Buluo Buguan Decoction originates from ZHANG Xi-chun's book Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu, with the functions of astringent, removing blood stasis, and vein relaxing. The original major functions of this decoction are to treat chronic hemoptysis and hematemesis. In long-term clinical practice, Professor SHAO found that the modified decoction showed significant positive outcome in the treatment of hematuria, nocturnal emission, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, and allergic purpura nephritis, with good efficacy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the morphology of the soft palate in normal individuals with digital radiography, when they pronounced the high vowel of "i", and to provide the references for therapy of the cleft palate.

METHODSIn this study, the sample comprised 27 normal subjects. With the digital cephalometry, the morphology of the soft palate when pronouncing the high vowel of "i" was observed. And the dimensional difference of the soft palate when pronouncing between different gender was studied.

RESULTSWhen pronouncing the high vowel of "i", the morphology of the soft palate was like the shape of the knee. And it could be divided into two parts: horizontal and vertical. The length of the vertical part in male group was (24.92 +/- 2.03) mm, the length of the vertical part in the female group was (20.66 +/- 2.77) mm. The length of the vertical part was different between male and female group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe morphology of the palate when pronouncing the high vowel of "i" is similar. And the velar length of the vertical part of the male is longer than the female.

Cephalometry ; Cleft Palate ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Palate, Soft

OBJECTIVETo compare the synthetic ability of osteoblasts on the surface of different nano-granule titanium films and investigate the correlation between nanophase titanium films and cellular biocompatibility.

METHODSFour different nano-granule titanium films were produced by direct current magnetron sputtering, at ambient, 100 degrees C, 250 degrees C, 380 degrees C substrate temperature, respectively. Rat osteoblasts were seeded on the surface of four treated groups of titanium film samples and non-treated Ti sample(control group). The production of osteocalcin (OC) in all five groups were detected by using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe production of OC increased gradually from day 7 to day 14 in all groups. In the control group, it showed significant differences with other five groups on day 7. On day 14, the production of OC in 100 degrees C group was the highest, and it showed significant differences with 380 degrees C, control group and blank group. In 250 degrees C group, the production of OC also showed significant differences with 380 degrees C, control group and blank group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTitanium with nano-modified surface had good biocompatibility and different nano-granule titanium films could affect the synthesis of osteoblasts.

Animals ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Rats ; Surface Properties ; Titanium

PURPOSE: CO₂ leakage along the trocar (chimney effect) has been proposed to be an important factor underlying port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by comparing the incidence of port-site metastasis between B-ultrasound-guided and laparoscopically-assisted hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (HIPPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with malignant ascites induced by gastrointestinal or ovarian cancer were divided into two groups to receive either B-ultrasound-guided or laparoscopically-assisted HIPPC. Clinical efficacy was assessed from the objective remission rate (ORR), the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, and overall survival. The incidence of port-site metastasis was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the B-ultrasound (n=32) and laparoscopy (n=30) groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, primary disease type, volume of ascites, and free cancer cell (FCC)-positive ascites. After HIPPC, there were no significant differences between the B-ultrasound and laparoscopy groups in the KPS score change, ORR, and median survival time. The incidence of port-site metastasis after HIPPC was not significantly different between the B-ultrasound (3 of 32, 9.36%) and laparoscopy (3 of 30, 10%) groups, but significantly different among pancreatic, gastric, ovarian, and colorectal cancer (33.33, 15.79, 10.00, and 0.00%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The chimney effect may not be the key reason for port-site metastasis after laparoscopy. Other factors may play a role, including the local microenvironment at the trocar site and the delivery of viable FCCs (from the tumor or malignant ascites) to the trauma site during laparoscopic surgery.
Ascites ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Laparoscopy ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Perfusion* ; Surgical Instruments ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function in chronic persistent bronchial asthma and analyze its effect on the improvement of life quality as well as compare its efficacy with Seretide inhaler.

METHODSFifty-seven cases were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (28 cases) and a Seretide group (29 cases) according to the random number table. In heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the therapy of heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied to the regions at the level of Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), or to the heat-sensitized points in the region 6 cun lateral from the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces in the chest. The treatment was given continuously for 8 days, once per day, 12 treatments should be ensured in the later 22 days of the 1st month. In the later two months since then, 15 treatments should be ensured each month (< or = 1 treatment each day). In Seretide group, Seritide manufactured in GlaxoSmithKLine was used, one inhalation each time, twice per day. The cases in both groups were received treatment for 3 months. The changes in lung function such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1), TCM symptoms score, Asthma Control Test (ACT) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed and compared between two groups and within group separately.

RESULTSLung function as FEV1 was improved in either group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The terminal improvement effects on symptoms of Chinese medicine, life quality and others were same between two groups (all P > 0.05). But the improvements in general situation, chills, fever and sweating in heat-sensitive moxibustion group were superior to those in Seretide group (both P < 0.05). Concerning to the improvement in respiratory symptoms, the effect of Seretide was better than that of heat-sensitive moxibustion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHeat-sensitive moxibustion improves lung function, relieves clinical symptoms and benefits life quality for patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma. It's efficacy on the disease is equal to the internationally-recognized effect of Seretide.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo establish a method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for determining the urine oxalate levle in rats with renal calcium oxalate calculus.

METHODSTotally 24 SPF Wistar healthy male rats were randomly divided into control group(n=12)and ethylene glycol (EG) group (n=12). Rats in EG group were administered intragastrically with 2% ammonium chloride (AC)2 ml/rat per day+1% ethylene glycol (EG), along with free access to drinking water.The control group was fed with deionized water, along with the intragastric administration of normal saline (1 ml per day). Twenty-eight days after modelling, the 24-hour urine samples were collected, and the urine oxalic acid levels were determined using HPLC and the results were compared with those of catalytic spectrophotometry using oxidation of methyl. During the HPLC, the samples were separated on Aglient 5TC-C18 (250×4.6 mm,5 Μm), eluted with mixture of methanol (0.1 mol/L) and ammonium acetate (15:85) at 1.2 ml/min, and detected at 314 nm, with the column temperature being 20 ℃.

RESULTSThe standard curves of high and low concentrations of oxalic acid were y=5909.1x+378730, R² =0.9984 and y=7810.5x-16635, R² =0.9967,respectively. The lowest detectable concentration in this method was 5 Μg/ml. The linear high concentration range of oxalate stood at 62.50-2000.00 Μg/ml, and the linear low concentration range of oxalate stood at 6.25-100.00 Μg/ml. Its average recovery was 95.1%, and its within-day and day-to-day precisions were 3.4%-10.8% and 3.8%-9.4%. Both HPLC and catalytic spectrophotometry showed significantly higher urinary oxalic acid concentration and 24 h urine oxalate level in EG group compared with the control group [urinary oxalic acid concentration: (736.35 ± 254.52) Μg/ml vs.(51.56 ± 36.34) Μg/ml,(687.35 ± 234.53) Μg/ml vs.(50.24 ± 42.34) Μg/ml;24 h urine oxalate level: (11.23 ± 4.12)mg vs.(0.87 ± 0.45)mg,(9.89 ± 3.55)mg vs. (0.77 ± 0.65)mg; all P<0.01]. No statistically significant difference was observed in the results of urinary oxalate concentration and 24 h urine oxalate level between HPLC and potassium chromate oxidation of methyl red spectrophotometry (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHPLC is a simple, rapid, and precise method in detecting urine oxalate level in rats with renal calcium oxalate calculus, with high recovery rate.

Acetates ; Animals ; Azo Compounds ; Calcium Oxalate ; Calculi ; Chromates ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Kidney ; Male ; Oxalates ; Potassium Compounds ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spectrophotometry ; Water

Objective::To explore the active components, potential targets and signaling pathways of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of renal fibrosis based on the network pharmacology method, and then to verify the target genes in vitro. Method::Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) were retrieved to obtain the main active ingredients of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The potential anti-renal fibrosis targets of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were predicted by similarity ensemble approach (SEA), Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) and GeneCards Database. Target protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using String Version 10.5 database. David 6.8 software was used for gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the key targets. Cytoscape Version 3.6.0 software was used for visualized analysis of PPI network, active ingredient-key target network and the ingredient-target-signal pathway network. In combination with Malachards database, the signal pathways with high correlation with renal fibrosis were screened. Then, cell experiments were used for verification: HK-2 cells were selected to establish fibrosis model by transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) stimulation. The cells were treated with rhein for 48 hours. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression level of hypoxia inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1 α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFR-α). Protein expression levels of E-cadherin and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by immunofluorescence. Apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry. Result::Totally 17 active ingredients of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and 424 targets of anti-renal fibrosis effect were screened out, including five key targets: protein kinase B(Akt)1, mitogen activated protein kinases 3(MAPK3), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), interleukin(IL)-6 and VEGFA in turn. The biological process of GO enrichment mainly involved signal transduction, cell proliferation and apoptotic process. The results of KEGG pathway enrichment showed that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/Akt, HIF-1, VEGF, and forkhead transcription factor (FoxO) pathways were related to the anti-renal fibrosis mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. Results of the in vitro experiment proved that rhein could inhibit the expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA, HIF-1α, VEGF and PDGFR-α. In addition, rhein inhibited apoptosis induced by TGF-β₁ in HK-2 cells. Part of the prediction results of network pharmacology were verified. Conclusion::This study reflects the multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism characteristics of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The mechanisms of its anti-renal fibrosis effects may be related to inhibiting HIF-1 α / VEGF /PDGFR-α signaling pathway, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells.