Background and purpose: Metastatic carcinoma and lymphoma are usually the causes of cervical malignant lymph nodes. This paper was aimed to investigate the different appearances of cervical malignant lymph nodes by 2 dimension and color doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and discuss the role of ultrasenography in diagnosing cervical malignant lymph nodes. Methods: Ninety-nine patients and 40 healthy people were selected as our subjects, among which 54 cases were diagnased as metastatic tumor and 45 cases as lymphoma according to pathology examination. With high frequency transducers, ultrasonography was used to document the shape of cervical lymph nodes, the ratio of long/short axis (L/S), types of echo and hilus of lymph node. CDFI features were also recorded and measured in order to analyze the parameters. Results: Compared with image of normal lymph nodes, the image of cervical malignant lymph nodes showed that the shape tended to be round and the ratio of L/S decreased. In addition, the majority of echo types of malignant lymph nodes was a low level echo and easily became fused. Meanwhile, the image of hilus of lymph node tended to disappear or shift. The lymph node of cases with metastatic tumor was shown to be either calcified or liquefied. The rate of blood flow in the artery was observed to be of high velocity and high resistive index (RI). Between metastatic tumor and lymphoma tumor case, there was significant difference in terms of ultrasonographic and CDFI features. All the above results showed that the features of malignant lymph nodes were significantly different from the normal ones. Conclusion: Ultrasonography could be regarded as one method of evaluating cervical malignant lymph nodes.

Objective: To analyze the chemical constituents of Polygonum multiflorum extract which may cause human liver cell damage and to explore the mechanism. Methods: Raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum were extracted by 70% ethanol, then raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum water-eluted material (RW and PW), 50% ethanol-eluted material (R50 and P50) and 95% ethanol-eluted material (R95 and P95) were obtained by absorbing through AB-8 macroporous resin, followed by water, 50% ethanol and 95% ethanol elution in order. The water extracts of raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum (RWE or PWE) were obtained by boiling them in water as usual. Normal human liver L02 cells were treated by different concentrations of eluted Polygonum multiflorum materials for different time, and the cell growth inhibition of each group was determined by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide method. The chemical constituents which had a significant cytotoxicity to L02 cells were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Morphological changes of L02 cells were observed by Giemsa staining and cell cycle distribution was observed by flow cytometry. Results: It was found that 95% ethanol-eluted extracts of raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum showed significant growth inhibition on normal human liver L02 cells, while the other components showed no significant inhibition on cell growth. HPLC analysis showed that the main component in 95% ethanol-eluted extract of raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum was emodin at content of (18.53+/-2.96)% and (10.28+/-1.34)% respectively. Cell cycle analysis showed that 95% ethanol-eluted material of Polygonum multiflorum and emodin had a similar significant effect of S phase arrest and all could induce L02 cell apoptosis. Conclusion: The main part of Polygonum multiflorum causing liver cell damage is the 95% ethanol-eluted extract, and emodin is one of the important chemical constituents leading to liver cell damage.

Simultaneous distillation-extractor was used for extracting the volatile substances in Phellodendron chinense Schneid.41 Volatile components were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. Of them the main components are ketones(16.38%),aldehydes(13.94%),alcohols(8.27%),phenols(50.38%),esters(3.02%),acids(2.18%).The content of the 41 identified compounds makes up 97.50% of the total volatile substances detected

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of points Shenmai(BL62)and Zhaohai(KI6)in treating cervical vertigo. MethodSixty-eight patients meeting the diagnostic criteria were randomly allocated to treatment and controlgroups, 34 cases each. The treatment group received conventional acupuncture at heel vessel points Shenmai and Zhaohai plus cervical Huatuo jiaji points and the control group, conventional acupuncture at cervical Huatuo jiaji points alone. In the two groups, the vertigo symptom score was recorded, and the clinical therapeutic effects and pre-/post-treatment change in the score were observed.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 94.1% in the treatment group and 79.4% in the control group. The therapeutic effect was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The vertigo symptom score decreased significantly in the two groups after the course of treatment compared with before (P<0.01). Vertigo improved significantly more inthe treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture at points Shenmai and Zhaohai is significantly effective by comparison with conventional acupuncture in clinicaltreatment of cervical vertigo.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)is a nonselective cationic channel,and can be activt-ed by capsaicin,protons and heat.TRPV1 plays a critical role in the initiation of neural inflammatory response and the pathway of pain signal transduction.As a new analgesics,TRPV1 antagonists block pain behaviors in models of inflammatory,neuropathic,and cancer pain.A number of pharmaceutical companies developed a range of TRPV1 antagonists with various structures.It was found that various chemotypes of TRPV1 antagonists would cause an increase in body temperature(hyperthermia),which may become concerns for their development.This article summarizes the recent progress in TRPV1 antagonists development and the relevant hyperthermia.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane required to inhibit the body movement evoked by skin incision.Methods ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 18-64 yr,with body mass index of 21-27 kg/m2,undegoing elective lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group (group C) and different doses of dexmedetomidine groups (groups D1,D2 and D3 ).Dexmedetomidine 0.2,0.4 and 0.6 μg/kg in 15 ml of normal saline was infused over 30 min before induction of anesthesia in groups D1,D2 and D3 respectively.While 15 ml of normal saline was given instead in group C.Anesthesia was induced with inhalation of 8％ sevoflurane.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation.Anesthesia was maintained with inhalation of sevoflurane.The initial end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane was set at 3.0％,3.0％,2.5％,2.0％ in groups C,D1,D2 and D3 respectively.The ratio between the two successive concentrations was 0.9.Skin incision was made after 15 min of equilibratiton.At least 7 independent crossover pairs were observed in each group.The MAC of sevoflurane was the mean of the end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane of each crossover pair,and 95 ％ confidence interval (CI) was calculated.Results In groups C,D1,D2 and D3,18,20,20 and 22 patients were enrolled respectively.The MAC (95 ％ CI) of sevoflurane was 2.5 ％ (2.3 ％-2.8 ％ ),1.5 ％ ( 1.3 ％-1.7％),1.3％ (1.0％-1.6％) and 1.1％ (0.7％-1.5％) in groupsC,D1,D2 and D3 respectively.The MAC of sevoflurane was significantly lower in groups D1,D2,D3 than in group C,and in groups D2 and D3 than in group D1 ( P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the MAC of sevoflurane between groups D2 and D3 ( P ＞0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine 0.2,0.4,0.6 μg/kg can significantly decrease the MAC of sevoflurane required to inhibit the body movement evoked by skin incision in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective To evaluate the in- vitro antibacterial activity of e thanol- extract of Galla Chinensis against Staphycoccus aureus (S. aureus).Meth ods The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of ethanol- extract of Galla Chinensis against 112 strains of S. aureus was detected by using agar dilution method.Results The MIC50 and MIC90 of ethanol- extract of Galla Chinensis aga inst 84 strains of MRSA (methicillin- resistant staphylococcus aureus) were 0. 315, 0.315 mg/mL, and those against 28 strains MSSA (methicillin- sensitive sta phylococcus aureus) were 0.63 and 0.315 mg/mL respectively.Conclusion Ethanol - extract of Galla Chinensis has a strong antibacterial activity against S.aure us.

Echinops latifolius Tausch is a plant of compositae echinops, whose dried roots are used as traditional Chinese medicine Yuzhou Loulu, and dried inflorescence is used as Mongolian medicine LanCitou. The studies on Chinese medicine Yuzhou Loulu and Mongolian medicine LanCitou in recent years were systemized and compared with each other in the paper, including chemical composi-tion, process research, quality control, pharmacological effects and so on. The results can provide scientific basis for the further studies and utilization of Echinops latifolius Tausch.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the preventive effect and safety of levetiracetam combined with sodium valproate of diaze-pam on recurrent febrile seizures(FS). METHODS:A total of 90 children with recurrent FS were randomly divided into observa-tion group and control group with 45 cases in each group. Control group was treated with sodium valproate or diazepam orally. On the basis of control group,observation group additionally received levetiracetam orally,with initial dose of 15 mg/kg,bid,for 7 d,and then decreasing gradually;decreasing to 10 mg/kg on 8th-12th day,bid;decreasing to 5 mg/kg on 13th-15th day,bid;drug withdrawal on 16th day. The children of 2 groups were followed up for 1 years,and received routine test every 2 months. The times of fever,the rate of recurrent convulsion,the conversion of epilepsia and the incidence of ADR were recorded in 2 groups during follow-up period. The serum levels of NSE and S-100β protein were determined in 2 groups before treatment and 6 months after treatment. The intelligence and behavior ability of 2 groups were scored by Chinese Modified Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Children’s Adaptive Behavior Rating Scale. RESULTS:3 children of observation group and 2 of control group were failure in follow-up. During the follow-up period,fever times and the rate of recurrent convulsion in observation group were signifi-cantly lower than in control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the rate of epilep-sia conversion and the incidence of ADR between 2 groups (P>0.05). After treatment,serum levels of NSE and S-100β in 2 groups were decreased significantly,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical signif-icance(P<0.05). To the end of follow-up,verbal IQ,performance IQ and total IQ score of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group,and the cognition factor,social factor and behavior ability scores of observation group were sig-nificantly higher than those of control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Levetiracetam combined with sodium valproate or diazepam can prevent the occurrence of recurrent FS,relieve cerebral injury and improve the intelligence and behavior ability of the children,so as to improve the life quality of Children.

Objective To explore the role of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and the underlying mechanisms that controls the intracellular ROS levels in vitro. Methods Human bone marrow aspirates were collected from iliac of eight donors and eight SLE patients and cultured in vitro.Morphological appearance of BMSCs at different passages was examined by inverted microscope. Nuclear size was measured by fluorescence microscope. BMSCs were monitored using the senescence associated β-galacto-sidase (SAβ-gal) assay to characterize senescence in vitro. The quantification of intracellular ROS production was detected by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR technique was used to determine the gene expressions of PI3K, KRas, NRas and FoxO3 at transcription level. The expression of FoxO3, phospho-FoxO3 (p-FoxO3),AKT and phospho-AKT (p-AKT) protein were determined by Western blot analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted with t-test and Mann-Whitney rank test.Results There were no differences in morphology and nuclear size[(31.4±4.5) vs (28.2±4.8) μm, P=0.628] of BMSCs between SLE patients and normal controls.The percentage of SA β-gal positive BMSCs from SLE patients was higher than that from healthy controls [(31.8±9.0)% vs (12.4±0.7)%, P＜0.05]. Intracellular ROS levels of BMSCs from SLE patients increased more significantly than healthy donors in vitro (34600±9600 vs 17 958±5400, P＜0.05). No significant differences in the expression of PI3K, NRas, KRas and FoxO3 from SLE subjects were observed at mRNA levels compared with normal controls, though all showed a similar upward trend. The expression of p-FoxO3 and p-AKT of BMSCs from SLE patients increased significantly compared with healthy controls at protein levels.Conclusion These data suggest that BMSCs from SLE patients aged more quickly, with high SA β-gal activity and up-regulation of intracellular ROS, which is associated with up-regulation of p-FoxO3 and pAKT at protein levels. These results indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal cell senescence may be associated with the pathogcnesis of SLE by maintaining the lifespan of BMSCs.