Diffusion-weighted MR is useful to assess peripheral nerve invasion of soft tissue tumor.

To investigate the feasibility of readout-segmented diffusion-weighted (rsDW) magnetic resonance (MR) in assessing nerve invasion of soft tissue tumor. Forty-four patients with soft tissue mass in upper leg suspected of nerve invasion underwent rsDW MR. Nerve invasion by tumor was rated by 2 radiologists, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of rsDW MR in identifying nerve invasion were calculated, with operation findings as reference of standard. Apparent diffusion coefficient and fraction of anisotropy of nerve were obtained using DW MR, and then were compared between invaded nerves and noninvasion cases. Inter-reader agreement in using rsDW MR to rate nerve invasion was excellent (kappa = 0.891 ± 0.043, P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of rsDW MR in identifying nerve invasion were 89% and 88%, respectively. Apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly higher in invaded nerves versus normal nerves (1.45 ± 0.67 × 10-3 mm2/s vs 1.39 ± 0.46 × 10-3 mm2/s, P < 0.05). Fraction of anisotropy was significantly lower in invaded nerves versus normal nerves (0.22 ± 0.11 vs 0.37 ± 0.13, P < .05). Readout-segmented DW MR was feasible in assessing sciatic nerve invasion by soft tissue tumor in selected patients.

[Textual research on origin and efficacy of Tibetan medicine "Shengdeng"].

"Shengdeng" is a traditional Tibetan medicine, which has many synonyms. It is complex in origin and serious in mi-xing. In order to clarify the origin of "Shengdeng" and its medicinal use, this paper makes a textual research on the name, variety and efficacy of "Shengdeng" by consulting Tibetan medicine classics such as The Four Medical Trantras and Jingzhu Materia Medica, combined with modern literature of Tibetan medicine. It is clear that the synonyms, primitive species, mainstream varieties and functions of Tibetan medicine "Shengdeng". The collation and analysis of the literature shows that "Shengdeng" has effects of treating rheumatism, drying "Huangshui", detumescence and relieving pain, and is mainly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Tibetan medicine. Its original varieties include 14 species of plants belonging to 6 families: Spicaceae, Rhamnaceae, Cephalotaxus, Leguminosae, Hematoxylaceae and Taxaceae. Combined with the collection of legal standards at all levels, the distribution of resources and the application of clinical prescriptions, it is considered that the mainstream species of "Shengdeng" are Rhamnella gilgitica, Xanthoceras sorbifolia, Rhamnus parvifolia. As a substitute, Acacia catechu is also widely used in clinic. The literature review and variety textual research on Tibetan medicine "Shengdeng" is helpful to improve the safety, effectiveness and quality controllability of its clinical application, and provide scientific basis for its further standard setting, pharmacodynamics research, new drug development and so on.

Antiatherogenic and Anti-Ischemic Properties of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xinkeshu via Endothelial Protecting Function.

Including herbal medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular worldwide. The traditional Chinese medicine xinkeshu has been widely used to treat coronary heart disease in China. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect and probable mechanism of xinkeshu tablet to atherosclerotic myocardial ischemia rabbit. Rabbits were divided into four groups (n = 12 each) and fed with different diet for 12 weeks: Control (standard diet), Model (high-cholesterol diet), XKS (high-cholesterol diet with 184.8 mg/kg/d xinkeshu), and Atorvastatin (high-cholesterol diet with 5.0 mg/kg/d atorvastatin). Plasma lipoprotein, ECG, endothelium-dependent vessel relaxation, histomorphological study, and expressions of eNOS and VCAM-1 on coronary arteries were assessed. The findings showed that, similar to atorvastatin, xinkeshu presented significant effects on rescuing endothelium-dependent vessel relaxation, inhibiting atherosclerotic progress, preventing myocardial ischemia, and changing eNOS and VCAM-1 expression. However, xinkeshu showed no lipoprotein lowering effect in hypercholesterolemia rabbits. The results of the present study indicated that xinkeshu exerted potent antiatherogenic and anti-ischemic properties on atherosclerotic myocardial ischemia rabbit. An endothelial protecting effect may be involved in the mechanism other than antihyperlipidemic effect.