BACKGROUND: Besides being a basic growth factor crucial to maintain and promote the development, differentiation and survival of the central nervous system, nerve growth factor(NGF) also plays an important role in the repair of injured peripheral nerves.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the muscular injection of NGF on the regeneration and functional recovery of rat sciatic nerve after crush injury.DESIGN: A randomized controlled pilot study in rats with repeated observation and measurement.SETTING: Center for new drug evaluation in a military medical university.MATERIALS: This study was performed in the Center for New Drug Evaluation, Department of Basic Medicine, Second Military Medical University during the period from July 1999 to March 2000, using 40 SD rats weighing 200 to 250 g(of either sex of half number) provided by the Sino-British SIPPR/BK Lab Aninal Ltd (Shanghai).METHODS: Forty rats were randomized into high-, mid- and low-dose NGF treatment groups, normal control group and model control group. The sciatic nerves were clamped at 6 nm distal to the sciatic notch to induce a 4-mm-wide area of crush injury. In the high-, mid-; and low-dose NGF groups, the rats were given NGF at 8, 4 and 2 μg/kg per day(corresponding to 1.6 × 10 3, 8 × 10 2 and 4 × 10 2 IU/kg per day) respectively via the muscular injection for 56 consecutive days.(NCVs) and sciatic function index(SFI) at different time points after the RESULTS: Compared with that of the model control group, the NCVs significantly increased in the high-dose NGF group 35 and 56 days after the injury,and in the mid-dose NGFgroup at 35 days(t=2.32-5.14, P ＜0.05-0.01 ). The SFIs significantly increased in all NGF-treated groups at 14 days ( t = 2. 29-6.28, P ＜ 0.05-0.01 ), with the recovery most conspicuous in high-dose NGF group; No significant difference in the SFIs was found between the NGF-treated groups on the 56th day. Morphological examination of the tissues identified no significant difference in the nerve myelin sheaths and axons in NGF-treated groups as compared with the normal control group,while in the model control group, myelin sheath dislocation with unclear microstructure was observed, accompanied by Schwann cell degeneration and necrosis.CONCLUSION: NGF promotes the repair of the damaged nerve myelin sheath and axon and stimulates nerve fiber regeneration and function recovery of the crushed rat sciatic nerves.

The effects of amino acid electuary on experimental liver fibrosis in rats with chronic liver injury induced by CCI4 were studied. The results showed that the electuary could prevent the decrease in body weight and food intake, reduce the levels of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities, elevate contents of total serum protein and serum albumin, normalize the serum ratio of BCAA to AAA and disordered amino acid pattern and suppress degeneration, necrosis and fibrosis of liver tissues in rats with chromc liver injury. These results indicate that the amino acid electuary has beneficial effects in prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.

The effects of amino acid electuary (Ganan Elemental Granules) on experimental acute hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine in rats were studied. The results showed that the electuary could significantly prevent the decrease in body weight and food intake, the prolongation in time of blood coagulation time and increase in the levels of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity, elevate contents of total serum protein and serum albumin, normalize the serum ratio of BCAA to AAA and disordered amino acid pattern, increase survival of animals and improve encephalopathy in rats with acute hepatic failure. These results suggest that the amino acid electuary has a better protective effects on acute hepatic failure.

Objective:To observe the changes in the structure and function of the retina in diabetic patients, and preliminarily explore the changes in the characteristics of neuropathy and microvascular damage in different degrees of diabetic retinopathy (DR).Methods:A prospective controlled study. From May to December 2020, 63 eyes of 63 patients with type 2 diabetes who were recruited from the Department of Ophthalmology of Shandong Provincial Hospital and 40 healthy volunteers with age and sex matching in the same period (control group) were included in the study. All subjects underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and portable non-mydriatic visual electrophysiological diagnosis system RETeval. OCTA was used to measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) around the optic disc, the blood flow density of theradial peripapillary capillary (RPC) around the optic disc, and the thickness of the macular ganglion cell complex (GCC). The "DR evaluation plan" mode of the RETeval device was used to perform flash electroretinogram examination, and the "DR evaluation score" measured by the system was recorded. According to the DR grading standard established in the early treatment of DR research, DR was classified. Diabetic patients were divided into non-DR (non-DR) group, mild to moderate non-proliferative DR (mNPDR) group, and severe non-proliferative DR (sNPDR) group, Proliferative DR (PDR) group, with 12, 16, 18, and 17 eyes respectively. The comparison of pRNFL thickness, GCC thickness, RPC blood flow density and "DR assessment score" between groups was performed by one-way analysis of variance; the correlation between pRNFL thickness and RPC blood flow density was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results:Compared with the control group, the overall, upper and lower thickness of the macular GCC of the affected eyes in different degrees of DR groups were significantly thinner, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=13.560, 15.840, 5.480; P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the overall pRNFL ( F=6.120), upper part ( F=6.310), lower part ( F=5.330), upper nose ( F=7.350), lower nose ( F=2.690), the upper nasal side ( F=4.780), the upper temporal side ( F=3.710), and the lower temporal side ( F=3.750) became thinner, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis results showed that the whole optic disc, upper part, lower part, upper nose, upper nasal side, lower nasal side, and lower temporal RPC blood flow density were positively correlated with pRNFL thickness ( r=0.260, 0.256, 0.275, 0.489, 0.444, 0.542, 0.261; P<0.01). The "DR evaluation scores" of the eyes in the control group, non-DR group, mNPDR group, sNPDR group, and PDR group were 12.71±5.62, 22.18±3.77, 24.68±2.41, 24.98±2.78, 29.17±7.98 points; the DR lesions were more severe, the evaluation score were higher, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=1.535, P<0.01). Conclusion:Compared with the control group, the macular GCC, pRNFL thickness and RPC blood flow density of diabetic patients are significantly reduced; the "DR evaluation score" is increased, and it is related to the severity of DR.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects and side-effect of mesenchymal stem cell(MSCs) transplantation on spinal cord injury(SCI),traumatic brain injury(TBI),multiple sclerosis(MS) or Parkinson's disease(PD).MethodsThe bone marrow(222～350 ml) of 11 patients with SCI(n=6),TBI(n=3),MS(n=1) or PD(n=1) were harvested from the patients' ilia and then MNCs were isolated.The MNCs were injected intravenously or into subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture.The neural function and side-effect were observed before and after MSCs transplantation and the patients were followed up.ResultsThe data demonstrated the improvement of sense and motor function in 5 patients with SCI,one had no improvement by 2 months following-up.These patients' sense and motor levels improved obviously.Their muscle strength of lower extremity increased,the muscular tone decreased and urinary bladder function improved.Changes in neurological deficits and improvements in function may appear within 2 days after transplantation,most of them within 2 weeks.There were significantly amelioration in 3 patients with TBI treated with MSCs transplantation,one of them could walk with cane independently after 3 months.One's PVS score elevated from 5 to 8 scales after transplantation.The tremor was alleviated after 1 week,and the muscular tone decreased,which lead to reduce the dose of Madopar after 3 months,in patient with PD.The patient with MS showed no improvement in short time.The side-effect included fever(7/11),headache(2/11) and abdominal dissension(1/11).1 patient feel numb in his legs while injection into subarachnoid,and appeared meningeal stimulation after injection.ConclusionThere were significantly clinical effects in treatment of SCI,TBI,MS,and PD with MSCs transplantation in short time,and with few side-effect. The long-term clinical effects need more observation with larger samples.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the main cause of blindness in diabetic patients. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to improve the quality of life of patients with DR. Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is the ratio of choroidal luminal area to total area, which can reflect the structure and blood flow of the choroid, and has been used to evaluate the choroidal condition in various eye diseases. CVI has shown great potential in the prediction, early intervention, disease assessment, and prognosis of DR. The relationship between CVI and photoreceptors needs more research, and CVI may be used as a predictive indicator of photoreceptor health and visual prognosis. In addition, the study of CVI at different layers of the choroid is limited by the accuracy of stratification and the repeatability of measurement. Artificial intelligence and other technologies may provide solutions for this. In the future, through more comprehensive study and the help of artificial intelligence, the value of CVI will be further enriched, which is of great significance for the elucidation of the pathogenesis of DR and serving the clinic.

Objective:To analyze the current situation and effect of mobile applications for physical activity management in China.Methods:In this systematic review, search terms such as “exercise”, “sports”, “exercise”, “physical activity” and “mobile health” were used to retrieve the applications for physical activity management in the IOS Application Store developed in mainland of China. Then the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and the Behavior Change Technology (BCT) were used to evaluate the quality of the applications and analyze the behavior change technologies that applications adopted. Moreover, a systematic review of relevant experimental studies was applied to summarize the effectiveness of the applications in promoting physical activity.Results:Total of 141 applications were included in this analysis, and 58 behavior change techniques in 16 categories were applied. The most frequently used 4 categories of BCT were behavior comparison (67.4%), repetition and substitution (67.4%), knowledge construction (67.4%), feedback and monitoring (58.2%). The overall objective quality score of MARS was 3.17±0.42, of which, the score of engagements, functionality, aesthetic design and information quality was 2.67±0.73, 3.75±0.54, 3.44±0.59 and 2.83±0.55, respectively. The number of BCT adopted in each application had a linear relationship with the application′s objective quality score in MARS ( B=0.023, 95% CI: 0.018-0.029) and user rating ( B=0.040, 95% CI: 0.019-0.060) (both P<0.001). A total of 4 articles were included to test the effects of techniques (i.e., physical activity behavior monitoring, physical activity planning and physical activity guidance) in 4 applications. The overall quality of the literatures was good. The main outcomes were physical activity duration (3 articles) and step count (1 article). Compared with those who did not use the application or only used the accelerometer to monitor physical activity, subjects who used the application to monitor physical activity had significant longer physical activity durations and step count (both P<0.05). Conclusions:The number, function and technology of physical activity management applications in China are abundant, but the quality of the applications is moderate. The number of BCT is an important factor in evaluating application′s quality, but its effect on behavior change is still not clear.

OBJECTIVE: To study on relationship between diverse handling time following onset and clinical prognosis of cases with Bell palsy. METHOD: Two hundred and sixteen cases with Bell palsy, who were admitted in our department between Jun. 2006 and Dec. 2009, were collected and divided into 6 groups according to disease time: 1-2 months, > 2 - 3 months, > 3 - 4 months, > 4 - 5 months, > 5 - 6 months, and > 6 months. Cases in all groups received subtotal course decompression of facial nerve and other compound treatment, and the relationship between handling timing and clinical prognosis were compared. RESULT: It was found that the difference of prognosis and handling timing was statistically significant, after comparison between all groups with Facial Grading Standards (H-B) as the standard to assess prognosis. CONCLUSION Clinical prognosis of cases with Bell palsy was related to alternative handling time, and subtotal course decompression of facial nerve was recommended to be performed as early as possible for those cases who were irresponsive after conservative treatment for one month.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bell Palsy ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Facial Nerve ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the value and influence factors of preoperative and intraoperative localization of ectopic hyperparathyroidism (EHPT).Methods:Results of 99mTc-sestamibi ( 99mTc-MIBI), neck ultrasound, contrast CT and intraoperative local venous parathyroid hormone (IOLVPTH) were retrospectively analyzed in 205 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) suspected of EHPT. Results:Incidence of EHPT was 16.6% (34 cases), and 36 ectopic lesions were detected. The proportion of EHPT in antero-superior mediastinum, intrathyroidal, in the retropharyngeal region, in carotid sheath, in the prevertebral region and intrapericardial were 44.1% (15 cases), 29.4% (10 cases), 11.8% (4 cases), 5.9% (2 cases), 5.9% (2 cases) and 2.9% (1 cases), respectively. Contrast CT was the most sensitive (86.1%, 31 lesions/36 lesions) for EHPT, followed by 99mTc-MIBI (66.7%, 24 lesions/36 lesions), IOLVPTH monitoring (61.8%, 21 lesions/34 lesions) and neck ultrasound (55.6%, 20 lesions/36 lesions). Contrast CT was most sensitive,100% in detecting deep-located EHPT lesions, whereas IOLVPTH had advantages in detecting intrathyroidal EHPT lesions, with a sensitivity of 100.0%.The combined use of 99mTc-MIBI and neck ultrasound showed a sensitivity of 77.8% in the localization of EHPT. Conclusions:Contrast CT is highly sensitive in the localization of EHPT. The combined use of preoperative imaging and IOLVPTH monitoring helps to higher localization for EHPT.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of autologous fat grafting in the treatment of undesirable skin expansion.Methods:Patients' data were reviewed from 2011 to 2016, including the expanded regions with early signs of skin complications in face and neck. The effects of fat grafting group and control group were evaluated by follow-up records of expansion volume, skin thickness, skin texture and local capillary reaction.Results:Fat grafting could increase the thickness of expanded skin. It also improved the texture of expanded skin, with 0.83± 0.71 points before treatment and 1.30±0.66 points after treatment ( P=0.04). The local capillary reaction was also improved from 1.06±0.54 points before treatment and 1.45±0.51 points after treatment ( P=0.03). The expansion in the fat grafting group was 2.21±0.57 times before treatment and 2.94±0.83 times after treatment. In the control group, the expansion was 2.19 times when it showed early signs, and no obvious changes were observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions:Autologous fat grafting can effectively treat complications of skin expansion, prolong expansion process and promote tissue regeneration.