Objective: To explore the mechanism of An-pressing manipulation in improving post-stroke muscle spasticity, by observing the changes of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine (Gly) in plasma and gray matter of L1-L3 spinal cord anterior horn in post-stroke rats with muscle spasticity after An-pressing manipulation intervention. Methods: Ten of 80 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly selected as the blank group, and the remaining 70 were used for modeling. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model was established by insertion suture occlusion method in the left external carotid artery. Thirty rats with a Longa neurological score of 2-3 points and a modified Ashworth spasticity scale score of 1-, 1+, or 2 were included in the experiment. Using the random number table method, the 30 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an An-pressing tendon group and an An-pressing muscle belly group. Two days after modeling, rats in the An-pressing tendon group and An-pressing muscle belly group received An-pressing manipulation on the tendon and belly of quadriceps femoris muscle respectively, with the pressure of (350±50) g and the frequency of 5 s/time, 15 min per session, once a day for 5 continuous days. After the 5th treatment, the tension of the rat quadriceps femoris muscle was evaluated using the modified Ashworth spasticity scale. The Gly levels in rat plasma and L1-L3 segments of spinal cord were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The GABA levels in rat plasma and L1-L3 segments of spinal cord were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The decrease in rat muscle tension scored by the modified Ashworth spasticity scale in the An-pressing tendon group was more significant than that in the An-pressing muscle belly group (P<0.01); the increases in Gly and GABA levels in the rat plasma and L1-L3 segments of spinal cord were more significant in the An-pressing tendon group than those in the An-pressing muscle belly group (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Based on the theory of 'anti-stretch reflex' of tendon organs, the use of An-pressing manipulation to induce the 'anti-stretch reflex' by stimulating the tendon organs can improve the muscle spasticity of rats, which is better than An-pressing the muscle belly. Increased levels of Gly and GABA in rat plasma and L1-L3 segments of spinalcord may be one mechanism of An-pressing manipulation to improve muscle spasticity by stimulating tendon organs.

Objective To explore a more reasonable and effective therapeutic regimen and evaluate prognostic factors in hepatoblastoma patients after combined therapy.Methods Sixteen patients diagnosed on hepatoblastoma between Jan.2000 and Nov.2007 were reviewed and followed-up.Resection with chemotherapy was taken among 16 cases.Chemotherapy included pre-operation and post-operation.Five cases were cured by transcatheter arterial chemombolization(TACE).Six cases were cured by single chemotherapy(both TACE and single chemotherapy were taken in 2 cases).Five cases weren't cured by pre-operation chemotherapy.Nine cases were subjected to curative resection,3 cases to alleviative resection,2 cases with single chemotherapy,1 case with single TACE,and 1 case refused operation and left hospital.Their mean survival duration was 13.5 months(3-98 months).SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The total survival rate of cases as stage Ⅳ as lower than cases as stage Ⅰ,Ⅱand Ⅲ.Both alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)100 000 ?g/L cases had worse survival rate.The prognosis of mixed type was better than fetal type,embryonal type and anaplasia type.The survival rate of cases with standard chemotherapy was higher than cases with unstandard chemotherapy.And the surgical resection cases had better survival chance than non-surgical resection cases.The survival rate of surgical residual cases was worse than non-surgical residual cases.Conclusions Chemotherapy can improve the total survival rate and long-term survival rate of hepatoblastoma patients.TACE is a safe and effective choice for hepatoblastoma patients.We need to be alert and make the diagnosis as early as possibe,and treat it early and properly.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of the acupoint catgut implantation on postpartum pain of uterine contraction with qi and blood deficiency.

METHODSOne hundred and ten primiparas of natural delivery differentiated as qi and blood deficiency pattern in TCM were selected as the subjects. They were randomized into an acupoint catgut implantation group (55 cases) and a routine nursing group (55 cases). In the acupoint catgut implantation group, the catgut was implanted in Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Pishu (BL 20) and Geshu (BL 17) in 6 h after delivery; additionally, the routine post-delivery nursing was adopted. In the routine nursing group, the routine post-delivery nursing was applied simply. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pain relief time of uterine contraction were compared in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS Scores in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation in the acupoint catgut implantation group were lower apparently than those in the routine nursing group (3.31 +/- 0.39 vs 4.31 +/- 0.29, 1.86 +/- 0.29 vs 2.66 +/- 0.25, 0.89 +/- 0.21 vs 1.59 +/- 0.24, 0.35 +/- 0.10 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, all P < 0.05). The pain relief was achieved in (72.06 +/- 6.83) h in the acupoint catgut implantation group and was (123.42 +/- 11.12) h in the routine nursing group. The pain relief in the acupoint catgut implantation group was achieved more quickly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe intervention of acupoint catgut implantation in 6 h after natural delivery in primiparas prevents effectively postpartum pain of uterine contraction.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; therapy ; Pain ; prevention & control ; Postpartum Period ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Qi ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the liver toxicities of the VDLD scheme in children with malignant tumor.Methods In a prospective trial,the levels of serum total protein,albumin, globulin,rate of albumin/globuin alanine aminotransferase,aspartate transaminase,gamma glutamyltranspeptidase,total bile acid and alkaline phosphatase were tested in children with malignant tumour before and after VDLD scheme,and compared with each other.Results The concentration of the serum total bile acid was significantly increased after VDLD scheme than before(P

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Gao's nape acupuncture plus swallowing training in treating pharyngeal deglutition disorder after stroke.Methods:One hundred patients with post-stroke pharyngeal deglutition disorder were randomized into a treatment group and a control group,with 50 cases in each group.The two groups both received routine neurological intervention.In addition,the treatment group was given Gao's nape acupuncture plus swallowing training,while the control group was intervened by swallowing training alone.After eight-week treatment,the two groups were observed in terms of the changes in repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST),modified water swallowing test (MWST),standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QOL).The clinical efficacies of the two groups were also compared.Results:After treatment,the RSST grading,and scores of MWST,SSA and SWAL-QOL changed significantly in both groups (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The RSST grading,and scores of MWST,SSA and SWAL-QOL in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group after treatment (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The total effective rate and markedly effective rate were respectively 100.0％ and 72.3％ in the treatment group,versus 97.9％ and 34.0％ in the control group.There was a significant difference in the markedly effective rate between the two groups (P＜0.01).The difference in the clinical efficacy between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Gao's nape acupuncture plus swallowing training is an effective approach for post-stroke pharyngeal deglutition disorder.Its therapeutic efficacy is more significant than that of swallowing training alone.

Objective: To observe the effects of manganese( Ⅲ ) meso-tetrakis (N, N'-diethylimidazolium-2-yl) porphyrin (MnTDM) in treatment of early Parkinson's disease(PD) mouse model induced by subcutaneous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) and to discuss its possible mechanism. Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice were evenly randomized into 4 groups: MPTP model group(subcutaneous injection of 25 mg/kg MPTP for 3 days), MnTDM+ MPTP group (15 mg/kg MnTDM was subcutaneously injected 1 h before MPTP injection), MnTDM control group, and normal saline group. Performance of animals in the pole and swimming test was observed 3 days after the last injection. Levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid [DOPAC] and homovanillic acid [HVA]) in the striatum of animals were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method was used to examine the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA). Results: Acute injection of MPTP could be used for establishment of PD model. The striatal levels of DA, DOPAC and HVA in MPTP group were significantly lower(P＜0.01)and the striatal level of MDA was significantly higher(P＜0.05) than those of the control group. MPTP had no obvious effect on the behavioral performance of the animals in a short term. MnTDM could partly inhibit the above effects of MPTP. Compared with MPTP group, MnTDM+ MPTP group had significantly higher DA, DOPAC, and HVA levels and significantly lower MDA level(all P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the behavioral indices of animals between the 4 groups. Conclusion:MnTDM can inhibit lipid peroxidation and promote DA production; it has preventive and therapeutic effects on MPTP induced PD.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of nape acupuncture plus basic treatment and rehabilitation in treating pseudobulbar palsy after cerebral stroke and the relation between the efficacy and age of onset. Method A hundred patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases each. The control group was intervened by basic treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training, and the observation group was intervened by nape acupuncture in addition to the treatment given to the control group, once a day, five sessions a week, for 8 weeks in total. The Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST), Water Swallowing Test (WST) and Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) were observed in the two groups before and after the treatment; the relation between the age of onset and the efficacy of the integrated treatment method was also observed. Result The scores of RSST, SSA and WST were significantly improved after the treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and the improvements in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group (P<0.01). The therapeutic efficacy of nape acupuncture plus basic treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training was associated with the age of onset (P<0.05). Conclusion Nape acupuncture plus basic treatment and swallowing training can effectively improve dysphagia in pseudobulbar palsy after cerebral stroke. This method produces the most significant efficacy for patients aged 51-60, better than that for those aged over 60 and equivalent to the efficacy for patients aged 41-50.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of big Y chromosome on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

METHODSData of 127 cycles of IVF/ICSI-ET, performed in our Reproductive Medicine Center from March 2001 to June 2003 were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the length of chromosome: Group A, 56 cycles with big Y chromosome

RESULTSNo significant difference was observed in the quality of embryos and in the and Group B, 71 cycles with normal karyotype. rates of fertilization, cleavage, clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, dead infant delivery, malformation,

CONCLUSIONBig Y chromosome has no significant influence on the baby boy delivery and baby girl delivery between the two groups. development of embryos and the outcome of pregnancy.

Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Embryo Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of using guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique with an bioresorbable collagen membrane for repairing bone defects around dental implants.

METHODSIn 12 mongrel dogs, pure titanium implants were immediately implanted in mandibles after extraction of the mandibular third and fourth premolars of both sides, in which standard bone defects of 3 mm x 3 mm x 5 mm were created at mesial side of the implants. The defects on right side were covered with Co membrane, the left side was uncovered as control. The dogs were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 6 months postoperatively. The specimens were removed and studied by gross observation, X-ray radiograph, histological examination, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and pull-out test.

RESULTSThe quantity and quality of new bone formation in experimental side which bone defects covered with Co membrane were much better than that in the control side.

CONCLUSIONWith the biodegradable property and excellent biocompatibility, Co membrane can be used for guided bone regeneration to promote the bone repair progress, and the promotion acts mainly at early stage of bone healing.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Collagen ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal ; Mandible ; Membranes, Artificial ; Titanium