OBJECTIVE: To establish quality standards of Liuwei gancao pills. METHODS: TLC method was adopted for qualitative identification of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in prescription. The content of liquiritoside was detected by HPLC. RESULTS: TLC spot was separated well and clear; the linear range of liquiritoside was 4.024 0～24.144 0 ?g?mL-1(r=0.999 7) with an average recovery of 98.3%(RSD=0.96%,n=6); the content of G. uralensis in each pill was not less than 2.8 mg by the content of liquiritoside. CONCLUSION: Established quality standards can be used for the quality control of Liuwei gancao pills.

Objective To investigate the variation of coagulation parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with microvascular complication. Methods Coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were measured in 40 healthy controls (control group) and 80 T2DM patients (T2DM group) with (47 patients) and without (33 patients) microvasular complications. Results Compared with those in control group, the serum levels of fibrinogenand D-D dimmersin in T2DM group were found to be increased significantly:(4.29±1.70) mg/L vs. (3.12±0.49) mg/L, 0.395 (0.265-0.910) mg/L vs. 0.215 (0.163-0.300) mg/L, P<0.05;while the activity of antithrombin III and protein S levels were significantly decreased in T2DM group:(94.11±25.04)%vs. (103.90±12.48)%,(70.23±23.22)%vs. (90.35±17.35)%, P<0.05. Amongst the T2DM patients, the serum levels of APTT, fibrinogen,D-D dimmers, and the activity of protein S in patients with microvascular complication were found to be significantly higher than those in patients without microvascular complication:(38.09±5.73) s vs. (34.53±4.13) s,(4.60±1.93) mg/L vs.(3.86±1.21) mg/L, 0.630(0.320-1.200) mg/L vs 0.310(0.240-0.405) mg/L, (79.4± 22.16)%vs. (57.15±18.05)%, P<0.05. Conclusion Hypercoagulable state and decreased anti-coagulation ability may contribute to the risk of development of microvascular complication in T2DM patients.

Objective To investigate value of peripheral NLR and PLR for the survival of patients with primary gastric cancer.Methods The clinical data of 132 primary gastric cancer patients and 30 healthy controls were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier, Log-rank test and multivariate COX regression.Results NLR, PLR levels of the case group were significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (t=6.67, P=0.000;t=13.23, P=0.000); the higher the age, the greater tumor diameter, the higher the degree of differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and not be treated with surgery, NLR and PLR could increase (P<0.05);NLR and PLR showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.3164, P=0.0002);survival time of low NLR group was (57.59 ±2.23) months and high NLR group was (35.22 ±3.09) months(P<0.05);survival time of low PLR group was (54.09 ±2.66) months and high PLR group was (35.22 ±2.75 ) months(P<0.05);age, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and NLR, PLR levels were independent factors for the overall survival in patients with gastric cancer ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion NLR and PLR of gastric cancer patients increase significantly and are closely related to tumor size, metastasis, clinical stage, and the deterioration, which showes some predictive value for the survival prognosis of the patients.

OBJECTIVE:To study the judgment method of allergens in TCM decoction.METHODS:Judgment methods and thinking of suspected drugs in TCM decoction were summarized by analyzing clinical case and the literatures.RESULTS:The allergens in the TCM decoction can be found out using prescription analysis and patch test.Bioresonance system also can be applied to detect and analyze allergens in TCM decoction.CONCLUSION:TCM decoction can cause allergic reaction,and the allergens can be identified by comprehensive methods.

Objective To observe the effects of cystamine, a tissue transglutaminase (tTG) inhibitor, on the development of rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. Methods One hundred male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=20), hepatic fibrosis group (n=40) and cystamine group (n=40) . Liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. Cystamine (112 mg·kg-1·d-1) was administered by intraperitoneal injection 2 days before injection of carbon tetrachloride. The rats were sacrificed at weeks 4 and 8, and the liver tissues and serum specimens were obtained. The mRNA expression of tTG, smooth muscle-alpha (α-SMA), collagen-Ⅰ and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were detected by real time PCR. The protein expression of tTG and α-SMA, liver function and content of hydroxyproline in liver tissues were determined by Western blot. Histological changes of the liver was observed under microscope. The fibrosis conditions of rat liver in each group were evaluated according to the semi-quantita-tive scoring system. All the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results Eight weeks after the injection of carbon tetrachloride, obvious injury of the liver in liver fibrosis group was observed. The levels of alanine trans-aminase (ALT), total bile acid, total bilirubin, hydroxyproline, tTG, α-SMA, collagen-Ⅰ and TIMP-1 were (1313±157)U/L, (99.9±18.5)μmol/L, (10.9±1.6)μmoL/L, (55±12)μg/g, 145.6±51.2, 130.3±44.6, 211.3±75.1 and 162.4±53.5. After administration of cystamine, the levels of ALT, total bile acid, total bilirubin, hydroxyproline, tTG, α-SMA, collagen-Ⅰ and TIMP-1 were (378±87) U/L, (61.0±12.7) μmol/L, (9.8±1.7) μmol/L, (70±14 ) μg/g, 48.6±12.3, 40.7±12.3, 63.9±16.0, 59.2μ23.4. Conclusion Cystamine can alleviate the carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the tTG pathway.

Objective To investigate the anti-fibrosis effect of a 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO)specific inhibitor AA-861 on liver fibrosis. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride(CCI4).AA-861(0.2 mg/100 g/d)was administrated by intraperitoneal injection starting 2 days before the first dosage of CCI4 and rats were killed at weeks 2,4,and 6.Liver specimens were obtained from each animal and fixed with 4%formaldehyde for histological analysis. The Mrna expression of 5-LO,smooth muscle-alpha(α-SMA),Collagen-1,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1),the protein expression of 5-LO were evaluated by real time PCR and Western blot respectively. Histological analysis was performed by microscopy observation. Fibrosis conditions in rat liver in each group were evaluated according to the semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS), Hyp in rat livers and the hepatic functional biochemistry were also detected. Results Along with the aggravation of liver fibrosis, the gene expression of 5-Lo,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2 and TIMP-1 increased gradually, and the level of ALT, TBA, Hyp and SSS score also increased gradually. With the administration of AA-861,the Mrna expression of 5-LO,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2,TIMP-1 and the protein expression of 5-LO decreased remarkably, and the reduction in TIMP-1 Mrna expression was more significant than that in MMP-2.Six weeks after AA-861 treatment, the level of ALT, TBA, Hyp and SSS score were also decreased significantly. Conclusion AA-861 ameliorates CCI4 induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the 5-LO pathway and decreasing the expression of 5-LO,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2 and TIMP-1.

Objective ToinvestigatethefeasibilityofspectralvirtualnonGcontrast(VNC)takingtheplaceoftruenonGcontrast (TNC)inthyroiddiseases.Methods CTimagesof30patientswiththyroiddiseasewerecollected,includingTNC,spectraldualGphase contrastandconventionaldelayedcontrastimaging.36lesionswithcorrespondingsurgeryandpathologicalconditionswereselected forretrospectiveanalysis.Theradiationdose,imagequality,meanCTvalues,SNRanddiagnosticefficacybetweenTNCand VNC werecompared.Results Theeffectivedose(ED)andtotaldoseGlengthproduct(DLP)ofthespectraldualGphasecontrastscanswere bothsignificantlylowerthanthoseofTNCincombinationwithconventionaldualGphasecontrast(P＜0.05).Thesubjectivequality scoreofVNCwasslightlylowerthanthatofTNC (P＜0.05),howeveritwasacceptableforradiologistwithascoreabove3.The SNRofVNCimageswassignificantlylowerthanthatofTNC (P＜0.05).The meanCTvaluesofVNCimageswerelowerthan thoseofTNCimagesbutwithoutasignificantdifference(P＞0.05).TheabilityofVNCtodelineatenecrosis,calcification,andlymph nodemetastasisinthelesionwasconsistentwithTNC (k＞0.75).Conclusion TheimagequalityofVNCissatisfiedinthediagnosis ofthyroiddiseases.VNChassimilardiagnosticefficacytoTNCwitheffectivelyreducdingradiationdose,whichisapromisingclinical application.

Background Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an active regulator of intraocular pressure.The ET-1 level in aqueous humor is elevated in primary open-angle glaucoma,normal intraocular tension glaucoma and the animal model of glaucoma.There is now accumulating evidence for a role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.However,the effect of ET-1 on the phagocytic function in trabecular meshwork cells (TMCs) is unclear.ObjectiveThis study is to observe the effect of ET-1 on the phagocytic function in cultured human TMCs.Methods Human trabecular meshwork tissue was obtained from healthy donator and cultured and subcultured in vitro by the explant culture method.The third passage of human TMCs were incubated with fluoresent red-labeled latex beads for 0,4,8,12,24,48 and 72 hours.The phagocytic kinetics of human TMCs were continuously evaluated by counting the number of latex beads in TMCs using a fluorescence microscope.Depending on the concentrations of ET-1 in culture medium,the TMCs were divided into control group (without ET-1),low-dose ET-1 (10~(-9)mol/L) treatment group,middle-dose ET-1 (10~(-8)mol/L) treatment group and high-dose ET-1 (10~(-7) mol/L) treatment group.In addition,based on the addition of endothelin receptor (ETAR) antagonist,the TMCs were divided into control group (without ETAR antagonist),ET-1 (10~(-8)mol/L) treatment group,ETAR antagonist (1×10~(-7)mol/L BQ123+10~(-8)mol/L ET-1) treatment group and ETBR antagonist(1×10~(-7) mol/L BQ788+10~(-8) mol/L ET-1)treatment group.TMCs of each group were incubated with latex beads,and the numbers of latex beads in TMCs were counted under a fluorescent microscope.Results Cultured HTM cells showed positive reactions for FN,LN,NSE and negative response for FⅧRag.The phagocytic kinetics test revealed that the latex beads were detected 4 hours after incubation.The density of latex beads was gradually increased with the delay of incubation duration and peaked at 24 hours.The number of the latex beads saturated after 48 hours of incubation.However,the number of latex beads in TMCs was significantly reduced after the addition of ET-1 in a dose-dependent manner (F=28.91,P＜0.05).The number of latex beads in the ET-1 group was less than that in the control group and the ETAR receptor antagonist group (q=13.7228,q=9.4312,P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in latex beads number between the ET-1 group and the ETBR antagonist group (q=1.1600,P＞0.05).Conclusion ET-1 inhibits the phagocytic function of human TMCs and ETAR plays a partial role in the phagocytic function of human TMCs.

OBJECTIVETo assess the outcome of large facial defect reconstruction with "partition" pre-expanded cervico-scapulo-dorsal flaps (CSDF) based on the superficial cervical artery (SCA).

METHODSSurgical course consisted of 3 stages. In stage I, a skin flap was designed along the axis of SCA according to the facial defect and an expander was implanted in the cervico-scapulo-dorsal region by means of "partition" expansion. The expanders were implanted beside the flap axis and beneath the posterior half of flaps so as to expand only half area of the flap. During the stage II, expanders were injected with saline regularly for continuous expansion. In stage III, the pre-expanded CSDFs were transferred to cover the facial defect of which the CSDFs included about half of non-expanded area.

RESULTSFrom November of 2008 to December of 2013, 15 patients with facial hypertrophic scar or scar contracture were reconstructed with pre-expanded CSDF based on the SCA. The expansion lasted for 3 to 4 months, and the expanded volume varied from 680 to 960 ml. One case of 4.0 cm x 1.5 cm epidermal flap necrosis occurred and healed subsequently with superficial scar; and another case of blister formation in the distal part of flap was found, which recovered without scar; the other 13 flaps survived without complications. After a follow-up for 12 to 38 months( average 26. 2 months), patients regained satisfactory appearance of face, with no obvious hypertrophic scar in the donor site.

CONCLUSIONSPartition preexpanded CSDF based on the SCA is a good choice for large facial defect reconstruction, and the partition expansion is an effective strategy for prevention of venous congestion.

Arteries ; Back ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; surgery ; Face ; blood supply ; surgery ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; prevention & control ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Tissue Expansion

Objective To investigate the effects of glutamate receptor signaling on melanoma cell dendrite morphology and cytoskeleton protein. Methods A metastatic human malignant melanoma cell line WM451LU was cultured and transfected by recombinant adenovirus vector carrying a cDNA encoding microtubule-associated protein 2a (MAP2a). MK-801, an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), and CPCCOEt, an antagonist of metabotropie glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), were used to treat transfected or untrausfeeted WM451LU cells. Confocal microscopy and three dimensional atomic force microscopy were used to assess subcellular location of NMDAR2A, mGluR1 and MAP2a as well as the dis-tribution of α-tubulin in and dendrite morphology of WM451LU cells. The proliferation of WM451LU cells was estimated by cell survival growth curve. Results Confocal laser microscopy revealed that NMDAR2A, mGluRl and MAP2a were mainly co-localized in melanoma cell dendrites. Both MK-801 and CPCCOEt increased the density of microtubules in cell dendrites and dendritic branching of WM451LU cells, and both effects of MK-801 and CPCCOEt were enhanced by the expression of MAP2a. Furthermore, the proliferation of WM451LU cells was significantly inhibited by MK-801 of 100 μmol/L and CPCCOEt of 10 μmol/L. Conclusions In melanoma cells, glutamate receptors may participate in the development of dendrites, and anta- gonists of glutamate receptors could inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells.