Objective To investigate the distribution regularity of TCM science basic syndrome for multilple sclerosis (MS}. Methods Through retrospective analysis for general data of case 223 patients and the information of TCM diagnosis with the method of case analysis and modem mathematical statistic, the syndrome types of the case collected were established. Results General fatigue, weariness and no desire to speak, quadriplegia, megrim, acroanesthesia and so on, which reflect the main symptoms of MS, with occurrence frequency of above 60 percent. Five basic symptoms: Syndrome of haemostasis blocking collaterals (18.0%), dark purple tongue is the most important factor; Syndrome of dampness-heat blocking collaterals (17.2%), yellow greasy furred tongue is the important factor; Syndrome of yin-asthenia and obstruction of collateral (14.8%), rapid and thining pulse is the important factor; Syndrome of endogenous wind of liver and obstruction of collateral due to wind-phlegm (14.1%), physical convulsion is the important factor; Syndrome of asthenia of both qi and blood, and channel qi unfavorable (35.9%), feeble pulse is the important factor. Conclusion The location of MS is channels and collaterals. The characteristic of MS is haemostasis, moist heat, deficiency of yin and wind-sputum, deficiency of qi and blood. General fatigue, weariness and no desire to speak, quadriplegia, megrim, acroanesthesia and so on are the main characteristics of MS.

Animals ; Humans ; Liver ; growth & development ; Liver Diseases ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

To evaluate the automated segmentation algorithm for detection of intra - retinal layers to process images obtained from ultra- high resolution optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) . Graph theory and the shortest path search based on dynamic programming were applied to automatically segment the 8 intra - retinal layers. We experimentally verified the accuracy and reliability of the algorithm. The results showed that the intra-retinal layer boundaries between automated and manual segmentations matched well. The algorithm successfully segmented the intra- retinal layers in glaucoma, high myopia, and retinitis pigmentosa patients. The proposed automatic segmentation for intra-retinal layers provides a promising tool for quantitative analysis in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD) in regulating functions of endothelial cells and treating arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

METHODSThe ASO model was prepared by using high-fat diet plus intimal injury. They were randomly divided into the model group (n = 10), the normal control group (n = 9), the low dose TSD group (group A, n = 12), the middle dose TSD group (group B, n = 10), and the high dose TSD group (group C, n = 9). Eight weeks after modeling, the limb blood perfusion was observed using laser Doppler flowmetry. The arterial morphology was observed using light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) was determined using Percoll density gradient centrifugation method. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1, ET-1, and NO were detected using double antibody sandwich assay of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe ASO rat model was successfully established. Blood lipids levels significantly increased, the blood perfusion of left hind limbs significantly decreased, the number of CECs in the peripheral blood significantly increased, the arterial lumen was irregularly narrowed, the ultra-structure of vessel walls was damaged, serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1, and ET-1 significantly increased, and the serum level of NO significantly decreased in the model group, showing statistical difference when compared with the normal control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, significant improvement in the aforesaid indices was shown in group B and C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe injury and abnormal functions of endothelial cells is an important pathological process of ASO. As an effective recipe for treating ASO, TSD could protect vascular endothelial cells and improve the secretion function of vascular endothelial cells.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans ; blood ; drug therapy ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between changes in expression of aquaporin-4(AQP4) protein and acute radiation-induced cerebral edema after Gamma knife radiation. METHODS: The experimental model was established in rats by radiating 2 mm right to median line in cerebral hemisphere with 50 Gy Gamma knife (the center located at the line of auditory canal). The changes of brain water content were measured by the wet and dry weight method. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the change of expression of AQP4 protein at different periods after Gamma knife radiation. RESULTS: The brain water content and the expression of AQP4 in the target area and the peripheral zone obviously increased at 12 h after Gamma knife radiation, and achieved the peak after 2 d. It was still higher than normal after 14 d. The gray value of expression of aquaporin-4 was negatively related to brain water content (r=-0.9857, P<0.05). CONCLUSION AQP4 has a close relationship with acute radiation-induced cerebral edema.
Acute Disease ; Animals ; Aquaporin 4 ; biosynthesis ; Brain Edema ; etiology ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; metabolism ; Radiosurgery ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMThrough studying local regulatory mechanisms in pulmonary arteries (PA) and thoracic aortae (TA) under simulated microgravity (SM), to collect some data for the researches of adaptive mechanisms in pulmonary and systemic arteries and for the mechanisms accounting for orthostatic intolerance after SM.

METHODSCardiopulmonary circulatory function during 7-day 6 degrees head down bed rest (HDT) in male young volunteers was measured with a XXH-2000 pulmonary circulation and cardiac function instrument. - 30 degrees C tail suspended (TS) rats were used as the model to simulate the physiological effects of M. The PA and TA changes of vasoreactivity were respectively observed by vitro vessel rings perfusion.

RESULTSThe changes in volume of PA and pulmonary vein during a cardiac cycle and the preload in left cardiac ventricle in men increased significantly in the initial HDT. The super-regulatory phenomena appeared in both pulmonary and systemic circulation, but earlier and more obviously in pulmonary circulation than systemic circulation during 96-144 h. The dilatory reactivity in TS7 PA increased significantly, tended to decrease in TS14. The dilatory reactivity of TA in TS7 had a significant increase, had a slight increase in TS14. The contractile reactivity of PA decreased slightly in TS7 from CON, and were attenuated significantly in TS14. The contractile reactivity of TA in TS14 decreased significantly. The responsiveness to KCl, phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside in VEC- removed PA had no differences among all groups.

CONCLUSIONThe differences in changes between pulmonary and systemic arteries under SM could be an important sign of depressed local regulatory function, which might be mainly due to dilatory function in VEC and contribute to the occurrence of orthostatic intolerance after SM.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Resistance ; Weightlessness ; Weightlessness Simulation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the virological response of managing chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with peg-interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN alpha-2b) and ribavirin.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the virological response of 40 patients with different genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after anti-HCV management. Patients were given different dosages of PEG-IFN alpha-2b and ribavirin based on their weights. The duration of treatment was 48 weeks for patients infected by HCV genotype 1, and was 24 weeks for the others. HCV RNA was tested before treatment, 12 weeks post management, end of treatment, and 24 weeks after treatment stopped.

RESULTSData from 40 patients were collected. Among them, 24 cases experienced HCV genotype 1 infection, and 16 cases were infected with other genotypes. Between these two groups, the early virological responses were 75.0% (18/24) and 87.5% (14/16), the end-of-treatment virological responses were 80.0% (16/20) and 85.7% (12/14), and the sustained virological responses were 56.2% (9/16) and 78.5% (11/14), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBody weight-based customized PEG-IFN alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin can effectively treat patients with different genotypes of CHC.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze effects of different thread helix angles and densities on the primary stability of immediately loaded implants using the three-dimensional finite element model analysis.

METHODSFive models of three-dimensional finite element (0.8 mm, 1.6 mm, 2.4 mm, double-threaded, and triple-threaded) were created using the commercial codes of Pro/E software, Hypermesh software, and ABAQUS software. In conditions of horizontal and vertical loading, the micro-motion of the finite element models with different thread helix angles and densities were computed with ABAQUS software.

RESULTSConcerning different thread helix angles, the micro-motion of single-threaded implant was the minimum and that of the triple-threaded was the maximum with vertical and horizontal loading. The micro-motion of doubled-threaded implant was the minimum compared with thread pitch 1.6 mm and the micro-motion of triple-threaded implant was the minimum compared with thread pitch 2.4 mm with vertical and horizontal loading.

CONCLUSIONSThe thread helix angle and density of implants can greatly affect the vertical interfacial micro-motion. With increasing thread pitchs, the resistance of implant to vertical load is weakened; with increasing thread helix angle, the resistance of implant to vertical load is weakened; with increasing thread density, the resistance of implant to the vertical load is weakened.

Dental Implants ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Denture Retention ; Finite Element Analysis

Melamine (Tripolycyanamide) and its derivatives have recently become a public concern on food safety. To better understand melamine and its major derivative cyanuric acid.literature on their chemical properties, metabolism, biological effects, relevant toxicology studies, and the detection methods is reviewed. Studies indicate that the acute toxicity of melamine and cyanuric acid is low. In mammalian, these compounds are hardly metabolized in vivo and are rapidly eliminated in the urine. When used in large dosage,these compounds demonstrate marked renal toxicity,as well as toxic effect towards heart. The renal toxicity is exemplified by the calculi formation, acute renal failure, and subsequently induced carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Among the tested species, male cats and rats are more prone to be affected by the compounds. The HPLC/MS/MS is becoming the mainstay of the detection methods. Despite of the achieved knowledge on melamine and cyanuric acid, further research is warranted to unveil the mechanism of underlying susceptibility of kidney, to develop better analytic methods,and to explore possible biomarkers for better clinical diagnosis.
Animals ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Cats ; Female ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Male ; Rats ; Species Specificity ; Triazines ; toxicity ; Ureteral Calculi ; chemically induced

BACKGROUNDNon-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, the appropriate intensity of anticoagulation therapy for Chinese patients has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of standard-intensity warfarin therapy, low-intensity warfarin therapy, and aspirin therapy for the prevention of ischemic events in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODSA total of 786 patients from 75 Chinese hospitals were enrolled in this study and randomized into three therapy groups: standard-intensity warfarin (international normalized ratio (INR) 2.1 to 2.5) group, low-intensity warfarin (INR 1.6 to 2.0) group and aspirin (200 mg per day) group. All patients were evaluated by physicians at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after randomization to obtain a patient questionnaire, physical examination and related laboratory tests.

RESULTSThe annual event rates of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or systemic thromboembolism were 2.6%, 3.1% and 6.9% in the standard-intensity warfarin, low-intensity warfarin and aspirin groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Thromboembolic event rates in both warfarin groups were significantly lower than that in the aspirin group (P = 0.018, P = 0.044), and there was no significant difference between the two warfarin groups. Severe hemorrhagic events occurred in 15 patients, 7 (2.6%) in the standard-intensity warfarin group, 7 (2.4%) in the low-intensity warfarin group and 1 (0.4%) in the aspirin group. The severe hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups were higher than that in the aspirin group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.101). The mild hemorrhagic and total hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups (whether in the standard-intensity warfarin group or low-intensity warfarin group) were much higher than that in the aspirin group with the annual event rates of total hemorrhages of 10.2%, 7.6% and 2.2%, respectively, in the 3 groups (P = 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all cause mortality among the three study groups.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese patients with NVAF, the warfarin therapy (INR 1.6 - 2.5) for the prevention of thromboembolic events was superior to aspirin.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use