OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Yanghe Decoction on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cartilage cells of osteoarthritis rabbits. METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, untreated group and Yanghe Decoction-treated group. The rabbit model of osteoarthritis was established according to Hulth's method. The rabbits were sacrificed at the 8th week after administration of Yanghe Decoction for 14 days, and then rabbit tibia articular cartilage was removed. Sections of the cartilage were stained with Safranin O for histological examination. The cartilage histological characteristics were observed according to the method of Mankin. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the expression of VEGF. Articular cartilages were observed with microscopy and image analysis method was used to measure the expression intensity of VEGF. RESULTS: There were significant differences in Mankin score between normal group and untreated group (P<0.01), and between untreated group and Yanghe Decoction-treated group (P<0.01). Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the expression intensity of VEGF in untreated group was significantly increased as compared with that in normal group (P<0.01), and also obviously higher than Yanghe Decotion-treated group. CONCLUSION: VEGF plays an important role during early stage of OA. Yanghe Decoction can protect the articular cartilage through suppressing the VEGF expression in chondrocytes and then suppress angiogenesis.

Situs inversus is a rare condition of anatomical alteration, and the patient with gallbladder disease treated by laparospic cholecystectomy is rather scarce. In this condition, the operation needs to be adjusted. In this article, we reviewed the relevant literatures about the operation in the patients with this uncommon malformation and analyzed the modification of the operation.

Objective To explore a simple and convenient method for the treatment of penis skin defect.Methods Since Jan.1995,the scrotal skin flaps have been used to repair the defects of the penis skin in 8 patients with penis skin infection.6 of these cases lost their whole penis skin,and 2 of them lost 2/3 of their penis skin.The granulation tissues in the defective area of penis skin were cut away,and then the normal aponeurosis of corpus cavernosum or spongiosum exposed.The scrotal skin flaps were designed and shaped.The flaps were transferred to cover the defects,and the incisions were closed.Results All the flaps in 8 cases survived completely.The follow-up period was 3 to 12 months after operation.All cases obtained satisfactory results to the contour and function of the penises.Conclusion This procedure is a much better method for repairing skin defects in the penis.It can be easily operated and completed in one-stage.The postoperative results are satisfactory.

OBJECTIVE To study the classification the ?-lactamases produced by Providencia spp.METHODS To detect the ?-lactamases produced by 19 strains of Providencia spp with nitrocefin test,a multi-disk test(synergy test,antagonized test for the inducible AmpC ?-lactamases(IABLs),AmpC ?-lactamases(ABLs) phenotype test and extended-spectrum ?-lactamases(ESBLs) screening test,carbapenem-hydrolyzing ?-lactamases(CHBLs).RESULTS The nitrocefin tests of all of 19 strains were positive,producing the ?-lactamases(100.0%);eight strains produced broad-spectrum ?-lactamases(BSBLs,42.1%) and ESBLs(42.1%),respectively,one strain produced overexpression of AmpC,3 strains produced CHBLs.CONCLUSIONS The rate of ?-lactamases produced by the 19 strains of Providencia spp is very high,there are three kinds of ?-lactamases,mainly BSBLs and ESBLs.

OBJECTIVE To study the classification of the ?-lactamases produced by Citrobacter freundii.METHODS To detect the ?-lactamases produced by 33 strains of C.freundii with nitrocefin test,a multi-disk test(synergy test and antagonized test) for the inducible AmpC ?-lactamases(IABLs),AmpC ?-lactamases(ABLs) phenotype test,extended-spectrum ?-lactamases(ESBLs) screening test,and carbapenem-hydrolyzing ?-lactamases(CHBLs).RESULTS In the 33 strains,29 strains produced the ?-lactamases(87.9%);the nitrocefin tests of 27 from the 29 strains were positive(81.8%);two strains produced penicillinases,3 strains produced cephalosporinases,5 strains produced broad-spectrum ?-lactamases(BSBLs),11 strains produced ESBLs alone,and 6 strains produced ESBLs+ high-productive ABLs,the rate of ESBLs produced by the 33 strains of C.freundii was 51.5%,and 2 strains produced CHBLs(all produced ESBLs+ metallo-?-lactamase).CONCLUSIONS The rate of ?-lactamases,rate of ESBLs and co-produced rate is very high.There are six kinds of ?-lactamases produced by the 33 strains of C.freundii,mainly BSBLs and ESBLs.

In China, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are often treated with traditional Chinese herbal medicine. There are certain advantages of traditional Chinese medicine therapy in treatment of RA.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacies of electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation training versus electroacupuncture alone in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and evaluate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation training. Method Seventy-two patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 36 cases and a control group of 36 cases. The control group received electroacupuncture at Huatuo jiaji(Ex-B2) points. In addition to electroacupuncture, the treatment group received lumbodorsal muscle stretch training according to the outcome (forward flexion and backward extension) obtained using the Turgunmed testing and evaluating system. Isokinetic muscle strength and the activity were measured and the ODI lumbago score and the VAS pain score were recorded before and after treatment. Result There were statistically significant differences in isokinetic muscle strength and the VAS pain score (P<0.01,P<0.05) but no in the activity and the ODI lumbago score (P>0.05) between the treatment and control groups. Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation training is more effective than electroacupuncture alone in improving isokinetic muscle strength and the VAS pain score in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Colorectal cancer is one of common gastrointestinal malignant diseases,with a rising incidence in our country.Human gut is colonized by intestinal flora which impacts host nutrient and energy metabolism,immune function.And there is an emerging concept that intestinal flora also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.In this paper,the role of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and possible mechanisms were reviewed.

AIM: To construct a human recombinant immunoglobulin library containing D-Dimer by using phage surface display technology. METHODS: Human immunoglobulin heavy chain and light chain genes were amplified respectively by RT-PCR from different human lymphocytes using family specific primers and signal sequences of immunoglobulin as half-nested PCR primers. The heavy chain and light chain PCR products were cloned into phagemid vector pComb3H and the human immunoglobulin recombination library was generated with helper phage VCSM13. RESULTS: A human combinatorial antibody library consisting of 2.8?10~8 in dependent clones was generated with a titer of 4.1?10~(17)PFU/L. The recombinant frequency of Fab genes was 46%. CONCLUSION: A human combinatorial antibody library was generated. It will be beneficial for selecting Fab antibodies of D dimer from the library.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effect of androgen deficiency on serum hormone levels, visceral fat accumulation and inflammatory gene expression in miniature pigs fed a high-fat diet ( HFD) . Methods Sexually mature male Chinese Wuzhishan miniature pigs were divided into three groups ( animals/group) as follows:intact male pigs ( SHAM) , castrated male pigs ( CAS) and castrated male pigs plus testosterone treatment ( CAS+T) . The pigs were fed a HFD diet for 12 weeks. Serum levels of testosterone and leptin were measured and visceral fat were dissected and weighted. qRT?PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of lipogenic, lipolysis and inflammation relat?ed genes. Results (1) Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased but serum leptin levels were significantly in?creased in the castrated pigs. These effects were recovered after testosterone treatment. ( 2 ) Visceral fat percentage was significantly increased in the castrated pigs, and testosterone treatment reduced the increased visceral fat in the castrated pigs. (3) Castration and testosterone treatment had no significant effects on the expression levels of lipogenic genes (FAS and ACC) and lipolysis genes (HSL and ATGL) in pigs fed a HFD. (5) Castration significantly induced the expressions of inflammatory genes including Leptin, CD68, CCL16, CCL23 and SAA, and testosterone treatment recovered the expres?sions of the above genes in the castrated pigs. Conclusions Castration?induced testosterone deficiency promotes visceral fat accumulation and upregulates the expression levels of inflammatory genes in miniature pigs fed a HFD. Moreover, tes?tosterone treatment ameliorates castration?induced visceral fat accumulation and inflammatory response in HFD?fed pigs.