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 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.

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

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.

Objective To observe the differences of cerebral activation pattern with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) between patients with spasmodic torticollis (ST) and healthy controls,thus to investigate the pathogenesis of ST.Methods Nineteen ST patients and 21 age,sex and education-matched healthy controls,recruited from the Department of Neurology,First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between November 2012 and January 2016,were included in this study.rs-fMRI and factional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) were used to obtain differences between patients with ST and healthy controls,and correlative analysis was made on fALFF values of abnormal brain regions and ST patients' symptom severity (Tsui scores).Results Compared with healthy controls,patients with ST had significantly increased fALFF in the left cerebellum and significantly decreased fALFF in the left posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus,right posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus,left middle temporal gyrus,right angular gyrus,left post-central gyrus,right supplementary motor area (t =-5.714-5.920,P ＜0.01),and abnormal brain regions' fALFF values had no correlation with patients' age of onset,disease course,symptom severity (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Abnormal sensorimotor area,default mode network and cerebellum dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of ST.

Objective To investigate the role of dual-source parallel radio frequence (RF) and single-source excitation in liver imaging at 3.0 T MR.Methods This study was a retrospective analysis.One hundred and seven subjects underwent a 3.0 T TX MR scanning including axial spectrally selective attenuated inversion recovery (SPAIR) T2WI,axial DWI and coronal balanced-fast field echo( Balanced FFE).Each sequence was carried out with both single-source and dual-source RF excitation.Student＇s t test was used to compare the differences between single-source and dual-source RF excitation in the image uniformity,signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine whether there was difference between conventional and parallel transmission in the score of image quality.Reader agreement was assessed using the Cohen＇s Kappa test.Results For the image uniformity,there was significant difference between single-source and dual-source excitation (418.40 ± 66.75 for single-source vs.416.26 ± 50.61 for dual-source,t =2.524,P ＜ 0.05 ).There also existed significant difference between single-source and dual-source excitation in SNR and CNR,respectively.The SNR and CNR of parallel transmission (22.03 + 12.16 and 18.33 ± 10.01,respectively) were both higher than those of single transmission (20.36 ± 11.21 and 15.22 ± 8.95,respectively) ( t =- 2.630,P ＜ 0.05 for SNR and t =- 4.238,P ＜ 0.05 for CNR).Image quality comparisons revealed significantly better results with dual-source than single-source RF excitation at SPAIR T2 WI ( 1.40 + 0.42 vs.1.81 ± 0.27 ),DWI ( 1.08 ± 0.40 vs.1.63 ± 0.36 ) and Balanced FFE sequence ( 0.95 ± 0.45 vs.1.65 ± 0.37,Z =- 5.894,- 5.801 and - 6.985,respectively,P ＜ 0.01 ).In the comparison of image quality,the agreement between the two readers was very good ( Kappa ＞ 0.8,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Dual-source parallel RF excitation MR imaging in liver enables reducing dielectric shading,improving homogeneity of the RF magnetic induction field,and increasing SNR and CNR at 3.0 T.

BACKGROUND:Progressive fracture of the cartilage is considered the characteristic lesion in later osteoarthritis, the expression of osteoarthritis-related factors such as hyaluronic acid, osteopontin and CD44 in osteoarthritic cartilage is increased.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of hyaluronic acid on the expression of osteopontin mRNA and CD44 mRNA of chondrocytes in the in vitro cultured chondrocytes of patients with knee osteoarthritis.
METHODThe cartilage samples obtained from osteoarthritic patients were cultured and purified into acquire chondrocytes in vitro, and the cells were divided into three groupblank control group, hyaluronic acid (100 mg/mL) group and hyaluronidase (200 mg/mL) group. After 48 hours of cellculture, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect the expression of CD44 mRNA and osteopontin mRNA. The difference of the expression levels before and after the intervention of hyaluronic acid was compared and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group, hyaluronic acid (100 mg/mL) upregulated osteopontin mRNA expression in the chondrocytes, hyaluronidase (200 mg/mL) also reduced osteopontin mRNA expression in the chondrocytes. The CD44 mRNA expression in the chondrocytes of hyaluronic acid (100 mg/mL) group and hyaluronidase (200 mg/mL) group was lower than that in the blank control group. Hyaluronic acid can upregulate the expression of the osteopontin mRNA expression in the osteoarthritic chondrocytes;the biphasic effects of hyaluronic acid on CD44 mRNA expression in osteoarthritic chondrocytes might be associated with the molecule weight of hyaluronic acid.