Objective To explore the relationship of interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphisms and its serum level with essential hypertension (EH) in Chinese Hans population and investigate the effect of IL-6 gene polymorphisms on serum IL-6 level. Methods The polymorphisms of IL-6 gene, -597 G/A, - 572 C/G and 174 G/C, were checked in 191 EH patients and 197 control subjects by PCR-RELP. Meanwhile their serum IL-6 level was determined by ELISA. Results Only -597 GG genotype and -174 GG genotype of IL-6 gene was found in the test population. There was significant difference in frequencies of - 572 genotype and allele between 2 groups. -572 CG+GG genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than in controls (P

Objective: To observe and compare the clinical effects of different electroacupuncture waveforms on primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, three-group, parallel-controlled trial. Participants with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into dense-sparse wave, continuous wave, and discontinuous wave groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Two lateral Ciliao (BL 32) points were used. All three groups started treatment 3–5 days before menstruation, once a day for six sessions per course of treatment, one course of treatment per menstrual cycle, and three menstrual cycles. The primary outcome measure was the proportion with an average visual analog scale (VAS) score reduction of ≥50% from baseline for dysmenorrhea in the third menstrual cycle during treatment. The secondary outcome measures included changes in dysmenorrhea VAS scores, Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale scores and the proportion of patients taking analgesic drugs. Results: The proportion of cases where the average VAS score for dysmenorrhea decreased by ≥50% from baseline in the third menstrual cycle was not statistically significant (P > .05). Precisely 30 min after acupuncture and regarding immediate analgesia on the most severe day of dysmenorrhea, there was a statistically significant difference in the dense-sparse wave group compared with the other two groups during the third menstrual cycle (P < .05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between the dense-sparse wave and discontinuous wave groups 24 h after acupuncture (P < .05). Conclusions Waveform electroacupuncture can alleviate primary dysmenorrhea and its related symptoms in patients. The three groups showed similar results in terms of short- and long-term analgesic efficacy and a reduction in the number of patients taking analgesic drugs. Regarding achieving immediate analgesia, the dense-sparse wave group was slightly better than the other two groups.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that adding barium sulfate could improve the mechanical and radiopaque properties of calcium phosphate cement.However,with the degradation of calcium phosphate,the remaining radiopaque agent is difficult to degrade,and the space-occupying and osteoclast effects at the implantation site affect the bone repair process.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a new biodegradable radiopaque material. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the radiopaque ability of bioactive degradable material strontium polyphosphate(SrPP)and its impact on the physicochemical properties and osteogenic effect of calcium phosphate cement. METHODS:(1)Calcium phosphate cement(CPC),starch modified calcium phosphate cement(CPS)and starch modified calcium phosphate cement(20%SrPP-CPN)containing SrPP(20%mass fraction of bone cement powder)were prepared respectively,and the physicochemical properties of the three groups of bone cements were characterized.(2)The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,respectively,to detect cell proliferation,energy metabolism,and osteogenic differentiation.(3)Bone defects with a diameter of 5 mm were made on each side of the top of the skull of 24 SD rats,and they were randomly divided into control group(without any intervention),CPC group,CPS group,and 20%SrPP-CPN group for intervention,with 6 rats in each group.Relevant tests were performed after 4 and 12 weeks of intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the other two groups of bone cement,20%SrPP-CPN had enhanced radiopaque ability,increased compressive strength and degradation rate,and prolonged curing time,and 20%SrPP-CPN could release Sr2+ stably during degradation.(2)CCK-8 assay showed that 20%SrPP-CPN did not affect the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Cell starvation test(serum-free culture)showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.Compared with the other two groups of bone cements,20%SrPP-CPN increased adenosine triphosphate concentration in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining showed that 20%SrPP-CPN could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with the other two groups of bone cement.(3)In the rat skull defect experiment,Micro-CT scanning and histological observation(hematoxylin-eosin and Masson stainings)showed that bone cement in 20%SrPP-CPN group was significantly degraded compared with that in CPC and CPS groups,and a large number of new bone tissues were dispersed in degraded bone cement.Immunohistochemical staining showed that Runx2 protein expression was increased in 20%SrPP-CPN group compared with CPC group and CPS group(P＜0.01).(4)These results show that 20%SrPP-CPN has good radiopaque ability and osteogenic properties.