Hydrosafflor yellow A (HSYA), the main active ingredient of the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius L.), has the effect of activating circulation to remove blood stasis, and is usually used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases clinically. However, it is difficult to develop its oral dosage forms due to its low bioavailability. In recent years, studies on the biopharmaceutics of HSYA have made significant progress. This paper reviews physic-chemical properties, pharmacokinetics, strategies for promoting bioavailability and progress in pharmaceutics of HSYA, aiming to provide reference for related studies.

Background and purpose: Sorafenib hepatocellular carcinoma assessment randomized protocol (SHARP) and sorafenib in patients in Asia-Pacific region with hepatocellular carcinoma (ORIENTAL) had indicated that multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib could prolong overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) as well as improve progress free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug-related adverse events in the course of treatment restricted its clinical application to a certain degree. This study was aimed to summerize the adverse events as well as the management of sorafenib in our clinic. Methods: Twenty-five cases clinically diagnosed as advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled from January 2008 to October 2009. All the patients who received sorafenib treatment met inclusion criteria as followed: (1) Progression of disease after trans-hepatic arterial chemoembolization therapy; (2) Extensive portal vein cancerous thrombus formation; (3) Portal zone or retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis or multiple remote metastasis, such as lung or bone; (4) Diffused poor blood supply to tumor; (5) Inform consent was obtained. All adverse events with different grade were observed during the beginning 12 weeks, and clinical treatment were carried out relatively. Results: Total of 25 cases were enrolled. Nine patients died of the disease, 3 of them died during the first 12 weeks, 3 patients abandoned sorafenib treatment, among them 2 died before the finish of 12 weeks treatment and 1 patient discontinued 5 months after the sorafenib treatment. Twenty cases finally assigned. Number of patients encountered drug-related adverse events were: HFSR (hand-foot-skin-reaction) 4(4/20), diarrhea 4(4/20), alopecia 5(5/20), rasb 4(4/20), fatigue 8(8/20), leukopenia and Thrombocytopenia 4(4/20), elevated blood pressure 1(1/20) and abdominal pain 1(1/20). After clinical management, 20 patients' sorafenib treatment were eventually not affected by adverse events. Conclusion: Sorafenib was well-tolerated and is a safe option of treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To explore the relationship between cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by investigating their electrophysiological characteristics and the incidence of CSR root injury and root injury complicating with CTS.Methods One hundred and twenty-four cases of CSR diagnosed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2013 to February 2014 by electromyography (EMG) were recruited.According to the results of EMG,patients were divided into root injury and root injury complicating with CTS groups.The distal motor latency (DML),motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV),sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV),sensory nerve action potential (SNAP),compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and spontaneous potential (SP) were compared between the two groups.Results There were 81 (65.3％) cases with root injury,11 cases with double sides injury and 29 cases with normal EMG among these 124 patients.The CMAP,DML,MCV,SCV and SNAP were normal in 76 cases,CMAP lowered 5％-12％ in 3 cases,DML extended 3％ and 9％ in 2 cases.There were 14 cases (11.3％) with concomitant CTS (female 10 cases and male 4 cases,double sides CTS 10 cases).Among the 14 cases with concomitant CTS,there were 9 cases with simply sensory nerve conduction abnormality,SCV slowing down 26％-47％,SNAP reducing 58％-86％ or normal,while other 5 cases with motor conduction abnormality as well as sensory nerve conduction abnormality,CMAP reducing 21％-78％,DML extending 27％-39％ in 3 cases,MCV slowing down 32％ and 40％ in 2 cases.Five cases had spontaneous electricity position movement in the abductor pollicis brevis.The incidence of root injury complicating with CTS in C6 (27.4％,9/33),C7 (26.9％,7/26) and C8 (5/7) showed statistically significant difference (x2 =5.96,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions There is a high incidence of root injury and CTS in CSR patients,indicating a possible double crush between CSR and CTS.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and primary therapeutic effect of inverted Y-shaped self-expandable metal stent for complex airway stenosis.Methods On the standpoint of the peculiar anatomic structure and the pathological changes of complex airway stenosis,we designed the inverted Y-shaped self- expandable metal stent.Under the fluoroscopic guidance,7 stents were implanted in 7 cases of airway complex stenosis.Results The inverted Y-shaped self-expandable metal stents were placed seccussfully,with instantaneous relief of dyspnea and improvement of living quality.Conclusion The placement of inverted Y- shaped self-expandable metal stent is feasible and safe for treating airway complex stenosis.(J Intervent Radiol, 2007,16:92-94)

