Immediate analgesic effect of electroacupuncture combined with diclofenac sodium on acute gouty arthritis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the immediate analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with diclofenac sodium on acute gouty arthritis (AGA).@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with AGA were randomly divided into a low-dose medication (LM) group (30 cases, 1 case was eliminated, 1 case dropped off), a conventional medication (CM) group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a combination of acupuncture and medication (AM) group (30 cases ). The LM group was given oral administration of 50 mg diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsule; the CM group was given oral administration of 100 mg diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsule; on the basis of the treatment of LM group, the AM group was treated with electroacupuncture at ashi points, Dadu (SP 2), Taichong (LR 3), Taibai (SP 3), Neiting (ST 44), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) on the affected side, and Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) were connected to electroacupuncture respectively, continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain before treatment and after 10 min, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h of treatment completion, joint tenderness and swelling scores before treatment and after 10 min and 6 h of treatment completion were compared, and the rate of diclofenac sodium addition within 24 h after treatment completion was recorded among the three groups.@*RESULTS@#After 10 min of treatment completion, the scores of VAS, joint tenderness and joint swelling in the AM group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the VAS score in the AM group was lower than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). After 2, 4 and 6 h of treatment completion, the VAS scores of the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in the AM group were lower than those in the LM group (P<0.05). After 6 h of treatment completion, the joint tenderness scores of the three groups and the joint swelling scores of the AM group and the CM group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the joint tenderness and swelling scores of the AM group were lower than those of the LM group (P<0.05). The rate of diclofenac sodium addition was 3.3 % (1/30) and 3.4 % (1/29) in the AM group and the CM group, respectively, which were lower than 17.9% (5/28) in the LM group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture combined with diclofenac sodium have a good immediate analgesic effect in the treatment of AGA, and have the advantages of small dosage of analgesic drugs and less adverse reactions.

Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Omicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, is responsible for numerous infections in China. This study investigates the association between the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea (SFHT) and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection to develop precise and differentiated strategies for control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).@*METHODS@#This case-control study was conducted at shelter hospitals and quarantine hotels in China. A total of 5348 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled between April 1 and May 31, 2022, while 2190 uninfected individuals served as healthy controls. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics, underlying diseases, vaccination status, and use of SFHT. Patients were propensity-score-matched using 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching of the logit of the propensity score. Subsequently, a conditional logistic regression model was used for data analysis.@*RESULTS@#Overall, 7538 eligible subjects were recruited, with an average age of [45.54 ± 16.94] years. The age of COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than that of uninfected individuals ([48.25 ± 17.48] years vs [38.92 ± 13.41] years; t = 22.437, P < 0.001). A total of 2190 COVID-19 cases were matched with uninfected individuals at a 1:1 ratio. The use of SFHT (odds ratio = 0.753, 95% confidence interval: 0.692, 0.820) was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to untreated individuals.@*CONCLUSION@#Our findings suggest that taking SFHT reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a useful study in the larger picture of COVID-19 management, but data from large-sample multi-center, randomized clinical trial are warranted to confirm the finding. Please cite this article as: Zhang SX, Chen XX, Zheng Y, Cai BH, Shi W, Ru M, Li H, Zhang DD, Tian Y, Chen YL. Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):369-376.

Analysis of chemical constituents in ethyl acetate extract of Taxilli Herba by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS and screening of potential xanthine oxidase inhibitors / 中国中药杂志

The present study analyzed and identified the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate(EA) extract of Taxilli Herba with UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS and screened active xanthine oxidase(XO) inhibitors with HPLC. The analysis was performed on an Hypersil GOLD C_(18) reversed-phase column(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.9 μm), with the mobile phase of water containing 1% formic acid(A) and methanol(B) under gradient elution, the flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1), and the injection volume of 5 μL. ESI source was used for MS and the compounds were collected in positive and negative ion modes. Xcalibur 4.1 was used to analyze the retention time, accurate relative molecular weight, and fragmentation of the compounds. The inhibitory activity of some known compounds on XO was screened by HPLC. Thirty chemical constituents were identified, including phenolic acids and flavonoids by experimental data combined with information of standards, data reported previously, and databases, such as MzCloud and ChemSpider. The activities of 10 chemical components were screened. Gallic acid and naringenin chalcone had strong inhibitory activities on XO with IC_(50) of 57 μg·mL~(-1) and 108 μg·mL~(-1). UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS allows the accurate, rapid, and comprehensive identification of main chemical constituents from Taxilli Herba. Gallic acid and naringenin chalcone may be the active components of XO inhibitors.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine Astragalus Radix and its effects on intestinal absorption of aconite alkaloids in rats / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Astragalus Radix (AR, Huangqi in Chinese) has been widely used as a qi (energy) restoring herb that is thought to act through reinvigorating the spleen and lung. Aconite is used to rebalance the body temperature during illness and played an irreplaceable role in disease control since ancient times, but it is limited by its strong neuro and cardiotoxicity. Since the Song Dynasty (1227), the two herbs have been commonly used as herbal pairs including in the famous Qifu Decotion, from the “Wei's Family Prescription”. However, many ancient texts also record that they are not compatible using together, suggesting they can have negative outcomes when mixed. This study investigated whether Astragali Radix had either positive or negative effects on absorption of six different active alkaloids derived from aconite. Methods: Single intestinal perfusion model was used to study the effects of Astragali Radix on aconite alkaloids absorption. Response of ABC transporters and distribution of three tight junction proteins on the surface of intestinal enothelium were assessed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. Results: The results showed that aconite alkaloids absorption could be inhibited, and different concentrations of Astragali Radix considerably increased the expression levels of the ABC transporters and tight junction proteins with Astragali Radix treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that Astragali Radix can block absorption of aconite alkaloids through the upregulation expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters) and tight junction proteins. It demonstrates that co-administration of Astragali Radix with other drugs might change the absorption profile of the second drug which is important to know in clinic therapy.

Analysis of adult mosquito monitoring results from 2017 to 2019 in Tongliao City / 上海预防医学

Objective To understand the species composition, density and seasonal variation of adult mosquitoes in Tongliao City of Inner Mongolia Autonmous Region from 2017 to 2019, and to provide scientific data for risk assessment and prediction of mosquito-borne diseases, mosquito-borne control planning, precise implementation and effect evaluation. Methods The density of adult mosquitoes was monitored in parks, hospitals, residential areas, farmers and cattle sheds in Tongliao by using the light trap method. Results A total of 3 358 adult mosquitoes were captured, including Anopheles sinensis, Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus with Culex quinquefasciatus as the dominant species.The change curve of adult mosquito density with season showed a single peak, and the peak period was from July to September.The density of adult mosquito in cattle shed was the highest (6.71 per night), and that in hospital was the lowest (0.99 per night).The difference between urban and rural areas in seasonal distribution of adult mosquitoes was statistically significant (χ2=4.65, P < 0.05). Conclusion Culex pipiensquinquefasciatus is the dominant mosquito species in the local area, and the villages are the places with high incidence of mosquito infestation.

Effects of Aconitum carmichaelii Water Extract on the Expression of Efflux Transporters and Tight Junction Proteins in Duo- denum of Rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of Aconitum carmichaelii water extract on the expression of 3 kinds of efflux transporters and 3 kinds of tight junction proteins as well as their genes in duodenum tissues of rats. METHODS： Thirty-two SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group， A. carmichaelii water extract low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups [0.45， 0.9， 1.8 g/（kg·d）， by crude drug]， with 8 rats in each group. They were given water and relevant liquid 0.1 mL/kg intragastrically for consecutive 7 d. After last administration， the duodenal segments of rats were collected. Western blotting assay was used to detect the expression of efflux transporters as P-glycoprotein （P-gp）， breast cancer resistance protein （Bcrp）， multidrug resistance protein 2 （Mrp2） as well as tight junction proteins as Claudin-1， Occludin and ZO-1. mRNA expression of 6 kinds of proteins relevant gene were determined by qRT-PCR respectively. RESULTS： Compared with normal group， the protein expression of P-gp， Mrp2， Bcrp， Claudin-1， Occludin and ZO-1 in duodenum of rats were increased significantly in A. carmichaelii water extract groups （P＜0.01）. mRNA expression of P-gp in A. carmichaelii water extract groups， mRNA expression of Bcrp in A. carmichaelii water extract low-dose and high-dose groups as well as mRNA expression of Claudin-1 in A. carmichaelli water extract medium-dose and high-dose groups were increased significantly， with statistical significance （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There was no statistical significance in mRNA expression of other genes （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： A. carmichaelii water extract can up-regulate the expression of 3 kinds of efflux transporters and 3 kinds of tight junction proteins at the level of mRNA and/or protein， thus may interact with other substrates of the aforementioned efflux transporters and drugs with cell bypass pathway as the main transport pathway. In clinical practice， adjustment of dosage may be considered in drug combination.

Electronic medical records-based selection of gastric cancer treatment plans / 中华医学图书情报杂志

Objective To study the effective text mining methods by mining the information in electronic medical records( EMR) in order to achieve their value in support of decision-making. Methods Two thousand and five hundred EMR of gastric cancer patients were randomly divided into training group ( n＝1500) and testing group( n＝1000) . The words in the text of EMR of training group were identified using dictionary in combination with statistical methods. The segmented words were clustered according to the co-occurrence frequency of each segmented word and the treatment plan extracted from EMR. The matched number of words in each cluster from the text of EMR of training group was recorded. A decision-making support model of Bayes discrimination function was established according to the matched number of words in each cluster from the text of EMR of training group and treatment plan to verify the EMR in training group and to evaluate the words segmenting methods and the discrimination model. Results Fifty randomly selected RME showed that the recall rate, accurate rate and F-1 value of segmented words were 74. 24%, 82.30% and 78.06% respectively. The accurate rate of the established discrimination model was 62% for the identification of EMR of testing group when the segmented words were clustered into 5 categories. Conclusion The efficiency of dictionary in combination with statistical methods is good for identifying words from the text of EMR. Cluster-based text mining of EMR can achieve the decision-making support value of EMR, but the accuracy of the established decision-making support model is not as high as expected. Further study is thus necessary to identify the words from the text of EMR and the process of segmented words in establishing the decision-making support model.

Visualization Analysis of Metagenomics Study / 医学信息学杂志

By using CiteSpace,a visual analysis software,the paper analyzes 7 747 literatures on metagenomics in the Web of Science Database from the perspectives like literature quantity,area and institution,author,study foundation and keywords,draws pertinent visual knowledge map and summarizes study hotspots,organizing study force,important literatures and academic representatives to demonstrate the scientific study status in the metagenomics filed more intuitively.

Research progress of anti-drug resistance in traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Bacterial drug resistance has been always the focus of the world. With the abuse of antibiotics and the emerging of "Superbug" in the world, the harm of drug resistance to human beings is more and more serious, with an uncontrollable trend. Today, with the relative lack of antibiotics, people pay more attention to Chinese herbal medicines with a wide range of sources, high security, less toxic side effects and mysterious anti-drug resistance mechanism, hoping to find new ways or new ideas to solve the problem of drug resistance. In recent years, the screening, extracting and isolating of effective drug resistance inhibitors from natural plants and traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as the investigation in mechanism of anti-drug resistance, have become a hot research in the field of medicine. In this paper, we would analyze and summarize the action mechanism of bacterial drug resistance, characteristics and advantages of anti-drug resistance of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the herbal ingredients with anti-drug resistance effect, hoping to provide certain theoretical basis and research ideas for solving the problem of bacterial drug resistance and developing new green Chinese antibiotics.

Comparative study on effects between electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture for methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy difference of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety male patients of methamphetamine addiction were randomized into an electroacupuncture group, an auricular acupuncture group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiaji (EX-B 2) at T5 and L2 were selected bilaterally. In the auricular acupuncture group, jiaogan (AH(6a)), shenmen (TF4), fei (CO14) and gan (CO12) were selected unilaterally. The treatment was given 3 times a week, totally 12 treatments were required. In the control group, no any intervention was applied. Separately, before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks treatment, the scores of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale were observed in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total score of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score were obviously reduced in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment as compared with those before treatment in the electroacupuncture group and the auricular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and showed a trend of gradual decline as the extension of treatment. In 1,2,3,4 weeks of treatment, the total score of withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score in the electroacupuncture group and auricular acupuncture group were lower significantly than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), in which, the total score of withdrawal syndrome in the electroacupuncture group was lower significantly than that in the auricular acupuncture group in the 4th week of treatment (3.69 +/- 2.446 vs 5.73 +/- 3.169, P < 0.05); the anxiety scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (8.19 +/- 4.57 vs 9.65 +/- 4.24, 5.27 +/- 2.89 vs 7.38 +/- 3.10, both P < 0.05); the depression scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (15.35 +/- 5.64 vs 19.81 +/- 5.37, 10.96 +/- 4.52 vs 15.00 +/- 4.53, 7.96 +/- 2.69 vs 12.35 +/- 3.59, all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at the body points and auricular acupuncture play the therapeutic role in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety and depression. The longer time the treatment is with electroacupuncture at the body points, the more obvious the efficacy will be on the above symptoms.</p>

Comparison of proximal femoral locking plate and proximal femoral intramedullary nail-spiral blade in minimally invasive internal fixation for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To compare the proximal femoral locking plate (LPFP) and proximal femoral intramedullary nail-spiral blade (PFNA) in minimally invasive internal fixation for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures.Methods One hundred and thirty patients aged over 60 years with intertrochanteric fractures were treated with minimally invasive internal fixation from January 2010 to June 2013,among them LPFP was applied in 69 cases and PFNA in 61 cases.The operation time,the numbers of intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative flow and decreased postoperative hemoglobin,postoperative complications,medical expenses,fracture healing time,postoperative hip Hariss function score were documented and compared between two groups.Results There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss [(132 ± 95) and (110 ± 79) ml],postoperative draining [(44 ± 16) and (41 ± 17) ml],decreased postoperative hemoglobin,fracture healing time [(10.5 ± 1.0) and (10.4 ± 1.5) weeks] and postoperative hip Hariss function score (87 ± 10 and 90 ± 8) between two groups.In LPFP group the number of intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy (8.1 ±0.8 and 8.6 ± 0.9),hospitalization expenses,postoperative complications (7/69 and 16/61) were less than those in PFNA group (P＜0.05 or 0.01),however,the operation time was longer (P＜0.01).Conclusion LPFP may be a better choice in internal fixation for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures.

Effects of acupuncture combined general anesthesia on endorphin and hemodynamics of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in the perioperative phase / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of different anesthesia ways on endorphin and hemodynamics of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in the perioperative phase.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 90 laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients, 29 to 80 years old, were randomly assigned to Group A (treated with electroacupuncture at acupoints combined general anesthesia), Group B (treated with electroacupuncture at non-acupoints combined general anesthesia), and Group C (treated with general anesthesia) according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 30 cases in each group. All patients were induced by 3 microg/kg Fentanyl (Fen), 2 mg/kg Propofol (Pro), and 0.1 mg/kg Vecuronium (Vcr). Bispectral index (BIS), being 40 -65, indicated the state of general anesthesia. The anesthesia was maintained by intravenous injecting Pro, interruptedly intravenous injecting Fen and Vcr. Each patient received patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after operation. On these bases, patients in Group A received electrical acupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Quchi (Ll11), Zusanli (ST36), and Yanglingquan (GB34). Patients in Group B received electrical acupuncture at the points beside acupoints. The electroacupuncture was lasted from 15 -30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of the operation in Group A and B. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and acceleration index (ACI) were recorded before anesthesia induction, immediate before pneumoperitoneum, 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, excision of gallbladder, and at the end of operation. The time consumption from discontinuation to spontaneously breathing recovery, analeptic, and extubation were recorded. The blood samples (3 mL each time) were collected from the peripheral vein before anesthesia induction, 2 h after operation, the 1st day after operation, and the 3rd day after operation to detect the beta-endorphin (beta-EP) level. The visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed and recorded in the 3 groups at post-operative 4, 6, 8, 24, and 44 h, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with before anesthesia induction in the same group, the CI, CO, ACI of all patients decreased significantly at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum and at excision of gallbladder (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The HR, MAP, SVRI obviously increased in Group B and Group C at each time point (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Less change happened in Group A. Compared with Group C, the increment of MAP was less in Group A at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). (2) The time consumption from discontinuation to analeptic and extubation was obviously shorter in Group A than in Group B and Group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) The level of beta-EP on the 1st day of operation was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.01). (4) The VAS score at post-operative 44 h was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B and Group C (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Electroacupuncture at acupoints combined general anesthesia could maintain the stabilization of haemodynamics, and relieve the stress reaction after pneumoperitoneum and operation, and prolong it to early post-operative period, and strengthen the effects of post-operative analgesia. The post-operative recovery was fast, safe, and reliable.</p>

Human β-defensin-3 regulates the proliferation and the secretion of prostaglandin E2 and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human gingival fibroblasts / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of human β-defensin-3 (HBD-3) on proliferation and the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) in human gingival fibroblasts(HGF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HGF were cultured with tissue-explant method and the fourth-generation HGF were plated in 96-well plate. All groups except the control group were treated with different concentrations of HBD-3 for 7 days. Then the HGF proliferation was evaluated with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) colorimetry and the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1 at the 12th hours of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The result of MTT dynamic monitoring showed that the amount of HGF increased with time in all groups in concentration dependent manner.ELISA showed that the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1 in 1.0 mg/L HBD-3 group were (350.56 ± 63.96) ng/L and (13.22 ± 0.59) µg/L, significantly higher than those in the control group and 10.0 mg/L HBD-3 group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HBD-3 promoted the proliferation of HGF. The low concentration of HBD-3 may play a role in immunoregulation through increasing the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1.</p>

Effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy under different anesthetic methods on T-lymphocyte immune function and postoperative analgesia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with different anesthetic methods on T-lymphocyte immune function and postoperative analgesia as well as validate the specificity of meridian points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety cases of LC were randomized into three groups, named group A (compound general anesthesia group with meridian points involved), group B (compound general anesthesia group with placebo points involved) and group C (general anesthesia group). In group A, electroacupuncture was applied at first for 15 to 30 min to bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Quchi (LI 11). Afterwards, the general anesthesia was conducted and electric stimulation lasted till the end of operation. In group B, the points adopted were the midpoints between the meridians in which the acupoints were selected in group A and the adjacent meridians on the lateral side, at the level of selected meridian points correspondingly. The method and time of electroacupuncture were same as those in group A. In group C, the general anesthesia was adopted simply. The changes of T-lymphocyte subgroup were detected before anesthesia, in 2 h, 1 day and 3 days after operation separately; and the dose of narcotic in operation as well as the dose of analgesia pumper in 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h and 44 h after operation separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In comparison between the result 2 h after operation and that before operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ in all of three groups were lower than those before operation. Except that the change in CD4+ in group A did not present significant statistical difference as compared with that before operation (P > 0.05), all of the other differences in T-lymphocyte subgroup indicated statistical significance (all P < 0.05). The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in three groups was higher than that before operation, but the difference in group A was significant statistically (P < 0.05). In 3 days after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were all higher than those before operation, indicating significant statistical differences (all P < 0.05) except CD4+/CD8+ in group B (P > 0.05). (2) In group A, during operation, the dose of narcotic reduced apparently (P < 0.05). (3) Separately, in 4, 6 and 8 h after operation, the dose of analgesia pumper reduced significantly in group A (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound general anesthesia with meridian points involved can increase pain threshold of human body, reduce the dose of narcotic during operation, alleviate the suppression in body immune regulation due to stress reaction of general anesthesia and operation, prolong the time-effect of postoperative analgesia and explain the specificity of meridian points.</p>

Video-assisted thoracoscopic radical resection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the reliability and feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for radical resection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four patients with NSCLC treated between Jan. 2007 and Jun. 2010 at our institution were divided into VATS group (n=23) and video-assisted mini thoracotomy (VAMT) group (n=31). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of dissected nodes, pleural effusion drainage, postoperative hospital stay, and visual analogue scales (VAS) were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No deaths or serious complications occurred perioperatively in the two groups. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes or pleural effusion drainage were all comparable between the two groups, but compared with VAMT, VATS was associated with significantly shortened postoperative hospital stay (10.54±1.21 days vs 7.92±0.86 days, P<0.05) and lowered VAS scores (4.26±1.28 vs 2.37±0.25, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VATS for pulmonary lobe resection with systematic node dissection is a feasible approach to the management of early-stage NSCLC.</p>

Endoscopic expand transnasal approach to the suprasellar region: anatomical study and clinical considerations / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The expanded endonasal approach (EEA) is used sparingly by surgeons for resection of lesions in the ventrocranial base. Herein, we examined the anatomy of the ventrocranial base by endoscopy and comment on the use of EEA in clinical practice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty artery-injected adult cadaveric heads were studied under surgical conditions using the endoscopic EEA. The extent of the surgical exposure, the endoscopic anatomic view and the maneuverability of surgical instruments about the suprasellar region were studied by the endoscopic EEA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The EEA by endoscope can reach the suprasellar region. In this approach, the optocarotid recess, supra and infra-optic chiasm interspace, the ophthalmic artery and others were important anatomical landmarks for identification of the suprasellar region.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The endoscopic EEA can be used to remove many types of lesions in the ventrocranial base. The microanatomy observed using the endoscope provides important anatomical information on the suprasellar region for neurosurgeons.</p>

Testosterone could induce a rapid rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration through binding to the membrane surface of bone marrow-derived macrophages / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ways testosterone influences the murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and how testosterone affects the function of BMMs after bound to their membrane surface.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BMMs were cultured in vitro, their total RNA and proteins isolated, and the expression of intracellular androgen receptor (AR) detected through RT-PCR and Western blotting. The binding site of testosterone (T) to the membrane surface of BMMs was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy after T-BSA-FITC incubation. Moreover, the intracellular Ca2+ was tested by Fura-2 method, and the influence of ionic currents on BMMs plasma membrane induced by testosterone was examined by the whole cell patch-clamp.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RT-PCR and Western blotting failed to detect intracellular ARs in BMMs, but confocal laser scanning microscopy showed testosterone to be bound to the membrane surface of BMMs by impermeable T-BSA-FITC, inducing a rapid rise in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of Fura-2 loaded BMMs, predominantly due to the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through Ni2+ -blockable Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane. Similarly, the patch-clamp technique revealed T-induced calcium influx in BMMs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is reasonable to assume that the testosterone receptor exists on the plasma membranes, and testosterone act through unconventional plasma membrane receptors, induce Ca2+ influx and a rapid rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and influence the function of BMMs.</p>

Systematic assessment of acupuncture for treatment of herpes zoster in domestic clinical studies / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of herpes zoster.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the requirement of evidence-based medicine, acupuncture, body acupuncture, electroacupuncture, head acupuncture, three edged needle, plum-blossom needle, fire needle, elongated needle, encircling needling, herpes zoster, etc. were selected as subject words to retrieve the relative medical database at home, and clinically randomized controlled trials were used as enrolled criteria, the treatment group were treated with acupuncture or acupuncture plus other therapies, and the control group with medicine, the cured rate and the time of killing pain for herpes zoster were used as assessment indexes. Altogether 43 papers were enrolled. Among them 10 papers were conducted for Meta-analysis by RevMan 4.2.9.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total OR was 4.27 with 95% CI [2.90, 6.29] of the clinically cured rate in the 10 studies, and the total OR was -7.64 with 95% CI [-8.12, -7.15] of the time of killing pain in the 4 studies. The therapeutic effect in the treatment group on herpes zoster was superior to that of the western medicine (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture therapy for herpes zoster is effective, but more high-quality studies are required to prove this view point.</p>

Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of arterial PVA embolization for mid and advanced pulmonary carcinoma / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of arterial PVA perfusion embolization in treating mid and advanced pulmonary carcinoma. Methods Thirty-one patients with pulmonary carcinoma in the mid or late stage diagnosed pathologically underwent selective angiographic studies of the bronchial arteries and intercostal arteries to provide information of the hypervascular feeding vessels, and then performed the perfusion with 5-FU? THP? DDP; followed by PVA grain embolization under fluoroscopic control. Results Abnormal tumor feeding vessels of pulmonary carcinoma were found deriving from bromehial arteries in 21 cases, and from intercostal arteries in 10. After arterial infusion of chemotherapy combined with embolization of PVA,alleviation of clinical symptoms was observed in all 31 cases(100%)without severe complication. The total effectiveness(CR plus PR) reached 80.6%(25/31). Conclusions Arterial embolization of PVA is safe, effective with less complication for treatment of mid or advanced pulmonary carcinoma.

Changes of trace elements in regional lymph nodes of gastric carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the changes of trace elements and lymphatic metastasis in gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Trace elements including Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Cu, Zn, Se were measured in primary gastric carcinoma and regional lymph nodes from 40 patients with gastric carcinoma, and compared among the primary tumor, metastatic, and non-metastatic nodes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences in the contents of Fe, Mg, Mn and Ca among primary gastric tumors, regional lymph nodes with or without metastasis (P=0.372 - 0.741, P > 005), and no significant differences in the contents of all 7 trace elements between primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes (P=0.15 - 0.59, P > 005). Compared with metastatic lymph nodes, the contents of Zn, Se significantly decreased, while Cu and Cu/Zn significantly increased (P=0.001 - 0.009, P< 0.01) in non-metastatic lymph nodes. The content of Zn in N2 positive lymph nodes was significant lower than that in N1 positive nodes (P=0.027). There were no significant difference in the contents of all 7 elements between intestinal type and diffuse type (P=0.149 - 0.758, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer is concomitant with the changes of trace elements, and the changes of Zn, Cu, Se may be related with lymphatic metastasis.</p>