OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy difference of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome.

METHODSNinety male patients of methamphetamine addiction were randomized into an electroacupuncture group, an auricular acupuncture group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiaji (EX-B 2) at T5 and L2 were selected bilaterally. In the auricular acupuncture group, jiaogan (AH(6a)), shenmen (TF4), fei (CO14) and gan (CO12) were selected unilaterally. The treatment was given 3 times a week, totally 12 treatments were required. In the control group, no any intervention was applied. Separately, before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks treatment, the scores of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale were observed in each group.

RESULTSThe total score of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score were obviously reduced in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment as compared with those before treatment in the electroacupuncture group and the auricular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and showed a trend of gradual decline as the extension of treatment. In 1,2,3,4 weeks of treatment, the total score of withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score in the electroacupuncture group and auricular acupuncture group were lower significantly than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), in which, the total score of withdrawal syndrome in the electroacupuncture group was lower significantly than that in the auricular acupuncture group in the 4th week of treatment (3.69 +/- 2.446 vs 5.73 +/- 3.169, P < 0.05); the anxiety scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (8.19 +/- 4.57 vs 9.65 +/- 4.24, 5.27 +/- 2.89 vs 7.38 +/- 3.10, both P < 0.05); the depression scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (15.35 +/- 5.64 vs 19.81 +/- 5.37, 10.96 +/- 4.52 vs 15.00 +/- 4.53, 7.96 +/- 2.69 vs 12.35 +/- 3.59, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at the body points and auricular acupuncture play the therapeutic role in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety and depression. The longer time the treatment is with electroacupuncture at the body points, the more obvious the efficacy will be on the above symptoms.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methamphetamine ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the responses of peginterferon-alpha 2a antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSOne hundred two CHB patients with their serum ALT values higher than 2x the upper limit of the normal (ULN) were divided into a HBeAg-positive and a HBeAg-negative group. All patients were treated with peginterferon-alpha 2a by subcutaneous injection (180 microgram once weekly). After treatment for 6 months, patients without a defined therapeutic response were dropped from the treatment group; the others completed a 12 month therapy. The sustained response and the antiviral effect of the treatment were assessed at the end of the therapy. To investigate the possible impact factors of the response to peginterferon-alpha 2a, we studied the therapeutic response of patients with different serum ALT levels, inflammation grades of liver histology, stages of fibrosis, and HBV viral load levels.

RESULTS(1) There was no statistical difference of the rates of response at the end of treatment and 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months after the cessation of therapy between the HBeAg-positive and the HBeAg-negative groups. (2) In the HBeAg-positive group, the rates of response of patients with serum ALT values>3*ULN were significantly higher than those with serum ALT values less than 3*ULN (x2=4.40). However, no statistical difference of serum ALT levels was found in the HBeAg-negative group. (3) In both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative groups, no difference was revealed in the rates of response among patients with different levels of HBV viral loads. (4) In the HBeAg-positive group, patients with more severe liver inflammation histologically (G3 and G4) had significantly higher response rates than those with milder inflammation (G1 and G2) (x2=4.19), but no similar statistical differences were found in the HBeAg-negative group. Moreover, there was no difference in the rates of response among patients in different stages of liver fibrosis in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative groups.

CONCLUSIONSSimilar rates of response and sustained virological response to the peginterferon-alpha 2a treatment can be achieved in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. Hepatic fibrosis is not a predictor of poor therapeutic response. For HBeAg-positive patients, more severe liver inflammation identified with liver biopsies (G3 or G4) and high serum ALT values (more than 3*ULN) can be considered as predictors of a good therapeutic response.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDParaquat (PQ; 1, 1'-dimethyl-4, 4'-bipyridinium), a widely used herbicide that is structurally similar to the known dopaminergic neurotoxicant MPTP (1-methyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine), has been suggested as a potential etiologic factor for the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Aging is an accepted risk factor for idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that paraquat could induce PD-like nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration in aging C57BL/6 mice.

