Analysis of the population structure and genetic diversity of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in China using SSR markers

BACKGROUND: Procambarus clarkii produces high-quality, delicious meat that is high in protein, low in fat, and rich in calcium and phosphorus. It has become an important aquatic resource in China. Our objectives are (i) to analyze the level of genetic diversity of P. clarkii populations; (ii) to explore the genetic differentiation (Gst); and (iii) to propose appropriate strategies for the conservation. RESULTS: In this study, Shannon's index (I) and Nei's gene diversity index (H) for P. clarkii were high (I = 0.3462 and H = 0.2325 on average and I = 0.6264, H = 0.4377 at the species level) based on the SSR markers. The expected heterozygosity value of 17 microsatellite loci in 25 crayfish populations was 0.9317, the observed heterozygosity value was 0.9121, and the observed number of alleles per locus was 2.000; and the effective number of alleles per locus was 1.8075. Among the P. clarkii populations, the inbreeding coefficient within populations (Fis) was 0.2315, overall inbreeding coefficient (Fit) was 0.4438, genetic differentiation coefficient among populations (Fst) was 0.3145 and gene differentiation (Gst) was 0.4785 based on SSR analyses. The cluster analysis results obtained by unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and STRUCTURE analysis were similar. A mantel test showed that the isolation-by-distance pattern was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The high Gst among P. clarkii populations is attributed to genetic drift and geographic isolation. The results indicated that more P. clarkii populations should be collected when formulating conservation and aquaculture strategies.

The feeding of dietary Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide enhances the immune responses, the expression of immune-related genes and the growth performance of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

Polysaccharides have many functions in aquatic animals and are widely used as immunopotentiators. However, despite the emergence of serious diseases, few studies have explored the effects of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPP) on crustaceans. We studied the effects of CPP on the growth performance, nonspecific immunity, antioxidant activity and disease resistance of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Healthy crayfish (5.80 ± 0.1 g) were fed diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.30% CPP for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8-week feeding trial, the optimal final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in the crayfish fed the diets with 0.15% and 0.20% CPP, followed by those fed the diet with 0.30% CPP and then those fed the diet with 0.10% CPP, whereas the values of these parameters were obtained with the control crayfish (P < 0.05). The crayfish fed the diets with 0.15% and 0.20% CPP exhibited a significantly higher total hemocyte count (THC) and significantly increased phenoloxidase (PO), lysozyme (LZM), hemocyte (Hc), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) compared with those belonging to the other groups (P < 0.05). The crayfish fed the diets with 0.15% and 0.2% CPP exhibited significantly higher total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, a significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and a significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with the other groups (P < 0.05), which indicated that antioxidant capacity was significantly induced by the CPP-supplemented diets. Significantly upregulated expression of immune-related genes (anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (alf), peroxiredoxin (prx5), cathepsin B (ctsb), mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (mtMnsod), cyclophilin A (cypa), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), Toll-like receptor 3 (tlr3), and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70)) was detected in the crayfish fed the diets supplemented with 0.15% and 0.20% CPP diet compared with the levels observed in the control crayfish. These results showed that dietary CPP supplementation greatly improved the growth, immunity and antioxidant capacities of crayfish, and according to the observed results, 0.15%-0.2% is the recommended optimal level of CPP dietary supplementation for crayfish.

Effects of hesperidin on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune responses and disease resistance of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

We evaluated the effects of hesperidin on the nonspecific immunity, antioxidant capacity and growth performance of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). A total of 900 healthy crayfish were randomly divided into six groups: the control group (fed the basal diet) and the HES25, HES50, HES75, HES100 and HES150 groups, which were fed the basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg kg-1 hesperidin, respectively. The feeding experiment lasted 8 weeks. The results indicated that compared with the control group, the crayfish groups supplemented with 50-150 mg kg-1 hesperidin had a decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) (P < 0.05). The protein carbonyl content (PCC), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the hepatopancreas and hemocytes were significantly lower, while the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were significantly higher in the crayfish groups supplemented with 50-150 mg kg-1 hesperidin than in the control group. Supplementation with 50-150 mg kg-1 hesperidin significantly increased the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), lysozyme (LZM), and phenoloxidase (PO) compared with the control group (P < 0.05); upregulated the mRNA expression of cyclophilin A (CypA), extracellular copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (ecCuZnSOD), GPxs, crustin, astacidin, Toll3 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) (P < 0.05); and decreased crayfish mortality following white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. These findings indicate that dietary hesperidin supplementation at an optimum dose of 50-150 mg kg-1 may effectively improve nonspecific immunity, antioxidant capacity and growth performance in crayfish.

Outbreak of mycoplasmal round pneumonia in an adult population: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasmal pneumonia is a common type of adult community-acquired pneumonia in China, but round/spherical pneumonia caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae has rarely been reported. Here, we report an outbreak of mycoplasmal round pneumonia in a military dormitory in China. METHODS: We analysed epidemiological, clinical, imaging and laboratory data from a series of adults affected by an outbreak of mycoplasmal round pneumonia in the dormitory of a military hospital (Fuzhou General Hospital) in Fuzhou, China. The dormitory included 2 separate buildings. Mycoplasma antibody was detected using a passive agglutination assay. RESULTS: The first case in our series, a 23-year-old male intern, presented on July 16, 2015 with a 3-day history of low-grade fever, dizziness, fatigue and chest tightness. Chest computed tomography revealed spherical masses. Over the following 4 days, 11 individuals who had been in close contact with the first patient were found to have similar masses. All 12 cases were mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, and fever was the only sign visible upon physical examination. Chest radiology revealed single, round consolidations in 3 cases and multiple round consolidations in 9 cases; consolidations ranged in size from 0.2 to 2.9 cm. Most cases had normal blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein level. Nasopharyngeal swabs from all cases tested negative for 25 pathogens, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, in a PCR-based assay performed on August 1, 2015. All 12 patients showed a 4-fold increase in the titre of anti-mycoplasmal pneumonia antibody in paired sera on August 13, 2015. Patients were given the antibiotic moxifloxacin or symptomatic treatment, and 11 of the 12 cases showed complete resolution of round pneumonia lesions within 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: This case series illustrates the diversity of clinical manifestations as well as imaging findings for mycoplasmal pneumonia, to which clinicians should pay more attention. Mycoplasmal round pneumonia should be included in differential diagnosis of multiple pulmonary nodules in adults in order to enable accurate clinical identification of disease and successful treatment and resolution.

[Clinical Therapeutic Effect of Oblique Needling with Tuina in Relieving Sacroiliac Joint Injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of oblique needling in combination with Tuina at the sacroiliac joint for patients experiencing sacroiliac joint injury. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with sacroiliac joint injury were randomized into routine Tuina group and oblique needling combined with Tuina (Acu+ Tuina) group (n = 60 in each group). For patients of the Tuina group, routine Tuina as rotating, pressing-rubbing, digital pressing, articular moving, etc. was manipulated at Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 31), Xialiao (BL 30), Huantiao (GB 30), Zhibian (BL 54), Weizhong (BL 40) and sacroiliac joint area. For patients of the Acu+Tuina group, the anatomical points between the bilateral iliac crests and the sacral joints were punctured obliquely with disposable acupuncture needles. The treatment was conducted for 30 min every time, once daily for 3 weeks except weekends. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI, concerning intensity of pain, lifting, ability to care for oneself, ability to walk, ability to sit, sexual function, ability to stand, social life, sleep quality, and ability to travel) were employed to evaluate the patients' reactions and functional activity changes before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Following the treatment, of the two 60 patients in the Tuina and Acu + Tuina groups, 12 and 26 cases were cured, 20 and 20 experienced marked improvement, 16 and 11 were effective, 12 and 3 invalid, with the effective rates being 80% and 95%, respectively. The effective rate of the Acu+ Tuina group was significantly superior to that of the Tuina group (P<0.05). The VAS scores and OD were considerably decreased in both groups after the treatment and were significantly lower in the Acu+Tuina group than in the Tuina group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Oblique needling the anatomical points in the sacroiliac joint region combined with Tuina manipulation is evidently better than simple Tuina in reducing pain and in improving functional activity and life quality in sacroiliac joint injury patients.

Effects of astaxanthin and emodin on the growth, stress resistance and disease resistance of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco).

Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) has become a commercially important fish species in China and eastern Asia. High-density aquaculture has led to congestion and excessive stress and contributed to bacterial infection outbreaks that have caused high mortality. We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with astaxanthin and emodin alone and in combination on the growth and stress resistance of yellow catfish. After 60 days of feeding, each group of fish (control, astaxanthin, emodin, and astaxanthin plus emodin (combination) groups) was exposed to acute crowding stress for 24 h, and a subsample of fish from the four groups was challenged with the bacterial septicemia pathogen Proteus mirabilis after the end of the crowding stress experiment. Compared with the control, the astaxanthin and emodin groups showed increases in serum total protein (TP), hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and hepatic heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70) mRNA levels at 12 and 24 h after the initiation of crowding stress. The combination group exhibited increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, serum TP, hepatic SOD activity and hepatic HSP70 mRNA levels within 24 h after the initiation of crowding stress. However, decreases relative to the control were observed in the serum cortisol and glucose contents in the three treatment groups at 12 and 24 h after the initiation of crowding stress, in ALT and AST activity in the astaxanthin and emodin group at 24 h after the initiation of crowding stress, and in the serum lysozyme activity, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and hepatic catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the combination group at 24 h after the initiation of crowding stress. Additionally, the cumulative mortality after P. mirabilis infection was lower in all three treatment groups (57.00%-70.33%) than in the control (77.67%). Dietary supplementation with astaxanthin and emodin decreased the specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) of healthy yellow catfish, although significant differences in mortality were not observed. These results indicate that dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg astaxanthin and 150 mg/kg emodin can improve the anti-oxidative capabilities, hepatic HSP70 levels, and resistance to acute crowding stress of yellow catfish. Finally, an appropriate strategy for enhance yellow catfish stress resistance and disease resistance is proposed.

Changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic indices in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Background. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment always attain a low cumulative pregnancy rate disaccording with the satisfactory number of oocytes. Objective. We aim to evaluate the status of coagulation and fibrinolytic system in PCOS patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) process. Method. Of the 97 women, 30 patients with PCOS composed the study group; 67 women of child-bearing age with normal endocrine function composed the control group. All participants underwent GnRH agonist standard long protocol, and plasma HCY, FVIII, FX, and D-dimer levels as well as hormone parameters were measured at day of full downregulation, hCG priming, and embryos transfer. Results. On day of full downregulation, FX levels were significantly higher in PCOS group (P < 0.01). On hCG priming day, FX and estrogen levels in PCOS group were higher than in the control group and FVIII levels were significantly lower on day of embryos transfer whereas FX and E2 levels were significantly higher in PCOS group. Conclusion. Hypercoagulable state during peri-implantation phase would probably lead to poor microcirculation of endometrium and be one of the most important disadvantages of successful implantation and subsequent clinical pregnancy.

Studies of cardiovascular risk factors in polycystic ovary syndrome patients combined with subclinical hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cardiovascular risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). PATIENTS: A place-controlled study was performed. Group 1: 29 patients with PCOS and SCH; Group II: 35 patients with PCOS and normal thyroid function; and Group III: 34 healthy women with normal thyroid function. MAIN MEASURE INDEXES: Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), Carotid Arterial Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT), free triiodothyronine 3 (FT3), free triiodothyronine 4 (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), fasting glucose, 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT1), 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT2), fasting insulin, insulin after 1 hour oral glucose (INS1), insulin after 2 h oral glucose (INS2), HOM-IR = (fasting glucose × fasting insulin)/22.5. RESULTS: TG, TC FIN, INS1, and HOM-IR levels were significantly higher, but the mean HDL level was significantly lower in Group I than in Group II (p < 0.05). LDL cholesterol, FGOGTT1, OGTT2, and insulin after 2 h oral glucose were not significantly higher in Group I than in Group II (p > 0.05). TG, TC, FIN and INS contents 2 h meal, HOM-IR levels were significantly higher, and the mean HDL cholesterol level was significantly lower in Group I than in Group III (p < 0.05). Blood glucose levels after 1 and 2 h were not significantly higher in Group I than in the Group III (p > 0.05). Carotid Arterial Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) was significantly thicker in Group I than other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The PCOS patients combined with SCH have higher risk of cardiovascular risk factors than in controls or in patients with PCOS.

Thromboelastography in women with pathological pregnancies: a preliminary study.

ABNORMALITIES during pregnancy are regarded as pathological pregnancy. Early detection of anomalies is urgent to take measures as soon as possible to prevent serious pregnancy complications. Procoagulant-anticoagulant imbalance is often the pathological basis of many pathological pregnancy conditions, leading to a hypercoagulable state. We compared the thromboelastographic parameters between pathological pregnancy and normal pregnancy patients, evaluated the value of thromboelastography in early detecting pathological pregnancy and predicting postpartum hemorrhage.

Chinese medicine improves postoperative quality of life in endometriosis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chinese medicine (CM) and Western medicine (WM) on quality of life (QOL) after conservative surgery for endometriosis. METHODS: A total of 320 patients with endometriosis were randomized into two groups by using random block design, CM group (160 cases, activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis treatment based on syndrome differentiation) and WM group (160 cases, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or gestrinone treatment) after conservative surgery. Treatment was given for 3-6 months (according to the revised American Fertility Society scoring system stage), and the World Health Organization QOL-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) was applied to patients before and after treatment to assess QOL. RESULTS: There were 136 cases in the CM group and 141 cases in the WM group completing therapy. In the CM group, the use of the WHOQOL-BREF showed that the physical, psychological and environmental scores posttreatment were significantly higher than those at pre-treatment (P < 0.05), and for 12 items (pain and discomfort, energy and fatigue, sleep and rest, mobility, activities of daily living, work capacity, negative feelings, health and social care: accessibility and quality, participation in and opportunities for recreation/leisure activities, appetite, QOL score, overall health status and QOL), the difference in scores was significant (P < 0.05). In the WM group, 4 items (pain and discomfort, opportunities for acquiring new information and skills, QOL score, overall health status and QOL) had significantly different scores post-treatment compared with those at pre-treatment (P < 0.05). Before treatment, the QOL in the two groups of patients showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). After treatment, the scores for physical health in the CM group were significantly higher than those of the WM group (P < 0.05) and the scores of 4 items (mobility, activities of daily living, sexual activity, QOL score) in the CM group were significantly higher than those in the WM group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CM and WM treatment could improve the QOL of patients with endometriosis after conservative surgery. CM treatment is more effective than WM.

Controlling the recurrence of pelvic endometriosis after a conservative operation: comparison between Chinese herbal medicine and western medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect of Chinese medicine (CM) and Western medicine (WM) for controlling the recurrence of pelvic endometriosis after a conservative operation. METHODS: The study was a multi-center, randomized, parallel controlled and prospective clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: CM group (106 cases) and WM group (102 cases). Drugs were given to patients during 1-5 days of the first menstruation after a conservative operation in both groups. Patients with stages I and II (revised American Fertility Society) were treated for 3 months, while the patients with stages III and IV were treated for 6 months. The patients in the CM group were treated using three types of Chinese herbal medicine based on syndrome differentiation. Patients in the WM group were treated using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) or gestrinone. Patients treated with GnRH-a received add-back therapy of Tibolone Tablets once a day after 4 months of treatment. Any cases of dysmenorrheal chronic pelvic pain, menstruation and any adverse reactions of patients were recorded once a month during the preoperative and postoperative periods and once every 3 months during the follow-up period. During the preoperative, postoperative and the follow-up periods, patients underwent type B ultrasonography of the pelvis and measurements of serum CA125 levels, gynecologic examination, routine evaluations of blood, urine, hepatic function (glutamate pyruvate transaminase), renal function (blood urea nitrogen) and electrocardiograms. During the follow-up period they underwent type B pelvic ultrasonography, measurement of serum CA125 levels and further gynecologic examinations. The two treatments were compared for clinical recurrence rates, pregnancy rates and the incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: The incidence and timing of recurrence of endometriosis were not significantly different between the two groups. The first pregnancy achieved by the patient in the CM group was significantly earlier than that in the WM group (P <0.05). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions in the WM group was significantly higher than in the CM group (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Chinese herbal medicines prevented the recurrence of endometriosis after a conservative operation, improved the conception rate and showed fewer and lighter adverse reactions than did treatment with WM therapy. Treatment with Chinese herbal medicine meets the need of patients wishing to have a child following endometriosis and is an appropriate form of clinical treatment.

[Rapid change in structure of Brachionus calyciflorus complex collected from Jiulian Pond and its ecological mechanism].

In order to investigate the rapid variation in the structure of Brachionus calyciflorus complex and the fitness traits of the two sibling species, the rotifers were collected once a week from Jiulian Pond during 16 July and 6 August, their COI genes were sequenced and analyzed, and their fitness parameters (average lifespan, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of population increase and proportion of sexual offspring) were calculated at 28 degrees C and 32 degrees C with 1.0 x 10(6), 3.0 x 10(6) and 5.0 x 10(6) cells x mL(-1) of Scenedesmus obliquus as food. In total of 35 samples, 22 haplotypes were defined, among which two distinct lineages (Lineage I and II) were revealed by phylogenetic analysis. Sequence divergence was 14.8%-15.6% between the two lineages, indicating the occurrence of two sibling species (sibling species I and II). Sibling species II occurred only in the second event of sample collection, and its relative abundance in the density of the species complex was lower (1/35). In the population of sibling species I, the clones of three shared haplotypes showed overlap, while the others showed displacement. Three-way ANOVA indicated that temperature affected the net reproductive rate, the intrinsic rate of population increase and the proportion of sexual offspring, food level affected the average lifespan, the net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of population increase, sibling species affected the average lifespan, the intrinsic rate of population increase and the proportion of sexual offspring. The interaction between temperature and sibling species affected the net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of population increase (P < 0.05), the interaction between temperature and food level affected the proportion of sexual offspring (P < 0.01), and the interaction between food level and sibling species affected the intrinsic rate of population increase of the rotifers (P < 0.05). Sibling species I had a higher intrinsic rate of population increase, a shorter average lifespan and a lower proportion of sexual offspring than sibling species II.

[Sperm DNA damage and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of sperm DNA damage with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). METHODS: Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD), and the results were expressed in terms of DNA fragmentation index (DFI). DFIs were measured in the male partners of 56 women with URSA (the experiment group) and of 31 without URSA (the control group). RESULTS: The DFI was shown to be (11.0% - 56.9%) in the experiment group, 21 (37.5%) of the subjects over 30%, as compared with (10.0% -36.8%) in the control group, only 8 (25.8%) of the subjects over 30%, significantly higher in the former than in the latter (29.4% vs 25.5%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between sperm DNA damage and URSA.

Down-regulation of HLA-G Attenuates Cleavage Rate in Human Triploid Embryos.

INTRODUCTION: HLA-G is a major histocompatibility complex (MHC), class Ib molecule that is selectively expressed at the fetal-maternal interface. It is thought to play a role in protecting the fetus from the maternal immune response. Interestingly, the preimplantation embryo development (Ped) gene product Qa-2 is also a mouse MHC class Ib protein that affects cleavage and division of preimplantation mouse embryos and subsequent embryonic survival. Data from many human in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics suggest that the mouse Ped phenomenon also exists in human because embryos fertilized at the same time have different cleavage rates and consequently different IVF outcomes. As HLA-G is expressed in human early embryos, it is highly regarded as the functional homologue of Qa-2. Whether HLA-G expression is correlated with the cleavage rate of human embryos has great potential clinical value. METHODS: In this study, 45 human early abnormal fertilized embryos (3 PN) from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization were used to test the effects of HLA-G knock-down via infection with adenovirus carrying its specific siRNA on the cleavage rate in a 2-day culture period. One-way ANOVA, Post hoc and Chi-square were used to compare groups. A p-value smaller than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Knocking-down HLA-G in human pre-implantation stage embryos resulted in a higher cell arrest rate and a slower cleavage rate. CONCLUSION: The results from the present study suggested that HLA-G might play an important role in early human embryo development.

[Comparison study of small splint fixation and plaster slab fixation for the treatment of distal radius fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To study the advantage of fir bark splint for the treatmet of distal radius fracture. METHODS: From January 2006 to June 2008, 80 cases were randomly divided into two groups and treated by fir bark splint fixation or plaster fixation. There were 40 cases in the fir bark splint group, including 18 males and 22 females with an average age of 45.2 years ranging from 20 to 66 years. There were 40 cases in the plaster group, including 19 males and 21 females with an average age of 44.1 years ranging from 23 to 65 years. Four weeks after manipulative reduction and external fixation, the fixtion effect, function recovery, bone mineral density of secondly metacarpus were obsearved by X-ray film, and the clinical effect were evaluated according to healing time ahead of schedule. RESULTS: As compared between the two groups, the fixation effect of the fir bark splint group was better than that of the plaster group (Z = -2.844, P = 0.004 < 0.05); the function recovery of the fir bark splint group was better than that of the plaster group (Z = -3.196, P = 0.001 < 0.05); the bone mineral density of secondly metacarpus of the fir bark splint group were better than that of plaster group (t = 4.56, P < 0.001); the curative effect of fir bark splint group was better than that of the plaster group (Z = -2.601, P = 0.009 < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fir bark splint could effectively keep fixation stability and promote fracture healing as well as function recovery.

[Clinical experience about manipulative reduction of the radialis and ulnar fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy about manipulative reduction of the radialis and ulnar fractures. METHODS: From June 2005 to June 2009, 85 patients with radialis and ulnar fractures, 50 males and 35 females, ranging in age from 1 to 20 years with an average of 10.8 years, were treated with manipulative reduction and external fixation by small splint. There were 53 cases of direct violence, 30 cases of transmission violence, 2 cases of reversing violence; and there were 6 cases of comminuted fracture, 8 cases of spiral fracture, 21 cases of oblique fracture, 50 cases of serrated or transverse fracture. The clinical effects were analyzed according to Anderson criterion. RESULTS: Forty-two cases obtained anatomical reduction and 35 cases obtained nearly anatomical reduction and 8 cases occurred re-displacement. Eight cases of re-displacement were re-fixed after manipulative reduction, 2 cases obtained anatomical reduction and 4 cases obtained nearly anatomical reduction; 2 cases unsuccessfully were diverted to open reduction and internal fixation. All the fractures obtained clinically healing with average of 42 days (ranged from 28 to 80 days). All patients were followed up from 3 to 10 months with an average of 7.5 months. According to Anderson criterion, 77 case got excellent result, 5 good, 3 fair. CONCLUSION: Manipulation and external fixation by small splint for the treatment of radialis and ulnar fractures, have advantage of less trauma, forceful fixation, quick healing, cheap cost, which can obtain satisfactorily clinical effects.

[Technology of eliminating tannin with polyamide-adsorption for preparing Xinshao lyophilization].

OBJECTIVE: To study the process of eliminating tannin with polyamide-adsorption for preparing Xinshao lyophilyzation. METHOD: The transfer rate of paeoniflorin, tannin examination, the test of the local stimulus and abnormal toxicity on mice were adopted as indexes to optimize the process of tannin adsorption and resolution of polyamide-adsorption, and the effect of eliminating tannin of polyamide-adsorption was compared with traditional methods. RESULT: The effect of eliminating tannin with polyamide-adsorption was good, and the transfer rate of paeoniflorin with polyamide-adsorption was superior to the other methods. Furthermore, the abnormal toxicity decreased evidently and the security of the preparation was ensured. CONCLUSION: The method of polyamide-adsorption provides a useful reference to the technique of eliminating tannin in the traditional Chinese medicine injections.