Effect of electroacupuncture on Aβ and insulin degrading enzyme in the frontal cortex of senescence accelerated mouse/prone 8 / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at " Baihui"," Shenshu" and " Taixi" points on learning and memory,the expression of Aβ and insulin degrading enzyme(IDE) in the brain of SAMP8 mice.Methods Eight-month-old SAMR1 and SAMP8 mice were treated with electroacupuncture at " Baihui"," Shenshu" and "Taixi" points for eight consecutive weeks.The distribution and expression of Aβ and IDE in the brain prefrontal cortex of mouse were observed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Learning and memory function was assayed by Morris water maze(MWM).Results Compared with the normal control group,the brain prefrontal cortex of SAMP8 mice showed increased Aβ levels ((179.02± 15.11) ％),decreased IDE protein expression ((51.35 ± 14.94) ％).MWM showed the escape latency in SAMP8 mice was significantly longer than that in the control group (P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,Aβ levels in SAMP8 mice were markedly decreased in electroacupuncture group((119.72±9.21)％) and memantine-treated group ((116.84 ± 12.09) ％).IDE protein levels were increased by ((92.06 ± 8.05) ％) and ((83.84± 15.28) ％) after treatment with electroacupuncture and memantine relative to model group.MWM showed the escape latency was significantly shorter in SAMP8 mice treated with electroacupuncture and memantine than that in the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at " Baihui"," Shenshu" and "Taixi" points can inhibit Aβ levels,increase the expression of IDE and improve the learning and memory function of SAMP8 mice.

Management of pediatric urolithiasis induced by melamine-contaminated powdered formula (report of 619 cases).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy in children with urolithiasis caused by ingestion of melamine-contaminated powdered formula. METHODS: The clinical presentation, laboratory data, ultrasound findings, and treatment methods used for 619 children with melamine-induced urolithiasis were retrospectively recorded and analyzed. The efficacy of the treatment in these children was summarized and evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 619 children aged 1-88 months were included in the present study (mean age 16.32 months). The male/female ratio was 1.9:1. Of the 619 patients, 577 received conservative treatment and 454 became stone free (78.7%). Of the 151 patients with renal and/or ureteral stones, 1-6 sessions of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy were performed in 81 patients (61 successful [35.5%] of 172 sessions) and retrograde ureteral catheterization in 70 patients (56 successfully treated [80.0%]). In centers without expertise in minimally invasive medical techniques, 5 patients with bilateral obstructive renal failure were successfully treated with ureteral lithectomy (n = 4) and percutaneous nephrostomy (n = 1). For the remaining 27 children with refractory renal or ureter stones, 9 were successfully treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 18 children underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy to become stone free. A total of 22 bladder and/or urethral stones were successfully treated with cystoscopic lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS: Most children with melamine-induced urolithiasis were treated successfully with an infusion of fluids, urine basification, and diuresis. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a safe and effective technique for patients in whom conservative treatment fails. However, for patients who have presented with obstructive renal failure, surgical intervention should be considered as early as possible to relieve the obstruction.

Predictive value of spiral CT in composition changes of pediatric urinary stones / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To investigate the predictive value of spiral CT in composition changes of pediatric urinary.Methods A total of 25 pediatric patients with urinary stones were investigated.Eighteen patients with renal stones were stratified into two groups:an alkalization therapy alone group ( n =9 ) and a comprehensive therapy group (n =9).Flame atomic absorption spectrum (AAS) was employed to measure calcium level of the pediatric urinary stones.Spiral CT was employed to measure the peak CT number in vitro of all the pediatric urinary stones and 61 adult urinary stones,which served as controls.Results All pediatric urinary stones contained calcium ( 0.11％ - 26.30％ ).A positive correlation was observed between the CT number of pediatric urinary stone and its stone calcium level ( r =0.855,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared to the alkalization therapy alone group,the CT number and stone calcium level of pediatricrenal stones in the comprehensive therapy group were significant higher (stone CT number:162 ± 60 HU VS.783 ±476 HU,P ＜ 0.01 ; stone calcium level:1.30 ± 1.52％ VS 19.83 ± 7.48％,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared to ≤400 HU pediatric renal stones,＞ 400 HU renal stones contained more calcium (21.71 ± 5.27％,1.65 ±1.82％,P ＜ 0.01 ) and failed to dissolve by alkalization therapy alone ( x2 =11.455,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions CT could be a predictive tool for composition changes of pediatric urinary stones.In clinical CT scanning setting,＞400 HU pediatric urinary stones probably will contain more calcium and not be suitable for alkalization therapy alone.