Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of multidirectional diffusion weighted image (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) image in acute brainstem infarction.Methods 24 cases of brainstem infarction included 2 cases in super acute stage,22 cases in acute stage.All cases were performed multidirectional DWI,ADC and T1 WI、T2 WI examination including of 2 cases of midbrain,21 cases of pons and 1 case of medulla.All of them were accompanied with infarction of other location.Results Among 24 cases there were 13 cases that their lesions displayed clearly and established by transverse T2WI,transverse、coronary or sagittal DWI、ADC and the diagnostic accuracy was 54.2%.In other 9 cases(37.5%) could not display the signal and extent of the lesions,but they could be confirmed by transverse、coronary or sagittal DWI 、ADC.Moreover there were 2 cases(8.3%) who were indicated accurately the diagnosis by coronary、sagittal DWI 、ADC.Conclusion Multidirectional DWI and ADC could show the location of lesions in the lower brainstem so the multidirectional DWI and ADC scan could be an excellent method for the diagnosis of the brainstem infarction.

Objective To investigate the optimum target plasma concentration of propofol in preventing the adverse effects of carboprost tromethamine in the patients undergoing caesarean section.Methods One hundred and twenty-eight nulliparous parturients who were at full term with a singleton fetus,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,aged 24-37 yr,weighing 54-78kg,scheduled for elective caesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =32 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),and different concentrations of propofol groups (P1-3 groups).Carboprost tromethamine 250 μg was injected into the body of the uterus,and propofol with the target plasma concentrations of 0.8,1.2 and 1.6 μg/ml was simultaneously given by target-controlled infusion in P1,P2 and P3 groups,respectively,and normal saline was infused at a rate of 0.5 ml · kg-1 · h-1 in group C.The occurrence of cardiovascular events was recorded from the end of carboprost tromethamine administration until the end of surgery.The relatedadverse effects after carboprost tromethamine administration,and Ramsay sedation score at 15 mm after carboprost tromethamine administration were recorded,and satisfactory sedation was defined as Ramsay sedation score of 2.The occurrence of complications associated with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was recorded during the postoperative follow-up.Results Compared with group C,the incidence of carboprost tromethamine-related adverse effects was significantly decreased in P2 and P3 groups,the rate of satisfactory sedation was significantly increased in P1 and P2 groups,the incidence of hypotension and tachycardia was significantly decreased in group P1 (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the incidence of carboprost tromethamine-related adv erse effects in group P1,and in the rate of satisfactory sedation in group P3 (P＞ 0.05).Compared with group P1,the incidence of carboprost tromethaminerelated adverse effects was significantly decreased in P2 and P3 groups,the rate of satisfactory sedation was significantly increased in group P2,and the rate of satisfactory sedation was significantly decreased in group P3 (P＜0.05).Compared with group P2,the rate of satisfactory sedation was significantly decreased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the incidence of carboprost tromethamine-related adverse effects in group P3 (P＞0.05).No cardiovascular events were found in group P2,and the incidence of hypotension was 9％ in group P3.Conclusion The optimum target plasma concentration of propofol in preventing the adverse effects of carboprost tromethamine is 1.2 μg/ml in the patients undergoing caesarean section.

OBJECTIVETo investigate development of a cell extraction process for preparing human meniscus acellular matrix, and morphology and biomechanical properties.

METHODSHuman meniscus were subjected to modified eight-step detergent, then, the specimens were assessed by staining with haematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, sirius red, saffron O, alcain blue and hoechst-33258, et al. The ultrastructure of the specimens was observed with scanning electron microscope. Transient recovery rate of deformation, maximal recovery rate of deformation and maximal compressive strength were tested to determine the biomechanical properties of the scaffold.

RESULTSEvery stain confirmed that the celluar constituents of the specimens were removed. The specimens stained positively by staining with sirius red. Lacuna were found irregularly not only on the surface of the meniscus,but also in the meniscus with scanning electron microscope. Pores in the specinmens were large, the diameter of pores was 80 to 760 microm, porosity was over 67%. The transient recovery rate of deformation was (89.62 +/- 1.04)%, the maximal recovery rate of deformation was 100% and the maximal compressive strength was (3.04 +/- 0.13)N, when the specimens were compressed 30%.

CONCLUSIONThe modified eight-step detergent can remove the immunogenic cell components from human meniscus, in addition, 3D extracellular matrix can be retained. The scaffold has good biomechanical properties. This scaffold stands a good chance to be an implant for future tissue engineering of the human meniscus.

Adult ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; cytology ; Staining and Labeling

OBJECTIVETo investigate the placement of a long tube into the small intestine under fluoroscopic guidance and to evaluate its decompression effect on early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO).

METHODSFifty-four patients with EPSBO requiring decompression between April 2010 and July 2014 were enrolled in the study. Insertion of a long tube was guided by fluoroscopy. We first used the guide wire to pass the pylorus and then used the 10 Fr feeding tube as an exchangeable tube to put the superstiff wire into the duodenum. Finally the long tube could be passed over the guide wire through the pylorus into the intestine. The total procedure time, the radiation exposure time, and the incidence of complications were evaluated.

RESULTSThe long tubes passed into the jejunum on initial insertion for all patients, so the success rate of this technique was 100%. The long tube was inserted into ileum in 18 patients. The mean total procedure time was 34.4 ± 8.6 minutes, and the mean radiation exposure time 18.9 ± 6.8 minutes. A total of 47 patients (87%) experienced full recovery following long-tube decompression and without the need for surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONSUsing the wire-exchange technique, it is easy to place a long tube into the small bowel under fluoroscopic guidance. This decompression method is safe and effective for management of EPSBO.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of curcumin in human esophageal carcinoma cell line (EC109).

METHODSEC109 cells were cultivated in vitro. When 80%-90% confluence was reached, they were treated with curcumin in different concentrations (15-120 µmol/L). The effects on cell proliferation were examined by CCK-8 colorimetry. The ultrastructure of EC109 cells were detected with transmission electron microscope(TEM). The cells apoptosis was observed with laser confocal microscope(LCM) by AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining. The proteins level of PTEN, AKT, GSK3β and Caspase 3 were tested by flow cytometry(FCM) .

RESULTSCCK-8 test showed that curcumin could inhibit the proliferation of EC109 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. TEM and LCM examinations indicated that curcumin could make EC109 cells apoptosis. The data of FCM showed that curcumin could increase the expression of PTEN, GSK3β and Caspase 3, decreased the expression of AKT.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of curcumin on inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis of EC109 cells were related with increased expression of PTEN and inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Maca as one of the star products in the international health care market in recent years, had a wide range of application value and promoted to all over the world. However, the basic research of Maca was not deep, lack of systematic and clear efficacy studies. Market products hype its aphrodisiac effect, which greatly impact more systematic in-depth research and exploration. Therefore, this paper briefly summarizes advance research in recent years including the status quo of the resources, growth cultivation, phytochemical, pharmacological effect and other aspects, which can provide reference for rational development and utilization of Maca.
Animals ; Biomedical Research ; Humans ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology

Cinobufacino injection is a significant anti-tumor medicine for the treatment of various tumors in clinic, which was made from water extraction of the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans. In present paper, HPLC-DAD-FT-ICR-MS method was used to identify the major bufadienolides in cinobufacino for the first time. Solid-phase extraction with dichloromethane and silica was used to enrich the total bufadienolides in cinobufacino. Based on the UV and high resolution MS/MS data, 33 bufadienolides were analyzed and characterized. Among them, eight compounds were identified by comparing with standard references unambiguously. This study elucidated the major bufadienolides in cinobufacino, which provided material foundation of cinobufacino and will be benefit for the further pharmacological research.
Amphibian Venoms ; chemistry ; Animals ; Bufanolides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Bufo bufo ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

To obtain chemical constituent information of rat plasma after oral administration of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD), a LC-FT-ICR-MS method has been established, and both positive and negative ions scan modes were include in the analysis. By comparing their retention time, high resolution mass data of HLJDD extracts, blank plasma and dosed plasma, 38 constituents, including 22 prototype compounds and 16 metabolites, were detected in rat plasma after oral administration of HLJDD. In the 22 prototype compounds, 16 constituents were determined unambiguously by comparing with references. In the analysis of metabolites, phase II reactions like glucuronidation and sulfation were the major biotransformation pathways of HLJDD. M11 was observed as the only phase I metabolite in present experiment. The results will be beneficial for the further pharmacokinetics and pharmacological evaluations of HLJDD.
Administration, Oral ; Alkaloids ; blood ; Animals ; Biotransformation ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; blood ; Iridoids ; blood ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects on serum homocysteine(Hcy) level,vascular function and carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) in metformin-treated diabetic patients with or without supplementation with folate and Vitamin B12.MethodsA total of 100 newly diagnosed diabetic type 2patients were divided into two groups by random digits table with 50 cases each,90 patients completed study.Forty-seven participants (control group) received a 6-month course of metformin treatment,43 patients (treatment group) received mefformin,folate and Vitamin B12 treatment.The levels of serum Hcy,endothelin-1 (ET-1),carotid IMT,large or small arterial elasticity index (C1,C2),flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsThe level of serum Hcy in control group significantly increased compared with before treatment[ (13.4 ± 2.7)μ mol/L vs.(11.1 ± 1.9)μ mol/L],hut the level of serum Hcy in treatment group significantly decreased compared with before treatment [ (9.2 ± 1.8 ) μ mol/L vs. ( 11.3 ± 2.0) μ mol/L ],there was significant difference(P ＜ 0.05 ).A beneficial effect was observed in the serum ET-1,FMD,carotid IMT and C2 in treatment group[ (20.0 ± 6.2)ng/L,( 15.8 ± 7.6)％,(0.8 ± 0.2) mm,(4.1 ± 2.1 ) ml/mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) × 100 vs. (31.3 ±10.1 ) ng/L,(9.7 ± 4.5)％,( 1.1 ± 0.4) mm,(2.3 ± 1.0) ml/mm Hg × 100 ] (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of ET-1,FMD,carotid IMT and C2 after treatment in control group [ (24.8 ± 6.8) ng/L,( 12.9 ± 6.3 )％,(0.9 ± 0.3)mm,(3.0 ± 1.4) ml/mm Hg × 100] had significant difference compared with before treatment [ (30.6 ± 8.7)ng/L,(9.8 ± 4.6)％,( 1.0 ± 0.3) mm,(2.2 ± 0.9) ml/mm Hg × 100](P＜ 0.05).However,the results were improved significantly in treatment group than those in control group (P ＜0.05).In treatment group,significant correlation were detected between changes of Hcy and ET- 1 (r =0.43,P ＜ 0.05 ),carotid IMT(r =0.56,P ＜ 0.05),FMD (r =-0.54,P ＜ 0.05 ),C2 (r =-0.37,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsAdministration of folate and Vitamin B12 can reduce the levels of serum Hcy and ET-1 in metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients,which exert beneficial effect on carotid IMT,FMD and C2.

Purpose To investigate the occurrence of echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) gene and the anaplas-tic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in lung squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and to provide with a test for targeted therapy of SCC. Methods In this study, we analyzed ALK protein expression with a specific rabbit monoclonal Ig antibody ( D5F3 clone) in 219 cases of lung SCC. The positive cases were confirmed with ALK fluorescence in situ hybridization ( FISH) . Results 4 out of 219 (1. 8%) cases of lung SCC were ALK positive detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, which were confirmed by ALK FISH. Conclusions There are SCC having EML4-ALK gene rearrangement. The response of SCC patients with ALK expression to targeted therapy of Crizotinib should be explored. Strong positive expression of ALK protein can be interpreted as EML4-ALK gene rearrangement.