OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery on postoperative pain and discomforts in patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of mixed hemorrhoids who received Milligan-Morgan operation were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group, a sham electroacupuncture group and a blank group, 40 cases in each one. At the same time of basic treatment, the electroacupuncture was applied at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery in the electroacupuncture group, while shallow needling without electrical stimulation at sham acupoint (1 cm next to acupoint) was applied 30 min before surgery in the sham electroacupuncture group, while no treatment was given before the surgery in the blank group. The total dose of painkillers in the first 24 h after operation, the number of cases who received additional anesthetic in the operation, the self-score of most severity pain in the first 24 h after operation and sleeping time in the night of surgery were observed.

RESULTSThe differences of the numbers of cases who received additional anesthetic in the operation had no statistical significance among the three groups (all P > 0.05), but compared with the sham electroacupuncture group and blank group, the total dose of painkillers in the first 24 h after operation was reduced in the electroacupuncture group [(2.43 +/- 1.08) tablets vs (3.23 +/- 1.33) tablets, (3.10 +/- 1.22) tablets], and the score of most severity pain was also decreased (6.65 +/- 1.00 vs 7.48 +/- 0.96, 7.25 +/- 1.19), besides, the sleeping time in the night of surgery was increased [(220.63 +/- 85.50) min vs (162.00 +/- 92.69) min, (151.50 +/- 80.01) min, all P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery has effects of preemptive analgesia on postoperative pain for patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hemorrhoids ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect on pain in the dressing change after perianal abscess surgery treated with warm suspending moxibustion at Changqiang (GV 1).

METHODSOne hundred and sixty patients were randomized into a moxibustion group and a far-infrared therapy group, 80 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, the warm suspending moxibustion at Changqiang (GV 1) was applied. In the far-infrared therapy group, the infrared ray was radiated at Changqiang (GV 1). The treatment started in 10 min after dressing change in the two groups. Totally, 8 treatments were required. The time requirement being equal to or less than 2 score in the assessment face scale (AFS), the case number of pain relief in 10 min after treatment and the intention of the two therapies after everyday dressing change were observed in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSIn the moxibustion group, the time of pain relief was shorter than that of the far-infrared therapy group [(11.5 +/- 3.9) min vs (17.8 +/- 3.8) min on the 1st day; (9.4 +/- 3.6) min vs (15.2 +/- 4.3) min on the 2nd day; (7.8 +/- 2.7) min vs (14.3 +/- 3.2) min on the 3rd day; (6.4 +/- 3.3) min vs (10.5 +/- 2.9) min on the 4th day; (5.9 +/- 2.9) min vs (11.2 +/- 1.9) min on the 5th day; (5.3 +/- 2.2) min vs (8.8 +/- 2.3) min on the 6th day; (5.4 +/- 1.8) min vs (9.2 +/- 2.1) min on the 7th day; (5.1 +/- 1.4) min vs (9.5 +/- 2.6) min on the 8th day, all P < 0.05]. The case numbers of pain relief in 10 min after treatment were 74 cases, 75 cases, 77 cases and 78 cases from the 1st to the 4th day separately in the moxibustion group, which were much more than 63 cases, 65 cases, 68 cases and 69 cases in the far-infrared therapy group (all P < 0.05). The treatment intention scores in the moxibustion group were better than those in the far-infrared therapy group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe warm suspending moxibustion at Changqiang (GV 1) relieves pain rapidly in the dressing change of much more patients after perianal abscess surgery in much shorter time as compared with the far-infrared therapy. Moreover, the patients have more expectation to be treated with moxibustion therapy.

Abscess ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anus Diseases ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To establish HPLC fingerprints for the identification of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex (Jiubiying), dried bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb., and its adulterant, dried bark of Ilex godajam (Colebr.) Wall.. Methods Some samples named Jiubiying were collected from some medicine markets and drugstores. The HPLC fingerprints were obtained to detect Jiubiying and Ilex godajam. The software Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2004A edition) was used to evaluate fingerprints. Results The fingerprints of Jiubiying and Ilex godajam were established. Methodological study met the technical requirements of fingerprints. There were 31 and 28 common peaks in Jiubiying and Ilex godajam, respectively. Jiubiying and Ilex godajam could be classified into two clusters by principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. Conclusion Jiubiying and Ilex godajam can be identified by HPLC fingerprints. This method can provide an effective method for quality evaluation of Jiubiying.

Objective To understand the situation of downward dislocation of intrauterine device (IUD) and the impact related to the effectiveness of IUD use, in China. Methods An epidemiological survey with cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective study designs was conducted to investigate 18 922 IUD users who were selected by a multi-phase stratified cluster sampling method. Results IUD's downward dislocation had been an important unsuccessful issue related to the IUD insertion that accounted for 20% of total the cases of failure. The top three failure outcomes would include extrusion,removal due to downward dislocation and unintended pregnancy. Respectively, the cumulative rates and the ranking due to IUD failure (per 100 women) in the first, third, sixth and twelfth month were shown as follows: extrusion appeared as 0.33%, 1.13%, 2.21% and 4.30%; removal as 0.10%, 0.37%, 0.80% and 2.34% ; while unintended pregnancy were 0.03%, 0.14%, 0.41% and 1.14%. Conclusion IUD' s downward dislocation made great impact on the effectiveness of IUD use that should call for attention from relative governmental sectors and researchers in the areas of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To evaluate the significance of multi-slice helical CT with multiplanar reconstruction in laryngeal carcinoma.Methods Thirty-five patients with laryngeal carcinoma were studied by helical CT,MPR were subsequently done.The lesion extent of the axial image findings,MPR findings and the combined image findings were compared with the pathological results respectively.The data were statistically analyzed.Results In the evaluation of the anterior commissure,the axial image findings,MPR findings and the combined image findings were 82.9%,68.6% and 91.4% in accuracy respectively,the results were statistically different(P0.05).The combined images were superior to the axial images and the MPR images in sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the lesion extent.Conclusion The axial images could show the shape,size,extension of the tumor and the lymphadenopathy,MPR images displayed the shape,size and extension roundly and directly,they were the supplement for the axial images.Axial images combined with MPR could improve the accuracy in the diagnoses of laryngeal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the relationship between APE1, XRCC1 gene polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) susceptibility and to explore the correlation of APE1, XRCC1 gene polymorphisms with the sensitivity to platinum-based drugs .Methods Seventy-eight HCC patients and 80 controls were selected .By PCR and RFLP , the single nucleotide polymorphism of APE1 Asp148Glu and XRCC1 Arg194Trp genes and the susceptibility of HCC or platinum drug sensitivity were analyzed.Results The Glu/Glu genotype of APE1 could increase in the risk of HCC by 7.21 times (95%CI:1.325-29.109) (P<0.05).APE1 and XRCC1 gene polymorphisms could also affect the platinum drug resistance of HCC patients.Conclusion APE1 Asp148Glu is correlated with the susceptibility to HCC .APE1 and XRCC1 genes can be considered a target for therapy to improve the sensitivity of HCC platinum drugs .

OBJECTIVETo provide the basis of molecular authentication of Radix Bupleuri by the comparison of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of five kinds of Radix Bupleuri in common use.

METHODFirstly, total DNA of five kinds of Radix Bupleuri was extracted. Secondly, the ITS sequence was amplified by PCR with universal primer of ITS and PCR product was directly sequenced after purification.

RESULTThe length of ITS1 and ITS2 sequence was 214-220 bp and 230-231 bp respectively. There were distinct variation sites between the ITS sequences of the five kinds of Radix Bupleuri.

CONCLUSIONITS sequence may be the evidence for the molecular authentication of Radix Bupleuri.

Base Sequence ; Bupleurum ; classification ; genetics ; Cuminum ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

BACKGROUNDTissue-engineered heart valves have the potential to overcome the limitations of present heart valve replacements. This study was designed to develop a tissue engineering heart valve by using human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and decellularized valve scaffolds.

METHODSDecellularized valve scaffolds were prepared from fresh porcine heart valves. EPCs were isolated from fresh human umbilical cord blood by density gradient centrifugation, cultured for 3 weeks in EGM-2-MV medium, by which time the resultant cell population became endothelial in nature, as assessed by immunofluorescent staining. EPC-derived endothelial cells were seeded onto the decellularized scaffold at 3 x 10(6) cells/cm(2) and cultured under static conditions for 7 days. Proliferation of the seeded cells on the scaffolds was detected using the MTT assay. Tissue-engineered heart valves were analyzed by HE staining, immunofluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy. The anti-thrombogenic function of the endothelium on the engineered heart valves was evaluated by platelet adhesion experiments and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA).

RESULTSEPC-derived endothelial cells showed a histolytic cobblestone morphology, expressed specific markers of the endothelial cell lineage including von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31, bound a human endothelial cell-specific lectin, Ulex Europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1), and took up Dil-labeled low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL). After seeding on the decellularized scaffold, the cells showed excellent metabolic activity and proliferation. The cells formed confluent endothelial monolayers atop the decellularized matrix, as assessed by HE staining and immunostaining for vWF and CD31. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the occurrence of tight junctions between cells forming the confluent monolayer. Platelets adhesion experiments suggested that the neo-endothelium was non-thrombogenic. The expression levels of eNOS and t-PA genes in the neo-endothelium were quite similar to those in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONSEPCs isolated from the human umbilical cord blood can differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro and form a functional endothelium atop decellularized heart valve scaffolds. Thus, EPCs may be a promising cell source for constructing tissue-engineered heart valves.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valves ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Platelet Aggregation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; genetics ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic polymorphism of quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1), glutathiones S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) and susceptibility to chronic benzene poisoning (BP).

METHODSThe genotypes of NQO1, GSTT1, GSTM1 for 100 patients with benzene poisoning and 90 workers exposed to benzene who were engaged in the same working time and job title as patients with benzene poisoning were detected by PCR-RFLP and multi-PCR.

RESULTSThere was a 2.82-fold (95% CI: 1.42 approximately 5.58, P < 0.05) increased risk of BP in the subjects with NQO1 C609T mutation genotype (T/T) compared with those carrying heterozygous (C/T) and wild type (C/C), and there was a 2.94-fold (95% CI: 1.25 approximately 6.90, P < 0.05) increased risk of BP in the subjects with NQO1 C609T T/T genotype compared with those carrying C/C genotype. The subjects with GSTT1 null genotype had a 1.91-fold (95% CI: 1.05 approximately 3.45, P < 0.05) increased risk of BP compared with those with GSTT1 non-null genotype. The interaction of two genes showed that there was a increased risk of BP in subjects with any two genotypes of NQO1 C609T T/T genotype and GSTT1 null genotype and GSTM1 null genotype, compared to the individual with any two genotypes of NQO1 C609T C/C genotype and GSTT1 non-null genotype and GSTM1 non-null genotype. The interaction of three genes showed that there was a 20.41-fold (95% CI: 3.79 approximately 111.11, P < 0.01) increased risk of BP in subjects with NQO1 C609T T/T genotype and GSTT1 null genotype and GSTM1 null genotype compared with those carrying NQO1 C609T C/T genotype and C/C genotype and GSTT1 non-null genotype and GSTM1 non-null genotype.

CONCLUSIONSThe interaction of multi-genes may be an important role to BP. The genetic polymorphisms of 3 genes (NQO1, GSTT1 and GSTM1) led to declining of detoxifying ability in benzene metabolism, so the individual with NQO1 C609T T/T genotype, GSTT1 null genotype and GSTM1 null genotype is most susceptive to benzene. The results were consistent with that of the theoretic presumption. It could be suggested as a biomarker to assess the risk of benzene poisoning for individuals.

Adult ; Aged ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

As main component of fetal liver hematopoietic microenvironment, different stromal cells may play distinct roles in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. It is a unique approach to establish stromal cell lines for analyzing the interaction of hematopoietic cells with the stroma on the clonal level to dissect the function of hematopoietic microenvironment. In this study two immortal stromal cell lines-A4, B3 were established from mouse embryonic day 12.5 fetal liver by transfection of pSV3 neo plasmid. A4 exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology, 25 hours population doubling time as well as high levels of CD29, CD44, UEA-1 and low levels of CD105 expression. In contrast B3 displayed an epithelium-like morphology, 37 hours population doubling time along with high levels of CD105 and low levels of UEA-1 expression. In addition no or low levels of CD31, CD34, CD45 and CD144 expression were found in the two cell lines. These results indicate that A4, B3 are two discriminating cell lines in terms of morphological characters, growth behaviors and surface molecular expression types. Next functional assays using Limited-Diluted Assay(LDA) and Bulk-LTC-IC were done: both stromal cell lines had similar ability to maintain the survival proportion of inoculated mouse bone marrow-derived Long-Term Culture-Initiating Cells (LTC-ICs), and they could also support LTC-ICs expansion up to 4 weeks by co-culture in vitro. More strikingly, B3 could expand the absolute number of LTC-ICs over 13-fold at week 4 than that of week 0, and the ability of B3 to expand absolute number of LTC-ICs was over 8-fold of that of A4. Proportions of LTC-ICs in proliferating cell populations in two long-term culture systems was similar at week 4, no matter with or without extra cytokines. Further study indicated that the ability of LTC-ICs to yield CFCs was held as the number 6( +/- 1.2) after 4 weeks co-culture. Extra cytokines-SCF + IL-3 + IL-6 + Epo had no influence in the maintenance and expansion of LTC-ICs, but expanded the absolute number of CFCs and proliferating cell populations, and maintained similar proportions of LTC-ICs and CFCs in the end in two culture systems at week 4. Take together, these results implicate that B3 may act as an important functional component in embryonic day 12.5 fetal liver microenvironment to effectively expand primitive hematopoietic cells, yield more committed hematopoietic progenitor cells and mature hematopoietic cells to meet the need of quick development especially in the early phase of embryonic development. Alternatively A4 can probably function as being a structural element. Moreover the function of hematopoiesis-associated cytokines employed in this investigation was not to expand LTC-ICs, but to modulate the limited-proliferation and differentiation of CFCs. The maintenance and proliferation of LTC-ICs may depend on the type of the stromal cell as well as the interaction between stromal cells and LTC-ICs. It is suggested that B3 with cytokines including SCF, IL-3, IL-6, EPO in vitro can mimic embryonic day 12.5 hematopoietic microenvironment to investigate the mechanism of interaction between hematopoietic microenvironment and hematopoietic cells in clonal level.
Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Female ; Fetus ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Integrin beta1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-3 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Liver ; embryology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism