Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at abdomen acupoints plus tuina for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH).Methods:A total of 70 patients with LIDH were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with acupuncture at abdomen acupoints plus tuina,while the control group was treated only with tuina treatment.The clinical efficacy was observed after one course of treatment.Results:The cure rate and the total effective rate of the observation group were 83.3％ and 96.7％,respectively.The cure rate and the total effective rate of the control group were 39.4％ and 78.8％,respectively.There were significant differences in the cured rate and the total effective rate between the two groups (both P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score between the two groups before treatment (P＞0.05).After treatment,the JOA scores of both groups increased significantly,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05);the JOA score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture at abdomen acupoints plus tuina has a better therapeutic effect than tuina alone in the treatment of LIDH.

Ten isoflavonoids were isolated from the heartwoods of Caragana changduensis Lion f. by means of various column chromatographic techniques. Based on the detailed spectral data analysis (MS and NMR), as well as comparison with the literatures, their chemical structures were determined as 7,2'-dihydroxy-8,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (1), 4'-hydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyisoflavone (2), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-2',5'-dimethoxyisoflavone (3), prunetin (4), afrormosin (5), odoratin (6), genistein (7), texasin (8), pratensein (9), and 6,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (10). Among them, compounds 1-3 and 9-10 were isolated from the Caragana genus for the first time. All the compounds were obtained from this species for the first time. In the preliminary assays, compounds 1, 2, 6, and 7 possessed significant inhibitory effects on NO production, with IC50 values of 48.12, 25.32, 62.71, 43.59 μmol x L(-1), respectively.
Animals ; Caragana ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; RAW 264.7 Cells

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling at Yintang (GV 29) plus ginger-partitioned moxibustion in treating allergic rhinitis.Method Seventy patients with allergic rhinitis were randomized into a treatment group and a control group,35 cases each.The treatment group was intervened by warm needling at Yintang (GV 29) plus ginger-partitioned moxibustion;the control group was treated with conventional medication.After 4-week treatment,the clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared.Result The markedly effective rate and total effective rate were respectively 83.9％ and 96.8％ in the treatment group,versus 56.3％ and 75.0％ in the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion Warm needling at Yintang (GV 29) plus ginger-partitioned moxibustion is an effective approach in treating allergic rhinitis.

The chemical constituents of 95% ethanol extract of Melastoma dodecandrum were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC, to obtain thirteen compounds eventually. On the basis of their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as quercetin (1), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-(6"-O-p-coumaroyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O- [2",6"-di-O-(E)-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucopyra-noside (6), luteolin (7), luteolin-7-O-(6"-p-coumaroyl) -β-D-glucopyranoside (8), apigenin (9), apigenin-7-(6"-acetyl-glucopyranoside) (10) , naringenin (11), isovitexin (12), and epicatechin-[8,7-e] -4β-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dyhydroxyl-2(3H)-pyranone (13). Eight compounds(3,5,6,8-11 and 13) were obtained from M. dodecandrum for the first time.
Apigenin ; analysis ; Chromatography ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dextrans ; Flavanones ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Kaempferols ; analysis ; Luteolin ; analysis ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quercetin ; analysis ; Silica Gel

Sperm cryopreservation is essential link of assisted reproductive techniques. Because of widespread application for AID and establish of human sperm storeroom, the effects of cryopreservation on human sperm genetic substance have been paid more and more attention. This report summarizes the effects of cryopreservation on human sperm genetic substance and preventive measures.
Chromosomes ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Hemangiosarcoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo confirm the relations between the expression of cyclin E, p16ink4, ki67 and HPV16/18 infection using cervical exfoliated cells, and evaluate the usefulness of cyclin E, p16ink4 and ki67 as biomarkers for screening of cervical carcinomas.

METHODSThe expression of cyclin E, p16ink4 oncoproteins and ki67 proliferative activity was evaluated immunohistochemically in 78 cervical exfoliated epithelial specimens. Human papillomavirus type16 and 18 (HPV16/18) infection was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using type specific primers.

RESULTSCyclin E, p16ink4 and ki67 were all overexpressed in cervical preneoplasia and neoplasia cells, compared with little expressed in ASCUS (P less than 0.005). Overexpression of cyclin E was observed in CIN, (P less than 0.01), p16ink4 and ki67 overexpressed in invasive carcinoma(100 percent and 90.9 percent respectively). The degree of p16ink4 and ki67 expression correlated well with the degree of cervical neoplasia (P less than 0.005). HPV16 infection was assessed at all stages of cervical neoplasia samples, and a significant relationship with the degree of cervical epithelial lession was observed at the same time. The expression level of p16ink4 and ki67 seemed to be more closely associated with HPV16 infection than cyclin E did (rs=1.0 vs rs=0.4). HPV18 was found positive in only 1 case in CIN1 and in 4 cases in CIN2-3. Therefore no significance was found on statistical analysis (P less than 0.005).

CONCLUSIONCyclin E, p16ink4 and ki67 should be regarded as useful biomarkers of HPV-related cervical neoplasias, and be used for screening patients at high risk for developing cervical carcinomas. Moreover, cyclin E might be a significant cytologic marker for the primary screening of cervical carcinomas.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Cervix Uteri ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Cyclin E ; biosynthesis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; biosynthesis ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; physiology ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Papillomavirus Infections ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Background: Phototherapy is an important method to treatvitiligo. However, it is unclear how phototherapy affectsmelanocyte precursors and skin neural crest stem cells. Objective: To investigate the underlying mechanisms of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) induced melanocyte lineagedifferentiated from human scalp-derived neural creststem cells (HS-NCSCs). Methods: HS-NCSCs were expandedfrom scalp hair follicles. The c-Kit−/CD57− HS-NCSCs wereisolated by cell sorting. Different doses of NB-UVB wereused to irradiate these HS-NCSCs. Cell ultrastructure was examinedby transmission electron microscope. Melanocytemarker expression was analyzed by Quantitative RT-PCRand Western blot. Cell proliferation and migration were alsoevaluated. Results: The c-Kit−/CD57− HS-NCSCs expressedembryonic NCSC biomarkers. NB-UVB at a dose of 100 mJof NB-UVB had little effect on the cell proliferation of differentiatedmelanocytes from c-Kit−/CD57− HS-NCSCs, while700 mJ inhibited cell proliferation significantly. The dendriticprocesses of differentiated melanocytes increased afterradiation. The tyrosinase and Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1R)expression of differentiated melanocytes increased after NB-UVB exposure. The effect of NB-UVB on tyrosinase expressionwas modulated by signaling inhibitors H89 andPD98059 as well as Mc1R level in the cells. The migrationability of differentiated melanocytes was enhanced under100 mJ exposure. Conclusion These data demonstrate thatNB-UVB facilitates melanocytic differentiation of the HSNCSCsand enhances migration of these cells. Mc1R andcAMP pathway play a critical role in NB-UVB induced melanocyticdifferentiation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and clinical results of applying poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) biomembranes in cleft palate repair.

METHODS68 cleft palate patients were divided into study group and control group. The traditional surgical method was used to control group to close the soft cleft palate, and the PDLLA biomembrane was used to study group and implanted into the surgical gap between the periosteum and bone at the hard palate, and fixed with suture. The duration, blood loss at operation, post-operative complication, wound healing and recovery were recorded and compared to conventional cleft palate repair.

RESULTSOperations were successfully completed on all 34 patients. Wound healing of soft palate and uvula was uneventful with no incidence of fistula or dehiscence. The primary healing on tissue defect of hard palate occurred in 29 patients, secondary healing occurred in 3 patients, permanent fistula between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity occurred in only one patients, and 3 patients left over fistula on alveolar process. Compared to traditional cleft palate repair, blood loss and incidence of fistula on alveolar process were decreased; the average surgical time was 89.25 minutes and was not prolonged; and there was no significant increase in post-operative complication.

CONCLUSIONHard cleft palate repair with PDLLA biomembranes is safe, simple and practical with good clinical results and is beneficial to minimize the bad influences towards the development and growth for maxilla of cleft palate patients.

Absorbable Implants ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; methods ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Maxillofacial Development ; Palate, Hard ; surgery ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; therapeutic use ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVETo explore the pharmacodynamic and pathological mechanism of eucommia ulmoides oliv in improving erectile function.

METHODSThirty male diabetic rats were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 10, escipient group), group B (n = 10, sildenafil group), group C (n = 10, eucommia ulmoides oliv group) and group D (n = 10, the normal control group). After gavage for four weeks, the catching behaviors of all rats were observed, and ultrastructure of myelinated nerve fibers in penile tissue was examined by transmission electron microscope. The expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in penile tissues was examined by two steps immunohistochemistry method.

RESULTSCompared with group A, catching frequency of the rats in group C was notably increased (P < 0.05) and the expression of nNOS in penile tissue was significantly (P < 0.001). The examination by transmission electron microscope showed that in the rats' penile tissue of group A, myelinated nerve fibers were irregularly arranged and partially degenerated, and myelin sheaths lamella were splited and exhibited vacuoles or network forms. In group C, there were regular arrangements of myelinated nerve fibers, in which the formation of lamella was clear.

CONCLUSIONBy remitting the impairement of myelinated nerve fibers and enhancing the expression of nNOS in penile tissue, eucommia ulmoides oliv can improve erectile function of diabetic rats.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Eucommiaceae ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; ultrastructure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penis ; drug effects ; enzymology ; innervation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley