OBJECTIVETo optimize therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS).

METHODSForty-one cases of PGS were randomly divided into 3 groups in order of visiting. Group A (n = 17) were treated by warming needle moxibustion, group B (n = 12) by acupuncture plus auricular point sticking, and group C (n = 12) by routine acupuncture. Changes of gastric drainage volume, therapeutic times and cured rate were investigated in the 3 groups.

RESULTSAll the 3 therapeutic methods could significantly decrease gastric drainage volume. The cured rate was 100.0% and the therapeutic times was (7.24 +/- 3.87) in the group A, 66.7%, (9.83 +/- 4.60) times in the group B and 75.0%, (15.25 +/- 3.81) times in the group C, with significant differences in the cured rate and the therapeutic times among the 3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe warming needle moxibustion is the best method for PGS, with less therapeutic times, high cured rate and rapid effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastroparesis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a high mortality. This study was undertaken to detect the factors associated with the prognosis of AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 98 patients with AKI treated from March 2008 to August 2009 at this hospital. In these patients, 60 were male and 38 female. Their age ranged from 19 to 89 years (mean 52.4±16.1 years). The excluded patients were those who died within 24 hours after admission to ICU or those who had a history of chronic kidney disease or incomplete data. After 60 days of treatment, the patients were divided into a survival group and a death group. Clinical data including gender, age, history of chronic diseases, the worst laboratory values within 24 hours after diagnosis (values of routine blood tests, blood gas analysis, liver and renal function, levels of serum cystatin C, and blood electrolytes) were analyzed. Acute physiology, chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores and 60-day mortality were calculated. Univariate analysis was performed to find variables relevant to prognosis, odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence interval (CI). Multiple-factor analysis with logistic regression analysis was made to analyze the correlation between risk factors and mortality. RESULTS: The 60-day mortality was 34.7％ (34/98). The APACHE II score of the death group was higher than that of the survival group (17.4±4.3 vs. 14.2±4.8, P<0.05). The mortality of the patients with a high level of cystatin C>1.3 mg/L was higher than that of the patients with a low level of cystatin C (<1.3 mg/L) (50％ vs. 20％, P<0.05). The univariate analysis indicated that organ failures≥2, oliguria, APACHE II>15 scores, cystatin C>1.3 mg/L, cystatin C>1.3 mg/L+APACHE II>15 scores were the risk factors of AKI. Logistic regression analysis, however, showed that organ failures≥2, oliguria, cystatin C>1.3 mg/L +APACHE II>15 scores were the independent risk factors of AKI. CONCLUSION: Cystatin C>1.3 mg/L+APACHE II>15 scores is useful in predicting adverse clinical outcomes in patients with AKI.

ObjectiveTo observe clinical therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture combined with traditional body acupuncture on pseudobulbar palsy induced by ischemic or hemorrhagic apoplexy.Methods59 inpatients with pseudobulbar palsy induced by stroke were divided into the scalp acupuncture combined with body acupuncture group (n=40) and body acupuncture group (n=19). Cases of the scalp acupuncture combined with body acupuncture group were treated by scalp acupuncture combined with traditional body acupuncture. Cases of the body acupuncture group were treated only by traditional body acupuncture. Therapeutic effect of two groups was assessed according to patients' consciousness, language and limb functions.ResultsIn the scalp acupuncture combined with body acupuncture group, 30 cases were cured and 9 were remarkably effective, with a total effective rate of 97.5%. While in the body acupuncture group, 9 cases were cured, and 7 were remarkably effective, with a total effective rate of 84.2%. There was a significant difference between two groups in clinical cure rate (P<0.05), but no difference in total effective rate ( P>0.05).ConclusionScalp acupuncture combined with traditional body acupuncture can obviously improve the consciousness, language and limb functions and pseudobulbar palsy of stroke patients and obtain a better effect compared with traditional body acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: To study DNA quantification and STR typing of samples pre-treated with pyramidon. METHODS: The blood samples of ten unrelated individuals were anticoagulated in EDTA. The blood stains were made on the filter paper. The experimental groups were divided into six groups in accordance with the storage time, 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24h after pre-treated with pyramidon. DNA was extracted by three methods: magnetic bead-based extraction, QIAcube DNA purification method and Chelex-100 method. The quantification of DNA was made by fluorescent quantitative PCR. STR typing was detected by PCR-STR fluorescent technology. RESULTS: In the same DNA extraction method, the sample DNA decreased gradually with times after pre-treatment with pyramidon. In the same storage time, the DNA quantification in different extraction methods had significant differences. Sixteen loci DNA typing were detected in 90.56% of samples. CONCLUSION Pyramidon pre-treatment could cause DNA degradation, but effective STR typing can be achieved within 24 h. The magnetic bead-based extraction is the best method for STR profiling and DNA extraction.
Aminopyrine/pharmacology* ; Blood Stains ; DNA/isolation & purification* ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reproducibility of Results ; Specimen Handling

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects between body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with body acupuncture on atherosclerotic cerebral infarction at acute stage.

METHODSForty-two cases of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction at acute stage were divided into 2 groups. They were treated respectively by scalp acupuncture combined with body acupuncture and simple body acupuncture. The comprehensive scores of mind, speech, limb motor function, etc. of the patients before and after treatment were recorded and compared.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the cumulative scores in the two groups reduced significantly (P < 0.01); the difference of scores before and after treatment in the scalp-body acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the body acupuncture group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between the two groups in clinically effective rate (P > 0.05), but there was a very significantly difference between the two groups in the markedly effective rate (P < 0.01), the scalp-body acupuncture group being significantly higher than that in the body acupuncture group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve mind, speech and limb motor function of the patient with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction at acute stage, and the therapeutic effect of scalp combined with body acupuncture is better than that of simple body acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; complications ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scalp

OBJECTIVETo search for the best method for increasing clinical therapeutic effect on apoplectic hemiplegia.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of apoplectic hemiplegia were randomly divided into three groups in order of visiting. Group A (n = 33) were treated by scalp acupuncture combined with consciousness-restoring resuscitation method, group B (n = 60) by scalp acupuncture combined with traditional acupuncture, and group C (n = 27) by traditional acupuncture. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated according to the scores of manner, speech, motor function of limbs, and so on.

RESULTSThree cases were basically cured, 20 were markedly effective, 7 were effective, with a total effective rate of 90.9% in the group A; and the corresponding figures were 7, 28, 21 cases and 93.3%, respectively in group B with no significant difference between the group A and B (P > 0.05); and 7 cases were markedly effective, 11 effective with a total effective rate of 66. 7% in the group C with a significant difference as compared with the group A and B (P < 0.05, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONScalp acupuncture combined with consciousness-restoring resuscitation method and scalp acupuncture combined with traditional acupuncture have a similar therapeutic effect on apoplectic hemiplegia, which is superior to that of traditional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scalp ; Stroke ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of triple semicircular canal occlusion (TSCO) in the treatment of intractable Meniere's disease (MD), so as to provide an alternative surgical procedure for treating MD.

METHODSSeventeen patients, who had received standardized conservative treatment for at least one year with poor effect, underwent TSCO were retrospectively analyzed. Vertigo control and auditory function were evaluated. Pure tone audiometry, caloric test, and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) were performed for evaluation of audiological and vestibular function. Postoperative follow-up period was 6 - 13 months, with an average of ten months.

RESULTSAccording to the preoperative staging of hearing, among the 17 patients, there were 2 cases in stage II (with an average hearing threshold of 25 - 40 dBHL) and 15 in stage III (41 - 70 dBHL). No vertigo was found during the follow-up period, with 100% control rate of vertigo. During the same period, we had performed endolymphatic sac decompression operation in 25 MD patients. The control rate of vertigo was 72.0%. The vertigo control rate of TSCO was significantly higher than that of endolymphatic sac decompression operation (χ(2) = 3.87, P < 0.05). Three months after surgery, 12 patients showed no significant change in comparison to primary status, 5 patients presented with an mild increase in the average hearing threshold of less than 20 dBHL, with 29.4% of hearing loss rate. Post-operatively, all patients suffered from temporary vertigo and balance disorders. Vertigo was disappeared in all patients within 3 days, while, balance disorders were disappeared in 10 patients within 1 - 2 weeks after surgery, and in another 7 patients within 2 months, with an average recovery time of 12.6 days. Three months after treatment, loss of semicircular canal function by caloric test was found in the operation side of all patients and no change in VEMP test was noted. All patients had no facial paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and other complications.

CONCLUSIONSTSCO, which can reduce vertiginous symptoms in patients with intractable MD, represents an effective and safe therapy for this disorder. TSCO is expected to be used as an alternative procedure for the treatment of MD in selected patients suffering from moderate to severe hearing loss.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meniere Disease ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Otologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Semicircular Canals ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of regenerating a whole menisci using poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) scaffolds loaded with meniscal cells in rabbits undergoing total meniscectomy, and to explore its protective effect on cartilage degeneration.

METHODSA solvent casting and particulate leaching technique was employed to fabricate biodegradable PHBV scaffolds into a meniscal shape. The proliferated meniscal cells were seeded onto the polymer scaffolds, transplanted into rabbit knee joints whose lateral menisci had been removed. Eight to 18 weeks after transplantation, the rege- nerated neomenisci were evaluated by gross and histological observations. Cartilage degeneration was assessed by Mankin score.

RESULTSEighteen weeks after transplantation, the implants formed neomenisci. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of the neomenisci sections revealed regeneration of fibrocartilage. Type I collagen in the neomenisci was also proved similar to normal meniscal tissue by immunohistochemical analysis and Sirius scarlet trinitrophenol staining. Articular cartilage degeneration was observed 8 weeks after implantation. It was less severe as compared with that in total meniscectomy controls and no further degeneration was observed at 18 weeks. At that time, the regenerated neomenisci strongly resembled normal meniscal fibrocartilage in gross and histological appearance, and its mechanical property was also close to that of normal meniscus.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrates the feasibility of tissue-engineering a whole meniscal structure in total meniscectomy rabbit models using biodegradable PHBV scaffolds together with cultured allogeneic meniscal cells. Cartilage degeneration is decreased. But long-term in vivo investigations on the histological structure and cartilage degeneration of the neomenisci regenerated by this method are still necessary to determine the clinical potential of this tissue engineering avenue.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cells, Cultured ; Knee Joint ; Menisci, Tibial ; Polymers ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of dynamic posturography in the evaluation and rehabilitation of vestibular function of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

METHODSA total of 48 patients with BPPV of posterior semicircular canal in vertigo clinic of our hospital from May 2007 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. All patients underwent the inspection of caloric test, static posturography, and dynamic posturography. The vestibular tests were performed at two different time points: at onset when patients had typical nystagmus provoked by the Dix-Hallpike maneuver before treatment with the Epley maneuver (canalith repositioning maneuver, CRM), and at one week after treatment with CRM as their nystagmus disappeared. And results at theses two time points were compared. Eight patients whose dynamic balances were still abnormal after CRM accepted vestibular rehabilitation exercise using dynamic posturography, and re-examined 3 weeks later with dynamic posturography.

RESULTSAmong 48 cases of BPPV, the abnormal rates of caloric test, static posturography, and dynamic posturography before CRM were 25.0%, 33.3% and 70.8%, respectively. The abnormal rate of dynamic posturography was much higher than that of caloric test or static posturography, and the differences were statistically significant (χ² = 4.84, 7.88; P < 0.05). After CRM, the abnormal rates of caloric test, static posturography, and dynamic posturography were 14.6%, 8.3% and 16.7%, respectively. After CRM, the abnormal rate of static and dynamic posturography showed significant reduction (χ² = 24.04, 10.08; P < 0.05), however, the results of caloric test showed no significant change (χ² = 3.20, P > 0.05). Eight patients whose dynamic balances were still abnormal after CRM, accepted vestibular rehabilitation exercise lasting 3 weeks using dynamic posturography. The dynamic balances were all improved to normal after vestibular rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONSDynamic posturography can quantitatively analyze postural balance, and is helpful in comprehensive evaluation of the vestibular function of BPPV patients. Impaired balance often presents in patients with BPPV. Treatment of BPPV using the canalith repositioning maneuver results in improved postural stability in static and dynamic posturography. However, not all patients have normal dynamic stability after successful CRM. The vestibular rehabilitation exercise using dynamic posturography is a helpful adjunct to the treatment for these patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Vestibular Function Tests ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of plasma miRNA-497 in children with sepsis-induced myocardial injury and its clinical significance.

METHODSA total of 148 children with sepsis were enrolled. According to the presence or absence of myocardial injury, these children were divided into myocardial injury group (n=58) and non-myocardial injury group (n=90). The two groups were compared in terms of the changes in plasma levels of miRNA-497, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the value of plasma miRNA-497, cTnI, and CK-MB in the diagnosis of myocardial injury. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation of miRNA-497 with cTnI, CK-MB, NT-proBNP, PCT, CRP, and LVEF.

RESULTSCompared with the non-myocardial injury group, the myocardial injury group had significantly higher plasma levels of miRNA-497, cTnI, CK-MB, NT-proBNP, PCT, and CRP (P<0.05). Plasma miRNA-497, cTnI, and CK-MB when measured alone or in combination had an area under the ROC curve of 0.918, 0.931, 0.775, and 0.940 respectively. At the optimal cut-off value of 2.05, miRNA-497 had a sensitivity of 90.4% and a specificity of 91.2%. The correlation analysis showed that there was a good correlation between plasma miRNA-497 and cTnI in children with myocardial injury (r=0.728, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPlasma miRNA-497 has a similar value as cTnI in the diagnosis of sepsis-induced myocardial injury in children and may be used as a potential marker for early diagnosis of myocardial injury.