OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the efficacy on distant version of naked eye in the patients of juvenile myopia between rotating manipulation and lifting-thrusting manipulation of acupuncture.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases (240 eyes) were randomized into a rotating manipulation group and a lifting-thrusting manipulation group, 60 cases (120 eyes) in each group. Additionally, a corrective lenses group, 60 cases (120 eyes), was set up as the control. In both manipulation groups, Cuanzhu (BL 2),Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Sizhukong (TE 23), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured, but stimulated with rotating manipulation and lifting-thrusting manipulation respectively three times per week, 10 times as a treatment session and totally one session was required. In the corrective lenses group, the glasses were applied at daytime. The clinical efficacy and the changes in distant vision of naked eye before and after treatment were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 87.5% (105/120) in the rotating manipulation group, which was better than 69.2% (83/120) in the lifting-thrusting manipulation group (P < 0.05). The distant vision of naked eye was improved apparently in the rotating manipulation group and the lifting-thrusting manipulation group after treatment (both P < 0.05). But it was not improved in the corrective lenses group (P > 0.05). The distant vision of naked eye was improved more apparently after treatment in the rotating manipulation group as compared with that in the lifting-thrusting manipulation group (0.75 +/- 0.23 vs 0.68 +/- 0.24, P < 0.05). For 96 cases (192 eyes) with acupuncture treatment, in 3-month follow-up, 87.0% (167/192) of the cases maintained the stable vision as the original level and 13.0% (25/192) of them were reduced in the vision In the acupuncture groups, it was found that the improvement of distant vision of naked eye was more obvious after treatment with younger age, better basic vision and shorter duration of sickness (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture achieves the positive and sustainable clinical effect on juvenile myopia, and the results of rotating manipulation are superior to that of lifting-thrusting manipulation. Age, basic vision and duration of sickness impact the clinical efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Myopia ; therapy ; Young Adult

A method for the determination of trace elements such as lead, arsenic and mercury in cream cosmetics by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) with suspension sampling was developed. The mixed solvents of water,tetrahydrofuran,methanol and were used to disperse paste, cream, and additives of triton X-100 to promote the test liquid uniform. The test suspension fluid were taken into the sample carrier,drying and then introduced into TXRF. Poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VP-co-VAc)) was added to curing sediments,inhibiting proliferation. Triton X-100 and P(VP-co-VAc) were found to have the function of reducing mercury loss in the drying process. The loss of elements in the drying process and the effect of triton X-100 and P(VP-co-VAc) were investigated. The effect of cream matrix, element interference, spectral line and the inner standard were discussed. The calibration curves for quantitative analysis were established using matrix standards, so the error of software decomposition peak and the error caused by thick sample were avoided within a certain range. In this work,the linear correlation coefficients of Pb,As and Hg calibration curve were greater than 0.998 The detection limit of Pb,As and Hg in the solution were 0.005,0.004 and 0.006 μg/mL,respectively. Relative standard diviations(RSDs, n=11) of Pb, As and Hg were 7.8%-14.9%,6.6%-13.3% and 7.6%-14.6% respectively. The results of Pb, As, and Hg in cream cosmetics determinated by this method agreed with those obtained from inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and the value of standard reference material. The TXRF method was proved to be accurate,simple and valuable in determination of trace heavy metal ions in cosmetic samples.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of pro-angiogenic factors and their receptors on angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSExpression of VEGF/KDR and Angiopoietins/Tie2 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot in 15 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma, 15 tumor adjacent tissues (<1 cm, >5 cm), 8 cirrhotic liver, and 4 normal liver. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect CD34 expression, and the relationship between neovascular density and angiogenesis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression levels of VEGF and Ang2 were significantly higher in hepacellular carcinoma group than those in the other groups (P < 0.01), and so did the expression of CD34. The expressions of KDR and Ang1/Tie2 showed no significant difference in all groups, but they indeed increased to various levels in tumor and tumor adjacent tissues as compared with those in cirrhosis and normal liver.

CONCLUSIONVEGF/KDR and Angiopoietins/Tie2 may be the crucial signal pathways in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiopoietin-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor, TIE-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo obtain stable primary cultures of human malignant meningioma cells and establish an intracranial in-situ tumor model in nude mice.

METHODSTen surgical specimens of highly suspected malignant meningioma were obtained with postoperative pathological confirmation. Primary malignant meningioma cells were cultured from the tissues using a modified method and passaged. After identification with cell immunofluorescence, the cultured cells were inoculated into the right parietal lobe of 6 nude mice using stereotaxic apparatus and also transplanted subcutaneously in another 6 nude mice. The nude mice were executed after 6 weeks, and HE staining and immunohistochmistry were used to detect tumor growth and the invasion of the adjacent brain tissues.

RESULTSThe primary malignant meningioma cells were cultured successfully, and postoperative pathology reported anaplastic malignant meningioma. Cell immunofluorescence revealed positivity for vimentin and EMA in the cells, which showed a S-shaped growth curve in culture. Flow cytometry revealed a cell percentage in the Q3 area of (95.99∓2.58)%. Six weeks after transplantation, tumor nodules occurred in the subcutaneous tumor group, and the nude mice bearing the in situ tumor showed obvious body weight loss. The xenografts in both groups contained a mean of (36∓5.35)% cells expressing Ki-67, and the intracranial in situ tumor showed obvious invasion of the adjacent peripheral brain tissues.

CONCLUSIONWe obtained stable primary cultures of malignant meningioma cells and successfully established a nude mouse model bearing in situ human malignant meningioma.

Objective To investigate the associations between normal serum uric acid (UA) levels and knee symptoms and structural changes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods A total of 205 patients with knee OA were enrolled. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 122 patients with OA were included in the study. The general condition of patients were investingated. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was used to assess severity of the knee joint symptoms. The Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system was used to assess radiological severity of the knee joint. Osirix software was used to assess changes of knee structure in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Peroxidase method was used to measure the serum levels of uric acid. Patients with normal range of uric acid were included in the study.Results The patients with lower levels of UA (split at the median level, 263 μmol/L) had a higher proportion of women, lower height, weight and lower proportions of K-L grade≥2. After adjustment for sex, age and body mass index, serum UA was negatively associated with total WOMAC scores (β=-16.15, P=0.018), WOMAC pain (β=-3.15, P=0.037), and WOMAC stiffness (β=-1.65, P=0.025). However, there were no significant associations between serum UA levels and knee joint structure changes.Conclusions In OA patients with normal serum UA, serum UA is negatively associated with the severity of joint symptoms, suggesting that UA within normal range may play a protective role in OA symptoms.

PURPOSE: The most popular surgical approach to manage Lisfranc fracture-dislocations is the double-incision approach, which frequently causes a variety of complications, such as skin necrosis, rotational malreduction of the first tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ) and lateral column dorsoplantar malreduction of the TMTJ. We introduce a three-incision approach to treat Lisfranc fracture-dislocations with only minor postoperative complications and good foot function. METHODS: We prospectively selected 30 previously healthy patients, ranging from 18 to 60 years of age, but only 23 patients completed the follow-up and thus were finally included, with an average age of 38.1 ± 12.9 years. All patients have sustained Lisfranc fracture-dislocations involving all three-column; 13.0% (3/23) were Myerson classification type A (medial), 47.8% (11/23) were type A (lateral), and 39.1% (9/23) were type C2. All patients were treated via a three-incision approach: a long incision made along the lateral border of the second ray was used as a working incision to visualize and reduce the first three TMTJs, as well as to apply internal fixation instrumentation; a 2 cm medial incision was made at the medial side of the first TMTJ as an inspecting incision, ensuring good reduction of the first TMTJ in medial and plantar view; another 1 cm inspecting incision was made at the dorsal side of the fourth/fifth TMTJ to prevent sagittal subluxation of the lateral column. Mean ± SD was used for quantitative data such as operation time, follow-up time and foot function scores. Postoperative complications were documented, and foot function was evaluated using the American orthopaedic foot & ankle society score, foot function index and Maryland foot score at follow-up. The foot function of the injured foot and contralateral foot of the same patient was at the end of follow-up, and independent sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median operation time was 117.9 ± 14.6 min (range 93 - 142 min). All complications occurred within three months after the operation, and included delayed wound healing (17.4%), superficial infection (8.7%), complex regional pain syndrome (4.3%) and neuroma (4.3%). There was no case of postoperative skin necrosis or malreduction. At the end of follow-up of 14.1 ± 1.2 months (range 12-16 months), the median American orthopaedic foot & ankle society score of the operated foot was 89.7 ± 5.7, the median foot function index was 21.7 ± 9.9, and the median Maryland foot score was 88.7 ± 4.8. There were no significant differences between the operated and contralateral sides, in terms of foot function, at the end of followup (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The three-incision approach can provide adequate visualization of all TMTJs to ensure anatomical reduction and offer sufficient working space to apply internal fixation instrumentation, which is effective in treating three-column Lisfranc fracture-dislocations with minor soft tissue complications and satisfactory functional recovery.
Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Joint Dislocations/surgery* ; Fracture Dislocation ; Surgical Wound ; Postoperative Complications ; Necrosis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence rates of birth defects in high and low risk areas in China.

METHODSA population-based surveillance system on birth defects was used to obtain the prevalence rates of 24 kinds of major external birth defects from > or = 20 weeks of gestation to 7 days of life in selected areas in Shanxi and Jiangsu provinces.

RESULTSThe birth prevalence of birth defects (232.4 per 10,000 births) and neural tube defects (NTDs) (138.7 per 10,000 births) in four counties of Shanxi province were significantly higher than that in Taiyuan city (75.3 and 28.2 per 10,000 births, respectively). There was no significant difference for all selected birth defects between Wuxi city and Xishan counties in low risk areas. There was a 6.1-fold of higher prevalence for NTDs in Taiyuan city compared with that in Wuxi areas (4.6 per 10,000 births). In four counties of Shanxi province, the prevalence rates of anencephaly, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, cleft palate alone and polydactyly were significantly higher than in Wuxi areas. The NTDs prevalence rate in four counties of Shanxi was 30.2 times higher than in Wuxi areas. When compared with previous surveillance data, the NTDs prevalence rate did not present obvious declining trend in high risk areas. The birth prevalence rate had a 31.8% decrease when births were calculated after 28 gestational weeks and compared with those from 20 gestational weeks.

CONCLUSIONNTDs remained to be the most common birth defect seen in Shanxi province. The birth prevalence rate of NTDs in some areas of Shanxi province was among the highest that ever reported in the world in comparison with data from other countries and regions. The current prevalence rate in high risk areas in Shanxi province did not clearly show a declining trend. Programs on surveillance and prenatal diagnosis were proved to have made big impact on the rates of major external birth defects.

China ; epidemiology ; Congenital Abnormalities ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neural Tube Defects ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

β-Thalassemia caused by abnormal coding of the β-globin gene is the most common hemoglobinopathy in many Asian countries. The in-depth study of the molecular basis and epigenetic mechanism of globin gene expression is the key to explore a new treatment for thalassemia. In this study, FAIRE (formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements), 3C (chromosome conformation capture) and ChIP (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) were used to investigate the three-dimensional interaction network of β-globin family gene loci and the molecular mechanism of functional regulation of gene expression during rapamycin-induced chromatin remodeling in CD4+ T cells. The results showed that the opening degree of globin gene chromatin, the interaction frequency between the gene promoter region and the regulatory element LCR (Locus control regions), and the enrichment efficiency of CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor) in the gene promoter region changed differently during the change of rapamycin treatment concentration from low to high, which led to the same change trend of the gene expression pattern. At the 10 nmol/ L concentration, chromatin accessibility and gene expression decreased (P < 0. 05). At 20 nmol/ L and 50 nmol/ L concentrations, chromatin accessibility increased and gene expression was up-regulated (P < 0. 05). In this study, the molecular mechanism of gene expression regulation of the β-globin family was expounded through this dynamic change process. Our work provides a theoretical and clinical practice basis for clinical precision treatment.

Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and safety of single and multiple oral azvudine tablets in healthy young and elderly Chinese subjects.Methods This was a open-label and parallel-group study.The trial consisted of two groups:healthy young subjects group and healthy elderly subjects group,with 12 subjects in each group.Enrolled subjects were first given a single dose,fasting oral azvudine tablet 5 mg,after a 3-day cleansing period entered the multiple dose phase,fasting oral azvudine tablet 5 mg·d-1 for 7 days.Results After a single dose of azvudine 5 mg,Cmax and AUC0-∞ were(4.76±2.12)ng·mL-1,(6.53±2.20)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,t1/2 were 0.75,1.87 h in young subjects;Cmax and AUC0-∞ were(6.40±3.25)ng·mL-1,(9.50±3.70)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,t1/2 were 0.63,2.66 h in elderly subjects.After a multiple dose of azvudine 5 mg·d-1 for 7 d,Cmax and AUC0-∞ were(3.26±1.61)ng·mL-1,(5.38±2.19)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,ss,t1/2,ss were 0.88,2.13 h in young subjects;Cmax,ss and AUC0-∞,ss were(3.97±2.09)ng·mL-1,(6.71±3.26)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,ss,t1/2,ss were 0.75,2.56 h in elderly subjects.Elderly/young geometric mean ratios and 90％CIs were 128.37％(88.23％-186.76％),139.93％(105.42％-185.72％),140.03％(106.33％-184.41％)for azvudine Cmax,AUC0-t,AUC0-∞ after a single dose,and were 118.66％(80.83％-174.20％),118.41％(83.60％-167.69％),118.95％(84.78％-166.89％)for azvudine Cmax,AUC0-t,AUC0_∞ after a multiple dose of azvudine 5 mg·d-1 for 7 d.Conclusion After single and multiple oral administration of azvudine tablets,systemic exposure to azvudine was higher in healthy elderly subjects compared with healthy young subjects.After taking azvudine tablets,the types,severity and incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions in healthy elderly people were not significantly different from those in healthy young subjects.Azvudine was found to be safe and well tolerated in healthy elderly subjects.