BACKGROUND:Children usually wear school bags when walking, and overweight school bags do harm to the lower extremity and foot, thus affecting the child development. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of obesity on gait characteristics of children wearing school bags during walking. METHODS:Forty pupils were enrolled in accordance with body mass index and China school-age children and adolescents overweight, obesity screening body mass index classification standard, including 20 obese children (body mass index: (28.13±3.4) kg/m2) and 20 non-obese ones (body mass index: (17.44±1.57) kg/m2). The gait parameters of children wearing school bags during walking were measured using a 2-m Footscan Plantar Pressure Plate System from RSscan International. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the non-obese children, the peak pressures under the metatarsal heads II-V, midfoot and heel lateral were significantly higher in obese children wearing school bags during walking (P < 0.05). The time to peak pressures under the toes II-V, the metatarsal heads IV, V and midfoot was also significantly higher (P < 0.05). In addition, the arch index for the foot, and right foot axis angle were significantly larger in the obese children as compared with the non-obese children (P < 0.05). To conclude, obese children wearing school bags during walking have weaker walking stability with flatter foot pattern, the larger foot axis angle and dynamic plantar pressure distribution changes compared with non-obese children, which can result in foot damage.

OBJECTIVETo analyse a special kind of Schisandra chinensis with the white fruit using ITS2 barcode at molecular levels.

METHODITS2 regions were sequenced bidirectionally. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner, MEGA 5.0 software was used to align the sequences. The ITS2 secondary structure was predicted using ITS2 web server, BLAST 1 method was used to identify the S. chinensis with the white fruit.

RESULTThe length of the ITS2 sequence was 231 bp. And the sample was identified as S. chinensis using the method of BLAST 1. Their mean interspecific genetic distance (K2P distance) among the populations of the S. chinensis with the white fruit and S. chinensis was far lower than the mean interspecific genetic distance between the S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera.

CONCLUSIONBy using ITS2 the S. chinensis with the white fruit was identified as S. chinensis, and the ITS2 barcode could be used to identify S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera.

DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Fruit ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Software

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qinggan Jiangtang tablet (QJT) in improving the insulin resistance (IR) in patients with multiple metabolic syndrome (MMS).

METHODSAdopting randomized controlled double-blinded method, 60 patients with MMS were divided equally into two groups. The treated group was treated by oral taking of QJT 3 tabs, twice a day and the control group treated by oral taking of Glucophage 3 tabs, twice a day, the therapeutic course for both groups was 1 month, and the observation lasted for 2 successive courses.

RESULTSAfter treatment, levels of blood glucose, fasting and postprandial blood glucose, C-peptide and IR were significantly reduced with markedly improvement of beta-cell function in both groups, the difference between the two groups showed no significance. Change of plasma level of free fatty acids before and after treatment in both groups was insignificant.

CONCLUSIONQJT has the effects on reducing blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure and IR and improving function of beta cells.

Adult ; Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(APBSCT) in the treatment of pemphigus.MethodsTotally,3 patients with pemphigus vulgaris who responsed poorly to 6-month treatment with glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants or experienced aggrevation of disease and developed treatment-related complications,received APBSCT and were followed up for more than 5 years.There were 1 male and 2 females with an average age of 27.3(21-39) years.The mobilization program included cyclophosphamide (CTX) 4 g/m2,recombinant human granulocyte colonystimulating factors(G-CSF) and Rituximab 375 mg/m2,and the preconditioning regimen included intravenous CTX (50 mg/kg per day on days -6,-5,-4,-3),antithymocyte globulin at 2.5 mg/kg per day(on days -3,-2,-1 and 0) and Rituximab (600 mg/d on days 0 and 7).ResultsAll the 3.patients were successfully engrafted.The mean time for peripheral reconstruction:white blood cells 13.3 days (from day 11 to 16),platelet 16.3 days (from day 16 to 17).Monitoring of immunity indices and related antibodies showed no abnormality and the immune system was well reconstructed.No serious complications occurred during the follow up,and the patients' quality of life was obviously improved.ConclusionAPBSCT may be an effective and safe option for the treatment of pemphigus.

Some problems were found for argument in the teaching of The Therapeutics of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, the new centurial national advanced Chinese medical school's planning material, including errors in compiling, some concepts lacking definition, and some acupuncture treatment methods in the material deviating off clinical practice, etc.. Study on these problems so as to make the teaching material more perfect, more scientific, accurate and authoritative.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion ; Teaching Materials

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in primary and recurrent metastatic breast cancers and explore their relationship.

METHODSThe expressions of Her-2 and VEGF in 60 primary and recurrent metastatic breast cancers were detected using immunohistochemical methods. Their relationship was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rates of Her-2 and VEGF in the recurrent metastatic breast cancer were 40.00% and 53.33%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the primary breast cancer (18.33% and 31.67%) (P < 0.05). The total diversify rates of Her-2 and VEGF were 28.33% and 35.00%, respectively. Her-2 and VEGF expressions were significantly correlated between the primary and the recurrent metastatic breast cancers( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHer-2 and VEGF may play synergic roles in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Over-expressions of Her-2 and VEGF predict poor prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of combined modified Alvarado scores (MAS) and computed tomography imaging in the pathological types of acute appendicitis in adults.

METHODSClinical data of a total of 396 adult patients with acute appendicitis confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively from June 2007 to July 2010. Case-control study was used to investigate the MAS. CT signs were studied in 115 patients who underwent preoperative CT scan. Univariable analysis was performed using each indicator among different pathological types. Discriminant classification was formed by applying significant variables identified from univariable analysis and a Fisher discriminant function was created.

RESULTSTwenty three variables were statistically significant among different pathological types after univariable analysis(P<0.05) and were selected for discriminant analysis. Six variables including temperature(X1), leucocyte count(X2), the proportion of neutrophil(X3), MAS points(X4), periappendiceal fat stranding(X5), and extraluminal air(X6) were enrolled. The discriminant function equation was Y1=0.012X1+0.041X2+0.069X3-0.039X4+2.653X5+1.418X6, Y2=0.327X1+0.041X2-0.034X3-0.140X4-1.114X5+2.982X6. The accuracy was 76.5%(88/115) in retrospective assessment and 77.8%(21/27) in prospective assessment.

CONCLUSIONThe combined use of MAS and CT imaging signs is useful in identifying the pathological types of acute appendicitis in adults, so it is helpful in choosing reasonable therapeutic option for surgeons.

Acute Disease ; Appendicitis ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of the therapeutic effects between Yang's cotton moxibustion and hormonotherapy on neurodermatitis.

METHODSSixty cases of neurodermatitis were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to random number table. The treatment group were treated with Yang's cotton moxibustion and the control group with triamcinolone and urea cream. After treatment for one week, the therapeutic effect was start to be observed. After the treatment was given for 4 weeks, the therapeutic effect was evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group and 80.0% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYang's cotton moxibustion has an obvious therapeutic effect on neurodermatitis with a good safety.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gossypium ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Neurodermatitis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the proportions of functional dyspepsia (FD) and structural diseases within the dyspeptic outpatients in hospitals of different ranking in central area Shaanxi province, and to explore the safety in adopting "symptom and treatment" algorithm used in Western countries.

METHODSA clinical epidemiology survey was carried out by means of a stratified sample of 3 019 dyspeptic outpatients through standardized questionnaire. All of the patients were followed for 4 - 24 weeks, and finally received their diagnoses through a consistent criteria.

RESULTSProportionally, FD in all the outpatients took up 44.8% with 44.7% benign organic causes and 10.5% malignant diseases. In the patients who had marked alarm symptoms, the proportion of benign and malignant diseases rose to 52.1% and 29.2%, respectively. They were significantly higher than those without alarm symptoms (39.2%, 2.9%) (P < 0.01). All of the dyspeptic patients were divided into 7 groups according to different ages. 64.5% of FD patients were younger than 25 years and the rate of FD declined with age. It was found that only four patients below 35 years old had malignance. The number of cases increased significantly in age 35 - 45 group and reached 30.8% in 65 - 74 group.

CONCLUSIONThere were some differences noticed within dyspeptic patterns between local area in China and Western countries, and the "symptom and treatment" approach was not entirely suitable to the local area in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Dyspepsia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Stomach Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

Objective To investigate the source and genetic background of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the year of 2006,in China. Methods From January to December 2006,a total number of 302 consecutive and non-repetitive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were collected from 17 Teaching hospitals in 15 areas. Genotypes of SCCmec were determined by multiplex PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to type the house-keeping genes. The implementation of the spa typing method was straightforward,and the results obtained were reproducible,unambiguous,and easily interpreted. Results All areas but Dalian harbored SCCmec Ⅲ while Dalian harbored SCCmec Ⅱ most. There were two strains in Guangzhou,harboring SCCmec Ⅳ. There were four strains of sequence type(ST),with ST239 accounted for 46.7% and ST5 accounted for 44.4%. ST59 accounted for 6.7% and ST88 accounted for 2.2%. There were fourteen strains of Spa typing,with t30 accounted for 52.6% ; t37 accounted for 27.2% ; t2 accounted for 12.9% ; t632 accounted for 2.3% ; t437 accounted for 1.3% ; t570,t601 accounted for 0.7% ; t377,t459,t796,t899,t1152,t2649 accounted for 0.3% ; no-typing accounted for 0.3%,respectively,pvl gene was not detected. Conclusion The main clone strains were ST239-MRSA-SCCmec Ⅲ-t30,ST5-MRSA-SCCmec Ⅱ-t2,with unique geographic distributions across the whole nation.