Objective To evaluate the validity of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injections for the treatment of scar contracture.Methods 26 patients with scar contracture were randomly assigned into BTXA group and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) group.Pinpoint tattooing was performed on each side of each scar in the plane of its longest axis.A template was used to ensure consistent length.These two tattoo points were measured to assess scar contraction at baseline,at every month for a total of 6 months.Histological analysis was conducted to study the physiological environment and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ at different groups.Results Scar contraction was more relaxed in BTXA group than that in TAC group after 1 month (P＜0.05),especially in the 6th month (the D value in BTXA group and TAC group was (1.23±0.42) cm,and (0.56±0.33) cm respectively).For immunohistochemistry,the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ also decreased in BTXA group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The treatment of scar contracture by suitable BTXA injections is safe and effective.

It is held by some of the researches that the "16 collaterals" is composed of the "15 collaterals" and "the major collateral of stomach". And it is included into the textbook that Xuli, the major collateral of stomach, is the pulsation point at the cardiac region. Xuli is often explained as the empty portion of the human body by many researches. Through analysis and summarization of the related theory of the major collateral of stomach, the above mentioned opinion is discussed. And the understanding on the major collateral of stomach is deepened. As a result, it is concluded that count the major collateral of stomach into the 16 collaterals together with the 15 collaterals is inadvisable. The real pulsation point at the cardiac region locates under the left breast. And the real meaning of Xuli is "extending in all directions".
Acupuncture ; history ; China ; Collateral Circulation ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians ; Stomach ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of Mobi-C cervical artificial disc replacement (CADR) and anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in treating single cervical disc herniation.

METHODSFrom June 2009 to June 2012, the clinical data of 27 patients with single cervical disc herniation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 9 females, aged from 30 to 62 years old with an average of 46.7 years. Of them, 12 patients were treated with CADR (CADR group) and 15 patients with ACDF (ACDF group). All patients had pain and numbness in neck, shoulder and upper limbs, and courses of disease was from 1 to 13 months with an average of 2.4 months. The data of clinical evaluation and questionnaire survey about quality of life were collected before operation, postoperative at 1 week and final follow-up. Odom criterion was used to evaluate postoperative effect. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record pain levels. Neck disability index (NDI) and health questionnaire SF-36 were used to assess the quality of life.

RESULTSNo complications about nerve and blood vessel were found and the patients were followed up from 6 to 30 months, with an average of 16 months. One week after operation, 10 cases got excellent results and 2 good in CADR group; 5 cases got excellent results and 10 good in ACDF group; there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). At final follow-up, 10 cases got excellent results and 2 good in CADR group; 12 cases got excellent results and 3 good in ACDF group; there was no significant difference between two groups (P> 0.05). Pain of upper limbs had obviously relieved between two groups at 1 week after operation and final follow-up (P<0.05). VAS of neck and NDI in CADR group had decreased respectively from preoperative 3.58±0.79, 23.42±6.36 to 0.58±0.51, 5.42±1.68 at 1 week after operation (P<0.05); but the index in ACDF group was no obvious at 1 week after operation. At final follow-up, VAS of neck and NDI and SF-36 score were obviously improved than preoperation (P<0.05) between two groups.

CONCLUSIONMobi-C CADR retains the movement unit in the decompression segment and can quickly recover normal action for patients. Using CADR method has a good curative effect in the early phase, and the clinical effect is reliable, may improve the quality of life.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Total Disc Replacement ; methods ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA) and myosin-II of fibroblasts in scars. Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from tissue specimens of scars contracture. Cells from passages 3-5 were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, low BTXA group (1 U/10(6) Cells), and high BTXA group (2.5 U/ 10(6)Cells)). Growth condition of fibroblasts was observed at 1 , 4, 7 day after BTXA treated. Changes of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSFibroblasts grew well in control group. The proliferation was decreased 4 days later in BTXA groups. Lots of apoptotic cells were seen in high BTXA group at 7th day. Proteins of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were statistically different between BTXA group and control groups at 4th day (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in low BTXA group was higher than that in high BTXA group at 7th day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBTXA could induce the apoptosis of fibroblasts and decrease the expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect was strengthened with BTXA concentration increase within a certain range.

Actins ; metabolism ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; metabolism ; Myosin Type II ; metabolism ; Random Allocation

Objective To evaluate the application and initial experience of laparoscopy in kidneypreserving surgery for savage giant hydronephrosis. Methods This series included 6 cases of savage gianthydronephrosis (2 men and 4 women;age range,15 -57 years;mean age,28 years).Of them 5 cases weredetected when visiting doctors due to flank pain,abdominal mass,and the rest one by B-ultrasound duringpregnancy.Four cases had hydronephrosis on the left;and 2 cases,on the right.The quantity of hydronephro-sis was 2250 -8300 ml,respectively.None had development on IVU examination.Of them,3 cases had con-genital ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction;2 had multiple stones in infracalices secondary to UPJ ob-struction;1 had stones in pelvis with polyp formation.Relieving obstruction,pyeloplasty,nephroplication andnephropexy were performed via laparoscope. Results All the operations were successful.The operativetime was 2.5 -5.0 h;the blood loss was 50 -150 ml,and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 d.The postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 24 months. Three months after operation,B-ultrasound showedthat giant hydronephrosis was markedly relieved in 5 cases (the renal sinus separation was 1.8 m,2.0 cm,2.5 cm,2.5 cm and 2.8cm,respectively),and in the rest 1 case the kidney was slightly smaller than nor-mal.IVU examination was performed every 3 months after operation, and different degrees of developmentappeared in all cases.During the follow-up,no obvious ureteropelvic anastomotic stricture was found on retro-grade pyelography (RGP). Conclusions The protective renal treatment via laparoscopy for savage gianthydronephrosis is a feasible and minimally invasive technique that provides the same clinical and radiograph-ic results as open operation.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of moxibustion with medicine cake on mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2,9 (MMP-2，MMP-9)in artherosclerosis (AS) plaques of rabbits, and to explore the effect of moxibustion with medicine cake to the stability of artherosclerosis plaques of rabbits.MethodsAS rabbit models were established by feeding high-fat diet. 75 New Zealand big-eared rabbits were divided into 5 groups, blank group (blank control group), model group (AS model group), direct moxibustion group (AS model + moxa cone direct moxibustion), moxibustion on medicine cake group (AS model + moxibustion on medicine cake), western medicine group (AS model + atorvastatin), 15 rabbits in each group. Then the mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 was detected in the atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits with in situ hybridization.ResultsThe expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits were all be controlled in direct moxibustion group, moxibustion on medicine cake group, western medicine group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the moxibustion on medicine cake group and western medicine group were obviously lower than those of the direct moxibustion group.ConclusionThe expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits can all be controlled in direct moxibustion group, moxibustion on medicine cake group, and western medicine group; as well as the plaques can all be made stable. The efficacy in the moxibustion on medicine cake group and western medicine group is superior to that of the direct moxibustion group.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of Shu Di-huang in improving the function of learning and memory.

METHODOn the rats model with thalamic arcuate nucleus dameged by MSG, the improving function of Shu Di-huang on learning and memory was observed by step down task and Morris water maze task, and the expression of c-fos and NGF in hippocampi was observed by immunohistochemical means.

RESULTShu Di-huang could decrease the times of mistakes and prolong the incubation period in step down task, and shorten the incubation period of seeking the platform, and improve the percentage rate through the platform position in Morris water maze task. Shu Di-huang also increase the expression of hippocampal NGF, c-fos.

CONCLUSIONShu Di-huang can improve the function of learning and memory of MSG rats, and its mechanism may be related with the increase of the expression of hippocampal c-fos and NGF.

Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Genes, fos ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Nerve Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Sodium Glutamate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of LY294002 on protein kinase B expression in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells (SACC).

METHODSUsing Western-blot and RT-PCR detected the protein and mRNA level of protein kinase B (PKB) both in cell line, absent and present LY294002. The data were analysed by t-test.

RESULTSThe expression and transcription level of PKB (Ser(473)) in SACC-83 was lower than in SACC-LM (P < 0.05). The expression of PKB (Ser(473)) in SACC cell lines with LY294002 was lower than in SACC cell lines without LY294002 (P < 0.01). The transcription level of PKB showed no difference in SACC cell lines with and without LY294002 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn vitro, the protein expression and transcription level of PKB (Ser(473)) is higher in SACC-LM cell line than in SACC-83 cell line. In vitro, LY294002 can inhibit protein expression of PKB (Ser(473)) in SACC-83 cells and SACC-LM cells.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo observe the mechanism of SHU-Dihuang on the function of learning and memory.

METHODOn the dementia model mouse caused by AlCl3 and the rats model damaged thalamic arcuate nucleus with MSG, we observed the function of learning and memory by step down task and Morris water maze task, mensurated the content of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid by TLC, and observed the expression of NMDAR1 and GABAR in hippocampi by immunohistochemical means.

RESULTShu Di Huang could decrease the times of mistakes and prolong the incubation period in step down task, and shorten the incubation period of seeking the platform in Morris water maze task. Shu Di Huang could adjust the content of Glu and GABA in brain, and increase the expression of hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR as well.

CONCLUSIONShu Di Huang can improve the function of learning and memory of dementia animal model, and its mechanism may be related to the adjustment of the content of Glu and GABA in brain, and increase of the expression of hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR.

Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; Dementia ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, GABA ; metabolism ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

Objective:To summarize and analyze the status of health cooperation achievement strategies between China and the countries along the "Belt and Road",determine the implications thereof, and provide reference for future practical cooperation between the China and those countries in the field of health. Methods : The relevant literature was retrieved from the research database from articles published in both Chinese and English during the period from 2013 to 2017, and the literature research method was used to summarize the status quo of health cooperation. Results : According to the exclusion criteria, 116 articles were selected. The analysis showed that the main research focus falls in the following seven aspects for both domestic and foreign scholars : The dissemination of Chinese medicine culture promotes international cooperation in Chinese medicine; the prevention and control of infectious diseases needs to further strengthen the construction of international mechanisms; the health services and systems requiremutual learning from international experience; health industry has broad prospects for development; health emergency cooperation encounters the problem of inadequate coordination mechanisms and language barriers; the research on health development assistance goes deep; and health professionals training focuses on training mode. Conclusions: The existing research topics were of great coverage in range and had the highest attention to Chinese medicine,yet least considered talent cultivation. The research showed that cooperation in various health departments emphasized on international experience and the joint participation of the government and civil society. However, the research on laws and regulations, international conventions and practices, and different families' cooperation requirements related with health cooperation mechanisms need to be further strengthened.