Objective: To investigate the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), by observing the effects of moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) on microRNA-133b (miRNA-133b), pituitary homeobox family factor 3 (Pitx3)/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of IBS-D rats. Methods: Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a Western medicine group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D rat model was established by mother-offspring separation and acetic acid enema combined with restraint stress stimulation in all the other groups. No intervention was performed in the normal and model groups. Mild moxibustion was applied to both Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) in the moxibustion group. Rifaximin was given by gavage in the Western medicine group. The physical status of rats in each group was observed at different periods. After the intervention, hematoxylin- eosin staining was performed to observe the histopathological morphology of rat colon; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue of rats; the relative expression levels of miRNA-133b, Pitx3 mRNA, and TH mRNA in the midbrain tissue were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relative expression levels of Pitx3 and TH proteins in the midbrain tissue were measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results: The body weights of rats among groups and at different time points were statistically different (P<0.01). The body weight of the normal group was higher than that of the other groups over time (P<0.01). After modeling, the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was significantly lower (P<0.01) and the loose stool rate was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the model, moxibustion, and Western medicine groups compared with the normal group; the miRNA-133b expression in the midbrain tissue was significantly lower (P<0.01), the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH in the midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01), and the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon and midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01). After the intervention, the minimum volume threshold of AWR was significantly higher (P<0.01), the loose stool rate was significantly lower (P<0.01), the miRNA-133b expression was significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the midbrain tissue, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in the moxibustion and Western medicine groups compared with the model group; the levels of 5-HT in the colon and midbrain tissue of the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those in the Western medicine group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference compared with the remaining groups (P>0.05). Linear correlation analysis showed that miRNA-133b was negatively correlated with Pitx3 (r<0, P<0.01); Pitx3 with TH, TH with DA, and NE with 5-HT were positively correlated (r>0, P<0.01).Conclusion: Moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) improves diarrhea symptoms and visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating miRNA-133b, inhibiting Pitx3/TH, and reducing neurotransmitter expression levels in the midbrain tissue.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of double balloon enteroscopy( DBE) in retrieval of retained capsule and identify the factors associated with successful retrieval. Methods A total of 23 consecutive retention cases who received retrieval of retained capsules by DBE from January 2010 to December 2013 were reviewed. They were assigned to success group and failure group. The differences in insertion route, insertion depth, lesion location between the two groups were analyzed. Results Fifteen cases of all 23 retention cases were successfully retrieved and the success rate was 65?2%. There was no significant difference in the mean entrapped period of CE between the two groups [20?0(15?0,57?0)d VS 21?0(16?0,240?0) d,P=0?525]. DBE via oral route exhibited remarkable higher success rate than anal route [ 71?4%( 15/21) VS 0/5, P=0?007] . Compared with ileum, it was easier to take out CE located at jejunum( 8/8 VS 7/13, P=0?046 ) and the insertion depth was significantly less in the success group [(167?3±33?8)cm VS (258?3±23?9) cm, P=0?041]. Whether the capsule was in pelvic cavity shown by x?ray film before the surgery was irrelevant to the successful rate(9/14 VS 5/6,P=0?613) and insertion depth of the DBE on access to the capsule[(132?0±68?6) cm VS (200?0±40?3) cm, P=0?376],or to the actual location of the capsule. Conclusion Peroral DBE is an effective method for removal of retained CE and the success rate isn′t relevant to the entrapped period. Retained CE locates in ileum and jejunum is more difficult to be taken out than in duodenum.

Objective To evaluate the risk factors,treatment and follow-up of capsule retentions after capsule endoscopy examination.Methods A total of 1 100 capsule enteroscopic examinations,performed at our hospital from October 2006 to March 2013,were retrospectively studied.The positive findings of lesions, clinical indications of capsule endoscopy,treatment and follow-ups were recorded.Results The incidence of capsule retentions was 1.18%(n =13).The rates of capsule retentions in OGIB,suspected Crohn′s disease (CD),known CD,suspected tumors and chronic abdominal pain were 0.95%,4.0%,10.5%,7.1% and 0.3%,respectively.In 11 patients,the capsule was removed by means of double-balloon enteroscopy,the cap-sule was removed surgically in one patient,and spontaneous expulsion occurred in another patient after 1 year of treatment.Risk factors for capsule retention were known or suspected CD and suspected tumor(OR =11.44, P =0.02;OR =5.59,P =0.02),and suspected tumor was also a risk factor(OR =7.42,P =0.04).Conclu-sion Capsule endoscopy is a safe procedure with low risk of capsule retentions.Advantages and disadvantages of capsule endoscopy examinations should be considered carefully when high-risk patients are involved.