This study aims to explore the impact on patient's liver and kidney function by different dosage of Kudiezi injection. This study retrospectively analyzed 15 228 patients' records from 18 nationwide general hospital information system (HIS). All patients were treated with Kudiezi injection, 1 956 patients that were given doses of > 40 mL, which is above the recommended dose, acted as the observation group. Fifty-five patients receiving the recommended dose of < 40 mL were the control group. Data about alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were collected before and after using Kudiezi injection, changes after treatment were outcomes. Also recorded were: age, costs, length of hospitalization and the patients' condition on admission. Propensity score method was used to balance 71 confounding variables such as gender, age, mortality, and costs. There were no significant difference on the four indexes between the two groups. It is hard to conclude that the use of Kudiezi injection over the recommended dose could influence the four indexes of liver and kidney from this data analysis. More conclusive evidence should be collected by further prospective study.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Injections ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

This study aims to assess if adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to Kudiezi injection are allergic in origin. Hospital information system (HIS) data from 18 hospitals in China were used to carry out a nested case control design study. Included were patients who received dexamethasone for suspected allergic reactions after receiving Kudiezi injection. These were compared with non-allergic reaction people. Single factor logistic regression and multiple factor logistic regression were used to analyze data. Condition on admission, allergic history, dosage, disease status and drug combinations were taken into account in cases of suspected allergic reactions. After analysis in two subgroups we found that the condition on solvents had a significant effect, P values were 0.005 5 and < 0.000 1 on suspected cases of allergic reactions. For the first subgroup analysis, we found using other eight injections at the same time as Kudiezi injection could be risk factors in suspected cases of allergic reactions. For the second subgroup analysis combining using mannitol or fructose could increase risks. Based on this current research, condition on admission as well as the concomitant use of some other drugs may be the risk factors in suspected cases of allergic reactions. However, further research for verification is required. This study can provide guidance for safe clinical practice in using Kudiezi injection.
Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; diagnosis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged

This study was to improve the way for selecting ura5 mutants of Cryptoccocus neoformans Cap59 capsule-deficient strains.They were induced by Diethyl Sulfate. Ura5 mutants were screened by 5-fluoroorotic acid counter selection method. Using the new method, we obtained two ura5 mutants of Cryptoccocus neoformans Cap59 capsule-deficient strain.A easy method that was used to screen ura5 mutants of Cryptoccocus neoformans has been established.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to estimate the value of embryonal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (ENOTES) in treating severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). METHODS: The patients, who were randomized into an ENOTES group and an operative group, underwent ENOTES and laparotomy, respectively. The results and complications of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Enterocinesia was observed earlier in the ENOTES group than in the operative group. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score of patients in the ENOTES group was lower than that of the operative group on the 1st, 3rd and 5th post-operative day (P<0.05). The cure rate was 96.87％ in the ENOTES group, which was statistically different from 78.12％ in the operative group (P<0.05). There were significant differences in complications and mortality between the two groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared with surgical decompression, ENOTES associated with flexible endoscope therapy is an effective and minimal invasive procedure with less complications.

The shape and structure of granules are controlled by the granulation process, which is one of the main factors to determine the nature of the solid dosage forms. In this article, three kinds of granules of a traditional Chinese medicine for improving appetite and promoting digestion, namely, Jianwei Granules, were prepared using granulation technologies as pendular granulation, high speed stirring granulation, and fluidized bed granulation and the powder properties of them were investigated. Meanwhile, synchrotron radiation X-ray computed micro tomography (SR-µCT) was applied to quantitatively determine the irregular internal structures of the granules. The three-dimensional (3D) structure models were obtained by 3D reconstruction, which were more accurately to characterize the three-dimensional structures of the particles through the quantitative data. The models were also used to quantitatively compare the structural differences of granules prepared by different granulation processes with the same formula, so as to characterize how the production process plays a role in the pharmaceutical behaviors of the granules. To focus on the irregularity of the particle structure, the box counting method was used to calculate the fractal dimensions of the granules. The results showed that the fractal dimension is more sensitive to reflect the minor differences in the structure features than the conventional parameters, and capable to specifically distinct granules in structure. It is proved that the fractal dimension could quantitatively characterize the structural information of irregular granules. It is the first time suggested by our research that the fractal dimension difference (Df,c) between two fractal dimension parameters, namely, the volume matrix fractal dimension and the surface matrix fractal dimension, is a new index to characterize granules with irregular structures and evaluate the effects of production processes on the structures of granules as a new indicator for the granulating process control and optimization.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fractals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Synchrotrons ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of tongue reconstruction following cancer resection by a rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal composite flap.

METHODSHalf tongue defect was reconstructed using the rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal composite free flap in 2 patients.

RESULTSThe postoperative period was uneventful and complete survival of the flap was occurred in the 2 cases. The reconstructed tongue showed excellent color match and natural shape.

CONCLUSIONSThe rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal composite flap can be used for tongue defect reconstruction, especially when the defect was not more than half of the tongue.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tongue ; surgery ; Tongue Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA)-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis and to clarify the molecular mechanism of its anti-apoptosis effect of TUDCA.

METHODSMorphologic evaluation of apoptotic cells was performed by Hoechst 33258 staining and electron microscope. DNA fragment was detected by electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gels. Apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry using PI dye. Following incubation of HepG2 cells either with TDCA alone, or coincubation with TUDCA and TDCA, the releasing level of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol was determined by western blot, also the activity of caspase-3, 8, 9.

RESULTSIncubating the cells with 400 micromol/L TDCA for 12 h induced the cells apoptosis significantly. The apoptotic rate decreased from 50.35% +/- 2.20% to 13.78% +/- 0.84% after coincubation with TUDCA, and this anti-apoptotic effect of TUDCA was confirmed by morphological and DNA ladder detection. TUDCA significantly inhibited the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria into cytosol, and the activity of caspase-9, 3 (t > or = 13.00, P < 0.01), especially at 12 h, caspase-3 activity decreased by 54.9% (t = 16.88, P < 0.01) and 52.5%, however it had no obvious effect on the activity of caspase-8 (t = 1.94, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTUDCA prevents HepG2 cells apoptosis induced by TDCA through modulating mitochondrial membrane stability, inhibiting the release of cytochrome c and the activation of procaspase-9 and 3. Anti-apoptotic mechanism of TUDCA may be considered to be one of the most important reasons that TUDCA exerts significant efficacy in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid ; pharmacology ; Taurodeoxycholic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ideal method for correction of vermilion deformity in congenital cleft lip.

METHODSFrom Mar. 2010 to Jan. 2013, 68 cases with congenital cleft lip underwent vermilion deformities correction with composite skin-vermilion triangle fap and functional reposition of orbicularis oris muscle.

RESULTSPrimary healing was achieved in all the patients. 46 cases were followed up for 3 months to one year. Asymmetric thickness of vermilion and tubercle malposition happened in 8 cases. All the other patients had a satisfactory result with symmetric and fluent cupid' s bow and everting tubercle.

CONCLUSIONWell reposition of orbicularis oris muscle is key for correction of vermilion deformity and tubercle reconstruction. This technique is very simple and practical.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lip ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis on the expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 mRNA after the ischemic brain injury in rats.

METHODSWistar rats randomly divided into two groups: group A rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours by suture, group B rats underwent MCAO for 2 hours meanwhile received treatment with Angelica sinensis (5g/kg). At 1 st d, 3 rd d and 7 th d after reperfusion, 36 rats( n = 18 in each group) were assessed by neurological scale and brain tissue was taken to assess the lesion ration with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The other rats (n = 3 at different time points in each group) were decapitated at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h , 1 st d, 3 rd d, 7 th d after reperfusion. Quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to examine the gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1.

RESULTSThe neurologic deficit score of rats in group B decreased significantly compared with group A at the same time point (P < 0.05). The infarct volume of group A was significant greater than group B at the same time point after reperfusion (P < 0.01). The results of RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 in the two groups increased from 3 h after reperfusion and reached its peak at the time of 3 rd d after reperfusion, then declined gradually. The gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 in the group B was significantly increased than group A at the same time point (P < 0.01). The gene expression of Flk-1 was positive correlated with Flt-1 in two groups (r = 0.957).

CONCLUSIONThe increasing amount of Flt-1, Flk-1 expression was enhanced by Angelica sinensis following transient interruption of cerebral blood flow in rats.

Angelica sinensis ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal for reconstruction of facial skin defects.

METHODSFrom Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2011, 6 cases with large facial skin defects were treated with scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal. At the first stage, the skin expanders were implanted subcutaneously at the homolateral side according to the defect size. After the expansion was finished, the expanded flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel were used to reconstruct the facial skin defects at the second stage. 2 weeks after operation, hair removal was performed to remove the hair on flaps. 4-6 treatments were needed.

RESULTSSeven flaps in 6 cases were survived completely. The wounds at donor sites were closed directly. The effect of hair removal was reliable. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 1 year. The flap color, texture and thickness had a good match with surrounding skin tissue.

CONCLUSIONSIt is a good option to reconstruct facial skin defects with scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal.

Adolescent ; Face ; surgery ; Hair Removal ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Scalp ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation