OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect difference between special penetration needling and conventional penetration needling for the refractory peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSA total of 97 patients with intractable facial paralysis were randomized into an observation group (49 cases and 2 dropping) and a control group (48 cases and 4 dropping). In the observation group, special penetration needling at an angle about 45° between the penetration needle and paralysis muscle bundle was used, Yangbai (GB 14) through Touwei (ST 8), Yangbai (GB 14) through Shangxing (GV 23), Sizhukong (TE 23) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Qianzhen (Extra) through Yingxiang (LI 20), mutual penetration between Yingxiang (LI 20) and Jiache (ST 6). Conventional penetration needling was applied in the control group, Yangbai (GB 14) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Cuanzhu (BL 2) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4), mutual penetration between Dicang (ST 4) and Jiache (ST 6), Qianzheng (Extra) through Dicang (ST 4), Sibai (ST 2) through Yingxiang (LI 20). Three groups of electroacupuncture (discontinuous wave, 1 Hz) with tolerance were connected respectively in the two groups, Yangbai (GB 14) and Sizhukong (TE 23), Yangbai (GB 14) and Qianzheng (Extra), Yingxiang (LI 20) and Jiache (ST 6) in the observation group, Yangbai (GB 14) and Cuanzhu (BL 2), Dicang (ST 4) and Jiache (ST 6), Qianzheng (Extra) and Sibai (ST 2) in the control group. TDP was applied in the two groups at the affected Yifeng (TE 17), Jiache (ST 6) and Qianzheng (Extra), which were around the ear. Perpendicular insertion was used at Yifeng (TE 17) at the affected side and Hegu (LI 4) at the healthy side and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36). The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given for 3 courses, once a day and 10 days as a course, 5 days at the interval. House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve grading score was recorded before and after treatment. The clinical effects were compared.

RESULTSThe H-B scores after treatment in the two groups were higher than those before treatment (both <0.05), with better result in the observation group (<0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate of the observation group was 74.5% (35/47), which was better than 47.7% (21/44) of the control group (<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSpecial penetration needling at an angle about 45° between the penetration needle and paralysis muscle bundle is better than conventional penetration needling for refractory facial paralysis.

Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Humans ; Needles

AIM: To investigate the polymorphism distribution of lipid and drug metabolism-related genes of SLCO1B1 and ApoE in patients with cardiovascular disease of Han nationality in Anhui province, and to evaluate the benefit-risk ratio of individual use of statins. METHODS: PCR fluorescence probe technique was used to detect the genetic polymorphism of rs2306283 (388A>G) and rs4149056 (521T>C) of SLCO1B1 as well as rs429358 (388 T>C) and rs7412 (526C>T) of ApoE in 736 individuals diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases in the inpatient department of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from January 2019 to August 2020 were included. The distribution characteristics of SLCO1B1 and ApoE genotypes were analyzed according to the gender of the subjects, and the results of genetic polymorphism were compared with the data of cardiovascular disease patients in other areas of China. RESULTS: Six genotypes of SLCO1B1 had been detected. They were *1a/*1a (6.11%), *1a/*1b (29.08%), *1b/*1b (44.57%), *1a/*15 (4.08%), *1b/*15 (15.49%) and *15/*15 (0.68%), while *1a/*5, *5/*5 and *5/*15 had not been detected. Six genotypes of ApoE had been detected. They were E2/E2 (0.41%), E2/E3 (11.96%), E2/E4 (1.09%), E3/E3 (67.66%), E3/E4 (17.93%) and E4/E4 (0.95%). The frequency distribution of genetic polymorphism of these two genes satisfied the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium, which was representative of the population. In this study, the proportion of people with SLCO1B1 normal myopathy risk was the highest, accounting for 79.76%; SLCO1B1 had a lower proportion of people with moderate myopathy risk and high myopathy risk were 19.57% and 0.68%, respectively. The reduced risk, normal risk and increased risk phenotypes of ApoE were respectively 12.37%, 68.75% and 18.88%. There was no statistically significant difference in SLCO1B1 and ApoE genotypes beween gender. Compared with patients with cardiovascular disease in Southern China area, the distribution of ApoE genetic polymorphism was significantly different in Anhui. CONCLUSION: The SLCO1B1 and ApoE genetic polymorphism of 736 patients with cardiovascular diseases in Anhui were mainly normal myopathy risk types with higher dose tolerance of statins as well as popular genotypes that were sensitive to statins, and the application of statins has a lower risk of myopathy and a good effect on lipid reduction. The polymorphism of the two genes was not affected by gender, but the distribution phenotypes of ApoE might be different in regional characteristics. The detection of SLCO1B1 and ApoE genetic polymorphism is significant for evaluation of benefit-risk ratios, thereby guiding statins clinical treatment.

The secondary structures of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and the cellular proteins that bind to them are important for modulating both translation and RNA replication. However, the sets of RNA-binding proteins involved in the regulation of HCV translation, replication and encapsidation remain unknown. Here, we identified RNA binding motif protein 24 (RBM24) as a host factor participated in HCV translation and replication. Knockdown of RBM24 reduced HCV propagation in Huh7.5.1 cells. An enhanced translation and delayed RNA synthesis during the early phase of infection was observed in RBM24 silencing cells. However, both overexpression of RBM24 and recombinant human RBM24 protein suppressed HCV IRES-mediated translation. Further analysis revealed that the assembly of the 80S ribosome on the HCV IRES was interrupted by RBM24 protein through binding to the 5'-UTR. RBM24 could also interact with HCV Core and enhance the interaction of Core and 5'-UTR, which suppresses the expression of HCV. Moreover, RBM24 enhanced the interaction between the 5'- and 3'-UTRs in the HCV genome, which probably explained its requirement in HCV genome replication. Therefore, RBM24 is a novel host factor involved in HCV replication and may function at the switch from translation to replication.
Cells, Cultured ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Virus Replication ; genetics