Clinical study of modified Ganmai Dazao decoction in the treatment of yang deficiency climacteric depression and observe the effects of modified Ganmai Dazao decoction on neuroendocrine system in patients with yang deficiency climacteric depression. 86 cases were randomly divided into treatment group treated with modified Ganmai Dazao decoction and control group treated with Deanxit. The curative effect was evaluated with Hamilton's depressive scale (HAMD) and pittsburgh sleep quality scale (PSQI) before and at the end of the two and four weeks of the treatment, the serum levels of serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH) were detected before and after the four weeks of the treatment The results showed that the total effective power of treatment group was 88.4% and the total effective power of control group was 81.4% after four weeks interference, with insignificant difference between the two groups. After two and four weeks of the treatment, the score of HAMD decreased remarkably in both groups (P < 0.01), with insignificant difference between the two groups in same phase. After two and four weeks of the treatment, the total score of PSQI decreased remarkably in both groups (P < 0.05), with significant difference between the two groups after four weeks (P < 0.01). After four weeks of treatment, the serum levels of 5-HT and NE increased (P < 0.01), with insignificant difference between the groups. After four weeks of treatment, the serum levels of E2 increased obviously (P < 0.05), the levels of FSH decreased obviously (P < 0.05), the levels of LH decreased insignificant, with insignificant difference between two groups. This study indicates that modified Ganmai Dazao decoction has obvious therapeutic effects in the treatment of climacteric depression, and showed equivalent efficacy with Deanxit, and modified Ganmai Dazao decoction has better effect on improving the sleep quality in patients than Deanxit, the effect of improved clinical symptoms may be through adjusted levels of 5-HT, NE, E2, FSH and LH of climacteric depression.
Adult ; Depression ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Menopause ; drug effects ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Neurosecretory Systems ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Serotonin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo discuss the pathological characteristics of cervical spinal fracture complicating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the effect of combined anterior and posterior operation.

METHODSEighteen AS patients with traumatic cervical fracture-dislocation were treated operatively from January 2000 to January 2006. The symptom duration of AS was 14.5 years on average. Three cases had undergone osteotomy in lumbar spine. There were 4 cases of Grade A, 3 cases of Grade B, 9 cases of Grade C and 2 cases of Grade D according to Frankel's score. There were 15 cases of Grade III dislocation and 3 cases of Grade II. All patients underwent surgical procedures by combined anterior and posterior approach.

RESULTSThere were 4 anterior-posterior procedures, 8 anterior-posterior-anterior procedures and 6 posterior-anterior procedures. Seven patients had one stage operation and 11 cases underwent two stage surgeries. There was certain extent of neurological improvement in 14 incomplete paraplegic patients, but no improvement in 4 complete paraplegic patients. The follow-up period was 21.2 months on average and the time for bone fusion was 3.6 months. There were 4 complications during operation and a long-term complication in follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe study suggests that anterior combined with posterior approach makes the spine stable and relieves the pressure immediately. It is a reasonable surgical strategy for treatment of cervical spinal fracture-dislocation with AS.

Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene -572C/G polymorphism and the risk of chronic periodontitis disease.

METHODSIL-6-572C/G genotype polymorphism was examined in 93 patients with chronic periodontitis and 96 control subjects by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

RESULTSIL-6-572GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in chronic periodontitis patients than that in control subjects (P<0.05). -572CC, CG and GG genotype frequency were 52.7 % , 40.9 %, 6.4 % in chronic periodontitis patients and 67.7 %, 31.3%, 1.0 % in control subjects, respectively. -572CG + GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than that in control subjects (P<0.05). Compared with CC genotype,the odds ratio for chronic periodontitis was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.04-3.40, P<0.05) for CG + GG genotype.

CONCLUSIONSThe frequency of -572CG + GG genotype was higher in patients with chronic periodontitis compared with the control subjects. IL-6-572C/G polymorphism may be a genetic susceptibility factor for chronic periodontitis in Chinese Hans population.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Periodontitis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the toxicity of copper on MES23.5 dopaminergic cells and the probable mechanisms involved in this process.

METHODSMES23.5 dopaminergic cells were selected as our experimental model. [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay was used to detect the influence of copper on the cell viability. The semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and the high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) have been used to detect the tyrosine hydroxlase (TH) mRNA and protein expression and the dopamine content in MES23.5 cells. The flow cytometry have been used to detect the changes of mitochondrial transmembrane potential.

RESULTS100 and 200 mumol/L copper had no effect on the MES23.5 cell viability, whereas 400 and 800 mumol/L of copper could decrease the cell viability (P < 0.01). Treating cells with 200 mumol/L copper for 24 h decreased the TH mRNA expression, the TH expression and the dopamine content compared with the control (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Besides, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential also decreased with the treatment of 200 mumol/L copper for 24 h (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCopper could exert the toxic effects on MES23.5 dopaminergic cells and decrease the cell function. The dysfunction of mitochondria may be the mechanism of this toxicity effect.

Animals ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Copper ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Dopamine ; biosynthesis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hybridomas ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nerve Degeneration ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze occurrence, prevention and treatment of the complications of thoracoscopic assisted spine surgery.

METHODSRetrospective review of 182 patients who underwent standard thoracoscopic technique or video-assisted thoracic surgical procedure from October 1998 to August 2004. The treatment of thoracic diseases included debridement, decompression with (or) reconstruction. The total number of complications were recorded, and its mechanism, prevention and treatment were analyzed.

RESULTSComplications occurred in 16 patients, 12 cases of perioperative complications included 3 patients suffered from pneumonia, 3 pulmonary atelectasis, 2 patients' lung injured by trocar, 1 patient obtained transient monoplegia, 2 suffered from transient intercostal nerve pain and 1 had superficial incision infection. Long-term complications occurred in 4 cases: spinal tuberculosis relapsed 2 cases (one who had diabetes obtained relapse in 8 months of post-operation and another relapsed with complex spinal tuberculosis in 4 weeks postoperation), 2 patients suffered from kyphosis deformity and pain.

CONCLUSIONSThe type and incidence of complications with thoracoscopic spine surgery mainly depend on indication, operation procedures and anesthesia, only by limit surgical indication, ameliorate technique, obey surgical principle and consummate perioperative treatment can we obtain mini-invasive effect by thoracoscopic assisted spine surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Thoracoscopy ; adverse effects

Aim To observe the expression of mesen-cephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF) in synovial membrane and serum of rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) and to analyse the relationship between MANF expression and arthritis. Methods AA models were prepared by injecting Freund complete adjuvant (FCA) into SD rats. The swelling of the secondary joint was measured by foot volume measurement. The severity of AA was recorded by arthritis index (AI). Synovial pathological changes were observed by HE staining. The protein and mRNA levels of MANF,BiP and CHOP extracted from synovial tissues in different periods of AA rats were detected by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The levels of MANF, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and then the relationship between MANF level and inflam-matory factors were explored. Results AA rat model was established successfully. The expression of BiP significantly increased in synovial tissue on d 2 after CFA injection,and decreased until d 28. The expres-sion of MANF slightly increased on d 2,then remained stable,and significantly increased on d 14, and then decreased gradually. The expression of CHOP kept to rise slowly at a low level. The level of MANF in serum markedly increased on d 14,then gradually decreased, but it was still higher than the normal level on d 28. The level of CRP exhibited similar trend with MANF. Correlation analysis showed that MANF had a negative correlation with arthritis symptoms, IL-1β and TNF-α in the secondary inflammatory period of AA rats. Con-clusions Arthritis induces the expression and secre-tion of MANF,and the level of MANF is closely relat-ed to the progression and severity of arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutical effect of surgical treatment for thoracic angioma with extraosseous extension which causes spinal cord compression and neurological dysfunction. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 5 cases of thoracic vertebral body angioma with extraosseous extension and spinal cord compression. The operation were performed through anterior approach to resect the involved vertebral body and intracanal angioma in 5 patients. Bone graft and internal fixation were also completed in the meantime. Two patients accepted radiotherapy for 2 periods of treatment postoperatively, and the other 3 patients didn't accept the other supportive therapy. RESULTS: The blood loss during the operation was 1000 mL to 1500 mL. All the patients recovered their neurological function rapidly after the operation. The patients were followed up for 1 to 4 years, and no patient recurred. The bone graft was solidly fused in all patients. No hardware failure occurred. CONCLUSION The surgical treatment for thoracic vertebral body and extraosseous angioma with spinal cord compression is effective, reliable, and workable. Good long-term result can be obtained.
Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Compression ; etiology ; Spinal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic and antioxidant effects of Uygur Herb Foeniculum Vulgare Mill (FVM) in hepatic fibrosis rats.

METHODHepatic fibrosis model was built in rats by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCl4 olive oil mixture. At the same time the rats were given high lipoid-low protein animal feeds for 5 weeks. 94 male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups :blank control group (A-group), 8 rats were feed in normal; prevention model control group (B-group), 10 rats were given saline solution by intragastric administration during make of hepatic fibrosis model; FVM prevention group (C-group), 10 rats were given FVM by intragastric administration during make of hepatic fibrosis model; model control group (D-group), FVM treatment group (E-group); Fuzhenghuayu treatment group (F-group). 22 rats in each D, E, F-group were respectively given saline solution, FVM and Fuzhenghuayu by intragastric administration after hepatic fibrosis model were built. At the 5-th weekend, A, B, C- group rats were sacrificed. At the 6-th, 7-th, 8-th, 9-th weekend, 4-6 rats in D, E, F-group were sacrificed. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and 8 - hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were detected, liver tissue homogenate superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected. Histopathologic changes were observed after H.E and Masson staining. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin(a-SMA) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The data were analyzed by SPSS17.0 software.

RESULTSThe serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, and LN in the FVM prevention group were significantly reduced compared to the prevention model control group.(P less than 0.05). Rats in FVM treatment group appeared a marked lower serum levels of ALT, AST, HA compared to the model control group (P less than 0.05), and a distinguished lower Inflammation grade and fibrosis stage (P less than 0.05) when the liver section were assayed as well; Rats in FVM treatment group and FVM prevention group had a conspicuous lower content of MDA, 8-OHdG, fibre and a-SMA expression (P less than 0.05), a significantly higher level of SOD, GSH-Px compared to those of in the model control groups.

CONCLUSIONSFoeniculum Vulgare Mill declines liver inflammation response ,and prevent the hepatic fibrosis progression,, this may be due to its effects of antioxidative results.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Foeniculum ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of QuDu ZengNing Capsule on AIDS.

METHODSQuDu ZengNing Capsule is a capsule containing extract from 4 Chinese medicinal herbs. Totally 1,000 AIDS patients were treated, among them 60 patients were clinically observed weekly. Blood routine tests, liver, heart and kidney function, X-ray, CD4, CD8 cells were examined before and after treatment at 1, 3, 6 month. The patients were treated with 4 capsules t.i.d for 6 months.

RESULTSThe symptoms were improved in most of the patients, the CD4 cells increased from 115.0 to 295.2/ul and the viral load (RNA copies/ml) in most patients reduced markedly or maintained at the same level.

CONCLUSIONThese data indicated that QuDu ZengNing Capsule was effective for treatment of AIDS patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Viral Load

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Fractures, Compression ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery