OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Guilingji Capsule (GC) on the fertility, liver functions, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of adult male SD rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone.

METHODSTotally 18 adult male SD rats and 36 adult female rats in child-bearing period were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to weight equilibrium principle, i.e., the normal group, the radiated group, and the GC group, 6 males and 12 females in each group. Male rats in the normal group and all female rats were not radiated. Male rats in the radiated group and the GC group received radiation for 4 h per day, lasting for 18 successive days. Rats in the GC group received GC suspension at the daily dose of 0. 15 g/kg by gastrogavage at the same time. Equal volume of normal saline was administrated to other male rats. Then male rats were mated with corresponding female rats from the 14th radiation night to the 18th radiation night in the ratio of 1:2. Male rats were killed following on the next morning of ending the radiation. Female rats were normally fed and then killed before delivery. The pregnant outcomes of female rats in responding groups (the rates of pregnancy and the number of death fetus, birth weight, body length, and tail length) were observed and compared. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), AST/ALT, and LDH levels of the male rats were detected by colorimetry. Histological and morphological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the pregnancy rates of female rats decreased and the number of death fetus increased, the serum LDH level obviously increased in the radiated group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT were no significantly changed in the radiated group. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration appeared. Compared with the radiated group, the pregnancy rates increased, the number of death fetus dropped, and the serum level of LDH decreased in the GC group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in serum levels of ALT, AST, or AST/ALT. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration were significantly attenuated. The histomorphological structures recovered to normal basically in the GC group.

CONCLUSIONSThe pregnancy rates could be decreased, the number of death fetus increased, histomorphological structures abnormal, and serum LDH level increased by exposure toy GSM 900 MHz cell phone. GC could prevent and treat the aforesaid lesion. But there was no statistical difference in serum ALT or AST levels.

Animals ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Radiation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Eccrine Glands ; pathology ; Female ; Hamartoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Sweat Gland Diseases ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the cause and pathogenesis of migraine based on TCM theory and modern researches to seek for new thinking and effective drugs in treating migraine.

METHODSNinety patients with migraine were divided into three groups, the treated group treated with Shutianing Granule (STNG) 9 g, three times a day, the control A group treated with composite Yangjiao capsule, 5 capsules each time, three times a day and the control B group treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsule, 5 mg, once a day. The treatment lasted for 28 days to observe the degree, lasting time and frequency of pain attack, and the headache index was calculated. Transcranial Doppler examination, serum beta evoked potential (beta-EP) and neuropeptide (NPY) determination were also performed before and after treatment. In the experimental study, effect of treatment of cerebral NPY and beta-EP were tested in SD rats with chronic pain in the treated or the control groups.

RESULTSIn the treated group, the markedly effective rate was 56.67% and the total effective rate was 90.00%, significant difference was shown in comparison with those in the control B group (P < 0.05), but with no difference in comparison with those in the control A group. Cerebral beta-EP level was raised and plasma NPY level was lowered in all the three treated groups. Compared with the normal saline group, there was significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTNG could improve the cerebrovascular function effectively, raise plasma beta-EP level, lower plasma NPY level and alleviate vascular tension in patients with migraine.

Adult ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Migraine Disorders ; drug therapy ; Neuropeptide Y ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To seek a exact method of estimating postmortem interval (PMI). METHODS: This study detected the concentration of magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) in vitreous humor of rabbit at 96 h after death and explored the relationship between their concentration and PMI using a method ICP-MS. RESULTS: The concentra-tion of Mg in vitreous humor of rabbit at 48 h after death and Fe in vitreous humor of rabbit at 6-48 h after death were related to PMI significantly. The formulae of the relationship between PMI and Mg concentrations is y = 0.0738x2 + 0.6997x + 11.45 (within 48 h, R2 = 0.9119). The formulae of the relationship between PMI and Fe concentrations is y = 0.0411x2 - 0.3148x + 1.4113 (within 6-48 h, R2 = 0.9594). CONCLUSION The concentration of Mg in vitreous humor of rabbit at 48 h after death and Fe in vitreous humor of rabbit at 6-48 h after death may be as reference indicator to estimate PMI.
Animals ; Iron/analysis* ; Magnesium/analysis* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rabbits ; Time Factors ; Vitreous Body/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To seek a precise method for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) in forensic medicine practice. METHODS: This study detected the concentration of 21 elements in the vitreous humor of rabbit within 96 hours after death and explored the relationship between their concentration and PMI using the method of ICP-MS. RESULT: It was shown that the concentration of 9 elements in vitreous humor of rabbit within different intervals after death were correlated to PMI available as a reference indicator to estimate PMI. CONCLUSION The changes in the concentration of certain elements in vitreous humor of vitreous humor are correlated with PMI and determination of such changes can be used to estimate the time of death.
Animals ; Calcium/analysis* ; Forensic Medicine ; Iron/analysis* ; Magnesium/analysis* ; Postmortem Changes ; Potassium/analysis* ; Rabbits ; Time Factors ; Vitreous Body/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To observe ultrastructure changes of electrical injury in rats. METHODS: An experimental model of rats suffered from the low voltage were designed. Ultrastructure changes of electrical injured tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: (1) Plasma of epithelium was concreted in the affected areas and inner membrane system was broken. (2) Hypercontraction bands were observed in skeleton muscles. (3) There was dissolved necrosis and hypercontraction bands in the myocardium. (4) Vacuoles were found in plasma of endothelium of blood vessels on electrical current path, and myelin sheath of nerve fiber were loosed. CONCLUSION The above mentioned ultrastructure changes could be used as assistant diagnostic index of electrocution. The mechanism of the changes were discussed.
Animals ; Electric Injuries/pathology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure* ; Nerve Fibers/ultrastructure* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency of navigation system for orbital wall reconstruction in unilateral orbital fractures.

METHODSFifteen patients (7 male and 8 female) with unilateral orbital fracture underwent orbital reconstruction with the help of intraoperative navigation system. The average age was 34.3 ± 9.5 years. All patients underwent spiral CT scanning preoperatively, and the CT data was imported to the BrainLab navigation system (Germany, BrainLab company). The orbit of the intact side was mirrored to the opposite side as the reference for pre-operative planning. The titanium mesh was mounted on the resin template made by rapid prototyping machine based on the mirrored CT data. When the injury was limited, the hydroxyapatite sheet was used for the orbital wall reconstruction. During the operation, the real-time navigation helped to ensure precise placement. The re-establishing result was assessed based on the postoperative CT data with the following four variables: the volumetric difference between the bilateral orbit, the volume of the herniated soft tissue, the global projection and the discrepancy between the simulated and the achieved position of the reconstructed orbital wall. The reconstructive discrepancy was measured only in the titanium plate grafting cases.

RESULTSThere were no serious complications such as infection, graft rejection and optic nerve injury in any case. Preoperatively, the average degree of enophthalmos was (3.5 ± 1.6) mm, the average volumetric difference between the injured and the unaffected orbit was (4.5 ± 1.8) ml, and the average volume of the herniated orbital soft tissue was (2.1 ± 0.7) ml. Postoperatively, the three values were respectively reduced to (1.3 ± 0.6) mm, (1.8 ± 0.9) ml and (0.7 ± 0.3) ml. The discrepancy of the medial and inferior wall were (2.5 ± 0.6) mm and (2.1 ± 0.4) mm.

CONCLUSIONSThe intraoperative use of navigation system for the orbital wall reconstruction in unilateral orbital fractures can provide reliable accuracy and achieve satisfactory results.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Enophthalmos ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Orbital Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Surgical Mesh ; Titanium ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:Carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) monitoring plays an important role in the management of malignancies,especially in colorectal cancer (CRC).The half-life (T1/2) of CEA has also been applied as a new predictor in the surveillance of some malignancies.This study was to examine the preoperative and early postoperative levels of CEA in CRC patients and calculate postoperative T1/2 of CEA to evaluate its potential role in prognosis prediction.METHODS:In this retrospective study, 98 CRC patients who had preoperatively elevated levels of CEA (≥5 μg/L)and serum CEA surveillance after radical operation were included.Postoperative T1,2 of CEA was calculated.Its correlation to prognosis was analyzed.RESULTS:Of the 98 patients,21 had local recurrence or distant metastasis (recurrence group),77 had no recurrence (non-recurrence group).The median value of preoperative CEA level was significantly higher in recurrence group than in non-recurrence group (23.9 μg/L vs.12.3 μg/L,P= 0.010);the median value of postoperative T1/2 of CEA was significantly longer in recurrence group than in non-recurrence group (6.2 days vs.4.7 days,P=0.042);the later the TNM stage was,the poorer the prognosis was (P<0.001).The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate were significantly higher in the patients with postoperative T1/2 of CEA of<4.8 days than in those with T1/2 of ≥4.8 days (87% vs.66%,P=0.017;90% vs.80%,P=0.032).The patients at earlier TNM stage had survival benefits both in DFS and OS:the 3-year DFS rates in stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ patients were 100%,93%,and 55%,respectively (P<0.001);the 3-year OS rates were 100%,98%,and 77%,respectively (P=0.192).In Cox regression analysis,both TNM stage and postoperative T1/2 of CEA were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors of CRC patients with preoperatively elevated CEA level.CONCLUSIONS:In addition to TNM stage,the T1/2 of CEA may be an independent prognostic factor in CRC patients with preoperatively elevated CEA level.The patients with longer T1/2 of CEA after radical operation have poorer prognosis.

Wuzhuyu Tang is a classical formula for treating migraine, but its' pharmacological ingredients is unclear yet. Present study employed the everted intestinal sac model to collect the absorption samples of 10 kinds of Wuzhuyu decoction, and then analyzed the contents of 9 ingredients in Wuzhuyu Tang and absorption samples quantitatively or semi-quantitatively by HPLC-DAD method. Reserpine was used to establish the mice model of migraine, and then the contents and activities of 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline, dopamine, nitric oxide and nitricoxide synthase in brain tissues and serums were determined respectively after oral administration of Wuzhuyu Tang. Using the partial least squares regression method to correlate the total absorption quantity of 9 ingredients and pharmacodynamics. The result shows that limocitrin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1, rutaevine, limonin, evodiamine and rutaecarpine are the main ingredients influenced the effects in absorption samples in everted intestinal sacs, especially ginsenoside Rg1, rutaevine, evodiamine and rutaecarpine among them have obvious improving effects to most pharmacodynamics index, might be the pharmacological ingredients influenced the therapeutical effects of Wuzhuyu Tang treating migraine.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Migraine Disorders ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVESTo investigate and discuss the role of CT in the diagnosis and treatment of comminutive distal radius fractures.

METHODSOne hundred and eleven consecutive patients (118 cases of fractures) who were admitted to Jishuitan hospital from January 2003 to January 2005 were included in this study. These patients all need operative treatment and accepted CT scans for better understandings of these injuries and helping to make operation plans.

RESULTSafter comparing the results of X planes and CT scans, considerable differences existing between the two examinations were found in the measurements of articular compression and step-off, gapping, comminution degree and subdislocation. This difference was manifested not only in the alteration of quantity but also in the change of quality.

CONCLUSIONSComputed tomography can provide more vivid and detailed information of fractures for practitioners. Undoubtedly, CT is especially valuable in the evaluation of severity degree and stability of comminutive distal radius fractures, thus it helps us to determine whether operation is obligatory and choose the best method and approach of operation. Moreover, CT can also clearly show the important parts of fractures which need special attention in the process of operation. At the same time, practitioners are required to understand the indications of CT examination completely and know how to choose scan planes properly.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fractures, Comminuted ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult