Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of agarwood inhalation and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

This study used m-chloropheniperazine(MCPP) and chronic unforeseeable mild stress(CUMS) to induce the rat models of anxiety and depression, respectively. The behaviors of rats were observed by the open field test(OFT), light-dark exploration test(LDE), tail suspension test(TST), and forced swimming test(FST), and the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of agarwood essential oil(AEO), agarwood fragrant powder(AFP), and agarwood line incense(ALI) were explored. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), glutamic acid(Glu), and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA_A) in the hippocampal area. The Western blot assay was used to determine the protein expression levels of glutamate receptor 1(GluR1) and vesicular glutamate transporter type 1(VGluT1), exploring the anxiolytic and antidepressant mechanism of agarwood inhalation. The results showed that compared with the anxiety model group, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups decreased the total distance(P<0.05), decreased the velocity of movements(P<0.05), prolonged the immobile time(P<0.05), and reduced the distance and velocity of the rat model of anxiety in the dark box(P<0.05). Compared with the depression model group, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups increased the total distance and average velocity(P<0.05), reduced the immobile time(P<0.05), and reduced the forced swimming and tail suspension time(P<0.05). In terms of transmitter regulation, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups decreased the level of Glu in the rat model of anxiety(P<0.05) and increased the levels of GABA_A and 5-HT(P<0.05), while the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups all increased the level of 5-HT in the rat model of depression(P<0.05) and decreased the levels of GABA_A and Glu(P<0.05). At the same time, the AEO, AFP, and ALI groups all increased the protein expression levels of GluR1 and VGluT1 in the hippocampus of the rat models of anxiety and depression(P<0.05). In conclusion, AEO, AFP, and ALI exert anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of the neurotransmitter and the protein expression of GluR1 and VGluT1 in the hippocampus.

Species Identification of Natural Adhesives and Evaluation of the Performance for Incense and Combustibility of Joss Stick / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To identify five kinds of natural fragrant adhesives on the market and evaluate their performance for making joss stick. METHODS: The common fragrance-making adhesives on the market were collected and their primitives were identified by DNA barcode technology. Five kinds of agarwood incenses (standard φ: 1.5 mm, L: 18 cm) were made by the traditional method. The performance indexes such as color, viscosity, weight, burning time, the burning rate, odor, ash weigh and so on were determined. RESULTS: Five common natural adhesives were identified to be Ulmus glabra, Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Rob, Phoebe puwenensis Cheng, Machilus balansae (Airy Shaw) F.N. Wei and S.C. Tang, and Endlicheria sp.. Nanmu powder was better than the other adhesives in burning time, burning rate, odor, and ash weigh. Combustion experiments showed that the heavier the weight and the bigger the diameter, the longer the burning time. CONCLUSION: The five common plant adhesives are identified. Nanmu powder is the best in all the adhesives. The burning time of joss stick is proportional to its weight, length and diameter.

Effect of agarwood extracts produced by the whole-tree agarwood-inducing technique on gastrointestinal motility and gastric ulcer / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To evaluate the gastrointestinal regulative effect of agarwood extracts produced by the whole-tree agar?wood-inducing technique(Agar-Wit agarwood)to make scientific basis for the Agar-Wit agarwood exploration and usage in clinic. Methods Intestinal propelling effect assay marked by carbon powder,and gastric empting effect assay marked by methyl orange were used to evaluate the gastrointestinal effects of Agar-Wit agarwood on mice by single or constant repeated intragastric(ig)adminis?tration of water extract and ethanol extract,and then the index of intestinal peristaltic rate and methyl orange relative residual rate were calculated. Gastrtic ulcer model was established under water stress to appraise their protective function on rat stomach and to ob?tain the gastric ulcer index and inhibitory rate. Results The Agar-Wit agarwood ethanol extract significantly improved intestinal peri?stalsis and gastric empting function by single or constant repeated ig administration at the dose of 150 mg/kg. The ethanol extract of commercial agarwood also had the similar effect at the dose of 450 mg/kg. But the water extract did not have significant effect. The gas? tric ulcer assay results showed that the ethanol extract significantly inhibited gastric ulcer happening by single ig administration. Addi?tionally,constant repeated ig administration of ethanol extract showed the consistent results and the gastric ulcer inhibitory rate was (73.1±5.6)%at the dose of 300 mg/kg. Conclusion The Agar-Wit agarwood ethanol extracts have significant intestinal peristaltic ef?fect,gastric empting effect and gastric ulcer inhibitory function.

Effect of agarwood produced by whole-tree agarwood-inducing technique on hypnotic and spontaneous activity inhibition of mice / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To evaluate the sedative-hypnotic effect of agarwood different extracts produced by whole-tree agar?wood-inducing technique(Agar-Wit agarwood)to make scientific basis for the Agar-Wit agarwood exploration and usage in clinic. Method Collaborative pentobarbital sodium hypnosis experiment was employed to assess the index of fell asleep rate ,sleep latency time and sleep time. And locomotor activity assay was used to test the index of moved distance,travel time and average velocity. Then a functional comparison was made between Agar-Wit agarwood and commereial agarwood. Result The Agar-Wit agarwood ethanol ex?tract and essential oil could significantly increase sleep rate and prolong sleep time. At the same time ,essential oil could also decrease sleep latency time significantly. Additionally,both ethanol extract and oil significantly decreased the mice locomotor activity,includ?ing reduced total distance,movement,move time and average velocity. However,the water extract did not have significant effect. Conclusion The Agar-Wit agarwood ethanol extract and oil have significant effect on sedation in mice,whose function is similar to,or even better than that of the commerical agarwood.

