OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and mechanism of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) combined with oral administration of Gexia Zhuyu decoction on damp-heat ulcerative colitis at active phase.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of damp-heat ulcerative colitis at active phase, by using random draw method, were divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. Patients in the control group were treated with basic treatment combined with oral administration of Gexia Zhuyu decoction. Based on this, patients in the observation group were additionally treated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36). The treatment was given both for 14 days. The efficacy, each symptom score, serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were observed.

RESULTS(1) After treatment, the total effective rate was 98.3% (59/60) in the observation group, which was significantly higher than 86.7% (52/60) in the control group (P<0.05). ( The improvement rates of ulceration, edema, erosion and polyp in the observation group were obviously higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). (3) After treatment, the symptom scores of diarrhea, bloody purulent stool, abdominal pain, tenesmus as well as inflammatory factors of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were all improved compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05); the differences between the observation, group and control group were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (4) During the 3-month follow up visit, the recurrence rate was 1.7% (1/59) in the observation group, which was significantly lower than 11.5% (6/52) in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Gexia Zhuyu decoction combined with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) could effectively improve efficacy, reduce recurrence rate, relieve clinical symptoms and prompt recovery of mucous membrane in patients with damp-heat ulcerative colitis at active phase, which is related with reducing the expression of inflammation.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in treating proximal ureteral calculi. Methods 109 patients underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for proximal ureteral calculi from March 1998 to July 2001 were reviewed and evaluated. Results All the 109(100%) were rendered stone-free at 1 session.The average operation time was 60 munites,the estimated blood loss volume 25 ml and the average hospitalization 7 days.No major complications were noted. Conclusions Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy is safe and effective in treating proximal ureteral calculi and is less invasive for the patients.

Objective To summarize the experience of ES WL and PCNL management for pediatric renal calculi. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data 105 cases.The series consists of 33 girls and 72 boys.The average age was 8.7 years.Of the 105 children,21(20. 0%) had urinarytract abnormality.68 cases were treated with ESWL,33 with mini-P CNL,and 4 cases with residual stone fragments were treated with min-PCNL and ES WL.Four children underwent open procedures. Results 92 s essions of ESWL were performed in 68 children,57(83.8%)became stone-free.Among them 47 cases ( 69.1 %) were cured by one ESWL session,18 cases(26.5%)had two sessions,three children had three sessions.Two cases who had ureteral steinstras se were rendered stone-free by ureteroscopy.Among 33 children managed by mini- PCNL,24 (72.7%) were cured by one PCNL session,9(27.3%) by two sessions,three pa tients with UPJ obstruction underwent antegrade pyeloureterotomy at the same tim e.Stones were cleared using one PCNL session in 24(72.7%),2 sessions in 29(87.9% ),4 patients were cured with ESWL and mini-PCNL.The overall success rate was 97 .0%.2 of 4 cases in open procedures were performed by means of pyeloplasty,one p atient had residual stone fragments after open surgery. Conclusions ESWL is the first-line treatment for renal calculi in children.PCN L is a option but based on stones status,instrumental and technical conditions. Combining PCNL with ESWL had better outcome.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a HPLC method for the determination of yohimbine in corynanthe yohimbe K.schum.METHODS:The analysis was performed on C18 column with column under room temperature.The mobile phase consisted of methanol-phosphoric acid buffer-triethylamine(30∶ 70∶ 0.5,pH5.0)with a flow rate of 1.0mL? min-1.The wavelength was set at 270nm.RESULTS:There was a good linear relationship when the sample size of yohimbine was over a range of 10～ 1 000? g? mL-1(r=0.999 8),with recovery at 96.5% and precision at 1.23%.CONCLUSION:This method was simple and reliable,and suitable for the determination of content of yohimbine.

Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease. One of the main pathology is neurofibrillary tangles in neurons,in which principal component is the phosphorylation of tau protein. Previous studies focused on senile plaques and Aβ levels. Recent studies indicated that the development of tau protein closely associated with Alzheimer's disease, especially the abnormal phosphorylation. This paper reviewed the relationship between tau protein phosphorylation and Alzheimer's disease based on the perspective of protein kinases and phosphatases.

Objective To compare the efficacy of three procedures,extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL),ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL) combined with ESWL,and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL),for the treatment of complicated upper ureteral calculi.Methods Two hundred and thirty-four cases of complicated upper ureteral calculi were treated in this hospital from December 2002 to December 2003,including 76 cases of ESWL,78 cases of combined use of URL and ESWL,and 80 cases of MPCNL.Results In the ESWL cases,the stone fragmentation rate on one session was 56.6%((43/76),) the stone-free rate one month after operation was 46.1%(35/76),the mean hospitalization expenditure was 912 yuan,and the incidence of postoperative complications was 15.8%(12/76).In the URL combined with ESWL cases,the stone fragmentation rate on one session was 100%(78/78),the stone-free rate one month after operation was 83.3%(65/78),the mean hospitalization expenditure was 7 720 yuan,and the incidence of postoperative complications was 15.4%(12/78).In the MPCNL cases,the stone fragmentation rate on one session was 100%(80/80),the stone-free rate one month after operation was 100%(80/80),the mean hospitalization expenditure was 10 253 yuan,and the incidence of postoperative complications was 13.8%(11/80).The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,length of hospital stay,stone-free rate one month after operation,and hospitalization expenditure were significantly greater in the MPCNL cases than in the ESWL cases and the URL combined with ESWL cases.The stone fragmentation rate on one session was not significantly different between the MPCNL cases and the URL combined with ESWL cases,and was significantly higher in the MPCNL cases and the URL combined with ESWL cases than in the ESWL cases.The incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly different among the three groups.Conclusions Minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy should be used as the first choice for complicated upper ureteral calculi.

BACKGROUND:Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor is an autoantigen shared by thyroid follicuar cells and ocular orbital tissues,and cytokines plays an important role on the pathogenesis of Graves ophthalmopathy(GO) . It is still a puzzle that the relation of cytokines and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in the pathogenesis of GO. OBJECTIVE:To study the influence of various cytokines on the expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in the process of adipogenesis of in vitro cultured orbital adipose cells in GO patients. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A single sample observation was carried out in the Central Laboratory,Department of Ophthalmology,Sun Yat-sen University(Guangzhou,Guangdong,Province) from September 2003 to March 2004. MATERIALS:Orbital adipose cells were obtained from eight serious GO patients undergoing orbital decompression. Recombinant human interleukin 2(IL-2) ,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10,and interferon ?(IFN-?) were purchased from PEORO TECH EC Company. METHODS:Orbital adipose cells were cultured and treated by groups. IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10 and IFN-? was added to the culture media in the experimental group,while no any cytokine was given in the untreated group,and orbital adipose cells were primarily cultured in the control group. The cells were all collected twelve days later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor was examined with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction,and the content of cyclic adenosine monophosphate was measured with simultaneous radioimmunoassay. The quantitation of adipose in cells was detected by staining intracytoplasmic lipids with oil red O. RESULTS:The expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor was significantly higher in cells treated with IL-2,IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10 than that in the untreated cells and in the cells treated with IFN-?. Treatment of GO orbital adipose cells with IL-2,IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10 during differentiation resulted in significantly greater cyclic adenosine monophosphate production by different degrees. The highest production achieved in the treatment with IL-6,which was two times as many as control group. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate production was significantly lower in the cells treated with IFN-? than in the untreated cells. CONCLUSION:IL-6,IL-4 and IL-10 can upregulate the expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in the orbital adipose cells of GO patients,and stimulate adipose differentiation. Conversely,IFN-? can restrain this process.

Objective To observe the correlation of estrogen,fasting insulin(FINS),fasting plasma glucose (FPG),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),blood lipids and carotid arteries -membrane thickening(IMT)in the postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.Methods 63 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes were divided into normal IMT group(group A),IMT thickening group(group B),plaque group(group C)according to the vascular ultrasound carotid artery intima thickness,at the same time 15 cases of healthy physical examination as control group (group D).All of the groups were detected the plasma total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),fasting insulin(FINS),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),gly-cosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol(E2).Results Compared with group A,the levels of FINS,IR,HbA1c,TC,LDL-C in group C was higher(t=16.83,14.44,2.50,2.38,2.42,all P<0.01 or P<0.05),however,the results of E2,HDL-C was decreased(t=7.32,5.51,all P<0.01).The levels of FINS,HbA1c,TC,LDL-C,FSH,IR in group D was lower than those of group C(t=19.74,36.44,8.64,7.95, 27.13,6.71,all P<0.01),On the contrast,the levels of HDL-C,E2 were elevated(t=11.34,8.72,all P<0.01). The Pearson's correlation analysis showed that E2 had negative correlation with FINS,IR,TC,LDL-C (P<0.01 or P<0.05).E2 had positive correlation with HDL-C(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that IMT and FINS,IR,HbA1c,LDL-C were positively correlated(OR=2.94,72.63,27.30,98.18,all P<0.01),while nega-tively correlated with E2 levels(OR=2.94,P<0.01).Conclusion The increased level of estrogen was a protective factor of carotid artery atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

Objective To evaluate whether serum complement C3 concentration was associated with the prevalence and incidence of prediabetes in an adult population. Methods A cross-sectional (n=10 539) and prospective cohort (n=3 064, followed up for-6 years, mean:2.8 y) study was performed on subjects recruited from the Health Management Center of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in Tianjin. Measurements of serum C3 concentration, blood fasting glucose and other potential confounding factors were assessed at baseline and per year during the follow-up period. Prediabetes was defined according to the criteria of American Diabetes Association. Adjusted Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations between C3 quintiles and prediabetes. Results The prevalence and incidence of prediabetes were 19.9% and 99.5 per 1 000 person-year, respectively. In cross-sectional analysis, after adjusted for potential confounders, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of prediabetes for increasing quintiles of C3 were 1.00 (reference), 1.18 (0.98-1.42), 1.11 (0.92-1.34), 1.38 (1.15-1.65) and 1.63 (1.36-1.95) (P for trend<0.000 1). In cohort analysis, in the final multivariate models, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for prediabetes across C3 quintiles were 1.00 (reference), 1.20 (0.94-1.54), 1.48 (1.16-1.88), 1.38 (1.09-1.76) and 1.53 (1.21-1.95) (P for trend <0.001), respectively. Conclusion The study suggests that the elevated C3 level is significantly associated with the prevalence and incidence of prediabetes, which means that C3 can be used as a biomarker in early prevention of prediabetes and diabetes.

Objective To explore the association between complement C3 and the prevalence of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Methods A total of 2 799 health check-up participants were recruited from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital-Health Management Centre. Serum C3 levels were measured using immunoturbidimetry method and simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were diagnosed by liver ultrasonography and serum alanine aminotransferase concentration. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between quartiles of serum C3 levels and the prevalence of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Results After adjusting for covariates, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis for increasing quartiles of C3 were: 1.00 (reference), 2.15 (1.55, 3.01), 3.28 (2.35, 4.6) and 4.31 (3.11, 6.02); and 1.00 (reference), 4.54 (1.68, 15.91), 7.81 (3.02, 26.67) and 14.91 (5.94, 50.14) (both P for trend<0.000 1), respectively. Conclusions The study found that the elevated C3 levels were significantly associated with the prevalence of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Further study is needed to clarify whether C3 has a predictive value for the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.