[Clinical observation on correction of abnormal cervical sagittal parameters by cervical pulling method guided by cervical motion segment extension].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the radiological change and curative effect of cervical spondylosis treated with cervical vertebra pulling therapy in young people. METHODS: A total of 65 patients(shedding in 5 patients and final inclusion in 60 patients) with cervical spondylosis who were treated from January 2018 to September 2019 were randomly divided into treatment group and control group according to the digital table method. There were 30 patients in treatment group, including 14 males and 18 females, aged from 20 to 44 years old with an average of(29.83±6.99) years, who were treated with cervical vertebra pulling therapy(once a week, 4 times in total). The control group consisted of 30 cases, 12 males and 18 females, aged from 18 to 43 years old with an average of (31.77±5.93) years, who received sitting traction therapy(once a week, 4 times in total). The changes of C2-C7 Cobb angle, arc-chord distance and T1 slope (T1S) in two groups were observed before treatment and 1 month after treatment, for intra-group and inter-group comparison;and the changes of numerical rating scale(NRS) in two groups were observed before treatment and 1, 3 months after treatment, for intra-group and inter-group comparison. RESULTS: Sixty patients were followed up for (3.2±0.3) months. There were no significant differences in NRS, C2-C7 Cobb angle, arc-chord distance and T1S between two groups before treatment (P>0.05). One month after treatment, the NRS, C2-C7 Cobb angle, arc-chord distance and T1S were(1.67±0.76) scores, (16.55±6.01)°, (10.95±4.04)mm, (18.95±4.19)° in treatment group and(1.40±0.86) scores, (10.23±5.94) °, (6.11±4.17) mm, (13.34±4.25)° in control group respectively. C2-C7 Cobb angle, arc-chord distance and T1S in treatment group were better than those in control group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in NRS between two groups (P>0.05). Compared with before treatment, there were statistically significant differences in C2-C7 Cobb angle, arc-chord distance and T1S in treatment group(P<0.05), but no statistically significant differences in control group(P>0.05). Three months after operation, NRS of treatment group was (1.60±0.62) scores and that of control group was (4.17±0.70) scores. The treatment group was better than the control group(P<0.05). The scores of treatment group after treatment were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in control group before and after treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Cervical vertebra pulling method and cervical vertebra sitting traction can relieve the pain symptoms of patients with cervical spondylosis, but the effect of cervical vertebra pulling method is more durable;cervical vertebra pulling method can correct abnormal cervical sagittal parameters.

Effect of a carbohydrate-rich beverage on rate of cesarean delivery in primigravidae with epidural labor analgesia: a multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Labor represents a period of significant physical activity. Inefficient energy supply may delay labor process and even lead to cesarean delivery. Herein we investigated whether ingestion of a carbohydrate-rich beverage could reduce cesarean delivery in laboring women with epidural analgesia. METHODS: This multicenter randomized trial was conducted in obstetrician-led maternity units of nine tertiary hospitals in China. Primigravidae with single term cephalic pregnancy who were preparing for vaginal birth under epidural analgesia were randomized to intake a carbohydrate-rich beverage or commercially available low-carbohydrate beverages during labor. The primary outcome was the rate of cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included maternal feeling of hunger, assessed with an 11-point scale where 0 indicated no hunger and 10 the most severe hunger, and maternal and neonatal blood glucose after childbirth. RESULTS: Between 17 January 2018 and 20 July 2018, 2008 women were enrolled and randomized, 1953 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The rate of cesarean delivery did not differ between the two groups (11.3% [111/982] with carbohydrate-rich beverage vs. 10.9% [106/971] with low-carbohydrate beverages; relative risk 1.04, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.33; p = 0.79). Women in the carbohydrate-rich beverage group had lower subjective hunger score (median 3 [interquartile range 2 to 5] vs. 4 [2 to 6]; median difference - 1; 95% CI - 1 to 0; p < 0.01); their neonates had less hypoglycemia (1.0% [10/968] vs. 2.3% [22/956]; relative risk 0.45; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.94; p = 0.03) when compared with those in the low-carbohydrate beverage group. They also had higher rates of maternal hyperglycemia (6.9% [67/965] vs. 1.9% [18/953]; p < 0.01) and neonatal hyperglycemia (9.2% [89/968] vs. 5.8% [55/956]; p < 0.01), but none required special treatment. CONCLUSIONS: For laboring primigravidae with epidural analgesia, ingestion of a carbohydrate-rich beverage compared with low-carbohydrate beverages did not reduce cesarean delivery, but relieved maternal hunger and reduced neonatal hypoglycemia at the expense of increased hyperglycemia of both mothers and neonates. Optimal rate of carbohydrate supplementation remains to be determined. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.chictr.org.cn ; identifier: ChiCTR-IOR-17011994 ; registered on 14 July 2017.

Concerned topics of epidural labor analgesia: labor elongation and maternal pyrexia: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Labor is a complex process and labor pain presents challenges for analgesia. Epidural analgesia (EA) has a well-known analgesic effect and is commonly used during labor. This review summarized frequently encountered and controversial problems surrounding EA during labor, including the labor process and maternal intrapartum fever, to build knowledge in this area. DATA SOURCES: We searched for relevant articles published up to 2019 in PubMed using a range of search terms (eg, "labor pain," "epidural," "analgesia," "labor process," "maternal pyrexia," "intrapartum fever"). STUDY SELECTION: The search returned 835 articles, including randomized control trials, retrospective cohort studies, observational studies, and reviews. The articles were screened by title, abstract, and then full-text, with a sample independently screened by two authors. Thirty-eight articles were included in our final analysis; 20 articles concerned the labor process and 18 reported on maternal pyrexia during EA. RESULTS: Four classic prospective studies including 14,326 participants compared early and delayed initiation of EA by the incidence of cesarean delivery. Early initiation following an analgesia request was preferred. However, it was controversial whether continuous use of EA in the second stage of labor induced adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes due to changes in analgesic and epidural infusion regimens. There was a high incidence of maternal pyrexia in women receiving EA and women with placental inflammation or histologic chorioamnionitis compared with those receiving systemic opioids. CONCLUSIONS: Early EA (cervical dilation ≥1 cm) does not increase the risk for cesarean section. Continuous epidural application of low doses of analgesics and programmed intermittent epidural bolus do not prolong second-stage labor duration or impact maternal and neonatal outcomes. The association between EA and maternal pyrexia remains controversial, but pyrexia is more common with EA than without. A non-infectious inflammatory process is an accepted mechanism of epidural-related maternal fever.

Bolus norepinephrine and phenylephrine for maternal hypotension during elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia: a randomized, double-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, norepinephrine has attracted increasing attention for the management of maternal hypotension during elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Intermittent bolus is a widely used administration paradigm for vasopressors in obstetric anesthesia in China. Thus, in this randomized, double-blinded study, we compared the efficacy and safety of equivalent bolus norepinephrine and phenylephrine for rescuing maternal post-spinal hypotension. METHODS: In a tertiary women's hospital in Nanjing, China, 102 women were allocated with computer derived randomized number to receive prophylactic 8 µg norepinephrine (group N; n = 52) or 100 µg phenylephrine (group P; n = 50) immediately post-spinal anesthesia, followed by an extra bolus of the same dosage until delivery whenever maternal systolic blood pressure became lower than 80% of the baseline. Our primary outcome was standardized maternal cardiac output (CO) reading from spinal anesthesia until delivery analyzed by a two-step method. Other hemodynamic parameters related to vasopressor efficacy and safety were considered as secondary outcomes. Maternal side effects and neonatal outcomes were collected as well. RESULTS: Compared to group P, women in group N had a higher CO (standardized CO 5.8 ±â€Š0.9 vs. 5.3 ±â€Š1.0 L/min, t = 2.37, P = 0.02) and stroke volume (SV, standardized SV 73.6 ±â€Š17.2 vs. 60.0 ±â€Š13.3 mL, t = 4.52, P < 0.001), and a lower total peripheral resistance (875 ±â€Š174 vs. 996 ±â€Š182 dyne·s/cm, t = 3.44, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of bradycardia was lower in group N than in group P (2% vs. 14%, P = 0.023), along with an overall higher standardized heart rate (78.8 ±â€Š11.6 vs. 75.0 ±â€Š7.3 beats/min, P = 0.049). Other hemodynamics, as well as maternal side effects and neonatal outcomes, were similar in two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to equivalent phenylephrine, intermittent bolus norepinephrine provides a greater CO for management of maternal hypotension during elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia; however, no obvious maternal or neonatal clinical advantages were observed for norepinephrine.

[Treatment of anterior glenohumeral dislocations with manual reduction of WU medical school].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the technique, mechanism and clinical efficacy of manual reduction of WU medical school in the treatment of anterior glenohumeral dislocations. METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2017, 181 patients with anterior glenohumeral dislocations were treated with our manual reduction, including 71 males and 110 females, ranging in age from 19 to 94 years old, with a mean age of(61.1±16.3) years old; 68 cases of subglenoid type, 93 cases of subcoracoid type and 20 cases of subclavian type. Constant score was used to evaluate limb function while the external fixation was removed. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients achieved reduction at the first attempt and 23 patients achieved at the second time. There was no vascular damage, nerve damage or iatrogenic fracture accmpanied. The Constant score ranged from 75 to 100, with a mean score of 92.1±4.3. One hundred and sixty-eight patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 24 months, with an average of (16.1±3.2) months, no recurrent dislocation occurred during the follow up period. CONCLUSIONS: The manual reduction of WU medical school in the treatment of anterior glenohumeral dislocations has high success rate and low complication rate, which is scientific, safe, standardized, easy to learn and worth promoting.

Pancreatic carcinoma underlying a complex presentation in late pregnancy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus is strongly related to the risk of pancreatic cancer in pregnant women, but gestational diabetes can precede a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by many years. Women with a history of gestational diabetes showed a relative risk of pancreatic cancer of 7.1. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies associated with thromboembolic events. A clinical study showed that thromboembolic events were detected in 36% of patients diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer. Studies showed that gestational diabetes mellitus could be one of the important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk of breast and pancreatic cancer. This case report describes a 29-year-old Chinese woman who presented with: gestational diabetes mellitus; International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria suggested disseminated intravascular coagulation with a score of 5; hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count syndrome; and pulmonary hypertension. After an intravenous injection of fibrinogen, she gave birth to a normal baby and following delivery, her blood pressure reached 180/110 mmHg. Laboratory analysis results showed elevated lactic dehydrogenase, decreased platelets and fibrinogen, and urine protein was positive. She was transfused with fresh frozen plasma, blood coagulation factor, and fibrinogen. Subsequently, she was transferred to a maternity intensive care unit, where magnesium sulfate seizure prophylaxis was continued for 24 hours to keep her magnesium level at a low therapeutic range. However, continuous oxygen therapy was needed to maintain her oxygenation. Further laboratory investigations revealed elevated carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and carbohydrate antigen 72-4. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed malignant carcinoma in the head of her pancreas with lymph node involvement along with bone, peritoneal, and left adrenal metastasis, as well as double lung lymphangitic carcinomatosis. CONCLUSION: A differential diagnosis of digestive system neoplasm should be considered when a pregnant patient presents with gestational diabetes mellitus and disseminated intravascular coagulation, where the disseminated intravascular coagulation has no specific cause and cannot be readily resolved.

[Statues and research strategy of molecular breeding in Artemisia annua].

Malaria is one of the three most deadly diseases in the world. Artemisinin is the first line and effective drug for treating malaria, and only can be extracted from Artemisia annua. Therefore, it is of great significance to cultivate new varieties of A. annua with high artemisinin content. Based on the germplasm bank and the whole genome, transcriptome and genetic map, the authors can explore high-quality genes, stress-resistant genes and genetic markers which have been used for rapid breeding of superior varieties of A. annua. So these methods of molecular breeding will become the main breeding direction of A. annua in the future. The breeding times of new varieties of A. annua can be shortened with molecular breeding technology. Based on the genetic background and the current situation of molecular breeding of A. annua, the strategy and technical route of molecular breeding were discussed and worked out in this paper, which provided a guidance and scientific reference for molecular breeding of A. annua in the future.

[Treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with three-dimensional reduction method and external fixation devices under analgesia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects between open reduction internal fixation and three-dimensional reduction with external fixation under analgesia in treating fresh thoracolumbar fractures, and explore the simple and effective method for thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 40 patients with thoracolumbar fractures who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the department of orthopaedics affiliated to Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from February 2013 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to therapeutic methods, the patients were devided into treatment group and control group, 20 cases in each group. Treatment group was treated by three-dimensional reduction method and external fixation devices under analgesia, and control group was treated by open reduction and common spinal fixation system. In treatment group, there were 9 males and 11 females, aged from 26 to 68 years old with an average of (52.8±11.3) years; and in control group, there were 10 males and 10 females, aged from 26 to 64 years old with an average of(50.6±8.8) years. Anterior vertebral body compression(AVBC), Cobb angle and visual analogue scale(VAS) were measured and compared in two group. RESULTS: All 40 patients finished follow-up. The follow-up time in treatment group was 5 to 37 months with average of (16.1±8.8) months, in control group was 5 to 29 months with an average of(17.3±6.0) months. There was no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05). AVBC, Cobb angle, VAS score were obviously improved in all patients after treatment(P<0.05), but there were no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical effect of two methods was similar in treating thoracolumbar fractures, but three-dimensional reduction and external fixation devices under analgesia has advantage of easy operation, smaller trauma and no need secondary surgery for removed internal fixation.

A new mononuclear neutral high-spin iron(III) complex with the different tridentate ligands 5-bromo-salicyl-aldehyde (pyridin-2-yl)hydrazone and 5-bromo-salicyl-aldehyde thio-semicarbazone.

The title neutral mononuclear complex, [1-(5-bromo-2-oxido-benzyl-idene)thio-semicarbazidato](4-bromo-2-{[2-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazinyl-idene]meth-yl}pheno-lato)iron(III), [Fe(C8H6BrN3OS)(C12H9BrN3O)] (I), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and has two different planar tridentate ligands. The central FeIII ion is coordinated to three N, two O and one S atom, forming a distorted octa-hedral FeN3O2S coordination geometry. In the crystal, the complex mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions into layers parallel to (100). Magnetic measurements show that the central FeIII ion is in the high-spin state; this is also supported by the bond distances around the FeIII ion.

Potential immunotoxic effects of trichloroethylene-induced IV allergic reaction in renal impairment.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is known to induce allergic contact dermatitis and subsequent occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis (OMLD) with multi-system injuries, including liver, kidney, and skin injuries. However, the mechanisms underlying immune system dysfunction that result in organ injury have not yet been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we measured the levels of secreted cytokines by effect or T cells in TCE-treated guinea pigs to better understand the contribution of allergic disorders in renal injuries. We immunized guinea pigs with trichloroethylene using the Guinea Pig Maximization Test (GPMT) and scored the inflammation on the guinea pigs' skin. The kidney function and ultra-structural changes in the kidneys were detected using biochemical methods and electron microscopy. The deposition of cytokines was determined using immunohistochemistry. The sensitization rate was 63.16% in the TCE-sensitized groups. The electron microscopy results showed tubular epithelial cell mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar degeneration, and atrophy of the microvillus in the sensitized groups. A high degree of cytokine deposition was observed in the renal tubular proximal epithelial cells in the TCE-sensitized groups. As observed in this study, the variation in the level of immune system activation not only indicates that TCE can largely magnify the immune reaction but also suggests a potential role of immune dysfunction in renal impairment.

Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB versus autologous bone graft in foot and ankle fusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Today, autogenous bone graft (ABG) is still considered as the gold standard for joint fusion. Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) which is of chemotactic and mitogenic to mesenchymal stem cells and possesses outstanding osteogenetic potentials has been used for ankle and foot fusion in recent years. The goal of this article is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rhPDGF-BB versus ABG in foot and ankle fusion. The PubMed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematic searched. Finally, three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 634 patients were enrolled in this study. Results of radiologic effectiveness which included CT and radiographic union rates revealed that there was no significant difference between rhPDGF-BB approach and ABG approach. Analysis of clinical results held the same outcomes expect that ABG group was superior in long-term Short Form-12 physical component scores. The pooled results also demonstrated that rhPDGF-BB was as safe as ABG in foot and ankle surgery. However, autograft harvesting procedure has some drawbacks such as donor-site pain and morbidity, additional operation time, blood loss, and scarring, which can be overcome by rhPDGF-BB. Thus, rhPDGF-BB is a viable alternative to autograft in foot and ankle fusion surgery. Yet, more high-quality RCTs with long-term follow-up are still required to make the final conclusion.

Can Unilateral Kyphoplasty Replace Bilateral Kyphoplasty in Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Kyphoplasty has been proven to be an efficient method to relieve patient suffering from osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Because of its technological superiority, unilateral kyphoplasty consumes less operative time and bone cement than traditional bilateral kyphoplasty. However, there is controversy about which method is most efficient in the treatment of OVCFs. Thus, an overall analysis should be performed to shed light on the facts corroborating both procedures. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of unipedicular kyphoplasty versus bipedicular kyphoplasty in treating OVCFs. STUDY DESIGN: Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials focusing on comparing unilateral versus bilateral balloon kyphoplasty in treatment of OVCFs. The exclusion criteria contained infection, neoplastic etiology, traumatic fracture, neural compression, neurological deficit, spinal stenosis, previous surgery at the involved vertebral body, long-term use of steroids, and kyphoplasty with other invasive or semi-invasive intervention treatment. Retrospective studies, reviews, technology introductions, and biochemical trials were also excluded. SETTINGS: The PubMed MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EMBASE were systematic searched. Only randomized controlled trials published up to June 2015 comparing unilateral kyphoplasty with bilateral kyphoplasty in treatment of OVCFs were identified. METHODS: Two researchers independently screeded the works for inclusion and data extraction. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the methodological quality and evidence synthesis. RESULTS: Six articles with 563 patients were enrolled in this study. Results showed that the unilateral approach required less surgical time (MD, -23.19; 95% CI, [-27.08, -19.31]; P < 0.00001) and cement consumption (MD, -2.07; 95% CI, [-2.23, -1.91]; P < 0.00001), as well as a reduced cement leakage ratio (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, [0.35, 0.99]; P < 0.05) and improved short-term general health (MD, 1.48; 95% CI, [0.02, 2.93], P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the visual analog scale score (short-term and long-term), Oswestry Disability Index score (mid-term and long-term) kyphotic angle reduction, restoration rate of anterior vertebral height, vertebral height loss rate, postoperative adjacent-level fractures, or in other assessments of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey parameters (short-term and long-term). LIMITATIONS: Only 6 studies were included, so that the sample size was still relatively small and publication bias could not be revealed in this study. Observation time of some data was inconsistent. All of these problems could influence the reliability of the results. CONCLUSION: Both unilateral kyphoplasty and bilateral kyphoplasty are safe and effective treatments for OVCFs. However, when operative time, cement volume, cement leakage, short-term general health, radiation dose, and hospitalization costs are taken into consideration, unilateral kyphoplasty may be the better choice. Yet, more high-quality RCTs with long-term follow-up are still required to make the final conclusion.Key words: Kyphoplasty, unilateral approach, bilateral approach, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, meta-analysis.

Promoting spinal fusions by biomineralized silk fibroin films seeded with bone marrow stromal cells: An in vivo animal study.

OBJECTIVES: To prepare a biomineralized nano silk fibroin film seeded with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and to evaluate its performance in spinal fusion. METHODS: The silk fibroin film was mineralized in a modified, simulated body fluid, seeded with BMSCs, and evaluated in a rat model of posterolateral lumbar fusion, compared with pure silk fibroin, silk fibroin/bone marrow stromal cells, mineralized silk fibroin, mineralized silk fibroin/bone marrow stromal cells, iliac crest bone, and no graft. After 12 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and underwent manual palpation, micro-CT scanning, biomechanical testing, and histology. RESULTS: The infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated deposition of mineral layers on the silk fibroin film surface. The fusion rate, bone volume, relative strength and stiffness, and histological score of the mineralized silk fibroin/bone marrow stromal cells were slightly lower than the autograft, but without any significant difference (p > 0.05). In addition, the mineralized silk fibroin was significantly greater in most parameters than the silk fibroin/bone marrow stromal cells (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mineralized silk fibroin resembles natural bone structurally, and the cellular and mineral layers of silk fibroin are both critical to bone regeneration. The ability to promote spinal fusion is enhanced when the mineralized silk fibroin is seeded with bone marrow stromal cells.

[Correlation analysis between effectiveness of element in rhizonsphere soil and quality of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)].

In order to investigate the content and distribution of available element in the rhizonsphere soil of the growing areas of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, the contents of available element (N,P,K,B,Cu,Zn,Fe,Mn) in 26 soil samples were tested and evaluated. The results showed that the contents of available P and Fe were very plentiful, available K, Cu and Zn were rich, available N and Mn were deficient, available B was extremely deficient in all growing areas of S. miltiorrhiza of eight provinces in China. The correlation analysis showed that the contents of eight kinds of available elements were varying degree correlation. The stepwise regression analysis between the contents of available elements of rhizonsphere soil and ten kinds of active ingredients of Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) were researched. The results showed that the rates of contribution of available N,B,Mn and Fe to quality of Danshen were relatively large and they were the significant factors, and the other factors did not show statistical significance. The recommended fertilizing strategies is that the usage of N,B and Mn fertilizers should be controlled according to different stages of growth of S. miltiorrhiza, and P fertilizer should be reduced in all growing areas of S. miltiorrhiza.

[Identification of Pathogens Causing Root Rot Disease on Ligusticum chuanxiong in Sichuan].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathogens causing root rot disease on Ligusticum chuanxiong from the main producing areas in Sichuan, and to provide gist of management of this disease in the future. METHODS: The diseased rhizomes of Ligusticurn chuanxiong with root rot symptom were sampled in two main producing areas in Sichuan. According to Koch's postulate, the pathogenicity on Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizomes of the isolates was confirmed. The representative isolates were identified based on their morphological characteristics and ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer(rDNA-ITS) sequences. RESULTS: The isolates(f2-16, 3-2, f4-19 and f5-7)which caused root rot disease held high homology reached 99%, 99%, 100% and 100% respectively, when compared with GenBank sequences GQ229075, JQ796755, JN232136 and FJ481024. CONCLUSION: The causing agents of root rot disease on Ligusticum chuanxiong belong to Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Plectosphaerella cucumerina and Phoma glomerata. Pathogens from different regions are varied.

The rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine in rats is associated with down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus.

OBJECTIVES: Active inflammatory responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. We hypothesized that the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine is associated with the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators. METHODS: Forty-eight rats were equally randomized into six groups (a control and five chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) groups) and given either saline or 10 mg/kg ketamine, respectively. The forced swimming test was performed, and the hippocampus was subsequently harvested for the determination of levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), kynurenine (KYN), and tryptophan (TRP). RESULTS: CUMS induced depression-like behaviours and up-regulated the hippocampal levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IDO, and the KYN/TRP ratio, which were attenuated by a sub-anaesthetic dose of ketamine. CONCLUSION: CUMS-induced depression-like behaviours are associated with a reduction in hippocampal inflammatory mediators, whereas ketamine's antidepressant effect is associated with a down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat hippocampus.

Regular intermittent bolus provides similar incidence of maternal fever compared with continuous infusion during epidural labor analgesia.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of regular intermittent bolus versus continuous infusion for epidural labor analgesia on maternal temperature and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. METHODS: This randomized trial was performed in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China between October 2012 and February 2014. Either regular intermittent bolus (RIB, n=66) or continuous infusion (CI, n=66) was used for epidural labor analgesia. A bolus dose (10 ml of 0.08% ropivacaine + 0.4 ug·ml-1 sufentanil) was manually administrated once an hour in the RIB group, whereas the same solution was continuously infused at a constant rate of 10 ml·h-1 in the CI group. Maternal tympanic temperature and serum IL-6 level were measured hourly from baseline to one hour post partum. The incidences of fever (>/=38 degree celsius ) were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of maternal fever was similar between the 2 groups. There was a rising trend in mean temperature over time in both groups, but no statistical difference was detected between the groups at respective time points; maternal serum IL-6 showed similar changes. CONCLUSION: Compared with continuous infusion, regular intermittent bolus presents with the same incidence of maternal fever for epidural labor analgesia. Interleukin-6 elevation could be involved in mean maternal temperature increase. 

Tetra-aqua-bis-(N,N-dimethyl-formamide-κO)zinc(II) bis-[(2-{3-[2-(carboxyl-ato-meth-oxy-κ(2)O,O')phen-yl]pyrazol-1-yl-κN(2)}acetato-κO)chloridozincate(II)].

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Zn(C(3)H(7)NO)(2)(H(2)O)(4)][Zn(C(13)H(10)N(2)O(5))Cl](2), is composed of a single anion and half a cation. The Zn(II) atom in the monoanion has a distorted triganol-pyramidal geometry, being coordinated by three O atoms and one N atom from one 2-{3-[2-(carboxyl-ato-meth-oxy)phen-yl]pyrazol-1-yl}acetate ligand and one Cl atom. In the dication, the Zn(II) atom is located on an inversion center and is coordinated by six O atoms in a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry. In the crystal, the ions are linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network lying parallel to the ab plane. There are also C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl inter-actions present, which lead to the formation of a three-dimensional structure.