OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impacts on the short-term efficacy and the long-term prevention of recurrence of allergic rhinitis treated with the triple-strong stimulation at Dazhui (GV 14) so as to provide the convenient and long-term effective therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for allergic rhinitis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of allergic rhinitis were randomized into an acupuncture group, an acupuncture + medication group and a triple-strong stimulation group, 40 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Dazhui (GV 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29) and the others, stimulating with reinforcing manipulation for the deficiency and reducing manipulation for the excess, once every day. In the acupuncture + medication group, on the basis of acupuncture therapy, claritin (loratadine tablets) was supplemented for oral administration, 10 mg, once every two days, continuously for 30 days. In the triple-strong stimulation group, on the basis of acupuncture therapy, the strong needling, strong cupping and strong moxibustion were applied at Dazhui (GV 14). This combined therapy was given once every day in the first 3 days and once every two days afterwards. The 10 day treatment made one session, at the interval of 3 days between the sessions and totally 3 sessions were required in the three groups. Separately, before treatment, after treatment and in 6 months after treatment, the changes of symptom and physical sign score and value of single item symptom including nasal itching, nasal blockage, sneezing and rhinorrhea were observed in the patients of the three groups. And the long-term clinical efficacy was compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe symptom and physical sign score and the value of single item symptom were all reduced in the three groups after treatment and in 6 months after treatment (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The results in the triple-strong stimulation group were superior to the other two groups (all P < 0.05). In the triple-strong stimulation group, the total effective rate was 92.5% (36/40) in the follow-up of 6 months after treatment, which was better than 60.5% (23/38) in the acupuncture group and 69.2% (27/39) in the acupuncture + medication group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of acupuncture and the triple-strong stimulation at Dazhui (GV 14) achieves the reliable and effective result in the clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis and displays the good role on the prevention from long-term recurrence.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Young Adult

A strain Actinobacillus succinogenes CGMCC 1593 was selected as the parent strain.After UV-EMS and UV-DES treatments respectively,seven mutated strains with subtle improvements in acid tol-erance were obtained,and were subjected for recursive protoplast fusion.Through three rounds of genome shuffling,four shuffled strains with both higher yield and acid tolerance were obtained.The shuffled strain namely F3-21 could even survive at pH 5.2.The comparison of the shuffled strains and the parent strain for succinic acid production was also studied here.After 48 h of shake-flask fermentation,the succinic acid concentration of F3-21 was 48% higher than that of the parent strain.When F3-21 was carried out in a 5 liter stirred bioreactor with pH controlled 5.6~6.0,the accumulation of succinic acid in 48 h fermentation attained 38.1 g/L,which was increased by 45% compared with that of the parent strain(26.2 g/L).While pH was controlled at 6.5~7.0,the production of succinic acid in 32 h fermentation attained 40.7 g/L.When F3-21 was carried out in fed-batch fermentation,succinic acid concentration of 67.4 g/L was reached in 72 h fer-mentation.These results indicated that the genome shuffling could improve the acid tolerance and the suc-cinic acid production of A.succinogenes CGMCC 1593.

Objective To study the effects of granisetron hydrochloride on vasovagal syncope(VVS) in rabbits.Methods Twenty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided stochastically into control group and intervention group,12 in each group. The control group was injected intravenously with normal saline. The intervention group was injected intravenously with granisetron hydrchloiride.Rabbit VVS models were established,each was taken at 4 points in time in the bloodletting process:T1,T2,T3,T4,to compare the bloodletting time,the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in T2,T3,T4 and the total blood volume between the groups,and monitor the heart rate, blood pressure during the entire process.Results 1.The time of intervention group in T2,T3,T4 was longer than the time of control group obviously(P

Blood Gas Analysis ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Pneumonia ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Respiration

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the changes of the copy numbers of mtDNA in peripheral blood mono-nucle- ar cell(PBMC) and the disordered of antioxidant capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSThe Ficoll Hypaque method was used to isolate the PBMC from blood specimens. The ND1 gene of the mitochondrial was amplified by real-time PCR; meantime β-actin was served as a quantitative standard marker; the difference of mtDNA copy number in PBMC was compared between HCC and healthy control group. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PBMC was determined by flow cytometry. The change of total antioxidant capacity (T- AOC) of plasma was detected by the biochemistry examination.

RESULTSThe copy numbers of ND1 gene in PBMC of HCC was 73% that of the healthy control group,which suggested a decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA in HCC. The levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC was (417. 82 ± 110.62) and (301.82 ± 75.54) in control group, which showed that the levels of ROS of PBMC in HCC were significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.01).Plasma T-AOC in HCC was (1.30 ± 0.85), and (3.20 ± 1.62) in control. The T-AOC of plasma of HCC was significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere was a certain relationship between the decrease of the copy numbers of mtDNA and the disordered antioxidant capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Actins ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe resection and reconstruction of the hepatic artery is often required in radical surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. In this study, we report our experience in performing arterioportal shunting as an alternative for the arterial reconstruction.

METHODSFour patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent extended left hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy combined with en bloc resection of the hepatic artery and arterioportal shunting with restriction of the arterial caliber. The efficacy of arterioportal shunting was assessed by computed tomography angiography (CTA).

RESULTSAll the four patients recovered uneventfully without any complications. CTA showed a patent shunt and normal liver regeneration. No signs of portal hypertension were found at one year of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSArterioportal shunting with restriction of the arterial caliber appears to be a feasible and safe alternative for the microvascular reconstruction after hepatic artery resection in radical surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThis review discusses the experimental and clinical studies those show the expression of connexin 36 in the central nervous system and the possible role of connexin 36 in epileptic seizure.

DATA SOURCESAll articles used in this review were mainly searched from PubMed published in English from 1996 to 2012.

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and reviews were selected if they were related to the expression of connexin 36 in the central nervous system and its role in epilepsy.

RESULTSThe distribution of connexin 36 is developmentally regulated, cell-specific and region-specific. Connexin 36 is involved in some neuronal functions and epileptic synchronization. Changes in the connexin 36 gene and protein were accompanied by seizures. Selective gap junction blockers have exerted anticonvulsant actions in a variety of experiments examined in both humans and experimental animals.

CONCLUSIONSConnexin 36 plays an important role in both physiological and pathological conditions in the central nervous system. A better understanding of the role of connexin 36 in seizure activity may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating epilepsy.

Animals ; Central Nervous System ; metabolism ; Connexins ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; metabolism ; Humans ; Seizures ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of polysaccharide of Spirulina platensis and Sargassum thunbeergii on vascular of alloxan (ALX) induced diabetic rats.

METHODWith the doses of polysaccharide of Spirulina platensis (PSP) and Sargassum thunbeergii (PST) compound (1:1) 12.261, 36.783, 110.349 mg x kg(-1) by i.g. administration to alloxan induced diabetic rats respectively for 6 weeks. Then the blood glucose and the TC, HDL-C, TG, NO, ET in serum were detected. The contraction and relaxation response to NE and ACh in aortic rings of the alloxan induced diabetic rats has been studied.

RESULTThe results showed the compound of PSP and PST could decrease the blood glucose and the TC, TG, NO, ET in serum and increase HDL-C than in the alloxan induced diabetic rats. The contraction responses to NE in aortic rings of the alloxan induced diabetic rats were significantly elevated in the normal rats, and the responses to ACh were significantly lower. PSP and PST compound could significantly lower the responses to NE and significantly elevate the responses to ACh in aortic rings of the alloxan induced diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONPSP and PST compound could decrease blood glucose and could protect the vascular of alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cyanobacteria ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; Endothelins ; blood ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sargassum ; chemistry ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the wrist joint of coal miners who work in excavation and vibration department.

METHODSForty-three coal miners with the hand-arm vibration disease served as the observation group while 20 workers who were not working in the vibration department acted as the control group. The patients in the observation group were divided into five subgroups according to the time when they received vibration. The regularity of the development of signs and symptoms of MRI was observed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe hydroarthrosis was most found in MRI. There were significant difference in hydroarthrosis (chi(2) = 8.80, P < 0.01), osteoporosis and osteomyelitis (chi(2) = 3.91, chi(2) = 5.01, P < 0.05 respectively) between the observation group and the control group. The edema of bone marrow and the avascular necrosis of ossa carpi were found only in the observation group and not found in the control group. The hydroarthrosis and the edema of bone marrow occurred most in the early stage of vibration. The signal in the edema of the bone marrow of the distal end of the radius was decreased in the GE sequence T(2)WI with the specificity.

CONCLUSION(1) Changes in the wrist joint occur in the early stage of the vibration work, and can be found in the MRI. (2) The edema of the bone marrow of the distal end of the radius is of great value in the diagnosis of the hand-arm vibration disease.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Vibration ; adverse effects ; Wrist Joint ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of tension relaxation by small needle knife on the muscle tension and morphology changes of nerve terminals when sustained pressure was applied to muscular tissue.

METHODSRat gracilis muscles were exposed to pressure in vivo at 70 kPa for 2 hours. Sixty rats were divided into three groups: normal, control and experiment group respectively. In all rats except the six normal ones, the lower legs were considered as the control group, and the right left as experiment group. At day 1, 2 and 3, 9 rats from the two groups were randomly selected and sacrificed in order to determine the muscle tension change. At the same time, muscle histology and morphology changes of nerve terminals were observed.

RESULTSAbnormal tension increased in muscles under compression of 70 kPa. At the 1st and 2nd days, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Compared with control group, the tension was lower in experiment group, and there was statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between the two groups. Exposure of striated muscle tissue to intensive and prolonged compression may pathologically alter its microstructure. Histological evaluation showed that this stiffening accompanied extensive necrotic damage. The changes could not be found in the nerve terminals.

CONCLUSIONDeep muscle tissue that undergoes prolonged compression may significantly increase its stiffness during acute injury. Tension relaxation applied by small needle knife can effectively reduce the mechanical load which is harmful to the whole tissue.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Muscle Tonus ; Muscle, Skeletal ; innervation ; pathology ; physiology ; Nerve Endings ; pathology ; Pain Management ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley