AIM: To investigate the effect of Thymosin ? 1 on the development and matutation of thymocytes. METHODS: The proportion of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes and the expression of smoothened (Smo) of the hedgehog (Hh)-signaling in CD4-CD8-thymocytes were examined to observe the effect of thymosin ? 1 on thymocyte development and matutation. RESULTS: Flowcytometric analysis showed that thymosin ? 1 showed activity at a low dose of 30 ?g/kg, and 30 ?g/kg thymosin ? 1 accelerated the replenishment and maturation of thymocytes according to the expression of Smo of the Hh-signaling in CD4-CD8-thymocytes, the potent negative regulator of proliferative responses. CONCLUSION: Thymosin ? 1 can accelerate thymocyte development from CD4-CD8- to CD4+CD8+.

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with integrated Chinese-Western neuromuscular facilitation technique on persistent vegetative state (PVS).Methods41 PVS cases were randomly divided into the observation group (n=21) and control group (n=20). The observation group was treated with acupuncture, neuromuscular facilitation technique combined with reasonable obligatory exercise, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, manipulation treatment and Chinese medicine. The control group was treated with the Western and Chinese medicines, and hyperbaric oxygen.ResultsAfter 1～3 months treatment, 7 cases cured,8 cases were markedly effective, 5 cases were effective, 1 cases were ineffective in the observation group with a total markedly effective rate (71.4%) and effective rate (95.2%). While, in the control group, 3 cases cured, 5 cases were markedly effective, 6 cases were effective, 6 cases were ineffective and total markedly effective rate was 40%, effective rate was 70%. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the total markedly effective rate and the effective rate ( P<0.05). The average PVS score increased by 7.46±1.22 in the observation group and 4.59±1.21 in the control group. Also there was a significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.001).ConclusionThe therapy of acupuncture combined with integrated Chinese-Western neuromuscular facilitation technique can markedly promote PVS patients coming round and improve patients' prognosis.