OBJECTIVETo observe the difference in the therapeutic effects on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) among auricular electroacupuncture therapy plus isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste (combined therapy), electroacupuncture (EA) and TDP irradiation.

METHODSEighty-nine cases were randomized into three groups. In the combined therapy group (30 cases), the auricular electroacupuncture therapy was adopted together with the isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste. The auricular points were xi (AH4), pizhixia (AT4), shenmen (TF4), etc. The Lingxian herbal paste was applied at Yanglingquan (GB 34), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Heding (EX-LE 2) and Ashi points. In EA group (29 cases), EA was applied at the acupoints that were same as those in the isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste. In TDP group (30 cases), TDP irradiation was given at the affected knee. The treatment was given once every day, 10 treatments made one session and there was 1 week at the interval among sessions. Totally, 3 sessions of treatment were required. KOA clinical symptom and physical sign score and the single item pain symptom score of Lequesne index were observed before treatment and 1 week after treatment in the patients of each group separately. The efficacies were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSOne week after treatment, the total score of symptoms and physical signs of the patients in each group was reduced significantly as compared with that before treatment (all P < 0.05). The improvements in the symptoms and physical signs in the combined therapy group were better than those in the other two groups (1.50 +/- 1.57 vs 2.52 +/- 1.82, 2.63 +/- 1.97, both P < 0.05). The improvement in pain in the combined therapy group was also better than that in the other two groups (2.37 +/- 0.81 vs 2.83 +/- 0.92, P < 0.05; 2.37 +/- 0.81 vs 3.03 +/- 0.77, P < 0.01). The curative rate in the combined therapy group was 40.0% (12/30), which was higher than 17.2% (5/29) in EA group and 20.0% (6/30) in TDP group separately (both P < 0.01). The overall efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe auricular electroacupuncture therapy plus isolated moxibustion with Lingxian herbal paste is advantageous at the total score of the symptoms and physical signs and the overall efficacy in the patients of KOA as compared with EA at the local acupoints and local TDP irradiation.

Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo discuss the relative association of soft tissue tension and cervical physiological curvature chang in patients with scapula muscle fasciitis.

METHODSFrom February 2012 to December 2012,29 patients with scapula muscle fasciitis were investigated. There were 10 males and 19 females with an average age of 27.77 years old (ranged from 22 to 40 years old). Routine AP and lateral cervical X-rays were done in all patients. Cervical lordosis was measured according to Borden's method and the pain point tension was measured by soft tissue tension meter. Finally,perform statistic analysis to bove data.

RESULTSLateral X-rays showed 9 cases were normal cervical lordosis, 18 cases were cervical lordosis decreased, 2 cases were cervical lordosis increased. The regression equation of cerical lordosis changes D(Y) and soft tissue tension displacement D0.5 kg (X) was Y = -15.069 + 3.673X.

CONCLUSIONThere is linear relationship between soft tissue tension and cervical physiological curvature change. With the soft tissue tension increases, the cervical lordosis trend to decrease.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cervical Vertebrae ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Fasciitis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Scapula ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the influence of transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) on the proliferation of hUVEC induced by the supematant from human prostate cancer cells (DU145). Methods Experiment group was treated with the mixture of DU145 cells supernatant and DMEM medium in different ratio, control group was treated with DMEM medium. The change of cell proliferation was detected by MTT method, and TRPC6 gene and protein was detected by PCR and Western-blot methods respectively. Results After incubated for 48h with the supematant from cultured DU145 cells,the population of hUVECs increased obviously, and the expression of TRPC6 genes and protein had clearly up-regulation. Conclusion The supernatant from cultured DU145 cells could effectively enhance the proliferation of hUVECs. The mechanisms might be that the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was mediated by TRPC6.

Cochlear Implantation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications

Objective To investigate the curative effects of curcumin(CUR)or dexamethasone (DXM)on ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)of rat lung grafts.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided 4 groups:CUR group(CUR was administered intraperitoneally to both donors and recipients at 3 h prior to operation);DXM group(DXM was administered intraperitoneally at 30 min prior to operation);vehicle group(Animals were injected with the DMSO to both donors and recipients at 3 h prior to operation);sham group(Time-matched control animals underwent the same surgery,except that no graft was implanted).Six animals were sacrificed at different reperfusion periods of 2 h and 24 h,respectively.Oxygenation indexes(PO_2/FiO_2),lung injury scores,wet/dry ratio(W/D)and myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity in the transplanted lung were measured.Malondialdehyde(MDA), total anti-oxidative capacity(TAOC),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-?and interleukin(IL)-6 in the transplanted lung and serum were determined.Results The levels of LPV PO_2/FiO_2 were significant- ly higher in the CUR and DXM groups than in the vehicle groups both 2 and 24 h after reperfusion,re- spectively(P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the chemical constituents of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction products from Rhodiola tibetica.

METHODThe chemical constituents were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULT26 Components were identified, and their relative contents were determined by normalization method of area.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides foundation for the exploitation of the resources of R. tibetica.

1-Butanol ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Carbon Dioxide ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhodiola ; chemistry ; Terpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for analyzing the chemical compositions of Gegen and Fenge extracts using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE).

METHODSUsing HPCE/DAD, the chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed with the buffer solution of 40 mmol/L borax containing 16.7% methanol, with injection pressure at 137.9 kPa for 5 s, separation voltage at 25 kV in 0-5 min time range and at 22 kV in 5-25 min time range, and the temperature of the capillary of 20 degrees celsius.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe method for analysis of Gegen and Fenge extracts was established, which identified puerarin and daidzein as the two major components. This simple and rapid analysis method can be used for Gegen and Fenge extract fingerprinting.

Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of anatomic and non-anatomic liver resection on prognosisofpatientswithsmallhepatocellularcarcinoma( HCC ) usingaMeta-analysis.MethodsLiterature on anatomic versus non-anatomic liver resection for the treatment of small HCC ( ≤5 cm) was retrieved. ResultsFour nonrandomized controlled trials were included consisting of 776 patients:484 undergoing anatomic liver resection and 292 non-anatomic resection.The age ranged from 53.4 to 63.0 years.Male ∶ female ratio was 3.56 ∶ 1.87.1％ patients were Child-Pugh class A.Most patients (94.5％ ) had a single tumor.No significant differences were found conceming the 1,3,and 5 year disease-free survival rate between the two groups.There was no significant difference in overall survival and disease-free survival between the two groups at 1,3,and 5 years.Sensitivity analysis found anatomic resection was superior to non-anatomic resection in 3 year disease free survival rate (OR =0.72,95％ CI:0.52 - 0.99,P =0.04). ConclusionsAnatomic liver resection elevated the 3 year disease free survival rate of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma when compared with non-anatomic hepatectomy but failed to further elevate long-term disease free survival and overall survival.

Objective To introduce the transfer of anterolateral thigh flap with iliotibial tract in repair of massive skin and soft tissue defects of the forearm and reconstruction of extension or flexion of the forearm. Methods Eight cases of complicated raw wounds of the forearm were repaired with transfer of anterolateral thigh flap with iliotibial tract. Flexor tendons of 3 cases and extensor tendons of 5 cases were repaired with iliotibial tract. The axial vessel of the flap was used to rebuild blood supply of the hand. Results All the flaps survived completely. A follow-up ranging from 3 months to 2.5 years re- vealed that the reconstructed forearms were good in appearance and soft in texture and restored protective sensation. Affected limbs could perform extension or flexion. Total range of motion (TRM) of the hands was excellent in 6 cases and poor in 2. Conclusion Anterolateral thigh flap with iliotibial tract can not only repair soft tissue defects of the forearm, but also reconstruct the main extension or flexion of the forearm simultaneously.

OBJECTIVETo culture rat prostate glandular epithelial cells and study their barrier functions in vitro.

METHODSRat prostate glandular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro. The expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, the structure and composition of the epithelial cells observed under the inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope. The transepithelial electrical resistances (TEERs) were monitored with the Millicell system. The permeability of the prostate glandular epithelial cells was assessed by the phenol red leakage test.

RESULTSCompact monolayer cell structures were formed in the prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of tight junctions between the adjacent glandular epithelial cells. The TEERs in the cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells reached the peak of about (201.3 ± 3.5) Ω/cm2 on the 8th day. The phenol red leakage test manifested a decreased permeability of the cell layers with the increase of TEERs.

CONCLUSIONThe structure and function of rat prostate glandular epithelial cells are similar to those of brain capillary endothelial cells, retinal capillary endothelial cells, and intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells have the barrier function and can be used as a model for the study of blood prostate barrier in vitro.

Animals ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; Cells, Cultured ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Electric Impedance ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phenolsulfonphthalein ; pharmacokinetics ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Tight Junctions