Diffusion weighted imaging of entire body is a new promising technique which is feasible to evaluate multi-focal disease. Whole-Body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) has revealed great potential in the evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative information of the whole body. The technique should be used combined with the other standard sequences such as STIR images. A complete scanning sequence and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) can be performed in less than 40 min. The feasibility, limitations and the clinical effect of WB-DWI are reviewed.

Objective To assess the value of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI)in the diagnosis of different cerebral diseases complicated with cerebral microbleeds (CVBs)and cerebral vascular malformations (CVMs).Methods The MRI data of 76 cases with CMBs and 25 cases with CVMs were retrospectively analyzed and the data were translated as follows:(1 )To compare the counts and detecting sensitivity of CMBs on routine MRI sequences (T1 WI,T2 WI,T2 FLAIR,DWI)with SWI.(2)To assess the difference of SWI,MIP and Phase in detecting the size,counts,intensity and edge features of CMBs.(3)To assess the advantages of SWI in the diagnosis of different CVMs.Results (1)In all 1 524 CMBs detected on SWI,294,87,361,391 CMBs were detected on T1 WI,T2 WI,T2 FLAIR and DWI respectively.The sensitivities were 19.3%,5.7%,23.7% and 5.7% on T1 WI,T2 WI,T2 FLAIR and DWI respectively.It was of statistical significance (P <0.05)in the counts and detecting sensitivity on different MRI sequences.(2) 1 524 and 1 539 CMBs were detected on SWI and MIP respectively.CMBs showed oval,dotted hypointensity or hypointensity domi-nated mixed intensity lesions which were ≤10 mm in size on SWI and MIP.1 521 CMBs were detected on Phase,which appeared as hyperintensity or hyperintensity dominated mixed intensity lesions.MIP and SWI were similar in detecting the size,counts and edge features of CMBs.And Phase was inferior compared with MIP and SWI .(3)12 cases of cerebral venous malformation were detec-ted,which all appeared as the classic Medusa head sign on SWI.6 cases of intracerebral capillary telangiectasia were detected , which were characterized as multiple small rounded even hypointense lesions ortarget signon SWI .2 cases of arteriovenous malformation (AVM)were detected on SWI,in which one case only showed multiple small vessels and gross drainage vein,and the other showed clear nidus and gross drainage veins into the sigmoid sinus.4 cases of cerebral cavernous angioma were detected.Mulberry sign, which was characterized as dotted mixed intensity lesion with hypointense ring,was noted in all the cases on SWI.One case of Sturge-Weber syndrome was detected,which showed gyriform low signal lesion on MIP imaging.And many broadened,tortuous veins in the cerebral hemispheres and near the tentorium were also noted.Conclusion SWI can be used as an important sequence for detecting CMBs.Different CVMs show their specific signs in SWI sequence.Combined with conventional MRI sequences an accurate diagnosis can be achieved most of the time.

Objective To evaluate the effects of ischemic postconditioning on brain injury induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in diabetic rats.Methods Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin 60 mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose level ＞ 16.7 mmol/L.Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-280 g,in which diabetes mellitus was successfully induced,were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:group sham operation (group S),group I/R and group ischemic postconditioning (group P).Myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery in I/R and P groups.Group P received 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion followed by 10 s ischemia at the end of myocardial ischemia.The rats were sacrificed at 120 min of reperfusion and the brains were removed for microscopic examination and for determination of cell apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-8,IL-10,glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) and phosphorylated GSK-3β (pGSK-3β) (by immuno-histochemistry).Apoptotic index was calculated.Results Compared with group S,apoptotic index was significantly increased,IL-6 and IL-8 expression was up-regulated,and IL-10 and pGSK-3β expression was downregulated in I/R and P groups (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with group I/R,apoptotic index was significantly decreased,IL-6 and IL-8 expression was down-regulated,and IL-10 and pGSK-3β expression was up-regulated in group P (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in GSK-3β expression among the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The pathologic changes were significantly attenuated in group P as compared with group I/R.Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning can attenuate brain injury induced by myocardial I/R in diabetic rats,and inhition of activity of GSK-3β may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To compare the roles of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signal pathway in acute lung injury (ALl) induced by blunt chest trauma and by blunt chest trauma-hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) in rats.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 240-280 g,were randomly assigned into 3 equal groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),blunt chest trauma group (T group),and blunt chest trauma and hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (group THSR).Lung contusion was induced in anesthetized rats by dropping a 300 g weight onto a precordial protective shield to direct the impact force away from the heart and toward the lungs.Blood was withdrawn via the femoral artery 5 min later until MAP was decreased to 35-45 mmHg within 15 min and maintained at this level for 60 min,followed by resuscitation.At 6 h after the model was established,the arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis and detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in serum.Oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated.The rats were then sacrificed and pulmonary specimens were obtained for determination of TLR4 expression and NF-κB ac tivity (by immunohistochemistry and Western blot) in lung tissues and for microscopic examination.Results Compared with group S,PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly decreased,PaCO2 and TNF-α concentrations in serum were increased,TLR4 expression was up-regulated,and NF-κB activity was enhanced in T and THSR groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group T,PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly decreased,PaCO2 and TNF-α concentrations in serum were increased,TLR4 expression was up-regulated,and NF-κcB activity was enhanced in THSR group (P ＜ 0.05).The histopathological damage to lung tissues was aggravated in THSR group as compared with T group.Conclusion The role of TLR-4/NF-κB signal pathway in ALI induced by blunt chest traumahemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) is significantly stronger than that in ALI induced by blunt chest trauma alone in rats.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion-induced acute lung injury (ALl) and protective effect of ischemic postconditioning.Methods Forty SD rats were allocated to sham group,myocardial ischemia/reperfusion group (reperfusion group),ischemic postconditioning group (postconditioning group),and ischemic postconditioning + phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) inhibiting group (inhibitor group) according to the random number table,with 10 rats per group.Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion.Postconditioning was performed within 1 minute before reperfusion consisting of 3 10 s cycles of reperfusion followed by 10 s occlusion.Lung was immediately removed 120 minutes after reperfusion for HE stain,immunohistochemical detection of inflammatory factors and apoptosis factors,TUNEL assay of cell apoptosis,and Western blot of protein kinase B (Akt),phospho-Akt (p-Akt),glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β),and phospho-GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β).Results Down-regulated B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and IL-10 and up-regulated Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3),IL-6 as well as IL-8 were observed in other 3 groups compared with sham group (P ＜0.01).Moreover,down-regulated Bax,Caspase-3,IL-6,IL-8 as well as TUNEL and up-regulated Bcl-2 as well as IL-10 were observed in reperfusion group compared to postconditioning group and tensor group (P ＜ 0.01).No statistical differences were found among the four groups in levels of Akt,p-Akt,and GSK-3β,but level of p-GSK-3β was significantly down-regulated in reperfusion group compared to other 3 groups(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Development of ALI may relate to down-regulation of p-GSK-3β evoked directly by the release of inflammation factors in early period of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion and ischemic postconditioning may attenuate the condition.

Aim To investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Epimedium sagittatum(TFE)and its metabolites on the proliferation and function expression of newborn rats calvarial osteoblasts(ROB).Methods TFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0.2,2,20,100 and 200 mg?L-1 respectively.The serum of rats administered TFES(SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2%,4%,8% and 16% respectively.Their effects on cell proliferation and function expression were studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.Results TFE had no effect on cell proliferation and function expression at any concentration.However,2% and 4% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation and,4% SRAT promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity,bone gla protein(BGP) secretion,calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.Conclusions The effective substance of herba epimedii treating on osteoporosis is not TFE itself but certain of metabolites derived from TFE and the products induced by these metabolites in serum.The metabolites in serum of TFE may enhance the cell function expression and proliferation.

To investigate the effect of calmodulin (CaM) signal system on the glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle cells from glimepiride (GM)-treated normal rats. The results showed that GM could activate CaM and CaM played a key role in GM inducing insulin-mediated glycogen synthesis.

We overviewed the policies and regulations of traditional Chinese medicine of main Asian countries and summarized current situation of policies and regulations of traditional Chinese medicine in Asian markets.After in-depth analysis,we found that the opportunities lied in high public awareness,some Asian countries establishing special traditional medicine management agencies,special Pharmacopoeia of traditional Chinese medicine in Japan and South Korea,and high degree of acupuncture legalization.At the same time,traditional Chinese medicine also faced with the challenges such as strict technical standard and TBT barriers.In the end of this paper,we came up with some development countermeasures when traditional Chinese medicine accessing Asian markets,such as improving technical standards,establishing an anti-technical barriers to trade service system,encouraging technological innovation,and strengthening domestic and international exchanges and cooperation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of tacrolimus (FK506) on macrophage accumulation,proliferation and activation in the kidney of early diabetic rats and to explore its possible mechanism of renal protection.Methods Rats were randomly divided into control,model and tacrolimus groups.Diabetic model rats were induced with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.Tacrolimus(0.5 or 1.0 mg·kg-1 ·d-1) was orally administered once a day for 4 weeks.Kidney weight index(KWI),24-h urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER) and creatinine clearance rate(Ccr) were measured.Kidney pathology was observed by light microscopy.ED-1,PCNAandiNOSpositivemacrophagesweredetectedbysingleanddoublestainingof immunohistochemistry.Results KWI increased in model group and was significantly reduced by tacrolimus treatment with 1.0 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 (P＜0.05).UAER elevated in model group and was markedly attenuated by tacrolimus treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 (P＜0.05).Elevated glomerular volume of model rats was significantly decreased by tacrolimus treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 (P＜0.05),and increased indices of tubulointerstitial injury were only ameliorated by 1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 tacrolimus(P＜0.01).Marked accumulation of ED-1+ cells in diabetic kidney was found,which was not inhibited by tacrolimus treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1.ED-1PCNA+ cells and ED-1+ iNOS+ cells were significantly elevated in kidneys of model group,while they were significantly inhibited by tacrohmus treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 (P＜0.01).Conclusion Tacrolimus can ameliorate early renal injury of diabetic rats and its mechanism may be partly associated with the suppression of increased macrophages activation.