OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture for adhesion-stage shoulder periarthritis.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-seven cases of shoulder periarthritis were randomly divided into an abdominal acupuncture group (79 cases) and a body acupuncture group (78 cases). The abdominal acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Shangqu (KI 17) and Huaroumen (ST 24) in the abdominal acupuncture group while conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14) and Jianzhen (SI 9) in the body acupuncture group. The treatment was given three times a week for both groups and ten times made an observation course. Before and after treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted for pain assessment and functional activity score (Mallet score) was used for shoulder joint function assessment for all the patients. Also the efficacy of both groups was compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the abdominal acupuncture group was 92.4% (73/79), which was superior to 71.8% (56/78) in the body acupuncture group. The score of VAS after the treatment was 2.58 +/- 1.64 in the abdominal acupuncture group while 3.12 +/- 1.93 in the body acupuncture group, which had no statistical significance between each other (P > 0.05). The functional activity score after the treatment was 8.34 +/- 3.02 in the abdominal acupuncture group while 7.49 +/- 3.36 in the body acupuncture group, which had no statistical significance between each other (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abdominal acupuncture is an ideal treatment for adhesion-stage shoulder periarthritis, which has better total efficacy than conventional acupuncture. It achieves the same effect in relieving pain and improving functional activity as conventional acupuncture, but also has an advantage at fast selection of acupoint and less discomfort of needling sensation.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periarthritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Shoulder ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVESTo isolate the cardiogenic fraction, which can enhance cardiogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from Geum japonicum. The therapeutic effect of the isolated cardiogenic fraction was further tested in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model.

METHODBioassay guided fractionation method was used for the isolation of the cardiogenic fraction, named as heart repair fraction (HRF). MI was induced by a permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats exhibiting similarly decreased values of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and fraction shortening (LVFS) were used. The rats in test group (n = 10) were subject to HRF treatment (20 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) through gastric gavage daily for 4 weeks. Water alone (2 ml/d) was given through gastric gavage to rats in the control group (n = 10). The cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at different time points. Masson trichrome staining was used for evaluation of the infarct size. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies were performed to investigate the HRF mediated myocardial regeneration.

RESULTSLVEF (66.2% ± 6.9%) and LVFS (46.8% ± 5.8%) were significantly increased two weeks post HRF treatment compared with the values (LVEF: 55.7% ± 6.0% and LVFS: 36.4% ± 5.2%) in control rats (all P < 0.01). The improved heart function was further restored 4 weeks post HRF treatment (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the treatment of acute MI with this HRF significantly reduced the infarct size (19.0% ± 6.1%) compared with that (31.1% ± 8.6%) in control rats (P < 0.01). Substantial regeneration of cardiomyocytes in infarcted region of the HRF treated heart was also observed that replaced a considerable part of the infarcted heart tissues resulting in remarkable reduction of the infarct size.

CONCLUSIONThe properties of this HRF isolated from Geum japonicum in stimulating substantial regeneration of myocardium in infarct region with consequently improved cardiac function appear to be new and represent a new approach for the treatment of MI.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Geum ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration

OBJECTIVETo investigate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function of the condylar hyperplasia patients after condylectomy.

METHODSTwelve patients with condylar hyperplasia were included in this study. Before and after condylectomy, they were examined and the Fricton' s Craniomandibular Index (CMI) was calculated to assess the functional disorder of TMJ.

RESULTS(1) The facial asymmetry was improved after condylectomy. The morphological symmetry of the bilateral condyle and ramus was displayed by X-ray examinations. There was new cortex formed on the surface of the operated condyle. (2) The TMJ function was improved in terms of Fricton's DI and CMI, which decreased from 0.131 and 0.066 to 0.042 and 0.021 respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCondylectomy is an effective method to remedy facial asymmetry and, at the same time, improve the TMJ function of the condylar hyperplasia patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; surgery ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; pathology ; surgery ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Temporomandibular Joint ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; etiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the electrosonography character of sounds emanating from anterior disc displacement with reduction of TMJ and the value of it in clinical diagnosis.

METHODSThe sounds from healthy TMJ, anterior disc displacement with or without reduction of TMJ, and osteoarthritis of TMJ were recorded and analyzed by K6-I system, then the data was used for diagnosis of anterior disc displacement with reduction in clinic.

RESULTSA special kind of waveform was found in the electrosonography of sounds from anterior disc displacement with reduction repeatedly, and seldom or not in sounds from healthy joints, anterior disc displacement without reduction or osteoarthritis of TMJ. The diagnostic sensitivity of anterior disc displacement with reduction by using electrosonography analysis was 77.2% and specificity was 93.3% when compared with the clinical diagnosis based on clinical appearance and radiography evidence.

CONCLUSIONSThe special kind of waveform may be characteristic wave of sounds from anterior disc displacement with reduction of TMJ, which is useful for assistant diagnosis of anterior disc displacement with reduction in clinic.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Electrodiagnosis ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Sound Spectrography ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) combined with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and the radiation-induced complications in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSSixty-eight patients with locally advanced NSCLC were randomly divided into two groups. The 33 patients in groups A received 3DCRT at the total dose of 66 to 70 Gy in 33 to 35 fractions, and the 35 patents in group B received stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) at the dose of 20 Gy in 4 fractions (500 cGy per fraction every other day) after 60 Gy 3DCRT.

RESULTSThe total response rates in groups A and B were 56.3% and 80.0%, with the complete remission rates of 9.4% and 28.6%, respectively, both showing significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The 1- and 2-year survival rates of the patients in group A were 65.6% and 46.8%, respectively, which were comparable to those in group B (74.3% and 51.4%, respectively, P>0.05). The median survival time in groups A and B were 12.6 and 18.3 months, respectively. The major radiation-induced complications in the two groups included grade I to II acute radiation esophagitis and hematopoietic toxicity. The complications in later stages following the radiation were grade I to II radiation lung fibrosis, occurring at a similar incidence between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of 3DCRT and SRT produces better therapeutic effects than 3DCRT alone in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Stereotaxic Techniques ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of akatinol memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods Two hundred and forty-one patients with AD were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg of donepezil daily or 20 mg of memantine daily for 24 weeks.The primary efficacy variables were the Clinician' s Interview-Based Impression of Change Plus (CIBIC-Plus),the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-cognition (ADAS-cog) and the Activities of Daily Living (ADL).The secondary efficacy variables were the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE).Results Two hundred and seven patients completed the study and were evaluated at week 24.Both memantine and donepezil had significant efficacies at the end point, according to the ADAS-cog, the ADL, the NPI and the MMSE.Patients receiving memantine had a similar outcome as those receiving donepezil, according to the results of all the variables changes (CIBIC-Plus: memantine 3.4±0.8vs donepezil 3.5±0.8; ADAS-cog: memantine-4.7±5.8 vs donepezil-4.6±6.5; ADL: memantine -2.4±6.7 vs donepezil-2.2±5.3 ; NP1: memantine-5.8±9.0 vs donepezil-3.1±8.5 ; MMSE:memantine 1.7±3.1 vs donepezil 1.8±2.8, all P >0.05).The adverse events were as following: donepezil group 41.88% and memanintine group 30.58%.Conclusion The memantine as a new drug for AD, has the similar efficacy as donepezil, and it is safe.

Aim To investigate the alteration of volt-age-depending potassium channel(KV) current in pul-monary arterial smooth muscle cells(PASMCs) of pul-monary hypertension (PH) rats, and the effect of tet-raethylammonium (TEA,a blocker of KV) on potassi-um channel current in different PH models. Methods The whole-cell patch clamp techniques were applied to record the KVcurrents from PASMCs cultured with Ham's F-12 (1% FBS). Furthermore, the effects of TEA on the KVcurrents were examined in different PH models. Results The whole-cell KVcurrents were ob-viously inhibited in PASMCs of chronic hypoxia (CH)and monocrotaline (MCT)-treated rats. TEA signifi-cantly decreased the whole-cell KVcurrents in PASMCs of control and PH rats,and the inhibitory effect of TEA was dramatically reduced in PH group. Conclusions The degree of the voltage-dependent potassium chan-nels opening is significantly inhibited in PASMCs of CH and MCT-treated rats,accordingly,the TEA-sen-sitive KVcurrents obviously decrease.

AIMTo study the expressions of scavenger receptor class B type I(SR-BI) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in atherosclerotic mini swine and provide a new mechanism for investigating the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

METHODSChinese mini swine were fed by a normal control diet or a high fat/high cholesterol diet for 12 months after common carotid artery injury induced by balloon denudation. Plasma total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined by commercially enzymatic methods every two months. The sections, which were taken from liver and abdominal aorta, were stained with hematoxylin eosin. The expressions of SR-BI and PPARgamma mRNA and protein in liver and aorta tissue were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively.

RESULTSAt the end of 12 months, plasma TC, HDL-C and TG in HFHC mini swine were increased. There were fatty liver and atherosclerotic plaque in mini swine live and aorta respectively. The expression of SR-BI was upregulated in HFHC mini swine liver and aorta tissue.

CONCLUSIONHFHC may induce atherosclerosis and the expression of SR-BI and PPARgamma. Upregulating SR-BI expression may inhibit atherosclerosis. Increasing SR-BI expression in liver and aorta may accelerate SR-BI-mediated reverse cholesterol transport and develop a new anti-atherogenic strategy.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Receptors, Scavenger ; metabolism ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of surgical treatment and prognosis of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in mobile spine.

METHODSA total of 12 patients with ABC were operated on from 1996 to 2006, and the clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. The patients included 7 male and 5 female, aged from 16 to 52 years (mean, 29 years). Surgical interventions were selected according to WBB criteria. Seven patients underwent total spondylectomy, four underwent resection of posterior arch, one patient received sagittal resection only. Anti-poster or post-lateral approach reconstruction with bone-graft or bone cement and transpedicular screws fixation were performed in the cases. Eight cases received radiotherapy after the operation.

RESULTSThe mean operation blood lose was 3210 ml. The patients were followed-up for 10 to 116 months (mean, 41.8 months). Seven patients got complete recover of spinal cord function, 4 patients experienced local recurrence in 1-2 years post operation. One patient died of multiple metastasis of chondrosarcoma after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSABC in spine is an aggressive disease with high local recurrence rate. Enbloc if possible provides the best result, with excellent prognosis. Radiotherapy should be selected carefully.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of three children with ornithine carbamoyltransferase deficiency(OTCD), and to provide a practical method for gene diagnosis and genetic counseling of the disease.

METHODSAll exons of the ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OTC) gene were screened by polymerase chain reaction-DNA direct sequencing in the three OTCD patients.

RESULTSOne patient firstly presented as vomiting at 6 month of age. A missense mutation of T262I was detected. His mother had the same mutation without any clinical symptoms. The second patient presented as restlessness, and had a missense mutation of R277W. Gene analysis of his parents was not available. The third patient presented as neonatal lethargy, harbored a missense mutation of I172M. His mother had the same mutation without any clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSIONGene mutation analysis is a feasible way for diagnosing OTCD. Patients with I172M mutation present symptom early, while those with T262I and R277W mutations manifest symptoms later. Gene mutation analysis will be important for asymptomatic and prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Base Sequence ; Child ; Exons ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; genetics ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase ; genetics ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase Deficiency Disease ; genetics ; pathology