Through study on the correlation between Atractylodis macrocephala lactones ingredient content and topographic factors, we researched regionalization from topography of five main producing provinces of the country, in order to provide a scientific basis for A. macrocephala reasonable cultivation. By sampling from 40 origins of five main producing provinces of the country, the variation of A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content in different conditions of topographic factors and the effect of altitude, slope and aspect was analyzed by SPSS. Then according to the relationship between A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content and topographic factors, the ecological suitability regionalization was conducted by using ArcGIS based on topographic factors. It is suitable for growth of A. macrocephala in the hilly and mountainous areas of southern whose A. macrocephala lactones ingredient content is in high levels. It is unsuitable for growth of A. macrocephala in Northern plain areas, but we can cultivate A. macrocephala in the hilly and mountainous areas of Northern. The most suitable topographic condition for cultivation of A. macrocephala : altitude 200 meters above, slope 3.00-4.99 degrees.
Altitude ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ecosystem

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical outcomes of intrasacrospinal muscular approach and posterior midline approach in treating far lateral lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 32 patients with far lateral lumbar disc herniation underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion from January 2004 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into intrasacrospinal muscular approach group (11 males and 6 females ) and posterior midline approach group (10 males and 5 females). All patients were followed up from 12 to 18 months with an average of 15.3 months. Operative time, blood loss, postoperative draining volume were recorded and pre-and post-operative visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared between two groups.

RESULTSOperative time, blood loss, postoperative draining volume in intrasacrospinal muscular approach group was less than that of posterior midline approach group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS at final follow-up between two groups (P > 0.05); and the mean ODI in intrasacrospinal muscular approach group was less than that of posterior midline approach group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor the treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation, intrasacrospinal muscular approach has less injury for paraspinal muscle and more satisfactory clinical outcome and is better method than posterior midline approach.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic features of epididymal cyst in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome.

METHODSWe reviewed the clinical data of 3 epididymal cyst patients treated by surgery, and detected the expressions of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, alpha-SMA and CD34 in the epididymal tissue samples by the immunohistochemistry SP method.

RESULTSAll the 3 patients underwent surgical removal of the epididymal cyst. Immunohistochemistry of the epididymal tissues showed HIF-1alpha, VEGF, alpha-SMA and CD34 to be positive. All the 3 cases were confirmed to be VHL syndrome, 1 right after surgery, and the other 2 within 8 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONEpididymal cyst is a usual benign disease, which may occur independently of or be complicated by VHL syndrome. If immunohistochemistry of epididymal tissues shows HIF-1alpha, VEGF, alpha-SMA and CD34 to be positive, VHL syndrome should be considered, and further clinical examinations and post-operation follow-up are necessitated.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Epididymis ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spermatocele ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the histologic changes of the cervical muscles and intervertebral discs caused by dynamic dysequilibrium of frontally cervical muscles in rabbits.

METHODSThirty healthy rabbits with an average age of two years, half males and half females, the mean of weight in (2.75 +/- 0.25) kg, were divided randomly into model group and the sham operation group with fifteen rabbits in each group. The hibateral sternocleidomastoid muscles of rabbits in the model group were shortened by medical pipe to estabish the new animal model (the model was cervical dynamic dysequilibrium); and in the sham operative group, only exposed hibateral sternocleidomastoid muscles by operation. At the same time after two months, the histologic changes of the cervical muscles and intervertebral discs in all rabbits were observed, meanwhile, the myofibrillar amount and its cross section area were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAfter operation, the cervical muscles and intervertebral discs had significant change in model group, but no obvious change in sham operative group. The myofibrillar amount of frontal cervical muscles and back cervical muscles in model group was obviously lower than that of sham operative group (P < 0.05); likewise, the myofibrillar cross section area in model group was obviously lower than that of sham operative group (P < 0.05); the frontal cervical muscles was obviously change than the back cervical muscles.

CONCLUSIONThe cervical dynamic dysequilibrium caused by crispation of frontal cervical muscles can lead to pathologic degeneration of cervical muscles and intervertebral discs. The study may provide experimental proof for early cervical spondylopathy.

Animals ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc ; pathology ; Male ; Neck Muscles ; pathology ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Spasm ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate serum levels of soluble matrix lysin 2 (sST2) in patients with different stages of heart failure and its relationship with prognosis. Methods Data of 300 patients with heart failure of stages A, B, C and D were included in this study. Thirty-three cases of healthy elderly population for physical examination were used as control group. The general information, echocardiography and related biochemical tests containing sST2 and NT-proBNP were collected in the two groups. The survival periods of patients were evaluated according to the Seattle heart failure mode (SHFM). Patients were followed up for 1 year to record the occurrence of adverse events. Results The sST2 level was higher in heart failure group than that of control group. The sST2 level began to increase in stage B, and which increased with the development of cardiac function staging. The sST2 levels were significantly higher in stages B, C and D than those of stage A, and which were significantly higher in stage D than those of stages B and C (P<0.05). There were significantly higher incidence rates of adverse events, left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in the patients with high sST2 level than those of patients with lower sST2 level (P<0.05). Values of sST2, NT-proBNP, LVEDD and LVMI were significantly higher, and values of LVEF and SHFM life expectancy were significantly lower, in patients with adverse events than those of patients without adverse events (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between sST2 and LVEF, and positive correlation between sST2 with NT-proBNP, LVEDD and LVMI (P<0.05). The size under ROC curve, which was used to predict the cardiovascular endpoint events judged by sST2 was 0.665 (95％CI:0.574-0.757, P<0.01), and the one by NT-proBNP was 0.790 (95％ CI: 0.731-0.848, P<0.01). The best cut-off value of predicting the clinical adverse events was 139.27μg/L by sST2 and 855.35μg/L by NT-proBNP. Conclusion The serum level of sST2 is early indicator of heart failure, which not only reflects the severity of ventricular remodeling but also is one of indicators to estimate the prognosis of heart failure in one year.

Objective To study the chemical constituents of the male anthotaxy of Populus tomentosa Carr.Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by ODS,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and recrystallization.Their struc?tures were identified based on the physiochemical properties and spectroscopic data. The antioxidant capacities of some compounds were assayed by a rapid ABTS method.The antitumor activity was tested by the MTT assay.Results Fourteen compounds were isolat?ed from the ethyl acetate part of 70% ethanol extract of the male anthotaxy of P.tomentosa Carr.,and they were identified as pinocem?brin(1),dillenetin(2),chrysoeriol(3),naringenin(4),isosakuranetin(5),apigenin(6),kaempferol(7),apigenin-7-O-β-D(-6″-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside(8),tremuloidine(9),catechol(10),3,3′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybiphenyl(11),coumaric acid(12),ursolic acid (13),and betulonic acid(14),respectively. The results of the ABTS assay showed that 2,6 and 7 could scavenge ABTS+free radicals with the total antioxidant capacity of 0.61,0.14,0.46 respectively.The screening results of antitumor activity in vitro showed that the half inhibitory concentration(IC50)of compounds 1,4 and 5 for adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells A549 was 26.04 mg/L,43.45 mg/L and 24.01 mg/L,for human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells HepG2 were 13.50 μg/ml,23.80 μg/ml and 9.13 μg/ml,and for human colon carcinoma cells HCT116 was 36.11 mg/L,48.95 mg/L and 32.25 mg/L.Conclusion Compounds 2,3,11,13 and 14 were isolated from the Populus genus for the first time,2-5,10,11 and 13-15 were isolated from the plant for the first time.Compounds 2,6 and 7 displayed the antioxidant activity to a certain extent.Compouds 1,4 and 5 showed varying de?grees of inhibitory effects on tumor cells in vitro.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes of intrasacrospinal muscular approach and posterior midline ap-proach in treating far lateral lumbar disc herniation. Methods:The clinical data of 32 patients with far lateral lumbar disc her-niation underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion from January 2004 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into intrasacrospinal muscular approach group (11 males and 6 females ) and posterior midline ap-proach group (10 males and 5 females). All patients were followed up from 12 to 18 months with an average of 15.3 months. Operative time,blood loss,postoperative draining volume were recorded and pre and post operative visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared between two groups. Results:Operative time,blood loss,postoperative draining volume in intrasacrospinal muscular approach group was less than that of posterior midline approach group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS at final follow up between two groups(P>0.05);and the mean ODI in intrasacrospinal muscular approach group was less than that of posterior midline approach group (P<0.05). Conclusion:For the treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation,intrasacrospinal muscular approach has less injury for paraspinal muscle and more satisfactory clinical outcome and is better method than posterior midline approach.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of polymorphism in codon Ala54Thr of human intestinal fatty acid-binding protein gene (IFABP) on the therapeutic efficacy of fenofibrate.

METHODSTotally 147 patients with hyperlipidemia [72 men mean age: (56.2 +/- 8.63) years; 75 women mean age: (58.4 +/- 9.12) years] were enrolled. IFABP genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction, Hha I digestion, and sequencing. Four weeks before and after treatment, the levels of fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A I (apoA I) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) were detected with biochemical techniques.

RESULTSThe frequency of IFABP genotype was 0.47 for A/A, 0.37 for A/T, and 0.16 for T/T, and the allelic frequency was 0.65 for A and 0.35 for T. No significant different was found in lipid levels in every genotype before treatment (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and apoB significantly decreased (P < 00.01), and the levels of HDH-C and apoA I significantly increased (P < 0.01). The total therapeutic efficacy on A54A and A54T were 97% and 95%, respectively. In the patients with T54T genotype after treatment, no significant difference in lipids levels was found except TG (P < 0.05), and the total efficacy was only 38%. The total therapeutic efficacies of fenofibrate on A54A and A54T were higher than those of T54T, and there was significant different between A54A and T54T (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism of human IFABP gene in hyperlipidemia is related with the therapeutic efficacy of fenofibrate, and the T54T IFABP genotype may have strong negative effect on such efficacy.

Aged ; Apolipoproteins ; blood ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Fenofibrate ; therapeutic use ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate expression of human lactoferrin gene by high-density fermentation in recombinant Pichia pastoris on the premise of maintaining its biological activities.

METHODSThe neutrophil was isolated from human peripheral blood and its total RNA was prepared. Full-length cDNA of human lactoferrin gene was then obtained by RT-PCR, cloned into expression vector pPIC 3.5 K and transformed into Pichia pastoris strain KM71. With two-layer filter method, the transformants with high-productivity of human lactoferrin were screened out into fed-batch high-density fermentation. And later, the physical, chemical and biological activities of fermentation product were detected preliminarily.

RESULTSThe strain p3.5-k-7 with better productivity of human lactoferrin was screened out into fed-batch high-density fermentation. The fermentation lasted nearly for nine days, with A-600 of culture once above 260 and the highest productivity of human lactoferrin being 115 mg/L, 7.67 times the amount of that in shake flask cultivation.

CONCLUSIONThe authors successfully realized high-density fermentation expression of human lactoferrin gene in recombinant Pichia pastoris.

Cloning, Molecular ; Fermentation ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficiency of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) with AGA-Amplatzer occlusion device in pediatric patients.

METHODSForty patients with ASD, 16 males, 24 females, at a mean age of 10.2 years (ranged from 3 to 15 years of age) and with a mean weight of 35.8 kg (ranged from 11 to 87 kg) were studied. Six cases were complicated with pulmonary stenosis (PS), 1 was complicated with ventricular tachycardia (VT). Right heart catheterizations were done in 40 patients for measuring the pressures of right ventricle and pulmonary artery. The balloon diameter of ASD was measured using balloon catheter with guiding wire. The diameter of ASD was measured by TTE and/or TEE, ascertaining the location and size of ASD. Amplatzer occlusion device was sized to be equal to or 1 - 2 mm more than the diameter of balloon stretched.

RESULTSAll patients had successful implantation of the Amplatzer device. The success rate was 100%. The diameter measured by TTE was 7 - 30 mm (mean 17.12 mm). The diameter measured by TEE was 7 - 32 mm (mean 18.44 mm). The diameter of balloon stretched of ASD was 8 - 34 mm. Of the 40 cases, 6 were complicated with PS and accepted percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (PBPV). One case was complicated with VT and accepted radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Neither complication nor residual shunt was found in any of the patients. The patients were recovered and followed up for 3 or 4 days after deployment of the Amplatzer device. Clinical symptom, cardiac murmur, and findings in ECG, echocardiography and X-ray were improved markedly.

CONCLUSIONAGA-Amplatzer occlusion device is safe and efficient in pediatric patients with ASD.

Adolescent ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Care ; Preoperative Care ; Treatment Outcome