OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic differences among scalp acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking, body acupuncture and western medication for treatment of vascular dementia (VD).

METHODSNinety cases were randomly divided into a combined therapy group (31 cases), a body acupuncture group (29 cases) and a western medication group (30 cases). The combined therapy group was treated with scalp acupuncture at forehead middle line, parieral middle line, temporal front line and temporal rear line as well as auricular point sticking at naogan (AT3,41), shen (CO10), shenmen (TF4), zhen (AT3), once a day; the body acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36) and so on, once a day; the western medication group was treated with oral administration of aniracetam tablets, 0.2 g per time, twice a day. Fourteen days were considered as a treatment course, and totally 3 courses were required. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and activities of daily living (ADL) were applied to assess the changes of cognitive behavior ability before and after treatment among three groups. Also the efficacy among three groups were compared.

RESULTSOne case dropped out in the body acupuncture group and western medication group, respectively. The total effective rate was 90.334 (28/31) in the combined therapy group, which was superior to 85.734 (24/28) in the body acupuncture group and 79.3% (23/29) in the western medication group (both P < 0.05). After the treatment, the scores of MMSE and ADL were all improved among three groups, which was the most significant in the combined therapy group (MMSE: 23.32 +/- 4.45 vs 21.23 +/- 4.13, P < 0.05; 23.32 +/- 4.45 vs 20.41 +/- 4. 01, P < 0.01; ADL: 53.18 +/- 21.55 vs 51.92 +/- 20.42, P < 0.05; 53.18 +/- 21.55 vs 49.42 +/- 19.43, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe scalp acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking could improve the clinical symptoms and cognitive behavior ability in patients with vascular dementia, which has superior total efficacy to body acupuncture and western medication aniracetam tablets.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Cognition ; Dementia, Vascular ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scalp

Objective To review and evaluate the effect of one stage surgical correction of congenital heart disease with tracheal stenosis in infants.Methods Between August 2001 and December 2005,six infants with congenital heart disease with tracheal steno- sis were repaired at one stage operation.The age was 24 d～3 y[mean(13.16?12.03)months]and the weight was 4.2～10.0 kg [mean(7.98?2.03)kg].There were 3 patients with tetralogy of Fallot,1 with pulmonary atresia;2 with ventricular septal defect, 1 with coarctation of aorta;and 1 with pulmonary sling.The congenital heart disease were repaired underwent low temperature and car- diopulmonary bypass,and the tracheal stenosis were corrected simultancously.Results There was one death postoperative because of right and left branch stenosis.One patient with pulmonary sling died of granulation tissue on the patch 3 months after operation.All other 4 patients recovered uneventfully.These patients were followed up from 6 month to 4 years.There were no complications.CT scan shows that the tracheal anastomosis was patent without any stenosis.Conclusion One stage repair of congenital heart disease with tracheal stenosis in infants may have a satisfactory result.To deal with the tracheal stenosis is difficult,the operative methods de- pends on the length of stenosis.The principles of surgical methods consist of using autologous material,maintaining its contour and function of respiratory epithelium,and maintaining its growth.

Objective To compare the curative effect of high ligation+exfoliation and subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery(SEPS)for superficial varicose veins in calf+invagination spot-striping surgery in great venous varicosity.Methods Study group(42 patients)accepted SEPS+invagination spot-striping surgery and control group (42 patients)accepted traditional surgeries.Operation duration,bleeding volume in operation,the time of beginning movement away from bed after operation,hospitalization duration,the degree of pain,the scar,the recrudescence af- ter operation and the instance of the ulcer heals of two groups were compared.Results Operation duration,bleeding volume in operation,the time of begin movement away from bed after operation and hospitalization durations of study group were significantly lower than those of control group(P0.05).All of the patients in study group recovered without severe syndromes such as venous thrombosis,skin necrosis,lower limb functional disorder etc.They had no recrudesce after 4～16 months and were satisfied with the curative effect.Con- elusions The clinical curative effect of SEPS+invagination spot-striping surgery in great venous varicosity is superi- or to that of traditional operation and it has the advantages such as minor wound,few scars,light pains,short hospi- talization duration,without recrudescence,the ulcer heals quickly and so on.

Objective To study the integration and expression of HLA-B2704 gene in HLA-B2704 transgenic mice. Methods HLA-B2704 gene was introduced into fertilized eggs of C57BL/6?Kunming and Kunming?Kunming by microinjection. The founder mice were screened by PCR for integration of HLA-B2704 transgene and were then further confirmed by southern blot. RT-PCR and flow cytometry were carried out to detect the expression of HLA-B2704 gene at mRNA and protein level. Results Ten F0 hybrid mice carried HLA-B2704 gene in 101 F0 hybrid mice, 3 of 64 (4.7%) hybrid mice from Kunming?Kunming and 7 of 37 (18.9%) hybrid mice from C57BL/6?Kunming background carried HLA-B2704 gene. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference in the integration rate between the two groups (P

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. METHODS: The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cm away from the wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chicken blood made the cast-off bloodstain from top to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics (length, width and density) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics (length, width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum (P < 0.05). The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum (P < 0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P < 0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P < 0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.
Blood Stains ; Computer Simulation ; Crime ; Forensic Ballistics/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans

In order to affirm the cardioactive components in Fuzi, we identified a group of aminoalcohol- diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS) method. Among a total of forty-one isolated ingredients, thirteen major aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids were identified by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of the reference substances. Moreover, Fuzi samples from different places of origin and with different processing methods were examined and their components displayed a pattern of high similarity, though the relative abundance varies probably due to their different processing methods. Furthermore, the cardiac effect of each identified alkaloid was individually evaluated using the isolated bullfrog heart perfusion experiment. Among the thirteen aminoalcohol diterpenoid alkaloids tested, six of them significantly enhanced the amplitude rates. Taken together, we affirm that the cardioactive components in Fuzi are aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, shedding light on future studies of the mechanisms and development of these cardioactive compounds.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Amino Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rana catesbeiana ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To explore the effect of ox-LDL,MCP-1,CD68 on the survival of arteriovenous fistula in radial arteries of uremic patients.Methods Segments of radial arteries were obtained from 23 uremic subjects (29～68 years old) in the initial operation of arteriovenous fistula prior to hemodialysis.The deposit of ox-LDL and the expression of MCP-1,CD68 on the vascular wall were measured by immunohistochemistry.The survival time of arteriovenous fistula was followed by survival analysis.Results COX regression revealed that each of these risk factors,ox-LDL,MCP-1, CD68,played an important role in the survival time of arteriovenous fistula when they entered the model independently.The hazard ratios were 1.008 (P=0.008,95% CI:1.002064～1.014104), 1.007(P=0.O00,95%CI:1.003853～1.010966),and 1.098496 (P=0.000,95%CI:1.047909～1.151526)respectively.When all the three factors entered the COX regression model,the whole model was still founded.MCP-1 and CD68 still played important roles in the survival of arteriovenous fistula.The hazard ratios were 1.006(P=0.025) and 1.113(P=0.001) respectively.With the hazard ratio of 0.997,ox-LDL did not reach the statistic significance (P=0.414).Conclusions The more deposit of ox-LDL and the more expression of MCP-1,CD68 on the vascular wall,the more shortened survival time of arteriovenous fistula.Particularly,the inflammation is the independent risk factor for the prognosis of arteriovenous fistula in uremic patients.

BACKGROUNDThe decreased degradation of extra-cellular matrix proteins plays an important role in the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), which are members of the matrix metalloproteinase family, are associated with this process. Angiotensin II (AII) plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy also. This research aimed to investigate the effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker on glucose-induced mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in rat mesangial cells.

METHODSRat mesangial cells were cultured and divided into 5 groups: normal glucose (group NG), high glucose (group HG), group NG + AII, NG + AII + saralasin (group NG + AII + S, saralasin is the AII receptor blocker) and HG + saralasin (group HG + S). After the cells were incubated for 24 hours, AII concentrations in the supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSAII concentrations were higher in group HG ((56.90 +/- 13.54) pg/ml) and group HG + S ((51.30 +/- 5.96) pg/ml) than in group NG ((37.89 +/- 8.62) pg/ml, P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between group HG and group HG + S. The expression of MMP-9 mRNA and MMP-9/TIMP-1 mRNA ratio in group NG + AII (MMP-9, 0.33 +/- 0.04; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 0.40 +/- 0.06) and group HG (MMP-9, 0.36 +/- 0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 0.45 +/- 0.03) were decreased more significantly than those in group NG (MMP-9, 0.72 +/- 0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 1.21 +/- 0.07). These values in group NG + AII + S (MMP-9, 0.71 +/- 0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 1.18 +/- 0.05) were higher than those in group NG + AII, and the values in group HG + S (MMP-9, 0.71 +/- 0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 1.16 +/- 0.05) were higher than those in group HG (all were P < 0.05). TIMP-1 mRNA expression was increased more significantly in group NG + AII (0.81 +/- 0.03) and group HG (0.80 +/- 0.03) than in group NG (0.59 +/- 0.02), but it was lower in group NG + AII + S (0.60 +/- 0.01) than in group NG + AII and also lower in group HG + S (0.61 +/- 0.01) than in group HG (all were P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose stimulates AII production. Both high glucose and AII induce a decrease in MMP-9 mRNA expression and MMP-9/TIMP-1 mRNA ratio as well as an increase in TIMP-1 mRNA expression, which can be reversed by saralasin, suggesting that high glucose can aggravate impaired matrix degradation by altering gene expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and that the effect of high glucose may be mediated by AII.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Mesangial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saralasin ; pharmacology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics

Objective To investigate the prognostic sequelae in neontes with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and ven-tricnlar dilatation.Methods Seventy-six full term newborns infants with HIE were followed up at the age from 3 to 19 months after therapy. Twenty-five infants among them were followed up by telephone in the epidemic period of SARS.Results Among 76 infants of 88 newborn infants with HIE(84.6%), 73 infants were normal (96.1% ). 1 infant had cerebral palsy (1.3%), 2 infants died (2.6 %).Among 39 cases with mild HIE, none of them had cerebral sequelae; among moderate HIE. 1 infant had cerebral palsy (2.9%) 1 infant died (2. 9 %), interlenkin-4 among severe HIE 50 % died (P00.5 The poor outcome of HIE in those infants were related to intrauterine growth retardation,severe birth asphyxia;and inadequate treatment.Cranial ultra-sonography of 49 infants were done on follow-up,and 12 of them (24.5 % ) had ventricular dilatations, which appeared after birth with 6 infants. Others occurred on follow-up with 1 infant had cerobral palsy,all ventricular dilatations recovered to normal at 12- 19 months except the cerebral palsy.Conclusions The poor outcome of HIE depends on the infants with intranterine growth relarda-tion,severe birth asphyxia and inadequate treatment.The prognosis of transient ventrealar ddatation are good except cerebral palsy.J Appl Clin pediatr,2004,19(12) : 1045- 1047

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical quality of root canal therapy (RCT) in West China Dental Hospital of Sichuan University.

METHODS1 423 RCT teeth were finished from Mar. 2001 to Feb. 2002 in West China Dental Hospital. Root canal filling quality and treatment period of these teeth were evaluated. 695 teeth of the total were revisited 2 years later and 2-year success rate were evaluated.

RESULTSThe ratios of adequate filling, underfilling, and overfilling were 79.97%, 14.62% and 5.41%, receptively. Full canal RCT ratio of molar was 89.44%. Average RCT treatment period was 2.8 weeks. 2-year success rate of RCT was 94.39%.

CONCLUSIONClinical RCT level of West China Dental Hospital was satisfactory from 2001 to 2002.

Adult ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Molar ; Root Canal Obturation ; standards ; Root Canal Therapy ; standards ; Treatment Outcome