Dao-di Herbs is specificity and locality, and its unique phenotypic features is closely related to the growth and development of medicinal plants. In addition to traditional genetic, epigenetic play an important role in formation of Dao-di herbs. This paper introduces the concept of epigenetic and the role of DNA methylation in the gene expression regulation. We further prospects epigenetic mechanism in study of Dao-di herbs formation from specific phenotype and regional analysis. And study on the relationship of epigenetic and Dao-di herbs will provide a basis for quality assessment and identification of Chinese drugs.
DNA Methylation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics

Objective To investigate the mechanism of endothelin (ET) in acute biliary pancretitis (ABP)with renal impairment, and examine the improvement of renal function by puerarin. Methods Thirty-two patients of ABP with renal impairment were selected and were randomly divided into group A and group B. Group A were given puerarin post-operatively, while group B were given common manegement postoperatively. Meanwhile, 16 ABP patients without renal impairment were selected as group C, and 16 nonABP patients who had common hepatic or biliary diseases were selected as group D. The levels of plsma ETand creatinine clearance rate(Ccr) of renal function in each group were observed pre-operation and 1 week post operation. Results In pre-operation the ET level in group A, B and C were higher than in group D(P ＜0.001), and the ET level in group A,B was higher than in group C(P＜0.001). Post operation after I week the ET level in group A was lower than in group B(P =0.014), while the Ccr level in group A was higher thanin group B ( P = 0.002). Conclusions The function of endothelin is an important mechanism in biliary pancretitis with renal impairment. Puerarin might reduce the ET level and increase the Ccr level in patients of ABP with renal impairment, improve the renal function of such patients.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the application of the tragus cartilage in tympanoplasty. METHOD: Thirty-eight patients with tympanoplasty carried out tragus cartilage-perichondrium repairing tympanic membrane. The air-bone gap changes and the recovery of patients'tympanic membrane were evaluated at pre-operative and two months after the operation. RESULT: Thirty-one patients finishing follow-up visit showed tympanic membrane healed and looked like normal appearance in 1 to 3 months after the operation. The postoperation narrow of the air-bone gap >18 dB, tragus looked normal. CONCLUSION Tympanic membrane reconstruction using the tragus cartilage-perichondrium is feasible for tympanoplasty, and the survival rate and postoperative hearing would be acceptable.
Cartilage ; transplantation ; Ear Auricle ; Hearing ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Tympanic Membrane ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation ; Tympanoplasty ; methods

0.05). Metastasis of the liver of colorectal cancer occurred higher in the patients with serum CEA concentration ≥15ng/ml than that in those with serum CEA

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and explore its clinical effects with anti-TB drugs alone.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to July 2010, the data of 36 patients with spinal tuberculosis underwent conservative treatment of anti-TB drugs alone were analyzed. There were 19 males and 17 females with an average age of 73.5 years (ranged, 60 to 85). All patients were in the active phase with high ESR and CRP levels and were treated with 3HRZE/6-9HRE (course from 9 to 12 months). According to clinical symptoms, chemical examination, radiological image to adjust drug and depending on VAS score to evaluate pain.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 8 to 24 months with an average of 15 months. Tuberculose of 31 patients healed after chemotherapy from 9 to 12 months and ESR and CRP recovered normally. Levofloxacin and para-amino salicylic acid were used in 4 cases because of 4 cases occurred drug fast for RFP or INH, after 15 months, their obtained healing. Symptom of 1 case got worse during chemotherapy, and surgical treatment were performed, after 3 months, ESR and CRP recovered normally, X-ray and CT showed spinal osteosclerosis and fusion without significant kyphosis and internal fixation loosening. Cobb angle was respectively(17.6+/-2.3) degrees, (18.1+/-2.7) degrees before treatment and last follow-up (P>0.05). MRI showed abscess was absorbed and spinal inflammation subsidised. VAS score was respectively 6.5+/-1.7, 1.4+/-0.5 before treatment and last follow-up (P<0.05). Seven patients had complications relating with drug adverse reaction,after discontinuation and treated with clinical symptom,the patients recovered normally.

CONCLUSIONAnti-TB drugs alone can obtain satisfactory effects in treating early senile spinal tuberculosis, but strict supervision and individual administration should not be disregardful.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; diagnosis ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood vessel invasion (BVI) and clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer,and analyze related factors affecting the prognosis of patients.Methods The clinicopathological data of 206 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2007 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.The BVI of surgical tumor specimens in all patients was detected by immunohistochemical staininng.All the patients were followed up via outpatient examination and telephone interview up to March 2014.The count data were analyzed using the chi-square test.The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method.The survival analysis and univariate analysis were done using the Log-rank test,and multivariate analysis was done using the COX regression model.Results The BVI rate of 206 patients was 27.67％ (57/206).The BVI rate of tumor tissues,tumor differentiation,perineural invasion,T stage,N stage and TNM stage in all patients with gastric cancer were compared,showing significant differences (x2=14.396,9.569,15.579,43.453,30.732,P ＜ 0.05).After operation,188 patients were followed up for 6.0-60.0 months (median,34.0 months),with the follow-up rate of 91.26％ (188/206).Among 188 patients with follow-up,the median survival time and 5-year cumulative survival rate in patients with BVI and with negative BVI were 32.4 months and 19.6％,40.7 months and 42.0％,respectively,with a significant difference in the survival of patients (x2 =9.364,P ＜ 0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that the diameter of tumor,tumor differentiation,perineural invasion,BVI,T stage,N stage and TNM stage were factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (x2=9.241,17.486,11.243,9.364,27.666,216.745,49.887,P ＜ 0.05).The results of multivariate analysis showed that the diameter of tumormore than 5 cm,BVI,stage T4,stage N3 and stage Ⅲ were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (HR =0.502,0.456,0.052,0.001,0.735; 95％ confidence interval:0.334-0.754,0.289-0.720,0.004-0.664,0.000-0.006,0.159-3.398,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions BVI in patients with gastric cancer is associated with the progression of tumors.The diameter of tumor more than 5cm,BVI,stage T4,stage N3 and stage Ⅲ are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer,and BVI may be a predictor of poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

Objective Investigate the reasonable surgical approach combined with frozen sections pathological features of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.Methods Clinical data of 96 cases papillary thyroid microcarcinoma nearly 5 years of follow-up in our clinic referral was retrospectively analyzed.Metastasis and recurrence rate were compared between group of ipsilateral lobe plus isthmus resection (unilateral group) and group of ipsilateral lobe plus isthmus resection and contralateral lobe subtotal (bilateral group).Metastasis and recurrence rate were compared between group of central lymph node dissection (dissection group) and non-dissection group (non-dissection group),and the injury rate of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was also compared between the two groups.Results The diagnosis of cancer by intraoperative frozen pathology were 53 cases (55％).Whether in high or low risk populations,the metastasis and recurrence between unilateral and bilateral groups showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Whether in high or low risk populations,the metastasis and recurrence between dissection group and non-dissection groups showed no significant difference (P ＞0.05).The temporary injury rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve in dissection group were higher than thatin non-dissection group both in high-risk populations (P =0.040,P ＜ 0.05) and low risk populations(P =0.037,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Intraoperative frozen pathological diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is difficult.The reasonable surgical approach for the first time is ipsilateral lobe plus isthmus resection.Preventive cervical dissections operation should not be carried out if the exploratory of lymph node showed no metastasis.

A themostable intracellular β-galactosidase from a thermophilic Bacillus stearothermophilus was purified by a combination of (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, ion-exchange (DEAE-22)and gel filtration (Sephades G-75). The optimum temperature and pH of the enzyme acivity were 60Cand pH6.4 respectively. The β-galatosidase activity exhibited thermosttability at 50 C. The enzyme was significaantly activated by alkali and alkali-earth metal ions. The activity was inhibited by Zn2+ 、 Fe3+ 、 Cu2+Reducing agents enhanced β- galactosidase activity. Thiol-binding agents drastically decreased the enzyme activity. The enzyme was specific for β-D glycosidic linkages,and the identity of the aglycone moiety also influenced enzyme activity. At 55Cthe Km for O-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactosidase (ONPG)and lactose were 2. 63mmol/L and 4.39mmol/L, respectively,and Vmax for both substrates were 1.93 × 10-5mmol. min-1 mg-1protein6.54 ×105 mmol. min-1. mg-1protein,respectively. The enzyme was inhibited by glucose (the products of lactose hydrolysis,ki 2.47mmol/L),but not by galactose. In addition,the enzyme possessed transgalactosylation activity. Galacto-oligosaccharides,both tri- and tetrasaccharide,were involved in the products during lactose hydrolysi

Totally 1136 individuals aged over 40 underwent health check up in March to May 2009. Fasting blood glucose, 2-h post-challenge blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum uric acid were measured. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the International Diabetes Federation Criteria. The results shows that total body fat, region body fat indices, blood pressure, blood glucose and serum uric acid levels increased with the age ( P < 0.01) . The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome in this group of individuals were 15. 1% (171/1136) , and increased with age (P<0.01). The most common combination of metabolic syndrome was central obesity-hypertension-dyslipidemia (40. 9% , 70/171). Unconditional logistic regression revealed that waist-hip-ratio, body mass index and uric acid were the risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of pontine infarction and the value of MRI in diagnosis of pontine infarction. Methods The cilinical feature and image manifestation of 65 cases with pontine infarction were analyzed retrospectively. Results Pontine infarction had complicated clinical presentation,classical syndrome was less,most presentation was similar to anterior circulation infarction. MRI especially DWI could found the infarction lesions earlier. Conclusion Pontine infarction and anterior circulation infarction have simlar presentations.MRI especially DWI could show the infarction lesions in supper-acute stage,could be helpful to diagnose.