OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy on post-stroke dysphagia treated with acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty patients were randomized into an acupuncture A group, an acupuncture B group and a rehabilitation group, 60 cases in each one. On the basis of the conventional medication, in the acupuncture A group, acupuncture was applied at Lianquan (CV 23); in the acupuncture B group, acupuncture was applied at Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) and in the rehabilitation group, the swallowing rehabilitation training was adopted. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week, and the 4 weeks of treatment was required in all of the groups. The national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) and TV X-ray fluoroscope swallowing scale (VFSS) were used to evaluate neurologic deficit and swallowing function before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The morbidity of pneumonia and clinical efficacy were compared among the groups.

RESULTSThe scores of NIHSS and VFSS were improved apparently after treatment in the patients of the three groups (all P < 0.05) and the results in the acupuncture A group were superior to those in the other two groups (all P < 0.05). The morbidity of pneumonia in the acupuncture A group was lower than that in the acupuncture B group and the rehabilitation group [3.3% (2/60) vs 6.7% (4/60), 8.3% (5/60), both P < 0.05]. The effective rate in the acupuncture A group was better than that in either of the other two groups [95.0% (57/60) vs 81.7% (49/ 60), 75.0% (45/60), both P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of the conventional medication, acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23) effectively improves the swallowing function, relieves neurological deficit and reduces the morbidity of pneumonia in the patients of post-stroke dysphagia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE:To study the therapeutic effect of yixinkangtai capsul e with nilestriol on perimenopausal syn?drome.METHODS:68female patients suffering from perimenopausal syndrome were randomly divided into united therapy group(yixinkangtai capsule+nilestriol)and the control group(nilestriol),the effective rates and the amelioration of clinical symptoms of the2groups were observed and compared.RESULTS:The total effective rate of the united therapy group was88.24%,which is significantly higher than the control group(61.76%)(P

Objective To explore the clinical feature,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of Hashimoto′s thyroiditis(HT) combined with hyperthyroidism in children.Methods The clinical features of 56 children with HT combined with hyperthyroidism,including clinical features,complications,thyroid hormone,thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),the detection of ultrasonic imaging and fine needle aspiration biopsies,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis were analyzed.Results The proportion of men to women was 16 in all 56 children,and the mean age at diagnosis was(9.95?2.09) years.The percentage of positive TGAb and TPOAb were 93% and 98%,respectively in all the 56 children.One child was diagnosed as HT combined with hyperthyroidism coexistent and myasthenia gravis type Ⅰ.The duration of hyperthyroidism ranged from 3 to 24 months.There were 14 children who had hypothyrodism and 8 children were euthyroid in all the 56 children.Conclusions Children with HT hyperthyroidism are more frequent in young females.TGAb and TPOAb are important markers for the diagnosis of HT.Pharmacotherapy is the first choice to treat HT hyperthyroidism.Hyperthyroidism is a clinical process of HT,and the percentage of children with hypothyrodism is increasing along with the development of disease.

Objective To investigate the circadian change of autonomic nervous system in hyperthyroidism (HT) patients. Methods Recording 24 h dynamic electrocardiography from 33 HT patients( HT group) and 35 controls (control group). The cardiac autonomic nervous function was evaluated by the time domain and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability( HRV). Results Comparing with control group, the SDNN, SDANN, ASDNN and rMSSD were significantly lower in HT group[ (82.3 ± 29.0)ms vs. (139.4±40.2 ) ms, ( 75.0 ± 27.4) ms vs. ( 130.3 ± 43.9) ms, (29.9 ± 14.9 ) ms vs. (57.3 ± 14.4) ms,( 19.8 ± 10.9 ) ms vs. (29.5 ± 9.4) ms ] (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05 ), the long term total power (TP), high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF) and very low frequency (VLF) were significantly lower in HT group [ (566.1±573.2) ms2/Hz vs. ( 1894.2 ± 984.3)ms2/Hz, (68.1 ± 88.9 ) ms2/Hz vs. (232.7 ± 155.5 ) ms2/Hz, ( 127.4 ±163.0) ms2/Hz vs. (551.3 ± 390.6) ms2/Hz, (330.3 ± 300.6) ms2/Hz vs. (1073.2 ± 570.2) ms2/Hz] (P ＜0.01 ). Comparing with control group, short term VLF was higher in HT group during most time in 24 hours (P＜ 0.05 ). Short term LF was higher in HT group mainly in day time (P＜ 0.05 ). Short term HF was higher in HT group occasionally in the whole day (P＜0.05). Short term LF/HF didn't show significant difference between HT group and control group at most time points (P＞0.05).Conclusion In HT patients, cardiac chronotropic property is impaired, sympathetic activity increases in whole day, vagal activity increases correspondently but the increase in day is more marked than that in night.

Objective To translate the English version of Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) into Chinese,and to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of SAQ. Methods The SAQ was developed into Chinese version through translation, back-translation and cross-culture adaption. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of SAQ were tested in 823 first-line nurse managers in Henan. Results The scale content validity index was 0.90 of the Chinese SAQ, and the item content validity index ranged from 0.83 to 0.96. The correlations between the items and the full scale, the dimensions and the full scale separately ranged from 0.32 to 0.64 and 0.50 to 0.81 (P<0.01). The confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a good model fit for the six dimensions and the full construct, the goodness-of-fit index was 0.96, Tucker-Lewis index was 0.93, comparative fit index was 0.95, and root mean square error of approximation was 0.06. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.913 and for the six dimensions were 0.565, 0.655, 0.825, 0.804, 0.880, 0.725 separately, the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.934. Conclusions The Chinese version of SAQ is a valid and reliable tool to assess the safety culture of first-line nurse managers in Chinese hospitals.

Objective To explore the mechanism by which tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) induces RIP1 kinase-dependented apoptosis in L929-A fibroblastoma cells.Methods The sub-mitochondrial localization of receptor-interacting protein 1(RIP1),caspase-8 and Bid proteins was detected by dose-gradient trypsin digestion and Western blotting.The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS),intracellular calcium concentration,mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP),and cellular adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content were determined by fluorescent probe labeling and flow cytometry assay.The mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ and Ⅲ activities were detected by commercial kits.Nec-1,A RIP1 kinase specific inhibitor,and RIP1-/-or Bid-/-L929-A cells were used to detect the roles of RIP1 kinase and Bid protein in cell death.Results RIP1,caspase-8 and Bid proteins were co-located in the outer membrane of mitochondrial.TNF-α exposure for 3 h could induce Bid cleavage,inhibit mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅲ activity and reduce MMP.Following these changes and after TNF-α exposure for 6-12 h,the intracellular calcium concentration and ROS were increased,whereas the ATP concentration was decreased,and the cells were killed.Inhibiting RIP1 kinase or knockdown RIP1 or Bid protein could suppress all the cytotoxic effects of TNF-α.Conclusion TNF-α treatment can result in RIP1 kinase-mediated Bid cleavage and inhibit mitochondrial respiratory chains and cell energy metabolism,which ultimately leads to the death of L929-A cells.

AIM:To establish a rat hyperlipidemia model for studying the aortic expression of heat shock protein 22 (HSP22), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the effect of atorvasta-tin intervention.METHODS:Hyperlipidemia model was established in SD rats.Afterwards, the rats were divided into nor-mal control group, high fat group and high fat+atorvastatin intervention group.The expression of HSP22 and TNF-αin the rat aortas was detected by immunohistochemical assay and the expression of eNOS was assessed by Western blotting.RE-SULTS:No detectable expression of HSP22 and TNF-αin the normal control group was observed.However, the expression of HSP22 and TNF-αwas positive in the high fat group and the atorvastatin intervention group.The mean densities of HSP22 and TNF-αpositive particles were significant lower in the atorvastatin intervention group as compared with high fat group ( both P<0.05) .The expression of eNOS protein in the high fat group and atorvastatin intervention group was significantly lower than that in normal control group (P<0.01).However, no marked difference of eNOS protein expression between high fat group and atorvastatins intervention group was observed.CONCLUSION:The expression of HSP22 and TNF-αin the rat aortas is increased in the hyperlipidemia rat model.This effect can be restored by atorvastatin treatment.The expression of eNOS in the rat aortas is decreased in the hyperlipidemia rat model, but this tendency could not be attenuated by atorvastatin.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Salvianolate on myosin heavy chain (MHC) in cardiomyocytes of congestive heart failure (CHF) rats.

METHODSSixty male SD rats were divided into 6 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the normal control group (NCG), the model group, the Captopril group (CAG), the low dose Salvianolate group (LSG), the high dose Salvianolate group (HSG), the Captopril and high dose Salvianolate group (CSG), 10 in each group. CHF rat model was established with peritoneal injection of adriamycin in all rats except those in the NCG. Equal volume of normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the NCG, once per week for 6 successive weeks. Corresponding medication was started from the 5th week of injecting adriamycin. Rats in the CAG were administered with Captopril solution at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Rats in the LSG and the HSG were administered with Salvianolate solution at the daily dose of 24.219 mg/kg and 48.438 mg/kg respectively by gastrogavage. Salvianolate was dissolved in 2 mL 5% glucose solution and administered by peritoneal injection. Rats in the CSG were peritoneally injected with high dose Salvianolate solution and administered with Captopril solution by gastrogavage. Two mL normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the model group, once per day for 8 successive weeks. Eight weeks later, the cardiac function and myocardial hypertrophy indices were detected by biological signal collecting and processing system. mRNA expression levels of alpha-MHC and beta-MHC in cardiac muscle were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Expressions of protein kinase C (PKC) in cardiac muscle were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, heart mass index (HMI) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, HMI and LVMI decreased in HSG, CAG, and CSG groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). It was more obviously lowered in the CSG group than in the CAG group (P < 0.05). Compared with the NCG, the mRNA expression level of alpha-MHC in cardiac muscle decreased, the mRNA expression level of p-MHC and the expression of PKC in cardiac muscle increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression level of alpha-MHC in cardiac muscle was increased, and the mRNA expression level of beta-MHC and the expression of PKC in cardiac muscle were decreased in HSG, CAG, and CSG groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference between the CSG group and the CAG group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSalvianolate could up-regulate the mRNA expression level of alpha-MHC, and down-regulate the mRNA expression level of beta-MHC in cardiac muscle. Its mechanism might be related to decreasing the expression of PKC.

Animals ; Captopril ; Doxorubicin ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardium ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To observe the effects of a Chinese compound herbal medicine for reinforcing qi, activating blood circulation, expelling phlegm and dredging collaterals in treatment of lower limb arteriosclerosis.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) treatment in inducing and maintaining deep remission (DR) in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD).Methods From February 2012 to April 2014,the clinical data of 26 patients with moderate to severe CD received IFX treatment were retrospectively analyzed.Laboratory indexes (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),albumin),Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI),Crohn's disease simplified endoscopic score (SES-CD),rate of DR and side effects were observed before treatment,at week 14 and week 30.The t test was performed for normal distribution measurement data comparison between two groups.Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed for non normal distribution measurement data comparison between two groups.Chi square test and Fisher exact probability method were used for rate comparison.Results In 26 patients with CD,at week 14,the CDAI significantly decreased compared with that before treatment (225.0(124.0,265.0) vs 80.0(67.0,124.7),Z=-4.265,P＜0.01); ESR and CRP levels also significantly decreased while body mass index (BMI) and albumin levels increased.The rate of clinical remission,mucosal healing under endoscope and DR was 80.0 ％ (21/26),42.3 ％ (11/ 26) and 34.6％ (9/26),respectively.The rate of clinical remission was higher in patients with the disease course less than one year (92.3％ vs 69.2％,P=0.32).At week 30,the CDAI of patients significantly decreased compared with that before treatment (225.0(124.0,265.0) vs 81.5(67.0,111.0),Z=-4.877,P＜0.01); the ESR and CRP levels significantly decreased; while the BMI and albumin levels increased.The rate of clinical remission,mucosal healing under endoscope and DR was 88.5 ％ (23/26),57.7％(15/26) and 53.8％ (14/26),respectively.Rate of clinical remission was higher in patients with the disease course less than one year (100.0％ vs 76.9％,P=0.22).The differences in the rates of clinical remission,mucosal healing and DR between week 14 and week 30 were not statistically significant.Conclusion IFX could induce and maintain DR in patients with moderate to severe CD.