Autoantibodies ; blood ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy

Objective To investigate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) after cerebral infarction and treatment with curcumin combined with electroacupuncture.Methods Middle cerebral artery occlusion was successfully introduced to simulate cerebral infarction in 60 healthy,male Wistar rats.They were then randomly divided into a control group,an electroacupuncture group,a curcumin group and a curcumin combined with electroacupuncture group (the observation group),each of 15.After the modeling,the four groups were given the planned interventions for 2 weeks,with the control group receiving no intervention.All of the rats were sacrificed after neurobehavioral scoring and immunological staining of brain tissue from the infarction area was used to detect the expression of BDNF and NGF.Results The average Bederson score in the observation group was significantly lower than those of the other groups.Cells expressing BDNF and NGF were significantly more numerous in the observation group than in the other three groups.Conclusion Curcumin combined with electroacupuncture can significantly improve the expression of BDNF and NGF in the infarcted area,and this may play a neuroprotective role.

Objective To explore the role of fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of frozen shoulder. Methods From September, 2014 to April, 2016, 20 patients with frozen shoulder accepted arthroscopic surgery were included, ten of them were diagnosed as primary frozen shoulder (group A), the other ten were secondary frozen shoulder (group B). Other ten patients undergo-ing shoulder arthroscopy for instability (4 cases), rotator cuff injury (3 cases) and subacromial impingement (3 cases) were as the controls (group C). The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, MMP3, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and M-CSF in synovium were analyzed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The expression of mRNA of MMP1, MMP3, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF and M-CSF were more in group A and group B than in group C (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between group A and group B (P>0.05). Conclusion The fibro-genic cytokines and inflammatory cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of frozen shoulder.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and to provide evidence for its use in clinical practice. Methods: Eight databases were extensively searched up to March 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of acupuncture with sham acupuncture or no acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis were included. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were independently conducted by two reviewers. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used for assessing the risk of bias. Results: A total of 18 RCTs were included, involving a total of 3522 participants. The results showed that acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture in relieving pain (SMD=-0.34, 95％CI:-0.57 to -0.11, I2=85％, P=0.003) and improving physical function (SMD=-0.34, 95％CI: -0.57 to -0.11, I2=85％, P=0.003). In comparison to the no-acupuncture group, the acupuncture group also showed significant advantages in relieving pain (SMD=-0.79, 95％CI: -1.15 to -0.43, I2=87％, P<0.0001) and improving physical function (SMD=-0.75, 95％CI:-1.19 to -0.31, I2=91％, P=0.0008). Sensitivity analyses suggested that the results were robust, and Egger's test found no potential publication bias. Conclusion: In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, the acupuncture group had significant advantages over sham acupuncture or no-acupuncture groups in relieving pain and improving physical function.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of influenza vaccine among people aged 70 years and older in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide a basis for formulating immunization strategies. Methods: The influenza-like illness (ILI) cases aged 70 years and older treated in influenza surveillance sentinel hospital in Jiaxing City from November 2022 to May 2023 were selected. The medical information and influenza vaccination information were collected by a questionnaire survey, and influenza virus was detected using the quantitative fluorescent real-time PCR assay. The test-negative design case-control study was used to analyze the influencing factors of influenza virus positive and evaluate vaccine effect (VE). Results: Totally 1 084 ILI cases were enrolled, including 535 males (49.35%) and 549 females (50.64%). There were 732 cases (67.53%) aged 70 to 79 years, and 352 cases (32.47%) aged 80 years and older. There were 689 cases with underlying diseases, accounting for 63.56%. A total of 224 influenza virus positive samples were detected, with a positive rate of 20.66%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that a lower possibility of influenza virus positive was seen in ILI cases aged 80 years and older, with underlying diseases and with influenza vaccination in the current season (all P<0.05). A total of 345 cases were vaccinated against influenza in the current season, with a vaccination rate of 31.83%. The VE of influenza vaccine was 37.40% (95%CI: 12.40%-55.40%), of which the VE to A (H1N1) was 36.00% (95%CI: 7.50%-55.70%) and to A (H3N2) was 40.90% (95%CI: -26.00%-72.30%). The VE for ILI cases aged 70 to 79 years was 41.00% (95%CI: 13.90%-59.60%), and for ILI cases aged 80 years and older was 20.60% (95%CI: -64.60%-61.70%). Conclusions Influenza vaccine has a certain protective effect on cases aged 70 years and older. Free influenza vaccination for the elderly should be continuously promoted and the vaccination coverage should be increased.

ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of 1-methyl-tryptophan (1-MT) on transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.MethodsHuman hepatocellular carcinoma subcutaneous tumor models were established in mice,and the mice were divided into hepG2 group,empty plasmid group,indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) saline group,IDO) 5-fluoropyrimidine (5-FU) group,IDO 1-MT group,and the group combining IDO 1-MT with 5-FU treatment (n=8 in each group).The tumor growth,tumor volume and pathological examination were observed and the expression of IDO in tumor tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.ResultsCompared with hepG2 and the empty vector saline groups,IDO saline group had bigger tumor,faster growth,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).Compared with IDO saline group,5-FU group,1-MT group and combination treatment groups showed smaller tumor volume and weight,and the tumor inhibitory rates were 86.54％,79.95％,94.46％,respectively.There were significant differences between these groups (P＜0.05).However,there were no significant differences in tumor volumes between 5-FU group and 1-MT group (P＞0.05).HE pathological observation of ceils in each treatment group showed reduced density,increased necrotic area and significant decrease in peripheral blood alpha-fetoprotein (P＜0.05).ConclusionsIDO can promote the growth of liver cancer cells involved in immune escape.1-MT can inhibit the transplanted tumor growth in mice,and therefore may enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy.

This article was aimed to explore the method of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health maintenance knowledge base building. TCM health maintenance knowledge classification method was studied under the guidance of TCM health maintenance classification system to construct a special literature database to store TCM health maintenance knowledge. Based on TCM literature resources, TCM health maintenance knowledge service platform was designed and developed for the static display and dynamic query support of TCM health maintenance knowledge. The content of knowledge base will be accessed to the whole society. The results showed that the construction method can be a system arrangement and modern interpretation of TCM health maintenance knowledge, in order to support TCM health maintenance knowledge base and its update and service system. It was concluded that under the guidance of TCM theories, the construction of TCM health maintenance knowledge base will realize the health maintenance knowledge-sharing and service requirement of TCM.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of JTS, Traditional Chinese Medicine caps. treating cerebral ischemia on metabolism and antioxidant system in cerebral ischemia rat.

METHODSI.m. dexamethasone and ligating common carotid artery, the model of cerebral ischemia rats was established to investigate the effects of JTS caps. and its mechanisms through detecting substance metabolism, energy metabolism and antioxidant system.

RESULTSJTS caps. (1.78 - 3.56 g/kg) could upgrade glucose (Glu), total amino acids (T-AA), ATP, Na(+)-K(+) -ATPase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) of brain tissue and degrade lactic acid (LD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and water content of brain tissue in cerebral ischemia rat (P < 0.05, 0.01). JTS caps. (3.56 g/kg) could also depress extenuation of rat's body weight.

CONCLUSIONJTS caps. has some protections against the cerebral ischemia in rats, and one of the mechanisms may be improving the metabolism and antioxidant system.

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of automated urine formed elements analyzer and/or urine dipstick analyzer for examination of urinary formed elements in screening urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods 148 fresh midstream clear-catch urine samples from the UTI patients and 284 fresh midstream clear-catch urine samples from non-UTI subjects were selected. Bacteria culture was performed for bacterial colony counting and identification. Bacteria counts ( BACT), yeast-like fungus and WBC were performed by UF-looOi automated urine formed elements analyzer. Leukocyte esterase test (LEU) and nitrite test (NIT) were performed by URISYS 2400 urine dipstick analyzer. We evaluated data obtained from urine dipstick analyzer, UF-1000i and combination of UF-1000i with urine dipstick analyzer and the results was compared with those obtained from quantitative bacterial culture. Then we evaluated the sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy. Results Among the 148 patients with UTI, the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture was 73.6% (109/148), the positive rate of LEU and NIT detected by dipstick test 26. 4% (39/148).There was significantly statistical difference between bacterial culture and strip test(χ2 = 55.68 ,P < 0. 05 ). The positive rate of urine flow cytometry by UF-1000i with either positive of BACT and WBC was 91.2%(135/148), which was higher than the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture. There was significant difference between two methods (χ2 = 14. 70, P < 0. 05 ). The positive rate of anyone positive among BACT, WBC, LEU and NIT was 94. 6% (140/148) when detected with combination of dipstick test and UF-1000i, which was higher than the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture. And there was significant difference between two methods (χ2 = 20. 45, P < 0. 05 ). The sensitivity of dipstick test was low (26. 4% ,39/148 ), and specificity was high ( 99. 3%, 282/284 ) . The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of BACT detected by UF-1000i in diagnosing urinary tract infection were 92. 6% ( 137/148 ), 39. 8% ( 113/284 ). 44. 5% ( 137/308 ) and 91.1% ( 113/124 ), respectively. If the dipstick test was combined with UF-1000i, the sensitivity, negative predictive value, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were 98.0% ( 145/148 ), 97.1% ( 100/103 ). 35.2% (100/284) ,44. 1% (145/329) and 56. 7% (245/432), respectively. Conclusions The combination of urine dipstick test and automated urine formed elements analyzer UF-1000i plays an important role in early diagnosis of UTI. And it has significant value in diagnosis of UTI, especially for the patients with negative bacterial cultures of urine sample.

Objective To explore the best treatment strategy of pyogenic brain abscesses.Methods Clinical data of 45 patients(34 males and 11 females,ages ranged from 7 to 76 years,averaged 42.6 years) with brain abscess treated from January 1999 to March 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.Among the 45 patients,there were 40 with single brain abscess and 5 with multiple brain abscess;43 with unilocular abscess and 2 with multilocular abscess.19 patients accepted the conservative treatment with the third generation cephalosporin,16 were treated with stereotactic puncture of abscess,8 treated with stereotactic puncture and drainage,and microsurgical excision was performed in 5 patients.Results Of the 19 patients treated with conservative method,16 were cured,no recurrence was found during the follow-up period(from 6 months to 5 years) in 13 patients,and another 3 were deteriorated and accepted stereotactic operation.All the stereotactic operations were carried successfully out in 24 patients(including 3 cases after expectant treatment failure) and only one patient needed another stereotactic aspiration two weeks later because of abscess recurrence after the initial operation.Epileptic seizure was found in one patient at the end of stereotactic procedure.Total removal of brain abscess was performed by microsurgical craniotomy in 5 patients.At the time of discharge,clinical symptoms disappeared or were improved remarkably,and CT or MRI re-examination disclosed the disappearance or obviously diminution of abscess in all patients.No abscess recurred during the follow-up period(from 4 months to 3 years,average 14 months) in 22 patients.Conclusion A set of treatment strategy of pyogenic brain abscesses has been proposed and stereotactic operation seems to be the most appropriate surgical choice.