AIM: To detect the role of cyclic nucleotides in the alleviation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in chronic hypoxic animals. METHODS: The intracellular cAMP and cGMP of the cultured porcine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and endothelial cells (PAEC) were assayed by RIA. The length of single PASMC during acute hypoxia was measured by imaging analysis system. RESULTS: The basal levels of cAMP and cGMP in PASMC and cGMP in PAEC of Chronic hypoxic groups decreased remarkably compared with normoxic groups ( P

Objective To explore the effects of melatonin (MT) on the expression of interleukin (IL)-10,interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 as well as the inflammatory reaction and nerve repair after acute spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods One hundred and eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a spinal cord injury group (group A),an MT treatment group (group B) and a sham operation group (group C),each with 36 rats.SCI models were established in the rats of groups A and B using a version of Allen's weight drop method (50gcf at the T12 level).Group C had removal of the lamina only.Ten minutes later,group A was injected with 5％ ethanol in saline (the MT solvent) and group B with 100 mg/kg of melatonin preparation.At 6,12,18 and 24 hours,IL-6,IL-8 and IL-10 levels in serum were detected in 6 rats of each group.At 18 hours post-surgery,spinal cord specimens were taken from 6 rats of each group for hematoxylin eosin staining,morphological examination and immunohistochemical SP detection of IL-10 expression.Results The specimens of group A showed inflammatory reaction and ulceration at 48 h; groups B and C had no ulcers.Group B showed the highest levels of IL-10 in serum and IL-10 mRNA in the spinal cord,while group C showed the lowest level.The differences were statistically significant.Group A had the highest levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and group C had the lowest.The difference between group B and groups A and C was significant.The morpho-logical observation showed that after melatonin treatment the IL-10 levels in the spinal cord's central canal and around the gray matter improved.Conclusions Melatonin can improve nerve lipid peroxidation and inflammatory reaction in the treatment of spinal cord injury by increasing IL-10 expression and inhibiting IL-6 and IL-8 expression.

Objective To assess the clinical value of three dimensional dynamic contrast enhanced MR angiography (3D DCE MRA) in the detection for intracranial aneurysm. Methods 3D DCE MRA was performed in 54 patients highly suspected with intracranial aneurysms. Then conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and feasible endovascular treatment were performed simultaneously. A three dimensional fast imaging with steady state precession (3D FISP) was used for 3D DCE MRA(Gd DTPA dose, 0.2 mmol per kilogram for body weight; acquisition time, 10 seconds). The source images were subtracted from mask images and transferred to computer workstation. All images were subsequently post processed using three dimensional reconstruction. 3D DCE MRA images and DSA images were compared for demonstration of the aneurysm, its neck, and relationship with parent artery, and the usefulness for endovascular treatment was evaluated. Results There were 39 cases with 45 intracranial aneurysms. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D DCE MRA were 96%, 73%, and 90%, respectively. Aneurysm and its neck depiction at 3D DCE MRA was significantly better than that at DSA, especially for aneurysms adjacent to the cavernous sinus and near the PICA of vertebral artery. 3D DCE MRA could guide neurosurgeons to the desired DSA projection, and helped them make plan for interventional or surgical treatment in advance. But the diagnosis should be very carefully made for small aneurysms located in the periphery and the arterial bifurcation. Conclusion 3D DCE MRA is a fast, noninvasive and efficient technique for diagnosing intracranial aneurysms. Its three dimensional information is helpful for DSA demonstration and treatment planning. Any uncertain diagnosis requires DSA confirmation.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI)in the classification of hepatic fibrosis. Methods Thirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups:the hepatic fibrosis group(n=28)and the control group(n=7). The rats in hepatic fibrosis group were randomly divided into 4 subgroups and seven rats per group, the rats were administrated 50％ CCl4 intraperitoneally twice a week to establish hepatic fibrosis , and the four subgroups were injected 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively. The rats in the control group were administrated same dose of olive oil for 8 weeks. One rat in hepatic fibrosis group was died of liver failure in the 7th week, and a total of 27 fibrosis experimental rats and 7 control rats were finally included in this study. DKI was performed at the end of the injection period for all rats, the apparent diffusion(D)and kurtosis(K)values were evaluated. Rats were sacrificed immediately after MRI scan and liver specimens were collected. The liver tissues were examined by pathology, liver fibrosis degree, which was graded from S0 to S4, and inflammatory activity, which was graded from G0 to G3 were graded. The difference of D value and K value between different liver fibrosis and inflammatory activity scores was compared by one-way ANOVA(normal distribution)or Kruskal-Wallis test(skewed distribution). Spearman correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to reveal the correlation between DKI parameters and fibrosis staging/necroinflammatory activity grade. To confirm the efficiency of using the ROC curve of DKI parameters to qualify the liver fibrosis grade, which grade was≥3. Results Seven, 6, 6, 7, 8 rats were diagnosed as S0 to S4, respectively. The difference of D value and K value among different fibrosis grades was statistically significant(P<0.05). D value and the degree of fibrosis was negatively correlated(r=-0.650, P<0.01);K value and liver fibrosis grade no correlation(r=0.336, P=0.080). Thirteen, 6, 8, 7 rats were diagnosed as G0 to G3, respectively. D value was negatively correlated with inflammatory activity(r=-0.590, P=0.001);K value was no correlation with inflammatory activity(r=0.169, P=0.389). Compared with inflammatory activity, fibrosis classification was an independent factor in determining D values(P=0.001). ROC analyses demonstrated an area under the curve(AUC)of D value, K value, D value combined with K value in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis grading ≥ 3 level were 0.781, 0.672 and 0.833, respectlively. The sensitivity and specificity of D value combined with K value were 83.3％ and 75.0％, respectively. Conclusion DKI imaging is of great value in the classification of hepatic fibrosis and can be used as an effective method for the diagnosis of fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo summary the characteristics of cervicothoracic junction (C7T1) fracture-dislocation,and explore the surgical treatment of combined anterior-posterior procedure.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to March 2010,8 cases of cervicothoracic junction (C7T1) fracture-dislocation were treated by stage I operation through anterior and posterior approacheg, supplemented by non-structural bone graft. All patients were male with a mean age of 45.0 years old ranging from 32 to 68 years. Six cases were diagnosed clearly by CT scan but with normal cervical spine X-ray film at admission. According to AO classification, 4 cases were of type B, 4 cases of type C, with unilateral locked articular process in 2 cases, bilateral in 2 cases. Preoperative MRI showed intervertebral disc injury in 6 cases.

RESULTSThe average operation time was 246.3 min ranging from 150 to 320 min. The blood loss was with an average of 307.5 ml (150 to 600 ml). One patient got hoarseness but recovered without special treatment 6 months later; No other complications happened. One patient of preoperative Frankel grade A died, the remaining patients were followed up from 12 to 63 months (38.6 months in average). These fracture-dislocations were completely reduction after operation, healed with bony union 12 months later, and no pseudoarthrosis. The function of the spinal cord improved obviously at the final follow-up, 1 patient of preoperative grade A had died,and the spinal cord function of the other one had no significant changes,the 2 cases of grade B recovered to C and D respectively, 1case recovered from grade C to D, and 3 case recovered from D to E.

CONCLUSIONCervicothoracic junction (C7T1) fracture-dislocation is a rare clinical spine trauma, and missed easily. The CT is a necessary complement to these patients highly suspected C7T1 fracture-dislocation but with negative cervical spine X-ray film. The patients diagnosed clearly could receive stage I operation of anterior and posterior approaches, supplemented with non-structural bone graft.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To evaluate the value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced angiography (3D CE MRA) and MRI in the diagnosis and delineation of cerebral arteriovenous malformation(AVM). Methods Twenty-two cases of cerebral AVM examined by MRI and 3D CE,MRA.DSA was performed in 17 cases.A three-dimensional fast low angle shot (3D FLASH) was used for 3D CE MRA with Gd-DTPA dosage of 0.2 mmol per kilogram for body weight.The source images were subtracted from mask images and transferred to computer workstation using three-dimensional reconstruction.Results Among 22 cases, 19 showed typical AVM“flow void”signal on MR images.3D CE MRA clearly displayed the nidus,feeding artery and draining vein.All of the foci were above the cerebellum tentorium.13 located within one lobe, 3 exceeded one lobe and 3 situated in the deep of cerebrum.Feeding arteries were derived from single artery in 9 cases,and mixed supply in 10 cases.Draining veins diverted to sagittal sinus and/or sigmoid sinus in 6,deep cerebral veins in 8 and mixed in 5.In the 14 cases examined by both DSA and 3D CE MRA,3D CE MRA was superior to DSA in three-dimensional demonstration of the nidus,but inferior to DSA in demonstration of some details.3D CE MRA depicted 78.4% feeding arteries and 84.0% draining veins in addition,tiny pathologic blood vessels smaller than 1 centimeter were detected by DSA,but could not be found by 3D CE MRA and were only shown as hemorrhage lesions on MR images in 3 cases.Conclusion As a non-invasive technique,3D CE MRA combined with MRI is accurate in diagnosis and localization of cerebral AVM,and should be used as the first choice for those clinically suspected of AVM.But DSA remains needed for demonstration of details and tiny AVM.

The excipient processing is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and understanding its scientific connotations is a critical scientific issue that urgently needs resolution. Building upon a foundation where the composition of traditional Chinese medicine substances is fundamentally clear, this paper applies the techniques and methods of chemoinformatics to the study of the excipient processing mechanism. Relevant information on traditional Chinese medicines processed with four kinds of excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) was collected, including properties, taste, meridian tropism, chemical components, etc. Molecular descritors and skeletons corresponding to each chemical component were calculated using chemoinformatics to characterize the properties and structural features of the components. Characteristic components associated with the four excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) were explored through multivariate statistical analysis and Murcko skeleton analysis. Further analysis, taking honey-processed Astragali Radix as an example, the focus was on the impact of the processing excipient honey on the solubility and permeability of its characteristic pharmacologically active components (isoflavones). It was discovered that the excipient honey can increase their solubility and permeability, emphasizing that the impact of processing excipients on the pharmacological classification properties is a key breakthrough in elucidating the mechanism of excipient processing. In summary, this study analyzed the characteristic components associated with the processing excipients "wine, vinegar, salt and honey" based on their composition characteristics, providing data support for the research on the mechanism of excipient processing from a biopharmaceutical perspective.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the mid-term effectiveness of Coflex non-fusion internal fixation treatment of degenerative lumbar disease.

METHODSFrom October 2008 to December 2010, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 39 patients (29 males and 10 females) diagnosed as degenerative lumbar disease and treated with Coflex interspinous dynamic device, who had been followed up for 1 year at least, the average age was 45.5 years (range, 23 - 67 years). The results were assessed by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores and SF-36 scores; and the range of mobility (ROM), intervertebral disc height of the responsible and adjacent segments were measured on X-film before the operation and at last follow-up. Observed the therapeutic effect of the patients and compared the effect on the patients of different body mass index (BMI) and different age by the One-way analysis of variance and paired t test.

RESULTSThe 39 patients were followed up for 30.9 months (range, 12 - 37 months). At the last follow-up, JOA, ODI, VAS and SF-36 scores were improved by 70% ± 12%, 54% ± 12%, 77% ± 10% and 51% ± 9%, and were statistically significant (t = -33.289, 26.448, 26.596 and -20.772, P = 0.00). Patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) had lower improvement rates in the scores than those with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (F = 10.561, 5.850, 5.651 and 6.519, P < 0.05). The patients were 50 years older or younger couldn't affected the improvement rates in the scores statistically (P > 0.05). There were no significant difference in remaining disc height (P > 0.05), except that the intervertebral disc height of L4-5 increased slightly compared with the preoperative (t = -2.819, P = 0.008). In addition to the ROM of L3-4, L5-S1 and L1-S1 were not significantly different from the preoperative(P > 0.05), the ROM of L4-5 were decreased (t = 12.598, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe mid-term effectiveness of Coflex non-fusion interspinous fixation in treatment of degenerative lumbar disease is worthy of recognition, and Coflex combined with Isobar has advantages in the treatment of multi-segment degenerative lumbar disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect of oral solution of Niao Du Kang (尿毒康) on acute renal tubular necrosis (ATN) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats,and preliminarily approach its mechanisms.Methods The oral solution was composed of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (大黄),Radix Sanguisorbae Offieinalis (地榆),Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (丹参), Radix Astragali seu Hedysari (黄芪),Flos Carthami Tinctorii (红花) and so on.Sixty-four SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group,ATN model group,verapamil treatment group and traditional Chinese medicine,oral solution of Niao Du Kang treatment group,every group having 16 rats.. The ATN model of SD rats was induced by intramuscular injection of 50% glycerin mixed with isotonic saline solution at the back of bilateral lower extremities.After the model was established in each group ,the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN),levels of blood serum creatinine (SCr),renal failure index (RFI) and renal pathological changes were detected at different time points after modeling for 12 and 24 hours,and the therapeutic effect of oral solution of Niao Du Kang was observed.Results After the model establishment, Niao Du Kang oral solution could lower the elevation of blood BUN,SCr,RFI in the model,and compared with the normal control group,there were statistical significances (all P

Aged ; Castleman Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Plasma Cells ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed