Objective: To unveil the efficacy of Shaolin internal qigong exercise in treating capsulitis of the shoulder (CS) and explore objective outcome measures by observing the changes in the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of shoulder muscle groups after regular practice of Shaolin internal qigong exercise in CS patients. Methods: Sixty CS patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the qigong group practiced Shaolin internal qigong exercise on a regular basis, while patients in the electroacupuncture (EA) group received EA treatment. Before and after treatment, the sEMG signals of six muscles, i.e. biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles, of the affected side were recorded at 45° abduction of the shoulder, 60° forward flexion and 90° internal rotation with the elbow flexed during maximal isometric contraction, and the integrated electromyography (iEMG) of each muscle was calculated. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the qigong group, higher than 83.3％ in the EA group (P<0.05). Intra-group comparison showed that the iEMG of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles in the qigong group increased significantly after intervention at 45° abduction of the shoulder, 60° forward flexion and 90° internal rotation with the elbow flexed (all P<0.05), and the iEMG of trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles decreased (both P<0.05); in the EA group, the iEMG of biceps brachii, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles increased significantly during contraction (all P<0.05), while the iEMG of triceps brachii, trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles had no significant changes (all P>0.05). After intervention, there were significant differences in the iEMG of most of muscles between the two groups (all P<0.05), except for the iEMG of deltoid muscle at 45° of abduction of the shoulder joint during isometric contraction (P>0.05). Conclusion: Shaolin internal qigong exercise can effectively increase the motion intensity of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles and reduce the compensation of the latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles in CS patients; compared with EA, it produces a better result in improving the coordination and stability in shoulder joint movements.

OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation relationship between acupuncture at Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Houxi (SI 3) on the affected side of peripheral facial paralysis patients and activated areas in brain functional areas and central regulation mechanism of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) treatment.

METHODSEighteen cases with left peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a Hegu group, a Dicang group and a Houxi group, 6 cases in each group. They were treated with electroacupuncture at left Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Houxi (SI 3), respectively, and were examined with fMRI covering the whole brain at the same time. The fMRI data was analyzed by SPM software.

RESULTSIt was found that the left precentral gyrus area and the left postcentral gyrus area were activated when electroacupuncture at left Hegu (LI 4), and the right precentral gyrus area and the bilateral postcentral gyrus area were activated when electroacupuncture at left Dicang (ST 4), and there was no activated area at precentral gyrus area and post central gyrus area when electroacupuncture at left Houxi (SI 3).

CONCLUSIONThe sensory importation information from Hegu (LI 4) and Dicang (ST 4) can converge and coincide in the brain and may influence each other.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Facial Paralysis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Human Body ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the construction and operation status of management system of laboratories of schistosomi?asis control institutions in Hubei Province,so as to provide the reference for the standardized detection and management of schis?tosomiasis laboratories. Methods According to the laboratory standard of schistosomiasis at provincial,municipal and county levels,the management system construction and operation status of 60 schistosomiasis control institutions was assessed by the acceptance examination method from 2013 to 2015. Results The management system was already occupied over all the labora?tories of schistosomiasis control institutions and was officially running. There were 588 non?conformities and the inconsistency rate was 19.60%. The non?conformity rate of the management system of laboratory quality control was 38.10%(224 cases)and the non?conformity rate of requirements of instrument and equipment was 23.81%(140 cases). Conclusion The management system has played an important role in the standardized management of schistosomiasis laboratories.

Objective To investigate the effect and current situation of the standardized construction of laboratories of schis?tosomiasis control institutions in Hubei Province,so as to provide the evidence for establishing and improving the quality control system of diagnosis of schistosomiasis after the transmission of schistosomiasis was under control. Methods According to the procedures of self?examination,field operation,and laboratory on?site,five laboratories were assessed,and all the results were analyzed comparatively. Results The average number of staffs were(7.00 ± 1.58)persons,and the staffs of the laboratories of the schistosomiasis control institutions with senior professional titles in the city level were more than that in the county level(t=5.563,P<0.05). The average space was(3.20±1.64)rooms,and the average area was(117.00±88.29)m2. The average score of field operation was(96.40 ± 4.49)points. The average score of laboratory on?site assessment was(106.6 ± 6.15)points. The highest and lowest of the laboratory on?site assessment scores were environment and facilities(19.60 ± 0.55)points and manage?ment system of laboratory quality control(15.70 ± 2.39)points(F=2.869,P<0.05),respectively. Conclusion The cultiva?tion of laboratory staff should be strengthened,and the diagnostic capacity should be maintained and improved. The laboratory quality control system should be paid more attention to,and the construction and management of schistosomiasis laboratories should be standardized.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV among swine, sheep and chickens.

METHODSTotally 498 sera of swine, sheep and chickens collected from Xingjiang, Guangxi, Guangdong, Beijing and Hebei were detected for the anti-HEV by an enzyme linked immunoassay.

RESULTSThe anti-HEV positive rate of swine was 67.53%(104/154), in pigs between 4-5 months of age the rate was 100.00%(9/9) from Xingjiang. The rate in pigs under 3 months of age from Guangxi was 36.00%(9/25) and in pigs older than six months of age was 71.67% (86/120), respectively. The 108 sera of sheep collected from Xingjiang were all negative. The positive rate of chickens was only 1.27% (3/236). The anti-HEV prevalence rates of chickens from Luoding, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Beijing and Hebei were 4.00%, 1.49%, 1.49%, 0, 0 respectively.

CONCLUSIONHEV infection does exist among swine and chickens. The anti-HEV prevalence of swine was the highest among domestic animals. The role of swine and chickens in transmission of HEV needs to be further studied.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; Chickens ; China ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Poultry Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Prevalence ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of included angle between the anterior aspects of S2 and S vertebral bodies on pelvic inlet imaging in the pelvic midline sagittal plane.

METHODSTotally 58 axial pelvic CT scans were chosen as study objects including 43 males and 15 females,with an average age of 40.7 years old (ranged,18 to 68 years old). The angles between the anterior aspects of S2 and S1, vertebral bodies and the horizontal plane on midline sagittal CT reconstruction were measured to simulate the optimal S2 and S1 inlet angles. The included angle between the anterior aspects of S2 and S1 vertebral bodies was calculated by subtrocting the S1,inlet angle from the S2 inlet angle defined as a base number. Then, the impact of the calculated included angles on the pelvic inlet imaging was analyzed. Results:The S2 inlet angles averaged (30.5±6.5) degrees; the S inlet angles averaged (25.7±5.9) degrees. The difference between them was significant (t=3.35, P=0.001). Ten patients had zero angle between the anterior aspects of S2 and S1 vertebral bodies; 14 patients had negative angle, averaged-(8.9±8.1) degrees; 34 patients had positive angle,averaged (11.8+6.4) degrees.

CONCLUSIONThe difference of included angle between the anterior aspects of S2 and S1 vertebral bodies leads to the difference between S1 inlet view and S2 inlet view in most cases, complicating the pelvic inlet imaging,and affecting the reliability of the application of pelvic inlet view. Utilizing the angles measured on the preoperative midlihe sagittal CT reconstruction to obatin the patient-customized S1 and S2 inlet views could accurately guide the S1 and S2 iliosacral screw insertion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; anatomy & histology ; injuries ; Spine ; anatomy & histology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo introduce a classification system of upper sacral segment and its significance based on the continuous pelvic axial computed tomography scan.

METHODSThe whole pelvis 2.0 mm thick axial scan images of 127 cases were observed, the sacroiliac screw channel of S1 were measured, according to the size of the transverse screw channel the upper sacral segment were classified. Such as transverse screw channel existed and in at least 4 layer scan images its width was > 7.3 mm, it was defined as sacral segment of the normal type. Such as transverse screw channel existed and its maximum width was 7.3 mm or less on scanning level, it was defined as a transitional. Such as transverse channel did not exist, or its width on all scanning level was 0 mm or less, it was defined as dysplastic. Various cases,percentage, and the average of the transverse screw channel were calculated.

RESULTSThere were 58 normal (45.7%),42 transitional (33.1%), and 27 dysplastic (21.2%) upper sacral segments with an averaged width of the tansverse screw channel of 13.9 mm, 5.2 mm, and 0.9 mm, respectively. Each specimen could be defined as one of the three types of upper sacral segment without exceptions.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to insert a transverse iliosacral screw into a normal upper sacral segment when indicated because of the capacious transverse screw channel. The transverse iliosacral screw placement into the transitional and dysplastic upper sacral segments was contraindicated because of the limited or none transverse screw channel. The transitional upper sacral segment was superior to the dysplastic segment due to its starting point location restriction on the true lateral sacral view.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Sacrum ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

The hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) PEGylated liposomes (HCPT-LP) were modified with RGD cyclopeptide formed the tumor-targeting liposomes (HCPT-RGD-LP). HCPT-LP and HCPT-RGD-LP were injected intravenously with single dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) to rats. The drug concentration in plasma was determined and the pharmacokinetic behaviour was compared. The HCPT distribution in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and plasma of mice was investigated following intravenous administration of HCPT-LP and HCPT injection. The nude mice implanted human hepatoma HepG2 cells were studied by in vivo imaging. The fluorescent probe was DiR and the nude mice were injected with DiR PEGylated liposomes (DiR-LP) and DiR-LP modified with RGD cyclopeptide (DiR-RGD-LP). The results showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) of main pharmacokinetic parameters t1/2beta, CL, V(c), AUC(0-48 h), AUC(0-inifinity), MRT(0-48 h), MRT(0-infinity) between HCPT-RGD-LP and HCPT-LP. HCPT-LP had a remarkably better long-circulating effect than HCPT injection in mice and the concentration of HCPT was highest in liver. The DiR accumulation in tumors of DiR-RGD-LP was higher than that of DiR-LP by the visualized fluorescence of in vivo imaging. It indicated that such PEGylated liposomes modified with RGD cyclopeptide could improve the tumor targeting efficacy.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo explore the improvement effect and the regulating mechanism of electroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription methods on learning memory and immunosenescence in aging rats with yang deficiency.

METHODSForty female Sprague-Dawley rats, 5-month-old, were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, an aging yang deficiency model (M) group, an electroacupuncture with Shuanggu Yitong prescription methods (EA) group and an electroacupuncture control (EAC) group, 10 rats in each group. The aging model rats with yang deficiency were established by hypodermic injection of D-galactose for 40 days and then intramuscular injection of Hydrocortisone for 7 days in the latter three groups except the NC group The EA group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20), and the EAC group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3), six times per week for 4 weeks. The escape latency was examined by Morris water maze from the first day of the 4th week. After completion of electroacupuncture treatment, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) were examined by flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique respectively, the differences among all the groups above were compared.

RESULTSIn comparison with the NC group, the escape latency [(25.4 +/- 3. 6)s vs. (16.23 +/- 2.3)s], the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis [(27.25 +/- 3.3)% vs. (13.2 +/- 3.1)%] and the serum content of TNF-alpha [(15.54 +/- 3.56) pg/mL vs (7.35 +/- 2.89) pg/mL] in the M group those were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01). In the EA group, the escape latency of (17.42 +/- 3.9)s, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis of (17.2 +/- 3.25)% and the serum content of TNF-alpha of (9.51 +/- 3.53) pg/mL were all significantly lower than those in the M group (all P < 0.01) and the EAC group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription can significantly improve the spatial learning and memory. The protective mechanism is related with the action of electroacupuncture in lowering the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of TNF-alpha, and the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20) is superior to that of electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3).

Acupuncture Points ; Aging ; immunology ; psychology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Memory ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; immunology ; Yang Deficiency ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanisms of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on p38 MAPK signaling pathway in rats with cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODSForty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a normal group, a model group, a model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group, a model plus electroacupuncture group, ten rats in each group. The model rats were established by subcutaneous injection 3 mg/(kg x d) of Isoprenaline Hydrochloride; model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group were injected 0.3 mg/(kg x d) of specific inhibitor SB 203580; model plus electroacupuncture group was treated by electroacupuncture at "Neiguan"(PC 6) with continuous-wave, 2 Hz and 1 mA for 20 minutes, once a day for 14 days. There was no treatment in other two groups. The contents of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in heart tissue were detected by radioimmunoassay and the p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK by western blot.

RESULTSCompared with normal group, the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK were significantly increased in model group (all P < 0.01). The contents of TNFalpha, IL-1beta, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK were significantly decreased in model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group and model plus electroacupuncture group, compared with model group, all P < 0.05; compared with normal group, P < 0.05, P < 0.01; but no significant difference between model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group and model plus electroacupuncture group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) can prevent the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK of myocardial hypertrophy, and the mechanism maybe adjust p38 MAPK signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; metabolism ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism