Objective To evaluate the ultrasound(US) features of diffuse sclerosing variant (DSV) of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Methods The US and histopathlogical of 20 DSV patients were retrospectively assessed. Results Among the 20 cases,thyroid single lobe of 12 cases,bilateral lobes of 8 cases and cervical lymph nodes metastases of 18 cases (90%) were involved in DSV of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. At ultrasound, echo diffuse abnormal change of single lobe or bilateral lobes of thyroid and diffuse scattered microcalcifications were seen in the DSV of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. The blood flow signals of the abnormal lobes were occupied by 75% of one grade and 25 % of two grades. Conclusions DSV of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is usually manifested as echo diffuse abnormal change,diffuse scattered microcalcifications and cervical lymphocytic infiltration on ultrasound in relatively young patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the theory of "Fei and Dachang being interior-exteriorly related" and the pathogenesis of lung injury by observing changes of inflammatory cytokines and oxygen free radicals in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats.

METHODSTotally 50 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, the normal control group and the model group, 25 rats in each group. The UC model was established by allergizing colon mucosa combined with TNBS-alcohol (50%) enema. Another 25 rats were recruited as the normal control group. At week 2 and 4 after modeling, the pathomorphological changes of the lung were observed. Furthermore, the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-1beta were determined by ELISA. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated with colorimetry.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the pathomorphology of the lung tissue in the model group appeared abnormal at week 2 and 4. Compared with the normal control group, levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and MDA in the lung tissue significantly increased in the model group (P < 0. 01) and the activities of SOD significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTNF-alpha, IL-1beta, SOD, and MDA might be common material bases for the large intestine involved in lung disease of UC patients, thus providing a modern scientific basis for the theory of Fei and Dachang being interior-exteriorly related.

Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of Shen No. 9 Recipe (SR) combined with Qingre Moshen Granule (QMG) in treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients with no efficacy after treated by hormone or immunosuppressive agent, and further to explore the possible mechanism of this method in treatment of IMN by detecting the cellular immune function and cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2).

METHODSForty-four IMN patients with no efficacy after treated by multiple Western drugs were recruited from October 2007 to October 2009. They took SR (one dosage daily, oral administration in two portions) and QMG (each package each time, thrice daily) for 24 weeks. The 24-h urine protein, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), plasma albumin (Alb), serum creatinine (SCr), urea nitrogen (BUN), triglyceride (TG), serum total cholesterol (TC), levels of cellular immune function (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio), and IL-2 were detected before and after treatment. The changes of Chinese medicine syndrome and adverse reactions were observed and recorded.

RESULTSAfter treatment the complete remission rate, the basic remission rate, and the total effective rate was 4.5%, 68.2%, 84.1%, respectively. The total markedly-effective rate of Chinese medicine syndrome was 90.9%. The Chinese medicine syndrome was significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.01). The 24-h urine protein obviously decreased (P < 0.01), Alb obviously increased (P < 0.01), levels of TC and TG obviously decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in levels of SCr and BUN (P > 0.05). The GFR significantly increased (P < 0.05). CD4+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were obviously elevated (P < 0.01) and the CD8+ obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The expression level of IL-2 obviously increased, but it still was lower than the normal value, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSR + QMG showed definite efficacy in treatment of IMN patients with no efficacy after treated by multiple Western drugs. It could improve the level of cellular immunity and improve abnormal expression levels of IL-2.

Adult ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Hormones ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-2 ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate outcome and cognitive changes of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) in a follow-up study. Methods A cross-sectional and longitudinal parallel cohort study design was conducted among 109 aMCI patients and 104 matched normal controls. Multi-dimension neuropsychologic tests were used to extensively assess the cognitive function. Results The scores of neuropsychologic tests in aMCI patients were significantly lower than those in the normal controls( all P＜0.01 ) ,with the largest impairment on 20minutes delayed recall of the auditory verbal memory test ( AVMT), which reflects episodic memory ( aMCI pa-tients :2.50 ± 1.48, normal controls :7.85 ± 1.59, Z = - 12.697, P ＜ 0.01 ); AD was diagnosed in 15 of the 69aMCI patients with a prevalence rate of 22% ,but none was converted to AD in the normal controls. The cognitivechanges of performance in AVMT, CDT, MMSE of the patients in aMCI group (( 3.77 ± 60.83 )%, (6.89 ±28.24) %, (6.13 ± 16.89) % respectively) were significantly poorer than those of the controls group(( - 10.75 ±27.46) %, ( - 5.23 ± 14.05 ) %, ( - 1.11 ± 8.26 ) % respectively) ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). At baseline, demented aMCIperformed poorer in AVMT, CFT, TMT, SDMT, CDT, MMSE when compared to stable. During the follow-up, demented aMCI groups performed significantly poorer than did stable subjects in AVMT, CFT, DST, VFT, SDMT,MMSE ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion aMCI is a prodromal period of AD and characterized by episodic memory impairment. The neuropsychologic test is a predictive factor for aMCI to develop AD.

Following contents were reviewed in this article: More and more experimental studies related with chronic uratic nephropathy were carried out in recent years. In most of these studies, the animal models were established mainly from viewpoints of gene recombination, urinary uric acid inhibition and blood uric acid production promoting. TCM showed good effects in lowering blood uric acid, regulating levels of cytokines and postponing interstitial fibrosis. However, further studies on Chinese herbs and their extracts is necessary.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Purines ; metabolism ; Rats ; Uric Acid ; blood

The hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) PEGylated liposomes (HCPT-LP) were modified with RGD cyclopeptide formed the tumor-targeting liposomes (HCPT-RGD-LP). HCPT-LP and HCPT-RGD-LP were injected intravenously with single dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) to rats. The drug concentration in plasma was determined and the pharmacokinetic behaviour was compared. The HCPT distribution in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and plasma of mice was investigated following intravenous administration of HCPT-LP and HCPT injection. The nude mice implanted human hepatoma HepG2 cells were studied by in vivo imaging. The fluorescent probe was DiR and the nude mice were injected with DiR PEGylated liposomes (DiR-LP) and DiR-LP modified with RGD cyclopeptide (DiR-RGD-LP). The results showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) of main pharmacokinetic parameters t1/2beta, CL, V(c), AUC(0-48 h), AUC(0-inifinity), MRT(0-48 h), MRT(0-infinity) between HCPT-RGD-LP and HCPT-LP. HCPT-LP had a remarkably better long-circulating effect than HCPT injection in mice and the concentration of HCPT was highest in liver. The DiR accumulation in tumors of DiR-RGD-LP was higher than that of DiR-LP by the visualized fluorescence of in vivo imaging. It indicated that such PEGylated liposomes modified with RGD cyclopeptide could improve the tumor targeting efficacy.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Tissue Distribution

Objective To assess the effects of the risk factors of grafts from donors after cardiac death (DCD) on the prognosis of liver transplantation (LT).Methods In this retrospectively study,215 cases of LT using DCD donor grafts were performed at our institution from September 2013 to January 2017.Due to the loss to follow-up in 4 cases,211 cases were enrolled in the study.The following DCD donor data were collected:gender,age,primary disease,ABO blood type,body mass index (BMI),medical history (fatty liver,hypertension),ICU hospitalization time,mechanical ventilation time,warm ischemia time,cold ischemia time,and indexes of routine laboratory test before donation.Statistical analyses using the Kaplan-Meier method,log-rank test,multivariate step-wise Cox regression were performed.Results Of the 211 donors,univariate analysis showed that the overall 6-month,1-,and 3-year survival rate after DCD LT was 88％,84％,and 82％,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that donor serum sodium level ＜136 mmol/L (P =0.018) and cold ischemia time ＞9 h (P =0.013) were all significant risk factors affecting overall survival after DCD LT.Additionally,donor BMI ＞30 kg/m2 (P =0.011) and donor age ＞60 years (P =0.025) were significantly associated with postoperative complications.Multivariate analysis showed that donor serum sodium level (P=0.025) was an independent risk factor of survival after DCD LT.Conclusion To select suitable DCD liver allografts and control risk factors of donor can help to improve outcomes of recipients.

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 128 AS cases were allocated into a control group and an observation group using random number table method, with 64 cases in each group. Patients in both groups took sulfasalazine and meloxicam. Patients in the observation group received additional acupuncture plus spinal manipulations. The efficacy, Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), and the levels of ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG were compared between the two groups after eight weeks of treatment. Results: After treatment, the symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); the VAS, BASFI and BASDAI scores in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); and the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these levels in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 92.2％ in the observation group, versus 78.1％ in the control group, presenting a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Conventional medication combined with acupuncture and spinal manipulations can improve clinical symptoms, accelerate the recovery of physical functioning, and reduce the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels.

Objective To study the anatomical classification and surgical management of communicating tumors invading the anterior or middle skull base. Methods According to the location and growth direction of the tumors, the communicating tumors invading the anterior or middle skull base in 29 patients were classified into 4 types, namely fronto-naso-orbital tumors in 16 cases, middle-lateral cranial base tumors in 8 cases, central-medial skull base tumors in 4 cases and petrous bone-jugular foramen tumor in 1 case. Based on this classification, extended transbasal approach (13 cases), supraorbital-pterional approach (9 cases), fronto-temporal approach (3 cases), ffontotemporal-orbitozygomatic approach (3 cases) and transpetrol approach (1 case) were adopted for tumor resection and skull base defect reconstruction. In the transbasal approach group, the surgery was performed also through transnasal endoscopic approaches. Results Twenty-four patients underwent total tumor resection and 5 had subtotal tumor resection. No operative death or serious complications (e.g. intracranial infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage or meningoencephalocele) occurred after the operations. Conclusion Classification of the communicating tumors invading the anterior or middle skull base according to their location and growth direction facilitates planning of the surgical approaches for tumor resection and skull base defect reconstruction.

To enhance in vitro dissolution of Cur by preparing Cur solid dispersions. The ability of HPMCAS-HF,HPMCAS-MF,HPMCAS-LF and PVPK30 to maintain supersaturated solution was investigated by supersaturation test. Amorphous solid dispersions were prepared by the solvent-evaporation method. The prepared samples were characterized using infrared spectroscopy( IR) and differential scanning calorimetry( DSC),and in vitro dissolution was investigated. DSC and IR results showed that in 1 ∶3 and 1 ∶9 solid dispersions,Cur was amorphously dispersed in the carrier,and the interaction existed between drug and carrier. The supersaturation test showed that the order of the ability of polymer to inhibit crystallization of Cur was MF>HF>LF>K30. The dissolution results showed that Cur-K30 amorphous solid dispersion had the highest drug release rate; Cur-K30 and Cur-LF amorphous solid dispersions had a quicker but not stable dissolution rate,and the drug concentration decrease after 4 h; Cur-MF and Cur-HF solid dispersions had a low dissolution,which however increased steadily,attributing to the strong ability of the polymers to inhibit the crystallization of Cur. HPMCAS could inhibit the degradation of Cur better than K30,especially MF and HF. The amorphous solid dispersions of cur significantly enhanced the dissolution of Cur and improved the chemical stability of Cur. This study can provide a basis for the rational selection of the polymer used for Cur solid dispersion.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; Drug Stability ; Methylcellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Polymers ; Solubility