Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of bloodletting cupping at Dazhui (GV14) plus scraping in treating hordeolum. Method Forty-four patients with hordeolum were randomized into a control group and a treatment group, 22 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by bloodletting cupping at Dazhui, while the treatment group was by bloodletting cupping at Dazhui plus scraping. The size of the infection on eyelid was observed before and after treatment, and the recovery rate was calculated. Result The total effective rate was 81.8% in the control group versus 95.5% in the treatment group, and the total effective rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); the sizes of the eyelid infection were significantly reduced in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the reduction in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Bloodletting cupping at Dazhui plus scraping can effectively improve the symptoms, reduce infection size, and enhance the clinical efficacy in treating hordeolum.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression.
Methods: By random number table, 85 patients with postpartum depression were divided into a treatment group and a control group. Forty-three cases in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture plus psychological intervention, once every day, five sessions per week, and rest at weekend. Forty-two cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, 20 mg, once per day. The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. The change of the score in Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) was observed and the therapeutic effect was summarized.
Results:The total effective rate was 90.7%in the treatment group and 90.5% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the intra-group comparisons of HAMD scores two, four and six weeks after treatment in both groups with those before treatment, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In comparison between the two groups at the same time point, the differences in HAMD scores were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Regarding the adverse events, 5 cases had nausea, 3 cases had dizziness, and 6 cases had poor appetite in the control group; no obvious adverse events happened in the treatment group.
Conclusion:Acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression is as same as oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride in therapeutic effects, but it does not have adverse reaction.

Objective To investigate the effect of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) on the activity of renalase in dogs with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods After induced by abdominal aorta constriction,dogs were divided into three groups according to whether they underwent double renal artery ablation:2 dogs in control group,2 dogs in sham-operated group (no renal artery ablation),and 5 dogs in RSD group (renal artery ablation).Plasma noradrenaline (NE),B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP),and renalase were determined in 5 dogs with RSD (RSD group),2 control dogs (control group),and 2 shamoperated dogs (sham-operated group).Results NE,BNP and heart rate were significantly higher and renalase was lower in CHF group than those in control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared to the control dogs with CHF,the levels of renalase were significantly increased in 6 weeks after RSD [(1 948.78 ±49.19) ng/ml vs (1 847.35 ±20.72)ng/ml,P =0.029],and NE [(166.30 ±7.68)pg/ml vs (181.29 ±8.57)pg/ml],and BNP [(75.10 ± 5.58)lμg/ml vs (89.79 ± 2.04) μg/ml] were decreased in 8 weeks after RSD (all P ＜ 0.05).An decreased trend of the levels of renalase was observed in 8 weeks than in 6 weeks in CHF dogs after RSD,without significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The activity of renalase in dogs with CHF can be affected by RSD.

BACKGROUND:Techniques of antedor cervical discectomy and interbody fusion have achieved good clinical outcomes since Robinson and Smith first introduced it in 1955.Currently,microendoscopic approaches have resulted in good clinical effectiveness in treating cervical spondylosis.Cage has also been used widely in the clinic.OBJECTIVE:To find a minimally invasive method that uses microendoscopic technique and Cages to treat cervical spondylosis by anterior approach.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A retrospective case analysis was performed at the Department of Spinal Surgery,First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China between January 2003 and July 2008.PARTICIPANTS:A total of 25 patients with cervical spondylosis,15 males and 10 females,averaging 39 years of age (range,33-58 years old),who received treatments at the Department of Spinal Surgery,First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China were included in this study.Each of them had unilateral limb pain,numbness or weakness in varying degrees.MRI image showed one-level cervical disc degeneration in 20 patients and two levels in 5 patients.METHODS:Twenty-five patients underwent anterior cervical microendoscopic discectomy and interbody fusion using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) Cage.Surgical techniques,neurological outcomes and complications were retrospectively analyzed.The postoperative treatments were just like the conventional approaches.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Improvements in neurological symptoms were assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) grading system.Postoperative imaging data including lordosis and fusion condition were examined.RESULTS:All patients received treatments successfully.The mean surgical time was 140 minutes (range,80 to 225 minutes).The hospital stay averaged 7 days (range,6 to 10 days).Patients' neurological statuses improved to varying degrees according to the JOA grading system:7.5 pre-operative (range,4 to 9 points) to 12 post-operative (range,8 to 16 points),with the mean improvement rate of 45.6%.All cases were followed up and the mean follow-up period was 18 months (range,6 to 27 months).Postoperative images showed solid bone fusion without implant migration.No vascular injury and infection occurred.Graft collapse was found in 2 patients,and transient hoarse voice in 1 patient.No other complications were found.CONCLUSION:Anterior microendoscopic cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with CFRP Cage in treatment of cervical spondylosis have the advantages of minimal invasion,sufficient decompression,and satisfactory bone fusion,resulting in a significant relief of patients' preoperative clinical symptoms.

Aim To investigate the mechanism for the inhibitory effect of hydrogen sulfide on the expression of tissue factor(TF)induced by oxidative low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)in endothelial cells.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs ) were treated with 50 mg·L-1 ox-LDL in the absence or presence of different concentrations of NaHS (25 , 50,100 and 200 μmol·L-1 )for 24 h.The mRNA expression and protein content of TF in HUVECs were determined by reverse transcription PCR and ELISA, respectively.The content of intracellular reactive oxy-gen species (ROS)was determined by DCFH,an oxi-dative sensitive fluorescent indicator.The activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB)was estimated by its expression in nuclear extracts analyzed by Western blot.Results Ox-LDL induced TF mRNA expression and increased TF protein content in HUVECs.The in-crease in intracellular ROS production and the activa-tion of NF-κB were observed in HUVECs treated with ox-LDL.However,NaHS could markedly inhibit the increases in TF mRNA and protein levels induced by ox-LDL.Also the elevation of intracellular ROS pro-duction and the activation of NF-κB elicited by ox-LDL were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with NaHS.In addition,pretreatment with BAY 1 1-7082 (10 μmol·L-1 ),the inhibitor of NF-κB or N-acetyl-L-cysteine(1 mmol·L-1 ),an antioxidant,could also decrease the TF mRNA and protein level as well as ROS production and NF-κB activation induced by ox-LDL in HUVECs,similar to the effects of 200 μmol· L-1 NaHS.Conclusion The mechanism for the in-hibitory effect of H2 S on the ox-LDL- induced TF ex-pression in endothelial cells may be related to inhibi-ting intracellular ROS production and subsequently NF-κB activation.

Objective To evaluation the value of single and combined detection of peripheral blood human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4), CA19-9 and CA125 in the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Methods A total of 48 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer from June 2017 to October 2018 in Baotou Tumor Hospital were enrolled in the study group. Fifty healthy subjects were selected as healthy control group. The peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all subjects. After the synthesis of hTERT cDNA by reverse transcription, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for the amplification of hTERT gene fragment. The tumor markers CEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 and CA125 were quantitatively detected by electrochemiluminescence instrument. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of individual markers or joint detection were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of joint testing items were compared. Results There were statistically significant differences in the positive rates of hTERT mRNA (P< 0.01), CEA (P=0.002), CA72-4 (P=0.003), and CA19-9 (P=0.017) between the gastric cancer group and the healthy control group, while the positive rates of CA125 were not significantly different between the two groups (P> 0.05). The expression of hTERT mRNA was correlated with TMN stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (all P< 0.05), but was not correlated with age, sex, tumor location, invasion degree and differentiation degree (all P>0.05). The results of diagnostic indices showed that the hTERT mRNA had high sensitivity (84.8％), specificity (82.7％), accuracy (83.7％), positive predictive value (81.2％) and positive likelihood ratio (4.90). CA72-4 also had high specificity (61.2％), accuracy (64.3％), and positive predictive value (45.8％), which were second only to the hTERT mRNA. The diagnostic performance of CA125 combined with CEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 and peripheral blood hTERT mRNA was not significantly different from the latter four combined detection (P>0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of traditional tumor markers CEA, CA72-4 and CA19-9 were 62.5％and 80.0％. The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of hTERT mRNA, CEA, CA72-4 and CA19-9 could be change to 90.0％ and 67.5％. The difference in sensitivity between the two combined detection groups was statistically significant (P= 0.019), and the difference in specificity was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion The comprehensive evaluation index of peripheral blood hTERT mRNA is better than the traditional gastric tumor markers, and it is expected to become a new marker for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of principal-subordinate acupoints combination on improving myocardial ischemia, and the gene regulatory pathways for the protection of myocardial ischemia.

METHODSAccording to the random number table method, 70 SPF Wistar male rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, a LY294002 group, an insulin-like growth factors-1(IGF-1) group, a Neiguan group, an acupoint combination group and an acupoint combination + LY294002 group, 10 rats in each one. Rats in the normal group were injected with 0.9% NaCl solution, while rats in the remaining groups were treated with abdominal subcutaneous injection of isoroterenol hydrochloride to establish the rat model of myocardial ischemia. Rats in the LY294002 group and IGF-1 group were treated with injection of LY294002 solution and IGF-1 solution for 14 days. Rats in the Neiguan group were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC 6) by using Han-200 EA apparatus for 10 min per treatment. Rats in the acupoint combination group were treated with EA at "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4) by using Han-200 EA apparatus for 10 min per treatment. Rats in the acupoint combination + LY294002 group were treated with LY294002 solution for 14 days, and EA at "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4) was given before model establishment, once a day for 21 days. EA pretreatment was given before model establishment in all acupuncture groups. The heart rate (HR) and ST segment voltage were detected before and after treatment; the myocardial pathological morphology was observed by HE staining; the expressions of P13K mRNA and Akt mRNA were tested.

RESULTSAfter modeling, HR and ST segment voltage in all intervention groups were higher than those in the normal group (all P < 0.01); after the intervention, the HR and the ST segment voltage in the acupoint combination group, IGF-1 group and IGF-1 group were improved (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupoint combination group and Neiguan group (all P < 0.01). As for the myocardial pathological morphology, obvious myocardial ischemia was observed in the model group, and that in the LY294002 group was the most serious, and that in the acupoint combination+ LY294002 group was moderate. After intervention, the myocardial pathological damage in the IGF-1 group, Neiguan group and acupoint combination group was significant improved, which was more significant in the IGF-1 group and acupoint combination group. As for the expression of PI3K mRNA and Akt mRNA, compared with normal group, the expression of PI3K mRNA was increased in the remaining groups after modeling (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which was more significant in the IGF-1 group and acupoint combination group (all P < 0. 01). The expression of Akt mRNA in the LY294002 group and acupoint combination + LY294002 group was reduced (P < 0. 01, P < 0.05), while that in the remaining groups was increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which was more significant in the IGF-1 group and acupoint combination group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe principal-subordinate acupoints combination could improve heart rate and ST segment voltage in rats with chronic myocardial ischemia, reduce myocardial pathological damage, which is superior to single selection of "Neiguan" (PC 6). The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation mechanism of principal-subordinate acupoints combination for the protection of chronic myocardial ischemia.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Molecular engineering of cellulases can improve enzymatic activity and efficiency. Recently, the Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes Database (CAZy), including glycoside hydrolase (GH) families, has been established with the development of Omics and structural measurement technologies. Molecular engineering based on GH families can obviously decrease the probing space of target sequences and structures, and increase the odds of experimental success. Besides, the study of cellulase active-site architecture paves the way toward the explanation of catalytic mechanism. This review focuses on the main GH families and the latest progresses in molecular engineering of catalytic domain. Based on the combination of analysis of a large amount of data in the same GH family and their conservative active-site architecture information, rational design will be an important direction for molecular engineering and promote the rapid development of the conversion of biomass.
Catalytic Domain ; genetics ; Cellulase ; chemistry ; genetics ; Directed Molecular Evolution ; methods ; Evolution, Molecular ; Glycoside Hydrolases ; chemistry ; genetics ; Protein Engineering ; methods

Biofuels and bio-based chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass are sustainable, making them alternatives to petroleum-derived fuels and chemicals to address the challenges of the shortage of crude oil supply and climate change resulted from the overconsumption of petroleum-based products, particularly in China. However, high cost in liberating sugars from lignocellulosic biomass is still the bottleneck of the commercialization of biofuels and bio-based chemicals. In this article, the major components of cellulases and their synergistic role in the hydrolysis of pre-treated biomass is reviewed, followed by how to evaluate the enzymatic hydrolysis. With the elucidation of the underlying mechanism of the conformations of the enzyme molecules and their effectiveness in attacking cellulose substrate, more efficient enzymes are expected to be developed. Using the high production strain Penicillium decumbens, the on-site production of cellulases for cellulose ethanol production is discussed.
Biofuels ; Biomass ; Biotechnology ; methods ; trends ; Biotransformation ; Cellulase ; biosynthesis ; Hydrolysis ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; trends ; Lignin ; chemistry ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the relationship between sleep quality and slow-flow in patients with acute coronary syndrome during percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) and its impact on clinical prognosis.Methods:200 patients with ACS hospitalized in the cardiology department of Guangzhou First People's Hospital from January 2017 to October 2018 were selected. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was measured before elective PCI, and the sleep breathing of patients was monitored by micro motion sensitive mattress sleep monitoring system (MSMSMS). The patients were divided into normal sleep group (68 cases, PSQI≤7 points) and sleep disorder group (132 cases, PSQI>7 points). The levels of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. The " slow-flow" that took place during PCI were also recorded. Major cardiac adverse events (MACE) of patients took placed during 12 months follow-up periods were recorded and compared between two groups.Results:Compared with normal sleep group, patients in sleep disorder group had higher ratio of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS), hypoxemia and lower deep sleep (25.00% vs 10.29%, 25.76% vs 11.76%, 66.67% vs 48.53%, all P<0.05); lower level of NO and higher level of ET-1 [(28.65±3.26)μmol/L vs (30.24±4.08)μmol/L; (21.17±3.08)pg/ml vs (18.90±2.95)pg/ml, P<0.05]; more slow-flow events took place during PCI in sleep disorder group than normal sleep group (16.67 vs 5.88%, P<0.05); After 12 months of follow-up, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed patients of the two groups had significantly different cumulative non-events survival rates (19.70% vs 7.35%, Log rank=5.06, P=0.025). Conclusions:Sleep disorder increase the slow-flow phenomenon during PCI in patients with ACS and affect the clinical prognosis.