Light is the main source for plants to obtain energy.Asarum forbesii is a typical shade medicinal plant, which generally grows in the shady and wet place under the bushes or beside the ditches.It can grow and develop without too much light intensity.This experiment explores the effects of shading on the growth, physiological characteristics and energy metabolism of A.forbesii, which can provide reference and guidance for its artificial planting.In this experiment, A.forbesii was planted under 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and no shade.During the vigorous growth period, the photosynthetic physiological characteristics such as fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigment content and ultrastructure, as well as the content of mitochondrial electron transport chain(ETC) synthase and nutrients were measured.The results showed that the photosynthetic pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and net photosynthesis rate(P_n) decreased with the decrease of shading.Under 20%-40% shading treatment, the plants had damaged ultrastructure, expanded and disintegrated chloroplast, disordered stroma lamella and grana lamella, and increased osmiophi-lic granules and starch granules.The activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase(NADH), succinate dehydrogenase(SDH), cytochrome C oxidoreductase(CCO) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) synthasewere positively related to light intensity.With the reduction of shading, the content of total sugar and protein in nutrients increased first and then decreased, and the content was the highest under 60% shade.In conclusion, under 60%-80% shading treatment, the chloroplast and mitochondria had more complete structure, faster energy metabolism, higher light energy-conversion efficiency, better absorption and utilization of light energy and more nutrient synthesis, which was more suitable for the growth and development of A.forbesii.
Asarum ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Chloroplasts ; Energy Metabolism ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Plant Leaves/metabolism*

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of acute herpes zoster. The treatment of PHN remains a challenge for clinical pain management. Despite the effectiveness of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and lidocaine patches in reducing PHN, many patients still face intractable pain disorders.In this randomized controlled study, we evaluated whether hydromorphone through intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) was effective in relieving PHN. Methods: Patients with PHN were randomly divided into two groups, one group received oral pregabalin with IV normal saline, another group received oral pregabalin with additional IV PCA hydromorphone for two weeks. Efficacy was evaluated at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the end of the treatments. Results: Two hundred and one patients were followed up for 12 weeks. After treatment, numerical rating scale (NRS) score of patients in the hydromorphone group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the difference of NRS scores between the two groups was statistically significant at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. The frequency of breakthrough pain in the hydromorphone group was significantly lower than that in the control group 1 and 4 weeks after treatment.After treatment, the quality of sleep in the hydromorphone group was significantly improved compared with the control group. The most common adverse reactions in the hydromorphone group were dizziness and nausea, with no significant respiratory depression. Conclusions IV PCA hydromorphone combined with oral pregabalin provides superior pain relief in patients with PHN, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of acute herpes zoster. The treatment of PHN remains a challenge for clinical pain management. Despite the effectiveness of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and lidocaine patches in reducing PHN, many patients still face intractable pain disorders.In this randomized controlled study, we evaluated whether hydromorphone through intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) was effective in relieving PHN. Methods: Patients with PHN were randomly divided into two groups, one group received oral pregabalin with IV normal saline, another group received oral pregabalin with additional IV PCA hydromorphone for two weeks. Efficacy was evaluated at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the end of the treatments. Results: Two hundred and one patients were followed up for 12 weeks. After treatment, numerical rating scale (NRS) score of patients in the hydromorphone group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the difference of NRS scores between the two groups was statistically significant at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. The frequency of breakthrough pain in the hydromorphone group was significantly lower than that in the control group 1 and 4 weeks after treatment.After treatment, the quality of sleep in the hydromorphone group was significantly improved compared with the control group. The most common adverse reactions in the hydromorphone group were dizziness and nausea, with no significant respiratory depression. Conclusions IV PCA hydromorphone combined with oral pregabalin provides superior pain relief in patients with PHN, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

BACKGROUNDOccult invasive cervical cancer discovered after simple hysterectomy is not common, radical parametrectomy (RP) is a preferred option for young women. However, the morbidity of RP was high. The aim of our study is to assess the incidence of parametrial involvement in patients who underwent radical parametrectomy for occult cervical cancer or radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer and to suggest an algorithm for the triage of patients with occult cervical cancer to avoid RP.

METHODSA total of 13 patients with occult cervical cancer who had undergone RP with an upper vaginectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were included in this retrospective study. Data on the clinicopathologic characteristics of the cases were collected. The published literature was also reviewed, and low risk factors for parametrial involvement in early-stage cervical cancer were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 13 patients, 9 had a stage IB1 lesion, and 4 had a stage IA2 lesion. There were four patients with grade 1 disease, seven with grade 2 disease, and two with grade 3 disease. The median age of the entire patients was 41 years. The most common indication for extrafascial hysterectomy was cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3. Three patients had visible lesions measuring 10-30 mm, in diameter and ten patients had cervical stromal invasions with depths ranging from 4 to 9 mm; only one patient had more than 50% stromal invasion, and four patients had lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). Perioperative complications included intraoperative bowel injury, blood transfusion, vesico-vaginal fistula, and ileus (1 case for each). Postoperative pathologic examination results did not show residual disease or parametrial involvement. One patient with positive lymph nodes received concurrent radiation therapy. Only one patient experienced recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSPerioperative complications following RP were common, whereas the incidence of parametrial involvement was very low among selected early-stage cervical cancer patients. Based on these results, we thought that patients with very low-risk parametrial involvement(tumor size ≤ 2 cm, no LVSI, less than 50% stromal invasion, negative lymph nodes) may benefit from omitting RP. Further prospective data are warranted.

Adult ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

One of the major circulatory changes that occur in human during space flight and simulated weightlessness is a cerebral redistribution of body fluids, which is accompanied by an increase of blood volume in the upper body. Therefore, atrial myocardium should increase the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), but the researches lack common conclusion until now. The present study was to investigate the expression level of ANP in simulated weightlessness rats, and to confirm the changes of ANP by observing the associated proteins of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). The tail-suspended rat model was used to simulate weightlessness. Western blots were carried out to examine the expression levels of ANP and SNARE proteins in atrial and left ventricular myocardium. The results showed that ANP expression in atrial myocardium showed an increase in 4-week tail-suspended rats (SUS) compared with that in the synchronous control rats (CON). We only detected a trace amount of ANP in the left ventricular myocardium of the CON, but found an enhanced expression of ANP in left ventricular myocardium of the SUS. Expression of VAMP-1/2 (vesicle associated SNARE) increased significantly in both atrial and left ventricular myocardium in the SUS compared with that in the CON. There was no difference of the expression of syntaxin-4 (target compartment associated SNARE) between the CON and SUS, but the expression of SNAP-23 showed an increase in atrial myocardium of the SUS compared with that in the CON. Synip and Munc-18c as regulators of SNAREs did not show significant difference between the CON and SUS. These results suggest that the expression of ANP shows an increase in atrial and left ventricular myocardium of 4-week tail-suspended rats. Enhanced expression of VAMP-1/2 associated with ANP vesicles confirms the increased expression of ANP in atrial and left ventricular myocardium.
Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Heart Ventricles ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; SNARE Proteins ; metabolism ; Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Weightlessness Simulation

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of intra-articular ozone injection at different concentrations on the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TNF receptor I (TNFR I), and TNFR II in the serum and synovium of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the therapeutic mechanism of ozone in RA treatment.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were randomized into 8 groups, including 5 ozone groups receiving intra-articular injection of 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 µg/ml ozone, a blank control group, an oxygen group and a RA model group. All the rats, except for those in the blank control group, were subjected to hypodermic injection of bovine collagen II and complete Freunds adjuvant to induce RA. Ozone treatment was administered once weekly for 3 weeks starting at 21 days after the modeling. The swelling and thickness of the hind paws were observed, and the serum and synovial contents of TNF-α, TNFR I, and TNFR II were detected.

RESULTSAt the end of treatment, the paw thickness was reduced significantly in rats with 40 µg/ml ozone injection compared with that in the model RA group (P<0.01). The serum contents of TNF-α, TNFR I and TNFR II showed no significant difference between the RA model group, oxygen group and the ozone groups, but their synovial contents showed significant reductions in rats with 40 and 50 µg/ml ozone injection (P<0.01); the synovial TNFR I was significantly higher in 40 µg/ml ozone group than in the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntra-articular injection of 40 µg/ml ozone can attenuate synovitis in rats with RA, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of TNF-α and TNFR II activity and enhancement of TNFR I activity in the synovium.

Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; metabolism ; therapy ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Male ; Ozone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo examine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) expression in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as discuss its clinicopathological significance.

METHODSSpecimens were obtained from 114 cases (53 cases with granulocyte infiltration) diagnosed pathologically as NSCLC in General Hospital of PLA. Paraffin-embedded tissues from these 114 cases of NSCLC were examined for expression of G-CSF by immunohistochemical staining. Correlation between G-CSF expression and pathological features, clinical manifestation, prognosis of patients with NSCLC was analyzed statistically. All the patients were retrospectively followed-up.

RESULTSFifty-five of the 114 NSCLC specimens expressed G-CSF, and among these 41 (41/54, 75.9%) were large cell carcinoma, nine (9/30, 30.0%) were adenocarcinoma and five (5/30, 16.7%) were squamous cell carcinoma. The expression was significantly correlated with infiltration of tumor mass by neutrophilic granulocytes, histological type, necrosis, differentiation, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, recurrence and survival period (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation with primary tumor size (P > 0.05). Logistic multi-factor analysis revealed that necrosis, lymph nodes metastases and distant metastases RR (risk ratio) in G-CSF positive group was 5.57, 6.28 and 5.24 times higher than those of G-CSF negative group (P < 0.05). There were remarkable difference of 5-year survival rates (0 and 12.1% respectively) and survival period (42 and 62 months respectively) between positive and negative groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNSCLC with G-CSF excretion are mainly large cell lung cancer. The pathologic characteristics of these cases with G-CSF expression included poor differentiation, remarkable atypia, prominent necrosis and infiltration of tumor mass by neutrophils or emperipolesis. These tumors are usually more aggressive in biological behavior and have worse prognosis than those without G-CSF expression.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo develop a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of the human ankle with fine details and analyze the stress distribution on the talus during different gait phases.

METHODSMimics13.0 and Geomagic10.0 software were used for geometric reconstruction of the ankle based on the 3D CT data of the foot. The model was meshed and assigned with the material properties in Hypermesh10.0 software. The model was then imported to Abaqus6.9, and the stress condition of the talus during the 3 phases (heel-strike, midstance, push-off) of normal gait was simulated to calculate the stress distribution within the bone.

RESULTSThe three-dimensional finite element model of the ankle established consisted of 21 865 nodes and 73 440 elements. The stress distribution within the bone in 3 phases of normal gait differed significantly. The peak von Mises stress on the talus dome, from the heel-strike to push-off phases, was 3.0 MPa, 4.3 MPa and 4.8 MPa, as compared to 1.3 MPa, 1.9 MPa and 2.8 MPa on the talar neck, 2.8 MPa, 3.0 MPa, and 3.4 MPa on the talonavicular joint surface, and 2.2 MPa, 1.8 MPa and 1.5 MPa on the subtalar joint, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe finite element model of the talus shows a good response against the experimental data and can be used to simulate the biomechanic experiment of the talus.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Gait ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Software ; Stress, Mechanical ; Talus ; anatomy & histology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sanitary working status in the districts for locating residents after earthquake in Dujiangyan municipality.

METHODSSome immediate measures were taken after the earthquake including water source surveillance, restoring immunization system and epidemic surveillance. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to collect information in 107 locating districts of 18 towns.

RESULTSGenerally, the sanitary working status was good. Temporary sheds in most districts were Tents (75.70%, 81/107) and simple sheds (19.63%, 21/107), and 69.16% (74/107) districts could use water supply and 94.39% (101/107) arrange specialized persons to disinfect the environment and kill pests. The fly density was 2 per eye-view. The proportions for the correct responds to health knowledge, action adopted and attitude of residents were all above 90%. According to the epidemic surveillance system and mobile syndrome surveillance system in disaster area, there was no increasing trend for the incidences of contagious diseases.

CONCLUSION20 days after earthquake, the whole situation of disease prevention in disaster area is stable.

China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Emergency Medical Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Health Care Surveys ; Humans ; Sanitation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universal Precautions

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safty of the humanized anti-epidermal factor receptor monoclonal antibody h-R3 in combination with radiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODSTotally, 137 patients from 7 medical center around China were randomly divided into combined therapy group or control group. There was no difference in Karnofsky performance score between two groups. All patients in both groups received radical conventionally fractionated radiotherapy to the total dose of D(T) 70-76 Gy. For the combined therapy group, h-R3 was added at a dose of 100 mg i.v. weekly for 8 weeks started at the beginning of radiotherapy.

RESULTSOf the 137 eligilbe patients, 70 were in the combined therapy group treated by h-R3 plus radiotherapy and 67 in the control group by radiotherapy alone. The intent-to-treat (ITT) population consisted of 130 patients, while the per-protocol (PP) population was composed of 126 patients. The efficacy was assessed respectively at three point of time: the end of treatment, the 5th- and 17th-week after treatment. The complete response (CR) of the combined therapy group was significantly higher than that of the control group in both ITT and PP (ITT: 65.63%, 87.50%, 90.63% versus 27.27%, 42.42%, 51.52%; PP: 67.21%, 90.16%, 93.44% versus 27.69%, 43.08%, 52.31%; P < 0.05, respectively). The most common h-R3-related adverse reactions were fever (4.3%), hypotension (2.9%), nausea (1.4%), dizziness (2.9%) and rash (1.4%), which could be reversible if treated properly. Radiotherapy combined with 100 mg h-R3 i. v. weekly was tolerable and did not aggravate the side effects of radiation. The quality of life in the combined therapy group was comparable to that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThis phase 1 multicenter clinical trial shows that h-R3 in combination with radiotherapy is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fever ; etiology ; Humans ; Hypotension ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; immunology ; Remission Induction