Objective To investigate effects of three kinds of neutral,happy,sad emotional faces stimulus on sustained attention task using N170 in depression patients to analysis the correlation of depression in patients with depression,anxiety severity and the amplitude and latency of N170.Methods Twenty-eight patients with depression aged from 22 to 69 years (case group),and 31 healthy controls (control group) aged from 20 to 61 years were recruited for the study.Subjects were asked to perform tasks in the selection of attention following randomly presented three kinds of happy,neutral and sad emotional faces stimuli.Brain auditory evoked potential including N170 amplitude and latency were recorded during the tasks.HAMD and HAMA were used to assess the severity of depression and anxiety.Results There was significant difference between case group and control group in N170 latency by three kinds of happy,neutral and sad emotional faces stimulation in the local skull (T5,T6,O1,O2) (P＜0.05).But the difference was not significant in N170 amplitude (P＞0.05).The total score of HAMD in case group had a positive correlation with N170 amplitude by neutral facial emotion stimulation in part of T5 (r=0.443,P=0.018).Conclusion There is significant change in the initial cognitive processing of different emotional faces in the patients with depression.And the severity of depression is related to the N170 amplitude induced by the neutral emotional faces stimulation in some parts of brain.

Objective Based on real-time PCR technique and ring primers,to establish a simple,accurate,cost-effective and easily standardized quantitative assay for quantification of HER2 mRNA,and apply to provide medication guidance for clinical tumor personalized molecular targeted therapy.Methods Screening reference gene which was stable expression in breast cancer,and optimizing the PCR reaction system.Then a real-time PCR with Eva Green for quantification of the mRNA expression levels of HER2 gene was developed.The specificity,sensitivity and reproducibility of the method were evaluated 87 specimens including 55 liquid nitrogen-frozen breast cancer tissues and 32 normal tissues were detected by the real-time quantitative reverse transcription (FQ RT)-PCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results The standard curve of the method indicated a good linear relationship between the Ct value and the template concentration with the correlation coefficient being 0.997.The linear range of the system was from 101 to 106 copies/μl and the lower detection limit was 101 copies/μl.It had a high sensitivity and good specificity.The inter-assay coefficients of variation of HER and RPL37A genes were (5.93 ± 0.57)％ and (5.11 ± 0.59)％,(2.49 ±0.81)％ and (2.98 ±0.97)％ respectively.The intra-assay coefficients of variation were (5.76 ±0.58)％and (7.71 ±0.61)％,(3.75 ±0.76)％ and (4.40 ±0.96)％ respectively.Using the optimized FQ RTPCR system,HER2 gene of 87 specimens was quantificated.The sensitivity of the assay was 96.36％ (53/55),the specificity was 78.13％ (25/32),the positive predictive value was 88.33％ (53/60),the negative predictive value was 92.59％ (25/27),and the total coincidence rate between FQ RT-PCR and IHC was 89.66％ (78/87).The correlation of the results between the FQ RT-PCR and IHC was good (Kappa =0.770,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The method can quantify the mRNA expression levels of HER2 gene rapidly and cost-effictively with high sensitivity and specificity.It can be applied to clinical molecular diagnosis with attractive prospect.

Objective:To evaluate and compare electroacupunctures (EA) with different parameters and moxibustion at different temperatures influencing the activation of mast cells (MC) in Tianshu (ST 25) regions of visceral hyperalgesia model rats. Methods:Rats (except for model group) respectively accepted 1 mA or 3 mA EA or moxibustion at 43 or 4 to℃℃stimulate Tianshu (ST 25) points after randomization of the fifty visceral hyperalgesia model rats, and then were compared with that in model and normal groups. Number, degranulation numbers, degranulation rates in Tianshu (ST 25) regions MC of rats in each group were observed using toluidine blue staining. Abdominal withdrawl reflex (AWR) score was used to evaluate the rat visceral hyperalgesia reactions. Results:Compared with the normal group and the model group, MC numbers (P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01), degranulation numbers and degranulation rates (P<0.01,P<0.01, P<0.05,P<0.01) of Tianshu (ST 25) MC in regions tissues in 43℃ and 4℃ moxibustion groups, and 1 mA and 3 mAEA groups all increased significantly. Compared with the model group, AWR scores were significantly lower in 43℃ and 4℃ moxibustion groups, and 1 mA and 3 mAEA groups under the stimulation of 20 mmHg, 40 mmHg, 0 mmHg or 80 mmHg colorectal distension (CRD) (P<0.05 in 1 mA and 3 mA EA groups under the stimulation of 20 mmHg,P<0.01 in the other groups). AWR scores in 43℃ and 4℃moxibustion groups under the stimulation of 20 mmHg, 40 mmHg, 0 mmHg or 80 mmHg CRD were not significantly different from those in the normal group (allP>0.05); AWR scores in 1 mA EA group under the stimulation of 0 mmHg or 80 mmHg were significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01); AWR score in 3 mA EA group under the stimulation of 0 mmHg was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01), and AWR scores in 3 mA EA group under the stimulation of 20 mmHg or 80 mmHg were also higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05). AWR scores were higher in 1 mA EA group under the stimulation of 40 mmHg or 80 mmHg than that in 4℃ moxibustion group (P<0.05); AWR score was higher in 3 mA EA group under the stimulation of 40 mmHg than that in 4℃ moxibustion group (P<0.05). Conclusion:There are differences among EA of different parameters and moxibustion of different temperatures in activating on Tianshu (ST 25) regions MC of visceral hyperalgesia model rats, as well as in improving the visceral hyperalgesia reaction. The effect of 4℃ moxibustion is the most significant.

Objectives To explore the clinical intervention of prenatal diagnosed congenital choledochal cyst in infants. Methods 37 infants with prenatally diagnosed congenital choledochal cyst from September 2006 to February 2013 were di-vided into early (0-3 month) operation group (Group A, n=20) and late (>3 month) operation group (Group B, n=17) according to the timing of surgery. The clinical characteristics, the preoperative and postoperative liver function, postoperative com-plications and pathological examination of liver biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. Results Five infants in group A and 2 infants in group B became jaundiced after birth. No statistical difference was found in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) between two groups (P>0.05). Preoperative and postoperative levels of total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) in group A were signiifcantly higher than those in group B (P<0.05). Two cases had anastomotic stricture and one case had bile leakage in group A while no postoperative complication was found in group B. Liver biopsy re-sults showed that there were 11 cases of biliary cirrhosis, including 4 cases in group A (36.36%) and 7 cases (63.64%) in group B, but no statistical difference in incidence of cirrhosis between two groups (P=0.160). Conclusions Infants with prenatally diagnosed congenital choledochal cyst should be closely observed. Once jaundice, clay-coledstool, increased ALT and AST, fast growing enlarged cysts were found, infants should be surgically treated as soon as possible to reduce liver damage and the incidence of liver cirrhosis.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic cryoablation (ECA) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with UTUC treated with ECA from April 2018 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients consisted of 3 males and 6 females, with median age of 76 years old (ranging from 50 to 88 years old). Among the patients, 6 cases had tumors of ureter, 1 case had tumor of renal pelvis and 2 cases had tumors of renal pelvis combined with ureter. Of the 9 patients, two had bilateral UTUC, six were presented with single lesion, three were presented with multiple lesion. The size of tumors were (1.53±0.91)cm. The tumors of all cases were localized (≤stage T 2), and there was no carcinoma or suspicious lymph node/distant metastasis. All patients enrolled in this study had strong will to choose kidney-sparing therapy. Biopsy, resection of intraluminal lesion with laser and cryoablation under ureteroscopy or percutaneous nephroscopy was performed under general aneasthesia.Ureteroscopy was performed 3 months after cryoablation. Perioperative complications and follow-up results were recorded and assessed. Results:Cryoablation was successfully performed in patients under ureteroscopy (n=8) or nephroscopy (n=1). The median cryoablation time was 6 (ranging from 4-16) minutes. The median follow-up was 16 months (ranging from 4-24 months). No tumor recurrence was observed at primary sites during follow-up. Two patients with multiple lesions were observed denovo ureteral neoplasms outside the primary sites 3 months and 6 months after cryoablation and treated with second cryoablation. One case died due to cardiovascular events 4 months after surgery. One patient underwent ureteral stricture during follow-up and received ureteroscopic balloon dilatation. No recurrent stricture was found in this case during the subsequent follow-up of 16 months. The other 5 cases showed no recurrence or complications like stricture during follow-up.Conclusions:ECA could probably be a promising treatment for localized UTUC. No recurrence in primary site and low incidence of ureteral stricture was observed during follow-up. The efficacy and safety of ECA need to be verified with large sample study.

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on learning and memory abilities, corticosterone and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in subacute aging rats. Methods:Twenty four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 8 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were subcutaneously injected with 25% D-galactose [125 mg/(kg·bw)] for 40 d continuous; rats in the normal group were injected with saline at the same position for 40 d continuous. Rats in the moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) at the same time of modeling; rats in the normal group and the model group were only identically grabbed without moxibustion for 40 d. The learning and memory abilities of rats were observed using the Morris water maze at the end of the experiment. Abdominal aorta blood and thymus were collected after water maze experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone level, and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of thymus GR. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed that a significantly longer escape latency time (P<0.01) on the third and the fourth days; number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly reduced (P<0.01); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly decreased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels increased (P<0.01); thymus GR expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the moxibustion group showed that the escape latency times were significantly shorter on the third, the fourth and the fifth days (P<0.01,P<0.05); number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly increased (P<0.05); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly increased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels decreased (P<0.05); thymus GR expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion could improve the learning and memory abilities of subacute aging rats, down-regulate serum corticosterone levels, and increase thymus GR content.

BACKGROUND:Chronic visceral pain is one of major complaints of irritable bowel syndrome which seriously affects patient’s quality of life. Recent researches have shown that moxibustion therapy has positive effects on aleviating chronic visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome patients.
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical utility of moxibustion in coping with chronic visceral pain of irritable bowel syndrome patients, and shed light on the theoretical basis of moxibustion analgesia, thereby to give insights into the further research and application on moxibustion.
METHODS: With the key words of “moxibustion, irritable bowel syndrome, visceral pain, abdominal pain” in Chinese and in English, respectively, a computer-based search was performed in CNKI, VIP, Wanfang and PubMed databases for articles published from January 1990 to October 2014. After the initial screening, the remained articles went through further selection and categorization.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The result shows promising results of moxibustion on relieving chronic visceral pain for both two subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome patients, diarrhea type and constipation type. Moxibustion may exert an analgesic effect on chronic visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome patients through regulation of visceral hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal motility disorders, brain-gut axis and neuroendocrine system disorders, immune dysfunction and low-grade inflammation in the gut, psychological abnormalities, and alteration of intestinal flora. However, to fuly understand the analgesia effect of moxibustion and elucidate its mechanism, more standardized randomized controled trials employing advanced scientific techniques and equipments wil stil be needed in the future.

BACKGROUND:Moxibustion products produced in moxibustion, such as moxa smoke, are one of hotspots in moxibustion research. Metabonomics can be used to more comprehensively and systematicaly study the effects of moxibustion products on the body.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efect of diferent concentrations of moxibustion products on urine metabonomics of rats.
METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, low-dose moxibustion products group, middle-dose moxibustion products group, high-dose moxibustion products group, high-dose moxibustion products recovery group. In the latter four groups, rats from each group were exposed to the mixture of moxibustion products and pure gas at ratios of 0.4:2.0, 0.8:2.0, 1.6:2.0, 1.6:2.0, respectively, 4 hours daily, 5 days weekly, totaly for 60 days. After 60-day high-dose moxibustion products stimulation, rats in the high-dose moxibustion products recovery group were raised in normal air for 21 days. Rats in the normal control group were raised in normal air for 60 days without any moxibustion products. Then we analyzed the changes of urine metabonomics in al group rats.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totaly 108 metabolites were identified in the urine of rats using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and 64 metabolites were verified by standard library. There were some positive correlations between changes of typical metabolites and moxibustion product concentrations. The metabolites in the urine were most different between the high-dose moxibustion products group and normal control group. Twenty-two differential metabolites, such as glucuronic acid and vitamin C were mainly involved in 15 sugar and amino acid metabolic pathways, such as ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. These findings indicated that energy metabolism, detoxification and anoxidation increased in rats stimulated by moxibustion products.

Objective To investigate the effect of sensory and motor nerve homogenates at different concentrations on the proliferation and osteogenesis differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in rats.Methods The saphenous nerve and the muscle branch of the sciatic nerve in rats were extracted surgically as sensory and motor nerve tissues,respectively.The primary nerve homogenates (10 mg/mL) were prepared as per 10 mg tissue with 1 mL osteoblast inducing conditional media,and 10 times diluted after filtration purification to prepare sensory and motor nerve homogenates at concentration gradients of 1.0,0.1,0.01,0.001 and 0.0001 mg/mL.Cultivation GFP ± rat pups BMSCs in vitro were trained to P3 generation.The experiment was carried out in 3 groups.The sensory and motor nerve homogenates of 500 μL at the above 6 concentration gradients were added during cultivation respectively in the sensory nerve group (n =18) and the motor nerve group(n =18) while 500 μL of osteoblast inducing conditional media was added in the control group(n =3).Cell proliferation quantity detection and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining were used to assess the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs after 14 days.Results According to the results of CCK-8,the cellular absorbance values at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 mg/mL homogenate in the sensory nerve group (1.957 ±0.065 and 1.751±0.073) were significantly greater than in the control group (1.145±0.087) while the cellular absorbance value at concentration of 10.0 mg/mL homogenate in the motor nerve group (0.304 ± 0.619) was significandy smaller than in the control group (1.145 ± 0.087) (P ＜ 0.05).According to the ALP staining,the amounts of cellular calcium nodules in the sensory and motor nerve groups (2.667 ± 0.816 and 3.000 ± 0.632,respectively) were significantly smaller than in the control group (11.833 ± 1.471) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sensory nerve homogenate is different from motor nerve homogenate in that it may promote proliferation of BMSCs and inhibit osteogenesis differentiation of BMSCs in a certain rage of concentrations.

Objective:To investigate the influence of moxibustion products on mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and mRNA expression of Bax/Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells, and to further explore influence of moxibustion products on the oxidative damage of A549 cells. Methods:Smoke and particles generated by moxibustion were collected using the filter box for gas sampling. The moxa smoke extract (MSE) was diluted sequentially to the final concentrations of 0.05 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL using the cell culture medium, and A549 cells were then intervened by the above MSE solution. Cell MTP was detected by JC-1 staining. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression of A549 cells. Results: Compared with cells in the normal control group, MTP was significantly decreased in cells of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P<0.01); while MTP showed no significant changes in cells of 0.05 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P>0.05); compared with cells in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P<0.05 ); compared with cells in 0.1 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.01). Bax mRNA expression of cells in each concentration of MSE intervention group all showed no significant difference compared to that in the normal control group; Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells was reduced with the increase of MSE intervention concentration. Wherein, Bcl-2 mRNA expressions of cells in 0.4 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL MSE intervention groups were significantly reduced compared with that of cells in the normal control group (P<0.05); Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells in 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group was significantly reduced compared to that in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Certain higher concentration of moxa smoke could reduce MTP and mRNA expression of the anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells. Oxidative damage may be the important mechanism of apoptosis caused by the high concentration of moxa smoke solution, and further studies are necessary on the specific mechanisms.