Point Dingchuan (Ex-B1) pertains to extraordinary points and often produces a good therapeutic effect on respiratory system diseases. Ancient Chinese medical books do not record point Dingchuan. Modern Chinese medical textbooks describe the location and efficacy of and indications for this point but do not state their provenances. In order to further popularize the clinical application of point Dingchuan, this article verifies the origin and development of the name and location of point Dingchuan so as to provide a certain reference for clinically correct selection and use of this point. The results show that point Dingchuan followed the course of development from ashi point to new point and then to extraordinary point. The development of point Dingchuan to the same acupoint name and location as now international use went mainly through four stages, that is, similar name and different location, similar name and location, same name and different location, and same name and location.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of posterior osteotomy and long-segment internal fixation in the treatment of senile thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity and provide the reference for operative treatment.

METHODSFrom April 2007 to April 2010, 19 older patients with thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity were respectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 7 females with an average age of 62 years (ranged, 58 to 74 years). Among patients, 11 cases were old fracture, 3 cases were ankylosing spondylitis, and 5 cases were old spinal tuberculosis. According to preoperative Frankel classification, 12 cases were grade E, 4 cases were grade D, 2 cases were C and 1 case was grade B. All patients were treated by posterior osteotomy and long-segment internal fixation and followed up above 1 year. VAS score preoperative, 2 weeks and 1 year after operation, Cobb's angle,n erve function and complication were observed.

RESULTSVAS score preoperative, 2 weeks and 1 year after operation separately was (7.0 +/- 1.2),(1.1 +/= .7) and (1.3 +/- .8); while Cobb's angle separately was (44.1 +/- .9), (10.9 +/- .1) and (11.5 +/- .8); there was significant difference in VAS score and Cobb's angle between preoperative and 2 weeks after operation (P < 0.05) w hile no significant difference between 2 weeks and 1 year after operation (P > 0.05). Eighteen cases met the standard of osseous fusion, 1 case occurred nonunion, but not looseness 1 year after operation. Nerve function: 3 cases changed grade E from 4 cases with grade D, 2 cases with grade C changed to grade D, 1 case with grade B changed to grade

CONCLUSIONPosterior osteotomy and long-segment internal fixation for the treatment of senile thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity can receive a good short-time effects.

Aged ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between milk intake of 3 - 6 years old preschool children and their growth.

METHODSThe data bank of 2002 China National and Health Survey were used to analyze the relationship of milk consumption and the growth of children aged 3 - 6 in urban and rural areas.

RESULTSThe percentages of the diet with milk in urban and rural areas were 46.9% and 8.2% respectively, there was significant difference between the urban and rural areas. The averaged milk intake of preschool children were 23.8 g/d, the milk intake of urban children was significantly higher than that in the rural areas (P < 0.01). The height and weight of children with milk or its products in their diets in the group aged 4, 5 and 6 years were significantly higher than those of children without milk or its products in their diets (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere was close relationship between milk intake of children 3 - 6 years old and their growth, the volume of milk intake of preschool children should be improved in urban and rural areas.

Animals ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Milk ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo verify Working Group for Obesity in China (WGOC) recommended body mass index (BMI) classification reference for overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents using the data of 2002 China Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey.

METHODSPediatric metabolic syndrome (MetS) and abnormality of each risk factor for MetS were defined using the criteria for US adolescents. Definition of hyper-TC, LDL, and dyslipidemia in adults was applied as well. The average level and abnormality rate of the metabolic indicators were described by BMI percentiles and compared with general linear model analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to summarize the potential of BMI to discriminate between the presence and absence of the abnormality of these indicators.

RESULTSThere was neither significantly increasing nor significantly decreasing trend of biochemical parameter levels in low BMI percentile range (<65th). Slight increasing trend from the 75th and a significant increase were found when BMI > or =85th percentile. In general, the prevalence of the examined risk factors varied slightly when BMI percentile<75th, and substantial increases were consistently seen when BMI percentile > or =75th. As an indicator of hyper-TG, hypertension and MetS, the sensitivity and specificity were equal at the point of BMI<75th percentile, and the Youden's index of risk factors also reached peak point before 75th percentile except for MetS. When the BMI percentile was used as the screening indicator of MetS, Youden's index reached peak point at 85th percentile, just the point in the ROC graph that was nearest to the upper left corner.

CONCLUSIONThe BMI classification reference for overweight and obesity recommended by WGOC is rational to predict and prevent health risks in Chinese children and adolescents. Lower screening cut-off points, such as 83th percentile or 80th percentile, should not be excluded when they are considered as overweight criteria in future intervention or prevention studies.

Adolescent ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Child ; China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Overweight ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the reliability ,validity and reaction degree of patient reported outcome scale for low back and leg pain.

METHODSTwo hundreds inpatients were analyzed between August 2010 and January 2012, including 93 males and 107 females with an average age of 50.3 years old ranging from 22 to 65 years. There were 144 cases of lumbar disc herniation and 56 of lumber spinal stenosis. All patients were tested by the patient reported outcome scale for low back and leg pain, and then analyzed the reliability,validity and reaction degree of the scale.

RESULTSThere was no statistical significence difference (P>0.05) and significant correlation (r>0.9) in scores of two times in patients with no change in illness. Measurement result of the scale had significant correlation (r>0.9) with Oswestry disability index (ODI). The total Cronbach's Alpha of the instrument was 0.931, the total split-half reliability was 0.912. The KMO value was 0.919, Bartlett test value was 1882.975 (P<0.001), factor analysis resulted in 3 factors with eigenvalue >1 which contributed to 64.364%. Scores of two times of 43 cases who felt better were 34.80+/-9.00 and 28.77+/-8.73, respectively,with stasitical significance (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe scale has a good reliability, validity and reaction degree,which can be applied for the therapeutic evaluation of low back and leg pain.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Leg ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Reproducibility of Results ; Severity of Illness Index ; Spinal Stenosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the therapeutic effects of two methods to lumbar disc herniation treated by manipulation combined with Chinese herbs and traction with Western medicine.

METHODSA multi-center with a central district unit was used to study the patients with lumbar disc herniation from November 28th, 2008 to May 7th, 2010. All the patients were divided into treatment group and control group. The treatment group had 100 cases, including 45 males and 55 females, averaged (43.43 +/- 9.18) years. The treatment group was treated by manipulation combined with Chinese herbs; Control group had 100 cases (5 cases were fall off), including 38 males and 57 females, averaged (42.29 +/- 9.78) years. The control group was treated by traction with Western medicine. The course of treatment was 3 weeks. VAS, M-JOA, LMS (lower limb muscle strength) and classification efficacy was used to evaluate outcome and therapeutic effects before and after treatment.

RESULTSVAS and M-JOA were improved after the treatment both in treatment group and control group; there was no significant difference in LMS before and after treatment in both groups. VAS and M-JOA in treatment group was superior to those of control group after treatment. There was no significant difference in LMS. According to classification efficacy, 41 cases got excellent result, 34 good, 13 fair and 12 poor in treatment group; in control group, 35 cases obtained excellent results, 16 good, 19 fair and 25 poor. The effect of treatment group was better than that of control group.

CONCLUSIONBoth of two methods can improve the score of VAS, M-JOA, and treatment group is better than that of control group. While for the improvement of LMS, both of two methods have no obvious effects.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Middle Aged ; Traction