AIM: To develop a rapid HPLC method for quality control of traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients consisted of citrus flavonoids, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, sinensetin and nobiletin. METHODS:Gradient elution with non-salt mobile phase ( methanol and water only) HPLC method on a Kromasil column ( 100-5C18-250A, 4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5 μm, C18 reverse phase) with peaks identification through DAD full UV wavelength scan. UV 284 nm and 332 nm profiles were observed. RESULTS: Satisfactory resolution, linearity, 95%～ 102% of recovery and 1.88 ～ 2.93% of repeatability were obtained for those five citrus flavonoids. Content of 6 Citrus aurantium L. based TCM ingredients were analyzed and identified. CONCLUSION: Rapid HPLC test method on citrus flavonoids was developed and can be in LC-MS identification.

Objective To explore what cause the screw loosening after the internal fixation with thoracic and lumbar pedicle screws in the elderly and to develop the preventive measures.Methods Retrospective analysis were used to collect the clinical data from patients ager 60 years and over who had undergone surgeries of thoracolumbar pedicle screw internal fixation in our hospital during May 2011 and May 2013.Totally 187 cases were included in this study.According to whether there was a loosening of the screws, patients were divided into fixtion-loose and-well groups.The operation time and blood loss volume in the two groups were recorded.Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), the rate of screw loosening were compared at 6 months after operation and the last follow-up.The causes of screw loosening were analyzed.Results The main causes for the thoracic and lumbar pedicle screw internal fixation were thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis, fractures,spondylolisthesis, cancer and degenerative diseases, etc.Patients were followed up for an average of (35.2±8.7) months.13 patients (7.0％) were found screw loosening, 5 males and 8 females, with the mean age of (78.4 ± 3.5) years.The screw loosening occurred 3 months to 1 year after the surgery, (7.6±3.7) months on average.Among the 13 patients with screw loosening, 1 patient suffered screw loosening in single segment, 3 patients in two segments, and 9 patients in three segments or above.Osteoporosis combined with screw loosening.appeared in 10 patients VAS and ODI scores in all subjects had statistically differences at 6 months after operation and the last follow up versus preoperation (P＜0.05 for all), but no statistical difference versus the last follow-up(P＞ 0.05).There were significant differences in gender and preoperative osteoporosis rate between the two groups (P＜0.05 for both).Conclusions Osteoporosis is one of the reasons for the screw loosening in elderly patients after pedicle screw internal fixation.The increased probability of the screw loosening in long segment may be related with the change of the older spine mechanics.Further randomized controlled trials are still required to confirm whether elderly osteoporosis patients need to receive bone cement augmentation treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of P-JNK and P-c-Jun of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) on nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats. METHOD: Sixty male Wistar rats (weighing about 200-250 g) were randomly divided into AR group (A group) and B group(control group). The rats in A group were sensitized for inducing AR by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin and Al(OH)₃. Rats in group A were randomized into A4, A8 and A12 group (each had 10 rats). Ovalbumin was dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8,12 weeks, respectively. Rats in group B were sensitized by saline instead of OVA, and were also divided into B4, B8 and B12 group. Each group had 10 rats. Pathological changes of nasal mucosa in each period were observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain dyeing. The phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun were tested by immunohistochemistry. RESULT: In A8 group, mucosal congestion and edema thickening with inflammatory cells infiltration of eosinophils were observed in the eighth week, and the inflammatory changes were significantly increased as time went on. The mean absorbance values of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in A group were significantly higher than those in the corresponding B group (all P < 0.01). Moreover, the mean absorbance values of A12 group were significantly higher than A4 group and A8 group (all P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION The expression of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in the process of nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats were increased, which suggested that P-JNK and P-c-Jun played important roles in nasal mucosa remodeling of the allergic rhinitis rats.
Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; cytology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Undergraduates in department of laboratory medicine were organized to participate in United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Schemes. Case discussion was the main form and contents of cases cover the entire clinical biochemical field. One case was given every 20 days and undergraduates must answer in English. All answers would be summarized and reported by one of them. After results being returned, all undergraduates made a retrospective study. The highest score was 1.74 and the lowest score of-0.4, with the median score of 0.67. Time-window score ranged be-tween 0.98 and 0.41. After participating in the case discussion, students improved clinical problem-solving capa-bility, subjective initiative of clinical practice, English level and the team cooperation ability.

Objective To explore the anatomical basis,safty and manipuility of the puncture technique through anterolateral cervical approach.Methods Twenty two embalmed cadavers and 50 patients who underwent operation through anterolateral cervical approach were used to observe the cervical anatomical characteristics.During the cadaver dissection and operation,the following information was observed:the movement of the carotid sheath while the visceral sheath was pushed left,the features of interspace between the two sheaths at each cervical level,the movement of the esophagus and the interfascial space in which the esophagus moved while the trachea was pushed medially,and the movement of the carotid sheath while it was pushed medially and laterally.From January 2007 to December 2011,206 patients diagnosed as cervical discogenic pain or cervical vertigo were treated by radiofrequency using puncture technique through anterolateral cervical approach,including 93 males and 113 females,aged from 22 to 71 years (average,48years).A total of 434 discs were involved.Results Both in cadaver dissection and in operation,the following results were observed:there was no natural interspace between the carotid sheath and visceral sheath below the C4 level,as a result,manual separation was needed to create a interspace between the two sheaths for the puncture; the two layers of the prevertebral fascia could be separated easily; keeping the visceral sheath intact,the esophagus moved following the trachea when the latter was pushed medially,and the movement of the visceral sheath relative to the cervical vertebra occurred between the two layers of prevertebral fascia; the carotid sheath was primarily constituted by continuation of the prevertebral fascia,as a result,the movement of the carotid sheath was limited by its own tension and the prevertebral fascia.A total of 434 cases of puncture to cervical disc were performed smoothly with no complications related to the carotid artery,esophagus and cervical disc.Conclusion The puncture technique through anterolateral cervical approach requires a correct,thorough understanding of the anterior cervical anatomy,based on which this technique is safe and feasible.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signal transduction pathway on the nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats, to explore whether IL-1β participates the nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis by JNK signal transduction pathway. METHOD: Totally 60 male Wistar rats (weighing about 200-250 g)were randomly divided into A (AR group) and B group (control group). The rats in A group were sensitized for inducing AR by intraperitoneal injection ovalbumin and Al(OH)₃. Ovalbumin was respectively dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8,12 weeks(A4,A8,or A12 group) each had 10 rats. The rats in B group were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection saline. Saline was respectively dropped in each nasal cavity of every rat for 4,8, 12 weeks(B4, B8, or B12 group), and each had 10 rats. The concentration of IL-1β in serum and nasal lavage fluid were tested by ELASA. The protein expressions of P-JNK and P-c-Jun were detected by immunohistochemical technique. Linear correlation analysis showed the correlation between levels of IL-1β in serum and P-JNK protein, levels of IL-1β in nasal lavage fluid and P-JNK protein. RESULT: The concentrations of IL-1β in serum and nasal lavage fluid of A group were all significantly higher than those of the corresponding B group (all P < 0.01). Compared with A4 group and A8 group, concentrations of IL-1β in nasal lavage fluid of A12 group were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). However the levels of IL-1β in serum were not significantly different among them (all P > 0.05). Mean absorbance values of P-JNK and P-c-Jun in A group were significantly higher than those in corresponding B group (all P < 0.01) and compared with A4 group and A8 group, those of A12 group were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Strong positive correlation were found between P-JNK and concentration of IL-1β in serum or nasal lavage fluid (r = 0.835 and r = 0.902, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION JNK signal transduction pathway plays important role in the nasal mucosa remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats. IL-1β participates in AR nasal mucosa remodeling possibly partly through activating JNK signal transduction pathway.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; pathology ; Ovalbumin ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate status of the intravenous use of antibiotics in outpatients and emergency patients of a tertiary first-class hospital, and provide a reference for developing management measures in next step. Methods By a retrospective method,all the prescriptions using antibiotics by intravenous administration in outpatients and emergency department patients from a tertiary first-class hospital in 2013 were extracted from the hospital information system. The categories of antimicrobial agents,proportion of intravenous use of antimicrobial drugs,ranking of the antibiotic consumption sum and defined daily dose,and the top 10 clinical departments or wards intravenously using antimicrobial drugs were chosen to analyze. The data in 2014 were extracted as a comparison. Results Outpatients and emergency department patients respectively used 8 categories 31 kinds and 8 categories 30 kinds of intravenous antimicrobial drugs, with high consumption of cephalosporins and restricted antimicrobials such as sodium cefoxitin.Intravenous use of antimicrobial drug prescription proportion in emergency department is higher than that in outpatient department. Conclusion After intervention in 2014, antibiotic consumption is effectively controlled as compared that in 2013. But management should be strengthened and appropriate interventions should be taken to ensure the use of intravenous antibiotics in a safe,effective and economical manner.

Since the concept of molecular imaging was put forward in 1999,optical molecular imaging techniques have been widely applied in the field of biomedical and clinical research.Its unique application value is especially shown in hepatobiliary surgery,such as in liver tumor imaging,anatomical liver resection,liver transplant angiography,cholangiography,and bile or pancreatic leakage prevention.Optical molecular imaging technique "lights up" targeted areas in surgical operations and provides convenience in carrying out precision operation.This paper reviewed the advantages of optical molecular imaging technology in clinical research and discussed its limitations in translational surgery,and put forward possible directions in improvement for the future.