The survey of traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources is the important component and one of the innovative aspects of the fourth national survey of the Chinese materia medica resources. China has rich traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the comprehensive investigation of TCM traditional knowledge aims to promote conservation and sustainable use of Chinese materia medica resources. Building upon the field work of pilot investigations, this paper introduces the essential procedures and key methods for conducting the survey of traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources. The essential procedures are as follows. First is the preparation phrase. It is important to review all relevant literature and provide training to the survey teams so that they have clear understanding of the concept of traditional knowledge and master key survey methods. Second is the field investigation phrase. When conducting field investigations, survey teams should identify the traditional knowledge holders by using the 'snowball method', record the traditional knowledge after obtaining prior informed concerned from the traditional knowledge holders. Researchers should fill out the survey forms provided by the Technical Specification of the Fourth National Survey of Chinese Materia Medica Resources. Researchers should pay particular attention to the scope of traditional knowledge and the method of inheriting the knowledge, which are the key information for traditional knowledge holders and potential users to reach mutual agreed terms to achieve benefit sharing. Third is the data compilation and analysis phrase. Researchers should try to compile and edit the TCM traditional knowledge in accordance with intellectual property rights requirements so that the information collected through the national survey can serve as the basic data for the TCM traditional knowledge database. The key methods of the survey include regional division of Chinese materia medica resources, interview of key information holders and standardization of information.' In particular, using "snowball method" can effectively identify traditional knowledge holder in the targeted regions and ensuring traditional knowledge holders receiving prior informed concerned before sharing the information with researcher to make sure the rights of traditional knowledge holders are protected. Employing right survey methods is not only the key to obtain traditional knowledge related to Chinese materia medica resources, but also the pathway to fulfill the objectives of access and benefit sharing stipulated in Convention on Biological Resources. It will promote the legal protection of TCM traditional knowledge and conservation of TCM intangible, cultural heritage.
China ; Data Collection ; Databases, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To study the characteristics of event-related potentials P300 in patients with anxiety disorder(AD). Methods P300 tests were carried out in 30 patients with AD and 30 healthy adult controls. ResultsPatients with AD had significantly delayed P3 latency ([326?16] ms vs [339?19]ms, P

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of soil microbes of habitats, endophytic fungi and root surface fungi of Huperzia serrata on rooting rate of the cuttings and on several physiological and biochemical indexes.

METHODThe cuttings of H. serrata were planted on soil I of primary habitat, the soil II had been inoculated endophytic fungi and root surface fungi, the soil III had been auto-claved, rooting rate was examined, and soluble protein and soluble sugar contents, activities of PPO and POD, flavonoids and huperzine A contents were determined.

RESULTCompared with the H. serrata that were planted on soil III, soil I and soil II were found to increase the rooting rate by 10% and 16%, soil II increased the soluble protein contents of stem of H. serrata (P < 0.05), Soil I increased the soluble sugar contents of leaves and stem of H. serrata (P < 0.05), soil I and Soil II increased the flavonoids contents of H. serrata (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSoil microbes from primary habitat, endophytic fungi and root surface fungi promote rooting, they also increase plant metabolism level of H. serrata.

Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Huperzia ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; Solubility

Objective: To investigate the mRNA expression of chemokine receptors in human villi and trophoblasts of first trimester gestation . Methods: The authors first obtained villous tissues from fifteen women who had undergone selective termination at 5 - 10 weeks of normal gestation. Total RNA was then extracted, using the TRIzol reagent, from villous tissues or Percoll-gradient purified trophoblasts. Consequently, the expressions of chemokine receptors in villous tissues and trophoblasts were investigated by way of semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.Results: The chemokine receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR6, were highly expressed in each villous tissue, while the CCR6, CCR7, XCR1 and CX3CR1 were moderately expressed in villi. The chemokine receptors, CCR1- CCR5, CCR8 - CCR10, CXCR1 -CXCR3, were expressed only in some villous samples, while no CXCR5 mRNA was found in any villous tissue. The authors also found that the freshly isolated and Percoll-purified trophoblasts expressed CCR1, CCR3 - CCR5, CCR8 - CCR9, CXCR1 - CXCR4, CXCR6, XCR1 and CX3CR1 mRNA. Conclusion: A variety of chemokine receptors were expressed in villous tissues and trophoblasts of human first trimester gestation, hence, these receptors may play an important biological role at the materno-fetal interface in normal human pregnancy.

OBJECTIVETo find a way to discriminate operative reason from anaesthesia reason for the changes of intraoperative transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials (MEPs).

METHODSIn 26 patients under Etomidate/Fentanyl anesthesia from February 2001 to June 2004, MEPs elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from tibialis anterior muscles, simultaneously bispectral index (BIS) and train-of-four stimulation (TOF) were used to monitor the anesthesia depth and neuromuscular blockade respectively. MEP, BIS and measurements of TOF at different anesthesia depth and muscular relaxation were recorded synchronously, statistical analysis of this data set was done in order to find the inherent relationship between these variables.

RESULTSUnder anesthesia, MEP amplitude was always positively correlated with the corresponding BIS and TOF value. A regression equation could be built, with which the MEP amplitude could be reckoned based on realtime BIS and T(1)/T(c). In case of spinal cord injury, the measured amplitude value would significantly deviate from predicted one, which suggested that the change of MEP was because of the operation, but not the anaesthesia or neuromuscular blockade. Each patient had his or her own regression equation, which was different from each other.

CONCLUSIONSThe establishment of regression equation from MEPs, BIS and TOF is very useful to distinguish reasons of the changes of transcranial magnetic MEPs during surgery, and with this technique, the intraoperative MEP monitoring should be more reliable and practicable.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods ; Regression Analysis ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the utility of neuronavigation in the microsurgery for cerebral cavernous malformations.

METHODSIn a retrospective study, 47 patients with cavernous malformations were involved from January 1995 to December 2010. Fourteen cases admitted into hospital from January 1995 to December 2002 were treated without neuronavigation (conventional group), the focus localization was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, anatomic landmarks, and the experiences of the neurosurgeon. In the other 33 cases admitted after February 2002 to December 2010, surgeries were performed with neuronavigation using the Medtronic Stealth Station TREON or TRIA system (neuronavigation group). Excision of the cavernomas were all performed microsurgically, surrounding gliotic rim and hemosiderin stained tissue were resected in the case of epilepsy, and a few patients underwent extended hippocampal resection or multiple subpial transection.

RESULTSWith the use of neuronavigation, the extent of craniotomy reduced from 5.2 cm to 3.6 cm (P < 0.01), and deeper cavernoma focuses could be treated surgically. There were no changes with regard to the mean size of the cavernomas, the mean time of surgery and hospital stay (P > 0.05), but the mean time of anaesthesia was prolonged from 164 min to 197 min (P < 0.01). Cavernomas were resected completely in all 47 cases, which was confirmed by postoperative MRI recheck. The conditions of all patients were improved or remain unchanged, and no significant differences in the clinical outcome could be evaluated between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSApplication of neuronavigation-assisted microsurgery of intracranial cavernous malformations surgery, helps reduce the surgical trauma, and has security and reliability.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neuronavigation ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the variability in pelvic artery representation on three-dimensional reconstructed multislice spiral CT images between young adults and the elderly.

METHODSEight young adult volunteers from the medical staff and 8 elderly people undergoing regular coronary artery examination, who were all free of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, were enrolled in this study. After administration of the contrast agent through the median cubital vein at 3.5 ml/s, the subjects underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography of the pelvic arteries utilizing a 16-row multislice spiral CT. The images were collected and processed with volume reconstruction (VR) technique for three-dimensional reconstruction to distinguish the arteries and their branches.

RESULTSGood visualization of the pelvic artery was observed on the reconstructed CT images of the young subjects, which revealed in detail up to the third- and even the fourth-order vessels, and the arteries were smooth and had plenty of branches; but in the elderly only the second- or third-order vessels were shown, and the arteries appeared stiff with only a few branches.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the young adults, the elderly have generally poor visualization of the pelvic arteries on three-dimensional reconstructed multislice spiral CT images possibly in association with atherosclerosis and the functional deterioration of the blood vessels in the latter, which is relative to vascular morphologic changes, suggesting the necessity of studying the pelvic vessels with developmental and functional methods.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Angiography ; methods ; Arteries ; Arteriosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Contrast Media ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; blood supply ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

AIM:To find new biomarkers in the sera of retinoblastoma (Rb) patients with surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI TOF MS) and protein chip technique.METHODS:SELDI TOF MS, IMAC30 and CM10 protein chips were used to analyze the protein profiles from sera of 18 patients with Rb and 17 age matched controls. The protein profiling was analyzed statistically by Ciphergen protein chip software 3.0.2. The test was applied to compare the protein peak intensity. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the predominance of differential protein peaks appeared in patients.RESULTS:With IMAC30 protein chips, there were 26 proteins which appeared different in sera of patients with Rb compared to normal children. Among them, 21 proteins, I.e. 7746, 7014, 11713, 3049, 7084, 7299, 5888, 2544, 12575, 5489, 9658, 9575, 9929, 10161, 8955, 1886, 10617, 6209, 2411, 7374, 6614m/z were up regulated and 5 proteins, I.e. 8382, 7923, 7972, 8590, 66576m/z, were down regulated(P<0.01). Using the 7014 protein peak for statistical analysis, we could differentiate the patients with Rb from the healthy children with a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 82.4%. By CM10 protein chips, 4 proteins, including 3 up regulated proteins(5888, 6097, 7798 and 1 down regulated protein (8590m/z), were detected in Rb patients (P<0.01). The sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% and 70.6% respectively when 7798m/z protein peak was selected for statistical analysis.CONCLUSION:There are a few candidates as Rb biomarkers in the sera of Rb patients. SELDI TOF MS protein chip technology could be a potential method in the clinical screening test of Rb.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the practicability and validity of transcranial magnetic motor evoked potential monitoring (TMS-MEP) during spinal surgery.

METHODSFrom February 2001 to June 2004, 37 patients undergoing spinal surgery were involved, anaesthesia was maintained with volatile anesthetics in 11 operations and etomidate in 26. Analgesia was provided with fentanyl, and non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was given intermittently. MEPs elicited with transcranial magnetic stimulations were recorded from tibialis anterior muscles, simultaneously bispectral index (BIS) and train-of-four stimulation (TOF) were used to monitor the anesthesia depth and neuromuscular blockade respectively. The variety of MEP and its effect on surgical operation at different anesthesia depth and muscular relaxation were observed, and the muscle strength of the patients before and after operation were compared.

RESULTSThe 11 cases anesthetized with isoflurane or enflurane gave no response to TMS, the other 26 cases in which anaesthesia was maintained with etomidate and fentanyl gave satisfactory TMS-MEPs, but with significantly attenuated amplitudes and prolonged latencies (P < 0.05). Intraoperative MEP showed a grossly unchanged waveform, and its amplitude and latency had little fluctuation when anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade maintained stable. When T(1) value of TOF at 40% - 60%, a steady MEP could be acquired and the muscular contraction after TMS should not interfere the operation.Seven of 26 cases had a MEP amplitude drop up to 50% or more during the operation, the surgical team was notified to avoid further spinal injury, at last only 1 case had a worsen muscle power after operation.

CONCLUSIONSMyogenic TMS-MEP is a valid and practicable technique for intraoperative monitoring, and the etomidate + fentanyl technique is adequate for its anesthesia. BIS and TOF monitoring are helpful to maintain the steadiness of the anesthesia and MEPs, which is very important for monitoring the changes of the MEPs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods ; Spinal Cord ; surgery ; Spine ; surgery ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) on prevention of serious hemorrhage and air embolism during hepatectomy and on the liver function after operation.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to March 2007, 29 huge hepatic tumors were resected in our department. Both SHVE and Pringle maneuver were used to control the blood loss during hepatectomy. They were divided into two groups: SHVE group (15 cases) and Pringle group (14 cases). Data regarding the intraoperative and postoperative courses of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the age, sex, tumor size, cirrhosis, HbsAg positive rate and operating time (P > 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was reduced significantly in the SHVE group (P < 0.05). The serum prealbumin levels on the postoperative day 1, 3 and 7 in SHVE group were significantly higher than those in the Pringle group (P < 0.05). The serum ALT value in SHVE group was significantly lower than that in the Pringle group on postoperative day 1, 3 and 7. The mean drainage volume in SHVE group was significantly less than that in the Pringle group on postoperative day 1 and 2. Liver failure occurred in two cases of the Pringle group, while no one in the SHVE group. Rupture of hepatic vein with massive blood loss occurred in 3 cases and air embolism in one case of the Pringle group, but did not occur in any case of the SHVE group.

CONCLUSIONWhen the selective exclusion of hepatic outflow and inflow is applied in hepatectomy, the resection rate of huge hepatic tumors and operative tolerance of hepatectomy are improved. It is a safe and rational operation type, and provides an optimal choice for hepatectomy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; blood ; blood supply ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; blood supply ; surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; blood ; blood supply ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Hepatic Veins ; surgery ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care ; Liver ; blood supply ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; blood supply ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prealbumin ; metabolism ; Young Adult