A high-throughput three-dimensional (3D) hepatocyte culture model is constructed in this study. It is capable of replicating the 3D in vivo environment and offers the advantages of high throughput, enhanced reproducibility, low cost, and simplified operation, rendering a valuable tool for hepatotoxicity screening of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). First, we constructed the 3D high throughput liver chip model using collagen hydrogel. The precision and its difference with traditional cell culture plates were assessed using acetaminophen, Tripterygium hypoglaucum, and Qili San as the references. The feasibility of this model was also investigated by comparing the hepatotoxicity among four batches of T. hypoglaucum and Qili San. The methodology verification shows that the 3D hepatocyte model is better than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture model in precision and feasibility. Subsequently, we compared the hepatotoxicity of different samples over a period of three or seven days and found that the hepatotoxicity of TCM extracts increased over time. Finally, we compared the hepatotoxicity of T. hypoglaucum and its compound formula Kunxian capsule under equivalent concentration. The results showed that the compound Kunxian capsule could significantly reduce hepatotoxicity of T. hypoglaucum. Generally, we constructed a high-throughput, robust 3D liver-on-a-chip model with the potential of rapid assessing TCM-induced liver toxicity.

OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of uterine contraction and stages of labor during delivery under continuous epidural block anesthesia.

METHODSTotaling 213 parturients in spontaneous labor under epidural block anesthesia with dilated cervical orifice of 3 cm were monitored for the contraction cycle, duration, intensity and curve types of uterine contraction, and recordings were made for 30 min before and 30, 60 and 120 min after the anesthesia took effect, respectively. The duration of the active phase in the first, second and third stages of labor was compared between 421 cases with anesthesia and 237 without anesthesia.

RESULTSSignificant difference was noted in the objective indexes of uterine contraction recorded after anesthesia had taken effect (P<0.05) in comparison with those before anesthesia, suggesting significantly attenuated uterine contraction after anesthesia, whereas these indexes underwent no significant further variation as compared between different time points after anesthesia (P>0.05). The average active phase in the first stage was significantly shorter in anesthesia group than that in the control group (P<0.05), but the average duration of the second and third stages of labor differed little between the two groups with appropriate use of oxytocin under strict monitoring (P>0.05). The rates of obstetric forceps utilization and use of oxytocin were higher in anesthesia group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEpidural block anesthesia produces certain influences on uterine contraction and stages of labor during delivery, for which appropriate treatment measures may prove beneficial.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; methods ; Anesthesia, Obstetrical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Labor, Obstetric ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects ; physiology

Based on leads provided by Neijing and other literature, analyze origins of the three-yin and the three-yang and the their respective contents of yin and yang, indicating the principle that the order of yang-qi from more to less is Yang ming, Tai yang, Shao yang, and the order of yin-qi is Tai yin, Shao yin, Jue yin. According to the location of five (six) zang-organs, respective yin-qi content is defined, and according to the principle of more yin-qi matches more, and less yin-qi matches less, five (six) zang-organs match each other. The zang-organs above the diaphragm joints with The Hand-Channels and the zang-organs below the diaphragm with The Foot-Channels, completing the nomenclature of twelve meridians. The names of the six yang-channels correspond to the yin-channels of the exterior-interior relationship, the yin-channels link with hands (feet), and the yang-channels also link with hands (feet), and the amount of yin-qi of the zang-organs corresponding to the yin-channels and the amount of yang-qi of the fu-organs corresponding to yang-channels are in a state of balance. Based on this principle, nomenclature of six channels are completed. Emphasize that the nomenclature of twelve meridians contains profound TCM theories, especially, TCM, by yin-yang, three-yin and three- yang, illustrates living phenomena from the whole to the system and organ level in human body, and the scientific principle "yin-yang can be unlimitedly divided" and its significance, which must guide the studies on living phenomena with modern life sciences from the whole to the molecular level.
Humans ; Meridians ; Terminology as Topic ; Yin-Yang

OBJECTIVETo analyze the complication rate and survival rate of the patients whose graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) less than 0.8% following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODSThere were 92 consecutive LDLT patients from January 2001 to December 2007 in West China Hospital, Sichuan University. There were 85 males and 7 females aged from 18 to 65 years old (averaged, 42 years old) and among which 89 patients were involved in the study. There were 15 patients whose GRWR less than 0.8% (group 1), while other 74 recipients were in group 2. Comparing the two groups' complication rates and survival rates and finding out the potential influencing factor of small-size-graft recipients' survival rate.

RESULTSThe survival rates of group 1 and group 2 were 73.3% (11/15) and 71.6% (53/74), respectively. The grade II-V complication rates of group 1 and group 2 were 46.7% (7/15) and 48.6% (36/74), respectively. There were no difference in survival rates (chi(2) = 0.058, P = 0.811) and complication rates (chi(2) = 0.000, P = 1.000) between the two groups. Ascites volume of group 1 and group 2 were (1532 +/- 322) ml and (1466 +/- 110) ml, respectively (t = 0.234, P = 0.815). The condition of the graft's middle hepatic vein had significant influence on small-size-liver recipients' survival rates (chi(2) = 6.821, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONSGRWR < 0.8% is not the limitation of the living donor liver transplantation but the outflow tract of the graft must be unobstructed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

After consulting literature, following the original meaning of the paper about slow-rapid reinforcing-reducing method in Huangdi's Internal Classic, in combination with explanation of later ages, and comprehension and clinical experience of the authors, it is put forward that the slow-rapid reinforcing-reducing method in Huangdi's Internal Classic is not single manipulation method, but it is a guiding principle for reinforcing-reducing manipulation, it includes many manipulation methods and they were listed, and all of the reinforcing-reducing methods of later ages are developed from these. In the teaching material Acupuncture and Moxibustion Sciences they are included in single reinforcing-reducing method, reducing extension and intension of this definition. The relative description in the teaching material only is slow-rapid reinforcing-reducing method of narrow sense, but the manipulations can be divided into qi-carrying manipulating needle type and three-one pushing-pulling type.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective:To investigate the effect of inhibiting of HOXB7 gene expression on proliferation and apoptosis of colon cancer cells.Methods:The synthetic negative control siRNA (negative control group) and HOXB7-siRNA (HOXB7 transfection group) were transfected into human colon cancer SW480 cells by LipofectamineTM2000 liposome mediated method,untreated cells as blank group.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HOXB7 after transfected 48 h respectively;cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay after transfected 24,48,72,96 h;cells apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry after transfected 48 h;the expression of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bax and Notch1 signaling pathway Notch1 and Hes1 were detected by Western blot.Results:The mRNA and protein expression of HOXB7 in HOXB7 transfected group was significantly lower than that in blank group(P<0.05);OD value was no statistical significance in the three groups after transfected 24 h(P>0.05), while after transfected 48,72,96 h,compared with the control group,OD value in HOXB7 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with the blank group,the apoptosis rate in HOXB7 transfection group increased significantly,and the expression of Bcl-2, Notch1 and Hes 1 proteins was down regulated,and the expression of Bax protein was up-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusion:RNA inter-ference in the expression of HOXB7 gene in colon cancer can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and induce apoptosis by inhibiting of the Notch1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the technique and clinical outcomes of modified transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

METHODSA total of 105 patients received the operation with age ranging from 51 to 73 years from January 2008 to June 2010. Mean level of serum prostate specific antigen was 13.6 µg/L and mean prostatic volume was 45 ml. Pathological studies of biopsy confirmed the prostate carcinoma with Gleason score 6-8. Radionuclide bone scan revealed no metastasis. Based on previously retroperitoneal radical prostatectomy, modified technique was applied involving surgical approach, bladder neck dissection and vesicourethral anastomosis.

RESULTSMean operative time was 93 min (65 - 150 min). Intraoperative blood loss was 115 ml (50 - 400 ml). No complication of bowl injury occurred. Positive surgical margin was present in 24 patients. Normal continence were seen in 64 patients after catheter removed. Recovery of incontinence within 3 months was seen in 33 patients and 3 to 12 months in 5 patients respectively. Three patients with incontinence were still in the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSTransperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy provides large working space and clear anatomic exposure. Higher efficiency and lower complication rate are obtained through modified laparoscopic technique involving seminal vesicle isolation, bladder neck dissection and vesicourethral anastomosis.

Abdominal Cavity ; surgery ; Aged ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and related risk factors of early fungal infection in the patients after allograft liver transplantation. Methods We have retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 19 patients with fungal infection in perioperative stage of liver allograft transplantation, analyzed pathogenic characteristics and related risk factors of fungal infection in patients. Results In our research, perioperative fungal infection rate of allograft liver transplantation was 6. 4％ (19 cases/298 cases) . All of fungal infection patients were single fungal infection, including 4 cases of pulmonary fungal infection and 15 cases of abdominal fungal infection. The most common pathogenic bacterias of fungal infection were Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata. Multivariate analysis showed that model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and acute rejection were independent risk factors of fungal infection (all P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Fungal infection is a common complication after allograft liver transplantation. MELD score and acute rejection may be the independent risk factors of fungal infection.

OBJECTIVETo prove the therapeutic effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on leukopenia induced by chemotherapy and effect on life quality of the patient with tumor after chemotherapy.

METHODSRandomized, controlled, multi-central cooperative method was used and the patients confirmed to the enrolled criteria were divided in-to two groups. The test group were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20), etc.; and the control group with oral administration of Chinese patent medicine.

RESULTSOut of the 221 cases confirmed to program analysis, 113 cases were in the test group and 108 cases in the control group. After 10 days, the cured rate and the effective rate were 84.1% and 66.4% in the test group and 35.2% and 33.3% in the control group, respectively, with very significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.01); fifteen days later, the therapeutic effects in the two groups were maintained. The two methods could improve clinical symptoms, with the test group being better than the control group. Any adverse response was not found in the two groups, and the injuries of functions of the heart, lung and kidney induced by chemotherapy had some improvement.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on luekopenia induced by chemotherapy is reliable and is better than oral administration of Chinese patent medicine, with a better duplication.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Ginger ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)and acute lung injury are grave syndromes associated with high morbidity of the mortality.Currently,the criteria for the classification of the severity of ARDS are the PaO 2/FiO2values, while OI,S/F and OSI values are also used as ancillary diagnostic and grading criteria for ARDS.In this review,we sum-marize the effects of four indicators on the diagnosis and severity of ARDS patients,their respective strengths and weaknes-ses,and predit the future development of the classification of severity of ARDS.