Objective To study the clinical results of the short-arm cast immobilization leaving all the metacarpophalangeal joints free in the management of the delayed/nonunion of scaphoid fracture. Methods From August 1999 to January 2008, 18 cases of delayed/nonunion of scaphoid fracture were studied, including 2 cases with avascular necrosis in the proximal fragment and 2 cases with partial sclerosis. The average time from the injury was 6.3 months (range 2～12 months). The wrist was immobilized with a short-arm cast (from 5 cm below the elbow to the middle palmar crease), leaving all the metacarpophalangeal joints free until the fracture showed radiological signs of union. The wrist was fixed in 10 degrees of dorsiflexion and 20 degrees of ulnar deviation. All cases were reviewed every one or two months, and the cast should be changed if loose. Union of fracture was determined by plain radiograph. Results Union rate confirmed by plain radiograph was 88.9%(16 of 18) and average duration of cast was 4.7 months (range 3～8 months). Two cases with avascular necrosis in the proximal fragment achieved union after 5 and 6 months immobilization respectively. Of two failure cases of nonunion, one with partial sclerosis was immobilized for 5 months without signs of union and the other abandoned treatment after 2 months immobilization. Fourteen of the sixteen healed cases were followed up(with average of 9.3 months )after cast removal. Four cases were reported of 10 degrees dorsiflexion limitation of the wrist and three cases complained of mild pain during movement. Conclusion The delayed/nonunion of scaphoid fracture within 1 year after injury and without obvious sclerosis could achieve union with the short-arm cast immobilization leaving all the metacarpophalangeal joints free. The delayed/nonunion of scaphoid fracture with avascular necrosis in the proximal fragment need long term immobilization and also had chance of union.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of moxibustion plus acupoint application of Chinese herbal medicine in preventing and treating gastrointestinal reactions during chemotherapy for breast cancer. Method One hundred patients with breast cancer of stomach deficiency cold type were randomly allocated to two groups. The treatment group received moxibustion plus acupoint application of Chinese herbal medicine based on conventional treatment of western medicine and the control group, conventional treatment of Western medicine. Result Comparison of nausea and vomiting incidences and severities from the beginning day of chemotherapy to three days after it and constipation incidences and severities during three days after chemotherapy between the two groups of patients showed that the results were better in the treatment group than in the control group;there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion plus acupoint application of Chinese herbal medicine can effectively prevent and treat gastrointestinal reactions during chemotherapy for breast cancer. The method is convenient.

Objective The study is to investigate the effect of tanshinone on lung reperfusion injury. Methods 24 New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, the lungs were perfused and preserved with LPD solution, the other with LPD+ tanshinone solution. The isolated lungs were preserved for 18 hours and then reperfused with rewarming whole blood. After reperfusing 30 minutes the lung samples were examined by pathology, wet/dry weight and measure of NO, SOD and MDA. Results In two groups, the reperfusion injury lungs were fresh, but had partial congestion, edema and ecchymoma under naked eye, under light microscopy the structures of the pulmonary vesiculars, branchia and capillaries were complete, but the epithelial cells of the vesicles and capillaries in the LPD group were more swelling and hypertrophy than that in LPD+ tanshinone group. The wet/dry weight ratio was significantly lower in LPD+ tanshinone group than in the LPD group. NO [(2.16±2.15)μmol/g] and SOD [(37.03±18.01NU/mg] were higher in the LPD+ tanshinone group than in the LPD group [(0.68±0.33) μmol/g, (17.63±11.04)NU/mg] (all P<0.05), MDA was lower in the LPD+ tanshinone group [(0.47±0.20)μmol/mg] than in the LPD group [(0.86±0.44)μmol/mg] (P<0.05). Conclusions Tanshinone can dean oxygen free radical and is of stronger antioxidation, results in alleriating of lung reperfusing injury. Tanshinone has positive effect on preservative quality of the reperfusion injury lung.

The cases were randomly divided into 2 groups,each32 cases.The results were:for the Chinese druggroup.13 cases were markedly effective,15 Cases withrather good effect,2 cases improved.2 cases ineffec-tive.For the control group,the figures were 5,13,11,3 respectively.The total effective rate was similar forthe 2 groups,but the markedly effective rate for theformer is higher thanthe latter (P

Interleukin 24(IL 24),also called the melanoma differentiation associated gene 7(MDA 7),is stably expressed in human tissues associated with the immune system such as the spleen,thymus,peripheral blood leukocytes and normal melanocytes. IL 24 binds to IL 20 and IL 22 receptor complexes(IL 22R1/IL 20R2 and IL 20R1/IL 20R2),and induces secretion of high levels of IL 6,TNF alpha,and IFN gamma and low levels of IL 1beta,IL 12,and GM CSF from human PBMC. Adenoviral IL 24(Ad IL 24) induces growth suppression and apoptosis selectively in diverse human cancers and tumor cell lines without producing any apparent harmful effect in normal cells. The effects of Ad IL 24 are associated to the ratio of pro apoptotic(BAX,BAK) to anti apoptotic(Bcl 2) proteins,and the up regulation of p38 MAPK and a family of growth arrest and DNA damage(GADD) inducible genes. These demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of Ad IL 24 in human cancer.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation in intervening early-stage swelling limb after breast cancer operation.Method A hundred patients undergone radical mastectomy for breast cancer were divided into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by ordinary post-operative nursing, while the treatment group was additionally given transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation. By measuring the circumference of both upper arms, the incidence rate and degree of swelling arm in 2 weeks after operation were compared, meanwhile, the accompanied symptoms such as tightness of skin, pain in upper limb, numbness in upper limb, and heaviness of upper limb were observed.Result The occurrence rate of abnormal upper-limb sensations was 22.0% in the treatment group versus 84.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The occurrence rate of upper-limb swelling was 4.0% in the treatment group, versus 24.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation can effectively prevent and release the early-stage upper-limb swelling after breast cancer surgery.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation in intervening constipation during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.Method Ninety breast cancer patients undergone chemotherapy were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 45 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by conventional nursing care, while the treatment group was additionally intervened by transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation. The clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group versus 73.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01).Conclusion Transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation can effectively inhibit the incidence of constipation during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the possible role of potassium channel in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). METHODS: Fresh human lung tissues were obtained from the Division of Chest Surgery to establish a human model of HPV in vitro. Three groups, control group, COPD group and COPD plus chronic hypoxia group were divided. Human isolated pulmonary artery rings and specific blocking agent corresponding to K_V, K_ Ca, K_ ATP were used to investigate the possible role of the potassium channel in HPV. RESULTS: (1) In acute hypoxia, the vascular ring tension in three groups all increased (P

AIM To study the effects of strophanthidin (Str) on cardiac function and Na +,K +-ATPase activity in isolated guinea pig heart failure model. METHODS Langendorff isolated heart failure models made by perfusing heart with K-H solution containing sodium pentobarbital. Eight-channel physiological recording instrument was used to determine cardiac function. Colorimetry method was used to determine cardiac sarcolemmal Na +,K +-ATPase activity. RESULTS Str increased the heart rate, left ventricular systolic pressure and the maximum rise or decline rate of left ventricular pressure in a concentration-dependent manner at 1?10 -9～1?10 -7 mol?L -1. But Str caused first a rise, then a reduction of contractility and arrhythmia accompanied by inhibition of Na +,K +-ATPase when the concentration of Str was higher than 1?10 -6 mol?L -1. Str had no obvious effect on Na +,K +-ATPase activity at 1?10 -7 mol?L -1, but increased cardiac activity at 1?10 -10～1?10 -8 mol?L -1. CONCLUSION The inotropic effect and heart toxicity of Str at higher concentration is due to inhibition of Na +,K +-ATPase, but the inotropic effect of Str at lower concentration is not the result of inhibition of Na +,K +-ATPase activity.

Objective To establish a method for the fake indentification of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal wines by TLC and GC. Methods The column was Supelco SE-30 (30 m?0.25 mm?0.25 ?m). The flow rate was 1.4 mL/min, and gas was N2. The inlets temperature was 210 ℃;the detectors temperature was 300 ℃;the column temperature use program rising temperature. Results TLC can identify whether ephedra and erycibe were contained in the medicinal wines. GC can identify whether diclofenac sodium was contained in the medicinal wines. Conclusion The method is accurate and reproducible, and can be used for the identification of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal wines.