Objective: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 60 patients with KOA were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received the treatment of EA plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), while patients in the control group only received EA treatment. Both groups were treated for 5 weeks. The changes of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores in the two groups were observed after treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group (92.3％) was significantly higher than that in the control group (70.0％), (P<0.05); the WOMAC and VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, showing statistical significance (all P<0.01); there were significant differences in the post-treatment changes in the WOMAC and VAS scores between the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: EA plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) is clinically effective for KOA. This combined treatment can alleviate clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects on thyroid function in patients of Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated with aconite cake-separated moxibustion and option the better therapeutic program.

METHODSEighty-five cases were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (42 cases) and a western medication group (43 cases). The moxibustion group was treated by aconite cake-separated moxibustion therapy with acupoints of two groups [(1) Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4); (2) Dazhui (GV 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4)] alternatively and oral administration of 25 microg Euthyrox everyday. The western medication group was oral administration of 25 microg Euthyrox everyday. Indices of thyroid function before and after treatment and clinical effect were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe clinical total effective rate and effective rate of thyroid function were 25.0% (10/40), 87.5% (35/40) in moxibustion group respectively, 7.53% (3/40) and 57.5% (23/40) in western medication group, with significant differences between two groups (both P < 0.05). Content of serum free thyroxine index (FT4) increased significantly in the moxibustion group after treatment (P < 0.01); content of serum supersensitive thyrotropin (S-TSH) in the moxibustion group was lower than that of western medication group, and contents of serum FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were higher than those of western medication group, but with no significant differences (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAconite cake-separated moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Mingmen (GV 4) combined with oral administration of Euthyrox can improve clinical symptoms and thyroid function in patients of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is better than simple oral administration of Euthyrox.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Thyroid Gland ; physiopathology ; secretion ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood ; Thyrotropin ; blood ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Method Sixty KOA patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using random number table, 30 cases each. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Celecoxib capsules, while the treatment group was given EA, 14 d as a treatment course. The changes of relevant cytokines [apelin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF soluble receptor (TNFsR)-Ⅰ, TNFsR-Ⅱ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6] in serum of the two groups were observed.Result The intra-group comparisons of the total score, and the scores of pain, stiffness and dysfunction of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index showed significant differences in both groups (P<0.05); there were significant between-group differences in comparing the total score, and the scores of pain, stiffness and dysfunction of the WOMAC index after the treatment (P<0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were changed significantly after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05); there was nosignificant difference in comparing the VAS score between the two groups after the treatment (P>0.05). The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and TNFsR-Ⅰ were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); the level of IL-1β was markedly changed after the intervention in the control group (P<0.05); there was a significant change in the level of apelin after the intervention in the treatment group (P<0.05), and there was a significant difference in comparing the level of apelin between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion EA can produce a satisfactory efficacy in treating KOA; it can significantly improve the symptoms and signs, and mitigate pain and symptoms through regulating the expressions of cytokines.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the histological and clinical characteristics of 40 cases with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma in children, to evaluate the effects of treatment with international regimen, and to explore the treatment-related complications and prognostic factors.

METHODSForty patients with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma were registered in Beijing Children Hospital from Feb 2003 to Apr 2006. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry of biopsy, and clinical staging by the examination of imaging, cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow based on St. Jude system. Intensive, short-term chemotherapy witch was modified from LMB89 protocol was given to the patients.

RESULTSOf the 40 patients, 30 were diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and 10 as Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL). Antibody against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-Ab) was positive in 19 cases at diagnosis, only 7 of the patients were positive for EBER. Thirty-three of the cases were male and 7 female (M:F = 4.7:1); the median age was 6 years 9 months. The most frequently seen clinical characteristics were abdominal masses and surgical abdomen. Nine cases were at stage I - II and 31 cases at stage III - IV at diagnosis; CNS was involved in 4 cases and bone marrow in 2 cases. The courses of treatment were approximately 2 - 8 months. All the patients were followed up, the median follow-up period was 22.6 months. After chemotherapy, 35 patients (88.7%) were still alive during the one-year follow-up. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 81.8%. Major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis. Stage III to IV of myelosuppression occurred in the most patients with unresected tumor and CNS-involvement. Of 5 patients who died, 2 died of infection, 2 died of lymphoma progression during chemotherapy, and 1 died of relapse.

CONCLUSIONBurkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma are the most common NHL in children with rapid clinical process. Outcome was greatly improved by current intensive, short-term chemotherapy regimen, the 3-year EFS was 81.8% including the patients who were in advanced stage. Childhood lymphoma with short clinical history, stage IV and residual disease after 3 months of therapy are associated with poor prognosis.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of PDGF and EGF expression in the wound healing between fatal and adult.

METHODSWith the established animal model of fetal scarless healing and the adult samples, an immunohistochemical technique was used to evaluate the expression of PDGF and EGF in the normal adult skin, normal fetal skin, and the process of their wound healing.

RESULTS1. The expression of the PDGF was not found in the fetal skin, but a mild amount of the PDGF was shown in the epidermis and the upper dermal layer 12 hours and 1 day after the wounding process. In the normal adult skin, expression of PDGF was shown in the dermal fibroblasts, macrophagocytes and blood capillaries, and a strong expression was presented during its wound healing process. 2. In the fetal skin, the expression of the EGF was seen in the epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands, but there were no markedly changes during the wound healing. In the adult skin, a positive stain of the EGF was shown in the basal layer of the epidermis while the mild stain in hair follicles and sweat glands. The level of the expression became gradually decreasing with the time going in the wounded adult skin.

CONCLUSIONThe different expression of growth factors between fetal and adult skin in wound healing may be one of the important reasons that the fetal wound could produce scarless healing.

Adult ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Epidermis ; metabolism ; Fetus ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Hair Follicle ; metabolism ; Humans ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Skin ; injuries ; metabolism ; Sweat Glands ; metabolism ; Wound Healing

We report a case of 51-year-old woman with pure unroofed coronary sinus without persistent left superior vena cava and other cardiac anomaly. She presented with dyspnea on exertion during several years. Her chest film showed prominent cardiomegaly and dilated hilar vessels. Cardiac rhythm was atrial fibrillation. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated the enlarged coronary sinus with defect toward left atrium on parasternal long axis view and significant flow from coronary sinus into right atrium on subxyphoid view, and its other findings were dilated right ventricle and right atrium, paradoxical septal motion, moderate tricuspid regurgitation and mild mitral regurgitation, which were mimicking of large secundum atrial septal defect. Radionuclide cardioangiography and cardiac catheterization showed the existence of significant shunt. There was no evidence of persistent left superior vena cava on chest CT. Closure of Coronary sinus opening was done. Thereafter her symptoms of congestive heart failure were much improved. We think that careful examination of 2-D echocardiography can be valuable tool for diagnosis of unroofed coronary sinus in adult patient.
Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiomegaly ; Coronary Sinus* ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Heart Failure ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Vena Cava, Superior*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of obtaining of a highly pure protein of human endothelial overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 (EOLA1) with metal chelation chromatography.

METHODSInclusion bodies of the E. coli transformed with EOLA1 gene were extracted and washed with BugBuster Protein Extraction Reagent. The primary purified products were purified by His. Bind Resin Chromatography under denaturing condition and dialyzed for renaturation, and then were analyzed with SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF).

RESULTSEOLA1 was mainly expressed in E. coli as insoluble inclusion bodies. The protein content in the primary extracted inclusion bodies accounted for over 75%, and it accounted for more than 90% after chromatography and renaturation. It was indicated by PMF that the targeted protein peptide overlaid many of designed protein peptide.

CONCLUSIONThe method of EOLA1 protein purification and renaturation was convenient and efficient, and by this method sufficient amount of highly pure EOLA1 protein could be obtained for the preparation of EOLA1 monoclonal antibody and for the study of its gene function.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma and to analyze its relationship with Epstein-barr virus(EBV). MethodsTotally, 36 cases of cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma were collected from 2000 to 2010 at the Department of Pathology, Peking University Health Science Center, and classified into primary and secondary groups according to whether there is evidence of extracutaneous involvement within 6 months after diagnosis. Clinicopathological features were analyzed and Epstein-barr virus (EBV) was detected. ResultsOf these 36 cases, 13 (36.1％) were classified as primary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma, 20 (55.6％) as secondary, and 3 (8.3％) remained unclassified because of the lack of clinical data. Males were more likely to develop both primary and secondary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma than females, but there was no striking difference in sex ratio between the patients with primary and secondary lymphoma (P ＞ 0.05 ). Compared with the patients with primary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma, those with secondary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma showed a younger median age at onset(43.5 vs. 54 years, P ＜ 0.05), higher prevalence of B symptoms(including fever, night sweat, body weight loss) and multiple skin lesions (P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). EBV was positive in 92.3％ (12/13) of the primary lymphoma cases and 85％(17/20) of the secondary lymphoma cases. Moreover, the median survival was 8 months in all the cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma cases, and was significantly shorter in secondary cases than in the primary cases(6 vs. 18 months, x2 = 6.074, P ＜ 0.05). ConclusionsCutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma is an EBV-associated, clinica]ly aggressive disease entity. Patients with primary cutaneous NI/T cell lymphoma seem to have an older age at onset and a better prognosis as compared with those with secondary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma.

The objective of this study was to investigate clinical distribution characteristics and drug sensitivity of infection pathogens in hematology department wards of our hospital during recent two years. The isolation and cultivation of pathogens from samples were performed by routine methods. Drug sensitivity tests of bacteria were performed by Kirby-Bauer method. Drug sensitivity tests of fungi were performed by ATBFUNGUS Drug sensitivity strips. The results showed that 102 strains of pathogens were isolated from all detected samples. The composition ratio of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi was 42.2%, 34.3%, 3.5%, respectively. 58.8% of pathogens were isolated from samples of malignant hematopathy patients. 27.5% were isolated from samples of the patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). 51.0% of pathogens were isolated from samples of the patients who suffered from agranulocytosis or leucocytopenia. Isolated fungi were mostly sensitive to anti-fungal drugs. G+ bacteria were most sensitive to vancomycin. G- bacteria were most sensitive to imipenem. Most bacteria were resistant to multiple antibiotics. It is concluded that the infection in hematology department wards was related with many conditions, such as weakened resistance of patients, leucocytopenia or agranulocytosis, tumor loading, etc. The prompt microbiological examination and drug sensitivity tests are important to rationally select antibiotics, reduce infection incidence and mortality rate, and decrease the occurrence of drug resistant strains.
Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Fungi ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Hematologic Diseases ; microbiology ; Humans ; Imipenem ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Vancomycin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo examine serum adiponectin level in preterm infants and to evaluate the relationship between serum adiponectin and bone mineral density in preterm infants.

METHODSSeventy-two appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates were classified into three groups according to their gestational ages: early preterm (31-33(+6) weeks, 13 cases), late preterm (34-36(+6) weeks, 16 cases), and full-term (37-42 weeks, 43 cases). Venous blood was collected at one week of their life to measure serum adiponectin concentration. During the period, omnisense ultrasound bone sonometer was applied to measure speed of sound (SOS) of the left tibia.

RESULTSThe median of tibia SOS in the early preterm group was significantly lower than in the late preterm and full term groups (P<0.05), and the median of tibia SOS in the late preterm group was lower than in the full-term group (P<0.05). Serum adiponectin level was lowest in the early preterm group, and the full-term group had the highest serum adiponectin level. Serum adiponectin level was positively correlated with tibia SOS in preterm infants (r=0.664, P<0.05). According to the result of multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis, serum adiponectin and birth weight were independent predictor of tibia SOS in preterm infants.

CONCLUSIONSSerum adiponectin level is lower in preterm infants than that in full-term infants. There is a positive correlation between serum adiponectin and bone mineral density in preterm infants.

Adiponectin ; blood ; Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Linear Models ; Male