ObjectiveTo investigate the applicability and superiority of modified Seldinger technique (MST).MethodsTotally 108 patients receiving peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) through vascular ultrasound combined with MST technology were enrolled as MST group and another 108 patients receiving PICC using traditional direct vision method as control group.The first puncture success rate,PICC succesa rate,catheterization time required,and early complication rate were compared between these two groups.ResultsThe first puncture success rate was 88.89％ in MST group and 72.22％ in control group (P=0.002) ; the catheterization success rate was 82.41％ in MST group and 57.41％ in control group ( P =0.000).In the MST group,there were two cases where the catheter within neck was ectopic ( P =0.003 ),two cases experienced bleeding at the puncture sites (P =0.017),three cases had phlebitis (P =0.001 ),and one case suffered from catheter blockage (P=0.010).In the eontrol group,the corresponding numbers were 13,10,18,and 9.However,the time required for PICC showed no significant difference between these two groups (P=0.685).In the MST group,15 cases were catheterized in less than 15 minutes,72 cases between 15 and 25 minutes,and 21 cases for more than 25 minutes.In the control group,12 cases were catheterized in less than 15 minutes,70 cases between 15 and 25 minutes,and 26 cases for more than 25 minutes.ConclusionPICC through MST can be more effective in positioning the targeting blood vessels,increasing the success rate of catheter insertion,reducing various tissue damages,and lowering potential complications.

Objective To study the relationship between renal morphology and renal function,and to assess the value of CT as a criterion to grade renal function.Methods Enhancement CT were performed in 89 patients with no local renal disease whose split renal glomerular filtration rates(GFR)were measured by renal dynamic imaging with ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA.The 178 kidneys were divided into normal renal function,mild and severe renal impairment groups according to renal function.Differences between three groups respect to the mean thickness of renal cortex and parenchyma were assessed by ANOVA.Using Pearson's correlation test,the correlation between the renal cortex,parenchyma thicknesses and renal GFR were examined.The value of CT in predicting renal function was assessed by using ROC analysis.Results The renal cortex thicknesses of normal renal function,mild and severe renal impairment groups were(5.9?1.1),(4.6? 1.1),and(3.3?1.0)mm respectively,and the renal parenchyma thicknesses were(26.3?4.2), (21.3?4.6),(16.2?4.6)mm.There were significant differences of renal cortex,parenchyma thicknesses between 3 groups(cortex F=54.78,P

Objective:A questionnaire for the compliance with moxibustion was designed based on the 4-item Morisky scale, and the reliability and validity of the questionnaire was investigated.Methods:A modified Morisky scale was designed based on the 4-item Morisky scale for the compliance with moxibustion, and 146 patients having received moxibustion for over 2 weeks were investigated using this scale to evaluate their compliance with moxibustion; the internal equity and the construct validity of the scale were statistically analyzed.Results:The analysis of reliability showed that in item of internal consistency, the Cronbach's α was 0.72 and the split-half coefficient was 0.71, the correlation coefficients between the 4 component scores and the total score ranged 0.67-0.80, and the between-component correlation coefficients ranged 0.24-0.56; the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) totally extracted 1 common factor, and the explicable variation was 55.02%, and the loads of the 4 items were respectively 0.82, 0.81, 0.74 and 0.58.Conclusion:The reliability and validity of the modified Morisky scale for the compliance with moxibustion are acceptable, while several items need further modification and improvement in the expression and content.

Objective Assembly whole mitochondrial genome sequence of Rongshui miniature pig ( RMP ) breed and analysis the structure of mitochondrion based on the next-generation sequecing method.Comparison of phylogenetic relationship and genetic diversity among different pig breeds.Methods We collected peripheral venous blood sample from RMP and constructed two paired-end sequencing libraries.A whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategy and Illumina Genome Analyser sequencing technology were used in our study.Results The mitochondrial genome of RMP consists of 13 protein coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and the length of pig is 16888 bp.The GC content of this pig mitochondrial genome is about 44 %.Based on phlogenetic analysis, population genetic analysis, our findings confirmed that the ancestral cluster in East Asia mainly occurred among Diannan 7#pig, Hainan wild boar, Lanyu and RMP.Conclusion RMP, a typical miniature pig breed in China, is an earlier ancestor than Lanyu pig breed.

On account of the dense cuticles of the fresh stem and the light, hard and pliable texture of the dried stem, Dendrobii Caulis is difficult to dry or pulverize. So, it is very important to the ancient doctors that Dendrobii Caulis should be properly treated and applied to keep or evoke its medicinal effects. The current textual research results about the preliminary processing, processing and usage methods of Dendrobii Caulis showed that: (1) In history the clinical use of fresh or processed Dendrobii Caulis as teas and tinctures were very common. (2) Its roots and rhizomes would be removed before using. (3) Some ancillary approaches were applied to shorten drying times, such as rinsing with boiling mulberry-ash soup, washing or soaking with liquor, mixing with rice pulp and then basking, etc. (4) According to the ancients knowledge, the sufficient pulverization, by means of slicing, rasping, hitting or pestling techniques, was necessary for Dendrobii Caulis to take its effects. (5) The heat processing methods for Dendrobii Caulis included stir-baking, stir-frying, steaming, decocting and stewing techniques, usually with liquor as an auxiliary material. Among above mentioned, steaming by pretreating with liquor was most commonly used, and this scheme was colorfully drawn in Bu Yi Lei Gong Pao Zhi Bian Lan (Ming Dynasty, 1591 CE) ; moreover, decocting in advance or long-time simmering so as to prepare paste products were recommended in the Qing Dynasty. (6) Some different processing programs involving stir-baking with grit, air-tightly baking with ondol (Kangs), fumigating with sulfur, which appeared in modern times and brought attractive outward appearance of the drug, went against ancients original intentions of ensuring drug efficacy.
Dendrobium ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; history

Objectives To investigate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in interleu-kin-15 (IL-15) and treatment response in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods Genomic DNA samples extracted from remission bone marrow cells of ALL patients were genotyped by MassArray. Five SNPs (rs10519612, rs10519613, rs17007695, rs17015014 and rs35964658) in IL-15 and their association to minimal residual disease (MRD) status in the end of induction therapy were studied. Results SNP rs17007695 was associated with the early response in children with ALL(P=0.049) and the incidence of positive MRD after induction therapy in CC genotype carriers was 1.8 times more than that in TT genotype carriers. Haplotype analysis of these five SNPs showed that the frequency of haplotype CACGG in MRD positive group was 2.1 times higher than that in MRD negative group (P=0.035). Conclusions IL-15 gene polymorphism was associated with the early treatment response in Han Chinese children with acute lymphoblastic leuke-mia.

Objective:To study the enhancing effect of bFGF-targeted antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide (APO)on the chemosensitivity of human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line Hep2 to Doxorubicin,5-Fluorouracil, and Cisplatin.Methods:bFGF-specific APO was designed,constructed and transfected into Hep2 cells with jetPEI (polyethyleneimine).Expression of bFGF mRNA was evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR after transfection;immuno- cytochemical method was used to examine the expression of bEGF expression before and after transfection of Hep2;the in- duction of cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry;cell proliferation was then analYzed by MTT assay after treatment with bFGF-specific APO or chemotherapeutic drugs,or a combination of both.Results:bFGF-specific APO inhibited the growth of Hep2 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner,with the peak inhibitory rate being 25.5%.The expression of bFGF mRNA and protein decreased by 52.0% and 41.1%,respectively.The apoptosis rate of Hep2 cells was 20.5% after transfection,bFGF-specifie APO reduced the 50% inhibitory concentration of Doxorubicin,5-Fluorouracil,and Cis- platin in Hep2 cells by 75.5%,83.5% and 65.4%,respectively.Conclusion:bFGF-specific APO can enhance the chemosensitivity of Hep2 cells,which paves a new way for potential biologic chemotherapy of laryngeal squamous carcino- ma.

Background To optimize the culture method of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells is very important for the study of retinal angiogenesis disease.Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells have been successfully cultured in previous studies,but further improvement of the culture method to harvest higher yields and purity cells is still needed.Objective This study was to design a modified method to isolate and purify human retinal microvascular endothelial cells much easily and quickly,and to compare the expression of specific markers of vascular endothelial cells,factor Ⅷ and CD31/CD34 in the cells.Methods The use of human donor eyeballs was approved by the Ethic Commission of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University.The retina tissue from healthy donor was isolated and digested by the two-step digestion method with 2％ trypsin and 0.133％ collagenase Ⅳ.Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells were collected and plated in 60 mm dishes coated by 0.1％ fibronectin and cultured in endothelial cell-specialized medium supplemented with 10％ fetal bovine serum,0.3 mg/L β-endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) and 100 ng/L sodium heparin.During the culturing,the growth situation of the cells was monitored by morphological observation,and immunohistochemical staining was performed to probe vascular endothelial cell-specific membrane protein CD31,CD34 and factor Ⅷ for identification of the cell purity.Results Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells were isolated successfully from the retina by the twostep digestion method.The primary cultured cells adhered to well 72 hours later and achieved confluence with the typical cobblestone appearance 9 to 10 days after cultured.The cells exhibited the blue nuclei and reddish cytoplasm by regular haematoxylin and eosin stain and showed a strong positive response for CD31,CD34 and factor Ⅷ by immunohistochemistry.The positive dye of CD31 and CD34 was lower than Ⅷ factor in both endothelial cells.Conclusions Modified culture method of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells can improve cell culture result and purify target cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of compound Coptidis Rhizoma capsule (CCRC) on unbalanced expression of renal tissue TGF-β1/BMP-7 and Smad signaling pathway in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN), and discuss CCRC's effect on DN rats with early diabetic nephropathy and its possible mechanism.

METHODDN model rats were established by injecting streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into seven groups: the normal group, the model group, the enalapril treatment group, the xiaoke pill treatment group and three CRCC treatment groups. They were orally administered once a day for five weeks. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), insulin (Ins), 24 h urinary protein (24 h Upro) and 24 h urinary microalbumin (24 h UmAlb) were tested. The pathological changes in renal tissues were examined by optical microscopy. Immuno- histochemical measures were used to detect the expressions of TGF-β1, BMP-7, Smad2/3, Smad1/5, and Smad7 protein, and RT-PCR was used to detect TGF-β1 mRNA and BMP-7 mRNA in renal tissues.

RESULTCompared with model group, BUN, Scr, Ins, 24 h Upro and 24 h UmAlb levels decreased at different degrees in CCRC treatment groups; the abnormal pathomorphology in renal tissue was improved; immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2/3 were reduced, while the expression of BMP-7, Smad1/5 and Smad7 increased in CRCC treatment groups; the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA were reduced, but the expression of BMP-7 mRNA had no obvious change in CRCC treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONCRCC can improve the early renal function, delay the progression of chronic renal pathology and maintain the dynamic balance of TGF-β1/BMP-7 expression in renal tissues of DN rats. The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of renal TGF-β1 and up-regulation of BMP-7 through Smad signaling pathway.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the antagonism of tetrandrine in acute renal injury induced by gentamicin in guinea pig.

METHODSThe experimental guinea pigs are divided into 4 groups by randomized blocks, they were group 1 (control), group 2 (tetrandrine), group 3 (gentamicin) and group 4 (gentamicin with tetrandrine). After 10 days, set apart urinary specimen for determination the activity of NAG, reserve renal specimen for observing the renal histology and measuring expression of actin and TGF-beta1.

RESULTSThe renal histology showed that the injury of group 3 was the most grievous, group 4 was lighter than group 3. In addition, the apoptosis was obviously less than group 3. The activity of urine of NAG in group 4 was lower than group 3. The levels of expression of actin and TGF-beta1 in group 4 were more than group 3.

CONCLUSIONWhen kidney is damaged by gentamicin, tetrandrine is able to reduce the activity of urinary NAG and inhibit the renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. Besides, tetrandrine can prevent breaking actin and evoke the endogenous transmission growth factor beta1 tune-up, the above results can indicate that tetrandrine has antagonism to acute renal injury induced by gentamicin in guinea pig.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Actins ; metabolism ; Acute Kidney Injury ; chemically induced ; Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Drug Antagonism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gentamicins ; adverse effects ; Guinea Pigs ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism