Shenfu injection is developed by improving dosage form of ancient prescription "Shenfu Tang" and is mainly derived from extracts of both traditional Chinese medicine red ginseng and prepared lateral root of monkshood with polysorbate 80 as auxiliary material. Shenfu injection may be administered through intramuscular injection, intravenous drip or intravenous injection. It produces good effects in restoring Yang and rescuing patients from collapse, tonifying Qi and preventing exhaustion. It is mainly used to treat not only syncope and prostration resulting from sudden Yang collapse (infectious, hemorrhagic and water depletion shock etc), but also pavor, palpitation, dyspnea with cough, stomachache, diarrhea and arthralgia etc caused by deficiency of Yang (deficiency of vital energy). Research group has audited the monitored hospitals and has carried out postmarketing study of Shenfu solution from many aspects including literature review, spontaneous reporting system (SRS) and hospital information system (HIS) data analysis etc. A summary is shown below.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Injections ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

BACKGROUND:Surgical treatment for pigmented vil onodular synovitis can maximize the excision of synovial lesions and recovery of joint function.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the knee joint function and relapse rate fol owing treatment of pigmented vil onodular synovitis with total knee replacement and arthroscopic synovectomy.
METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed 34 cases of knee pigmented vil onodular synovitis admitted for surgical treatment in the Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, China from December 2006 to December 2011. In these cases, 24 patients received arthroscopic synovectomy and 10 patients were subjected to total knee replacement. Adjuvant radiotherapy was conducted according to postoperative patient’s conditions. Lysholm scoring was employed in the arthroscopic synovectomy group, and American Knee Society scoring was used in the total knee replacement group. Knee function in two groups was compared before and after treatment. Fol ow-up observation was performed to compare knee function recovery and relapse rate between two groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Thirty-four patients were effectively fol owed up for 12-66 months, mean 41.3 months. Statistical analysis showed that in the arthroscopic synovectomy group, the postoperative Lysholm score was (86.3± 10.3) points, significantly higher than the preoperative score which was (55.5±13.2) points (t=3.81, P=0.016, P<0.05). In the total knee arthroplasty group, the American Knee Society score was increased from (40.7±2.2) points preoperatively to (90.2±1.1) points postoperatively (t=6.27, P<0.01). In the arthroscopic synovectomy group, the American Knee Society score was increased from (34.2±3.9) points preoperatively to (80.8±1.9) points postoperatively (t=16.58, P<0.01). Arthroscopic synovectomy combined with adjuvant radiotherapy can achieve better outcomes in pigmented vil onodular synovitis patients, while the total knee replacement for advanced with advanced knee diffuse pigmented vil onodular synovitis is better to restore knee function and the recurrence rate is low.

The study is to develop a method to determine 3 batches leaves of Nauclea officinalis and stems of N. officinalis by HPLC. The differences between strictosamide contents and fingerprints was compared, then chromatographic peak of fingerprints was validated with the assistance of LC-MS. The strictosamide contents in stems of N. officinalis were higher than leaves of N. officinalis. The main chemical composition in leaves of N. officinalis and stems of N. officinalis were alkaloid which revealed by LC-MS. There are 7 chemical compositions were same between them, but the chemical composition in leaves of N. officinalis is more than stems of N. officinalis. This provides a scientific basis for the development of the potential medicinal value of leaves of N. officinalis and the sustainable utilization of N. officinalis.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Rubiaceae ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of ideal materials for bone substitutions due to its intrinsic biocompatibility. However, its relatively poor mechanical properties such as brittleness and low strength have hindered its use in high-load applications. Biotic bones themselves are nanocomposites mainly composed of nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA) and collagen. From biomimetic point of view, nanocomposites of HA could potentially improve both biocompatibility and mechanical properties of bone grafting materials. Recent progress in this field branched into nanocomposites of HA with nonbiodegradable and biodegradable polymers, the latter including collagen, gelatin, chitosan, polylactides as well as polyanhydrides. In this paper, the preparation, biological reactions and mechanical properties of different nanocomposites are reviewed in detail.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Substitutes ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Humans ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size

A reasonable method for the quality control of tablets of Ginkgo biloba leaves was established in this paper. The total flavonol glycosides and terpene lactones of G. biloba tablets were quantified by HPLC. Totally, 16 batches of the commercially available tablets of G. biloba leaves were determined. Among of them, 2 batches were unqualified in the content of total flavonol glycosides, and 3 batches were unqualified in the content of terpene lactones. A validated HPLC fingerprint method was established to evaluate the commercially available tablets of G. biloba leaves with the assistance of LC-MS. Sixteen batches showed the similarity of 0.763-0.989. There were 31 fingerprint chromatogram peaks were identified as flavonoids compositions by LC-MS. This provides a research idea for the quality control of tablets of G. biloba leaves.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Tablets ; chemistry

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 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 investigate the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate (MTX) give intravenously in the primary treatment of gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT).

METHODSA total of 37 patients with low-risk GTT was primarily treated by single MTX in Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University. Data on the patients' age, clinical stage, WHO classification criteria, antecedent pregnancy, presenting level of human chorionic gonadotropin, courses of chemotherapy required to achieve complete remission, and toxicity related to chemotherapy treatments were collected.

RESULTSThirty-seven patients with low-risk GTT totally received 137 cycles of MTX between Oct. 1999 and Sep. 2002, 34 patients (91.9%) achieved complete remission. Twenty-nine patients received multiple courses of MTX, complete remission was induced in 26 patients (89.7%). The complete response rates of I stage and III stage were 100.0% and 70.0% (P = 0.03) respectively in patients who were received multiple courses of MTX. However, eight patients received single course of chemotherapy, 7 patients achieved complete remission, and 1 achieved complete remission after another additional course of MTX was conducted. Grade III side effects (WHO criteria) only appeared in 7 courses (5.1%) during MTX treatment. Follow-up data showed that only one patient with single course of chemotherapy relapsed after 6 months.

CONCLUSIONSingle MTX chemotherapy may be effective and well tolerated for low-risk GTT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; Choriocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Physical exercise of moderate intensity is becoming readily accepted as an adjunct therapy to enhance curative effects of chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the putative effect of physical exercise on inhibition of breast cancer and the possible mechanism therein involoved. Balb/c female mice were transplanted with BCAP-37 breast xenografts and randomly assigned to four groups: (a) saline control, (b) exercise-only, (c) DHAQ-loaded NPs, (d) exercise + DHAQ-loaded NPs. The mice in exercise groups performed progressive wheel running up to 15 m/min for 30 minutes, 6 d/wk for 4 weeks. Tumor growth delay was significantly longer in the DHAQ-loaded NPs group and the exercise + DHAQ-loaded NPs groups compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05; P < 0.01, respectively). Tumor volume and the value of hemoglobin (HGB) showed significant difference between the DHAQ-loaded NPs and exercise + DHAQ-loaded NPs groups (P < 0.05), suggesting that physical exercise of moderate intensity can significantly induce an influence of DHAQ-loaded NPs on delay in tumor growth, and can enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of DHAQ-loaded PLA-PLL-RGD NPs. It is a contributor to adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Drug Carriers ; administration & dosage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitoxantrone ; administration & dosage ; Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) on the proliferation of prostatic smooth muscle cells (PSMCs) in vitro.

METHODSThe ERalpha shRNA expression frame was subcloned to the pGSadeno adenovirus vector by homologous recombination technology to construct the pGSaaeno-ERalpha vector. After the mouse PSMCs were transfected in vitro by pGSaaeno-ERalpha, the mRNA and protein expression levels of ERalpha were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The expression of IGF1 in the ERa-reduced cells was determined by Western blot 6 hours after treatment with 17beta-estradiol (E2) at 10(-8) mol/L. The post-transfection activity of estrogen or exogenous IGF1 in the proliferation of PSMCs was evaluated by MTT chlormetric analysis.

RESULTSAfter treatment with E2, the proliferation of PSMCs and the expression of the IGF1 gene were significantly increased in the normal control group (P <0.05), but not obviously changed in the ERalpha-siRNA group (P> 0.05). And exogenous IGF1 failed to induce the proliferation of the ERalpha-reduced PSMCs.

CONCLUSIONE2 induces the expression of IGF1 via ERalpha, and IGFl, with the interaction of ERalpha, promotes the proliferation of PSMCs.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Prostate ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics