OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on normal process of childbirth and safety of mothers and infants.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-four cases of singleton primiparas, fetal head position were selected as the subjects and divided into three groups by single-blind randomized method: an acupoint group (n = 59), a non-acupoint group (n = 57) and a blank group (n = 58). When the cervix was dilated by 2 to 3 cm, DAJ-23 type multi-function moxibustion apparatus was used at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in acupoint group, and at non-acupoint spot (the midpoint from the radial arterial pulse throbbing place on the radial side of the transverse crease of the wrist to the radial end of biceps tendon of the elbow) in non-acupoint group, 30 min for each one. The conventional labor care was adopted in blank group. The differences were observed in the first active stage, the second stage and the third stage of the labor as well as the safety of mothers and infants among three groups.

RESULTSThe durations of the first active stage of labor [(123.05 +/- 96.401) min] and the second stage [(37.407 +/- 22.390) min] in acupoint group were shorter than those [(171.40 +/- 94.339) min, (49.517 +/- 25.373) min] in non-acupoint group, as well as those [(178.79 +/- 97.231) min, (53.684 +/- 20.087) min] in blank group separately (all P < 0.05). It was discovered that the progressions of the first active stage and the second stage of labor were accelerated in acupoint group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the third stage of labor among the three groups (all P > 0.05). Bleeding amount after childbirth in acupoint group was less than those in non-acupoint group and blank group (both P < 0.05), and Apgar scores of newborns in acupoint group and non-acupoint group were higher than that in blank group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can shorten the process of childbirth, reduce postpartum bleeding and has no harmful impact on mothers and infants.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Labor, Obstetric ; Moxibustion ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopically assisted percutaneous reduction and internal fixation with eannulated screws.Methods The fracture was reduced by closed manipulation or percutaneous leverage force by using the Kirschner wire.Then the patella was temporarily fixed by using a large size towel clamp or Kirschner wires.Under the guidance of knee arthroscopy,a micro-incision was made at the size of cannulated screw placement,the pilot holes were drilled at a proper depth,and the thread was configured.Two titanium screws were inserted parallelly.Results Following-up chekups for 4～24 months in 18 cases showed a satisfactory recovery of knee functions.According to the Bostman' standard,excellent effects were obtained in 16 cases and good effects in 2 cases.Conclusion Treatment of patellar fractures by percutaneous cannulated screw fixation under arrhroscope of- fered advantages of minimal invasion,accurate reduction,reliable fixation,and excellent recovery of joint functions.

A set of teaching methods have been explored and practiced in this paper, which include paying attention to knowledge originating process teaching, enhancing thought training, constructing microbiology knowledge system, concerning reality, following the advanced achievement during the microbiology class teaching process, in order to improve teaching quality overall, cultivate students’ innovative ability.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of needling "Housanli" (ST 36) with different retaining-needle time on the pain threshold of mice using the hot water tail-flick test, and investigate the relationship between the retaining-needle time and the therapeutic effect.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy mice were randomly divided into four groups: no retaining-needle group (group A), retaining-needle 10 min group (group B), retaining-needle 20 min group (group C) and retaining-needle 30 min group (group D), with 6 mice for each group. After acupuncture "Housanli", the tail of mouse was put into the hot water at 50 degrees C, and the intervening time from the tail entered water to the tail flicked out of water was recorded and analyzed for each group.

RESULTSAfter acupuncturing "Housanli", the pain threshold was significantly improved with the hot water tail-flick test in both group A and group C (both P<0.01), however, there was no significant difference in both group B and group D (both P>0.05). Within 30 min of retaining-needle, the effect curve of acupuncture analgesia was showed in a waved line. In contrast, the maximum value of latent period on the tail-flick was detected in the group C that was the biggest effect of acupuncture analgesia among the four groups.

CONCLUSIONThe best retaining-needle time of hand-acupuncture for acupuncture analgesia is 20 min.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; methods ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Needles ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Pain Management ; Pain Measurement ; Pain Threshold ; Random Allocation ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spores on Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and mitochondrial calcium in the testis of NIDDM rats.

METHODSFifty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups: model, ganoderma and normal control, the first two groups injected with 2% STZ through vena caudalis, and the last one with half-and-half sodium citrate/citrate buffer solution. Two weeks after normal diet, glucose tolerance tests were performed and the rats with abnormal glucose tolerance from the model and ganoderma groups received high-fat and high-carbohydrate food, the ganoderma group given Ganoderma lucidum spores (250mg/[ kg x d] ) in addition, both for 10 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests were repeated 1 day before the end of the experiment and the rats were castrated and relevant indexes measured.

RESULTSThe NIDDM model was successfully constructed. In the model group, the levels of mitochondrial Cyt-C and mitochondrial calcium were significantly lower (P <0. 05) while that of the plasma Cyt-C was significantly higher than in the ganoderma and the control groups.

CONCLUSIONCyt-C and calcium ion are involved in the damage of the testis. Ganoderma lucidum spores can protect the testis of NIDDM rats.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reishi ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the function of apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells induced by soybean isoflavone, and the relation between this apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 and bax.

METHODSIn vitro experiments, MTT assay was used to determine the cell growth inhibitory rate. Transmission electron microscope and TUNEL staining method were used to quantitatively and qualitatively detect the apoptosis status of esophageal cancer cell line EC-9706 before and after the soybean isoflavone treatment. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bcl-2 and bax.

RESULTSSoybean isoflavone inhibited the growth of esophageal cancer cell line EC-9706 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Soybean isoflavone induced EC-9706 cells to undergo apoptosis with typically apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes of chromatin condensation, chromatin crescent formation, nucleus fragmentation and apoptotic body formation by transmission electron microscope and staining positive cells, using TUNEL assay. Soybean isoflavone reduced the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bcl-2, and improving the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.

CONCLUSIONSoybean isoflavone seemed to be able to induce the apoptosis in esophageal cancer. This type of apoptosis might be mediated by down-expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bcl-2 and up-expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Soybeans ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of paeoniflorin (PAE) on TNF-α-induced TNF receptor type I (TNFR1)-mediated signaling pathway in mouse renal arterial endothelial cells (AECs) and to explore its underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODSMouse AECs were cultured in vitro and then they were treated by different concentrations PAE or TNF-α for various time periods. Expression levels of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were detected in the normal group (cultured by serum-free culture media), the TNF-α group (cultured by 2-h serum-free culture media plus 6-h TNF-α 30 ng/mL), the low dose PAE group (cultured by 2-h PAE 0.8 μmo/L plus 6-h TNF-α 30 ng/mL), the middle dose PAE group (cultured by 2-h PAE 8 μmol/L plus 6-h TNF-α 30 ng/mL), the high dose PAE group (cultured by 2-h PAE 80 μmol/L plus 6-h TNF-α 30 ng/mL) with Western blot analysis. Nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-κB (NE-κB) was detected in the normal group (cultured by serum-free culture media), the TNF-α group (cultured by 2-h serum-free culture media plus 45-mm TNF-α 30 ng/mL), and the high dose PAE group (cultured by 2-h PAE 80 μmol/L plus 45-min TNF-α 30 ng/mL) by immunofluorescent staining. Expression levels of the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated (protein) kinase (ph-ERK) and p38 (ph- p38) were detected in the normal group (cultured by serum-free culture media) and the high dose PAE group (2-h PAE 80 μmol/L culture) by Western blot. NF-κB inhibitor-α (IκBα) protein expressions were detected in the normal group (cultured by serum-free culture media), the TNF-α group (cultured by 2-h serum-free culture media plus 30-min TNF-α 30 ng/mL), the high dose PAE group (cultured by 2-h PAE 80 μmol/L plus 30-min TNF-α 30 ng/mL), the p38 inhibitor group (SB group, pretreatment with SB238025 25 μmol/L for 30 min, then treated by PAE 80 μmol/L for 2 h, and finally treated by TNF-α 30 ng/mL for 30 min), the ERK inhibitor group (PD group, treated by PD98059 50 μmol/L for 30 min, then treated by PAE 80 μmol/L for 2 h, and finally treated by TNF-α 30 ng/mL for 30 min) by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, ICAM-1 protein expression levels obviously increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the TNFα group, ICAM-1 protein expression levels were obviously inhibited in the high dose PAE group (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of ph-p38 and ph-ERK were obviously higher in the hIgh dose PAE group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, IκBα protein expression levels obviously decreased in the TNF-α group (P < 0.01). Compared with the TNFα group, TNF-α-induced IκBα degradation could be significantly inhibited in the high dose PAE group (P < 0.01); the inhibition of PAE on IκBα degradation could be significantly inhibited in the SB group (P < 0.05). NF-κB/p65 signal was mainly located in cytoplasm in the normal group. NF-κB/p65 was translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus after stimulated by 45 min TNF-α in the TNF-α group, while it could be significantly inhibited in the high dose PAE group.

