Although Germany is an important cradle of Western medicine, traditional Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion are widely accepted and have been developed hardly in Germany for several centuries. This paper reviews the development courses of acupuncture and moxibustion in Germany, and gives an introduction to the level of acupuncture and moxibustion science, acupuncture in medical insurance, acupuncture research, acupuncture clinics, acupuncture organizations, acupuncture journals and trend of acupuncture development in Germany.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; Germany ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Moxibustion ; history ; Science

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Germany ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Moxibustion

The optimized cultural medium of fermentation for Candida sp.mutant strain YQ5 to produce S-adenosylmethionine was studied.The results of single factor experiment showed that the most favorable pH value,carbon source,nitrogen source organic nutrient is 6.0,8% sucrose,1.5% tryptone and 2% yeast extract,respectively.As to inorganic salts,MgSO4?7H2O,CaCl2,FeSO4?7H2O,CoCl2,CuSO4?5H2O,H3BO3 could improve accumulation of the intercellular SAM.The ingredients of the culture medium are also opti-mized by the orthogonal experiment.Fermentation for 48 h under the optimal condition resulted in AdoMet production at 1740.0 mg/L.

OBJECTIVETo unveil the distribution of E-selectin G98T polymorphism in exon 2 and the S128R polymorphism in exon 4 of the Chinese Zhuang and Han ethnic groups in Guangxi province.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), gene sequencing and DNA sequencing were performed on 162 healthy Zhuangs and 170 healthy Hans.

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of G, T for E-selectin polymorphism in the exon 2 were 94.8% and 5.2% in Zhuangs, 95.3% and 4.7% in Hans, respectively; The allele frequencies of S, R for E-selectin polymorphism in the exon 4 were 92.0% and 8.0% in Zhuangs, 95.9% and 4.1% in Hans, respectively. There was significant difference in frequencies of genotype and allele in E-selectin S128R polymorphism between Zhuangs and Hans(chi-square test=4.482, P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONThere was significant difference in the E-selectin S128R polymorphism between Zhuangs and Hans. There was no significant difference in the E-selectin G98T polymorphism between Zhuangs and Hans.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; E-Selectin ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo assess the influence of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) on the erectile function of the patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSUsing IIEF-5, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among 210 BPH patients before and after treated by PVP (n = 80) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP, n = 130). We also reviewed the clinical data and compared the pre- and post-operative penile erectile function between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSFollow-up was completed in 76 cases of PVP and 123 of TURP. The baseline data showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, prostate volume, IPSS, QOL, Qmax, post void urine residual volume and IIEF-5 scores (P>0.05). Compared with the IEFF-5 score at the baseline (21.88 +/- 2.46), those at 3, 6 and 12 months after PVP were 16.72 +/- 3.17, 19.34 +/- 2.46 and 19.29 +/- 2. 18, respectively, significantly decreased at 3 months (P = 0.042), but with no remarkable difference at 6 and 12 months (P >0.05). Nor were there significant differences in the IIEF-5 score between the PVP and TURP groups at any time points (P>0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the incidence rates of erectile dysfunction were 11.7% and 13.7% in the TURP and PVP groups, respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPVP may reduce erectile function in some cases in the early stage after surgery, but this adverse effect does not last long and is basically similar to that of TURP.

Humans ; Laser Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Qingyi Granule (QYG) on the changes of total protein expressions in the pancreatic tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) induced by sodium taurocholate (STC).

METHODSSAP was induced by retrograded injecting 5% STC from the gut-pancreatic duct in 36 Sprague-Dawley (SD)rats. Then they were randomly divided into the SAP group and the QYG treatment group (abbreviated as the QYG group), 18 in each group. After successful modeling, rats in the QYG group were administered with QYG water solution (W: W = 1:1) once with an interval of 12 h (1 mL/100 g), while rats in the SAP group were administered with normal saline. The medication was performed four times. The total proteins were extracted from the pancreatic tissue of all rats to perform two-dimensional electrophoresis, fluorescent staining, and atlas analysis. The protein dots with differential expressions more than four times between each other in 48 h gel pictures were chosen and used for MALDI-TOF/TOF mass chromatographic analysis and biological information analysis.

RESULTSThe 5% STC induced SAP model rats had typical pathological changes in the pancreatic tissue. The proteomics changes of the pancreatic tissue were analyzed by gel image manipulation software. Twenty two disparate points were detected between two groups at 48 h, 5 points of the protein were up-regulated and 17 points were down-regulated of the total after QYG intervention. Nine protein spots expressed differently more than 4 times and stably at 48 h, 7 kinds of proteins have been identified by mass chromatographic analysis and Data Base Retrieval, and they were Serpinb1a 39 kDa protein, Serpinb1a 43 kDa protein, Prdx4 Prx IV, Clps, gamma-actin (Actg1), Eprs and Hadhsc. Those proteins were involved in signal transmit during the process of SAP pancreas--pathological injury analyzed from their functions.

CONCLUSIONSProteomics can well reflect the effects of QYG on differential expression proteins in the pancreatic tissue of rats with SAP. Studying differential expression proteins may provide a new theoretical basis and molecule target for QYG treating SAP.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Pancreas ; metabolism ; Pancreatitis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Proteome ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo developed a multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous screening of type A, B and novel A (H1N1) influenza viruses.

METHODSTwo pairs of universal primers in were designed for amplifying the M gene and NS gene of type A and B influenza viruses, respectively. A pair of specific primers of HA gene was designed to detect novel A (H1N1) influenza virus. A one-step method was used to establish the multiplex RT-PCR system. A blinded experiment was carried out to validate the accuracy of this assay in comparison with the results of real-time fluorescence RT-PCR. The clinical practicability and efficacy of this assay was also evaluated.

RESULTSThe RT-PCR products were analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis, which yielded distinct bands of the target fragments without non-specific reactions, suggesting the high efficiency and specificity of the multiplex RT-PCR. Blinded study of 50 samples demonstrated a concordance rate of 100%.

CONCLUSIONThis multiplex RT-PCR assay allows one-step simultaneous detection of type A, B and novel A (H1N1) influenza viruses rapidly and accurately, and provides a valuable low-cost screening technique for influenza epidemic monitoring and early diagnosis.

Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Time Factors ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics

AIMTo evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback therapy in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

METHODSFrom November 2001 to April 2002, patients visiting the Urological Outpatient Clinic of this Hospital were evaluated by means of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and classified by the NIH classification standard. Sixty-two patients of CPPS category III were involved in this study. All patients had been treated by conventional approaches such as antibiotics and alpha-blockers for more than half a year without any improvement. The expressed prostatic secretion results were as follows: WBC 5 to 9/high power field, lipid + approximately +++ and bacterial culture negative. Their NIH-CPSI were 12 approximately 40. All the 62 cases complained of micturitional irritation (frequency, urgency, splitted stream and sense of residual urine), 32 cases, of pain or discomfort at the testicular, penile, scrotal, pelvic or rectal region and 13 cases, of white secretion-dripping. The patients were treated by the Urostym Biofeedback equipment (Laborie Co., Canada) 5 times a week for 2 weeks with a stimulus intensity of 15 mA approximatley 23 mA and duration of 20 minutes.

RESULTSSixty patients were significantly improved or cured, while no significant improvement in the remaining 2. No apparent side effect was observed. The NIH-CPSI dropped to 6 to 14 with an average reduction of 21 (P<0.01). In the 60 improved cases, pain was relieved after 2 approximately 3 treatment courses and other symptoms disappeared after 4 approximately 5 courses.

CONCLUSIONBiofeedback therapy is a safe and effective treatment for CPPS. Large randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and to explore the mechanism of action.

Adult ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To develop a PFGE protocol for Streptococcus suis.Methods We developed and optimized a PFGE protocol for S.suis,in terms of plug preparation,choice of restriction endonucleases and optimized electrophoresis parameters.By analyzing the genome sequences of S.suis P1/7 with Mapdraw of DNAStar.we found three restriction enzymes,Swa Ⅰ,Sma Ⅰ and Apa Ⅰ,were more suitable than others.Results Analysis of 100 isolates of S.suis including 34 of 35 serotypes identified,59,53 and 43 patterns were obtained from Swa Ⅰ,Sma Ⅰ and Apa Ⅰ restriction,respectively.The enzyme Swa Ⅰ had the greatest power for discrimination ability.Conclusion By optimization of the protocol at various conditions,a rapid,reproducible,economic and practical PFGE method for S.suis was developed.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy and medication for mild and moderate ulcerative colitis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients were randomized into an acupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy group (a combination group) and a mesalazine group, 60 cases in each one. Fifty-seven cases in the combination group and 55 cases in the mesalazine group were included into analysis. In the combination group, acupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Quchi (LI 11) during the activity period, and acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) during the alleviate period. The patients in the mesalazine group were treated with mesalazine orally. The treatment was given for 12 weeks. The scores of TCM symptoms, colonoscopy, mucosa healing rate were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The effects, adverse reactions and the recurrent rates during 1-year follow-up were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms decreased in the two groups (both <0.05), and the result in the combination group was better than that in the mesalazine group (<0.05). The total effective rate in the combination group was 87.7% (50/57), which was better than 70.9% (39/55) in the mesalazine group (<0.05). The colonoscopy scores decreased after treatment in the two groups (both <0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on colonoscopy score and mucosal healing rate [50.9% (29/57) vs 34.5% (19/55), both >0.05]. The recurrent rate in the combination group was 8.5% (4/47)，which was lower than 32.4% (11/34) in the mesalazine group (<0.05). No severe adverse reaction was found during the treatment in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy can improve mild and moderate ulcerative colitis and reduce the recurrent rate.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Catgut ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; therapy ; Humans