[Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke aphasia: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture (acupuncture for opening orifices and relieving aphasia) combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on language ability and daily life communication ability in patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA). METHODS: Fifty-six patients with PSA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 28 cases in each group. Both groups received routine symptomatic treatment. The control group was treated with speech rehabilitation training and rTMS. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture at the speech area Ⅰ, Fengchi (GB 20), Tongli (HT 5), Lianquan (CV 23), Panglianquan (Extra), etc. Panglianquan (Extra) on both sides were connected to electroacupuncture, with intermittent wave, 2 Hz in frequency. The above treatment was performed once a day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 2 days of rest for 2 weeks. The scores of western aphasia battery (WAB, including scores of spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and score of aphasia quotient [AQ]) and communication abilities in daily living (CADL) in the two groups were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming scores and AQ scores in both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the increase in the observation group was greater than the control group (P<0.05). The CADL scores of the two groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture combined with rTMS can improve the language ability and daily life communication ability of PSA patients.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among urban community residents in China.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising among the Chinese population following China's tremendous economic growth and widespread westernization of lifestyle in recent decades. Limited information is available about the current burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China. METHODS: We analyzed data on metabolic risk factors among 22,457 adults aged ≥ 32 years participating in the "Zhabei Health 2020" survey (2009-2010), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of community residents in Zhabei District. We defined MetS using Chinese-specific cut-off points for central obesity according to consensus criteria recently endorsed by several international and national organizations in defining MetS in different populations worldwide. We used a multiple logistic regression model to assess the associations of potential risk factors with MetS. RESULTS: The unadjusted prevalence of the MetS was 35.1% for men and 32.5% for women according to the consensus criteria for Chinese. The prevalence increased progressively from 12.1% among participants aged 32-45 years to 45.4% among those aged ≥ 75 years. Age, smoking, family history of diabetes, and education are significantly associated with risk of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: The MetS is highly prevalent and has reached epidemic proportion in Chinese urban adult community residents.

Clinical and experimental study of oxaliplatin in treating human gastric carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of oxaliplatin on human gastric carcinoma and to explore its mechanisms. METHODS: Twenty-two cases of stage IV gastric carcinoma received 4-6 (mean 4.6) cycles of first line combined chemotherapy with oxaliplatin (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), iv, gtt, 1 h, d 1; leukovorin 200 mg/m(2), iv, gtt, 1 h, d 1 and d 2; 5-FU 300 mg/m(2),iv, d 1 and d 2, 5-FU, continuous iv, gtt, 48 h; 1 cycle/2 wk). Response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), total survival time, toxic side effects were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of oxaliplatin on human gastric cell line SGC-7901 was detected and IC(50) was calculated by MTT. Transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL were performed to evaluate the apoptosis of cell line induced by the drug. The expression of Caspase-3 m-RNA was detected by RT-PCR. AC-DEVD-CHO, a Caspase-3 specific inhibitor, was used to elucidate the role of activated Caspase-3 in the process of apoptosis induced by oxaliplatin. RESULTS: Total response (complete and partial) occurred in 9 (40.9%) patients. Mean PFS was 4.2 mo and mean total survival time was 7.2 mo. Cumulative neurotoxicity (all grade I-II), vomiting and diarrhea, myelosuppression appeared in 93.5%, 20%, 32.9% patients, respectively. IC(50) was calculated to be 0.71 mg/L by MTT assay. A maximal inhibitory rate reached 85.3%. Apoptosis index was elevated after incubated with 1 mmol/L oxaliplatin for 30 min, but without statistic significance (P>0.05). However it could be detected at a much higher degree both by flowcytometry and by TUNEL with a statistical significance (68.47+/-7.92% and 8.23+/-2.67%, respectively, P<0.05) after incubated with 1 mmol/L oxaliplatin for 2 d. By means of RT-PCR, we detected an enhancement of Caspase-3 m-RNA expression induced by oxaliplatin which was also in positive correlation with the apoptotic level. AC-DEVD-CHO, a Caspase-3 specific inhibitor, could significantly inhibit and delay apoptosis induced by oxaliplatin. CONCLUSION: Oxaliplatin is effective and well-tolerated in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. Oxaliplatin could significantly inhibit the growth of human gastric cell line SGC-7901. The induction of Caspase-3 m-RNA expression, activation of Caspase-3 and promotion of apoptosis may be some of the therapeutic mechanisms of oxaliplatin on gastric carcinoma. Annexin-V-fluorescein labeling flow cytometry is much more sensitive than TUNEL in detecting early stage apoptosis.