The reports of clinical randomized controlled trial (RCT) that takes abdominal acupuncture as main treatment are arranged in order to summarize its advantage diseases at current stage. Up to May 1st, 2012, 107 reports that meet the inclusion criteria are collected by computer retrieval in CBM database, CNKI, VIP, Wan fang database, PubMed, Embase and manual retrieval in outdated issue database of Guangzhou University of CM. Diseases that has better efficacy by abdominal acupuncture are summarized. There are 38 kinds of present-stage advantage diseases of abdominal acupuncture, including internal medicine, surgery, gynaecology, pediatrics, orthopedics and dermatology, but those are far less than abdomen needle indications in the Abdominal Acupuncture Therapy written by Professor BO Zhi-yun. The doctors of abdominal acupuncture should not only pay attention to the application of RCT in clinical research to acquire high-quality reports, but also improve one's level of treatment and research of abdominal acupuncture to apply it into more specialist areas.
Abdomen ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) technology originated in China during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and has rapidly developed over the past two decades, becoming a primary method for studying the causal relationship between gut microbiota and the occurrence and progression of diseases. At the same time, the therapeutic effects of FMT in the field of gastrointestinal diseases have gained widespread recognition and are gradually expanding into other disease areas. The FMT procedure is relatively complex, and there is currently no standardized method; its success is influenced by various factors, including the donor, recipient, processing of the fecal material, and the method of implantation. Given the increasingly recognized relationship between gut microbiota and various diseases, FMT has become a research hotspot in both scientific studies and clinical applications, achieving a series of significant advancements. To help researchers better understand this technology, this paper will outline the development history of FMT, summarize common operational methods in research and clinical settings, review its application progress, and look forward to future development directions.

Objective To investigate the changes of tight junction (TJ) protein occludin expression between the mierovascular endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of rats after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods Ninety-three male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group and experimental group; rats of the experimental group were divided into 6 subgroups (6, 24, 48 and 72 h, and 7 and 14 d after intraeerebral hemorrhage). Rat models of intracerebral hemorrhage in the experimental group were established by autologous blood injection.Morphology of the brain tissues was detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.The tight junctions between the microvascular endothelial cells of the BBB were sampled for ultrastructural observation using electron microcopy.Immunofluorescence and quantitative real time-PCR were used to analyze the protein and mRNA expressions of occludin,respectively. Results The brain edema was found in brain tissues around the hematoma. Necrosis and inflammatory infiltration could be found in perihematomal brain tissues and it was most obvious at 48 h after intracerebral hemorrhage. Obvious paracellular clefts were found between the adjacent endothelial cells in experimental groups. Strong expression of occludin was noted in the normal brain tissue; expression of occludin was positive 6 h after the injection and weak positive at 24, 48 and 72 h after the injection in the experimental groups.Quantitative real time-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of occludin in the experimental group was significantly reduced as compared with the normal brain tissue at 6,24,48 and 72 h after the injection with statistically significant difference (P＜0.05). Conclusion After intra-cerebral hemorrhage,as a major component of TJ of the BBB,occludin expression is down-regulated,which may be one of the most impotant molecular basis of disruption of BBB.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutical effect of dihydroartemisinin on bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats.METHODS Hepatic fibrosis model was established by bile duct ligation,treatment groups in which rats received intraperitoneal injection of DHA at 14 mg/kg and colchicine treatment.At the end of the experiment,the rats were sacrificed,Blood was collected to exam Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),and Bilirubin in serum samples.Hematoxylin and eosin (HE),Masson' s trichrome stain and sirius red collagen staining were used to Pathological changes in liver tissue.Western blotting analyses were used to evaluate the indicators related with HSC activation such as α-SMA,α 1(Ⅰ) collagen in liver tissue.Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate the expression of TGFβ-RⅡ in liver tissue.HSC-T6 was cultured in vitro and treated with DHA.Western blotting analyses were used to evaluate the expressions of α-SMA,α 1(Ⅰ) collagen,TGFβ-RⅡ,p-Smad2,and Smad2.RESULTS As shown in Serological indicators,compared with the control group,contents of serum ALT,AST,Bilirubin was significantly increased in the model group,DHA could decrease the serum levels of ALT,AST,Bilirubin.As shown in HE,Masson,and Sirius red staining,comparedwith the model group,DHA significantly alleviated liver pathology tissue and deposition of collagen fibers,and inhibited expression of α-SMA,α 1(Ⅰ) collagen and TGFβ-RⅡ,p-Smad2.CONCLUSION DHA had the protective effect on liver fibrosis induced by BDL,which was primarily related to inhibition of HSC activation and regulation of TGF-βII/Smad2 signaling pathways.

[Objective]To explore the distribution and expression changes of tight junctional protein JAM-1 in rat models after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and their significance.[Methods]One hundred and twenty-eighty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=16) and ICH group (n=112),and the ICH models were induced by stereotactically injecting 75 uL autologous blood into the right caudate nucleus.Seven time points after ICH (6,12,24 and 48 h,and 3,7 and 14 d after ICH,16 rats for each time point) were chosen.BBB permeability was evaluated by Evans blue dye extravasation.The distribution and expression of JAM-1 were detected by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative PCR.[Results] As compared with that in the normal control group,BBB permeability in the ICH group significantly increased at 24 and 48 h,and 3 and 7 d after ICH (P＜0.05).JAM-1 expression decreased at blood vessels at 12,24 and 48 h after ICH,and JAM-1 expressed at the circulatingleukocytes3 dafterlCH,and abundant JAM-1 positive cells around hematoma were noted in the ED-l-positve macrophages 7 d after ICH.JAM-I mRNA significantly decreased at 12,24 and 48 h after ICH,and significantly increased 7 d after ICH as compared with that in the normal control group (P＜0.05).[Conclusion] JAM-1 experssion changes not only participate in regulation of BBB permeability but also play roles in inflammatory insult after ICH.

OBJECTIVETo establish the median of serum markers for second trimester screening in Qingdao region and to assess the influence of median correction on the performance of screening.

METHODSMaternal serum alpha-fetoproteins (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin, free beta subunit (β -HCG) and unconjugated oestriol (uE3) were assayed for prenatal screening of 18 188 singleton pregnancies at 15-20(+ 6) weeks gestation from January 2009 to July 2010. The median of serum markers was calculated based on above results and applied for risk estimation in screening for fetal aneuploidy from August 2010 to March 2011. The screening performance, specified in terms of detection rates (DRs), false positive rates (FPRs) and odds of being affected given a positive result (OAPR) were compared between the two groups. The risks of 45 affected pregnancies detected during the study were estimated with both Caucasian and corrected medians.

RESULTSThe average level of AFP in local pregnancies was similar to that of the Caucasian population, whilst β -HCG and uE3 were respectively 11% and 33% higher than those of Caucasians. The multiple of median (MoM) value was between 0.94 and 1.02 for the dataset based on the corrected median. At a cut-off of l in 270, FPR has decreased from 5.2% to 4.9%, and DR of Down syndrome has increased from 60% to 69.2%, and OAPR has increased from 1:79 to 1:59 when evaluating risk based on the corrected median. For the 45 affected pregnancies, three Down syndrome pregnancies could be missed because their risk estimates were lower than the cut-off level based on Caucasian median.

CONCLUSIONIt is useful to establish and apply population and laboratory-specific medians in order to improve the performance of prenatal screening and diagnosis.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Estriol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lindane ; blood ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo provide basis for selecting the suitable method of Down's syndrome biochemical screening in the second trimester pregnancy.

METHODSA total of 30 547 singleton pregnancies between 14 and 20(+ 6) weeks of pregnancy were collected and analyzed for maternal serum alpha-fetoproteins (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin, free beta subunit (beta-HCG) with or without unconjugated estriol (uE3). The screening risks were calculated using the software Lifecycle. The detection rates and the cost of per Down's syndrome detected were calculated and compared. And four different methods were compared in a series of 64 serum samples from Down's syndrome pregnancies.

RESULTS(1) Among the 64 affected cases, the detection rate of Down's syndrome was improved no matter in the double test (DT) or in the triple test (TT) if software Lifecycle (LC) was used to evaluate risks. And it was not suitable to evaluate risks with software 2T-Risks in the triple tests. (2) In the cohort of 30 547 singleton pregnancies, the detection rate of Down's syndrome with project DT-LC, which was double test using AFP and free beta-HCG together with software Lifecycle, and project TT-LC, which was triple test using AFP, free beta-HCG and uE3 together with software Lifecycle, was 56.25% and 57.14%, respectively. The former project was better because it decreased the false positive rate at a lower running cost.

CONCLUSIONThe DT-LC is an effective screening strategy for second trimester detection of fetal Down's syndrome in mainland China.

Adult ; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human ; blood ; Down Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; Estriol ; blood ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; blood ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; economics ; methods ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical impact of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) on diagnosis and staging of malignant lymphoma.

METHODSThirty-one patients with suspected lymphadenopathy were enrolled. WB-DWI was performed by using short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging sequence with free breathing and built-in body coil. Axial T2-weighted imaging images of the same location were used as reference. The results of WB-DWI were compared with pathological results and other imaging modalities. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of different kinds of lymph nodes were compared.

RESULTSWB-DWI was positive in all 18 cases with lymphoma, 5 cases with metastatic lymph nodes and 4 of 8 cases with benign lymphadenopathy. The mean ADC value of lymphomatous, metastatic and benign lymph nodes was (0.87 +/- 0.17) x 10(-3), (0.98 +/- 0.09) x 10(-3) and (1.20 +/- 0.10) x 10(-3) mm2/s. There was significant difference in ADC value between benign lymph nodes and other two groups (P < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of WB-DWI in diagnosis of lymphoma were 100% (18/18), 30.8% (4/13) and 71.0% (22/31). When an ADC value of 1.08 x 10(-3) mm2/s was used as the threshold value for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes, the best results were obtained with sensitivity of 87.8% and specificity of 91.3%. Sixteen of eighteen cases (88.9%) of lymphoma were accurately staged in accordance with clinical staging.

CONCLUSIONSWB-DWI is a sensitive, but less specific technique for diagnosis of lymphoma. It is difficult to differentiate lymphomatous from metastatic lymph nodes using WB-DWI. However, it is a valuable imaging modality for staging of patients with malignant lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; ROC Curve ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the effects of hemoglobin level on Rho kinase Ⅱ of endothelial cells and tight junction protein clandin-5 in blood-brain barrier (BBB) of rats after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods Male SD rats were randomized into normal control group (n=18) and hemoglobin inducement group (n=72); hemoglobin inducement group was divided into 4 subgroups (24 and 48 h,and 3 and 7 d after surgery,n=18).Rat ICH models in the hemoglobin inducement group were established by hemoglobin injection into the brain tissues.The expression ofRho kinase Ⅱ of endothelial cells and phosphorylated myosin light chain protein in BBB were observed by immunohistochemical staining,and BBB permeability was evaluated by Evans Blue dye; The protein and mRNA expressions of claudin-5 in the perihematomal brain tissues were detected by immunofluorescence staining and real-time quantitative PCR.Results Immunohistochemical staining indicated that expressions of Rho kinase Ⅱ of endothelial cells and phosphorylated myosin light chain in BBB of normal control group were rare,and those in the hemoglobin inducement group were high; as compared with that in the normal control group,mean optical density of Rho kinase Ⅱ and phosphorylated myosin light chain proteins in the endothelial cells of BBB in hemoglobin inducement group increased significantly at 48 h and 3 d after inducement (P＜0.05).The permeation of Evans Blue in hemoglobin inducement group significantly increased (P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of clandin-5 in hemoglobin inducement group was uncontinuous and low as compared with that in the normal control group at 24 and 48 h and 3 d after inducement.PCR showed that the mRNA expression of claudin-5 in hemoglobin inducement group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group at 24 and 48 h and 3 and 7 d after the inducement (P＜0.05).Conclusion After intracerebral hemorrhage,hemoglobin can lead to increased expression of phosphorylated myosin light chain,and reduce the expression of tight junction protein claudin-5 of BBB by increasing the expression ofRho kinase Ⅱ in endothelial cells of BBB,which may be an important mechanism in the disruption of BBB and the occurrence of brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective To investigate the effect of hemoglobin on structure and function of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in rat models after intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods One hundred and eight male SD rats were randomized into normal control group (n=12),intracerebral hemoglobin injection group (Hb group,n=48) and sham-operated group (n=48); according to the different observation time points,rats in the Hb group and sham-operated group were divided into 4 subgroups (6 and 24 h,3 and 7 d after the injection,n=1 2).Histological changes and iron deposition of the brain tissues were examined with HE staining and iron staining,respectively.BBB permeability was evaluated by the permeation of Evens blue.The expressions of claudin-5 and ZO-1 in perihematomal brain tissues were detected by immunofluorescence staining and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results Evident edema and necrosis were observed in the perihematomal zone of Hb group,and iron deposition was found 3 and 7 days after the injection.The permeation of Evens blue in Hb group was significantly increased as compared with that in sham-operated group (P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining indicated that expressions ofclaudin-5 and ZO-1 were low and discontinuous in Hb group; the mRNA expression levels of claudin-5 and ZO-1 in Hb group were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group (P＜0.05).Conclusion After intracerebral hemorrhage,Hb may induce the damage of BBB and participate in the course of brain edema.