OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy and safety on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis treated with acupuncture.

METHODSSixty-six patients of moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into an acupuncture group (34 cases) and a western medication group (32 cases). In the acupuncture, group, acupuncture was applied to Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Ganshu (BL 18) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the prone, retained for 20 min; then in the supine, at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), yingxiang (LI20) Taichong (LR 3) and Hegu (LI 4), retained for 20 min. Acupuncture was given once every two days, three times a week, continuously for 8 weeks. In the western medication group, cetirizine hydrochloride was taken orally, 10 mg each time, once every day, continuously for 8 weeks. Separately, before treatment, after the treatment of 1 and 2 months and in 1 month after treatment, the total nasal symptom score (TNSS), the scores in the emotion rating scale for Ganzangxiang of TCM (ERSG) and the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) were observed in the patients of the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS(1) For TNSS, the results after 1 and 2 months treatment and in 1 month after treatment were all, reduced as compare with that before treatment separately in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) The result after 2 months treatment was lower than that after 1 month treatment in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). In 1 month after treatment, the result in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05). (2) For ERSG, the score after 2 months treatment was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (both P < 0.05). The score after 2 months treatment in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05). (3) For RQLQ, the score after 1 month treatment was lower than that before treatment and the score after 2 months treatment was lower than that after 1 month treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The score after 1 and 2 months treatment and in 1 month after treatment in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group separately (all P < 0.05). (4) The total effective rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the acupuncture group and was 90.6% (29/32) in the western medication group, without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture is the safe and effective intervention on moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis. Compared with the western medicine group, the efficacy in the acupuncture group presents much more advantageous at its durability.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Young Adult

This study aims to clarify out the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan. Chemical constituents of Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan identified by UPLC Q-TOF, were submit to Molinspiration, PharmMapper and KEGG bioinformatics softwares for predicting their absorption parameters, target proteins and related pathways respectively; and the gene chip and real time-PCR were carried out to investigate the expression of inflammatory genes on lung tissue of guinea pigs or human bronchial epithelial cell lines. The predicted results showed that 19 of the 24 absorbable constituents affected at 9 inflammation-related pathways through 11 protein targets; Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan treatment can significantly reduce the infiltration of cytokines through ERK1 gene and 5 inflammatory pathways (Focal adhesion, Fc epsilon RI, Toll-like receptors, NK cell-mediated cytotoxic, and ERK/MAPK). The results of real time-PCR further confirmed that the anti-inflammatory effects of Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan were due to active ingredients such as arctigenin, cholic acid and sinapic acid intervened focal adhesion, Fc epsilon RI signaling and ERK/MAPK pathways. The novel approach of 'drug-target-pathway' will present an effective strategy for the study of traditional Chinese medicines.

ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) in Tibet, and assess the disease status. Methods Between 2007 and 2008, a survey was done on KBDepidemiology which was carried out in four prefectures of 26 counties according to the east, south, west, north and center in Nakchu,Lhoca, Nyingtri and Shigatse districts of Tibet, with towns and villages as baseline survey points. According to the KBD e survey scheme, KBD clinical examination for adults was also carried out and at the same time clinical and right hand anteroposterior X-ray examinations were given to children aged 4 - 13. The partition of endemic area was based on the criteria of national standards for Kashin-Beck disease diagnoses《GB 16395-1996》. Slight KBD area:clinical prevalence of Kashin-Beck disease grade Ⅰ and above was less than 10％ or X-ray detection rate ＜ 10％ of children; the moderate prevalent KBD area: clinical prevalence of Kashin-Beck disease grade Ⅰ and above was between 10％ and 20％ or X-ray detection rate was between 10％ and 30％ of children; severe KBD area: clinical prevalence of KBD grade Ⅰ and above was more than 20％ or X-ray detection rate was higher than 30％ of children.ResultsA total of 108 townships of 26 counties were surveyed, 14 686 adults were clinically examined, cases detection of grade Ⅰ and above were 637 people, the prevalence was 4.34％, and no case of grade Ⅲ was detected.Of 5769 children's right anteroposterior X-ray film, 102 were detected positive; the prevalence rate was 1.77％.Metaphysis was affected in most of the child cases, which accounting for 89.2％ (91/102). Amongst all the counties, there were 10 counties, clinical detection rate of adult KBD was 0, and children's X-ray detection rate of KBD was also 0. In 1 county the clinical prevalence rate for adults KBD was 0 and X-ray detection rate for children was 3.66(7/191 ). In 12 counties the clinical prevalence rate for adults KBD was between 1.03％ and 7.54％, X-ray detection rate for children was between 0 and 7.76％, amongst all these counties surveyed there were 5 counties,the detection rate for children was 0. In 3 counties the clinical prevalence rate for adult KBD was between 10.69％and 13.88％, the X-ray detection rate for children was between 5.31％ and 7.76％. Conclusions According to the criteria for diagnoses of KBD, within the 26 counties surveyed, 10 counties are non-endemic areas, 13 counties are slight endemic areas, 3 counties are medium endemic areas. So far, KBD is prevalent in 52 counties of 7 prefectures (cities) in Tibet, the disease is widely distributed, the situation is still severe, and there is a need to continue to strengthen KBD surveillance.

Objective The aim of this study was to generate human cholesteryl ester transfer protein ( CETP) transgenic rabbits and analyze their biological properties.Methods We generated human CETP transgenic rabbits by DNA microinjection, and detected the expression of human CETP by real-time PCR and Western blot assay.The activity of CETP was measured using an activity assay kit.Results Human CETP transgenic rabbits were successfully generated by DNA microinjection.Compared with wide type rabbits, the expression of human CETP was dramatically increased in the liver of the human CETP transgenic rabbits.The plasma CETP activity was also much higher in the liver of human CETP transgenic rabbits than that of control rabbits.Conclusions The model of human CETP transgenic rabbits is successfully established by DNA microinjection.It will provide a useful tool for the studies of CETP biological function and its involvement in the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases.

In lieu of large samples of cases and/or controls with hundreds of markers spreading throughout the human genome, researchers started to notice the dramatic increase of genome-wide association study (GWAS) for complex disorders, in the last 5 years. This paper highlights the statistical challenges in such huge-scale genetic studies, and introduces the analytical strategies and steps for handling GWAS data. Such issues as quality control of data, population stratification, methods available to data analysis and results presentation, replication, as well as the limitations of GWAS studies and the challenges presenting for statistics, are addressed.

Aim To investigate and compare the phar-macokinetics of doxapram injection in healthy subjects of different Chinese nationalities including Han, Mon-golian, Korean, Hui and Uigur, and the influence of gender,in order to provide instruction and help for the usage of doxapram for both clinic and remedy of battle wound. Methods An HPLC-UV method was used to determine the plasma concentration of doxapram. Fifty healthy subjects ( five males and five females of each nationality) were recruited for the study. A single dose of 50 mg doxapram was administered intravenously to the healthy subjects, and blood samples were collected at various predetermined time points. The pharmacoki-netic parameters were calculated by DAS software and were compared by SPSS 13. 0 software, in order to as-sess the influence of nationality or gender on pharmaco-kinetics of doxapram. Results The results indicated that the pharmacokinetic profile of doxapram in vivo could be described as two-compartment model. The main pharmacokinetic parameters for Han, Mongolian, Korean, Hui and Uygur were as follows: Cl ( 0. 25 ± 0. 11 ) , ( 0. 33 ± 0. 11 ) , ( 0. 27 ± 0. 07 ) , ( 0. 26 ± 0. 06) and (0. 39 ± 0. 25) L·h-1 ·kg-1 , while Cmax (1. 55 ± 0. 52 ) , ( 1. 02 ± 0. 30 ) , ( 1. 31 ± 0. 47 ) , (1. 48 ± 0. 46 ) and ( 0. 99 ± 0. 35 ) mg · L-1 . The AUC0-12. 5 , AUC0-∞ and Cmax of Chinese Han were sig-nificantly higher than those of Uigur and Mongolian ( P<0. 05 ) , while there was no significant difference in other parameters ( P>0. 05 ) . There were statistically significant differences in Vc , Vd and CL between young males and females ( P < 0. 05 ) . Conclusion The large inter-individual variation in the main pharmacoki-netics suggests the dosage of doxapram should be ad-justed for different nationalities for both clinic and rem-edy of battle wound.

AIMTo study the effects of indomethacin on interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rheumatoid arthritic patients' synoviocyte.

METHODSFibroblast-like cells (FLS) from rheumatoid arthritic patients' joint tissue were cultured for 24 h and incubated 24 h with LPS (1 mg.L-1) or the supernatant of U937 cells stimulated by LPS (1 mg.L-1). After indomethacin or dexamethasone added into the supernatant of U937 cells, FLS was incubated with the super natant for 24 h. The expression of IL-6 protein was detected by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression of IL-6 was accessed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSLPS did not obviously affect the growth of FLS, and the protein secretion and mRNA expression of IL-6 were not changed in FLS treated with LPS. The IL-6 secretion and IL-6 mRNA expression were significantly increased in FLS cultured with the supernatant from U937 cell treated with LPS. Indomethacin at concentrations of 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-5) mol.L-1 obviously inhibited the protein secretion and mRNA expression of IL-6 in FLS cultured with the supernatant from U937 cell stimulated with LPS, and the inhibitory effects increased as the concentrations of indomethacin increased.

CONCLUSIONIndomethacin can inhibit the increase of IL-6 expression caused by supernatant of U937 cells stimulated with LPS in FLS.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Synovial Membrane ; metabolism ; pathology ; U937 Cells

Yunnan sudden death syndrome (YSDS) is an abruptly fatal disease of unknown etiology, found mostly in central or northwestern mountain area (with altitude between 1,815 and 2,225 meters) of Yunnan province from June to September every year. It occurs mostly in young female adults, with high incidences in Lisu, Yi and Miao ethnics and high familial aggregation. The clinical manifestation of YSDS is changeful and the pathological characteristic is lack of specificity. The pathogenesis may be attributed to several factors including poor hygiene and lower socioeconomic conditions, lack of Selenium or Chromium, infection of Coxsackie B virus, mushroom consumption and special geological conditions. This article reviews the epidemiologic features, clinical manifestations, pathological features, etiology and hypothesis in order to provide clues for the research of YSDS.
Adult ; China ; Death, Sudden/pathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the relationships among rotational alignment reference axes of distal femur and tibial mechanical axis, and determine the safest rotational alignment reference axis.

METHODSDigital photos were taken of 30 cadaveric lower extremities with knee in extension and flexion at 90 degrees , angles were measured among tibial mechanical axis and a line perpendicular to clinical epicondylar axis, a line perpendicular to surgical epicondylar axis, Whiteside's line and femoral mechanical axis. Statistical analysis of relationships among those axes were performed.

RESULTSThe angles among the tibial mechanical axis and a line perpendicular to the clinical epicondylar axis, a line perpendicular to the surgical epicondylar axis, Whiteside's line and femoral mechanical axis were 0.6 degrees varus, 3.9 degrees varus, 0.2 degrees valgus and 3.0 degrees varus respectively. The angle between the femoral mechanical axis and the tibial mechanical axis was significantly larger than the angles among the tibial mechanical axis and a line perpendicular to the clinical epicondylar axis, the Whiteside's line (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference compared with the angle between a line perpendicular to the surgical epicondylar axis and the tibial mechanical axis. Angles of the clinical epicondylar axis, the surgical epicondylar axis and the Whiteside's line between knee extension and flexion were 2.3 degrees valgus, 0.9 degrees varus and 3.1 degrees valgus respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe surgical epicondylar axis rather than the clinical epicondylar axis or the Whiteside's line is the safest femoral rotational alignment reference axis intraoperatively.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Femur ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee Prosthesis ; Rotation ; Tibia ; anatomy & histology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore a new method to reconstruct the defect of the distal foot.

METHODSA distally based dorsum pedis island flap pedicled with the first dorsal metatarsal artery was designed and transferred to the defect of the distal foot.

RESULTSFive patients were treated with this flap, which ranged from 2 cm x 4 cm to 6 cm x 7 cm in size. Four flaps survived completely, one flap had marginal necrosis and healed after conservative therapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe reverse first dorsal metatarsal artery flap, with good blood circulation and easy manipulation, is a good option for the defects of the distal foot.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsus ; blood supply ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Young Adult