BACKGROUND: Cassia seed acts on decreasing blood pressure and blood lipid, protecting liver and inhibiting bacteria. It is worth to carry on a further discussion on its effect of weight loss.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of cassia seed decoction drunk naturally on body mass of nutritional obese rats in physiological state.DESIGN: Completely randomized grouping was designed, in which, control experiment, analysis of variance and q test were applied in comparison among groups.SETTING: Cardiovascular Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Cardiovascular Instutute,Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology from March 2004 to September 2004, in which, 27 male SD rats were employed and randomized into 3 groups, named normal control group, model group and cassia seed group, 9 rats in each one.METHODS: [1] In normal control, the rats were bred with basic forage(the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrate were 18.2%, 4.5% and 55.2%successively, with 14.54 kJ caloric each gram) and drank water naturally.In model group, the rats were bred with high nutritive forage (the contents of protein, fat, carbohydrate were 23.7%, 21.6% and 39.0% successively,with 19.56 kJ caloric each gram) and drank water naturally. In cassia seed group, the rats were bred with high nutritive forage and drank cassia seed decoction of various concentration naturally. The concentration of cassia seed decoction started at 10 g/L (equally contained 10 mg raw cassia seed each milliliter) and was increased by 100% concentration each day (10 g/L)till to 60 g/L on the 6th day. Since the 7th day, the concentration of 60 g/L was maintained till to the 7th weekend. [2] It was to record appetite and drinking quantity at definite time every day and calculate absorbed caloric(intake mass × caloric contained each gram). It was to measure body mass at definite time each week. On the 7th weekend, the body length of rat was measured and Lee's index was calculated [ 3√body mass (g)×103/body length (cm)]MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Influences of cassia seed on body mass, Lee's index, appetite, caloric and drinking quantity in nutritional obese rats.RESULTS: Twenty-seven rats all entered result analysis. [1] Body mass:that in model group from the 3rd to 7th week in experiment group was higher remarkably than normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). That in cassia seed group from the 2nd to 7th week was lower remarkably than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). [2] Lee's index: that in model group and cassia seed group on the 7th week of experiment was higher remarkably than that in the normal control group [(358.60±8.55), (341.84±7.29), (322.00±6.89) g/cm, P ＜ 0.05-0.01] and that in cassia seed group was lower remarkably than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05). [3] Appetite: that in model group and cassia seed group was lower remarkably than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01) and that in cassia seed group was near to the control group (P ＞ 0.05). [4] Absorbed caloric: that in model group and cassia seed group was higher remarkably than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01) and that in cassia seed group was near to the control group (P ＞ 0.05). [5] Drinking quantity: that in cassia seed group was basically near to that in the model group and the control group (P ＞ 0.05) and that in model group was near to the control group. It was indicated that cassia seed decoction at mass concentration of 60 g/L did not affect appetite.CONCLUSION: Cassia seed decoction at mass concentration of 60 g/L inhibits remarkably the increased body mass of nutritional obese rats and is free from influence on appetite.

Objective To evaluate the curative effects and safty of contra-aperture dissection and skin bridge preservation in the treatment of low transphincteric perianal fistula.Methods Sixty subjects of low transphincteric perianal fistula were randomly divided into two groups.Thirty cases of treatment group were treated by contra-aperture dissection and skin bridge preservation,and 30 cases of control group were treated by anal fistulectomy.On the second,seventh and fourteenth day after operation,the postoperative pain,exudate and fever were recorded and scored.The curative time was observed.Anorectal dynamic changes were compared simultaneously to evaluate the curative effects and safety of contra-aperture dissection and skin bridge preservation.Results The scores of pain and exudate were significantly different between the treatment and the control group(P＜0.01).The wound-healing time was shorter in the treatment group than that in the control group((27.37±8.93) d vs.(32.73±9.45) d,P=0.000).There were significant differences in the anal resting pressure,anal maximal contraction pressure and active systolic pressure between the two groups (t =13.12,10.21,12.10;P＜0.01).There was no significant difference of total effect between the two groups(100％ and 93.3％;x2 =2.07,P＞0.05).Conclusion Contra-aperture dissection and skin bridge preservation can reduce postoperative pain,exudate and fever,shorten wound-healing time and protect anal functions in the treatment of low transphincteric perianal fistula.

Objective To explore what kind of role serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 18 ( IL-18) play in the relationship between type D personality and acute coronary syndrom (ACS)prognosis.Methods Serum levels of IL-6,IL-18 in all 214 ACS patients were measured with ELISA.According to the scores of type D personality scale(DS14) ,the subjects were divided into the group with type D personality (50 cases)and the one without type D personality ( 164 cases).The serum IL-6 and IL-18 level between the two groups were detected and analyzed.Results There were 23.36% ACS patients with type D personality.The serum IL-6, IL-18levels of the group with type D in ACS acute stage and ACS recovery stage were (2.340 ± 0.081 )OD, (2.016 ±0.023 ) OD and ( 1.460 ± 0.070 ) OD, ( 1.313 ± 0.012 ) OD respectively, significantly higher than those of the group without type D (2.178 ± 0.180)OD, ( 1.849 ± 0.159)OD and ( 1.387 ± 0.091 )OD, ( 1.196 ± 0.132 ) OD respectively(P＜0.01).Conclusion At home and abroad ,there are similar amount of ACS patients with type D personality.The high serum IL-6 and IL-18 levels may play an important role in pathogenesis of relationship between type D personality and ACS poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus can be used to treat many diseases of cardiovesculer and neurosystem by calming and protecting endothelium and neuron.OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of drinking water extracts of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus on body mass, food intake, energy intakes, serum glucose, insulin, total antioxidative ability of high-fat-fed rats.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Institute of Physiology, Foundational Medical College of Lanzhou University.MATERIALS: The experiment which is Gansu Province Key Labor of Pre-clinical Research for Chinese Herbs & New Drugs was carried out at the Physiological Laboratory of Institute of Foundational Medical College of Lanzhou University from March 2003 to May 2003. Twenty-seven healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the following three groups (9 rats each group): namely, the normal control group, the high-fat-fed group and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group.METHODS: [1] The rats of control group were fed with referenced diets(Protein, fat and carbohydrate was made up fore18.2%, 4.5%, 55.2% respectively), while the rats of high-fat-fed and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group were fed with high-fat diets in which protein, fat and carbohydrate accounted for 23.7%, 21.6%, 39.0% respectively. [2]The rats in control and high-fat group could drink water freely every day while the rats in Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group drank freely one percent water extract of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus at the first day of the experiment, later the concentration of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus increased gradually to six percent at the sixth day, which lasted until the end of the experiment. [3]Food intake was monitored daily, and body mass weekly at set time, the energy intake was calculated on basis of food intake. We calculated the Lee's Index [(body mass)1/3 (g) × 103 / body length (cm)]. [4] At the end of the seventh week, all rats were fasted for twelve hours to collect blood for the measure of some serum items. The serum levels of glucose were determined with hexokinase. The levels of insulin was measured by Radioimmunology methods. Malondiadehyde was measured by thiobarbituricbased colorimetric assay. Total antioxidative ability and free fatty acid were evaluated by colorimetric assay. [5] The difference of quantity data among the tree groups were statistically analyzed by F analysis, while the difference between two groups was analyzed by LSD methods. The main indexes of the experiment were body mass, food intake, energy intake, serum glucose after fasting, insulin, free fatty acid, malondialdehyde and total antioxidative ability respectively.RESULTS: Twenty-seven rats date was analyzed and nine rats in every group. [1] Body mass: Compared with the high-fat-fed group, body mass in rats of the control group and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group were less from the end of the third week to the end of the experiment (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).As compared between the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group and the control group, there was no significant difference from the first week to the sixth week (P ＞ 0.05), while the body mass of the former group was bigger than that of the latter at the end of the seventh week (P ＜ 0.01). [2] Lee's Index of the rats in high-fat-fed group was significantly higher than those of the rats in the control and Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group (P ＜ 0.01).[3] Food intake: From the first week, compared with the control group, the food intake of rats in Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group was less (P ＜ 0.01)and lower than that in high-fat-fed group at the end of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh week, too (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). [4] Energy intake: As the food was high-fat, the Energy intake of rats in the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group was higher than that of the control group at the end of the first, second and forth week (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), while less than that of the high-fat-fed group at the end of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh week (P ＜ 0.01). [5] The serum glucose: There was no statistical significance among the three groups. [6]The level of serum insulin and malondiadehyde of the rats in high-fat-fed group were higher than that of the control group and the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus (P ＜ 0.01). [7] The level of free fatly acid of rats in high-fat-fed group was higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05), while there wasno statistical difference compared with the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group. [8] The level of total antioxidative of the rats in high-fat group was lower than that of the Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: [1] Drinking water extracts of Ramulus Uncariae et Uncus could inhibit the weight gain and food intake, [2] reduce level of free radical and insulin of serum, which could be caused by the dec lining of free fatty acid. [3] In the same time, increase the total antioxidative ability of the obese rats caused by high-fat diets.

ificantly lower than in both middle and low group(P＜0.05).Conclusion TP may improve the antioxidant ability of experimental aging mice.

BACKGROUND: Ephedra, a Chinese medicine, is often used to treat obesity with relatively satisfying results recently. However, the effects of Ephedra on the perimenopausal and postmenopausal obese women remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of oral Ephedra decoction on body mass and the levels of blood lipids, blood glucose and hormone in ovarietomized obese rats.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Institute of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in the Key Laboratory of Pre-clinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province and the Laboratory of Institute of Physiology and Psychology, School of Basic Medical Sciences,Lanzhou University from February 2006 to June 2006. Forty-four healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups with 11 rats in each group, namely sham-operated group, ovariectomized group, estrogen replacement therapy group and Ephedra group.METHODS: ① After having been narcotized by cloraminone (110 mg/kg),rats were underwent a bilateral ovariectomy except those in the sham-operated group, which were also operated, but their ovaries were not cut off. ②Rats in the sham-operated group and ovariectomized group were subcutaneously injected with sesame oil (0.2 mL/each rat) every day postoperatively till the end of the experiment. ③ The rats in the estrogen replacement therapy group were given estradiol (1 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection every day postoperatively till the end of the experiment. ④ The rats in the Ephedra group freely drank 1% water extracts from Ephedra postoperatively, later the concentration of Ephedra gradually increased to 8% on the sixth day, which lasted until the end of the experiment. ⑤ The food intake was monitored daily, and body mass was measured every ten days. ⑥ At the end of the experiment, all the rats were fasted for 12 hours and collected blood samples for the measurement of serum indexes. The body mass and body length were measured to calculate the Lee's index [(g)×103/body length (cm)] at the same time.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Body mass and Lee's index at different time points in each group. ② Food intake at different time points in each group. ③ Levels of blood lipids and blood glucose in each group. ④Levels of estrogen, progesterone and insulin in each group.RESULTS: Forty-four rats all entered the analysis of results. ① Result of body mass and Lee's index at different time points: The body masses on the 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th days in the ovariectomized group were (256.4±14.3),(271.3±16.1), (276.4±12.7), (285.7±24.2) g, which were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group [(226.5±11.5), (241.8±12.6),(243.1±13.5), (251.1±22.4) g, P ＜ 0.05-0.01], and the Lee's index in the ovariectomized group was greater than that in the sham-operated group(317.2±13.5, 280.4±11.2, P ＜ 0.01). The body masses on the 40th and 50th days in the estrogen replacement therapy group were (243.7±14.8) and(246.2±11.9) g, which were significantly lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), and the Lee's index (289.9±13.5) was lower than that in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.01). The body masses on the 40th and 50th days in the Ephedra group were (245.4 ±14.1) and(252.4±14.9) g, and the Lee's index was 294.4±11.0, which were all lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Result of Food in take at different time points: The food intakes on the 30th, 40th and 50th days in the Ephedra group were (17.8±2.4), (22.3±3.9), (26.1±3.5) g per day,which were decreased as compared with those in the ovariectomized group[(25.9±4.7), (28.5±5.3), (32.8±5.5) g per day, P ＜ 0.05]. ③ Levels of blood lipids and blood glucose: The levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the ovariectomized group were (1.73±0.32), (1.45±0.50), (0.78±0.19) mmol/L, which were higher than those in the sham-operated group [(0.94±0.29), (1.05±0.30), (0.08±0.11) mmol/L, P ＜ 0.01]. After the estrogen replacement therapy, the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and blood glucose were (1.10±0.34),(1.14±0.30), (0.17±0.05), (5.88±1.21) mmol/L, which were lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), but the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was higher than that in the ovariectomized group [(1.11±0.31), (0.88±0.21) mmol/L, P ＜ 0.05]. The levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C in the Ephedra group were (0.97±0.16), (1.11±0.20), (0.59±0.07) and (0.45±0.061) mmol/L, which were lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ④ The serum levels of estrogen, progesterone and insulin in each group: The serum levels of estrogen and progesterone in the ovariectomized group were lower than those in the sham-operated group [(17.09±9.00), (28.51 ±7.99) μg/L;(58.69±12.11), (62.73±10.93) μg/L, P ＜ 0.01], the serum level of insulin was higher than that in the sham-operated group [(31.74±6.69),(23.75±6.66) mU/L, P ＜ 0.01]. The serum levels of estrogen in the estro gen replacement therapy and Ephedra group were (36.03±8.83) and (30.18±8.61) ng/L, which were higher than those in the ovariectomized group(P ＜ 0.05-0.01), the level of insulin were (21.34±4.57), (24.86±6.20) mU/L,which were lower than those in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).The serum level of progesterone in the Ephedra group [(17.68±6.19) μg/L]was lower than that in the ovariectomized group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Ephedra can promote loss of body mass, reduce levels of the blood lipids and insulin, and increase the serum levels of hormones in ovariectomized obese rats.

Objective To investigate the regulation of fluctuation of beat to beat cardiac cycle.Methods A cardio-electric cycle consists of cardio-electric activity called P-T interval and cardio-electric resting TP segment,P-R interval and Q-T interval constitute P-T interval.The cardiac cycles fluctuate along with the time span fluctuation of sub waves and segments.This paper firstly extracted sub waves and segments based on signal processing methods,then discussed the contribution ratio of all waves and segments toward cardiac cycle fluctuation according to statistics.Results Experimental results indicated that the cardiac cycle fluctuation was mainly consistent with the change of TP segment.The P-T interval varied consistently with P-R interval foremost.Conclusion It is revealed that rule of cardiac cycle fluctuation is very useful for further research to figure out the cardiac function and mechanism.

Objective To determine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs231775 and rs3087243 of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene are associated with susceptibility to Graves' disease (GD) in Chinese Han population.Methods Patients were enrolled from outpatient department and wards.Blood samples from each subject were collected to extract DNA,and the genotypes were determined by TagMan-MGB probe.Results The frequencies of allele G (OR =1.244,95％ CI 1.124-1.377,P＜0.01) and genotype GG (55.3 ％ vs 49.1％,OR =1.279,95 ％ CI 1.126-1.454,P＜0.01) of rs231775 in GD group were higher than those in control group.The frequencies of allele G (OR =1.303,95％ CI 1.166-1.457,P＜0.01) and genotype GG (76.8％ vs 71.8％,OR=1.302,95％ CI 1.143-1.484,P＜0.01) of rs3087243 in GD group were also higher.Conclusion GG genotypes in rs231775 and rs3087243 of CTLA-4 gene are related to the high risk of GD.

Objective To quantitatively analysis the aortic valve leaf anatomical characteristics in aortic regurgitation(AR) patients by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE),and screening the parameters which significantly affect AR to further reveal the mechanism of AR.Methods 32 patients with AR were enrolled as AR group and 20 cases of non-AR people were involved as control group.RT-3D-TEE was using to collect images in two groups and offline analysis was performed.4 sets of parameters of the aortic valves(left coronary valve,right coronary valve,and non-coronary valve):leaflet edge length(LL,RL,NL),leaflet height (LH,RH,N H),leaflet length/height ratio (LRa,RRa,NRa),leaflet tip plane distance(LTH,RTH,NTH) were acquired.Parameters of two groups were compared,and the parameters were incorporated into the logistic regression model,then the ROC curves were obtained.Results ①Compared with the control group,LL,RL,NL,RH,LRa,NRa,RRa in AR group increased (P ＜ 0.05),while the rest parameters had no statistical differences (P ＞0.05).②Multivariable logistic regression model gradually screening of the significant factors influencing the reflux,and as a result RL and RTH had significant influence on AR,P values were 0.001,0.011.③The ROC curve analysis showed that the area of RL or RTH curve were both greater than 0.5,which were 0.811 and 0.605 respectively.Conclusions The free edge length and free edge length/height ratio have changed unbalanced.Furthermore,right coronary valve parameters changed significantly,and this might be one of the possible mechanism of AR.

Background The evaluation of visual function after laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) mainly focuses on the study of contrast sensitivity funetion (CSF).However,CSF measurement is a subjective method and therefore has a limiting in application.A point spread function (PSF) is becoming a study topic because of its objectivity in assessing visual quality.Objective Present study was to evaluate the change of the modulation transfer function (MTF) of eyes and compare the optical and visual quality of human eyes after LASIK.Methods Thirty-six patients(72 eyes) were included in this study.The patients were divided into low myopia(-2.72±0.52 D),moderate myopia (-4.89+0.80 D) and high myopia (-8.00+0.98 D) groups according to the spherical equivalent (SE)diopter before the sugery.The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA),best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were examined before and after operation,and PSF data was obtained with Topoeon PSF-1000 analyzer under the 3.0 mm and 6.0 mm pupil size conditions.The follow-up visits of the patients were scheduled at the 7th days,1 st and 3rd months.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before this study. ResuIts The MTF values among the three refractive groups were significantly different between 3 mm and 6 mm pupil preoperatively (P＜0.05).Under the condition of 3 mm pupil size,the MTF values in the spatial frequencies of 2.98 cpd and 14.88 cpd were significantly declined in different time points after operation in comparison with preoperative ones (P＜0.05).However,the MTF changes had no statistical significance in the spatial frequencies from 18.85-37.70 cpd among various time points(P＞0.05).Under the condition of the 6 mm pupil size,MTF values in low and moderate myopia groups were reduced after operation in comparison with before operation at the spatial frequencies from 2.98-7.44 cpd(P＜0.05),however,there were no obvious difference was found in the spatial frequencies of 9.42-37.70 cpd(P＞0.05).The MTF values of high myopia group was decreased significantly at all spatial frequencies(P＜0.05).The MTF values improved gradually as the prolong of time after operation but was still lower at the 3rd postoperative month than that of preoperation. Conclusion The postoperative visual quality is associated with refractive power and pupil diameter.PSF is a feasible method in assessing the early visual quality after LASIK.