Child ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; Myocarditis ; diagnosis ; virology

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of Jiawu Mufangji Decoction (JMD) in treating rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) and its mechanism.

METHODSAA model rats induced by Freund's complete adjuvant were treated with JMD by gastrogavage starting from 18 days after modeling. On the 39th day, body weight, spleen and thymus index, and swelling degree of paw of the AA rats were measured, pathological changes of the ankle joint tissue were observed using HE staining, and serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSJMD could relieve the symptoms of AA rats, decrease the paw swelling, improve the weight and spleen and thymus index, reduce the dropsy of joints and lymphocytes infiltration, inhibit the proliferation of synovium, and obviously lower the serum levels of interleukin-1beta and TNF-alpha.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of JMD might be related to its action in down-regulating the serum levels of IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Background:Accurate evaluation of the plain radiography of lower limb is critical for preoperative planning of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aimed to investigate the effect of femoral lateral bowing and rotation on the radiographic measurements of distal femoral condyle resection thickness (DRT) and the distal femoral resection valgus angle (FVA). Methods: We analyzed 246 three?dimensional femoral models generated from computed tomography images of 123 patients, acquiring projected contours in seven positions – 20° and 10° internal rotation; 0° rotation; 10°, 20°, 30°, and 40° external rotation – for each model. Medial and lateral condyle DRTs, femoral shaft lateral bowing angle (FBA), and distal FVA were determined for each position. Linear mixed effect model was used to determine the effect of degree of femur rotation on repeated measurements of DRT or FVA. Results: FBA significantly affected the FVA and DRT (Pearson's R = 0.767 and ?0.408, respectively; P < 0.000). Samples were divided into three groups according to the FBA measured in neutral position: FBA <0°: DRT 3.75 ± 1.30 mm, FVA 4.53° ± 1.27°; FBA >0° but <3°: DRT 3.39 ± 1.31 mm, FVA 5.92° ± 1.31°; FBA >3°: DRT 2.22 ± 1.31 mm, FVA 7.37° ± 1.31°. From simulated 20° internal rotation to 40° external rotation in each femoral model, the average variation ranges of radiographically measured DRT, FVA, and FBA were 0.50 ± 0.28 mm, 2.93° ± 0.96°, and 10.33° ± 1.90°, respectively, with no significant differences among the FBA groups. The degree of femoral rotation significantly affected the FVA (F = 62.148, P < 0.000), whereas there was no effect on condyle resection thickness (F = 0.4705, P = 0.494). Conclusions: Axial femoral rotation has less effect on radiographic measurements of differences in the DRT than on those of the distal FVA.

OBJECTIVETo construct lymphangiogenesis model of Balb/c mouse in vitro to observe the impact of mouse ascites hepatoma cell H22 on the lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic endothelial proliferation.

METHODSIntraperitoneal benign lymphangioma induced by incomplete Freund's adjuvant in Balb/c mouse was harvested and embedded in fibrin gel to culture in vitro with conditioned medium (CM) of H22 cell. The gels, observed by inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope, were then digested to separate the cells. The expression of Flt-4, c-fos and iNOS in the cell and the content of NO in medium were studied by immunohistochemical and histochemical method.

RESULTSLymphatic capillary generating from lymphangioma specimen in the gels was observed by inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope. H22 CM was observed to enhance growth of the vessels, induce expressions of Flt-4, c-fos and iNOS in the separated cells and increase content of NO in the medium.

CONCLUSIONThe model is convenient for in vitro study of lymphangiogenesis. H22 cell can accelerate lymphangiogenesis, which warrants further study for the understanding of the role of lymphangiogenesis in metastasis.

Animals ; Ascites ; physiopathology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; physiopathology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To investigate the value of the Wells score and D-dimer assay in assisting pulmonary perfusion imaging (PPI) for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Methods One hundred twenty-one patients with suspected APE were studied from January, 2006 to December, 2008. All patients underwent the Wells score, the quantitative D-dimer assay, chest X-ray photography, and PPI. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PPI with the assistance of Wells score and D-dimer assay were calculated. Results Fifty (41.3%) patients were diagnosed with APE. PPI combined with chest X-ray photography (Q/X scan) showed positive results in 49 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Q/X scan were 86.0% (43/50), 91.5% (65/71), 87.8% (43/49) and 90.3% (65/72), respectively. With assistance of Wells score >4 and D-dimer≥0. 5 mg/L, Q/X scan had a positive predictive value of 100.0% (29/29), for patients with Wells score ≤4 and D-dimer<0.5 mg/L, the negative predictive value for Q/X scan was 100.0% (41/41). Conclusion Combined with Wells score and D-dimer assay, PPI can make accurate diagnosis of APE.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 3-(4-~(18)F-fluorobenzyl)-8,9-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochromeno [3,4-c]pyridin-5-one ( is F-FDTP) as a potential dopamine D4 receptor PET imaging agent.Methods ~(18)F-FDTP solution in ethanol-physiological saline was incubated with calf serum to test its in vitro stability through the determination of radiochemical purity.Normal rats were injected intravenously with ~(18)F-FDTP and then sacrificed at 2,5,10,15,30,60 and 120 min after anesthesia.Blood,organs and brain tissue samples were collected.All samples were weighed and measured for radioactivity.The uptake of samples was expressed as percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue ( % ID/g).Results The stability of ~(18)F-FDTP was satisfactory and its radiochemical purity was above 95% after incubation 120 min at 37℃ in calf serum.The biodistribution showed that ~(18)F-FDTP could penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal certex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was reportedly located.The radioactivities in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum,pons were (0.42±0.03),(0.46±0.05),(0.54±0.04),(0.39±0.04),(0.45±0.06),(0.35±0.04) %ID/g,respectively,2 min post injection.And there was difference between the normal biodistribution results and the blocking experimental results:(0.36 ±0.05),( 0.33±0.05 ),(0.55±0.05 ),(0.30±0.07 ),(0.34±0.07 ) and (0.32±0.04) % ID/g in hippocampus,hypothalamus,striatum,frontal cortex,cerebellum and pons,respectively.Conclusions ~(18)F-FDTP can penetrate through the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in striatum,hypothalamus,frontal cortex,hippocampus,cerebellum,where the D_4 receptor was known to concentrate.These preliminary results suggest that ~(18)F-FDTP is a potential dopamine D_4 receptor imaging agent and further studies are needed.

OBJECTIVETo study on growth characteristics of Curcuma wenyujin, and provide theoretical basis for the development of high-quality and high-yield medical material.

METHODThe morphological change of the plant was observed periodically, the content of volatile oil and dry matter in leaves, rhizome, root tuber was determine.

RESULTThe growth of C. wenyujin could be divided into 5 stages, i. e. seed germination, seedling, leaf growth, rhizome expansion, accumulation of dry matter, respectively. Before the stage of rhizome expansion, over 70% dry matter was accumulated in the aerial part of the plant, and during the stage of leaf growth, the maximum increase rate of dry matter in aerial part was 3.90 g/p/d. During the stage of rhizome expansion, the ratio of dry matter of rhizome increased quickly and reached above 33% , and the increase rate of dry matter of rhizome rise up to 3.83 g/p/d, in the end of the stage, the content of volatile oil in the rhizome also rose up to 1.20 mL x 100 g(-1).

CONCLUSIONDuring the whole growth stage, there are two growth centers, when the two curves of dry matter increase of aerial part and rhizome intersect, it is regarded as a signal that the growth transformed form the aerial part to rhizome. When the rate of dry matter from rhizome rise, the content of volatile oil in rhizome rises quickly with the increase of dry matter in rhizome. The optimal harvest time is in mid-December.

Curcuma ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Germination ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seasons ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seeds ; growth & development

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of 18F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging in evaluating haemodynamic change,treatment outcome and prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).MethodsAll 24 patients with IPAH underwent 18 F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging.Right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV)-FDG uptake was calculated by ROI method drawing over the central areas of left and right ventricular free walls.All patients underwent right heart catheterization within 3 days after imaging studies.Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were recorded.After six month pharmaceutical treatment,15 IPAH patients were re-examined with 18F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging followed by repeated right heart catheterization within 3 days.Plasma N-terminal pro-brain naturetic peptide (NT-proBNP) and endothelin-1 ( ET-1 ) were measured in 17 patients using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay respectively.All patients were followed up for 12 months at least.Correlations between RV/LV-FDG uptake and mPAP and PVR were determined by simple linear regression analysis.Change of RV/LV-FDG before and after treatment was calculated using Student's t-test.Survival in groups with RV/LV FDG uptake ≥ 1.15 and RV/LV-FDG uptake ＜ 1.15 were compared using Log-rank test.ResultsSignificant correlations were found between RV/LV-FDG uptake and mPAP (r =0.562,P ＜ 0.01 ),and between RV/LV-FDG uptake and PVR ( r =0.574,P ＜ 0.01 ).There were no significant correlation between RV/LV-FDG uptake and NT-proBNP( r =0.18 1,P ＞ 0.05 ),but a significant correlation between RV/LV-FDG and ET-1 was observed (r =0.669,P ＜ 0.01 ).The RV/LV-FDG uptake in patients with positive treatment outcome ( n =6) decreased from 1.38 ± 0.52 to 0.92 ±0.26 (t =4.018,P ＜ 0.05) after 6 months treatment.In contrast,no significant change of RV/LV-FDG uptake was seen in those patients (n =9) with negative treatment outcome ( t =1.861,P ＞ 0.05 ).The mean follow-up time was (21 ±8) months.Mean survival time for the patients with RV/LV- FDG uptake ≥ 1.15was 28 months (95％ confidence interval:24-32 months),which was significantly lower than 34 months survival (95％ confidence interval:33-35 months) for the patients with RV/LV-FDG ＜ 1.15 (x2 =3.956,P ＜0.05 ).Conclusions Detection of right ventricle myocardial glucose metabolism level with 18F-FDG SPECT may be a practical method for evaluating haemodynamic change,treatment outcome and prognosis of IPAH.

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid and simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method which discriminates extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) genes in sporadic Shigella isolates from 1998 to 2007 in Hangzhou city, China.

METHODSAfter ESBLs screening according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method, CTX-M, TEM, SHV and OXA-1 encoding genes were detected by using a multiplex PCR method, and the results were verified by 8 single gene PCR amplification.

RESULTSSeventeen isolates harbored ESBLs genes among 195 Shigella isolates (8.72%). Genes encoding CTX-M (17 strains), TEM (2 strains), OXA-1 (10 strains) and SHV (0 strains) were discriminated with multiplex PCR analysis, which coincided with eight single gene PCR analysis at 94.12%.

CONCLUSIONMultiplex PCR should be a suitable tool for initial rapid screening and discriminating ESBLs genes in Shigella isolates. With similar trend of national surveillance data, the proportion of sporadic Shigella isolates harbouring ESBLs genes might probably be on increase.

DNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Shigella ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; beta-Lactamases ; genetics

In an attempt to apply high-speed counter-current chromatography HSCCC for TCM fingerprints, the separation and purification of the Chinese medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge of different localities was realized using the technique. The equipments used include a HSCCC (TBE-300) of Shenzhen Tauto Biotech containing three connected preparative coils (diameter of tube = 2.6mm, total volume = 300mL) and a 20mL sample loop and a HPLC from Shimadzu of Japan with a Ultrasphere C18 column (150 x 4.6mm ID, 5microm) and a 20microL sample loop. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge samples from 3 locations were separated by HSCCC in a Step-wise elution program with solvent systems A (hexane:ethanol: water = 10:5.5:4.5) and B (hexane:ethanol: water = 10:7:3) at a speed of 900 r/min and a flow-rate of 2mL/min. All the 12 peak fractions were eluted within 13 hours. The contents of each component varied greatly in different samples, which confirmed previous observation that the locations and climates have a great impact on the TCM quality and also indicated a quality control system is necessary to safeguard the quality of the herb. The retention times of the 12 peak fractions from crude extracts of the samples were collected by HPLC and the absorption spectrums of the corresponding peaks were identified. The 12 components of the three crude samples were readily distinguishable and can be used as fingerprints of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge. The relative standard deviation of the HSCCC retention times was less than 3%, which satisfies the requirement of the national standard reference index. The components 7, 8 and 11 from the standards were identified to be crypototanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone II A respectively. This study demonstrates that if it is possible to apply HSCCC for TCM fingerprinting, especially with samples of high viscosity and highly absorptive components. The precision and the run time of fingerprinting can be further improved if larger volume and a temperature control system is used. With these and other improvements, HSCCC is expected to play an important role in TCM development.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Countercurrent Distribution ; methods ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Molecular Structure ; Phenanthrenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Reference Standards ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry