Objective With ordinary acupuncture as the control, to observe the feasibility and effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia.Method Forty patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were randomized into a group of electroacupuncture at Jiaji points and an ordinary acupuncture group, 20 cases in each group. In the electroacupuncture group, Jiaji of C2and T1on the affected side were selected, while the points were selected by following the Acupuncture-moxibustion Therapeuticsin the ordinary acupuncture group. Carbamazepine (CBZ) was taken as the basic treatment for the two groups. A treatment course (3 weeks) was observed, and follow-up study was conducted every 4 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. The dose of CBZ, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) scores at each time point were recorded. The changes of the index in the two groups at each time point were compared.ResultAt the end of the treatment (the third week), the dose of CBZ, VAS and SF-MPQ scores all declined in the two groups, and the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The follow-up study in the 7th week showed that the data of the observed indexes all decreased in the two groups, while the electroacupuncture group presented a more significant efficacy, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The follow-up studies in the 11th and 15th weeks showed that the data of the observed indexes continued to decline in the electroacupuncture group but began to increase in the ordinary acupuncture group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.001).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Jiaji points and ordinary acupuncture both can reduce the dose of CBZ for patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia, improve pain and other discomforts as well as the negative emotions, but electroacupuncture at Jiaji can produce a more significant long-term efficacy compared to the ordinary acupuncture.

Objective: To observe the impact of mind-regulating acupuncture plus donepezil on the cognitive ability, mean cerebral blood flow velocity, event-related potential P300, and activities of daily living (ADL) in the aged patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods: Sixty senile AD patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group following the envelope method for random allocation, with 30 cases in each group. Based on the conventional treatment of the internal medicine, the control group received oral donepezil, and the treatment group received oral donepezil plus mind-regulating acupuncture. After 4-week treatment, the two groups were evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Alzheimer disease assessment scale-cognitive part (ADAS-Cog), and ADL; changes in P300 and the mean cerebral blood flow velocity were also observed.Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the scores of MMSE, ADAS-Cog, or ADL between the two groups (P>0.05). The MMSE score increased after treatment in both groups and was notably higher in the treatment group than in the control group, showing intra-group and inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). After treatment, the ADAS-Cog and ADL scores dropped in both groups and were markedly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, also showing intra-group and inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). Compared with the same group before treatment, the latency of P300 was shortened and the amplitude was extended in both groups, all with statistical significance (P<0.05); the latency was shorter and the amplitude was larger in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment, presenting significant between-group differences (P<0.05). The mean blood flow velocity accelerated after the intervention in both groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the improvement in the treatment group was more notable than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Mind-regulating acupuncture plus donepezil can regulate the latency and amplitude of P300, increase cerebral blood flow, and improve the learning and memory abilities of AD patients.

Objective To observe the changes of the totle nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in brain tissue,the metabolism of arsenic speciations in urine and the totle contents in blood,brain after rats drinking water containing different doses of arsenic.Methods Forty SD rats were divided into 4 groups according to random number table,10 rats in each group:control group,5 mg/L NaAsO2 group,10 mg/L NaAsO2 group and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 group.The animals were allowed free access to water and food.Body mass was weighted once a week.Expose to arsenic was continued for three months,then the animals were put to death and their blood,urine and brain tissues were collected.Determination of four kinds of speciations of arsenic (3 valence inorganic arsenic,iAs3+;5 valence inorganic arsenic,iAs5+;monomethylated arsenic,MMA;dimethylated arsenic,DMA) in urine was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography-hydride atomic fluorescence spectrometry.Total arsenic concentration in blood and brain tissue was detected by Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry.The activity of total NOS in blood and brain tissue was detected using the spectrophotometer method.Results ①Weight:at the 5th-12th week after arsenic exposure,compared with the weight of control group [(420.93 ± 21.13),(441.52 ± 28.85),(462.45 ± 30.57),(470.16 ± 31.17),(484.92 ± 32.93),(483.79 ± 29.63),(482.02 ± 29.14),(483.89 ± 29.31) g],weight of rats in 50 mg/L NaAsO2 group [(391.66 ± 32.88),(410.17 ± 33.47),(426.96 ± 33.49),(427.15 ± 32.20),(441.78 ± 33.69),(438.27 ± 33.05),(440.98 ± 33.33),(441.46 ± 32.45) g] was significantly lighter (all P ＜ 0.05).② Urine arsenic:the medians of iAs3+ content (0.00,57.30,236.33,857.80 μg/L) were compared between control group,5,10 and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 groups,the differences were statistically significant (x2 =31.982,P ＜ 0.01);the medians of iAs5+ content (0.00,0.00,80.75,162.90 μg/L) were compared between control group,5,10 and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 groups,the differences were statistically significant (x2 =24.206,P ＜ 0.01);the medians of DMA content (12.83,1 711.13,l0 386.20,37 038.90 μg/L) were compared between control group,5,10 and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 groups,the differences were statistically significant (x2 =34.338,P ＜ 0.01).③Blood arsenic:total arsenic content in serum of rats [(5.04 ± 1.57),(25.40 ± 7.33),(32.28 ± 7.75),(56.11 ± 19.87) mg/L] was compared between control group,5,10 and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 groups,the differences were statistically significant (F =27.78,P ＜ 0.05).④Brain arsenic:total arsenic content in brain tissue of 5,10 and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 groups [(0.57 ± 0.20),(1.56 ± 0.52),(3.63 ± 0.48) μg/g] was respectively compared with that of control group [(0.11 ± 0.06) μg/g],the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).⑤NOS activity:compared with control group [(27.69 ± 5.56) kU/L],total NOS activity [(33.63 ± 2.26),(34.19 ± 2.55) kU/L] in serum of rats in 10 mg/L NaAsO2 group and 50 mg/L NaAsO2 group increased significantly (all P ＜ 0.05);compared with control group [(1.79 ± 0.79) U/(mg·prot)],total NOS activity [(2.63 ± 0.60)U/(mg ·prot)] in brain tissue of 50 mg/L NaAsO2 group increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions A high dose of arsenic exposure can increase totle contents of arsenic in blood,brain and the activity of total NOS in rat brain tissue.

Objective:To explore the arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3)-induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y cells) and the protection mechanisms of folic acid (FA) and vitamin B 12 (VB 12). Methods:SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in vitro and divided into six groups by group design: control group (normal cultured), arsenic exposed group (10.00 μmol/L As 2O 3), FA intervention group (0.30 mmol/L FA + 10.00 μmol/L As 2O 3), VB 12 intervention group (0.06 mmol/L VB 12 + 10.00 μmol/L As 2O 3), combined intervention group (0.30 mmol/L FA + 0.06 mmol/L VB 12 + 10.00 μmol/L As 2O 3) and reagent control group (0.30 mmol/L FA + 0.06 mmol/L VB 12). Cells in each group were cultured for 24 h ( n = 3). Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis rate of cells in each group. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of the cells. The expression levels of mRNA and protein of apoptosis-related indicator B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The activity of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase) 3 was detected by luminescent assay. The above indicators were statistically analyzed. Results:There was statistically significant difference in the apoptosis rate among different groups ( F = 213.036, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in arsenic exposed group [(44.43 ± 3.54)%] was higher than that in control, FA intervention, VB 12 intervention, and combined intervention groups [(1.80 ± 0.06)%, (14.37 ± 0.13)%, (19.10 ± 1.56)%, (17.11 ± 2.34)%, P < 0.05]. Under transmission electron microscope, the apoptotic bodies, mitochondria swelling and degeneration, chromatin agglutination were observed in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to arsenic. The morphological and organelle changes of SH-SY5Y cells were significantly improved after respective and combined intervention of FA and VB 12. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax mRNA and protein were significantly different among different groups ( F = 5.178, 7.169, 6.142, 9.194, P < 0.05). The expression level of Bcl-2 protein in arsenic exposed group was lower than that in control group ( P < 0.05), and the expression levels of Bax mRNA and protein were higher than those in control group ( P < 0.05). The expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in FA intervention group and combined intervention group were higher than those in arsenic exposed group ( P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 mRNA expression level in VB 12 intervention group was higher than that in arsenic exposed group ( P < 0.05). The expression levels of Bax mRNA and protein in FA intervention, VB 12 intervention and combined intervention groups were lower than those in arsenic exposed group ( P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in Caspase 3 activity among different groups ( F = 84.604, P < 0.05). Caspase 3 activity in arsenic exposed group was significantly higher than those in control, FA intervention, VB 12 intervention, and combined intervention groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Arsenic exposure can lead to apoptosis and ultrastructural changes of SH-SY5Y cells. FA and VB 12 may effectively inhibit apoptosis through regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway and decrease Caspase 3 activity, thus playing a protective role on nerve cells.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of the promoter methylation of plasma RNF180 gene and its protein ex-pression for the detection of gastric cancer. Methods:Methylation-specific polymerase-chain reaction (MSP) and enzyme-linked immu-no-sorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to detect DNA methylation and protein expression of the RNF180 gene, respectively. The correlations of DNA methylation and protein expression of the RNF180 gene with the clinico-pathological parameters of gastric carcino-ma were then separately analyzed. Results:MSP showed that the methylation rates of the RNF180 gene were 62.75%and 21.88%in the plasma of patients with gastric carcinoma and healthy volunteers, respectively;this result indicated that the two groups significantly differed (P<0.01). The methylation of the RNF180 gene was associated with tumor size, clinical stage, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis (P<0.05). ELISA results showed that the protein expression of the RNF180 gene [(23.22 ± 1.36)μg/mL] was significantly lower (P<0.01) in the plasma of patients with gastric carcinoma than in the plasma of healthy volunteers [(34.25 ± 2.44)μg/mL]. However, the protein expression of the RNF180 gene was not associated with clinicopathological parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion:The RNF180 gene is expressed at a hypermethylation rate, and the corresponding protein expression level is de-creased in the plasma of individuals with gastric carcinoma. Therefore, RNF180 gene methylation in plasma could be applied to detect microinvasion for the clinical diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Objective To evaluate the value of quantitative 3T dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of breast lesions. Methods One-hundred and eighteen patients suspected of breast lesions underwent MRI examination. A 3.0 T MR scanner was used to obtain the quantitative MR pharmacokinetic parameters: Ktrans( volume transfer constant), Kep (exchange rate constant) and Ve (extravascular extracellular volume fraction). The mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of malignant, benign and normal glandular tissues were calculated and compared each other using LSD method. Independent sample t test was used between invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (microinvasion included). Finally, the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of Ktrans, Kep and Ve between malignant and benign lesions were compared. Results The mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of malignant lesions (n=87) were (1.010±0.580) min-1, (1.634 ± 1.481) min-1 and (0.735 ±0.273); the mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of benign lesions (n=23) were (0.331±0.192) min - 1, (0.417±0.324) min - 1 and (0.847±0.291); and the mean Ktrans, Kep and Ve of normal glandular tissues (n =83) were (0.051 ±0.028) min-1, (0.133±0.125) min-1 and (0.597±0.354), respectively. There were significant differences between normal glandular tissues and benign lesions, normal glandular tissues and malignant lesions, benign and malignant lesions in Ktrans (t=9.681, 11.189, 5. 590, respectively, P ＜ 0. 01 ), normal glandular tissues and malignant lesions, benign and malignant lesions in Kep(t =5. 287, 3. 874, P＜0. 05). There were a statistic differences between normal glandular tissues and benign lesions, normal glandular tissues and malignant lesions in Ve(t =2. 932, 2. 562 ,P ＜0. 05). There were no significant differences between normal glandular tissues and benign lesions in Kep, benign and malignant lesions in Ve ( t = 0. 760, 0. 832, P ＞ 0.05 ),invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (microinvasion included) in Ktrans, Kep and Ve(t =0.834,0.075,0.454,P＞0.05). The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of Ktrans, Kep and Ve between malignant and benign lesions were 0. 934, 0. 941 and 0. 659. The sensitivity of Ktrans, Kep and Ve were 77.01% ,91.95% ,56. 32% and the specificity of Ktrans, Kep and Ve were 95. 65%, 86. 96%, 78.26% for the differential diagnosis of breast lesions if taken the maximum Youden's index as cut-off. Conclusion The differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions by Ktrans, Kep is applicable.

Objective To observe the effects of long-term low dose arsenic exposure through drinking water on learning ability of different generations of C3H and Balb/c mice.Methods Mice (C3H and Balb/c) were exposed to arsenic at 0 mg/L (control) and 85 mg/L (20 female mice and 10 male mice per group).The control group and F1,F2,F3 and F4 mice were selected and divided into 5 experimental groups,8 mice in each group.Their offsprings were detected by the Morris water maze test (the average escape latency of 1 to 5 days) and spatial probe test (the times of through target area on the sixth day).Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 18.0 software.Results The average escape latencies of 1 to 5 days in C3H control group were (48.09 ± 2.63),(46.09 ± 3.27),(42.72 ± 3.29),(39.31 ± 2.69) and (36.75 ± 3.92) s,F1 were (49.59 ± 3.29),(47.34 ± 3.01),(44.28 ± 6.58),(44.50 ±1.67) and (42.16 ± 2.27) s,F2 were (51.41 ± 0.78),(48.88 ± 1.45),(45.54 ± 1.46),(43.94 ± 1.69) and (42.22 ± 3.27) s,F3 were (50.91 ± 4.20),(49.78 ± 5.18),(48.03 3.45),(46.16 ± 4.42) and (44.06 ± 1.04) s,F4 were (52.66 ± 4.60),(52.38 ± 5.78),(49.06 ± 1.22),(47.69 ± 2.34) and (46.47 ± 1.56) s.The average escape latencies of Balb/c control group were (50.91 ± 2.84),(47.03 ± 4.22),(45.56 ± 4.53),(39.72 ± 5.90) and (36.22 ± 4.85) s,F1 were (50.47 ±3.20),(48.25 ± 6.53),(47.13 ± 1.25),(43.72 ± 4.27) and (40.66 ± 4.52) s,F2 were (51.31 ± 4.73),(48.88 ± 1.53),(46.56 ± 1.43),(44.25 ± 1.16) and (41.20 ± 3.79) s,F3 were (51.72 ± 3.54),(50.78 ± 4.45),(45.03 ± 3.56),(41.19 ±5.63) and (42.81 ± 6.29) s,F4 were (53.34 ± 4.60),(52.34 ± 2.77),(48.72 ± 5.92),(46.97 ± 7.38) and (44.94 ± 1.75) s.On the fourth and fifth days of F1,F2,F3 and F4 generations of C3H,the escape latencies between generations were significantly different (all P ＜ 0.05).The times of through target area in the sixth day of the C3H control group and F1,F2,F3 and F4 mice were 2.25,1.75,1.63,1.50 and 1.38,Balb/c were 2.13,1.75,1.63,1.38 and 1.13.Conclusion Arsenic accumulation due to serial passage of C3H and Balb/c through long-term low doses arsenic exposure through drinking water has resulted in decreased learning and memory ability.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effi-cacy and safety of acupuncture-related treat-ments for postherpetic neuralgia(PHN),identify the most effective acupuncture and related treat-ments.METHODS PubMed,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,Embase,Web of Science,and four Chinese databases,a clinical research registration platform,and grey literature were searched.We evaluated the risk of bias and quality in the included studies and per-formed a Bayesian multiple network meta-analy-sis.RESULTS We included 29 randomized con-trolled trials comprising 1973 patients,of which approximately 17.24%showed a high risk of bi-as.According to the Jadad scale,2,16,and 11 studies were high,medium,and low quality,respectively.The pairwise meta-analysis results revealed that the efficacy of all acupuncture-related treatments for pain relief related to PHN showed the difference was statistically significant com-pared with that of antiepileptics.The network meta-analysis results showed that pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics were the most effec-tive,followed by electroacupuncture(EA)plus antiepileptics for pain relief in patients with PHN.EA plus antiepileptics ranked the best regarding reduced Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Self-Rating Depression Scale scores in patients with PHN.No results were found regarding total response rate or quality of life among this study.Acupuncture-related treatments showed a lower incidence of adverse events than that of antiepi-leptics-related treatments.CONCLUSION Acu-puncture-related therapies may be potential treat-ment options for PHN and are relatively safe.Pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics are the most effective techniques for pain relief.EA plus antiepileptics is the best approach for improving insomnia and depression symptoms of PHN.

To explore the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on anticoagulation of 4 new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban and edoxaban in vitro, thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thrombin time (APTT) and the activity of coagulation factor Xa (FXa) of rat plasma were measured at different concentrations of NOACs, GBE or NOACs combined with GBE, respectively. The results showed that TT, PT and APTT were prolonged with the increase of NOACs concentration in the range of 0-500 ng/mL; that except for TT of rivaroxaban, other results showed a good linear correlation with NOACs concentration (r2= 0.78-0.98); and that FXa activity decreased with increased concentration of FXa inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban and edoxaban), with a good linear correlation with concentration of FXa inhibitors in the range of 0-250 ng/mL (r2= 0.85-0.94). GBE had no significant effect on TT, PT and APTT (P>0.05) in the concentration range of 0-500 μg/mL, but FXa activity had a positive linear correlation with GBE concentration (r2= 0.840 4). TT was prolonged with increasing GBE concentration when dabigatran was combined with GBE. When the above FXa inhibitors were combined with GBE, TT shortened and FXa activity increased with rising GBE concentration. There were no significant changes in PT and APTT (P>0.05) when NOACs were combined with GBE. The study results suggest that GBE may synergize with the anticoagulant activity of dabigatran and antagonize the anticoagulant activity of FXa inhibitors, possibly due to its role in increasing FXa activity.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in lung tissues in a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 320-350 g, aged 12-16 weeks, were randomly divided into sham operation group (group S), CBP group, and dexmedetomidine group (group Dex), with 8 rats in each group.In group Dex, dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused in a dose of 5 μg/kg starting from 15 min before CPB followed by infusion of 5 μg·kg -1·h -1 during CPB.Blood samples were collected at 2 h after the end of CPB for blood gas analysis, and oxygenation index (OI) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated.Then the rats were sacrificed by bloodletting.The lung tissues were removed for microscopic examination of the pathological changes which were scored and for determination of wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio), contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)(by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and expression of JAK2, STAT3, phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) (by Western blot). The p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratios were calculated. Results:Compared with group S, the lung injury score, W/D ratio and RI were significantly increased, OI was decreased, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6, p-JAK2/JAK2 ratio and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio were increased in the other two groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group CPB, the lung injury score, W/D ratio and RI were significantly decreased, OI was increased, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6, p-JAK2/JAK2 ratio and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio were decreased in group Dex ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine attenuates CPB-induced lung injury may be related to inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and reducing inflammatory responses in lung tissues of rats.