Efficacy of suspended moxibustion stimulating Shenshu (BL23) and Guanyuan (CV4) on the amygdala-HPA axis in rats with kidney-deficiency symptom pattern induced by hydrocortisone.

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the effects of suspended moxibustion stimulating Shenshu (BL23) and Guanyuan (CV4) acupoints on the amygdala and HPA axis in our rat model and elucidated the possible molecular mechanisms of moxibustion on kidney- deficiency symptom pattern (KYDS). METHODS: Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group ( 12) and an experimental group ( 48). Rats in the experimental group were given intramuscular injections of hydrocortisone to establish a KYDS model. The 48 rats successfully modeled were then randomly divided into a model group (model, 12), a carbenoxolone intraperitoneal injection group (CBX, 12), a moxibustion group (moxi, 12), and a moxi + CBX group ( 12). In the moxi, the Shenshu (BL23) and Guanyuan (CV 4) acupoints were treated with moxibustion for 14 d. After treatment, measures were taken of serum levels of corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The expression of mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1), CRH, and ACTH in the rats' amygdala, hypothalamus, or pituitary (as appropriate) was detected. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Compared with those of the control group, the serum levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT; the mRNA and protein expressions of MR, GR, and 11ß-HSD1 in the amygdala; the mRNA and protein expressions of 11ß-HSD1 in the hypothalamus; the CRH mRNA expression in the amygdala and hypothalamus; and the ACTH mRNA expression in the pituitary of the rats in the model group were all significantly decreased (0.05 or 0.01). After treatment with moxibustion, all the aforementioned observation indices except for 11ß-HSD1 mRNA expression were ameliorated compared with those in the model group (0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Suspended moxibustion can effectively improve the serum levels of ACTH, CRH, and CORT and can up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of MR, GR, 11ß-HSD1, CRH, and ACTH in the amygdala and hypothalamus of KYDS rats. This may be one of the molecular mechanisms with which moxibustion alleviates KYDS.

Air Embolism during Upper Endoscopy: A Case Report

Air embolism is a rare complication of upper endoscopy and potentially causes life-threatening events. A 67-year-old man with a history of surgery of cardiac carcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor underwent painless upper endoscopy because of tarry stools. During the procedure, air embolism developed, which caused decreased pulse oxygen saturation and delayed sedation recovery. He recovered with some weakness of the left upper limb in the intensive care unit without hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatments of air embolism are discussed based on the literature reports. Although air embolism is uncommon in endoscopic examinations, the patients’ outcomes could be improved if clinicians are alert to this potential complication, and promptly start proper diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Effect of Santong Electroacupuncture on Expression of p75 Neurotrophin Receptor in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To investigate the effect of Santong electroacupuncture (EA) on mRNA and protein expression of p75 neurotroph-in receptor (p75NTR) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods A total of 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham operation group (group A, n=8) and model group (n=64). In the model group, Allen's method was used to make SCI rats model, in which 48 survived model rats were further subdivided into model control group (group B, n=12), EA group (group C, n=12), inhibitor Nogo extra cellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) group (group D, n=12) and EA+inhibitor NEP1-40 group (group E, n=12) according to de-sign proposal. The treatment groups were electroacupunctured on Dazhui (GV14) and Yaoyangguan (GV3), bilateral Ciliao (BL32) and Zu-sanli (ST36) with loose-tight wave, for 20 minutes every day. After 7 and 14 days of treatment, injured spinal cord tissue was extracted for detecting. The mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and Western blotting respectively. The hind limb motor function was assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. Results The BBB score increased in the treatment groups compared with group B, and was higher in group E than in groups C and D (P<0.05), as well as on the 14th day than on the 7th day in all the treatment groups (t>2.623, P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in spinal cord tissues decreased in the treatment groups compared with group B (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found among the treatment groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Santong elerctroacupuncture treatment could improve the hind limb motor function, which may associate with inhibition of the mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in rats after SCI.

The Effect of Suspended Moxa Stick Moxibustion on Points Shenshu(BL23) and Guanyuan(CV4) on the Pituitary-adrenal ;Axis and the Pituitary-thyroid Axis in Rats with Kidney Yang Deficiency / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu(BL23) and Guanyuan(CV4) on the pituitary-adrenal axis and the pituitary-thyroid axis in rats with kidney yang deficiency. Method A rat model of corticosterone kidney yang deficiency was made by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone. The rats were randomized into model control and moxibustion treatment groups. A blank control group was set up. The moxibustion treatment group received suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu and Guanyuan 20 min once daily, for a total of 14 times. After the completion of treatment, serum CORT, ACTH, T3, T4 and TSH contents were measured by ELISA and pituitary expressions of ACTH and TSH mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. Result There was no significant difference in serum CORT (P>0.05), there were significant differences in serum ACTH, T4 and TSH and pituitary ACTH and TSH mRNA (P0.05). Conclusion Suspended moxa stick moxibustion on points Shenshu and Guanyuan produces a therapeutic effect on rat kidney yang deficiency by decreasing serum TSH content, down-regulating pituitary TSH mRNA expression, increasing serum ACTH, T3 and T4 contents and up-regulating pituitary ACTH mRNA expression.

The on-site community investigation and analysis on lifestyle and the present situation of bone mineral density with middle aged and elderly people in Nanchang city / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To get the facts on lifestyle and bone mineral density among the community residents who are above 40 years old in Nanchang,therefore to offer reference for prevention and treatment to the community residents with abnormal bone mineral density.Methods Use Ultrasound bone mineral density detection instrument to detect the calcaneus mineral density among 10 002 community residents who were over 40 years old.The results can be classified as normal,osteopenia and osteoporosis.A questionnaire survey was conducted among all interviewees.The questionnaire consisted of basic information,general situation,lifestyle,height,weight,waistline,hipline.The body mass index was calculated.The relationship between bone mineral density and smoking,drinking,milk,sodas,sports,etc was analyzed.Results As to osteoporosis,the morbidity of male patients was 6.8％,and that of female patients was 10.4％,as to osteopenia,the morbidity of male patients was 43.8％,and that of female patients was 39.7％.Male smokers' morbidity of abnormal bone mineral density was high,there were no significant differences among the groups,female smokers' morbidity of abnormal bone mineral density was low,there were significant differences among the groups.Drinkers' morbidity of abnormal bone mineral density was low,there were no significant differences among the groups;People taking milk and sodas,taking more exercises suffered from lower morbidity of abnormal bone mineral density,there were significant differences among the groups.Conclusions Female,the elderly,povertyin movement,low intake of milk result in high morbidity of abnormal bone mineral density,while the influence of drinking and smoking on abnormal bone mineral density requires further research.

Association of Pro12Ala variant in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of Pro12Ala variant in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its clinical characteristics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotypes of Pro12Ala variant in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms assay in 401 unrelated subjects of the Han population in the southern part of China (including 180 subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 221 type 2 diabetic patients). The clinical data were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The allele frequencies in the case and control groups were 96.15%,96.11% for P and 3.85%, 3.89% for A; the genotype frequencies were 92.77%, 92.22% for PP, 6.78%, 7.78% for PA and 0.45%, 0 for AA. The Pro12Ala variant of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 was not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. The Pro12Ala polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 in diabetes patients was associated with increased waist circumference and waist to hip ratio. The Pro12Ala polymorphism in Chinese population was similar to that in Japanese population and was different from that in European and American population.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The above data showed that the Pro12Ala variant of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 was not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes, but it could be associated with abdominal obesity in type 2 diabetes. The significant difference of Pro12Ala of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 among various races was observed.</p>