Ultrasound-guided electroacupuncture at suprahyoid muscle group for pharyngeal dysphagia after stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect among ultrasound-guided electroacupuncture (EA) at suprahyoid muscle group, conventional acupuncture and conventional EA at suprahyoid muscle group on pharyngeal dysphagia after stroke, and to explore its biomechanical mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with pharyngeal dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into an observation group, a control-1 group and a control-2 group, 40 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with ultrasound-guided EA at suprahyoid muscle group; the patients in the control-1 group were treated with EA at Lianquan (CV 23), Wangu (GB 12) and Fengchi (GB 20), etc.; the patients in the control-2 group were treated with EA at suprahyoid muscle group according to anatomical location. The EA in the three groups were discontinuous wave, with frequency of 5 Hz and current intensity of 1 mA. The EA was given for 30 minutes, once a day, 6 times were taken as a course of treatment, and 4 courses of treatment were provided. The video floroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed before and after treatment. The Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) score, the forward and upward movement distance of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage, Ichiro Fujima ingestion-swallowing function score were recorded in the three groups, and the incidences of subcutaneous hematoma were recorded after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the PAS scores were reduced and the Ichiro Fujima ingestion-swallowing function scores were increased after treatment in the three groups (P<0.05); the PAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control-1 group and the control-2 group, and the Ichiro Fujima ingestion-swallowing function scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control-1 group and the control-2 group (P<0.05). After treatment, the forward and upward movement distance of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage in the observation group and the control-2 group was increased (P<0.05), and the forward and upward movement distance of hyoid bone was increased in the control-1 group (P<0.05); the forward and upward movement distance of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage in the observation group was longer than that in the control-1 group and the control-2 group (P<0.05). The incidence of subcutaneous hematoma in the observation group was 0% (0/40), which was lower than 20.0% (8/40) in the control-1 group and 47.5% (19/40) in the control-2 group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Ultrasound-guided EA at suprahyoid muscle group could improve the swallowing function in patients with pharyngeal dysphagia after stroke by increasing the motion of hyoid laryngeal complex. Its effect and safety are better than conventional acupuncture and conventional EA at suprahyoid muscle group.

Relationship between VEGF gene polymorphism and diabetic retinopathy in Li nationality type 2 diabetic patients in Hainan / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To assess the association of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)gene polymorphisms(rs2010963 and rs3025039)with diabetic retinopathy(DR)in Li nationality type 2 diabetic(T2DM)patients in Hainan.METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 89 patients with T2DM in the Li nationality in Hainan were randomly categorized(between 09/2016 to 10/2019)into three groups, 30 patients in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group, 33 patients in proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)group, and 26 patients in T2DM without retinopathy(DWR)group as control. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine the polymorphism in the VEGF gene. Differences in allele frequencies and genotype frequencies between cases and controls were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the DWR group, the CC genotype of rs2010963 polymorphic site was significantly increased(<i>P</i><0.016667), and CG genotype was significantly decreased in PDR group(<i>P</i><0.016667). No significant differences were detected in the frequencies of genotype GG and C, G allele distribution among the three groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were detected in the frequencies of genotype CC, CT, C, and T in rs3025039 among the three groups(all <i>P</i>>0.05). Plasma levels of serum urea and creatinine were significantly increased in PDR group compared to DWR and NPDR groups in Li nationality group in Hainan(all <i>P</i><0.05).CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of the VEGF gene(rs2010963)is associated with DR. CC genotype may be a genetic risk factor for the development of DR, increasing susceptibility to PDR. The rs2010963 related genotype is conferred risk and associated with higher susceptibilities of PDR.

Research Progress of Pathogenic Mechanism and Treatment of Helicobacter pylori / 胃肠病学

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is closely related to the occurrence and development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. At present, the treatment of Hp is mainly the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy as the first-line treatment to eradicate Hp infection. However, the eradication treatment still faces the challenges related to the rising antibiotic resistance, the decrease in eradication rate year by year, the adverse events, the poor patient's compliance and the dysregulation of gastrointestinal microbiome. Therefore, more and more researches are focusing on finding an effective treatment with the use of natural therapy. This article reviewed the research progress of pathogenic mechanism and treatment of Hp infection.

