OBJECTIVE:To explore a new way for the investigating of processing impact on the property of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)so as to provide new ideas and methods for the scientific research on TCM.METHODS:Ideas of in?vestigating the impact of processing on the property of TCM by using the method of biothermodynamics and setting up a new method system of research and evaluation on TCM were put forward through reviewing and analyzing the status quo and problems of processing impact on property of TCM and the commonness and characteristics between TCM and biothermody?natics.RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS:Theoretically and practically,it is feasible to investigate processing impact on the property of TCM by using biothermodynamic ideas and methods,and it is expected that which can serve as a new visual angle and technical platform in the modernization study of TCM.

Osteonecrosis is the most common disorder in femoral head and scaphoid. However, avascular necrosis (AVN) in metacarpal head is a rare disease. In the present study, a 14-year-old male patient complained of right-hand pain with a limited range of motion for one month. Physical examination showed that the active flexion was 70° and the extension was limited to 30° of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The grip strength decreased to 60% of the contralateral hand. X-rays demonstrated flattening and sclerotic changes in the long finger and ring finger of metacarpal head. CT scanning indicated cystic, osteochondral defects and sclerotic changes in metacarpal head. Imaging examination further confirmed the diagnosis of AVN in the long metacarpal finger and ring finger. After conservative treatments including splint immobilization, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy, the local pain symptoms of the MCP joint gradually disappeared. The range of motion of MCP joint returned to normal with the grip strength score as 105% of the contralateral hand. MRI confirmed excellent remodeling and regeneration in the metacarpal head at two years later. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments of AVN of metacarpal head were reviewed. Although radiograph examination is commonly used, early-stage osteonecrosis of the metacarpal head should be confirmed by MRI. Given the rarity of this disorder, there is no consensus on the treatments. Metacarpal necrosis is the more common disorder in adolescent patients with a history of trauma. Considering the potential of bone remodeling, juveniles with metacarpal head necrosis could recover by conservative treatments.

Analogous formulae (AF) refer to a set of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae sharing similar herbs and/or indications. Dissecting functional chemome of analogous formulae could enhance the understanding of the intrinsic nature of TCM. In this study, taking 5 Xiaoqinglong decoction analogous formulae (XQL AF) including Xiaoqinglong decoction, Mahuang Xingren Shigao Gancao decoction, Mahuang Fuzi decoction, Houpu Mahuang decoction and Daqinglong decoction as example, we systematically investigated the relationship between compounds and indications using network formulaology approach. The functional chemome of XQL AF were revealed by network analysis and molecular docking. This successful application in XQL AF suggests network formulaology could be a useful tool for AF-related research and therefore provide a new way to discover the scientific foundation of Zhang Zhongjing's herbal formulae.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Objective To construct a recombinant human adenovirus type 3 ( HAd3 ) vector ex-pressing one major epitope of dengue virus type 1.Methods The gene encoding the envelope protein (304-314 aa) of dengue virus type 1 was inserted into the hypervariable region 1 ( HVR1 ) of HAd3 hexon by using overlap PCR.The recombinant gene was cloned into the shuttle plasmid, then linearized with AsisⅠrestriction enzyme and co-transformed into Escherichia coli BJ5183 strains with the digested backbone plas-mid for homologous recombination.The recombinant plasmid pBRAdΔE3GFP-DENV1 was transfected into AD293 cells to rescue recombinant adenovirus strains (rAdΔE3GFP-DENV1).ELISA and Western blot as-say were performed to evaluate the humoral responses induced in BALB/c mice after the immunization with rAdΔE3GFP-DENV1 strains.Results The recombinant adenovirus strains were successfully rescued. ELISA and Western blot assay showed that the antibodies in serum sample could recognize dengue virus type 1 strains.Conclusion The recombinant adenovirus strains expressing the epitope of dengue virus type 1 were successfully constructed.This study provided evidence for the development of multivalent vaccines against dengue virus.

Objective To study the bio-safety of a multifunctional dressing based on isobutyl-chitosan,a derivative of chitosan.Methods To investigate the local irritation of the multifunctional dressing by skin,subcutaneous and eye application,determine its sensitization by patch test and observe its systemic acute toxicity by abdominal injection.Results The isobutyl-chitosan multifunctional dressing had no irritation,sensitization and systemic acute toxicity.Conclusion The isobutyl-chitosan multifunctional dressing has a good bio-safety as a wound dressing.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the virological response of managing chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with peg-interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN alpha-2b) and ribavirin.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the virological response of 40 patients with different genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after anti-HCV management. Patients were given different dosages of PEG-IFN alpha-2b and ribavirin based on their weights. The duration of treatment was 48 weeks for patients infected by HCV genotype 1, and was 24 weeks for the others. HCV RNA was tested before treatment, 12 weeks post management, end of treatment, and 24 weeks after treatment stopped.

