[Analysis on quality value transmitting of substance benchmark of Houpo Wenzhong Decoction].

By preparing 15 batches of lyophilized powder samples of substance benchmark in Houpo Wenzhong Decoction,the fingerprint,index component content and extract rate were determined,and the characteristic peaks,the range of similarity with the reference map,the content range and transfer rate range of magnolol,hesperidin,glycyrrhizic acid and pinocembrin,the extract rate range and the change range were clarified. The results showed that the similarity between the fingerprint of substance benchmark and the reference map R generated from the 15 batches of substance benchmark samples was higher than 0. 90. The assignment of the characteristic peaks in the full prescription's fingerprint of the herbs except Poria cocos was clarified. Nineteen characteristic peaks were assigned,and 12 characteristic peaks were assigned by the reference substance,of which 4 were from Magnolia ocinalis Cortex,5 from Exocarpium Citri Rubrum,2 from Radix aucklandiae,3 from Glycyrrhiza Radix et Rhizoma,4 from Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai,and one from Rhizoma Zingiberis and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. The index component content range and transfer rate range were 0. 80%-1. 14% and 20. 25%-39. 61% for hesperidin,0. 49%-0. 79% and 23. 09%-33. 87%for glycyrrhizic acid,0. 03%-0. 07% and 3. 55%-10. 09% for pinocembrin,0. 15%-0. 38% and 8. 08%-24. 35% for magnolol. The extract rate range and the change range were22. 60%-25. 57% and 12. 67%-23. 68% respectively. In this study,we introduced the concepts of index component content,fingerprint,extract rate,explored the transfer relation of quality value transmitting of substance benchmark in Houpo Wenzhong Decoction,and initially established the quality standard of Houpo Wenzhong Decoction,all of which would provide ideas for the development and research of similar prescriptions.

Effect of Danshen aqueous extract on serum hs-CRP, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α levels, and IL-10 mRNA, TNF-α mRNA expression levels, cerebral TGF-ß1 positive expression level and its neuroprotective mechanisms in CIR rats.

To observe the effects of Danshen aqueous extract (DSAE) on the cerebral tissue and nerve stem cells in cerebral ischemia reperfusion (CIR) rats. The model rats were prepared by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 h and then by reperfusion. They were randomly divided into five groups: a control group, an CIR group and three DSAE-treated groups. As compared with the sham control group, there was significant increase (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels, interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, and IL-10 mRNA, TNF-α mRNA expression levels, function score, Infarct size, TUNEL + cell counts, cerebral transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) positive expression and cerebral neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels, and decrease in fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) and death-associated protein (Daxx) positive expression levels in the CIR group. Compared with CIR group, DSAE treatment dose-dependently significantly decreased serum hs-CRP, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α levels, and IL-10 mRNA, TNF-α mRNA expression levels, function score, Infarct size, TUNEL + cell counts, cerebral TGF-ß1 positive expression and cerebral NSE levels, and increase FADD and Daxx positive expression levels in the CIR + DSAE groups. Taken together, these results suggest that DSAE has a neuroprotective role in the CIR rats, which may be related to improvement of immunity function, proteins and genes expression.

Effect of the GLP-1 analog exendin-4 and oxaliplatin on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line and mouse model.

The influence of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Exendin-4 on development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is evaluated in the study. In vitro tests, including acute toxicity test, cell colony formation assays, cells proliferation and apoptosis, transwell assay, were performed. An ICC in situ tumor animal model was established. Then, animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control, Exendin-4 treatment, oxaliplatin treatment and Exendin-4-oxaliplatin treatment. Animals in the Exendin-4 treatment and Exendin-4-oxaliplatin treatment groups received a subcutaneous injection of Exendin-4 (100 µg/kg/day) for 1 week, and then received oxaliplatin (10 mg/kg/week) by tail vein injection. Animals in the control group received PBS. Immunohistochemistry tests were used for PCNA, Ki67, Caspase 3 expression in tumor tissue. Results show that that, after incubation of human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, HuCCTI and GLP-1, or HuCCTI and Exendin-4, colony formation number was sharply decreased. However, GLP-1, HuCCTI or Exendin-4 did not affect the colony of normal cells. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin-4 can significantly inhibit tumor cells' proliferation and promote apoptosis. The combined effect is stronger than that of oxaliplatin or Exendin-4. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can significantly decrease Ki67 and PCNA proteins' expression in subcutaneous tumors of nude mice. The inhibitory effect of Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 is clearly stronger than that of oxaliplatin. In addition, Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can significantly increase Caspase3 protein positive expression. In short, these results show that combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can inhibit tumor cells' proliferation, and promote apoptosis.

[Churg-Strauss syndrome in children: a case evolving in endomyocardiopathy].

A 13-year-old girl presented with a 1-month history of progressive exertional dyspnea (NYHA class IV) and exophthalmos for 6 months. She had a history of long-standing asthma and the presence of allergy. Hypereosinophilia and increased serum IgE levels (2472 IU/mL) were observed. Chest radiography and a high resolution CT scan documented a massive interstitial pulmonary infiltration. Echocardiography confirmed mild tricuspid regurgitation, apical obliteration of the right ventricle by fibrocalcific thickening of the endocardium and echogenic material suggestive of thrombosis. Churg-Strauss syndrome with cardiac involvement (endomyocardiopathy) was diagnosed. The patient received anticoagulation and corticosteroid therapy. In view of rapidly progressive severe endomyocardiopathy and stable hematology, the patient was referred for cardiac surgery. Histopathological examination of resected specimens confirmed laminated thrombus but without any trace of eosinophils embedded.

[Relationship of brain natriuretic peptide to renal function and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the association of brain natriuretic peptide * BNP) with renal function and cardiac dysfunction in non-dialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Fluorescence immuno-assay was used to detect the whole blood concentration of BNP in a cohort of 203 CKD patients and 16 hypertensive controls. Color ultrasonography was conducted to determine the left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was examined. The relationship of BNP to eGFR and LVMI in these patients. RESULTS: There was a trend that the BNP level increased with the decrease of the level of eGFR [9.35 (7.35-15.00) vs 54.40 (15.10-173.00) ng/L, P < 0.01]. Spearman correlation showed that BNP level was correlated negatively with eGFR (r = -0.417, P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that eGFR was the independent determinant of BNP (beta = -0. 293, P < 0.01), and lgBNP concentration increased by 0.293 ng/L per 1 ml x min(-1) x (1.73 m2)(-1) reduction in lgGFR. The incidence of LV hypertrophy was much higher in the CKD patients than in the controls (53.2% vs 10.0%, P < 0.05). BNP level was greater in the patients with LV hypertrophy [93.05 (37.70-272.00) vs 17.30 (7.20-63.70) ng/L, P < 0.01], and LVMI had an independent effect on BNP concentration ( beta = 0.266, P < 0.01). lgBNP level increased by 0.266 ng/L per 1 g/m2 increase in lgLVMI. CONCLUSION: The declining eGFR level independently elevates the BNP level in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients. Although renal dysfunction itself may affects the BNP concentration, LV hypertrophy is a powerful independent determinant of BNP.

Evaluation of Corneal Thickness and Volume Parameters of Subclinical Keratoconus Using a Pentacam Scheimflug System.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of corneal thickness and volume parameters measured with the Pentacam Scheimflug system in discriminating subclinical keratoconus corneas and normal corneas. METHODS: This study included 19 patients (19 eyes) with subclinical keratoconus and 29 patients (29 eyes) with myopic astigmatism as the control group. Corneas were evaluated using a Pentacam Scheimflug system (2002 model, Oculus, Berkshire, UK). We evaluated corneal thickness and volume parameters, including central corneal thickness (CCT), minimum corneal thickness (MCT), depressed corneal thickness (DCT), maximum progression index (MaxPI), average progression index (AvPI), minimum progression index (MinPI), and corneal volume values for the 3.0 mm (CV3), 5.0 mm (CV5), and 7.0 mm (CV7) central circles. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the sensitivity and the specificity of the parameters. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis was used to construct models with corneal thickness and volume parameters for early diagnosis. RESULTS: There were significant differences in all parameters (p < 0.001), except CV3 and CV5, between subclinical keratoconus and normal corneas. The diagnostic accuracy for all parameters was high, with an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of approximately 1. The optimal cutoff values for DCT, MinPI, AvPI, and MaxPI were 5.5, 0.95, 1.05, and 1.45 for subclinical keratoconus, respectively. The PLS model for subclinical keratoconus fit well to the CCT, MCT, MaxPI, AvPI, MinPI, CV3, and CV7 data. CONCLUSION: Thickness and volume parameters measured by the Pentacam Scheimflug system effectively discriminate subclinical keratoconus corneas from normal corneas.

Laparoscopic methods in the treatment of congenital duodenal obstruction for neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of and indication for laparoscopic methods for neonates with congenital duodenal obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 2009 to October 2012, 40 newborns with duodenal obstruction underwent exploratory laparoscopy. With a lower-pressure pneumoperitoneum of 6-8 mm Hg and a suspending suture for the right liver elevator, the procedure was performed using four trocars 3-5 mm in diameter. Under laparoscopic vision, the causes of duodenal obstruction were diagnosed, and then the operation methods were determined by the type of obstruction. RESULTS: Of the 40 cases, 4 were duodenal atresia (type II), 8 were duodenal stenosis, 8 were annular pancreas, and 20 were congenital intestinal malrotation. For the cases with duodenal diaphragmatic stenosis a partial excision of the diaphragm was performed after longitudinal incision of the anterior part of the duodenum followed laparoscopically by a transverse suture. For the cases with duodenal atresia (type II) and annular pancreas, a duodenal diamond anastomosis was successfully carried out through a laparoscopic approach. Ladd's operational method was performed in the cases with congenital intestinal malrotation. Feedings were started on postoperative Day 3-7, without abdominal distention and vomiting, and discharge from the the hospital was on postoperative Day 9-14. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital duodenal obstruction is a common malformation in neonates. The laparoscopic procedure is an important method of diagnosing, and correct operational methods are the key to improve the therapeutic effect in the treatment of congenital duodenal obstruction. The laparoscope has the value of a small incision, microinvasion, and better recovery in diagnosis and treatment for congenital duodenal obstruction. The laparoscopic methods can be performed in neonates safely and are appropriate for a full-term newborn with tolerance to CO2 pneumoperitoneum.

[Clinical study of acupuncture and moxibustion for preventing nosocomial infection in the patient with acute cerebrovascular disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion for preventing nosocomial infection in the patient with acute cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: One hundred cases of acute cerebrovascular disease were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, 50 cases in each group. The control group were treated by routine therapeutic method without any method for preventing nosocomial infection; the observation group were treated by the routine treatment, with acupuncture and moxibustion added at Guanyuan (GV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36), once daily, for 10 days. The nosocomial infection rate and the abnormal rates of body temperature, WBC and neutrophil were investigated in the two groups. RESULTS: The nosocomial infection rate was 8.0% in the observation group and 26.0% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), and the abnormal rates of body temperature, WBC and neutrophil in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively prevent nosocomial infection for the patient with acute cerebrovascular disease. The mechanism possibly is related with regulative action of acupuncture and moxibustion on immunity.