Ginseng and its effective components are famous for their influence to enhance human immunity, regulate endocrine and antioxidant action. However, the different effects of different components are not clear. In this study, Wistar rats were used to study the effects of main components of ginseng, including total ginsenoside, panaxadiol saponins, panaxtrol saponin and ginseng polysaccharide. The results showed that the effects of panaxadiol saponins and ginseng polysaccharide on improving animal immune organ weight, plasma interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), plasma gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were better than that of the other groups. Total ginsenoside and panaxtrol saponin can effectively increase the concentration of spleen NK cells (NKC) while panaxadiol saponins and ginseng polysaccharide can significantly increase the concentrations of rat plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). As for the effect of increasing organization nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), total ginsenoside is better than that of other groups. In brief, different components in ginseng possess different effects on enhancing immunity, regulating endocrine and resisting oxidation. Panaxadiol saponins and ginseng polysaccharide are better in enhancing immune, and total ginsenoside shows advantages in resisting oxidation and stress.
Adrenal Glands ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Corticosterone ; blood ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Immune System ; drug effects ; physiology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Panax ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Spleen ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Thyrotropin ; blood

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Amenorrhea ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Antipsychotic Agents ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Phytotherapy

Objective To study the ultrasonographic characteristics of Wilms′tumor (WT), aims at elevating the diagnostic level.Methods We retrospectively studied sonographic features in 30 cases of WT proved by operation and pathology.Results The tumors with heterogeneous pattern of solid and cystic tissue were shown in 22 cases.Seven cases demonstrate predominantly echogenic tumor. A huge cystic mass with numerous septas was shown in 1 case. The tumor extended into renal pelvis in 4, into renal vine in 1.The tumor metastasized to lymphnod in 1, to bilateral lungs in 1. Among 30 cases, the tumor was huge and grew beyond the renal profile in 26 cases, in 3 cases the tumors took up the renal sinus and made its structure turbulence, the renal shape was approximately normal.One case was extrarenal WT,the tumor located in retroperitonemu.Conclusions Sonographically, typical WT is a large heterogeneous mass within or without cystic areas, it also can be a pure cyst. It is easy to diagnose. When the tumor is limited to renal outline, it is easy to confusion with renal cancer. In addition, there are bilateral WT and extrarenal WT. The sonographic characteristics is similar among WT, clear cell sarcoma of kidney, malignant rhabdoid tumor and congenital mesoblastic nephroma. It is difficult to distinguish them from ultrasonography.

Objective To systematically review the efficiency of 18 F-FDG PET in glioma grading by using Meta-analysis. Methods Retrieval in PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)was performed. Relevant papers concerning with glioma diagnoses with 18 F- FDG PET were selected. Paper quality was evaluated according to the standard of diagnostic test recommended by Cochrane Workshop. The data of glioma malignancy degree defined as semi-quantitatively and qualitatively were extracted from the papers. Meta-analysis was conducted with the Meta-Disc software to calculate pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence interval (CI). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results Seven hundred and fifty-three patients from 17 papers ( 16 in English, 1 in Chinese) were included. Two hundred and seventy-two patients from 11 papers were using semi-quantitative (tumor to cortex ratio, T/C; tumor to white matter ratio,T/W) method and 481 patients from 9 papers were using qualitative method (visual observation, some of the papers had 2 or more methods). After heterogeneity test was done, different effect models were selected. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% CI for T/C group was 0. 952 (95% CI: 0. 903 -0. 980), 0. 409 (95% CI: 0. 318-0. 504) and 11. 746 (95% CI:5. 368-25. 702) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and DOR with 95% CI for T/W group was 0. 857 (95% CI: 0. 768-0. 922), 0. 538 (95% CI: 0. 431 -0. 642) and 22. 066 (95% CI:7. 077-68. 800) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)with 95% CI for qualitative method was 0.810 (95%CI: 0.757-0.855), 0.870 (95%CI: 0. 819-0.911 ) and 15.282 (95% CI: 3. 716-62. 851 ) respectively. The AUC for T/C group, T/W group and qualitative method was 0.8604, 0. 8373 and 0. 8724 respectively. Conclusions Grading glioma by 18 F-FDG PET with semi-quantitative method may provide high diagnostic sensitivity. If qualitative method is used, the diagnostic specificity may be higher.

Objective To analyze the ultrasonographic appearance of thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroglossal duct ifstula, and disicuss the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroglossal duct ifstula. Methods Totally 142 cases of surgically and pathologically conifrmed thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroglossal duct ifstula cases in Beijing Children′s Hospital Afifliated to Capital Medical University from 2005 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed and the ultrasonographic characteristics were analyzed. Results Among 142 cases, 128 cases of thyroglossal duct cyst were diagnosed by ultrasound. The ultrasonographic manifestation generally presented as anechoic and uneven medium echo cystic masses, with posteria wall echo enhancement. Most of the cyst walls were thin, and close to the thyoid, with or without deep ifstula. If the cysts were associated with infection, the wall would be thickening and echo enhancement of the surrounding soft tissue could be seen. Cysts ranged from the root of tongue to the suprasternal fossa, mostly in midline level of the neck. Of all the 128 cases, 95 cases were single cyst, round in shape; 33 cases had irregular shape with a fistula extended deeply, 13 cysts extended to the hyoid trailing edge, 20 cases extended to the mouth lfoor. Ultrasound examination revealed ifstulas in 10 cases, which presented as a hypoechoic thin strip-like echo inside the neck soft tissue, 6 cases extended to the hyoid bone direction, 2 cases extended to the mouthlfoor, 2 cases extended to the front thyroid. The other 4 cases showed anterior hypoechoic area, without cyst or ifstula structure. Conclusions Ultrasound is valuable in detcting the size, position, internal echo of the cyst and sinus, as well as showing their relationship with the hyoid. It is an optimal choice for the diagnosis of thyroglossal cyst and thyroglossal ifstula.

Objective To summarize the sonographic characteristics of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in children and investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound.Methods Retrospective analysis of sonographic characteristics of 19 cases with pathologically-confirmed Peutz-Jeghers syndrome were conducted.ResultsExcept for one child,other 18 patients all had more than one polyp with the maximum of sixteen.The polyp with the smallest size of 0.8 cm×0.5 cm×0.8 cm was found in left colic flexure,while the largest one was found in superior rectal with a measurement of 7.6 cm×2.7 cm×3.6 cm.The polyps showed radiatiform echotexture.And hypoechoic and hyperechoic components were present alternately.Blood flow was easily identified within these polyps by color Doppler sonography.Intussusceptions were observed in 11/19 patients.Among them,10 cases were located at small intestine.The sonographic finding was a concentric structure with a polyp at the top.Conclusions The sonographic appearence of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is characteristic.Before surgery,ultrasonographic examination could achieve a accurate diagnosis for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

Objective To describe the sonographic appearance of mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver(MHL)and to analyze the diagnostic value of ultrasound.Methods Eleven surgically and pathologically confirmed cases of MHL from January 2005 to May 2011 in the Beijing Children′s Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.Results Ultrasound examinations showed 9 cystic hamartomas,including 7 multiseptate cystic and 2 monocystic lesions.Of the 7 multiseptate cystic hamartomas,4 had a honeycomb appearance and 3 had irregularly-distributed multiple cysts with varied septations.Of the 2 monocystic hamartomas,1 had a large cystic portion while the other was mainly solid with approximately 4% cystic portion of the tumor.Two cases in this group were solid,presenting with a well-defined homogenous mass.Conclusions Ultrasonography is an effective imaging modality for the diagnosis for MHL.A mixed or a mainly-cystic liver mass found in a child less than 2 years old should be suspicious for MHL.

Background: Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fi bers (MERRF) is a type of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, clinical experience with the antiepileptic treatment for myoclonus in MERRF is still limited. Myoclonus appears to be intractable, and some antiepileptic drugs may change the blood lactate level. Objective: In this study, we report on two patients, a girl and her mother, both with MERRF in a Chinese family. We aimed to study their myoclonus attack, response to AEDs and blood lactate level. Methods: The diagnosis was based on muscle biopsies and a genetic test. We recorded their myoclonus and detected alterations of blood lactate when the patients received antiepileptic drugs. Results: The patients displayed substantial differences in their responses to antiepileptic drugs. The mother exhibited a good response to valproic acid, although valproic acid is not recommended for mitochondrial disease; however, her daughter was refractory to many antiepileptic drugs until she received a combination treatment of levetiracetam and topiramate. We did not fi nd valproic acid, levetiracetam or topiramate affected the blood lactate levels. Conclusion: These fi ndings imply that not all MERRF patients are resistant to antiepileptic drugs, and for those who are intractable, combination treatment involving levetiracetam and topiramate may be effective for treating myoclonus in MERRF and does not worsen lactic acidosis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of entecavir combined with pegylated interferons in the patients with hepatitis B.Methods: Totally 72 patients with hepatitis B were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group with 36 ones in each.The patients in the experimental group were treated with entecavir combined with pegylated interferons, and those in the control group were treated with entecavir.The clinical indicators in the two groups were detected and compared after the 24-week, 48-week and 6-month treatment.The adverse drug reactions in the two groups were recorded and compared.Results: After the 24-week treatment, the differences in the clinical indicators between the groups were not statistically significant (P >0.05).After the 48-week and 6-month treatment, the clinical indicators in the experimental group were obviously higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05).The difference in the adverse drug reactions in the two groups was not statistically significant (P >0.05).Conclusion: Compared with entecavir, pegylated interferon combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatitis B shows better clinical effect and security, which is more worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin 1β( IL?1β) , interleukin?33 ( IL?33) , neutrophil?to?lymphocyte ratio ( NLR ) and atrial fibrillation. Methods Eighty?two patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation treated in the department of cardiology in the Fourth People′s Hospital of Jinan from October 2015 to October 2016 were enrolled in the study,including 43 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and 39 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. 50 healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentration of IL?1βand IL?33,and the left atrial diameter ( LAD) was measured by echocardiography. Results ( 1) The concentrations of IL?1β,NLR and LAD in the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group were (24. 44±4. 89) ng/L,(2. 51±1. 22) %,(36. 16± 6. 12) mm,the concentrations of IL?1β,NLR and LAD in the persistent atrial fibrillation group were (26. 95±5. 86) ng/L,(5. 7±1. 8) %,(39. 36±4. 78) mm and the values in the control group were (19. 53±4. 51) ng/L,(1. 82 ± 0. 41 ) %, ( 33. 31 ± 2. 89 ) mm, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant ( F=16. 74,11. 82,14. 85,P<0. 01) . The indexes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group and persistent atrial fibrillation group were higher than those of the control group ( P<0. 01 ) . ( 2 ) In the persistent atrial fibrillation group, NLR and LAD were ( 5. 7 ± 1. 8 )% , and ( 39. 36 ± 4. 78 ) mm, higher than those of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group ( (2. 51±1. 22)%,(36. 16±6. 12) mm),the differences were statistically significant ( P<0. 01) . However,the level of IL?1βin the persistent atrial fibrillation group was not significantly different from that in the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group ( (26. 95±5. 86) ng/L vs. (24. 44±4. 89) ng/L,P>0. 05). (3) The concentrations of IL?33 in the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group,atrial fibrillation group, control group were ( 48. 31 ± 4. 72 ) ng/L, ( 50. 03 ± 2. 18 ) ng/L, ( 56. 87 ± 5. 12 ) ng/L, respectively. The difference among the three groups has no statistical significance ( F=2. 52, P>0. 05 ) . ( 4 ) NLR level was positively correlated with LAD ( r=0. 32,P=0. 002) . There was no significant correlation among IL?1β,IL?33 and LAD ( r=0. 16, P=0. 11, r=0. 02, P=0. 37 ) . Conclusion The levels of IL?1β, NLR and LAD in peripheral blood of patients with atrial fibrillation were significantly higher than those in patients with sinus rhythm,and there was a positive correlation between NLR and LAD.