Purpose To explore the value of ultrasound contrast time-intensity curves in hepatic tumor qualitative diagnosis and evaluation of tumor ablation effect. Materials and Methods Forty-two patients who were clinically diagnosed as hepatic cancer or cirrhosis underwent contrast enhanced ultrasound for the tumor lesions within the liver, dynamic analysis of the lesions were executed with software SonoLiver CAP, the nature of the tumors were determined and the results were compared with those of the enhanced MRI. Ultrasound guided biopsy was followed with radiofrequency ablation treatment, two-dimensional and contrast enhanced ultrasound were executed two weeks after the ablation, and the results were compared with enhanced MRI findings during corresponding period. Results 52 tumor nodules were found with two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasound, 65 (33 hyperplastic nodules, 32 malignant lesions) with CEUS, 65 (21 hyperplastic nodules, 44 malignant lesions) with ultrasound contrast time-intensity curves, and 61 (20 hyperplastic nodules, 41malignant lesions) with contrast enhanced MRI; pathological examination revealed that 26 of the lesions were benign and 39 were malignant;there was statistically significant difference (χ2=4.561, P<0.05) between the results of ultrasound contrast time-intensity curves and simple contrast enhanced ultrasound for the assessment of the nature of tumor;no statistically significant difference (χ2=0.003, P>0.05) was found between ultrasound contrast time-intensity curves and enhanced MRI for the assessment of the nature of tumor;there was statistically significant difference (χ2=5.298, P<0.05) between ultrasound contrast time-intensity curves and simple contrast enhanced ultrasound for the assessment of whether the tumor was malignant or benign, when taking biopsy results as the reference standard. Conclusion With ultrasound contrast time-intensity curves, dynamical, intuitive, and quantitative evaluation can be obtained for the perfusion differences between the lesion and the surrounding liver parenchyma, which provides more accurate information for qualitative diagnosis of hepatic tumors thus contains great application value in the evaluation of the effects of radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumors.

By using the pharmacophore model of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists as a starting point, the experiment stud- ies the method of traditional Chinese medicine formula design for anti-hypertensive. Pharmacophore models were generated by 3D-QSAR pharmacophore (Hypogen) program of the DS3.5, based on the training set composed of 33 mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The best pharmacophore model consisted of two Hydrogen-bond acceptors, three Hydrophobic and four excluded volumes. Its correlation coefficient of training set and test set, N, and CAI value were 0.9534, 0.6748, 2.878, and 1.119. According to the database screening, 1700 active compounds from 86 source plant were obtained. Because of lacking of available anti-hypertensive medi cation strategy in traditional theory, this article takes advantage of patent retrieval in world traditional medicine patent database, in order to design drug formula. Finally, two formulae was obtained for antihypertensive.
Antihypertensive Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Databases, Factual ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Models, Molecular

Objective To explore the impact of medication self-management module on treatment compli-ance and social function of patients with schizophrenia. Methods 66 inpatients with schizophrenia in their non-acute stage were randomly divided into training group(n=33) and control group(n=33). Both groups received the anti-psychotics therapy. Medication self-management module was only given to the training group for 8 weeks.All subjects were follow up for 6 months and were evaluated with self-made drug treatment compliance rating scale,self-made work ability rating scale, social disability screening schedule(SDSS). Results Treatment compliance,the total scores of SDSS of training group were significantly higher than that of control group after 8 weeks and 6 months: treatment compliance (χ~2=9.188,29.630, P < 0.01); the total scores of SDSS ((2.63±2.74) vs (5.27 ±3.05), (1.69±2.35) vs (4.91±3.06), P=0.000); work ability of training group was significantly higher than that of control group after 6 months (χ~2=19.443, P=0.000). Treatment compliance (χ~2=8.053, P=0. 018), the total scores of SDSS((2.63±2.74) vs (6.81±3.06), P=0.000) of training group after 8 week and 6 months were significantly higher than that of pretraining. Treatment compliance and work ability of both groups on 6 months follow up were significantly lower than that of 8 weeks (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis can-firmed that there was positive relation between the total scores of SDSS and treatment compliance, work ability on 6 months later. Conclusion Medication self-management module could significantly improve treatment compliance,social function and work ability of patients with schizophrenia.

To study the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) between the stuctures of 29 flavonoids and the inhibitory activity of their multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 1 and 2 by using the comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA). By studying the impact of the combination of different molecular force fields, researchers obtained the molecular force fields that played an important role in inhibiting the activity of MRP1 and MRP2, built the optimized QSAR model, and discussed the structural modification method for flavonoids' multidrug resistance-associated protein inhibitor. The results of the study could not only provide the guidance for new drug R&D, but also help partially discuss the synergy mechanism between MRP1 and MRP2 receptors and traditional Chinese medicines containing flavonoids.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Models, Molecular ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; chemistry ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship

Objective To investigate the effect of Bunao capsule on learning,memory and antioxidative abilities of rats with Alzhheimer’s disease(AD)induced by D-galactose combined with amyloid β-protein(Aβ25-35 ),and provide experimental basis for the prevention and treatemtn of AD. Methods A total of 90 SD male rats were randomly divided into model control group,piracetam group,sham operated group,Bunao capsule(0.79,1.58,3.15 g·kg-1 )groups(n= 15 each).The rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and injection of Aβ25-35 into the bilateral lateral cerebral ventricle.Then rats were given corresponding drugs by gavage in different groups for 8 weeks.The learning and memory abilities were meseured by Morris water maze test.The morphology of brain cells was observed by HE staining.The activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and superoxide dismutase( SOD),and the malondialdehyde( MDA)contents in the brain tissues were measured by spectrophotometry. Results The target quadrant residence time was(20.39±7.75)s and(20.82±5.09)s in Bunao capsule (1.58,3.15 g·kg-1 )groups,which were significantly increased as compared with that in model control group[(12. 35 ± 6.95)s](P<0.01).Brain nerve cell morphology in Bunao capsule(1.58,3.15 g·kg-1 )groups was obviously improved as compared with that in model control group,and was close to that in sham operated group.The activities of GSH-Px and SOD were significantly increased,and MDA contents decreased in Bunao capsule groups as compared with those in model control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Bunao capsule can dose-dependently improve the learning,memory and antioxidative abilities of AD rats.The mechanism may involve upregulation of antioxidative enzyme activities and removal of oxidative products.

Objective To investigate the influence of peer education on maintenance knowledge of patients with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) outside the hospital.Methods 74 patients with PICC were divided into the intervention group and the control group with 37 patients in each group according to the random digit table,the intervention group received peer education and the conventional health education,while the control group only received routine health education.The maintenance knowledge of PICC was investigated with questionnaires and the results were analyzed.Results xfter intervention,the maintenance knowledge of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group [(36.95±2.84) scores vs.(31.78 ± 4.79) scores,t=5.639,P＜0.05].The incidence rate of complications in the intervention group was lower than that of the control group [21.6％ (8/37) vs.62.2％(23/37),x2=12.491,P＜0.01].Conclusions The peer education can improve patients' maintenance knowledge about PICC and reduce the occurrence rate of the complications of PICC.

Nicotinic acid could increase high density lipoprotein and reduce serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in human bodies, thus is frequently applied in treating low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia in clinic. However, according to the findings, nicotinic acid could also cause adverse effects, such as skin flush, beside its curative effects. In this study, bioisosterism, fragment-based search and Lipinski's Rule of Five were used to preliminarily screen out potential TCM ingredients that may have similar pharmacological effects with nicotinic acid from Traditional Chinese medicine database (TCMD). Afterwards, homology modeling and flexible docking were used to further screen out potential nicotinic acid receptor agonists. As a result, eleven candidate compounds were derived from eight commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. Specifically, all of the candidate compounds' interaction with nicotinic acid receptor was similar to nicotinic acid, and their docking scores were all higher than that of nicotinic acid, but their druggability remained to be further studied. Some of the eight source traditional Chinese medicines were used to lower lipid according to literature studies, implying that they may show effect through above means. In summary, this study provides basis and reference for extracting new nicotinic acid receptor agonists from traditional Chinese medicines and improving the medication status of hyperlipidemia.
Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Structure ; Nicotinic Acids ; chemistry ; Nicotinic Agonists ; chemistry ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; agonists ; chemistry ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; chemistry

Objective To study the expression of caspase-3,survivin,CyclinD1 and P27 in gastric carcinoma(CA2)and the relationship between the biomarkers and clinical pathological parameters. Methods Immunohistochemical Ready-to-use two-steps method was performed to research the expression of the four proteins in 72 cases of GC,and 54 cases of normal gastric mucosa.Results The expression level of caspase- 3 and p27 protein in GC was significantly lower than that in normal gastric mucosa(P

Objective To investigate the anticancer effects and molecular mechanism of betulinic acid (BA)on Raji cells in vitro.Methods The effects of BA on the growth of Raji cells were studied by MTT assay.Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin-V/PI double-labeled cytometry.The influence on cell cycle was studied by flow cytometer.The cyclin D3 mRNA expression was checked by Western blotting and RT-PCR techniques.Results BA showed obvious inhibition on proliferation,as well as induction potency of apoptosis on Raji cells in vitro in a time-and dose-dependent manner by Annexin-V/PI double-labeled method.With the IC_(50)value for 24 h being(39.44?0.65)?g/mL,Raji cells treated with BA showed ac- cumulation in G_0/G_1 phase and reduction in the percentage of cells in S phase.The cyclin D3 mRNA ex- pression and protein were sharply decreased in Raji cells treated with BA.Conclusion BA could inhibit the proliferation of Raji cells by regulating the cell cycle that arrests cells at G_0/G_1 phase and induces apop- tosis of Raji cells.The antitumor effects of BA may be related to down-regulation of the expression of cy- clin D3.

AIM: To investigate effects of OX-LDL and VitE on the levels of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-? in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC). METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were obtained by in vitro culture. HUVEC treated with or without Vit E was incubated with OX-LDL, and the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-? were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assy technique. RESULTS:50 ?g/L,100 ?g/L, 200 ?g/L OX-LDL induced the release of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-? by HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the control group , the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased at 6-12 h of stimulation with OX-LDL . Maximal levels of IL-6 and IL-8 occurred after 24-36 h, reaching a plateau maintained for at least 48 h. TNF-? rose after 2-6 h in HUVEC, and reached a maximum after 12 h. In contrast to IL-6 and IL-8, TNF-? declined after 48 h. However, when VitE (50 mg/L,100 mg/L,200 mg/L)was added, it can significant inhibited the release of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-? in a dose-dependent manner, and after 48 h these cytokines have no diference between OX-LDL+VitE groups and OX-LDL groups. CONCLUSION: OX-LDL can obviously stimulate the production of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-? in vascular endothelial cells, which can significantly be inhibited by VitE in a short time.