Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy: Two case reports and literature review.

RATIONALE: Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare but serious complication in patients with malignancy; its main manifestation includes acute pulmonary hypertension with severe respiratory distress. More than 200 cases have been reported since it was first identified in 1990. PTTM accounts for approximately 0.9% to 3.3% of deaths due to malignancy, but only a minority of patients are diagnosed ante-mortem, with most patients having a definitive diagnosis after autopsy. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two middle-aged women both died within a short period of time due to progressive dyspnea and severe pulmonary hypertension. DIAGNOSES: One patient was definitively confirmed as a gastrointestinal malignant tumor by liver puncture biopsy pathology. Ultimately, the clinical diagnosis was pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated symptomatically with oxygen, diuresis, and anticoagulation, while a liver puncture was perfected to clarify the cause. OUTCOMES: Two cases of middle-aged female patients with rapidly progressive pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure resulted in death with malignant neoplasm. LESSONS: PTTM has a rapid onset and a high morbidity and mortality rate. Our clinicians need to be more aware of the need for timely diagnosis through a targeted clinical approach, leading to more targeted treatment and a better prognosis.

Finite element analysis of cemented prostheses for hip replacement in elderly patients with comminuted intertrochanteric fracture.

BACKGROUND: To determine postoperative stress distribution after cemented arthroplasty in elderly patients with comminuted intertrochanteric fracture, and assist in determining a rational prosthetic stem length. METHODS: A three-dimensional (3D) model of intertrochanteric fracture was established using the Mimics and Unigraphics modeling software, which included the 3D model of comminuted intertrochanteric fracture, two long-stem(#4,#5) and one short stem(#3) prostheses, and the mantle layer of cement. The bone defect of the calcar femorale was replaced with a 5-mm thick cement. Then, the 3D finite element model of those materials was established, boundary conditions of force were imposed, and material parameters were set. Accordingly, a finite element analysis was performed to this model in stress. RESULTS: (1) The stress of the femur in the three-stem replacement prosthesis models increased from proximal end to distal end in the same pattern, while a stress concentration region was found at 5 mm from within the distal tip of the short-stem prosthesis (#3), which had a peak value of 67.85 MPa. However, no stress concentration was found on the long-stem prosthesis model. (2) For the short-stem prosthesis, the stress distribution of the cement-prosthesis interface was significantly concentrated in the distal region around the prosthesis end, in which the peak value of the lateral interface exceeded the fatigue strength of the bone cement. However, the biomechanics for the long prosthesis was better appreciated. CONCLUSION: Long prosthesis stems may theoretically be a better option for comminuted intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. However, the application of exceedingly long prosthesis stems would not be a better option. KEY WORDS: Comminuted intertrochanteric fracture, Elderly patients Finite element analysis, Prosthetic replacement.

Performance of a Heating Block System Designed for Studying the Heat Resistance of Bacteria in Foods.

Knowledge of bacteria's heat resistance is essential for developing effective thermal treatments. Choosing an appropriate test method is important to accurately determine bacteria's heat resistances. Although being a major factor to influence the thermo-tolerance of bacteria, the heating rate in samples cannot be controlled in water or oil bath methods due to main dependence on sample's thermal properties. A heating block system (HBS) was designed to regulate the heating rates in liquid, semi-solid and solid foods using a temperature controller. Distilled water, apple juice, mashed potato, almond powder and beef were selected to evaluate the HBS's performance by experiment and computer simulation. The results showed that the heating rates of 1, 5 and 10 °C/min with final set-point temperatures and holding times could be easily and precisely achieved in five selected food materials. A good agreement in sample central temperature profiles was obtained under various heating rates between experiment and simulation. The experimental and simulated results showed that the HBS could provide a sufficiently uniform heating environment in food samples. The effect of heating rate on bacterial thermal resistance was evaluated with the HBS. The system may hold potential applications for rapid and accurate assessments of bacteria's thermo-tolerances.

Fifty top-cited classic papers in orthopedic elbow surgery: A bibliometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The number of citations that a paper has received reflects the impact of the article within a particular medical area. Citation analysis concerning the most cited articles have been widely reported in orthopedic surgery and its subspecialties. However, which articles are cited most frequently in orthopedic elbow surgery is unknown. This study aimed to identify and analyze the characteristics of the 50 most cited articles in elbow surgery. METHODS: Science Citation Index Expanded was used to search for citations in 181 journals chosen according to the relevance for elbow publications. The 50 most cited articles in elbow surgery were identified. The title, authors, year of publications, article type, journal source, country, institution, number of citations, decade published, citation density and level of evidence were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The 50 most cited articles were published between 1950 and 2010. The 1980s was the most productive decade. The number of citations ranged from 388 to 124. All the articles were written in English and published in nine journals. The majority of articles originated from United States, followed by Canada and United Kingdom. Fracture was the most discussed topic. The majority of the top cited articles were clinical studies, with the remaining basic research. The most common level of evidence was level IV. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the most cited papers in elbow surgery shows an insight into the historical development of elbow surgery and provides the foundation for further investigations.

[Biomechanical characteristics of hip prosthesis in hip arthroplasty treating elderly patients with Evans I-III intertrochanteric fracture of femur].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of hip arthroplasty in the treatment of elderly patients with Evans I-III intertrochanteric fracture of femur by analyzing its biomechanics characters. METHODS: We solved the CT digital image files with the graphics processing software Mimics at DICOM 3.0 standard, and reconstructed the three-dimensional entity of femur with CAD modeling software Unigraphics. Then the fracture line was defined in the model as the line between the tip of greater trochanter and inferior margin of small trochanter, above which the upper bone was removed. Afterwards the two prosthesises with different stem lengths (120 mm and 170 mm) were implanted into the fracture model respectively as hip arthroplasty with 3 mm bone cement layer between prosthesis and femur, and the bone defect was repatched with 5 mm bone cement layer. A three-dimensional finite element model was established with finite element analysis software ABAQUS 6.5. We formulated different material parameters under the stress condition standing with single leg to build the stress distribution map of the femur prosthesis, and took 5 loci of region of stress concentration to calculate the mean value of stress. RESULTS: The stress distribution maps of the short and long stem length prothesises were similar. And there were two areas of stress concentration, including the upper portion and the lower portion close to the joint of the prosthesis stem, and the stress concentration in the junction part was obviously between the lower portion and the upper area of the small trachanter. The stress reached the first concentration area at the junction and then gradually reached the second concentration area at the interior terminal of the stem. While the stress gradually increased along the lateral prosthesis stem, and reached the stress concentration area at the end. CONCLUSIONS: The stress distribution maps in the femur prosthesises are similar between hip arthroplasty in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of femur and the traditional hip arthroplasty surgery. The peak stress values are higher in the long stem prosthesis in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of femur than the short type, while they are under the rupture value of the metal.

Biomechanical supporting effect of tantalum rods for the femoral head with various sized lesions: a finite-element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Features of necrotic lesions and various interventions could affect the biomechanics of the femoral head. A three-dimensional finite-element analysis was designed to demonstrate necrotic femoral head stress changes with various sizes of necrotic lesions, and evaluate the effect of tantalum rods on preventing femoral head cracking. METHODS: Femoral computed tomography scans were used to build a normal three-dimensional finite-element femoral head model in a computer. Based on the normal model, necrotic models of different lesion diameters (15 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm) were created, as were the repaired models with tantalum rods for each diameter. After a series of meshing and force loading, the von Mises stress distributions, simulating single-legged stance, and stresses on specific points under loaded conditions were determined for each model. RESULTS: Deep exploration into the burdened area of the femoral head indicated that higher stresses to the femoral head were observed with a larger necrotic lesion; the largest stress concentration, 91.3 MPa, was found on the femoral head with a lesion diameter of 30 mm. By contrast, topical stress on the surface of the necrotic regions was lowered following implantation of a tantalum rod, and the changes in stress were significant in models with lesions of 15 mm and 30 mm in diameter, with the best biomechanical benefit from the tantalum rod found with a lesion diameter of 15 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral heads with larger necrotic lesions usually have a higher stress concentration and a higher risk of collapse. Various sized lesions on the femoral head can benefit from the mechanical support offered by the implantation of a tantalum rod; however, femoral heads with smaller sized lesions may benefit more. A thorough evaluation of the lesion size should be conducted prior to the use of tantalum rod implants in the treatment of femoral head necrosis.

