Diseases in Twins ; Epilepsy ; complications ; Epiphyses, Slipped ; etiology ; Femur Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

With inlet temperature, specific gravity, feeding speed as independent variables, the comprehensive evaluating indexes of content of schisandrin and arctiin as dependent variable, the experimental data were fitted to a second order polynomial equation. Based on establishing the mathematical relationship between the comprehensive evaluating indexes and respective variables, Box-Benhnken central composite test and response surface analysis method was employed to optimize the spray drying technology of Biqiu granules ethanol extract. The optimal drying parameter was as follows: the inlet temperature was 175 degrees C, the specific gravity was 1.10, feeding speed was 32 r x min(-1). Under these conditions, the comprehensive evaluating indexes of spraying dry processes was 92.68, which was close to the model prediction. The spraying dry technology of Biqiu granules ethanol extract optimized by response surface methodology was accurate and feasible, which provided theoretical experiment basis for the industrialization production.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ethanol

First with the qualified rate of granules as the evaluation index, significant influencing factors were firstly screened by Plackett-Burman design. Then, with the qualified rate and moisture content as the evaluation indexes, significant factors that affect one-step pelletization technology were further optimized by Box-Behnken design; experimental data were imitated by multiple regression and second-order polynomial equation; and response surface method was used for predictive analysis of optimal technology. The best conditions were as follows: inlet air temperature of 85 degrees C, sample introduction speed of 33 r x min(-1), density of concrete 1. 10. One-step pelletization technology of Biqiu granules by Plackett-Burman design and Box-Behnken response surface methodology was stable and feasible with good predictability, which provided reliable basis for the industrialized production of Biqiu granules.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Temperature

In the present study, terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) technique was applied to assess the diversity and tissue distribution of the fungal endophyte communities of Alpinia officinarum collected from Longtang town in Xuwen county, Guangdong province, China, at which the pharmacological effect of the medicine plant is traditional considered to be the significantly higher than that in any other growth areas in China. A total of 28 distinct Terminal-Restriction Fragment (T-RFs) were detected with HhaI Mono-digestion targeted amplified fungal nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region sequences (rDNA ITS) from the root, rhizome, stem, and leaf internal tissues of A. officinarum plant, indicating that at least 28 distinct fungal species were able to colonize the internal tissue of the host plant. The rDNA ITS-T-RFLP profiles obtained from different tissues of the host plant were obvious distinct. And the numbers of total T-RFs, and the dominant T-RFs detected from various tissues were significantly different. Based on the obtained T-RFLP profiles, Shannon's diversity index and the Shannon's evenness index were calculated, which were significantly different among tissues (P < 0.05). Furthermore, two types of active chemicals, total volatile oils by water vapor distillation method and galangin by methanol extraction-HPLC method, were examined in the each tissue of the tested plant. Both of tested components were detected in all of the four tissues of the medicine plant with varying contents. And the highest was in rhizome tissue. Correlation analysis revealed there were significant negative correlations between both of the tested active components contents and calculated Shannon's diversity index, as well as the Shannon's evenness index of the fungal endophyte communities of the host plant (P = 0, Pearson correlation coefficient ≤ -0.962), and significant positive correlations between both of the tested active components contents and 325 bp dominant T-RF linkage to Pestalotiopsis (P = 0, Pearson correlation coefficient ≥ 0.975). In conclusion, A. officinarum is colonized by diverse fungal endophytes communities. The diversity of the fungal endophytes was found in the A. officinarum varied with differences of the tissue types of the host plants and was closely correlated with the accumulation of main active components, total volatile oils and galangin contents in the host plant tissue.
Alpinia ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Biodiversity ; China ; DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Endophytes ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

It is unanimously accepted that stroke is a highly heterogeneous disorder.Different subtypes of ischemic stroke may have different risk factors,clinical features,and prognoses.The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors,clinical characteristics,and prognoses of different subtypes of ischemic stroke defined by the Trial of ORG10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria.We prospectively analyzed the data from 530 consecutive patients who were admitted to our hospital with acute ischemic stroke within 7 days of stroke onset during the study period.Standardized data assessment was used and the cause of ischemic stroke was classified according to the TOAST criteria.Patients were followed up till 30 and 90 days after stroke onset.It was found that large-artery atherosclerosis was the most frequent etiology of stroke (37.4％),and showed the highest male preponderance,the highest prevalence of previous transient ischemic attack,and the longest hospital stay among all subtypes.Small artery disease (36.4％) was associated with higher body mass index,higher plasma triglycerides,and lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than cardioembolism.Cardioembolism (7.7％),which was particularly common in the elderly (i.e.,individuals aged 65 years and older),showed the highest female preponderance,the highest prevalence of atrial fibrillation,the earliest presentation to hospital after stroke onset,the most severe symptoms on admission,the maximum complications associated with an adverse outcome,and the highest rate of stroke recurrence and mortality.Our results suggest that ischemic stroke should be regarded as a highly heterogeneous disorder.Studies involving risk factors,clinical features,and prognoses of ischemic stroke should differentiate between etiologic stroke subtypes.

Objective To evaluate the changes in the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer over the past 50 years, and explore appropriate treatment corresponding to these changes. Methods The clinical and pathological data of 1557 patients with invasive cervical cancer treated between January, 1955 and December, 2004 were retrospectively analyzed.Results and Conclusions The average age of cervical cancer onset gradually decreased over the past 50 years, from 56.27±8.45 in 1955-1964 to 43.81±8.9 years in 1995-2004, whereas the ratio of young (≤35 years old) patients rose from 3.42% to 24.91%. The ratio of early clinical stage (stages Ⅰ - Ⅱ ) and non-squamous cancer also steadily increased (P＜0.05,respectively). The tumor stage, pathological type and rate of lymph node metastasis were all significantly different among different age groups (P＜0.05). In particular, the young (≤ 35 years old) group had evidently higher ratios ofnon-squamous and advanced stage (Ⅲ- Ⅳ) cancers with a higher rate of lymphatic metastasis in comparison with other age groups (P＜0.01,respectively). Because of the changes in epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer, it is necessary to modify the conventional treatment regimens and explore reasonable therapy corresponding to these changes. Preservation of reproductive endocrine function ought to be fully considered in cervical cancer treatment in women at childbearing age.Neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy is an useful method for cervical cancer treatment at present.

Objective To evaluate the changes in the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer over the past 50 years, and explore appropriate treatment corresponding to these changes. Methods The clinical and pathological data of 1557 patients with invasive cervical cancer treated between January, 1955 and December, 2004 were retrospectively analyzed.Results and Conclusions The average age of cervical cancer onset gradually decreased over the past 50 years, from 56.27±8.45 in 1955-1964 to 43.81±8.9 years in 1995-2004, whereas the ratio of young (≤35 years old) patients rose from 3.42% to 24.91%. The ratio of early clinical stage (stages Ⅰ - Ⅱ ) and non-squamous cancer also steadily increased (P＜0.05,respectively). The tumor stage, pathological type and rate of lymph node metastasis were all significantly different among different age groups (P＜0.05). In particular, the young (≤ 35 years old) group had evidently higher ratios ofnon-squamous and advanced stage (Ⅲ- Ⅳ) cancers with a higher rate of lymphatic metastasis in comparison with other age groups (P＜0.01,respectively). Because of the changes in epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer, it is necessary to modify the conventional treatment regimens and explore reasonable therapy corresponding to these changes. Preservation of reproductive endocrine function ought to be fully considered in cervical cancer treatment in women at childbearing age.Neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy is an useful method for cervical cancer treatment at present.

OBJECTIVETo develop a scoring system to measure the severity of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

METHODSThe clinical data of patients with MODS were collected and analyzed prospectively. Seven indicators were screened out to assess the functions of seven organs. Each indicator was scored from 0 to 4 points, with the 0 point representing the normal organ function, and 1 point to 4 points representing the dysfuntion to failure of the organ. Acording to the index and points a severity scoring system were developed.

RESULTSSeven indicators including the systolic pressure, oxygenation index, conscious state, peripheral blood platelet count, blood total bilirubin, and serum creatinine were used to represent the functions of seven organs. The seven organs included cardiovascular system, lung, brain, coagulative system, liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. The severity scoring system were composed of seven indicators and their points. The total score was 24 points. The mortality increased along with the increase of the points (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThis scoring system can be used to assess the severity of the MODS.

Humans ; Multiple Organ Failure ; diagnosis ; mortality ; physiopathology ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation.

METHODSSixteen patients with atlantoaxial dislocation were treated from Dec. 2005 to June 2007, included 10 males and 6 females, aged from 38 to 45 years old (means 40.5 years). Among them 12 patients combined with nerve injury, according to ASIA grade: there were 3 cases in grade B, 5 cases in grade C, 4 cases in grade D. All patients received preoperative CT, radiograph and skull traction. Intraoperative posterior approach general spine pedicle screw-rod orthopaedics fixation system used and iliac bone block were implanted in space of posterior atlantal arch and axial vertebral plate. The outcome and complications were observed in the near future.

RESULTSThere was no vascular or neural injury found. The patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (means 18 months). All head pain, acid storm symptoms were improved after operation. According to the Odom's clinical efficacy evaluation standard, 12 cases were excellent, 4 were good. Eleven cases of 12 with nerve injury recovered significantly. By ASIA classification: 1 cases was in grade B, 2 cases were in grade C, 5 cases were in grade D, 4 cases were in grade E. No looseness or breakage of screw occurred. Bony fusion was achieved in all cases.

CONCLUSIONPosterior approach atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation have the advantages of direct screw placement, short-segment fusion, intraoperative reduction, fixation reliable, high fusion rate, and it can restablish the upper cervical vertebrae stability and help to recover the spinal cord and nerve function.

Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of neonatal bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) vaccination on lung Th17 cells and IL-17 in murine asthma model.

METHODSNeonatal BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: control, OVA and BCG/OVA groups. BCG was administerd in the BCG/OVA group on postnatal day 2 or 3. Except the control group, the mice in the other two groups were sensitized and undergone OVA challenge. Inflammatory cell numbers and morphological identification of leucocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by light microscopy. Cytokine IFN-gamma and IL-17 levels in BALF were measured using ELISA. The percentage of lung Th17 cells were assayed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThere was significantly larger number of total cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF in the OVA and BCG/OVA groups compared with the control group. The number or percentage of those cells in the BCG/OVA group was lower than that in the OVA group. The level of IL-17 in BALF was significantly higher in the OVA and the BCG/OVA groups compared with the control group, while the level of IFN-gamma was lower. The OVA group had higher level of IL-17 than the BCG/OVA group. The mice in the OVA and the BCG/OVA groups had a higher percentage of Th17 cells in lungs compared with the control group, but there were no significant differences in the percentage of Th17 cells between the OVA and the BCG/OVA groups.

CONCLUSIONSTh17 cells and IL-17 play roles in the pathogenesis of asthma. BCG vaccination can reduce the level of IL-17 in BALF and the reduced IL-17 may be mainly from other IL-17-producing cells in the lungs, not Th17 cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Asthma ; immunology ; BCG Vaccine ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interferon-gamma ; analysis ; Interleukin-17 ; analysis ; Lung ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; immunology ; Vaccination