Objective To explore the effects of citicoline injection into Zusanli point (ST36) on learning and memory function of rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods The model was induced with the improved Feeney method. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham-operation group, control group, acupuncture point saline injection group, intraperitoneal drug injection group and acupuncture point drug injection group with 8 rats in each group. The rats in the acupuncture point drug or saline injection group were treated with acupuncture injection of citicoline or saline daily. The rats in the intraperitoneal drug injection group and control group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of citicoline or saline daily. The treatment continued for 14 d. The learning and memory function was evaluated with the Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test. Results Acupuncture point injection of citicoline can significantly shorten the escape latent period of TBI rats in Morris water tests and extend the latent period of learning and memory of TBI rats (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture point injection is effective on the recovery of learning and memory function of rats after TBI.

OBJECTIVETo comparatively study the curative effects of combined massage-smouldering-washing therapy (MSW) and mini-invasive surgery in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of mild-moderate degree so as to provide a suitable therapeutic protocol.

METHODSSixty patients with KOA were assigned to two groups. The treatment group was treated with MSW once a day for 10 days as one course, and 4 courses were applied totally with an interval of 3 days between courses. The control group was treated with mini-invasive surgery by arthroscopic mopping, followed with post-operational intra-articular cavity injection with sodium hyaluronate injection, 20 mg every week for 5 times continuously. The therapeutic effect and the changes in scores of clinical symptoms and signs before and after treatment in the two groups were observed and compared.

RESULTSOutcome of 3-month follow-up showed the effective rate was 90% in the treatment group and 93.33% in the control group; scores of clinical symptoms and signs effectively improved in both groups, but the improvement on the 4 items (joint pain, swelling, soreness of loin and knee, and cold aversion of knee) was superior in the treatment group, while that on the other 4 items (pain during squatting or half-squatting, up stairs or down stairs, joint stiffiness and joint kinetic capacity) was superior in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth MSW and mini-invasive surgery have definite curative effect on KOA but with different particularities.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the association of COPD with CAD, especially with multi-vessel disease (VD).

METHODSThe data of 354 patients who underwent multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for suspected CAD were analyzed. Luminal narrowing was defined as at least one lesion 50% or greater stenosis. The analysis of serum biochemistry profile and spirometry were performed on all eligible patients, and the diagnosis of COPD was defined as the criteria of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

RESULTSPatients with CAD had a significantly higher complication of COPD than those without CAD (11.8% vs. 3.7%, P < 0.001). Comparing with patients without COPD, those with COPD were more likely to have multi-VD, proportion of smoking and high C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the multi-VD was significantly correlated with COPD (P=0.012) and CRP (P=0.015).

CONCLUSIONSThere was a high complication of COPD in patients with CAD, and COPD may be a critical risk factor for CAD, especially for multi-VD. CAD and COPD were closely associated and the interplay of systemic inflammation might in part explain the relationship between them.

Coronary Artery Disease ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Radiography ; Risk Factors

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Perfusion ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic results of surgical treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome.

METHODSOne hundred patients (35 males and 65 females, ranging from 50 to 70 years old with an average age of 63 years) with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomly and equally divided into treatment group and control group. All patients underwent arthroscopic treatment. The patients in treatment group were treated with medial patellofemoral ligament overlap and lateral patellar retinaculum release, and the patients in control group were just treated with lateral patella retinaculum release which is a current widespread operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up with the mean time of 13 months, and were evaluated with HSS (hospital for special surgery) scoring system for the therapeutic effect. The mean score of treatment group (73.52+/-11.17) and control group (65.50+/-13.70) had statistical difference (P<0.05), which indicated that the therapeutic effect of medial patellofemoral ligament overlap and lateral patellar retinaculum release for treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome was satisfying.

CONCLUSIONCompared with lateral patellar retinaculum release, this procedure is superior in correcting the abnormal movement of patellofemoral joint, easily balancing patellofemoral joint space, effectively relieving the pain of anterior knee. No postoperative complications occur, such as intraarticular haematoma, necrosis and dislocation of patella and so on.

Aged ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Patellar Ligament ; surgery ; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ; surgery

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually complicated with mucus overproduction in airway. Recently the increased expression of the human calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (CaCC(1)) was found to play an important role in mucus overproduction in the asthmatic airways. To investigate the relationship of CaCC(1) and mucus overproduction in the airway of Chinese patients with COPD, the expressions of CaCC(1), MUC5AC and mucus in bronchial tissues were examined.

METHODSBronchial tissues were obtained from fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchial biopsy in West China Hospital from April to July in 2004. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed as the patients with COPD overproduction, and other 20 were the control subjects. The expressions of CaCC(1), MUC5AC and mucin in bronchial tissues were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization with digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled RNA probe, immunohistochemical and alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the stronger expressions of CaCC(1) were further detected throughout the bronchial tissues from patients with COPD (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the stronger expressions of the CaCC(1) mRNA were related to the severity of airflow obstruction. Samples from COPD showed a stronger staining for MUC5AC than those in control subjects (P < 0.01) and AB-PAS staining revealed more mucins in COPD patients' submucosal gland comparing with that in control subjects (P < 0.01). Expression levels of the CaCC(1) mRNA were respectively negatively correlated with the patients' forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) data, FEV(1)% predicted data, V(50)% predicted data, V(25)% predicted data (r = -0.43, r = -0.43, r = -0.35, r = -0.36, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). While the expression levels of the CaCC(1) mRNA were well correlated with the expression levels of the MUC5AC mRNA of airway epithelium and the PAS-AB stained area of submucosal glands (r = 0.39, r = 0.46, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Expression levels of the MUC5AC mRNA were negatively correlated with the patients' FEV(1)/FVC data (P = 0.01), FEV(1)% pred data (P = 0.01), V(50)% predicted data, V(25)% predicted data (r = -0.53, r = -0.53, r = -0.48, r = -0.43, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). While the expression levels of the MUC5AC mRNA were well correlated with the positively PAS-AB stained area of submucosal gland (P < 0.05), and the correlation coefficients were 0.43.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that the stronger gene expression of CaCC(1) exists, complicated with mucus overproduction in the airway of Chinese patients with COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; metabolism ; Chloride Channels ; genetics ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin 5AC ; Mucins ; genetics ; Mucus ; physiology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathological correlation between CD4(+) T lymphocyte count and superficial lymphadenopathy HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSA total of 1066 HIV/AIDS patients were included in this study. The incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy, peripheral blood CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts and histological features of superficial lymphadenopathy were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong 1066 patients, 126 cases (11.8%) presented with superficial lymphadenopathy. Of the 126 cases, there were 69 cases with CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts < 100/µl and clinical diagnoses including tuberculosis (37 cases), reactive hyperplasia (8 cases), AIDS-related lymphadenopathy (18 cases), penicillium diseases (12 cases), fungal infection (5 cases) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (1 case). Twenty-six cases had CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts between 100/µl to 200/µl and clinical diagnosis including tuberculosis (12 cases), reactive hyperplasia (8 cases), AIDS-related lymphadenopathy(6 cases), penicillium disease (2 cases) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (1 case). Twenty-nine cases had CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts > 200/µl and clinical diagnoses including tuberculosis (11 cases), reactive hyperplasia (12 cases), AIDS-related lymphadenopathy (3 cases), Penicillium diseases (1 case) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (4 cases). The CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts among patients with tuberculosis, AIDS-related lymphadenopathy and Penicillium diseases were significantly different (χ(2) = 8.861, P = 0.012). A significant correlation between the incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy and CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts was found (χ(2) = 375.41, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe most common cause of superficial lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients is tuberculosis, followed by lymph node reactive hyperplasia, AIDS-related lymphadenopathy and Penicillium disease. Low CD4(+) T lymphocyte count correlates with an increased incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy and the risk of opportunity infection. Therefore, determination of peripheral blood CD4(+) T lymphocyte count should become an integral marker for the early diagnosis and treatment of superficial lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients.

AIDS-Related Complex ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Child ; Female ; HIV Infections ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tuberculosis ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. We evaluate the correlation of 6MWT and spirometric parameters in stable COPD with different severities. 6MWT data assessed included three variables: the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), 6-minute walk work (6MWORK), and pulse oxygen desaturation rate (SPO(2)%).

METHODS6MWT and pulmonary function test were assessed for 150 stable COPD patients with different severities. Means and standard deviations were calculated for the variables of interest. Analysis of variance was performed to compare means. Correlation coefficients were calculated for 6MWT data with the spirometric parameters and dyspnea Borg scale. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to screen pulmonary function-related predictors of 6MWT data.

RESULTSThe three variables of 6MWT all varied as the severities of the disease. The 6MWD and 6MWORK both correlated with some spirometric parameters (positive or negative correlation; the absolute value of r ranging from 0.34 to 0.67; P < 0.05) in severe and very severe patients, and the SPO2% correlated with the dyspnea Borg scale in four severities (r = -0.33, -0.34, -0.39, -0.53 respectively; P < 0.05). The 6MWD was correlated with the 6MWORK in four severities (r = 0.56, 0.57, 0.72, 0.81 respectively, P < 0.05), and neither of them correlated with the SPO(2)%. The percent of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)% predicted) and residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC) were predictors of the 6MWD, and the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) was the predictor of the 6MWORK.

CONCLUSIONS6MWT correlated with the spirometric parameters in severe and very severe COPD patients. 6MWT may be used to monitor changes of pulmonary function in these patients.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; blood ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; Regression Analysis ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Walking ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the incidence and spatiotemporal dynamic variation of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Shandong province.

METHODSAccording to surveillance data on HFRS epidemics and host animals, a 'contour area multifractal model' was estimated on the HFRS' incidence and multi-analysis model was applied to study spatiotemporal dynamic variation.

RESULTSThe process could be classified into 5 periods: 1st period (1974-1981) when HFRS was in completely natural focal state in Shandong, and the nature of focus was typical Apodemus type. 2nd period (1982-1986) indicated the process of expanding and merging of the Apodemus type focus in the southeastern part of Linyi district and the Rattus type focus was in the southern part of Jining city. 3rd period (1987-1990) indicated that through the expanding and merging of the two epidemic focuses,one mixed focus dominated by the Apodemus type had been formed in the hilly area of the southern and middle part of Shandong while another one dominated by the Rattus type in the Yellow River valley of the northwestern part of Shandong. 4th period (1991-1993) showed that the process of the spatial pattern of the mixed focus dominated by the Rattus type in Shandong. 5th period (1994-2004) referred to the spatial pattern of the mixed focus dominated by the Rattus became stabilized.

CONCLUSIONEvolution of the characteristics of HFRS focus in Shandong province experienced the following three processes: the simple Apodemus type and the simple Rattus type were seen separately to the mixed foci with the Apodemus type dominant and the Rattus dominant type coexisted and merged to the stable state of the mixed focus with Rattus as the dominant one.

China ; epidemiology ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence

OBJECTIVETo identify the genotype of RET gene in one multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) kindred.

METHODSGenome DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. The DNA sequence of gel-purified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was determined with the previously reported 6 pairs of primers of PCR amplification of 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 exons of RETgene.

RESULTSNo abnormalities were found in exon 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16. C to G replacement in nucleotide 14 996 of exon 11 was identified in DNA samples obtained from both peripheral blood of 2 affected brothers. This missense point mutation arisen in heterozygosity and caused a substitution of Cys to Trp residue at codon 634 ( Cys 634 Trp) in RET protein.

CONCLUSIONThe genotype of the family is identified as Cys 634 Trp substitution of RET gene.

Adult ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret ; genetics