BACKGROUND:An electronic moxibustion apparatus that simulates the mechanism of traditional moxibustion therapy is designed and developed to overcome shortcomings of traditional moxibustion therapy, such as non-standardized treatment, limited body position, and production ofsmokeandashduring the treatment.
OBJECTIVE:To develop a kind of electronic moxibustion apparatus which simulates the traditional moxibustion therapy and has obtained the patent so as to industrialize and modernize moxibustion therapy.
METHODS:Bio-waves launched from far infrared materials are beneficial to the human body. An electronic moxibustion apparatus including time temperature control er and moxibustion head was developed, and the closed loop control technique was used to precisely control the temperature and time. Thermal radiation infrared spectrum that moxibustion head generated could simulate the emission spectrum of moxibustion in combination with wormwood oil coating or drug interval, thereby achieving the therapeutic effect similar to traditional moxibustion.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The prototype of DZWJY-1 electronic moxibustion instrument has been developed and its safety and electromagnetic compatibility have been detected in Shanghai Testing&Inspection Institute for Medical Devices, China. Relevant clinical trials are ongoing to verify the efficacy. Preliminary clinical evidence shows that the electronic moxibustion apparatus has the same therapeutic effect to the traditional moxibustion therapy, which realizes the safety and environmental protection of moxibustion therapy and provides objective, standardized and modernized evidence for moxibustion therapy

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and its treatment outcome,so as to further cognition of NET.Methods The clinical data of patients with liver metastases of NET diagnosed by Peking Union Medical College Hospital during January 1996 to July 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.Results The ratio of male to female was 1∶1.15 (20∶ 23).The median age at onset of the patients with liver metastases of NET was 47.5 (26-70) years.The median duration from onset to diagnosis was 4 (0-120) months.The liver metastases were the first manifestation in 69.8％ (30/43) cases.The detection rate of primary lesions with routine abdominal imaging (B-type ultrasonography,CT,MRI) was 65.1％ (28/43),while increased to 90.7％ (39/43) when combined the following one or more special examinations including somatostatin receptor scintigraphy ( SRS),PET-CT,endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) (P =0.004).The definite diagnosis methods mainly depended on surgical specimens (69.8％,30/43).The ratio of nonfunctional to functional NET with liver metastases was 1.87∶1(28∶ 15).The primary tumors were most commonly located in pancreas [39.3％ (11/28) and 73.3％( 11/15 ) ],followed by stomach [ 21.4％ (6/28) and 13.3％ ( 2/15 ) ].Totally 88.4％ ( 38/43 ) patients received operation,and 9.3％ (4/43) patients had reoperation due to missed diagnosis of the primary tumors on earlier operation.Non-surgical treatments included octreotide acetate long-acting release,interventional therapy,chemotherapy and radiotherapy,which were difficult to be evaluated due to less follow-uped cases.Conclusions Liver metastases of NET are common and even the first manifestated symptom.Primary NET with liver metastases is the most commonly nonfunctional and located in digestive system.The detection rates of primary lesions are increased by special examinations including SRS,PET-CT and EUS. Surgical specimens are helpful to the final diagnosis,but it is necessary to improve the preoperative diagnostic rate of primary tumors to avoid repeat surgeries.

Background and purpose: VATS lobectomy has gained popularity for lung tumor around the world during the recent twenty years.Complete anatomic resections and node dissections are routinely being performed at many centers under VATS, but some thoracic surgeons are concerned regarding the safety, benefit and radical resection of this operative method. Our study was aimed to evaluate the reliability and feasibility of pulmonary resection and lymphadenectomy by video-assisted mini-thoractomy (VAMT) for patients with lung tumor.Methods:From August to September 2006,radical lobectomy or pneumonectomy and systemic lymphadenectomy were performed on 9 patients with lung tumor through video assisted mini-thoracotomy surgery.incidence of complications, total number of dissected lymph nodes,number of metastatic lymph nodes,survival and life quality were evaluated.Results:Totally 100 lymph nodes were removed at average 15.0 minutes, and there was no accident and death happened in the whole operation which only consumed 2.3 hours. Serious postoperative complications and death also did not happen.Conclusions:Video assisted mini-thoracotomy surgery should fulfill the same quality lymphadenectomy and lung tumor definitive resection.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of testing the high methylation of ppENK gene in stool with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) assay in pancreatic cancer diagnosis.Methods Twenty-four fresh stool samples of pancreatic cancer patients and six healthy control samples were collected.The methylation status of ppENK gene in all the stool samples was detected by MSP assay.The positive rate of wild-type ppENK gene in all the stool samples was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).And 10 non wild-type ppENK gene negative pancreatic cancer samples were collected,and K-ras gene mutation was detected by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).The single cell suspension of pancreatic cancer PC3 cell line was added into stool sample from the same healthy individual,the positive rate of ppENK gene methylation was detected by MSP assay.The minimum number of pancreatic cancer cell was calculated when methylation was positive.Results The rate of methylation detection in 30 samples was 0 (0/30); and the rate of non-methylation detection was 10％ (3/30).The rate of wild-type ppENK detection was 6.7％ (2/30).By PCR-RFLP assay,eight were successfully amplified and seven had mutation in 12th code of K-ras gene in 10 selected wild-type ppENK gene negative pancreatic cancer samples.The minimum number of pancreatic cancer cells needed for ppENK methylation band positive detected by MSP was 50 cell/ml.Conclusion Detecting ppENK gene methylation status in stool samples of pancreatic cancer patients by MSP assay has not yet become the method of pancreatic cancer screening and diagnosis.

Objective To comprehend the clinical characteristics and treatment of primary hepatic amyloidosis.Methods A total of 10 cases of primary hepatic amyloidosis included. 4 cases from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and 6 cases from other hospitals.reported in the literature in recent 20 years were reviewed,Results (1)The frequent clinical symptoms related to primary hepatic amyloidosis presented as hepatomegaly(90%),abdominal distension(80%),shifting dullness(60%),anorexia(50%),fatigue(40%),edema(40%),weight loss(40%) and abdominal pain(30%).(2)Laboratory tests revealed elevated serum alkaline phosphatase which was (558.3?517.2)U/L,and other liver function involvement were rare:six patients(85.7%)had either a serum or urine monoclonal protein.(3)Liver biopsy is golden standard.The amyloid deposition was mainly located at sinusoida(4 casese,57.1%),and only 2 cases was at vascular(28.6%).Complication of bleeding after liver biopsy was reported(1 case).(4)The classical therapy scheme was melphalan and prednisone,four cases died from liver function failure and infection.Conclusion The clues to the diagnosis of primary hepatic amyloidosis include elevated monoclonal protein,hepatomegaly and an unexplained elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level which is not parallel with other liver functions.Live biopsy is golden standard.The treatment scheme include melphalan and prednisone,but its prognosis is poor.

Aiming for improving the understanding of enteral nutrition(EN)in active and remittent Crohn’s disease (CD),this paper reviewed the history of EN,clarified the mechanisms of nutritional treatment,with emphasis on the effectiveness and key points of EN in the treatment of active and remittent CD.

Calorie restriction refers to a dietary regimen low in calories without malnutrition.During the recent 70 years,the benefit of calorie restriction regimen has been explored extensively.Work in widely diverse species,from model organism to rodents even human beings,has demonstrated that calorie restriction is an effective nutritional intervention for retarding aging and preventing chronic diseases.

Objective To analyze the clinical outcomes of using double-circle incision combined with the dermal bra technique for the correction of simple breast ptosis.Methods From March 2010 to December 2014,88 patients underwent breast ptosis correction using the technique,among which 52 cases were classified into mild ptosis,27 moderate ptosis,and 9 severe ptosis.According to the extent of ptosis,varying size of the dermal bra were designed,and the mammary glandular flap was rotated,suspended and fixed onto the pectoralis fascia.For patients with insufficient size of the dermal bra,the polypropylene mesh was used to assist glandular suspension and fixation.Follow-up duration was between 3 to 24 months,and the surgical effect was evaluated from the following aspects:wound healing,breast sensory,shape,and texture,etc.Results The 4 cases (4.5％) had hematoma,and 3 cases (3.4％) suffered from poor wound healing.No case of fat liquefaction,necrosis of the nipple and areola complex,sensory disorder of NAC,or secondary ptosis was examined.Mammary contour was slightly rigid in the early postoperative period but gradually becoming natural with soft texture 3 months postoperatively.Conclusions Double-circle incision combined with the dermal technique is worth spreading in the clinical practice of breast ptosis correction for its satisfactory outcomes and low incidence of complications.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between methylation of ppENK and S100A4 and pancreatic carcinoma. Methods 31 samples of human tissues of pancreatic cancer and adjacent tissues, five pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and one sample of normal pancreas were collected. ppENK methylation status was detected by MSP and S100A4 methylation status was detected by COBRA. The expression of S100A4 and ppENK protein was investigated by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The association of methylation status of ppENK gene or S100A4 with clinical parameters of pancreatic carcinoma was analyzed. Results No methlation of ppENK was detected in normal pancreatic tissue. SI00A4 gene was highly methylated. Methylation of ppENK was detected in 90.3% of the pancreatic carcinoma tissue in 31 patients; there were no correlation between the status of ppENK methylation with clinical parameters of pancreatic carcinoma. The hypomethylation rate of S100A4 gene was 71%, and it was only related to the serum level of CA 19-9 (P=0.011, OR=0.05) ; the expression rate of S100A4 protein in pancreatic cancer tissue was 87.1%, and the expression rates were correlated with the differentiation of the tumor, namely, poorly differentiated tumor highly expressed S100A4 protein. S100A4 hyomethylation was highly correlated with ppENK methylation (P=0.019). Methylated ppENK was detected in five pancreatic cancer cell lines, and there was no ppENK mRNA expression; S100A4 gene was hypomethylated, while S100A4 mRNA was highly expressed in five pancreatic cancer cell lines. Conclusions ppENK was hypermethylated, while S100A4 was hypomethylated in pancreatic cancer tissue.

Objective To detect the methylation status of ppENK and its role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic carcinoma.Methods The ppENK methylation status in human tissues of pancreatic cancer,pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and normal pancreas was detected by methylation-specific RT-PCR(MSP).The association of methylation status of ppENK gene with clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. The expression of ppENK mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.Two pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (PANC1,AsPC1 ) were treated with demethylating agent (5-aza-dC).The cell growth was measured by MTT.Apoptosis and cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.The expression of DNMT3a was measured by Western blot.Results ppENK mRNA was expressed in normal pancreas.And methylation of ppENK was not detected in normal pancreas.Methylation of ppENK was detected in 90.3％ (28/31) of pancreatic carcinoma tissue,and there were no correlation between methylated ppENK with clinicopathological features of pancreatic carcinoma.There was no ppENK mRNA expression in SW1990,PANC1,PC3,AsPC1,PuPan-1,and ppENK was methylated.Methylated ppENK was associated with no ppENK mRNA expression.After 5-Aza-dC treatment,PANC1,AsPC1 was demethylated and ppENK mRNA expression was reversed.The proliferation of PANC1 and AsPC1 was inhibited in a dose dependent manner.The apoptotic rates of PANC1 and AsPC1 were increased [ (31.57 ± 6.76)％ts (3.21 ±1.43)％,P =0.002,(16.6 ±8.22)％ vs (3.82 ±1.71)％,P=0.058];the expression of DNMT3a protein was decreased; the PANC1 cells of G1 phase significantly increased [ (67.87 ± 2.72 ) ％ vs (54.57 ± 7.18) ％,P =0.040 ],but PANC1 cells of S phase significantly decreased [ ( 22.37 ± 4.31 )％ vs (33.73 ± 4.63)％,P =0.036 ].But the percentage of G1,S phase in AsPC1 cell line was not significantly changed ( P =0.236,0.075 ).ConclusionsppENK demethylation is an important molecular event in inducing ppENK expression inhibition,which can inhibit pancreatic cancer proliferation,promote apoptosis,arrest cell cycle at G1 and decrease the expression of DNMT3a protein.