Advances in understanding the role of sphingosine kinase-2 in tumorigenesis and its inhibitors / 药学学报

In recent years the role of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2), a key enzyme in the sphingolipid pathway, in the process of tumorigenesis has gradually been elucidated. Recent research has shown that SphK2 inhibitors can be used as anticancer drugs alone or in combination with existing drugs to increase the therapeutic sensitivity of drug-resistant tumors. Among them, one selective SphK2 inhibitor, ABC294640, shows excellent oral bioavailability and biodistribution in vivo and has now entered Phase II clinical research. Therefore, developing innovative drugs based on SphK2 is of great interest. Herein, we discuss progress in understanding the role of SphK2 in tumorigenesis and review the recent development of inhibitors of SphK2.

Novel coronavirus pneumonia related liver injury: etiological analysis and treatment strategy / 中华肝脏病杂志

The outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia(NCP) caused by 2019 novel coronavirus has become a global public health challenge. Some patients accompany with liver function damage in addition to the main typical respiratory symptom. Here we analyzed the clinical features, susceptible population, potential causes and therapeutic strategies of NCP related liver injury.

Feasibility Study of Intelligent Automatic Registration Ultrasound-CT/MR Fusion Imaging Based on Liver Surface / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To explore the feasibility and simplicity of intelligent automatic registration ultrasound-CT/ MR fusion imaging based on liver surface in localization of focal liver lesions. 【Methods】 Thirty patients with detected focal liver lesions by contrast- enhanced CT or MR were enrolled for ultrasound- CT/MR fusion imaging using the PercuNav fusion imaging system in PHILPS EPIQ7. Both intelligent automatic registration ultrasound- CT/MR fusion imaging based on liver surface（intelligent method）and the conventional internal plane method（manual method）were used for ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging. The success rate of registration，the initial registration error and the times of fine-tuning were compared between these two methods.【Results】In all 30 patients，the success rates of registration were both 96.67%（29/30）using intelligent method and manual method. There was no significant difference between these two methods when compared the initial registration error and the times of fine- tuning （P>0.05）. According to the further stratified analysis，in 10 lesions in the left liver，the initial registration error of the manual method was less than that of intelligent method，the difference was statistically significant（P=0.00）. Although the times of fine-tuning of the manual method was less than that of intelligent method，there was no statistically significant difference（P=0.09）；In 20 lesions in the right liver，the initial registration error and the times of fine-tuning of the intelligent method were superior to those of the manual method. The differences were statistically significant （P<0.05）. 【Conclusion】 Intelligent automatic registration ultrasound- CT/MR fusion imaging based on liver surface is a feasible method with high success rate for ultrasound-CT/MR fusion imaging. Compared with the conventional internal plane method，the fusion imaging process is more simple and efficient for the lesions in right liver. It helps to reduce experience dependence of fusion imaging for the operators.

Neoblast-enriched zinc finger protein FIR1 triggers local proliferation during planarian regeneration

Regeneration, relying mainly on resident adult stem cells, is widespread. However, the mechanism by which stem cells initiate proliferation during this process in vivo is unclear. Using planarian as a model, we screened 46 transcripts showing potential function in the regulation of local stem cell proliferation following 48 h regeneration. By analyzing the regeneration defects and the mitotic activity of animals under administration of RNA interference (RNAi), we identified factor for initiating regeneration 1 (Fir1) required for local proliferation. Our findings reveal that Fir1, enriched in neoblasts, promotes planarian regeneration in any tissue-missing context. Further, we demonstrate that DIS3 like 3'-5' exoribonuclease 2 (Dis3l2) is required for Fir1 phenotype. Besides, RNAi knockdown of Fir1 causes a decrease of neoblast wound response genes following amputation. These findings suggest that Fir1 recognizes regenerative signals and promotes DIS3L2 proteins to trigger neoblast proliferation following amputation and provide a mechanism critical for stem cell response to injury.

In vitro release behavior and in situ absorption of evodiamine loaded microemulsion / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the characteristics of in vitro release and in situ absorption of evodiamine load-ed microemulsion (EDM).Methods EDM was pre-pared, its release in pH 1.2 HCl solution and pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution were studied by dialysis , and the cumulative release rates were calculated .The sin-gle-pass intestinal perfusion was used to study the ab-sorption of EDM in duodenum , jejunum , ileum and co-lon, the absorption in stomach was also studied , and the absorption rate constant ( Ka ) and effective perme-ability (Pef ) of the drug were calculated.The concen-tration of ED was measured by HPLC .Results The cumulative release rate of EDM and ED in pH 1.2 HCl solution was ( 64.76 ±0.73 )％, ( 13.98 ±0.49 )％, respectively , and that of EDM was 4.63 times of ED . In pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution the cumulative re-lease rate was ( 91.72 ± 0.51 )％, ( 18.34 ± 0.20)％, respectively, which was 5.01 times of ED. The Ka of EDM was more than 3 times of ED, and Pef was more than 2 times of ED .Conclusion Microe-mulsion can improve in vitro release and in situ absorp-tion of ED.

Stabilities and related mechanism of sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin liposomes loaded with asparaginase / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the stabilities and related mechanism of sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin liposomes loaded with asparaginase(ASDL).Methods Reverse evaporating method was used for the preparation of ASDL,and the acid-base stability,thermal stability,antitrypsin stability,plasma stability and storage stability of ASDL were tested.Moreover,fluorescence spectrum method was utilized to explore the stability enhancement mechanisms of ASDL.Results The results of stability showed that the acid-base stability,thermal stability,antitrypsin stability,plasma stability and storage stability of ASDL were all superior to asparaginase.Fluorescence experiment results indicated that the improved characteristics of ASDL might be related to the changes of the surrounding microenvironment of fluorescent chromophore or the structure of hydrophobic.Conclusion ASDL can effectively protect asparaginase from the external environment,such as hydrolase,pH,temperature and so on,to improve the stabilities of asparaginase.

Corneal characteristics in Marfan syndrome patients of different ages with lens subluxation and their significance / 眼科新进展

Objective To compare the corneal characteristics in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients of different ages with lens subluxation and explore their clinical significance.Methods Together 84 eyes of 45 MFS patients (MFS group) and 84 eyes of 84 control subjects (control group) were recruited in this study,and the patients in the MFS group were subdivided into two groups by age:5-14 year-old group with 49 eyes and ＞ 14 year-old group with 35 eyes.The biometric characteristics,including corneal curvature (i.e.Km),central corneal thickness,and corneal astigmatism,were measured by Pentacam.Results Compared with the control group,MFS patients had decreased Km and increased corneal astigmatism,approaching significant difference (both P =0.000).There were significant differences in anterior corneal curvature [(40.02 ± 1.42) D vs.(41.03 ± 1.57) D],posterior corneal curvature [(-5.71 ± 0.23) D vs.(-5.89-± 0.31) D],and total corneal astigmatism [(-1.71 ±0.84)D vs.(-1.34 ±0.78)D] between 5-14 year-old group and ＞ 14year-old group (all P ＜ 0.05).The anterior corneal astigmatism was significantly higher in 5-14 year-old group than that in ＞ 14 year-old group(P =0.017),whereas the posterior corneal astigmatism had no significant difference between the two groups (P =0.377).In 5-14 year-old group,the astigmatic type of total cornea and anterior corneal surface was dominated by with-the-rule astigmatism (69.39％),whereas the proportion of with-the-rule and oblique astigmatism was approximately equal ＞ 14year-old group.The astigmatic type of posterior corneal surface in 5-14 year-old group (accounting for 85.71％) and ＞ 14 year-old group (accounting for 77.14％)was dominated by against-the-rule astigmatism.The total corneal astigmatism was overestimated by a mean of 0.32 D when only taking the magnitude of anterior corneal astigmatism into consideration.Conclusion A flattened cornea and increased corneal astigmatism are the corneal characteristics for MFS patients with lens subluxation especially for the children patients.The magnitude of posterior corneal astigmatism remains unchanged and is primarily against-the-rule astigmatism.And the total corneal astigmatism can be easily overestimated if posterior corneal astigmatism is not taken into consideration.

In vivo and in vitro correlation of azithromycin cationic micron niosomes / 中国药理学通报

Aim To evaluate the correlation between in vitro release and in vivo absorption of azithromycin cat-ionic micron niosomes (ACMNS)by Wagner-Nelson method and deconvolution method. Methods The in vitro release behavior of ACMNS was studied by dy-namic membrane dialysis. After a single dose of intra-gastric administration with ACMNS and AM in rats,the AM concentrations in plasma were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Wagner-Nelson and deconvolution method were used to reveal the in vitro / in vivo correlation. Results X used as cu-mulative in vitro release and Fa as the absorption per-centage,the regression equation was established:F a =3. 0524X - 5. 7709,r = 0. 8976,and X used as cumu-lative in vitro release and R as input function,the re-gression equation was established:R = 2. 3413X -58. 687,r = 0. 5217. r < r( 2,0. 05) = 0. 9500 (P <0. 05). Conclusion There is no correlation between in vitro release and in vivo absorption of ACMNS.

Research on syndrome distribution features, etiologies, and pathogeneses of Japanese encephalitis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore Chinese medical syndrome distribution features of Japanese encephalitis (JE), and to analyze its correlation between syndromes and features of etiologies and pathogeneses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Recruited were 277 patients with confirmative diagnosis of JE from Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, Fifth People's Hospital of Guiyang City, Hangzhou Sixth People's Hospital, and Chengdu Hospital of Infectious Diseases between July to September 2012. Chinese medical syndrome distribution features were summarized from their general materials and detailed records of clinical data, including medical history, symptoms and signs, tongue fur, and pulse figures.The frequency of symptoms and signs was calculated according to mild, ordinary, severe, extreme severe degrees. The distribution of Chinese medical syndromes was summarized. And its correlation between syndromes and features of etiologies and pathogeneses were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After clustering analysis, Chinese medical syndromes of JE could be categorized as four groups: toxicity accumulation in Fei and Wei syndrome (TAFWS), brain collateral impaired by poison syndrome (BCIPS), depression of toxicity in the pericardium syndrome (DTPS), exhaustion of yin and yang syndrome (EYYS). BCIPS and DTPS were dominated, accounting for 74.0% (205 cases). The main causes covered evil of summer heat [accounting for 92.42% (256/277 cases)], heat [accounting for 87.73% (243/277 cases)], and toxin [accounting for 99.64% (276/277 cases)].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The four Chinese medical syndrome types of JE met Chinese medical clinical features of encephalitis. It is induced by infestation of dampness-heat, resulting in toxicity accumulation in Fei and Wei, brain collateral impaired by poison, depression of toxicity in the pericardium. Yin fluid and blood is exhausted as time goes by. Qi and yin are impaired to form intermingled deficiency and excess, and finally causing exhaustion of yin and yang.</p>

Up-regulation of T-lymphoma and metastasis gene 1 in gastric cancer and its involvement in cell invasion and migration / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>T-lymphoma and metastasis gene 1 (Tiam1) produces a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GNEF) that regulates guanosine triphosphatase, which transforms guanosine diphosphate to guanosine triphosphate. Recently published data indicate that Tiam1 was associated with gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate biological effects and potential mechanisms of Tiam1 in gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analyzed the expression of Tiam1 in 114 pair-matched gastric neoplastic and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. We investigated Tiam1 expression and its prognostic value for gastric cancer. Furthermore, the functions of Tiam1 over-expression were analyzed with stable-expression Tiam1 plasmid in human gastric cancer cell lines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tiam1 expression was significantly associated with cell differentiation and lymphatic metastasis; expression of Tiam1 mRNA was up-regulated in gastric cancer compared to pair-matched adjacent non-tumor tissues. Analyses of surgical tissue samples and 5-year survival of gastric cancer patients showed that those with strong Tiam1 expression had significantly shorter overall survival time than those with negative Tiam1 expression. Ectopic expression of Tiam1 promoted cell growth, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In gastric cancer cells, Tiam1 affects multiple properties associated with acquisition of the metastatic phenotype, and may be a marker of gastric cancer progression and metastasis in a subset of cancer.</p>

Effects of RNA interference and nolatrexed on thymidylate synthase expression and cell proliferation of human colorectal carcinoma LOVO cells / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the RNAi and the chemotherapy drugs nolatrxed on the expression of thymidylate synthase(TS) and the growth of the colorectal carcinoma LOVO cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The siRNA was constructed targeting the human TS gene, and then transfected into the human colorectal cancer LOVO cells. RT-PCR and Western blot technique were used to observe the TS gene and protein expression levels, and MTT was used to detect cell proliferation after silencing the TS gene. In addition, siRNA and nolatrxed were applied to the LOVO cells to observe the TS protein expression and cell growth.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TS siRNA significantly reduced the expression of TS gene and protein in LOVO cells, and inhibited cell growth. The IC50 value of LOVO cells was (1.46±0.25) μmol/L in TS siRNA combined with nolatrexed group, (6.81±0.31) μmol/L in the negative control group, and (6.47±0.43) μmol/L in the single nolatrexed group. After treatment of TS siRNA combined with nolatrexed on LOVO cells for 36 hours, the apoptosis index was higher than that in single TS siRNA and nolatrexed[(62.12±0.89)% vs.(21.56±0.67)% and(40.51±0.83)%, both P<0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TS siRNA can partly suppress the expression of TS gene in LOVO cells, inhibit cell proliferation, promote cell apoptosis and enhance cell sensitivity to apoptosis induced by nolatrexd.</p>

Detection of WT1 gene in acute myeloid leukemia children by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR and its clinical significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

Objective of this study was to establish a SYBR Green Ireal-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for quantitative detection of WT1 gene mRNA in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and investigate its clinical significance. SYBR Green Ireal-time RT-PCR was used to quantitatively detect the mRNA expression of WT1 gene in 30 newly diagnosed AML patients, 12 cases of remission (30), 18 relapsed patients and 30 cases of normal bone marrow cell morphology, and dynamically to detect the expression of WT1 gene in 20 newly diagnosed AML children. ABL served as internal reference gene, and the 2(-ΔΔct) method was used to calculate the relative expression. The results showed that (1) the expression of WT1 gene in newly diagnosed AML children was higher than that of the normal controls and the patients with remission (p < 0.001); there were no significant difference of WT1 gene expression between AML patients with remission and normal controls (p > 0.05), which were same as in relapsed patients and newly diagnosed patients (p > 0.05); (2) WT1 gene in 20 newly diagnosed AML children highly expressed before the children were initially treated, decreased when they were complete remission, then expression increased again when their AML relapsed. The WT1 gene expression level began to rise in 5 cases before clinical relapse at 5 - 7 months; (3) the complete remission rate (CR) and 3 year overall survival (OS) did not show significant difference between the WT1-positive group and negative group when dynamically monitoring WT1 gene expression of 20 newly diagnosed children with AML. 3-year OS of WT1-positive group at the 22 - 30 days after initial treatment was significantly lower than that of the negative group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that SYBR Green Ireal-time RT-PCR is a rapid, efficient, sensitive and specific method. WT1 gene in AML childhood plays a role of cancer-promoting. The change of WT1 gene expression level contributes to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, detect the minimal residual diseases and analyze the prognosis.

Effect of miRNA-199a on rat cardiac hypertrophy / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of miRNA-199a on cardiac hypertrophy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to pressure overload induced by abdominal aortic constriction (AAC, n = 6) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the change of microRNAs (miRNAs). (2) Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were isolated from 2-day old Sprague-Dawley rats. The myocytes were divided into two groups: adenovirus miRNA-199a (Ad-miRNA-199a) or adenovirus vector (Ad-vector). They were transfected in cardiomyocytes for 48 h using Lipofectamine 2000. qRT-PCR was used to detect the change of myocardial hypertrophy markers α-myosin heavy chain (αMHC, myh6), β-myosin heavy chain (βMHC, myh7) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, Nppa). Software Axio Vision was used to detect the change of cardiomyocytes surface areas. (3) Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were divided into two groups: antisense oligonucleotide-miRNA-199a (As-miRNA-199a) and scramble oligonucleotides (As-ctl). They were transfected to cardiomyocytes respectively for 48 h. qRT-PCR was used to detect the change of miRNA-199a. (4) Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were divided into four groups: A: control (ctl), B: phenylephrine (PE), C: PE + As-ctl, D: PE + As-miRNA-199a. qRT-PCR was used to detect the change of myh6, myh7 and Nppa. Software Axio Vision was used to detect the change of cardiomyocytes surface areas.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) qRT-PCR results showed that miRNA-1, miRNA-133, miRNA-181a and miRNA-499 were significantly decreased, while the miRNA-199a was significantly increased at 1 week post AAC hearts compared with the sham group. (2) qRT-PCR results showed that miRNA-199a and myh7 were increased and myh6 was decreased significantly in Ad-miRNA-199a group compared with Ad-vector group. The cardiomyocytes surface area was increased in Ad-miRNA-199a group detected by immunofluorescence. (3) qRT-PCR results showed that miRNA-199a was significantly decreased in As-miRNA-199a group compared with Ad-vector group. (4) The Nppa and myh7 were significantly increased and myh6 was decreased in cardiomyocytes stimulated by PE for 48 h. The cardiomyocytes surface area determined by immunofluorescence was increased in PE + As-miRNA-199a groups compared with PE + As-ctl groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miRNA-199a may play a regulatory role in cardiac hypertrophy.</p>

Effect of beta-elemene on the proliferation, migration and RhoA expression of hepatic stellate cells induced by angiotensin II / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influence of beta-elemene on the proliferation, migration and RhoA expression of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) induced by angiotensin II (ANG II).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HSC were incubated in vitro. Proliferation and migration of the HSC were induced by ANG II. The effect on the proliferation of HSC was determined by MTT colorimetry. The migration ability was detected by transwell chamber cultures. Total RNA was extracted by TRizol reagent and gene levels were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Protein levels were determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Different concentrations (from 1 to 10 micromol/L) of ANG II markedly promoted the growth of the HSC in a concentration dependent way (0 micromol/L ANG II, F = 112.640, P less than 0.01). 10, 8, 4 micromol/L ANGII significantly induced HSC migration, F = 117.496, P less than 0.01. Compared with the 4 micromol/L ANG II group, 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L, 2.5 mg/L beta-elemene markedly inhibited HSC proliferation and migration induced by 4 micromol/L ANG II (F values were 95.706 and 55.600 and P less than 0.01). 4 micromol/L ANG II markedly promoted the protein and mRNA expressions of RhoA in HSC. 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L beta-elemene notably inhibited the expressions of RhoA protein and mRNA (F values were 217.119 and 18.010).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ANG II can significantly induce the proliferation and migration of HSC. Beta-elemene can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HSC induced by ANG II. The effects of beta-elemene are mediated through inhibiting the RhoA signal transduction pathway and are associated with RhoA.</p>

Effect of umbilical sticking therapy with qitou xiaogu plaster in treating liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of umbilical sticking therapy (UST) with Qitou Xiaugu Plaster (QXP) on hemodynamics of portal system in patients with liver cirrhosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension were assigned to two groups. On the basis of conventional therapy, UST was applied in the 66 patients in treated group, which was exchanged once every 3 days with an interval of 1-day rest. The 54 patients in the control group were orally administered with propanolol. The therapeutic course for both groups was 1 month. Before and after treatment, the hemodynamic changes in portal or splenic veins were observed by color Doppler ultrasonograph, and the changes of liver function, blood coagulation and patients' subjective symptoms were observed as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, portal vein diameter and splenic vein diameter significantly decreased (P < 0.05, portal venous flow velocity and splenic venous flow velocity apparently increased (P < 0.05), and portal venous flow apparently decreased in both groups (P < 0.05), while no significant change was found in the splenic venous flow (P > 0.05). The liver function and blood coagulation indexes in both groups were improved. The improvement of clinical symptoms in the treated group was superior to that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>UST with QXP could decrease the portal vein pressure in a short time, with the therapeutic effect comparable to propanolol, and with no adverse reaction.</p>

Clinical observation on effect of xuefu zhuyu decoction in treating patients with liver fibrosis caused by chronic hepatitis B / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XZD) on the chronic hepatitis B caused liver fibrosis (CHBLF) and the portal hemodynamics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with CHBLF were randomly divided into two groups, the 28 patients in the treated group were treated with oral intake of XZD and conventional liver protective treatment, the 32 patients in the control group were treated with conventional liver protective treatment alone, the therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months. Serum liver fibrosis criteria and portal dynamical criteria were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comparison of the remarkable effective rate between the two groups showed significant difference. After treatment, in the treated group, all the serum criteria for liver fibrosis (HA, PCIII, LN) and criteria for portal trunk hemodynamics, such as mean velocity and quantity of blood flow were significantly improved (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), as compared with those in the control group, the difference was also significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XZD has definite therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B caused liver fibrosis.</p>

Filariae in vertebral canal, report of a case / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To confirm diagnosis of a special case with chief complaints of abdominal pain and dyskinesia of lower extremities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical symptoms, signs, MRI, pathological findings and the results of blood test for microfilaria were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient was a 6-year old girl who had abdominal pain for 10 days dyskinesia of lower extremities for 6 days accompanied by difficulty in urination and defecation. There was tenderness on T7-9 spinous process, sensory dullness below the umbilicus. Babinski's and Oppenheim's sign were bilaterally positive, and ankle clonus was positive. MRI showed space occupying change in the vertebral canal at T7-9 level. The mass of 2 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm size was removed by surgical operation and histopathological study showed obvious fibrous tissue proliferation accompanied by eosinophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration around a worm-like structure. Night time blood test performed at 23:00 confirmed the presence of microfilaria.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The diagnosis of filariae in vertebral canal could be confirmed.</p>