[Clinical application of photobiomodulation in trauma repair and medical aesthetics].

In recent years, with the deepening of researches on the molecular biological mechanisms of photobiomodulation (PBM), PBM has gradually been applied in clinical practice, providing effective treatment methods and approaches for various diseases. Compared with traditional photothermal therapy, PBM has the characteristics of good therapeutic effect, almost no adverse reaction, and simple operation, and its clinical efficacy is becoming increasingly significant. This article provides a detailed explanation on the mechanism of PBM, its application characteristics and development trends in trauma repair and medical aesthetics, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the extensively clinical application of this therapy.

[Preliminary efficacy analysis of Cheng's Giraffe reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy in adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction].

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of proximal partial gastrectomy with Cheng's Giraffe esophagogastric reconstruction for the treatment of early Siewert II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods: Indication of Cheng's Giraffe esophagogastric reconstruction: (1) Siewert II AEG or Siewert III AEG with diameter < 4 cm; (2) preoperative staging as cT1-2N0M0. A descriptive case series study was carried out. Clinical data of 34 patients with Siewert II AEG undergoing proximal partial gastrectomy and Cheng's Giraffe esophagogastric reconstruction at Department of Abdominal Surgery of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February to July 2018 were retrospectively collected and analyzed, including 14 cases in IA stage, 11 cases in IIA stage and 8 cases in IIB stage. Brief procedure of Cheng's Giraffe esophagogastric reconstruction was as follows: Firstly, 12 cm long tubular stomach was formed by longitudinal incision 4 cm away from the great curvature of the stomach. Secondly, the gastric fundus and His angle were formed. Finally, the distance from His angle to esophagal-tubular gastric anastomosis should be more than 5 cm. The reflux disease questionare (RDQ) scores, radionuclide gastric emptying scintigraphy, and 24-hour multichannel intraluminal (MII)-pH monitoring technology were used to evaluate postoperative gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux. Result: All 34 patients successfully completed proximal partial gastrectomy with Cheng's Giraffe esophagogastric reconstruction, including 13 cases by open surgery and 21 cases by laparoscopic surgery. The operation time was (144.6±39.8) minutes, the blood loss during operation was (35.4±17.2) ml. No laparoscopic case was converted to open surgery and no postoperative complication was observed. The postoperative hospital stay was (8.4±2.5) days. The postoperative RDQ score was 4.4±3.1 one month after operation, and 3.3±2.5 six months after operation. Gastric-half emptying time was (67.0±21.5) minutes, and the residual ratio was (52.2±7.7)% in 1 hour, (36.4±3.1)% in 2 hours and (28.8±3.6)% in 3 hours at postoperative 1-month. The 24-hour MII-pH monitoring at postoperative 2-month revealed the frequency of acid reflux was (12.6±7.9) times, frequency of non-acid reflux was (19.6±9.7) times, DeMeester score was 5.8±2.9. Conclusion: Cheng's Giraffe esophagogastric reconstruction is safe and feasible in the treatment of Siewert type II AEG, and has good dynamic and anti-reflux effects.

[Clinical effects of a combination treatment with narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light and fractional carbon dioxide laser on hypertrophic scar pruritus].

Objective: To observe the effects of a combination treatment with narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light and fractional carbon dioxide laser on hypertrophic scar pruritus in clinic. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 90 patients with hypertrophic scars conforming to the inclusion criteria who were hospitalized in our ward from March to December 2017 were divided into combination treatment group and control group according to the random number table, with 45 patients in each group. For scar pruritus, patients in control group were treated twice by narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light with a one-month interval, while patients in combination treatment group were firstly treated by narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light combined with fractional carbon dioxide laser once, and with narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light once one month later. Before and 3 months after treatment, scar pruritus was evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale and the Four-item Itch Questionnaire, and the improvement of scar was assessed by photography. Three months after treatment, the treatment satisfaction of scar pruritus was self-rated by patients. Meanwhile, adverse effects were recorded during the procedures and follow-up periods. Data were processed with Chi-square test, paired t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in scar pruritus degree evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale and score distribution of scar pruritus location, extent, frequency, and sleep effect of the Four-item Itch Questionnaire between patients of two groups (Z=-1.08, -0.91, -0.03, -0.69, -1.49, P>0.05). Three months after treatment, there was reducing degree of scar pruritus of patients evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale in control group or combination treatment group compared with before treatment within the same group (Z=-1.98, -4.65, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the latter was more obvious than the former (Z=-2.14, P<0.05). There were reducing scores of scar pruritus extent and frequency of patients in control group, along with location, extent, frequency, and sleep effect of patients in combination treatment group compared with those before treatment within the same group (Z=-2.33, -2.34, -3.53, -4.96, -3.32, -4.84, P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, scores of scar pruritus location and sleep effect of patients in control group were similar to those before treatment within the same group (Z=-0.58, -1.34, P>0.05). The scores of scar pruritus location, extent, frequency, and sleep effect of patients were obviously lower in combination treatment group compared with control group (Z=-2.09, -2.69, -1.99, -2.23, P<0.05 or P<0.01). It was much better of scar improvement of patients in combination treatment group compared with control group (Z=-4.00, P<0.01). The percentages of treatment satisfaction of scar pruritus of patients with 0, 1%-25%, 26%-50%, 51%-75%, 76%-100% were 0, 2.2% (1/45), 17.8% (8/45), 48.9% (22/45), and 31.1% (14/45) respectively in combination treatment group, which were obviously better than 0, 11.1% (5/45), 53.3% (24/45), 28.9% (13/45), and 6.7% (3/45) in control group (Z=-4.42, P<0.01). During the treatment and follow-up periods, the adverse effect ratio of patients in control group was 6.7% (3/45), similar to 2.2% (1/45) of combination treatment group (P>0.05). Conclusions: The combination of narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light and fractional carbon dioxide laser can greatly reduce pruritus, improve effect of scar treatment, and bring higher patient satisfaction compared with narrow-spectrum intense pulsed light alone in treating hypertrophic scar pruritus. Clinical trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-ONH-17012350.

Garlic for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: In the past decade, garlic has become one of the most popular complementary therapies for blood pressure (BP) control used by hypertensive patients. Numerous clinical studies have focused on the BP-lowering effect of garlic, but results have been inconsistent. Overall, there is a dearth of information available to guide the clinical community on the efficacy of garlic in hypertensive patients. AIM: To systematically review the medical literature to investigate the current evidence of garlic for the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched for appropriate articles from their respective inceptions until August 2014. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials comparing garlic vs. a placebo in patients with hypertension were considered. Papers were independently reviewed by two reviewers and were analyzed using Cochrane software Revman 5.2. RESULTS: A total of seven randomized, placebo-controlled trials were identified. Compared with the placebo, this meta-analysis revealed a significant lowering effect of garlic on both systolic BP (WMD: -6.71 mmHg; 95% CI: -12.44 to -0.99; P = 0.02) and diastolic BP (WMD: -4.79 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.60 to -2.99; P < 0.00001). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials. CONCLUSION: The present review suggests that garlic is an effective and safe approach for hypertension. However, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials focusing on primary endpoints with long-term follow-up are still warranted before garlic can be recommended to treat hypertensive patients.

Massage therapy for essential hypertension: a systematic review.

Massage, an ancient Chinese healing art, is widely practiced for symptom relief in hypertensive patients with anxiety, depression, headache, vertigo, chronic pain in neck, shoulder and back. A large number of case series and clinical trials have been published. However, it is still unclear whether massage can be recommended as an effective therapy for essential hypertension (EH). We estimated the current clinical evidence of massage for EH. Articles published before 10 December 2013 were searched using Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang data and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Randomized controlled trials comparing massage with any type of control intervention were included. Trials testing massage combined with antihypertensive drugs versus antihypertensive drugs were included as well. Meta-analysis was performed on the effects on blood pressure (BP). Twenty-four articles involving 1962 patients with EH were selected. Methodological quality of most trials was evaluated as generally low. Meta-analyses demonstrated that massage combined with antihypertensive drugs may be more effective than antihypertensive drugs alone in lowering both systolic BP (SBP; mean difference (MD): -6.92 (-10.05, -3.80); P<0.0001) and diastolic BP (MD: -3.63 (-6.18, -1.09); P=0.005); massage appears beneficial for reducing SBP (MD: -3.47 (-5.39, -1.56); P=0.0004) for hypertensive patients as compared with antihypertensive drugs. Safety of massage is still unclear. There is some encouraging evidence of massage for EH. However, because of poor methodological quality, the evidence remains weak. Rigorously designed trials are needed to validate the use of massage in future.

Clinical application of remifentanil in local anesthesia for tumor resection in functional brain area.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical application of remifentanil in local anesthesia for resection of tumors in functional brain area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group and remifentanil group. In remifentanil group remifentanil was infused intravenously with micro pump in 0.05-0.1 µg·kg-1·min-1. The hemodynamic changes and complications during operation were monitored. RESULTS: The satisfactory degree for surgical procedure was evaluated. The surgery of two groups could be completed in a conscious state. Mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) in remifentanil group during opening or closing skull or intra- cranial period were significantly lower than control group (p < 0.05). There were no conspicuous complications in two groups such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomitting and dysphoria. Satisfaction rate of remifentanyl group was significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Awake brain tumor surgery could be completed in rational use of remifentanil on the base of good local anesthesia, and hemodynamics were stable and the patients were well tolerated.

The anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (Prunus yedoensis) used in soothing skincare product.

OBJECTIVE: Previous investigations suggested that cherry blossoms could provide valuable bioactive materials. However, few observations regarding the anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossoms were reported. This study was to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of cherry blossom extract (CBE), which was used as a soothing ingredient in skincare product. METHODS: In vitro study, the anti-inflammatory effect of CBE on the nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. In vivo study, 40 volunteers were included in a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. 24-hour-occlusive test chambers were applied on the flexor side of the forearm with 3% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Subsequently, the test areas were treated on 9 subsequent days with a cream containing 3% CBE or a placebo. Evaluation included a visual score and determination of erythema value (E value). RESULTS: In vitro study, 2% CBE reduced NO production by 31.83% compared to the placebo. In the SLS irritant patch test, the visual score and erythema value of CBE were lower than that of the placebo on D5 and D9. CONCLUSION: Cherry blossom extract shows good anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising functional ingredient in soothing skincare product by reducing skin inflammation.

Ginkgo biloba extract for essential hypertension: a systemic review.

BACKGROUND: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a traditional natural herbal product, is often used in the treatment of essential hypertension (EH) as complementary therapy in China and European countries. AIM: To critically assess the current clinical evidence of efficacy and safety of GBE for EH. METHODS: 7 electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, VIP, CBM, Wanfang data, and CNKI) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of GBE for EH. Methodological quality was assessed independently using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: A total of 9 RCTs with 1012 hypertensive patients were identified and reviewed. Most RCTs were of high risk of bias with flawed study design and poor methodological quality. 6 trials demonstrated potential positive effect of GBE as complementary therapy on BP reduction when compared with antihypertensive drug therapy; however, it was not associated with a statistically significant effect on both SBP and DBP reduction in 3 other trials. Despite the positive findings, there were so many methodological limitations and significant clinical heterogeneity. Most of the trials did not report adverse effects, and the safety of GBE is still uncertain. CONCLUSION: No confirmative conclusions on the efficacy and safety of GBE for EH could be drawn. More rigorous trials are warranted to support their clinical use.

Isolation and characterization of the organ-specific and light-inducible promoter of the gene encoding rubisco activase in potato (Solanum tuberosum).

Constitutive promoters have been widely used in crop biotechnology applications. Tissue-specific or inducible promoters, however, have advantages in some cases. We isolated the 731-bp 5' flanking sequence of a potato (Solanum tuberosum) gene, encoding ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) activase (RCA), which was isolated by genome walking. By using GUS as a reporter and with Northern blot analysis, the 702-bp fragment (referred to as StRCAp), ranging from nt -731 to -30 relative to the initiation code of the RCA gene, was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants. The activity of StRCAp in leaves was 0.4-fold less than that of cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, and was expressed throughout the green part of the light-grown transgenic T(1) seedlings, including cytoledons, leaves and young stems, but not roots. Further deletion analysis revealed that a shorter fragment (nt -249 to -30, StRCAp2) retained light-inducible features in cytoledons and leaves, but showed no detectable activity in young stems and roots. Although the activity of StRCAp2 in leaves was reduced significantly compared with that of StRCAp, the overall data indicated that cis-elements sufficient to regulate organ-specific and light-inducible transcription are within the 220-bp fragment. There is potential for application of StRCAp in plant genetic engineering.

Evidence for suppression of electroacupuncture on spinal glial activation and behavioral hypersensitivity in a rat model of monoarthritis.

Our previous study demonstrated that single intrathecal (i.t.) application of fluorocitrate, a glial metabolic inhibitor, synergized electroacupuncture (EA) antagonizing behavioral hypersensitivity in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced monoarthritic rat. To further investigate the relationship between spinal glial activation and EA analgesia, the present study examined the effects of multiple EA on spinal glial activation evoked by monoarthritis (MA). The results showed that (1) unilateral intra-articular injection of CFA produced a robust glial activation on the spinal cord, which was associated with the development and maintenance of behavioral hypersensitivity; (2) multiple EA stimulation of ipsilateral "Huantiao" (GB30) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) acupoints or i.t. injection of fluorocitrate (1 nmol) significantly suppressed spinal glial activation; (3) inhibitory effects of EA on spinal glial activation and behavioral hypersensitivity were significantly enhanced when EA combined with fluorocitrate, indicating that disruption of glial function may potentiate EA analgesia in inflammatory pain states. These data suggested that analgesic effects of EA might be associated with its counter-regulation to spinal glial activation, and thereby provide a potential strategy for the treatment of arthritis.

[Effect of relieving blood stasis, strengthening spleen and soothing liver therapy in improving hepatic function in patients after liver-carcinomectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To improve hepatic function with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in patients after liver-carcinomectomy. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were divided into the CHM group (61 patients) and the control group (59 patients). CHM therapy for relieving blood stasis, invigorating Spleen and soothing Liver was given to the CHM group after liver-carcinomectomy continuously for 5-6 weeks, and hepatic function was examined in all patients 8-9 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: The hepatic function indexes, including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotrasferase (AST), serum albumin (ALB), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), were improved in the CHM group more significantly than those in the control group, all P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Relieving blood stasis, strengthening Spleen and soothing Liver therapy has good effect in improving hepatic function after liver-carcinomectomy.

Antagonistic effects of 3 sesquiterpene lactones from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz on rat uterine contraction in vitro.

AIM: To study the effects of three sesquiterpene lactones: atractylenolide I (8,9-dehydroasterolide, B), 4,15-epoxy-8 beta-hydroxyasterolide (C), and atractylenolide III (8 beta-hydroasterolide, D) from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, on rat isolated uterus smooth muscle. METHODS: Rat isolated uteri bathed in De Jalon I solution were used; acetylcholine (ACh), CaCl2, and oxytocin (Oxy) were used to evoke the contraction of uterus. RESULTS: B, C, and D 28 or 56 mumol.L-1 inhibited the spontaneous movement of uterus, reducing their rest force, contractile force, and movement ability. B 28 or 56 mumol.L-1 also slowed down the frequency of uterus spontaneous contraction, but C or D did not. B, C, or D 28 and 56 mumol.L-1 inhibited the uterine spasm induced by Oxy and ACh. Likewise, Ver 0.28 mumol.L-1, B, C, and D 28 or 56 mumol.L-1 relieved the contraction mediated by CaCl2 in high-KCl solution, but B, C, or D had not marked influence on the maximal response of uterus to CaCl2. CONCLUSION: B, C, and D inhibit the movement of uterus smooth muscle, and the mechanism is related to the inhibition of cholinergic system as well as Ca2+ movement.

Immediate onset of DNA synthesis in remnant rat liver after 90% hepatectomy by an administration of follistatin.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Follistatin is an antagonist of activins and is effective in promoting liver regeneration after 70% hepatectomy. To examine its efficacy under more critical conditions, we studied the effect of follistatin on liver regeneration in 90% hepatectomized rat. METHODS: Human recombinant follistatin was infused into the portal vein immediately after 90%, hepatectomy in 24-h-starved rats, and changes in the liver regeneration rate and nuclear bromodeoxyuridine labeling were measured. RESULTS: In control rats, nuclear labeling was first detected at 11 h of hepatectomy. In follistatin-treated rats, nuclear labeling was markedly increased at 3 h, and was significantly higher than that in control rats at 24, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h. The liver regeneration rate was significantly higher in follistatin-treated rats at 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 h. To determine the reason for the accelerated growth in starved rats, we compared the expression of mRNA for c-myc, p53, p21CIP1, p15INK4B, p27KIP1, and subunits of activins in fed and starved rats. mRNA for p21CIP1 and p15INK4B, but not p27KIP1 were decreased in 24 h-starved rats compared to the fed rats. mRNA for betaA subunit of activin was not detected in either fed or 24-h-starved rats, whereas that for betaC subunit was increased in starved rats. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that follistatin induces immediate onset of DNA synthesis in 90% hepatectomized rats and is quite effective in promoting liver regeneration.

The protective role of selenium on the toxicity of cisplatin-contained chemotherapy regimen in cancer patients.

The effect of selenium (Se) in reducing the toxicity of cisplatin in cancer patients was studied. Forty-one patients were randomized into group A (20 patients with Se administration in first cycle of chemotherapy as study cases and without Se in second cycle of chemotherapy as control) and group B (21 patients without Se in first cycle of chemotherapy and with Se in second cycle of chemotherapy). The 4000 micrograms per day of Se as Seleno-Kappacarrageenan were administered from 4 before to 4 d after chemotherapy for study cases. The serum Se increased from 70.4 +/- 22.86 to 157.04 +/- 60.23 ng/mL (P < 0.001) in patients received Se. The cisplatin dosage was iv administration in 60-80 mg/m2 on the first day. The results showed that the peripheral WBC counts on day 14 after initiation of chemotherapy in study cases was significantly higher than the controls (3.35 +/- 2.01 vs 2.31 +/- 1.38 [x10(9)L])/L, p < 0.05). On the other hand, the consumption of GCSF for the cases was significantly less than the controls (110.1 +/- 82.2 vs 723.6 +/- 192.6 IU, p < 0.05). The volumes of blood transfusion for the study group were also significantly less than the controls (0 vs 62 +/- 38 mL, p < 0.05). The nephrotoxicity of cisplatin was measured by urine enzymes (NAG, GGT, AAP, LAP, and ALP) were determined prior to and at 2, 24, 48, and 72 h after initiation of chemotherapy. The urine enzymes NAG, GGT, AAP, and ALP after chemotherapy for cases were significantly lower than the controls. No toxicity of Seleno-Kappacarrageenan was noted. The above results suggest that the Se can be used as an agent for reducing the nephrotoxicity and bone marrow suppression induced by cisplatin.

[Clinical and experimental studies of zhenkeling oral liquor on treatment infantile cough].

One hundred and seventy children with cough were divied into two groups at random. 120 patient were treated with Zhenkeling oral liquor (ZKL group). The other 50 children were given pectoral syrup (control group). The results showed that the total effective rates of ZKL group and control group were 96.7% and 56.0% respectively, and the markedly effective rates were 80.8%, 18.0% respectively (P < 0.001). Animal experiments indicated Zhenkeling has the effect of relieving cough, reducing sputum and ameliorating asthma; their antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects were discovered too. The dosage of Zhenkeling was 100 times as clinical dose in acute toxicity test and the dosage was 32, 16, 8 times as clinical dose in long term toxicity test respectively. No adverse action was found in these experiments.

Identification of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor mRNA in the Leydig cells of the mouse testis by in situ hybridization.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRH-R) mRNA was detected in cryostat sections of the mouse testis using biotinylated oligonucleotides complementary to the cDNA encoding the mouse pituitary TRH-R by in situ hybridization. Hybridization signals were detected exclusively in the Leydig cells. The intensity of the signal was probe-concentration dependent. This result suggests that testicular TRH may serve as an autocrine regulator of reproductive function and development via TRH-R in a fashion that is similar or identical to that in the pituitary.

[Optimization of the preparing process for sinitang drop pills by orthogonal test].

The preparing process for Sinitang drop pills was optimized by orthogonal test. The results from nine experiments were subjected with three indexes to objective analysis and variance analysis, and an optimum preparing process for Sinitang drop pills was sieved out. The quality of the drop pills prepared in this way was examined to be up to the standard.

[Effect of herbal prostatitis decoction on experimental prostatitis in rats].

Herbal prostatitis decoction is a great effective prescription to treat chronic prostatitis in promoting the blood circulation and relieving the stasis. The authors had succeeded in making rats experimental fibrous proliferation type prostatitis models by using xiaozhiling injection method. Rats were divided into two groups: the decoction-given group (DG) and the water-given group (WG). Microscopically, both inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroblast proliferation of interstitial tissue in the DG were slight than the WG (P less than 0.025, P less than 0.05). Transmission electron microscopic observations showed both the secretary particles and metal-granule-like substances (including Zn) of the gland cells in the DG were obviously increased. The lysosomes in the cytoplasm were increased also. The results performed a certain experimental basis for the functional mechanism of the herbal prostatitis decoction treatment.