CT-guided intervertebral foramen puncture and radiofrequency thermocoagulation through the superior margin of costotransverse joint for the treatment of refractory post-herpetic neuralgia in the upper thoracic segment / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency thermocoagulation with CT-guided transforaminal puncture of intervertebral foramen through the superior margin of costotransverse joint for refractory post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the upper thoracic segment.Methods:Thirty patients with PHN in the upper thoracic segment underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation with CT-guided intervertebral foramen puncture. The visual analogue scale and self-rating depression scale were used to evaluate the degree of postoperative pain and mental state before and after treatment, and patients were followed by telephone or outpatient visit.Results:No infection occurred after radiofrequency thermocoagulation in all 31 PHN patients. After operation, all patients had hypoesthesia in skin of the original pain area, the pain was significantly relieved, and the mental state improved significantly. The VAS scores were 5.94±0.93, 2.74±0.69, 2.68±0.70 and 2.45±0.51 before and 3 hours, 1 week, 1 month after treatment( t=18.80, t=18.80, t=16.44, all P<0.01). The SDS scores were 58.6±12.2, 47.7±4.4, 48.1±4.8 before and 1 week, 1 month after treatment( t=6.75, t=5.86, all P<0.01). There were 13 patients with moderate or severe depression before treatment, while no patients with moderate or severe depression after treatment; only 5 patients had mild depression one month after surgery. There was no hypoxemia under nasal catheter during the operation. Intraoperative hypertension was found in 19 cases; after treatment with Urapidil (12.5 - 50.0 mg), the blood pressure was not higher by 20% of the basal blood pressure and<180/100 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). No pneumothorax, perioperative cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents occurred. Conclusion:Radiofrequency thermocoagulation with CT-guided intervertebral foramen puncture through the superior margin of costotransverse joint can effectively relieve refractory PHN of the upper thoracic segment with safety.

Dose-response relationship of sufentanil blunting responses to double-lumen endotracheal intubation when combined with propofol given by TCI in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To determine the dose-response relationship of sufentanil blunting responses to double-lumen endotracheal intubation when combined with propofol given by target-controlled infusion (TCI) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods One hundred patients of both sexes with pulmonary tuberculosis,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,aged 24-58 yr,with body mass index ＜30 kg/m2,with Mallampati grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ,undergoing thoracic surgery under general anesthesia,were divided into Ⅰ-Ⅴ groups (n =20 each) using a random number table.Anesthesia was induced with iv sufentanil 0.35 μg/kg (group Ⅰ),0.40 μg/kg (group Ⅱ),0.45 μg/kg (group Ⅲ),0.50 μg/kg (group Ⅳ) and 0.55 μg/kg (group Ⅴ),and propofol TCI (target plasma concentration 3.5 μg/ml) and iv vecuronium 0.15 mg/kg.The patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated.The response to double-lumen endotracheal intubation was defined as positive when mean arterial pressure increased by＞ 20％ of the baseline value and/or heart rate ＞ 90 bpm within 5 min after intubation.The median effective dose (ED50),ED95 and 95％ confidence interval (95％ CI) of sufentanil blunting the responses to double-lumen endotracheal intubation were calculated by Probit analysis.Results The ED50 (95％ CI) and ED95 (95％ CI) of sufentanil blunting the responses to intubation were 0.411 (0.370-0.441) μg/kg and 0.635 (0.556-0.888) μg/kg,respectively,when combined with propofol given by TCI.Conclusion When combined with propofol given by TCI (target plasma concentration 3.5 μg/ml),the ED50 and ED95 of sufentanil blunting the responses to double-lumen endotracheal intubation are 0.411 and 0.635 μg/kg,respectively,in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

The effects of low-frequency electroacupuncture on hyperalgesia PKA-TRPV1 signal pathway and neurotransmitters in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve injury and its underlying mechanism.Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a sham spared nerve injury (SNI) group,an SNI group and an SNI+EA group,each of 8.The rats in the SNI and SNI+EA groups were given SNI surgery,while those of the sham-SNI group only had the sciatic nerve and its branches exposed without any lesion.EA at 2 Hz was applied over the ipsilateral Zusanli and Kunlun acupoints daily for 14 days after the surgery.The ipsilateral paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured,along with protein kinase A (PKA) levels in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord,calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) levels along with transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1).Results Compared to the normal group,the SNI groups all showed significant decreases in their PWTs on the affected side and significant increases in PKA,TRPV1,CGRP and substance P on the affected side.Compared to SNI group,the average ipsilateral PWT in the SNI+EA group increased significantly after EA treatment,while PKA levels,TRPV1,CGRP levels and SP expression all decreased significantly.Conclusion Electroacupuncture at low frequency can effectively relieve neuropathic pain,perhaps through down-regulation of PKA in the spinal cord and by decreasing pain hypersensitivity related to CGRP and SP.

Clinical observation on controlling antihypertension with the general anesthesia of TEAS and anesthetics in endoscopic endonasal surgery / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study whether the dose of controlling antihypertensive drug is reduced by transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and the anesthetics, as well as the control of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in endoscopic endonasal surgery with general anesthesia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients for selective endoscopic endonasal surgery with general anesthetics and controlling antihypertension involved were selected and randomized into a TEAS group, a sham-TEAS group, 30 cases in each one. The electric pads were attached to bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Quchi (LI 11), stimulated with Hans-200 apparatus, 3 to 5 mA, 2 Hz/100 Hz in the TEAS group based on the patients' response to comfort. No electric stimulation was applied to the sham-TEAS group. The general anesthesia started after 30 min intervention and lasted till the end of surgery. The BP and HR were observed and recorded at the end of monitoring in operation room, 10 min after tranquilization (T0), 30 min after intervention (Tj, after induction~of general anestiesa (T2), 30 min after surgery start (T3), 60 min after surgery start (T4) and 30 min after extubation (T5). The doses of vecuronium bromide, propofol and nitroglycerin were recorded statistically in surgery, as well as the operative bleeding volume, the operative time, the resuscitation time and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score after resuscitation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with that at T0, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) at T2, T3, T4 and T5 in the TEAS group and at T3 and T4 in the sham-TEAS group was all reduced, indicating the significant difference (all P < 0.01). MAP at T2 and T5 in the TEAS group was lower than that in the sham-TEAS group (both P < 0.01). Compared, with that at T5, except at T2 in the TEAS group (P<0. 05), HR was not different significantly at the rest time points (all P > 0.05). HR was different at T2 to Ts in the sham-TEAS group statistically (all P < 0.01). The doses of vecuronium bromide, propofol and nitroglycerin, the operative bleeding volume, the operative time, the resuscitation time and VAS after resuscitation were not different significantly between the two groups (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The general anesthesia with TEAS and anesthetics involved for controlling antihypertension contributes to the control of BP and HR in the patients in endoscopic endonasal surgery. The impacts are not obvious on the doses of antihypertensive drug, the general anesthetics, the operative bleeding volume, the time of resuscitation and the postoperative analgesia.</p>

Clinical observation of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 70 pediatric patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To observe the treatment response and potential issues related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pediatric patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to provide a basis for revising the treatment guideline and improving the clinical practice. Methods Children eligible for ART according to the current treatment guideline were recruited from Dehong area. Enrolled patients were provided with ART and followed up for regular clinical check and laboratory tests. Results By the end of March 2009, a total of 70 children had received ART. Among them, 60 patients were treated with regimen including zidovudine (AZT)+ lamivudine (3TC)+nevirapine (NVP). Twelve, eighteen, twenty-three and nineteen patients have tested for HIV viral load after 3 month, 6 month, 12 month and 18 month treatment, respectively. Among them, 7, 12,14 and 14 patients respectively achieved HIV viral load lower than 1000 copy/mL. Average CD4+ Tlymphocyte count increased from (317.8±288.8) × 106/L at baseline to (1037.2±1086. 1) × 106/Lafter 18 month treatment. Side effects mainly occurred within the first 3 months of treatment. Nearly 50% of children had gastrointestinal symptoms. Resistance to 3TC, NVP and efavirenz (EFV) were found in five patients who have completed 12 months of treatment. Conclusions Pediatric AIDS patients show good compliance and treatment response to ART. Most side effects happen in the first 3months of treatment and the most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms.

Effect of Combined Acupuncture and Medication for Hypertension due to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Plasma Neuropeptide Y / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of combined acupuncture and medication for hypertension due to type 2 diabetes and plasma Neuropeptide Y (NPY).Methods:Sixty cases with hypertension due to type 2 diabetes were randomized into two groups.Thirty cases in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture and oral extended release nifedipine tablets,while 30 cases in the control group were treated with oral extended release nifedipine tablets alone.After 15 d of treatment,the blood pressure and NPY contents in two groups were observed.Results:The blood pressure and NPY contents in the two groups were remarkably reduced (P＜0.01) and the effect in the treatment group was superior to the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Combined acupuncture and medication can significantly reduce blood pressure and the NPY contents.

Heart Rate Variability and Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 中华高血压杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between heart rate variability(HRV) and the carotid intima media thickness in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods One hundred thirty-two type 2 diabetic patients were categorized into groups by carotid intima-media thickness(IMT):group T1(36 cases,IMT