Objective To investigate the changes in small-diameter sensory neuron (SNS)/ peripheral nerve type 3(PN3) Na+ channel transcript and in tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na+ current in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. Methods Eighteen rats were divided into 6 groups of 3 animals each. Chronic constriction injury model was established after Dib-Hajj et al. Pain threshold was significantly lowered after CCI as compared with that in control group. The animals were deeply anesthetized and rapidly decapitated 14 days after surgery. The L4-5 DRG of the operated side was removed and crushed and total RNA was extracted with trizol reagent. The DRG of the contralateral side was used as control. The change in SNS/PN3 Na + channel expression was determined by semi-reverse transcriptase-PCR. The DRG neurons were isolated enzymatically and the change in voltage-gated TTX-R Na+ current was recorded using whole-cell patch clamp technique. Results Sensory neuron specific TTX-R Na+ channel transcript SNS/PN3 was down-regulated by 60% 14 days after CCI as compared with that in control group. TTX-R Na+ current density was significantly reduced but its activation and steady state inactivation were unchanged. Conclusions Na+ channel SNS/PN3 is involved in the hyperextability of the primary sensory neurons after CCI.

Objective To investigate the pharmacodynamic interactions between remifentanil and sevoflurane during general anesthesia for laparoscopic operation.Methods Sixty-five ASA I patients undergoing selective laparoscopic operations at the Department of Gynecology and the Department of General Surgery in People's Hospital were enrolled in this study.Sevoflurane was used for anesthesia induction with its expired concentration being kept stable,and different dosages of remifentanil(0,1,2,4,6,and 8 ng/ml)being added during the operation.When the expired concentration of sevoflurane reached an expected level(pseuto-state),the block somatic and cardiovascular responses to electrical tetanus stimuli(ETS;100 Hz,60 mA,5 s)were measured.The data were analyzed using NONMEM software to establish concentration-effect curves.Logistic regression was used to calculate the minimal alveolar concentration of sevoflurane under ETS(MACETS).Results In the cases received sevoflurane only,the somatic response was inhibited when MACETS reached 1.52%;while the cardiovascular response was inhibited when MACETS reached 2.24%.The MACETS was decreased significantly by adding low-dosage remifentanil.When the target-controlled concentration of remifentanil was 8 ng/ml,the MACETS for the inhibition of somatic and cardiovascular responses decreased by 70.0% and 76.3%,respectively.Conclusions There is a synergic effect between remifentanil and sevoflurane on the suppression of somatic and cardiovascular responses to ETS.Remifentanil produces a dose-dependent decrease of MACETS of sevoflurane.The effect is especially strong in low-dosage remifentanil group,but shows ceiling effect characteristics.

AIM: To determine the interactions with response-surface modeling methodologies when sevoflurane (Sevo) and remifentanil (Remi) were administered simultaneously. METHODS: (1) Patients, Study design and drug delivery: Based on parallel slices design, sixty-five patients were randomly assigned to inhale a specific end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane (0.3% to 3.4%), with different level of remifentanil (0-10 ng/mL). The responses to laryngoscopy were observed for each given concentration pair. (2) Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis with response surface mode: The probability of no response (P) was assessed in the modeling process as below. P=(Us+Ur)r/[U50/I(Q)]r+(Us+Ur)r RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: NONMEM estimated average values (RSE%) of the model parameters for laryngoscopy of C50,Sevo, C50,remi, U50, r, Imax and Qmax are 1.71% (12.9), 12.4 ng/mL (19.0), 6.62 (10.6), 1.53 (8.76), 2.31 (8.23), 0.706 (2.46), respectively. The inter-individual variability (CV%) in parameter Imax and inter-occasion variability (S.D.) in this model are 12.7 and 0.0316, respectively. It is concluded that the response-surface modeling approach provided a novel method to study drug-drug interactions.

Objective To study the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and any effect of acupuncture combined with exercise training on the recovery of learning and memory after experimental cerebral infarction.Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (n = 8 ) and an operation group (n = 72 ) subdivided randomly and equally into a model group, an exercisetraining group and an acupuncture plus exercise training group, with 24 rats in each group. After right middle cerebral artery occlusion or a mock operation, the expression of MAP-2 in the CA3 region of the hippocampus was detected with immunohistochemistry 1, 3 and 5 weeks after the operation. Learning and memory function was assessed at the 5th week post operation.Results MAP-2- positive fibers were arranged in an orderly way and distributed densely in the shamoperation group. After cerebral infarction, number of MAP-2 positive neurons and dendrite fibers decreased in the CA3 region of the affected side. A week after the operation, MAP-2 positive fibers had increased significantly in the acupuncture plus exercise group compared with the model group and the exercise group. At the 3rd and 5th week post operation, expression of MAP-2 and optical density had increased significantly compared with the model group and the exercise training group. At the 5th week post operation, Y maze discrimination and learning tests showed that learning and memory had improved significantly more in the acupuncture plus exercise training group compared with the model group and the exercise training group.Conclusions Exercise training combined with acupuncture can promote changes in dendritic plasticity and increase MAP-2 expression in the CA3 region after cerebral infarction. This may be correlated positively with the recovery of learning and memory after cerebral infarction, at least in rats.

Two regression models, based on panel data over the period of 2000-2011, are built and used to analyze what factors determine China's exports of primary and semi-finished products of traditional Chinese medicine to ASEAN. The results indicate that, China GDP, the ratio of ASEAN to China GDP per capita, average export price, the ratio of state-owned assets to total assets, have a significant positive influence on the export volumes of primary products of Chinese medicine. At the same time, RMB appreciation, the ratio of three kinds of foreign-invested assets to total assets, China-ASEAN Early Harvest Program, ASEAN-China Free Trade Area have a significant negative influence. In respect of the export volumes of semi-finished products of Chinese medicine, the significant influential factors are ASEAN GDP and the ratio of ASEAN to China GDP per capita. The former is positive and the latter is negative. In order to optimize the commodity composition of experts, it is needed to increase export volumes of both primary and semi-finished products of Chinese medicine. According to the analysis above, some proposals are put forward, such as, improving the performance of foreign capital, playing an exemplary and leading role in technological innovation by state-owned enterprises, taking advantage of bargaining power of suppliers, increasing outward foreign direct investment.
China ; Commerce ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; economics ; Europe, Eastern ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; standards ; Quality Control

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and medicine for the treatment of chronic pharyngitis. Methods Sixty chronic pharyngitis patients were randomized into treatment group and control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with acupuncture mainly on acupoints of Zhaohai(KI6), Lieque(L7), Tiantu(CV22) , Lianquan(CV23), Tianrong(SI17) , Hegu(LI), Yuji (LU10) for nourishing yin to reduce fire and clearing throat. The supplementary acupoints were selected according to the symptoms and physical signs. Acupuncture was performed once a day and 6 times a week. The control group received western medical therapy including pharyngeal application with 1% iodine glycerin preparation and oral use of Cydiodine tablets, 3 times per day. Four weeks constituted one treatment course and the treatment for the two groups covered 2 courses. After treatment, the therapeutic effect was evaluated. The scores of the signs and s ymptoms as well as scores of chronic pharyngitis syndrome discomfort rating questionnaire(CPSDQ) evaluated by visual anal og scale(VAS) were observed. Results (1) The overall effective rate of the treatment group was 93.3%, higher than that of the control group(73.3%), and the inter-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) After treatment, scores of the signs and symptoms and VAS for CPSDQ scores in the two groups were reduced as compared with those before treatment(all P<0.05 or P<0.01 ) .The improvement of the scores in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(all P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3) During the treatment , needling-induced mild pain and bleeding occurred in the treatment group. No acupuncture syncope, stuck needles or allergic and toxic-side effect was shown in the two groups. Conclusion Acupuncture therapy can obviously relieve the symptoms, signs and discomfort in the patients with chronic pharyngitis, and the curative effect is superior to the drugs.

In order to analyze main influencing factors of exportation of Chinese traditional patent medicines to the EU and measure the potentialities, the panel data of the exportation of Chinese traditional patent medicines to 13 countries in the EU over the period from 2000 to 2011 were used to build a regression model. Then, this model was applied to estimate the export potentialities. The results showed that the GDPs of China and EU countries, the export prices of Chinese traditional patent medicines, the port capacities of EU countries and maritime distances between ports of two countries notably promote export trade. At the same time, unified standards of pesticide residue analysis are associated with reducing the volume of export trade. EU countries can be divided into two groups. One is the group with certain potentiality. The other is the group without ready potentiality. Suggestions were made on basis of research results in order to promote exportation of Chinese traditional patent medicines to the EU.

In forensic case, the location diagnosis determination of drowning has been one of the most important and dififcult diagnosis. Then diatom test is considered to be a relatively reliable method for the diagnosis of drowning. According to community characteristics inferred from diatoms into the different water region has been credibility. The study of the diatoms in different waters identiifcation is reference to the determination of the body drowned into the water area. In this paper, the research progress of diatom relevant biological characteristics and test methods on review for forensic workers is related to the further research and reference case in practice.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of length of tibial stump on proprioceptive recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSFrom March 2011 to December 2011,42 patients with ACL tear were performed with reconstruction. The patients were divided randomly into three groups: group A, the patients with remained length of tibial stump ranging from 15 to 20 mm, including 8 males and 6 females, with an average age of (28.2 ± 6.6) years old; group B, the patients with remained length of tibial stump ranging from 5 to 10 mm, including 9 males and 5 females, with an average age of (27.9 ± 6.4) years old; group C, the patients with remained length of tibial stump less than 2 mm, including 9 males and 5 females, with an average age of (28.6 ± 6.8) years, old. The stability of knee were assessed by Lanchman test and anterior drawer test. The function of knee was assessed by Lysholm score and Tegner activity rating. The proprioceptive recovery was evaluated by assessing the passive reproduction of the angles with limb movement into flexion and extension in no weight bearing position.

RESULTSLanchman test and anterior drawer test of all patients were negative at 6 months postoperatively., and there was one case of positive outcome in each group at 12 month and 18 month postoperatively. Lysholm score and Tegner activity score of all patients at 18 month postoperatively were significantly better than that preoperatively, and there were no significant difference among three groups at 18 month postoperatively. There were no significant difference in the production of the angles at flexion to 20° and extention to 80° and 20° among these groups before and after operation. The reproduction of the angles of group A and B at flexion to 50° and extention to 50° at 6 month postoperatively were significantly better than that of group A and B preoperatively and that of group C at 6 month postoperatively, and there were no significant difference among three groups at 18 month postoperatively. The reproduction of the angles of group A and B at flexion to 80° at 12 month postoperatively were significantly better than that of group A and B preoperatively and that of group C at 12 month postoperatively, and there were no significant difference among three groups at 18 month postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONPreservation of tibial stump in ACL reconstruction has benefit in proprioceptive recovery at early stage postoperatively and the length of tibial stump should be reserved with a range from 5 to 10 mm.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Proprioception ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tibia ; chemistry ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

In this article, HPLC fingerprint analysis method for total flavonoids from pollen of Brassica campestris L.was established., The HPLC fingerprint was performed on Waters C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), eluted gradiently with the mixture of acetonitrile and 0.4% phosphoric acid aqueous solution at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min-1. The column temperature was 40℃. The detection wavelength was 320 nm. The HPLC standard fingerprint of total flavonoids from pollen of Brassica campestrisL. was established, and 16 common peaks were calibrated. The method was simple, stable, and reproducible. It could be applied for quality control of total flavonoids from pollen of Brassica campestris L.