OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of warming-needle moxibustion on cervical headache.

METHODSSixty-one patients of cervical headache were randomly divided into a warming-needle moxibustion group (30 cases) and an acupuncture group (31 cases). Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Tianyou (TE 16), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Zulinqi (GB 41) were selected in the two groups. Patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture; patients in the warming-needle moxibustion group were treated with warming-needle moxibustion at Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20) and Wangu (GB 12) and acupuncture at the remaining acupoints. The treatment was given once every other day, 3 times a week, and totally 4-week treatment was given. The duration and frequency of headache, numerical rating scale (NRS) of headache and cervical range of motion (ROM) were compared before and after treatment in the two groups; also the efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the duration and frequency of headache, headache NRS.and cervical ROM score were improved in both groups (all P < 0.05), which were more significant in the warming-needle moxibustion group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 84.3% (25/30) in the warming-needle moxibustion group, which was significantly superior to 61.3% (19/31) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe warming-needle moxibustion presents significant efficacy on cervical headache, which can obviously improve headache symptoms and cervical ROM.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Female ; Headache ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Neck Pain ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe and evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture at "Siguan" combined with the Gallbladder Meridian acupoints on migraine.

METHODSWith randomized controlled trial design, 87 patients were randomly divided into an observation group (42 cases) and a control group (45 cases). The observation group was treated with acupuncture at "Siguan" including Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), combined with the Gallbladder Meridian acupoints including Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8), Qiuxu (GB 40) and Zulinqi (GB 41), while the control group was treated with acupuncture at the Gallbladder Meridian acupoints, including Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8), Qiuxu (GB 40), Zulinqi (GB 41), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Hanyan (GB 4). The treatment was given every other day in two groups, 3 times per week for totally 6 weeks. The migraine intensity, migraine frequency and lasting time of each migraine were observed before and after treatment, and 3-month follow-up was performed after treatment. The clinical efficacy in two groups was evaluated.

RESULTSCompared with those before treatment, the migraine intensity, frequency and lasting time were all reduced significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P<0.01), which were more obvious in the observation group (all P<0.05). At the end of the treatment, the total effective rate was 95.2% (40/42) in the observation group and 80.0% (36/45) in the control group, which had statistical difference (P<0.05). After 3-month follow-up, the total effective rate was 88.1% (37/42) in the observation group and 75.6% (34/45) in the control group, which had no statistical difference (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe "Siguan" combined with the Gallbladder Meridian acupoints could significantly relieve the migraine intensity, frequency and lasting time, and its improvement of symptoms and short-term efficacy are superior to those of the Gallbladder Meridian acupoints alone.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gallbladder ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Migraine Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective:To generate Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) Latent Membrane Protein 2A(LMP2A) recombinant adenovirus,and provide for further investigation on the therapy vaccine against EBV associated malignancies.Methods:Full length cDNA of encoding LMP2A of EBV had been amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and cloned into pGEM-T vector.The encoding cDNA of LMP2A was inserted into E1,E3-substituted adenovirus vector pAX1CW,then the LMP2A recombinant adenovirus vector was contransfected into 293 cells togetherwith EcoT221 digested Ad5-TPC.The LMP2A recombinant adenovirus was generated by homologous recombination,and primarily identificated by ClaI enzyme digestion.The expression of LMP2A on CV1 cells infected with recombinant adenovirus analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS) and confocal microscope.Results:The replication-deficient LMP2A recombinant adenovirus was generated efficiently with the titers of 2.3?10 8 pfu/ml.The LMP2A could be seen on CV1 cells membrane with confocal microscope 48 h post infected with recombinant adenovirus and the percentage of CV1 cells expressing LMP2A was 94.4% by means of FACS analysis.Conclusion:These suggested that LMP2A could be expressed efficiently by recombinant adenovirus mediated transfer,and it was the foundation of further researching in its function and developing the suitable genetic engineering vaccine against EBV associated malignancies.

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment of different durations on the expressions of AQP4 and CLN5 in the blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion Methods Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a model group,a sham operation group,a 7-day EA-pretreatment group (EAP-7 group) and a 15-day EA-pretreatment group (EAP-15 group),each of 16.After EA-pretreatment on the baihui and shuigou acupoints for 7 days or 15 days,a model of unilateral middle cerebral artery embolism (MCAO) model was induced in the rats of the model,EAP-7 and EAP-15 group using a modified Longa method.In the sham operation group the carotid artery was separated without middle cerebral artery embolism.The reperfusion was begun 90 min after the MCAO modeling.Immunohistochemical methods and fluorescence quantitative PCR were applied to detect the expression of AQP4,CLN5 and their mRNAs expression in the blood brain barrier (BBB) 24h after the operation.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the expression of AQP4 positive cells and AQP4 mRNA in the BBB in the other three groups had increased significantly,while the expression of CLN5 positive cells and CLN5 mRNA was significantly less.Compared with the model group,the expression of AQP4 positive cells and AQP4 mRNA in the EAP-7 and EAP-15 groups was significantly reduced,while the expression of CLN5 positive cells and CLN5 mRNA was significantly increased.Moreover,the expression of AQP4 positive cells and AQP4 mRNA in the EAP-15 group were significantly higher than in the EAP-7 group,while the expression of CLN5 positive cells and CLN5 mRNA were significantly lower.Conclusions EA-pretreatment on the baihui and shuigou acupoints can restrain the expression of AQP4-positive cells and AQP4 mRNA and promote that of CLN5-positive cells and CLN5 mRNA in the BBB after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion,at least in rats.The BBB protection effect is better when the EA-pretreatment lasts longer.The mechanisms of cerebral ischemia tolerance may be related to the regulation of AQP4,CLN5 and their mRNAs in the blood-brain barrier after cerebral injury.

Objective To investigate the accuracy and reliability of the image automatic matching using X-ray volumetric image (ⅩⅥ) system with the accelerator Elekta Synergy and to compare the matches with different methods and area.Methods A simulation plan using the head and neck phantom was designed and sent to ⅩⅥ system for CBCT scanning.During the scanning,the couch for certain distance was moved and the data of ⅩⅥ image automatic Matching in different matching methods and area was collected.Results The result of ⅩⅥ image automatic matching is consistent and correct to direction and distance which the couch had been moved (x:(0.11 ± 0.41) mm,y:(-0.04± 2.6) mm,z:(0.28 ± 0.74 mm)).There are not significant differences between the results that matching in different matching methods and different matching area.Conclusions The automatic image Matching of ⅩⅥ is accuracy and high reliability in recognition of offset error.But there are some significant differences on the automatic image Matching in different matching methods and different matching area.

Objective To investigate the role of AP-1 in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Methods By using immunomagnetic separation technology, peripheral blood basophils were isolated from 10 CIU patients and 10 normal human controls followed by the extraction of nuclear protein from the basophils. TransAMTM AP-1 family kit was used to detect the DNA binding activity changes of AP-1 family transcription factors in basophils, and Western blotting to detect the expression of P-c-jun protein. Results There were some differences in the DNA binding activity of AP-1 family transcription factors in basophils between CIU patients and normal controls. The DNA binding activity of Phospho-c-jun, c-fos, Fos-B, Jun-B and Jun-D factors was increased in CIU patients compared with the controls, and the increase in that of P-c-jun and Jun-D was statistically significant (both P < 0.05). There was an insignificant decrease in the DNA binding activity of Fra-1 factor in the CIU patients compared with the controls (P > 0.05). The P-c-jun (Ser73) protein expression was higher in CIU patients than that in the controls (0.527 ± 0.312 vs. 0.435 ± 0.042, P < 0.05),whereas there was no significant difference in the P-c-jun (Ser63) protein expression level. Conclusion Some changes in DNA binding activity of AP-1 and overexpression of P-c-jun (Ser73) protein in basophils may be involved in the pathogenesis of CIU.

The B.subtilis ywtD gene,encoding a ?-polyglutamic acid(?-PGA)depolymerase,was amplified from the genome of B.subtilis NX-2 by PCR.The comparability between the cloned ywtD gene sequence to the reported sequence is high to 99.0%.Only one of the substituted nucleotide base caused the change to the amino acid sequence.The recombinant plasmid pET-15b-ywtD was then transformed into E.coli Rosetta(DE3)and the ywtD gene product could be expressed with the induction of 0.5mmol/L IPTG.The YwtD protein exhibited a remarkable activity in ?-polyglutamic acid degradation.The molecular weight of ?-PGA could be reduced from 700kDa to 20kDa after 72h through the enzymatic hydrolysis and consequently trended to be constant.

OBJECTIVE To understand environmental factors which cause nosocomial infection in ICU. METHODS Air sampling adopted by plain board exposure and hand and object appearance by cotton wool method according to Disinfection Technique Regulation published by Ministry of Health. RESULTS From 289 samples, 182 were qualified and pass ratio was 62.98%. Staphylococcus aureus and mixed opportunistic pathogens were the main bacteria on the air and objects. CONCLUSIONS Through monitoring and analyzing environmental factors of ICU nosocomial infection, to control the prevalence and outbreak of ICU nosocomial infection as well as reduce the chance of infection.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression level of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the plasma and colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to explore the synergistic mechanism of qingchang huashi recipe (QHR) combined with Mesalazine.

METHODSRecruited were 24 mild or moderate UC patients of damp-heat inner accumulation syndrome (DHIAS). Their samples of intestinal tissues were histologically graded. They were assigned to the combination group and the Western medicine (WM) group, 12 in each group. Besides, another 12 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. QHR combined Mesalazine were given to patients in the combination group, while those in the WM group took Mesalazine. The therapeutic course for all was 3 months. By the end of treatment the expression level of IL-17 in the plasma and colonic mucosa was detected using ELISA. The infiltration of IL-17 in the intestinal mucosal tissue was detected by immunohistochemical SP method.

RESULTSThe expression level of IL-17 in the plasma and colonic mucosa was significantly higher in UC patients than in healthy controls (P <0. 05). The higher the histological grading the higher the expression level. The expression level of IL-17 in plasma and colonic tissues decreased after treatment in the two treatment groups (P < 0.05). Besides, the expression level of IL-17 was lower in the combination group than in the WM group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHR combined Mesalazine could synergically enhance the effect and effectively inhibit intestinal inflammation through down-regulating the expression of IL-17.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Mesalamine ; therapeutic use

AIM: To investigate the effect of norcantharidin(NCTD)on proliferation and invasion of human breast cancer cell line SKBR3 in vitro and its anticancer mechanisms.METHODS: MTT assay was used to determine SKBR3 cell proliferation. Light and FACScan were used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle. The invasiveness of SKBR3 was evaluated by the adhesion test,Matrigel experiment and the crossing-river test.RESULTS: NCTD had inhibitive effects on growth of SKBR3 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner, with the IC50 value of 12.5 mg/L at 24 h.The cells treated with 10 mg/L NCTD for 24 h and 48 h showed typical apoptotic morphology and hypodiploid peak before G1 phase. The cell cycle was arrested at G2/M phase. The apoptosis percentage was up to 3.44% and 6.17%, and the G2/M percentage was up to 35.82% and 38.70%. NCTD also could inhibit obviously the adhesion, movement and invasive capability simulating human basement membrane of SKBR3. Its effect was also in a dose-dependent manner. In the NCTD-treated group, crossing-river time was prolonged significantly and passing-membrane cells markedly decreased. CONCLUSION: NCTD in vitro inhibits not only the proliferation and growth of human breast cancer cells but also invasion and metastasis of the cells at relatively low concentration. NCTD shows prominent anti-tumor effects.