OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy between acupuncture at stellate ganglion combined with intravenous administration of alprostadil and simple intravenous administration of alprostadil on lower limb atherosclerosis of early diabetes mellitus.

METHODSSixty patients of lower limb atherosclerosis of early diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Patients in the two groups were treated with basic treatment to control blood glucose and lipid. In addition, patients in the control group were treated with intravenous administration of alprostadil (10 µg) and sodium chloride solution (100 mL); based on this, patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at stellate ganglion. The treatment was given once a day; the consecutive treatment of two weeks constituted one session, and totally 4 sessions were given. The total syndrome score, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood flow of posterior tibial artery and dorsal artery of foot were observed before and after treatment; the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared before treatment, the total syndrome score, HbA1c, blood flow of posterior tibial artery and dorsal artery of foot were significantly improved after treatment (all P < 0.05), which were more obvious in the observation group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was significantly superior to 86.7% (26/30) in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at stellate ganglion combined with intravenous administration of alprostadil achieve better effect than simple intravenous administration of alprostadil for lower limb atherosclerosis of early diabetes mellitus, which improve the clinical symptoms, regulate blood sugar and increase the blood flow of lower limb.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; innervation ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To detected the motor cortex reorganization and compared the influence on reorganization process as regard to different transfer modes of contralateral seventh cervical nerve root (C7)in young rats model of total brachial plexus root avulsion. Methods The young Sprague-Dawley rats model of total brachial plexus root avulsion was established. The left radix dorsalis and radix ventralis from the fifth cervical nerve root (C5) to the first thoracic nerve root (T1)were exposed and the roots from C5 to T1 were avulsed from the spinal cord. Then, the contralateral C7 transfer operation was performed. Three different operative modes were applied randomly which included contralateral C7 transference to anterior division of the upper trunk (group A, n=30), to both musculocutaneous and median nerves (group B, n=30), or to median nerve (group C, n=30). The movement evocation of motor cortex was measured by intracortical microstimula-tion in both hemispheres, and functional reorganization was assessed dynamically in 1.5, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after operation. Results After contralateral C7 transference, the ipsilateral motor cortex initially acti- vated the injured limb at 1.5 month, and subsequently the motor cortex of both hemispheres activated the in-jured limb at the 3rd and 6th month. The injured limb was activated mainly by the contralateral motor cortex in group A at the 9th month. The contralateral motor cortex exclusively controlled the injured limb in all three groups at the 12th month after the operation. Meanwhile, the extent of functional reorganization was better in group B than that of group C. Conclusion After contralateral C7 transfer operation, motor cortex in charging injured limb developed a transhemispheric functional reorganization in young rats with total brachial plexus root avulsion. Different operative modes contributed to the functional reorganization of motor cortex. Transferring contralateral C7 to anterior division of the upper trunk or to both musculocutaneous and median nerves provided better functional reorganization than to median nerve.

Objective·To analyse the outcomes of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) for secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) late after left-sided valve surgery during perioperative period and mid-term follow-up,investigate mechanisms of STR and surgical risk factors.Methods·A total of 85 consecutive patients who underwent the TVR surgery were analyzed.The perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes were retrospectively investigated.The data were divided into bioprosthesis group (n=50) and mechanical prosthesis group (n=35) according to the prosthesis used,and divided into right anterolateral thoracotomy(RALT) group (n=51) and stemotomy(S) group (n=34) according to the surgical incision.Results·In-hospital mortality was 8.2％ (7/85).There was no significant difference in the mortality with different choice of bioprosthetic or mechanical valve (4/50 vs 3/35,x2=0.009,P=1.000);while there was significant difference between S group and RALT group (6/34 vs 1/51,x2=6.642,P=0.015).Seven cases all died of right heart failure and severe low cardiac output syndrome.Five (5.9％) cases died in perioperative within 30 in-hospital days and 2 (2.4％) cases died after 30 in-hospital days.Seventy-four cases were followed up.With the follow-up of (31.5±23.1) months,there were 4 case of late deaths(5.4％),all of whom were mechanical prosthesis,of whom 3 died in cardiac related death and 1 died in later period bowel cancer.Seventy cases survived in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅰ-Ⅱ with no coagulated accident and redo-TVR.Conclusion·The perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes are satisfied in timely and reasonable TVR with the standard follow-up for STR late after left-sided valve surgery.Right anterolateral incision is recommend for isolated TVR.

AlM:To determine the changes of regional macular retinal thickness ( RT ) with spectral domain optical coherence tomography ( SD-OCT ) after successful pars plana vitrectomy ( PPV ) surgery with inner limiting membrane ( lLM ) peeling in patients with idiopathic macular hole.
METHODS:A non-randomized retrospective case study on 17 patients ( 17 eyes ) who were hospitalized between March 1, 2011 and June 30, 2013. All 17 eyes had been diagnosed with idiopathic macular hole and thereafter underwent 25G-PPV surgeries performed by the same surgeon with lLM peeling and short - term gas tamponade. ln the 6mo-plus follow-up after surgery, these eyes were found to have successful closure in the macular hole. The macular RT of the nine areas in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study was measured by SD-OCT. All patients were applied by SD-OCT with linear scan of the macular. At least four examinations on the operated eye were conducted in contrast to the other normal eye: before the surgery, 3~5wk after the surgery (stage A), 2~3mo after the surgery (stage B), and >6mo after the surgery (stage C).
RESULTS:ln stage A, the macular RT of operated eyes in the areas of C, lS, ll, lN, OS, Ol, ON (263. 00±39. 48, 313. 92±18. 35, 311. 00±18. 02, 335. 67±19. 91, 280. 83±33. 74, 269. 92 ± 23. 32, 307. 00 ± 28. 40 ) were significantly thicker than the corresponding areas of the normal fellow eyes (220. 51 ± 23. 94, 292. 08 ± 21. 93, 282. 50 ± 20. 30, 288. 33 ± 20. 76, 251. 25±17. 60, 247. 75±21. 48, 265. 17±24. 76ü m) (P<0. 01) with the exception of the lT (291. 58±18. 97, 280. 33± 20.82üm) and OT (250.83±21.21, 242.08±24.02üm) (P>0. 01). ln Stage B, the macular RT in the areas of ll, lN, OS (335.67±19.20,319.75±19.20, 273.50±16.89üm) were significantly thicker than the corresponding areas of the normal fellow eyes (286. 33±20. 46, 293. 42±17. 64, 252. 50± 16.32üm) (P<0. 01). However, the macular RT of the operated eyes in the areas of C, lS, lT, Ol and OT had no statistically significant difference compared with the corresponding areas of the normal fellow eyes (P> 0. 01). ln Stage C, the macular RT of operated eyes with the areas of lN (321. 17 ± 19. 71ü m) were significantly thicker than the corresponding areas of the normal fellow eyes (296.25±19.57üm) (P<0.01). Meanwhile the other areas of the operated eyes were not significantly different from the normal fellow eyes (P>0. 01). Moreover, the macular RT of operated eyes in the areas of ON, lT (307. 00±28. 40, 291. 58 ± 18. 97ü m ) in stage A significantly decreased compared to that of the corresponding areas in stage C (276. 08±32. 39, 278. 75±10. 19ü m) (P<0. 01).
CONCLUSlON: SD-OCT is a convenient tool for the observation of macular regional changes after macular hole surgery. Macular RT had persistent changes after vitrectomy on eyes with macular hole by SD-OCT. lLM peeling may have caused microstructural changes in wide areas of the macular region after PPV surgery. More support and evidence were provided to the further study of the long - term observation for the structural and function of macular after macular hole surgery.

Objective To explore whether 5 to -7-day of folic acid supplementation prior to pemetrexed therapy is needed. Methods We retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients received less than the advised folic acid premedication. Seventy patients with Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC were randomly divided into two groups: patients who initiated vitamin supplementation on 7 days before the first dose of pemetrexed (group A) and patients who initiated vitamin supplementation on the day of the first dose of pemetrexed (group B). Results In group A and group B, CR 0 and 0, PR 10 and 8, the response rates of 28.6% and 22.9% were observed, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences between these two groups. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities. Conclusions The initiation of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy does not need to accommodate a vitamin supplementation schedule.

Objective:To study the effect of flavonoids extracts from semen Astragali complanati (FAC) on the growth of hepatocellular H22 cells and elucidate its action mechanism. Methods:The mouse model bearing H22 tumor cells was established. The effects of FAC on the growth of xenografted H22 tumor, the immune organ, survival time, phagocytic function of macrophages, and lymphocyte transformation in tumor-bearing mice were observed. Results:The growth of H22 transplanted tumor was significantly inhibited by FAC at high, middle and low doses,compared with normal control group (P<0.05). The tumor-inhibiting ratio in cyclophosphamide (CTX) group was similar with that in FAC high-dose group (P>0.05). FAC markedly elongated the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. The high, middle and low doses of FAC elongated the survival time of tumor-bearing mice by 64.9%, 56.7% and 28.1%, which were significantly different with control group (P<0.01). The high, middle and low doses of FAC greatly increased the thymus index and spleen index of tumor-bearing mice (P<0.05, vs control) and elevated the phagocytic function of macrophages and lymphocyte transformation capability (P<0.01, vs control). The effect of CTX on immune function of tumor-bearing mice was opposite with FAC. The difference between CTX group and control group was significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: FAC inhibits the growth of H22 hepatoma, elongates the survival time, and elevates the non-specific immune function of tumor-bearing mice, indicating that FAC maybe exert its anti-tumor effect via regulating immune function of tumor-bearing mice.

Objective To study non-invasive measurement of reflectance oxygen saturation.Methods Diffusion theory was used to explain the action of light in tissue and deduce reflectance oxygen saturation formula.Then,Reflectance Oxygen Saturation Detection System based on MSP430 was developed and calibrated.Result The calibration result and calibration curve was ascertained and analyzed.Conclusion The formula for detection and measurement of oxygen saturation is put forward by using Reflectance Oxygen Saturation Detection System.

Objective To compare the effects of higher dosage of atorvastatin alone and combination of lower dosage of atorvastatin with ezetimibe on levels of lipid and metalloproteinases in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Forty-two patients with coronary artery stenosis (50% to 70% stenosis) without stent replacement were selected, and were randomly divided into atorvastatin group (treated with 20 mg or 40 mg atorvastatin alone, n = 19) and combined-therapy group(treated with 5 mg, 10 mg atorvastatin and 10 mg ezetimibe, n =23). The levels of serum lipid, hepatic and renal functions, creatine kinase, metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) were detected 12 weeks after treatment. Results Twelve weeks after treatment, the level of LDL-C in atorvastain group was (1.94 ± 0.49) mmol/L (37.82% decrease from baseline), and that in combined-therapy group was (1.92 ±0.54) mmol/L(38. 26% decrease from baseline), and there was no significant difference between these two groups (P >0.05). Twelve weeks after treatment, the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased and that of TIMP-1 was significantly increased compared with baseline levels in atorvastatin, while no such changes were detected in combined-therapy group. Conclusion In patients with coronary artery stenosis, combined therapy with lower dosage of atorvastatin and ezetimibe may lead to the same lipid-lowing effects compared with therapy with higher dosage of atorvastatin, but it may not result in a significant reduction in serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and increase of TIMP-1.

Objective: To observe the immediate effect of small-angle Tui-Pushing and An-Pressing anti-rotation bone-setting manipulation in improving the correction of braces for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A total of 50 cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were selected and given brace correction first. The whole spine anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken, the Cobb angle was measured, and the visual analog scale (VAS) score of pain caused by brace wearing was recorded. After removal of the brace, small-angle Tui-Pushing and An-Pressing anti-rotation bone-setting manipulation was performed once. After treatment, the same brace was put on again to take a whole spine anteroposterior radiograph, the Cobb angle was measured, and the VAS score was recorded. The changes in Cobb angle and VAS score after manipulation were compared, and the immediate efficacy was evaluated. Results: After the manipulation, the Cobb angle was significantly smaller than that before treatment (P<0.01) and the VAS score was significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: Small-angle Tui-Pushing and An-Pressing anti-rotation bone-setting manipulation can improve the immediate efficacy of brace in treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and relieve the pain caused by brace wearing at the same time.

BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is closely connected to the occurrence of some rheumatic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and can be used as an important factor for evaluating the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. Immunomagnetic separation and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (IMS-ELISA) has been applied to the detection of HLA-B27.OBJECTIVE: To explore the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of IMSELISA for detecting HLA-B27 and its value in the auxiliary diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.DESIGN: A clinical trial in comparison with the gold standard.SETTING: Departments of Rheumatology and Clinical Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-six patients suffering from low back pain and/or arthritis who were treated for the first time in Department of Rheumatology from December 2002 to April 2003. Inclusion criteria: ① Presence of manifestations of low back pain and/or arthritis; ② Thorough documentation of clinical and other examinations; ③ Informed consent to HLA-B27 examination; ④ Treatment for the first time in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yet-sen University. Those with other serious diseases or with incomplete record of clinical and/or accessory examinations were excluded. The 86 patients included 56 male and 30 female patients aged from 12 to 65 years.METHODS: Blood sample was detected for HLA-B27 by both IMS-ELISA and microlymphocytotoxicity test, and the latter was selected as the gold standard. The coincidence rate of the results detected by the two methods as well as the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of IMS-ELISA were calculated.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The coincidence rate of the results of the two methods. ② The sensitivity and specificity of IMS-ELISA for detecting HLA-B27.RESULTS: None of the patients was lost. For the 33 patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the positivity rate of IMS-ELISA (90.9％) was higher than that of microlymphocytotoxicity test (87.9％), but the difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). The total coincidence rate of the two methods was 93.0％ in all the 86 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of IMS-ELISA were 90.0％, 95.7％,94.7％ and 91.7％ respectively.CONCLUSION: Both IMS-ELISA and microlymphocytotoxicity test are capable of reliable examination of HLA-B27 with high sensitivity and specificity.