We detected varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA sequences in bullous lesions and skin biopsies obtained from healed skin lesions in 16 patients with herpes zoster using polymerase chain reaction. A 385 bp VZV DNA fragment was found in all the bullous lesions and in two of six biopsies from the skin lesions healed within two months. No VZV DNA was found in the skin lesions two months after healing in 10 cases of herpes zoster. VZV DNA may be detected at the sites of resolved herpes zoster lesions within short duration.

Aim To explore the modulaory effect of tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) on the responses mediated by P2X receptors.Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to study the effects of TMP on P2X receptor agonists-activated currents in freshly isolated rat dorsal root ganglion(DRG) neurons.Results Extracellular application of ATP of 1 to 1000 ?mol?L~(-1) activated currents in DRG neurons(n=102).The ATP-activated currents showed rapid desensitization or slow desensitization.Preapplication of TMP(0.1～10 mmol?L~(-1))markedly inhibited ATP(100 ?mol?L~(1))-activated currents in the majority of the neurons examined(89.2%,91/102).TMP(1 mmol?L~(-1)) reduced ?,?-meATP(10 ?mol?L~(-1))-activated currents.TMP(1 mmol? L~(-1)) shifted the concentration-response curve of I_(ATP) downward markedly.TMP(1 mmol?L~(-1)) did not alter the reversal potential(0 mV) of ATP-activated currents.TMP(1 mmol?L~(-1)) significantly inhibited ATP(100 ?mol?L~(-1))-activated currents potentiated by PGE_2(100 ?mol?L~(-1))or SP(0.1 ?mol?L~(-1)).Intracellular application of 10 ?mol?L~(-1) H89(which is an inhibitor of PKA) reduced the inhibitory effect of TMP on ATP(100 ?mol?L~(-1))-activated currents.Conclusion The mechanism of TMP action may be the allosteric regulation via acting on PKA system and the large extracellular region of ATP receptor-ion channel complex(P2X receptors) to affect P2X receptor agonists-activated currents in rat DRG neurons.

Objective To investigate the effect of different target plasma concentrations (Cp) of remifentanil on sedative effect of propofol. Methods Eighty adult ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 18-60 yr undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 20 each). Anesthesia was induced with TCI of remifentanil (Cp = 2, 4 and 8 ng/ml in group Ⅱ-Ⅳ respectively) and propofol TCI (the initial Cp of propofol was 2 μg/ml in the 4 groups). Then the Cp of propofol increased by 0.5 μg/ml every 1 min until BIS value decreased to 50. BIS value and the Cp of propofol were recorded as the patient lost consciousness.The Cp and consumption of propofol were recorded when BIS value decreased to 50. Results BIS value was significantly increased, while the Cp of propofol was significantly decreased as the patient lost consciousness, and the Cp and consumption of propofol were significantly decreased when BIS value decreased to 50 in group Ⅲ - Ⅳ compared with group Ⅰ (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Remifentanil 4 ng/ml is the suitable Cp for anesthesia when combined with propofol.

Objective To investigate the histological injury as well as the risk factors for the course of HBeAg-negative chronic hep-atitis B virus( HBV)-infected patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) levels ( PNAL) . Methods Ninty four patients of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected with PNAL were performed liver puncturing. The ALT, HBV markers, and liver histo-logical changes were detected. The gender, age, family history, HBV-DNA and HBsAg levels were compared between different patients with liver inflammation and fibrosis. And the Logistic model was used during the analysis of independent risk factor. Results Among 94 cases, patients with inflammatory necrosis classification≥G2 accounted for 74. 5%, fibrosis grading≥S2 accounted for 27. 7%. Patients in the group of inflammatory necrosis classification≥G2 was older than the group of < G2, and the ALT level of≥G2 group was higher, as well as a higher HBV-DNA. What is more,Patients in the group of inflammatory necrosis classification ≥G2 were mainly male, and were associated with a family history of hepatitis B. Patients in the group of fibrosis stage ≥S2 was older than < S2 group, and the ALT level of fibrosis stage ≥S2 group was higher. And those patients were often associated with a family history of hepatitis B, but there was no significant difference among the HBV-DNA level and gender constitution. HBV-DNA and family history were the independent risk fac-tors of liver inflammation necrosis≥G2, and family history was the only independent risk factor of fibrosis stage≥S2. Conclusion The patients of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected with PNAL, regardless of the ALT and HBV-DNA, must have a liver biopsy. The pa-tients with high level of HBV-DNA and with a family history of hepatitis B should be performed liver puncturing accordingly.

Objective To summarize experiences in diagnosis and interventional management for intracranial vertebral arterial dissection. Methods Clinical symptoms and imaging results were analysed in 23 cases of intracranial vertebral dissection, and corresponding interventional managements were reviewed. Results Clinical symptoms consisted of spontaneous SAH and vertebrobasilar insufficiency. DSA usually showed "pearl and string" sign. Interventional management included stent assisted coiling of the dissection, embolization of the affected artery with GDC and to learn the details of the stenotic ICA and draw up and appropriate operation plan.Conclusions Direct energetic intervention should be undertaken promptly for intracranial dissection.

Objective To investigate the indication, preoperative evaluation, technical tip, prevention and treatment of complications, effect, and clinical use of the embolization of intracranial aneurysms by using GDCs. Methods From July 1998 to February 2000,93 patients with 118 intracranial aneurysms were embolized using GDCs, including 84 ruptured aneurysms (Hunt-Hess grade, Ⅰ 18 cases, Ⅱ 29 cases, Ⅲ 25 cases, Ⅳ 10 cases, Ⅴ 2 cases). 72 patients were treated at emergency, and 48 patients had CTA examination preoperatively. The operations were completed under the DSA monitoring. Continuous lumbar subarachnoid drainage was instituted and standard 3H treatment was given postoperatively. Results Total occlusion was achieved in 104 aneurysms(88 14%), over 90% in 11aneurysms(9.32%), less than 90% in 3 aneurysms(2 54%), with 3 patients (3/93, 3 23%) died in the cohort. One case rebleeded after 1.5 months and was cured by surgical clipping, 2 patients experienced enlargement of the aneurysmal neck and were reembolized. Following-up was performed from 2 to 22 months, 1 had severe disability, 7 had mild neurological deficit symptoms. Conclusion The results of short-term follow-up suggested that embolization of intracranial aneurysms with GDCs be microtraumatic, safe, effective, and reliable. Partial packing may result in continuous enlargement, rupture, and bleeding, while tight coil packing in aneurysms was reliable. The ruptured aneurysms need emergency embolization, and postoperative continuous lumbar subarachnoid drainage can enhance curative effect significantly.

Objective To evaluate the effects of peritoneal jet ventilation on peritoneal oxygenation in pigs.Methods Twenty-four pigs of both sexes (12-16 weeks,35-45 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8 each): sham operation group (group S) ; peritoneal regular frequency jet ventilation group (16 bpm)(group N) and peritoneal high-frequency jet ventilation group (150 bpm) (group H).Oral tracheal intubation was performed.The animals were mechanically ventilated (VT 8-12 ml/kg,RR 12-16 bpm,I:E 1.0:1.5,FiO2 100％) via airway.Endotracheal tubes were inserted into abdomen through the incisions in the left lower (for peritoneal jet ventilation) and right upper quadrant (for outlet of air).Arterial blood PaO2 and PaCO2 were measured before (baseline) and at 30,60,90,120,150,180,210 and 240 s of peritoneal jet ventilation.Peritoneal jet ventilation was started after the lungs being mechanically ventilated for 35 min.Peritoneal jet ventilation was terminated when SpO2 dropped to SpO2 ＜ 90 ％.The duration of safe apnea (DSA,from the moment of begging of peritoneal jet ventilation to the time when PaO2 ＜ 60 mm Hg).Results PaO2 was significandy higher and DSA longer in group H than in groups S and N.But there was no significant difference in PaCO2 among the 3 groups.Conclusion Peritoneal high-frequency jet ventilation can significantly enhance the efficiency of peritoneal oxygenation and prolong DSA,while peritoneal regular frequency jet ventilation has no effect on peritoneal oxygenation.

BACKGROUND:Sensitivity of diagnoses differentiating smaller nodes of splenic metastasis (＜ 1 cm) from CT and MRI is poor. So whether superparamagnetic iron oxide can enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of splenic VX2 tumor in rats need to be further studied.OBJECTTVE: To establish splenic VX2 tumor models, investigate MRI scanning combining with superparamagnetic iron oxide of specific reticuloendothelial system, and study the diagnostic significance of superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR images on splenic metastases.DESIGN: Duplicated-measured animal study.SETTING: Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Medical Imaging Center (Military Key Laboratory), Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University from May 2005 to March 2006. A total of 25 adult SD rats, of either gender, weighing 200-300 g, were selected in this study. The animal experiment had got confirmed consent from local ethic committee. All rats were randomly divided into tumor group (n =20) and blank control group (n =5).METHODS: Models of VX2 tumor in spleen were established successfully. The images obtained before and after administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide. T1-weighted image(T1WI) (450/12 ms) and T2-weighted image(T2WI)(4 000/128 ms) were used to scan sequences. The imaging parameters of various tissues were analyzed before and after superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI scanning. Rats in the blank control group were not used to establish models and the sequences were scanned as the same as those in the experimental group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Signal characteristics of various tissues before and after before and after superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI scanning.RESULTS: Eight out of 20 rats died in the tumor group and other 12 and 5 rats in the control group were involved in the final analysis. MR scanning indicated that 8 rats in the tumor group had splenic VX2 tumor. ① On plain MR scanning T1-weighted splenic VX2 tumor showed hypointensity or isointensity which approximated to the signal intensity (SI) of splenic parenchyma. All lesions had been not displayed well. ② On superparamagnetic iron oxide enhancement T2WI sequence the SI of splenic parachyma decreased obviously with percentage of signal intensity loss (PSIL) was 56.11%,But the SI of tumor was not evidently change with PSlL was 1.90%. Nevertheless the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of normal splenic parenchyma around the lesions had obviously difference (P ＜ 0.001) comparatively. So the contrast between tumor and spleen increased, and tumor displayed more clear. Moreover the contrast-to-noise (CNR) between VX2 tumor and splenic parenchyma had an evidently difference with before and after admininstration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (P ＜ 0.001 ).CONCLUSION: On superparamagnetic iron oxide enhancement T1WI sequence the contrast of tumor-to-spleen is poor.So it is not good to characterize the lesions in spleen. On superparamagnetic iron oxide enhanced T2WI the contrast degree of lesions increased obviously. Consequently, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced T2WI MRI scanning can improve the rate of detection and characterization in lesions of spleen.

Aim: To study the distribution and excretion of baicalein and baicalin in rats. Methods: An LC/MS method was applied. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C_(18) column( 150 mm ×6.0 mm, 5 μm) with methanol-10 mmol/L ammonium acetate (containing 0. 5% formic acid) as the mobile phase. A trip-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer was set in positive selected reaction monitoring mode. The sample was extracted with methanol-acetonitrile( 1:1) after the addition of phosphoric buffer solution and luteolin, which acted as the internal standard. The supernatant was evaporated to dryness, and the residual was reconstituted with mobile phase and analyzed. Results: The distribution profiles of the parent drug and its main metabolite showed two peaks between 20-40 min and 8-10 h after oral administration of baicalein, which fit the plasma concentration-time profile of baicalein in rats. At 20 min after the dosing, the concentration levels of baicalein were significantly higher than those of baicalin in stomach, liver and intestines, the converse result occurred in kidney. The excretion results showed that baicalin was the predominant excretion form in bile and urine, while baicalein was the negligible excretion form. There was more baicalein than baicalin in rat feces. Conclusion: Baicalein was absorbed and distributed quickly to various tissues and easily transformed to its metabolite at the same time.

One major problem to successful treatment of cancer is the development of resistance by tumor cells to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs, a phenomenon named multidrug resistance (MDR). Searching for the novel chemotherapeutical agents is one of the important strategies for overcoming MDR. By using a cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry analysis, Western-blotting and RT-PCR, a drug (Taxol, TAX) resistant human nasopharyngeal carcinoma KB cell line (KB/TAX) was established by addition of the drug to the cell cultures gradually, then a novel N-sugar substituted thalidomide analogue (STA-35) was investigated for its reversal effect on MDR of KB/TAX cells and possible mechanism. The results showed that KB/TAX cells were resistant to several chemotherapeutical agents, and the relative resistance to TAX was 73.1. Compared with parental KB cells, the function and protein expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), as well as mdr1 gene in the KB/TAX cells were remarkable reduced. Moreover, both KB and KB/TAX cells were sensitive to STA-35, the relative resistance to TAX on KB/TAX cells was decreased by the addition of STA-35. Furthermore, STA-35 (5 ～20 ?mol/L)was capable to reduced the activity of P-gp by increasing the accumulation of rhodamine 123, decreasing P-gp expression in KB/TAX cells in a dose dependent manner , but had no effect on the mdr1 gene expression. These results suggest a potential action of STA-35 as MDR reversing agent, and one of the possible mechanisms could be the suppression of P-gp function and protein expression.