OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical effect and safety of floating needle therapy and duloxetine in treating patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD).

METHODSTotally 108 PSPD patients were randomly assigned to the floating needle treatment group, the duloxetine treatment group, and the placebo treatment group, 36 in each group. Patients in the floating needle treatment group received floating needle therapy and placebo. Those in the duloxetine treatment group received duloxetine and simulated floating needle therapy. Those in the placebo treatment group received the placebo and simulated floating needle therapy. All treatment lasted for six weeks. Efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated using Simple McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) before treatment and immediately after treatment, as well as at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD, 17 items), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were assessed before treatment and at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Patients in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group with the total reducing score rate of SF-MPQ in Pain Rating index (PRI) ≥ 50% after 6 weeks' treatment were involved in the follow-up study.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the same group before treatment, SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total scores all decreased in all the three groups at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides , each item of SF-MPQ significantly decreased immediately after treatment in the floating needle treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the placebo treatment group, SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA total score in the floating needle treatment group significantly decreased after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total score in the duloxetine treatment group also significantly decreased after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There were 3 patients (8.3%) who had adverse reactions in the floating needle treatment group, 17 (50.0%) in the duloxetine treatment group, and 7 (21.2%) in the placebo treatment group. Compared with the placebo treatment group, the incidence of adverse reaction increased in the duloxetine treatment group (χ² = 6.04, P < 0.05). Besides, it was higher in the duloxetine treatment group than in the floating needle treatment group (χ² = 14.9, P < 0.05). (3) There were 19 patients in the floating needle treatment group and 17 patients in the duloxetine treatment group involved in the follow-up study. Compared with 6 weeks after treatment, no significant difference was observed at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the score of SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were 5 patients (29.4%) who had adverse reactions in the duloxetine treatment group, and no adverse reactions were observed in the floating needle treatment group. The adverse reaction rate was significantly different between the two groups (χ² = 4.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFloating needle therapy and duloxetine were effective in treatment of patients with PSPD. However, floating needle therapy could relieve pain more rapidly than duloxetine, with obviously less adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Anxiety Disorders ; Duloxetine Hydrochloride ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain ; Pain Management ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Somatoform Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency, sex differences and location of impacted maxillary canine in orthodontic patients.

METHODSTwo hundred and fifteen patients (77 males and 138 females) with maxillary canine impaction were included in the study. The experimental group was gathered from the Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. CT scan images were evaluated. Chi-square test was used in the analysis.

RESULTSThe prevalence of maxillary canine impaction among Chinese orthodontic patients was 2.05%. The ratio between male and female was 1.8:1 and the ratio between buccal and palatal location was 2.1:1. Surgical exposure and orthodontic alignment had been predominant in such conditions. There was significant deference in the treatment between palatally impacted canine and buccally impacted one. More palatally impacted canines were extracted than buccally impacted ones.

CONCLUSIONSThere was significant difference in the treatment of maxillary canine impaction. More buccally impacted canines were found in Chinese patients, especially in female patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cuspid ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Sex Factors ; Tooth, Impacted ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo clarify the commercial original species of hippocampus in the market.

METHODField survey and interview were applied to the investigation.

RESULTPresent study identified the main commercial hippocampus of 13 species, including Pharmacopoeia contained four kinds of hippocampus (without Hippocampus japonicus) listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the identification method for the 13 kinds of commercially hippocampus was established.

CONCLUSIONThe further research on hippocampus should be strengthened for the establishment of hippocampal quality control standard.

Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; standards ; Quality Control ; Smegmamorpha ; anatomy & histology ; classification

Mantidis Oötheca is commonly used Chinese medicine. Because of the used medicinal part is oötheca and many mantis species can yield ootheca, it is not possible to identify its original animal accurately. There is no unanimous conclusion about the corresponding relationship between Mantis and Mantidis Oötheca (Sangpiaoxiao). This relationship is the basis of the Mantidis Oötheca research. Our study combined the methods of artificial incubation oötheca and capture the living mantis to identify the species of Mantis and Mantidis Oötheca. The results showed that the origin insects of Mantidis Oötheca was Tenodera, Hierodula and Statilia genus insects. This has laid a foundation for further study of Mantidis Oötheca.
Animals ; Mantodea ; chemistry ; classification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of thymus matrix lymphocyte generator (TSLP) and change of the Th factor in the course of disease development, and to analyze the curative effect of inhalation of Vitamin A (VA) with corticosteroid for the treatment of asthmatic pneumonia.

METHODSAsthmatic pneumonia models were prepared by challenging rats with inhalation of ovalbumin for 4 weeks, and rested for 1 week. The treatment with VA and corticosteroid inhalation for 1 week was followed. The rat thymus and lung specimen were examen by histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter 4 - 5 weeks of stimulation, there were more TSLP-positive cells and alveolar macrophages (AM) found in thymus and lung tissue of asthmatic group, the cell proliferation in spleen and thymus was obvious, and blood Th factors elevated. The inflammation within the lung tissue aggravated gradually. In VA group, the expression of TSLP and Th2 factors were all lowered at the 4th week. The TSLP expression slightly increased at the 5th week, and the cell proliferation within T-cell zone of spleen and thymus was strong at first and weakened later. Alveolar microphages (AM) increased significantly and the inflammation in the lung subsided gradually at the 5th week. In the hormone group, TSLP and Th2 factors expression in both thymus and lung were decreased at the 5th week, while the cell proliferation in thymus and lung was gradually increased. The quantity of AM was decreased, whereas the inflammation of the lung was increased gradually at the 5th week.

CONCLUSIONDuring asthmatic period elevated TSLP expression was accompanied by Th2 type responses while VA and corticosteroid both suppressed TSLP and Th2 factors expression. VA alone promoted T lymphocyte proliferation as well as the antigen elimination function by AM, after ceasing the usage, the lung inflammation abated gradually. In contrast, after ceasing the use of corticosteroid, inflammation aggravated.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma ; complications ; Beclomethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo determine the enhancement effects of caffeine on chemotherapy of transplanted osteosarcoma in Fischer 344/N rats.

METHODSOsteosarcoma-bearing Fischer 344/N rats were treated with cisplatin 2.5 mg/kg (Group DDP), caffeine 90 mg/kg x 2 d (Group caffeine), and cisplatin 2.5 mg/kg plus caffeine 90 mg/kg x 2 d (Group DDP+caffeine), and the control group was treated with normal saline in the same volume. All drugs were given by intra-peritoneum injection with micro-pump, in the rate of 0.5 ml/h. The tumor volume was measured and evaluated. The tumors were stained in TUNEL, and PCNA was detected with immunohistochemistry. The tumor growth inhibition rate, PCNA index and apoptosis index were calculated, and the survival time were recorded.

RESULTSThe tumor inhibition rate was -0.5219 +/-0.1429 in control group, 0.0362 +/-0.0957 in Group DDP, -0.4193 +/-0.1345 in Group caffeine, and 0.3646 +/-0.1313 in Group DDP+caffeine (P <0.01). PCNA index was 0.4587 +/-0.1312 in control group, 0.1847+/-0.0535 in Group DDP, 0.4381 +/-0.0706 in Group caffeine, and 0.0314 +/-0.0231 in Group DDP+caffeine (P <0.01). Apoptosis index was 0.0008 +/-0.0005 in control group, 0.0077 +/-0.0060 in Group DDP, 0.0011 +/-0.0003 in Group caffeine, and 0.0295 +/-0.0069 in Group DDP+caffeine (P <0.01). And the survival time was (33.63 +/-4.63)d in control group, (52.13 +/-11.74)d in Group DDP, (35.63 +/-5.15)d in Group caffeine, and (55.13 +/-16.23)d in Group DDP+caffeine (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONCaffeine could enhance the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin in rat osteosarcoma.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Caffeine ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Synergism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Osteosarcoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in tissues of normal human prostate (NP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PCa) in order to assess the clinical role of PDCD5 in PCa.

METHODSPDCD5 expression was determined by EnVision immunohistochemical staining in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 12 subjects with NP, 22 with BPH, and 22 with PCa. In addition, PCa cases were classified as low/middle-risk (Gleason sum < or = 7) and high-risk (Gleason sum >7) on the basis of Gleason grade. Positive expression rates and intensity of PDCD5 protein were observed under light microscope and analyzed with computer imaging technique. Expression of PDCD5 was compared among different prostatic tissues.

RESULTSThe expression of PDCD5 was significantly lower in tissue of PCa than in tissues of NP and BPH (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in PDCD5 expression between tissues of NP and BPH. In addition, the expression of PDCD5 was further downregulated with the increase of Gleason sum in PCa.

CONCLUSIONSBy downregulating apoptosis, low PDCD5 expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of PCa. PDCD5 is supposed to have a potential clinical value to be a new predictor of progression and target of gene therapy in PCa.

Aged ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Prostate ; chemistry ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; chemistry ; etiology ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis

AIMTo observe protective effects of safflower injection (SI) on lung ischemia/reperfusion injury (LIRI) and investigate its potential mechanism.

METHODSRabbit lung model of ischemia/reperfusion injury was constituted in vivo. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operation group (S group), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group) and ischemia/reperfusion plus safflower injection group (SI group). Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in serum were measured. The lung tissue sampled at the end of the experiment was assayed for wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), injured alveoli rate (IAR) and ultrastructural changes were observed under electron microscope. The expression of COX-1 and COX-2 were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expressions of COX-1mRNA and COX-2mRNA were observed by in situ hybridization (ISH).

RESULTSIn I/R group, XO and MDA increased and SOD decreased in serum, while the same changes happened in SI group but less severely(P<0.01). The value of W/D and IAR was much higher in I/R group than S group, but decreased in SI group. Electron microscope showed obvious ultrastructural injury brought by LIRI in I/R group, which was greatly attenuated in SI group. The IHC and ISH demonstrated that COX-2 and COX-2mRNA in pulmonary tissue of I/R group were significantly higher than those of SI group (P < 0.01). The difference of COX-1 and COX-1mRNA in pulmonary tissue among the three groups was not significant.

CONCLUSIONThe ischemia/reperfusion lung injury insults induced the regulation of COX-2 in lung. Safflower injection may attenuate lung ischemia/reperfusion injury through inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

Animals ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Cyclooxygenase 1 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Xanthine Oxidase ; blood

AIMTo observe protective effects of polydatin (PD) during lung ischemia/reperfusion injury (LI/RI) and investigate its potential mechanism .

METHODSRabbit lung model of ischemia/reperfusion injury was constituted in vivo. The 40 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): control group (C group), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R), PD + I/R group (PD) and PD+ polymyxin B (PMB) + I/R group (PMB). The blood specimen gathered at different time points were tested for the content of melondialdehyde (MDA) and the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The lung tissue sampled at the end of the experiment were assayed for wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), injured alveoli rate (IAR) and observing ultrastructure changes under electron micro scope.

RESULTS(1) The activity of SOD showed a similar time-dependent decline in I/R group and PMB group during I/R, while in PD group this tendency was milder (P < 0.01 vs I/R group). (2) In contrast to the results above, the level of MDA markedly increased in I/R and PMB group, but was slowed down in PD group (P < 0.01 vs I/R group). (3) The value of W/D) and IAR was much higher in I/R and PMB group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 vs C group). In PD group, it was decreased (P < 0.01 vs I/R group or PMB group). (4) Electron microscope showed obvious ultrastructure injury brought by LI/RI in I/R group and PMB group, which was greatly attenuated in PD group.

CONCLUSIONPD can protect lung from LI/RI, and PKC may participate in its mechanisms.

Animals ; Female ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology

Acute Kidney Injury ; therapy ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Peritoneal Dialysis