BACKGROUND: In association with advanced startover of hypothalamus-pituitary-sexual gland axis, the growth of skeleton is accelerated and epiphyseal fusion occurred earlier in puberty precocity children. In clinic,Chinese drug for nourishing yin and reducing fire retards bone age and the advanced fusion in the disease. At the age of sexual development, Chinese drug for benefiting kidney to supplement essence is replaced to promote sexual development and accelerate skeleton growth. The patients with puberty precocity are the same to that in normal puberty in sexual development and bone growing, just being advanced in time. But, it is still unknown the mechanism of Chinese drugs on bone growth and effects on somatostatin (SS) in bone growth.OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation of kidney-nournishing Chinese drug on periventricular nucleus (PeVN) SS.DESIGN: Completely randomized group division and control experiment were designed.SETTING: Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Institute of Pediatrics of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Fudan University from October 2001 to April 2002, in which, 24 SD white rats were employed, of purebred, female and clean grade. 4 groups were randomized, named the control A, the group with drugs of nourishing yin and reducing fire (experiment group No. 1), the control B and group with drugs of nourishing yin and reducing fire + benefiting kidney to supplement essence (experiment group No.2),6 rats in each group.METHODS: ① Control A:physiological saline was applied for gastricperfusion, 5 mL each time, once per day, totally for 1 month. Experiment No. 1 group: Chinese mixture for nourishing yin and reducing fire was applied for gastric perfusion, composed of shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae),zhiguiban (Chinemys reevesii.), huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri) and zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) etc, 5 mL each time, once per day, totally for 1 month. Control B: physiological saline wasapplied for gastric perfusion,5 mL each time, once per day, totally for 2 months. Experiment No.2 group:Firstly, Chinese mixture for nourishing yin and reducing fire was applied for gastric perfusion, 5 mL each time, once per day, totally for 1 month.And then Chinese mixture for benefiting kidney to supplement essence was applied for breeding, composed of shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata), guibanjiao (Colla Carapacis Testudinis), xianlingpi, lujiaojiao (Colla Cornus Cervi) etc., 5 mL each time, once per day, totally for 1 month.② In situ hybridization staining procedure with floating and routine immunohistochemical technique. Medical imaging analysis software was used to assay PeVN SS mRNA, SS immunoreactive neuron counts and absorption (A value) of positive cell area that reflects the gene expression and protein expression. Number of positive neurons of unit area refers to the positive neuron counts in each square millimeter.③ Singer-factoranalysis of variance was used for the comparison of measurement data. F test was adopted for difference comparison among groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of Chinese drugs for nourishing yin and reducing fire and benefiting kidney to supplement essence on PeVN SS gene mRNA and protein expressionRESULTS: 24 rats were all in result analysis. ① PeVN SS mRNA positive neuron counts, positive neuron counts of unit area and A value of positive cell area: Those in experiment No.1 group was higher remarkably than the those of control A (P ＜ 0.05); and those in experiment No.2 group were lower remarkably than those of experiment No. 1 group (P ＜ 0.05). ② PeVN SS positive neuron counts, positive neuron counts of unit area and A value of positive cell area: those in experiment No. 1 group: those in experiment No.1 group were higher remarkably than those of control A (P ＜ 0.05) and those in experiment No.2 group were lower remarkably than those of experiment No. 1 group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: By controlling hypothalamus SS gene expression and protein expression, Chinese drugs for nourishing yin and reducing fire and benefiting kidney to supplement essence regulate the synthesis and releasing of pituitary growth hormone.

Arginine Vasopressin ; Humans ; Motion Sickness

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects of Ziyin Xiehuo Recipe (ZYXHR) for nourishing yin and lowering fire and Yishen Tianjing Recipe (YSTJR) for nourishing kidney and replenishing essence on regulating the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and to reveal the mechanisms of ZYXHR and YSTJR in modulating the course of pubertal development of children with precocious puberty. METHODS: The pubertal rats were fed with ZYXHR or YSTJR for 30 days, and the parameters of rats were monitored as the followings: The content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the frequency and amplitude of GnRH impulse releasing, the releasing amounts of aminoacid neurotransmitters, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) and beta-endorphin (beta-END) in the gonadotrophic area of the hypothalamus were detected with neurobiological methods (push-pull perfusion, homogenate, incubation of brain slices, and immunohistochemical staining). The levels of gene and protein expressions of GnRH, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SS) in hypothalamus, and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) in adenohypophysis as well as insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in metaphysis were determined with real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The ZYXHR could reduce the activity of GnRH neurons in hypothalamus through inhibiting the release of central exciting aminoacid neurotransmitters, whereas promoting the release of central inhibiting aminoacid neurotransmitters, NPY and beta-END in gonadotrophic area of hypothalamus. The expression levels of GnRH, FSH and LH mRNAs were down-regulated while the expression level of SS mRNA in hypothalamus was up-regulated in the ZYXHR-treated group. The GH mRNA in hypophysis and the IGF-I mRNA in metaphysis were both down-regulated by ZYXHR. The YSTJR could promote the activity of GnRH neurons in hypothalamus through inhibiting the release of NPY in gonadotrophic area of hypothalamus, up-regulating the expression levels of GnRH, FSH, LH and GH mRNAs in hypophysis, and IGF-I mRNA in metaphysis, while down-regulating the expression level of SS mRNA in hypothalamus. CONCLUSION: The ZYXHR and YSTJR could both regulate the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis through modulating the neuroendocrine regulation and the gene expressions of GnRH and SS in hypothalamus, GH, FSH and LH in hypophysis, and IGF-I in metaphysis. These may be the chief mechanisms of ZYXHR and YSTJR in modulating the course of pubertal development and ameliorating the skeletal development in children with precocious puberty.

Objective:To explore value of pulsed wave (PW) and tissue synchronization imaging (TSI) evaluate cardi-ac systolic synchronization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) .Methods:A total of 50 ICM patients were enrolled as ICM group and 35 healthy volunteers without organic heart disease were regarded as healthy control group ,PW was used to measure mitral diastolic blood flow duration/RR interval (LVFT/RR) to evaluate synchroni-zation of left atrial and left ventricular synchronization ;interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) was measured to evaluate left and right ventricular synchronization ;TSI software was used to measure mitral annular mean systolic peak velocity (LV-Sm) ,systolic time to peak (Ts) and Ts standard deviation (Ts-SD) of all segments in order to e-valuate left ventricular systolic synchronization .Results:Compared with healthy control group ,there were signifi-cant reductions in LVFT/RR [ (44.74 ± 1.58)% vs .(41.08 ± 4.65)% ] and LV-Sm [ (9.72 ± 0.53) ms vs .(4.09 ± 1.06) ms] ,and significant rise in IVMD [ (15.51 ± 5.52) ms vs .(41.96 ± 4.20) ms] and Ts-SD [ (16.47 ± 4.16) ms vs .(34.13 ± 11.68) ms] in ICM group , P<0.01 all;Ts of anterior wall ,inferior wall et .6 positions were significantly longer ,and its synchronization significantly reduced , P<0. 05 all ,percentages of the most de-layed systolic part of left ventricle were no significant differences between two groups (P> 0.05) .Conclusion:Compared with healthy control group ,left ventricular total systolic function ,left atrial&ventricular ,left&right ventricular synchronization and systolic synchronization within left ventricular significantly reduce in ICM patients .

Objective To explore the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of serious pyogenic infection in deep neck. MethodsFrom January 2002 to April 2005,the clinical data of 22 patients hospitalized with serious pyogenic infection in deep neck were collected and retrospectively analysed. Results All the patients suffered unilaterally.Besides the symptoms of infection,dyspnea,pain in swallowing,limitation of mouth opening and progressive limitation of cervical activity were presented.Bacterial cultivation were performed in 14 patients and positive results were detected in six.Fourteen of all the 22 patients were cured with antibiotics,and abscess incision drainage was carried out in the other eight.Preoperative cervical PA-LAT X-ray photography and contrast-enhanced CT scanning were performed on one and seven patients,respectively,all of which indicated the formation of abscess.All the patients were cured except one who died of cerebral infarction and multiorgan dysfunction. Conclusion Imaging evaluation plays a significant role in the preoperative diagnosis and systemic treatment of serious pyogenic infection in deep neck.Bacterial cultivation provides reliable evidence for the etiopathogenisis and helps to make the effective treatment.

Objective To observe the enhancement pattern and time-intensity curve of endometrial carcinomas by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS). Methods Altogether 30 endometrial carcinomas were evaluated with real-time gray-scale CEUS, using pulse inversion harmonies technique. The enhancement patterns were observed. Twenty tumors were compared for the size between traditional ultrasound and CEUS. In 21 cases, the parameters of time-intenaity curve were compared between the endometrial lesion and un-involved myometrium. Results The contrast agent arrived at the feeding vessels firstly and then branched into the endometrial tumors. All of the endometrial tumors were enhanced completely except for the necrosis area. In 73.3 % (22/30) of cases, the tumors washed out earlier than the un-involved myometrium. By using CEUS 76. 7% (23/30) of cases showed the feeding vessels of tumor. 43.3% (13/30) of cases showed more clearly than traditional ultrasound in tumor base, position and boundary. The mean enhancement sizes of tumor were bigger than the size showed by traditional ultrasound in 85% of cases by (0. 62±0.50)cm. More than 90% cases showed the tumors start to enhance and wash-out earlier than or at the same time as myometrium. The arrival time and peak time of cancer group were significantly earlier than myometrium group. The peak intensity, enhancement intensity and the rising rate of the tumor group were significantly higher than those of the myometrium group. Conclusions There are some characteristic points in CEUS of endometrial carcinomas. CEUS can provide richer information in tumor imaging than traditional ultrasound and has certain clinical value.

