Humans ; Organometallic Compounds ; chemistry ; metabolism ; toxicity

Objective To explore the best time point for the ipsilateral hepatocellular apoptosis and the contralateraI hepatic hypertrophy after selective portal vein embolization(SPVE)in rabbit.Methods In a randomized study design,forty rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 8 rabbits per-group,including one as the control and the other 4 were treated with SPVE during open surgery.The rabbits were killed postoperatively,in 3,7,14,21 days respectively after the embolization.The hepatic lobes volume,the ipsilateral hepatocellular necrosis rates and apoptosis index,and liver functions were determined as well. Results In the treatment groups,the average amount of the right liver volumes decreased from 46.4 cm~3 preoperatively to 46.0,44.4,42.0,39.7 cm~3 in groups of 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively;meanwhile,the left liver volumes increased from 54.0 cm~3 preoperatively to 54.5,56.3,61.7,63.9 cm~3 respectively during 3, 7,14,21 days after the procedures.The rates of future remaining live volumes(FRLV)increased from 53.8% preoperatively to 54.2%,55.9%,59.0%,61.0% at 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively.The apoptosis indexes of hepatocells from group A to E were 8.1%,12.2%,19.4%,20.1%,14.2% respectively.Conclusions SPVE leads to atrophy of the ipsilateral hepatic lobe and hypertrophy of contralateral lobe,indicating that hepatocytes undergone apoptosis,rather than necrosis.The time point is 7 to 14 days.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of sepsis patients.

METHODSNinety sepsis patients were assigned to the control group, the thymosin a1 group, and the acupuncture treatment group according to random digit table, 30 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated according to the guideline of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Patients in the control group received routine treatment. Those in the thymosin alpha1 group additionally received subdermal injection of thymosin alpha1 (1.6 mg), once per day for 6 successive days. Needling at related points such as Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Neiguan (PC6), Guanyuan (RN4), and so on, was performed in patients of the acupuncture treatment group, once per day for 6 successive days. T cell subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ /CD8+) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) were detected. The length of ICU hospital stay, hospital readmission rate, and 28-day mortality were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter six days of treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of three groups were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Of them, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, and IgM increased more significantly in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the ICU hospitalization length was significantly shortened, the hospital readmission rate and the 28-day mortality were lower in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index between the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could adjust the immune function of sepsis patients, improve their immunological indicators and prognoses.

Acupuncture Therapy ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Prognosis ; Sepsis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 patients who were diagnosed as AHF were assigned to the acupuncture group and the control group, 30 in each group. Those in the control group received inotropic agents, preload and afterload reducing therapy, anti-infection and so on. Besides, those in the acupuncture group received needling at relative points, once daily for 5 consecutive days. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SI), left ventricle working index (LCWI) were monitored by thermodilution pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) technique. Changes of the aforesaid data were compared between before and after treatment. The ICU length of stay, readmission rate,and the 28-day mortality were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 5 days of the treatment, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously (P < 0.01), HR and MAP decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Of them, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).There was no obvious difference in HR or MAP between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the first day of admission in the same group, CI, SI, and LCWI obviously increased in the acupuncture group from the second day (P < 0.05). HR started to decrease since the fourth day (P < 0.05), and MAP began to decrease until the fifth day (P < 0.05). CI, SI, and LCWI started to increase in the control group from the third day (P < 0.05); HR and MAP both began to decrease since the fifth day (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the ICU length of stay was obviously shortened in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The readmission rate and the 28-day mortality rate were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of acupuncture and Western medical therapy might strengthen acute heart failure patients' heart functions, elevate the therapeutic effect, and improve the prognosis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke Volume

Professor LI Zhi-dao's acupuncture technique at muscle belly and its clinical experiences for the treatment of arthralgia are introduced. From aspects of TCM, anatomical physiology and sports biomechanics, the theory basis of this technique is explained, while its method is elaborated in details from acupoint selection and manipulation combined with classic medical cases. The acupuncture technique at muscle belly is applied at the muscles which already have pathological changes, avoiding re-stimulation on the pain area. It provides new thinking methods and references for acupuncture to treat arthralgia.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthralgia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To explore the effects on dogs' testis by microbubbles excitated by ultrasound.Methods Sixteen male dogs were divided into 3 groups randomly.Pulsed ultrasound irradiation and intravenous microbubbles injection were both applied in the microbubble enhanced ultrasound group (MEUS),pulsed ultrasound irradiation and intravenous microbubbles injection were individually applied in the ultrasound group (TUS) and the simple microbubbles group (MB).Results In MEUS group,the layers of seminiferous tubules decreased and the germ cells were arranged disorderly and bubbles appeared in the cells.The appearances of focal ultra-structural damage such as intercellular space widening,baseline broken and tight-connection of sustentacular cells disappearing were observed by transmission electron microscope,which were slightly or hardly demonstrated in other groups.Conclusions Microbubbles excitated by ultrasound can affect testicular germ cells and the integrity of bloold-testis harrier,which providing new train of thought of target treatments of testis diseases.

Objective To describe our experience in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP)for incidental prostate cancer after TURP. Methods From April 2007 to July 2010, 5 patients with incidental prostate cancer after TURP were treated with a mean age of 73 years. The patients underwent LRP (2.8± 1.1) months after TURP. Results The five cases of LRP were performed successfully, with 1 case of transperitoneal approach and 4 cases of extraperitoneal approach. Mean operation time was (227.6±38.4) min, mean blood loss was (130±152.5) ml, and the mean follow-up was (16.1 ± 15.9) months. All five patients survived, and their urinary function was good without any incontinence. Conclusions Previous TURP represents a technical challenge when performing LRP, but highly skilled surgeons trained to perform LRPs can handle it.

Objective To observe the parameters and effect of endocardial pacing by steel wire electrode cardiac puncture on heart with normal beat in living animal, and evaluate its safety.Methods After anaesthesia and thoracotomy in 6 living dogs with normal heart beat, the pericardia were excised. Steel wire electrodes with annular or hook tips were used respectively at right ventricular 4 corresponding spots to perform cardiac puncture endocardiac pacing (each dog experienced 8 times of puncture); the time from puncture to effective pacing, pacing parameter and puncture complication (time and quantity of bleeding) of each electrode at each spot were recorded. Finally, the two types of electrode completed 24 times of manipulation respectively; the data collected of the two types were compared. Results The cardiac pacing successful rates in the two groups were 100%; the time taken from the beginning of heart puncture to effective pacing in annular tip group was less than that in hook tip group, but the time difference between the two groups showed no statistical significance (s: 18.4±2.3 vs. 19.6±4.1,P > 0.05). The parameters of pacing in the annular tip group, such as operation time (s: 18.4±2.3 vs. 19.6±4.1), the threshold value of pacing (V: 2.1±0.2 vs. 2.2±0.8), the amplitude of R wave sensed (mV: 11.3±3.2 vs. 12.6±4.1) and the impedance of electrode (Ω: 674.2±89.7 vs. 668.5±101.3) were not significantly different compared with those in the hook tip group (allP > 0.05). Either after puncture or after the electrodes were taken out, the time of bleeding [after puncture (minutes): 4.4±2.3 vs. 4.5±3.1, after the electrodes taken out (minutes): 4.1±2.2 vs. 4.8±2.5] and the volume of bleeding [after puncture (mL): 2.8±2.4 vs. 3.2±3.5, after the electrodes taken out (mL): 3.3±1.7 vs. 3.5±2.6] were not significantly different between the two groups (allP > 0.05).Conclusions In living dogs with normal heart beat, the manipulation and function of endocardiac pacing by cardiac puncture with either steel wire annular or hook tip electrode are well and effective, and the performance is simple and safe without any serious myocardial injury and complication. Thus, it is helpful to quickly establish efficient endocardiac pacing in emergency cases.

Objective To analyze effects of antithymocyte globulin(ATG) in preventing the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease(GVHD) in allogeneic stem cells transplantation. Methods Twenty-seven patients with leukemia were divided into two groups.The source of the transplantation donor and the type of acute leukemia were similar between the two groups,including HLA-sibling donors,HLA-unrelated donors and HLA-haploidentical donors.The 12 patients in group A adopted the classic method(CsA + MTX) to prevent GVHD.The 15 patients in group B adopted CsA + MTX +ATG to prevent the occurrence of GVHD. Results The 15 patients in group B have been all survived.Four of them presented Ⅱ0 acute GVHD(aGVHD),while the rest 11 patients only presented Ⅰ0 GVHD in approximately 30 d after transplantation with control very soon.In group A,Ⅳ? ultra-acute GVHD occurred in 3 HLA-haploidentical patients at day 7,9 and 10 after transplantation.One HLA-unrelated patient presented Ⅲ? aGVHD.The 4 patients above mentioned died due to pulmonary infection secondary to severe GVHD.The rest 8 HLA-sibling patients presented Ⅱ?-Ⅲ? aGVHD. ConclusionUsing ATG before allogeneic stem cells transplantation can efficiently prevent the occurrence of GVHD or relieve its severity.It can significantly diminish the transplantation related mortality rate.

The poor survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) compromises the efficacy of stem cell therapy.Growth factor deprivation is one of the important factors that have challenged the survival of donor MSCs in cell therapy.In this study,the aim was to evaluate the effect of serum deprivation on the cell death of MSCs and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.Apoptosis of MSCs was evaluated with Hoechst 33342/PI staining.Signaling pathways involved in serum-deprivation induced apoptosis were analyzed using Western blotting.The results revealed that serum deprivation induced apoptosis in MSCs within 72 h of treatment.Serum deprivation was shown to lead to protein expression alterations in Bax,Bcl-2,casepase-3,casepase-8,GRP78,and CHOP during experiments.The data suggested that the mitochondria death pathway,the extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the endoplastic reticulum(ER) stress pathway were all involved in MSCs apoptosis.The increase in expression of CHOP and the simultaneous decrease in Bcl-2 expression suggest a synergistic effect in apoptosis induction in both the mitochondrion and the ER.