OBJECTIVETo assess effect of acupuncture combined with massage of sole on sleeping quality of the patient with insomnia.

METHODSFifty-eight cases of insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 26). The observation group were treated with oral administration of Alprazolam, massage of sole, and acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. on the abdomen as main points; the control group were treated with Alprazolam. Clinical therapeutic effects, and scores for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were assessed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 93.75 in the observation group and 88.46% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups; after treatment, there were significant or very significant differences in scores for various factors in the PSQI, SAS and SDS (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAbdominal acupuncture as main combined with massage of sole can obviously improve sleeping quality of the patient with insomnia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Male ; Massage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy

Objective To evaluate the value of 3.0T susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SWI) in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular malformations. Methods Forty-six patients with cerebrovascular malformations, admitted to our hospital fiom May 2008 to December 2010, were examined with a 3.0T MR scanner. All patients were examined with MRI conventional sequences T1WI,T2WI, 3DTOF, and their results were compared with SWI sequence so as to evaluate the value of SWI in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular malformations.Results Twenty-five patients had arteriovenous malformation (AVM), 10 with cavernous hemangioma, 8 with venous malformations, and 3 with telangiectasis in the 46 patients with cerebrovascular malformations. SWI could delineate all the cerebrovascular malformation lesions, especially small lesions, but could not display all supplying artery in AVM. 3DTOF was a better technique in delineating large AVM lesions. Conclusion SWI is much more sensitive in showing small cerebrovascular malformations; and combined with other MR sequences,clear diagnosis of cerebral vascular malformations can be made by SWI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer in elderly patients.

METHODSClinical data of two elderly patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe two cases were 78 and 75 years old respectively. Both were complicated with many medical conditions. One case suffered from stage II cancer in the gastric body and stage IB rectal cancer, and the other suffered from stage IIIA gastric cancer and stage IB rectal cancer. Both cases had received laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer, with 5 cm of incision. The operative time was 260 and 255 min and the intraoperative bleeding was 60 and 80 ml respectively. No complication occurred intraoperatively. Time to resume oral intake was 4 and 5 days and length of postoperative hospital stay was 13 and 14 days respectively. No postoperative complication occurred. The patients were followed up for 13 and 12 months and no postoperative recurrence or metastasis was noticed.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for elderly synchronous rectal and gastric cancer is safe and feasible when performed by surgeons with plentiful experience in laparoscopic technology, and associated with less injury and faster recovery.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDNon-cement femoral stems are recognized in clinical use, but there are still some problems. The aim of this research was to make non-cement femoral stems to be press-fit with the medullary cavity.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy adult mongrel dogs were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the right hip joint, an artificial femoral bone replacement surgery was conducted. For the experimental group, the replacement surgery of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated femoral stems was done, while autogeneous morselized bone was implanted into the medullary cavity. For the control group, morselized bone was not implanted. At postoperative 1, 3, 6 months, a test for interfacial shear characteristics was conducted in the MTS810 Tester. The comparison between the two groups' bone-prostheses in shear strength for their interface from shearing destruction was made. A histological observation to check prosthesis-bone interface contact ratios and bone growth was carried out.

RESULTSFor the experimental group, shear strength was 0.317 MPa in 1 month, 1.447 MPa in 3 months, and 1.621 MPa in 6 months. For the control group, shear strength was 0.195 MPa in 1 month, 1.023 MPa in 3 months, and 1.483 MPa in 6 months. The difference was statistically significant. Stereomicroscope-based observation showed that the number of trabecular bones in the experimental group was larger than that of the control group, and bone growth of the former group was better than that of the latter group. Inverted microscopic observation showed that the binding degree between the prosthesis and trabecular bone of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. Comparatively, the experimental group's trabecular bone had more stromal cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe morselized bones can effectively improve the biological bonding strength and bone-contact ratios in the short term for the HA-coated femoral stem and accelerate the bonding process. The use of morselized autogenous bones played a good role in bone in-growth of the femoral bone stem surface.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Female ; Femur ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Osseointegration ; Random Allocation ; Shear Strength

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experiences and shortcomings of repair of wounds on hands due to electrical burns with flaps, aiming at further improvement.

METHODSClinical data of 425 patients with electrical burn of hands admitted to Burn Institute of Wuhan, City Hospital NO. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2000 to December 2006 were collected and summarized. Therapeutic methods and outcomes of all patients were statistically analyzed. Flap types, complications after surgery and problems existed in patients having undergone flap transplantation were summarized. Patients were divided into surgery within 7days post burn (PBD) group (SW) and surgery after PBD 7 group (SA) according to the timing of surgery. Survival rate of flaps and incidence of complications in patients of two groups were compared.

RESULTSOut of the 425 patients, 348 (90.2%) patients underwent surgery, among which 248 flaps of different types were transplanted in 209 patients, including 202 (81.5%) distant pedicle flaps, 19 (7.7%) local flaps, 12 (4.8%) free flaps, and 15 (6.0%) other kinds of tissue flaps. Five flaps failed because of necrosis of torn off, and the resulting wounds were treated with other methods. Eight flaps showed necrosis of distal margin, and the wound healed with dressing changing or skin grafting. All the remaining flaps survived with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. In SW group (n = 170) and SA group (n = 78), survival rate of flaps was respectively 98.8% (168/170) and 96.2% (75/78), incidence of complications was respectively 10.6% (18/170) and 12.8% (10/78). There was no statistical difference between above two sets of data (with chi(2) value respectively 0.81 and 0.27, and P values both above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere are many types of flaps that can be used to repair electric burn wounds on hands. Appropriate choice and design of flaps, skillful operation, and careful post-operation observation and treatment are key points for good therapeutic effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular risk factors of lymph node metastasis in stage T1 and T2 colorectal cancers by tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry techniques.

METHODSTwo hundred and three patients with stage T1 and T2 colorectal carcinoma who underwent radical surgery from 1999 to 2010 in our department were included in this study. Their clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed. Expression of the following 14 molecular markers were selected and assayed by tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry: VEGFR-3, HER2, CD44v6, CXCR4, TIMP-1, EGFR, IGF-1R, IGF-2, IGFBP-1, ECAD, MMP-9, RKIP, CD133, MSI. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to evaluate the variables as potential risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of biomarkers were as following: VEGFR-3 (44.3%), EGFR (30.5%), HER-2 (28.1%), IGF-1R (63.5%), IGF-2 (44.8%), IGFBP-1 (70.9%), ECAD (45.8%), CD44v6 (51.2%), MMP-9 (44.3%), TIMP-1 (41.4%), RKIP (45.3%), CXCR4 (40.9%), and CD133 (49.8%). The positive rate of MSI expression was 22.2%. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that VEGFR-3, HER-2, and TIMP-1 were significant predictors of lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that CD44v6 and CXCR4 were significant significant predictors of lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSVEGFR-3, HER2 and TIMP-1 are independent factors for lymph node metastasis in stage T1 and T2 colorectal cancers.

Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microsatellite Instability ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Rectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of the substance P (SP) mRNA and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) in the posterior horn of the L5 - S2 spinal cord in the rat model of chronic prostatitis pain, and to investigate the changes in the activation of astrocytes and influence of SP on this activation in rat spinal cord astrocytes cultured in vitro.

METHODSThe rat model of chronic prostatitis pain was established by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and assessed by the tail flick threshold test, the control rats injected with sodium chloride and all observed at 0, 14 and 28 days. Changes in the expressions of SP mRNA, NK-1R, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the posterior horn of the L5 - S2 spinal cord were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Rat spinal cord astrocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into a control group, cultured with ITS cell culture fluid, and two experiment groups, with Group 1 stimulated with SP at the concentration of 10(-9) - 10(-6) mol/L for 12 hours followed by determination of the expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, NO and NOS by ELISA and nitrate reductase and colorimetric methods, and Group 2 at 10(-7) mol/L for 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours followed by detection of the GFAP expression by Western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of SP mRNA, NK-1 R, GFAP, TNF-alpha and iNOS in the posterior horn of the L5 - S2 spinal cord were obviously higher in the rat prostatitis pain models than in the controls, successively higher at 28 than at 14 and 0 d (P < 0.01), and so was the expression of GFAP at 28 than at 14 d in the experiment groups (P < 0.05). SP induced a gradual increase at 10(-7) mol/L in the expression of GFAP in the spinal cord astrocytes at 0 -72 h, significantly different from that of the control group (P < 0.01), and it promoted the excretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and the activity of NO and NOS at 10(-9) - 10(-6) mol/L at 12 h in a concentration-dependent manner, with marked differences between the experiment and control groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But a decreased excretion of IL-1 beta was observed in the 10(-6) mol/L group, though with no significant difference from the control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChronic prostatitis pain could upregulate the expressions of the excitatory transmitter SP and receptor in the L5 - S2 spinal cord, and result in the activation of astrocytes and increased excretion of proinflammatory cytokines, which may be associated with the persistence and generalization of prostatitis pain.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Pain ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptors, Neurokinin-1 ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Substance P ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effects of Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin on the pathological changes of gastric mucosa and interleukin-10 (IL-10) ,nitric oxide (NO) ,gasmn (GAS) and motilin (MTL) in the serum in the animal model of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG ) in rats .Methods We divided 53 Wistar rats randomly into blank control group (n=8) and CAG model group (n=45) ,and the animal model of CAG in rats was replicated by combination of disease and syndrome .After confirming the sampled rat model was successful built , the other 40 CAG rats in CAG model group were divided into model group ,vitacoenzyme tablet group ,low-dosage TMC group ,medium-dosage TMC group ,and high-dosage TMC group (each group n=8) .With the corresponding drug intervention to different rats for 30 days , the rats were executed . Then their blood was drawn from the abdominal aorta and the gastric tissue was taken to analyze the changes of serum IL-10 ,NO ,GAS and MTL concentrations and gastric mucosa pathology . Results Compared with blank control group , model group had various degrees of gastric mucosa atrophy ; decreased concentrations of serum IL-10 and GAS ; increased NO and MTL ( P<0 .01 ) .Compared with model group,Qinghuayin could improve gastric mucosa pathology in different degrees and increase the concentrations of IL-10 and GAS . Decrease the concentrations of NO and MTL( P<0 .05 or P<0 .01 ) . What's more. The curative effect in high-dosage TMC group was better( P<0. 01 ). Conclusion Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin can effectively regulate the lopsided expressions of serum IL-10 . NO .GAS and MTL and reverse the pathological and histological changes in the gastric mucosa of CAG rats .

OBJECTIVETo measure the pressure changes inside the cervical nucleus pulposus in fresh human cervical specimen by imitating different rotary manipulations.

METHODSThe load of 100 N was applied for 5 second on the six fresh male cervical samples by using material test system, which imitated the human head weigh and the strength of cervical extensor muscle. After that, traction, rotation and pulling on the samples were performed in different sequence under the force of 150, 200, 300 N respectively. Three states were included in adding the load state A: samples were loaded with traction and then rotation to the biggest angle, pulling backward for 15 degrees; state B: samples were loaded with rotary stress to the biggest angle and then loaded with traction, pulling backward for 15 degrees; state C: samples were loaded simultaneously with traction and rotary stress to the biggest angle, pulling backward for 15 degrees. The internal pressure of cervical nucleus pulposus at segment of C(3,4), C(4,5), C(5,6), and C7 was measurred by micro-pressure sensors for state A, B, C and for the imitation of head weight and the strength of cervical extensor muscle.

RESULTSThe pressure inside the cervical nucleus pulposus at segments C(5,6), C(6,7) was higher than that at segments C(3,4) and C(4,5) (P < 0.05) by loading stress with 100 N for 5 seconds. The internal pressure of the nucleus pulposus decreased with the increase of traction (P < 0.05), and increased when traction and rotary force were loaded. State A, the value of increased pressure within the nucleus pulposus became smaller and smaller while increasing of the traction force loaded (P < 0.05). State B, the increase of internal pressure in nucleus pulposus became obvious as loading pressure increased (P < 0.05). State C, the internal pressure in nucleus pulposus was not increased obviously (P > 0.05). There was a transitional pressure raise inside all cervical nucleus pulposus when pulling added after different sepuence traction and rotary strength was applied, however, the internal pressure of state A was significantly higher than that of state B or C (P < 0.05). There was also a transitional pressure raise inside all cervical nucleus pulposus when pulling added in different strength (P < 0.05),the internal pressure by pulling with 150 N was obviously higher than that with 200 N and 300 N (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe order of rotation first and traction second should be avoided when practice of rotary manupuplation in case protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. Meanwhile, proper traction should be applied along with rotary manipulation in order to increase its safety.

Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; adverse effects ; methods ; Pressure ; Rotation ; Stress, Mechanical ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEIn mid-July 2005, five patients presented with septic shock to a hospital in Ziyang city in Sichuan, China, to identify the etiology of the unknown reason disease, an epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory study were conducted.

METHODSAn enhanced surveillance program were established in Sichuan, the following activities were introduced: active case finding in Sichuan of (a) laboratory diagnosed Streptococcus suis infection and (b) clinically diagnosed probable cases with exposure history; supplemented by (c) monitoring reports on meningococcal meningitis. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection was confirmed by culture and biochemical reactions, followed by sequencing for specific genes for serotype and virulence factors.

RESULTSFrom June 10 to August 21, 2005, 68 laboratory confirmed cases of human Streptococcus suis infections were reported. All were villagers who gave a history of direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in their backyards where slaughtering was performed. Twenty six (38%) presented with toxic shock syndrome of which 15 (58%) died. Other presentations were septicaemia or meningitis. All isolates were tested positive for genes for tuf, species-specific 16S rRNA, cps2J, mrp, ef and sly. There were 136 clinically diagnosed probable cases with similar exposure history but incomplete laboratory investigations.

CONCLUSIONAn outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections occurred in villagers after direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in Sichuan. Prohibition of slaughtering in backyards brought the outbreak to a halt. A virulent strain of the bacteria is speculated to be in circulation, and is responsible for the unusual presentation of toxic shock syndrome with high case fatality.

Animals ; Bacteremia ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Shock, Septic ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; veterinary ; Streptococcus suis ; isolation & purification ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; microbiology