Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aging ; Hair Color ; Humans ; Male

Objective To investigate the polymorphism of glutathione S-transferease P1 gene(GSTP1) and the association between the mutation and susceptibility in childhood asthma.Methods The distribute frequency of Ile105/Ile105,Ile105/Val105 and Val105/Val105 ge-notype in GSTP1 of 51 children with asthmatic and 40 normal children were studied with polymerase chain reaction-restriction tragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).Results The frequencies of Ile/Ile Ile/Val,Val/Val genotype were 66.7%,27.4% and 5.9%,the frequencies of Ile,Val allele were 80.4% and 19.6% in the asthmatic group.But the frequencies of Ile/Ile,Ile/Val,Val/Val genotype were 90.0%,7.5% and 2.5%,the frequencies of Ile,Val allele were 93.8%,6.2% in control group.The frequencies Ile/Val,Val/Val genotype and Val allele in asthmatic group were more than that in control group.A significant difference was found in the frequency distribution of GSTP1 genotypes between two groups(?2=6.947 P

Histocytochemistry ; methods ; Humans ; Pathology, Clinical ; methods ; Specimen Handling ; methods ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of posterior fixation with 3.5-mm pedicle screws in the atlantoaxial vertebrae of children.

METHODSIn this study, atlantoaxial vertebrae specimens were obtained from 10 cadavers of children aged 6-8 years. We measured the height and width of the C(1) pedicle and the midportion of C(1) lateral mass; the width of C(1) posterior arch under the vertebral artery groove and the height of the external and internal one-third of this part; the external, internal height and the superior, middle, inferior width of the C(2) pedicle (transverse foramen). Furthermore, computed tomography (CT) axial scan was performed on 20 age-matched volunteers to obtain relative data of their atlantoaxial vertebrae. We measured the length and width of the C(1) and C(2) pedicles in the atlantoaxial cross-sectional plane. On CT workstation, we also measured the angles between the longitudinal axes of the atlantoaxial pedicles and the midsagittal plane.

RESULTSFor the cadaveric specimen group, the height and width of the C1 pedicle were (5.26+/-0.44) mm and (6.26+/-0.75) mm respectively. The height of the medial one-third of the C1 posterior arch under the vertebral artery groove was (4.07+/-0.24) mm. The external, internal height and superior, middle, inferior width of the C2 pedicle was (6.86+/-0.48) mm, (6.67+/-0.49) mm, (6.63+/-0.61) mm, (5.41+/-0.39) mm and (3.71+/-0.30) mm, respectively. For the volunteer group measured by CT scan, the height and width of the C(1) pedicle were (5.47+/-0.34) mm and (6.63+/-0.54) mm respectively, while (6.59+/-0.51) mm and (5.13+/-0.42) mm of the C2 pedicle. The angles between the atlas, axis pedicles and the midsagittal plane were (9.60+/-1.32) degree and (27.80+/-2.22) degree respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to place a 3.5-mm pedicle screw in the C(1) and C(2) pedicles of children aged 6-8 years old.

Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Atlas ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Child ; Humans ; Radiography

Objective To investigate the operative methods and clinical significance of the treatment for large acoustic ncuroma with microsurgery by retrosigmoid approach.Methods 15 cases of large acoustic neuroma treated with microsurgery by retrosigmoid approach were systematic analyzed,including the operative approach,microsurgical technique,disposal after operation,prevention and cure of complications.Results Tumors were totally removed in 12 cases and were subtotally removed in 3 cases.Facial nerve was kept ana- tomic intact in 13 cases(86.7%) and acoustic nerve was kept anatomic intact in 6 cases(40.0%).The short period complications happened in 3 cases and no patient died in this series.Conclusion Treatment for large acoustic neuroma with microsurgery by retrosigmoid approach is a safe method,which give small hurt brain tissue and benefit to increase the total removal rate and protect effectively the function of facial nerve and acoustic nerve.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the regulatory mechanism underlying proliferation and anti-apoptosis in NSCLC by overexpression of miR-21.

METHODSReal-time PCR was used to measure miR-21 abundance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor samples and adjacent normal tissues, as well as NSCLC cell lines. Tumor suppressor genes as potential targets of miR-21 were predicted by sequence analysis. Luciferase assay and Western blot were used to assess the regulatory effect. The effect on A549 cell viability and apoptosis by miR-21-induced gene repression was tested by trypan-blue exclusion and flow cytometry.

RESULTSmiR-21 expression was 2.24-fold higher in the NSCLC tumor samples and 3.06-fold higher in the A549 cells than that in the adjacent normal tissues. Sequence prediction and gene expression regulation assays showed that miR-21 could reversely regulate the expression of PDCD4 (P < 0.01). Suppression of miR-21 expression is associated with an elevation of Pdcd4, resulting in a significant reduction of proliferation and the apoptosis rate (2.6%) was increased to 10.9%. Moreover, the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effect by miR-21 suppression could be reversed by PDCD4 knock down.

CONCLUSIONSuppression of the tumor suppressor PDCD4 expression may be one of the important regulatory pathways of the miR-21-mediated cell proliferation and decrease of apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Aged ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study hPARP1 genetic polymorphism in southern Chinese Han and Miao populations.

METHODSBlood samples from 187 and 210 southern healthy Han and Miao populations were collected. The mutations of exons 12,13,16 and 17 of hPARP1 gene were investigated by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP).

RESULTSFragments of 253 bp,313 bp,175 bp,362 bp within exons 12,13,16 and 17 respectively of hPARP1 gene were amplified by multiple PCR. An SSCP variant in exons 12,13,16 and 17 of PARP1 gene in 187 healthy Han and 210 healthy Miao individuals was identified. Seven single-base substitutions compared with the sequence of PARP1 gene were identified: a T to C transition in exon 12 (Phe548Ser), a G to T transition in exon 13 (Ala683Ser), a G to T transition in exon 16 (Asp798Tyr), and a A to G transition in exon 17 (His808Arg).

CONCLUSIONThere were polymorphism sites in exons 12,13,16,17 of hPARP1 gene in southern Chinese Han and Miao populations; these results may be useful for the establishment of PARP1 genotyping, and these newly described PARP1 alleles would be advantageous indicators for population studies.

Adult ; Alleles ; China ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of the Chinese medicine Yangjing Decoction on idiopathic asthenospermia.

METHODSThis study included 62 patients with idiopathic asthenospermia diagnosed with the computer-assisted semen analysis system and other methods based on the WHO guidelines. The patients were equally randomized to a trial and a control group, the former treated with Yangjing Decoction at the dose of 400 ml bid, and the latter with Yougui Capsules tid, both for a course of 6 months. Then we analyzed the changes in sperm concentration and percentage of grade a + b sperm in the patients, as well as the pregnancy in their wives.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the patients of the trial group showed a significantly elevated percentage of grade a + b sperm after 6 months medication (P < 0.01), though no statistically significant differences were observed in sperm concentration (P > 0.05). The total rate of effectiveness was 87.09% and 7 pregnancies were achieved in the trial group, as compared with 66.74% and 3 pregnancies in the controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYangjing Decoction can significantly improve sperm vitality, and has a desirable effect on idiopathic asthenospermia.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in clinical efficacy on lumber disc herniation (LDH) treated with Yaoyangguan (GV 3) between mild moxibustion under thermosensitive condition and that under non-thermo-sensitive condition.

METHODSFifty-seven LDH patients were selected as the study objects. Mild moxibustion at Yaoyangguan (GV 3) was applied for 45 min each time. Additionally, the conventional acupuncture was given, once a day, for 20 days. At the end of treatment, two groups were classified. A thermosensitive acupoint group (thermosensitive group) was composed of the cases with thermo-sensitization at Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and presenting for > or =4 times in the entire treatment. A non-thermosensitive acupoint group (tranquilization group) was composed of the cases without thermo-sensitization or the frequency of thermo-sensitization <4 times in the entire treatment. The modified Japanese orthopedics association scoring system (M-JOA) was adopted to observe the cases before and after treatment and 6 months after treatment in the two groups. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment and in 6 months after treatment, the score of M-JOA was apparently reduced as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05). The score reducing in the thermosensitization group was more obvious than that in the tranquilization group (both P<0.01). After treatment and in 6 months after treatment, the curative rate and remarkably effective rate were 89.7% (26/29) and 79.3% (23/29), which was better than 71.4% (20/28) and 60.7% (17/28, both P<0.05) in the tranquilization group separately.

CONCLUSIONMild moxibustion at acupoint under thermosensitive condition achieves the better short-term and long-term effects as compared with that under non-thermosensitive condition.

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