OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of external application of Zhuangshenling Recipe (ZR) combined with Western medicine (WM) on the heart function of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients of Xin-Shen yang deficiency, interior retention of water-fluid syndrome (XSYDIRWFS).

METHODSTotally 140 CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 70 in each group. All patients received WM therapy. Those in the treatment group were applied with ZR at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23), while those in the control group were applied with placebos at Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL23). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. The integrals of TCM syndrome, grading of cardiac function, brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP), and 6 min walking distance were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter twelve weeks of treatment, the effective rate of improved grading of cardiac function, the total effective rate of TCM syndrome efficacy, and the BNP level were obviously better in the treatment group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in 6 min walking distance between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExternal application of ZR combined with WM could improve the heart function of CHF patients of XSYDIRWFS.

Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of biological samples containing drugs, toxicants and endogenous substances play an important role in the researches of life sciences, as well as in new drug discovery and development. Biological samples are characterized by complex matrix, multiple endogenous interferences, significantly lower concentrations of measured analytes compared to endogenous components and small sampling volume. Consequently, it often requires bioanalysis methods with superior specificity, high sensitivity and good reproducibility. The two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) technique, which allows for high peak capacity, significant reduced matrix effect and carryover of complex matrix samples and automated sample pre-treatment and analysis, has been the powerful solution to the separation and analysis of biological sample and widely applied to environment, food and pharmaceutical analysis. On the basis of introduction of the principle and equipments of 2D-LC, the application of this technique in the pharmacokinetics, toxicological and biological study was reviewed.

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) in the treatment of prostate cancer.

METHODSUsing the da Vinci robot surgical system, we performed RLRP for 34 patients with localized prostate cancer and analyzed the intraoperative and follow-up data.

RESULTSThe procedures were performed successfully in all the patients, with the mean operation time of 198 min (range 135-340 min), average blood loss of 257 ml (range 50-700 ml), and 1 case of blood transfusion, but no postoperative complications. Three cases had positive surgical margins. Postoperative examination at 4 weeks showed PSA > 0.2 microg/L in 2 cases, suggestive of residual tumor, for which maximal androgen block therapy was administered. The other 32 patients were followed up for 3-10 (mean 7.5) months, during which the average level of serum tPSA remained < 0.2 microg/L. Urinary continence was found in 94% (32/34) and 97% (33/34) of the patients at 3 and 6 months, respectively, of whom 77% (26/34) and 88% (30/34) had no urinary leakage (0 pad per day).

CONCLUSIONRLRP, with its advantages of less perioperative blood loss, low rate of positive margin, and good urinary continence, is a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Aged ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics

Objective:To investigate the possibility and feasibility of the simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with tumor excision in patients suffering from tumor combined with coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods:From August 2000 to July 2006, ten patients who were suspected of tumor (four patients suffered from urinary system tumor, two digestive system tumor, and four pulmonary tumor) with coronary artery disease were successfully treated by simultaneous surgeries. Surgical incisions were chose by the different tumor position. All carried on the CABG before tumor excision except one case. The two cases had cardiopulmonary bypass CABG, the rest eight had off-pump CABG. Follow-up was conducted after operation. Results:The combined operations were satisfied. There was no in-hospital mortality, no postoperative hemorrhage, no myocardial ischemia or infarction, with few complications. Postoperative in-hospital stay was 10-34 days, average 22.4 days. All discharged in cure. One patient lost the follow-up. Nine patients were followed up from six months to seven years three months. Two patients died from metastasis, and the others survived with satisfied follow-up without cardiovascular events. Conclusion:The simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting with tumor excision for patients who suffer from either CAD with benign or malignant tumor is safe and feasible with satisfied short-and long-term survival.

Contraindications ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Promethazine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Wu-He Dipsacus asper (WHDA), Traditional Chinese Medicine, injection on mice-aging model induced by D-galactose.

METHODSForty-eight Kunming mice (24 male and 24 female) were randomly divided into control group, model group, positive control group, 7.2 g/kg WHDA group, 3.6 g/kg WHDA group and 1.8 g/kg WHDA group with eight in each group. The model was induced through injecting D-galactose into peritoneal cavity and Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and cognitive ability of mice. The skin hydroxyproline, brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), lipofuscin (LP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels of mice were detected; the IL-2 and IL-6 levels in serum of mice were detected by using double antibody sandwich ELISA method.

RESULTSEach WHDA group was significantly reduced in latency period compared with the model group during Morris water maze test (P < 0.05) and the number of mice in model group through the platform was less than other mice in each group (P < 0.05). The levels of MAD and LP of the control group and each WHDA group were less than model group in the detection of heart, brain tissue oxidation index (SOD, MAD, LP and GSH-Px, P < 0.05). The activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the control group and each WHDA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The skin hydroxyproline content of mice which had been injected with D-galactose was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05) and the skin hydroxyproline content of mice of WHDA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The IL-2, IL-6 levels in serum of mice in WHDA group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the model group (P < 0.05) and the IL-2, IL-6 levels in serum of mice in the model group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effective constituents of WHDA have a variety of biological activity which can have a good effect on anti-aging by different ways, improving learning and memory function, eliminating free radicals antioxidant, and enhancing the body immunity and other aspects.

Aging ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dipsacaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Galactose ; toxicity ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Interleukins ; blood ; Learning ; drug effects ; Lipofuscin ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Skin ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To report the clinical features a nd pathologic findings of 1 case of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the ki dney. Methods The patient who had a 20-year history of taking oral contraceptive was a 50-year-old woman with pain in left flank asso ciated with hematuria for half a year.CT and MRI revealed an 8 cm?6 cm cystic a nd solid mass located in the upper pole of the left kidney.A diagnosis of cystic renal carcinoma was made before operation.Radical left nephrectomy was performe d in July 2004. Results The upper pole of the left kidne y was found severely adhesive with peripheral tissues du- ring operation.Gro ssly,the tumor exhibited a 7.9 cm?8.9 cm?9.0 cm multilocular cyst full of coff ee- colored mucoid fluid with varying size ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 cm.Focall y thick-walled cysts with solid areas were seen.Microscopic findings showed the tumor was composed of a mixture of stromal elements formed by spindle cells and epithelial elements that were variable in cell types including cuboidal,columna r and hobnail cells.Differentiation of gastrointestinal tract was found in epith elial elements.Thick-walled blood vessels and distinctive bands of smooth muscl e cells were present in the stromal elements.Immunohistochemical staining reveal ed that the epithelial component was positive for AE1/AE3,and stromal component was positive for ER,PR,and SMA.No specific treatment was given and the patient w as free of signs of recurrence 8 months after operation. Conclusions Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney is recognized to b e a kind of benign neoplasm.Differentiation of gastrointestinal tract in epithel ial elements is rare.It should be distinguished from any other benign and malign ant tumors in the kidney.

Objective:To observe different effects of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) on electrogastrogram (EGG) of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods:A total of 65 cases were randomized into a Zusanli (ST 36) group (n=33) and a Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (n=32) by random serial number, to receive moxibustion therapy to the corresponding point respectively. The 8-lead EGG was used before and after treatment to collect EGG parameter of the gastric body, antrum of stomach, lesser curvature and greater curvature, including the dominant frequency, slow wave percentage, average frequency, response area and motility index. Results:After treatment, the dominant frequency and slow wave percentage were improved in nearly the whole stomach area in Zusanli (ST 36) group, showing statistical significances (bothP<0.05); the slow wave percentage and average frequency were improved in stomach body and antrum of stomach in Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, showing statistical significances (bothP<0.05); moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) had a significantly higher influence on EGG than Yanglingquan (GB 34) , in which the lifting of slow wave percentage was significantly higher than Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) has the effect of adjusting abnormal EGG pattern in FD patients. Compared with Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36) has a superior effect in improving EGG in stomach area.

AIM: To observe the morphologic changes of of filtration blebs after trichostatin A treatment in an experimental glaucoma filtration surgery ( GFS) .
METHODS:Subconjunctival injection TSA, mitomycin C ( MMC) and PBS during the filtering surgery in rabbits. The morphologic changes of filtration blebs were evaluated by Krofeld score method postoperatively days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28.
RESULTS: TSA induced filteation bleds were elevated diffusely within 14d and cystic blebs formed 28d, filtration bleb score was significantly higher in TSA group than that in PBS group.
CONCLUSION: TSA can keep the aqueous humor outflow by inhibiting scar formation and prolong the existence of the filtration bleb.