Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with medication for post-stroke depression.Methods:A total of 96 patients with post-stroke depression were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 48 cases in each group.The control group was treated with oral fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules,and the observation group was treated with acupuncture on the basis of the treatment of the control group.After 6 months of treatment,the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores,and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) component scores and total scores of the two groups before and after treatment were observed,and the clinical efficacy and adverse reaction rate were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate was 95.8％ in the observation group and 83.3％ in the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05).After treatment,the intra-group differences in TCM symptom scores and HAMD score of both groups were statistically significant (all P＜0.01).In the observation group,the scores of indifferent expression,emotional restlessness,and sentimentality in the TCM symptoms were statistically different from those in the control group (all P＜0.01).The scores of desperate factor and sleep disorder factor and total score in HAMD in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (all P＜0.01).The incidence of adverse reactions was 6.3％ in the observation group and 4.2％ in the control group,and the difference was not significant between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture plus medication is an effective method for post-stroke depression,and it can further improve the patient's bad mood.

Peptide drugs exhibit an irreplaceable role in clinics due to their high specificity, efficiency and low toxicity. At present, more than 80 peptide drugs have been approved for marketing with global sales exceeding $50 billion in 2019. However, with large molecular weights, high hydrophilicity and instability in digestive tract, oral peptide drugs encounter substantial physiological barriers leading to low oral bioavailability. Therefore, peptide drugs are mostly administered by parenteral routes. Although parenteral delivery of peptide drugs achieves high bioavailability, this is associated with inconvenience and discomfort, even causing severe side effects compared with the oral route possessing a high degree of patient compliance. Therefore, numerous studies concentrate on novel strategies to improve the oral bioavailability of peptide drugs. Some delivery technologies such as Eligen™ and Axcess™ have been successfully applied to the oral dosage form of therapeutic peptides and have accelerated relevant oral formulations for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and clinical treatment. In this review, we focus on the oral peptide delivery, mainly summarizing the progress of recent strategies used to overcome oral barriers and the commercialization applications of related patents, which could facilitate the research and development (R&D) of clinical applications of oral delivery techniques for peptide drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of caspase-3 during skin wound healing and explore the applicability of caspase-3 to determination of wound age. METHODS: The expression of caspase-3 were performed on 33 mice skin incised wounds at different posttraumatic intervals and 3 mice as control by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: Expression of caspase-3 was detectable in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in the wound specimens aged 6 h. In the wound specimens aged from 12 h to 24 h after injury, caspase-3 was identified in a large number of infiltrating PMNs and part of mononuclear cells (MNCs). Afterwards, the MNCs and fibroblastic cells (FBCs) accounted in the most part of the caspase-3 positive cells. Morphometrically, the ratio of the number of the caspase-3 stained PMNs, MNCs and FBCs to total number of the cells in the wounds was evaluated and calculated. The ratio of the caspase-3 positive cells was low in the wound specimens aged from 0 h to 3 h (4.53 +/- 6.53)%, and maximized in the wound specimens aged 3 day (62.66 +/- 4.84)%. Thereafter, the ratio decreased and minimized in the specimens aged 14 day (21.56 +/- 4.54)%. CONCLUSION The results suggest that caspase-3 may play an important role in inducing neutrophil, macrophage and fibroblast apoptosis during skin wound healing. Furthermore, caspase-3 may be used as a marker for the wound age determination.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases/biosynthesis* ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Skin/metabolism* ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: To study the percentages of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), mononuclear cells (MNC) and fibroblastic cells (FBC) in different post-traumatic intervals after skeletal muscle mechanical injury in rats. METHODS: The rat model of skeletal muscle mechanical injury was established. The rats were divided into injured groups (6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 10 d and 14 d after injury) and control group. The percentages of PMN, MNC and FBC in different post-traumatic intervals after skeletal muscle mechanical injury were assessed with HE staining and image analysis. RESULTS: At post-injury 6-12h, the percentages of PMN and MNC infiltration appeared in injured sites and that of PMN reached peak. At 1 d, the percentage of MNC infiltration appeared and reached peak, while that of PMN decreased. At 3-7 d, the percentage of FBC gradually increased, while that of PMN and MNC decreased. At 10-14d, the percentage of FBC reached peak. CONCLUSION The percentages of PMN, MNC and FBC in injured zones showed time-dependent changes, which might be used as reference index for determination of age of skeletal muscle injury.
Animals ; Fibroblasts ; Muscle, Skeletal/injuries* ; Neutrophils ; Rats ; Time Factors

Adult ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; diagnosis ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; diagnosis ; Humans

This study is to analyze and identify the water soluble components of water buffalo horn (Bubali Cornu, WBH), and also establish a method for investigating these components. Shotgun proteomic analysis identified proteins in WBH aqueous extraction: keratin, collagen, desmoglein, etc. Ultrafiltration and LC-MS/MS were used to separate and identify the peptides in WBH aqueous extract, as a result, identified peptides were mainly derived from nonspecific degradation products of keratin and collagen, which including C-terminal peptides and non C-terminal peptides. Hypoxanthine, uridine, guanosine, and adenosine were identified by comparing with the standards. The strategy in present study could be used in analyzing water soluble components of animal horn derived TCM. It provides a reference for investigation of the material basis of animal horn derived TCM.
Animals ; Buffaloes ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Guanosine ; Horns ; chemistry ; Hypoxanthine ; Mass Spectrometry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peptides ; Proteomics ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Uridine

Objective To explore the significance of signal and volume change from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hysteromyoma before and after uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the therapy evaluation. Methods MRI was performed in 30 patients (50 hysteromyoma) before and 3,6 and 12 months after UAE. They were grouped by location, signal and size. The MRI signal changes and the hysteromyoma's volume reduction ratio were measured. Results After 3,6,12 months, MRI of hysteromyoma was changed significantly, and all hysteromyomas had lower T2WI signals than before, some of which had higher T1WI signals. Hysteromyoma's volumes were progressively reduced, the majority of which shrinked significantly within 3 months. Evaluated by 12 month's volume changes, significant volume reduction was found in submucous fibroids, and significant difference was showed compared with intramural fibroids and subserosal fibroids (88.9 % vs. 73.7 % and 68.3 %, P=0.036, P=0.019), meanwhile,the latter two had no significant difference (P=0.384). The volume reduction rate in rich cell fibroids was higher than those in ordinary no degeneration fibroids and degeneration type, and there were significant differences (85.7 % vs. 72.1 % and 63.4%, P=0.038, P=0.014). Besides, the latter two had no significant difference (P=0.364). Large fibroids shrinked more obviously than small ones with significant difference (75.2 % vs. 59.6 %, χ2=4.563, P=0.044). Conclusion MRI is useful for the evaluation of efficacy in hysteromyoma before and after UAE, which can provide the better interventional treatment for the patients in regard to different sensitivity of hysteromyoma to UAE.

Objective To investigate the correlation between virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) and the pathological grading of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.Methods 64 chronic hepatitis B patients (the chronic hepatitis group) and 40 healthy volunteers (the controlled group) were collected.The patients in the chronic hepatitis group were underwent liver biopsy.According to the hepatic fibrosis degree,the patients in the test group were classified into stage 0,1,2,3 and 4.The liver shear wave velocities (SWV) of all the participant were measured by VTQ.The cut-off values were determined by an analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results The mean SWV was (1.04± 0.13)m/s in the controlled group.The SWV in stages 0,1,2,3,and 4 were (1.17 ± 0.08)m/s,(1.33 ± 0.32)m/s,(1.53 ±0.32) m/s,(2.09 ± 0.54) m/s,(2.18 ± 0.70) m/s,respectively.There was a significantly difference in SWV between the controlled group and the chronic hepatitis group (F =34.97,P =0.00).The SWV were significantly different not only between stages 0-2,and 3,but also between 0-2 and 4 (F =8.87,P =0.00).A positive correlation was observed between the liver fibrosis and the SWV in the chronic hepatitis group (r =0.67,P =0.00).When a cut off value was set at 1.43 m/s,area under ROC curve was 0.875.The sensitivity and specificity were 100 ％ and 62.5 ％.Conclusions SWV has a better correlation with liver fibrosis.VTQ can make an accurate assessment for stage 3 and stage 4 of the chronic hepatitis B.Therefore,VTQ can be used as a noninvasive and reliable diagnostic indicator for chronic hepatitis B.

