OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of baicalin on human osteosarcoma MG63 cells apoptosis and the expression of MMPs. METHODS:Treated with 0(blank control),5,10,20,40,80,160,320 μg/ml baicalin for 24 h,the survival rate,the expression amount of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected,and IC50 was calculated. Cell apoptosis was observed. RESULTS:Com-pared with blank control group,after treated with baicalin,survival rate of MG63 cells decreased,while apoptotic amount in-creased,the expression amount of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased;there was statistical significance in the expression amount de-crease of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in MG63 cells after treated with 320 μg/ml baicalin(P<0.05);IC50 was(40.21±9.20)μg/ml,all responses were in concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS:Baicalin can inhibit the proliferation of MG63 cells,induce cell apoptosis,and inhibit the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cells under high concentration.

Objective: To observe the effect of ultrasound-guided clavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb surgery.Methods: Eighty patients undergoing upper limb surgery were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: ultrasound-guided clavicular brachial plexus block group (ultrasound guidance group, n=40) and nerve stimulator-assisted positioning of the supraclavicular brachial plexus block group (nerve stimulator group,n =40).The block effect, anesthesia effect, anesthesia completion time, nerve block onset time, nerve block duration and complication were compared and analyzed statistically between the groups.Results: The completed rate of block was 97.5%in the ultrasound guidance group, which was significantly higher than that in the nerve stimulator group (65.0%) (P<0.05);the uncompleted rate was significantly lower than that in the nerve stimulator group.The fine/excellent rate of anesthesia was 95.0% , which was significantly higher than that of the nerve stimulator group (75.0%, 30/40) (P<0.05);the complete time of anesthesia and nerve block onset time were significantly shorter than those in the nerve stimulator group (P<0.05);the duration of nerve block was significantly longer than that in the nerve stimulator group (P<0.05);the incidence of complications was 7.5%), which was significantly lower than that of the nerve stimulator group (37.5%, 15/40) (P<0.05).Conclusion: In upper limb surgery, ultrasound-guided nerve stimulator assisted positioning of clavicular brachial plexus block is better than nerve stimulator assisted positioning of clavicular brachial plexus block.

AIM: To explore the effects of sitai tablet on blood pressure, blood lipid,blood sugar and insulin of rats with insulin resistance syndrome(IRS).METHODS: A total of 40 male clean SD rats were divided into normal control group, model group, sitai group and captopril group by randomized block design. The rats were fed with high-fat high sugar diet for 8 weeks to induce IRS. Then, sitai tablets were given to rats with IRS to observe the influence of sitai tablet on blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipid, insulin levels and insulin sensitivity index(ISI) of them.RESULTS: The systolic pressure reduced from ( 158 ± 8), ( 157 ± 7) mm Hg before treatment to (128 ± 4), (110 ± 2)mm Hg after treatment in sitai group and captoril group respectively. There was also significant difference on systolic pressure of between sitai group, captopril group and model group [ ( 165 ± 6) mm Hg] ( t = 11.86 - 28.99, P < 0.01 ). In sitai group, the total cholesterol (TC), triacylycerol (TG)decreased clearly than those in model group( t = 44.27, 9. 14, P < 0.01 ), but high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased( t = 703, P < 0. 01 ) . There were increased fasting insulin(FINS) and decreased ISI in model group. There was significant difference on these indes between model group and normal control group( t= 7.14, 9.35, P < 0.01 ) . The insulin resistance was evident so that the model was successfully established. The fasting blood sugar and FINS all reduced when comparing it between sitai group, captopsil group with model group, there was significant difference( t = 11.95, 6.71, P < 0.01). When comparing the fasting blood sugar in captoril group and sitai group, there was also difference( t = 8.33, P < 0.01 ) . The ISI all increased in sitai group and captoril group, there was difference between them and model group (t=9.82,9.35, P <0.01).CONCLUSION: Sitai tablet can remarkably reduce the blood pressure,blood sugar and blood fat, and increase the sensibility of insulin so that it can improve the general effects of IRS.

Objective To detect cytokine levels secreted by CD3 + T cells and monitor the Th cell im-balance in the patients with condyloma acuminatum(CA).Methods The peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated prior to analysis.Cytokine detection was performed using monoclonal antibodies,which were fluorochrome-conjugated for easier direct manipulation in flow cytometry analysis.The results were pre-sented as cytograms showing dual staining of lymphocytes.Results The levels of IL-2,IL-12,IFN-?and TNF-?produced by Th1cells decreased,while the level of IL-10produced by Th2cells had no significant change in CA patients in comparison with healthy controls.Conclusions There is Th1/Th2imbalance in CA patients with a decline of Th1type cytokines.The Th1/Th2imbalance might be the mechanism that HPVs es-cape from immunosurveillance in CA patients.

Objective To real?timely monitor the environment in the forestry schistosomiasis control project(CFSCP)area and to early warn the status of Oncomelania hupensis snails in the schistosomiasis endemic area. Methods Based on ArcGIS Engine 10.1 software,the Geographic Information System(GIS)platform of the forestry schistosomiasis project of real?time mon?itoring,early warning and emergency management in Renshou County,Sichuan Province,was designed and established. Re?sults The functions of the platform mainly included real?time monitoring of the environment in CFSCP area,and early warning of the crisis status of O. hupensis snails,as well as editing the map of snail distribution,query,spatial analysis and other GIS functions. Conclusion This platform could provide the scientific support to the forestry administrative department of the CF?SCP area.

Objective To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the spinal neurotoxicity induced by ropivacaine in rats.Methods Ninety pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-320 g,aged 3 months,in which intrathecal catheter was successfully implanted into L5,6 interspace without complications,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),ropivacaine group (group R),and antioxidant Tempol group (group T).The rats received 1％ ropivacaine 1.2 μg/g for 8 times at 1.5 h intervals through the catheter in R and T groups,while the rats received the equal volume of normal saline instead in group C.In T group,Tempol 20 μg/g was injected intrathecally at 4,8,12,24,48 and 72 h after the last injection of ropivacaine.The rats were sacrificed at 1,3,5,7 and 14 days after the end of ropivacaine injection,and their lumbar enlargements were removed for TUNEL staining to detect the cell apoptosis.SOD activity was determined by colorimetry and MDA content was measured using TBA photoelectric colorimetry.Apoptosis index was calculated.Results Compared with group C,apoptosis index and MDA content were significantly increased,and SOD activity was decreased in R and T groups.Compared with group R,apoptosis index and MDA content were significantly decreased,and SOD activity was increased in group T.Conclusion Oxidative stress is involved in the development of spinal neurotoxicity induced by ropivacaine in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of continuous spinal anesthesia with different concentrations and doses of ropivacaine on the ultrastructure of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Methods Twenty-four male SD rats weighing 220-280 g were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10% chloral hydrate 300-350 mg/kg. A polyurethane microcatheter was inserted into the lumbar subarachnoid space according to the technique described by Yaksh. An 8-cm catheter segment was left in the subarachnoid space. The animals were randomized to receive normal saline, 0.5%, 0.75% or 1.0% ropivacaine 40 ? 1 intrathecally 3 times at 1.5 h interval. Six hours after the first intrathecal administration the animals were decapitated and L1 ,2 segment of the spinal cord and nerve roots were immediately removed for electron microscopic examination. Results Electron microscopic examination revealed that in animals which received intrathecal (i.t.) normal saline, 0.5% or 0.75% ropivacaine the neurolemma of the nerve roots and the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of the neurons in the spinal cord were intact, while in animals which received i.t. 1.0% ropivacaine the neurolemma was stratified and partly disrupted and there were swelling of endoplasmic reticulum and vacuole degeneration. Conclusion Six hours continuous spinal anesthesia with 1.0% ropivacaine may be injurious to the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Obesity is a rapidly growing international health problem. The association of fat mass and obesity associated(FTO) gene and obesity is becoming the hot topic in the gene research. FTO is a member of the nonheme dioxygenase [Fe(Ⅱ) and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases]superfamily. FTO levels in the brain,especially in the hypothalamus,participate in the central control of food intake. The mutation of FTO gene accentuates body mass index,hip circumference and total weight,leading to obesity.

Objective To investigate reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the schedule for assessment of insight (SAI).Methods The original version of SAI was translated into Chinese and then backtranslated into English to develop the Chinese version of SAI which reliability and validity were tested.220 subjects who met the diagnosis of Schizophrenia,schizophreniform disorder,schizoaffective disorder,delusional disorder or brief psychotic disorder were assessed.Results The Cronbach's α was 0.890 ; the test-retest reliability was 0.742 ; the inter-rater reliability was 0.986.Three main factors were obtained from the factor load matrix as awareness of illness,ability to relabel psychotic experience,compliance with treatment.The loading coefficient were 0.883-0.944.The correlation of the SAI total score and three subscales with insight of PANSS were-0.635,-0.305,-0.631 and-0.512 respectively (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The SAI has good reliability and validity.The scale is useful to measure insight in psychosis.

Liuwei-Dihuang Pill is a famous medicine in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and it is important and interesting to explore its new clinical indications. This study is based on the data downloaded from the SinoMed by querying on term of Liuwei-Dihuang Pill. By applying the data slicing algo-rithm, we achieved outstanding symptoms associated with Liuwei-Dihuang Pill. Examining these symptoms, besides those which are widely known as common knowledge, some other potential symptoms are found. These potential symptoms are aphtha, (sexual) dysfunction, constipation, and heel pain which might be taken as new clinical indi-cations of Liuwei-Dihuang Pill.