Object To provide a basis for the identification and development of Echinacea angustifolia DC Methods Pharmacognostical studies were carried out by phytotomy, macroscopic and microscopic analysis Results Detailed description of its pharmacognostical characteristics were accomplished and described Conclusion The results can be used for quality standardization of commercial product of E angustifolia

Objective To investigate the expression of nuclear factor-kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65)and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)protein in the brain tissues of 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats with cerebral hypoxia-ischemia encephalopathy (HIE) and to explore the role of TLR4 and NF-κBp65 in the pathogenesis of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.Methods Seven-day SD rats were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group.Brain pathological changes were observed in light microscopy at 6 h、12 h、24 h、72 h、7 d after HIE.The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp65 in brain tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry method.Results NF-κBp65 and TLR4 were expressed in the neuron and microglia of control group and experimental group.The expression were most significant at cerebral cortex and hippocamp.However,the expression of NF-κBp65and TLR4 began to increase at HIE 6h:NF-κBp65 (0.219 3 ± 0.024 7,0.215 7 ±0.030 4)and TLR4(0.327 1 ±0.033 3,0.303 9 ±0.037 9),and achieved the hightest at HIE 24h:NF-κBp65 (0.3564±0.0235,0.3365 ±0.023 2)and TLR4(0.434 2 ±0.0428,0.4193 ±0.041 3),then decreased at HIE 72 h:NF-κBp65 (0.289 2 ± 0.032 0,0.260 9 ± 0.021 2) and TLR4 (0.300 5 ± 0.020 9,0.282 0 ± 0.022 6),and HIE 7 d:NF-κBp65(0.247 9 ±0.0340,0.242 1 ±0.025 4) and TLR4(0.274 4 ±0.0288,0.257 1 ±0.027 5).Conclusion There is a positive correlation between NF-κBp65 and TLR4 in rats with HIE.It suggested that they may have the same pathophysiology development in HIE.

Objective To compare influences of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) on the inflammatory factors and immune functions in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Methods Totally 85 patients who were treated in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province People's Hospital, and Taiyuan Central Hospital from April, 2006 to April, 2010 were enrolled in this study and divided into EN group (n = 49) and PN group (n = 36) according to nutrition support modes. The changes of inflammatory factors and immune functions after nutritional supports were recorded and compared between these two groups. Results The weight, arm circumference, skin fold thickness of brachial triceps, total protein, and serum albumin were significantly improved on the 7th and 14th day after nutrition supports in both two groups compared with the baseline levels (all P ＜ 0.05). On the 14th day after nutritional support, the levels of total protein and serum albumin were significantly higher in EN group than in PN group. On the 7th and 14th day, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-1β in EN group were significantly lower than those in PN group and baseline levels (all P ＜ 0. 05). The blood CD4/CD8 and IgG in EN group were significantly increased compared with the baseline levels and those in PN group (both P ＜0. 05). Conclusions Both PN and EN can effectively improve the nutritional status of patients with SIRS. EN has superior effectiveness in EN group than in PN group in terms of improving nutritional status, ameliorating immune function, and reducing the release of inflammatory factors.

Objective To propose a novel computer-aided segment algorithm, and retrospectively investigate its effect on radiologist's sensitivity and specificity for discriminating malignant masses from benign masses basing on ultrasound images. Methods Four hundred and sixty-six images of 100 masses obtained by conventional ultrasound were processed by a novel segment algorithm. Radiologists who were blind to the histology results were invited to analyse the original and computerized images respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated by means of a binary outcome using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis. Results By using the segment algorithm, the quantity of the image was obviously improved, especially the margin and calcification of the masses. The diagnostic performance of the radiologists was also improved. The sensitivity rose from 70.32% to 90.52% while the specificity was 74.31%. The area under the ROC curve increased significantly (P<0.01) from 80.8% to 90.5%. Conclusions The proposed segmentation algorithm can improve the diagnosis performance of the radiologists by meliorating the quality of the ultrasound image.

BACKGROUNDTo provide a simple, specific and early serodiagnostic technique for the patients with aseptic meningitis caused by echovirus.

METHODSAn indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to detect echovirus-IgM and the specificity and availability of the assay were also examined.

RESULTSIn 78 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens which came from the children with aseptic meningitis, the positive rate was 17.9(14/78). In 64 CSF collected from non-aseptic meningitis (bacterial meningitis and cerebral trauma), the positive rate was 1.56(1/64). In 5 CSF specimens which were ELISA positive, the positive rate of neutralization test (NT) was 4/5, all the specimens which were ELISA negative were NT negative. In this assay there was no cross-reaction with poliovirus, Coxsackie virus B type 1-6 and A type 7. By blocking and destructive test of specific IgM, all CSF specimens with ELISA positive became negative.

CONCLUSIONSThe established indirect ELISA was specific and reliable. The te st was quick, simple and available, which is suitable for early and specific clinical diagnosis, and will be greatly significant to clinical treatment.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; diagnosis ; virology

Echinacea is a most famous "immune herb" in western countries, and continues to be the best selling herb for many years. For the last five years, our research group has cooperated with Institute of Medicinal Plants in Huairou District of Beijing, carrying out studies on Echinacea purpurea, which involved botany, cultivation, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacology and toxicology of the species. Two other species introduced from Canada, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida, were also included in the taxonomic, cultivated and pharmacognostic studies. The results acquired have opened up the path to introduce Echinacea species into Traditional Chinese Medicine, thus established the possibility of developing more promising drugs from them.

Objective To investigate and assess the current situations on information management of rehabilitation service in Shanghai. Methods The information management in 6 districts in Shanghai were assessed in field, the fulfilling of the first- and second-degree index and the standard-reaching rate of the third-degree index were calculated separately according to the first-degree index- information management of the Evaluation Index System of Rehabilitation Service for All Disabled in Shanghai. Results The average fulfilling degree of the first-degree index was 73.1%. There were only 2 districts reached the standard of Registration of Rehabilitation. The average fulfilling degrees of the Development and Dynamic Maintenance of Rehabilitation Service Information Database were 50.0% and 66.7%, respectively. The standard-reaching rate of the Disabled Children First-diagnose Report System, Effectual Providing Referral Rehabilitation Service Across-the-board, Suspicious Disabled Persons Report System in Community were 16.7%, 16.7% and 50%, respectively. Conclusion The development and supervision of rehabilitation service information should be reinforced and the referral rehabilitation service should be improved.

Objective To investigate and assess the current situations of propagandizing and inculcating rehabilitation information in Shanghai. Methods The propagandizing and inculcating rehabilitation information in 6 districts in Shanghai were assessed in field, the fulfilling of the first- and second-degree index and the standard-reaching rate of the third-degree index were calculated separately according to the first-degree index- propagandizing and inculcating rehabilitation information of the Evaluation Index System of Rehabilitation Service for All Disabled in Shanghai.Results The average fulfilling degree of the first-degree index was 82.3%. There was 1 district reached the standard of Propagandizing Rehabilitation Information by Broadcast, Television, Newspaper, Magazine and Internet; the average fulfilling degrees of the Community Rehabilitation Function for the Disabled and the Community School Propagandizes and Inculcates the Rehabilitation Information for the Disabled are 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Conclusion The support from the government could make propagandizing and inculcating rehabilitation information carry out more successfully; utilizing the media adequately is important; propagandizing and inculcating rehabilitation information must be strengthened in community.

This paper introduced the project of "the Study on the Evaluation Index System of Rehabilitation Service for All Disabled in Shanghai" in brief, including research background, objectives, researching objects and sampling. The project aimed at constructing the evaluation index system of rehabilitation service for all disabled in Shanghai. According to the research purpose, the persons with disability in 19 regions (or counties) and 2 towns were investigated with 12 consultation conference and 3 Delphi's surveys to find out the rehabilitation demand and service. The Evaluation Index System of Rehabilitation Service for All Disabled in Shanghai that finally comes into being includes 8 first-degree index, 32 second-degree index and 100 third-degree index.