OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and TENS on senile radical sciatica.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-nine cases were randomly divided into 2 groups, electroacupuncture group (n=70) and TENS group (n=69). The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at main points Qihaishu (BL 24), Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), etc. and the TENS group was treated with skin electrode sticking at the pressure pain point of the nerve trunk which was connected with pulse current. Their therapeutic effects were observed and compared.

RESULTSAt the end of the first course, the cured rate was 41.4% in the electroacupuncture group and 29.0% in the TENS group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), and at the end of second course, their cured rates were 80.0% and 44.9%, respectively, with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on senile radical sciatica is significantly better than TENS.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sciatica ; therapy

Objective To study the CT and MR imaging features of skull epidermoid cyst. Methods CT and MR findings of 4 cases of pathologically proved skull epidermoid cyst were analyzed and correlated with operative and pathologic reports.Results CT and MR appearances of skull epidermoid cyst were as follows:(1)crater-form or scalloping deossification with sclerotic border and fatty density focus was detected on CT.(2)The lesions were isointense to hypointense relative to normal white matter in T1-weighted image,prominent hyperintense in T_2-weighted image,mild to moderate hyperintense in diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),and isointense to hypointense in apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) map on MR.Proton MRS revealed lactate(Lac)peaks at 1.3 ppm and amino acids(AAs)at 0.9 ppm. (3)No enhancement was found in substance region of all tumors on both enhanced CT and enhanced MR examinations.Conclusion CT and MR appearances of skull epidermoid cyst have unique features which are very helpful in the diagnosis of skull epidermoid cyst.

More and more new human enteroviruses (HEVs) types were identified with the broad application of the molecular serotyping methods for enteroviruses. Since enterovirus 71 (EV71) was first reported in 1969, numerous epidemic outbreaks associated with new enteroviruses have occurred all around the world, and pose a significant threat to public health . The epidemics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by EV71 infection in China have raised great concern of global scholars. This paper reviewed research progress in recent years of the molecular typing, evolution, epidemiology, and pathogenesis attributable to new enterovirus types.
Animals ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Haplorhini ; Humans ; Pan troglodytes ; Phylogeny ; Primate Diseases ; virology

Objective To investigate the hyperglycemia rate and its correlative factors for the undiagnosed diabetes population in Xuhui District of Shanghai, and to provide the basis for early intervention of diabetes mellitus. Methods Multi-stage cluster sampling was adopted by probability proportionate to size method, and physical examination information and questionnaires were made and collected from 10 130 and 9085 people in 2010 and 2015 respectively from 5 000 households, blood-glucose being examined at the same time.Univariate analysis was made by t test and χ² test and logistic regression was used for analysis of related factors. Results In 2010 and 2015, the diabetes incidence rate was 2.21% and 1.93% respectively, and the hyperglycemia incidence rate in 2015 was higher than that in 2010 (15.28% vs. 12.63%), both increased with age and BMI value.The rate was higher in those with lower education, abnormal blood pressure, self-reported hypertension, self-reported coronary heart disease and smokers.The logistic regression analysis results showed the incidence of diabetes was positively correlated with age, BMI, abnormal blood pressure and smoking, while the incidence of hyperglycemia was positively correlated with the survey year, sex, age, BMI and abnormal blood pressure; both were negatively correlated with educational level. Conclusion The hyperglycemia incidence rate is high among the community undiagnosed diabetic population.We should focus on high-risk screening for diabetes mellitus, and key intervention of the population with low educational level, overweight and obesity, hypertension and unhealthy lifestyle.

Objective To analyze the correlation between SF-36 and QOL-35 and the consistency of the two kinds of life-quality questionnaires when evaluating the quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods 781 in-hospital-patients, who underwent coronary angiography from June 2008 to April 2009, were included in this study. Quality of life was measured by the Chinese versions of SF-36 and QOL-35. Demographic and clinical information were collected.Correlation Analysis was done between SF-36 and QOL-35 in the patients with coronary artery disease. Results The total score of SF-36 was 62.63 ± 12.47 and the QOL-35 total score was 62.70 ± 9.69. Data from the simple correlation analysis showed that SF-36 and QOL-35 total scores (r=0.725, P＜0.01 ), SF-36 physical functioning and QOL-35 independent living capacity (r=0.933, P＜0.01), SF-36 mental health and QOL-35 mental health (r=0.132, P＜0.01), SF-36 social function and QOL-35 social function score (r=0.215, P＜0.01 ) were all relevant. Canonical correlation analysis showed that there was significant correlation between SF-36 and QOL-35 (r=0.946, P＜0.01 ). Conclusion SF-36 and QOL-35 were consistent in the evaluation on the quality of life, at the overall level.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between trauma and pulmonary thromboembolism.

METHODSComminuted fractures and extensive soft-tissue contusion at both hind limbs were made by a falling weight from a height in 16 rabbits. Lung perfusion scanning was performed to obtain the radioactivity counts before trauma, at 1 h, 48 h and 96 h after trauma. All the data were divided into 4 groups based on the above 4 time points. The rabbits were sacrificed when positive findings on the pulmonary perfusion scanning appeared. Their lungs were harvested to be paraffin-embedded and stained with hematoxylin-erosin method for histological examination of thromboembolism. The randomized block design ANOVA and the method of least significant difference (LSD) were used for statistical analysis of the radioactivity counts.

RESULTSThe histological findings showed that pulmonary embolism developed in 6 of the 16 rabbits (37.5%). Five of the 6 pulmonary embolism rabbits presented neither clinical symptoms nor positive pulmonary embolism manifestations in the lung perfusion scanning. A significant difference was found in lung perfusion radioactivity between the pre-traumatic, post-traumatic 1h groups and post-traumatic 48 h and 96 h groups(P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFractures of the hind limbs accompanied with extensive soft-tissue contusion may cause pulmonary micro-embolism that is not sensitive to lung perfusion scanning and tends to have no clinical symptoms. Pulmonary embolism development may take more than two days after trauma.

Animals ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; Male ; Pulmonary Embolism ; etiology ; Rabbits ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of puerarin on the neural function and the histopathological changes after ischemic spinal cord injury in rabbits.

METHODSThirty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups as follows: puerarin group (n=10) receiving intravenous infusion of 30 mg/kg puerarin for 10 minutes, control group (n=10) receiving intravenous infusion of the same volume of normal saline as puerarin for 10 minutes, and sham operation group (n=10) undergoing only the surgical exposure of the abdominal aorta. Temporary spinal cord ischemia was induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion for 20 minutes and followed by reperfusion. The neural status was scored with the Tarlov criteria at 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion. All the animals were killed at 48 hours after reperfusion and the spinal cords (L5) were removed immediately for histopathological study.

RESULTSThe neural function scores at 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion were higher in the puerarin group and sham operation group than those in the control group (P<0.05). More normal motor neurons in the anterior horn of spinal cord were present in the puerarin group and sham operation group than those in the control group (P<0.01). There was a strong correlation between the final neural function scores and the number of normal motor neurons in the anterior horn of spinal cord (r=0.839, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPuerarin can significantly ameliorate the neural function and the histopathological damages after transient spinal cord ischemia in rabbits.

Animals ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Motor Neurons ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord Ischemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) reduces endotoxin-induced hepatic injury in rats and to explore the mechanism.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, a endotoxin group, an EA group, a normal group and a non-acupoint group. Hepatic injury rat model was prepared by injection of endotoxin (5 mg/kg) into the caudal vein, the normal group received the injection of the equal amount of saline; for the EA group, EA (2-100 Hz, 2 mA, 1.5 h) was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) half an hour after modeling, and for the non-acupoint group, acupuncture was given at the point 5 mm lateral to and 5 mm below "Zusanli" (ST 36), and other treatments were as same as those in the EA group.

RESULTSInjection of endotoxin into the caudal vein could significantly increase TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity (P<0.01), which were decreased by EA (P<0.01) and were not significantly changed in the non-acupoint group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal increases of TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity induced by endotoxin can be decreased by EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36), protecting the organ, and the mechanism is possibly related with the decrease of TNF-alpha content in the liver.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Endotoxins ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo test whether in the absence of actin, actin-binding proteins such as caldesmon, calponin, and tropomyosin interact with the myosin of unphosphorylation, Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation (CDP), and Ca2+-independent phosphorylation (CIP) and stimulate myosin Mg2+-ATPase activities.

METHODSMg2+-ATPase activities were measured to evaluate the effects of caldesmon, calponin, and tropomyosin on the myosin in unphosphorylation, CDP by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), and CIP by MLCK.

RESULTS(1) At different incubation-time, i.e., 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes, the highest Mg2+-ATPase activity was observed when myosin was in the state of CDP, the medium was CIP of myosin, and the lowest was the unphosphorylated myosin. (2) In the absence of caldesmon, calponin, and tropomyosin, the Mg2+-ATPase activities from high to low were in the following order: CDP, CIP, and unphosphorylated myosin. However, in the presence of caldesmon, calponin, and tropomyosin, the order of relative value of Mg2+-ATPase activities from high to low was unphosphorylated, CIP, and CDP of myosin respectively compared to the corresponding controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe results propose that caldesmon, calponin, and tropomyosin are capable of stimulating Mg2+-ATPase activity of smooth muscle myosin in Ca2+-independent manner, since Ca2+ is not obligating for the stimulating effects of the three proteins. The common characteristic of the three proteins is that when myosin activities are low, their activations are relatively strong and this property might be involved in smooth muscle tension keeping.

Animals ; Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; pharmacology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; pharmacology ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; pharmacology ; Chickens ; Microfilament Proteins ; Muscle, Smooth ; enzymology ; Myosins ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Tropomyosin ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the health literacy level and health related behavior of high school students in Xuhui District of Shanghai, and to provide basis for health literacy intervention. Methods Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the quantitative part adopted the multi-stage stratified sampling method.A total of 355 aged 15-18 from senior high schools in Xuhui District were selected for face-to-face survey.The qualitative part adopted the form of group interviews, and 20 students from two senior high schools in Xuhui District were selected for interviews. Results The health literacy level of high school students in Xuhui District was 27.32%, which was lower than that of adults in the same period.Among the three dimensions, the level of basic knowledge and concept literacy was the highest, followed by the level of health basic skills literacy, the level of healthy lifestyle and behavior literacy was the lowest; among the six types of health problems, the level of infectious disease prevention literacy and basic medical literacy was at a low level.Statistical analysis of the correct answer rate showed that the answer rate of various questions in the health literacy survey was quite different.Further analysis of the health-related behavioral characteristics of high school students showed that most students had correct health concept and awareness of health change, but they encountered resistance in the process of knowledge transformation into action, which mainly came from academic burden, school education, peer influence and so on.The main channels for high school students to obtain health-related information were classroom, parents, school and various media.They had a high degree of trust in medical professionals and encountered difficulties in seeking health information. Conclusion The health literacy level of senior high school students in Xuhui District of Shanghai needs to be improved.We should explore a health intervention model more suitable for the behavioral characteristics of this group weak links in their health literacy.