Objective To investigate the changes in the expression of connexin 43 ( Cx43) in astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. Methods Twenty male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 2 groups : (A) chronic constriction injury group (CCI) received 4 loose ligatures placed on the right sciatic nerve according to Xie[5] (n = 10) and (B) sham operation group in which the right sciatic nerve was exprosed but not ligated ( n = 10) . The pain behavior was evaluated and the paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) and paw withdrawal electric threshold (PWET) were measured the day before operation (D0 baseline) and on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day after operation (T1 , T3, T5, T7, T14 ) . On the 14th postoperative day the animals were sacrificed and the L4-5 segment of spinal cord was removed for detection of the expression of Cx43 and glial fibrillary acid protein ( GFAP) in the spinal dorsal horn by immuno-histochemistry. Results In CCI group the rats displayed pain behavior after operation and only 2 of them recovered normal behavior on D14 and their PWTL was shortened and PWET lowered after operation compared to the baseline values (D0), while in the sham operation group PWTL and PWET returned to the baseline after D7. The GFAP positively stained area was significantly larger in the right spinal dorsal horn in CCI group (29?7% ) than in sham operation group (19?5% ). The Cx43 positively stained area was 17?3% in CCI group and 4?1 % in sham operation group. Conclusion Cx43 and GFAP expression increase in the astrocytes in the spinal dorsal hom of the affected side in rats with chronic neuropathic pain, suggesting that the astrocytic gap junction may play an important role in chronic neuropathic pain.

The experimental myocardial damages were induced in Wistar rats by noradrenaline infusion (20ug/kg body wt/minute)for a period of 90 minutes daily for three consecutive days. The animals weresacrificed few minutes (acute phase), 7 days(subacute phase),and 30~90 days (chronic phase)afterinfusion. Specimens of myocardium were examined by histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural methods. Multiple focal necrosis, deficient of myoglobin in myocytes, myofibrillar fragmentation and dissolution were observed in the acute phase. The mdrphofogical feature simulated themyocardial infarctinn without coronary occlusion. Focal myocardial atrophy, scar f0rmation of myocardium, proliferation of fibroblasts and infiltraiton of the neo-colleagenous fibrils in necrotic myocytes were observed in the subacute and chronic phase. This feacture simulated the early cardiomyopathy.

One hundred and forty six elderly patients with constipation undergoing colonoscopy during March 2012 and August 2013 were randomly assigned to trial and control groups.Seventy patients in trial group received Macrogol electrolytes powder combined with Chinese herb medicine Simo decoction for bowel preparation and 76 patients in control group received macrogol electrolytes powder only.The first defecation,times of defecation and tolerance of patients were compared between two groups.The quality of bowel preparation was evaluated by endoscopists with Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS).The first defecation time was shorter in trial group than that in control group (55.7 ± 27.9 vs.72.9 ± 34.8,P ＜ 0.05).However,no statistical significance was found in the times of defecation and tolerance of patients between two groups.The mean BBPS score in trial groups was higher than that in control group (7.87 ± 1.08 vs.6.97 ± 0.96,P ＜ 0.05).Chinese herb medicine Simo decoction combined with conventional method shows satisfactory result for bowel preparation in elderly patients with constipation undergoing colonoscopy.

Objective To search for new therapeutic apparatus and method of acupuncture. Methods 650-660 nm semiconductor laser and 10.6 um CO2 infrared laser were coupled to generate integrated laser acupuncture. Controllable infrared electric heating device with negative ion smokeless moxa was mounted on this integrated laser acupuncture machine to compose the smokeless and pain-free acupuncture therapeutic apparatus. Results The integrated laser acupuncture has both the conventional acupuncture effect and heated effect generated by laser; Negative ion moxa under the control of infrared electric heating device can be electrically distillatod without open fire at the temperature lowering than the burning point and generate both warming effects and chemical effects. The negative ion moxa composed Tourmaline can send off massive negative ion when burning, which can decrease harmful gas and purify environment. Conclusion The new type of acupuncture therapeutic apparatus conquered insufficiencies of conventional acupuncture as pain, breakdown of needle,bleeding, infection, smoking, bad smell, burning, and blistering, and retain and enforce the acupuncture functions of treatment,health-care, and cosmetology.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and B in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections(ARTIs) and to analyze the genetic characteristics of G protein gene of RSV in Chongqing area, especially for BA strains. Methods Nasopharyngeal secretions collected from 508 hospitalized children with ARTls from April, 2008 to March, 2009 were screened for RSV using RT-PCR. Full length G protein gene was amplified by RT-PCR from 10 RSV subtype A and 29 RSV subtype B strains. Results Out of the total 508 specimens, 126 (24.8%) were revealed positive for RSV. RSV subtype A and B viruses accounted for 34.1% and 63.5% of the total positive specimens, respectively. The remaining 2.4% of the specimens were positive for both subtype A and B. At the nucleotide level, identities between the 10 subtype A virus G genes and that of the prototype strain A2 were 91.4% -92.0%, indicating genotype GA2. Identities of the 29 subtype B virus G genes and that of the CH18537 strain were 92.0%-93.0%. Nineteen out of 29 RSV subtype B isolates contained highly repeated 60 nucleotides insertion in G protein gene, namely BA strain. As compared to the prototypes, the RSV G protein gene included nucleotide deletion, insertion, substitutions, especially in the carboxy-terminal third of the G gene. Condnsion RSV has been the major cause of acute respiratory tract infections in children in Chongqing area. Subtype B strains, especially BA strains, were predominant during the study peried. Whether the predominated circulation of BA strain is resulted from enhanced attachment function of G protein remains unknown.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of the T-SPOT.TB test for diagnosing tuberculous meningitis(TBM) by meta-analysis.Methods A systematic retrieval from the databases of PubMed,EMBASE,etc.was performed.The literature on the T-SPOT.TB test for diagnosing TBM was collected.Two reviewers independently screened the literature,extracted the data and judged the quality.The meta analysis was conducted by the Meta-Disc 1.4 software.Results 8 articles were included,involving 425 patients including 232 cases of TBM.In the peripheral blood group,the combined sensitivity was 80%(95%CI:0.74-0.85),the combined specificity was 74%(95%CI:0.67-0.80),the area under the curve(AUC)of summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC)was 0.858 7;the diagnostic odds ratio(DOR)was 15.50.In the CSF group,the combined sensitivity was 76%(95%CI:0.70-0.82),the combined specificity was 83%(95%CI:0.77-0.88),AUC was 0.892 7;DOR was 22.62.Conclusion Adopting the T-SPOT.TB test conduces to increase the diagnostic rate of TBM.The diagnostic accuracy of the T-SPOT.TB test for CSF may be higher than that for peripheral blood.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical curative effect and security by performing the clinical study ofYinggencao formula in treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat TCM syndrome.MethodsA total of 75 patients, diagnosed with Psoriasis Vulgaris Blood-heat RCM syndrome, were randomizedly divided into the treatmeat group with 39 patients and the control group with 36. The treatment group tookYinggencao formula twice daily, while the control group tookQingdai capsules three times daily. All the patients were treated 12 weeks. PASI scores were used as the main outcome and to estimate the curative effect rates.ResultsThe PASI scores of patients in the treatment group (6.97 ± 2.02vs. 16.88 ± 2.91;t=14.380,P=0.009) and the control group (13.14 ± 3.18vs. 17.49 ± 2.32;t=7.780,P=0.013) after treatment showed significantly lower than the scores before. The PASI scores showed significant difference between the two groups after the treatment (P=0.027). The total effective rate of treatment group was significantly higher than the control group (76.9%vs. 61.1%;χ2=5.120, P<0.05).Conclusions TheYinggencao formula therapy showed better effect thanQingdai capsules therapy in treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat TCM syndrome.

Objective To observe the curative effect of electro-acupuncture plus Tuina on prostatic hypertrophy.Method Fifty-six cases of prostatic hypertrophy were treated according to the principle of taking the kidney as the main aspect. Points Guanyuan (CV 4), Qugu ( CV2), Shenshu(BL 23), Ciliao(BL32) and Sanyinjiao( SP6) were selected and electro-acupuncture were used together with Tuina. Those who took the tablet Finasteride orally were treated as the control group. Result The total effective rate was 94.6% in treating group, while that was 86.7% in the control group, P＞0.05. Conclusion It is suggested that electro-acupuncture plus Tuina has a certain effect on prostatic hypertrophy. Compared with western medicine, it is lower in price and has no side effect.

Objective To investigate the content and changes of fluoride in corn and pepper, to evaluate the effect of prevention and control measures, and to provide a basis for adjusting the prevention and control strategy. Methods In 2013, according to the different directions of east, west, south, north and center, 5 townships were selected from each coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis areas in all 23 counties (cities, districts), and 3 villages was randomly selected from each township. Household samples of corn and dried pepper in 10 households were collected to detect fluorine content. The results of 14 counties were compared with the 2007 survey data. Results A total of 884 and 3379 samples of corn and pepper were collected, and the median fluorine content was 1.26 and 9.15 mg/kg, the range was 0.50~254.59 mg/kg and 0.50~3701.88 mg/kg, respectively. Compared with the survey data of 2007, the median fluoride content of corn of 14 counties decreased by nearly 50%, and the median amount of pepper was reduced by more than 80%. The differences were statistically significant (mg/kg:corn 1.36 vs 2.63, dried pepper 9.70 vs 55.31, Z = 3.28, 9.13, P<0.05). Conclusion The fluoride content of corn and pepper in Guizhou Province is significantly lower, but it is still relatively high in some coal-burning-borne fluorosis counties (cities, districts).