Facial Paralysis ; complications ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore an effective acupotomology surgery program in treating cubital tunnel syndrome.

METHODSAccording to pathogenic factors and elbow anatomy, a "two points" acupotomology surgery program was designed, which could loose the attachment point of arcuate ligament on medial border of olecroanon and medial epicondyle of humerus. Twenty-one cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with acupotmology, then the efficacy was obsered.

RESULTSAfter one year postoperative visit, 21 patients with ulnar nerve area skin numbness were cured, claw hand deformity and medial hand muscle atrophy recovered significantly. Results of function evaluation were excellent in 17 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 0 cases, the good rate was 90.5%.

CONCLUSIONThe acupotomology surgery program which could cut the starting and ending points of osborne's ligament and solve the problem of ulnar nerve entrapment is an easy, little-traumatic and effective minimally invasive surgery which also conforms to the anatomical structure.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; surgery ; therapy ; Elbow Joint ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Traditional Chinese medicine is a treasure of Chinese culture, absorbing the wisdom of the Chinese people. Continuous application of new technologies makes traditional Chinese medicine research advance with the times. After several years of development, high-throughput transcriptome study has become a mature research tool in biology. This paper reviewed the advances in medicine transcriptome study, and compared two sequencing platforms, Roche's GS FLX platform and Illumina's HiSeq 2000 platform. Moreover, this paper introduced medicine transcriptome analysis process, with Panax quinquefolius and Lonicera japonica for examples, showing the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine transcriptome studies. High-throughput transcriptome studies facilitate traditional Chinese medicine research with overall understand of functional genes, give clear elucidation of metabolic pathways, lay molecular foundation for the traditional Chinese medicine research and offer modern interpretation for traditional Chinese medicine theory. However, the current study faces several difficulties, including weak molecular basis, high sequencing cost and staff shortages in data anaysis. In the future, with the development in sequencing technology, the combination of transcriptome and other genomics, such as proteome and metabolome, will lay a solid foundation for the new high-throughput screening and developing model for the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
Biomedical Research ; methods ; trends ; Forecasting ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Humans ; Lonicera ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; trends ; Panax ; genetics ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; trends ; Transcriptome ; genetics

Objective To establish a quick,economical and reproducible method for high-quality RNA extraction from pancreas.Methods We utilized TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen to isolate total RNA from the rat pancreas.The RNA quality was determined by detection of its content and optic density(A) at 260/280nm,and electrophoresis in 1% non-denatured agarose gel.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to detect expression of the pancreas-specific genes.Results The content of the total RNA extracted from the rat pancreas reached 3-6?g/mg pancreatic tissues,and A260/280 ratio was 1.75-1.89.Electrophoresis of the total RNA showed 28S and 18S rRNA bands with clear smear between them.The RT-PCR products of pancreas-specific genes including insulin 1,glucagon,?-amylase and housekeeping gene ?-actin all exhibited clear bands on 1% agarose gel,which were located in the expected positions,respectively.Conclusion These results suggest that we have successfully isolated the high-quality and intact RNA from the rat pancreas with TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen.The extracted total RNA can be used in RT-PCR for pancreatic gene expression.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of different lymphadenectomy in the treatment of selected clinical-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSAll 115 postoperative patients admitted from January 1997 to May 2002 with pathologic-stage T1 who had been preoperatively diagnosed as clinical-stage I A non-small cell lung cancer were divided into a radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LA) group and a mediastinal lymph node sampling (LS) group. Impacts on morbidity, N staging, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated in each group respectively. Associations between clinical-pathological parameters (age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, pathological type and lymph node metastases) and OS, DFS were analyzed. The cumulative OS and DFS was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the Log-rank test.

RESULTSThe mean number of dissected lymph nodes was (15.98 +/- 3.05) in LA group and (6.48 +/- 2.16) in LS group with a significant difference (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference existed in modification of N staging, OS and DFS between LA group and LS group. However, for patients with lesions of a diameter more than 2 cm, 5-year OS in LA group was significantly higher than that in LS groups (LA vs. LS = 78.2% vs. 54.5% ,P < 0.05), also 5-year DFS was significantly higher (LA vs. LS = 75.1% vs. 51.3%, P < 0.05). For patients with lesions of 2 cm or less, 5-year OS and 5-year DFS were similar in both groups. The early surgery-related parameters (duration of surgery, drain secretion and morbidity) indicated a slighter invasion in LS group. In addition, patients with large cell carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma were associated with significantly poor 5-year OS (P < 0.05) , and patients with lymph node metastases were associated with poor 5-year OS as well as 5-year DFS (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAfter being intraoperatively identified as T1 stage, patients with lesions of more than 2 cm in clinical-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer should be performed with LA to get a better survival, and patients with lesions of 2 cm or less should be performed with LS to decrease invasion.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinum ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of dynamic changes of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr), serum cystatin (Cys C) and urinary protein on renal injury with paraquat poisoning.

METHODSAccording to the clinical manifestation and curative effect, the clinical information was analyzed retrospectively in 35 cases of acute paraquat poisoning, survival after eight weeks as the standard. Poisoning patients were taken a fasting blood 5 ml and the middle of urinary on the 1st day, 3rd day, 7th day, 14th day, 21st day and 8 weeks after the poisoning. Then the levels of serum BUN, Cr, Cys C and urinary protein were detected by automatic biochemistry analyzer. 30 cases healthy subjects were randomly selected as normal control group, and discharged kidney disease and other diseases of urinary system history. The same laboratory subjects have been done.

RESULTSThe level of serum Bun, Cr, Cys C of survival group increased significantly compared with control group within 21 days (P < 0.05). The level of serum BUN, Cr Cys C decreased on the 14th day. The decreased level of serum Cys C was lower than that of serum BUN and Cr. The renal function of 29 cases among 35 cases survival patients recovered on 21st day. The renal function of 31 cases among 35 cases survival patients recovered 8 weeks late. The positive rate of urinary protein of survival patients was high in the early intoxication (76.9%).

CONCLUSIONSerum Cys C is sensitive indicator to reveal the kidney injury on paraquat poisoning patients and have higher value of clinical applications in the diagnosis of the kidney injury of paraquat poisoning, which sensitivity is higher than serum BUN and Cr. The kidney injury caused by paraquat poisoning is reversible.

Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; chemically induced ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Case-Control Studies ; Creatinine ; blood ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the associations between periodontal diseases, presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), serum levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and preterm low birth weight (PLBW).

METHODS60 women (30 PLBW and 30 healthy women), were recruited after postpartum within 3 days in this case-control study. Periodontal measurements including plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), probing pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were assessed. The subgingival plaque was collected before periodontal examination and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the 16S rRNA gene specific to P. gingivalis, while the venous and umbilical cord blood specimens collected were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe PLBW cases had a poorer oral conditions and the presence of P. gingivalis was found in a higher proportion in the PLBW than the healthy pregnant (56.7% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05). Both of the presence of periodontitis and P. gingivalis have been found to be associated weakly with a shorter gestational age and a lower birth weight (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) in both of the blood samples showed higer levels between the PLBW and normal groups (P < 0.01). The IL-1beta and PGE2 levels in maternal serum were higher with a severe periodontal disease in the PLBW group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere may be a possible link between periodontal diseases and PLBW.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Dental Plaque ; Dental Plaque Index ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-6 ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

OBJECTIVETo study and compare the accuracy and sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and CT scaning in determination of preoperative stage and vascular invasion by pancreatic and ampullary cancers.

METHODSFourty-two pancreatic cancer patients and 18 ampullary cancer patients were studied. With patients prepared according to conventional endoscopy, Olympus EUM-30 scope 1 set with a side view and 360 degrees rotate and switchable scanning probe [ultrasound frequency (7.5/12 MHz)], was introduced to the descending duodenum through the esophagus. Gas within the duodenum and stomach was aspirated. Then, in order to to facilitate ultrasound transmission, 200 ml deaerated water was injected into the duodenum and 500 ml into the stomach to distend it. The structures of each part of pancreatic head and ampullary together with surrounding vessels were scanned. Then, the scope was withdrawn to the gastric antrum, body and fundus gradually, while the pancreatic body and tail were scanned.

RESULTSBetween Apr. 1996 to May 2004, a total of 42 pancreatic cancer patients and 18 ampullary cancer patients were examined by EUS. Meanwhile, all these 58 patients received preoperative CT scaning. The results of stage and vascular invasion determined by EUS in this series were as following; pancreatic cancer group (n = 42): accuracy in T2-4 stage was 100.0% (5/5), 75.0% (9/12) and 48.0% (12/25), respectively; ampullary cancer group (n = 18): T1-4 stage was 75.0% (3/4), 66.7% (2/3), 75.0% (6/8) and 33.3% (1/3), respectively; the accuracy in N stage: P-group: 80.0% in N1 (4/5), 90.0% in N0 (9/10); A-group: 50.0% in N1 (3/6), 91.0% in N0 (10/11). The sensitivity, specificity of vascular invasion, resectability and unresectablilty determined by EUS and CT as compared with surgical findings during operation was 52.9% (9/17), 93.1% (27/29), 77.1% (27/35) and 81.8% (9/11) for EUS (n = 60), respectively; and 11.8% (2/17), 92.6% (25/27), 62.5% (25/40) and 50.0% (2/4) for CT (n = 58), respectively.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic ultrosonography being one of the best image examinations to determine the stage and vascular invasion for pancreatic and ampullary cancer paitients is able to detect small pancreatic or ampullary cancer less than 2.0 cm in diameter due to its high resolution; but can not detect the secondary multiple distal metastases such as spread into the liver, peritonium or hepatoduodenal ligament, etc. due to its ultrasound depth limitation.

Ampulla of Vater ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Endosonography ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mesenteric Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Preoperative Care ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Excoecaria agallocha L.

METHODThe constituents were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTSix triterpenoids including taraxerone (1), beta-amyrin acetate (2), 3beta-[(2E,4E)-6-oxo-decadienoyloxy]-olean-12-ene (3), taraxerol (4), acetylaleuritolic acid (5), and cycloart-22-ene-3beta, 25-diol (6), and three steroids including beta-sitostenone (7), (24R)-24-ethylcholesta-4,22-dien-3-one (8), and beta-sitosterol (9) were isolated and identified from the stems and twigs of the mangrove plant E. agallocha.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 5-8 were isolated from E. agallocha for the first time.

Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVEA novel biological piezoelectric ceramic was made by beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and lithium sodium potassium niobate (LNK) piezoelectric ceramics. To study its biocompatibility to osteoblast isolated from the cranium of 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley mice.

METHODSThe biological piezoelectric ceramic TCPLNK1/10, TCPLNK5/5 respectively mixed by beta-TCP and LNK piezoelectric ceramic at the ratio of 1/10 and 5/5. Then osteoblasts were used and seeded respectively on the negative and positive surfaces of TCPLNK1/10 and TCPLNK5/5. Growth and proliferation of the osteoblasts on TCPLNK1/10 and TCPLNK5/5 surfaces were evaluated in vitro by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination, fluorescence dyeing of osteoblast skeleton protein and MTT assay.

RESULTSCell morphology of osteoblast on positive and negative surfaces of TCPLNK1/10 and TCPLNK5/5 was normal, and both adhesion and growth characteristics showed better than control group. The growing osteoblasts on the TCPLNK1/10 negative surface were significantly higher than others. The negative surface of TCPLNK1/10 possessed better osteogenesis potential than others in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe surface of TCPLNK may permit the imitation piezoelectric effect of natural bone for bone regeneration.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone and Bones ; Calcium Phosphates ; Cell Proliferation ; Ceramics ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Niobium ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Oxides ; Periosteum ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skull