With advances in complex network theory, the thinking and methods regarding complex systems have changed revolutionarily. Network biology and network pharmacology were built by applying network-based approaches in biomedical research. The cardiovascular system may be regarded as a complex network, and cardiovascular diseases may be taken as the damage of structure and function of the cardiovascular network. Although Chinese medicine (CM) is effective in treating cardiovascular diseases, its mechanisms are still unclear. With the guidance of complex network theory, network biology and network pharmacology, network-based approaches could be used in the study of CM in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. A new discipline-network cardiovasology of CM was, therefore, developed. In this paper, complex network theory, network biology and network pharmacology were introduced and the connotation of "disease-syndrome-formula-herb" was illustrated from the network angle. Network biology could be used to analyze cardiovascular diseases and syndromes and network pharmacology could be used to analyze CM formulas and herbs. The "network-network"-based approaches could provide a new view for elucidating the mechanisms of CM treatment.

Purpose: To study the expression of VEGF, VEGF-C, fit-4 in breast cancer and its relationship with lymph node metastasis and explore the significance of lymphangiogenesis on metastasis via lymphtics. Methods: Paraffin-embedded specimens from 82 patients with primary breast cancer who had undergone radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection were studied. VEGF, VEGF-C, flt-4 expression were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Positive staining for VEGF, VEGF-C, flt-4 were observed in some breast cancer cells. Furthermore, the expression of VEGF-C, flt-4 were significantly higher in lymph node-positive group than in node-negative group. Correlation was found within the expression of VEGF-C, flt4 also. Conclusions: Clinical significance was found between VEGF-C, flt-4 expression and lymph-node metastasis in breast cancer, and may be involved in the metastatic process.

Aged ; Castleman Disease ; complications ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; virology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; complications ; Male

Adult ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications

Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; diagnosis ; therapy

Acute Disease ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Toluidines ; poisoning ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of levofloxacin on QT correction dispersion(QTcd) interval in elderly patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of COPD(AECOPD).METHODS Totally 124 patients received IV levofloxacin(500 mg qd) for 10-14 days.Evaluations included of 12-lead ECGs at baseline and blood examination before treatment,day 5 and after treatment.RESULTS QT correction(QTc) interval was no significant changes,but the QTcd interval was with significant prolongation.CONCLUSIONS IV levofloxacin could not cause QTc interval prolongation,but could make QTcd interval prolongation,which is a potential risk of arrhythmia in elderly patients with AECOPD.

0.05).CONCLUSIONS Levofloxacin 500mg orally administered is effective in the treatment of acute suppurative tonsillitis.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of Gitelman syndrome in children and the difference between Gitelman syndrome and Bartter syndrome.Methods Clinical date,biochemical tests and therapy of 6 patients diagnosed as Gitelman syndrome in Beijing children′s hospital from Mar.to Dec.2006 were retrospectively analyzed.At the same time,the relative articies of Gitelman syndrome and Bartter syndrome were reviewed.Results The symptoms of 6 patients appeared early.The age of onset of Gitelman syndrome at infancy stage,the main complains were growth delay,weakness,tetany.All patients had normal blood pressure.The biochemical tests showed hypocalemic,hypomagnesium,alkalosis and hyperreninemia.But the concentration of aldosterone was normal or little higher.The manifestations of all patients were relieved after taking both potassium and magnesium.Conclusion Gitelman syndrom and Bartter syndrome have differences at clinical syndrome and machanism of onset.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide ( TA ) for the treatment of macular edema caused by pre-retinal membrane of the macular.
METHODS: Totally 23 patients ( 24 eyes ) with macular edema caused by pre-retinal membrane of the macular were treated withintravitreal injection of 4mg TA. Best-corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , intraocular pressure ( IOP ) , slit - lamp examination, fundus fluorescein angiography ( FFA ) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed before and after treatment. The SPSS 12. 0 software was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: After 10, 30, 90d of treatment of TA, as compared with before treatment, visual acuity improved significantly ( P<0. 05 ), and central macular thickness (CMT) was significantly thinner (P<0. 01). The average central macular thickness decreased from 522 ± 126μm before treatment to 264±115μm, 245±128μm, 286±131μm at 10, 30, 90d after treatment. Macular edema reduced. IOP increased in 7 eyes ( 29%) , one cataract case, no other complications associated with vitreous injection.
CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of TA in the treatment of macular edema caused by pre - retinal membrane of the macular is simple, safe and easy to operate. It can quickly reduce macular edema, and improve the visual acuity in the short term. Part of patients may recur after injection in the first half of the year.