A Modified 1H-NMR Quantification Method of Ephedrine Alkaloids in Ephedrae Herba Samples.

A previous 1H-NMR method allowed the quantification of ephedrine alkaloids; however, there were some disadvantages. The cyclized derivatives resulted from the impurities of diethyl ether were identified and benzene was selected as the better extraction solvent. The locations of ephedrine alkaloids were confirmed with 2D NMR. Therefore, a specific 1H-NMR method has been modified for the quantification of ephedrine alkaloids. Accordingly, twenty Ephedrae Herba samples could be classified into three classes: (I) E. sinica-like species; (II) E. intermedia-like species; (III) others (lower alkaloid contents). The results indicated that ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the major alkaloids in Ephedra plants, but the concentrations vary greatly determined by the plant species and the collection locations.

[Effect of supplementing qi, blood-activating and kidney-nourishing therapy on postoperative recovery in patients with lumber disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of supplementing qi, activating blood circulation and tonifying kidney therapy on the postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing lumber intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: From January 2010 to May 2012, 120 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation undergoing surgical treatment in Nanfang hospital were randomized into two equal groups to receive routine therapy (control group) and additional treatment with Yiqi Houxue Bushen Decoction (treatment group). The effect of the interventions was evaluated by assessing the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (JOA), WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), length of hospital stay and adverse event. RESULTS: All the 120 patients were followed up and analyzed. Significant differences were found between the treatment and control groups in VAS, JOA Scores, and WHOQOL-BREF (P<0.01) at 2, 4, and 8 week and at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, the JOA Scores (P<0.01), but not the VAS and WHOQOL-BREF, differed significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Blood-activating and kidney-nourishing therapy is effective in promoting postoperative recovery and helps reduce the clinical symptoms and minimize the adverse events in patients undergoing surgery for lumber intervertebral disc herniation.

Synthesis of 2-(1,5-diaryl-1,4-pentadien-3-ylidene)-hydrazinecarboximidamide hydrochloride catalyzed by p-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid in aqueous media under ultrasound irradiation.

Amidinohydrazone compounds are very important synthetic intermediates and can serve as versatile precursors in synthesis of many natural products and drug molecules. The use of ultrasound, p-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) and water as solvent improved the synthesis of different 2-(1,5-diaryl-1,4-pentadien-3-ylidene)-hydrazinecarboximidamide hydrochlorides. The best reaction conditions for the condensation of 1,5-diphenyl-1,4-pentadien-3-one with aminoguanidine hydrochloride were as follows: 1,5-diphenyl-1,4-pentadiene-3-one (1, 1 mmol), aminoguanidine hydrochloride (1.1 mmol), DBSA (0.5 mmol), water 10 mL, reaction temperature 25-27°C, irradiation frequency 25 kHz. 2a was achieved in 94% yield within 2h. The other seven amidinohydrazones were obtained in 84-94% yield within 2-3h under the same conditions. Compared to the method involving catalysis by hydrochloric acid in refluxing EtOH, the advantages of present procedure are milder conditions, shorter reaction times, higher yields, and environmental friendly conditions, which make it a useful strategy for the synthesis of analogues.

[Pathological characteristics of dilated hearts with sole myocardial wall damage in recipients].

OBJECTIVE: It is difficult to differentiate the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy only by clinical evaluation and image analysis. Pathomorphologic examinations on diseased hearts may help to improve the diagnosis accuracy. METHODS: Fifty-six extransplanted hearts from June, 2004 to June, 2006 were examined. Gross and histopathological findings were recorded, photographed and final pathological diagnosis was compared to clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Dilations were caused by sole myocardial wall damage in 38 (67.9%) of the 56 patients, including 19 primary dilated cardiomyopathy, 9 arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, 1 non-compaction cardiomyopathy, 6 ischemic cardiomyopathy, 1 alcoholic cardiomyopathy, 1 hypertensive cardiomyopathy and 1 giant cell myocarditis. The clinical and pathological diagnoses were different in 15 cases (39.5%). The most discrepancies were arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (77.8%), ischemic cardiomyopathy (83.3%), and giant cell myocarditis (100%). CONCLUSIONS: This pathological study of recipient hearts showed a high portion of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy were misdiagnosed as primary cardiomyopathy. Correct diagnosis of primary cardiomyopathy needs to rule out possible secondary causes of myocardial dilation.

[Surgical repair of major vascular injuries in the extremities complicated by other injuries: retrospective analysis of 67 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the surgical repair of injured major vessels in the extremities complicated by multiple other injuries. METHODS: According to different time lengths of sustaining ischemia, sites of the major vascular injuries and conditions of other injuries, 91 operations for end-to-end anastomosis, vessel grafting and repair, ligation and shunting respectively were performed on the 67 patients. RESULTS: Except for 2 fatal cases (one due to preoperative brain hernia and hemorrhagic shock, the other to thyroid crisis during operation), all other cases survived the operations. Vascular crisis occurred in 3 cases (2 arterial spasm and 1 venous crisis) 6, 7 and 12 h respectively after the operations, which were relieved by appropriate treatments and surgical explorations. One patient developed pneumonia and acute renal failure with polyuria at postoperative days 7 and 4 respectively, but full recovery was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with major vascular injuries in the extremity complicated by multiple other injuries, timely revascularization of the extremities should be performed during or immediately after emergency operations of the vital organs. Particular attention should be given to the diagnosis and repair of closed major vascular injuries in such patients, who need to be monitored for blood coagulation during operation and should receive due post-operative anti-coagulation treatment.

[Peripheral nerve regeneration under immunosuppression].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss peripheral nerve regeneration under immunosuppression. METHODS: Current research trends about relationship between peripheral nerve injury and immunoreaction, the experimental result of nerve regeneration after using various immunosuppressors, and the clinical findings after human allogenous hand transplantation were extensively reviewed. RESULTS: Peripheral nerve regeneration was accelerated under immunosuppression. CONCLUSION: Peripheral nerve injury may induce immunoreaction, which inhibit nerve regeneration and function recovery.