OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of encephalopathy therapeutic tongue acupoint apparatus (ETTAA) in the treatment of autism.

METHODSEighty-four children of autism were randomly divided into a tongue acupuncture group (group A) and a conventional training group (group B), 42 cases in each group. The behavior training and sensory integration training were carried out in group B and the ETTAA was added in group A. The apparatus was switched on for 20 min every time and 3 times a day. Treatment of two months were carried out in both groups. The score of childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and clinical efficacy in both groups were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the CARS in both groups were significantly reduced (42.39 +/- 6.86 vs 32.15 +/- 5.12, P < 0.001; 44.58 +/- 6.76 vs 39.72 +/- 7.11, P < 0.05), which was more significant in group A (P < 0.01). The totally effective rate in group A [90.5% (38/42)] was superior to that in group B [66.7% (28/42), P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe clinical efficacy in tongue acupuncture group is apparently superior to that in conventional training group, ETTAA combined with conventional training have a better curative effect in the treatment of autism.

Acupressure ; Acupuncture Points ; Autistic Disorder ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Tongue ; anatomy & histology

Objective To determine the clinical efficac y of nuclear matrix protein 22(NMP22) as a novel urine marker for bladder cance r. Methods Urine NMP22 values were determined for 18 bla dder cancer patients and 20 urological benign disease patients by an enzyme-lin ked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Median NMP22 va lue for the bladder cancers was 44.3 IU/L vs 5.8 IU/L for urological benign dise ases. The urinary NMP22 values in the bladder cancer group were significantly hi gher than those in the benign condition group (P

Objective To observe the changes of renal function in elderly patients with heart failure but normal ejection fraction,and explore its clinical significance. Methods A total of 145 cases diagnosed as coronary artery disease from Department of Geriatric Cardiology in The First Affili?ated Hospital of China Medical University were enrolled in the study. All of the cases were divided into HFPEF group(65 cases)and non HFPEF group(80 cases). All patients underwent cardiac ultrasound,BNP and renal function examination,and the glomerular filtration rate(GFR)was cal?culated. Results The average age of patients in HFPEF group was significantly higher than non HFPEF group(P<0.001),and the incidence of hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease,atrial fibrillation,or concomitant incidence of two or more kinds of these disease in HFPEF group was significantly higher than non HFPEF group(P1=0.046,P2<0.001,P3=0.002,P4=0.021,P5<0.001);the GFR of two groups of patients were lower than normal level,but the GFR of HFPEF group was significantly lower than non HFPEF group(P=0.046);E/Em was significantly higher (P<0.001),Em was significantly lower(P=0.002),left atrial diameter was significantly higher(P<0.001),LVEF was significantly lower(P=0.012),BNP values were significantly higher(P=0.001)in HFPEF group than in the non?HFPEF group;There were significant linear correlation between GFR and E/Em(r=-0.428,P=0.001),GFR and the BNP(r=-0.435,P=0.001),E/Em and BNP(r=0.392,P=0.002)in HFPEF group. Conclusion Elderly patients with heart failure but normal ejection fraction were older,and more of them were complicated with hyperten?sion,diabetes,coronary heart disease,atrial fibrillation,or concurrency of these diseases. Glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased in el?derly patients with HFPEF,which has a significant correlation with diastolic function parameters.

Objective To obtain the recombinant protein LytA (rLytA) of Streptococcus pneumoniae strain (ATCC49619) through prokaryotic expression system and to investigate their diagnostic value for patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods The specific primers were designed according to LytA gene sequence of Streptococcus pneumoniae M66 strain recorded in Genbank.The recombinant plasmid pET32a(+)/LytA was constructed and transformed into BL21(DE3) to express LytA.The expressed protein LytA was purified by electroeluting of bag filter.Serum IgM of anti-LytA accordingly of patients with CAP were detected by ELISA.The results were evaluated by Chi-square test.Results The recombinant protein LytA was expressed and purified successfully with a relative molecular weight of 56 000.The IgM antibodies level of anti-LytA was significantly higher than the healthy control group (P=0.000).Diagnostic sensibility and specificity of LytA-IgM were 27.8% and 100.0%,while sensibility and specificity of sputum culture were 19.4% and 72.2%,respectively.The sensibility of LytA-IgM was equal to sputum culture(χ2=0.693,P=0.405),but the specificity was higher than it(χ2=14.316 P=0.000).Conclusions A rLytA-ELISA assay maybe has clinical value for diagnosis of pneumococcal infections.It is more rapid and objective than the culture method.

Tongue acupuncture is originated from the theory of TCM through scientific research. Forty points on the tongue are discovered that correspond to organs and certain parts of the body. The findings indicate that the patient with encephalopathy is accompanied by the pathological swelling sublingual fold. The sublingual fold is correlated with spinal and limbs lesions. Tongue acupuncture provides new approaches to treat many diseases. This paper introduces the determined points, manipulation skills and the theory of tongue acupuncture. The applications of PET, fMRI and VEP in tongue acupuncture are covered in this paper.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Tongue ; anatomy & histology

This article expounds the method of quality control and quality assurance for the isocenter of the medical linear accelerator and explains the content and standards of its regular examinations, in order to ensure the safety and efficiency in use.
Particle Accelerators ; standards ; Quality Control ; Radiation Oncology ; instrumentation ; standards

Adult ; Burns ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; adverse effects ; Scrotum ; injuries

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a patient with 17β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) 3 deficiency, regarding its pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed in a pedigree of 17β-HSD3 deficiency. Blood samples from the patient and his parents were collected. HSD17B3 gene was screened for mutations by PCR and subclone sequencing. Results The patient presented with pubertal virilization and gynecomastia. The physical examination showed female external genitalia and testes in inguinal canals. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY. Serum FSH, LH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and 17-OH-progesterone levels were raised, whereas plasma testosterone was lowered. Sequencing analysis revealed 4 nucleotide deletion (172-175del) of HSD17B3 gene. Conclusion Virilization and gynecomastia in puberty suggest the probability of 17β-HSD deficiency. It may be verified clinically by hCG-stimulating test and confirmed by gene diagnosis.

Objective To analyze clinical charaCteristics and diagnostic experience on thyrotropinoma (TSHoma).Methods Clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,diagnostic experience,and surgical outcome were summarized from 16 cases of TSHoma in our hospital from January 2006 to September 2011.Results ( 1 )Among 16 cases ( 9 male,7 female ) aged ( 51.63 ± 13.23 ) years,14 ( 87.5 ％ ) cases presented with hyperthyroidism and 2 were diagnosed by physical examination. None of them had exophthalmos, acropachy, or pre-tibial myxedema.( 2 ) Serum FT4 and FT3 levels were all above normal range with serum TSH ( 4.37 ± 2.77 ) μIU/ml.There were 25％ (4/16) cases with positive serum thyroglobulin antibody and/or thyroid peroxidase antibody,none with positive TSH receptor antibody.TRH stimulating test was performed in 9 cases,3 were with positive response ( peak TSH level increased by 5.45-9.20 μIU/ml compared with baseline),and 6 without response (peak TSH level increased by -0.01-3.15 μIU/ml compared with baseline).TSH was suppressed to 27.15％ (5.19％-99.15 ％ ) of the baseline in 11 cases in which somatostatin suppression test was carried out.Prolactin and insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ levels were increased in 2 cases.MRI performed in 15 patients showed 10 cases of microadenomas and 5 cases of pituitary adenoma.A mass in nasal cavity was found in one case,where no mass was found in the pituitary.( 3 )Surgery was made in 11 cases ( 9 patients underwent transsphenoidal operation,one craniotomy,and one underwent operation via endoscopic nasal septum ). All patients (11/11) were proved to yield pituitary adenoma pathologically.Conclusion Thyrotropinoma should be considered in hyperthyroidism with unsuppressed TSH level,and dynamic tests facilitated early diagnosis.Ectopic thyrotropinoma shoull be considered when normal pituitary morphology was shown by MRI.

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics in a male patient with 21hydroxylase deficiency combined with adrenal and testicular tumors.Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from the patient.Testicular biopsy was performed.The CYP21 gene was sequenced for mutations.Results The patient presented left adrenal and testicular enlargements.The laboratory examinations showed that plasma ACTH,androstenedione,testosterone,progesterone,and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were markedly elevated.CT scan revealed that the right adrenal gland being resected and the left adrenal with nodular enlargement.Furthermore,testicular biopsy showed a prominent peritubular fibrosis with increased number of peritubular fibroblasts,tubular hyalinisation,and calcification.Sequencing analysis showed a A>G homozygous mutation at intron 2.Conclusion Patients with untreated 21-hydroxylage deficiency may.have adrenal adenomas and(or)testicular adrenal rest tumor simultaneously.