To optimize the water extraction process for glycyrrhiza. Methods: HPLC was used to determine the con-tents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin. The comprehensive index included the contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin and the yield of dry extract. The water amount and the extraction time were selected as the independent variables, and the comprehensive index was set as the dependent variable. Design-expert 8. 06 software was used to fit multivariate linear or quadratic multinomial models for the experimental values. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the water extraction process. The prediction was carried out through comparing the observed and predicted values. Results:The regression coefficient of binomial fitting complex model was as high as 0. 979 7. The optimum conditions of extraction process were as follows:12-fold amount of water, extracting 3 times with 90 min for each time. The deviation between the observed and predicted values was -1. 72%. Conclusion: Central composite design-response surface methodology is convenient and highly predictive in optimizing the water extraction process for glycyrrhiza, which can be applied in the further membrane separation and purification.

Objective To summary and explore the indications,safety and effectiveness of no touch ostial cardioplegia delivery method during aortic valve replacement(AVR) for severe aortic insufficiency(AI),in order to provide guidance for clinical application.Methods Between September 2012 and February 2015,63 cases were randomly divided into two groups,in study group we used this technique in 31 patients with a mean age of(58.0 ± 15.0) years and a range of 31 to 74 years old.The degree of AI averaged (3.5 ± 0.5) according to a semiquantitative 5-grade scale[1].32 patients were enrolled in control group with a mean age of(60.4 ± 9.4) years and a range of 22 to 73 years old.The degree of AI averaged (3.6 ± 0.5).The abnormal aortic cusps were sutured though the aortic incision,which would be closed temporarily.Blood cardioplegia was infused repeatedly into the coronary osita through the closed aortic incision during the remainder of the procedure except AVR,when the closed aortic incision was reopened.Results In the study group,spontaneous resumption of nodal and normal sinus rhythm shortly after the removal of aortic cross-clamp was achieved in all patients,no hearts had to be electrically defibrillated and electrocardiogram showed no obvious S-T segment elevation.The time from cross-clamp removal to sinus rhythm was(12.3 ± 7.7) minutes in the study group,versus (18.6 ± 8.2) minutes in the control group(P =0.037).No operative mortality occurred in both groups.There was a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction[from(0.54 ± 0.09) preoperatively to(0.62 ± 0.06) postoperatively] (P =0.005) in patients of the study group,which was not seen in patients of the control group.Conclusion Preliminary results have shown that the no touch ostial cardioplegia delivery method is a feasible method for cardioplegia infusion during aortic valve replacement in patients with severe AI.

OBJECTIVETo identify a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B allele and explore its family heritage.

METHODSA novel HLA allele was suspected upon routine HLA typing using a polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) assay. The sequence was confirmed with DNA sequencing and compared with its closest matching allele, B*55:02. The family was also investigated.

RESULTSAn unusual reaction pattern was detected during routine HLA typing. The sequence was confirmed to be a novel HLA-B allele, which differed from the closest matching allele, B*55:02 in 7 nt positions in exon 2. Among the 7 mutations from 6 codons, there were two amino acids changes including 69Glu→Met and 70Glu→Ala.

CONCLUSIONA novel HLA-B allele has been identified and officially named as B*55:35 by the WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System (GenBank accession number FJ898284).

Alleles ; Base Sequence ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the impact of specimen collection and storage consumable products on trace element quantitative analysis.

METHODSDevices and consumable products of different brands used in specimen collection or storage were selected and treated separately as below:urine collection and storage tubes (Brand A, B, C and D, 2 samples for each brand) were treated with 1% of HNO(3) volume fraction for 2 - 4 h; blood taking device (Brand O, P and Q, 3 samples for each brand) were used for ultra-pure water samples collecting as simulation of blood sampling;dust sampling filters (Brand X, Y and Z, 2 samples for each brand) were cold digested by nitric acid for 12 h, followed by microwave digestion. Then cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, stannum, titanium, vanadium and zinc concentrations in the solutions obtained during the course of collect or storage were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.

RESULTSFor the urine collection and storage consumable products, background values of elements were described as mean of parellel samples. The consentration of 14 quantified elements were relatively low for 5 ml cryogenic vials (brand B) with background values range of 0.001 - 0.350 ng/ml. The background values of copper of 50 ml centrifuge tubes (brand A), chromium of 5 ml cryogenic vials (brand C) and zinc of 1.5 ml centrifuge tubes (brand D) were relatively high, which were 1.900, 1.095 and 1.368 ng/ml, respectively. Background values of elements in blood sampling devices were described as x(-) ± s. Background values of chromium for brand O, P and Q were (0.120 ± 0.017), (0.337 ± 0.093) and (0.360 ± 0.035) ng/ml; for copper were (0.050 ± 0.001), (0.017 ± 0.012) and (0.103 ± 0.015) ng/ml; for lead were (0.057 ± 0.072), (0.183 ± 0.118) and (0.347 ± 0.006) ng/ml; for titanium were (7.883 ± 0.145), (8.863 ± 0.190) and (8.613 ± 0.274) ng/ml; zinc were (2.240 ± 0.573), (42.140 ± 22.756) and (8.850 ± 3.670) ng/ml. There were statistically differences of background values for chromium, copper, lead, titanium and zinc among the above three brands of blood sampling devices (all P values < 0.05). For air sampling filters, background values of elements were described as mean of parellel samples. Background values of chromium and nickel of sampling filters (brand X) were lowest, which were 17.000 and 15.400 ng per piece, respectively; while background values for other elements were relatively high, the quantification of cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, lead, selenium, stannum, titanium, vanadium and zinc were 0.250, 0.550, 48.500, 690.000, 25.500, 0.900, 6.500, 10.550, 7.950, 10.500, 0.850, 370.000 ng per piece, respectively. Background values of chromium and nickel of sampling filters (brand Z) were highest, which were 171.000 and 29.850 ng per piece.

CONCLUSIONBackground values of trace elements varied among products of different brands, and the most noticable differences were found in chromium, manganese, nickel, lead, stannum and zinc.

Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Quality Control ; Specimen Handling ; methods ; Trace Elements ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo detect the short-term clinical and side effects of cryosurgical ablation for prostate cancer.

METHODSThe ENDOCAm cryosurgical system with 2 mm Cryo-probes was used to treat the prostate cancer guided by rectal ultrasonic. 1. Completeness of freeze; 2. Complications; 3. The changes of PSA and PSMA before and after operation were observed respectively.

RESULTS1. The completeness of freeze rate and non-completeness of freeze rate were 34.8% (8/23) and 65.2% (15/23) showed by MRI 3 weeks later after operation; the biopsy results showed that tumor positive rates in completeness of freeze group and non-completeness of freeze group were 0 and 20% (3/15) respectively after 6 months. 2. The incontinence rate was 13%, and all recovered during 1 month; and the erectile dysfunction rate post-operation was 56.2% (9/16). 3. The levels of PSA before and after cryosurgical ablation were (32.98 +/- 35. 50) microg/L, (11.65 +/- 26. 51) microg/L respectively (P < 0.05). PSMA increased significantly after the cryosurgical ablation.

CONCLUSIONThe short-term curative effects of cryosurgical ablation, which guided by rectal ultrasound for prostate cancer is satisfied with low complication rate and minor vulnus.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cryosurgery ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Rectum ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo verify the improvement function of warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on the early motor function of hemiparalysis patients caused by ischemic brain stroke.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly divided into a warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training group (group A) and a rehabilitation training group (group B), 40 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with internal routine treatment. The Motor Relearning Program rehabilitation was used in group B, while warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with Motor Relearning Program rehabilitation were used in group A. Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected, and warming-reinforcing method was used in these points, they were treated for 3 weeks. The neurological functional deficits scores of hemiparalysis patients, Fugl-Meyer Score, Motor Function Assessment Score (MAS), Barthel Index and Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate the condition of hemiparalysis patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe effective rate of group A (87.5%, 35/40) superior to that of group B (67.5%, 27/40) (P < 0.05). The neurological functional deficit scores, Fugl-Meyer score, MAS and Barthel Index of both groups were improved after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the improved degree of group A was better than that of group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is obvious improvement function of warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on the early motor function of hemiparalysis patients caused by ischemic brain stroke, and the function is better than that of simple rehabilitation training.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Hemiplegia ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Activity ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of the tissue engineered venous grafts (TEVGs) constructed in vitro based on canine autologous bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and porcine decellularized aortic scaffolds implanted into the canine inferior vena cava.

