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

Objective To investigate the effects of early rehabilitation training(ERT) on Splintered fracture of tibial plateau after operation.Methods Sixty patients with splintered fracture of tibial plateau were divided into a rehabilitation group and a control group.All the patients were treated with internal fixation and the patients in the rehabilitation group were also accepted with ERT as an addition.Then the therapeutic effects were assessed with the Kolmert score.Results After the 3,6 and 12 months following,the therapeutic effects of the rehabilitation training group were much better than those of the control group(P<0.05)in terms of joint activity and excellent function.Conclusions The therapeutic effects of ERT for Splintered fracture of tibial plateau patients after operation can significantly improve patient knee movement and further improve functional recovery after curative effect.

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 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

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 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

The aim of study was to investigate the killing effect of double suicide gene system mediated by retroviral vector on K562 cells in vivo and ex vivo. CDglyTK gene was transfected into PA317 cells by using lipofectamine. K562 cells were infected with viral supernatant. K562/CDglyTK cells were treated with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) and/or ganciclovir (GCV). Mice were randomly divided into three groups: tumor formation, tumor inhibition and tumor therapy. Each mouse was implanted with K562/CDglyTK cells or K562 cells. The results indicated that the killing effect of 5-FC in combination with GCV on K562/CDglyTK was more significant than using 5-FC or GCV alone. In vivo study showed that after being injected subcutaneously with K562 cells and K562/CDglyTK cells, there was not obvious difference in tumor formation rate of mice, 5-FC + GCV could suppress tumor formation of the K562/CDglyTK cells. After being treated with 5-FC and GCV, the median tumor volume of mice implanted with K562/CDglyTK cells decreased obviously, compared with the control group. Their median survival was significantly prolonged. It is concluded that double suicide genes are more effective for killing effect on K562 cells in vivo and in ex vivo. It may be applicable to clinical gene therapy.
Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Retroviridae ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathogenesis of ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) in post-liver transplant patients and the possible therapeutic mechanisms of sirolimus.

METHODSThe clinic data of 32 post-liver transplant patients with ITBLs from May 2004 to December 2010 was analyzed. There were including 25 male and 7 female patients with a median age of 46 years (ranging from 19 to 61 years). Patients were divided into those who received sirolimus (sirolimus group) and those who did not (control group). The expression of IL-2, FoxP3, and IL-10 in the portal area, liver function indexes, and bile duct injury score were assessed pre-ITBL, when ITBLs were identified, and after 6 months of sirolimus treatment.

RESULTSCompared with pre-ITBL optical density (OD) values, there was a significantly increase in IL-2 OD(0.138 ± 0.050 in control group and 0.141 ± 0.052 in sirolimus group), but not FoxP3 and IL-10 OD in both groups at the time ITBLs were diagnosed. After 6 months of treatment, the IL-2, FoxP3, and IL-10 OD values in the control group were not different from those when ITBLs were diagnosed. There was a significant reduction in post-therapy IL-2 OD(0.107 ± 0.043, t = 2.087, P = 0.044), and a significant elevation in FoxP3(0.213 ± 0.039) and IL-10 OD(0.187 ± 0.048) in sirolimus group as compared with those when ITBLs were diagnosed(t = -3.822 and -4.350, both P < 0.01). There was a significant increase in serum levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and ALP at the time ITBLs were diagnosed compared with pre-ITBL levels in both groups. After 6 months of treatment, the above indexes had not changed in the control group, but significantly improved in the sirolimus group, and the bile duct injury score in the sirolimus group had significantly decreased(4.4 ± 2.4, Z = -2.568, P = 0.010). The 1-year and 3-year graft survival rates in the control group were 6/13 and 5/13, respectively, and 17/19 and 13/19, respectively, in the sirolimus group (χ(2) = 7.166, P = 0.007; χ(2) = 5.398, P = 0.020, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSSirolimus can downregulate IL-2 expression and upregulate FoxP3 and IL-10 expression, thereby stimulating FoxP3+ Treg cells, suppressing immunopathological damage, and promoting epithelial repair in bile ducts.

Adult ; Bile Duct Diseases ; drug therapy ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; diet therapy ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

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