Objective To evaluate the curative effect and indications of medical ozone for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Methods 10~20 ml(35~45 ug/ml) medical ozone was injected into the lumbar disc percutaneously each case. The patients were followed up for 6~12 months. Results 60 cases (66 lumbar discs) with lumbar disc herniation were treated with the injection of medical ozone. The total effective rate was 96.67% , excellent and good rate was 76%.The efficacy in herniation to be 30% of vertebral canal diameter and lumbardisc bulging group. Conclusion The treatment of lumbar disc herniation with medical ozone is simple,effective and no complications.

Objective To prepare proanthocyanidins/bletilla striata polysaccharide/chitosan microspheres ( PC/BSP/CTS ) and the physic-chemical characterizations were investigated.Methods The PC/BSP/CTS microspheres were prepared by spray drying method.The morphology of PC/BSP/CTS microspheres was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), and its physic-chemical characteristics such as diameters, release in vitro, moisture content, swelling ratio, solid density were studied.ResuIts The PC/BSP/CTS microspheres were successfully prepared by spray drying method, SEM showed that PC/BSP/CTS microspheres had the spherical shape with smooth surfaces.The diameters of microsphere A, B and C were 10~20, 2~15, 10~25μm.The in-vitro release showed that the cumulative release of three kinds of microspheres A, B, C was 25.07 %, 38.83 %and 60.00 % in 24 h, which had no burst release, while with time prolonged to 48 h, the cumulative release was 28.89%, 43.17% and 72.86%, respectively.The results of moisture content, swelling ratio, solid density were 15.35% ~23.51%, 46.50% ~105.80%, 0.375 ~0.496. ConcIusion The PC/BSP/CTS microspheres are successfully prepared by spray drying method which possess good characteristics and sustained-release effect, which would be as a good pulmonary drug delivery system.

Objective To observe the expression of aquaporin-1(AQP1)in rats with acute lung injury induced by radiation,and discuss the protection of Tanreqing for rats with acute lung injury.Methods A total of 20 SD healthy rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups,including the comparison group,the radiation group(0.9％ NaCl 0.2ml),the dexamethasne group(5mg/kg)and the Tanreqing group(0.67ml/kg).Strat intraperitoneal injection one day after radiotherapy,the rats were sacrificed after 7 days.The pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by HE stain.AQP1 expressions in lung tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR test.Results Compared with the radiation group,there was an obvious amelioration in pathological injury of lung tissue in the dexamethasne and Tanreqing groups.AQP1 was increased significantly in comparison group(0.8006±0.05846),but AQP1 was decreased in the radiation group (0.4938±0.03477)(P＜0.05),and AQP1 was increased after the Tanreqing and dexamethasne treatment(0.6492±0.03477,0.6664±0.03251) (P＜0.05).Conclusion Tanreqing may have beneficial effects on radiationinduced lung injury by regulating AQP1 expression in the lungs of rats.

Objective To investigate the correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and MRI image findings of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma(IMCC) and pathologic differentiation.Methods The CT and (or) MRI features of ninety-five patients with IMCC proved by pathologic examination were retrospectively reviewed.Sixty-five patients underwent multiphasic dynamic contrast-enhanced CT scan, twenty-nine underwent multiphasic dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scan and ten patients underwent multiphasic dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and MRI examination simultaneously.According to the case history and laboratory examination, patients were divided into groups: with chronic hepatitis and without chronic hepatitis and according to the maximum diameter of the tumor, they were divided into＜3 cm, 3 to 6 cm and＞6 cm groups.The imaging features of tumor enhancement were reviewed among groups.The pathologic results and imaging features were compared and patients were divided into well differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated groups.Analyzed by Chi-square test, the difference of tumor enhancement between groups were analyzed.Results The patterns of multiphasic dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and MRI in IMCC patients had five types: type 1:60 cases, peripheral rim and (or) separating enhancement during artery phase, followed by centripetal enhancement progressively and(or) separating enhancement in the equilibrium phase;type 2:11 cases, peripheral rim enhancement in the artery phase and hypointensity (hypoattenuating) during equilibrium phase with central nodular enhancement;type 3:15 cases, no enhancement in the arterial phase and internal heterogeneous enhancement during equilibrium phase;type 4: 6 cases, heterogeneous enhancement in the early phase and wash-out during equilibrium phase;type 5 : 3 cases, no enhancement throughout dynamic enhancement.The results showed that in hepatitis group type1 to 5 had 31, 7, 12, 5 and 1 cases and without hepatitis group had 29, 4, 3, 1 and 2 cases.There was no statistical significance between groups(x2=3.567,P=0.059).The maximum diameter＜3 cm group(28 cases) had 9, 8, 6, 3 and 2 case which showed enhancement type1 to 5;3 to 6 cm group(40 cases) had 27, 2, 7, 3 and 1 cases and＞6 cm group(27 cases) had 24, 1, 2, 0 and 0 cases.There was significant difference in groups(x2=19.582,P＜0.01).Pathological well differentiated and moderately differentiated groups(40 cases) had 24, 7,6, 2 and 1 cases presented enhancement type 1 to 5 and poorly differentiated group(55 cases) had 36, 4, 9, 3 and 3 cases.There was no statistical difference in three differentiated groups(x2=0.296,P=0.586).Conclusions CT and MRI enhancement patterns of IMCC are presented with diversity.The imaging features are associated with focus size and had no relationship with pathological differentiated degree.

AIM: To study the protective effect of puerarin on the atherosclerosis of RAW264.7-derived foam cells.METHODS: The model of foam cells was established by incubating the RAW264.7 cells with ox-LDL.The choles-terol uptake was evaluated by a DiI-ox-LDL binding assay.The ability of cholesterol efflux of the RAW264.7-derived foam cells was detected by cholesterol efflux assay.The protein levels of LC3II, P62, CD36, ABCA1, LAL and p-AMPK were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: Puerarin treatment reduced the cholesterol uptake capacity and enhanced the cho-lesterol efflux rate.The protein levels of LC3II, ABCA1 and LAL in puerarin group were higher than that in ox-LDL group, while the protein levels of P62 and CD36 were obviously decreased, and those in rapamycin treatment group had the same change as puerarin group.The protein levels of LC3II, ABCA1 and LAL were obviously decreased and the protein level of p-AMPK was increased after co-treated with 3-MA.CONCLUSION: Puerarin promotes LAL and ABCA1-mediated cho-lesterol efflux in ox-LDL-treated RAW264.7 macrophages, which might enhance autophagy through AMPK-dependent path-way for cholesterol efflux regulation, and reduce the uptake of lipids by CD36 negative regulation.

Objective To investigate the effects of lentiviral-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) targeting tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF)-αgene on the expression of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 of murine macrophages RAW264.7, and the efficiency of RNAi experimental gene therapy for the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods The RAW264.7 macrophages were infected by lentivirus-RNAi particles, then stimulated by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 expression of RAW264.7 macrophages were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CIA models were esta-blished in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen. The treatment effect of lentivirus-RNAi on CIA were observed through arthritis scores, serum TNF-α measurement and hind paw paraffin section hematoxylin/eosin staining after lentivirus-RNAi particles tail vein injection. Results The TNF-αmRNA relative expression level of lentiviral RNAi group was 0.291 ±0.021, significantly lower than that of negative control group 0.925±0.013 (t=25.4, P<0.01). The inhibition rate in mRNA levels was 68.5%. The serum TNF-α level of lentiviral RNAi group was [(249 ±11) ng/ml], significantly lower than that of negative control [(382±6) ng/ml] (t=10.31, P<0.05). The inhibition rate of protein levels was 34.7%. It had no effect on the IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression. On the 8th day after systemic administration, the arthritis score of lentivirus-RNAi group was 2.50±0.19, which was significantly lower than that of blank controls (3.63 ±0.18) and negative controls (3.75 ±0.16) (F=42.8, P<0.01). From now on, arthritis score of lentivirus-RNAi group and positive control decreased slowly to at least 2 weeks after treatment induction. The serum TNF-α levels of lentivirus-RNAi group and positive controls were [(35±6) pg/ml] and [(32±7) pg/ml] significantly lower than that of negative controls [(47±3) pg/ml] (t=3.03, 4.11, P<0.01) respectively. Morphological examination showed that the lentivirus-RNAi decreased CIA pathological manifestations. Conclusion Lentiviral-mediated RNAi targeting murine TNF-α gene can effectively inhibit TNF-α expression both in vitro and in vivo, which also effectively improve the CIA arthritis score. Lentiviral-mediated RNAi targeting TNF-αgene provides a potential strategy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment.

Objective To detect the expression of ARK5 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)tissue and hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells,and to investigate its effect on the growth of hepatoma cells.Methods The expression levels of ARK5 mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting in 30 cases of HCC tissue, paracarcinoma tissue,SMMC-7721 cells,and hepatic cells LO2.The SiRNA of ARK5 and negative control (NC) siRNA were constructed and transfected into the SMMC-7721 cells,and used as experimental group and negative control group;at the same time blank control group was set up. The proliferation activity and apoptotic rate of transfected cells were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry (FCM).Results The PCR and Western blotting results showed that the expression levels of ARK5 mRNA and protein in HCC tissue and SMMC-7721 cells were significantly higher than those in paracarcinoma tissue and LO2 cells (P<0.05 ). The MTT assay results demonstrated that the inhibitory rates of growth of transfected cells in experimental group at 24,48 and 72 h were (19.39±5.42)%, (23.19±0.53)%,and (20.74±1.23)%;there were significant differences compared with blank control group and negative control group (P<0.01).The FCM results indicated that the apoptotic rate of the transfected cells in experimental group was (15.017±0.945)%,there were significant differences compared with blank control group (8.770%± 0.656 )% and negative control group (8.763%± 1.201%) (P<0.05 ). Conclusion The ARK5 expression level is significantly increased in HCC tissue and hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells;the inhibition of ARK5 expression could suppress the growth of hepatoma cells and induce apoptosis. So ARK5 maybe act as a cancer-promoting gene and induce hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)in the treatment of upper urinary tract calculus. Methods The clinical data of 368 cases of upper urinary tract calculus from 2002 to 2006, which underwent mPCNL, were retrospectively analyzed. Among 368 cases analyzed, there were 116 cases with proximal ureteral cal-culus;190 cases of nonstaghorn kidney stones, 62 cases of staghorn stones. Results There were 344 cases(93.5%)treated with one-stage operation, 24 cases(6.5%) with two-stage. Single channel was used in 856 cases(96.70%), two-channel in 12 cases(3.3%). Complete stone clearance was a-chieved in 337 kidneys, giving an overall clearance rate of 91.6%. The average operative time was 73 min. The duration of hospital stay was 4-8 d with an average of 6 d in one-stage and complete clear-ance patients. Postoperative urinary tract infection was seen in 23 patients(6.2 %). Five(1.4 %) pa-tients required blood transfusion after operation. Two patients with severe bleeding were treated with blood transfusion and super-selective arterial embolization. Conclusion mPCNL has definite efficacy in the treatment of upper urinary tract calculus with little suffering and short recovery time.

Objective To evaluate the pulmonary imaging features in patients with severe or critical severe A H1N1 influenza. Methods Clinical and imaging findings of 18 cases with H1N1 pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into 2 groups including severe group (n=11) and critical group (n=7). Results Among the severe group, bilateral ill-defined nodules and patch shadows were found in 8 cases, local ill-defined patchy was shown in 3 cases, and consolidation of right inferior lung was demonstrated by CT scan in 1 case. Among the critical group, diffuse ground-glass attenuation with partial consolidation were found in bilateral lungs of 4 cases, subcutaneous emphysema was observed in 1 case. CT showed diffuse ground-glass attenuation and nodular like consolidation in bilateral inferior lungs in 1 case, and other 3 cases showed diffuse consolidation of bilateral lungs. Conclusions The radiologic findings of severe and critical severe pulmonary infections with H1N1 include ill-defined nodules and patch shadows of bilateral lung in sever patients, diffuse peribronchial ground-glass opacity and multifocal consolidation in critical severe patients. The radiologists should learn the features of H1N1 pneumonia on thoracic plain film and CT to make diagnosis in time.

Objective ① To investigate the level of the vitamin D endocrine system in peripheral relationships with bone mineral density (BMD) and the disease activity respectively. Methods The level of the 25-hydroxylate vitamin D3 (25OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)D3] in plasma from 43 SLE patients and 44 normal controls were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression was determinied by real-time PCR in peripheral blood. BMD measurements in the lumbar spine (L1-4) and left proximal femur (femoral neck) were performed using dual X-ray absorptiometry before treatment. The relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the bone mass were studied. We also discussed the relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity. Results The levels of 25OHD3 and 1,25 (OH)2D3 were lower in the initial SLE patients than normal controls (P<0.01, P<0.01). The expressions of VDR gene were significantly increased in initial SLE compared with normal controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients had significantly lower BMD values, and higher frequency of osteopenia (35%) at both sites of measurement compared with matched healthy controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients were divided into two groups by BMD, abnormal group and normal group. There were no differences in 25OHD3, 1,25 (OH)D3 and VDR gene expression (P0.05). There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and BMD in initial SLE patients. There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity either. Conclusion Vitamin D endocrine system may play an important role in SLE, but the level of VDR gene is not correlated with BMD and disease activity.