OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.

RESULTSIn the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the effect of heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF)on liver regeneration after partial orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods Fourty SD rats were used to establish the model of partial orthotopic liver transplantation with ameliorated two-cuff technique.Then all the rats were divided into 2 groups:experiment group and control group.Twenty rats of experiment group were adminis- tered 500?g/kg HB-EGF via vena caudalis immediately after operation twice a day,while the same volume of saline was administered to the rats in control group.Five rats in each group were selected randomly and killed at the 6th hour,day 2,4 and 7 after operation,respectively.The serum levels of albumin(Alb)and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)in the blood sample were detected.Every liver was removed and weighed.The expression of Ki-67 was de- tected by using immunohistochemistry assay.The regeneration activity of hepatocytes was evaluated by flow cytom- etry.Results The wet weights of liver in experiment group were all significantly higher than that in control group at the 6th hour,day 2 and 4 after transplantation(P

Objective To explore the expressions of Survivin and VEGF and relationship between them in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expressions of Survivin protein and VEGF protein in 50 HCC.30 cirrhosis and 10 normal tissues were assessed by immunohistochemical method.The expressions of Survivin mRNA and VEGF mRNA in 50 HCC,30 cirrhosis and 10 normal tissues were assessed by in situ hybridization.Results The expressions of Survivin and VEGF in cancer tissues,cirrhosis tissues,normal tissues weresignificantly different. The expression of Survivin in HCC tissues was stronger than that in cirrhosis,but the expreesion of VEGF in cirrho- sis was stronger than that in HCC tissues.Conclusion The expression of survivin.is closely associated with the ex- pression of VEGF in HCC and they take positive correlation.The abnormal expressions of Survivin and VEGF are closely associated with the development of HCC.They may play important roles in the development of HCC.

The effect of 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ)on the proliferation of rat mesangial cells was observed and its mechanism was explored.The results showed that DNJ significantly inhibited the proliferation of rat mesangial cells induced by high glucose in time-and dose-dependent manners.DNJ significantly decreased expressions of?-smooth muscle action(?-SMA),integrin?1 mRNA and protein and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)protein stimulated by high glucose in rat mesangial cells(P

AIM To fit the moisture adsorption models for Astragali Radix aqueous extract.METHODS For the aqueous extract prepared by decocting,the moisture adsorption kinetics curve and adsorption/desorption isotherms were drawn by gravimetry,and then the data on moisture adsorption were fitted.The fitted models were optimized according to evaluation indices of root mean square error (RMSE),residual sum of squares (RSS) and coefficient of determination (R2).RESULTS The double exponential model for moisture adsorption kinetics curve and Peleg model for adsorption/desorption isotherms were considered as the two best models with regard to their fitting effects (R2 values were the closest to 1,RMSE and RSS values were the closest to 0).Among them,various adsorption/desorption isotherms all belonged to type Ⅱ ("S" isotherm),while the higher equilibrium moisture content of desorption isotherm than that of adsorption isotherm contributed to obvious type H3 hysteresis phenomenon.CONCLUSION Double exponential model and Peleg model can well fit the moisture adsorption kinetics curve and adsorption/desorption isotherms of Astragali Radix aqueous extract,respectively.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese medicine granules (Compound Chinese extract from herbs) in the treatment on senile vascular dementia.

METHODOne hundred and twenty patients meeting criteria for vascular dementia were selected from patients in Dongzhimen Hospital and were randomly assigned into a treatment group (n = 70 cases), given 1 package of Chinese medicine granules with 1 placebo tablets, and a positive control group (n = 50 cases), given 1 tablets of Duxil with 1 package of placebo. All subjects took this medication 3 times a day for 2 months. Double-blind and double-moulding control were used in this study. At a baseline and end (two months later), all subjects were assessed using a battery consisting of MMSE and Blessed behavior measuring scale.

RESULTBoth Chinese medicine granules and Duxil could remarkably increase the score of cognition and activity (P < 0.01). They had Similarly effectiveness and there was no statistical difference between the two groups in effectiveness of increasing memory scores. Chinese medicine granules was better than Duxil in increasing the scores of behavior (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese medicine granules has certain effects on vascular dementia. And it has remarkable effectiveness in ameliorating the status of total body. And it can relieve the symptoms in vascular dementia.

Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Dementia, Vascular ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Status Schedule ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of lung Krüppel-like transcription factor (KLF2/LKLF) in lung tissues of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the relationship between KLF2 and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and make further explore the effects of KLF2 on the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS).

METHODSTwenty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into a COPD group (n = 10) and a normal control group (n = 11). The rat model of COPD established by cigarette smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and lung tissues were obtained. The expressions of KLF2, Nrf2, gamma-GCS mRNA and protein in lung tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot, in situ hybridization (ISH) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To explore the relationship between KLF2 and Nrf2 protein,we utilize the method of co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP).

RESULTSIHC and Western blot showed that protein expressions of KLF2, Nrf2, gamma-GCS were higher in the lung tissues from rats with COPD than those in the control groups (all P < 0.05). The levels of KLF2, gamma-GCS mRNA were markedly increased in the COPD group (all P < 0.01) while Nrf2 mRNA expression in COPD group had no significant difference with that in control group ( P > 0.05). CO-IP result showed that KLF2 were obviously present in immunoprecipitates of Nrf2 (P < 0.01) . Linear correlation analysis showed that the level of KLF2 protein was positively correlated with the level of Nrf2 protein (P < 0.05), and KLF2, Nrf2 proteins were positively correlated with gamma-GCS mRNA and protein (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of KLF2 is significantly up-regulated in COPD, which maybe up-regulate gamma-GCS mRNA expression by increasing Nrf2 expression and nuclear translocation against oxidative stress.

Animals ; Dipeptides ; metabolism ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Lung ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThis study was to investigate an operation, in which removing breast cysts of foreign body resulted from augmentation with polyacrylamide hydrogel injection was performed simultaneously with silicone prosthesis implantation under SEPS endoscope in order to relieve tissue injury and increase the accuracy of clearance.

METHODSEight patients were included in this study. Preoperative type B ultrasound examination was performed to mark the mass. Through an axillary approach, the cysts of foreign body that were distributed in the subcutaneous tissue, breast or muscle were separated and ablated under SEPS endoscope. After removal of the foreign body, a silicone implant was located submuscularly for breast augmentation.

RESULTSThe operations were completed without hematoma and infection. Follow-up of the eight patients for 3 to 12 months showed that preoperative symptoms relating to the injected material, such as breast pain, lump and asymmetry, have no longer existed. The shapes of the breasts were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSWe believe that endoscope-assisted mammoplasty offers more satisfactory clinical results with less injury, less morbidity, less scars, more accuracy and greater patient acceptance.

Acrylic Resins ; Adult ; Breast Implantation ; methods ; Breast Implants ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Silicone Gels ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy plus in-tensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) after breast-conserving surgery for stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ breast cancer.Methods After breast-conserving surgery, 108 patients received six cycles of chemotherapy followed by IM-RT. The irradiation dose of the whole breast was 50 Gy given by 25 fractions, followed by 10 Gy boost to the tumor bed given by 5 fractions with electron beams. Patients with positive estrone receptor or progesterone re-ceptor were given endocrine treatment, mostly with tamoxifen. Results The follow-up rate was 100% by December 2007. The number of patients followed-up at 1-, 2- and 3-year was 108,88 and 58. The 1-, 2- and 3-year over survival rates were 100% ,100% and 98%. Three patients had local recurrence. Different degree of dermatitis occurred with good long-term cosmetic results. No severe side effects occurred such as radiation-induced pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis and heart injury. Conclusions Breast cancer patients treated by adjuvant chemotherapy plus IMRT after breast-conserving surgery have high survival rate and low side-effect rate. The survival quality and local control can be improved.

Objective To explore the effects of morroniside on the expression of CD34 in ipsilateral cortex of rats after focal cerebral isch-emia-reperfusion. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group (n=9), ischemia group (n=9), and morroniside groups (low, medium and high dosage groups, n=9). The middle cerebral artery were occluded for 30 minutes, and reperfused. Morroniside was administered intragastrically once a day at dose of 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg, 270 mg/kg after operation. The expression of CD34 in the isch-emic ipsilateral cortex were detected with immunohistochemistry (n=6) and Western blotting (n=3) 7 days after operation. Results The ex-pression of CD34 increased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group, and further increased in the morroniside groups of high dos-age compared with the ischemia group (F>14.865, P<0.001). Conclusion Morroniside could increase the expression of CD34 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex after ischemia-reperfusion in rats, which may promote the angiogenesis and neurogenesis after ischemia.