Feasibility analysis of external application of Xiao-Shuan-San in preventing PICC-related thrombosis.

PURPOSE: We aim to analyze the feasibility of external application of Xiao-Shuan-Santo prevent peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) -related thrombosis. METHODS: A total of 218 patients with PICC catheterization were randomly divided into a control group (n = 103) and a treatment group (n = 115). Patients in the treatment group received additional external application of Xiao-Shuan-San. The changes of coagulation index, the incidence of PICC-related thrombosis and other complications, and the maximum blood flow rate (Vmax) of axillary vein were observed at 1 day before catheterization and 30 days after PICC. RESULTS: At 30 days after PICC, the incidence of PICC-related thrombosis and other adverse events in the treatment group were obviously lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the decreased Vmax value of axillary vein in the control group (11.75±1.91 cm/s) was more visible than that in the treatment group (14.63±3.03 cm/s), accompanied by a statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: External application of Xiao-Shuan-San could reduce the incidence of PICC-related thrombosis and other complications.

[Effects of Scalp Acupuncture on Serum NSE and S-100ß Concentrations and Postoperative Cogni- tive Function of Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Replacement].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Scalp acupuncture on serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S-100ß concentrations, and incidence rates of postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive function (POCD) of elderly patients undergoing hip replacement. METHODS: Eighty-four patients undergoing scheduled hip replacement under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) were assigned to the control group (group C) and the scalp acupuncture group (group S) according to random digit table, 42 cases in each group. In group S, scalp acupuncture was additionally performed according to International Standardized Scheme for Scalp Acupuncture. Scalp acupuncture was performed during the operation from the MS1 middle line of forehead [1 cun before Shenting (GV24), including Shenting (GV24)] and MS5 middle line of vertex [from Baihui (DU20) to Qianding (DU21), including Baihui (DU20) and Qianding (DU21)]. The operation time and post-operative length of stay were observed. The midazolam dosage, hemorrhage amount, fluid transfusion amount, urine amount, use rates of ephedrine and atropine during the operation were also observed and compared between the two groups. The occurrence rate of POD and POCD at post-operative day 3 (T1), week 1 (T2), month 3 (T3), and month 6 (T4) were measured. Eighteen patients were randomly selected to collect blood from internal jugular vein before anesthesia t0), immediately after ending the surgery (t1), 6 h after operation (t2), 24 h after operation (t3), and 48 h after operation (t4), respectively. Serum levels of NSE and S-100ß were correspondingly measured. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the operation time, midazolam dosage used during the operation, hemorrhage amount, fluid transfusion amount, urine amount, use rates of ephedrine and atropine (P > 0.05). Compared with group C, the post-operative length of stay was shortened in group S (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of POD and that of POCD at each time point were lower in group S (P < 0.05). The expression level of NSE decreased at t2, t3, and t4, and the expression level of S100ß also decreased at t1, t2, t3, and t4(P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in expression levels of NSE or S100ß between the two groups at other time points (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scalp acupuncture could attenuate central nervous system lesion and improve POCD of elderly patients undergoing hip replacement.

Jianpi Huayu Decoction Inhibits Proliferation in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells (SW480) by Inducing G0/G1-Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis.

Jianpi Huayu Decoction (JHD), a Chinese medicine formula, is a typical prescription against multiple tumors in the clinical treatment, which can raise quality of life and decrease complications. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of JHD against human colorectal carcinoma cells (SW480) and explore its mechanism. MTT assay showed that JHD decreased the cellular viability of SW480 cells in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that JHD induced G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest in SW480 cells and had a strong apoptosis-inducing effect on SW480 cells. Meanwhile it enhanced the expression of p27, cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax and decreased the levels of PARP, caspase-3, Bcl-2, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin D2, cyclin D3, and cyclin E1, which was evidenced by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. In conclusion, these results indicated that JHD inhibited proliferation in SW480 cells by inducing G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, providing a practicaltherapeutic strategy against colorectal cancer.

[Effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular Shenmen point on postoperative nausea and vomiting and patient-controlled epidural analgesia in cesarean section].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular Shenmen point on postoperative nausea and vomiting and patient-controlled epidural analgesia in cesarean section. METHODS: After IRB approval and informed consent, one hundred and eighty singleton primiparas undergoing elective cesarean section, in Qingdao Municipal Hospital, and Qingdao Hiser Medical Center, from November 2011 to March 2012, were randomly assigned to three groups: transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular Shenmen point group (group A, n = 60), transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular Eye point group (group B, n = 60) and control group (group C, n = 60). Women of group A received transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular Shenmen point (frequency 1.5 HZ) at the time of preoperation, 4, 10 and 22 hours of postoperation for 30 minutes. The strength was controlled by themselves. Women of group B received stimulation of auricular Eye point as group A. Women of group C received pressurization and connected line were the same with group A, but without electrical stimulation. The following indexes was observed: the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for 48 hours; the rate of metoclopramide; the visual analogue scale (VAS) score of rest pain, uterine contration pain and dynamic pain at the time of postoperation for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours (T(1)-T(4)); the total number and effective compressions number of patient-controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA);the dose of analgesia mixture; the anal exhaust time; the volume of postoperative bleeding for 6 hours of postoperation and the other side effects. RESULTS: Compared with group B and group C, the incidence of PONV, the rate of metoclopramide, the VAS score at the time T(1)-T(4), the total number and effective compressions number of PCEA, the ratio of the total number with effective compressions number and the dose of analgesia mixture were decreased in group A (P < 0.05), but no difference compared group B with group C (P > 0.05). The anal exhaust time and the volume of postoperative bleeding for 6 hours of postoperation were no difference in the three groups (P > 0.05). No other side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular Shenmen point can reduce the incidence of PONV and improves analgesia effect of PCEA in postoperation of cesarean section.