0.05). It could protect the survival nephrons. No obvious toxic and side effects were found. It is indicated that Niaoduling capsule is safe and effective for CRF.

Objective To determine ferulic acid and paeoniflorin in Ankong Zhongzi Wan by HPLC under dual wavelength ultraviolet detection. Methods Ferulic acid and paeoniflorin were separated by Waters SymmetryShield-C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) with gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was 230 nm and 323 nm. Results The linear relationship of ferulic acid and paeoniflorin was good in the range of 0.058 2-0.582 4 μg (r=0.999 4) and 1.664-16.64 μg (r=0.999 6), and the average recovery rate was 97.77% (RSD=1.88%) and 98.84% (RSD=1.96%), respectively. Conclusion The method is accurate and quick for determining the two effective components in Ankong Zhongzi Wan, and can be used for its quality control.

Objective To observe the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on renal transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 mRNA and protein expression in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats, thus to evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of tanshinone ⅡA. Methods SD rats were used as the experimental animal. DN rat model was induced with 40 mg/kg of streptozocin ( STZ) . The rats were randomized into normal group, model group, and tanshinone ⅡA ( 10 mg·kg -1·d -1, im) group. On the experimental day 30, we examined the body weight, water in-take volume, 24-hour urine protein, fasting glucose ( Glu) , serum creatinine ( Cr) , blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) , total protein ( TP) and albumin ( Alb). Renal slices after periodic acid Schiff staining ( PAS) were used for the observation of renal pathology. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) was used for the detection of renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression, and Western blotting method was used for the measurement of TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 protein expression in rats of different groups. Results Compared with the normal group, body weight was decreased, water in-take volume and 24-hour urine protein were increased, serum Glu, Cr, and BUN levels were elevated, TP and Alb levels were decreased, renal pathological damage occurred, and renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expressin were promoted in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Tanshinone ⅡA group had an effect on decreasing water in-take volume, 24-hour urine protein, serum levels of Glu, Cr and Bun, increasing TP and Alb levels, relieving renal pathological damage, and reducing the protein and mRNA expression of renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 ( P<0.05 or P<0.01 compared with the model group). Conclusion Tanshinone ⅡA has protective effect on kidney probably through inhibiting renal TGF-β1 and NF-κB p65 expression in DN rats.

Objective:To search the marker of micrometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 65 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,21 non HCC malignant tumors,22 chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis,and 21 normal healthy volunteers.To identify hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral blood, liver specific alpha fetoprotein(AFP)mRNA was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Nested RT PCR).Results:AFP mRNA was not detected in the normal healthy volunteers and patients with non HCC malignant tumors.The presence of AFP mRNA in patients with HCC(44/65,67.7%)was higher than those with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis(2/22,9.1%, P

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of metoprolol on elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF)and its influence on serum interleukin-12 (IL-12)and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)levels.Methods A total of 86 patients with CHF served as study objects and ran-domly divided into observation group and control group,43 cases for each.Routine medicines were given to control group while observational group added with metoprolol for 12 weeks.Clinical effica-cy and changes of serum IL-12 and BNP levels were observed.Results Total response rate in obser-vation group was 93.02%,evidently higher than in control group (P <0.01),and there were sig-nificant differences before and after treatment and between two groups in blood pressure,heart rate and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)(P <0.01).Conclusion Basic therapies concomitant with metoprolol have better clinical efficacy than single application of basic therapies,and can more effectively regulate serum IL-12 and BNP expressions and improve the internal environment of body of elderly patients with CHF.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of metoprolol on elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF)and its influence on serum interleukin-12 (IL-12)and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)levels.Methods A total of 86 patients with CHF served as study objects and ran-domly divided into observation group and control group,43 cases for each.Routine medicines were given to control group while observational group added with metoprolol for 12 weeks.Clinical effica-cy and changes of serum IL-12 and BNP levels were observed.Results Total response rate in obser-vation group was 93.02%,evidently higher than in control group (P <0.01),and there were sig-nificant differences before and after treatment and between two groups in blood pressure,heart rate and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)(P <0.01).Conclusion Basic therapies concomitant with metoprolol have better clinical efficacy than single application of basic therapies,and can more effectively regulate serum IL-12 and BNP expressions and improve the internal environment of body of elderly patients with CHF.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that 3 morphological types of atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) exist in the craniovertebral junction and are associated with type II basilar invagination (BI) and atlanto-occipital instability. However, the actual biomechanical effects remain unclear. This study aims to investigate biomechanical differences among AOJ types I, II, and III, and provide further evidence of atlanto-occipital instability in type II BI. Methods: Models of bilateral AOJ containing various AOJ types were created, including I-I, I-II, II-II, II-III, and III-III models, with increasing AOJ dysplasia across models. Then, 1.5 Nm torque simulated cervical motions. The range of motion (ROM), ligament and joint stress, and basion-dental interval (BDI) were analyzed. Results: The C0–1 ROM and accompanying rotational ROM increased progressively from model I-I to model III-III, with the ROM of model III-III showing increases between 27.3% and 123.8% indicating ultra-mobility and instability. In contrast, the C1–2 ROM changes were minimal. Meanwhile, the stress distribution pattern was disrupted; in particular, the C1 superior facet stress was concentrated centrally and decreased substantially across the models. The stress on the C0–1 capsule ligament decreased during cervical flexion and increased during bending and rotating loading. In addition, BDI gradually decreased across the models. Further analysis revealed that the dens showed an increase of 110.1% superiorly and 11.4% posteriorly, indicating an increased risk of spinal cord impingement. Conclusion Progressive AOJ incongruity critically disrupts supportive tissue loading, enabling incremental atlanto-occipital instability. AOJ dysplasia plays a key biomechanical role in the pathogenesis of type II BI.