[The 1918 influenza from the perspective of the Hongkong Chinese Daily (Xiang Gang Hua Zi Ri Bao)].

The 1918 outbreak of influenza in Hongkong was reported in the Hongkong Chinese Daily (Xiang Gang Hua Zi Ri Bao). It was said that the influenza began in June 1918 with mild symptoms, but spread wildly in November with strong momentum as a second wave. It killed about 3,000 people in Hongkong that year. It subsided in Hongkong, Guangdong and other places after February 1920. The reports and news on the 1918 influenza in the Hongkong Chinese Daily mostly came from medicine-related business rather than official news, in particular, the news of influenza treatment. Many influenza treatments were reported in the newspaper, such as Tui Shao tablets and Qing Bu Wan in Watson's pharmacy, Bai Sheng Tea and Bai Sheng Oil in Cheng De Tang, and Bai Sheng Tea in Xin Yu Xian Tang. The reports and news about the 1918 influenza in the Hongkong Chinese Daily have their historical value for the research of epidemic influenza in Hongkong, Guangdong and other places.

[Cholera Prevention and Control in China in 1919 from the Perspective of Ta Kung Pao].

The cholera epidemic in 1919 started from coastal cities in the south of China and the cities near Russia in the north. It centered on those cities with relatively developed economies with well-developed transportation, and spread along railway lines and coastal lines in both directions to the North and the South, based on the reports in Ta Kung Pao. It covered 14 provinces, the municipalities under the Central Government and the special administrative regions. To prevent and control the 1919 cholera epidemic, the Republic of China government took some effective measures, such as reminding people of prevention, providing medical assistance, controlling the flow of people and cutting off transmission routes. It was found that some serious issues were exposed in the process of preventing and controlling the 1919 cholera epidemic, such as corrupt government, the ignorance of part of the population and poor medical services and technology. Analysing the historical materials of the 1919 cholera epidemic and summarising its experience and lessons in Ta Kung Pao can provide references for future epidemic prevention and control.

[The association between calcium supplementation in antenatal childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age among neonatal singleton in Shaanxi province].

Objective: This study explored the association between antenatal calcium supplementation in the childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age infant (SGA) among singleton in Shaanxi province,China. Methods: Multi-stage random cluster sampling method was employed to collect information about pregnant women, who were pregnant and had definite outcomes, and their infants, from 30 districts (counties) in 2010 to 2013. Information was collected by face-to-face questionnaire survey. Generalized linear mixed models were employed after adjusting covariates. Dependent variable was whether single-birth neonate was SGA, and independent variable was calcium supplementation of childbearing aged women in different pregnant periods. Results: A total of 28 357 childbearing aged women was recruited in this study. The age of these women was (28.08±4.74) years old, of which, 79.28% were rural residents and 60.90% had calcium supplementation intake. There was a number of 12 810 female in singleton neonates. The neonatal birth weight and gestational age were (3.27±0.16) kg and (277.44±8.80) day, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 11.35% in total, and 10.48% in mothers with maternal calcium supplementation and 12.70% in mothers without maternal calcium supplementation in whole antenatal period. There were statistically significant differences seen in antenatal calcium supplementation within the subgroups of maternal age (whether the mother was an advanced maternal woman), residential area, maternal occupation, maternal parity, maternal education level, and household incomes (P<0.05). After adjusting these covariates, the risk of SGA among childbearing aged women with antenatal calcium supplementation showed 16% decreased risk (OR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.77-0.92). Further analysis of the different antenatal periods showed that calcium supplementation during the second and third trimester had a statistically significant difference in reducing the risk of neonatal SGA (P<0.05). Besides, subgroup analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the perinatal calcium supplementation and the single-born neonates with SGA Significance (P<0.05) in non-advanced women, those who had a low education level and moderate household economic status groups. Conclusion: The risk reduction of SGA among singleton neonates is related to calcium supplementation during antenatal period in Shaanxi province.

[The epidemic and prevention of the 1918 influenza in China from the perspective of Ta Kung Pao].

Based on the pandemic influenza data collected by the Ta Kung Pao, the pandemic of 1918 spread to at least 16 provinces (autonomous regions), including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jilin, Liaoning, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Yunnan. The first wave of the pandemic between spring and summer in 1918 was relatively mild, with symptoms of dizziness, headache, body heat, bone pain, cough, and mental fatigue. Symptoms of the infection in the second wave between October and November were more serious than in the first wave. Sufferers experienced more symptoms and the number of deaths reported in newspapers increased. The proposed causes of the pandemic, based on the Ta Kung Pao, were mainly focused on season changes, unclean diet, and air pollution. It was also reported from the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine theories, such as Fu Xie (hidden pathogen), Qiu Zao (autumn dryness), and winter pestilence. For the prevention and treatment of the pandemic in 1918, the data in Ta Kung Pao suggested keeping away from the patients, having clean food, being careful about living, paying attention to hygiene and medicine prevention and control. According to the data in Ta Kung Pao, traditional Chinese medicine played an important role in the prevention and treatment of the 1918 pandemic.

Specific PCR-based detection of Phomopsis heveicola the cause of leaf blight of Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in China.

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is currently grown in many tropical and subtropical areas countries and is a major traded commodity for the developing world. Coffee leaf blight, caused by Phomopsis heveicola, is one of the most important fungal diseases dangerous to coffee crops in China. This study aimed to develop a PCR-based diagnostic method for detecting P. heveicola in planta. Specific primers (CPHF/CPHR) were designed based on sequence data of region of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS4) of P. heveicola. The efficiency and specificity of CPHF/CPHR were established by PCR analysis of DNA from P. heveicola strains isolated from China and fungal isolates of other genera. A single amplification product of 318 bp was detected from DNA P. heveicola isolates. No amplification product was observed with any of the other fungal isolates tested. The specific primers designed and employed in PCR detected P. heveicola up to 3 pg from DNA isolated. This is the first report on the development of a species-specific PCR assay for identification and detection of P. heveicola. Thus, the PCR-based assay developed was very specific, rapid and sensitive tool for the detection of pathogen P. heveicola.

[Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between folic acid supplementation and the risk of preeclampsia (PE). Methods: A total of 9 048 pregnant women were selected from the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in Taiyuan from March 2012 to September 2016. Among them, 882 pregnant women with PE were divided into case group, and 8 166 pregnant women without PE were divided into control group. Information on demographic characteristics, folic acid supplementation, maternal complications, and other factors were collected by face-to-face interviews after child birth in the hospital. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between folic acid supplementation and the risk of PE and the effects of pre-pregnancy BMI on the relationship of folic acid supplementation with the risk of PE. Results: Compared with nonusers, folic acid supplement users had reduced risk of PE (OR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.64-0.96). Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy were negatively related with the risk of PE (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.49-0.81). Pregnant women who used folic acid tablets only or used both folic acid tablets and multivitamin containing folic acid had reduced risk of PE (OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.66-0.99; OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.49-0.85). No significant relationship was observed in the multivitamin group. Supplemental folic acid doses of <400, 400, and >400 µg/d were related with reduced risk of PE (OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.42-0.91; OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.66-0.99; OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.49-0.94). After stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI, pregnant women who used folic acid supplementation, those with pre-pregnancy BMI<24.0 kg/m(2) had reduced risk of PE (OR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.59-0.96). However, no significant relationship was observed in women with pre-pregnancy BMI≥24.0 kg/m(2). Conclusions: Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy were related with reduced risk of PE. Pre-pregnancy BMI might affect the relationship between folic acid supplementation and the risk of PE. Appropriate folic acid supplementation should be recommend for women with different pre-pregnancy BMI.

[The historical data of pandemic influenza in China from 1918 to 1920 in the Shun Pao].

China was not been isolated from the Spanish flu which begun in 1918. According to the reports on the influenza epidemic in China from 1918 to 1920 in the Shun Pao(, Shanghai Daily), the plague was rampant in China three times, involving at least three cities including Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai, and more than 14 provinces including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Guangdong. Among them, the first wave of epidemic reports were mainly in June and July 1918, the disease was relatively mild. The second wave outbroke on October to November, with aggravating symptoms and a significant increase in the number of patients and deaths, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province were the worst, and Beijing, Anhui, Henan, Hunan, Shanghai and other places were also serious. The third wave occurred in the spring of 1919, Shanghai, with more reports. In previous works on the 1918 pandemic, there are few descriptions about the epidemic in China, therefore, the reports on the 1918-1920 pandemic in Shun Pao are important historical data supplement to the most deadly natural disaster in human history.

Resveratrol affects in vitro rumen fermentation, methane production and prokaryotic community composition in a time- and diet-specific manner.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol on methane production, rumen fermentation and microbial composition under high-concentrate (HC) and high-forage (HF) diets using the in vitro fermentation system. A total of 25 mg of resveratrol was supplemented into 300 mg of either HC or HF diet. Methane production, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, molar proportion of VFA, metabolites of resveratrol and prokaryotic community composition were measured after 12 and 24 h of in vitro fermentation. Resveratrol reduced methane production (ml per mg of dry matter degraded) by 41% and 60% under both HC and HF diets (P < 0.001), respectively, and this result could be associated with the lower abundance of Methanobrevibacter (P < 0.001) in response to resveratrol. The molar proportion of propionate was significantly higher in the resveratrol group only under the HC diet (P = 0.045). The relative abundance of 10 bacterial genera was affected by the three-way interaction of treatment, diet and time (P < 0.05). Resveratrol was partly converted to dihydroresveratrol after 24 h of fermentation, and its degradation could be associated with microbes belonging to the order Coriobacteriales. Our results suggest that multiple factors (e.g. diet and time) should be considered in animal experiments to test the effect of polyphenol or other plant extracts on rumen fermentation, methane emission and microbial composition.

[Analysis of follow-up results of chrono-chemotherapy or conventional chemotherapy combined with intensity modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effect and safety of chrono-chemotherapy combined with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: 160 patients with locally advanced NPC were randomly divided into a chrono group and conventional group according to random number table. In the first stage, all patients underwent two cycles of induced chemotherapy, consisting of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-Fu every 21 days. Notably, patients received chrono-moduated chemotherapy according to circadian rhythm in the chrono group, and conventional chemotherapy in the conventional group. Then, 21 days after the completion of first stage, three cycles of concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy every 21 days were given to all patients during IMRT. The median follow-up after the completion of radiotherapy was 31 months. Long-term side effects and the survival of patients were observed. Results: Patients in the chrono group had significantly lower rates of hearing loss (22.72%), dysphagia (0) and neck fibrosis (4.54%) compared with those in the conventional group (39.13%、8.69%, 15.94%, respectively, all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the 1- year overall survival rates (97.0% vs 92.8%), 3-year overall survival rates (80.3% vs 81.2%), 1-year progression free survival rates (95.5% vs 87.0%), 3-year progression free survival rates (71.2% vs 73.9%), 1-year locoregional relapse-free survival rates (97.0% vs 95.7%), 1-year locoregional relapse-free survival rates (92.4% vs 92.8%), 1-year distant metastasis-free survival rates (97.0% vs 98.6%) and 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rates (90.9% vs 91.3%) between the chrono group and the conventional group were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with conventional chemotherapy, chrono-chemotherapy combined with IMRT didn't affect long-term survival, but reducing the incidence of adverse events in patients with locally advanced NPC.

[The association between the frequency of prenatal care in childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age among neonatal twins in Shaanxi Province].

Objective: To explore the association between the frequency of prenatal care in childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) among neonatal twins in Shaanxi Province. Methods: From July to December 2013, a total of 30 027 childbearing aged women, who were pregnant from January 2010 to November 2013 and had definite outcomes, were selected from 30 districts (counties) of Shaanxi Province by using the multi-stage random sampling method. The questionnaires with a face-to-face survey method were used to retrospectively collect demographic information, pregnancy history, lifestyle during pregnancy, disease history, nutritional supplements, and health care during pregnancy. Information on the gestational age and birth weight of the newborn were obtained by consulting the medical certificate of birth and were registered as twin A and twin B by birth order. Finally, 356 childbearing aged women and their twin babies with complete data were included in the analysis. A generalized estimation equation model was used to analyze the association between the frequency of prenatal care and the risk of SGA among neonatal twins. Results: The age of childbearing aged women was (27.44±4.68) years old, of which 79.49% (283 women) were rural residents and 44.38% (158 women) had seven or more times prenatal care. The gestational age and birth weight were (37.64±2.51) weeks and (2 510±497) g, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 51.40% (183/356) for twin A and 53.37% (190/356) for twin B, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 44.30% (70/158) for twin A with seven or more times prenatal care and 42.41% (67/158) for twin B with seven or more times prenatal care, which was lower than that for twins with less than seven times prenatal care, respectively [57.07% (113/198) and 62.12% (123/198)] (P values were 0.017 and <0.001). The results of generalized estimation equation model suggested that compared to those with less than seven times prenatal care, after adjusting for parity, birth order, place of residence, maternal age, occupation, education, family wealth index, passive smoking, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, folic acid, and iron supplement during perinatal period, and gender of the newborn, the OR (95%CI) of risk of SGA among childbearing aged women with seven or more times prenatal care was 0.60 (0.40-0.91). Conclusion: Seven or more times prenatal care could reduce the risk of SGA among neonatal twins in Shanxi Province.

Feasibility of yoga as a complementary therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes: The Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C) study.

OBJECTIVES: This study:Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C), examined the feasibility and acceptability of yoga as a complementary therapy for adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM). DESIGN: A 2-arm randomized clinical trial comparing Iyengar yoga with a supervised walking program. SETTING: Hospital based gym-type facility and conference rooms. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to a 12-week program of either; (1) a twice weekly Iyengar yoga, or (2) a twice-weekly program of standard exercise (SE). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes assessed feasibility and acceptability, including enrollment rates, attendance, study completion, and participant satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included HbA1c, physical activity, and measures of diabetes-related emotional distress, self-care and quality of life (QOL). Assessments were conducted at baseline, end of treatment, 6-months and 9-months post-enrollment. RESULTS: Of 175 adults screened for eligibility, 48 (30 women, 18 men) were eligible and enrolled. The most common reasons for ineligibility were orthopedic restrictions, HbA1c levels <6.5 and BMI > 42. Session attendance was high (82% of sessions attended), as was follow-up completion rates (92%). Program satisfaction rated on a 5-point scale, was high among both Yoga (M = 4.63, SD = 0.57) and SE (M = 4.77, SD = 0.52) participants. Overall 44 adverse events (26 Yoga, 18 SE) were reported. Of these, six were deemed "possibly related" (e.g., neck strain, back pain), and 1 "probably related" (ankle pain after treadmill) to the study. Yoga produced significant reductions in HbA1c. Median HbA1c at 6 months was 1.25 units lower for Yoga compared to SE (95% CI: -2.54 -0.04). Greater improvements in diabetes self-care, quality of life, and emotional distress were seen among Yoga participants than among SE participants. Increases in mindfulness were seen in Yoga but not in SE. CONCLUSIONS: The yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable, and produced improvements in blood glucose and psychosocial measures of diabetes management.

Acute Cellular Rejection and Infection Rates in Alemtuzumab vs Traditional Induction Therapy Agents for Lung and Heart Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Heart and lung transplantation is a high-risk procedure requiring intensive immunosuppressive therapy for preventing organ rejection. Alemtuzumab, a CD52-specific monoclonal antibody, is increasingly used for induction therapy compared with conventional agents. However, there has been no systematic review comparing its efficacy with traditional therapeutic drugs. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched to October 1, 2017, for articles on alemtuzumab in cardiothoracic transplant surgery. Of the 433 studies retrieved, 8 were included in the final meta-analysis. RESULTS: In lung transplantation, alemtuzumab use was associated with lower odds of acute cellular rejection compared with antithymocyte globulin (odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.11-0.40; P < .001), lower acute rejection rates (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.55; P < .01), and infection rates (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.35-1.36; P = .33) when compared with basiliximab. Multivariate meta-regression analysis found that mean age, male sex, single lung transplant, double lung transplant, cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus status, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and mean ischemic time did not significantly influence acute rejection outcomes. For heart transplantation, alemtuzumab use was associated with lower acute rejection rates when compared with tacrolimus (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.30-0.66; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Alemtuzumab use was associated with lower rejection rates when compared with conventional induction therapy agents (antithymocyte globulin, basiliximab, and tacrolimus) in heart and lung transplantation. However, this was based on observational studies. Randomized controlled trials are needed to verify its clinical use.

Combination of chemical fingerprinting with bioassay, a preferable approach for quality control of Safflower Injection.

Safflower Injection is one kind of injections derived from traditional Chinese medicine. It is widely applied to treat cerebrovascular diseases such as acute cerebral infarction, stroke, coronary heart disease, and angiitis. However, most adverse reactions of Safflower Injection in clinic are caused by its quality problems. In this study, 10 batches of normal and 42 batches of abnormal Safflower Injections were obtained from the clinical practice. Their quality fluctuations were detected by chemical fingerprinting (CF, ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) and bioassays including cell-based biological profile (CBP) assay and enzymatic assay. CF identified 33 compounds in the Safflower Injections, and scutellarin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were identified to be the possible components responsible for clinical adverse reaction. In addition, 59.5% (25/42), 85.7% (36/42) and 38.1% (16/42) of abnormal samples could be identified by CF, CBP assay and enzymatic assay, respectively. Interestingly, further integration of the three methods could entirely identify all the abnormal samples. It indicated that it is advisable to integrate CF, CBP assay and enzymatic assay for developing quality standard of Safflower Injections.

A randomized phase II trial of induction chemotherapy followed by cisplatin chronotherapy versus constant rate delivery combined with radiotherapy.

Chronotherapy is no longer a novel concept in cancer treatment after approximately 20 years of development. Many clinical trials have provided strong supporting evidence that chronomodulated treatment yields better results than a traditional dosage regimen. This study aimed to evaluate the adverse reactions, effect on immune functions, and therapeutic efficacy of chronomodulated infusion versus flat intermittent infusion of cisplatin (DDP) combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 148 patients with biopsy-diagnosed untreated stage III-IVb NPC were randomly assigned to undergo two cycles of chronomodulated infusion (study group) or flat intermittent infusion (control group) of DDP (100 mg/m2 on day 1, 21 days/cycle) synchronized with radical radiotherapy. Patients in the study group received chronomodulated infusion, with peak delivery of DDP at 16:00 pm. Patients in the control group received a routine constant rate of infusion. Both groups were treated with the same radiotherapy techniques. Over a median follow-up of 20 months, the study group had better outcomes for adverse effects and immune functions compared with the control group. During the phase of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and oral mucositis in the study and control groups was 66.7% and 79.5% (p < 0.05), 47.9% and 71.2% (p < 0.05), and 73.9% and 87.7% (p < 0.05), respectively. There was no significant difference in 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival between the two groups (p > 0.05). Chronochemotherapy significantly reduced the incidence of adverse reactions and enhanced the tolerance for treatment without affecting survival. It is worth mentioning that reduced destruction of immune function is a novel area of exploration in chronotherapy research.

[Association between periconceptional folic acid supplementation and small for gestational age birth based on pre-pregnancy body mass index].

Objective: To investigate the association between periconceptional folic acid supplementation and small for gestational age (SGA) birth based on maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and provide evidence for the development of comprehensive prevention programs on SGA birth. Methods: Between March, 2012 and September, 2016, a total of 8 523 pregnant women delivering in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were surveyed to collect the information about their demographic characteristics, folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy and about their infants. Among their infants, 1 066 were small for gestational age (case group), 7 457 were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (control group). Unconditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between periconceptional folic acid supplementation and SGA birth in the context of different pre-pregnancy BMI. Results: The overall incidence of SGA birth was 12.51% (1 066/8 523). After adjusting the confounding factors, pre-pregnancy BMI<18.5 kg/m(2) was a risk factor for SGA birth (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.01-1.47), pre-pregnancy BMI≥24.0 kg/m(2) was associated with a reduced risk of SGA birth (OR=0.81, 95%CI:0.68-0.97). After adjusting confounding factors, periconceptional folic acid supplementation was a protective factor for SGA birth (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.68-0.98). After stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI, periconceptional folic acid supplementation was associated with the reduced risk of SGA birth in overweight group (24.0 kg/m(2)≤BMI<28.0 kg/m(2)) with OR of 0.55 (95%CI: 0.36-0.85). No significant association was observed in other groups. When examined by folic acid supplement type, periconceptional single folic acid supplementation (400 µg per tablet) was a protective factor for SGA birth (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.69-0.99). After stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI, periconceptional single folic acid supplementation (400 µg per tablet) was associated with the reduced risk of SGA birth in overweight groups (OR=0.56, 95%CI: 0.36-0.86). No association was observed between periconceptional folic acid containing multivitamin supplementation and SGA birth. Conclusions: Periconceptional folic acid supplementation (400 µg) was associated with reduced risk of SGA birth in women with pre-pregnancy BMI≥24.0 kg/m(2) and<28.0 kg/m(2). No association between folic acid supplementation and SGA was observed in other groups. This study suggests that pre-pregnancy BMI might modify the influence of folic acid supplementation on the risk of SGA birth.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates spatial learning and memory impairment via attenuating NOX2-related oxidative stress in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by Aß1-42.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive deterioration of cognition and memory, in which oxidative stress has been played a crucial role in the pathology of AD. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a widely used therapy based on traditional acupuncture combined with modern electrotherapy in Asia. The present study aimed to determine the effects of EA treatment on spatial learning and memory impairment, and to elucidate the status of NOX2-related oxidative stress in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by Beta-amyloid1-42 (Aß1-42). Fifty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, sham+EA, AD and AD+EA. The rats in Sham+EA and AD+EA groups were respectively administrated EA treatment at Baihui and yongquan acupoints, once a day for 30 min, lasting for 28 days. The spatial learning and memory functions were assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) test. The activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) were evaluated. Moreover, the neuronal injury was detected by Nissl staining. Meanwhile, the NeuN expression was examined in the hippocampus, the expression levels of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase2(NOX2) was detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot. The results showed that EA treatment significantly improved spatial learning and memory impairment in rats induced by Aß1-42. Concomitantly, EA treatment markedly restored T-AOC and attenuated the abnormal increase in levels of ROS, MDA and 8-OH-dG in the hippocampus of the AD rats. More notably, EA treatment also effectively ameliorated neuronal injury and counteracted the aberrant increase of NOX2 levels in the hippocampus of AD rats. Our findings suggested that EA is a potential strategy for the treatment of AD, and the possible mechanism is associated with the alleviation of neuronal injury and inhibition of NOX2-related oxidative stress.

The effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy-associated gastrointestinal symptoms in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (gi) symptoms are the most notable side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs; such symptoms are currently treated with drugs. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture on gi symptoms induced by chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: A cohort of 56 patients was randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. All patients received combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin-paclitaxel. Patients in the experimental group received 30 minutes of acupuncture therapy daily for 2 weeks. The frequency and duration of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the average days and costs of hospitalization, and quality-of-life scores were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Nausea was sustained for 32 ± 5 minutes and 11 ± 3 minutes daily in the control and experimental groups respectively (p < 0.05). On average, vomiting occurred 2 ± 1 times daily in the experimental group and 4 ± 1 times daily in the control group (p < 0.05). Abdominal pain persisted for 7 ± 2 minutes and 16 ± 5 minutes daily in the experimental and control groups respectively (p < 0.05). On average, diarrhea occurred 1 ± 1 times daily in the experimental group and 3 ± 1 times daily in the control group (p < 0.05). The average quality-of-life score was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). No adverse events were observed for the patients receiving acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture, a safe technique, could significantly reduce gi symptoms induced by chemotherapy and enhance quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

[Effects of functional electrical stimulation based on normal gait pattern on walking function in subjects with recovery of stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of functional electrical stimulation(FES) based on normal gait pattern on walking function in subjects with recovery of stroke. METHODS: From December 2010 to January 2013, 58 patients with recovery of stroke were recruited from the Rehabilitation Medicine Departments of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital and the Guangdong Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. And the Minimize software was used to divide them randomly into 1 of the 3 groups: four-channel FES group (n=29), single-channel FES group (n=15) and placebo electrical group (n=14) at the rate of 2∶1∶1. All received standardized rehabilitation program. The four-channel FES group received four-channel FES treatment based on normal gait pattern, the single-channel FES group received single-channel FES treatment, the placebo electrical group received the same electrical stimulation as the four-channel FES group, but without current output when stimulating. Stimulation lasted for 30 min/d, 1 session / d, 5 d/w for 3 weeks. All subjects in the three groups received Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale (FMA), Berg Balance scale (BBS), gait speed during a 10-meter walking test, muscle co-activation index (CI) of the lower extremity during walking and the Modified Barthel index (MBI) assessments before and after 3 weeks treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, the FMA, BBS and gait speed during a 10-meter walking test of the four-channel FES group were (23.0±2.2), (31±71) and (0.23±0.10), respectively. After 3 weeks treatment, the scores were improved to (28.4±1.5), (42±6)and(0.43±0.09), respectively. And the FMA, BBS and gait speed during a 10-meter walking test of the ingle-channel FES group increased from (21.9±3.4), (31±6) and (0.24±0.09) to (26.6±1.8), (38±5) and (0.34±0.08), respectively. The placebo electrical group increased from (23.6±3.0), (33±5) and (0.25±0.09) respectively to (26.0±2.4), (36±4) and (0.29±0.08). And the FMA, BBS and gait speed during a 10-meter walking test of the three groups were significantly higher than those in pre-treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in four-channel FES group were significantly higher than the single-channel group and the placebo electrical group's (P<0.05). The MBI score of the three groups were all improved, but it didn't show difference among the three groups (P>0.05). The results of surface electromyography showed significant decrease in CI of quadriceps / hamstring of the 3 groups, and the four-channel FES group had more significant decrease than the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Functional electrical stimulation based on normal gait pattern could improve walking function in subjects with recovery of stroke.

A rabbit model of cerebral microembolic signals for translational research: preclinical validation for aspirin and clopidogrel.

UNLABELLED: Essentials Microembolic signal (MES) is an independent predictor of stroke risk in patients. A rabbit model of cerebral microembolic signals was established. Therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated for aspirin and clopidogrel on microembolic signals. Potential translational value of this preclinical model of MES was demonstrated. SUMMARY: Objectives Cerebral microembolic signals (MESs) detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound constitute an independent predictor of stroke risk and prognosis. The aim of this study was to develop a novel preclinical model of MESs to facilitate translational research. Methods A clinical TCD ultrasound machine was used to detect MESs in the cerebral circulation of New Zealand White rabbits. Technical feasibility was assessed for the measurement of MESs in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by TCD. FeCl3 -induced carotid arterial thrombosis was optimized for the generation of endogenous microemboli. Ascending doses of two antithrombotic agents (aspirin and clopidogrel) were evaluated individually and in combination for their effects on both arterial thrombosis and MESs in a 30% FeCl3 -induced carotid arterial thrombosis model, along with ex vivo functional assays. Results Dose-dependent FeCl3 -induced arterial thrombosis studies showed that 30% FeCl3 resulted in the most consistent and reproducible MESs in the MCA (3.3 ± 0.7 MESs h(-1) ). Ascending-dose studies showed that the effective doses for 50% inhibition (ED50 ) of thrombus formation, based on integrated blood flow and thrombus weight, respectively, were 3.1 mg kg(-1) and 4.2 mg kg(-1) orally for aspirin, and 0.3 mg kg(-1) and 0.28 mg kg(-1) orally for clopidogrel. The ED50 values for MES incidence were 12.7 mg kg(-1) orally for aspirin, and 0.25 mg kg(-1) orally for clopidogrel. Dual treatment with aspirin (5 mg kg(-1) ) and clopidogel (0.3 mg kg(-1) ) resulted in significant reductions in cerebral MESs (P < 0.05) as compared with monotherapy with either agent. Conclusions Our study demonstrated the successful establishment of the MES model in rabbits, and it may provide translational value for MESs and ischemic stroke research.