Pretreatment with Baicalin Attenuates Hypoxia and Glucose Deprivation-Induced Injury in SH-SY5Y Cells

Objective:To explore the neuroprotective effects of baicalin against hypoxia and glucose deprivationreperfusion(OGD/RO)-induced injury in SH-SY5 Y cells.Methods:SH-SY5 Y cells were divided into a control group,a OGD/RO group,which was subject to OGD/RO induction;and 3 baicalin groups subject to baicalin(1,5,25 μ mol/L) for 2 h before induction of OGD/RO(low-,medium-,and high-dose baicalin groups).Cell viability was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay and flow cytometric analysis was used to detect cell apoptosis.Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression of caspase-3gene.Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression of nuclear factor(NF)- k B and N-methyl-daspartic acid receptor-1(NMDAR1).Results:Baicalin could significantly attenuate OGD/RO mediated apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5 Y cells;the apoptosis rates in the low-,medium- and high-dose groups were 12.1%,7.9%,and 5.4%,respectively.Western blot and real-time PCR analysis revealed that significant decrease in caspase-3 expression in the baicalin group compared with the OGD/RO group(P0.01).Additionally,down-regulation of NF-κB and NMDAR1 was observed in the baicalin group compared with those obtained from the OGD/RO group.Compared with the low-dose baicalin group,remarkable decrease was noted in the medium- and high-dose groups(P0.01).Conclusion:Baicalin pre-treatment attenuates brain ischemia reperfusion injury by suppressing cellular apoptosis.     

Three generations of matrilineal excess of birth defects in Irish families with neural tube defects

Background

Neural tube defects (NTDs) and birth defects overall are more likely to occur among maternal compared to paternal relatives in two generations (uncles/aunts and first cousins) of Irish families where an individual has been born with an NTD.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine if the matrilineal excess persisted into the third generation.

Methods

First cousins were interviewed about their pregnancy outcomes and their offsprings’ health.

Results

Maternal first cousins once removed (FCOR) were more likely to have birth defects than paternal FCOR: 6.7 versus 3.5% (adjusted odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI 0.57, 3.89). No NTDs occurred. Folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the risk of birth defects (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates an excess of birth defects among maternal relatives in three consecutive generations of NTD families, and supports the hypothesis that an underlying mechanism links distant maternal relatives in at least some NTD families.

     

Unravelling the genome: a review of molecular genetic research in schizophrenia

Background

Schizophrenia is a common and complex mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Despite intensive research over the years, the aetiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia is poorly understood. However, it has long been recognised that schizophrenia is highly familial suggesting a possible genetic aetiology.

Aim

To review recent molecular genetic research in schizophrenia.

Methods

Medline and Embase search.

Results

Over the past decade, with the completion of the Human Genome Project, molecular genetic research has now identified a number of genes that are very likely to predispose to schizophrenia.

Conclusion

This article discusses the methodologies that have been used to identify schizophrenia susceptibility genes and provides a review of recently identified genes thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of this illness.

     

Construction-related eye injuries in Irish nationals and non-nationals: attitudes and strategies for prevention

Background

Construction-related ocular injuries are an important cause of vision loss but few studies on the incidence, epidemiology and nature of these injuries exist.

Aims

Due to the perceived increase in occupation-related eye injuries in non-nationals we aimed to investigate the nature of such injuries presenting to a single eye unit over a two-month period.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-five patients presenting to the accident and emergency department with construction related ocular injury were examined.

Results

Of 155 patients, 80 were Irish and 75 non-national, of whom 60, 21.3 and 6.7% were Polish, Lithuanian and Romanian, respectively. Common causative factors included hammering, grinding, drilling and splash injury. Average rate of eyewear protection usage was 35%, with attendance at safety courses highest in Irish nationals. A penetrating eye injury rate of 4.9% overall was observed, all in non-nationals.

Conclusion

Construction related ocular injury is a serious cause of visual loss in non-nationals. Greater adherence to safety regulations and training is required.

     

An Ethical Evaluation Index System for Clinical Approval of Medical Technology in China: A Structural Equation Model Study

Objective

To construct a quantitative ethical evaluation index system for the clinical approval of medical technology in China.

Methods

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on a structure equation model (SEM), higher-order CFA and normalisation were used to establish an ethical evaluation index system for the clinical approval of medical technology. Data were processed in SPSS 13.0 and Lisre l5.3.

Results

There were 52 third class indices, 15 second class indices, and 3 first class indices in this ethical evaluation index system. The weight of each index was calculated by normalisation.

Conclusion

This study developed a three-level ethical evaluation index system, comprising 70 indices, for the clinical approval of medical technology.

     

Are routine peritoneal fluid cultures during appendicectomy justified?

Background

To determine the impact of obtaining routine peritoneal fluid cultures during appendicectomy, on the treatment and the clinical outcomes.

Methods

The case notes of 137 consecutive patients having appendicectomy, selected from the microbiology database over a period of 1 year were reviewed. The microorganisms in peritoneal cultures, selection of antibiotics and clinical outcomes were recorded. Patients were subdivided into two groups; group I: uncomplicated appendicitis and group II: complicated appendicitis.

Results

The study included 137 patients with a median age of 19 years. Cultures were obtained from 79.5% of patients (group I: 67/84, group II: 42/53). Cultures were positive in 28.3% (19/67) patients in group I and 69% (29/42) in group II. Wound infection (5.6%), prolonged ileus (7.5%) and intra-abdominal abscess (3.7%) were the recorded complications in group II. Antibiotics were modified in 3 out of 109 patients.

Conclusion

Intra-operative peritoneal cultures during appendicectomy do not significantly contribute towards patient management.

     

Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Language-Implicated Acupoint Tongli (HT 5) in Healthy Subjects: An fMRI Evaluation Study

Objective

To explore brain activations associated with electroacupuncture simulation at Tongli (HT 5) and its comparison with brain activations during picture-naming task.

Methods

Twenty healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Half of them received electroacupuncture stimulation at HT 5 (ACUP group) and the other half of them received stimulation at a nonmeridian sham acupoint (SHAM group). All subjects performed picture-naming task. Each subject finished two runs of functional magnetic resonance imaging examinations in one session and picture-naming task was performed before electroacupuncture stimulation. Subjective brain activations were obtained using generalized linear model and inter-group analyses were performed after that.

Results

The electroacupuncture stimulation at HT 5 induced significant brain activations in both the anterior and posterior language regions, including the left inferior frontal gyrus, which was in consistent with activations induced during picture-naming task. Group analysis showed a tendency of increased activation of ACUP group in left inferior frontal gyrus compared with SHAM group (P<0.05 FDR corrected).

Conclusions

Electroacupuncture treatment at the acupoint HT 5 has modulation effect on typical language-implicated brain regions in healthy subjects, which provides supporting evidence for beneficial effects of needling at HT 5 for recovery of language function in aphasia.

     

Icariin Improves Cognitive Impairment after Traumatic Brain Injury by Enhancing Hippocampal Acetylation

Objective

To examine the effect of icariin (ICA) on the cognitive impairment induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and the underlying mechanisms related to changes in hippocampal acetylation level.

Methods

The modifified free-fall method was used to establish the TBI mouse model. Mice with post-TBI cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups using the randomised block method (n=7): TBI (vehicle-treated), low-dose (75 mg/kg) and high-dose (150 mg/kg) of ICA groups. An additional sham-operated group (vehicle-treated) was employed. The vehicle or ICA was administrated by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, mRNA and protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and protein levels of acetylated H3 (Ac-H3) and Ac-H4 were detected in the hippocampus.

Results

Compared with the sham-operated group, the MWM performance, hippocampal ACh content, mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, and protein levels of Ac-H3 and Ac-H4 were signifificantly decreased in the TBI group (P<0.05). High-dose of ICA signifificantly ameliorated the TBI-induced weak MWM performance, increased hippocampal ACh content, and mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, as well as Ac-H3 protein level compared with the TBI group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

ICA improved post-TBI cognitive impairment in mice by enhancing hippocampal acetylation, which improved hippocampal cholinergic function and ultimately improved cognition.

     

Analysis of clinical features of ocular presentation in cranial venous sinus thrombosis

Background

To recognize ocular presentations in cranial venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) which were easy to be misdiagnosis.

Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

Review clinical informations including general informations, general performances, and ocular presentations of 118 inpatients with CVST in the general hospital of chinese people's liberation army during 2005-2009.

Main Outcome Measures

The ocular symptoms as the initial onset presentations or simultaneous phenomenon among different onset type patients were analyzed.

Results

Of all the CVST patients, 21.2% (25/118) presented with ocular symptom as the initial presentation, 30.5% (36/118) presented with ocular symptom as well as the other symptoms, and 48.3% (57/118) presented with non-ocular symptoms as the initial onset. The CVST patients were divided into 3 groups according to the onset type. There was no marked statistical significance among groups. The most common major complaints were blurring and degeneration of acute vision, accounting for 85.9% (61/71) of all abnormal ocular chief complaints. The most common objective sign in eyes was papilloedema, accounting for 48.3% (57/118) in this group of CVST patients. About 22.4% (13/58) showed acute vision deterioration at 1-year follow-up, due to optic atrophy.

Conclusions

As ophthalmologists, we should master the onset characteristics and clinical manifestations of CVST. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important for the prevention of vision deterioration, especially for patients with ocular syndrome as the initial onset syndrome. For isolated agnogenic intracranial hypertension, we should consider the possibility of CVST.

     

Key Symptoms Selection for Two Major Syndromes Diagnosis of Chinese Medicine in Chronic Hepatitis B

Objective

To identify key symptoms of two major syndromes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), which can be the clinical evidence for Chinese medicine (CM) doctors to make decisions.

Methods

Standardization scales on diagnosis for CHB in CM were designed including physical symptoms, tongue and pulse appearance. The total of 695 CHB cases with dampness-heat (DH) syndrome or Pi (Spleen) deficiency (SD) syndrome were collected for feature selection and modeling, another 275 CHB patients were collected in different locations for validation. Key symptoms were selected based on modified information gain (IG), and 5 classifiers were applied to assist with models training and validation. Classification accuracy and area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were evaluated.

Results

(1) Thirteen DH syndrome key symptoms and 13 SD syndrome key symptoms were selected from original 125 symptoms; (2) The key symptoms could achieve similar or better diagnostic accuracy than the original total symptoms; (3) In the validation phase, the key symptoms could identify syndromes effectively, especially in DH syndrome, which average prediction accuracy on 5 classifiers could achieve 0.864 with the average AUC 0.772.

Conclusion

The selected key symptoms could be simple DH and SD syndromes diagnostic elements applied in clinical directly. (Registration N0.: ChiCTR-DCC-10000759)

     

Percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair leads to a reduction in wound complications

Introduction

While endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has significantly reduced the morbidity associated with open surgery, efforts continue to minimise the surgical insult to the patient. We report our experience of percutaneous EVAR.

Patients and methods

Since June 2005, 17/20 EVARs (85%) have been attempted percutaneously by deployment of two Perclose^© devices into each femoral artery prior to passage of the device sheath. The sutures are left untied until the sheath is removed at the end of the procedure, when haemostasis is obtained. Patients were entered onto a prospectively maintained database and followed up at regular intervals in a dedicated EVAR clinic.

Results

Access and subsequent graft deployment was successful in all the 17 cases. The range of defects closed ranged from 12–24 Fr. Five patients (29%) required open groin exploration at the end of the procedure to achieve haemostasis. There was a significantly lower incidence of wound complications in the percutaneous EVAR group (6 vs. 10% open cutdown cases, P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney U test).

Conclusion

Percutaneous EVAR is both a feasible and safe method of performing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, which is associated with a reduction in wound complication rates.

     