Therapeutic effect of an injectable sustained-release sinomenine hydrochloride and sodium hyaluronate compound in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: While intra-articular injection of sinomenine hydrochloride has a therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis, it has a short half-life, and is thermolabile and photolabile. The aim of this research was to evaluate the sustained-release of sinomenine hydrochloride from an injectable sinomenine hydrochloride and sodium hyaluronate compound (CSSSI) and its therapeutic effect in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis following intra-articular injection. METHODS: An injectable compound consisting of 1% sodium hyaluronate and 2.5% sinomenine hydrochloride was prepared and kept as the experiment group, and 2.5% sinomenine hydrochloride was prepared and kept as the control group. The cumulative mass release was measured at different time points in each group in vitro. Sixty-five male Zelanian rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: 15 (30 knees) each for the control, sodium hyaluronate, sinomenine hydrochloride, and CSSSI groups respectively, and five (10 knees) for the modeling group. Papain was injected into both knees of each rabbit for model establishment. Subsequently, 0.2 ml of the corresponding drugs was injected into the articular cavities of the remaining experiment groups, while the control group was treated with 0.2 ml normal saline. All groups were treated once a week for 4 weeks. Seven days after the last treatment, knees were anatomized to perform pathological observations and Mankin's evaluation of the synovium. Four groups were compared using the SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: In the in vitro sustained-release experiments, 90% of the drug was released in the experiment group 360 minutes following the injection. Comparison of the Mankin's evaluations of the four groups illustrated statistical discrepancies (P < 0.05). In further paired comparisons of the CSSSI group vs. modeling control/sodium hyaluronate/sinomenine hydrochloride groups, statistical significance was uniformly obtained. Moreover, sodium hyaluronate and sinomenine hydrochloride treatments showed significant improvement over the modeling control (P < 0.05), whereas sodium hyaluronate vs. sinomenine hydrochloride comparison failed to reach significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CSSSI has a sustained-release effect on sinomenine hydrochloride. Intra-articular injection of CSSSI was significantly better than the sole sodium hyaluronate or sinomenine hydrochloride for the treatment of osteoarthritis in a rabbit model.

Transfect bone marrow stromal cells with pcDNA3.1-VEGF to construct tissue engineered bone in defect repair.

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that nano-hydroxyapatite/carboxymethyl chitosan (n-Ha/CMCS) displayed excellent mechanical properties, good degradation rates and exceptional biocompatibility, with negligible toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the same composite with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- transfected bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in a rabbit radial defect model. METHODS: The nano-hydroxyapatite was produced through co-precipitation. The n-HA/CMCS scaffold was produced by particle filtration and lyophilization followed by genipin crosslinking. Total RNA from rabbit bone was reverse-transcribed to synthesize VEGF165-pcDNA3.1 that was transfected into the BMSCs. The composite was implanted into a rabbit radial defect model, and the osteogenic activity examined by gross morphology, X-ray examination and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. RESULTS: The microstructure and mechanical property of the n-HA/CMCS scaffold resembled natural cancellous bone. Compared with glutaric dialdehyde crosslinked scaffolds, the genipin crosslinked scaffold was less toxic, and displayed a higher capacity to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. Spontaneous fluorescence of the composite permitted visualization of the composite-bone interface and the adhesion behavior of cells on the scaffold under laser scanning confocal microscopy. The scaffold with VEGF-transfected BMSCs bridged the bony defect and promoted healing, with most of the implanted material being replaced by natural bone over time with little residual implant. Using X-ray, we noted obvious callus formation and recanalization of the bone marrow cavity. Furthermore, HE stained sections showed new cortical bone formation. CONCLUSIONS: The n-HA/CMCS scaffold composite with VEGF-trasnfected BMSCs is biocompatible, nontoxic, promotes the infiltration and formation of the microcirculation, and stimulates bone defect repair. Furthermore, the degradation rate of the composite matched that of growing bone. Overall, this composite material is potentially useful for bone defect repair.

Effects of high-pressure argon and nitrogen treatments on respiration, browning and antioxidant potential of minimally processed pineapples during shelf life.

BACKGROUND: High-pressure (HP) inert gas processing causes inert gas and water molecules to form clathrate hydrates that restrict intracellular water activity and enzymatic reactions. This technique can be used to preserve fruits and vegetables. In this study, minimally processed (MP) pineapples were treated with HP (∼10 MPa) argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N) for 20 min. The effects of these treatments on respiration, browning and antioxidant potential of MP pineapples were investigated after cutting and during 20 days of storage at 4 °C. RESULTS: Lower respiration rate and ethylene production were found in HP Ar- and HP N-treated samples compared with control samples. HP Ar and HP N treatments effectively reduced browning and loss of total phenols and ascorbic acid and maintained antioxidant capacity of MP pineapples. They did not cause a significant decline in tissue firmness or increase in juice leakage. HP Ar treatments had greater effects than HP N treatments on reduction of respiration rate and ethylene production and maintenance of phenolic compounds and DPPH(•) and ABTS(•+) radical-scavenging activities. CONCLUSION: Both HP Ar and HP N processing had beneficial effects on MP pineapples throughout 20 days of storage at 4 °C.

The distribution of IGF2 and IMP3 in osteosarcoma and its relationship with angiogenesis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of IGF2 and IMP3 in osteosarcoma as well as its relationship with angiogenesis in the tumor. IGF2 and IMP3 expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining in the serial sections of the osteosarcoma. The impacts of IGF2 and IMP3 expression patterns on tumor angiogenesis were evaluated by statistics. The IGF2 and IMP3 staining had different expression patterns in different osteosarcoma. Twelve out of the sixty-four cases of conventional osteosarcoma showed nuclear staining patterns, and twenty-nine showed cytoplasmic staining of IGF2 and IMP3 simultaneously. On the other hand, fourteen cases showed nuclear IGF2 staining but cytoplasmic IMP3 expression, and nine cases showed nuclear IMP3 staining and cytoplasmic IGF2 expression. Twenty-eight out of forty-seven cases of parosteal osteosarcoma showed nuclear IGF2 and IMP3 expression, nine showed cytoplasmic IGF2 and IMP3 expression simultaneously. Seven out of forty-seven cases of parosteal osteosarcoma expressed IGF2 with nuclear staining but expressed IMP3 with cytoplasmic staining. Meanwhile, three cases expressed IGF2 with cytoplasmic staining but expressed IMP3 with nuclear staining. Similar to the parosteal osteosarcoma, the periosteal osteosarcoma expressed IGF2 and IMP3 mainly with nuclear staining simultaneously, forty out of fifty-five cases of periosteal osteosarcoma did that. Five out of fifty-five cases expressed IGF2 and IMP3 with cytoplasmic staining at the same time. Four cases showed nuclear IGF2 staining and cytoplasmic IMP3 staining. In the parosteal and periosteal osteosarcoma, there was no significant difference in IGF and IMP3 expression patterns (P = 0.216). However, compared with conventional osteosarcoma, the parosteal and periosteal osteosarcoma showed significant difference in IMP3 and IGF2 expression (P = 0.016, P = 0.023). IGF2 and IMP3 expression patterns were positive correlation in the different osteosarcoma (r = 0.1021, P = 0.032). The Microvessel density (MVD) in osteosarcoma with IGF2 and IMP3 cytoplasmic staining was more than that with nuclear expression of IGF2 and IMP3, and the difference was significant (P = 0.024). Moreover, the conventional osteosarcoma with cytoplasmic IGF and IMP3 showed more MVD than parosteal and periosteal osteosarcoma with cytoplasmic IGF and IMP3, and the difference was significant (P = 0.035). IGF2 and IMP3 had different expression patterns, which might be associated with angiogenesis. However, cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of IGF2 and IMP3 might play different roles in the angiogenesis of osteosarcoma.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention for lipid metabolism of metabolic syndrome patients. METHODS: Eighty cases of metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture combined with western medicine group (observation group) and a simple western medicine group (control group), 40 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Back shu points, Zusanli (ST 36),Zhongwan (CV 12),Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc. as main combined with oral administration of Simvastatin, Glipizide XL, and Felodipine sustained-release tablets for lipid-lowering, glucose-lowering and antihypertensive treatment; the control group was treated with oral administration of western medicine only (the medicine was the same with observation group). The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the blood lipid of the patients were detected respectively before and after treatment. RESULTS: The BMI, Three Acids Glyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol(TC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared respectively before and after treatment, there were significant differences between them in observation group (all P < 0.01); while in control group, there were significant differences of TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C before and after treatment (all P < 0.01), and with no significant difference in BMI before and after treatment. There were significant differences of BMI,TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C between two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The electroacupuncture has an obvious effect to reduce body mass, and acupuncture combined with medication has a better effect of improving the lipid metabolism than simple medication.

[Effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise on weight and waist-hip ratio in simple obesity patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise and simple diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise for treatment of simple obesity, in order to scientifically evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise for simple obesity. METHODS: Sixty-one cases were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The control group was treated with diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise, on the basis of this, the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) etc., once a day, 15 days constituting one course. After three course of treatment, the changes of body weight and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in both groups were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After one course of treatment, both the body weight and WHR in the observation group were obviously lower than those of control group (both P < 0.05); after two courses of treatment, there were no significant differences of body weight and WHR between two groups (both P > 0.05); after three courses of treatment, the body weight of observation group was obviously lower than that of control group (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference of WHR between two groups (P > 0.05); the body weight and WHR of both groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.01); the difference comparison of the body weight in observation group was obviously higher than that of control group before and after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both two treatments can decrease the body weight and WHR of patients with simple obesity, while the effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise is more obvious in the early stage of the treatment for body weight and WHR.

[Effects of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on body weight, body mass index and serum leptin level in simple obesity patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on the body weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin content of patients with simple obesity, so as to evaluate the efficacy of the present therapy in the treatment of simple obesity. METHODS: A total of 61 cases of out-patients were randomly divided into control (n=30) and treatment (n=31) groups. Patients in the control group were treated with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise everyday (30 min/d), continuously for 51 days, and those of the treatment group were treated with acupuncture [Zhong-wan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc.] plus dietary adjustment and aerobic exercise everyday, with 15 days being a course of treatment, 3 days' interval between every two courses, and 3 courses altogether. Serum leptin content was detected by using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment, the body weight and BMI and serum leptin levels in the control and treatment groups were all decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Comparison between the two groups showed that the body weight at the end of the 1st and 3rd course of treatment, the BMI at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd course of treatment, and serum leptin level after the treatment in the treatment group were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference values of body weight and BMI between pre-treatment and post-treatment of the treatment group were obviously higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01), suggesting a better therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise in the treatment of simple obesity. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise can reduce the body weight, BMI and serum leptin level, which is better than dietary adjustments plus aerobic exercise.

Electroacupuncture at Qiuxu (GB 40) for treatment of migraine--a clinical multicentral random controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Qiuxu (GB 40) for treatment of migraine so as to provide clinical evidence for compilation of the Acupoints' Dictionary of the People's Republic of China. METHODS: 275 migraine patients admitted in 3 hospitals were randomly divided into a treatment group treated by EA at Qiuxu (GB 40), and a control group treated by EA at Tianshu (ST 25). The indexes of the migraine symptoms and the 5-HT level were observed in both the groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in VAS score between the two groups of the 3 clinical centers (P<0.01). The therapeutic effects of a 4-week treatment were much better in the treatment group than that of the control group. The 3-month follow-up survey showed that the long-term effects were in favor of the treatment group of the first and third clinical centers, though no significant difference was found in the treatment group of the second clinical center as compared with the control group. The results from the 6-month follow-up survey showed better effects in the treatment group of all the 3 clinical centers. CONCLUSION: EA at Qiuxu (GB 40) may show effect for migraine.

[Effect of high-frequency electroacupuncture on lipid metabolism in obesity rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of high-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on lipid metabolism in obesity rats. METHODS: Fifty-one SD rats were randomized into control group (n=13), model group (n=19) and EA group (n=19). Obesity model was duplicated by feeding the rats with high fat forage and subcutaneous injection of 15% glutamate sodium solution. EA (100 Hz, 3-5 mA) was applied to "Housanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zhongwan" (CV 12) for 10 min everyday and for 28 days. Lee's index, body weight, area and the number of the adipose cells around the left kidney were detected. Blood samples were collected for assaying serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) with cholesterol oxidase phenol 4-aminoantipyrine peroxidase (CHOD-PAP) method, glycerol phosphate oxidase-p-aminophenazone (GPO-PAP) methods, high density lipid-cholesterol (HDL-C) with phosphotungstic acid- Mg2+ method, low density lipid-cholesterol (LDL-C) with polyvingel sulfate (PVS) sedimentation method and plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) with immunoturbidmetry endpoint method, and serum insulin and leptin contents with radioimmunoassay respectively. RESULTS: After modeling, in comparison with control group, Lee's index, serum TG, TC, LDL-C, fat weight, adipose cell area, serum leptin and insulin contents in model group increased considerably (P<0.05, 0.01), while serum HDL-C, plasma LPL, adipose cell number decreased significantly (P<0.05, 0.01). Following EA, compared with model group, Lee's index, serum TG, TC, LDL-C, fat weight, adipose cell area, serum leptin and insulin levels decreased significantly in EA group (P<0.05, 0.01), whereas serum HDL-C, plasma LPL, and adipose cell number increased apparently (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: High frequency EA can effectively improve abnormal lipid metabolism, and reduce fat accumulation in obesity rats, which may be closely associated with its effect in regulating the balance between leptin and insulin levels.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on slimming effect in the rat of experimental obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the slimming effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an acupuncture group I (30 Hz), and an acupuncture group II (100 Hz). Acupoints selected were "Housanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zhongwan" (CV 12). The changes of Lee's index, fat weight around the left kidney and the volume of the fat cell, blood lipids, insulin and leptin before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, Lee's index, fat weight around the left kidney and the volume of the fat cell, blood lipids significantly changed in the two acupuncture groups (P<0.01), with the acupuncture group II being more change than that of the acupuncture group I (P<0.05); and compared with the model group, the leptin level decreased in the two acupuncture group (P<0.01) and the serum insulin level decreased (P<0.05) , with no significant difference between the acupuncture group I and the acupuncture group II (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture of different frequencies has different effects on fat metabolism in fat rats, and electroacupuncture of 100 Hz has a better effect than 30 Hz on obesity.

[Comparison and analysis of therapeutic effects of different therapies on simple obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To search for the best therapy for simple obesity. METHODS: Eighty cases were randomly divided into 3 groups. The body acupuncture group were treated based on the syndrome of heat of stomach and intestine, syndrome of spleen deficiency and stagnation of dampness, and syndrome of spleen and kidney yang-deficiency; the auricular and body acupuncture group were treated by the syndrome treatment of body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking; the observation group were treated by the combined auricular and body acupuncture treatment plus moving cupping on back-shu points. Body weight, BMI, body fatd, blood lipids and clinically main symptoms before and after treatment were investigated. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 69.6% in the body acupuncture group, 76.0%. in the auricular and body acupuncture group, and 90.6% treated in the observation group, with significant differences in the therapeutic effect, clinically main symptoms, external indexes of obesity and kidney ang-blood lipid metabolism between the observation group and the body acupuncture group. The various indexes in the auricular and body acupuncture group were superior to those iwere tthe body acupuncture group, with no significant differences in most indexes. CONCLUSION: Auricular and body acupuncture combined with moving cupping at back-shu points has obvious therapeutic effect on simple obesity and this is a better therapy for simple obesity.

[Acupuncture for treatment of simple obesity and its effect on serum leptin level of the patient].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of acupuncture in reducing body weight. METHODS: Fifty cases of simple obesity were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a drug control group, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with body acupuncture at Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc, electroacupuncture and ear point tapping and pressing therapy (Shenmen, Endocrine, etc. were selected); the patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of sibutramine. The serum leptin level before and after treatment were determined and the therapeutic effect in reducing body weight was assessed. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 88.0% in the acupuncture group and 80. 0% in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05); after treatment, the serum leptin level in both the two groups decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the decreasing amplitude in the acupuncture group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture therapy has a definite therapeutic effect in reducing body weight, and the improvement of serum leptin level of the patient is possibly one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in reducing body weight.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on metabolism of lipids in rats of obesity induced by sodium glutamate].

OBJECTIVE: To explore mechanisms of acupuncture for reducing of body weight. METHODS: The rat obesity model was developed by subcutaneous injection of sodium glutamate solution, and the experimental rats were divided into a blank control group, a model group, an electroacupuncture group and a sibutramine group; blood TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C contents and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and serum leptin and insulin levels were determined. RESULTS: The body weight and Lee's index, and TG, TC and LDL-C contents in the electroacupuncture group decreased significantly as compared with those in the model group (all P<0.01), the actions in the electroacupuncture group being superior to those in the sibutramine group; the HDL-C contents in both the electroacupuncture and the sibutramine groups were higher than that of the model group (P<0.01) with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group; LPL activity in the electroacupuncture group increased significantly as compared with that in the model group (P<0.01); serum leptin and insulin levels in both the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group were lower than that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group in the effect on insulin content, and the decrease of leptin level in the electroacupuncture group was more as compared with the sibutramine group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can improve the status of high blood lipids, increase lipoprotein lipase activity, and regulate serum leptin and insulin levels in the obestic rat.

Radio frequency heating: a new potential means of post-harvest pest control in nuts and dry products.

The multi-billion dollar US tree nut industries rely heavily on methyl bromide fumigation for postharvest insect control and are facing a major challenge with the mandated cessation by 2005 of its use for most applications. There is an urgent need to develop effective and economically viable alternative treatments to replace current phytosanitary and quarantine practices in order to maintain the competitiveness of US agriculture in domestic and international markets. With the reliable heating block system, the thermal death kinetics for fifth-instar codling moth, Indianmeal moth, and navel orangeworm were determined at a heating rate of 18 degrees C/min. A practical process protocol was developed to control the most heat resistant insect pest, fifth-instar navel orangeworm, in in-shell walnuts using a 27 MHz pilot scale radio frequency (RF) system. RF heating to 55 degrees C and holding in hot air for at least 5 min resulted in 100% mortality of the fifth-instar navel orangeworm. Rancidity, sensory qualities and shell characteristics were not affected by the treatments. If this method can be economically integrated into the handling process, it should have excellent potential as a disinfestation method for in-shell walnuts.