for the determination of aconitine, mesaconitine and hypaconitine in root tuber of sevral species of Aconitum plants and related proprietary medicines. With the use of the optimized instrumental conditions and the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) technique, good linearity was obtained for the alkaloids in concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 40 mg/L. The method was applied to the analysis of 14 samples of various species of Aconitum plants and 10 different proprietary medicine samples

Objective To investigate the role of soluble cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (sCTLA-4) in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) in Fujian province.Methods A total of 80 patients with MG and 80 sex-and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study .MG patients were divided into non-glucocorticoid treatment group and glucocorticoid treatment group , and the latter was further divided into immunosuppressive therapy group and thymusectomy group .Concentrations of sCTLA-4 in ser-ums from above mentioned groups were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The concentrations of sCTLA-4 in both non-glucocorticoid treatment group and glucocorticoid treatment group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (6.03 ng/ml±3.58 ng/ml, 3.44 ng/ml± 2.36 ng/ml vs.0.49 ng/ml±0.95 ng/ml) (χ2=100.67, P<0.001), but sCTLA-4 concentrations in glu-cocorticoid treatment group were lower than those in non-glucocorticoid treatment group (Z=-3.37,P=0.001).With the treatment of glucocorticoid, the sCTLA-4 concentrations were reduced (6.03 ng/ml± 3.58 ng/ml vs.4.56 ng/ml±2.08 ng/ml;t=3.10, P=0.005), and the concentrations of sCTLA-4 were also decreased after thymusectomy therapy (3.86 ng/ml±2.53 ng/ml vs.2.59 ng/ml±2.37 ng/ml; Z=-2.21, P=0.04).However, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of sCTLA-4 before and after immunosuppressive drugs treatment (Z=-1.26,P=0.21).Conclusion The concentration of sCTLA-4 was increased in patients with MG , but with the treatment of glucocorticoid or thymusectomy it could be reduced .

Objective: To establish a method for indentification of the podophyllum emodi species, Radix Clematis and Radix Gentiana species. Methods: HPLC/UV fingerprint analysis method of toxic ingredient podophyllotoxin and its derivatives were developed, and the method had been evaluated. Results: The methodological evaluation showed that this method had a good repeatability and reproducibility, and different samples had different HPLC fingerprints. Conclusion: This method can be used to differentiate podophyllum emodi from two commonly used medicinal herbs of a different genus but having similar appearance, Radix Clematis and Radix Gentiana.

Objective: To investigate the influence of histamine content in nasal mucosa on blood flow. Methods: Sixty guinea pigs were randomly devided into control group and allergized group and guinea pigs were sacrificed before nasal challenge with allergen and immediately after nasal challenge, at 24, 48, 72 h. The content of histamine in nasal mucosa was examined. Nasal mucosa blood flow was examined in all guinea pigs before sacrifice. The data were analyzed using linear correlation and linear regression. Results: As compared with normal guinea pigs, the content of histamine and blood flow in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis guinea pigs were significantly increased before challengd with allergen( P

Objective:Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) plays important roles in the maintenance and survival of motor neurons. This study attempted to explore the expression and distribution of CNTF mRNA and its protein in the ambiguous nucleus(Amb) motoneuron in order to clarify its functional state after long term laryngeal denervation. Methods: The recurrent laryngeal nerves were obtained from dogs. Brain stems were removed and sectioned for histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of CNTF. Amb motoneurons were identified by Nissl staining. The count and intensity of positive reactive motoneurons were measured by computer image processing system. Results: Transection of the laryngeal nerve led to a very marked reduction in the count and intensity of CNTF mRNA positive reactive motoneurons, and reached minimal levels at week 3. CNTF immunoreactivity increased rapidly and reached maximal levels also at week 3. At week 4, a significant increase in CNTF mRNA expression and decrease in CNTF immunoreactivity were observed. At week 6, both CNTF mRNA and its protein expression were significantly less than those of unlesioned contraletaral sides. Although a difference between week 6 and 12 was observed, the motoneurons were generally stable in the expression level of CNTF mRNA and its protein, and in the size and count after 12 weeks, with 78%, 84.4%, 80.9% and 83.7% respectively as compared with the unlesioned contralateral Amb. Conclusion: The results indicate that although degenerating changes occurre in the Amb motoneurons after long term laryngeal denervation, the ciliary neurotrophic factors activity of the lesioned motoneurons is still maintained at a certain level. [

Objective： To study the application of DSA in the diagnosis and treatment of ENT diseases. Methods： The diagnostic and therapeutic roles of DSA in ENT patients admitted from November 1995 to December 1999 were retrospectively studied. Results： Therapeutic vascular embolization using DSA was performed in 9/10 patients with severe epistaxis. The treatment was successful in 8/9 patients with a successful rate of 88.89%; embolization of tumor supplying vessels using DSA as a preoperative measure for reducing operative blood loss in 3 patients with nasopharyngeal fibrohemangioma obtained a total success; diagnosis was clarified in 2 patients using DSA. No patients were with severe complications. Conclusion： DSA is not only a safe and effective measure for diagnosis and therapy, but also effective in differential diagnosis of space occupying lesions. Preoperative selective embolization of tumor supplying arteries can reduce operative blood loss.

Objective:To explore the expression and distribution of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in laryngeal nerve degeneration and regeneration. Methods:Transection of the recurrent laryngeal nerves in 8 dogs and suture following transection in 12 cases were performed. Both proximal and distal ends of transected or sutured region were sectioned at various survival times for CNTF immunohistochemistry and CNTF mRNA in situ hybridization. The area and intensity of reactive product were measured by computer image processing system. Results:After nerve transection, reactive product of CNTF mRNA and its protein reduced rapidly in distal stumps, after neurorrhaphy, they were observed in thin Schwann cell processes ensheathing axons and not found in the proliferating Schwann cells which didn′t ensheathe axons. CNTF immunoreactivity was also detected in the regenerated nerve axons. CNTF expression increased with survival time, but even at the longest survival time, it was still significantly less than that in intact nerve. The same change was observed in a short segment proximal to the transected or sutured region. Conclusion:CNTF expression is in the down regulation and is collected with Schwann cell axon in peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration. The changed distribution of CNFT might provide a supportive environment for axonal regeneration.

Objective To study and analyze the long-term video electroencephalography (VEEG) and clinical characteristics of children with Rolandic discharge.Methods Twenty-seven children with Rolandic discharge,admitted to our hospital from October 2009 to June 2013,were chosen in our study; theit clinical characteristics,VEEG results,imaging results,treatments and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results In these 27 patients,19 had benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECT),low-dose antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine could obtain good efficacy in 15 patients and the other 4 did not give drug because of few seizures,and generally the prognosis was good; 2 had variants of BECT (therapy of antiepileptic drugs and corticosteroids had efficacy); 3 had symptomatic epilepsy (one was infantile autism,the other was encephalitis sequela,the last one was focal cortical dysplasia; therapy of antiepileptic drugs was combined,the result of the first one was good,the second one was not good,and the third was cured by surgery); and one had benign childhood occipital epilepsy and two had Tourette's syndrome.The VEEG of all 27 children showed numerous or single spikes on one side or both sides in Rolandic areas during wake-up and sleep; a few of them presented electrical status epilepticus during slow wave sleep.Conclusions Rolandic discharges in children are mostly seen in BECT,and secondly in symptomatic epilepsy and the variants of BECT,and sometimes in childhood occipital epilepsy and non-epilepsy children.VEEG monitoring can help the diagnosis and estimate the prognosis and instruct the therapy.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic bipolar radio-frequency ablation in the treatment of isolated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.Methods From September 2010 to December 2016,Seventy-two consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic bipolar radio-frequency ablation at Fuwai Hospital.There were 50 males and 22 females with an average age of(56.5 ± 10.5) years and duration of atrial fibrillation with (6.5 ± 4.8) years.45 patients had previous catheter ablation.The patients were followed up at postoperative 3 months,6 months,1 year and annually.Success of ablation was defined as sinus rhythm and no duration of ≥30 s for rapid atrial arrhythmias,including atrial fibrillation,atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia in 24 h Holter examination.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for atrial fibrillation recurrence.Results One patient converted to sternotomy due to bleeding on operation.All patients were successfully discharged.69 patients completed follow-up,with an average follow-up of(28 ± 18)months(3-60 months).The overall success rate was 73.9％,and the success rate without antiarrhythmic drug was 62.3％.Subgroup analysis showed that the success rate was 80％ when left atrial anterior and posterior diameter(LAD) ≤40 mm,and 57.9％ when LAD ＞ 40 mm (P =0.035).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAD ＞40 mm was an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence of atrial fibrillation.Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic bipolar radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,especially in patients with LAD≤40 mm.

Objective To evaluate the influence of diabetes on coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA). Methods From December 2015 to August 2017, 182 patients (153 males, 29 females, age of 56.5±6.8 years) underwent CABG using BIMA. The propensity score was used to create matched diabetes (n=66) and non-diabetes (n=66) cohorts. The operative data, post-operative outcomes and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the diabetes group (53 males, 13 females, age of 57.8±7.2 years) and the non-diabetes group (56 males, 10 females, age of 56.3±6.0 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Results There was no peri-operative mortality. There was no difference in operative sternal wound complication (P=0.466), or graft patency (P=0.730 for internal mammary arteries and 0.684 for saphenous vein grafts) between the matched diabetes and the non-diabetes groups. However, patients with elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (n=54) had more sternal wound complications (P=0.006). The level of Hb1Ac of the patients with sternal wound complication was significantly higher than that of the patients without sternal wound complication. Conclusion BIMA grafting may be performed routinely even in diabetic patients, without increased complications. However, elevated HbA1c level should be avoided to reduce sternal wound complication.