[Shen Shiwan : A translator for medicine in the Period of the Republic of China].

Shen Shiwan was a translator and physician for both Chinese medicine and western medicine in the period of the Republic of China. This paper examined the life and the main academic contributions of Shen Shiwan. It was found that Shen's main contribution were translating medical works, founding journals and opening the door of Chinese medicine to the world. Additionally, he introduced western medicine, such as pathology, fertility and nutrition to Chinese medical professionals. He also introduced the medical schools of Japanese traditional medicine (Chinese medicine in Japan, Han Yi) into China. Shen's contribution in medicine played an important role for the medical professionals in China in understanding the development of western medicine and Chinese medicine in Japan.

[Herbal textual research on Chinese medicine "Fuzi"(Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata.)].

To ensure the use of aconite roots as much as possible in accordance with the traditional medication principles, this paper examines the species, origin and processing of the ancient aconite, attempting to provide a basis for the research and development of drugs in the perspective of "Jingdian Mingfang" (Chinese Classical Formulas). The study found that a species discovered after the Tang Dynasty, Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., became the mainstream of this species category. Following the Song Dynasty, this species became the main source of authentic aconite, called "Chuanwu". This species is also currently the source of aconite roots. From this situation, the dry daughter roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. should be considered in the research and development of "Jingdian Mingfang", and the cultivation products of Sichuan Jiangyou and Shanxi Hanzhong as well.

[Clinical analysis of 76 cases of sentinel lymph node detection in cervical cancer and endometrial cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of identifying sentinel lymph node (SLN) and to assess possible factors associated with detection rate in both cervical cancer and endometrial cancer. Methods: Retrospective study of 76 cases (39 with cervical cancer and 37 with endometrial cancer) were conducted in Peking University People's Hospital. All patients underwent SLN biopsy with tracers of indocyanine green (ICG) and (or) carbon nanoparticles. All mapped SLN was resected and followed by procedures that systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy and hysterectomy according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. All the lymph nodes were examined postoperatively for the routine paraffin section of hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Detection rate, sensitivity and negative predictive value of SLN were calculated and factors associated with the detection rate were analyzed. Results: The overall detection rate was 95% (72/76), with 74% (56/76) positive bilaterally. The bilateral detection rate of SLN with combined technique was significantly higher than that with single technique (P<0.05). The difference of SLN detection rate between cervical and endometrial cancer patients were not significant (P>0.05). SLN were mostly recognized in obturator (32.1%, 114/355) and external iliac areas (32.4%, 115/355) in cervical cancer, and in external iliac (41.2%, 91/221) and obturator areas (39.4%,87/221) in endometrial cancer. Among 55 patients underwent systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy, the sensitivity of SLN detection was 75% and the negative predictive value was 96%. The sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100% in patients with successfully bilateral mapped of SLN. Conclusion: s The overall detection rate of SLN in cervical and endometrial cancer is the highest with the combined technique of ICG and carbon nanoparticles. The detection rate and located regions of SLN are similar between cervical and endometrial cancer, and SLN are mostly recognized in the external iliac and obturator areas. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of SLN detection are high, especially when SLN are bilateral mapped.

Evaluation function of transcranial two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography (TCCS) for patients with different degrees of cerebral vasospasm before and after the nimodipine treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in cerebral hemodynamics of patients with different degrees of cerebral vasospasm before and after the nimodipine treatment using transcranial two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography (TCCS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 77 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage was collected; and the maximum peak systolic velocity (Vs), end diastolic velocity (Vd), time averaged maximum velocity (Vm), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured by spectral Doppler technique. The standard-dose nimodipine was given for clinical treatment, and changes in blood flow velocity of MCA were monitored by TCCS, and the therapeutic effect was observed. RESULTS: 68 out of 77 patients (88.3%) with subarachnoid hemorrhage were diagnosed as cerebral vasospasm (CVS), including 53 cases (77.9%) of mild spasm, 11 cases (16.2%) of moderate spasm and 4 cases (5.9%) of severe spasm. The sensibility of CVS detected by TCCS after operation was 88.3%. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) showed that the blood flow was multicolored. After the nimodipine treatment, the measured values of MCA-Vs and RI were decreased in different degrees compared with those before treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Nimodipine has improving effects on CVS in different degrees, and TCCS can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effects on CVS.

[Hua Shou's social circle and his accomplishments and good medical reputation].

Hua Shou was a very famous physician at the turn of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. In addition to his medical skills, his social communication was also very helpful to his fame. Under the tutorship of the Confucianist Han Shuo, and physicians such as Wang Jüzhong and Gao Dongyang in his early days, Hua Shou obtained two identities: Confucian scholar and doctor. The former helped Hua Shou get acceptance from literati group, meanwhile, Hua Shou's medical skill helped him deepen the communication among them. By means of his double identity, Hua Shou got acquaintance with many local and nation-wide scholars and politicians, including Zhao Lian, Chen Xingzhong, Wang Shuyu, Fang Guozhen, Song Xuanxi, Zhu You, Wang Xiyang, Song Lian, Liu Ji, through them Hua Shou's fame spread throughout the country. The whole set of"Lin xia"(Hermit identity) constructed by Ding Henian, Liu Renben and Dai Liang, help Hua Shou attain his bequeathed reputation.

Randomized phase II trial on mitomycin-C/cisplatin +/- KLT in heavily pretreated advanced breast cancer.

A randomized phase II study using mitomycin (MMC)/cisplatin (DDP) regimen with or without Kanglaite (KLT, a traditional Chinese medicine) as salvage treatment was conducted to exploit KLT's potential effects on patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Triweekly regimen consisted of mitomycin (8 mg/m(2)) administered intravenously on day 1, and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) intravenously on days 1 to 3. KLT (100 ml) was given intravenously per day on days 1 to 14 every 3 weeks. Between April 2006 and July 2007, 60 patients with a median age of 48 years were randomized into MMC/DDP with or without KLT treatment. In all, the objective response rate (ORR) was 17.5%. There were no significant differences between experimental and control treatments in terms of ORR (14.3% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.730), clinical benefit rates (24.1% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.468), median time to progression (TTP; 3.63 vs. 4.0, p = 0.872), and overall survival (OS; 7.17 vs. not reached, p = 0.120). The median TTP for patients with complete or partial responses was 6.0 months, but only 2.1 months for patients with stable or progressive disease (SD or PD; p = 0.028). While the median OS for patients who obtained clinical benefit from chemotherapy was not reached, that of patients with SD of no more than 6 months or PD was only 7.17 months (p = 0.004). There is no additional benefit when KLT is added to the MMC/DDP doublet in the management of ABC. Patients who obtained clinical benefit from chemotherapy had a longer TTP and OS.

Effects of isoliensinine on angiotensin II-induced proliferation of porcine coronary arterial smooth muscle cells.

The inhibitory effects of isoliensinine (IL), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the seed embryo of the traditional chinese medicinal herb Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, on the proliferation of porcine coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) induced by angiotensin II(Ang II) and its mechanisms of action were investigated. Counting cultured cell number, MTT assay, immunohistochemical method and Western blot were adopted. Ang II 0.1 micromol l (-1) significantly evoked CASMC proliferation by 42%, which could be dose-dependently inhibited by IL 0.01-3 micromol l (-1) and the percentage of inhibition of IL 0.1 micromol l (-1) was 25%. Irbesartan (Irb) 0.1 micromol l (-1) inhibited CASMC proliferation by 22%. IL or Irb 0.1 micromol l (-1) decreased Ang II-induced overexpression of Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-beta and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), respectively. Both of them also declined c-fos, c-myc and hsp70 overexpression, respectively. At the same concentration, the inhibitory effects of IL on PDGF-beta were even stronger than those of Irb (P < 0.05). In summary, the data showed that IL possesses an anti-proliferative effect, which is related to the decrease of the overexpression of growth factors PDGF-beta, bFGF, proto-oncogene c-fos, c-myc and hsp70.

Gossypol, a component in cottonseed, induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ levels in Chang liver cells.

The effect of gossypol, a compound found in cottonseed, on intracellular free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+](i)) in Chang liver cells were evaluated using fura-2 as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Gossypol (0.2-5microM) increased [Ca2+](i) in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC(50) value of 1.5microM. The [Ca2+](i) response was composed of an initial rise and a slow decay to a sustained phase within 5min after drug application. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ markedly reduced the [Ca2+](i) signals by 80+/-2%. Preincubation with 0.1mM La3+ or 10microM nimodipine abolished the Ca2+ influx. Gossypol (5microM)-induced release of intracellular Ca2+ was reduced by 75% by pretreatment with 1microM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor) to deplete the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+. Conversely, pretreatment with gossypol abolished thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release. After pretreatment with 5microM gossypol in Ca2+-free medium for several min, addition of 3mM Ca2+ induced a [Ca2+](i) increase of a magnitude nine-fold greater than control. Gossypol (5microM)-induced Ca2+ release was not affected by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2microM 1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122). Together, this study shows that gossypol induced significant [Ca2+](i) increases in Chang liver cells by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular pools in a phospholipase C-dissociated fashion and by causing La3+- and nimodipine-sensitive Ca2+ influx.

Alternative medicine use by individuals with major depression.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of alternative medicine (AM) by persons with major depression and to examine the factors associated with AM use among these individuals. METHODS: We used data from the 1994-1995 and 1996-1997 National Population Health Surveys. We selected subjects who had major depression according to the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form for Major Depression (CIDI-SFMD). The prevalence of AM and conventional health service use by the subjects was calculated for each survey and was stratified by province. We employed logistic regression to examine the factors associated with AM use. RESULTS: There was a temporal trend toward increasing use of AM among persons with major depression. The prevalence of AM use among subjects with major depression was 7.8% in 1994-1995 and 12.9% in 1996-1997. Female sex, having more than 12 years' education, and having 1 or more long-term medical conditions were associated with an increased likelihood of using AM. The sex difference in AM use depended on subjects' age in 1996-1997. CONCLUSION: General practitioners, mental health specialists, and AM providers should be aware of their patients' use of both conventional medical services and AM because there may be interactions between conventional and alternative treatments. Communication and, if possible, cooperation may lead to improved outcomes in the management of depressive disorders.

Novel effects of 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, on Ca2+ mobilization in Madin Darby canine kidney cells.

The effect of 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid, a widely used lipoxygenase inhibitor, on Ca2+ fate in Madin Darby canine kidney cells was examined by using fura-2 as a Ca2+ probe. At concentrations between 2-100 microM 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid increased [Ca2+]i concentration-dependently with an EC50 of 20 microM . Extracellular Ca2+ removal decreased the Ca2+ signals, indicating that 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid triggered Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx. 5,8,11 -Eicosatriynoic acid (30 microM) induced a [Ca2+]i increase in Ca2+-free medium after pretreatment with carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (2 microM), a mitochondrial uncoupler, and thapsigargin (1 microM), an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor for 20 min. Conversely, 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid pretreatment almost abolished the Ca2+ release induced by carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and thapsigargin. These results suggest that 30 microM 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid released Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and other stores. Addition of 3 mM Ca2+ increased [Ca2+]i after preincubation with 2-50 microM 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid for 10 min. in Ca2+-free medium concentration-dependently. Pretreatment with 10 microM La3+ abolished 30 microM 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid -induced [Ca2+]i increases, but adding La3+ during the decay phase had no effect. 5,8,11-Eicosatriynoic acid-induced Ca2+ release was not altered by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2 microM 1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122), but was decreased by 60% by 40 microM aristolochic acid. Several other lipoxygenase inhibitors such as baicalein (50 microM), 5.8.11.14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA; 0.1-0.2 mM), caffeic acid (5-50 microM), esculetin (5-50 microM), alpha-pentyl-3-(2-quinolinylmethoxy)-benzenemethanol (REV-5901; 0.1-0.2 mM) and alpha-pentyl-4-(2-quinolinylmethoxy)-benzenemethanol (L-655238; 80-100 microM) had no effect on [Ca2+]i. Collectively, the data suggest that the lipoxygenase inhibitor 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid induced a [Ca2+]i increase in renal tubular cells concentration-dependently, by releasing intracellular Ca2+ from multiple stores in an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-independent manner, and by inducing extracellular Ca2+ influx in a La3+-sensitive manner.

[Cochinchinenin--a new chalcone dimer from the Chinese dragon blood].

AIM: To study the active constituents of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen. in the commercial dragon blood. METHODS: Various column chromatographies with Sephadex L-20 gel, MCI gel and silica gel were employed for the isolation and purification. The structures of compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Nine chalcones were isolated from the commercial dragon's blood which was made of D. cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen.. By means of spectral data, they were identified as 1-[5-(2,4,4'-trihydroxydihydrochalconyl)]-1- (p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propane (1), 2'-methoxysocotrin-5'-ol (2), socotrin-4'-ol (3), 2-methoxy-4, 4'-dihydroxydihydrochalcone (4), 2, 4, 4'-trihydroxy-dihydrochalcone (5), 2, 4, 4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxydihydrochalcone (6), 2', 4', 4-trihydroxychalcone (7), 2-methoxy-4, 4'-dihydroxychalcone (8) and 2'-methoxy-4', 4-dihydroxychalcone (9). CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is a new chalcone dimer and named as cochinchinenin. Compounds 2-9 were isolated from D. cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen. for the first time.

[Effects of combined transdermal acupoint electric stimulation and isoflurane anesthesia on isoflurane-induced hypotension and tissue oxygen metabolism in patients undergoing craniotomy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of combined transdermal acupoint electric stimulation and isoflurane anesthesia on isoflurane-induced hypotension and tissue oxygen metabolism in patients undergoing craniotomy. METHODS: Forty-two patients with brain tumor of ASA physical status I or II and scheduled for elective surgery were randomly divided into two groups. The craniotomy was undergoing in Group A with isoflurane anesthesia, while in Group B, with combined transdermal acupoint electric stimulation (TAES) and isoflurane anesthesia. Isoflurane induced hypotension was performed in both groups by augmenting the concentration of isoflurane to lower the mean arterial pressure than before anesthesia for 30%-40% and maintain for 30-45 mins. The tissue oxygen metabolism, blood gas and arterial lactic acid level before, during and after hypotension were monitored by Swan-Ganz floating catheterization. RESULTS: As compared with before hypotension, the pulmonary arterial and mixed with venous blood oxygen saturation lowered and oxygen supply lowered, and oxygen uptake increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05), but the extent of changes in oxygen metabolic criteria in Group B were all lesser than those in Group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined acupoint electric stimulation and general anesthesia could maintain the tissue oxygen supply and demand balance better in the isofluraneinduced hypotension process.

Leptin restores euglycemia and normalizes glucose turnover in insulin-deficient diabetes in the rat.

Leptin has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in normoinsulinemic healthy or obese rodents. It has not been determined whether leptin may act independently of insulin in regulating energy metabolism in vivo. The present study was designed to examine the effects of leptin treatment alone on glucose metabolism in insulin-deficient streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Four groups of STZ-induced diabetic rats were studied: 1) rats treated with recombinant methionine murine leptin subcutaneous infusion with osmotic pumps for 12-14 days (LEP; 4 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1), n = 10); 2) control rats infused with vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline) for 12-14 days (VEH; n = 10); 3) pair-fed control rats given a daily food ration matching that of LEP rats for 12-14 days (PF; n = 8); and 4) rats treated with subcutaneous phloridzin for 4 days (PLZ; 0.4 g/kg twice daily, n = 10). Phloridzin treatment normalizes blood glucose without insulin and was used as a control for the effect of leptin in correcting hyperglycemia. All animals were then studied with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (6 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1). Our study demonstrates that leptin treatment in the insulin-deficient diabetic rats restored euglycemia, minimized body weight loss due to food restriction, substantially improved glucose metabolic rates during the postabsorptive state, and restored insulin sensitivities at the levels of the liver and the peripheral tissues during the glucose clamp. The effects on glucose turnover are largely independent of food restriction and changes in blood glucose concentration, as evidenced by the minimal improvement of insulin action and glucose turnover parameters in the PF and PLZ groups. Our results suggest that the antidiabetic effects of leptin are achieved through both an insulin-independent and an insulin-sensitizing mechanism.

The development of nao li shen and its clinical application.

The traditional Chinese medicine Nao Li Shen (containing ginseng, gastrodia tuber, chuanxiong rhizome and red sage root) is used in craniocerebral injury, cervical spondylosis and cerebrovascular diseases. The preparation, as an orally administered liquid, was tested in Mongolian gerbils and shown to increase tolerance to ischaemia and anoxia. Clinical use of the preparation resulted in improvement in 96% of 202 patients, as judged by right cerebral blood flow, TCD and CT examination. We conclude that Nao Li Shen has a positive curative effect upon craniocerebral injury and sequelae of cerebrovascular diseases.

Analysis of cloned cDNAs differentially expressed in adapting remnant small intestine after partial resection.

After partial resection, the remnant small intestine undergoes an adaptive response. Little is known about the molecular and cellular basis of intestinal adaptation. To identify genes transcriptionally regulated in response to loss of functional bowel surface area, we have isolated cDNAs differentially expressed in the adaptive ileum 48 h after 70% proximal small intestinal resection. A cDNA library constructed from the remnant ileum of rats subjected to resection was screened using subtractive hybridization techniques. Several groups of cDNA clones that were induced during intestinal adaptation were isolated. The first included liver fatty acid binding protein, apolipoprotein A-IV, cellular retinol binding protein II, and ileal lipid binding protein. These all encode proteins involved in the absorption, metabolism, and trafficking of nutrients. A second group included the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 delta, a 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (grp 78; a glucose-regulated member of the 70-kDa heat-shock protein family), and several pancreatitis-associated proteins. A third group of induced genes contained novel cDNAs. To better characterize the adaptive response, the temporal, spatial, and cellular patterns of expression of several of these genes were analyzed with the use of immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. These studies indicate that during early adaptation, genes involved in nutrient trafficking, protein processing, and cell cycle regulation are transcriptionally regulated in the residual small intestine in distinct temporal and regional patterns consistent with a complex multifaceted response to intestinal resection.

Synergistic inhibitory effects of interferon-alpha and 5-fluorouracil in meningioma cells in vitro.

We have investigated the effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on meningioma cells in two different culture systems, evaluated by the uptake of radiolabelled methionine. With both IFN-alpha and 5-FU an inhibitory effect on the uptake of radiolabelled methionine by the meningioma cells was demonstrated, and we found a synergistic inhibitory effect with a combination of IFN-alpha and 5-FU. To obtain a maximal inhibition of cell metabolism without causing cell toxicity, we were able to decrease the dose of 5-FU by simultaneously adding IFN-alpha. Our results suggest that a combined treatment of IFN-alpha and 5-FU may be a successful alternative for patients with inoperable meningiomas. A novel in vitro positron emission tomography technique was used for the study of metabolic changes in tumour cells caused by drug treatment, which is complementary to conventional cell culture techniques.

Vertebral artery dissection complicated by cervical manipulation: a case report.

A 32-year-old healthy man developed vomiting, blurred vision, and consciousness disturbance following cervical manipulation. Physical examination showed stuporous consciousness and spontaneous horizontal nystagmus. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain revealed infarction in the territory of the basilar artery. Studies of MR angiography and vertebral angiography disclosed dissection of the right vertebral artery at the atlantoaxial segment. Antiedematous drugs were prescribed and the patient gradually improved. Neurologic examination six months later demonstrated mild cerebellar ataxia. Physicians and patients should be aware that vertebro-basilar dissection may follow cervical manipulation, and, more importantly, should attempt to prevent progressive infarction.

[Studies on the toxic constituents of Illicium simonsii Maxim].

A new sesquiterpenelactone compound was isolated along with the known anisatin and shikimic acid from pericarps of the fruit of Illicium simonsii Maxim., family Magnoliaceae, collected in Sichuan province. This new sesquiterpene lactone compound exhibited high toxicity in mice. The structure of which was elucidated as 2-oxo-6-deoxyneoanisatin (I) based on spectral evidences. The detailed physical and chemical data were presented.