Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles

Objective: To study the effect of Xiaoyao Pills (containing Paeoniae Alba Radix) on peripheral blood and hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis in rats with syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency. Methods: The model of syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency was established by chronic restraint stress combined with radiation, and healthy male rats were randomly divided into four groups such as normal group, model group, Paeoniae Alba Radix group, and Xiaoyao Pills group. The rats in treatment groups and normal group were fed with medicines and pure water from day 1 of the experiment, respectively. The weight, peripheral blood, glucose consumption, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis were measured. Results: Compared with the model group, the weight and amount of WBC of model group were decreased significantly (P < 0.001), and the amounts of ACTH, CORT, and CRH were increased significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.001). Glucose consumption test showed that the ability of model group to explore the novel environment was reduced (P < 0.01), Xiaoyao Pills group on the above indicators had a corresponding regulatory role (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01). Conclusion: The effect of Xiaoyao Pill on peripheral blood and HPA axis may be one of the mechanisms of its function of soothing liver to resolve depression and nourishing blood to invigorate the spleen.

Objective: To investigate the nourishing blood and smoothing liver effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA) based on metabolomics information. Methods: The stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency syndrome rats model was established by chronic restraint stress combined with radiation. Using LC/MS method as the core technology, the principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) as the main data analysis methods, endogenous metabolites were screened in the model rats to study the intervention mechanism of PRA. Results: Through the impact of phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, ceramide, deoxycytidine, betaine, and other 21 kinds of small molecular metabolites, PRA had a certain callback effect on the disturbance of metabolic trajectory, which can improve the state of stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency induced by external stimulating factors (such as irradiation, restraint, and loneliness). Conclusion: The nourishing blood and smoothing liver effects of PRA may be related to the sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism.

AIM:To investigate the differences among Lenstar 900, A-scan ultrasound and keratometer in measurement of axial length ( AL ) , anterior chamber depth ( ACD ) and corneal curvature ( K1 , K2 , Km ) , and evaluate the consistency of the instruments, with the purpose providing references for the clinical application of Lenstar 900.
METHODS: In this study we picked up 36 patients ( 50 eyes ) underwent cataract surgery, and lens nucleus hardness were under level IV. Before the operation, AL, ACD and K1 , K2 , Km were measured by Lenstar 900, A-scan ultrasound and keratometer respectively. The differences between the results were compared by the paired t-test. The correlation of the results was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, and the consistency was measured by Bland-Ahamn method.
RESULTS: The mean AL and ACD values measured by Lenstar 900 and A-scan ultrasound had no significantly statistic differences (P>0. 05). The K1, K2, Km measured by Lenstar 900 and keratometer were not significantly statistical different (P>0. 05). The results measured by these three instruments had close linearity correlation ( r>0.9, P<0. 01). The consistency of the results was well in Bland-Ahamn analysis.
CONCLUSION:The preoperatively biometric result of Lenstar 900, A - scan ultrasound and keratometer in patients with cataract are all reliable, and they can be substituted by each other. However, Lenstar 900 can not only measure AL, ACD and corneal curvature at the same time, but also cornal thickness, lens thickness, white to white, pupil size, optical axis eccentricity, retinal thickness and so on. It has a number of advantages such as non-touching, convenient and efficient, and can be recommended to use widely.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dietary ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in rats.Methods Totally 58 male SD rats were divided into control group (n =10),model group (n =12),ω-3 PUFA high-dose group (n =12),ω-3PUFA medium-dose group (n =12),and ω-3 PUFA low-dose group (n =12).Seven days before model establishment,rats in the three ω-3 PUFA groups were orally given ω-3 PUFA at 1,0.5,and 0.25 g/kg body weight once per day,respectively,for seven consecutive days.Twenty-four hours after the last administration,all rats except those in the control group were given intravenous injection of LPS (6 mg/kg) at caudal vein to establish the model of acute lung injury.Body temperature was measured at 0,6,and 24 hour.Blood samples were collected from the eye venous plexus for routine blood tests and blood biochemical tests 24 hours after modeling.After the rats were sacrificed,the left lung was harvested for measuring the wet weight and dry weight and calculating the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D).The right lung was harvested for pathological observation under light microscope and calculation of semi-quantitative pathological index (PI).Results Twenty-four hours after modeling,deaths were noted in all groups except the control group.After injection of LPS,rats curled with little movements.At 6 hour,the body temperature was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group [(37.4 ±0.27)℃ vs.(35.9 ±0.05) ℃,P =0.00] ; it was (36.2 ±0.38)℃,(36.3 ±0.30)℃,and (36.3 ± 0.32) ℃ in the ω-3 PUFA high-,medium-,and low-dose groups,which were significantly lower than that in the model group (all P =0.01).The amounts of white blood cells,neutrophils,and lymphocytes increased in the model group,but showing no significant difference compared with the other groups.The serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group [(353 ± 235) U/L vs.(157 ± 55) U/L,P =0.02 ; (141± 103) U/L vs.(54 ±23) U/L,P =0.03] ; the ω-3 PUFA high-dose group had significantly lower GOT and GPT levels than the model group did [(167 ±94) U/L vs.(353 ±235) U/L,P =0.03 ; (63 ±57) U/L vs.(141 ± 103) U/L,P =0.04].The model group had significantly higher lung wet weight [(371 ±38) mg vs.(281 ±24) mg,P=0.01] and W/D value (7.34±1.40 vs.5.41 ±0.84,P=0.01) compared with the control group.Compared with the model group,the W/D value was significantly lower in the ω-3 PUFA high-,medium-,and low-dose groups (6.17 ±0.58,P =0.03; 6.17 ± 0.76,P =0.03; 6.13 ± 1.23,P =0.04).Light microscopy showed that the lung alveoli of the model group presented congestion,obvious expansion,and scattered inflammatory cell infiltration in interstitium,along with significantly increased PI compared with the control group (3.9±0.9 vs.0.0±0.0,P=0.00).The PI value was (2.1 ±0.3),(2.1 ±0.3),and (2.3 ± 0.5) in ω-3 PUFA high-,medium-,and low-dose groups,respectively,all significantly lower than that in the model group (all P =0.01).Conclusions The acute lung injury model could be successful established by intravenous injection of LPS.ω-3 PUFA at different doses can improve the acute lung injury of rats.It is therefore supposed that early enteral administration of ω-3 PUFA can alleviate LPS-induced acute lung injury,although the optimal dosage and timing need further research.

As a pleiotropic cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6) participates in many physiological activities in vivo. IL-6 plays an important role in the physiology and pathology of chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, tumors and other diseases through diverse mechanisms. At present, inhibitors targeting IL-6/IL-6R have been shown to improve treatments for some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. IL-6 binds to a specific receptor to activate the downstream JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. However abnormally activated STAT3 often appears in various types of malignant tumors and participates in the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, studies have shown that IL-6 is a key factor in the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19 patients. The physiological participation of IL-6/STAT3 pathway in complex diseases makes this pathway become a research hotspot for drug discovery. Therefore, we summarize the latest research progress of small molecular inhibitors on IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, in order to provide a reference for the development of IL-6/STAT3 related drug in the future.

Angiotensins ; analysis ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Magnesium Sulfate ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Swine ; Vasomotor System ; chemistry

Background The different incisions in phacoemulsification,including the length,location and shape etc.,can cause surgery-induced astigmatism ( SIA ).But the SIA caused by 2.2 mm,3.0 mm corneal limbal incision after phacoemulsification,especially the change of posterior corneal surface astigmatism is still rarely reported. Objective This study was to investigate the anterior,posterior and total corneal SIA and compare their differences between phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with 2.2 mm and 3.0 mm corneal limbal incisions. Methods Seventy-one eyes of 47 cases were randomly divided into two groups with matched age,visual acuity and astigmatism degree.Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with 2.2 mm incision at the steepest corneal meridian was performed on the patients of 2.2 mm incision group,and the same surgery was adopted with 3.0 mm incision as 3.0 mm incision group.Corneal curvature radius and central corneal thickness were measured by Pentacam at 1 day before surgery and 1 week,1 month and 3 months after surgery respectively.The anterior and posterior corneal surface SIAs were calculated according to the flat axis and steep axis of corneal curvature and the air and the cornea refractive index.Based on the anterior and posterior surface SIAs,the total corneal SIA was then calculated using the vector analysis method.Jaffe/Clayman vector method was used to calculate the anterior and posterior and total corneal SIAs in the different time points,and the differences were compared between the two groups.Oral informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to the trial. Results The mean anterior and posterior surface corneal SIAs appeared to be lower in 2.2 mm incision group compared with 3.0 mm incision group at postoperative 1 day,1 week,1 month and 3 months but were not significantly different among groups at various time points ( anterior SIA:P =0.290 ; posterior SIA:P =0.740 ; total SIA:0.434 ).The mean anterior corneal surface SIAs were significantly lower at the postoperative 3 months than those at postoperative 1 day,1 week in both groups(2.2 mm incision group:P=0.020,0.036;3.0 mm incision group:P=0.006,0.023 ).The posterior corneal surface SIAs were (0.70±0.43 ) D and (0.75 ±0.54 ) D at 1 day in 2.2 mm incision group and 3.0 mm inscision group,respectively,and significantly decreased posterior corneal surface SIAs were found in postoperative 1 week,1 month and 3 months compared with 1 day in both groups ( 2.2 mm incision group:all P =0.001 ; 3.0 mm incision group:P=0.028,0.044,0.032).The total corneal surface SIA showed significant differences between 1 day and 1 week,1 month,3 months after surgery ( 2.2 mm incision group:P =0.015,0.002,0.002 ; 3.0 mm incision group:P =0.049,0.007,0.016 ). Conclusions There are no significant differences in the anterior,posterior and total corneal surface SIAs between 2.2 mm and 3.0 mm incisions after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation.The SIA is gradually reduced with the prolongation of postoperative time.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the precise locations of the blood vessels and nerves surrounding the seminal vesicles (SV) in men and provide some anatomical evidence for SV-related minimally invasive surgery.

METHODSWe observed the courses and distribution of the blood vessels and nerves surrounding SVs and obtained the data for positioning the SV neuroplexes in 20 male pelvises.

RESULTSOne branch of the neuroplexes was distributed to the SVs bilaterally with the neurovascular bundles, (2.85 ± 0.18) cm from the median sulcus of the prostate (MSP), while another branch ran through the Denonvillier fascia behind the SV, (0.81 ± 0.06) cm from the MSP. The arterial SVs (ASV) originated from the inferior vesical artery and fell into 4 types, 55% going directly to the SVs as one branch, 15% running between the SV and the ampulla of the deferent duct as another branch, 25% downward as 2 branches to the SV and between the SV and the ampulla of the deferent duct respectively, and 5% as the other ASVs. The shortest distance from the ASV through the prostatic neuroplexus to the posterior SV was (1.08 ± 0.09) cm.

CONCLUSIONIn SV resection, neuroplexus injury can be reduced with a bilateral distance of < 2.85 cm and a posterior distance of < 0.81 cm from the MSP, and so can bleeding by vascular ligation between the SV and the ampulla of the deferent duct.

Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; blood supply ; innervation ; Seminal Vesicles ; blood supply ; innervation ; Vas Deferens ; blood supply ; innervation

Objective To analyze the etiologic spectrum of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and the molecular characteristics of coxsackievirus A10 (CVA10) strains isolated in Qingdao from year 2010 to 2012.Methods Throat swab specimens were collected from patients with HFMD to detect to-tal enteroviruses ( EVs) , EV71 and CVA16 strains by multiplex real time RT-PCR.The EV-positive speci-mens were further detected by a semi-nested RT-PCR to amplify the sequence of viral genes encoding VP1. The serotypes of EVs were identified based on the sequences of genes encoding VP1.The full-length gene se-quences encoding VP1 of CVA10 isolates were amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis was con-ducted by using MEGA5.0 software package.Results A total of 1919 outpatients with mild HFMD and 1336inpatients with serious HFMD were recruited in this study .CVA16 strains were the predominant patho-gen for outpatients in year 2010 ( prevalence rate of 53%) and 2012 ( prevalence rate of 73%) .EV71 strains were the predominant pathogen for outpatients in year 2011 ( prevalence rate of 78%) and inpatients in year 2010 ( prevalence rate of 70%) and 2011 ( prevalence rate of 86%) . Some serotypes other than CVA16 or EV71 were the predominant pathogens for inpatients in year 2012 ( prevalence rate 44%) . CVA10 strains were identified in 12 patients with HFMD in year 2010and 17 patients with HFMD in 2012. The full-length gene sequences encoding VP1 of 23 CVA10 isolates were successfully amplified and se-quenced.The phylogenetic analysis showed that the 23 CVA10 isolates all belonged to genotype C and could be further divided into six clades.The genes encoding VP1 of the 23 CVA10 strains shared 97.3% to 1000.%homologies in amino acid sequences.The CVA10 isolates were also similar to their counterparts isolated from other regions during the same period.Conclusion CVA16 and EV71 strains were the preva-lent pathogens of HFMD in Qingdao from year 2010 to 2012, co-circulated with some other serotypes of EVs, especially CVA10 strains.The CVA10 strains belonged to genotype C and shared high homologies among them and their counterparts circulated in other regions during the same period.