Analysis on Effects of Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy Combined with High Hysterosacral Ligament Suspension in the Treatment for Uterine Prolapse.

Objective: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic total hysterectomy combined with high hysterosacral ligament suspension on the treatment for uterine prolapse. Methods: A total of 100 patients with uterine prolapse treated in our two hospitals from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in this study, which were divided into two groups through the number double-blind method, with 50 patients in each group. The control group was treated with transvaginal total hysterectomy, and the research group was treated with laparoscopic total hysterectomy combined with high hysterosacral ligament suspension. The surgical effect on patients was evaluated through the pelvic organ prolapse quantification method (POP-Q). The patients' adverse reactions were compared. The quality of sexual life was evaluated with the short form of the pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual questionnaire (PISQ-31). And, the patients' quality of life was also evaluated with the pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDl-20). Results: The surgical effect on the control group and the research group was 80.00% and 96.00%, respectively, with statistical significance (X 2 = 6.601, P < 0.001). The incidences of adverse reactions of the two groups were 4.00% and 6.00%, respectively, which were comparable (X 2 = 0.211, P = 0.646). The total PISQ-31 scores before surgery of the control group (97.07 ± 9.80) and the research group (97.02 ± 9.80) were comparable (t = 0.020, P = 0.984), and those after surgery were 112.55 ± 13.78 in the control group and 130.80 ± 17.42 in the research group, respectively, with statistical significance (t = 4.500, P < 0.001). And, the total PFDl-20 scores before surgery of the control group (72.50 ± 13.58) and the research group (72.50 ± 13.60) were comparable (t = 0.057, P = 0.098), and that after surgery were 56.10 ± 10.51 in the control group and 42.30 ± 8.05 in the research group, respectively, with statistical significance (t = 5.709, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Laparoscopic total hysterectomy combined with high hysterosacral ligament suspension has an ideal effect in patients with uterine prolapse, with few adverse reactions, effectively promoting the improvement of the quality of patients' sexual life and their life. This combination has the significance of active promotion in the clinic.

Simultaneous mineralization of 2-anilinophenylacetate and denitrification by Ru/Fe modified biocathode double-chamber microbial fuel cell.

A double-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) with Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode was constructed for simultaneous mineralization of 2-anilinophenylacetate (APA) and denitrification. The factors on performance of simultaneous APA degradation and denitrification were explored. The contributions of ROS to APA degradation were evaluated by EPR and quenching experiments. The microbial community of Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode was determined by high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that low resistance accelerated APA degradation by Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode, while higher initial APA concentration inhibited microbial activity of the biocathode. The optimum ammonia concentration was 50 mg L-1, while too high or too low ammonia concentration did not favor APA degradation. The APA degradation efficiency of Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode-MFC was higher than that of other modified-cathode-MFCs. The APA degradation process confirmed to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and APA degradation kinetic constant, the maximum removal efficiency of TOC, ammonia and TN were 2.15d-1, 59.70%, 99.20% and 44.56% respectively, signifying a simultaneous APA mineralization and denitrification performance of Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode-MFC. The coulombic efficiency decreased with APA concentration increase. OH was the primary radical in APA degradation progress. Eight kinds of intermediates were measured, and two APA degradation pathways were proposed, among which APA hydroxylation was the main pathway. The microbial community of Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode was dominated with Nitrosomonas at genus level, and enriched with various APA-degraders, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers such as Pseudomonas, Nitrospira, Nitrobacter, Paracoccus, Thermomonas, Dechloromonas, and Clostridium_Sutra_stricto_1. COG analysis showed the redox reaction of Ru/Fe might affect signal transduction and environment adaptation, while FAPROTAX analysis suggested that Ru/Fe-modified-biocathode exhibited higher nitrification activity than that of carbon-felt-biocathode. The synergistic mechanism of simultaneous APA mineralization and denitrification was mainly redox reaction of Ru/Fe and supplemented by aerobic biodegradation.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Phosphorus, Calcium, and pH after Long-term Broiler Litter Application.

Water movement over and through soil is largely driven by topography and soil management across landscapes. This research tested the hypothesis that the water movement determines the potential for P and Ca redistribution and pH variance across landscapes. This hypothesis was evaluated by using digital elevation model-derived terrain attributes in fields after 55 yr of broiler litter applications on pastures in Smith County, Mississippi. Results show that soils receiving broiler litter had mean Mehlich-3 P levels of 1221.8 mg kg at 0- to 15-cm depth and 618.6 mg kg at 15- to 30-cm depth, and Ca with mean values of 768.3 and 645.0 mg kg at 0- to 15-cm and 15- to 30-cm soil depths, respectively. Across fields, soils in areas of predicted convergent flow contained higher P, Ca, and lower pH values in the upper 0 to 15 cm, suggesting contributions via surface overland flow from areas with higher elevation and lower slope gradient. On the other hand, soils in areas with lesser slope and higher elevation also contained high levels of P, Ca, and pH for the subsurface soil depth, suggesting that vertical flow of water on this landscape is a mechanism for movement of P and Ca deeper in the profile. The incorporation of topographic characteristics across fields offers promising results that may be incorporated into improved P indices and management, making them more robust indicators of P mobilization to waterways.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces apoptosis of arginine vasopressin neurons in central diabetes insipidus via PI3K/Akt pathway.

AIMS: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI), a typical complication caused by pituitary stalk injury, often occurs after surgery, trauma, or tumor compression around hypothalamic structures such as the pituitary stalk and optic chiasma. CDI is linked to decreased arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus, along with a deficit in circulating AVP and oxytocin. However, little has been elucidated about the changes in AVP neurons in CDI. Hence, our study was designed to understand the role of several pathophysiologic changes such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis of AVP neurons in CDI. METHODS: In a novel pituitary stalk electric lesion (PEL) model to mimic CDI, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms. RESULTS: We reported that in CDI condition, generated by PEL, ER stress induced apoptosis of AVP neurons via activation of the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways. Furthermore, application of N-acetylcysteine protected hypothalamic AVP neurons from ER stress-induced apoptosis through blocking the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that AVP neurons underwent apoptosis induced by ER stress, and ER stress might play a vital role in CDI condition through the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways.

[Effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus induced CYPs and Nrf2 activation on acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen].

Schisandra chinensis is a commonly used hepatoprotective medicine in clinic. Previous studies have showed that Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus has dual effects on the activity of CYPs. Short-term administration of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus may inhibit CYP450s activity, while long-term administration may up-regulate CYP activity. High CYP450s activity level may increase the frequency of reactive metabolites-induced liver injury. It remains unclear how long-term administration of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus may affect acetaminophen-induced acute hepatotoxicity. After oral administration of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus extract (0.5-2.0 g·kg⁻¹) for 21 d, the activity of CYPs, Nrf2, HO-1, GST expressions, SOD and GST activity as well as glutathione level of SD rats were up-regulated. Besides, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus extract ameliorated APAP (500 mg·kg⁻¹)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by decrease in ALT, AST, and MDA level and increase in GSH level (P<0.05). What's more, the liver histopathology was alleviated, and cleaved caspase-3 expression was decreased. Besides, the increase of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine-GSH (reactive metabolite of acetaminophen) formation was observed in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus extract groups. In conclusion, the present study indicated that the effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructuson acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity may rely on the Nrf2 signal pathway activation, and less depends on the increase in CYP450s activity.

[Effect of Modified Guipi Decoction on Blood Pressure and Quality of Life in Hypertension Patients Complicated Depression].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Modified Guipi Decoction (MGD) on blood pressure and quality of life (QOL) in hypertension patients complicated depression. METHODS: Totally 245 hypertension patients complicated depression were randomly assigned to the treatment group (125 cases, treated with MGD) and the control group (120 cases, treated with Sertraline). Final recruited qualified patients were 117 cases in the treatment group and 111 cases in the control group. The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. Changes of blood pressure, scores rated by Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), short-form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36), and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) were observed before and after treatment, thereby judging their efficacies. RESULTS: (1) Compared with before treatment in the same group, systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased in the treatment group after 2 weeks of treatment; systolic blood pressure significantly-decreased after 2 weeks of treatment and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 3 weeks of treatment in the control group (all P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Decreased valley values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures at week 2, 3, and 4 after treatment were obviously higher than those at week 1 after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group at week 4 after treatment, valley value of systolic blood pressure obviously decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 01). Decreased valley values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (P <0. 01). The success rate of target blood pressure was 60. 7% (71/117 cases) in the treatment group and 42. 3% (47/111 cases) in the control group, with statistical difference (χ² = 7.6781, P < 0.01). (2) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the score of HAMD-17 at week 2, 3, and 4 after treatment all decreased in the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the score of HAMD-17 at week 4 after treatment decreased more obviously in the treatment group, with higher difference in decreased value (P < 0.05). The effective rate was 79.5% (93/117) in the treatment group, higher than that in the control group [66.7% (74/111); χ² = 4.7741, P < 0.05]. (3) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the score of HAMA at week 1, 2, 3, and 4 after treatment all obviously decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group, the score of HAMA at week 3 and 4 after treatment decreased more obviously in the treatment group, with higher difference in decreased value (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (4) After 4 weeks of treatment, except physical function in the control group, SF-36 total score and the score for each factor were obviously higher in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). MGD showed superior effect in improving physical function, physical activity, overall health, emotion activity, and health changes to that of Sertraline (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (5) The incidence of insomnia, tremor, liability to agitation, dizziness was obviously less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MGD had favorable clinical effect on hypertension patients complicated depression. Meanwhile, it also could improve their blood pressure and QOL.

