To better understand the formation mechanism of Gastrodia elata traits, the agronomic traits of aboveground tissues and tubers were measured and analyzed in this study. It has shown that the color and thickness of the stems of the 39 samples of the G. elata collected are affected by the germplasm and variation. Clustering analysis of 39 agronomic traits of G. elata was conducted with Ward's method and Euclidean distance. The threshold of 11.0 was divided into three groups, namely hybrid G. elata, G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Simultaneously, the correlation analysis, coefficient of variation analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis of 13 agronomic traits of 105 G. elata tuber samples were carried out. The results showed that the weight of G. elata was significantly positively correlated with tuber length and width. The agronomic traits of tuber were highly variable, and the depth of variability of the scar was the largest and 13 agronomic traits could be divided into 6 types of factors and the contribution up to 89.348%, furthermore, tuber length factor, width and weight factor contributed more than 20%, indicating that it is of great significance for distinguishing G. elata germplasm. Cluster analysis was performed by Ward's method and Euclidean distance, with 8.0 as the threshold can be divided into three categories in the light of the origin of the source, 33 samples from Shanxi and Hubei are clustered into one category, and 19 samples from Yunnan and Guizhou are clustered into one group, and the remaining samples are grouped into one category. This study will provide a basis for the identification and purification of G. elata germplasm and germplasm resources.
China ; Gastrodia ; Phenotype ; Plant Tubers

A questionnaire survey of 1 000 clinicians having experience in treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections from different levels of hospitals was conducted to mainly evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of clinical application of clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine therapy alone or combined with antibiotics for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection(hereinafter referred to as Guideline). The research was conducted with the three-level quality control strictly throughout the process, and the data was real and reliable. The survey's results showed that: most clinicians considered that the Guideline had good clinical applicability. The availability and price of the recommended medicine were moderate. Traditional Chinese medicine had obvious features and advantages in treating lower urinary tract infection for it could reduce the usage of antibiotics and shorten the course of antibiotic application. In the recommendation section, clinicians proposed increasing medication guidance, updating the Guideline timely, as well as increasing treating methods and techniques, strengthen propaganda and promotion, and improve the use of evidence-based methods. In the evaluation of effectiveness, the majority of clinicians agreed that the definition in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine and differential diagnosis in the Guideline were accurately described and the basic principle of treatment as well as the treating method of TCM were recommended appropriately. The TCM formulas and Chinese patent medicine had good effect. Some clinicians suggested refining the syndrome differentiation of stranguria. Some clinicians considered that the formulas and herbs recommended in Guideline didn't have obvious effect and some had doubts about the manipulation of fumigation and washing in the part of other methods recommended in Guideline. Moreover, specification and procedure of manipulation of fumigation and washing using herbs and the acupuncture included in characteristic TCM therapy treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection remained to be developed.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Urinary Tract Infections

Objective To establish an acute yunaconitine poisoning rat model with a single oral administration and to determine the contents of yunaconitine in rat tissues by UPLC-MS/MS method, then investigate the distribution of yunaconitine in rats. Method The rats were randomly divided into three groups and were intragastrically administered a single dose of 2.2mg/kg,1.1mg/kg,0.7mg/kg yunaconitine, respectively.. The rats were killed 2h later, the stomach tissue, intestine tissue, liver tissue, pancreas tissue, kidney tissue, lung tissue, spleen tissue, heart tissue, bladder tissue, testis tissue, brain tissue and heart blood samples were collected. The contents of yunaconitine in the biological materials were determined by UPLC-MS/MS method after the biological samples extracted by liquid-liquid extraction. Result A rat model of the yunaconitine poisoning was made with a single dose of 1.1mg/kg, the concentrations of yunaconitine displayed in the organs with the following order:stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, lung, spleen, heart, bladder, testis, heart blood and brain. Conclusion Yunaconitine was widely distributed in rats, especially the levels in the stomach, small intestine and liver were the highest. The conclusion provides a basis for the selection of test materials for the poisoning of Aconitum vilmorinianum Kom.

Objective To investigate the related factors of lymph node detection number in rectal cancer patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. Methods 98 patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery were selected from January 2014 to January 2010. All the patients general information [gender, age, body mass index (BMI)], preoperative imaging findings and pathological data (tumor size, gross type, TNM stage, distant metastasis, histological differentiation and depth of invasion, et al), surgery related data (experience of surgeon, operation time) and preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were collected. Results The age, BMI, tumor size, length of specimen, invasive depth, surgeon and preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy was correlated with the number of lymph nodes in patients with laparoscopic surgery (P < 0.05), but gender, TNM staging, general type, histological differentiation, operation time were not associated with the number of lymph nodes detected in minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer (P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI, tumor size, length of specimen, invasive depth, surgeon and preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were the independent influencing factors of lymph node detection in patients with minimally invasive rectal cancer (P < 0.05). Conclusion The factors of patients, tumor status, surgical factors and preoperative chemoradiotherapy are related to the number of lymph nodes in patients with rectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the cognitive, intelligent and cranial MRI status of 4 patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Methods A pedigree of 4 patients,admitted to our hospital from September 2011 to December 2011 and diagnosed as having DM1, were chosen in our study; Chinese edition tests of Wechsler adult intelligence scale and Wechsler memory scale were used to test the intelligence of these patients; Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and Neurobehavioral cognitive status examination (NCSE) were applied to evaluate the patients' cognitive function.All of the 4 patients received a cranial MRI scan. Results Except for 1 patient,the other 3 patients had low intelligent quotient (IQ) and memory quotient (MQ),and their verbal IQs were all lower than performance IQs.Three patients showed impaired visual space/executive skills,calculation,memory,and conceptual thinking abilities; 1 patient showed impaired sentence repetition and verbal fluency on MoCA,though his final scores were within normal range. Three patients had brain atrophy to some extent on MRI scan,prominently in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe; white matter lesions and thickened skull were founded in all 4 patients. Conclusion Multiple cognition disorders and brain involvements can be found in DM1 patients and deserve further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for increasing T regulatory cells (Treg) in the graft by using in vivo treatment with dexamethasone (Dex) plus IL-2 and observe its suppressing effect on graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) in mice.

METHODSAfter treatment of male C57BL/6N mice (donor) with Dex (5 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) combined with IL-2 (300 000 IUxmouse(-1)xday(-1)) for three days, spleen mononuclear cells were isolated for flow cytometry analysis of CD4(+)CD25(+) POXP3(+) Treg cells. The allogeneic lymphocytes were transplanted from male C57BL/6N mice to female BALB/c mice aged 8-12 weeks. GVHD and survival time were investigated after transplantation. Donor-derived hematopoiesis reconstituted in recipient mice was detected by Y-chromosome-specific PCR and H-2K(b) by flow cytometry.

RESULTSAdministration of Dex and IL-2 markedly expanded functional CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg cells in murine spleen, the number of which in treated group was (24.2 +/- 7.6)% while in control group was (4.0 +/- 0.8)% (P = 0.01). The ratio of Treg to effector T cells (Teff) increased obviously in the treated group (0.43 +/- 0.15 vs 0.14 +/- 0.01, P = 0.01). In a murine allogeneic lymphocyte transplantation model, the grafts from donor with combined treatment of Dex and IL-2 led to a longer survival time than that from the control group (median survival time > 60 d vs 12 d, P = 0.0045), while the mortality rate was decreased (29.4% vs 71.4%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCostimulation with Dex and IL-2 can selectively expand the functional CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg in vivo, which can suppress acute GVHD.

Animals ; Dexamethasone ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory

OBJECTIVETo study the oral chronic toxicity of 97% isopropyl thioxanthone (97% ITX) in rats, determine the no-observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL).

METHODSFour groups of rats were fed with foodstuff containing 97% ITX in the dosage of 1000.0, 250.0, 62.5 mg/kg respectively for 2 years. The general behavior, body weight, food availability ect. were observed during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, blood and urine samples were collected for routine and biochemical assays. The internal organs were taken for calculating their organ coefficients and histopathological examinations.

RESULTSDuring the experimental period, no obvious abnormality were found in the experimental animals. The body weight and the total food availability rate in the high dosage group of male were lower than that of control (P < 0.05). Hematology examination showed that the quantity of Hb and RBC in high dosage groups of both the male and female and Hb in the male middle group were all lower than the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Analysis of correlation indicated that r = -0.433, P < 0.01 in male, r = -0.337, P < 0.01 in female of Hb; r = -0.266, P < 0.05 in male, r = -0.317, P < 0.01 in female of RBC. There were obviously negative correlation. Serum biochemistry examination showed the concentration of CHO in the high and middle dosage treated rats of male and female were higher than that of the control (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Analysis of correlation indicated that r = 0.497, P < 0.01 in male, r = 0.417, P < 0.01 in female. No abnormality were found in urine examination. The organ weight and organ coefficient such as liver, were higher than control group (P < 0.01). The result of histopathological examinations displayed that the renal tubule Cast and the tubulointerstitial nephritis in the treated groups were higher than that of control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION97% ITX could obviously interfere with the animals' physical condition, and reduce the number of RBC and the concentration of Hb in the blood, interact metabolism of lipoid and induce the concentration of CHO in the serum. The livers of the treated rats are compensatory enlarged. And kidneys of the poisoning animals are damaged. The 2 years oral NOAEL of 97% ITX in rats are more than 4.63 mg/kg for female rats, and larger than 4.06 mg/kg for male rats.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Female ; Male ; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toxicity Tests, Chronic ; Xanthones ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility, technique and significance of preserving the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve in parotid surgery.

METHODS48 cases with parotid tumor who underwent regular parotid surgery with cosmetic incision were included. The sensory testing was carried out in upper auricle, lobule, infra-auricular, pre-auricular and post-auricular region preoperatively and at 10 days, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after operation.

RESULTSThe posterior branch of the great auricular nerve was preserved in 35 out of 48 patients. There was no sensory loss in the upper auricle and post-auricular region. Early after operation, sensory disturbance was found in lobule, infra-auricular region, but significantly in pre-auricular region. The sensory disturbance was recovered slowly to nearly normal level at six months after operation. 13 cases with sacrifice of the nerve had a significantly higher sensory disturbance and a longer recovery time.

CONCLUSIONSPreservation of the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve during parotid surgery is technically feasible and can reduce the postoperative sensory disturbance and possible permanent sensory loss. It further helps to improve the quality of life early after operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ear, External ; innervation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Gland ; innervation ; surgery ; Parotid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relevant applied technique and clinical value of endoscope-assisted repair of zygomatic arch fracture via a short hidden preauricular incision.

METHODSThere were 7 cases of unilateral zygomatic arch fracture and 10 cases of unilateral zygomatic fracture. Reduction and fixation of zygomatic arch in all cases were performed via a short preauricular incision assisted by endoscope.

RESULTSSymmetric malar was achieved in all cases after operation. There was no difficulty in opening mouth, no chewing problems or severe complications.

CONCLUSIONSEndoscope-assisted repair of zygomatic arch fracture via a short hidden preauricular incision can be an alternative operation for zygomatic arch fracture.

Adult ; Endoscopes ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Zygoma ; injuries ; surgery ; Zygomatic Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVERecent experimental and clinical observations have suggested that cell transplantation could be of therapeutic value for the treatment of heart failure. This study was performed to explore the efficacy and safety of intracoronary autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation for treating patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

METHODTwenty-four consecutive patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy received standard drug therapy were randomly divided into intracoronary injection of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (treated, n = 12) or saline (control, n = 12) groups. Serum IL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP, plasma brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) were determined and echocardiography, Holter electrocardiogram monitoring and six minutes walk test were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post injection.

RESULTSIL-6, TNF-alpha and CRP remained unchanged after MSCs transplantation. Plasma BNP levels at 3 months and 6 months post MSCs injection were significantly higher than that of pre-injection (378.10 +/- 147.47, 420.40 +/- 148.50 vs. 292.40 +/- 148.54 ng/L, respectively, P < 0.05) but were significantly lower than that in control group at comparable time points (3 months: 378.10 +/- 147.47 vs. 473.10 +/- 106.31 ng/L; 6 months: 420.40 +/- 148.50 vs. 544.60 +/- 93.11 ng/L, P < 0.05). Six-minute-walking distance significantly increased at 6 months after MSCs injection compared with pre-injection level and which is also higher than that in control patients (519.00 +/- 43.28 vs. 396.33 +/- 42.19 and 464.00 +/- 76.5 m, respectively, P < 0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction and LVEDd remained unchanged post MSCs injection. No malignant arrhythmias and severe side effects could be observed around transplantation and during six months follow-up. Survival was similar between the two groups during six months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous coronary autologous mesenchymal stem cells transplantation can attenuate the increase of plasma BNP, increase six-minute-walking capacity in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aged ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Prospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome