OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on normal process of childbirth and safety of mothers and infants.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-four cases of singleton primiparas, fetal head position were selected as the subjects and divided into three groups by single-blind randomized method: an acupoint group (n = 59), a non-acupoint group (n = 57) and a blank group (n = 58). When the cervix was dilated by 2 to 3 cm, DAJ-23 type multi-function moxibustion apparatus was used at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in acupoint group, and at non-acupoint spot (the midpoint from the radial arterial pulse throbbing place on the radial side of the transverse crease of the wrist to the radial end of biceps tendon of the elbow) in non-acupoint group, 30 min for each one. The conventional labor care was adopted in blank group. The differences were observed in the first active stage, the second stage and the third stage of the labor as well as the safety of mothers and infants among three groups.

RESULTSThe durations of the first active stage of labor [(123.05 +/- 96.401) min] and the second stage [(37.407 +/- 22.390) min] in acupoint group were shorter than those [(171.40 +/- 94.339) min, (49.517 +/- 25.373) min] in non-acupoint group, as well as those [(178.79 +/- 97.231) min, (53.684 +/- 20.087) min] in blank group separately (all P < 0.05). It was discovered that the progressions of the first active stage and the second stage of labor were accelerated in acupoint group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the third stage of labor among the three groups (all P > 0.05). Bleeding amount after childbirth in acupoint group was less than those in non-acupoint group and blank group (both P < 0.05), and Apgar scores of newborns in acupoint group and non-acupoint group were higher than that in blank group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can shorten the process of childbirth, reduce postpartum bleeding and has no harmful impact on mothers and infants.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Labor, Obstetric ; Moxibustion ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor affecting an ever increasing number of patients with a mean 5-year survival rate below 4%. Therefore, gene therapy for cancer has become a potential novel therapeutic modality. In this study we sought to determine the inhibitory effects of adenovirus-mediated human interleukin-24 (AdhIL-24) on pancreatic cancer.

METHODSHuman interleukin-24 gene was cloned into replication-defective adenovirus specific for patu8988 tumor cells by virus recombination technology. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were used to determine the expression of human interleukin-24 mRNA in patu8988 cells in vitro. Induction of apoptosis by overexpression of human interleukin-24 in patu8988 cells was determined by flow cytometry. In vivo efficacy of adenoviral delivery of human interleukin-24 was assessed in nude mice (n = 10 for each group) bearing patu8988 pancreatic cancer cell lines by determining inhibition of tumor growth, endothelial growth factor and CD34 expression, and intratumoral microvessel density (MVD).

RESULTSThe recombinant adenovirus vector AdVGFP/IL-24 was constructed with a packaged recombinant retrovirus titer of 1.0 x 10(10) pfu/ml and successfully expressed of both mRNA and protein in patu8988 cells. The AdVGFP/IL-24 induced apoptosis of patu8988 tumor cells in vitro and significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.05). The intratumoral MVD decreased significantly in the treated tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus AdGFP/IL-24 can effectively express biologically active human interleukin-24, which results in inhibition of pancreatic cancer growth.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Blotting, Western ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of transcranial Doppler(TCD)-assisted interventional intra-arterial thrombosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods This clinical trial enrolled 22 patients with acute ischemic stroke(13 with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery within 6 h of symptom onset; 9 with occlusion of the base artery within 12 h of symptom onset); occlusive arterial cannula was performed and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rt-PA,20 mg)was injected to perform interventional intra-arterial thrombosis; and TCD ultrasonography of low frequency(2 MHz)and low intensity(0.25 W/cm2)was performed to assist the thrombosis.Cranial CT was performed again right after the operation and 24 h after the operation to observe the recanalization rate and intracranial hemorrhage; NIHSS scores and Barthel index scores were compared before and after the operation.Results The percentage ofrecanalization was 77.27％(17/22),including 22.73％(5/22)complete recanalization and 54.55％(12/22)partial recanalization; non-symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 3 patients and no symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was noted.NIHSS and Barthel index scores after the operation were obviously higher than those before the operation,indicating that favorable outcomes were achieved after thrombosis.Conclusion TCD-assited interventional intra-arterial thrombosis with rt-PA,significantly improving the recanalization rate of occlusive artery and remarkably reducing the happening ofintracerebral hemorrhage,can improve the prognosis and enjoy good clinical efficacy and safety in treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUNDSeveral studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have indicated that cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) might improve cognitive function by changing brain activations in patients with schizophrenia. However, the results were not consistent in these changed brain areas in different studies. The present activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether cognitive function change was accompanied by the brain activation changes, and where the main areas most related to these changes were in schizophrenia patients after CRT. Analyses of whole-brain studies and whole-brain + region of interest (ROI) studies were compared to explore the effect of the different methodologies on the results.

METHODSA computerized systematic search was conducted to collect fMRI and PET studies on brain activation changes in schizophrenia patients from pre- to post-CRT. Nine studies using fMRI techniques were included in the meta-analysis. Ginger ALE 2.3.1 was used to perform meta-analysis across these imaging studies.

RESULTSThe main areas with increased brain activation were in frontal and parietal lobe, including left medial frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule in patients after CRT, yet no decreased brain activation was found. Although similar increased activation brain areas were identified in ALE with or without ROI studies, analysis including ROI studies had a higher ALE value.

CONCLUSIONSThe current findings suggest that CRT might improve the cognition of schizophrenia patients by increasing activations of the frontal and parietal lobe. In addition, it might provide more evidence to confirm results by including ROI studies in ALE meta-analysis.

Brain ; physiopathology ; Cognition ; Cognitive Remediation ; Humans ; Likelihood Functions ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Schizophrenia ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of neonatal respiratory failure (NRF) in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, China, in 2010.

METHODSThe clinical data of all NRF cases in the hospitals of Huai'an in 2010 were prospectively collected and analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods.

RESULTSAmong 60,986 live births in Huai'an in 2010, there were 556 (0.91%) cases of NRF. The average birth weight of newborns with NRF was 2,433±789 g, with 53.8% determined as low birth weight and 64.1% as preterm. The major causes of NRF were respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, asphyxia, sepsis, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Among the newborns with NRF, 23.7% were accompanied by certain birth defects. Fourteen percent of newborns with NRF received pulmonary surfactant (PS) therapy, and the median time of the first dose of PS was 5 hours (range: 0-51 hours). Nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment, conventional mechanical ventilation, and high-frequency ventilation were used in 67.9%, 33.3%, and 13.7% of patients, respectively. The cure and improvement rate of NRF patients was 73.9% (411/556), and the mortality rate was 22.5% (125/556). The average hospitalization expenses were 9,270 (range: 196-38182) Yuan.

CONCLUSIONSHigh morbidity, high mortality and high medical costs make NRF a serious challenge in Huai'an. It is essential to improve the quality of perinatal care and develop new techniques and new models in neonatal respiratory therapy in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of NRF.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; therapeutic use ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; epidemiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Time Factors ; Treatment Failure

Objective To investigate the level of serum superoxide dismutase(SOD),high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP)and myocardial injury markers in acute coronary syndrome(ACS)and evaluate their relationship and diagnostic values.Methods Case control study was conducted.This study enrolled 64 ACS patients and 50 non-ACS patients from the 181st Hospital of Chinese PLA in 2015.Serum SOD,hsCRP were tested and myocardial injury markers such as cardiac tro-ponin I(cTnI),creatin kinase MB(CK-MB)were also tested.Student t test and Pearson test were used as statistical meth-ods.Results Compared with control group,SOD of ACS group were significant lower(t=4.136,P<0.001)and hsCRP, Mb,cTnI,CK and CK-MB were significant higher(t=-5.396,-3.495,-5.578,-4.655 and -4.614,all P<0.001). The area under ROC curve of SOD,hsCRP,MYO,cTnI,CK and CK-MB was 0.713,0.758,0.699,0.879,0.841 and 0.802 respectively.After pearman test,the serum SOD were correlated to hsCRP,total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipopro-tein(LDL-C)(r=-0.493,0.548 and 0.404,all P<0.01).Serum hsCRP was correlated to cTnI,triglyceride(TG)and SOD(r=0.671,-0.417 and -0.493,all P<0.01).Conclusion cTnI was positively correlated to hsCRP and markers of myocardial injury.hsCRP was negatively correlated with SOD.It implicated that oxidative stress,inflammatory response and serum lipid deposition may act an important role in the occurrence and development of ACS.

OBJECTIVEChildren aged 3 - 6 years in the urban areas of China were surveyed for the first time to find out the state of child neglect (CN) as well as the major relevant risk factors so as to provide evidence for developing intervention measures.

METHODS1163 children (of whom 49.6% were males and 4.5% were minority nationality) were randomly sampled under multistage stratification, from 25 cities which representing 15 provinces of China. Based on the Child Neglect Norms used by China, prevalence of CN was identified and SPSS-Windows 11.0 was employed for statistical analysis. Scores, frequency/degrees, age, sex and 5 types (physical, emotional, educational, medical and safety) of CN on every group of the regions, were calculated. Multifactorial analysis was conducted through Binary Logistic Regression and multiple linear regression to determine the relevant risk factors.

RESULTS(1) The average degree of CN for the 3 - 6 year-olds was 42.2, with its prevalence as 28.0%. Degrees of CN for the groups of 3, 4, 5, 6-year-olds were 41.7, 42.2, 42.1 and 43.1 (F = 0.988, P > 0.05), with frequencies of 25.0%, 25.3%, 27.9% and 35.4% (chi(2) = 4.798, P > 0.05), respectively. Degrees for CN in males and females were 42.7 and 41.8 (F = 2.502, P > 0.05) with the frequencies as 32.6% and 23.7% (chi(2) = 6.585, P < 0.05), respectively. Degrees of CN for the five types were 39.4-43.4 with the frequencies as 5.1%-12.9%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the frequency of the types (with an exception on 'physical neglect') between males and females (P > 0.05). The highest frequency (42.9%) of CN was seen in the single-parent families and the lowest in large family with three generations (25.5%). (2) According to monofactorial chi(2) test, the possible risk factors of CN would include: educational background, occupation and decrease of income of the parents during last year, etc. (3) Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the influential factors to the occurrence of CN would include: father's educational background, sex of the child and mother's occupation, etc. (4) Multiple linear regression showed that the influential factors to the degree of CN were: family structure, number of supporting family members, relationship between parents and children, etc.

CONCLUSIONThe degree and frequency of CN among children aged 3 to 6 in the urban areas of China were high but similar among the four age groups. Male children had a higher frequency of neglect than females, but with similar degree. Children in single-parent families had the highest frequency. The major influential factors of CN would include: educational background, occupation, family structure, family income of the parents which were similar to the results reported from foreign literature.

Child ; Child Abuse ; statistics & numerical data ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Parenting ; Parents ; psychology ; Social Class ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein deployment technique for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) solely under echocardiography guidance. Methods: A total of 38 ASD patients received pulmonary vein deployment in our hospital from 2012-10 to 2016-09 since the conventional method could not deliver the occluder to correct place. The patients were with the mean age at (16.0±15.6) years, body weight at (37.2±22.9) kg and ASD diameter at (17.1±4.2) mm. Operative effect was assessed by echocardiography. Follow-up study was conducted at 1, 3, 6, 12 months post-operation and at each year thereafter. Results: 37 patients were successfully finished pulmonary vein deployment for percutaneous closure of ASD solely under echocardiography guidance. One patient was successfully treated by a controlled steerable sheath. The mean operative time was (25.2±5.1) min and mean diameter of ASD occluder was (22.9±5.6) mm. 2 patients had trivial residual shunt at the early post-operative stage. No peripheral vascular injury, pulmonary vein and cardiac perforation occurred. All 38 patients were recovered and discharged. The average in-hospital time was (2.9±0.7) days. The patients were followed-up for (23.9±15.4) months, without complications of residual shunt, pericardial effusion, aortic regurgitation and pulmonary vein stenosis. Conclusion: Pulmonary vein deployment technique for percutaneous closure of ASD solely under echocardiography guidance was safe and effective; it can avoid radiation damage and provided a simple and practical method for ASD patients who failed to conventional method under echocardiography guidance.

This study was aimed to explore changes of platelet function in vitro during storage by thrombelastography (TEG). 12 units plateletpheresis were randomly selected and stored at 20 to 24 degrees C with agitation. Thrombelastography variable parameters R, K values and maximal amplitude (MA) were measured on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days of platelet storage. Platelet concentration, mean platelet volume (MPV), hypotonic shock response (HSR), CD62p expression and CD62p reexpression on platelet surface were detected at the same time. Changes of platelet function in virto were systematically evaluated by above-mentioned indexes. The results showed that MPV augmented slightly with prolongation of preserved time (p > 0.05), and CD62p expression on platelet surface increased remarkably (p < 0.01), while CD62p reexpression decreased gradually (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in HSR level of platelets during storage (p > 0.05). R value increased with prolongation of preserved time (p < 0.01). There were no obvious changes on K value and alpha Angle during storage (p > 0.05). There were no obvious changes in MA from 1 to 4 days, and MA decreased slightly on day 5 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that there was no significant change in MA and HSR which reflects comprehensive coagulation of platelets during storage. Platelets on the end of storage have excellent function of hemostasis; Thrombelastography parameter MA value can be used as a valuable indicator for evaluation of platelet function in vitro during storage.
Blood Platelets ; physiology ; Blood Preservation ; Humans ; Platelet Function Tests ; methods ; Thrombelastography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between rs9722 polymorphisms in the S100B gene and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71.

METHODSA total of 124 HFMD children with enterovirus 71 infection were enrolled as subjects, and 56 healthy children were enrolled as control group. The rs9722 polymorphisms in the S100B gene were detected for both groups, and the serum level of S100B protein was measured for 74 HFMD children.

RESULTSThe rs9722 locus of the S100B gene had three genotypes, CC, CT, and TT, and the genotype frequencies were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with the control group, the HFMD group had significant increases in the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele (P<0.01). Children with severe HFMD caused by enterovirus 71 infection had significantly higher frequencies of TT genotype and T allele than those with moderate or mild HFMD (P<0.05). Compared with the cured patients, the patients with poor prognosis had significant increases in the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele in the rs9722 locus of the S100B gene (P<0.05). Among the 74 children with HFMD, the children with TT genotype had the highest serum level of S100B protein, and those with CC genotype had the lowest level (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONST allele in the rs9722 locus of the S100B gene might be a risk factor for severe HFMD caused by enterovirus 71 infection.

Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Enterovirus Infections ; complications ; Female ; Genotype ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; etiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; genetics