【Objective】To observe the effect of acupoint external application of herbal drugs on pathological changes of nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis mice. 【Methods】 Sixty BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups: A(normal),B(model),C(treated with external application of herbal drugs on acupoints),D(treated with dexamethasone) and E(treated with PBS).Except group A,the mice in other groups were sensitized by ovalbumin(OVA).On the 15~(th) of the first sensitization,group C received external application of medicinal disc(mainly composed of Semen Sinapis, Rhizoma Corydalis,Herba Asari,Radix Kansui,Fructus Xanthii,etc.) on Dazhui (GV14)point,group D received intraperitoneal injection of 0.1?g/L dexamethasone(0.5?mL for each mouse) one hour before nasal dripping of OVA solution,and group E received external application of paper disc on Dazhui point and intraperitoneal injection of(0.1?g/L) PBS(0.5 mL for each mouse) one hour before nasal dripping of OVA solution,qd,for 4 weeks.After treatment,the mice were executed and the nasal mucosa was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde.Routine paraffin slices were prepared and stained by haematoxylin and eosin.The pathological features of nasal mucosa were observed under light microscope,and eosinophil(EOS),neutrophil and lymphocyte count was performed in different groups.【Results】Compared to group A,the infiltration of EOS and neutrophil in nasal mucosa was obvious in group B(P0.05).【Conclusion】The infiltration of EOS in nasal mucosa plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and the decrease of EOS infiltration may be one of the therapeutic mechanism of external application of herbal drugs on acupoints for allergic rhinitis.

Objective To assess the effect of different ages on sufentanil pharmacokinetics in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement.Methods Sixteen NYHA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients undergoing selective cardiac valve replacement were randomly divided into two groups:elderly group (aged 65-69 years,group Ⅰ,n =8) and young adult group (aged 36-45 years,group Ⅱ,n =8).Intravenous and intra-arterial cannulae were placed.Sufentanil 5 μg/kg injected intravenously during anesthesia induction.Blood samples from the radial artery were obtained at 1,3,5,10,20,30,60,120,180,240 and 360 min after sufentanil injection (3 ml each).Then 1 ml plasma was immediately separated from the 3 ml blood sample and stored at - 80 ℃ until being assayed.Plasma sufentanil concentration was determined with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with 3P97 pharmacologicl program.Results Plasma sufentanil concentration versus the time decay curve in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was fitted to a twocompartment model and could be expressed by bi-exponential equations:Cp (t) =27.4 e-0.41t + 3.2 e-0.029t in group Ⅰ and Cp (t) =14.4 e-0.51t +3.4 e-0.032t in group Ⅱ,respectively.There were significant differences in t 1/2 α,t1/2 β and CL between the two groups ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.0l ).During CPB,plasma sufentanil concentration versus the time decay curve in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement was fitted to a three-compartment model and could be expressed by tri-exponential equations:Cp(t) =22 e-0.51t + 3.5 e-0.045t + 0.21 e-0.0029 t in group Ⅰand Cp(t) =15 e-0.52t + 3.9 e-0.048t + 0.32 e-0.004t in group Ⅱ,respectively.There were no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion There are significant differences in sufentanil phannacokinetic characteristics before CPB but different ages have no obvious influence on sufentanil pharmaco-kinetics during CPB.

Objective To study pharmacokinetics of domestic sufentanil as a single intravenous injection in Chinese patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods Ten patients undergoing abdominal surgery, ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade,age from 51 to 65 years old,weighing from 58～68 kg were studied. Intravenous and intra-arterial cannulae were placed in advance. After general anesthesia, sufentanil 2 μg/kg was administered as a rapid bolus intravenously. Blood samples were obtained at 1,3,5,10,20,30,60,120,180,240 and 360 min after sufentanil injection. Plasma was separated from blood samples immediately and stored at -80 ℃ until assayed. Plasma concentration of sufentanil were determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 3P97 pharmacology program:central volume of distribution(Vc), apparent volume of distribution (Vd), rapid distribution half-life(t1/2 π), slow distribution half-life(t1/2 α), terminal elimination half-life(t1/2 β),speed constant(P, A, B, π, α, β, k10, k12, k21, k13, k31), clearance(CL)and area under curve(AUC)and so on. Results Pharmacokinetics of sufentanil in patients ndergoing gastrectomy was best fitted to three-compartment open model,the tri-exponential equation :Cp(t)= 2. 86e-0.8241t + 0.75e-0.0604t + 0.14e-0.0050t. Main pharmacokinetic parameter t1/2π =(1.29 ± 0.81)min, t1/2α =(12.20 ± 2.84)min, t1/2β =(150.50 ±48.71)min,Vc =(0.552 ±0.104)L/kg,Vd =(9.008 ±0. 754)L/kg,CL =(0.044 ±0. 011)L/(kg · min)and AUC =(47.58 ±11.88)ng/(ml · min). Conclusions Pharmacokinetics of domestic sufentanil in patients undergoing abdominal surgery was best fitted to three-compartment open model, and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of sufentanil were consistent with its clinical pharmacology.

Based on ancient literature of acupuncture in Canon of Chinese Medicine (4th edition), the articles regarding acupuncture for urinary incontinence were retrieved and collected to establish a database. By Weka data mining software, the multi-level association rules analysis method was applied to analyze the acupoints selection characteristics and rules of ancient acupuncture for treatment of urinary incontinence. Totally 356 articles of acupuncture for urinary incontinence were collected, involving 41 acupoints with a total frequency of 364. As a result, (1) the acupoints in the yin-meridian of hand and foot were highly valued, as the frequency of acupoints in yin-meridians was 2.6 times than that in yang-meridians, and the frequency of acupoints selected was the most in the liver meridian of foot-jueyin; (2) the acupoints in bladder meridian of foot-taiyang were also highly valued, and among three yang-meridians of foot, the frequency of acupoints in the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang was 54, accounting for 65.85% (54/82); (3) more acupoints selected were located in the lower limbs and abdomen; (4) specific acupoints in above meridians were mostly selected, presenting 73.2% (30/41) to the ratio of number and 79.4% (289/364) to the frequency, respectively; (5) Zhongji (CV 3), the front-mu point of bladder meridian, was seldom selected in the ancient acupuncture literature, which was different from modern literature reports. The results show that urinary incontinence belongs to external genitalia diseases, which should be treated from yin, indicating more yin-meridians be used and special acupoints be focused on. It is essential to focus inheritance and innovation in TCM clinical treatment, and applying data mining technology to ancient literature of acupuncture could provide classic theory basis for TCM clinical treatment.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; Data Mining ; Databases, Bibliographic ; history ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Urinary Incontinence ; history ; therapy

This study aimed to examine the preparation of cationic lipid microbubble (CLM), and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and toxicity, measure the gene transfection efficiency by ultrasound triggered microbobble destruction (UTMD) in combination with CLM. The CLM was prepared by the method of the thin film hydration, and its morphology was observed under the electron microscopy at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 14th day after preparation, respectively. The size, Zeta potential and stability of CLM were tested. The acute toxicity of CLM was assessed. The green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) transfection efficiency was evaluated. The experiment grouping was as follows: naked plasmid group (P group), ultrasonic irradiation plus naked plasmid group (P-US group), naked plasmid plus CLM group (P-CLM group), naked plasmid plus ultrasound and CLM group (UTMD group). The expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. The results showed that CLMs were spherical in shape, with the similar size and good distribution degree under the light and electron microscopies. The size of CLMs was varied from 250.4±88.3 to 399.0±99.8 nm and the Zeta potential of CLMs from 18.80±4.97 to 20.1±3.1 mV. The EGFP expression was the strongest in the UTMD group, followed by the P-CLM group, P-US group and P group. Flow cytometry results were consistent with those of fluorescent microscopy. The transfection efficiency was substantially increased in the P-US group, P-CLM group and UTMD group as compared with that in the P group, almost 7 times, 10 times and 30 times higher than that in the P group respectively. It is suggested that CLMs prepared by the method of thin film hydration are uniform in diameter, and proved non-toxic. UTMD combined with CLM can significantly increase the transfection efficiency of EGFP to targeted cells.

Objective To compare the effects of general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia on prognosis of cesarean section in parturients with medium and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Methods Parturients with medium and severe PAH,at ≥ 24 weeks of gestation,aged 20-45 yr,undergoing elective cesarean section under general or epidural anesthesia from November 1,2011 to December 31,2017 in our hospital,were divided into general anesthesia group and epidural anesthesia group according to the anesthetic method.General anesthesia was combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia.The highest temperature within 5 days after surgery,the lowest SpO2 (inhaling oxygen 2-4 L/min via a nasal tube) within 3 days after surgery,duration of intensive care unit stay,time of postoperative use of antibiotics,requirement for targeted drugs for pulmonary hypertension,results of laboratory tests (blood biochemistry,coagulation function),postoperative mechanical ventilation,length of hospital stay,and hospitalization costs were recorded.The Apgar score and weight of the newborn,postoperative complications and death of the newborn and parturients in hospital were recorded.Cox regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors after cesarean section in parturients with medium and severe PAH.Results Fifty-seven parturients were enrolled in this study,with 21 cases in general anesthesia group and 36 cases in epidural anesthesia group.Compared with general anesthesia group,the rate of postoperative mechanical ventilation was significantly decreased,the incidence of adverse events of parturients in hospital and mortality rate were decreased,the postoperative level of albumin was increased,activated partial thromboplastin time was shortened (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the other parameters in epidural anesthesia group (P＞ 0.05).The results of Cox regression analysis showed that anesthetic method and preoperative SpO2difference were independent risk factors for cesarean section-related adverse events and death of parturients with medium and severe PAH.The risk of adverse events and death of parturients was significantly higher in general anesthesia group than in epidural anesthesia group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Epidural anesthesia produces better prognosis than general anesthesia when used for cesarean section in parturients with moderate and severe PAH.

This study aimed to examine the preparation of cationic lipid microbubble (CLM),and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and toxicity,measure the gene transfection efficiency by ultrasound triggered microbobble destruction (UTMD) in combination with CLM.The CLM was prepared by the method of the thin film hydration,and its morphology was observed under the electron microscopy at 1st,3rd,7th,10th,and 14th day after preparation,respectively.The size,Zeta potential and stability of CLM were tested.The acute toxicity of CLM was assessed.The green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) transfection efficiency was evaluated.The experiment grouping was as follows:naked plasmid group (P group),ultrasonic irradiation plus naked plasmid group (P-US group),naked plasmid plus CLM group (P-CLM group),naked plasmid plus ultrasound and CLM group (UTMD group).The expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry.The results showed that CLMs were spherical in shape,with the similar size and good distribution degree under the light and electron microscopies.The size of CLMs was varied from 250.4±88.3 to 399.0±99.8 nm and the Zeta potential of CLMs from 18.80±4.97 to 20.1 ±3.1 mV.The EGFP expression was the strongest in the UTMD group,followed by the P-CLM group,P-US group and P group.Flow eytometry results were consistent with those of fluorescent microscopy.The transfection efficiency was substantially increased in the P-US group,P-CLM group and UTMD group as compared with that in the P group,almost 7 times,10 times and 30 times higher than that in the P group respectively.It is suggested that CLMs prepared by the method of thin film hydration are uniform in diameter,and proved non-toxic.UTMD combined with CLM can significantly increase the transfection efficiency of EGFP to targeted cells.

Both cholinergic dysfunction and protein citrullination are the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relationship between the two phenomena remains unclear. We explored whether and how cholinergic dysfunction accelerates protein citrullination and consequently drives the development of RA. Cholinergic function and protein citrullination levels in patients with RA and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were collected. In both neuron-macrophage coculture system and CIA mice, the effect of cholinergic dysfunction on protein citrullination and expression of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) was assessed by immunofluorescence. The key transcription factors for PAD4 expression were predicted and validated. Cholinergic dysfunction in the patients with RA and CIA mice negatively correlated with the degree of protein citrullination in synovial tissues. The cholinergic or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) deactivation and activation resulted in the promotion and reduction of protein citrullination in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Especially, the activation deficiency of α7nAChR induced the earlier onset and aggravation of CIA. Furthermore, deactivation of α7nAChR increased the expression of PAD4 and specificity protein-3 (SP3) in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that cholinergic dysfunction-induced deficient α7nAChR activation, which induces the expression of SP3 and its downstream molecule PAD4, accelerating protein citrullination and the development of RA.

Stroke is considered a leading cause of mortality and neurological disability, which puts a huge burden on individuals and the community. To date, effective therapy for stroke has been limited by its complex pathological mechanisms. Autophagy refers to an intracellular degrading process with the involvement of lysosomes. Autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis and survival of cells by eliminating damaged or non-essential cellular constituents. Increasing evidence support that autophagy protects neuronal cells from ischemic injury. However, under certain circumstances, autophagy activation induces cell death and aggravates ischemic brain injury. Diverse naturally derived compounds have been found to modulate autophagy and exert neuroprotection against stroke. In the present work, we have reviewed recent advances in naturally derived compounds that regulate autophagy and discussed their potential application in stroke treatment.