Research advances on stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and its agonists / 药学学报

As a key signal transduction molecule involved in the innate immune response, stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is triggered by cytosolic DNA from pathogen and host origins, and plays an important role in inducing the secretion of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines, thereby defending against viral and intracellular bacterial infections and regulating the production of spontaneous antitumor immune responses in vivo. Thus, STING agonists have shown useful therapeutic effects for pathogen infection and cancer. In the past decade research on STING and its agonists has progressed rapidly. Here, we summarize recent advances in the structure and activation of STING and the mechanism of the cGAS-STING pathway. In particular, we review research advances of STING agonists, analyze the crystal structure of STING in complex with its agonists and the structure-activity relationship of STING agonists, and summarize the strong challenges of developing STING agonists.

Oxcarbazepine monotherapy in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes improves quality of life / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is the most common type of childhood idiopathic focal epilepsy. BECTS is associated with pervasive cognitive deficits and behavior problems. While seizures can be easily controlled, it is crucial to select anti-epileptic drugs that do not impair cognition, do not cause psychosocial effects, and improve the quality of life. Previous studies showed effects of oxcarbazepine (OXC) monotherapy on the cognitive and psychosocial profiles of patients with BECTS. Here, we studied the effects of OXC monotherapy on the neuropsychologic profiles and quality of life in patients with BECTS in China.@*METHODS@#Thirty-one patients aged 6 to 12 years newly diagnosed with BECTS were recruited. A psychometric assessment was performed before and during the follow-up of OXC monotherapy with Cognitive Computerized Task Battery, Depression Self-Rating Scale for children, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, and Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31). The results of the assessments were compared to explore the effect of OXC monotherapy in patients with BECTS.@*RESULTS@#Thirty children with BECTS completed the study. Five of ten cognitive test scores improved after treatment via OXC monotherapy, including visual tracing (F = 14.480, P < 0.001), paired associated learning (language) (F = 6.292, P < 0.001), paired associated learning (number) (F = 9.721, P < 0.05), word semantic (F = 6.003, P < 0.05), and simple subtraction (F = 6.229, P < 0.05). Of the neuropsychology data concerning the quality of life, statistically significant improvements were observed in emotion (F = 4.946, P < 0.05), QOLIE-social (F = 5.912, P < 0.05), and QOLIE-total (F = 14.161, P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#OXC is safe and does not impair neuropsychologic functions, with no obvious mood burden on children with BECTS. Most importantly, OXC has positive impacts on children's perception of quality of life, especially in terms of happiness and life satisfaction.

Acupuncture for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched six major English and Chinese databases included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing acupuncture alone or in combination for ED. Dichotomous data were presented as risk ratio (RR) and continuous data were presented as mean difference (MD) both with 95% confidence interval (CI). The Revman (v.5.3) was used for data analyses. Quality of evidence across studies was assessed by the online GRADEpro tool. RESULTS: We identified 22 RCTs, fourteen of them involving psychogenic ED. Most of the included RCTs had high or unclear risk of bias. There was no difference between electro-acupuncture and sham acupuncture with electrical stimulation on the rate of satisfaction and self-assessment (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.71–3.16; 1 trial). Acupuncture combined with tadalafil appeared to have better effect on increasing cure rate (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00–1.71; 2 trials), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 scores (MD, 5.38; 95% CI, 4.46–6.29; 2 trials). When acupuncture plus herbal medicine compared with herbal medicine alone, the combination therapy showed significant better improvement in erectile function (RR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.31–2.15; 7 trials). Only two trials reported facial red and dizziness cases, and needle sticking and pruritus cases in acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS: Low quality evidence shows beneficial effect of acupuncture as adjunctive treatment for people mainly with psychogenic ED. Safety of acupuncture was insufficiently reported. The findings should be confirmed in large, rigorously designed and well-reported trials.

