Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; therapy

ObjectiveTo study the MR Imaging features of breast phyllodes tumor (PT),and to correlate it with pathological results.MethodClinical and MRI findings were retrospectively reviewed in twenty-seven women with 28 PTs lesions confirmed by surgical pathology.Statistical analyses were one-way ANOVA for size analysis,Fisher exact test for analysis of MR appearances and Spearman correlation to study the relationship between MRI findings and BI-RADS categories.Results( 1 ) The histologic findings were benign,borderline and malignant PTs in 14.3％ (4/28),53.6％ (15/28) and 32.1％ (9/28) of lesions,respectively.(2) The mean maximum-diameter were (6.4 ± 3.9) cm,(5.7 ± 2.2) cm in borderline type and (4.8 ± 1.8)cm in benign type respectively.The results showed differences in lesion's size among the three type (F = 287.541,P =0.000),especially between malignant and benign type (P = 0.033 ).(3)Internal non-enhanced septations and silt-like changes on enhanced images,as well as time-signal curve on MRI correlated significantly with the histological grade ( P ＜ 0.05 ).( 4 ) If the category BI-RADS ≥ 4a was considered to be a suspicious sign for malignant lesion,the diagnostic accuracy of MRI would be 96.4％ (27/28),and the BI-RADS category of the MRI could reflect the PT's histological grade with a low correlation coefficient ( r = 0.382,P = 0.045 ).Conclusion The findings of PT on MRI have some characteristics,with tumor size and several MRI features correlating with the histological grade of breast PT.

Objective To investigate the relationship between different topographic locations and neurological deteriorations (ND) in patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction.Methods One hundred sixty-eight patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction during arch 2012 to March 2016 were identified by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for retrospective review.Patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical symptoms:patients with ND and patients without ND.According to neuroimaging of DWI,the topographic location of pontine infarction was divided into three types:The upper,middle,and lower ones,and the correlations of ND with risk factors,laboratory examination results,clinical manifestations and different topographic locations were explored by statistical tests.Results Of 168 patients,26.8％ (45/168) were diagnosed with ND,and 73.2％ (123/168) were diagnosed without ND.Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in female ratio [62.2％ (28/45) vs 41.5％ (51/ 123)],smoking ratio [13.3％ (6/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)],mean length of hospital stay [(22.83 ± 7.12)d vs (19.31 ± 7.65)d],ratio of worse short-term clinical outcomes [77.8％ (35/45) vs 33.3％ (41/123)],and ratio of lower pontine infarction [55.6％ (25/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)] between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lower pontine infarction was the independent risk factor of ND (OR =1.953,95％ CI:1.092-3.535,P =0.029).Conclusions Topographic location of lower pons lesions may be reliable predictor of ND in acute new isolated pontine infarction.

Objective To analyze the correlation between clinical features and renal dysfunction in patients of acute lacunar infarction with progressive cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Methods Two hundred and sixty-five patients with first-episode acute lacunar infarction were selected. The serum creatinine was measured within 24 h of admission and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The brain MRI (including gradient-echo images) was examined within 2 d of admission and after 1 years of follow-up, respectively. The progressive CMBs was assessed with microbleeds anatomical rating scale (MARS), and the patients were divided into progressive CMBs group (progressive group, 42 cases) and non progressive CMBs group (non progressive group, 223 cases). The clinical features of 2 groups were compared and the correlation between progressive CMBs and renal dysfunction was analyzed. Results The age, 24 h pulse pressure, incidences of renal dysfunction and CMBs in progressive group were significantly higher than those in non progressive group: (69.8 ± 5.8) years vs. (61.5 ± 4.9) years, (63.3 ± 3.1) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (51.8 ± 4.2) mmHg, 69.0％(29/42) vs. 39.9％(89/223) and 57.1％(24/42) vs. 25.1％(56/223), and the platelet was significantly lower than that in non-progression group:(168 ± 35) ×109/L vs. (189 ± 40) ×109/L, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05 or<0.01). The Logistic regression analysis result showed that renal dysfunction and CMBs were Independent risk factors of progressive CMBs (OR = 1.571 and 1.054, 95％ CI 1.042 - 2.493 and 1.010 - 1.142, P<0.05). Conclusions The rate of renal dysfunction is higher in patients of acute lacunar infarction with progressive CMBs, and progressive CMBs are associated with renal dysfunction.

As an important part of Chinese medicinal materials, uncommon-territorial herbs are also the most complex parts in the herbal medicine markets. Through years of investigation on the key markets of Chinese herbal medicine, the meaning of uncommon-territorial herbs, their historical evolution, origin and characteristics were clarified in this paper, and some countermeasures were put forward for its development.
Biological Evolution ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; history ; Herbal Medicine ; history ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

Sweetpotato starch thermal properties and its noodle quality were analyzed using a rapid predictive method based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This method was established based on a total of 93 sweetpotato genotypes with diverse genetic background. Starch samples were scanned by NIRS and analyzed for quality properties by reference methods. Results of statistical modelling indicated that NIRS was reasonably accurate in predicting gelatinization onset temperature (T(o)) (standard error of prediction SEP=2.014 degrees C, coefficient of determination RSQ=0.85), gelatinization peak temperature (T(p)) (SEP=1.371 degrees C, RSQ=0.89), gelatinization temperature range (T(r)) (SEP=2.234 degrees C, RSQ=0.86), and cooling resistance (CR) (SEP=0.528, RSQ=0.89). Gelatinization completion temperature (T(c)), enthalpy of gelatinization (DeltaH), cooling loss (CL) and swelling degree (SWD), were modelled less well with RSQ between 0.63 and 0.84. The present results suggested that the NIRS based method was sufficiently accurate and practical for routine analysis of sweetpotato starch and its noodle quality.
Food Technology ; methods ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Starch ; chemistry

AIMTo investigate the variation of CYP2C9 isoenzyme activity in the microbial model in response to inhibitors of CYP2C9.

METHODSUsing C. blakesleeana AS 3. 910 as a model strain, the impact of CYP2C9 inhibitors on the metabolites yields of CYP2C9 substrates was determined and the drug-drug interactions among CYP2C9 substrates were evaluated. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze biotransformation products.

RESULTSBenzbromarone decreased the yield of 4'-hydroxytolbutamide from 100% to 14.5%; sulfaphenazole decreased the yield of O-demethylindomethacin from 75.2% to 9.9%; valproic acid decreased the yield of 4'-hydroxydiclofenac from 98.6% to 2.7%, separately. Tolbutamide, indomethacin and diclofenac interacted with each other, resulting in the decreased formation of metabolites catalyzed by CYP2C9.

CONCLUSIONThree CYP2C9 inhibitors inhibit the activity of CYP2C9 isoenzyme in C. blakesleeana AS 3. 910 differently, and there are drug-drug interactions among CYP2C9 substrates.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Benzbromarone ; pharmacology ; Biotransformation ; drug effects ; Catalysis ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cunninghamella ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 ; Diclofenac ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Interactions ; Fungal Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Indomethacin ; pharmacology ; Isoenzymes ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Substrate Specificity ; Sulfaphenazole ; pharmacology ; Tolbutamide ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features, treatment methods and outcome of solitary plasmacytoma of cervical spine.

METHODSFrom January 1995 to December 2007, the data of 23 cases with solitary plasmacytoma of cervical spine was analyzed. There were 16 males and 7 females (mean age 56 years, range: 32 - 76 years). Two cases underwent radiotherapy alone and 21 patients received surgery. According to WBB staging system, surgical procedures were defined as total or subtotal resection (6 cases), appendix resection (4 cases), sagittal resection (3 cases) and total spondylectomy (8 cases). All surgical cases were managed using an anterior approach, posterior approach or combined anterior and posterior approach. The cervical spinal reconstruction was achieved through anterior cervical titanium plate and titanium mesh cage filled with auto iliac graft or bone cement, or anterior and posterior combined instrumented fusion. All patients received radiotherapy as adjunctive therapy.

RESULTSFollow-up of the 23 cases lasted 24.0 - 143.0 months (mean: 64.7 months). Neck pains obviously improved, and nerve compression symptoms disappeared or improved after surgery. Neurological function improved by 1 - 2 grades based on Frankel grading system. All the internal fixations were fused well and stability of the cervical spine was fine and no spine instability could be seen in our series. The bone graft fusion rate was 100%. During the follow-up period, 6 surgical cases had local recurrence and finally progressed to multiple myeloma (MM) and 3 died. Two cases without surgical treatment progressed to MM in 1 year and 1.5 years after confirmed diagnosis. They were given systemic chemotherapy. The other 15 patients had disease-free survival and after surgery and adjunctive radiotherapy. Obvious abnormity were not found in such examinations as M protein, bone marrow aspiration and emission computed tomography or PET-CT examinations.

CONCLUSIONSSolitary plasmacytoma of cervical spine is rarely seen clinically. Surgery is recommended as the primary management for patients with overt bone destruction and spinal instability or neurological dysfunction. Tumor excision with adjunctive radiotherapy can obviously reduce local recurrences and lower the possibility of progression to MM. The patients with progression to MM should receive chemotherapy according to chemotherapy protocol while the prognosis is comparatively worse.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasmacytoma ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate therapeutic effects of balance acupuncture on scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP)and the mechanisms.

METHODSThirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (group B), a model group (group M) and a balance acupuncture group (group BA) with 10 rabbits in each group. SP model was established by using persistent mechanical strain and ice compress. Balance acupuncture at "Jiantong" point was applied in the animals in group BA, but not in the rabbits of the other two groups. Joint movement and pathological changes in tissues around the affected shoulder joint were observed, and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma and the affected surrounding tissues, and DNA contents in tendon of supraspinatus muscle were measured.

RESULTSThe content of plasma 5-HT in group BA [(18.16 +/- 4.44) ng/mL] was significantly lower than that in group M [(23.28 +/- 5.89) ng/mL] (P < 0.05), but without obvious difference in IL-1beta content between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with group M, the contents of IL-1beta, 5-HT in affected surrounding tissues, and DNA expression in tendon of supraspinatus muscle were significantly lowered to va rious extent in group BA (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBalance acupuncture can effectively improve local and systemic pathological situation induced by SP by way of reducing pain-producing factors, inflammatory factors and DNA expression to alleviate local organization and adhesions in rabbits with experimental SP.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Male ; Periarthritis ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Serotonin ; blood ; Shoulder Pain ; blood ; immunology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the modulatory effects of human amniotic epithelial cells (H-AECs), human amniotic mesenchymal cell (HA-MSCs), umbilical mesenchymal cells (UC-MSCs) on the inflammatory status of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells.

METHODSRAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS were co-cultured with H-AECs, HA-MSCs, or UC-MSCs or cultured in conditioned media of the 3 stem cells to assess the changes of the inflammatory status of RAW264.7 cells. The migration ability, nitric oxide concentration, and expressions of the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2) of M1 macrophages, and Arg-1, CD206, and CD36 of M2 macrophages, were detected in the co-cultures.

RESULTSCompared with the control macrophages, RAW264.7 cells cultured in the conditioned media of H-AECs, HA-MSCs, and UC-MSCs all showed significantly lowered migration abilities (P<0.05). Co-culture with H-AECs, but not the other two stem cells, resulted in a significant reduction of NO production (P<0.05) and significant down-regulation of IL-1β, TNFα, NOS-2, and INFβ expressions in RAW264.7 cells; co-culture with HA-MSCs and UC-MSCs only caused a down-regulation of INFβ mRNA expression. In all the 3 RAW264.7 and stem cell co-cultures, the expressions of the inflammation related genes including Arg-1, CD206, and CD36 were up-regulated significantly.

CONCLUSIONH-AECs, HA-MSCs, and UC-MSCs can all prevent RAW264.7 cells from differentiating into M2 macrophages, but their effects and mechanisms are different from one another.

Adult Stem Cells ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism