Objective To conduct a systematic review with evidence collected from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of domestic and overseas acupuncture for nervous tinnitus. Methods RCTs were searched in several databases i.e. CNKI, VIP, CBM and PubMed, using the keywords of acupuncture and tinnitus. The efficacy and methodologies were evaluated using meta-analysis by RevMan5.0. Efficacy indexes i.e. recovery rate, significant efficiency rate, total effective rate of acupuncture in treating nervous tinnitus were assessed using odds ratio (OR). Funnel plot was drawn to analyze publication bias. Begg’s rank test and Egger’s linear regression test were conducted to measure symmetry in funnel plot by using Stata 11.0. Results Fifteen RCTs involving 1082 patients met the inclusive criteria. The results of meta-analyses showed that recovery rate (OR=2.82, 95%CI 1.89 to 4.20), significant efficiency rate (OR=1.75, 95%CI 1.26 to 2.44), total effective rate (OR=3.68, 95%CI 2.62 to 5.16) were significantly higher in acupuncture group than control group. Begg’s rank test (P=0.350) and Egger’s linear regression test (P=0.887) showed partly symmetry in funnel plot with unfilled corner, which indicated that some degree of bias existed in the included studies. Conclusion According to the analysis results, acupuncture or acupuncture combining other therapies were superior to pure medication or non-acupuncture treatments. However, high-quality, large-sample, randomized, controlled trials seem to be needed to further confirm the efficacy of acupuncture, owing to the different standards and research methods, limited qualities of the included studies.

Objective To analyze the occurrence of clinical adverse drug reaction (ADR) of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs. Methods Articles about ADR of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs reported from January 1990 to February 2014 were collected from databases of CNKI, VIP, CBM, Pubmed and Embase according to incorporation and exclusion standard. Metrology analysis was also conducted. Results Totally 378 effective articles showed tonic Chinese medicinal herbs most likely to induce ADR were as follows:individual Chinese medicinal herbs including Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus and Astragali Radix;injection containing Shenmai Injection, Shengmai Injection and Acanthopanax Injection;other herbal preparation covering Polygoni Multiflori tablets. The most common ADR involved the damage on skin tissue, nervous system and digestive system, with prominent relevant clinical symptoms such as itching, skin rash, dizziness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, and liver dysfunction. Conclusion Correct understanding adverse reaction of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs will be conducive to rational drug use and avoiding risk.

Objective To explore the rule of traditional Chinese medicine in treating tinnitus based on literature and Logistic multiple regression analysis. Methods Articles about tinnitus treatment using traditional Chinese medicine were searched in several databases, i.e. CNKI (1984-2013), VIP (1989-2013), CBM (1990-2013), and PubMed (1984-2013), and medication frequency was analyzed. Then, models for tinnitus medication were established through metrological method and Logistic multiple regression. Results The common prescriptions with highest frequency usage were Liuwei Dihuang Pill, Longdan Xiegan Decoction, and Erlong Zuoci Pill. Corni Fructus, Psoraleae Fructus, and Lycii Fructus were commonly used for kidney-deficiency type of tinnitus;Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Codonopsis Radix were commonly used for the spleen-qi-deficiency type of tinnitus;Gardeniae Fructus, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, and Cyperi Rhizoma were commonly used for the liver-qi-dysfunction type of tinnitus;Pinelliae Rhizoma, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, and Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix were commonly used for the phlegm-fire disturbance type of tinnitus;Forsythiae Fructus, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, and Mori Cortex were commonly used for the wind-fire-invasion type of tinnitus. Conclusion Analysis of medication frequency and Logistic multiple regression analysis can provide evidence and reference for the treatment of tinnitus and syndrome differentiation.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of electrical stimulation at acupoints in the distribution area of auricular vagus nerve combined with sound masking on auditory brainstem response (ABR) and contents of neurotransmitters of γ-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and acetyl choline (Ach) in inferior colliculus of tinnitus rats.

METHODSTwenty-four male adult SD rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, a 7-d treatment group and a 15-d treatment group. Except the control group, rats in the remaining groups were treated with intraperitoneal injection of 10% salicylate sodium at a dose of 350 mg/kg to establish tinnitus model. Rats in the control group were treated with injection of 0.9% NaCl. Rats in the 7-d treatment group and 15-d treatment group were treated with electrical stimulation at "Shenmen (TF₄)" and "Yidan (CO₁₁)" in the distribution area of auricular vagus nerve combined with sound masking, once a day, for 7 days and 15 days. The SigGenRP software of TDT system was applied to provide voice for single ear and collect the signal, and the voice threshold of ABR was tested. The levels of γ-GABA, 5-HT and Ach in inferior colliculus of rats were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the threshold values of ABR in 12 kHz and 16 kHz voice stimulation in the 7-d treatment group were significantly lower all P < 0.05); the threshold values of ABR from 4 kHz to 28 kHz voice stimulation in the 15-d treatment group were signally reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), which was more significant than those in the 7-d treatment group. The level of γ-GABA in the model group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and that in the 15-d treatment group was apparently higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The level of 5-HT in the model group was markedly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and that in the 7-d treatment group was lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05), while that in the 15-d treatment group was apparently higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The level of Ach in the model group was obviously; lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and that in the 7-d treatment group was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectrical stimulation at auricular vagus nerve combined with sound masking) could regulate the threshold of ABR, especially in the 15-d treatment group. This may be ascribed to modulating the levels of neurotransmitter of γ-GABA, 5-HT and Ach in inferior colliculus.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Brain Stem ; physiopathology ; Electric Stimulation ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Humans ; Inferior Colliculi ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Tinnitus ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Vagus Nerve ; physiopathology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

Learning from the clinical medicine program of North American medical schools, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) has taken the lead in carrying out the "4+4" program of clinical medicine specialty in China since 2002, recruiting outstanding non-medical graduates to study for four years of medical courses. After 20 years of practice, SJTUSM has accumulated a series of effective school-running experience with Chinese characteristics, but there are also problems and puzzles. Based on the analysis and comparison of the "4+4" Clinical Medicine Program of SJTUSM with leading medical schools in the United States, such as Harvard Medical College and Stanford University Medical College, this paper discusses the training objectives, enrollment methods and scale, curriculum setting, degree-granting standards, etc. SJTUSM needs to strengthen the educational reform, improve the enrollment methods and curriculum system, strengthen the characteristics of compound talents training, and rationally balance the training of clinical and scientific research ability, so as to help promote the "4+4" clinical medical talents training mode to excellent.

Considering the existing shortages in evaluation criteria, training systems and management modes, administrators from graduate schools of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) performed reforms and practice for the establishment of tutor teams which should meet the requirements for culturing talented medical graduates in recent years. We have established a multidimensional evaluation criteria system oriented by both representative academic achievements and the quality of graduate students. We have strengthened horizontal cooperation with relevant administrative departments in SJTUSM. We also emphasize the concepts of "training the trainees" coordinated with administrators in the training units to implement reform measures. Herein we have summarized the main reform measures in SJTUSM to constantly improve the quality of postgraduate tutor team and guarantee high-level postgraduate education.