Berberine prevents primary peritoneal adhesion and adhesion reformation by directly inhibiting TIMP-1

Peritoneal adhesions are fibrous tissues that tether organs to one another or to the peritoneal wall and represent the major cause of postsurgical morbidity. Enterolysis at repeat surgeries induces adhesion reformation that is more difficult to prevent than primary adhesion. Here we studied the preventive effects of different approaches of berberine treatment for primary adhesion, and its effects on adhesion reformation compared to Interceed. We found the primary adhesion was remarkably prevented by berberine through intraperitoneal injection 30 min before abrasive surgery (pre-berberine) or direct addition into injured cecum immediately after the surgery (inter-berberine). Rats with adhesion reformation had a more deteriorative collagen accumulation and tissue injury in abrasive sites than rats with primary adhesion. The dysregulated TIMP-1/MMP balance was observed in patients after surgery, as well as adhesion tissues from primary adhesion or adhesion reformation rats. Inter-berberine treatment had a better effect for adhesion reformation prevention than Interceed. Berberine promoted the activation of MMP-3 and MMP-8 by directly blocking TIMP-1 activation core, which was reversed by TIMP-1 overexpression in fibroblasts. In conclusion, this study suggests berberine as a reasonable approach for preventing primary adhesion formation and adhesion reformation.

Carotid plaque load evaluation: comparison high resolution MR imaging with ultrasound / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To compare the image quality produced by MR high resolution vessel wall imaging (HR?VWI) and ultrasound (US) in evaluating carotid plaque load. Methods This prospective study enrolled 21 patients with carotid plaques undergoing HR?VWI and subsequent 2D US between August 2016 to January 2017 in Hebei General Hospitial. The plaque thickness (PT), lumen area (LA), wall area (WA) and total vessel area (TVA) of the plaques were measured and normalized wall index (NWI) was calculated on both HR?VWI images and US for those plaques with image quality score≥3 and matching between the two methods. The plaque load index was compared by using the independent sample t test or the non?parametric Wilcoxon test, and the correlation between the indexes was based on the Pearson test. Results Forty?five carotid plaques were matched with HR?VWI and US. There was no significant difference in PT, LA, WA, TVA and NWI detected by HR?VWI and ultrasound (P>0.05). The parameters measured by two methods were correlated (r values were 0.83, 0.85, 0.32, 0.83 and 0.59, P<0.05). Conclusion There is a good consistency between HR?VWI and conventional ultrasound in the measurement of carotid plaque load.

CT Gemstone Spectral Imaging in Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodule Hemorrhage / 中国医学影像学杂志

PurposeTo explore the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) in diagnosis of thyroid nodule hemorrhage.Materials and Methods Seventeen patients with surgery and pathology confirmed thyroid nodule hemorrhage underwent thyroid spectrum CT scan. The CT value, iodine concentration value, water concentration value and the effective atomic ordinal value as well as spectral curve slope of hemorrhagic nodules and surrounding normal thyroid tissue were measured respectively.Results Hemorrhagic thyroid nodules showed equal or high CT value, low concentration of iodine, high concentration of water, low spectral curve slope, and low effective atomic ordinal value on spectral CT imaging. There were statistically significant differences in concentration of iodine value, concentration of water value, and spectral curve slope between hemorrhagic nodules and surrounding normal thyroid tissue (Z=-5.438,-4.679 and-5.317,P<0.01), and there were statistically significant differences in CT value and effective atomic ordinal value (Z=-2.097 and-2.230,P<0.05).Conclusion Energy spectrum CT scan is important in detection and accurate diagnosis of thyroid nodule hemorrhage.

Determination of Indirubin in Kangbingan Oral Liquid by Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To determine the content of indirubin in Kangbingan Oral Liquid by UV spectrophotometer methods.Methods The content of indirubin was determined by Heltos Gamma ultravioletvisible spectrophotometer with chloroformic solution of 2～8 ?g/mL confected by standard sample of indigotin and indirubin.The sample of negative blank solution was confected by the prescription without Radix Isatidis.The standard sample and the blank sample were determined separately with the wavelength at 500～700 nm.Results Indirubin had the maximum absorption at wavelength of 540.0 nm and indigotin had the maximum absorption at wavelength of 634.5 nm.The linear correlation was available at the range of 0.20～1.40 ?g/mL,and the correct coefficient was 0.999 4.The average recovery rate was 99.05% and RSD was 0.87%(n=6).Conclusion This method is simple and accurate,and can be used to control the quality of Kangbingan Oral Liquid.

A preliminary study of human visual cortex and clinical application by functional magnetic resonance imaging / 中华放射学杂志

Objective This test is focused on functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) of visual cortex by using echo planar imaging(EPI) and blood oxygenation level dependent(BOLD) contrast. Methods 36 normal volunteers and 17 patients with lesions at occipital lobe were included in this test. The echo planar images of the occipital area were acquired at visual stimulation and rest phases. Results The primary visual cortex was located at the bilateral calcarine cortex, which belonged to Brodmann area 17. The functional areas showed displacement due to the mass effect of lesions near calcarine cortex in 3 patients. Conclusion fMRI can be used to study human functional cortex. A preliminary location of visual cortex can be acquired through visual stimulation. The invasion of the intracranial massive lesions to functional areas the disappearance of functional activation. The mass effect of intracranial lesions may lead to deformation or displacement of the near functional areas.