Objective: To gain a clear idea of the resources of medicinal plants and their pharmaceutical identification in Guizhou , China, and to conserve, develop,and uilize them effectively.Method: Investigation on the spot with a statistical analysis. The technical route is“ Investigation and identification →Conservation and development →Method, technology and ways for protection, propagation and utilization →GAP cultivated pilot and assessment of medicinal materials and their products →Comprehensive evaluation and results". Result: According to the incomplete statistics, there are 3924 varieties of medicinal materials from plants, accounting for 91.47% of the total in Guizhou. Among them there are 275 families, 1384 genera and 2987 species of vascular bundle plants, accounting for 43.1% of all species. There are 200 species of pteridophyta and 2802 spermatophyta. Conclusion: Investigation of wild medicine species has been proceeded, as well as introduction and research of their propagation techniques and production. Guizhou is rich in medicinal plant resources. However, their species and population are reducing progressively. Effective measures must be taken to protect the germ plasma resources and put them into rational uses for the utilization and sustainable development. Rare and endemic medicine species must be introduced for conservation, propagation and realization of GAP pilot cultivation. Resources must be used in an economical way and products must be made with a high technological content.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes for misplacement of pedicle screw in thoracolumbar spine.METHODS: From January 2002 to January 2008, 19 patients with misplacement in thoracolumbar spine were treated in Department of Orthopedics, Wuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, including 12 males and 7 females with an average age of 52.5 years (range 23-68 years). The diagnoses were thoracolumbar fracture in 5 cases, lumbar spondylolisthesis in 8 and degenerative lumbar disease in 6. The fixation systems were Steffee used in 4 cases, DRFS in 3, RF in 6, AF in 4 and GSS in 2. X-ray and CT scanning were used to observe pedicle screw location, including screw,pedicle and membranous sac and great vessels.RESULTS: The time of misplacement of pedicle screw was 5-69 days with an average time of 18.5 days, including 7 cases of screw penetrating into lateral cortex, 4 of screw penetrating into medial cortex, 2 of screw penetrating into pedicle cortex, 2 of overplacement, 2 of intervertebral foremen placement and 2 of intervertebral space placement.CONCLUSION: The causes for screw misplacement were anatomic variation and poor surgical skills, and the key factors in precise insertion of pedicle screw are fine surgical skills, carefully study of preoperative image and the intra-operative monitoring.

Objective To study the mediated neuroprotective effect of B-cell lymphoma/Ieukemia -2 ( Bcl -2 ) and hairy enhancer of split homologues 1 ( Hes -1 ) after cerebral ischemic preconditioning.Methods The model A of cerebral ischemia was set up by the way of middle cerebral artery occlusion.The right internal carotid artery of rat was blocked transiently 10 minutes at a time, then after 3 days the model B was established by the way of model A.The sham operation group was only isolated carotid artery.The time 2, 3, 7, 14 days after the proce-dure , the neurobehavioral function in rat was evaluated by the way of Zea-Longa.The volume of cerebral infarction was measured by 2 , 3 , 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride ( TTC) stain.The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Hes1 were assessed by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( qRT -PCR ) .Results Compared with model A group, the neurologic impairment scores and cerebral infarction volume[ A:( 40.00 ±4.47 )%, B:( 19.00 ±2.75 )%, respectively ] of rats in model B group had obvious discrepancy( P<0.05).Hes1 mRNA expression in model A and model B were higher than sham operation group, model B were higher than model A, the difference had significantly (P<0.05).Bcl-2 mRNA expression, model B were significantly higher than sham group and model A at 2 days, the difference had significantly( P<0.05).Conclusion The Bcl-2 and Hes1 mRNA ex-pression increased after cerebral ischemia precondition, may be associated with nerve protective effect.

Objective To explore the incidence rate of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among the elderly which transferred to Alzheimer disease (AD) and to analyze the related influencing factors. Methods 10 urban communities were selected through stratified cluster sampling as the research sites where 361 patients with MCI were screened from 1 942 residents aged over 60 years old. Questionnaires and laboratory assays were used to collect data from subjects, including characteristics of demographic, life style, medical history, Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein,(AD7C-(NTP)), amyloid β-protein 42(Aβ42) and amyloid β-protein 40(Aβ40), etc. Patients with MCI were followed up for three years to determine whether they progressed to AD. Results 121 of 361 patients of MCI converted to AD, and the incidence rate of MCI to AD was 9.49% person-years. According to the results of Logistic regression analysis model, elder (80-89 years) (OR=3.651,95% CI:1.295-10.297, P<0.001),female (OR=2.603,95% CI:1.136-5.966, P<0.001), heavy drinking(OR=1.479,95% CI:1.343-1.627, P<0.001), increased ADL score (OR=1.790, 95% CI:1.443-2.220, P=0.031) and smoking (OR=1.157,95% CI:1.091-1.224, P<0.001) were the risky factors of the transition of MCI to AD. The increase of Moca score (OR=0.766,95% CI:0.681-0.861, P<0.001) was the protective factor of the transition. Conclusions We should strengthen our monitor on elder female MCI patients, and promote healthy lifestyles among the elders, encouraging them to actively participate in physical exercises and reading, in order to delay patients' transition of MCI to AD.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare, distinct subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, possessing an aggressive course and poor prognosis with no standard therapy. Twelve patients who have failed at least two initial CHOP or CHOP-like regimens were enrolled in this study and treated with individualized cyclosporine (CsA), prednisone (PDN), and monthly, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVIG). The dose of CsA was adjusted individually based on the blood trough concentration of CsA and renal function. All patients were examined for response, toxicity and survival. The most significant toxicities (≥ grade 2) were infection (16.7%), renal insufficiency (8.3%), hypertension (8.3%), diabetes (8.3%) and insomnia (16.7%). Discontinuation of treatment occurred in one patient (8.3%) due to grade 3 renal toxicity and subsequent grade 4 pulmonary infection. Treatment-related death was not observed. The overall response rate was 75.0% (complete response, 33.3%; partial response, 41.7%). With a median follow-up of 25.5 months, the median duration of response was 20 months (range, 12 to 49 months) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 25.5 months (range, 10 to 56 months). The 2-year PFS rate was 81.5%. Our findings indicate the combination of CsA, PDN and HDIVIG is an effective salvage regimen for refractory or relapsed AITL with predictable and manageable toxicity.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Salvage Therapy ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo develop an amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous immunoassay (AlphaLISA) kit for the detection of human hepatitis B virus e antibody (HBeAb).

METHODSThe neutralizing and competitive inhibition method was used to develop the AlphaLISA kit for detection of serum HBeAb.

RESULTSThe working range of the kit was 0.003-16 NCU/ml with a sensitivity up to 0.003 NCU/ml. The intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation was 5.3% and 6.8%, respectively. The kit showed no cross-reaction with HBcAb, and comparison of the detection results with those of a commercially available Elecsys HBeAb kit (Roche) for 136 samples showed a correlation coefficient of 0.961.

CONCLUSIONThe AlphaLISA kit for HBeAb detection meets the clinical requirements for detection HBeAb in human serum.

Equipment Design ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; instrumentation ; Luminescent Measurements ; instrumentation ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

OBJECTIVEThis review focuses on the state-of-the-art of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and its role in tumor progression.

DATA SOURCESRelevant articles published in English were identified by searching in Pubmed from 1997 to 2013, with keywords "CXCL12", "CXCR4" and "pancreatic cancer". Important references from selected articles were also retrieved.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles about CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and relevant mechanisms were selected.

RESULTSPancreatic cancer has been one of the most lethal human malignancies, with median survival less than one year and overall 5-year survival only 6%. Tumor cells from pancreatic cancer express high level of CXCR4. CXCL12, the ligand for CXCR4, is extensively secreted by neighboring stromal cells and other distant organs. CXCL12 primarily binds to CXCR4, induces intracellular signaling through several divergent pathways, which are involved in progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONSCXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may play an important role in the communication between pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment, which may have effect on tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may serves as a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology

The present study was designed to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of rat conduit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the response to acute hypoxia. PASMCs of the 1st to 2nd order branches in the conduit pulmonary arteries were obtained by enzymatic isolation. The PASMCs were divided into acute hypoxia preconditioned group and normoxia group. Hypoxia solutions were achieved by bubbling with 5% CO2 plus 95% N2 for at least 30 min before cell perfusion. Potassium currents were compared between these two groups using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The total outward current of PASMCs was measured under normoxia condition when iBTX [specific blocking agent of large conductance Ca-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channel] and 4-AP [specific blocking agent of delayed rectifier K(+) (K(DR)) channel] were added consequently into bath solution. PASMCs were classified into three types according to their size, shape and electrophysiological characteristics. Type I cells are the smallest with spindle shape, smooth surface and discrete perinuclear bulge. Type II cells show the biggest size with banana-like appearance. Type III cells have the similar size with type I, and present intermediary shape between type I and type II. iBTX had little effect on the total outward current in type I cells, while 4-AP almost completely blocked it. Most of the total outward current in type II cells was inhibited by iBTX, and the remaining was sensitive to 4-AP. In type III cells, the total outward current was sensitive to both iBTX and 4-AP. Acute hypoxia reduced the current in all three types of cells: (1614.8+/-62.5) pA to (892.4+/-33.6) pA for type I cells (P<0.01); (438.3+/-42.8) pA to (277.5+/-44.7) pA for type II cells (P<0.01); (1 042.0+/-37.2) pA to (613.6+/-23.8) pA for type III (P<0.01), and raised the resting membrane potentials (E(m)) in all these three types of cells: (-41.6+/-1.6) mV to (-18.6+/-1.5) mV (P<0.01), (-42.3+/-3.8) mV to (-30.6+/-3.0) mV (P<0.01), (-43.3+/-1.6) mV to (-28.4+/-1.4) mV (P<0.01), for type I, II, III cells, respectively. These results suggest that acute hypoxia suppresses the potassium current and improves the E(m) in PASMCs. These effects may be involved in the modulation of constriction/relaxation of conduit artery under acute hypoxia. Different distribution of K(DR) and BK(Ca) channels in these three types of PASMCs might account for their different constriction/relaxation response to acute hypoxia.
4-Aminopyridine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; physiology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, etiological composition, imaging features, and prognosis of adrenal metastases.Methods:This study is a retrospective case series that included 96 patients with pathologically confirmed adrenal metastases who were treated at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from 2007 to 2017. Clinical features such as sex, age, tumor size, biochemical tests, imaging characteristics, postoperative pathology, treatment methods, and prognosis were collected and analyzed. The prognosis of patients and its influencing factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and single-factor Cox risk proportional model.Results:Among the 96 included patients, 64 were male and 32 were female, with a median age of 60 years. There were 89 cases of unilateral adrenal metastases, five cases of bilateral metastases, and two cases with unspecified laterality. The median diameter of the metastases was 3.5 cm×2.9 cm, with an average CT value of 31 HU. Thirty-four cases of adrenal hormones were evaluated, and no abnormality was found.The primary tumor sites were as follows: lung ( n=36), kidney ( n=19), liver ( n=12), pancreas ( n=7), rectum ( n=3), stomach ( n=2), and one case each of tumor in the esophagus, skin, thyroid, left maxillary muscle, breast, bladder, cervix, chest wall, and gastrointestinal tract. There were three cases with unknown primary tumors. The most common pathological type was lung adenocarcinoma (20.8%, 20/96), followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (9.4%, 9/96) and high-grade invasive urothelial carcinoma of the kidney (8.3%, 8/96). Thirty-nine cases were diagnosed concurrently with the primary tumor, while 37 cases were diagnosed after the primary tumor, with a median interval of 15 months (range: 2-144 months). There was no significant correlation between the death risk of adrenal metastatic tumor patients and gender, age, and the size of the metastatic tumor (all P>0.05). There were 4 patients with radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone, 19 patients with surgery alone, and 6 patients with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 1, 3, and 7 years, respectively. Conclusions:Adrenal metastases were mostly diagnosed at the same time as the primary tumor or within 15 months after the diagnosis of the primary tumor. Unilateral metastasis is common. The lungs are the most common primary lesion, followed by the kidney and liver. CT is the preferred method for the diagnosis of adrenal metastases, and the plain CT value is more than 30 HU. The overall prognosis of adrenal metastases is poor. The prognosis was better for patients who underwent surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy than those who received only surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone.

Objective To investigate the effect of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) on mucus hypersecretion in the airway of asthmatic mice and explore the mechanism. Methods Female C57bl/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into wild-type control group, wild-type asthma group, Brg1-/-group with Brg1 gene knockdown in type II alveolar epithelial cells, and Brg1-/-+asthma group (n=10). The mice in asthma group and Brg1-/-+asthma group were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish asthmatic models. PAS staining was used to determine the number of goblet cells and mucus secretion in the airway. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of MUC5AC mRNA in the lung tissues. The levels of mucin MUC5AC and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected with ELISA and immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of STAT6 and p-STAT6 in the lung tissue were detected using Western blotting. Results Compared with the control mice, wild-type asthmatic mice showed obvious mucus hypersecretion and increased MUC5AC mRNA in the airway with significantly increased IL-13 and MUC5AC levels in the BALF and activation of p-STAT6 in the lung tissues (P<0.05). In the transgenic mice with Brg1 gene knockdown, airway mucus secretion and MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly reduced following OVA challenge compared with those in the wild-type asthmatic mice; IL-13 and MUC5AC levels in the BALF and p-STAT6 expression in the lung tissues were also significantly decreased in the transgenic mice (P<0.05). Conclusion Brg1 gene knockdown in type II alveolar epithelial cells alleviates OVA-induced airway mucus hypersecretion and reduces the expression of MUC5AC in C57bl/6 mice possibly by inhibiting STAT6 activation, suggesting the role of Brg1 in promoting asthmatic airway mucus hypersecretion.