BACKGROUND:There are many animal models used for studying discogenic pain, but percutaneous puncture annulus is rarely reported. Minimal y invasive approach to establish a discogenic pain model in Spraque-Dawley rats could reduce the interference factors of surgical trauma.
OBJECTIVE:To establish a Spraque-Dawley rat model of discogenic pain by percutaneous puncture annulus, with easy operations, high stability and obtaining large-scale productions, and to confirm the model by the results of behavior, MRI and molecular biology.
METHODS:Eighty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats, of specific pathogen free level, were randomly divided into three groups, model group (n=44), control group (n=10) and sham group (n=34). In the model group, the annulus was percutaneously punctured under X-ray guidance;while rats in the sham group were punctured at the paravertebral tissue, rather than the annulus.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The 50%mechanical withdrawal threshold of both hind paws in model group were reduced compared with control group and sham group. In the model group, the L 5/6 intervertebral disc degeneration was apparently visible, and the degree of degeneration was aggravated along the time. In the model group, the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in dorsal root ganglion of rats began to increase at 3 days post-operation and reached the peak at 21 days post-operation, then remained at high levels until the 35th day post-operation. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-αin dorsal root ganglion of rats increased at 3 days post-operation and reached the peak at 14 days post-operation, then remained at a higher level until the 35th day post-operation. The experiment result verifies that the discogenic pain model of Spraque-Dawley rats induced by percutaneous puncture annulus has the advantages of good stability and less trauma. The model can be used to study discogenic pain.

Objective To establish a quality standard forZishen Tongguan Capsules.Methods Anemarrhneae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex were qualitatively identified by TLC method. The contents of neomangferin, phellodendrine hydrochloride, mangiferin and berberine hydrochloride inZishen Tongguan Capsules were quantitatively determined by HPLC method.Results The spots of qualitative identification method were clear without interference. Neomangferin in Anemarrhneae Rhizoma and phellodendrinehy drochloride in Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex were identified. Neomangferin, phellodendrinehy drochloride, mangiferin and berberine hydrochloride showed good linearity in the range of 0.025 25–2.02 μg (r=0.999 7), 0.025 5–2.04 μg (r=0.999 7), 0.026–2.08 μg (r=0.999 7), and 0.025 5–2.04 μg (r=0.999 6) respectively. The average recoveries of neomangferin, phellodendrinehy drochloride, mangiferin and berberine hydrochloride were 99.99%, 101.06%, 103.05%, and 100.55%, respectively. The RSD were 2.69%, 5.62%, 2.49%, and 2.06%, respectively.Conclusion The method is accurate and rapid, with good stability, reliability and reproducibility, which can be used for the quality control and evaluation of the preparation of Zishen Tongguan Capsules.

In recent years, animal experiments and clinical trials have confirmed that Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix has outstanding medicinal value of cancer prevention in the aspects of inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and regulation of immune. It also has been reported that monomeric compounds with function of anti-tumor activity have been separated. This article reviewed anti-cancer effects of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix from five angles, which were anti-cancer active ingredient, anti-cancer mechanisms, clinical application, the effects of different processed products on anti-cancer effects and side effects.

Objective to study the characteristic typing of Helicobacter pylor(Hp)phenotypes and their sub-phenotypes in the patients with duodenal bulb ulcers(DU),and its clinical significance. Methods One hundred thirty-five cases with DU and 140 casses with chronic superficial gastritis were enrolled in this study. Determinations of serum cytotoxin-associated gene protein A (CagA),vacuolating cyto-toxin A(VacA),urease (Ure)A,UreB antibodies and their sub-phenotypes by immunoblotting were carried ou. Results Positive rate of middle-phenotypes of Hp infection in DU was significantly lower than that in chronic superficial gastritis (21.5%vs 27.9%,P<0.05).VacA and CagA antibodies might express alone. There had no significant difference among the expression rate of phenotype CagA, VacA antibodies and their sub-phenotype. But expression rate of Ure antibodies in Du was higher than that in chronic superficial gasstritis (P<0.05).In infection of Hp type I, the expression rate of sub-phenotypes 30ku UreA in DU was hronic superficial gastritis (P<0.05). Conclusions The VacA is not for expressing higher than that inpression of Hp exists many sub-phenotypes ( 128 ku CagA 116 ku CagA, 95 ku VacA, 91 ku CagA 0 ku UreA),and it probably causes formation of DU by comprehensive effect. Hp type I with sub phenotype expressing 30 ku Urea may be more pathogenic in DU formation.

BACKGROUND:The magnetic resonance molecular imaging used in the research of lumbar disc degeneration includes T2 mapping and T1ρtechnologies at present.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility of 1.5 T MR equipment on T2 mapping of New Zealand white rabbits lumbar disc.
METHODS:T2 mapping images of New Zealand white rabbit lumbar discs were obtained on 1.5 T MR equipment. The regions of interest T2 values of lumbar discs were measured with post-processing workstation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Sagittal and coronal T2 maps of 3-month rabbit discs were obtained
satisfactorily on 1.5 T MR equipment. The regions of interest T2 values of nucleus pulposus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (104.6±14.0) ms, (109.1±13.8) ms and (109.5±15.1) ms respectively at Pfirrmann
regions of interest T2 values of anterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (82.1±9.5) ms, (80.4± 11.2) ms and (79.9±10.6) ms respectively, and T2 values of posterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs were (85.8±11.9) ms, (85.1±12.1) ms and (85.3±9.3) ms respectively. There were no significant differences in T2 values of nucleus pulposus, anterior annulus fibrosus and posterior annulus fibrosus in L 4/5 , L 5/6 and L 6/7 discs at PfirrmannⅠP>g 0ra.0d5e).( However, the T2 values of nucleus pulposus were higher than those of annulus
fibrosus in the same discs (P<0.01), and there were no significant differences in T2 values between the anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus (P>0.05). The T2 values of rabbit lumbar discs obtained on 1.5 T MR equipment can be used for quantitative assessment of intervertebral disc signal.

Objective: To explore the clinical value of plasma copeptin level on major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurrence in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during hospitalization.
Methods: Our research included 2 groups:STEMI group, n=80 and Control group, n=80 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). All patients were treated in our hospital from 2012-06 to 2014-06. Plasma level of copeptin was detected by ELISA, other relevant examinations were conducted to study the MACE occurrence in STEMI patients.
Results: Plasma copeptin level in STEMI group (523.26 ± 142.69) pg/ml was higher than that in Control group (345.25 ± 89.36) pg/ml, P<0.05. In STEMI group, there were 28/80 (35%) patients suffered from MACE, compared with non-MACE patients, they had increased plasma copeptin, cardiac muscle protein I (cTnI), kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), P<0.05. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that plasma copeptin, cTnI and LVEF were the independent risk factors for MACE occurrence. According to occurred area under the curve, compared with cTnI and CK-MB, plasma copeptin level had the higher predictive value to judge the ROC, positive/negative possibility, sensitivity and speciifcity for MACE occurrence in STEAMI patients, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Plasma copeptin level could effectively predict MACE occurrence in patients with acute STEMI during
hospitalization, it may predict their prognosis at certain point.

Objective To investigate the effects of Ulinastatin(UTI)on the function of splenic lymphocytes from rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Method Twenty-eight Wister rats(clean grade)were randomly divided into control,sham operation,SAP,and ulinastatin group.No operation was performed in control group.And rats with sham-operation received laparotomy and catheterization into choledocho-pancreatic duct without injection of sodium deoxycholic.Rats in ulinastatin group received ulinastatin injection(50000 U/kg)via tail vein 30 minutes after pancreatitis induced with DCA injected into pancreatic duct.Rats ofother groups were given equal volume of saline.At 2,4 hours after operation,all animals were killed by neck dislocation,and splenocytes were isolated and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10%fetal calf serum.Proliferation of splenecytes was determined with MIT cellular proliferation assay.Levels of Th1 cytokines(IL-2,IFN-γ)and Th2 cytokine(IL-10)in supematants of splenoeytesweremeasured by ELISA.Quantitative data were expressed as mean±SE.Statistical analyses were performed by Student's t test with SPSS software(version 10.0 for Windows).A P value less than 0.05 Was considered statistically significant. Results The concentration of IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ and proliferative activity of splenocytes in SAP group were significantly lower than that in sham operation group.In contrast,the proliferative as well as the eytokine-releasing capacities of the solenecms from rats treated with UTI were significantly increased compared with those from rats with SAP.Conclusions The deficiencies in proliferation and cytokine release in response to antigen stimulation inaplys an anergic state of splenocytes during SAP.Treatment with UTI contributed to the recovery of the immune function by improving proliferative responses and cytokine release of splenocytes.

Objective To introduce the experience in endovascular stent graft repair (EVSGR) of thoracoabdominal aortic dissecting aneurysm (TAADA). Methods Retrospective analysis was made on the management of 6 patients with TAADA from October 2000 to June 2001. Results There were six male patients aged 42～72 in this series. Of them, 5 patients with Stanford type B TAADA and one with Stanford A TAADA. Of the 6 patients, The fissures were sealed and the dissections were disappeared completely in 5 cases; one case shifted to open surgery for abdominal aortic fenestration, Rupture of the iliac dissection occurred in 1 case 3 days after EVSGR, then the abdominal aortic fenestration and graft replacement of distal abdominal aorta were performed. One patient died of heart infarction on the third day postoperatively. Five cases were followed-up for 1～9 months, they all were alive and well. Conclusions Endovascular stent graft technique is safe and simple in repairing of TAADA, and abdominal aortic fenestration is an adjuvant procedure.

Objective:To analyze the reflux parameters of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in upright position, supine position and at 2 h after meals, and to explore the cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity of the reflux parameters in different positions and at 2 h after meals in GERD diagnosis.Methods:From January 2016 to July 2020, 200 GERD patients (GERD group) and 61 non-GERD patients (control group) who visited Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital (Former Nanshan District People′s Hospital), were selected. All the patients of the two groups received gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERDQ), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal high resolution manometry and 24 h esophageal pH combined impedance monitoring. T test, non-parametric test and chi-square test were used to compare the related parameters in upright position, supine position and at 2 h after meals between two groups and within each group. Receiver oparative characteristic (ROC) curves of reflux parameters in upright position, supine position and 2 h after meals were drawn to determine the cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity in GERD diagnosis. Results:The proportion of patients with acid reflux in supine position of the control group was higher than that of the GERD group (41.0%, 25/61 vs. 8.50%, 17/200), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=36.53, P<0.01). In the control group, the acid reflux time in upright position, number of acid reflux, acid exposure time (AET), longest reflux time and number of weak acid reflux were more than those of in supine position in the same group (6.00 min(2.00 min, 13.50 min) vs. 0.00 min(0.00 min, 1.50 min), 16.00(8.00, 27.00) vs. 1.00(0.00, 3.00), 0.90%(0.33%, 1.88%) vs. 0.00%(0.00%, 0.30%), 2.00 min(1.00 min, 4.00 min) vs. 0.00 min(0.00 min, 1.00 min), 7.00(3.00, 11.00) vs. 1.00(0.00, 2.00), respectively) and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=5.43, 6.61, 5.06, 3.58 and 6.24, all P<0.01). In the GERD group, the acid reflux time, number of acid reflux, AET, longest reflux time and number of weak acid reflux in upright position were higher than those in supine position (51.00 min, (31.00 min, 86.75 min) vs. 8.00 min(1.00 min, 42.00 min), 60.00(48.00, 83.75) vs.6.00(2.00, 19.50), 7.30%(3.90%, 12.10%) vs. 1.50%(0.20%, 6.50%), 7.00 min(4.00, 12.00 min) vs. 4.00 min(1.00 min, 17.00 min), 1.00(0.00, 3.00) vs. 0.00(0.00, 2.00), 7.00(3.00, 12.00) vs. 0.00(0.00, 1.00), respectively) and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=7.92, 11.22, 6.90, 2.56, 5.11 and 11.76, all P<0.05). The acid reflux time, number of acid reflux, AET, longest reflux time and number of weak acid reflux at 2 h postprandial were 3.00 min(2.00 min, 9.00 min), 10.00(5.00, 18.00), 0.90%(0.40%, 1.98%), 1.00 min(0.00 min, 3.00 min), 4.00(1.50, 8.50)and 28.50 min(15.00 min, 54.75 min), 35.00(24.00, 52.00), 8.30%(4.32%, 15.83%), 6.00 min(3.00 min, 11.00 min), 4.00(2.00, 7.25), in the control and GERD groups, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in supine position in the same group ( Z=4.30, 6.33, 5.50, 3.40, 5.71 and 3.76, 9.21, 5.76, 1.97, 10.46, all P<0.05). Among 200 GERD patients, 125 patients had symptoms recorded during the 24 h esophageal pH combined impedance monitoring, the incidence of reflux symptoms in upright position was higher than that in supine position (89.6%, 112/125 vs. 65.6%, 82/125), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=20.71, P<0.01). The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the accuracy of acid reflux time in upright position in GERD prediction was the highest, with AUC value of 0.94 and cut-off value of 24.5 min, and the sensitivity and specificity in GERD diagnosis were 81.50% and 95.08%, respectively. The prediction accuracy of acid reflux times in upright position and AET in upright position for GERD was secondary, AUC value both were 0.93 and the cut-off value of the acid reflux number in upright position was 39.5, and the sensitivity and specificity in GERD diagnosis were 84.00% and 95.08%, respectively. The cut-off value of AET in upright position was 2.75%, the sensitivity and specificity in GERD diagnosis were 85.00% and 93.33%, respectively. The AUC value, cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity of AET at 2 h postprandial were 0.91, 4.60%, and 73.49% and 95.00%, respectively. Conclusions:Both GERD patients and non-GERD patients have more reflux in upright position, especially within 2 h after meals. The diagnostic values of acid reflux time in upright position, number of acid reflux, AET and AET 2 h after meals for GERD is high, and the AUC values are all >0.90, which can be used as a more comprehensive basis for the analysis and diagnosis of GERD.

BACKGROUND:Primates are considered to be the most appropriate animal model of lumbar intervertebraldisc degeneration, but the disc degenerated characteristics of monkeys were rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To verify the degenerated regularity and characteristics of lumbar intervertebral disks in rhesus monkeys with magnetic resonance T2 mapping and T1ρimaging technology. METHODS:The sagittal lumbar intervertebral disc magnetic resonance T2 weighted imaging,T2 weighted mapping imaging and T1ρweighted imaging of 63 adult rhesus monkeys were acquired on 1.5T magnetic resonance equipment. The T2-map value and T1ρvalue of lumbar intervertebral disc regions of interest were calculated on the post-processing workstation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) This study obtained 425 better magnetic resonance images of lumbar intervertebral disks in adult rhesus monkeys. T2-map value and T1ρvalue of nucleus pulposus were most consistent by different persons, and the Kappa coefficient was more than 0.93. (2) The T2-map value and T1ρvalue of nucleus pulposus were both negatively correlated significantly with Pfirrmann grades (r=-0.842, P<0.01;r=-0.896, P<0.01). The T1ρvalue and T2-map value of nucleus pulposus were significantly statistical y different between Pfirrmann grades I-IV (P<0.001, P<0.001). The T1ρvalue of nucleus pulposus was negatively correlated significantly with Pfirrmann grade II-III (r=-0.517, P<0.01) and Pfirrmann grade IV-V (r=-0.499, P<0.01). The T2-map value of nucleus pulposus was also negatively correlated significantly with Pfirrmann grade II-III (r=-0.617, P<0.01) and Pfirrmann grade IV-V (r=-0.652, P<0.01). (3) The T2-map value of L1-2 and L2-3 segments nucleus pulposus were significantly lower than that in L6-7 and L7-S1 segments (P<0.05). (4) There were significant differences in age among the T1ρvalue and T2-map value of nucleus pulposus (r=-0.702, P<0.001, r=-0.730, P<0.001). (5) It is concluded that magnetic resonance T2 mapping and T1ρimaging technology can objectively and sensitively assess the degenerated process of nucleus pulposus in rhesus monkeys. The degeneration in upper lumbar segments (L1-2 and L2-3) was earlier and more severe than that in lower lumbar segments (L6-7 and L7-S1) in rhesus monkeys. Age is one of the most important factors in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration of adult rhesus monkeys.