OBJECTIVETo study the influence of different drying methods on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus and thus provide useful reference for its proper drying methods.

METHODSchisandrae Chinensis Fructus was processed by eight drying methods including vacuum freeze drying, natural drying in the shade, drying in the sun, oven drying and vacuum drying under different temperature. The contents of the functional ingredients includes chisandrin, gomisin D, gomisin J, schisandrol B, angeloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin Q, gomisin G, schisantherin A, deoxyschisandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrin C, 5-HMF, total aids and total sugars. The main components change after drying were analyzed by HPLC, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and potentiometric titration. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by SPSS software to evaluate the quality of different processed products from Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus.

RESULTAll these results are in accordance with the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia published in 2010, the contents of schisandrin and total eleven lignans were the highest using vacuum drying, and 5-HMF were the lower, oven drying made little difference but with lower schisandrin and higher 5-HMF as the heat increased.

CONCLUSIONDifferent drying methods have significant influence on the quality of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. Oven drying under 5°C should be adopted to substitute drying in the sun according to the China Pharmacopoeia published in 2010 for Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus by comprehensive analysis of the cost, content and practicality.

Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Temperature

Objective To explore the application of B-mode intra- and post-operative ultrasound in patients with traumatic brain injuries. Methods B-mode intra- and post-operative ultrasound were performed 35 times in 24 patients, including 7 times of intra-operation in 7 patients and 28 times of post-operation in 17 patients. Results During operation epidural hematomas in 3 cases as well as intracranial hematomas in 2 cases, subdural hematomas in 1 case, diffused brain swelling in 1 case were found. After operation epidural hematomas were examined in 4 cases as well as subdural hematomas in 1 case, delayed intracranial hematomas in 6 cases, scattered contusion and laceration of the brain in 12 cases, acute obstructive hydrocephalus in 1 case, and subdural hydroma in 4 cases. Six cases underwent operations again because of delayed hematomas, contusion and laceration of the brain. B-mode ultrasound was compared with CT scan and the total coincidence rate was 85.4%.Conclusions B-mode ultrasound is helpful to examine delayed hematomas and other emergent complications. It may save time and may improve rescue rate and has a good coincidence with CT scan. B-mode ultrasound may be widely used as a routine way in neurotrauma ICU.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of posterior decompression, internal fixation and interlaminar fusion for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture and collapse complicated with spinal canal encroachment. Methods A retrospective study was carried out in 27 cases of severe osteoporotic vertebral fractures complicated with spinal canal encroachment. The patients were treated with posterior decompression, internal fixation and interlaminar fusion during the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2014. All patients were given vertebral pedicle screw fixation after pedicle augmentation with bone cement. The pain scores of visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), Cobb angle , thoracolumbar Cobb angle and the recovery of neurological function(estimated by Frankel grading system) of the patients were compared beforeoperation, one week after operation and at the end of follow-up. The incidences of internal fixation failure, adjacent vertebral fracture and bone cement leakage also were recorded. Results The patients were followed up for an average of 27 months. The spinal canal occupation rate caused by fracture fragment of posterior vertebral wall was 27.41%~63.85%, with an average of(43.24 ± 10.61)%. Postoperative VAS pain scores, ODI, Cobb angle and thoracolumbar Cobb angle were statistically different from those before operation (P < 0.05). The correction rate for Cobb angle and thoracolumbar Cobb angle was (63.31 ± 23.47)%, (61.91 ± 17.54)%respectively. At the end of the follow-up, the correction loss rate for Cobb angle and the thoracolumbar Cobb angle was (15.38 ± 39.92)%, (21.79 ± 32.20)% respectively, the difference being insignificant compared with those one week after operation(P>0.05). In respect of Frankel grading of neurological function at the end of the follow-up, 6 cases were in grade D and 19 cases were in grade E, but the differences were insignificant compared with those before operation (P > 0.05). None of the patients had surgical site infection, screw looseness or breakage, or rod breakage during the follow-up period. There were 8 patients with asymptomatic bone cement leakage after operation. Vertebral compression fractures recurred in 5 patients, of which 2 had adjacent vertebral fractures and 3 had non -adjacent segment. Conclusion The therapy of posterior decompression, internal fixation and interlaminar fusion is effective for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture and collapse complicated with spinal canal encroachment by obviously relieving pain, improving the physiological function of the spine and stabilizing the spine.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Chinese herbal compound (CHC) on the expression of hepatocyte cytochrome P450IIE1 in rat model of alcoholic fatty liver (AFL).

METHODSThe AFL rats models were established by administering the drinking water with 40%(v/v) ethanol, and the changes of pathology in liver and hepatocyte P450IIE1 expression, as well as the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), vitamin E (VitE) in liver were detected and compared with those in the control group.

RESULTSFatty degeneration in liver recovered normally in the CHC-treated group. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization examination showed that CHC could inhibit the hepatocyte cytochrome P450IIE1 expression markedly, and restore the contents of MDA, SOD, GSH, VitE to nearly normal range.

CONCLUSIONCHC can prevent AFL through inhibiting the hepatocyte cytochrome P450IIE1 expression markedly

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatty Liver, Alcoholic ; pathology ; Gene Expression ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In this study, the rat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model was established through tail vein injection with low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) and high fat diet for 8 weeks, and then treated with Jiaotai Pill. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting serum insulin (FINS), free fatty acid(FFA) levels and blood lipid were assayed. HOMA-IR was calculated. Pancreatic pathology was performed. And pancreatic triglyceride (TG) content was examined by the lipid extraction method. Pancreatic islet cell apoptosis were detected by terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). According to the results, the model group showed abnormal OGTT, increased FINS, HOMA-IR, FFA, lipid disorder, obvious fat accumulation and significantly increased TG content in pancreatic tissues, and enhanced pancreatic islet cell apoptosis. Compared with the model group, the Jiaotai Pill group displayed improved OGTT, reduced FINS, HOMA-IR, FFA, recovered lipid disorder, decreased fat accumulation and significantly declined TG content in pancreatic tissues, and lowered pancreatic islet cell apoptosis. In summary, Jiaotai pill could effectively treat type 2 diabetes in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the reduction in pancreatic fat accumulation and islet cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fats ; metabolism ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Islets of Langerhans ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To study the clinical features and to improve the treatment on the elderly patients with brain tumor.Methods Retrospective analysis of 163 cases with brain tumor which had been confirmed by CT,MRA or pathology.Results Of all the 163 cases,121 were located in supratentorium,most of which were meningiomas and gliomas.Most patients(129 cases)had comorbidity.After operation,symptoms disappeared or obviously improved in 126 cases,moderately improved in 19 cases,and did not changed in 6 patients.Twelve cases died after operation in a month, in which 9 patients were over 75 years old.The death rate of operation was 6.1%.Conclusions It is important to know the atypical manifestation of brain tumor in the elderly,which may prevent clinical misdiagnosis and mistherapy.The perioperative management is indispensable to the prognosis of the patients.The choice of operation and medication should be in individualized.

Objective To establish the normal parameters of psychometric measures such as the number connection tests A(NCT-A)and digit symbol tests(DST)in assessment of minimal hepatic en- cephalopathy(MHE).Methods One hundred and sixty healthy volunteers(aged 25 to 64 years;educa- tional level＞9 years)were divided into＜35 ys,35～44 ys,45～54 ys and 55～64 ys groups.All of the healthy volunteers were assessed with NCT-A and DST to establish the normal value of age-related parameters,which can be used for diagnosis of MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.Two standard devi- ation of the normal mean was used as a diagnostic criterion for MHE.One hundred and six cirrhotic patients were assessed with these parameters.Results The parameters of NCT-A were(25.1?4.6) sec in＜35 ys group,(32.1?6.8) sec in 35～44 ys group,(38.6?7.1)sec in 45～54 ys group or (49.3?6.3)sec in 55～64 ys group.The scores of DST were 49.9?4.7 in＜35 ys group,44.6?4.8 in 35～44 ys group,38.5?5.0 in 45～54 ys group or 35.4?4.7 in 55～64 ys group.Thirty one out of 106 cirrhotic patients were diagnosed as MHE based on these parameters.Conclusion The NCT- A and DST are psychometric assessments for diagnosis of MHE.Age-based normal paramerters of NCT- A and DST are needed to be established.

OBJECTIVETo study the application of tissue granule of oral mucous in plastic surgery.

METHODSTissue granule of oral mucous was placed on glutin sponge and they were used for urethral (12 cases) and vaginal (14 cases) reconstruction in 26 cases.

RESULTSSatisfactory results were achieved in 24 cases. One case of urethral fistula and one case of urethral meatus stricture were happened. The two cases underwent secondary operation.

CONCLUSIONSTissue granule of oral mucous membrane is good supply for repairing mucous defect. It has the advantages of high growth and survival rate, and less shrinkage. It is useful for urethral or vaginal reconstruction which are covered with mucous membrane.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Urethra ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Vagina ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the DNA damage of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) caused by acute exposure to low-power 217 Hz modulated 1.8 GHz microwave radiation and DNA repair.

METHODSCultured LECs were exposed to 217 Hz modulated 1.8 GHz microwave radiation at SAR (specific absorption rate) of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 W/kg for 2 hours in an sXc-1800 incubator and irradiate system. The DNA single strand breaks were detected with comet assay in sham-irradiated cells and irradiated cells incubated for varying periods: 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after irradiation. Images of comets were digitized and analyzed using an Imagine-pro plus software, and the indexes used in this study were tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM).

RESULTSThe difference in DNA-breaks between the exposure and sham exposure groups induced by 1 and 2 W/kg irradiation was not significant at every detect time (P > 0.05). As for the dosage of 3 and 4 W/kg there was difference in both group immediately after irradiation (P < 0.01). At the time of 30 min after irradiation the difference went on at both group (P < 0.01). However, the difference disappeared after one hour's incubation in 3 W/kg group (P > 0.05), and existed in 4 W/kg group.

CONCLUSIONNo or repairable DNA damage was observed after 2 hour irradiation of 1.8 GHz microwave on LECs when SAR < or = 3 W/kg. The DNA damages caused by 4 W/kg irradiation were irreversible.

Cell Phone ; Cells, Cultured ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; radiation effects ; DNA Repair ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Epithelial Cells ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Microwaves

OBJECTIVELower eyelid ectropion is one of the most severe complications following lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Combination of multiple procedures was used to repair this deformity and the results were observed.

METHODSSevere lower eyelid ectropion following blepharoplasty was repaired with the combination method of multiple procedures, including transferring the island forehead flap, buried guiding suture of the lower eyelid skin to orbital periosteum and horizontal lid-shortening. 10 patients (15 eyelids) with lower eyelid ectropion after blepharoplasty were treated with the above method from Mar 2001 to Mar 2004.

RESULTSThe lower eyelid ectropion was repaired effectively. All the patients were satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination method of multiple procedures was an effective method for severe lower eyelid ectropion.

Adult ; Blepharoplasty ; adverse effects ; Ectropion ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods