OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Astragali Radix on the denervated tibial muscle atrophy in rats, and discuss its mechanism.

METHODTotally 60 SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were selected in the common peroneal nerve crush model, and then randomly divided into 6 groups: Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose, low-dose groups, the Mecobalamin group, the model group, and the sham operation group. They were administered with drugs after the operation. At 18 d, the pathological section staining and morphological analysis were performed. The wet-weight ratio and section area of tibial muscles were also measured. The real-time fluorescence quantification was adopted to detect the differential expression between Angptl4 and PI3K genes.

RESULT(1) Wet-weight ratio: The wet-weight ratio in Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose groups was much higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Section area: The sham operation group was higher, with regular morphology; Whereas the model group showed significant decrease, with chaotic structure and obvious connective tissue proliferation; Astragali Radix groups and the mecobalamin group showed relatively small section areas, with chaotic structure and unobvious connective tissue proliferation. Compared with the model group, Astragali Radix groups showed significant increase (P < 0.01). (3) Motor end plate: The sham operation group was in uniform brownish black color and oval or round shape; Astragali Radix medium-dose and high-dose group and the mecobalamin group showed rough line edges; Astragali Radix medium-dose and low-dose groups and the model group showed decline in the number, with irregular morphology, rough line edges and a light color. (4) Angptl4 and PI3K: Compared with the model group, the Astragali Radix high-dose group showed significant increase (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAstragali Radix has a significant effect in preventing and treating denervated tibial muscle atrophy. It may delay the muscle atrophy by increasing Angptl4 and PI3K gene expressions.

Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein ; Angiopoietins ; genetics ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

To study the chemical constituents of the methanol portion of the stem of Illicium henryi. The methanol portion was isolated and purified by HP-20, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by MS and spectral data(1H, 13C-NMR). Five compounds were isolated from the methanol portion and identified as benzyloxy-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 4-hydroxy-phenethyl alcohol-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyl-phenpropanol-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 3-methoxyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (4), and 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (5). All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Illicium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male

To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Chirita longgangensis var. hongyao. The methanol extract was isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by MS and spectral data (1H, 13C-NMR). Seven compounds were isolated and identified as plantainoside A (1), plantainoside B (2), calcedarioside C (3), calcedarioside D (4), platyphylloside (5), hirsutanonol (6), and hirsutanonol-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compounds 5-7 were isolated for the first time from the family Gesneriaceae.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Tracheophyta ; chemistry

Introduction: The importance of Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) is increasingly recognised worldwide, with the World Health Organzsation (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorsing the development and wide availability of PPC. When these children are in the terminal phase of their illness, PPC should be tailored to the different needs and desires of the child and the family, with the goal of providing the best possible quality of life (QOL) for the days that remain. Method: Malaysia has yet to develop a national PPC policy. In anticipation of this, as part of a needs based qualitative study, parents’ views were solicited, as to the unmet needs of their children during the terminal phases of their illness. A purposive sampling was conducted amongst fifteen parents of nine deceased children (ages 2-14 years, eight cancer, one Prader Willi Syndrome) who had received care in the Paediatric Department, Malacca General Hospital, a Malaysian government hospital. Two focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews were conducted, based on a semi-structured interview guideline. The interviews were audiotaped with permission and the tape recordings were transcribed verbatim. The data were managed and analysed by NVivo 9 software using a thematic analysis approach. Results: The frequently emerging themes were the strengths and weaknesses pertaining to the healthcare system, processes within palliative care. These were symptom control, closed communication and lack of support and anticipatory guidance as death approached. Conclusion: Dying Malaysian children and their families deserve to receive care that is more consistent with optimal palliative care.
Quality of Life ; child

Objeact:To study the stress distribution of angled dowe l crown in anterior maxillary teeth. Method:A 3-dimensio nal finite element model (3-DFEM) of a maxillary central incisor with a dowel, a core and the supporting tissues was established.The stress in various angled d owel designs with a 150 N force applied along the long axis of the crown in a v ertical load on the incisal edge was mesured on the 3-DFEM and analyzed with AN SYS sorft ware.Results:The maximum stress was found in la bical cervical zone of the cortical bone around the teeth,the compressive stress in labical and tensile stress in palatal respectively. Conclusion: In anterior maxilla with angled dowel crown maximum stress is in the cervical zone of cortical bone,and the magnitude of stress increases with the i ncreace of the angulation of dowel crown.

Chinese herbal nature combination (CHNC) is the particular combination of nature, taste and channel tropism, which can be used to express the effect of Chinese herbal medicine in the clinical application concisely. The complex system model for the relationship between CHNC and viscera was constructed in this paper based on the thinking model of viscera theory. The model is able to reveal the functional features of CHNC. The model will promote research on the relationship between CHNC and viscera and provide new ideas for clinical applications of CHNC.

The severity of ischemic brain injury was closely associated with the mortality and disability of stroke. How to limit ischemic brain injm-y to the greatest extent and promote the recovery of neurological function is one of the most concerned hotspots at present in the field of neuroscience. A large number of studies have shown that a variety of factors involve in the pathological process of ischemic brain injury, in which, the role of T lymphocyte-mediated immune inflammatory response in ischemic brain injury has received increasing attention. This article mainly reviews the role of T cells in ischemic brain injury.

Objective To summarize the experiences of ultrasonic liposuction in 204 cases, and to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this technique. Methods The ultrasonic system (SILBERGEE E.U.A. TM ) and the liposuction equipment (HEROULES TM , American) were applied with the tumescent technique in 204 cases. Results Satisfactory rate was 90.69 %. After operation the highest sucked fat quantity was 6 800 ml, and the fewest quantity 250 ml, with an average of 1 907.6 ml for each case. Average volume of sucked fat in each position was 1 005.5 ml, which exceeded that by the traditional method. Advantages of this technique were larger fat quantity, obvious effect, less bleeding and pain, and safety. Disadvantages and complications were rough and uneven surface, accumulation of the liquid, bilateral asymmetry, slow wound healing, subcutaneous ecchymosis and hardening nodule, and even decreased blood pressure. The corresponding processing technique was recommended after liposuction. Conclusion This method is a simple and convenient, safe and reliable technique. It is suggested that multiple times and less portions of liposuction may be of benefit to patients.