METHODSTo draw out a volume of 8 - 12 ml of bone marrow from the canine (n = 8), to culture and expand EPCs in vitro using conditioned medium. After labeled with a red fluorescent dye PKH26-GL, the cells were seeded onto the luminal surface of decellularized porcine scaffolds with single, rotative method for 4 h. Following static culture for 24 - 72 h, the hybrids were implanted to replace autologous canine inferior vena cava about 4 cm long. Meantime one femoral artery-venous shunt about 1 cm long was performed. The non-seeded decellularized scaffolds (n = 4) were performed the same as control. Angiography was performed and the hybrids were explanted for morphology and labeled cells' immuno-fluorescence examinations at postoperative 10 d, 4 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively.

RESULTSThe patent number of experiment (control) group were 7/7 (2/4), 6/6 (2/2) and 4/4 (1/2) at postoperative 10 d, 4 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively. At 12 weeks, tightly confluence endothelial cells which covered the whole inner luminal surface of the explants were detected by immunohistochemistry of factor VIII and scanning electron microscopy, while fibrin-based pseudo-intima was detected on the inner luminal surface of matrix in the solo patent dog from the control group. Meanwhile, fibroblasts and alpha-actin positive cells in the matrices were found by transmission electron microscopy and alpha-actin immunohistochemistry. PKH26-GL labeled EPCs sustained on the luminal surface at a rather proportion accompanied by newly formed endothelial cells. However, the explants in both groups showed partial stenosis.

CONCLUSIONSSuch constructed tissue engineered venous graft based on canine autologous bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells and porcine decellularized aortic matrices is promising and deserve to further improvement and testing.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Cells, Cultured ; Dogs ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Factor VIII ; analysis ; Feasibility Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; surgery

Objective:To observe the effect of Linggui Zhugan Tang on gut microbiota in ob/ob mice, in order to explore whether its bone protective effect is related to its regulatory effect of gut microbiota. Method:The ob/ob mice were divided into control group, model group, Linggui Zhugan Tang group, and Atorvastatin group. After administration for 4 weeks, morphological changes in intestine and bone were observed by htoxylin eosin(HE) staining. The protein expression of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was detected by Western blot in bone. The expression of farniol X receptor(FXR) was detected by in immunofluorescence staining. And the content of interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum was analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA. Result:Compared with control group, the trabecular bone of the femur became thinner, the bone marrow cavity was infiltrated with fat, and the epithelium of the small intestine was damaged in the model group. The protein expressions of ALP and FXR decreased, while the content of IL-6 in serum was increased in the model group. Compared with model group, the protein expressions of ALP and FXR increased, while the content of IL-6 in serum was decreased in the Linggui Zhugan Tang group. At the genus level, compared with control group, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 increased (P<0.05), while that of norank_f__Bacteroidales_S24-7_group decreased in model group (P<0.01). Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 was positively correlated with the weight of body (r=0.661), while norank_f__Bacteroidales_S24-7_group was negatively correlated with the weight of body (r=-0.622). Conclusion:Linggui Zhugan Tang has a protective effect on bone injury in ob/ob mice, and its mechanism may be related to its regulation of gut microbiota.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningioma ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDMeningioma is one of the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system, but there are not many detailed studies on the sex, age, subtypes and locations of large series. This study was a retrospective analysis of the characteristics of meningioma cases consecutively operated on at a single institution in China from 2001 to 2010.

METHODSThis study investigated the demographic background of 7084 meningioma cases, and the subtypes and locations of the tumors. Sex and age distributions were analyzed, and the pathological subtypes were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The location of the meningiomas was also categorized.

RESULTSThe female:male ratio of the 7084 cases was 2.34:1. The mean age was 51.4 years (range, 11 months-86 years). The mean age of cases of WHO grade I meningioma was significantly older than that of grade II or III meningiomas (P < 0.001, Fisher's Least Significant Digit test). There was a significantly higher female:male ratio in WHO grade I meningiomas than in grade II or grade III meningiomas (2.57, 1.03 and 0.76, respectively; P < 0.001, χ(2) test). Meningothelial (n = 2061) and fibrous meningiomas (n = 3556) were the most common subtypes, comprising 79.3% of all meningiomas. All meningioma cases were classified into 23 locations in this study, with the cerebral convexity the most common site (38.33%, n = 2722). Cases with uncommon locations such as extra-cranial and sylvian fissure meningiomas were also present in this series.

CONCLUSIONSFemale predominance was found for benign meningiomas, while malignant subtypes showed male predominance. The mean age of patients with WHO grade I meningiomas was older than that of patients with higher-grade tumors. Meningothelial and fibrous meningiomas were the most common subtypes. The cerebral convexity was the most common meningioma location.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Meningioma ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult