OBJECTIVE:To optimize the preparation technology of Angelica sinensis powder and conduct screening for the op-timal particle size thereof. METHODS:With the contents of volatile oil and ferulic acid as the indexes,screening was conducted for the optimal drying temperature,dry welding time and particle size of the crude drug A. sinensis,and the stabilities of the A. si-nensis powder with different particle sizes which was packed by simulating that sold in the market were investigated. The verifica-tion tests on the preparation technology were conducted. RESULTS:The optimal conditions for preparing the crude drug A. sinensis were as follows as drying temperature of 60-70℃,drying for 4.5-5 hours and being crushed into moderate-sized powder;the stabil-ity of the moderate-sized powder which was packed by simulating that sold in the market was the best. In the verification tests on the preparation technology,the average content of the volatile oil was 0.46 ml/g,with RSD of 0.034%(n=3);the average con-tent of the ferulic acid was 0.123 μg/ml,with RSD of 0.026%(n=3). CONCLUSIONS:The optimized technology is stable and feasible,and the stability of the moderate-sized A. sinensis powder is the best.

Objective To report a case presented with atypical clinical and radiological appearance in the early stage and finally pathologically confirmed as chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids ( CLIPPERS) , aiming to improve the understanding of the disorder. Methods The clinical, imaging, laboratory and pathological features as well as treatment and prognosis of a pathologically confirmed CLIPPERS patient with repeated relapsing-remitting course and stepwise progression in nine years were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were five relapsing-remitting processes in total clinical course of nine years. The clinical and radiological appearance was atypical in the early stage. At the first attack, the patient presented with fever, headache, altered consciousness and epileptic seizure. In the following courses, the patient presented with ataxia, blurred vision and limb weakness. Brain MRI (2006-2009) showed multiple abnormal signals including supratentorial white matter, pons and cerebellum with patchy gadolinium enhancement. Treatment with steroids resulted in a favorable clinical and radiological improvement. The symptoms of this attack included limb weakness, blurred vision, dysdipsia and dysarthria. Physical examination showed cognitive dysfunction, multiple cranial nerves injuries and bilateral pyramidal signs. Brain MRI showed multiple abnormal signals involved pons and cerebellum predominantly as well as supratentorial white matter with punctate gadolinium enhancement peppering the pons and cerebellum. A characteristic predominantly T lymphocytic perivascular infiltration was seen on brain biopsy. Both the imaging and histological findings were consistent with the CLIPPERS features. High-dose steroids treatment was given and obvious clinical and radiological improvements were observed. After discharge, steroids were reduced slowly combined with the use of immunosuppressant to avoid relapse of the disorder. Conclusions There is heterogeneity in clinical manifestations of CLIPPERS with repeated relapsing-remitting course and imaging presentations are sometimes atypical in the early stage, which leads to the misdiagonsis and missed diagnosis. Distinctive pathology is the “gold standard” for definite diagnosis. The nosological position of CLIPPERS is still unclear. Repeated relapse-remitting leads to secondary cerebral atrophy and degeneration, with the risk of progressing to primary central nervous system lymphoma. Early and vigorous steroids treatment with continuing maintenance immunotherapy results in the decreased relapse and best long-term prognosis. The neurologist should strengthen the understanding of CLIPPERS for early correct diagnosis and treatment aiming to reduce the functional disability.

Objective To explore the relation between the expression of PBMCs IP-10 mRNA and systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods The expression of PBMCs IP-10 mRNA was investigated by RT-PCR semi quantitative method and samples from 46 patients with SLE,20 patients with RA,11 non-SLE patients with renal impairment and 20 healthy volunteers.Results The expression of PBMCs IP-10 mRNA in active SLE group was significantly higher than that in inactive group(P0.05).Serum levels of IP-10 were highly correlated with the expression levels of PBMCs IP-10 mRNA(r=0.897 1,P

[Objective] Molecular distillation technique was applied for the separation and purification of Atractylodes Lancea oil (ALO) to increase the yield of atractylodin. [Methods] Atractylodes Lancea oil prepared with supercritical extraction was refined by molecular distillation technique. The optimum refining conditions were selected by uniform design containing two factors of temperature and vacuum and five levels. The content of atractylodin from refined Atractylodes Lancea oil was measured and the remainder after isolation was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). [Results] A yield rate of atraotylodin from Atractylodes Lancea oil was 52.17% at the temperature of 105℃ and under the vacuum of 100 Pa. [Conclusion] The application of molecular distillation technique makes it easy to collect the volatile atractylodin from Atractylodes Lancea oil at lower temperature and under higher vacuum; this method ensures the yield rate of atractylodin over 50% and has no problem of environmental pollution.

