ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yishen-Huoxue-Huatan capsule on carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT),carotid atherosclerosis plaque area and the level of serum lipids,plasma endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.Methods126 patients with carotid atherosclerotic were randomly assigned to treatment group and control group.Patients in treatment group was treated by yishen huoxue huatan capsule,and patients in control group was treated by zocor.Each patient was treated for 24 weeks.ResultsAfter the treatment,carotid IMT [respectively (0.81±0.11)mm,(1.10± 0.27)mm],atherosclerotic plaque area [respectively (11.21 ± 9.3)mm2,(16.53± 6.9)mm2] in both the treatment group and the control group were significantly lower compared with the same group before treatment (P＜0.05),and the treatment group was better than the control group (P＜0.05); serum cholesterol (TC),respectively [ (4.51 ± 0.37) mmol/L,(5.15 ± 0.20) mmol/L],triglyceride (TG) [respectively ( 1.77± 0.09) mmol/L,(1.79 ± 0.36) mmol/L],high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [respectively (1.28 ± 0.26) mmol/L,(1.27 ±0.36) mmol/L],low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [ (2.50± 0.30) mmol/L,(3.10± 0.39) mmol/L] in the treatment group and the control group were improved significantly (P＜0.05) compared with the same group before treatment,and the TC and LDL-C levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05); plasma ET [respectively (67.26± 14.13) ng/L,(79.38± 11.54)ng/L] NO [respectively (71.65± 111.64)μmol / L,(60.64±14.02)μmol/L] in the treatment group and the control group were higher than those in the same group before treatment (P＜0.05),and the plasma ET levels in the treatment group was significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05),while the plasma NO level was significantly higher(P＜ 0.05).ConclusionYishen-Huoxue-Huatan capsule is effective in the treatment of carotid atheroselerosis.

Objective To construct and identify the shRNA plasmid vector targeting nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),and to collect the strongest RNAi effect of Nrf2 shRNA sequence.Methods Nrf2 gene was targeted gene.Three shRNA sequences were designed by software and synthesized by chemical method: shRNA-1,shRNA-2 and shRNA-3.The double strand shRNA oligo was ligated to the vector.The construct was verified by sequencing analysis.BV2 cells were transfected with expressing shRNA plasmid vectors using Lipofectamine 2000.The expression of Nrf2 in the levels of mRNA was detected by real-time PCR,and Western Blot was adopted to abserve the expression of Nrf2 protein.Results Sequencing analysis suggested that the shRNA vectors targeting Nrf2 possessed correct nucleotide sequence and read frame.The result of Real-time PCR and Western Blot showed that the sequence of shRNAi-3 could more effectively knockdown the expression level of Nrf2 than the others.Conclusions The shRNA vectors targeting Nrf2 are successfully constructed and the shRNA can signidicantly inhibit the expression of Nrf2.These findings could provide an experimental basis for further study on Nrf2 signaling pathway in stroke field.

Objective To investigate different scoring systems in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis(AP).Methods The clinical data of 1 56 patients with AP were retrospectively reviewed.Ser-um c-reactive protein(CRP)levels were measuredat admission.According to the Chinese guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis(2007),all the patients were categorizedas either mild acute pancre-atitis(MAP)or severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Ranson,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE)-Ⅱ,bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis(BISAP),and computed tomography se-verity index(CTSI)scoring systemswere calculated according to the corresponding grading standardsin all patients.Patients were divided into MAP group(APACHEⅡ <8,Ranson <3,BISAP <2,CTSI <3 and CRP <21 .4)and SAP group (APACHEⅡ≥8,Ranson≥3,BISAP≥2,CTSI≥3 and CRP≥21 .4)ac-cording to the scoring results.ROC curve was used to compare the difference among the systems.Results Among the 1 56 patients,21 (1 3.5%)were classified as SAP and 1 35 as (86.5%)MAP.AUCs for Ranson,BISAP,APACHEⅡ,CTSI,and CRP in predicting SAP were 0.69 (95%CI:0.62-0.76),0.74 (95%CI:0.66-0.80),0.78 (95%CI:0.70-0.84),0.69 (95%CI:0.61 -0.76),and 0.68 (95%CI:0.57-0.78),respectively.There were no significant differences among these scoring systems.Conclusion There were no significant differencesin predicting the severity of AP among these scoring systems. Therefore,the early prediction of SAP should consider multiple scoring systems,and the referential signifi-cance of accessing and applying a simpler laboratory indicator deserves further studies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Toll-Like Receptors ; immunology ; physiology

To discuss the feasibility of the pharmacodynamic evaluation method for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula particles, with traditional decoction for reference and the intervention of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC). First of all, the similarity of traditional Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex decoction and formula particles of different manufacturers was defined by using the IR fingerprint. The UC rat model was established and given Houpo formula particles of different doses and manufacturers, with the decoction for reference, in order to observe disease activity index (DAI), colon mucosa damage index (CMDI), pathologic changes, nitric oxide (NO), endothdin (ET), substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Their intervention effects on UC rats were compared to study the difference between Sanjiu and Tianjiang Houpo formula particles, in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the pharmacodynamic evaluation method for Houpo formula particles. According to the results, Houpo formula particles showed similar pharmacodynamic actions with the traditional decoction. The pharmacodynamic comparison of Houpo formula particles of different manufacturers showed no statistical significance. The experiment showed that on the basis of the TCM compounds, a prescription dismantlement study was conducted to define target points of various drugs. The traditional decoction was selected for reference in the comparison of corresponding formula particles for their pharmacodynamic equivalence. This method could avoid controversies about single or combined boiling of formula particles, and give objective comments on the pharmacodynamic effect of the formula particles. The method is proved to be feasible.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Dosage Forms ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; metabolism

Objective To study the characteristic of the hyperplasia hypoechoic nodules in outer gland of prostate with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies. Methods 42 patients were suspected of prostatic cancer (PCa) for the existence of hypoechoic nodules in their outer glands of prostate. Each nodule was TRUS guided biopsied in sagittal and longitudinal section, respectively. The histological examinations were performed in double blind. Results Among the 42 patients, there were 22 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (52.4%) and 20 cases of prostate cancer (47.6%). Conclusions The sonographic findings of the hypoechoic nodules in outer glands included not only PCa, but also benign hyperplasia nodules. Therefore, the definitive diagnosis must dependent on pathologic examinations.

Objective To depict the characteristics of the flow shape and distribution of superficial lymphadenophathy and to clarify the effiency of color Doppler flow imaging and power Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis.Methods Prospectively,81 cases with 95 lesions were observed and clarified as four vascular patterns by sonography and were correlated with the histopathological or clinical diagnosis.The four vascular patterns were as follows: type Ⅰ shows central hilar vascularity with radial symmetric branches; type Ⅱ shows eccentric hilar vascularity with deformed radial branches; type Ⅲ shows subcapsular vessels(Ⅲa),mixed vessels(Ⅲb),or multifocal hilar vasculature(Ⅲc); type Ⅳ shows spotted or peripheral flow signals.Results The majority ( 85.0% ) of the benign reactive nodes revealed a vascular pattern of type Ⅰ,while a few ( 10.0% ) showed that of type Ⅱ.The most( 97.8% ) of lymphoma showed the patterns of type Ⅱ( 33.3% ) and type Ⅲ( 64.5% , and Ⅲa 28.9% ,Ⅲb 22.2% ,Ⅲb 13.4% ,respectively).The vascular patterns of metastatic lymphadenopathies were of type Ⅳ( 66.7% ) and type Ⅲb(26.7%).The lymphoma which revealed a vascular pattern of type Ⅱ were mostly of high grade differentiation in pathological results.The differrent vascular types of metastatic nodes has no correlation with its histologic source.Conclusions Color Doppler sonography is a valuable method for aid in the differential diagnosis of superficial lymphadenophathy by using findings of intranodal vascularity.

ObjectiveThe possibility of the hyperplasi a of prostatic outer gland was studied with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies. MethodsTwenty-seven prostatic outer glands in patients suspicious for prostatic cancer (PCA) were biopsied by TRUS guided, the total sites were 47. The same site was biopsied in sagittal and longitudinal section respectively. The hypoechoic lesion was biopsied 2 times if it was discovered in the outer gland. The histological results were diagnosed in double blind. Results Twenty prostatic inner glands looked symmetrical hyperplasia; 9 outer glands became thin because of the compression, there was no compressive sign in 18 patients; there was a hypoechoic lesion in outer gland of 3 patients. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed in the specimens of 47 sites. ConclusionsThe hyperplasia of prostatic outer gland can occur like inner gland because it is glandular tissue.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of repeat transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy in prostatic cancer (PCA). Methods Repeat TRUS guided biopsy was conducted on 54 patients of the previous benign TRUS guided biopsy at high risk of PCA. Postatic specific antigen ranged in 0.5- 90.0 ?g/L(mean 16.3 ?g/L). Twenty-nine patients were abnormal in digital rectal examination, 21 patients were abnormal in TRUS. Results Forty-seven patients had 2 consecutive times of the biopsy, 6 patients had 3 consecutive times, 1 patient had 4 consecutive times in 54 patients of repeat TRUS guided biopsy. The pathological finding was confirmed in 14 PCA ( 25.9%), and 31 benign prostatic hyperplasia, 5 prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasmia, 4 chronic prostatitis. Conclusions The detection of PCA will be increased by repeat TRUS guided biopsy at high risk of PCA after the previous benign TRUS guided biopsy.

BACKGROUND:Keloids are the result of abnormal post-traumatic skin restoration, which are characterized with overgrowth and progressive enlargement, invasion of adjacent normal skin tissue, extension beyond the scope of the original wound. Given the high recurrence, treatment with surgery alone is meaningless and, therefore, comprehensive treatment of surgery and other approaches is required. OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical curative effect of local injection after timely removal of auricle keloid core. METHODS:Twenty patients with auricle keloid were enroled. After keloid core excision, the time interval within the incision scar tissue injection of fluorouracil or triamcinolone acetonide add lidocaine or monotherapy was gradualy lengthened, and if necessary the proper amount of compound betamethasone was added according to scar conditions. The injection dose was adjusted timely based on the regression of scar. The treatment effect was observed for 12 to 24 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Of 36 auricle keloids from 20 patients, the comprehensive treatment was effective in 1 keloid, and other 35 keloids were cured. The effective rate was 100%, the completely cured rate was 97.2% and the excelent rate was 2.8%. These findings indicate that minimaly invasive excision of keloid core and the epithelial flap coverage combined with 5-fluorouracil and corticosteroid injection is a safe and effective method to treat auricle keloids.