The clinical application of GlucoWatch used in 32 Chinese diabetic patients was evaluated to determine its value in following blood glucose trends and track patterns and to know the compliance of patient. The results confirmed the accuracy of GlucoWatch and showed that it could follow blood glucose trends and track patterns. The skin irritation was mild and most subjects thought that blood glucose monitoring by GlucoWatch could reduce the pain caused by traditional methods.

Objective The aim of this study was to observe the outcome and evaluate the clinical efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on pain management in patients with osteoporosis.MethodsA total of 58 patients with osteoporosis were treated with PEMF stimulation.Pains as main indicators of their symptom were evaluated before and after treatments.The clinical outcomes were assessed by observing the visual analogue scale (VAS).Statistical analysis was carried out to support the data.Results After PEMF treatment,the patients exhibited significant pain relief from mean VAS of 6.97±1.83 to 3.36±1.69(t-test,P＜0.05 ).Of the 58 patients,28 obtained significant symptom alleviation and 18 obtained moderate symptom alleviation,while 8 obtained slight alleviation,indicating the total clinical efficacy of 93%(54/58).Conclusion The current study provides the clinical outcomes indicating that PEMF may help to release the pain from primary osteoporosis and it might be an applicable supplementary treatment method for the osteoporosis related pain.

AIM: To observe whether metallothionein plays a role in cardiac protective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on anoxic/reperfusion (A/R) injury in cultured cardiomyocytes and study the possible mechanism of cardiac protection by bFGF.METHODS: The present study made the model of myocyte A/R injury after having a 24 h incubation by bFGF( 10-10、10-9、10-s mol/L) and bFGF( 10-9 mol/L) + PD098059 respectively. We measured the levels of MT and MDA in myocytes, and the changes of LDH and protein in cultured medium. We also counted the number of viable cell in groups. RESULTS: The contents of myocardial MT were significantly increased after treatment by bFGF. The levels of MT in I0-l0 mol/L、10-9 mol/L and 10-8 mol/L bFGF treated groups increased 54 %、 62%、 76% respectively, compared with the A/R group, and the number of viable cell were also greatly increased, LDH and protein leakage in cultured medium and MDA contents in myocyte were dramatically decreased in bFGF treated groups. All the protection were completely disappeared with the inhibition of MT production with PD098059, theinhibitor of mitogen- activated protein kinase(MAPK). CONCLUSION: MT involves in the protection of bFGF in cultured cardiomyocytes. It might be related with activation of MAPKase.

AIM: To observe whether metallothionein plays a role in cardiac protective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on anoxic/reperfusion (A/R) injury in cultured cardiomyocytes and study the possible mechanism of cardiac protection by bFGF.METHODS: The present study made the model of myocyte A/R injury after having a 24 h incubation by bFGF(10 -10、10 -9、10 -8 mol/L) and bFGF(10 -9 mol/L)+PD 098059 respectively. We measured the levels of MT and MDA in myocytes, and the changes of LDH and protein in cultured medium. We also counted the number of viable cell in groups.RESULTS: The contents of myocardial MT were significantly increased after treatment by bFGF. The levels of MT in 10 -10 mol/L、10 -9 mol/L and 10 -8 mol/L bFGF treated groups increased 54%\, 62%\, 76% respectively, compared with the A/R group, and the number of viable cell were also greatly increased, LDH and protein leakage in cultured medium and MDA contents in myocyte were dramatically decreased in bFGF treated groups. All the protection were completely disappeared with the inhibition of MT production with PD 098059, the inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK).CONCLUSION: MT involves in the protection of bFGF in cultured cardiomyocytes. It might be related with activation of MAPKase.

Objective: To enhance the dissolution rate in vitro and bioavailability in vivo of the active components of extraction of Radix Arnebiae seu Lithospermi. Methods: Solid dispersion of extract of Radix Arnebiae seu Lithospermi were prepared with solid dispersion technology, X ray diffraction and stability experiments were also carried out. Results: The dissolution rates in vitro of the active components of extraction of Radix Arnebiae seu Lithospermi solid dispersion were obviously raised and stable, and the solid dispersion was not easy to age. Conclusion: The dissolution rate in vitro of the active components in Radix Arnebiae seu Lithospermi can be inproved greatly by the solid dispersion using PVP and HPMC as a carrier.

