Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture on gap junction protein Cx43 expression in the hippocampal region in ischemia/reperfusion rats.Methods Wistar rats were randomized into normal, model, non-point acupuncture and acupuncture groups. A rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was made by modified middle cerebral artery thread occlusion. The model, non-point acupuncture and acupuncture groups were separately divide into four subgroups: 30, 60, 180 and 360 min ischemia/reperfusion, 10 rats each. The middle and lateral lines of vertex were given electroacupuncture in the acupuncture group of rats. A subcostal fixed point 10 mm above the iliac crest on the affect side was selected as an acupuncture point in the non-point acupuncture group. The model group was not treated. Cx43 protein expression was determined by an immunohistochemical method.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the behavior disorder (Bederson’s) score between the acupuncture group and the non-point acupuncture or model group after different times of cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal Cx43 content between model, acupuncture or non-point acupuncture group and the normal group and between the acupuncture group and the model or non-point acupuncture group after different times of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture can inhibit the overexpression of Cx43, intervene in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and produce a neuroprotective effect in ischemic brain injury.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of patient diagnosed with Niemaoh-Pick disease being pregnant after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of one case of type B Niemaoh-Pick disease being pregnant after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Results The patient successfully underwent liver transplantation combined with splenic artery ligation on July 8, 2011. She was well recovered postoperatively. After surgery, she received conventional anti-rejection treatment, and gradually switched to use of tacrolimus at a dosage of 2.5 mg/d. The serum drug concentration was maintained at 2 ng/mL. In September 2015, she was successfully pregnant. On June 2, 2016, she delivered a male infant through cesarean section. She could breastfeed the infant in a low quantity early after delivery. Both the mother and infant were followed up until submission date. The mother was physically stable and the infant grew normally. Conclusions Patients diagnosed with Niemaoh-Pick disease can obtain favorable clinical outcomes of pregnancy and delivery after liver transplantation.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in liver transplant recipients.Methods:Clinical data of 130 liver transplant recipients with COVID-19 infection followed in Hebei Medical University Third Hospital from November 2022 to January 2023 were retrospectively collected, including 103 males and 27 females, aged (53.6±11.4) years. The severity of COVID-19 infection, its clinical symptoms, and negative conversion time for each recipient were analyzed and compared.Results:For the disease severity, 121 (93.1%) were mild, 5 (3.8%) were moderate, 3 (2.3%) were severe, and 1 (0.8%) was critically severe. The most common symptoms in the 126 patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection were successively fever, fatigue, cough and myalgia, with a negative conversion time of (10.1±4.5) (3.0-29.0)d. In those who underwent transplantation less than 12 months ( n=28), those who were taking mycophenolate mofetil ( n=53) and those who were taking methylprednisolone ( n=10), the negative conversion time was (11.6±5.1) d, (11.4±5.4) d, and (13.4±6.4) d, respectively, longer compared to those who underwent transplantation more than 12 months (9.7±4.2 d, n=98), and who were not taking mycophenolate mofetil (9.2±3.4 d, n=73) or methylprednisolone (9.8±4.2 d, n=116, all P<0.05). The negative conversion times were longer in recipients with symptoms (eg. fatigue and cough) than those in asymptomatic recipients (11.0±5.1 d vs. 9.0±3.3 d, t=2.64, P=0.009, and 11.4±5.2 d vs. 9.0±3.4 d, t=2.92, P=0.004). Conclusion:The COVID-19 infection in liver transplant recipients was mainly mild and moderate. The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, cough and myalgia. The short time (less than 12 months) after liver transplantation, oral mycophenolate mofetil and methylprednisolone, with symptoms (fatigue and cough) could be associated with a prolonged negative conversion time.