Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive point medicinal moxibustion plus percutaneous administration of tetrandrine in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomized to treatment and control groups, 60 cases each. The treatment group received heat-sensitive point medicinal moxibustion plus percutaneous administration of tetrandrine and the control group, heat-sensitive point medicinal moxibustion alone. The VAS score and the JOA Score for Back Pain score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the JOA Score for Back Pain score and the VAS score in the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the JOA Score for Back Pain score and the VAS score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). The excellent and good rate was 80.0％ in the treatment group and 55.0％ in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion Heat-sensitive point medicinal moxibustion plus percutaneous administration of tetrandrine is an effective way to treat lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Congresses as Topic ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; Humans ; Liver Diseases

AIMTo explore the causes of the difference in spermatogenic suppression between responders and non-responders in Chinese men treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) implants plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) injectable.

METHODSThe 16 Chinese volunteers treated were divided into two groups in regard to the sperm count during the treatment period, 7 men in the responder group (Group R), including 6 azoospermia and one severe oligozoospermia, and the remaining 9 in the non-responder group (Group N), including 4 oligozoospermia and 5 with sperm counts greater than 20 x 10(6)/mL. The differences in serum profiles of FSH, LH, T, LNG and T/LH ratio were compared between the two groups and the correlation between the seminal fluid parameters and serum reproductive hormones was analyzed.

RESULTSThe serum FSH level was lower in Group R than that in Group N (P<0.05), while the serum LH and LNG levels were higher in Group R than those in Group N (P<0.05). The sperm density (P<0.01, r=0.235), motility(P<0.01, r=0.326) and vitality (P<0.01, r=0.219) showed significantly positive correlation with the serum FSH level.

CONCLUSIONThe blood LNG and T levels, the degree of FSH inhibition and/or the sensitivity of the pituitary-testis axis to exogenous steroids, as well as the individual spermatogenetic potential and the functional status of the Leydig cells may be factors bringing about individual differences in spermatogenic suppression in Chinese men treated with LNG and TU.

Adult ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; administration & dosage ; Drug Implants ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Injections ; Levonorgestrel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Leydig Cells ; physiology ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

The clinical characteristics of patients who presented in poor clinical grade due to ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms (MCAAs) associated with large sylvian hematomas (SylH) were analyzed and an ingenious designed prophylactic hinged craniectomy was introduced. Twenty-eight patients were graded into Hunt-Hess grades IV-V and emergency standard micro-neurosurgeries (aneurysm clipping, hematoma evacuation and prophylactic hinged craniectomy) were performed, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. 46.43% of the patients reached encouraged favorable outcomes on discharge. The favorable outcome group and the poor outcome group significantly differed in terms of patients' anisocoria, Hunt-Hess grade before surgery, extent of the midline shift and time to the surgery after bleeding (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, sex, volume and location of the hematoma, size of aneurysm between the favorable and poor groups (P>0.05). However, ingenious designed prophylactic hinged craniectomy efficiently reduced the patients' intracranial pressure (ICP) after surgery. It was suggested that preoperative conditions such as Hunt-Hess grading, extent of the midline shift and the occurrence of cerebral hernia affect the prognosis of patients, but time to the surgery after bleeding and prophylactic hinged craniectomy are of significant importance for optimizing the prognosis of MCAA patients presenting with large SylH.

The technique introduced in this paper is applied in the endocardial catheter operation, which describes the 3D heart model reconstruction before the operation for the endocardial navigation. After a series of CT images of the thorax are processed, an accurate 3D endocardial model can be reconstructed. At first, the series of 2D CT images are preprocessed for denoising and the enhancement,then they are constructed as the volume data. After the region growing segmentation in the 3D volume data according to the grey value of the voxel in the heart cavity, the heart surface rendering is got and the 3D model of endocardial cavity is reconstructed.
Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

To investigate the effect of losartan on the axis of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP)--kallikrein of the two-kidney, one-clipped (2K1C) hypertensives rats, and explore the novel protection mechanism of losartan on the kidney. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to develop the 2K1C hypertensive rats. Then, the rats were treated with prazosin (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or losartan (5, 15 and 45 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or vehicle, separately. At the same time, the blood pressures were observed. After treated for four weeks, the ratio of right kidney weight and body weight, the change of glomerular morphology, and K+, Na+, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of the serum were used for evaluation of kidney. The expressions of PRCP mRNA in the kidneys were determined by RT-PCR. The protein levels of PRCP, tissue kallikrein, plasma kallikrein, TGF-beta1 in kidney or plasma were measured by Western blotting. Results showed that the changes of body weight and kidney weight ratio, glomerular fibrosis degree and the biochemistrical index of serum induced by hypertension were relieved when the hypertensive rats treated with losartan for four weeks. Meanwhile, treatment of losartan also significantly decreased expression of TGF-beta1 and increased expressions of PRCP, plasma kallikrein and tissue kallikrein. The protective effects of losartan on the kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats are activation of the axis of PRCP-kallikrein and reducing the expression of TGF-beta1.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Carboxypeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kallikreins ; blood ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Organ Size ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; metabolism

Objective To discuss the effect of extended care on quality of life of cervical cancer patients with hysterectomy.Methods A total of 56 cases of cervical cancer patients with hysterectomy were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group,each with 28 cases.The control group received routine discharge instructions,while the experimental group was given extended nursing in addition.Cancer rehabilitation evaluation system-short form (CARESSF) scale was used to evaluate patients'quality of life respectively 1,3 and 6 months after discharge.Results 1,3 and 6 months after intervention,the scores of biological dimensions were respectively (15.36 ± 1.77),(11.07 ± 2.19),(7.75 ± 1.58),the scores of psychological and social dimensions were (14.32 ± 1.74),(9.79 ± 2.36),(6.71 ± 1.49),and the scores of relationship with medical staff were (4.21 ± 1.10),(4.29 ± 1.08),(2.96 ± 1.14) in the experimental group.1,3 and 6 months after intervention,the scores of biological dimensions were respectively (17.36 ± 1.64),(14.39 ± 1.42),(9.79 ± 2.32),the scores of psychological and social dimensions were (16.21 ± 2.04),(14.07± 1.59),(9.14 ± 1.94),and the scores of relationship with medical staff were (6.71 ± 1.27),(6.86 ± 1.33),(5.79 ± 1.40).Quality of life related to health changed with time in both groups,with statistically significant difference (P ＜0.01).Quality of life was much better in the experimental group than in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant (t =-4.391,-6.723,-3.845,-3.729,-7.971,-5.260,-7.863,-7.947,-8.285,respectively; P ＜0.05).Conclusions Extended care can improve the quality of life of cervical cancer patients with hysterectomy,and help to develop healthy mental status and establish health behaviors.

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Bl. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous adsorptive resin D101, silica gel, and ODS column chromatographies and preparetive HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. RESULTS: Two feruloyl tyramine glycosides and seven triterpenoid saponins were obtained and identified as N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyra mine-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), PJS-1 (3), chikusetsusaponin IVa (4), oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopy ranoside-6-O-methyl ester]-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyran-oside-6-O-ethylester]-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucuronopyranoside-6-O-butyl ester]-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), ginsenoside R(0) (8) and hederagenin-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (9). CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new feruloyl tyramine glycoside, while compounds 2 and 9 are reported from A. bidentata for the first time.
Achyranthes ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Tyramine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo clarify drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus.

METHODThe rat cold syndrome model was induced by cold water stress method. The content of neurotransmitters sand hormones such as DA, 5-HT, NE, AChE and 17-OHCS in serum of model rats were taken as the indexes to evaluate drug properties of components in Euodiae Fructus.

RESULTEuodiae Fructus and its components could correct or relief the content of energy metabolism and substance metabolism-related neurotransmitters sand hormones in serum of model rats with water-stressed cold syndrome.

CONCLUSIONEuodiae Fructus and its components are proved to show hot property.

Animals ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stomach Ulcer ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo investigate the phenotypic characteristics of human fetal liver cells (FLCs) and to obtain the homogenous hepatic progenitors with cloning.

METHODSImmunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to determine the phenotypes of the FLCs. The proliferating colonies were isolated using clone ring in different culture conditions. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression after further cultivation.

RESULTSThe cultured FLCs showed a non-typical epithelial morphology. The positive rate for hepatic cell specific markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (Alb), cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and CK19 were approximately 28.1%, 84.7%, 55.1% and 9.1% respectively. Furthermore, the FLCs expressed the hematopoietic stem cell markers CD34 and CD45 with percentages of 0.04% and 0.09%. 71.8% and 75.3% of the FLCs were positive for the mesenchymal cell marker CD105 and CD166. Most of the colonies showed an elongated morphology, some with an unregular spreading-out morphology, only a small number of colonies with an epithelial-like morphology. RT-PCR results showed that among the 19 colonies obtained after further cultivation and the percentages of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), AFP, Alb and CK19 were 52.6%, 21.1%, 52.6% and 84.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe clonal culture system is beneficial to obtain the homogenous hepatic progenitor cells from the heterogeneous culture of FLCs.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetus ; cytology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology