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

Objective To explore the application of B-mode intra- and post-operative ultrasound in patients with traumatic brain injuries. Methods B-mode intra- and post-operative ultrasound were performed 35 times in 24 patients, including 7 times of intra-operation in 7 patients and 28 times of post-operation in 17 patients. Results During operation epidural hematomas in 3 cases as well as intracranial hematomas in 2 cases, subdural hematomas in 1 case, diffused brain swelling in 1 case were found. After operation epidural hematomas were examined in 4 cases as well as subdural hematomas in 1 case, delayed intracranial hematomas in 6 cases, scattered contusion and laceration of the brain in 12 cases, acute obstructive hydrocephalus in 1 case, and subdural hydroma in 4 cases. Six cases underwent operations again because of delayed hematomas, contusion and laceration of the brain. B-mode ultrasound was compared with CT scan and the total coincidence rate was 85.4%.Conclusions B-mode ultrasound is helpful to examine delayed hematomas and other emergent complications. It may save time and may improve rescue rate and has a good coincidence with CT scan. B-mode ultrasound may be widely used as a routine way in neurotrauma ICU.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multi-slice CT(MSCT)angiography in the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis.Methods Fourteen patients underwent MSCT angiography with use of 90 ml contrast media at a rate of 3.5 ml/s.Images were generated for vascular assessment with various reconstructional techniques,including multi-planar reformat(MPR),maximum intensity projection(MIP), volume rendering(VR),CT virtual endoscopy(CTVE)and advanced vessel analysis(AVA).Results MSCT angiography findings was consistent with the clinical changes of Takayasu's arteritis in all cases.The integrated information including reconstructional and transverse images clearly presented various luminal abnormalities,such as stenosis,occlusion and dilatation in the affected aorta,as well as its major branches and collateral circulation.Furthermore,it depicted mural abnormities,especially concentric arterial wall thickening.Steno-occlusive type(8/14)was more common than mixed type(6/14).According to Lupi- Herrea's classification,type Ⅰ in 5 cases,type Ⅱ in 2,type Ⅲ in 6 and type Ⅳ in 1 were recorded in the present study.Conclusion MSCT angiography is reliable imaging modality for the detection of Takayasu's arteritis.It is useful for early diagnosis because it allows evaluation of wall thickness rather than merely the luminal diameter,which is especially important for prognosis.It might be used as the first choice in the diagnosis of this disease as a simple,convenient and noninvasive method.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yijing Huoxue Cuyun Decoction (YHCD) in adjusting hypoestrogenemic response induced by clomiphene.

METHODSInfertile patients caused by ovulation disturbance were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 60 patients in the observed group were treated with clomiphine plus YHCD, and the 58 patients in the control group were given clomiphine plus estradiol valerate.

RESULTSBy scoring on the cervical relaxation and improvement of cervical mucus, 38 patients (63.3%) in the observed group had Insler score of more than 8 points, while that in the control group was only 25 (43.1%), comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05). The endometrium thickening in the observed group was 0.98 +/- 0.19 cm, significantly different to that in the control group (0.85 +/- 0.21 cm, P < 0.01). Twenty-five patients in the observed group (41.7%), and fourteen patients in the control group (24.1%), respectively got pregnancy, the pregnant rate in the former was obviously higher than that in the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYHCD can ameliorate hypoestrinemia induced by clomiphene and increase the pregnant rate in patients.

Adult ; Clomiphene ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estrogens ; blood ; deficiency ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Ovulation Induction ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for detecting plasma polydatin using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and investigate the pharmacokinetics of polydatin in Beagle dogs.

METHODSHPLC-based detection of polydatin was performed on a Hypersil-BDS C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol and water (35:65) at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and the detection wavelength of 290 nm. The pharmacokinetic parameters of polydatin were calculated by non-compartment model statistics.

RESULTSThe standard curve was linear within the range of 0.21-21.0 microg/ml (correlation coefficient of 0.9995, n=5). The average recovery was 90% with a relative standard deviation no more than 8.0%. The limit of detection of the method was 0.1 microg/ml. The pharmacokinetic parameters of polydatin at 3 doses were obtained, with T((1/2)); of 89.95-/+19.96 min, 152.15-/+55.82 min, and 202.36-/+66.75 min, and AUC0-infinity of 300.14-/+51.33 g.min.ml(-1), 751.72-/+173.97 g.min.ml(-1) and 1521.12-/+310.02 microg.min.ml(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method we established allows effective detection of polydatin, whose pharmacokinetics conforms to the two-compartment model.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dogs ; Female ; Glucosides ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Limit of Detection ; Linear Models ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Stilbenes ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

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 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

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the drug demand and related influencing factors of AIDS non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Wuhan, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of subsequent intervention policies for MSM. Methods　With the assistance of social organizations in Wuhan, MSM was recruited by the snowball method to carry out an online questionnaire survey to collect information on demographics, AIDS-related knowledge, high-risk behaviors, and the need for nPEP medication. The χ2 test and unconditional Logistic regression were used to analyze the related factors of the demand for nPEP medication. Results　A total of 308 valid subjects were included in this study, with predominantly 18-29 years old (78.57%, 242/308). The self-reported sexual orientation was mainly homosexuality (82.47%, 254/308), and the awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was high (89.29%, 275/308). Among the survey respondents, 35.06% (108/308) did not know the situation of HIV infection among MSM population in Wuhan; 55.19% (170/308) had two or more same-sex sexual partners in the last six months; 90.91% (280/308) had heard of nPEP before participating in this survey. After passing nPEP and informing the protective effect of nPEP, 59.42% (183/308) of them needed nPEP. After HIV exposure, 73.38% (226/308) were willing to spend money to buy nPEP drugs, and 88.64% (273/308) were willing to take nPEP drugs because of the known side effects. Logistic regression analysis showed that in the last six months, the needs for taking nPEP medication in those who had 2 or more same-sex sexual partners (OR=2.121, 95%CI: 1.329-3.386) and who had received peer education (OR=1.740, 95%CI: 1.088-2.781) were higher than those of those who had a same-sex sexual partner in the last six months and who had not received peer education. Conclusions　The MSM population in Wuhan has a great demand for nPEP drugs, and peer education is an important way to carry out nPEP publicity and promotion. At the same time, we should continue to strengthen warning publicity and education and behavioral intervention to reduce MSM risky sexual behaviors and reduce new HIV infections.

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on NAFLD in MSG-IR mice and to provide mechanism insights into its therapeutic effect. The MSG-IR mice with insulin resistance were treated with high dose (0.1 micromol.kg-1d-1) and low dose (0.025 micromol.kg-1d-1) of FGF21 once a day for 5 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum lipids, insulin and aminotransferases were measured. Hepatic steatosis was observed. The expression of key genes regulating energy metabolism were detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that after 5 weeks treatment, both doses of FGF21 reduced body weight (P<0.01), corrected dyslipidemia (P<0.01), reversed steatosis and restored the liver morphology in the MSG model mice and significantly ameliorated insulin resistance. Additionally, real-time PCR showed that FGF21 significantly reduced transcription levels of fat synthetic genes, decreased fat synthesis and promoted lipolysis and energy metabolism by up-regulating key genes of lipolysis, thereby liver fat accumulation was reduced and liver function was restored to normal levels. In conclusion, FGF21 significantly reduces body weight of the MSG-IR mice, ameliorates insulin resistance, reverses hepatic steatosis. These findings provide a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dyslipidemias ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; complications ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipolysis ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Sodium Glutamate

Nine triterpenes compounds were isolated from the male flowers of Eucommia ulmoides by recrystallization and chromatographic techniques over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and RP-18 gel. Their chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and as 3-oxo-12-en-ursane-28-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1 --> 6) -β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 2α, 3β-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid(28 --> 1) -β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), ursolic acid (3), α-amyrin (4), uvaol (5), ursolic acid acetate (6), 3-O-acetate oleanoic acid (7), betulinic acid (8), and betulinol (9). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2, 4-7 were isolated from the Eucommiu genus for the first time. Cytotoxic activity was tested for all the compounds against K562 and HepG2 cells. The results showed that only compound 3, exhibited cytotoxic activity.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Eucommiaceae ; chemistry ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Triterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology