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Objective: To observe the alternations of local mast cells (MCs) in the number and functional activities after electroacupuncture (EA) and injection of stem cell factor (SOF) antibody into "Weishu" (BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats., Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal, EA, and EA + SCF antibody injection (EA-ABI) groups (n=10). EA was applied to the left "Weishu"(BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 25 min. For rats of EA+ ABI group, SOF-AB (1:200, 0.1 mL) was respectively injected into BL 21 and ST 36, following by EA. The tissues around the two acupoints areas were sampled to be stained with acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and toluidine blue (TB), respectively. The counts and degranulation ratio of MOs in the acupoint region were recorded and observed under microscope., Results: In comparison with the normal group, MCs count was increased significantly in the EA of "Weishu" (BL 21) group (P < 0.05), mildly in the EA of "Zusanli" (ST 36) group (P > 0.05), and downregulated considerably in both EA-ABI-BL 21 and EA-ABI-ST 36 groups (P < 0.05) . Compared with the normal group, the degranulation ratio of MCs was increased significantly in EA-BL 21, EA-ST 36, EA-ABI-BL 21 and EA-ABI-ST 36 groups (P < 0.5). No significant differences were found between EA-BL 21 and EA-ABI-BL 21 groups, and between EA-ST 36 and EA-ABI-ST 36 groups in the degranulation ratios (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Local injection of SCF antibody in BL 21 and ST 36 can significantly suppress EA-induced increase of the number and degranulation ratio of local subcutaneous MCs in rats, suggesting that SCF is an important factor affecting the activity and recruitment of MCs around the acupoint during EA.

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture serum on Ca2+ content in the cultured nervous cells of hippocampus after ischemia-reperfusion, so as to probe into humoral factors in acupuncture treatment., Methods: The neurons of the hippocampus from the new born rats were cultured for 9-11 days. Fluorescein-molecular probe Fluo-3 AM was used for staining of intracellular Ca2+. Fluorescent levels in the nervous cells cultured with the serum of the normal rats or the rats given electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 2 weeks were determined by using a laser confocal microscope., Results: After the normal serum was added, the intracellular Ca2+ fluorescent levels increased to 697 +/- 113 from 461 +/- 96, while after acupuncture serum was added, the Ca2+ fluorescent levels decreased to 584 +/- 103 from 673 +/- 108, indicating that after addition of acupuncture serum, the increased intracellular Ca2+ content could be decreased., Conclusion: There are some active substances in acupuncture serum which can obviously decrease intracellular Ca2+ content after ischemia-reperfusion, so as to provide a direct evidence for role of humoral factor in acupuncture treatment.

Objective: To study the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on the invasive capacity of leukemic cells and the activity of intracellular gelatinase., Methods: The effect of GA, in different concentrations, on the proliferation of cultured K562 and HL-60 leukemic cells in vitro was determined by MTT assay; that on cell invasive capacity was tested by Transwell cubicle matrigel invasion assay; and that on the activity of gelatinase in cells was detected by gelatin zymography., Results: GA showed significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of K562 and HL-60 leukemic cells; it inhibited the invasive capacity of cells in concentration-dependent manner; and significantly down-regulated the activity of gelatinase A and B in cells., Conclusions: GA can inhibit invasive capacity of K562 and HL-60 leukemia cells by way of suppressing the activity of gelatinase A and B. This study provides an experimental evidence for preventing extra-medullary infiltration of leukemic cells.

Objective: To study the interrelation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and mast cells (MC) in experimental gastric ulcer rats., Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and EA group, with 10 cases in each. Experimental gastric ulcer model was established by injecting 20% glacial acetic acid (0.05 ml) into the tissue between the muscular layer and the placenta percreta of the gastric anterior wall in the gastric antrum under anesthesia. EA (2/15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Wei" (Stomach, an otopoint) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 min, once daily for 7 days. The tissues of these two acupoints were sampled to be stained with acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and toluidine blue (TB) respectively (counterstaining) after section (15 microm). The gastric ulcer tissue was stained with H&E method, Results: Compared with control group, the number and degranulation ratios of MC in the dermis of "Wei"-point and ST36 region in model group and EA group increased significantly (P<0.01); while in comparison with model group, both the number and the degranulation ratio of MC in EA group decreased considerably (P<0.01). H&E stained tissues showed smooth gastric mucosal membrane in control group, ulcerative injury involving the muscular layer in model group, and mild injury in EA group., Conclusion: EA can suppress the degranulation of MC in "Wei"-point and ST36 regions and effectively relieve ulcerative injury in gastric ulcer rats. There exists a certain degree of interrelation among the degranulation ratio of MC, gastric ulcerative injury, and the therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: To investigate the value of multi-slice computed tomography in diagnosis of different types of coronary atherosclerotic plaques., Methods: Twenty-eight patients undergoing CT angiography (CTA) with normal coronary arteries were randomly selected to measure the CT values of different sections of the 4 main branches of coronary artery. Twenty-five specimens of human heart from the bodies of the patients who died of non-cardiogenic diseases were scanned by 16-slice CT scanner and 64-slice CT scanner: a mixture of CT contrast media and normal saline was injected into the coronary arteries to achieve in-vivo-like contrast enhancement within the coronary artery lumen to detect atherosclerotic plaques. The CT values of plaques were measured in several regions of interest (ROI) selected in each plaque. The CT images thus obtained were evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists. There are nine specimens with coronary atherosclerotic plaques among them. Then the atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary were made into tissue specimens to undergo pathological examination., Results: 7560 CT values were obtained from the 28 patients. Thirty-eight atherosclerotic plaques were found by CAT in 9 heart specimens and confirmed by pathology. When the CT value of coronary lumen was 370 HU, the predominant lipid-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 53 +/- 12 HU; the fibrous-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 106 +/- 17 HU; and the calcified plaque showed a mean CT value of 429 +/- 94 HU measured by 16-slice CT; and the predominant lipid-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 51 +/- 13 HU; the fibrous-rich plaque showed a mean CT value of 110 +/- 19 HU; and the calcified plaque showed a mean CT value of 435 +/- 87 HU measured by 64-slice CT. The CT value of the fibrous-rich plaque was significantly higher than that of the lipid-rich plaque (P = 0.008), and lower than that of the calcified plaque (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the results obtained by the two kinds of CT scanners., Conclusion: CTA can non-invasively assess the atherosclerotic plaques.

Objective: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on the degranulated mast cell number and distribution in "Dazhui" (GV14) region of rats., Methods: Fifteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, EA and moxibustion groups, with 5 cases in each group. "Dazhui" (GV14) was stimulated by EA (3/10 Hz, 2-4 V, 20 mm) or moxibustion (2 cones, 20 mm), thereafter, the tissues of GV14 region were sampled, quickly frozen, sectioned (20 microm) and stained with toluidine blue separately for observing the degranulated state of mast cells under microscope., Results: The mast cells (MCs) distributed widely in GV14 region from the dermis, subcutaneous tissue to muscle layer. Compared with control group, MCs of moxibustion group were significantly fewer in the number (P<0.05), and those degranulated MCs in both EA and moxibustion groups were evidently more in the number (P<0.01), and the number and percentage of the degranulated MCs in moxibustion group were significantly more than those of EA group (P<0.05), suggesting that EA and moxibustion could promote the release of granules of mast cells in the stimulated acupoint region, and the effect of moxibustion is stronger., Conclusion: Both EA and moxibustion can promote the degranulation of MCs, and the effect of moxibustion is markedly stronger in potentiating the release of granules from MCs in GV14 in rats.

Objective: To discuss the surgical methods and clinical effect of endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach to deal with the lesions of the ventral region of the craniocervical junction., Methods: From August 2002 to November 2006, endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach was taken to deal with the lesions of the ventral region of the craniocervical junction, including 6 patients with chordoma, 5 patients with craniovertebral malformation, 3 patients with skull-base invagination combined with Chiari malformation, 2 patients with odontoid fracture . 0 degrees endoscope was used to deal with the lesions of middle and lower clivus, 30 degrees endoscope was used to deal with the lesions of craniovertebral malformation., Results: Follow-up ranged from 2 to 48 months. Three patients with chordoma recurred. All patients with craniovertebral malformation recovered., Conclusions: Endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach is a new method to deal with the lesions of the ventral region of the craniocervical junction, and it has many advantages, such as direct approach, good exploration, micro-invasive, wide operation space, and good results.

Objective: To determine the correlates of and willingness to participate(WTP) in HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) among migrants in Shanxi province., Methods: Through quota sampling, a total of 1280 migrants were recruited from 6 different venues where migrants were most likely employed to administer a face-to-face anonymous interview., Results: Knowledge of VCT among migrants was low. Only 56.6% of migrants had heard of HIV voluntary counseling and testing. 64.5% reported willingness to accept VCT after participants were informed that HIV counseling and testing was offered free of charge Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (48.7%), hospital (27.0%) and home (18.5%) were most preferred places for VCT service. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the willingness was associated with having a history of HIV test, having better knowledge of HIV, no discrimination against people with HIV, and high HIV/AIDS perception., Conclusion: Community-based health education programs for improving HIV/AIDS knowledge, promoting acceptance of VCT and eliminating discrimination to HIV-infected persons were called for.

Objective: To explore whether humoral factors play a role in the mechanisms of acupuncture., Methods: Primary culture of myocardial cells of neonatal rats were carried out. Five days later, they were labeled by fluorescent molecular probe Fluo-3AM. Changes of Ca2+ contents in the cultured myocardial cells after addition of the normal rat serum or acupuncture-serum of the rat who received acupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and Jianshi (PC 5), were dynamically observed by a confocal laser scanning microscopy., Results: After addition of normal serum of the rat, the intracellular Ca2+ level increased to a certain degree, and then gradually tended to stability, which was significantly decreased by addition of the acupuncture-serum (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The serum of the rat who received acupuncture at acupoints can decrease the Ca2+ level in cultured myocardial cells, which provides a direct evidence for serum factors involving in acupuncture mechanism.

Objective: To observe effect of serum of the rat after acupuncture on Ca2+ content of cultured nervous cells in vitro for exploring the role of humoral factors in acupuncture., Methods: Neurons of the cerebral cortex from the new born rats were taken and were cultured in a medium, 7 - 10 days later, fluorescein-molecular probe Fluo-3AM was used for staining of intracellular Ca2+. The intracellular Ca2+ levels in the nervous cells cultured with the serum of the normal rats or the rats given acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 2 weeks were determined by using a laser confocal microscope., Results: After addition of the serum of.normal rats, the intracellular Ca2+ level increased and then gradually got stable, and when the acupuncture serum was added to the cultured medium, its level decreased to a certain extent., Conclusion: Acupuncture serum can significantly decrease Ca2+ level in cultured cells of the cerebral cortex, which provides a direct evidence for involvement of humoral factors in the role of acupuncture.

Objective: To study the humoral factor of acupuncture in improving functional activities of the organism., Methods: Neurons of the cerebral cortex from the new born rats were taken to be cultured in a strictly controlled medium. Seven to ten days later, fluorescein-molecular probe Fluo-3AM was used for staining intracellular Ca(2+). Ca(2+) concentration and its changes after application of acupuncture serum were measured by using a laser confocal microscope. Normal serum and acupuncture serum were derived from the normal control rats and the rats undergoing electro-acupuncture of "Baihui (GV 20)", "Zusanli (ST 36)", "Quchi (LI 11)" and "Sanyinjiao (SP 6)" for 2 weeks., Results: After application of normal serum, the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration increased strikingly immediately at the beginning, and gradually got stable afterwards. When acupuncture serum was added to the culture fluid, Ca(2+) concentration lowered significantly., Conclusion: These results suggest that bioactive substances in serum collected from rats undergoing acupuncture can affect the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of the cerebral neurons, and the humoral factor may participate in the effect of acupuncture in regulating functional activities of the organism.