Objective To investigate the production of carbapenemase and 16S rRNA methylase in five isolates of pan-drugs resistant E.cloacae recovered in Ruijin hospital.Methods MICs of the five isolates to 10 antibiotics were determined by E test.Six kinds of 16S rRNA methylase genes and a series of β- lactamase genes were amplified by PCR.Shotgun cloning was performed to detect carbapenem resistance determinant.The conjugal transfer of carbapenemase gene and 16S rRNA methylase gene was performed in broth culture with E.coli J53 as the recipient.Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was carried out to analyse the genotyping.IEF was performed to detect β-1actamases.Southern blot was performed to determine the location of carbapenem resistance determinant.Results The MICs of 10 antibiotics were ＞32 mg/L.Four β-1actamases with pIs of 5.4 ( TEM-1 ),6.7 ( KPC-2 ),8.2 ( SHV-12 ),8.4 (CTX-M-14) were determined.The insertion sequence in the recombinant plasmid was blaKPC-2 flanked by a transposon.blaKPC-2 was located on a large non-conjugative plasmid whereas armA was located on an other conjugative plasmid.PFGE patterns of 5 isolates were identical.Conclusion KPC-2 was responsible for carbapenem resistance in pandrugs resistant Enterobacter cloacae.There was no relationship between blaKPC-2 and armA.Although pandrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae remain rare,the emergence of this group of organism merits monitoring.

Practical ability training is one of the core tasks during the education for master of public health (MPH).We got a deeper understanding of practical ability cultivation situation for MPH in our school and got a more accurate recognition of the existed problems through conducting questionnaire for three grades MPH of professional degree and related tutors.We analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the existing mode and reflected on curriculum design,teaching method reform and practical ability training reform,etc based on the results of the questionnaire and years of experiences.

AIM:To observe the effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and its receptor antagonists on cAMP response element binding protein ( CREB) and phosphorylated CREB ( pCREB) expression in frontal cortex and hippocampus of morphine withdrawal rats , which aim to explore the post-receptor mechanism through which CCK-8 regu-lates morphine withdrawal .METHODS: After the morphine dependence and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal animal models were established, the effects of CCK-8, L-364718 (CCK1 receptor antagonist) and LY-288513 (CCK2 receptor an-tagonist) pretreatment on CREB and pCREB expression in frontal cortex and hippocampus were observed by Western blot -ting and immunohistochemistry .RESULTS:In rat frontal cortex neuron , CREB was expressed in both cytoplasm and nu-cleus, but pCREB was only highly expressed in the nucleus .In the pyramidal cell layer of hippocampal CA 1 region, CREB showed high expression in the cytoplasm and low expression in the nucleus , while pCREB was only expressed in the nu-cleus.No obvious change of CREB was observed after either chronic morphine treatment or naloxone withdrawal .The pCREB expression was increased after chronic morphine treatment and further increased after naloxone withdrawal .Com-pared with the withdrawal group , chronic pretreatment with CCK-8, L-364718 and LY-288513 had no effect on CREB expression in the frontal cortex , but obviously decreased the pCREB expression .In the hippocampus , pretreatment with L-364718 and LY-288513 decreased CREB and pCREB expression , but only the pCREB expression was decreased after CCK-8 treatment.CONCLUSION:CCK-8 and CCK receptor antagonists may alleviate morphine withdrawal symptoms by regulating CREB , with specificity in different brain regions .

BACKGROUNDThe cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP) is a new diagnostic technique for Meniere's disease (MD). But its value has not been well proven. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CHAMP for MD.

METHODSCHAMP test was taken in three populations using the Auditory Evoked Potential system delivered by Bio-logic Systems Corporation: (1) otologically normal subjects; (2) patients clinically diagnosed with definite MD; (3) patients clinically diagnosed with probable and possible MD.

RESULTSAccording to the comparison between the normal and definite MD group, if the abnormal criterion of CHAMP was defined as latency delay less than 0.3 ms, then the corresponding sensitivity was only 52%. However, if the abnormal criterion was defined as latency delay between 0.6 and 3.8 ms, then a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% can be achieved. The complex amplitude ratio showed a significant overlap between normal and definite MD group. If the abnormal criterion was defined as a complex amplitude ratio less than 0.95, the corresponding specificity was only 50%. However, if the abnormal criterion was defined as less than 0.80, the corresponding sensitivity was 60%, and the specificity was 97%. If the abnormal criterion of CHAMP was defined as latency delay less than 0.6 ms or the complex amplitude ratio less than 0.80, CHAMP result can be obtained in all subjects with good sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSIONSCHAMP can differentiate patients with Meniere's disease from otologically normal subjects with high sensitivity and specificity. The recommended criterion of abnormal CHAMP was a latency delay less than 0.6 ms or a complex amplitude ratio less than 0.80.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Audiometry, Evoked Response ; Endolymphatic Hydrops ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meniere Disease ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the role of herpes simplex virus type 1 ( HSV-1 ) in facial paralysis by developing an experimental animal model of viral facial paralysis.

METHODSBoth sides of posterior auricular branch of facial nerve were anatomies and incised in 66 mice. The HSV-1 was inoculated into right ear branch and fetal bovine serum was inoculated into left ear branch as control. The symmetry of mouse face was observed and scored. The temporal bones were serially sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The extratemporal facial nerves were stained with osmium tetroxide. HSV-1 DNA in bilateral facial nerve, brain stem, trigeminal ganglion and spinal cord was detected by the polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSTwenty-eight (42. 42%) mice developed right facial paralysis between 2 and 5 days after inoculation. Continuing 3-6 days, the facial paralysis recovered spontaneously. Thirty-eight mice had no signs of facial paralysis. Compared with the left, nerve swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration were manifested in right temporal facial nerve of paralyzed mice. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the facial nerve to the facial canal ( FN/FC ) was significantly higher than that on the control side (P < 0.01). Demyelinated nerve fibers were seen in the right extratemporal facial nerve. Not only in paralyzed mice, but also in non-paralyzed mice, HSV DNA was detected in some nerve tissues.

CONCLUSIONSInoculating HSV-1 into posterior auricular branch of facial nerve can produce an acute and transient facial paralysis in mice. The possible pathophysiologic mechanism of the facial paralysis is viral invasion and transportation from distal branch to main trunk. Then the viral facial neuritis causes facial paralysis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Facial Nerve ; virology ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; virology ; Female ; Herpes Simplex ; physiopathology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

BACKGROUNDSubjective olfactory tests are easy to perform and popularly applied in the clinic, but using only these, it is difficult to diagnose all disorders of the olfactory system. The olfactory event related potentials technique offers further insight into the olfactory system and is an ideal objective test. This analysis was of subjective and objective data on the olfactory function of twelve patients with loss of smell associated with an upper respiratory infection (URI).

METHODSWe tested the twelve patients with URI induced olfactory loss by medical history, physical examination of the head and neck, olfactory tests and medical imaging. Olfactory function was assessed by Toyota and Takagi olfactometry including olfactory detection and recognition thresholds and olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) recorded with OEP-98C Olfactometer.

RESULTSAn unusual phenomenon was observed in five patients in whom the subjective detection and recognition thresholds were normal, while the expected OERPs were not detectable.

CONCLUSIONSWe suggest that the discordance between olfactory psychophysical measurements and OERPs might be the results of abnormal electrophysiology related with olfactory neuropathy caused by viral URI. In addition, the measurement of OERPs might play a significant role in evaluating olfactory dysfunction.

Adult ; Evoked Potentials ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olfaction Disorders ; diagnosis ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; Sensory Thresholds ; Smell ; physiology