Responses of Primary Afferent Fibers to Acupuncture-Like Peripheral Stimulation at Different Frequencies: Characterization by Single-Unit Recording in Rats / 神经科学通报·英文版

The pain-relieving effect of acupuncture is known to involve primary afferent nerves (PANs) via their roles in signal transmission to the CNS. Using single-unit recording in rats, we characterized the generation and transmission of electrical signals in Aβ and Aδ fibers induced by acupuncture-like stimuli. Acupuncture-like signals were elicited in PANs using three techniques: manual acupuncture (MAc), emulated acupuncture (EAc), and electro-acupuncture (EA)-like peripheral electrical stimulation (PES). The discharges evoked by MAc and EAc were mostly in a burst pattern with average intra-burst and inter-burst firing rates of 90 Hz and 2 Hz, respectively. The frequency of discharges in PANs was correlated with the frequency of PES. The highest discharge frequency was 246 Hz in Aβ fibers and 180 Hz in Aδ fibers. Therefore, EA in a dense-disperse mode (at alternating frequency between 2 Hz and 15 Hz or between 2 Hz and 100 Hz) best mimics MAc. Frequencies of EA output >250 Hz appear to be obsolete for pain relief.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for asthenozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To study the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in the treatment of asthenozoospermia.@*METHODS@#We randomly divided 72 asthenozoospermia patients into a 2 Hz TEAS (n = 29), a 100 Hz TEAS (n = 20), and a blank control group (n = 23), those in the former two groups treated by 30 minutes of TEAS at 2 Hz and 100 Hz respectively, applied to the acupoints of bilateral Shenshu, left Zusanli, and Guanyuan, once a day for 60 days, while those in the blank control group left untreated. Using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), we examined sperm concentration and motility as well as the percentages of grade a and grade a+b sperm in different groups of the patients.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the baseline, 2 Hz TEAS significantly increased sperm motility (［12.76 ± 1.39］ vs ［18.89 ± 2.46］%, P<0.05) and the percentage of grade a+b sperm ( ［10.68 ± 1.22］ vs ［16.32 ± 2.10］%, P<0.05) in the asthenozoospermic patients, while 100 Hz TEAS improved not only sperm motility (［12.32 ± 2.21］ vs ［23.81 ± 3.42］%, P<0.01) and the percentage of grade a+b sperm (［10.45 ± 1.98］ vs ［20.25 ± 2.82 ］%, P<0.01), but also the percentage of grade a sperm (［6.44 ± 1.16］ vs ［13.31 ± 2.30］%, P<0.05). Moreover, in comparison with the blank control group, 2 Hz TEAS also remarkably increased sperm motility (［9.57 ± 1.60］ vs ［18.89 ± 2.46］%, P<0.05) and the percentage of grade a+b sperm (［7.81 ± 1.31］ vs ［16.32 ± 2.10］%, P<0.05) in the asthenozoosperma patients, while 100 Hz TEAS improved not only sperm motility (［9.57 ± 1.60］ vs ［23.81 ± 3.42］%, P<0.01) and the percentage of grade a+b sperm (［7.81 ± 1.31］ vs ［20.25 ± 2.82］%, P<0.01) but also the percentage of grade a sperm (［4.87 ± 1.01］ vs ［13.31 ± 2.30］%, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the rate of clinical effectiveness was significantly higher in the 100 Hz TEASthan in the blank control group either in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (100% vs 18.18%) orper-protocol (PP) analysis (90% vs 0%), and so was it than in the 2 Hz TEAS group based on the data of ITT (100% vs 33.33%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Both 2 Hz and 100 Hz TEAS are effective for the treatment of asthenozoospermia by improving sperm motility and vitality.

Porcine circovirus type 2 and PCV2-systemic disease--a review / 生物工程学报

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) can cause immunosuppression on herds. PCV2, as an essential pathogen of PCV2-systemic disease (PCV2-SD), has caused considerable economic losses in pig industry worldwide. Here we review and address the evolution, viral protein and immunolesion of PCV2 and preventive techniques of PCV2-SD.

Nuclear medical molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis: current status and future prospects / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the current status and progress on nuclear medical molecular imaging of angiogenesis.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>A literature search was performed in Medline and PubMed published in English up to May 31, 2012. The search terms were molecular imaging, nuclear medicine and angiogenesis.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles studying molecular imaging of angiogenesis using radionuclide were selected and reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Molecular imaging has been used for studying angiogenesis by targeting integrin αVβ3, VEGF/VEGFR, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with radionuclide-labeled tracers. The technology has been shown to be able to assess the angiogenesis status and/or predict the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy. Future directions of the research on the molecular imaging of angiogenesis include development of new tracers with better tumor targeting efficacy, desirable pharmacokinetics, and easy translation to clinical applications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Advances in molecular imaging of angiogenesis using radioculcide will make the technology a valuable tool for personalized anti-angiogenesis treatment.</p>

The prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume in FDG PET/CT evaluation of post-operative survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer / 中华核医学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic value of MTV on 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with esophageal cancer.MethodsForty-nine patients with esophageal cancer underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan before surgery.The median follow-up time for the patients was 29 months (range,8- 57 months).The prognostic significance of MTV,age,sex,histologic grade,SUVmax of the primary tumor,tumor size measured on PET/CT,T stage,N stage,M stage,American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage,number and location of lymph nodes metastases were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox model.ResultsIn the univariate analysis,AJCC stage (x2 =16.206,hazard ratio (HR) =1.177,P ＜0.001),N stage (x2 =9.536,HR =10.833,P =0.002),T stage (x2 =5.810,HR=2.397,P=0.016),number of lymph nodes metastases (x2 =11.423,HR =1.567,P =0.001 ),and MTV (x2 =3.872,HR =2.433,P =0.049 ) were significant predictors of survival.Multivariate analysis showed that MTV and AJCC stage were independent predictors of survival (x2 =4.525,HR1.170,P =0.033 ;X2=4.875,HR =3.071,P =0.027).Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed longer survival time of low-MTV group as compared to high-MTV group ( Log-rank,x2 =4.186,P =0.041 ).ConclusionMTV on 18 F-FDG PET/CT may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with esophageal cancer.

Clinical and radiographic results of cervical artificial disc arthroplasty: over three years follow-up cohort study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Theoretic advantages of cervical disc arthroplasty include preservation of normal motion and biomechanics in the cervical spine, and reduction of adjacent-segment degeneration. The clinical and radiographic effects of cervical disc arthroplasty in short term have been ascertained. The aim of this study is to research the data of mid-term results.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this prospective cohort study, 50 patients who underwent cervical disc arthroplasty from December 2003 to January 2006 were enrolled. There were 39 patients who received 1-level disc arthroplasty, and 11 patients received 2-level disc arthroplasty, with an average age of 50.9 years (range from 29 to 73). The median follow-up was 41.85 months (range from 36.00 - 55.63 months). Patients were followed prospectively with respect to their symptoms, neurologic signs, and radiographic results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median value of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 14.0 before surgery, and 16.5 at the most recent follow-up (P < 0.01). The median value of the recovery rate of the JOA score was 92.2%. The preoperative range of motion (ROM) at the indexed level was (10.40 ± 4.97)°, which has significantly correlated with the most recent follow-up ROM which was (8.56 ± 4.76)° (P < 0.05, r = 0.33). The ROM at the operative level at the most recent follow-up was greater than the value at the 3-month follow-up of (7.52 ± 3.37)° (P < 0.05). The preoperative functional spinal unit (FSU) angulation was (-0.96 ± 6.52)°, which was not significantly correlated with that of the most recent follow-up value of (-2.65 ± 7.95)° (P < 0.01, r = 0.53). The preoperative endplate angulation was (2.61 ± 4.85)°, which had no significant correlation with that of the most recent follow-up value of (0.71 ± 6.41)° (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical and radiographic results of cervical disc arthroplasty are good in mid-term follow-up. The normal range of motion of the operated level and the biomechanics in the cervical spine are well preserved.</p>

Effects of Polyamines on Contractility of Guinea-Pig Gastric Smooth Muscle

This study was designed to investigate the effects of polyamines on mechanical contraction and voltage-dependent calcium current (VDCC) of guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle. Mechanical contraction and calcium channel current (I(Ba)) were recorded by isometric tension recording and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Spermine, spermidine and putrescine inhibited spontaneous contraction of the gastric smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent manner. Spermine (2 mM) reduced high K+ (50 mM)-induced contraction to 16+/-6.4% of the control (n=9), and significantly inhibited I(Ba) in a reversible manner (p<0.05; IC50=0.8 mM). Pre- and post-treatment of tissue with spermine (2-5 mM, n=10) also inhibited acetylcholine (10 micrometer)-induced phasic contraction to 5+/-6.4% of the control. Inhibitory effect of spermine on I(Ba) was observed at a wide range of test potentials of current/voltage (I/V) relationship (p<0.05), and steady-state activation of I(Ba) was shifted to the right by spermine (p<0.05). Spermidine and putrescine (1 mM each) also inhibited I(Ba) to 51+/-5.7% and 81+/-5.3% of the control, respectively. And putrescine (1 mM) inhibited I(Ba) at whole tested potentials (p<0.05) without significant change of kinetics (p<0.05). Finally, 5 mM putrescine also inhibited high K+ -induced contraction to 53+/-7.1% of the control (n=4). These findings suggest that polyamines inhibit contractions of guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle via inhibition of VDCC.

Clinical value of positron emission tomography-CT for the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence and metastasis in the patients with esophageal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical value of the whole-body (18)F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography with computerized tomography (PET-CT) for recurrence and distant metastasis after curative resection of the esophagus cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2003 to June 2004, thirty-one patients with clinical or radiologic suspicion of recurrent disease underwent conventional diagnostic work-up, including a spiral CT scan, and a dedicated whole-body PET-CT. All cases were examined by pathology or followed-up for 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 31 cases, recurrences were found in 23 patients, and 43 recurrent lesions were detected, including 14 perianastomotic lesions and 43 regional and distant lesions. For the diagnosis of recurrence, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT were 97.7%, 100%, and 85.7%, while those of conventional CT were 77.3%, 61.7%, and 78.6% respectively. The sensitivity of PET-CT was significantly higher than that of conventional CT (100% vs 61.7%; chi (2)=4.161, P=0.041).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The sensitivity of PET-CT is higher than that of conventional CT. PET-CT will play an important role in the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of esophageal cancer.</p>

Accuracy of CT-based navigation of pedicle screws implantation in the cervical spine compared with X-ray fluoroscopy technique / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of cervical spine pedicle screw fixation assisted by X-ray fluoroscopy and CT-based navigation system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>145 cervical pedicle screws were placed assisted by X-ray fluoroscopy and 159 cervical pedicle screws were placed assisted by CT-based navigation system. Screw positions were evaluated by postoperative CT scans or C-arm X-ray 3 dimensional reconstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the computer- assisted group, 155 (97.5%) screws were found completely within their pedicles compared with 133 (91.7%) correctly placed screws in the X-ray assisted group (P < 0.05). The process of navigation investigated in twenty patients showed that the mean time for registration and surface matching was 3.5 (range from 2 to 8 minutes) minutes and the mean time for screw-marker insertion was 2 (range from 1 to 3.5 minutes) minutes with the mean position deviation 0.31 mm (0.12-0.56 mm) per screw. Only twice C-arm fluoroscopy were performed to verify the accuracy of one screw position intraoperatively. No severe complications like neurovascular lesion occurred in both groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CT-based navigation system can increase the accuracy of cervical pedicle screw implantation significantly.</p>

Value of 18F-FDG PET in clinical staging of non-small-cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility of 18F-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) in the staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>105 patients with NSCLC had been examined by 18F-FDG PET and staged by PET before radiotherapy. The results of 18F-FDG PET examination were compared with those of CT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The staging was changed in 38 patients because of 18F-FDG PET findings with PET upstaged in 31 patients and downstaged in 7 patients. Because of distant metastasis detected by PET, 21 patients received palliative treatment. Six of the 7 downstaged patients underwent radical surgery, among which the PET findings were concordant with the operative findings in 5 patients. Distant metastasis detected by PET increased with elevation of pre-PET stage: at stage I 10.0% (2/20), stage II 14.3% (3/21) and stage III 25.0% (16/64), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>18F-FDG PET, by changing clinical staging in 36.2% (38/105) NSCLC patients has impact on treatment strategy in NSCLC patients.</p>

Study on blood lipids of patients with ischemic cerebral vascular disease / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To study blood lipids levels of patients with ischemic cerebral vascular disease (ICVD).Methods The blood lipids levels were measured in 2886 subjects with ICVD enrolled from 1991 to 2004,in which 1430 subjects from 2000 to 2004 were classified into a sub-group;400 healthy persons receiving physical examination were enrolled as controls.Results The blood TC,TG and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in the sub-group than those in the control group.Both in males and females, the morbidity of abnormal blood lipid metabolism and blood lipids level gradually increased with the age and the lapse of decades.Total cholesterol level of male younger than fifty,averaging (4.43?0.51) mmol/L, increased to (4.96?0.85) mmol/L after fifty years old.The same thing happened to females,from (4.30?0.49) mmol/L to (5.01?0.90) mmol/L.TG and LDL-C increased in patients older than fifty compared with those younger than fifty.In the groups above 50 years old,the blood lipids levels of females were significantly higher than those of males.The morbidity of abnormal blood lipid metabolism of male increased from 24.5% in (1991 to 1994) to 38.1% (2001 to 2004) and of female from 22.3% (1991 to 1994) to 38.5% (2001 to 2004).Conclusions Abnormal blood lipid in Foshan is one of the most important reasons to ICVD.