Germacranolide sesquiterpenes from Carpesium cernuum and their anti-leukemia activity / 中国天然药物

In this study, three new germacranolide sesquiterpenes (1-3), together with six related known analogues (4-9) were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium cernuum. Their structures were established by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, HR-ESIMS data, and ECD calculations. The anti-leukemia activities of all compounds towards three cell lines (HEL, KG-1a, and K562) were evaluated in vitro. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity with IC

Differential expression of protease-activated receptor 2 in a bile duct ligation-induced rat model of liver fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the dynamic change in expression of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) during onset and progression of liver fibrosis by using a rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cholestatic liver fibrosis model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 8-9 weeks, body weight 350 - 400 g) by bile duct ligation surgery. Rats receiving a sham operation and unoperated rats served as the negative and normal control groups, respectively. At baseline (pre-surgery) and post-surgery weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, five rats from each group were sacrificed for whole liver resection. The protein and mRNA expressions of PAR2 and collagen I/III were detected by western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Between-group differences were assessed by analysis of variance testing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At post-surgery week 2, the liver fibrosis group showed higher expression of PAR2 mRNA and protein than either control group. The expression levels of PAR2 continued to rise over time in the liver fibrosis group (peaking at week 8), and were significantly higher than those detected in the control groups (weeks 4-6: P less than 0.05; week 8, P less than 0.05). A similar trend was observed for the expression of collagen I/III.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dynamic expression of PAR2 observed in a cholestatic liver fibrosis rat model may indicate a role for this factor in the formation of liver fibrosis.</p>

Large bone-flap decompressive craniotomy for treatment of serious craniocerebral injury associated with cerebral infarction / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To elucidate the therapeutic effect of subtemporal decompressive craniotomy with large flap resection on serious craniocerebral injury associated with cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight cases of serious head injury accompanied by cerebral infarction were classified into two groups with each having 24 cases: treatment group, in which large bone-flap decompressive craniotomy was performed; control group, in which routine craniotomy and hematoma evacuation were adopted. The status of cerebral infarction pre- and post-operation, as well as the curative effect 3 months after operation were comparatively analysed between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference regarding the status of cerebral infarction on the first day after operation; while one week after operation, the size of cerebral infarction was significantly smaller in treatment group than control one (P less than 0.05). Postoperative 3 months, the mortality rate was 20.8% in treatment group, being evidently superior to that of control group (33.3%, P less than 0.05). The mo- derate disability (good and fair) rate was 41.7% in treatment group, significantly higher than that in control group (25.0%, P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Large bone-flap decompressive craniotomy is confirmed effective and hence it offers us a preferable alternative of treatment by which to reduce disability and fatality rates for patients with serious head injury accompanied by cerebral infarction.</p>

Retrospective study on the endovascular embolization for traumatic carotid cavernous fistula / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To retrospectively analyze 95 cases of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula treated by endovascular embolization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 1994 to December 2008, 95 patients with traumatic carotid cavernous fistula were treated in our hospital. All patients received selective cerebral angiography through femoral artery catheterization. Accordingly, 89 cases were treated by detachable balloon embolization, 5 by platinum microcoils and 1 by covered-stent, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the study, 61 cases achieved successful balloon embolization at the first time. Fifty-six cases had multiple balloons due to the big fistula. Nine cases received balloon embolization twice. But among the 5 patients treated with platinum microcoils, one developed slight brainstem ischemia. After operation the patient had hemiparesis and swallow difficulty, but gradually recovered 3 months later. No neurological deficits were observed in other cases. All the cases recovered. Eighty-five cases were followed up for 1-15 years and no recurrence was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The endovascular embolization for traumatic carotid cavernous fistula is minimally invasive, safe, effective and reliable. The detachable balloon embolization is the first choice in the treatment of TCCF.</p>