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Objective: To observe the effect of Yupingfeng San (YPFS) against OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice., Method: Mice were injected with OVA to establish the allergic asthma model. They were abdominally injected with 20 microg OVA on day 0 and 14, and inhaled aerosol 0.5% OVA solution for 20 min for seven days. The blank control group was administrated with equal volume of saline. YPFS groups with different doses were administrated intragastrically with YPFS every day, with the crude drug dosage of 3.25, 6.5, 13 g x kg(-1), respectively. The model group and control group were administrated with equal volume of saline. The positive control group was given intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg x kg(-1) DEX since aerosol inhalation. Blood was drawn after the last OVA aerosol inhalation to count the number of Eosnophils (Eos) in blood and detect IgE in serum; BALF was collected to count the number of cells and classify; right lung tissues were evenly grinded to detect cytokines IL-4 and IFN-gamma, and left upper lung lobes were collected for pathologic histology., Result: The level of Eos and IgE in serum increased significantly in the model group, and a large number of Eos were detected in BALF. Histopathological changes in lung showed bronchial serous exudation, tubular epithelial cells exfoliation, tube narrowing, widened alveolar septum, and bronchial periarterial lymphocytes infiltration. Homogenate of lung tissues showed increase of IL-4, and decrease in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio. YPFS groups with different doses displayed decrease of Eos in blood and BALF and IgE content in serum, and relief of pathologic changes in above models. Meanwhile, IL-4 content in homogenate of lung tissues decreased, with the increase in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio., Conclusion: YPFS shows the inhibitory effects on OVA-induced allergic asthma, involving down regulation of Eos and IgE levels in blood of asthma mice, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues. Meanwhile, it can reduce IL-4 in lung homogenates, increase IFN-gamma/IL-4, and inhibits Th2 polarization.

Background: Recent data suggest that major depression is potentially associated with dysregulated cytokine production. However, the roles of T helper (Th) cells and their subsets in the development of depression still remain to be determined. The present study assessed changes in Th cell subsets and cytokines during the development of depression in a mouse model., Methods: Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to simulate depression behavior in mice. The open field test, sucrose preference, and ingestion were used as evaluative indicators of depressive behavior. During the CUMS protocol, on days 3, 7, 14, and 21, we assessed behavioral changes, cytokine levels in serum or stimulated (CD3/CD28) cell culture medium, and mRNA expression (ELISA, RT-PCR), regulatory T (Treg) and Th17 subsets in spleen (ex vivo, flow cytometry, RT-PCR), and CD3/rIL-23-stimulated Th17 cell proliferation (MTT assay)., Results: The results showed that in the depression model mice, IL-4 mRNA expression and serum levels increased on day 7, while no detectable change was observed in IFN-γ. Notably, a reduced proportion of Th17 cells with decreased proliferation capacity was observed at later stages, in parallel with a decline in serum IL-23 levels. In contrast, an increased Treg cell proportion and increased Foxp3 mRNA expression were observed in the mid-stages. Correlation analysis showed that the proportion of Tregs was correlated negatively with sucrose preference, while the proliferation of Th17 cells was notably correlated positively with sucrose preference. Also, an increased TGF-β level was detected in serum and was believed to be a key factor responsible for the imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells. Furthermore, the sucrose preference in TGF-β type I receptor blockade mice increased considerably, compared with CUMS mice., Conclusion: These results indicate that in CUMS-induced depression, behavioral changes may closely correlate with the imbalance between Th17 and Treg cell subsets, and TGF-β may be a key regulatory cytokine., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Taohong Siwu Tang and its fractions on hotplate-induced pain in mice, acetic acid-induced writhing response, dysmenorrheal model and isolated uterine contraction in vitro in mice, and discuss material basis of effect sites., Method: The samples of fractions were prepared by macroporous adsorptive resins (TH-1-TH-15). In the whole animal experiment, the hotplate-induced pain mice model was established to observe the effect of the samples on pain threshold in mice; the acetic acid-induced writhing response mice model was built to observe the effect of the samples on the writhing response in mice; the mice dysmenorrheal model was established to observe the effect of the samples on the writhing response, and calcium ion (Ca2+) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in uterine tissue of mice. In the isolated uterus contraction experiment, the oxytocin-induced isolated uterus contraction mice model was established to observe the effect of the samples on the isolated uterus contraction index. HPLC-DAD method was adopted for the content determination of effect sites., Result: According to the evaluation of the integration geological effect, beside TH-2 and TH-4, other three active fractions (TH-9, TH-10 and TH-11) extracted from Taohong Siwu Tang are the main effect sites. Their chemical components were analyzed and identified as monoterpene glycosides, phthalides, organic acids, etc., Conclusion: The effect sites of Taohong Siwu Tang on dysmenorrhea are TH-9, TH-10 and TH-11, which are 30% - 50% active fractions obtained from water-soluble small-molecular fractions by gradient elution using ethanol through macroporous absorption resin. Compared with TH-10 and TH-11, TH-9 shows stronger effect, which may be related to the type and content of chemical components it contains.

Smoothened (SMO) is a member of sonic hedgehog homology (SHH) signaling pathway. It plays a key role as a bridge between patched-1 (PTCH-1) and Gli. Aberrant SHH expression can be detected in various malignant tissues, and the expression in pancreatic cancer stem cells is higher apparently. SHH signals are closely associated with self-duplication of cancer stem cells, formation of tumor vessels as well as matrixes. SMO antagonists such as cyclopamine, GDC-0449 and so on show potential to inhibit activity of SHH signaling, and arrest the growth as well as metastases of tumors. Recently, a few of SMO antagonists have been studied in phase I clinical trials and some are in phase II, meanwhile, phase I or II trials of SMO antagonists to treat pancreatic cancer are performed currently. As the classical SMO antagonist, cyclopamine is extracted from a medicinal plant. Perhaps researchers may be able to determine more effective SMO-targeting drugs from herbal medicines in the future.

In order to establish an effective and quick method for screening potential bioactive compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs), hepatocytes were employed for extracting either bifendate, a clinical medicine for liver diseases, or chemicals in Herba Artemisiae Scopariae (A. Scopariae), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for remedying liver diseases such as hepatitis induced by viruses, chemicals or alcohol. After hepatocyte extraction the compounds were analyzed by HPLC, therefore this method was referrred to as hepatocyte extraction conjugated with HPLC (HE-HPLC). In the first part of this study, HE-HPLC showed that bifendate was extracted by hepatocytes and detected by HPLC-DAD which indicated the feasibility of this method. Then in the second part of the study, the potential active components in the A. scopariae extract were studied using HE-HPLC. Six chemicals in the A. scopariae extract, which could bind to hepatocytes in vitro, were detected by HPLC-DAD and three were identified as 7-hydroxy-coumarin (7-OH-C), capillartemisin A and 7-methoxy-coumarin, respectively. In vitro assays showed that 7-OH-C protected HL-7702 hepatocytes from H₂O₂ injury. The results indicated that these compounds could be extracted by hepatocytes, could be detected by HPLC and more importantly were bioactive. It is suggested that HE-HPLC is a useful method for screening potent active components in Chinese medicines used to treat liver diseases.

Objective: To screen potential serum marker proteins of osteosarcoma, and to make a preliminary bioinformatics analysis of RNA polymerase III polypeptide F (POLR3F)., Methods: Gene chip and SELDI-TOF MS was used to screen genes differentially expressed in osteosarcoma. The associations of potential biomarkers from SELDI data and microarray analysis were further inferred by link-test to identify biomarkers that could likely be used for diagnosis. MATLAB was used to search transcription factors binding site in the promoter region and miRNAs binding site in 3'-UTR of POLR3F, respectively., Results: 653 differentially expressed genes were found in osteosarcoma cells, while six differentially expressed protein peaks with significant statistical significances were detected by SELDI-TOF MS in patient's serum. 13 potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of osteosarcoma were screened by link-test. A conserved STAT3 binding site and a miRNA target site were found in proximal promoter regions and 3'-UTR region of POLR3F, respectively., Conclusions: Link-test is a effective method to identify osteosarcoma biomarkers from both microarray and SELDI-TOF MS database. The results confirmed that POLR3F may be a promising biomarker for early diagnosis and a therapy target of osteosarcoma.

This study was performed to investigate the molecular mechanism and the therapeutic effect of berberine on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Rat models were given a high-fat diet (42% kcal) until they developed NAFLD, then were given normal saline (n=10), berberine (n-=10) at 187.5mg/kg/day, or pioglitazone (n=10) at 10.0mg/kg/day intragastrically for 4 weeks, respectively, and evaluated by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamping for insulin sensitivity. Serum biochemical markers and liver triglyceride (TG) were analyzed, real-time RT-PCR for mRNA expression and western blotting for protein expression of insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) in liver tissues were performed, and hepatic histopathology in the rat models with NAFLD at the end of treatment was compared with normal controls (n=10). The NAFLD rats developed insulin resistance, showing increased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, decreased glucose infusion rate, increased weight of epididymal fat (g/100g body weight), obvious hepatic steatosis and inflammation, and down-regulated IRS-2 mRNA and protein levels compared with normal controls (all P<0.05). In comparison with those treated with saline, model rats treated with berberine or pioglitazone underwent significant recovery, including up-regulated IRS-2 mRNA and protein (all P<0.05). Our results indicate that berberine may improve insulin resistance of NAFLD by up-regulating mRNA and protein levels of IRS-2, a key molecule in the insulin signaling pathway, suggesting that berberine may be used to treat NAFLD., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The present study was performed to investigate competitive interaction between arenobufagin and verapamil hydrochloride with serum albumin., Methods: Equilibrium dialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to analyze the binding rates of the two medicines to serum protein. The interactions based on bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated by using spectrofluorimetry. The interaction mode of arenobufagin and verapamil hydrochloride binding to serum proteins was simulated by molecular docking., Results: The rate of arenobufagin (0.1μg/mL) binding to bovine serum was (61.1±0.2)%. Verapamil hydrochloride (0.025 to 0.1μg/mL) significantly reduced the bovine serum binding rate of arenobufagin, from (60.2±3.7)% to (36.9±3.4)%. However, arenobufagin at the tested doses had no marked effects on the binding rate of verapamil hydrochloride. Furthermore, the verapamil hydrochloride had an active effect on the arenobufagin-induced fluorescence quenching of BSA and HSA. The molecular docking results showed that verapamil hydrochloride and arenobufagin binded to HSA at site I. Molecular interaction energy of verapamil hydrochloride binding to site I was stronger than that of arenobufagin., Conclusion: Verapamil hydrochloride reduces the binding of arenobufagin to bovine serum. The mechanism may be a competitive interaction of arenobufagin and verapamil hydrochloride at site I on HSA.

Aim of the Study: This present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of 85% ethanol extract (EE) of Commiphora myrrha and its different fractions partitioned with petroleum ether extract (EPE), ethyl acetate extract (EEA), n-butanol extract (EBu), and the water extract (ECY). Moreover, the chemical constituents in EPE were analyzed and identified by UPLC-QTOF/MS/MS., Materials and Methods: The anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by utilizing the paw edema mice induced by formalin. In addition, we determined the levels of PGE(2) in the edema paw. While the analgesic activity was examined against thermally and chemically induced nociceptive pain in mice, using the acetic acid and hot-plate test methods. The effects of the administration of dolantin or indomethacin were also studied for references. The components in EPE were analyzed by the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrum., Results: In the anti-inflammatory test, EE inhibited the development of paw swelling induced by formalin significantly. The pharmacological activities of the petroleum ether fraction (EPE) were stronger than the EE extract and other fractions at the dose of 100mg/kg, and furthermore significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory factor PGE(2) in the edema paw tissue at the fourth hour after formalin injection. It has been also shown that the ethanol extract (EE) significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice at the dose of 200mg/kg, and 100mg/kg. The petroleum ether fraction (EPE) showed significant analgesic activity in the model at the dose of 100mg/kg (p<0.01), and the ethyl acetate fraction (EEA) exhibited less analgesic activity (p<0.05). All test samples showed no significant analgesic activity on the hot plate pain threshold in mice. The UPLC-MS/MS chromatogram analysis of EPE stated that EPE contains the ingredients of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and diterpenic acids. Moreover, seven main compounds were identified., Conclusion: These data demonstrated that the EE and EPE posses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and may support the fact the traditional application of this herb in treating various diseases associated with inflammatory pain., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Several studies have reported the change of EphB2 in a variety of carcinomas and suggested a functional relation between EphB2 and tumor progression. However, its role in human pancreatic carcinoma has not been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of EphB2 in human pancreatic carcinoma CFPAC-1 cells. A lentivirus-based RNA interference (RNAi) vector was designed, synthesized and transfected into CFPAC-1 cells to inhibit EphB2 expression. WST-8 based Colorimetric Assay Cell Counting kit 8 (CCK-8) in vitro and xenograft transplantation model in nude mice was used to evaluate cell proliferation and growth respectively. Cell-cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). RT-PCR and Western blot were used to assess mRNA expression and protein levels. EphB2 expression was significantly suppressed both in mRNA and protein levels using the lentivirus-based EphB2 RNAi in CFPAC-1 cells (P<0.01, P<0.01). Silencing EphB2 stimulated cell growth in vitro (P<0.05) and proliferation in vivo (P<0.01) versus Control RNAi. EphB2 RNAi significantly increased S phase cells from 18.15 to 27.18% (P<0.05), and significantly decreased G1 phase cells from 72.93 to 57.61% compared with Control RNAi (P<0.05). In addition, decreased apoptosis was observed in CFPAC-1 EphB2 RNAi cells compared with Control RNAi cells (P<0.01). The apoptosis rate was 1.63% and 7.44%, respectively. Silencing EphB2 increased CyclinD1, cyclindependent kinase 6 (CDK6) and Bcl-2 expression in both mRNA and protein levels compared with Control RNAi. A lentivirus-based EphB2 RNAi efficiently inhibited EphB2 gene and its protein expression. Silencing EphB2 stimulated pancreatic carcinoma growth by increasing cell proliferation through G1/S phase breakthrough, which relied on a CyclinD1/CDK6 cell-cycle regulated signal. Similarly, EphB2 inhibition also reduced CFPAC-1 cells apoptosis by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression. Thus, at least in the context of pancreatic carcinoma CFPAC-1 cells, EphB2 plays a tumor suppressor role in cell proliferation and apoptosis., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Xiang-fu-si-wu decoction has been widely used to treat blood stasis syndromes in gynecology diseases, such as primary dysmenorrhea in clinical practice for hundreds of years and show great efficacy. The efficient components and mechanism of action on uterus contraction were seldom reported., Aim of the Study: The present study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of active fractions and its main bioactive components of xiang-fu-si-wu decoction on uterine contraction., Materials and Methods: Model of non-pregnant mice uterine contraction induced by oxytocin was used to evaluate activity. Levels of Ca(2+) and nitric oxide (NO) in primary dysmenorrheal model mice uterus were also been detected. Components in active fraction were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD., Results and Conclusions: It was found the active fraction of xiang-fu-si-wu decoction may become potential Ca(2+) channel blocking agents. Alkaloids like berberine were main active components in bioactive fraction of xiang-fu-si-wu decoction for dysmenorrhea on uterus contraction., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Yu-ping-feng-san (YPFS) is a widely used immunomodulatory herbal medication used in traditional Chinese medicine, but the active molecules remain obscure. To screen for bioactive components we combined splenocyte binding with high performance liquid chromatography (SB-HPLC). After enrichment by splenocyte binding, two YPFS components (C1 and C2) were analyzed by HPLC. Compound C2 was identified as linoleic acid (LA) based on UV absorption and mass spectrometry. Silica gel chromatography was used to purify compound C1 from Radix Saposhnikoviae, a major constituent of YPFS. This allowed identification of the molecule as panaxynol (PAN) based on EI-MS and NMR spectrometry. Bioassay in vitro demonstrated that PAN significantly inhibited splenocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A (ConA) in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas LA had no significant effect on splenocyte proliferation. In vivo, PAN was found to attenuate allergic contact dermatitis in a mouse model of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), a pharmacological activity not previously reported for this molecule. It is suggested that PAN contributes to the anti-DTH effects of YPFS. SB-HPLC provides a rapid and efficient method for the identification of potential immunomodulatory components in traditional Chinese medicines., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes (ZHENG in Chinese) are the abstraction from the comprehensive analysis of clinical information gained by the four main diagnostic TCM methods: observation, listening, questioning, and pulse analyses. Proper TCM diagnosis is the most important principle to guide the prescribing of Chinese herbs., Objective: To evaluate the specific effect of TCM ZHENG on tumor growth and to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying ZHENG and tumor growth., Methods: The authors established subcutaneous tumor models of pancreatic cancer ZHENG syndromes of Damp heat (Shi-Re) and Spleen deficiency (Pi-Xu). Tissue samples of the subcutaneous transplanted tumors from each model were studied versus control tumors. CCR5 and CXCR4 proteins in these tissues were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of CCR5/CCL5/CCL4/CCL3 and CXCR4/SDF-1 mRNA was investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). SDF-1, CCL4, CCL5, and CCL3, which are ligands of CXCR4 and CCR5, were examined by ELISA., Results: The study found that tumor models with different ZHENG were successfully established in each group; the tumor growth of Shi-Re group was slower than that of the control group. It was found that there was a significant difference in CCR5 mRNA expression levels among the Pi-Xu, Shi-Re, and control groups. The results of immunohistochemistry staining revealed that the positive rate of CCR5 protein in Shi-Re group, Pi-Xu group, and control group was 25.00%, 53.33%, 83.33%, respectively. The Shi-Re group expressed the lowest levels of CCL5 and CCL4., Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the existence of TCM ZHENG may influence the tumor growth in pancreatic cancer, which might be mediated by the expression of CCR5/CCL5/CCL4. This finding may lead to the development of TCM ZHENG as a prognostic indicator in pancreatic tumor growth.

In this paper, the protective effects of the active fraction (SF-7) from Shaofu Zhuyu decoction (SFZYD) were tested on a hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) oxidative injury model. This active fraction (SF-7) shows potent antioxidant properties. The cell viability and oxidative damage markers of VSMCs were determined after exposure to H(2)O(2) for 16 hours. It was observed that SF-7 significantly increased cell survival and reduced apoptosis of H(2)O(2)-injured VSMCs. Moreover, SF-7 could markedly increase intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in H(2)O(2)-injured VSMCs, and suppress the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Thus, SF-7 exhibits protective effects against H(2)O(2)-injury on VSMCs, which may be associated with its antioxidant properties. It is suggested that SF may be useful in the treatment of blood stasis syndrome in which oxidative injury is mainly implicated.

In this paper, a useful method for screening and analyzing the potential bioactive components in bioassay-guided fraction (SF-11) from Shaofu Zhuyu decoction was developed using human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF/MS spectrometry. In addition, the protective effects on HUVEC damage induced by adrenaline in vitro were also investigated. The results showed that SF-11 significantly inhibited the endothelin (ET) release and reversed the NO secretion of HUVEC (p < 0.05), and promoted the PGI(2) release of HUVEC (p < 0.05). Two effective components, paeoniflorin and typhaneoside, from SF-11 were screened and identified using live cell extract and HPLC coupled with Q-TOF/MS spectrometry. The compounds, paeoniflorin and typhaneoside, showed significantly inhibiting effects on the ET release and reversing of NO secretion of HUVEC (p < 0.05), with similar effects to SF-11, and promoting the PGI(2) release of HUVEC at the concentration of 0.208 and 0.013 micromol/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). These data indicated that the method of live cell extraction coupled with HPLC-MS technology is feasible, rapid and useful for screening and analyzing potential bioactive components from TCMs.

Objective: To observe the effects of Ru'ai Shuhou Recipe (RSR), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on 5-year recurrence rate after mastectomy in breast cancer., Methods: A total of 300 patients with breast cancer were divided into two groups: treatment group and control group. The patients in the treatment group were treated with Western medicine and RSR, and the patients in the control group were treated only with Western medicine (the same as the treatment group). In the two groups, the 5-year recurrence rates after mastectomy in breast cancer were investigated., Results: Thirty-four breast cancer patients were lost to five-year follow-up during the course of investigation, and 266 breast cancer patients went through the evaluation. The 5-year recurrence rate after mastectomy in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The recurrence rate after mastectomy was influenced by positive lymph node, primary breast tumor size, clinical stage, and patients' health status. There was significant difference in the 5-year recurrence rates between the two groups (P<0.05) under the following conditions, such as the positive lymph nodes more than four, the primary breast tumor larger than two centimeters, and in the clinical stage II and III, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/progesterone receptor (PR)-positive and ER-negative/PR-negative. The recurrence rate was not associated with the operation method and age distribution., Conclusion: RSR can reduce the 5-year recurrence rate after mastectomy in breast cancer.

Objective: To observe the effects of puerarin on the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 / phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (P-JAK2/P-STAT3) proteins in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD)., Methods: A rat model of NAFLD was successfully established by feeding high-fat diet. All SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, untreated group, simvastatin-treated group and puerarin-treated group. After four-week treatment, the levels of hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol were analyzed by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathology of the liver tissue was observed by light microscopy. Serum leptin level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and P-JAK2/P-STAT3 proteins in the liver of NAFLD rats were quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis respectively., Results: Puerarin significantly decreased the levels of hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol in NAFLD rats. Fat degeneration and inflammatory reaction in liver tissues of NAFLD rats were ameliorated after puerarin treatment. The serum leptin level was increased and the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and P-JAK2/P-STAT3 proteins were up-regulated in puerarin-treated group., Conclusion: Puerarin can effectively attenuate liver lipid disorder and inflammation by improving the leptin resistance and enhancing the expressions of leptin receptor mRNA and P-JAK2/P-STAT3 proteins.

In this paper, we review and summarize some progresses achieved in last few years in computer-aided diagnosis of multi-dimensional medical images for breast tumors, micro-calcification, lung nodules, colonic polyps and coronary arterial diseases.

Objective: To observe the effect of Ruyiping, a traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine composed of 5 Chinese herbs for removing toxic materials and dissipating nodules from Runing II, another traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine for treating breast cancer, in preventing recidivation and metastasis in breast cancer patients after operation., Methods: Eighty patients with breast cancer after operation were randomly divided into Ruyiping group and Runing II group, and prescribed Ruyiping and Runing II on the basis of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy respectively for two years., Results: There were two patients with metastasis and three patients lost to follow-up in Ruyiping group and three and two in Runing II group. The recidivation and metastasis rates were 5.41% and 7.89% respectively. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The difference of disease-free survival time between the two groups was also not statistically significant., Conclusions: The effect of Ruyiping in preventing recidivation and metastasis is similar to that of Runing II. Ruyiping is the essential component of Runing II for preventing recidivation and metastasis. The result provides some clinical evidences for the theory that "Yudu Pangcuan" (vestigial poison invasion elsewhere) is the essential pathogenesis of breast cancer's recidivation and metastasis and the utilization of "Sanjie Jiedu" (dispersing accumulation and detoxification) is the therapeutic principle in preventing recidivation and metastasis after operation.

Breast cancer is called "Ruyan" in literature of traditional Chinese medicine. We synthesized the ancient and contemporary discussions and raised the theory that "Duxie" (poisonous pathogenic factor) is the etiological factor and pathologic product through the whole course of breast cancer. "Liuyin Fudu" (latent poison of six exogenous pathogenic factors) and "Qiqing Yudu" (stagnant poison of seven emotions) are the main etiological factors affecting the breast cancer occurrence. "Aidu Neisheng" (internal product of cancer poison) is the essential change in breast cancer occurrence. "Tandu Yujie" (stagnation of phlegm, poison and blood stasis) is the essential pathogenesis of the breast cancer's development. "Yudu Weiqing" (vestigial poison) is the main pathogenesis of breast cancer after operation. "Yudu Pangcuan" (vestigial poison invasion elsewhere) is the key pathogenesis of recurrence and metastasis after operation. "Sanjie Jiedu" (dispersing accumulation and detoxification) is an important therapeutic principle in breast cancer's treatment after operation. The "Tandu Yujie" pathogenesis theory and "Sanjie Jiedu" therapeutic principle developed the theory about breast cancer in traditional Chinese medicine, and have some clinical application value.

This paper introduces the development of the Free-MPR module, based on VC++6.0 environment and VTK5.0, and on Windows XP platform. The Free-MPR module can adjust freely the display plane according to the change of the visual angle, and implement the free multi-planar reformation.

Objective: To investigate the image features and the diagnostic value of spiral CT for cystic renal cell carcinoma., Methods: The clinical data and CT manifestations of 17 operated and pathologically proven cystic renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 5 females with an average age of 47.3 years (33 - 82 years). Plain and contrast CT scan (Siemens somatom) single layer sensation 16 layer spiral CT had been performed before operation. The image of artery phase (30 - 40 s), venous (60 - 70 s) and excretory (120 - 180 s) were respectively obtained after contrast administration. Various image reconstructions were done using Siemens Wizard workstation based on the raw images., Results: It was found that 5 cystic renal cell cancers located in the right kidney and 12 in the left kidney. The long dimension of the tumor arranged from 21 - 100 mm with an average of 57 mm. The tumor looked like a round or round-like shape with density similar to fluid on plain CT scan. Some cystic renal carcinomas had a thick wall. Some had single or multiple cystic spaces filled with fluid of different densities. Some had infiltrated out of kidney surface or into renal sinus. Some showed enhanced nodules on the wall., Conclusion: Cystic renal cell carcinoma has its own specific morphologic features in spiral CT scan. Spiral CT may be very helpful in the diagnosis of cystic renal cell carcinoma before operation.

Objective: To study the correlation between the lung pixel indexes of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and pulmonary function test (PFT), and to explore the CT features of histograms of lung attenuation., Methods: MSCT scan and pulmonary function test (PFT) were separately performed in 127 subjects within one week. The total lung was scanned with MSCT at full inspiration, full expiration, and normal respiration. The lung pixel indexes were measured by Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software. These indexes include PI(-910Huin), PI(-960HUEX), PI(-910Huin), PI(-960Huex), PI(-910(Hun), PI(-960Hun), PI(910Huex/in), and the histograms of lung attenuation., Results: Correlation existed between all the lung pixel indexes of MSCT and PFT. PI(-910Huex/in showed the best correlation with FEV1/FVC (r = 0.901, P < 0.01). Three distribution patterns were found in the histograms of lung attenuation of total lung, including double-peak distribution (n = 28), similar normal distribution (n = 81), and partial distribution (n = 18)., Conclusion: The lung pixel indexes of MSCT have significant correlation with PFT and can be used to assess the pulmonary function.

Objective: To observe the protective effects on acute myocardial infarction of QDYX in dog., Method: The corconary ciculation and cardial oxygen metabolism, the degree and range of myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarct size, and the changes of the enzymes in serum were determined by using the acute myocardial infarction model of ligation of LAD in the anaesthetized open-chest dogs., Result: The coronary resistance and cardial oxygen consumption were decreased and the myocardial blood flow was increased in dogs treated with QDYX of 1.0,2.0 mg.kg-1. The degree and range of myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarct size and the activity of serum CK, LDH were decreased in acute myocardial infarcion dogs treated with QDYX of 1.0,2.0 mg.kg-1., Conclusion: QDYX can decrease cardial oxygen consumption in dogs, thus having protective effect on myocardial ischemia.

Objective: To study the effect of TCTS on endometriosis rats., Method: On the model of surgical induced rat endometriosis, weight and pathological changes of endometrial transplant and serum hormones were observed., Result: Weight of endometrial transplants was reduced by TCTS 11.2 g.kg-1 and 22.5 g.kg-1 and transplants of TCTS treated rat showed poorly developed epithelium, thinner stroma, fewer stromal cells and glands. At the same time elevated serum E2, FSH and LH were reduced by TCTS., Conclusion: TCTS can inhibit the growth of endometrial transplants, which is related with serum hormone, especially E2.