OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of six common Chinese medicinal herbs for promoting blood circulation, including Radix Paeoniae rubra (I), Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (II), Rhizoma Chuanxiong (III), Radix Notoginseng (IV), Semen Persicae (V) and wine steamed Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (VI), on blood lipids and inflammatory reaction of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE gene deficiency mice.

METHODSNinety mice, 6 - 8 weeks old, were divided into 8 groups, the model group, the control group (treated with simvastatin) and the six treated groups treated with the above-mentioned 6 Chinese medicinal herbs respectively. All the mice were fed with the diet of western kind for 13 weeks until the mature atherosclerotic plaques formed in them. Then they were treated with respective drugs for another 13 weeks except those in the model group. All the mice were sacrificed at the end of experiment, their blood was collected for lipids determination, heart and aorta were taken out for determining the level of CD68 in root of aorta, as well as the expressions of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) by immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSAll the 6 Chinese herbs showed regulatory action on blood lipids. The positive expression of CD68 in the model group displayed the highest activity. As compared with the model group, the CD68 positive expressed cells in the control group and the groups treated with Chinese herbs II, III, and IV were lesser (P < 0.05), and the expression of inflammatory factors (MCP-1 and TNF-alpha) in atherosclerotic plaques was significantly lower in the control group and the group treated with Chinese herb VI (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese medicinal herbs tested in this study can interfere the maturing progress of atherosclerotic plaques and stabilize the plaques in ApoE deficiency mice, the mechanisms may relate to its actions in regulating lipids metabolism and inhibiting inflammatory reaction. Different Chinese medicinal herbs for activating blood circulation of conventional dosage might show difference in potency and acting links.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Arteriosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Inflammation ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phytotherapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

objective To evaluate the clinical application value of ileum to the S-type of suture pro- duced orthotopic neobladder.Methods Radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder with"S"shape were per- formed in 3patients with transitional cell carcinoma.Ureter implant into neobladder with embedding nipple techniques,bottom of neobladder coincide with urethra stump.Results The average operative time to form a neobladder was 5 hours,average bleeding volume was 366 ml during operation,3 cases can control urine dur- ing daytime,nycturia 1-3 times every night.Neobladder has a large capacity,low pressure,and electrolytes of blood was normal.Conclusion The construction of an ileal neobladder using a smaller part of ileum that has been completely detubularized and fashioned by S shape is easy and agreeable to perform.This mode of oper- ation has low complication rates,achieves adequate capacity at low pressure,and provides satisfactory conti- nence rates.It is a fine scheme to treat invasion and multiple carcinoma of bladder.

Objective To study the value of DSA for hepatic vascular anatomy,and to evaluate the efficacy of portal vein occlusion in rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor.Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with 10 in each group,including test group A and positive control group B of ham operation.For the test group A,portal branch ligation(PBL)was performed for the left external branch after 3 weeks of the tumor implantation to the left external lobe.Two weeks later,the DSA of hepatic artery and portal vein were performed in all of the rabbits.Results The total displaying effectiveness of the branches of hepatic artery by DSA was better than that by vascular perfusion.There was hypovascular blood supply to hepatic artery implantation of the tumor in the test group A,comparing with that of the group B.Conclusion DSA can clearly display spacial details of the hepatic vascular anatomy in rabbits,and play an important role in post-procedual evaluation of the portal vein occlusion in rabbits.

Through study on the correlation between Atractylodis macrocephala lactones ingredient content and topographic factors, we researched regionalization from topography of five main producing provinces of the country, in order to provide a scientific basis for A. macrocephala reasonable cultivation. By sampling from 40 origins of five main producing provinces of the country, the variation of A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content in different conditions of topographic factors and the effect of altitude, slope and aspect was analyzed by SPSS. Then according to the relationship between A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content and topographic factors, the ecological suitability regionalization was conducted by using ArcGIS based on topographic factors. It is suitable for growth of A. macrocephala in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern whose A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content is in high levels. It is unsuitable for growth of A. macrocephala in Northern plain areas, but we can cultivate A. macrocephala in the hilly and mountainous areas of Northern. The most suitable topographic condition for cultivation of A. macrocephala : altitude 200 meters above, slope 3.00-4.99 degrees.
Altitude ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ecosystem

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rats with adjuvant arthritis and to explore the mechanism of neovasculization in rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODSThirty rats were randomly divided into normal control group and model control group. The model control group were established the model of adjuvant arthritis using Freund's complete adjuvant. At 19 days after modeling, the expression of microvascular density (MVD), HIF-1α, VEGF were detected by ELISA assay and PTEN, PI3K, AKT were detected by Werstern Blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, paw swelling, arthritic index were increased, and the expression of MVD, VEGF, HIF-1α of serum, PI3K, AKT of synovial tissue were significantly increased, PTEN was significantly decreased in model control group. PI3K, HIF-1α were positively correlated with MVD; VEGF, AKT were positively correlated with paw swelling; PTEN was negatively correlated with the arthritis index; HIF-1α was positively correlated with VEGF; PI3K was positively correlated with AKT, PTEN was negatively correlated with PI3K, AKT, VEGF.

CONCLUSIONImbalance of PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway in rats with adjuvant arthritis is one of the mechanisms of synovial neovasculization.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; physiology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; physiology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEIn patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving potentially curative minimally invasive therapy, autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells were used to reduce recurrence. In this study we observed the changes in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) after the treatment with CIK cells to explore if AFP could serve as a marker for predicting immunotherapeutic clinical outcome.

METHODSA total of 122 patients with HCC and elevated AFP (>25 ng/mL) received a curative treatment of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Of these patients, 83 patients without residual tumor or extrahepatic metastasis and with AFP level less than 1.5 times the normal range (AFP<37.5 ng/mL) were randomly assigned to the study group (n=42) and the control group (n=41). In the study group, CIK cells were transfused intravenously or via common hepatic arteries every week for at least 4 times, and the T-lymphocyte subset data before and after CIK cell infusions was examined by flow cytometry. All the two groups of patients were screened by tomography every 2 months to observe tumor recurrence. Serum AFP was collected at baseline and at different time points after treatment in parallel with radiologic response and clinical outcome.

RESULTSTwo patients in the control group were lost to follow-up after treatment. After CIK cell infusions, the downtrend of the AFP level was observed in the study group and not in the control group. There was a significant difference in the level of AFP between different time points after CIK infusions in both groups. The 1-year recurrence rate was 7.14% for the study group and 23.1% for the control group (P=0.044). In subgroup analysis, for patients with a slightly high level of AFP (25 ng/mL

CONCLUSIONSCIK cells transfusion may reduce the level of serum AFP and anti-HBV and decrease the 1-year recurrence rate of patients with HCC after curative TACE plus RFA. Serum AFP decrease after CIK cell treatment may serve as a useful marker for predicting immunotherapy clinical outcome in patients with HCC undergone curative minimally invasive therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; transplantation ; DNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

Elaeagnus angustifolia Linn. has various ecological, medicinal and economical uses. An approach was established using RP-HPLC (reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography) to classify and analyse the intra-specific genetic relationships of seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, collected from the Xinjiang areas of China. Chromatograms of alcohol-soluble proteins produced by seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, were compared. Each chromatogram of alcohol-soluble proteins came from a single seed of one wild plant only. The results showed that when using a Waters Delta Pak. C18, 5 microm particle size reversed phase column (150 mm x 3.9 mm), a linear gradient of 25%-60% solvent B with flow rate of 1 ml/min and run time of 67 min, the chromatography yielded optimum separation of E. angustifolia alcohol-soluble proteins. Representative peaks in each population were chosen according to peak area and occurrence in every seed. The converted data on the elution peaks of each population were different and could be used to represent those populations. GSC (genetic similarity coefficients) of 41% to 62% showed a medium degree of genetic diversity among the populations in these eco-areas. Cluster analysis showed that the seventeen populations of E. angustifolia could be divided into six clusters at the GSC=0.535 level and indicated the general and unique biochemical markers of these clusters. We suggest that E. angustifolia distribution in these eco-areas could be classified into six variable species. RP-HPLC was shown to be a rapid, repeatable and reliable method for E. angustifolia classification and identification and for analysis of genetic diversity.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Elaeagnaceae ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the histological and ultrastructural changes of the skin and hair follicles following hair removal by alexandrite laser in Tibet mini-pigs.

METHODSTwelve healthy Tibet mini-pigs with dark hair were treated with alexandrite laser for hair removal. The skin specimens were taken immediately and at 1 h and 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 days after the laser treatment for observation under optical and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSLaser hair removal resulted in extensive coagulation necrosis, carbonization and falling of the subcutaneous hair shafts, and some of the cells in the outer root sheath and hair bulb underwent degenerative and necrotic changes. One hour after laser treatment, the cells in the outer root sheath and bulb exhibited nuclear condensation, fragmentation and or karyolysis characteristic of cell apoptosis. The cell apoptosis reached the peak level on day 3 after the laser exposure, accompanied by endothelial degeneration in the hair papilla vessels, edema and lymphocyte infiltration in the dermal tissues. Tissue reaction and inflammation were relieved on day 5, and the dermal tissue and follicles recovered their normal structures on day 10. At 60 days after the treatment, the hair follicles decreased markedly but the structure of the residue follicles remained normal.

CONCLUSIONAlexandrite laser exposure results in selective destruction of the follicles by inducing direct coagulation and cell apoptosis to achieve permanent hair removal. Tibet mini-pigs with black hair can be used as the animal model of clinical laser hair removal.

Animals ; Hair Follicle ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Hair Removal ; methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Swine ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo study the commodity specification and grade standard of Pseudostellaria Radix, for standardizing market order and achieving industrialization, standardization and modernization of Pseudostellariae Radix.

METHODThe different areas and grade medicinal materials of Pseudostellariae Radix were respectively measured in quantitative characteristics of appearance, and the present grade classification of Pseudostellaria Radix was scientifically verified by the content of polysaccharide. Then the determination data were evaluated by spss correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. So combining with the actual production, the commodity grade standard of Pseudostellariae Radix was formulated.

RESULTCorrelation analysis indicated that the present grade classification of Pseudostellaria Radix was reasonable, and the more the grade of Pseudostellariae Radix was high, the more the content of polysaccharide was high. Meanwhile, length as a classification index was not suitable for the commodity grade standard of Pseudostellariae Radix. Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis, combining actual production, the thickest diameter, weight of single root tuber and the number of 50 g root tuber were filtrated and the grade was divided into 5 ranks: big, mid- dle, small selected goods, big ungraded goods and small ungraded goods.

CONCLUSIONthe commodity specification and grade standard of Pseudostellariae Radix that mainly included the thickest diameter, weight of single root tuber and the number of 50 g root tuber was formulated, the standard was divided into 5 grade. Each grade was not only consistent with the present situation of medicinal materials market, it could also reflected the intrinsic quality of Pseudostellariae Radix. In conclusion, the standard could be used as a classifica- tion basis to the commodity specification and grade.

Caryophyllaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomical and morphological characteristics of the venous spaces involved in surgery via transsphenoidal approach to the cavernous sinus (CS).

METHODSTen fixed cadaver heads (six male, four female) with red and blue latex injected in the arteries and veins, respectively, were used to perform the transsphenoidal approach. The anterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus and the floor of sellar turcica were opened as much as possible to expose the dura mater at the sellar floor and the inferior wall of CS, and the location of the anterior and inferior intercavernous sinuses were observed carefully. All the spaces of CS were observed and measured. According to the observations, the venous spaces available for operation were identified and analyzed.

RESULTSIn all the cadaver heads, 4 anterior and 5 inferior intercavernous sinuses were found, with the former locating below the optic protuberance, while the latter situated at the turn of the sellar protuberance at the clival indentation. CS was subdivided into medial space, inferolateral space, and dorsolateral space.

CONCLUSIONSIn transsphenoidal approach, opening of anterior and inferior intercavernous sinus is liable to result in intra- and postoperative venous bleeding, and understanding of the location of the intercavernous sinus and appropriate utilization of these CS may help reduce intraoperative vascular and nerve injury.

Cadaver ; Cavernous Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Anatomic ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Sphenoid Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; surgery