AIM: To investigate the effect of curcumin on the binding activity of hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-?B) and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-?(PPAR-?) in rats with liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachoride. METHODS: A total of 60 clean male rats were randomly and averagely divided into group A,B,C,D,E and F.The rats in group A served as normal controls,while those in other five groups were injected subcutaneously 40% CCI_4 for seven weeks to induce the model of liver fibrosis.After seven weeks,the rats in group C,D,E,F were intragastrically administered with 50 mg/kg silibinin,100 mg/kg cur,200 mg/kg cur,400 mg/kg cur once per day for six weeks,respectively.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissues under light microscope,and immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were performed to detect the activity of NF-?B,PPAR-? and mRNA expression of PPAR-?.RESULTS: The inflammatory and fibrotic degrees were obviously alleviated in group C,D,and E compared with group B.The expression of NF-?B p65 was significantly decreased in liver tissue in group C,D and E,compared with model control group B(P

BACKGROUND:Recently, non-fusion technology representing as artificial cervical disc replacement continues to improve. On the basis of reconstruction of disc structure and function of involved segments, cervical spine structure of surgery area segment is significantly close to dynamic and static load stress distribution required by natural physiological systems. It effects are apparent in protecting intervertebral facet joints of degenerated segment and structure and function of the cervical spine of adjacent segments and in maintaining cervical dynamic stability, which presented obvious methodological strengths compared with segmental fusion technology.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement in the treatment of single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy.
METHODS:A total of 43 middle and old age patients with single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy, who were treated from March 2010 to March 2012, were enrol ed in this study. They were randomly assigned to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion group (fusion group) and Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement group. Range-of-motion of cervical overal and adjacent intervertebral area near the intervertebral space was observed with radiography. During fol ow-up, postoperative recovery of neurological function was evaluated using Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale, visual analog scale and neck disability index.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:None patients experienced complications of neurovascular injury during and after the surgery. Range-of-motion of postoperative overal cervical vertebra and adjacent joint was improved in the Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement group compared with the fusion group. Neurological function was apparently improved after surgery in each group. At 3 months after surgery, scores of Japanese Orthopaedic Association, visual analog scale and neck disability index were significantly improved in the Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement group compared with the fusion group (P<0.05). During final fol ow-up, there were significant differences in visual analog scale scores between the two groups. Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale score and neck disability index score were similar between the two groups. During fol ow-up, no prosthesis sinking, displacement or heterotopic ossification were detected. These data indicated that artificial cervical disc replacement could effectively keep the range of motion of cervical segments and protect disc degeneration of adjacent segment. Mid-term fol ow up obtained similar improvement of neurological function of fusion surgery. The moderate-term and short-term efficacies of non-fusion technology were better than fusion technology in the treatment of single-level cervical spondylopathy.

Objective To investigate and analyze the influencing factors of the quality of life in patients with breast cancer chemotherapy.Methods Ninety-eight breast cancer patients were evaluated by self-administered questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire for Chinese cancer patients with chemobiotherary (QLQ-CCC).The influencing factors of quality of life were analyzed.Results The total scores of QLQ-CCC improved significantly after chemotherapy compared with before chemotherapy (P ＜ 0.01),and the scores of physiological index,mind and psychological index,society index and other index improved significantly after chemotherapy compared with before chemotherapy (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).Age,clinical stage during chemotherapy and after chemotherapy had significant influence for the quality of life (P＜ 0.01).The level of culture had significant influence for the quality of life after chemotherapy (P＜ 0.01).Conclusions For breast cancer patients,the quality of life decline during chemotherapy.After chemotherapy,the quality of life in early stage patients is better than late stage patients.

Objective To observe the effect of inhaled glucocorticoids combined with theophylline in smoking patients with bronchial asthma.Methods Seventy-three patients with bronchial asthma were enrolled in this study and they were divided into observation group (34 cases,smoker) and control group(39 cases,no-smoker).They all accepted inhalation of budesonide 200 μ g/suck,bis in die,plus aminophylline tablet (0.1 g,ter in die,per os) for 3 months.After treatment for 3 months,the basal control rate was compared between two groups.The levels of asthma control test (ACT) score,peak expiratory flow (PEF),the first second forced expiratory volume accounted for the percentage of prediction (FEV1％pred),eosinophil leukocyte (EOS) count and immunoglobulin E(IgE) in two groups before and after treatment for 3 months were compared too.Results After treatment for 3 months,the basal control rate in observation group was 88.24％ (30/34),in control group was 92.31％(36/39),and there was no significant difference(P＞ 0.05).After treatment for 3 months,the levels of ACT score,PEF and FEV1％pred in two groups were increased and the levels of EOS count and IgE were decreased than those before treatment,and there were significant difference (P ＜0.05).After treatment for 3 months,the levels of ACT score,PEF,FEV1％ pred,EOS count and IgE in observation group were (22.43 ± 2.64) scores,(292.52 ± 98.64) L/min,(74.87 ± 4.83)％,(270 ± 180) × 106/L,(68.25 ± 13.89) U/L,in control group were(22.81 ± 2.27) scores,(300.34 ± 100.45) L/min,(75.26 ± 5.04)％,(210 ± 170) × 106/L,(65.47 ± 11.28) U/L,and there were no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Low dose inhaled glucocorticoids combined with theophylline in treatment smoking and non-smoking asthmatics patients are equal.It can improve asthma symptoms and lung function,improve hormone sensitive and reduce airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND:Carboxymethylated chitosan is shown to promote some kinds of cells proliferation, but its effects on proliferation of Schwann cells need further studies.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carboxymethylated chitosan on proliferation of Schwann cells and expression of nuclear factor-κB in cultured Schwann cells.
METHODS:Schwann cells from Sprague-Dawley rats at logarithmic growth phase were seeded in 96-wel plates, and cultured respectively with PBS, 0, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1 000 mg/L carboxymethyl chitosan for 24 hours. cellproliferation was detected using the cellcounting kit-8 assay. After trypsin digestion, Schwann cells from Sprague-Dawley rats at logarithmic growth phase were used to prepare cellsuspensions, which were seeded in 6-wel cellculture plates and cultured respectively with 50, 100 and 200 mg/L carboxymethyl chitosan and PBS for 24 hours. Then, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, real-time PCR and western blot assay were performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:cellcounting kit-8 and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine detection results showed that carboxymethyl chitosan at 50-1000 mg/L, especial y at 200-500 mg/L, could promote Schwann cellproliferation. Real-time PCR and western blot results showed 50-200 mg/L carboxymethyl chitosan could promote nuclear factorκB mRNA and protein expression in Schwann cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting carboxymethyl chitosan can promote Schwann cellproliferation and expression of nuclear factor-κB in Schwann cells cultured in vitro.

Objective To analyze and investigate dopamine combined with milrinone treatment effect on elderly patients with intractable heart failure and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide level and cardiac function.Methods 80 cases of elderly patients with heart failure according to the number table method randomly divided into two groups: control group and experimental group, and control group was given conventional drugs.The patients in experimental group were received dopamine +Milrinone on the basis of control group.Clinical efficacy, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels ( NT proBNP ) and heart function condition between two groups are compared and analyzed.Results The total effective rate of experimental group (95.00%) was higher than that of control group (70.00%) (P<0.05).NT-proBNP(2013.31 ±295.84)ng/L、LVEDD(61.48 ± 10.11)mm、LVEF(59.69 ±8.44)% in the experimental group was significantly better than the control group(P <0.05).Conclusion Dopamine combined with milrinone in the treatment of elderly patients with intractable heart failure is remarkable, can relieve the level of NT proBNP, and promote the recovery of cardiac function.

BACKGROUND:It has been confirmed that carboxymethylated chitosan has an promoting effect on Schwann cel proliferation and secretion, but its impact on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated protein kinase A signaling pathway in schwann cel stil needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of carboxymethylated chitosan on cyclic adenosine monophosphate/ protein kinase A signaling pathway in rat schwann cels. METHODS:The Schwann cels of the second generation neonatal rats were obtained and seeded in 6-wel plate at a concentration of 1×109/L. These Schwann cels were cultured and divided into four groups. The Schwann cels in the control group were cultured by adding PBS. The Schwann cels in the experimental groups were cultured by adding 50, 100 and 200 mg/L of carboxymethyl chitosan solution, respectively. After 24 hours, the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, protein kinase A activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein mRNA expression were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, carboxymethyl chitosan increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations, the activity of protein kinase A and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein mRNA expression within the Schwann cels in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that carboxymethyl chitosan can increase the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate within the Schwann cels and promote protein kinase A activity, thereby activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. Methods The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cmaway fromthe wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chick-en blood made the cast-off bloodstain fromtop to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics ( length , width and density ) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics ( length , width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. Results The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum( P<0 .05 ) . The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum(P<0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P<0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P<0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P<0.05). Conclusion The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.

Objective:To study the effect of Qingyi Lidan Granule on the serum levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB 1),heat shock protein 70 (HSP70),heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.Methods:From August 2015 to July 2016,84 patients with severe acute pancreatitis in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into the observation group and the control group according to random number,42 cases in each group.The control group was given routine treatment,and the observation group was treated by Qingyi Lidan Granule on the basis of control group.The recovery of blood amylase to normal time,white blood cell recovery to normal time,recovery of gastrointestinal function to normal time and relieving time of abdominal pain,serum levels of HMGB1,HSP70,HSP72 and IL-8 in both groups were observed and compared before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,the total clinical effective rate of observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group[92.86％ (39/42) vs 71.43％ (30/42)] (P＜0.05).The recovery of blood amylase to normal time,white blood cell recovery to normal time,recovery of gastrointestinal function to normal time and relieving time of abdominal pain in the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group (P ＜0.05).Before treatment,no significant difference was found in the serum levels of HMGB 1,HSP70,HSP72,IL-8 between groups (P＞0.05).After treatment,the serum levels ofHMGB1,HSP70,HSP72 and IL-8 in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P＜0.05).The levels ofHMGB1,HSP70,HSP72 and IL-8 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Qingyi Lidan Granule could effectively reduce the levels of serum HMGB 1,H SP70,HSP27 and IL-8 and enhance the clinical curative effect of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion (PLE) embolization for cavernous hemangioma of liver (CHL). Methods Seldinger technique was adopted and the catheter was super-selectively sent into the supplying artery of tumors in 18 CHL patients, 5-10 ml of Lidocaine and 5-20 ml of PLE were slowly injected. Before the embolization, 50-100 mg of pethidine was routinely injected. The embolization was conducted in several times in patients with large tumors, with multiple supplying arteries, and whose age was above 60 years. During the 3-48 months'follow-up after the operation,the change of the tumor diameter before and after the embolization was compared by using CT and ultrasound. The clinical symptomatic relief and the complications were also observed. Results The CHL of all the 18 cases were filled up by PLE. The foci were completely vanished in 9 cases, reduced by over 50% in 7 cases,and reduced by 25%-50% in 2 cases,respectively. The follow-up angiographic examination was performed in six cases, the tumor staining was completely vanished and the tumor-supplying artery was closed up. The improving rate of the clinical symtoms reached 89% . There were no serious complications. Conclusion The PLE embolization in hepatic cavernous hemangioma proves to be reliable, safe, minimally invasive, and with little side effect. This therapy, therefore, can be the first method of choice in treating the cavernous hemangioma of the liver.