Hoffa fracture associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture: clinical feature and treatment / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Hoffa fracture associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture is very rare. Three cases of this rare type of injury were retrospectively reviewed. The sites of femoral shaft fractures and Hoffa fractures were documented. All femoral shaft fractures were managed with internal fixation. The rate of misdiagnosis for the Hoffa fractures was documented. Functions of the affected knees were evaluated according to the modified Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores at two years follow-up. Femoral fractures were either transverse or composite in all three cases. Ipsilateral Hoffa fractures occurred at medial condyle in two cases, and lateral condyle in one case. Only one Hoffa fracture was identified preoperatively. All the femoral shaft fractures healed uneventfully. In the patient whose Hoffa fracture was correctly diagnosed, the modified HSS score was 94. In another patient, whose Hoffa fracture was treated by a second operation, the modified HSS score was 93. And in the third case, who refused additional operation for the Hoffa fracture, the modified HSS score was only 70. Conclusively femoral shaft fracture can be associated with ipsilateral Hoffa fracture, especially in motorcycle accident. This type of injury is very rare and misdiagnosis is common.

Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow: a case report and literature review / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow describes a condition that radial head subluxation or dislocation occurs when forearm rotates externally in relation to humerus. It is difficult to diagnose and treat. We reported a typical case which was confirmed by physical examination and MR images. Ligamentous insufficiency was confirmed under direct vision, and was reconstructed with triceps fascia as described by Gong et al with slight modification. Regain of full function was achieved one year after surgery.

Selection of approach and fixation in the treatment of type C fracture of distal humerus in adults / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the surgical treatment for distal humeral fractures in adults according to the follow-up results.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one cases (16 males and 5 females) of distal humeral fracture were included in this study. The average age was 42.5 years (range: 37-52 years). Fractures were classified according to the AO classification system. Nine cases of C1, 8 C2 and 4 C3-type fractures were identified. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed in all cases. A tricep-reflecting approach was adopted, and either the AO orthogonal plating or parallel plating technique was chosen, based on the fracture type. The plaster cast was removed 3 weeks after operation. Rehabilitation was encouraged during this period and afterwards. The average follow-up time was 12.2 months (range: 8-28 months). The outcome was scored according to Aitken and Rorabeek system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No nerve injury, nonunion or failure of fixation was encountered during the operation and follow-up. However, ossifying myositis occurred in one case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A triceps-reflecting approach can provide adequate exposure to the joint. The use of AO orthogonal plating or parallel plating techniques based on the type of fractures can provide rigid fixation for the fracture.</p>

Analysis of change in length of glenohumeral ligaments in vivo during shoulder abduction / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the in vivo and three-dimensional (3D) length changes of the glenohumeral ligaments during shoulder abduction using open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2007 to 2008 3D attachment points of the glenohumeral ligaments were obtained by anatomical study and computed tomographic scanning of 10 embalmed cadaveric shoulders, including the superior glenohumeral ligament (SGHL), middle glenohumeral ligament (MGHL), the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (AIGHL), axillary pouch and the posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (PIGHL). Then an in vivo study was conducted, in which 14 right shoulder joints of 14 healthy volunteers were evaluated in 7 isometric abduction positions (0 degrees , 30 degrees , 60 degrees , 90 degrees , 120 degrees , 150 degrees and 180 degrees ) using a noninvasive 3D motion-analysis system. 3D models of the shoulders and located the attachment points of the ligaments were created. Ligament lengths were based on the shortest calculated paths between each origin and insertion in 3D space along the 3D bone surface for each abduction position.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During shoulder abduction, the 3D distance of SGHL was found to elongated and attained maximal length at 30 degrees abduction (P = 0.2). MGHL and AIGHL attained maximal length at 60 degrees (P < 0.05) and 120 degrees (P < 0.05) abduction, respectively. Pouch and PIGHL reached the maximal length at 180 degrees abduction (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The SGHL limits inferior translation of the humeral head at 30 degrees of abduction. MGHL maintains maximum anterior stability at 60 degrees of abduction. AIGHL prevents anterior dislocation of the humeral head at 120 degrees of abduction. In 180 degrees abduction, pouch provided anterior stability and PIGHL has the contribution to the inferior stability.</p>

Treatment of posterior wall fractures of acetabulum / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the treatment methods and outcome of posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 31 patients (25 males and 6 females, aged 19-59 years, mean: 40.5 years) with posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum hospitalized in our department from 2002 to 2006 were analyzed retrospectively in this study. The types of fractures, number of fragments, combined dislocations, and sciatic nerve function were documented before admission. All the fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Based on the fracture type and site, either screws alone or reconstructive plates were used. The patients were immobilized for an average of 12 weeks before partial weight bearing was permitted. After follow-up for 12-70 months (43.6 months on average), modified Merle d'Aubigne score was adopted to evaluate the outcomes of the operations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentages of the excellent, good, fair and poor results were 48.4%, 41.9%, 6.5%, and 3.3%, respectively, with a good to excellent rate of 90.2%. Idiopathic sciatic nerve injury occurred in only one case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The sciatic nerve should be routinely exposed and protected during the surgery. The type of fixation should be based on the fracture type and site. Prolonged immobilization may be helpful in improving the final outcomes.</p>