Objective To investigate the functional states of stroke patients using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core sets for stroke. Methods Fifty in-patients with stroke participated in this study. Twenty-five patients less than one month after a stroke were assigned to the acute group, and another 25 patients with more than one month since their stroke were assigned to the sub-acute and chronic group. All the patients were assessed using the Glasgow coma scale, Rankin grading and the Barthel index. The ICF core set for stroke assessment was also used with both groups. The data was analyzed by using a Chi squared frequency test. Results Rankin grades and Barthel indices were significantly different between the two groups, and the functional states in the acute group were better than those in the sub-acute and chronic group. Some of the items, such as consciousness state, functions of structures adjoining the eyes, hearing, substitutive sound, accessory respiration, temperature regulation and protection function of the skin had no significant difference between the groups. The number of patients suffering from disorders of joint motion, joint stability, muscle endurance and control of voluntary movement was significantly greater in the sub-acute and chronic group than in the acute group. Both groups were influenced to different degrees by most of the environmental factors. Conclusion The ICF core sets correctly indicated joint motion, joint stability, muscle endurance and control of voluntary movement difficulties of stroke patients.

Objective To compare the curative effects and safety of immunoabsorption(IA) and double filtration plasmapheresis(DFPP) in treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS).Methods 60 patients of GBS were randomly divided into two groups and treated with IA and DFPP,respectively.The neurological functions were assessed and the immunoglobulin,complement and total protein in the blood were also measured before and after treatments.Results The rating of the neurological function deficiency in both groups improved with time,but there was no significant difference in Hughes rating between two groups.After half year,the MRC rating in IA group was better than that in DFPP group((P

Aim To investigate the chemical compo-nents and antibacterial and nematicidal activity of en-doparasitic fungi ThF-1 1 of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.)Hutch.Methods The endophyte ThF-1 1 was isolated,purified and identified based on fungal ITS sequence.The chemical components were isolated and identified with column chromatography and NMR spec-trometer,respectively.The nematicidal and antibacte-rial activity was investigated by biological active meth-od and inhibition zone method.Results The endo-phyte ThF-1 1 was identified as Penicillium simplicissi-mum,the compounds were identified as Penicillic acid [1 ],2,4-dimethoxy-6-methylphenol [2]and 5 (6)-dihydropenicillic acid [3 ] based on spectral data. Compound [1 ]showed significant activity against Cae-norhabditis elegans in a dose-dependent manner,and had antibacterial activity to Escherichia coli,Bacillus cereus,Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Conclusion These com-pounds are firstly isolated from endophyte ThF-1 1 of T. hypoglaucum (Levl.)Hutch.Compound [1 ]shows strong nematicidal activity and antibacterial activity, and is worth further studying and developing.

A system design of brain-computer interface based on the alpha waves in human electroencephalography(EEG) is presented in this paper.With the effects on the alpha wave amplitudes of human eye's open and close involved in,the selection control of four direction targets can be performed on a computer screen.The system speed and accuracy rate are investigated through the experiments involving 5 subjects.It is shown that the system is easy to operate and needs no complex learning and biofeedback training.The studying results provide a good technical foundation for the development of BCI control panel and the realization of the system integration.It has the potential application for clinical engineering and is valuable for further research.

A new method is developed to detect vascular edge-line in coronary angiograms.It firstly searches the path through vessel segment of interest,then detects vascular edges along profiles perpendicular to the path.The experiments demonstrate that the method performs well in coronary angiograms with less nearby or overlapping structures and branching vessels.

Dryness is the inherent performance in traditional Chinese medicine. Dryness with a specific efficacy and side effect can be reduced suitably by processing and compatibility in the clinical application. Nowadays domestic scholars have developed research of dryness in traditional Chinese medicine. However, it remains problems such as evaluation index of dryness not clear. This paper takes medical literature mining technology to analyze the historical origin and features of dryness theory. Combing the modern literatures to explicate the dryness' research status and existing problems. Putting forward the traditional Chinese medicine and research should adopt multidisciplinary knowledge and study the system of comprehensive evaluation. Dryness is expected to further application in traditional Chinese medicine clinical research.
Data Mining ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron

We reviewed 100 cases with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) from 1980 to 1999, and found that the features of GBS in electrophysiological classification, age, area, seasonal distributions, and in preceding illness in northwestern China are different in some aspects from those in Europe and North America or in northern China. The demyelinating pattern appeares as a major subtype not only in different age groups, but also in different test times after symptom onset.

BACKGROUND: The nano-hydroxyapatite/bacterial cellulose (nHAP/BC) nanocomposites has a good prospect of application in bone tissue engineering, and the bone tissue engineered materials and its degradation products Should have excellent compatibility. This study further assessed DAN synthesis cycle using flow cytometry on the basis of evaluating cell compatibility by metabolic 3-(4, 5-dim ethylthiazo 1-2-y 1) -2, 5-Dipheny 1-2H-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytocompatibility of a new-pattern nHAP/BC nanocomposites and its residues. METHODS: Effects of nHAP/BC nanocomposites and its residues on morphclogicel changes in osteoblasts were observed using in vitro cell culture method. Effects of nHAP/BC nanocomposites and its residues on osteoblast growth and prclifera'don were evaluated by MTT assay. Cell cycle phase changes were detected using flow cytometry to evaluate matsdal effects on cell proliferation on molecular levels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The nHAP/BC nanocomposites and its residues had neither remarkable effects on cell morphology, nor significant inhibition on osteoblast growth and proliferation. Test of MTT cytotoxicity showed that the average cell proliferation rate was over 80% after treated with the material and its residues, with the cytotoxity grade of 1 (non-toxic). Flow cytometry indicated that the rate of G_0/G_1 was reduced, and the rates of S, G2/M were increased, and the synthesis of DNA was increased, the cellular growth and repair in osteoblasts was accelerated. These indicated that nHAP/BC nanocomposites have good cytocompatibility, and it will be safe and prospected scaffolds in bone tissue engineering.