Endometrial blood flow is directly related to endometrial receptivity thereby affecting in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes. In recent years a growing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can play a role to improve endometrial blood flow and embryo transfer. Studies have confirmed that formulas based on reinforcing kidney and activating blood can promote the formation of uterine endometrial blood vessels by adjusting expressions of a variety of vessel growth factors, and regulating nitric oxide level for inhibition of vascular smooth muscle contraction of the uterus. Treatments based on differentiation of syndromes are key to the theory of TCM. Differentiation of syndromes should be combined with biomedical disease diagnosis. It is also necessary to further clarify other endometrial blood flow disorders using TCM diagnostic methods. In these cases, drugs for reinforcing kidney and activating blood are relevant, but other medicines for smoothing liver qi and nourishing blood, as well as tonifying the spleen and generating blood may also be effective. Future clinical studies should focus on the observation of different types of TCM syndromes and the research on compatibility ratio and dose-dependent relationship of Chinese medicines. Acupuncture has been used during IVF-ET for more than 10 years. Electro-acupuncture can control the expansion of the uterine arteries by inhibiting the sympathetic nerves. However, acupuncture has not been proved to regulate endometrial arteries. To sum up, TCM can be applied to improve endometrial blood flow so as to increase birth rates in IVF-ET. The combination of Chinese and Western medicines and acupuncture application will increase their combined effect, thereby obtaining greater clinical benefits.

Recently the combination of acupuncture with assisted reproductive technology (ART) to increase the outcomes of ART is being widely studied. In this article, the literatures concerning random controlled clinical trials since 2002 are reviewed and the designs of the trials, especially the timing of acupuncture, are evaluated. Over the past 5 years, the related clinical trials have primarily showed that acupuncture done immediately before and after embryo transfer might increase the assisted reproduction rates, but still requiring further high quality trials with large samples; in addition, different stimulation modes could produce different result, and so far there has not been a consensus as to the optimal time-point for the acupuncture intervention during the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) course. Since the effects of acupuncture change with women's endocrine cycles, it is important and possible to make a breakthrough in ART outcomes if acupuncture is performed at a suitable time point during the cycle of IVF/ET combined with ART.

Objective · To explore the effects of brisk walking on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and autonomic nerve activity of male elderly with hypertension in community-based health centers in Shanghai. Methods · A total of 630 elderly men received brisk walking treatment (>10000 steps/d) voluntarily, who were selected from six community-based health centers in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Among them, 210 people stick to training for 12 weeks. According to whether suffering from hypertension, the people were assigned to hypertension intervened group (intervention group, n=110) and normal intervened group (control group 1, n=100). Blood pressure, BMI, heart rate and autonomic nerve activity before and after the training were compared. Results · After 12 weeks of training, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and sympathetic nerve activity of intervention group were significantly lower than those before the training (P<0.05). SBP was also significantly lower than control group 2 (P<0.05). However, heart rate, BMI, parasympathetic nerve activity and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity did not change significantly after the training (P>0.05). Conclusion · Brisk walking treatment lasting for 12 weeks can decrease blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in elderly men with hypertension. It is worthy to be popularized in the community.

Objective To study the changes of iodine source and the nutritional status of iodine after termination of iodized salt supply in the areas with different water iodine concentrations in Shanxi province,in order to provide scientific bases for developing strategies on control and prevention of iodine deficiency disorders,and to study the cut-off value of water iodine level where iodized salt supply should be stopped.Methods In 2010 in Shanxi province,6 villages with 100％ of non-iodized salt consumption rate were selected as the survey spots based on the iodine concentration in drinking water of 0-,50-,100-,150-,300-,≥500 μg/L.Villages'iodized salt supply was terminated thoroughly.In each village,20 children aged 8 to 10 were selected.At the same time,women of childbearing age 18 to 50 years old and adult men aged 18 to 60 were selected from the same families as the children.Diet surveys were conducted by the method of 3 days recall on all subjects.Drinking water samples,staple foods,supplementary foods and urinary samples of all subjects were collected and the iodine concentration was determined by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry.Results ①In the villages of water iodine 25.9,70.6 μg/L,the medians urinary iodine of children,women and men were all ranged from 100 to 199 μg/L,which meant their iodine nutrition levels were appropriate.In the village of water iodine 109.0 μg/L,the medians urinary iodine of children,women and men were all ranged from 200 to 299 μg/L,which meant their iodine nutrition levels were more than appropriate.In the villages of water iodine 225.8,430.0,581.2 μg/L,the medians urinary iodine of children,women and men were all ≥ 300 μg/L,which meant their iodine nutrition levels were too high.②)In all the 6 villages,the intaking amount of iodine met and exceeded the standard recommended intake of dietary iodine by ICCIDD/UNICEF/WHO (8 to 10-year-old children ≥ 120 μg/d,women of childbearing age and adult men ≥ 150 μg/d).But in the village of water iodine 581.2 μg/L,the iodine intake was exceeded the daily maximum safe intake (children aged 8 to 10 ≤800 μg/d,women of childbearing age and adult man ≤ 1000 μg/d).③The amount of iodine ingestion from drinking water was increased with the water content of iodine.When water iodine exceeded 100 μg/L,the amount of iodine ingestion from drinking water was higher than from food intaking,and became a main resource of iodine in the human body.Conclusions In the counties of iodine concentration in drinking water above 100 μg/L in high iodine areas of Shanxi province,the water iodine becomes the most important source of iodine,and iodine nutritional level is more than appropriate or possible excess.It is recommended that in areas of high water iodine of Shanxi province,the standard cut-point of water iodine value is set to 100 μg/L.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of prophylactic pancreatic stent placement and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs( NSAIDs) for the prevention of post?endoscopic retrograde cholangiopan?creatography(ERCP) pancreatitis(PEP). Methods A total of 623 patients with high risk factors for PEP were treated with prophylactic pancreatic stent placement ( 145 patients, group A) or rectal NSAIDs( 478 pa?tients, group B) for PEP prevention by using the propensity score matching( PSM) analysis. Incidence of PEP, moderate and severe PEP were investigated. According to risk factors of PEP, indications of prophy?lactic pancreatic stent placement were analysed. Results Of 623 patients with high risk factors, 145 pairs were generated after PSM.Pancreatitis occurred in 32 patients,10 (6?9%) in group A and 22 (15?2%) in group B( P<0?05 ) . Moderate?to?severe pancreatitis developed in 5 ( 3?4%) patients in group A and 14 (9?7%) patients in group B(P<0?05).Risk factors of post?ERCP PEP were cannulation attempts duration longer than 10 minutes, precut sphincterotomy, more than one pancreatic guidewire passages and history of ampullectomy. Conclusion Although the NSAIDs represent an easy, inexpensive treatment, prophylactic pancreatic stent placement is still a better prevention strategy for PEP.Prophylactic pancreatic stents should be recommended to those with risk factors including cannulation attempts duration longer than 10 minutes, precut sphincterotomy, more than one pancreatic guidewire passages and ampullectomy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the preliminary curative effect of interspinous injections for the diagnosis and treatment of back pain caused by lumbar kissing spine (Baastrup's disease) under fluoroscopically guiding.

METHODSFrom November 2011 to March 2013,17 patients with back pain caused by Baastrup's disease were treated with fluoroscopically-guided interspinous injections, including 7 males and 10 females with an average age of 49.6 years old ranging from 40 to 71 years old; the duration of the disease ranged from 2 to 5 years with a mean of 3.7 years. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the lumbar segments range of motion (ROM) was analyzed at pre-operation, 2 days, 3 months and final followed-up after operation, the effects were evaluated with modified Macnab standard.

RESULTSAll patients were follow-up from 6 to 10 months with an average of 7.6 months. The pre-operative VAS was 6.41 +/- 0.94, the postoperative VAS at different time points improved significantly comparing with pre-operation,and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in VAS at different time points after operation (P > 0.05). The ROM of operated segment and adjacent segment was (4.88 +/- 0.86) degrees and (6.82 +/- 0.73) degrees respectively at pre-operation. The postoperative operated segment ROM at different time points improved significantly comparing with pre-operation, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with pre-operation, there was no significant difference in adjacent segment ROM at different time points after operation (P > 0.05). According to modified Macnab, the result was excellent in 6 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONFluoroscopically-guided interspinous injections is an effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of Baastrup's disease. The method has advantages of simple operation, minimal invasion and safety, satisfactory short-term and medium-term therapeutic effect; it can also effectively lessen the pain of lumbar and back.

Adult ; Aged ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; Spinal Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the expressions of Occludin in brain after bacterial meningitis and to discuss possible molecular mechanism of bacterial meningitis when brain edema occurs. Methods The models of bacterial meningitis and normal control were constructed via inoculating intracisternally with strain Ⅲ streptococcus pneumoniae and the same volume of normal saline solution, respectively. The expression of Occludin in brain was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods respectively and 24 h, 48 h and 5 days after inoculation. Results (1) Loeffler neurologic deficit score (NDS) in 24 h, 48 h and 5 d decreased significantly when compared with that of control group (P < 0.05). (2) After the brain received streptococcus pneumoniae injection, expression of Occludin began to decrease at 24 h and touch the bottom at 48 h,then increase at the 5th day, but still remained lower than that in control group, which indicated statistical difference (P < 0.05). Conclusions Expression of Occludin in the models of bacterial meningitis decreased firstly and then increased regularly. It suggests that Occludin plays a protective role during the development of infectious brain edema.

