Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; methods

Objective To determine the three dimensional motion data of each segment of cervical vertebrae and analyze the characteristics of the intervertebral coupled motion during cervical axial rotation under physiological weight bearing. Methods A total of 16 healthy volunteers (ranging from 22 to 29, median age, 23 years) were recruited to our study. Any cervical spine disorder history, pain or other discomfort and malformations were excluded so as to avoid abnormal neck motion. These subjects underwent CT scans of their cervical segments in a supine position, and 3D models of C1-C7 were constructed. Next, each subject was asked to sit up straight and was positioned in the following sequence:maximal left and right twisting, while double oblique images by DFIS were taken simultaneously at each of the positions. Then, the CT models were matched to the osseous outlines of the images from the two oblique views to quantify the position of cervical vertebraes in 3D at each position. Through local coordinate systems at the center of vertebral bodies, changes of position and angle of each cephalad vertebrae relative to the cauddal one were calculated before and after the axial rotation. Results (1) In the axial rotation of the cervical spine, the contribution of C1/2 accounted for the most of the total cervical rotation range. For the lower levels, axial rotation was found to be maximal at C3/4 and C5/6, minimal at C2/3. (2) In cervical axial motion, C1/2 demonstrated a coupled lateral bending opposite to the axial rotation direction, while each segment of C2-7 demonstrated coupled lateral bending towards the same side of the axial rotation. Among these segments the lateral bending angle of C2/3 was smaller than angles of C3/4, C4/5 and C5/6. Conclusion This study investigated the cervical coupling behavior using the noninvasive 2D-3D matching technique and obtained the motion data at each cervical spinal segment. These findings will help to improve the understanding on physiological cervical spine movement and potential biomechanical mechanism and treatment of cervical spondylosis. Also our data may provide useful reference for the prosthesis design.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oocyte quality in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in-vitro-fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).Method Totally 217 patients with PCOS undergoing IVF-ET were randomized into two groups by the random number table, 119 patients in an EA group and 98 in a control group. In addition to the long-term ovarian hyperstimulation given to the two groups, electroacupuncture was involved in the intervention in the EA group. The spindle, quality of eggs, and pregnancy result were observed and compared.Result The high-quality embryo rate was significantly higher in the EA group than the control group (P<0.05), and compared to the control group, the pregnancy rate was 8.36% higher in the EA group; it’s found that the number of eggs with spindle located between 11 and 1 o’clock was in a significant positive correlation with the level of E2 on the HCG administration day and the high-quality embryo rate (P<0.01); the EA group had a markedly higher ratio of eggs with spindle located between 11 and 1 o’clock compared to the control group (P<0.05); electroacupuncture markedly reduced the dosage and duration of using Gn in the PCOS patients (P<0.05). Conclusion It’s proven the relation between spindle and the quality of eggs; electroacupuncture can enhance the quality of eggs and the pregnancy rate in the PCOS patients.

Acetates ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Quinolines ; therapeutic use ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; drug therapy ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; drug therapy ; Single-Blind Method

Objective To compare the effect of transthoracic contrast echocardiography (cTTE) with transesophageal contrast echocardiography (cTEE) for detecting right to left shunt (RLS) in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods The prospective study was conducted in 29 consecutive patients with PFO who suffered from cryptogenic stroke and/or migraine. Contrast echocardiography was performed in all 29 patients. The cTTE was performed using transducer with second harmonic imaging modality (transmitting frequency 1.7 MHz, receiving frequency 3.4 MHz). The cTEE was performed using transducer with frequency 7 MHz. Ten milliliter saline solution of contrast were rapidly administrated through an antecubital vein. According to whether microbubble (MB) appearing in left atrium after complete opaciifcation of right atrium within the ifrst 3 circles, the results were classiifed by a four-level semi-quantitative categorization:Level 1 (no PFO-RSL), no MB in left atrium; Level 2 (small PFO-RSL) 1-10 MBs; Level 3 (medium PFO-RSL) 10-30 MBs;Level 4 (large PFO-RSL)>30 MBs. Results The total detection rate of PFO-RSL was signiifcant different between cTTE and cTEE (86.2%vs 55.2%,χ2=5.711, P=0.017). In cTTE there were 4 cases at level 1, 1 case at level 2, 5 cases at level 3 and 19 cases at level 4. In cTEE there were 13 cases at leverl 1, 2 cases at level 2, 6 cases at level 3 and 7 cases at level 4. The comparison of semi-quantitative grading derived from cTTE and cTEE was also signiifcant different (Wilcoxon signed ranks test showed Z=-3.789, P=0.000). Conclusions The efifciency in detection of PFO-RLS with cTTE was better than with cTEE. Compared with cTEE, cTTE was easier in practice and brought less discomfort and complications to patients.

Related literature and studies concerning the kinematics in patients after cervical arthrodesis have extensive?ly reviewed and comprehensively analyzed in 4 terms of changes in adjacent segment range of motion, motion segment per?cent contributions, motion pattern of cervical facet joints, and deviated center of rotation at adjacent segments. These report?ed researches of in-vivo kinematics after cervical arthrodesis are almost on the sagittal plane. Few data have been reported on the 6DOF kinematics under physiological loading conditions. Whether adjacent segment pathology caused by hypermobili?ty remains controversial. Long-term follow-up of large sample randomized controlled studies and obtaining the accurate 6DOF kinematics are the best way to resolve controversy.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the determination of the content and molar ratio of Ornithine aspartate for in-jection. METHODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Thermo HYPERSIL Aps-2 amino column with mobile phase of aceto-nitrile-0.05mol/L Potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution,the flow rate was 0.9 ml/min,the column temperature was 30℃,the de-tection wavelength was 200 nm,and the injection volume of 20 μl. The results determined by HPLC and potentiometric titration were compared. RESULTS:The linear range of ornithine aspartate was 0.02-10.01 mg/ml(r=0.999 9);RSDs of precision,stabili-ty and reproducibility tests were lower than 2%;recovery was 99.15%-100.15%(RSD=0.35%,n=9). The content of 3 batches of Ornithine aspartate for injection was 100.04%-100.64% and molar ratio was 0.982-0.989. The content is similar to the results de-termined by potentiometric titration with national standards. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate,specific and sensi-tive,and suitable for the determination of the content and molar ratio of Ornithine aspartate for injection.

BACKGROUND:Epidemiologic reports have indicated that excessive weight-bearing exercise is one of important risk factors for lumbar degeneration, but the effects of weight-bearing activity on normal lumbar motion pattern are stil not clear. OBJECTIVE:To measure the changing characteristics and rules of position at the center of rotation of the lower lumbar spine during a weight-lifting activity of normal person. METHODS: Fourteen asymptomatic subjects with a mean age of (25±5) years were recruited for this study. The L4-5 and L5-S1 segments of each subject were CT-scanned to construct 3D models using dual X-ray imaging system and spiral CT examination combined technology in the aid of computer software. The physiological load and lumbar spinal 3D motion under the loading condition were reproduced when matching the flexion, neutrality and extension in the dual X-ray imaging system and on dual oblique lumbar X-ray image. Coordinate systems were established at the vertebral body of L4-S1 to obtain the center of rotation during flexion-to-neutral, neutral-to-extension and the ful flexion-extension motion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Under physiological load, the center of rotation of L4-5 of normal person was located about 1.0 mm anterior to the central axis of the vertebral body, and the center of rotation of L5-S1 was located about 0.7 mm anterior to the central axis of the vertebral body. (2) With weight loading, the center of rotation of both two segments shifted backward about 0.5 mm. There was no statistical difference between these two loading conditions. (3) When the center of rotation in flexion and extension was calculated respectively, the moving range of the center of rotation at both L4-5and L5-S1 became larger due to taking loads of 10 kg (P < 0.05). In flexion, the center of rotation at L5-S1 significantly shifted forward during a weight-lifting activity (P < 0.05). (4) These results confirm that compared with non-weight-bearing condition, the trajectory of the center of rotation was found to be increased when taking loads, especialy during the flexion-to-neutral motion.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1 )gene and protein in Hepatocellular Carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expression of Mcl-1 was detected respectively by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR),Western blot and ENVISION immunohistochemistry in 20 HCC specimens,19 liver cirrhosis(LC)specimens,and 12 control ones.Their relationship with clinical and pathological characteristics of HCC was investigated.Results The expression of Mcl-1 mRNA in the control group,LC group and HCC group was 0.52±0.17, 3.46±1.7,3.65±2.93,respectively.The level in HCC and LC group was statistically different compared with the control group,respectively (t=7.925,5.334,P<0.05).The relative expression of Mcl-1 protein in LC group (0.51±0.35)and HCC group (0.75±0.36)were significantly higher than that in the control group (0.21±0.19)(t=5.526,6.355,P<0.05).The positive expression rate of Mcl-1 in HCC group was 55.00% (11/20),significantly higher than that in the con-trol group 33.33% (4/12)(t=7.835,P<0.05).The positive expression of Mcl-1 was related to tumor necrosis and TNM staging (χ2=4.201,P<0.05).Conclusion Mcl-1 gene and protein are differentially expressed in HCC,LC and the control, which may be involved in the occurrence,development and malignant transformation of HCC.

Objective To study the effect of low-dose FK778 in preventing chronic renal al- lograft rejection in rats.Methods The rat model of chronic renal allograft rejection was established by using micro-surgery technique.The recipients were divided into two groups.The recipients in the study group were treated with FK778 at a dose of 5mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)dissolved in carboxymethylcellulose by means of gavage and the controls were treated with carboxymethylcellulose.Urinary protein con- centrations were measured every 4 weeks for 24 weeks.On 24th week after operation,the rats were killed and the kidney grafts were taken out for histological and immunohistological examinations as well as quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis.Results After 24 weeks of treatment,proteinuria, the severity of chronic rejection,glomeruIosclerosicytes and monocytes/macrophages in the study group were significantly milder than in control group.And the expression of TGF-?mRNA and PDGF-B mRNA was significantly reduced in the study group as compared with that in the control group.Conclusion Low-dose of FK778 might prevent the rats from chronic renal allograft rejection.