Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiao Shen Ding Zhi (mind-regulating) needling method in treating anxious neurosis. Method Fifty-eight patients with anxious neurosis were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 29 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by Tiao Shen Ding Zhi needling method, while the control group was by conventional needling. The total effective rates of the two groups were observed. Result The total effective rate was 96.5% (28/29) in the treatment group versus 82.8% (24/29) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Tiao Shen Ding Zhi needling method can produce a higher total effective rate than conventional acupuncture in treating anxious neurosis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of skin needling plus flash cupping for hemifacial spasm. Method Forty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 20 in each group. For both groups, the following acupoints were selected: Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yifeng (TE17), Xiaguan (ST7), Cuanzhu (BL2), Yangbai (GB14), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Quanliao (SI18), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Hegu (LI4), and Waiguan (TE5). Skin needling plus flash cupping was used for the treatment group, while even reducing-reinforcing needling method was used for the control group. Seven-day treatments were considered as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacy was analyzed after 3 courses. Result The cure rate was 65.0%in the treatment group versus 45.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Skin needling plus flash cupping can produce a significant efficacy in treating hemifacial spasm, better than ordinary needling method.

Lactic acid production of twelve strains of LAB isolated from broiler intestine and tolerance property of three strains were investigated. The results of lactic acid production showed that among all strains K6 exhibited the most rapid production during the first twelve hours, the seconds were K9 and C1; D17 exhibited the highest production of lactic acid by twenty-four hours, C1 exhibited the highest production of lactic acid by forty-eight hours. The pH values in three strains of K9、D17 and C1 culture showed the fast decline during the first twelve hours, with the final values significantly lower than those of other strains cultures. The results of tolerance property showed that the survival counts of C1could be detected when pH value was at 2 after three hours, but the survival counts of D17 and K9 could not be detected after one hour. When pH value was at 2.5 after three hours ,the survival counts of C1 declined from 10~ 8.2 /mL to 10~ 4.8 /mL, K9 from 10~ 8.2 /mL to 10~ 4.6 /mL, the survival counts of D17 could not be detected. 0.08% bile had few effects on the survival counts of three strains; when incubated in the medium with 0.40% bile, the survival counts of C1 declined from 10~ 8.4 /mL to 10~ 6.5 /mL,D17 from 10~ 10.3 /mL to 10~ 7.5 /mL, and K9 from 10~ 9.8 /mL to 10~ 7.7 /mL. When the group treated with 37℃ for 20 minutes was served as the control, the survival counts of C1 and K9 was not detected when treated with 80℃, but the survival counts of D17 were 10~ 4.9 /mL, when treatment with 65℃ the survival counts of C1 and K9 decreased significantly .

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treating Tourette's syndrome.MethodEighty patients were allocated, using a random number table, to a treatment group of 40 cases and a control group of 40 cases. The treatment group received acupuncture and the control group, Western drug treatment.ResultThe YGTSS score decreased significantly in the two groups of patients after treatment(P<0.01). After treatment, the range of decrease in the YGTSS tic score was larger in the treatment group than in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of adverse reactions were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group.ConclusionThe effect and safety of treatment for Tourette's syndrome are higher in the treatment group than in the control group.

Objective To observe the effects of GABA on proliferation, cell cycle and expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 of pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990. Methods The effects of different concentration of GABA (0 ～ 320 μmol/L) on proliferation and cell cycle of pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 was investigated by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results GABA could promote the proliferation of SW1990 cells and influence the distribution of cell cycle, which made less cells of G0/G1 phase and more cells of S and G2/M phase. The value of A570 after GABA pretreatment at a dose of 320 μmol/L was 1. 11 ± 0.03, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (0. 56 ± 0.01, P < 0. 01 ), the cells of G0/G1 phase was (46.18 ± 1.12 )% ,which was significantly lower than (87.29 ± 1.34)% in the control group (P < 0. 01 ) ;the expressions of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and their proteins were 8.6, 6.8, 10.5, 8.4, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the groups of the doses of 0 ～ 40 μmol/L ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions GABA could influence the proliferation and expression of MMP of SW1990 cells.

Objective To investigate the value of MRI and~1H-MRS in diagnosis of early stage of diabetic encephalopathy by detecting regional metabolite in cynomolgus diabetes models. Methods Five pathogen-free male adolescent cynomolgus were made type 1 diabetes mellitus models (T1DM) by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (100 mg/kg), and the reliability and stability of the modes were assessed with long term follow-up of blood glucose and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. MRI and ~1H-MRS were performed to evaluate the volume, signal intensity and metabolic ratios of NAA/Cr, mI/Cr and Cho/Cr at hippocampus, lateral temporal lobe and occipital lobe 3 years after model establishment. Cortisol in serum was detected with immunoradiometric assay. In addition, 5 normal adult cynomolgus monkeys were selected in the control group and accepted the same examination above. Results ①Intravenous administration of STZ could made stable T1DM monkey model. ②Only mI/Cr ratio increased at hippocampus of diabetic monkeys compared to the control group (P<0.05). ③There was no statistical difference of cortisol in serum between the diabetic group and the control group (P＞0.05). Conclusion ~1H-MRS may detect the metabolic changes of the hippocampus in STZ-induced diabetic adolescent cynomolgus monkeys and may contributes to the early diagnosis of diabetic encephalopathy.

Teeth are the hardest organs in the human body. They are not easily affected by external physical and chemical factors to degrade or deform. Dental age assessment has been widely used in forensic practice. Dental image is one of the most common methods in the age estimation. The emergence of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology provides a new way to obtain three-dimensional image of teeth. It has many advantages such as low-dose radiation, short-time scanning, high-precision image, and finical convenience. Recent development of CBCT technology and its application on age estimation are reviewed in this paper.
Age Determination by Teeth/methods* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography/trends* ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional

Objective To determine the factors that influence the development of abnormal thyrotropin (TSH) level in an euthyroid population.Methods We conducted a follow-up study in 3 communities with different iodine status.Of the 3403 euthyroid subjects at baseline screened in 1999,80.1% ( n = 2727 ) was visited and sampled in 2004 for measuring TSH,thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb).Results Iodine status in the 3 communities were stable.Decreased TSH level( <0.3 mU/L) developed in 2.5% (n =68) of sampled subjects,while raised TSH level( > 4.8 mU/L) in 2.4% (n = 64).A logistic analysis showed that risk factors for developing decreased TSH level included positive conversion of TPOAb (OR = 5.5 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and in 2004 ( OR = 4.0),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7) and TSH < 1.0 mU/L in 1999 ( OR = 2.6).Risk factors involved in developing raised TSH level included iodine status of Zhangwu community ( OR = 4.1 ),iodine status of Huanghua community ( OR = 3.9),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and 2004 (OR =3.6),positive conversion of TPOAb (OR =2.7) and TSH > 1.9 mU/L in 1999 (OR = 2.6 ).Conclusions Exposure to long-term iodine excess imposes danger of developing hypothyroidism.The risk will be even higher when exposing to iodine adequacy after correction of iodine deficiency.An interval between 1.0 and 1.9 mU/L of TSH level was optimul with the least probability of developing abnormal TSH level.

OBJECTIVEImpact of climate warming in winter on the potential epidemics of dengue fever in Hainan was assessed.

METHODSBased on historic data of mean monthly temperature in January from 8 weather observation stations, tendency and amplitude of variation were analyzed. Using 21 degrees C as lowest limit of temperature suitable for dengue fever transmission, impact caused by climate warming on dengue fever epidemic was estimated by means of geography information system (GIS), insect vector and epidemiological features.

RESULTSTemperature in winter in Hainan province had shown an obvious increase. The maximum amplitude of increase appeared in Dongfang which was 1.4 degrees C and the minimum 0.5 degrees C in Shanhudao, but the increase amplitude in the other stations was varied from 0.7 to 1.3 degrees C. By the year of 2050, 21 degrees C contour will have moved 190 km or so northward, nearly spanned 6/7 of distance from south to north in Hainan province and under the condition of daily fraction surviving of Aedes aegypti as P = 0.89, Qionghai city which stands north in Hainan province will probably have become epidemic area of dengue fever all year round.

CONCLUSIONClimate warming in winter will probably make half or more of the areas in Hainan province with temperature that permitting transmission of dengue fever by 2050. Monitoring and prevention of dengue fever in winter should be emphasized.

Aedes ; physiology ; virology ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Climate ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; Dengue Virus ; isolation & purification ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; virology ; Seasons ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo assess the potential impact of warming climate in winter to the scale and severity of schistosomiasis epidemics in China.

METHODSBased on the data of mean temperature and monthly minimum temperature in January from 126 (out of 733) weather observation stations in China, the trend and oscillation amplitude was analyzed. The impact of warming climate in winter to the scale of schistosomiasis spreading was assessed, using the indices of 0 degrees C mean temperature and -4 degrees C mean monthly minimum temperature in January. Correlation between these two indices was analyzed.

RESULTSEvidences showed the warming climate in winter was seen all over China with the mean monthly minimum temperature and the mean temperature in January had increased 1.3 degrees C and 0.9 degrees C since 1986. The contours of mean monthly minimum temperature -4 degrees C and mean temperature 0 degrees C in January moved 1 - 2 latitudes northward.

CONCLUSIONThe warming climate phenomenon seen in winter was considered favorable to the living of snails in winter, resulting in the possible increase of northward spreading of snails.Thus, monitoring of snails should be paid special attention.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Climate ; Disease Reservoirs ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Schistosoma japonicum ; physiology ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Seasons ; Snails ; parasitology ; physiology ; Temperature