It has been over 30 years that acupuncture was first introduced and later used to treat patients in Eritrea. There are acupuncture clinics at three hospitals to treat various common diseases. As one of the valuable treatments to cure diseases, acupuncture has been accepted by the government and the public in Eritrea. It is the fruits of public recognition, government support and the devotion of Chinese clinic practitioners.
Acupuncture ; trends ; Acupuncture Therapy ; trends ; Eritrea ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of MSCT in the pre-operative N-staging and diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in each group of gastric cancer.Methods Pathological and CT data of 91 patients with gastric cancer proved by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Three-phase dynamic enhancements were performed before surgery in a unified way of hypotonic oral water,N-stage and grouping of lymph nodes of the preoperative CT imaging were evaluated by using the established diagnostic criteria and then compared with the results of surgery and pathology,the accuracy of staging and grouping was analyzed by using Kappa test.Results The accuracy of MSCT diagnosing the N-staging as a whole was 86.3%.The accuracy for N0,N1,N2 and N3 was 83.5%,89.0%,83.5% and 89.0%,respectively.The sensitivity was 86.5%,83.3%,50% and 47.4%,respectively.The specificity was 79.5%,89.4%,89.6% and 100.0%, respectively.The sensitivity for N0 was statistically different from that for N2, N0 and N3(P≤0.007).The detected accuracy for the group of left side of the cardium (No.2), periphery of the splenic hilum (No.10), posterior of the pancreastic head (No.13) were higher than other groups on MSCT with the accuracyof 100%.The sensitivity for the group of No.2,periphery of the coeliac trunk(No.9),No.10,and No.13 was 100%.The specificity for the group of No.2,No.10,and No.13 was 98.9%.Conclusion Relatively high accuracy in the preoperative N-staging and diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in each group of gastric cancer can be obtained by MSCT, which provide reliable information for preoperative assessment and intraoperative lymph node dissections.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at local points plus point injection on House-Brackmann facial nerve function classification grade (H-B) and facial disability index (FDI) in pregnant women with Bell palsy (BP). Methods:A total of 40 eligible BP patients during pregnancy were randomized into a treatment group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The treatment group was intervened by EA at Sizhukong (TE 23), Tongziliao (GB 1), Sibai (ST 2), Quanliao (SI 18), Yifeng (TE 17), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6) and point injection at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) on the affected side, 30 min every time, 10 sessions as a course, for 2 courses in total while control group by EA with the same points, manipulation and courses as the treatment group. Results:After the treatment, the H-B classification in the treatment group was better than that in the control group, with a significant inter-group difference (P<0.05); after the treatment, the change of FDI score in the treatment group was significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:EA at local points plus point injection can produce a more significant efficacy than EA in the treatment of BP during pregnancy.

Objective To study antimicrobial resistance and genotyping of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus au-reus(MRSA). Methods A total of 967 no-repetitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)isolated from a hospital between January 2014 and November 2015 were collected,antimicrobial susceptibility testing,mecA gene,and Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene(PVL gene)were detected;staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec)typing,multilocus sequence typing(MLST),S.aureus protein A(spa)gene typing,and S.aureus ac-cessory gene regulator(agr)typing were performed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results Of 967 strains of S.aureus,210(21.72%)were MRSA;detection rate of MRSA from sputum specimen was higher than that of skin and soft tissue specimen(68.09% vs 1 1.83% ,P<0.05);vancomycin- and linezolid-resistant S.aureus strains were not found,susceptibility rates of MRSA to gentamicin,tetracycline,erythromycin,clindamycin,levo-floxacin,ciprofloxacin,moxifloxacin,nitrofurantoin,and rifampicin were all lower than those of methicillin-sensi-tive Staphylococcus aureus(MSSA),differences were all statistically significant(all P<0.05);antimicrobial sus-ceptibility rate of MRSA to compound sulfamethoxazole was higher than MSSA,difference was significant(P<0.05). Susceptibility rates of MRSA isolated from skin and soft tissue to gentamicin,levofloxacin,ciprofloxacin,moxifloxacin,and rifampicin were 86.90% -95.24%,while MRSA isolated from sputum were only 1.56% -15.63%.Of 967 strains of S.aureus,210 harbored mecA gene,10 harbored PVL gene,8(3.81%)of 210 MRSA strains weren't typed. The main types of MLST,SCCmec,spa,and agr were ST 239(n= 177 strains),type Ⅲ(n= 177 strains),t 030(n= 177 strains),and typeⅠ(n= 196 strains)respectively.Conclusion The main epidemic clone of MRSA strain in this hospital is ST239-MRSA-SCCmec III-t030,antimicrobial resistance is serious,monitoring on drug-resistant strains in hospital should be strengthened.

BACKGROUNDOxidative Stress and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) play a vital role in renal fibrosis. Pioglitazone can protect kidney but the underlying mechanisms are less clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on oxidative stress and whether the severity of oxidative stress was associated with the phosphorylation level of p38MAPK.

METHODSRat mesangial cells were cultured and randomly assigned to control group, high glucose group and pioglitazone group. After 48-hour exposure, the supernatants and cells were collected. The protein levels of p22(phox), p47(phox), phosphorylated p38MAPK, total p38MAPK were measured by Western blotting. The gene expressions of p22(phox), p47(phox) were detected by RT-PCR. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) in the supernatant were determined respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the expression levels of p22(phox), p47(phox), phospho-p38 and ROS significantly increased, activity of SOD decreased in high glucose group, while the level of MDA greatly increased (P < 0.01). Pioglitazone significantly suppressed p22(phox), p47(phox) expressions and oxidative stress induced by high glucose. The expressions of p22(phox), p47(phox), phospho-p38MAPK and ROS generation were markedly reduced after pioglitazone treatment (P < 0.05). The activity of SOD in the the supernatant increased (P < 0.05), while the level of MDA decreased greatly by pioglitazone (P < 0.05). The level of oxidative stress was associated with the phosphorylation level of p38MAPK (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPioglitazone can inhibit oxidative stress through suppressing NADPH oxidase expression and p38MAPK phosphorylation.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; enzymology ; NADPH Oxidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct an eukaryotic expression vector for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 165 gene and obtain VEGF expression in rat bladder smooth muscle cells.

METHODSVEGF165 cDNA was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(-), and the resultant recombinant vector pcDNA3.1(-)/VEGF165 was transfected into the rat bladder smooth muscle cells by electroporation. VEGF expression in the cells was determined by RT-PCR and immunofluoresence assay, and the biological activity of VEGF in the supernant of the transinfected cell culture was tested by MTT assay.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONVEGF expression was obtained in the transinfected cells, and the supernant of the transinfected cell cultures stimulated the proliferation of the endothelial cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Molecular ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Urinary Bladder ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that regenerated silk fibroin film can promote pcDNA3.0-vascular endothelial growth factor 165(rEGF165) transfected L929 cells to express VEGF.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of regenerated silk fibroin film on expression of cytokines related to angiogenesis in the fibroblasts transfected by adenovirus mediated-VEGF165(Ad-VEGF165).DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:ontrolled observational cell gene engineering experiment performed by analysis of variance at the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology,Soochow University between November 2007 and ApriJ 2008.MATERIALS:Regenerated silk fibroin film was provided by Professor Li Ming-zhong,who was from Department of Material Science and Engineering,Soochow University.METHODS:The QBI-293A and WI-38 fibroblasts cultured on the regenerated silk fibroin film.polyvinyl chloride film and (Ad-GFP)and treated by phosphate buffered saline(PBS)for controls.MAlN OUTCOME MEASURES:VEGF mRNA was detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR);the expression levels of VEGF,angiogenin 1(Ang 1),fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2),and platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)were detected by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS:The VEGF mRNA expression in the fibroblasts cultured on the regenerated silk fibroin film was increased but that in the fibroblasts cultured on the polyvinyl chloride film was signifcantly decreased(P<0.05).ELISA results demonstrated that not only VEGF gene expression in 293A and WI-38 cells transfected bv Ad-VEGF165 cultured on regenerated silk fibroin film was high,but also Ang 1 expression increased significantly(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the expression levels of FGF2 and PDGF were normalin the fibroblasts cultured on the regenerated silk fibroin film.CONCLUSION:Adenovirus vector can be effciently transfected into fibroblasts cultured on the regenerated silk fibroin film and can express VEGF and Ang 1 protein with highly biological activity,which accelerates angiogenesis.Regenerated silk fibroin film also can maintain the normal expression levels of FGF2 and PDGF,which ale related to wound healing.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the immunogenicities of Poria cocos polysaccharides, PCP-Ⅰand PCP-Ⅱ, as a vaccine adjuvant. METHODS ①Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) was linked to PCP-Ⅰor PCP-Ⅱrespectively to prepare immuno-antigen KLH-PCP-Ⅰor KLH-PCP-Ⅱ. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was also linked to PCP-Ⅰor PCP-Ⅱrespectively to prepare screening-antigen. Rabbits were immunized with KLH-PCP-Ⅰor KLH-PCP-Ⅱplus Freund adjuvant by intradermal injection twice, and serum specific antibody titers were determined by ELISA. ②BALB/c mice were immunized with PCP-Ⅰ or PCP-Ⅱ alone intramuscularly twice, and serum polysaccharide antibody titers were determined by ELISA.③BALB/c mice were co-immunized intramuscularly or subcutaneously with PCP-Ⅰor PCP-Ⅱplus hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus inactivated vaccine (PRRSV) twice, and serum polysaccharide-antibody titers were determined by ELISA. RESULTS ①Serum anti-KLH and anti-polysaccharides (PCP-Ⅰor PCP-Ⅱ) antibodies were pro?duced after rabbits were immunized with KLH-PCP-Ⅰor KLH-PCP-Ⅱplus Freund adjuvant twice.②Serum anti-PCP-Ⅰor anti-PCP-Ⅱantibodies were not found after mice were immunized with PCP-Ⅰand PCP-Ⅱalone twice.③After mice were immunized with HBsAg or PRRSV plus PCP-Ⅰor PCP-Ⅱtwice, serum anti-PCP-Ⅰor anti-PCP-Ⅱantibodies were not found. CONCLUSION PCP-Ⅰand PCP-Ⅱshow weak immunogenicity, which may be quite safe as a vaccine adjuvant.

The deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin specific peptidase 15 (USP15) is regarded as a regulator of TGFβ signaling pathway. This process depends on Smad7, the inhibitory factor of the TGFβ signal, and type I TGFβ receptor (TβR-I), one of the receptors of TGFβ. The expression level of USP15 seems to play vital roles in the pathogenesis of many neoplasms, but so far there has been no report about USP15 in psoriasis. In this study, immunohistochemical staining of USP15, TβR-I and Smad7 was performed in 30 paraffin-embedded psoriasis specimens and 10 normal specimens to investigate the expression of USP15, TβR-I and Smad7 in psoriasis and to explore the relevance among them. And USP15 small interfering RNA (USP15 siRNA) was used to transfect Hacat cells to detect the mRNA expression of TβR-I and Smad7. Of 30 cases of psoriasis in active stage, 28, 24 and 26 cases were positive for USP15, TβR-I and Smad7 staining, respectively. The positive rates of USP15 and Smad7 were significantly higher in psoriasis specimens than in normal skin specimens (44.1%±26.0% vs. 6.1%±6.6%, 47.2%±27.1% vs. 6.6%±7.1%), and positive rate of TβR-I (20.3%±22.2%) in psoriasis was lower than that in normal skin specimens (46.7%±18.2%). There was a significant positive correlation between USP15 and Smad7 expression, and significant negative correlations between USP15 and TβR-expression, an I d between TβR- and Smad7 expression I in psoriasis. After transfection of USP15 siRNA in Hacat cells, the expression of TβR-mRNA was up I -regulated and that of Smad7 was down-regulated. It is concluded that USP15 may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis through regulating the TβR-I/Smad7 pathway and there may be other cell signaling pathways interacting with USP15 to take part in the development of psoriasis.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of some risk factor,such as blood calcium serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hemoglobin (Hb) for predicting or diagnosing bone metastases from urinary bladder neoplasms.Methods A total of 35 patients diagnosed as urinary bladder neoplasms and bone metastasis based on the histopathologic analysis (bone metastasis group,BM),and 105 cases of age-,sex-and follow-up time matched urinary bladder neoplasms patients without bone metastasis (non bone metastasis group,NBM) were included in present study.The correlations between clinical-pathological parameters (blood calcium,ALP,Hb) and bone metastases from urinary bladder neoplasms were analyzed and the risk factors for predicting or diagnosing bone metastases were identified.Results The levels of blood calcium,ALP and Hb were significantly higher at first diagnosis and follow-up period in BM group than in NBM group (P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the levels of calcium,ALP and Hb at first diagnosis were the independent risk factors for predicting the later incidence of bone metastases (P＜0.05).The levels of calcium,ALP and Hb in follow-up period were the independent risk factors for diagnosing bone metastases (P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis showed that the levels of calcium,ALP,Hb may give a more accurate prediction on bone metastases (AUC:0.615,0.704,0.692;cut-off:2.55mmol/L,97.0U/L,101.5g/L,respectively) or diagnosing bone metastases (AUC:0.706,0.776,0.829;cut-off:2.46mmol/L,112.5U/L,103.5g/L,respectively).Conclusion The levels of blood calcium,ALP and Hb may be used to predict the risk of bone metastases for patients firstly diagnosed as urinary bladder neoplasms,and predict whether the patients will be complicated with bone metastases during follow-up period.