Angelica tenuissima Nakai Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment and Promotes Neurogenesis in Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Objective: To research Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) for use in novel Alzheimer''s disease (AD) therapeutics. Methods: The effect of a 30% ethanol extract of ATN (KH032) on AD-like cognitive impairment and neuropathological and neuroinflammatory changes induced by bilateral intracerebroventricular injections of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide (Aβ1-42) was investigated. Male C57Bl/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, 10 in each group. KH032-treated groups were administrated with a low or high dose of KH032 (50 and 200 mg/kg, respectively), intragastrically for 16 days; distilled water was applied in the sham and negative groups. Open field test, Y maze and Morris water maze test were used for behavior test and cognitive ability. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of KH032 in Aβ1-42-infused mice on the histopathological markers [neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN), Aβ1-42] of neurodegeneration were examined. The levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), NeuN, phosphorylation extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ERK, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylation cAMP response element-binding (CREB)/CREB protein expression were measured by Western blot. Results: KH032 treatment ameliorated cognitive impairments, reduced the overexpression of Aβ1-42, and inhibited neuronal loss and neuroinflammatory response in the Aβ1-42-infused mice. Moreover, KH032 treatment enhanced BDNF expression levels in the hippocampus. Finally, KH032 treatment increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and CREB, vital for ERK-CREB signaling. Conclusions: KH032 attenuated cognitive deficits in the Aβ1-42-infused mice by increasing BDNF expression and ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation and inhibiting neuronal loss and neuroinflammatory response, suggesting that KH032 has therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.     

Effects of Electro-acupuncture at Tongli (HT 5) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) Acupoints from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence

Objective

To explore the specifificity of Tongli (HT 5) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) paired acupionts in aspects of Deqi sensation and brain activation patterns during electroacupuncture.

Methods

In this study, 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. All participants suffered two kinds of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examinations randomly: Examination A received electro-acupuncture (EA) at the bilateral Tongli (HT5) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) acupoints (ACU), and examination B received EA at bilateral non-acupoints (NAP). The subjects reported the feeling of Deqi at each examination later respectively. A multi-voxel pattern analysis method and Statistical Program for Social Sciences were used to analyze the data.

Results

The ACU group (Exam A) reported fullness, heaviness, numbness, soreness and throbbing of signifificantly greater intensity than the NAP group (Exam B). In addition, there was no statistical signifificance between two groups in aching, tingling, deep pressure, sharp pain, dull pain, warmness and cold. Meanwhile, fMRI data revealed differences between two groups in discriminating accuracy of brain somatosensory cortex and language-related cortices.

Conclusions

Needling HT 5 and GB 39 may modulate language function through a complex brain network, suggesting that it may be benefificial to the recovery of language function in patients with aphasia.

     

Current Situation of International Organization for Standardization/Technical Committee 249 International Standards of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objective

To review the current situation and progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) international standards, standard projects and proposals in International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/ technical committee (TC) 249.

Methods

ISO/TC 249 standards and standard projects on the ISO website were searched and new standard proposals information were collected from ISO/TC 249 National Mirror Committee in China. Then all the available data were summarized in 5 closely related items, including proposed time, proposed country, assigned working group (WG), current stage and classifification.

Results

In ISO/TC 249, there were 2 international standards, 18 standard projects and 24 new standard proposals proposed in 2014. These 44 standard subjects increased year by year since 2011. Twenty-nine of them were proposed by China, 15 were assigned to WG 4, 36 were in preliminary and preparatory stage and 8 were categorized into 4 fifields, 7 groups and sub-groups based on International Classifification Standards.

Conclusion

A rapid and steady development of international standardization in TCM can be observed in ISO/TC 249.

     

Necrotizing fasciitis: microbiological characteristics and predictors of postoperative outcome

Objective

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening soft-tissue infection with a high morbidity and mortality. Prompt treatment based on extensive surgical debridement and antibiotic therapies are the therapeutic principles.

Methods

The medical records of patients with necrotizing fasciitis (n = 26) from 1996 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The localization of necrotizing fasciitis was most commonly the trunk (42.3%). Type I polymicrobial infection was the dominating infection. The involvement of anaerobic bacteria was associated with an increase in the number of surgical revisions (p = 0.005). Length of postoperative intensive care unit stay, duration of postoperative ventilation and mortality were significantly increased in the ASA IV-V group. Computed tomography displayed only a limited significance as diagnostic tool for initial diagnosis.

Conclusions

In severe cases the combination of necrotic skin and soft tissue gas facilitates the correct diagnosis, which should than be followed by immediate - and most often - repeated debridement. If anaerobes are isolated an early and aggressive second look is necessary.

