The mechanism of degenerative intervertebral disc is very complex, which may be associated with multiple factors such as the mechanical stress force injury of intervertebral disc, nutritional deficiency, inflammatory stimulation, etc. Recently, many studies detected propionibacterium acnes(P. acnes) in degenerative intervertebral disc and supposed P. acnes was associated with degenerative intervertebral disc. Here, the papers related to P. acnes and degenerative intervertebral disc were reviewed. Further, we deduced the approach of P. acnes enterring into the intervertebral disc as well as the mechanism of P. acnes aggravating the disc degeneration. These may provide suggestions for treating degenerative intervertebral disc.

Objective To observe the effect of traditional Chinese acupuncture-medcine on limb spasticity after stroke. Methods From April,2016 to October,2017,90 patients with limb spasticity after stroke were randomly divided into ba-sic rehabilitation group(n=30),baclofen group(n=30)and acupuncture-medicine group(n=30).All the groups accepted basic medical therapy and rehabilitation training,while the acupuncture-medicine group accepted acu-puncture at muscle tendon and Supplemented Peony-Licorice Decoction orally,and the baclofen group accepted baclofen orally.They were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)and modified Barthel index(MBI)before and four weeks after treatment,and the clinical effective rates were compared. Results The total effective rate of the basic rehabilitation group was 53.3%,and it was 66.7% in the baclofen group,and 86.7% in the acupuncture-medicine group.The scores of MAS,FMA and MBI significantly improved in all the groups after treatment(t>6.500,P<0.001),and improved the most in the acupuncture-medicine group(F>12.332, P<0.001).No adverse event was found during the treatment. Conclusion The integration of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in rehabilitation can further relieve the spasticity in pa-tients after stroke,and improve the motor function and activities of daily living.

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy on the function recovery of lower extremities for patients with cerebral apoplexy by the staging treatment with the combined therapy of the scalp and body acupuncture.

METHODSNinty-six cases were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 48 cases in each one. The conventional medication and rehabilitation therapy were given in each group. In the observation group, the combined therapy of the scalp acupuncture and the body acupuncture was provided by stages. At the flaccid stage, Futu (ST 32), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. were selected. At the spasmodic stage, Huantiao (GB 30), Xuehai (SP 10), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected. In combination with the scalp acupuncture the anterior oblique line of vertex-temploral (motor area) on the affected side was selected. In the control group, the acupoints were not selected according to the disease stages and no scalp acupuncture was applied, and the cases were treated with the needling technique as "regaining consciousness" and in light of the principle as "Yangming meridians specialized for Wei syndrome". The treatment lasted continuously for 8 weeks. The modified Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA) and Barthel index (BI) were used to assess the motor function of the lower extremities and the activities of daily living before and after treatment for the patients in two groups separately.

RESULTSFMA and BI score were all improved apparently after treatment for the patients in two groups (all P < 0.05), and FMA and BI score after treatment in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group (both P < 0.05). In 8 weeks treatment, the walking ability rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group [56.3% (27/48) vs 35./4% (17/48), P < 0.05]. The walking speed in the observation group was faster than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of the scalp and body acupuncture in the staging treatment improves obviously the motor function of the lower extremities and the activities of daily living for the patients with cerebral apoplexy. This therapy recovers as quickly as possible the walking ability and speed for the patients, which is superior to the conventional acupuncture in comparison.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Foot ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo determine the distribution of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG antibody and anti-human papilloma virus (HPV) IgG antibody among female residents of Xinmi and investigate the risk factors of HEV infection.

METHODSA questionnaire was used to collect data on the demographic characteristics and suspected risk factors of HEV infection, including behavioral habits. All questionnaire responders also provided peripheral blood samples for investigation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect HEV-IgG. Demographic data were statistically evaluated by t-test and univariate analysis, and HEV infection risk factors were statistically evaluated by a binary logistic regression model.

RESULTSThe average age of the 952 questionnaire responders was 47.16 + 8.09 years. The demographic parameters of education level, income, experience of stillbirth, and age were associated with HEV-IgG positivity (all P less than 0.05). Age, occupation, and income were identified as independent risk factors for HEV-IgG positivity (all P less than 0.05). No statically association was found between sexual behavior and anti-HEV or anti-HPV levels, or HEV infection.

CONCLUSIONThe female population surveyed in Xinmi, Henan Province showed a higher HEV-IgG positive rate than generally reported in the literature, and this rate shows an increasing trend with age, Risk factors for HEV infection among this group are age, income and occupation.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis E ; blood ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Hepatitis E virus ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

Objective:To study the combined use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.Methods:The clinical data of patients with pancreatic cancer who were planned to undergo perioperative treatment before surgical treatment at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively studied. Of 22 patients with pancreatic cancer, there were 10 males and 12 females, aged (56.0±10.2) years old. Preoperative treatment with chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel and S-1, AS) and immunotherapy regimen before surgery were given. The baseline characteristics, treatment efficacy, surgical pathology and prognosis were analyzed.Results:Of 22 patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with programmed death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody, 11 patients (50%) had tumors in the head, neck and uncinated process of pancreas. On radiographic assessment, one patient achieved CR (4.5%, 1/22), 9 patients PR (40.9%, 9/22), and 11 patients SD (50.0%, 11/22). All patients subsequently underwent R 0 resection. The postoperative pTNM staging showed 91% (20/22) of patients were in stage IA-IIB, 31.8% (7/22) of patients had pT2, 63.6% (14/22) had N0, and 1 patient had pCR. Thirteen patients (54.2%, 13/22) received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 6.4 months and the median time to progression (TTP) was 12.8 months. The median overall survival of patients was not reached. Postoperative pathology TNM staging IIA to III ( HR=3.63, 95% CI: 1.18-11.20, P=0.025) and postoperative pathology T2-3 stage ( HR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.01-5.05, P=0.049) were significantly associated with RFS. Postoperative pathology TNM stages IIA to III ( HR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.04-5.50, P=0.041) and postoperative pathology T2-3 stage ( HR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.26-5.09, P=0.009) were significantly associated with TTP. Conclusion:AS combined with PD-1 monoclonal antibody showed good efficacy as a neoadjuvant therapy for patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer.

Objective To develop a microfluidic device with the adjustable concentration and pressure gradient for 3D cell culture in hydrogel and set up an in vitro model with the capability to closely simulate in vivo microenvironment for cell growth. Methods The microfluidic chip, with a middle channel for 3D cell culture and two side channels for delivering cell culture medium, was designed and fabricated using standard soft lithography and replica molding techniques. Its capability to generate concentration gradient, interstitial flow and image cell in situ was demonstrated. Results A simple microfluidic chip for 3D cell culture in hydrogel with the capability to generate the concentration and pressure gradient was obtained. At a flow rate of 2 μL•min-1 in each side channel, the concentration gradients remained constant after 3 h. The interstitial flow across the gel scaffold was generated by a 100 Pa pressure difference between two-side channels with the pressure gradient of 0.11 Pa/μm. Human adult dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) were maintained in 3D culture with collagen type I and observed with confocal microscopy. Conclusions The microfluidic chip is simple and easy to operate and it can simulate the complicated microenvironment in vivo. The chip also allows the multiparameter control of microenvironment, facilitating the better understanding of interaction between cells and microenvironment.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in overweight/obese children who visit a hospital, and to explore the influencing factors of NAFLD, in order to provide a basis for the prevention of NAFLD in overweight/obese children. METHODS: Overweight/obese children who visited Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were recruited. The prevalence rate of NAFLD was examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the development of NAFLD [non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of the influencing factors for NAFL and NASH. RESULTS: A total of 844 overweight/obese children aged 6-17 years were enrolled. The prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight/obese children was 38.2% (322/844), among which the prevalence rates of NAFL and NASH were 28.8% (243/844) and 9.4% (79/844), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were associated with the development of NAFL and NASH (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the combined measurement of WHR and HDL-C had a predictive value for NAFL (area under the curve: 0.653, 95%CI: 0.613-0.694), and for NASH (area under the curve: 0.771, 95%CI: 0.723-0.819). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight/obese children who visit a hospital is high. WHR and HDL-C are associated with the development of NAFLD and the combined measurement of WHR and HDL-C has a certain value for predicating the development of NAFLD.
Child ; Humans ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/complications* ; Overweight/complications* ; Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adolescent

BACKGROUNDAcinetobacter baumanii (A. baumanii ) remains an important microbial pathogen resulting in nosocomial acquired infections with significant morbidity and mortality. The mechanism by which nosocomial bacteria, like A. baumanii, attain multidrug resistance to antibiotics is of considerable interest. The aim in this study was to investigate the spread status of antibiotic resistance genes, such as multiple β-lactamase genes and aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes, from A. baumanii strains isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).

METHODSTwo thousand six hundred and ninety-eight sputum or the bronchoalveolar lavage samples from inpatients with LRTIs were collected in 21 hospitals in the mainland of China from November 2007 to February 2009. All samples were routinely inoculated. The isolated bacterial strains and their susceptibility were analyzed via VITEK-2 expert system. Several kinds of antibiotic resistant genes were further differentiated via polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods.

RESULTSTotally, 39 A. baumanii strains were isolated from 2698 sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples. There was not only a high resistant rate of the isolated A. baumanii strains to ampicillin and first- and second-generation cephalosporins (94.87%, 100% and 97.44%, respectively), but also to the third-generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone at 92.31%, ceftazidine at 51.28%) and imipenem (43.59%) as well. The lowest antibiotic resistance rate of 20.51% was found to amikacin. The OXA-23 gene was identified in 17 strains of A. baumanii, and the AmpC gene in 23 strains. The TEM-1 gene was carried in 15 strains. PER-1 and SHV-2 genes were detected in two different strains. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme gene aac-3-Ia was found in 23 strains, and the aac-6'-Ib gene in 19 strains. aac-3-Ia and aac-6'-Ib genes hibernated in three A. baumanii strains that showed no drug-resistant phenotype.

CONCLUSIONSA. baumanii can carry multiple drug-resistant genes at the same time and result in multi-drug resistance. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes could be hibernating in aminoglycoside sensitive strains without expressing their phenotype.

Acinetobacter ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathogenicity ; Acinetobacter Infections ; microbiology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; microbiology ; Sputum ; microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on inflammatory reaction, apoptosis and expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP) of ischemic penumbra of cerebral cortex in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of its neuroprotection effect. METHODS: A total of 84 SD rats were randomized into a sham operation group (12 rats), a model group (18 rats), an EA group (18 rats), an EA+YAP virus transfection group (18 rats) and an EA+virus control group (18 rats). Except for the sham operation group, thread embolization method was adopted to establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats of the other groups. EA was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 30 min in the 3 EA intervention groups 2 h before model establishment, disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz in frequency and 1 mA in intensity. Adenovirus transfection technique was used to induce gene silencing of YAP in the EA+YAP virus transfection group, and adenovirus vectors was injected as negative control in the EA+virus control group 4 d before model establishment. Twenty-four hours after model establishment, neurological function score was evaluated, the relative cerebral infarction area was observed by TTC staining, the apoptosis in the ischemic penumbra of cerebral cortex was detected by TUNEL staining, the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the ischemic penumbra of cerebral cortex was detected by ELISA method, the expression of YAP was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the expression of YAP was increased in the model group ( CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture pretreatment can effectively improve the ischemia reperfusion injury, its mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of YAP in the ischemic penumbra of cerebral cortex and relieving the apoptosis and inflammatory reaction.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia/therapy* ; Electroacupuncture ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/therapy*

Objective:To study the change of soil environment and yield of Angelica sinensis when cultivated on the film side and and open field sides，and to explore the influence of garlic volatiles and film-side cultivation on continuous cropping A. sinensis，so as to provide some certain theoretical basis for the saying that the A. sinensis garlic intercropping mode and film-side cultivation could alleviate continuous cropping A. sinensis. Method:In this study， the effects of garlic on soil environment and yield of A. sinensis cultivated on film side and crop rotation were discussed through the determination and analysis of soil microorganism quantity，soil enzyme activity and yield of Angelica sinensis in the rhizosphere of A. sinensis. Result:The number of bacteria and actinomycetes in the rhizosphere soil of A. sinensis increased significantly， while the number of fungi decreased significantly. Among them， the number of bacteria and actinomycetes in the intercropping of A. sinensis and garlic on the film side increased by 104% and 146.89% on average as compared with that of the control （monoculture under continuous cropping open field），and the number of fungi decreased by 39.28% on average as compared with that of control group. When the enzyme activity in the rhizosphere soil was significantly increased under the condition of intercropping with garlic on the film side，the soil urease，sucrase，alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities under the intercropping of A. sinensis and gralic on the rotation film side were increased by 61.60%，51.09%，203.48% and 76.19% respectively as compared with those in control group. The yield of A. sinensis significantly increased under the condition of intercropping with garlic on the film-side，and the yield of Angelica sinensis under the rotation film-side intercropping with garlic increased by 39.37% as compared with that of control group. Conclusion:Under the mode of film-side cultivation，the interplanting of A. sinensis with garlic can change the number of soil microorganism，improve the activity of soil enzyme，improve the physical and chemical properties of soil， alleviate the obstacle of continuous cropping and guarantee the healthy growth of A. sinensis more effectively.