There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; pathology ; Renal Dialysis ; Sarcoidosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Tuberculosis, Renal ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the durability of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene artificial heart valve (ePTFE AHV).

METHODSSix ePTFE AHVs were tested for 400 million times against accelerated fatigue using TH-2200 artificial heart valve exosomatic accelerated fatigue instrument. Hydromechanical parameters of fore-and-aft accelerated fatigue test of the 6 AHVs were obtained by TH-1200 artificial heart valve exosomatic pulsatile stream instrument.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe mean gradient pressure spanning the valve and the effective orific area of ePTFE AHVs did not undergo significant changes after fore-and-aft the fatigue test, but the regurgitation volume and regurgitation rate of ePTFE AHVs were reduced after the accelerated fatigue test, suggesting good durability of ePTFE AHV.

Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; standards ; Materials Testing ; methods ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; chemistry ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Slingshot-1L (SSH-1L) in peripheral blood eosinophils of asthmatic patients.

METHODSPeripheral vein blood sample of 30 ml was collected from 15 healthy volunteers, 15 asthmatic patients with glucocorticoid treatment and 15 asthmatic patients without the treatment. The eosinophils were isolated, purified and counted for each sample, and SSH-1L/beta-actin gene fragments were amplified simultaneously by RT-PCR for the total RNA. SSH-1L protein was detected by Western blotting from the total protein of the peripheral eosinophils. The expressions of SSH-1L at both mRNA and protein levels are compared between different groups.

RESULTSSSH-1L/beta-actin ratio significantly increased in untreated patients with asthma attacks in comparison with healthy volunteers (P<0.05), which did not occur in patients treated with glucocorticoids (P>0.05). The optical density of SSH-1L protein significantly increased in untreated asthmatic patients (P<0.05), but not in patients treated with glucocorticoids (P>0.05), as compared with the healthy volunteers.

CONCLUSIONSignificantly increased SSH-1L expression in peripheral eosinophils may play an important role in the activation and migration of eosinophils.

Actin Depolymerizing Factors ; metabolism ; Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Asthma ; blood ; Blotting, Western ; Eosinophils ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between HBV genotypes and the efficacy of antiviral therapies.

METHODSHBV genotypes of 90 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were determined by PCR sandwich hybridization-ELISA technique. Forty-one patients with CHB were treated with lamivudine (100 mg/day) for 48 weeks and 49 patients with CHB were given alpha-interferon (3 MU/QOD) therapy for 48 weeks. The serological, biochemical and virological symbols were measured before, during and after treatment for all the patients.

RESULTSOf the 90 patients, genotype B HBV was found in 16 and C in 74. There was no difference in the rate of response to lamivudine treatment between patients with genotype B or C HBV (33.3% vs. 20.0%) after 48 weeks treatment with lamivudine in the 41 patients. Of the 49 HBeAg positive CHB patients treated with alpha-interferon for 48 weeks, in HBV genotype B and C patients the rates of normalization of ALT were 60.0% and 20.5%; the rate of HBeAg turning to negativity was 50.0% and 17.9%; and the rate of HBV DNA undetectability was 50.0% and 17.9%. The rate of response to the interferon treatment was significantly higher in patients with HBV genotype B compared to those with genotype C.

CONCLUSIONSOur study shows that there is no influence on the lamivudine treatment effects for the HBV genotype B and C CHB patients, but the alpha-interferon treatment for HBV genotype B CHB patients is more effective than that for the genotype C ones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genome, Viral ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided modified anterior approach to sciatic nerve block ( SNB) for orthopedic surgery with general anesthesia. Methods Ninety American So-ciety of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱpatients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, weighing 19-28 kg∕m2 , scheduled for elective knee joint or distal orthopedic surgery, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: modified anterior approach ( the puncture needle was almost perpendicular to the ultrasound beam) group, anterior approach group and posterior approach group. SNB ( injecting 0. 5％ ropivacaine 20 ml) combined with femoral nerve block ( injecting 0. 5％ ropivacaine 15-20 ml) was performed under ultrasound guidance. Surgery was completed under combination of the laryngeal mask and combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia. When the respiratory rate ≥20 beats∕min and∕or the increase in heart rate was more than 20％ of the baseline value, sufentanil 1μg∕time was intravenously injected. When visual analog scale ( VAS) score ≥4 within 24 h after surgery, celecoxib capsules 0. 2 g was taken orally for analgesia. The depth of sciatic nerve, needling depth, sharpness score of needle ima-ging under ultrasound, and operation time and duration of SNB were recorded. VAS scores at rest and dur-ing activity were recorded at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h after surgery. The amount of sufentanil consumed dur-ing surgery and use of celecoxib capsules within 24 h after surgery were recorded. The development of ad-verse reactions such as hematoma at the puncture site, nausea and vomiting was also recorded after surgery. Results Compared with posterior approach group, the depth of sciatic nerve and needling depth were sig-nificantly increased, the operation time of SNB was prolonged, the duration of SNB was shortened, the in-traoperative consumption of sufentanil was increased, VAS scores at rest and during activity were increased at 10 h after surgery, and the sharpness score of needle imaging was increased in modified anterior approach and anterior approach groups (P<0. 05). Compared with anterior approach group, the sharpness score of needle imaging was significantly increased, and VAS scores during activity were decreased at 24 h after sur-gery in modified anterior approach group ( P<0. 05) . There was no significant difference in the requirement for celecoxib capsules within 24 h after surgery or occurrence of adverse reactions among the three groups ( P>0. 05) . Conclusion Although ultrasound-guided modified anterior approach to SNB provides compara-ble efficacy with anterior approach to SNB and is not as good as posterior approach to SNB when used for or-thopedic surgery with general anesthesia, modified anterior approach to SNB is easy to operate, with clear images under ultrasound.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer after radical operation.

METHODSClinical data of 140 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing radical operation in the Department of General Surgery of General Hospital of PLA from July 2005 to July 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. According to preoperative NLR, patients were divided into the low NLR group (NLR<5, n=105) and the high NLR group (NLR≥5, n=35). The overall 5-year survival rates of two groups were compared and the independent risk factors were examined by univariate analysis and Cox model.

RESULTSThe overall 5-year survival rates of the low and high NLR groups were 74.8% and 54.7% respectively with significant difference (P=0.03). Univariate analysis revealed depth of tumor, lymph nodes metastasis, TMN stage and NLR were associated with survival (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cox model showed that NLR was independent risk factor of prognosis (RR=1.068, 95%CI:1.009-1.129, P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONPreoperative NLR≥5 predicts poorer prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Male ; Neutrophils ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the prognostic factors of anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM).

METHODSMedical records and follow-up data of 34 patients with ARMM treated in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 1993 to November 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThere were 26 abdominoperineal resections(APR) and 8 wide local excisions (WLE). Twenty patients underwent postoperative adjuvant therapy, including chemotherapy in 14 cases, radiotherapy in 2 cases, traditional Chinese medicine therapy in 4 cases and immunotherapy in 16 cases. Postoperative follow-up was carried out in all the patients and the mean follow-up period was 27 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 76.3%, 39.6% and 20.6% respectively, while the 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 60.6%, 30.8% and 12.8% respectively. APR and postoperative immunotherapy could significantly reduce the local recurrence rate. According to the Kaplan-Meier method, gross type of tumor, mural involvement, lymph metastasis, and clinical staging had significant effects on overall survival, while lymph metastasis and postoperative immunotherapy on disease-free survival. Cox proportional hazards model indicated that the clinical staging and postoperative immunotherapy were significant predictive factors.

CONCLUSIONSEarly diagnosis and correct choice of surgical method are the keys to the treatment. Postoperative immunotherapy can prolong disease-free survival.

Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Melanoma ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of different salt iodine concentration on urinary iodine excrition among the target population and to determine the appropriate level of salt iodization to the local people.

METHODSIn the 31-day random control trial, 1099 subjects from 399 families were randomly distributed into four groups and were supplied with iodized-salt with different iodine concentration of (6 +/- 2)mg/kg, (15 +/- 2)mg/kg, (24 +/- 2)mg/kg and (34 +/- 2)mg/kg, respectively. The original family salt was retrieved, whose iodine content was determined in those subjects' families with single-blind method. Baseline survey was conducted including salt and urinary iodine of the subjects. From the 27th day after the intervention, the urinary samples of the subjects were continuously collected for 5 days and urinary iodine was tesed respectively. Meanwhile, daily meal investigation was conducted to evaluate the influences originated from food.

RESULTSThe median of local water iodine content was 3.05 microg/L and the average salt iodine concentration was (36.4 +/- 5.4)mg/kg while 98.8% of the household consumed sufficient iodized-salt. The medians of baseline urinary iodine of the subjects were 293.6 microg/L in city, and 508.8 microg/L in the countryside. The urinary iodine medians of four groups in the day of 28th after intervention were 97.2 microg/L, 198.6 microg/L, 249.4 microg/L, and 330.7 microg/L respectively in the city group, while they were 100.5 microg/L, 193.0 microg/L, 246.3 microg/L and 308.3 microg/L seperately in the countryside group. There was no statistically significant differences among the medians of urine iodine in the 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st day after intervention (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe target areas were with iodine deficiency which possessed high coverage of qualified iodized-salt at household level. The average urinary iodine level of the subjects was slightly higher than the standard level, according to the baseline survey. The intervetion trail showed that the salt iodine concentration of 15-24 mg/kg was sufficient to the local people.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Housing ; Humans ; Iodine ; deficiency ; pharmacology ; urine ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

Objective To understand the occurrence of healthcare-associated infection (HAI),distribution of pathogens,and drug resistance in a general hospital in 2014-2016,provide basis for prevention and control of HAI.Methods Clinical data of hospitalized patients from January 2014 to December 2016 were collected by prospective and retrospective investigation,distribution and drug resistance of pathogens causing HAI were statistically analyzed.Results From 2014 to 2016,4 750 patients had 5 352 cases of HAI,incidence and case incidence of HAI were 2.19％ and 2.46％ respectively.Incidences of HAI in three years were 2.47％,2.07％,and 2.05％ respectively,showing a decreased tendency,difference was statistically significant (x2 =36.217,P＜0.01).Incidences of HAI were high in intensive care unit,department of neurosurgery,as well as department of burn and plastic surgery,the common HAI sites were respiratory tract,urinary tract,and surgical sites.The main pathogens causing HAI were gram-negative bacteria (76.10％).Resistance rates of Escherichia coli to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were relatively higher (＞60％);resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to carbapenems were relatively higher;resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to carbapenems showed a increased tendency year by year (x2 =15.175,P =0.001);antimicrobial resistance rates of Acinetobacter baumannii were all＞50 ％.Methicillin-resistant Staphy lococcus aureus (SA) accounted for about 60％ of SA,methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus(CNS) accounted for more than 80％ of CNS,vancomycin-and linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus spp.were not found.Conclusion The common pathogens causing HAI in this hospital are higher.Scientific monitoring on HAI and regular analysis of clinical data are of great significance for guiding rational use of antimicrobial agents,controlling multidrug-resistant organisms,and reducing the occurrence of HAI.