Objective To analyze the effect of Shuxuetong injection on microcirculation in patients with septic shock and its therapeutic effect. Methods A prospective study was conducted. Eighty patients with septic shock treated in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Hebei Provincial Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital were randomly divided into a Shuxuetong group and a conventional therapy group according to random number table, 40 cases in each group. The conventional treatment in the two groups was energetically carried out in accord to the sepsis shock guidelines, such as positive fluid resuscitation, anti-infection, etc. In the Shuxuetong group, additionally Shuxuetong injection 6 mL in 5% glucose injection 250 mL intravenous drip was given once a day for 7 days. The levels of urine output, lactic acid (Lac), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and cardiac index (CI) in the two groups were observed before and after treatment; the total dosages of dopamine, dobutamine, noradrenaline, etc. vascoactive agent used for the patients and 28-day mortality in the two groups were also recorded. Results The comparisons of levels of urine output, Lac, BUN, Cr, AST, ALT, LVEF, and CI before treatment between the two groups were of no statistical significant differences (all P>0.05). After treatment in the two groups, the urine output, LVEF, and CI were increased compared with those before treatment, whereas the Lac, BUN, Cr, AST, and ALT were significantly decreased, and the changes were more obvious in Shuxuetong group [urine output (mL/h):112.1±39.8 vs. 73.3±28.5, LVEF:0.49±0.15 vs. 0.44±0.14, CI (mL·s-1·m-2):66.2±5.7 vs. 54.2±6.2, Lac (mmol/L):3.83±1.65 vs. 4.72±2.25, BUN (mmol/L):7.1±2.7 vs. 9.3±3.5, Cr (μmol/L): 73.9±16.2 vs. 95.7±15.8, AST (U/L): 39.8±9.5 vs. 45.8±12.7, ALT (U/L):34.3±9.7 vs. 41.7±11.3, all P<0.05]. The total dosages of all kinds of vascoactive agent of Shuxuetong group were remarkably less than those in the conventional therapy group [dopamine (mg): 993.1±261.7 vs. 1 340.9±356.4, dobutamine (mg):776.2±281.0 vs. 1 049.2±364.3, noradrenaline (mg):56.4±34.6 vs. 107.6±51.3, all P<0.05]. The 28-day mortality of Shuxuetong group was obviously lower than that of conventional therapy group [40.0%(16/40) vs. 60.0%(24/40), P<0.05]. Conclusion Shuxuetong injection can improve the microcirculation perfusion in patients with septic shock and reduce their mortality.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of small endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) plus large balloon dilataion (EPLBD) for removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones larger than 12mm.Methods From June 2009 to December 2011,a total of 198 patients with CBD stones were randomly divided into two groups to receive EPLBD (n =100) or EST only (n =98).The rate of complete stone removal after the first session,the overall success rate of stone removal,the rate of using mechanical lithotripsy (ML),the rate of post procedure complication,procedure time and fluoroscopy time were compared between the two groups.Results The rate of complete stone removal after the first session in EPLBD group (89.0％) was significantly higher than that in EST group (71.4％,P ＜ 0.05).ML was required significantly more often in EST group (35.7％) compared to EPLBD group (12.0％,P ＜0.05).Total procedure time and total fluoroscopy time in EPLBD group (39.3 ± 15.8 min and 14.2 ±5.2 min) were significantly shorter than those of EST group (48.4 ± 19.3 min and 24.2 ±9.4 min,P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference between two groups in overall success rate of stone removal (97.0％ in EPLBD vs.93.9％in EST group,P ＞ 0.05) and the complications rate (8.0％ in EPLBD vs.13.3％ in ESTgroup,P ＞0.05).Conclusion EPLBD is as safe and effective as EST for common bile duct stones,larger than 12mm,and is more efficient in terms of procedure time,use of ML and success rate of stone removal.

Objective To investigate the effects of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (celecoxib) on angiogenesis and peritoneal function of uremic peritoneal dialysis rats.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were selected,and they were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group(n =8),sham operation group(n =8),uremia group(5/6 nephrectomy,n =8),PD group [4.25％ PD solution,2 weeks PD model(n =8) and 4 weeks PD model(n =8)],PD + celecoxib intervention group[treated by celecoxib(20 mg/kg) via oral gavage,n =8].The peritoneum of uremic peritoneal dialysis rats was observed in different dialysis time from peritoneal structures,functions,peritoneal tissue capillary density (microvessel density,MVD) and COX-2,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression level,and the impacts of celecoxib on uremic peritoneal dialysis rats peritoneal angiogenesis and peritoneal function were study.Results With the conduct of the peritoneal dialysis,peritoneal thickness increased,the inflammatory cells infiltrated,peritoneal equilibration test (PET) showed that ultrafiltration volume decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05),the amount of glucose transport rate rised significantly (P ＜ 0.05),but the celecoxib could improve net ultrafiltration volume (P ＜ 0.05),and reduce the glucose transport rate (P ＜ 0.05).The peritoneal tissue MVD and COX-2,VEGF expression were significantly increased in uremia group and PD group compared with that in the normal control group (all P ＜ 0.05),were significantly lower in PD + Celecoxib intervention group than that in uremia group (P ＜ 0.05).The correlation analysis showed that the level of COX-2 protein expression with MVD,VEGF protein expression was positively correlated (both P ＜ 0.05),the level of VEGF protein expression and MVD was positively correlated (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In vivo high glucose dialysate and uremia environmental can stimulate the COX-2 and VEGF expression raised,and the capillaries production increased in peritoneal tissue.Celecoxib can alleviate the change of peritoneal tissue morphology and function in long-term peritoneal dialysis rats.Celecoxib inhibits the peritoneal neovascularization of uremic peritoneal dialysis rats,possibly through inhibition of COX-2 expression to reduce the production of VEGF.