Objective To explore a new method of functional reconstruction of hand digits and joints with free transfer of foot tissues so as to increase the success rate of the operation.Methods After micro-anatomic study of the plantar and dorsal metatarsal arteries,retrograde and free grafts of foot tissues pedicled with plantar metatarsal arteries were designed and applied in transplantation to treat 76 cases of hand digital or joint defects.The surgeries included 58 cases of transfer of the second toe,four cases of transfer of composite tissues of the second toe, eight cases of transfer of proximal interphalangeal joint,and six cases of nail flap transfer.Results The mi- cro-anatomic study found that the first plantar metatarsal artery was anatomically constant and the diameter of its branch to the second toe was larger than that of the first dorsal metatarsal artery.Flaps survived in 75 of the 76 patients(98.7%),with fine appearance and significantly improved function.One patient who had received free transfer of the second toe to reconstruct the thumb function had to undergo a second repair with infraclavicula skin tube because of refractory arteriospasm of anastomosed vessels.Conclusion Transfer with free retrograde grafts of foot tissues pedicled with plantar metatarsal artery to reconstruct hand functions can effectively improve the success rate of the operation,because it is free of the shortcomings of great anatomic variation of blood vessels and time-consuming and complex procedures in conventional transfer.

Objective　To investigate the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on vascular endothelial cell injury and plasma endothelin-1 and nitric oxide equilibrium in patients undergoing cardiovascular operation with CPB. Methods　A total of 20 patients with congenital heart disease (Group Ⅰ) and 20 with valvular problem (group Ⅱ) were operated on under CPB respectively. Blood samples were collected from central vein before skin incision, before CPB, 30 min after CPB, at the end of CPB, and end of operation, the first morning and third morning after operation. The levels of plasma thrombomodulin(TM), endothelin-1(ET-1) and nitric oxide(NO) were measured. Results　The plasma TM level was significantly elevated during CPB (P<0.01, P<0.05) and 1 d after operation, reached its peak as (4.88±1.12) ng/ml in Group Ⅰand (8.34±1.84) ng/ml in group Ⅱ at the end of surgery and came back to the level as before operation. The plasma level of ET-1 was also increased significantly after CPB and reached peak as (129.04±22.29) in Group Ⅰ and (156.62±29.66) in Group Ⅱ at the end of operation. And the level was still higher than before operation in 2 groups 3 d after operation. No change was found on the level of NO in 2 groups. Conclusion　CPB may cause extensive acute endothelial cells damage for about 24-48 h and recovered about 72 h and it may also cause an imbalance of ET-1 and NO.

General regulations for the processing are the important part of processing procedures of prepared slices of Chinese crude drugs. It has an important significance on enhancing the operability of actual production, regulating production of prepared slices of Chinese crude drugs, improving quality and establishing drug safety. The article could provides suggestions and reference for future compilation work on "National processing procedures of prepared slices of Chinese crude drugs" by comparative analysis and summary on general regulations for the processing of different processing procedures of prepared slices of Chinese crude drugs in China.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Quality Control ; Safety ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; standards

OBJECTIVETo research the preparation technology and dissolution of Blumea volatile oil suppository.

METHODIn order to establish the content determination and methodology inspection method of Blumea volatile oil plug, the extraction process of Blumea volatile oil was optimized by using orthogonal test. Optimization on the investigation to the suppository matrix by melting time, appearance and dissolution was carried on. The best prescription craft was determined by determining the best molding temperature, dosage of the matrix and complementary makings. The determination method of dissolution was established by investigating different dissolution method and its impact on the preparation of dissolution.

RESULTThe best conditions of steam distillation extracted Blumea volatile oil was as followed, the ratio of gardenia to liquor 1:6, 2.5% drug amount of sodium, 8 hours of extracting time. The optimum temperature for mold was 60-65 degrees C. Preparation technique of Blumea volatile oil suppository was stable, which after 45 minutes and 3 h in pH 4.5 PBS released at least 70% and 90%.

CONCLUSIONBlumea volatile oil suppository with rational prescription, simple preparation and good stability.

Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Distillation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Solubility ; Temperature

BACKGROUND:Previous studies concerning neuromechanism of acupuncture for regulating gastric function mainly focused on peripheral nerve, involving in central nervous system. In particular, there are few studies addressing higher central nervous system.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) on gastric-related neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
METHODS:Using microelectrode extracellular recording technique, gastric related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were found in gastric distension rats. Stimulation was conducted for 30 seconds by hand acupuncture at Neiguan and Zusanli. The effects of acupuncture on gastric-related neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The discharge of 109 neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of 60 rats was recorded. A total of 56 gastric-related neurons of the 109 neurons were observed. The number of neurons response to acupunctures at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu (BL20) and Weishu (BL21) were respectively 44, 47, 29, and 33, with the reaction proportion of 78.57%, 83.47%, 51.79%and 58.93%. Results suggested that there exist gastric distension stimulation and acupuncture stimulations from neurons soma to visceral reaction in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, which simultaneously participates in the regulation of acupuncture on the gastric function.

BACKGROUND:Preliminary studies of our research group mainly focus on the role of nucleus of solitary tract in gastric noxious stimulation and acupuncture point, while dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve, nucleus of solitary tract and area postrema are the necessary component for vagus nerve complex, and dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the regulation of gastric functions. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu acupoints on the gastric-related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. METHODS:The gastric related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of gastric distension rats were identified using extracellular recording technique, according to neuroelectrophysiology method. Acupuncture stimulation was given to Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu for 15 seconds. The effect of body stimulation on the gastric distension related neurons in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of rats was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Among the involved 24 rats, 90 neurons at paraventricular hypothalamic necleus exhibited discharge. Among the discharged neurons, 54 neurons were related to gastric distension. After acupuncture stimulation at Zusanli, Neiguan, Pishu and Shenshu, there were 44, 39, 38, 27 neurons giving a response, the reaction rate was 82%, 72%, 70%and 50%, respectively. Acupunture at different nerve segment acupoints can activate the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve to different degrees, which is involved in the regulation of gastric motility.

Background Experimental data have shown tnat polymorpnisms in tne angiotensm-converting en- zyme 2(ACE2)gene are related to echocardiographically determined parameters of left ventricular mass,structure or function in the general population whether ACE2 genotype influences the effect of angi0tensin Ⅱ receptor blocker which improve left ventricular remodeling and function is unknown.Objective To investigate the association be- tween ACE2 gene G9570A polymorphism and the effect of irbesartan on left ventricular structure and function in hy- pertensive patients.Methods Two hundred and five male patients and 190 female patients who were preliminaryly diagnosised with mild and moderate essential hypertension were treated with irbesartan for 48 weeks with initial dose of 150 mg/d and titrated to 300 mg/d to reach the targed BP.Gene polymorphisms of ACE2 G9570A were detected by PCR-RFLP methods.The association between changes in the SBP,DBP,parameters of left ventricular struc- ture and function and genotypes of the ACE2 gene locus were analyzed.Results Irbesartan reducted in blood pres- sure in all patients(P

As one of the primary prevention measures to reduce birth defects , the premarital healthcare service has played an important role in the prevention of communicable diseases , maintaining the harmonious and happy mar-riage, health and other aspects of protection of the next generation .Different countries and regions also design and implement the premarital medical examination system based on their actual situations .This article summarized the practices, characteristics and experiences of premarital healthcare services in some foreign countries and regions through several aspects including model , set projects content , financing and other aspects of the application of the premarital results.Finally, this paper put forwards suggestions on the premarital healthcare services in our country to help healthy the carrying out of the premarital work .

BACKGROUND: Muscle derived cells in the skeletal muscle have the ability to differentiate into chondrocytes under the induction of bone morphogenic protein 4 and transforming growth factor β3. However, due to the complexity of the skeletal muscle (consisting of muscle fiber, fascia, blood vessel and nerves), the origin of cells has not been identified. OBJECTIVE: To observe the potential for chondrogenic differentiation of fascia-derived cells (FDCs) in order to clarify the chondrogenic ability of the cells derived from the skeletal muscle. METHODS: The fascia was isolated from the rat gluteus maximus, and was then cultured in chondrogenic medium containing bone morphogenic protein 4 and transforming growth factor β3. Samples were harvested on day 14. The chondrogenic differentiation of FDCs was identified by alcian blue, hematoxylin-eosin and safranin O stainings. Cell markers were investigated by immunostaining using the antibodies for desmin, CD34, vimentin, vWF and a-SMA. Immunostaining was used to assay the chondrogenic potential of FDCs cultured with L6 rat myoblasts at varying ratios (1:0, 4:1; 1:1, 1:4 and 0:1). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: FDCs harvested from the skeletal muscle displayed chondrogenic differentiation and formed cartilaginous tissue when cultured for 14 days in chondrogenic medium after alcian blue and safranin O stainings. Cells isolated from the fascia were negative for desmin, CD34, vWF and a-SMA, but over 90% of the cells were positive for vimentin. Mixed FDC and L6 myoblast pellets showed chondrogenic potential decreased with the increasing ratio of L6 myoblasts. From the analysis of cell surface marker of FDCs in the skeletal muscle, immunostaining, and the comparison with L6 rat myoblasts, it shows that FDCs are the seed cells with chondrogenic potential in the skeletal muscle.

Objective To introduce a new technique for urethral coverage in Snodgrass hypospadias repair,and to evaluate its effectiveness and complications.Methods From April 2003 to February 2006, this new procedure was performed in 289 children with hypospadias aged 3 months to 12 years (mean age,2. 4 years).The native meatus of urethra was identified subcoronal in 78 cases,penile/shaft in 136,penoscrotal in 36 and scrotal in 16;and 23 cases had undergoneⅡstage operation and re-operation.The overlapping coverage with bilateral shaft based vascularized dartos pedicle was done in the new urethra by Snodgrass hy- pospadias repair in these children.Results All the cases were followed for 3 months to 2 years.Postoper- atively,urinary fistulas developed in 32 cases (11%).Of them,11 were cured spontaneously within 4 weeks. The incidence of actual urinary fistula was 7% (21/289).Of the 21 fistulas which were not cured,11 (5%) occurred in 214 cases of distal hypospadias;and 10 (13%) in 75 cases of proximal hypospadias,Ⅱstage and re-operation.No dehiscence and diverticulum was found.Combined with mucosal collar technique,the ventral skin of the penis was sewn on the midline.During the follow-up,excellent cosmetic results with normal-ap- pearing circumcised penis were achieved in most patients.Conclusions Bilateral shaft based vascularized dartos pedicle urethral coverage procedure is a reliable and effective method for preventing urethral cutaneous fistulas and dehiscence.This method can reconstruct a satisfactory cosmetic appearance of the penis.