Objective To investigate the effect of the time factor on acupuncture effects by observing the changes of nitric oxide (NO) content at the acupuncture points in different times. Method The experimental study was done on 20 cases of healthy volunteers who provide informed consent. Among 10 cases of acupuncture group, 5 cases were male, 5 cases were female. Among 10 cases of non-acupuncture group, 5 cases were male, 5 cases were female. The age was around 25 to 45 years. Jianshi on Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin and Weizhong on Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang was acupunctured. "Active"/"silent" time of points were projected with Ziwuliuzhu Najia method. Acupuncture was done at the points "active"/"silent" respectively. The changes of NO content at the body points were detected. The difference of acupuncture in different time at the body points was compared. Result NO content in acupuncture group was higher at the "active" than at the "silent", while there was no significant difference at non-acupuncture group. NO content was higher in acupuncture group than that in non-acupuncture group. Conclusion NO content at the points can be increased by acupuncture. Effect of acupuncture at acupoints "active" was more significant than at acupoints "silent". It was proved that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture can be increased by using time acupuncture.

Objective To evaluate the teaching effect of seminar method in clinical teaching of department of urinary surgery.Methods A total of 30 clinical medical students were randomly divided into two equal groups:test group with seminar teaching method and control group with traditional teaching method.Results Were evaluated by scores of theoretic test,operating skill and survey after 3 months.Results Scores of theoretic test and operating skill in test group were significantly higher than those in control group(P ＜0.05).There were significant differences in scores of survey between two groups(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Seminar teaching method could effectively improve student learning initiatives and teaching effect,and is worth further exploration.

Acupoints are surface reaction and treatment spots under the pathological conditions which have functions of diagnosis and treatment. For the study of acupoints, we can carry it out from the aspects of structure and function. The two aspects have a close relationship. Structure is the material basis of function, while function is the manifesta-tion of structure. Therefore, the study of acupoints is not only significant to reveal the essence of acupoint, but also has enormous value in the guidance of acu-moxibustion for clinical practice. Staring from the normality of structure and variability of function, we explored the essence of acupoints, and further revealed ordered regulation rule and its biological basis, so that the essence of acupuncture points will be illustrated with scientific evidences.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of care bundles on the lactation of mothers of preterm infants.MethodsFrom January to June 2015, postpartum women who had preterm deliveries in First Maternity and Infant Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University with the neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into intervention group (n=25) receiving bundle care (assist the mothers to determine lactation target; pump/express breastmilk within six hours after birth and keep a lactation diary to record the times and volume of pumped/expressed milk) and control group (n=22) given normal mammary guidance only. The time of the first pumped/expressed milk, the times for pumping/expressing milk a day, the total milk volume per day and rate of breastfeeding were compared between the two groups. Statistical analyses were conducted using two independent samplest-test,Chi-square test and nonparametric test.ResultsThe initial time of pumped/expressed milk of the intervention group was (6.1±3.4) h after delivery, significantly earlier than the control group [(10.7±9.3) h](t=-2.301,P=0.026). The times for pumping/expressing milk per day were significantly more in the intervention group than in the controlgroup on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after delivery [(4.2±2.2) vs (3.0±1.6); (6.2±1.1) vs (4.7±1.9); and (7.1±1.9) vs (5.9±1.9) times, respectively](t=2.083, 2.564 and 2.194, allP<0.05). From the second postpartum day, the milk volume of the intervention group was more than the control group [M(range) were 10.0(25.0) vs 2.0(5.0) ml] (Z=-2.879,P=0.005); and on the 21st day, the milk volume of the intervention mothers reached 800.0(295.0) ml, still higher than the control group [300.0(155.0) ml](Z=-3.179,P=0.001). The primarily breastfeeding (adding formula milk≤2 times a day) rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group on the 42nd postpartum day [68% (17/25) vs 41% (9/22),χ2=5.874,P=0.045].ConclusionThe care bundles on lactation can improve the lactation of the mothers of preterm infants.

Objective To observe and scale knee joint space of the patients who suffered adults' Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) in Shangzhi City of Heilongjiang Province in order to acquire basic knowledge for upcoming intervention trial. Methods Clinical test was proceeded in adults aged above 40 in Guanghui Village of Shangzhi City in 2007. In typical patients, bilateral knee X-ray was taken and knee joint space was scaled. Three points were chosen on inner and outer epicondyle of each knee and results were recorded. Results There were 307 peoples over the age of 40 in the village. Two hundred eighty-two accepted clinical test, in a rate of 91.9%. Eighty out of 282 suffered KBD, accounting for 28.4%. When the patients' condition became more serious, measurements from flank, middle, inside points on outer epicondyle of joint space presented a narrowing trend [degree Ⅰ: (5.85±0.17), (4.84±0.17), (4.36±0.18)mm; degree Ⅱ: (5.11±0.43), (4.24±0.34), (3.48±0.28)nun; degree Ⅲ: (3.59± 0.78), (3.10±0.56), (2.14±0.62)mm; Fflank,middle,inside= 6.547,5.372,10.302, all P < 0.05], but those on inner epicondyle of joint space did not[degree Ⅰ:(3.66±0.17), (3.47±0.17), (3.73±0.18)mm; degree Ⅱ:(3.55± 0.34), (3.54±0.29), (4.35±0.35)mm; degree Ⅲ: (3.19±0.72), (3.92±0.66), (4.51±0.72)ram; Finside,middle,flank= 0.351,0.356,1.883, all P > 0.05]. Joint space < 5.00 mm were found in 618, among which 363 were measured on inner epieondyle, obviously greater than those measured on outer epicondyle of joint space(255), the difference being statistically signifieant(χ2=9.59, P<0.05). Conclusions Adult cases of KBD occur in Guanghui Village. Knee joint space of adult patients narrows obviously, the more serious, the narrower, especially occurring more obviously on outer epicondyle, but frequently on inner epicondyle.

The physiological mechanism underlying the acupoint sensitization was evaluated systemically by using the method of electric physiology at spinal cord, medulla, and thalamus levels; the dynamic change of acupoint from the relative "silence" to the relative "activation" function was explained through the study on the dynamic process of acupoint sensitization; the biological process of the therapeutic effect of acupoint stimulation was illuminated through the research of the central mechanism underlining the dose effect relationship between the sensitive acupoint and the related brain area, thus scientific evidence for the functional link between the acupoint and internal organs as well as the nature of the acupoint were provided.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Nociceptors ; physiology ; Sensation ; Viscera ; innervation ; physiology ; Visceral Afferents ; physiology

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is substantially heritable, but specific susceptibility genes remain difficult to be identified. Therefore, it is necessary to explore hereditary markers first.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between schizophrenia and related vWA allele genes based on the analysis of microsatellite DNA vWA polymorphism.DESIGN: A case-controlled study with schizophrenic patients and randomly selected population as subjects.SETTING: Ward of Dalian Seventh People's Hospital and Molecular Biological Laboratory of Dalian Medical University.between March and July 2002 at Dalian Seventh People's Hospital which specializes in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to the diagnostic standard of the third edition of "the American Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Schizophrenic Diseases", and their clinical manifestations were predominantly negative signs. Altogether 123 normal blood samples were collected from random population at the Blood Center of Dalian Red Cross. They all denied psychological ailments and severe systematic diseases, and they had no kinship with each other.METHODS: Heparin anti-coagulation blood samples were collected and PCR compound amplification was carried out with the aid of PE Profiler plus system. Then the products were subjected to electrophoresis and gene detection with ABI310 type gene analysis system so as to calculate the frequency of allele genes; Hardy-Weinberg equation law was used to make coincidence test and linkage analysis of the theoretical frequency and actual one. Schizophrenic patients and random population were compared and relative risk was calculated with RR=Pd × (1-Pc)/Pc × (1-Pd) in order to assess the statistical significance (RR: relative risk; Pd: gene frequency of schizophrenia; Pc: gene frequency of random population). RR ＞ 1 was considered of higher susceptibility while RR ＜ 1 was considered of anti-susceptibility. In this way, we could find out vWA allele genes that had susceptible linkage or anti-linkage with schizophrenic related genes.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Major outcome: Correlation analysis of vWA allele genes in schizophrenic patients and random population. Secondary outcome: The coincidence of vWA allele gene frequency in patients with schizophrenia and random population with what was calculated by Hardy-Weinberg law.RESULTS: Data of the two groups were processed according to the objective and statistically analyzed.① vWA allele gene frequency in patients with schizophrenia and in random population was found to coincide with HardyWeinberg law(P ＞ 0.05).② The positive rate of vWA-14 in schizophrenic patients (17.2%) was obviously different from that in random population (33.3%) (RR=0.415, P=0.014). The positive rate of vWA-17 in schizophrenic patients (31.3%) was found to be significantly higher than that in random population (19.5%) (RR=1.866, P=0.043) while it did not differ significantly in other allele genes (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The positive rate of vWA-14 was significantly lower in schizophrenic patients than in random population, indicating that vWA-14locus may be negatively selected in schizophrenia due to some reasons,which may be approximate to anti-schizophrenia genes. Moreover, the higher expression of vWA-17 in schizophrenic patients than in random population suggests that vWA-17 locus is correlated with schizophrenia,which may be approximate to schizophrenia-susceptibile genes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of hypothermia combined with dexamethasone on spermatogenesis and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) after testicular torsion-detorsion.

METHODSWe made unilateral testicular torsion models in 100 pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats by 720 degree torsion of the left testis and then randomly divided them into four groups of equal number to be treated with normal temperature + physiological saline (group A), hypothermia + physiological saline (group B), normal temperature + dexamethasone (group C), and hypothermia + dexamethasone (group D). After 48 hours, we collected the testes, observed pathological changes of the testicular tissue by HE staining under the light microscope, detected the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by TUNEL, and determined the expression of ICAM1 by Western blot.

RESULTSHE staining showed different degrees of testicular tissue injury in the four groups of rats, most obvious in group A, but mild in the other three. The ICAM1 protein expression was significantly higher in group A (0.68 +/-0. 03) than in B (0. 49 +/- 0. 06, P <0. 05) , C (0. 46 +/- 0. 09, P < 0.05) , and D (0.17 +/- 0.08, P <0.01). The nuclei were deep brown or brown. Lots of apoptotic spermatogenic cells were seen in the torsion testis of group A, with a significantly higher apoptosis index ( [33. 13 +/- 3.21 ]%) than in B ( [ 17. 12 +/-5.23 ]%, P < 0.05), C ([14.13 +/- 2.03]%, P <0.05), and D ([9.05 +/- 1.03]%, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONHypothermia combined with dexamethasone can protect the testis from injury as well as the reproductive function of the testis after testicular torsion-detorsion and reduce the expression of ICAM1.

Animals ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

This study was aimed to choose the best fixing method of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement in mice by comparison of ECG index in three different fixing ways. Changes of ST amplitude and heart rate in ECG were measured in the self-made mouse sets, tape bundling or breathing anesthesia state. The amplitudes of the ST seg-ment in C57BL6 mice and β1/β2-AR double knockout mice were elevated in tape bundling or breathing anesthesia state in comparison with that in the self-made mouse sets (all P < 0.01). The heart rate under the tape bundling state in C57BL6 mice was significantly faster than that in the self-made mouse sets (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01). And the heart rate under anesthesia in β1/β2-AR double knockout mice was significantly slower than that in tape bundling state or the self-made mouse sets (both P < 0.01). It was concluded that relative to the binding and anesthesia method, fixing mouse in the self-made mouse sets, which can more truly reflect the physiological or pathological states, is a relatively good fixing method of ECG measurement in experimental study.

This study was aimed to compare the effects of acupuncture stimulation on different acupoints, which included LR14-Qimen, ST25-Tianshu, GB34-Yanglingquanand CO11-pancreas and gallbladder (auricular vagus nerve intensively distributed areas) on gallbladder pressure and Oddi sphincter function of guinea pig, in order to discuss acupuncture effect on different acupoints in the regulation of motor function of extrahepatic biliary system. A total of 20 adult guinea pigs of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups, with 10 in each group. The detection was made on changes of Oddi sphincter electromyography and gallbladder pressure before and after acupuncture. A double-hook electrode was implanted into the Oddi sphincter for the detection of Oddi sphincter electromyography. And one small artificial balloon was put into the gallbladder to measure the intrabiliary pressure. After the guinea pig was anesthetized, changes of gallbladder pressure as well as the electromyography frequency and amplitude index of Oddi sphincter of the normal guinea pig were recorded. When the guinea pig was stabilized, acupuncture was given on LR14, ST25, GB34 and CO11 for 1 min. Observations were made on acupuncture effects of gallbladder pressure and Oddi sphincter function of guinea pig. The results showed that after acupuncture on LR14 and ST25, the electromyography frequency of Oddi sphincter was obviously increased compared with before acupuncture (frequency:P < 0.01, amplitude:P < 0.05); the gallbladder pressure was obviously decreased (P < 0.05). After acupuncture on CO11 and GB34, the electromyography frequency and amplitude index of Oddi sphincter were obviously decreased compared with before acupuncture (P < 0.05); the gallbladder pressure was obviously increased (P < 0.01). It was concluded that acupuncture on LR14 and ST25 can obviously inhibit the movement of gallbladder and promote the myoelectricity release of Oddi sphincter. Acupuncturing on CO11 and GB34 can apparently promote the shrinking movement of gallbladder and inhibit the myoelectricity release of Oddi sphincter.