Therapeutic effects of garlic in cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease / 中国天然药物

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a widely known medicinal plant, potential of which remains to be fully evaluated. Its wide-range beneficial effects appear to be relevant for treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and related diseases. It is generally believed that garlic-based preparations are able to improve lipid profile in humans, inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, suppress low density lipoprotein oxidation, modulate blood pressure, suppress platelet aggregation, lower plasma fibrinogen level and increase fibrinolytic activity, thus providing clinically relevant cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerotic effects. It is important to assess the level of evidence available for different protective effects of garlic and to understand the underlying mechanisms. This information will allow adequate integration of garlic-based preparations to clinical practice. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of anti-atherosclerotic effects of garlic preparations, focusing on antihyperlipidemic, hypotensive, anti-platelet and direct anti-atherosclerotic activities of the medicinal plant. We also provide an overview of available meta-analyses and a number of clinical trials that assess the beneficial effects of garlic.

Berberine Induces Cell Apoptosis through Cytochrome C/Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/Caspase-3 and Apoptosis Inducing Factor Pathway in Mouse Insulinoma Cells / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate apoptotic effects of berberine, a significant alkaloids component existing in Rhizoma coptidis, and its possible acting mechanism in insulinoma cells.@*METHODS@#Different concentrations of berberine were used to treat mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells for various period of time. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed using methylthiazolyldiphenvl-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Changes in the relating pro- and anti-apoptosis proteins were detected by western-blotting.@*RESULTS@#The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of berberine was 5.7 μmol/L on MIN6 cells viability for 16 h. Berberine caused a 20% reduction (P<0.05) in cell number after only 4-h incubation; which reached 50% after 24 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment for 16 h significantly increased the level of DNA fragmentation. The flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate increased 2.9- and 4.6-fold after treating with berberine (5 μmol/L) for 8 and 16 h, while 3- and 8.7-fold after 10 μmol/L treatment for 8 and 16 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment dramatically elevated the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Meanwhile, berberine notably increased the apoptosis-inducing factors and cytochrome C transforming from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was subsequently activated after cytochrome C release. Furthermore, caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase were also activated to trigger apoptosis cascade.@*CONCLUSION@#High concentration (5 and 10 μmol/L) of berberine could induce the apoptosis of MIN6 cells through cytochrome C/Apaf-1/caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) pathway.

Acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique for the treatment of elderly paitents with knee osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical effect of acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly.@*METHODS@#From March 2015 to February 2016, 76 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis were treated with tibial osteotomy acupoint puncture grouop and Ilizarov technique anatomical puncture group, including 24 males and 52 females, aged 56 to 75 years old with an average of 61.4 years old, and a course of 3 to 17 years with an average of 5.2 years. Among them, 38 cases were treated with external fixation of acupoint puncture needle and 38 cases were treated with external fixation of anatomical puncture needle. Preoperative full-length X-ray of both lower limbs showed tibial varus deformity, narrowing of medial knee joint space and enlargement of lateral knee joint space. The force line of the affected knee and lower limb was moved inward by body surface measurement, and the KSS knee function score was decreased. Symptoms included medial knee pain, flexion and extension, and conservative treatment for more than 2 years.@*RESULTS@#The lower limb force lines of both groups were corrected and the osteotomy ends healed well. No nonunion of osteotomy, inadequate correction of lower limbs or recurrence of deformity were found. Seventy-five patients were followed up for 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. There was no significant difference in knee joint mobility between the two groups before operation and on 6, 12, 24 months after operation(=1.346, >0.05). There were significant difference in KSS pain and total score between the two groups at 3 months after operation, acupoint puncture group was better than anatomical puncture group(0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The acupoint puncture group formed a potential acupuncture effect in the acupoint area by continuously tightening the steel needle on Ilizarov ring external fixator during the post-operative adjustment. Within three months after wearing external fixator, the knee pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis were relieved rapidly, continuously and effectively, which was significantly better than that of the anatomical puncture group.

Diagnosis and treatment of the critically ill caused by respiratory tract virus infection in children / 中国实用儿科杂志

Viral lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs)are common causes of critical illness in children. Recent advances in viral detection techniques over the past decade have demonstrated the rates of morbidity,mortality,and medical burden of LRTIs caused by viruses are comparable to those of bacterial communityacquired and nosocomial pneumonias. In the paper,it described the relationship between viral LRTIs and critical illness,and discuss relevant clinical features and management strategies of the more prevalent respiratory viral pathogens. Early diagnostic and treatment strategies are required to effectively treat these infections and prevent complications.

Effect of ozone bath on pathological changes and expression of cytokines in rats with deep second-degree burns / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effect of ozone bath on the pathological changes and the expression of cyto-kines,platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-β3(TGF-β3), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),in the wounds of deep second-degree burns in rats. METHODS:Male clean-grade SD rats(n=80) were ran-domly divided into 2 groups, ozone bath group and routine dressing group (control group), with 40 rats in each group. Deep second-degree burn wound was established on the back of the rats,and then the examinations were conducted at 3 d, 7 d,14 d and 21 d after burn. For the routine dressing group,the wound was cleaned by normal saline and covered with io-dophor vaseline gauze every 2 d. For the ozone bath group,before the dressing,the rats were put into the clean foam box to accept ozone fumigation for 20 min(50 mg/L),and then accepted dressing change as the same as that in control group every 2 d. At each time point,the tissue specimens from these rat wounds(at wound center) were taken. The rats in ozone bath group received cleaning by saline cotton and then the ozone bath fumigation, while the rats in control group only re-ceived cleaning by saline. After that,the tissue specimens were taken again for HE staining,immunohistochemical staining and semiquantitative observation combined with image data analysis. The concentrations of the cytokines PDGF, TGF-β3 and TNF-α in the wound were measured by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. RESULTS:In ozone bath group, the wounds were smooth with clear edge and slight inflammatory reaction,swelling and exudation were weaker,and the wound healing rate was higher than that in control group with significant difference. Under microscopic observation with HE stai-ning,slighter inflammatory reaction in ozone bath group was observed than that in control group at each time point,and the numbers of fresh capillaries,fibroblasts and epithelial cells were significantly larger than those in control group. The ex-pression levels of PDGF and TGF-β3in the wound tissue homogenate in ozone bath group were higher,and the expression level of TNF-α was significantly lower than those in control group at each time point with significant difference. CONCLU-SION:The ozone bath therapy improves the local pathological changes and promotes the expression of cytokines PDGF and TGF-β3,which are associated with wound healing,as well as reduces the expression of inflammatory mediator TNF-α in the rats with deep second-degree burns,thus promoting the wound healing and anti-inflammatory responses.

Clinical features of inhaled and blood-borne Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia and analysis of antibiotic resistance of the pathogen in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical manifestations between inhaled and blood-borne Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (SAP) and the antibiotic resistance between the isolates of inhaled and blood-borne Staphylococcus aureus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 44 pediatric SAP cases in the Children′s Hospital, Chongqing Medical University from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-four cases were identified as inhaled SAP, and 20 cases as blood-borne SAP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inhaled SAP was more common in children younger than 3 years of age, while blood-borne SAP was more prevalent in children older than 6 years of age. Patients with inhaled SAP had significantly higher incidence rates of cough, wheeze, moist rales, dyspnea and empyema than those with blood-borne SAP (P<0.05). The patients with blood-borne SAP were more vulnerable to severe fever, unconsciousness, dysfunction of liver and kidney, pyogenic osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, sepsis, and abscess of skin and soft tissues (P<0.05). Inhaled SAP isolates had significantly higher rates of resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, oxacillin, and cefoxitin than blood-borne SAP isolates (P<0.05), while the latter had a higher rate of resistance to cotrimoxazole (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhaled SAP often occurs in children younger than 3 years of age, and the respiratory manifestations are commonly seen. Blood-borne SAP often occurs in children older than 6 years of age, with the infectious-toxic symptoms that result in multiple organ infection and dysfunction. The isolates of inhaled and blood-borne SAP have different antibiograms.</p>

Analysis of serum vancomycin concentration after administration of different doses in children with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze serum vancomycin concentration after administration of different therapeutic doses in children with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (SAP) in order to determine the appropriate dose of vancomycin in clinical administration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 35 children who were diagnosed with SAP and treated with vancomycin from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 35 SAP cases with vancomycin therapy, 22 cases (63%) had serum vancomycin trough concentration monitored. The numbers of cases with vancomycin at 10, 12.5, and 15 mg/(kg·dose) × every 6 hours (q6h) were 11, 4 and 7, respectively. The mean serum trough concentration of vancomycin in the 15 mg/(kg·dose) group was 14.98 mg/L, which was significantly higher than in the 10 mg/(kg·dose) and 12.5 mg/(kg·dose) groups (4.97 and 8.00 mg/L respectively; P<0.05). The percentage of cases that reached the expected trough concentration in the 15 mg/(kg·dose) group (71%) was significantly higher than that in the 10 mg/(kg·dose) group (9%), but there was no significant difference in this percentage between the 15 mg/(kg·dose) and 12.5 mg/(kg·dose) groups (71% vs 25%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The reasonable dosage of vancomycin for the treatment of pediatric SAP is 15 mg/(kg·dose) × q6h or 60 mg/(kg·d).</p>

Clinical research of electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-injection of botulinum toxin A in treating the muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore clinical safety and efficiency of electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-injection of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-eight patients with muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury were treated from December 2006 to December 2009 including 26 males and 12 females, with an average age of 45.4 years old ranging from 21 to 68 years. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups according to admission time, 13 patients in group A were treated with electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-injection of botulinum toxin A, and 13 patients in group B were treated with acupoint-injection botulinum toxin A and 12 patients in group C were treated with electroacupuncture. After 6 months these patients were evaluated by improved muscle Ashworth scoring (MAS) and clinical spasticity index (SCI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-eight patients were followed-up at 6 months after the treatment. The result showed that the MAS scores of group A, B, C before treatment were (3.10 +/- 0.14), (3.20 +/- 0.17), (3.10 +/- 0.16) respectively and the CSI scores were (14.10 +/- 0.14), (14.30 +/- 0.11), (14.20 +/- 0.12) respectively; there were no statistical different among the three groups (P > 0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the MAS scores were (1.10 +/- 0.16), (2.10 +/- 0.13), (2.00 +/- 0.14) respectively and the CSI scores were (9.10 +/- 0.11), (12.10 +/- 0.14), (13.10 +/- 0.12) respectively. The MAS scores and CSI scores of group A were better than the other two groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of Chinese hydropower needles and acupoints with BTX-A injection can achieve a comprehensive treatment and reduce pain and improve life quality quickly. The electroacupuncture combined with acupoint-inject botulinum toxin A is a noval safe and effective technique for the treatment of muscle spasticity by spinal cord injury.</p>

Clinical analysis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a report of 29 patients / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinicopathological data of 29 cases with GIST from 2003 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The most common clinical manifestations were abdominal pain, distention or discomfort in 16 cases (55.2%), abdominal mass in 9 (31.0%), melena and hematemesis in 5 cases (17.2%). The tumor was located in the stomach in 16 cases, the small intestine in 9, the colorectum in 2, the esophagus in one, and the duodenum in one case. All the cases underwent operation, included total gastrectomy in one case, subtotal gastrectomy in 8, partial gastrectomy in 4, local excision of the tumor in 5 cases, partial small intestine resection in 9 and right colectomy in 2 cases. The resection rate was 100% and no complication and death occurred. The positive rates of CD117(+) and CD34(+) were 93.1% and 51.7% respectively. After follow up from one to 2 years after operation, 2 cases died of tumor recurrence and metastasis, the others survived.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Immunohistochemical examinations of CD117 and CD34 are important diagnostic markers. Surgery is the main method of final diagnosis and treatment.</p>

Clinical analysis of gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation: a report of 22 cases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the causes, diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 22 cases with gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation from 1972 to 2004 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation often occurred during 4-6 days postoperatively when the patients began to take in food, characterized by upper abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, strong splashing bowel sound, weak bowel sound and large quantity of gastric drainage ranging from 1000 to 3000 ml every day. Barium meal was valuable not only in the diagnosis but also effective for promoting gas motility. It revealed a non-peristaltic, flabby and static stomach, and retention of contrast medium in the stomach even 5-6 hours later. All the patients recovered through non-operative therapy for 5-25 days including continuous gastrointestinal decompression, TPN and gastro-intestinal dynamic medicine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The causes of gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation are multifactorial, most of such patients can be cured by non-operative therapy.</p>

Analysis of clinical manifestations and surgical treatment of Crohn disease: a report of 82 cases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To elucidate the clinical types of Crohn disease and evaluate its surgical treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 82 cases with Crohn disease were retrospectively analyzed from June 1972 to June 2003.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 82 cases with Crohn disease,38 cases were diagnosed before operation,and 44 cases(53.7% ) were misdiagnosed. Main clinical manifestations included abdominal pain(96.3% ),diarrhea(89.0% ) and abdominal mass(28.0% ),other clinical manifestations included fistulation,intestinal hemorrhage and extra- intestinal manifestations such as ulcerative stomatitis,mycotic stomatitis. Patients received different surgical procedures as following: partial enterectomy in 57 cases,hemicolectomy and colostomy in 4 patients,partial ileectomy and ileostomy in 2,ileocolic bypass procedure in 3 patients,partial enterectomy and colectomy and anastomosis in 3 patients because of internal fistula,repair of ileal perforation in 2,lysis of adhesion in 6,drainage of intraperitoneal abscess and ostomy in 3,radical operation in 2 due to colon cancerization. Seventy- three cases(89.0% ) were cured by operation,postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients and 2 cases died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is the key point to achieve successful operation that the corresponding operative modes respectively for varied types of Crohn disease should be adopted.</p>

Influence of compound biejia ruangan prescription on extracelluar matrix in bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of compound Biejia Ruangan Prescription (CBRP) on extracelluar matrix in bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>54 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (9 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low CBRP groups were injected with bleomycin A5 by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. 29 days after the injection, CBRP solution of different dosages (1.4 g x kg(-1), 0.7 g x kg(-1), 0.35 g x kg(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low CBRP group by gavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1)) was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 80th day, the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum were determined, the determination of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates was analyzed, and the right lung was incised to make pathological sections which were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and Masson staining for pathological diagnosis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>CBRP could decrease the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CBRP may play its therapeutic role by leveling down the content of extracellular matrix in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by Bleomycin A5.</p>

Molecular Cloning and Sequencing of HCV E2 Gene / 中国病毒学

HCV RNA positive serum was first selected by RT-PCR test kit from several anti-HCV positive sera obtained from Xi'an.HCV RNA extrac ted from the elected sera was converted to cDNA by reverse transcription with ra ndom primer.Half-nested PCR was performed.The amplified product was 852 bp.The purified PCR product was digested by restriction endonucleases and then ligated to epressio vector pET-22b\++.Its nucleotide sequence was determined by dideoxy chain termination method.A comparison of the sequence with several isolates rep orted previously showed that the sequence belonged to HCV type Ⅱ.