OBJECTIVEFrictions of Lock-loose brackets with ligated main wings or all six wings were measured as they slid along archwires in dry and artificial saliva environments. The Lock-loose brackets were then compared with traditional brackets and self-ligating brackets.

METHODSThe surface states of the stainless steel archwires were observed with atomic force microscopy before and after mechanical traction. The Lock-loose brackets, traditional brackets, and self-ligating brackets used in this study were composed of 0.406 4 and 0.457 2 mm stainless steel round archwires and 0.457 2 mm x 0.634 9 mm and 0.482 6 mm x 0.634 9 mm stainless steel rectangular archwires. Two different ligating methods were applied to the Lock-loose brackets, i.e., main wings ligated and all six wings ligated. Frictions were measured by using an electronic universal testing machine.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found between the roughness of different archwires before and after mechanical traction in different brackets (P > 0.05). When the main wings of the Lock-loose brackets were ligated, the frictions of the four different stainless steel archwires were close to zero, and the difference with frictions of traditional brackets was significant (P < 0.05). When using 0.457 2 mm x 0.634 9 mm rectangular archwires, maximum friction (P < 0.05; significantly different from those of other brackets) was reached when all six wings of the Lock-loose brackets were ligated. Frictions in the dry state were higher than those in the wet state (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Lock-loose brackets can adjust the friction efficiently with different ligating methods, thus solving the problem of low friction and strengthening anchorage.

Objective:To evaluate and compare electroacupunctures (EA) with different parameters and moxibustion at different temperatures influencing the activation of mast cells (MC) in Tianshu (ST 25) regions of visceral hyperalgesia model rats. Methods:Rats (except for model group) respectively accepted 1 mA or 3 mA EA or moxibustion at 43 or 4 to℃℃stimulate Tianshu (ST 25) points after randomization of the fifty visceral hyperalgesia model rats, and then were compared with that in model and normal groups. Number, degranulation numbers, degranulation rates in Tianshu (ST 25) regions MC of rats in each group were observed using toluidine blue staining. Abdominal withdrawl reflex (AWR) score was used to evaluate the rat visceral hyperalgesia reactions. Results:Compared with the normal group and the model group, MC numbers (P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01), degranulation numbers and degranulation rates (P<0.01,P<0.01, P<0.05,P<0.01) of Tianshu (ST 25) MC in regions tissues in 43℃ and 4℃ moxibustion groups, and 1 mA and 3 mAEA groups all increased significantly. Compared with the model group, AWR scores were significantly lower in 43℃ and 4℃ moxibustion groups, and 1 mA and 3 mAEA groups under the stimulation of 20 mmHg, 40 mmHg, 0 mmHg or 80 mmHg colorectal distension (CRD) (P<0.05 in 1 mA and 3 mA EA groups under the stimulation of 20 mmHg,P<0.01 in the other groups). AWR scores in 43℃ and 4℃moxibustion groups under the stimulation of 20 mmHg, 40 mmHg, 0 mmHg or 80 mmHg CRD were not significantly different from those in the normal group (allP>0.05); AWR scores in 1 mA EA group under the stimulation of 0 mmHg or 80 mmHg were significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01); AWR score in 3 mA EA group under the stimulation of 0 mmHg was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01), and AWR scores in 3 mA EA group under the stimulation of 20 mmHg or 80 mmHg were also higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05). AWR scores were higher in 1 mA EA group under the stimulation of 40 mmHg or 80 mmHg than that in 4℃ moxibustion group (P<0.05); AWR score was higher in 3 mA EA group under the stimulation of 40 mmHg than that in 4℃ moxibustion group (P<0.05). Conclusion:There are differences among EA of different parameters and moxibustion of different temperatures in activating on Tianshu (ST 25) regions MC of visceral hyperalgesia model rats, as well as in improving the visceral hyperalgesia reaction. The effect of 4℃ moxibustion is the most significant.

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on anxiety and depression in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in remission. Methods:Sixty CD cases were randomly allocated into an EA group (n=30) and an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (n=30) using the random number table by the ratio of 1:1. In addition, 30 healthy subjects were included in a control group. Bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongwan (CV 12) were used in the EA and herbal cake- partitioned moxibustion groups. The treatment was done 3 times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated using self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores. Results:Before treatment, the SAS and SDS scores in CD patients were remarkably higher than those in healthy subjects. After EA or herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion treatment, the SAS and SDS scores were significantly decreased in both groups, showing significant intra-group differences (P<0.05); the symptom scores of abdominal pain (severity, frequency and duration), bowel sounds/flatus and general fatigue were significantly decreased, showing significant intra-group differences (P<0.05); however, there were no between-group statistical differences (P>0.05). Conclusion:Both EA and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can significantly decrease abnormally high SAS and SDS scores in CD patients as well as TCM symptom scores. The two therapies share similar effects in alleviating common symptoms and improving anxiety and depression.

OBJECTIVE To observe the type of nosocomial infections in our comprehensive ICU,the prevalence and the vicissitude characteristic of infection strains,and the change of antibiotic-resistance.METHODS To summarize the 10 year results of the monitoring which were divided into three stages to compare the changes with time.RESULTS Gram-negative bacilli were 987(76.4%),Gram-positive cocci 216(16.7%) strains,and 89 strains were fungi(6.9%).The top six strains were in turn:Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Acinetobacter baumannii,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Escherichia coli,and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.Distribution of infection sites: 92.3% infection was in lungs,5.2% in urinary tract infection,2.5% in other sites included lungs,abdomene,CSF,blood etc.CONCLUSIONS The main nosocomial infective pathogens in our ICU are Gram-negative bacilli(75.0%),Gram-positive bacterial infection shows a slight increasing,whereas fungi infection decreasing.In addition to S.maltophilia,the great majority of Gram-negative bacilli,ESBL-producing K.pneumoniae and E.coli maintain a higher sensitivity to carbapenem antibiotic.All Gram-positive cocci to vancomycin and teicoplanin maintain a good sensitivity.In the fungal infection,Candida albicans infection ratio is decreased,while non-C.albicans increases.

Objective To investigate the effect of blood hemoperfusion with resin adsorption connected in series to continuous veno-venous hemofiltration ( HP + CVVH) on plasma cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 as well as cellular immunity and prognosis of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS). Methods It was a prospective,randomized clinical trial.A total of 30 patients diagnosed as MODS were randomly (random number) divided into routine treatment + HP + CVVH group (treatment group) and routine treatment + CVVH group (control group).In treatment group,patients received blood hemoperfusion with resin adsorption for 2 hours,and then CVVH for 10 hours every day for 3days.In control group,patients received CVVH for 12 hours every day for 3 days.The plasma samples of patients in treatment group were obtained 0 h,2 h,12 h,24 h,26 h,36 h,48 h,50 h,60 h,5 days,7 days and 10 days after renal replacement therapy.The plasma samples of patients in control group were obtained 0 h,12 h,24 h,36 h,48 h,60 h,5 days,7 days and 10 days after renal replacement therapy.All of these patients were monitored with APACHE Ⅱ score,T-lymphocytes subpopulations,blood lactate acid concentration,heart rate,respiration rate and oxygenation index. Results Plasma levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 decreased dramatically after HP (P ＜ 0.01 ) and T-lymphocytes subpopulations CD3+,CD4 +,CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + increased after both HP + CVVH and CVVH.The differences in plasma levels of TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 of patients between two groups were not noticeably obvious at the intervals of 12 h,36 h,and 50 h after renal replacement therapy. But on the 5 th day after renal replacement therapy,plasma levels of TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 of patients in HP + CVVH group were lower than those in control group (P ＜ 0. 05 ).There were 5 fatal patients in HP + CVVH group and 6 patients died off in CVVH group during 28 days after treatment.Conclusions Both HP + CVVH and CVVH could lower the levels of plasma TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6,and improve cellular immunity and clinical symptoms as well as signs.Compared with CVVH,plasma levels of TNF-α,IL- 1β and IL-6 were lower on the 5th day and increase rate of 28-day survival in HP + CVVH group.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of visceral pain and water metabolism on irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) model rats by moxibustion and its products. A total of 40 SD rats were randomly di-vided into the normal group, model group, moxibustion group, non-smoke moxibustion group, and moxa smoke group. IBS-D model was induced by colorectal distension with an inflatable balloon. The general condition of rats was ob-served. Visceral pain was assessed by abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores. The immunohistochemical method was used in the detection of claudin-1, AQP3, AQP8 and Na+/K+-ATPase protein expression. The results showed that compared with the normal group, the AWR scores, claudin-1, AQP3, AQP8 and Na+/K+-ATPase protein expres-sion in the colon were decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). The stool was loose, which was on hair around the anus. After moxibustion, non-smoke moxibustion and moxa smoke stimulation, the stool conditions of IBS-D model rats were improved. The AWR scores were decreased in different degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Except Na+/K+-ATPase, expressions of claudin-1, AQP3 and AQP8 in colon were increased in different degrees (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). The comprehensive therapeutic effect showed that moxibustion was better than non-smoke moxibustion; and non-smoke moxibustion was better than moxa smoke stimulation. It was concluded that the combination of warm stimulation, optical radiation and moxa smoke induced best effect in improving visceral pain and water metabolism on IBS-D model rats. Among them, warm stimulation and optical radiation may play the main role.

BACKGROUND:Moxibustion products produced in moxibustion, such as moxa smoke, are one of hotspots in moxibustion research. Metabonomics can be used to more comprehensively and systematicaly study the effects of moxibustion products on the body.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efect of diferent concentrations of moxibustion products on urine metabonomics of rats.
METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, low-dose moxibustion products group, middle-dose moxibustion products group, high-dose moxibustion products group, high-dose moxibustion products recovery group. In the latter four groups, rats from each group were exposed to the mixture of moxibustion products and pure gas at ratios of 0.4:2.0, 0.8:2.0, 1.6:2.0, 1.6:2.0, respectively, 4 hours daily, 5 days weekly, totaly for 60 days. After 60-day high-dose moxibustion products stimulation, rats in the high-dose moxibustion products recovery group were raised in normal air for 21 days. Rats in the normal control group were raised in normal air for 60 days without any moxibustion products. Then we analyzed the changes of urine metabonomics in al group rats.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totaly 108 metabolites were identified in the urine of rats using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and 64 metabolites were verified by standard library. There were some positive correlations between changes of typical metabolites and moxibustion product concentrations. The metabolites in the urine were most different between the high-dose moxibustion products group and normal control group. Twenty-two differential metabolites, such as glucuronic acid and vitamin C were mainly involved in 15 sugar and amino acid metabolic pathways, such as ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. These findings indicated that energy metabolism, detoxification and anoxidation increased in rats stimulated by moxibustion products.

METHODS:A computer-based online research of PubMed, CNKI and VIP databases was performed with the key words of “epigenetic; inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis; DNA methylation; histone modification; miRNA; moxibustion” in Chinese and English. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The correlation of epigenetic modification with inflammatory bowel disease occurrence and development is elaborated. The mechanisms in inflammatory bowel disease have been related from DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA targets. The mechanism of moxibustion on inflammatory bowel disease is primarily associated with immune regulation, and its anti-inflammatory mechanism may be affected by epigenetic regulation of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on learning and memory abilities, corticosterone and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in subacute aging rats. Methods:Twenty four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 8 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were subcutaneously injected with 25% D-galactose [125 mg/(kg·bw)] for 40 d continuous; rats in the normal group were injected with saline at the same position for 40 d continuous. Rats in the moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) at the same time of modeling; rats in the normal group and the model group were only identically grabbed without moxibustion for 40 d. The learning and memory abilities of rats were observed using the Morris water maze at the end of the experiment. Abdominal aorta blood and thymus were collected after water maze experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone level, and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of thymus GR. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed that a significantly longer escape latency time (P<0.01) on the third and the fourth days; number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly reduced (P<0.01); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly decreased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels increased (P<0.01); thymus GR expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the moxibustion group showed that the escape latency times were significantly shorter on the third, the fourth and the fifth days (P<0.01,P<0.05); number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly increased (P<0.05); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly increased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels decreased (P<0.05); thymus GR expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion could improve the learning and memory abilities of subacute aging rats, down-regulate serum corticosterone levels, and increase thymus GR content.

Objective To investigate the effect of coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) on plasma cytokines:TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,cellular immunity,blood lactate acid concentration,heart rate,respiration rate,oxygenation index,hemodynamics,blood cells counts,and prognosis in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS).Methods This was a prospective,randomized clinical trial in 45 patients diagnosed as MODS.Patients were randomly assigned to hemoperfution with resin adsorption (HP) + continuous venous-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) group,CPFA group and CVVH group.The general clinical data,APACHE Ⅱ score,number of failure organ and previous mentioned biomarkers were documented.Blood samples were collected before and after blood filtration with any one of these procedures.The plasma samples were isolated and stored with frozen at-60 ℃.Data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 13.0 version software.Results In CPFA group,plasma cytokines,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6,decreased markedly after plasma adsorption for two hours (P ＜ 0.01);and plasma concentrations of IL-6 were further descended after subsequent CVVH for 10 hours (P ＜ 0.05).In HP + CVVH group,plasma cytokines,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6,decreased markedly after HP (P ＜ 0.01),and plasma concentrations of IL-6 were further descended after subsequent CVVH for 10 hours (P ＜ 0.05).In CVVH group,plasma cytokines,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6,decreased after CVVH for 12 hours (P ＜ O.05).Blood lactate acid concentration,heart rate,respiration rate,oxygenation index,T-lymphocytes subgroups (CD3 +,CD4 +,CD8 +,CD4 +/CD8 + ratio),clinical symptoms were improved and dose of vasoactive agent was reduced in the patients of three groups without differences among them.The counts of red blood cells,white blood cells and platelets after CPFA and CVVH showed no significant changes.There was no significant difference in blood cell counts between CPFA and CVVH groups.After HP + CVVH,there was a trend of decrease in platelet count (P ＜ 0.05).Platelet counts were significanfly higher in patients treated with CPFA and CVVH group than those in patients treated with HP + CVVH group (P ＜ 0.05).There were 6 patients died in HP + CVVH group,6 patients died in CPFA group and 5 patients died in CVVH group within 28days.Conclusions The comparison of efficacy of blood filtration among 3 modalities of HP + CVVH,CPFA and CVVH showed CPFA had higher capacity of Inflammatory medium scavenging than CVVH,and had less damage effect on blood visible component,especially on platelet compared with HP + CVVH.CPFA was an effective and safety modality in the treatment of the patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.