Objective To investigate variant types and the image features of MRA of intracranial branch of vertebral artery so that to improve the ability in understanding and diagnosing pons and medulla oblongata diseases.Methods Twenty one cases with the intracranial branch of anomaly vertebral artery were comfirmed by MRA.The anomaly types and MRA features,as well as the clincal symptoms were retrospeetively analyzed.Results MRA features of the intracranial branch of vertebral artery in one sides were as follows:Hypoplasia(n=7),Obliteration of some paragraphes(n=2),Sclerosis or increased tortuous and dilatation(n=9);brain stem compressed by the sclerotic vessel (n=3),angioma(n=3).All paticnts had dysfunction of cranionerves of brain stem in different degree and form.Conclusion MRA was a ideal and no tranmatic method to show the anomaly of the intracranial branch of vertebral artery

BACKGROUND:Vertebroplasty system has been proved to be effective for osteoporotic vertebral compressive fracture (OVCF); however, bone cement leakage-related complications occur frequently. Thereafter, high-viscosity bone cement system with high safety and efficacy is developed, but there is stil a lack of large-scale and high quality research. OBJECTIVE:To systematicaly review the efficacy and safety of high viscosityversus common bone cement systems for OVCF. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CqVip and WanFang databases were searched to colect the literatures about randomized controled trials (RCTs) or clinical controled trials (CCTs) of high viscosityversus common bone cement systems for OVCF published before January 2016. The quality assessment of included literatures and data extraction were performed by two researchers independently according to the Cochrane system. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5. 2 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Four RCTs and six CCTs were enroled. The results of Meta-analysis indicate that there were no significant differences in the volume of bone cement [MD=0.17, 95%CI(-0.04, 0.38)], visual analogue scale scores [RCT:MD=-0.30, 95%CI(-0.72, 0.11); CCT:MD=-0.05, 95%CI(-0.43, 0.32)] and incidence of second fractures [OR=1.77, 95%CI(0.24, 12.86)] between two bone cements. However, patients undergoing high viscosity bone cement system have significantly lower Oswestry disability index scores [MD=-2.99, 95%CI(-5.85,-0.13)], greater recovery of Cobb angle [MD=-3.19, 95%CI(-5.27,-1.10)] and lower incidence of cement leakage [OR=0.35, 95%CI(0.24, 0.51)]. High viscosity bone cement system in the treatment of OVCF shows good results at recovery of spinal structure and function and reducing leakage. Due to the limited quantity of included literature sand high heterogeneity, more large scale and high quality RCTs are stil needed for further verification.

ThisstudywasaimedtoobservetheinhibitoryeffectsofQi-Zhu (QZ)granulesonearlyproteinuria in diabetic nephropathy rats with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals. A total of 44 rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, Huang-Kui capsule group, QZ granules group. The rat model of diabetic nephropathy with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals was induced by the combination of unilateral renal artery ligation, diet of high-calorie and high cholesterol, and intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin. The medication was given for 8 weeks. The concentrations of protein and creatinine in urine were observed on the 4th week. The blood glucose, blood lipids, liver function and renal pathological changes were observed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that compared with the model group, QZ granules can obvious suppress early proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy, promote creatinine excretion, regulate blood lipid metabolism, protect liver function and improve renal pathological changes. It was concluded that QZ granules had independent inhibition effect on early proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy rats with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals. The effect was independent of lowing blood glucose. It represented the corresponding relation between the syndrome and efficacy in Chinese herb compounds.

ObjectivesTo study the relationship between the allele frequencies and genotype distribution of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) gene promoter polymorphisms in Chinese patients with heptocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to analyze the association of the serum levels and genotype of TGF-β1 with HCC.MethodsThe polymorphisms of TGF-β gene,including polymorphisms of TGF-[β1 gene -800G/A、-509C/T,were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)methods in 102 patients with HCC and 110 healthy controls,and the serum level of TGF-β1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsThe HCC group showed significantly higher serum levels of TGF-β1 than control group [(51.06 ± 9.74)μg/L,(22.12 ± 8.67 )μg/L,t=22.884, P＜0.01], The distributions of TGF-β gene -800G/A polymorphisms were not different significantly between HCC group and control group, but TGF-β1 -509C/T gene polymorphism was significantly different. The relative risk suffered from HCC of C allele was 1.822 times of the T allele (OR=1.822,95 ％CI:1.238-2.682,t=22.884,P＜0.01), the serum level of TGF-β1 T allele carriers was significantly higher than that of no carriers [(53.52:±:10.07)μg/L,(43.57±9.89)μ.g/L,t=3.898, P＜0.01]. ConclusionTGF-β1 gene -509C/T polymorphism is associated with HCC, and T allele may be a risk factor for HCC, in which the TGF-β1 T allele carriers may have increased risk by enhancing the TGF-β1 expression in the pathogenesis of HCC.

Objective To observe the influence of Huiyang Shengji Ointment and its modified formulae on interleukin-1 (IL-1α) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in diabetic rats with chronic skin ulcers, and explore the mechanism for promoting the healing of ulcer.Methods Six out of 160 rats were randomly selected as a blank group, without any further processing. The remaining rats were made diabetic model and randomly divided into five groups after 2 weeks:1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d and 14 d groups. Then, these groups were further divided into normal group (Vaseline ointments), model group (Vaseline ointments), Huiyang Shengji Ointment group (whole formula Ointment), Wenyang Yiqi group (Yiqi group, modified Wenyang Yiqi formula ointments) and Huoxue Shengji group (Huoxue group, modified Huoxue Shengji formula ointments). Normal group and model group were given Vaseline ointments;whole formula group, Yiqi group and Huoxue group were given corresponding ointment. Normal group used the method of skin excision, while other groups used STZ injection-hydrocortisone interference-skin excision-foreign body embedded preparation of composite factors for chronic skin ulcer model. After the appropriate treatment period, the rats were executed and tested for the contents of IL-1α and TXB2 in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of five time points.Results In treatment 3 d, the contents of IL-1α in Yiqi group were significantly higher than the blank group, model group, whole formula group and Huoxue group (P<0.05). In treatment 5 d, the contents of IL-1α in whole formula group were significantly higher than the blank group and model group (P<0.05). In treatment 7 d, the contents of IL-1α in each treatment group were significantly higher than blank group and model group (P<0.05), and the whole formula group was higher than the Yiqi group and Huoxue group. In treatment 14 d, the contents of IL-1α in model group and Huoxue group were lower than the blank group (P<0.05). In treatment 3 d, the contents of TXB2 in normal group and the whole formula group were higher than the blank group (P<0.05). In treatment 5 d, the contents of TXB2 in whole formula group were higher than the blank group and the normal group (P<0.05). In treatment 7 d, the contents of TXB2 in Yiqi group were higher than the blank, the model, the whole formula and Huoxue groups (P<0.05). In treatment 14 d, the contents of TXB2 in Huoxue group were higher than the blank and model group (P<0.05), and the contents of TXB2 in the blank group and normal group was lower than those treatment groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Huiyang Shengji Ointment and its modified formulae could promote inflammation, stimulate secretion of inflammatory cytokines, while Yiqi Wenyang ointments played a more active role in promoting inflammation of the early phase of wound surface.

OBJECTIVETo provide reference material for the adaptation of the study on Chinese phytomedicine to the global research and development of phytomedicine.

METHODBased on research experiences, some problems, such as resources, quality and effective components of Chinese phytomedicine, were discussed, and some suggestions were put forward.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONFacing the opportunity brought by the global research and development of phytomedicine, it is essential to solve several main problems for the global recognition of Chinese phytomedicine.

Agriculture ; standards ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

AIM: To investigate the genes differential expression in cortex during rat focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: cDNA microarray chips containing numerous cDNAs were used to investigate the gene expression pattern between samples of focal cerebral ischemia and sham-control operation rats. RESULTS: Two hundred and eleven genes differentially expressed were screened out, among these genes, up-and down-regulated genes were 199 and 12, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of gene expression pattern of focal cerebral ischemia based on cDNA microarray can realize high-throughput screening of the genes associated with the focal cerebral ischemia. The differential expression of genes may be related to the pathogenesis of focal cerebral ischemic diseases.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of nano-particle albumin bound paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with advanced and relapsed cervical cancer.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Among the cervical cancer patients who were diagnosed and treated in Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University from January 2013 to January 2018, 52 advanced and relapsed cases were selected as the research objects. The chemotherapy protocol of nano-particle albumin bound paclitaxel and cisplatin was used, and the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy were analyzed.Results:The total objective remission rate of 52 patients with advanced or relapsed cervical cancer was 67.3% (35/52), the disease control rate was 88.5% (46/52), and the progression-free survival time was (11.7±3.6) months. The objective remission rate in patients who had received radiotherapy and with a time interval of > 12 months since their last chemotherapy was higher than that in patients who had not received radiotherapy and with a time interval of ≤ 12 months since their last chemotherapy [76.9% (30/39) vs. 46.2% (6/13), χ2 = 4.333, P = 0.037; 78.9% (15/19) vs. 43.8% (7/16), χ2 = 4.609, P = 0.032]. Late stage, relapse, whether received radiotherapy, whether received chemotherapy and the time from the previous chemotherapy had no effect on the disease control rate (all P > 0.05). The progression-free survival time in patients who underwent radiotherapy and with a time interval of > 12 months since their last chemotherapy was longer than that in patients who had not received radiotherapy and with a time interval of ≤12 months since their last chemotherapy [(13.0±4.4) months vs.(8.7±2.9) months, t = 3.029, P = 0.004; (12.8±3.1) months vs. (9.6±4.0) months, t = 2.665, P = 0.012]. The highest incidence rates of adverse reactions were myelosuppression (82.7%, 43/52) and gastrointestinal reaction (65.4%, 34/52), and the most common grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ adverse reaction was myelosuppression (20 cases). Conclusion:The efficacy and safety of nano-particle albumin bound paclitaxel combined with cisplatin in the treatment of advanced and relapsed cervical cancer are reliable.

There is a great need for new vaccine development against influenza A viruses due to the drawbacks of traditional vaccines that are mainly prepared using embryonated eggs. The main component of the current split influenza A virus vaccine is viral hemagglutinin (HA) which induces a strong antibody-mediated immune response. To develop a modern vaccine against influenza A viruses, the current research has been focused on the universal vaccines targeting viral M2, NP and HA proteins. Crystallographic studies have shown that HA forms a trimer embedded on the viral envelope surface, and each monomer consists of a globular head (HA1) and a "rod-like" stalk region (HA2), the latter being more conserved among different HA subtypes and being the primary target for universal vaccines. In this study, we rationally designed the HA head based on the crystal structure of the 2009-pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus HA as a model, tested its immunogenicity in mice, solved its crystal structure and further examined its immunological characteristics. The results show that the HA globular head can be easily prepared by in vitro refolding in an E. coli expression system, which maintains its intact structure and allows for the stimulation of a strong immune response. Together with recent reports on some similar HA globular head preparations we conclude that structure-based rational design of the HA globular head can be used for subtype-specific vaccines against influenza viruses.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Drug Design ; Female ; Freund's Adjuvant ; administration & dosage ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis ; Influenza, Human ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Folding ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Subunit ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis

Avian influenza A virus continues to pose a global threat with occasional H5N1 human infections, which is emphasized by a recent severe human infection caused by avian-origin H7N9 in China. Luckily these viruses do not transmit efficiently in human populations. With a few amino acid substitutions of the hemagglutinin H5 protein in the laboratory, two H5 mutants have been shown to obtain an air-borne transmission in a mammalian ferret model. Here in this study one of the mutant H5 proteins developed by Kawaoka's group (VN1203mut) was expressed in a baculovirus system and its receptor-binding properties were assessed. We herein show that the VN1203mut had a dramatically reduced binding affinity for the avian α2,3-linkage receptor compared to wild type but showed no detectable increase in affinity for the human α2,6-linkage receptor, using Surface Plasmon Resonance techonology. Further, the crystal structures of the VN1203mut and its complexes with either human or avian receptors demonstrate that the VN1203mut binds the human receptor in the same binding manner (cis conformation) as seen for the HAs of previously reported 1957 and 1968 pandemic influenza viruses. Our receptor binding and crystallographic data shown here further confirm that the ability to bind the avian receptor has to decrease for a higher human receptor binding affinity. As the Q226L substitution is shown important for obtaining human receptor binding, we suspect that the newly emerged H7N9 binds human receptor as H7 has a Q226L substitution.
Air Microbiology ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Glycosylation ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; chemistry ; Models, Molecular ; Mutant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Stability ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Solubility ; Surface Plasmon Resonance ; Temperature