METHODSSenile male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with either saline or PQ at 2-day intervals for a total of 10 doses. Locomotor activity and performance on the pole test were measured 7 days after the last injection and animals were sacrificed one day later. Level of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites levels in the striatum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD), and numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons were estimated using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSLocomotor activities were significantly decreased and the behavioral performance on the pole test were significantly impaired in the PQ treated group. Level of DA and its metabolites levels in the striatum were declined by 8 days after the last injection. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that PQ was associated with a reduction in numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons.

CONCLUSIONSLong-term repeated exposes to PQ can selectively impair the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of senile mice, suggesting that PQ could play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Our results also validate a novel model of PD induced by exposure to a toxic environmental agent.

Aging ; pathology ; Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Paraquat ; toxicity ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; Substantia Nigra ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo identify a novel HLA-A allele in a Chinese Han individual.

METHODSOne mismatch was observed in HLA-A locus in HLA typing for CMDP donors using bi-allelic SBT kit. A confirmatory test for novel HLA allele was performed with mono-allelic SBT kit.

RESULTSThe DNA sequence was confirmed to be a novel HLA-A allele. There was 1 nucleotide differed from the closest matching HLA-A*11:01:01 at position 393(G→A), which resulting a change from GGG to GGA at codon 107, led to a silent mutation, conserving the amino acid Gly.

CONCLUSIONA novel HLA-A allele was confirmed and officially named HLA-A*11:01:37 (Genbank accession number, JN209962) by the WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System in January 2012.

Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Blood Donors ; HLA-A11 Antigen ; genetics ; Humans ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab on the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) by systemic review and meta-analysis.Methods Electronic databases,such as PubMed,Clinicaltrials.gov,the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in the treatment of CSU.Two reviewers independently screened RCTs according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,extracted data,and assessed the quality of the included RCTs.And then,a meta-analysis was carried out by using RevMan 5.3 software for comparisons of the efficacy and safety of the 75-,150-,300-,600-mg omalizumab groups versus the placebo group after 1-month treatment,as well as the total omalizumab group versus the placebo group.Results A total of 7 RCTs involving 1 365 patients were included in this meta-analysis.The results showed that the total omalizumab group and different omalizumab subgroups were superior in improving the urticaria activity score of 7 days (UAS7) and wheal number score of 7 days to the placebo group (all P ＜ 0.05).For the improvement in the itch severity score (ISS) of 7 days and complete response rate for main symptoms (UAS7 =0),the total omalizumab group,75-,150-and 300-mg omalizumab groups were superior to the placebo group (all P ＜ 0.05),but there were no significant differences between the 600-mg omalizumab group and the placebo group (P =0.07).The dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was better in the total omalizumab group,150-and 300-mg omalizumab groups than in the placebo group (all P ＜ 0.05),but no significant difference was observed between the 75-mg omalizumab group and the placebo group (P =0.50).There were no significant differences in the incidence of common adverse events or serious adverse events between the total omalizumab group as well as the 75-,150-and 300-mg omalizumab subgroups and the placebo subgroup (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Omalizumab can improve clinical symptoms and life quality of patients with CSU,and is effective in improving the UAS,ISS,wheal number score,DLQI and complete response rate for main symptoms (UAS =0) with high safety.Subcutaneous injection of omalizumab at a dose of 150 or 300 mg/month shows the best efficacy in improving the clinical symptoms and life quality of patients with CSU.

OBJECTIVETo research the clinical feasibility of emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation in treating acute liver failure following severe hepatitis.

METHODSConsecutive ten severe hepatitis patients (4 acute-on-chronic severe hepatitis and 6 acute severe hepatitis; 9 caused by HBV and 1 with drug-induced acute liver failure) underwent emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation in our hospital from April 2007 to December 2007. The +/- s of model for end-stage liver disease score was 33.22 +/- 6.55. The outcomes of these recipients were prospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAmong them, 8 ABO blood group were identical and 2 compatible. One was Rh sub-group negative. Except 2 recipients died (1 acute renal failure caused by veno cava thrombosis, 1 liver graft lose caused by hepatic artery thrombosis), the rest of recipients (80%) and all donors were safe. The mean graft-to-recipient weight ratio was (1.19 +/- 0.14)%, and graft volume to recipient estimated standard liver volume ratio was (65.13 +/- 8.75)%. Right lobe grafts with middle hepatic vein (MHV) 3 cases, without MHV 4 cases, without MHV but followed by V and VIII hepatic vein outflow reconstruction 3 cases. Encouraging outcome was achieved in this group of recipient: elevated serum creatinine, serum endotoxin, decreased serum prothrombin activity (PTA) and total bilirubin returned to normal about on postoperative day (POD) 3, POD 7, POD 14 and POD 28, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSOutcomes of emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure following severe hepatitis are fairly encouraging and acceptable. emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation is an effective and life-saving modality for acute liver failure following severe hepatitis.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immunotoxicological effects of genetically modified wheat with TaDREB4 gene in female BALB/c mice.

METHODSFemale mice weighing 18-22 g were divided into five groups (10 mice/group), which were set as negative control group, common wheat group, parental wheat group, genetically modified wheat group and cyclophosphamide positive control group, respectively. Mice in negative control group and positive control group were fed with AIN93G diet, mice in common wheat group, non-genetically modified parental wheat group and genetically modified wheat group were fed with feedstuffs added corresponding wheat (the proportion is 76%) for 30 days, then body weight, absolute and relative weight of spleen and thymus, white blood cell count, histological examination of immune organ, peripheral blood lymphocytes phenotyping, serum cytokine, serum immunoglobulin, antibody plaque-forming cell, serum half hemolysis value, mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and phagocytic activities of phagocytes were detected.

RESULTSNo immunotoxicological effects related to the consumption of the genetically modified wheat were observed in BALB/c mice when compared with parental wheat group, common wheat group and negative control group.

CONCLUSIONFrom the immunotoxicological point of view, results from this study demonstrate that genetically modified wheat with TaDREB4 gene is as safe as the parental wheat.

Animals ; Antibody-Producing Cells ; immunology ; Body Weight ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Genes, Plant ; Hemolysis ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Immune System ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Organ Size ; Phagocytosis ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; toxicity ; Spleen ; immunology ; Thymus Gland ; immunology ; Triticum ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Cedemex on cAMP and cGMP contents in different brain regions in morphine withdrawal rats precipitated by naloxone.

METHODA physical morphine dependent model of rats was established by subcutaneous injection of morphine in gradually increasing dosage within 7 days. cAMP and cGMP contents of VTA, cortex and hippocampus of the rat brains were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTThe morphine withdrawal symptoms of rats were relieved significantly by ig Cedemex. Compared with the controls, cAMP content in the region of VTA, cortex and hippocampus of the morphine dependent rats were significantly higher (P < 0.05), while cGMP contents in those regions were significantly lower (P < 0.05). cAMP contents in the area of VTA, cortex and hippocampus of the morphine dependent rats were significantly reduced, while cGMP contents were significantly increased by ig Cedemex.

CONCLUSIONCedemex may significantly attenuate the morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats. The mechanism of this effect may be related to adjusting the contents of cAMP and cGMP in some brain regions.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Morphine ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic ejaculatory duct obstruction following prostatic hyperthermia.

METHODSRetrospective analyses were made of the clinical data of 3 cases of ejaculatory duct obstruction following prostatic hyperthermia.

RESULTSThe 3 cases were diagnosed as urethrostenosis and deformity of the posterior urethra by transurethral ultrasound and semen analysis. And all the 3 patients had undergone prostatic hyperthermia for prostatitis. Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct (TURED) was performed to remove the obstruction and the postoperative semen analysis showed both semen volume and sperm count to be normal.

CONCLUSIONUrethra microwave thermotherapy, urethra radiofrequency, or per urethra rheophore ablation can be adopted in the treatment of protatitis, but should be strictly indicated and cautiously selected lest secondary iatrogenic ejaculatory duct obstruction should result. For the treatment of this obstruction, TURED is the first choice.

Adult ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; surgery ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; surgery ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; adverse effects ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Male ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo assess the immunotoxicologic effects of genetically modified drought resistant wheat T349 with GmDREB1 gene.

METHODSA total of 250 female BALB/c mice (6-8 week-old, weight 18-22 g) were divided into five large groups (50 mice for each large group) by body weight randomly. In each large group, the mice were divided into five groups (10 mice for each group) by body weight randomly, which were set as negative control group, common wheat group, parental wheat group, genetically modified wheat group and cyclophosphamide positive control group, respectively. Mice in negative control and positive control group were fed with feedstuff AIN-93G, mice in common wheat group, non-genetically modified parental wheat group and genetically modified wheat group were fed with feedstuffs added corresponding wheat (proportion up to 76%) for 30 days, then body weight, organ coefficient of spleen and thymus, peripheral blood lymphocytes phenotyping, serum cytokine, serum immunoglobulin, antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC), serum 50% hemolytic value (HC50), mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction and phagocytic activities of phagocytes were detected respectively.

RESULTSAfter 30 days raise, among negative control group, common wheat group, non-genetically modified parental wheat group, genetically modified wheat group and cyclophosphamide positive control group, mice body weight were (21.0±0.3), (20.4±0.7), (21.1±1.0), (21.1±1.0), (19.4±1.0) g, respectively (F=7.47, P<0.01); organ coefficient of spleen were (0.407±0.047)%, (0.390±0.028)%, (0.402±0.042)%, (0.421±0.041)%, (0.304±0.048)%, respectively (F=12.41, P<0.01); organ coefficient of thymus were (0.234±0.032)%, (0.246±0.028)%, (0.249±0.040)%, (0.234±0.034)%, (0.185±0.039)%, respectively (F=5.58, P<0.01); the percentage of T cell in peripheral blood were (70.43±4.44)%, (68.33±5.37)%, (73.04±2.68)%, (74.42±2.86)%, (90.42±1.66)%, respectively (F=57.51, P<0.01); the percentage of B cell were (13.89±3.19)%, (15.34±4.84)%, (13.06±4.22)%, (12.93±2.36)%, (3.01±0.96)%, respectively (F=12.79, P<0.01); the percentage of Th cell were (55.87±3.80)%, (55.24±4.60)%, (57.92±3.70)%, (59.57±2.54)%, (77.37±2.31)%, respectively (F=68.58, P<0.01);the Th/Ts ratio were 4.16±0.29, 4.73±0.96, 4.19±0.78, 4.52±0.40, 6.34±0.73, respectively (F=17.57, P<0.01);the serum IgG were (1046.38±210.67), (1065.49±297.22), (1517.73±299.52), (1576.67±241.92), (1155.88±167.05) µg/ml, respectively (F=10.53, P<0.01); the serum IgM were (333.83±18.97), (327.73±27.72), (367.47±27.18), (363.42±46.14), (278.71±24.42) µg/ml, respectively (F=12.11, P<0.01); the serum IgA were (51.69±10.10), (42.40 ± 8.35), (32.11±4.22), (37.12±4.90), (41.45±8.89) µg/ml, respectively (F=8.25, P<0.01); the PFC were (29.2±14.6), (28.0±20.0), (34.8±30.9), (33.2±25.1), (4.8±5.3) per 10(6) splenocyte, respectively (F=3.33, P<0.05); the HC50 were 82.3±6.5, 79.7±4.6, 75.8±4.1, 74.9±3.6, 70.8±2.1, respectively (F=9.99, P<0.01);the LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation were 0.21±0.10, 0.21±0.14, 0.26±0.12, 0.25±0.14, 0.07±0.06, respectively (F=4.18, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe genetically modified drought-resistant wheat T349 was substantially equivalent to parental wheat in the effects on immune organs and immunologic functions of mice, and it didn't show immunotoxicity.

Animals ; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Droughts ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; immunology ; toxicity ; Triticum ; genetics ; immunology ; toxicity