Research progress of histone acetylation in prevention and treatment of heart failure and new ideas based on traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Chronic heart failure(CHF) has become a worldwide public health problem due to its high morbidity and mortality, which seriously endangers people's lifespan and quality of life. In recent years, the treatment strategy of CHF has shifted its emphasis on short-term improvement and transformation of hemodynamics to long-term repair as well as improvement of the biological properties of heart failure. At present, with the continuous deepening of medical research, it has been found that histone acetylation is closely related to the occurrence and development of CHF. Traditional Chinese medicine, via regulating histone acetylation, delays ventricular remodeling, improves energy metabolism, inhibits fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and intervenes in the development process of heart failure, thus reducing the mortality and the readmission rate and ultimately improving long-term prognosis. Therefore, this study reviewed the mechanism of histone acetylation in the treatment of heart failure as well as its prevention and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, to provide reference for clinical treatment of CHF.

Key points of post-marketing evaluation of classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions based on combination of disease and syndrome / 中国中药杂志

Classic prescriptions, hospital preparations and famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) experience prescriptions are the main sources of new drug development and innovation. The multi-components and multi-targets treatment characteristics of TCM are advantages, but at the same time, broad indications, unclear clinical positioning and lack of evidence-based evidence support are the key problems affecting the play of TCM efficacy and restricting its promotion and application. The hot in recent research was to how to break through the bottleneck, precise clinical positioning, highlight the advantages of the classic TCM prescriptions, and complete the transformation from clinical practice, clinical research to clinical evidence, but at the same time, it is also the difficulty. The clinical research model of the combination of disease and syndrome can fully reflect the ancient medical case evidence of classic TCM prescriptions, the historical experience of human used and the characteristics of syndrome differentiation and treatment, and highlight the advantages of Chinese medicine. At the same time, under the modern disease classification system and research mode, is conducive to established the standardized clinical evidence report and evaluation system, is conducive to promote the integration of clinical research evidence, and avoids excessive attenuation of information. Based on the previous work of our team, the intention of this study was to make a comment about the key points of the post-marketing evaluation of the classic TCM prescriptions under the combination of disease and syndrome and includes key points:(1)With the syndrome as the carrier, connected with the classical prescription and clinical diseases, focused on the clinical positioning on macroscopically.(2)The combination of syndrome visualization, standardization and pharmacological molecular basis, focus on clinical precise positioning in microscopic.(3)Innovating therapeutic effect evaluation methods, reflecting the curative effect characteristics based on syndrome differentiation.(4)The combination of "randomized controlled evidence-based studies" and "real world evidence-based evaluation", focusing on clinical advantages, fully evidence-based evidence.(5)Make full use of clinical registration studies and pay attention to safety.

Correlations Between Severity of Heart Failure Related to Coronary Heart Disease of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome and Biological Indexes / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the correlations of the severity of heart failure related to coronary heart disease arising from Qi deficiency and blood stasis with cardiac function indexes， energy metabolism indexes， coagulation function indexes， and inflammatory factors， in order to provide a scientific basis for further research on the biological foundation of this disease. Method:Two hundred patients with heart failure related to coronary heart disease of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were collected and then classified into mild， moderate and severe groups according to their scores of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Meanwhile， 40 healthy persons confirmed by physical examination during the same period were included into the control group. Such biological indexes as cardiac function indexes， energy metabolism indexes， coagulation function indexes， and inflammatory factors were determined in patients of each group for comparison. Then the Spearman rank correlation analysis was conducted to figure out the correlations between differential indexes and the severity of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome， followed by the determination of risk factors for the severity of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by ordered logistic regression analysis. Result:The cardiac function indexes， energy metabolism indexes， coagulation function indexes， and inflammatory factors in patients with heart failure related to coronary heart disease arising from Qi deficiency and blood stasis varied significantly. There were significant statistical differences in the levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-ProBNP）， 6-minute walk test （6MWT）， heart-type fatty acid-binging protein （H-FABP）， prothrombin time （PT）， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， and nitric oxide （NO） among the mild， moderate， and severe groups （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The severity of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was positively correlated with NT-ProBNP （<italic>r</italic>=0.144）， PT （<italic>r</italic>=0.173）， and APTT （<italic>r</italic>=0.144）， but negatively with 6MWT （<italic>r</italic>=-0.287）. The 6MWT［odds ratio（OR）=0.995， 95% confidence interval（CI） 0.991-0.998），<italic>P</italic><0.01］ and APTT（OR=1.088，95%CI 1.021-1.157，<italic>P</italic><0.01） were independent risk factors affecting the severity of heart failure related to coronary heart disease arising from Qi deficiency and blood stasis. Conclusion:The severity of heart failure related to coronary heart disease of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is closely related to NT-ProBNP， 6MWT， H-FABP， PT， APTT， TNF-<italic>α</italic>， and NO. Moreover， 6MWT and APTT can be used as independent risk factors to evaluate the severity of patients with heart failure related to coronary heart disease due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis.

Clinical Observation of Compound Guizhencao Granule in Treatment of Grade 1 Hypertension with Dampness Heat and Blood Stasis Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of compound Guizhencao granule （CGG） on grade 1 hypertension patients with dampness heat and blood stasis syndrome and its influence on related biological indicators and safety indexes. Method:A randomized，double-blind，placebo-controlled clinical trial design was used. 80 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the treatment group （40 cases） and control group （40 cases）. On the basis of health education，patients in the treatment group received 6.5 g CGG，twice daily，for four weeks. Patients in the control group received CGG simulant in a similar dosing scheme. The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring（24 h ABPM），traditional Chinese medcine（TCM） syndrome score，angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ），endothelin-1 （ET-1），homocysteine（Hcy） and safety indexes were observed. Result:Compared with that before treatment， systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP） of the consulting room in the treatment group were significantly lower （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and there was no significant difference in the control group；The daytime DBP and 24 h DBP in the control group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the 24 h SBP， 24 h DBP， daytime SBP， daytime DBP， nighttime SBP and nighttime DBP in the treatment group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The total effective rate of 24 h ABPM on the nighttime blood pressure was 57.14% （20/35） in the treatment group， which was significantly higher than 28.57% （10/35） in the control group （<italic>Z</italic>=-2.310， <italic>P</italic><0.05）； The total effective rate of daytime blood pressure and 24-hour blood pressure treatment group increased， but the difference was not statistically significant. The TCM syndrome score of two groups was significantly lower than that of the control group before treatment （<italic>P</italic>< 0.05， <italic>P</italic>< 0.01）， and that of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group after treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was 51.43% （18/35）， which was significantly higher than 28.57% （10/35） in the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²= 9.973， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with that before treatment， the levels of ET-1 and Hcy in the control group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the levels of Ang Ⅱ， ET-1 and Hcy in the treatment group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）； Compared with the control group after treatment， the levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in the treatment group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic> < 0.01）. Conclusion:CGG is safe and effective in reducing the blood pressure level，improving the TCM syndrome score，and regulating related biological indicators of patients with Grade 1 hypertension.

Feasibility and safety of new simplified left bundle branch area pacing via nine-partition method / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP) with the new simplified approach (nine-partition method). Methods: A total of 118 patients with clinical indications and received pacemaker implantation from December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled. LBBaP was performed with the nine-partition method (in the right anterior oblique 30° position, the ventriculogram was divided into nine partitions and the initial implant sites were located in the lower base 1/3 partitions). In X-ray image, the 3830 lead is located in the left bundle branch area, the unipolar pacing QRS wave is in the form of right bundle branch block, and the peak time from stimulation to left ventricular activation<90 ms is defined as successful operation. The clinical characters, such as the methods of venipuncture, electrode parameters, operation duration, fluoroscopy duration, the peak time from stimulation to left ventricular, pacemaker types, surgical success rate, complications, and immediate postoperative ECG parameters were collected. The patients were followed up after the operation, and the electrode parameters and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: This study is a retrospective study. There were 62 (52.5%) male patients in this cohort, the average age was (65.9±13.4) years old,and there were 49(41.5%) sick sinus syndrome, 6(5.1%) abnormal sinus node and atrioventricular node simultaneously, 63(53.4%) atrioventricular block, 26(22.0%) atrial fibrillation, 20(16.9%) cardiomyopathy; the baseline duration of QRS was (109.21±39.03) ms. Successful LBBaP was achieved in 109 patients with"nine-partition method"and the success rate was 92.4%; 104 patients (95.5%) were axillary vein puncture, 5 (4.6%) were subclavian vein puncture; the operation duration was (80.3±23.0) min, the fluoroscopy duration was (12.29±5.13) min; the QRS duration after LBBaP was (116.36±18.11) ms. The threshold of the left bundle branch (LBB) lead was (0.92±0.63) V, the R wave amplitude was (10.60±5.04) mV and the impedance was (798.71±194.90) Ω. In 1 V pacing, the peak time from stimulation to left ventricular activation was (67.91±12.15) ms, and in 5 V pacing was (67.52±12.45) ms; 1 case (0.9%) with a single-chamber pacemaker implanted, 106 cases (97.3%) with dual-chamber pacemaker and 2 cases (1.8%) with three-chamber pacemakers. There were no hematomas, pneumothorax, hemothorax, electrode dislocation, infection, and capsular hemorrhage and other serious surgery-related complications during the operation. A total of 97 patients (89.0%) were followed up for (6.21±2.90) months. The electrode parameters of all patients were stable and no complications observed. Conclusions: The LBBaP with nine-partition method is a simple, safe and effective physiological pacing approach. However, its long-term effect still needs to be further verified.

Promotion of compound fujian tablet on the motor function rehabilitation and neurotization in rats with cerebral infarction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Compound Fujian Tablet (FJT)on the neurotization in the cerebral infarction rats and to explore its mechanisms for promoting the motor skills.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the drug group, the model group, and the sham-operation group, 30 in each group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was successfully established by electrocoagulation. Six hours after successful modeling, the rats of the drug group were orally administered with 9 g/kg FJT water solution, and the other groups were orally administered with equal volume of normal saline, once a day for two weeks. The motor skills of rats were examined by beam walking test. The expressions of nestin, polysialic acid neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), growth-associated protein (GAP-43), and synaptophysin (Syn) in the brain tissue around the infarction were observed by in immunohistochemical assay. The mean staining gray or the optical density value were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 86 rats were recruited in the result analysis. After two weeks of administration, the neural function scoring was obviously higher in the drug group than in the model group with statistical difference (P < 0.01). The expressions of nestin, PSA-NCAM, MAP-2, GAP-43, and Syn in the brain tissue around the infarction were more obviously enhanced in the drug group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FJT can promote neurotization and improve the motor skill recovery after cerebral infarction.</p>

Analysis on the reasons for diffuse 18F-FDG uptake by bone marrow using whole-body PET/CT / 中华核医学杂志

Objective To analyze the causes for diffuse bone marrow uptake of 18F-FDG on PET/CT scans. Methods Sixty-six patients with diffuse bone marrow uptake on whole-body FDG-PET/CT imaging were enrolled for this study. Seventy-nine healthy subjects ( with no history of tumor or recent fever) were selected as normal control. The SUVmax and SUVmean were measured in bone marrow and mediastinum in both groups. The maximum (bone marrow SUVmax/ mediastinum SUVmax) and mean value ratios (bone marrow SUVmean/ mediastinum SUVmean) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by one-factor variance analysis. Results With diffuse bone marrow uptake pattern of 18F-FDG, 27 were caused by injection of hematopoietic growth factor, 21 by hematopathy and 18 due to fever. SUVmeanof those three causes were 3.076±1.955, 3.633±2.405 and 2.546±0.791 respectively, each was significantly different from that of the control group (1.026±0.190; F =34.465, P<0.001). Conclusion Diffuse bone marrow uptake on FDG-PET/CT are caused by both benign and malignant reasons.

PET/CT for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and analysis on reasons of misdiagnosis / 中华核医学杂志

Objective To retrospectively review the PET/CT imaging features of sarcoidosis and improve the diagnostic accuracy of this benign disease.Methods The PET/CT imaging characteristics and clinical data, including lesion size, distribution, standardized uptake value (SUV) and the ratio of misdiagnosis, of 11 sarcoidosis patients (5 confirmed pathologically and 6 clinically) were retrospectively analyzed.Results (1) Eleven patients had lymph node involvement:mediastinum and hilar lymphadenopathy in 11/11, supraclavicular fossa lymphadenopathy in 8/11, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in 8/11, pelvic cavity lymphadenopathy in 3/11.(2) Extrathoracic lesions were found in 7/11 with 4 lung involvement, 2 liver involvement, 1 parotid gland and temporalis involvement and 1 bilateral iliac and sacral bone involvement.(3) The size of the lesions ranged from 1.0 to 4.6 cm and the CT density ranged from 30 to 40 HU.The lesions in the lung are hypodense and in the liver are slightly hypo-or iso-dense.18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake of all lesions was definitely increased in 6 cases; 18F-FDG uptake of some lesions was moderately or definitely increased in 2 cases, and slightly increased uptake in 3 cases.(4) The PET/CT diagnosis was consistent with the final diagnosis in 6/11.The 5 cases of misdiagnosis were malignant lymphoma (4/11) and lung cancer ( 1/11 ).Conclusions Differentiation between sarcoidosis and lymphoma in patients presenting with hilar lynphadenopathy can be difficult.Whole-body PET/CT may be helpful in the differentiation of the two diseases.

PET/CT-based classification of delayed radiation encephalopathy following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) findings of radiation encephalopathy (RE) following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), observe the metabolic changes of the compromised brain tissues, and postulate the clinical classification of RE to provide reference for its diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 53 pathologically confirmed NPC patients who received previous radical radiotherapy, and the diagnosis of RE was established according to the clinical manifestations and CT/PET findings. All the patients underwent PET/CT whole-body and head scans, and the image data were evaluated along with the clinical data of the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RE most frequently involved the lateral or bilateral inferior temporal lobes. PET identified hypometabolic changes in the bilateral temporal lobes of 35 patients (70 lobes) and in the lateral temporal lobe of 18 patients (18 lobes). According to the PET/CT findings, the lesions were classified into 3 types, namely the oedema type (56 temporal lobes), liquefactive necrosis type (10 temporal lobes), and atrophic calcification type (22 temporal lobes). One patient with oedema type lesion received neurotrophic treatment and recovered completely with normal brain tissue density and metabolism, but the oedema type lesions in 2 patients progressed into to atrophic calcification type; the liquefactive necrotic lesions in another 2 patients also progressed into atrophic calcification type.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RE patients exhibit significant hypometabolic changes in the inferior temporal lobe on PET. According to the findings by PET/CT, RE can be classified into the oedema type, liquefactive necrosis type, and atrophic calcification type, and lesions of the former two types may progress into the third type.</p>

Inhibitory effect of RNAi targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a recombinant retrovirus vector expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), and assess its effect on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sequence of the siRNA targeting hTERT, U6 promoter and EGFP gene were amplified by PCR and inserted into the mammalian retroviral expression vector pLXSN to construct the recombinant retroviral vector pLXSN-EGFP-U6-siTERT. The vector was then used to infect human hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2. The telomerase activity of the infected cells was detected by telomerase repeat amplification protocol-silver staining, and the cell apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry. The inhibition rate of HepG2 cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sequence analysis and restriction enzyme digestion showed confirmed successful construction of the recombinant expression vector pLXSN-EGFP-U6-siTERT. The telomerase activity of the infected HepG2 cells was reduced by 23.84%, 58.03% and 85.01% at 24, 48 and 72 h after the infection, respectively (P<0.05). The cell apoptosis rate of the infected cells was 29.05% at 24 h after the infection. The cell proliferation was markedly inhibited by the infection with the vector in comparison to that of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>hTERT siRNA can effectively silence hTERT gene and suppress the telomerase activity and proliferation of HepG2 cells.</p>

Detection of malignant lymphoma with invasion in liver and spleen using PET/CT imaging / 中华核医学杂志

Objective The detection of malignant lymphoma with invasion in liver and spleen using PET/CT has not been well documented in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of PET/CT in this regard and to compare it with plain CT. Methods Forty-one pathologically confirmed malignant lymphoma patients with liver and spleen invasion were recruited into this study. Among all patients, there were 38 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and 1 gastric mucosa associated lymphoma. PET/CT imaging was recorded 1h after injection of 296～444 MBq 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Results (1) There were 30(30/41) patients with liver invasion, including hepatic nodules, mass and portal nodes. The mass was large to invade surrounding liver parenchyma. (2) There were 23(23/41) patients with spleen invasion. The spleen was enlarged and demonstrated diffused hyper-metabolism. (3) Other invasion included: lung (n=13), cortical bone and marrow (n=12), stomach (n=9), pleural (n=6), and subcutaneous soft tissue (n=5) and so on. Conclusion PET/CT could accurately diagnose the invasion in liver and spleen of malignant lymphoma, which was of potential role on the diagnosis and staging of lymphoma.

PET/CT imaging of delayed radiation encephalopathy following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>With the significant improvement in the survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing radiotherapy and the growing availability of the sophisticated imaging modalities, the number of radiation encephalopathy (RE) cases relating to NPC radiotherapy is increasing. In this study, we investigated the metabolic and density changes of the compromised brain tissues during delayed RE using a positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) to provide clinical evidences for the diagnosis of delayed RE following radiotherapy for NPC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PET/CT manifestations and the clinical data of 53 pathologically confirmed NPC patients with delayed RE following radical radiotherapy and 15 healthy volunteers were investigated. The standardized uptake values (SUV) of the bilateral temporal lobes, the occipital lobe and the brain stem were measured respectively; and then the metabolic reduction rate of 88 temporal lobes and 13 brain stems were calculated for a statistical comparison between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The earliest case of delayed RE in the investigated patients occurred 1.5 years after radiotherapy. Delayed RE frequently involved the inferior temporal lobe. For patients with delayed RE confirmed by clinical symptoms and imaging findings, PET maintained a 100% coincidence rate with CT; however, in the 25 temporal lobes of the 35 delayed RE patients, PET revealed obvious hypometabolic changes whereas CT displayed normal density. The incidence of brain stem metabolic reductions was 24.5% (13/53) in the investigated patients, including 4 patients with hypometabolic changes shown by PET and negative finding shown by CT. The incidence of granuloma adjacent to the hypometabolic region in the temporal lobe was 12.5% (11/88).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Delayed RE patients exhibit significant hypometabolic changes in the inferior temporal lobe, captured by PET much earlier than by CT. PET/CT offers a valuable means for the diagnosis of delayed RE in subacute stages and granuloma formation.</p>

Construction of a retroviral vector for RNA interference targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a recombinant retroviral vector for RNA interference targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sequences coding for enhanced fluorescence protein (EGFP), U6 promoter and a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting hTERT were amplified by PCR, respectively, and sub-cloned sequentially into the retroviral shuttle plasmid pLXSN to construct the plasmid pLXSN-EGFP-U6-siTERT. The recombinant expression plasmid was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were employed to analyze EGFP expression in NIH3T3 transfected with the recombinant plasmid, and MMT assay was performed to evaluate the growth inhibition of Hela cells resulting from RNA interference mediated by the plasmid.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sequence analysis and restriction enzyme digestion showed that the recombinant expression plasmid pLXSN-EGFP-U6-siTERT was constructed successfully. Twenty-four hours after transfection of NIH3T3 cells with the recombinant plasmid, the expression rate of EGFP reached 24.1% as shown by flow cytometry. MTT assay demonstrated a cell death rate of 53.2% 72 h after transfection of Hela cells with the plasmid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The successful construction of the recombinant retroviral plasmid mediating potent cell growth inhibition suggests the great potential of RNA interference technique in suppressing hTERT expression in mammalian tumor cells.</p>

Clinical value of pre-and postoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the clinical value of fluorine-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in preoperative evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients for liver transplantation and in early detection of recurrent foci after the operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted involving 19 HCC patients undergoing (18)F-FDG PET/CT before and after liver transplantation. The pre- and postoperative clinical data and (18)F-FDG PET/CT images of these patients were analyzed. Totally 10 (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations (in 8 patients) were performed for purpose of preoperative evaluation of the transplantation and assessment of the tumor elimination and general metastasis following the adjuvant therapy, and 22 examinations (in 11 patients) performed postoperatively to identify recurrent foci and metastasis. The average time span between (18)F-FDG PET/CT examination and the operations was 8.68 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PET examinations in 2 patients for preoperative evaluations showed no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis, so they underwent liver transplantation as scheduled. (18)F-FDG PET/CT found distinct metastasis in the target operation area in another 2 patients, and liver transplantation was performed with proper management of the metastatic foci. The other 4 patients were found to have distal metastasis, so that operations were cancelled and the patients received interventional therapy and other treatments instead. Postoperative (18)F-FDG PET/CT examination discovered no metastatic foci in 2 patients, but detected mycotic brain abscess in 1 patient. Another 19 postoperative (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations (in 8 patients) showed recurrence in the grafted liver (in 4 patients), tumor embolism in the left and right hepatic veins and in the inferior vena cava, in addition to metastasis to the lungs, lymph nodes, bone, spleen, parietal pleura, intervertebral foramen of the thoracic vertebra etc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(18)F-FDG PET/CT scanning shows superior accuracy in identification of lymph node tumor metastasis. With the advantages of whole-body scanning and high sensitivity of tumor detection, (18)F-FDG PET/CT can be instrumental in preoperative evaluation of liver transplantation for HCC (such as modification of the clinical staging) and postoperative early detection of recurrent tumors.</p>

Clinical study on effect of Xiaoyao Nose Drops in stopping episode of migraine / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Xiaoyao Nose Drops (XYND) in stopping episode of migraine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adopted was the randomized double-blinded placebo-controled method, with the 126 patients equally assigned to two groups, the treated group treated with XYND and the control group with placebo, and the therapeutic course was 30 days for all. The clinical total effective rate and effect in alleviating headache were observed. And hemorrheological parameters as well as the blood flow of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), median cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were measured before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical total effective rate and headache alleviating rate in the treated group were 93.33% and 96.67% respectively, while those in the control group were 18.33% and 20.00% respectively, and comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (all P < 0.01). The blood viscosity (high, middle and low shear), plasma viscosity and fibrinogen got lowered significantly in the treated group after treatment, showing significant difference in comparison either with those before treatment or with those in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The velocity of blood flow in all cerebral arteries lowered significantly, also showing significant difference in comparison either with those before treatment or with those in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XYND is effective in stopping the headache of patients with migraine, and worth applying in clinical practice.</p>