[Objective]To assess the success of hallux valgus surgery of oblique and impaction osteotomy of first metatarsal neck.[Method]The outcome of 36 patients(45 feet)treated by this technique for symptomatic hallux valgus deformity was reviewed.The follow-up was two years.Lateral and AP radiographs were taken in a standing position pre-and postoperativly and hallux valgus angle(HV angle)and intermetatarsal angle(IM 1~2 angle)were measured accordingly.The efficacy of the surgery was evaluated by JOA scoring for foot disorders.[Result]The fracture healing was excellent.There was no case of delay union and nonunion.Two cases(three feet)were found to have superficial infection.The mean HV angle and IM 1~2 angle was revised by 15.6? and 4.2? respectively.JOA score was elevated for 29.6 points.[Conclusion]Hallux valgus can be corrected in three-dimension by the technique of first metatarsal neck osteotomy and inverted impaction fixation.

Aim To study effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) on learning and memory in mice. Methods After po GSP 10,20,40 mg?kg -1 respectively and contemporaneously sc D-galactose 1.25 g?kg -1 for 6 weeks, step down test and Y-type electric maze were used to examine the efficacy of GSE on learning and memory of mice first. Then lipoperoxide(LPO) level in blood and brain of these mice was measured. After po GSP 10,20,40 mg?kg -1 respectively for 2 weeks, the ability of learning and memory was measured by Morris Water Maze task. Results GSP significantly prolonged step-down latency in the mice and decreased number of errors in 5 minutes in step down test; and significantly decreased number of errors of these mice in Y-type electric maze test. LPO level in blood and brain of these mice was lower than that of model group. GSP also increased crossing platform times(CPT) and crossing platform percentages(CPP) in normal mice rested for 30 days in morris water maze test. Conclusion GSP can elevate the ability of learning and memory in mice treated with D-galactose, also improve memory retrieval at the spatial probe trials in normal mice. Mechanisms of these actions may probably be attributable antioxidative activity of GSP.

Objective To observe the changes of tongue and pulse parameters in the patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)after pegylated interferon alpha-2a(PEG-IFNα-2a)treatment,to investigate its value in evaluation clinical efficacy of PEG-IFNα-2a treatment.Methods 120 patients with CHB who confirmed to the standard received PEG-IFNα-2a antiviral therapy for 48 weeks,and followed up for 24 weeks.The tongue and pulse parameters were detected by DS01-A type digital tongue and pulse presentation analyzer.The changes of liver function,serum HBV markers,HBV DNA,tongue and pulse parameters were observed before and after treatment.Results 113 patients completed the course of treatment,46 cases received complete response(response rate 40.7%).The response rate of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency group was higher than that of blood stasis group(95%CI:0.010-0.677,P <0.05).The baseline of tongue and pulse parameters had no significant difference between response group and non response group(h3 /h1,t =1.799,P =0.074;h4 /h1,t =1.383,P =0.169;h5 /h1,t′=0.461,P >0.05;W/t,t′=0.688,P >0.05;R,t =1.317,P =0.190;G,t =0.346,P =0.729;B,t =1.720,P =0.088).After 48 weeks treat-ment,and followed up for 24 weeks,the tongue and pulse parameters of response group and non response group were compared with baseline,h3 /h1,h4 /h1 decreased,R value and G value increased,the differences were statistically sig-nificant(Response group:h3 /h1,t =3.004,P =0.003;h4 /h1,t =2.702,P =0.008;R,t′=2.258,P <0.05;G,t′=3.052,P <0.05.Non response group:h3 /h1,t =1.978,P =0.049;h4 /h1,t =2.487,P =0.014;R,t′=2.661,P <0.05;G,t′=2.318,P <0.05).But there were no significant differences between the response group and no response group after treatment(h3 /h1,t′=0.191,P >0.05;h4 /h1,t =0.390,P =0.697 2;h5 /h1,t′=0.957,P >0.05;W/t,t =0.149,P =0.881;R,t =1.343,P =0.181;G,t =0.994,P =0.322;B,t =0.565,P =0.572).Conclusion The changes of tongue and pulse parameters have improved after treatment with PEG-IFNαin patients with CHB. However,the value in predicting the efficacy of antiviral therapy may be limited.

Objective To observe the effects of Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets on expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 of vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); To discuss it possible mechanism of action. Methods Totally 24 12-week old male SHR were randomly divided into SHR model group, Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets group, and positive medicine group, with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 WKY rats were set as normal control group. Medication groups were given relevant medicine for gavage for successive 6 weeks. Noninvasive tail cuff method was used to observe blood pressure; morphological changes in thoracic aorta and renal artery were observed by HE staining; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall. Results Protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall of SHR model group were significantly higher than those of normal control group (P<0.01); Compared with the SHR model group, protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall decreased significantly in the medication groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); Compared the Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets group and positive medicine group, there was no obvious difference in protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in thoracic aortic wall. Conclusion Compound Uncaria Hypotensive Tablets can reduce the blood pressure of SHR, reduce inflammation reaction, and regulate vascular remodeling, which mechanism may be related to down-regulation of expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in SHR aortic endothelial cells.

The thermooxidative degradtion of ethylene oxide and tetra-hydrofuran (EO-THF) co-polyether has been studied by electron spin resonance(ESR),Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The initial degradation site was found to be at the α-carbon of the ether bond. Two free radicals which derived from dehydrogenation and oxygen addition were successfully detected by spin-trapping technique which used α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) as spin trap. Both FT-IR and NMR have been used tofollow structural changes of the copolyether during degradation. Nearly 20 product frngnents including formate,carbonate,methyl,alcohol,methylene-dioxy,hydroperoxide and semiformal have been characterized by 1 D and 2 D NMR.The thermooxidtion of co-polyether preferred to occur on the THF units especially at the alternating linkage of EO and THF.Antioxidant (BHT) not only retarded the thermooxidation but also modified the degradation products with less ester and methylene-dioxy groups but more hydroxyl and methyl groups.

Natural cyclopeptides are hot spots in chemical and pharmaceutical fields because of the wide spreading bio-resources, complex molecular structures and various bioactivities. Bio-producers of cyclopeptides distribute over almost every kingdom from bacteria to plants and animals. Many cyclopeptides contain non-coded amino acids and non-pepditic bonds. Most exciting characteristic of cyclopeptides is a range of interesting bioactivities such as antibiotics gramicidin-S (2), vancomycin (3) and daptomycin (4), immunosuppressive cyclosporin-A (1) and astin-C (8), and anti-tumor aplidine (5), RA-V (6) and RA-VII (7). Compounds 1-4 are being used in clinics; compounds 5-8 are in the stages of clinical trial or as a candidate for drug research. In this review, the progress in chemical and bioactive studies on these important natural bioactive cyclopeptides 1-8 are introduced, mainly including discovery, bioactivity, mechanism, QSAR and synthesis.

Object To demonstrate the naked truth of four therapeutic features of TCM (cold, hot, warm and cool) from biophysical and biochemical point of view. Methods Growth thermogenesis curves of Escherichia coli were determined under different conditions by microcalorimetry to give biothermodynamic parameters, such as multiplication constant (k), median inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ), and enthalpy (?H). Differences between folia ginseng and flos ginseng were comprehensively compared with reference to classical Chinese literatures on material medica. Results The bacteriostatic curve of both drugs were basically similar. With increasing concentration of decoctions of both drugs, the lag phase was delayed and the peaks shifted to the right. While the difference of ?H was stable, which decreases with the increasing concentration of Folium ginseng, but increases with increasing concentration of Flos ginseng. Conclusion Microcalorimetry is not only a new effective method to describe the therapeutic features of TCM, but also could be used as a tool for the screening of active TCM.

Objective To observe the effect of Fufei Gushen Decoction on the BODE index, an index for body mass index(BMI), airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity, in severe and extremely severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with lung-kidney deficiency interweaved with phlegm and blood stasis at stable stage. Methods Eighty qualified COPD patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, 40 cases in each group. Both groups were given inhalation of Seretide (Salmeterol Xinafoate and Fluticasone Propionate Powder for inhalation) , and the treatment group was given oral use of Fufei Gushen Decoction additionally. The treatment for the two groups lasted for 3 months. Before and after treatment, BMI, the percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second of the predicted value (FEV1%) , dyspnea index of modified British Medical Research Council (MMRC), and exercise performance index of 6-min walking test (6MWT) in the two groups were observed. Results (1) After treatment, FEV1%, MMRC dyspnea index, 6MWT scores and BODE index overall scores of severe and extremely severe patients in the treatment group were much improved(P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment ), but BMI was not much improved(P > 0.05). MMRC dyspnea index, 6MWT scores and BODE index overall scores of severe and extremely severe patients inthe control group were much improved (P<0.05 compared with those before treatment) , b ut the improvement of FEV1% and BMI was not obvious(P > 0.05).(2) Except for BMI, the parameters of FEV1%, MMRC dyspnea index, 6MWT scores and BODE index overall scores of the treatment group were much improved as compared with those of the control group after treatment(P < 0.05). Conclusion Fufei Gushen Decoction combined with inhalation of Seretide exerts certain effects on decreasing the BODE index scores, relieving symptoms, and improving pulmonary function, exercise performance and the quality of life of COPD patients with lung-kidney deficiency interweaved with phlegm and blood stasis at stable stage.

ObjectiveTo study the pathogcncsis of gastrointestinal vascular malformation (GIVM) and the potential mechanism of thalidomide in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding due to GIVM.Methods We collected the surgical intestinal specimens from 10 patients who suffered from massive hemorrhage of gastrointestinal tract owning to GIVM and the normal intestinal mucosa around the lesions,as well as normal intestinal mucosa from healthy subjects.Immunohistochemical(IHC) staining was carried out to investigate the differences of angiopoietin 2 ( Ang2 ),Notch1 and delta like ligand 4 (Dll4) in the above three intestinal mucosa to find the relationship with the pathogenesis of GIVM. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were cultured with 0,25,50,100 and 200 mg/L thalidomide for 24 or 48 hours to observe their mRNA and protein expressions of Ang2,Notch1,Dll4 by real-time PCR and Western blot.ResultsBy IHC staining,more expressions of Ang2,Notch1 and Dll4 in the lesions were detected than those in the normal intestinal mucosa around the lesions and the normal intestinal mucosa in healthy people.The expressions of Ang2,Notch1 and Dll4 were significantly correlated (P =0.016,r =0.732),and the expressions of Notch1 and Dll4 were absolutely correlated ( P =0.000,r =1.000).Real-time PCR and Western blot showed that thalidomide could down-regulate the expressions of them,which were in a concentration-dependent manner.ConclusionAng2,Notch1 and Dll4 may correlate with the pathogenesis of GIVM,while thalidomide can concentration-dependently down-regulate the expression of Ang2,Notch1 and Dll4,which may be one of the mechanism that thalidomide play a therapeutic role in GIVM.

BACKGROUND: Cellulose is natural material, which has good chemical stability and biocompatibility. The modified material from cellulose has new properties besides its inherent properties.OBJECTIVE: Based on cytocompatibility evaluation tests, this study is designed to evaluate the cytocompatibiUty of materials synthesized from cellulose to make sure its reliability.DESIGN: Contrast study.SETTING: Department of High Polymer, Material Science and Engineering College, Beijing University of Technology.MATERIALS: This study was performed in the Material Science and Engineering College, Beijing University of Technology between March 2003 and June 2004. The material from cellulose prepared by Beijing University of Technology was white, granules, no taste, and no volatilization (density: 1.2 g/cm3, pH: 6-7). L-929 vigorous cells were provided by Chinese Military Academy of Medical Science. Ten male New Zealand rabbits were provided by Animal Center of Chinese Military Academy of Medical Science.METHODS: Based on GB/T16175-1996 standard, cytotoxicity of the materials from cellulose on L-929 cells was evaluated by growth suppression technique (MTr chromatometry). In addition, based on GB-T14233.2-1993 standard, hemolysis in vitro was evaluated through measuring erythrocyte lysis and ferrohemoglobin freeing degree with indirect contact method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cytotoxicity test and hemolysis test.RESULTS: Cytotoxicity test showed that the materials from cellulose did not have obvious toxicity on L-929 cells, and the cytotoxicity graduation of the materials from cellulose was 1 or 0. Hemolysis test suggested that the materials from cellulose did not have obvious hemolysis reaction, and the hemolysis rate in vitro was 1.5 %, which was less than the national standard (5%).CONCLUSION: The materials from cellulose do not have obvious cytotoxicity but have great cytocompatibility.