In this study, OVA-induced asthma mice was taken as the model, and orally administered with different concentration of ethanol extracts of crude and processed Stemona tuberosa, in order to determine the cytokine level released from Th1 and Th2 in splenocytes. RT-PCR was carried out to determine the genetic expression of T-bet/GATA-3 in lung, and compare the differentiation between ethanol extracts of crude and processed S. tuberosa in therapeutic effect on asthma in mice. According to the results, compared with the crude samples, processed samples significantly increased the levels of inflammatory factor INF-gamma (P < 0.05) and decreased IL-5 (P < 0.05) in splenocytes. According to the RT-PCR results, the administration of processed samples could increase the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 (P < 0.05). The experiment showed that ethanol extracts of both crude and processed S. tuberosa could treat asthma by regulating Th1/Th2 ratio, but processed samples showed more notable effect. This indicated that crude and processed S. tuberosa had significant pharmacological difference. Therefore, it was more rational to apply processed S. tuberosa in clinical treatment of asthma and chronic cough, which layed a foundation for further revealing the processing mechanism of S. tuberosa.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Stemonaceae ; chemistry ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yiqi Huoxue Qingre Huashi Recipe (YHQHR, a recipe capable of supplementing qi, activating blood, clearing heat, and dissipating dampness) on ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication rate in Hp positive peptic ulcer patients, and to explore coccoid Hp occurrence in the eradication.

METHODSTotally 80 Hp positive peptic ulcer patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control groups by random digit table, 40 in each group. All patients received standard triple therapy of Western medicine for 2 successive weeks. Those in the control group additionally took omeprazole enteric coated tablet, 20 mg each time, once per day for 4 successive weeks. Those in the treatment group additionally took YHQHR, twice per day for 6 successive weeks. The ulcer healing was observed and recorded by gastroscope after discontinued medication of 14 days. The effective rate of ulcer healing under endoscope was statistically calculated. Rapid urease test (RUT) was performed in one small piece of tissue from corpora ventriculi and sinuses ventriculi using 14C breathe test (UBT). Gastric juice was collected from the stomach. Hp urease gene amplification test (urea A-PCR) was performed in living tissue from gastric antrum. Results obtained from the above three test methods were recorded and assessed to decide the final eradiation rate. Gastric mucosa tissue was observed under electron microscope,attempting to find non-eradicated Hp, which was further observed.

RESULTSThe total curative effect under gastroscope was 97.5% (39/40 cases) in the treatment group, obviously higher than that in the control group (80.0%, 32/40 cases) (P < 0.05). The eradication rate of Hp was 75.0% (30/40 cases), obviously better than that of the control group (52.5%, 21/40 cases) (P < 0.05). The total positive Hp numbers after treatment was 14C UBT (12), RUT (8), and urea A-PCR (27), respectively. The Hp positive rate detected by 14C UBT and RUT was lower than the Hp positive rate detected by urea A-PCR (P < 0.05). Rod-like and coccoid Hp bacteria could be observed under electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONYHQHR combined standard triple therapy was more effective than standard triple therapy alone in promoting ulcer healing and elevating the eradication rate of Hp.

Breath Tests ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gastric Mucosa ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Omeprazole ; Peptic Ulcer ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Urea

The ancients highlight taking off the needle slowly. From aspects of proper timing of withdrawing the needle, the safe treatment, treating and keeping the spirit, dealing with the acupuncture accidents, reinforcing and reducing manipulation and strengthening the post-needling sensation, etc. advantages of taking off the needle slowly are described in this paper. So the taking off the needle slowly is worthwhile in clinic.
Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; psychology ; Humans ; Needles ; Sensation

OBJECTIVETo analyze retrospectively the postoperative complications of acromioclavicular joint dislocation (Tossy III) and explore the preventative methods for the complications.

METHODSForty-eight cases of acromioclavicular joint dislocation (Tossy III) were reviewed, 14 cases treated with open reduction and Kirschner wire combined with steel wire fixation (group A), 11 cases treated with open reduction and lag screw or steel wires fixation (group B), 23 cases treated with open reduction and AO clavicular hook plate fixation (group C). The acromioclavicular ligament, articular capsule, coracoclavicular ligament and coracoacromial ligament were repaired in all patients. The reasons of postoperative complications were analyzed.

RESULTSForty-eight patients got average follow-up of 18 months. In group A, 8 patients obtained excellent results, 4 good and 2 poor; in group B, 7, 3 and 1, respectively; in group C, 21, 1 and 1, respectively. The excellence rate showed statistical difference between group A and C (P < 0.05). In group A, 4 cases with postoperative pain, 3 cases with periarthritis of shoulder, 3 cases with arthritides of acromioclavicular joint, 4 cases with internal fixation failure and 2 cases with recurrence of joint dislocation; in group B, 3, 2, 1, 3 and 1, respectively; in group C, 22, 2, 1, 2 and 1, respectively. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications in three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSelection of the suitable internal fixation and reconstruction of coracoclavicular and coracoacromia ligaments is the basic operation. Acromioclavicular space debridement, ligamentous reconstruction, rigid internal fixation are effective methods to reduce postoperative complications for the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

Acromioclavicular Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Bone Wires ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Dislocation ; complications ; surgery ; Young Adult

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on NAFLD in MSG-IR mice and to provide mechanism insights into its therapeutic effect. The MSG-IR mice with insulin resistance were treated with high dose (0.1 micromol.kg-1d-1) and low dose (0.025 micromol.kg-1d-1) of FGF21 once a day for 5 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum lipids, insulin and aminotransferases were measured. Hepatic steatosis was observed. The expression of key genes regulating energy metabolism were detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that after 5 weeks treatment, both doses of FGF21 reduced body weight (P<0.01), corrected dyslipidemia (P<0.01), reversed steatosis and restored the liver morphology in the MSG model mice and significantly ameliorated insulin resistance. Additionally, real-time PCR showed that FGF21 significantly reduced transcription levels of fat synthetic genes, decreased fat synthesis and promoted lipolysis and energy metabolism by up-regulating key genes of lipolysis, thereby liver fat accumulation was reduced and liver function was restored to normal levels. In conclusion, FGF21 significantly reduces body weight of the MSG-IR mice, ameliorates insulin resistance, reverses hepatic steatosis. These findings provide a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dyslipidemias ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; complications ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipolysis ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Sodium Glutamate

Objective Complete S and M segments of two Seoul virus (SEOV) strains were obtained to determine their genetic types and characteristics. Methods The complete S and M segments from the isolate Li and lung tissue (sample LF18) were amplified by RT-PCR. Genetic analyses were performed by using DNAStar and PHYLIP program package. Results Their sequences consisted of 1772 nucleotides, and had an open reading frame (ORF, 43 to 1332 nt)encoding a nucleoprotein of 429 amino acids for both two strains. The complete M segment sequences consisted of 3653 nucleotides and had an ORF encoding a GnGc precursor of 1133 amino acids. The GnGc precursor of the two strains had 62 cysteine and 6 N-glycosylation sites. Both two strains shared a high degree of homology with other known SEOV strains including strains L99, Gou3, and vaccine strain Z37, with 87.6% to 99.2% and 83.6% to 97.3% nucleotide identities, respectively. On the S-and M- trees, the two strains LF18 and Li were grouped into the third cluster of SEOV. Conclusion Both LF18 and Li strains belonged to SEOV and shared the congruent genetic characteristics with the vaccine strains Z37. Thus, the bivalent vaccine including the strain Z37 could effectively prevent HFRS which was caused by SEOV in Hebei province.

Objective To evaluate the effects of statin on cardiac dias-tolic function and the level of B -type natriuretic peptide ( BNP) to exer-cise.Methods A total of 60 patients with diastolic dysfunction and a hypertensive response to exercise were divided into atorvastatin treatment group( n =30, atorvastatin 20 mg, once every night ) and the placebo group(n=30).The course of treatment was one year , all patients con-tinued their original therapy.Echocardiography , cardiopulmonary exer-cise testing , and the plasma BNP concentration determination at peak exercise were performed before and after treatment.Results After ator-vastatin treatment , the mitral flow velocity E wave to A wave peak veloci-ties( E/A ratio) were improved.The exercise time extended , metabolic equivalents , maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold were increased , and the exercise BNP values reduced.All of parameters had significant difference from baseline (P<0.05), only the E/A ratio,the exercise time and the exercise BNP values had significant difference com-pared with placebo ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion Atorvastatin improves car-diac diastolic function , decreases exercise BNP level , increases exercise tolerance.

Objective To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on exercise blood pressure and exercise tolerance of patients with diastolic dysfunc-tion and hypertensive responses to exercise .Methods Sixty patients with diastolic dysfunction and hypertensive responses to exercise were se-lected and divided randomly into atorvastatin treatment group ( n =30 , atorvastatin 20 mg qn ) and control group ( n =30 ) .All patients con-tinued their original therapy .The course of treatment was one year .The data of cardiopulmonary exercise testing , exercise blood pressure meas-urement , quality of life assessment using heart failure questionnaire were compared before and after treatment . Results After treatment , the resting systolic blood pressure , pulse pressure , and the peak exercise systolic blood pressure were significantly decreased , and exercise time , metabolic equivalent ( METs ) , maximal oxygen uptake ( VO2 max ) and anaerobic threshold ( AT ) were increased , and and quality of life were improved compared with before treatment ( P <0.05 ) . There was statistical difference in the resting systolic blood pressure , the peak exercise systolic blood pressure , and the exercise time between two groups found ( P<0.05 ). Conclusion For patients with diastolic dysfunction and a hypertensive response to exercise , atorvastatin can effectively reduce the blood pressure and peak exercise systolic blood pressure , increase exercise tolerance and improve quality of life .

AIM To evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and bioequivalency of Yexiazhu Formula Granules and Decoction.METHODS Twelve rats were randomly assigned into two groups and given intragastric administration of the solutions of Yexiazhu Formula Granules and Decoction(0.428 2,2.000 g/kg),respectively,after which blood collection was made at 0.083,0.167,0.25,0.5,0.75,1,2,3,4,8,12,24,36 h,UPLC-MS/MS was adopted in the plasma concentration determination of gallic acid,corilagin and ellagic acid,and main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.Subsequently,the bioequivalency of these two preparations was investigated.RESULTS No significant differences in AUC0-∞,AUC0-t,MRT0-∞,MRT0-t,t1/2,Tmax,CL and Cmax were observable between the two preparations(P＞0.05),whose Cmax,AUC0-∞ ratios or logarithmic mean differences accorded with bioequivalence standard at the 90%confidence level.CONCLUSION Yexiazhu Formula Granules and Decoction demonstrate approximate pharmacokinetic properties and display bioequivalency.

OBJECTIVETo report our primary experience with immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap after breast-conserving surgery. The safety, feasibility, and clinical effect are also evaluated.

METHODSFrom Jun. 2010 to Jan. 2011, 5 cases who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap after breast-conserving surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The operative duration, postoperative days in hospital, complication and therapeutic effect were reviewed.

RESULTSAll the patients were treated successfully without laparotomy. The average operative duration was 310 min, including 60 min for harvesting the omental flap. The median postoperative days in hospital was 8 days (ranged, 5-9 days). One case complained of slight pulled feeling in upper abdomen. No other complication happened. The cosmetic result of reconstructed breasts was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap is safe and feasible with less morbidity in donor sites and good cosmetic effect. It is one of the ideal methods for immediate breast reconstruction.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Omentum ; transplantation ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome