[Objective] To optimize the conditions of the extracting process of Hujin Granules. [Methods] The orthogonal design was applied. With the total emodin and the total anthraquinone (TA) content as the parameters for the alcohol-extraction, the concentration of alcohol, the volume of solvent and the extracting time were used for optimization of alcohol-extraction. With the total polysaccharide (TP) as the parameters for water-extraction, the soaking time, the volume of water and the extracting time were used for optimization of water-extraction. [Results] The optimum conditions of alcohol-extraction were: extracting with 70% alcohol 245 mL for 2 hours and extracting twice. The optimum conditions of water-extraction were: extracting with 80 mL water (not for soaking) for 1.5 hours, extracting 3 times. [Conclusion] The results indicate that the extracting process is rational and feasible, and can provide evidence for the extracting process of Hujin Granules.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of axillary transthoracic approach and posterior approach in the treatment of upper thoracic tuberculosis with vertebral clearance, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation surgery.Methods:Fifty five patients with upper thoracic tuberculosis admitted to Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China from March 2017 to March 2022 were selected and divided into axillary transthoracic group and posterior group according to different surgical approaches. The incision length, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospitalization time were compared between the two groups of patients. Two groups of patients were recorded for preoperative and postoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months, preoperative and postoperative serum inflammatory indicators, CD4 + /CD8 + ratio of T lymphocyte subsets, and complications. Results:The incision length, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss in the axillary transthoracic group were significantly less than those in the posterior group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative hospitalization time between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). The VAS and ODI scores of the two groups of patients showed significant improvement compared to preoperative levels at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery (all P<0.05); And at 1 week and 3 months after surgery, the VAS scores of patients in the axillary transthoracic group were significantly lower than those in the posterior group (all P<0.05), and the ODI scores at 3 and 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those in the posterior group (all P<0.05). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP levels of both groups of patients increased significantly one week after surgery compared with preoperative levels (all P<0.05), but the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP levels basically returned to normal levels at three months after surgery. The CD4 + /CD8 + ratio of T lymphocyte subsets in both groups was lower than preoperative levels at one week after surgery, but with the continuation of treatment, the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio increased significantly at three months after surgery. Conclusions:Both axillary and posterior approaches can be used for surgical treatment of upper thoracic tuberculosis, but axillary and thoracic approaches have the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, and faster recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To report a patient with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) manifesting as lumbago, hunchback and Parkinson's syndrome. METHODS: A 49-years-old male CADASIL patient was reported. Results of clinical examination, neuroimaging and genetic testing were analyzed. His family members were also subjected to genetic testing. Related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The patient had no typical symptoms of CADASIL such as headache, repeated stroke, dementia and emotional disorders, but progressive Parkinson's syndrome, late onset lumbago, hunchback, dysphagia, and diplopia. Brain MRI showed left basal ganglia and external capsule lacunar infarction. Genetic testing revealed a point mutation c.1630C>T (p.R544C) in exon 11 of the NOTCH3 gene. A heterozygous mutation was detected in the same gene in his mother, elder sister and younger brother, all of whom showed different clinical phenotypes. CONCLUSION The clinical features of CADASIL are heterogeneous. Lumbago, humpback, and Parkinson's syndrome may be a rare clinical phenotype of CADASIL.
CADASIL ; complications ; genetics ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; etiology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; Receptor, Notch3 ; genetics

Objective: To report a patient with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) manifesting as lumbago, hunchback and Parkinson’s syndrome. Methods: A 49-years-old male CADASIL patient was reported. Results of clinical examination, neuroimaging and genetic testing were analyzed. His family members were also subjected to genetic testing. Related literature was reviewed. Results: The patient had no typical symptoms of CADASIL such as headache, repeated stroke, dementia and emotional disorders, but progressive Parkinson’s syndrome, late onset lumbago, hunchback, dysphagia, and diplopia. Brain MRI showed left basal ganglia and external capsule lacunar infarction. Genetic testing revealed a point mutation c. 1630C>T (p.R544C) in exon 11 of the NOTCH3 gene. A heterozygous mutation was detected in the same gene in his mother, elder sister and younger brother, all of whom showed different clinical phenotypes. Conclusion The clinical features of CADASIL are heterogeneous. Lumbago, humpback, and Parkinson’s syndrome may be a rare clinical phenotype of CADASIL.