The article introduced the structure and therapeutic mechanism of the iontherapy vacuum cup with Chinese herbs on acupoints by impulse direct current. The apparatus is an organic mixture by combining iontherapy of physiotherapy in modern medicine with cupping therapy, Chinese herbs, and acu-therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. It has the advantages of lower cost, simple operation and reliable effects, and is a new approach of physiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the effects of Peiyuan Shengjin Tongqiao Decoction, a Chinese herbal recipe with the actions of supplementing kidney to strengthen lung and dredging orifices , on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and lung function of childhood asthma complicated with allergic rhinitis. Methods Fifty-five childhood asthma complicated with allergic rhinitis were randomized into treatment group(N=28) and control group (N = 27). The two groups were treated with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation, and the treatment group was given oral use of Peiyuan Shengjin Tongqiao Decoction additionally. After treatment, the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated, and TCM symptom scores and lung function indexes [ the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second to the expected value (FEV1％) and the percentage of peak expiratory flow to the expected value (PEF％) ] were also observed before and after treatment. Results (1)After treatment for 3 months, the total effective rate of the treatment group was 92.86％, being superior to that of the control group (81.48％), and the difference was significant (P<0.01). (2) After treatment, the scores of cough plus asthma, rhinitis symptom scores and overall TCM symptom scores of the two groups were decreased (P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment) , and the rhinitis symptom scores and overall TCM symptom scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01). (3) After treatment, PEF％ and FEV1％ were both improved in the two groups (P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment) , and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Peiyuan Shengjin Tongqiao Decoction is effective for the control of childhood asthmacomplicated with allergic rhinitis by improving rhinitis symptom scores, overall TCM symptom scores and lung function.

Xiaoqinglong Decoction comes from Shang Han Lun, which is the main treatment for wind chill and fluid retention. It is treated as a classic formula for cold-cough, which syndromes of no sweat but tight pulse, cough, cough with white phlegm, and vomiting. This article discussed the efficacy of Xiaoqinglong Decoction in tonifying yang in lung, which can help transport phlegm, and then cough can be relieved.

Objective To investigate the expression of MIF in PBMC, sera and lacrimal fluid samples in patients with AD, and study the diagnostic significance of MIF in AD. Methods Forty-three AD patients (11 mild AD patients,23 moderate AD patients, 9 severe AD patients classfied by SCORAD index)and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were recruited. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to analyze the expression of MIF mRNA in PBMC. ELISA was performed to detect the concentrations of MIF in sera and lacrimal fluid samples. Results AD patients had significantly higher levels of MIF mRNA in PBMC than normal controls [7.46 (3.38-8.90) vs 1.67 ( 1.24-2.45 ), Z=-6.141, P ＜ 0.05]. The concentrations of MIF in sera and lacrimal fluid samples in AD patients were also markedly higher than those of normal controls [serum 36. 32( 11.89-43.80) μg/L vs 7.89(6.13-9.54) μg/L, Z = -6.180,P <0.05; lacrimal fluid 12.66(2.01-20.12) μg/L vs 0.85(0.77-1.06) μg/L, Z = -4.118,P <0.05]. MIF mRNA levels were 2.35 ( 2.12-2.49 ) , 7.83 ( 6. 54-8.90 ) and 8.76 ( 8.22-9.73 ) in mild, moderate and severe AD respectively, and the expression was higher in moderate and severe AD than in normal controls (Z= -6.237, -4.520,P ＜0.05). MIF serum concentrations were 8.98(7.90-10.51) μg/L, 36.50 (29.78-43.23) μg/L and 45.70(41.27-48. 84) μg/L in mild, moderate and severe AD respectively, and the differences were significant in moderate and severe AD compared to normal controls ( Z = - 6.238,- 4.521, P < 0.05 ). The lacrimal fluid MIF oncentrations were 1.10 ( 0.83-1.35 ) μg/L, 12.66 ( 9.76-15.87) μg/L and 24. 65 ( 19.29-30.94) μg/L in mild, moderate and severe AD respectively. Similarly,they increased significantly in moderate and severe AD compared to normal controls (Z = -4.062,- 3.372, P ＜ 0.05 ). In moderate and severe AD, MIF mRNA levels in PBMCs and MIF concentrations in sera and lacrimal fluid samples were all positively correlated with the severity of AD ( r = 0.395, 0.404,0.515, P < 0.05 ). Conclusions The expression of MIF in PBMCs, sera and lacrimal fluid samples is higher in different course of AD. MIF can serve as a useful laboratory parameter for evaluation of AD activity and severity.

Objective To evaluate the reference value of NGAL in sepsis patients with AKI to choose the timing of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)treatment.Methods 62 sepsis patients with AKI were enrolled in this study.Within 24 hours after the diagnosis,the patients'urine samples were collected,the urinary NGAL levels were measured by ELISA.At the same time,the clinical parameters were collected,such as serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen,blood leukocytes,etc.Depending on whether patients need to receive CRRT,the patients were divided into sepsis CRRT group and septic non CRRT group,the clinical data of the two groups were compared.ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the reference value of NGAL in sepsis patients with AKI to choose the timing of CRRT treatment.Results Total 62 sepsis patients with AKI were enrolled in this study.Ultimately,27 patients received CRRT treatment.Within 24 hours after the diagnosis,the clinical parameters of the two groups,such as serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and blood leukocytes showed no significant differences (all P >0.05);but the urinary NGAL level of sepsis CRRT group[(7.9 ±2.5)pg·mL -1 ·cr -1 ]was significantly higher than sepsis non CRRT group[(4.1 ±1.3)pg·mL -1 ·cr -1 ](t =12.912,P <0.01).ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC)for the value of NGAL in sepsis patients with AKI to choose the timing of CRRT treatment was 0.892(95%CI:0.775 ~0.898,P <0.01).Conclusion Urinary NGAL has a certain reference value in sepsis patients with AKI to choose the timing of CRRT treatment,could contribute to early intervention CRRT treatment.

Objective To explore the selection of palliate operation styles for unresectable malignant obstructive jaundice diseases. Methods The clinical data of 112 cases of unresectable malignant obstructive jaundice diseases in the last 5 years were analyzed retrospectively. Results The rate of operation mortality was 7.1％ and the incidence rate of post-operative cholangitis was 17.3 ％.The survival time in the Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy group was (9.4±1.6) months, and there were no significant differences among laparotomy stent internal drainage group[(9.8±12.5)months]and the PTCD stent internal drainage group [(9.0± 3.1)months]. But survival time in the laparotomy bridge internal drainage group [(6.8±1.7)months]was significantly lower (P＜0.05). The survival times in the ERCP stent drainage group [(3.5±2.2)months]and exploratory laparotomy group [(2.8±2.7)months]were even more significantly lower (P＜0.01).Conclusion As a palliative operation for unresectable malignant obstructive jaundice diseases, Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy applies to the middle and distal obstruction,laparotomy stent internal drainage applies to hilar obstruction,ERCP stent drainage only applies to distal obstruction,and PTCD stent internal drainage applies to any part obstruction of the bile duct. The Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy, laparotomy stent internal drainage, and PTCD stent internal drainage would improve the life time and life quality of these patients.

Objective To explore the feasibility of delineation of the atherosclerotic plaque in carotid artery using compressed sensing three dimensional motion-sensitized driven equilibrium prepared rapid gradient echo (CS-3D MERGE) technique. Methods Twenty-three patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were enrolled prospectively. In all patients, bilateral carotid arteries were scanned by CS-3D MERGE and contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) simultaneously. Image quality of CS-3D MERGE images was scored. Images from the CS-3D MERGE sequence and contrast-enhanced MRA were used to measure the carotid stenosis, which were divided into four groups:normal group, mild stenosis group, moderate stenosis group, and severe stenosis group. The results were compared between the two methods. And images from the CS-3D MERGE sequence were compared with corresponding histology in identifying major plaque components including lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and calcification (CA). Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to compare the correlation between the CS-3D MERGE sequence and contrast-enhanced MRA in measuring the carotid stenosis. Agreement was tested comparing images from the CS-3D MERGE sequence with corresponding histology in identifying major plaque components including lipid-rich necrotic core, intraplaque hemorrhage, and calcification. Results Twenty-three CEA patients finished bilateral CS-3D MERGE scanning successfully. Image quality was 3.16±0.25. There was an excellent correlation between CS-3D MERGE and MRA in measuring stenosis (r=0.95, P<0.01). The agreement between CS-3D MERGE and histological results for LRNC detection was 76.2% (16/21). It was less sensitive for IPH detection (71.4%, 15/21). CS-3D MERGE identified all CA accurately (100.0%, 21/21). Sensitivity and specificity were 86.6% (13/15) and 50.0% (3/6) for LRNC, 73.3% (11/15) and 66.6% (4/6) for IPH, 100.0% for CA respectively(16/16, 5/5). Conclusion CS-3D MERGE, a single sequence, can be used to quantify carotid stenosis and plaque components conveniently.

Objective To determine the molecular pathway of reconstituted basement membrane extract(BME)embedment in the context of promoting islet cell survival.Methods Mouse islet cells were isolated and embedded in BME for in vitro culture.Caspase-3,integrin-α1 and 5,PDX-1,Akt,FAK and phospho Erk were detected using Western blot.Results Islet cells embedded with BME were partially protected from apoptosis indicated by a lower caspase-3 level and an increased phosphoAkt activity compared with untreated control.In addition,an increase of α3-integrin,FAK protein level and FAK activity were observed as well.Furthermore,the expression of PDX-1 and phosphoErk at the 48 h mark were preserved,suggesting the positive effect of BME to islet activity.Conclusion These results indicate that the embedment of BME construction can up-regulate α3 integrin and its signal transduction,which may improve viability and function of islet cells.

Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of multi-contrast atherosclerosis characterization (MATCH) and magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) for the detection of IPH with histologic analysis as the reference standard.Methods Thirty individuals were collected in this study.They were diagnosed to have carotid stenosis＞50％ by ultrasound and scheduled for carotid endarterectomy from 2014 to 2015.3 T carotid MR examinations using MPRAGE,MATCH and 3D TOF were performed in these patients.Axial images covered all plaques and centered at the bifurcation of the carotid artery.All image data sets were processed on a semi-automatic software (MRI-Plaque View,VPDiagnostics,US) to analyze the component of IPH for vulnerable plaques.The consistency between MATCH and MPRAGE was analyzed by using Cohen Kappa analysis.Comparison of the two sequences to the pathological results was performed in a similar manner.The sensitivity and specificity of the two sequences were obtained.The SNR,CNR and contrast ratio(CR) of the two regions of interest were calculated and Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the difference between the two methods.Results Among 30 patients,a total of 602 available sections and 95 correponding histology specimens were included in the analysis.When all 602 available sections were included in the analysis,MATCH yielded good agreement with MPRAGE(Kappa=0.773) on the detection of IPH.With pathological specimens as the gold standard,moderate to good agreement was shown for both MATCH and MPRAGE (Kappa=0.778,0.685).The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of IPH was 93.2％ (68/73) and 90.9％ (20/22) for MATCH.For MPRAGE,the sensitivity and specificity was 87.7％(64/73) and 90.9％(20/22) respectively.The difference between MATCH and MPRAGE was statistically significant for SNR,CNR and CR.That is to say,SNR and CNR of MPRAGE were higher than those of MATCH(P＜0.05),while CR of MATCH was higher than that of MPRAGE(P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared to the MPRAGE sequence,MATCH technique demonstrates similar diagnostic performance for the detection of IPH.

This study chiefly aimed at investigating the effects of Dan Zhi Jiang Tang Capsule (DJC) on myocardial Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the cardiopathologic changes in diabetic rats.Fifty male rats,excluding 8 rats in the control group,had been administered with high fat forage for 4 weeks,which established the diabetic rat model combined with the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 35 mg· kg-1.The established model rats were randomly divided into the model group,the DJC high-dose group,the DJC low-dose group and the pioglitazone group.The rats in the model group and the control group were intragastrically administered with DJC at 1.08 and 0.54 g· kg-1 each day,while those of the pioglitazone group were treated with pioglitazone at 10 mg· kg-1 each day,and those of the model group and control group with saline of the same volume.The administrations lasted 8 weeks with the continues high-fat diet.The levels of TLR4,TNFα and IL-8 protein in myocardium of the rats were determined,and so were the blood glucose,HbA1c and blood lipids.Compared with the control group,the expressions of myocardial TLR4,TNFα and IL-8 in the model group were significantly increased (P＜ 0.01).The expressions of TLR4,TNFα and IL-8 in the DJC high-dose and low-dose groups were significantly decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The cardiopathological report showed severe myocardial lesion in the model group.However,myocardial lesion in the DJC high-dose group was significantly mitigated,which presented better therapeutic effects than the DJC low-dose group and the pioglitazone group.The levels of blood glucose,HbA1c,TG,TC,LDL-C in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The levels of blood glucose,HbA1c,TG,TC and LDL-C were significantly decreased in the DJC high-dose and low-dose groups in comparison with the model group (P＜ 0.05 or P＜ 0.01).In conclusion,DJC down-regulated the expressions of TLR4,TNFα and IL-8 and improved the degree of myocardial lesion in the diabetic rats,showing favorable hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects.