OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and characteristic changes of vascular endothelial function in patients with diabetic arterial occlusion (DAO) of lower extremities. METHODS: Forty patients with DAO were selected as trial group. Twenty patients among them were attributed to blood stasis syndrome (group A1), and the others were attributed to syndrome of pathogenic dampness-heat attacking the lower limb (group A2) according to syndrome differentiation type of TCM. Patients with diabetes (group B), arteriosclerosis obliterans (group C) and healthy people (group D) were observed as the control groups, respectively. There were 20 cases in each group. Endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) and endothelium-independent dilation (EID) were measured by high resolution ultrasound in the 100 subjects and the changes of vascular tension factors were also studied. RESULTS: The results showed that EDD in group A was reduced significantly as compared with that in the groups B, C and D. The levels of vascular contractile factors such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in group A were higher than those in the groups B, C and D, while the levels of vascular dilatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha(6-Keto-PGF1alpha) were declined significantly as compared with those in the groups B and D. Linear correlation analysis showed that EDD was correlated positively with the levels of NO and 6-Keto-PGF1alpha, while the levels of ET-1 and TXB2 had negative correlation with EDD. EDD and EID in group A2 were declined significantly as compared with those in group A1. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that endothelial dysfunction may play an important role in the pathogenesis of DAO and may be associated with syndrome differentiation of TCM.

BACKGROUND: Cassia seed acts on decreasing blood pressure and blood lipid, protecting liver and inhibiting bacteria. It is worth to carry on a further discussion on its effect of weight loss.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of cassia seed decoction drunk naturally on body mass of nutritional obese rats in physiological state.DESIGN: Completely randomized grouping was designed, in which, control experiment, analysis of variance and q test were applied in comparison among groups.SETTING: Cardiovascular Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Cardiovascular Instutute,Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology from March 2004 to September 2004, in which, 27 male SD rats were employed and randomized into 3 groups, named normal control group, model group and cassia seed group, 9 rats in each one.METHODS: [1] In normal control, the rats were bred with basic forage(the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrate were 18.2%, 4.5% and 55.2%successively, with 14.54 kJ caloric each gram) and drank water naturally.In model group, the rats were bred with high nutritive forage (the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrate were 23.7%, 21.6% and 39.0% successively,with 19.56 kJ caloric each gram) and drank water naturally. In cassia seed group, the rats were bred with high nutritive forage and drank cassia seed decoction of various concentration naturally. The concentration of cassia seed decoction started at 10 g/L (equally contained 10 mg raw cassia seed each milliliter) and was increased by 100% concentration each day (10 g/L)till to 60 g/L on the 6th day. Since the 7th day, the concentration of 60 g/L was maintained till to the 7th weekend. [2] It was to record appetite and drinking quantity at definite time every day and calculate absorbed caloric(intake mass × caloric contained each gram). It was to measure body mass at definite time each week. On the 7th weekend, the body length of rat was measured and Lee's index was calculated [ 3√body mass (g)×103/body length (cm)]MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Influences of cassia seed on body mass, Lee's index, appetite, caloric and drinking quantity in nutritional obese rats.RESULTS: Twenty-seven rats all entered result analysis. [1] Body mass:that in model group from the 3rd to 7th week in experiment group was higher remarkably than normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). That in cassia seed group from the 2nd to 7th week was lower remarkably than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). [2] Lee's index: that in model group and cassia seed group on the 7th week of experiment was higher remarkably than that in the normal control group [(358.60±8.55), (341.84±7.29), (322.00±6.89) g/cm, P ＜ 0.05-0.01] and that in cassia seed group was lower remarkably than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05). [3] Appetite: that in model group and cassia seed group was lower remarkably than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01) and that in cassia seed group was near to the control group (P ＞ 0.05). [4] Absorbed caloric: that in model group and cassia seed group was higher remarkably than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01) and that in cassia seed group was near to the control group (P ＞ 0.05). [5] Drinking quantity: that in cassia seed group was basically near to that in the model group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05) and that in model group was near to the control group. It was indicated that cassia seed decoction at mass concentration of 60 g/L did not affect appetite.CONCLUSION: Cassia seed decoction at mass concentration of 60 g/L inhibits remarkably the increased body mass of nutritional obese rats and is free from influence on appetite.

ObjectiveTo explore the early diagnostic value of pro-adrenomedullin (pro-ADM) in sepsis. Methods A prospective study was conducted. Eighty-two patients with acute infection admitted to Department of Emergency of Shanxi Medical University Second Hospital from April 2013 to March 2014 were enrolled. According to the diagnostic criteria of sepsis, the patients with acute infection were divided into ordinary infection group [infection without systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS),n = 25] and sepsis group (infection combined with SIRS, n = 57). According to degree of severity of sepsis, the latter group was subdivided into three subgroups: sepsis group (n = 22), severe sepsis group (n = 27) and septic shock group (n = 8). Twenty-four healthy persons were included to serve as healthy control group. The venous blood from all the research objects in hospital was collected within 24 hours. The levels of pro-ADM and procalcitonin ( PCT ) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score was recorded. The relationship between pro-ADM and PCT and also APACHEⅡ score was analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis. The receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) of pro-ADM and PCT were used to evaluate the diagnostic acuity of sepsis.Results The plasma levels of pro-ADM, PCT and APACHEⅡ score in sepsis group were significantly higher than those in ordinary infection group and healthy control group [pro-ADM (ng/L): 66.69±1.73 vs. 53.43±2.70, 45.87±1.43; PCT (ng/L):1 336.49±40.26 vs. 1 083.09±47.99, 959.04±37.53; APACHEⅡ score: 14.60±0.81 vs. 8.10±1.14, 3.00±1.15,allP< 0.01]. With the aggravation of sepsis, the levels of pro-ADM, PCT and APACHEⅡ score were gradually increased, and there were significant differences among sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock groups [pro-ADM (ng/L): 64.91±2.50, 73.56±2.80, 84.67±4.52; PCT (ng/L): 1 152.65±48.62, 1 233.93±63.06, 1 475.71±109.93;APACHEⅡ score: 12.91±1.15, 14.55±1.14, 19.37±2.40,P< 0.05 orP< 0.01]. Pearson correlation analysis results showed that the level of pro-ADM was positively related with PCT (r = 0.473,P = 0.006), and it was also positively correlated with APACHEⅡ score (r = 0.707,P = 0.008). ROC curve analysis showed that area under the ROC curve (AUC) of pro-ADM for diagnosis of sepsis was 0.823 (P = 0.003). When the cutoff value was 59.40 ng/L, the sensitivity was 80.7%, the specificity was 68.0%, the positive predictive value was 85.2%, and the negative predictive value was 60.7%. AUC of the PCT for diagnosis of sepsis was 0.653 (P = 0.043). When the cutoff value was 1 194.67 ng/L, the sensitivity was 68.4%, the specificity was 64.0%, the positive predictive value was 81.8%, and the negative predictive value was 44.7%. It was proved that the pro-ADM had a higher diagnostic value for sepsis than PCT.Conclusion The plasma levels of pro-ADM can be used as an early indicator in diagnosis and severity evaluation and prognosis in patients with sepsis .

Objective To study the effects ofShenqi YizhiGranules (SQYZ) on learning and memory and content of Aβ1-42 of cerebral tissue in 5XFAD mice with Alzheimer’s disease; To discuss its mechanism on improving learning and memory ability of 5XFAD mice.Methods Four-month-old C57BL?6 wild type mice were randomly divided into NS control group and SQYZ control group, and the 5XFAD mice were randomly divided into model group, SQYZ group and huperzine-A (HupA) group, 15 mice in each group. Each group were given same volume for gavage for 60 d. After treatment, the learning and memory ability were evaluated by nesting test, passive avoidance and Morris water maze test. The senile plaques and content of Aβ1-42, ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence, respectively.Results Compared with NS control group, the score of nesting test in model group significantly decreased; the step-through latency in passive avoidance was shortened and the escape latentcy in Morris water maze test was prolonged; the quantity of senile plaques and content of Aβ1-42 increased in cerebral cortex and hippocampus; the activation of glial cells significantly increased. In the SQYZ group, the above-mentioned indexes reached or approached the level of wild type control mice. The difference between SQYZ group and model group was statistically significant (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion SQYZ improved learning and memory ability in 5XFAD mice, which may be related to reduction of senile plaques, inhibition of over activation in glial cells and reduction of content of Aβ1-42 in cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of the low field MRCP in obstructive jaundice by comparing its result with that of US and CT. Methods 55 cases of obstruction jaundice patients proved by clinical diagnosis were studied and compared the collected original diagnosis results by low filde MRCP with US and CT.Results Of 55 cases of obstructive jaundice, 30 were cholelithiasis ,21 were tumors and 4 belonged to the other type. The accuracy of MRCP for defining the site of obstruction was 100%. The accuracy for identifying the cause of obstruction was 81.8%.Conclusion The low filde MRCP can accurately define the obstructive site in biliary obstructive disease .When used together with 2D single-shot breath-hold MRCP , T 2WI, T 1WI and 3D-FSE MRCP shows high accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosing obstructive jaundice.

Objective To investigate imaging parameters on low field MRCP and to optimize the quality of images.Methods MRCP in 77 cases were performed using Airis-Ⅱcomfort open 0.3T low field MR imaging system made by HITACHI company.3D-FSE combined with 2D single-shot breath-hold FSE sequences were used.The 3%～5% compound solution of Gd-DTPA was taken to restrain the hige signals from remaining liquid in stomach.Results MRCP examination was succeeded in all 77 cases and the images in all cases but 2 were fine for diagnosis.The total diagnostic accuracy was 79.2%.The accuracy of MRCP in the detection of the degree and location of pancreaticobiliary duct obstruction was 100%. Conclusion The distinct MRCP images can be obtained with low field MR system using combination of several scanning techniques and proper scanning parameters,and also patients have to prepare fully.

OBJECTIVE:To prepare borneol-puerarin liposomes,and to investigate its brain-targeting. METHODS:Film dis-persion ultrasonic method was used to prepare borneol-puerarin liposomes. The morphology of liposomes was observed by TEM;the particle size and Zeta potential were measured by laser particle size analyzer;the entrapment efficiency were measured by sepha-dex gel filtration method. Compared with Puerarin injection,brain-targeting of borneol-puerarin liposomes and puerarin liposomes via intravenous injection of mice tail was studied with relative intake rate and peak concentration ratio. RESULTS:Borneol-puerarin liposomes were spherical or quasi-circular;its mean particle size,polydispersity index and Zeta potential were 226 nm,0.263 and-21.3 mV respectively. The entrapment efficiency were(65.32±2.13)%. Compared with Puerarin injection,relative intake rate of puerarin liposome and borneol-puerarin liposome were 1.68 and 2.58,and peak concentration ratio were 1.15 and 1.42. CONCLU-SIONS:Brain-targeted borneol-puerarin liposomes are prepared successfully.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI in hepatic echinococcosis.Methods MRI features of 37 cases with hepatic echinococcosis proved by operation and pathology were analysed in comparison with that of CT.Results The hepatic echinococcosis could be divided into five types according to the manifestations of CT and MRI:simple cyst in 8 cases,multiple daughter cyst in 13 cases,ruptured cyst in 7 cases,consolidated and calcified cyst in 4 cases and mixed cyst in 5 cases.Conclusion MRI can clearly show and determine the location,size,form,number and types of hepatic echinococcosis,that are helpful for the plan of operation.

Objective Since the discovery of multiple bioactivities of agarobiose oligomers, the establishment of quantitative analysis of agarobiose oligomers obtained under different hydrolysis modes would be of much importance. Methods Agarobiose oligomers ranged from biose, tetraose, hexaose, octaose, to decaose were isolated and purified by gel chromatography on Sephadex column. The agarobiose oligomers were separated in RP-HPLC after introducing ?-naphthylamine into compounds. Results Each oligomer could be quantified with good linearity and the lowest detection limit reached 0.1～2 ?g?mL -1. The chromatograms profiles under different hydrolysis modes(HCl, citric acid, solid acid, and hydroxyl radical degradation)showed that the content of agarobiose could reach more than 57.8 % using solid acid hydrolysis with best yield of 33.2 % . While HCl could degrade agar into a series of agaro-oligosaccharides from biose to decaose. The yield of oligosaccharides was low if hydrated by citric acid. The method of Fenton degradation could increase the speed of hydrolysis, but the products were more complex. Conclusion The method established here could be useful for analysis of hydrolysates of oligomers under different hydrolysis modes.