OBJECTIVETo compare differences of therapeutic effect between acupuncture method of tonifying-qi and dredging-meridian and conventional acupuncture method.

METHODSSeventy cases of blepharospasm were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each one. Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yuwei (Extra) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Xinming 1 (Extra), Sibai (ST 2) and Yintang (GV 29) were selected as main acupoints. The acupuncture method of tonifying-qi and dredging-meridian was applied in the observation group, which was an acupuncture manipulation that could achieve strong needling sensation of qi arrival combined with electric-impulse stimulation. The conventional acupuncture method was applied in the control group. The treatment was given once every other day, 10 times as a session for continuous three sessions in both groups. The severity of blepharospasm was compared before and after treatment in two groups and clinical therapeutic effect was assessed. Follow-up visit was performed after half a year to observe the recurrence rate.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate was 77.1% (27/35) in the observation group, which was superior to 51.4% (18/35) in the control group (P < 0.05). Among cured and markedly effective patients in both groups, the recurrence rate was 20.0% (4/20) in the observation group, which was inferior to 54.5% (6/11) in the control group (P < 0.05) in the follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture method of tonifying-qi and dredging-meridian could effectively improve severity of blepharospasm, which has superior short-term and long-term effects to conventional acupuncture method.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Blepharospasm ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the surgical treatment and CT diagnosis of retroperitoneal paraganglioma.Methods Clinical data,CT image and surgical treatment of 17 cases diagnosed as retroperitoneal paraganglioma were analyzed retrospectively.Results In CT scan,tumors were singular and located around the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava in 13 cases,while in the other 4 cases tumors were located in the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity.The masses were oval shaped,varied in size and the margins were clear.Most mass had integral capsule.The density were uneven and the low density area didn't have enhancement in contrast enhancement CT.All of the 17 patients received complete tumor resection in which 13 cases were pathologically diagnosed as benign,4 cases was boundary or low malignant and 3 cases received second operation for recurrence.Conclusion CT is helpful in diagnosis and locating retroperitoneal paraganglioma.Surgical resection is effective and satisfactory.

Adult ; Burns ; etiology ; mortality ; China ; epidemiology ; Coal Mining ; Explosions ; Female ; Gases ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on GSKbeta/IDE signal transduction pathway and Abeta protein secretion in hippocampal neurons of high glucose-treated rats.

METHODHippocampal neurons of 24 h-old newly born SD rats were primarily cultured, inoculated in culture medium under different conditions, and then divided into the normal group, the high glucose group, the LiCl group and the Rb1 group. After being cultured for 72 h, the expressions of their phosphorylated GSK3beta, total GSK3beta and IDE protein were detected by Western blotting analysis. The mRNA expressions of GSK3beta and IDE were determined by RT-PCR. The ELISA assay was used to detect the secretion of Abeta protein in cell supernatant.

RESULTCompared with the normal group, the high glucose group showed increase in the p/tGSK3beta protein ratio and the secretion of Abeta protein and decrease in IDE protein and mRNA (P < 0.05). Compared with the high glucose group, both Rb1 and LiCl groups showed decrease in the p/tGSK3beta protein ratio and the expression of Abeta protein and increase in IDE protein and mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Compared with the LiCl group, the Rb1 group showed no significant difference in the expressions of p/tGSK3beta protein, IDE protein, mRNA and Abeta protein expression. In addition, the GSK3beta mRNA expression of the four groups had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rb1 may reduce the secretion of Abeta protein in hippocampal neurons by reducing the phosphorylation of GSK3beta, down-regulating the ratio of pGSK3beta/GSK3beta and upregulating the expression of IDE.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; secretion ; Animals ; Dietary Carbohydrates ; adverse effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulysin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Inhalation ; etiology ; therapy ; Explosions ; Female ; Gases ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective · To investigate the correlation between proportion of natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) and liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods · Peripheral blood samples were collected from 65 patients with chronic HBV infection and 10 healthy volunteers (HCs group). Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of peripheral NK cells and DCs. The patient were divided into asymptomatic HBV carrier (AsCs) group, chronic hepatitis B in low or moderate grade (CHB-LM) group, and chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB)group.The relationship of the proportion of NK cells, the proportion of DCs, and the ratio of NK/DC with the degree of liver injury was analyzed. Results · The proportion of peripheral NK cells was significantly lower in CHB-LM group (9.29%±1.20%) and CSHB group (3.60%±0.79%) than that in HCs group (14.77%±2.90%) and AsCs group (14.05%±2.32%) (P=0.000). And the proportion of peripheral DCs was significantly higher in CHB-LM group (4.10%±1.18%) than that in HCs (1.67%±0.31%), AsCs (2.05%±0.46%) and CSHB groups (2.08%±0.41%) (P=0.000). The ratio of NK/DC was decreased in CSHB and CHB-LM groups compared to that in HCs and AsCs groups (P=0.000). The correlation analysis indicated the proportion of NK cells was negatively correlated with the levels of ALT, AST, TB and DB (r=-0.50, r=-0.49, r=-0.53, r=-0.51, P=0.000 for all) in patients with chronic HBV infection. Conclusion · The proportion of peripheral NK cells and the ratio of NK/DC in patients with chronic hepatitis B were decreased. The decrease of the frequency of NK cells and the ratio of NK/DC were associated with liver injury in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Objective To investigate the effects of genistein(GEN) on the expression of collagen I and transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1 ) of osteoblast.Method The secondary generation of skull osteoblast of newborn SD rat was incubated with GEN.The cells were divided into six groups:control group,different dose of GEN(10-8,10-7,10-6,10-5mol/L,respectively) groups and E2 group( 10-10mol/L).MTT(OD),the contents of cell protein,the activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),the expression of collagen I and the content of TGF-?1 were detected.Results After 48h and 72h,the MTT(OD) of all GEN group and E2 group were significantly higher than those in control group.The MTT(OD) of control group and 10-8,10-7,10-6mol/L GEN groups in 72h were significantly higher than those in 48 h.The protein of 10-5,10-6 mol/L GEN group and E2 group were significantly higher than those in control group.The ALP activity of all GEN groups and E2 group were significantly higher than those in control group.The level of above indices were correlated with the dose of GEN.The expression of collagen I and the content of TGF-?1 in 10-7,10-6,10-5mol/L GEN group and E2 groups were higher than those in control group.They werecorrelated with the dose of GEN and TGF-?1.Conclusion GEN could stimulate proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast,and enhance the expression of collagen I and content of TGF?-1.Compared with E2,,there were similar effects with the higher dosage of GEN.

Objective:Analyze the influence of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization on circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and circulating endothelial precursors (CEPs).Methods:CECs and CEPs were enumerated in 68 tumor patients and 15 healthy controls by 3-color flow cytometry. 11 cases underwent PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell) mobilization by combination chemotherapy and G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor).Results:CECs and CEPs in tumor patients were 0.378%?0.103% and 0.059%?0.013% respectively,which were higher than that of normal controls.CECs/CEPs in peripheral blood (PB) were increased after G-CSF mobilization.Conclusion:Hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors can be mobilized into the PB by treatment with growth factor G-CSF.

Objective:To observe ability of DC vaccine transfected with tumor cell total RNA to induce specific antitumor immunity in lung cancer patients in vitro.Methods:DCs were generated from lung cancer patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC).Total RNA was isolated from lung cancer tumor cell line Calu-6 by Trizol.Autologous DCs transfected with Calu-6 total RNA by liposome were used to induce specific CTL proliferation.Specific cytotoxicity and IFN-? secretion were measured by LDH assay and ELISA method.Results:Transfected DCs exhibited dramatically increased expression of specific membrane markers and function-associated molecules,and were more potent in stimulating allogenous or autologous T cell proliferation than that of control DCs.Specific CTLs induced by transfected DCs showed higher cytotoxicity than LAK against Calu-6 antigens positive target cells.When sensitized lymphocytes were restimulated by transfected DCs again,IFN-? secretion enhanced significantly.Conclusion:Lung cancer patient's autologous DCs transfected with tumor total RNA are effective vaccines in stimulating specific antitumor T-cell immunity in vitro.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can infect the roots of Cercidiphyllaceae and form arbuscular mycorrhizae.Infection rate is from 12% to 30%,but infection strength is weak.4 species of Acaulospora and 11 species of Glomus were isolated and identified,including Acaulospora tuberculata,A.spinosa,A.foveata,A.denticulate,Glomus geosporum,G.clarum,G.constrictum,G.monosporum,G.laroideum,G.versifome,G.microcarpum,G.mosseae,G.hoi,G.halonatum and G.reticulatum.Among them,G.cercidiphyllorum is advantage species.So AMF may be a potent resource of biology which can stimulate the growth of Panax notoginseng.