OBJECTIVETo systematically review the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on the patients with low back pain (LBP).

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) about pure acupuncture therapy versus other treatments in treating LBP were electronically searched in PubMed, CBM, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data from January 2004 to May 2014. The observed index on the results were the changed scores of VAS, ODI, JOA and RMDQ. Two reviewers independently screened the literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as the extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. The results of Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.2 software.

RESULTSTen RCTs involved 751 patients were finally included. The results of Meta-analysis indicated that the role of pure acupuncture group in improving the VAS score was better than that of the control group, and the combined effect size was RR = -.32, 95% CI (-1.41, -1.22); Z=27.28, P<0.00001; the role of pure acupuncture group in improving the ODI score was better than that of the control group, and the combined effect size was RR = -5.07, 95% CI (-7.50, -2.65); Z=4.10, P<0.0001; the role of pure acupuncture group on improved JOA score was better than that of the control group and the combined effect size was RR=2.83, 95% CI (2.02, 3.63), Z=6.90, P<0.00001. The role of pure acupuncture group in improving the RMDQ score was better than that of the control group, and the combined effect size was RR = -2.80, 95% CI (-3.49, -2.11), Z=7.95, P<0.00001.

CONCLUSIONThe result of meta-analysis demonstrates that pure acupuncture may have a favorable effect on self-reported pain and functional limitations in LBP patients.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibition of Tangtong Recipe (TTR) on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in rat model of diabetes mellitus using seropharmacological and modern molecular biological technologies.

METHODSThe drug-serum of TTR was prepared by feeding pure-breed New Zealand rabbits at various doses (18 mL/kg, 13 mL/kg, and 8 mL/kg) of TTR, and used to intervene the VSMCs get from the iliac artery of diabetic model rats cultured by tissue block plantation. The impact of drug-serum on VSMCs proliferation was estimated through measuring tritiated thymine deoxy-ribonucleotide (3H-TDR) incorporation using liquid-scintillation detector, and the cell cycle was detected using flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe 3H-TDR incorporation in cells after intervention with various doses of TTR drug-serum were reduced significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner, to the level lower than that in the normal serum control group (P < 0.01). And the percentage of S and G2/M phase cells in the drug-serum treated groups also were markedly lower than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDrug-serum of TTR could inhibit the proliferation of VSMC of diabetic rat in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Iliac Artery ; cytology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum

Aged ; Cell Dedifferentiation ; Chondrosarcoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Ribs ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the intervention effect of diet, exercise and Jiangtang Bushen Recipe (JBR, a Chinese herbal recipe) in preventing the progress of patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2.

METHODSFifty-one patients with IGT, with their diagnosis conformed to the diagnosis standard of WHO, 1999, were randomly divided into the control group (n = 26) and the TCM group (n = 25). Patients in the control group attended to the educational course for DM and received dietotherapy and kinetotherapy, and to those in the TCM group, under these treatments, JBR was given additionally. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), body weight index (BWI), levels of blood lipids and fasting insulin of all the patients were examined after 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of treatment. The total observation time was 1 year.

RESULTSExcept the 6 cases out of the 51 patients (11.7%), on whom the observation discontinued, in the control group, as compared with before treatment, levels of fasting insulin and fasting blood glucose after treatment were not changed significantly (P > 0.05), also insignificant difference was shown in levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), though the two indexes lowered slightly after treatment (P > 0.05), but significant difference was shown in comparison of OGTT/2 h, blood glucose and BWI (P < 0.05). While in the TCM group, fasting blood glucose was changed insignificantly (P > 0.05), but there was significant difference in comparison of fasting insulin, TC, BWI, OGTT/2 h and plasma glucose levels (P < 0.01) respectively before and after treatment. At the end of the study, the cumulative cases with conversion to diabetes were 3 (13.6%) in the control group, and 1 (4.3%) in the TCM group, chi 2 test showed insignificant difference in comparison of diabetes conversion rate between the two groups (P > 0.05), however, the TCM group showed a better year conversion rate of normal glucose tolerance than that in the control group (chi 2 = 8.31, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTCM intervention is possibly effective in delaying the conversion of IGT to DM type 2, and plays integrative effeciency in impelling IGT patients to health. The favorable education and treatment of DM controlling, including dieto- and kineto-therapy may also be advantageous in IGT intervention, but could not be effective in blocking the advance of IGT.

Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Exercise ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose Intolerance ; drug therapy ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

BACKGROUNDA number of reports based on both animal experiments and clinical investigations have pointed out that total parenteral nutrition (TPN) suppresses the function of the exocrine pancreas. Even though pancreatic hypotrophy and dysfunction resulting from TPN may be explained by several mechanisms, the clinically most important cause is that nutrients in circulation affect pancreatic secretion. The effect of nutrients on the exocrine pancreas is still controversial. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to clarify the influence of intravenous amino acids and hypertonic glucose in TPN solution on the exocrine pancreas.

METHODSThree mixed TPN solutions, consisting of 30% or 50% glucose or of 14% amino acids, were employed. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, six rats in each group, including a control group and one group receiving each of the three TPN solutions. All animals were killed after 10 days of TPN. Body weight, pancreatic content, and enzyme levels in the pancreas were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, pancreatic wet weight was lower in all TPN groups. Glucose significantly decreased the content and concentration of pancreatic protein, but amino acids did not alter the concentration of protein. The level of amylase was lower in all parenterally fed groups, with a greater decrease in the groups treated with amino acids and 30% glucose than with 50% glucose. Trypsin levels in all groups receiving TPN were markedly higher than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONTPN results in atrophy of the pancreas, but trypsin levels increase with TPN treatment. Glucose elevates the amylase level in the pancreas, while amino acids suppress pancreatic amylase. Amino acids used as a source of protein maintain normal pancreatic protein levels.

Amino Acids ; administration & dosage ; Amylases ; analysis ; Animals ; Body Water ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Organ Size ; Pancreas, Exocrine ; metabolism ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Proteins ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trypsin ; analysis

Bezoars ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery

Our previous work demonstrated that under the conditions of restraint stress and under the control of central nervous system (CNS), an immune suppressive protein of stress (ISPS) was generated in peripheral lymph tissue and released into the blood stream, acting as an immune suppressor. In the present work, a protein similar to ISPS was found in human tonsil (a peripheral lymph tissue). Human tonsil was homogenized and the extract was prepared. It was found that lymphocyte proliferation was significantly suppressed by the extract. The suppression induced by the extract was partially reversed by the monoclonal antibody against ISPS (2C4). In ELISA test, the extract was able to bind to the monoclonal antibody. By immunohistochemistry, many ISPS positive cells were found in human tonsil. The ISPS positive cells were also found in human lymph nodes. Taken together, all the results demonstrate that a protein similar to ISPS may exist in human peripheral lymphoid tissue.
Animals ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Palatine Tonsil ; chemistry ; cytology ; Restraint, Physical ; Suppressor Factors, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Tissue Extracts ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of bufalin on nucleus-mitochondria localization of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) by exploring its effect on proliferation and apoptosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells.

METHODSEC9706 cells were treated with bufalin at various concentrations, and then the cell growth inhibition of EC9706 cells was examined by CCK-8 assay and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was calculated.Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry with PI staining, and nucleus morphology of apoptosis were observed by fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining. The apoptotic index was measured by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. hTERT subcellular localization and protein expression were determined by Western blotting and multiple immunofluorescence labling combined with laser confocal scanning microscopy.

RESULTSThe proliferation of EC 9706 cells was significantly inhibited by bufalin along with the increase of processing time and concentrations (p<0.01). After the EC9706 cells were exposed to 100 nmol/L bufalin,the number of cells gradually decreased in G(1) phase and increased in S and G(2)/M phases(p<0.05). The typical nucleus morphological changes of apoptosis were observed and the apoptotic index was increased(p<0.01). The expression of hTERT decreased in nucleus but increased in mitochondria(p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBufalin can inhibit the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It can arrest cell cycle in S and G(2)/M phases and induce the apoptosis of EC 9706 cells. hTERT is localized in both nucleus and mitochondria,and can be partially translocated from nucleus to mitochondria during the bufalin-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Telomerase ; metabolism

Animals ; Carnosine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; complications ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo understand the self-discrimination experience of MSM and its relationship with sexual behavior and psychological factors.

METHODSBy respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, a call-for action and anonymous self-administration questionnaire investigation was carried out in Mianyang city on experience of self-discriminations, sexual partners and behaviors and depression symptom, etc. The first 12 qualified people were designated as the "root" in the whole investigation from different MSM subgroups. Every "root" would get 3 recruit cards after their own investigation, then cards could be promoted to another 3 qualified people who were willing to accept questionnaires. And this process would go on till the sample size was accomplished. χ(2) test, rank correlation and contingency coefficient would be applied for the statistical analysis.

RESULTSIn total, 201 persons were investigated. Within the past 6 months, 59.2% (119/201) persons felt they did harm to their family or made the family down as gays, 79.6% (160/201) had to disguise their real sexual orientation in avoidance of being discriminated, 39.3% (79/201) were humiliated for having gay sex. It showed correlation between humiliation or harm to family and frequency to disco balls/night clubs (r = 0.196, χ(2) = 7.95, P < 0.05), concerts or theaters (r = 0.201, χ(2) = 8.423, P < 0.05) with MSM friends, HIV health consultancy (r = 0.231, χ(2) = 11.329, P < 0.05), experiences of one night stands (r(s) = 0.183, µ = 2.588, P < 0.05), detection of depression (r(s) = 0.241, µ = 15.717, P < 0.05) and stress-related perception (r(s) = -0.310, µ = 23.112, P < 0.05), the corresponding behavior report rates of who experienced 3-4 times were 66.7% (11/33), 52.9% (18/34), 41.2% (14/34), 17.6% (6/34), 44.1% (15/34), 44.7% (10/24). Statistical significance was found between the relations of humiliation for gay sex and frequency into concerts or theaters (r = 0.195, χ(2) = 7.933, P < 0.05) with MSM friends, experiences of one night stands (r(s) = 0.145, µ = 2.051, P < 0.05), man-man anal sex (r = 0.165, χ(2) = 10.823, P < 0.05), numbers of female sexual partners (r = 0.265, χ(2) = 11.422, P < 0.05), protectiveness of female sexual behavior in the past 6 months (r = 0.513, χ(2) = 7.442, P < 0.05), detection of depression (r(s) = 0.152, µ = 13.034, P < 0.05) and stress-related perception (r(s) = -0.259, µ = 21.190, P < 0.05), the corresponding behavior report rates of who experienced 3-4 times were 22.7% (5/22), 9.1% (2/22), 13.6% (3/22), 91.6% (2/22), 66.7% (2/3), 57.1% (4/7), 33.3% (19/57). It has statistical significance between the relations of disguising their real sexual orientation in avoidance of being discriminated and the frequency of show up in the cybercafé (r = 0.272, χ(2) = 15.932, P < 0.05), involvement of HIV test (r = 0.232, χ(2) = 11.446, P < 0.05), and stress-related perception (r(s) = -0.373, µ = 28.868, P < 0.05). It was found that increasing of discrimination was connected to entrance into gay-welcome places, acceptance of HIV consultancy and tests, posting gay information among MSM friends and hold of many sexual partners. Meanwhile, the pressure was rising when depression was checked out.

CONCLUSIONSelf-discrimination was prevalent among MSM, which had brought critical influence on the individual behavior, MSM psychological health and prevalence of AIDS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prejudice ; Self Concept ; Sexual Behavior ; Social Control, Informal ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult