Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy performed at different times on the cognitive dysfunction of rats with traumatic brain injury. Methods The traumatic brain injured models were established by use of lateral fluid percussion in rats. Ninety-six rats were equally randomized into 4 groups: control group (group A), traumatic brain injured model group (group B), traumatic brain injured model plus conventional therapy group (group C), traumatic brain injured model plus both conventional therapy and HBO therapy group (group D). And group D also divided into 4 subgroups (n=6): D-3 h group, D-12 h group, D-24 h group and D-72 h groups that HBO therapy was performed at 3, 12, 24 and 72 h of the traumatic brain injury, respectively. The changes of learning and memory abilities before or after the therapy in each group were tested by Morris water maze method. Results Group B had the longest latency of finding the underwater platform as compared with the other 3 groups, followed by group C, group D and group A; as to the 4 sub-groups, D-72 h group had the longest latency of finding the underwater platform as compared with the other 3 groups, followed by group D-24 h, group D-12 h and group D-3 h. Group A could cross the original platform in the spatial probe test most often among all the 4 groups, followed by group D, group C and group B; group A, group C and group D was significantly different in clossing the original platform in the spatial probe test as compared with group B (P<0.05); group D-3 h could cross the original platform in the spatial probe test most often among all the 4 sub-groups, followed by group D-12 h, group D-24 h and group D-72 h.Conclusion HBO treatment can effectively improve the cognitive dysfunction of rats with traumatic brain injury, especially those within 12 h of injury.

BACKGROUNDDonor and recipient risk factors on graft function have been well characterized. The contribution of demographic factors, such as age, gender, and other potential factors of donor and recipient at the time of transplantation on the function of a graft is much less well understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of factors such as age, gender, etc., on the short-term and long-term graft function in kidney transplant recipients from living donor.

METHODSA total of 335 living donors and their recipients, who had kidney transplantation in our center from May 2004 to December 2009, were included. Serum creatinine level was used as the assessment criterion (serum creatinine level lower than 115 mmol/L is normal). Factors related to graft function such as age, gender, blood relation by consanguinity, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, ABO type, etc., were analyzed separately.

RESULTSDonor age is the key factor affecting both the short-term and long-term function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. The group with donors younger than 48 years showed the best kidney function post transplantation. Match of gender and age is another important factor that influences the function of grafted kidney from a living donor. The older donor to younger recipient group had the worst outcome after kidney transplantation. After 36 months post transplantation, female donor to male recipient group had worse kidney function compared to other groups. We also found that calcinerin inhibitor used in the maintenance period may influence the function of a grafted kidney. No significant statistical differences were found in consanguinity, blood type, and mismatch of HLA.

CONCLUSIONSDonor age is an important factor affecting the function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. We also recommend taking nephron, immunology factor, infection, and demographic information all into consideration when assessing the outcome of kidney transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aging ; Child ; Female ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the reconstructive effect of the dissociate bone flap to repair the macrosis depressed skull fracture on the frontal and orbit part.

METHODSThe coronal scalp flap was elevated and dissociate bone flap was expanding to the 2cm width beside the edge of depressed skull fracture. The first step was to extract the dissociate bone flap and make there is an area for operating . Then extract free bone fragments, and elevate the depressed orbital lamina and use the biological glue to stick it to its position. The free fragments extracted were stacked into a whole one and it to its position in use of the biological glue on the dissociate bone flap. The uneven inner table should was smoother with bon-wax. The prosthetic dissociate bone flap was put back on its position and fixation.

RESULTSFrom January 2000 to December 2004, 17 cases of the macrosis depressed skull fracture on the frontal and orbit part undertaken plastic surgery by the dissociate bone flap to treat the macrosis depressed skull fracture and obtained excellent curative effect.

CONCLUSIONSUsing dissociate bone flap to treat the mocrosis depressed skull fracture on the frontal and orbit part can avoid the complication of the traditional operation, and make the method become a plastic surgical operation.

Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; Orbital Fractures ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skull Fracture, Depressed ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis between acupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) and oral administration of jingfukang granules.

METHODSThree hundred cases of cervical spondylosis were divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 150 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, according to the different types of cervical spondylosis, acupuncture was applied at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), once a day. In the medication group, jingfukang granules were prescribed for oral administration, one bag each time, three times a day. The treatment of ten days made one session in the two groups and two sessions were required totally. Before and after two sessions of treatment, the clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS) was adopted to evaluate the score of subjective symptoms, clinical physical signs and adaptability as well as the total score in the patients of the two groups and the efficacy was compared.

