Objective To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) pretreatment on the acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats and the underlying mechanism. Methods Thirty-two male SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8 each): group Ⅰ control (C);group Ⅱ EPO;group Ⅲ LPS and group Ⅳ EPO + LPS. EPO 3 000 U/kg was given IP in group Ⅱ , LPS 6 mg/kg was given iv in group Ⅲ . In group Ⅳ EPO 3 000 U/kg was given IP at 30 rain before iv LPS 6 mg/kg, The animals were killed at 4 h after LPS administration. Lung tissue specimens were obtained for microscopic examination. Wet/dry ratio (W/D), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) content in lung tissue were determined. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine (NT) in lung tissue was determined by Western blot. Results W/D ratio, MPO activity, MDA and NO content were significantly increased and iNOS and NT expression was significantly up-regulated in LPS group as compared with control group. EPO pretreatment significantly attenuated the LPS-induced changes in group EPO + LPS. Conclusion EPO pretreatment can ameliorate the acute lung injury induced by LPS by down-regulating iNOS expression and reducing NO production.

Objective To investigate the relevant risk factors for fungal infection following operation of the gastrointestinal neo- plasm and offer supporting data for the prevention of fungal infection.Methods Medical records from 116 patients who under- went the operation of gastrointestinal neoplasm in the special group of this hospital from January 2006 to June 2006 were retro- spectively reviewed on the relevant risk factors by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results Of the 116 patients reviewed, 18 had fungal infection.Forty-six samples were positive for fungal pathogen.The most frequently isolated fungal strain was Candida albicans (15/20) and the most common infection site was gastrointestinal tract (14/18).Fungal in- fection after the operation of gastrointestinal neoplasm was significantly relevant with the duration of antibiotic use, duration of post-operative fasting, low serum albumin, high blood glucose and complication of bacterial infection.The duration of antibiotic use was a significantly independent risk factor.Conclusions Reasonable antibiotic use, nutritional support, early enteral nutri- tion and control of blood glucose should be taken into account after the operation of gastrointestinal neoplasm in order to prevent fungal infections.

The clinical characteristics of patients who presented in poor clinical grade due to ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms (MCAAs) associated with large sylvian hematomas (SylH) were analyzed and an ingenious designed prophylactic hinged craniectomy was introduced. Twenty-eight patients were graded into Hunt-Hess grades IV-V and emergency standard micro-neurosurgeries (aneurysm clipping, hematoma evacuation and prophylactic hinged craniectomy) were performed, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. 46.43% of the patients reached encouraged favorable outcomes on discharge. The favorable outcome group and the poor outcome group significantly differed in terms of patients' anisocoria, Hunt-Hess grade before surgery, extent of the midline shift and time to the surgery after bleeding (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, sex, volume and location of the hematoma, size of aneurysm between the favorable and poor groups (P>0.05). However, ingenious designed prophylactic hinged craniectomy efficiently reduced the patients' intracranial pressure (ICP) after surgery. It was suggested that preoperative conditions such as Hunt-Hess grading, extent of the midline shift and the occurrence of cerebral hernia affect the prognosis of patients, but time to the surgery after bleeding and prophylactic hinged craniectomy are of significant importance for optimizing the prognosis of MCAA patients presenting with large SylH.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety of risperidone and haloperidol in treating Tic disorder.Methods78 patients with Tic disorder were randomly divided into the risperidone group and haloperidol group with 39 cases in each group and treated with risperidone and haloperidol respectively for 8 weeks. All patients of two groups were assessed with the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) before treatment and at the end of the 2nd, 4th and 8th week after treatment. Dosages of patients of two groups were recorded.ResultsAfter 8 weeks treatment, the average maximum dosage of risperidone was (1.4±0.34)mg, and that of haloperidol was (7.3±0.52)mg. The total effective rate of risperidone group was 82% and that of haloperidol group was 82.3 %. There was no significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in risperidone group was 28.2%, and that in haloperidol group was 76.9%. There was a significant difference between two groups (P<0.01), especially at the end of 2nd week after treatment.ConclusionRisperidone and haloperidol both are effect on Tic disorder, but safety and compliableness of risperidone are higher.

This paper analyses the data structure of DICOM standard by the applications in the Non-DICOM format fluoroscopic images converted into the DICOM format images. It puts forward a solution to integrate the Multi-Channel Electrophysiology Recorder System with the X -ray system in the cardio-catheter room.
Computer Communication Networks ; Diagnostic Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; instrumentation ; Fluoroscopy ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Radiology Information Systems ; standards ; Software Design ; Video Recording ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective therapy for allergic rhinitis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=60) treated mainly with penetration needling, Yintang (EX-HN 3)-through-Bigen (root of nose), Sibai (ST 2)-through-Bigen, Yingxiang (LI 20)-through-Bigen, and a control group (n=60) treated with oral Biyankang, 4 tablets each time, 3 times daily. Their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 85.0% in the treatment group and 60.0% in the control group, with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe penetration needling as main therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on allergic rhinitis, which is significantly better than that of oral Biyankang.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Nose ; Rhinitis, Allergic

OBJECTIVE: To observe the origin, course and diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery. METHODS: The metatarsaL nutrient in 90 feet, ranging in age from newborn to 87 years, were studied by perfusion method. The origin, course and diameter of these arteries were observed and measured. RESULTS: The diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery was 0.24 approximate, equals 0.30 mm. The nutrient arteries of the first metatarsal bone originated from the deep plantar branch and the first metatarsal plantar artery in 59.6% of specimens, while the nutrient arteries of the other metatarsal bones mainly originate from the plantar metatarsal arteries, the plantar arch and its perfora-ting branches. The diaphysial nutrient foramina were situated in the middle third of the shaft over 90% of specimens. CONCLUSION: The metatarsal nutrient artery showes practical significance in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on the semen quality and Fas/FasL signaling pathway in male SD rats with infertility.

METHODSModels of infertility were made in 50 male SD rats by intragastric administration of Tripterygium (GTW) for 3 weeks, and another 20 rats were taken as blank controls. Then 40 successfully established rat models were randomly divided into four groups, model control, low-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and high-dose QJT, the latter three groups treated intragastrically with QJT at 58 mg, 105 mg, and 233 mg per kg of the body weight per day, respectively. After 4 weeks of medication, the rats were killed for examination of semen quality and determination of the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis tissue.

RESULTSCompared with the blank controls, the model rats showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([71.99 ± 9.72] vs [10.94 ± 3.58] x 10⁶/ml, P < 0.01), motility ([48.95 ± 4.10] vs [9.31 ± 5.79]%, P < 0.01), and viability ( [82.06 ± 6.16] vs [24.03 ± 6.93]%, P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the rats in the QJT groups exhibited remarkably increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability, more significantly in the high-dose group ([59.66 ± 4.53] x 10⁶/ml, [35.45 ± 5.21] %, and [61.97 ± 9.75]%) and medium-dose group ([40.89 ± 4.90] x 10⁶/ml, [24.41 ± 4.79]%, and [60.06 ± 10.62]%) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of FasL was markedly reduced in the low-, medium-, and high-dose QJT groups (0.5215 ± 0.0189, 0.5371 ± 0.0364, and 0.4556 ± 0.0215) as compared with that of the model controls (0.5989 ± 0.0448 ) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway, Tripterygium glycosides may induce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and reduce sperm concentration, motility and viability, resulting in infertility. The Chinese medicine Qiangjing Tablets can improve the reproductive function of male rats by decreasing the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Germ Cells ; Glycosides ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Tablets ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo. We compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), Chinese symptom score (CSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume between the two groups of patients before and after 6 months of medication.

RESULTSAfter treatment, there were 5 cured cases, 13 markedly effective cases, 9 effective cases, 1 ineffective case, and 2 eliminated cases in the experimental group, as compared with 2 cured cases, 8 markedly effective cases, 10 effective cases, 7 ineffective cases, and 3 eliminated cases in the control group. The total effectiveness rate was obviously higher in the former (96.4%) than in the latter (74.1%). IPSS, Qmax, and CSS were improved in both of the groups after medication, even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (IPSS: 15.22 ± 2.98 vs 18.15 ± 5.88, P <0.05; Qmax: [13.56 ± 2.26] ml/s vs [11.78 ± 2.97] ml/s, P <0.05; CSS: 6.18 ± 2.13 vs 9.52 ± 3.15, P <0.05). Because of the difference in the QOL score between the two groups at the baseline (P = 0.038 <0.05), no more comparison was made in this aspect after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of Longbishu Capsule with mesylate doxazosin is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Double-Blind Method ; Doxazosin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of liquorice in functional modulation of intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in rats.

METHODSAn in vitro diffusion chamber system (Ussing chamber) was used to examine the direct effect of liquorice decoction on rhodamine 123 (a subtrate of P-gp) transport and evaluate the permeability of rhodamine 123 or fluorescein sodium through rat jejunum membranes after oral administration of liquorice decoction.

RESULTSDirect application of liquorice decoction did not obviously affect rhodamine 123 transport across the intestinal mucosa. Oral administration of liquorice decoction (10 g/kg, twice daily for a week) significantly increased the absorption of rhodamine 123 and also enhanced rhodamine 123 secretion across the jejunum mucosa. Liquorice had no obvious effect on the transport of CF across the jejunum mucosa.

CONCLUSIONLiquorice may slightly inhibit P-gp function in the intestinal mucosa to increase the intestinal absorption of rhodamine 123.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhodamine 123 ; metabolism