OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy differences between acupoint catgut embedding and Kuntai capsule for perimenopausal syndrome, so as to provide an effective treatment method for perimenopausal syndrome.

METHODSThirty-three cases in the embedding group were treated with acupoint catgut embedding at back-shu points and front-mu points of liver, spleen and kidney combined with syndrome differentiation and disease differentiation, ten days per times; the Kuntai group was treated with oral administration of Kuntai capsule, 4 capsules each time, three times per day. The Kupperman index (KI) was observed in the two groups before treatment after 10 days, 30 days and 60 days of treatment, respectively; the efficacy was evaluated according to the ratio of KI.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, as treatment proceeded, the score of KI and ratio of KI were gradually reduced in two groups; the score of KI and ratio of KI in the embedding group after 10 days of treatment was lower than those in the Kuntai group (both P<0.05); after 10 days of treatment, the total effective rate was 36.4% (12/33) in the embedding group, which was superior to 3.0% (1/33) in the Kuntai group (P<0.05); however, after 30 days and 60 days of treatment, the differences of each index between two groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth the acupoint catgut embedding and Kuntai capsule could reduce the score of KI and improve clinical symptoms, and the acupoint catgut embedding has certain advantage on the early stage of treatment.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Catgut ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Perimenopause ; physiology ; Treatment Outcome

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Nickel ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To explore the relationship of expression and the effect of preoperative radiotherapy of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and pyruvate kinase M-2 (PKM2) in rectal carcinoma.Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of ET-1 and PKM2 proteins of rectal cancer tissues in 96 cases.The expressions of ET-1 and PKM2 were analyzed with the effect of preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer tissue.Results The high expression of ET-1 protein was 59 cases (61.46％).The high expression of PKM2 proteins was 54 cases (56.25％).The high expressions of ET-1 and PKM2 protein were worsen the effect of tumor regressive grade (TRG) than lower expressions of those after preoperative radiotherapy of rectal cancer tissue (P ＜ 0.05).The protein expression of ET-1 and PKM2 were positively correlated (P =0.006).Conclusions The high expressed ET-1 and PKM2 proteins in rectal cancer are closely related to preoperative radiotherapy resistance.ET-1 and PKM2 proteins are expected to become new targets of radiotherapy sensitivity and radiotherapy sensitization of rectal cancer.

Objective To find out the neurophysiological performance of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) type 1,and provide examination basis for clinical diagnosis and Ureatment of the disease.Methods Sixty-two patients with CMT of HMSN type 1,admitted to our hospital from January 2011 to December 2012 were chosen in our study; the nerve conduction velocity,including motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV),and electromyogram (EMG) of these patients were examined.All the test results were analyzed statistically.Results MNCV in different nerves could not be detected in 35 patients,counting for 56.5％; removing the cases that MNCV not being elicited,average test results of tibial nerve,common peroneal nerve and median nerve MNCV were (23.48±9.60) m/s,(26.35±9.14) m/s and (30.07±12.19) m/s.SNCV in different nerves could not be detected in 50 patients,counting for 80.6％; removing the cases that SNCV not being elicited,average test results of common peroneal nerve and median nerve MNCV were (28.06±10.32) m/s and (31.20±12.05) m/s.Totally,175 muscles were inspected by EMG; among them,109 neurogenic muscles were determined,counting for 62.3％; 14 muscles were diagnosed as having suspect neurogenic damage,counting for 8.0％; 52 normal muscles were noted,counting for 29.7 ％.There were 53 of neurogenic damages in 62 cases,counting for 85.5％; among them,the distal neurogenic muscles damages were in 47 cases; while proximal neurogenic muscle damages were in 11 cases.Conclusion The neurophysiological manifestations of CMT patients of HMSN type 1 are different and changes following the patient's age,duration and examination site.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects and mechanisms of Pongamia pinnata root flavonoids (PRF) on the experimental gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid and to study the mechanism of PRF on the quality of ulcer healing.

METHODSThe models were established by acetic acid erosion, the quality of ulcer healing of PRF on the model of gastric ulcer were observed. The contents of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The expression of EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) were detected by immunohistochemistry (SP).

RESULTSPRF significantly inhibited ulcerative formation induced by acetic acid (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). PRF could significantly increase the EGF and TGF-alpha (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) expression of para-ulcer mucosa tissue and improve the EGF contents in blood serum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPRF increases the contents of EGF in serum and the expression of EGF and TGF-alpha in the tissue around gastric ulcer which might be one of possible mechanisms that PRF improves quality of ulcer healing.

Acetic Acid ; Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Male ; Millettia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach Ulcer ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; metabolism

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of low frequency ultrasound enhanced thrombolysis (LFUET) on acute cerebral infarction (ACI) in rats.Methods The ACI animal models were established by injec- ting auto-thrombus into the rats' left middle cerebral arteries.They were then treated with urokinase,and received transcranial LFUET treatment at the same time.Nervous system functioning was assessed using NSS,and infarct vol- umes (IVs) were measured through tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining.Results The NSS scores in the large- dose urokinase group (LDU group),the ultrasound plus small-dose urokinase group (USMU group) and in the in- farct group (Ⅰgroup) at 24 h after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment.IVs in the two treat- ment groups are lower than those in theⅠgroup,but there was no significant difference between the LDU group and USMU group volumes.Conclusion LFUET can accelerate the recovery of nervous system function in rats after ACI,minimize IVs,and reduce the required dosage of urokinase.

Objective To evaluate the safety of the Eucommia folium and to provide the basis of the rational use ofEucommia folium resource.Methods According to < Technical Standards for Testing & Assessment of Health Food>,version 2003, acute safety test/micronucleus test of born marrow in mice/sperm shape abnormality test in mice/Ames test andthirty-day feeding test were all performed after water extract concentrations of Eucommia folium treatment (1 mLconcentrations equal to 1.5 g Eucommia folium) . Results On the acute toxicity test, the MTD of rats and mice were both40.0 mL/kgbw. The results of genetic toxicity test were all negative in the dosage of 10 g/kg bw(according to the dosage ofEucommia folium) .The results of thirty-day feeding test indicated that there have no significant differences in body weight,blood cytology indexes, blood biochemical indexes, organ/body ratio and pathematology examination in the rats in all thegroups (0.83, 1.67, 3.30 mL/kg) as compared to the control group(P>0.05) . Conclusion Under this experimentalcondition, no obvious abnormity and toxic reaction were observed.

Objective To study maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity and teratogenecity of Chimonanthus salicifolius S. Y. Hu in SD rats.Methods A total of 64 successfully mated female SD rats were randomly divided in to 4 groups (16 per group), in which 3 experimental groups were daily treated with 3.75, 7.5 and 15.0 g/kg. bw test substance by lavage from 7th to 16th day during gestation respectively. Body weight and general conditions of the pregnant rats were recorded during the study. On the 20th day in pregnancy, the rats were anatomized and examined grossly, the fetuses were removed and counted, weight, length, visceral and skeletal changes were then examined. Results There was no significant difference in the conception rate, total weight gain during the pregnancy and the number of living, dead and resorbed fetuses between each dosage groups and the control group (P>0.05) . The number of the rib, sternum, the fifth sternum punctated and the parietal bone which were ossified defectively all showed no difference among the four groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion Chimonanthus salicifolius S. Y. Hu extract had no obvious maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity and teratogenecity in SD rats under this experiment condition.

OBJECTIVENeonatal purulent meningitis is a severe infection responsible for high mortality and disabling sequelae. Escherichia coli is the main pathogen of neonatal purulent meningitis. This study explored the clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli-induced neonatal meningitis.

METHODSA retrospective chart review was performed. A total of 31 cases of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli were identified in the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2011. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity test results were analyzed.

RESULTSFever, poor feeding, lethargy and seizure were common clinical signs of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli. Acute complications mainly included hyponatremia (17 cases), hydrocephalus (8 cases), subdural collection (2 cases), ventriculitis (2 cases) and cerebral infarction (1 case). Thirty neonates (97%) had increased CRP levels. Of the 31 patients, 14 cases were cured and 12 had adverse outcomes (5 patients died during hospitalization). Escherichia coli strains were resistant (>50%) to commonly used penicillins and cephalosporins between 2007 and 2011, presenting significantly higher resistance rates than between 2001 and 2006. The detection rate of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing strains between 2007 and 2011 increased significantly compared with between 2001 and 2006 (57% vs 0).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical manifestations of neonatal purulent meningitis caused by Escherichia coli are non specific. The outcome is poor. Monitoring of CRP levels is valuable for the early diagnosis of neonatal purulent meningitis. The antimicrobial resistance rates of Escherichia coli are increasing, especially to cephalosporins. The percentage of ESBLs-producing strains is increasing over the years.

C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Escherichia coli ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Suppuration ; drug therapy

Objective To study the mechanism and protection of ulinastatin on organ functions in patients with severe disease.Methods Sixty patients in the intensive care unit(ICU)from October 2005 to July 2007 were randomly divided into a control group and an ulinastatin treatment group(each 30 cases).The patients in the control group received the conventional therapy,and the cases in the other treatment group accepted ulinastatin and conventional therapy.According to the disease situations,ulinastatin was administered 200-400 kU once,2-4 times a day,sequentially for 5-7 days.On the day of admission and 3, 5,and 7 days after admission in ICU respectively,blood samples were obtained for measuring alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),creatinine(Cr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),fibrinogen(FIB)and oxygenation index(PaO_2/FiO_2); whether breathing machine or hematodialysis was used and the end results were recorded.Results The rate of usage of breathing machine(23.3%),the incidences of hepatosis(3.3%)and renal dysfunction(10.0%) and fatality(3.3%)in ulinastatin treatment group were obviously lower than those of the control group (63.3%,23.3%,46.7%,10.0%,P0.05).Only one patient received bematodialysis in control group.Conclusion Ulinastatin can protect liver,renal and lung functions markedly and lower the incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and mortality in patients with severe disease.