Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of astragalus injection onβcells apoptosis of type 1 diabetes mice. Methods 32 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a diabetes group, a small dose group and a large dose group of astraglus. Except the control group, mice in the other 3 groups received intraperitoneal injection of STZ in order to induce diabetic mellitus. Then one week after injection of STZ, mice in the small dose group and the large dose group of astraglus were given 30, 60 g/(kg?d) doses of astragalus injection, while the other 2 groups were injected into an equal volume saline for 4 weeks. Serum NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and insulin levels were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method, and apoptosis was measured by using a TUNEL assay. Results Compared with the diabetes group, the serum NO (25.81 ± 2.09μmol/L, 18.84 ± 3.95μmol/L vs. 30.34 ± 2.53μmol/L) and iNOS (21.38 ± 4.48μmol/L, 17.00 ± 3.05μmol/L vs. 26.62 ± 2.48μmol/L) levels were significantly reduced in the small dose group and the large dose group of astragalus (P<0.05);But the insulin levels (312.19 ± 66.91 pmol/L, 330.14 ± 56.06 pmol/L vs. 273.56 ± 43.54 pmol/L) and apoptosis ofβcells (23.00%± 16.58%, 27.38%± 18.79%vs. 31.25%± 18.19%) were not significant different among the experimental groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Astragalus injection can reduce the iNOS activity and NO production, but can not effectively decreasingβcells apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate in situ visualization using near-infrared quantum dots (QDs) conjugated with arginine- glycine-aspartic acid (ROD) peptide fluorescent probes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (08CC).

METHODSQDs with emission wavelength of 800 nm (QD800) were conjugated with RGD peptides to produce QD800-RGD fluorescent probes. Human OSCC cell line BcaCD885 was inoculated in nude mice cheeks to establish OSCC mouse models. Frozen BcaCD885 tumor slices were immunofluorescence double stained by using QD800-RGD and CD105 monoclonal antibody and were observed using a laser scanning confocal microscope. QD800-RGD was injected into the OSCC models through the tail veins, and the in situ visualization was analyzed at different time points. The mice were sacrificed 12 h after injection to isolate tumors for the ex vivo analysis of probe localization in the tumors.

RESULTSQD800-RGD specifically targeted the integrin avβ3 expressed in the endothelial cells of tumor angiogenic vessels in vitro and in vivo, producing clear tumor fluorescence images after intravenous injection. The most complete tumor images with maximal signal-to-noise ratios were observed 0.5 h to 6 h after injection of the probe and significantly reduced 9 h after the injection. However, the tumor image was still clearly visible at 12 h.

CONCLUSIONUsing intravenously injected QD800-RGD generates high quality OSCC images when integrin avβ3, which is expressed in the endothelial cells of tumor angiogenic vessels, is used as the target. The technique offers great potential in the diagnosis and individual treatment of OSCC.

Animals ; Arginine ; Aspartic Acid ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glycine ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Oligopeptides ; Peptides ; Quantum Dots

Objective: To discuss the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the pancreas with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) invasion. Methods: Vascular resection and reconstruction of the portal vein and hepatic artery were performed in 2 cases. Results: The portal vein (PV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were involved. During surgery, the invaded superior mesenteric vessels were localized. Case 1 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with vascular resection, SMA partial resection and reconstruction. Case 2 was submitted to total pancreatic resection with simultaneous vascular resection of spleen artery and SMA reconstruction. No perioperative mortality occurred. Conclusion: Regional pancreaticoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric artery resection is a safe and effective surgical treatment for pancreatic carcinoma.

Objective To develop the Chinese version of mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest) and evaluate its reliability. Methods Chinese version of mini-BESTest was developed following the process of translation, reverse translation, cultural adaptation and pre-experiment. 61 Chinese patients with stroke were tested with it by 2 testers, and 30 patients in them were tested again in 48 h. The inter-class coefficient (ICC) of testers and test-retest, and the Cronbach's α among the total score and 4 factors scores were calculated. Results The ICC of testers of 4 factors were 0.856- 0.978 (P<0.01), ICC of test- retest were 0.795- 0.951 (P<0.01). The Cronbach's α were 0.794-0.905 (P<0.01). Conclusion The Chinese version of mini-BEStest is reliable for patients with stroke.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between femoral distal medial torsion and patellofemoral joint malalignment and analyze the causes of patellofemoral joint disorders,which provide the new theory with clinical treatment.MethodsFrom May 2007 to June 2009,124 knees(95 cases) with patellofemoral joint disorders were enrolled in this study randomly.Each knee was scanned with CT in dynamic 20° -30° knee flax position.Femoral distal medial torsion angle (FMTA),patellar congruence angle (CA) and patellar tilt angle(PTA) were measured.The correlation between FMTA and CA or PTA was analyzed.Results FMTA ＜ 5° in 25 knees,≥5° in 99 knees,6 knees with trochlear dysplasia who were excluded.FMTA in 93 knees was 16.06° ± 5.68°,CA was 16.40° ± 5.48° and PTA was 19.59° ± 3.32°.The positive correlation was found between FMTA and CA when FMTA ＞ 10°through scatter diagram analysis (r =0.709,P ＜ 0.05 ).The positive correlation was found between FMTA and PTA when FMTA ＞10°( r =0.652,P ＜ 0.05),the positive trend declined when FMTA ＞ 27°.ConclusionsFemoral distal medial torsion is an important risk factor of patellofemoral joint malalignment.When FMTA ＞ 10°,FMTA and CA,PTA has positive correlation,but the positive tend between FMTA and PTA declines when FMTA ＞ 27°.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in situ visualization imaging and the in vivo distribution of the near-infrared fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) probe in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODSQDs with an emission wavelength of 800 nm (QD800) was conjugated with EGFR mAb to produce QD800-EGFR mAb. QD800-EGFR mAb was co-cultured with BcaCD885 squamous cancer cell line for 30 min and observed with laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). QD800-EGFR mAb was injected into HNSCC animal model through the tail vein, and the in situ visualization imaging and the in vivo distribution of QD800-EGFR mAb was analyzed at different time points.

RESULTSBcaCD885 squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck can be imaged clearly and visually after intravenous injection of QD800-EGFR mAb probe, these fluorescence signals lasted for 24 h. The most complete tumor images with maximal signal-to-noise ratio were observed from 30 min to 6 h after injection of the probe. In vivo tissue distribution studies demonstrated that QD800 aggregated mostly in liver. QD800 aggregation decreased with time in tumors, and QD800 didn't aggregate in heart, brain, intestine, lung and stomach.

CONCLUSIONThe QD800-EGFR mAb probe can clearly produce visual images in head and neck cancer. It has promising prospects in visualization in vivo imaging and individual treatment of head and neck cancer.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Quantum Dots ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor

Coronary artery diseases (CAD) have always been serious threats to human health. The measurement, constitutive modeling, and analysis of mechanical properties of the blood vessel wall can provide a tool for disease diagnosis, stent implantation, and artificial artery design. The vessel wall has both active and passive mechanical properties. The passive mechanical properties are mainly determined by elastic and collagen fibers, and the active mechanical properties are determined by the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Substantial studies have shown that, the two-layer model of the vessel wall can feature the mechanical properties well, and the circumferential, axial and radial strain and stress are of great significance in arterial wall mechanics. This study reviewed recent investigations of mechanical properties of the vessel wall. Challenges and opportunities in this area are discussed relevant to the clinical treatment of coronary artery diseases.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Stress, Mechanical

Objective: To compare the outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation under local anesthesia/sedation (S) or general anesthesia(GA) in atrial fibrillation patients. Methods: Data of 498 patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation in our departmentfrom January 2014 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred and twenty patients assigned to the GA group, the other 278 patients to the S group. Patients were followed clinically every 3 months within one year after procedure. Immediate electrocardiogram was performed in patients with palpitation or choking sensation in chest. The end point of the study was recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting >30 seconds in device interrogation, 24-hour Holter monitoring or 12-lead electrocardiogram after a single procedure. After the ablation procedure, a blanking period of 3 months was allowed according to the guidelines. Procedure time, radiofrequency time, fluoroscopy time, the detection of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, the success rate and the complications were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups, such as age, gender, BMI, complications, LVEF, LAD (all P>0.05). The duration of procedure ((117.8±51.7)minutes vs.(115.4±36.9)minutes, P=0.79), duration of fluoroscopy((12.5±11.2)minutes vs. (10.4±10.2)minutes, P=0.35), duration of radiofrequency((40.1±12.9)minutes vs. (48.6±44.3)minutes, P=0.48) were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with S group, discovery of the frequency of atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) was significantly lower in GA group (0 vs. 3.6%(10/278), P<0.01), but the difference disappeared with repeat electrophysiological examination when patients become conscious from GA(3.2%(7/220) vs. 3.6%(10/278), P=0.311). The difference of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) was similar between the two groups(0.9%(2/220) vs. 0.7%(2/278), P=0.841). Compared with S group, reflection of vagus nerve was less in GA group (1.4%(3/220) vs. 8.6%(24/278), P=0.026). After following up of (356±92) days, freedom from atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter/atrial tachyarrhythmia was similar between the two groups(77.9%(162/208) vs. 79.9%(215/269), P=0.818). Conclusion General anesthesia is a promising method to atrial fibrillation ablation, in view of stable patient status and safety for the procedure. There is no difference in complications, recurrence of arrhythmia between the two groups, but detection rate of AVNRT is lower in GA group.

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,a traditional Chinese medicine also known as Gan Cao(GC),is frequently included in clinical prescriptions for the treatment of pneumonia.However,the pharmacological com-ponents of GC for pneumonia treatment are rarely explored.Gan An He Ji oral liquid(GAHJ)has a simple composition and contains GC liquid extracts and paregoric,and has been used clinically for many years.Therefore,GAHJ was selected as a compound preparation for the study of GC in the treatment of pneumonia.We conducted an in vivo study of patients with pneumonia undergoing GAHJ treatments for three days.Using the intelligent mass spectrometry data-processing technologies to analyze the meta-bolism of GC in vivo,we obtained 168 related components of GC in humans,consisting of 24 prototype components and 144 metabolites,with 135 compounds screened in plasma and 82 in urine.After analysis of the metabolic transformation relationship and relative exposure,six components(liquiritin,liquiritigenin,glycyrrhizin,glycyrrhetinic acid,daidzin,and formononetin)were selected as potential effective components.The experimental results based on two animal pneumonia models and the in-flammatory cell model showed that the mixture of these six components was effective in the treatment of pneumonia and lung injury and could effectively downregulate the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS).Interestingly,glycyrrhetinic acid exhibited the strongest inhibition on iNOS and the highest exposure in vivo.The following molecular dynamic simulations indicated a strong bond between glycyrrhetinic acid and iNOS.Thus,the current study provides a pharmaceutical basis for GC and reveals the possible corresponding mechanisms in pneumonia treatment.