OBJECTIVE To explore risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS The clinical data of 537 patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively in Beijing Tongren hospital from Jan 2009 to Dec 2015. Patients' gender, age, multifocal lesion, carcinoma complicated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, capsule breakthrough and tumor size were counted. RESULTS The lymph node metastasis rate of 537 patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma was 30.9%(166/537). The incidences of lymph node involvement were 24.95%(166/537) at only level VI, 5.21%(28/537) at level VI plus lateral part of neck and 0.74%(4/537) at only skip metastasis, respectively. Chi square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cervical lymph node metastasis was statistically associated with male, age<45 years, capsule breakthrough and tumor diameter>1 cm (P<0.05). After the operation, there were 17 patients with temporary hoarseness, accompanied with 1 loss to follow-up and 1 failure to return to normal after 1.5 years. There were 61 patients with temporary hypocalcemia, 2 patients failed to follow-up and 2 patients with calcium supplements after respective 1.5 and 4 years. CONCLUSION To stratify the risk of patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma, male, age<45 years, capsule breakthrough and tumor diameter>1 cm are risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis. And we suggest that prophylactic central lymph node dissection may be appropriate.

Objective To understand the status and difference of breastfeeding behavior in urban and rural areas of Southwest China.Methods From March to July in 2011,3659 infants aged 6-24 months were selected by stratified cluster randomized sampling method in urban and rural areas of three provinces of Southwest China (Sichuan,Yunnan and Guizhou),including 1801 (49.2％)infants from urban areas and 1858(50.8％) from rural areas.Basic information of these infants,their families and breastfeeding was obtained by a questionnaire for the mothers or baby-carers.Descriptive analysis and survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier method) were used to describe breastfeeding behavior.Chi-square test and Log-Rank test were used to identify the differences of breastfeeding behavior between urban and rural areas.Results Early breastfeeding initiation rate within one hour after birth was 10.7％(355/3315),and the numbers of urban and rural areas were 12.3％(198/1604) and 9.2％ (157/1711),respectively,x2 =8.691,P＜0.05.Totally,20.3％(725/3575) of all infants were initially fed by breast milk after delivery,and 25.1％ (440/1754) in urban areas and 15.7 ％ (285/1821) in rural areas,x2 =49.192,P＜0.05.The exclusive breastfeeding rate and breastfeeding rate within four months after birth were 35.5％ (27.4％ in urban and 43.6％ in rural areas,x2=88.678,P＜0.05)and 76.2％ (68.5％ in urban and 84.3％ in rural areas,x2 =124.702,P＜0.05),respectively.However,the exclusive breastfeeding rate and breastfeeding rate within six months after birth reduced to 11.3％ (7.9％ in urban and 14.4％ in rural areas,x22 =18.001,P＜0.05) and 65.0％ (54.0％ in urban and 76.3％ in rural areas,x2 =199.662,P＜0.05),respectively.The median breastfeeding duration was 8.0 months (7.0 months in urban and 9.0 months in rural areas,x2 =96.780,P＜ 0.05).The most common reason of weaning was insufficient breast milk which accounting for 48.7 ％ of families [56.9％ (1161/2385) in urban and 39.9％(462/1157) in rural areas,x2=68.840,P＜0.05].Conclusions In Southwest China,intervention program should be implemented to improve the breastfeeding status.Breastfeeding behaviors are different between urban and rural areas in Southwest China.The initiation of breastfeeding in urban area is better,but the sustainability of breastfeeding is better in rural area.

AIM: To investigate the effect of endothelin (ET), angiotensin II (AngII) and homocysteine (Hcy) on C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) synthesis and release. METHODS: Human endothelial cell was cultured; CNP was measured by radioimmunoassay method. RESULTS: ET and AngII could augment CNP synthesis in human endothelial cells. Compared with control group, 10-9,10-8,10-7 mol/L ET and Ang II increased CNP content of endothelial cells by 1%(P＞0.05), 49%(P＜0.05),117%(P＜0.01) and 137% (P＜0.01),165%(P＜0.01),201%(P＜0.01),respectively. A great dose of ET and Ang II also stimulated CNP release from cultured human endothelial cells. Hcy had no effect on CNP synthesis, but 10-9，10-8,10-7 mol/L Hcy enhanced CNP release from cultured human endothelial cells by 17%(P＞0.05),84%(P＜0.01) and 555%(P＜0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: ET, AngII and Hcy might be involved in the synthesis and release of human endothelial cell CNP.

OBJECTIVETo study retrospectively the clinical efficacy on pediatric recurrent pneumonia treated with point application in summer for the prevention in winter, as well as the relationship of age, sick duration, attack frequency and skin reaction with the clinical efficacy.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-five cases of pediatric recurrent pneumonia were divided into a one-year group, a two-year group and a three-year group, 45 cases in each one according to the duration of treatment. The acupoints for the application were Dingchuan (EX-B1), Feishu (BL 13), Gaohuang (BL 43) and Danzhong (CV 17) with the same herbal plaster (prepared with rhizome corydalis, semen brassicae, euphorbia kansui and asarum sieboldii at the ratio of 2:2:1:1) on the first day of each of the three periods of the hot season, 2 to 4 h in each treatment. The attack frequency and change rate were observed before and after treatment in the three groups. The clinical efficacy was assessed in the three groups.

RESULTS(1) After treatment, the attack frequency of pediatric pneumonia was reduced apparently in the three groups (all P < 0.01). The result in the three-year group was less than that in the one-year group and the two-year group and the change rate was the highest (all P < 0.01). (2) After treatment, the sick duration was shortened apparently in the three groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The result in the three-year group was the most remarkable, statistically and significantly different as compared with the other two groups (both P < 0.01). (3) The total effective rate in the three-year group was better than that in either of the other two groups [84.4% (35/45) vs 51.1% (23/45, P < 0.01), 84.4% (35/45) vs 71.1% (32/45, P < 0.05)]. (4) The total effective rate in the children aged from 4 to 7 years was better than that in the group aged from 8 to 10 years and the group aged from 11 to 14 years [79. 7% (47/59) vs 71.7% (33/46, P < 0.05); 79.7% (47/59) vs 43.3% (13/30, P < 0.01)]. (5) The total effective rate in the children with the sick duration ≥ 4 year was lower than that in the group with the sick duration <2 years and that 2 to 4 years (both P < 0. 01). (6) The total effective rate in the children with the annual attack frequency of 2 to 4 times was better than that with the frequency ≥ 4 times (P < 0.01). (7) For the cases with skin reaction after treatment, the total effective rate was better than that in the cases without reaction (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe point application in summer for the prevention in winter reduces the attack frequency of pediatric pneumonia, shortens the sick duration and has achieved the better significant efficacy in the cases of lower age, shorter sick duration, less attack frequency and moderate skin reaction.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Seasons ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE To study the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of Xiaoaiping injection(Xap)combined with gefitinib(Gef)in nude mice bearing resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells H460 or H975. METHODS BALB/c nude mice were inoculated with human NSLCL cells H460 or H1975 and the drug treatment did not start until the tumor volume reached 50-100 mm3. The tumor bearing mice were divided into four groups:control group,Xap group(5 g · kg-1,ip),Gef group (50 mg · kg-1,ig),and Xap plus Gef group. All the administration lasted for 21 d continuous. Tumor volumes were measured two or three times per week,and the body weight of animals was re-corded. At the end of the test,tumors were weighed after the sacrifice of mice. Tumor inhibition rate and relative tumor proliferation rate were calculated based on tumor weight and tumor volume. The related biomarkers and proteins in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay, respectively. RESULTS Compared with the control group,no significant effect was observed on the growth of H460 and H1975 xenografts in groups of Xap or Gef alone in nude mice. However,the two-drug combination significantly suppressed tumor volume,with (1103 ± 340) versus (3020 ± 450) mm3 for H460 and(487 ± 153)versus(1269 ± 161)mm3 for H1975,respectively(P<0.05). The combined Xap and Gef application also significantly reduced the tumor weight,with(1.20±0.52)versus(2.78± 0.93)g for H460 and(0.52 ± 0.32)versus(0.92 ± 0.42)g for H1975,respectively(P<0.05). The relative tumor proliferation rate and inhibition rate in the combination group was 42.1%and 43.5%for H460(P<0.01),43.0%and 52.5% for H1975(P<0.01). Compared with Xap and Gef drug alone,their combination showed significant difference in reducing tumor weight,suppressing tumor proliferation rate and increasing tumor inhibition rate(P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that each drug alone had no effect on tumor angiogenesis markers of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and CD105 expression,or on drug resistance related proteins of p-ERK,p-Akt and p-mTOR,whereas the combination of Xap and Gef obviously reduced the expression of these biomarkers in H460 and H1975 tumor tissues. The decreased drug resistance related proteins of p-PI3K and its downstream molecules p-Akt,p-ERK and p-mTOR by the two-drug combination were also confirmed by Western blot results(P<0.01,compared with control), and showed significant difference compared with each single treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION The addition of Xap significantly improves the antitumor activity of Gef in H460 and H1975 xenografts,and this synergistic effect may be ascribed to the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis,the down-regulation of PI3K and its downstream signaling molecules which are associated with drug resistance.