Objective: To study the pharmacodynamic differences between Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma on the treatment of adjuvant arthritis. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group (normal saline), model control group (normal saline), Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides (TWG) group (9.45 mg/kg), low-and high-dose (1.080 and 4.320 g/kg) Simiao Pills (crude Atractylodis Rhizoma) group, low-and high-dose (1.080 and 4.320 g/kg) Simiao Pills (stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma with bran) group. Except the blank control group, the other groups were modeled to adjuvant arthritis with complete Freund's. Paw edema value, spleen and thoracic gland indexes, serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and nitric oxide (NO) were observed. Results: Both Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma could inhibit paw edema, decrease spleen index, advance the thoracic gland index, and decrease IL-1β and NO. The Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma showed better effects. Conclusion: Both Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma show a certain therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis, but the crude Atractylodis Rhizoma is in favor of the efficacy of Simiao Pills.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Inhibins ; metabolism ; Leydig Cell Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of disodium cantharidinate injection combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) compared with TCAE alone in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) by meta-analysis.Methods Databases of Pubmed, CNKI,Wangfang and VIP were searched electronically, and the randomized controlled trials about disodium cantharidinate injection combined with TACE in the treatment of HCC were included.Meta-analyses were conducted after the quality of the included studies was assessed.Results Seven eligible studies that included a total of 562 HCC patients were identified in the present meta-analysis.The combined results showed that disodium cantharidinate injection combined with TACE in the treatment of HCC, compared with TACE alone, could increase effective rate ( RR =1.31, 95%CI 1.10-1.56) and clinical benefit rate (RR =1.20, 95%CI 1.04 -1.39), improve the life quality (RR =1.60, 95%CI 1.26 -2.03) and improved the 1, 2 year survival (RR =1.57 with 95%CI 1.28 -1.93 and RR =2.08 with 95%CI 1.46 -2.97, respectively).Conclusion Meta-analysis indicates that the efficacy of disodium cantharidinate injection combined with TACE is superior to TACE alone for the patients with HCC.

Objective To explore the changes of intereferon-?(IFN-?)and interleukin-4(IL-4)in peripheral blood of children with mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) encephalitis at the acute phase.Methods The peripheral blood concentrations of IFN-? and IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 24 cases of children with MP encephalitis at the acute stage.The samples from 24 cases of healthy children were control group.Twenty-four children with MP encephalitis were intravenous drip with azithromycin,at the same time,10 cases received hexadecadrol and 15 cases received gamma globulin.Results The serum concentrations of IFN-? and IL-4 in the mycoplasmal encephalitis group were(98.56?12.93) and(45.55?17.58) ng/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in control group [(85.35?6.91) and(26.78?9.89) ng/L] respectively(Pa

Objective To evaluate the image quality and registration accuracy of a three?dimensional ( 3D ) dynamic phantom in four?dimensional computed tomography ( 4DCT ) and four?dimensional cone?beam computed tomography ( 4DCBCT) . Methods The Computerized Imaging Reference Systems Dynamic Thorax Phantom Model 008A was scanned to get 4DCT and 4DCBCT images. Two balls with different diameters ( ?= 1 cm and ?= 2 cm) were used to simulate tumors with different sizes. The motion mode of the balls was 3D sinusoidal motion at 0?25 Hz ( the amplitudes along the x, y, and z axes were ±1?0 cm, ±0?4 cm, and ±0?2 cm, respectively). Gross target volumes (GTVs) from 10?phase bins, internal gross target volumes (IGTV), and target volumes on maximum intensity projection (MIP) and mean intensity projection (MeanIP) images were contoured and calculated. Target volumes on 4DCT or 4DCBCT images were compared with the static and dynamic volumes of the balls ( VS and VD ) . The matching index ( MI) of target volumes between the 4DCT and 4DCBCT images was analyzed after rigid image registration. Results The GTV in each phase of the image was larger than VS . The difference between the average GTV derived from 10 phases of 4DCT or 4DCBCT images and Vs of the small ball was larger than that of the large ball ( 35?03% vs. 22?66%;32?62% vs. 17?00%) . All the IGTVs and target volumes on MIP images were slightly larger than VD , but target volumes on MeanIP images were smaller than VD . The average MI of 10?phase bins of the small ball was smaller than that of the large ball ( 66?76% vs. 82?21%) . Moreover, MIs of IGTV,MIP, and MeanIP of the small ball were also smaller than those of the large ball ( 77?39% vs. 90?29%;75?90% vs. 89?28%;74?47% vs. 82?74%) . Conclusions In the case of a relatively small tumor volume and a relatively large motion amplitude, 4DCT and 4DCBCT should be used with caution for comparison of image registration.

Objectives To explore the expression of HER4 and VEGF in NSCLC and elucidate the relationship between their expression and the characteristic of clinical pathology. Methods 82 cases of paraffin-embedded tissues from informative NSCLC were used to detect the expression of HER4 and VEGF by means of immunohistochemical assay. Results HER4 is overexpressed in 65;9%of NSCLC cases. The overexpression of HER4 is correlated with the lymph node metastasis and TNM staging. VEGF is expressed in 53.7%of NSCLC cases. The expression of VEGF is also correlated with the lymph node metastasis and TNM staging, and the expression of VEGF is correlated with the overexpression of HER4.Conclusions HER4 and VEGF are the protein to regulate the growth of NSCLC and it might be a good way for the treatment of NSCLC by suppressing the overexpression of HER4 and VEGF.

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the relationship between the active components and the functional links of Chinese herbs, the effect of Xuesaitong capsule, a preparation made of multi-component Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on platelet activating molecule expression and aggregation in patients with blood hyperviscosity syndrome (BHS) was observed, with aspirin (ASP) as a control.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with BHS were divided, adopting randomized, double-blinded and double simulated principle into 2 groups, the PNS group and the ASP group, 60 in each group. Changes of the TCM clinical syndrome, platelet adhesion and aggregation, endothelin (ET), prostacyclin, thromboxane, CD62P and CD41 before treatment and after 28 days treatment were observed.

RESULTSComparison between the therapeutic effects of the two groups on TCM clinical syndrome showed that the total effective rate in the PNS group was 86.67% and that in the ASP group 56.67%, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, after treatment, levels of platelet adhesion and aggregation, endothelin, prostacyclin and thromboxane were significantly different in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); levels of CD62P and CD41 in the PNS group were also significantly different, but the difference was insignificant in the ASP group; no significant difference was shown in both groups in levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONPNS may inhibit activation of platelet through multiple components and multiple pathways, which is different from that of ASP, only through inhibition on arachidonic acid metabolism to suppress platelet aggregation. PNS has effects of decreasing platelet superficial activation, inhibiting platelet adhesion and aggregation, preventing thrombosis and improving microcirculation, and its therapeutic effect on clinical syndrome is better than that of ASP.

Aged ; Blood Viscosity ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; blood ; drug therapy ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Panax ; chemistry ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Saponins ; therapeutic use ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODSThe imaging findings of pancreas and extra-pancreas in 24 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, CT scan was performed in 18 patients, MRI in 11, and bGth CT and MRI in 10.

RESULTSThe pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (25%, 6/24), focal enlargement (37. 5%, 9/24), combined enlargement (25%, 6/24) ,and no enlargement (12. 5%, 9/24). Unenhanced CT showed hypoattenuation in AIP area (n = 2) . After intravenous injection of contrast medium, 17 patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (50%, 9/18) and hyper attenuation during the delayed phase (94. 4%, 17/18). Precontrast MRI showed abnormal signal intense (n =9), including hypointense on T1-weight images (T1 WI) (n = 7), hyperintense (n = 7) and hypointense (n = 2) on T2-weight images (TIWI). Enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal contrast enhancement within lesions (n = 11), including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (81. 8%, 9/11) and good enhancement during the delayed phase (100%, 11111). A capsule-like rim was seen around pancreas (37. 5%, 9/24), among which CT detected in 6 out of 18 patients and MRI found in 7 out of 11 patients.The main pancreatic duct lumen within lesions has no visualization (100%, 24/24) and upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 8) , ranging from 2. 2 to 4. 5 mm(mean 3. 1 0. 47 mm) in diameter. Narrowing of the common bile duct was shown in 14 patients. Miscellaneous findings were: infiltration of extrapancreatic vein (n = 9) and artery (n = 1); mild fluid collection around pancreas (n = 2); pseudocysts (n = 3). Fourteen patients also presented one or more of the following extrapancreatic imaging findings: narrowing of the intra-hepatic bile duct or hilar duct (n = 5); thickening of gallbladder wall (n = 5); fibrosis in mesenteric (n = 2), in retroperitoneal (n = 2) and in ligamentum teres hepatis (n = 1); renal involvement (n = 3); peri-pancreatic or para-aortic lymphadenopathy (n = 10); and ulcerative colitis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONAIP display some characteristic CT and MRI imaging features: sausage-like change of the pancreas; capsule-like rims around lesions; delayed contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma; segment or diffuse pancreatic duct stenosis but mild upstream dilation and extrapancreatic organs involvement. CT and MRI findings combining with serological tests and pancreas biopsy can assist physicians to make accurate and timely diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVEInterferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) are typical cytokines produced by CD4(+) T cells under antigenic stimulations, and the changes of serum levels of the two cytokines can indirectly reflect the immune state and the progress of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in peripheral blood of children with Mycoplasmal pneumonia.

METHODSThe peripheral blood concentrations of IFN-gamma and IL-4 were measured using ELISA in 40 children with Mycoplasmal pneumonia at the acute stage. The samples from 40 healthy children were used as the Control group.

RESULTSThe serum concentrations of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the Mycoplasmal pneumonia group were 99.43 +/- 13.18 and 44.61 +/- 17.46 pg/mL, respectively, which were higher than those in the Control group (86.23 +/- 6.31 and 25.97 +/- 9.40 pg/mL respectively; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere was an imbalance in cytokine secretion in children with Mycoplasmal pneumonia at the acute phase, suggesting that adjuvant immunological therapy is needed for Mycoplasmal pneumonia.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Shenqi fuzheng injection assisting TACE in the adjuvant treatment of primary liver carcinoma,and to provide evidence-based reference.METHODS:Retrieved from CJFD,Wanfang database,VIP and PubMed,randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Shenqi fuzheng injection assisting TACE (trial group) vs.TACE alone (control group) in the treatment of primary liver carcinoma were collected.Meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 12.0 software after data extraction and quality evaluation according to improved Jadad scale.RESULTS:A total of 8 RCTs were included,involving 527 patients.Results of Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical significance in response rate [RR=1.19,95％CI(0.97,1.46),P=0.091] and clinical benefit rate [RR=1.16,95％CI(0.90,1.48),P=0.251] of 2 groups.The rate of life quality improvement in trial group was significantly higher than control group [RR=2.26,95 ％ CI (1.64,3.10),P=0.001],while the incidence of above middle fever [RR=0.74,95％ CI (0.63,0.88),P=0.001],gastrointestinal reaction [RR=0.52,95％ CI (0.32,0.85),P=0.010] and leucocyte reduction rate [RR=0.75,95％ CI (0.62,0.92),P=0.005],were significantly lower than control group,with statistical significance.CONCLUSIONS:Shenqi fuzheng injection assisting TACE for primary liver carcinoma cannot improve therapeutic efficacy but improve the quality of life and reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal reaction and leucocyte reduction.