RESULTSData from 40 patients were collected. Among them, 24 cases experienced HCV genotype 1 infection, and 16 cases were infected with other genotypes. Between these two groups, the early virological responses were 75.0% (18/24) and 87.5% (14/16), the end-of-treatment virological responses were 80.0% (16/20) and 85.7% (12/14), and the sustained virological responses were 56.2% (9/16) and 78.5% (11/14), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBody weight-based customized PEG-IFN alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin can effectively treat patients with different genotypes of CHC.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of Colles fracture with dorsally dislocated ulna.

METHODSFrom July 2004 to November 2004, 20 cases of Colles fracture with dorsally dislocated ulna treated with supination-cast were evaluated.

RESULTSFractures were healed in all cases, and no recurrent dislocation was found in duration of 6 - 10 months follow up. Evaluation with Gartland and Werley score system showed that 100% of patient restored excellent function of wrist and forearm.

CONCLUSIONSSupination-cast is an effective option for the acute cases. Well understanding of this injury and early diagnosis are critical.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Casts, Surgical ; Colles' Fracture ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wrist Injuries ; complications ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenetic mechanism of beta-arrestin1 in the rat's experimental colitis, whether the delta opioid receptor-beta-arrestin1 -Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway involves the pathological process of experimental colitis in rats, and whether oxymatrine could attenuate colitis through this pathway.

METHODSTwenty-six SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, the normal control group, the model group, the mesalazine treated group and the oxymatrine treated group (8 rats in the last group and 6 each in the others). The colitis model was established with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), and rats in the latter two groups were treated by oxymatrine (intramuscular injection) and mesalazine (3 mL solution gavaged) for 15 days, respectively, while rats in the former two groups were fed with equal volume of distilled water. Symptoms of diarrhea and bloody stool as well as colonic patho-histologic changes were observed, and changes in expressions of delta opioid receptor, beta-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 in rat's colon tissue and spleen T lymphocytes were detected with immuno-histochemistry and Western immune-blotting techniques, respectively.

RESULTSIn contrast to the normal control group, expressions of delta opioid receptor, beta-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 were significantly higher in the model group (P < 0.01); compared with the model group, they were significantly lower in the two treated groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDelta opioid receptor-beta-arrestin1 -Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway participates in the pathogenesis of TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats. Oxymatrine can intervene the signal transduction, which may be one of the mechanisms of oxymatrine in attenuating colitis in rats.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Arrestins ; metabolism ; Colitis ; chemically induced ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Colon ; drug effects ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid, delta ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid ; beta-Arrestins

In order to explore the possibility of human adenovirus infection with tree shrews,the neutralizing antibody ti-ters of five kinds of human adenoviruses (HAdv)in the serum of tree shrews were analyzed.The levels of Ad3,Ad4,Ad7, Ad14 and Ad55 neutralizing antibody were detected by virus neutralization test.The results showed that the positive rate of four adenoviruses in group B were higher than Ad4 in group E,and the positive rates respectively were Ad14 (55.88%),Ad3 (47.06%),Ad55 (29.71%),Ad7 (14.71%)and Ad4 (8.82%).The antiserum mainly mixed with Ad3,Ad14 and Ad55 anti-body.Five species of human adenovirus can be naturally infected with tree shrews.Tree shrews are used as experimental ani-mals to establish human adenovirus infection model is alternative.

Objective To investigate the perioperative complications of stenting with symptomatic intracra-nial artery stenosis and study the mechanism and prevention of complications. Methods 63 patients were collect-ed from Stroke Center of Guangxi. They were proved intracranial artery stenosis and performed intracranial stents. Patients′ age,with hypertension,diabetes and hyperlipidemia or not,smoking or not,types and occurrence time of complications were registered. Results 63 patients were registered and 2 patients terminated operation due to blood vessels circuity or serious vessel spasm. Operation success rate reached 96.83％. 5 patients had complications among 63 cases,with complication incidence of 8.20％. 3 patients experienced cerebral hemorrhage and two cere-bral infarction in peri-operation period. 2 patients died of complications and mortality rate was 3.28％. Conclu-sions The incidence rate of complications of intracranial stenting with symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis is relatively high and it can be reduced by preoperative sufficient assessment and prudent selection ,careful operation and strict management after operation.