Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Preoperative Care ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo establish chemical pattern recognition method for the identification and evaluation of Atractylodes macrocephala.

METHODThe chemical constituents in methanol extract of 32 samples of A. macrocephala were determined by HPLC. The fingerprints were obtained and were handled by hierarchical clustering analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAccording to the result of classification, all samples collected were devided into three Grades--the superior, the ordinary and the fake. Chemical pattern recognition method was established. It may be of practical value for the quality control of A. macrocephala.

Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cluster Analysis ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Background The incidence of retinal vascular diseases increase annually,such as diabetic retinopathy,retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration.The key of treatment for these diseases is how to evaluate retinal vascular change effectively and objectively.Retro-orbital injection of fluorescein isothiocyanatedextran (FITC-dextran) is a simple and effective method for observing C57BL/6J mouse retinal vessels.But,whether it is suitable for other mice and rats is seldom reported.Objective This experiment was to assess the feasibility of the observation of retinal vessels by retro-orbital injection of FITC-dextran in different genus of mouse and offer the reference for relevant study.Methods Twelve animals of C57BL/6J mice,Kunming mice,SD rats and Wistar rats were selected,respectively and divided into the experimental group and control group at average.The right eyes of the animals of the experimental group received the retro-orbital injection of 9 ml/kg FITC-dextran,and the right eyes of animals of the control group received PBS solution at the same volume and way.All the animals were sacrificed 10 seconds after injection and both eyes of each animal were obtained for retinal stretched preparation.The retrobulbar tissue and whole-mount retina were viewed under a fluorescence microscope.The use of the animals complied with Regulation for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results Retinal blood vessels labeled by FITC-dextran could be observed in both eyes of C57BL/6J mice and Kunming mice to present with a green fluorescence in experimental group under a fluorescence microscope,but no any fluorescence-labeled retinal blood vessel was exhibited in the control mice.The retinal blood vessel could not be observed in all eyes of SD rats and Wistar rats after the injection of FITC-dextran both in the experimental group and the control group under a fluorescence microscope.The surrounding tissues of the right eyes of mice and rats dyed with green fluorescence of FITC-dextran in the experimental group,however,green fluorescence could not be seen in the surrounding tissues of the left eyes of mice and rats.Conclusions Retro-orbital injection of FITC-dextran is a suitable method of observing the retinal vessels of mouse but not rat.

Objective To determine factors affecting postoperative survival of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive 54 elderly patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma from Jan 1995 to Dec 2002 was performed. The data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Results Univariate analysis and Cox regression showed Child Pugh grading, vessel invasion, satellite nodule formation, Edmondson Steiner grading, intrahepatic recurrence and distant metastasis all related to postoperative overall survival or disease-free survival of the elderly with hepatocellular carcinoma (all P

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of imaging in the preoperative evaluation of pygopagus conjoined twins (PCT), and analyze the significance of imaging for separation surgery plan and prognosis.

METHODSImaging data of a case with PCT, including ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI were collected from the case with PCTs treated in our hospital. The features of the images were analyzed for identification of the conjoined region, size, and structures and for judgement of other organ malformation and general body state.

RESULTSThe conjoined region located at the lumbosacral spine of which anteroposterior diameter was 7.9 cm, and 6.0 cm for cranial-caudal diameter. Spina bifida were found below L3 in bilateral twins. There were no bone structures but cartilage fusion in spine and pelvis. The neural structure such as spinal cord and cauda equina, lower GI tract and anus, and urinary tract were separated. The dural sac were fused. There were cryptorchidism in one twin, patent ductus arteriosus in both twins. The intraoperative finding matched with imaging results. Crossing V-shaped skin flap was used to cover the wound surface. The dura of conjoined twins were sutured. Successful separation of the PCT was achieved. There were no complications of infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and neurological deficit. The healing of the skin flap was good. With 6 months follow-up, the growth and neurological function were normal.

CONCLUSIONSImaging methods were selected according to the type of conjoined twins and the clinical symptoms and signs. The radiologic investigation can reveal the structure and size of conjunction area. Imaging investigation has important significance for the prediction of difficulty in surgery, selection of surgical procedures, and evaluation of prognosis.

Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

OBJECTIVETo explore the program of preoperative evaluation, preoperative preparation and separation operation of pygopagus conjoined twins.

METHODSClinical data of one case of pygopagus (male, gestational age 37 weeks, uterine-incision delivery, 3.5 months old; twins of triplets; total body weight 8.0 kg. The twins have self-governed extremities, anus, penis. Four limbs can move independently). Separated successfully were analyzed. The auxiliary examination of X-rays, MRI, ultrasound, CT and 3D reconstruction, sensory evoked potential showed that there were process hypoplasia and lamina bifid of lumbosacral vertebrae below L3. Dural sac connected below L3 and conus medullaris located at L3. There were no conjunction of spinal cord and cauda equine. The decision of direct suture of dural sac was made by preoperative evaluation through measurement of circumference and area of conjoined dural sac. The separation surgery program was decided through team debate and sham operation. Separation operation was performed under the general anaesthesia. Crossing V-shaped skin flap was used to cover the wound surface. The dura of conjoined twins were sutured directly. The tension of skin flap was normal postoperative with continuing negative pressure drainage under the flap and pressure sterilized dressing.

RESULTSSuccessful separation of pygopagus conjoined twins was achieved. Lower extremities movements of separated twins were normal 6 h after operation. The drainage was removed 1 day postoperative, blood supplies of skin flap were normal. There were no complications of infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and neurological deficit. The healing of the skin flap was good. With 6 months follow-up, the growth and neurological function were normal.

CONCLUSIONConsummate preoperative preparation, accurate preoperative investigations, meticulous operative management, careful postoperative administration and good team cooperation are the keys to successful separation of pygopagus conjoined twins.

Buttocks ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanisms underlying bone marrow damage by iron overload in pancytopenic patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test (IRP).

METHODSTwenty-one iron overloading, 26 non-iron overloading IRP patients and 10 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The expressions of ROS, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and apoptosis of BMMNC were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Antioxidants were added to iron overloading IRP BMMNC, and then the changes of indices above were detected by FCM. The number and apoptosis of T lymphocytes of IRP patients were also detected.

RESULTSROS and apoptosis of BMMNC, myelocytes, erythrocytes and stem cells of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than that of non-iron overloading IRP ones and normal controls (P < 0.05). The expressions of Bcl-2 on BMMNC, erythrocytes and stem cells of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly lower than those of non-iron overloading IRP ones (P < 0.05). The levels of Caspase-3 on myelocytes, erythrocytes and stem cells of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than those of non-iron overloading IRP ones and normal controls (P < 0.05). After treatment with antioxidants, the expressions of ROS, Caspase-3 and apoptosis of iron overloading IRP BMMNC significantly decreased, but opposite for Bcl-2. The percentages of CD4(+) lymphocytes [ ( 40.86 ± 8.74）%] and CD4(+)/CD8(+) (1.44 ± 0.36) in PB of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than that of non-iron overloading IRP ones [(35.96 ± 7.03)% and 1.14 ± 0.37] and normal controls [(28.00 ± 6.73)% and 0.79 ± 0.21], respectively (P < 0.05), as opposite for CD8(+) lymphocytes (P < 0.05). The apoptosis of CD8(+) lymphocytes [(27.35 ± 10.76)%] and the ratio of CD8(+) apoptosis/CD4(+) apoptosis (2.51 ± 0.81) in BM of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than those of non-iron overloading IRP ones [(15.47 ± 8.99)%] and normal controls (1.39 ± 0.47), respectively (P < 0.05). The apoptosis of erythrocytes and stem cells coated with auto-antibodies in BM of iron overloading IRP patients were significantly higher than those of non-iron overloading IRP and normal controls.

CONCLUSIONMechanisms underlying bone marrow damage by iron overload might be through the follows: ①The increased ROS induced by excessive iron deposition affected the expressions of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2, which caused more BMMNC apoptosis; ②The abnormal number and ratio of T lymphocytes caused by iron overload aggravated the abnormality of immunity of IRP; ③Iron overload may increase the damage to erythrocytes and stem cells coated with auto-antibodies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Coombs Test ; Female ; Humans ; Iron Overload ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture on the level of inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptor 4 in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of SHR; To investigate the mechanisms of acupuncture in reduction of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in SHR. Methods Thirty 10-week old SHR were randomly divided into SHR group, acupuncture group and non-acupoint group, with 10 rats in each group. 10 WKY rats were set as control group. Acupuncture group received bilateral acupuncture in "Taichong" acupoint, and twisting and diarrhea method was used to stimulate; non-acupoint group received acupuncture at the back of feet, and soothing and diarrhea with twisting method was used to stimulate. Materials were taken two weeks later. The mean arterial pressure of rats was detected every day; the expression of TLR4 mRNA in PVN was detected by RT-PCR; The expression of TLR4 protein in PVN was detected by Western blot; The levels of TNF-αa nd IL-6 were detected. Results Compared with control group, the mean arterial pressure of SHR group increased; TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in PVN increased significantly; the level of TNF-α and IL-6 increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with SHR group, the mean arterial pressure of acupuncture group decreased significantly;TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in PVN decreased significantly; the level of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased significantly (P<0.05). There was no significant change in non-acupoint group. Conclusion Acupuncture in"Taichong" acupoint can attenuate blood pressure of SHR by inhibiting expression of TLR4 in PVN and reducing the levels of TNF-α and IL-6.

BACKGROUNDThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of standard rescue procedure (SRP) in improving severe trauma treatments in China.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 12 hospitals located in geographically and industrially different cities in China. A standard procedure on severe trauma rescue was established as a general rule for staff training and patient treatment. A regional network (system) efficiently integrating prehospital rescue, emergency room treatments, and hospital specialist treatments was built under the rule for information sharing and improving severe trauma treatments. Treatment outcomes were compared between before and 1 year after the implementation of the SRP.

RESULTSThe outcomes of a total of 74,615 and 12,051 trauma cases were collected from 12 hospitals before and after the implementation of the SRP. Implementation of the SRP led to efficient cooperation and information sharing of different treatment services. The emergency response time, prehospital transit time, emergency rescue time, consultation call time, and mortality rate of patients were 24.24 ± 4.32 min, 45.69 ± 3.89 min, 6.38 ± 1.05 min, 17.53 ± 0.72 min, and 33.82% ± 3.87% (n = 441), respectively, before the implementation of the standardization and significantly reduced to 10.11 ± 3.21 min, 22.39 ± 4.32 min, 3.26 ± 0.89 min, 3.45 ± 0.45 min, and 20.49% ± 3.11%, separately (n = 495, P < 0.05) after that.

CONCLUSIONSStaff training and SRP can significantly improve the efficiency of severe trauma treatments in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Emergency Medical Services ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wounds and Injuries ; Young Adult

Objective::To clone the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) of auxin/indole acetic acid protein (Aux/IAA) from Glycyrrhiza glabra (GgARPI) and analyze its sequence by bioinformatics. Method::RNA was extracted from fresh root of G. glabra, the cDNA sequence of GgARPI gene was cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), then sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were performed. Result::The GgARPI cDNA sequence with the full length of 686 bp was obtained from G. glabra. The full open reading frame (ORF) was 585 bp, encoding 194 amino acid residues. The bioinformatic analysis showed that the protein coded by GgARPI was a stable hydrophilic protein, with a relative molecular weight of 21.95 kDa and isoelectric point of 6.85.It contained no signal peptides or transmembrane domain. Its secondary structure mainly consisted of random coil. An Aux/IAA superfamily was included in the conversed domain. Homology analysis indicated that it had a close evolutionary relationship with leguminous plants, and a distant evolutionary relationship with monocotyledon, such as Setaria italica. Conclusion::GgARPI cDNA sequence is successfully cloned from G. glabra for the first time, which will lay a foundation for studying the function of GgARPI and explaining the molecular regulatory mechanism of biosynthesis of glycyrrhizic acid in G. glabra.