RESULTSThe patients' symptoms and physical signs were alleviated, the adaptability was improved and the score of each item and the total score were increased in the two groups after treatment (all P<0.01). The improvements in the acupuncture group were better than those in the medication group (all P<0.01). The curative and markedly effective rate was 90.7% (136/150) in the acupuncture group, better than 66.0% (99/150) in the medication group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) achieves the significant clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis. This therapy is superior to relieving symptoms and physical signs and recovering adaptability as compared with jingfukang granules.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of auricular therapy combined with optimized Yinxieling Formula on psoriasis vulgaris.

METHODSA randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial on 84 outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris was conducted. The patients were randomized to a treatment group (43 cases treated by auricular therapy combined with optimized Yinxieling Formula) and a control group (41 cases treated by optimized Yinxieling Formula alone) according to a random number generated by SPSS 17.0 software. The treatment duration for both groups was 8 weeks. The therapeutic effect was comprehensively measured by the primary outcome measure [Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reduction rate] and the secondary outcome measure [PASI, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)]. The outcomes of both groups were obtained and compared before and after the intervention.

RESULTSThe PASI reduction rate in the treatment group was 74.4% (32/43), which was higher than that in the control group (36.6%, 15/41, P<0.01). The PASI scores decreased in both groups after treatment and was lower in the treatment group compared with the control group P<0.01). With stratified analysis, there were significant differences between the PASI scores in the following subgroups: age 18-30, baseline PASI>10 and stable stage (P<0.05). DLQI decreased in both groups on some categories after treatment, but there were no significant differences between the two groups in SDS, SAS and VAS (P >0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were found in either group.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of auricular therapy combined with Optimized Yinxieling Formula was superior to Optimized Yinxieling Formula alone with no obvious adverse reaction.

Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Anxiety ; complications ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; complications ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Pain Measurement ; Psoriasis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life ; Severity of Illness Index ; Single-Blind Method

Objective: To study the difference of airway volume among the adolescent subjects with various vertical skeletal patterns. Methods: CBCT records of 88 adolescents with normal sagittal facial pattern were collected and divided into 3 groups according to their FH-MP angle. The subjects of the 3 groups were matched in age and sex. Airway volume and cross-sectional areas were compared among the 3 groups with Dolphin software. Correlation analyses of the airway dimensions with the maxillofacial variables was carried out. Results: There were statistical differences among the 3 groups in volumes of velopharynx,glossopharynx and oropharynx, minimal cross-section area of oropharynx and cross-section area on EP plane,and all the measurements decreased from low angle to normal angle to high angle groups(P ＜ 0. 05). Cross-section areas of HP plane and SP plane in low angle group were significantly larger than that of the normal angle and high angle groups(P ＜ 0. 05). The oropharyngeal airway dimensions showed negative correlation with FMA,and positive correlation with Co-Po,Ar-Gn (except cross-section area of HP). Conclusion: The pharyngeal airway volumes among different vertical skeletal patterns in adolescents are different.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Fuzhenghuayu decoction on fibrotic liver tissue and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver cirrhosis rat model system.

METHODSSixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal (non-model, non-drug intervention), CCl4 liver fibrosis model, and CCl4 liver fibrosis model Fuzhenghuayu drug intervention at low dose (0.75 g/kg/d) and high dose (1.5 g/kg/d). The drug intervention was administered via oral-gastric irrigation once daily for 6 times per week over a 6-week period. Four rats from each group were sacrificed at the end of week 2, 4, and 6 for serum and liver tissue collection. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by histology, and expression of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) was determined by immunohistochemistry. Liver function was assessed by measuring levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBil). Between-group comparisons were made by completely random design and ANOVA with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTSAt the end of weeks 2, 4 and 6, all four groups showed significantly different levels of ALT, AST, and TBil; in addition, the model group and drug intervention groups had significantly higher levels of ALT, AST, and TBil than the control group, the drug intervention groups showed significantly lower levels of ALT, AST, and TBil than the model group (P less than 0.01 or less than 0.05), and the differences between the low dose and high dose groups reached statistical significance (P less than 0.01 or less than 0.05). At the end of weeks 2, 4 and 6, the model group and drug intervention groups had significantly higher area ratio of liver fibrosis than the normal group (F = model: 18.68, low dose: 49.95, high dose: 82.44, P less than 0.01), but the two drug intervention groups had significantly less area ratio of liver fibrosis than the model group (P less than 0.05) and the high dose group showed the most robust decrease. In addition, the model group and drug intervention groups showed higher expression of a-SMA than the normal group (F = model: 18.68, low dose: 49.95, high dose: 82.44, P less than 0.01), but two drug intervention groups had significantly less a-SMA than the model group (F = model: 46.32, low dose: 40.30, high dose: 58.42, P less than 0.05) and the high dose group showed the most robust decrease.

CONCLUSIONThe Fuzhenghuayu decoction reduces the numbers of activated HSCs, thereby leading to down-regulated a-SMA expression and reduced degree of liver fibrosis; these effects may represent the mechanism by which this drug suppresses hepatic fibrosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC were used to separate and purify the compounds from the EtOAc extract of medium and MeOH extract of cell cultures of Morus alba. Eight compounds were isolated. Based on physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data, their structures were identified as isobavachalcone (1), genistein (2), norartocarpetin (3), albanin A (4), guangsangon E (5), mulberrofuran F (6), chalcomoracin (7), kuwanon J (8). Compounds 3-6 were isolated from the cell cultures of M. alba for the first time.
Benzofurans ; isolation & purification ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Chalcones ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Gel ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dextrans ; Genistein ; isolation & purification ; Morus ; chemistry ; cytology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; cytology ; Silica Gel ; Terpenes ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of lymph node metastasis in the contralateral mediastinum and scalene in patients with potentially operable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSCervical mediastinoscopy was performed for 89 patients with clinical stage I-III A non-small cell lung cancer prior to thoracotomy. Of these, 12 underwent cervical medistinoscopy combined with right scalene lymph node biopsy and 10 with anterior para-mediastinal small incision.

RESULTSA total of 9 patients were found have N3 disease on mediastinosopy, with cancer-cell-positive lymph nodes in the contralateral mediastinum in 6 and 3 in the right scalene. Statistical analysis revealed that the incidence of N3 disease in adenocarcinoma group was higher than that in patients with nonadenocarcinoma (P < 0.05), which was also higher in the patients with serum CEA >5 ng/ml than that in the patients with CEA <5 ng/ml (P < 0.05), and it was higher in the patients with ipsilateral mediastinal multi-station lymph node metastasis than that in the patients with uni-station lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBiopsy of contralateral mediastinal lymph nodes or scalene lymph node should be performed in order to exclude N3 disease for potentially operable NSCLC patients with adenocarcinoma, serum CEA >5 ng/ml or ipsilateral multi-station mediastinal lymph node metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinoscopy ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Neck Muscles ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonectomy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of Bufei Yishen Granule BFYSG) combined with Shufei Tie acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSA multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted in this trial. A total of 244 patients were randomly assigned to a trial group and a control group according to the random number, each with 122 patients; treatment allocation occurred when the participants met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent form. In the trial group, patients were treated with BFYSG combined with "Shufei Tie" acupoint sticking therapy and sustained-release theophylline dummy, and in the control group patients were treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and BFYSG dummy combined with "Shufei Tie" acupoint sticking therapy dummy. The therapeutic course for two groups was 4 months and the follow-up was 6 months. The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation calculated by adding up each frequency and duration of acute exacerbation in treatment and follow-up time respectively, the quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF scale and adult COPD quality of life (COPD-QOL) scale were observed.

RESULTSAmong the 244 enrolled patients, 234 were screened for full analysis set (FAS); 221 were screened for per-protocol analysis set (PPS). After 4-month treatment and 6-month follow-up there were differences between the trial group and the control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.013; PPS: P=0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.005; PPS: P=0.006); scores of physiological, psychological and environment aspects of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (FAS: P=0.002, P=0.006, P=0.000; PPS: P=0.00, P=0.001, P=0.000); scores of daily living ability, social activity, depression symptoms aspects of the COPD-QOL questionnaire (FAS: P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.006; PPS: P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONBFYSG combined with acupoint sticking therapy could improve the quality of life of patients with stable COPD.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Anxiety ; complications ; psychology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; complications ; psychology ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome