Intervention effect and mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis in rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and potential mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis （HF） in rats based on the transforming growth factor-β（1 TGF-β1）/Smad2/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1（ERK1） and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1（Keap1）/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1（HO-1） pathways. METHODS Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group， breviscapine low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （5.4， 10.8， 21.6 mg/kg）， and colchicine group （positive control， 0.45 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group， half male and half female. Except for the normal control group， HF model of the other groups was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Subsequently， each drug group was given corresponding medicine by gavage once a day for 28 days. The liver appearance of rats in each group was observed and their liver coefficients were calculated. The levels of alanineaminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）in serum， those of ALT， AST， superoxide dismutase （SOD），malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH- Px） in liver tissue were detected. The liver tissue inflammatory and fibrotic changes were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1， Nrf2， Keap1 and HO-in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group， the model group showed large areas of white nodular lesions in the liver， obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition. The body weight， the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly lowered in the model group （P＜0.05）； the liver coefficient， the percentage of Masson staining positive area， ALT and AST levels of serum and liver tissue， MDA level of liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1 and Keap1 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the liver lesions of rats in each drug group were improved， and the above quantitative indexes were generally reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Breviscapine has a good intervention effect on HF rats， which may be related to inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/ERK1 pathway for anti-fibrosis and regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

Feasibility Study of the Low-Cost Motion Tracking System for Assessing Endoscope Holding Skills.

BACKGROUND: The ability to hold an endoscope is an important skill for surgeons and assistants performing endoscopic neurosurgery. Motion tracking can provide an objective assessment for surgical skills and may aid in endoscopic neurosurgery. We developed a cost-effective system to study the feasibility of objectively distinguishing performance levels for operating an endoscope. METHODS: The study was divided into 2 parts. First, a video motion tracking analysis tool was built based on a printed mark and free software (Kinovea 0.8.15). Second, the tool was used to distinguish the holding endoscope performance of the robotic arm by experts (surgeon, n = 3) and novice users (residents, n = 6) under both 0' and 30' endoscopes. RESULTS: Through the printed mark and free software, we successfully built a system for video motion tracking. The data analysis showed that for both 0' and 30' endoscopes, the experts had a shorter total distance and depth, smaller average speed and maximum acceleration, and a fewer number of extreme accelerations than their novice counterparts. Compared with experts and residents, the fixed arm had better results. CONCLUSIONS: The simple low-cost video motion tracking system can provide an objective assessment of an endoscope holding skill, which allows for discrimination between an expert and a novice, and can be used by clinical neurosurgeons to select a qualified assistant.

Comparison between "five needles therapy" and conventional acupuncture for individual symptoms and signs of asthma of latent cold phlegm-fluid in the lung / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect difference between acupuncture of "five needles therapy" and conventional acupuncture for asthma of latent cold phlegm-fluid in the lung.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and ten cases were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 105 cases in each one. Finally 7 cases were dropped out in the observation group; 6 cases in the control group. Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12) were used in the observation group; conventional acupuncture was used in the control group, and the main acupoints were Feishu (BL 13), Zhongfu (LU 1), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17), Kongzui (LU 6), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Fenglong (ST 40), Fengmen (BL 12), Taiyuan (LU 9). The needles were retained for 30 min each time, once a day for continuous 12 days. The scores of the individual symptoms and signs were observed before treatment and on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th days, including pant, cough, cough up phlegm, fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, wheezing rale and shortness of breath. The clinical effects were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The scores of six individual symptoms and signs on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th days in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (all<0.05), except the score of wheezing rale in the control group on the 3rd day (>0.05). The scores of pant, wheezing rale, cough on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th days in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all<0.05), except the score of wheezing rale score on the 3rd day (>0.05). There were no significant difference between the two groups about the scores of cough up phlegm, fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm and shortness of breath on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th days (all>0.05), except the score of fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm in the observation group was lower than that in the control group on the 12th day (<0.05). 46 cases were clinical cured, 39 cases were markedly effective, 10 cases were effective and 3 cases were ineffective in the observation group with the total effective rate of 96.9%. 23 cases were clinical cured, 43 cases were markedly effective, 24 cases were effective and 9 cases were ineffective in the control group with the total effective rate of 90.9%. The difference was statistical (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>"Five needles therapy" has significant therapeutic effect for asthma of latent cold phlegm-fluid in the lung, which is better than conventional acupuncture.</p>

Expression and correlation of Toll-like receptor 2, LC3B and Beclin1 in glioma / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2) and autophagy marker protein in glioma. Methods Glioma tumors of a total of 74 patients from June 2012 to December 2017 were surgically resected, including WHO gradeⅠtoⅡ32 cases, grade Ⅲ 20 cases, gradeⅣ22 cases. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TLR2, autophagy related protein LC3B, Beclin 1 and apoptosis related protein Bax and Bcl-2. The correlation between TLR2 and autophagy related protein LC3B and Beclin 1 were analyzed. Results In high grade glioma (HGG) tissue and low grade glioma (LGG) tissue, the TLR2 positive expression rates were 92.9％(39/42) and 75.0％(24/32), and there was significant difference (P<0.05). In HGG tissue, autophagy related protein LC3B, Beclin1 protein was strongly positive and the positive expression rates were 45.2％(19/42) and 52.4％(22/42). In LGG tissue, LC3B and Beclin1 protein positive expression rates were 18.8％(6/32) and 15.6％(5/32), and there were significant differences (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that TLR2 protein was closely related to autophagy related protein LC3B (r=0.5638, P<0.05) and Beclin1 (r=0.6101, P<0.05). Conclusions TLR2 is highly expressed in HGG tissue, and its expression level may be related to autophagy, which has potential value as a targeted therapy.

Effect of stress level on blood coagulation and fracture healing in fracture patients / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of stress level on blood coagulation and fracture healing in fracture patients.Methods The clinical data of 50 fracture patients (fracture group) and 50 healthy volunteers (control group) were analyzed retrospectively.The oxidative stress indexes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] and blood coagulation indexes [plasma fibrinogen (Fib),activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT),thronbin time (TT),and prothrombin time (PT)] were compared between the 2 groups.Correlation between stress level and coagulation indexes in the fracture patients was analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient.The correlation between stress level and the progress of fracture healing in fracture patients was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in APTT,TT,PT or other blood coagulation indexes between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The fracture group had a significantly lower SOD level but significantly higher MDA and Fib levels than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Spearman analysis showed that the SOD level was negatively correlated to the Fib level (P ＜ 0.05) while the MDA level was positively correlated to the Fib level in the fracture group (P ＜ 0.05).The MDA level was negatively correlated to the process of fracture healing (P ＜ 0.05) while the SOD level was positively correlated to the process of fracture healing in the fracture group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Traumatic fracture can cause stress reaction.It should be kept in mind that the severity of stress reaction is closely related to the Fib level and the process of fracture healing.

Research on virtual hand control system based on wireless data glove / 中国医学装备

Objective:To establish a rehabilitation training system based on virtual hand model, in order to make up the lack of traditional rehabilitation by using vision feedback mechanism of virtual reality, and help patients raise participation enthusiasm and rehabilitation effect through the process of attempt-exercise-correction.Methods: Flex-sensor was used to collect the angle of fingers’ bending. The AD collection module was used to transform the signal to digital and transmitted by serial port.Then the data was transmitted to computer by bluetooth module and used to control the virtual hand.Results: Hall current sensor was accurate and effective for data collection. The acquisition terminal and monitor server were fast and convenient for data transmission and management.Conclusion: A control system for virtual hand based on wireless data glove was constructed, and it could be used effectively for the recovery of hand movement.

The detection of serum soluble B7-H4 levels in non-small cell lung cancer patients and its significance / 中华检验医学杂志

ObjectiveTo detect serum soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) levels in patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) and explore its clinical significances.MethodsThe sB7-H4 levels the sera of in 102 NSCLC patients,60 benign lung disease patients and 90 healthy controls were determined by ELISA.The relation between serum sB7-H4 levels and NSCLC of pathological staging was analyzed by use of t test.ResultsThe serum sB7-H4 levels in NSCLC,benign lung disease and heathy control groups were (45.61 ±5.67 ),( 30.14 ± 3.51 ) and ( 28.52 ± 4.76 ) μg/L,respectively.The levels of NSCLC group were significantly higher than those of benign lung disease and healthy control groups ( t =2,59 and 3.61,P ＜ 0.05 ).The serum sB7-H4 levels of Ⅲ/IV stage NSCLC patients ( 63.93 t 4.76 ) μgL,with lymph node metastasis (61.73 ±3.97) μg/L and before operation patients (63.29 ±6.19) μg/L were relatively higher thanthose inthe Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage(35.12 ± 3.88 )μg/L, without lymphnode metastasis (40.26 ± 5.39 ) μg/L,after operation ( 40.51± 4.08 ) μg/L.There were significant difference ( t =6.78,5.73 and 3.67,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Serum sB7-H4 of NSCLC patients increases significantly and correlates with clinical stages and therapeutic conditions.Detecting on sB7-H4 is helpful for lung cancer diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation.

The levels and clinical significance of osteopontin in serum of patients with lung cancer / 中国医师杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the levels and clinical significance of osteopontin (OPN) in serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsOPN levels of 102 cases of NSCLC,42 cases of benign lung disease and 30 cases of healthy control were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).ResultsThe serum OPN levels of NSCLC were significantly higher than those of benign lung disease group and healthy control group (P＜0.01).The levels of OPN in serum were compared between different gender,age,histological differentiation and pathological type groups,but there were no significant difference (P＞0.05).The serum OPN levels of Ⅲ - Ⅳ stage NSCLC patients,with lymph node metastasis,before operation patients,recrudescent patients,survival below 3 years patients were relatively higher than that in the patients with Ⅰ - Ⅱ stage,without lymph node metastasis,after operation,no recrudescent,survival over 3 years patients,and the differences were significant (P＜0.01).ConclusionsOPN levels in serum reflected the severity of the disease,which can be used to determine the effects of surgery and monitor recurrence and evaluate prognosis.

Effects of Xiaopi Yishen herbal extract granules in treatment of fatigue-predominant subhealth due to liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial / 中西医结合学报

Background: The demand for effective intervention for subhealth conditions is growing with increasing numbers of people being in a state of subhealth with a poor quality of life. Future research and evaluation of the treatment methods for subhealth conditions from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may provide an important direction for developing effective management of these conditions. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaopi Yishen herbal extract granules (XPYS-HEG), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for relieving fatigue and promoting a cheerful spirit for the treatment of people with fatigue-predominant subhealth due to liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency. Design, setting participants and interventions: A multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study was undertaken. The study period was 18 weeks, including 6 weeks for intervention and 12 weeks for follow-up. Participants were recruited from medical center and outpatient clinics of three hospitals in China, i.e. Xiaotangshan Hospital of Beijing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of TCM and the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of TCM. Two hundred participants who met the criteria of fatigue-predominant subhealth and liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency in TCM were allocated randomly to the treatment group (XPYS, n=100) and control group (placebo, n=100). Main outcome measures: The total score of Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) was used to evaluate the fatigue status of subjects and the extent of liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency syndrome was also recorded. Results: Three cases in the XPYS group withdrew from the trial. There were 200 subjects who entered to full analysis set (FAS) analysis and 197 subjects fitted in the per-protocol set (PPS) analysis. (1) According to the score changes of FS-14, the effectiveness rates in the XPYS and placebo group were as follows: 14.0% vs 9.0% (FAS) and 14.4% vs 9.0% (PPS) for complete remission, 19.0% vs 15.0% (FAS) and 19.6% vs 15.0% (PPS) for obvious effects, 39.0% vs 26.0% (FAS) and 39.2% vs 26.0% (PPS) for effective, and 72.0% vs 50.0% (FAS) and 73.2% vs 50.0% (PPS) for complete efficacy. The efficacy of XPYS-HEG was superior to the placebo statistically (P<0.05). (2) According to the score changes of TCM syndrome, the effectiveness rates in the XPYS group and placebo group were as follows: 1.0% vs 0.0% (FAS) and 1.0% vs 0.0% (PPS) for complete remission, 20.0% vs 7.0% (FAS) and 19.6% vs 7.0% (PPS) for obvious effects, 29.0% vs 24.0% (FAS) and 29.9% vs 24.0% (PPS) for effective, and 50.0% vs 31.0% (FAS) and 50.5% vs 31.0% (PPS) for complete efficacy. The efficacy of XPYS-HEG was superior to that of placebo statistically (P<0.05). (3) The follow-up results at 12 weeks and 18 weeks showed that the efficacy of XPYS-HEG was superior to that of placebo statistically (P<0.05). (4) No adverse effects were found in the XPYS group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that XPYS-HEG is effective and safe for the treatment of people with fatigue-predominant subhealth due to liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency.

Study on quality standard of Liancao Oral Liquid / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To establish the quality standard of Liancao Oral Liquid. Methods The content of scutellarin and p-Coumaric acid in Liancao Oral Liquid was determined by HPLC. Results There was a good linearity for scutellarin in the range of0.208～1.042 μg (r=0.9999) (n=5) , The average recovery rate was 100.3%, RSD=0.81% (n =6) ; There was a good linearity for p-Coumaric acid in the range of 0.079～0.394 μg (r=0.9994) (n=5) , The average recovery rate was 99.6%, RSD=0.94% (n=6) . Conclusion To develop a method of determining the content of Liancao Oral Liquid. The methods are simple, effective with good reproducibility, which can be used for the quality control of Liancao Oral Liquid.