BACKGROUND: The biliary stents commonly used in clinic are made of plastics and metal, both of which have some irresolvable defects. New type of material characterizing by great biocompatibility and degradation for the making of biliary stents needs to be found and studied.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biodegradation law and the change in radical force of five different mole-ratios of biliary stents made of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) in human bile in vitro.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A Completely random design was performed at the Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University between July and December 2006.MATERIALS: Five different mole-ratios of PLGA hiliary stents (90L/10G, 80L/20G, 70L/30G, 60L/40G, and 50L/50G) were provided by Dalgang Biological Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Jinan; Human fresh bile was obtained from the patients who underwent external drainage of bile in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University.METHODS: Thirty-two PLGA biliary stents of each proportion were respectively divided into eight groups, with four stents in each group. All of them were independently submerged into test tubes with 10 mL fresh human bile which were then placed in constant temperature oscillator. The temperature was set at 37 ℃. The bile was changed every day. After incubated for one week to eight weeks, the PLGA biliary stents were respectively taken out of test tubes from the first to the eighth group each week. They were washed with distilled water and dried in calorstat for 24 hours.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Gross morphology, color and integrality of PLGA stents; ② Scanning electron microscope; ③ the mass and the radical force of PLGA stents.RESULTS: ① Five different mole-ratios of PLGA stents followed a similar changing law as to gross morphology: stents remained intact → stents became soft → the surface ofstents became coarse and cracked → stents collapsed → stents were degraded into pieces → stents were completely degraded. ② Before degradation: limpid stereo reticular structure of PLGA; One week after degradation: PLGA was corroded and the reticular structure was decreased; Three weeks after degradation: airspace was gradually disappeared and the reticular structure was further decreased; Five weeks after degradation: airspace and the reticular structure were completely damaged, which was in an indefinite form. ③ The mass loss of each proportion of PLGA stents gradually speeded up along with the time extension. Furthermore, with the content of PGA increasing, the mass loss of the stents became faster. The initial radical force was different among five different mole-ratios of hiliary stents. With the content of PLA increasing, the radical force of the stents became stronger.CONCLUSION: The material of PLGA possesses adjustable biodegradation and good mechanical feature, so it is suitable for preparation of biliary stents.

Objective To study the effects of parecoxib sodium combined with continuous femoral nerve block on the balance of Th1/Th2 in elderly patients after total knee arthroplasty. Methods Fifty elderly patients,33 males and 1 7 females,aged 65 to 80 years,with ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱtreated with total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups (n =25 each):parecoxib sodium combined with continuous femoral nerve block group (group A)and parecoxib sodium com-bined with intravenous analgesia group (group B).Quick induce laryngeal mask anesthesia and intra-venous parecoxib sodium 40 mg at 30 min before skin incision were adopted in both groups.After the first 8 h,parecoxib sodium of 40 mg was intravenously injected again.The patients in group A re-ceived femoral nerve puncture and continuous electronic analgesia pump.The patients in group B re-ceived postoperative intravenous electronic analgesia pump.Visual analogue score(VAS)during rest and movement at 6,12,24,36,48 h after operation,side effects in two groups were recorded,venous blood samples were taken before anesthesia (T0 ),at the end of operation (T1 ),and 24 h(T2 ),48 h (T3 ),72 h (T4 )after operation for determination of plasma IFN-γ,IL-10 and cortisol (Cor). Results The values of VAS were significantly lower in group A compared with group B in rest at 6, 12 h after operation,the values of VAS were significantly lower in group A compared with group B in moving at every time points after surgery (P <0.05 ).The plasma Cor concentrations were signifi-cantly increased at T1-T3 compared with baseline value at T0 in two groups(P <0.05 ).The plasma Cor concentrations in group A were significantly decreased compared with group B at T1-T3 (P <0.05).The plasma IFN-γconcentrations were significantly lower at T2 and T3 compared with baseline value at T0 in group A,the plasma IFN-γ concentrations were significantly lower at T2-T4 compared with baseline value at T0 in group B (P <0.05),the plasma IFN-γ concentrations were significantly increased in group A compared with group B at T2-T4 (P <0.05 ).The plasma IL-10 concentrations were significantly increased compared with baseline value at T1-T4 in two groups (P < 0.05 ),the plasma IL-10 concentrations were significantly decreased in group A compared with group B at T1-T4 (P <0.05).Compared with group B,the incidence of postoperative nausea,vomiting and pruritus in group A was lowered significantly (P <0.05).Conclusion Parecoxib sodium combined with continu-ous femoral nerve block on postoperative pain in elderly patients after total knee arthroplasty can a-chieve good effect of postoperative analgesia and fewer complications, lower cortisol secretion, slowing down the decrease of IFN-γ secretion and the increase of IL-10 secretion.This method could effectively protect the immune function of patients undergoing arthroplasty.

Objective To explore and compare the therapeutic effects of Fufangkushen injection and Aidi injection on improving quality of life for patients with advanced lung cancer. Methods 60 patients in late stage of lung cancer with pathological diagnosis were split into two groups randomly. 30 patients in Kushen group received Fufangkushen injection plus base therapy, 30 patients in Aidi group received Aidi injection plus base therapy.The data was analyzed on term of tumour size,clinical symptoms,Karnofsky score,cancer marker CA125,CEA,before and after treatment in two groups.The therapeutic effects were evaluated after two circles of treatment. Results Compared the short term therapeutic effect, Kushen group had the stability rate for 83.3 ％(25/30),and 80.0 ％(24/30) for Aidi group.There was no significant difference.(P＞0.05).Compare the clinical therapeutic effect,Kushen group had the improving rate for 83.3 ％(25/30),and 80.0 ％(24/30) for Aidi group.There was no significant difference(P＞0.05).Compare the Karnofsky score,two groups had equal increasing stability rate (P＞0.05). Compare decreasing ratio of CEA and CA125 after treatment in two groups,there was no significant difference (P＞0.05). Conclusion Fufangkushen injection and Aidi injection both have acceptable therapeutic effects in the treatment of patients with later stage lung cancer.The result is equal. As well as they have some other characters themselves to improve lung cancer related symptoms. Fufangkushen injection is better to improve symptoms of heat toxin, and Aidi injection is better to improve symtoms of deficiency Qi. For Fufangkushen injection, it can also adjust disorder of liver function and relieve pain.

Objective To investigate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients with aortic dissection (AD). Methods Questionnaire analysis was applied to patients with or without AD according to Berlin questionnaire. Questionnaires were collected and common characters and related symptoms were compared between the two groups. Further comparison on related symptoms was made between the AD group and hypertensive patients in the control group. Results Totally 70 questionnaires were collected with 33 for the AD group (29 males and 4 females) and 37 for the control (29 males and 8 females). The average age (P ＜0.05) was 50.9 years for the AD group (range 32 to 70) and 53.4 years for the control (range 25 to 83). Snoring occurred in 29 AD patients (87. 88% ) and in 22 control patients (59. 46% ) (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Snoring everyday occurred in 19 AD patients (57. 58% ) and in 12 controls (32.43%) (P ＜0.05). Loud snoring was reported from 23 AD patients (69.70%) and 10 controls (27.03%) (P ＜0. 05). Apnea occurred in 15 AD patients (45. 45% ) and 8 controls (21.62%) ( P ＜0. 05). Apnea nearly everyday occurred in 9 AD patients ( 27.27% ) and 5 controls ( 13. 51% ) ( P ＜0. 05). Fatigue after sleep occurred in 23 AD patients (69. 70% ) and 15 controls (40. 54% ) (P ＜0. 05).Fatigue nearly everyday after sleep occurred in 10 AD patients (30. 30% ) and 6 controls ( 16. 22% ) ( P ＜0. 05). Hypertension was found in 28 AD patients ( 84. 85% ) and 20 controls ( 54. 05% ) ( P ＜ 0. 05 ).The average age of hypertensive control were 62 ± 16, greater than that of AD group (P ＜0. 05). In the 20 hypertensive control patients, loud snoring in 7 (35%), lessen than that of AD group (P ＜0.05).Compared with hypertensive controls, AD patients had greater body length ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) and lesser waist-tohip ration (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Compared with normal control, OSAS is more common in AD patients.

Objective To establish a rat model of sepsis induced by muramyl dipeptide (MDP) after scald burn.Methods Fifty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2-3 months,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group (group C,n =10),scald group (group S,n =10) and MDP group (n =30).The rats were subjected to a third-degree scald burn covering 20% of total body surface area in groups S and MDP.The rats were only exposed to 20 ℃ water in group C.MDP 5 mg/kg was injected via the femoral vein at 24 h after scald bum in group MDP.Arterial blood samples were collected at 1,6 and 24 h after MDP injection in group MDP,at 24 h after scald burn in group S,or at 24 h after exposure to 20 ℃ water in group C for blood gas analysis and for measurement of white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (Plt) counts,serum aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate transferase (AST),total bilirubin (TB),creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels,creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) activity,and plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-10 and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1) levels.The rats were sacrificed after collecting blood samples,and heart,liver,lung,and kidney specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of pathologic changes.The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues was measured.Another 90 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups and treated as the method previously described for record of the survival rate within 72 h.Results Compared with C group,the plasma IL-6,IL-10,IFN-γ and HMGB1 levels,WBC count,serum ALT,AST,and BUN levels and MPO activity were significantly increased,and the survival rate within 72 h was decreased in S group,and the plasma TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10,IFN-γand HMGB-1 levels,serum ALT,AST,TB,BUN,Cr and CK-MB levels,MPO activity,PaCO2 and BE value were significantly increased,and WBC and PLT counts,pH value,PaO2 and survival rate within 72 h were decreased in MDP group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with S group,the plasma TNF-α,IL-6,IFN-γ and HMGB-1 levels,serum ALT,AST,TB,BUN,Cr and CK-MB levels,MPO activity,PaCO2 and BE value were significantly increased,and WBC and Plt counts,pH value,PaO2 and survival rate within 72 h were decreased in MDP group (P ＜ 0.05).The pathologic changes of heart,liver,lung and kidney were obvious in S and MDP groups and severer in MDP group.Conclusion After a third-degree 20% total body surface area scald burn,MDP induces excessive production of inflammatory cytokines accompanying with multiple organ damage ; thus the model of sepsis is successfully established after scald burn in rats.

Purpose To characterize the alterations and significance of Rb in concurrent esophageal and gastric cardia precancerous lesions (dysplasia) from the same patients in Henan,a high-incidence area of esophageal carcinoma.Methods Rb protein expression was detected by the immunohistochemical staining (ABC method) in 30 patients with both esophageal and gastric cardia dysplasia in Henan area.Results Rb positive rates in esophageal epithelial dysplasia (EDYS) and gastric cardia dysplasia (GDYS) were 70% (21/30) and 80% (24/30), respectively, and the difference was not significant,(χ~2=0.800,P>0.05).However, there were 25 patients with Rb coincident changes in EDYS and GDYS from the same patient in 30 cases of esophageal and gastric cardia dysplasia (83%,25/30). The positive coincidence rate for Rb positive expression in EDYS and GDYS from the same patient accounted for 67% (20/30) and the negative coincidence rate was 17% (5/30) (Kappa=0.561,P<0.01).The significant relationship between Rb coincidence expression in EDYS and GDYS was found (P<0.01).Conclusions The high coincident alterations of Rb in EDYS and GDYS from the same patient indicate the possibility of similar molecular basis, which provides an important etiological clue for the similar geographic distribution and risk factors involved in esophageal squmaous cell carcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma.

According to the three-parameter expression of blood , the dual-frequency complex impedance information is selected as the known quantity. In this paper , the particular solution process of three-parameter is introduced. A calculational method to obtain basic quantity and pulsatile quantity of three-parameter of blood electrical impedance is established.

Objective To evaluate the effect of electro-acupunctare at Zusanli on liver injury in a rat model of sepsis after scald.Methods Fifty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,aged 2-3 months,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C); sepsis after scald group (group SS); electro-acupuncture at Zusanli group (group E); electric stimulation of non-acupoint group (group NE); electro-acupuncture at Zusanli + α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) group (group α-BGT).The rats were subjected to a third degree scald covering 20％ of the total body surface area (TBSA) and sepsis was induced with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) 5 mg/kg injected into the femoral vein immediately after scald.Electro-stimulation (3 V,2 ms,3 Hz) of bilateral Zusanli acupoints or non-acupoints was performed for 12 min every 8 h for 2 consecutive days starting from the time point immediately after MDP was injected in group E.In group NE,electro-stimulation was performed at the points 5 mm lateral to the acupoints of bilateral Zusanli and the method was similar to those previously described in group E.In group α-BGT,α-BGT 1.0 μg/kg (in normal saline 1 ml) was injected into the femoral vein before electric stimulation,then electro-stimulation was performed and the method was similar to those previously described in group E.After 48 h of continuous stimulation,liver specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes.The blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta for determination of the levels of serum ALT and AST,tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) (by ELISA),and expression of Nod-like receptor 2 (NLR2) mRNA (by RTPCR) and receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2) in the liver tissues (by Western blot).Results The serum ALT and AST,TNF-α and HMGB-1 levels and NLR2 mRNA and RIP2 expression in liver tissues were significantly higher in SS group than in C group.Compared with SS group,the serum ALT,AST,TNF-α and HMGB1 levels were significantly decreased and NLR2 mRNA and RIP2 expression was down-regulated in E group,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in NE group.Compared with E group,the serum ALT,AST,TNF-α and HMGB1 levels were significantly increased,and NLR2 mRNA and RIP2 expression was up-regulated in α-BGT group.The pathological changes in liver tissues were significantly reduced in group EA as compared with SS,NE and α-BGT groups.Conclusion Electro-acupuncture at Zusanli can reduce liver injury in a rat model of sepsis after scald and inhibition of NLR2/RIP2 signaling pathway and activation of cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in liver tissues may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective: To discuss the action mechanisms of Takayasus arteritis (brachiocephalic artery type) of acupuncture. Methods: We applied acupuncture therapy with the principle of warming Yang and supplementing Qi, removing obstruction in the meridians and recovering pulse, to treat patients with takayasus arteritis (brachiocephalic artery type). Before and after treatment, we detected the TCD (Transcranial Doppler) changes of the average velocity of blood flow (AVBF) and arterial pulsatility index (PI) of related arteris. Results: After treatment,acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the abnormal blood flow rate in endocranial correlated arteries by two sides, in the AVBF while, elevate the elasticity of endocranial vessels.Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate cerebrovascular function of patients with takayasus arteritis (brachiocephalic artery type), increase the perfusion of cerebral blood flow, and adjust abnormal state of endocranial hemodynamics. This is possibly the important action mechanisms acupuncture in treating this disorder.