OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on post-stroke insomnia between the low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints and the conventional western medication.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients of post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a low-frequency electric stimulation group, a medication group and a placebo group, 40 cases in each one. In the low-frequency electric stimulation group, the low-frequency electric-pulsing apparatus was used at Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenshu (BL 23), once a day; the treatment of 15 days made one session and 2 sessions were required. In the medication group, estazolam was taken orally, 1 mg each time. In the placebo group, starch capsules were taken orally, 1 capsule each time. All the drugs were taken before sleep every night, continuously for 15 days as one session, and 2 sessions were required. PSQI changes and clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment in each group.

RESULTSPitlsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score was reduced in every group after treatment (all P < 0.01). In the low-frequency electric stimulation group and medication group, the score was reduced much more significantly as compared with the placebo group (both P < 0.01). In the placebo group, 1 case was rejected. The total effective rates were 95.0% (38/40), 92.5% (37/40) and 17.9% (7/39) in the low-frequency electric stimulation group, medication group and placebo group separately. The efficacy in the low-frequency electric stimulation group and medication group was better apparently than that in the placebo group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe low-frequency electric stimulation at the acupoints effectively and safely treats post-stroke insomnia and the efficacy of it is similar to that of estazolam.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Electric Stimulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; epidemiology ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; epidemiology

Bile Duct Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans

Objective To explore the expression of caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)patients. Methods The CD4+ and CD8+T cells from peripheral blood of 20 SLE patients and 10 healthy volunteers were separated using magnetic cell sorting system (MACS), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to test the expression of caspase-3 and TRAIL receptors in CD4+ and CD8+T cells of SLE patients and healthy volunteers. Results The CD8+T cells from SLE patients had significantly higher caspase-3 (P=0.003) and TRAIL-R2 (P=0.024) expression than those from healthy volunteers. Conclusion The TRAIL-R2 signal pathway may be a possible important pathway to the apoptosis of T cells in SLE patients.

Objective To investigate the abnormality of CD4 and CD8 subsets of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Methods The CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes from 20 SLE patients and 10 healthy controls were separated using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). Results The numbers of CD4 + T cells in the peripheral blood and CD4 +/CD8 + ratio of SLE patients were significantly lower than those in healthy volunteers(CD4,P=0.001;CD4/CD8 ratio,P=0.046). Conclusion There exist abnormalities in the CD4 and CD8 subsets of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of SLE,especially the decreased numbers of CD4 + T cells.

Objective To explore the expression of SLAM gene in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients.Method The CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood of 20 SLE patients and 10 healthy blood donors were separated using magnetic cell sorting system(MACS).We detected the expression of SLAM mRNA in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by RT-PCR.Results The CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients showed significantly higher SLAM expression than those from healthy blood donors.Conclusion The SLAM signal pathway may play an important role in contributing to the abnormal activation of T cells in SLE patients.

Objective To detect the expression and activation level of nuclear factor ?B (NF-?B) in synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Method Forty-six specimens including 17 RA, 24 osteoarthritis (OA) and 5 normal synovial tissues were subjected to RT-PCR to determine the mRNA level of NF-?B p65,p50,inhibitor of NF-?B (I?B),interleukin-1? (IL-1?) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9).Thirty-nine sections including 14 RA,21 OA and 4 normal synovium were subjected to immunohistochemistry to determine the expression level of NF-?B p65.Synoviocytes from 14 synovial specimens including 8 RA and 6 OA were cultured and the nuclear protein was extracted and reserved for western blot.Results The mRNA level of p65,IL-1(,MMP-9 were higher in RA group than that of control (P

Brain metastasis is among the most common complications of non-small celllung cancer (NSCLC) and may obviously influence the survival and quality of life in the NSCLC patients. Recently, the development in traditional treatments, the widely-used micro-molecular targeted drugs, and the combined treatment have improved the overall survival and the quality of life of these patients. In addition, the exploration of new therapeutic targets and cognitive function protective methods for current treatments also deserves at-tention. This review emphasizes the relevant clinical and basic problems and the therapeutic strategies in NSCLC with brain metastases.

Objective To learn the psychological needs of the hospital staff in terms of their life,medical care and psychological health.Methods 2910 hospital staff were interviewed with questionnaires and the outcomes analyzed with x2 test and descriptive analysis.Results 96.9％of the surveyed found themselves in need of psychological counseling; considerable consulting needs of the staff; most of them turn to friends to complain instead of their leaders.Conclusion The psychological counseling should be enhanced to build effective communication channels and ease stress of the staff.

Objective To study the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Methods Seventy-two adult,male,Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control (CON) group,a hyperbaric air (HBA) group,a normobaric oxygen (NBO) group and a hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) group.All were subjected to MCAO.Rats in the CON group did not receive any treatment; those in the other groups were treated with HBA,NBO or HBO daily beginning 2 hours after the operation.Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of nestin,MAP2 and GFAP at 2,3,7 and 14 days after the MCAO.Results The expression of nestin in the HBO group was significantly higher than in the other groups on the 3rd,7th and 14th days.It peaked at day 3 but remained high until day 14.Similarly,expression of MAP2 was significantly higher than in the other groups at least until day 14.GFAP expression was significantly lower than in the other groups.Conclusion HBO can increase neural stem cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation,and inhibit the proliferation of astrocytes.