Multi-centered clinical study on effects of nano-Amomi Paste in treating children’s anorexia

Objective： To assess the effect and safety of nano-Amoni Paste （nmAP） in the treatment of children＇s anorexia （AR）. Methods： One hundred and eighty patients of AR were assigned according to the randomized, double-blinded, double-simulated and parallel controlled principle to three groups, the treated group （TG）, the positive control group （PCG） and the negative control group （NCG）, 60 in each group. The patients in TG were treated by sticking 1.5 ml of nmAP on the acupoint of Shenque （Ren 8） once a day and orally taking placebo liquid 10 ml twice a day; those in PCG and NCG treated with sticking paste of placebo on Ren 8, and oral taking of Shanmai Jianpi Oral Liquid （山麦健脾口服液） and placebo liquid respectively, 10 ml each time twice per day. The course of treatment for all was 10 days, all patients were treated for 2 courses. Results： The total effective rate and the effective rate on cardinal symptom in TG was 85.0% and 95.0% respectively, that in PCG 86.2% and 96.55% and in NCG 45.5% and 65.45%, respectively, showing significant difference between groups （P〈0.05）. Comparison of the clinical manifestation before and after treatment showed significant improvement in volume of food intake, appetite, complexion and reduction of restlessness symptom （P〈0.05） in all three groups, and there was no adverse reaction found in them. Conclusion： nmAP is an effective and safe remedy for treatment of Children＇s anorexia.     

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on acupoints relieves labor pain: A non-randomized controlled study

Objective：To investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation（TENS）on four specific acupuncture points Hegu（LI4）,Neiguan（PC6）,Danshu（BL19）and Weishu（BL21）for reducing pain in labor.Methods：A total of 160 voluntary nulliparous women who were willing to receive TENS for analgesia were assigned to the treatment group after cervical dilation of more than 2 cm.Another 145 matched nullipara were recruited as the control group.Visual analogue scale（VAS）was used to assess the pain before and 0.5 h after the application of TENS.Then,VAS was assessed every one hour until delivery.Percentage of VAS score decreased by〉25%was the primary outcome,the delivery mode and neonatal outcome were measured as secondary outcomes.Adverse reactions were also recorded during TENS.Results：The percentage of VAS score decreased by〉25%was 68.6%in the TENS treatment group.Maternal delivery mode and neonatal outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups.In addition,the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in the TENS treatment group was less than the control group（P〈0.05）.There was no adverse reaction recorded with TENS on acupoints.Conclusion：As a novel and non-invasive approach,TENS on specific acupoints including Hegu（LI4）,Neiguan（PC6）,Danshu（BL19）and Weishu（BL21）was an effective method for analgesia in labor.     

Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Yiweining （异位宁） and Gestrinone for Post-operational Treatment of

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiweining （异位宁, YWN） and gestrinone （GT） in treating post-operational patients of stage Ⅲ endometriosis （EM-Ⅲ）. Methods： Fifty-two patients of EM-Ⅲ after operation were randomly assigned into three groups, the YWN group （20 patients） was treated through oral intake of YWN 200 ml, twice a day; the GT group （19 patients） treated with gestrinone 2.5 mg, twice every week, with the medication starting from the 7th post-operational day and lasting for 6 months. The control group （13 patients） was untreated. Six months was one therapeutic course, and follow-up study was carried out in the 6-30 months after the end of the medication. Results： The recurrence rate in the YWN group and the GT group were 5.0% and 5.3% respectively, showing insignificant difference between the two groups, but they were lower than that in the control group （30.7%, P〈0.05）. Besides, the adverse reaction rate in the YWN group was lower than that in the GT group （ 10.0% vs 31.6%, P〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Application of YWN to prevent the post-operational recurrence of endometriosis is effective and safe, and its efficacy is similar to that of GT.     

Role of DOR-β-arrestinl-Bcl2 Signal Transduction Pathway and Intervention Effects of Oxymatrine in Ulcerative Colitis

This study was aimed to investigate the role of the delta-opioid receptor （DOR）-β-arrestinl-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis （UC） and the intervention effects of oxymatrine on UC. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into nor- mal group, model group, oxymatrine-treated group and mesalazine-treated group （n=10 each） at ran- dom. The rat UC model was established by intra-colonic injection of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in the model group and two treatment groups. The rats in oxymatrine-treated group were subjected to intramuscular injection of oxymatrine [63 mg/（kg·day）] for 15 days, and those in mesalazine-treated group given mesalazine solution [0.5 g/（kg·day）] by gastric lavage for the same days. Animals in normal group and model group were administered 3 mL water by gastric lavage for 15 days. On the 16th day, after fasting for 24 h, the rats were sacrificed for the removal of colon tissues. The expres- sion levels of DOR, β-arrestinl and Bcl-2 were determined in colon tissues by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, respectively. It was found that the expression levels of DOR, [3-arrestinl and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA were significantly increased in the model group as compared with the other groups （P〈0.05）. They were conspicuously decreased in both mesalazine-treated and oxymatrine-treated groups in contrast to the model group （P〈0.05）. No statistically significant difference was noted in these indices between mesalazine- and oxyma- trine-treated groups （P〉0.05）. This study indicated that the DOR-β-arrestinl-Bcl-2 signal transduc- tion pathway may participate in the pathogenesis of UC. Moreover, oxymatrine can attenuate the de- velopment of UC by regulating the DOR-β-arrestin 1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway.     

Effects of tetrandrine on phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells and expression of p38 MAPK as well as MKP-1 after intimal injury of rabbit carotid arteries

Objective： To study the effects of tetrandrine （Tet） on phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） and expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38MAPK） as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 （MKP-1） after vascular intimal injury. Methods： HE staining was used to analyze vascular morphology of sham-injured group, injured group and Tet-treated group at day 28. lmmunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR were respectively used to detect the expression change of smooth muscle a-actin （SMa-actin）, proliferation cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）, p38MAPK and MKP-1 of injured group and Tet group at days 7, 14 and 28 after balloon injury. Results： ① All layers of vascular wall in sham-injured group were intact at day 28. The neointimal area was significantly increased and the lumen area notably decreased in injured group at day 28. The neointimal proliferation in Tet treated group was less than that in injured group, and the lumen area of Tet group was significantly increased than that of injured group at day 28. ②Compared with the injured group, the expression of SMa-actin, PCNA, p38MAPK and MKP-1 of vascular wall in Tet group was no difference, and the neointimal proliferation condition was also basically as same as injured group at day 7 after injury. The expression of PCNA and p38MAKP in Tet group was obviously lower than that in injured group, and the expression of MKP-1 in Tet group was obviously higher than that in injured group at days 14 and 28 after injury. The expression of SMa-actin in Tet group was slightly higher than that in injured group at days 14 and 28 after injury. Conclusions： Tet could reduce neointimal proliferation by inhibiting VSMCs phenotypic modulation and p38MAPK signaling transduction pathway as well as its down regulation.     

Effect of Acupoint Sanyinjiao（SP6） Moxibustion on the First Stage of Labor and Uterine Contractive Pain in Primiparae

Objective:To observe the effect of acupoint Sanyinjiao(SP6) moxibustion(S-Mox) on the duration of the first labor stage and uterine contractive pain in primiparae.Methods:Sixty primipara women in labor were equally assigned according to their choice to three groups:women in the S-Mox group received bilateral S-Mox for 30 min,women in the non-acupoint group received moxibustion(Mox) applied on non-acupoints for 30 min,and those in the control group did not receive Mox intervention.The duration of the first labor stage was recorded and the degree of labor pain was estimated by a visual analogue scale(VAS) before and after Mox. Results:The duration of the first stage active phase in the S-Mox group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups(P<0.05,P<0.01);the VAS score after Mox was lower in the S-Mox group,showing a statistical difference in comparison with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Applying S-Mox could markedly shorten the active phase of the first stage of labor and lower the VAS score of uterine contractive pain,which means alleviating the pain caused by vaginal delivery.Its mechanism is worthy of further study.     

A Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Carbomer Gel and Carboxymethyl Cellulose Containing Artificial Tears in Dry Eyes

The present study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of a 0.4% carbomer gel and 1% carboxymethyl cellulose （CMC） containing artificial tears in treatment of dry eye patients. Sixty subjects with mean age of 45.89 years who had symptoms and signs of dry eye were enrolled in this prospective, investigator-masked and stratified random sampling study. The subjects were divided into two parallel groups with 30 subjects （60 eyes） in each group. One group received carbomer gel, and the other group received 1% CMC containing artificial tears. Subjects received the drops 3 to 4 times or more per day for 3 months. At the first visit time, the precorneal residence time of these two drops was measured. The efficacy was assessed by comparing the subjective symptoms （ocular dry- ness, foreign body sensation, burning sensation and pain）, and the objective test results of tears breakup time, Schirmer＇s test and corneal fluorescein staining prior to the study and after the treat- ment. As a result, the ocular residence time of carbomer gel was significantly longer than that of 1% CMC （P〈0.001）. Most of the primary subjective symptoms and objective test results were improved after treatment in both carbomer gel group and 1% CMC group. As to the improvement of each symptom and objective test result, carbomer gel was more effective than 1% CMC group （P〈0.01）. In conclusion, carbomer gel had longer precorneal residence time and was more effective than 1% CMC in the treatment of patients with dry eyes.     

Perineal endometriosis without perineal trauma: a case report

Endometriosis is a common disease in women. It frequently occurs in the ovaries, uterosacral ligament and other pelvic organs. Perineal endometriosis is very rare. The incidence of perineal endometriosis in our hospital was 0.87‰.1 Most perineal endometriosis occurred after vaginal delivery with perineal tearing or episiotomy. Perineal endometriosis without perineal trauma is even rarer. Extraperitoneal endometriosis, although of minor significance in clinical practice, may prove to be important in understanding the pathophysiology of this disease.     

Safety and efficacy of T-614 in the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled and multicenter trial

Background A novel anti-rheumatic drug, T-614, has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and to improve abnormal immunological findings in rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. To assess the safety and efficacy of T-614 versus placebo in patients with active RA we conducted a 24-week clinical study in 280 Chinese patients. Methods In a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, 280 patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo （n=95） or T-614 at 50 mg （n=93） or 25 mg （n=92） daily. Active disease was defined by 4 of the following 5 criteria： 〉5 tender joints, 〉3 swollen joints, morning stiffness lasting for 〉60 minutes, and Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） 〉28 mm/h, the assessment of pain at the rest by patient as moderate or severe. Clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed at baseline, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks. The primary efficacy variable at week 24 was the American College of Rheumatology （ACR） response rate using the intent-to-treat population. Results The ACR response rate was significantly higher in the T-614 treatment group compared with the placebo group within 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. After 24 weeks, the 25 mg/d and 50 mg/d dosage groups and the placebo group showed 39.13%, 61.29% and 24.21% in ACR20 and 23.91%, 31.18% and 7.37% in ACR50, respectively. A time-response in ACR response was observed, with clear superiority for the 25 mg/d and 50 mg/d dosage groups compared to placebo （P〈0.0001）, and the 50 mg/d dose compared to the 25 mg/d dose （P〈0.05） when using the ACR response analyses after 24 weeks. ESR and c-reactive protein （CRP） were significantly different in the treatment groups after 24 weeks. The incidence of adverse events （AEs） was not significantly higher with T-614 than with placebo, but upper abdominal discomfort, leucopenia, elevated serum alanine aminotransferase （sALT）, skin rash and/or pruritus were more common in the 50 mg and 25 mg dosage groups. Conclusion     

Analysis of DNA Content of Various Types of Spermatogenic Cells in Rat after Testicular Heating with Flow Cytometry

To measure DNA contents of spermatogenic cells and analyze the efficiency of spermatogenesis after testicular heating in rat Methods Eighty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental group （43 ℃, 30 min） and control group （22 ℃, 30 min）. According to day 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 10, 25, 35 and 50 after local testicular heating, every group was divided into 8 subgroups： experimental subgroups （n=6） and control subgroups （n=4）. DNA contents of various types of germ cells were observed with flow cytometry （FCM） in all groups. Results Compared with control groups, percentages of 4C cell （primary spermatocyte） in 0.5-35 d groups and percentages of 1C cell （spermatid and sperm） in 6-50 d groups significantly decreased in experimental groups （P〈0.05）, and percentages of 2C cell （spermatogonium and second spermatocyte） in 3 -35 d experimental groups increased significantly after heating （P〈0.05）. 4C：2C in all of 8 experimental groups and 1C：2C in 3-35 d experimental groups were down （P〈0. 05）, and in 1 d experimental group 1C：4C was up after heating （P〈0.05）. Conclusions After being heated, the number of spermatocyte firstly decreased, and then that of spermatid and sperm decreased too. Heat influences several stages in spermatogenesis and results in suppression of spermatogenesis. Flow cytometry is an effective method for researching on the change of spermatogenesis and has significance on mechanism about changing of spermatogenic cells induced by heat.     

Efficacy of Getong Tongluo Capsule(葛酮通络胶嚢)for Convalescent-Phase of Ischemic Stroke and Primary Hypertension:A Multicenter,Randomized,Double-Blind,Controlled Trial

Objective:To evaluate whether the efficacy of Getong Tongluo Capsule(葛酮通络胶囊,GTC,consisted of total flavone of Radix Puerariae)on improving patients'quality of life and lowering blood pressure are superior to the extract of Ginkgo biloba(EGB)for patients with convalescent-phase ischemic stroke and primary hypertension.Methods:This randomized,positive-drug-and placebo-controlled,double-blind trial was conducted from September 2015 to October 2017.Totally 477 eligible patients from 18 hospitals in China were randomly assigned in a 2:1:1 ratio to the following interventions,twice a day for 12 weeks:(1)GTC 250 mg plus EGB-matching placebo 40 mg(237 cases,GTC group),(2)EGB 40 mg plus GTC-matching placebo 250 mg(120 cases,EGB group)or(3)GTC-matching placebo 250 mg plus EGB-matching placebo 40 mg(120 cases,placebo group).Moreover,all patients were orally administered aspirin enteric-coated tablets 100 mg,once a day fo r 12 weeks.The primary outcome was the Barthel Index(Bl).The secondary outcomes included the control rate of blood pressure and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores.The incidence and severity of adverse events(AEs)were calculated and assessed.Results:The Bl relative independence rates,the clinical recovery rates of NIHSS,and the total effective rates of NIHSS in the GTC and EGB groups were significantly higher than the placebo group at 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05),and no statistical significance was found between the GTC and EGB groups(P>0.05).The control rate of blood pressure in the GTC group was significantly higher than the EGB and placebo groups at 12,18 and 24 weeks after treatment(P<0.01).There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of AEs,adverse drug reactions,or serious AEs among the 3 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:GTC exhibited significant efficacy in improving patients'quality of life as well as neurological function and controlling hypertension.     

Iloprost inhibits fracture repair in rats

Background Previous studies have shown that prostaglandins （PGs） dramatically stimulate healing processes in bone.However,the effect of prostaglandin l2 （PGI2） on fracture healing remains unclear.To investigate the effect of PGI2,a study on fracture healing process in closed tibia fractures was designed.Methods Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into two groups.On the first day,their right tibias were fractured by three-point bending technique.The study group （n=18） received a single injection of 10 μg/kg iloprost for 5 days,while the control group （n=18） received saline solution in the same way.On the 7th,14th and 28th days following the fracture,six rats were sacrificed and their right legs were harvested in each group.The progression of fracture healing was assessed for each specimen by the scores of radiography （by Lane-Sandhu） and histology （by Huo et al）.Results On the 7th day,the radiographic and histologic scores were equal.On the 14th day radiographic total score was 6 and histologic total score was 23 in the iloprost group,whereas radiographic total score was 11 and histologic total score was 33 in the control group.On the 14th day radiographic and histologic scores were significantly decreased in the iloprost group compared to the control group （P 〈0.05）.On the 28th day radiographic total score was 12 and histologic total score was 37 in the iloprost group,whereas radiographic total score was 15 and histologic total score was 40 in the control group.On the 28th day although there was a decrease in radiographic and histologic scores of the iloprost group acording to control group,it was not statistically significant （P 〉0.05）.Conclusion Iloprost delays fracture healing in early stage in rats.     

Dynamic long-term microstructural and ultrastructural alterations in sensory nerves of rats of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain

Background Paclitaxel,as a first line anti-neoplastic compound,frequently produces long-term pain after tumors have been treated.Clinical manifestations are varied and non-specific.Pathology of the nervous system during the development of the neuropathic pain is unclear.Thus,eady diagnosis and treatment is often unsatisfying for patients.This study aimed to promote considerate understanding of the structural alteration of sensory nerves.Methods All rats were simply randomized into 3 groups：paclitaxel group,vehicle group and saline group.An established rat model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy （2 mg/kg） was chosen for our research,behavior tests were operated during the procedure of 56 days.All rats were sampled on days 0,3,7,28 and 56.The hind paw plantar skin,sciatic nerves,dorsal root ganglion and attached fibers,and lumbar spinal cord were processed for light and electron microscopy.The differences among 3 groups were analyzed with one-way analysis of vadance （ANOVA）.Results We affirmed that paclitaxel-induced mechano-aliodynia and mechano-hyperalgesia occured after a 3-7-day delay,and this pain peaked at day 28 and persisted to day 56.Paclitaxel and vehicle treatment both evoked thermalhyperalgesia.Paclitaxel-induced axonal and myelin sheath degeneration was evident.At days 3 and 7,significant increases in atypical mitochondria in both myelinated axons and C-fibers of paclitaxel-treated nerves indicated that injured mitochondria correlated to specific paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain,and the abnormity sustained till day 56.Microtubule was unaffected in myelinated axons or C-fibers in paclitaxel-or vehicle-treated rats.Significant increase of G ratio was evident with paclitaxel injection at days 7 and 28.Conclusion Our research suggests a causal role for axonal degeneration,abnormalities in axonal mitochondria,and structural modification of axonal microtubules in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain,and the abnormal mitochondria could be connected to the chronic neuropathic pain.     

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide (5 ug) inhaled via Respimat in Chinese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background A pharmacokinetic study in an Asian population showed that tiotropium 5 μg via Respimat leads to the same plasma levels compared to 18 μg via HandiHaler.The objective of the trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of longterm treatment （1 year） with tiotropium bromide （5 μg） via Respimat（R） with placebo in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）.Methods A total of 3991 patients were randomized in this double-blind,placebo controlled,parallel group study,while in China 338 patients （309 males,29 females） received either tiotropium bromide （n=167） or placebo （n=171）.Tiotropium bromide solution or matching placebo was delivered via Respimat（R） at a dosage of 5 μg （2 x 2.5 μg/puff） once daily for 48 weeks.Co-primary endpoints were trough forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1） and the time to first exacerbation.Results Statistically significant improvements in trough FEV1 and trough forced vital capacity （FVC） in the tiotropium group were achieved at weeks 4,24,and 48 compared with those in the placebo group.A statistically significant difference （P=0.0027） in favour of tiotropium was also observed for the time to first exacerbation.The total numbers of exacerbations during treatment were 90 and 128 in the tiotropium and placebo groups,respectively,with a rate ratio of 0.69 （P=0.0164）.The difference between the treatment groups in the adjusted mean changes from baseline of St.George Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） total score was-3.9 （95% Cl：-7.5,-0.2） and was of statistical significance （P=0.0367）.The incidences of serious adverse events （SAEs） in the tiotropium and placebo groups were 16.2% and 17.0%,respectively.Seven deaths occurred whilst patients were on treatment,four in the tiotropium group and three in the placebo group,all of which were assessed as non-related study drugs by the investigators.Conclusions Tiotropium significantly improved lung function and quality of life,delayed the time to first exacerbation,reduced the number of exacerbations.Overall,tiotropium was well tolerated.     

Observation of Post-MCAO Cortical Inflammatory Edema in Rats by 7.0Tesla MRI简

This study aimed to investigate inflammatory edema after cerebral ischemia through 7.0T MRI and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy（MRS）. All SD rats were randomly divided into sham operated group and middle cerebral artery occlusion（MCAO）-1 day,-3 day and-7 day groups. MRI scan of the brain was performed on a 7.0 Tesla MRI scanner. The volume of positive signals in the ischemic side was detected by using a T2 weighted spinecho multislice sequence; the changes in the height of water-peak were measured with point resolved spectroscopy（PRESS） sequences; cortical edema was detected by using wet-dry weight method; the degrees of nerve injury were evaluated by Bederson neurological score system; double-labeling immunofluorescence technique was used to explore the molecular mechanisms of post-ischemia cerebral edema. The results showed that high T2WI signals were observed in MCAO-1 day,-3 day and-7 day groups, and the water-peak height and water-peak area of MCAO groups were higher than those of sham operated group（P0.05）. Neurological score results were consistent with the degree of brain edema, and a large number of microglia accumulated in the ischemic cortex. Our results suggested that non-invasive MRI technology with the advantage of high spatial resolution and tissue resolution can comprehensively and dynamically observe inflammatory edema after cerebral ischemia from a three-dimensional space, and contribute to evaluation and treatments in clinic.     

Role of different childbirth strategies on pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence: a prospective study

Background Traumatic damage to fascial and muscular support structures during childbirth may be a major factor of the development of stress urinary incontinence （SUI） and pelvic organ prolapse （POP）. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the role of different childbirth strategies on POP and SUI.
Methods A total of 120 selected pregnant women were recruited and divided into two groups： vaginal delivery group （n=72） and selective cesarean delivery group （n=48）. The women were questioned with SUI sheet and estimated with POP quantification （POP-Q） within 6-8 weeks after delivery. The correlations of SUI and results of POP-Q with the strategies of delivery were analyzed, ttest, X2 test, and the Mann-Witney test were used for statistical analysis.
Results Among the 120 women, SUI was developed during 29-30 gestational weeks in 20 patients （16.6%）, of whom 14 （70%） had symptoms of SUI till 6 weeks postpartum. Totally 20 （16.6%） women had SUI symptoms after delivery. The prevalence of postpartum SUI was positively correlated with the occurrence of SUI during 29-30 gestational weeks （P〈0.001）. In the vaginal delivery group, 100% of the women suffered form urinary prolapse 6 weeks postpartum, while 87.5% of those in the selective cesarean delivery group developed POP （P〈0.01）. The percentages of the first- and second-degree urinary prolapse in the vaginal delivery group were 20.8% and 79.2% respectively, which were significantly different from those in the selective cesarean delivery group （64.6% and 22.9%; both P=0.000）.
Conclusions Pregnancy and delivery play an etiologic role in the development of SUI and POP. The onset of SUI during late pregnancy implies a significant risk of postpartum SUI symptoms. The prevalence of POP is significantly higher after vaginal delivery than after cesarean delivery.     

Treatment of Heroinism with Acupuncture at Points of the Du Channel

To observe the effectiveness of acupuncture at points of the Du Channel in treating heroinism, seventy patients with heroinism were randomly divided into a treatment group （n = 35） and a control group （n=35）. A 10-day decrescendo therapy of methadone and acupuncture at points of the Du Channel were adopted in the treatment group, while the 10-day decrescendo therapy of methadone was simply performed in the control group. The scoring and grading of the abstinence symptoms were recorded and evaluated for both groups. 31 cases in the treatment group and 26 cases in the control group completed the entire treatment process, and a significant difference （P〈0.01） in scores of abstinence symptoms before and after treatment was noticed in the two groups. The obvious difference in scores of abstinence symptoms on the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth day in the treatment group was superior to those in the control group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Particularly for such symptoms as perspiration, anxiety and pain in the muscle and bone, the result in the treatment group was much better than that in the control group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Acupuncture at points of the Du Channel has an auxiliary therapeutic effect on abstinence symptoms of heroinism, which can effectively help alleviate the abstinence symptoms.     

RANITIDINE IN ACUTE DUODENAL ULCERDOUBLE BLIND CONTROLLED TRIAL

Ranitidine, a selective H2-blocker is assessed inacute duodenal ulcer by randomized double-blindplacebo controlled trial. 55 patients entered thestudy (27 ranitidine, 28 placebo). All had endo-scopically pro.ven duodenal ulcers and underwentfurther endoscopy after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.The 4 week healing rate for ranitidine was 85(70 campared t0 2570 for placebo (p<0.01), and the 8 weekhealing rates were ranitidine 9070 and placeb0 23T。(p<0.01). Pain relief was obtained after l week in40.Wo of the ranitidine group versus 7.2U/o of theplacebo group. At 4th week, 66.7To of the ranitidinegroup were pain free versus 25To of the placebogroup. No significant adverse events were encountered. Therefore, ranitidine is significantly superiorto placebo in acute duodenal ulcer among Chinesepatients both in terms of healing and relieving pain.