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

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

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 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

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.

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 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

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of mild hypothermia (MH) in treating the infants with moderate-to-severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE),and to make a follow-up of the nerve motor development of the infants at 18 months old after discharge.Methods Totally 61 neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from Jan.2007 to Dec.2013 were retrospectively analyzed.According to before and after MH therapeutic apparatus was used by NICU of Shanghai Children's Hospital,61 neonates of HIE were divided into 2 groups,the conventional treatment group(25 cases) and MH treatment group(36 cases).The patients in both groups were measured respectively by using the amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) before MH treatment and at 72 hours after M H treatment,by neonatal behavioral neurological assessment(NBNA) on the 28th day after birth,and by adopting Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 18 months old.The adverse reactions,serious disability cases and deaths of MH treatment were recorded.Results Compared with the conventional treatment group,aEEG recording before treatment showed no statistically significant differences in MH treatment group [maximum voltage:(22.4 ±3.1) μV vs(18.6 ±2.5) μV,maximum voltage:(8.2 ±2.6)μV vs(6.5 ±1.9) μV,t =1.264,0.852,all P ＞ 0.05].However,aEEG recording at 72 h after treatment showed statistically significant differences in MH treatment group [maximum voltage:(24.1 ± 3.2) μV vs (30.6 ± 2.8) μV,maximum voltage:(9.7 ± 3.4) μV vs (13.3 ± 2.2) μV,t =6.376,4.257,all P ＜ 0.05].Severe disability cases [24.0％ (6/25 cases) vs 5.6％ (2/36 cases),x2 =4.405,P ＜ 0.05] and deaths [16.0％ (4/25 cases) vs 0 (0/36 case),x2 =6.1 64,P ＜ 0.05] in MH treatment group were significantly decreased,and there was significantly difference in NBNA on the 28th day after birth[(35.9 ± 2.1) vs(39.1-± 1.6),t =3.361,P ＜ 0.05],and scales of neurobehavioral evaluation through follow-up of 18 months old [mental development index (MDI):(85.2 ± 10.7) vs (96.5-± 13.1),t =7.839,P ＜ 0.05].Very few neonates had apnea,coagulation dysfunction,arrhythmia and other adverse reactions in MH treatment course.Conclusions MH treating moderate-to-severe HIE is safe and effective.MH is effective in reducing death and major disabilities in neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE and without significant side effects.MH can obviously improve the development of nervous system disorders in 0-18 months infants,and can significantly improve these infants' Bayley developmental scale neurobehavioral scores.

Objective To explore the effect of macrolide antibiotics(erythromycin) on tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-8 in hyperoxia-induced lung tissue of premature newborn rats,and to study the intervention effect of erythromycin on hyperoxia-induced lung injury.Methods One-day old preterm Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups by random number table method:air + sodium chloride group,air + erythromycin group,hyperoxia + sodium chloride group,hyperoxia + erythromycin group.Hyperoxia groups were continuously exposed to oxygen (oxygen ＞ 0.85) and air group in room air.After 1,7,14 days of exposure,the preterm rats of four groups were sacrificed,whole lung of these rats were isolated,the lung histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,TNF-α and IL-8 in pulmonary tissue homogenate were detected by ELISA.Results The results showed that:(1) Compared with air + sodium chloride group,TNF-α and IL-8 expression in hyperoxia + sodium chloride group were significantly increased(P ＜ 0.05) after 1,7 days of exposure [1 d:TNF-α:(16.163 ± 0.574) ng/ml vs.(21.923 ±2.066) ng/ml,IL-8:(18.214 ±3.649) ng/ml vs.(23.546 ± 5.240) ng/ml ;7 d:TNF-α:(15.940 ±0.821) ng/ml vs.(19.688 ±0.764) ng/ml,IL-8:(18.541 ± 4.114) ng/ml vs.(24.255 ±4.692) ng/ml],in particular,TNF-α expression appeared to increase earlier,their expression became significantly weak in 14 days (P ＜ 0.05).(2) Compared with hyperoxia + sodium chloride group,TNF-α and IL-8 expression in hyperoxia +erythromycin group became significantly weak after 1,7,14 days of exposure(P ＜0.05) after the intervention of erythromycin [1 d:TNF-α:(21.923 ± 2.066) ng/ml vs.(18.903 ± 1.851) ng/ml,7 d:IL-8:(24.255 ±4.692) ng/ml vs.(23.508 ±3.543) ng/ml,14 d:TNF-α:(16.443 ±5.466) ng/ml vs.(14.453 ±0.963)ng/ml],but their expression became weaker in 14 days than that in 1,7 days.Conclusion The release of inflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-8 induced by oxidation outbreak participates in the development of hyperoxia induced lung injury,erythromycin may regulate immune function,inhibits the levels of oxidant-mediated TNF-α and IL-8 induced by oxidation outbreak,and alleviate hyperoxia lung injury in premature rats.