Objective To investigate the approach and safety of minimally invasive surgical procedures treating symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi. Methods Clinical data of 21 cases with symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve females and 9 males aged 22 to 57 years old. The average diameter of caliceal diverticulum was 3.7 cm (2.5-7.0 cm) and average diameter of calculi was 2.3 cm (0.8-3.5 cm). The patients underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy, PCNL or mPCNL, laparoscopic techniques and laparoscopy-assisted transperitoneal PCNL, respectively. Four cases underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. PCNL (2 cases) or mPCNL(5 cases)were performed in 7 cases. Nine cases underwent laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopyassisted transperitoneal PCNL was performed in 1 case. Results The operations were performed successfully in 21 cases. No case need to transfer to open surgery during the operation and no major complications like perforation or organic injury were noted. One case with iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the kidney after 1 week postoperative was cured by delayed hemorrhage 2 days later, while clinical symptoms of 2 cases with residue calculi relieved. 19 cases without residue calculi were followed up for 6 to 12 month without recurrence. Conclusions After handling indication of treatment efficiently and creating advisable therapeutic decision-making, minimally invasive surgical procedures treating symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi appears to be effective and safe.

OBJECTIVETo study the antalgic and antiphlogistic functions and mechanism of ronggudingtong (RGDT) plaster (traditional Chinese medicine).

METHODSThe painful models were established with hot plate test or acetic acid writhing and the inflammatory models were established with daubing dimethylbenzene on auricle or injecting formaldehyde in toe or synovial envelope to study the antalgic and antiphlogistic functions of RGDT Plaster. The total protein and leukotriene B4(LTB4) in inflammatory exudate were detected to investigate the antalgic and antiphlogistic mechanism of RGDT plaster. The mice were randomly divided into different groups (n = 11), on the basis of drug using, the indexes of pain threshold, swelling degree were observed. Sixty-six mice were used to establish gasbag synovitis model and randomly divided into normal control group,model control group, positive control group (Voltaren gel 0.8 mg/d)and low/medium/high dosage RGDT plaster treating groups(30 mg/d, 60 mg/d, 120 mg/d).

RESULTS30 mg/d, 60 mg/d,120 mg/d RGDT plaster could upgrade the pain thresholds, remit auricular and foot swelling (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and degrade total protein and LTB4 in inflammatory exudates (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONRGDT plaster has some antalgic and antiphlogistic functions, and one of the mechanisms is depressing synthesis of LTB4.

Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Leukotriene B4 ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Pain ; drug therapy

Utilizing the three dimensional accelerations measurement and the four-quadrant inclination switch which is developed to send an orientation warning, the fall detection method combining the impact detection and orientation prewarming is presented. And the accuracy of the fall detection is effectively improved.
Accidental Falls ; prevention & control ; Algorithms ; Equipment Design ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; methods ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo explore the pattern of abnormal skeletal development in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP) and the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and purging fire (CH).

METHODSMeasurement of bone age, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone density (BD) were performed and levels of serum gla-protein (BGP), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) were determined in girls with IPP at various stages of pubertal development. Data were compared with those collected from matched girls, and the correlativity between various parameters and the extent of the disease were analyzed to explore the pattern. Thirty-eight girls out of them were treated with CH and the therapeutic effect was observed.

RESULTSThe bone age of the IPP girls was ahead of time obviously (P < 0.05), levels of BMC, BD and serum BGP, IGF-1 were significantly higher than the levels in the healthy girls of matched age (P < 0.05). And the degree of these changes were markedly positive correlated with the severity of disease (P < 0.05). After being remitted with CH treatment, the advanced bone age was apparently alleviated, and above-mentioned abnormal criteria were lowered significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe skeletal development of the girls with IPP was accelerated and the skeletal maturity were ahead of time, the more serious the condition of disease, the more obvious the acceleration and the advanced bone age. CH could decelerate skeletal development and delay the skeletal maturity of IPP patients.

Age Determination by Skeleton ; Bone Development ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood ; drug therapy