Post-stroke constipation treated with acupoint embedding therapy: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To verify the clinical effect of acupoint embedding therapy on post-stroke constipation.@*METHODS@#The multi-central randomized controlled trial was adopted. 210 patients of post-stroke constipation were divided into an acupoint embedding group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a sham-embedding group (105 cases, 6 cases dropped off). In the acupoint embedding group, the acupoint embedding therapy was used at Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Xiawan (CV 10), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Daju (ST 27). In the sham-embedding group, the sham-embedding therapy was given, in which, the acupoint selection, needle devices and manipulation were the same as the acupoint embedding group. But, no absorbable surgical suture was used in the needle tube. The treatment was given once every two weeks and 4 treatments were required in either group. It was to compare the weekly average complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during treatment (from the 3rd to the 8th week) between the two groups, the weekly average spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), Bristol stool form score (BSFS), the score of the patient assessment of constipation quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL) and the score of defecation difficulty before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The percentage of the cases with weekly average CSBMs ≥ 3 times in the patients of the acupoint embedding group was higher markedly than the sham-embedding group [91.1% (92/101) vs 43.4% (43/99), <0.01]. Compared with the values before treatment, the weekly average SBMs and BSFS scores after treatment were all increased obviously in the two groups (<0.01), and PAC-QOL score and the score of defecation difficulty were reduced remarkably (<0.01). After treatment, the increase range of SBMs and BSFS scores, as well as the decrease range of PAC-QOL score and the defecation difficulty score in the acupoint embedding group were all higher than the sham-embedding group respectively (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupoint embedding therapy remarkably increases the spontaneous bowel movements, improves in feces form and defecation difficulty and strengthens the quality of life in the patients of post-stroke constipation.

Comparison between pavlik harness and bryant traction for femoral shaft fractures in infants / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare clinical effects between Pavlik harness and Bryant traction in treating femoral shaft fractures in infants,including the time of hospitalization, expense of treatment, complications,time of bone union.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2005 to August 2010,the clinical data of 42 infants with femoral shaft fractures were retrospectively analyzed. Among the patients, 23 cases were treated with Pavlik harness(Pavlik harness group),there were 14 males and 9 females,ranging in age from 1 to 12 months with an average of (5.5+/-2.4) months,including upper 1/3 segment of 16 cases and middle segment of 7 cases; transverse fracture of 18 cases and oblique fracture of 5 cases. The other 19 patients were treated with Bryant traction (Bryant traction group),there were 15 males and 4 females,ranging in age from 2 to 12 months with an average of (6.7+/-2.8) months,including upper 1/3 segment of 13 cases and middle segment of 6 cases;transverse fracture of 12 cases and oblique fracture of 7 cases. The time of hospitalization,expense of treatment,complications,time of bone union were analyzed in the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up with an average of 25.3 months (ranging from 19 to 30) in Pavlik harness group and 23.7 months (ranging from 17 to 28) in Bryant traction group. Time of hospitalization, expense of treatment in Pavlik harness group were respectively (0.4+/-0.7) d, (2147.7+/-64.9) yuan; and in Bryant traction group were respectively(27.1+/-2.2) d, (2741.3+/-227.6) yuan;there was significant difference between two groups(P<0.05). No complication was found in Pavlik harness group and 8 cases complicated with skin hydroa in Bryant traction group, there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). Time of bone union,difference of both lower extremities in Pavlik harness group were respectively (4.1+/-0.3)weeks, (6.3+/-4.1) mm;and in Bryant traction group were respectively (3.9+/-0.3) weeks, (7.6 +/-4.3) mm; 20 cases got bone healing in Pavlik harness group and 18 cases got bone healing in Bryant traction group;there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with Bryant traction method,Pavlik harness method has obvious advantages in time of hospitalization, expense of treatment, complications in treating femoral shaft fractures in infants.</p>

Association study on HLA-DP and -DQ allelic polymorphisms and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Han nationality in Hunan province / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the polymorphisms of HLA-DPA1,DPB1,DQA1 and DQB1 alleles were associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-seven NPC patients and 91 normal controls of Han nationality in Hunan province were genotyped for HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1,HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 by PCR/SSO technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of allelic gene DPA1*0201, DPB1*1901 and DQA1*0201 were lower, and of DPB1*0402, DQA1*0101 were higher in patients than in controls; the frequencies of haplotype DPA1*0201-DPB1*1401 and DQA1*0201-DQB1*0201 in patients were lower than those in controls; however, the values of P are not significant after Bonferroni correction(Pc>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>No significant association between the HLA-DP and HLA-DQ loci and NPC in Han nationality in Hunan province was confirmed.</p>