     

Impact Evaluation of CONSORT and STRICTA Guidelines on Reporting Quality for Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture Conducted in China

Objective:To evaluate and compare the reports' qualities of acupuncture randomized controlled trials(RCTs) conducted in China before and after the implementation of two guidelines,i.e.,the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials(CONSORT) statement and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture(STRICTA).Methods:Proportions of studies that reported CONSORT and STRICTA items were compared for the years before and after implementation of these two guidelines.In addition,the total score of each item's reporting were calculated and reported differences during different date ranges were compared.Results:For CONSORT items(maximum score 8),there was evidence of a slight improvement in reporting between 1994-1995 and 1999-2000 combined(2.5 + 0.6) and 2004-2005 and2009-2010 combined(3.0 ±0.9;difference 0.4,95%confidence interval,0.3 to 0.6,P0.01).For STRICTA items(maximum score 17),there was evidence that a slight improvement in reporting between 1994-1995 and 1999-2000 combined(8.6±2.1) and 2004-2005 and 2009-2010 combined(10.1 ±1.8;difference1.5,95%confidence interval,1.1 to 1.9,P0.01).Conclusion:Quality of reporting for RCTs of acupuncture treatment conducted in China have generally improved since the introduction of the STRICTA and CONSORT guidelines.     

Changes in Small Intestinal Motility and Related Hormones by Acupuncture Stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) in Mice

Objectives

To clarify the effects of acupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) on the hormonal changes.

Methods

Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice received acupuncture stimulation at acupoint ST 36 or Quchi (LI 11) once a day for 3 or 5 days in the acupuncture-stimulated groups, but not received in the normal group (n=6 in each group). On day 3 or 5, animals were given 0.1 mL of charcoal orally with a bulbed steel needle, 30 min after the last acupuncture stimulation. Ten minutes later, mice were anesthetized, and the intestinal transit and the concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), motilin, ghrelin and gastrin in the serum were measured.

Results

Compared to no acupuncture stimulation, acupuncture stimulation at ST 36 for 5 days increased the intestinal transit and down-regulated the concentration of VIP and up-regulated the concentrations of motilin, ghrelin and gastrin (P<0.05 or 0.01), whereas acupuncture stimulation at LI 11 did not change them signifificantly (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture stimulation at ST 36 for 5 days enhances the small intestinal motility and regulates the secretion of hormones related to small intestinal motility.

     

Expert Opinions on the Concept of Blood Stasis in China: An Interview Study

Objective

To study various experts’ opinions on the defifinition and diagnosis of blood stasis in China.

Methods

We e-mailed the selected experts to explain the purpose of the study and to invite them to participate and asked them to name a time for the investigator to call them. Eight experts and fifive organizations were interviewed in the research community investigating blood stasis in China.

Results

Six main categories emerged from the interviews: (1) blood stasis concepts; (2) blood stasis-related biomarkers; (3) methods of diagnosing blood stasis; (4) drugs for promoting blood circulation and dissipating stasis; (5) blood stasis-related diseases; and (6) blood stasis-related societies. The consensus among the interviewed experts was that the defifinition of blood stasis is rather complicated and that there is no gold standard marker for detecting blood stasis.

Conclusions

This paper acquired experts’ opinions on the defifinition and diagnosis of blood stasis in order to establish a modern concept of blood stasis. This paper also developed a diagnostic tool and diagnostic indices for blood stasis and identifified biological indices and pathologic mechanisms related to blood stasis, which might be of great reference value in future blood stasis standardization research.

     

Qualitative Analysis of A Sulfur-fumigated Chinese Herbal Medicine by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography and High-Resolution Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Using Colorized Fuzzy Difference Data Processing

Objective: To investigate the chemical transformation of volatile compounds in sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Methods: A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography(GC×GC) and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HR-TOF/MS) with colorized fuzzy difference(CFD) method was used to investigate the effect of sulfur-fumigation on the volatile components from Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Results: Twenty-five compounds that were found in sun-dried samples disappeared in sulfur-fumigated samples. Seventeen volatile components including two sulfur-containing compounds were newly generated for the first time in volatile oils of sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Conclusion: The strategy can be successfully applied to rapidly and holistically discriminate sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Sinensis. GC×GC-HR-TOF/MS based CFD is a powerful and feasible approach for the global quality evaluation of Radix Angelicae Sinensis as well as other herbal medicines.