Objective To determine the characteristics of treatment and diagnosis,surgical timing and surgical methods in severely head-injured patients with central herniation.Methods Twenty patients with central herniation caused by contusions and lacerations of the bilateral frontal lobes hospitalized from July 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed.There were 11 males and 9 females,at mean age of 42 years (range,18-70 years).Injury was caused by traffic accidents in 15 patients,falls in 3 and fighting events in 2.Eight patients were treated immediately on admission and twelve patients underwent emergency operation.All the operations involved simultaneous bilateral craniectomy for decompression,including bilateral decompressive craniectomy in 6 patients and unilateral decompressive craniectomy in 14 patients.Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were used to evaluated outcome evaluation and cognitive impairment respectively.Complications were recorded.Results All patients were followed up for 6-12 months (mean,8 months).According to GOS,good recovery was presented in 10 patients,moderate disability occurred in 6,severe disability in 2,vegetative state in 1,and death in 1.Eleven patients suffered severe mental disorders especially personality change and disturbance of intelligence,and restored after 12 months.Five patients were complicated by epilepsy and two hydrocephalus.Conclusions For central herniation in patients with severe head injury,an emergent surgery is necessary if there exist conscious disturbance and pupil aggravations,hematoma enlargement and significant displacement of midline structure.Timely bilateral balance decompressive craniectomy is effective to reduce the mortality and disability and improve quality of life.

Objective To study the effects of the adult T cell leukemia virus type 1(HTLV-1) Tax protein on T lymphocytes self-reactive growth hormone(GH). Methods The expression of the growth hormone protein was measured by Western blot in TaxP and TaxN cells, which expresses HTLV-1 Tax or no. The location of growth hormone in the TaxP and TaxN cells were detected by LSCM(laser scanning confocal microscope). The level of growth hormone mRNA in TaxP and TaxN cells was measured by RT-PCR. The pGL2-GH-luc was transfected in TaxN and TaxP cells by Tfx-50-mediated transfection to assay transcriptional activity. The pNF-κB-luc, pAP-1-luc and pNFAT-luc was transfected into TaxP cells with pcDNA3.0-GH by Tfx50 to test bioactivity of the nuclear transcription factors. Results The mRNA and protein expression of GH could be promoted significantly by Tax. Relative to the TaxN cells, the transcriptional activity of GH was significantly increased about 6.37 times in TaxP cells(P＜0.05). Overexpression of GH can increase the activity of NF-κB about 1.7 times in TaxP cells (P＜0.05). Conclusion GH maybe involve in adult T-cell leukemia(ATL) through activating NF-κB.

Actins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Pyloric Antrum ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the influence of extracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) on viral replication in HTLV-1 infected T cells.Methods HMGB1 in culture supernatants of adult T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) virus-negative cell:Jurkat,MOLT4 cells and HTLV-1 virus-positive cells:MT2,MT4,was detected by ELISA;The HTLV-1 long terminal repeat reporter gene (pHTLV-1-LTR-luc) was transfected into MT2 cells by Tfx-50-mediated transfection,and 0.25,0.50,0.75 μg/ml of HMGB1 polyclonal antibody(HMGB1 PcAb) and its isotype control rabbit IgG antibodies,0.03,0.1,0.3 μg/ml rhHMGB1 and its control PBS,were added into culture supernatant respectively,then luciferase activity was detected after 48 h;Similarly,0.25 μg/ml HMGB1 PcAb and the isotype control antibody,0.3 μg/ml rhH-MGB1 and the control PBS were added to the culture supernatant of MT2 cell,the viral gene,pol1,pol2,gag,env,etc,were performed by real-time PCR.Results Culture supernatant HMGB1 levels has no significant difference between HTLV-1 positive cells MT2 and MT4 and the other two virus-negative T cell lines;Compared with isotype control antibody group,the culture supernatant,to which is added 0.25 μg/ml HMGB1 PcAb,can significantly inhibit the HTLV-1-LTR transcriptional activity and suppress the expressions of the viral gene pol1,pol2,gag,env.Compared with the control PBS,0.3 μg/ml rhHMGB1 significantly promotes the transcriptional activity of the HTLV-1-LTR and the expressions of the viral gene pol1,pol2,gag,env.Conclusion The extracellular HMGB1 can promote viral replication of HTLV-1 infected T cells.

The medicinal plant resource reserve refers to the natural resources of medicinal plants in a certain time and a certain region within the scope of the volume. In recent years, with the demand of medicinal plant resources surging and the change of the environment and human intervention factors, the medicinal plant resources reserve had accelerated pace of change. It is the prerequisite and basis for the development and utilization of medical plants that how to quickly and accurately attain reserve of some medicinal plants resources, the selection of suitable and accurate estimating method is reliable basis and can guarantee medicinal plant reserve survey, and also is one of the key reserve investigation of success. This paper systematically summarized the estimation method of medicinal plants in recent 30 years, and discussed the basic principle, the estimation model of development and evolution, advantages and disadvantages and applicability, and it aimed to improve the accuracy about reserves survey of medicinal plant resources, and provide scientific and reliable support data to medicinal plants resources for sustainable development and utilization of resources.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Models, Statistical ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of microwave radiation on thymocytes in mice at different power densities.

METHODSThe experimental animals were whole-body exposed to microwave radiation with frequency of 2,450 MHz, power density of 1, 5, 15 mW/cm(2) respectively 1 h everyday for 30 days. Then the thymus were taken out after the mice were decapitated. Thymus index, morphological characteristics of thymus were examined. The changes of thymus T-cell subgroups, cell cycle progression in thymocytes and cellular apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSThe body weights of animals in 5, 15 mW/cm(2) irradiation groups [(28.10 +/- 1.46), (27.50 +/- 2.52) g] were lower than that of the control [(31.95 +/- 2.51) g] (P < 0.05). Pathological observation showed dark red piece of nucleus, some nuclei inclined to one side, slight increase in hassall body. The expressions of CD8 in 5, 15 mW/cm(2) irradiation groups (29.14% +/- 1.68%, 29.18% +/- 0.81%) were higher than that in control group (26.95% +/- 1.27%) (P < 0.05). The percentages of G(2) + M phase thymocytes in both radiation groups (12.24% +/- 1.82%, 11.19% +/- 1.36%) were lower than that in control group (14.58% +/- 0.64%) (P < 0.01). Thymocytic apoptosis rates in the three experimental groups (7.18% +/- 0.99%, 10.06% +/- 1.58%, 9.45% +/- 0.92%) were higher than that in control (4.25% +/- 1.63%) (P < 0.01), but the evident difference between 5 mW/cm(2) and 15 mW/cm(2) was not found (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSub-chronic microwave exposure (2 450 MHz, 5, 15 mW/cm(2)) could induce thymocyte apoptosis, cause pathological changes in thymus, and affect cell cycle progression, thus may inhibit the immune function of the animal.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; radiation effects ; Thymus Gland ; cytology ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, China and to provide a basis for the management and control of banned pesticides.

METHODSLocal residents who lived in a town of Ledu County for more than 5 years were selected as subjects in August 2012. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 267 vegetable greenhouse farmers who were selected from five villages of the town by cluster random sampling.

RESULTSOf the 267 subjects, 249 (93.26%) completed and returned the questionnaires. Eighty-seven (34.9%) of the 249 subjects were aware of banned pesticides, and the banned pesticide awareness rate varied significantly among the subjects with different education levels (χ(2) = 11.061, P = 0.011). Only education level entered the regression equation in non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Only five (2.0%) of the 249 subjects knew the banned pesticides as well as the details. All the 249 subjects used banned pesticides to varying degrees in the past 5 years. Only 9.0% (17/189) of the vegetable greenhouse farmers knew the time pesticides were initially banned in China.

CONCLUSIONThe banned pesticide awareness rate is relatively low in the town of Ledu County, and this rate is influenced by education level. It is needed to spread the knowledge and hazards of banned pesticides.

Agriculture ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Pesticides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Huoxuezhitong recipe on the pathway of mitochondrial apoptosis and the expression of related gene (Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2) in epidural scar tissue.

METHODSA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits, ranging in weight from 2.5 to 3.0 kg, were randomly divided into sham operative group (group A), control group (group B), sodium hyaluronate group (group C), Huoxuezhitong recipe group (group D, included Danggui 20 g, Chishao 20 g, Honghua 20 g, Ruxiang 15 g, Myrrh 15 g etc.) with 15 rabbits in each group. Except for group A, L4,5 vertebral plate were resected leading to 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm dura mater exposed area, which were covered with 0.5 ml sodium hyaluronate in group C, covered with same amount of saline in group B and D. At 2 weeks after operation, the rabbits of group D were administered with Huoxuezhitong recipe (2.5 ml/kg, once a day, continuous 14 d). Five rabbits of each group were selected randomly and were killed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation; and the expression of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 in scar tissue were surveyed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe results by RT-PCR showed significant different in expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 of group A and others groups at each period (P < 0.01). At 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation, compared with group B, the expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bcl-2 in group C and D were decreased (P < 0.05), but the expression of Bax in group C and D were increased (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks after operation, the expressions of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 in group D was significant decreased compared with group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuoxuezhitong recipe can regulate the levels of expression of Caspase-3, -9, Bax, Bcl-2 mRNA and further induce the pathway of mitochondrial apoptosis, thereby, achieve the effect of prophylaxis for the proliferation and conglutination of epidural scar tissue.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Genes, bcl-2 ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of Houxue Zhitong decoration on the expression of the mitochondria-initiated apoptosis pathway and transmembrane protein I an II of the epidural scar tissue.

METHODSA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits (weight: 2.5-3.0 kg) were randomly divided into four groups, sham operation group (D, n=15), control group (B, n=14), sodium hyaluronate group (C, n=15), Houxue Zhitong decoration group (D, n=15). Except for group A, 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm dura mater uncovered area laminectomy was performed at I (4) and I(5), covered with 0.5 ml sodium hyaluronate in group C, covered with same amount of saline in group B and D. First 2 weeks after operation, animals in group D were lavaged with 2.5 ml/kg Houxue Zhitong decoction by one a day for 14 days. Five rabbits of each group selected randomly were killed in the 2,4,8 weeks after laminectomy. The specimens were prepared for determination of the expression of Fas and FasL, at scar tissue by semiquantitative reserve transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The degree of scar adhesion was evaluated according by Rydell method.

RESULTSThe adhesion area in group B was larger than of group C and D in the 4th and 8th week. However, the number of fibroblasts and inflammantory cells in group D was the least among the three groups in the 8th week. At 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation, as compared with group B the expression of Fas, FasL of group C and D were decreased (P < 0.05). Especially, at 2 weeks, as compared with group B the expression of this two cytokines of group D was significant decreased (P < 0.05), too. In group C and D the duramater adhesion was decreased (P < 0.05). The proliferation of fibroblast and fibroblastic function were inhibited (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuoxue Zhitong is able to down-regulated the expression of Fas, FasL, which inhibited the proliferation of fibroblast, the fibroblastic function and the synthesis of extracellular matrix in the epidural scar tissue. It is an effective way of reducing peridural scar formation and prevent the failed back surgery syndrome.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cicatrix ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epidural Space ; pathology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the physiological and anatomic basis,indications,surgical skills, prevention of ureter injury and clinic outcomes of using high uterosacral ligament suspension(HUS)for correction of advanced uterine prolapse by the vaginal route.Methods Fifty women with advanced uterine prolapse underwent transvaginal HUS after vaginal hysterectomy with reconstruction of pubocervical and rectovaginal fascia to correct their uterine prolapse between June 2003 and September 2007.The average age of the women was 60.1 years.The mean follow-up period was 24 months(range 4-51 months).The degree of pelvic organ prolapse preoperatively and anatomic outcomes postoperatively were assessed with pelvic organ prolapse quantification system(POP-Q).Results The remnants of the uterosacral ligaments were clearly identified and palpated posterior and medial to the ischial spines by traction with a 24 cm long Allis clamp and used for successful vaginal vault suspension and reconstruction in all 50 consecutive advanced uterine prolapse patients.The ureter injury was avoided by complete knowledge of the ureter's course from the cervix/apex toward its insertion in the sacral region and how far outside of the uterosacral ligament,by uteri palpation and by suturing purposefully placed"deep"dorsally and posteriorly toward the sacrum,as well as by cystoscopy examination of the spillage of urine from both ureters.Mean POP-Q point C improved from 1.5 to-7.5 cm with a median follow-up of 24 months.If the successful HUS was defined as point C≤stage I prolapse,both the objective and subjective cure rates were as high as 100% with a maximum follow-up of 51 months.None of the 50 patients had repeat operation for recurrence of prolapse.There was no major intra-or postoperative complications,such as ureter and other pelvic organ injury.Conclusion HUS with fascial reconstruction seems to be a safe,minimal traumatic,tolerable and highly successful procedure for vaginal repair of advanced uterine prolapse.Because of the use of native tissue as suspension site HUS is more physiologic and cost effective.