Analysis of 53 cases of transjugular liver biopsy / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the practicability and safety of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB). Methods: Data of 53 cases with transjugular liver biopsy from June 2015 to June 2020 were collected. LABS-100 was used in all patients who underwent transjugular liver biopsy. Among them, 45 cases and eight were biopsied via hepatic vein and intrahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. The surgical indications, related complications, and postoperative pathological diagnosis were analyzed and summarized. Results: TJLB was successful in all patients, with an average of 2.8 punctures per case. Satisfactory liver tissue and histopathological diagnosis was obtained in all patients. Two cases developed a cervical hematoma that was improved spontaneously, and one patient developed an intrahepatic hematoma that was improved after conservative treatment. Conclusion: TJLB is a practical and safe method for patients with contraindications to percutaneous liver biopsy.

Tenuifolin in Treatment of Dementia： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Tenuifolin， a main component in Polygalae Radix， is frequently used as an important indicator for quality control of Polygalae Radix and its processed products. Dementia is a serious and persistent cognitive disorder， and the number of dementia patients is increasing worldwide， which brings great economic burden and mental pressure to families and society. At present， cholinesterase inhibitor and other drugs can only alleviate the symptoms of dementia， and there are some toxic and side effects. It has been found that tenuifolin can significantly improve cognitive disorder， learning and memory and is expected to be a potential drug for treating dementia. Tenuifolin exerts protective effects on amyloid-β （Aβ） deposition， acetylcholine reduction， neuroinflammation， cellular oxidative damage and nerve cell apoptosis caused by neurodegenerative diseases via multiple mechanisms， and can be applied to various types of dementia. In addition， it can be quickly absorbed into the blood， mainly distributed in liver and kidney， and can enter into the brain through the blood-brain barrier. However， because of its large molecular mass and poor fat solubility， tenuifolin can be rapidly eliminated， generating some problems such as low oral absoBrbability and permeability of blood-brain barrier. Therefore， the information of chemistry， pharmacology， pharmacokinetics and toxicology of tenuifolin was summarized in this paper to provide reference and ideas for further research and application.

Predictive value of vascular health indicators on newly cardiovascular events: Preliminary validation of Beijing vascular health stratification system / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the predictive value of carotid femoral artery pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV), carotid radial artery pulse wave velocity (CR-PWV), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and ankle brachial index (ABI) on coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebral infarction (CI), and the preliminary validation of Beijing vascular health stratification (BVHS).@*METHODS@#Subjects with at least 2 in-patient records were included into the study between 2010 and 2017 from Vascular Medicine Center of Peking University Shougang Hospital. Subjects with CHD or CI, and without data of vascular function at baseline were excluded. Eventually, 467 subjects free of CHD [cohort 1, mean age: (63.4±12.3) years, female 42.2%] and 658 subjects free of CI [cohort 2, mean age: (64.3±12.2) years, female 48.7%] at baseline were included. The first in-patient records were as the baseline data, the second in-patient records were as a following-up data. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to establish the predictive models of CHD or CI derived from BVHS by multivariable-adjusted analysis.@*RESULTS@#The median follow-up time of cohort 1 and cohort 2 was 1.9 years and 2.1 years, respectively. During the follow-up, 164 first CHD events occurred in cohort 1 and 117 first CI events occurred in cohort 2. Four indicators were assessed as continuous variables simultaneously by multivariable-adjusted analysis. In cohort 1, CF-PWV, CR-PWV, ABI, and CAVI reached statistical significance in the multivariable-adjusted models (P<0.05). In cohort 2, only CAVI (P<0.05) was of statistical significance. In addition, the higher CF-PWV became a protector of CHD or CI (P<0.05). The prediction value of BVHS reached the statistical significance for CHD and CI in the unadjusted models (all P<0.05), however, BVHS could only predict the incidence of CHD (P<0.05), but not the incidence of CI (P>0.05) in the multivariable-adjusted models. CF-PWV, CR-PWV, ABI, and CAVI were associated factors of CHD independent of each other (P<0.05), only CAVI (P<0.05) was the risk factor of CI independent of the other three.@*CONCLUSION@#The different vascular indicators might have different effect on CHD or CI. CAVI might be a stable predictor of both CHD and CI. Higher baseline CF-PWV was not necessarily a risk factor of CHD or CI because of proper vascular health management. BVHS was a potential factor for the prediction of CHD, and further research is needed to explore the prediction value for CI.

Cost-effective analysis of LAAC and oral anticoagulants in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the cost-effectiveness of left atrial appendage occlusion(LAAC), rivaroxaban and warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, in order to explore the most appropriate economical medication model. METHODS: A total of 156 NVAF patients treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from July2016 to June 2018 were studied; they were divided into group A(LAAC), group B(rivaroxaban)and group C(warfarin)by random digital method.Markov model was used to analyze the drug economy of three methods to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation within one year, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to verify the stability of the results. RESULTS: The total cost of treatment in group C was significantly lower than that in the other two groups, while in group A it was significantly higher than in the other two groups, with statistical significance(P<0.05). ICER(A vs. B)was 91242.31 yuan/QALY,ICER(B vs. C)was 96706.25 yuan/QALY, and ICER(A vs. C)was 93323.81 yuan/QALY. So the drug economy of group A was better than that of the other two groups, and group B was better than group C. When the sensitive indicators selected changed, there was still a statistical difference in the total cost among the three groups(P<0.05), which indicated that the results of this study were credible. CONCLUSION: Compared with warfarin and rivaroxaban, LAAC may have more pharmacoeco-nomic effects on preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, but further studies with large sample sizes and longer follow-up cycles are needed.

Study on Radix Scrophulariae for the treatment of hyperthyroidism rat model of yin deficiency based on urine metabonomics / 药学学报

The Chinese herbal Radix Scrophulariae is the main medicine for nourishing yin and reducing fire. It can be used to treat hyperthyroidism due to yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity, but its mechanism is not clear. The present study was aimed to explore the mechanism of Radix Scrophulariae treatment of hyperthyroidism due to yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity. The urine metabolomic approach was conducted using the method of UPLC-TOF-MS. The results showed that Radix Scrophulariae has good therapeutic effects on hyperthyroidism rat model of yin deficiency. After treatment with Radix Scrophulariae, through metabolic profiling and protocol analysis, 6 potential metabolic markers may be closely related with the treatment mechanism of Radix Scrophulariae on this disease, including proline betaine, estrone, thymidine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, cyclic AMP and L-dopa. The strongest metabolic pathways were associated with tryptophan metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, purine metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis. The urine metabolomic approach can be applied to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of Radix Scrophulariae on hyperthyroidism rat of yin deficiency, and provide the theoretical basis for the clinical practice of Radix Scrophulariae on nourishing yin to reduce pathogenic fire.

Impact of High-salt Diet on Plasma Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and Its Relationship to Blood Pressure in Healthy Subjects and Hypertension Patients / 中国循环杂志

Objectives: To investigate the impact of high-salt diet on plasma level of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in healthy subjects and hypertension patients; to explore the relationship between VEGF-C level and blood pressure (BP). Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: Essential hypertension (EH) group, 75 patients treated in our hospital from 2013 to 2014 and Control group, 98 healthy subjects at the same period. Using salt-intake 6 g/day as the borderline, both groups were respectively divided into High-sodium diet (HS) subgroups and Low-sodium diet (LS) subgroups. The age, gender, creatinine clearance (CCr), UA, fast blood glucose (FBG), body mass index (BMI), blood lipids (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and CF-PWV were compared between EH group and Control group, HS subgroups and LS subgroups. Results: Compared with Control group, EH group had increased plasma level of VEGF-C, (3 940.8±1 141.1) pg/ml vs (2 938.0±987.0) pg/ml, P<0.001; the age, BMI, SPB, DBP, PP, MAP and CF-PWV were different between 2 group, all P<0.005. In ES group, compared with LS subgroup, HS subgroup showed the higher VEGF-C (4 208.8±113.1) pg/ml vs (3 515.8±1 070.1) pg/ml, P=0.009; the age, SBP, DBP and PP were different between 2 group, all P<0.005. In Control group, compared with LS subgroup, HS subgroup showed the higher VEGF-C (3 158.7±917.2) pg/ml vs (2 655.7±1 011.3) pg/ml, P=0.012; the age BMI and CCr were different between 2 group, all P<0.005, while BP was similar between 2 subgroups. Spearman correlation study presented that with adjusted confounding factors, no matter in all participates and in EH group or Control group, MAP were positively related to plasma levels of VEGF-C (r=0.536, P<0.001 and r=0.546, P=0.002 or r=0.291, P=0.006) respectively. Conclusions: High-sodium diet could increase plasma VEGF-C level in either healthy subjects or hypertension patients, VEGF-C level was positively related to BP.

Sesamin suppresses mast cell activation through inhibition of PKCα/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of sesamin on mast cell activation and its inflammatory mediator release,as well as its possible mechanisms of action.Methods:HCM-1 cells were activation by stimulation with 10 μg/ml anti-DNP IgE for 6 h and challenge with 100 ng/ml DNP-HAS for 10 min.Sesamin was administration at the concentration of 25,50 and 100 μg/L prior to DNP-HAS challenge,subsequently the effect of sesamin on mast cell degranulation was investigated by light microscope,and histamine release and expression of cytokines such as TNF-α IL-6,IL-1β,IL-8 of mast cells after sesamin treatment were investigated by ELISA.Western blot was used to determine the effect of sesamin on FcεRI downstream signaling including Lyn,Syk and PKCα activation,and IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activation.Results:DNP-HAS significantly increased mast cell degranulation,histamine release and those cytokines expression,enhanced Lyn,Syk,PKCα,IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activation(P<0.05). Sesamin(50,100 μg/L) significantly decreased mast cell degranulation,histamine release and cytokines expression (TNF-α,IL-4,IL-1β,and IL-8),reduced activity of Lyn,Syk,kinases and PKCα and IκBα phosphorylation,and inhibited NF-κB activation(P<0.05).Conclusion: Sesamin suppresses mast cell activation and inflammatory mediators release through inhibition of PKCα/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effect of mifepristone on ciliary beat frequency and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels in human fallopian tubes / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To investigate ciliary beat frequency (CBF), and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating in vitro. Methods · Human fallopian tube mucosa explants (n=25) were treated with different concentrations of mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) or progesterone (10 μmol/L) separately, or both mifepristone and progesterone. After 24 h of treatment, CBF was measured. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to research the expression of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells of fallopian tube after mifepristone (10 μmol/L) treating were observed with transmission electron microscopy. Results · The CBF at the concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L was not affected by mifepristone (P=0.728,P=0.405 and P=0.941). The CBF decreased markedly in the group of 10 μmol/L progesterone compared to control group (P=0.000). Mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) dose dependently antagonized the progesterone-induced CBF decrease (P=0.484, P=0.000 and P=0.000). Mifepristone upregulated the expression levels of ERα and PR in the fallopian tubes, but the ultrastructure of the cilia had no significant change. Conclusion · Mifepristone acts as progesterone antagonist in the human fallopian tube, which may explain the tubal contraceptive mechanism when used as an emergency contraceptive.

Effect of mifepristone on ciliary beat frequency and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels in human fallopian tubes / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To investigate ciliary beat frequency (CBF), and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating in vitro. Methods · Human fallopian tube mucosa explants (n=25) were treated with different concentrations of mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) or progesterone (10 μmol/L) separately, or both mifepristone and progesterone. After 24 h of treatment, CBF was measured. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to research the expression of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) of human fallopian tubes after mifepristone treating. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells of fallopian tube after mifepristone (10 μmol/L) treating were observed with transmission electron microscopy. Results · The CBF at the concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L was not affected by mifepristone (P=0.728,P=0.405 and P=0.941). The CBF decreased markedly in the group of 10 μmol/L progesterone compared to control group (P=0.000). Mifepristone (0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L) dose dependently antagonized the progesterone-induced CBF decrease (P=0.484, P=0.000 and P=0.000). Mifepristone upregulated the expression levels of ERα and PR in the fallopian tubes, but the ultrastructure of the cilia had no significant change. Conclusion · Mifepristone acts as progesterone antagonist in the human fallopian tube, which may explain the tubal contraceptive mechanism when used as an emergency contraceptive.

Effect of orthokeratology on tear film and cornea biological characteristics / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To assess the effect of overnight orthokeratology on tear film and cornea biological characteristics in adolescents. <p>METHODS: Thirty-five myopia patients(70 eyes)worn overnight orthokeratology and fifteen myopia patients(30 eyes)worn frame glasses were involved in our study with complete follow-up information. We measured average tear breakup time(aBUT), basal tear secretion, corneal thickness and corneal curvature and corneal endothelium, then analyzed the differences in tear film stability and corneal biological characteristics between myopia patients of the both groups. <p>RESULTS: Compared with the frame glasses group, there was no significant difference in the difference of aBUT, basal tear secretion difference and corneal thickness between before and after wearing overnight orthokeratology(<i>P</i>=0.0922、0.0891、0.4181); there was significant difference in the difference of corneal curvature, corneal thickness, the coefficient of variation of corneal endothelial cell, and the percentage of corneal hexagonal endothelial cells between before and after wearing overnight orthokeratology(<i>P</i>=0.0000、0.0005、0.0002). No serious complications occurred in ocular surface in all follow-up cases. <p>CONCLUSION: Long-term overnight orthokeratology had no significant effect on tear film stability, but would increase the coefficient of variation of the corneal endothelial cell and reduce the percentage of corneal hexagonal endothelial cells. In order to diminish implications and guarantee the safety of orthokeratology, it should be closely observed, regular care.

Effects of spectral domain optic coherence tomography in monitoring glaucomatous progression of POAG / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the ability of spectral domain optic coherence tomography ( SD-OCT ) parameters to detect progressive structural damage in primary open angle glaucoma ( POAG) by contrasting with visual field. ·METHODS: Retrospectively we evaluated 48 subjects (48 eyes ) of POAG, followed up 14 to 62mo. The parameters of SD-OCT and visual field were obtained. The correlation between the change of visual field measurements and OCT measurements were analyzed. Visual field progression was defined as reproducible drop of at least 2dB of mean deviation (MD) from the baseline visit. ROC curve was made to evaluated the ability of OCT parameters in detect progression of POAG. ·RESULTS: The 25 eyes were classified in progression group and 23 eyes were in non-progression group. No significant correlation was seen between OCT parameters and visual field in non-progression group. In progression group, OCT parameters which were significantly correlated with MD reduce were rim volume ( r=-0. 5997, P=0. 0007), C/D vertical ratio (r=-0. 6309, P=0. 0003), RNFL(r= 0. 4201, P= 0. 0260), and GCC(r= 0. 7080,P<0. 01). ROC curves showed the GCC reflected the reduce of MD accurately (P=0. 013). ·CONCLUSION: Part parameters of SD-OCT can reflect the progression of POAG accurately and provided a new method to detect the damage of visual function of POAG.

Effects of Qizhi Jiangtang capsule on dermal ulcer in type 2 diabetic rats / 中国中药杂志

The effect of Qizhi Jiangtang vapsule (QJC) on degree of dermal ulcer cicatrization in 2 type diabetic rats was studied. Except the rats for blank group, other male Wistar rats were used to establish type 2 diabetic model by feeding with high sugar and high fat diet for four weeks and intraperitonally injecting with 30 mg•kg⁻¹ streptozotocin (STZ). After that, the rats were divided into balanced groups according to blood sugar, and received corresponding drugs for treatment for 8 weeks. At the end of week 8, 2 cm diameter circular incision was done on the back of rats. After that, the rats were administered continuously for10 days. Area of ulcer surface was detected every two days. After the last administration, wound granulation tissues were cut down to conduct pathological examination and detect the expression of VEGF, PI3K, p-ERK protein in wound tissues. The results showed that compared with the model group, after application of Qizhi Jiangtang capsule (2.24 g•kg⁻¹), the wound was significantly reduced on day 6 and day 10 of wound formation; inflammation reaction on ulcer surface was significantly reduce; Qizhi Jiangtang capsule can increase VEGF expression in the wound tissues of diabetic rats, and inhibit ERK phosphorylation. It can be concluded that Qizhi Jiangtang capsule can promote skin ulcer healing for diabetes rats, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of VEGA and p-ERK proteins.

Chinmedomics strategy to discover effective constituents and elucidate action mechanism of Nanshi capsule against kidney-yang deficiency syndrome / 中国中药杂志

The chinmedomics method was used to explore the effect of Nanshi capsule on endogenous metabolites of rats with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, investigate the metabolites and metabolic pathways closely related to kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS)and identify the therapeutic basis of Nanshi capsule(NPC)as well as its action mechanism for KYDS. The routine biochemical indexes of serum were detected and histomorphology was observed. Based on the chinmedomics technology platform, discriminatory analysis in multivariate modes was conducted for rat blood and urine, thus to investigate the biomarkers of KYDS and the therapeutic effect of NPC against KYDS. Meanwhile, the main constituents of NPC in rat serum were also detected to analyze its correlation between the constituents in vivo and the biomarkers of KYDS, and determine the potential effective compounds for therapeutic effect. Eleven biomarkers of KYDS were identified in the rat models, involving steroid hormone biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. It was found that NPC could regulate steroid hormone biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism and tyrosine metabolism; PCMS analysis showed that caffeic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-methoxy-anthraquinone, 1-hydroxy-2-methoxyanthraquinone, ferulic acid glucuronide conjugation, deacetylasperulosidic acid, cynaroside, betaine and umbelliferone were the main effective compounds of NPC for KYDS. In this study, cynaroside, betaine, umbelliferone and other compounds in NPC could integrally regulate the disturbance of metabolic profile in KYDS by improving the hormone synthesis, hormone synthesis pathway, hormone synthesis and release pathway in tyrosine metabolism and linoleic acid synthesis pathway in linoleic acid metabolism. These results indicated that the NPC had the characteristics of multi-pathway, multi-target and overall regulation in the treatment of KYDS. Chinmedomics approach can provide methodology support to discover innovative drug from traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of Qizhi Jiangtang capsule on protein expressions of InsR, PI3K, GLUT2 and p-JNK in hepatic tissues of rats with type 2 diabetes / 中国中药杂志

To observe the hypoglycemic effect of Qizhi Jiangtang capsule in rats with type 2 diabetes, and investigate the preliminary mechanism of its hypoglycemic effect, type 2 diabetes rat models were established by high glucose and high fat combined with small dose of streptozotocin (STZ). After continuous administration for 6 weeks, blood glucose, and glycosylated serum protein (GSP) levels were detected in all of the animals; immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect the number of islet β cells; Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of insulin receptor (InsR), phosphoinositide-3 kinases (PI3K), glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) and phosphorylated Jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK)in hepatic tissues. The results showed that Qizhi Jiangtang capsule could reduce the blood sugar and GSP levels in serum in animals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, increase the level of insulin in serum and number of islet β cells, increase the protein expression levels of InsR, PI3K and GLUT2, and reduce the level of p-JNK protein expression. In conclusion, Qizhi Jiangtang capsule has relatively stable hypoglycemic effect, and the mechanism may be associated with increasing the number of islet β cells and level of insulin in serum, up-regulating the protein expression levels of InsR, PI3K and GLUT2, down-regulating the level of p-JNK protein expression in hepatic tissues, and reducing the level of insulin in hepatic tissues.

Correlation of in vivo and in vitro methods in measuring choroidal vascularization volumes using a subretinal injection induced choroidal neovascularization model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In vivo quantification of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) based on noninvasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination and in vitro choroidal flatmount immunohistochemistry stained of CNV currently were used to evaluate the process and severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) both in human and animal studies. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between these two methods in murine CNV models induced by subretinal injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CNV was developed in 20 C57BL6/j mice by subretinal injection of adeno-associated viral delivery of a short hairpin RNA targeting sFLT-1 (AAV.shRNA.sFLT-1), as reported previously. After 4 weeks, CNV was imaged by OCT and fluorescence angiography. The scaling factors for each dimension, x, y, and z (μm/pixel) were recorded, and the corneal curvature standard was adjusted from human (7.7) to mice (1.4). The volume of each OCT image stack was calculated and then normalized by multiplying the number of voxels by the scaling factors for each dimension in Seg3D software (University of Utah Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, available at http://www.sci.utah.edu/cibc-software/seg3d.html). Eighteen mice were prepared for choroidal flatmounts and stained by CD31. The CNV volumes were calculated using scanning laser confocal microscopy after immunohistochemistry staining. Two mice were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin for observing the CNV morphology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The CNV volume calculated using OCT was, on average, 2.6 times larger than the volume calculated using the laser confocal microscopy. The correlation statistical analysis showed OCT measuring of CNV correlated significantly with the in vitro method (R 2 =0.448, P = 0.001, n = 18). The correlation coefficient for CNV quantification using OCT and confocal microscopy was 0.693 (n = 18, P = 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a fair linear correlation on CNV volumes between in vivo and in vitro methods in CNV models induced by subretinal injection. The result might provide a useful evaluation of CNV both for the studies using CNV models induced by subretinal injection and human AMD studies.</p>

Protective effects of polysaccharides from Dendrobium huoshanense on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effects of polysaccharides from Dendrobium huoshanense (DHP) against CCl4-induced liver injury in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Eighty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, dextran control group, starch control group, hydrolyzate control group, three different dose of DPH groups consisting of high-dosage group, middle-dosage group and low-dosage group (200, 100, 50 mg x kg(-1)). Each group contained ten mice. The mice were treated with DHP via intragastric administration for 15 days before treatment of 50% CCl4 in olive oil for consecutive two days. Both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver tissues were determined in all groups. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TNF-alpha in hepatic tissue. Hepatic histopathological examination was observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>DHP effectively decreased the activities of ALT and AST in serum and the contents of hepatic MDA, and restored hepatic SOD activities in acute liver injury mice. Liver tissue damage induced by CCl4 was ameliorated in mice with DHP administration through histopathology examination. Furthermore, the expression of TNF-alpha was greatly decreased in groups treated with polysaccharides.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DHP has a significantly hepatoprotective effect on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice. Protective effect of DHP on the liver may be related to its function of scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation and TNF-alpha expression.</p>

Transrectal ultrasonography in the etiological diagnosis of male obstructive azoospermia: analysis of 695 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the role of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the etiological diagnosis of male obstructive azoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and TRUS findings of 695 patients with obstructive azoospermia from January 2007 to May 2009.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Concerning the etiology of obstructive azoospermia, the main TRUS findings included ejaculatory duct abnormality (29.2%), seminal vesicle abnormality (25.4%) and prostate midline cyst (18.5%). TRUS revealed 203 cases of ejaculatory duct dilation, 177 cases of seminal vesicle abnormality (including 108 with absence or agenesis and 51 with dilation of the seminal vesicle), and 128 cases of prostate midline cyst (including 75 with ejaculatory duct cyst and 39 with Müllerian cyst). Calcification of the verumontanum or ejaculatory duct was suspected to be the causes of obstructive azoospermia in 34 cases. However, no significant etiological abnormality was found in 153 cases. Obvious etiology was shown by TRUS in 78.0% of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TRUS can clearly display the structural abnormality of the ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicle, and provide important information on the etiology of male obstructive azoospermia.</p>

Fenestration of the anterior cerebral artery detected by magnetic resonance angiography / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Fenestration of the proximal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) A1 segment is a rare anatomic variation. The purpose of the this study was to report the incidence of fenestration in the proximal segment of the anterior cerebral artery and to delineate its configurations on cranial MR angiography.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in 762 patients using 1.5 T imagers during the period July 2007 through September 2008. All images were obtained by the three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D TOF) technique. Volume rendering (VR) images in the horizontal rotation view were displayed stereoscopically. The presence of fenestration in the proximal segment of the anterior cerebral artery was identified and evaluated retrospectively by MRA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six patients (four men and two women, 15 to 63 years of age, median age 50 years) had proximal ACA fenestration. The appearance rate of ACA fenestration was 0.8% (6/762). All 6 fenestrations were located at the A1 segment: three of them were with a slit-like shape and three were with a convex-lens-like shape, 5 of the right A1 segment, 1 of the left A1 segment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Recognizing ACA fenestration is important to interpret cranial MR angiographys and helpful to make a plan for neurosurgical procedures or neurological intervention.</p>

An experimental study on recombinant adenovirus p53 transfected in oral dysplastic epithelial cells / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate and evaluate the appropriate virus titer and transfection efficiency of recombinant adenovirus p53 into the oral dysplastic epithelial cells (POE-9n) and provide reference for oral precancerosis research.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The transfection sensitivity of adenovirus into oral dysplastic epithelial cells was evaluated by the recombinant adenovirus p53 containing green fluorescent protein (rAd-GFP). Different titre rAd -p53 was transfected into oral dysplastic epithelial cells to evaluate the effects of rAd-p53 on cell proliferation inhibition by MIT assay. The expression of exogenous p53 gene in POE-9n cells was detected by immunocytochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>More than 95% POE-9n cells were transfected by rAd-GFP with MOI from 100 to 500 and there was no statistical difference between different MOI values (r=-0.124, P>0.05). It was found that rAd-p53 had significant inhibition effects on POE-9n cell proliferation with MOI from 100 to 500, and there were no significant differences at 96 h and 120 h after the transfection on cell proliferation inhibition (P>0.05). P53 protein was well expressed in rAd-p53 transfected POE-9n cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exogenous p53 can be successfully transfected into POE-9n cells by rAd-p53 and the virus titer of MOI 100 was high enough to ensure efficient transfection.</p>

Assessment of right ventricular function by pressure-volume loops in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Right ventricular function plays an important role in the hemodynamic derangement during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Pressure-volume loops have been shown to provide load-independent information of cardiac function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of construction of right ventricular pressure-volume loops with pressure and volume data measured by a volumetric pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and to evaluate right ventricular systolic and diastolic function by end-systolic elastance (E(ES)) and end-diastolic stiffness (E(ED)) in OPCAB surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-eight patients who underwent OPCAB surgery were included. After anesthesia induction, a volumetric PAC was placed via the right internal jugular vein. Data were recorded at: anesthesia steady-state before skin incision (T1); 5 minutes after the stabilizer device was placed for anastomosis on the heart's anterior wall (T2), lateral wall (T3), posterior wall (T4), respectively; after sternal closure (T5). Three sets of data were collected at each time point: first, hemodynamic variables were measured; second, right ventricular E(ES) and E(ED) were calculated; third, right ventricular pressure-volume loops were constructed with pressure and volume data measured from end-diastole point, end-isovolumic systole point, peak-ejection point, end-systole point and end-isovolumic diastole point.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Right ventricular pressure-volume loops generally shifted to the left during OPCAB surgery. Especially, the end-diastolic point shifted upward and to the left at T2-T5 compared with that at T1. Decrease in right ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume index and end-diastolic volume index occurred (P < 0.05) at T4 compared with values at T1. Pulmonary vascular resistance index at T4 increased relatively compared with that at T2 and T3. The change of E(ES) was not statistically significant during operation. Right atrial pressure increased only during coronary anastomoses (T2-T4, P < 0.05), whereas E(ED) increased throughout OPCAB surgery (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Right ventricular pressure-volume loops can be constructed using a volumetric PAC. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction occurred during anastomoses on the heart's posterior wall not due to impaired myocardial contractility but as a result of reduced preload and a relative increase in afterload. Right ventricular diastolic function was impaired throughout OPCAB surgery.</p>