OBJECTIVETo compare the difference among the combined method of oral administration of forlaxand acupoint embedding therapy, the simple acupoint embedding therapy and the simple oral administration of for-lax in the clinical efficacy on diabetic constipation.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty patients were randomized intoa comprehensive group, an acupoint embedding group and a forlax group, 50 cases in each one. In the acupointembedding group, the embedding therapy was applied to bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Shangjuxu(ST 37) and Dachangshu (BL 25), once a week. In the forlax group, forlax (polyethylene glycol) was prescribedfor oral administration, once a day, 10 g each time. In the comprehensive group, the acupoint embedding therapyand forlax were combined and the methods were the same as the first two groups. The treatment for 4 weeks wasas one session, and 2 sessions were required in the three groups. Separately, in 4 weeks, 8 weeks of treatment and2 months after treatment, the constipation symptom scores were compared among the three groups. At the end of2 sessions of treatment, the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were compared among the three groups. In2 months after treatment, the recurrence rate was compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe total effectiverate was 98. 0% (49/50) in the comprehensive group, better than 86. 0% (43/50) in the acupoint embeddinggroup and 78. 0% (11/50) in the forlax group (both P<0. 01). In the 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the con-stipation symptom scores were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the three groups(all P<0. 05). The results in the comprehensive group were lower than those in the other two groups (all P<0. 05). In the 4 weeks of treatment, the scores were not different significantly between the acupoint embedding group and the forlax group (P>0.05). In 8 weeks of treatment and 2 months after treatment, the scores in the acupoint embedding group were better tan those in the forlax group (all p<0.05). There were 2 cases of drug adverse reaction in the comprehensive group, 6 cases in the forlax group and 0 case in the acupoint embedding group. The recurrence rate was 8.1% (4/49) in the comprehensive group, lower than 32.6% (14/43) in the acupoint embedding group and 59.0% (23/39) in the forlax group (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONthe combined therapy of acupoint embedding and forlax achieves the better clinical efficacy on diabetic constipation and constipation symptom scores as compared with the simple acupoint embedding therapy and the oral administration of forlax the short-term efficacy of the simple acupoint embedding therapy is not different significantly from the simple forlax medication, but the long-term efficacy and safety are better than those of simple forlax medicaiton.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Diabetes Complications ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Laxatives ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

Hepatitis B virus ( HBV) threatens human's health seriously, immune disorder is the main pathogenesis.HBV cannot naturally infect mouse liver, thus the researchers tried to established HBV mouse models to imitate the immunological pathogenesis of HBV infection.This review summarize various methods to establish HBV mouse models, including HBV transgenic technics, HBV in vivo liver-target transfection technics and HBV naturally infected humanized mouse technics etc.Their advantages, disadvantages and contributions to immunological studies were also analyzed, and the development of this area was also prospected.

Objective To explore the diameter change of the extrahepatic bile duct before and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods From Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2007, 113 patients including chronic gallstone cholecystitis (n=55), inactive cholecystolithiasis (n=46) and gallbladder polyps (n=12) were collected and treated by LC. The diameters of their extrahepatic bile ducts were measured by B ultrasonography before operation, 3 months and 6 months after operation. These data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results The diameters of the extrahepatic bile ducts of all patients before LC, 3 months and 6 months after LC were (5?2) mm, (8?2) mm and (6?2) mm respectively. And in chronic gallstone cholecystitis patients they were (5?2) mm, (9?2) mm and (6?2) mm respectively, in inactive gallstone cholelithiasis patients they were (5?2) mm, (8?2) mm and (6?2) mm respectively, and in gallbladder polyps ones they were (5?2) mm, (7?2) mm and (5?2) mm respectively. Conclusion The change of the extrahepatic bile duct diameter after LC is a dynamic process. It is enlarged on the third month after operation than before operation. In the sixth month after operation marked retraction occurs, and compared with before operation, it shows no obvious statistic significance.

Objective To investigate the clinical symptoms and imaging features of Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein obstruction (HVBCS) and the reasons of mistreatment. Methods Thirteen patients with HVBCS were misdiagnosed and mistreated as inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction,including 8 patients treated with stent implantation in IVC once and 5 patients with balloon dilatation. After analysis of the clinical symptoms,signs and imaging features; hepatic vein obstruction was further confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA)in all patients. Results All patients had variable degrees of portal hypertension and no apparent symptoms of IVC obstruction. CT or / and MRI showed obvious caudate lobe enlargement and DSA showed IVC narrowing with external compression. All patients were undertaken hepatic vein angiography including 4 with PTV and 9 with hepatic vein stent implantation. All patients' clinical symptoms and signs completely disappeared or markedly improved after the procedure. Conclusion The stenosis of IVC in HVBCS,caused by compression compensatory hypertrophy of hepatic caudate lobe can be cured by hepatic vein angioplasty which is the most correct and effective method.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short and long-term efficacy of quick repositioning maneuver for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV) in different age groups. METHOD: The clinical data of 113 adult patients with single PC-BPPV who underwent quick repositioning maneuver from July 2009 to February 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The quick repositioning maneuver was to roll the patient from involved side to healthy side in the coronal plane for 180° as quickly as possible. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to different ages: young group (< 45 years), middle-age group (45 ≤ age < 60 years) and old group (≥ 60 years). The short and long term outcomes of the three groups were observed. RESULT: The left ear was involved in 58 cases (51.3%) and the right ear in 55 cases (48.7%). The short term improvement rates of the young, middle-age and the old groups were 92.5%, 93.6% and 92.3% respectively, and the long term improvement rate was 90.0%, 85.1% and 73.1% respectively. There was no significant difference among the three groups in short and long term outcomes (P > 0.05). The recurrence rate of the three groups was 5.0%, 6.4% and 15.4% respectively, also no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The quick repositioning maneuver along the coronal plane for PC-BPPV has a definite effect for every age groups. The method is simple, rapid and easy to master, and the patients are tolerated the maneuver well without evident side effect.
Adult ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; therapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Patient Positioning ; Retrospective Studies ; Semicircular Canals ; physiopathology

Objective: To compare two methods (microbial assay and radioimmunoassay) for measuring plasma folate concentrations, and to examine the relationship between plasma folate levels, and alcohol consumption, tobacco use and body mass index, and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia in China. Methods: We used a microtiter plate microbial assay and a radioimmunoassay to measure the folate concentration in 88 plasma samples. After comparing the results of these two methods and fitting a regression line, we examined the geographical, seasonal, and gender differences in folate concentration of plasma collected from 2 422 adults in south and north areas in China, and evaluated the association of plasma folate concentration, with alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and body mass index, and with the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia, using the data from the two assays. Results: The data from the two assays had a linear relationship ( r =0.879, P =0.000); the regression was Y =0.683 X +0.308 (where X and Y were nature logarithmic transformations of plasma folate by microbial assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively); however, the mean plasma folate levels by microbial assay were much higher than those obtained by radioimmunoassay. Both data sets showed similar plasma folate distributions among Chinese adults, associations with other risk factors, and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. We estimated that 19.9% of the Southerners and 67.1% of the Northerners had plasma folate concentrations by radioimmunoassay lower than the 6.8 nmol/L used to define plasma folate deficiency. Conclusion: There is a linear relationship between plasma folate levels determined by microbial assay and radioimmunoassay, but because of the different levels obtained in the two assays, it is difficult to use the microbial assay results to evaluate folate status at this time. The use of 10.5 nmol/L as a cut off for plasma folate deficiency by microbial assay needs further study.

Objective: This research explores the relationship between the immuno-suppression function of regulatory T cells (Treg) in the ascites of ovarian cancer (OC) patients, the clinico-pathologic features of these patients, and the correlation of the function of Treg with initial treatment and relapse status of the patients to further investigate the specific mechanism of immuno-regulatory func-tion of CD4+ CD25+ Treg in the ascites of OC. Methods: Immuno-magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) was conducted to sort CD4+CD25+Treg and autologous CD4+CD25-Treg from the ascites of 28 OC patients. Carboxyfluorescein-diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was used to label the autologous CD4+CD25-Treg. These labeled cells were then used as controls and co-cultured with autologous CD4+CD25+Treg at the ratio of 1∶1 or 1∶2. The mean inhibition ratio of Treg in specimens to the proliferation of autolo-gous CD4+ CD25-Treg was calculated after the flow cytometry of the CFSE expression and Modfit software analysis of the CD4+CD25-Treg proliferation index (PI) were performed. Anti-IL-10 and/or anti-TGF-β1 antibodies were neutralized to investigate whether the CD4+CD25+Treg-mediated immuno-suppression escaped through the ascites can produce a marked effect by the inhibitory cyto-kine IL-10 or TGF-β1. Results: The mean inhibition ratio of CD4+ CD25- Treg in the ascites of stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ OC patients was (75.72±17.04)%, which is significantly higher than that of stageⅠtoⅡOC patients (59.61±16.97)%;P<0.05. In addition, Treg in the as-cites of OC patients with recurrent disease showed a significantly higher inhibition ratio than that of patients with primary disease;P<0.001. Moreover, Treg in groups added into neutralizing anti-IL-10 and/or anti-TGF-β1 antibodies displayed significantly lower depres-sant effect than the control group;P<0.05. Conclusion:The immuno-suppression of CD4+CD25+Treg in the ascites of OC patients is correlated with the tumor staging and status of the primary or recurrent diseases. Moreover, Treg may indicate a suppressor function by secreting cytokine IL-10 and TGF-β1.

Objective:CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (Treg) may contribute to tumor progression by suppressing antitumor im-munity. The function of Treg in antitumor immunity regulation in the peritoneal microenvironment of ovarian cancer (OC) was investi-gated and compared with the circulating Treg to elucidate OC immune escape. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of CD4+CD25+T cells in CD4+T cells in ascites of 27 patients with OC and in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 28 patients with OC. The samples were analyzed and classified in three stages:primary disease (PD), after chemotherapy (AC), and recurrence dis-ease (RD), according to the clinical conditions of the OC patients upon donating the samples. The percentage of Treg in the three groups was determined in ascites and blood. CD4+CD25+T cells were isolated from ascites and peripheral blood of patients with OC us-ing magnetic sorting (MACS) system. The cells were then tested for regulatory function through coculture with carboxyfluorescein diac-etate succinimidyl ester-labeled autologous CD4+ CD25- responder cells. Results:The proportion of CD4+ CD25+T cells in CD4+T cells significantly increased in ascites (28.25%± 14.06%) compared with that in blood (14.6%± 4.74%;P<0.0001). The Treg in ascites and blood in AC showed higher proportion (P<0.0001) than those in the PD and RD;the proportion in RD was higher than that in PD (P<0.0001). Moreover, the Treg in ascites mediated a significantly higher suppression compared with the Treg in peripheral blood (P<0.001). Conclusion:The frequency and suppressor function of Treg were significantly higher in ascites than in peripheral blood. This finding suggests more possibility for escape immune surveillance in the peritoneal microenvironment. Moreover, the proportion of Treg in AC was higher than that in PD or RD;the proportion in RD was higher than that in the PD. Chemotherapy may favor the expansion of Treg, which may promote the recurrence of cancer.

Objective To explore the correlation between cystatin C (Cys C) and intima-media thickness of carotid artery (CIMT) in patients with hypertension.Methods One hundred and one patients with hypertension (hypertension group) and 54 healthy people (control group) were enrolled in this study.The level of serum Cys C was measured and CIMT was detected by B ultrasound.The correlation between Cys C and CIMT was analyzed.Results The level of Cys C and CIMT in hypertension group were significantly higher than those in control group [(0.92 ±0.21) mg/L vs.(0.85 ±0.20) mg/L,(0.91 ±0.16) mm vs.(0.65 ± 0.15) mm] (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).Multiple linear correlation analysis showed that Cys C and CIMT was positively correlated in total population or hypertension group or control group (r =0.412,0.443,0.315,P ＜0.01).Conclusion Serum Cys C is associated with the degree of hypertension arteriosclerosis,and Cys C may be involved in atherosclerosis.

Objective:The objective of this research is to study the serum level of the high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in human ovarian tumor (OvCa) and in a healthy control. This study also aims to identify different HMGB1 levels before and after sur-gery and to explore the inhibitory effect of HMGB1 gene silencing in the proliferation and invasion ability of OvCa. Methods: En-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum level of HMGB1 in OvCa patients and healthy subjects. Lentivirus vector with HMGB1 shRNA was constructed and used to infect OvCa cells. The expressions of HMGB1 mRNA and protein were test-ed by real-time PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, whereas cell invasion and migration were detected by Transwell assay. Results:The serum level of HMGB1 was more elevated in patients with malignant diseas-es compared with individuals with benign diseases and the control groups. In the malignant group, the serum level of HMGB1 de-creased noticeably after therapy. Down-regulation of HMGB1 expression resulted in the inhibition of the biological behavior and metas-tasis of ovarian cancer cells. Conclusion: HMGB1 is closely associated with clinicopathologic features of OvCa. Knockdown of HMGB1 expression can significantly inhibit cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell invasion of OvCa. These findings indicate that HMGB1 can function as a therapeutic target for ovarian neoplasm in the future.