Laws of Syndrome and Prescription in Yin Deficiency Syndrome of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Complex Network Analysis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To explore the laws of core symptom and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescription in treatment of the Yin deficiency syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in order to provide the objective basis for the treatment of SLE with TCM based on complex network. Method: Complex network analysis method was used to retrospectively study 322 TCM prescriptions collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between January 2011 and May 2017 and 134 literatures about treatment of SLE with TCM through computer retrieval. The topological property parameters of the complex network were calculated, and used to analyze the structure of the core network and the compatibility rule of symptom and TCM. Then the core syndrome, herbs, compatibility rules and characteristics of commonly used prescriptions for SLE were analyzed. Result: The results of analysis of complex network showed that the core TCM herbs for Yin deficiency syndrome of SLE mainly included Rehmanniae Radix, Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Artemisiae Annuae Herba, Cornt Fructus, Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, Trionycis Carapax, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, Coicis Semen, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Pinelliae Rhizoma.Core prescriptions included Qinghao Biejia Tang and Liuwei Dihuang Wan. Core syndromes included fatigue, poor sleep, anorexia, low fever, five upset heat, night sweats, dizziness, rash, skin erythema, facial red butterfly erythema, dark red rash, alopecia, weak waist and knees, joint pain, muscle pain, tinnitus, thirst, sore throat, red tongue, tongue with less fur, and thready and rapid pulse. Compared with the diagnostic criteria of the syndrome, the core symptoms included some new common clinical symptoms, such as poor sleep, anorexia, facial red butterfly erythema, dark red rash. Conclusion: The main pathogenesis of SLE is Yin deficiency and blood heat, so the treatment should be nourishing Yin and generating body fluid, removing pathogenic heat from blood and clearing deficient heat. In this study, the results of clinical retrospective review and computer retrieval by the complex network analysis method were basically consistent with the clinical application. It can be used as a reference for the clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment of Yin deficiency syndrome of SLE.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Scale of Phlegm and Blood Stasis Syndrome in Coronary Heart Disease: A Study Protocol / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#Phlegm and blood stasis syndrome (PBSS) is one of the main syndromes in coronary heart disease (CHD). Syndromes of Chinese medicine (CM) are lack of quantitative and easy-implementation diagnosis standards. To quantify and standardize the diagnosis of PBSS, scales are usually applied.@*OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CM diagnosis scale of PBSS in CHD.@*METHODS@#Six hundred patients with stable angina pectoris of CHD, 300 in case group and 300 in control group, will be recruited from 5 hospitals across China. Diagnosis from 2 experts will be considered as the "gold standard". The study design consists of 2 phases: pilot test is used to evaluate the reliability and validity, and diagnostic test is used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the scale, including sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve.@*DISCUSSION@#This study will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CM diagnosis scale of PBSS in CHD. The consensus of 2 experts may not be ideal as a "gold standard", and itself still requires further study. (No. ChiCTR-OOC-15006599).

Analysis of standard decoction of salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus / 中国中药杂志

The traditional Chinese medicine standard decoction is prepared on the basis of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and clinical application. With reference to the modern extraction method,the single decoction of traditional Chinese medicine is prepared by the standardized process,and the establishment of its quality standards is conducive to standardizing clinical medication. This research is to set an evaluation standard for the quality of salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus standard decoction. Twelve batches of salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus standard decoctions were prepared. The contents of psoralen and isopsoralen were determined,the transfer and extract rates were calculated,and the pH value was measured; HPLC fingerprint method was established for analysis. The results of the 12 batches of samples revealed that the transfer rates of psoralen and isopsoralen were 17. 10%-26. 40%,14. 70%-22. 70%,respectively; the extract rate was between 14. 7%-27. 0%,and the pH value was between 5. 4-6. 9. Moreover,7 common chromatographic peaks were determined based on fingerprint by using similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine( 2012 A).The similarities of the 12 batches of samples were analyzed and compared,and the results showed that the similarities were all higher than0. 9. In this study,the preparation method for salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus decoction was standard,with high similarities in fingerprint. This study build a convenient and reliable method of comprehensive quality evaluation,with a high precision,stability and repeatability,which can provide a reference for the quality control of salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus dispensing granules.

Enzymatic characteristics of peroxidase from Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Bo-ju / 中国中药杂志

The enzymatic browning is one of the main reasons for affecting the quality of medicinal flowers. In the process of chrysanthemum harvesting and processing, improper treatment will lead to the browning and severely impact the appearance and quality of chrysanthemum. Peroxidase enzyme is one of the oxidoreductases that cause enzymatic browning of fresh chrysanthemum. The enzymatic characteristics of peroxidase (POD) in chrysanthemum were studied in this paper. In this experiment, the effects of different reaction substrates and their concentrations, PH value of buffer and reaction temperatures on the activity of POD enzyme were investigated. The results showed that the optimal substrate of POD was guaiacol, and the optimal concentration of POD was 50 mmol·L⁻¹. The optimal pH value and reaction temperature were 4.4 and 30-35 °C, respectively. Michaelis-Menten equation was obtained to express the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reaction of POD, Km=0.193 mol·L⁻¹, Vmax=0.329 D·min⁻¹. In addition, the results of POD enzyme thermal stability test showed that the POD enzyme activity was inhibited when being treated at 80 °C for 4 min or at 100 °C for 2 min. The above results were of practical significance to reveal the enzymatic browning mechanism, control the enzymatic browning and improve the quality of chrysanthemum, and can also provide the basis for the harvesting and processing of medicinal materials containing polyphenols.

Intervention and mechanism of exercises on primary osteoporosis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: With the acceleration of aging population in the world, the prevalence of primary osteoporosis is increasing. Complications induced by primary osteoporosis will be a key public health problem, so its prevention and treatment is an issue of concern in the medical field. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the benign intervention mechanism of exercises on primary osteoporosis, and to analyze the mechanism of exercise effects on primary osteoporosis by literature and logical thinking methods, so as to find out the benign intervention mechanism, thereby providing theoretical reference for the patients and surgeons.METHODS: A computer-based online search was conducted in Elsevier Science-direct, Medline, EM, CNKI, and CJFD databases using the key words of "sports, osteoporosis, nutrition, hormone, depression" in English and Chinese, respectively. The search years ranged from 1990 to 2015. Totally 756 relevant articles were screened, and 52 eligible articles were finally included for analysis and discussion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Primary osteoporosis is affected by hormone, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and psychological factors. Exercises can mediate the secretion of hormones to regulate bone mass, which is a kind of direct physical stimulation to bone metabolism, further affecting the absorption of nutrients to maintain bone mass. Exercise makes active effect on lifestyle and psychology, thus affecting bone health. Therefore, the scientific and reasonable exercise has a benign intervention action on primary osteoporosis, and can be used to prevent primary osteoporosis.

Clinical Manifestations and Amplitude-integrated Encephalogram in Neonates with Early-onset Epileptic Encephalopathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE) suffer from neurodevelopmental delay. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations and amplitude-integrated encephalogram (aEEG) characteristics of infants with EOEE with onset within the neonatal period, to make early diagnosis to improve the prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One-hundred and twenty-eight patients with neonatal seizure were enrolled and followed up till 1 year old. Sixty-six neonates evolved into EOEE were as the EOEE group, the other 62 were as the non-EOEE (nEOEE) group. Then we compared the clinical and aEEG characteristics between the two groups to analyze the manifestations in neonates with EOEE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the nEOEE group, the incidence of daily seizure attacks, more than two types of convulsions, more than two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) application, severely abnormal aEEG background, absence of cyclicity, and more than two seizures detection were significantly higher in the EOEE group (P < 0.05) (97% vs. 54.8%; 30.3% vs. 14.5%; 97.0% vs. 25.4%; 39.4% vs. 3.2%; 57.6% vs. 9.7%; and 56% vs. 3.2%, respectively). Severely abnormal background pattern (odds ratio [OR] = 0.081, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.009-0.729, P = 0.025) and more than two seizures detection by aEEG (OR = 0.158, 95% CI: 0.043-0.576, P = 0.005) were the independent risk factors for the evolvement into EOEE. The upper and lower margins of active sleep (AS) and quiet sleep (QS) were significantly higher in EOEE group than those of the control group (P < 0.05) (34.3 ± 13.6 vs. 21.3 ± 6.4; 9.9 ± 3.7 vs. 6.7 ± 2.2; 41.2 ± 15.1 vs. 30.4 ± 11.4; and 11.9 ± 4.4 vs. 9.4 ± 4.0; unit: μV, respectively). AS upper margin was demonstrated a higher diagnostic specificity and sensitivity for EOEE than another three parameters according to the receiver operating characteristic curves; the area under the curve was 0.827.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical characteristics of the neonatal seizure which will evolve into EOEE were more than two AEDs application, high seizure frequency (daily attack), and more than two types of the seizure. Significant high voltage, severely abnormal background, absence of cyclicity, and more than two seizures detected on aEEG were the meaningful indicators to the prediction of EOEE.</p>

Methological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on acupuncture for stroke: A review of review / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding acupuncture intervention for stroke and the primary studies within them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two researchers searched PubMed, Cumulative index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Ovid Medline, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Traditional Chinese Medical Database to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses about acupuncture for stroke published from the inception to December 2016. Review characteristics and the criteria for assessing the primary studies within reviews were extracted. The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using adapted Oxman and Guyatt Scale. The methodological quality of primary studies was also assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-two eligible reviews were identified, 15 in English and 17 in Chinese. The English reviews were scored higher than the Chinese reviews (P=0.025), especially in criteria for avoiding bias and the scope of search. All reviews used the quality criteria to evaluate the methodological quality of primary studies, but some criteria were not comprehensive. The primary studies, in particular the Chinese reviews, had problems with randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, dropouts and withdrawals, intent-to-treat analysis and adverse events.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Important methodological flaws were found in Chinese systematic reviews and primary studies. It was necessary to improve the methodological quality and reporting quality of both the systematic reviews published in China and primary studies on acupuncture for stroke.</p>

A Genetic Susceptibility Study of Lung Cancer Risk Potentially Associated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Inhalation Exposure / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

To establish a genetic susceptibility assessment model of lung cancer risk potentially associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) inhalation exposure among non-smokers in China, a total of 143 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 143 cancer-free individuals were recruited. Sixty-eight genetic polymorphisms in 10 pathways related to PAH metabolism and tumorigenesis were selected and examined. It was observed that 3 genetic polymorphisms, along with 10 additional genetic polymorphisms via gene-gene interactions, significantly influenced lung cancer risk potentially associated with PAH inhalation exposure. Most polymorphisms were associated with PAH metabolism. According to the established genetic susceptibility score (GSS), lung cancer risk increased with a rise in the GSS level, thereby indicating a positive dose-response relationship.

Controversies on the values for health instruments of Chinese medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

Currently, there are increasing debates on the necessity of health instruments in Chinese medicine (CM) emerging in China. This study aims to reevaluate its status and values. Analyzing the causes, limits, advantages, and properties characters of health instruments in CM, it is found that weak fundamental research, incomplete self-awareness, and complicated social factors are the primary causes of debates. A comprehensive analysis showed health instruments in CM have health evaluation benefits to people from a dominant Chinese culture, meet the requirements of cultural background, and bring long-term value to Chinese instrument researches. However, its values and status should be treated differently depending on various subtypes. Although little theoretical and practical evidences proved that patients-reported health instruments in CM should be proposed independently, the doctors- and nurses-reported questionnaires are necessary. With this in mind, the study group proposes the 'Chinese cultural instruments (CCIs)' and 'health-related CCIs'. The latter one aims to evaluate the health status of people in a dominant Chinese culture. The CCIs theory represents Chinese instrument researches on a larger regional and higher level, and resolves the debates on instruments between CM and Western medicine in China. Health instruments in CM bring more scientific and social benefits for Chinese instrument researches. However, it does not include cultural demands, and lacks scientific significance. CCIs have all its virtues, and add solutions to the latter's theory bottleneck and scientific debates, thus bringing increased benefits to clinical assessment in complementary and alternative medicine researches.

Prognostic Significance of Frontal QRS-T Angle in Patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Current risk stratification of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) lacks sufficient sensitivity and specificity. The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive role of frontal QRS-T angles in IDC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective study with 509 IDC patients was performed from February 2008 to December 2013 in the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine. Baseline values and changes in QRS-T angles were recorded. Follow-up was conducted every 6 months. Analyses by Cox Proportional Hazards model were performed to evaluate the association between QRS-T angle and outcomes. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During a median follow-up of 34 months, 90 of 316 patients with QRS-T angles >90° died compared to 31 of 193 patients with QRS-T angles ≤90° (hazard ratio [HR] =2.4, P < 0.001). Cardiac death was more prevalent in patients with a wide QRS-T angle (HR = 2.4, P < 0.001), similar to heart failure rehospitalization (HR = 2.5, P < 0.001). After adjustment for potential prognostic factors, the QRS-T angle was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 2.5, P < 0.05), cardiac mortality (HR = 1.9, P < 0. 05), and heart failure rehospitalization (HR = 2.3, P < 0.01). Optimized therapy significantly narrowed the frontal QRS-T angle (100.9 ± 53.4° vs. 107.2 ± 54.4°, P < 0.001). The frontal QRS-T angle correlated well with established risk factors, such as left ventricular ejection fraction, brain natriuretic peptide, and New York Heart Association functional class.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The frontal QRS-T angle is a powerful predictor of all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and worsening heart failure in IDC patients, independent of well-established prognostic factors. Optimized therapy significantly narrows the QRS-T angle, which might be an indicator of medication compliance, but this requires further investigation.</p>

Prenatal diagnosis of sirenomelia by two-dimensional and three-dimensional skeletal imaging ultrasound / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study sought to evaluate the contribution of two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) and three-dimensional skeletal imaging ultrasound (3D-SUIS) in the prenatal diagnosis of sirenomelia. Between September 2010 and April 2014, a prospective study was conducted in a single referral center using 3D-SUIS performed after 2D-US in 10 cases of sirenomelia. Diagnostic accuracy and detailed findings were compared with postnatal three-dimensional helical computed tomography (3D-HCT), radiological findings and autopsy. Pregnancy was terminated in all 10 sirenomelia cases, including 9 singletons and 1 conjoined twin pregnancy, for a total of 5 males and 5 females. These cases of sirenomelia were determined by autopsy and/or chromosomal examination. Initial 2D-US showed that there were 10 cases of oligohydramnios, bilateral renal agenesis, bladder agenesis, single umbilical artery, fusion of the lower limbs and spinal abnormalities; 8 cases of dipus or monopus; 2 cases of apus; and 8 cases of cardiac abnormalities. Subsequent 3D-SUIS showed that there were 9 cases of scoliosis, 10 cases of sacrococcygeal vertebra dysplasia, 3 cases of hemivertebra, 1 case of vertebral fusion, 3 cases of spina bifida, and 5 cases of rib abnormalities. 3D-SUIS identified significantly more skeletal abnormalities than did 2D-US, and its accuracy was 79.5% (70/88) compared with 3D-HCT and radiography. 3D-SUIS seems to be a useful complementary method to 2D-US and may improve the accuracy of identifying prenatal skeletal abnormalities related to sirenomelia.

Development and Evaluation of GS-SF for Gastric Stuffiness (Wei PI) Patients Based on Item Response Theory, Computerized Adaptive Testing, and Data Simiuation / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop and evaluate the short version of patient reported outcomes (PROs) questionnaire for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients with modern test theory and technologies, hoping to provide testing tools for related clinical practice and scientific researches with higher quality and less administrative and response burdens.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using descriptive study design, clinical data were collected with sociological questionnaire and previous developed full items version of PROs instrument for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients via field and online surveys between Sep 2011 and Mar 2012. The statistical analysis group identified the termination parameters firstly, and then selected items with discrimination, fitting residual, item information curve (IIC) , item characteristic curve (ICC), and the rank of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) select proportion, etc. After assumption evaluation of item response theory (IRT), IIC, ICC, difficulty coefficient distribution, items-response relation and thresholds, etc. were used for psychometric evaluation of instrument.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 331 patients [Ages: 31.99 +/- 10.29 yrs; Male: 186 (56.3%)] were enrolled in statistical analysis. The test termination criterion was Max SE = 0.2 or Max items number =16. After items selection, a 15-item short version of instrument, which contains symptoms facet (8 items) and impact facet (7 items) was generated. With good unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity, the IC and ICC in IRT analysis showed good working capability of the questionnaire. The difficulty coefficient distribution and items-response relation were also rational, as well as response thresholds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The short version of PROs instrument for adult gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients was successfully developed and assessed. The instrument with good methodological and reporting quality could be used in clinical and scientific evaluating their symptoms and impact.</p>

Controlled observation of the efficacy on motion sickness in the prevention and treatment with jianpixingnao needling therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the efficacy of Jianpi-xingniao needling therapy on prevention and treatment of motion sickness.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty volunteers of motion sickness were randomized into an acupuncture group and a delayed acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was given at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Hegu (LI 4). The needles were retained for 20 min. The treatment was given twice a week and 10 treatments were required. In the delayed acupuncture group, acupuncture was postponed, meaning no acupuncture during observation stage. Graybel scale was adopted to observe the score of symptoms and physical signs of the subjects of motion sickness before and after intervention. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-five cases in the acupuncture group and 22 cases in the delayed acupuncture group were included in the statistical analysis. The score of symptoms and physical signs of motion sickness was reduced significantly after treatment in the acupuncture group as compared with that before treatment (10.12 +/- 3.37 vs 0.92 +/- 0.40, P < 0.05). The score in the acupuncture group was lower apparently than that in the delayed acupuncture group (0.92 +/- 0.40 vs 9.86 +/- 2.53, P < 0.05). The difference was not significant before and after treatment in the self-comparison of the delayed acupuncture group (P > 0.05). The total effective rate was 96.0% (24/25) in the acupuncture group, which was significantly better than 0.0% (0/22) in the delayed acupuncture group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jianpixingniao needling therapy relieves the symptoms of motion sickness in the patients and achieves a better clinical efficacy.</p>

General integral medicine: the strategic direction for complex health interventions / 中国中西医结合杂志

Nowadays, the simple combination of Western medicine (WM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) cannot resolve all the health problems and various requirements. This article proposed the general integral medicine (GIM) theoretical model, which declares the disease causes analysis, clinical intervention and outcomes assessment should be recognized, managed and evaluated both from physiological, psychological, and spiritual status, and all the four dimensions: orthodox medicine (WM, Chinese medicine, etc.), individual inherent characteristics (emotion, attitude, psychology, etc.), cultural influences (doctors, caregivers, groups care, etc.), and natural environment and social systems (economic status, social security system, environmental pollution, etc). As for health outcomes assessment, a more comprehensive system including biological, doctors, patients, health intimate, social and environmental evaluations were required. The GIM model has individualized, dynamic, standardized, objective, systematic inherent characteristics, and opening and compatible external characteristics. It aims to provide the new theoretical guidance and strategic development direction for complex health interventions, and solve various medical related psychological and social problems.

STXBP1 gene mutation in newborns with refractory seizures / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between STXBP1 gene mutations and refractory seizures with unknown causes in newborns.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The coding region of STXBP1 gene was detected using direct Sanger sequencing in 11 newborns with refractory seizures of unknown causes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>STXBP1 gene mutation was found in 1 out of 11 patients. It was a missense mutation: c.1439C>T (p.P480L).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>STXBP1 gene mutation can be found in neonatal refractory seizures of unknown causes, suggesting a new approach of further research of this disease.</p>

Effect of human colon carcinoma-associated fibroblasts on biological behavior of colon carcinoma Lovo cells / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of human colon carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of colon carcinoma Lovo cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The co-culture models among colon CAFs, NFs and Lovo cell were established by conditioned medium (CM) of human colon CAFs and colon normal fibroblasts (NFs). Lovo cells in the blank control group was treated with serum-free culture medium. The effects of human colon CAFs on proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of colon carcinoma Lovo cells were detected by cell proliferation assay, adhesion assay, migration assay and Transwell invasion assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After co-culture with colon CAFs, the absorbance (A) value of Lovo cells was (0.667±0.059) in 48 h and (0.709±0.030) in 72 h. The A value of Lovo cells adhesion to fibronectin was (0.588±0.067). The cell mobility rates were (35.2±8.7)% in 12 h and (64.6±7.1)% in 24 h. The number of invasive cell was (56.2±4.8). All the above parameters were increased compared with those in the blank control group and NFs group (all P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human colon CAFs can promote the proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of colon carcinoma Lovo cells.</p>

Ultrasound imaging of acardia twin before and after blood spontaneously blocked and pump twin′s outcome analysis in twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To discuss the ultrasound imaging of acardia twin before and after spontaneously blood blocked in twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP), and to analyze the inlfuence factor for the prognosis of pump twin. Methods Seven TRAP with pump twins and acardia′s blood lfow blocked were diagnosed by US and autopsy in Hubei Women and Children′s Hospital between 2001 January to 2012 September. The ultrasound images, clinical data and pump twin’ outcome were analyzed. Results Ultrasound images showed skin edema, acardia, spine and lower limbs in seven acardia cases before blood blocked, among which 4 were acardius acephalus, 3 were acardius anceps. Single umbilical artery were detected in 7 cases with reversed umbilical artery perfusion toward fetus. Four cases had rare blood lfow (UA-PI ratio<0.7. Five acardia cases had slower growing rate than the pump twin. Ultrasound images showed no growing, no blood lfow in the acardia, the acardia twin became vagued in the second and third trimester, and ifnally developed into a paper fetus. A linear umbilical cord extend from umbilical region to placenta were found in 7 cases whose blood lfow were spontaneously blocked. Pump twin′s outcome:3 pump twins survived, 3 died in uterus, and 1 was induced labor due to hydrocephalus and cardiac failure. The most important factors that affected the prognosis of pump twin included:faster growing in acardia twin with less blood supply, abnormal brain and heart function in pump twin, chromosome abnormalities, abnormal amniotic fluid and cord entanglement. Conclusions Less blood flow and slow growth speed prompt in acardia twin suggested spontaneously acardia blood block. It is mandatory to monitor the pump twin after the spontaneous block of acardiac’s blood lfow.