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.

Objective: To understand the characteristics of HIV infected persons without long term disease progress [also known as long term non-progressors (LTNPs)], and related factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi). Methods: Data of persons living with HIV and receiving no antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi by the end of 2016 were collected from the national HIV/AIDS comprehensive control and prevention information system of China. Results: By the end of 2016, there were 313 LTNPs in Guangxi, accounting for 2.3% of those being reported for more than 10 years, 5.4% of those being reported for more than 10 years and surviving, and 26.6% of those being reported for more than 10 years, surviving and receiving no antiretroviral therapy. Among the LTNPs, 87.2%(273) were men, 94.9% (297) were aged ≤ 40 years, 32.3% (101) were farmers, 55.6% (174) were single, divorced or widowed, 69.3% (217) were of Han ethnic group, 68.1% (213) were injecting drug users, and 52.1% (163) were from custody facilities. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that factors associated with delayed disease progression included age ≤40 years (compared with age >40 years, aOR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.31-3.12) and injection drug use (compared with sexual transmission, aOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.10-1.74). Conclusions: A number of LTNPs existed in HIV-infected individuals in Guangxi. Further research are needed to identify the related factors, and it is necessary to conduct large sample size studies on host immunology, genetics and the virology of HIV to explore the related mechanism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; China/epidemiology* ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/ethnology* ; Humans ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors

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.

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effects of 19-nortestosterone (NT) on the growth and development of the ventral prostate (VP), epididymis, and seminal vesicles (SV) in hypogonadal (hpg) mice.

METHODSThe silastic tube filled with NT was implanted subdermally into mature hpg mice (n = 7) for five weeks. Similar silastic tubes without NT were implanted into both of hpg mouse control group (n = 7) and normal mouse group (n = 10) instead. The weights of sex accessory glands and the branch tip number of VP from all mice were evaluated.

RESULTSThe weights of VP, SV, and epididymis in NT treated hpg group were significantly higher than those of hpg control group (P < 0.005); and the branching morphology of the VP showed a tendency to be normal and the development of prostate ductal tip was improved significantly. Especially, the weight of SV in NT treated hpg mice was equal to that of normal mice, while the weights of VP, epididymis and branching tip number in NT treated hpg group was still significantly lower than that of normal mice (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSThe NT treatment significantly stimulates the growth and development of the sex accessory gland in mature hpg mouse.

Animals ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Genitalia, Male ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Nandrolone ; therapeutic use ; Prostate ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seminal Vesicles ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo obtain the polymorphic data of short tandem repeat(STR) loci of D15S657, D11S1369, D6S2420 and D6S503 in Chinese Han population and to study the association of these four STR loci with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM).

METHODSThe polymorphisms of the four STRs were studied by polymerase chain reaction-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PCR-PAGE) followed by direct sequencing of PCR products in 105 normal Chinese Hans and 48 patients with IDDM.

RESULTSSeven alleles at D15S657 locus, 5 alleles at D11S1369 locus, 7 alleles at D6S2420 locus and 4 alleles at D6S503 locus were found. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed. The heterozygosities of these loci were 0. 7524, 0.6000, 0.6286, 0.6571 and the polymorphic information contents(PIC) 0.7616, 0.4430, 0.5345 and 0.5932, respectively. The allele frequencies of allele A(5) at D15S657 locus, allele A(5) at D11S1369 locus and allele A(4) at D6S2420 locus were increased significantly in patients with IDDM, compared to those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe four STRs, used as genetic markers, were suitable for case-control study, forensic medicine identification and population genetic study. There is an association between the polymorphisms of D15S657, D11S1369, D6S2420 and IDDM.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; ethnology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

Objective: To understand prevalence and transmission of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) among HIV infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tianjin from 2014 to 2017. Methods: A total of 225 blood samples were collected from HIV infected MSM in Tianjin from 2014 to 2017. Pol gene fragments were obtained by viral RNA extraction and nested PCR amplification. Phylogenetic and drug resistance analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 205 samples were successfully sequenced and analyzed. Based on pol sequences, 53.2% (109/205), 28.8% (59/205), 10.2% (21/205), 4.9% (10/205) and 2.9% (6/205) of the samples were positive for HIV subtypes CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, B, CRF55_01B and unique recombinant forms (URFs). Twenty transmission clusters, including 75 sequences, were identified and 62.5% (10/16) of sequences with TDR were in 5 clusters. The prevalence of TDR was 7.8% between 2014 and 2017. The annual prevalence rate increased from 3.9% (2/51) in 2014, 5.7% (3/53) in 2015, 9.6% (5/52) in 2016 to 12.2%(6/49) in 2017, the difference was not significant (χ(2)=2.504, P=0.127). CRF01_AE and B strains had high TDR prevalence (3.4%, 7/205) and (2.9%, 6/205), respectively. The TDR mutation was mainly NNRTIs, the TDR prevalence was 6.3% (13/205). In contract, the TDR prevalence of NRTIs and PIs were 1.5% (3/205) and 1.0% (2/205) respectively. Conclusion: Results from this study suggested that the prevalence of HIV-1 TDR strains in MSM was serious in Tianjin. It is necessary to take effective prevention and control measures.
China ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; Genes, pol ; Genotype ; HIV Infections/transmission* ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase/genetics* ; HIV Seropositivity/genetics* ; HIV-1/isolation & purification* ; Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate fundamental aspects of the dose response of fluorescent screen-based electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We acquired scanned signal across portal planes as we varied the radiation that entered the EPID by changing the thickness and anatomy of the phantom as well as the air gap between the phantom and the EPID. In addition, we simulated the relative contribution of the scintillation light signal in the EPID system RESULTS: We have shown that the dose profile across portal planes is a function of the air gap and phantom thickness. We have also found that depending on the density change within the phantom geometry, errors associated with dose response based on the EPID scan can be as high as 7%. We also found that scintillation light scattering within the EPID system is an important source of error. CONCLUSION: This study revealed and demonstrated fundamental characteristics of dose response of EPID, as relative to that of ion chambers. This study showed that EPID based on fluorescent screen cannot be an accurate dosimetry system

No abstract available.
Female ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastodynia* ; Neuroma* ; Superficial Back Muscles*

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy on primary dysmenorrhea treated with isolated herbal moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8).

METHODSOne hundred and two cases were randomized into isolated herbal moxibustion group and western medication group, 51 cases in each one. In isolated herbal moxibustion group, the cases were treated with isolated herbal moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8), and in western medication group, analgesic was administered.

RESULTSIn isolated herbal moxibustion group, 17 cases were cured, 21 cases effective markedly, 9 cases effective and 4 cases failed. The total effective rate was 92.2%. In western medication group, 7 cases were cured, 11 cases effective markedly, 21 cases effective and 12 cases failed. The total effective rate was 76.5%. The comparison of the total effective rates between two groups indicated significant difference in statistics (P < 0.01), in which, the result in isolated herbal moxibustion group was superior to that in western medication group. In comparison of dysmenorrhea score before and after treatment and side effects of two groups, the significant differences presented in statistics, in which, the results in isolated herbal moxibustion group were superior to those in western medication group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe isolated herbal moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8) is superior to oral medication of analgesic for primary dysmenorrhea and it deserves to be promoted due to its advantages on safety, less side effect and good compliance of patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate best diagnosing methods and therapy for patients with biliary tract complications after liver transplantation and analyze related factors.

METHODSA review was made of data collected from 96 patients, and confirmed by retrospective case notes examination.

RESULTSA total of 94 patients (97 grafts) survived more than 2 days after transplantation; of whom, 92 had an end-to-end biliary anastomosis with a T tube. The average follow-up was 5.8 months (range: 0.3 - 10.2 months). Among the 94 patients, eight (8.5%, 8/94) had complications: leakage during T-tube removal (2 patients), leakage at an earlier stage (2), simultaneous stricture and leak (2) and just stricture (2). Six patients with biliary tract complications had predisposing factors including hepatic artery stenosis (2 patients, including one hepatic artery stenosis combined with severe rejection, hepatic artery thrombosis (3), and donor-recipient bile duct mismatch (1). There was no difference in cold ischemic time. With hepatic artery thrombosis and/or stenosis > 50%, five patients were re-transplanted; without hepatic artery thrombosis and/or stenosis < 50%, three patients required endoscopic stenting and radiological percutaneous drainage of bile collection with or without balloon dilation. All patients survived.

CONCLUSIONSBiliary strictures occur later than leaks after surgery. Without hepatic artery thrombosis and/or stricture, there is no need for surgery; with hepatic artery thrombosis and/or stricture > 50%, re-transplantation is needed as early as possible.

Adult ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies