Objective To investigate the effects of 3-N-butylphthalide ( NBP ) pretreatment on the score of neurological deficit , oxidative stress and pathomorphology in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury ( CIRI ) . Methods Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group ( Sham group ) , model group ( IR group), NBP pretreatment low dose group (NBPⅠgroup), NBP pretreatment middle dose group(NBPⅡgroup) and NBP pretreatment high dose group(NBPⅢgroup), 18 rats per group.Pretreatment was given once a day within 1 week before establishing the model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury .The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion ( MCAO) was subjected by suture method .The score of neurological deficit was executed after ischemia for 2h and reperfusion for 24h in all the rats.The cerebral infarction was observed by TTC staining .The pathologic change of brain was observed by HE staining under the microscope .Hydroxylamine method was used to detect activity of SOD , chemical colorimetry method was used to measure activity of GSH-PX, and TBA method was used to detect content of MDA .Results (1) In Sham group, the score of neurological deficit and the percentage of infarction volume were zero , the morphology of nerve cell was regular , and activity of SOD, GSH-PX and content of MDA of brain tissue were normal .(2) Compared with IR group , the score of neurological deficit was significantly reduced in NBP pretreatment groups (all P<0.01); the score of neurological deficit was decreased progressively in turn in NBP Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲgroup (all P<0.05).(3) Compared with IR group, the percentage of infarction volume was cut down progressively in turn in NBPⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲgroup (all P<0.05), and neuron injury was also induced obviously in NBP pretreatment groups .(4) Activity of SOD, GSH-PX was largely increased , and content of MDA was greatly decreased in NBP pretreatment groups ( P<0.01 ) .Activity of SOD , GSH-PX went up progressively in turn , and contents of MDA were cut down progressively in turn in NBP Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲgroup ( all P<0.05 ) .Conclusion 3-N-butylphthalide can significantly up-regulate the activity of SOD and GSH-PX, decrease the content of MDA , reduce the percentage of infarction volume , and relieve the damage of nerve cell to preventively protect the rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury .

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and of the leading causes of human death worldwide. Most of patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages as it is difficult to be detected in the early stage. Radio/chemotherapy serves as the major method for treatment of lung cancer in conventional medicine without satisfactory efficacy, but with a number of adverse effects. So, it is very popular in mainland China to employ integrated treatment of radio/chemotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine. Through analysis of the published reports in the past two decades, it was found that orally taking Chinese herbal medicine could significantly improve quality of life and body resistance, relieve clinical painfulness, reduce adverse effects of radio/chemotherapy, and prolong life-span of the patient alive with carcinoma in the body.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; China ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Phytotherapy

Objective To observe microvascular architecture and free radical metabolism in hippocampus after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and to explore the effect of NBP (3-n-butylphthalide). Methods Fifty-four SD rats were ran?domly divided into NBP pretreatment group, ischemia/reperfusion group and sham operation group (n=18 in each group). The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was established by suture method. The neurological scores were counted and the volume of infarction was measured;TA-Fe method was applied to observe the microvascular architecture of hippo?campus, Mivnt image analysis system was used to analyze the microvessel density(MVD)and the microvessel area density (MVA)of hippocampus quantitatively;The activity of SOD and content of MDA were measured by colorimetric method. Re?sults Compared to the ischemia reperfusion(IR)group, the neurological scores and the volume of infarction were decreased sharply in NBP group. What′s more, the activity of SOD, MVD and MVA were all enhanced but the content of MDA and the count of closed microvessels were both reduced(P < 0.01). Conclusion NBP can improve microvascular architecture of hippocampus and reduce the free radical injury. There is a protective effect on hippocampus of rats who suffered focal cere?bral ischemia reperfusion.

Objective To analyze the misdiagnosed cases of the nodular goiter (NG)in real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS),in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of NG.Methods Two-hundred and sixty-five cases of NG CEUS images,especially the 48 nodules in 44 misdiagnosis cases,were retrospectively analyzed to find out the main reasons of the misdiagnosis.In addition,the factors which effected the results of CEUS such as size,number and calcification of NG nodules were summarized.Results There were 42 nodules misdiagnosed as thyroid cancer,5 nodules misdiagnosed as thyroid adenoma and 1 nodular goiter misdiagnosed as subacute thyroiditis in 874 nodular goiter cases.The misdiagnosis rate of nodular goiter was 5.49% (48/874)by the diagnostic criterion of homogeneous enhancement in CEUS.The differences size and calcification of nodules had a significant impact on CEUS.The misdiagnosis rate of the NG nodules with major diameter less than 10 mm was much higher than that of more than 10 mm,the misdiagnosis rate of NG nodules with coarse calcification was much higher than the situation of microcalcification(P <0.05).Conclusions Major diameter less than 10mm and coarse calcifications of NG nodular are the main factors which influence the results of CEUS.

Objective To investigate the risk factors and treatment efficiency for lung cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods Total 282 cases of lung cancer patients with VTE were enrolled into two groups , including the VTE group and the non-VTE group , for comparation analysis based on a series of clinical data. Results The occupation rate of adenocarcinoma and Ⅳ period were 65.28% and 87.50% in VTE group, respectively, higher than those of 51.43% and 75.71% in the non-VTE group. The increased rate of blood viscosity and d-dimer respectively were 65.28% and 70.83%, higher than those of 51.43% and 56.67% in the non-VTE group, with significant differences (P < 0.05, respectively). Result of logistic regression analysis showed that tumor stage , d-dimer levels , smoking , age , and blood viscosity levels were highly correlated with venous thrombosis in patients with lung cancer, and the OR value among them was 3.802, 2.339, 5.814, 3.875 and 6.404, respectively, with significant differencees (P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions Lung adenocarcinoma with stage Ⅳ, smoking , age and increase of blood viscosity and d-dimer were the important risk factors for VTE in patients with lung cancer chemotherapy. Timely assessment of risk factors and early anticoagulation therapy in lung cancer patients with venous thromboembolism associated with VTE can improve the treatment efficacy and reduce the complications.

Objective To investigate the reason for misdiagnosis of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in identifying benign and malignant thyroid nodules and the impact of nodule size and calcification on CEUS result.Methods Retrospective analysis were carried out in 331 cases of thyroid disease patients with 421 nodules.All the nodules were performed CEUS and confirmed by pathology.Results In the total of 421 nodules,33 nodular goiters were misdiagnosed as thyroid carcinoma.8 nodular goiters were misdiagnosed as thyroid adenoma.8 thyroid carcinomas were misdiagnosed as nodular goiter,2 thyroid carcinomas were misdiagnosed as thyroid adenoma.The accuracy of diagnosis for thyroid benign and malignant lesions by CEUS was 87.89％,and the misdiagnosis rate was 12.11％.The size of the thyroid nodule and the form of calcification had influence on diagnosis.In the group with diameter of the nodule less than 10 mm,the misdiagnosis rate was higher compared with the other two groups,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).In addition,the misdiagnosis rate in the group with bulky calcification was higher than microcalcifications group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion The size of the thyroid nodule and the form of calcification have some impact on diagnosis of CEUS.To make clear the reason for misdiagnosis is beneficial to improve the diagnostic level of thyroid diseases.

Electricigens play an important role in microbial fuel cell(MFC) . This review provides an introduction of different electricigens on theirs taxonomical group,biochemical,physiological and morphological characteristics. The ability of electricity production of electricigens and electron transfer mechanisms in microbial fuel cells are also concluded. The prospect of waste water treatment and bio-electricity production is underlined,it is point out in this review that the future research of microorganism for MFC should be focused on enrichment,adaptation,modification and optimization by multi-strains application to improve the performances of MFC.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB). Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. A total of 105 participants were randomized 1:1:1 into an acupuncture group, a herbal medicine group and an acupuncture plus herbal medicine group. Participants in the acupuncture group received manual acupuncture treatment, twice a week. Participants in the herbal medicine group received Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang, oral administration, once a day. Participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group received both treatments. The therapeutic effects of the three groups were evaluated after four weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was the Jankovic rating scale (JRS) score, and the secondary outcome was the blepharospasm disability index (BSDI) score. Results: After four weeks of treatment, the JRS total scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05). A greater reduction in the JRS total score was reported in participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the herbal medicine group (P>0.05). The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group had a greater decrease in the JRS severity score than the herbal medicine group (P<0.05). The reduction in the JRS frequency score was not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). The BSDI scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05), but the reduction in the BSDI score was insignificantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is effective in the treatment of BEB either to use acupuncture and Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang alone or in combination. The combination therapy shows a more significant effect than either of the treatment alone.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huzhang on the progress of pulmonary fibrosis in rats, evaluate the role of Huzhang in this process and explore its mechanism.

METHODWistar male rats were randomized into 7 groups (normal control group, model group, positive control group, prophylactic group, 3rd day treatment group, 7th day treatment group and 14th day treatment group). Bleomycin was administered by intratracheal injection to produce pulmonary fibrosis groups except the normal control group. The positive control group began to be given DXM (4 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1)) on the day of the model-making. The normal control group and model group were given NS (4 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1)) on the day of the model-making. The prophylactic group was given reagent (4 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1)) 2 days ahead of the model-making, whereas the 3rd day treatment group, the 7th day treatment group and the 14th day treatment group given the same dose respectively on the third day, the seventh day and the fourth day behind of the model-making. Lung tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome to determine the pathological grading. The lung fibroblast (LF) was cultured in vitro by way of pancreatic enzyme digestion, which was used to detect the contents of the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1mRNA with RT-PCR method.

RESULTCompared with those in the model group, the alveolitis, pulmonary fibrosis and collagen accumulation were significantly alleviated in the positive control group, Huzhang prophylactic group and each treatment groups. In the positive control group, Huzhang prophylactic group, the 3rd day treatment group, the 7th day treatment group and the 14th day treatment group, the expression of MMP-2 mRNA was weaker significantly than that in the BLM model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) except that on the 42nd day. The expression of TIMP-1mRNA was also weaker significantly than that in the BLM model group at all set times in all treatment groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The inhibition of TIMP-1 lasted until the 42nd day.

CONCLUSIONHuzhang inhibited the expression of MMP-2mRNA and TIMP-1mRNA of lung fibroblast in different periods to reduce the alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis, which was probably one of the anti-fulmonary fiborsis mechanisms of Huzhang.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

Purpose: C5α receptor 1 (C5ΑR1) is associated with the development of various human cancers. However, whether it is involved in the development of hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poorly understood. We explored the expression, biological role, and associated mechanisms of C5AR1 in HBV-related hepatoma cells. Materials and Methods: The expression of C5ΑR1 mediated by HBV and HBV core protein (HBc) was detected in hepatoma cells. The function of nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) pathway in HBc-induced C5AR1 expression was assessed. The roles of C5ΑR1 in the activation of intracellular signal pathways, the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and the growth and migration of hepatoma cells mediated by HBc, were investigated. The effect of C5α in the development of HCC mediated by C5AR1 was also measured. Results: C5ΑR1 expression was increased in HBV-positive hepatoma cells. Dependent on HBc, HBV enhanced the expression of C5ΑR1 at the mRNA and protein levels. Besides, HBc could promote C5ΑR1 expression via the NF-κB pathway. Based on the C5ΑR1, HBc facilitated the activation of JNK and ERK pathways and the expression and secretion of interleukin-6 in hepatoma cells. Furthermore, C5ΑR1 was responsible for enhancing the growth and migration of hepatoma cells mediated by HBc. Except these, C5α could promote the malignant development of HBc-positive HCC via C5AR1. Conclusion We provide new insight into the mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis mediated by HBc. C5ΑR1 has a significant role in the functional abnormality of hepatoma cells mediated by HBc, and might be utilized as a potential therapeutic target for HBV-related HCC.