CONCLUSIONSPAE inhibited TNF-α-induced expression of lCAM-1. Its action might be associated with inhibiting TNFR1/NF-κB signaling pathway. p38 participated and mediated these actions.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe gradually increasing changes in a human hyperlipidemic diet along with chronic stress might play an important role in the increased numbers of fatty liver. This study investigated the effects of Ilex asprella root decoction on related genes of lipid metabolism in chronic stress in hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats.

METHODSForty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, model control group, simvastatin group, and Ilex asprella root group. To establish chronic stress and hyperlipidemic fatty liver models in rats, the levels of serum lipids, glucose, liver index, insulin (INS), insulin resistant (IR) index, adiponectin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-pX), glutathione (GSH), liver X receptor (LXR), and sterol responsive element binding protein (SREBP)-1c in rats were measured.

RESULTSWhen compared to the normal control group, the levels of serum lipids, glucose, liver index, INS, IR index, and GSH in the model control group significantly increased (P < 0.01). The protein levels of LXRα and SREBP-1c increased (P < 0.05), and the serum adiponectin and the SOD and GSH-pX decreased significantly (P < 0.01). When compared to the model control group, the levels of serum lipids, glucose, liver index, INS, IR index, SOD, and GSH-pX in the simvastatin group and Ilex asprella root group increased in varying degrees (P < 0.01 or 0.05); the serum adiponectin and GSH decreased (P < 0.05), while the protein levels of LXRα and SREBP-1c decreased in varying degrees (P < 0.01 or 0.05). When compared to the simvastatin group, the IR index and protein levels of LXRα in the Ilex asprella root group decreased (P < 0.05), and the serum adiponectin and SOD increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Ilex asprella root decoction has some protective effects on regulating the related genes of lipid metabolism caused by chronic stress and hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats.

Animals ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ilex ; chemistry ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver X Receptors ; Male ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; genetics ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for uterine contraction pain in labor, and evaluate the safety of the parturient and newborn.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-four cases of singleton pregnancy and cephalic presentation primipara were single blinded and randomly divided into three groups: observation group (59 cases), placebo treated group (57 cases) and blank group (58 cases). The observation group was treated with moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 30 min when the uterus cervix openning at 3 cm, the placebo treated group was treated with moxibustion at no acupoint for 30 min and the blank group was treated with routine labor nursing, the uterine contraction pain and the safety of the mother and infant were compared among three groups.

RESULTS1) The uterine contraction pain was tested by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS): the scores of VAS in the observation group were obviously decreased after 15 min and 30 min of moxibustion (both P<0.05), there were no obvious changes of the VAS scores in placebo treated group and the blank group, the scores of VAS in observation group decreased much more obviously than those in the other two groups (all P<0.05); 2) Midwife rating of the uterine contraction pain: after 30 min of moxibustion, the effective rate of labor analgesia was 69.5% (41/59) in observation group, which was higher than that of 45.6% (26/57) in placebo treated group and 43.1% (25/58) in blank group, with significant differences between them (both P<0.05); 3) The postpartum hemorrhage amount of the observation group was obviously lower than those of placebo treated group and blank group (both P<0.05); 4) The Apgar score of newborn was higher in observation group and placebo treated group than that of blank group (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can relieve the uterine contraction pain, and has no side effect to mother and infant, it is one of the safe, effective and simple non-drug analgesia methods.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Labor, Obstetric ; Moxibustion ; Pregnancy ; Treatment Outcome ; Uterine Contraction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on delivery stage of primipara.

METHODSSixty cases of primipara were divided into a moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group, a non-acupoint group and a blank group. When the diameter of wormb mouth opened to 2-3 cm, showing that it entered into active stage of uterine contraction, moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for primipara was applied in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group; moxibustion was applied at 1 cun towards radialis from the region where 2 cun above Kongzui (LU 6) in non-acupoint group, 30 minutes treatment was for both groups. There was no intervention in blank group. After delivery, the time of first,second and third delivery stages and postpartum bleeding 2 hours after delivery were compared among three groups.

RESULTSThe active duration of first delivery stage in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the duration of the second delivery stage in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (both P < 0.05) as well; the postpartum bleeding 2 hours after delivery in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group was less than other two groups and the difference was statistic significant between moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group and blank group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), the active duration of first delivery stage and the duration of second delivery stage are markedly shortened, postpartum bleeding 2 hours after delivery is obviously reduced, and the safety of vaginal delivery is increased.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Onset ; Moxibustion ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult