AIM: A capillary electrophoresis fingerprints(CEFP) method of Fructus Gardeniae was established to evaluate its quality. METHODS: The background electrolyte(BGE) was 25 mmol/L sodium borate solution containing 10% acetonitrile.The detection wavelength was 228 nm and 24 kV was applied.Fructus Gardeniae was extracted by water and injectded for 15 s(9 cm).Some parameters were used to evaluate the similarities.(RESULTS): 24 co-possessing peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks of Fructus Gardeniae taking chlorogenic acid peak as the reference peak.The similarities between each of the ten places and the standard CEFP of Fructus Gardeniae were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively.The CEFP was also evaluated by the information index(I) and the relative information index(I_r). CONCLUSIONS: The CEFP has acceptable precision,reproducibility and can be used to control the quality of Fructus Gardeniae.

BACKGROUND:Thrombus formation and neointimal hyperplasia still limit the use of small-caliber expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) vascular prosthesis with a diameter less than 6 mm for revascularization in the coronary or peripheral circulation. Bioactive surface heparin coating is one conceivable path for above-mentioned problems.OBJECTIVE: To elevate the anticoagulant property of ePTFE, this study promoted the patency of a novel small-caliber ePTFE vascular graft by modifying its luminal surface with covalently crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/ p-diazonium diphenyl amine polymer/heparin gel (PVA/PA/Hep gel) and examined the hemocompatibility of the graft.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Observational experiments were performed at the Nanomedicine and Biosensor Lab,Biomedical Engineering Center, Harbin Institute of Technology from May 2006 to June 2007.MATERIALS: The ePTFE vascular grafts (diameter of 4 mm), Nafion (Naf) and Poly(vinyl alcohol) (Aldrich, USA), heparin (Mw 12 000- 14 000) (Calbiochem, USA), p-diazonium diphenyl amine polymer (PA) (this lab, China) were used in this study.METHODS: ①The vascular graft surface was firstly modified with Nafion. ②Following the impregnation of the mixture of PVA/PA/Hep, covalent crosslinking between polyvinyl alcohol and heparin was performed using crosslinker PA under ultraviolet radiation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Contact angles, ②Attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), ③Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothromhin time (PT), ④hemolysis test, ⑤platelet adhesion test and ⑥thrombosin inactivation test.RESULTS: ①The water contact angle of the vascular graft surface was greatly decreased after modifying. ATR-FTIR revealed the disappearance of diazonium groups at 2 172 cm-1 and 2 224 cm-1. Vascular prosthesis after modifying had prolonged APTT and PT, low percent hemolysis and low amount of platelet adhesion. Modified vascular prosthesis had inhibitory effect on thrombosin activity and good coating stability.CONCLUSION: Converage of PVA/PA/Hep has good antithrombotic function and low percent hemolysis, resulting in improving hemocompatibility of vascular prosthesis.

Objective Thermal burns of the anterior chest disfigure the female breast, and the postburn breast deformity is a sequela of severe scar contraction of the burned chest. For deformities that affected the mammary development, museulocutaneous flaps were used. Here we introduce our experience in using the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous island flap in burned breast reconstruction. Methods During the past 7 years, 7 female patients with such deformities required reconstruction, the expanded or unex-panded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous island flaps were used in the partial reconstruction of burned breast. In the mild deformities group (2 cases), unexpanded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous island flaps were used. For patients with undeveloped mammary glands (5 cases), expanded latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous island flaps were used. Results The procedure was performed in 7 patients and all the flaps were alive, with significant improvement of breast appearance. The complication rate was low. There were no deformity and dysfuction in the donor site. Conclusions The technique has many advanta-ges: beautiful contour of breast, good blood supply of the flap, no donor site morbidity. It provides the plastic surgeon with an excellent, safe and consistently successful method for burned breast reconstrue-tion. This experience has led to development of surgical principles and techniques tailored to this particu-larly difficult problem.

BACKGROUND: For decades, liposome drug carrier has been used to enhance drug stability and efficacy, reduce drug toxicity and adverse effects. However, they fail to provide long-term delivery due to insufficient stability. Studies have demonstrated that silica is not toxic, with chemically inert and biological compatibility, and can be used as modified material. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the silica coated liposome and investigate the controlled release property. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: In vitro observation. The study was performed at the Nanomedicine and Biosensor Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Center, Harbin Institute of Technology from May 2007 to June 2008. MATERIALS: Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was purchased from Nanjing Kangsente Chemical Engineering Company; tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was purchased from Aldrich, USA. Doxorubicin (DOX) was purchased from Beijing Huafeng United Technology Company; Sephadex G-50 was purchased from Amersham Biosciences, Sweden. All other chemical agents were of analytical purity. METHODS: Liposome was formed from DPPC following the precipitation of silica by sol-gel method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Zeta-potential and dynamic light scanning were used for zeta-potential measurement and particle size distribution; transmission electron microscopy was used to collect the image of particle morphology; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to display chemical characteristics of Si-O-Si structure; Spectrophotofluorimetry was used to determine DOX regression equation and was further used for calculation in drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release.　RESULTS: ①Silica coated liposome was successfully prepared. ②FTIR proofed the presence of Si-O-Si at 1 166, 1 080, 859 and 526 cm-1. ③The DOX encapsulated silica coated liposome had encapsulation efficiency of 72.4%. ④Drug release profiles showed that sustained release of DOX was achieved after modification of silica on liposome. CONCLUSION: With Si-O-Si as protective layer, the liposome has increased stability and prolonged drug release.

Objective To explore the safety of fat reduction treated by non invasive focused ultrasound.Methods A randomized double-blind and negative control clinical trial was carried out on the excess fat of 40 subjects' abdomen by a JCS-01 non-invasive focused ultrasound device.Subjects received treatments with the device on day 1 and day 7.Observations on the area treated and inquiries on feelings were conducted during treatments.Before the first treatment and 14 days after the treatment,laboratory examinations were performed,including liver function,blood lipid tests,etc.Results 40 subjects participated in the trial and 36 subjects (18 each in both treatment and control groups) accomplished 2 times of treatments,all followed-up and laboratory examinations.During the process of treatments,4 subjects in the experimental group complained about feelings of tepidity or pricking.One subject on blood test of triglyceride showed slightly higher than her early normal result,which fell to the normal level at reexamination.Conclusions Subjects treated by non-invasive focused ultrasound at the area of no more than 500 cm2 every time and at an interval of 6 days manifest little changes on the blood test results,with slightly local reactions but no complaints during follow-up.

Objective To compare the perinipple round-block technique with the conventional periareolar round-block technique in areolar reduction operations.Methods A total of 37 patients who underwent areolar reduction operations in our department were randomly allocated into two groups:Group A (19 patients) received a conventional periareolar round-block technique,while group B (18 patients) through a new perinipple round-block technique.In the latter approach,an intraareolar donut of pigmented skin was deepithelialized,and the exposed areolar dermis was then telescoped inward and stretch-anchored to an imaginary circular line situated beneath the breast skin areola junction.The roundblock technique was then utilized to approximate the skin edges,resulting in a minimal scar,totally inconspicuous,confined to the immediate perinipple area.The operative time,perioperative complications,scars,absorption time of the skin folds,the sensation of the nipple-areolar complex and the patients' satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results The mean operative time of group A and group B was 40.5 min and 45.8 min,respectively (P＜0.05).No perioperative complications were found in these two groups.No patient had experienced permanent nipple sensory changes.The skin folds absorption time of group A was 4.34 months,while the time of group B was 8.78 months (P＜0.01).The perinipple round-block technique produced a more inconspicuous scar with a better aesthetic results.Conclusions The traditional periareolar round-block technique leaves a sharply demarcated areola by a circular scar which has a totally unnatural and artificial look.As for the perinipple round-block technique,the incision as well as any residual cutaneous wrinkling or puckering is well concealed by the dome of the nipple and the areolar,but it needs a longer skin folds absorption time.

AIM: To develope a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid in Shegan Kangbingdu Injection. METHODS: The operation was carried out in the Kromasil ODS column with the mobile phase consisting of a mixture of water-methanol-acetonitril aceti acid(95∶10∶5∶2,v/v),in which the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV detection wavelength at 326 nm were set to determine the contents of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. RESULTS: There were good linear relations between the concentrations and the peak-areas of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid.The relative standard deviation of peak areas for chlorogenic acid or caffeic acid were 0.60%,0.32%,respectively.The two kinds of standard solutions were both stable in 16 h(RSD=0.54% for CGA,0.11% for CFA).The average recovery was 100.1%,99.6% for CGA,CFA,repectively.The detectable limit(S/N=3)was 0.012,0.020 mg/L,and the quantitative limit (S/N=10) was 0.037,0.052 mg/L,repectively. CONCLUSION:The method is simple,sensitive,rapid and accurate,and can be used for the quality control of Shegan Kangbingdu Injection

Objective To investigate the possibility of using the results of breast ultrasound and Cohen-classification to determine the gynecomastia patients' subtype, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different surgical methods based on the classification. Methods In the past 3 years, 40 patients with gy-necomastia were treated in this hospital. The patients" age ranged from 18 to 50 years, with an average of 21.38. All the patients had the bilateral lesions, and their pathological diagnosis was gynecomastia. The mammary gland resected from each side weighted from 30 to 180 grams. The total fat volume liposucted ranged from 200 ml to 1 200 ml. As a routine, we performed breast ultrasound examination before the op-eration on each patient. According to the different echo, we marked the extent of breast gland on the chest walls and determine the Cohen classification of the patients. For breast tissue hyperplasia, we only resected the gland under the direction of the chest wall marks. For fat tissue hyperplasia, we just per-formed liposuction. For patients with mixed fat and gland hyperplasia, we combined these two methods rationally. If necessary, the procedures was repeated. Results With the help of breast ultrasound exami-nation, the operating procedure was more accurate and simple, as a result, our treatments had less injury and no severe complications. After a following-up of 6-36 months, satisfactory results were achieved, with normal male chest appearance and small obscure scar. Conclusions Male breast surgery is totally different from the females. The Cohen classification has been determined for each gynecomastia patient, based on the results of breast ultrasound examination, which helps choose the surgical methods and procedures and decrease surgical injuries and complications, with satisfactory results.

Objective To evaluate the method for vaginal treconstruction with muscle sparing verti-cle rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(MS-VRAM flap). Methods From September 2006 to April 2008, MS-VRAM flaps were used for vaginal reconstruction in 9 patients (20 to 35 years old), ancl all ca-ses were congenital absence of vagina. Before operation, the inferior epigastrie arteries were detected by the Doppler and the flaps based on the perforators ranged from 6 cm×20 cm. MS-VRAM flaps were ele-vated and then transferred to reconstruct the vagina. Results All 9 cases of MS-VRAM flaps survived completely. No complications occurred at donor site of abdominal wall. With 2-12 months' follow-up, the patients were satisfied with the results. Conclusion Despite technical difficulties in elevating the MS-VRAM flap, the flap is a good choice for vaginal reconstruction.

Objective To compare the application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography ( CEMRA ) in the diagnosis of carotid plaque characteristics . Methods Fourty-six patients ( 48 carotid plaques) were performed with carotid CEUS and CEMRA examination prior to carotid endarterectomy . The following characteristics of plaque including the surface of the plaque ,the presence of calcification ,the internal composition and the diameter stenosis were observed and measured ,which were compared with pathologic and digital subtraction angiography ( DSA ) results . Results There were 42 vulnerable plaques and 6 stable plaques in the 48 plaques . Fourty-seven carotid plaques had been correctly diagnosed by CEUS and CEMRA ,and one plaque had been misdiagnosed . The sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy between CEUS and CEMRA had no obvious differences in terms of the overall evaluation of plaque vulnerability ( P > 0 .05) ;CEUS and CEMRA in the diagnosion of the plaque surface situation had no statistical difference in terms of sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy compared with pathological results( P > 0 .05) ;There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy rate between two modalities ( P < 0 .05) ;In the diagnosis of plaque internal composition ,they had statistically differences in terms of specificity and accuracy ( P < 0 .05) ,while sensitivity had no obvious difference ( P > 0 .05) . With DSA examination results as the gold standard ,the accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of the diameter stenosis was 97 .92% (47/48) ,CEMRA was 100% (48/48) ,they had no significant difference between two groups ( P > 0 .05 ) . Conclusions CEUS and CEMRA in carotid plaques characteristic evaluation have respective advantages ,are highly complementary ,and combining two methods can systematically evaluate for plaque characteristics .