Mai is the important concept in TCM and this term has been found in the early classic work of TCM. With the development and perfection of TCM theory, the original meaning of mai is "blood vessels entirely distrusted in the body". In five dynasties, the meaning of it was supplemented as "distribution of qi and blood in five zang and six fu organs to the four extremities", in which, not only blood but also qi has been included. With the constant understanding on mai, qi and blood, the unique concept of meridian and collateral is gradually generated. In terms of the modern study on the original meaning of mai and the academic evolution of meridian and collateral, it is discovered that qi is predominated and distributed in meridian and collateral as compared with blood. It is very significant to study the original meaning and academic evolution of mai, as well as the origin of the concept of meridian and collateral and to provide the reference support for the terminology standardization and basic study.
Acupuncture ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Meridians ; Qi ; history ; Terminology as Topic

Objective:To investigate the changes of circulating tumor cells in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma pa-tients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The effect of these alterations on the patients’prognosis was also analyzed. Meth-ods:Circulating tumor cells were detected by immunomagnetic enrichment and fluorescence in 48 cases of locally advanced esopha-geal carcinoma patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The dynamic changes of circulating tumor cells were compared between pre-and post-chemoradiotherapy. Moreover, the association of these changes with the clinical characteristics and two-year survival rate were analyzed. Results:The positive rate of circulating tumor cells was closely associated with the T stage, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage (P<0.05), and the positive rates in pre-and post-chemoradiotherapy were 52.1%(25/48) and 20.8%(10/48), respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the positive rate of circulating tumor cells predicted an adverse two-year survival rate in both pre-and post-chemoradiotherapy (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that the clinical stage and circulating tumor cells after concurrent chemoradiotherapy were independent prognostic factors in the patients with esophageal carcinoma. Conclusion:Circulating tumor cells can reflect the disease progression in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. These cells can also predict the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of serum VEGF levels in the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.Methods Serum VEGF was detected by ELISA,and CEA and CA199 concentration were detected by CLEIA in 66 patients with colon cancer,55 patients with colon benign diseases and 50 health persons.The value of individual and joint detection for VEGF in colon cancer was evaluated.Analysis had been done on relationships between serum VEGF and pathology,treatment effects and prognosis.Results The levels of serum VEGF in colon cancer group [(318.5±148.6) ng/L] were significantly higher than those in control group [(125.7±49.4) ng/L] and benign colon diseases [(136.9±52.6) ng/L] (t =8.830,8.805,all P ＜ 0.01).There was a positive correlation between serum levels of VEGF and depth of tumor size,tumor invasion,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P ＜ 0.01).The susceptibilities of VEGF,CEA,CA199 were 61％,45 ％,53 ％.The sensitivity of detection was improved to 86 ％ when the combined detection of VEGF,CEA and CA199 (x2 =11.237,P ＜ 0.01).The serum levels of VEGF in patients with colon cancer was significantly decreased after treatment in the 3,7,10 day compared with that before operation [(272.3±88.1),(236.8±77.4),(173.1±59.9) vs (318.5±148.6) ng/L,t=2.173,P ＜ 0.05; t =3.961,P ＜ 0.01; t=7.464,P ＜ 0.01],respectively.Conclusion The VEGF was related to the onset and progression and metastasis of colon cancer.It has clinical significancy for diagnosis of colon cancer and judgment of curative effect and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis( CWP) complicated with both tuberculosis and nosocomial infection of stenotrophomonas maltophilia. METHODS: The clinical data of 36 CWP patients complicated with tuberculosis and nosocomial infection of stenotrophomonas maltophilia were collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The results of sputum cultured for more than 3 times showed positive stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The main clinical manifestations were cough,sputum,fever and wet rale of lung. Most of the chest X-rays showed light and patchy infiltrated shadows. Drug susceptibility testing indicated that this kind of bacteria was extensively drug-resistant. The drug resistance rates to imipenem,cefepime,aztreonam and cefoperazone were 100. 0%,96. 1%,94. 5% and 89. 8%,respectively. The sensitivity of patients to sulfanilamide methyl isopropyl pbo, ciprofloxacin,levofloxacin and gentamicin were > 60. 0%. After antituberculosis therapy combined with 2 or more sensitive antibiotics treatment based on the sputum cultured results,there were 21 cases( 58. 3%) cured,2 cases( 5. 6%) improved,3 cases( 8. 3%) ineffective and 10 cases( 27. 8%) dead. CONCLUSION: The clinical features of tuberculopneumoconiosis combined with the nosocomial infection of stenotrophomonas maltophilia are un-typical. This disease is severely antibiotic-resistant.Timely pathogenic bacteria culture and drug sensitivity test have important significance in diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the effects of doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) on the malignant biological behaviors, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion, of A549 cell line and their corresponding mechanisms. Methods DCLK1-overexpressing A549 cell lines were established through lentiviral infection, and DCLK1 expression was validated by using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Proliferation ability was assessed with CCK-8 and plate cloning assays, and migration and invasion abilities were examined with Transwell assays. The pathway regulated by DCLK1 in lung adenocarcinoma was analyzed on the basis of the TCGA lung adenocarcinoma cohort with pathway enrichment analysis and verified through Western blot analysis. Results DCLK1 overexpression in A549 cells promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The inhibition of the FAK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway impaired the DCLK1-mediated malignant behavior of A549 cells. Conclusion DCLK1 promotes the malignant behavior of A549 cells through the activation of the FAK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To study the effects and preliminary mechanism of Stattic (Y705),an inhibitor of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3),on the growth,migration,invasion and radiosensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402.Methods Bel-7402 cells were divided to four groups:blank control group,Stattic treatment group,radiation group,and Stattic combined with radiation group.The cell growth and proliferation were detected by using CCK8 kit.The influence of Stattic on radiation sensitivity of Bel-7402 cells was determined by clone formation assay.The cell migration and invasion ability were tested by scratch migration assay and transwell assay,respectively.The protein expressions of STAT3,p-STAT3,Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3,Cleaved Caspase-3,MMP-2 and MMP-9 were quantified by Western blotting assay.Results Stattic significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells with a dose-depended manner.The IC50 of Stattic after 48 h treatment was 2.5 μ mol/L.When 1.0 μmol/L Stattic was combined with 8 Gy X-rays,there was a synergistic effect in inhibition of cell proliferation with a inhibition rate of (15.00 ± 1.87) ％ (F =63.30,P ＜ 0.05).Scratch migration assay and transwell invasion assay showed that the migration and invasion abilities of the combination group were significantly reduced.In addition,compared with the radiation group,the SF2,D0and Dq values obtained from survival curve were decreased (t =4.20,6.92,9.32,P ＜0.05),the protein expressions of p-STAT3,MMP-2,MMP-9 were reduced (t =5.32,6.02,13.26,P ＜0.05),the protein expressions of Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 were increased in the combination group(t =-7.82,-14.09,P ＜ 0.05),meanwhile the protein expressions of Bcl-2 was decreased (t =18.43,P ＜ 0.05).When the concentration of Stattic was 0.5 μmol/L,the radiation sensitization ratio at 2 Gy (SERSF2) was 1.22.Conclusions By inhibiting the activation of the p-STAT3 in Bel-7402 cells,stattic could induce cell apoptosis and increase the radiosensitivity,down regulate MMP-2 and MMP-9 and thereby reduce the invasion and migration of tumor cells.

Objective To investigate the value of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in detecting left ventricular regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) by contrast with coronary angiography (CAG).Methods Totally 68 cases of NSTEMI patients (NSTEMI group)and 50 cases of normal peoples (normal group)were collected.2DE dynamic image and CAG results were comparatively analyzed in two groups.Left ventricular RWMA of all patients were observed through multi-section dynamic images by 2 experienced echocardiographic physicians.Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were determined according to the 16 segment method of the American Society of echocardiography (ASE).2DE-RWMA was positive if there were one or more segments of motion abnormalities.All NSTEMI patients underwent CAG 2 days after 2DE examination,CAG was positive if the degree of coronary artery stenosis was more than 50％.Results In 68 NSTEMI patients,66 cases were CAG positive and 2 cases were negative,35 cases were 2DE-RWMA positive and 33 cases were negative.Taking CAG as a gold standard,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 2DE-RWMA in diagnosis of NSTEMI were 51.52％ (34/66),50.00 ％ (1/2),51.47％ (35/68),97.14％ (34/35),3.03 ％ (1/33).Compared with the 2DE-RWMA negative patients,the rate of three branches of coronary artery stenosis in 2DE-RWMA positive patients was higher (62.85％ vs 39.39％,P＜0.05),the degree of coronary artery stenosis that reached 90％-99％ was higher (68.57％ vs 48.48％,P＜0.05).Conclusion The sensitivity of 2DE is low of NSTEMI in detecting the left ventricle RWMA.The degree of coronary artery stenosis is probably serious if 2DE-RWMA is positive,which is helpful for preliminary clinical judgment.

Objective To report a case of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) combined with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and review the relationship between the IIH and OSA. Methods A case of increased intracranial pressure in a middle-aged male patient who was diagnosed as IIH after the MRI and angiography ruled out intracranial lesions was reported. This patient presented with drowsiness, obesity and other symptoms. An overnight polysomnography (PSG) confirmed severe OSA. The simple use of intracranial pressure lowering therapy could not achieve sustained effective control of symptoms of high intracranial pressure. The clinical effects of comprehensive treatment for the OSA including CPAP and weight loss were observed. Results After 3 months treatment, the body mass index of this patient dropped from 35.7 to 31.4, apnea hypopnea index dropped from 72.6 to 10. 1, and the minimum SaO2 increased from 67% to 82%. And the symptoms of high intracranial pressure including headache and papillaedema were continuously improved. Conclusion Sleep apnea is a risk factor for IIH, especially for obese male patients. PSG monitoring could help us to find the important but easily overlooked factor of OSA. Taking active measures to treat OSA can effectively relieve the high intracranial pressure symptoms in patients with IIH.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency and toxicity of the FOLFOX regimen, the combination of oxaliplatin (L-OHP), 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and calcium folinate (CF), for patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

METHODSNinety-six patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including 72 males and 24 females, were treated with FOLFOX regimen: L-OHP 85 mg/m(2) iv in 2 hours on D1, CF 200 mg/m(2) iv in 2 hours on D1 and D2, 5-Fu 400 mg/m(2) iv on D1 and D2, and then continuous infusion of it at a dose of 600 mg/m(2) for 44 hours. This regimen was repeated every 2 weeks. The first evaluation was done after four cycles. The median cycle of the chemotherapy was 6 (range: 1 to 12 cycles).

RESULTSOf the 96 patients with gastric cancers, 21 underwent R0 resection and afterward received adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy. Ten of those were still alive, while the other 11 died of the disease, with a median disease free survival time of 24.0 months and 3-year survival rate of 51.8%. The other 75 received only palliative chemotherapy due to non-operable advanced disease. Thirty of those achieved partial response (PR), the other 20 had a stable disease (SD), but the remaining 25 experienced disease progression (PD), with an overall response rate of 40.0%. The median TTP and overall survival in those 75 patients was 5.9 and 12.0 months, respectively. All 96 patients were evaluable for toxicity according to NCI criteria. The patients of grade 3 vomiting and neural toxicity were 6 and 4, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn terms of efficacy and safety, the FOLFOX regimen is effective and well tolerable for patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancers either as adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Palliative Care ; Remission Induction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for the recovery of walking ability and comprehensive function after thoracolumbar spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Sixty patients with SCIs in a thoracolumbar segment were assigned to a treatment group or a control group with 30 in each.Both groups received similar conventional rehabilitation training,but the patients in the treatment group were additionally treated with BWSTT (30 to 40 min,once daily,5 d/week,30 days for a course,a total 3 courses).The American Spinal Injury Association lower-extremity motor function assessment (ASIA),a functional comprehensive assessment (FCA),the walking ability assessment from the FCA (WA) and the modified Barthel index (MB1) were used in the assessment of the two groups before and after treatment.Results There were no significant differences in the two groups＇ average ASIA,FCA,WA or MBI results before treatment.After treatment ASIA,FCA,WA and MBI scores had all increased significantly in the treatment group compared with before treatment,and were significantly higher than in the control group.Conclusion As a supplement to conventional rehabilitation,BWSTT can improve walking ability and comprehensive function significantly after thoracolumbar spinal cord injury.