OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux for gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). METHODS: A total of 120 GERC patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (60 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case was eliminated). The observation group received acupoint thread-embedding treatment at positive response points of governor vessel. If no such points were detected, the following acupoints were used: Dazhui (GV14), Fenghu (Extra), Shendao (GV11), Lingtai (GV10), and Zhiyang (GV9). Treatment was administered once every two weeks. The control group received oral rabeprazole enteric capsules at 20 mg twice daily. All the treatment was given for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using cough symptom score, reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) score, and Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) score before and after treatment in the two groups. Clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups showed decreased cough symptom scores and the each item scores and total scores of RDQ (P<0.001), and increased LCQ scores (P<0.001) compare with those before treatment. The observation group exhibited lower cough symptom score and chest pain, reflux and total score of RDQ, and higher LCQ score compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.9% (56/59), which was higher than 84.7% (50/59) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux could effectively alleviate cough and reflux symptoms in patients with GERC and improve their quality of life.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Cough/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Meridians

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute hydrogen chloride gas poisoning.

METHODSWhen the patients were admitted or on the secondary day, the percentages of total T-cell lymphocyte subsets (CD(3)(+)CD(19)(-)), CD(4)(+)T cells (CD(3)(+)CD(4)(+)), CD(8)(+)T cells (CD(3)(+)CD(8)(+)), B cells (CD(3)(-)CD(19)(+)) and NK cells (CD(3)(-)CD(16)(+)CD(56)(+)), and the ration of CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) in 37 cases with acute hydrogen chloride gas poisoning and 49 healthy controls were detected with flow cytometer.

RESULTSThe total T-cell percentage and total CD(4)(+)T cell percentage in 37 cases were significantly lower than those in 47 controls (P < 0.05). The percentages of NK cells and B lymphocytes in 37 cases significantly increased, as compared with controls (P < 0.05). The ration of CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) in 37 cases significantly decreased, as compared with controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lymphocyte subsets in the patients with acute hydrogen chloride gas poisoning changed, which could influence the immune function of patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gas Poisoning ; blood ; Humans ; Hydrochloric Acid ; poisoning ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the effects of traspupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of central exudative chorioretinopathy (CEC). Methods Twelve eyes of 12 patients who suffered from CEC were treated by using a diode laser at 810 nm. A variable spot size of 0.5 mm 2 0 mm was used depending on the size of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).The treatment was initiated in one spot for 55 to 60 seconds duration at a power range between 200 350 mW, and the treated area revealed no visible color change to a light gray appearance. Preoperative and postoperative fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed in 10 of the 12 eyes. Results The visual acuity in all eyes was improved to different degree over a period of 3 10 months. Five or more lines improvement measured by Snellen chart in visual acuity was found after the treatment in 4 eyes, three to five lines in 5 eyes and one to two lines in 3 eyes. All eyes demonstrated decreased or vanished exudation in FFA. CNV disappeared or decreaced in 8 eyes and remained nochange in 2 eyes in ICGA. Conclusion TTT is obviously effective in treating CEC.