the local injection of botox type A.

METHODS

Forty-two cases were randomized into an acupuncture group and a botox group, 21 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, the matrix needling technique was used and acupuncture was adopted at Fengchi (GB 20), "Wuxin points" [Shuigou (GV 26), bilateral Laogong (PC 8) and bilateral Yongquan (KI 1)] and local Ashi points. In the botox group, botox type A was injected at several spots of local region. The treatment course was 1 month in the two groups. The efficacy in each weekend and the results of follow-up visit in half a year after treatment were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In the 1st weekend, the markedly effective rate was 42.8% (9/21) and the total effective rate was 90.5% (19/21) in the botox group, which were better than those of 4.8% (1/21) and 28.6% (6/21) respectively in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.01). In the 2nd weekend, the markedly effective rate was 71.4% (15/21) and the total effective rate was 95.2% (20/21) in the botox group, which were better than those of 19.1% (4/21) and 61.9% (13/21) respectively in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.01). In the 3rd weekend, the markedly effective rate was 66.7% (14/21) and the total effective rate was 95.2% (20/21) in the botox group, which were better than those of 38.1% (8/21) and 71.4% (15/21) respectively in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate were not different significantly between the two groups in the treatment of 1 month and the follow-up visit in half a year (all P > 0.05). There was no adverse reaction in the acupuncture group. There were 14 cases of adverse reactions in the botox group, in which 9 cases of neck muscular weakness and 5 cases of neck muscular pain.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of matrix needling technique and combined with acupuncture at "Wuxin points" achieves the significant efficacy on spasmodic torticollis. Although the effect is not obtained as quickly as the local injection of botox, the efficacy of matrix needling technique is similar to that of botox in the treatment of 1 month and the follow-up visit in half a year. Moreover, this therapy has no adverse reaction.

Microbial diversity in the oral cavity of healthy Chinese Han children

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the oral microbial diversity of healthy Chinese Han children.

METHODS

Dental plaques were sampled from the oral cavity of ten healthy Chinese Han children. The oral microbiome was examined using the 16S rRNA-based Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray. The microbial diversity and similarity were analyzed using the Chao-Jaccard similarity index.

RESULTS

A total of 112 species, which belonged to nine bacterial phyla and 41 genera, were detected. Each individual harbored an average of 54.1 microbial species (ranging from 37 to 69) and 26.2 genera (ranging from 21 to 31), with interindividual variations both at the species and genus level. Thirteen genera were conserved among all individuals. The Chao-Jaccard similarity index averages, at the genus and species level, were 0.642 (ranging from 0.485 to 0.871) and 0.506 (ranging from 0.338 to 0.676), respectively, suggesting that the healthy oral community was more conserved at the genus level than at the species level.

CONCLUSION

Although there was interindividual variation in the oral microflora, some bacterial genera were conserved among individuals, supporting the existence of a core microbiome in the oral cavity of healthy Chinese Han children.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on expression of vascular PKC in the ischemic cerebral tissue in rats with cerebral infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of electroacupunctur (EA) of Shuigou(GV 26)on the expression of vascular protein kinase C (PKC) in the focal ischemia cerebral tissue in rats so as to study its dynamic regulation mechanism.

METHODS

A total of 78 Wistar rats were randomly divided into model group (n = 24), EA group (n = 24), sham operation (sham) group (n = 24) and control group (n = 6). The first 3 groups were further divided into 0. 5 h, 1 h, 3 h and 6 h subgroups, with 6 cases in each. Cerebral ischemia (CI) model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. EA (15 Hz, 1.0 mA) was applied to "Shuigou" (GV 26) for 20 min. The anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries on the infarct side of the brain were collected for assaying the expression of PKC protein by using Western blot, and the formalin-fixed artery samples were embedded with paraffin, followed by sectioning and staining with immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the expression levels of cerebral vascular smooth PKC protein shown by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot were upregulated significantly at the time-points of 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after CI in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the expression levels of PKC protein in the cerebral vascular smooth muscle shown by the aforementioned two methods were down-regulated considerably in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). No statistic differences were found between the control and sham groups in the expression of vascular PKC protein at different time-points (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

EA Intervention can significantly inhibit PKC expression in the cerebral vascular smooth muscle in CI rats, which may be responsible for its efficacy in improving ischemic stroke.

Investigation of characteristics of feather follicle stem cells and their regeneration potential

Feather follicles have the extraordinary ability to regenerate and undergo molting cycles. Being tissue-specific stem cells, feather follicle stem cells (FFSCs) have a strong capacity for proliferation and are presumed to be progenitor cells for various epidermal organs. In order to characterize FFSCs and to understand how the feather epidermis and FFSCs produce such a reliable differentiation program resulting in the formation of complex feathers, We developed a culture scheme to select and expand FFSCs from chick feather follicles. FFSCs were examined with cell profiles, mutilpotential differentiation and immunocytochemical staining. FFSCs from a single clone were capable of self-renewal and proliferation. These cells expressed integrin β1, CD49c, cytokeratin 15 (K15), cytokeratin 19 (K19) and a neural-genic cell marker, nestin, but not a teminal differentiation-related keratinocyte marker, cytokeratin 10 (K10). FFSCs could trans-differentiate into adipocytes, neurocytes and keratinocytes. The formation of micro-feather like structures ex-vivo also revealed the potential of regeneration. These results demonstrate that FFSCs possess the properties of stem/progenitor cells and may therefore serve as a useful model for studying mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and their involvement in organ regeneration.

[Indications of acupuncture outpatient based on clinical investigation]

OBJECTIVE

The present situation of clinical indications of acupuncture in China is investigated in this article which provides clinical evidence for the establishment of acupuncture indications.

METHODS

Out-patients of acupuncture departments of 31 Chinese provinces in the year 2008 were investigated through the method of cluster random sampling. And the analysis was made on diseases sorting and distribution based on Pareto principle and with EpiMap software.

RESULTS

Information of 31 858 out-patients of the first treatment from 36 hospitals were collected which referred to 368 diseases of 16 disease systems. Among them, there were 57 most commonly-encountered diseases, 60 commonly-encountered diseases and 251 rare diseases.

CONCLUSION

There are totally 368 acupuncture clinical indications at present according to the investigation with disproportional distribution in administrative districts. It is held that indications of acupuncture have high centralization degree. Thus, the populariza tion and promotion on application of acupuncture indications should be strengthened.

[Study on the efficacy graded-disease-spectrum of acupuncture and moxibustion by the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation techniques: musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases]

The descriptive cross sectional surveys were carried out among the outstanding clinical physicians in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion by using the survey sampling. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation techniques was applied to evaluate the opinions of clinical experts in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion in order to classify the spectrum of diseases related to the musculoskeletal and connective tissue. After the statistical analysis on sixty-four diseases with 104 subtypes, the spectrum of diseases were determined as grade I spectrum of diseases with 13 subtypes of diseases, grade II spectrum of diseases with 51 subtypes of diseases, grade III spectrum of diseases with 10 subtypes of diseases, and grade IV spectrum of diseases with 30 subtypes of diseases. The outcomes reveal that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy have been applied widely for musculoskeletal diseases and connective tissue related diseases.

[Classification basis and train of thought of functional dyspepsia in disease menu of acupuncture]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the classification basis of functional dyspepsia in disease menu of acupuncture, and to provide regular analyzing process for classification of other diseases.

METHODS

Taking the control group as the classification basis, and the 5-level literature classification of evidence based medicine as the estimation basis, literatures which complied with the inclusion criteria were examined according to the sequence from high level to low. Evidences of low levels were given up if support can be acquired from documents of high level.

RESULTS

Acupuncture is approved to be effective for intervention on functional dyspepsia. Compared to the international accepted medicines such as Cisapride and Motilium, regular acupuncture has better therapeutic effects and less side effects in improving the gastro-power and relieving discomfort sensations.

CONCLUSION

Functional dyspepsia pertains to grade I of disease menu of acupuncture.

[Graded-disease-spectrum of the nervous system of acu-moxibustion therapy was determined based on its clinical efficacy and by fuzzy comprehensive estimation technique]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the graded-disease-spectrum of the nervous system of acu-moxibustion treatment based on its clinical efficacy.

METHODS

We carried out a cross-sectional academic sample investigation on the graded-disease-spectrum of acu-moxibustion by collecting and analyzing data from the self-administered questionnaires which were completed by professional persons who have high-ranking professional titles (associate chief physicians and chief physicians) and are majoring in acupuncture and moxibustion. Then, the collected experts' opinions were analyzed by fuzzy comprehensive estimation technique and statistical processing.

RESULTS

A total of 58 medical conditions involving 4 grades and 126 subtypes were included and analyzed. The Grade I contains 14 subtypes as Bell's palsy (in the acute stage and convalescence stage), primary sciatic neuralgia, migraine (mild type and moderate type), etc. which can be relieved by using acu-moxibustion therapy only. The Grade II contains 53 subtypes, such as transient cerebral ischemic attack, acute cerebrovascular disease (in the convalescence stage and sequelae stage), chronic Bell's palsy (sequelae), Hunt's facial palsy, etc. which can be relieved by using acu-moxibustion as the main therapy. The Grade III contains 22 subtypes, such as acute stage of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (with coma and without coma), acute stage of hemorrhagic ischemic cerebrovascular disease (with coma and without coma), etc. which may be relieved to a certain degree by using acu-moxibustion as the supplementary or main therapy. The Grade IV contains 37 subtypes, such as Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease, myasthenia gravis (type III and type IV), myasthenia gravis of medicinal herbs resource, chorea major, etc. whose clinical effects are not known if treated with acu-moxibustion.

CONCLUSION

Acu-moxibustion therapy has apparent advantages in the treatment of different clinical conditions of the nervous system.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion for treatment of chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis]

OBJECTIVE

To compare therapeutic effects of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion and western medicine on chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Sixty cases were randomly divided into a spread moxibustion group (n = 28) and a western medicine group (n = 32). The spread moxibustion group was treated with herb-partitioned spread moxibustion at lower limb around stomach meridian, abdomen region around Guanyuan (CV 4) and lower Jiaji (EX B 2) points; and the western medicine group was treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazine. Their therapeutic effects were observed after treatment.

RESULTS

The cured-markedly effective rate was 71.4% (20/ 28) in the spread moxibustion group, and 25.0% (8/32) in the western medicine group, the former was better than the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The therapeutic effect of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion for treatment of chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis is better than that of the oral administration of Sulfasalazine with less adverse reaction, and is worth popularizing in clinic.

Low propagation loss SiN optical waveguide prepared by optimal low-hydrogen module

We investigated low-hydrogen SiN films prepared by a low temperature (350 degrees C) PECVD method. The impact of SiH(4)/N(2) flow ratio and radio frequency power on the hydrogen content in the SiN films was studied. In this work, we demonstrated a low-loss sub-micron SiN waveguide by using the corresponding optimal SiN films. The propagation loss was found to be as low as -2.1+/-0.2 dB/cm at 1550 nm with waveguide cross-section of 700 nm x 400 nm. The results suggest that the SiN films grown by PECVD with low hydrogen can be used in photonics integrated circuits for new generation communications applications.

Proteomic analysis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transduced with human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene during proliferation

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have reported immortalization and tumorigenicity of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) transduced with exogenous human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). We also have established a line of hMSCs transduced with hTERT (hTERT-hMSCs) and we have cultured these cells for 290 population doublings (PDs) during which they demonstrated a large proliferation potential but with no tumorigenicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the protein expression profile of hTERT-hMSCs with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, to be able to analyse the effects of exogenous hTERT on protein expression in hMSCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We generated proteome maps of primary hMSCs and hTERT-hMSCs at PD 95 and PD 275.

RESULTS

A total of 1543 +/- 145 protein spots in gels of primary MSCs at PD 12, 1611 +/- 186 protein spots in gels of hTERT-hMSCs at PD 95 and 1451 +/- 126 protein spots in gels of hTERT-hMSCs at 275 PD were detected. One hundred of these were successfully identified, including 20 which were differentially expressed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that sustaining levels of prohibitin and p53 expression along with differential expression of proteins in hTERT-hMSCs provide an insight into lack of transforming activity of hTERT-hMSCs during cell proliferation.

Two new diterpenoids from Coleus forskohlii

Two new diterpenoids, forskolins I and J, have been isolated in our further investigation on Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. collected in Yunnan Province. Their structures have been determined as 1alpha,6beta-diacetoxy-7beta,9alpha-dihydroxy-8,13-epoxylabd-14-en-11-one (1) and 1alpha,9alpha-dihydroxy-6beta,7beta-diacetoxy-8,13-epoxylabd-14-en-11-one (2) by spectral methods (including 1D and 2D NMR techniques).

ent-Isopimarane diterpenoids of the leaves from Rabdosia forrestii

Two new diterpenes, forrestin H, ent-isopimaran-8 beta, 15R, 16-triol (1), forrestin I, ent-isopimaran-16-acetoxy-8 beta, 15R-diol (2) and the acetonide derivative of forrestin H were isolated from the leaves of Rabdosia forrestii. The structures were established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis and of the modified Mosher's (1H) method.