Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis

AIM:To observe the changes in serum cytokines in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH) following Shenshi Tongluo therapy(discharging damp and dredging collaterals).METHODS:①Forty-three patients with LDH(cold-damp arthralgia type) were selected from Wangjing Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from February to December 2005,and randomly divided into experimental group(n =22) and control group(n =21).The informed consent was obtained from all subjects.Meanwhile,30 healthy volunteers were selected as controls.②The patients in the experimental group orally took modified Semen Coicis decoction(Semen Coicis,eucommia bark,Radix dipsaci,cocculi,Chinese clematis root,caulis millettiae,angelica root,achyranthis,and paeoniae radix) according to Shenshi Tongluo therapy,one dose daily for 4 weeks.The patients in control group took Yaotong Ning capsule,4 pills per day,once daily for 4 weeks.③ Contents of serum interleukin-1 ?(IL-1?),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) in patients were detected using radioimmunoassay before and after treatment.Clinical outcome was evaluated using visual analog scale(VAS) and assessment criteria for low lumbar pain of Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA).RESULTS:①Contents of serum IL-1?,IL-6,and TNF-? in patients were higher than healthy people(P

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of MRI in the diagnosis of cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV).MethodsPlain MRI,dynamic enhanced and (or) dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(DCE-MRA) findings in 30 patients of clinical-proved CTPV were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsAmong 30 CTPV patients on plain MRI,obliteration of main and (or) branched portal vein were found,and mass-like or reticular abnormal soft-tissue signals were around the vein,which were produced by collateral vessels.On dynamic enhanced MRI,abnormal hepatic perfusion during arterial phase and abnormal enhanced collateral veins during portal phase could be seen.The above signs became more obvious on DCE-MRA.ConclusionsMRI and DCE-MRA can clearly visualize the anatomical features of CTPV.It is important and can provide the reliable evidence for planning properly therapeutic protocol to recognize and directly evaluate the CTPV.

Objective To describe the MRI features and pathologic findings of biliary cystadenocarcinoma(BCAC)and to assess the diagnostic value of MRI in those tumors.Methods Five cases of BCAC were collected.All cases were proved by pathology.Non-enhanced and multiphase-enhanced MRI were performed in all cases.MRCP were performed in two cases.The MRI features of the five cases were reviewed retrospectively and correlated with pathologic findings.Results Histological evidence demonstrated five cases of BCAC.Four cases were solitary,whereas the other case was multifocal.All cases were solid and cystic lesions.Two cases were unilocular,whereas the other three cases were multilocular. Multiple mural nodules and irregular thickening cystic walls were presented in all cases.The cystic parts of the lesions were homogeneous in signal intensity and showed no enhancement after contrast administration in the five BCAC.Septa were present in three BCAC with multilocular cyst.On MRCP the bile duct dilatation was found in two BCAC.Conclusion MRI can reveal the characteristic findings of BCAC and accurate preoperative diagnosis can be made.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from Centella asiatica.

METHODChemical constituents were isolated by repeated column chromatography (Toyopearl HW-40C and HPLC) and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic method.

RESULTFive compounds were identified as: docosyl ferulates (1), bayogenin (2), 3beta-6beta-23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 3beta-6beta-23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (4), D-gulonic acid (5).

CONCLUSIONAll of the Compounds were isolated for the first time from C. asiatica.

Centella ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Coumaric Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVEA HPLC-ELSD method was established for the simultaneous quantitative determination of asiaticoside in Centella asiatica extract.

METHODThe column was packed with 5 m HIQ C18 stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water, eluted in gradient mode. The temperature of drift tube was 105 degrees C and the nebulizer nitrogen flow rate was 2.9 L min(-1).

RESULTThe linear ranges of the asiaticoside were 0.35-7.0 microg. The recovery of the asiaticoside in C. asiatica extract was 94.9% (RSD 1.7%).

CONCLUSIONThe method is reliable, simple, precise and could be used for the quality control of C. asiatica extract.

Centella ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Light ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Scattering, Radiation ; Triterpenes ; analysis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo present a method of quantitative diagnosis of craniofacial skeleton deformities based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT).

METHODS20 cases with facial asymmetric deformities underwent 3D CT and the 3D images were reconstructed by Mimics 10.0 (Belgium). Anatomical landmarks were located and the coordinate of the landmarks obtained. Axial images of 1 patient with Romberg disease was used as representative case. The differences in the distance between the right landmarks and the left were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe measurement results were not significantly different between two stages with an interval of 4 weeks ( P > 0.05), showing a reproducible resutls. The deviation of landmarks at facial midline increased gradually from upward to downward, reaching (2.63 +/- 0.54) mm at menton point. Paired landmarks showed asymmetry in three dimensions, especially gonion point on the left side, which was deviated 10.21 mm inward, 9.26 mm forward, 6.30 mm upward, compared to the opposite side.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of 3D CT quantitative analysis can provide precise information in the diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry deformity.

Anatomic Landmarks ; diagnostic imaging ; Cephalometry ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Facial Asymmetry ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

The applications of targeting gene delivery systems in tumor therapy have attracted extensive attention of researchers in recent years, as they can selectively deliver the therapeutic gene to tumor sites, improve the success rate of gene therapy and reduce the side effects. Therefore, design and development of novel gene delivery vehicles have been a hot area of current research. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to migrate towards and engraft into the tumor sites. Therefore, these properties make them a great hope for efficient targeted-delivery vehicles in cancer gene therapy. In this review, we examine the promising of utilization of MSCs as a targeted-delivery vehicle for cancer gene therapy, and summarize various challenges and concerns regarding this therapy.
Animals ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; Drug Carriers ; Gene Targeting ; methods ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

A2B adenosine receptor is involved in the control of mast cell degranulation, interleukin-8 synthesis and cell growth. A2B adenosine receptor antagonists may serve as novel drugs for asthma, Alzheimer' s disease, cystic fibrosis and type-II diabetes. Therefore, seeking for the highly selective A2B adenosine receptor antagonists has been one of great interest. The molecular basis, structure-activity relationship of selective A2B adenosine receptor antagonists and their interactions with A2B adenosine receptor were reviewed.
Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists ; Adenosine A3 Receptor Antagonists ; Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide) ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Xanthines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate and establish a risk assessment indicator system of infectious disease event for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and to assess the risk of infectious disease epidemic on 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, as to offering scientific bases for security public health of Olympic Games.

METHODSRisk assessment subject discussion group was constituted to collect all sorts of data of infectious disease and the risk assessment and synthesis were analyzed. Then the expert's opinions were consulted to confirm the entered indicators and the judged content of indicators.

RESULTSA preliminary risk assessment indicator system of infectious disease events of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was established. The system mainly include six first level indicators and twenty judge indicators altogether.

CONCLUSIONSThe risk assessment indicators system of infectious disease event for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games should be considered as all the risk factors and general application characteristics. It might be used in any security procedure of important function and risk management.

Anniversaries and Special Events ; China ; Communicable Disease Control ; Humans ; Public Health ; Public Health Administration ; Risk Assessment ; Sports