OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect and to explore the best opportunity of acupuncture on spontaneous facial paralysis in acute stage.

METHODSBy prospective cohort study, 80 patients were divided into an observation group (n = 59) and a control group (n = 21). The course of disease was less than 5 days in the observation group and more than 7 days in the control group and had not received acupuncture treatment. They were all treated with acupuncture at Sibai (ST 2), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6) and Cuanzhu (BL 2) etc. for 8 weeks. The facial nerve function grading (House-Brackmann, HB) and facial disable index (FDI) before treatment, 8 days after onset, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks and 3 months after treatment were evaluated.

RESULTSBoth two groups could decrease HB grading and increase FDI score (all P < 0.05), and the observation group was superior to the control group in improvement degree (all P < 0.05). The cured rate of 86.4% (51/59) in the observation group was superior to that of 76.2% (16/21) in the control group, with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the treatment time of cured patients in the observation group was shorter [(25.98 +/- 11.25) days vs (39.31 +/- 13.07) days, P < 0.01], and the incidence of sequelae of 5.1% (3/59) in the observation group was lower than that of 9.5% (2/21) in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve the therapeutic effect, shorten the treatment course and reduce the sequelae incidence of spontaneous facial paralysis in acute stage.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo probe into the feasibility of screening anti-HIV compounds by using HIV-1 p24 detection kit made by Hebei Medical University.

METHODSThe sensitivity, reproducibility and efficacy of the Hebei p24 kit were evaluated compared with the commercially available Vironostika HIV-1 Antigen Microelisa System (Biomerieux).

RESULTSHebei p24 kit had high sensitivity and good reproducibility. In vitro screening demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference (P greater than 0.05) between these two kits in assessing anti-HIV compounds.

CONCLUSIONHebei p24 kit could be used as an easily affordable alternative method for detection of HIV-1 in screening anti-HIV compounds.

Anti-HIV Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; HIV Core Protein p24 ; analysis ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; growth & development ; immunology ; Humans ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; standards ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and its significance in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 96 very low birth weight infants (gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks) who survived for more than 28 days and were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 2010 and December 2012. These subjects were divided into BPD group (n=21) and non-BPD group (n=75). The expression of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in blood was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSThe levels of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in the BPD group increased gradually from the 7th day to the 14th day and then to the 21st day after birth, and were significantly higher than in the non-BPD group at all time points (P<0.01). The TGF-β1 and PAI-1 levels in the non-BPD group on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after birth were not significantly different from each other (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in blood is elevated in premature infants with BPD, which may be associated with the development of BPD.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; etiology ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Retrospective Studies ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PDGF receptor-beta and its correlation with extracellular matrix in hepatic tissue during hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThe model of hepatic fibrosis in rats was induced by carbon tetrachloride. PDGF receptor-beta subunit, collagen I, collagen III and a-SMA in hepatic tissues of these rats were examined using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between PDGF receptor-beta subunit and collagen I, III was analyzed using SAS software after the results of immunohistochemistry were semi-quantified.

RESULTSPDGF receptor-beta subunit and a-SMA were not detected in normal controls. Collagen I and III were distributed in the portal tracts and beneath the endothelia of the central veins and of the Disse spaces. Two weeks after CCl4 injection, the PDGF receptor-beta and a-SMA were detected, and the expression of collagen I and III increased. At the end of 4 and 6 weeks, the above four proteins were further increased. Two weeks after CCl4 injection, PDGF receptor-beta had no apparent correlation with collagen I and III. However, PDGF receptor-beta had a significant correlation with collagen I and III 2 weeks later, and the correlation coefficient was 0.74 and 0.60 respectively at 4 weeks, and 0.83 and 0.67 respectively at 6 weeks. PDGF receptor-beta had a significant correlation with a-SMA during the whole process of hepatic fibrosis and the correlation coefficient was 0.62, 0.69 and 0.81, respectively at the time of 2, 4 and 6 weeks after CCl4 injection.

CONCLUSIONThe PDGF receptor-beta was overexpressed during the process of hepatic fibrosis development, and it significantly correlated with collagen I and collagen III.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To study the natural history of HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users (IDUs) detected in late 1989 in the study area and the factors related to survival of these IDUs infected with HIV. Methods 196 injecting drug users first detected during August and December, 1989 were observed in Ruili county, Yunnan province. Data gathered from the 20-year follow-up program was collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results After 20 years' follow-up period, 90.3% of the 196 IDUs with HIV infection died, 5.1% of them were still alive, and 4.6% were lost. The crude pre-AIDS mortality rate was 98.1/1000 person-years, and the AIDS mortality rate was 54.9/1000 person-years. Malaria, septicemia were the main causes of death among the natural diseases whereas overdose and accidental causes were the principal causes related to those non-disease deaths.The median survival time from sero-conversion to death was 8.6 years (95%CI: 7.6-9.7). The median survival time from sero-conversion to death due to AIDS was 11.3 years (95%CI: 10.3-12.8) with the incubation time as around 10.3 years. People older than 30 years at seroconversion and length of drug usage were associated with shorter survival time, with hazards ratios as 1.9 and 0.7, respectively.Conclusion A high pre-AIDS mortality was observed among IDUs. Both the median survival time from sero-conversion to death and the HIV incubation period were shorter than that observed in the developed countries. Age of HIV infection seemed to have a strong effect on survival.

OBJECTIVETo calculate the actual expenditures in a county of Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China by using the method of National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA) in 2010.

METHODSData were collected through NASA data collection form based on adapted NASA classification in the county of Dehong prefecture from October to December, 2011, and complemented by semi-structured interview with 16 well trained programmatic and financial representatives in 8 spending units. Data were entered in Resource Tracking Software (RTS) V 2009.3.0, and SPSS 13.0 was used for data processing and analysis.

RESULTSThe NASA estimations showed that the county spent a total of ¥16 235 954 on HIV/AIDS in 2010. Public funds constituted 96.3% of the total expenditure (¥15 630 937), followed by Global Fund which accounted for 3.0% (¥484 585) and private sources which accounted for 0.7% (¥120 432). Findings based on NASA categories showed that AIDS spendings were mainly on 4 areas, and expenditure on Care & Treatment was ¥12 401 382 (76.4% of total expenditure), followed by Prevention which accounted for 14.3% (¥2 325 707), Program Management & Administration which accounted for 7.8% (¥1 268 523) and human resources which accounted for 1.5% (¥240 342). The most beneficial population group was People Living with HIV (PLHIV), accounting for 84.7% of total expenditure. (¥13 753 428), followed by 4.8% for high risk population, including female sex workers and their partners (¥297 333), injection drug users and their partners (¥293 143), men having sex with men and their partners (¥185 136) and 1.5% (¥241 429) for the general population.

CONCLUSIONThe local funds for HIV/AIDS in this county was insufficient. The local government should increase corresponding funds based on central government funding. Care and treatment was the first spending priority in the county and the investment of prevention services needs to be increased. Prevention and treatment and care should be combined to ensure the effectiveness of comprehensive prevention and treatment of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; economics ; prevention & control ; China ; Financing, Government ; economics ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of post-discharge formula (PDF) for preterm infants, breast milk (BM) and term infant formula (TF) on increase rates of body weight, length and head circumference in preterm and low-birth-weight infants (PLBWIs) from discharge to 3 months after birth, and to provide a reference for the choice of feeding pattern for PLBWIs.

METHODSA total of 407 PLBWIs discharged from the newborn departments of ten hospitals in Guangzhou City and Foshan City in Guangdong Province, China were chosen for this study. According to feeding pattern, they were assigned to three groups: PDF-fed (n=258), BM-fed (n=58) and TF-fed (n=91). Their body weight, length and head circumference were measured at 3 months after birth, and the increase rates of growth indices relative to baseline values (at birth) were calculated and compared.

RESULTSAt 3 months after birth, the PDF-fed group had significantly greater body weight, length and head circumference than the BM-fed and TF-fed groups (P<0.05). The increase rates of body weight and length were significantly higher in the PDF-fed group than in the BM-fed and TF-fed groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with those fed with BM and TF after discharge, the PDF-fed PLBWIs have higher increase rates of body weight and length and show greater body weight and length at 3 months after birth. However, further study is needed to investigate the long-term effects.

Body Height ; Body Weight ; Breast Feeding ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; growth & development ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male

OBJECTIVETo compare efficacy differences between fire filiform needle combined with mild moxibustion and gabapentin combined with sham acupuncture for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

METHODSOne hundred cases of PHN were randomly divided into a needle group and a medicine group, 50 cases in each one. In the needle group, pricking method of fire filiform needle was given at the Ashi points, and then mild moxibustion was applied for 15 min. In the medicine group, the oral administration of gabapentin capsule and sham acupuncture at non-acupoints in the distal end of lesions were applied. The treatment was required for 21 days in both groups. The visual analogue score (VAS) was recorded before treatment and on the 1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 6th day, 9th day and 12th day of treatment. The most severity of pain within last 24 h, preset severity of pain, immediate analgesia effect and starting time of pain relief were observed, also the efficacy was assessed and improvement of symptoms was observed in the follow-up visit.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the fire filiform needle group, which was superior to 86.0% (43/50) in the medicine group (P < 0.05). Compared with medicine group, the VAS of the most severity of pain within last 24 h was obviously reduced after the 2nd treatment in the fire filiform needle group while that of present severity of pain was relieved after the 1st treatment (both P < 0.05). The immediate analgesia effect in the fire filiform needle group was obviously superior to that in the medicine group in the first three times of treatment (all P < 0.05). The average time of pain relief was (3.91 +/- 0.82) days in the fire filiform needle group, which was significantly earlier to (6.53 +/- 1.13) days in the medicine group (P < 0.05). 26 cases were cured in the fire filiform needle group in the follow-up visit, which was superior to 2 cases in the medicine group (P < 0.05). The improvement of VAS, pain range and sleep quality in the needle group were also superior to those in the medicine group (all P < 0.05). The direct medical cost in the fire filiform needle group was (232.32 +/- 48.108) yuan, which was significantly lower than (466.00 +/- 41.09) yuan in the medicine group (P < 0.05). There was only one case of adverse effect in the medicine group during the treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe fire filiform needle combined with mild moxibustion could obviously relieve the pain in PHN patients, which has superior immediate analgesia effect and pain relieving time compared with gabapentin, which also has less adverse effects and cheap cost.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo comprehensive evaluate the rationality of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) expenditure through the analysis of AIDS expenditure circumstances based on the application of National AIDS Spending Assessment in Dehong prefecture in 2010.

METHODSDemographic and economic indicators of Mang City, Yingjiang, Longchuan, Ruili City, Lianghe and Wanting zone in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province were collected from the reports issued by Dehong Statistical Bureau of 2010, and HIV/AIDS epidemic indicators were collected from the annual report of national AIDS prevention and control data.NASA method was used to analyze the actual spending and demand index was used to calculate the demand of AIDS funding in these counties (cities). The correlations between HIV/AIDS expenditures and demographic, economic and HIV/AIDS epidemic index were analyzed, respectively, as well as the correlation between the expenditures of AIDS prevention and control and proportion of major transmission approaches.

RESULTSIn 2010, the actual expenditures on HIV/AIDS in the 5 counties (cities) of Dehong prefecture was ¥28 752 772, the population was 1 211 400, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was ¥11 693. The intervention expenditures in injection drug users, sexually transmitted people, and prevention of mother to child transmission in Ruili county were ¥130 345, ¥71 484 and ¥164 100, the proportions of HIV transmission in these groups were 23.9% (49/205), 73.7% (151/205), and 0.5% (1/205), respectively; and in Lianghe county was ¥141 665, ¥257 142, and ¥99 961, and the proportions of HIV transmission were 17.1% (6/35), 80.0% (28/35) and 0.0% (0/35), respectively. The intervention expenditures in Ruili and Lianghe counties were positive related to the proportion of corresponding people with HIV infection (both r values were 0.99, all P values < 0.05). In the other 4 counties (cities) and the development zone, no correlations. The expenditures of government departments, international projects, domestic research programs and personal and family pays (r value were 0.94, 0.83, 0.99 and 0.88, respectively, all P values < 0.05) were positive related to the number.Except the personal and family pays, other sources of expenditures were all positive related to the number of reported HIV/AIDS cases (r values were 0.94, 0.89 and 0.81, respectively, all P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPopulation and HIV/AIDS epidemic index were considered as factors in AIDS spending. The expenditures corresponded with the demand of different areas basically.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; economics ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; China ; epidemiology ; Health Expenditures ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore a new method for finding more HIV/AIDS.

METHODSIn September 2009, newly reported HIV-infected individuals from May to August, 2009 in Dehong prefecture were asked to participate in a survey which requested demographic characteristics, history of high-risk behaviors and contact information of individuals with whom they had high risky contacts. People with risky contacts with HIV-infected cases (index cases) were also approached to participate in this survey and HIV testing was provided.

RESULTSA total of 342 HIV-infected individuals were newly reported and served as index cases from May to August, 2009. Among them, 47.1% (161/342) were transmitted by regular sexual partners. Through three-round surveys, 218 contacts were traced and among them, 84.9% (185/218) were traced by regular heterosexual partners. HIV positive rate of the tested was 34.7% (60/173) in the first-round tracing and 12.5% (1/8) in the second one. Among the 560 individuals (index cases and their high-risk contacts), the proportions of having regular heterosexual partners, non-regular and non-commercial sexual partners, commercial sexual heterosexual partners and men having sex men were 87.9% (492/560), 18.9% (106/560), 22.3% (125/560) and 0.3% (1/318), respectively, while the proportion of having never used condoms when having sex with the above four types sexual partners were 73.8% (363/492), 72.6% (77/106), 63.2% (79/125) and 0.0% (0/1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONAs an epidemiological method for HIV/AIDS finding, contact tracing identified a large number of HIV infectors who were traced by newly reported HIV-infected individuals.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Contact Tracing ; methods ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult