Objective To investigate the role of NF-κB pathway in the development of intrathecal(IT)platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced hyperalgesia in rats. Methods Sixty-four male SD rats (200-250 g) in which intrathecal catheters were successfully implanted without complications were randomly divided into 6 groups:group Ⅰ received artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (ACSF) 10 μl IT (n = 16); group Ⅱ received PAF 10 μg in ACSF 10 μl IT; group Ⅲ received 0.1% DMSO 2 ml intraperitoneally (IP) (n = 8); group Ⅳ, Ⅴ, Ⅵ received IP SC-514 (a selective IKK-β inhibitor) 10, 50, 100 mg/kg in 0.1% DMSO 2 ml respectively at 2 h before IT PAF. Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation (PWMT) and paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimuli (PWTL) were measured before (baseline) and at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60 min and then every 30 min for another 4 h after IT administration. The animals were killed after the last pain threshold measurement at 5 h after IT PAF. The lumbar segment (L4-6) of the spinal cord was removed for determination of TNF-α and IL-lβ content (by ELISA).Results lntrathecal PAF induced tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia rapidly, increased the expression of TNF-α and IL-lβ in lumbar spinal cord. Pretreatment with SC-514 attenuated PAF-induced hyperalgesia and inhibited the increase in TNF-α and IL-1β expression in the spinal cord. Conclusion NF-κB is involved in intrathecal PAF-induced hyperalgesia.

Objective To study the effect of auricular point sticking on the cerebrovascular reactivity in hypertension patients of different stages by using Transcranial Doppler (TCD) technology.Method Three hundred hypertension patients were randomized into a treatment group (auricular point sticking) of 180 cases and a control group (medication) of 120 cases. The cerebral arterial hemodynamic indexes were observed and analyzed by TCD before and after intervention.Result In comparing the improvements of cerebral arterial hemodynamic indexes in stage 1-2 hypertension patients, the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01); in stage 3 hypertension patients, the improvements of cerebrovascular hemodynamics of the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Auricular point sticking can improve the cerebrovascular hemodynamics and effectively improve the cerebrovascular reactivity of hypertension patients. TCD can help observe and estimate the cerebral arterial function of hypertension patients, and prevent and intervene in cerebrovascular diseases.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and metabolic safety of long-term treatment with ethinyl oestradiol/cyproteroneand desogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol tablets in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSWomen with PCOSfrom West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University enrolled between September, 2011 and August, 2013 were randomlyallocated to receive either ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone tablets (Group A, =355) or desogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol tablets(Group B, =357) for a prospective observation period of 6 months. Women with insulin resistance also received metformin. Atbaseline, 3 months, and 6 months, the patients were evaluated for menstruation, acne score, body mass index (BMI), waist-tohip ratio (WHR), plasma levels of sex hormones, fasting blood glucose (FPG), HOMA-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), serum lipid, ovarian volume, and the number of ovarian follicles.

RESULTSAll the patients had a regular menstrual cycle aftertreatments. Testosterone level, acne score, LH/FSH, ovarian volume, and the number of follicles decreased significantly afterthe treatments without significant differences between the two groups. Significant increases were noted in TG, TCh, LDL, HDL, and AIP, and HDL level in group A as compared with group B ( < 0.001). FPG decreased in both groups, and wassignificantly lower in group B at 6 months ( < 0.05). BMI and WHR decreased in all the patients with insulin resistance aftercombination treatment with metformin ( < 0.05), but increased significantly in patients without insulin resistance ( < 0.05). Ingroup A, HOMA- IR significantly increased in patientswithout insulin resistance at 3 months ( < 0.05), whereas asignificant increase was not observed until 6 months ingroup B ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone tablets and desogestrel/ethinyl oestradioltablets can relieve the symptoms of PCOS, but it isadvisable to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseasebefore the treatments.