Aged ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; Larynx ; pathology ; Vestibule, Labyrinth

Objective To investigate the position sense in chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) patients, and the correlation to pain and endurance of psoas muscles. Methods From January, 2014 to May, 2015, 30 patients with CNLBP and other 30 healthy subjects were measured spine flexion and extension position sense absolute error (AE) and psoas endurance with Biodex System 3 synchronously, and the patients were self-assessed the pain in lumbar with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The Pearson correlation coefficient of AE to pso-as endurance and NRS was calculated. Results AE of flexion and extension was both more in the patients than in the healthy (t>1.862, P<0.05), and the psoas muscle endurance was less (t=2.307, P<0.05). AE of flexion (r=-0.71) and extension (r=-0.47) negatively correlated with the psoas muscle endurance in the patients, and positively correlated with NRS score (r=0.78 for flexion, and r=0.49 for extension). AE mildly negative correlated with the psoas muscle endurance (r=-0.38 for flexion, and r=-0.29 for extension). Conclusion Spine sensation has been impaired in CNLBP patients, and may associate with pain and psoas muscles endurance loss.

Aim To observe the variation of T-cell subsets in spleen in different courses of disease and tis-sue histopathological changes in rats with adjuvant ar-thritis (AA).Methods The model of rat AA was in-duced by complete Freund’s adjuvant into the right hind metatarsal footpad of 20 male Lewis rats.Arthritis was evaluated by total score,arthritis index and paw swelling number. The percentage of total (CD3 +CD4 +), memory (CD4 + CD44 +), no-sensitizated (CD4 + CD62L +) and Th1 7 (CD4 + IL-1 7 +) on CD4 +T cells in spleen were detected by flow cytometry on days 1 4 and 22 after immuniozation.The his-topathological evaluation of heart,liver,spleen,lung, kidney,ankle joints and mesenteric lymph nodes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE)stain.Re-sults The onset of secondary arthritis appeared on a-bout day 1 0 after immunization,with a peak onset on day 1 9.Systematic arthritis symptoms included front and hind paw swelling and redness (swelling was more apparent in the front rather than hind paws),nodule formation and redness on the ears,connective tissue swelling and redness of the nose and evident nodules and redness on the tail.Total score,arthritis index and the paw swelling numbers were enhanced in AA rats. Pathohistology of ankles joints showed hyperplasia, pannus formation,and inflammatory cells infiltration in AA rats.And pathohistology of heart,liver,spleen, kidney and mesenteric lymph nodes showed inflamma-tory changes.Compared with normal group,there was no change in the percentage of total,memory and no-sensitizated CD4 +T cell in the early stage inflammation but they were significantly enhanced in the peak of in-flammation.Th1 7 cell subsets were significantly en-hanced in both of the early and peak of inflammation. Conclusion These findings suggest that abnormal T cell responses and tissue histopathological changes are important features of AA rats.

To study the protective effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid (AA) from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the AA control group (8 mg · kg(-1) AA), the model group (5.0-9.0 g · kg(-1) alcohol) and high, medium and low-dose AA-treated groups (alcohol + 8, 4, 2 mg · kg(-1) AA). Each group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs once a day for 24 weeks. Approximately 1. 5 hours after the final administration, all rats were killed, and their blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected. The AST and ALT in rat serum and the contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MDA in hepatic tissues were detected. The expressions of NF-κB, TLR4, CD14, MyD88, TRIF and protein expression in hepatic tissues were measured by western blot. The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by histological examination. The results showed that compared with the model group, the AA-treated groups showed significant decreases in serum ALT, AST and MDA and increases in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MPO. Moreover, AA markedly inhibited the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, CD14, MyD88 and NF-κB. The histological examination showed alleviated hepatic issue ijury to varying degrees. In short, asiatic acid (AA) from P. chinensis could protect alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB inactivation and the reduction of inflammatory response.
Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; prevention & control ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Potentilla ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To recognize the CT manifestations of benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML).Methods Four cases of BML proved by pathology were retrospectively analysed.Among these, 2 cases were pulmonary BML,1 ease was leiomyomatosis peritonealis diseminata(LPD),and 1 case was combined with pulmonary BML and LPD.All of them were female,and had a history of hysterectomy,the average age were 45.The CT findings of them were analyzed.Results The CT of pulmonary BML in three cases showed multiple rounded,well-defined discrete nodules,0.2—2.0cm in diameter,random distribution,and no calcification in the nodules.No hilum or mediastinum lymphadenopathy,and no pleural effusion.There were no enhancement after intravenous contrast examination.The CT findings of LPD in two cases were many masses around the vena cava,abdominal aorta and/or iliac artery.The masses were 4— 5cm in diameter with smooth margin and homogeneous density.No lymph node or ascites were found.One case who got intravenous contrast enhanced CT scan showed significant enhancement of the lesions;another case who got PET CT study showed no significant tracer concentration.Conclusion When multiple metastasizing nodular lesions with sharp margin and homogeneous density were found in the lungs or abdomen,they should be considered the possibility of BML in women with hysterectomy history.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; therapeutic use ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Treatment Outcome

The modern literatures on the diseases treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) were collected. Using literature statistical analysis in bibliometrics, the common compatibility of Shenmen (HT 7) and the disease spectrum were analyzed so as to provide the references of the diseases that can be treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7). It was found that 39 kinds of diseases and symptoms, mainly nerve system disedses, could be treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7), including insomnia, depression, anxiety and dementia. Shenmen (HT 7) was seldom used alone. Instead, it was commonly used along with Baihui (GV 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Taicong (LR 3).
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; statistics & numerical data ; Bibliometrics ; Humans

Objective Inflammation and calcification are common phenomenons in human atherosclerotic plaque.The objective of this study was to determine the gene expression of some proteins and anti-inflammatory factors as well as bone formation mediators in the fibrous cap and shoulder region of non-calcified and calcified carotid endarterectomy(CEA) plaques.Methods Twenty-two CEA plaques were classified as Va(non-calcified,n=11) and Vb(calcified,n=11) in accordance with the AHA consensus in 1995.Mean percent in carotid stenosis and calcification area was 76.4% and 0% in Va and 74.2% and 33.6% in Vb respectively as determined by quantitative histomorphometry.Using laser capture microdissection,the fibrous cap and shoulder regions were excised from 22 frozen sections/plaques.After total RNA extraction and reverse transcription,gene expression of proteins(IL-1,IL-8,and MCP-1),anti-inflammatory factor(IL-10) and bone formation protein(BMP-6 and Osteocalcin) were detected by Real-time PCR.Results mRNA expression of MCP-1,IL-8 and IL-1 in Va plaques were 1.8 fold higher than that in Vb plaques,mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and osteogenic related genes BMP-6 and Osteocalcin were 3.8,4.2,and 6.9 fold higher in Vb plaques compared to Va plaques.Conclusions Our findings indicate that fibrous cap inflammation and susceptibility to disruption is more likely to occur in non-calcified plaques.

Background: Pre-exam anxiety syndrome is a common condition occurring in pre-exam students and directly affects their examination performance and physical state. Wrist-ankle acupuncture has significant therapeutic effects in treating mental disorders and may also relieve the symptoms of pre-exam anxiety syndrome. Objective: To assess the therapeutic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on pre-exam anxiety syndrome. Design, setting, participants and interventions: A total of 60 students who met the inclusion criteria of pre-exam anxiety syndrome were enrolled from a university in Shanghai and they were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. There were 30 cases in each group, and no case failed to follow-up. In the treatment group, wrist-ankle acupuncture was adopted to point upper 1 bilaterally (impression between flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and ulnar margin), and there was no requirement for Deqi (arrival of qi). In the control group, sham acupuncture was adopted. The treatment was applied 3 times totally in both groups one week before the exam, once every other day, each time with the needles retained for 30 min. Main outcome measures: The therapeutic effects were compared between two groups. Before and after 3 treatments, Sarason Test Anxiety Scale (TAS) and Expectation and Treatment Credibility Scale (ETCS) were measured and evaluated. Results: The therapeutic effect experienced by the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in TAS and ETCS before treatment between the two groups. The scores of TAS after treatment in two groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). There were statistical differences in TAS absolute difference and TAS relative difference between the two groups and the treatment group had better results (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, patients in the treatment group had higher scores in ETCS than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). No adverse reaction was reported. Conclusion: Wrist-ankle acupuncture can relieve the symptoms of pre-exam anxiety syndrome significantly, and this therapy is highly safe.