Optical-neural stimulation,which encompasses cutting-edge techniques such as optogenetics and infrared neurostimulation,employs distinct mechanisms to modulate brain function and behavior.These advanced neuromodulatio...Optical-neural stimulation,which encompasses cutting-edge techniques such as optogenetics and infrared neurostimulation,employs distinct mechanisms to modulate brain function and behavior.These advanced neuromodulation techniques offer accurate manipulation of targeted areas,even selectively modulating specific neurons,in the brain.This makes it possible to investigate the cause-and-effect connections between neural activity and behavior,allowing for a better comprehension of the intricate brain dynamics towards complex environments.Non-human primates serve as an essential animal model for investigating these complex functions in brain research,bridging the gap between the basic research and clinical applications.One of the earliest optical studies utilizing optogenetic neuromodulation in monkeys was conducted in 2009.Since then,the optical-neural stimulations have been effectively applied in non-human primates.This review summarises recent research that employed optogenetics or infrared neurostimulation techniques to regulate brain function and behavior in non-human primates.The current state of optical-neural stimulations discussed here demonstrates their efficacy in advancing the understanding of brain systems.Nevertheless,there are still challenges that need to be addressed before they can fully achieve their potential.展开更多
Carbon sequestration occurs when cultivated soils are re-vegetated. In the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China, black locust （Robinia pseudoacacia） plantation forest and grassland were the two main vegetation typ...Carbon sequestration occurs when cultivated soils are re-vegetated. In the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China, black locust （Robinia pseudoacacia） plantation forest and grassland were the two main vegetation types used to mitigate soil and water loss after cultivation abandonment. The purpose of this study was to compare the soil carbon stock and flux of these two types of vegetation which restored for 25 years. The experiment was conducted in Yangjuangou catchment in Yah＇an City, Shaanxi Province, China. Two adjacent slopes were chosen for this study. Six sample sites were spaced every 35-45 m from summit to toe slope along the hill slope, and each sample site contained three sampling plots. Soil organic carbon and related physicochemical properties in the surface soil layer （0-10 cm and 10-20 cm） were measured based on soil sampling and laboratory analysis, and the soil carbon dioxide （CO2） emissions and environmental factors were measured in the same sample sites simultaneously. Results indicated that in general, a higher soil carbon stock was found in the black locust plantation forest than that in grassland throughout the hill slope. Meanwhile, significant differences in the soil carbon stock were observed between these two vegetation types in the upper slope at soil depth 0-10 cm and lower slope at soil depth 10-20 cm. The average daily values of the soil CO2 emissions were 1.27 μmol/（m2·s） and 1.39 μmol/（m2·s） for forest and grassland, respectively. The soil carbon flux in forest covered areas was higher in spring and less variation was detected between different seasons, while the highest carbon flux was found in grassland in summer, which was about three times higher than that in autumn and spring. From the carbon sequestration point of view, black locust plantation forest on hill slopes might be better than grassland because of a higher soil carbon stock and lower carbon flux.展开更多
AIM： To assess the characteristics and quality of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration （EUS-FNA） in a large panel of endosonographers.METHODS： A survey was conducted during the 13th annual live...AIM： To assess the characteristics and quality of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration （EUS-FNA） in a large panel of endosonographers.METHODS： A survey was conducted during the 13th annual live course of endoscopic ultrasonography （EUS） held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A 2-page question- naire was developed for the study. Content validity of the questionnaire was determined based on input by experts in the field and a review of the relevant literature. It contained 30 questions that pertained to demographics and the current practice for EUS-FNA of responders, including sampling technique, sample processing, cytopathological diagnosis and sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions. One hundred and sixty-one endosonographers whoattended the course were asked to answer the survey. This allowed assessing the current practice of EUS-FNA as well as the self-reported sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions. We also examined which factors were associated with a self-reported sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions 〉 80%.RESULTS： Completed surveys were collected from 92 （57.1%） of 161 endosonographers who attended the conference. The endosonographers had been practio ing endoscopy and EUS for 22.5 4. 7.8 years and 4.8 4- 4.1 years, respectively; one third of them worked in a hospital with an annual caseload 〉 100 EUS-FNA. Endoscopy practices were located in 29 countries, in- cluding 13 countries in Western Europe that totaled 75.3% of the responses. Only one third of endosonog raphers reported a sensitivity for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions 〉 80% （interquartile range of sensitivities, 25.0%-75.0%）. Factors independently associated with a sensitivity 〉 80% were （1） 〉 7 needle passes for pancreatic lesions or rapid on-site cytopathological evaluation （ROSE） （P 〈 0.0001）, （2） a high annual hospital caseload （P = 0.024） and （3） routine isolation of microcores from EUS-FNA samples （P = 0.042）. ROSE was routinely available to 27.9% of respondents. For lymph nodes and pancreatic masses, a maximum of three needle passes was performed by approximately two thirds of those who did not have ROSE. Microcores were routinely harvested from EUS-FNA samples by approximately one third （37.2%） of survey respondents.CONCLUSION： EUS-FNA sensitivity was considerably lower than reported in the literature. Low EUS-FNA sensitivity was associated with unavailability of ROSE, few needle passes, absence of microcore isolation and low hospital caseload.展开更多
The serum reproductive hormone levels were examined with radioimmunoassay in women of child-bearing age before and after treatment with the prescriptions containing Lei Gong Teng ([symbol: see text] Radix Tripterygii ...The serum reproductive hormone levels were examined with radioimmunoassay in women of child-bearing age before and after treatment with the prescriptions containing Lei Gong Teng ([symbol: see text] Radix Tripterygii Wilfordii). The results showed that Lei Gong Teng could induce amenorrhea, but it was reversible.展开更多
Eight-seven cases of male infertility due to spermatopathy were treated with Sheng Jing Zhong Zi Tang (SJZZT [symbol: see text]) for 1-3 courses. The total effective rate was 95.40% (83/87). 56.32% (49/87) of their sp...Eight-seven cases of male infertility due to spermatopathy were treated with Sheng Jing Zhong Zi Tang (SJZZT [symbol: see text]) for 1-3 courses. The total effective rate was 95.40% (83/87). 56.32% (49/87) of their spouses got pregnant and the semen quality was markedly improved (P展开更多
Objective To study the pharmacokinetics of a novel recombinant human granulocyte colonystimulating factor (rhG-CSFa) in rats and to determine the proteolytic rates of rhG-CSFa in the whole blood and serum of rats in v...Objective To study the pharmacokinetics of a novel recombinant human granulocyte colonystimulating factor (rhG-CSFa) in rats and to determine the proteolytic rates of rhG-CSFa in the whole blood and serum of rats in vitro. Methods The pharmacokinetics of rhG-CSFa and conventional (wild type,WT) granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF) were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats which received either intravenous or subcutaneous injection of rhG-CSFa or WT G-CSF at three different doses (20,50,or 100 μg/kg). The blood samples of rats were collected at multiple time points (from 0.08 to 12 h) and the concentrations of rhG-CSFa and WT G-CSF in serum were determined with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the study of proteolytic rates in vitro,the concentrations of rhG-CSFa or WT G-CSF were determined at 3-minute intervals after addition of the respective drug to rat’s whole blood or serum. Results Pharmacokinetic analysis of serum rhG-CSFa or WT G-CSF levels indicated that,at each dose tested,for either route of drug administration,the area under concentration-time curve values and the maximum serum concentration of rhG-CSFa were higher than those of WT G-CSF,and the serum half life of rhG-CSFa was longer than that of WT G-CSF. Subsequent in vitro whole blood and serum stability study showed that the rates of drug degradation in WT G-CSF were 1.8 folds and 1.5 folds higher than those in rhG-CSFa,respectively. Conclusion rhG-CSFa has better serum and whole blood stability in vitro and higher bioavailability in vivo as compared to WT G-CSF.展开更多
In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of acupoints of Ren, Spleen and Stomach Meridians on artificial abortion induced side effects was observed in 100 artificial abortion women. In comparison wi...In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of acupoints of Ren, Spleen and Stomach Meridians on artificial abortion induced side effects was observed in 100 artificial abortion women. In comparison with 45 artificial abortion women in the control group (who had not accepted EA treatment), EA possessed significant effects in relieving abdominal pain, reducing vaginal bleeding duration, lowering infection rate and infertility rate after artificial abortion operation.展开更多
Exogenous electrical stimulation plays an important role on endothelial cells and vessels. Study on the effect of electrical stimulation on endothelial cells might be helpful to regulate cell metabolism on a certain e...Exogenous electrical stimulation plays an important role on endothelial cells and vessels. Study on the effect of electrical stimulation on endothelial cells might be helpful to regulate cell metabolism on a certain extent, or provide new ideas for vascular tissue engineering. A bioreactor that can apply electrical stimulation was designed on the basis of parallel-plate chamber. To investigate the possible effect of electrical stimulation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）, the different levels and duration＇s electrical stimulations were applied to HUVECs in culture. The cell morphology was observed by microscopy and the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） gene were measured by RT-PCR. Different levels and durations of electrical stimulation produce different effects on eNOS gene expression. The eNOS gene expressions of the experimental group ceils under the voltage of 50 mV, 100 mV, 150 mV and 200 mV were significantly lower than that of the control group after 3-hour electrical stimulation, while the eNOS gene levels of the experimental group cells in 6-hour electrical stimulation were higher than those of the control group under all tested voltages. After 12-hour stimulation, the eNOS gene levels of HUVECs decreased under 50 mV, and then gradually increased until 200 inV. The low voltage of 6-hour electrical stimulation is more appropriate for HUVECs growth.展开更多
The prevalence of obesity is growing to epidemic proportions,and there is clearly a need for minimally invasive therapies with few adverse effects that allow for sustained weight loss.Behavior and lifestyle therapy ar...The prevalence of obesity is growing to epidemic proportions,and there is clearly a need for minimally invasive therapies with few adverse effects that allow for sustained weight loss.Behavior and lifestyle therapy are safe treatments for obesity in the short term,but the durability of the weight loss is limited.Although promising obesity drugs are in development,the currently available drugs lack efficacy or have unacceptable side effects.Surgery leads to long-term weight loss,but it is associated with morbidity and mortality.Gastric electrical stimulation(GES) has received increasing attention as a potential tool for treating obesity and gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders.GES is a promising,minimally invasive,safe,and effective method for treating obesity.External gastric pacing is aimed at alteration of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract in a way that will alter absorption due to alteration of transit time.In addition,data from animal models and preliminary data from human trials suggest a role for the gut-brain axis in the mechanism of GES.This may involve alteration of secretion of hormones associated with hunger or satiety.Patient selection for gastric stimulation therapy seems to be an important determinant of the treatment's outcome.Here,we review the current status,potential mechanisms of action,and possible future applications of gastric stimulation for obesity.展开更多
文摘Optical-neural stimulation,which encompasses cutting-edge techniques such as optogenetics and infrared neurostimulation,employs distinct mechanisms to modulate brain function and behavior.These advanced neuromodulation techniques offer accurate manipulation of targeted areas,even selectively modulating specific neurons,in the brain.This makes it possible to investigate the cause-and-effect connections between neural activity and behavior,allowing for a better comprehension of the intricate brain dynamics towards complex environments.Non-human primates serve as an essential animal model for investigating these complex functions in brain research,bridging the gap between the basic research and clinical applications.One of the earliest optical studies utilizing optogenetic neuromodulation in monkeys was conducted in 2009.Since then,the optical-neural stimulations have been effectively applied in non-human primates.This review summarises recent research that employed optogenetics or infrared neurostimulation techniques to regulate brain function and behavior in non-human primates.The current state of optical-neural stimulations discussed here demonstrates their efficacy in advancing the understanding of brain systems.Nevertheless,there are still challenges that need to be addressed before they can fully achieve their potential.
基金Under the auspices of National Basic Research Program of China(No.2007CB407205)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40871085)
文摘Carbon sequestration occurs when cultivated soils are re-vegetated. In the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China, black locust （Robinia pseudoacacia） plantation forest and grassland were the two main vegetation types used to mitigate soil and water loss after cultivation abandonment. The purpose of this study was to compare the soil carbon stock and flux of these two types of vegetation which restored for 25 years. The experiment was conducted in Yangjuangou catchment in Yah＇an City, Shaanxi Province, China. Two adjacent slopes were chosen for this study. Six sample sites were spaced every 35-45 m from summit to toe slope along the hill slope, and each sample site contained three sampling plots. Soil organic carbon and related physicochemical properties in the surface soil layer （0-10 cm and 10-20 cm） were measured based on soil sampling and laboratory analysis, and the soil carbon dioxide （CO2） emissions and environmental factors were measured in the same sample sites simultaneously. Results indicated that in general, a higher soil carbon stock was found in the black locust plantation forest than that in grassland throughout the hill slope. Meanwhile, significant differences in the soil carbon stock were observed between these two vegetation types in the upper slope at soil depth 0-10 cm and lower slope at soil depth 10-20 cm. The average daily values of the soil CO2 emissions were 1.27 μmol/（m2·s） and 1.39 μmol/（m2·s） for forest and grassland, respectively. The soil carbon flux in forest covered areas was higher in spring and less variation was detected between different seasons, while the highest carbon flux was found in grassland in summer, which was about three times higher than that in autumn and spring. From the carbon sequestration point of view, black locust plantation forest on hill slopes might be better than grassland because of a higher soil carbon stock and lower carbon flux.
文摘AIM： To assess the characteristics and quality of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration （EUS-FNA） in a large panel of endosonographers.METHODS： A survey was conducted during the 13th annual live course of endoscopic ultrasonography （EUS） held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A 2-page question- naire was developed for the study. Content validity of the questionnaire was determined based on input by experts in the field and a review of the relevant literature. It contained 30 questions that pertained to demographics and the current practice for EUS-FNA of responders, including sampling technique, sample processing, cytopathological diagnosis and sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions. One hundred and sixty-one endosonographers whoattended the course were asked to answer the survey. This allowed assessing the current practice of EUS-FNA as well as the self-reported sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions. We also examined which factors were associated with a self-reported sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions 〉 80%.RESULTS： Completed surveys were collected from 92 （57.1%） of 161 endosonographers who attended the conference. The endosonographers had been practio ing endoscopy and EUS for 22.5 4. 7.8 years and 4.8 4- 4.1 years, respectively; one third of them worked in a hospital with an annual caseload 〉 100 EUS-FNA. Endoscopy practices were located in 29 countries, in- cluding 13 countries in Western Europe that totaled 75.3% of the responses. Only one third of endosonog raphers reported a sensitivity for the diagnosis of solid mass lesions 〉 80% （interquartile range of sensitivities, 25.0%-75.0%）. Factors independently associated with a sensitivity 〉 80% were （1） 〉 7 needle passes for pancreatic lesions or rapid on-site cytopathological evaluation （ROSE） （P 〈 0.0001）, （2） a high annual hospital caseload （P = 0.024） and （3） routine isolation of microcores from EUS-FNA samples （P = 0.042）. ROSE was routinely available to 27.9% of respondents. For lymph nodes and pancreatic masses, a maximum of three needle passes was performed by approximately two thirds of those who did not have ROSE. Microcores were routinely harvested from EUS-FNA samples by approximately one third （37.2%） of survey respondents.CONCLUSION： EUS-FNA sensitivity was considerably lower than reported in the literature. Low EUS-FNA sensitivity was associated with unavailability of ROSE, few needle passes, absence of microcore isolation and low hospital caseload.
文摘The serum reproductive hormone levels were examined with radioimmunoassay in women of child-bearing age before and after treatment with the prescriptions containing Lei Gong Teng ([symbol: see text] Radix Tripterygii Wilfordii). The results showed that Lei Gong Teng could induce amenorrhea, but it was reversible.
文摘Eight-seven cases of male infertility due to spermatopathy were treated with Sheng Jing Zhong Zi Tang (SJZZT [symbol: see text]) for 1-3 courses. The total effective rate was 95.40% (83/87). 56.32% (49/87) of their spouses got pregnant and the semen quality was markedly improved (P
基金Supported by State Scientific Key Projects for New Drug Research and Development (2009ZX09102-250)High-tech Research Project for Medicine and Pharmacology of Jiangsu province (BG20070605)
文摘Objective To study the pharmacokinetics of a novel recombinant human granulocyte colonystimulating factor (rhG-CSFa) in rats and to determine the proteolytic rates of rhG-CSFa in the whole blood and serum of rats in vitro. Methods The pharmacokinetics of rhG-CSFa and conventional (wild type,WT) granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF) were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats which received either intravenous or subcutaneous injection of rhG-CSFa or WT G-CSF at three different doses (20,50,or 100 μg/kg). The blood samples of rats were collected at multiple time points (from 0.08 to 12 h) and the concentrations of rhG-CSFa and WT G-CSF in serum were determined with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the study of proteolytic rates in vitro,the concentrations of rhG-CSFa or WT G-CSF were determined at 3-minute intervals after addition of the respective drug to rat’s whole blood or serum. Results Pharmacokinetic analysis of serum rhG-CSFa or WT G-CSF levels indicated that,at each dose tested,for either route of drug administration,the area under concentration-time curve values and the maximum serum concentration of rhG-CSFa were higher than those of WT G-CSF,and the serum half life of rhG-CSFa was longer than that of WT G-CSF. Subsequent in vitro whole blood and serum stability study showed that the rates of drug degradation in WT G-CSF were 1.8 folds and 1.5 folds higher than those in rhG-CSFa,respectively. Conclusion rhG-CSFa has better serum and whole blood stability in vitro and higher bioavailability in vivo as compared to WT G-CSF.
文摘In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of acupoints of Ren, Spleen and Stomach Meridians on artificial abortion induced side effects was observed in 100 artificial abortion women. In comparison with 45 artificial abortion women in the control group (who had not accepted EA treatment), EA possessed significant effects in relieving abdominal pain, reducing vaginal bleeding duration, lowering infection rate and infertility rate after artificial abortion operation.
文摘Exogenous electrical stimulation plays an important role on endothelial cells and vessels. Study on the effect of electrical stimulation on endothelial cells might be helpful to regulate cell metabolism on a certain extent, or provide new ideas for vascular tissue engineering. A bioreactor that can apply electrical stimulation was designed on the basis of parallel-plate chamber. To investigate the possible effect of electrical stimulation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）, the different levels and duration＇s electrical stimulations were applied to HUVECs in culture. The cell morphology was observed by microscopy and the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） gene were measured by RT-PCR. Different levels and durations of electrical stimulation produce different effects on eNOS gene expression. The eNOS gene expressions of the experimental group ceils under the voltage of 50 mV, 100 mV, 150 mV and 200 mV were significantly lower than that of the control group after 3-hour electrical stimulation, while the eNOS gene levels of the experimental group cells in 6-hour electrical stimulation were higher than those of the control group under all tested voltages. After 12-hour stimulation, the eNOS gene levels of HUVECs decreased under 50 mV, and then gradually increased until 200 inV. The low voltage of 6-hour electrical stimulation is more appropriate for HUVECs growth.
文摘The prevalence of obesity is growing to epidemic proportions,and there is clearly a need for minimally invasive therapies with few adverse effects that allow for sustained weight loss.Behavior and lifestyle therapy are safe treatments for obesity in the short term,but the durability of the weight loss is limited.Although promising obesity drugs are in development,the currently available drugs lack efficacy or have unacceptable side effects.Surgery leads to long-term weight loss,but it is associated with morbidity and mortality.Gastric electrical stimulation(GES) has received increasing attention as a potential tool for treating obesity and gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders.GES is a promising,minimally invasive,safe,and effective method for treating obesity.External gastric pacing is aimed at alteration of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract in a way that will alter absorption due to alteration of transit time.In addition,data from animal models and preliminary data from human trials suggest a role for the gut-brain axis in the mechanism of GES.This may involve alteration of secretion of hormones associated with hunger or satiety.Patient selection for gastric stimulation therapy seems to be an important determinant of the treatment's outcome.Here,we review the current status,potential mechanisms of action,and possible future applications of gastric stimulation for obesity.
