OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of compound glycyrrhizin combining ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.METHODS:87patients with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled to,on whom,the anti-viral therapy proved to be ineffective and who suffered a long-term abnormal liver functions,of the total,47were randomly as?signed to receive compound glycyrrhizin plus ursodeoxycholic acid(treatment group),and40to receive compound glycyrrhizin plus vitamin C(control group).Course of treatment for both groups was8weeks.RESULTS:As compared with the control group,the liver function and immune function for the treatment group had a better amelioration(P

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change trend and correlation between the perioperative pain degree and neuroendocrine hormone levels in the perioperative period on patients with thyroid surgery by electroacupuncture combined with cervical plexus block. METHODS: Forty patients with elective thyroidectomy were enrolled and divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method, 20 cases in each group. In the control group, cervical plexus block was performed. In the observation group, the cervical plexus block combined with electroacupuncture (EA) were given. After the cervical plexus block was completed, the EA was applied at the bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) for 30 min. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain level before anesthesia (T), 2 h after operation (T), 12 h after operation (T), 24 h after operation (T) and 48 h after operation (T). Blood samples such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), C-reactive protein (CRP) and β-endorphin (β-EP) were collected to measure the level of neuroendocrine hormones, and to analyze the correlation between ACTH, CRP, β-EP and VAS scores. RESULTS: The VAS scores at T, T, T were higher than those at T in the two groups (all <0.05). The VAS scores T, T and T in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all <0.05). The ACTH and CRP in the control group at T, T and T were significantly higher than those at T (all <0.05). The β-EP in the observation group at T, T and T was significantly higher than that at T (all <0.05). The ACTH and CRP in the observation group at T, T and T were lower than those in the control group,and the β-EP level was higher than that in the control group (all <0.05).The VAS score was significantly positively correlated with ACTH and CRP levels, and negatively correlated with β-EP. CONCLUSION EA stimulation can inhibit the secretion of ACTH and CRP, promote the release of β-EP, reduce the perioperative pain score, and inhibit the body's stress response.
Cervical Plexus Block ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Pain Management ; Thyroid Gland ; surgery ; beta-Endorphin

Objective:To explore the safety and efficiency of a novel bipolar electric knife for endoscopic submucosal dissection.Methods:The thermal damage on tissue caused by the new bipolar knife and traditional monopolar knife were compared by finite element analysis. The vertical thermal damage to the porcine gastric wall caused by the two types of electric knife were analyzed in vitro animal experiments. In vivo animal experiments were used to compare operation related indexes of two types of electric knife, including en bloc resection rate and cutting efficiency in porcine digestive tract submucosal dissection. Results:Through overcoming deviation of experimental individuals and operator experience, the finite element model showed that the length, width and depth of thermal damage on tissue caused by the monopolar knife was 1.08 times, 1.12 times, and 1.23 times of that of the bipolar knife, respectively. Additionally, the bipolar knife caused less vertical thermal damage to the porcine gastric wall than the monopolar knife (433.25±42.58 μm VS 898.03±111.59 μm, t=6.740, P=0.003) in vitro animal experiments when charged for 1 s at the same power. Finally, in vivo animal experiments showed that the en bloc resection rates of the two kinds of electric knife systems were both 100.0%. In addition, the cutting area and cutting time of the bipolar knife was 229.58±185.29 mm 2 and 164.37±96.27 s, respectively. The corresponding indicators of the monopolar knife was 209.70±167.35 mm 2 and 162.65±69.97 s, respectively, and there was no significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The novel bipolar knife not only ensures the cutting efficiency but also reduces the thermal damage during endoscopic submucosal dissection in simulating experiment and animal experiment, which needs further verification in clinical trial.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the immune function of elderly patients after radical resection for gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 70 patients, aged 65 to 75 yr, with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective radical resection for gastric cancer, of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, were divided into 2 groups ( n=35 each) by a random number table method: electroacupuncture pretreatment group (group EP) and control group (group C). Combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia was used in both groups.In group EP, electroacupuncture (continuous wave, frequency 2/100Hz, current 1 mA) of the internal anesthesia point and Zusanli acupoint was performed for 30 min before induction of anesthesia.In group C, electroacupuncture was not performed, and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was used after operation.Before electroacupuncture and at 2, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation (T 0-4), the rating of safety and efficacy was assessed, and central venous blood samples were collected, and the percentages of CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were measured by flow cytometry, and the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio was calculated. Results:There was no significant difference in the rating of safety and efficacy between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the baseline at T 0, the percentages of serum CD3 + and CD4 + T cells and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio at T 1-4 and percentage of CD8 + T cells at T 3 were significantly decreased in group C ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the percentages of serum CD 3+ and CD4 + T cells and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio at T 1-4 and percentage of CD8 + T cells at T 3 were significantly increased in group EP ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture of internal anesthesia points and Zusanli acupoint preconditioning can improve the immune function of elderly patients after radical resection for gastric cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on cellular immune function in the patients undergoing thyroid surgery.Methods:Sixty-six patients of either sex, aged 30-55 yr, with body mass index of 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ⅠorⅡ, were selected and divided into electroacupuncture preconditioning group (group D) and control group (group C) by a random number table method, with 33 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia. Before anesthesia induction, both Hegu and Neiguan acupoints were stimulated for 30 min using a continuous wave at a frequency of 2/100 Hz, and the stimulation intensity was subjected to patient tolerance in group D. Group C received sham electroacupuncture for 30 min without stimulation. Venous blood samples were collected at 30 min before anesthesia induction (T 0) and 12, 24 and 48 h after anesthesia (T 1-3). The percentages of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD4 + /CD8 + ) and natural killer cells and concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the serum were measured by flow cytometry. Results:Compared with group C, the percentage of CD3 +, CD4 + and natural killer cells and ratio of CD4 + /CD8 + were significantly increased at T 1, 2, and the concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the serum were decreased at T 1-3 in group D ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Electroacupuncture preconditioning can improve cellular immune function in the patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

"Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century—A Vision and Strategy"proposed by the National Research Council of US has brought innovative directives and objectives for toxicity evaluation and risk assessment,pushing forward the next generation of toxicity testing and risk assessment.In this initiative,the concept of adverse outcome pathways(AOPs)has emerged as a prominent methodology,capturing the attention of toxicologists and researchers due to its promising applications in recent years.The quantitative AOP(qAOP)is an extension of the adverse outcome pathway,which is built upon the foundational qualitative adverse outcome pathway model and leverages mathematical frame-works to depict dose-response and/or response-response relationships.This article reviews the princi-ples and advancement surrounding qAOP,introduceds two prevalent methodologies for constructing qAOP,Bayesian network models and regression models,and demonstrates diverse applications of qAOP.Actual cases are used to underscore the transformative role of qAOP in contemporary toxicology and risk assessment practices.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on emergence agitation in the patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy.Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial. Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 40-60 yr, with a body mass index of 50-70 kg, scheduled for elective total laparoscopic hysterectomy, were divided into control group (C group) and electroacupuncture preconditioning group (E group) using a random number table method, with 45 patients in each group. At 30 min before anesthesia induction, Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints were stimulated for 30 min with disperse-dense waves at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, an intensity of 3 mA, in group E. Group C did not receive electroacupuncture treatment. The occurrence of emergence agitation, usage of vasoactive drugs and rescue analgesia were recorded in two groups. Peripheral venous blood samples from the upper extremity were obtained before electroacupuncture stimulation (T 0) and at 2 h after operation (T 1) for determination of the plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:The plasma CRP and TNF-α concentrations in group C and plasma IL-10 concentrations in group E were significantly higher at T 1 than at T 0 ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the usage rate of vasoactive drugs, rate of rescue analgesia, and incidence of emergence agitation were significantly decreased, and the plasma concentrations of CRP and TNF-α were decreased and the plasma IL-10 concentrations were increased at T 1 in group E ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Electroacupuncture preconditioning can decrease the occurrence of emergence agitation in the patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy, which may be related to inhibiting inflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture at Neimadian (Extra) and Neiguan (PC 6) on the analgesic effect of thoracic perioperative stage and its effect mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases of esophageal cancer with elective radical resection under general anesthesia were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the operation sequence, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the general anesthesia was simply applied and sufentanil was administered for patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after operation. In the observation group, on the basis of the scheme as the control group, the electroacupuncture was used at Neimadian (Extra) and Neiguan (PC 6) 30 min before anesthesia induction and after operation, with continuous wave, tolerable intensity, lasting for 30 min. Separately, before acupuncture (T1) and 2h (T2), 12h (T3), 24h (T4) and 48h (T5) after operation, the plasma β-endorphin (β-EP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin E(PGE) were determined. During operation, under the same state (from 50 to 60) of bispectrum of EEG (BIS), the intraoperative anesthetic dose was recorded. Using visual analogue scale (VAS), the pain degree was evaluated at T2, T3, T4 and T5 separately and the grade assessment of the therapeutic effects and safety were recorded at each time point.

RESULTS①The total dosage of sufentanil in the observation group was less than that in the control group[(1.83±0.56) mg vs (2.54±0.62) mg,<0.05]. ②VAS scores at T2, T3 and T4 in the patients of the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (all<0.05). ③The levels of plasma β-EP at T3, T4 and T5 in the observation group were increased significantly as compared with those in the control group (all<0.05) and the levels of plasma 5-HT and PGEat T2, T3 and T4 were reduced significantly as compared with those in the control group (all<0.05). ④ The excellent analgesia rates 2h、12h and 24h after operation in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all<0.05). ⑤The rate of the A grade safety in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSElectroacupuncture at Neimadian (Extra) and Neiguan (PC 6) provides the safe and effective postoperative anesthesia of thoracic surgery and reduces the dosage of analgesics during the operation, which is possibly related to the increase of endogenous β-EP and the inhibition on the release of 5-HT and PGE.