Objective:To explore the effects of dual task training assisted by a lower limb rehabilitation robot on lower extremity mobility and the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty-one stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group with 30 in the control group and 31 in the experimental group. In addition to routine exercise training and physical therapy, both groups were given cognitive-motor dual task training 5 times a week for 3 weeks. But only in the experimental group was the dual task training assisted by a lower limb rehabilitation robot. Both groups′ lower limb motor function, walking ability, cognition, balance and ability in the activities of daily living were evaluated before and after the experiment using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), functional ambulation categories (FAC), the digital span test (DST), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Additionally, 6 survivors of a right hemisphere stroke from the experimental group received cognitive-motor dual task training both with and without the robotic assistance alternately. Near-infrared functional brain imaging was applied before and after the intervention, and the functional network connectivity of the resting brains was analyzed.Results:After the intervention the average FMA-LE, FAC, BBS and MBI scores had improved in both groups, with the improvement in the experimental group significantly better than in the control group on average. In terms of cognition there was no significant difference in the DST forward and backward assessment results between the two groups. The analysis of brain network functional connectivity showed that the intensity of functional connectivity between the left prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the left premotor cortex and supplementary motor cortex (PMC/SMA) increased significantly more, on average, after training assisted by the robot.Conclusion:Dual task training with the assistance of a lower limb rehabilitation robot can effectively improve the lower limb motor function, walking, balance and ability in the activities of daily living of stroke survivors. Enhanced functional connection of the PFC and the PMC/SMA in the healthy hemisphere induced by the robot may be the cause.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation combined with No.8 Orthopedics Prescription(mainly composed of Rehmanniae Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Persicae Semen,Caulis Akebiae,Carthami Flos,Corydalis Rhizoma,and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma)on distal radius fracture.Methods A retrospective study was carried out in the analysis of the clinical data of 124 patients with distal radius fractures treated by fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation in the Department of Orthopedics,Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2021 to September 2023.The patients were divided into an observation group(63 cases)and a control group(61 cases)depending on the medication of No.8 Orthopedics Prescription or not.The control group was treated with fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation,while the observation group was treated with fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation combined with No.8 Orthopedics Prescription.The two groups were treated for s one month and then were followed up for more than six months.The changes in the range of motion(ROM)of wrist pronation and supination and palmar flexion in the two groups were observed before treatment and three months after treatment.The time for starting wrist function exercise,time for subsiding swelling of the affected limb and fracture healing time were compared between the two groups.After six months of treatment,the wrist function improvement effect of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,the time for starting wrist joint functional exercise,time for subsiding swelling of the affected limb and the time for fracture healing in the observation group were significantly shortened compared with those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant between the two groups(P＜0.01).(2)After three months of treatment,the ROM of wrist pronation and supination and palmar flexion in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of ROM of wrist pronation and supination and palmar flexion in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)After six months of treatment,the evaluation of the wrist joint function of the two groups showed that the excellent and good rate of the observation group was 55.56％(35/63),and that of the control group was 45.90％(28/61).There was no significant difference in the improvement of wrist function between the two groups(Z=1.075,P=0.282).Conclusion Both methods can achieve satisfactory efficacy in the treatment of distal radius fracture,and the wrist function of the patients has been effectively restored.The treatment of fourteen bone-setting manipulations and small splint fixation combined with No.8 Orthopedics Prescription can significantly shorten the time for subsiding swelling of the affected limb,promote fracture healing and bone regeneration,improve wrist function,and relieve the pain of patients.

