OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of acupuncture-moxibustion on idiopathic facial palsy (IFP) at acute phase and recovery phase. METHODS: According to whether received acupuncture-moxibustion at acute phase or not, 198 IFP patients were divided into an early-phase intervention group (118 cases) and a non-early-phase intervention group (80 cases). With the propensity score matching employed, 70 cases were included in each group. On the basis of the conventional treatment of western medicine, acupuncture-moxibustion was supplemented in the two groups. In the early-phase intervention group, acupuncture-moxibustion was delivered at the acute phase (duration of illness≤7 days); in the non-early-phase intervention group, acupuncture-moxibustion was operated at the recovery phase (duration of illness>7 days). At the acute phase, warm needling was performed at Yifeng (TE17), Xiaguan (ST7), Hegu (LI4) and Zusanli (ST36) on the affected side; and at the recovery phase, electroacupuncture was delivered at Cuanzhu (BL2), Sizhukong (TE23) and Yangbai (GB14), etc. on the affected side, with the disperse-dense wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz of frequency. The intervention was operated for 30 min each time, once every two days, three treatments weekly and for 4 weeks. Before treatment, 1 week and 4 weeks of treatment, the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade, the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve function, and the score of facial disability index (FDI) were compared between the two groups. The clinical effect in 1 and 4 weeks of treatment and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: In 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, the H-B grade was improved when compared with that before treatment in each group (P<0.05), and in 4 weeks of treatment, H-B grade in the early-phase intervention group was superior to that of the non-early-phase intervention group (P<0.05). In 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, Sunnybrook scores and the scores of physical function of FDI were elevated in comparison with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); and in 4 weeks of treatment, the elevation of these two indexes in the early-phase intervention group was greater than that of the non-early-phase intervention group (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of treatment, the scores of social function in FDI were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate (97.1%, 68/70) in the early-phase intervention group was higher than that (87.1%, 61/70) of the non-early-phase intervention group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy starting at the acute phase is more beneficial to the functional recovery of the impaired facial nerve than at the recovery phase in the IFP patients.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Cohort Studies ; Aged ; Bell Palsy/therapy* ; Adolescent

Quadratus lumborum block(QLB)is a regional anesthesia technique that provides sen-sory and sympathetic nerves block of the unilateral trunk and lower limb by an injection of local anesthetic into the fascia space around the quadratus lumborum.At present,ultrasound-guided QLB is widely used in postoperative analgesia in abdominal and lower limb surgery with satisfied analgesia efficacy.This article will review the anatomical basis,mechanisms,puncture approaches,local anesthetic selection,clinical applica-tion and complications of QLB.

AIM: To explore the intervention effect of Dahuangtang pellets (DHT) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) based on the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/unc-51-like kinase 1 (AMPK/mTOR/ULK1) signaling pathway. METHODS: Eight mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the dapagliflozin group, and the DHT (high, medium, and low dosage) group out of a total of 40 C57BL/KSJ-db/db (hereafter referred to as db/db) mice; another 10 C57BL/KSJ-db/dm mice were used as the normal group, saline was provided to the normal and model groups, and the mice in the treatment group received the appropriate medications. The medications were given for 10 consecutive weeks, once per day, to the mice in the treatment group. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 10 of administration, fasting blood glucose (FBG) was assessed by drawing blood at a predetermined time from the tail vein; Urine samples were taken at 0, 5, and 10 weeks after treatment to evaluate the levels of albumin and creatinine, and the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was computed. After 10 weeks, mice in each group were assayed for 24 h total urine protein, serum creatinine (Scr), urea nitrogen (BUN) levels; Western blotting analysis was conducted to detect the expression of p-AMPK, p-mTOR, and p-ULK1, as well as the expression of autophagy related proteins homolog of yeast Atg6 (Beclin-1), autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), P62 in renal tissue; Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of podocyte lacunar membrane proteins (Nephrin, Podocin) in renal tissues; The pathological morphology of renal tissue was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, FBG, ACR, and 24 h total urine protein were reduced in the dapagliflozin group and DHT groups of mice, and there was no statistically significant difference in Scr and BUN; In renal tissues, there is increased expression of p-AMPK and p-ULK1, decreased expression of p-mTOR, increased expression of LC3II / LC3I and Beclin-1, and decreased expression of P62 (P<0.01, P< 0.05); differentially upregulated in glomeruli are the podocyte lacunar membrane proteins Nephrin and Podocin (P<0.01, P<0.05); renal pathologic damage was reduced to varying degrees; transmission electron microscopy showed an increase in the number of autophagic vesicles and autophagic lysosomes. CONCLUSION: DHT can delay the development of DN by regulating the AMPK / mTOR / ULK1 signaling pathway, enhancing podocyte autophagy, and protecting glomeruli.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic efficacy difference and clinical diagnostic value of chronic lymphocytic leukemia flow (CLLflow) score and Moreau score (MS) in the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).Methods:According to the latest international and national diagnosis criteria for CLL, 133 patients with B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative diseases and uncertain immunophenotypes (B-CLPD), diagnosed by Zhengzhou Jinyu Comprehensive Haematological Pathology Diagnosis Centre from March 2020 to May 2021, were included in this study. Above patients were divided into the CLL group ( n=83) and non-CLL group ( n=50). The expression of clusters of differentiation (CD)5, CD10, CD20, CD19, κ light chain, λ light chain, FMC7, CD23, CD22, surface immunoglobulin M, CD200 and CD79 were detected by flow cytometry, and CLLflow score and MS score were calculated respectively according to the scoring rules. A fourfold table was used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the two scoring systems, and the Kappa test and McNemar test were used to compare the consistency and superiority of the systems. Results:The rate of negative and positive CLLflow score were 4.8% (4/83) and 95.2% (79/83) in the CLL group and were 80.0% (40/50) and 20.0% (10/50) in the non-CLL group, and respectively (both P<0.001). The MS score (≤2, =3 and≥4) was 1.2% (1/83), 10.8% (9/83) and 88.0% (73/83) in the CLL group and was 86.0% (43/50), 14.0% (7/50) and 0 in the non-CLL group, there were significant statistical difference between the two groups ( P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the CLLflow score were 95.2% (79/83), 80.0% (40/50), 88.8% (79/89) and 90.9% (40/44), respectively and those of MS score were 98.8% (82/83), 86.0% (43/50), 92.1% (82/89) and 97.7% (43/44) respectively. The overall coincidence rate, positive and negative coincidence rate between the CLLflow score and MS score were 91.0% (121/133), 93.3% (83/89) and 86.4% (38/44) respectively. Besides, the McNeamr dominance test presented no significant difference ( P>0.05) and high consistency (Kappa=0.796) between the two scoring systems. With MS≤2 and MS≥4, the sensitivity and the specificity of the MS score were 100% (73/73) and 97.7% (43/44) respectively, and for the CLLflow score, the sensitivity and the specificity were 97.3% (71/73) and 86.4% (38/44) in this MS range. With MS = 3, the sensitivity and specificity of the MS score were 100% (9/9) and 0 (0/7), and CLLflow was 88.9% (8/9) and 57.1% (4/7). Conclusions:The diagnostic efficacy is similar and presents high consistency between the CLLflow score and MS score in CLL diagnosis. For CLL patients with MS = 3, the specificity of MS is relatively low, combined assessment with CLLflow score could improve the diagnosis efficacy for CLL in these patients.

Similar to blood,interstitial fluid(ISF)contains exogenous drugs and biomarkers and may therefore substitute blood in drug analysis.However,current ISF extraction techniques require bulky instruments and are both time-consuming and complicated,which has inspired the development of viable alterna-tives such as those relying on skin or tissue puncturing with microneedles.Currently,microneedles are widely employed for transdermal drug delivery and have been successfully used for ISF extraction by different mechanisms to facilitate subsequent analysis.The integration of microneedles with sensors enables in situ ISF analysis and specific compound monitoring,while the integration of monitoring and delivery functions in wearable devices allows real-time dose modification.Herein,we review the progress in drug analysis based on microneedle-assisted ISF extraction and discuss the related future opportunities and challenges.

Objective To explore whether MiR-129-5p participates in radiosensitivity of medullary thyroid cell MZ-CRC-1 by inhibiting the gene expression of high mobility group protein B1 ( HMGB1) . Methods The radioresistant cell line MZ-CRC-1/R was established from MZ-CRC-1. Cell survival fraction was analyzed by colony formation assay. The expressions of miR-129-5p in MZ-CRC-1 and MZ-CRC-1/R cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the relationship between miR-129-5p and HMGB1. Besides, the protein expressions of HMGB1 and p-AKt were evaluated by western blot. Results Compared with that of MZ-CRC-1 cells, the survival fraction of MZ-CRC-1/R cells was significantly increased (t=3. 038, 4. 330, 4. 885, 4. 568, P<0. 05), the cell viability of MZ-CRC-1/R cells was also increased ( t=3. 637, 7. 734, 11. 896, 14. 522, P<0. 05) , and the expression of miR-129-5p(0.26±0.03) was significantly decreased in MZ-CRC-1/R cells(1.00±0.06) (t=19. 107, P<0. 05) . Compared with miR-NC-inhibitor group, cell viability was promoted and cell apoptosis was blocked in the miR-129-5p-inhibitor group ( t=5. 156, 6. 005, 9. 649, 8. 659, P<0. 05) . Moreover, miR-129-5p mimic suppressed cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis after irradiation ( t=3. 118, 5. 034, 6. 005, 7. 488, 6. 362, P<0. 05) . Overexpression of miR-129-5p inhibited the protein expressions of HMGB1 and p-AKt (t=9. 325, 10. 614, P<0. 05). In addition, HMGB1 depletion rescued cell apoptosis that was reduced by miR-129-5p inhibitor in MZ-CRC-1 cells ( t=6. 700, P<0. 05) , while HMGB1 overexpression attenuated the effect of miR-129-5p upregulation on MZ-CRC-1/R cells ( t=7. 073,P<0. 05) . Conclusions miR-129-5p increased the radiosensitivity of medullary thyroid-like cell MZ-CRC-1 by inhibiting HMGB1.

Objective: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in differential diagnosis of complex renal cysts and clear renal cell carcinoma with cystic change(CRCCC). Methods: The ultrasonographic datas of 82 lesions in 82 patients with complicated renal cysts or CRCCC confirmed by pathology were analyzed. The characteristics of conventional ultrasound and CEUS were observed and evaluated. The lesions were graded according to Bosniak classification criteria. Results: Pathological examination showed that 36 cases were complicated renal cysts and 46 cases were CRCCC. Routine ultrasound showed there were 9 cases (25.0%) with cystic masses and 27 cases (75.0%) with solid and cystic masses in complex renal cysts, of which 14 cases (38.9%) could detect color flow signals. In CRCCC, 2 cases (4.3%) were with cystic masses and 44 cases (95.7%) were with solid and cystic masses, of which 33 cases (75.0%) could detect color flow signals. CEUS showed that only 18 cases (50.0%) of the complex renal cysts showed enhancement of cystic wall or septum, with equal or low enhancement at the peak, 9 cases (50.0%) accompanied by decrease of renal cortex, 35 cases (97.2%) had thin and regular cystic wall, no enhancement of cystic wall in all lesions, and 33 cases (91.7%) had septal thickness less than 1 mm. Forty-five cases (97.8%) of CRCCC showed enhancement of cystic wall or septum, 40 cases (88.9%) showed equal or high enhancement at peak, 30 cases (66.7%) were faster than the decrease of renal cortex, 37 cases (80.4%) showed uneven thickness of cystic wall, 24 cases (52.2%) showed enhancement of cystic wall nodules, and 28 cases (60.9%) showed uneven thickness of septum. After CEUS, 33 cases (91.7%) of complex renal cysts were classified as grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ, while 42 cases (91.3%) of CRCCC were classified as grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ. Conclusions The CEUS manifestations of complex renal cysts are different from those of CRCCC. The application of Bosniak criteria in CEUS is helpful for the differential diagnosis of complex renal cysts and CRCCC.

Objective To construct a home-care service package for the urban disabled elderly that satisfy their demands and improve the efficiency of service. Methods From August to October, 2014, a total of 285 disabled (mild, medium and severe) elderly from a cluster sampling were investigated with the self-designed questionnaire about home-care demands among them. An initiatory service package was drawn to meet the demands reported by 40% of them or above. The package was consulted by a group of 15 experts using Delphi method. Results The final service package included 11, 19, 20 items of care for the mild, medium and severe disabled elderly, respectively. Conclu-sion The disabled elderly home-care package in Zhengzhou has been created based on the demands among disabled elderly.

The application of placebo acupuncture in randomized controlled trials in the past 10 years (2004-2014) in foreign countries was systematically reviewed to summarize the design of placebo acupuncture; according to category of diseases, advantages and disadvantages were analyzed to explore an ideal placebo acupuncture set. By retrieval in PubMed, EMBASE and OVID databases, the clinical study literature which met the inclusion criteria was searched, and the category of diseases, design of placebo acupuncture and clinical efficacy were analyzed. Totally 29 articles were included. The pain was the leading disease in category of diseases; the most commonly used application of placebo acupuncture design was telescopiform sliding blunt needle, accounting for 45. 16%; the treatment locations were non-acupoints mostly; in the needling depth, approximately 60. 00% selected non-penetrating needling and 26. 67% selected superficial needling; 28 articles indicated that acupuncture and placebo acupuncture had clinical effects, accounting for 96. 55%; 37. 93% of articles indicated acupuncture was superior to placebo acupuncture and 37. 93% of articles indicated acupuncture was not superior to placebo acupuncture. It is concluded that the design of placebo acupuncture should consider multiple factors, including main symptoms, operability, security, blinding and specific effects, and the objective indices should be selected for outcome evaluation.
Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Internationality ; Needles ; Placebo Effect ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; standards

As one of the important methods that impact the recovery of the stroke patients,music therapy has become a research highlight at present.Based on this background,literature about the impact of the recovery of the stroke patients and related interventions were reviewed.By drawing the experience from the research,we aimed to innovate perfect intervention for expansion of the research thoroughly in order to improve the quality of life of the patients.