Objective To observe the effect of spleen-warming and kidney-tonifying therapy on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway of cerebral infarction sequelae patients. Methods A total of 60 cerebral infarction sequelae patients with spleen and kidney(yang) deficiency were divided into control group and treatment group, 30 cases in each group. The two groups were given function rehabilitation training following by the theory of modern rehabilitation medicine, and additionally the treatment group was treated with spleen-warming and kidney-tonifying herbs orally. The treatment period for the two groups averaged 3 months. Before and after treatment, the scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and signs, peripheral blood TLR4 mRNA expression level, and the inflammation-related factors in the two groups were observed, and the observation parameters were compared with 30 healthy volunteers. Meanwhile, the changes of modern rehabilitation evaluation indexes were also evaluated before and after treatment. Results (1) After treatment, the Fugl-Meyer scores for motor function and Modified Barthel Index(MBI) scores for activities of daily living in the treatment group were obviously increased(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment); the MBI scores in the control group was much increased(P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment), but the Fugl -Meyer scores only showed an increasing trend(P > 0.05). (2) After treatment, the predominant symptoms and signs of hemiplegia, facial distortion and dysphasia in the two groups were much improved(P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment), and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05). The control group had no significant effect on relieving the symptoms and signs of dizziness and blurred vision, numbness of limbs, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath and weakness, and darkish tongue(P > 0.05 compared with those before treatment); the treatment group had obvious effect on the above symptoms and signs, and the effect was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).(3) For the inflammation-related factors, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) level in the treatment group was much decreased and even arrived to the normal level(P > 0.05), and TNF-α level in the control group was decreased but did not arrive to the normal level(P < 0.05); levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and TLR4 mRNA in the two groups were decreased but did not arrive to the normal(P < 0.01), and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (4) During the treatment period, no obvious adverse effect was found in the two groups. Conclusion Oral use of spleen -warming and kidney –tonifying Chinese medicine combined with modern rehabilitation therapy is effective for the treatment of the sequelae of cerebral infarction patients by relieving the clinical TCM symptoms, and one of the therapeutic mechanisms is probably related with the TLR4 signaling pathway through regulating the expression of inflammatory factors.

Xiaoyao pills are a famous traditional Chinese medicine collected in Welfare Pharmacy, which is a classic prescription for treating liver depression and spleen deficiency. However, its composition is complex. In order to better control the quality of Xiaoyao pills, in this study, HPLC-ion-trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF/MS) was used to identify the main ingredients of Xiaoyao pills, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, glycyrrhizic acid, saikosaponin A and saikosaponin B2. Then a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous determination and quantification of the main compounds. Fragmentation pathways of five active components were obtained. The method was validated. Five active ingredients in Xiaoyao pills had a good linear relationship, and the values of RSD (%) of repeatability were all less than 5%, the recovery ranges were between 90% and 115%, and the values of RSD (%) of each substance were less than 10% after the sample solution is placed for 24 hours. Three batches of Xiaoyao pills (concentrated pellets) and two batches of Xiaoyao pills (water pellets) were determined, the contents of paeoniflorin in concentrated pills were more than 4.0 mg·g^-1, and those in water pills were more than 2.5 mg·g^-1, which was accordance with Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, other compounds behave differently. This method has high sensitivity and reliable measurement results, which provides basis for quality control of Xiaoyao pills and material basis for pharmacology research.

The chemical constituents of 95% ethanol extract of Melastoma dodecandrum were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC, to obtain thirteen compounds eventually. On the basis of their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as quercetin (1), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-(6"-O-p-coumaroyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O- [2",6"-di-O-(E)-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucopyra-noside (6), luteolin (7), luteolin-7-O-(6"-p-coumaroyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (8), apigenin (9), apigenin-7-(6"-acetyl-glucopyranoside) (10) , naringenin (11), isovitexin (12), and epicatechin-[8,7-e] -4β-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dyhydroxyl-2(3H)-pyranone (13). Eight compounds(3,5,6,8-11 and 13) were obtained from M. dodecandrum for the first time.
Apigenin ; analysis ; Chromatography ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dextrans ; Flavanones ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; analysis ; Luteolin ; analysis ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analysis ; Silica Gel

OBJECTIVETo assess the population genetic diversity and genetic structure and screen species-specific bands for identification of Changium smyrnioides and Chuanminshen violaceum.

METHODSeven wild populations of Changium smyrnioides and one cultivated population of Chuanminshen violaceum were studied by ISSR analysis. The population genetic diversity and population genetic structure were assessed by using POPGENE software.

RESULTA total of 152 ISSR markers were scored, among which 136 (90.8%) were polymorphic. The values of Gst tended to be high (mean Gst = 0.575). The level of genetic divesity of Changium smyrnioides (A = 1.272; P = 27.26%; I = 0.132; H = 0.087) was higher than that of Chuanminshen violaceum (A = 1.217; P = 21.7; I = 0.103; H = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONThe genetic variation of Changium smyrnioides is high and the majority of genetic variation occur among populations. Substantial genetic divergence is shown by cluster analysis (UPGMA) to befound between Changium smyrnioides and Chuanminshen violaceum at DNA level. In addition, one species-specific marker has been obtained in Chuanminshen violaceum. The phylogenetic relationship of two species has also been discussed.

Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Ecosystem ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Structures ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Species Specificity

Objective To evaluate the effect of the intermittent deferomamine(DF) therapy on relieving iron overload caused by transfusion in children with ? thalassemia.Methods Sixteen children who were finally diagnosed as ? thalassemia major were treated with deferomamine for 124 times totally to low the iron overload. The serum iron(SI), serum ferritin(SF) and urine ferritin were detected each time with radio-immunity technique and difference was compared before and after treatment. Meanwhile, weather DF involved children′s liver and renal function was observed in whole procedure.Results Iron overload exists in 16 cases of ? thalassemia major children by a long- term hypertransfusion therapy, with average level SI 33.69?6.72 mmol/L,SF 441.19? 54.70 ?g/L,urine ferritin 8.64?6.79 ?g/L. The difference was significant (paired-samples t test,t =6.173 P 0.05).Conclusion The study suggest that intermittent low-dose DF therapy is effective for iron overload caused by transfusion in ? thalassemia children, without apparent side effects.

Objective To analyze the local control rate and the desimetric patterns of local recurrence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)patients having been treated with standardized conventional radiotherapy and to evaluate the delineation of rational target volume.Methods From Jan.2000 to Dec.2000,476 patients with untreated NPC were treated by standardized conventional radiotherapy alone at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.The radiation ports were designed on a X-ray simulator.The nasopharyngeal lesion demonstrated by CT scan and the subclinical spread regions adjacent to the nasopharynx were defined as the target volume.Kaplan- Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative local recurrence rate.For patients with locad recurrence,the primary and recurrent local tumor volumes(V_(nx),V_(recur))were delineated with three-dimensional treatment planning system(3DTPS),and the dataset of radiation ports and delivered prescription dose to the 3DTPS were transferred according to the first treatment.The dose of radiation received by V_(recur)was calculated and analyzed with dose- volume histogram(DVH).Local recurrence was classified as:1.“in-port”with 95% or mere of the recurrence volume((recur)_V_(95))was within the 95% isedase;2.“marginal”with 20% to95% of _(recur)V_(95)within the 95% isedese; 3.“outside”with only less than 20% of _(recur)_V_(95)within the 95% isodose curve.Results With the median follow- up of 42.5 months(range 8～54 months),52 patients developed local recurrence.The 1-,2-,3 and 4-year cumulative local failure rate was 0.6%,3.9%,8.7% and 11.5%,respectively.Among the 42 local recurrent patients who could be analyzed by 3DTPS,52% were in-port,40% were marginal and 7% were outside.For most of the marginal recurrence and all the outside recurrence patients,the main reason of recurrence were related to the unreasonable design of the radiation port and inaccuracy in the interpretation image findings.Conclusions The outcome of better local control rate and the dosimetric pattern of local recurrence show that the target volume is reasonable for NPC in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.Enhancing the capability of correct interpretation of images,accurate design of the radiation pouts and making most useful molecular or functional imaging techniques to escalate the local radiation dose are promising ways to improve the local control further and better.

Objective To study the changes of proportion of peripheral blood dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with different degrees of cerebrovascular stenosis and after stenting,and explore the relation between DCs level and cercbrovascular stenosis. Methods Sixty-three patients,admitted to our hospital from November 2009 to February 2010 and from August 2010 to December 2010,were divided into control group (CG,n=9),mild/moderate stenosis group (MsG,n=17),severe stenosis group (SsG,n=30) and stent implanted group (SiG,n=7) according the results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and their clinical situation.Flow cytometry 4-color analysis was employed to detect the proportion of DCs subtypes in the peripheral blood. Results The percentage of peripheral blood myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) was significantly different in the above groups (P=0.000):that between CG and SsG,and that between MsG and SsG were significantly different (P＜0.05).Whereas, no obvious difference was founded in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) between each 2 groups (P=0.065).Conclusion The percentage of mDCs suggests the alterations of different degrees of cerebrovascular stenosis:the severer the stenosis,the lower the percentage of mDCs; stent implantation will not affect the distribution of DCs subtypes

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effects of combined anterior-posterior (small incision or micro-incision) approach for complex tibial plateau and posterior condylar fractures.

METHODSFrom 2000 to 2008, 79 patients (81 limbs) with complex tibial plateau and posterior condylar fractures were reviewed. There were 45 males and 34 females, ranging in age from 19 to 66 years, with an average of 40.6 years. Thirty-nine limbs were treated using small incision through combined anterior-posterior approach, in which 13 limbs were Schatzker type IV, 15 limbs were type V ,and 11 limbs were type VI. Other 42 limbs were treated using micro-incision through combined anterior-posterior approach, in which 18 limbs were Schatzker type IV, 16 limbs were type V, and 8 limbs were type VI. The Rasmussen scores for knee joint and radio scores were used to evaluate therapeutic effects after the treatment. The complications such as cutaneous necrosis and incision infection were observed.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up. According to Rasmussen criterion, in small incision group, 16 limbs got an excellent result, 13 good, 7 fair and 3 bad; in micro-incision group,above data were 19, 11, 8 and 4 respectively. Comparison between the two groups, P = 0.924. Comparison of complications such as cutaneous necrosis and incision infection: in small incision group,10 limbs had the complications, and in micro-incision group were 4 limbs; the occurrence rate of small incision group were higher than that of micro-incision group (P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONThere are no significant differences between the two groups in the knee joint function rehabilitation; however, there is smaller rate for cutaneous necrosis and incision infection in micro-incision group.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnosis and treatment of the cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSForty one patients with cholangiocarcinoma who were enrolled in our hospital from January 1970 to January 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAmong these 41 patients, the 1, 3, and 5-year survival rate was 82.3%, 45.8%, 45.8%, respectively, with radical operation, and was 11.0%, 0, 0 with non-radical operation (chi2 = 21.38, P < 0.01). The 1-year and 3-year survival rate was 11.0% and 0 in 9 patients treated with laparatomy, which was not significantly different from those treated with non-radical operation (chi2 = 0.02, P = 0.89). Four patients did not receive operation and all died within one year. Among 25 patients who did not experience lymph node metastasis, the 1, 3, and 5-year survival rate was 58.4%, 27.3%, and 27.3%. Among 16 patients who were found lymph node metastasis, the 1-year and 3-year survival rate was 61.8% and 0 (chi2 = 13.85, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOperation is the most effective treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. Radical operation is the only curative treatment.

Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; secondary ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of stem cell transcription factor Oct-4 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and seborrheic keratosis (SK) and its association with cancer stem cells.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to detect Oct-4 expression in 35 SCC cases, 21 SK cases and 15 normal control skin tissues.

RESULTSOct-4 expression was negative in normal skin and showed a significant difference between SCC and SK tissues (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Oct-4-positive cells in SCC and SK are probably tumor stem cells. Oct-4 expression may provide an important evidence for isolation and identification of human SCC and SK stem cells.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult