OBJECTIVETo observe the acupoint distribution and clinical efficacy of lumbar disc herniationi (LDH) with different sensitive types.

METHODSEighty patients with LDH were randomly divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (group A), a heat-sensitive acupuncture group (group B), a force-sensitive acupuncture group (group C) and a force-sensitive moxibustion group (group D), 20 cases in each one. In the group A and the group B, moxibustion and acupuncture were applied at two or three heat-sensitive acupoints separately. In the group C and the group D,acupuncture and moxibustion were used at two or three force-sensitive acupoints respectively. The treatment was given once a day, totally 10 times. The distribution law of the heat-sensitive acupoints and the force-sensitive acupoints and the change of M-JOA before and after treatment were recorded in the four groups.

RESULTSThe frequent heat-sensitive acupoints areas of LDH were at Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Dachangshu (BL 25), Zhiyang(GV 9), Guanyuanshu(BL 26) and Weizhong(BL 40). The major force-sensitive acupoints areas were at Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Weizhong (BL 40). After treatment, the heat-sensitive acupoints in the group A and the group B were all reduced than those before treatment and the force-sensitive acupoints in the group C and the group D were declined as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The M-JOA scores were obviously lower than those before treatment in the four groups (all P < 0.01). The score in the group A was reduced more apparently than that in the group B (P < 0.05). The score in the group C was declined more markedly than that in the group D (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are diverse acupoints for LDH patients due to different sensitive types. All forms of stimulation can change the functional state of acupoints. Moxibustion is more suitable for heat-sensitive acupoints and acupuncture is optimal for force-sensitive acupoints.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the role of LiCl in microbial suppurative keratitis .Methods Western-blot assay was used to detect the efficacy of LiCl .Inflammatory cytokine levels were examined using Real-time PCR .Cell apoptosis was detected by using TUNEL and flow cytometry assays .Results LiCl promoted corneal resistance to PA infection .Real-time PCR data showed that LiCl enhanced IL-10 expression ,but suppressed TNF-expression .TUNEL and flow cytometry data showed that LiCl promoted the apoptosis of infiltrating cells .Conclusion LiCl promoted host resistance against microbial suppurative keratitis ,via regulating in-flammatory cytokine expression and cell apoptosis .

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and the patients' quality of life (QOL).

METHODSA total of 492 TMD patients were included in this study. The clinical examination results were recorded using Fricton index of temporomandibular joint function. "Visual analog scale (VAS) evaluation of QOL disturbance" was designed to quantitate patients' QOL, to evaluate the degree that the patients QOL was affected.

RESULTSChewing, daily life and emotion among all 8 items of QOL were frequently affected by TMD, and joint clicking had the least influence on QOL. Intermittent closed lock had more severe interference with QOL than joint clicking only. Severe and moderate pain or limited mouth opening affected the QOL more severely than mild pain or mild limited mouth opening. The simple linear relationship between Fricton index and patients' QOL was poor (r < 0.4).

CONCLUSIONSPain is the most frequently seen symptom in TMD. TMD could affect patients' QOL, including both physical and social-psychological functions. The results suggest that the patients' QOL as well as TMD symptoms and signs should be considered in the management of TMD.

Adult ; Facial Pain ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; complications

Objective To construct a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) adenovirus vector targeting Aktl (protein kinase B1, PKBI/Aktl) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and study its effects on the invasion and metastasis of SGC-7901 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods Aktl and COX-2 shRNA expression frames were subcloned to pGSadeno adenovirus vector by homologous recombination technology to construct pGSadeno-Aktl+COX-2 (rAdS-A+C) vector. After screening and amplification, the recombinant adenovirus vector was digested with PacI and transfected into SGC-7901 cells, the titer and transfection efficiency were detected by fluorescent microscopy. Aktl and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression was identified by real-time PCR and Western blot. MMP-2 and MMP-9 contents in control group SGC-7901、rAd5-HK and treatment group rAdS-A+C were detected by ELISA assay and transwell assay analyzed cell invasion and metastasis ability. Results Adenovirus vector rAdS-A+C was successfully constructed and it dramatically down-regulated Aktl and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells. MMP-2 and MMP-9 contents in treatment group rAd5-A+C were respectively (39.7± 1.7) ng/ml, (31.3±3.6) ng/ml, and they were lower than those in control group SGC-7901 (278.4± 15.5) ng/ml, (225.4±15.1) ng/ml and rAd5-HK (275.5±2.1) ng/ml, (226.0±23.3) ng/ml (P= 0.01, P=0.021). Transwell assay showed treatment group rAd5-A+C significantly inhibited the invasion and metastasis of SGC-7901 gastric adenocacinoma cells. Conclusions Adenovirus-mediated targeting Aktl and COX-2 shRNA can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of SGC-7901 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

Objective To construct a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) adenovirus vector targeting P85 and protein kinase B1 (PKB1/Akt1) and study its effects on the growth of SGC-7901 human gastric adenocareinoma cells. Methods P85 and Aktl shRNA expression frames were subcloned to pGSadeno adenovirus vector with homologous recombination technology to construct pGSadeno-P85 + Akt1 (rAd5-P + A) vector. After screening and amplification, the recombinant adenovirus vector was digested with PacI and transfected into SGC-7901 cells and then its titer and transfection efficiency were detected with fluorescent microscope. P85 and Akt1 mRNA protein expression was identified with real-time PCR and Western blot. The proliferative activity of tumor cells was evaluated with MTr assay and flow cytometry in vitro, rAd5-HK and rAd5-P + A mediated by adenovirus were injected into the established subcutancous SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma in nude mice. During the observation period of 21 days, tumor volume was measured every 3 days to further testify the anti-tumor effect of rAd5-P + A on the SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells and cell in situ apoptosis was detected with TUNEL assay. Results The adenovirus vector rAd5-P + A was successfully constructed and it dramatically downregulated P85 and Akt1 mRNA expression in SGC-7901 gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Compared with a control group of SGC-7901 cells and cells transfected with general adenovirus rAd5-HK as control, P85 and Akt1 protein expression 48 h and 72 h after rAd5-P + A transfection was decreased by 57.5% and 63. 7%, 67. 8% and 75.6% with statistical significance(P = 0. 005, P = 0. 003). Cell proliferative activity in rAd5-P + A transfected cells was suppressed from the second day (P <0. 001) and the decreased P85 and Akt1 expression was accompanied by 5.9% -7. 1% decrease of S phase fraction and 12. 1% - 13.7% increase of G0/G1 phase. The tumor volume of rAd5-P + A treated group was smaller than that of the control and rAd.5-HK group with statistical significance (F = 9. 871, P = 0. 025) . Moreover, rAd5-P + A could induce cell in situ apoptosis. Conclusions Adenovirus-mediated targeting P85 and Akt1 shRNA can inhibit the growth of SGC-7901 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and this may provide a new strategy of combination gene therapy in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( PET/CT) in fever of unknown origin ( FUO) in a Chinese hospital .Methods:The records of 51 patients with FUO (32 men and 19 women;mean age 54 years with a range between 3 and 81 years) were analyzed retrospectively .All the patients were examined by 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan and the results were compared with the final diagnosis which was established by additional procedures including pathology , laboratory examination , and clinical follow-up for more than 3 months.The t test was used for statistical analysis .Results: A final diagnosis was established for 48 patients , including 32 patients with infectious diseases , 9 with malignancies , and 7 with non-infectious inflammatory diseases .By FDG PET scan alone , the rates of true positive , false positive , false negative, and true negative were 52.9%, 27.5%, 17.6%, and 2.0%, respectively.By FDG PET/CT scan, the rates of true positive, false positive, false negative, and true negative were 70.6%, 27.5%, 2.0%, and 0, respectively.18F-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 97.3%(36/37), specificity of 0 (0/14), and accuracy of 70.6%(36/51) in FUO, especially a high sensitivity and accuracy of 100%(9/9) in the diagnosis of malignant tumor .Moreover , the maximum standardized uptake value ( SUVmax ) in tumor was significant higher than that in infection (3.7 ±2.7 vs.7.7 ±3.5, P=0.001, t=3.6), which implied that SUVmax might be useful in differential diagnosis in FUO .Conclusion:FDG PET/CT is a valuable imaging tool for the identification and location of the potential lesion in FUO and is helpful for the etiological diagnosis , especially in the diagnosis of malignant lesions .

OBJECTIVETo compare differences of clinical therapeutic effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion with different doses for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODSSixty cases of IBS were randomly divided into a saturated-dose group (30 cases) and a traditional-dose group (30 cases). Heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied in both groups. The acupoints that had the strongest heat-sensitive feeling were selected and treated by warm and suspended moxibustion with moxa stick. Disappearance of heat-sensitive feeling was taken as the sign of treatment time in the saturated-dose group, while the traditional-dose group was treated for 15 min each time. The treatment in both groups was given twice a day for first 5 days, and from the sixth day it was given once a day for continuous 25 times, totally 30 days. Clinical symptom scores and therapeutic effect before and after treatment in two groups were observed.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate was 75.0% (21/28) in the saturated-dose group, which was inferior to 44.4% (12/27) in the traditional-dose group (P < 0.05). The clinical symptom scores, including diarrhea, abdominal distension and pain, were obviously reduced in two groups compared with those before the treatment (all P < 0.05). Compared with the traditional-dose group, the symptom scores of diarrhea and abdominal distension in the saturated-dose group were obviously decreased (0.87 +/- 0.13 vs 1.27 +/- 0.21, P < 0.01; 1.12 +/- 0.41 vs 1.32 +/- 0.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion featured with disappearance of heat-sensitive feeling and saturated dose has better therapeutic effect than that with traditional-dose for treatment of IBS. As individual dynamic amount of moxibustion, disappearance of heat-sensitive and quantitation varies from person to person, which is one of the key factors to obtain the best curative effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:to investigate the clinical feature and dynamic changes of the cervical dural sac and spinal cord during neck flexion in Hirayama disease(juvenile muscular atrophy of distal upper extremity).Methods:Clinical data were taken and MRI in neutral neck position and a fully flexed neck position were performed on 27 cases of Hirayama disease.Results:(1)All patients were consistent with the diagnostic criteria of Hirayama disease who had asymmetric muscular atrophy and weakness of the hand and forearm.All patients were young males and right handed of whom 77.8% had initial symptoms before they were 19 years old.More patients(20 cases,74%)had muscular atrophy in the right hand than in the left at onset.The duration after disease onset was from 2-72 months[(26.48?15.57)months].(2)In neutral neck position by MIR examination,16 patients showed abnormal cervical curvature,14 showed atrophy of the lower cervical cord and 2 patients had intramedullary abnormal high signal.(3)In a fully flexed position of the neck,all patients showed forward displacement and flattening of the lower cervical cord,and a crescent-shaped high signal area behind the cord.(4)The crescent-shaped area was enhanced on T1-weighed imaging and disappeared after the patient returned to a neural position in one case.Conclusion:Hirayama disease occurs mainly in young males.There are obviously dynamic changes of the cervical cord during neck flexion in Hirayama disease by MRI examination,which can help the doctor make diagnosis in the early stage.

Objectives To summarize screening and therapeutic effects of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Zhongshan. Methods The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in dried heel blood samples on iflter paper was detected using time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay. The cases of positive screening tests were called back for further examination of venous blood TSH concentration using chemiluminescence method. Fifty-four children with permanent CH treated routinely for 2 years (CH group) and 120 age-gender matched health children (control group) were recruited. The physical development (height, body weight) was monitored. The neurodevelopment and temperament type were tested using Pediatric Nneuropsychological Development Assessment and Children's Temperament Scale respectively at 6 and 24 months after birth. Results Two hundred eight-five thousand two hundred forty-two neonates were screened. One hundred and forty cases were confirmed and the incidence rate was 1/2037. There was no statistical difference in length-for-age z score (LAZ) and weight-for-age z score (WAZ) between CH and control group (P>0.05). The neurodevelopment in CH group was normal, but gross motor development was worse than that in control group (P<0.05). The temperament type and distribution had statistical difference between CH and control group (P<0.05). The percentage of the dififcult type and central dififcult type was increased in CH group as compared to control group, especially in the activity, adaptability, reaction intensity and perseverance (P<0.05). Conclusions The physical and neurodevelopment are nearly normal in patients with CH after early supplementation, but the psychological behavior problems need to be focused on in the process of intervention.

The graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect of T cells induced by tumor antigen-pulsed CD8α(+) dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro was investigated in this study. Immature CD8α(+) DCs were prepared from C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) bone marrow cells by using a cytokine cocktail. On the 3rd day of culture, CD8α(+) DCs were pulsed by allogeneic (Balb/c, H-2(d)) EL9611 leukemia antigen, or RM-1 syngeneic prostate cancer antigen, with the concentration series of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 μg/mL, respectively, then antigen-loaded immature CD8α(+) DCs were co-cultured with syngeneic T cells according to the DC/T ratio of 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1. T cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Cytokines including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in CD8α(+) DCs and T co-culture supernatant were detected by using ELISA. Cytotoxic effect of antigen-specific T cells was tested by LDH release assay. Conventional mature DCs (mDCs) induced from C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) bone marrow cells by using granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) served as a control. The results showed that the proliferative activity of T cells stimulated by CD8α(+) DCs loaded with allogeneic or syngeneic tumor antigen was augmented with the CD8α(+) DC/T ratio increased (P<0.05). When antigen concentration ≤ 5 μg/mL and CD8α(+) DC/T ratio ≤ 2:1, the ability of CD8α(+) DCs to stimulate T cell proliferation was higher than mDC control in allogeneic tumor antigen-pulsed groups (P<0.05), but not in syngeneic tumor antigen-pulsed groups (P>0.05). The level of IFN-γ and IL-10 in CD8α(+) DCs and T cell co-culture supernatant were increased in both allogeneic and syngeneic antigen-pulsed groups (P<0.05), and the cytokine level was higher in allogeneic antigen-pulsed groups than in syngeneic antigen groups when the CD8α(+) DC/T was 1:1 or 2:1 (P<0.05). There existed a negative correlation between the level of IL-10 and T cell proliferation. T cell cytotoxicity assay showed that when CD8α(+) DCs were pulsed with allogeneic tumor antigen, the maximal T cell killing efficiency could reach (100±7.7)%, whereas syngeneic tumor antigen-pulsed group had only (65.0±3.4)%. It was concluded that syngeneic and allogeneic tumor antigen-pulsed immature CD8α(+) DCs could stimulate T cells to exert the GVT effect in vitro, and the GVT effect was more obvious with allogeneic tumor antigen than with syngeneic tumor antigen. The optimal condition was low allogeneic tumor antigen pulsation (≤ 5 μg/mL) and low CD8α(+) DC/T ratio (1:1 and 2:1).