China ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; prevention & control ; Hearing Tests ; standards ; Humans ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; legislation & jurisprudence ; prevention & control ; Occupational Diseases ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvements in constipation differentiated as intestine system syndrome and lung system syndrome treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and explore their correlation.

METHODSSeventy cases of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a pseudo-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, the needles were inserted deeply at Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) on bilateral sides, and directly went to parietal peritoneum. EA was attached to the needles, dense-disperse wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz, and 0.1 to 1.0 mA. The perpendicular insertion was done at Shangjuxu (ST 37), 25 mm in depth. After qi arrival, the needle was lifted, thrusted and rotated once every 10 min, for 3 times totally. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the pseudo-EA group, the pseudo-points lateral to Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) on bilateral sides were punctured shallowly. The electric stimulation was pretended to connect but with the electric wire cutting off. The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given 5 times weekly in the first two weeks and 3 times weekly in the later 6 weeks. Totally, 28 treatments were required. TCM intestine and lung syndrome scale was used for evaluation. The changes in TCM syndromes were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe total score of intestine and lung syndrome and the score of individual syndrome were all reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01). The improvements of the EA group in the total score of intestine system syndrome, the scores of large. intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome, the total score of lung system syndrome and the score of lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending syndrome were superior to those of the pseudo-EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences in the scores of lung qi deficiency syndrome and throat syndrome were not significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). Simultaneously, the very strong positive correlation (P<0.01) and positive linear correlation (P<0.01) were presented in the total score of intestine and lung syndrome of the two groups.

CONCLUSIONEA obviously improves in intestine system syndrome (including large intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome), as well as lung system syndrome (lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending) in the treatment of constipation. But the improvements are not apparent in the treatment of lung qi deficiency and throat disorder. Additionally, the obvious correlation is displayed in the improvements in intestine and lung syndrome.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To establish a three- dimensional hindlimb gait data toolkit (THGT) for healthy and spinal cord injured (SCI) non-human primate (rhesus monkey) based on Matlab to realize upload of original data, automatic gait division, calculation and drawing of multiple gait parameters, etc. Methods Vicon system was used to collect three-dimensional hindlimb gait data of healthy and SCI (after 6 weeks) rhesus monkey to obtain the kinematics data of both hindlimbs in continuous strides. It was analyzed with THGT to process the gait division, calculation and drawing of multiple gait parameters. Results THGT read the data, distinguished cycles of gait, calculated 140 kinds of gait parameters and drew graphs of the results. Conclusion THGT extends the universality of the Vicon data, realizes automatically gait division and friendly interactive interface, and puts out the visible results.

HER2, a member of epidermal growth factor receptor family proteins, is overexpressed in about 30% of human breast cancer. Increased levels of HER2 are associated with poor patient prognosis and enhanced metastasis. RNA interference (RNAi) is developed recently as a new technique which can inhibit gene expression specifically in mammalian cells. On the basis of previous study,in which two target sequences with favorable RNAi effect on HER2 were identified, a series of dual promoter siRNA-expressing vectors containing two opposing U6 and H1 promoters were constructed. After transfection of HER2-overexpressing SKBR3 breast cancer cells with the siRNA-expressing vectors, downregulation of HER2 was identified quantitatively. Subsequently, the siRNA-expressing cassettes were subcloned into lentiviral vectors by LR recombination reaction and lentivirus was prepared successfully. The results from infection of SKBR3 cells with siRNA-expressing lentivirus demonstrated that lentiviral-mediated RNAi could downregulate HER2 expression efficiently through fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR), western blot, and FACS analysis. Furthermore, cell growth was inhibited in cell proliferation assay after treatment with siRNA lentivirus.A new tool for clarifying the function of HER2 in cancer metastasis and developing the gene therapy drug was offered.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Taoshi Jiangu Decoction for osteoporosis(OP). Methods A total of 120 cases of OP patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group ,60 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with Taoshi Jiangu Decoction orally,and those in the control group were treated with Caltrate D and Alendronate Sodium Tablets orally. Four weeks constituted one treatment course, and the treatment for the two groups covered 3 courses. The therapeutic effect of the two groups was evaluated by the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,urine hydroxyproline (U-HYP),serum bone Gla-protein (BGP or osteocalcin),serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP),urine calcium (U-Ca),tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), bone mass density(BMD) and quantitative CT(QCT) before and after treatment. Results (1)After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were decreased(P<0.05 compared with those before treatment),and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that of the control group (P < 0.05). (2)After treatment,the levels of bone formation indexes of ALP and BGP were increased,and the levels of bone resorption indexes of U-HYP,U-Ca and TRAP were decreased in the two groups (P<0.05 compared with those before treatment). The effects of the treatment group were superior to those of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05).(3)After treatment,BMD of lumbar vertebrae 2-4 (L2-L4),neck of femur,Wards triangle and trochanter of femur,and QCT values of left neck of femur were obviously increased in the two groups (P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment). The treatment group showed stronger effect on increasing BMD and QCT values than the control group, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Taoshi Jiangu Decoction can restrain bone absorption , promote bone formation and increase BMD, showing certain therapeutic effect for OP.

Objective To establish an easily reproducible rabbit model of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD).Methods Two gelfoam strips (5 rnm×5 mm× 10 mm) were squeezed and were introduced into the pulmonary arteries of each healthy rabbit (n=12).Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic function were recorded.All rabbits underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and pathological examination after the introduction of APE.Results All gelfoam strips located in the bilateral lower lobe arteries.Compared with baseline mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ([9.75±1.75] mmHg),mPAP increased to (20.58 ± 5.86) mmHg immediately after embolism (P ＜ 0.001),and then decreased to (18.78 ±4.80) mmHg 1 h after embolism (P＜0.001).Right ventricle/left ventricle diameter ratio (RV/LV) increased from baseline (0.67±0.09) to (1.90±0.28) 45 min after embolism (P＜0.001).Conclusion An easily reproducible rabbit model of APE with RVD are established and may be suitable for study of APE pathophysiology.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced acute liver injury.Methods Ninety-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control group (sham group,n =32),CLP model group (sepsis group,n =32) and rHuEPO treatment group (n =32).The rat model of sepsis was established by caecal ligation and puncture.In treatment group,rats were treated with rHuEPO 5000 U/kg administered through caudalis vein after CLP procedure.Continuous observation was carried out until 24 h after modeling.Of each group,8 rats were sacrificed at 2 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h,respectively,and then the liver tissue samples and blood samples were collected.Blood samples were assayed for determining the levels of serum cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)],and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by using the enzyme-linked immunoadsorbentassay (ELISA) method.The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were also detected.Histopathological changes of liver tissues were observed under optical and transmission electron microscopy.Results (①)The levels of ALT,AST,TNF-a,iNOS in serum of rats in control group were lower than those in model group and rHuEPO group (P ＜0.01).The levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and iNOS in serum of rats in rHuEPO group were decreased significantly compared with model group (P ＜ 0.01).(②) The optical microscopy and the transmission electron microscopy showed hepatocyte edema,liver focal necrosis,inflammatory cell infiltration in portal area and severe congestion of interlobular veins,hepatocyte karyopyknosis,mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) obviously decreased in sepsis group at 24 h.Hepatic injury was attenuated after employment of rHuEPO.Conclusions Recombinant human erythropoietin can inhibit the levels of ALT,AST,TNF-a,iNOS in serum,thus modifying the inflammatory response and providing protective effects against acute liver injury in the wake of infection.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil (Eos) percentage,levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) in induced sputum in elderly patients with late onset asthma (LOA) during the remission period. Methods Fifty-eight elderly patients with LOA during the remission period were selected.Bronchial challenge test was performed and the percentage of Eos and levels of ECP and IL-5 in induced sputum were measured by Wrights' stain,immuno-CAP system and ELISA,respectively.Twenty-five elderly patients with LOA during their exacerbation period and 15 healthy elderly subjects were selected as control.Results In fifty-eight LOA patients during their remission period,49 cases (84.5%) showed positive bronchial challenge test and 9cases(15.5%) negative.The percentage of Eos,levels of ECP and IL-5[(9.3?3.1)%],[(144.2?68.1)?g/L]and [(20.3?6.3)?g/L],in induced sputum in patients with LOA during their remission period were lower than those[(21.1?9.8)%, (399.3?172.5)?g/L and[(50.6?10.7)?g/L,respectively]in LOA group during the exacerbation period,and higher than those[(1.3?0.7)%,(48.7?21.9)?g/L and (10.3?3.2)?g/L]in healthy group(all P

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Ru'ai Shuhou Recipe (RSR), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on 5-year recurrence rate after mastectomy in breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 300 patients with breast cancer were divided into two groups: treatment group and control group. The patients in the treatment group were treated with Western medicine and RSR, and the patients in the control group were treated only with Western medicine (the same as the treatment group). In the two groups, the 5-year recurrence rates after mastectomy in breast cancer were investigated. RESULTS: Thirty-four breast cancer patients were lost to five-year follow-up during the course of investigation, and 266 breast cancer patients went through the evaluation. The 5-year recurrence rate after mastectomy in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The recurrence rate after mastectomy was influenced by positive lymph node, primary breast tumor size, clinical stage, and patients' health status. There was significant difference in the 5-year recurrence rates between the two groups (P<0.05) under the following conditions, such as the positive lymph nodes more than four, the primary breast tumor larger than two centimeters, and in the clinical stage II and III, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/progesterone receptor (PR)-positive and ER-negative/PR-negative. The recurrence rate was not associated with the operation method and age distribution. CONCLUSION: RSR can reduce the 5-year recurrence rate after mastectomy in breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods A total of 260 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group,sham group,CLP model group,the large dose rHuEPO (5000 U/kg)group,the middle dose rHuEPO (1000 U/kg) group,and the small dose rHuEPO (500 U/kg) group.The rat models of sepsis were established by CLP.In treatment groups,rats were treated with rHuEPO through caudalis injection after CLP surgery.Each group was divided into 2-,6-,12-,24-,36-hour subgroups with 10 rats.Rats were sacrificed and the tissue samples including kidney and blood samples were collected.The kidney function,plasma cytokines [interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)],kidney injury moleclue 1 (KIM-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)were measured.Cytokines were determined by ELISA method.The expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) protein in kidneys were detected by immnunohistochemistry method.Pathological changes of kidney tissues were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy for cytokine content and apoptosis.Results Compared with CLP model group,renal function,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,KIM-1 and iNOS in serum,the expression of NF-κB,significantly decresed in large dose rHuEPO group (all P ＜ 0.05).rHuEPO also lessened the histological changes in large dose group.rHuEPO did not lessen the histological changes in others.Conclusion rHuEPO can inhibit the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and iNOS in serum,thus modify the inflammatory response and provide protective effects against acute kidney injury induced by sepsis.