OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of three different spinal rotation manipulations for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom September 2011 to April 2013,180 patients diagnosed as lumbar disc herniation were randomly divided into seat fixed rotation group (A), lateral position rotation group (B) and supine position rotation group (C) by using a digital table. Finally 10 patients were excluded and dropped, 170 patients were included in the study. There were 57 patients in group A, 57 patients in group B and 56 patients in group C. Baseline demographic characteristics of patients, clinical findings and indexes of health status had no statistically differences among three groups (P > 0.05). The manipulation was performed every other day, and the treatment duration for all patients was 3 weeks. Body pain (BP), Physical function (PF) in SF-36, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and adverse reactions were observed statistically 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, one year and two years after finishing treatment.

RESULTSBP, PF scores in 3 groups were significantly improved and ODI scores were significantly lower than those before treatment and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); However, there was no significant difference among three groups in the BP, PF and ODI scores (P > 0.05). There were no obvious and serious adverse reactions among these groups.

CONCLUSIONBased on the theory of dislocation of bone joints in TCM, three kinds of spinal rotation manipulations can be used safely for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, and the efficacy was similar.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rotation ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Recovery of Function ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of manipulation and traction combined with Nimodipine on the blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) in cervical vertigo of high flow velocity,and to evaluate clinical therapeutic effects between two methods.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to Feburary 2009,70 patients who were diagnosed as high flow velocity of cervical vertigo were randomly divided into treatment group (35 cases) and control group (35 cases). Among 70 patients, 32 were male and 38 were female. The age ranged from 21 to 45 years with an average of 37.6 years. The disease course ranged from one day to two years with an average of 12.6 days. Patients of the treatment group were treated with manipulation for total three weeks, three times once week. The patients in the control group were treated with traction (weight ranged from 5 to 6 kg, 20 minutes each time, once every other day) and Nimodipine for total three weeks (three times each day, and with a dose of 40 mg each time). After three weeks, the changes of flow velacity of VBI and score before and after treatment were observed using transcranil Doppler (TCD) and Evaluation Scale for Cervical Vertigo. After six weeks, the therapeutic effects were assessed.

RESULTSThe mean velocity in left vertebral artery (LVA), right vertebral artery (RVA) and basilar artery (BA) were obviously lower than those before treatment in two groups (P < 0.01). The LVA, RVA and BA of the treatment group was lower than those of control group after 3 weeks (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in vertigo score after treatment between the two groups. The improvement rate of double-sides sign in X-ray image and the therapeutic effects of treatment group was superior to that of control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of manipulation on flow velocity of VBA is superior to that of traction combined with Nimodipine, and there are better therapeutic effects in treating cervical vertigo of high flow velocity in comparison with traction combined with Nimodipine. But there are more higher demands for manipulation's application.

Adult ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Cervical Vertebrae ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Vertigo ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) to patients with severe craniocerebral injury for the purpose of nutritional support therapy and pulmonary infection prevention.

METHODSA total of 43 patients with severe craniocerebral injury admitted to our department from January 2008 to December 2012 received PEG followed by nutritional therapy. There were other 82 patients who were prescribed nasal-feeding nutrition. Nutrition status was evaluated by comparing serum albumin levels, and the incidence of pulmonary infection 1 week before and 2 weeks after operation was identified and compared.

RESULTSBoth PEG and nasal-feeding nutrition therapies have significantly elevated serum albumin levels (P<0.05). Serum albumin levels before and after nutritional therapies showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of pulmonary infection in PEG group was significantly decreased compared with that in nasal-feeding nutrition group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPEG is an effective method for severe craniocerebral injury patients. It can not only provide enteral nutrition but also prevent pulmonary infection induced by esophageal reflux.

Craniocerebral Trauma ; therapy ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; prevention & control ; Gastroscopy ; Gastrostomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; prevention & control ; Nutritional Support ; Serum Albumin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo assess zero drift of intraventricular and subdural intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring systems.

METHODSA prospective study was conducted in patients who received Codman ICP monitoring in the neurosurgical department from January 2010 to December 2011. According to the location of sensors, the patients were categorized into two groups: intraventricular group and subdural group. Zero drift between the two groups and its association with the duration of ICP monitor were analyzed.

RESULTSTotally, 22 patients undergoing intraventricular ICP monitoring and 27 receiving subdural ICP monitoring were enrolled. There was no significant difference in duration of ICP monitoring, zero drift value and its absolute value between intraventricular and subdural groups (5.38 d+/-2.58 d vs 4.58 d+/-2.24 d, 0.77 mm Hg+/-2.18 mm Hg vs 1.03 mm Hg+/-2.06 mm Hg, 1.68 mm Hg+/-1.55 mm Hg vs 1.70 mm Hg+/-1.53 mm Hg, respectively; all P larger than 0.05). Absolute value of zero drift in both groups significantly rose with the increased duration of ICP monitoring (P less than 0.05) while zero drift value did not. Moreover, daily absolute value in the intraventricular group was significantly smaller than that in the subdural group (0.27 mm Hg+/-0.32 mm Hg vs 0.29 mm Hg+/-0.18 mm Hg, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates that absolute value of zero drift significantly correlates with duration of both intraventricular and subdural ICP monitoring. Due to the smaller daily absolute value, ICP values recorded from intraventricular system may be more reliable than those from subdural system.

Aged ; Cerebral Ventricles ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Prospective Studies ; Subdural Space

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of multi-noninvasive indexes including endothelial function, arterial flexibility, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and serum inflammatory cytokines in patients with mild coronary stenosis.

METHODSOne hundred and five patients were divided into three groups according to the result of coronary angiography: coronary heart disease (stenosis > or = 50% in at least one coronary segment), mild coronary stenosis (stenosis < 50% in at least one coronary segment) and control group (normal coronary). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), reflecting arterial flexibility and the lower extremity vascular disease respectively, were measured by a Colin system, carotid artery IMT was detected echocardiographically. Serum levels of NO, vWF, hs-CRP were measured before coronary angiography in all patients.

RESULTSbaPWV [(1482 +/- 155) cm/s vs. (1249 +/- 158) cm/s] and carotid IMT [(0.88 +/- 0.18) mm vs. (0.72 +/- 0.20) mm] were significantly higher while serum levels of NO [(64 +/- 17) micromol/L vs. (83 +/- 17) micromol/L] was significantly lower in mild coronary stenosis group than those in control group (all P < 0.05). vWF, ABI and hs-CRP were similar between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NO, baPWV, smoking are independent predicting factors for mild coronary stenosis (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEndothelial dysfunction, reduction of the arterial flexibility as well as increased serum inflammation were associated with mild coronary stenosis.

Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; physiopathology ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Stenosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Elasticity ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the values of surface electromyography (sEMG) in the treatment of adolescent idiophathic scoliosis (AIS) with non-surgical therapy.

METHODSFrom October 2011 to May 2012, the data of 33 patients with AIS underwent traditional spinal balanced therapy were analyzed. There were 14 males and 19 females with an average age of (15.40 +/- 3.01) years,ranging in Cobb angle from 13 degrees to 40 degrees, course of disease more than 3 months. X-rays showed 21 cases were type C and 9 cases were type S. Preoperative and postoperative 6 months, Cobb angle, the ratio of averaged electromyography paramete (AEMG), security of treatment were observed.

RESULTSThirty cases (90.9%) accomplished the treatment and detection. No harmful effects to vital sign was found and no fracture, dislocation, apopsychia, infection of pin hole was found. There was positive correlation between the ratio of AEMG and Cobb angle (P = 0.003). The ratio of AEMG decreased after treatment,and indicated the improvement of myosthenic otherness.

CONCLUSIONsEMG can be used as a objective examination in evaluating difference of muscle electricity activity on both concaved and convex sides for patients of AIS, so it is a qualified objective examination for effectiveness evaluation and assessment aggravation risk, and has great value in clinic.

Adolescent ; Child ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Postural Balance ; Scoliosis ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Spine ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This work was launched to explore the effect of habitat and growth year on the secondary metabolites contents of cultivated Polygala tenuifolia. The samples of cultivated P. tenuifolia were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(Q-TOF MS), and the obtained data were analyzed using multiple statistical analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed that compared with growth year, habitat is a main influencing factor which affected the secondary metabolites contents of P. tenuifolia. The contents of sucrose esters and oligosacchride multi-esters are greatly dependent on the habitat (the sample-AG with high levels of components of tenuifoliside B and tenuifoliside C, and the sample-FY with high levels of 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, tenuifoliose S, tenuifoliose L, and tenuifoliose V). There is no obvious effect of habitat and growth year on xanthone. The contents of triterpene saponins are greatly dependent on the growth year, and the content of parts of triterpene saponins increased as time goes on.The result indicated that the effect of habitat and growth year on different types of secondary metabolites is not completely equivalent. This study will contribute to the breeding of P. tenuifolia and amendment of current commodity criteria.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; genetics ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Adulterants and counterfeits were found in some of the commercial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions in Hongjin Xiaojie Jiaonang, Hongjin Xiaojie Pian, and Chaihuang Keli during the national drug sampling inspection. However, it was difficult to determine the species of the adulterants and counterfeits by conventional testing methods. Therefore, a total of 184 samples of the TCM decoctions and raw materials belong to the prescriptions of above mentioned traditional Chinese patent medicines, including Bupleuri Radix, Bajiaolian, Heimayi, and Shufuchong, were collected and authenticated by DNA barcoding technology. 111 ITS2 sequences were obtained from 115 commercial TCM decoctions and raw materials of Bupleuri Radix, among which 71 were Bupleurum chinense, three were B. scorzonerifolium, and 31 were closely related species in the same genus. In addition, counterfeits derived from different genera, such as Ailanthus altissima (one sample), Saposhnikovia divaricate (two samples), and Solidago decurrens (three samples), were also detected. 21 ITS2 sequences were obtained from 22 commercial TCM raw materials of Bajiaolian, among which 15 were Diphylleia sinensis and six were Dysosma versipellis and other species in genus Dysosma. For 22 Heimayi samples, PCR amplification of COI sequence was failed due to genomic DNA degradation. Among 38 Shufuchong samples, 24 COI sequences were obtained and only nine of them were the genuine species (Armadillidium vulgare) recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 11 were Porcellio laevis, two were Mongoloniscus sinensis, and two samples could not be identified due to the limitation of database. This study demonstrates that DNA barcoding technology is suitable for the species authentication of the decoctions of traditional Chinese patent medicine prescription. It is a conductive way for the establishment of traceability system for the whole TCM industrial chain.