Analogous formulae (AF) refer to a set of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae sharing similar herbs and/or indications. Dissecting functional chemome of analogous formulae could enhance the understanding of the intrinsic nature of TCM. In this study, taking 5 Xiaoqinglong decoction analogous formulae (XQL AF) including Xiaoqinglong decoction, Mahuang Xingren Shigao Gancao decoction, Mahuang Fuzi decoction, Houpu Mahuang decoction and Daqinglong decoction as example, we systematically investigated the relationship between compounds and indications using network formulaology approach. The functional chemome of XQL AF were revealed by network analysis and molecular docking. This successful application in XQL AF suggests network formulaology could be a useful tool for AF-related research and therefore provide a new way to discover the scientific foundation of Zhang Zhongjing's herbal formulae.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of Rhinitis Spray (RS) in treating chronic simple and hypertrophic rhinitis. Methods: Eighty patients with chronic rhinitis were divided into three groups and treated with RS, ephedrine and normal saline respectively. Results: The short-term effective rate in the three groups was 89.3%, 66.7% and 8.0% respectively. RS was effective in alleviating symptoms, increasing IgG level in nasal discharge, improving ventilatory function of nasal cavity and transfer function of nasal muosa cilia obviously. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of RS in treating chronic rhinitis is satisfactory.

Background A virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields.They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations,and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation.At present,some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are available.The utility of virtual reality simulators in training of transurethral prostatectomy was investigated.Methods Thirty-eight urologists were randomly selected to take part in a simulation based training of TURP using the TURPSimTM system.Pre and post-training global rate scale (GRS) scores and objective parameters recorded by the simulator were assessed.Then,questionnaires were filled out.Results Compared with baseline levels,the GRS scores of trainees increased (18.0±4.0 vs.12.4±4.2,P＜0.001),while the rate of capsule resection (26.3％±0.6％ vs.21.2％±0.4％,P ＜0.001),amount of blood loss ((125.8±86.3) ml vs.(83.7±41.6) ml,P ＜0.001),external sphincter injury (3.6±2.9 vs.2.0±2.0,P ＜0.001)decreased significantly after training.Most trainees were satisfied with the simulator based training and believed that the simulator accurately mimicked actual surgical procedures and could help improve their surgical skills.Conclusions As a new method of training on transurethral prostatectomy skills,training of TURP using a virtual simulator can help urologists improve their surgical skills and safety.Therefore,the application of the TURPSimTM system in education and training of urologic surgery is warranted.

Objective To study the correlation between the deformation and displacement trend of the lumbosacral vertebra (L1-S1) for two typical scoliosis spines under vertical loads,so as to provide the mechanical basis of treatment and prevention of scoliosis in clinic.Methods The X-ray computed tomography (CT) images of two typical scoliosis spines (Lenke-4AN type and Lenke-5CN type) were converted into 3D models,and their finite element models were then established and verified.The internal stress distribution and displacement variation of the models were calculated by the finite element software;the correlation between the lumbosacral vertebral structure and displacement of the spine was analyzed.Results Under the same boundary conditions and load cases,the stress and displacement for two kinds of lumbosacral vertebral models showed different trends.Due to its leftleaning and forward convex bending deformation as well as the relatively large lordosis angle (60°) and smaller left-leaning angle (17.37°),the Lenke-4AN type lumbosacral spine produced slightly small forward convex displacement (8.18 mm) and relatively large left-leaning displacement (0.97 mm).The Lenke-5CN type lumbosacral spine showed left-leaning and forward convex bending deformation as well,with relatively large lordosis angle(59°) and left-leaning angle (26.97°),so it produced more severe left-leaning displacement (20.65 mm) andforward convex displacement (9.22 mm).Conclusions The deformation trend of lumbosacral vertebra is closelyrelated to its structural characteristics,and different scoliosis lumbosacral vertebral structures will cause the corre-sponding deformation trend.The research findings are important for the prevention and treatment of scoliosis.

Aged ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDVirtual reality (VR) has been recognized as a useful modality in the training of surgical skills. With respect to basic endoscopic skill training of urology, we sought to investigate the effectiveness of the UroMentor(TM) virtual reality simulator (VRS) in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.

METHODSUrologists familiar with rigid cystoscopy procedures were selected to take part in a virtual training course of flexible cystoscopy. Changes in total operating time, frequency of injury, number of digital markers inside the bladder, and the global rating scale (GRS) scores were assessed following eight repeated training sessions on the UroMentor(TM).

RESULTSEighteen urologists voluntarily took part in the study. Total operating time was significantly lower after eight sessions of training by comparison ((111 ± 10) seconds and (511 ± 67) seconds, respectively; P < 0.001). Additionally, the frequency of injury decreased with training from (12 ± 2) times to (5 ± 1) times (P < 0.001), while the number of digital markers observed increased from 9 ± 0 to 10 ± 1 (P = 0.005). Finally, training with the UroMentor(TM) resulted in a GRS increase from (1.3 ± 0.2) points to (3.9 ± 0.2) points (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONthe VRS UroMentor(TM) can improve urologists' ability to perform flexible cystoscopy and could be used as an effective training tool for trainees.

Clinical Competence ; Computer Simulation ; Cystoscopy ; education ; Humans ; Urology ; education

BACKGROUNDThe need to develop new methods of surgical training combined with advances in computing has led to the development of virtual reality surgical simulators. The PERC Mentor(TM) is designed to train the user in percutaneous renal collecting system access puncture. This study aimed to validate the use of this kind of simulator, in percutaneous renal access training.

METHODSTwenty-one urologists were enrolled as trainees to learn a fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal accessing technique. An assigned percutaneous renal access procedure was immediately performed on the PERC Mentor(TM) after watching instruction video and an analog operation. Objective parameters were recorded by the simulator and subjective global rating scale (GRS) score were determined. Simulation training followed and consisted of 2 hours daily training sessions for 2 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the training session, trainees were evaluated performing the same procedure. The post-training evaluation was compared to the evaluation of the initial attempt.

RESULTSDuring the initial attempt, none of the trainees could complete the appointed procedure due to the lack of experience in fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access. After the short-term training, all trainees were able to independently complete the procedure. Of the 21 trainees, 10 had primitive experience in ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Trainees were thus categorized into the group of primitive experience and inexperience. The total operating time and amount of contrast material used were significantly lower in the group of primitive experience versus the inexperience group (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe training on the virtual reality simulator, PERC Mentor(TM), can help trainees with no previous experience of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access to complete the virtual manipulation of the procedure independently. This virtual reality simulator may become an important training and evaluation tool in teaching fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; education ; Urology ; education ; User-Computer Interface

BACKGROUNDA virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields. They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations, and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation. At present, some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are available. The utility of virtual reality simulators in training of transurethral prostatectomy was investigated.

METHODSThirty-eight urologists were randomly selected to take part in a simulation based training of TURP using the TURPSim(TM) system. Pre and post-training global rate scale (GRS) scores and objective parameters recorded by the simulator were assessed. Then, questionnaires were filled out.

RESULTSCompared with baseline levels, the GRS scores of trainees increased (18.0 ± 4.0 vs. 12.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.001), while the rate of capsule resection (26.3% ± 0.6% vs. 21.2% ± 0.4%, P < 0.001), amount of blood loss ((125.8 ± 86.3) ml vs. (83.7 ± 41.6) ml, P < 0.001), external sphincter injury (3.6 ± 2.9 vs. 2.0 ± 2.0, P < 0.001) decreased significantly after training. Most trainees were satisfied with the simulator based training and believed that the simulator accurately mimicked actual surgical procedures and could help improve their surgical skills.

CONCLUSIONSAs a new method of training on transurethral prostatectomy skills, training of TURP using a virtual simulator can help urologists improve their surgical skills and safety. Therefore, the application of the TURPSim(TM) system in education and training of urologic surgery is warranted.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Male ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; education ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; education ; Urology ; education

OBJECTIVETo investigate the D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35 in normal individuals in Shanghai and analysis the polymorphism of the D4Z4 locus.

METHODSThe length of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35 in 191 normal individuals in Shanghai was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting after double digestion with Eco RI and Bln I. The number of short D4Z4 repeats was counted after partial digestion with Kpn I.

RESULTSAmong 191 normal individuals in Shanghai, seventeen showed the size of D4Z4 fragments ranged from 22 to 34 kb, i.e. 8.9% of individuals had fewer numbers of D4Z4 repeats. Of these 17 individuals, sixteen showed the short D4Z4 fragment on chromosome 4q35, and one low D4Z4 fragment was correlated to 4q35--> 10q26 translocation.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of individuals having fewer numbers of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q35 in Shanghai population is higher than that in Caucasian population although the short D4Z4 fragment on chromosome 4q35 is associated with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. These findings suggest that other factors may also contribute to facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blotting, Southern ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral ; ethnology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

Objective To study the genetic and epidemiological characteristics of HA1 of influenza H1N1 viruses circulating in Shenzhen from 2005 to 2007. Methods The HA1 region was analyzed by RT-PCR and subsequently sequenced to analyze the HA1 genetic evolution. Phylogenetic analysis was confirmed on the homology of nucleitide comparing with the reference viruses of vaccines recommended by WHO and representative virus confirmed by China CDC. Relationship between isolation rates and genetic evolutions was explored. Results The average isolation rate from 2005 to 2007 was 7.16%. Of the isolates, the proportions of influenza H1N1 viruses in 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 56.14%, 66.03%,3.61% ,respectively. Data from HA1 phylogenetic analysis showed that there were at least three clades circulated in Shenzhen. Different viruses isolated during January to April were clustered with A/New Caledonia/20/1999 viruses isolated in the latter months of 2005 clustered with A/Solomon Island/3/2006 and viruses from 2006 to 2007 were in the same clade with A/GDLH/219/2006. Results showed that most viruses had a deletion of lysine at position 130. Compared with A/New Caledonia/20/1999, the virus isolated after May of 2005 occurred T82K, Y94H, R146K, R209K, T267N amino acid substitution, while some virus isolated after May 2006 took place the amino acid substitutions of A190T, H193Y,E195D (located at antigenic site B) and R146K(antigenic site A). The sequences at the receptor-binding sites and glycosylation sites were conserved. Compared with referring viruses, A/SZ/68/2007 had 50 amino acid substitutions in the HA1 region.Of these,eleven and six were located at antigenic sites and receptor-binding sites,respectively.Four amino acid substitution resulted in the deletion of glycosylation site.Conclusion Three different genetic lineages of influenza H1N1 virus were circulated in the population in Shenzhen during 2005-2007.The special virus named A/SZ/68/2007 should be paid further attention on its antigenic and epidemiological characteristics.