OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of protoberberine alkaloids in extracts from Corydalis saxicola total alkaloids.

METHODThe in vitro single-pass intestinal perfusion model in rats was established to study the changes in absorption kinetic parameters of dehydrocavidine, berberine hydrochloride and palmatine chloride in C. saxicola total alkaloids after the addition of different concentrations oligochitosan and evaluate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of the drugs.

RESULTThe concentration of oligochitosan had different effects on the absorption rate constant (Ka) and apparent permeability coefficient (Peff) of the three active component in rat intestines. Ka and Peff in 0.5% oligochitosan group significantly increased, indicating a stronger effect in promoting the absorption.

CONCLUSIONOligochitosan has a certain effect in promoting the intestinal absorptions of protoberberine alkaloids in C. saxicola total alkaloids.

Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chitin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To establish the normal parameters of psychometric measures such as the number connection tests A(NCT-A)and digit symbol tests(DST)in assessment of minimal hepatic en- cephalopathy(MHE).Methods One hundred and sixty healthy volunteers(aged 25 to 64 years;educa- tional level＞9 years)were divided into＜35 ys,35～44 ys,45～54 ys and 55～64 ys groups.All of the healthy volunteers were assessed with NCT-A and DST to establish the normal value of age-related parameters,which can be used for diagnosis of MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.Two standard devi- ation of the normal mean was used as a diagnostic criterion for MHE.One hundred and six cirrhotic patients were assessed with these parameters.Results The parameters of NCT-A were(25.1?4.6) sec in＜35 ys group,(32.1?6.8) sec in 35～44 ys group,(38.6?7.1)sec in 45～54 ys group or (49.3?6.3)sec in 55～64 ys group.The scores of DST were 49.9?4.7 in＜35 ys group,44.6?4.8 in 35～44 ys group,38.5?5.0 in 45～54 ys group or 35.4?4.7 in 55～64 ys group.Thirty one out of 106 cirrhotic patients were diagnosed as MHE based on these parameters.Conclusion The NCT- A and DST are psychometric assessments for diagnosis of MHE.Age-based normal paramerters of NCT- A and DST are needed to be established.

Objective To study the clinical features and to improve the treatment on the elderly patients with brain tumor.Methods Retrospective analysis of 163 cases with brain tumor which had been confirmed by CT,MRA or pathology.Results Of all the 163 cases,121 were located in supratentorium,most of which were meningiomas and gliomas.Most patients(129 cases)had comorbidity.After operation,symptoms disappeared or obviously improved in 126 cases,moderately improved in 19 cases,and did not changed in 6 patients.Twelve cases died after operation in a month, in which 9 patients were over 75 years old.The death rate of operation was 6.1%.Conclusions It is important to know the atypical manifestation of brain tumor in the elderly,which may prevent clinical misdiagnosis and mistherapy.The perioperative management is indispensable to the prognosis of the patients.The choice of operation and medication should be in individualized.

BACKGROUND:There are many postmenopausal women taking hormone, which leads to much loss of bone mass, further inducing fragility fractures. The studies on the hormone exposure combined with ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic model are still immature, and the related molecular mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To establish the rat osteoporotic model induced by ovariectomy combined with glucocorticoid exposure and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Thirty 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control, sham and model groups (n=10 per group). The rats in the blank control group received no intervention; rats in the sham group were clipped off a little of coeliac adipose tissue; the model rats received bilateral ovariectomy and 4-week administration of glucocorticoid. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 4 weeks after modeling, compared with blank control and sham groups, the model group showed significantly lower bone mineral density of the femur, number of bone trabeculae and bone volume/total volume, and significantly wider bone trabecular spacing. Additionally, the model group revealed the damaged bone trabecular structure and thiner cortical bone. The expression level of Runx2 was downregulated whereas both collagen type 1α1 and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor γ mRNA were upregulated in the model group. These findings suggest that ovariectomized rats exposed to glucocorticoid rapidly develop femur osteoporosis, maybe by downregulating the expression of Runx2, as well as upregualting collagen type 1α1 and peroxisome proliferators activatedreceptor γ mRNA.

OBJECTIVETo review the applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in assessing treatment response to gamma knife radiosurgery for brain tumors.

DATA SOURCESPublished articles about assessing treatment response to gamma knife radiosurgery for brain tumors were selected using PubMed. The search terms were "MRI", "gamma knife" and "brain tumors".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the MRI techniques using for early assessment of treatment response of gamma knife were selected.

RESULTSMRI techniques, especially diffusion weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, are useful for early assessment of treatment response of gamma knife by detecting the hemodynamic, metabolic, and cellular alterations. Moreover, they can also provide important information on prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSDiffusion weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy can provide early assessment of treatment response of gamma knife for brain tumors, and also information of tumor progression or recurrence earlier than conventional MRI. But there are still many questions to be answered which should be based on the development and advancement of MRI and related disciplines.

Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Radiosurgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism and feasibility of the supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test from anatomy and clinic.

METHODS25 cases of The supinator syndrome were reviewed. 18 of them were male and 7 were female. Drop finger deformation were apparent in 25 cases and The supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test was positive for All patients. Operative neurolysis was done in 8 cases, conservation treatment 17 cases; 92 cadaver upper extremities were dissected for a study the relationship between supinator tunnel and posterior interosseous nerve.

RESULTS22 cases had been followed up for an average of 9 months. 16 cases had a full recovery and 6 cases, a partial recovery. the anatomical study shows that The posterior interosseous nerve was compressed by Forhse arcade and the distal border of the supinator muscle during passive pronation forearm.

CONCLUSIONThe supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test was a new test for the diagnosis of supinator syndrome, it was found to be more sensitive and specific than the others test.

Exercise Test ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; diagnosis ; Radial Nerve ; pathology ; Radial Neuropathy ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate damages to the quality of boar sperm frozen in 5 ml straws, pellet and 0.25 ml straws as well as the ultrastructural changes of frozen boar sperm in 5 ml straws.

METHODSWe compared 3 different freezing packages of 5 ml straws, pellet and 0.25 ml straws to determine their effects on frozen boar semen, and observed the morphological and ultrastructural changes of the boar sperm in the 5 ml straws using scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSIn the 5 ml straws, the vitality and motility of the boar sperm after freezing were not significantly different from those in the other two formulations, the normal apical ridge (NAR) was 52.65%, higher than in the pellet but not significantly different from that in the 0.25 ml straws, and the sperm membranes were mostly bubbly, some locally broken, which indicated the damage induced by freezing and thawing.

CONCLUSIONAt the present time, boar semen frozen in 5 ml straws were not significantly different from those frozen in 0.25 ml straws. The existing freezing-thawing method may cause certain damage to the quality and ultrastructure of boar sperm, and therefore needs to be further improved.

Acrosome ; ultrastructure ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; ultrastructure ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Semen Preservation ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure ; Swine

This study was aimed to investigate the dynamic changes of plasma prethrombotic state molecular marker levels during perioperation of patients and to provide laboratorial evidence for clinical diagnosis of these patients so as to take intervenient measure to high risk patients. 40 patients with gynecological and urological malignant tumors (without metastasis) and 20 patients with benign tumors and 20 healthy individuals were selected for analysis. The levels of plasm prethrombotic state molecular markers including TF, TFPI, TpP, PAI-1, P-S, TAT and D-D were measured by using ELISA method and transmission immunity nephelometry. The results showed that the levels of TF, TpP, D-D, P-S and TAT in plasma of patients with malignant tumors at 6 hours after operation were higher than that before operation, but the levels of TFPI and PAI-1 in these patients after operation were lower than before operation, and there was significant difference as compared with the levels of these markers before operation. At day 3 after operation, the levels of TF, TpP and D-D continuously increased; the level of PAI-1 begins to elevate, there were significant difference in comparison with that before operation; the levels of P-S and TAT decreased, but still were higher than that before operation. At day 7 after operation, the levels of TpP, TAT, P-S, TFPI and PAI-1 returned to levels before operation, but the levels of TF and D-D were still higher than that before operation, and showed significant difference from that before operation. In patients with benign tumors and non-operation patients, the levels of prethrombotic state molecular markers mentioned above at different points of time after operation did not present difference, except levels of TF and D-D that at 6 hours after operation were higher than that before operation. It is concluded that at 6 hours after operation of patients with gynecological and urological malignant tumours, the plasma levels of prethrombotic state molecular markers are in higher state of coagulation and fibrinolysis, at 3 days after operation these levels are mainly in coagulation state. At 7 days after operation, the level of these markers returned to levels before operation. At 6 hours after operation the levels of these markers in patients with benign tumors are in mild coagulation state.
Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Blood Coagulation ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Venous Thromboembolism ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level and significance of interleukin-8 (IL-8), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients peripheral blood (PB) during mobilization for peripheral blood stem cells harvesting.

METHODSThe levels of IL-8, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in patients were dynamically assayed by ELISA during the mobilization procedure and the number of CD(34)(+) cell, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (BPC) by flow cytometric analysis and hematometry respectively. Colony formation was assayed by using semisolid methycellulose culture.

RESULTSThere was a significant increase in plasma levels of IL-8 and both adhesion molecules [IL-8 (247.4 +/- 84.2) microg/L (P < 0.01); sICAM-1 (530.3 +/- 286.1) microg/L (P = 0.002 7); sVCAM-1 (575.3 +/- 350.4) microg/L (P = 0.001 3)] during the mobilization process; furthermore, IL-8 and sVCAM-1 concentration in the patient's plasma was paralleled to the numbers of CD(34)(+) cell, CFU-GM, WBC and BPC (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe levels of IL-8, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in the patient's plasma were correlated to the PB number of CD(34)(+) cells, CFU-GM, WBC and BPC during the mobilization process. It suggested that analysis of IL-8, and sVCAM-1 dynamic changes may serve as markers for CD(34)(+) cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; methods ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo obtain the normal values of four-phase rhinomanometry specific parameters of normal adult Chinese and analyze the correlation between four-phase rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry measurement results.

METHODSEighty-five normal adults were recruited. The HRR2 four-phase rhinomanometry was used to acquire the effective resistances in inspiration, expiration and total breathing process (Reffin, Reffex, Refft) and vertex resistance in the process of inspiration and expiration (Vrin and Vrex). The Eccovision acoustic rhinometry was used to measure the minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) and the nasal volume of 0-5 cm nasal cavity (V5).

RESULTSReffin (x(-) +/- s) was (1.28 +/- 1.02) Pa/(cm(3).s) for male, (1.55 +/- 1.03) Pa/(cm(3).s) for female; Reflex (x(-) +/- s) was (1.43 +/- 1.07) Pa/(cm(3).s) for male, (1.75 +/- 1.14) Pa/(cm(3).s) for female; Refft (x(-) +/- s) was (1.34 +/- 0.99) Pa/(cm(3).s) for male, (1.62 +/- 1.03) Pa/(cm(3).s) for female; Vrin (x(-) +/- s) was (1.31 +/- 1.03) Pa/(cm(3).s) for male; (1.60 +/- 1.03) Pa/(cm(3).s) for female, Vrex (x(-) +/- s) was (1.46 +/- 1.04) Pa/(cm(3).s) for male, (1.82 +/- 1.17) Pa/(cm(3).s) for female. No statistically significant difference was found between men and women (r = 0.661, -0.397, 0.127, 0.649, -0.684, P > 0.05, respectively). There was no significant correlation between Reffin, Reflex, Refft, Vrin, Vrex and age, height, weight, head circumference, body surface area, body mass index (P > 0.05, respectively). However, there was significant correlation between Reffin, Reflex, Refft, Vrin, Vrex and MCA, V5 (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe results of four-phase rhinomanometry show significant correlation to acoustic rhinometry.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Airway Resistance ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; physiology ; Reference Values ; Respiration ; Rhinomanometry ; methods ; Rhinometry, Acoustic ; methods ; Young Adult