Objective:To investigate the relationship between clinical effects of acupuncture for elderly patients with sensorineural deafness and ear distending sensation.Methods:A total of 120 elderly patients with sensorineural deafness were randomly divided into a comprehensive treatment group,an acupuncture group and a Western medicine group,with 40 cases in each group.The acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment,the Western medicine group received oral mecobalamin tablets and the comprehensive treatment group received acupuncture plus acupoint injection and auricular acupoint sticking.The values of pure tone hearing threshold test of the three groups were observed before and after treatment,and the relationship between clinical effects and ear distending sensation was compared.Results:The total effective rate of the comprehensive treatment group was 82.5％ versus 67.0％ in the acupuncture group and 62.5％ in the Western medicine group.The inter-group comparisons showed statistically significant differences in the comprehensive treatment group versus the Western medicine group (P＜0.01) and the acupuncture group (P＜0.05).In the comprehensive treatment group,there were 23 cases (57.5％) with ear distending sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 86.9％;there were 17 cases (42.5％) without the sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 76.5％.In the acupuncture group,there were 24 cases (60.0％) with ear distending sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 71.0％;there were 16 cases (40.0％) without the sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 63.0％.In the Western medicine group,there were 21 cases (52.5％) with ear distending sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 66.7％;there were 19 cases (47.5％) without the sensation,the clinical total effective rate was 57.9％.The total effective rate of patients with ear distending sensation were higher than the rates of those without ear distending sensation in the three groups,but the differences were insignificant (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:The comprehensive therapy is one of the effective methods to treat elderly patients with sensorineural deafness.In the three groups of elderly patients with sensorineural deafness,the relief of ear distending sensation and the hearing loss were basically simultaneous,and the hearing recovery in the patients with ear distending sensation may be slightly better than that in those without ear distending sensation.Nevertheless,further research is needed.

Objective To study the effects of Yunnan BaiYao on the expressions of c-fos and c-jun mRNA in HPDLFs and explore the potential mechanism that Yunnan BaiYao promotes the proliferation and differentiation of HPDLFs.Methods The HPDLFs tissue was obtained from the extracted healthy premolar.The HPDLFs used underwent four to six passages.Cells were divided into untreated group,positive control group and treated group.In treated group,HPDLFs were co-cultured with Yunnan BaiYao solution for 4h with gradient concentration.The expressions of c-fos and c-jun mRNA were determined by RT-PCR.Results The results showed that the expressions of c-fos and c-jun mRNA were up-regulated significantly in treated group compared with control group (P＜0.05) Conclusion Yunnna BaiYao can upregulate the expressions of c-los and C-jun mRNA in HPDLFs.Through upregulating the expressions of c-fos and c-jun mRNA in hPDLs,Yunnan BaiYao can promote proliferation and differentiation of ossification of HPDLFs to induce bone formation.

Objective:To investigate polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 genes in Bai ethnic group in Dali,Yunnan province.Methods:Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) were used to determine HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles in 124 unrelated healthy Bai ethnic individuals living in Eryuan County of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture,Yunnan province.Results:Among all the 21 DRB1 alleles and 15 DQB1 alleles were identified,the predominant alleles were DRB1*1202(26.61%),DRB1*0901(13.89%) and DRB1*0803(9.92%) on DRB1 locus and DQB1*0301(31.45%),DQB1*0601(10.08%),DQB1*0401(8.06%)and DQB1*0502(8.06%)on DQB1 locus.The most common haplotypes were DRB1*1202-DQB1*0301(20.08%)and DRB1*0803-DQB1*0601(7.19%).Conclusion:The phylogenetic tree constructed according to the HLA-DRB1,-DQB1 allele frequencies of Bais with those of other 10 populations suggests that the Bai ethnic group belongs to the southern group of China,but it keeps genetic distance from others and the HLA genes exhibits a unique profile.This study would provide HLA polymorphism information of Bai for the future investigation on the disease related to the genetic polymorphism.

Objective To investigate the characteristics and distribution of human eehinococcosis in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County (HMAC) in Xinjiang. Methods Using cluster sampling methods, the 2 counties (Tiebukenwusa and Narenhebuke) in HMAC were chosen as focusing areas for investigation. A survey of human echinococcosis including questionnaire, serological test and abdominal ultrasonic scan was carried out. Results The prevalence of human echinococcosis was 9.0% (64/712) by ultrasound and surgical history, including 8.7% (62/712) for cystic eehinococcosis(CE), 0.3%(2/712) for alveolar echinococcosis(AE) and 15.6%(111/712) for total of serological positives in HMAC. CE prevalence rate of different occupations, age, family slaughtering livestock and drinking water source had significant differences(P<0.05). Herdsmen as the highest risk group showed a CE prevalence of the 13.4% (27/201) in comparison with other occupations. The ages between 20 to<40 year-old were at the highest risk stage with 12.8% incidence. But CE prevalence rate of different gender, ethnic and education groups had not significant differences(P>0.05). Conclusions HMAC could be considered as a high endemic human CE region in Xinjiang. The current study reported the main risk factors may include occupations, age difference and drinking water source.

Objective We investigated the in vivo effects of recombinant adenovirus-associated virus type-2(AAV-2)mediated interleukin-10(IL-10)gene transfer on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2,9,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-1,collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ in a rat acute myocardial infarction model.Method Male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into three groups(each n=6):sham operation group,MI/AAV2 group,and MI/AAV2-IL-10 group(1010 vg/ml×0.1 ml injection at peri-infarct regions immediately post MI).Five days later,the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by RT-PCR, Western blot and zymography.The expression of TIMP-1 was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot.Collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ were assessed bv RT-PCR and immunohistochemical stain.Results The myocardial expressions of MMP-2,MMP-9 and collagen contents in MI/AAV2 group were significantly increased than those in sham operation group.Myocardial expressions of MMP-2,MMP-9 were significantly decreased and the expression of TIMP-1 significantly increased in the MI/AAV2-IL-10 group than those in MI/AAV2 group. Moreover,the expressions of collagen type Ⅰ,collagen type Ⅲ and the ratio of Ⅰ/Ⅲ collagen in border zones of infarcted myocardium were decreased by 47.6%(P＜0.01),23.6%(P＜0.05),and 17.9%(P＜0.05)respectively,while the expression of TIMP-1 increased by 73.1%(P＜0.05)in MI/AAV2-IL-10 group compared to MI/AAV2 group.Conclusion In vivo myocardial IL-10 transfer reduced myocardial MMP and collagen expression and increasing the TIMP expression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refraction parameters in myopia. METHODS: Two thousand two hundred and seventy-four patients (4245 eyes) with different degrees of myopia were collected. Their BCVA, diopter of spherical (DS), diopter of cylinder (DC), astigmatism axis, axial length (AL) and corneal thickness were detected. The influence of those parameters on BCVA was studied and the mathematical model of the relationship between BCVA and other parameters including the age and gender of patients was established. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis showed that there were correlations between the BCVA (y) and DS (x1), DC (x2), gender (x3), AL (x4), corneal thickness (x5), astigmatism axis (x6) and age (x7) (P<0.05): y=0.580 6-0.034 0 x1-0.046 8 x2+0.056 5 x3+0.016 5 x4+ 0.0007 x5+0.000 2 x6-0.005 8 x7. CONCLUSION For people with myopia, age, gender and corneal thickness have small effect on BCVA, while the DS, DC, AL and astigmatism axis have significant effect on BCVA. The BCVA would decline following the extension of DS, DC and AL. It is helpful to assess the vision of myopia by analyzing the refraction parameters comprehensively.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cornea/pathology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Myopia/physiopathology* ; Refraction, Ocular/physiology* ; Refractometry ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields/physiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the surgical technique, indication and the clinical effects of the Microscope Endoscopic Tubular Retractor System (METRx) for microendoscopic lumbar diskectomy with the preservation of the ligamentum flavum.

METHODSTwo hundred and eleven patients underwent single-segment METRx, with ligamentum flavum preservation in 65 patients (Group A), and without preservation in 146 patients (Group B). The two groups were compared clinically. All the patients suffered from low back pain and radicular syndrome to some extent, and the diagnosis was affirmed by CT and/or MRI. After exposed the interlaminar space regularly, the superior, inferior and lateral edge of the ligamentum flavum was released, the 3-sided dissociative ligament pacth was retracted medially during the spinal manipulation and restored anatomically after disc removal and the decompression of the nerve root.

RESULTSAccording to the results of two groups, ligamentum flavum preservation technique was feasible under endoscope and helpful in reducing the scar formation in the spinal canal.

CONCLUSIONSThe ligamentum flavum preservation technique enable the surgeons to preserve the natural barrier. It is feasible to perform METRx, and it is helpful in reducing the epidural fibrosis.

Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Ligamentum Flavum ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo generate transgenic mice of NKCC1 +/- (heterozygous) and NKCC1 +/+ (wild-type) that have a targeted disruption in the NKCC1 gene in order to investigate the relationship of one copy of NKCC1 gene (NKCC1 +/-) and age-related hearing loss (AHL) and to study the possible pathogenesis of AHL METHODS: Auditory function of NKCC1 +/- mice was detected regularly by auditory brain response (ABR) and endocochlear potential (EP). Morphology of cochlea was observed by scanning electron microscope and content of NKCC1 protein was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe mean value for ABR thresholds was elevated in NKCC1 +/- mice more than that of NKCC1 +/+ mice (P < 0.01). A progression of age-related hearing loss was found in NKCC1 +/- mice. Compared with younger NKCC1 +/- mice, the mean value for ABR thresholds in aged NKCC1 +/- mice was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The EP of NKCC1 +/- aged mice was also significantly decreased more than that of the younger NKCC1 +/+ mice (P < 0.05). And content of NKCC1 protein were reduced with the growth of the age. The scanning electron microscope showed a kind of scattered punctiform absence of outer hair cells in elder NKCC1 +/- mice cochlea.

CONCLUSIONSNKCC1 gene maybe takes part in the pathogenesis of AHL. Mice that expressed only one copy of NKCC1 could lead to AHL. AHL may be correlative with the amounts of NKCC1 protein and its function and also with the loss of outer hair cells perhaps.

Age Factors ; Aging ; genetics ; physiology ; Animals ; Hearing Disorders ; etiology ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Transgenic ; Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters ; genetics ; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 2

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of the facial artery using 16-slice spiral CT angiography (CTA).

METHODSForty-five patients without vascular pathologies or other anomalies underwent 16-slice spiral CT angiography after injection of 350 mg I/ml Omnipaque through the ulnar vein. MIP and volume rendering of the images were performed to analyze the left and right facial artery.

RESULTSThe left facial artery arose from the external carotid artery with the distances from the carotid artery bifurcation of 4.5-47.90 mm (mean 18.77-/+8.98 mm), and in 1 case (2.2%), the artery arose from the common carotid artery. The right facial artery arose from the external carotid artery in all the 45 cases (100%) with distances from the carotid artery bifurcation of 6.8-39.70 mm (mean 19.23-/+8.25 mm). The bilateral facial arteries more commonly arose from the external carotid artery independently, and the lingual artery and facial artery sharing the same trunk arising from the external carotid artery was less common. In 1 case, the left facial artery and the submental artery shared the same trunk, and in another case, the left facial artery, thyroid artery and lingual artery shared the same trunk. The diameter of the left facial artery ranged from 1.40 to 4.70 mm (mean 2.83-/+0.77 mm), and that of the right facial artery was 1.60-4.30 mm (mean 2.81-/+0.79 mm). The left facial artery ended below the angle of the mouth in 12 cases (26.67%), between the angle of the mouth and the nasal wing in 7 cases (15.56%), and above the nasal wing in 26 cases (57.77%). The right facial artery ended below the angle of the mouth in 7 cases (15.56%), between the angle of the mouth and the nasal wing in 12 cases (26.67%), and above the nasal wing in 26 cases (57.77%). The bilateral facial arteries frequently passed through the submandibular gland parenchyma (23 cases on the left and 24 cases on the right), and the facial arteries were found occasionally to run below the submandibular gland (11 cases on the left and 9 on the right).

CONCLUSION16-slice spiral CT angiography can help in preoperative facial artery evaluation noninvasively. This modality can clearly display the bilateral facial arteries, including their origin, course, distribution and ending to provide detailed information for flap designing before plastic surgery and for preoperative evaluation for microvascular surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography ; methods ; Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Face ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Anatomic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult