BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture has a good clinical effect on Alzheimer disease, but its mechanism remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on number of synaptic numeric density (Nv), surface density (Sv) and average size of synaptic conjunction and ultrastructure in hippocampal CA3 area of neurons of model rats with Alzheimer disease (AD).DESIGN: Completely randomized grouping and controlled study.SETTING: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital; College of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Massage of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MATERIALS: A total of 50 male SD rats of 24-month old weighing (480±20) g and 6 male rats of 3-month old weighing (250±15) g were selected in this study. Passage water maze (2.1×1.7×0.6) m3 was made of black glasses with 40 cm deep water and 4 caecums. WQ1002F Hans electrically heated distilling apparatus was used.METHODS: The experiment was carried out at the Grade Ⅲ Animal Experimental Center of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between, September 2002 and June 2003. ① Old SD rats were grouped on the basis of water-maze test results. Firstly, 6 young rats were submitted to water-maze test at 8 days before modeling for 4 continuous days to obtain average escaping latency. Secondly, 50 old rats were accepted in the water-maze test at 4 continuous days before modeling to obtain average escaping latency. A total of 36 rats whose latencies were less than average values plus one standard deviation of young rats were regarded as normal old rats. Among them, 12 rats were randomly divided into control group and sham operation group with 6 in each. Another 24 rats were transected at fornix-fimbria AD modeling. Thirdly, 24 modeling rats were all adopted in the water-maze test at 2 days after modeling. Rats whose latencies were more than average value plus two standard deviation of young rats were chosen as AD model. Twelve AD models were randomly divided into model group and electroacupuncture group with 6 in each.② On the 6th day after modeling, rats in electroacupuncture group were acupunctured at Baihui (Du20) of 0.5 inch in slope, Yongquan (K1),Taixi (K3) and Xuehai(Sp10) of 0.3 inch in depth with No. 30 milli-needle (3.33 cm); Then, electrically heated distilling apparatus was used with successive waves, 20 Hz in frequency and 2-4 V in voltage. Tolerant stress of rats at quiet state was regarded as the standard value (2 mA),the needle was maintained for 30 minutes, and the acupuncture was done once a day for totally 20 successive days. Rats in control group sham operation group (cerebral cortex was exposured at the same site as model rats, and fornix-fimbria was not cut off) and model group were only fixed but treated with nothing. ③ After treatment, ultrastructure in hippocampal CA3 area of rats was observed with transmission electron microscope;synapse numbers and cross-point numbers between synaptic conjunction and test line were counted with stereological technique; stereological parameters, such as numeric density (Nv), area surface (Sv) and average size of synaptic conjunction, which could reflect plastic changes of synaptic form, were calculated at the same time. ④ Differences between every two groups were compared with t test at regular variance and t'test at irregular variance.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparisons of numeric density (Nv),surface density (Sv) and average size of synaptic conjunction.RESULTS: A total of 24 old rats were involved in the final analysis with 6 in each group. ① Ultrastructure: Synaptic density of control and sham operation group was higher than that of model group, and average area of synapse was smaller;, synaptic density of electroacupuncture group increased compared with that of model group, and average area of synapse was smaller. ② Numeric density and surface density in hippocampal CA3 area in model and electroacupuncture group were lower than those of control group and sham operation group (P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference between sham operation group and control group (P ＞ 0.05), and those of electroacupuncture group were higher than those of model group (P ＜ 0.01). ③ Average size of synaptic conjunction in hippocampal CA3 of model and electroacupuncture group was higher than that of control and sham operation group (P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference between sham operation group and control group (P ＞ 0.05), and the value of electroacupuncture group was lower than that of model group (P ＜ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Electrotherapy can repair synaptic form and inhibit synaptic degeneration of hippocampal neurons in AD rats.

Objective To study the possible relationship between mitochondrial DNA point mutations and hereditary ataxia (HA). Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymophism (RFLP) were performed to search A3243G, T8993G or T8993C point mutations in the amplified mitochondrial DNA of extract human perpheral white blood cells of 26 patients with HA and 35 normal controls. Results No point mutations of mitochondrial DNA A3243G, T8993G or T8993C were found in HA group and control group.Conclusion mitochondrial DNA A3243G, T8993G and T8993C mutations are not likely to be genetic factors of hereditary ataxia.

0.05). Conclusion There are MA and mutation of p53 gene in T-cell lymphoma though no significant correlation between them. But, MA positive cases might experience high mutation of p53 gene in T-cell lymphoma.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets at tapering doses for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Methods After receiving evaluation of medical history and undergoing autologous serum skin test (ASST), 80 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria were randomly divided into two groups:conventional dose group administrating fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets 120 mg/d for 12 consecutive weeks, tapering dose group administrating fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets 120 mg/d for the first 4 weeks followed by dose tapering of fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets by 30 mg at the 5th and 9th weeks. The urticaria activity score(UAS) and dermatology life quality index(DLQI)were evaluated before the treatment(baseline)as well as after 4?, 8?and 12?week treatment, and the total dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride was calculated. Results A total of 76 patients completed the 12?week treatment, including 37 patients in the conventional dose group and 39 patients in the tapering dose group. After 4?, 8?and 12?week treatment, a significant decrease was observed in the UAS in the conventional dose group(0.64 ± 0.82, 0.37 ± 0.68 and 0.27 ± 0.56 vs. 4.08 ± 0.79, all P<0.01)and tapering dose group(0.61 ± 0.87, 0.48 ± 0.72 and 0.28 ± 0.61 vs. 4.07 ± 0.81, all P<0.01)compared with that at baseline in the corresponding groups. DLQI scores also significantly decreased after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment in the conventional dose group(3.62 ± 1.82, 2.81 ± 1.65 and 1.37 ± 1.14 vs. 16.19 ± 3.79, all P<0.01)and tapering dose group(3.79 ± 2.57, 2.74 ± 2.11 and 1.15 ± 1.47 vs. 15.92 ± 4.2, all P < 0.01) compared with those at baseline. However, there were no significant differences in the UAS or DLQI scores between the conventional dose group and tapering dose group at any of the post?treatment time points(all P>0.05). After 8?and 12?week treatment, symptoms were controlled in 71.79%(28/39)and 82.05%(32/39)of patients in the tapering dose group, respectively, with the total dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride being significantly lower in the tapering dose group than in the conventional dose group (both P<0.001). Conclusion After 4- 8 weeks of treatment with fexofenadine hydrochloride, the tapering dose regimen and conventional dose regimen show similar clinical efficacy in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

0.05).Conclusions The intraluminal ultrasonic ablation angioplasty can be safely used to treat human venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture therapy on damaged cholinergic neurons in hippocampus in aged rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Thirty six aged male rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham-operated group, untreated group and electroacupuncture group. Animal model of AD was established with fimbria-fornix transection. The rats in the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Baihui (DU 20), Yongquan (KI 1), Taixi (KI 3) and Xuehai (SP10). The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in septal area of brain was detected by radioimmunoassay, and the protein expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and c-fos in CA3 region of hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemical assay. RESULTS: The ChAT activity and the expression levels of NGF and c-fos proteins in the electroacupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture therapy can protect cholinergic neurons in hippocampus in aged rats with AD by means of promoting synthesis of c-fos protein and increasing the expression level of NGF.

TheStandardized Manipulations of Acupuncture and Moxibustion has been published and gradually standardized the clinical practice. It provided a solid foundation for the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapeutic effects. It also provided powerful convictable effects on the accuracy and scientificity of acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice, which gained well-acceptance from patients. In the treatment of certain diseases, acupuncture and moxibustion have become irreplaceable so that acupuncture and moxibustion can be strongly promoted both at home and abroad. There were some common problems occurred during the establishment of the national standardization onStandardized Manipulations of Oral and Lip Acupuncture. This article reviewed, analyzed and discussed questions occurred during the standardization establishment. The results showed that according to the principle of standardized production, a rigorous, scientific and reasonable text standard can be established. Advices or opinions gained during the process can be used as references for future standardization establishment. It was concluded that the standardization of acupuncture had great guidance in the acupuncture clinical application. It is an arduous and long-term mission to achieve and strengthen the position of international standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion. The government should increase the effort on investment and promotion of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization. Conversation and cooperation should also be strengthened with international communities to promote the standardization implementation.

Objective To examine osteopontin (OPN) levels in both synovial fluid and articular cartilage of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to investigate their relationship with severity of the disease. Methods Fifty patients with knee OA and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.There were 15 males and 35 females with an average age of 61.8±7.4 years in OA group. The control group included 4 males and 6 females with an average age of 63.2±6.0 years. Mankin score were taken to determine the disease severity of the affected knee. The radiographic grading of OA in the knee was performed using the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. OPN levels in synovial fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OPN levels in articular cartilage were assessed by immunohistochemical methods. Results Compared to healthy controls, the knee OA patients had higher OPN concentration in synovial fluid ([4519.60±1830.37] pg/ml vs. [1179.70±303.39] pg/ml) and articular cartilage([0.60±0.06] vs. [0.43 ±0.07]). In addition, synovial fluid OPN levels showed a positive correlation with articular cartilage OPN levels (r=0.411,P=0.003). Subsequent analysis showed that the OPN levels in synovial fluid significantly had been correlated with severity of disease using Kellgren-Lawrence criteria (r=0.581, P＜ 0.001). Furthermore,the levels of OPN in the articular cartilage also were correlated with disease severity using Mankin score (r=0.675, P＜ 0.001).Conclusion The data suggest that OPN in synovial fluid and articular cartilage is related to progressive joint damage and could be a predictive biomarker respect to disease severity and progression in knee OA.

BACKGROUND:Pain after arthroscopic treatment can not only affect the patient’s life quality, and is not
conducive to the early reasonable exercise and functional recovery of the patients after treatment. Up to 2012, there are 18 randomized placebo-control ed trials on intra-articular injection of bupivacaine for analgesia after arthroscopic surgery, but the results are different.
OBJECTIVE:To examine the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of bupivacaine in the management of pain after arthroscopic surgery through randomized placebo-control ed trials.
METHODS:The MEDLINE database, Cochrane Central Register and Google Scholar database were retrieved for the randomized control ed trials on intra-articular injection of bupivacaine in the management of pain after
arthroscopic surgery up to April 2012. The key words were“bupivacaine, intra-articular, arthroscopic, postoperative pain, placebo”.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eighteen studies (n=934) were included (461 cases in bupivacaine group and 473
cases in the placebo control group). The Meta-analysis results showed the visual analog scale score of the bupivacaine group was lower than that of the placebo control group (weighted mean difference:-1.39, 95%confidence interval:-2.17 to-0.61, P<0.000 01), and the number of patients required supplementary analgesia was less than the placebo control group (relative risk:0.84, 95%confidence interval:0.62 to 1.66, P=0.010). The time from first supplementary analgesia to postoperative intra-articular injection in the bupivacaine group was longer that in the placebo control group (weighted
mean difference:157.72, 95%confidence interval:16.43 to 299.01, P<0.000 01). There was no significant difference in the incidence of side effect between two groups (relative risk:0.64, 95%confidence interval:0.29 to 1.44, P=0.48). On the basis of the currently available literature, the intra-articular of bupivacaine after arthroscopic surgery can significantly relieve pain without increasing the adverse reactions when compared with the placebo control group.

Objective To investigate the protection effect of inferior vena cava filter on pulmonary embolism in patients with deep venous thrombosis(DVT) of lower extremities. Methods Inferior vena cava filters were placed in 55 patients with DVT. Simon Nitiol filter(SNF) was used in 25 cases,Trap Ease filter(TEF) in 13 cases and Antheor Temporal filter(ATF) in 17 cases.10 patients with DVT were treated by non operation therapy,45 patients by operation and transluminal angioplasties.Whether patients occurred pulmonary embolism was observed clinically,and the form and site of SNF and TEF were monitored by periodic fluoroscopy . Results Inferior vena cava filter was placed successfully in all patients.Symptoms and signs of DVT disappeared in all the patients after treatment . None of the putients occurred pulmonary embolism in this series. One case occurred inferior vena cava thrombolism in 16 months after SNF placement. Thrombus attached to ATF after the ATF taking off from inferior vena cava was found in 17 cases.Conclusions Inferior vena cava filter placement is a simple, safe and efficient method to prevent pulmonary embolism in a short period.But its long term complications should be considered and investigated.