BACKGROUND: A variety of growth factors are involved in regulating cell proliferation and matrix synthesis at the tendon healing process. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a powerful role on the tissue healing and regeneration. At present, few studies report the VEGF at the process of endogenous tendon healing. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dose-effect relationship of intrinsic healing of rabbit's achilles tendon, which was topically separated by silicone tube, with the VEGF application. DESIGN, TIM E AND SETTING: Randomized control animal experiments were performed in the Central Animal Laboratory in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from November 2007 to April 2008. MATERIALS: Forty-eight healthy rabbits, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, were used to establish the tendon rabbit injury models and were divided into 4 groups randomly, termed blank group and VEGF 100 ng, 50 ng, 10 ng groups, with 12 animals for each group. METHODS: The gastrocnemius bundle branch and soleus muscle bundle branch of the right achilles tendon were sutured after surface skin and subcutaneous tissue discission. The gastrocnemius bundle branch was transected at 2 cm above calcaneal bone insertion and a 2-cm silicone tube was applied to separate the site of suture using 5-0 modified Kessler method. The site of suture was treated with nothing in silicone tube as the blank control group. In other three groups, the site of suture was treated with 100, 50, 10 ng VEGF in silicone tube at the operation day and 7, 14, 21 days post-operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At 2, 4, 6 weeks post-operation, the achilles tendon of 4 rabbits in each group were harvested for gross observation and histological evaluation. RESULTS: Compared with 2 and 4 weeks post-operation, the peripheral tissue's adhesion out of the silicon tube at 6 weeks was relieved and required to be separated using passive or operating knife. There were no significant differences in the grading of tendon adhesion between groups at 6 weeks post-operation (P > 0.05). The broken end of the achilles tendon in the silicon tube was connected with new-bom achilles tendon fibre tissues. The healing was well in each group, and the VEGF groups were superior to blank control group (P < 0.05). At 2, 4, 6 weeks post-operation, the fibroblast counting in the 100 ng and 50 ng VEGF groups was greater than that in the 10 ng VEGF group (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found in the fibroblast counting between 100 ng and 50 ng VEGF groups (P > 0.05). The content of collagen fibres had no significant difference among three VEGF groups. The fibroblast counting and the content of collagen fibres in the VEGF groups were higher than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The exogenous application of different doses of VEGF at achilles tendon repair site can facilitate the proliferation and maturation of the fibroblasts, increase the secretion of collagen and promote the maturation of collagen fibres, thus facilitating intrinsic healing of the achilles tendon. The 100 ng and 50 ng VEGF is better than 10 ng VEGF with regard to the promotion of achilles tendon healing, and no difference is observed between 100 ng and 50 ng.

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of Erzhi Tiangui Granule(Granule for promoting the uterine functions) on infertility induced by luteal phase deficiency.Methods Sixty infertility patients owing to luteal phase deficiency were randomized into the tested group(treated with Erzhi Tiangui Granule) and the control group(treated with Liuwei Dihuang Granule),30 in each.The improvement of TCM symptoms,the serum levels of estradiol(E2) and progestone(P),the expression of leukemia inhibiting factor(LIF) of luteal metaphase before and after treatment,and the pregnancy rate were observed.Results After treatment,the tested group was significantly better than the control group in improving the TCM symptoms(P0.05);the pregnancy rate in the tested group was higher than that in the control group(P

Objective To observe the effect of long snake moxibustion on adjuvant arthritis rats, and explore its mechanism in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, drug group and moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The model of adjuvant arthritis rats was induced by intracutaneously injection of complete Freud's adjuvant in the right hind foot pat of rat. Three days later, the medcine group was given Wangbi Keli, and the moxibustion group was treated with long snake moxibustion. The changes of toe swelling was observed, and the content of IL-1, TNF-a and IL-10 in serum were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results Long snake moxibustion can relieve toe swelling and decrease the level of IL-1 and TNF-p in serum (P

Objective To determine the effect of individualized oral hygiene instruction (OHI) on volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) level in mouth air of patients with chronic periodontitis.Methods The individualized oral hygiene instruction was provided for 31 patients with chronic periedontitis (Organoleptic score was over two points).The VSCs and plaque index (PLI) were evaluated pre-OHI and post-OHI.Results The score of PLI decreased from 3.09±0.44 to 2.63±0.46 significandy (P<0.05).The organoleptic score (OS) decreased from 2.68±0.70 to 2.35±0.75 significandy (P<0.05).While there was no significant difference on the VSCs level pre-OHI and post-OHI (P<0.05).Conclusions Individualized oral hygiene instruction is helpful to remove plaque and improve oral hygiene.But the effect of OHI on VSCs level in mouth air is limited.

Objective To observe the change rules of expressions of IL-1β, IL-4, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 in serum and colon tissue in rats with ulcerative colitis of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type; To explore the action in the progress of ulcerative colitis of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type.MethodsComposite method was used to establish rat models with ulcerative colitis of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type. 75 Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, model 3 d group, model 7 d group and model 21 d group. ELISA was used to test the levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 in serum and colon tissue.Results Compared with the blank group, contents of IL-1β and IFN-γ in model group increased significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the contents of IL-4 and TGF-β1 content decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01),especially in the model 7 d group (P<0.01).ConclusionThe pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β, IFN-γ and anti-inflammatory factor IL-4 and TGF-β1 play an important role in rats with ulcerative colitis of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type.

Objective To observe the effects of Sishen Pills on gene and protein expressions of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) of colonic tissue in spleen-kidney yang deficiency rats with ulcerative colitis (UC); To discuss its mechanism of action for spleen-kidney yang deficiency UC. Methods Lavage of senna +intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone injection + enema of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid/ethanol were used to establish the model of UC of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type. 90 Wister rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Salazosulfadimidine group and the Sishen Pills high-, medium- and low-group. Each medication group was intervened by relevant medicine. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4, and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4. SOD and MDA in serum were detected. Results Compared with the blank group, SOD activity decreased and MDA content increased in the model group (P<0.01); gene and protein expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, SOD increased and MDA content decreased in all the medication groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); gene and protein expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Sishen Pills can achieve the treatment of UC by improving the metabolism of oxygen radicals in colonic tissue and regulating the immune system of the intestinal epithelium.

Objective To establish a gradient RP￣HPLC method for determining the related substances in lumefantrine. Methods The HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent nucleosil 100￣5 C18(4.0 mm×125 mm,5 μm) column;the mobile phase was consisted of solution A,B and C,which included phosphate buffer solutions (consisting sodium hexane sulfonate,pH was adjusted to 2. 3 )￣water￣acetonitrile￣propanol with different proportion, with a gradient elution at the flow rate of 2.0 mL.min-1 , the detection wavelength was 265 nm, and the column temperature was 35 ℃ . Results An excellent separation achieved for lumefantrine from its related substances.Lumefantrine had a good linear relationship with the peak area within the range of 0.173 4-0.693 2 μg.mL-1(r= 0.999 6).The limit of determination was 0.06 μg.mL-1 . Conclusion The method is sensitive,reproducible and specific for the separation and determination of related substances in lumefantrine.

Seventy cases were classified into wind-cold and wind-heat on the basis of syndrome differentiation. Acupoints of Yangming meridians of both hand and foot and points located in the face, including major points: Yangbai (GB 14), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Jingming (BL 1),Chengqi (ST 1), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Juliao (ST 3), and Hegu (LI 4). Subcutaneous needling is applied. Recovery rate is 91.4%

Objective To investigate the value of application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis and treatment of leptomeningeal metastases from malignant solid tumors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted depend on the radiological data of 63 patients who had been diagnosed as leptomeningcal metastasis of malignant solid tumors.Results All patients received brain MRI examination.26 patients underwent cervical or lumbar spine MRI examination.The MRI images showed nodular enhancement in the gyri and sulci,leptomeningeal linear enhancement,dura mater thickening and enhancement,ependymal enhancement,intraventricular metastasis,intraspinal metastatic nodules,communicating hydrocephalus,subdural hydroma and negative imaging.Ncuroimages of ependymal enhancenent,intraventricular metastasis and intraspinal implantation metastasis appeared in 5,7 and 9 patients with small cell carcinoma,respectively,which were higher than that of the other pathological types (P =0.002,P =0.009,P ＜ 0.000 1).Seizure occurred in 7 patients after intrathecal chemotherapy,of which 5 patients had pia mater linear enhancement.Among 33 patients treated with radiotherapy combined with intrathecal chemotherapy,3 patients had poor prognosis,of which 2 patients had negative imaging findings.The conditions of 25 patients were improved obviously after treatment,of which 21 patients showed different imaging remission in MRI re-examination.Conclusions The contrast MRI has an important assistant effect in diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis of malignant solid tumors.The MRI findings and clinical features are related with the pathological types.The pia mater linear enhancement indicates a high possibility of seizures after inthathecal chemotherapy,and it suggests that the preventive treatment should be given for such patients.MRI is not applicable to evaluate severity,prognosis and curative effect of the disease.

Objective To study clinical value and significance of thyroid receptor stimulating antibody (TSAb) and thyroid stimulating-blocking antibody (TSBAb) on diagnosis and treatment for children with Graves’disease (GD) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Methods Eighty-eight children with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and treatment time less six months were divided into GD group (n=55) and HT group (n=33). Thirty-eight healthy children were used as control (Normal group). Human serum TSAb ELISA kit and human TSBAb ELISA kit were used to detect the serum TSAb and serum TSBAb in three groups. The serum levels of TSAb and TSBAb were compared between three groups. The correla? tion between TSAb and TSBAb, TSAb/TSBAb and free triiodothyronine three (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), ultra sensitive thy?roid stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed. Results The serum level of TSAb was significantly higher in GD group than that of HT group and Normal group (P<0.05). The serum level of TSBAb was significantly higher in HT group than that of Normal group (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between serum TSAb and serum TSBAb (P>0.05). There were no significant correlation between serum TSAb, TSBAb and FT3, FT4, TSH (P>0.05). Conclusion TSAb and TSBAb are related to the pathogenesis of GD and HT in children. TSAb and TSBAb have an important clinical value in the diagnosis and treatment for children with GD and HT.