Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Philosophy, Medical

Ergosterol is the important component of the fungal membrane, and having stable structure. This makes it a suitable indicator for growth of fungi. In the paper, isolation and determination techniques of ergosterol as the indicator of the fungal biomass were reviewed. The methods of extracting ergosterol include traditional saponification and refluxing, rapid physical disruption, rapid ultrasonication, supercritical fluid extraction and so on. The ergosterol determination methods are high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and thin-layer chromatography, et al. The application of these techniques was also introduced. Finally, the paper prospected the feasibility of applying the ergosterol as the indicator of fungal biomass in composting.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bushen Qiangji Granule (BQG) in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with Shen-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome.

METHODSA randomized controlled and single-blinded prospective clinical trial was carried out on 68 patients, who were randomly assigned into the BQG group treated with BQG alone and the combined treated (CT) group treated with BQG and sulfasalazine, six-month medication was successively applied to both groups. The therapeutic effects were evaluated before treatment and at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 6th month of the treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 81.82% in the BQG group and 86.82% in the CT group after 6 months of treatment, showing no significant difference between the two groups, but that after 1 months of treatment in the BQG group was lower than that in the combined group (15.15% vs. 27.59%, P < 0.01). Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath AS function index (BASFI), and clinical symptoms such as ache and morning stiffness, as well as indexes of Schober test, activity of thoracic cage, finger-ground distance, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Creactive protein (CRP) in both groups were improved remarkably. BQG showed a time-dependant' effect, the therapeutic effect intensified as the time went by (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, the effect initiating time was earlier in the CT group than that in the BQG group.

CONCLUSIONBQG has satisfactory efficacy, good safety and compliance, and is convenient for administering, therefore, it has broad applying prospect with high exploiting value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Safety ; Single-Blind Method ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Objective To summarize our experience with endovascular treatment of vertibrobasilar aneurysms. Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with vertibrobasilar aneurysms admitted between October, 2003 and July, 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All the 21 patients received endovascular embolization, of whom 11 patients had embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC), 9 had GDC embolization with Neuroform stent placement, and 1 patient was managed with covered stent placement in the parent artery. Results After the operations, 19 patients were clinically cured with good prognosis, 1 patient was severely disabled, and 1 died due to heart failure. Four patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for postoperative hydrocephalus. Conclusions Endovascular embolization with GDC and placement of Neuroform stent and covered stent are effective options for management of vertibrobasilar aneurysms, and most of the vertibrobasilar aneurysms can be treated effectively by these approaches.

OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of baicalin in the raw medical material and the different prepared medical materials of Scutellaria baicalensis.

METHODThe contents of baicalin were determined by HPLC. Chromatographic conditions included Hypersil C18 column and the mobile phase consisting of a mixture of methanol-0.04% phosphoric acid (46:54). Baicalin was detected at 280 nm. The standard curve was linear in the range of 0.0280-4.6700 micrograms with correlation coefficient 1.0000. The average recovery of baicalin was 101.22% with RSD = 2.54% (n = 5).

RESULTThe contents of baicalin were 6.80% in raw material, 6.00% and 6.73% in the different prepared medical materials of S. baicalensis respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe two different kinds of preparing methods can be used to the raw material of S. baicalensis.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of a new method,axis-line-distance technique(ALDT),in scoliosis measurement.Methods Thirty cases with idiopathic scoliosis were measured on two separate occasions by six observers with the Cobb technique and the ALDT on PACS workstation.The interval time between two measurement occasions were three weeks.The data were analyzed statistically with the paired-sample t-test.Results(1)Concerning intraobserver variance in two measurement occasions,the minimum variance,the maximum variance and the average variance were 0, 24.00?,5.71??1.54?for Cobb technique and 0,12.00 mm,(1.95?0.58)mm for ALDT.There were significant measurement differences for four observers with Cobb method 39.00??10.69?versus 36.50?? 10.63?,31.73??10.96?versus 37.30??9.65?,32.03??7.49?versus 27.86??9.00?,29.77??8.87? versus 34.20??7.26?,all P0.05].(2)Concerning interobserver variances in six observers,the average measurement variance was 5.07??0.35?for Cobb method,and(2.32?0.26)mm for ALDT. There were significant measurement differences for every observer using with Cobb method(36.63??10.30? versus 33.27??10.10?,39.00?10.69?versus 31.73??10.96?,32.03??7.49~ versus 29.78?? 8.87?,36.63??10.30?versus 39.00??10.69?versus 32.03??7.48?,39.00??10.69?versus 32.03?? 7.49?,all P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-term therapeutic effectiveness of body gamma-knife in patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSForty-eight patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma were treated by body gamma-knife therapy. The dosage distribution and other radiotherapeutic plans were established on the basis of the carcinoma position, clinical target volume, and patient health condition. The isodose curve was 50%-60% and covered about 95% of the target volume. The single dose was 350-450cGy. The radiation was performed once every one or two days for 10-12 times.

RESULTSThere were 33 patients with back pain. 63.6% of the patients got completely controlled, 30.3% pain remitted, and 6.1% ineffective after 2 to 18 months of therapy. The analgesic effective rate was 93.9%. Among 28 patients with obstructive jaundice, 21 patients (75.0%) recovered. Among 42 patients who received CT, tumor disappeared in 5 patients (11.9%), tumor size decreased in 30 patients (71.4%), remained unchanged in 5 patients (11.9%), and enlarged in 2 patients (4.8%). The 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month overall survival rates were 77.1%, 37.5%, and 10.4%, respectively. The whole process was tolerable for all patients and no severe side-effect was observed.

CONCLUSIONSBody gamma-knife can achieve a high local control rate and survival rate. Its short-term therapeutic effectiveness is satisfactory. Body gamma-knife is a safe and reliable treatment option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiosurgery ; methods ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the activity and expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2).

METHODIn the primary culture of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, as indexes of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, pulsation rate was measured under phase contrast microscope. Cell size was determined by cell morphology analytical system. The total protein was determined by coomassie brilliant blue and protein synthesis rate was measured by [3H]-Leucine incorporation. ERK activity was measured by immuno-precipitation. The expression of p-ERK1/2 was assessed using Western blot.

RESULTTet can decrease Ang II-induced elevations of the pulsation rate, cell size, total protein and protein synthesis rate; inhibit the activity and expression of p-ERK1/2.

CONCLUSIONThe anti-hypertrophic effect of Tet on Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was associated with inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Angiotensin II ; toxicity ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Benzylisoquinolines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Size ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoprecipitation ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protein Biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Stephania tetrandra ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo retrospective study the results of arthroscopic resection of articular capsule valvular treated popliteal cysts and examined the incidence of complication.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to July 2010, 45 patients with symptomatic popliteal cysts such as knee pain and limitation of motion were treated with arthroscopic technique to resect the connecting valvular mechanism at posteromedial compartment of articular capsule. Through the posteromedial viewing portal and cyst resection working portal, resected the valvular mechanism by shaver and plasma cutter, associated intra-articular pathology was treated simultaneously. The functional outcome was evaluated by employed Rauschning and Lindgren score before the surgery and the last follow-up. By using of Wilcoxon rank sum test to statistics analyze the clinic outcome.

RESULTIn all cases, 40 patients were found the associated intra-articular pathology, the incidence was 88.9%.The intra-articular pathology was medial meniscus tear (27 cases, 60.0%), lateral meniscus tear (20 cases, 44.4%), cartilage lesion (28 cases, 62.2%), which composed with patellofemoral joint (12 cases, 26.7%),medial condyles of femur (10 cases, 22.2%),lateral condyles of femur (6 cases, 13.3%). The anterior cruciate ligment injury was found in 2 cases, the incidence was 4.4%. All the patients achieved symptoms relief postoperative, such as posterior knee discomfort and swelling after activities.The Rauschning and Lindgren score was improved 1-2 grade in average (Z = -6.092, P = 0.00). The recurrence rate was 2.2%. All the incision healed good. No major complications were encountered such as saphenous nerve, great saphenous vein, blood vessel in popliteal injury.

CONCLUSIONSArthroscopic resection of articular capsule valvular treatment of popliteal cyst and treatment of associated intra-articular pathology are effective and safe. This surgery technique has more minimally trauma and lower recurrence rate.The clinic results in short term are excellent.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Cyst ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo investigate the development trend of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis in Qinghai province, and to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of the disease. MethodsIn 2009, six monitoring counties were chosen by using simple random sampling methods, all diseased villages of the six monitoring counties were classified into light, moderate and severe disease types according to water fluorine content on the historical data, and 1 village was respectively chosen from each type. In monitoring villages with improved water, 3 tap water and one source water samples were collected, respectively. Five water samples were collected randomly in water unimproved monitoring villages according to water well locations of east, west, south, north and center. The fluorine content in water and urine was determined according to the Standard Testing Methods for Drinking Water (GB/T 5750-2006). Children aged 8 to 12 were examined for dental fluorosis by Dean method.Clinical osteofluorosis of all the resident over the age of 16 was examined, 2 village of these counties were randomly selected, and clinically diagnosed patients with skeletal fluorosis were examined again by X-ray using Diagnostic Criteria of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis (WS 192-2008). Urine sample of 30 children aged 8 to 12 and of 20 adults over the age of 16 were randomly collected and urinary fluoride was determined by F-ion selective electrode method (WS/T 89-2006). ResultsImproving water projects had been implemented in 14 monitoring villages of the 18 villages in 6 counties, the rate of improved-water was 77.78％(14/18). Among the 14 projects, 5 improved-water projects ran normally, and 9 projects ran with intermittently water supply. Seventy-five water samples were tested, themean of water fluoride was 0.48 mg/L. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 31.95％ (285/892), that of clinical skeletal fluorosis was 36.55％(1570/4295) and the X-ray detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 25.64％ (20/78).Five hundred and seventy-one urine samples of children were determined, and geometric mean of urinary fluorine was 1.04 mg/L; 370 adult urine samples were determined, and geometric mean of urinary fluorine was 1.52 mg/L Conclusion Epidemic of drinking water type of endemic fluorosis is still serious in Qinghai province, and drinking water defluoride measures should be further strengthened and improved.