Chronic pain of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) greatly affects the quality of life and functional activities of patients. It is important to clarify the underlying mechanisms of KOA pain and the analgesic effect of different therapies. Neuroimaging technology has been widely used in the basic and clinical research of pain. In the recent years, neuroimaging technology has played an important role in the basic and clinical research of KOA pain. Increasing evidence demonstrates that chronic pain in KOA includes both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. The neuropathic mechanism involved in KOA pain is complex, which may be caused by peripheral or central sensitization. In this paper, we review the regional changes of brain pathophysiology caused by KOA pain based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetoencephalogram (MEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and other neuroimaging techniques. We also discuss the central analgesic mechanism of different KOA therapies, with a focus on the latest achievements in the evaluation and prediction of pain. We hope to provide new thoughts for the treatment of KOA pain, especially in the early and middle stages of KOA.
Chronic Pain/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging* ; Quality of Life ; Technology

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the imbalance degree (IBD) of left-right meridian (IBD-LRM), IBD of exterior-interior meridian (IBD-EIM) and IBD of hand-foot meridians (IBD-HFM) of impedance in extracellular fluid of cells in twelve meridians of healthy subjects, so as to provide foundation for meridian diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 31 healthy volunteers were enrolled and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) was applied. The constant current (from 1 to 100 kHz, 200 μA) was connected into the bilateral twelve meridians through two excitation electrodes with a distance of 10 cm. Two measuring electrodes, with an interval of 5 cm, were set in between the two excitation electrodes to collect the voltage amplitude and phase. The Cole-Cole curve fitting was used to calculate the impedance of extracellular fluid of cells in the twelve meridians; the IBD-LRM, IBD-EIM and IBD-HFM as well as their absolute values were calculated. RESULTS: The impedance of extracellular fluid in the left side was higher than that in right side in the large intestine meridian, the small intestine meridian and the bladder meridian (<0.05, <0.01). The mean value of IBD-LRM of extracellular fluid was (4.0±1.4) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-LRM was (15.0±1.1) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-LRM was the bladder meridian. The mean value of IBD-EIM was (3.3±1.0) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-EIM was (17.9±1.6) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-EIM was the bladder meridian and the kidney meridian. The impedance of extracellular fluid of hand meridian, hand meridian and hand meridian were lower than those of foot meridians. The mean value of IBD-HFM was (-2.6±1.1) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-HFM was (19.7±1.7) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-HFM was meridian; the imbalance of meridians was greater than meridians. There were significant differences in impedance of extracellular fluid between left and right and between hands and feet (<0.05, <0.01). CONCLUSION The extracellular fluid of left-right meridians of healthy subjects is different, but the absolute value of IBD is low; the mean value of exterior meridian and interior meridian is very close, and the absolute value of IBD is medium; the impedance of the foot meridians are greater than the hand meridians, and the absolute value of IBD is relatively high.
Acupuncture Points ; Electric Impedance ; Extracellular Fluid ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Meridians

Objective To compare the effect of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and conventional radiotherapy (CRT) combined with intracavitary brachytherapy on patients with cervical stump cancer. Methods A total of 47 patients with cervical stump cancer who were admitted to the First Hospital of China Medical University from October 2007 to September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 47 patients, 19 patients received CRT combined with intracavitary brachytherapy (CRT group), and 28 patients received IMRT combined with intracavitary brachytherapy (IMRT group). In order to reduce the effects of selection bias and confounding factors, propensity score matching was performed to compare the groups. Results After the propensity score matching, there were 19 patients in each group. The 1-, 3-and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate for matched patients were 100.0％, 85.1％ and 63.8％ in IMRT group, and 84.2％, 57.9％ and 42.1％ in CRT group, respectively, and the difference in survival between the two groups was statistically significant (PLog-rank= 0.029, PCox= 0.043, HR= 3.723, 95％CI 1.044-13.280). The median progression-free survival (PFS) time of the IMRT group was better than that of the CRT group [median PFS time had not been reached (7-72 months) vs. 17 months (2-125 months), PLog-rank= 0.032, PCox= 0.042, HR=2.773, 95％CI 1.037-7.417]. The incidence of late rectal and bladder radiation injury was 15.8％ (3/19) and 0 (0/19) in IMRT group, and 57.9％ (11/19) and 26.3 ％(5/19) in CRT group, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P= 0.017, P= 0.046). Conclusion Compared with CRT combined with intracavitary brachytherapy, IMRT combined with intracavitary brachytherapy has a better effect on patients with cervical stump cancer, and the incidence of complications is low, this method is worthy of clinical application.

Qi, blood and the meridians are fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine (CM), which are components of the human body and maintain physiological function. Pathological changes of qi, blood and meridians may lead to discomfort and disease. Treatment with acupuncture or herbal medicine aims to regulate qi and blood so as to recover normal function of the meridians. This paper explores the nature of qi as well as compares and correlates them with the structures of the human body. We propose a conceptualization of qi as being similar to the interstitial fluid, and the meridians as being similar to interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance in the body. Hence, qi running in the meridians can be understood as interstitial fluid flowing via interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance.
Acupuncture Points ; Connective Tissue ; physiology ; Extracellular Fluid ; physiology ; Extracellular Space ; physiology ; Humans ; Meridians ; Qi ; Water

Brachytherapy is a key part of radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Along with the persistent development of radiotherapy techniques, the combined application of brachytherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy ( IMRT) has been proposed by scholars for cervical cancer patients presenting with large residual tumors accompanied by parametrial infiltration after IMRT. In this article, recent research progress on IMRT combined with brachytherapy applied in the treatment of cervical cancer was reviewed.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major complication in liver transplantation (LT) and it is closely related to the recovery of grafts' function. Researches has verified that both innate and adaptive immune system are involved in the development of IRI and Kupffer cell (KC), the resident macrophages in the liver, play a pivotal role both in triggering and sustaining the sterile inflammation. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), released by the initial dead cell because of the ischemia insult, firstly activate the KC through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors. Activated KCs is the dominant players in the IRI as it can secret various pro-inflammatory cytokines to exacerbate the injury and recruit other types of immune cells from the circulation. On the other hand, KCs can also serve in a contrary way to ameliorate IRI by upregulating the anti-inflammatory factors. Moreover, new standpoint has been put forward that KCs and macrophages from the circulation may function in different way to influence the inflammation. Managements towards KCs are expected to be the effective way to improve the IRI.
Cytokines ; Hand ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Ischemia* ; Kupffer Cells ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Macrophages* ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Reperfusion* ; Toll-Like Receptors

Objective To evaluate the dosimetric feasibility of three-dimensional(3D)intracavitary brachytherapy in combination with applicator-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)boost for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who have unfavorable topography following external beam irradiation. Methods A total of 7 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who had unfavorable topography following external beam irradiation were included. Two plans were generated for brachytherapy using Oncentra 4.3 treatment planning system:3D intracavitary brachytherapy and 3D intracavitary brachytherapy in combination with applicator-guided IMRT boost.To further evaluate cumulative doses to organs at risk(OAR)in the four fractions of combined plans,two methods were used:simple dose-volume histograms(DVH)parameter addition and deformable image registration(DIR)-based DVH accumulation. The D90, V100, and conformity index(CI)were evaluated. The paired t-test or Wi1coxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis. Results Compared with the 3D plan,the combined plan yielded higher D90, V100, and CI(P=0.000), but showed no significant difference in D2ccof the rectum,sigmoid colon,and bladder(P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in D2ccof the rectum, sigmoid colon, and bladder calculated by the two methods for calculating OAR cumulative doses, simple DVH parameter addition and DIR-based DVH accumulation(P>0.05). Conclusions For patients with cervical cancer who have unfavorable topography following external beam irradiation,3D intracavitary brachytherapy in combination with applicator-guided IMRT boost can improve target coverage and CI, without increasing OAR doses. DIR-based DVH accumulation and simple DVH parameter addition may be both acceptable for assessing OAR cumulative doses.

The long- and short-term outcomes in 21 patients with right colon cancer after right hemicolectomy and multivisceral resection surgery were investigated. Short-term therapeutic effects and long-term survival rate were retrospectively analyzed in patients with right colon cancer. These individuals underwent right hemicolectomy in combination with multivisceral resections including pancreatic head, duodenum, kidney, liver, gallbladder, and abdominal wall at the Department of General Surgery in the Henan Tumor Hospital between January 2003 and August 2014. The patients had an average age of 58.9 years (range: 39-78). Three patients had metastatic invasion only to the duodenum; meanwhile 18 patients had invasion to the duodenum and other adjacent organs. The median survival time was 41 months (95% CI: 6.972-75.028) with one death in the perioperative period. No patients lost follow-up. One-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 75%, 56%, and 43%, respectively. It was concluded that indications for surgery should be tightly controlled. Favorable clinical outcomes of right hemicolectomy and multivisceral resection surgery were demonstrated for patients with right colon cancer at the T4 stage.
Adult ; Aged ; Colonic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ulinastatin(UTI) on postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-seven patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly divided into three groups:high-dose UTI group(16000 U/kg i.v.), low-dose UTI group(8000 U/kg i.v.) and control group(normal saline). The levels of plasma cortisol were measured before and one day after surgery. The level of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and S100β were measured before operation(T0), at open chest(T1), end of operation(T2), 6 h(T3)and 24 h(T4) after operation. A neuropsychological test scale was to evaluate the cognitive function 1 day before operation, 1 week and 3 months after operation.

RESULTSNinety-three patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in general information of patients among three groups(P>0.05). The level of plasma cortisol one day after operation was significantly higher than that before operation in control group(P<0.01). The levels of plasma cortisol in high-dose UTI group and low-dose UTI group were lower than that of control group(P<0.01). In all groups, the level of plasma IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and S100B increased remarkably at T2, T3, T4 compared to those at T0(all P<0.05). The level of plasma IL-6, TNF-α(at T2, T3, T4)and S100β(at T3)in high-dose UTI group and low-dose UTI group were all lower than those of control group(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences between high-dose UTI group and low-dose UTI group(P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in POCD 1 week after operation in high-dose UTI and low-dose UTI groups(25.8% and 23.3%)was lower than that in control group(50.0%), while there were no significant difference 1 month after operation between high-dose UTI group(12.9%) or low-dose UTI group(16.7%)and control group(28.1%). The level of plasma S100β at T2 of POCD patients(n=31)was higher than that of non-POCD group(n=62)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONUlinastatin can reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dusfunction 1 week after coronary artery bypass surgery, which might be associated with inhibition of inflammation and S100β expression.

Cognition ; drug effects ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective: To investigate the effects of ulinastatin ( UTI ) on postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting . Methods:One hundred and twenty-seven patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly divided into three groups:high-dose UTI group ( 16 000 U/kg i.v.), low-dose UTI group ( 8000 U/kg i.v.) and control group ( normal saline ) .The levels of plasma cortisol were measured before and one day after surgery. The level of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-αand S100βwere measured before operation (T0), at open chest ( T1 ) , end of operation ( T2 ) , 6 h ( T3 ) and 24 h ( T4 ) after operation .A neuropsychological test scale was to evaluate the cognitive function 1 day before operation, 1 week and 3 months after operation. Results: Ninety-three patients completed the study .There was no significant difference in general information of patients among three groups ( P >0 .05 ) .The level of plasma cortisol one day after operation was significantly higher than that before operation in control group ( P <0 .01 ) .The levels of plasma cortisol in high-dose UTI group and low-dose UTI group were lower than that of control group (P<0.01).In all groups, the level of plasma IL-6, IL-10, TNF-αand S100B increased remarkably at T2, T3, T4 compared to those at T0 (all P<0.05).The level of plasma IL-6, TNF-α(at T2, T3, T4)and S100β(at T3) in high-dose UTI group and low-dose UTI group were all lower than those of control group(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences between high-dose UTI group and low-dose UTI group ( P >0 .05 ) .The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in POCD 1 week after operation in high-dose UTI and low-dose UTI groups (25.8%and 23.3%)was lower than that in control group (50.0%), while there were no significant difference 1 month after operation between high-dose UTI group (12.9%) or low-dose UTI group(16.7%) and control group (28.1%).The level of plasma S100βat T2 of POCD patients ( n=31 ) was higher than that of non-POCD group (n=62) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ulinastatin can reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dusfunction 1 week after coronary artery bypass surgery , which might be associated with inhibition of inflammation and S 100βexpression .