Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive point thunder-fire moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods One hundred and forty-eight KOA patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 74 cases each. The treatment group received heat-sensitive point thunder-fire moxibustion and the control group took diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and 50 yards fastest walking time were observed in the two groups before and after 30 days of treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the VAS score and WOMAC subscores in the two groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in 50 yards fastest walking time in the treatment group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the VAS score, the WOMAC score and the WOMAC pain and stiffness scores between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the VAS and WOMAC scores at three months after treatment between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). The total efficacy rate was 95.9%at the end of treatment and 95.6%at three months after treatment in the treatment group, and 86.1%at the end of treatment and 86.8%at three months after treatment in the control group; there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Heat-sensitive point thunder-fire moxibustion is an effective way to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To evaluate salmeterol/fluficasone combined with N-acetylcysteine in treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Sixty patients with stable COPD were randomized into treatment group(n = 30) and control group(n = 30). Patients in control group were given salmeterol/fluticasone twice per day ; while patients in treatment group in addition to salmeterol/ fluticasone, also took N-acetylcysteine 0.6 g three times per day. The course of treatment lasted for four weeks. Pulmonary function was measured in all patients; interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), superoxide dismntase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood serum and induced sputum were determined. The white cell count and classification in sputum smear was examined and the quality of life (QOL) of patients was evaluated. Results FEV1, FEV1 %, QOL evaluation, IL-8, TNF-α, white cell count and the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes in induced sputum after treatment were significantly improved compared with those before treatment in control group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). FEV1, FEV1%, QOL evaluation, SOD and MDA in blood serum, IL-8, TNF-α, SOD and MDA, total white cell count, the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes and macrophage in induced sputum after treatment were significantly improved in treatment group (P <0. 05 or P <0.01). The differences in SOD and MDA in blood serum and the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes in induced sputum smear between treatment group and control group were staffsticaUy significant (93 ± 8) × 10-6 U/L, (4. 0 ± 1.0) × 10-3 mmol/L and 0. 5 ± 0. 3 vs (85 ± 10) ×10-6U/L,(4.2±1.1) ×10-3mmol/Land0.6±0.2; allP<0.05. Conclusion Combination of salmeterol/fluticasone and N-acetylcysteine has better therapeutic results in treatment of airway inflammation of stable COPD.

10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.24.002

Objective To investigate the regulation role of gastric cancer related miR-148a on gastrin receptor CCKBR expression, and find the correct binding sites of miR-148a in CCKBR 3’UTR.Methods The potential binding sites of miR-148a in the CCKBR 3’UTR were predicted with the bioinformatic tools;The miR-148a expressing plasmid was constructed by PCR, and miR-148a expression was verified by Northern Blot;The luciferase report plasmids containing the wild type and mutated binding sites of CCKBR 3’ UTR were constructed, and were used to study the regulation mechanism and identify the binding sites of miR-148a by luciferase activity analysis; The regulation effect of miR-148a on CCKBR protein expression was checked by Western Blot.Results Three potential binding sites of miR-148a in the CCKBR 3’ UTR were found; The miR-148a expressing plasmid was constructed successfully, and highly expressed miR-148a after transfected to gastric cancer cells;The inhibitory effect of miR-148a on CCKBR protein expression was checked by Western Blot.Over-expression of miR-148a inhibited CCKBR expression by directly binding to the binding site in CCKBR 3’UTR 423bp.Conclusion CCKBR is a target of miR-148a, and its expression is inhibited by the binding of miR-148a on its 3’ UTR, indicating that miR-148a may participates in the progression of gastric cancer by regulating CCKBR expression.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that low-intensity and short-time vibration with a certain frequency can reduce the absorption of bone tissue and increase the quantity and quality of bone through promoting the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different frequencies of vibration strains on cycle, proliferation and differentiation potency of RAW264.7 cel s cultured in vitro.
METHODS:Passage 6 RAW264.7 cel s in good conditions were randomly divided into six groups, and each group was induced cultured with Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium containing receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand. The final concentration of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand was adjusted to 50μg/L, and then kept without changes. The non-loading group did not loaded with vibration strain, and the other five groups were loaded with 3-10 Hz, 15-35 Hz, 35-45 Hz, 50-70 Hz and 70-90 Hz vibration strains on the RAW264.7 cel s respectively. The other vibration parameters were consistent;the vibration time was 15 min/time with the vibration intensity of 0.3 g, twice per day. The cel cycle and cel proliferation were detected at 3 and 6 days after loading of vibration strains.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After composite vibration loading for 6 days, the cel cycle phase in the vibration groups was changed to some extent when compared with the non-loading group. Compared with non-loading group, the cel number in the G 1 phase of the vibration group was significantly increased (P<0.01);the cel number in the S phase and G 2+M phase of the vibration group was significantly decreased (P<0.01);the vibration parameters in the vibration group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The results indicate that different frequencies of vibration strains can affect the cel cycle and proliferation, and can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.

The human spine injury and various lumbar spine diseases caused by vibration have attracted extensive attention at home and abroad. To explore the biomechanical characteristics of different approaches for lumbar interbody fusion surgery combined with an interspinous internal fixator, device for intervertebral assisted motion (DIAM), finite element models of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) are created by simulating clinical operation based on a three-dimensional finite element model of normal human whole lumbar spine. The fusion level is at L4-L5, and the DIAM is implanted between spinous process of L4 and L5. Transient dynamic analysis is conducted on the ALIF, TLIF and LLIF models, respectively, to compute and compare their stress responses to an axial cyclic load. The results show that compared with those in ALIF and TILF models, contact forces between endplate and cage are higher in LLIF model, where the von-Mises stress in endplate and DIAM is lower. This implies that the LLIF have a better biomechanical performance under vibration. After bony fusion between vertebrae, the endplate and DIAM stresses for all the three surgical models are decreased. It is expected that this study can provide references for selection of surgical approaches in the fusion surgery and vibration protection for the postsurgical lumbar spine.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Pedicle Screws ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spinal Fusion ; Vibration