OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between pharmacological effects and properties of traditional Chinese medicine by the decision tree algorithm.

METHODBased on of pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine, the decision tree algorithm was applied in the study on the relationship between pharmacological effects and properties of traditional Chinese medicines. A model was established with the decision tree algorithm for the purpose of predicting the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

RESULTThe established model was reliable and stable, and could be used to predict the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

CONCLUSIONThe prediction for the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components with a decision tree model could reflect the theoretical connotation of the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components to some extent and provide a new method for studying the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components.

Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To investigate the distribution of surfactant protein-C( SP-C) gene single nu-cleotide polymorphisms and to study the association between the SP-C gene polymorphisms and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome( NRDS) in infants. Methods Fifty-one infants with NRDS( NRDS group) and 51 infants without RDS( control group) were selected. PCR gene analysis and polymerase chain reaction were used to establish the genotype and allele frequencies of SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N),SP-C exon 4 and 5 for the mutation,and then the association between the polymorphisms and NRDS was analyzed. Results SP-C gene mutations were not found in exon 4 and 5. In the Mongol nationality of the Inner Mon-golia region,SP-C exon 4(T138N) genotypes could check out three genotypes:namely AA,AC and CC. The frequencies of allele A and allele C of SP-C exon 4(T138N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group(χ2 =0. 454,P=0. 797). In the Mongol nationality,SP-C exon 5(S186N) genotypes could check out three genotypes:namely AA,AG and GG. The frequencies of allele A and allele G of SP-C exon 5(S186N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group(χ2 =0. 493,P =0. 782). Conclusion SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) gene polymorphism in Inner Mongolia newborns displays no significant correlation with sex,birth weight or gestational age. SP-C gene mutations are not found in exon 4 and 5. SP-C gene exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) polymorphisms are not found to be associated with NRDS in Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia.

To study the protective effect of astragalus saponin extracts (AS) on kidneys of diabetic rats. Totally 32 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were divided into AS high and low dose groups, the positive control group and the model group (DM group) and orally administered with 50 mg x- kg(-1) x d(-1) AS 200, 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) valsartan, 10 mL x kg(-1) x d(1) physiological saline, respectively. Another 8 healthy rats were collected in the normal control group (NC group, physiological saline 10 mL x kg(-1). d(-1)). All rats were treated for consecutively 6 weeks. After the administration, the body weight was measured every week, the concentration of blood glucose was monitored on week 2, 4 and 6. The total urine and total urinary protein (U-TP) in 24 h were measured by the metabolic cage method on week 6; At the end of week 6, blood samples were collected from hearts to detect blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA) , total cholesterol (CH) triglyceride (TG) by biochemical methods. Kidneys were collect to calculate the kidney hypertrophy index and observe the pathological sections. The laboratory results show that in the DM group, the blood glucose, metabolic cost in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly higher than that in the NC group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) , with significant pathological changes; After the intervention with AS, the metabolic value in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly lower in the high dose group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the kidney hypertrophy index, BUN, Scr, UA, TG in the low dose group were also significantly lower (P < 0.05), with slight reduction in renal pathological changes in both groups. In conclusion, Astragalus saponin extracts have a certain protective effect on kidneys of diabetic rats.
Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Uric Acid ; metabolism

In order to investigate the antioxidant properties of the polysaccharides from the brown alga Sargassum fusiforme, the crude polysaccharides from S. fusiforme (SFPS) were extracted in hot water, and the lipid peroxidation inhibition assay exhibited that SFPS possessed a potential antioxidant activity. Hence, two purely polymeric fractions, SFPS-1 and SFPS-2 were isolated by the column of DEAE (2-diethylaminoethanol)-Sepharose Fast Flow, with their molecular weights of 51.4 and 30.3 kDa determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). They were preliminarily characterized using chemical analysis in combination of infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies and found to contain large amounts of uronic acids and beta-glycosidical linkages. The antioxidant activities of these two SFPS fractions were evaluated using superoxide and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assays. The results show that the antioxidant ability of SFPS-2 was higher than that of SFPS-1, probably correlating with the molecular weight and uronic acid content.
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Molecular Weight ; Pilot Projects ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; Sargassum ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo predict part of medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces by using the traditional Chinese medicinal property data prediction platform, in order to establish the relationship between properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces.

METHODThe properties of traditional Chinese medicine components were predicted by using the medicinal property data prediction platform based on the pharmacological effects of the components.

RESULTThe total sum of identical or similar results of the prediction for the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces accounted for over 75%.

CONCLUSIONThe self-similarity exists between properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, which reflects the inheritance, additivity and emergence among different properties of traditional Chinese medicines.

Drug Combinations ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo explore the regional anatomy of the rectum including the perirectal fasciae and spaces.

METHODSTwenty-one cadavers (15 males and 6 females) were embalmed and their vessels were visualized by injection with color dye. From the cadavers, 30 hemipelvis and 6 three-quarter pelvis were harvested. The perirectal fasciae and spaces and the pelvic autonomic nerves were dissected and examined.

RESULTSThree tissue layers were dissected from the inside to the periphery including the proper rectal fascia enveloping the mesorectum, the presacral fascia, and the piriformis fascia fused with the sacral periosteum. The mesorectum comprised 2 parts with the classical posterolateral fat covered by the proper rectal fascia posteriorly and the anterior fat covered by the posterior layer of Denonvilliers fascia anteriorly. Extending anteriorly to the anterior layer of Denonvilliers fascia, the presacral fascia bisected the space between the mesorectum and the piriformis fascia into the retrorectal space and the presacral space. The retrorectal space extended cranially to the left retrocolic space, anterior to the space between the 2 layers of Denonvilliers fascia(prerectal space).

CONCLUSIONSFrom the inside to the periphery, the proper rectal fascia, the presacral fascia, and the muscular fascia are distributed in an annular pattern around the mesorectum. The presacral fascia divides the perirectal space into 2 annular parts, the central retrorectal space and the peripheral presacral space. The retrorectal space is the ideal surgical plane for total mesorectal excision.

Adult ; Aged ; Cadaver ; Fascia ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesocolon ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; anatomy & histology ; Rectum ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted total proctocolectomy using medial-to-lateral approach.

METHODSBetween October 2005 and January 2012, 21 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted total proctocolectomy by medial-to-lateral approach in Department of General Surgery in Nanfang Hospital. The clinical data and follow-up results were reviewed.

RESULTSTwenty cases underwent laparoscopic resection successfully, and 1 case (4.8%) was converted to open surgery because of serious peritoneal cavity adhesion. The mean operative time was (237.1±64.2) min and intraoperative blood loss was (90.0±77.7) ml. The mean time to first flatus was (2.7±0.8) days. The mean postoperative hospital stay was (11.8±5.7) days. Three patients (14.3%) experienced postoperative complications, including anastomotic leakage (n=1), lymphatic leakage (n=1), and anastomotic stricture (n=1). The median follow-up was 22 months (4-60 months). There were two deaths including one patient died of progressive disease 5 months after surgery and the other died of multiple organ failure.

CONCLUSIONSThe advantages of laparoscopy-assisted total proctocolectomy using medial-to-lateral approach include simplified surgical procedure, clearly revealed surgical plane, and shortened operative time. This procedure is safe and feasible in the experienced department of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proctocolectomy, Restorative ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore living anatomy of pancreas and peripancreatic spaces,as well as their implications on laparoscopic gastrectomy with D(2) lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer.

METHODSLiving observation was carried out in 132 patients diagnosed as distal gastric cancer and undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy with D(2) lymphadenectomy.

RESULTSSpaces between greater omentum and transverse mesocolon continued to pre-pancreatic and retro-pancreatic spaces at inferior margin of pancreas. The pre-pancreatic and retro-pancreatic spaces continued each other at inferior and superior margin of pancreas and extended in all directions. Left gastroepiploic vessels were located in pre-pancreatic spaces at superior margin of pancreatic tail. In retro-pancreatic space at inferior margin of pancreatic neck, superior mesenteric veins were located. In retro-pancreatic spaces or in gastric mesenteries inferior to gastric antrum, right gastroepiploic vessels were located. In spaces between gastric antrum and pancreatic heads, gastroduodenal arteries were located and traced to locate common hepatic arteries. In retro-pancreatic spaces at superior margin of pancreatic body, common hepatic arteries, left gastric arteries,celiac arteries and splenic arteries were located. Hepatopancreatic folds and gastropancreatic folds were landmarks respective to locate common hepatic arteries and left gastric arteries. The aforementioned vessels and spaces in their vagina vasorum continued each other and united as a whole.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic gastrectomy with D(2) lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer is carried out in macroscopic surgical planes of pre-pancreatic space and retro-pancreatic space, as well as their extensions in all directions, and in microscopic surgical planes of spaces in vagina vasorum of perigastric vessels which continue each other, under the guidance of central landmarks of pancreas and concrete landmarks of vessel trunks and their furcations.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreas ; anatomy & histology ; Stomach ; anatomy & histology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESTo investigate mechanism for the increasing level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in tumour patients during radiotherapy and the inhibitory action of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) to the expression of VEGF protein by radiotherapy in the prostate cancer cell line (PC3M).

METHODSTo observe the changes of serum VEGF in the prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy dynamically and the inhibitory action of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the expression of VEGF by radiotherapy in PC3M.

RESULTSThe changes of serum VEGF in three patients receiving radiotherapy had been observed continuously. The levels of serum VEGF began to increase when the patients received radiotherapy and rised up to peak value after fifteen days, then declined to the range of pre-radiotherapy. Irradiating the PC3M cells with X-rays significantly increased the VEGF expression and secretion. The expression of VEGF protein in the group treated by VEGF AS-ODNs and X-ray irradiation decreased significantly than the group treated only by X-ray irradiation.

CONCLUSIONSThe induction of VEGF protein expression by X-ray irradiation in tumor cells may result in the increasing of the VEGF in the prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy and the induction can be blocked by VEGF AS-ODNs.

DNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; blood ; genetics ; Lymphokines ; antagonists & inhibitors ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors