OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of the ethanol extract of Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae on acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: 48 NIH male mice were randomized into blank group (normal saline), model group (normal saline), dexamethasone acetate group (0.005 g?kg-1), ethanol extract of Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae groups (high-dosage of 10 g?kg-1, medium dosage of 5 g?kg-1 and low dosage of 2.5 g?kg-1). The groups were administered via i.g gtt once a day for five days. ALI model was induced by intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2.5 mg?kg-1) after last treatment. ELISA method was applied to determine the content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and cycloxygenase-2(COX-2) at 24 h after modeling. RESULTS: As compared with model group, the content of PGE2 and COX-2 in ethanol extract of Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae groups were decreased significantly (P

Objective To assess the radial systolic function of left ventricle(LV) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) by velocity vector imaging(VVI).Methods Sixteen patients with DCM and twenty control subjects were detected by VVI.VVI data were collected from the six basal segments and six mid segments in parastenal LV short axis views.The radial systolic velocity(V) ,strain(ε) ,strain rate(SR),the time to peak systolic velocity(PTV) and the time to maximum strain(PTε) were measured with special software.The differene of the earliest and the latest time to peak velocity(T-max) and the standard deviation of time to peak velocity(T-SD) of 12 segments were calculated.Results Compared to the controlled group,patients with DCM had significantly lower radial V,ε and SR (P ＜0.01) in all the 12 segments,significantly longer PTV and PTε (P ＜ 0.05) in most segments, and significantly larger T-max and T-SD (P ＜0.05).Conclusions VVI is useful to assess the abnormalities in LV radial movement in patients with DCM and could provide more information about regional cardiac function.

Amyloidosis ; classification ; diagnosis ; Cardiomyopathies ; classification ; diagnosis ; Humans

Objective To investigate the anti- inflammatory and analgesic a ctions of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (HGWD) and its compositions and to study its rule of compatibility.Methods Analgesic action of HGWD and its compositio ns were observed by hot- plate method and acetic- acid- induced body twist me thod. Anti- inflammatory action of HGWD and its compositions were observed on t he models of xylene- induced auricular swelling in mice, celiac capillary perme ability in mice, cotton- induced granuloma in rats, albumem- induced arthritis and adjuvant arthritis in rats.Results HGWD and its drug pairs could inhibit the acute inflammation induced by albumen and xylene and rat adjuvant arthriti, decrease the celiac capillary permeability, inhibit the proliferation of granu loma, increase the pain threshold in mice and reduce the frequencies of body tw ist induced by acetic acid.Conclusion HGWD has significant anti- inflammatory and analgesic actions, so does single drug; Radix Astragali alone, but when Ra dix Astragali is used with the other drugs in HGWD, its effect can be enhanced.

Objective To study the risky factors related to postoperative mortality after surgical intervention for intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH).Methods The clinical data of 142 IVH patients aged from 19 to 86 years with 77 male and 65 female were collected from 2007 to 2010 for retrospective analysis with SPSS version 13.0 package.Multi-factorial Logistic regression analysis and mono-factorial x2 analysis were used to find out the risk factors related to post-operative death. Results Of 142 patients,48 (33.8％) died.Mono-factorial analysis demonstrated that the risk factors of death after surgical intervention to IVH were elderly age ( ＞ 65 years),history of hypertension,low GGS score,intra-ventricular diffuse bleeding,preoperative obstructive hydrocephalus and coagulation abnormality,postoperative central high pyrexia and central diabetes insipidus,postoperative hemorrhage of alimentary tract,pulmonary infection,and drainage after operation ≥7 days ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ).Multi-factorial Logistic regression analysis,on the other hand,revealed the independent factors associated with postoperative IVH mortality were postoperative central high fever,preoperative obstructive hydrocephalus (P ＜ 0.01 ); drainage after operation ≥7 days,postoperative pulmonary infection,elderly age,low GCS score,intra-ventricular diffuse bleeding and history of hypertension ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions General condition of patients with IVH and CT findings are likely related to mortality,and active prevention against various complications is the crucial approach to lowering postoperative mortality and improving prognosis.

Objective To observe the effects of CD4~+ CD25~+ regulatory T cells ( CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg) on the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats. Methods CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg of OVA- immune tolerance rats were transferred to asthmatic rats. Then bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and cytology study was conducted. The IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ and OVA-specific serum IgE level in BALF were determined by ELISA. The lung tissue was obtained, and histologieal analysis was done through H. E. Results Total cells number, the percentage of lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF, the IL-4 and IL-5 BALF levels and the OVA-specific serum IgE level of adoptive transfer group were decreased ( P < 0.05 ) , and the percentage of eosinophils ( Eos) was significantly lower than that of asthma group ( P < 0.01) , while its BALF IFN-γ level was higher than that of asthma group( P <0. 05). Compared with that of asthma group, peribronchiole inflammatory of treated group was alleviated. Conclusion CD4 ~+ CD25~+ Treg of OVA- immune tolerance rats transferred to asthmatic rats can significantly alleviate the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats.

Objective To investigate the changes of estrogen receptor expression in mast cells of bronchial mucosa from female asthmatic patients.Methods 12 cases of female asthmatic patients and 9 cases of control female patients were enrolled in this study.The bronchial mucosa was obtained from the third grade bronchial by fiexible bronchofiberscope.Mast cells were marked by anti-mast cell tryptase monoclonal antibody,the expression of estrogen receptor(ER)were detected by anti-human estrogen receptor(ER)monoclonal antibodies.Results Mast cells and estrogen receptor positive cells of bronchial mucosa in female asthmatic patients were significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.01).Coincident with the known features of bronchial asthma,the cells positive for estrogen receptor were morphologically similar to the mast cells.The cells stained for estrogen receptors by dual immunostaining coincided exactly with cells labeled as mast cells.Conclusion The result suggested the estrogen may be involved in the pathogenesis of female asthmatic patient through the changes of estrogen receptor expression in mast cells of bronchial mucosa.

Assessing dry weight accurately is crucial in providing effective and safe haemodialysis. Biases towards dry weight assessment may bring a series of dialysis complications. This study introduces an online detection technique of relative blood volume (RBV) based on ultrasound, which analyzes the correlation between changes in blood density and sound speed. By measuring the attenuation in sound velocity, this method was employed to calculate RBV, and then to evaluate the dry weight of patients on dialysis. TDC-GP2 time measurement chip and MSP430 Single-chip Microcontroller (SCM) were used in the system to measure the ultrasonic travel time. In the clinical trials, RBV values range between 71.3% and 108.1%, showing consistent result with Fresenius 4008S blood volume monitor (BVM). This detection method possesses several advantages, such as real time, convenient, reproducible, non-invasive, and etc.
Blood Volume ; Body Weight ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Renal Dialysis ; Ultrasonics

Objective To investigate mechanisms underlying the prevention of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice by intraperitoneal infusion of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG35-55) (MOG i.p.).Methods C57BL/6 mice were immunized with MOG35-55 to establish the model of EAE and then were intraperitoneally injected daily with MOG35-55 or ovalbumin (OVA, served as control) from day 6 to day 16.EAE was evaluated daily using a general clinical scoring system and histological analysis.Numbers of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and central nervous system (CNS) were detected at different time points.Effects of MOG i.p.on the migration of MOG-T cells in vivo were analyzed by an adoptive transfer experiment.Maturation of splenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and migration of MOG-T cells in vitro were examined by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and a Transwell system, respectively.Results MOG i.p.protected the mice from development of EAE by blocking the lymphocyte recruitment to CNS.More effector T cells were trapped in the periphery of EAE and naive mice in adoptive transfer experiment after MOG i.p.treatment.MOG i.p.induced the maturation of splenic APCs and enhanced the expression of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ (MHCⅡ) molecules.Mature APCs blocked the recruitment of effector T cells to CNS.Conclusion MOG i.p.protects mice from EAE by inducing the maturation of splenic APCs.

Objective To investigate CT findings of concealed rupture of intestine following abdominal trauma.Methods CT findings of 11 cases with concealed rupture of intestine following abdominal trauma proved by surgery were identified retrospectively.Results The main special signs included:(1)Free air in 4 cases,mainly around injured small bowel or under the diaphragnl,or in the retroperhoneal space or and in the lump.(2)High density hematoma between the intestines or in the bowel wall(4 cases).(3)Bowel wall injury sign,demonstrated as low density of the injured intestinal wall,anenuated locally but relatively enhanced in neiighbor wall on enhanced CT.(4)Lump around the injured bowel wall with obvious ring.shaped enhancement(4 cases).Other signs included:(1)Free fluid in the abdominal cavity or between the intestines with blurred borders.(2)Bowel obstruction.Conclusion CT is valuable in diagnosing concealed rupture of intestine following abdominal trauma.