This paper aimed to investigate the botanical origins of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium, and clarify the confusion of its classification. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA, the chloroplast matK gene of 22 samples from some major production areas were amplified and sequenced. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner. Phylogenetic study was performed using MEGA 4.0 software in accordance with the Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) model, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining methods. The results showed that the length of ITS2 sequence of the botanical origins of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium was 191 bp. The sequence showed that some samples had several SNP sites, and some samples had heterozygosis sites. In the NJ tree, based on ITS2 sequence, the studied samples were separated into two groups, and one of them was gathered with Isatis tinctoria L. The studied samples also were divided into two groups obviously based on the chloroplast matK gene. In conclusion, our results support that the botanical origins of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium are Isatis indigotica Fortune, and Isatis indigotica and Isatis tinctoria are two distinct species. This study doesn't support the opinion about the combination of these two species in Flora of China.
Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Genes, Plant ; genetics ; Isatis ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneal locking plates in treating Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2010 and October 2012, 38 calcaneal fractures with Sanders type II or III were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneal locking plate. According to the Sanders classification, 15 fractures were classified as type II, 23 fractures as type III. The patients were divided into two groups (group A and B) according to the different fixed methods. Sustentaculum tali was fixed with one screw in group A, including 13 males and 5 females, with a mean age of (38.56±8.03) years old (ranged, 25 to 55). And sustentaculum tali was not fixed in group B, including 16 males and 4 females, with a mean age of (42.35±8.29) years old (ranged, 29 to 53). Clinical effects were evaluated according to the changes of Böhler's angle and the Maryland Foot Score and VAS score.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 20 months with a mean of 14 months. Böhler's angles and subtalar joints obtained satisfactory reconstruction in all patients. One year after operation, the mean Maryland Foot Score was 88.61±7.59 in group A; and was 82.40±9.24 in group B; Maryland Foot Score of group A was higher and foot functional rehabilitation was better than group B. The mean VAS score was 13.39±11.47 in group A; and was 22.50±13.10 in group B; VAS score of group A was lower and foot pain was less than group B.

CONCLUSIONSustentaculum tall screw fixation has advantages of strong fixed strength, high stability, less postoperative pain, rapid functional recovery in treating Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function

Myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) is a kind of self-localized, benign and tumor-like lesions often seen in adults, with approximately 75% of cases caused by trauma. We reported a case of non-traumatic MOC occurred at the elbow joint in a 9-year old child and it has been excised by surgery. After 18 months follow-up, a favorable outcome has been achieved with the Broberg-Morrey score of 100. We suggest that surgical resection should be done as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.
Arthralgia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Biopsy, Needle ; Child ; Elbow Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Myositis Ossificans ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Postoperative Care ; methods ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of stromal interaction molecule 2 (STIM2) and transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3) in extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR)-induced extracellular Ca2+ influx and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODS(1) The interaction of STIM2 and TRPC3 was determined using the immunofluorescence technique. (2) The expressions of STIM2 and TRPC3 genes were silenced in HUVEC by transfection constructed STIM2 and TRPC3 RNA interference plasmids. The interference efficiency of STIM2, TRPC3 protein and mRNA levels were determined by Western blot and real time RT-PCR, respectively. (3) The second to fifth passage of HUVEC were divided into: STIM2-002 short hairpin RNA (STIM2-002 shRNA ) + spermine + Ca2+ group and TRPC3-004 short hairpin RNA (TRPC3-004 shRNA ) + spermine + Ca2+ group; control group (spermine + Ca2+ group) and vehicle+ spermine + Ca2+ group. The four groups of cells were incubated with CaR agonist spermine, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was detected using the fluorescence Ca2+ indicator Fura-2/AM, and the production of NO was determined by DAF-FM (NO fluorescent probe) of each group in HUVEC.

RESULTS(1) Immunofluorescence technique results showed that STIM2 and TRPC3 proteinswere present in the cytoplasm of HUVEC. (2) The results of transfection constructed STIM2 and TRPC3 RNA interference plasmids demonstrated that shRNA targeted to the STIM2 and TRPC3 genes decreased STIM2 and TRPC3 mRNA levels by 88.2% and 74.0%, respectively (P < 0.05), simultaneously, the STIM2 and TRPC3 protein levels were decreased by 79.9% and 71.8%, respectively (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with spermine + Ca2+ group, the [Ca2+]i and the net NO fluorescence intensity of spermine + Ca(2+) + ShSTIM2-002 group, spermine + Ca(2+) + ShTRPC3-004 group and spermine + Ca2+ Vehicle group were not changed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTIM2 and TRPC3 do not participate in CaR-mediated Ca2+ influx and NO production individually.

Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Stromal Interaction Molecule 2 ; TRPC Cation Channels ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the differences of therapeutic effects on common cold of wind-cold type at early stage treated by different cupping duration.

METHODSSixty cases of common cold of wind-cold type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group by fifty-fifty. Flash cupping was applied at Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), Xinshu (BL 15) and Geshu (BL 16), etc., and the cupping was retained for 25-30 min in the observation group and 15 min in the control group. The therapeutic effects were compared after twice treatments.

RESULTSThe total effect rate was 93.3% (28/30) in observation group, superior to that 66.7% (20/30) in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of common cold of wind-cold type at early stage treated with cupping for 25-30 min is obvious, superior to that for 15 min.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Common Cold ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of combined multifunctional external fixator for treatment of tibiofibular fracture.

METHODSFrom Oct 1999 to Apr 2006, 37 patients of tibiofibular fractures were treated with combined multifunctional external fixator. There were 28 males and 9 females with an average of 47.8 years (range,from 22 to 76 years). There were 7 cases with transverse fracture, 18 comminuted fracture, 8 spiral fracture and 4 oblique fracture;closed fracture was in 29 cases and open fracture was in 8.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up 6 to 13 months (mean,9 months)and achieved union of the fractures.

CONCLUSIONCombined multifunctional external fixator for tibiofibular fracture has many advantages such as minimal invasion, convenient operation, reliable fixation and high union ratio of fracture. Moreover,the treatment has no influence on motion of knee and ankle joint, even patient can walk with external fixator without long-term bed rest.

Adult ; Aged ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

PURPOSETo investigate the potential correlation between two different types of hip fractures and serum calcium levels.

METHODSWe consecutively studied 101 cases of femoral neck fracture and 95 cases of femoral inter- trochanteric fracture between January 2011 and December 2013. Fasting blood samples were taken and serum calcium measurements were performed respectively in three periods: the time of admission, postoperation, and discharge. Creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and albumin were also analyzed.

RESULTSConsidering the levels of serum calcium between two groups at the time of admission, post- operation and discharge, there was significant difference at admission and discharge (p <0.05), while there was no significant difference at the time of postoperation (p > 0.05). The magnitude of serum calcium fluctuation was larger in femoral neck group than femoral intertrochanteric group. Concerning alkaline phosphatase and albumin levels at admission, there was no significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe capability of reservation and restoration of serum calcium in patients with femoral neck fracture is better than that in patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture. A low serum calcium level may be susceptible to femoral intertrochanteric fracture.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo deeply explore the effects of microcystins (MC-LR) on Bax and Bcl-2 during the course of MC-LR promoting liver tumor.

METHODSapplied to set up the animal model, and the effect of MC-LR promoting liver tumor was evaluated by the Albertgamma-GT methods. And then, the immunohistochemical technique, RT-PCR and image analysis were used to study the expression of the Bcl-2 and Bax during the course of promoting tumor.

RESULTS(1) MC-LR might enhance the positive reaction rate of GGT. The positive reaction rate of GGT in DEN + pure toxin group was 100%, it was significantly higher than the DEN control group 22.22% (P < 0.05). (2) The intension and areas of the protein expression of Bcl-2 in DEN + pure toxin group were 0.0977 and 0.0315, and in DEN control group were 0.0460 and 0.0205, respectively. The expression level of Bcl-2 protein in DEN + pure toxin group were significantly higher than in DEN control group (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, the protein expression of Bax was significantly decreased by MC-LR (P < 0.05). The intension and areas of the expression of Bax in DEN + pure toxin group were 0.0283 and 0.0073, and in DEN control group were 0.0655 and 0.0244 respectively. (3) The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased by MC-LR. The intension of Bcl-2 mRNA expression in DEN + pure toxin group was 2.244, being significantly higher than in the other groups (P < 0.05). However, the mRNA expression of Bax showed no significant difference between DEN + pure toxin and the other groups.

CONCLUSIONThe expression change of Bcl-2 and Bax should possibly play an important role in the course of MC-LR promoting liver tumor.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Microcystins ; toxicity ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; bcl-Associated Death Protein ; biosynthesis

The change in plasma ghrelin level after 4-and 12-week adjunctive therapy of rosiglitazones in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled by sulphonylurea alone was observed and the relation between ghrelin and insulin resistance was analysed.The results showed that rosiglitazones significantly increased circulating ghrelin level and obviously decreased insulin resistance index after therapy for 4 and 12 weeks in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an adjuvant diagnostic index for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary tract and monitoring the state of disease.

METHODSUrinary samples were collected from 262 patients with transitional cell carcinoma, 198 non-transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract and 65 patients with benign diseases. Urinary NMP22 concentration was determined through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe urinary NMP22 concentration had significant difference among the three groups (Kruskal Wallis, chi(2) = 197.17 P < 0.001). The detection sensitivity and specificity of urinary NMP22 to transitional cell carcinoma were 71.37% and 87.69% respectively. The NMP22 concentration showed significant difference among three groups divided according to the pathological grade (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 34.06 P < 0.01). The NMP22 concentration was significant lower in the recovery patients after the operation than the peoples of pre-operation and recurrence (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 37.53, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMP22 is a helpful tumor marker for the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma and monitoring the state of illness with increased efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; urine ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; urine ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; urine