Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection with salmon calcitonin for back pain in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis. Methods: A total of 76 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups by the random number table method, with 39 cases in the treatment group and 37 cases in the control group, respectively. Patients in both groups received routine anti-osteoporosis treatment. Patients in the treatment group received additional acupoint injection with salmon calcitonin at bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23), while patients in the control group received additional intramuscular injection with salmon calcitonin. The treatments for both groups were given once a day and lasted for 4 weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Chinese Oswestry disability index (CODI) scores were observed before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, and the use of analgesics during the treatment were recorded. Results: After treatment, the clinical efficacy in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS scores in both groups showed significant intra-group and between-group differences (all P<0.05), and the CODI scores in both groups showed significant intra-group differences (all P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the CODI score showed no significant between-group difference (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the improvement of CODI score in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). During the treatment, 2 cases in the treatment group took analgesics versus 8 cases in the control group, and the result showed a significant between-group difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: For back pain in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis, based on the routine treatment of oral medication, the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection with salmon calcitonin at bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) is more significant than that of intramuscular injection. Acupoint injection treatment can improve patients' conditions and reduce the use of analgesics.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Vertigo ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DAZL gene with male infertility caused by oligozoospermia or azoospermia.

METHODSWe searched the PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, CNKI, VIP, and CDDB databases up to November 30, 2013 for case-control studies evaluating the relationship of SNP260 and SNP386 polymorphisms of the DAZL gene with male infertility, and meanwhile conducted manual sourcing of the references in the identified studies and relevant articles. Two reviewers independently screened the title, abstract and keywords of each article retrieved. The StataSE12. 0 software was used for meta-analysis and other statistical analyses.

RESULTSTotally, 13 case-control studies were included (10 about A260G and 11 about A386G), involving 2 715 infertile patients (2 500 with oligozoospermia or azoospermia) and 1 835 normozoospermic men. DAZL A260G showed no statistical significance in the allele, dominant, recessive, co-dominant, or super-dominant gene model (P >0. 05). DAZL A386G exhibited a strong correlation with oligozoospermia or azoospermia in Asians in the allele gene model (OR = 0. 15, 95% CI 0.07 -0.34, P <0.05), dominant gene model (OR =0. 16, 95% CI 0.07 - 0. 35, P <0.05), co-dominant gene model (AA/AG) (OR = 0. 15, 95% CI 0. 06 - 0. 33, P < 0. 05), and super-dominant gene model (OR = 0. 15 (95% CI 0.06 - 0.33, P <0.05) , and so did it in Chinese in the four gene models ( OR = 0. 11, 95% CI 0.04 - 0. 28, P <0.05; OR =0. 11, 95% CI 0.04 - 0.28, P<0.05; OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.03 - 0.26, P<0.05; OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.03 - 0.26, P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur study manifested that the DAZL polymorphism A386G, but not A260G, was correlated with reduced sper- matogenesis or sperm count specifically in Chinese males. More high-quality trials are required for a deeper insight into the exact relationship of DAZL A260G and A386G polymorphisms with oligozoospermia- or azoospermia-induced male infertility.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatozoa

AIM: To investigate the efficacy, safety and localization of multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for the management of corneal perforation associated with ulceration.METHODS: Six eyes (6 patients) were treated with multilayer AMT for corneal perforation associated with ulceration. The perforation size was 0.5-2mm in diameter. The amniotic membrane (AM) was applied to tamp the perforation, fill the ulcer and cover the surface of ulcer. The follow-up ranged from 5-19 months.RESULTS: The anterior chamber reformed at the first postoperative day in all patients, and kept in normal depth in the follow- up time. The epithelialization of the AM grafts was observed in about 3 weeks after surgery. During the first postoperative month, the corneal thickness at the perforation site gradually increased, and the stromal inflammatory cell invasions surrounding the corneal ulcer were gradually subsided.Two months postoperatively, the ulcer healed with scar with part neovascutarization; the corneal thickness of the ulcer area was stable and recovered almost normal. The vision was not improved in all patients after operation. During-follow up,no severe complications or recurrence of ulceration was noted.CONCLUSION: Multilayer AMT is an effective and safe method for the management of small corneal perforation associated with ulceration, but the ulcer healed with scar.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of annular bubble conjunctival excision combining with amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT) for vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC) with gelatinous swellings(papillae) at the limbus.METHODS: Twenty eyes(10 patients) with VKC, were characterized by gelatinous swellings(papillae) at limbus and were underwent annular bubble conjunctival excision associated with AMT. The follow up ranged 5-21months.RESULTS: After operation, the symptoms were subsided remarkably: itching,discharge and foreign body sensation were almost disappear; photophobia and tearing were obvious in the first week after surgery, but were gradually alleviated, and almost disappear after one month of postoperative.Yellow-brown or filthy red gelatinous protuberances at limbus were cleaned away by operation and did not recur during the follow up. Corneal superficial punctuate keratitis(11 eyes) and corneal ulcers(3 eyes) were healed during the first week after surgery and did not recur. Conjunctival congestion was gradually lessened after surgery, which could not be noted 1months after surgery in 19 eyes, and the conjunctiva around the limbus, where AMT was performed, was whiter than the normal. But conjunctival congestion in 1 eye lasted for about 5mon accompanying with a little of itch, and this eye was treated with eyedrops with improvement but recurrence. No severe complications had been seen during the follow up.CONCLUSION: Annular bubble conjunctival excision combining with amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective and safe method for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis with gelatinous swellings (papillae) at limbus. But the candidates must be chosen with discretion.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of annular conjunctival excision combined with amniotic membrane transplantation for the management of earlier Mooren's ulcer.METHODS: Thirty eyes (24 patients) with earlier Mooren's ulcer were treated with this method, followed-up for 5-30mo. The characteristic of these patients was localized periphery corneal ulcer: the ulcer involved 30-120° corneal limbus with depth of 1/3-1/2 cornealthickness and width of 2-5mm.RESULTS: After surgery, symptoms subsided remarkably and immediately in all patients,and almost disappeared after stitches were removed. Corneal melts were controlled. At postoperative 2-3mo, the corneal thickness of the ulcer area became almost stable, which in some patients recovered normal and in others were still thinner than normal, and the average increase was about 1/3 of the corneal thickness. Corneal transparence and vision were improved. During follow-up, no severe complications or recurrence were noted.CONCLUSION: Conjunctival peritomy combined with amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective and safe method for the treatment of earlier Mooren's ulcer.

Objective To investigate the efficacy,safety and localization of multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT) for corneal perforation associated with ulceration.Design A retrospective clinical case series.Participants Nine patients(9 eyes)with corneal perforation secondary to ulceration were enrolled into this study.These were little response to medicine,including bacterial keratitis(4 eyes ),fungal keratitis(2 eyes),fungal and bacterial mixed keratitis( 1 eye),virus keratitis( 1 eye),and Mooren's ulcer ( 1 eye).Size of perforation was 0.5～3.0 mm in diameter.Methods The AMT was applied to tamp the perforation,fill the ulcer and cover the surface of ulcer.After surgery,the medicine was continued to be used to treat the original corneal ulcer.The follow-up ranged from 6～20 months.In the suffering eyes,reformation of anterior chamber,healing of ulcer,complications and recurrence of ulceration were observed.Main Outcome Measures Of the postoperative eyes,reformation of anterior chamber,healing of ulcer,complications and recurrence of ulceration.Results The anterior chamber reformed at the first postoperative day in 9 eyes,and kept in normal depth in the follow-up time.At postoperative 2 months,the ulcer healed with sear and a smooth surface.Corneal thickness of the ulcer area recovered almost to normal.During follow up,no recurrence of ulceration or severe complications was noted.Conclusions Multilayer AMT is a safe and effective method for the management of small corneal perforation associated with ulceration,but the ulcer healed with scar.(Ophthalmol CHN,2008,17:101-103)

Objective To investigate the effect of ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury on apoptosis of pancreatic cells in rats with acute pancreatitis(AP). Methods Fifty four SD rats were randomized into 3 groups: pancreatitis group ( n =24), I/R injury group ( n =24) and control group ( n =6). The animal model of AP was induced by retrograde injection of 3% sodium taurocholate into biliopancreatic duct in rats. Pancreatic I/R was caused by blocking the inferior splenic artery and removing the clamp after AP induction. At 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h, groups of rats were sacrificed. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP biotion nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect pancreatic apoptosis, and histological changes of the pancreas were observed. Results Pancreatic hemorrhage, necrosis were respectively observed in the pancreatitis rats at 6 h and the I/R injury rats at 1 h. Histological changes of the pancreatitis rats at 1 h and 3 h were only congestion and edema. Apoptoic acinar cells increased after AP induction, the peak respectively appeared at 6 h in the pancreatitis rats and at 3 h in the I/R injury rats. Compared with the pancreatitis rats, apoptosis index (AI) of the I/R injury rats was significantly higher at 1 h and 3 h ( P

ObjectiveTo observe the effect on repairing facial nerve injury of rabbits by neural stem cells and autologous fasia. Methods22 rabbits with transected facial nerve were divided into 2 groups randomly, control group (8 rabbits,15 sides totally), which transected facial nerve were wrapped by autologous fasia, and treament group (14 rabbits, 20 sides totally), which were wrapped by neural stem cells and autologous fasia. Six weeks after transplantation, neuro-electrophysiological test, immunohistochemical examination were done. The number and thickness of myelin in the re-connected area of transected facial nerve were observed. ResultsThe transplanted animals recovered much better than that in control group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical examination showed a great deal of BrdU positive cells around the re-connected area of transected facial nerve. Immunohistochemical staining also found plenty of regenerative myelins in this area in the treatment group. While in control group, there were no BrdU positive cells and only a few of regenerative myelins in the same area. ConclusionTransplantation of neural stem cells combined with autologous fasia might become the new method to treat facial nerve injury.