rotein binding toxin and pathogenic components, and reduce clinical symptoms and patients'prognoses, which is more effective than HP or CVVHDF.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effect of Chinese herbs used by Prof. LI Tao on peripheral blood T subsets in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) by using association rules and statistical methods, thereby providing evidence for optimizing prescriptions.

METHODSData of MS inpatients and outpatients recorded by data collecting system, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were resorted. The relationship between Chinese herbs and T cell subsets were analyzed using SPSS17.0 and Aprior module in SPSS Clementine 12.0.

RESULTSRadix bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae alba, Fructus Aurantii, Atractylodes, and Radix Glycyrrhizae were most commonly used herbal combinations.Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae were often added. Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata was associated with decreased Th1 cells (confidence level 83.78%, supportive level 36.26%). Decreased Th1 cell was associated with Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata (confidence level 71.26%, supportive level 36.26%).Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata was obviously associated with decreased Th1 cells. Radix Bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae alba, bitter orange, Atractylodes , Radix glycyrrhizae, and Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata could reduce peripheral blood Th1 subsets of MS patients and elevate Th2 subsets (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe herbal combination of Radix Bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae alba, Fructus Aurantii, Atractylodes, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Smilacis glabrae, and Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata could lower peripheral blood Th1 cells and elevate Th2 cells, and prevent the relapse of MS possibly by reducing Th1 cells and elevating Th2 cells. Especially Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata played important roles in aforesaid changes of Th1 and Th2.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Bupleurum ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Humans ; Multiple Sclerosis ; therapy ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Smilacaceae ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects

Objective To study the effect of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the brain cortex and the hippocampus of immature rats,and to provide new therapeutic strategies for HI brain injury.Methods Three-day-old rats were divided into 2 groups.One group of rat pups were subjected to the left carotid artery ligation followed by 60 mL/L oxygen for 2.5 hours(HI-treated rats).The other group of rat pups were only subjected to the left carotid artery separation without ligation and 60 mL/L oxygen (sham-treated rats).The brain tissues were prepared at 3,7 and 14 d after treatment.Cresyl fast videt(CV) staining was used to evaluate the damage of the cortex and the hippocampus and check whether the models were successfully made.Immunostaining was used to determine the changes in BDNF positive cells in the brain cortex and the hippocampus after HI.Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expression of BDNF protein in the brain cortex and the hippocampus after HI.Results Models were successfully made.CV staining showed that there was brain damages and area loss in the cortex and the hippocampus after HI.BDNF immunostaining showed that the number of BDNF-positive cells was significantly decreased in the cortex (t =-3.225,-2.298,all P ＜ 0.05) and the hippocampus (t =-3.751,-2.920,all P ＜ 0.05) in the damaged side of the brain compared to the contralateral side in the rats treated with HI and the sham-treated rats at 3 d after surgery,while increased at 7 d(t =3.924,2.838,all P ＜ 0.05 for cortex ; t =4.136,2.256,all P ＜0.05 for hippocampus) and 14 d (t =3.256,2.624,all P ＜ 0.05 for cortex ; t =3.051,2.719,all P ＜ 0.05 for hippocampus) after surgery.Western blot analysis showed protein expressions of BDNF:(1) Hippocampus:the protein expressions of BDNF were significantly decreased in damaged side of the brain compared to the contralateral side of rats treated with HI at 3 d(t =-3.388,P ＜ 0.05) after surgery,while increased compared to the contralateral side of rats treated with HI and the sham-treated rats at 14 d(t =4.874,4.646,all P ＜0.05) after surgery.(2)Cortex:the protein expression of BDNF was significantly decreased in damaged side of the brain compared to the contralateral side of rats treated with HI and the sham-treated rats at 3 d(t =-7.386,-3.256,all P ＜ 0.05) after surgery,compared to the sham-treated rats at 7 d(t =4.439,P ＜ 0.05) and the contralateral side of rats treated with HI and the sham-treated rats 14 d(t =24.161,3.942,all P ＜ 0.05) after surgery.Conclusions The number of BDNF-positive cells and protein expressions are decreased in the cortex and the hippocampus at the early stage of HI injury,and increased at the late stage.BDNF may play a role in the healing stage of HI brain injury.

Objective To explore the real ear to coupler difference (RECD) changes in children with hearing aids .Methods 132 severe to profound hearing impaired children who came to hearing center for hearing aids exami-nation and adjustment were recruited into the study .They were put into 6 groups according to the test age ,<1 yr group(15 cases) ,1 yrs group(26 cases) ,2 yrs group(36 cases) ,3 yrs group(29 cases) and 4 yrs group(26 cases) . And all of them had the RECD tests for both ears with custom earmolds .Results The average RECDs for both ears decreased with the age increased .There were statistically differences for the same lateral ears when age differences surpass 2 years except for the difference for left ears between the children in the <1 yr group and 2 yrs group .This study showed there were statistically differences between left and right ears for majority of groups (except for 2 yrs group) .Conclusion RECD is an important factor for individual adjustment .The current results show that the chil-dren with hearing aids should have RECD tests for both ears at least once per two years .

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Qinghuang Powder (QHP) combined Chinese herbs for Pi-strengthening and Shen-reinforcing (CHPSSR) on hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in bone marrow mononuclear cells of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients.

METHODSChanges of HIF-1alpha in bone marrow mononuclear cells of MDS patients were detected in 25 MDS patients treated by QHP combined CHPSSR using flow cytometry. Meanwhile, 13 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. Changes HIF-1alpha levels in various serial bone marrow mononuclear cells were detected.

RESULTS(1) Among the 25 patients in the treatment group, there were 19 patients effective and 6 patients ineffective, with the total effective rate being 76%. (2) Compared with before treatment, levels of peripheral blood WBC, Hb, PLT, and ANC significantly increased in the treatment group after treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) Compared with before treatment, the HIF-1alpha mean fluorescence intensity was enhanced in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and nucleated red blood cells of the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the HIF-1alpha mean fluorescence intensity was weakened in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, and nucleated red blood cells of the treatment group before treatment; while it was obviously enhanced in granulocytes (P < 0.01). But after treatment the HIF-1alpha mean fluorescence intensity increased more in the granulocytes of the treatment group than in those of the control group (P < 0.01), but there was no statistical difference in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, or nucleated red blood cells.

CONCLUSIONQHP combined CHPSSR could improve HIF-1alpha levels in bone marrow lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and nucleated red blood cells of MDS patients, thus improving Hb levels of MDS patients, and improving their anemia and correlated symptoms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arsenicals ; therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Young Adult

Objective To study the correlation between cognitive distress and tinnitus related handicaps.Methods One hundred and ninety-two primary tinnitus subjects ninety-nine males and ninety-three females were included in this study.The average age was 45±15.52 years old.The average durations of tinnitus for male and female were 25.67±37.71 months and 27.12±45.42 months, respectively.The patients were asked to fill the Mandarin tinnitus questionnaire (MTQ) and Mandarin (Chinese) tinnitus handicap inventory (THI-CM).The correlation between cognitive distress (CD) and tinnitus related handicap was studied.Results The average score of MTQ was 36.95±20.06.The average score of CD (Q17,18,23,41, and 42)was 2.61.The average score of question 17,18, 23,41, and 42 of MTQ was 2.81,2.63,2.59,2.40, and 2.41,respectively.The average score of THI-CM was 23.89±20.06.The correlation between CD and THI-CM was 0.64(P<0.01);for male and female were 0.63 and 0.66(P<0.01),respectively.The correlations between CD and THI-CM among young, middle and old age groups were 0.02,0.07 and 0.38(P>0.01),respectively.The correlations between CD and THI-CM among the nondisabled, mild, moderate and severe groups according to the scores of THI-CM were 0.30(P<0.01),0.29(P>0.01),-0.12(P>0.01), and 0.23(P>0.01),respectively.Conclusion No strong correlation was demonstrated between the CD and the THI-CM.The same results were shown for males and female.No correlation was demonstrated between ages and cognitive distress.Correlation coefficient of cognitive distress was increased with age.The tinnitus handicaps of patients might be vulnerable to cognitive distress with ageing.

0.05).The degreeⅢ～Ⅳthrombocytopenia was more common in group A than in group B,but the degreeⅢ～Ⅳhypolekocytosis and phlebitis was more serious in group B.Conclusion NC and GC for treating refractory metastatic breast cancer have a high response rate and tolerable side effects.

Aim To investigate whether endogenous hydrogen sulfide participated in the ischemic postconditioning against ischemia/reperfusion injury in the isolated rat hearts.Methods Isolated SD rat hearts were subjected to ischemia by stopping perfusion for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min in Langendorff perfusion system,at the onset of reperfusion,4 cycles of 15 seconds reperfusion followed by 15 seconds ischemia were given for postconditioning.Intraperitoneal injection of L-propargylglycine(PAG,the inhibitor of cystanthionine-?-lysase) half an hour before operation or administration of exogenous hydrogen sulfide donor-NaHS for postconditioning was performed to observe the impact on ischemic postconditioning.The heart rate(HR),left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP),coronary arterial flow(CF)were recorded.The activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in the coronary effluent fluid,and the activity of CSE and the content of H2S in the isolated rat hearts were measured with colorimetry method.The infarction sizes were measured with TTC dying method.Results In ischemic/reperfusion group,LVDP decreased,the activity of LDH in the coronary effluent fluid and the size of myocardial infarction increased(vs control,P

Objective　To investigate the clinical feasibility of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) by da Vinci surgical system and to summarize the operative technique and outcomes.Methods　From December 2007 to March 2012,22 patients (20 males and 2 females) with the bladder urothelial carcinomas were enrolled.Patient age was from 37 -72 years (rnean 62 years) ; the body mass index was 22.5 - 30.1 kg/m2 ( mean 26.1 kg/m2 ) ; and the American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 1 -2. All patients were diagnosed preoperatively with muscle -invasive or high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinomas in cystoscopic biopsy.There were no adjacent organ infiltration,pelvic lymph node involvement or dístant metastasis found on preoperative examinations.The clinical stage of all cases was under T2 N0 M0.Patients were under general anesthesia for RARC with urinary diversion.Extracorporeal urinary diversions (orthotopic ileal neobladder for 2 patients and ileal conduit urinary diversion for 13 patients)were performed on 15 patients and intracorporeal urinary diversions ( ileal conduit urinary diversion for 2 patientsand orthotopic ileal neobladder for 5 patients) were performed on 7 patients.　Results　All RARC procedure were completed on patients as planned.The operative time was 300 - 667 min ( mean 480 min)with estimated blood loss of 100 - 1200 ml (mean 550 ml),and the number of removed lymph nodes was 6 -25 (mean 15). All patients resumed ambulation on the 2nd to 3rd day postoperatively,and bowel function recovered on the 3rd or 4th day postoperatively.The length of hospital stay was 8 - 35 days ( mean 16 days).For patients underwent orthotopic ileal neobladder,the ileoureteral stents and the urethral catheter were removed 1 month after a cystogram confirming watertight healing.During the follow up of 4 -49 months (mean 32 months),2 patients had disease recurrence and 1 patient died of disease development and 2 patients had developed hydronephrosis.The other patients were with good urinary continence and normal renal functions.　Conclusions　RARC with urinary diversion are feasible and safe treatment option for bladder urothelial carcinoma.This technique will be more popular with more extensive surgical experiences and large randomized clinical trials.

AIM: To observe the effects of sodium restricted or supplemented on atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) and cardiac function of rats with congestive heart failure (CHF).METHODS: CHF rats were divided into three groups with sham operation rats group as control. Radioimmunassay was used to determine the ANP contents of plasma and myocardium, at the same time cardiac function was measured.RESULTS: In sodium restricted group, the plasma sodium and atrial ANP and left ventricular systolic pressure and artery pressure were obviously lower than those in CHF group, while the plasma and ventricular ANP and the right atrial pressure were remarkably higher; In sodium supplemented group, the plasma sodium and arterial pressure had no obvious change compared with the control, the plasma and myocardium ANP and the right atrial pressure had no difference as compared with CHF group, while the left ventricular end diastolic pressure was remarkably lower and the left ventricular systolic pressure were obviously higher. CONCLUSION: Keeping the balance of plasma sodium by an appropriate supplement of sodium intake after CHF might be beneficial to the ANP biological effects and the cardiac function.