OBJECTIVETo observe treatment effects of primary lower limb lymphedema using ultrasonic assisted liposuction.

METHODSInternal ultrasonic liposculpture system combined postoperative continual elastic stockings or bandages were used for reducing lymphatic burdens of the affected limbs by partly removal of lymphedematous tissues.

RESULTSEdema regression in the affected limbs were obvious at 2 weeks postoperative and kept to stable without recurrence during 1 year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSUltrasonic assisted liposuction combined with elastic compression is safe and effective for the treatment of primary limb lymphedema.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; instrumentation ; Lower Extremity ; Lymphedema ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stockings, Compression ; Suction ; methods ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDMany studies have suggested that angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptors may be involved in the development of asthma. However, the expression of angiotensin II receptors (AGTR) is not clear in the lung tissue of chronic asthmatics. This study was designed to determine the relationship between airway remodeling, dysfunction and the expression of AGTRs in a rat model of asthma.

METHODSRats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) for 2 weeks. Sixty minutes before an inhalation challenge, the rats were pretreated either with valsartan (15, 30, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or saline intragastrically. Then the rats received an OVA challenge for 30 alternative days. Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced bronchoconstriction was measured after the final antigen challenge. White cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and morphological changes in the airways were then assessed. The levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in BALF were detected by ELISA. The levels of AGTR1 and AGTR2 mRNA and protein in lung tissues were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSAGTR1 mRNA and protein levels in repeatedly OVA-challenged rats were significantly increased as compared with negative controls. The AGTR1 mRNA expression versus white cell counts of BALF and airway wall thickness (mainly in small airways) in lungs of chronic antigen-exposed rats were positively correlated. Valsartan decreased the level of AGTR1 in repeatedly OVA-challenged rats. However, AGTR2 mRNA and protein levels in the OVA-challenged rats and high-dose valsartan-treated rats (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were also increased. Valsartan significantly decreased inflammatory cell accumulation and attenuated Ach-evoked bronchoconstriction in repeatedly antigen-challenged rats. Valsartan also decreased allergen-induced structural changes in rat airway (including total airway wall thickness and smooth muscle area) and the levels of TGF-beta(1) and PDGF in BALF.

CONCLUSIONSAGTR1 expression is potentially associated with airway remodeling and dysfunction in asthma. Ang II and AGTR1 may participate in airway inflammation and airway remodeling of chronic antigen-exposed rats. Valsartan, a AGTR1 antagonist, could inhibit AGTR1 expression and partially inhibits structural airway changes as well as airway inflammation in chronic OVA-exposed rats.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

Objective To evaluate the impact of different rating instruments used by raters with different seniority in OSCEs. Methods Surgical interns were randomly divided into two groups to undertake a nine－station surgical OSCEs. Raters with different seniority were also divided into two groups with four senior raters and four junior raters in one group. OSCE results were compared. Results There was no statistical significance when comparing results from different raters using checklist rating instrument. Results from different raters using global rating scale instrument were significantly different. Correlations between raters using checklist and global rating scale instruments showed statistical significance in 81.3% of stations. Conclusion Checklist rating instrument showed high capability of repeating the results. Therefore, it is recommended to apply checklist as many as possible in OSCE exams with mixed rater seniorities. Research on design of rating instruments are to be investigated to insure the effectiveness as well as the credibility of the rating system.

OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy of gene therapy with human vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C) on obstructive lymphedema.

METHODSTwo animal models of lymphedema were created: one in the right hind limb of adult New Zealand white rabbits and the other in SD mouse tail. Each model was randomly divided into two groups to receive intradermal injection of either VEGF-C gene (experimental group), or saline(control group). In rabbit model, the volume change of affected limb was measured. In mouse model, biopsy was performed after 3 weeks treatment to detect the expression of VEGF-C mRNA and proteins. The lymphagenesis was evaluated by immunohistochemical examination with lymphatic endothelium hyaluronan receptor antibody.

RESULTSThe volume of the affect rabbit limb decreased by (24.40 +/- 1.08) ml in experimental group, compared with (5.80 +/- 1.92) ml in control group (P = 0.0001). The expression of VEGF-C mRNA and protein increased markedly in experiment group, but not in controls. More lymphatic vessels with large caliber were seen in experiment group (P = 0.0004).

CONCLUSIONSVEGF-C gene therapy may alleviate or treat lymphedema by inducing lyphmangiogenesis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; therapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumor tissue and pleural effusion in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and to analyze the relationship between EGFR mutations and the clinicopathologic characteristics.

METHODSTwo-hundred and forty-one cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and 14 paired pleural effusions from advanced NSCLC patients were collected. Twenty-nine different EGFR mutations in exons 18-21 were assessed by scorpions and amplification refractory mutation system (scorpions ARMS) using real time PCR. The relationship between the EGFR mutations and clinical parameters was analyzed using statistical methods. EGFR mutation of 37 cases were detected with direct sequencing, and assessed the sensitivity, the specificity and the accuracy of scorpions ARMS.

RESULTSEGFR somatic mutations were detected in 114 of 234 advanced NSCLC patients, with the mutation rate of 48.7%, including deletions in exon 19 in 65 patients and point mutation of L858R in exon 21 in 39 patients; both accounting for 91.2% (104/114) of all types of EGFR mutations. The test results of 14 paired pleural effusion specimens were entirely the same to the tissues. The concordance rate of 2 different detection methods was 94.6%. Mutation rate was higher in women (55.9%) than in men (42.2%), and there was no difference in mutation rates between smokers and non-smokers; patients in stage IIIB and stage IV; adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSEGFR somatic mutations appear to occur frequently in Chinese. Scorpions ARMS technology is a sensitive method to detect EGFR mutations and is suitable for screening patients who would likely respond to EGFR inhibitors therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Point Mutation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To examine the serum levels of degraded monosaccharides in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and to study the clinical significance of degraded monosaccharides in HSP. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 132 children who were diagnosed with HSP from September 2019 to January 2022, and 132 healthy children were enrolled as the control group. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the content of degraded monosaccharides in serum in both groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficiency of degraded monosaccharides for the diagnosis of HSP. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the HSP group had significantly higher serum levels of mannose, glucosamine, aminogalactose, and galactose (P<0.001). The four degraded monosaccharides had an area under the ROC curve of 0.919, 0.913, 0.832, and 0.932 respectively for the diagnosis of HSP (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with HSP have higher serum levels of mannose, glucosamine, aminogalactose, and galactose than the healthy population. The levels of degraded monosaccharides may have an important value for the diagnosis of HSP.
Child ; Galactose ; Glucosamine ; Humans ; IgA Vasculitis ; Mannose ; Monosaccharides

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a perennial herbal plant as a bulk commodity of traditional Chinese medicinal material. With the growing market demand, the planting scale of Danshen has been fast enlarged. The occurance of diseases on Danshen has become as a major threaten of its production. Root diseases are most devastated on Danshen. Rootrot is the most important disease, and Fusarium wilt comes second. Leaf spot occurs most on aerial part of Danshen. In the Danshen industry, the chemical control is most commonly used, with biological agents as supplements. This review summarized the symptom, pathogen, epidemiology, and control method of 7 diseases on Danshen (rootrot, Fusarium wilt, southern blight, root knot nematode, leaf spot, leaf red and virus diseases), providing guidelines for disease diagnostics, pathogen isolation and identification, proper pesticide application and integrated control.

Objective ： To study the effect of temperature and light intensity on photosynthetic fluorescence parameters, volatile oil content, and growth of Atractylodes lancea and provide reference for the rational selection of cultivation environment for A. lancea. MethodWe determined the photosynthetic indexes (such as net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, and carboxylation rate), light response curve, CO₂ response curve, fluorescence parameters, and the content of four volatile oils in A. lancea under two temperature treatments (32 °C and 22 °C) and two light treatments (full light and shade). ResultThe net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of A. lancea under high temperature + strong light were significantly higher than those under high temperature + weak light and low temperature + strong light. The ability of A. lancea to use weak light at low temperature was the strongest, while the utilization rate of weak light under strong light significantly reduced. The photosynthetic rate of A. lancea at low temperature was more susceptible to light intensity and CO₂ concentration than that at high temperature. The maximum photosynthetic rate and apparent quantum efficiency under weak light were significantly higher than those under strong light. The photoreaction efficiency at high temperature was higher than that at low temperature. The total amount of volatile oil in A. lancea treated with high temperature + weak light was the highest, reaching 4.582%. Compared with high temperature + strong light, high temperature + weak light significantly increased the content of hinesol and β-eudesmol in A. lancea by 91.7% and 35.7%, respectively, and low temperature + strong light significantly increased the content of hinesol by 87.5%. The content of β-eudesmol in low temperature + weak light treatment was significantly lower than that in high temperature + weak light treatment. ConclusionTThe growth of A. lancea was affected by the interaction between temperature and light. The light and temperature conditions required for the accumulation of volatile oil were not consistent with those suitable for the growth and development of A. lancea. A. lancea responded to the changes of light and temperature conditions by regulating the synthesis and accumulation of volatile oil.

The soil fertility has great impacts on the yielding of Chinese medicinal materials, as well as the generation of major components. The practices showed that soil fertility has been decayed with the growth of cultivation years,which is leading to adverse effect on quality and quantity of Chinese medicinal materials. However, there was a lack of domestic unified standard for assessment of soil fertility of Chinese medicinal material cultivation, which has seriously limited the soil management and quality control. In this text, we reviewed the progress on research of soil fertility evaluation, built the soil fertility evaluation index including soil texture,soil bulk density,soil organic matter,soil acidity and alkalinity,soil available nitrogen,soil available phosphorus, soil available potassium,soil animals and soil microorganisms. It would provide the direction and thought for standard-settin on soil fertility evaluation of Chinese medicinal material cultivation.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; Phosphorus ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Potassium ; chemistry ; Soil ; chemistry

Rhizosphere bacteria play a vital role in plant nutrition absorption,growth and disease resistance. In this study,high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the rhizosphere bacterial communities of Salvia miltiorrhiza and S. miltiorrhiza f. alba. Moreover,the function of dominant rhizosphere bacterial communities was analyzed. We found that Sphingobacteriales,Sphingomonadales and Nitrosomonadaceae were both dominant and specific bacteria in the rhizosphere of S. miltiorrhiza. The main functions of dominant rhizosphere bacteria communities in both species include promoting transformation of soil nutrients,improving plant immunity and ability of stress tolerance. This study was the first to compare rhizobacterial communities structure and function of S. miltiorrhiza and S. miltiorrhiza f. alba,which provided a new theoretical reference for studing the rhizosphere mechanism of healthy S. miltiorrhiza planting in the future.
Bacteria ; classification ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Rhizosphere ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; microbiology ; Soil Microbiology