ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of infrared radiation and magnetic fields on the synovitis of rabbit with experimental knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsTwenty-four New Zealand grown rabbits were duplicated for OA model of the knee by extended fixation technique, and after 6 weeks, all rabbits were unchained from fixation. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control group (no treatment), infrared group (treated with infrared radiation ), magnet-therapy group (treated with magnetic fields ) and the combined therapy group (treated with infrared radiation and magnetic fields). At the ends of the first, second and third week after treatment, 2 rabbits in each group were taken to measure the general change and histopathology of their synovium.ResultsCompared with other groups, the severity of synovitis (include the synovium line cells proliferation, the invading of granulation and blood vessels in the underlayer of synovium, the infiltration of inflammatory cells) declined significantly in combined therapy group. Scores of Ayral's index of combined group were significantly lower than other groups ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between infrared group and magnet-therapy group ( P>0.05).ConclusionThe combination of infrared radiation and magnetic fields can efficiently suppress the synovitis of OA and alleviate the tissue's destructions.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Shuizhitong capsule (SZT) in treating senile vascular dementia (VD) and on changes of related physio-chemical criteria.

METHODSEighty-five patients with VD were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 51) and the control group (n = 34) in the ratio of 3:2, treated with SZT and Piracetam respectively. Before and after treatment, the Zhang's Dementia Scoring (HDS) and Function of Social Activity Questionnaire (FAQ) scoring, cerebral blood flow and hemorrheologic properties were determined.

RESULTSSZT could significantly improve the patients' clinical symptoms, intracranial hemodynamic condition and the hyperviscosity, hypercoagulation and hyperaggregation status, lower the whole blood and plasma specific viscosity, raise the living standard of partial patients, with significant difference between before and after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of SZT in treating senile VD is definite.

Aged ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Capsules ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; drug effects ; Dementia, Vascular ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemorheology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nootropic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVE To study the antidepressant effects of ammoxetine(AMX)and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Two behavioral despair models,the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test(FST),were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of AMX 2.5-20 mg · kg-1 following oral administration. Monoamine neurotransmitter p-chloro-phenylalanine(p-CPA)andα-methyl-p-tyrosine(AMPT) depletion models in mice were used to investigate the effects of AMX on levels of 5-serotomin(5-HT)and norepinephrine(NE)in the brain. RESULLTS The results of behavioral study showed that compared with normal control group,AMX(10 and 20 mg · kg-1)reduced the immobility time of mice by 51.4% and 80.7% in the TST(P<0.05,P<0.01) or by 48.0% and 66.2% in the FST (P<0.05),respectively. Locomotion activity test indicated that AMX did not increase or decrease the movement distance of mice,demonstrating that AMX had no excitatory or inhibitory actions on the central nervous system. Moreover,AMX(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)exerted antidepressant effects in the p-CPA induced 5-HT depletion model and AMPT induced NE depletion model,as evidenced by the significantly reduced immobility time,ie,63.9%,93.4%,90.5% and 61.9%,77.2%,100% reduction in the TST (P<0.01),respectively,and AMX at the dose of 20 mg·kg-1 significantly increased the concentrations of 5-HT and NE by 144.7% and 57.2% in the mouse brain(P<0.05) ,respectively. CONCLUSION AMX has strong antidepressant-like effects in behavioral despair models and monoamine neurotransmitter depletion models in mice,which is involved in the increased levels of 5-HT and NE in the brain.

Objective To evaluate the short term effect of bipolar arthroplasties in aged cases with intertrochanteric fractures.Methods There were 23 males and 15 females(at age of 70-93 years, average 76 years)with unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with the third generation cementing techniques and bipolar arthroplasties that were followed up for average 2.4 years.The clinical effect was evaluate with Harris scale,X-ray films and complications.Results Of all,34 cases(89.5%)could walk freely.The average Harris scale was 84.2 points.The average period until walk with full-weight load was 5.6 weeks.The greater trochanters was united in 35 cases(92%)during average 4.2 months.No peri-prothetic ossteolysis and loosening or subsidence occurred.Conclusions Cemented bipolar arthro- plasty has good advantages of reduced laying up period and few complications.The short-term outcome is satisfactory hut the long-term outcome needs deeper observation.

OBJECTIVETo review and summarize the experience of urethral reconstruction using lingual mucosal graft for the treatment of complex hypospadias.

METHODSWe evaluated the methods using lingual mucosal graft for the treatment of complex hypospadias. The dorsal inlay graft method and the tube graft method were used in our study.

RESULTSFrom Nov. 2010 to Oct. 2011,21 cases were treated. All the cases had at least one failed hypospadisa surgery before. The dorasl inlay grafting technique was used for 16 patients, the tube grafting technique was carried out in 5 patients(2 cases received Tube + Duply method). The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 12 months (by average 6 months). The success rate of the methods was 61.9% with complications in 8 cases. Urethral fistula developed in 3 patients and urethral stricture developed in 5 patients. All cases who suffered stricture received the tube grafting technique. The fistula and urethral stricture were occurred at the site of the urethral termonoterminal anostomosis. Urethral stricture is the most common complication after the tube graft method for the treatment of the complex hypospadias.

CONCLUSIONSHarvesting the lingual mucosal graft is feasible and easy to perform. The complex hypospadias repair technique using lingual mucosal graft method provides good results. There fore it should be one of the preferred techniques for complex hypospadias repair. The dorsal inlay grafting technique has lower complication rate than the tube grafting technique. Early and regular urethral sounding should be carried out when patients received the tube graft method.

Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Tongue ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Diseases ; etiology ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; Urinary Fistula ; etiology ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xinmailong Injection (XI) in treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with qi-yang deficiency and blood stasis resistance syndrome (QY-DBSRS).

METHODSTotally 238 CHF patients with QYDBSRS were assigned to the treatment group (118 cases) and the control group (120 cases) by randomized, double-blind, placebo parallel controlled method. Patients in the treatment group received routine therapy and XI (100 mg/2 mL, by dripping at 5 mg/kg, twice per day for 5 consecutive days), while those in the control group received routine therapy and XI mimetic agent (100 mg/2 mL, by dripping at 5 mg/kg, twice per day for 5 consecutive days). The heart function classification of New York Heart Association (NYHA), 6-min walking distance, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), scores for Chinese medical symptoms were observed before and after treatment, and safety assessed.

RESULTSTotally 235 patients actually entered full analysis set (FAS), including 120 cases in the control group and 115 cases in the treatment group. The total effective rate of heart function, 6-min walking distance and increased post-pre-treatment distance in the experimental group were superior to those of the control group with statistical difference (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, increased value of post-pre-treatment LVEF, the total effective rate of Chinese medical syndrome efficacy, scores for Chinese medical symptoms and decreased post-pre-treatment value of Chinese medical syndrome scores were obviously improved (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSXI could improve the heart function of CHF patients, improve Chinese medical symptoms, elevate exercise tolerance, and improve LVEF. It had no obvious toxic and side effects.

Chronic Disease ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Qi ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yiqi Huoxue Qingre Huashi Recipe (YHQHR, a recipe capable of supplementing qi, activating blood, clearing heat, and dissipating dampness) on ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication rate in Hp positive peptic ulcer patients, and to explore coccoid Hp occurrence in the eradication.

METHODSTotally 80 Hp positive peptic ulcer patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control groups by random digit table, 40 in each group. All patients received standard triple therapy of Western medicine for 2 successive weeks. Those in the control group additionally took omeprazole enteric coated tablet, 20 mg each time, once per day for 4 successive weeks. Those in the treatment group additionally took YHQHR, twice per day for 6 successive weeks. The ulcer healing was observed and recorded by gastroscope after discontinued medication of 14 days. The effective rate of ulcer healing under endoscope was statistically calculated. Rapid urease test (RUT) was performed in one small piece of tissue from corpora ventriculi and sinuses ventriculi using 14C breathe test (UBT). Gastric juice was collected from the stomach. Hp urease gene amplification test (urea A-PCR) was performed in living tissue from gastric antrum. Results obtained from the above three test methods were recorded and assessed to decide the final eradiation rate. Gastric mucosa tissue was observed under electron microscope,attempting to find non-eradicated Hp, which was further observed.

RESULTSThe total curative effect under gastroscope was 97.5% (39/40 cases) in the treatment group, obviously higher than that in the control group (80.0%, 32/40 cases) (P < 0.05). The eradication rate of Hp was 75.0% (30/40 cases), obviously better than that of the control group (52.5%, 21/40 cases) (P < 0.05). The total positive Hp numbers after treatment was 14C UBT (12), RUT (8), and urea A-PCR (27), respectively. The Hp positive rate detected by 14C UBT and RUT was lower than the Hp positive rate detected by urea A-PCR (P < 0.05). Rod-like and coccoid Hp bacteria could be observed under electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONYHQHR combined standard triple therapy was more effective than standard triple therapy alone in promoting ulcer healing and elevating the eradication rate of Hp.

Breath Tests ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gastric Mucosa ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Omeprazole ; Peptic Ulcer ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Urea

Objective To evaluate the effects of rebuilding stove and health education on preventing coal-burning fluorosis and arsenic poisoning in Shaanxi in 2005.Methods According to "Scheme of Impmving Stove in Preventing Coal-burning Fluorosis and Arsenic Poisoning of Shaanxi in 2005",the initial meeting was convened,while liability contracts were signed,leading and technical guiding groups were established,professional training was carried out.On the basis of the epidemiologic data,stoves were improved in 7 chosen counties in Ankang and Hanzhong City where the health education in several modalities was carried out.The project was checked and accepted when the work was completed.Thirty children in fourth grade were randomly selected in one primary school of each county.Fifleen adults aged 16 years old were chosen randomly in each village in each country.They were asked to answer the questionnaire about the health knowledge.Results There were 955 322 stoves improved in 7 countries in Ankang and Hanzhong City accounting for rebuilding stove was 100%(95 322/95 314).The awareness rates of health knowledge were 88%(444/508)in the adults and 100%(210/210)in children.Conclusions The government mangement leadership,the cooperation between the related departments, the participation of residents and the assufance of fund are the essentials in long lasting control of endemic diseases.

Objective To know the condition and feature of water-born endemic arsenism in Shaanxi province, and to provide scientific evidences for prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods In 2009, 8 villages of Duhe, Miaogou, Sanhe, Caiyuan in Shanyang county and Shuanglong, Guangming, Donghekou in Zhen'an county and Guojiawan in Mian county as monitoring sites from both the found water-born arsenic poisoning areas and potential ones of drinking water arsenic ＞ 0.15 mg/L were selected. The disease conditions of residents who lived for more than six months of continuous residence, were investigated according to "Endemic Arsenism Diagnostic Criteria" (WS/T 211-2001 ) and arsenic level in the drinking water were determined. Results Seven thousand six hundred and ninety-three individuals were investigated and 612 cases of arsenism were diagnosed in the 8 villages, the prevalence rate was 7.96%(612/7693). Mild patients accounted for 33.17%(203/612), moderate patients accounted for 50.16%(307/612), and severe patients accounted for 16.67%(102/612). The detection rate for male was 9.99%(408/4085), for female was 5.65%(204/3608), the former was higher than the latter(x2 = 49.138,P ＜ 0.01 ). The older the age was, the higher the rate was(x2 = 770.708, P ＜ 0.01 ). Main clinical manifestation of the patients was depigmentation and pigmentation in skin. Patients with one symptom accounted for 43.30% (265/612), with two symptoms accounted for 56.70% (347/612). Three hundred and seventy drinking water samples were detected, the median of arsenism content was 0.005 mg/L, ranged 0 - 1.660 mg/L. The over-limit rate of arsenic level in the drinking water were 11.62% (43/370). Conclusion Water-born endemic arsenism is mildly prevailing in Shaanxi province, however, great attention should be given to control and monitoring of the disease.

Objective To investigate the current situation of endemic fluorosis associated with drinking water in Shaanxi province in 2008, providing prevention and control work with scientific evidence. Methods According to data of drinking water endemic fluorosis in Shaanxi, 15 counties in Yulin, Weinan and Xianyang city were divided into mild, moderate and severe diseased areas according to fuoride level in the drinking water or the fluorosis severity, and 12,39,45 endemic fluorosis villages were selected respectively from each area. Dental fluorosis for all the children aged 8 - 12 years old and clinical skeletal fluorosis for the people over the age of 16 were examined. In mild, moderate and severe areas, 30% of the survey villages received X-ray to examine skeletal fuorosis. Five water samples were collected from villages with unimproved water respectively from the east, the west, the south, the north, the middle; if there was less than 5 that could be sampled, then all were collected, moreover 3 peripheral and 1 central water samples were collected from villages with improved water. Also in mild, moderate and severe illness areas, 50% of the surveyed villages were selected; in each village, 30 urine samples of the children aged 8 - 12 were collected, 6 portions in each age group. If Less than 30 children in all the age groups or less than 6 in each age group, all their urine samples were collected to determine fluoride. Results Totally 3652 children aged 8 - 12 years old were examined and 1930 cases of dental fluorosis were diagnosed, the rate was 52.85% and the index was 1.22. The rates in Dinghian, Jingbian and Pucheng village were higher, being 90.43% (170/188) ,82.89%(126/152),80.65% (325/403) respectively. A total of 40 543 adults over the age of 16 were examined and 5935 cases of skeletal fluorosis were diagnosed, in a rate of 14.64%. The rates of the mild, moderate, severe skeletal fluorosis were respectively 9.17%(3717/40 543),4.36%(1769/40 543),1.11%(449/40 543).All 706 adults were taken X-ray films.and 280 cases of positive change were diagnosed,the positive rate was 39.66%. The rates of the mild,moderate,severe change were respectively 17.28%(122/706),17.00%(120/706),5.38%(38/706).All 427 water samples were collected,the fluoride content waS(2.22±1.41)ms/L,and the abnormal rate was 85.01%(363/427).All 1393 portions of urine sample were collected in children and the median of fuoride was 2.37 mg/L Conclusions The endemic fluorosis associated with drinking water is still comparatively serious in Shaanxi.The preventive measures for improving water must be improved.