Objective To isolate,purify and identify pancreatic duct derived stem cells (PDSCs) from the pancreatic duct of rats,and culture in the three-dimension cell culture system.Methods Adult male Wistar rats underwent perfusion with collagenase V via the pancreatic duct,then the pancreas was surgically procured,digested,followed by discontinued density gradient centrifuge to isolate ductal tissue from islets.The acinar and ductal tissue was cultivated in serumcontaining medium in the three-dimension cell culture to obtain adherent cells,as PDSCs,which were expanded by consecutive passages.The morphology and characterization of PDSCs on phenotype were examined.Results PDSCs could be obtained through in situ collagenase V digestion,discontinued density gradient centrifuge,and culture in the three dimension cell culture system.Morphologically,PDSCs had remarkable size,most with one nucleus.PDSCs grew in many layers in three-dimension cell culture system.PDSCs was revealed to express CD29,CD73,CD90,CD105,but not CD14,CD19,CD34,CD45 by FACS,in agreement with MSCs.Conclusion PDSCs of rats could be obtained through in situ collagenase V digestion,discontinued density gradient centrifuge,and culture in the three-dimension cell culture system.PDSCs lines were successfully established.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect,safety and its prognostic factors of capecitabine as maintenance treatment agent for prolonging the PFS of patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer after they received combination chemotherapy.Methods From January 2011 to June 2013,38 cases with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer were collected in the department of medical oncology of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University.All the 38 patients received NX scheme (vinorelbine combined capecitabine chemotherapy),and some patients among of them had stabile disease after chemotherapy and were administered X scheme (capecitabine,twice a day,2 000 mg/m2 daily,withdrawal for 7 days after a consecutive intake of 14 days,21 days as a cycle,at least 2 cycles) until disease progressed or toxicity could not be tolerated.Adverse reactions and PFS were observed and recorded.Single factor chi square test and multivariate COX proportion hazard model were used to evaluate the relationships between clinic features and RR,PFS.Results The overall response rate (CR + PR) was 55.26％ (21/38),clinical benefit patients rate (CR + PR + SD) was 84.2％ (32/38),with 4 patients of CR (4/32),17 patients of PR,11 patients of SD,6 patients of PD.Thirty-two no progressived patients were administered capecitabine until PD.The median PFS was 10.0 months.Stratification analysis showed that patients whose Karnofsky (KPS) ≥80 had an average PFS of 14.1 months,while an average PFS of 6.8 months for patients whose KPS ＜ 80,with a statistical significance (x2 =6.251,P =0.000).Cox proportion hazard model also showed that age (RR =3.561,95％ CI:1.372-5.216,.x2 =4.025,P =0.031),menopausal status (RR =1.895,95 ％ CI:1.124-4.452,x2 =5.725,P =0.048),KPS score (RR =4.553,95％ CI:1.131-7.703,x2 =11.205,P =0.005),the number of metastasis (RR =5.781,95％ CI:2.321 ～11.243,x2 =3.925,P =0.011) were important prognostic factors for the patients with breast cancer.Major treatment-related adverse reaction was grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ hand-foot syndrome.One patient discontinued treatment because of grade Ⅲ hand-foot syndrome.Conclusion Capecitabine as maintenance treatment can significantly prolong the PFS of patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancers at remission or stable stage after combination chemotherapy with a better tolerance.Age of patients,menopausal status,KPS score,the number of metastasis are the prognostic factors for the efficacy of NX-X regimen.