Adult ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Peracetic Acid ; toxicity

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and eligibility of thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation in treating cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 35 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received thumb-tack needle based on conventional point selection, while those in the observation group received thumb-tack needle according to meridian differentiation. The visual analog scale (VAS) and clinical symptom scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two treatments was observed. Results: After treatment, the VAS score in both groups dropped significantly (both P<0.01), and the VAS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The clinical symptoms score in both groups dropped significantly (all P<0.01), and the clinical symptoms score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation can reduce pain score, improve clinical symptoms in patients with cervical radiculopathy, and produce more significant efficacy compared with conventional thumb-tack needle therapy.

Chinese medicinal authentication is fundamental for the standardization and globalization of Chinese medicine. The discipline of authentication addresses difficult issues that have remained unresolved for thousands of years, and is essential for preserving safety. Chinese medicinal authentication has both scientific and traditional cultural connotations; the use of scientific methods to elucidate traditional experience-based differentiation carries the legacy of Chinese medicine forward, and offers immediate practical significance and long-term scientific value. In this paper, a path of inheritance and innovation is explored through the scientific exposition of Chinese medicinal authentication, featuring a review of specialized publications, the establishment of a Chinese medicine specimen center and Chinese medicinal image databases, the expansion of authentication technologies, and the formation of a cultural project dedicated to the Compedium of Materia Medica.
Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Reference Standards

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in liver metastases. Methods Thirty-six patients were examined with conventional ultrasonography, then underwent continuous real-time CEUS with low mechanical index. The size, location, number and perfusion patterns of liver metastases were evaluated. Results In 36 patients, 67 liver metastases were found with conventional ultrasound and 106 liver metastasis were found with CEUS. The perfusion patterns of lesions were in four types: ①Thirty-seven lesions (34.91%) showed as total enhancement during the early arterial phase and hypoechoic appearance during the portal venous phase and the late phase;②Fifty-six lesions (52.83%) showed a peripheral rim-like hyperechonic enhancement during the arterial phase and fast wash-out in the portal phase;③Twelve lesions (11.32%) showed as isoechoic enhancement during the arterial phase and the portal phase and was hypoechoic in the late phase;④One lesion (0.94%) showed hypoechoic appearance during all phases. The dimension of the lesions played an important role in the perfusion patterns. Conclusion The enhancement pattern and time of lesions are closely correlated with the tumor arterial supply. CEUS has high value in diagnosing liver metastases.

Objective To understand the situation of client-retention to methadone maintenance treatment(MMT)program and related factors.Methods A Cohon study was adopted.In toml,1003 heroin addicts who were treated at 8 local MMT clinics with less than one month period.were recruited under nominal informed consent from Guizhou province.southwest part of China.during June to October 2006.Face-to-face interview and questionnaire administered to collect relevant information from the clients who were also followed nntil June 2007 to understand the situation on retention.Data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method to estimate the retention rate at different time spans while factors related to retention were analyzed with Cox proportional hazard regression model.Results All the clients were followed-up for 14 months,with an average retention of ten months.The retention rates of the clients were 68.8%and 57.4%at 6th-month and 12th-month of the treatment program.estimated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results of Cox regression analysis showed that factors influencing retention rate on MMT among the clients,including their awareness on MMT,dailv dose of methadone intake,and difierent MMT clinics which they were attached to.Risk influencing the withdrawal from MMT had a 20%decrease along with the increase when the daily dose of methadone intake reached 25 mg,with a hazard ratio of 0.80(P＜0.01).If the clients were aware that methadone was a life-time treatment when they began the MMT program.the risk for withdrawal would be lower than those who were not and the hazard ratio became 0.66(P＜0.05).Conclusion Our data showed that about half of the clients who were at the MMT program would still stick to it after 12-months.suggesting that the retention rate was not satisfactory and need to be improved.Factors as the MMT clinics themselves that the clients visited,(Laily methadone dosage they took,and the awareness on MMT etc.were important predictors to the rate of retention on MMT program.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of addiction severity index (ASI)-5th version (ASI-C-5), in illegal drug users receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in China.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-six heroin addicts (144 men and 42 women) receiving MMT at three clinics in Guizhou province, southwest China, were recruited. They were all interviewed with a questionnaire of ASI-C-5 and 35 were re-interviewed at an interval of seven days to assess its test-retest reliability.

RESULTSCronbach's alpha for internal consistency of CSs varied from 0.60 to 0.81 in all domains. Test-retest reliability of composite scores (CSs) of ASI-C-5 were satisfactory (r=0.38-0.97). Based on item analysis and expert's suggestions, five items were deleted and one item was modified in ASI-C-5. Criterion validity of ASI-C-5 was found acceptable, as compared to addicts' self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) (r=0.59 and 0.45) except for social support rating scale (SSRS).

CONCLUSIONSASI-C-5 can be used for heroin addicts receiving MMT with acceptable reliability and validity.

Adult ; China ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone ; therapeutic use ; Reproducibility of Results ; Severity of Illness Index ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of KN93, a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) inhibitor, on SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by bupivacaine hydrochloride.

METHODSSH-SY5Y cells exposed for 24 h to 1 mmol/L KN93, 1 mmol/L bupivacaine hydrochloride, or both were examined for morphological changes and Cav3.1 protein expressions using Western blotting. The vitality and apoptosis rate of the cells at different time points during the exposures were assessed with MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSBupivacaine hydrochloride exposure caused obvious cell morphologial changes, reduced cell viability, increased cell apoptosis, and enhanced Cav3.1 protein expression. All these changes were partly reversed by treatment of the cells with 1 mmol/L KN93.

CONCLUSIONSCaMKII may play a role in bupivacaine hydrochloride-induced SH-SY5Y cells injury, which is related with upregulated Cav3.1 protein expression.

Apoptosis ; Bupivacaine ; adverse effects ; Calcium Channels, T-Type ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical and histopathological manifestations, therapy and prognosis of lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP).

METHODWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and histopathological features of 22 cases of LEP diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2008 to February 2010.

RESULTSThe lesions appeared as atrophy, erythema, subcutaneous nodules, infiltrated erythema, and ulceration over the scalp, face, upper limbs, and buttock. Histopathological features were lobular panniculitis in the subcutaneous fat; sometimes septal panniculitis could be seen. Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and corticosteroid were effective treatment; most patients responded well to the treatment, while a few experienced recurrence when the treatment tapped or discontinued.

CONCLUSIONSLEP is a rare cutaneous variant of lupus erythematosus. The diagnosis of LEP is mainly based on clinical findings and pathological features. Hydroxychloroquine and low- and middle-dose corticosteroid are effective for the treatment of LEP.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the etiology and clinical characters of hepatitis caused by non-hepatotropic virus.

METHODS68 non-hepatotrophic viral hepatitis patients with negative anti-HAV-anti-HEV were diagnosed by detecting antibodies of anti-HSV IgM, anti-EBV IgM, anti-CMV IgM, anti-CSV IgM and anti-ANA, anti-mitochondrion antibody. Their clinical symptoms and signs were compared with that of acute viral hepatitis patients at the same time.

RESULTSAmong the 68 patients, 9 were infected by HSV, 12 by EBV, 8 by CMV, 14 by CSV, and the other 13 patients and 12 patients were positive for anti-ANA and anti-mitochondrion antibody, respectively. 35 of 43 non-hepatotrophic viral hepatitis patients were infected in winter and spring season. Their clinical symptoms and signs were milder than that of acute viral hepatitis patients.

CONCLUSIONLiver damage and dysfunction may be the prominent phenomenon during HSV, EBV, CMV and CSV infection, just like that of acute viral hepatitis but with milder clinical symptom and signs.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Cytomegalovirus ; immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; etiology ; virology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Simplexvirus ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of tanshinol on alleviate the inflammatory injury of lung tissue in rat hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n = 8), hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) group (n = 11) and tanshinol intervention group (n = 9). HE staining was used to observe the histopathology changes of pulmonary and hepatic tissues, and to count the number of macrophages in lung tissues. The activity of alanine transferase (ALT) and concentrations of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) and homocystein (Hcy) in plasma were detected. The concentrations of TNF-alpha, nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lung tissues were measured, respectively.

RESULTSThickened alveolar septum and increased macrophages were observed in lungs in HPS rat. After administered with tanshinol, the pulmonary pathological changes were alleviated and the number of macrophages in lung tissue was decreased compared with HPS group. The activity of ALT and the concentrations of endotoxin, TNF-alpha and Hcy in plasma ,and TNF-alpha, iNOS, NO and MDA in lung tissue in HPS group were higher than those of normal control group; meanwhile, those tanshinol group were less those that of HPS group.

CONCLUSIONTanshinol may play an important role in delaying the development of HPS through protecting liver or directly antagonizing the effect of intestinal endotoxemia so as to alleviate the inflammatory reaction in lung tissue.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Caffeic Acids ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood