Objective: To re-evaluate the potential toxicity of Danshen Injection (DI) in Beagle's dogs by repeated iv injection. Methods: DI was iv given to the dogs at the doses of 0, 1.6, 5.4, and 16.0 g/(kg·d) (4 per sex per group) for 13 weeks. During the test period, the clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, rectal temperature, ophthalmoscopy, electrocardiography, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weights, gross findings, and histopathology were examined. Results: Dogs iv given with DI at the doses of 0, 1.6, 5.4, and 16.0 g/(kg·d) for 13 weeks had no drug-related changes in mortality, body weight, food consumption, temperature, electrocardiography, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis parameters, and organ weights. The hematological parameter data showed a significant decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration in the high-dose group and a significant increase in activated partial thromboplastin time suggesting an effect on haemopoiesis. For biochemical parameters, a significant decrease in glucose and a significant increase in total bilirubin were observed in the high-dose group, and the latter was considered to be toxicologically insignificant as lack of histopathological correlate. However, the histopathological examinations of the injection site showed that DI could cause dose-dependent focal inflammation. Conclusion: That the iv injection with DI into dogs at 16 g/(kg·d) for 13 weeks could cause the decreases in red blood cell parameters and glucose, as well as the lesions of the injection site. The no observed adverse effect level is 5.4 g/(kg·d), which suggests that safe clinical dosing be possible. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

Objective To investigate whether or not extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment is safe for treating low back pain caused by lumbar facet joint degeneration by observing its effects on the lumbar segment of the spinal cord.Methods Five adult dogs were used for this study.ESWs were focused on their right L_(4～5) facet joints. The energy output was set at 40% of the maximum output,and a total of 1000 shocks were delivered at a frequency of 120/min.Before and 3 days after the treatment,the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) induced by stimulating the tibial nerve were recorded from the animals' scalps,and the motor function of their hind limbs was evaluated with Tarlov's scale.The animals were then sacrificed and the L_(4～5) segments of their spinal cords were taken for histopatho- logical observation,with the T_(12) segments taken as controls.Results Three days after ESW treatment,the left and the right hind limbs scored 5 and 4 on the Tarlov scale.The amplitude of SEPs decreased and their latency increased. Histopathological observation showed mild swelling of the L_(4～5) segment of the spinal cord with congested veins on the surface.Erythrocyte and leukocyte exudation as well as myelin sheath swelling in the spinal cord were also observed un- der the microscope,but with no demyelination.Conclusion ESW had some adverse effects on the spinal cord when focused on the facet joint.Further studies of the safety range of ESW energy and distance are needed.

Objective To observe the anticoagulant effect of low molecular weight heparin on induced hemodialysis in patients with acute renal failure.Method One hundred and eight patients with acute renal failure treated with induced hemodialysis were randomly divided into low molecular weight heparin(LMWH)group and unfractionated heparin(UFH)group.A bolus disc of UFH was given at first and then maintained by continuous infusion in UFH group,whereas a single bolus dose of LMWH with 2000AFXa IU to 4000AFXa IU in LMWH group.Results Anticoagulant effect between LMWH and UFH did not show significant discrepancy during induced hemodialysis.The bleeding from internal jugular vein catheter increased in the UFH group much more than that in the UFH group was significantly higher than that in the LMWH group.Anti-FXa blood levels were significantly higher in LMWH group than in UFH group.Conclusions LMWH has minor influence on aPTT and TT,while its anticoagulation effect approximates to that of UFH.LMWH represents a realistic alternative agent UFH in acute renal failure induced hemodialysis.

Objective To understand the iodine deficiency disorders in Xunhua county Qinghai province, and to provide reference values for setting up prevention and control strategy. Methods According to historical data of Xunhua county, 1 township center elementary school and 1 village elementary school were sampled in Qingshui, Baizhuang, Hongqi, Jiezi and Galeng townships. A total of 9 elementary schools were investigated (Caleng has only 1 elementary school). Fourty children aged 8-10 years were checked thyroid size by palpation in every school. Twenty children were chosen to assay their urinary iodine and edible salt iodine in every school. Thirty 5-grade students were surveyed by questionnaire on health education in every school. Ten housewives were inquired prevention knowledge on iodine deficiency disorders and salt iodine level was tested in every village. Results Goiter rate was 7.9%(30/378) in children aged 8-10 years, with Baizhuang and Galeng the highest (11.9%,5/42), and Qingshui the lowest (2.4%, 1/42). The median was 196.5 μg/L in children aged 8-10 years, and urinary iodine level lower than 50 μg/L was accounted for 5.3% (11/208), but that value was 25.0% (5/20)in Galeng. The average qualified rate of using edible salt was 91.4%(159/174), and that rates were 79.0%(15/19), 83.3%(15/18) and 89.5%(17/19) in Chajia, Tuanjie and Minzhu villages, respectively. The average score were 2.8, 2.1 in health education survey of the 5-grade students and housewives. Conclusions After years effort in prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders, remarkable progress has been made in Xunhua County. The monitoring of iodized salt and the knowledge spreading are still need to be strengthened.

Abstract: Suxamethonium chloride is a depolarizing muscle relaxant used in general anesthesia. In overdose, it causes adverse reactions such as bradycardia, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and death. The article reviews the progress on testing methods of suxamethonium chloride such as infrared spectroscopy, chemical color reaction, chemical titration, enzyme electrode, chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Anesthesia, General ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/chemically induced* ; Biosensing Techniques ; Bradycardia/chemically induced* ; Chromatography ; Drug Overdose ; Heart Arrest/chemically induced* ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents/analysis* ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Succinylcholine/analysis*

Objective Explore a new method which application absorbable suture netting for chest wall reconstruction and observe the clinical effect.Methods For 23 cases of part of the rib resection,support the soft tissue using absorbable suture netting and observe the postoperative results.Results 23 patients have the postoperative respiratory stability and no abnormal breathing and chest wall collapse happened.And this method has a good effect to support the Chest wall.Conclusion Chest wall reconstruction using absorbable suture netting has the following advantages:easily obtained,easy to learn to promote,low prices and postoperative respiratory stability.We believe this method is a new technology deserved to be promoted in our country.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. METHODS: The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cm away from the wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chicken blood made the cast-off bloodstain from top to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics (length, width and density) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics (length, width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum (P < 0.05). The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum (P < 0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P < 0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P < 0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.
Blood Stains ; Computer Simulation ; Crime ; Forensic Ballistics/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yiguan Decoction (YGD) on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro.

METHODSRat BMSCs were isolated using whole bone marrow adherent method. The properties of BMSCs were identified by analyzing the expression of surface cytokines by flow cytometry. The third passage cells were differentiated into fat cells to identify their features. BMSCs were incubated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plus fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) or YGD containing serum YGD for 21 days. The mRNA expression of alpha-fetoprotein (alphaAFP), albumin (Alb), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) were detected by real time PCR. Expression of AFP and cytokeratin 18 (CK18) protein was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Glycogen synthesis was observed using periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS). CK18, Wnt 3alpha, and alphacatenin protein expressions were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSHigh expression of CD90, CD29, and CD44, and low expression of CD34 and CD11b were observed in BMSCs isolated by whole bone mar- row adherent method, and numerous lipid droplets were observed in BMSCs using oil red O staining. Both YGD containing serum and growth factor stimulated the expression levels of Alb, AFP, HNF4alpha mRNA and CK18 protein. The down-regulated expression of Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin could be detected at 21 days after induction. The synthesized glycogen granule could be seen. Down-regulated Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin expression could also be observed.

CONCLUSIONYGD could induce the differentiation of rat BMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells, which was related to down-regulating Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Objective:To validate the clinical value of CT-guided curve-needle percutaneous ethanol injection (CNPEI) for celiac plexus block analgesia. Methods: Thirty-two patients with end-stage cancer, including 13 complicated with extensive retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement and fusion, were enrolled in this study. All patients complained of refractory upper abdominal pain and had received narcotic analgesics and radiotherapy, but the analgesic effect was not good. CT-guided CNPEI was therefore prescribed. Results: The effective rates of CT-guided CNPEI were 100%, 100%, 96.9%, 90.6%, 87.5%, and 84.4% immediately,and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks after treatment, respectively. All enlarged lymph nodes had obvious necrosis and became shrunk. Conclusion: Combined application of bilateral anterior and posterior diaphragmatic crura block and trans-lymph node block can produce good analgesic effects, and curve-needle puncture make the above technique simpler.

Objective:To validate the therapeutic value of CT-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of metastatic adrenal tumors. Methods: Thirty-one foci (diameter ranging from 1.5 cm to 7.2 cm) in 25 patients with metastatic adrenal tumors were treated with CT-guided PEI for more than twice. Plain and enhanced CT scans were performed 1-2 months after PEI to observe the size and necrosis of the tumors. Results: Post-PEI enhanced CT scan showed that 18 of the 20 foci with diameters less than 3 cm completely necrotized; 11 foci with diameters between 3 cm and 7.2 cm necrotized partially, and 2 foci completely necrotized after another 2-3 courses of PEI treatment. Conclusion: CT-guided PEI is a simple and minimally invasive means for treatment of metastatic adrenal tumors, and the therapeutic effect is satisfactory.