Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of electroacupuncture on acute hypertension in rats. Methods 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8), model group (n=8), drug group (n=10) and electroacupuncture group (n=10). The acute hypertension rat model was induced with injecting adrenalin into abdomen. Blood pressure was measured and blood adrenalin and noradrenalin levels were tested after electroacupuncture in points Baihui DU-20 and Zusanli ST36. Results The systolic and diastolic pressures were lower in the drug group and the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05), and there was no difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The adrenalin and noradrenalin levels were higher in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05), but they were lower in the drug group and the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion The electroacupuncture could reduce the blood pressure of acute hypertension rats by decreasing blood adrenalin and noradrenalin levels.

Objective To observe the change of coagulation function in chronic stress depression model rats and the effects of elec-troacupuncture (EA) on it. Methods A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided in control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8) after a week of acclimation. The 21-day unpredictable mild stress combined with solitarily feed-ing was used to make the depression model in the latter three groups, meanwhile EA group and the fluoxetine group accepted EA and fluox-etine. They were measured the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB). Serum levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α), P-selectin, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were determined with enzyme-linked im-munoabsorbent assay. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.01). The scores increased in EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.01) compared with the model group. Compared with the control group, PT, APTT and TT decreased (P<0.01), FIB increased (P<0.05), the level of 6-keto-PGF1αdecreased, the level of P-selectin and TXB2 increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, PT, APTT and TT increased (P<0.05), the level of 6-keto-PGF1αincreased (P<0.01), and the level of P-selectin and TXB2 decreased (P<0.05) in EA group and the fluoxetine group, and FIB decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion The chronic stress depression rats are impaired in the coagulation function and platelet activation, and can be allayed with electroacupuncture and fluoxetine.

Objective To investigate the best pathway of laparoscopic surgery for choledocholithiasis. Methods According to MRCP,the cystic duct was divided into four types.The thick-straight type (n =89)and the thin-crooked type (n =65)patients randomly received the laparoscopic operations via the cystic duct or com-mon bile duct.The operation time,transit operation rate,complication rate and length of hospital stay after opera-tion were analysed.Results There were 46 cases of the thick-straight type via cystic duct,43 cases via common bile duct.The former had shorter operation time and hospital stay after operation (P <0.05),but there was no significant difference in transit operation rate and complication rate.There were 32 cases of the thin-crooked type via cystic duct and 33 cases via common bile duct and there were significant differences in the operation time, transit operation rate,complication rate and length of hospital stay after operation(P <0.05).Conclusion Ac-cording to different types,LCTBDE is suitable for the patients with thick-straight type,and LCHTD can be per-formed in thin-crooked type.Therefore,it can maximize the advantage of minimally invasive surgery.

Aim To investigate the effects of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1)on advanced glycation end products(AGEs)induced-renal tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and activation of JAK/STAT in cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells(HKC).Methods Stable transfections of HKC with pCR3.1 vector and pCR3.1/SOCS-1 were performed with Lipofectamine 2000,and cells were selected with geneticin.Cells were stimulated with BSA and AGEs. The protein expressions of SOCS-1,α-SMA,E-cadherin,Col I,signal transducer and activatior of transcription 1,3(STAT1,STAT3),p-STAT1 and p-STAT3 were observed by Western blot.The protein synthesis of TGF-β_1 in the supernatants of the HKC was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay(ELISA).α-SMA and E-cadherin mRNA were measured by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Compared with control group,the expression levels of α-SMA protein and mRNA and Col I were significantly increased in HKC with AGEs stimulation and there was a higher concentrations of TGF-β_1 in the supernatants.However,the expression of E-cadherin protein and mRNA were decreased with AGEs stimulation.Overexpression of SOCS-1 inhibited AGEs-induced activation of STAT1 and STAT3 and high expression of α-SMA protein and mRNA and Col I,and reversed the expression of E-cadherin protein and mRNA induced by AGEs.Meanwhile,overexpression of SOCS-1 reduced the concentration of TGF-β_1 in the supernatants of HKC with AGEs stimulation.Conclusion Overexpression of SOCS-1 inhibits AGEs-induced renal tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation maybe partly through blocking activation of JAK/STAT.

As the nerve regeneration has been researched more and more, nerve regeneration related signaling pathways after spinal cord injury (SCI) comes into the view. Inhibiting apoptosis signaling pathways may reduce the apoptosis, inflammation and nerve degenera-tion after SCI. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and there was interaction among the four subordinate pathways. Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway does not only participate in the body cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, but also in the process of inflammatory and oxidative stress in the body. It has been found that blocking the Wnt signaling pathway after inju-ry in the central nervous system would inhibit neural axon regeneration. Exogenous Wnt3a can increase the number of neurons after SCI and promote the axon conduction and nerve function. Inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway after SCI can signif-icantly reduce neuronal loss, cell death and well promote the functional recovery. When Notch signaling pathways are activated, neural stem cells proliferate actively and differentiation are inhibited, and stem cells enter the stage of differentiation as the pathway inhibited. Activa-tion of Ras homolog gene/Rho associated coiled coil forming protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) signaling pathways leads to the collapse of the growth cone, inhibition of axon regeneration, whereas the selective inhibition of Rho can promote axon regeneration and recovery of motor function after SCI.

Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different acupuncture schemes on behaviors, neurotransmitters and inflammation-related factors in post-stroke depressed (PSD) rats. MethodsA total of 72 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, drug control group, scalp acupuncture group, abdominal acupuncture group and combined acupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. The PSD model was prepared using a combination of middle cerebral artery occlusion and chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) for the model and each intervention groups. The drug control group was administered fluoxetine, the scalp acupuncture group accepted acupuncture at Baihui (DU 20) and Yintang (EX-HN3), while the abdominal acupuncture group at Zhongwan (RN 12) and Guanyuan (RN 4), the combined acupuncture group at all the four acupoints, for 21 days. They were assessed with Longa neurological function score, body mass, open-field test and sugar-water preference test on the 0 (before modeling), the seventh (before CUMS), the 14th (before treatment) and the 35th day (after treatment). The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor⁃α (TNF⁃α) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum were determined with ELISA on the 35th day. Results The neurological function score was lower in the drug control group and the combined acupuncture group thanin the model group (P < 0.01) on the 35th day; while the body mass was higher in the drug control group, the abdominal acupuncture group and the combined acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.01); and the number of horizontal span frames, the number of uprightness and the sugar water consumption were higher in the drug control group, the scalp acupuncture group, the abdominal acupuncture group and the combined acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference among the four intervention groups (P > 0.05). The levels of 5-HT, DA and NE were higher in the four intervention groups than in the model group (P < 0.01), and the levels of IFN-γ, TNF⁃α and MIF were lower (P < 0.01). 5-HT level was higher in the combined acupuncture group than in the scalp acupuncture group and the abdominal acupuncture group, and the levels of IFN-γ, TNF⁃α and MIF were lower (P < 0.01); the levels of DA and NE was higher in the combined acupuncture group than in the abdominal acupuncture group (P < 0.01). ConclusionThe combination of scalp acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture can improve behavior, neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors of PSD rats, like fluoxetine. Scalp or abdominal acupuncture alone is still effecive, and can be used secondarily.

Spinal cord injury is a kind of central nervous system diseases with high morbidity. Acupuncture and moxibustion has unique advantages in treating spinal cord injury and its complications including neurogenic bladder, neuropathic pain, intestinal disorders, and muscle spasms. This article reviewed the researches of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on spinal cord injury. It is presented to provide reference for clinical research.

Objective To explore the effect of Governor Vessel electroacupuncture in different time points on motor function and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) after spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 180 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (one day, three days and seven days after modeling), and each group was divided into normal control group, normal electroacupuncture group, sham operation group, model group and Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group with 12 cases in each group. The spinal cord injury model was established with the modified Allen's method. The normal electroacupuncture group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Dazhui (DU14) and Mingmeng (DU04) acupoints. Basso-Beattic-Bresnahan (BBB) Scale was performed to assess the motor function of rats. The expression of p75NTR was detected with Western blotting. Results The BBB score of the model group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group were significantly lower than that of the other three groups. The BBB score was significantly higher in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group seven days after intervention (t=-4.510, P<0.001). The expression of p75NTR was siginificantly lower in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of p75NTR increased after spinal cord injury. Governor Vessel electroacupuncture could improve the motor function, and inhibit the p75NTR expression of damaged spinal cord tissues.

Objective To explore the biological mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) for depression. Methods Forty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8). Depressive models were established with lonely raising and chronic unpredictable mild stress. They were tested with Open-field Test, and the expression of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4)A and PDE4D in hippocampus was detected with RT-PCR. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.001), while it increased in the EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D decreased in the EA group (P<0.001). Conclusion Electroacupuncture may relieve depression through inhibiting the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D.