Dioscin, a typical saponin, is widely present in the family of Dioscoreaceae, Liliaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Rosaceae, especially in Dioscoreaceae, including Discorea nipponica Makino, Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright and Dioscorea panthaica Prain et Burkill. Traditional Chinese medicine reported that dioscin plays a role in expectorant, relaxing the muscles and stimulating the blood circulation, aiding digestion and diuresis. With the development of science and technology in recent years, some new extraction and separation techniques and methods have been applied to the study of dioscin, and more and more pharmacological effects were found. Modern pharmacology studies have confirmed that dioscin had some activities on desensitization, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, anti-tumor, hepatoprotection and anti-viral. After oral administration, dioscin is metabolized to diosgenin, which is the true active ingredient and is an important raw material to synthesize steroid hormone drugs. Therefore, the studies on dioscin are valueable and promising. In this review, we make a summary on the researches of dioscin including the extraction technology, separation and prepara- tion, chemical synthesis, drug metabolism, determination and pharmacological researches.
Animals ; Biological Products ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Diosgenin ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacology

This study established a finite element (FE) model of human body head (HBM-head) in accordance with human head anatomy.The anatomical structure of HBM-head was described in detail,primarily consisting of scalp,skull,dura mater,cerebrospinal fluid,pia mater,cerebrum,cerebellum,ventricle,brain stem,falx,and tentorium.The kinematic and kinetic responses,as well as the intracranial pressure distribution of the head model were compared with the data from the cadaveric impact tests to validate the head FE model.Experimental results confirmed that the head FE model had good biofidelity and could be used to study head-brain trauma in vehicle collisions and the underlying injury mechanisms.

Objective To investigate the value of prostate-bladder angle (PBA) measured by MRI in the diagnosis of benign prostate obstruction (BPO). Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out on 87 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients referred for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) between March 2009 and November 2009. PBA was measured by MRI and urodynamic parameter Qmax was measured as well. With the diagnostic criteria of BPO as Qmax＜10 ml/s, the patients were divided into two groups: obstruction group and non-obstruction group. PBA was compared between these two groups. The sensitivity and the specificity of PBA in diagnosing BPO were also analyzed. Results The age range of the patients was 57-90 years with a median age 73 years; Qmax was 2.325.4 ml/s with median Qmax 7.9 ml/s; PBA was 4°-52° with median PBA 27°. There were 25 patients in the non-obstruction group with PBA between 4°- 21°(13°); in the obstruction group,there were 62 patients with PBA between 15°- 52°(34°). PBA was found statistically different between the obstruction and non-obstruction group (P＜0.01). With the cutoff at PBA≥20°for the diagnosis of BPO, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis were 90. 3 % (56/62)and 96.0% (24/25), respectively. Conclusion PBA measured by MRI is valuable and can be used as a new non-invasive parameter in the diagnosis of BPO.

Aim To study the effects of Meloxicam gel(Mel G)on AA in rats,and the relationship between therapeutic effects and Mel G in tissue or serum. Methods The model of AA was induced by intradermal injection of Freunds complete adjuvant(FCA) in rats,the effects(hindpaw swelling volume)of Mel G on AA rats were observed following Mel G tc. A high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)method with ultraviolet detection was set up to determine the concentration of Mel in serum and local tissue. Results Mel G significantly inhibited secondary inflammation of AA rats. The concentration of Mel G was lower in serum and higher in local tissue than that of Mel tablets. A significant linear correlation in a negative manner existed between local tissue concentration of Mel G and hindpaw swelling volume. Conclusion Therapeutic effects of Mel G on AA in rats were associated with higher tissue concentration of Mel G.

AIM To establish the hyperlipidemia and hyperlipidemic fatty liver animal model.METHODS 30 SD rats were randomized into control group (n=10)and model group(n=20).The rats of model group were fed with a standard diet and fat emulsion( 10 ml?kg -1);while the rats of control group were only fed with a standard diet.The serum TG,TC,ALT,AST,MDA,SOD and hepatic TG,TC,MDA,SOD were detected dynamically and with histologically.RESULTS The model group developed hyperlipidemia which TG and TC were elevated significantly after 1 week. 10 rats which were selected randomly in the model group were killed and the serum and liver were obtained after 2 weeks. The serum TG,TC,ALT and hepatic MDA of the model group rats were higher than the control's,while the hepatic SOD were lower. At the same time,the light degree hepatic steatosis of 2 rats were induced.The third week,both control group and model rats(n=10) were killed and the serum and the liver were obtained. Compared with the control group, the serum TG,TC,ALT,AST,MDA?SOD and hepatic TG,MDA of the model group rats were markedly higher, while the serum SOD and the hepatic SOD were significantly lower.The histopathology research showed hepatocellular macrovesicular steatosis and hepatitis in the model group. CONCLUSINOS The experimental animal model of hyperlipidemia and hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats were successfully established for 1 week and 3 weeks fed with fat emulsion.

OBJECTIVETo research the clinical application of lower cervical pedicle screw fixation procedure.

METHODSFrom September 2011 to July 2013,32 patients underwent posterior pedicle screw-rod system fixation were retrospective analyzed includinig 20 males and 12 females with an average age of 56.4 years old ranging from 21 to 78 years. Among them, 10 patients were traumatic cervical spinal injury, 9 patients were cervical spinal canal tumors, 7 cases were posterior longitudinal ligament ossification of cervical vertebrae, 6 cases were multiple segmental cervical spondylopathy. Preoperatively, X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography of the vertebral artery were performed in all patients. After the operation and during the follow-up,X-ray and computed tomography were performed to confirm the pedicle screw position. The accuracy of the pedicle screw placement was evaluated by 4 grades classification from Lee. The spinal cord function was assessed by ASIA impairment scale for traumatic patients and JOA score for non traumatic patients.

RESULTSTotally 144 pedicle screws performed on 32 patients from C3 to C7 involving 132 screws of grade 0,5 screws of grade 1,5 of screws grade 2 and 2 screws of grade 3 according to postoperative CT. There were 12 screws penetrating the pedicle cortex including 8 screws at lateral,2 screws at caudal, 1 screw at medial and 1 screw at cranial. The follow-up time was 12 to 33 months with an average of (21.0±1.5) months. The spinal cord function was not improved in 6 complete cervical spinal cord injury patients,but their paraplegic level descended 1 to 3 segments. Four incomplete cervical spinal cord injury patients' ASIA impairment scale was increased by 1 to 2 grades in average. The JOA score of 22 atraumatic patients increased from preoperative 11.5±0.8 to 15.9±0.6 of postoperative at 6 months (P<0.01). There were no screw loosening,screw pullout and screw-rod breakage.

CONCLUSIONThe lower cervical pedicle screw fixation can provide excellent 3D stability of the vertebral column. The operation risk and Complication could be minimized by adequate preoperative evaluation for appropriate cases and individual pedicle screw placement. It deserved the clinical expansion.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery

Recently a great number of new immunodepressants have emerged due to the side effects of steroids.Therefore,relatively more perfect steroid withdrawl regimens have been studied by many researchers at home and abroad.This article reviews the course of steroid withdrawal in liver transplantation,introduces and compares different protocols of steroid withdrawal.

Animals ; Aquaporin 4 ; metabolism ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; physiopathology ; Brain Edema ; physiopathology ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Capillary Permeability ; physiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Objective to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of different surgical treatments for adrenal metastasis after previous radical ne-phrectomy for patients with renal cell carcinoma. Methods A total of 18 adrenal solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma were identified from da-tabase of two institutions between 2003 and 2013. Clinical and pathologic data were collected and analyzed. Results Of 9 patients who had ipsilater-al metastasis of the renal tumor,the estimated blood loss were obviously fewer in the transperitoneal LA group. Of 9 cases who had contralateral me-tastasis of the renal tumor,the fasting time[(1.4±0.8)h vs(4.0±1.4)h,P = 0.036]and length of hospital stay[(4.5±1.2)d vs(7.0±4.5)d,P =0.041]were obviously fewer in the retroperitoneal LA group. the averages of the fasting time and length of hospital stay in the retroperitoneal LA group were obviously smaller than in the transperitoneal LA group. Conclusion LA for treatment of renal cell carcinoma metastasis is technically feasible in selected patients. transperitoneal and retroperitoneal LA can be respectively recommended as an appropriate approach for isolated adrenal metastases of ipsilateral and contralateral renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy.

Objective To investigate whether recombinant human endostatin can create a time window of vascular normalization prior to vascular pruning to alleviate hypoxia in Lewis lung carcinoma in mice. Methods Kinetic changes in morphology of tumor vasculature in response to recombinant human endostatin were detected under a confocal microscope with immunofluorescent staining in Lewis lung carcinomas in mice. The hypoxic cell fraction of different time was assessed with immunohistochemical staining . Effects on tumor growth were monitored as indicated in the growth curve of tumors . Results Compared with the control group vascularity of the tumors was reduced over time by recombinant human endostatin treatment and significantly regressed for 9 days. During the treatment, pericyte coverage increased at day 3, increased markedly at day 5, and fell again at day 7. The vascular basement membrane was thin and closely associated with endothelial cells after recombinant human endostatin treatment, but appeared thickened, loosely associated with endothelial cells in control tumors. The decrease in hypoxic cell fraction at day 5 after treatment was also found. Tumor growth was not accelerated 5 days after recombinant human endostatin treatment. Conclusions Recombinant human endostatin can normalize tumor vasculature within day 3 to 7, leading to improved tumor oxygenation. The results provide important experimental basis for combining recombinant human endostatin with radiation therapy in human tumors.