OBJECTIVETo evaluate preliminarily the efficacy on functional constipation treated with electroacupuncture of different acupoint prescriptions.

METHODSOne hundred and four patients were randomized into a front-mu and back-shu points group (19 cases), a he-sea points group (34 cases), a he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group (26 cases) and a western medication control group (25 cases). In the front-mu and back-shu points group, electroacupuncture was applied at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25). In the he-sea points group, electroacupuncture was applied at bilateral Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). In the he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group, electroacupuncture was applied at unilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Dachangshu (BL 25), Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). In the three groups above, the treatment was given 5 times a week in the first two weeks and 3 times a week in the next two weeks. In the western medication control group, mosapride citrate tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 1 table (5 mg) each time, 3 times a day, continuously for 4 weeks. The period of research was 9 weeks, including 1 week for baseline evaluation, 4 weeks for treatment and 4 weeks for follow-up. The weekly defecation frequency was taken as primary index, while the defecation difficulty and life quality score were taken as the secondary indices for the efficacy evaluation after treatment and in follow-up.

RESULTSAccording to the intention-to-treat (ITT) analytic principle, 104 cases were all enrolled in the final analysis. (1) After treatment, the weekly frequency of defecation was all increased significantly in the four groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The efficacy of the three electroacupuncture groups was similar to that of western medication control group (P > 0.05). In follow-up, the increasing effect on the weekly frequency of defecation was maintained in the he-sea points group (P < 0.01), superior to the front-mu and back-shu points group and the western medication control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the weekly frequency of defecation was not improved in the rest three groups (P > 0.05). (2) After treatment, defecation difficulty was relieved in the he-sea points group, the he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group and the western medication control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In follow-up, the improvements were still significant in the he-sea points group and the he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group (both P < 0.01). (3) After treatment, the life quality score was significantly improved in the patients of the he-sea points group (P < 0.05). The difference was not significant in the rest three groups as compared with that before treatment (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe weekly frequency of defecation is increased effectively after treatment in the three electroacupuncture groups and the efficacy is similar to mosapride citrate tablets. The bilateral Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) in he-sea acupoints increase significantly the weekly frequency of defecation, relieve defecation difficulty and improve life quality. Acupuncture efficacy is sustained for 4 weeks. This acupoints prescription is the best in the treatment of functional constipation.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of periodontal treatment on the clinical response, systemic inflammatory parameters, and metabolic control of type 2 diabetes patients with moderate to severe periodontitis.

METHODSA total of 56 patients with mean clinical attachment level (CAL)>3 mm were included in the subgroup analysis. A repeated-measures ANOVA (group factor: treatment group and control group; time factor: initial visit, 1.5, 3, and 6 months) was used to analyze the probing depth (PD), CAL, bleeding on probing (BOP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting plasma glucose.

RESULTSSignificantly lower PD (F=62.898, P-0.000), CAL (F=51.263, P-0.000), BOP (F=75.164, P=0.000), hsCRP (F=6.391, P=0.010), HbA1c(F=4.536, P=0.011), and fasting plasma glucose level (F= 3.073, P=0.031) were observed after therapeutic periodontal improvement. The inter-group differences for PD (t=-2.050, P=0.045), BOP (t=-4.538, P=0.000), and hsCRP (t=-2.261, P=0.028) were statistically significant after therapy.

CONCLUSIONNon-surgical periodontal treatment can effectively improve periodontal status, circulating inflammatory status, and metabolic control of diabetic patients with moderate to severe periodontitis.

C-Reactive Protein ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; Humans ; Periodontitis

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in cognitive function of children with type 1 diabetes and explore the possible factors influencing cognitive function.

METHODSThirty-two children with type 1 diabetes (disease course equal to or more than one year) and aged from 6 to 16 years, were enrolled in this study. Cognitive function was evaluated by the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Factors influencing cognitive function were investigated using multiple regression analysis. Thirty-two age- and gender-matched healthy children served as the control group.

RESULTSVerbal intelligence quotient in the diabetic group was significantly lower than in the control group (97±15 vs 118±13; P<0.01). Full intelligence quotient in the diabetic group was also lower than in the control group (99±15 vs 113±12; P<0.01). In the verbal scale test, a sub-test of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, scores in knowledge, category, comprehension, arithmetics and vocabulary scale in the diabetic group were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that glycosylated hemoglobin level was significantly negatively with full, verbal and operation intelligence quotients in diabetic children (r=-5.64, -7.29, -3.00 respectively; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSType 1 diabetes may affect adversely children's verbal intelligence quotient, resulting in a decreased full intelligence quotient. Glycosylated hemoglobin may be an independent risk factor for cognitive function in diabetic children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Cognition ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Male ; Regression Analysis

Objective To compare the saccharometabolism with the pancreatic islets functions and insulin resistance index in children with severe stress. Methods Thirty children with severe stress and 30 healthy children in control group were tested. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and fasting C - peptide (FCP) were detected by radioimmunoassay respectively and insulin sensitivity index (ISI), insulin resistance index (IR) and fasting blood cell function index (FBCI) were calculated statistically. Results There were significant differences between the children with severe stress and the normal controls in the levels of FINS, FCP and FBG,(all P0.05). Conclusion There is insulin resistance with the significant decrease in the insulin sensitivity index and significant increase in insulin resistance index in the children with severe stress, which may cause the disorder in glucose metabolism in children with severe stress.

Aim To study the effect of Baoxinbao film on endothelin(ET) and nitric oxide(NO) secretion in patients with stable angina pectoris(SAP).Methods 76 patients with SAP were randomly divided into two groups, with 40 cases in the baoxinbao group plastered with baoxinbao film and 36 cases in the isosorbide dinitrate group receiving isosorbide dinitrate. The levels of plasma ET and NO before and after treatment were observed. Results The concentrations of plasma ET were increased and plasma NO reduced significantly in the SAP patients respectively, as compared with those in the control group(all P

Objective To investigate the awareness rate,treatment rate and control rate of mineral and bone disorder in patients with moderate or advanced stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods The awareness rate,treatment rate and control rate of mineral and bone disorder were evaluated based on a questionnaire and related laboratory examinations in 503 CKD stage 3 to 5 patients. Results The awareness rate of mineral and bone disorder in patients with moderate or advanced stage CKD was highest in hemodialysis patients,moderate in peritoneal dialysis patients and lowest in non-dialyzed patients (all P ＜0.01).The total scores of the questionnaire were lowest in non-dialyzed patients [6 (5,8)] and were significantly higher in peritoneal dialysis [11 (9,12)] and hemodialysis patients [13 (11,15)] (P＜0.01).The extent of awareness was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.11,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with educational background (r=0.226,P＜0.01),duration of CKD (r=0.597,P＜0.01) and duration of dialysis (r=0.366,P＜0.01).The source of knowledge was mainly from publicity and education made by medical staff,which accounted for 94.0％,79.5％ and 69.4％ respectively in nondialyzed,peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients.The treatment rate was significantly higher in peritoneal dialysis (88.6％) and hemodialysis patients (96.9％) than that in non-dialyzed patients (58.2％) (all P＜0.01).According to K/DOQI guideline,the control rate of serum calcium,phosphorus,calcium and phosphorus product and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were much better in non-dialyzed patients as compared to dialyzed ones.The percentage of number of lab indicators meeting the standard was significantly higher in non-dialyzed patients as compared to dialyzed ones (P＜0.01).According to KDIGO guideline,the control rate of serum phosphorus was significantly lower in hemodialysis patients (23.6％) than that in peritoneal dialysis (36.9％) and non-dialyzed patients (46.7％) (P＜0.01). Conclusions In non-dialyzed patients with moderate or advanced stage CKD,the awareness rate and treatment rate of mineral and bone disorder are relatively low,and the control rate is relatively high.Whereas in dialyzed patients,the awareness rate and treatment rate are relatively high,and the control rate is relatively low.

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes of blood viscosity and external thrombus in patients with silicosis and silicosis complicated with tuberculosis (TB).

METHODBlood viscosity and external thrombus were measured in 288 patients with silicosis, 178 patients with silicosis complicated by TB and 150 healthy subjects.

RESULTSBlood viscosity and external thrombus value were significantly higher in the patients of silicosis and silicosis complicated with TB than in the healthy controls, except for patients of phase I of silicosis. Blood viscosity in the silicotics increased significantly with the advance of the disease, but no significant difference in external thrombus between patients in different phases. Apparent viscosity of whole blood significantly increased in the high-shear rate (200 s(-1)) and middle-shear rate (30 s(-1)) in patients of silicosis complicated with TB than in those without complication of TB at the same phases, but not seen in the low-shear rate (5 s(-1)) and in plasma viscosity, and the length and dried weight of external thrombus increased significantly too. There was no significant difference in blood viscosity and external thrombus between patients of silicosis at phase III and those of silicosis complicated with TB at the same phase.

CONCLUSIONBlood in patients with silicosis appeared highly viscous and highly coagulant status. Blood viscosity and external thrombus value significantly increased with the advance of the disease, especially in the patients complicated with TB.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Viscosity ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severity of Illness Index ; Silicosis ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Thrombosis ; etiology ; Tuberculosis ; complications

OBJECTIVETo probe the effects of long-term oral administration of lanthanum nitrate [La(NO(3))(3)] on morphological change in the liver, aftereffect of deposited La in the liver and their mechanism in rats.

METHODSYoung Wistar rats were divided into two groups, one fed with 0.1, 0.2, 2.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg of La(NO(3))(3) for six months and the other for the control. Changes in ratio of liver to body weight were observed after exposure to La(NO(3))(3) at varied doses for six months and one month after six-month exposure, as well as morphology of the liver in the rats with routine histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. Content of La in the liver was measured with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSRatio of liver to body weight was significantly higher in the male rats exposed to 20.0 mg/kg of lanthanum for six months than that in the control group. Ratio of liver to body weight restored to normal in the rats exposed to 20.0 mg/kg of La one month after six-month exposure. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the portal region of the liver, small amount of fat drops in hepatocytic cytoplasm, increased density of mitochondria stroma, lysosome containing highly-electronic-density bodies and dense granules, normal nucleus and slightly deformed nucleus of hepatocytes could be found in the rats exposed to 20.0 mg/kg. Areas of the liver deposited with glycogen after six-month exposure to 20.0 mg/kg of La accounted for (26.1 +/- 1.5)% and (4.1 +/- 1.4)%, respectively for male and female rats, significantly lower than those in the control group [(31.3 +/- 1.4)% and (39.4 +/- 0.9)%, respectively], with a statistical significance and very statistical significance, respectively. There was a little infiltration of inflammatory cells in the portal region of the liver one month after six-month exposure to 20.0 mg/kg of La, and amount of the dense bodies was lower in the rats exposed to La for six months. Liver contents of La in the rats of all experimental groups were lower one month after six-month exposure than those in the rats exposed for six months.

CONCLUSIONSExposure to a dose of 20.0 mg/kg La(NO(3))(3) for a long term could damage the liver structure to certain extent, but lanthanum deposited in the liver could be eliminated from the body gradually.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Female ; Lanthanum ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway in the rats of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSSixty four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: 8-week control group (NG8w), 12-week control group (NG12 w), 8-week high-fat diet (HG8w), and 12-week high-fat diet group (HG12w), with 16 rats in each group. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) was tested by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp; aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acid (FFAs), fast insulin (FIns), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were tested by biochemistry automatic analyzer or RIA; The expression of JNK1, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phospho-IRS-1 Ser307 (p-IRS-1 Ser307), Protein kinase B (PKB) and phospho-PKB Ser473 (p- PKB Ser473) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared to control group, body weight, liver index, serum levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC, FIns, FFAs, TNF alpha, and TC, TG FFAs, MDA in liver homogenates were increased, while the level of SOD, and GIR were decreased. The expression of JNK1 protein and p-IRS-1 Ser307 in liver tissue was up-regulated, while expression of p-PKB Ser473 was decreased (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the expression intensity of JNK1 and IR (Pearson correlation: 0.718, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe high-fat could induce the expression of JNK1, which in turn modulates the phosphorylation of proteins in the insulin signaling pathway, and induces insulin resistant.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fatty Liver ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo compare the schizontocidal activity of recrystallized or crude daphnetin against malaria parasites in vivo.

METHODSSchizontocidal activity of recrystallized or crude daphnetin at various dosages was assessed in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA using a "4-day suppress assay".

RESULTSThe comparison of the reduction rate of parasitemia caused by either recrystallized or crude dephnetin showed that ED(50) of crude daphnetin was 18.36 mg/kg, with 95% confidence limit of 5.96-56.54 mg/kg while ED50 of recrystallized daphnetin was 11.46 mg/kg, with 95% confidence limit of 8.63-15.22 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that the efficacy of recrystallized daphnetin is 37.6% higher than that of crude daphnetin.

Animals ; Antimalarials ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Malaria ; drug therapy ; parasitology ; Mice ; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests ; Plasmodium berghei ; drug effects ; Umbelliferones ; pharmacology