[Preparation and clinical observation of Koukuining granules in 50 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer].

PURPOSE: To prepare Koukuining granules and observe its efficiency in the treatment of recurrent aphthas ulce (RAU). METHODS: In accordance with the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the prescriptions of Koukuining granules were composed of rhizoma coptidis, radix scutellariae and other Chinese herbs, and the preparation procedure was conducted by means of wet granulation technology. One hundred patients with RAU were randomly divided into experimental group and control group equally. Patients in the experimental group took particles orally after a meal, 3 times a day, 1 bag each time, for successive 10 days as one treatment course. The treatment was repeated after 3 days of interval. Patients in the control group took vitamin C, compound vitamin B2, orally for 2 courses. The treatment effect was evaluated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 11.5 software package. RESULTS: The preparation process was controllable and the quality of the products was stable. The overall effective rate of the experimental group was 88.4% and there was a significant difference compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The preparation of Koukuining granules was feasible with stable quality of final products. Treatment of RAU with the granules was effective and worthy of clinical application.

Baicalein attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac remodeling via inhibition of AKT/mTOR, ERK1/2, NF-κB, and calcineurin signaling pathways in mice.

BACKGROUND: Baicalein, a specific lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the functional role of baicalein in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and cardiac remodeling remains unclear. Here we investigated the effect of baicalein on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) mice were injected with Ang II (1,200ng/kg/min) alone or together with 12/15-LOX inhibitor baicalein (25mg/kg) for 14 days. Histological examinations were performed on heart sections with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, wheat germ agglutinin staining, and immunohistochemistry. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cytokines and protein levels were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis respectively. RESULTS: Ang II infusion significantly increased blood pressure but decreased cardiac contractile function reflected by fractional shortening% and ejection fraction% compared with saline-treated mice. Moreover, Ang II infusion resulted in marked cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, promoted accumulation of macrophages and T cells, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA) production. However, these actions were markedly reversed by administration of baicalein in mice. Mechanistically, the protective effects of baicalein were associated with the inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress, and multiple signaling pathways (AKT/mTOR, ERK1/2, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and calcineurin) in the Ang II-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that baicalein can significantly ameliorate Ang II-induced hypertension and cardiac remodeling, and may be a novel therapeutic drug for prevention of hypertensive heart diseases.

Pre-expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator-based flaps for repair of severe scarring in cervicofacial regions.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of cervicofacial scarring continues to present challenges for surgical treatment. Here we present our clinical experience in repairing cervicofacial scarring using pre-expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2012, 15 patients were treated for severe cervicofacial scarring. In the first surgical stage, expanders were implanted subcutaneously in the zone nourished by thoracodorsal artery perforators. The expansion generally took 3 to 6 months. In the second surgical stage, the cervicofacial cicatricial contracture was released and the secondary defect was covered with local flaps. The remaining wound was covered by the free thoracodorsal artery perforator expanded flap, which was anastomosed to the facial vascular bundle. The donor site was closed directly in all the patients. RESULTS: The postoperative follow-up time ranged from 1 to 5 years. The deformities were corrected, all flaps survived completely and none were bulky. The maximum length of the flaps was 32 cm (mean, 22.4 ± 4.2 cm), and the maximum width was 17 cm (mean, 14.4 ± 2.2 cm). All patients exhibited recovery of neck movement, and there was no recurrence of neck contracture. CONCLUSION: The pre-expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flap is an ideal method for reconstruction of severe cervicofacial cicatricial contracture.

[Repair of tissue defects with free composite anterolateral femoral fascia lata perforator tissue flaps].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of repair of complicated tissue defects of several body parts with composite anterolateral femoral fascia lata perforator tissue flaps (fascial flap or fascial skin flap) with the aid of micro-surgery. METHODS: From February 2008 to August 2012, complicated tissue defects in 12 patients were repaired with composite anterolateral femoral fascia lata perforator tissue flaps. Two of the 12 patients suffered from a defect of scalp, skull, and dura mater as a result of resection of a malignant tumor of the scalp; 3 patients showed a defect of skin and tendo calcaneus in the heel and lower leg; 2 patients showed a defect of skin and extensor tendon in the dorsum of hands; the other 5 patients suffered from defects of skin and extensor tendon in the foot and ankle combined with exposure of bone or internal buttress plate. The size of tissue flaps ranged from 12 cm ×6 cm to 19 cm ×18 cm. The donor sites were closed by immediate suturing or skin grafting. RESULTS: All 12 tissue flaps survived. Patients were followed up for 2 to 36 months. The flaps were shown to have good appearance, texture and function. Two patients with the defect of the scalp, skull and dura mater after a resection of the malignant tumor of the scalp did not have recurrence or herniation of brain tissue. The foot-raising function in 3 patients with the defect of skin and tendo calcaneus in the heel and lower leg was recovered, and according to Arner-Lindholm criteria the result was excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case. The extension function of fingers of 2 patients with defects of skin and extensor tendon in the dorsum of hands was good according to the evaluation criteria of Chinese Medical Association Society of Hand Surgery for tendon repair of hand. The extension function of toes of 5 patients with defects of skin and extensor tendon in the foot and ankle combined with exposure of bone or internal buttress plate was recovered and improved. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of composite anterolateral femoral fascia lata perforator tissue flaps with the aid of micro-surgery is an effective method in repairing the tissue defects of skull, dura mater, and the extensor tendon of hands or feet, with restoration of the extension function.

[Removal of oral Prevotella intermedia Endotoxin by octyl phenyl polyoxyethylene ether extraction method].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an effective purification method for removing endotoxin from Prevotella intermedia. METHODS: The main protein ingredients of bacteria prepared from ammonium sulfate precipitation were further treated with octyl phenyl polyoxyethylene ether (Triton X-114), and then processed at 4°C, 37°C and 25°C. The obtained aqueous phase after at least two more cycle repeated operations was assayed for endotoxin by Western blotting, LAL-clotting method, in vitro cell stimulation and in vivo animal experiments. RESULTS: Western blotting and LAL-clotting method demonstrated that the reduction in endotoxin level was greater than 99.99% and recovery of the proteins after endotoxin removal was greater than 90% with Triton X-114 treatment for 3 cycles. The cytokines expression level was lower in both in vitro cell stimulation and in vivo animal experiments than in untreated group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The extraction method provides a new choice for endotoxin removal from large volumes of the oral Prevotella intermedia.

[Fabricated expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flap to repair cervical scar in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate ideal methods to repair cervical cicatricial contracture in children. METHODS: The expanders were implanted subcutaneously around the cervical scar and above the latissimus. After expansion was completed, the cervical cicatricial contracture was released and the wound was covered with local expanded flaps and free expanded prefabricated thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, leaving no injury to thoracodorsal nerves and latissimus. The wound at the donor site was closed directly. RESULTS: From July 2007 to October 2009, 10 patients were treated. All the flaps survived completely. All the wounds were repaired totally and the deformities were corrected completely. The patients were followed up for 3-30 months. When the patients grew up, the flaps enlarged simultaneously. The flaps were not bulky and had a good color match. The scar at the donor site was inconspicuous with no functional morbidity. CONCLUSION: The fabricated expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps is an ideal method for severe cervical cicatricial contracture in children.

[The common and variation peak ratio dual index sequence analysis on UV fingerprint spectra of Paeonia Lactiflora Pall].

Baishao and Chishao (Paeonia Lactiflora Pall.) and their close relative Danpi (Paeonia Suffruticosa Andr) samples were estimated quantitatively, based on their UV fingerprint spectra of the extracts obtained with chloroform, ethanol and water, by applying the common and variation peak ratio dual index sequence analysis method. The analytical results showed that the Baishao samples B2, B3 and B4 from the closest regions were the most similar samples. Their common peak ratios were larger than 70 percent and their variation peak ratios were less than 33.3 percent. However, there existed obvious differences among Baishao sample group 1 (B1 and B5), group 2 (B2, B3 and B4) and group 3 (B6) from different regions. The common peak ratios among group 1 (B1 and B5) and group 2(B2, B3 and B4) were lower than 60 percent, while those among group 1 (B1 and B5) and group 3 (B6) were less than 57 percent. The Baishao samples B1 and B5 from the same region collected in different years were of significant disparity, their common peak ratio was only 44.4 percent, but their variation peak ratios were larger than 100 percent. In fact, this method reaches the limitation of quantitative identification of herbs, and can distinguish at least two samples quantitatively.