Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupoint application plus massotherapy for scapulohumeral periarthritis (periarthritis of shoulder). Method One hundred and two patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 51 cases each. The treatment group received acupoint application plus massotherapy and the control group, massotherapy. Both groups were treated for three courses. The VAS score and the Neer shoulder function score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. Result The VAS score and the Neer shoulder function score improved in the two groups after treatment compared with before (P<0.05) and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Clinically acupoint application plus massotherapy has a satisfactory therapeutic effect on scapulohumeral periarthritis with a certain effect on pains in the affected shoulder.

Objective To investigate the effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-associated apoptosis on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. Methods Eighteen healthy male Wistar rats undergoing UUO were sacrificed at 3,7,14 days after operation. Additional seven rats underwent sham operation. Histological changes were observed by HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed on renal tissue for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Chromatometry was used to detect the content of hydroxyproline. Apoptosis cells were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the electrophoresis analysis of genome DNA. The mRNA expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), which are important markers of ERS, were detected by RT-PCR. Western blotting was used to assess the protein level of GRP78 and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3). Results Compared with sham operation group, the degree of renal interstitial and the level of hydroxyproline content of UUO group increased significantly (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining indicated that a-SMA extensively expressed in renal tubular and interstitial cells. The apoptotic cells in the renal tubular and interstitium were continuously increased from day 3 to the end of experiment of UUO group. As early as 3 days after surgery, the mRNA level of GRP78 in UUO group increased compared with sham operation group (P<0.01), while the protein expression increased on day 7 after surgery (P<0.01). Prolonged ERS triggered apoptosis, the protein expression of caspase-3 increased significantly on day 3 after surgery (P< 0.05), and the expression sustained high level during the experiment afterwards. There was a positive correlation between GRP78 protein expression and hydroxyproline content (r =0.657, P< 0.01) as well as caspase-3 protein expression (r=0.714, P<0.01). Conclusions UUO induces a significant up-regulation in endoplasmic reticulum molecular chaperones at early stage, indicating that ERS response is activated in the rat kidney. Prolonged ERS can lead to renal tubular and interstitial cell apoptosis, and caspase-3-mediated ERS associated apoptosis may contribute to the fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of along-meridian distal point selection in treating post-cerebral infarction shoulder-hand syndrome.MethodSixty patients with post-cerebral infarction shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The control group was treated by routine neurological medical treatment, conventional acupuncture for stroke-attack on meridians and rehabilitation training and the treatment group, by along-meridian distal point selection in addition. The therapeutic effects were evaluated in both groups after four courses of treatment. The VAS scores, affected-side hand swelling scores and upper limb FMA scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultThe VAS score, affected-side hand swelling score and upper limb FMA score were significantly better in both groups after treatment than before (P<0.01). Post-treatment VAS score, affected-side hand swelling score and upper limb FMA score were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01,P<0.05). ConclusionAlong-meridian distal point selection has clinically a better improving effect on the pain, affected-side hand swelling and upper limb function in patients with post-cerebral infarction shoulder-hand syndrome.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at point Neiguan on mouse myocardial hypertrophy.Methods Thirty-sixty healthy C57BL6 mice were randomized into blank, model and treatment groups, 12 rats each. In the treatment group, an acupuncture needle was inserted into point Neiguan and retained for 15 min, once daily. After nine days of treatment, the ratios of cardiac weight/tibial length were compared between the groups. Left ventricular myocardial tissues were processed by Masson trichrome staining in every group of mice. The differences in myocardial fiber arrangement and collagen fiber distribution between the groups were observed under the ordinary optical microscope in 100 times of field of vision. Sarcomere structure, myofibril arrangement, collagen fibers and mitochondria in injured myocardial tissues were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Heart rate increased significantly in the model group and decreased significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the blank group. Cardiac weight and the ratios of cardiac weight/tibial length increased significantly in the model and acupuncture groups compared with the blank group (P<0.01) and decreased significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the model group (P<0.01). In the model group, myocardial tissues had compensatory hypertrophy with incontinuous status, and myocardial transverse striations had severe disorder/disruption, karyopyknosis appeared and cytoplasmic eosinophilic change became obvious in few of the rats. The results were better in the acupuncture group than in the model group. In the model group, part of myofibrils had focal fusion, interstitial collagen fibers proliferated and mitochondria had swelling and compensatory increase. The results were also better in the acupuncture group than in the model group.Conclusions Acupuncture at point Neiguan can reduce the production of collagen fibers and mitochondria, improve the arrangement of sarcomere structure and delay the progression of myocardial hypertrophy.

Objective To construct an expression vector directed by hU_(6)snRNA promoter for synthesizing small RNA and to identify its functional activity in the gastric carcinoma cells——SGC-7901.Methods Using human genomic DNA as template,U_(6) snRNA promoter was obtained by PCR method,and then cloned into PUC19 vector to produce the recombinant plasmid PUC-hU_6-extra,which was sequenced and then transfected into gastric carcinoma cell——SGC-7901 with liposome.The effect of expression directed by U_6 promoter was detected by RT-PCR method,and the cell proliferation curve analysis was performed by stained dye.Results The hU_6 snRNA promoter with the first 27 nucleotides followed were successfully cloned into PUC19 plasmid.The recombinant vector could efficiently transcribe small RNA molecules and exerted no effect on cell proliferation in SGC-7901 cells in vitro.Conclusion We have successfully constructed the recombinant PUC-hU_6-extra plasmid vector that can efficiently transcribe small RNA molecules directed by hU_6 snRNA promoter in the gastric carcinoma cells——SGC-7901.

Objective To investigate the effects of oxidative stress on the expressions of transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1) and transforming growth factor-? receptor Ⅰ(TGF-?RⅠ) in rat unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) models.Methods Thirfty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups:SOR group(sham-operated group,n=7);UUO group(operation group,n=11);US group(spironolactone 50 mg?kg-1?d-1 by daily gastric gavage after UUO,n=12).All the rats were killed 14 d after surgery.Renal fibrosis was assessed by the determination of tissue hydroxyproline(HYP) content.Malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD) as well as aldosterone(ALD) content were measured.Histological changes were observed by HE and Masson staining.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expressions of TGF-?1 and TGF-?RⅠ.Western blotting was used the determine the expression of TGF?RⅠ protein.Results Compared with sham group,the ALD contents in plasma and kidney tissues in UUO group significantly increased(P

Acinar cell cystadenoma (ACA),also referred to as acinar cystic transformation,is a rare and newly recognized cystic lesion of the pancreas.This cystic lesion displaying apparent acinar cell differentiation and lacking of distinct cellular atypia was accepted as the benign counterpart of acinar cystadenocarcinoma.However,the exact etiopathogenesis of ACA is still not clear.

Multiple myeloma is common in the older population and is treated mainly with chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy-related side effects imitate the clinical manifestations of Sheehan's syndrome, which leads to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, particularly for older patients without a clear history of postpartum hemorrhage. Therefore, when older women with malignant myelomas show refractory hyponatremia and gastrointestinal disorders while under chemotherapy, a diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome should be considered. The early detection of the disorder will guarantee timely individualized treatment.

Objective To make the chromosome karyotype analysis of 130 patients with leukemia by using the improved chromosome short-term culture method.Methods We optimized the main factors with a single factor gradient experiment in short-term culture of bone marrow chromosome, including colchicines concentration, duration of action of colchicines,and hypotonic time.On this basis,we conducted the three-factors and three-level orthogonal experiment to achieve improved bone marrow chromosome preparation system,which was later applied in 130 patients with leukemia in our hospital.Results The orthogonal experiment results showed that the optimum conditions were colchicines concentration of 0.07 μg/mL,colchicines action time of 80 min,and hypotonic time of 35 min during the preparation of the bone marrow chromosome.Using this method,the chromosome preparation success rate reached 97.69% and the detection rate of abnormal karyotype reached 82.3% in the chromosome karyotype analysis.Conclusion Bone marrow chromosome preparation system with colchicines concentration of 0.07 μg/mL and colchicines action time of 80 min,and hypotonic time of 35 min is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and risk factors in predicting overall survival (OS) in the castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 consecutive Chinese patients with CRPC received docetaxel-based chemotherapy in our institution from January 2008 to January 2012.Patients were divided into three groups according to the mGPS:0,1 and 2 score groups,and compare the OS among the three groups.Variables that were influenced the efficacy of chemotherapy were included in the univariate analysis and multivariate model.Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves,and the differences in overall survival rates were assessed using the Logrank test.Results The follow-up was performed until April 2014.There were 48 CRPC patients including mGPS 0 score group 30 cases,mGPS 1 score group 11 cases and mGPS 2 score 7 cases.The median OS was 22,11,9 months,respectively,P＜0.01.Univariate analysis showed that:prechemotherapy baseline total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA),Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score,the number of chemotherapy cycle,visceral metastasis and PSA response were associated with poor prognosis (P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that:prechemotherapy mGPS 1-2 score,baseline tPSA＞60 μg/L,the number of cycles of chemotherapy≤5,with visceral metastasis and PSA response in patients with CRPC were independent risk factors for prognosis in the CRPC treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.Conclusion mGPS is an independent risk factor for prognosis in the CRPC patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.