Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a great knowledge base that has been developed through thousands of years and has been accumulated a wealth of experience in diagnosis and treatment.TCM has advanced concepts,but lag behind the use of modern technology and means.With the progress of modern science and technology,the combination of TCM theory and moderm science and technology promotes the development of TCM engineering.TCM has been a breakthrough in diagnostic techniques and clinical treatment,especially modern TCM instruments.At present,diagnostic instruments of TCM mainly depend on pulse and tongue device,and gradually develop to four diagnostic comprehensive analysis platform.Therapeutic instruments of TCM include electroacupuncture device,meridian instrument,laser treatment device and magnetic therapy instrument.This article focuses on the current status,problems and trend on TCM diagnostic and therapeutic instruments,which mainly include diagnostic instruments,clinical treatment instruments,Chinese medical instruments.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of hirudin on atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice.

METHODSTotally 24 ApoE(-/-) mice, 7-8 weeks old were fed with high fat diets. They were randomly divided into the recombinant hirudin treatment group (drug group) and the model group according to body weight and different dens, 12 in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice, 7-8 weeks old fed with high fat diet were recruited as the normal control group. Recombinant hirudin (0.25 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to mice in the drug group from the 10th week old once every other day for five successive weeks. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to mice in the model group. Mice in the normal control group received no treatment. All mice were sacrificed after fed with high fat diet until they were 20 weeks old. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), E-selectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and stromal metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were detected. The plaque/lumen area and extracellular lipid composition/ plaque area were analyzed by HE staining and morphometry. Changes of signaling molecules in store-operated calcium channels, including stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1), Orail protein, and transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) were determined by Western blot. Results Lipid plaque formed in the aorta vessel wall of 20-week old mice in the model group. Compared with the normal control group, serum levels of TC, TG and LDL increased (P<0.01), hs-CRP, E-selction, IL-6, and MMP-2 obviously increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group; expression levels of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orail significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the plaque/lumen area and the extracellular lipid composition/plaque area significantly decreased in the drug group (P<0.05, P<0.01); serum levels of TC and LDL, hs-CRP, E-selction, IL-6, and MMP-2 obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01); expression levels of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orail were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHirudin could significantly improve lipids and endothelial functions of ApoE(-/-) mice, down-regulate expression levels of STIM1, Orai1, and TRPC1, and thus delaying the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins E ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; E-Selectin ; Hirudins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipids ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Triglycerides

Objective To investigate the value ofin vivo proton MR spectroscopy(1H-MRS)in the assessment of large focal hepatic tumors.Methods Fifty-three consecutive patients with 54 large(no less than 4 cm in dimneter)hepatic tumors and 19 normal volunteers were:included in this study.MRS of the 25 HCC confirmed by pathological examination,the choline-to-lipid mtios(Cho/Lip)were measured by dividing the peak area of choline at 3.2 ppm and lipid at 1.3 ppm.Differences in the ratios of normal liver,benign tumors and HCC were analyzed by Dunnett-t test.The sensitivity and specificity prof'des of 1H-MRS in the diagnosis of HCC were determined by plotting receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results The mean Cho/Lip ratios for normal liver(n=17),benign tumor(n=8),and HCC(n=25)were 0.07±0.04,0.11 ±0.06 and 0.55±0.17,respectively(F=6.58,P＜0.05).A significant statistical difference was found in the mean Cho/Lip ratios between HCC and benign liver tumors or normal liver(t=2.99,2.32;P＜0.05).But there wag no difference between benign hepatic tumors and norlnal liver(t=1.53,P＞0.05).The ROC curve showed proton MRS had moderate discriminating ability in diagnosing HCC.The area under the curve was 0.77. If 0.1 was chosen ns the cut-off value for diagnosing HCC with MRS,the sensitivity and specificity for HCC were 80.0%and 62.59b,respectively.Conclusion In vivo proton MRS is technically feasible for the evaluation of focal hepatic lesions,and may be useful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HCC by providing metabolic ifformafion.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography (3D CE-MRA) in the diagnosis and treatment of visceral artery aneurysms. Methods Forty-three patients with visceral artery aneurysms underwent 3D CE-MRA sequence after injection of 0. 2 mmol Gd-DTPA per kg. bw. The source images were subtracted and transferred to computer workstation subsequently post-procession. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 19 patients simultaneously for the purpose of control study. Results There were 43 cases with 50 visceral artery aneurysms. The arteries involved were 32 splenic artery aneurysms accounting for 64% including 5 anomalously arising from superior mesenteric artery; 7 of superior mesenteric ( 14% ) ; 4 celiac ( 1 from celiomesenteric trunk), 5 of renal and 2 of hepatic. 3D CE-MRA clearly demonstrated aneurysm's location, size, morphology, and was superior to DSA in three-dimensional display of aneurysrn and its relationship with surrounding vessels and involved organs. Endovascular treatment was performed in 15 patients, surgical treatment in 9, and conservative therapy only in 19. Conclusion 3D CE-MRA is a noninvasive and accurate technique for the diagnosis of visceral artery aneurysms. Its three-dimensional anatomic information is very helpful for treatment planning. 3D CE-MRA could be used as a test of choice in the evaluation of visceral artery aneurysms.

Objective To investigate the metabolite features of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats in vitro by high resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MASNMR).Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomized into ANP group ( n = 20) and control group ( n = 10).All the rats in ANP group were injected with L-arginine 2.5mg/g body weight twice, and the animals in the control group received same dose of saline. HR MASNMR was used to study the metabolic changes of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats in vitro. Results 12 hours after the ANP induction, the pancreas were more swelling, presented with bleeding points, with mild increase in liquefied change, coagulation necrosis could be found in parenchyma and a large number of fatty tissues could be seen around the pancreas. Serum amylase level was ( 3527 ± 429 ) U/L, which was significantly higher than ( 1250 ± 188 ) U/L in control group.Compared with those in the control group, the signal intensity of taurine ( Tau), acetic acid ( Ace), alanine (Ala) of the ANP group were significantly increased. While the signal intensities of phosphocholine (Pc),glycerophosphocholine (GPc) and betine (Bet) were significantly decreased. The signal intensities of choline (Cho), glutamic acid (Glu), lactate (Lac) were not significantly different. Conclusions There were obvious metabolic features of pancreatic tissues of ANP in rats, and it is useful for the application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in AP in vivo in human studies.

isointensity on arterial phase and hyperintensity on DWI. The combination of DWI and Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging may help to accurately diagnose HCCs.

Objective To establish a post?treatment prognostic score model for newly diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to investigate the feasibility of stratified therapy. Methods A total of 263 eligible patients with newly diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 2002 to 2010 were enrolled as subjects. The primary tumor was treated with conventional radiotherapy, three?dimensional conformal radiotherapy, or intensity?modulated radiotherapy, and radiation areas included nasopharyngeal tumor and cervical lymphatic drainage region. The metastatic bone tumor was mainly treated with conventional external radiotherapy, while the metastatic liver or lung tumor was mainly treated with surgical resection, radiotherapy, or radiofrequency ablation. The first?line therapy for most of patients was cisplatin?based combination chemotherapy. Factors including the general characteristics, tumor status, and therapy for patients were involved in multivariate analysis, and a prognostic model was established based on the n value (HR=en ) of the prognostic factors. Results The factors influencing the overall survival (OS) in patients were a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) not higher than 70(P= 0?? 00), multiple organ metastases (P=0?? 00), combination with liver metastasis (P= 0?? 00), a number of metastases not less than 2(P= 0?? 00), a level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) higher than 245 IU/ L (P= 0?? 00), a number of chemotherapy cycles ranging between 1 and 3( P= 0?? 00), a poor response for metastatic tumor ( stable disease or progressive disease)(P= 0?? 00), and primary tumor not treated with radiotherapy (P= 0?? 01). Based on the prognostic score, patients were divided into low?risk group (0?1?? 5 points), intermediate?risk group (2?? 0?6?? 5 points), and high?risk group (≥7?? 0 points), and the 5?year OS rates in the three groups were 59?? 0%, 25?? 1%, and 0%, respectively. Conclusions The prognostic score model based on the KPS, serum level of LDH, multiple organ metastases, combination with liver metastasis, and number of metastases can effectively predict the survival in patients. Active treatment including at least 4 chemotherapy cycles and radiotherapy for primary tumor can prolong the survival time of patients in the low?and intermediate?risk groups. However, patients in the high?risk group were mainly treated with palliative radiotherapy due to no improvement in the survival by radiotherapy for primary tumor.

Objective To assess the clinical value of three dimensional dynamic contrast enhanced MR angiography (3D DCE MRA) in the detection for intracranial aneurysm. Methods 3D DCE MRA was performed in 54 patients highly suspected with intracranial aneurysms. Then conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and feasible endovascular treatment were performed simultaneously. A three dimensional fast imaging with steady state precession (3D FISP) was used for 3D DCE MRA(Gd DTPA dose, 0.2 mmol per kilogram for body weight; acquisition time, 10 seconds). The source images were subtracted from mask images and transferred to computer workstation. All images were subsequently post processed using three dimensional reconstruction. 3D DCE MRA images and DSA images were compared for demonstration of the aneurysm, its neck, and relationship with parent artery, and the usefulness for endovascular treatment was evaluated. Results There were 39 cases with 45 intracranial aneurysms. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D DCE MRA were 96%, 73%, and 90%, respectively. Aneurysm and its neck depiction at 3D DCE MRA was significantly better than that at DSA, especially for aneurysms adjacent to the cavernous sinus and near the PICA of vertebral artery. 3D DCE MRA could guide neurosurgeons to the desired DSA projection, and helped them make plan for interventional or surgical treatment in advance. But the diagnosis should be very carefully made for small aneurysms located in the periphery and the arterial bifurcation. Conclusion 3D DCE MRA is a fast, noninvasive and efficient technique for diagnosing intracranial aneurysms. Its three dimensional information is helpful for DSA demonstration and treatment planning. Any uncertain diagnosis requires DSA confirmation.

Objective To explore the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on biological behavior of epidermal keratinocyte in rats. Methods A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into control group and streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetes group. Of each group, 10 rats were implemented with deep partial-thickness scalding. The re-epithelialization rate was observed at the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21th post-burn day. Histological characteristics and thickness of epidermal tissue in both groups were observed. The adhesion rate, cell cycles, apoptosis rate and migration ability of keratinocyte were measured. The accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) of epidermal tissue was observed. Results The percentages of re-epithelialized area at the 7th, 14th and 21th post-burn day were much lower in DM group than in control group (P<0.05). In DM group, the epidermal thickness was reduced obviously with obscure multilayered epithelium and less amount of prickle cells; The adhesion rates of 12, 24 h after culturing keratinocyte and the percentage of G2/M phase cells were lower in DM group than in control group (P<0.05). However, apoptosis rate of keratinocyte was higher, the amount of migration cell was significantly less in DM group than in control group (both P<0.05). There were lots of AGEs accumulated in epidermal tissue in DM group, while there were hardly AGEs in control group. Conclusions Re-epithelization blocked exists on non-healing wound in DM rats, which is related with the impaired keratinocyte biological behavior. A large of AGEs accumulate in the epidermal tissue of DM rats, which may be a important reason to inhibit keratinocyte function in diabetic environment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationship between Whitmania pigra Whitman and Hirudo nipponia Whitman.

METHODBy the sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) the molecular phylogenetic tree was constructed by MP method using software MEGA 4.0.

RESULTThe average length of ITS was 857.2-861.2 bp. The A, T, G and C contents in this fragment were 25.12%, 28.28%, 17.34%, 29.29%, respectively. The GC content was higher than the AT content. Little sequence variation was observed in ITS gene fragments with in species, and transition in only 45 loci was revealed in 14 populations. 14 W. pigra and H. nipponia populations were clustered into 2 groups by MP phylogenetic tree.

CONCLUSIONThe results also showed that the intraspecific variation was dominated in variation types of W. pigra and H. nipponia. The classification result of W. pigra and H. nipponia and its adulterants based on DNA sequences are not totally consistent with those based on classification. It showed that a little of mutation of base in ITS sequences had occurred in the process of evolution, such as transition cites, transvertion cites among base or base gap.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; Leeches ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny