Objective To observe the efficacy of fire filiform-needle therapy in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in the elderly.Method Eighty-one elderly KOA patients were randomized into a treatment group of 42 cases and a control group of 39 cases following registration order. The treatment group was intervened by fire filiform-needle therapy, while the control group was treated with ordinary acupuncture. The two groups were treated once every other day, 15 sessions as a treatment course. The Lysholm knee score and short-form Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2-SF) were adopted to observe the activities of daily living and quality of life before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared.Result The total effective rate was 92.9％ in the treatment group, versus 82.1％ in the control group, and the total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group (P<0.05). Except for the squatting item of the Lysholm knee score in the control group, the Lysholm knee score and AIMS2-SF score were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05,P<0.01); except for the support item of the Lysholm knee score, the treatment group was superior to the control group in comparing the Lysholm knee score and AIMS2-SF score after the treatment (P<0.01).Conclusion Fire filiform- needle therapy can significantly enhance the activities of daily living and quality of life in elderly KOA patients.

AIM: To explore the predisposing factors, population characteristics and clinical features of severe fungal keratitis.
METHODS:The data of 233 cases 233 eyes of severe fungal keratitis in my hospital from January, 2008 to November, 2013 was retrospectively reviewed. The predisposing factors, population characteristics and clinical features were analyzed.
RESULTS: In 233 cases of severe fungal keratitis, the number of male patients was 153 ( 65. 7%) and the number ratio of male to female was 1. 9:1. The average age of them was (52. 7±11. 3), and most of them were middle-aged and elderly people living in the rural area (78. 1%) and were farmers ( 66. 1%) with low literacy (59. 7%). In 233 cases, 188 cases (80. 7%) possessed a clear history of ocular trauma, mainly caused by plant-based trauma (60. 9%). 90 cases (57. 3%) were infected with Fusarium, and 47 cases ( 29. 9%) by Aspergillus. The main treatment of severe fungal keratitis was surgery (87. 9%). 83 cases ( 52. 9%) were treated with penetrating keratoplasty, and in Fusarium and Aspergillus infected patients with severe fungal keratitis, 58. 4% ( 80/137 ) were performed with penetrating keratoplasty. In addition, patients treated with eye enucleation or evisceration, 68. 4% (13/19) were infected with Fusarium species.
CONCLUSION: Patients with severe fungalkeratitis in our hospital are mainly elderly male farmers living in rural, because of low economic condition and poor diagnosis consciousness. The main pathogens are Fusarium and Aspergillus species, and the major treatment is penetrating keratoplasty. Most of patients with poor clinical outcomes are infected with Fusarium species.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZDD) on mRNA and protein expressions of transient receptor potential family vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential family vanilloid subtype 5 (TRPV5) in Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU)-infected rat semens and spermatogenic cells, and to explore the pathomechanism of UU-infected infertility and the intervention of ZDD.

METHODSTotally 45 were randomly selected from 60 4-5 months old SD rats. UU testicular infected animal models were set up after bladder inoculation of UU suspension. The remaining 15 rats were simultaneously injected with normal saline as a normal control group. After a successful modeling, UU infected model rats were randomly divided into the model group, the azithromycin group, and the ZDD group, 15 in each group. Rats in the ZDD group were administered with ZDD at the daily dose of 1 g/kg by gastrogavage. Rats in the azithromycin group were administered with azithromycin suspension at the daily dose of 0. 105 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily for 21 successive days. Testes and epididymis were extracted after rats were killed and UU positive rates were compared among all groups. Sperm cells were separated using a mechanical separation technique. Sperm motility parameters were detected using color sperm motion detection system. mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermatogenic cells were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe UU positive rate was obviously higher in the model group than in the normal control group [(86.7% (13/15 cases) vs. 0] P < 0.05). It was lower in the ZDD group [33.3% (5/15 cases)] and the azithromycin group [26.7% (4/15 cases)] than in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, class A and B sperms were reduced, the linear velocity and the average velocity were significantly lowered, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermated genic cells significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, class A and B sperms were increased, linear and curve velocities and the average velocity were significantly elevated, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 significantly increased in the ZDD group and the azithromycin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with azithromycin group, class A and B sperms were increased, the linear velocity and the average velocity were significantly elevated, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 significantly increased in the ZDD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZDD could fight against UU infection and elevate semen quality, which might be associated with up-regulating mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermatogenic cells.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Infertility ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; TRPV Cation Channels ; metabolism ; Testis ; Ureaplasma Infections ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

The network teaching platform of ophthalmology of Qingdao University , as the basis construction of the national key discipline , forms a perfect and complete set of teaching system with the aid of part of course information, part of network teaching resources and part of answer and interaction. The network teaching platform focuses on the construction of network teaching resources and answer and interaction. In the college teaching of ophthalmology, through building clinical teaching resource database and discussing on network platform, we carry out interactive and discussion-based teaching, and students can prepare before class and discuss after class. The application of network teaching platform of ophthal-mology in classroom teaching and teaching feedback can improve the teaching methods , deepen the teach-ing content, implement the sharing of teaching resources, and lay a solid foundation for ophthalmology teaching reform.

Background Normal adult optic disc rim width follows inferior ≥ superior ≥ nasal ≥ temporal (ISNT) rule.Analysis of the optic disc structural parameters with Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) can understand whether ISNT principle is suitable to other optic disc structure parameters.Objective This study was to investigate the characteristics of optic nerve head structure parameters in normal Chinese adults.Methods The parents of twins who participated Guangzhou Twin Eye Study were enrolled in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from 2006 June to 2011 August.All subjects received the routine eye examinations,including visual acuity,slit lamp microscope,direct ophthalmoscope examination,auto-refraction examination and HRT Ⅲ examination.All data from the right eyes were collected and analyzed.HRT values from different quadrants of optical nerve head were compared with one-way analysis of variance,and the multiple comparison between quadrants was carried out by Bonferroni test.The differences of optical nerve head parameters in different gender were analyzed using independent sample t test and Bland-Altman test.Results In this study,1672 eyes of 1672 subjects were included,with the 759 male and 913 female persons and average age of (41.8±5.3)years.No significant differences were seen in the disc area (DA)between the superior and inferior,as well as the nasal and temporal quadrants among the subjects (P＞0.05).In addition,there were not significantly different in the rim area (RA) between the superior and nasal disc as well as the rim volume (RV) among the inferior,superior and nasal disc (P＞O.05).However,significant differences were found in the cup area (CA),cup/disk area ratio (C/DAR),cup volume (CV),mean cupdepth (MCD),maximum cup depth (MxCD),height variation contour (HVC),cup shape measure (CSM),mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLT) and retinal nerve fiber layer cross section area (RNFLcsa) among the different quadrants (P＜0.001).The local differences from only DA and RA complied with an ordination of the ISNT rule.The values of DA,CA,C/DAR,CV,MCD,MxCD from male individuals were higher,but those of the RV,HVC,mRNFLT RNFLcsa were lower in comparison with female individuals.Nevertheless,all the differences were ＜ 0.1 with a maximal mean difference in DA and CA (both 0.07 mm2).Conclusions The optical nerve head configurations measured by HRT have different distributing characteristics in four quadrants in normal adults.Most parameters show the higher values in the inferior and superior than those in nasal and temporal of disc,but DA and RA meet ISNT rule.The differences of most parameters between male and female subjects can be ignored.

Background Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) has been widely used in clinical diagnosis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy,importantly,the measurement results of HRT may be affected by myopia.Therefore,studying the effect of different refractive status and axial length on structural parameters of the optic disc is important.Objective This study was to evaluate the influence of refractive error and axial length to optic nerve head parameter measured by HRT.Methods The parents who participate in Guangzhou Twin Study were enrolled in this investigation from July 2006 to August 2011.The regular eye examinations,including visual acuity,slit lamp,fundus,auto-refraction,HRT-Ⅲ and intraocular lens (IOL) Master,were performed on all the subjects.Thc data from right eyes of subjects were collected and analyzed.The linear correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analyze the correlation between HRT optic papilla configuration parameter and equivalent sphere and ocular axis length.Results A pilot prospective series cases observational study was designed.1748subjects were enrolled in this study.The disc area (DA) (P=0.021),rim area (RA) (P＜0.001),rim volume (RV) (P＜0.001),mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLt) (P＜0.001) and retinal nerve fiber layer cross section area (RNFLcsa) in the high myopia were greater than those of the emmetropic group,with significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.001).However,the cup area (CA),cup/disk area ratio (C/DAR) and cup volume (CV) were less in the high myopic group than those of the emmetropic group (P=0.004,P＜0.001 and P＜O.001),respectively.In the mild-moderatc myopic group,the RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa were greater than those of the emmetropic group (all of the P value less than 0.001),but the numbers of DA,CA,C/DAR,and CV were less than those of the emmetropic group,the differences were significant and their P valuables were 0.038,＜ 0.001,＜0.001 and 0.001 respectively.The differences of structure parameters between the hyperopia group and the emmetropic group were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The DA,CA,RA,C/DAR,CV,RV,mean cup depth (MCD),maximum cup depth (MxCD),cup shape measure (CSM),mRNFLt and RNTLcsa were (2.04±0.43) mm2,(0.49±0.34) mm2,(1.55 ± 0.34) mm2,0.23-0.13,(0.11 ± 0.12) mm3,(0.45 ± 0.19) mm3,(0.21 ± 0.09) mm,(0.60±0.21) mm,-0.21 ± 0.07,(0.29 ± 0.07) mm and (1.46 ± 0.36)mm2,respectively,in the 1748 eyes of 1748 subjects.No significant correlation was found between the DA value with SE (r=-0.032,P =0.186).However,weaker positive correlations were seen between the CA,C/DAR,CV,MCD,MxCD with SE (r=0.139,0.163,0.130,0.004,0.054,P＜ 0.05) and negative correlation between RA,RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa with SE (r =-0.178,-0.331,0.241,-0.239,P＜0.001).With the increase of the ocular axial length,the DA,RA,RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa values were enlarged,and the CV value was smaller.With the increase of CA,the RA,C/DAR,CV,RV,MCD,MxCD,CSM and RNFLcsa values elevated,but mRNFLt value was decreased.Conclusions Refractive error is not associated with DA,but the measuring results are different among various refractive groups.Refractive error,ocular axial length and DA affect the measuring result of HRT.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huatuo Zaizao extractum (HTZZ) on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) neurogenesis in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and its mechanism.

METHODTotally 55 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham operation group, the MCAO model group and HTZZ high, middle and low dose groups (5, 2.5, 1.25 g x kg(-1)), with 11 rats in each group, and orally administered with drugs. The focal cerebral ischemia model was established by performing a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO, 90 min) followed by a seven-day reperfusion (once a day). The neurogenesis and expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were detected by the immunofluorescent staining. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

RESULTMCAO (90 min) followed by a seven-day reperfusion resulted in the significant increase in the number of penumbra cortex newborn neurons (BrdU(+) -NeuN(+)), which was accompanied by the growth of ERK and CREB phosphorylation and VEGF and BDNF levels. HTZZ could promote the generation of newborn neurons (BrdU(+)-NeuN(+)) and the ERK and CREB phosphorylation and increase VEGF and BDNF levels at the ischemic side.

CONCLUSIONHTZZ could promote the neurogenesis, which may be the interventional targets of effective traditional Chinese medicine Huatuo Zaizao extractum in promoting the self-repair function of the cerebral ischemic areas.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

Based on the literature research on the development and application of fire-needle, the materials, the manufacturing process and application in clinic practices were studied. The major type, application and the representative experts of fire-needle in the contemporary era were summarized in this paper. The application fire-needle is more and more expanding in clinic practices, and the modern type of fire-needle should be promoted at present.
Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Needles

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between clonorchiasis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and analyze the synergistic actions of HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis on HCC development.

METHODSThis hospital-based case-control study was conducted among 444 HCC patients (cases) and 500 non tumor patients (controls) to compare the prevalence of clonorchiasis in the cases and the controls. The risk of clonorchiasis and the synergistic actions between HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis on HCC development were analyzed by crossover analysis and multiple logistic regression.

RESULTSThe prevalence of clonorchiasis in the cases (16.44%) was much higher than that of the controls (2.40%) (X2 = 56.58, P less than 0.01). In the case group, the OR value of those with clonorchiasis was 8.00 (95% CI: 4.34-14.92). The OR value was 4.82 (95% CI: 2.32-10.26) for the subjects whose clonorchiasis was diagnosed less than 10 years before their diagnosis of HCC, and was 17.54 (95% CI: 5.47-57.18) for those whose HCC was diagnosed more than 10 years ago. HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis showed an additive interaction in the development of HCC, with a relative excess risk of interaction of 110.43 and 18.23; attributable proportion of interaction of 0.80 and 0.63; synergy index of 5.18 and 2.84, respectively.

CONCLUSIONClonorchiasis could be an important risk factor for HCC. When the course of clonorchiasis is prolonged, the risk of HCC could increase. HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis might have synergistic actions on the development of HCC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; parasitology ; Case-Control Studies ; Clonorchiasis ; Clonorchis sinensis ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; parasitology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

AIMNucleoside analogues have become the most promising candidates of anti-HBV drugs. In this study, beta-L-D4A was synthesized and explored its inhibitiory action against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 2. 2. 15 cells derived from HepG2 cells transfected with HBV genome.

METHODSbeta-L-D4A was stereo-controlled synthesized from D-glutamic acid, and the structure was identified by IR, 1H NMR and MS. 2. 2. 15 Cells were placed at a density of 5 x 10(4) per well in 12-well tissue culture plates, and treated with various concentrations of beta-L-D4A for 6 days. At the end, medium was processed to obtain virions by a polyethlene glycol precipitation method. At the same time, intracellular DNA was also extracted and digested with Hind III. Both of the above DNA were subjected to Southern blot, hybridized with a 32P-labeled HBV probe and autoradiographed. The intensity of the autoradiographic bands was quantitated by densitometric scans of computer and EC50 was calculated. 2. 2. 15 cells were also seeded in 24-well tissue culture plates, and cytotoxicity with different concentrations was examined by MTT method. IC50 was calculated.

RESULTSThe synthesized compound structure conformed with beta-L-D4A; Autoradiographic bands showed similar for supernatant and intracellular HBV DNA. Episomal HBV DNA was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. EC50 0.2 micromol x L(-1). The experiment of cytotoxicity gained IC50 200 micromol x L(-10.

CONCLUSIONbeta-L-D4A has been synthesized successfully. beta-L-D4A possessed potent inhibitory effect on replication of HBV in vitro with low cytotoxicity, TI value was 1 000. It is expected to be developed clinically into a new anti-HBV drug.

Antiviral Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; DNA Replication ; drug effects ; DNA, Viral ; drug effects ; Dideoxyadenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Transfection ; Virus Replication ; drug effects