Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Fire Needling Versus Electroacupuncture in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis of Kidney and Marrow Deficiency Type / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe and compare the clinical efficacy of fire needling versus electroacupuncture in treating knee osteoarthritis of kidney and marrow deficiency type.Methods One hundred and ten patients with knee osteoarthritis of kidney and marrow deficiency type were randomly allocated to two groups, a fire needling group of 56 cases and an electroacupuncture group of 54 cases. The fire needling group received filiform needle acupuncture and fire needle pricking and the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture. Treatment was given once every other day, for a total of four weeks as one course. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The VAS score and the WOMAC subscores significantly decreased in both groups after treatment compared with those before treatment (P0.05). The VAS score and the WOMAC subscores decreased further in both groups at four weeks after treatment compared with those at the end of treatment (P0.05).Conclusions Both filiform needle acupuncture plus fire needle pricking and electroacupuncture can markedly relieve the pain and stiffness and improve joint function in knee osteoarthritis of kidney and marrow deficiency type. Both have an equivalent short-term therapeutic effect. Filiform needle acupuncture plus fire needle pricking has a better long-term therapeutic effect than electroacupuncture.

Clinical study of the combination of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy and auricular point pressure in the treatment of insomnia of spleen and stomach disharmony pattern / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on insomnia of spleen and stomach disharmony pattern in comparison of the combination of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy and auricular point pressure with the simple application of auricular point pressure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty patients of insomnia of spleen and stomach disharmony pattern were randomized into an observation group (93 cases) and a control group (87 cases). In the observation group, the combination of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy and auricular point pressure was adopted. The acupoint catgut-embedding therapy was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Anmian (Extra), Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), once every two weeks. The auricular point pressure was applied to Shenmen (TF), Pizhixia (AT), Xin (CO), Pi (CO), Wei (CO) on both sides alternatively, twice a week. The duration of treatment was 2 months for the two groups. In the control group, the auricular point pressure was simply used with the same points, manipulation and treatment duration as the observation group. After treatment, the clinical therapeutic effects were observed in the patients of the two groups. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score was compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The recurrence was followed up in 3 months after the end of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was observed that 2 cases were dropped out in the observation group, 4 cases in the control group. The dropped out cases were considered to be ineffective. After treatment, the total effective rate was 92.5% (86/93) in the observation group and was 80.5% (70/87) in the control group. The result in the observation group was better than that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, PSQI scores were all reduced apparently in the two groups as compared with those before treatment (both<0.05). The score after treatment and the different value before and after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both<0.05). In 3-month follow-up after treatment, the recurrence rate was 3.2% (3/93) in the observation group, which was lower than 13.8% (12/87) in the control group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the treatment of insomnia of spleen and stomach disharmony pattern, the acupoint catgut-embedding therapy combined with auricular point pressure are superior to the simple application of auricular point pressure in the clinical therapeutic effects, improving sleep quality and reducing the recurrence rate.</p>

Anti-tumor effect of tumor vaccine combined with metronomic chemotherapy on breast cancer in mice / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:This study aimed to observe the synergistic effect of a new tumor vaccine combined with metronomic che-motherapy in vivo on breast cancer. This study was also conducted to investigate the mechanism of this combination. Methods:Balb/c mice inoculated with 4T1 mouse breast cancer cell were used as tumor models. High-mobility group nucleosome-binding protein 1 (HMGN1) gene was used to transfect 4T1 cell lines as cancer vaccines. After 4T1 cell was inoculated, the mice were randomized into four groups:normal saline (NS);metronomic gemcitabine (GEM) alone;cancer vaccine alone;and combination therapy group. Tumor growth and potential toxicities of these regimens were observed. The Foxp3 expression of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was detected by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The microvessel density (MVD) of the tumor was also detected by immunohistochemi-cal staining. Results:The tumor volume of the mice was significantly lower in the combination group than in the MET group or cancer vaccine group (P<0.05). This result exhibited a higher significant difference than the tumor volume of the mice in the NS group (P<0.01). Foxp3 expression was significantly lower in the mice treated with GEM (combination or MET group). MVD was significantly lower in these two groups than in the cancer vaccine group or NS group (P<0.05). Furthermore, adverse reactions slightly occurred in each group. Conclusion: The combination of cancer vaccines and metronomic GEM is a very active and well-tolerated regimen for breast cancer in mice.

Effect of FireNeedling plus Filiform Needles on the Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of fire needling plus filiform needles in treating knee osteoarthritis and its effect on the patients’ quality of life.MethodOne hundred and one patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to fire needling, filiform needle and combination groups. They were treated with fire needling, filiform needles and fire needling plus filiform needles, respectively. An assessment was made using the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in the 101 patients with knee osteoarthritis before and after treatment.ResultFire needling, filiform needles and fire needling plus filiform needles all had a marked therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis. The effect of fire needling plus filiform needles was better than those of fire needling and filiform needles (P<0.05,P<0.01). After four weeks of treatment, SF-36 quality of life item sub-scores increased in all the three groups of patients compared with before treatment (P<0.01); SF-36 role physical and general health scores were higher in the combination group than in the fire needling group (P<0.05, P<0.01); SF-36 physical functioning, role physical, general health, social functioning and mental health scores were higher in the combination group than in the filiform needle group (P<0.01).ConclusionFire needling plus filiform needles can effectively treat knee osteoarthritis and improve the patients’ quality of life. Its effects are superior to those of fire needling and filiform needles.

Study of the ubiquitination of RNF6 on insulin receptor substrate-1 / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To construct an eukaryotic expression vetor of ring finger protein 6 (RNF6)and to investigate its ubiqu-itylation on insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1).Methods Human RNF6 coding sequence was amplified by polymerase chain reac-tion (PCR)method with human cDNA as template.The pcDNA3.1-CHA-RNF6 was constructed with routine molecular methods and transfected into hepatocarcinoma cell HepG2.Relative quantification of IRS-1 mRNA was preformed by real-time reverse tran-scription PCR.Western blot was applied to detect the expression levels of IRS-1.Results 48 h after the plasmid carring RNF6 gene transfected HepG2 cells,the mRNA level of ISR-1 gene reduced to 69% of control group.The expression of IRS-1 was markedly lower than control group (P <0.01).Conclusion The expression of IRS-1 is markedly down-regulated in HepG2 and enhancement of the ubiquitylation level of IRS-1 contribute to the disorder in insulin signal transferring.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatic cavernous hemangioma / 中国微创外科杂志

3.0 cm in diameter were given multiple overlapping ablations that encompassed the entire lesions as well as an approximately 0.5 cm rim of normal liver tissue. The operation was performed under local anesthesia in association with systemic analgesia. Results The procedure was successfully accomplished in all the 26 patients. Adverse reactions happened at 2~5 postoperative days, including local pain and discomfort, pyrexia, and elevations of ALT levels. No bile leakage or hemorrhage occurred. Follow-up observations in 23 patients for 1~5 years (mean, 2 years and 8 months) showed a complete response (CR) in 22 patients and a partial response (PR) in 1 patient by one mission of PRFA, the effective rate (CR+PR) being 100%. The hepatic cavernous hemangiomas decreased by a mean of 68.8% (range, 41.2%~81.5%) in diameter. Conclusions Minimally invasive PRFA is a safe and effective therapy for HCHs in properly selected patients by experienced hands.

Analysis of HLA-DRB1,DQB1 allele polymorphism in the Kunming Yi nationality population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the HLA-DRB1, DQB1 allele polymorphism in Kunming Yi nationality population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HLA-DRB1, DQB1 DNA types in 70 healthy children of Yi nationality in Kunming were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve alleles at HLA-DRB1 locus were observed in the 70 children: the alleles with gene frequencies higher than 10% were HLA-DRB1*12(33.57%), DRB1*0901(11.43%), DRB1*04(11.43%); the alleles with gene frequencies between 10% and 5% were HLA-DRB1*01(8.57%), DRB1*11(7.86%), DRB1*14(7.14%), DRB1*15(7.14%), DRB1*08(5%); the alleles with gene frequencies lower than 5% were HLA-DRB1*03(2.86%), DRB1*13(2.14%), DRB1*07(1.43%), DRB1*16(1.43%). Seven alleles at HLA-DQB1 locus were observed in the 70 children: the alleles with gene frequencies higher than 10% were HLA-DQB1*0301(45%), DQB1*05(22.14%), DQB1*0303(12.14%); the alleles with gene frequencies between 10% and 5% were HLA-DQB1*04(6.43%), DQB1*06(6.43%); the alleles with gene frequencies lower than 5% were HLA-DQB1*0201(4.29%) and DQB1*0302(3.57%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distribution of HLA-DRB1, DQB1 allele polymorphism in the Kunming Yi nationality population is distinctive. It is neither like that in the South Han population nor like that in the North Han population.</p>

Clinical Study on the treatment of colorectal liver metastasis using PRFA in combination with PEI / 中国医师杂志

Objective To assess the local treatment efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA) in combination with percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI) therapy protocol for liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods From February 2000 to February 2004, total of 61 liver metastatic lesions(1.5～7.8 cm) from 37 colorectal cancer patients were ablated by using RF-2000 generator and 10-needle LeVeen electrode percutaneously guided by B-ultrasound.Tumors larger than 2.5 cm in diameter were treated by multiple overlapping radiofrequency ablations encompassing the entire lesion as well as a rim of normal liver tissue(approximately 1.0 cm).PEI was performed additionally.The Chiba needle and Quadra-Fuse multi-pronged injection needle were used for tumors ranged 1～2 cm and for those larger than 3 cm respectively.Results The procedures were performed successfully in all patients.The post-PRFA/PEI complication rate was 5.4%.The follow-up rate was 97.3%(36/37).Thirteen patients achieved a complete response(CR),and 21 achieved a partial response(PR).The effective rate(CR+PR) was 94.4%.The patients' survival rates were 97.2% at 1 year,75.0% at 2 years,and 52.8% at 3 years respectively.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the treatment protocol of PRFA in combination with PEI was an effective mini-invasive local ablation therapy,which was part of the comprehensive management of the colorectal liver metastases.

Minimally Invasive Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for Hepatic Cavernous Hemangioma / 中国医师杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy, safety and complications of minimally invasive percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA) therapy for hepatic cavernous hemangioma(HCH). Methods Twelve patients with total 15 HCHs (2.5cm to 9.5cm) were treated by using RF-2000 generator and 10-needle LeVeen electrode percutaneously guided by B-ultrasound. Tumors larger than 3cm were treated by multiple overlapping ablations that encompassed the entire lesions as well as an approximately 0.5cm rim of normal liver tissue. Results The procedures were successful and the patients recovered well without the complications of bleeding or bile leakage after mean 48-month follow up period. Spiral CT scanning showed that the contrast enhancement was disappeared within the lesions or at their periphery in all cases. The mean diameter of the ablated HCHs reduced 68%. Conclusion The results suggested that PRFA therapy was a minimally invasive, simple, safe, and effective approach for treating HCHs in selected patients.

Quality control of Jiangzhi Jianfei Tablets / 中成药

AIM:To establish the methods of determining 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-?-D-glycoside,puerain;ginsengnoside Rg_1,ginsengnoside Rb_1,notoginsengnoside R_1,and salvianolic B in Jiangzhi Jianfei Tablets(Radix Polygoni multiflori,Radix Puerariae lobatae,Radix et Rhizoma Notoginseng,Radix et Rhizoma Salviae miltiorrhizae,etc) with HPLC. METHODS: All chromatogram columns used were ODS columns.The mobile phase of acetonitrile-wate(25(∶)75) was chosen for 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-?-D-glycoside.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.The detection wavelength was at 320 nm.The mobile phase of methanol-water(25(∶)75) was chosen for puerain.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.The detection wavelength was at 250 nm.The mobile phase of acetonitrile-water was chosen for ginsengnoside Rg_1,ginsengnoside Rb_1 and notoginsengnoside R_1.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.The detection wavelength was at 203 nm.The mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-methane acid-water(30(∶)10(∶)1(∶)59) was chosen for salvianolic B.The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.The detection wavelength was 286 nm. RESULTS: The linear rangers were 0.476 ?g-4.760 ?g(r=0.999 6) for 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-?-D-glycoside,0.168 96 ?g-1.689 6 ?g(r=0.999 8) for puerain,0.724 ?g-7.240 ?g(r=0.999 8) for ginsengnoside Rg_1,0.728 ?g-7.280 ?g(r=0.999 9) for ginsengnoside Rb_1,0.23 ?g-2.30 ?g(r=0.999 8) for notoginsengnoside R_1,0.306 ?g-3.060 ?g(r=0.999 9) for salvianolic B.Their average recoveries were 99.43%(RSD=1.08%,n=6),99.43%(RSD=1.66%,n=6),101.17%(RSD=2.08%,n=6),and 102.39%(RSD=2.60%,n=6),respectively. CONCLUSION: These methods of determining components in four kinds of herbs are simple,accurate,reproducible and can be used for quality control of Jiangzhi Jianfei Tablets.