Objective To optimize the processing technology of sliced Myristicae Semen. Methods Roasting temperature, roasting time and the amount of bran were set as factors, and the content of total lignans, volatile oil, fatty oil were set as evaluation indicators. The processing technology of sliced Myristicae Semen was optimized by L9(34) orthogonal test. Results The optimal processing technology was as following: 40 g bran plus 100 g sliced Myristicae Semen, roasting for 20 minutes at 110-120 ℃. Conclusion The process is reasonable and reliable, which can provide references for new processing technology of Myristicae Semen.

Objective To develop a portable pressure detector to facilitate the battlefield self and buddy aids training for dressing,hemostasis and fixation.Methods The changes of pressure were converted into the ones of electric current with the pneumatic cuff,catheter and membrane pressure sensor,and then transmitted to the panel display by Bluetooth.The efficacy for the training was determined based on the acquired data.Results The detector implemented quantifying of the pressures during dressing,hemostasis and fixation,and non-medical staff obtained the results of battlefield treatment training easily to execute rapid assessment of battlefield self and buddy aids training.Conclusion The device gains advantages in visualized data,portability,easy operation and accurate measurement,and contributes to battlefield self and buddy aids training.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical advantage and disadvantage of anatomical landmark registration(ALR) and surface registration(SR) in computer-assisted endoscopic sinus surgery(CAESS).Method:Twenty-six patients were selected for the CAESS, the preparatory times and mean target registration errors (TRE) were recorded in order to compare the difference between them two, their convenience and their value were also analyzed.Result:CAESSs were successfully used in 26 cases without complications. The average preparation time of SR was(8.5±1.9)minutes, that of ALR was(6.5±1.7)minutes. In the SR group, the TRE of naso-labial angle was(1.43±0.26)mm, that of front end of middle turbinate was(1.92±0.47)mm, that of front end of inferior turbinate was (1.82±0.49)mm, and that of back end of inferior turbinate was (2.03±0.42)mm. Them in ALR group were (1.58±0.35)mm,(2.05±0.37)mm,(1.92±0.31)mm and (2.48±0.64)mm ,respectively.24 cases (92.2%) were not affected or were slightly affected by the navigation system. The value of navigation was affirmative in 22 cases (84.6%), and its value was mainly related to TRE.Conclusion:The accuracy of surface registration was superior to that of anatomical landmark registration, but the anatomical landmark registration was more convenient and need less preparation time. The value of navigation system is its accuracy, convenience and no disturbance to surgery. The navigation system is more valuable in the complex cases than that in the general case.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of intratympanic steroid injection as supplementary or initial treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). METHOD: A total of 68 patients diagnosed with SSNHL were randomized into group A (45 cases including systemic steroid for 33 cases and systemic steroid + intratympanic steroid as supplementary treatment for 12 cases) and group B (23 cases, initial intratympanic steroid). Then observe the therapeutic effect in two groups. RESULT: The total effective rate was 55.6% in group A and 56.5% in group B. No statistical difference was detected between these two groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference after therapy of intratympanic steroid as supplementary treatment for 12 patients due to poor hearing improvement after systemic steroid in group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Both systemic and intratympanic steroid injection for SSNHL are effective. The efficiency of intratympanic steroid injection as supplementary or initial treatment for SSNHL is similar to that of systemic steroid. The intratympanic steroid injection for SSNHL as initial protocol or as supplementary treatment when poor hearing improvement after systemic steroid is recommended.
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; drug therapy ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Injection, Intratympanic ; Steroids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Tympanic Membrane

OBJECTIVETo explore action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Fenglong" (ST 40) for treatment of hyperlipidemia.

METHODSForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group (group A), a model group (group B), a model diet-control group (group C), a model + EA group (group D) and model diet-control + EA group (group E), 8 cases in each one. The rats in group A were fed with normal diet continuously while those in the rest 4 groups were fed with high-fat diet to establish hyperlipidemia model. Afterwards, the rats in group C and group E were fed with normal diet, while EA at "Fenglong" (ST 40) was applied in group D and group E, 30 min per time, once a day. After 28 days of treatment, macrophage was collected in each group. Oil red O-staining was applied to detect the formation of foam cells, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISE) was adopted to measure the contents of total cholesterol (TC) in macrophage and analyze the rate of cholesterol efflux.

RESULTSThe counts of positive cells of oil red O-staining and the contents of TC in the group B, group C and group D were significantly increased compared with those in the group A (all P < 0.01). The counts of positive cells and contents of TC in the group C, group D and group E were significantly clecreased compared with those in the group B (all P < 0.01), and the decline in group D was more obvious than that in the group C (all P < 0.01). Compared with group C and group D, the counts of positive cells and contents of TC in the group E was obviously decreased (all P < 0.01), which was not statistically different from group A (P > 0.05). In the meantime, compared with group C, the rate of cholesterol efflux in group D and group E was significantly increased (both P < 0.01), and the rise in group E was more obvious than that in the group D.

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture at "Fenglong" (ST 40) could significantly prohibit the transformation of macrophage into foam cell and increase rate of cholesterol efflux in macrophage, which could prevent and reverse the formation of foam cell and play an essential role in treating hyperlipidemia and stopping it from developing into a further level.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; Cells, Cultured ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Foam Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; therapy ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

italic>Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) is a Chinese herbal medicine in China. The main active components are volatile oils, flavonoids, and other compounds, which have various pharmacological activities. Methoxylated flavonoids are the main active ingredients in A. argyi. Flavonoid O-methyltransferase (FOMT) is a key enzyme in the O-methylation of flavonoids. In order to further understand the function and characteristics of FOMT proteins, this paper carried out the whole genome mining and identification of FOMT genes in A. argyi and performed phylogenetic, chromosomal localization, gene sequence characterization, subcellular localization prediction, protein structure, gene structure analysis, and expression pattern analysis. The results showed that a total of 83 FOMT genes were identified in the genome of A. argyi. The phylogenetic tree shows that FOMT genes are divided into two subgroups, CCoAOMT (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase) subfamily (32 genes) and COMT (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase) subfamily (51 genes). Gene sequence analysis showed that the number of amino acids encoded by FOMT was 70-734 aa, the molecular weight was 25 296.55-34 241.3 Da, and the isoelectric point was 4.51-9.99. Compared with 32 members of the CCoAOMT subfamily, nearly 1/3 of the 51 members of the COMT subfamily were hydrophobic proteins and 2/3 were hydrophilic proteins. Subcellular localization prediction showed that more than 80% of CCoAOMT subfamily members were located in the cytoplasm, and 96% of COMT subfamily members were located in the chloroplast. COMT subfamily members have more motifs than CCoAOMT subfamily members. The N-terminal motifs of COMT subfamily proteins are relatively variable, while the C-terminal motifs are relatively conserved. Expression pattern analysis showed that CCoAOMT subfamily members were mainly expressed in roots, while COMT members were mainly expressed in leaves. Some FOMTs showed the tissue expression specificity by real-time quantitative PCR analysis, especially in leaves. In this study, we identified and analyzed the FOMT gene family in A. argyi, and provided a theoretical basis for further research on the function of FOMTs and the biosynthesis of methylated flavonoids in A. argyi.

Objective To investigate the vasodilating effects of protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA ) on rat superior mesenteric arterial rings as well as its mechanism .Methods The tension of rat superior mesenteric arterial rings was recorded by a sensitive myograph system in vitro . We measured isometric tension changes in preconstricted rat superior mesenteric artery rings induced by potassium chloride (KCl ,60 mmol/L) ,serotomin (5-HT ,10-5 mol/L ) , and phenylephrine (PE , 10-5 mol/L ) after PCA treatment at different concentrations , respectively .We also observed vasodilating effects of PCA on KCl (60 mmol/L ) preconstricted rat superior mesenteric arterial rings after incubation with different inhibitors ,i .e .,L-NAME ,Indo ,ODQ ,4-AP (KV channel blocker) ,TEA (KCa channel blocker) ,BaCl2 (Kir channel blocker) ,and Glib (KATP channel blocker) ,respectively . Results PCA (10-6 -10-3 mol/L ) could relax KCl (60 mmol/L ) and 5-HT (10-5 mol/L ) preconstricted rat superior mesenteric arterial rings in a concentration-dependent manner . Indo of endothelial mechanism inhibitor blocked the vasodilating effect of PCA . 4-AP and BaCl2 of potassium ion channel inhibitors affected the vasodilatation induced by PCA in KCl (60 mmol/L)-preconstricted rat mesenteric artery .Conclusion PCA can relax KCl (60 mmol/L) ,or 5-HT preconstricted rat superior mesenteric arterial rings .This effect is associated with the inhibition of potassium channels and endothelial mechanism .

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors and the main TCM syndrome types associated with the diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) patients complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver (FL).

METHODSAdopted controlled trial method, the age, stature, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) of 180 DM2 patients were compared with those complicated with or without FL. And some related laboratory indexes, including the age, stature, body weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose (FBG), C-peptide (CP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C), and 2 h post-prandial CP (2 h CP), were compared as well. Moreover, patients' TCM syndrome types were classified.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found between DM2 patients complicated with or without FL in aspects of FBG, HbA1c, TC, LDL-C and age, stature (P > 0.05), but significant difference did show between them in aspects of CP (4.09 +/- 2.40 microg/L vs 2.47 +/- 1.74 microg/L), 2h CP (6.38 +/- 5.46 microg/L vs 4.35 +/- 2.92 microg/L), TG (2.81 +/- 2.33 mmol/L vs 1.93 +/- 1.92 mmol/L), HDL-C (1.07 +/- 0.06 mmol/L vs 1.19 +/- 0.32 mmol/L) as well as in body weight (73.4 +/- 11.7 kg vs 61.4 +/- 10.1 kg) and BMI (26.0 +/- 3.67 vs 22.8 +/- 3.23), respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, phlegm-dampness type was more liable to appear in DM2 patients complicated FL.

CONCLUSIONSObesity, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorder are the chief risk factors in DM2 patients complicated with FL and phlegm-dampness is the chief pathogenesis.

Adult ; Aged ; C-Peptide ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

AIMTo prepare nifedipine (NP) rapid release mini-tablet, sustained release mini-tablets, pulsed release mini-tablets and delayed-onset sustained release mini-tablets and develop multiplied pulsed drug delivery system (DDS), site-specific DDS, zero-order DDS and quick/slow DDS by various ways.

METHODSVelocity-time (v-t) equation of each mini-tablet was deduced by non-linear least square model fit. The difference of combinations in v-t profiles between theoretical value and test value was compared.

RESULTSAccording to the v-t equations, the combined release behaviors were observed directly from v-t profiles and the test values coincided with the theoretical profiles.

CONCLUSIONThe programmed DDS, which consist of a variety of mini-tablets with different dosages and combinations in capsules, could be predicted by summing up the v-t equation of each tablet.

Capsules ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Models, Chemical ; Nifedipine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Povidone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Starch ; chemistry ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo sum up the clinical experience in the reparation of burn wounds with different types of skin flaps in patients with severe electrical injury.

METHODSFree skin flap, axile island flap with vascular pedicle and muscular skin flap were employed to repair 64 wounds in 49 cases.

RESULTSSkin flap necrosis happened in 2 cases, congestion and necrosis at the edge of skin flaps in 4 cases, and complete survival of the skin flaps and primary healing of the wounds in the remaining cases.

CONCLUSIONReparation of wounds with proper skin flaps according to the degree of the electrical injury is effective and reliable, which might be beneficial to the prevention of necrobiosis and the infection in deep tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps