OBJECTIVE To evaluate the embryo toxicity of Shuanghuanglian (SHL) by the combination of a human placental barrier model and embryonic stem (ES) cell test model.METHODS A human placental barrier model was set up by placenta slice culture and Ussing chamber.SHL 0.2,0.4,0.8,1.6,3.2,6.4 and 12.8 g· L-1 was added into the maternal side of the human placental model,respectively.All the media was collected respectively from the matemal side and fetal side 60 min later and taken as the SHL containing medium.ES cells (D3 line) and embryonic fibroblast cells (BALB/c 3T3) were cultured with the SHL containing medium respectively from the maternal side and the fetal side for 10 d.Cell viability was detected by MTT assay,and 50％ survival inhibitory ratio of ES and 3T3 cells by SHL was calculated.ES cells were incubated with the SHL containing medium from the matemal side or fetal side when they differentiated to cardiac myoblasts using hanging drop-suspension-attachment method.Messenger RNA of myosin heavy chain genes (β-MHC) was detected by Q-PCR for differentiation ratio,and 50％ differentiation inhibitory ratio of ES cells by SHL was calculated.A statistics formula was used for prediction of SHL embryotoxicity potential.RESULTS The IC50 of SHL in the matemal side of the human placental model for 3T3 cell survival,ES cell survival and ES differentiation was 1.97,0.84 and 0.48 g· L-1,respectively.According to the criteria for embryo toxicity evaluation,SHL had weak embryo toxicity.However,the IC50 of SHL in the fetal side of the human placental model for 3T3 cell survival,ES cell survival and ES differentiation was 3.19,2.57 and 0.95 g· L-1,respectively.According to the criteria for embryo toxicity evaluation,the supernatant containing SHL that went through the placental barrier had no embryo toxicity.CONCLUSION SHL is safe in the test concentration range during pregnancy.It is more scientific to evaluate embryo toxicity of drugs by ES cell test with the samples obtained through the placental barrier during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of the contents of Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder in placental perfusate. METHODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Agilent Zorbax-C18 with mobile phase of acetonitrile-1%formic acid aqueous solution(gradient elution)at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,the internal standard was puera-rin,detection wavelength was 280 nm,column temperature was 25 ℃ and sample volume was 10 μl. RESULTS:There was a lin-ear range between linear ranges and peak area of 8 ingredients(r≥0.999 0);RSDs of within-day and inter-day precision tests were no more than 1.9%,repeatability tests was no more than 7.3%;average recoveries were in the range of 92.73%-112.37%(RSD=3.2%-8.2%,n=6);and average matrix effects were 90.33%-105.78%(RSD=3.2%-8.0%,n=6). CONCLUSIONS:The method is rapid,sensitive and specific,and can be used to the simultaneous determination of the contents of 8 ingredients of Shuan-ghuanglian freeze-dried powder in placental perfusate.

Objective To analyze the invasion and metastasis of endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis through assessing the transcription levels of COX-2, PGE2, Snail and E-cadherin mRNA. Methods Ectopic and eutopic endometri?al tissues from patients with EMs (endometriosis) or uterine fibroids were collected and cultured. The fourth generation of pu?rified endometrial stromal cells were used for research, and the transcription levels of COX-2, PGE2, Snail and E-cadherin mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results There were no statistical differences in transcription levels of COX-2, PGE2, Snail and E-cadherin mRNA in eutopic endometrial stromal cells from patients with EMs or uterine fibroids between secra?tion stage and proliferation stage(P>0.05). The transcription levels of COX-2, PGE2 and Snail mRNA were significantly in?creased while transcription level of E-cadherin mRNA was decreased in eutopic and ectopic endometrial stromal cells in pa?tients with EM compared with those in patients with uterine fibroid. And the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The transcription levels of COX-2, PGE2 and Snail mRNA were obviously higher while transcription level of E-cadherin mRNA was lower in ectopic endometrial stromal cells than those in eutopic endometrial stromal cells from pa?tients with EMs. And the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion The invasion and me?tastasis of endometrial stromal cells of patients with EMs were remarkable than those cell of patients without EMs. What ’s more, the invasion and metastasis in ectopic endometrial stromal cells were more obvious than those cells in the pathogenesis of EMs.

OBJECTIVETo study ingredients penetrable through placental barrier by administering pregnant rats with Scutellaria Radix extract using HPLC-MS.

METHODRats in early, middle and late pregnancy were intragastrically administered with Scutellaria Radix extract for 5 days. Maternal plasma and embryonic tissues were obtained at 1.5, 12 h after the final administration of Scutellaria Radix extract to determine ingredients of biological specimens.

RESULTUnder the optimum experimental conditions, seven compounds were detected in all pregnant rat plasma, specifically including baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A. The seven compounds were also discovered in embryonic tissues of rats in early pregnancy, including the five detected compounds. But they were not detected in embryonic tissues of rats in middle pregnancy, and six compounds except baicalein were detected embryonic tissues of rats in late pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONIngredients contained in Scutellaria Radix are detected in pregnant rats at different stages, except those in middle pregnancy, indicating a potential in utero exposure in case of oral administration of Scutellaria Radix pregnancy. Therefore, a study of embryotoxicity shall be continued to evaluate the safety of Scutellaria Radix extract.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry

Objective To summarize the initial experience in application of mesohepatectomy for the treatment of central liver tumors while focusing on its indication, short-term and long-term prognosis and especially outlining its technical details. Methods The clinical data of 3 patients receiving mesohepatectomy from December 2007 to March 2009 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.The imaging characteristics were summarized to convey the indication details. The technique details of the operation were outlined so as to reduce blood loss or other complications during and after the operation. The post-operative course and follow-up data were also collected and analyzed. Results Two patients suffered from primary hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis and the other from giant hemangioma. The tumors were located in Couinaud yegment Ⅳ and/or Ⅷ. The average blood loss and operative duration were 800 ml and 7 h, respectively. Blood liver function tests returned to normal within 7 days postoperatively and the patients were discharged after that. No complications occurred. The follow-up for 7-15 months showed that there was no recurrence. Conclusion Mesohepatectomy is the principal choice of treatment for centrally located liver tumors. For the safety and avoidance of complications, the doctor should abide by the concept of segment-oriented hepatectomy and apply the updated techniques such as CUSA (Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator). For patients with compromised liver function, mesohepatectomy might be superior to extended bepatectomy. Thus, the application of mesohepatectomy should be expanded. Meanwhile, further investigation is needed for its full evaluation.

OBJECTIVEUse HPLC to study the permeation of ingredients of Shuanghuanglian injection powder (SHL) through placental barriers of rats at different stages of pregnancy.

METHODThe pregnant rats were administered SHL for 5 d through caudalis vena at different stages of pregnancy. Plasma and embryonic tissues were obtained 12 h after the final administration of SHL. The componds in biological specimen were identified by HPLC.

RESULTBaicalin, luteolin and wogonoside were the main compounds in plasma. Wogonoside retained in first trimester embryonic tissues, and baicalin retained in the embryonic tissues of different pregnant stages.

CONCLUSIONBaicalin is the main compound of SHL through placental barriers of rats. Embryotoxicity of baicalin should be considered as the key point to evaluate the safety of SHL.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Permeability ; Placenta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To summarize the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of elastofibroma dorsi,focusing on the clinical features,the specific radiological characteristics,and the typical pathological alterations.Methods Clinical data of 10 cases of pathologically confirmed elastofibroma dorsi from January 1997 to April 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.Results Most patients were female(8/10)in this series.All the lesions were located within the muscles in the subscapular region.There were 13 lesions in 10 cases(3 cases with bilateral involvement).Seven patients complained of pain and feeling of foreign body,and three were asymptomatic.The size of the masses was between 4 centimeters to 12 centimeters,averaging at(7.46 ±2.70)centimeters.Except for the early 3 cases,accurate diagnosis was made in all the other 7 cases before the histological exams solely based on the physical examination and imaging findings.Marginal excision was done for all the cases under general anesthesia.Fluid accumulation,as the only kind of complication was found in 3 cases which was resolved by repeated paracentesis.No recurrence was found during the follow-up period(4 months to 125 months,median 11 months).Conclusion Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare,pseudotumoral lesion usually found in elderly women.It is a very special type of soft tissue tumors that its diagnosis can usually be made solely on the basis of unique imaging characteristics and physical examination before the histological exam.Surgical marginal excision is the choice of treatment with good short-term and long-term results.

Objective To evaluate the effects of different selection criteria on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients undergoing liver transplantation(LT)and to evaluate a new criterion.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 81 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent LT.The survival rates of the patients who met different criteria such as Milan.UCSF(University of California San Francisco UCSF).and Pittsburgh(Pitt)modified TNM criteria were calculated by KaplanMeier method,and the value of different criteria was evaluated.The Long-Rank test and COX proportional hazards regression model were performed to analyze the prognostic factors.the model of criteria was established according the most important prognostic factors.Using the Kaplan-Meier method,the suitable cut-offs of every variable ifl the model were found by comparing the survival and the number of the patients who met the cut-off,and considering the significant difference between the patients who met and exceed the cut-off at the same time.Resuits The 1,2,3-year accumulative survival rates of the 19 patients who met Milan criteria were 87.7%,87.7%,and 52.6%respectively:the 1,2,3-year disease free survival rates of them were 88.9%,72.7%,and 72.7%respectively.The 1,2.3-year accumulative survival rates of the 26 patients who met UCSF criteria were 87.2%,80.5%,and 55.2%respectively;the 1,2,3-year disease free survival rates of them were 84.1%,68.4%,and 68.4%respectively.With our new expanded criterion as of solitary tumor≤8 cm in diameter.or no more than 3 tumors,with the largest≤6 am,and a total tumor diameter≤10 cm.there was no significant difierence in 1,2,3-year sunrival rates and disease free survival rates(89.0%,81.8%,71.8%,and 81.9%,72.4%,72.4%.)as compared with Milan or UCSF criteria.but with this new criterion more patients(a=41)would be eligible for transplantation with a comparable long term survival.and the difference of the accumulative survival rates and disease free survival rates of the patients who met and exceed the new criteria was significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The new indication is acceptable because the criteria does not adversely impact survival.

0 05) and incidence rate of postoperative complications (0 vs.0). Postoperative hospital stay in group experiment was longer than that in group control ((2 2?0 4)d vs. (2?0)d, t =2 958, P

Objective To assess the outcome of liver transplantation in patients over sixty years of age,in order to attempt to expand the indications of liver transplantation. Methods From August,2000 to January,2002, the clinical data of 36 patients who underwent liver transplantation in our department were analysed retrospectively. Of the 36 cases, the data (operating time, the length of hospitalization, rejection rate and ICU stay days after operation) of 5 patients whose age were ≥60 years (elderly group) and the data of 31 patients whose age were under 60 years (