Objective:To investigate the genetic safety of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation in traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:(1) In vivo experiment: BMSCs from male SD rats were isolated and cultured. Moderate TBI models were prepared by implanting and fixing micro-drug injection cannula into the left ventricle of 12 female SD rats, and 3 d after that, striking the right cerebral cortex of the rats with pneumatic precision percussion device was performed. Four h, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 d after modeling, TBI rats were given a single/multiple BMSCs infusion (2.5×10 5/time, total volume 10 μL) by cannula; 48 and 72 h, and 10 and 14 d after modeling, brain tissues of TBI rats (3 at each time point) were prepared into paraffin specimens. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the microglia activation, and RNAscope ? technology was used to detect the co-localization of astrocytes, neurons, microglia and transplanted BMSCs to observe whether the allogeneic BMSCs were integrated with the host brain cells after transplantation into TBI host. (2) In vitro experiment: the frozen and revived microglial cell line BV2 was transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive lentiviral particles, and then, BMSCs prelabeled with pHrodo RED probe and BV2 cells pretreated with lipopolysaccharide were co-cultured in a certain ratio (BV2:BMSCs=1:1, 1:2, 2:1); after 36 and 72 h of co-culture, the phagocytosis between the 2 kinds of cells was observed under confocal fluorescence inverted microscope to observe the specific action forms of microglia on BMSCs. Results:(1) In vivo experiment: 48 and 72 h, and 10 and 14 d after modeling, no colocalization of transplanted BMSCs with astrocytes or neurons was found in paraffin sections of brain tissue in TBI rats; however, 10 and 14 d after modeling, microglia in TBI rats were obviously activated and migrated to the left lateral ventricle and choroid plexus, and co-localization of microglia with transplanted BMSCs was observed. (2) In vitro experiment: phagocytosis occurred after co-culture of BV2 cells at different proportions with BMSCs for 36 and 72 h. Conclusion:After transplantation, allogeneic BMSCs do not integrate with astrocytes or neurons of the TBI host, but they could be phagocytosed by microglia, indicating that allogeneic BMSCs transplantation for TBI is genetically safe.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Fat accumulation "sensitizes" the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) is involved in metabolic stresses, but its role in NAFLD is unknown. We report that hepatocyte GPR35 mitigates NASH by regulating hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. Specifically, we found that GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes protected against high-fat/cholesterol/fructose (HFCF) diet-induced steatohepatitis, whereas loss of GPR35 had the opposite effect. Administration of the GPR35 agonist kynurenic acid (Kyna) suppressed HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Kyna/GPR35 induced expression of StAR-related lipid transfer protein 4 (STARD4) through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in hepatic cholesterol esterification and bile acid synthesis (BAS). The overexpression of STARD4 increased the expression of the BAS rate-limiting enzymes cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and CYP8B1, promoting the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid. The protective effect induced by GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes disappeared in hepatocyte STARD4-knockdown mice. STARD4 overexpression in hepatocytes reversed the aggravation of HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis caused by the loss of GPR35 expression in hepatocytes in mice. Our findings indicate that the GPR35-STARD4 axis is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of depth of remission of induction chemotherapy on the overall prognosis of limited stage small cell lung cancer (L-SCLC). Methods: The study was a retrospective, L-SCLC patients who contained complete imaging data and underwent consecutive standardized treatments at the Department of Thoracic Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University between January 2013 and June 2021 were included. To delineate the volume of tumor before and after induction chemotherapy and to calculate the depth of remission caused by the induced chemotherapy. The time receiver operating characteristic (timeROC) method was used to determine the optimal predictors for prognosis, multi-factor analysis using Cox risk proportional model. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in this study. The median PFS and OS of this cohort were 13.7 months and 20.9 months, respectively. It was observed by timeROC analysis that residual tumor volume after induction chemotherapy had the optimal predictive value of PFS at 1 year (AUC=0.86, 95% CI: 0.78~0.94) and OS at 2 years (AUC=0.76, 95% CI: 0.65~0.87). Multivariate analysis showed residual tumor volume after induction chemotherapy was the independent prognostic factor to PFS (HR=1.006, 95% CI: 1.003~1.009, P<0.01) and OS (HR=1.009, 95% CI: 1.005~1.012, P<0.001). For those whose residual tumor volume remitted to less than 10 cm(3) after induction chemotherapy, the favorable long-term outcomes could be achieved, regardless of their initial tumor load. Conclusion: The depth of remission of induction chemotherapy could be a promising prognostic predictor to the L-SCLC and provide the individualized treatment guidance.
Humans ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance and related factors of drainage tube after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy(PELD). METHODS: The clinical data of 151 patients with lumbar disc herniation who underwent PELD from January 2019 to September 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the drainage tube was used after operation, the patients were divided into drainage tube group and non drainage tube group. The placement time and total drainage volume were recorded. The characteristics of patients, such as age, gender, body mass index, lumbar disc herniation segment, smoking history, basic diseases and whether taking anticoagulants, were analyzed by single factor and multiple factor. RESULTS: Drainage tubes were used in 32 patients after PELD. There were statistical differences in visual analogue scale(VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Assiciation(JOA) scores between postoperative and preoperative of that in two groups(P<0.05). There were statistical differences in VAS and JOA scores at discharge between two groups(P<0.05), while there were no statistical differences at other time points(P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that age, basic diseases and whether taking anticoagulants were related to the use of drainage tube, but gender, body mass index, lumbar disc herniation segment and smoking history were not significantly related to the use of drainage tube. Multivariate analysis showed that elderly patients, complicated with hypertension and diabetes, taking anticoagulants were related to the use of drainage tube. CONCLUSION The use of drainage tube after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy can improve the symptoms of lumbar and leg pain in early stage. For elderly patients with hypertension, diabetes and taking anticoagulants drugs, drainage tube can be considered after transforaminal endoscopy.
Aged ; Diskectomy/adverse effects* ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous/adverse effects* ; Drainage ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the application of internet-based HIV testing in men who have sex with men (MSM) in practical application and provide evidence for its application in the future. Methods: MSM who visited the internet-based intervention platform for at least one time from June to December 2020 were selected for the study. The information about platform visit, the number of self-test kits provided, the basic characteristics of the MSM and their satisfactory level were collected. And multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the potential factors associated with the reporting of self-test results. Results: By the end of December 31^th, 2020, a total of 132 267 platform visits had been recorded, and 3 511 HIV self-test kits had been provided upon the MSM's requests, and 3 237 MSM (92.2%) reported self-test results. The HIV positive rate was 2.4% (69/2 855) and the confirmation rate of positive HIV test results was 86.7% (52/60). The MSM who asked for self-test kits online were mainly aged ≤30 years, had education level of college or above, and found their sexual partners through internet or dating software. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that repeat of online HIV self-test kits application (OR=3.50,95%CI:2.10-5.83), guarantee deposit of 50 yuan at application (OR=2.55,95%CI:1.33-4.89), monthly economic income 1-3 000 yuan (OR=1.54,95%CI:1.05-2.28) or no income (OR=1.71,95%CI:1.20-2.42) and online sexual partners finding (OR=1.49,95%CI:1.13-1.95) were associated with higher reporting rate of self-test results. The satisfactory rate the MSM to the service of platform was 99.5% (217/218). Conclusions: The study confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of internet-based intervention for HIV tests in MSM, which could promote the self-test of HIV in MSM and facilitate the early detection of HIV infection through social media platforms and multi-channel promotion.
Male ; Humans ; Homosexuality, Male ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Feasibility Studies ; Sexual and Gender Minorities ; HIV Testing ; Internet

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) binding to cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R) on methamphetamine (METH)-induced neuronal apoptosis, and to explore the signal transduction mechanism of β-arrestin 2 in CCK-8 inhibiting METH-induced neuronal apoptosis. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cell line was cultured, and HEK293-CCK1R and HEK293-CCK2R cell line were constructed by lentivirus transfection. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown the expression of β-arrestin 2. Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptotic rate of cells, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS: The apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells was induced by 1 mmol/L and 2 mmol/L METH treatment, the number of nuclear fragmentation and pyknotic cells was significantly increased, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were increased. CCK-8 pre-treatment at the dose of 0.1 mmol/L and 1 mmol/L significantly reversed METH-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells, and inhibited cell nuclear fragmentation, pyknosis and the changes of apoptosis-related proteins induced by METH. In lentivirus transfected HEK293-CCK1R and HEK293-CCK2R cells, the results revealed that CCK-8 had no significant effect on METH-induced changes of apoptosis-related proteins in HEK293-CCK1R cells, but it could inhibit the expression level of apoptosis-related proteins in HEK293-CCK2R cells induced by METH. The inhibitory effect of CCK-8 on METH-induced apoptosis was blocked by the knockdown of β-arrestin 2 expression in SH-SY5Y cells. CONCLUSIONS CCK-8 can bind to CCK2R and exert an inhibitory effect on METH-induced apoptosis by activating the β-arrestin 2 signal.
Apoptosis/physiology* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants/pharmacology* ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Methamphetamine/pharmacology* ; Sincalide/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in southwest Hubei, China. METHODS: According to the Montreux definition of neonatal ARDS, a retrospective clinical epidemiological investigation was performed on the medical data of neonates with ARDS who were admitted to Department of Neonatology/Pediatrics in 17 level 2 or level 3 hospitals in southwest Hubei from January to December, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 7 150 neonates were admitted to the 17 hospitals in southwest Hubei during 2017 and 66 (0.92%) were diagnosed with ARDS. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 23 (35%) had mild ARDS, 28 (42%) had moderate ARDS, and 15 (23%) had severe ARDS. The main primary diseases for neonatal ARDS were perinatal asphyxia in 23 neonates (35%), pneumonia in 18 neonates (27%), sepsis in 12 neonates (18%), and meconium aspiration syndrome in 10 neonates (15%). Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 neonates (15%) were born to the mothers with an age of ≥35 years, 30 neonates (45%) suffered from intrauterine distress, 32 neonates (49%) had a 1-minute Apgar score of 0 to 7 points, 24 neonates (36%) had abnormal fetal heart monitoring results, and 21 neonates (32%) experienced meconium staining of amniotic fluid. Intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common comorbidity (12 neonates), followed by neonatal shock (9 neonates) and patent ductus arteriosus (8 neonates). All 66 neonates with ARDS were treated with mechanical ventilation in addition to the treatment for primary diseases. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 died, with a mortality rate of 15% (10/66), and 56 neonates were improved or cured, with a survival rate of 85% (56/66). CONCLUSIONS Neonatal ARDS in southwest Hubei is mostly mild or moderate. Perinatal asphyxia and infection may be the main causes of neonatal ARDS in this area. Intraventricular hemorrhage is the most common comorbidity. Neonates with ARDS tend to have a high survival rate after multimodality treatment.
China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the association between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods Patients from the Fushun Diabetic Retinopathy Cohort Study (FS-DIRECT), a communitybased prospective cohort study conducted in northeast China, were included in this study. The presence and severity of DR were determined by grading fundus photographs according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) retinopathy scale. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were recorded using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using an iCare rebound tonometer. MOPP was calculated using the formula MOPP = 2/3 [DBP + 1/3(SBP ? DBP)] ? IOP.Results In total, 1,857 patients who had gradable fundus photography and MOPP data were enrolled in this study. Male patients had a higher MOPP than female patients (52.25 ± 8.75 vs. 50.96 ± 8.74mmHg, P = 0.002). Overall, both male and female patients with any type of DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), or non-sight-threatening DR (non-STDR) had significantly higher MOPP relative to patients without DR. Increased MOPP (per 1 mmHg) was in turn associated with the presence of any type of DR [odds ratio (OR) = 1.03, 95％ confidence interval (CI) : 1.02–1.04], NPDR (OR = 1.0395％ CI: 1.02–1.04),and non-STDR (OR = 1.03, 95％ CI: 1.01–1.04) after adjusting for confounders. Increased MOPP (per 1 mmHg) was also associated with an increased likelihood of macular edema (OR = 1.02, 95％ CI:1.01–1.04).Conclusions The results suggest that increased MOPP was associated with DR and macular edema in northeastern Chinese patients with T2DM.