Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking in treating hemifacial spasm. Methods Fifty-six patients with hemifacial spasm were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 28 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus auricular point sticking, while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Results The total effective rate was 89.3%in the treatment group versus 67.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture plus auricular point sticking is an effective method in treating hemifacial spasm.

To study the use of data mining techniques in analyzing the syndrome discipline of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at point Neiguan on mouse myocardial hypertrophy.Methods Thirty-sixty healthy C57BL6 mice were randomized into blank, model and treatment groups, 12 rats each. In the treatment group, an acupuncture needle was inserted into point Neiguan and retained for 15 min, once daily. After nine days of treatment, the ratios of cardiac weight/tibial length were compared between the groups. Left ventricular myocardial tissues were processed by Masson trichrome staining in every group of mice. The differences in myocardial fiber arrangement and collagen fiber distribution between the groups were observed under the ordinary optical microscope in 100 times of field of vision. Sarcomere structure, myofibril arrangement, collagen fibers and mitochondria in injured myocardial tissues were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Heart rate increased significantly in the model group and decreased significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the blank group. Cardiac weight and the ratios of cardiac weight/tibial length increased significantly in the model and acupuncture groups compared with the blank group (P<0.01) and decreased significantly in the acupuncture group compared with the model group (P<0.01). In the model group, myocardial tissues had compensatory hypertrophy with incontinuous status, and myocardial transverse striations had severe disorder/disruption, karyopyknosis appeared and cytoplasmic eosinophilic change became obvious in few of the rats. The results were better in the acupuncture group than in the model group. In the model group, part of myofibrils had focal fusion, interstitial collagen fibers proliferated and mitochondria had swelling and compensatory increase. The results were also better in the acupuncture group than in the model group.Conclusions Acupuncture at point Neiguan can reduce the production of collagen fibers and mitochondria, improve the arrangement of sarcomere structure and delay the progression of myocardial hypertrophy.

Objective To evaluate the effect of duloxetine on the expression of Toll?like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP). Methods Type 2 di?abetes mellitus was induced by high?fat and high?sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin ( STZ) 35 mg∕kg in male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 2 months, weighing 180-220 g. Seventy?five rats with type 2 di?abetes mellitus were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n=15 each ) using a random number table: group DNP, DNP + normal saline group (group DNP+NS), and DNP + duloxetine 5, 10 and 20 mg∕kg groups (DNP+D5, DNP+D10, DNP+D20 groups). Another normal 15 rats were selected and served as control group ( group C) . Duloxetine 5, 10 and 20 mg∕kg were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 14 consecu?tive days starting from 15 days after administration of STZ in DNP+D5 , DNP+D10 and DNP+D20 groups, respectively. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group DNP+NS. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold ( MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency ( TWL) were measured on the day before STZ administration and 14, 17, 21 and 28 days after STZ administration. After the last measurement of pain threshold, the L4?6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of
TLR4 by immuno?histochemistry and Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the MWT was signif?icantly decreased, TWL was shortened, and the expression of TLR4 was up?regulated in DNP, DNP+D5, DNP+D10 and DNP+D20 groups (P<0?05). Compared with group DNP, the MWT was significantly in?creased, TWL was prolonged, and the expression of TLR4 was down?regulated in DNP+D5 , DNP+D10 and DNP+D2 0 groups ( P<0?05) , and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group DNP+NS ( P>0?05) . Conclusion The mechanism by which duloxetine attenuates DNP is related to down?regulated expression of TLR4 in the spinal dorsal horn of rats.

BACKGROUND:Removing the posterior ligamentous complexes during posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) may influence motion and load bearing characteristics of the adjacent segments,contributing to the postoperative instability at the adjacent segment,which is one of the important factors for adjacent segment degeneration.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the PLIF plus screw implantation preserving posterior ligamentous complexes under microscope.METHODS:Thirty-six patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease were enrolled,which were allotted to experimental (n=17) and control (n=1 9) groups,followed by treated with PLIF plus screw implantation preserving posterior ligamentous complexes,and traditional PLIF plus screw implnatation,respectively.The Visual Analogue Scale scores and Oswestry Dysfunction Index at baseline and postoperative 3 months were assessed.The adjacent segment degeneration was observed through radiology during follow-up.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Dysfunction Index scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P ＜ 0.01),and the postoperative scores in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).The adjacent segment degeneration occurred in two cases in the experimental group and 8 cases in the control group during follow-up.Radiology revealed that the internal fixative was stable,none of screw loosening,rupture or pullout.These results suggest that PLIF plus screw implantation with posterior ligamentous complexes can effectively relieve the pain and dysfunction in the lumbar degenerative patients,and reduce the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the treatment outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with recurrent sinusitis and to research which factors could influence the clinical outcome. METHOD: Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 55 patients. The clinical outcome and epithelization of mucosa after ESS were evaluated by Chinese ENT Association criteria. RESULT: The total cure rate was 81.82%, effective rate was 92.73%. The mean period of epithelization after operation was 13.2 weeks. No serious complication occurred. CONCLUTION The treatment efficacy can be greatly improved by the normative combined therapy which include the standard and orderly perioperative treatment ,the overall shape and nasalization of nasal cavity, postoperative follow-up and clearing cav ity after ESS.
Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of canalplasty in treatment of stenosis or atresia of the external auditory canal. METHOD: A retrospective review was performed on 10 patients (10 ears) that underwent canalplasty. The lesions located in bony segment in 1 case, cartilaginous segment in 3 cases, both in cartilaginous and bony segments in 6 cases, in which 4 cases accompanied with the middle ear diseases. All patients received the canalplasty surgery, and tympanoplasty was applied simultaneously if the patient had otitis media. RESULT: Follow-up was conducted for 8-50 months respectively, 8 of the external auditory canal was wide and tympanic membrane gained a good shape, 2 case had stenosis or atresia reoccurrence after the operation. CONCLUSION Appropriate approach and elimination of the lesions thoroughly are key points for the canalplasty.
Adult ; Aged ; Constriction, Pathologic ; surgery ; Ear Canal ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the treatment for spinal metastases by cooled microwave ablation combined with percutaneous vertebro plasty(PVP).Methods From February 2014 to January 2017,24 patients with spinal metastases were treated with cooled microwave ablation combined with PVP,including 14 males and 10 females with an average age of 58.2 years (range,32 to 73).Preoperatively all the patients suffered with the local pain and the spinal cord or nerve root compression symptoms.The locations of the lesions included:14 in the thoracic and 10 in the lumbar.The primary tumors type:lung cancer 6 cases,breast cancer 3 cases,liver cancer 2 cases,kidney cancer 2 cases,gastric cancer 1 case,prostate cancer 1 case,ovarian cancer 1 case,osteosarcoma 1 case,fibrosarcoma 1 case,colon cancer 1 case,and unknown source tumor 5 cases.The preoperative Tomita score was 4-7 points (mean 6.3 points),and the Tokuhashi score was 8-11 points (average 9.3 points).23 patients with the spinal metastatic were treated with cooled microwave ablation combined with PVP.1 patient were treated with cooled microwave ablation only.The clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Frankel grading.The local control rate was evaluated by imaging.Resuits All cases were followed up for 5 to 36 months.The tumor volume size was 3.2-12.1 cm3 by preoperative measurement.Each lesion was heated to 3-7 hot zones.Each hot zone was heated for 5 minutes.The total heating time was 15-35 minutes (mean 22.1 minutes).The temperature inside the lesion was (56.2±5.83) ℃.The temperature inside the spinal canal was (33.6±5.14) ℃.The visual analogue scale (VAS) of the 24 patients at 24 hours and 3 months after operation was statistically different from the preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS).The Frankel grading of 19 patients had at least one grade improvement 3 months after operation.6 cases died due to systemic multiple metastases 5-8 months after surgery.9 patients had more than one organ metastasis or bone metastasis during follow-up,and survived with tumors.The remaining 9 cases did not recur or transfer during the follow up period.No nerve damage or other complications were observed in all patients.Conclusion The cooled microwave ablation combined with PVP could relieve the pain in spinal metastases,relieve the nerve compression,and reconstruct the stability,which is a safe and effective palliative surgical method.

Objective To investigate the spatial learning and memory ability,the changes of indicators of oxidative stress,and their relationship in transgenic APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease(APP/PS1 mice). Methods The spatial learning and memory ability were assessed by Morris water maze test,and the activity or content of SOD, GSH-PX, MDA, and protein carbonyl in brain tissues were measured by ELISA in the APP/PS1 and wild type (WT) mice. Furthermore, the relationship between the learning and memory performances and the indicators of oxidative stress was examined. Results No significant difference in the spatial learning was observed between the APP/PS1 and WT mice (P ＜0. 05). The spatial memory which was measured as the percentage of time traveling in the targeted quadrant to the total traveling time was significantlydeclined in the APP/PS1 mice(29. 02 ± 4. 27) % as compared with the WT mice(47. 39 ± 6. 01) %(t =0. 000 ,P ＜0. 05). The percentage of length of traveling in the targeted quadrant to the total length traveled was significantly lower in the APP/PS1 mice(28. 85 ±3.77)% compared with the WT mice(46. 70 ±5.60)% (t =0. 000,P ＜0. 05). These findings indicated that the spatial learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 mice was significantly decreased compared to WT mice. There was no significant difference in activity or content of SOD,GSH-PX,and MDA in brain tissues between the APP/PS1 and WT mice (P ＜ 0. 05), while the content of protein carbonyl was significantly elevated in the APP/PS1 mice (2. 67 ±0. 19) than in the WT mice (2. 38 ±0. 15)(t = 0. 008, P ＜ 0. 05). Correlation analysis revealed that the elevated protein carbonyl was negatively correlated with the percentage of length traveled in the targeted quadrant(r = - 0. 639, P ＜ 0. 05) and the percentage of time traveled in the targeted quadrant(r = - 0. 636 ,P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion The spatial memory impairment was negatively correlated with the elevated protein carbonyl in the APP/PS1 mice, suggesting that protein carbonylation caused by oxidative stress might play an important role in the development of memory impairment in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease.

Circle of Willis is the most important intracranial collateral circulation system,it has many types of variation.Circle of Willis variants reduce intracranial blood perfusion and increase the risks of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and white matter lesions.White matter lesions are white matter damage caused by a variety of causes.With the wide application of neuroimaging technology,the detection rate of white matter lesions is significantly higher,and it is closely associated with the ischemic cerebrovascular disease.This article reviews the correlation between circle of Willis variants and white matter lesions.