OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on tumor and its mechanism.

METHODSLiver cancer, gastric cancer and hypodermic tumor rat models were made by implantation of replicated Walker-256 cell strain. The 3 model rats were respectively divided into two groups at random, a model control group and an electroacupuncture group. The electroacupuncture groups were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "San-yinjiao" (SP 6), once each day, 15 min one session, for 15 days. The gross tumor volume and the tumor inhibitory rate, and the levels of humoral immunity index, including serum 1gG, IgM, IgA and C3, C4, and the levels of cellular immunity index, including CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the peripheral blood in each group were detected.

RESULTSThe gross tumor volumes in the EA groups were significantly smaller than those in the model control group (P<0.01). The contents of IgG, IgM and C3 in the EA groups increased significantly compared with those in the model control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The contents of IgA and C4 in the EA groups did not significantly change (P>0.05). The content of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the EA groups are significantly higher than those in the model control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) can increase immune function and inhibit tumor growth in Walker-256 liver cancer, gastric cancer and hypodermic tumor rats.

Animals ; Carcinoma 256, Walker ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To describe the current situation of diarrhea in children under five years old in Nepal and to explore its influencing factors. Methods Data were collected from the open-access database, Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys in 2006, 2011 and 2016. Chi-square ( 2) and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare difference of potential risk factors between groups with and without diarrhea. Multiple Logistic regression model was adopted to identify significant influencing factors on diarrhea in children under five years old in Nepal. Results In 2006, 2011 and 2016, the incidence of diarrhea children under five in Nepal was 12.3%, 13.3% and 6.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis of the potential influencing factors showed that there were significant differences in the gender, water source, toilet facilities and fuel type, age of children, age of mother when she gave birth to the child and education years of mother and children with and without diarrhea (all P＜0.05). Multiple analysis revealed that improved toilet facilities (OR=0.874, 95% CI: 0.769-0.994, P=0.041) and the age of children(OR=0.613, 95% CI: 0.580-0.645, P＜0.001) were protective factors of childhood diarrhea, and the risk of boys was higher than that of girls(OR=1.277, 95% CI: 1.147-1.423, P＜0.001). Conclusions From 2006 to 2016, the incidence of diarrhea in children under five years old in Nepal was decreasing. Toilet facilities, age of children and gender of children were identified as the influencing factors of childhood diarrhea.

Objective To evaluate the micropermeability on bonding hydrophobic adhesive to dentin with ethanol-wet bonding under simulated pulp pressure.Methods Twenty-four intact human third molars were used in the study.After the enamel of occlusal surfaces was removed,the molars were randomly divided into six groups.Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose was used in the control group; in the experimental groups,the dentin surfaces were saturated with ethanol for 20 s ( group 1 ),1 min ( group 2 ),2 min ( group 3 ),3 min ( group 4 ) or with a series of increasing ethanol concentrations before application of hydrophobic adhesive ( group 5 ).All the bonding procedures were done under simulated pulp pressure.After 24 hours,micro-tensile bond strength test were performed on the specimens.Bonding interfaces were observed under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) after the pulp chamber were filled with a water-soluble fluoroprobe rhodamine B for 3 hours.Results Compared with the control group[(38.14 ± 4.97 ) MPa],bond strengths in group 1 [(21.02 ± 7.23 ) MPa]and group 2 [( 29.64 ± 3.81 ) MPa]were statistically lower ( P ＞ 0.05 ),while bond strngth in group 3 [( 38.40 ± 5.03 ) MPa],group 4 [( 37.26 ± 4.68 ) MPa]and group 5[(40.12 ±5.95) MPa]were similar to the control group (P＜0.05).The images taken by LSCM showed that with extension of ethanol-wet time,the deposition of fluorescent dye in hybrid layer and along the dentinal tubules decreased gradually.Especially in group 5,only spare fluorescent dye deposition could be detected in the hybrid layer.Conclusions Dentin saturated with ethanol for more than 2 min before bonding hydrophobic adhesive to dentin could provide favorable bond strength and decreased the micropermeability of bonding interfaces under simulated pulp pressure.

To evaluate the papilla alterations around single-implant restorations in the anterior maxillae after crown attachment and to study the influence of soft tissue thickness on the papilla fill alteration. According to the inclusion criteria, 32 patients subjected to implant-supported single-tooth restorations in anterior maxillae were included. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the mucosal thickness: (i) group 1, 1.5 mm s mucosal thickness 3 mm; and (ii) group 2, 3 mm Adult ; Crowns ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; methods ; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Esthetics, Dental ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gingiva ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prospective Studies ; Tooth Cervix ; anatomy & histology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factorsthat predict pain during colonoscopy for decision of sedation or analgesia before the examination.

METHODSA total of 283 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopicexamination at Nanfang Hospital between July, 2016 and September, 2016were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data and visual analogue scale after the examination were analyzed to identify the risk factors for pain during colonoscopy using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. A risk stratification model for predicting pain in colonoscopy was established.

RESULTSThe completion rate of the procedure was significantly lower in patients with a visual analogue scale ≥5 (P<0.000). Univariate analysis showed that female patients, previous abdominal surgery, no previous experience with colonoscopy, complaint of abdominal pain before colonoscopy, insufficient experience of the endoscopists, patient's anticipation of high painlevelbefore examination, and a low body mass index (BMI) were all associated with the experience of pain in colonoscopy (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regressionanalysis identified BMI index (X), level of experience of the endoscopist (A, A, A) and the patient's anticipation of painlevel (X) as the risk factors of pain in colonoscopy(P<0.05), and the establishedmodel with the 3 variables was: P=e/(1+e),Y=0.049-0.124×X-0.97×X+1.713×A+0.781×A+0.147×A, which showed a sensitivity of 70.3% and a specificity of 67.5%for predicting pain in colonoscopy.

CONCLUSIONThe patient's anticipation of a high pain level in colonoscopy, insufficient experience of the endoscopist, and a low BMI are the independent risk factors for pain in colonoscopy, and evaluation of these factors can help in the decision-making concerning the use of sedation or analgesia before colonoscopy.

Abdominal Pain ; etiology ; Analgesia ; Colonoscopy ; adverse effects ; Conscious Sedation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pain Management ; Pain Measurement ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

To evaluate the papilla alterations around single-implant restorations in the anterior maxillae after crown attachment and to study the influence of soft tissue thickness on the papilla fill alteration. According to the inclusion criteria, 32 patients subjected to implant-supported single-tooth restorations in anterior maxillae were included. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the mucosal thickness: (i) group 1, 1.5 mmfmucosal thicknessf3 mm; and (ii) group 2, 3 mm,mucosal thicknessf4.5 mm. Assessments of interproximal papillae at the time of crown placement (baseline) and at 6-month postloading (follow-up) were made by two prosthodontists using papilla fill index (PFI). The mean mucosal thickness was (2.4960.31) mm(group 1) and (3.8160.31)mm (group 2) for the two groups respectively. A significant difference in PFI between the groups was detected at the baseline (P,0.001). PFI improvements over time occurred after 6-month follow-up irrespective of the groups. When compared to group 1, the likelihood to obtain papilla fill was significantly higher for group 2 with an odds ratio of 6.05 (P,0.001). The interproximal papilla level around single-implant restorations could improve significantly over time after 6-month restoration according to PFI assessment. The thicker mucosa before implant placement implied a more favorable esthetic outcome in papilla alteration.

OBJECTIVETo conduct a proteomic analysis of human colorectal carcinoma cell lines LS174T and SW480 by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

METHODSThe total proteins of human colorectal carcinoma cell lines LS174T and SW480 were separated with 2-DE using immobilized pH gradient strips and analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS to obtain peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs). Proteins were identified by using Mascot software to search protein databases.

RESULTSGood resolution 2-DE maps were obtained. Some proteins including immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IgVH) and co-stimulatory molecule B7-1 were identified. IgVH and B7-1 were confirmed by electrospray ionization tandem spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and immunocytochemistry.

CONCLUSIONThere are IgVH and B7-1 expressions in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines LS174T and SW480. Results obtained will help to elucidate the mechanisms of tumor immune escape.

B7-1 Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Peptide Mapping ; Proteome ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of PEG-IFNalpha-2b (Peg-Intron) with IFNalpha-2b (Intron A) in treating HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

METHODSTwo hundred thirty chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients eligible to the following criteria were enrolled into this study: HBsAg and HBeAg(Abbott kit) positive for at least 6 months, serum HBV DNA > or =10(5) copies/ml (real time PCR, LLQ <10(3) copies/ml) and ALT > or =2 x ULN. After 1:1 randomization, the patients received PegIntron (group A: 1.0 microg/kg body weight, SC, once a week) or Intron A (group B: 3 MIU SC, three times a week) for 24 weeks, and followed up for 24 weeks.

RESULTS(1) In groups A and B, respectively, 80.87% and 83.48% were males; their median ages were 31.0 and 32.0 years old; their median body weights were 65.6 and 65.5 kg; mean serum HBV DNA loads were 8.06 log10 and 7.99 log10; their mean ALT values were 4.17 x ULN and 3.77 x ULN. All of the above parameters between the two groups had no statistically significance differences. (2) At the end of treatment and after follow-up, compared to the Intron A group, the PegIntron group showed better response (including complete and partial response rate, HBV DNA undetectable rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate), but the differences of all of them had no statistical significance. The rate of HBeAg loss was higher in patients receiving PegIntron after follow-up (P = 0.0424). (Table 2) (3) PegIntron and Intron A reduced serum HBV DAN persistently during the therapy. Mean reduction at the end of the treatment was much higher in the PegIntron group than in the Intron group (2.22 log10 copies/ml vs 1.66 log10 copies/ml, P = 0.0283). (4) The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) in the PegIntron group was similar to that of the Intron A group (94.78% vs 95.65%). The AEs associated with PegIntron administration were similar in nature to those with Interon A, such as influenza-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, etc and the differences of their incidences had no statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy and safety of PEG-IFNalpha-2b treatment for CHB patients seems to be better than that of IFNalpha-2b; however, further studies are needed to confirm it.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Recombinant Proteins

Objective To assess the burden of clonorchiasis and identify its temporal and spatial changes in China, thus to provide insights into the control and prevention of the diseases. Methods The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) was employed as the primary indicator for the disease burden. The prevalence data of Clonorchis sinensis infection were obtainted from the three national surveys on important human parasitic diseases in China, conducting during the period from 1988 to 1922, from 2001 to 2004 and from 2014 to 2016, respectively, and the demographic data from National Bureau of Statistics of China. DALYs of clonorchiasis were calculated and the temporal changes were analyzed at both national and provincial levels, using the disability weight (DW) obtained from a community study in China. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to compare the resulted DALYs of China calculated under the method adopted in this study and that calculated with other commonly used methods. Results The national burden of clonorchiasis was 489174.04 [95% confidence interval (CI): (391648.87, 597509.87)] DALYs in China in 2016, indicating 0.36 [95% CI: (0.28, 0.43)] DALYs per 1 000 populations. The regions with a high burden of clonorchiasis were concentrated in southern China and northeastern China, and the provinces with the three highest burdens of clonorchiasis included Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong Province and Heilongjiang Province, which accounted for 91.18% of total burdens of clonorchiasis in China. During the periods of the three national surveys on important human parasitic diseases in China, the national burden of clonorchiasis was found to show a tendency of first rise and then decrease in China; however, the burden of clonorchiasis has recently shown a tendency towards a rise in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Heilongjiang Province and Jiangxi Province. Sensitivity analysis showed that the calculation of diseases burden with age-stratified prevalence of clonorchiasis was similar to that of our method without age stratification; however, the burden estimates calculated only based on the DW of the severe symptoms were much lower than our estimates. Conclusions The burden of clonorchiasis is high in China, with a large regional difference. Recently, the overall burden of clonorchiasis has shown a tendency of decline in China; however, there is a tendency towards a rise in some provinces. Therefore, the control of clonorchiasis requires more adaptations to local circumstances.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Modified Banxia Shumi Decoction on p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)-induced insomnia model rats.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups,i.e.,the normal group,the model group,the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Chinese medicine and the Diazepam group,with 8 rats in each group.For 7 consecutive days before modeling,rats in the Chinese medicine low-,medium-and high-dose groups were treated with Modified Banxia Shumi Decoction for prophylactic treatment.Except for the normal group,PCPA-induced insomnia rat model was established in all groups.After modeling on day 1,each group continued to be administered the corresponding drug for 7 days.Body mass was monitored,open-field behavioral tests were performed,serum levels of orexin A(OXA)and orexin B(OXB)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),the expression of hypothalamic orexin receptor 1(OX1R)was determined by immunohistochemistry,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the pathologic changes in the hypothalamus of rats.Results(1)Before modeling,the growth trend of body mass of rats in each group was smooth,with no significant difference between groups;after modeling,except for the normal group,the growth rate of body mass of rats in each group slowed down or even declined;after 14 days of administration of Modified Banxia Shumi Decoction,the body mass of the Chinese medicine medium-dose group was significantly increased compared with that of the model group(P＜0.01).(2)Compared with the normal group,the model group showed an increase in the total distance of activity in the open field,the distance of activity in the central region and the number of times of entering the central region(P＜0.01),a significant increase in serum OXA and OXB contents(P＜0.01),a significant increase in the expression of hypothalamic OX1R(P＜0.01),and HE staining showed mild hyperplasia of the hypothalamic glial cells;compared with the model group,the total distance of activity in the open field,the distance of activity in the central region and the number of times entering the central region were reduced in the rats in the Chinese medicine medium-dose group and the Diazepam group(P＜0.01),the levels of serum OXA and OXB were significantly reduced(P＜0.01),the expression of hypothalamic OX1R was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and the HE staining showed that a large number of neurons with perineurial interspace enlarged and the local glial cell hyperplasia.Conclusion Modified Banxia Shumi Decoction can improve insomnia and reduce anxiety in rats by down-regulating the levels of OXA and OXB in serum and the expression of OX1R in the hypothalamus.