Observations on the Efficacy of Three-step Acupuncture-cupping Therapy for Cervicogenic Headache / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy of three-step acupuncture-cupping therapy for cervicogenic headache.MethodSixty patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received three-step acupuncture-cupping therapy and the control group, conventional acupuncture based on “Acupuncture Therapeutics”. Both groups were treated for three courses (10 days as acourse with two days of rest between two courses) and then the clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated. The evaluation included the overall therapeutic effect on the symptoms, the VASscore and the follow-up recurrence rate at six months after treatment.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 83.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). A follow-up of six months after treatment in the two groups showed that the recurrence rate was 16.7% in the treatment group and 46.7% in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).ConclusionThree-step acupuncture-cupping therapy has a definite effect on cervicogenic headache. Its immediate and long-term effects are superior to those of conventional acupuncture. The recurrence rate in six months is lower in this therapy than in conventionalacupuncture.

Isolation and gene modification of amniotic fluid derived progenitor cells / 生物工程学报

We established methods to isolate human amniotic fluid-derived progenitor cells (hAFPCs), and analyze the ability of hAFPCs to secrete human coagulation factor IX (hFIX) after gene modification. The hAFPCs were manually isolated by selection for attachment to gelatin coated culture dish. hFIX cDNA was transfected into hAPFCs by using a lentiviral vector. The hFIX protein concentration and activity produced from hAFPCs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and clotting assay. The isolated spindle-shaped cells showed fibroblastoid morphology after three culture passages. The doubling time in culture was 39.05 hours. Immunocytochemistry staining of the fibroblast-like cells from amniotic fluid detected expression of stem cell markers such as SSEA4 and TRA1-60. Quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of NANOG, OCT4 and SOX2 mRNAs. Transfected hAFPCs could produce and secrete hFIX into the culture medium. The observed concentration of secreted hFIX was 20.37% +/- 2.77% two days after passage, with clotting activity of 16.42% +/- 1.78%. The amount of hFIX:Ag reached a plateau of 50.35% +/- 5.42%, with clotting activity 45.34% +/- 4.67%. In conclusion, this study established method to isolate and culture amniotic fluid progenitor cells. Transfected hAFPCs can produce hFIX at stable levels in vitro, and clotting activity increases with higher hFIX concentration. Genetically engineered hAFPC are a potential method for prenatal treatment of hemophilia B.