Objective To investigate the effect of treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with traditional Chinese medicine. Methods 110 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were treated with traditional Chinese medical pathway: Chinese herbal medicine soaking (incised notoptetygium rhizome, Chinese angelica, divaricate saposhnikovia root, safflower, dahurian angelica root, myrrh, common floweringqince fruit, and tuberculate speranskia herb, etc.)-Acupuncture-cervical traction-massage, once daily, 10 times as a course of treatment. After two courses, therapeutic effect score was analyzed. Results Of all 110 cases, 35 cases(31.82%)were cured; 53 cases(48.18%)had obvious effectiveness; 17 cases(15.45%)had effectiveness; 5 cases(4.55%)had no effectiveness. The total efficiency was 95.45%. The patient's age(χ2=0.296), sex(U=0.023), and duration of disease(χ2=0.577)had no significant effect on the efficacy(P>0.05);After the treatment, neck pain, upper extremity pain, upper extremity numbness, neck tenderness, intervertebral foramina compression test, sensory disturbances limbs, myodynamia of upper limbs, and tendon reflexes were significantly improved compared with before treatment, with significant difference(t=16.355、11.958、7.755、4.927、11.780、8.647、10.485、3.190、3.873、3.367,P<0.05). Conclusion The use of traditional Chinese medicine clinical pathway in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy was effective and it could improve the quality of medical care.

Objective To detect content of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid by RP-HPLC and observe the inhibitory effect of phloroglucinol on catecholamine-O-methyl transferase (COMT). Methods This study used the principle of 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid transforming to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid under COMT’ s catalytic action. COMT (20 μL) was extracted from mouse liver homogenate. In a reaction system,10 μL catecol (1í10-3 mol·L-1 ) and 10 μL phloroglucinol (5í10-3 , 1í10-3 and 2í10-4 mol·L-1 ,respectively) were added. Products were determined by RP-HPLC to analyze effects of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid on COMT. Results Phloroglucinol had inhibitory effect on COMT activity at concentrations of 5í10-3 mol·L-1 ,1í10-3 mol·L-1 and 2 í10-4 mol ·L-1 ,with the inhibition rate being 25. 3% ,17. 6% and 8. 9% ,respectively. Conclusion Phloroglucinol has an inhibitory effect on COMT activity,which is weaker than the effect of catechol of the same concentration.

Triamcinolone acetonide is one of adrenocorticotropic hormones. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects are strong and lasting. However, due to its poor water solubility and systemic side effects, researchers try to transform and create its new formula constantly. The paper reviewed the research progress in new formula of triamcinolone acetonide at home and abroad in recent years, including solid dosage forms, emulsion, particle dispersion system and the other new formula which have been researched in or-der to provide information for the improvement of bioavailability and safety.

Objective To investigate the impact of calcification on differential diagnosis of thyroid nodule using shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods One hundred and forty-six patients with thyroid nodules were prospectively enrolled in the study. Ultrasound observations included nodule size, boundary, shape, envelope, internal echotexture, posterior acoustic enhancement, and the relationship with surrounding tissue. According to the presence of internal calciifcation, patients were divided into calciifcation group (groupⅠ) and no calciifcation group (groupⅡ). Real-time shear wave elastography (young′s modulus value) were taken in both groups. Taking surgical pathologic results as the gold standard, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of SWE in diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodule were drawn for two groups respectively. Results In groupⅠ, 25 cases were benign and 38 cases were malignant. The malignant incidence was 60%. Among them the rate of malignant nodules in microcalcification group was 92%(24/26). The incidence of malignant nodules in coarse calcification group was 38%(14/37). The area under the curve (AUC) of SWE in groupⅠwas 0.564. In groupⅡ, 67 cases were benign and malignant had 16 cases. Using 30.43 kPa as the diagnostic point of young′s modulus value, the sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy and AUC were 93.2%, 81.2%, 84.8%and 0.824. Conclusion In no calciifcation group, SWE is more meaningful in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Hemangioma ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant

Objective To analyze CT and MR features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)of children. Methods Sixteen patients with histologically proven MPNST were retrospectively reviewed.There were 8 male and 8 female, ages from 0.3 to 11.0 years, and median age was 2.5 years. Sixteen cases were performed with CT plain scan, and eight cases with CT enhancement scans, and three with MR examination. The imaging data were analyzed by two highly experienced doctors and obtained agreements after mutual consultation. Results Among 16 cases, 3 cases were located at neck, 5 cases at waist and back,3 cases at abdominal and pelvic, 2 cases at foot, 1 case at left clavicle, 1 case at right mediastinum, 1 case at right orbit. Fifteen cases appeared as solid masses and 1 case showed a diffuse growth. CT plain scan showed 8 cases were solid-appearing masses and 7 cases were cystic-solid mass. Enhanced CT showed enhancement of solid component was moderate to marked and gradually delayed enhanced while cystic component had no any enhancement. One was located on the left side of the neck and appeared as diffuse growth. Two cases of solid mass type appeared as hypo-intensity on T1WI and hyper-intensity on T2WI, and obviously high signal intensity of cystic component on T2WI, and with significantly heterogeneous enhanced.One case with diffuse growth appeared as hypo-intensity on T1WI and slightly hyper-intensity on T2WI, and with significantly enhanced. Sixteen cases appeared as invasive growth, 11 caseswith multiple organic metastases and recurrences, and 4 cases with neurofibromatosis type I and scoliosis.Conclusion CT and MR appearances of MPNST have certain characteristic features, and can demonstrateaggressive performance and multiple organic metastases, which is helpful for definite diagnosis and treatment plan.

Objective:To investigate the radiosensitizing effect of three flavonoids on ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells under hypoxia. Methods:The SKOV3 cells were divided into normoxic group and hypoxic group. The hypoxic SKOV3 cellular model in vitro was es-tablished and tested by measuring the expression profile of HIF-1αprotein in SKOV3 cells. Colony-forming assay was used to detect the radiosensitivity of normoxic and hypoxic SKOV3 cells. The cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing effects of flavonoids were evaluated on the basis of cell death and MTT assay. Results:The Western blot results showed that the gray intensity ratio of HIF-1α/β-Actin in hypoxia group was significantly higher than that in normoxia group (1. 068>0. 117). Radiosensitivity of hypoxic SKOV3 cells in hypoxia group was significantly lower than that in normoxia group. The survival rate of SKOV3 cells was decreased with the increase of concentration. When the concentration was increased, D0 and Dqin chrysin group and quercetin group were significantly decreased (P<0. 01), and SER was increased (P<0. 05). SER showed no significant difference in breviscapine group (P>0. 05). The overall radiobiological parameters of hypoxia group were higher than those of normoxia group. Conclusion: Hypoxia can induce the expression of HIF-1α in SKOV3 cells, which results in the decrease of radiosensitivity. Chrysin and quercetin can enhance the radiosensitivity of SKOV3 cells, and the enhancement is significant under hypoxia, while breviscapine is without such effect. The radiosensitizing effect may be achieved by the level decrease of HIF-1α in SKOV3 cells and inhibition of DNA damage repair.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the formulation of Methotrexate thermosensitive hydrogels,and to study the in vitro re-lease property of it. METHODS:Taking PLGA-PEG-PLGA as matrix and mannitol as viscosity modifiers,Methotrexate thermosen-sitive hydrogels were prepared. Using the absolute value of the deviation of gelation temperature between 35 ℃,its formulation was optimized by orthogonal test using the concentrations of PLGA-PEG-PLGA,methotrexate and mannitol as factors. The dialysis bag method was used to investigate accumulative release rate of Methotrexate thermosensitive hydrogels and methotrexate solution within 336 h in vitro. RESULTS:The optimal formulation was as PLGA-PEG-PLGA of 20%,methotrexate of 0.10% and mannitol of 0.10%;gelation temperature were 35.1,35.0,35.0℃. The average drug-loading rate was more than 90%. 12 d accumulative re-lease rate was more than 90%(r=3). Methotrexate solution has been substantially completely relased within 240 h. CONCLU-SIONS:Methotrexate thermosensitive hydrogels with sustained-release are prepared successfully,and the preparation technology is simple and practical.

Objective To prepare triamcinolone acetonide acetate(TAA)thermosensitive hydrogel for intra-articular injection,and to investigate its release in vitro. Methods TAA suspending thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared by using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid(PLGA)-polyethylene glycol(PEG)-PLGA as gel matrices,xanthan gum as suspending agent and NaCl as flocculant. It was evaluated preliminarily by determining its contents and its in vitro release. Results The best compositions for preparation of TAA suspending thermosensitive hydrogel were 25% PLGA-PEG-PLGA,0.05% xanthan gum, 0.9% NaCl and 4 mg·mL-1 TAA.The gelation temperature was 35.3 ℃ .The average recovery was(98.98±0.31)%. By the method of membraneless dissolution,the accumulative drug release was up to 83. 31% at 16 days. The drug release followed Ritger-Peppas methematical model. Conclusion The TAA thermosensitive hydrogel with obviously sustained release is expected to become a new drug delivery system for intra-articular injection.

Objective To analyze the imaging characteristics of hepatic involvement in Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH) in children on MRCP, MRI and CT. Methods Twenty-nine children from three children hospitals in China, who were diagnosed as hepatic involvement by disseminated LCH during Aug 2008 and Jan 2015 were included in this study. Their MRCP (n=16), MRI (n=22), contrast?enhanced CT (n=15) data were retrospectively analyzed. The stenoses and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, the common hepatic bile duct and its first order branches and the common bile duct were evaluated on the MRCP image. The size and shape of the liver, the imaging characteristics of the periportal lesions in the Glisson sheath and hepatic parenchymal lesions were also evaluated on the cross?sectional images. Results MRCP indicated alternative stenoses/dilatation of the bile duct tree (n=16), stenoses of the common hepatic duct and its first?order branches (n=15), partialindistinctness of the common bile duct (n=2) and multiple cystic lesions along the biliary tree (n=5). On the cross?sectional images, the periportal lesions in the Glisson sheath were observed in 28 children. On MRI, the periportal lesions were shown in all the 22 children with MRI, presented as hypo-signal intensity on T1WI, hyper?signal intensity on T2WI (n=11) or mixed?signal intensity on T1WI and T2WI (n=11); On CT, the periportal lesions were found in 14 of the 15 children with CT, presenting as low density (n=13) and mixed density (n=1). Multiple nodular or cyst?like parenchymal lesions were observed in 21 patients including 18 patients on MRI and 5 patients on enhanced CT. Sixteen patients presented as hypo?intensity on T1WI, hyper?intensity on T2WI and low density on plain CT, and 5 patients with iso? or hypo?intensity on T1WI, hypo?intensity on T2WI,and milder enhancement relative to the adjacent parenchyma on contrast?enhanced CT. Conclusions The imaging characteristics of hepatic involvement by LCH include alternative stenoses and dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts, stenoses of the common hepatic bile duct and its first?order branches on MRCP, the periportal lesions in the Glisson sheath and hepatic parenchymal nodular or cyst?like lesions on cross?sectional images.