Mixed saponin molecules in the extraction of Panax notoginseng(PNE) can be effectively desorpted into the molecular ionization for measurement and analysis by mass analyzer from matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS). The saponin samples with chromatography purity were directly analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, which indicated that the sensitivity of the method was higher than that of RP-HPLC. A technology of MALDI-TOF MS was directly employed to analyze the saponin kinds and their relative contents in Panax notoginseng(PN) while the saponins were perfectly extracted from the Chinese traditional medicine of PN. It was indicated that there were at least 20 saponins consisting of different molecular structure and that the content of both ginsenoside Rg1 and notoginsenoside R1 in PNE was relative high. R1 saponin was extracted and identified to follow its metabolism pathway by both thin layer chromatography and MALDI-TOF MS, respectively. The saponin fingerprinting maps in PNE can be established to evaluate the quality of PE and to study both metabolism pathway and mechanism of extra minim saponins in vivo.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of the complicated fracture of tibial plateau treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Methods Surgical treatment in 68 cases with complicated fractures of the tibial plateau were analyzed retrospectively, T type plate, L type buttress plate, double plates, anatomical plate,locking plate and less invasive stabization system were adopted for different fractures,iliac or artificial bone grafted in the reconstruction of bone defect after the depression replaced. The time of operation and the effect of functional exercise in the postoperative patients to recover the function of the knees were analyzed at the same time. Results 52 patients of 68 cases were followed-up. Based on Rasmussen rating system,the recovery of knee joint function were excellent in 42cases(67%) ,good in 12 cases(19%) ,fair in 6 cases(10%) and poor in 2 cases(4%) ,the excellent-and-good rate was 86%. Conclusion Surgical treatment of the complicated fractures of the tibial plateau depended on the kind of fracture, therapeutic principles by stages. Moreover, bone grafte after the depression replaced in bone defect was neeassary,good internal fixtion oould meet functional exercise,soft tissue injuries like ligament and meniscus should be well treated,follow the principles of early exercise and delay weightbearing.

Objective To identify and analyze the effective compositions of Schistosoma japonicum 31-32 kDa proteins by using the techniques of proteomics.Methods The total proteins were prepared from 32-day adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum.After two-dimensional(2-D)gel electrophoresis,the distinct protein spots from 2-D gels were isolated and analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS.Results A total of 13 protein spots,within the range of 31-32 kDa,were detected in the 2-D gels.Three of them had high homology with Actine-2 of S.mansoni,glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of S.japonicum and cathepsin B endopeptidase of S.mansoni.Conclusions The 31-32 kDa antigens contain 3 important antigens:actine-2,glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and cathepsin B endopeptidase,which have been demonstrated to have certain protective effect against S.japonicum.Our findings can facilitate the development of multi-epitope vaccine against S.japonicum.

Objective To assess the empathy level of general practitioners (GPs) in the outpatient clinics of a general hospital,and to investigate the related factors.Methods Patients attending the Family Medicine Clinic of HKU-Shenzhen Hospital in September 2014 and met the inclusion criteria were asked to complete the questionnaire which included general characteristics,overall satisfaction and the Measure-Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure (CARE) Scale after the consultation.Results Of the 1 818 questionnaires retrieved,1 690 CARE scales were completed (intact rate was 92.96%).The overall satisfaction rate was 95.92% (1 621/1 690).And 97.28% (1 644/1 690) of the patients would recommend family medicine service to their friends or relatives.The total score of CARE scale was (45.47±6.26),and the scores of 4 CARE components were (4.63 ± 0.59),(4.43 ± 0.81),(4.54 ± 0.69) and (4.55 ± 0.66),which showed significant difference (P<0.01).The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the mean CARE scores were not influenced by gender and education levels of the patients,gender of the consulting doctors,initial/follow up consultation,and the location of the consultation.The mean CARE scores were influenced by age of patients and the reasons for consulting (P<0.05).There was a moderate correlation of the CARE scores with the overall satisfaction of patients (r=0.613,P<0.001) and patient's recommendation of the clinic (r=0.466,P<0.001).Conclusion Doctors who were evaluated in this study have a higher empathy level than results from other countries.There is positive correlation between doctor's empathy level and patient's overall satisfaction.The result of doctor's empathy level may be influenced by patient's age and the reasons for consulting.

The pharmacokinetics of a long-circulating PEGylated Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide (ROP) was investigated in rats following i.v. or s.c. administration at three dose levels (9, 20, 50 mg x kg(-1)). A moderate coupling reaction between the hydroxyl-activated ROP and the amino-terminated mPEG was chosen to produce PEGylate ROP. The grafting degree of the prepared conjugate was 1.03, and the molecular mass of mPEG used was 20 kDa. High-performance gel permeation chromatorgraphy with fluorescein isothiocyanate prelabeling was established to determine levels of the conjugate in plasma. The results showed that the elimination half-life of the conjugate following s.c. administration was basically identical to that after iv administration. An accurate linear correlation was observed between administration doses and areas under the curve of plasma conjugate level vs. time profile, regardless of the administration route. The absolute bioavailability of the conjugate following sc administration was approximately 56%, and the mean in vivo residence time was 52.1 h, increased 2.4 times compared to those of iv administration. In general, linear pharmacokinetics was observed for the conjugate within the dose range studied, and sc should be a promising administration route for the conjugate.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Drug Carriers ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Half-Life ; Injections, Intravenous ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Ophiopogon ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDMycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) can cause a variety of human infections, involving the lung, skin and soft tissues, and is generally believed to be acquired from environmental sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of M. abscessus isolates as the basis for strategies to improve control and management of infection.

METHODSSeventy M. abscessus isolates from patients attending the Guangzhou Thoracic Hospital were identified from 2003 to 2005 by biochemical tests, gas chromatography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction analysis (PRA) of heat shock protein gene hsp65, and sequencing of the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA. Susceptibilities to six antibiotics were determined by micro-broth dilution. Isolates were genotyped using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.

RESULTSMost isolates (63/70; 90%) were susceptible to amikacin but rates of susceptibility to other antibiotics varied from moderate, clarithromycin (60%) and imipenem (43%), to low for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (3%), and 87% of isolates had intermediate susceptibility to cefoxitin. RAPD analysis showed that the 70 clinical isolates displayed 69 unique RAPD patterns.

CONCLUSIONSThe high genetic diversity of isolates suggests that they are not transmitted from person to person but, presumably, are acquired independently from environmental sources. M. abscessus isolates displayed variable levels of susceptibility to all antibiotics tested, other than amikacin, indicating a need for routine susceptibility testing to guide treatment.

Amikacin ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Cefoxitin ; pharmacology ; China ; Chromatography, Gas ; Ciprofloxacin ; pharmacology ; Clarithromycin ; pharmacology ; Imipenem ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of and relationship between occlusal plane and masticatory path in young adults with individual normal occlusion, and to provide clinical implications on both morphological and functional reference of occlusal plane location.

METHODSForty-three young adults with individual normal occlusion were included. Lateral projections of cephalometric radiographs were taken. The parameters of anatomical landmarks were analyzed. The BioEGN mandibular kinesiography analyzer was used to record the path of incisal edge of mandibular central incisor movement during mastication. The Pearson's linear correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship of inclination of occlusal plane and data mentioned above with SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTSThe inclination of occlusal plane (the angle between occlusal plane and Camper's line OP-CP) was (2.1 ± 3.8)° in youth with normal occlusion. Means of maximal distances of 3-dimensional masticatory mandibular movement paths were as follow: the vertical length was (20.22 ± 4.28) mm, the anterior-posterior width was (11.42 ± 2.45) mm, and the lateral width was (8.62 ± 1.52) mm. The inclination of occlusal plane was negatively correlated to the lateral width of masticatory path in frontal plane (r = -0.39, P < 0.05). Occlusal plane was approximately vertical to the opening and closing path in the vicinity of intercuspal position during mastication. The inclination of occlusal plane was positively related to occlusal plane-closing angles in the upper segments of closing path during mastication (P < 0.05). Masticatory axis angle was (66.50 ± 7.98)° with no significant correlation to the inclination of occlusal plane (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that the sagittal inclination of occlusal plane can influence 3-dimensional morphology of masticatory path.The inclination of occlusal plane has a guiding effect on masticatory movement in the upper segments of closing path.

Adult ; Cephalometry ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Jaw Relation Record ; Male ; Mandible ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Mastication ; physiology ; Movement ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: To solve the dislocation following hip arthroplasty, a double mobility acetabular prosthesis has been developed, and its effect still needs to be confirmed through follow-up observation.OBJECTIVE: To explore the early clinical effectiveness of total hip replacement with double mobility acetabular prosthesis.METHODS: Thirty patients admitted from January 2013 to November 2015, were given total hip replacement with double mobility acetabular prosthesis, and were then followed up for 1 year. The hip function and loosening were evaluated by Harris hip scores, Beijing program scaling and imaging examination.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 1 year. (2) The mean Harris hip score was significantly increased from preoperatively (39.7±3.87) to postoperatively (93.6±3.82), and the mean score of the Beijing program scaling was also significantly increased from (10.5±2.46) to (17.3±1.87) (both P < 0.05). (3) All patients suffered from moderate to severe pain before replacement, and 28 patients complained mild or no pain and 2 patients with moderate pain after operation. X-ray showed a stable hip. (4) To conclude, the total hip arthroplasty with double mobility acetabular prosthesis achieves satisfactory short-term treatment outcomes, but its long-term effect needs to be observed further.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of B cell specific MLV integration site-1 (Bmi-1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its correlation to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of CRC.

METHODSSixty CRC, 30 adenomas and 20 normal colorectal mucosal tissues were collected to detect the expression of Bmi-1 protein using immunohistochemistry, and the results were analyzed in comparison with the clinicopathological features and survival rate of patients.

RESULTSThe positivity rate of Bmi-1 expression in CRC tissue was 51.7%. In CRC, the rate of Bmi-1 overexpression was 25.0%, significantly higher than that in the adenomas and normal colorectal mucosal tissues (6.67% and 0%, respectively, P<0.05). The overexpression of Bmi-1 protein in CRC was obviously associated with distant metastasis and the TNM stage (P<0.05), but not with gender, age, tumor size, tumor site, histological type, differentiation degree and lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). But logistic regression analysis showed that Bmi-1 protein overexpression in CRC was associated only with distant metastasis (P<0.01,OR>1); Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival rate of the patients with high Bmi-1 expression was significantly lower than that in patients with low expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe overexpression of Bmi-1 protein was significantly correlated to the tumorigenesis, metastasis and prognosis of CRC, and may serve as an indicator for evaluating the prognosis of CRC.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDRecent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.

METHODSThirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients (78 nails) in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients (76 nails) in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval.

RESULTSIn group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLong pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Onychomycosis ; surgery ; Young Adult