OBJECTIVE: To determine the contents of Emodin and Chrysophanol in Shenqu weitong capsule by RP-HPLC. METHODS: The samples were separated on Phenomenex BDS-C18(250 mm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m).The mobile phase con-sisted of acetonitrile-water-glacial acetic acid (55∶45∶0.5) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL?min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. RESULTS: The linear range for Emodin was 2.188～54.700 ?g?mL-1(r=0.999 9) and 4.312～107.800 ?g?mL-1 for Chrysophanol (r=0.999 9). The average recovery of Emodin was 96.52% (RSD=0.59%) versus 98.45%(RSD=0.43%) of Chrysophanol. CONCLUSION: This method is convenient, accurate, reproducible and applicable for the quality control of Shenqu weitong capsule.

During the Peace Friendship-2015and Harmony Misson-2015, the medical personnel aboard the hospital ship performed extensive medical exchanges , medical service shows ,and skill training many times and visited some local medical institutions .The exchanges involved war wound , seawater-immersion wound, drill wound, common disease, infectious disease .This paper gave an account of characteristics of and specific methods used in oversea medical exchanges . The experience from these visits and afterthoughts were presented in order to contribute to medical exchanges of this kind in the future.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of ketamine on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine receptor Idnase B (TrkB) in the hippocampus in mentally depressed rats.Methods Fifty male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n = 10 each): group control (group C) and groups K1-4 ketamine 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg. On the 1st day the animals were forced to swim for 15 min. On the 2nd day ketamine 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg were given iniraperitoneally in groups K1-4 respectively at 30 min after administration. The immobility time of the rats during the forced swimming test was recorded. The animals were then decapitated. The hippocampus was harvested for determination of BDNF and TrkB levels. Results Ketamine significantly decreased the immobility time during forced swimming test in a dose-dependent manner. The BDNF and TrkB levels in the hippocampus were significantly increased in K, and K4 groups as compared with group C, and K1 and K2 groups. Conclusion The increased levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus are involved in the dose-dependent antidepressant effect of ketamine.

Objective To observe changes of hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats with neuropathic pain-induced depression, and to explore the relationship between hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and severity of depression.Methods Twenty-eight adult male rats were randomly divided into two groups: group sham (n=14) and spared nerve injury (group SNI) (n=14).Mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWT) were measured 1 day before and 7, 14 and 21 days after operation.Sucrose preference test and forced swim test were tested 1-3 days before and 21-23 days after operation.After test, hippocampus was collected.The hippocampal levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA.Correlational relationships between hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and sucrose preference were evaluated.Results Compared with group sham, MWT was decreased 7, 14, 21 days after operation (P<0.001).Group SNI displayed decreased sucrose preference 21 days after operation (P<0.01) and increased immobility time in FST 23 days after operation (P<0.05).The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased in hippocampus (P<0.05 or P<0.01).No significant difference was observed in IL-1β.The hippocampal levels of IL-1β (r2=0.60,P<0.01), IL-6 (r2=0.55,P<0.01) and TNF-α(r2=0.60,P<0.01) were negatively correlated with sucrose preference.Conclusion The hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α are increased in rats with depression induced by neuropathic pain, and the levels of hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines are negatively correlated with the severity of depression.

ObjectiveTo study the role of L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the antidepressant effects of ketamine.MethodsForty two male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were equally randomized into 7 groups ( n =6 ):control group ( C group ),L-Arginine ( a precursor of NO ) group ( LA group),L-NAME ( an non-selectivity inhibitor of NO synthase) group ( LN group),ketamine 3 mg/kg group ( K3 group),ketamine 10 mg/kg group (K10 group),L-Arginine + ketamine 10 mg/kg group(LAK10 group),L-NAME + ketamine 3 mg/kg group (LNK3 group).The forced swimming test (FST) of 15 min (pre-test session) was used to establish a rat depression model,then twenty-four hours later FST (test session) was carried out of 6 min and the immobility time in last 5 min was recorded. All the groups were pretreated with saline 1.0 ml,L-arginine 750 mg/kg or L-NAME 30 mg/kg 90 min before FST.Saline 1.0 ml,ketamine 3.0 mg/kg or ketamine 10.0 mg/kg were injected 60 min before FST.The content of hippocampal NO was detected immediately after ethology measurement.ResultsCompared with C group (immobility time:( 139.0 ± 27.6)s),the immobility time decreased significantly (( 85.5 ± 34.2),(91.3 ±31.6)s) in K10 group and LNK3 group (P＜0.05),K3 group,LA group,LAK10 group and LN group had no significant difference (P＞0.05) ;compared with C group ( (0.61 ±0.21 ) μmol/gProt),the content of NO increased in LA group ( ( 1.09 ±0.39) μmol/gProt) and decreased in K10 group and LNK3 group significantly( (0.28 ± 0.12),(0.31 ± 0.14 ) μmol/gProt) (P ＜ 0.05 ),K3 group,LAK10 group and LN group had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionThe antidepressant effects of ketamine are related to the suppression of L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway.

On Sept 7, 2015, Chinese hospital ship Ark Peace left its home-port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, forHarmony Mission-2015, the fifth in a series of annual international humanitarian and free medical assistance endeavors by the PLA Navy.This mission lasted 142 days, involving a visit to Malaysia and participation in Peace Friendship-2015 exercise,before she was dispatched to seven countries (regions) including Australia, Polynesia, USA, Mexico, Barbados, Grenada, Peru and provided a wide range of medical , humanitarian assistance to the last four countries .A total of 12 589 patients were treated on the main platform , 4852 patients by the 29 fore-lying medical corps , 59 surgeries performed , 46 patients hospitalized ,and 7130 CT and DR et al auxiliary examinations conducted during four mission stops .We organized academic exchanges , visits and interviews , get-togethers , dynamic and static exhibitions in each country .The experience from Harmony mission-2015is of great significance for such tasks in the future .

Objective To compare the newer antifungal agents micafungin and voriconazole for prophylaxis effects on the clinical outcomes.Methods We electronically searched the database of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,Pubmed,EMbase,China Biology Medicine (CBM),China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and relevant database articles (1996.01-2014.12).Comparative studies were carried out on proved fungal infections,mortality,and adverse effects.Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3 software.Results We found 1 564 records and 16 studies totaling 4 234patients included in analyses.Pooled comparisons of studies found that antifungal prophylaxis with the new agents did reduce the incidence of invasive fungal infections and transplant related mortality than fluconazole or itraconazole [OR =0.41 (0.21 ～ 0.80) and OR =0.40 (0.24 ～ 0.66),respectively,P ＜ 0.01].Voriconazole had higher rates of liver dysfunction,lower gastrointestinal side effects over fluconazole,and lower rates of nephrotoxic effects than amphotericin B.Voriconazole had significant decrease in adverse events requiring drug discontinuation compared to itraconazole [OR =0.43 (0.27 ～ 0.68),P ＜ 0.01].Conclusions This analysis indicated the 2 agents appear to be well tolerated with manageable side effects and beneficial in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection (IFI).

Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of HLA-DPB1 mismatch on the clinical outcomes of unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods Relevant studies analyzing the effect of HLA-DPB1 mismatch upon the clinical outcomes of unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation published from January 1995 to December 2016 were retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, Center of International Bone Marrow Transplant Registration, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. The survival rate, the incidence of implantation failure, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), recurrence rate, transplantation-related mortality rate and other adverse events were analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 software. Funnel plot was utilized to assess the publication bias. Results A total of 19 literatures consisting of 26634 patients were retrieved. Meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with the recipients in the HLA-DPB1 match group, those in the HLA-DPB1 mismatch group had lower disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate in non-T cell-depleted transplantation. In the HLA-DPB1 mismatch group, the incidence of severe GVHD and transplantation-related mortality(TRM) rate were higher. And the TRM rate of two loci mismatch was more evident than that of one locus mismatch. Conclusions HLA-DPB1 locus exerts significant effect on the survival rate and incidence of adverse events after unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The status of HLA-DPB1 match should be considered when selecting the unrelated donors.

As a potent anticoagulant, leech a traditional Chinese medicine, has become increasing topics. Hirudin, which is the primary effective component in leech, is a specific and efficient inhibitor of thrombin, mainly used in prevention and treatment of thrombus on the clinic practice. However, there is still no accurate and convenient method reported about the determination of it's biological activity. This paper reported a method for the determination of the biological activity the of extract from hirudo. The extra thrombin, which was not inhibited by hirudin in the extract from hirudo, reacted with N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester and was determined. The biological activity of the hirudo extract was determined, indirectly. The linear of calibration curve and accuracy were both perfect, the method was accurate and reliable.
Animals ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Biological Factors ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Assays ; methods ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hirudins ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hirudo medicinalis ; chemistry ; Thrombin ; analysis ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in the treatment of Gaucher disease.

METHODThe clinical characteristics of three children with Gaucher disease underwent UCBT in our hospital between April 2013 and September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Literature on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of Gaucher disease was searched at Wanfang and Pubmed databases between 1983 and 2015 and was reviewed and summaried.

RESULTThree children with Gaucher disease, all were female, received UCBT. These patients' age at receiving transplantation was 3.8 years, 7.1 years and 2.6 years, respectively. The second case received the second transplantation. The first and third case received splenectomy before UCBT. The pretreatment regimen was busulfan (Bu)/fludarabine (Flu)/cyclophosphamide (CTX)/antithymocyte globulin (ATG), and for the patient received the second transplantation melphalan was added to the myeloablative conditioning regimen of Bu/Flu/CTX/ATG. Cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) wee used for prophylaxis of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). The dose of cord blood stem cell nucleated cell counts was 9.7 × 10⁷ /kg,11.9 × 10⁷ /kg and 7.6 × 10⁷/kg respectively. The dose of cord blood stem cell CD34⁺ cell counts was 5.4 × 10⁵/kg , 3.5 × 10⁵/kg and 3.2 × 10⁵/kg respectively. The day of granulocytes exceeding 0.5 × 10⁹/L was day 11, 12 and 19 after transplantation, respectively. The day of platelets exceeding 20 × 10⁹/L was day 14, 33 and 74 after transplantation, respectively. At one month after transplantation the rate of chimerism was over 95% and all patients got donor complete chimerism. The level of β-glucocerebrosidase recovered to normal at one month after transplantation. During transplantation, all patients developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viremia. In case 1 immune thrombocytopenia occurred at five month after transplantation unresponding to steroids and mesenchymal stem cells infusion was administered and his platelet in routine blood test recovered to normal. But the patient died because she was infected with varicella-zoster virus out of hospital at nine month after transplantation and the level of β-glucocerebrosidase was normal before death and chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was not found. The case 2 is now in 19th month after transplantation and his level of β-glucocerebrosidase was normal. cGVHD was not found. The patient is currently free of disease. The case 3 was in 9th month after transplantation and his level of β-glucocerebrosidase was normal. cGVHD was found at 112 day after transplantation and was localized and could be controlled by hormonal therapy. The patient is currently free of disease. Three patients' size of liver was significantly reduced after their level of β-glucocerebrosidase ecovered. There were 50 cases with Gaucher disease who were treated with allo-HSCT in the literature and none of them were reported from China. Disease-free survival rate of patients treated with allo-HSCT for Gaucher disease was 85%. In all reports, there were 31 cases who had information of typing of Gaucher disease, of whom 22 cases had type 1 and 9 cases had type 3. Twenty-nine cases had information of survival, of whom 24 cases survived and 5 cases died of infection. Fifteen cases had data of engraftment, 2 of whom had graft failure and one had late graft failure.Glucocerebrosidase recovered to normal in 25 of 31 cases who had relevant data, in one of whom with late graft failure the enzyme recovered to normal 3 month after transplantation, but his enzyme decreased to the initial level 9 month after transplantation. Along with enzyme level's recovery to normal, in a part of cases bone pain and hepatomegaly were relieved and growth delay was improved.

CONCLUSIONThe unrelated UCBT may be a form of treatment that offers the potential of permanent cure and a procedure with possible long-term benefits in patients with Gaucher disease.

Antilymphocyte Serum ; therapeutic use ; Busulfan ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gaucher Disease ; therapy ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Mycophenolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Vidarabine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use