BACKGROUND: The functional MRI(fMRI),a harmless research method,has brought new perspective to the understanding of ancient needling methods. The correlation between meridian points and cerebrum has been studied with fMRI in different cerebral regions.OBJECTIVE: To observe the correlation between Kuangming( Luo-Connection Point,GB37)and Taichong(Shu-Stream and Yuan-Source point,Liv3)with fMRI in different cerebral regions.DESIGN: Randomized controlled experimental study based on healthy volunteers of medical college.SETTING: Department of acupuncture in a medical university of traditional Chinese medicine,basic medical college in a medical university of traditional Chinese medicine,medical radiology center of medical college of University Freiburg in Germany.PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted in Medical Radiology Center of Medical College of University Freiburg in Germany in June 1997. In this study,altogether 19 healthy volunteers,4 males and 15 females with normal vision,were selected. All of them were medical students without any previous acupuncture experience and history of neurology and psychosis. All healthy volunteers were randomly divided into three groups,including visual stimulation + one- sided needling group( n =7,2 males and 5 females),visual stimulation + double-sided needling group (n = 6,1 male and 5 females)and only double-sided needling group( n = 6,1 male and 5 females).METHODS: The response of visual cortex and the relative areas,and whether there comes inducing function were observed by fMRI during puncturing at kuangming and taichong. All subjects were informed about the range of possible acupuncture sensation they might experience during needle manipulation before entering the magnet field. For acupuncture,a stainless immagnet acupuncture needle(with a diameter of 0.25 mm and a length of 30 mm. Huatuo Brand. Made in Suzhou Medical Inc. ) was used. All subjects were performed by one experienced acupuncturist.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The changes,extent,delayed response,and time fluctuation of the cerebral cortex hemoglobin saturation level(BOLD).Whether the cerebral visual cortex domain was activated or not.RESULTS: There were no change of BOLD in visual cortex during visual stimulation and inserting needle at Kuangming and Taichong in visual stimulation +single sided needling group and visual stimulation +double-sided needling group. There were changes of BOLD of visual cortex in all subjects of the three groups during the period of manipulating needle. Among them six cases were found to have in the insular lobe,temporo-inferior parietal lobule,superior colliculus lobe,cuneate lobe and occipital mid-gyri.CONCLUSION: Single-sided or double-sided continuous needle stimulation can change the BOLD of the related regions of the cerebrum,but the change is unrelated with the insertion method and visual stimulation.

This study evaluated, over a 4-month study period, the amount of apical root resorption occurring in maxillary central incisors following their retraction when employing either micro-implant or J-hook headgear anchorage. The prospective randomised clinical trial was conducted in Orthodontic Clinic, College of Stomatology, China from 2008-2009. Subjects are patients requiring fixed appliances on waiting list (n=20). In female Han Chinese patients aged from 16-26 years, standardized periapical radiographs from 10 randomly assigned patients with maxillary protrusions comprising the micro-implant group, and from 10 similar patients comprising the J-hook headgear group, were assessed for maxillary central incisor apical root resorption. Measurements before and after orthodontic therapy were also obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs to calculate incisor horizontal retraction and vertical intrusion distances. Estimated retraction force vectors were calculated in horizontal and vertical directions for both treatment groups. Data analysis employed t-tests and the Pearson correlation test, with α=0.05 for statistical significance. The results showed that when compared with the J-hook group, significantly more apical root resorption shortening of the maxillary central incisors was observed in the micro-implant group (1.27 mm difference, 95% CI=0.70-1.84, P<0.001), which was associated with a significantly larger retraction distance (P=0.004) and a smaller vertical force component (P<0.0001). We are led to conclude that continuous activation of the nickel-titanium coil springs used in the micro-implant group resulted in significantly more apical root resorption shortening and maxillary central incisor retraction than when intermittent J-hook retraction was employed. The employment of continuous duration orthodontic forces presents a risk for increased apical root resorption that requires careful radiographic monitoring.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It is anopportunistic zoonosis in warm-blooded animals and humans, with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 16 (TgGRA16) can modulate some functions in host cells and is considered a significant virulent factor of the parasite. The present study reports sequence variation in TgGRA16 gene among T. gondii strains from different hosts and geographical locations, and the construction of phylogenetic relationships of these T. gondii strains based on sequences of TgGRA16, and analysis of B cell epitopes in TgGRA16. Our results showed that all TgGRA16 gene sequences were 1518 bp and the C+G contents ranged from 52.17% to 52.59%. Sequence variation in the TgGRA16 gene was 0-1.51%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TgGRA16 gene sequence could not be used to differentiate the different T. gondii genotypes. Six B cell epitopes were predicted in TgGRA16. These results indicated that TgGRA16 gene is not an ideal marker for studying genetic relationships of T. gondii isolates, but may represent a good vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.

Objective: To understand the current overall status of implementation on the National Demonstration Areas of Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. Methods: According to the scheme design of the questionnaires, all the National Demonstration Areas were involved in this study. For each National Demonstration Areas, eight departments were selected to complete a total of 12 questionnaires. Results: Scores related to the implementation of the National Demonstration Areas accounted for 71.8% of the total 170 points. Based on the scores gathered from this study, the 23-items-index-system that represented the status of project implementation was classified into seven categories. Categories with higher percentile scores would include: monitoring (88.0%), safeguard measures (75.0%), health education and health promotion (75.0%). Categories with lower percentile scores would include: the national health lifestyle actions (67.7%), community diagnosis (66.7%), discovery and intervention of high-risk groups (64.7%), and patient management (60.9%). There were significant differences noticed among the eastern, central and western areas on items as safeguard measures, health education/promotion, discovery and intervention of high-risk groups. In all, the implementation programs in the eastern Demonstration Areas seemed better than in the central or western regions. As for the 23 items, five of the highest scores appeared on policy support, mortality surveillance, tumor registration, reporting system on cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events, and on tobacco control, respectively. However, the lowest five scores fell on healthy diet, patient self-management program, oral hygiene, setting up the demonstration units and promotion on basic public health services, respectively. The overall scores in the eastern region was higher than that in the central or the western regions. The scores in the central and western regions showed basically the same. Conclusions: The overall status of implementation on the National Demonstration Areas was satisfactory. Future attention should be focusing on patient management as well as discovery and intervention of high-risk groups, which also presented the lowest scores, in this survey.
China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Promotion/organization & administration* ; Humans ; National Health Programs ; Noncommunicable Diseases/prevention & control* ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; Population Surveillance ; Preventive Health Services/organization & administration* ; Program Evaluation ; Public Health ; United States

OBJECTIVETo observe relative effects of acupuncture at Guangming (GB 37) and Taichong (LR 3) in central different regions.

METHODSNineteen healthy volunteers were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I (n=7) received visual stimulation and acupuncture at one side; group II (n=6) received visual stimulation and acupuncture at both sides; and group III (n=6) received acupuncture at both sides. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate reactions of the different visual cortexes and relative cerebral regions in acupuncture at Guangming (GB 37) and Taichong (LR 3).

RESULTSThere was no significant change in blood oxygen saturation levels in the visual cortex at visual stimulation and insertion of the needle, but there were changes in blood oxygen saturation level in relative cerebral regions when continuous stimulation was given to one-side or both sides.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at one-side or both sides can improve blood oxygen saturation level in relative cerebral regions, which is not related with manipulation method and visual stimulation.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Needles

Previous studies showed that crude antigens from Trichinella spiralis adult worms (AW) can be recognized by mouse infection sera at 8 days post infection. The aim of this study was to identify the early diagnostic antigenic bands in soluble proteins from T. spiralis AW by Western blot using early infection sera. The affecting factors of adult recovery were firstly observed in this study, and the results showed that the maximum number of adults was collected from small intestine when the female BALB/c mice were orally infected with 4000 ML and sacrificed at 3 days post infection. The results of Western blot analysis showed that seven protein bands (31, 35.1, 39, 40.6, 41.9, 47 and 50.6 kDa) could be recognized by early infection sera as early as at 8-10 days post infection, and were strongly reacted with mouse infection sera at 11-12 days post infection. Our results suggested that the seven protein bands of T. spiralis AW soluble proteins might be the early expressed antigens during the intestinal stage of Trichinella infection and therefore have potential value for the early diagnosis of trichinellosis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of filling for radiation carious cavities.

METHODS146 carious cavities of 15 patients after radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies were included and were filled with two new GIC (Ketac-Molar and Fuji IX). The 2 years follow-up results were evaluated with USPHS evaluation criterion.

RESULTS(1) The 2 years excellent rates were 51.7% in Ketac-Molar and 52.3% in Fuji IX, no significant differences. (2) Failures and defects were mainly occurred after 1 and 2 years. The main reason of failure was loss of filling. Marginal staining was a common shortcoming of the two materials. (3) There were no significant differences in main indexes except retention.

CONCLUSIONSIt is successful for radiation caries to be filled with Ketac-molar and Fuji IX, and is practically significant in stomatological clinic.

Adult ; Aged ; Cranial Irradiation ; adverse effects ; Dental Caries ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass Ionomer Cements ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To explore the distribution of pathogen and the characteristics of drug resistance in gerontal patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)accompanied by pulmonary infection,so as to provide the basis for rational usage of antibiotics.Methods:The sputum of 512 gerontal patients with COPD accompanied by pulmonary infection was collected for bacteria culture.The pathogenic distribution and drug sensitivity were analyzed.Results:There were 278 positive samples, with the positive rate of 54.3%.Of them,204 strains were gram-negative bacteria,including Pseudomonas (62 strains, 22.3%),Klebsiella (44 strains,15.8%),Haemophilus influenza (38 strains,13.7%),Enteric bacilli (34 strains,12.2%), and Acinetobacter (26 strains,9.4%).And 66 strains were gram-positive bacteria,including Staphylococcus aureus (32 strains,11.5%),Streptococcus pneumoniae (22 strains,7.9%),Enterococcus (12 strains,4.3%).Eight strains were fungi, including Candida albicans (6 strains,2.2%)and Yeast-like fungi (2 strains,0.7%).The rate of gram-negative bacteria was significantly higher than those of gram-positive bacteria and fungi(P <0.01).Gram-negative bacilli were most sensitive to mer-openem and imipenem,while they showed strongest drug resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam and amoxicillin.Gram-positive cocci were most sensitive to vancomycin and doxycycline,while they showed strong drug resistance to penicillin,erythromycin,clinda-mycin,levofloxacin,etc.The fungus had no resistance to flucytosine and fluconazole,ltraconazole and amphotericin B.Conclu-sions:The gerontal patients with COPD accompanied by pulmonary infection are mostly affected with gram-negative bacteria, which have high levels of resistance to antibiotics.According to experience,it is appropriate to choose the third and fourth generation cephalosporins or the compound antibiotics containing beta lactamase inhibitor for empiric treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the possible vascular effects of an environment carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP).

METHODSThe cytotoxicit of BaP and rat liver S9 (0.25 mg/mL)-activated BaP were examined by MTT assay. Thoracic aortic rings were dissected from Sprague-Dawley rats. Contraction of aortic rings was induced by 60 mmol/L KCl or 10(-6) mol/L phenylephrine (PE) in an ex-vivo perfusion system after BaP (100 μmol/L) incubation for 6 h. [Ca(2+)](i) was measured using Fluo-4/AM. For in-vivo treatment, rats were injected with BaP for 4 weeks (10 mg/kg, weekly, i.p.).

RESULTSBaP (1-500 μm) did not significantly affect cell viability; S9-activated BaP stimulated cell proliferation. BaP did not affect the contractile function of endothelium-intact or -denuded aortic rings. BaP did not affect ATP-induced ([Ca(2+)](i)) increases in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In BaP-treated rats, heart rate and the number of circulating inflammatory cells were not affected. Body weight decreased while blood pressure increased significantly. The maximum aortic contractile responses to PE and KCl and the maximum aortic relaxation response to acetylcholine were significantly decreased by 25.0%, 34.2%, and 10.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest, in accordance with its DNA-damaging properties, that metabolic activation is a prerequisite for BaP-induced cardiovascular toxicity.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

INTRODUCTIONAlthough laser photocoagulation is the primary treatment for diabetic macular oedema, treatment of eyes with diffuse macular oedema has been disappointing. Intravitreal injection of steroids is being investigated for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema. Preliminary results indicate that steroid injections do improve macular oedema, but it is not clear if they improve visual acuity.

CLINICAL PICTURE, TREATMENT, AND OUTCOMEIn this report, we describe a patient with a form of diffuse diabetic macular oedema that responded favourably to intravitreal steroid injections, with improvements in both foveal thickness and visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONIntravitreal steroids can be useful for the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular oedema.

Adult ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Macular Edema ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Male ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; administration & dosage ; Visual Acuity ; drug effects