Tiaoshen acupuncture for primary insomnia: a pilot randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Tiaoshen (regulating the spirit) acupuncture on cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia (PI).@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with PI were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off, 1 case was excluded). The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), and bilateral Benshen (GB 13), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The patients in the control group were treated with shallow needling at non-effective points. Each treatment was provided for 30 min, once every other day, 3 treatments per week for 4 weeks. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), digit span test (DST), trail making test (TMT)-A, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) were used to assess cognitive function and sleep quality before and after treatment, as well as in follow-up of 4-week after treatment completion. Correlation analysis was conducted between the differences in PSQI scores and differences in MoCA scores before and after treatment in the observation group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, the total score, visuospatial and executive function score and delayed memory score of MoCA as well as DST backward score were increased (P<0.01), while TMT-A time, PSQI and FS-14 scores were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment and in follow-up in the observation group. Compared with before treatment, the PSQI score in the control group was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment and in follow-up, the observation group had significantly higher total score, visuospatial and executive function score, delayed memory score of MoCA, and DST backward score compared to the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the observation group, the TMT-A time was significantly shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the PSQI and FS-14 scores were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). In the observation group, there was a negative correlation between the difference in PSQI scores (post-treatment minus pre-treatment) and the difference in MoCA scores (post-treatment minus pre-treatment) (r=-0.481, P<0.01). A similar negative correlation was found between the difference in PSQI scores (follow-up minus pre-treatment) and the difference in MoCA scores (follow-up minus pre-treatment) (r=-0.282, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Tiaoshen acupuncture could improve cognitive function, enhance sleep quality, and alleviate daytime fatigue in patients with PI. The improvement in cognitive function in patients with PI is correlated with the improvement in sleep quality.

Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association for management guidelines of vacuum sealing drainage application in abdominal surgeries-Update and systematic review / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) is frequently used in abdominal surgeries. However, relevant guidelines are rare. Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association organized a committee composed of 28 experts across China in July 2017, aiming to provide an evidence-based recommendation for the application of VSD in abdominal surgeries. Eleven questions regarding the use of VSD in abdominal surgeries were addressed: (1) which type of materials should be respectively chosen for the intraperitoneal cavity, retroperitoneal cavity and superficial incisions? (2) Can VSD be preventively used for a high-risk abdominal incision with primary suture? (3) Can VSD be used in severely contaminated/infected abdominal surgical sites? (4) Can VSD be used for temporary abdominal cavity closure under some special conditions such as severe abdominal trauma, infection, liver transplantation and intra-abdominal volume increment in abdominal compartment syndrome? (5) Can VSD be used in abdominal organ inflammation, injury, or postoperative drainage? (6) Can VSD be used in the treatment of intestinal fistula and pancreatic fistula? (7) Can VSD be used in the treatment of intra-abdominal and extra-peritoneal abscess? (8) Can VSD be used in the treatment of abdominal wall wounds, wound cavity, and defects? (9) Does VSD increase the risk of bleeding? (10) Does VSD increase the risk of intestinal wall injury? (11) Does VSD increase the risk of peritoneal adhesion? Focusing on these questions, evidence-based recommendations were given accordingly. VSD was strongly recommended regarding the questions 2-4. Weak recommendations were made regarding questions 1 and 5-11. Proper use of VSD in abdominal surgeries can lower the risk of infection in abdominal incisions with primary suture, treat severely contaminated/infected surgical sites and facilitate temporary abdominal cavity closure.

Hemoglobin H disease with a rare α-thalassemia gene mutation (--/αα): pedigree analysis and genetic diagnosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify a rare α-thalassemia gene mutation in a family from south China and perform a pedigree analysis and genetic diagnosis of hemoglobin H (HbH) disease caused by this mutation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood samples were collected from the family members for analysis of the hematological phenotype and routine test of thalassemia genes. DNA sequencing was carried out for samples that showed genotype and phenotype inconsistency.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A rare α-thalassemia *92A>G gene mutation was detected within this family. The proband and his sister were confirmed to have non-deletional HbH disease with α--/αα genotype. The proband's brother was confirmed to have an α-thalassemia trait with the genotype of -α/αα. The proband's father was identified as an α-thalassemia silent carrier with the genotype of αα/αα.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A rare α-thalassemia *92A>G gene mutation was identified for first time in south China. The description of the basic phenotypic characteristics of α-thalassemia trait and silent carrier caused by this mutation enriches the α-thalassemia gene mutation spectrum in Chinese population and helps in population screening, clinical molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling.</p>

Analysis of risk factors related to the pathogenesis of urolithiasis of migrant workers in Zhongshan City / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the risk factors of urolithiasis incidence of migrant workers in Zhongshan,in order to provide the scientific evidence for preventing urolithiasis.Methods 1 630 workshop migrant workers and 1630 office white collar workers were selected as the subjects of this study.The questionnaire was conducted according to the age,gender,genetic factors,occupation,past illness factors,living environment,work environment factors,diet habit,the habit of drinking water survey,B ultrasound examination,the detection of blood uric acid.Results The incidence rate of urolithiasis was 6.53％,the incidence rate of workshop migrant workers was 8.28％,which was significantly higher than that of white collar 4.72％ (x2 =16.972,P ＜0.01).Conclusion Work environment,eating habits,drinking habits,smoking and sweating are related risk factors of urolithiasis.

A 26-year clinical observation of splenic auto-transplantation and oesophageal transection anastomosis: a new treatment strategy in patients with portal hypertension / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Surgical treatment options for patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are complicated. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new treatment strategy, splenic auto-transplantation and oesophageal transection anastomosis. We report results from clinical observations, splenic immune function and portal dynamics in 274 patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1979 to 2005, 274 cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension underwent the new treatment strategy, and were followed up to compare results with those patients who underwent traditional surgical treatment. From 1999 to 2002, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed on 40 patients to compare their post-operative immune function. From 1994 to 2006, another RCT enrolled 28 patients to compare portal dynamics using three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D DEC MRA) investigation post operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 274 patients (mean age 41.8 years), the emergency operative mortality (4.4%), selective operative mortality (2.2%), complication rate (17.9%), prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy (< 1%), rate of portal hypertension gastritis (PHG) bleeding (9.1%), and morbidity of hepatic carcinoma (8%) were similar to those patients undergoing traditional operation; the spleen immunology function (Tuftsin, IgM) decreased in both groups 2 months post operation, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Through 3D DCE MRA, the cross sectional area and the velocity and volume of blood flow of the main portal vein decreased significantly after operation in both groups. The velocity and volume of blood flow in the auto-transplantation group was significantly lower than that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Splenic auto-transplantation and esophageal transection anastomosis is a safe, effective, and reasonable treatment strategy for patients with portal hypertension with varicial bleeding. It not only can correct hypersplenism, but may also achieve complete hemostasis. Spleens auto-transplanted into the retroperitoneal space can preserve immune function and establish broad collateral circulation.</p>

Application of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration and percutaneous testicle sperm aspiration in the differentiating diagnosis of obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia / 中国基层医药

Objective To obtain information on the application value of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration(PESA) and percutaneous testicle sperm aspiration(PTSA) in the differentiating diagnosis of obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.Methods Sperm recovery procedures were done in infertile men with obstructive azoospermia(OA)(n=37) and nonobstructive azoospermia(NOA)(n=28) by PESA or PTSA.Cytological smears were analysed.Results Sperm was found in the 32 epididymides and 5 testicles of OA group and in the 7 epididymides and 11 testicles of NOA group.Sperm counts were significantly different in two groups.Conclusion PESA and PTSA are efficient methods in differentiating OA and NOA.