Objective To evaluate the value of cholangiography for early diagnosis of ischemic-type biliary lasions(ITBL) after liver transplantation. Methods Two hundred and fifty-three patients with liver transplantaion between Jan 2004 and Oct 2006 were recruited. Initial cholangiography was compared with terminal cholangiography to evaluate the value of initial cholangiography of ITBL. The t test, Chi-square test, sum rank test were used for statistics. Results Based on initial cholangiography, 189 patients were diagnosed with normal appearance, while 64 patients were diagnosed with abnormal appearance. The abnormal initial cholangiography appearances included poor filling in 33 patients and irregularity in 31 patients. Based on terminal cholangiogruphy, 199 patients were diagnosed with normal appearance and 54 patients with ITBL In patients with abnormal initial cholangiography, ITBL was occurred in 39 of 64 patients including 10 of 33 poor frlling patients and 29 of 31 irregularity patients. In patients with normal initial appearance, ITBL was only occurred in 15 of 189 patients. The abnormal initial cholangiography was associated with ITBL significantly (X2 = 79.999, P = 0.000, r = 0.490). Initial cholangiography had an overall sensitivity of 72.22%, and specificity of 87.44%, with positive and negative predictive values of 60.94% and 92.06%, respectively. The abnormal initial cholangiogruphy was a risk factor of ITBL by logistic regression analyses(OR=15.193, P=0.000). Conclusion The abnormal initial cholangiography is associated with ITBL Initial cholangiography, especially minimal irregular of intrabepatic biliary tract, is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of ITBL after liver transplantation.

Objective To investigate the effect of 17β-estradiol on insulin resistance and the expression of insulin receptor-α in skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats with insulin resistance induced by high fructose.Methods Forty-eight mature female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: the normal control group (NC, n= 12) rats were fed with the normal diet for 8 weeks; the model group (M, n= 12)rats were ovariectomized and fed with the high fructose diet for 8 weeks, meanwhile the physiological-dose of 17βestradiol (30 μg · kg-1 · d-1 ) was injected subcutaneously every day; the vehicle control group (VC, n= 12) rats were ovariectomized and fed with the high fructose diet for eight weeks, meanwhile equivalent alcohol was injected subcutaneously every day. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and fasting serum insulin (FSI) were measured and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated. The expressions of mRNA and protein of insulin receptor-α in quadriceps femoris were measured by RT-PCR and Western-blot. Results Compared with the normal control group, SBP (P<0.05), FBS (P<0.05) and FSI (P<0.01) were increased significantly while ISI was decreased significantly (P < 0. 05) in the model group. The expressions of mRNA and protein of insulin receptor-α and phosphorylated Akt were decreased significantly in quadriceps femoris in the model group (P<0.05), compared with the normal control group. However, these effects were reversed by 17β-estradiol in the 17βestradiol replacement group. Conclusions 17β-Estradiol inhibits insulin resistance, and up-regulates the expression of insulin receptor-α and the level of phosphorylated Akt in ovariectomized rats with insulin resistance induced by high fructose diet.

Traditional Chinese medicine market is a typical market with information asymmetry, which may lead to "lemons" problem. Third-Party Certification is efficient path to solve the problem of information asymmetry. For this reason geo-authentic and commodity classes certification seems to be very important. But as we know, information asymmetry happen in the stages of traditional Chinese patent medicines market. So a signaling transfer mechanism, which can deliver the quality signal, is badly needed in TCM market. This paper analysis and design of signaling transfer mechanism based on Third-Party Certification, which called quality prestige index of TCM enterprises (QPITCM). QPITCM can display quality information as a signal run through the TCM market.
Certification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; economics ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; standards ; Quality Control

Immobilization conditions of Candida tropicalis to be absorbed in polyurethane foam carrier materials were studied on the xylitol production from corn hemicellulosic hydrolysate. Optimum batch-fermentation conditions were as follows: inoculum amount, 7% (volume ratio); polyurethane foam quantity, 1.0 g/100 mL; 30?C; initial pH, 6.0. Shaking speed was divided into two-phase to accommodate the dissolved oxygen, with 200 r/min at 0~24 h and 150 r/min at 24 h~46 h. The immobilized cells on polyurethane foam carrier have high density and good resistance to inhibitors in the hydrolysates. Average xylitol yield and volumetric productivity of polyurethane foam immobilized fermentation were much higher than the fermentation without immobilization. Corn cob hydrolysates can be directly biotransformed to xylitol without decoloration or ion-exchange treatment. This process can effectively reduce production costs, and it shows broad prospects of applications. Average xylitol yield was 67.6% and xylitol volumetric productivity was 1.92 g/(L?h).

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of radiation therapy for extracerebral large paracavernous sinus cavernoma.Methods8 cases with extracerebral large paracavernous sinus cavernomas treated with routine fractionated irradiation therapy alone were analyzed retrospectively with 1～4 year follow-up. ResultsThe volume of the tumor in all eight cases decreased in some degree, with ratio of 28.8% to 54.5%, after radiation therapy. ConclusionFor the extracerebral large cavernoma hard to excision, radiation therapy can decrease the tumor volume so that to wait for operation.

OBJECTIVETo explore the perioperative cardiovascular dysfunction and its relevance to age in patients with silent coronary heart disease (or silent myocardial ischemia), and explore the clinical treatment and recovery of perioperative arrhythmias.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty cases were selected from selective surgery patients with silent myocardial ischemia (SMI). Among the cases, 130 patients older than 51 years old were divided into 51 - 60 year-old group, 61- 70 year-old group and 71 - 80 year-old group. Control group was set up by other 50 patients younger than 51 years old. Electrocardiogram data of 24 h before the operation, 24 h after the operation and 48 h after the operation were continuously monitored by dynamic electrocardiogram (DCG). The electrocardiogram data of ST shifting, arrhythmia incidences of different type and at different time were analyzed by professional doctors. At the same time, the treatment and recovery of perioperative arrhythmia were recorded.

RESULTSAs the age increase, the magnitude and duration of ST shifting appeared upward trend compared to the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The incidence of ST elevation in 71 - 80 year-old group was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The ST depression duration in 61 - 70 and 71 - 80 year-old group and ST elevation magnitude in 71 - 80 year-old group were higher than 51 - 60 year-old group (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the incidence of accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIR) in 61 - 70 year-old group and the incidence of sinus bradycardia (SB), ventricular premature beat (VPB), ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 71 - 80 year-old group were higher (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared to the 51 - 60 year-old group, the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in 61 - 70 year-old group and the incidence of VP, VT, AF in 71 - 80 year-old group were higher (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The arrhythmia incidences in 24 h after operation were higher than 48 h after operation and 24 h before operation (P < 0.01). As the age increase, the recovery incidence by removing inducement was decreased, but the recovery incidences by drug and electric-shock treatment were increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOld SMI patients have high levels of perioperative myocardial ischemia and arrhythmia, and 24 h after operation is the period of high incidence.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Coronary Disease ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period

Standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica is an important way to solve the "Lemons Problem" of traditional Chinese medicine market. Standards of commodity classes are also helpful to rebuild market mechanisms for "high price for good quality". The previous edition of commodity classes standards of Chinese materia medica was made 30 years ago. It is no longer adapted to the market demand. This article researched progress on standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica. It considered that biological activity is a better choice than chemical constituents for standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica. It is also considered that the key point to set standards of commodity classes is finding the influencing factors between "good quality" and "bad quality". The article also discussed the range of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica, and how to coordinate standards of pharmacopoeia and commodity classes. According to different demands, diversiform standards can be used in commodity classes of Chinese materia medica, but efficacy is considered the most important index of commodity standard. Decoction pieces can be included in standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica. The authors also formulated the standards of commodity classes of Notoginseng Radix as an example, and hope this study can make a positive and promotion effect on traditional Chinese medicine market related research.
China ; Drug Industry ; economics ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; economics ; standards ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; methods ; standards ; Panax notoginseng ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; economics ; methods ; standards ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards ; Research ; trends

Pharmaceutical market is a typical market with information asymmetry, and which can lead to "lemons" problem. In all developed countries, firms must receive regulatory approval to market a pharmaceutical product. Such administrative department including SFDA, EMA, FDA and so on. Chinese materia medica is a special part of pharmaceutical market in China. The management of Chinese materia medica is a special challenge in China.
Accreditation ; Materia Medica ; economics ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; standards ; Reference Standards ; Social Control, Formal

OBJECTIVETo improve the method for monitoring sleep state and respiratory rhythm of SD rats, providing a solution for rats' chewing on the wires, signal loss and instability problems in the animal model of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

METHODSWe improved monitoring electrodes of both electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG), signal circuit and animal operation.

RESULTSOperation time was shortened and wound exposure time was reduced, which made it easier for postoperative recovery. The ECoG and EMG signals were more stable with sharp image, and signal circuit lines had better conductivity and material durability, achieving continuous monitoring for a long time and high success rate. We could precisely distinguish the sleep wake state and the sleep apnea events in rats according to these signals.

CONCLUSIONThe improved method is more reliable and practical to test the small animal model of SAS, and is more easily to operate and the signals are more stable.

Animals ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Electromyography ; methods ; Models, Animal ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Rats ; Respiration ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo explore material bases and neurobiological mechanisms of "Shen storing will" by observing learning and memory capacities and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor expressions in Shen deficiency constitution (SDC) rats.

METHODSTotally 40 SD rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Zuogui Pill (ZP) group, the Yougui Pill (YP) group, the blank control group (consisting of normal pregnant rats), 10 in each group. SDC young rat model (inherent deficiency and postnatal malnutrition) was prepared by the classic way of "cat scaring rat". Medication started when they were scared by cat. Rats in the ZP group and the YP group were administered by gastrogavage with ZP suspension 0.1875 g/mL and YP suspension 0.0938 g/mL respectively. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the blank control group and the model group by gastrogavage. All medication was given once per day, 5 days in a week for 2 consecutive months. Learning and memory capacities were detected by Morris water maze test. Expressions of NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B in hippocamus were detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the latency period, total distance in Morris water maze test were longer in the model group (P < 0.05). All the aforesaid indices all decreased in the ZP group and the YP group, with statistical difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of NR2A and NR2B in hippocamus were lower in the model group than in the blank control group (P < 0.05). But when compared with the model group, they were obviously higher in the ZP group and the YP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSDC rats had degenerated learning and memory capacities and lowered NMDA receptor expressions. ZP and YP could up-regulate learning and memory capacities and NMDA receptor expressions, thereby improving deterioration of brain functions in SDC rats.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation