The ancient teacher-disciple tradition is regarded as one of the most celebrated practices within the Chinese medicine world. Such traditions of secrecy, private wisdom and honor are deeply rooted in the theories of Confucianism. This paper only explores the surface of this ancient culture, by investigating relevant popular ancient texts and common Chinese proverbs, as well as utilizing personal experiences, in order to reflect on how the ancient Chinese perceived such practices within their own society and how secret teaching was passed on from teacher to student, including the revelation of secret formulas and their importance and how that tradition differs from our modern-day perspectives. Various rare manuscripts from the author's personal library are employed in order to provide relative examples of the importance of secret knowledge, and how these secrets applied in the traditional healing.
Culture ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Manuscripts as Topic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Students ; Teaching

Objective To optimize the extraction technology for Yangxin Anshen Granules. Methods With yield of volatile oil as index, single factor tests were adopted to investigate effects of water, soaking time and distillation time on extraction technology of volatile oil. Using water amount, extraction time and extraction times as factors, the contents of paeoniflorin and total solid as indexes, orthogonal test was employed to optimize the extraction technology of Yangxin Anshen Granules. Results The optimical extraction technology conditions were as follows:Cinnamomi Ramulus, Saposhkoviae Radix, and Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus were extracted to get volatile oil with eight-folds amount water of herbs for 6 hours; other herbs were boiled with eight-folds amount water of herbs and extrancted for two times, 1 h each time. Conclusion This extraction process is reasonable and practical, and can well guarantee the quality of preparation.

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of recombinant soluble complement receptor type I (sCR1) on the immune inflammatory reaction in acute spinal cord injury tissue of rats and its protective effects.

METHODSSD rat models of acute spinal cord injury were prepared by modified Allen's method. The motor function of the rat lower extremities in sCR1 group and normal saline (NS) group was evaluated by the tiltboard experiment at 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d. The neutrophil infiltration and C3c positive expression were observed. The myeloperoxidase activity was assessed in the injury tissue at 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d after injury in the two groups.

RESULTSThe motor function of rat in sCR1 group at 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d was obviously better than that in NS group (P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01). C3c positive expression in sCR1 group at each time point after injury was obviously less than that in NS group (P<0.01). The myeloperoxidase activity in sCR1 group at each time point after injury was obviously less than that in NS group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSRecombinant soluble complement receptor type I (sCR1) can lessen the immune inflammatory reaction in acute spinal cord injury tissue and relieve secondary spinal cord injury by inhibiting the activation of the complement system.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Peroxidase ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Complement ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the necessity of No.14v lymph node dissection in D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 131 cases of advanced gastric cancer receiving D2 or D2+ plus No.14v lymph node dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathological factors associated with No.14v lymph node metastasis were analyzed and prognostic value of No.14v lymph node metastasis was evaluated.

RESULTSOf the 131 patients, 24 (18.3%) had positive No.14v lymph node. The incidence of 14v metastasis was associated with tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, N staging, TNM staging, No.1, No.6, and No.8a lymph nodes metastasis. Tumor location and N staging were independent risk factors for No.14v metastasis (all P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 8.3% and 37.8% in patients with and without No.14v metastasis respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that metastasis of No.14v was an independent prognostic factor for advanced gastric cancer after D2 lymphadenectomy (P=0.029, RR=1.807, 95%CI:1.064-3.070).

CONCLUSIONSFor advanced middle and lower gastric cancers, especially those with larger size, serosa invasion and possibility of No.6 lymph node metastasis, it is necessary and feasible to remove the No.14v lymph node.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo design and construct the inducible expression vector of endothelial-overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 (EOLA1), in order to establish EOLA1 compelling expression model, and to observe the effects of EOLA1 compelling expression on the proliferation of ECV304 cells.

METHODSInducible overexpression vector pOPRSV I-EOLA1 was constructed by amplifying the open reading fragment of EOLA1 and subcloning it into the Not I site and Xho I site of pOPRSV I vector. After sequencing, the pOPRSV I-EOLA1 recombinant vector and pCMVLac I vector were co-transfected into ECV304 cells. The cells resistant to G418 and hygromycin were screened by G418 and hygromycin, so that stable transfected cell strain was obtained. The growth curve of cells with or without isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) induction were graphed with cell counting.

RESULTSThe inducible overexpressed EOLA1 vector was constructed successfully. The proliferation of the cells with EOLA1 compelling expression after induction of IPTG (44 +/- 17) x 10(4) was significantly higher than that without IPTG induction (27 +/- 11) x 10(4), (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCompelling expression of EOLA1 protein can enhance the proliferation of ECV304 cell.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

BACKGROUNDRadiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been established as an effective and curative therapy for ventricular tachycardia (VT) and severely symptomatic premature ventricular contraction (PVC) from the outflow tract in structurally normal hearts. This study aimed to investigate electrophysiologic characteristics and effects of RFCA for patients with idiopathic VT and symptomatic PVC originating from the valve annulus.

METHODSCharacteristics of body surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and endocardiogram in a successful RFCA target were analyzed in 16 patients with idiopathic VT and symptomatic PVC originating from the valve annulus. Additionally, the ECG characteristics of VT or PVC were compared with those of manifest Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome originating from the same site of origin in 15 patients.

RESULTSThirteen patients were successful, 2 recurrent and 1 failed. The recurrent cases underwent successful ablation the second time guided by the Ensite 3000 mapping system. In all patients with the WPW syndrome, the characteristics of QRS morphology were well matched with those of the VT and PVC that originated from corresponding sites of origin.

CONCLUSIONSRFCA is an effective curative therapy for VT and symptomatic PVC originating from the valve annulus. There are specific characteristics in ECG and the ablation site could be located by means of the WPW syndrome accessory pathway's algorithm.

Adult ; Aged ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Ventricular Premature Complexes ; physiopathology ; surgery

BACKGROUNDIn the 21st century, minimally invasive treatment is one of the main developmental directions of medical sciences. It is well known that the echocardiography plays an important role during interventional treatments of some structural heart diseases. Because the ruptured right sinus of the Valsalva aneurysm (RRSVA) is a rare disease, there were few reports about percutaneous catheter closure of RRSVA. This study aimed to sum up our experience with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) during percutaneous catheter closure of RRSVA.

METHODSFive RRSVA cases were treated with percutaneous catheter closure. The whole procedure was guided and monitored by TTE and fluoroscopy. The maximum diameter of the RRSVA was measured by TTE before and after the catheter passed through the rupture site. A duct occluder 2 mm larger than the maximum diameter was chosen. The closure effects were evaluated with TTE and fluoroscopy immediately after the occluding device was deployed. All patients were followed up by TTE for 8 to 30 months.

RESULTSBefore the catheter passed through the rupture site the maximum diameter of the RRSVA measured with TTE and aortography were (7.9 ± 2.1) mm and (7.8 ± 1.8) mm. After the catheter passed through the rupture site the maximum diameter measured with TTE was (11.2 ± 3.2) mm, which was significantly larger than before the procedure (P < 0.05). The percutaneous catheter closure was successful in four cases and failed in one. Compared to the aortography the TTE was better at distinguishing residual shunts from aortic valve regurgitation immediately after the occluding device was deployed. There were no complications during 8 to 30 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONTransthoracic echocardiography can play an important role during percutaneous catheter closure of RRSVA, especially for estimating the size of the RRSVA after the catheter passes through the rupture site, and differentiating residual shunt from aortic valve regurgitation immediately after the occluding device is deployed.

Adult ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sinus of Valsalva ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

Dioscin has a wide range of biological effects and broad application prospects. However the studies concerning the toxicology and mechanism of dioscin is small. This article is to study the hepatotoxicity of dioscin and the effect of dioscin treatment on expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mRNA and CYP1A mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells in vitro. Dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1) exposed to HepG2 cells for 12 h, cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay and the release rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was to evaluate cell membrane damage. HepG2 cells morphologic changes were quantified by inverted Microscope, and the effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of CYP1A and AhR was evaluated by RT-RCR. The protein expression of CYP1A1 was detected by western blot. The cell viability was significantly inhibited after HepG2 cells were exposed to dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1). Compared with the control, the LDH release rate and ROS were significantly increased. The expression of CYPlA and AhR mRNA was increased. The expression of CYP1Al protein was increased after dioscin treatment, and resveratrol, an AhR antagonist, could downregulate the expression of CYP1A1. It follows that large doses dioscin has potential hepatotoxicity. The possible mechanism may be dioscin can active aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and induce the expression of CYP1A.
Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon ; genetics

To research the effect of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata compatibility on cardiac toxicity in rats by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and explore the endogenous markers and molecule mechanism. Different compatibility of Shenfu decoction were given to male Wistar rats at dosage of 20 g · kg(-1) for 7 days, collected the serum, and analyze the endogenous metabolites effected by Shenfu formulation by principal component analysis and partial least-squares analysis. Results showed that content of glutathione, phosphatidylcholine and citric acid decreased in mixed-decoction group, while ascorbic acid, uric acid, D-galactose, tryptophan, L-phenylalanine increased. The results showed cardiac toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in Shenfu mixed-decoction. Shenfu co-decoction group showed a similar or weaker trend compared with control group, but most of them do not have a statistically significant. The results indicated the scientific basis of Shenfu compatibility by comparison of co-decoction group with mixed-decoction group. Shenfu compatibility can reduce cardiac toxicity induced by Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, and citric acid, glutathione, phosphatidyl choline, uric acid might be regarded as potential markers of cardiotoxicity.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Cardiotoxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Glutathione ; blood ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Male ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Principal Component Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

In the present study, an ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOFMS) based on chemical profiling approach to evaluate chemical constitution between mixed decoction and co-decoction of monkshood-pinellia combination of the eighteen incompatible medications (Shi Ba Fan) was proposed. Two different kinds of decoctions, namely monkshood-pinellia co-decoction: water extract of the two herbs together, and monkshood-pinellia mixed decoction: water extract of each individual herbs mixed together, were prepared. Batches of these two kinds of decoction samples were subjected to UPLC/Q-TOFMS analysis, the datasets were processed with MassLynx 4.1 to holistically compare the difference between these two kinds of decoction samples. The most changed components during decocting were analyzed. Using the proposed approach, global chemical difference was found between co-decoction and mixed decoction, mesaconitine, aconitine and hypaconitine were identified as the most changed components (changed most significantly) during decocting. Result shows significant difference between two kinds of decoction samples, and the significant differences are probably related to the incompatibility of monkshood and pinellia.
Aconitine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Aconitum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Incompatibility ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Tubers ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods