Effect of acupuncture at neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) and tuina on the cognitive function in the patients with subjective cognitive decline / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the effects on cognitive function, sleep quality and hemodynamics in the patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) after treated with acupuncture at neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) and tuina on the base of healthy lifestyle education and meta-memory training.@*METHODS@#Sixty SCD patients were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (30 cases, 3 cases dropped out). In the control group, the healthy lifestyle education and meta-memory training was performed, twice daily, 15 min each time; the 5-day intervention was delivered a week, lasting consecutively 4 weeks. On the base of the intervention as the control group, in the observation group, acupuncture at neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) and tuina was conducted. First, one-finger pushing and plucking method of tuina was exerted on the neck region along the running courses of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang and the governor vessel, for 10 min to 15 min; afterwards, acupuncture was delivered at bilateral neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2), from C1 to C7; and the needles were retained for 30 min. This intervention was given once daily, 5 times a week, for consecutive 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the score of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the score of full scale memory quotient (FSMQ) were assessed by Wechsler memory scale-fourth edition (WMS-Ⅳ) and the score of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was compared between the two groups. Using transcranial Doppler ultrasound, the hemodynamic indexes (the mean velocity [Vm] and pulsatility index [PI] of the left vertebral artery [LVA], the right vertebral artery [RVA] and the basilar artery [BA]) were determined in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of MMSE and FSMQ increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.001), PSQI score was lower (P<0.05) and Vm of BA was higher (P<0.001) in the observation group when compared with those before treatment. The scores of MMSE and FSMQ, as well as Vm of BA were higher (P<0.05, P<0.001), and PSQI score was decreased (P<0.05) in the observation group when compared with the control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The combined therapy of acupuncture at neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) and tuina is more advantageous to improving cognitive function, relieving chronic emotional stress and ameliorating sleeping quality in the patients with subjective cognitive decline, which may be achieved by improving the blood supply of the basilar artery.

Manifestation of lower extremity atherosclerosis in diabetic patients with high ankle-brachial index / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive tool that correlates well with angiographic disease severity and functional symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify the manifestation of lower extremity atherosclerotic lesions in patients with high ABI by retrospective clinical study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cohort of 184 diabetic patients, (63 +/- 14) years old, 144 males, who underwent simultaneously ABI testing and low extremity arterial duplex ultrasound within one week, were enrolled randomly into this study. According to the ABI value, they were divided into three groups: the high, normal and low ABI groups. The severity and location of atherosclerotic lesions in the lower extremity were determined based on the results of low extremity artery duplex ultrasound. The chi-square test was used to compare the atherosclerosis severity grade and lesion location across the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of low extremity artery occlusion was significantly lower in the high ABI group than in the low ABI group (3.3% vs. 63.5%, P < 0.01), and the main atherosclerotic lesions were diffuse dot-like hyperechogenicity spots or small plaques (86.7%). In addition, the atherosclerotic lesions were mostly found in the distal segment of the lower extremity in patients with high ABI (46.3%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A high ABI may be an integrative marker for intimal and medial calcification, which has a high positive predictive value for artery calcification.</p>

Heterogeneity of human breast cancer cells and their biological behavior / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the heterogeneity of human breast cancer cells, their influence on biological behavior of tumor cells and clinical implications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subpopulations of MCF-7 breast cancer cells were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. DNA content and cell cycle distribution were detected with flow cytometry. Tumor chemosensitivity analysis was performed with MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Heterogeneity was observed in DNA content and cell cycle distribution among four subpopulations of breast cancer cells, which were related to their proliferation ability and chemosensitivity results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hereditary instability and intrinsic characteristics of most tumor cells, not only lead to tumor progression and heterogeneity but also cause the loss of monoclonality and the generation of subclones. Further study on some profiles of tumor heterogeneity such as DNA content, cell cycle distribution and their influence on tumor proliferation and chemosensitivity may very well improve the clinical treatment.</p>

Immunohistochemical Expression of Hirschsprung′s Disease / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the expressions of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5),cathepsin D(CAD) and S-100 protein(S100) and their significance in the colon of the patients with hirschsprung′s disease(HD).Methods Thirty stenotic segments from children with HD and 35 controls were stained for PGP 9.5 and CAD and S100 by immunohistochemistry.The expressions were observed by imaging analysis system.Results 1.In the controls,CAD was only positive to ganglionic cells,which could be observed in myenteric and submucosal plexuses.Schwann cells and perineural satellite cells and nerve fibers were positive to PGP 9.5 and S100,ganglionic cells were positive to PGP 9.5,and were stained negative to S100,which left "cells-like blank area" in the plexuses.2.In the stenotic segments of HD,neither CAD-positive and PGP 9.5-positive neurons nor "cell-like blank area" in S100 staining were found in the plexus.The PGP 9.5 and S100 positive fibers were proliferated obviously in number.There were obvious differences in the density of the S100 stained nerve fibers and the fiber sizes between the controls[169.25?9.53;(23.15?5.56) ?m ] and the stenotic segments of HD[146.70?10.87;(57.81?14.99) ?m](all P