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Gentiopicroside (Gent) is promising as an important protective secoiridoid compound against pain. The present study was designed to investigate whether administration of Gent would alleviate the expression of nociceptive behaviors and whether it would cause the relevant electrophysiological changes in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain in mice. Gent was administered from the seventh day after surgery for 8 consecutive days. Behavioral parameters and sciatic functional index were assessed immediately before surgery and on days 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 post-CCI, and electrophysiological activities of sciatic nerve were recorded immediately after the behavioral test on the last day. The present study has shown that administration of Gent (at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg) increased behavioral parameters from day 8 compared with the CCI-NS group. Electrophysiological data indicated that CCI caused a significant reduction in nerve conduction velocities in the sciatic nerves and the amplitudes of compound action potential, while Gent at a dose of 50 or 100 mg/kg caused a significant recovery of electrophysiological changes induced by CCI. Our data indicated that Gent has antinociceptive effects on neuropathic pain induced by CCI.

Aloperine (ALO), one of the alkaloids isolated from Sophora alopecuroides L., is traditionally used for various diseases including neuronal disorders. This study investigated the protective effects of ALO on neonatal rat primary-cultured hippocampal neurons injured by oxygen–glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/RP). Treatment with ALO (25, 50, and 100 mg/l) attenuated neuronal damage (p

Oxysophocarpine is an alkaloid extracted from Sophora alopecuroides. We investigated the analgesic effect of oxysophocarpine on carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain in mice, in order to explore its possible mechanisms. Mouse ear swelling tests and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests were used to investigate the effects of oxysophocarpine on inflammatory pain in mice. Morphological changes on inflamed paw sections were measured by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The mRNA and protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 were investigated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, western-blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In our results, oxysophocarpine shows a significant anti-inflammatory effect in the mouse ear swelling test. Oxysophocarpine also significantly reduced the paw edema volume and improved mechanical allodynia threshold value on carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain, as well as relieved paw tissues inflammatory damage and reduced the numbers of neutrophils in mice. Oxysophocarpine significantly suppressed over-expression of cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2, and inhibited the over-phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Based on these findings we propose that oxysophocarpine attenuates inflammatory pain by suppressing the levels of phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6.

The air cooler reduce the working temperature of the transformer, high temperature will reduce the transformers life, and even make insulation overheating, aging, then the transformer will be damaged. The air cooler which is forced oil circulation in transformer outdoor in substation has been monitored. The real-time monitoring of 24-hours indicates that the temperature changes in the range of 3°C. The ambient temperature is lower than the temperature of fan about 1°C. At the long-term of 479 days, the average daily temperature range of fan is 35.32°C, the maximum temperature is 50.25°C on August 18,2011, and the maximum temperature is 14.93°C on January 17, 2011. The daily average of ambient temperature range is 37.59°C, the maximum temperature is 51.16°C on August 17, 2011,and the minimum temperature is 13.57°C on January 17, 2011. The maximum difference between the temperature of fan and the ambient temperature is 12.48°C on September 15, 2011. According to the relevant standards and monitoring results, the maximum threshold of fan temperature is defined to 80°C, and the threshold of temperature rise is 20°C.

When porcelain insulator operates in a harsh environment for a long time, it will cause leakage current increase, and lead to heating phenomenon. As a result, the temperature of porcelain insulator can be changed, which probably due to crack, breakdown or other factors. In order to reflect the working state of the porcelain insulator, to monitor the temperature of porcelain insulator, optical fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors are installed respectively on the steel cap and the porcelain of porcelain insulator. In the interaction of industrial frequency voltage test of 15kV, thus the temperature of porcelain insulator can be distributed. The temperature of the porcelain insulator affects the center wavelength of optical fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors, which are installed on porcelain insulator. The tests show that in the pure condition, the temperature of porcelain insulator's steel cap and porcelain respectively rise 1.4°C and 1.5°C, in the polluted condition, the temperature of porcelain insulator's steel cap and porcelain respectively rise 5.8°C and 6.3°C, in the pollution level II condition, the temperature of Porcelain insulator's steel cap and porcelain respectively rise 6.8°C and 7.2°C. Therefore, by using optical fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors to monitor the change of porcelain insulator's temperature, combined with the researches of temperature characteristics, can directly reflect the porcelain insulator's working situation and real-time online monitoring.

Objective To investigate whether aloperine (ALO) has antinociceptive effects on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury, whether ALO reduces ROS against neuropathic pain, and what are the mechanisms involved in ALO attenuated neuropathic pain. Methods Mechanical and cold allodynia, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and spinal thermal hyperalgesia were estimated by behavior methods such as Von Frey filaments, cold-plate, radiant heat, paw pressure and tail immersion on one day before surgery and days 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 after surgery, respectively. In addition, T-AOC, GSH-PX, T-AOC and MDA in the spinal cord (L4/5) were measured to evaluate anti-oxidation activity of ALO on neuropathic pain. Expressions of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in the spinal cord (L4/5) were analyzed by using Western blot. Results Administration of ALO (80 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased paw withdrawal threshold, paw pressure, paw withdrawal latencies, tail-curling latencies, T-AOC, GSH-PX and T-SOD concentration, reduced the numbers of paw lifts and MDA concentration compared to CCI group. ALO attenuated CCI induced up-regulation of expressions of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β at the dose of 80 mg/kg (i.p.). Pregabalin produced similar effects serving as positive control at the dose of 10 mg/kg (i.p.). Conclusion ALO has antinociceptive effects on neuropathic pain induced by CCI. The antinociceptive effects of ALO against neuropathic pain is related to reduction of ROS, via suppression of NF-κB pathway.

Aims of the Study To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on focal cerebral ischemic injury in mice and to explore its possible mechanism. Materials and Methods Male ICR mice were used to make the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) after intragastric administration with LBP (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and Nimodipine (0.4 mg/kg) for seven successive days. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological scores were estimated and infarct volumes were measured by 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Morphological changes in ischemic brains were performed for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The number of apoptotic neurons was detected by TUNEL staining. The Bax, Bcl-2 protein expression and CytC, Caspase-3, -9 and cleaved PARP-1 activation were investigated by immunofluorescence and western-blot analysis. Results LBP (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) treatment groups significantly reduced infract volume and neurological deficit scores. LBP also relieved neuronal morphological damage and attenuated the neuronal apoptosis. LBP at the dose of 40 mg/kg significantly suppressed overexpression of Bax, CytC, Caspase-3, -9 and cleaved PARP-1, and inhibited the reduction of Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions Based on these findings we propose that LBP protects against focal cerebral ischemic injury by attenuating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most frequent gynecological disorders in young women. Chinese herbal medicine has the advantage in terms of multi-targeting efficacy, lower toxicity, as well as lower cost. Core licorice is the hard and atropurpureus heart part in root and rootstock of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (Leguminosae), having a therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea.This experiment indicated the spasmolytic effect of core licorice aqueous extract (CLE) on spontaneous rhythmic contractions and spasmogen-provoked contractions of stilbestrol primed, estrogen-dominated, non-pregnant mouse isolated uterine horns and its spasmolytic mechanism.We investigated the spasmolytic effect of CLE (0.025-0.1 mg/mL) on spontaneous contractions and potassium chloride (KCl, 40 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 5 μg/mL), carbachol (CCh, 5 μg/mL), oxytocin (OT, 2 U/L) or bradykinin (5 ng/mL)-provoked contractions of mouse isolated uterine horns. Contractions were recorded by tension force transducers using Biolap 420F software on a PC.Our present study showed that graded, escalated concentrations of CLE (0.025-0.1 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the amplitude of spontaneous phasic contractions (15.03-55.10%), as well as the contractions produced by KCl (40 mM; 20.16-53.99%), ACh (5 μg/mL; 14.65-48.32%), CCh (5 μg/mL; 38.40-76.70%), OT (2 U/L; 21.53-58.49%) or bradykinin (5 ng/mL; 58.01-79.44%) of the estrogen-dominated isolated mice uterine horn preparations in a concentration-related manner.The spasmolytic effect of CLE observed in the present study lends pharmacological support to the traditional use of core licorice in the management, control and treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of oxysophoridine (OSR) on the EEG and its power spectrum of reticulum formation in mesencephalon of anaesthetized rat. METHOD Utilizing the technique of brain stereotactic apparatus, electrodes were implanted into reticulum formation of mesencephalon. Monopolar lead and computerized FFT technique were employed to record and analyse the index of EEG, power spectrum and frequency distribution in order to study the effect of oxysophoridine on the bioelectricity change of mesencephalon reticulum formation in rats. RESULT After administrating(icy) with oxysophoridine at the dose of 2.5,5, 10 mg/rat, the EEG of mesencephalon reticulum formation mainly characterized with low amplitude and slow waves accompanied by spindle-formed sleeping waves with a significant decrease of total power of EEG (P < 0.05) while the ratio of theta, alpha waves increased in total frequency of rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Oxysophoridine possesses central inhibitory effects and its inhibitory mechanism may associate with the reduction of bioelectricity in mesencephalon reticulum formation. Mesencephalon reticulum formation may serve as one part of the structure serving as the circuit conducting the central inhibitory effect of oxysophoridine. [Key words] oxysophoridine; reticulum formation; electroencephalogram (EEG) ; rats

The device of subjective visual vertical (SVV) was made to test the gravity orientation of subjects visual.The normative value was established firstly in the right, left and both eyes respectively. Then the test was applied to evaluate the function of otolith function (utricular function) in normal adult subjects and examined the SVV in some patients suffered from acute unilateral vestibulopathy.The difference of the SVV among right, left and both eyes was not significant and the normative value was lower than +/- 2 degrees. No matter one eye or both eyes, SVV had the tendency to lateraliseze to the right.The SVV is a reliable choice to test the otolith vestibulopathy, which is at least suitable for acute phase. The bilateral eyes open mode is recommended to test the subjects suspected of utricuar dysfunction.

To investigate the occurrence, genetic inheritance, and hearing loss conditions of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS), and to measure the width of external aperture of vestibular aqueduct (VA) of LVAS, and to analyze the relationship between the hearing loss and the width of external aperture.A retrospective review was conducted by the history, auditory, and vestibular function examinations in 95 patients (190 ears) of LVAS. The width of VA was measured by CT scanning criterion of each LVAS patients in the past 10 years (from 1992 to 2002).In 95 patients, there were male 65 cases and female 30 cases. The male cases was more than the females by a ratio of 2.2:1. Twelve cases (12.6%) would have familial genetic history. The average of the consult age was 7.6 years (range from 1.2 to 39 years). The most patients were misdiagnosed, the hearing deterioration originated from mild head trauma in 21 cases (22.1%), the hearing loss after common cold in 13 cases (13.6%). Nine cases (9.5%) misdiagnosed as sudden hearing loss, 5 cases (5.3%) as ototoxic hearing loss of Aminoglycoside antibiotic. The profound hearing loss was found in 172 ears (92.4%). The average width of external aperture of LVAS was 7.5 mm +/- 1.2 mm (mean +/- s, 77 cases, 154 ears). The level of hearing loss did not proportional to the width of VA. The hearing impairment could be derived from protein-rich endolymph refluxed into the cochlear and vestibule.The LVAS is distinct clinical entity characterized by fluctuate and progressive SNHL. The diagnosis depends upon the CT scan and MR image. If the hearing fluctuated and subsequently improved, the children were kept under conservation treatment. If the significantly decreased of hearing effected school performance, the cochlear implant might be considered.

Background: Our previous studies demonstrated that oxysophoridine (OSR) had neuroprotective effects on mice through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. In this study, we investigated whether OSR could influence the release of amino acids in ischemic mice brains. Materials and Methods: Male ICR mice were scheduled to undergo 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and 24 h reperfusion. Before MCAO, mice in corresponding groups were intraperitoneally injected with OSR (62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg) for seven successive days. After reperfusion, neurological scores were estimated, infarct volume and the brain water content were assessed. The levels of glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Glycine (Gly) were measured by amino acid analyzer. Results: OSR significantly decreased neurological scores, reduced infarct volume and the brain water content. After treatment with OSR of 250 mg/kg, the contents of Glu, Asp, GABA and Gly in mice brains could maintain at a normal level compared with MCAO group mice. The Glu/GABA ratio was significantly decreased in OSR group mice. Conclusion: These findings indicate that OSR has a protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury and helps to maintain the amino acids homeostasis after reperfusion for a long time.