Objective: To explore the clinical features of hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and compare clinical features of primary group with those of thyrotoxicosis secondary group. Methods: Clinical data of 44 patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Peking University First Hospital from 1996 December to 2008 December were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were 22 patients in primary group, and 22 in thyrotoxicosis group. Identical clinical features of both the groups; (1 ) It had a predilection in young men. (2)Main symptoms were limb movement disorder and fatigue, and paralysis recurrent attacked in most patients. (3) 40. 9% to 68. 2% patients had obvious incentives, and the common ones were a heavy meal, sweet drinks, or strenuous'exercise. (4) Serum potassium levels of the two groups were obviously lower than the normal range. (5) In 20% patients of primary group and 25% patients of thyrotoxicosis secondary group, CK levels were higher than normal, while LDH and HBDH levels were normal.(6) The doses of potassium replishment were not correlated to serum potassium levels at the onset. Different clinical features of the two groups; (1) Patients of thyrotoxicosis group had hypermetabolism symptoms and thyroid dysfunction. Patients of primary group had no hypermetabolism symptoms, and all of them were euthyroid. (2) Serum potassium levels of thyrotoxicosis secondary group were lower than those of primary group significantly [(2.25±.67) vs (2.78±.49) mmol/L, P=0;007]. (3) Hyperkalemia is easier than primary group to rebound in thyrotoxicosis secondary group, after replenishment of potassium. Conclusion: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis has its clinical features, and patients with early diagnosis and replenishment of potassium in time have good prognosis. The doses of potassium replenishment are not determined by serum potassium levels at the onset. Hyperkalemia is easier to rebound in thyrotoxicosis secondary group after replenishment of potassium, serum potassium levels should be monitored closely, and hyperthyrosis radically cured.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference of the symptoms evaluation between CRS patients and doctors. METHOD: Seven symptoms including nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, sneezing, rhinocnesmus, itching of eyes, hyposmia and facial pain were evaluated by visual analog scales (VAS) by the patients. The assigned rhinologist finished VAS evaluation of doctor based on the patient's description of their symptoms. Rank test was used to analyze the difference for each VAS scores of symptom between patients and doctor. Spearman test was used to analyze the effect of age in VAS scores and the effect of gender was analyzed by using Mann-Whitney test. RESULT: We found that the sum and every single patient's nasal symptoms VAS scores both showed statistical significantly difference (t = 4.51 P < 0.01). VAS scores of nasal blockage showed the significant difference between patients and doctor (r = 359.52 P < 0.01). Age of patients did not show correlation with VAS scores (r = -0.074 P > 0.05) also, gender of patients didn't show statistical significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION There were differences between patient's and doctor's nasal symptoms VAS scores and the VAS scores of patients were higher than the doctor's. Age and gender of patient were not related to the VAS evaluation.
Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Observer Variation ; Patients ; Physicians ; Rhinitis ; diagnosis ; Sinusitis ; diagnosis ; Visual Analog Scale

Objective: To establish an HPLC-CAD method for the simultaneous determination of fructose, glucose, sucrose and maltose in honey.Methods: The samples were separated on an Alltech Prevail carbohydrate ES(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)column using acetonitrile-water (70:30) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 ml·min-1, and detected by a charged aerosol detector.

BACKGROUND:Ful-thickness articular cartilage injury is notoriously difficult to be treated in the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine. Al ogeneic bone and cartilage transplantation can offer a transparent cartilage with biological activity and biomechanical properties to repair ful-thickness articular cartilage defects. Al ogeneic osteochondral grafts from osteochondral tissue bank are adequate, and have a good prospect in the treatment of articular cartilage defects.
OBJECTIVE:To summarize the drawn materials, preservation, quality control and clinical monitoring of al ogeneic osteochondral grafts supported by the osteochondral tissue bank.
METHODS:The first author searched PubMed and CNKI for the relevant articles published before 2013 using the key words of“tissue bank, knee, articular cartilage, preservation, transplantation”in English and Chinese, respectively. After retrieval, we summarized the drawn materials, preservation, quality control and clinical monitoring of al ogeneic osteochondral grafts supported by the osteochondral tissue bank.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Nineteen of 194 retrieved articles were enrol ed according to inclusive and exclusive criteria. The results show that al ogeneic bone and cartilage transplantation is an ef ective method for the treatment of articular cartilage defects, and the establishment of the osteochondral tissue bank can provide safe and active tissues for the treatment of articular cartilage defects. Now, the osteochondral tissue bank is stil in the initial stage.

AIM To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) method for the simultaneous content determination of four saikosaponins in Xiaozheng Pellets (Bupleuri Radix,Cyperi Rhi-zoma,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,etc.).METHODS The analysis of 5％ ammonia-methanol extract of this drug was performed on a Waters Xbridge C18column (250 mm ×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-water flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 210 nm and 254 nm.With saikosaponin a as a internal standard,the relative correction factors of saikosaponins b1,b2 and c were calculated,followed by the determination of their contents.RESULTS Four saikosaponins showed good linear relationships within their own ranges (r ≥ 0.999 5),whose average recoveries were 98.08％-102.94％ with the RSDs of 0.85％-1.82％.The results obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method.CONCLUSION This simple,precise and feasible method can be used for the quality control of Xiaozheng Pellets.

Objective: To improve the quality standard for Zengguang tablets.Methods: Instead of the microscopic identification, Acorus tatarinowii rhizoma,Lycii Fructus and Polygalae radix were indentified by TLC.The content of schisandrin in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus was determined by HPLC.The HPLC system consisted of a Hypersil BDS C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)column, methanol-water (1∶1) was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 ml·min-1, and the detection wavelength was at 250 nm.The column temperature was 35℃ and the sample size was 10 μl.Results: The microscopic images were with strong specificity.The developed TLC spots were quite clear, and the method of TLC was simple with strong specificity and good reproducibility.The linear range of schisandrin was 21.17-423.40 ng(r=0.999 9).The average recovery was 99.7% and the RSD was 1.4%(n=6).Conclusion: The method for the quality control of Zengguang tablets is comprehensive and perfect.

BACKGROUND:The mechanism and effect of glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK-3β) in the differentiation of cardiac stem cel s into cardiomyocytes are stil unclear, although GSK-3βis closely related to the life activities of cel s.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the changes of GSK-3βexpression in the treatment of myocardial infarction in rats undergoing cardiac stem cel transplantation.
METHODS:The isolation and culture of cardiac stem cel s were performed in 10 neonatal rats. Lentivirus overexpressing GSK-3βor LacZ (control) was constructed and transferred into cardiac stem cel s. Animal model of myocardial infarction was made in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats. Six weeks after model preparation, rat models were assigned into GSK-3β, LacZ or PBS group. GSK-3βor LacZ overexpressing cardiac stem cel solution or PBS in equal volume was injected into the rat myocardium, respectively. Four weeks after transplantation, the cardiac function and myocardial col agen production in rats were detected and compared.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the other two groups, the left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher, and the left ventricular end diastolic diameter was significantly lower in the GSK-3βgroup (P<0.05). Hydroxyproline content, type I col agen mRNA, and type III col agen mRNA expression were significantly lower in the GSK-3βgroup than the other two groups (P<0.05). Findings from Masson staining showed that the content of blue-stained col agen was significantly lower in the GSK-3βgroup than the LacZ group. Moreover, lowest myocardial infarction size was found in the GSK-3βgroup (P<0.05). Al these experimental findings show that GSK-3 overexpression plays a positive role in promoting the therapeutic effect of cardiac stem cel transplantation.

Objective To explore the mechanism of immunomodulatory activity of triptolide on systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients peripheral blood mononuclear cells( PBMC)-derived dendritic cells (DCs).Methods SLE -derived DCs were sorted by flow cytometry from peripheral blood mononuclear cells,then incubated with triptolide (0,5,10,30 μg/L ).After 24 h,we collected the supernatants and then detected the concentration of IFN-α,IL-6,TNF-α using ELISA.After 5 d,the cultrural cells were collected and CD11c,CD80,CD86 expression of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry,we observed the morphology of DC by light microscope and electron microscope scanning.Results Triptolide -treated DCs from SLE patients with active and stable disease secreted lower level of IFN-α,IL-6,TNF-α,triptolide could inhibit DCs differentiation,which displayed more immature morphology and immunophenotypes than untreatedDCs.Conclusion Triptolide could decrease the immune function of DCs from SLE,inhibit differentiation and maturation of DCs.

Objective To find out a treatment with high remission rate,long living period,and a good quality of life for elderly patients with multiple myeloma.Methods All patients were recruited into a treatment group(treated with traditional Chinese medicine,routine chemotherapy,and thalidomide)and a comparison group(treated with traditional Chinese medicine and routine chemotherapy).Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 71.4%,higher than the comparison group(38.5%),but showing 110 statistical difference(P=0.128＞0.05).Median survive time of two groups were 21.8 months and 12 months respectively,(P=0.001＜0.01).The survival rate of 3 years and 5 years were 28.6%,15.4%and 7.1%,0 in the two groups respectively,without significant difference(0.317,1.000,both P＞0.05).Conclusion The treatment group showed higher results in both complete remission rate(CR)and very good partial remission rate(VGPR)than the comparison group,demonstrating a better results in improving the patient's quality of life.The treatment group also had a higher value of the median survive time and the median progression-free surial time than the comparison group.The combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine,routine chemotherapy and thalidomide is an ideal choice for both aged Patients or young MM patients who had no transplant conditions.

Objective To explore the mechanism of immunomodulatory activity of triptolide on healthy volunteers peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Methods Healthy volunteers-derived pDCs were sorted by flow cytometry, then incubated with triptolide (0, 5, 10, 30 μg/L). After 24 hours, we detected the concentration of IFN-α, IL-6, TNF-α using ELISA. After 5 days, the cultrural cells were collected and analyzed by flow cytometry, light microscope and electron microscope scanning. Results Triptolide-treated pDCs secreted lower level of IFN-α,IL-6 ,TNF-α, triptolide could inhibit pDCs differentiation to DCs which displayed more immature morphology and immunophenotypes than untreated-pDCs. Conclusion Triptolide could decrease the immune function of pDCs, inhibit differentiation and maturation of pDCs.