Objective To explore the effect of Yixintai granule on myocardial remodeling in rabbits with chronic heart failure ( CHF) .Methods The rabbit model of CHF with adriamycin was established. These successful CHF models of rabbits were divided into model group, high,middle, and low dose of Yix-intai groups, losartan potassium group, and normal control group.Echocardiographic indexes and myocardi-al remodeling indexes were measured after 4 weeks of medication.Results Compared to the model group, the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole (LVIDs), left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole ( LVIDd) , cardiac index ( CI) , and left ventricular mass index (LVWI) of the treatment groups were decreased ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), and the interventricular septum ( IVS) of the middle and high Yixintai groups was decreased significantly ( P <0.01 ) .Compared to the low dose of Yixintai group, the IVS, LVPW, CI, and LVWI of the middle and high Yixintai groups were decreased ( P <0.05 or P <0.01) , and the LVIDs and LVIDd of the high Yixintai group were decreased ( P <0.05 ) .Conclusions Yixintai granule can improve myocardial remodeling in rabbits with CHF. Meanwhile, the curative effect of medial and high groups of Yixintai is better than the low dose group.

Objective To investigate the value of multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT) in diagnosis of laryngocarcinoma in early stage.Methods MSCT data of 28 patients with laryngocarcinoma confirmed pathologically were analyzed retrospectively.Images quality was evaluated and the results obtained with various windows and CT virtual laryngoscopy (CTVL) were compared.Results 20 cases(69%) could be displayed with conventional soft tissue windows,24(81%) could be demonstrated with lung windows and 27(93%) could be demonstrated with CTVL.Conclusion MSCT can effectively demonstrate laryngocarcinoma,and can be applied routinely in examination of laryngocarcinoma.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects ofYixintaiGranules on expression of C-Myc mRNA and its protein in myocardial tissues of rabbits with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods CHF rabbit models were established by ear marginal vein injection of adriamycin. Successfully modeled rabbits were divided into the model group, the Losartan Potassium group, the high-, medium-, and low doseYixintaiGranules groups. Besides, a normal control group was set up. Administration groups were given relevant medicine for gavage, equal volume of physiological saline was administered to rabbits of the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks, once per day. Echocardiographic indexes and mRNA and protein expression levels of C-Myc in myocardial tissue were detected after 4 weeks of medication.Results Compared with the normal group, the LVEF, LVFS, and E/A of the model group decreased significantly (P<0.01), but mRNA and protein expression levels of C-Myc in myocardial tissues increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the LVEF, LVFS, and E/A of YG groups and Losartan Potassium group increased significantly (P<0.01), but mRNA and protein expression levels of C-Myc in myocardial tissues decreased significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01).ConclusionYixintaiGranules can effectively inhibit the expression of mRNA and protein expression of C-Myc, and improve cardiac function.

Objectives:Economic growth and rapid development of health technology in China have created opportunities to strengthen health technology assessment (HTA) capacity.Over the time,HTA institutions have been established to conduct HTA related work.This study reviewed the current status of HTA in China and analysed the challenges of HTA development in the context of health reform under"new normal"economy.Methods:Literature review and webpage searches were used to document the development of HTA in China.An institutional survey has also been conducted to collect information on the HTA research institutions in China.Results:The number of articles and research projects on HTA were rising and are continuing to rise.HTA development has made substantial progress in China in terms of growing number of research institutions and qualified HTA workforce.However,HTA has notable weaknesses such as low capacity for conducting HTA research,limited experience in HTA researchers,and lack of knowledge translation.Conclusion:Currently,the translation of HTA findings to policy-making is limited and the integration of HTA in the policy-making processes is still in its infancy.The HTA development in China has had opportunities due to demands of health care,health insurance,and health technology as a result of health reform.Capacity building and institutionalization of HTA are urgently needed for further development of HTA in China.

OBJECTIVE: To study the biological characteristics of human endostatin (hEndo) gene transfected adult skin melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-)-hEndo was transfected into adult skin melanoma cells by electroporation, and then the stable clones were selected with G418. The transcription and expression of hEndo gene in the transfected melanoma cells were verified by RT-PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis and Western blot. The biological activities of hEndo protein were investigated by MTT in vitro. Stable clones expressing endostatin were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of BALB/c-nu/nu mice of 4 to approximately 6 weeks old. Then the growth of transduced tumors in vivo was investigated. RESULTS: The bands of 624 bp and 5.4 kb were identified from digested plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-)-hEndo. The stable clones were selected with G418 after the eletroporation, the expression of hEndo mRNA was verified by RT-PCR, and Western blot displayed the expression product of hEndo was about 20 kD in the transfected melanoma cells. MTT showed that the conditioned medium of melanoma cells transduced with recombination human endostatin expression vector could inhibit the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. The growth of transduced cells in vivo showed that transfected melanoma cells grew in vivo at a slower rate than the control cells (P < 0.05). RT-PCR showed that endostatin expressed in the transduced tumors. CONCLUSION Adult skin melanoma cells in vitro transfected with exogenetic hEndo gene can express and secrete active hEndo, and inhibit the growth of transduced tumors in vivo.
Animals ; Electroporation ; Endostatins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transduction, Genetic ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of using the Chinese Shang Ring in circumcision children with either phimosis or redundant prepuce, and to investigate its superiority over the similar devices available.

METHODSA total of 824 children with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent circumcision with the Shang Ring. The clinical data were assessed concerning the duration of the procedure, incidence of post-operative complications, time of recovery and appearance of the penis.

RESULTSThe procedure duration was (2.6 +/-1.2) min, and the complications included infection in 4 (0.6%), edema in 21 (3.2%), delayed removal of the ring in 10 (1.5%), redundant and asymmetric mucosa attributable to performance in 6 (0.9%) of the cases. The wounds healed and the rings were removed at 13.4 +/- 5.8 days after circumcision, with well-smoothed incision and good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONChild circumcision with the Chinese Shang Ring is easy and simple in performance, with less operative time, fewer complications and better cosmetic results.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotential progenitors of connective tissues and bone marrow stroma as well, which implies the modulatory function of MSCs in hematopoiesis. To clarify the contributions of MSCs to hematopoiesis, the methods for isolation and expansion of MSCs were established and long-term bone marrow cultures were performed using irradiated MSCs as the feeder layer. The results here showed that CD34(+) cells from cord blood formed hematopoietic foci adherent to the monolayer. Furthermore, colony-forming cells remained in the coculture of 5 weeks, indicating the maintenance of long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC). Flow cytometry analysis showed that about 1% of the hematopoietic cells in the culture were positive for CD34 and around 15% were CD41a-positive. It is clear that MSCs maintain LTC-IC in vitro and promote differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors especially into megakaryocytic lineage. The preliminary results here demonstrate that MSCs residing in the bone marrow might be a crucial cellular component in the hematopoietic microenvironment.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the etiology and treatment of gynecomastia in male children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 38 boys with gynecomastia at ages of 2-14 years were retrospectively studied.

RESULTSIn the 38 cases, 17 cases were identified as adolescent breast hyperplasia, 2 cases were relevant to primary disease, 4 cases were caused by ingestion of drugs containing hormone, and 15 cases did not show identifiable causes and were diagnosed as idiopathic gynecomastia. For the 3 children with breast development in B3 stage, oral rupixiao was administered (1.34 g, tid) for one month. For 16 children at ages of over 12 years with breast development in B2 stage and with obvious clinical symptoms, oral rupixiao was administered (1.34 g, tid) for 3-5 days. The other patients did not receive drug treatment. In a one month to one year follow-up, most of the patients recovered well.

CONCLUSIONSThe etiology of gynecomastia in male children includes adolescent breast hyperplasia, ingestion of drugs containing hormone and secondary causes. Most gynecomastia can be attributed to physiological reasons. Only a few children with obvious clinical symptoms need drug treatment.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Gynecomastia ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of acupuncture on ability of daily living (ALD) and the incidence rate of disability and mortality of the patient of acute ischemic stroke.

METHODSForty patients with acute ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group and a control group, 20 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with acupuncture for 3-4 weeks, 5 times each week, and routine therapy. The control group were treated with routine therapy alone.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences between the two groups in the score of neurological defection, and the incidence rate of disability and mortality at following survey of 3 and 6 months were found.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture is safe and feasible for stroke at early stage.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Stroke ; therapy

In the present study, an attempt was made to prove the question whether endothelial cell precursors exist in blood circulation during postnatal period. CD34(+) cells were harvested from G-CSF mobilized adult blood and umbilical cord blood and incubated onto fibronectin/gelatin-coated Petric dishes in the presence of recombinant human vascular endothelial cell growth factor(rhVEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(rhbFGF). Endothelial cell lineage was identified by von Willebrand factor(vWF) expression and Ulex europous agglutinin I(UEA-I) binding capacity. The results showed that a firmly adherent cell monolayer formed when CD34(+) cells, but not CD34(-) cells, were cultured for 5 - 6 weeks as described before. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis showed that almost all of the adherent cells were vWF-positive and around 90% were able to bind UEA-I specifically. These findings demonstrate that angioblasts exist in the circulation during postnatal life and therefore, vasculogenesis might occur in adults.