BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng is an effective medicine for curing gastric mucosal ulcer. There are many clinical reports that Panax notoginseng protects gastric mucosa.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective mechanism of Panax notoginseng on the gastric mucosal injury induced by water immersion restraint stress in rats.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal trial.SETTING: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Daqing Branch of Harbin Medical University.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the laboratory of Department of Pathophysiology of Harbin Medical University from September 2004 to October 2005. Forty-eight Wistar rats were used, either male or female, weighing 180-230 g.METHODS: The 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups with 8 rats in each group: normal control group, stress model group, cimetidine treatment group, Panax notoginseng of low, middle and high-dose groups (4, 8, 12 mg/time). In the cimetidine treatment group, cimetidine tablets were grinded into powders, then mixed with distilled water to prepare into suspension (1 tablet:10 mL), which was perfused intragastrically (5 mL), 3 times a day; In the Panax notoginseng groups, the powders in Panax notoginseng capsules were mixed with distilled water to prepare into suspension of corresponding concentrations (0.8, 1.6, 2.4 g/L), then administrated the same as those in the cimetidine treatment group. Stress models in rats were established by means of water immersion restraint stress. The gross and pathohistological changes of gastric mucosa were observed, and the activity of superoxide oxidase (SOD) and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Gross and pathohistological changes of gastric mucosa;②Changes of MDA and NO contents and SOD activity in the homogenate of gastric mucosa.RESULTS: All the 48 rats were involved in the analysis of results. The gastric mucosal hemorrhage and erosion in the cimetidine treatment group were reduced obviously as compared with those in the stress model group, SOD activity was obviously decreased [(12.61±0.87), (1.03±0.60) mkat/g], whereas the NO content was a little higher [(5.76±1.35), (0.97±0.58) nmol/g]. The MDA content was obviously higher in the stress model group than in the normal control group [(3.10±1.13), (0.09±0.02) μmol/g, P＜0.01]. There were no obvious differences between the Panax notoginseng groups and the cimetidine treatment group except that the NO contents were decreased in the in Panax notoginseng groups.CONCLUSION: Gastric mucosal injury induced by water immersion restraint stress can be significantly protected by Panax notoginseng, which is not dose-dependent. The protective mechanism may be associated with that Panax notoginseng can eliminate the product of oxygen-derived free radicals, and it is not totally the same as that of cimetidine

Objective To observe the clinical effect on cervicogenic headache (CEH) of pulsed radiofrequency stimulation (PRF) applied to the C2 dorsal root ganglion combined with nerve block.Methods A total of 78 cases diagnosed as CEH were randomly divided into a combined treatment group,a PRF treatment group and a nerve block group.The combined treatment group was given both PRF applied to the C2 dorsal root ganglion and blocking therapy.The other two groups were given only one treatment or the other.All the treatments were once weekly for 3 weeks.Before treatment and 1,3 and 6 months after treatment,all of the patients' headaches were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results At 1,3 and 6 months after treatment,the average VAS scores of all three groups had decreased significantly.The VAS ratings dropped the most in the combined treatment group,followed by the PRF group and then the nerve block group.All the intergroup differences were statistically significant.The combined treatment group's cure rate (88％) was significantly better than that of the PRF group (81％),which was significantly better than that of the nerve block group (54％).Conclusion Combining PRF applied to the C2dorsal root ganglion with nerve block therapy has a synergistic effect on CEH.The curative effect of the combined treatment was better than either PRF or blocking alone.

The change of hemodynamics and hemorrheology induced by hypoxia challenge in the dog were investigated. The results showed that hypoxia caused significant decrease of cardiac output,increased pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Hypoxia also caused increase of blood viscosity. In terms of changes of the reduced viscosity is directly related to the deformation and agglutination properties of red blood cells.

Objective To investigate the safty and feasibility of simultaneous minimally invasive technique for congenital heart disease (CHD) and pectus excavatum (PE).Methods From July 2006 to June 2011,6 children with PE associated with CHD were treated by simultaneous minimally invasive technique.They were 4 boys and 2 girls,aged from 4 years to 6 years 5 months ( average 5 years and 4 month),.The body weight were from 16 kg to 20 kg [ average ( 18.00 ± 1.79kg ].CT Hailer index were 3.9 - 5.0 ( average 4.35 ± 0.43 ).4 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) were treated by minimally invasive closure device,including 3 membranous VSD and 1 subaortic VSD.The defect diameter was 4 - 5 mm.2 cases with atrial septal defect (ASD) were treated using the same technique.the diameter of ASD was 12 - 16 mm.After minimally invasive heart surgery,Nuss operation was carried out in all 6 patients for their PE.Results All operations were successful and patients were extubated 5 - 11 h after operation [ mean ( 8.17 ± 2.04) h ].The pericardial mediastinal drainage was removed at 48 h postoperatively.There were no operative mortality and severe postoperative complications.1 patient had delayed wound healing and was successfully discharged.The plate was removed in 3 cases,and they all had satisfactory outcomes.Conclusion Simultaneous minimally invasive technique is a safe and effeictive mothod for treating pectus excavatum and congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the cardiac hemodynamics after acute high altitude exposure in healthy young males and the relationship with acute mountain sickness(AMS).

METHODSLeft ventricular function and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) were measured in 218 healthy young males before and after high altitude exposure within 24 h respectively. According to the lake louise score criteria, the subjects were divided into two groups: acute mountain sickness group (AMS group) and non acute mountain sickness group (non-AMS group).

RESULTSHR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI) cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI) were significantly increased upon acute high altitude exposure (P < 0.05). Whereas SaO2 and end-systolic volume (ESV) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and MAP in AMS group were significantly higher than those in non-AMS group (P < 0.05). But stroke index (SI) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) in AMS group were significantly lower than those in non-AMS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCardiac function in healthy young males upon acute high altitude exposure was enhanced. EDV, HR and SI might become the indexes of predicting the acute mountain sickness in the future.

Objective To investigate MR imaging features of femoral marrow in treated ?-thalassemia major.Methods MR imaging of the proximal femoral marrow was performed in 35 cases of ?-thalassemia major and 45 age-and sex-matched normal children as control.Coronal images of femoral marrow with the techniques of spin echo and fast field echo(FFE)were obtained.On T_1-weighted imaging the red and yellow femoral marrow were judged and marrow distribution was classified into five groups.The hemosiderosis of marrow was judged on the basis of signal intensity of marrow on FFE imaging.The marrow distribution classification and the hemosiderosis on MR imaging were correlated with clinical features.Results On FFE,marrow hemosiderosis occurred in 15 patients with a marked hypo-intensity signal and was related to the age(P=0.032).On T_1-weighted imaging,the femoral marrow in 35 patients was classified as groupⅢand IV,while the marrow distribution was groupⅠorⅡin all normal children,there was statistically significant difference(P

Objective To observe the angiographic features of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) by ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFA) and compare with the conventional 7 standard field (7SF) imaging. Methods This is a retrospective clinical description study. Fifty-eight eyes of 56 RVO patients were included. There were 25 males (26 eyes) and 31 females (32 eyes). The age ranged from 25 to 69 years, with a mean age of (48.12±18.56) years. The course of disease was from 2 days to 25 months, with a mean course of (12.78±11.35) months. Thirty eyes were diagnosed with central RVO (51.72%), 26 eyes were diagnosed with branch RVO (44.83%) and 2 eyes were diagnosed with hemicentral RVO (3.45%). Retinal laser photocoagulation was performed in 11 eyes (18.97%). All patients received examinations of UWFA (British Optomap 200Tx imaging system) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Using the protocol for obtaining 7SF images as described in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, 7 circular regions with a range of 30 degrees were combined as the 7SF template to determine the observation area. This template was then overlaid on the UWFA image to identify the potential viewable area of 7SF. The visualized retinal area, retinal non-perfusion area, retinal neovascularization area, and laser spot area of UWFA and 7SF were quantified by a retinal specialist. In addition, the OCT images of the affected eye were observed and analyzed to confirm the existence of macular edema. Correlation analysis was done between retinal non-perfusion, retinal neovascularization and macular edema detected by UWFA. Results The results of UWFA and 7SF examination were the same. Compared with 7SF, UWFA showed 3.53 times more retinal visual area, 3.31 times more non-perfusion area, 1.94 times more neovascularization area, and 3.59 times more laser spots (t=72.13, 4.69, 1.76, 5.78;P=0.000, 0.005, 0.102, 0.000). Lesions of 11 eyes (18.97%) were found outside the range of 7SF images. By UWFA, non-perfusion area correlated with neovascularization and macular edema (χ2=12.13, 4.82;P=0.000, 0.028;C=0.42, 0.28). Non-perfusion area anterior to the equator have significantly correlations with macular edema (χ2=6.32, P=0.012, C=0.31), but non-perfusion posterior to the globe equator have no relevance with macular edema (χ2=2.88, P=0.090, C=0.22). Conclusions UWFA can detect more peripheral retinal lesions than 7SF images. By UWFA, non-perfusion area has correlation with neovascularization and macular edema.

Objective To observe the ocular fundus features and consistency of classification of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFA) and the simulated early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) 7 standard field (7SF) imaging. Methods This is a retrospective clinical description study. Ninety-six eyes of 55 DR patients were included. The ages ranged from 25 to 73 years, with a mean age of (41.34±15.07) years. UWFA examination (British Optos 200Tx imaging system) using the protocol for obtaining 7SF images as described in the ETDRS, 7 circular regions with a range of 30 degrees are spliced as 7SF templates to determine the observation range. This template was then overlaid on the UWFA image to identify the potential viewable area of 7SF. And the visualized area of the retina, retinal non-perfusion (NP) area, retinal neovascularization (NV) area, and pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) area of UWFA and 7SF were quantified by a retinal specialist. Results UWFA imaging and 7SF imaging have a high degree of consistency in judging DR classification (kappa=0.851, P=0.000). The retinal visual area, NP area, NV area and PRP area of the UWFA imaging were 3.16, 3.38, 2.22 and 3.15 times more comparing with the simulated 7SF imaging (t=213.430, 45.013, 22.644, 142.665;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.003, 0.000). The lesions of 8 eyes were found outside the range of simulated 7SF imaging, including peripheral NP in 5 eyes, NV areas in 3 eyes, respectively. Conclusion UWFA imaging and simulated 7SF imaging are consistent to judge DR classification, but UWFA can find more peripheral retinal lesions.

Objective To investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in brain tissues following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods Sixty male SD rats weighing 220-250 g were randomly divided into three groups (n =20 for each):sham operation group,TBI group,and IPC group.Cerebral IPC models were induced by transient occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries; TBI models were induced by Feeney's freefalling method; rats in sham operation group were only performed exposure of dura of the right parietal lobe.Ten rats were sacrificed respectively at 6 and 72 hours after TBI and injured brain tissues were harvested to estimate wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio for the brain,determine ICAM-1 expression by immunohistochemistry and perform microscopic examination.Results Brain W/D ratio was significantly increased in TBI group compared with sham operation group (6 h:4.2 ± 0.4 vs 2.7 ± 0.4 ; 72 h:5.0 ±0.1 vs 3.1 ± 0.2,P ＜ 0.05).ICAM-1 expression was up-regulated in TBI group compared with sham operationgroup (6h:25.4±3.5vs8.6±1.3; 72 h:36.5±5.4 vs8.4±1.6,P＜0.05).W/D ratio was significantly decreased in IPC group compared with TBI group (6 h:3.5 ±0.6 vs 4.2 ±0.4; 72 h:3.7 ± 0.4 vs 5.0 ± 0.1,P ＜ 0.05).ICAM-1 expression was down-regulated in IPC group compared with TBI group (6 h:16.5 ± 2.7 vs 25.4 ± 3.5 ; 72 h:24.3 ± 4.6 vs 36.5 ± 5.4,P ＜ 0.05).Milder injury to brain tissues was observed in IPC group than in TBI group.Conclusion IPC can attenuate TBI in rats by down-regulating the expression of ICAM-1.

Objective To investigate the effect of excessive all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on mouse embryonic palatal fusion and the mechanism. Method Palatal shelves from embryonic D 13 embryonic mice were cultured in BGJb medium and treated with vehicle control only or 5 ?mol/L atRA for 72 h. Palatal fusion was examined by hemagglutinin esterase. Apoptosis and laminin were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The level of Smad2 phosphorylation (pSmad2) was analyzed by Western blot. Results atRA led to failure of palatal fusion and inhibited the migration and apoptosis of medial edge epithelial cells (MEE) and degradation of basal lamina within, compared with control palatal shelves in cultures. Additionally, apoptosis was detected in mesenchyme of atRA-treated palatal shelves. Further experiment revealed that pSmad2 was abrogated by atRA. Conclusion atRA induced failure of palatal fusion through inhibition of apoptosis of the MEE cell and degradation of basal lamina within medial edge epithelial seam. Inhibition of pSmad2 may account for the failure of palatal fusion by atRA.