OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: This randomized controlled study lasted 42 days and included 112 patients with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (56 cases each group) using the completely randomized design, all under routine treatment. The experimental group was given acupuncture therapy. The primary outcome was Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). The secondary outcomes were (1) Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and (2) nutritional status including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin. Adverse events were recorded as safety indicators. RESULTS: One participant quitted the study midway. There were no significant differences in baseline assessment (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in PAS, SSA and nutritional status except for BMI of the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups in the PAS for both paste and liquid, SSA (25.18±8.25 vs. 20.84±6.92), BMI (19.97±3.34 kg/m²vs. 21.26 ±2.38 kg/m²), serum albumin (35.16 ±5.29 g/L vs. 37.24 ±3.98 g/L), prealbumin (248.33 ±27.72 mg/L vs. 261.39 ±22.10 mg/L), hemoglobin (119.09±12.53 g/L vs. 126.67±13.97 g/L) (P<0.05). There were no severe adverse events during the study. CONCLUSION: The combination of routine treatment and acupuncture therapy can better improve dysphagia and nutritional status in patients with Parkinson's disease, than routine treatment solely. (registration No. CLINICALTRIAL gov NCT06199323).
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/therapy* ; Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Nutritional Status ; Body Mass Index

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of meridian sinew releasing technique on moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with KOA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases each group. In the observation group, on the basis of the meridian sinew releasing technique, moxibustion sensation exploration method was applied at Dubi (ST 35) area on the affected side. In the control group, moxibustion sensation exploration method was applied at Dubi (ST 35) area on the affected side. The meridian sinew releasing technique was performed for 20 min each time, the moxibustion sensation exploration method was performed for 60 min each time, once a day for 3 days. The excitation rate, latency, duration time and intensity value of moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion were recorded on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of exploration in the two groups. RESULTS: The excitation rate on the 3rd day of exploration and total excitation rate in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of exploration, the latency of moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in the observation group was shorter than the control group (P<0.05), the duration time was longer than the control group (P<0.05), and the intensity value was higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Meridian sinew releasing technique could improve the excitation rate of moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in patients with KOA, shorten the latency, prolong the duration time, and improve the intensity value.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy* ; Hot Temperature ; Meridians ; Moxibustion ; Sensation

Purpose::Terminal performance of a bullet in human body is critical for the treatment of gunshot injury and optimization of bullet design. The effects of the impact velocity ( v0) and the impact attack angle ( δ0) of the bullet on its terminal performance was investigated, using a new evaluation method (called expansion method) based on the expansion of cracks and the permanent cavity wall in ballistic gelatin. Methods::Ballistic gelatin was used to simulate human body. The 7.62 mm × 39 mm rifle bullets with different v0 (600-760 m/s) and δ0 (0°-6°) were fired into the gelatin blocks. The gelatin block was cut into slices of about 20 mm thickness. The cracks and the permanent cavity on each slice were obtained manually. The damaged gelatin was determined using two methods: expanding the permanent cavity but ignoring the cracks, and expanding both the permanent cavity and the cracks. The relations between the damaged gelatin and v0 and δ0 were obtained using linear fitting method. Results::According to the distribution of the damaged gelatin along the penetration depth, the damaged gelatin block could be divided into two parts: the less damaged part and the severely damaged part. The length of the less damaged part depends mostly on δ0; while the average damaged area of this part depends on both δ0 as well as v0. The cracks contributed significantly to the total volume of damaged gelatin, particularly when the expansion was larger than 1.9 mm. The total damaged gelatin increases with v0, δ0 and the expansion extent. The average length of equivalent cracks grew with v0 and δ0 when considering the cracks, and decreased with v0 when ignoring the cracks. Conclusion::The expansion method is suitable to investigate the influence of different factors of bullets on their terminal performance. The characteristics of the damaged gelatin have a linear relationship with the initial attack angle ( δ0) and the initial velocity ( v0) of the bullet.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on swallowing function and nutritional status of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) dysphagia. METHODS: A total of 56 patients with PD dysphagia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 28 cases in each one. Both groups were given conventional treatment and swallowing function rehabilitation training.On the basis, the observation group was treated with acupuncture (filiform needling and tongue picking acupuncture). The acupoints of filiform needling were Lianquan (CV 23), Shanglianquan (Extra), Yifeng (TE 17), etc.; and the tongue picking acupuncture was applied at Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13) and posterior pharyngeal wall. Rehabilitation training and acupuncture were performed once a day for 5 consecutive days a week, 2 weeks as a course of treatment, 3 courses in total. The swallowing function [oral transit time (OTT), swallowing response time (SRT), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), laryngeal closure duration (LCD)] and nutritional indexes [body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (ALB), serum prealbumin (PA), hemoglobin (Hb)] in the two groups were evaluated before and after treatment, and the clinical effects were compared. RESULTS: After treatment, the paste and liquid OTT, SRT, PTT, LCD in the two groups were shorter than those before treatment ( CONCLUSION Acupuncture-assisted rehabilitation training can improve the swallowing function and nutritional status in patients with Parkinson's disease swallowing disorders.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Deglutition Disorders/therapy* ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease/therapy* ; Stroke ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To investigate the protective effect of bicyclol on tumor necrosis factor-α/D-galactosamine (TNF-α/D-GalN) induced liver injury and its possible mechanisms. Methods Male C57 mice were given 50, 100, and 200 mg · kg

BACKGROUND: Benvitimod cream, a novel synthetic small molecule, was effective in treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. We conducted a phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of benvitimod cream in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. METHODS: We randomly assigned 686 patients (2:1:1) to receive 1% benvitimod cream, 0.005% calcipotriol ointment or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end points were the percentage of patients with a 75% or greater reduction from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75) score and with a score of 0 or 1 in static physician's global assessment (sPGA) at week 12. RESULTS: The results showed that 50.4% of patients in the benvitimod group achieved PASI 75, which was significantly higher than that in the calcipotriol (38.5%, P < 0.05) and placebo (13.9%, P < 0.05) groups. The proportion of patients achieving an sPGA score 0 or 1 was 66.3% in the benvitimod group and 63.9% in the calcipotriol group, which were both significantly higher than that in the placebo group (34%, P < 0.05). In the long-term follow-up study, 50.8% of patients experienced recurrence. After retreatment with 1% benvitimod, 73.3% of patients achieved an sPGA score of 0 or 1 again at week 52. Adverse events included application site irritation, follicular papules, and contact dermatitis. No systemic adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: During this 12-week study, benvitimod cream was demonstrated with high effectiveness and safety in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-TRC-13003259; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=6300.
Double-Blind Method ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ointments ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Resorcinols ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stilbenes ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for brain injury in preterm infants by a multicenter epidemiological investigation of brain injury in hospitalized preterm infants in Anhui, China. METHODS: Preterm infants who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 9 hospitals of Anhui Neonatal Collaboration Network between January 2016 and January 2017 were enrolled as subjects. The data of maternal pregnancy and clinical data of preterm infants were collected, and the logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for brain injury in preterm infants. RESULTS: A total of 3 378 preterm infants were enrolled. Of the 3 378 preterm infants, 798 (23.56%) had periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH), and 88 (2.60%) had periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Intrauterine distress, anemia, hypoglycemia and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were risk factors for PVH-IVH (OR=1.310, 1.591, 1.835, and 3.310 respectively; P<0.05), while a higher gestational age was a protective factor against PVH-IVH (OR=0.671, P<0.05). PVH-IVH, NEC and mechanical ventilation were risk factors for PVL (OR=4.017, 3.018, and 2.166 respectively; P<0.05), and female sex and use of pulmonary surfactant were protective factors against PVL (OR=0.514 and 0.418 respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Asphyxia/anoxia, infection/inflammation, mechanical ventilation, anemia and hypoglycemia may increase the risk of brain injury in preterm infants.
Brain Injuries ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; China ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; genetics ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To investigate the changes in CD8+T lymphocyte count and effect on immune function in patients with sepsis after continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).Methods General data of septic patients who admitted to the emergency department of a hospital between October 2015 and August 2016 were collected,pe-ripheral blood was taken from patients before and after single CRRT,the total CD8+T cell count,interferon-γ(IFN-γ)-secreting CD8+T cell count,the levels of inhibitory molecules and costimulatory molecules as well as IFN-γand tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)produced by CD8+T cells were detected.Results A total of 37 hospitalized septic patients were infected with gram-negative bacteria, pathogens causing infection were Klebsiella pneumoniae (22 strains),Acinetobacter baumannii (1 1 strains),and Enterobacter cloacae (3 strains).After CRRT,the body temperature,heart rate,white blood cell count,urea nitrogen,and serum creatinine levels in septic patients were all lower than those before CRRT (all P＜0.05).After CRRT,the total CD8+T cell count in septic patients didn’t change significantly (P＞0.05),but IFN-γ-secreting CD8+T cell count increased (P＜0.05).Levels of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4(CTLA-4),programmed death-1 (PD-1),T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-do-main-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3)after CRRT were all lower than those before CRRT (all P＜0.05 ),while levels of costimulatory molecules CD28 and secreting IFN-γ elevated after CRRT(all P＜0.05).Conclusion CRRT can not only improve the vital signs and renal function of patients with sepsis,but also enhance the immune function of CD8+T cells.

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid, highly sensitive, and quantitative method for the detection of NT-proBNP levels based on a near-infrared point-of-care diagnostic (POCT) device with wide scope.

METHODSThe lateral flow assay (LFA) strip of NT-proBNP was first prepared to achieve rapid detection. Then, the antibody pairs for NT-proBNP were screened and labeled with the near-infrared fluorescent dye Dylight-800. The capture antibody was fixed on a nitrocellulose membrane by a scribing device. Serial dilutions of serum samples were prepared using NT-proBNP-free serum series. The prepared test strips, combined with a near-infrared POCT device, were validated by known concentrations of clinical samples. The POCT device gave the output of the ratio of the intensity of the fluorescence signal of the detection line to that of the quality control line. The relationship between the ratio value and the concentration of the specimen was plotted as a work curve. The results of 62 clinical specimens obtained from our method were compared in parallel with those obtained from the Roche E411 kit.

RESULTSBased on the log-log plot, the new method demonstrated that there was a good linear relationship between the ratio value and NT-proBNP concentrations ranging from 20 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL. The results of the 62 clinical specimens measured by our method showed a good linear correlation with those measured by the Roche E411 kit.

CONCLUSIONThe new LFA detection method of NT-proBNP levels based on the near-infrared POCT device was rapid and highly sensitive with wide scope and was thus suitable for rapid and early clinical diagnosis of cardiac impairment.

Antibodies ; Biomarkers ; Heart Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Infrared Rays ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Point-of-Care Testing ; Reagent Strips ; Sensitivity and Specificity