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Purpose@#This study compared the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LH) vs. conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) in patients with grade II/III hemorrhoids. @*Methods@#PubMed/Medline and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing LH against CH in grade II/III hemorrhoids. The primary outcomes included postoperative use of analgesia, postoperative morbidity (bleeding, urinary retention, pain, thrombosis), and time of return to work/daily activities. @*Results@#Nine studies totaling 661 patients (LH, 336 and CH, 325) were included. The LH group had shorter operative time (P0.999) and prolapse (P=0.240), and the likelihood of complete resolution at 12 months, were similar (P=0.240). @*Conclusion@#LH offers more favorable short-term clinical outcomes than CH, with reduced morbidity and pain and earlier return to work or daily activities. Medium-term symptom recurrence at 12 months was similar. Our results should be verified in future well-designed trials with larger samples.
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With the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadruple-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS)-based metabonomics technology, this study aims to analyze the effect of Chaiqin Ningshen Granules(CNG) on endogenous metabolites in insomnia rats of liver depression syndrome and explore the sleep-improving mechanism of this prescription. Parachlorophenylalanine(PCPA, ip) and chronic stimulation were combined to induce insomnia of liver depression pattern in rats, and the effect of CNG on the macroscopic signs, hemorheology, and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus of insomnia rats of liver depression syndrome was observed. After the administration, rat hippocampus was collected for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) analysis of the metabolomics. Principal component analysis(PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were employed for analyzing the metabolites in rat hippocampus and screening potential biomarkers. MetPA was used to yield the related metabolic pathways and metabolic networks. The results show that the drugs can significantly improve the mental state, liver depression, and blood stasis of rats, significantly increase the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and gamma aminobutyric acid(GABA) in hippocampus(except low-dose CNG), and significantly reduce the content of glucose(Glu)(except low-dose CNG). Among them, estazolam and high-dose CNG had better effect than others. Metabolomics analysis yielded 27 potential biomarkers related to insomnia. MetPA analysis showed 4 metabolic pathways of estazolam in intervening insomnia and 3 metabolic pathways of high-dose CNG in intervening insomnia, involving purine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, histidine metabolism, and caffeine metabolism. CNG can alleviate insomnia by regulating endogenous differential metabolites and further related metabolic pathways. The result lays a basis for further elucidating the mechanism of CNG in improving sleep.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Biomarkers , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Estazolam , Hippocampus/metabolism , Metabolomics/methods , Sleep , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/drug therapyABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of endogenous neurotrophic factor (ENTFs) on nerve regeneration after cryopreserved sciatic nerve allograft in rats. Methods:The 15-mm sciatic nerves from female Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in DMEM solution and pretreated in vitro for 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days at 37 ℃ with 5% CO2 (groups A, B, C, D and E) respectively. Fresh nerve group (group F) was set up. The protein expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II was detected by Western blotting. The above six groups were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for four weeks. The living cells and dead cells of the nerves after cryopreservation were observed by Calcein-AM/propidium iodide staining. In addition, the above six cryopreserved groups and another fresh nerve group (group G) were transplanted to the Wistar rats by allografting (groups A', B', C', D', E', F' and G'). Isograft group (group H') was set up. One week after transplantation, the expression of CD8+ T cells and macrophages of the graft were observed by immunofluorescence staining, and the plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by ELISA. Twenty weeks after transplantation, the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were examined by electrophysiology. The wet weight ratio of gastrocnemius muscle was calculated by the operational side compared with the contralateral side. The expression of neurofilament protein (NF) 200 of the transplanted nerves was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The number of myelinated nerve fibers was analyzed by toluidine blue staining. The thickness of myelinated was analyzed by electron microscopy. Results:Compared with group F, the protein expression of GDNF and NGF increased in groups C, D and E (P < 0.05); the protein expression of Bcl-2 reduced and the protein expression of Bax and Caspase-3 increased in groups B, C, D, and E (P < 0.05); the protein expression of MHC-I and MHC-II decreased in all the pretreated groups (P < 0.05). Four weeks after cryopreservation, compared with groups F and G, the number of living cells decreased in groups C, D and E. One week after transplantation, compared with groups F' and G', the expression of CD8+ T cells and macrophages decreased, and the plasma concentration of IL-2 and TNF-α decreased in groups C', D' and E' (P<0.05). Twenty weeks after transplantation, CMAP, NCV, the wet weight ratio of gastrocnemius muscle, the number of axon and thickness of myelin sheath were better in groups C', D' and E' than in groups F' and G' (P<0.05), as well as the expression of NF200. Conclusion:ENTFs can be induced by pretreating the sciatic nerve in vitro. Cryopreserved sciatic nerve with high expression of ENTFs could promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery after allograft.
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@#【Objective】To explore colonoscopy adherence and related factors among preliminary screened-positive population in Guangzhou. 【Methods】This study was a part of the Guangzhou Community-based Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. We retrospectively analyzed the 1-year follow-up data of population aged 50~74 years old and positive in preliminary colorectal cancer screening in 2015. Kaplan- Meier method was used to describe the respond time to colonoscopy examination. Cox proportional hazard model was performed to identify factors associated with colonoscopy adherence. The effect of studied factors on colonoscopy adherence was reported according to hazard ratio（HR）.【Results】 A total of 18 604 preliminary screened-positive residents were included ，among whom 4 014 completed colonoscopy examination within one year，with a colonoscopy adherence of 21.6% . Colorectal lesions were found in 2 012 cases （50.1%），of which 96（2.4%）were colorectal cancers. The adherence of 1 month，3 months and 6 months were 9.7% ，15.8% ，and 18.6% respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that those who were female ，in older age ， unmarried/widowed/divorced，without health insurance，and had a history of chronic cholecystitis or cholecystectomy were less likely to undergo colonoscopy；while those who were fecal occult blood test- positive，had colonoscopy preferential policies，worked in government or public institution，had medical insurance for urban workers，had a history of chronic diarrhea，a history of chronic constipation，a history of mucous and/or blood stool，and a history of bad life incidents were more likely to undergo colonoscopy. 【Conclusions】 This study suggested that the colonoscopy adherence of preliminary screened- positive population in Guangzhou was low and such low adherence was associated with different factors. Community health workers should timely track the completion of colonoscopy of preliminary screened-positive residents ， and take targeted measures to promote colonoscopy adherence.
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Flavonoids, especially chalcones such as hydroxysafflor yellow A and carthamin are the main active ingredients of safflower. To study the biosynthesis pathway of safflower flavonoids is of great significance for the quality control of safflower. Chalcone synthase (CHS) is an enzyme that plays an important role in regulation of the synthesis of flavonoids. However, for the time being, the role of CHS is not yet clear in the biosynthesis of safflower flavonoids. As a plant signaling regulator, JA/MeJA can activate CHS gene expression in plants. CtCHS1, one of the CHS genes in safflower, was elucidated in our previous work. In our continuous search for CtCHSs functions from this plant, other CHS genes CtCHS2 and CtCHS4 in safflower were examined. The floret was stimulated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and the transcriptome expression of CtCHS2 and CtCHS4 was analyzed by qRT-PCR at different time points of 0, 3, 6, and 12 h after stimulation. Further metabolites under stimulation by MeJA were analyzed by UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS. The results showed that the expression of CtCHS4 in response to MeJA significantly increased at 3 and 6 h, while the expression of CtCHS2 showed a trend of decrease after induction. Meanwhile, the accumulation of rutin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, D-phenylalanine, kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside and carthamin increased obviously. Especially, accumulation of hydroxysafflor yellow A was increased significantly at 3, 6 and 12 h after induction (P ≥ 0.05 or 0.01), but the change in kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, luteolin, quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside was not significant. The accumulation of hydroxysafflor yellow A and carthamin was positively correlated with the expression abundance of CtCHS4 with Pearson correlation analysis method (r ≥ 0.8). The data suggest that CtCHS4 may be a key gene for forming hydroxysafflor yellow A and carthamin and plays an important role in the accumulation of safflower chalcones. The CtCHS4-pMAL-C5X recombinant vector was successfully expressed in BL21 (DE3) Plys to express the product naringenin in vitro under the catalytic substrates p-coumaryol-COA and malonyl-CoA. The results of this study provide a new insight into synthetic genes involved in flavonoids biosynthetic pathway to elucidate the biosynthesis pathway of safflower chalcones.
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This paper was aimed to investigate the effects of emodin on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in rats with acute spinal cord injury（SCI）, and to explore the protective mechanism of emodin on neurons after SCI. Rat SCI models were established using a modified Allen's method. One hundred and ninety five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divded into sham (group A), model (group B), emodin group of 20 mg·kg⁻¹(group C), emodin group of 40 mg·kg⁻¹(group D), emodin group of 80 mg·kg⁻¹(group E). Functional recovery was evaluated using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale and inclined plate test on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th day. On the 7th day after SCI, neuron nylon body was observed with toluidine blue staining. The changes of myelinated nerve fibers were observed by transmission electron microscope. Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, GFAP, NF-κB protein were detected by Western blot. The content of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 were detected by ELISA. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of the GFAP, NG2 and ED-1. The BBB and inclined plate scores of group C, D and E were higher than group B on the 7th, 14th, 28th day,the difference was statistically significant (<0.05). On the 7th day, Nylon Body of group B and C started to fuse,the fusion of group D and E were significantly alleviated than group B and C. Transmission electron microscope showed that the changes of demyelination were obvious in group B and C, group D and E were significantly improved than group B and C. Western blot showed that Nrf2, HO-1, GFAP, NF-κB protein expression,group C, D, E compared with group B, NQO1 protein expression, group D, E compared with group B, the difference was statistically significant (<0.05). ELISA showed that the content of TNF-α, IL-6,group C, D, E compared with group B,the content of IL-1β,group D, E compared with group B, the difference was statistically significant (<0.05)；Immunofluorescence showed that the expressions of GFAP and NG2 in group C, D and E were higher than that in group B, and the group D and E were more obvious. The expression of ED-1 in group C, D, E were decreased significantly compared with group B. Emodin has protective effect on neurons after SCI. The mechanism may connect with activting Nrf2-ARE pathway, reducing the expression of NF-κB, ED-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and promoting the expression of GFAP and NG2.
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In order to investigate the protective effect of tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate on the sciatic nerve activty in rats after cryopreservation as well as the nerve regeneration and functional recovery after allograft and its possible mechanism, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divded into four groups at different doses of tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate (A 0 mg·L⁻¹, B 80 mg·L⁻¹, C 160 mg·L⁻¹, D 480 mg·L⁻¹) cryopreserved at -80 °C for 24 weeks. Fresh control group nerve segments were harvested without cryopreservation. The ultrastructure and the viable cells of the nerve segments after cryopreservation were observed by electron microscopy, calcein-AM/propidium iodide staining, respectively. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blot. After cryopreservation, the nerve segments were cultured in vitro for one week, the mRNA and protein level of NGF and GDNF were detected by PCR and Western blot respectively. In addition, the above four cryopreserved groups transplanted to the Wistar rats by allografting (A', B', C', D'). At 16-week postoperation, muscle compound action potential latency and nerve conduction velocity were examined by electrophysiological. The number and the thickness of myelinated nerve fibers were analyzed by toluidine blue staining. The ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve by electron microscopy was observed. According to the results, after the cryopreserved for 24 weeks, compared with groups A and B, the nerve demyelination and vacuolation were weak, and the more viable cells, the decreased Bax and increased Bcl-2, the increased NGF and GDNF in group C and D. At 16-week poseoperation, the results demonstrated that the more larger and thickly regenerated myelinated axons, the shorter latency of muscle compound action potentials and higher nerve conduction velocity in groups C' and D' compared with groups A' and B'. According to these results, tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate exerted a significant protective effect on the viability of the nerves during cryopreservation at -80 °C and promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery after transplantation especially in middle- and high-dose of tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate.
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@#Objective To investigate the effect of cold-inducible RNA binding protein(CIRP)on the viability of cryopreserved sciat-ic nerve and nerve regeneration after allograft. Methods Sciatic nerve segments of 15 mm from male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in DMEM solution and pretreat-ed with 4 ℃, 15 ℃ and 32 ℃ for 24 hours (group A, group B and group C, respectively). Fresh nerve group (group D)without pretreatment was set up.The mRNA and protein level of CIRP was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The above nerves were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for four weeks.The via-ble cells of the nerve segments after cryopreservation were observed by calcein-AM/propidium iodide staining. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blotting.After cryopreservation,the nerve segments were cultured in vitro for one week, the protein level of nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF)was detected by Western blotting.In addition,the above four cryopreserved groups were transplanted to the Wistar rats by allografting(groups A',B',C'and D').Fresh nerve allograft group(E')and isograft group(F')were set up.At four-week post operation,the expression of CD4of the nerve and plasma level of interleukin(IL)-6 and interferon(IFN)-γ were detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA,respectively.At 20-week postoperation, the muscle compound action potential (CMAP) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were examined by electrophysiological examination. The number and the thickness of myelinated nerve fibers were analyzed by toluidine blue staining. The ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve was observed by electron microscopy. Results The mRNA and protein of CIRP were significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B(P<0.05).After 4 weeks of cryopreservation,compared with groups A,B and D,the viable cells increased,the expression of Bax decreased and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in group C (P<0.05). The expression of NGF and GDNF in-creased in group C than in groups A and B(P<0.05).At four-week postoperation,the expression of CD4and plas-ma concentration of IL-6 and IFN-γ significantly decreased in group C'than in group E'(P<0.05),however,no significant difference was found in group C'compared with groups D'and F'(P>0.05).At 20-week postopera-tion, CMAP, MNCV, the number of axon, and thickness of myelin sheath were significantly better in group C' than in groups A',B',D'and E'(P<0.05).Compared with groups A',B',D'and E',the myelinated nerve fibers were more, the fiber thickness was more uniform, the fiber distribution was wider, and the myelin sheath was thicker in groups C'and F'. Conclusion CIRP was induced at 32℃in the sciatic nerve,which exerted a significant protective effect on the viability of the nerves during cryopreservation,and promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery after transplanta-tion.
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Objective To investigate the effect of emodin on spinal cord edema induced by acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and its mechanism. Methods A total of 180 healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group(group A),model group(group B),and low-dose group(group C),middle-dose group(group D)and high-dose group(group E)of emodin,with 36 cases in each group.The SCI model was established with the modified Allen's method.Function-al recovery was evaluated with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB)score and inclined plate test three days,seven days,14 days and 28 days after modeling.Three days after modeling,the pathological changes of the spinal cord were observed by HE staining; the water content of spinal cord was detected by dry-wet weight method, the blood-spinal cord barrier(BSCB)permeability was detected by Evans blue(EB)staining,and the expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively.Results The BBB score and inclined plate scores were better in groups C,D and E than in group B(P<0.05)seven days, 14 days and 28 days after modeling, especially in group E (P<0.05). Three days after modeling, HE staining showed that there was a large hemorrhage in the section of group B,the nerve cells were swollen and damaged, and a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated,the tissue gap was widened and the edema was severe. The above pathological changes were better in groups C,D and E than in group B,especially in group E.The spi-nal cord water content was higher in group B than in group A(P<0.05),and was lower in groups D and E than in groups B and C(P<0.05).EB content was higher in group B than in group A(P<0.05),and was lower in groups C, D and E than in group B (P<0.05). The expression of AQP-4, MMP-2 mRNA and protein were lower in groups C,D and E than in group B(P<0.05),especially in group E(P<0.05). Conclusion Emodin can alleviate spinal cord edema,and improve hind limb movement function after SCI,which could be related with the down-regulation of AQP-4 and MMP-2 expression,and the reduction of the permeability of BSCB.
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BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSMs) are increasingly performed to obtain the best aesthetic and psychological outcomes in breast cancer treatment. However, merely preserving the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) does not guarantee a good outcome. Darkly pigmented NACs and a tendency for poor scarring outcomes are particular challenges when treating Asian patients. Herein, we review the reconstructive outcomes following NSM at Singapore General Hospital. METHODS: All breasts reconstructed following NSM over an 11-year period from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed. Information was collected from the patients' records on mastectomy indications, operative details, and complications. Patient satisfaction, breast sensation, and aesthetic outcomes were evaluated in 15 patients. Sensation was quantified using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test. RESULTS: A total of 142 NSMs were performed in 133 patients for breast cancer (n=122, 85.9%) or risk reduction (n=20, 14.1%). Of the procedures, 114 (80.2%) were autologous reconstructions, while 27 (19.0%) were reconstructions with implants. Complications occurred in 28 breasts (19.7%), with the most common complication being NAC necrosis, which occurred in 17 breasts (12.0%). Four breasts (2.8%) had total NAC necrosis. The overall mean patient satisfaction score was 3.0 (good). The sensation scores were significantly diminished in the skin envelope, areola, and nipple of breasts that had undergone NSM compared to non-operated breasts (P < 0.05). Half of the subset of 15 patients in whom aesthetic outcomes were evaluated had reduced nipple projection. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate reconstruction after NSM was performed with a low complication rate in this series, predominantly through autologous reconstruction. Patients should be informed of potential drawbacks, including NAC necrosis, reduced nipple projection, and diminished sensation.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Asian People , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Cicatrix , Hospitals, General , Mammaplasty , Mastectomy , Necrosis , Nipples , Patient Satisfaction , Risk Reduction Behavior , Sensation , Singapore , Skin , Surgical FlapsABSTRACT
Every year, an estimated 180 000 babies in the Western Pacific Region are infected by hepatitis B, 13 000 by syphilis and 1400 by HIV through mother-to-child transmission.1 These infections can be largely prevented by antenatal screening, treatment and timely vaccination for newborns. Despite challenges in controlling each disease, major achievements have been made. National immunization programmes have reduced the regional hepatitis B prevalence from over 8% in 1990 to 0.93% among children born in 2012. In addition, HIV testing and treatment have helped keep the regional prevalence of HIV infections at 0.1%. In contrast, the number of maternal syphilis cases is still high in the Western Pacific Region, with an estimated 45 million cases in 2012. Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of these infections cannot be achieved through vertically applied programming and require using and augmenting to the shared Maternal, Newborn and Child Health platform to coordinate, integrate and enable cost efficiencies for these elimination efforts. The Regional Framework for Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis in Asia and the Pacific 2018–2030 offers such a coordinated approach towards achieving the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis and provides guidance for decision-makers, managers and health professionals working in programmes addressing maternal, newborn and child health, HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and immunization.
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ABSTRACT Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., Asteraceae) is an important oil crop and medicinal plant. Gene expression analysis is gaining importance in the research of safflower. Quantitative PCR has become a powerful method for gene study. Reference genes are one of the major qualification requirements of qPCR because they can reduce the variability. To identify the reference genes in safflower, nine candidate genes of the housekeeping genes were selected from the EST library of safflower constructed by our lab: CtACT (actin), CtGAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase), CtE1F4A (elongation factor 1 alpha), CtTUA (alpha-tubulin), CtTUB (beta-tubulin), CtPP2A (serine/threonine-protein phosphatase), CtE1F4A (eukaryotic initiation factor 4A), CtUBI (Ubiquitin), and Ct60S (60S acidic ribosomal protein). Expression stability was examined by qPCR across 54 samples, representing tissues at different flowering stages and two chemotype of safflower lines. We assessed the expression stability of these candidate genes by employing four different algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, ΔCt approach, and BestKeeper) and found that CtUBI and Ct60S were the highly ranked candidate genes. CtUBI and Ct60S were used as reference genes to evaluate the expression of CtFAD2-10 and CtKASII. Our data suggest CtUBI and Ct60S could be used as internal controls to normalize gene expression in safflower.
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Dipeptydil-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are designed as oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes owing to their effects on the incretin system through sparing incretin hormones including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from rapid degradation by DPP-4.It has been shown that GLP-1 signaling may exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular system.In addition to GLP-1,DPP-4 physiologically cleaves cytokines,chemokines,and neuropeptides involved in inflammation,immunity,and vascular function.It means that DPP-4 inhibitors hold promise for cardiovascular protection independent of GLP-1.And its modulation of endothelial progenitor cells,infiammatory pathway,ischemic response,and lipid metabolism emerges as the major cardiovascular target of DPP-4 inhibitors.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of acupuncture for premature ovarian failure (POF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to prospective cohort study design, 30 cases were included. Based on theory of regulating Chong and Conception Vessels as well as soothing the liver and calming the nerves, acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Dahe (KI 12), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) was applied, three times per week and 3 months were considered as one session. Totally two sessions were performed. The menstruation condition, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and scores of the clinical perimenopausal symptoms were taken as treatment outcomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) and the cured rate was 16.7% (5/30). The recovery rate of menstruation was 16.7% (5/30) and the regain rate of menstruation was 56.7% (17/30). After the treatment, the level of E2 was significantly increased from (45.41 +/- 18. 09) pmol/L to (59.07 +/- 24.21) pmol/L (P < 0.05), and the score of perimenopausal symptoms was obviously reduced from 14.28 +/- 8. 30 to 4.04 +/- 3.28 (P < 0.01). However, no statistical differences could be seen in FSH before and after treatment (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture has certain effect on improving menstruation and perimenopausal symptoms in POF patients, which is likely to he related with increasing the level of E2.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Female , Humans , Young Adult , Acupuncture Therapy , Estradiol , Metabolism , Luteinizing Hormone , Metabolism , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency , Metabolism , Therapeutics , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of adiponectin (APN) on the expression of T-cadherin in cultured Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat cardiomyocytes injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Primary myocardial cells from neonatal rats were obtained by enzymatic digestion. The cells were divided into control group, H/R group and H/R+APN (3, 10, 20 and 30 μg/mL) groups. The H/R group was incubated in anoxic environment (anoxic solution saturated with high concentration N2) for 3 h, and then in the reoxygenation environment (the reoxygenation solution saturated with pure oxygen) for 1 h. The H/R+APN group was pretreated with different concentrations of APN for 24 h prior to the initiation of H/R. The content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured by chemistry chromatometry. Cellular apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of T-cadherin was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that, compared with control group, the apoptotic rate and release of LDH were significantly increased in the H/R group, whereas the expressions of T-cad mRNA and protein were decreased. Pretreating with APN significantly and dose-dependently decreased apoptotic rate and LDH release, and up-regulated T-cad mRNA and protein level in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes under H/R conditions. These results suggest that APN may protect cardiomyocytes against H/R-induced injury by up-regulating H/R-decreased T-cad expression.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Adiponectin , Pharmacology , Apoptosis , Cadherins , Metabolism , Cell Hypoxia , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Metabolism , Myocytes, Cardiac , Metabolism , Pathology , Oxygen , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Based on the retrieval of literatures at home and abroad from 2000 to 2011, the evaluation indices of acupuncture clinical trials for primary dysmenorrhea (PD) were analyzed. The results indicated that in domestic area the reports were more concerned with the improvement of clinical symptoms and signs while paid less attention on the objective evaluation methodology, on the other hand, the studies abroad generally took many kinds of scales as their evaluation indices and focused on the patients' quality and activity of daily life. The authors suggeste that our clinical research, according to the designed intentions, should combine the general indicators with the specific indicators of diseases to have a more comprehensive evaluation on the effects of acupuncture for PD in clinical practice.
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Female , Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Clinical Trials as Topic , Dysmenorrhea , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
Acupuncture prescription is the key and effectiveness guarantee to acupuncture treatment. Proper selection of acupoint is directly related to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. Several issues were discussesed, which were acupoint indications, clinical syndrome differentiation and acupoints selection. Acupuncturists should grasp the acupoints characteristic and pay attention to syndrome differentiation. Also they should have flexible selection of acupoints and keep pace with research updates when facing clinical problems in order to maximize the curative effect of acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , History , China , History, Ancient , Medicine in Literature , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , HistoryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the mechanism of the optimized traditional acupuncture prescription for accouchement on cervical ripening based on the molecular biology by observing related indices of cervical ripening in late-stage pregnant rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty initial pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) group (n = 10) and a model group (n = 10), and other 10 non-pregnancy female rats with same lot were selected as a blank control group. EA group was treated with the optimized traditional acupuncture prescription for accouchement on the 20th day of pregnant, which performed EA at bilateral "Hegu" (LI 4) for 20 min and then at bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 5 min with 2 Hz/50 Hz sparse-dense wave, while the other groups without acupuncture intervention. The contents of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in cervix tissue were detected by ELISA method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group, the contents of MMP-9 and IL-8 in the model group were increased significantly (both P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the contents of MMP-9 and IL-8 in the EA group were increased significantly (P < or = 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Optimized traditional acupuncture prescription for accouchement can increase the contents of MMP-9 and IL-8 in cervix tissue of late-stage pregnant rats so as to promote cervical ripening, and the mechanism of EA in promoting cervical ripening is explained from the perspective of molecular biology.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Rats , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Cervical Ripening , Metabolism , Cervix Uteri , Interleukin-8 , Metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 , Metabolism , Models, Animal , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Through CNKI retrieval, 40 articles were selected from Medical Journals published between January 2003 and December 2011, and the study designs, intervention methods and conclusions of the articles were analyzed. It turned out that in the area of clinical research, the main usage of acupuncture was assist treatment of artificial abortion and drug-induced abortion: in artificial abortion, acupuncture can play a role in analgesia, artificial abortion syndrome relieving, and cervix dilating, while in the drug induced abortion, acupuncture can play a role in improving completed abortion rate, accelerating foetal sac release, decreasing side effects and regulating postoperative bleeding. In mechanism research, the effect of acupuncture on uterine tissue was revealed in terms of neuroendocrine. Although the certain role of acupuncture in assisting artificial abortion and drug-induced abortion has been confirmed in numerous clinical trials, its mechanism revealing was limited. The further study should focus on improving research method, acupuncture manipulation standardization and stimulation parameters optimization. What's more, the revealing of acupuncture's role in anti-early pregnancy should be emphasized to improve its effectiveness and scientificalness.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Abortion, Induced , Methods , Acupuncture Therapy , Biomedical ResearchABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate whether the use of fat clearance technique improves the accuracy of staging for colon cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between June 2007 and December 2008, surgical specimens of 91 patients with colon cancer were procured. Between June 2007 and January 2008, routine technique for lymph node harvest including visualization and tactile sensation was used in 45 patients (conventional group), while lymph nodes of 46 patients between February 2008 and December 2008 were examined using fat clearance technique(fat clearance group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean of lymph nodes harvested was 32.7 using fat clearance technique, significantly higher than that(15.3) of the conventional group(P<0.01). The mean positive lymph nodes was 2.7 and 1.8 in the two groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). There were more stage III( colon cancer in the postoperative staging than that in the preoperative staging using fat clearance technique (31 vs.19, P<0.05), while there was no difference in stage III( colon cancer between postoperative staging and preoperative staging using conventional method (21 vs.19, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Fat clearance technique significantly increases number of lymph node retrieval and positive nodes, therefore the accuracy of postoperative staging is improved.</p>