Objective To discuss the safety and efficacy of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine adhesions (IUA). Methods Clinical data of 108 patients who had been treated by transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA) under B-ultrasound and/or laparoscopic monitoring from January 1998 to August 2002 in this center were reviewed. Results Intraoperative B-ultrasound monitoring was used in 59 cases and B-ultrasound combined with laparoscopic monitoring was used in 49 cases. Complications occurred in 7 cases (3 cases of hemorrhage and 4 cases of uterine perforation) and were cured after proper treatment. Follow-up checkups in 84 cases showed a total effective rate of 82.1% (69/84). The effective rate in patients with a menorrhea, hypomenorrhea and irregular menstruation was 87.0% (40/46), in patients with infertility and habitual abortion was 42.9% (6/14), and in patients with abdominal pain and failing to remove IUD was 95.8% (23/24). Conclusions Diagnosis and treatment of IUA by hysteroscopy is microtraumatic and effective. B-ultrasound and/or laparoscopic monitoring is the key to the operation safety and success.

Objective: To investigate the stability of icariin, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside and hyperoside in Huangmai mixture.Methods: TLC was used to identify astrogaloside IV and Morindae officinalis Radix, and HPLC was used to determine the contents of icariin, 2,3,5,4'-retrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside and hyperoside.The stability of Huangmai mixture under the conditions of accelerated testing and long-term testing was assessed.Results: Astrogaloside IV, Morindae officinalis Radix and icariin showed good stability during the accelerated testing and long-term testing.The contents of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside and hyperoside declined quickly during the stability testing.Conclusion: Hyperoside and 2,3,5,4'-retrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside are unstable in Huangmai mixture.A novel solid dosage form of Huangmai should be developed to obtain better stability.

AIM To explore the radioprotective function of Xihuang Capsules (Bovis Calculus artijactus,Moschus,Olibanum,Myrrha) in patients with acute radiation-induced oral mucositis and its mechanisms.METHODS Eighty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergone radiotherapy were randomized into two groups:treatment group (radiation plus Xihuang Capsules) and control group (radiation alone).The comparison of two groups in the onset and the tolerated dose of mucositis was made according to the acute radiation injury classification standard.The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in saliva were detected by ELISA.RESULTS After the treatment with Xihuang Capsules,the onset of oral mucositis delayed significantly and the tolerated dose elevated markedly comparing with the control group (t =2.180,12.930,P ＜ 0.05).The morbidity rate of Ⅲ-N-degree of oral mucositis in the treatment group was lower than that of the control group at the dosage of 40 Gy and 70 Gy,respectively (Z =3.661,4.270,P ＜0.01).Furthermore,there was no difference in the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the pre-treatment in the two groups (t =1.010,1.469,P ＞ 0.05).With the increase in radiant dose,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the two groups both elevated dramatically,and peaked at the dose of 40 Gy,but both levels in the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (t =8.305,6.069,P ＜ 0.05).When DT =70 Gy,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were lower than pre-radiation,and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the treatment group were lower than those in the radiation alone group (t =3.835,2.488,P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION Xihuang Capsules can delay and reduce acute radiation-induced oral mucositis and improve radiation tolerated dose,so it may involve the release of TNF-oα and IL-6 in saliva.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the quality control of Huangmai granules and provide reference for the qual-ity control. METHODS:TLC was conducted to identify the Leguminosae in Huangmai granules and HPLC was used to determine the contents of icariin,hyperin and stilbene glycoside in Huangmai granules. RESULTS:The spots on TLC plates were clear with good reproducibility. The results of HPLC showed that the linear range was 9.969-319.0 μg/ml(r=0.999 9) for icariin , 12.3-196.8 μg/ml(r=0.999 9)for hyperin and 12.64-202.2 μg/ml(r=0.999 8)for stilbene glycoside;RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were all no more than 2.92%;the average recoveries were respectively 95.44%(RSD=1.46%,n=6), 101.06%(RSD=1.90%,n=6)and 100.51%(RSD=1.73%,n=6). CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,reproducible,accu-rate and reliable,and can be used for the quality control of Huangmai granules.

Low frequency sensorineural deafness is a common subtype of idiopathic sudden deafness. Certain patients suffered recurrent attacks without vertigo, much alike Meniere's disease. Few of them developed into definite Meniere's disease during long-term follow-up in many clinical studies. Although the pathophysiology of recurrent low frequency deafness is yet unknown, the desease is considered associated with early state of endolymphatic hydrops or migraine. Otologists shall be aware of its clinical course and careful explanation is necessary at time of initial informed consent.
Endolymphatic Hydrops ; complications ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; complications ; diagnosis ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; Humans ; Meniere Disease ; complications ; Vertigo

Raw264.7 cells were incubated with receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone(α-MSH) for6 d.The amount of osteoclast cells were counted by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining and the acid phosphatase activity was assayed.The expressions of 5 melanocortin receptors (MCR) in Raw264.7 cells were determined by RT-PCR.The results showed that the number of osteoclasts in RANKL +α-MSH group was significantly increased compared with RANKL group (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no osteoclast formation in α-MSH group.Compared with control group and α-MSH group,the acid phosphatase activities were significantly increased in RANKL group and α-MSH+RANKL group (P＜0.05).All five MCRs were expressed in the Raw264.7 cells shown by RT-PCR.These results suggest that α-MSH may promote osteoclasts formation through RANK signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the characteristics of proinsulin secretion in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). Methods Fasting and 2 h sera in oral glucose tolerance test from 36 LADA patients, 37 type 2 diabetic patients and 43 healthy controls were collected to test glucose, proinsulin (PI) and C-peptide (CP) by radioimmune assay. Glutamie acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-Ab) were determined by radioligand assay.Results (1) Fasting proinsulin (FPI) and 2 h proinsulin (PPI) level in LADA patients were lower than those in type 2 diabetic patients (P<0.05), being both significantly inereasad compared with healthy controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01); The ratios of FPI/FCP and PPI/PCP (%) in LADA were beth significantly higer than those of type 2 diabetes mellitus and controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01); (2) LADA type-1 (GAD-Abe>0.3) patients showed lower PI levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01) and higher PI/CP ratio (all P<0.05) than LADA type-2 (0.05≤GAD-Ab<0.3); Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in above parameters between LADA type-2 and type 2 diabetes meUitus (P>0.05). (3) GAD-Ab index was negatively correlated with FPI and PPI in LADA group (r=-0.236 and-0.268, both P<0.05), and positively correlated with PPI/PCP (r=0.254, P=0.030).Meanwhile BMI was positively correlated with FPI, PPI and PI/CP in type 2 diabetes mellitus (all P<0.01). No factor entered the multiple regression analysis for predieting the hyperproinsulinemia and dispropriately elevated proinsulin levels in LADA patients. (4) According to the 99.5 th percentile of proinsulinemia in the healthy controls, which is defined as the cutoff point dispropriately elevated proinsulin levels, the proportion of subjects with fasting dispropriately elevated proinsulin levels (FPI/FCP) were 77.8%, 62.2% and 2.3% in LADA, type 2 diabetes meUitus and controls respectively, and PPI/PCP 83.3%, 51.4% and 2.3% respectively. Conclusion LADA patients, as well as type 2 diabetic patients, all showed hyperproinsulinemia and disproportionately elevated proiasulin levels that were one of characteristics of defective β-cell function. Moreover, disproportionately elevated nproinsulin level is more evident in LADA patients than that in type 2 diabetics and this may be related to humoral immunity.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of intercellular space diameters (ISD)of squamous epithelium by light microscopy (LM) in lower esophagus of erosive reflux esophagitis (ERD),non-erosive reflux disease ( NERD), Barrett esophagus (BE) and healthy controls. Methods A total of 21 ERD and 21 NERD patients with reflux symptoms and confirmed with 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, 13 BE patients diagnosed by gastroscopy and biopsy, and 20 other healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Samples of ERD, NERD and control group were collected at 2 cm above dentate line, and made HE slides in the conventional way. Images for measurement of ICS were acquired with oil lens ( × 1000). ICS of squamous epithelium was quantitatively measured by computer-assisted morphometry. Ten cells were taken for each sample, 10 consecutive ISD for each cell, i.e. 100 ISD for each subject. Mean ISD was calculated.Results Mean ISDs by LM in control, BE, ERD, and NERD groups were 0. 59, 0. 99, 1.29 and 1.06 μm, respectively. The mean ISDs in BE, ERD, and NERD group were much greater than that in control (P＜0. 05). The mean, maximal and minimal ISDs of group ERD were greater than those of NERD and BE (P = 0. 000). However, the ISDs of NERD and BE are of no significant difference ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). The cut-off value of mean ISD for diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) was 0. 85 μm. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for ERD, NERD and BE were 89. 1% and 100. 0%, with reference to clinical symptoms, endoscopy and ISDs above the cut-off value. Conclusion Larger ISDs in lower esophagus by using LM will be found in all subgroups of GERD, including ERD, NERD and BE. Increased ISDs may be one of the markers for diagnosis of ERD, NERD and BE.

Benzene ; poisoning ; Hazardous Substances ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control

Toxicology ; Translational Medical Research