OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yishen Zhongzi Pill (YZP) on the sperm motility of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome (SEDS) patients.

METHODSTotally 144 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (71 cases) and the control group (73 cases). Ten cases dropped out during the therapeutic course. A total of 134 patients completed this clinical study, 67 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took YZP (6 g each time, twice daily), while those in the control group took Wuzi Yanzong Pill (6 g each time, twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was one month. Changes of the sperm motility, clinical efficacy, and Chinese medical symptoms scores were observed between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, percentages of class a spermatozoa and class a + b spermatozoa were enhanced in the two groups after treatment (P <0. 01). Besides, they were higher in treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The total effective rate of the treatment group was 77. 61 % (52/67 cases), while it was 58. 21 % (39/67 cases) in the control group. It was better in the treatment group than in the control group (Z= -2. 914, P =0. 004). Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores for Chinese medical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01). The difference of pre-post integrals was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONYZP showed favorable effect in treating asthenospermia patients with SEDS and could effectively elevate the motility of sperm.

Asthenozoospermia ; therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oils, Volatile ; Phytotherapy ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo facilitate early recognition of ominous clinical manifestations, to understand pathophysiology and assess treatment effects in patients with severe enterovirus 71 (EV71) associated hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

METHODA retrospective analysis was performed based on the clinical records, laboratory data and treatment effects which were collected from twelve severe EV71 infected cases from nine hospitals in 2008, in Hubei province, China.

RESULTOf the 12 severe cases, ten (83.3%) were male and two female. The median age was 1.96 yrs (8 m to 7 yrs). The mean hyperthermic duration was 6 days with the peak temperature over 38.5 degrees C, and mean rash duration was 7 days. Fever and rash emerged simultaneously in 4 of 5 cases with cardiopulmonary failure. The severe complications included encephalitis (10 cases), pulmonary edema or hemorrhage (5 cases). Eleven cases were checked with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and four cases showed characteristics of encephalitis or meningitis, two with images of naso sinusitis and ethmoid-mastoid inflammation. Chest X-ray examination showed with pulmonary edema on single or both sides (5 cases), bronchitis (4 cases), and normal image (3 cases). There was no specific finding in the cardiac ultrasound and electrocardiogram in any of the patients, as well as the white blood cell count, blood glucose, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and D-dimer. Cerebrospinal fluid showed aseptic meningitis with the increase of cell count in 7 cases. All patients were treated with antibiotics and/or antivirals, such as cephalosporins, ribavirin etc. Eleven patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (total dose 2 - 4.5 g/kg) for 2 - 5 days, and the highest blood concentration of immunoglobulin was detected increasing at 7 g/L. Seven cases were also treated with methylprednisolone 10 - 30 mg/(kg x d), four with dopamine, dobutamine, or digitalis. In addition, by using continuous positive airway pressure by nasal catheter and maintenance of circulation in the cases with cardiopulmonary failure could not relieve the symptoms of dyspnoea, and mechanical ventilation was required to maintain for a mean of 72 hrs (24 - 96 hrs). Except one case died of pulmonary edema in the early stage, others were cured without sequelae.

CONCLUSIONSevere EV71 infection is more common in children younger than 3 years old, in which the profound complications include encephalitis and pulmonary edema. The mechanical ventilation should be critically urged for child with complicating cardiopulmonary failure as soon.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; Enterovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe and evaluate the short-term and long-term curative effects of the synthetic auricular point therapy on the common migraine in attack stage.

METHODSWith the study method of randomized controlled trial, 108 cases of common migraine at the attack stage were randomly assigned to a treatment group of 72 cases treated with synthetic auricular point therapy (blood-letting on the ear back, point injection of own blood, pricking ear point), and a control group of 36 cases treated with Western medicine. Their short-term and long-term curative effects were observed and evaluated.

RESULTSThe total short-term effective rate and the total long-term effective rate were respectively 98.6% and 79. 6% in the treatment group with less adverse effects, and with a very significant difference as compared with the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe synthetic auricular point therapy has obvious short-term and long-term curative effects on common migraine at the attack stage with safety.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Humans ; Migraine without Aura ; therapy