The sterile electrode acupuncture needle for single use is an innovative product that combines traditional acupuncture with modern electronic technology, and it has obtained Class Ⅱ medical device registration certificate. This acupuncture device consists of a needle body and a handle. The diameter of the needle body ranges from 0.16 mm to 0.55 mm, and the length from 7 mm to 150 mm. The spiral spray technology is adopted to modify the micron-level insulating coat on stainless steel needle body. The needle holder is connected to the electroacupuncture device (conductive), the micro-film insulated needle body (non-conductive) and the membrane-free needle tip (conductive) can provide a precise electrical stimulation for different tissue layers of acupoints (such as deep nerves and fascia). The intradermal stimulation test, cytotoxicity test and hypersensitivity reaction test have showed a favorable biocompatibility, laying a solid and reliable safety for clinical application. This acupuncture device is suitable for the in-depth invasive stimulation at the sites of human body surface in combination with electroacupuncture equipment in medical institutions.
Humans ; Needles ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Electrodes ; Equipment Design ; Electroacupuncture/instrumentation* ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals

Objective We aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of precise electro-acupuncture stimulation in the pterygopalatine fossa for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.Methods In total,40 patients with chronic sinusitis who visited the Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences between January 2022 and January 2023 were selected.The subjects were randomly divided into two groups:the treatment group(receiving precise electro-acupuncture in the pterygopalatine fossa)and the control group(receiving standard western medical treatment),with 20 cases in each groups.The treatments were administered twice a week for a period of 12 weeks.The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated through computed tomography(CT)of the sinus changes and the Lund-Mackay scoring system.Results In cases of total opacity and partial opacity,there were significant differences between the two patient groups before and after treatment(P<0.05).Intra-group comparison revealed statistically significant improvements in both groups before and after treatment(P<0.05).The treatment group exhibited significant improvement in various sinus conditions(P<0.05),while in the control group,a significant improvement was only observed in the left maxillary sinus(P<0.05).Inter-group comparison also demonstrated that the treatment group's improvements were superior to those of the control group across multiple indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion The precise electro-acupuncture stimulation technique in the pterygopalatine fossa demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of chronic sinusitis,with superior outcomes with respect to radiological changes compared to standard western medicine treatment.

Ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases， encompassing ischemic heart disease and ischemic cerebrovascular disease， possess the features of high prevalence， disability， and mortality rates， thus ranking as the leading cause of global mortality. The shared etiology of ischemic heart disease and ischemic cerebrovascular disease involves local hypoperfusion caused by vascular stenosis， atherosclerosis， and infarction. Their intricate pathological processes involve various mechanisms such as inflammation， pyroptosis， apoptosis， and autophagy. However， interventions targeting individual pathological pathways offer limited therapeutic effects. There is an urgent need to explore novel treatment strategies or medications capable of simultaneously intervening in multiple pathological pathways. Mesenchymal stem cells， through their paracrine effects， play a role in tissue repair， with exosomes playing an important role. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes exhibit immunomodulatory and reparative properties similar to their parent cells while also reducing the side effects and infusion toxicity associated with the direct application of stem cells. Thus， they hold broad prospects for the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and formulations， with their characteristics of multiple components， targets， and multi-level system regulation， can improve the cellular microenvironment by modulating mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes， thereby exerting therapeutic effects on ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This viewpoint highlights the concept of microscopic pattern differentiation in modern TCM and represents another significant area of TCM modernization. This article provided a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases while discussing the application of TCM in regulating mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases， offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases using TCM.

Objective:To investigate the species and number of glial cell clusters, main signaling pathway and progression of glial cell clusters after peripheral nerve injury (PNI) in rats using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).Methods:Twenty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, group of 3 d after PNI and group of 7 d after PNI ( n=9). Thrice squeezing the right sciatic nerves in the group of 3 d after PNI and group of 7 d after PNI and no damage in the sham-operated group were performed. Species and number of glial cell clusters in the right sciatic nerve samples were detected by scRNA-seq. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the signal pathway enriched by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of glial cells in the right sciatic nerve samples. Pseudo time analysis was used to simulate the progression of glial cell clusters in the right sciatic nerve samples. Results:(1) ScRNA-seq revealed a total of 1 609 glial cells (mainly cluster 6 [ n=1 388]) in the sciatic nerve samples of sham-operated group; 6 176 glial cells were observed in the sciatic nerve samples of group of 3 d after PNI, mainly cluster 2 ( n=3 124) and cluster 3 ( n=959); 8 975 glial cells were observed in the sciatic nerve samples of group of 7 d after PNI, mainly cluster 1 ( n=3 071), cluster 4 ( n=1 696), and cluster 5 ( n=1 389). (2) GO and KEGG analysis showed that compared with those in the sham-operated group, biological processes such as protein translation, cadherin binding and ribosome composition were up-regulated in glial cells in the group of 3 d after PNI and group of 7 d after PNI. Compared with those in the group of 3 d after PNI, glial cells enriched in biological processes such as axonal regeneration, myelination and focal adhesion, and in upregulated mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (PKB) signaling pathway in the group of 7 d after PNI. (3) Pseudo time analysis showed that glial cells in the sciatic nerve samples were mainly cluster 6 (marker genes: Atp1a2 and Sparcl1) in the sham-operated group, progressed into cluster 2 (marker genes: Mapt and Slc7a11) and cluster 3 (marker genes: Esco2 and Neil3) mainly in the group of 3 d after PNI, and progressed into cluster 1 (marker genes: Bcas1 and Prx), cluster 4 (marker genes: Ccn2 and Gap43), and cluster 5 (marker genes: Cd24 and Atxn1) mainly in the group of 7 d after PNI. Conclusion:In rats after PNI, glial cells can up-regulate MAPK signaling pathway and PI3K-PKB signaling pathway; with prolonged injury time, glial cells can progress into clusters with marker genes Bcas1, Prx, Cd24 and Atxn1 mainly.

Objective:To investigate the role and diagnostic value of miRNA-205 in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with vascular calcification.Methods:It was divided into in vitro cell experiment and retrospective cohort study. In vitro experiments were conducted by using rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells. Alizarin red staining and calcium content detection were used to detect the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test kit was used to measure ALP activity. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of osteogenic transcription factors runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and smooth muscle-22α (SM-22α) in VSMCs. qRT-PCR was used to detect miRNA-205 and Runx2 expression levels. The double luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeted relationship between miRNA-205 and Runx2. The non-dialysis patients with CKD 3-5 stage from June 2020 to January 2021 in the Department of Nephrology of Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University were selected. According to coronary artery calcium score (CACs), the patients were divided into non-calcification group (CACs=0), mild-moderate calcification group (0 400). Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miRNA-205 and Runx2 and vascular calcification. Logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to analyze the ability of miRNA-205 to predict the vascular calcification in patients with CKD. Results:(1)Compared with the control group, calcium nodules were more, and the calcium content, ALP activity and Runx2 protein level were higher, and the expression levels of miRNA-205, α-SMA and SM-22α were significantly lower in high phosphorus group (all P<0.05). Overexpression of miRNA-205 significantly reduced the calcification of VSMCs and Runx2 protein level, and increased the protein levels of α-SMA and SM-22α (all P<0.05). miRNA-205-5p reduced the activity of luciferase in the wild-type Runx2-3'-end non-coding region plasmid. (2) Eighty CKD patients were enrolled, with age of (57.50±14.93) years old and 49 males (61.3%). The results of comparison of miRNA-205 and Runx2 expression levels in non-calcification group ( n=26), mild- moderate calcification group ( n=30) and severe calcification group ( n=24) showed that, the higher degree of calcification, the lower miRNA-205 expression level and the higher Runx2 mRNA expression level (all P<0.05). miRNA-205 was negatively correlated with CACs ( r=-0.50, P<0.01) and Runx2 was positively correlated with CACs ( r=0.55, P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results suggested that miRNA-205 ( OR=0.451, 95% CI 0.122-0.873) was an independent influencing factor of vascular calcification in CKD patients. The area under the ROC curve of miRNA-205 and miRNA-205 combined with Runx2 for predicting vascular calcification were 0.796 (95% CI 0.697-0.859) and 0.924 (95% CI 0.866-0.982), respectively. Conclusions:miRNA-205 inhibits vascular calcification by targeting Runx2 to negatively regulate osteogenetic phenotype transformation of VSMCs and is expected to be an early diagnostic marker of vascular calcification in CKD patients.

Objective:To explore the effect of sciatic nerve derived exosomes(SN-EXO) on axon regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury(PNI).Methods:From March 2021 to October 2022, the Department of Orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University studied the effect of SN-EXO on the proliferation of Schwann cells(SCs) through EdU cell proliferation experiment. Twenty-one healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of sham operation, peripheral nerve injury(PNI) and SN-EXO treatment, with 7 rats in each group. The right sciatic nerves of rat models in sham group were exposed without injury. In the rat in PNI group and SN-EXO treatment group, PBS and SN-EXO were injected under the epineurium of right sciatic nerves following sciatic nerve crush. Sciatic nerve function index(SFI) was performed at 28 days after operation, and then sacrificed. Right sciatic nerves were removed for further exploration of nerve regeneration. The histopathological changes and axon arrangement of sciatic nerves were evaluated by HE staining. Regeneration efficiency of neurofilaments and SCs were obserred by NF200 and S100β double staining of sciatic nerve. The data obtained were statistically analyzed, and P<0.05 was statistically significant. Results:It was found that SN-EXO can significantly enhance the proliferation ability of SCs, with statistically significant difference( P<0.05). SFI in SN-EXO treatment group and PNI group were(-27.65±4.36) and(-57.33±7.49), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). Axons in SN-EXO treatment group were arranged more closely and orderly than those in the PNI group at 28 days after operation, and there were less injury induced axon disintegration and vacuolation. Immunofluorescence assay indicated that NF200 and S100β fluorescence intensity in SN-EXO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the PNI group, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). Conclusion:SN-EXO could enhance the proliferation of SCs to promote axon regeneration following peripheral nerve injury.

ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway regulated by traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） and provide reference for visualization and quantitative analysis of related research based on multiple software linkage. MethodLiterature related to TCM regulation of mTOR pathway in Web of Science was taken as the research object. Citespace，VOSviewer，and carrort² were used for biliometric analysis and visualization of the literature. ResultA total of 245 papers that met the requirements were retrieved，and the visual analysis showed that the papers presented a fluctuating increase year by year after 2010，and numerous research results emerged in 2018. China had the most publications. Institutions with a large number of publications were mainly in Beijing and Shanghai，and most of the regional cooperation was centered in Beijing and Nanjing. According to the research direction and focus，it was found that the intervention of TCM in mTOR pathway in recent years mainly concentrated on the anti-tumor，anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory aspects， and TCM interfered with mTOR pathway to regulate cell apoptosis，autophagy，proliferation，and death. AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/mTOR pathway were the current and future research hotspots. ConclusionResearch on the regulation of mTOR pathway by TCM had a good prospect，and the in-depth study might provide new ideas and guidance for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases，tumor and other major diseases.

Chinese medicinal materials are the basis for the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese medicine,as well as strategic resources related to the national economy and people's livelihood.In 2015,12 departments,including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology,and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine,jointly formulated the Plan for the Protection and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2015-2020)(hereinafter referred to as the Plan),focusing on seven major construction tasks for the protection and development of traditional Chinese medicine.Through the summary and evaluation of the Plan,it can be seen that the overall development goals and 7 specific indicators have been achieved by 2020.It has been focused on solving the problems of the loss and depletion of some wild Chinese medicinal materials resources and the shortage of Chinese medicinal materials supply.Promoting to alleviate the problems,including the abuse of chemical fertilizers,pesticides,and growth regulators.The extensive production and management of Chinese medicinal materials,as well as the poor exchange of supply and demand information were effectively improved.On the whole,the development and protection of Chinese medicinal materials were promoted.Moreover,the dependence on wild Chinese medicinal materials was reduced through scientific development of Chinese medicinal materials production.And the sustainable development of the Chinese medicinal materials industry was coordinated with the protection of the ecological environment.However,there were still some problems and deficiencies,such as a lack of accurate information guidance,an incomplete price formation mechanism,and an incomplete whole-process traceability system of Chinese medicinal materials.It is suggested that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period,we should continuously strengthen the protection and sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine resources,and build a new development pattern for traditional Chinese medicine industry based on the new development concept and requirement.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of MSCT in tumors of intra-abdominal cryptorchidism in children.Methods MSCT findings of 8 children with tumors of intra-abdominal cryptorchidism confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Results Six tumors located in the right,2 (1 tumor of left cryptorchidism turned to the right abdominal) in the left.Eight children showed ovoid soft tissue tumor in abdomen.Three children displayed the long axis of the tumors consistent with regular descending course of embryonic testes.Six teratomas manifested as the cystic and solid mass with fat,calcification (ossification) insidey.Two yolk sac tumors manifested as the large cystic and solid mass with irregular necrosis and abundant tumor vessels.Conclusion The pathologic types of tumors for intra-abdominal cryptorchidism in children are different from adult.Most of them are teratomas or yolk sac tumors,and have some characteristics in MSCT.MSCT is helpful in diagnosis of tumor for intra-abdominal cryptorchidism with medical history.

Objective To compare laparoscopic Keyhole parastomal hernia repair with re-ostomy technique or without re-ostomy in the treatment of stoma hernia,then analyze the advantages of reconstruction ostomy,and summarize the key technical points of the reconstruction operation.Methods From Jan 2010 to Dec 2016,68 stoma hernia patients underwent laparoscopic Keyhole parastomal hernia repair with reostomy technique,52 patients underwent laparoscopic Keyhole parastomal hernia repair without re-ostomy technique.The preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative parameters were analyzed.Results Compared to without re-ostomy group,the re-ostomy reconstruction group had low incidence rate of intestinal fistula (x2 =5.411,P =0.033),patch infection (x2 =6.823,P =0.014),the incidence of postoperative serous swelling and serum swelling (x2 =14.266,P ＜0.001),postoperative recurrence (x2 =8.688,P =0.005) and postoperative appearance dissatisfaction (x2 =9.479,P =0.004).Conclusion Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair and re-ostomy technique reduces the incidence rate of intestinal fistula,patch infection and serous swelling and serum swelling,decreases the postoperative recurrence rate and appearance dissatisfaction.