Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Li Jiao Tong Fu (regulating the triple energizers and unblocking the Fu-organs) acupoint thread-embedding in treating functional constipation. Method Sixty eligible subjects were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupoint thread-embedding at Tianshu (ST25), Shuidao (ST28), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Danchangshu (BL25), once every 2 weeks, totally for 2 sessions. The control group was by sham thread-embedding at the same points with the same treatment duration. The Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptom (PAC-SYM), Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QOL), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and two factors from PAC-SYM, hard bower movement and bloating, were observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Result The total effective rate was 83.3% in the treatment group versus 46.7%in the control group, and the total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The PAC-SYM, PAC-QOL, and bloating scores were significantly improved after the intervention in the two groups (P<0.05), and the improvements in the treatment group were more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). The score of hard bower movement was markedly improved after the intervention in the treatment group (P<0.05), and the score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Li Jiao Tong Fu acupoint thread-embedding is significantly effective in treating functional constipation, and it’s easy-to-operate, safe and reliable, and has a good compliance, thus worth promoting in clinic.

Acupuncture analgesia, as a non-drug analgesic therapy, is widely used in the perioperative period clinically. In recent years, acupuncture analgesia in perioperative period is mainly used for preoperative sedation, intraoperative auxiliary anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery and perioperative complications, etc. This paper summarized its application law, influence factors, and the existing problems.

OBJECTIVE To probe how to avoid the complication after intravenous infusion for the elders. METHODS The cause of the complication in infusion therapy for the elders with a total of 80 cases in the past three years was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Among the complications after intravenous infusion for 80 elders,leakage injury accounted for 47 cases(58.5%), and phlebitis accounted for 21 cases(26.8%),respectively. CONCLUSIONS As the elders′ blood vessel wall is very thin,the intravenous infusion often causes injury,the nurses should pay more attention to operating of intravenous infusion for the elders,observing regularly,and prolonging the time for pressing the pinprick after pulling out the dropper,in order to reduce the coming of injury.

Objective: To examine correlations between MRI and cognitive changes associated with cerebral infarction. Methods: Using HDS-R and Senior Cognitive Scale, we assessed 101 patients with cerebral infarction during acute to rehabilitation phase. The results were compared with their MRI. Results: At 3 weeks after onset, cognitive impairment was found in 70.3% of the patients. At 6 months after onset, 10% recovered to normal, 35.6% improved, 22.8% worsened, and 42.5% met the criteria of dementia. During acute phase, infarction focus and leukoaraiosis (LA) were related to cognitive impairment ( P

Objective To study the chemical constituents ofPronephrium triphyllum.Methods The chemical constituents in the plant were isolated and purified with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20.Their structures were identified by analyses of spectral data and physicochemical properties.Results Six compounds were isolated and identified as shelincaoide A(1),n-butyl-13-D-fructopyranoside(2),triphyllin A(3),6,7-di-hydroxycoumarin(4),daucosterol(5),and 13-sitosterol(6),respectively.Conclusion Compound 1 is found to be a new compound.Compounds 2 and 4 are firstly isolated from the plants in Pronephrium Presl.and all compotmds except 3 are obtained from the species for the first time.

Objective To preliminarily explore the effects and brain protective mechanism of intermittent hypoxia preconditioning ( IHP) on rats with seizures induced by lithium-pilocarpine ( Li-pilo) .Methods A total of 96 8-week old male Sprague Dawley rats ( clean grade ) were randomly divided into control group , seizure group and four IHP-seizure groups.The animal model of epilepsy was established by intraperitoneal injection of Li-pilo in the seizure group and four IHP-seizure groups (Li-pilo was injected at 1, 3, 7, or 14 days after a 5-day regimen of IHP).Subsequent seizure behavior , the latency period and percentage of generalized seizures were quantitatively evaluated for 240 min and the cognitive function was tested by Morris water maze task , and followed by the detection of hippocampus neuron apoptosis and related protein (BCL-2, Bax, and cleaved-caspase-3) by TUNEL labeling and Western blot, respectively.Results The induced seizure peaked on an average between 50-150 min after Li-pilo administration , scored using a modified Racine scale.The average scores of modified Racine scale in the IHP-3d seizure group was significantly lower than that in the other groups.The latency period and percentage of generalized seizures in the IHP-3d seizure group rats were significantly different from the parameters in the seizure group rats (P<0.05).IHP-3d seizure rats showed lower escape latency, neuronal apoptosis counts and higher percentage of time in the probe quadrant compare with the seizure group and the other three IHP-seizure groups ( P <0.05 ) .Compared with the control group , the parameters of water maze and apoptosis detection in the IHP-3d seizure group showed no significant changes (P>0.05).Conclusions The results indicate that IHP treatment may help to decrease the susceptibility to epilepsy by reducing abnormal apoptosis , and has a brain protective effect on the seizure rats .

Objective To observe the effects of Xifeng Tongnao capsules on the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in brain tissue of rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods A total of 120 adult SD rats were randomized into 6 groups: Xifeng Tongnao low-, middle- and high-dose groups, model control group, Buchang Naoxintong group and sham-operated group.Buchang Naoxintong group were treated with Buchang Naoxintong capsules at 0.864 g??kg-1.Xifeng Tongnao high-, middle-and low-dose groups were treated with 3.456, 1.728, and 0.864 g??kg-1 Xifeng Tongnao capsules, respectively;sham-operated group and model control group were treated with equal volume of purified water. Medications were administered intragastrically once daily for 7 days. The acute transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion ( MCAO) 1 h after the final dose, and rats in the sham-operated group only received anesthesia and stripping without occlusion.All rats were sacrificed after reperfusion for 24 h, and expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the brain tissue were detected by ELISA. Results TNF-αcontent in Xifeng Tongnao capsutes low-, middle-and high-dose groups were (35.34±8.95), (33.75±6.92), and (40.95±5.39) ng??L-1, respectively.IL-1β content were (1.44±0.47), (1.45± 0.23), and (1.61±0.33) ng??L-1 in low-, middle- and high-dose groups, respectively.TNF-α and IL-1β were (38.96±9.84) and (1.56±0.31) ng??L-1, respectively in Buchang Naoxintong group, (52.74±6.76) and (2.79±0.45) ng??L-1in the model control group, and (32.54±4.00) and (1.32±0.22) ng??L-1 in sham-operated group.TNF-αand IL-1βcontent were significantly higher in Buchang Naoxintong group than in sham-operated group ( P<0. 05 ) . TNF-α and IL-1β content were significantly decreased in Xifeng Tongnao high-, middle- and low-dose groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion Xifeng Tongnao capsules can protect brain tissue by supressing TNF-α and IL-1β and alleviating inflammatory injury from ischemia.

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI).Methods 27 chronic heart failure patients who underwent CRT were enrolled.All following indices were measured respectively:the left ventricular systolic function indices in the 16 segments of 3D-STI including the mean area peak strain,the mean longitudinal peak strain,the mean circumferential peak strain,and the mean radial peak strain(MAS,MLS,MCS,MRS) ; the strain-derived dyssynchrony indices in the 16 segments of 3D-STI including the standard deviation for time to peak area strain,the standard deviation for time to peak longitudinal strain,the standard deviation for time to peak circumferential strain,and the standard deviation for time to peak radial strain (TAS-SD,TCS-SD,TLS-SD,TRS-SD) ;the standard deviation for time to peak area strain,the standard deviation for time to peak circumferential strain,the standard deviation for time to peak longitudinal strain,and the standard deviation for time to peak radial strain(TAS-dif,TCS-dif,TLS-dif,TRS-dif) ;the rotation and twist index of 3D-STI including peak rotation on apical plane,peak rotation on basal plane,peak twist angle(RotA,RotB,Twist),time to peak of the rotation on apical,time to peak of the rotation on bastal,time to peak of the twist (PTRotA,PTRotB,PTtw).The differences of all the indices between before CRT and 3 months after CRT were calculated and the correlation between the changes of all those indices and the changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (△LVEF) were analyzed.Results MAS,MLS,MCS,MRS,RotA and Twist were increased 3 months after CRT (P ＜0.01,P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01,P ＜0.01,P＜ 0.01,P ＜0.01);TRS-SD and PTtw was decreased 3 months after CRT (P ＜0.01,P ＜0.05) ; |△MAS|,| △MLS|,△TRSSD,△RotA and △Twist were correlated with △LVEF 3 months after CRT (r =0.521,P =0.005; r =0.389,P =0.045; r =-0.560,P =0.002; r =0.513,P =0.006; r =0.610,P =0.001).Conclusions The myocardial systolic strain function,dyssynchrony and twist function of left ventricle were improved significantly 3 months after CRT.3D-STI offered a new way for the evaluation of short-term efficacy of CRT.

Objective To test the efficacy of low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation plus rehabilitation training in improving swallowing function after stroke. MethodsEighty dysphagic stroke patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 40.Patients in the experimental group received low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation plus 2 courses of rehabilitation training.Control group patients received the same protocol,but the electrical stimulation was not over acupoints.Their swallowing function was assessed using the Kubota water drinking test.ResultsAfter treatment,both groups showed significantly lower Kubota scores compared with pre-treatment.Prepost test difference was 1.25 ± 0.78 in the experimental group and 0.70 ± 0.72 in the control group,a significant difference.The total recovery rate in the experimental group was 87.5％.In the control group it was 55％.The improvement in swallowing function was significantly better in the experimental group.Conclusion Both groups showed a significant improvement in swallowing function,but low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation increased the effectiveness of the rehabilitation training.

ObjectiveTo investigate hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels in the tissue and serum of patients with chronic hepatitis,cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and analyze the clinical significances of HGF for HCC.MethodSurgical specimens from 97 patients were collected during Dec.2003 to Aug.2008 in the Third Central Hospital.The patients were prospectively enrolled and categorized into four groups:normal subjects ( n =11 ),chronic hepatitis B or C ( n =6＝,cirrhosis ( n =20)and HCC ( n =60 ) including well-differentiated ( n =21 ),moderately differentiated ( n =23 ),poorly differentiated (n =16) specimens.N0 (n =24),N1 (n =21 ),N2 (n =54) and N3 (n =43) were tissues respectively removed from liver at 0,1,2 or 3 cm beyond the margin of tumor.HGF mRNA expression in liver tissues was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription- (RT)-PCR.Serum HGF levels in the other cases of normal subjects ( n =20),chronic hepatitis B or C ( n =20),cirrhosis ( n =20) and HCC (n =57) were measured by ELISA.The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was employed for survival analysis.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors in each group.ResultsThe HGF mRNA in normal subjects,chronic hepatitis,cirrhosis,N3,N2,N1,N0 and HCC were0.99(0.78-1.66),2.15(1.06-3.40),1.78(1.18-2.73),4.59(2.67 -8.63),3.86 ( 2.25 - 6.45 ),3.12 ( 1.59 - 5.74 ),2.92 ( 0.88 - 5.99 ) and 0.48 ( 0.19 - 1.06 ) respectively.The serum concentration of HGF in the normal subjects,chronic hepatitis,cirrhosis and HCC patients were (0.31 ± 0.05 ),(0.65 ± 0.07 ),( 1.27 ± 0.30 ) and ( 2.06 ± 0.66) μg/L respectively.The highest level of HGF mRNA was found in N3,while the HGF mRNA expression in HCC was [ (2.14 ± 0.52 ) μg/L] lower than that not only in the non-tumor tissues,but also in the normal control ( U =196.50,P =0.03 ).The serum concentration of HGF was significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis,cirrhosis or HCC than in normal subjects.The serum HGF level of HCC was bounced after hepatectomy (t =2.70,P ＜0.01 ).On the logistic regression analysis,the tumor numbers and Child-pugh were related with the levels of the tissue HGF mRNA and serum HGF of HCC,OR were0.15 (95％CI:0.03-0.72,P＜0.05) and0.13 (95％CI:0.27 -0.89,P ＜0.05 ),respectively.Univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model in the complication groups revealed that the levels of the tissue HGF mRNA and serum HGF were significant risk factors of death for HCC,OR were 0.02 (95％ CI:0.00 - 0.52,P ＜ 0.05 ) and 10.01 (95％ CI:1.16 -86.23,P ＜ 0.05 ),respectively.On the Log-rank analysis,no statistically difference in the cumulative survival was found between the two groups categorized by median (0.49) of tissue HGF mRNA 2 - AACT (X2 =0.13,P =0.72).While the HCC patients were dichotomized by their the median(0.69 μg/L) of serum HGF concentration,the death risk for the patients with higher levels of HGF was increased 2.84 fold than those with lower levels (95％ CI:1.03 - 7.92,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionHGF mRNA expression is decreased in tumor tissues,while its level in tumor adjacent live and serum is significantly elevated and is in association with shortened postoperative survival of HCC patients.