Objective To observe and evaluate clinical feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic metal stenting and combined radiotherapy in treatment of medium and late stages of esophageal carcinoma. Methods 34 cases of medium and late stages of esophageal carcin oma were treated with endoscopic stent implantation and in combination with sten t and radiotherapy. Evaluation of CES stainless metal stent on rad iation effect, clinical symptom alleviation and complication rates and survival rates in both groups was made. Results 1) CES stainless stent had no effect on radiation dosage distribution; 2) Dysphagia was markedly alleviated in both groups and no differe nce in complication rates was observed between two groups; 3) The survival rates of 6,9,12 months in patients treated with combined therapies were significantly higher than those in simple stent implantation patients. Conclusions Endoscopic metal stenting in combination with radiothe rapy was a feasible and practical management in treating medium and late stages of esophageal carcinoma, which was superior to simple metal stent implantation.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Neurocirculatory Asthenia ; therapy

Objective To explore the molecular and cell signal transduction mechanism of Astragalus mongholicus polysaccharides (ASP) on macrophage. Methods After stimulating RAW264.7, the change in value of NF-κB was determined by Western blot. The induction of NO and secretion of TNF-α by ASP in macrophage was observed with or without inhibitor of NF-κB using Griess method. Moreover, protein levels of TNF-α secreted by macrophage were investigated with ELISA in respond to ASP. Results 4 h after stimulation by 100 μg/ml ASP, the concentration of NF-κB in nucleus increased significantly, peaked at 6 h. 16 h after stimulation by 100 μg/ml ASP, the activity of iNOS[(23.54±2.41) U/mg protein; P<0.01], producton of NO [(18.9±1.5)μmol/L, P<0.01] and level of TNF-α[(81.2±16.7)pg/ml, P<0.0l] in macrophage were improved markedly. Blocking NF-κB with inhibitor results in decreased levels of NO and TNF-α. Conclusion The results suggest that NF-κB play an important role in induction of NO and TNF-α by ASP in macrophage.

Objective To explore the microsurgical experience of supra- and infra-tentorial meningioma of the posterior petrous bone.Methods Clinical data of 21 patients who had undergone microsurgical treatment were retrospectively reviewed.Results All patients underwent surgical treatment via a suboccipital retrosigmoid approach,and hyperostosis of the petrous bone and infiltrated cerebellar tentorium were resected intraoperatively.Tumor resection was categorized as Grade Ⅰ in 16 patients,Grade Ⅱ in 5 patients,according to the Simpson classification system.The main postoperative complications included slight facial paresis and hearing function deterioration.The mean follow-up time was 3.2 years.All patients resumed normal daily activity and no tumor recurrence happened.Conclusions Total resection for supra- and infra-tentorial meningioma of the posterior petrous bone can be achieved with an excellent prognosis by use of microsurgical technique.

Objective To construct a database for the genetic polymorphism of 19 STR loci in Han population from Hainan province. To investigate the application of 19 STR loci in the paternity testing. Methods The genotypes of 462 unrelated individuals in Hainan were detected with GoldeneyeTM 20A PCR Amplification Kit. 19-STR database was acquired, analyzed and evaluated in 283 paternity testing cases. Results No deviations of allele frequency from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations were found for Chi-square test (P>0.05). Observed heterozygosity (Hobs) varied between 0.603 and 0.914, total discrimination power (TDP) of 19 STR loci was more than 0.999999999999999, cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) for triplet cases was 0.999999994. In all 283 paternity testing cases, triplets and duos were 170 and 113 respectively; there were 36 (12.7%) excluded cases comparing to 247 confirmed cases (87.3%). 14 mutation events were observed, and all were one-step mutation. Conclusion 14 out of 19 loci showed highly polymorphic in Han population from Hainan, and 19 STR system has high cumulative probability of exclusion and can meet the needs of paternity test of the local region. But mutation should be paid special attention to.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between hand and face-mouth, so as to provide nerve reflex basis for the theory "Hegu (LI 4) regulates face and mouth".

METHODSSeven hundred and sixty-three participants who met the inclusive criteria were divided into different age groups. The skin around participants' thenar eminence was gently scraped to be observed whether there was an involuntary movement around the face or mouth, which was palmomental reflex. The results of palmomental reflex were recorded.

RESULTSThe total occurrence rate of palmomental reflex was 46.26%. For those who were 0 to 1 years old, the palmomental reflex was all positive; for those who were 21 to 36 years old, the positive rate was 20.45%, which was the lowest; for those who were 65 to 85 years old, more than half of them were positive. The majority of those who were 0 to 2 years old were bilateral positive palmomental reflex, while the majority of those who were 65 to 85 years old were unilateral positive palmomental reflex.

CONCLUSIONThere is a certain connection between hand and face-mouth. The occurrence rate of palmomental reflex changes from high to low over age increasing, and then changes from low to high with the aging, presenting a "high-low-high" U-shaped curve, which is possible related to the growth and recession of nervous system.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Face ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hand ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; physiopathology ; Reflex ; Young Adult

Isolated alkaloids from Coptis chinensis Franch. The compounds were identified as berberine, columbamine, groenlandicine, jatrorrhizine, magnoflorine, corydaldine and ferulic acid methylester. Then measured their bitter degree based on the electronic tongue and evaluated the antibacterial. The results based on the Electronic Tongue showed that berberine, columbamine, groenlandicine and jatrorrhizine have higher bitter degree than magnoflorine and corydaldine. And they also appeared better antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. The correlation coefficients between bitter degree and the two bacteria antibacterial activity were 0.983 and 0.911. So there was close relationship between the bitter degree and antibacterial activity of bitter components. Thus, it is confirmed further that bitter components are the material foundation of medicinal effectiveness of bitter herbs.
Aporphines ; analysis ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Biomedical Research ; instrumentation ; methods ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Electronics ; instrumentation ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Reproducibility of Results ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Taste

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male

To study the effects of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma on low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA expression and antihyperlipedemic levels. The LDLR mRNA expression were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum were measured at the first and last examination. The results show that, after the drug treatment, compared with the model group, each drug group showed a lipid-lowering effect. Especially, coptisine, palmatine, jatrorrhinze were significantly reduced TC, TG, LDL-c (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and increased HDL-c (P < 0.01). In addition, they also increased mRNA expression of the LDLR in liver and HepG2 cells. The results showed that alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma can regulate lipid metabolism disorder, and coptisine have the best lipid-lowering effect.
Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cricetinae ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Mesocricetus ; Receptors, Lipoprotein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; metabolism