Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of variable-frequency electroacupuncture treatment for elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with knee oste-oarthritis were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated with variable-frequency electroaeupuncture, while the control group was treated with muscle strength training. Before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment, the motor function of their knee joints was evaluated according to Lysholm' s knee scoring scale, quadriceps muscle strength was evaluated according to the maximum load capacity of knee ex-tension, and postural stability was evaluated using a static balance function test. Results Lysholm scores in the treatment group improved significantly compared with those before treatment, except for the item assessing support-ing. While in the control group, compared with before treatment, there were significant differences in the items as-sessing limp, inter-locking, instability, pain and stair activity. There were significant differences in the items as-sessing inter-locking, pain, swelling, stair activity and.squatting between the two groups after treatment. The maxi-mum knee extension load improved significantly in both groups. Static balance with the eyes both open and closed also improved significantly in both groups. There were significant difference in the length, covered area, rectangle-area and length/area of the sway traces of the two groups after treatment. Conclusions Variable-frequency elec-troacupuneture can effectively improve knee function, quadriceps muscle strength and postural stability in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of target controlled infusion(TCI) of remifentanil and propofol in patients at different ages undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.MethodsA total of 60 patients(ASA Ⅰ-Ⅲ) undergoing elective gynecologic laparoscopic surgery were divided into two groups according to their age(Group Ⅰ:

At present, the level of diagnosis and treatment of early gastrointestinal cancer has a larger gap between China and developed countries. In recent years, the advent of new endoscopic imaging techniques has improved the detection rate of early gastrointestinal cancer. Along with this, endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) enables radical resection for early cancer. In this article, we discuss how to improve the level of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of early gastrointestinal cancer.
China ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans

The acute and chronic respiratory tract inflammation models were made to investigate the effect and mechanism of sterol extracts from Begonia Sinensis Rhizome (BSR). The first model of acute lung injury was made with Kunming mice by inhaling cigarette smoke, then the mice were treated with different concentrations of BSR sterol extracts. Lung tissue morphology was detected by HE staining, TNF-alpha/MPO were detected by Elisa, and cPLA2 protein were, detected by Western blotting respectively. Results showed that in model group, lung sheet became real, alveolar space shrank or disappeared, alveolar septum was thickened, plenty of inflammatory cells were infiltrated, capillary blood vessels were congestive and the expression of TNF-α, MPO, cPLA2 increased; after administration, a small amount of inflammatory cells were infiltrated, alveolar septum became obvious, capillary congestion status was significantly relieved and the expression of TNF-α, MPO, cPLA2 decreased (P < 0.05). The second model of chronic respiratory tract inflammation in BALB/c mice with bronchial asthma was induced by OVA, then the mice were treated with different concentrations of BSR sterol extracts. Lung tissue morphology was detected by HE staining, indexes such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 were detected by Elisa, and the cPLA2 protein expression was detected by Western blotting respectively. Results showed that in model group, a lot of inflammatory cells around lung vessels and bronchi exuded, bronchial goblet cells proliferated and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, cPLA2 increased; after administration, inflammatory and goblet cell hyperplasia reduced, the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, cPLA2 also decreased (P < 0.05). The above results showed BSR sterol extracts could resist against respiratory inflammation by inhibiting cPLA2 in a dose-dependent manner.
Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Begoniaceae ; chemistry ; Cytokines ; genetics ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-5 ; genetics ; immunology ; Lung ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Sterols ; administration & dosage

Objective To study the mental hea lth of drug addicts and its correlation with addictive behavior. Method s 143 drug addicts in treatment were investigated and analyzed with The Symptom Checklist 90 and Addictive Behavior Questionnaire. Results The mental health of drug addicts was worse than that of normal peo ple, and somatization, depression, anxiety and psychopathy in the factor of SCL -90 had high proportion in high score field. Sex, having occupation or not, and living alone had no significant differences in SCL-90 score. The results of co rrelation analysis of mental health and addictive behavior were that the quantit y and frequency of drug use had positive correlation with mental health. The con trol power of drug use desire had negative correlation with mental health. Conclusion The mental health of drug addicts is worse, and addi ctive behavior is correlated with mental health.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)is a commonly seen cholestatic liver disease.Currently,ursodeoxy-cholic acid (UDCA)is the only drug approved for the effective treatment of PBC.However,up to 40% of PBC patients had poor response to UDCA.Farnesoid X receptor (FXR)can inhibit the synthesis of bile acid,regulating the transport of bile acid and playing a role in anti-hepatic fibrosis.This article reviewed the role of FXR in treatment of PBC.

Objective To determine and compare the minimum local analgesic concentration(MLAC) of ropivacaine and bupivacaine in continuous block of axillary brachial plexus for postoperative active mobilization of flexor tendon. Methods Seventy ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients undergoing relaxation of flexor tendon were randomly allocated into 2 groups (n = 35 each): ropivacaine group (group R) and bupivacaine group (group B). A catheter was inserted into axillary sheath using B. Braun stimulating intraducer, 24-48 h after operation. 30 min before functional exercise 20 ml of ropivacaine or bupivacaine was injected through catheter. The minimum local analgesic concentration of both local anesthetics was determined by up-and-down sequential test. The first concentration of both local anesthetics was 0.1%. The next concentration of local anesthetic was determined by response of the previous patient. The analgesia efficacy was assessed using 100 mm VAS score (0 = no pain, 100 mm = worst possible pain) . Increase/decrease in VAS by 10 mm was defined as effective. An effective result resulted in increase/decrease by 0.01% in the next patient. The motor block was also recorded.Results The two groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, body weight and baseline VAS score. The MLAC of ropivacaine was 0.133% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.128%-0.138%] and MLAC of bupivacaine was0.121% (95%CI, 0.116%-0.126%). The analgesic potency of ropivacaine was 10% less than that of bupivacaine. The potency ratio of ropivacaine to bupivacaine was 0.91. The degree of motor block is higher with bupivacaine than with ropivacaine. Conclusion The results of our study show that the analgesic potency of ropivacaine is 10% less than that of bupivacaine. The degree of motor block is higher with bupivacaine than with ropivacaine.

BACKGROUND:The post-core crown system is an effective method for dental defect repair, but its repair outcomes are influenced by various factors;thereby, a further study is needed to optimize this method.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the stress distribution in different degrees of dental defect after post-core crown restoration under different occlusal contacts. METHODS:Three-dimensional models of the mandibular first molar were established by CT images, and models of complete natural teeth, six different defected teeth (total maxil ofacial slight and severe defects, distal middle maxil ofacial slight and severe defects, proximal middle maxil ofacial slight and severe defects) and two different post-core crowns (fiber post and zirconia post) were created by software. These models were imported into ANSYS software to analyze the stress distribution in dentin and periodontium under stable occlusal contact (ABC) and unstable occlusal contact (AC), respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The stress in dentin and the periodontium after post-core crown restoration under AC was obviously higher than that under ABC, and AC affected the restored teeth more markedly. The post-core crown material with higher elastic modulus could induce higher stresses, and severe defected teeth showed higher stress distribution. Different defected types made no overt effects on the stress distribution in the periodontium. These results suggest that the B area contact is critical in regulating occlusal contacts of restoration.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus contralateral needling in treating post-stoke myodystonia. Method Totally 120 patients with post-stroke myodystonia were randomized into group A, B, C and D, 30 in each group. Group A was intervened by yin-reducing and yang-tonifying needling method plus contralateral needling; group B was by ordinary acupuncture plus contralateral needling, group C was by yin-reducing and yang-tonifying needling alone, while group D by ordinary acupuncture. Clinical Spasticity Index (CSI) was observed before and after intervention. Result After treatment, the CSI scores (tendon reflex, muscle tension, episodic spasm scores and total score) were significantly changed in the four groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The tendon reflex score, muscle tension score and total score in group A were significantly different from that in the other three groups after intervention (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the episodic spasm score between group A and D after intervention (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the tendon reflex score, muscle tension score and total score between group B and D after intervention (P<0.05). The total score in group C was markedly different from that in group D after intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion Yin-reducing and yang-tonifying needling method plus contralateral needling is an effective method in treating post-stroke myodystonia.

Objective To determine the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in aldosterone-induced rat mesangial cells (RMCs) proliferation. Methods RMCs were obtained from intact glomeruli of 4- to 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats and characterized according to published methods. RMCs between passages 5 and passages 10 were used. Protein levels of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in RMCs were analyzed by Western blotting. The cells were divided into the following groups: control group, PD98059 (10 (μmol/L) group, eplerenone (1 μmol/L) group, aldosterone (100 nmol/L) group, aldosterone (100 nmol/L) +PD98059 (10 μmol/L) group, aldosterone (100 nmol/L)+eplerenone (1 μmol/L) group. ERK1/2 activity was measured by Western blotting. Cell proliferation of RMCs was evaluated by [3H]-thymidine uptake measurements.Results MR protein expression in RMCs was confirmed by Western blotting. Aldosterone activated ERK1/2, and the maximal ERK1/2 activation induced by aldosterone was at a concentration of 100 nmol/L. Aldosterone (100 nmol/L)-induced activation of ERK1/2 peaked at 10 minutes (P＜0.05).Pretreatment with a selective MR antagonist eplerenone (1 μmol/L) significantly attenuated aldosterone-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Aldosterone (100 nmol/L) treatment for 30 hours increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation of RMCs (135% ±8% of controls, P ＜0.05). Cellular proliferation induced by aldosterone could be prevented by pretreatment with eplerenone or an ERK (MEK) inhibitor PD988059. Conclusion Aldosterone induces RMCs proliferation through MR and ERK1/2 activation, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of glomerular mesangial injury.