Objective] Explain the intentions of those famous TCM combinations for disease according to Shennong Bencao Jing. [Methods] Find out the principles to make up those famous TCM prescriptions based on understanding the efficacy of medicine described in Shennong Bencao Jing, through combining comparing the original documents of each other with the clinical practice of Mr. Xu Xiaodong. The natural medicine such as Gan Dihuang, Baizhu and Chai Hu were used as mediums to relate those famous TCM prescriptions and Shennong Bencao Jing. [Results] The original documents of Shennong Bencao Jing and those famous TCM prescriptions which were related together by natural medicine such as Gan Dihuang, Baizhu and Chai Hu have much in common. For example, Gan Dihuang used in Si Wutang, Huang Tutang etc. according to the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis described in Shennong Bencao Jing. Chang Pu used in Changpu Yujintang according to the effect of resuscitation and restoring consciousness described in Shennong Bencao Jing. Baizhu used in Fangji Huangqi Tang, Mahuang Jiazhu Tang of Jinkui Yaolue according to the antiperspirant effect described in Shennong Bencao Jing. Chai Hu used in Xiao Chaihu Tang, Chaihu Shugan San etc. according to the effect of relieving the abdominal discomfort, attacks of chills and fever described in Shennong Bencao Jing. The theory of Shennong Bencao Jing is well applied in clinical teaching and practice by Mr. Xu Xiaodong, bringing students a lot of inspiration. It is possible to explain the principles of making up those famous TCM prescriptions and guide the compatibility of TCM according to Shennong Bencao Jing. [Conclusion] Doctors in the ancient world have inherited and developed the Shennong Bencao Jing theory when filling the prescription; comprehension and application of those famous TCM prescriptions will be more original according to Shennong Bencao Jing. The theory of Shennong Bencao Jing is worth our further study and extension.

Objective To investigate the effects of magnetic stimulation (MS) on the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs)/progenitor cells after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods Forty-six Wistar rats were used, of which 40 were used to make an animal model of spinal cord injury (SCI) by administering a 10 g x 12.5 cm impact at the T8 level. The other 6 served as the normal controls. The SCI model rats were evenly divided into a magnetic stimulation (MS) group ( n = 20) and a control group ( n = 20). The rats in the MS group received 0.5 Hz and 1.44 T magnetic stimulation 24 h post injury, then 30 pulses per day for 7 days. The rats in the other groups were not exposed to MS. The scale of Basso, Beatti and Bresnahan (BBB) was used to assess hindlimb neurological function. Rats were sacrificed at the 24th hour, and at the 1st, 4th and 8th weeks after SCI. The ratio of nestin to microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2)/nestin in the cells of the spinal cord was determined by immunofluorescence. Results The BBB scores in the MS group were signifi-cantly higher than those of the control group at 1, 4 and 8 weeks post SCI. Nestin and the MAP2/nestin ratios were mild in the normal spinal cords, but increased after SCI. They were higher in the MS group than that in the control groups at all time points. Conclusions MS can promote nestin expression in the spinal cord after SCI and facili-tate neural differentiation.

Objective To investigate the biological effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro.Methods Primary ADSCs were harvested from the inguinal fat pads of 4-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats,cultured in vitro and purified by magnetic-activated cell sorting.Surface ADSC markers were identified by flow cytometry.LIPUS at 100 mW/cm2 was used to stimulate the cultured cells.Flow cytometry was performed for cell cycle analysis.Cellular proliferation was evaluated via CCK8 chromatometry,and a proliferation index was calculated.ADSCs were assigned to 4 groups:a negative control group,a LIPUS group,an osteoinduction group and a LIPUS plus osteoinduction group,and treated accordingly.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined at the 7th and 14th day in each group,and calcium nodes were marked by Von Kossa staining.The levels of osteogenic differentiation in the different groups were evaluated.Results The ADSCs of passage 3 expressed CD 34low,and CD29high CD44high,which was consistent with the characteristics of ADSC surface markers.Proliferation was upregulated significantly in the LIPUS group compared with the negative control group.ALP activity was also elevated significantly and it resulted in mine-ralization.The highest mineralization rate was observed in the LIPUS plus osteoinduction group.Conclusions LIPUS not only can stimulate the proliferation of rat ADSCs,it also promotes their osteogenic differentiation.

The osteogenic in vitro effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on SD rat adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was investigated. Rat ADSCs underwent LIPUS (intensity=100 mW/cm(2)) or sham exposure for 8 min per treatment once everyday in vitro, and then the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation were assessed to evaluate the osteogenic effect of LIPUS on ADSCs. To further explore the underlying mechanism, the osteogenic-related gene mRNA expression was determined by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th day after exposure repectively. Westen blot was used to evaluate the protein expression levels of two osteogenic differentiation associated genes at 7th and 14th day repectively. It was found that ALP activity was increased after LIPUS exposure and LIPUS resulted in mineralized nodule formation of ADSCs in vitro. LIPUS-treated ADSCs displayed higher mRNA expression levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN), ALP and bone sialoprotein (BSP) genes than controls, and the protein levels of Runx2 and BSP were also increased. The results suggested that LIPUS may induce the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro.

Objective To study the roles of icariin and cyclic tensile strain (CTS) in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and the molecular mechanisms involved.Methods ASCs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and treated either with icariin (10-7 mol/L) or with 1000 μ,2000 μ or 3000 μ of CTS for 7 days,or with icariin plus CTS at 2000 μ for three days.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected after 3 and 7 days of intervention.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of Runt-related transcriptional factor 2 (Runx2),Yes-associated protein (YAP) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) after the third day of the intervention.A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed at 7 days to detect the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and collagen la and after 3 days to detect the expression of the YAP target gene,CTGF and ankyrin repeating domain 1 (Ankrd1).Results Icariin and CTS at 1000 μ,2000 μ or 3000 μ could all significantly promote the expression of ALP protein.CTS at 2000 μ was the nost effective.The co-treatment with icariin and CTS significantly promoted ALP protein expression compared with icariin or CTS treatment alone.It also significantly promoted the expression of Runx2 and CTGF protein.Icariin or CTS (2000 μ) alone could not promote the expression of YAP protein,but icariin combined with CTS (2000 μ) promoted it significantly.Either icariin or CTS (2000 μ) could significantly promote ALP activity after 3 and 7 days,but icariin combined with CTS had the most obvious effect.Both icariin and CTS (2000 μ) could also significantly promote the expression of the osteogenesis-related genes OPN and collagen la,as well as the YAP targeted genes CTGF and Ankrdl.However,the combination of icariin and CTS had the greatest effect in promoting the expression of OPN mRNA,collagen la mRNA,CTGF mRNA and ankrdl mRNA.Conclusion Icariin and CTS co-treatment may promote osteogenic differentiation of ASCs via activating YAP expression.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of the lobulated medial sural artery perforator flap in repairing soft tissue defect in hand or foot.

METHODSSince March 2012 to September 2014, 6 cases with soft tissue defects in hands or feet were treated by lobulated medial sural artery flaps pedicled with 1st musculo-cutaneous perforator and 2st musculo-cutaneous perforator of the medial sural artery. The size of the flaps ranged from 4.5 cm x 10.0 cm to 6.0 cm x 17.0 cm.

RESULTS5 cases of lobulated flap survived smoothly, only 1 lobulated flap had venous articulo, but this flap also survived after the articulo was removed by vascular exploration. All flaps had desirable appearance and sensation and the two-point discrimination was 6 mm in mean with 4 to 12 months follow-up (average, 7 months). Linear scar was left in donor sites in 3 cases and skin scar in 3 cases. There was no malfunction in donor sites.

CONCLUSIONSLobulated medial sural artery perforator flap is feasible and ideal method for the treatment of soft tissue defect in hand or foot with satisfactory effect.

Arteries ; Cicatrix ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing

The roles of Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signaling pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs) were investigated.PSCs,labeled with fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR-3),were isolated from neonatal rats by immanomagnetic separation.After identifi-cation with FGFR-3 and Col Ⅱ,the cells were incubated with different concentrations of cyclopamine (cyclo),the specific inhibitor of lhh signaling pathway.The morphologic changes of the cells were observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope.The mRNA expression levels of Ibh,para-thyroid hormonerelated peptide (PTHrP),protein Patched (Ptch),Bcl-2 and p21 were detected by RT-PCR.The protein expression levels of Ihh and Ptch were measured by Western blot.MTT assay was used to examine the effects of cyclo on proliferation of PSCs.Apoptosis rate of PSCs was exam-ined by Annexin V/PI assay of flow cytometric analyses.After PSCs were incubated with cyclo,ob-vious morphologic changes were observed as compared with the control group.The mRNA expres-sion levels of PTHrP,Ptch and Bcl-2 were decreased to varying degrees in a cyclo dose-dependent manner.However,the expression levels of lhh and p21 mRNA were increased.The protein expres-sion of Ptch and Ihh had the same change as the mRNA expression.Meanwhile,cyclo could obvi-ously inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of PSCs.The results indicated that Ihh sig-naling pathway plays an important role in regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of PSCs,which is probably mediated by Bcl-2 and p21.

The osteogenic in vitro effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on SD rat adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was investigated.Rat ADSCs underwent LIPUS (intensity=100 mW/cm2) or sham exposure for 8 min per treatment once everyday in vitro,and then the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation were assessed to evaluate the osteogenic effect of LIPUS on ADSCs.To further explore the underlying mechanism,the osteogenic-related gene mRNA expression was determined by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 1st,3rd,5th,7th day after exposure repectively.Westen blot was used to evaluate the protein expression levels of two osteogenic differentiation associated genes at 7th and 14th day repectively.It was found that ALP activity was increased after LIPUS exposure and LIPUS resulted in mineralized nodule formation of ADSCs in vitro.LIPUS-treated ADSCs displayed higher mRNA expression levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2),osteocalcin (OCN),ALP and bone sialoprotein (BSP) genes than controls,and the protein levels of Runx2 and BSP were also increased.The results suggested that LIPUS may induce the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult Chinese patients with syncope.Methods:This is a cross-sectional survey study. Patients with preliminary diagnosis of syncope in the Emergency Department, Geriatrics and Cardiology Outpatient Department, or Syncope Unit of 37 hospitals in 19 provinces, autonomous regions and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from June 2018 to March 2021 were included in this study. The clinical features of these patients with syncope were analyzed.Results:A total of 4 950 consecutive patients with syncope were included in this study. The age was (56.3±16.8)years, and 2 604 cases (52.6%) were male. The most common type of syncope was neurally mediated syncope (2 345 (47.4%)), followed by cardiac syncope (1 085 (21.9%)), orthostatic hypotensive syncope (311 (6.3%)), and unexplained syncope accounted for nearly one third (1 155 (23.3%)). Predisposing syncope was more common in patients under 65 years of age(2 066(72.4%) vs. 786(27.6%),χ 2=136.5, P<0.001). Presyncope was more common in patients with neurally mediated syncope (1 972(79.0%) vs.1 908(73.9%), χ 2=17.756, P<0.001). Premonitory symptoms were more common in women(1 837(80.0%) vs. 1 863(73.0%),χ 2=33.432, P<0.001). Presyncope syndrome was more common in patients under 65 years of age (2 482(77.8%) vs. 1 218(73.4%),χ 2=17.523, P=0.001). Cyanosis was more common in ≥65 years old patients (271(18.2%) vs. 369(12.7%), χ 2=23.235, P<0.001). Urinary incontinence was more common in old patients aged ≥65 years(252(15.2%) vs. 345(10.8%), χ 2=19.313, P<0.001). Family history was more common in patients with cardiogenic syncope compared with other types of syncope (264(24.3%) vs. 754(19.5%), χ 2=11.899, P=0.001). Hypertention(1 480(30.5%)), coronary heart disease(1 057(21.4%)), atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation(359(7.2%)), second degree atrioventricular block(236(4.8%)) were common complications of syncope. The proportion of patients with coronary heart disease was significantly higher in cardiac syncope than that of other types of syncope(417(38.4%) vs. 640(16.6%), χ 2=241.376, P<0.001). Other common complications included cerebrovascular diseases (551 (11.1%)) and diabetes mellitus (632(12.8%)). Conclusions:Neurally mediated syncope is the most common syncope in adult Chinese population. Patients with predisposing conditions and premonitory conditions are younger. Presyncope is more common in women. The proportion of family history and coronary heart disease is higher in patients with cardiogenic syncope.

Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma inflammatory factors [IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α, TGF-β, IFN-γ, C-reactive protein (CPR) CCL-5] and hand-foot syndrome in colorectal cancer patients after taking capecitabine. Methods 35 colorectal cancer patients treated with capecitabine were collected and the degree of severity was divided according to the hand-foot syndrome grading diagnostic criteria. The concentrations of inflammatory factors in plasma were determined by ELISA kits. Results The standard curve of all inflammatory cytokines were linear (r>0.9900), and plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in patients with colorectal cancer were determined. The concentration of TNF-α changed obviously, which had reference value. Conclusion The concentrations of different inflammatory factors were different and the concentration of TNF-α was closely correlated with the severity of hand-foot syndrome.