Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Objective To analyze the results of postoperative conventional radiotherapy supplemen- ted by stereotactic radiotherapy for glioma and with analysis of prognostic factors.Methods From Dec. 1998 to Dee.2004,143 patients with brain glioma were postoperatively treated with conventional radiotherapy supplemented by stereotactic radiotherapy.Steretactic radiotherapy of 5-7 Gy/fraction,to totally 5-7 fractions were added as boost to the GTV following the conventional radiotherapy.The conventional radiotherapy,ai- ming at the peri-tumoral subclinical micro-loci,was about 50 Gy.Results The KPS grades were 81?9, 71?9 in patients 3-6 month after treatment in contrast to that prior to operation (t=5.98,P＜0.01 ).CR 39 patients (27.3%) ,PR 70 patients(49.0% ) ,NC 25 patients(17.5%),PD 9 patients(6.3%),with an effi- ciency rate of 76%.The 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rate was 56.6%,36.0% and 21.7%,respectively. Prognostic factor analysis showed that patients with low grade glioma had better survival time.Age,tumor site and dose,etc were unrelated to prognosis.Conclusion Stereotactic radiotherapy supplementing conven- tional radiotherapy is effective for postoperative brain glioma,which method not only shows excellence in physical dose distribution but strictly in accordance with the principle of radiobiology also.

Objectives To study the value of CT and MRI in diagnosing focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH).Methods The CT and MRI findings of 16 patients with FNH confirmed histopathologically were analyzed retrospectively.Both plain and dynamic enhanced CT scannings were performed in all the patients.Plain and dynamic enhanced MRI were carried out in 9 patients.Results (1) There were 16 patients with 19 lesions,and 8 lesions were in the left lobe,5 lesions in the right lobe,4 lesions between the left/right lobes and 2 lesions in the caudate lobe.The morphology of the lesions showed 15 lesions to have clear boundaries and 4 lesions to have fuzzy boundaries.The tumor diameters varied from 2.2 to 9.6 cm,(average 4.3 cm).(2) Sixteen patients underwent CT examination.On plain CT,the lesions were isotonic (n＝ 5),or slightly low-density (n=11).In 7 lesions,there was a slit-like,stellate-shaped low density central scar.Nine patients underwent MRI examination.On T2WI,6 lesions showed slightly higher signal while the remaining 3 lesions showed iso-signal.On T1WI,4 lesions showed slightly lower signal,3 lesions showed iso-signal and 2 lesions showed slightly higher signal while in 1 lesion the local signal showed reduction in anti-phase 1.A central scar was seen in 6 lesions which showed high signal on T2WI,and low signal on T1WI.(3) Enhanced CT: 15 lesions were significantly enhanced and 1 lesion showed mild enhancement at the arterial phase.For the patients with mild enhancement,the scar in the center of the lesion showed no enhancement.In all lesions,the central scar did not enhance.In 5 lesions,enhancements of thickened and torturous arteries were seen.In all the lesions with enhancement,the enhancement was reduced at the portal venous phase,with 12 lesions showing slightly higher density,3 lesions isodensity and 1 lesion low-density.Three lesions showed mild enhancement of the central scar.All the substantial parts of the lesions with enhancement declined at the delay phase,with 3 lesions showing slightly higher density,9 lesions of isodensity and 4 lesions slightly low density.In 7 lesions with central scar delayed enhancement,they showed slightly higher density.Nine patients underwent MRI enhancement and the enhancement characteristics were similar to CT,but the arterial phase magnitude was higher than that of CT.In 4 lesions,the central scar began to enhance at the portal venous phase,while 6 lesions continued to enhance,thus showing slightly higher signal at the delay phase.In a large lesion,there was persistent delayed enhancement in the capsule.(4) On DWI,6 lesions showed inhomogeneous,slightly hyperintensity with the center showing a slit-like low signal area.Three lesions showed iso-signal.The ADC values of the lesions were (1.31±0.08)× 10-3 mm2/s,and the normal liver parenchyma were (1.22± 0.14)× 10-3 mm2/s,(difference not statistically significant).Conclusions CT and MRI using plain and dynamic enhanced scans could show fully and accurately the pathological features and the characteristics of blood supply of FNH.The characteristic signs on both CT and MRI make an accurate diagnosis of FNH.MRI when compared with CT was slightly better.A combined use of both CT and MRI has an important value in the diagnosis of FNH.

To study the impact of five different origin processing methods, namely natural drying, drying in baking shop, drying by microwave heating, drying in drum and drying with sulphur fumigation, on the quality of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos from Donghai cultivation base in Jiangsu Province, with the contents of chlorogenic acid and galuteolin and the similarity in HPLC fingerprints as the evaluation indicators. The results showed that different origin processing methods had significant impact on the content of chlorogenic acid and the similarity in HPLC fingerprints, but with no significant difference on the content of galuteolin. By means of drying by microwave heating and drying in drum, the samples showed higher contents of chlorogenic acid, respectively 3.67% and 3.39%. The similarities of HPLC fingerprints were 0.815 and 0.793, respectively. By means of the drying in baking shop and the drying with sulphur fumigation, the contents of chlorogenic acid in the samples were 2. 87% and 2. 53% , respectively. The similarities of HPLC fingerprints were 0.964 and 0.765, respectively. The lowest content of chlorogenic acid in naturally dried samples was 1.92%. The similarity of HPLC fingerprints was 0.940. According to the findings as well as the internal control standards for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos herbs of Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. , Ltd. , the optimum processing method for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos from Donghai cultivation base was the drying in baking shop. This study provided a theoretical basis for determining the processing method for Lonicerae Japonicae Flos from Donghai cultivation base of Jiangsu Province.
China ; Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo analyze the chemical constituents of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction products from Rhodiola tibetica.

METHODThe chemical constituents were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULT26 Components were identified, and their relative contents were determined by normalization method of area.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides foundation for the exploitation of the resources of R. tibetica.

1-Butanol ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Carbon Dioxide ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhodiola ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification

Objective The levels of Thl cytokines(IL-10 and IL-13)and Th2 cytokines(INF-? and TNF-?)were determined in the sera of patients with Schistosomiasis japonica in order to find the relationship between cytokines and severe hepatic fibrosis(HF)in schistosomiasis.Methods A total of 358 patients with advanced Schistosomiasis japonica were examined by ultrasound.68 HBsAg negative patients were chosen randomly as experimental control.Among them,39 patients were found to have mild HF and 29 were severe HF.The sera levels of Thl and Th2 cytokines were determined with ELISA.Results Among these 358 patients,83(23.2%)were HBsAg positive.Neither earlier nor severer hepatic fibrosis was noted in the patients who had been simultaneously infected with HBV than those only infected with schistosomiasis. There was a significant difference between mild[ 1.60(1.30-12.14)ng/L]and severe[ 4.20(1.43- 52.07)ng/L]HF patients in the level of IL-10(Z=-3.907,P0.05)was found in level of IFN-?,between severe[3.12(1.38-66.14)ng/L]and mild[5.87(1.33-216.33)ng/ L]HF subjects.Our observation did not reveal any obvious difference of TNF-? between severe[ 2.48(0.79 -19.86)ng/L]and mild[ 2.28(0.67-15.72)ng/L]HF groups.Conclusions Patients infected with advanced shistosomiasis may become more susceptible to HBV.The results of the present investigation showed that a high level production of IL-13 was associated with severe HF.

Objective To investigate the possibility of MRI on visualizing the relationship between glossopharyngeal nerve and surrounding vessels,and to evaluate the significance of MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.Methods MRI findings were analyzed retrospectively in 12 patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia,and were compared with surgical findings and effect of pain relief.Results The artery compression or contact of the glossopharyngeal entry zone,as revealed during operation in l0 patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia,was visualized on MRI in 9 and not seen in 1.The venous compression of the glossopharyngeal entry zone was not identified on MRI in 1.The conglutinative arachnoids of the glossopharyngeal entry zone was not visualized on MRI in 1.MRI demonstrated the affected glossopharyngeal nerve root entry zone was compressed or contacted by the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)in 8 patients and by the vertebral artery in 1 patient.One patient's offending vessel was confirmed to be the anterior inferior cerebellar artery(AICA)by the operation,and the surgical findings were corresponded with MRI in others.Vascular compression or contact of the affected glossopharyngeal nerve was not visualized on MRI in 3 patients,and operation confirmed that the glossopharyngeal nerve root entry zone was compressed by unknown artery in 1,by small vein in 1,and by eonglutinative araehnoids in 1, respectively.Eight patients presented with symptoms of the ipsilateral trigeminal neuralgia concurrently.The compression of the affected trigeminal nerve root by superior cerebellar artery(SCA)was visualized on MRI in 6 patients,and operation did not reveal the source of artery compression in 1 and corresponded with MRI findings in other 5 cases.Vascular compression of affected trigeminal nerve was not visualized on MRI in 2 patients,and intraoperative inspection revealed that trigeminal nerve root was compressed by draining vein of brainstem in 1 and not compressed by any vessels in 1.All patient's neuralgia resolved after microvascular decompression of glossopharyngeal nerve and trigeminal nerve.Conclusion It is possible to visualize the glossopharyngeal and surrounding arteries on MRI,and it is of great significance in the diagnosis and treatment of this kind of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

An investigation on the chemical constituents of the 90% EtOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia led to the isolation of fifteen compounds from the EtOAc fraction. Based on the detailed spectral analysis (MS, 1D and 2D NMR), as well as comparison with the literatures, the structures of compounds 1-15 were determined as cirsimaritin (1), salvigenin (2), syringaldehyde (3), vinyl caffeate (4), 2α, 3α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid (5), 2α, 3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid (6), niga-ichigoside F1 (2α, 3β, 19α, 23- tetrahydroxyurs - 12-en-28-oicacid- O-β-D- glucopyranoside, 7), sericoside (8), 4-epi-niga-ichigoside F1 (2α, 3β, 19α, 24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 9), 2α, 3β, 24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2) - β-D-glucopyranoside (10), pruvuloside A (11), asteryunnanoside A [2α, 3β, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oicacid O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-β- D- glucopyranoside,12], rosmarinic acid methyl ester (13), β-sitosterol (14), and daucosterol (15), respectively. Compounds 1-13 were isolated from the Perovskia genus for the first time. All the compounds were obtained from P. atriplicifolia for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

TLR4-MD-2 complex plays a key role in LPS recognition and its signal transduction. These steps are the vital elements of the host's defensive reaction. Studying the functional domain of TLR4 and MD-2 is very important to further understand the mechanism of LPS signal transduction. It was studied the interaction domain of TLR4 and MD-2 in living cells based on gene mutation, gene transfection and fluorescence resonance energy tramsfer(FRET) which is considered as one of the best methods used for intracellular protein-protein interaction study. CY-15P which was fused by CFP and YFP through 15 neutral amino acids was used as positive control, while co-expressed CFP and YFP proteins were used as negative control. The results showed that the ability of TLR4 binding to MD-2 decreased dramatically after the deletion of Glu~(24) ～ Met~(41) in N terminal of TLR4. Aggregation of TLR4 to LPS stimulation was observed, however, TLR4 without the Glu~(24)～ Met~(41) mutation did not aggregate. All these results indicated that TLR4 Glu~(24)～ Met~(41) might be the interaction domain of TLR4 binding to MD-2 and participate in the aggregation effect of TLR4 upon LPS stimulation.

BACKGROUND:In vitro experiments have demonstrated that the biodegradable mesh-like microporous baloon made of macromolecular materials has obvious advantage of anti-leakage, which is capable of maintaining calcium homeostasis, has no inhibitory effects on cel growth and on microscopic interdigitation formation between new bone and bone cement. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effects of biodegradable mesh-like microporous baloon with calcium bone cement on vertebral fractures based on animal experiments. METHODS:The fracture model was established in 48 New Zealand rabbits, in which a bone dril was introduced after successful puncture at sites near left low extremity of the femur. These rabbit models were randomized into two groups: experimental group with calcium phosphate bone cement and biodegradable mesh-like microporous baloon and control group only with calcium phosphate bone cement. Clinical parameters such as blood cel count, biochemistry, and CT/X ray were examined at 1, 3 and 6 months after implantation of the baloon and bone cement. After that, the specimens were fixed for pathological analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The operation was performed under general anesthesia with no eventful infusion of bone cement. The expansion of baloon was satisfactory without definite extravasation of bone cement in the experimental group. In the control group, cement diffusion was found with pulmonary embolism occurring in three New Zealand rabbits. No statistical significance for blood cel counts and biochemistry was found between pre- and postoperation or between two groups. The materials in the two groups had favorable biocompatibility with injured bones without obvious immunological response. In the experimental group, the baloon wal was thinned and partial bone tissues grew into the cement at 1 month; at 3 months, a large amount of bone tissues grew into the cement and cement volume diminished; at 6 months, the baloon disappeared and only a smal amount of cement left in the bone tissues. In the control group, it was difficult to determine when the cement degraded. The biodegradable mesh-like microporous baloon combined with calcium bone cement is superior to bone cement alone in the management of vertebral fractures.