[Herbal acupoint sticking combined with electroacupuncture therapy in the treatment of Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with herbal acupoint sticking in the treatment of Bell's palsy and provide optimizations for the clinic. METHODS: One hundred and two cases of Bell's palsy were randomized into an EA combined with herbal acupoint sticking group (group A, 50 cases) and an EA group (group B, 52 cases), EA at Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Quanliao (SI 18),Xiaguan (ST 7), Yingxiang (LI 20), etc. were applied in both groups and "facial paralys No.I " was applied at Yifeng (TE 17) in group A, once daily and 10 times totally were needed. The score of facial nerve function, clinical efficacy were compared before and after treatment. At 1 and 3 month follow up visit, the quality of life scale( WHOQOL-BREF) and the occurrence of complication were observed. RESULTS: The scores of facial nerve function in group A and group B were all significantly improved compared with those before treatment (48. 2+/- 2. 9 vs 25. 7 +/- 4. 9, 45. 9 +/- 6. 2 vs 25. 8 +/- 5. 5, both P0. 05). The occurrence of complication in group A (1 case) was significantly less than that in group B (8 cases, P 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Compared with EA, the combination of EA and acupoint sticking therapy for Bell's palsy cannot only improve the clinical efficacy and reduce the occurrence of complication but also reliable without any side effect.

[A case-control study on risk factors of female breast cancer in Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors on female breast cancer in Zhejiang province. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 200 cases of female breast cancer with histopathological diagnosis and 200 matched controls from Zhejiang province. RESULTS: Univariate conditional logistic regression showed that family history of malignant tumor and breast cancer, housing decoration in last 10 years, mammary hyperplasia, adverse life events, bra with steel rings, sleeping with bra, high fat and pickle intake, poor sleep were positively related to breast cancer; whereas environmental friendly decoration materials, long decoration time interval, workplace condition, more lactation and parity, high fruits intake, sufficient sleep were negatively related to breast cancer. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors included family history of other tumors [odds ratio (OR)= 1.571,95% confidence interval(CI):1.029-2.396],mammary hyperplasia (OR=3.066,95%CI:1.834-5.126), job-related life events (OR=4.575,95%CI:1.690-12.390),the death of a loved one (OR=2.555,95%CI:1.475-4.424), wearing bra at night (OR=1.902,95%CI:1.177-3.072),high fat intake (OR=2.709,95%CI:1.546-4.749) and salted food (OR=2.460,95%CI:1.300-4.653). Factors as environmental friendly decoration materials (OR=0.517,95%CI:0.339-0.789),workplaces condition (OR=0.430,95%CI:0.243-0.762),more lactation (OR=0.109,95%CI:0.013-0.896),enough sleep (OR=0.424,95%CI:0.205-0.880) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: Hereditary,psychological factors,lifestyle,environment and diet related factors are significantly associated with risk of breast cancer.

[Association between osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms and severe pre-eclampsia in Chinese women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential association between 163A/G and 950T/C polymorphisms of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene and severe pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Eighty-five severe pre-eclamptic patients and 81 normal term pregnant women (as control group) were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University during the period from July 2007 to March 2009, and they were all Han population living in Chengdu, China. Genotype and allele frequencies of 163A/G and 950T/C were determined by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Clinical and biochemical parameters for different alleles between the patients and controls were compared for statistical significance respectively, such as blood pressure, serum creatinine and 24-hour urine protein. RESULTS: The observed and expected genotype counts were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant differences were found in the genotype and allele frequencies of 163A/G and 950T/C polymorphisms between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, in the preeclamptic group, serum creatinine was significantly higher in women with the AG + GG genotypes [(76 ± 24) µmol/L] compared with AA genotype [(56 ± 18) µmol/L]. Reversely, birth weight was lower in the AG + GG genotypes [(2040 ± 721) g] than those in the AA genotype [(2520 ± 810) g], and the P < 0.05, respectively. In the severe pre-eclampsia, 950T/C TT genotype carriers exhibited significantly higher systolic blood pressure [(153 ± 16) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)] and 24-hour urine protein [(4.0 ± 2.5) g] compared with TT + TC carriers [(145 ± 17) mm Hg, (2.9 ± 1.8) g], respectively, furthermore the P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: In severe pre-eclampsia, carriers with G allele at position 163A/G has more genetic predisposition than A allele carriers, as well as 950T/C T allele carriers compared with C carriers. Taken together, this study suggested that OPG gene polymorphisms might be associated with some clinical parameters of severe pre-eclampsia.

[Comparison of therapeutic effects of peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage by different interventions].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage by different interventions and explore the better treatments of peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: One hundred and thirty one cases of Bell's facial paralysis were randomly divided into three groups. In acupuncture group (44 cases), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. were applied; in electroacupuncture group (45 cases), the selection of acupoints and needling method were same as those in acupuncture group, and the electroacupuncture therapy was applied on Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Yangbai (GB 14) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5) in acute stage; in medication and acupuncture group (42 cases), Prednisone and Acyclovir were taken by oral administration, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12, were applied by intramuscular injection in acute stage, and acupuncture was applied by the way which was same as that in acupuncture group during quiescent and recovery stages. The curative effects were evaluated by House-Brackmann Grading Scale, and the failed rates were observed by follow-up after one and three months. RESULTS: The cured and markedly effective rates were 79.6% (35/44), 93.4% (42/45) and 78.6% (33/42) respectively in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The cured rates above tympanichord were 54.2% (13/24), 85.2% (23/27) and 48.0% (12/25) in acupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group, and the result in electroacupuncture group was superior to those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences of cured rates below tympanichord among three groups (P > 0.05); and the failed rate in electroacupuncture group was much lower than those in acupuncture group and medication and acupuncture group by follow-up after one and three months (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The peripheral facial paralysis is effectively treated by electroacupuncture in acute stage, and it suggests that electroacupuncture should be applied early during the acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.