Diosgenin,an important steroid sapogenin,is one of major precursors of synthetic steroids.It is rich in natural resources and has various significant activities such as anti-tumor,anti-inflammation,and cardiovascular-protection and so on.Recently,it causes increasing attention of scholars all over the world due to its valuable application in medicine.In this paper,the latest international research advances of diosgenin in its pharmacologic activities and mechanism were reviewed.

Objective To study the state and trends of Kesan disease in Henan province from 2004 to 2009. Methods Surveillance sites were selected: Guxian village of Luoning country from 2004 - 2007, Zuyang town of Lingbao city in 2008, and Shahe village of Lushi country in 2009. All residents of surveillance sites were examined by clinical and electrocardiogram, and suspected patients were inspected by chest X-ray to measure ardiothoracic ratio. Hair and wheat flour samples were collected and selenium levels were detected with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Results From 2004 to 2009, a total of 4034 people were examined.The numbers of chronic and latent KSD patients were 21 and 75 cases,respectively, and the incidence rates were 0.52%(21/4034) and 1.86%(75/4034), respectively . The number of abnormal electrocardiogram was 751 cases, and the incidence rate was 18.62%. The highest proportion of abnormal electrocardiogram was ST-T changes,accounting for 24.63%(185/751), followed by high-voltage, accounting for 18.11%(136/751), and left ventricular accounting for 13.85% (104/751). Sixty-one grain samples were collected and the wheat flour selenium level was averaged 0.034 mg/kg. Thirty hair samples were collected and the selenium median was 0.285 mg/kg. Conclusions The state of Keshan disease is in a steady state in Henna province, but higher rates of abnormal electrocardiogram is a serious problem and should be studied and prevented.

Objective To understand Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) status in Henan Province and provide the basis for the further prevention and treatment of KBD. Methods Children aged 7 to 12 in 3 villages(Yaodian, Miaowa and Zhuyang) with the same environment such as topography, physiognomy,production mode and living habits in Shan County and Lingbao City were selected to undertake KBD clinical examination in 2008, X-ray examination of right hand and child hair samples and food samples were collected to determine the content of selenium. Selenium was determined using 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene method. Adults who were 16 years or older in 5 counties(Luoning, Lingbao, Mianchi, Shah and Lushi) were selected and examined for KBD. Results One hundred and ninty children aged 7 to 12 were clinically examined and clinical KBD were found, whereas 3 children were diagnosed as KBD by X-ray examination, the positive rate was 1.58% (3/190). All 20 521 adults were clinically examined and KBD prevelance rate was 6.10%(1251/20 521), including degree Ⅰ (3.97%,814/20 521), degree Ⅱ (1.77%, 364/20 521 ), degree Ⅲ (0.36%, 73/20 521). The average selenium contents in hair and food samples were (0.319±0.128)mg/kg and (0.031±0.009)mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions Child KBD in Henan Province is under control or almost under control, whereas the prevalence of adult KBD was relatively serious, which suggested that secondary prevention with the objective of clinically treating KBD patients should be strengthened.

Objective To investigate the role of ileocecal valve in children patients with intussus-ceptions by colonoscopy after pneumatic air enema reduction. Methods A total of 106 intussusceptions chil dren patients, who recovered with pneumatic air edema reduction, were recruited to the study. They underwent colonoscopy within 12 hours after reduction. The control group was composed of 103 children patients with both diarrhea and hematochezia. There was no significant difference in age, sex or weight between the two groups.Colonoscopic findings were recorded in terms of slack, swelling, prolapsus, lymphoid hyperplasia and mucosal lesions in ileocecal valve. Results In patients with intussusceptions, the rates of ileocecal valve slack, swelling including prolapsus, lymphoid hyperplasia and mucosal lesions were 61.3%, 33. 9%, 100. 0% and 31.1%, respectively, which were significantly different with those of the control group (P ＞ 0. 05 ). When further divided intussusceptions patients into groups with age more than 1 yr or less, significant differences were also observed in regarding of these features. Conclusion There is a close relationship between morphological and functional changes in ileocecal valve and intussusceptions in children. Ileocolic intussusceptions in patients younger than 1yr is more likely to be due to slack of ileocecal valve, while that in patients older than 1yr is mainly due to swelling or prolapse of ileocecal valve, represented by ileocecal intussuception.

In order to realize an individualized and specialized rehabilitation assessment of remoteness and intelligence, we set up a remote intelligent assessment system of upper limb movement function of post-stroke patients during rehabilitation. By using the remote rehabilitation training sensors and client data sampling software, we collected and uploaded the gesture data from a patient's forearm and upper arm during rehabilitation training to database of the server. Then a remote intelligent assessment system, which had been developed based on the extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm and Brunnstrom stage assessment standard, was used to evaluate the gesture data. To evaluate the reliability of the proposed method, a group of 23 stroke patients, whose upper limb movement functions were in different recovery stages, and 4 healthy people, whose upper limb movement functions were normal, were recruited to finish the same training task. The results showed that, compared to that of the experienced rehabilitation expert who used the Brunnstrom stage standard table, the accuracy of the proposed remote Brunnstrom intelligent assessment system can reach a higher level, as 92.1%. The practical effects of surgery have proved that the proposed system could realize the intelligent assessment of upper limb movement function of post-stroke patients remotely, and it could also make the rehabilitation of the post-stroke patients at home or in a community care center possible.
Algorithms ; Arm ; physiopathology ; Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Movement ; Recovery of Function ; Reproducibility of Results ; Software ; Stroke Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical efficacy of double Endobutto reconstituting coracoclavicular ligament combined with repairing acromioclavicular ligament in stage I in treating acromioclavicular dislocation with Rockwood type III - V .

METHODSFrom January 2010 to September 2013, 56 patients with Rockwood type III - V acromioclavicular dislocation were treated by operation, including 20 males and 36 femlaes, aged from 32 to 52 years old with an average of 38.5 years old. Twenty-five patients were on the left side and 31 cases on the right side. The time from injury to operation was from 3 to 14 days, averaged 7 days. All patients were diagnosed as acromioclavicular dislocation with Rockwood type III - V, and double Endobutto were used to reconstituting coracoclavicular ligament, line metal anchors were applied for repairing acromioclavicular ligament. Postoperative complications were observed, Karlsson and Constant-Murley evaluation standard were used to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 8 to 24 months with average of 11 months. According to Karlsson evaluation standard at 6 months after operation,42 cases were grade A, 13 were grade B and 1 was grade C. Constant-Murley score were improved from (42.80±5.43) before operation to (91.75±4.27) at 6 months after operation. All items at 6 months after operation were better than that of preoperative items. Forty-eight patients got excellent results, 7 were moderate and only 1 with bad result. No shoulder joint adhesion, screw loosening or breakage were occurred during following up.

CONCLUSIONDouble Endobutto reconstituting coracoclavicular ligament combined with repairing acromioclavicular ligament in stage I for the treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation with Rockwood type III - V could obtain early staisfied clinical effects, and benefit for early recovery of shoulder joint function.

Acromioclavicular Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Shoulder Dislocation ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

AIM: To determine the total saponins in Shengmai Powders. METHODS: After comparing three chromogenic method, perchloric acid choosed as the chromogenic agent to determine total saponins. RESULTS: The content of total saponins in Shengmai Powder preparation Xindekang Granules was 6.14%. CONCLUSION: The method of perchloric acid is simple, relatively precise and reproducible. It is a reliable method for evaluating the quality of Shengmai Powders.

Objective To observe the change of conditions and study the epidemiology of Keshan disease from 1995 to 2009 in Henan province.Methods From 1995 to 2009,seriously ill township (village) of Keshan disease were selected as monitoring sites,and one cross-sectional survey was conducted annually.Resident population were asked of their disease history,and were taken clinical examination.Suspicious or suspected cases of Keshan disease and people with abnormal ECG were taken 2 m X-ray.Hair and wheat flour samples were collected for selenium testing.Results From 1995 to 2009,about 6632 people were checked,130 chronic and 52 latent cases of Keshan disease were identified,the total detection rates were between 1.12％ and 5.06％.The detectable rate for abnormal electrocardiogram and heart enlargement found through chest X-ray examination were 10.24％ -30.65％ and 32.4％ - 77.8％,respectively.The content of hair selenium tended to increase,the highest was in 2009 (357.12 μg/kg),and the lowest was in 1997( 142.68 μg/kg).Conclusion Keshan disease is stable in Henan province,and prevention and control measures should be strengthen gradually.

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism by which promyelocytric leuxemia (PML) suppresses human gallbladder cancer cell line (GBC-SD) growth.Methods GBC-SD cells were infected by green fluorescent protein recombinant adenovirus (Ad-GFP), GFP-positive cells were examined by microscopy.Cultured gallbladder carcinoma cells (GBC-SD) were infected with Ad-PML or Ad-control.Cell death was detected by DNA laddering and TUNNEL analysis.Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometer.Results An infection efficiency of 100% can be achieved at a concentration of 100 multiplicity of infection (MOI).The growth rate of the Ad-PML-infected GBC-SD cells was significantly inhibited.DNA laddering was detected at 72 h post-infection.The amount of apoptotic cells significantly increased in the Ad-PML-infected GBC-SD cells without evident alterations in cell cycle distribution.Conclusion PML suppresses growth of human gallbladder cancer cell line GBC-SD by inducing apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of detecting urinary natural killer(NK) cells in patients with general types of glomerulonephritis. Methods The contents of urinary NK cells from 54 patients with glomerulonephritis were measured by flowcytometry,while all patients were classified into two groups including acute proliferation group and none-acute proliferation group by renal biopsy results. The content of urinary NK cells was compared between the two groups. Results The content of urinary NK cells in acute proliferative glomerular disease group were( 14. 8 ±3. 3)% (30 cases) ,which was significantly higher than that of(21. 6 ±2. 9)% (24 cases) in the non-acute proliferative glomerular patients(P<0.05). Conclusions Decreasing of the contents of NK cells in urine may be an indirect indicator of the activity of glomerulonephritis.