Objective: To observe the effects of acupoint thread-embedding therapy and low-carbohydrate diet therapy on obese patients with food addiction. Methods: Sixty-five eligible patients were randomized into a thread-embedding group of 33 cases and a diet group of 32 cases to respectively receive 12-week treatment. Before treatment, after treatment and at 6-month follow-up, the two groups were observed and compared in terms of body mass (BM), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), body fat rate (BFR), basal metabolic rate (BMR) and Yale food addiction scale version 2.0 (YFAS 2.0). Results: At the end of treatment, there were no significant differences in the general efficacy, and the improvements in BM, BMI, WC, HC, WHR and BFR between the thread-embedding group and diet group (all P>0.05). At follow-up, the thread-embedding group showed more significant improvements in all the aforementioned indicators compared with the diet group except HC (all P<0.05). At the end of treatment and follow-up, BMR and YFSA 2.0 had more significant improvements in the thread-embedding group than in the diet group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint thread-embedding therapy can produce significant efficacy in treating obese patients with food addiction; it can improve the food addiction state and work better in maintaining the efficacy compared with low-carbohydrate diet therapy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of juglone on the ultrastructure of human liver cancer BEL-7402 cells.

METHODSBEL-7402 cells were incubated in the presence of 12.5 micromol/L juglone for 24 h, and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for HE staining and Coomassie brilliant blue staining and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSIncubation with juglone resulted in obvious changes in the cell morphology and cytoskeletal alterations of the cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed reduced volume of the cell bodies, dissociation of the cells, curling and malformation of the microvilli on the cell surface with rupture of the intercellular junction and enlargement of the intercellular space. The formation of apoptotic bodies was observed. Transmission electron microscopy showed expansion of the endoplasmic reticula, mitochondrial cristea disintegration, nucleolar fragmentation and formation of the apoptotic bodies after the exposure to juglone for 24 h.

CONCLUSIONJuglone can cause ultrastructural changes of human liver cancer BEL-7402 cells and induce their apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; ultrastructure ; Naphthoquinones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo introduce the experience in the treatment of lower eyelid pouches orbital rim.

METHODSAn incision was made along the margin of lower eyelid and dissection was performed under the orbicularis muscle to expose the orbital septum and periosteum of lower orbital rim. The fat released from orbital septum was transposed just below the lower orbital rim and fixed on the periosteum. If lacrimal groove deformity was not corrected completely, the musculocutaneous flap, which may be excised beside the incision, was kept to correct the deformities further with only the muscle portion.

RESULTS72 cases with lower eyelid pouches complicated with lacrimal groove deformities were treated with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps. Satisfactory results were achieved in all the patients after a follow-up period of 3-6 months.

CONCLUSIONIt is an effective and feasible technique to correct lacrimal groove deformities with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps.

Adipose Tissue ; transplantation ; Aged ; Blepharoplasty ; methods ; Eyelids ; surgery ; Humans ; Orbit ; Periosteum ; surgery

Objective To explore the clinical value of 99Tcm-MIBI G-MPI in patients diagnosed with myocardial bridging(MB) by CTA. Methods Forty-five patients with MB and 17 normal controls diagnosed by CTA(64 slices CT) were included. All patients underwent rest 99Tcm-MIBI G-MPI and 17 MB patients and 9 normal controls also underwent stress 99Tcm-MIBI G-MPI. Myocardial ischemia, function and wall motion were assessed. G-MPI results were compared with CTA results by χ2 test, Fisher exact test and t test. Results In patients with MB, the positive rate of abnormal perfusion by gated stress 99Tcm-MIBI G-MPI was 64.7% (11/17) and 41.2% (7/17) using quantitative analysis and visual evaluation respectively; while the data were 42.2% (19/45) and 22.2% (10/45) by rest G-MPI (P=0.035). The positive rate by rest G-MPI in MB patients was significant different among mural coronary arteries of different depths and different locations. By quantitative analysis of the stress G-MPI, the reversible, fixed, and mixed ischemia patients were 4 (35.3%), 6 (23.5%) and 1 (5.9%) respectively; the reversed, reversible and fixed abnormity of wall motion was found in 4 (23.5%), 4 (23.5%) and 2 (11.8%) patients respectively; the reversed, reversible and fixed wall thickening were found in 6 (35.3%), 5 (29.4%) and 1 (5.9%) patients respectively. There was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction and peak filling rate between MB patients and normal controls in both rest and stress studies (t: from -0.564 to 1.292, all P>0.05). Conclusion The G-MPI may be useful for the evaluation of myocardial ischemia and myocardial function simultaneously in patients with MB.

Objectives To explore the relationship between polymorphism in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)gene Xba I and child dental fluorosis.Methods Qiulou township of Kaifeng and Sunying township of Tongxu counties of Henan province were chosen as the investigation spots in 2006.An area of water drinking endemic fluorosis(high fluoride area)and a non-endemic area(control area)were chosen in every spot,where dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 years old were examined and diagnosed by using the Dean method.The children in the high fluoride areas were divided into dental fluorosis group and control group of the endemic areas according to dental fluorosis status,and the children in the control areas as control gruop of non-endemic areas.The Xba I polymorphism in the ERα gene was genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure.The fluoride levels in the urine samples from the three groups were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode and over standard rate of the urine was counted.Results The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis in high fluoride areas was 51.7%(74/143)and the community fluorosis index was 1.310.No dental fluorosis case was checked out in the control and the community fluorosis index was 0.021.The over standard rate of urine fluoride in dental fluorosis group[84.6%(121/143)]was significantly higher than that of control in non-endemic area[9.6%(9/94);χ2=125.95,P<0.01].The frequency distribution of ERα Xba I genotype was XX 6.8%(5/74),xx 36.5%(27/74),xx 56.8%(42/74)in dental fluorosis group;XX 15.9%(11/69),Xx 37.7%(26/69),xx 46.4%(32/69)in the eontrol of the endemic areas;XX 14.9%(14/94),Xx 43.6%(41/94),xx 41.5%(39/94)in children from the control in non-endemic area,respectively.No significant difference was found among the three groups(χ2= 3.450, P > 0.05). Allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes was X 22.7%(30/132), x 77.3%(102/132) in dental fluorosis group and X 35.5%(39/110),x 64.5% (71/110) in the control in endemic area when urine fluorosis of children was exceeding standard and significant difference was found in this two groups(χ2 = 4.768, P < 0.05; OR = 0.535,95% CI:0.305 - 0.941). Conclusion Children who carried X allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes have a lower risk of dental fluorosis when children with high-loaded fluoride status.

OBJECTIVETo create a three dimension (3D) in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma.

METHODThe fragment of hemangioma specimen was embedded in fibrin gel to set up the three-dimension (3D) in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma.

RESULTIn the model, microvessels grew out from the tissue fragments at the 2nd to 3rd day after culture, and at the 8th to 9th day a compact network of microvessels come into being, then tending to be stationary. The compact network around the tissue fragment was confirmed to be blood vessels by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.

CONCLUSIONThis model helps to study the mechanism of hemangioma angiogenesis and investigate the drugs of anti-angiogenesis.

Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Neovascularization, Pathologic

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate that estrogen stimulates the angiogenesis of children' s hemangioma.

METHODSA piece of hemangioma biopsy was embedded in fibrin gel, and a model in vitro of angiogenesis of human hemangioma was then established. The angiogenesis of hemangioma in each group was interfered by the estrogen and tamoxifen. There were four groups divided into the followings: the group with estrogen, the group with tamoxifen, the group with estrogen + tamoxifen and the control. The dimension of newborn tubule area in the 3rd, 6th, 9th day after the culture was calculated to compare statistically differences among the groups.

RESULTSIn the model of angiogenesis of hemangioma, microvessels grew out from the tissue sample in 2 to 3 days after the culture, and in 8 to 9 days a complex network of microvessels had been shown, the tending to inactivity. On the 3rd,6th and 9th day after the culture the dimension of newborn tubule area of the group of estrogen [(2.84 +/- 0.20) mm2 (12.93 +/- 0.85) mm2 (22.47 +/- 1.40) mm2] were larger than those of the control [(1.98 +/- 0.17) mm2, (7.51 +/- 0.48) mm2, (11.26 +/- 0.73) mm2]. Those of the group of estrogen + tamoxifen [(1.08 +/- 0.11) mm2, (3.54 +/- 0.31) mm2, (5.72 +/- 0.40 mm2] and the group of tamoxifen [(1.13 +/- 0.14) mm2 (4.26 +/- 0.29) mm2, (6.08 +/- 0.42) mm2] were smaller than those of the groups of the estrogen and the control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe estrogen may stimulate the angiogenesis of children's hemangioma, and the tamoxifen may reverse the process.

Child ; Estrogens ; adverse effects ; Hemangioma ; pathology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

BACKGROUNDHigh fluoride exposure can result in dental fluorosis. Fluoride and iodine are coexistent in the drinking water of areas in China and may affect the prevalence of dental fluorosis and osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum calciotropic hormone level, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water.

METHODSA pilot study was conducted in three villages located in the Kaifeng and Tongxu counties of Henan Province, China in 2006. Children aged 8 to 12 years, born and raised in the three villages were recruited. The fluoride levels in the samples of urine from these children were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode. Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels in the serum, and serum calcium were measured by radioimmunassay and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively.

RESULTSFluoride levels in urine were significantly lower in children from control area (CA) as compared with those from the high fluoride & iodine areas (HFIA) and the high fluoride area (HFA) (P < 0.05 respectively), and no statistically significant difference was found between the children from HFIA and HFA. Additionally, calcitonin levels in the serum were significantly lower in children from CA and HFA as compared with that from HFIA (P < 0.05 respectively), and osteocalcin levels in the serum was lower in children from CA than those from HFIA (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in serum osteocalcin concentrations was found between children from HFA and HFIA.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides an evidence that iodine exposure may modify the serum calciotropic hormone levels related to fluorine exposure.

Calcitonin ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Fluorides ; administration & dosage ; Fluorosis, Dental ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Pilot Projects ; Prevalence ; Water Supply ; analysis

To study the constituents of the Prunella vulgaris L, the constituents were isolated by various column chromatography and the structures were identified on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis. One saponin compound (I) and one flavone glycoside compound (II) were obtained from Prunella vulgaris L. Their structures were elucidated as 16-oxo-17-demethyl-3beta,24-dihydroxylolean-12-en-3-O-beta-D-glucuronoside (I), and acacetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (II). Compound I is a novel triterpenoid saponin and named as prunelloside A. Compound II was obtained for the first time from the Prunella genus.
Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prunella ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results of the treatment of severe infantile hemangioma with high-dose propranolol in Chinese.

METHODS56 cases with severe infantile hemangioma were treated with propranolol. Clinical evaluation, electrocardiography, and experimental examination of liver function and heart function were performed before treatment. The daily dose of propranolol was increased from 1 mg/kg at the first day to 1.5 mg/kg at the second day, and to 2 mg/kg at the third day. The propranolol was given twice a day. The treatment was lasted for six months. The patients were visited every month.

RESULTSThe lesion color was changed after 2-4 days of treatment in all the cases. All the lesions were dramatically improved after one month of treatment. The ulceration were healed, except one case. Until now, complete regression was achieved in 10 cases and marked improvement in 46 cases. Side effects were happened in 3 cases, including one case of abnormal liver function, one case of CK-MB increase and one case of continuous increase of CK-MB, LDH, ALT, GGT.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-dose Propranolol is very effective in the treatment of infantile hemangioma with minor side effects and short disease period. It might he used as the first-line treatment for infantile hemangioma.

China ; Female ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome