Objective To explore the efficacy of intraductal chilled saline perfusion (ICSP) to reduce the thermal bile duct injury during the treatment of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) associating with occlusion of hepatic blood supply in rabbits.Methods 16 healthy New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 2 groups.Rabbits of the ICSP group were placed tubes in the common bile duct after laparotomy,and ICSP was performed during the RFA procedure accompanied with hepatic blood occlusion.While for rabbits of the non-ICSP group,hepatic blood occlusion and RFA were performed without ICSP.RFA electrodes were placed about 5 mm away from the hilus hepatis approximately.Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was administrated to evaluate the sizes of the ablative zones after the procedure.On post-procedure 6 week,ultrasonography was prerformed to evaluate the changes of the biliary structure,and liver specimens of rabbits wcrc obtained for histopathologic observation of main bile ducts.Results Post-procedure CEUS examination showed that there was no significant difference in the size of the ablative zone between the groups (P ＞0.05).On post-procedure 6 week,rabbits of the ICSP group appeared with biliary dilatation more frequently by ultrasonography (P ＜0.05),and a higher degree of the injury of main bile duct by histopathologic observation (P ＜0.05).Conclusions In treatment of RFA accompanied with hepatic blood occlusion,RFA-induced bile duct injury may be decreased significantly with ICSP.

Objective To establish a method to simultaneously determine contents of alantolactone and isoalantolactone in Sanwei Ganlusan. Methods Contents of alantolactone and isoalantolactone was determined by HPLC was used with PDAD detector;the column was CAPCELL PAK MG C18 (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5μm);the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.4%phosphoric (58∶42);the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min;the detection wavelength was set at 225 nm;the column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. Results The linear range of alantolactone was 0.083-0.517 μg (r=0.999 9), and isoalantolactone was 0.108-0.672 μg (r=0.999 9). The mean recovery of alantolactone was 97.95%, RSD=1.31%. The mean recovery of isoalantolactone was 97.69%, RSD=1.24%. Conclusion The method is accurate and simple in operation, which can be used to simultaneously determine contents of alantolactone and isoalantolactone in Sanwei Ganlusan.

Objective To observe the changes of the intercellular spaces of squamous epithelium of lower esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).Methods Eleven outpatients with GERD symptoms more than 3 months [6 with nonerosive reflex disease(NERD)and 5 with erosive esophagitis(EE)]and 5 healthy volunteers were recruited.All of them underwent endoscopy and 24-hr ambulatory pH monitoring.Biopsies were taken in lower esophagus(2 cm above Z-line)for electron microscope examination.Results Intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelial cell in volun teers,NERD patients and EE patients were (0.374?0.073)?m,(1.308?0.079)?m and (1.332?0.144)?m respectively,with significant differences between the control group and the NERD or EE group.There was no difference between NERD group and EE group.Conclusions Dilated intercellular spaces were seen in both NERD and EE cases,which was significantly different from the control cases.

Objective To evaluate the effect of prosthetic rehabilitation and analyze the exercise training program with myoelectric signal for upper limb stumps.Methods Twenty canes with 22 upper limb stumps were treated with exercise for strength training,muscle contraction and control training and the complication of stump were managed.The myoelectrlc signal of upper limb stumps were detected and the stumps were trained with electronic biofeedback software system,including basic signal of biofeedback training and visual biofeedback training.Then the myoelectric prostheses were assembled.Results After prosthetic rehabilitation and myoelectfic signal training,there Wan no significant atrophy of muscle of stumps,muscle strength and range of motion of these twenty limb stumps increased.The amputees could control muscle contraction and grasp,pinch,wrist rotation,elbow extension or flexion consciously.Twenty myoelectrie prostheses were assembled.Conclusion The prosthetic rehabilitation and myoelectric signal training of limb stump is important for assembling myoelectric prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Ephedra, a Chinese medicine, is often used to treat obesity with relatively satisfying results recently. However, the effects of Ephedra on the perimenopausal and postmenopausal obese women remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of oral Ephedra decoction on body mass and the levels of blood lipids, blood glucose and hormone in ovarietomized obese rats.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Institute of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in the Key Laboratory of Pre-clinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province and the Laboratory of Institute of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences,Lanzhou University from February 2006 to June 2006. Forty-four healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups with 11 rats in each group, namely sham-operated group, ovariectomized group, estrogen replacement therapy group and Ephedra group.METHODS: ① After having been narcotized by cloraminone (110 mg/kg),rats were underwent a bilateral ovariectomy except those in the sham-operated group, which were also operated, but their ovaries were not cut off. ②Rats in the sham-operated group and ovariectomized group were subcutaneously injected with sesame oil (0.2 mL/each rat) every day postoperatively till the end of the experiment. ③ The rats in the estrogen replacement therapy group were given estradiol (1 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection every day postoperatively till the end of the experiment. ④ The rats in the Ephedra group freely drank 1% water extracts from Ephedra postoperatively, later the concentration of Ephedra gradually increased to 8% on the sixth day, which lasted until the end of the experiment. ⑤ The food intake was monitored daily, and body mass was measured every ten days. ⑥ At the end of the experiment, all the rats were fasted for 12 hours and collected blood samples for the measurement of serum indexes. The body mass and body length were measured to calculate the Lee's index [(g)×103/body length (cm)] at the same time.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Body mass and Lee's index at different time points in each group. ② Food intake at different time points in each group. ③ Levels of blood lipids and blood glucose in each group. ④Levels of estrogen, progesterone and insulin in each group.RESULTS: Forty-four rats all entered the analysis of results. ① Result of body mass and Lee's index at different time points: The body masses on the 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th days in the ovariectomized group were (256.4±14.3),(271.3±16.1), (276.4±12.7), (285.7±24.2) g, which were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group [(226.5±11.5), (241.8±12.6),(243.1±13.5), (251.1±22.4) g, P ＜ 0.05-0.01], and the Lee's index in the ovariectomized group was greater than that in the sham-operated group(317.2±13.5, 280.4±11.2, P ＜ 0.01). The body masses on the 40th and 50th days in the estrogen replacement therapy group were (243.7±14.8) and(246.2±11.9) g, which were significantly lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), and the Lee's index (289.9±13.5) was lower than that in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.01). The body masses on the 40th and 50th days in the Ephedra group were (245.4 ±14.1) and(252.4±14.9) g, and the Lee's index was 294.4±11.0, which were all lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Result of Food in take at different time points: The food intakes on the 30th, 40th and 50th days in the Ephedra group were (17.8±2.4), (22.3±3.9), (26.1±3.5) g per day,which were decreased as compared with those in the ovariectomized group[(25.9±4.7), (28.5±5.3), (32.8±5.5) g per day, P ＜ 0.05]. ③ Levels of blood lipids and blood glucose: The levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the ovariectomized group were (1.73±0.32), (1.45±0.50), (0.78±0.19) mmol/L, which were higher than those in the sham-operated group [(0.94±0.29), (1.05±0.30), (0.08±0.11) mmol/L, P ＜ 0.01]. After the estrogen replacement therapy, the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and blood glucose were (1.10±0.34),(1.14±0.30), (0.17±0.05), (5.88±1.21) mmol/L, which were lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), but the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was higher than that in the ovariectomized group [(1.11±0.31), (0.88±0.21) mmol/L, P ＜ 0.05]. The levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C in the Ephedra group were (0.97±0.16), (1.11±0.20), (0.59±0.07) and (0.45±0.061) mmol/L, which were lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ④ The serum levels of estrogen, progesterone and insulin in each group: The serum levels of estrogen and progesterone in the ovariectomized group were lower than those in the sham-operated group [(17.09±9.00), (28.51 ±7.99) μg/L;(58.69±12.11), (62.73±10.93) μg/L, P ＜ 0.01], the serum level of insulin was higher than that in the sham-operated group [(31.74±6.69),(23.75±6.66) mU/L, P ＜ 0.01]. The serum levels of estrogen in the estro gen replacement therapy and Ephedra group were (36.03±8.83) and (30.18±8.61) ng/L, which were higher than those in the ovariectomized group(P ＜ 0.05-0.01), the level of insulin were (21.34±4.57), (24.86±6.20) mU/L,which were lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).The serum level of progesterone in the Ephedra group [(17.68±6.19) μg/L]was lower than that in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Ephedra can promote loss of body mass, reduce levels of the blood lipids and insulin, and increase the serum levels of hormones in ovariectomized obese rats.

Objective To study the correlation between TCM differentiation of syndromes typing for ulcerative colitis (UC) and expressions of Bax and Caspase-3.Methods 50 patients with UC were divided into 2 groups according to TCM syndrome differentiation including dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome group (25cases),deficiency of spleen and stomach syndrome group (25cases).Immunohistochemistry was used to study expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in colonic mucosas and compare with the normal group (25cases).Results The expressions of Bax were highest in dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome group (4.56±1.58).The expressions of Bax of deficiency of spleen and stomach syndrome group were lower than dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome group(3.28± 1.14)scores.There were significant differences between the three groups (P＜0.05).However,There were no significant difference between dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome group and deficiency of spleen and stomach syndrome group in terms of the Caspase-3expressions (P＞0.05).In addition,Caspase-3 and Bax were positively related in each group(r=0.23and 0.21).Conclusion The high expressions of Bax,Caspase-3 in ulcerative colitis were closely related to TCM typing according to syndrome differentiation.Caspase-3 and Bax were adjustment in apoptosis.The detection of expression of Bax,Caspase-3 is helpful to the TCM syndrome differentiation and to the selection of treatment plan.At the same time,it can provide more important experiment basses for the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

ObjectiveTo detect mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic factor-1 ( SF-1 ) and DAX-1 in human adrenocortical tumors and normal adrenal cortex,and to investigate the effect of SF-1 and DAX-1 on the steroidogenesis and development of adrenocortical tumors.Methods Total RNA and protein was extracted from angiotensin Ⅱ unresponsive aldoterone-producing adenomas ( A Ⅱ -U-APA,n =12 ),angiotensin Ⅱ responsive aldoterone-producing adenomas ( AⅡ -R-APA,n =5 ),cortisol-producing adenomas ( CPA,n =10 ),adrenal nonfunctional adenomas ( NFA,n =10 ),aldosterone-producing carcinoma ( APC,n =2 ) and normal adrenal cortex ( NAC,n =8).To analyze gene expression of SF-1,DAX-1,ACTH receptor(ACTHR),and β-actin by real-time quantitative PCR in different tissues.The protein expression of SF-1,DAX-1,and β-actin in the same tissues by Western blot.To study the relationship of ACTHR,SF-1,and DAX-1 with clinical data in adrenocortical tumors.ResultsThe expression of SF-1,DAX-1 mRNA and protein was different in NAC,AⅡ -U-APA,A Ⅱ -R- APA,APC,CPA,and NFA tissues [ relative expression of SF-1 mRNA:24.58±2.45,23.89±3.17,21.59±3.00,(38.75,44.16),14.17±2.80,and 36.38±3.50; DAX-1 mRNA:0.57±0.06,0.37±0.05,0.43±0.05,( 1.52,1.21 ),0.39 ±0.04,and 0.83 ±0.08 ; SF-1 protein:0.76 ±0.11,0.76 ±0.10,0.73 ±0.07,(1.24,1.40),0.55±0.04,and0.98±0.10; DAX-1 protein:0.65±0.14,0.39±0.13,0.43±0.14,(1.18,1.02),0.56±0.04,and 1.03±0.13 ; all P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ].There was negative correlation by higher SF-1/DAX-1 ratio and tumor size in AⅡ -U-APA tissues.The mRNA and protein expression of SF-1 was lower in CPA and there was the positive correlation with tumor size.Conclusion SF-1 and DAX-1 might play a key role in the development of the adrenocortical tumorigenesis and steroidogenic tissues.

Objective To study the outcomes of 2 rehabilitation protocols after simultaneous stage Ⅰ bilateral total knee replacement (TKR). Methods One hundred and twenty patients admitted for stage Ⅰ bilateral TKR were assigned randomly to receive alternative or traditional rehabilitation therapy. Rehabilitation training was administered in both alternative and traditional groups before and after operation. In alternative group, each rehabilitation action was designed to be done on one side and the other side alternatively. In traditional group, each training session was designed to be done on one side and then followed by the other side in succession. Visual analogue scale (VAS)scores were evaluated for 2 weeks after operation and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complications were recorded for 3 months after operation. The range of motion ( ROM), American hospital special surgery (HSS) knee scores and SF-12 scores were recorded at 1 d before operation and the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month after operation, Results One hundred and fifteen patients completed all training sessions and assessments. Compared with traditional group, alter-native group had significantly lower VAS scores in the early postoperation stage and significantly better knee function scores and SF-12 scores at the 1 st and 3rd month postoperation (P <0. 005). Conclusion The alternative protocol can speed up rehabilitation and lead to decrease VAS scores in the early postoperation stage, and improve knee func-tion and physical and mental health after TKR.