OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion for abdominal obesity and its effect on blood lipid, lipid accumulation product (LAP) and cardiometabolic index (CMI). METHODS: A total of 150 patients with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into an observation group (75 cases, 5 cases dropped out) and a control group (75 cases, 6 cases dropped out). The control group received lifestyle guidance. The observation group received "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36) on the basis of the control group, 20 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, the waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, body mass index (BMI) were observed, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured, and the LAP and CMI were calculated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the waist circumference, weight and BMI were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), the changes of the above indexes in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the hip circumference, TC level, TG level, LAP and CMI in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), the HDL-C level was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05)；the changes of the TC level, TG level, LAP, CMI and HDL-C level in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion can reduce the degree of obesity in patients with abdominal obesity, and improve blood lipid and reduce lipid accumulation.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal/blood* ; Adult ; Lipids/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in treating patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution were randomly assigned to a moxibustion group (n=33, 3 cases dropped out) and a sham moxibustion group (n=33, 4 cases dropped out). The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the moxibustion was applied at Shenque (CV8) and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), 30 min per session, maintaining a local skin temperature of (43±1) ℃. The sham moxibustion group received simulated moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the simulated moxibustion was applied at the same acupoints, with the same session length, but with a maintained skin temperature of (37±1) ℃. Both groups were treated once every other day, three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Obesity-related physical indicators (waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index [BMI]), constitution evaluation indicators (phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score, symptom score), the impact of weight on quality of life-lite (IWQOL-Lite), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the incidence of adverse events were measured before and after treatment, and after 4 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, BMI, phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score and symptom score, IWQOL-Lite, and both anxiety and depression subscale scores of HADS after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.001). These improvements were significantly greater in the moxibustion group than those in the sham moxibustion group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). One patient in the moxibustion group experienced a mild burn that resolved with routine care; the incidence of adverse reactions was 3.0% (1/33) in the moxibustion group and 0% (0/33) in the sham moxibustion group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of lifestyle intervention, moxibustion effectively improves obesity-related physical indicators, enhances quality of life, alleviates anxiety and depression, and improves the phlegm-dampness constitution in patients with central obesity. These benefits persist for at least 4 weeks after treatment.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Obesity, Abdominal/psychology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Young Adult ; Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Isopentenyl flavonoids are a class of characteristic components in Sophora flavescens Ait. (S. flavescens). They have biological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-bacteria, anti-inflammol/ Lation and anti-oxidation. In this paper, the structural types, toxicology and pharmacological effects of isopentenyl flavonoids from S. flavescens were briefly reviewed. Furthermore, the worth of further study on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, action targets, molecular mechanisms and structure-function relationships of isopentenyl flavonoids were proposed. The deep exploration on functional characterastics of isopentenyl flavonoids of S. flavescens and their application on development of innovative drugs are of great significance to further improve the added value of isopentenyl flavonoids and expand their application fields.

Objective To describe the growth and development of Schistosoma japonicum in goat and the intensity and tem?poral distribution of eggs excreted by goat feces,so as to provide baseline data for the control and elimination of the role of goat in the transmission of schistosomiasis. Methods The goat animal models of schistosomiasis were established,and stool sam?ples were collected for parasitological examinations. The number of adult worms recovered,variation of schistosomes in goat at different time points post?infection,number of eggs in schistosomes,variation in number and temporal profiles of eggs excreted from goat feces were observed. Results Of the 6 schistosome?infected goat,415 adult worms were recovered,with a mean adult worm recovery of 34.58%(range,23.00%to 45.50%). Among the 5 goat infected with 200 cercariae each,47,93,77, 74 and 73 adult worms were recovered 2,5,8,11 and 14 months post?infection,respectively. There were(200.00 ± 42.33), (226.20±45.88),(168.20±25.85),(183.80±55.13)and(190.80±53.53)eggs detected in female schistosomes. The mean pre?patent period of eggs excreted by 10 infected goat was(37.7±3.02)d. From 2 to 14 months post?infection,7 batches of goat fe?ces were hatched,and there were 30,23,14,1 and 2 times for miracidium intensity of“++++”,“+++”,“++”,“+”and“-”, respectively,with 42.86%,32.86%,20.00%,1.43%and 2.86%constituent ratios of miracidium intensity. Conclusions Ap?proximately 1/3 S. japonicum cercariae may develop to adults in goats post?infection,and the prepatent period of eggs is(37.7± 3.02)d. There is no remarkable decrease seen in the number of adult worms,eggs in female schistosomes and eggs in goat feces within 14 months post?infection. Our findings suggest a long duration for infected goat in the transmission of schistosomiasis ,and there is no evidence to prove the“self?cure”phenomenon in goat,indicating that goat is an important source of infection for schistosomiasis japonica.

Objective To explore the effects of penile erectile dysfunction (ED) on the quality of life in male renal transplant recipients.Methods 150 cases of male married recipients undergoing renal transplantation were selected randomly.The recipients were divided into ED group (n =63) and non-ED group (n =87) through the IIEF-5 score.The Short Form-36 Health Status Survey (SF-36)and Hamilton Anxiety Scale were used to compare their living quality and the state of mental health between the two groups,respectively.Results The SF-36 scores in ED group in General Health,Vitality,Social Function,Role Limitation due to Emotional Problems,Mental Health were significantly lower than those in non-ED group (P＜0.05).There were 13 cases in ED group with anxiety disorders (20.6％),significantly more than in non-ED group (3.4％),P＜0.05.Conclusion ED is an important influencing factor for the quality of life in male kidney transplant recipients.

Objective To explore quality of life and coping style of autistic children' s parents, and correlation between them. Methods 68 parents of children with autism and 64 healthy children' s parents were tested with comprehensive assessment questionnaire of the quality of life and coping style questionnaire. Data were analyzed by t -test and multivariate regression analysis. Results The scores of material life and mental health dimensions in study group(48.18 ± 12.80,60.63 ± 10.18 ) were lower than that in control group(52.71±9.84,65.79±8.64) and the difference was significant( t= -2.04, P＜0.05; t= -3.09, P＜0.01 ). The scores of "problem solving" coping style in study group were slower than in control group; the scores of fantasy and wincing coping style in study group were higher than that in control group. By multivariate regression analysis showed that the scores of "problem solving" coping style were positively correlated with total score of life quality,physical health,mental health and social function dimensions; the scores of "fantasy" coping style had negative correlation with the total score of life quality; the scores of "wincing" coping style had negative correlation with mental health dimension. Conclusion Parents of autistic children were more susceptible to problems of physical life and mental health. Compared to parents of normal children they are more in "fantasy and wineing style and less in" problem solving style to cope with stress, so it would affect the quality of life and mental health badly and need early intervention.