Loading...

Archive

    26 October 2012, Volume 2 Issue 5 Previous Issue    Next Issue

    For Selected: Toggle Thumbnails
    Coronary Heart Disease-Related Depression Integrative Medicine Research
    QIN He-wei, LIU Ping
    2012, 2 (5):  1-4. 
    Abstract ( 2095 )   PDF (1025KB) ( 1706 )  
    Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of Tongxinjieyufang in treating coronary heartdisease-related depression. Methods:70 coronary heart disease patients with comorbid depression were randomly assigned into two groups: 35 for traditional Chinese medicine group treated with Tongxijieyufang and 35 for control group treated with fluoxetine. Both groups were maintained with their regular coronary heart disease pharmacotherapies. The study course was 8 weeks and the patient symptoms, electrocardiographic changes, hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD), self-rating depression scale score (SDS) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) single symptom score were assessed before and after treatment. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements (P<0.05) on measures of angina pectoris, HAMD and SDS scores, the efficacy of TCM symptom score individual aspects, the Tongxinjieyufang group had better improvements than fluoxetine group. Conclusions: Both treatments improved depressive symptoms, with Tongxinjieyufang group showing a bigger improvement. Tongxinjieyufang not only improved the symptoms of angina pectoris, but also improved depression scores, reduced the impact of depression on coronary heart disease, suggesting that traditional Chinese medicine has obvious advantage in the treatment of coronary heart disease-related depression.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    A Retrospective Analysis of 58 Cases of Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children    
    LI Qi-feng, JIANG Feng, ZHAO Yang, MA Jie
    2012, 2 (5):  5-7. 
    Abstract ( 3389 )   PDF (1006KB) ( 1584 )  
    Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and pathological types of posterior fossa tumors in children, and discuss related problems about surgical methods and surgical treatment.Methods: Clinical data on 58 patients with posterior fossa after surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Children with intracranial tumors were more common in male, less in female. The Pathological diagnoses of brain tumor included medulloblastoma, ependymoma and astrocytoma. Clinical manifestations were determined by age and location of the tumors. Surgical approaches included craniotomy through suboccipital opening via middle road for the fourth ventricle and cerebellar vermis tumors, paramedian opening for cerebelar hemisphere tumors, and retrosigmoid approach for cerebellopontine angle area tumors. . Conclusion: Surgical resection is the main treatment of posterior fossa tumors. Proper operation method based on tumor locations and the specific situations can reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications. Malignant tumors often need radiotherapy, and chemotherapy after surgery.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Assessment of TreadScan Gait Analysis System in the Evaluation of Rat Spinal Cord Contusion Model
    Zhang Si, GU Bing1 WANG Shuo-yu2, LI Hua-nan2, ZHANG Guo-fu, ZHANG Shui-yin1,
    2012, 2 (5):  8-18. 
    Abstract ( 4778 )   PDF (4828KB) ( 2787 )  
    Objective:To assess the utility of TreadScan gait analysis systemin evaluating rat spinal cord contusion model. Methods: Rat spinal cord contusion model was established by a BenchmarkTM stereotaxic cortical impactor which was connected to PinPoint™ precision contact sensor. Image J image analysis software was used to measure the initial lesion volume of injured epicenter and adjacent area at posttraumatic 30 min. TreadScan gait analysis system was applied to describe the behavioral characteristics of the rats at preoperative and posttraumatic 7, 14, 21, 28 d. Morphological changes were inspected by using the Harris's HE staining in combination with Luxol fast blue staining technique at posttraumatic 1, 7, 14, 28 d. Results: The initial lesion volume of spinal cord in model group was (4.17±0.15) mm3s, n=5) with a range of 4.02 to 4.32 mm3 and fitted to the normal distribution. As compared to the preoperative, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in each behavior parameters of the postoperative in model group. As compared to the sham group, the Average Print Area, Stride Length, Inst Run Speed and Regularity Index were decreased significantly in model group (P<0.05 ). However, the Stride Time, Swing Time, Rear Track Width, Minimum Longitudinal Deviation were significantly increased (P<0.05). In addition to the injured epicenter, the morphology of adjacent region tissue was basically intact at posttraumatic 1 d. However, overtime the severity of tissue degeneration and demyelination in model group were significantly higher than those in sham group, with the trend
    of spreading to the surrounding areas. Conclusion: The rat spinal cord contusion model prepared by a BenchmarkTM
    stereotaxic cortical impactor has a good replicability. TreadScan gait analysis system was particularly objective and accurate in evaluating the behavioral characteristics after SCI in rats.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Construction of Cpn0147 Bait Vector in Yeast Two-hybrid from Chlamydia Pneumonia Potentially Causing Neurodegenerative Diseases
    JIA Xiao-hui, TIAN Ying-xin, TIAN Min, HAN Xiao-dong, JIA Tian-jun
    2012, 2 (5):  19-23. 
    Abstract ( 1925 )   PDF (1355KB) ( 1717 )  
    Objective: To construct a bait vector of pGBKT7-Cpn0147 for seeking its ligands with yeast two-hybrid system. Methods: Cpn0147 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then cloned into pGBKT7 to construct the bait vector. These recombinant plasmids were transformed into yeast cells AH109 and Y187 to test toxic effects and self-activation activity. Results: The pGBKT7-Cpn0147 bait vector was constructed successfully, which neither had self-activation ability nor yeast cell toxicity. Conclusion: The constructed pGBKT7-Cpn0147 could be used as a bait vector in yeast two-hybrid system, and provided an experimental basis for further screening the interaction proteins.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Progress of receptors, cytokine and signal pathways about depression
    DONG Dong,WANG Rui
    2012, 2 (5):  24-30. 
    Abstract ( 2978 )   PDF (1111KB) ( 2341 )  
    Depression is a mental disease with negative mood and dysfunction of organs. The study of the pathogenesis of depression has made great progress. The current research demonstrates that the disorder of serotonin system and dopamine system are related to depression; a close relationship between depression and the disorder of monoaminegic
    systems has been repeatedly reported. Researchers also find that the glutamatergic system and glucocorticoid system affect the development and progress of depression. The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor is significantly
    decreased in the blood of depressed patients and animal models, and brain-derived neruotrophic factor has a therapeutic effect in animal models of depression. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase is also decreased in depressed
    patients. This review summarizes the recent understanding about the receptors, cytokine and signal pathway that are thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Epidemiology  and Pharmacotherapy of Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorde: Current Status
    LIU Zhi-jun
    2012, 2 (5):  31-39. 
    Abstract ( 2228 )   PDF (1131KB) ( 2653 )  
    Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed neuro-developmental disorder
    in children and most of the children ADHD cases can persist to adulthood. The DSM-5 developed and published by American Psychiatric Association (APA) at 2012 firstly gives the more appropriate diagnosis criteria and pharmacotherapy guidelines for adult ADHD. The currently used medications include neural
    stimulants (e.g. methylphenidate and amphetamines) and non-stimulants (e.g. atomoxetine, buproprion and tricyclic antidepressants). Other medications such as venlafaxine, reboxetine, modafinil, oxcarbazepine and propranolol are also tested to treat adult ADHD and showed some therapeutic effects.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    The Effects of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors on Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular System Disease
    YANG Hui, TAN Xiao-hong
    2012, 2 (5):  40-44. 
    Abstract ( 2489 )   PDF (1078KB) ( 2107 )  
    Arachidonic acid is metabolized to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase. EETspromote angiogenesis and
    inhibit inflammatory processes and platelet aggregation. EETs are rapidly degradated by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and their biological activity decreased. Therefore, sEH may be used as a therapeutic target in hypertension, myocardial infarction, renal diseases and ischemic stroke. This review summarized the effects of sEH inhibitors on hypertension, atherosclerosis, cerebral ischemic stroke and chronic heart failure, and discussed the mechanisms of the effects.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Long-term Potentiation and Central Receptors
    DONG Xiao-hua1, MENG Xian-yong2, ZHANG Dan-shen3
    2012, 2 (5):  45-50. 
    Abstract ( 2944 )   PDF (1100KB) ( 2133 )  
    Central Synapse is basic link of information transmission and processing between cells in nervous system,and long-term potentiation of central synapse is an effective model in studying synaptic plasticity and an important marker in investigating the neural mechanisms of learning and memory. The mechanisms inducting and maintaining LTP are very complicated, and many central neurotransmitters and eceptors can affect the production of LTP. In this review, relevant receptor systems affecting LTP production were described and summarized.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Silent Synapses: A Review
    CAI Liang , SU Chao-fen , LUO Huan-min,
    2012, 2 (5):  51-56. 
    Abstract ( 3374 )   PDF (1116KB) ( 2371 )  
    Silent synapse is defined as a synapse that is incapable of exerting neurotransmission in physiological
    conditions but could be activated under certain conditions. The change of function and structure of synapses are defined as plasticity of synapse, and this property of synapses is related to restoration of the neurons and memory improvement. It is essential to understand the mechanisms of formation, function and activation of silent synapse.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics
    Research Progress of the Effective Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine Used in the Treatment of Gliomas
    HAO Jun-rong, SHEN Li-xia
    2012, 2 (5):  57-64. 
    Abstract ( 3980 )   PDF (1134KB) ( 2786 )  
    Glioma is malignant tumor in central nervous system with high morbidity.With the in-depth study of the antitumor activities of Chinese medicine, the anti-cancer Chinese medicine has been drawing increasing attention. Recently, with
    the better understanding of the molecular etiology of cancer, the development of new antitumor drugs has been increasing. A variety of antitumor drugs of glioma have been reported. This article summarized recent research of traditional Chinese medicine and its effective constituents for the treatment of glioma and their potential mechanisms, which will facilitate the clinical recognization and application of Chinese medince for the treatment of glioma.
    References | Related Articles | Metrics