Objective:To discuss whether safranal affects the proliferation,migration,and phenotypic transformation of the vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)in a high-glucose environment and to clarify the function of safranal in the prevention and treatment of diabetic(DM)vascular complications.Methods:The SD rats were selected as experimental subjects;primary VSMCs were cultured from rat thoracic aortas and divided into control group,25 mmol·L-1 high glucose(HG)group,HG+20 μmol·L-1 safranal group,HG+40 μmol·L-1 safranal group,and HG+80 μmol·L-1 safranal group.The cells in control group received no treatment;the cells in 25 mmol·L-1 HG group were pretreated with 25 mmol·L-1 HG;the cells in HG+20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 safranal groups were further treated with 20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 safranal respectively for 48 h on the basis of 25 mmol·L-1 HG group.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to determine the appropriate concentration of safranal and detect the viabilities of the VSMCs in various groups;cell scratch healing assay was used to detect the scratch healing rates of the VSMCs in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of the migration VSMCs in various groups;immunofluorescence method was used to detect the fluorescence intensities of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and rabbit anti-osteopontin(OPN)in the VSMCs in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of OPN,α-SMA,and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)in the VSMCs in various groups.Results:Under microscope,on the 4th day of in vitro culture,the spindle-shaped or triangular cells crawled out from the edge of the thoracic aorta tissue blocks,with long spindle being the most common morphology.On the 14th,the cells gradually covered the bottom of the dish;when cell density reached 80%-90%,the characteristic"hills and valleys"growth pattern appeared.Third-generation cells were taken for immunofluorescence identification;immunofluorescence staining with VSMC-specific marker α-SMA showed positive expression of α-SMA protein in the primarily cultured VSMCs.The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the cell viability of the cells in 160 μmol·L-1 safranal group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),indicating toxic damage to the cells.Under the conditions of safranal concentrations at 20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 respectively,after 48 h intervention on VSMCs,no significant adverse effect on cell viability was observed;considering both the effect and toxicity of safranal,these three concentrations were used in subsequent cell experiments.After 48 h intervention,compared with control group,the activity of the VSMCs in 25 mmol·L-1 HG group was increased(P<0.001);compared with 25 mmol·L-1 HG group,the activities of the VSMCs in HG+20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 safranal groups were gradually decreased(P<0.05).The cell scratch healing assay and Transwell assay results showed that after 48 h intervention,the scratch healing rate of the VSMCs in 25 mmol·L-1 HG group was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01),and the number of transmembrane cells through the Transwell chamber was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with 25 mmol·L-1 HG group,the scratch healing rates of the VSMCs in HG+20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 safranal groups were gradually decreased(P<0.05),and the number of transmembrane cells was decreased(P<0.05).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with control group,the fluorescence intensity of α-SMA protein in the VSMCs in 25 mmol·L-1 HG group was significantly weakened(P<0.001),while the fluorescence intensity of OPN protein was significantly enhanced(P<0.001);compared with 25 mmol·L-1 HG group,the fluorescence intensities of α-SMA protein in the VSMCs in HG+20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 safranal groups were gradually increased(P<0.05),and the fluorescence intensities of OPN were gradually weakened(P<0.05).The Western blotting method results showed that compared with control group,the expression level of α-SMA protein in the VSMCs in 25 mmol·L-1 HG group was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of PCNA and OPN proteins were increased(P<0.01);compared with 25 mmol·L-1 HG group,the expression level of α-SMA protein in the VSMCs in HG+20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 safranal groups were increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of PCNA and OPN proteins were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Safranal can inhibit the proliferation,migration,and phenotypic transformation of the VSMCs induced by high glucose.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of non-operative treatment for the acute intra-synovial sheath anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.Methods Twenty-eight patients diagnosed as the acute intra-synovial sheath ACL rupture at outpatient clinic between May 2014 and July 2016 were included.All patients were immobilized with knee braces for 6 weeks,followed by range of motion (ROM) training and partial to full weight-bearing of knees.All patients returned 3 months later for MRI scanning and those with the side-to-side difference of the anterior-posterior laxity less than 5 mm continued with non-operative treatment,followed up for MRI examination and clinical assessments 6 and 12 months later.Results Four patients dropped out because they didn't meet the stability criteria at 3 months after the treatment,3 of whom received surgical reconstruction and 1 with muscle strengthening training.Another patient received surgical reconstruction at 5 months due to re-injury.The remaining 23 patients achieved satisfactory results at 12 months after the treatment,with the average side-to-side difference of the anterior-posterior laxity of 2.1mm (0-4 mm),MRI good-to-excellent rate of 85.2％ (8 of Grade 1 and 15 of Grade 2),subjective IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) score of 92.71 (89.7-98.9),Lysholm score of 91.6 (86-95),and modified Larson score 96.4 (92-99).Conclusions Patients with the acute intra-synovial sheath anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture showed satisfactory functional scores and objective stability and healing on MRI after the non-operative treatment.

Objective To compare the graft maturity of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the oval-shaped tunnel technique and round-shaped tunnel technique by signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of MRI postoperatively.Methods Forty patients diagnosed as the anterior cruciate ligament rupture between August 2015 and June 2016 were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Patients were randomized into a round-shaped group and an oval-shaped group,undergoing traditional round-shaped tunnel and oval-shaped tunnel reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament respectively.One year postoperatively,the MRI was conducted,and three intra-articular regions of interest (ROI) were selected to compare the graft maturity by calculating SNQ.Results None of the forty patients experienced complications of bone tunnel blowout,graft getting through difficulties and neurological or vascular injuries.SNQ of the round-shaped group were 3.72 ± 2.29,significantly higher than that of the oval-shaped group(P＜0.001).Moreover,SNQ of proximal ROI and distal ROI of ovalshaped group were 1.97 ± 1.30 and 2.76 ± 1.75,significantly lower than the round-shaped group with proximal site of 3.53 ± 2.11(P=0.008) and distal site of 4.46 ± 2.28(P=0.012).Conclusion Comparing MRI signal intensity one year after the treatment,we have found the graft SNQ after oval-shaped tunnel reconstruction was lower than the round-shaped reconstruction,with better graft maturity.

Objective To compare the femur tibia angle(FTA) and tibia tubercle to trochlear groove (TT-TG) measured on the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) between patients with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) rupture and healthy controls with intact ACL,and to observe the change of the tibia-femur rotation and explore its relationship with the patellofemoral cartilage injury.Methods Fifty patients with ACL ruptures were divided into an experimental group,while another 50 healthy counterparts were chosen into a control group.All subjects were given MRI to get FTA and TT-TG.For the experimental group,all parameters were measured before and after ACL reconstruction.The results were analyzed by variance analysis and t test.Results MRI measurements showed that the average FTA in the experimental group was 6.5° ± 6.1° and 6.0° ± 5.6° before and after the ACL reconstruction,significantly higher than that in the control group,which was 3.6° ± 4.9° (P=0.0003 and P=0.033,respectively).No significant differences were found in the average TT-TG of the experimental group,6.4 ± 3.3 mm before ACL reconstruction and 6.9 mm ± 4.0 mm after ACL reconstruction,and that of the control group,6.3 ± 3.6 mm(P=0.678).Moreover,all patients in the experimental group underwent a second check under the arthroscopy,which revealed that the patellofemoral cartilage injury was aggravat ed in 26 patients measured by the Outerbridge grading.However,there was no significant difference in FTA and TT-TG between patients with and without aggravated patellofemoral cartilage degeneration.Conclusions After ACL reconstruction,the external rotation angle of the knee could not completely recover to the normal level with the knee extension at 0°.Patellofemoral cartilage degeneration after the ACL reconstruction is caused by many factors.The results of the second arthroscopy after the ACL reconstruction find no relationship between patellofemoral cartilage degeneration and the increased tibia external rotation angle relative to the femur.Moreover,after the ACL reconstruction,if the femur tibia angle is bigger than the range of motion of the knee,it cannot be concluded that the anterior cruciate ligament is reruptured.

Objective To modify anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)reconstruction to achieve better structure;to measure the tunnel's position and shape using three-dimensional computed tomography (CT)so as to show the change of the femoral bony tunnel.Methods Forty-five patients were diagnosed with an ACL tear and subsequently underwent the modified ACL reconstruction,using a minor-diameter drill to drill the femoral tunnel and then expand it to oval-shaped tunnel with the raspatory between July 2014 and 2015.All procedures were conducted by the same experienced surgeon (Ao Yf.).In all patients,CT was performed at one week after the ACL reconstruction to evaluate the femoral tunnel's positioning,then the CT-images were imported into the image processing software MIMICS to reconstruct the femoral bony tunnel to measure the tunnel's diameters of the section and the shape.The tunnel's position was evaluated using the quadrant method.Results In all the 45 patients,the graft could pass the tunnel.And no posterior tunnel wall blowout,neurological or vascular deficit was documented during the operation.According to the different methods of modification (6 to 7,6 to 8 and 7 to 8),the long diameters of the sections of the femoral bony tunnels were 8.34-± 0.52 mm,10.65 ± 0.72mm,9.27-± 0.11 mm,without significant difference from the theoretical value (8.16 mm,10.66 mm and 9.14 mm).However,the short diameters of the sections were 6.57--0.12 mm,6.74-± 0.13 mm,and 7.52 ± 0.05 mm,showing significant difference from the theoretical value (6mm,6mm and 7 mm).The average centre of the femoral tunnel was located at 26.4 ± 4.8％ of the femoral length and at 30.1 ± 5.6％ of the femoral height.Conclusion In this modified ACL reconstruction,a minor-diameter drill is used to drill the femoral tunnel and then expand it to oval-shaped tunnel with the raspatory,The graft was matched well with the bony tunnel intraoperatively.The three-dimensional CT shows that the femoral tunnels are well located within the anatomical ACL footprint,and its entrance is closer to the natural state.

Objective To explore the effects of rapid response first-aid case on bedside emergency gastroscopy hemostatic treatment. Methods A total of 52 patients with esophageal-fundal varices in liver cirrhosis from January 2014 to June 2015 were divided into control group (n=25) and experimental group (n=27). The patients of control group received the routine nursing; then we summarized the experience and mistakes of operation cooperation, optimized process;next we designed rapid response first-aid case and used in the experimental group. The blood transfusion time, goods preparation time, blood loss, blood transfusion volume were compared in two groups. Results The data of the experimental group in average bleeding to transfusion time (90. 22 ± 36. 47)min, materials preparation time (14. 66 ± 3. 48) min, the average amount of bleeding (369. 62 ± 158. 90) ml, average blood transfusion amount (322. 40 ± 117. 82) ml were lower than those of the control group [ average bleeding to blood transfusion time ( 123. 60 ± 51. 87 ) min, materials preparation time ( 22. 44 ± 2. 59 ) min, average bleeding volume ( 660. 20 ± 181. 82 ) ml, average blood transfusionamount(458.00±140.63)ml](P<0.05).Conclusions Theimplementationofrapidresponse first-aid case can effectively shorten the rescue time, reduce bleeding and blood transfusion time, the blood loss, the wastage of human resources and medical resources, improve the efficiency of nursing work in the department and the success rate of rescue.

Objective To analyze the clinical feature and pathological characteristics of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) coexisted with oral leukoplakia (OLK) or oral lichen planus (OLP),and summarize both the common and each clinical and pathological characteristics of two kinds of diseases.Methods The clinical and pathological data of 74 patients with OSF coexisted with OLK and 57patients with OSF coexisted with OLP were retrospectively reviewed.Results Most of patients with OSF coexisted with OLK or OLP were mainly young and middle-aged male patients,and all had the habit of eating betel quid chewing.Most of them had the habit of smoking and alcohol drinking; while their limitation of mouth opening were not obvious.Patients coexisted with unilateral OLK or OLP all had a unilateral mastication of chewing betel nut;the prevalence rate of erosive OLP was lower in the patients with OSF coexisted OLP than that of OLP patients never chew betel nut.The pathology of both OSF coexisted with OLK or OLP was with the respective characteristics of OLK or OLP on the basis of OSF,and the epithelium was thickened more than atrophic.No relationship was found between the degree of epithelial hyperplasia and the severity of fibrosis in patients with OSF coexisted with OLK.Conclusions OSF coexisted with OLK and OSF coexisted with OLP were the occurrence of OLK or OLP on the basis of OSF,which were not a simple superposition of two diseases,but combination with their own characteristics of OSF coexisted with OLK or OLP.

OBJECTIVETo establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for quality control of Codonopsis tangshen.

METHODThe samples were determined with the dereloped method. By the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Version 2004A), mean chromatogram was generated as the representative standard fingerprint and the similarity of each chromatogram against the mean chromatogram was also calculated. Samples was clustered using principal component analysis (PCA) based on the ratio of characteristic peaks and standard peak. The chromatographic fingerprinting of C. tangshen, showing 7 characteristic peaks, was established from 29 habitats of C. tangshen.

RESULTThe similarity of the chromatographic fingerprints from the 29 samples was over 0.8 and 23 samples were classified into one group based on hierarchical cluster, which showed the quality of C. tangshen from different habitats was in good consistency.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be applied for quality assessment of C. tangshen.

China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; classification ; Phylogeny ; Plant Extracts ; analysis