Background: Postoperative gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) is a common complication after abdominal surgery in patients with primary liver cancer. However, surgeons usually do not have effective treatment for them. Objective: To explore the effects of acupuncture applied to Zusanli and other acupoints on PGS in patients after abdominal surgery. Design, setting, participants and interventions: Sixty-three PGS patients of abdominal surgery, from Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital, were randomized into acupuncture group (32 cases) and metoclopramide group (31 cases). The patients in acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture applied to Zusanli and other acupoints once a day, while the patients in metoclopramide group were intramuscularly injected 20 mg metoclopramide three times a day. Main outcome measures: Volume of gastric drainage, number of treatment and cure rate in the two groups were measured and evaluated. Results: Acupuncture and metoclopramide could significantly reduce gastric drainage volume. In acupuncture group, the cure rate was 90.6% and the number of treatment was 6.58+/-4.26, while in metoclopramide group, the cure rate and the number of treatment were 32.3% and 10.13+/-3.60 respectively. There were significant differences in gastric drainage volume, cure rate and number of treatment between the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture is a good treatment for PGS, with fewer treatments, high cure rate and rapid effect.

Objective To assess the effect of altitude hypoxia on the elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Three subject groups were surveyed during their train trip on the highest railroad--the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: 22 elderly individuals with documented CAD, 20 healthy elderly controls, and 20 healthy young controls, all of whom from Beijing near the sea level (76 m). Survey questions addressed clinical features of their healthy conditions and aspects of their coronary disease. The baseline study was performed at Xining at an altitude of 2261 m, and then during acute exposure to altitudes of 2808 m, 4768m, 5072 m and 4257 m by train for 24 hours. Resting pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiograph (ECG), and cardiac work estimated by the heart rate-blood pressure double product were obtained five times in each subject at different altitudes. Results On arrival to altitudes between 4768 m and 5072 m, the older passengers, especially those with preexisting coronary disease, had higher HR, higher BP, and lower SaO2, as well as more frequent abnormalities on ECG, as compared to the younger healthy subjects. As compared with the healthy elderly controls, incomplete right bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST segment depression were more frequently seen in the elderly coronary patients (P<0.01). Cardiac work in group 1 was increased by 13% 12 hours after arrival to altitudes between 2808 m and 5072 m. Oxygen saturation decreased significantly with the altitude increasing by train ascent but improved after inhalation of oxygen. Most of the older subjects tolerated their sojourn at high altitude well except one who developed angina repeatedly with a significant ST segment depression. Conclusions Coronary events and ECG signs of myocardial ischemia are rare in elderly individuals with CAD who travel from sea level to moderate altitudes of 1500m to 2800 m. Patients with CAD who are well compensated at sea level generally tolerate this moderate altitude well. However, it would be prudent for patients with CAD going to altitude above 3000 m. The patients should consult their physician before undertaking a trip to such altitude.

Objective To study the relationship between circulating tumor cells(CTCs) in peripheral blood of the pa‐tients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its metastasis and prognosis .Methods 35 patients with hepatocellular carci‐noma were collected as the research objects .CTCs density were enriched through gradient centrifugation and negative‐immu‐nomagnetic methods ,then the cells were detected by chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization combined with immunofluo‐rescence tests to identify CTCs .The clinical characters were recorded and the data were statistically analyzed .Results All the patients were detected CTC positive .The number of CTC was (4 .1 ± 2 .5) .The patients were divided into 2 groups .Group Ⅰincluded patients whose CTCs were <5 ,and others were included in group Ⅱ .The difference between number of group I and group Ⅱ had significant significance(P=0 .001);Metastasis had nothing to do with patients′sex and age(P=0 .581 ,0 .531);The number of CTCs was related to metastasis and prognosis(P=0.024 ,0.01) ,and there was significant statistic significance between group I and groupⅡ .Conclusion The number of CTCs was related to tumor metastasis .The tumor may be more prone to occur metas‐tasis and may had worse prognosis ,and the patients may had shorter life time when the number of CTCs was≥5 .