Mapping the modulating effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on voxel-based analyses in patients with first-episode major depressive disorder: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Introduction: Seed-based analysis has shown that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can modulate the dysfunctional brain network in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the voxel-based neuropsychological mechanism of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week course of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD. Methods: Twenty-two patients with first-episode MDD accepted an 8-week course of taVNS treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed before and after treatment. Voxel-based analyses were performed to characterize spontaneous brain activity. Healthy controls (n=23) were recruited to minimize test-retest effects. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to ascertain treatment-related changes. Then, correlations between changes in brain activity and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)/Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) remission rate were estimated. Results: Significant group-by-time interactions on voxel-based analyses were observed in the inferior ventral striatum (VSi) and precuneus. Post-hoc analyses showed that taVNS inhibited higher brain activity in the VSi, while upregulating it in the precuneus. Functional connectivity (FC) between the VSi and precuneus decreased. Positive correlations were found between the HAM-D remission rate and changes in brain activity in the VSi. Conclusion: taVNS reduced the FC between VSi and precuneus by normalizing the abnormal spontaneous brain activity of VSi in first-episode MDD patients.

The effect of Jiegeng decoction on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice based on metabolomics / 药学学报

One of the traditional prescriptions for treating lung diseases, Jiegeng decoction (JGT), is still unknown in terms of its chemical makeup and mechanism. In this study, Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS technology was used to identify the chemical constituents of JGT, and metabolomics was used to examine the effect of JGT on metabolites in the lung tissue of mice with acute lung injury (ALI) model. The potential biomarkers were screened by fold change (FC) > 1.5 or FC < 0.67 and P < 0.05, and enriched for metabolic pathways. A total of 40 compounds, including triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids and glycosides, were identified by mass spectrometry analysis of JGT. All animal experiments were approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. TCM-LAEC2021106). The results showed that JGT improved the lung coefficient, and lung tissue morphology of mice with ALI, lowered the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) content in lung tissue. The metabolomic results showed that JGT could regulate 22 metabolites associated with ALI, among which leukotriene D4, docosapentaenoic acid, hypoxanthine, L-5-oxoproline, and other metabolites were mainly associated with the body′s inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and were enriched in the pathways of glutathione metabolism, purine metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. This study analyzed the potential mechanism of JGT in the treatment of ALI through metabolomics, providing an important theoretical basis for the clinical application of JGT.

Anti-tumor Effect of Ligustrazine Alone and in Combination with Western Medicine： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

With serious environmental problems and the aging of population， the incidence of cancers worldwide has increased dramatically. For modern medicine， cancer is an incurable malignant disease with a high metastasis rate and strong cell proliferation and invasion ability. At present， clinical anti-cancer therapies mainly include chemotherapy and radiotherapy， but most chemotherapy drugs can cause serious side effects. Therefore， Chinese medicine with high safety has been widely used in anti-cancer treatment， which can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells， improve the quality of life， and prolong life. Ligustrazine is a pyrazine alkaloid isolated and purified from Chuanxiong Rhizoma， which has pharmacological effects， such as anti-fibrosis， anti-oxidation， and anti-tumor. In recent years， ligustrazine， as an index active component of Chuanxiong Rhizoma alkaloids， has gradually become one of the hot spots in clinical medical research due to its pharmacological actions， and its anti-tumor effect has attracted more attention from researchers. The present study mainly investigated the anti-cancer effect of ligustrazine from the induction of tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy， inhibition of cell proliferation and migration， reversal of multidrug resistance of cancer cells， and inhibition of angiogenesis， and the anti-tumor efficacy was observed in various malignancies such as gastric cancer， lung cancer， rectal cancer， bladder cancer， breast cancer， and ovarian cancer. In addition， ligustrazine can be combined with cisplatin， paclitaxel， podophyllotoxin， chalcone， curcumin， and other drugs to exert an anti-tumor effect. This study conducted a literature review based on the anti-tumor mechanism of ligustrazine to provide a reference for the treatment of clinical malignancies.

Application of oscillating chemical fingerprint technology combined with mathematical analysis method in quality control analysis of traditional Chinese medicine and food / 中国中药杂志

Oscillating chemical fingerprint is a nonlinear dynamic fingerprint technology that reflects the overall redox activity of the entire system based on potential-time changes in multi-stage chemical reactions. This article summarizes the application of oscillating chemical fingerprint technology combined with mathematical analysis method in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of traditional Chinese medicine and food in recent years, including similarity analysis, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and other qua-litative analysis methods, as well as linear, logarithmic, exponential, polynomial, multivariate analysis and other quantitative analysis methods, so as to provide meaningful information for further quality control analysis of the oscillation chemical fingerprint technology in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and food.

Mechanism of Curcumin Alone and in Combination with Other Drugs Against Laryngeal Carcinoma： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Curcumae Longae Rhizoma is a traditional Chinese medicine with the efficacy of activating blood and moving Qi. Curcumin， a polyphenolic substance extracted from the rhizome of plant Curcuma longa， possesses multiple pharmacological activities like anti-tumor， anti-oxidation， anti-bacteria， and anti-inflammation. Laryngeal carcinoma （LC） is a common malignant tumor， whose incidence in recent years has been on the rise， and the 5-year survival rate has continuously decreased. Considering the specific location of larynx， researchers are actively exploring diverse treatment modalities for laryngeal organ preservation. Many studies have shown that curcumin has an inhibitory effect on the development of LC. By virtue of multiple pharmacological effects， curcumin deserves to be thoroughly explored. However， most of the current research is limited to in vitro exploration， and the partial mechanism of curcumin remains unclear， indicating that there is still a long way to go before curcumin becomes a Chinese medicinal preparation for the clinical treatment of LC. This paper reviewed the physicochemical properties of curcumin and the methods for its extraction from plants， the efficacy of curcumin in inducing cell apoptosis and protective autophagy， reversing cell drug resistance， inhibiting cell proliferation， migration， and invasion and tumor angiogenesis， the action mechanism of curcumin in combination with resveratrol， platinum drugs， 3-methyladenine， taxols， and 5-fluorouracil against LC， as well as the bioinformatics analysis concerning curcumin and LC. This paper is expected to provide reference for relevant researchers to clarify the mechanism and important targets of curcumin against LC and promote its clinical application.

Rapid Identification of Chemical Constituents of Pimpinella thellungiana by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive Focus hybrid quadrupole and orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was applied for identification of chemical constituents in Pimpinella thellungiana. Method::Chromatographic separation was performed on a WATERS BEH C18 column (2.1 mm ×50 mm, 1.7 μm). The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid aq (A) and acetonitrile (B) with a gradient elution. Mass spectral analysis were performed on Q-Exactive Focus hybrid quadrupole and orbitrap mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer was connected to UHPLC instrument via an ESI interface. Samples were analyzed in negative ion mode by the full-scan-dd MS 2(data-dependent MS/MS) scanning mode. Then the constituents of P. thellungiana were identified by compared HRMS data with those of the standard compounds, MS cleavage mechanism and the related literatures. Result::Based on the characteristic mass data of accurate molecular weight and fragmentation ion information, 29 chemical constituents were identified including 19 chlorogenic acids, 7 flavonoids and 3 phenolic acid. Among them, the identified components except luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside were reported in P. thellungiana for the first time. Conclusion::The established UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS method can be used to identify the chemical constituents of P. thellungiana quickly and accurately, providing the scientific evidence for its quality evaluation and material basis research.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Rhodobryum giganteum by using nonlinear oscillating chemical fingerprint technique / 中国中药杂志

A new method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of Rhodobryum giganteum by using the nonlinear oscillating chemical was established for improving the quality control standard of R. giganteum. Its potential(E)/time(t) curve was recorded by electrochemical workstation in the oscillation reaction system of BrO~-_3-Ce(SO_4)_2-H_2SO_4-malonic acid/tartaric acid. The nonlinear oscillating chemical fingerprints were investigated for repeatability, and it was found that the RSD values of the four characteristic parameters of R. giganteum were less than 4.1%, indicating a good repeatability and high precision of this experiment. After optimizing the experimental parameters such as particle size, rotation speed and temperature, a new method based on nonlinear oscillating chemical was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of R. giganteum. The results showed that there was a good linear relationship between the induction time/the period of oscillation and the dosage of herbs(0.1-1.1 g), with the relative coefficients of 0.978 and 0.975, respectively. Besides, the highest potential showed a nonlinear relationship with the dosage of herbs, with the relative coefficient of 0.999. This method was also used to discriminate the R. giganteum and R. roseum. They were similar in appearance, but their fingerprints were quite different. Independent sample t test results showed that there were significant differences in the oscillation time, the maximum amplitude and the induction time, providing a basis for the identification of the basic sources of Herba Rhodobryi Rasei.

Research progress in miRNA regulatory immune checkpoint in cancer therapy / 实用肿瘤学杂志

One of the main mechanisms of tumorigenesis and development is silencing of the patient's immune response to cancer-specific antigens.The defect of cancer immune surveillance may occur at any stage of tumor progression.In the tumor micro-environment,the abnormal expression of the immune checkpoint molecules that have an activation or inhibition effect on T lymphocytes can cause immune tolerance or escape of tumor cells.Targeted immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-1(programmed cell death protein 1)and its ligand PD-L1,have been shown to be new directions for the treatment of many types of cancer.microRNAs(miR-NAs)play an important role in tumor microenvironment.Studies have shown that miRNAs are highly expressed in some tumors and play an important role in immune response,especially in early regulation.Therefore,miRNAs may be ideal candidates for the regula-tion of immune checkpoints in cancer therapy.The abnormal expression of multiple miRNAs in cancer cells provides new opportunities for cancer therapy,but the exact function of these miRNAs and their interaction with immune checkpoints are still in the exploratory phase.This review summarizes the recent findings regarding the use of miRNAs as molecular regulators of immune checkpoints and their potential applications in the treatment of cancer in clinical practice.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Cognition and Hippocampal TNF-α and IL-1β Expressions in Rats with Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the cognition and hippocampal tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β expressions in rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and discuss the action mechanism of EA.Method Ninety healthy male senile Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into a sham operation group (group C), an operation group (group S) and an EA group (group Z), 30 rats in each group. Each group was then further divided into 3 subgroups: postoperative day 1, postoperative day 3 and postoperative day 7. The Morris water maze was adopted to evaluate the cognitive function, and immunochemistry method was used to detect the changes of TNF-α and IL-1β.Result Compared with group C at the same time points, the latent period was significantly longer and the crossing times were lower in group S on postoperative day 1, day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05), and the differences were most significant on postoperative day 3; compared with group S at the same time points, the latent period was significantly shorter and the crossing times were higher in group Z on postoperative day 1, day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05). Compared with group C at the same time point, the positive expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher in group S (P<0.05); compared with group S at the same time points, the positive expressions were significantly lower in each subgroup of group Z (P<0.05). Conclusion EA can improve the learning and memory of rats after left lateral segmentectomy of the liver, which is possibly related to the inhibition of the over-expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Cognition and Hippocampal TNF-α and IL-1β Expressions in Rats with Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the cognition and hippocampal tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β expressions in rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and discuss the action mechanism of EA.Method Ninety healthy male senile Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into a sham operation group (group C), an operation group (group S) and an EA group (group Z), 30 rats in each group. Each group was then further divided into 3 subgroups: postoperative day 1, postoperative day 3 and postoperative day 7. The Morris water maze was adopted to evaluate the cognitive function, and immunochemistry method was used to detect the changes of TNF-α and IL-1β.Result Compared with group C at the same time points, the latent period was significantly longer and the crossing times were lower in group S on postoperative day 1, day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05), and the differences were most significant on postoperative day 3; compared with group S at the same time points, the latent period was significantly shorter and the crossing times were higher in group Z on postoperative day 1, day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05). Compared with group C at the same time point, the positive expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher in group S (P<0.05); compared with group S at the same time points, the positive expressions were significantly lower in each subgroup of group Z (P<0.05). Conclusion EA can improve the learning and memory of rats after left lateral segmentectomy of the liver, which is possibly related to the inhibition of the over-expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β.

Effect of Shouwu Shudi Yin on dopaminegic neurons in MPTP induced Parkinson's disease mouse model / 中国中药杂志

In order to investigate the effect of Shouwu Shudi Yin on dopaminegic neurons in MPTP induced Parkinson's disease mouse model and the possible mechamism, the experimental mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, Shouwu Shudi Yin, MPTP and the treatment (MPTP+Shouwu Shudi Yin) groups. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells in the substantia nigra was measured by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression of TH and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were detected by PCR. The results showed that the number of TH positive cells and mRNA expression of TH were significantly reduced in MPTP group compared with the control (P<0.05), and pretreated with Shouwu Shudi Yin didn't show protective effect. Compared to MPTP group, the mRNA expression of four subtypes of GPX were increased in various degrees in the treatment group pretreated with Shouwu Shudi Yin, although the difference was not statistically significant. These indicated that the preventive medication of Shouwu Shudi Yin don't have protective effect on the mice with Parkinson' s disease induced by MPTP, but it may enhance the antioxidant capacity through increasing the expression of GPX.

Research of RET in cancer:Current and future / 实用肿瘤学杂志

To review recent studies on the research advance of RET( Rearranged during transfection) on-cogene in thyroid cancer,breast cancer,and lung cancer.The literatures on the structure of RET gene and coding product,cell signal transduction,relationship among thyroid cancer,breast cancer,and lung cancer are reviewed. RET gene encoding tyrosine kinase receptor,involving in cell signal transduction,rearrangement of RET gene is frequently seen in thyroid cancer,which is reported more and more in breast cancer,and lung cancer.Rearrange-ment of RET gene is closely correlated with the occurrence and progress of thyroid cancer,breast cancer,and lung cancer.Taking together,these findings suggest that RET present an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of certain cancer subsets.

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>

Effects of marine collagen peptide on delaying the skin aging / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) on the skin of aged mice induced by D-galactose.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subchronic toxicity study was conducted while D-galactose induced subacute aging model was established. D-galactose dose of 0.125 g/kg body weight was intraperitoneally injected daily for 90 days. Marine collagen peptide 0.225, 0.450, 1.350 g/kg body weight were administered by oral gavage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in blood serum were measured, along with cutaneous histopathology examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Epidermal thickness was significantly higher in MCPs treated group. Number and activity of fibroblast in MCPs treated dermis was increased prominently. The activity of SOD in 0.225, 0.450, 1.350 g/kgbw MCPs treated groups were 455.52 +/- 11.39, 460.15 +/- 18.09, 468.59 +/- 27.25 U/ml respectively, each of which was significantly higher than that in model control group; the activity of serum CAT in 0.225, 1.350 g/kgbw MCPs treated groups (21.33 +/- 4.82, 21.69 +/- 1.68 U/ml) were obviously increased compared with that in model control group (17.14 +/- 2.81 U/ml); MDA level in 0.450, 1.350 g/kgbw MCPs treated groups were 5.67 +/- 0.93, 5.76 +/- 1.02 nmol/ml respectively, each of which was significantly lower than that in model control group (7.63 +/- 1.37 nmol/ml).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results showed that MCPs might play a protective role on skin aging by improving the activity of antioxidant.</p>

Value of transrectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the TRUS manifestations of 87 cases of midline prostatic cysts.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the total number, 33 cases were diagnosed as Müllerian duct cysts, 21 cases ejaculatory duct cysts and the other 33 cases undifferentiated midline prostatic cysts; 19 cases had dilated seminal vesicles, 19 seminal vesicle agenesis, 9 seminal vesiculitis and 5 dilation of the ejaculatory duct.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TRUS, convenient, sensitive, safe and non-invasive, is a desirable method for the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.</p>

The study on the immunomodulating effect of marine protein peptides in mice / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of marine protein peptide (MPP) on immunomodulating in mice and its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Female ICR mice (6-8 weeks old) were administered the MPP for 4 weeks with the dose of 0.22 g/kgBW, 0.45 g/kgBW and 1.35 g/kgBW. Spleen and thymus were weighted and cell-mediated immune functions, humoral immune functions, phagocytic functions of mononuclear phagocyte, NK cell activity assays, the T cell subpopulation of the spleen tissue by the flow cytometer and the concentrations of cytokines in serum by cytometric bead array were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The capacity of lymphocyte proliferation induced by Con A (0.33 +/- 0.21), DTH response (0.36 +/- 0.11) mm in MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group were significantly increased in comparison with these values in control group (0.15 +/- 0.10) and (0.21 +/- 0.10)mm, respectively, P < 0.05. IgM-PFC number of MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group (1.64 +/- 0.06), 0.45 g/kgBW group (1.59 +/- 0.05) and 1.35 g/kgBW group (1.56 +/- 0.10) were higher than those in control group (1.38 +/- 0.10), P < 0.01; and the level of serum HC50 of MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group (141.00 +/- 23.00) and 0.45 g/kgBW group (130.40 +/- 33.20) were greater than the control (100.30 +/- 19.40) , P < 0.01. The activity of NK cells in MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group (1.672 +/- 0.142) was significantly elevated in comparison with this value in control group (1.392 +/- 0.182), P < 0.05. The percentage of CD4 T helper (Th) cell in spleen of MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group (32.84 +/- 3.776)% and 0.45 g/kgBW group (32.42 +/- 3.507) % was higher than those in control group (25.06 +/- 0.354) %, P < 0.05. The concentrations of IL-2 in serum of MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group 181.06 pg/ml, 0.45 g/kgBW group 94.84 pg/ml and 1.35 g/kgBW group 102.61 pg/ml were higher than those in control group 0.50 pg/ml, P < 0.05; and the level of IL-5 of MPP 0.22 g/kgBW group (38.31) pg/ml was greater than the control 0.50 pg/ml, P < 0.05. Nevertheless, no obvious effects on weight increasing, the ratio of immune organ and body weight and phagocytosis capacity were observed in our study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MPP could improve the immune functions in mice, and might be by the mechanism of enhancing the function of Th cells stimulating the secretion of Th1 and Th2 type cell cytokines.</p>

The lipid-lowering and antioxidative effects of marine collagen peptides / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the relative molecular mass of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) and investigate the effects of MCPs on serum lipids, anti-oxidative enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hyperlipidemic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sephadex G-25, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) methods were used to determine the relative molecular mass of MCPs. Then 50 healthy male SD rats were divided into 5 groups, which were normal control (NC) group, hyperlipidemic model control (HC) group and 1.0, 3.0, 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs groups, MCPs were orally administered by gavage to rats in MCPs group for 45 consecutive days (2 ml/100 kgbw per day), and the control rats were given vehicle only, all animals (except NC rats) were fed with a high fat diet composed of 79% basic diet, 10% lard, 10% yolk powder and 1% cholesterol. The levels of serum lipids, the content of MDA and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) in 1.0, 3.0, 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs groups were 1.89 +/- 0.29, 2.07 +/- 0.39 and 1.99 +/- 0.29 mmol/L respectively, each of which was significantly lower than that in HC group (3.37 +/- 0.24 mmol/L); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in 1.0, 3.0, 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs groups were 0.83 +/- 0.16, 1.01 +/- 0.35 and 0.91 +/- 0.26 mmol/L respectively, each of which was significantly lower than that in HC group(2.20 +/- 0.34 mmol/L); triglyceride (TG) levels in 3.0 and 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs groups (0.90 +/- 0.15 and 0.86 +/- 0.12 mmol/L) were reduced significantly compared with that in HC group (1.18 +/- 0.18 mmol/L); MDA level in 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs group was 7.1 +/- 4.1 nmol/ml, which was significantly lower than that in HC group ( 15.9 +/- 9.9 nmol/ml); and atherogenic index (AI) in hyperlipidemic rats fed with 1.0, 3.0, 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs were 1.14 +/- 0.22, 1.16 +/- 0.27 and 0.99 +/- 0.31 respectively, each of which was significantly lower than that in HC group (2.27 +/- 0.55). The activities of SOD in 1.0, 3.0, 9.0 g/kgbw MCPs groups (218.6 +/- 33.2, 242.7 +/- 21.4 and 242.1 +/- 44.8 U/ml) were obviously increased compared with that in HC group (119.7 +/- 47.8 U/ml), and anti-atherogenic index (AAI) were also increased significantly (0.47 +/- 0.04, 0.47 +/- 0.06, 0.51 +/- 0.09 vs 0.31 +/- 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MCPs should have antioxidative and lipid-lowering effects, and might play a preventive role in hyperlipidemia and atherogenesis.</p>

Sonographic features and clinical significance of transrectal ultrasonography in obstructive azoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ultrasonographic features of obstructive azoospermia and to evaluate transrectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed transrectal ultrasonography for 248 patients with obstructive azoospermia, observed the sonographic features of the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average volume of the prostate gland of the studied group was 13.2 ml. A total of 111 cases showed normal sonographic features, 39 cases bilateral seminal vesicle defect, 33 cases bilateral seminal vesicle aplasia, 23 cases unilateral seminal vesicle defect and contralateral seminal vesicle aplasia, 28 cases bilateral and 14 cases unilateral seminal vesicle dilatation. Of the 42 cases of seminal vesicle dilatation, 18 had ejaculatory duct dilatation and 17 had cysts in the midline of the prostate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Obstructive azoospermia varies in kind. Transrectal ultrasonography can reveal the details of the prostate, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct and help to classify obstructive azoospermia and determine the location of the lesion.</p>

Pathological feature and management of occult lymphatic metastasis in supraglottic carcinoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the pathologic feature and management methods of occult lymphatic metastasis in patients with supraglottic carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The following are criteria of patients selection: (1) Supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma; (2) Clinical N0M0; (3) no preoperative radiotherapy and (or) chemotherapy. Thirty patients were recruited, male 19 cases, female 11; age: 40 - 72yr, average 54.8yr; T2 8 cases, T3 18, T4 4 (by UICC 1997). Ipsilateral supraomohyoid neck dissections were performed in all cases. Lymph nodes were studied histologically according to the levels of dissection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six of 30 cases were positive nodes histologically in first operation, 3 were occurrence neck metastasis in opposite side during follow ups. Occult metastasis rate was 20% (6/30) ipsilaterdly and 10% contralaterally. 527 lymph nodes were collected in all of 30 patients, average 17.6 nodes in every side neck. Ten positive lymph nodes histologically were harvested. The distribution of metastatic lymph nodes was 9 in level II, 1 in level III, no in level I. N0 recurrence in larynx and (or) at the neck after dissection. Two years survival rates was 86.7% (26/30) without tumor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occult metastasis rate of supraglottic carcinoma is as high as 30%. The selective lateral neck dissection of level II, III and occasionally, level IV was recommended.</p>

An observation on long-term results of subtotal laryngectomy with preservation of an arytenoid cartilage / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the long-term results of the subtotal laryngectomy with preservation of an arytenoids cartilage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The long-term results of the subtotal laryngectomy with preservation of an arytenoids cartilage were analysed in 82 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of larynx (stage III 73 cases, IV 9 cases; supraglottic type 71 cases, glottic 6, transglottic 5).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The functions of speech and deglutition were recovered in 82 patients, and the respirations were normal in 69 of 82 cases (84.2%). Pharyngeal fistula appeared in 2 cases, and the infection of incision wound in 6, but all of them were cured by conservative treatment. All of 82 cases were followed-up for more than 5 years, 5 cases were lost follow-up, so the follow-up rate was 93.3%. 26 patients died of various causes during 5 years after operation. 5 of 26 cases died of local recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma, neck metastasis in 4, others in 4 (cardiac insufficiency, myocardiac infarction, lungs metastasis, rectal carcinoma 1 case, respectively) unknown in 4, lost follow-up in 5.68 patients were followed-up for more than 10 years, 30 cases were dead (26 cases who died of various causes included during 5 years after operation; died of local recurrence in larynx was 1 case, unknown 2, lost follow-up 1, during 5 approximately 10 years after surgery). 5, 10 years survival rates were 68.3% (56/82) and 55.9% (38/68), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Subtotal laryngectomy with preservation of an arytenoids cartilage is recommended for T3 and some elective T4 laryngeal carcinoma.</p>