Objective To develop an advanced two-cuff technique orthotopic liver transplantation model in rats. Methods On the basis of the previous two-cuff-technique, some hypercoagulable blood was released from the recipient's PV and IVC before the cuffed donor PV and IVC were inserted into the lumen of the recipient's PV and IVC. The anastomosis of recipient's SVC was between the donor's diaphragm venaccaval hiatus and recipient's SVC. Results Every anastomosis was effective. The operative successful rate and one-week survival rate were 96.7?% and 90.0?% respectively. Conclusion This model could be used as an effective measure for the study of liver transplantation in rats.

AIM: To determine the contents of ephedrine、laetrile、glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin in Huagai Powder traditional decoction and granule decoction(Herba Ephedrae,Semen Armeniacae Amarum,Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae,etc.) by HPLC. METHODS: An Agilent SB-C_(18) column was used for ephedrine,the mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid(4∶96),detection wavelength at 207 nm;An Agilent XDB-C_(18) column was used for laetrile,the mobile phase was methanol-water(23∶77),detection wavelength at 215 nm;An Agilent XDB-C_(18) column was used for glycyrrhizic acid,the mobile phase was methanol-0.2 mol/L ammonium-acid(67∶33∶1),detection wavelength at 250 nm; An Agilent XDB-C_(18) column was used for liquiritin,the mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.5% acetic acid(20∶80),detection wavelength at 276 nm. RESULTS: There were discrepancies between traditional decoction and granules in the contents of four ingredients,the average contents in granules were more than those in the traditional decoction. CONCLUSION: The peaks of the four ingredients are(segregated)(effectively),and the method is simple,conveient,exact and has good reproducibility,the other ingredients do not have interferences for the determination.

Dioscin is the main raw material for the synthesis of steroid hormone drugs. Currently, the direct acid hydrolysis is the mainly industrial production method for dioscin. However, the use of strong acid can not only destroy the structure of dioscin resulting in very low yield, but also produce a large amount of waste water and residues, which seriously pollute the environment. So the clean production of dioscin is the urgent demand of water conservation and environmental protection. In the paper, the recent research pro-gresses in the clean production technology and process of dioscin were summarized, and the advantages and problems were discussed in order to provide reference for the improvement and application of the new technology and process.

BACKGROUND:Previously, serious thoracolumbar burst fractures with spinal cord injury were mainly treated by anterior surgery. The superiority of conventional posterior repair lies in strong reduction and fixation effects. However, it is difficult to fuly decompression. The anterior and central cylinders of the injured vertebra cannot receive good reconstruction. Loss of correction and internal fixation failure always appear. It remains controversial which repair method is more ideal. OBJECTIVE:To comparatively analyze the effect of posterior and anterior approaches with subtotal vertebrectomy, decompression, reconstruction of spine, and internal fixation for patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: The data of 42 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture treated by anterior and posterior approaches with subtotal vertebrectomy, decompression, and reconstruction of spine from May 2006 to December 2012 was retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedures: anterior approach group (n=23) and posterior approach group (n=19). They were folowed up for at least 24 months. Repair results and imaging results were compared in patients of both groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:None patients in the two groups affected fixator loosing or breakage, and obtained good bone fusion. The intraoperative blood loss was more and operative time was longer in the anterior approach group than in the posterior approach group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). The pulmonary function was significantly better in the posterior approach group than in the anterior approach group (P < 0.05). Visual Analog Scale score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score for back pain and Frankel classification were significantly improved during final folow-up compared with pre-treatment in both groups, but no significant difference was found between groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference in the anterior vertebral height and kyphosis Cobb angle was detected before treatment, at 1 week after treatment and during final folow-up (P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly higher in the anterior approach group than in the posterior approach group (P < 0.05). These findings confirm that subtotal vertebrectomy through anterior approach and posterior approach can effectively repair thoracolumbar burst fractures. However, the complications of posterior approach are less, and posterior approach has few impacts on the pulmonary function, is safe, and has good biocompatibility with the host.

Objective]To assess the effects and mechanism of triptolide(TPL)on cardiac remodeling in chronic heart failure (CHF)rats.[Methods]Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight:Control group,isoprenaline(Iso)group,TPL group(Iso+TPL)and captopril group(Iso+Cap). CHF rat model was induced by Iso. In TPL and Cap group,TPL(20μg/kg·d)and Cap(15 mg/kg·d)were administrated to CHF rats for six weeks. Left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole(LVIDd)and left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole (LVIDs)were detected. Histopathological changes of myocardial tissues of rats were evaluated byMasson staining and immunohistochemical staining of type Ⅰcollagen. Ventricular weight/body weight ratio(VW/BW), collagen volume fraction(CVF),perivascular collagen volume area(PVCA)of myocardial tissues were calculated. With real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,the protein and mRNA levels of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)were detected.[Results]Compared to the Iso group,the levels of LVIDs,LVIDd,VW/BW,CVF and PVCA reduced in TPL and Cap group. TPL and Cap can alleviate the myocardial fibrosis in CHF rats. The expression of PTEN protein and mRNA increased markedly in the TPL or Cap treated group.[Conclusion]TPL can attenuate cardiac remodeling in Iso-induced CHF rats. The potential mechanism may be highly associated with the up-regulating of PTEN signaling pathway.

Objective To report the clinical outcomes of the patients with open comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fracture who were treated with our self-designed bilateral triangle external fixators which are extensible and gimbaled.Methods Between January 2011 and June 2014,12 patients with open comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fracture were treated and followed up.They were 8 men and 4 women,aged from 23 to 58 years (average,36.8 years).According to the Sanders classification,the fractures were type Ⅱ in 4 cases,type Ⅲ in 7,and type Ⅳ in one.According to the Gustilo classification,the soft tissue injury was type Ⅱ in 2 cases,type ⅢA in 7,and type Ⅲ B in 3.All the patients were treated with immediate debridement and preventive intravenous antibiotics.First stage wound closure or temporary coverage with vacuum sealed drainage was chosen according to the condition of soft tissue injury.Our self-designed bilateral triangle external fixators were applied together with cannulated screws or Kirschner wire in all the patients after Kirschner wire poking.Of them,7 received emergency treatment and 5 were treated 3 to 5 days after injury.After no wound infection was observed for sure,6 cases received selective open reduction and internal fixation via a lateral incision while 6 continued external fixation with Kirschner wire for 8 to 10 weeks (average,9.1 weeks).Results The 12 patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months (average,18.5 months).Their AOFAS scores averaged 84.6 points (range,from 74 to 94 points).One case required tissue transfer for wound coverage.Wound shallow infection developed in 3 cases.No deep infection or amputation happened.No wound infection or necrosis occurred in the 6 cases that had undergone open reduction and internal fixation at the second stage.Conclusion Application of our self-designed extensible gimbaled bilateral triangle external fixators in the treatment of open comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fractures may help effectively reduce the deep infection or incidence of osteomyelitis after operation as long as early debridement is thorough,internal fixation is timely applied,and indications for internal fixation are properly followed.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of the isovolumic contraction peak velocity (IVCv) of right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) by echocardiography and Doppler tissue imaging. Methods In 41 patients with suspected diagnosis of PH, IVCv at the tricuspid annulus were measured by echocardiography and Doppler tissue imaging. The right heart systolic function parameters such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), peak systolic velocity (PSv) and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFCA) were also measured. The pulmonary artery pressure was detected by right-heart catheterization (RHC). According to different levels of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, patients were classiifed into four groups to compare and analyze if any signiifcance could be found, including without PH group, mild PH group, moderate PH group and severe PH group. The sensitivity and speciifcity for diagnosing right heart impairment were assessed by ROC curves. Last, correlation analysis was performed. Results IVCv was signiifcantly and positively correlated with the right heart systolic function parameters, such as TAPSE (r=0.557, P<0.001), PSv (r=0.714, P<0.001) and RVFCA (r=0.341, P<0.05). Negative correlation existed between IVCv and PASP (r=-0.739, P<0.001). The average IVCv of without PH group, mild PH group, moderate PH group and severe PH group were (13.83±3.56) cm/s, (10.11±1.36) cm/s, (8.70±2.21) cm/s and (5.80±1.03) cm/s, respectively. The level of IVCv was obviously lower in severe PH group than those in without PH group, mild PH group and moderate PH group. The difference was signiifcant (P<0.05). The levels of IVCv increased obviously in without PH group than those in mild PH group and moderate PH group (P<0.01). There were no differences for IVCv between mild PH group and moderate PH group (P>0.05). Using the lower limit of right ventricular systolic function parameter obtained by common echocardiographic assessment as standard (TAPSE<16 mm, PSv<10 cm/s and RVFAC<35%), the sensitivities of IVCv<6.5 cm/s for diagnosing right ventricular systolic function reduction were 91%, 96%and 87%and the speciifcities were 70%, 53%and 77%, respectively. Conclusions IVCv obtained by Doppler tissue imaging is a new objective parameter for diagnosing right ventricular systolic function reduction. It is worth further study and application in clinic.

Paris polyphylla, the dried rhizome of Paris polyphylla Smith Var.yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand-Mazz.or Paris polyphylla Smith Var.chinensis (Franch.) Hara, has been commonly used as a traditional Chinese folk medicine for thousands of years.The extensive pharmacological studies indicated that steroidal saponins had multiple pharmacological activities, such as potential anticancer activity, antibacterial, antivirus, hemostasis, sedative activity, protecting cardiovascular and liver tissues.Obviously, the studies on steroidal saponins activity are very important in the development and clinical application of the potential new drug.The recent research advances in the pharmacological activities of Paris polyphylla reported in the paper could provide reference for the further utilization of Paris polyphylla.

Objective: To optimize the alcohol concentration for Jinyin Qingre oral liquids extracted by semi-bionic extraction (SBE). Methods:Using proportional division method to set up 5 alcohol concentration 30%,55%,61. 25%,67. 5%,80% for the ex-periment . The dried extract yield and the contents of chlorogenic acid ,geniposide,salviandic acid B and total phenolic acid were set up as indexes which were standardized as the comprehensive evaluation value ( Y) ,using the weighting coefficient had been set. Choosing the appropriate concentration by comparing the value of Y. Results:The order of comprehensive evaluation value was as follows:30%>61. 25% >55% >80% >67. 5%. Conclusion:Combining the clarity of the oral liquids, the best alcohol concentration in SBE for Jinyin Qingre oral liquids is 61. 25%.

Objective:To compare the taxol content in different parts of Taxus madia and Taxus chinensis var. mairei to provide reference for the future researches. Methods:The active ingredients were extracted by a mixed solvent (50% acetone and 50% ethyl acetate) , the target compound taxol was separated by a neutral Al2 O3 solid phase column, and then the taxol content was analyzed and compared among the different parts of Taxus madia and Taxus chinensis var. mairei by HPLC. Results:Taxol in velamen of Taxus ma-dia had the highest content among all the samples, which was 0. 0439% and 88 times as high as that in the bark of Taxus chinensis var. mairei. Conclusion:Among all the samples of Taxus madia and Taxus chinensis var. mairei, velamen of Taxus madia has the highest taxol content.