Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Plum-blossom Needles plus Moxibustion： A Report of 53 Cases

用梅花针叩刺斑秃区,后用艾条在患处温灸,治疗斑秃患者53例,并以口服薄芝片为对照治疗54例.3个疗程后前者总有效率为96.2%,后者为70.4%,两组疗效差异有统计意义.     

Observation on clinical effect of tuina plus Western medication for functional dyspepsia due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency

Objective

To observe the clinical effects of tuina plus Western medication for functional dyspepsia (FD) due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency.

Methods

total of 72 patients in conformity with the inclusion criteria of FD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group based upon the random number table, 36 cases in each group. The control group was treated with mosapride citrate dispersible tablets, and the observation group was treated with the same tablets plus tuina. Before the treatment and 4 weeks after the treatment, the clinical symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and depression severity were observed by the scale, and were followed up two months later after the treatment for assessment of the clinical effects.

Results

After the treatment and at the follow-up, the symptom scores of FD and the sores of Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) in both groups decreased, and the scores in Chinese version of quality of life questionnaire for functional digestive disorders (Chin-FDDQL) increased, with statistically significant differences in comparison with the same group before the treatment (all P<0.05). In comparison between the two groups at the same time point after the treatment, the scores of FD symptoms, HAMD and Chin-FDDQL were improved better in the observation group than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The total effective rates at the follow-up were 91.7% in the observation group and 75.0% in the control group, without statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of clinical cure and remarkable effect was 66.7% in the observation group, higher than 41.7% in the control group, it is higher in the observation group than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Tuina plus Western medication is precise in the therapeutic effects for FD due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency and can effectively relieve clinical symptoms, elevate the QOL and alleviate depression severity of the patients. Moreover, it’s better than the treatment by Western medication alone in the long-term therapeutic effects.

     

The role of radiotherapy for prevention of heterotopic ossification after major hip surgery

Heterotopic ossification or ectopic bone formation represents a widely known complication after surgery involving joint spaces. Posttraumatic heterotopic ossification can be found at any site. The most common postsurgical site is the hip following total hip arthroplasty. This review explores the treatment options to prevent ectopic bone formation after major surgery of hip, especially, the role of radiotherapy.     

TSLC1基因真核表达载体的构建及在HepG2细胞中的表达

Objective： To construct the eukaryotic expression vector for human TSLC1 gene, and to express TSLC1 in HepG2 cells for investigating its effect on HepG2 cell growth. Methods： Full length of TSLC1 cDNA was amplified from RNA of normal human liver by RT-PCR, and cloned into pCI-neo expression vector. The recombinant plasmid pCI-TSLC1 was identified with restriction enzyme and sequenced, and then was stably transfected into HepG2 cells with lipofectamine 2000. The positive clones were examined by western-blotting and immunofluorescence, cell growth was analyzed with MTT assay. Results： The eukaryotic expression vector pCI-TSLC1 was successfully constructed and the stable cell line highly expressing TSLC1 protein was obtained. The growth of TSLCl-transfected cells was significantly suppressed in vitro. Conclusion： The HepG2 stable cell line could highly express TSLC1 protein, which provided a basis for further exploring the roles of TSLC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Modified Indian pouch following radical cystectomy

Objective To investigate the indications, operation techniques and clinical effects of a modified technique of Indiana pouch. Methods A modified technique of Indiana pouch was performed on 5 patients following radical cystectomy. Results 5 cases showed satisfactory therapeutic effects with of follow-up range of 6 to 30 months. All patients were continent day and night with easy catherization. The number of micturations was 5 to 6 times in the daytime and 1 to 3 times in the nighttime. Cystography of 4 cases showed that pouches were spheroidic and volumes were between 400 to 500 ml. Conclusion The advantages of the modified Indiana pouch are as follows: easy manipulation; low tension and high volume in pouches; no reflux; satisfactory urinary continence and few complications. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical popularization.     

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is characterized by the presence of a serum monoclonal (M) protein level less than 3 g/dL, less than 10% clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, and the absence of hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, or bone lesions attributable to a clonal plasma cell disorder. Patients may be tested for a monoclonal gammopathy by serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation, and the free light chain (FLC) assay. The prevalence of MGUS is 3% for persons more than 50 years of age and 5% in those more than 70 years of age. The risk of progression to multiple myeloma or a related disorder is 1% per year. The size and type of M protein, the number of bone marrow plasma cells, and the results of the FLC ratio are independent risk factors for progression. Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is a more advanced premalignant phase than MGUS and is characterized by more than 3 g/dL of serum M protein, more than 10% clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, or both, with no evidence of end-organ damage.