Objective To explore the activation of circulating platelet in patients with cerebral infarction(CI) and its correlation with CI.Methods The fibrinogen receptor(FIB-R) and P-selectin were used as molecular marker of circulating platelets, which were analyzed by flow cytometry in 80 healthy persons and 127 CI patients in acute and rehabinating period.Results The FIB-R expression on circulating platelet of CI patients in dangerous period was significantly higher than that in steady period and healthy persons(P0.05).Conclusion The activation of circulating platelet has a close relationship with CI. FIB-R may be a sensitive molecular marker of circulating activated platelet. It will help to evaluate the severe extent of CI and give an anti-platelet treatment as soon as possible to improve the prognosis of CI through monitoring the FIB-R of CI patients successively.

Objective To study the mechanisms of increasing amyloid [β1-42 (Aβ42) level by presenilin-1 (PS-1) mutation of V97L.Methods Expression level of neprilysin (NEP) in nontransfected, or mock vector, wild type (wt) PS-1 and V97L-PS-1-transfected SH-SY5Y cells were assessed by reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The level of Aβ42 was also assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The mRNA level of NEP was decreased significantly in PS-1 V97L transfected cells (0.650 ± 0.010) compared to that in normal cells (1.090 ± 0.015), wt PS-1 gene (1.040 ± 0.021) and mock (1.080 ± 0.020) stably transfected cell lines (t = 9.236, 10.452, 5.678; all P < 0.01).Although there was a decreased tendency in the protein expression of NEP in PS-Ⅰ V97L transfected cells (1.000 ± 0.126)compared to that in normal cells (1.020 ± 0.110), wt PS-1 gene (1.040 ±0.110), mock (2.130 ±0.130) stably transfected cell lines, nosignificant differences were found.The expression of Aβ42 was increased significantly in PS-1 V97L transfected cells compared to other cell lines (t = 2.109, 3.355, 3.976; all P < 0.01).Conclusions PS-1 V97L mutation can decrease the transcription of NEP, however, in contrast, this mutation also resulted in increased Aβ42.The mechanism needs further analysis.

Background: The conventional therapy for chronic hepatitis C is the combination of interferon-alpha and ribavirin. However, it has some adverse effects and does not response to some patients, and it is also very expensive. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Search strategy: Electronic and manual searches were conducted and the search ended in July 2009. Inclusion criteria: We included randomized clinical trials testing Chinese herbal medicine vs placebo, non-specific treatment, antiviral treatment, or Chinese herbal medicine combined with antiviral treatment vs antiviral treatment alone. Data extraction and analysis: Selection of trials for inclusion, assessment of methodological quality, data extraction and data syntheses were conducted according to the protocol of a Cochrane systematic review by the authors. Results: Fifty-one randomized trials (involving 3 678 patients) with various methodological quality were included. The studies published in English had good quality, while studies published in Chinese were of poor quality. The pooled results showed that Chinese herbal medicine alone or in combination with antiviral treatment was generally better than non-specific treatment or antiviral treatment alone, and herbal medicine appeared equal to antiviral treatment regarding comprehensive clinical effect in terms of symptoms, liver function and virological response. Regarding virological response including loss of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and anti-HCV antibodies, herbal medicine was better than non-specific treatment, equal to antiviral treatment, and the combination of herbs and antiviral treatment was better than antiviral treatment alone. Similar positive findings were found for liver function improvement. Adverse effects were observed among herbal injections and interferon treatment, and few cases had severe adverse effects. Conclusion: Herbal medicines included in this review have effects in improving symptoms, liver function, and loss of HCV markers in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, for majority of the included trials were published in Chinese and had low quality, the promising effects from some herbs need to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials, and the design and reporting of trials should follow international standards. Systematic review registration: http://www.cochrane.org, 380700081611301089.

Objective To study the degradation of Rhizoma Typhonii polysaccharide with sulfuric acid under the normal and ultrasonic condition. Methods The orthogonal test table L9(34) was used to optimize 4 factors including acid concentration, reaction time, reaction temperature and ultrasonic power, with the yield of the low-molecular-weight polysaccharide as the index. Results The optimal conditions of discomposing Rhizoma Typhonii polysaccharide with sulfuric acid were 10% sulfuric acid, 100 ℃ for 2 h under the normal condition,and the yield of low-molecular-weight polysaccharide was 36.17%. Under the ultrasonic condition, the optimal conditions were 150 W of the ultrasonic power, 5% sulfuric acid, 40 ℃ for 1 h, and the yield was 44.63%. Conclusion The degrading yield of the low-molecular-weight polysaccharide can be increased under ultrasonic condition with sulfuric acid.

Hepatic Veins ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; physiopathology ; Portal Pressure

Arteriovenous Fistula ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of partial fascicle from the ulnar nerve to biceps branch of musculocutaneous nerve to treat brachial plexus injury. Methods Six cases of brachial plexus injury were involved in this group.3 cases were upper trunk injury and 3 cases were accompanied partial lower trunk injury.A partial fascicle of ulnar nerve transfered to repair biceps branch underwent in all cases,phrenic nerve or accessory nerve were transfered to repair suprascapular nerve.The mean time from injury to surgery was 2.8 months.Patients were evaluated with regard to elbow flexion and should abduction ansle,grip strengthen,morbidity of ulnar nerve function lose. Results Five cases out of six got follow up.The mean period of follow-up was 18 months(range from 9-30 months).The average reinnervation time for the biceps muscle was 3.3 months. All the patients' recovery of elbow flexion Was M_3~+-M_5; and the shoulder adduction was 90°-180°;the grip strength was not downgraded. No notable impairment of the donor site nerve function was observed in 4 cases,just 1 case with a little more fascicle been harvested had partial ulnar nerve impairments. Conclusion The use of ulnar nerve partial fascicle to biceps branch combined with phrenic nerve or accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve to reconstruct upper roots avulsion of the brachial plexus is a valid and convenient procedure.It can obtain good functional restoration in elbow flexion and shoulder adduction in a resonable time.The cases with partial lower trunk injury of brachial plexus,the partial fascicle of ulnar nerve can still be used for repair the musculocutaneous nerve.

AIM:To determine the contents of sinomenine and chelidonine in Tong’an Injection(Caulis sinomenii, Chelidonium majus Linn, etc). METHODS: HPLC was used. The conditions included the gradient elution with methanol-0.1% triethylamine. The detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. RESULTS: The calibration curve was linear in the range of 162-1 620 ?g for the sinomenine and the range of 35-350 ?g for chelidonine, respectively. The average recovery for sinomenine was 99.56% and the relative standard deviation was 0.41%(n=5). The average recovery for chelidonine was 99.46% and the relative standard deviation was 0.62% (n=5). CONCLUSION: The method is simple, rapid and specialty. It can be used for the determination of sinomenine and chelidonine in Tong’an Injection.

The performance of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has two key procedures: (1) portal vein branch puncturing, and (2) the correct judgment of the safety of the puncture site. The portal vein branch puncturing is the most important and difficult step for a successful TIPS procedure. Therefore, to find and to establish an proper access to the portal vein is critical. Nowadays, in clinical practice several imaging techniques have been used to localize the portal vein, such as magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, fluoroscopy, arteriography and computed tomography. This article aims to make a general review on these invasive and non - invasive localization techniques when a successful performance of TIPS is expected.

Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of Xiaoyao Powder (Carefree Powder) in the treatment of depression using the method of systematic review of evidence-based medicine.Method Data published before December 2009 were searched from MEDLINE,Cochrane library,CNKI,VIP,CBM.We included randomize-controlled trials (RCT) testing Xiaoyao Powder against placebo or antidepressants,and Xiaoyao Powder combined with antidepressants against antidepressants alone.Two researchers collected data independently.The assessment of methodological quality was based on Cochrane handbook and the materials were analyzed with software RevMan 5.017.The outcome measure index was relative risk or difference of mean value (95% confidence interval).Results Thirty-two RCTs involving 2 253 patients were included.Involved trials published in Chinese were of low quality.In the trials of comparison between Xiaoyao Powder and placebo,only decrease of self-rating depression scale (SDS) score was not significantly different.For general clinical improvement and decrease of Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) and SDS scores,Xiaoyao Powder combined with antidepressants was more effective than antidepressants alone,but the effect of Xiaoyao Powder was equal to antidepressants.No adverse effect was reported in the trials regarding Xiaoyao Powder.Conclusions Xiaoyao Powder appears to be effective for depression.However,the exact effect needs to be confirmed in well-designed large-sampled clinical trials.