Effect of Modified Guipi Decoction on Blood Pressure and Quality of Life in Hypertension Patients Complicated Depression / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Modified Guipi Decoction (MGD) on blood pressure and quality of life (QOL) in hypertension patients complicated depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 245 hypertension patients complicated depression were randomly assigned to the treatment group (125 cases, treated with MGD) and the control group (120 cases, treated with Sertraline). Final recruited qualified patients were 117 cases in the treatment group and 111 cases in the control group. The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. Changes of blood pressure, scores rated by Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), short-form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36), and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) were observed before and after treatment, thereby judging their efficacies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with before treatment in the same group, systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased in the treatment group after 2 weeks of treatment; systolic blood pressure significantly-decreased after 2 weeks of treatment and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 3 weeks of treatment in the control group (all P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Decreased valley values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures at week 2, 3, and 4 after treatment were obviously higher than those at week 1 after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group at week 4 after treatment, valley value of systolic blood pressure obviously decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 01). Decreased valley values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (P <0. 01). The success rate of target blood pressure was 60. 7% (71/117 cases) in the treatment group and 42. 3% (47/111 cases) in the control group, with statistical difference (χ² = 7.6781, P < 0.01). (2) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the score of HAMD-17 at week 2, 3, and 4 after treatment all decreased in the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the score of HAMD-17 at week 4 after treatment decreased more obviously in the treatment group, with higher difference in decreased value (P < 0.05). The effective rate was 79.5% (93/117) in the treatment group, higher than that in the control group [66.7% (74/111); χ² = 4.7741, P < 0.05]. (3) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the score of HAMA at week 1, 2, 3, and 4 after treatment all obviously decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group, the score of HAMA at week 3 and 4 after treatment decreased more obviously in the treatment group, with higher difference in decreased value (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (4) After 4 weeks of treatment, except physical function in the control group, SF-36 total score and the score for each factor were obviously higher in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). MGD showed superior effect in improving physical function, physical activity, overall health, emotion activity, and health changes to that of Sertraline (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (5) The incidence of insomnia, tremor, liability to agitation, dizziness was obviously less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MGD had favorable clinical effect on hypertension patients complicated depression. Meanwhile, it also could improve their blood pressure and QOL.</p>

Shikonin inhibits invasiveness of osteosarcoma through MMP13 suppression.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, notorious for its metastasis. We have recently shown that shikonin, an effective constituent extracted from Chinese medicinal herb, induces necroptosis in OS cells. Nevertheless, the effects of low-dose shikonin on the invasiveness of OS cells are unknown. Here, we showed that shikonin dose-dependently decreased OS cell invasiveness in both scratch wound healing assay and transwell cell migration assay. Moreover, the direct target of shikonin on cell invasiveness was found to be matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13. Further, the inhibitory effects of shikonin on cell invasiveness were completely abolished in MMP13-overexpressing OS cells. Together, these data suggest that shikonin may suppress OS invasiveness through MMP13 suppression. Thus, our data highlight a previous unappreciated role for shikonin in suppressing OS cell metastasis.

LBP-4a improves insulin resistance via translocation and activation of GLUT4 in OLETF rats.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been shown to ameliorate insulin resistance, but the identification of compounds from LBP and the mechanisms have not been clarified. In this study, LBP-4a was purified from Lycium barbarum by DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography, and the effects of LBP-4a on insulin resistance were investigated. The results indicated that LBP-4a caused translocation of the glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT4) to the cell surface, which in turn stimulated glucose uptake, and the effect was sensitive to wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK (α, ß)). Furthermore, the effects of LBP-4a on p38 MAPK activities were abrogated by pretreatment of rat adipocytes using SB203580. In summary, LBP-4a improved insulin resistance via translocation and activation of GLUT4 in OLETF rats, and the activation of PI3-K and p38 MAPK contributed to these effects.

[Effects of applying different kind fertilizers on enzyme activities related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in reddish paddy soil].

Based on the long-term fixed position experimental data from Qianyanzhou Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1998, this paper analyzed the effects of applying different kind fertilizers (straw, ST; pig manure, OM; and chemical fertilizer, NPK) on the nutrients (C, N, and P) status and the activities of related enzymes ( beta-1,4-glucosidase, betaG; beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, NAG; L-leucine aminopeptidase, LAP; and acid phosphatase, AP) in reddish paddy soil. With the application of OM, the activities of soil betaG, NAG, and LAP increased significantly, as compared with other treatments, and were 1.4, 2. 6, and 1.9 times higher than the control (CK) , respectively. Applying OM also improved the ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N), but decreased the soil betaG/(NAG+LAP) ratio, suggesting that pig manure could benefit the degradation of soil cellulose and the accumulation of soil organic carbon. Applying NPK increased the activities of soil betaG, NAG, and LAP, but decreased the AP activity, with a decrement of 34% as compared with CK. Under the application of NPK, the soilbetaG/AP and (NAG+ LAP)/AP ratios increased, but the ratios of soil organic carbon to total phosphorus (C/P) and of soil total nitrogen to total phosphorus (N/P) decreased, indicating that chemical fertilizers could induce the accumulation of soil inorganic phosphorus, and inhibit the microbial functions of degrading polysaccharides and phosphate phospholipids.

[Mechanism of hepatocytes transdifferentiation to bile duct epithelial cells and intervention of huangqi decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of hepatocytes transdifferentiation to bile duct epithelial cells (BECs) and intervention of Huangqi decoction (HQD) on hepatic fibrosis formation in rats with secondary cholestasis. METHODS: Seventy-five SD male rats were made into cholestatic hepatic fibrosis model animals by bile duct ligation, and randomized into the control group (n = 50) and the HQD group (n = 15). Starting from one week after modeling, they were administered orally with saline and HQD respectively for four weeks. Besides, a sham-operated group was set up with 10 rats operated by choledochus segregating only and administered after then with saline. Rats were killed in batches at different time points, i.e. each five from the control group and sham-operated group at the end of the 1st week, five from the control group for each time at the end of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week, and all the remaining rats at the end of the 5th week. Their liver tissues were taken for histological change examination, content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) determination; protein expression of BECs marker cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and the hepatocyte specific antigen HepPar detection by Western blot, and CK7-Hep Par co-localization by laser confocal microscopy. Then IPP software was used to analyze Sirius red stained positive areas of CK7 and Hep Par, as well as the average IOD of CK7/Hep Par co-localization. RESULTS: Hepatocytes in hepatic tissues (Hep Par positive cell) in the model rats decreased gradually along was time went by after modeling (Sham > M1w > M2w > M3w > M4w > M5w), which was in parallel with the increase of BECs (CK7 positive cells), degree of fibrosis, Hyp content and CK7 protein expression. Increasing of co-localized positive cells of CK7/Hep Par began at 1 week and reached the peak 3 weeks after modeling, then it decreased gradually. The Hep Par protein expression was negatively correlated with that of CK7; the Hep Par positive cell expression was negatively correlated with CK7 positive cell expression and collagen deposition; while the CK7 positive cell expression was positively correlated with the collagen deposition in the liver tissue. Compared with the model control group, the mortality, CK7/Hep Par co-localized positive cells, fibrosis degree, Hyp content and CK7 protein expression were lesser obviously (P < 0.01), while Hep Par positive cell and protein expressions were higher significantly in the HQD group. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocytes transdifferentiation to BECs might be a key pathological element for secondary cholestatic hepatic fibrosis formation; the restraining action of HQD is possibly a major action mechanism of HQD for effectively intervening and treating secondary cholestasis hepatic fibrosis.

[Huangqi decoction inhibits cholangiocyte proliferation and transdifferentiation in cholestatic liver fibrosis induced by BDL in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the antifibrotic mechanism of Huangqi decoction in rats with BDL-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis. METHODS: Liver fibrosis model was induced by ligating the common bile duct (BDL) in rats. Sham-operation was performed in control rats. The BDL rats were randomly divided into two groups: the BDL group and the Huangqi decoction group. Huanqi decoction was given intragastrically for 4 weeks. At the end of the fifth week after BDL, animals were sacrificed. RESULTS: Compared with the sham control group, mortality rate in BDL group was 33.3% and incidence rate of ascites was 90%, and hepatic function was abnormal in most of the rats in BDL group. The number of Hepatocytes was decreased and the number of cholangiocytes significantly increased in BDL group. In addition, Hyp content of liver tissue and protein expression of CK 7 and a-SMA were significantly increased. Immunostaining indicated that CK 7 and a-SMA were co-localized in BDL group. These changes were markedly suppressed by the Huangqi decoction. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that Huangqi decoction can inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation and cholangiocyte transdifferentiation.

[Analysis on the depression related factors in elderly patients after stroke and the effect of Chinese medicine on them].

OBJECTIVE: To study the depression related factors in elderly patients after stroke and to explore the effect of Chinese medicine anti-depression treatment for improving neurological function in patients with after-stroke depression. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-seven after-stroke elderly patients were sorted, according to their Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD17) scores, to the non-depression group (NDG, 116 patients) and the depression group (DG, 261 patients). The depression related factors in them were analysed. Moreover, patients in DG were randomly subassigned to two groups, the 135 patients in the treated group were treated with Chinese medicine and general stroke-treatment, and the 126 patients in the control group were treated only with general stroke-treatment for 4 weeks. HAMD17 scores of neurological deficit (NDS), scores of sleep dysfunction rating scale (SDRS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) in them were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Prevalence rate of depression in patients with cerebral hemorrhage was 79.78% (71/89), significantly higher than that in patients with cerebral infarction, 65.97% (190/288, P < 0.05). Patients of stroke with lesion occurred at cerebellum, brain stem, or cerebral hemisphere (frontal lobe) and those with moderate/severe neurological deficit were more liable to suffer from depression. The HAMD17, HAMA, SDRS, and NDS scores in the treated group after treatment were all improved more significantly than in the control group (P < 0.05). NDS score reduced in the treated group significantly from 19.1 +/- 16.3 before treatment to 31.3 +/- 14.8 after treatment, showing the evident recovery of nerve function. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of depression after stroke is closely related with the nature and position of the lesion, as well as the degree of neurological deficit in patients. Chinese medicine could improve the depressive manner effectively and thus to make for recovery of neurological function.

Analysis on the depression related factors in elderly patients after stroke and the effect of Chinese medicine on them / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the depression related factors in elderly patients after stroke and to explore the effect of Chinese medicine anti-depression treatment for improving neurological function in patients with after-stroke depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and seventy-seven after-stroke elderly patients were sorted, according to their Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD17) scores, to the non-depression group (NDG, 116 patients) and the depression group (DG, 261 patients). The depression related factors in them were analysed. Moreover, patients in DG were randomly subassigned to two groups, the 135 patients in the treated group were treated with Chinese medicine and general stroke-treatment, and the 126 patients in the control group were treated only with general stroke-treatment for 4 weeks. HAMD17 scores of neurological deficit (NDS), scores of sleep dysfunction rating scale (SDRS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) in them were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Prevalence rate of depression in patients with cerebral hemorrhage was 79.78% (71/89), significantly higher than that in patients with cerebral infarction, 65.97% (190/288, P < 0.05). Patients of stroke with lesion occurred at cerebellum, brain stem, or cerebral hemisphere (frontal lobe) and those with moderate/severe neurological deficit were more liable to suffer from depression. The HAMD17, HAMA, SDRS, and NDS scores in the treated group after treatment were all improved more significantly than in the control group (P < 0.05). NDS score reduced in the treated group significantly from 19.1 +/- 16.3 before treatment to 31.3 +/- 14.8 after treatment, showing the evident recovery of nerve function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The occurrence of depression after stroke is closely related with the nature and position of the lesion, as well as the degree of neurological deficit in patients. Chinese medicine could improve the depressive manner effectively and thus to make for recovery of neurological function.</p>

Effect of Sho-saiko-to extract on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in dimethylnitrosamine induced liver injury rats.

Sho-saiko-to extract, a Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used for treatment of chronic hepatitis in Japan. However, it is not clear what conditions Sho-saiko-to extract improves hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. We therefore induced various stages of liver injury in model rats and administered Sho-saiko-to extract. We then evaluated the liver inflammation and liver fibrosis-improving effects of Sho-saiko-to extract. The liver injury model rats were produced by administration of various doses of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and Sho-saiko-to extract was administered to these rats. Then the liver inflammation and fibrosis-improving effects of Sho-saiko-to extract were evaluated according to L-asparate aminotransferase (AST), L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver retinoid levels, levels of hydroxyproline, Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta), and the liver fibrosis area. These indicators depended on the total doses of DMN. The ability of Sho-saiko-to extract to improve liver inflammation and fibrosis was limited to the following levels of the respective parameters: AST levels (234-264 U/l), ALT levels (208-232 U/l), TGF-beta levels (1102-1265 pg/g liver tissue), hydroxyproline levels (633-719 nmol/g liver tissue), and liver fibrosis area (9.7-10.6 times for normal rat). These findings suggested that Sho-saiko-to extract is effective in the treatment of liver inflammation and fibrosis up to a certain degree of severity, but it produces no improvement in more severe cases.