Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medi-cine, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine served as the study object in this study.Their published patent data were recorded and analyzed in terms of the number and types of patent applications, the number of validated patents, and the distribution of patent technologies using the patent information service platform on China Intellectual Property Right Net in order to understand their scientific research level, innovative ability, and scientific research trends.Certain suggestions were put forward for the solu-tion of existing problems and for working out strategies for the protection of intellectual property right.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin(PCT)as an early indicator for sepsis.Methods Serum levels of PCT and C-creative protein(CRP)and white blood cell (WBC)count were measured in 30 patients in critical condition hospitalized at an intensive care unit(ICU) with diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS).They were divided into two groups, sepsis and non-sepsis,based on their clinical manifestations and results of lab tests.Blood specimen was collected from each patient for measurement of PCT,CRP and WBC count on the 1~(st),3~(rd)and 7~(th)day after hospitalization and bacteriological culture for blood and sputum,and chest X-ray was performed,as well. Acute physiology,age and chronic health evaluation(APACHE Ⅱ)was made on the 1~(st),3~(rd)and 7~(th)day after hospitalization to assess their ill condition.Their prognosis were judged on the 28~(th)day of the follow-up. Results Serum level of PCT increased significantly in the sepsis group(with the highest of 10.13 ng/ml), as compared with that in the non-sepsis group.Sensitivity,specificity and predictive value of a positive test for a cut-off value of serum level of PCT at 0.5 ng/ml were 97.0%,91.7% and 82.1%,respectively, which were all better than those of serum level of CRP and WBC count.Serum level of PCT in the patients was significantly associated with their prognosis,and PCT in those died was significantly higher than that in those survived.Whereas,serum level of CRP and WBC count elevated in both groups,but the difference between the two groups did not reach a level of statistical significance.Conclusion Serum level of PCT can be used as an early indicator for judgment of sepsis for a patient with infection and reflection of severity of illness.

OBJECTIVEComparative study to the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSRat's model of left heart failure after myocardial infarction was treated with injection for activating blood circulation (ABCI, consisted of R. Salviae miltiorrhizea; Rh. Ligusticum wallichii and F1. Carthamus tinctorius) and injection for replenishing Qi (RQI, consisted of R. Codonopsis Pilosulae and R. Astragalus membranaceus) respectively. The effect of treatment were evaluated by observing and comparing the changes of heart morphological structure, collagen element, heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), left intraventricular area (LVA), ratio of ventricular wall thinning in MI area and myocardial nuclei number (MNN) per square area.

RESULTSIn comparison with the model group, the reduction of collagen tissue around myocardial cells in living area of MI, HW/BW and LVA of ABCI and RQI group were lower, and MNN per square area was higher significantly (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth ABCI and RQI, though without positive myodynamia, showed certain inhibitory effect of left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after MI.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Cardiac Output, Low ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

This study is to develop an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of (-)-epicatechin, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, neoisoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin, isoastilbin and engeletin in Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma. Samples of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, Heterosmilacis Chinensis Rhizoma and Heterosmilacis Yunnanensis Rhizoma were separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column with gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The detected wavelength was set at 230 nm and the column temperature was maintained at 35 °C. The contents of (-)-epicatechin, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, neoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin, isoastilbin and engeletin in 84 Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma samples were in the range of trace-1.381, trace-9.913, trace-3.673, 0.6706-27.08, trace-1.181, trace-4.833 and trace-2.754 mg · g(-1), respectively. The established method was used for analysis of common adulterants. The results demonstrated that the contents of (-)-epicatechin in Heterosmilacis Yunnanensis Rhizoma and Heterosmilacis Chinensis Rhizoma were 0.01163-0.06007 mg · g(-1) and 0.01583-0.08585 mg · g(-1), respectively, while the other six constituents were not detected. The method is simple and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma. The constituents of Heterosmilacis Yunnanensis Rhizoma and Heterosmilacis Chinensis Rhizoma are significantly different from Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, and they are not suitable for using as Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

A variety of natural and artificial cryoprotectant extenders have been explored to enhance sperm recovery following cryopreservation-thawing process.The current investigation is aimed at evaluating the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on human spermatozoa and reactive species oxygen (ROS) level after freezing-thawing process.The spermatozoa were collected from 35 male patients diagnosed as having asthenospermia.The cryopreservation of human spermatozoa treated with acetyl-L-camitine at different concentrations (group B:2.5 mmol/L,group C:7.5 mmol/L,group D:15 mmol/L) was compared with control (group A:no acetyl-L-carnitine given).For the frozen-thawed spermatozoa,the viability,motility and DNA integrity were measured by comet assay,acrosome integrity by FITC-PNA staining and ROS level was determined in each group.The results showed that there were no significant differences in motility and viability between group A and group B,while the motility and viability of spermatozoa in group C and group D were significantly increased as compared with those in group A.As compared with group A,the values for DNA integrity parameters including comet rate (CR),tail DNA percentage (TD),tail length (TL) and Oliver tail moment (OTM) were significantly reduced in group C and group D.Group C and group D also displayed a higher proportion of intact acrosome than group A.No significant difference in ROS level was found between group A and group B,while with the increase in acetyl-L-camitine concentration,the ROS level in groups C and D was significantly reduced as compared with that in group A.In conclusion,acetyl-L-camitine at a concentration of 7.5 mmol/L is an effective antioxidant against cryo-damage on post-thawed human spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively summarize and analyze the short and mid term follow-up outcomes of combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and restrictive mitral annuloplasty in curing ischemic cardiomyopathy and ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), and to study its effect on reverse left ventricular remodeling.

METHODSFrom January 2000 to June 2008, 111 patients of coronary artery disease with moderate to severe IMR underwent combined CABG and restrictive mitral annuloplasty, downsizing by 1-2 ring sizes. There were 81 male and 30 female patients. The age ranged from 36 to 83 years with a mean of (63 ± 18) years. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed minimal to moderate IMR in 7 cases, moderate to severe in 65 cases and severe in 39 cases. The left arterial diameter (LAD) was (58 ± 6) mm, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was (61 ± 8) mm, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 46% ± 6%. Serial studies were performed to assess the survival rate, the extent of mitral regurgitation (MR), LVEF, the leaflet coaptation height, LAD, LVEDD, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class.

RESULTSHospital mortality was 2.7% (3 cases). Each case received an undersized ring. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed that no regurgitation in 69 cases, minimal in 34 cases, minimal to moderate in 5 cases, moderate to severe in 3 cases which received mitral valve replacement. The 3-, 12- and 24-month survival rate was 96.2%, 93.5% and 89.7% respectively. Mitral regurgitation grade decreased after the operative procedure (P < 0.01). LVEF increased from (46 ± 6)% to (53 ± 6)% (24 months follow-up) (P < 0.01). LAD decreased from (58 ± 6) mm to (46 ± 6) mm (24 months follow-up) (P < 0.01). LVEDD decreased from (61 ± 8) mm to (48 ± 10) mm (24 months follow-up) (P < 0.01). There was no significant decline of LVEDD in 18 cases (16.2%) whose preoperative mean LVEDD was (69 ± 9) mm. NYHA functional class improved after operative procedures (P < 0.01). At 24 months follow-up, 2 cases received valvular replacement.

CONCLUSIONSCombined CABG and restrictive mitral annuloplasty is a feasible and effective treatment for IMR, the short and mid term outcomes are satisfactory, and a significant reduction of LVEDD and an increase of LVEF due to reverse ventricular remodeling were observed.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Annuloplasty ; methods ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; surgery ; Myocardial Ischemia ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo describe clinical and histological features of oral granular cell tumor (OGCT)and discuss their proliferative activity.

METHODSClinical and microscopic features were assessed in 14 cases of OGCT collected from the department of oral pathology, college of stomatology of Wuhan University between 1970 and 2003. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out using antibodies to S-100, NSE and Ki-67 and follow-up was obtained in all cases.

RESULTSTongue was the most commonly affected location (13/14). The average age was 32.6 years (range 11 to 50). OGCT occurred more commonly in females (2.5:1). Histologically, the lesions consisted of polygonal cells with abundant, granular cytoplasm. Eleven cases had typical histological features, while 3 specimens were atypical. Growth patterns were expansive in 3/14 and invasive in 11/14, including 3 atypical cases. Immunohistochemical analysis disclosed that 100% of granular cells demonstrated moderated/strong staining for S-100 protein, neuron specific enolase (NSE). Nuclear immunostaining for Ki-67 was observed only in isolated granular cells. Seven patients with benign and two patients with atypical granular cell tumor had no recurrence and metastases. One patient with atypical granular cell tumor had local recurrence after 9 years and died of the disease 10 months later.

CONCLUSIONSOGCT cells display low proliferation activity. Most OGCTs are benign but few have malignant potential and periodic follow-up is mandatory to detect malignant transformation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granular Cell Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe most appropriate surgical approach for patients with post-infarction left ventricular (LV) aneurysm remains undetermined. We compared the efficacy of the linear versus patch repair techniques, and investigated the mid-term changes of LV geometry and cardiac function, for repair of LV aneurysms.

METHODSWe reviewed the records of 194 patients who had surgery for a post-infarction LV aneurysm between 1998 and 2010. Short-term and mid-term outcomes, including complications, cardiac function and mortality, were assessed. LV end-diastolic and systolic dimensions (LVEDD and LVESD), LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes (LVEDVI and LVESVI) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured on pre-operative and follow-up echocardiography.

RESULTSOverall in-hospital mortality was 4.12%, and major morbidity showed no significant differences between the two groups. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative left ventricular end diastolic pressure > 20 mmHg, low cardiac output and aortic clamping time > 2 hours as risk factors for early mortality. Follow-up revealed that LVEF improved from 37% pre-operation to 45% 12 months post-operation in the patch group (P = 0.008), and from 44% pre-operation to 40% 12 months postoperation in the linear group (P = 0.032). In contrast, the LVEDVI and LVESVI in the linear group were significantly reduced immediately after the operation, and increased again at follow-up. However, in the patch group, the LVEDVI and LVESVI were significantly reduced at follow-up. And there were significant differences in the correct value changes of LVEF and left ventricular remodeling between linear repair and patch groups.

CONCLUSIONSPersistent reduction of LV dimensions after the patch repair procedure seems to be a procedure-related problem. The choice of the technique should be tailored on an individual basis and surgeon's preference. The patch remodeling technique results in a better LVEF improvement, further significant reductions in LV dimensions and volumes than does the linear repair technique. The results suggest that LV patch remodeling is a better surgical choice for patients with post-infarction LV aneurysm.

Aged ; Female ; Heart Aneurysm ; etiology ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; mortality ; surgery ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo compare the morphometry and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression of radial artery (RA) between young and elderly patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.

METHODSFrom February 2008 to June 2009, 219 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with autologous RA, 57 patients aged beyond 70 years and 64 patients aged under 60 years. Before RA was harvested, a modified Allen test was routinely performed. If positive, RA would be further evaluated with Doppler ultrasound examination. In both groups RA was collected for HE staining to evaluate percentage of luminal narrowing (LN) and relationship between intima and media width at maximum intimal thickness (IMR). Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to investigate the location and expression level of eNOS within the wall of RA.

RESULTSMorphometry of RA in both young and elderly patients represented mild or moderate intimal hyperplasia, and medial calcification was not found. LN in elderly patients was (22 ± 6)%, while in young patients, it was (23 ± 6)%. IMR in elderly patients was 0.36 ± 0.21, while in young patients, it was 0.42 ± 0.19. There was no significant difference in both LN and IMR between two groups (P > 0.05). Immunofluorescence indicated RA in both groups revealed a high expression of eNOS in intima and media, particularly in the smooth muscle of media. The values of relative integrated optical density in elderly patients was 1.21 ± 0.13, while in young patients, it was 1.25 ± 0.12. Also there was no significant difference in the expression level of eNOS within the wall of RA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter preoperative assessment with modified Allen's test and Doppler analysis, RA used as graft in the elderly has similar quality and function with young patients, and it may lead to a high patency in long term.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; enzymology ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Radial Artery ; enzymology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of the invasive front grading (IFG), the proliferative activity of cells at the invasive tumor front (ITF) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue.

METHODSAll the tumors were graded using IFG grading. The expression of PCNA, Ki67 and staining and measurement of AgNOR number were evaluated at the ITF and the other parts of the same tumor.

RESULTSThe expression of PCNA (P < 0.001), Ki67 (P < 0.001), AgNOR number (P < 0.001) at the ITF were higher than those of other parts. The IFG score was significantly correlated with the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05), AgNOR number (P < 0.01) at the ITF. The complete IFG score (P < 0.01) was significant in both univariate and multivariate cox analysis; the AgNOR number at the ITF (P < 0.05) was only significant in univariate analysis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ITF of SCCs of tongue differentiate poorer than the other parts and is active in proliferation. The complete IFG score and the AgNOR number at the ITF could be a valuable indication to predict the prognosis of SCCs of tongue.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cell Division ; Female ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology