Epidemiological investigation on a cluster epidemic of COVID-19 in Taizhou， Zhejiang Province / 上海预防医学

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a family and workplace clustering of COVID-19， identify the source of infection and the transmission chain， and provide evidence for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic. Method:Field epidemiological method was used to conduct the investigation of confirmed cases and close contacts in this cluster. Data were analyzed with descriptive method. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR （RT-PCR） was used to detect the novel coronavirus nucleic acid in the collected respiratory tract samples. Results:A total of 18 epidemiological related cases were collected including 16 confirmed cases and 2 cases of asymptomatic infections. The involved places included 1 beauty clinic workplace and 3 families. Seven cases were males and 11 cases were females， with the minimum， maximum and median age of 3， 65 and 32 years old， respectively. Among them， the employees attack rate was 9.80% （10/102）， the family attack rate was 7.70% （5/78）， and the customer attack rate was 0.58% （1/173）. Positive nucleic acid test result in the respiratory tract sample of asymptomatic infection lasted for more than 2 months. Conclusions:The cause of this clustered COVID-19 epidemic is that the workplace environment is relatively closed with clustering crowds， and the source of imported infection is not discovered in time， which lead to a point-source outbreak and spread through family close contacts and clustering.

Cloning and analysis of the DXR gene and its promoter in Morinda officinalis / 药学学报

The objective of this research was to clone 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase gene (MoDXR) and its promoter sequence from Morinda officinalis and carry out bioinformatic analysis, cis-acting elements analysis, and prokaryotic expression. On the basis of the MoDXR gene sequence obtained from the M. officinalis transcriptome and with NCBI-ORFfinder analysis, a pair of specific primers were designed, and used for RT-PCR amplification. The promoter region sequence at the 5′ end of MoDXR gene was isolated by the genome walking technique. Localization of MoDXR was carried out by subcellular analysis. The prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a-MoDXR was constructed and transfected into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) chemically-competent cells; the recombiant plasmid expressed fusion protein after the induction by IPTG. The full-length cDNA of MoDXR was 2 015 bp,and open reading frame (ORF) size was 1 425 bp, and it encoded 474 amino acid residues and had a molecular mass of 51.27 kD. Sequence comparison with BlastP to the NCBI database revealed that MoDXR had high sequence similarity with many other DXRs, such as Coffea arabica DXR (CaDXR) and Rauvolfia verticillata DXR (RvDXR). A phylogenetic tree revealed that MoDXR had its closest relationship with DXR from Coffea arabica and Gardenia jasminoides. The subcellular localization revealed that MoDXR protein was located on the chloroplast. Plantcare analysis indicated that the promoter region sequence of MoDXR was 1 493 bp, covering multiple light, stress, and hormone-responsive cis-regulatory elements; protein electrophoresis showed that the expressed protein was the anticipated size. This research lays the foundation for further purification and structural and functional characterization of the MoDXR protein.

Effects of acupuncture on carotid intima-media thickness and cerebral blood flow velocity in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the characteristics of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and cerebral blood flow velocity in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, and to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on carotid IMT and blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery and vertebral-basilar artery.@*METHODS@#A total of 240 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension who met the inclusion criteria were treated with acupuncture method proposed by academician . The acupoints of Renying (ST 9), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected. The treatment was given once a day, five times a week for 3 months. The carotid ultrasonography and transcranial color Doppler were performed before treatment and 3 months after treatment to evaluate the improvements of carotid IMT and brain blood flow velocity.@*RESULTS@#Among 175 patients, 94.3% suffered from impaired carotid IMT. After acupuncture intervention, 7.7%-10.9% patients had improved IMT but 4.6%-6.3% had aggravated carotid IMT. There was no significant difference of carotid IMT before and after treatment (>0.05). About 50% patients had abnormal intracranial blood flow velocity; after acupuncture intervention, 27.4%-33.3% patients who had the abnormal blood flow velocity had normal one, but 27.0%-52.5% patients who had normal blood flow velocity had abnormal one. After acupuncture intervention, the low-speed blood flow of MCA, VA and BA in female patients aged 41-60 years and the low-speed blood flow of MCA and VA in female patients aged 61-70 years were significantly improved (all <0.05); the high-speed blood flow of MCA and VA in male patients aged 61-70 years and the high-speed blood flow of VA and BA in female patients aged 41-60 years were significantly decreased (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Nearly 95% of patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension had carotid IMT, and about 50% had abnormal blood flow velocity of intracranial artery. The present study failed to found significant effects of acupuncture on carotid IMT, but it shows acupuncture can generally improve the low blood flow velocity in women with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

acupuncture on refractory insomnia: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of acupuncture, conventional acupuncture and oral estazolam tablet on refractory insomnia.@*METHODS@#A total of 180 patients with refractory insomnia were randomized into a acupuncture group, a conventional acupuncture group and a medication group, 60 cases in each group. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Waiguan (TE 5), Neiguan (PC 6), Weishu (BL 21), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Taixi (KI 3); in the conventional acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zhaohai (KI 6), Shenmai (BL 62) and Anmian (Extra). Supplementary acupoints were added according to different patterns in the two acupuncture groups, and the treatment was given once a day, 7 times as one course and 4 courses were required. In the medication groups, estazolam was taken orally 1 h before sleep, 1 mg each time, once a day for 4 weeks. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score was observed before and after treatment and the therapeutic effect was evaluated in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rates in the acupuncture group and the conventional acupuncture group were 90.0% (54/60) and 83.3% (50/60), which were superior to 30.0% (18/60) in the medication group (both <0.05). Compared before treatment, the PSQI scores were significantly reduced in the two acupuncture groups (all <0.05), the sleep efficiency and the total score of PSQI were reduced in the medication group (both <0.05). After treatment, the changes of sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disorder, daytime function and total score of PSQI in the acupuncture group were significantly larger than those in the conventional acupuncture group (all <0.05). The changes of PSQI scores in the acupuncture group were significantly larger than the medication group (all <0.05). The changes of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep time, sleep disorder, daytime function and total score of PSQI in the conventional acupuncture group were significantly larger than the medication group (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on refractory insomnia is superior to estazolam and conventional acupuncture.

Professor -' experience of acupuncture and moxibustion on postpartum wind / 中国针灸

Professor -'s experience of acupuncture and moxibustion for postpartum wind is introduced. With more than 40 years of experience, professor has developed a systematic theoretical basis and technical operation. He points out that postpartum wind, caused by weakened body resistance after delivery, is characterized by intermingled deficiency and excess; the treatment focuses on dispelling wind, and the wind-related acupoints are essential; nourishing blood is important for dispelling wind. He emphasizes that if the cold in uterus would hinder the dispelling of wind and dampness. He has highly valued the manipulation, advocating the treatment of "treating three spirits", especially the spirits after the treatment of acupuncture; he also values the physical and mental health of the puerpera, and runs this principle through the treatment. With the 's herbal long-snake moxibustion, the dual therapeutic effect of medicine and moxibustion can be brought into play, and the therapeutic effect can be enhanced.

Regional Differences of the Urinary Proteomes in Healthy Chinese Individuals / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective Urine is a promising biomarker source for clinical proteomics studies. Regional physiological differences are common in multi-center clinical studies. In this study, we investigate whether significant differences are present in the urinary proteomes of individuals from different regions in China. Methods In this study, morning urine samples were collected from healthy urban residents in three regions of China (Haikou, Xi'an and Xining) and urinary proteins were preserved using a membrane-based method (Urimem). The urine proteomes of 27 normal samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS and compared among three regions. Functional annotation of the differential proteins among the three areas was analyzed using the DAVID online database, and pathway enrichment of the differential urinary proteins was analyzed using KEGG. Results We identified 1898 proteins from Urimem samples using label-free proteome quantification, of which 56 urine proteins were differentially expressed among the three regions ( < 0.05). Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that inter-regional differences caused less significant changes in the urine proteome than inter-sex differences. After gender stratification, 16 differential proteins were identified in male samples and 84 differential proteins were identified in female samples. Among these differential proteins, several proteins have been previously reported as urinary disease biomarkers. Conclusions Urimem will facilitate urinary protein storage for large-scale urine sample collection. Regional differences are a confounding factor influencing the urine proteome and should be considered in future multi-center biomarker studies.

Biomechanical Characteristics of Internal Fixation Methods for Treating Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures / 医用生物力学

Objective To analyze the biomechanical characteristics of 3 different posterior internal fixation methods for treating thoracolumbar burst fracture by three-dimensional finite element (FE) method. Methods The FE fixation models of normal thoracolumbar, short-segment posterior fixation (SSPF), short-segment posterior fixation with intermediate screws at fractured level (SSPFI) and long-segment posterior fixation (LSPF) were established, respectively. The biomechanical characteristics of L1 centrum and the adjacent intervertebral disc under 6 kinds of motion states (spinal flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation), in normal thoracolumbar model and 3 fixation models were compared by FE analysis. Results L1 centrum equivalent stress distributions in normal thoracolumbar model, SSPF model, SSPFI model, LSPF model were 31.63, 13.41, 110.35, 13.17 MPa, respectively. The maximum equivalent stress of adjacent intervertebral disc in normal thoracolumbar model was 3.84 MPa, which was located in L1-2 intervertebral disc; the maximum equivalent stress of adjacent intervertebral disc in 3 fixation models was 0.41, 0.36, 0.40 MPa, respectively, which was all located in T12-L1 intervertebral disc. Conclusions Fixation in short segment of the fractured vertebrae could lead to an increase of stress in the centrum. The stress of the adjacent intervertebral disc in 3 fixation models was smaller than that in normal spinal model.

CT assisted morphological study of lumbar endplate / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To study and measure the anatomic structure of lumbar vertebral endplate structure in healthy adults by computed tomography(CT) technique in order to provide a useful guidance for the optimal design and clinical application of lumbar prostheses.@*METHODS@#Sixty healthy adults (male and female equals) were recruited for full-waist CT scan after signing the informed consent form in the imaging department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. The scanning data was imported into the computer aided software Mimics 16.0 for 3D reconstruction and measurement. The acquisition indexes included median sagittal diameter, maximum coronal diameter, concavity depth, median sagittal depression angle, coronal depression angle and so on. Finally, the collected data were statistically analyzed by the statistical software.@*RESULTS@#The median sagittal diameter and the maximum coronal diameter of the upper and lower endplates were not only different between the different sexes(0.05), but had a little change from L₁ to L₅, fluctuating from 1.5 to 2.0 mm and from 2.2 to 3.9 mm, respectively. In the same sequence, the concavity depth of lower endplate in males was greater than that of upper endplate, and the difference was statistically significant(0.05). Sagittal concavity angle and coronal concavity angle of upper and lower endplates changed slightly with the increase of vertebral order, and there was no gender difference in sagittal and coronal concavity angle of most vertebral sequences (>0.05). Statistics showed that the largest concavity near the caudal lumbar endplate was located on the dorsal side of the endplate plane.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The anatomical structure of the lumbar endplate is very complicated. It is important to master the anatomical parameters of the endplate and make full use of CT before operation for the development and clinical application of the lumbar prosthesis.

Preparation and property evaluation of a self-setting calcium phosphate cement / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have found that poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) can improve the compressive strength and degradability of calcium phosphate cement. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a self-setting calcium phosphate cement which has better mechanical properties, biocompatibility and degradability on the basis of the previous findings. METHODS: Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), pure calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and PLGA powder were mixed at different mixing ratios for preparation of PLGA/β-TCP/CPC. Setting time, compressive strength, elastic modulus and degradation properties of the composite bone cement were evaluated to screen the optimal level of β-TCP. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in CPC extract (control), PLGA/β-TCP/CPC extract (experimental), α-MEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin double antibody (negative control), and 6.4% phenol liquid (positive control). MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation at 1, 3, 5 days after culture, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in culture media was detected at 1 and 3 days after culture. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the surface of PLGA/β-TCP/CPC and pure CPC respectively, and were then observed by scanning electron microscopy after 3 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Initial setting time and final setting time among of the composite bone cement were increased with the increasing of β-TCP content, but had no significant difference from those of the CPC (P ＞ 0.05). The compressive strength and elastic modulus of the composite bone cement were higher than those of the CPC, and moreover, the composite bone cement with 20% β-TCP exhibited the highest compressive strength and higher elastic modulus as compared with the other groups. Therefore, PLGA/20% β-TCP/CPC was selected in the cell test. Moreover, the degradation properties of the composite bone cement were also better than those of the CPC. (3) With the growth of culture time, cell absorbance value and lactate dehydrogenase activity were gradually increased in the experimental group, and no difference existed between the experimental group and the negative control group. The cells in the experimental group also grew well. (4) MC3T3-E1 cells grew well and fully extended on the surface of PLGA/β-TCP/CPC, and cell pseudopodia on the material surface were tightly adhered to the material. To conclude, PLGA/20% β-TCP/CPC has better compressive strength, elastic modulus, degradation properties and cytocompatibility relative to the CPC, and moreover, the composite bone cement has no obvious cytotoxicity.

CT assisted goat lumbar vertebrae anatomical measurement and comparison with human lumbar vertebrae / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anatomical measurement of goat lumbar vertebrae and to compare with human lumbar vertebrae, so as to build the foundation for establishing animal models of lumbar prosthesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The anatomical parameters of the vertebral body, pedicle and intervertebral disc in the fresh lumbar vertebrae of Boer goat and the lumbar vertebrae of healthy adults were collected by computer aided software Mimics16.0, and the anatomical characteristics of the two lumbar vertebrae were compared with the statistical software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The anterior vertebral body height(VBHa) of goat lumbar was less than the middle vertebral body height(VBHm), which was less than the posterior vertebral body height(VBHp), and the maximum values were (38.7±2.9), (40.1±2.6) and (40.7±2.7) mm respectively. Its endplate width was greater than its depth, with the whole shaped like a heart or a kidney. The cranial endplate of goats was convex while the caudal endplate was depressed and the depression was small, with a maximum value of (1.6±0.6) mm. The pedicle height of goats increased from L₁1 to L̀ with the maximum of (30.5±1.9) mm; its pedicle width and angle increased firstly and then decreased with the increase of vertebra level and the minimum values were (6.7±0.4) mm and(45.9±2.6)° respectively. The anterior intervertebral disc height was larger than the middle which was larger than the posterior and all varied slightly with the changes of intervertebral spaces; the height and width of intervertebral foramen separately waved at (12.9±0.3) to (14.3±1.0) mm and (5.7±1.0) to (6.7±0.9) mm. The comparative results showed that the vertebral body height, pedicle height and angle of goats were greater than those of humans (<0.05) while the width and depth of the endplate, the intervertebral disc height, and etc. were significantly smaller than those of humans (<0.05). In addition, some structures, such as the height of pedicle and intervertebral disc, also showed different changing laws with the increase of vertebra level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although there are similarities in goat lumbar spine in some aspects, such as endplate and foramen foramen, there are still many differences in many aspects. Understanding the anatomical characteristics of goat lumbar vertebrae and the difference between goat and human is of great guiding significance for the research of goat prosthesis and related technology.</p>

Effects of Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and Its Residues on PSGL-1 and Proinflammatory Cytokines in CoxA16 Mouse Model / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and its residues on PSGL-1 and proinflammatory cytokines in Coxsackie virus A16 (CoxA16) mouse model; To discuss its antiviral mechanism of action. Methods Totally 150 ICR mice at age of 7 days were randomly divided into normal group, model group, all-side group, aromatic residual group, clearing residual group and removing residual group, with 25 mice in each group. Except for normal group, other groups were injected intraperitoneally with 20 μL of 107TCID50 CoxA16 standard stock solution to establish models. Except for normal group and model group, other groups were given relevant medicine for intervention. The expressions of PSGL-1, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4 and histopathological observation were detected after 10 days of medication. Results Except for the normal group, the existence of a large number of CoxA16 in other groups of mouse muscle tissues proved successful modeling. HE staining showed that Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and residual could reduce damage to the muscle by CoxA16 virus. Compared with the normal group, the expression of PSGL-1 protein in the model group increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, all-side group, aromatic residue group, clearing residual group, removing residual group inhibited the expression of PSGL-1 protein, reduced the inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-4 (P<0.01). Conclusion Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and its residues have anti-inflammatory effects, and the all-side group shows the best efficacy.

Smoothing Gan Reinforcing Shen Method Adjuvantly Treated Poor Response of Diminished Ovari- an Reserve Patients in in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: a Clinical Study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study clinical efficacy of smoothing Gan reinforcing Shen (SGRS) method in treating poor response of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) patients in in vitro fertilization and embryo, transfer (IVF-ET).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 84 DOR patients undergoing IVF-ET were assigned to the experimental group (SGRS Chinese herbs as adjuvant therapy) and the control group according to random digit table, 42 in each group. Patients in the control group received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and IVF-ET. Those in the experimental group additionally received basic formula of SGRS method, one dose per day. The dose and use time of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) were recorded during ovarian stimulation process. On the injection day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and serum levels of estradiol (E2) on the oocyte retrieval day were determined using chemiluminescent method. E2 contents in the follicular fluid on the oocyte retrieval day were detected using ELISA. The total number of retrieved oocytes, the number of mature oocytes in metaphase II (M II), the number of normal fertilization [with two pronucleus (2PN)], the number of portable embryos, and the number of good quality embryos were recorded. The correlation between Chinese medical adjuvant therapy and the aforesaid indices were observed. The clinical pregnancy rate and the abortion rate were finally compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total dose of r-FSH, the E2 level on HCG injection day, the serum E2 level on the oocyte retrieval day, the number of retrieved oocyte, the number of oocytes in M II the number of oocytes with 2PN, the number of portable embryos, and the number of good quality embryos were all positively correlated with Chinese medical adjuvant therapy (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, serum E2 levels on the HCG injection day and the oocyte retrieval day obviously increased, the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of oocytes in M II, and the number of portable embryos were increased more in the experimental group with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical significance in the clinical pregnancy rate or the abortion rate between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SGRS Chinese herbs as adjuvant therapy could improve ovarian responsiveness of DOR patients undergoing IVF-ET, increase the number of retrieved oocytes, elevate the quality of oocytes and the number of embryos.</p>

Discussion on acupuncture for cerebral apoplexy from the view of rehabilitation / 中国针灸

Abundant experiences have already been accumulated in treatment of stroke with acupuncture. Development of rehabilitation theory also brings unprecedented opportunity and challenge to acupuncture. Combined with the modern rehabilitation theory and practice, it is very helpful to deepen the understanding on treatment of acupuncture for cerebral apoplexy and enhance the therapeutic effect in clinic by studying the mechanism of acupuncture treatment, opportunity of intervention, selection of acupoints, needling manipulations and quantity of stimulations etc. Through analysis on the necessity and the way of combination of acupuncture and modern rehabilitation, it is concluded that rehabilitation evaluation, rehabilitation phases and obstacle analysis should be taken as references by acupuncturists to reinforce the therapeutic effect and creditability of acupuncture treatment on cerebral apoplexy.

Decreasing effect of electro-acupuncture at Sanyin points on inflammatory cytokines in autoimmune prostatitis rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes of inflammatory cytokines in autoimmune prostatitis (AIP) rats treated by electro-acupuncture (EA) at Sanyin points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We selected 40 Wistar male rats in this study, 10 as normal controls, and the other 30 made AIP models by intradermal injection of protein purification liquid from the prostate of allogeneic male rats with dual immune adjuvant. Then we randomly divided the AIP models into a model, a Cernilton control and an EA group of equal number, the latter two groups treated by Cernilton enema and EA, respectively. After 15 days of treatment, all the animals were sacrificed for detection of the levels of TNF-alpha, iNOS, MDA and T-AOC in the prostate tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal controls, the model rats showed significantly elevated TNF-alpha expression ([15.31 +/- 1.36] vs [32.20 +/- 1.65] pg/ml, P < 0.01), iNOS activity ([0.81 +/- 0.33] vs [1.25 +/- 0.23] U/ml, P < 0.01) and MDA content ([0.66 +/- 0.14] vs [0.91 +/- 0.21] nmol/ml, P < 0.05), but markedly reduced T-AOC activity ([1.56 +/- 0.16] vs [1.11 +/- 0.15] U/ml, P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the EA group exhibited significantly reduced levels of TNF-alpha ([17.32 +/- 2.69 ] pg/ml, P < 0.01), iNOS ([0.98 +/- 0.5 ] U/ml, P < 0.05) and MDA ([0.70 +/- 0.20] nmol/ml, P < 0.05), but remarkably increased level of T-AOC ([1.44 +/- 0.26] U/ml, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electro-acupuncture at Sanyin points can protect the prostate tissue from morphological damage and reduce inflammatory reaction by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine activity, vascular permeability and inflammatory cell infiltration and increasing the activity of the antioxidant defense system.</p>

Clinical efficacy of Yougui capsules and Wuziyanzong pills on oligoasthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effects of the Chinese traditional medicine Yougui Capsules and Wuziyanzong Pills on sperm viability and motility in patients with oligoasthenospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 80 infertile men oligoasthenospermia were equally randomized into a trial and a control group, the former treated with Yougui Capsules at 1.68 g tid, while the latter with Wuziyanzong Pills at 6 g bid, both for a course of 12 weeks. The sperm viability and motility of the patients were detected and compared before and after medication.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12 weeks of medication, the sperm viability and percentages of grade a and grade a + b sperm were (65.7 +/- 13.1), (22.5 +/- 9.1) and (47.6 +/- 15.8)% in the trial group, significantly higher than (38.1 +/- 11.1), (13.2 +/- 6.8) and (24.1 +/- 10.9)% in the control (P<0.05). What's more, the above three parameters of the two groups were also significantly higher than those before medication, which were (31.9 +/- 16.9), (8.2% +/- 3.7) and (15.7 +/- 13.9)% in the former and (31.7 +/- 17.0), (7.9 +/- 4.5) and (16.9 +/- 13.6)% in the latter (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both Yougui Capsules and Wuziyanzong Pills can improve sperm viability and motility in patients with oligoasthenospermia, and the former is even more efficacious than the latter.</p>

Clinical observation on idiopathic sudden hearing loss treated by warming-promoting needling technique / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effective therapeutic method in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty-eight cases of ISHL were randomized into a warming-promoting needling group (74 cases), a conventional acupuncture group (56 cases) and a medication group (58 cases). In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional needling technique was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Touqiaoyin (GB 11) and Zhigou (TE 6) on the affected side. The treatment was given 5 times each week. Totally, the treatment of 6 weeks was required. In the warming-promoting needling group, on the basic treatment as the conventional acupuncture group, the warming-promoting needling technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). In the medication group, the intravenous drop with salvia injectio and mecobalamin was prescribed, once per day, for 10 days totally. Meanwhile, Erlong Zuoci Wan was prescribed for oral administration, 8 pills each time, three times a day for 30 days continuously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of the three therapeutic methods achieved the effect on ISHL. The total effective rate was 89.2% (66/74) in the warming-promoting needling group, which was better than 62.5% (35/56) in the conventional acupuncture group and 53.4% (31/58) in the medication group (both P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The warming-promoting needling techinque achieves the significant efficacy on ISHL. The hearing improvement is superior to that treated with either the conventional needling technique or medication.</p>

Clinical research of chloasma treated with the meridian cosmetology and the impacts on estrogen and progestin / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy difference between meridian cosmetology and western medicine in the treatment of chloasma and explore the impacts of meridian cosmetology on E2 and PRGE.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundreds cases of chloasma were randomized into a meridian cosmetology group and a western medication group according to the visit sequence, 150 cases in each one. In the meridian cosmetology group, the meridian regulation, acupuncture based on pattern/syndrome differentiation [at the body acupoints such as Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23), etc.] and the local surrounding needling therapy on the chloasma skin lesion were adopted. In the western medication group, the oral administration of Vitamin C and E was prescribed for 3 months. The clinical efficacy was observed for the patients in the two groups. Additionally, 30 cases were collected from the meridian cosmetology group randomly for the detection of estrogen (E2) and progestin (PRGE) before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate in the meridian cosmetology group was 92.6% (126/136), which was superior to 67.0% (75/112) in the western medication group (P < 0.05). For the patients collected from the meridian cosmetology group, as compared with that before treatment, E2 level was decreased (P < 0.01) and PRGE level was increased (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The meridian cosmetology achieves the superior efficacy as compared with the western medication group for the chloasma and it can regulate the levels of E2 and PRGE.</p>

Effect of harvest times on yield and quality of Isatidis Folium in Longzhong semi-arid region / 中国中药杂志

Different harvest times of Isatidis Folium had a significant effect on the yield and the quality of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium. The harvest could increase the yield of Isatidis Folium, but reduce the yield of Isatidis Radix, the quality of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium. One, two and three harvests of the Isatidis Folium reduced the yield of Isatidis Radix as 18.3%, 58.6%, 67.4% and increased the yield of the Folium as 107.3%, 86.3% and 116.6%. Ethanol-soluble extract of Isatidis Radix was 42.50%, 42.24%, 31.77%, which were 1.19%, 1.79%, 26.13% lower than those of the control, respectively. The water-soluble extract, indirubin, indigo content reduced with increase of the harvest times. Indirubin contents with two or three times harvests were higher than that of the control, but the content of water-soluble extract, ethanol-soluble extract, indigo were lower than those of the control.

Observation on therapeutic effect of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion for treatment of chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion and western medicine on chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into a spread moxibustion group (n = 28) and a western medicine group (n = 32). The spread moxibustion group was treated with herb-partitioned spread moxibustion at lower limb around stomach meridian, abdomen region around Guanyuan (CV 4) and lower Jiaji (EX B 2) points; and the western medicine group was treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazine. Their therapeutic effects were observed after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured-markedly effective rate was 71.4% (20/ 28) in the spread moxibustion group, and 25.0% (8/32) in the western medicine group, the former was better than the latter (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The therapeutic effect of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion for treatment of chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis is better than that of the oral administration of Sulfasalazine with less adverse reaction, and is worth popularizing in clinic.</p>

Safety and tolerance of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction / 中华男科学杂志

The benefit of tadalafil should be justified by its safety and tolerance in the chronic treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in general and high-risk population. The main treatment-emergent adverse events, chiefly induced by the interactions of tadalafil with PDE5 and isoforms, are mild or moderate in severity, transient and reversible, which may disappear without drug withdrawal. Tadalafil does not add to the risk and severity of cardiovascular problems, and can be safely co-administered with antihypertensives and selective a-receptor blockers.