Objective To observe the distribution of TCM syndromes in patients with functional constipation (FC). Methods One hundred and five cases of patients with FC were analyzed with relevant factors and summarized to syndromes of FC by cluster analysis. Results There was a correlation between distribution of syndromes of FC and patient's age, job occupation, course of disease, incentives and patient's eating habits. The distribution of syndromes analyzed by cluster analysis was consistent with diagnostic criteria. Conclusion The syndromes of FC are divided into heat constipation, qi constipation, deficiency constipation and cold constipation. Among these syndromes, the number of excess constipation patients especially heat constipation is more than the number of others.

Abstract: Malaria remains a significant public health issue on a global scale. The disease exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with male-infected individuals often presenting more severe symptoms and higher mortality rates compared to females. However, gender factors are frequently overlooked in many experimental studies related to Plasmodium infection. As a primary female sex hormone, estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses and inflammatory signals, contributing significantly to the gender differences observed in malaria infections. Here, starting from the basic physiological functions and immune regulatory roles of estrogen, review and summarize the epidemiological evidence of gender differences in malaria infection reported in the past, and delve into how estrogen affects malaria infection and its potential roles within the context of the disease. Given the current absence of a comprehensive review on sex differences in malaria in China, we hope that this article will draw researchers' attention to the sexual dimorphism in malaria. Understanding and emphasizing the sexual dimorphism in malaria, as well as the underlying causes, can help us gain a more profound comprehension of the pathology of malaria and the individual immune responses it elicits. This knowledge may provide new insights for related basic research and potentially aid in future malaria prevention and control efforts.

Drug transporters are functional membrane proteins located in various tissues, which play vital roles in absorption, distribution and excretion of drugs, especially those located in intestine, liver and kidney. The expression and function of transporters will alter in diseases state, which affects the therapeutic effects of drugs by altering their pharmacokinetics. In this review, we focus on the alterations in related transporters and the effect on the drug therapy in common intestinal diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases and diabetes mellitus.
Biological Transport ; Diabetes Mellitus ; pathology ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; pathology ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; pathology ; Membrane Transport Proteins

Objective: To study the influences of steam distillation (SD) on the isomerization of the essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel. Methods: SD、GC、GC-MS. Results: The duration of the extraction of essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. by SD was about 14 h, and the yield of (Z)-ligustilide was about 67.1 percent of total (Z)-ligustilide. During the SD, it produced some new components in the essential oils, for example 4-hydroxy-3-methylacetophenone, 2,4,5-benzaldehyde,2,4,5-trimethyl-et al. Conclusion: The results suggested that the extraction of essential oils of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. by SD had some disadvantages.

Objective Toexplore the findings of bile flow artifacts (BFA)on MR cholangiopancreatography(MRCP). MethodsEighty five patients with normal common bile duct (CBD)and 95 patients with dilated CBD who had MRCP examination were studied retrospectively. Findings of BFA on original thin images of MRCP were recorded. Date were tested by Chi-square test and Spearman ceefficient of rank correlation analysis. ResultsThe rate of BFA in CBD with normal group was 38. 8％ ( 33/85 ), in dilated group was 83.2％ (79/95), there was statistically significant difference between them( x2 ＝ 37. 512,P ＝ 0. 000). BFA was not observed when the diameter of CBD was no more than 4 mm. BFA was partly observed when the diameter of CBD was 4 mm ＜ ψ≤ 8 mm, single- string sign was predominant findings (52.6％ ,30/57 ). Three-string sign was predominant findings in CBD with slight-dilated group ( 85.7％,36/42). Multi-string sign was predominant findings in CBD with medium-dilated group (84. 6％, 22/26 ).There was statistically significant difference between each groups ( x2 ＝ 284. 561, P ＝ 0. 000 ).BFA had different manifestations with CBD of different diameter, there was relative between them ( r ＝ 0. 553, P ＝0. 000). ConclusionBFA can occur in CBD with normal diameter. CBD with dilated group has higher rate of BFA than CBD with normal diameter. Manifestations of BFA are relative with the diameter of CBD.

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP)and its diagnostic value.Methods Imaging examinations and clinical data of 13 patients with AIP were reviewed retrospectively.Results All patients had enlargement of pancreas either diffusely ( n =11 ) or focally in pancreatic head ( n =2 ).The swollen pancreas was of homogeneous density on CT scan ( n =13 ),hypointense on T1-weighted images and mildly hyperintense on T2-weighted images in 4 patients.It was demonstrated as mild enhancement on artery phase of dynamic imaging and progressive enhancement on portal and delayed phase images.Capsule-like enhanced rim was presented around the pancreas in 9 patients.Stricture or obliteration of the common bile duct located in pancreatic head was found in 10 patients accompanied by intrahepatic bile duct dilation.Pancreatic duct was invisible on axial images in 11 cases.Among the 6 patients underwent MRCP,it was showed diffuse and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct and stricture of common bile duct located in pancreatic head in 4 cases.ERCP showed diffuse and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in 7 cases.Extra-pancreatic lesion included veins around pancreas involvement in 8 cases;multiple low density renal lesions in 6 cases; retroperitoneal fibrosis in 2 cases; stricture of hilar duct,interstitial lung disease and ankylosing spondylitis in 1 case,respectively.Conclusions AIP shows some characteristic imaging features,and imaging examinations play an important role in the diagnosis of AIP.Recognition of extra-pancreatic lesions aids in the correct diagnosis of AIP.

Objective To systematically evaluate the influence of acupuncture-moxibustion on the peroneal nerve conduction velocity in type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and to provide clinical references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for DPN.Method By searching the CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Pubmed, Springer and Medline databases, randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupuncture-moxibustion for the type 2 DPN published from January 2000 to January 2014 were retrieved and the relevant data of the peroneal nerve conduction velocity were collected for methodological evaluation. RevMan 5.1 software was adopted to conduct the meta-analysis.Result Totally 10 RCTs were recruited with 685 cases involved, including 355 cases in the treatment group and 330 cases in the control group. The meta-analysis results indicated that acupuncture-moxibustion can produce a better effect in improving the motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of peroneal nerve in type 2 DPN than the treatments used in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant between the two groups [MD=3.55, 95%CI (0.79, 6.31); MD=4.10, 95%CI (0.22, 7.99)].Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion can improve the peroneal nerve conduction velocity in type 2 DPN, and thus is worth application in clinic. Due to the limitation of the included studies, such as small sample size and low quality of the articles and high probability of bias, RCTs of large sample size and high quality are required to confirm the above conclusions.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of establishing tumor model of MDR in rabbit liver with VX2 tumor induced by adriamycin. Methods 20 white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups with 5 for each. Liver tumor was established with VX2 tissue together with or without MDR-induced for their formations. VX2 tumor without MDR-induced was included in group A and B ,while MDR-induced tumor was employed in groupe C and D. Contrast enhanced CT was performed three weeks later to assess the volume of tumors. 4 mg adriamycin (dilute with 2ml of saline) was infused in group A and C via the common herpatic artery directly and respectirely; whereas same amount of saline adminisfrated through the same way for group B and D. Follow up CT was performed one week later to assess the change of tumor. Apoptosis rate was analized for each group by means of flow cytometry (FCM). Results No significant difference was found between the 4 groups three weeks after the establishment in term of tumor volume. Follow up CT performed 1 week after the treatment showed the volume increase of tumor for all groups. Group A was significantly lower than the other three groups in tumor growth rate (P0.05). The apoptosis rate of group A detected by FCM was significantly higher than the other three groups(P0.05). Conclusion Implanted liver tumor with VX2 induced by, adriamycin in tumor carrying rabbits possesses the character of drug resistance, which is profitable to be a liver tumor model of MDR for the therapeutic trial.

Objective To study the arthroscopic operative procedure and the result for knee osteoarthritis. Methods 49 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated by arthroscopic operation from May 1993 to September 1999 were reviewved.Arthroscopic lavage,debridement or debridement Combined with drilling was performed on different patients. Results The average follow-up period was 5 years.The scale improved 36.0 after operation.No serious complication was found. Conclusions Arthroscopic debridement for osteoarthritis is satisfactory in the long-term efficacy and drilling of grade Ⅳ subchondral bone does not improve long-term outcome.

Objective To study the values of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods A retrospective survey of 75 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated by arthroscopic operation from May 1993 to Sep 1999 was conducted.the Tindings by radiograph and those in operation were compaired. Results The average follow-up period was nearly 5 years.The scale improved 35.7 after operation.No serious complication arose. Conclusions The more severe the condition, the more consistent radiographic diagnosis is with arthroscopic findings.Radiography reflects the site of the lesion better.50% of the patients at the intermediate and late stage have meniscal lesions.It seems that meniscal lesion does not affect surgical results;having loose body indicates better results.