OBJECTIVETo observe the effects on post-stroke depression treated with acupuncture at the acu points based on ziwuliuzhu (the midnight-noon ebb-flow theory).

METHODSNinety-three patients were randomized into a comprehensive group, a ziwuliuzhu group and a prozac group, 31 cases in each group. In the ziwuliuzhu group, acupuncture was applied to the acupoints based on ziwuliuzhu, once a day, 5 times in a week. In the prozac group, fluoxertine hydrochloride (prozac) was prescribed for oral administration, once a day, 20 mg each time. In the comprehensive group, acupuncture based on ziwuliuzhu combined with the oral administration of prozac were adopted and the treatment frequency was the same as the ziwuliuzhu group and the prozac group. The 4-week treatment was taken as one session in the three groups and 6 sessions were required totally. The clinical efficacy and the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) score and the adverse reaction were compared among the 3 groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.8% (30/31) in the comprehensive group, better than 83.9% (26/31) in the ziwuliuzhu group and 80. 6% (25/31) in the prozac group (both P<0.05). In 4, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, HAMD score was lower significantly than that before the treatment in the three groups (all P<0.05), and the score in the comprehensive group at each time point after treatment was lower than the other two groups (all P<0.05). In 4 and 12 weeks of treatment, there were not different significantly between the ziwuliuzhu group and the prozac group (both P>0.05). In 24 weeks of treatment, HAMD score in the ziwuliuzhu group was lower than that in the prozac group (P<0.05). For the adverse reaction, there were 2 cases in the comprehensive group, 6 cases in the prozac group and 0 case in the ziwzuliuzhu group.

CONCLUSIONThe comprehensive therapy of acupuncture at the acupoints based on ziwuliuzhu and oral administration of prozac is superior to either the simple oral administration of prozac or the ziwuliuzhu acu-puncture in terms of clinical efficacy and the improvements in depressive state. Regarding the clinical efficacy, the impact of simple ziwuliuzhu acupuncture is not different significantly as compared with the simple oral administration of prozac, but it is better than the simple oral administration of prozac in terms of the long-term HAMD score and safety.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Depression ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Esophageal collision tumor is an extremely rare tumor which defined as the concrescence of two distinct primary neoplasms.The pathobiological mechanism of collision tumors is yet to be understood.Clinical symptoms,endoscopic examination and imaging are all lack of specificity.Diagnosing a collision tumor prior to surgery is difficult.Careful pathological examination is crucial for accurately diagnosing the neoplasms in a collision tumor and ensuring appropriate management and a favorable prognosis.Esophageal collision tumors have been increasingly reported in recent years.With the aim of improving the knowledge level of esophageal collision tumor,the clinical and pathological features of this tumor is needed to be summarized.

Objective: To investigate the status of tuberculin skin test (TST) results and the influencing factors among student close contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis, so as to provide the evidence for developing prevention and control strategies for pulmonary tuberculosis among students. Methods: The students aged 15 years and above who had close contact with pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, from October 2016 to December 2023 were recruited and investigated using questionnaires and TST to collect demographic information, contact history, and TST results. The influencing factors for TST positivity among student close contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 5 507 student close contacts were investigated, including 2 982 males and 2 525 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.18∶1. The mean age was (19.10±1.71) years. Among them, 397 (7.21%) were technical secondary school students, 766 (13.91%) were senior high school students, 2 556 (46.41%) were junior college students, and 1 788 (32.47%) were college students or above. A total of 958 students tested positive for TST, with a positivity rate of 17.40%. The rates of general positivity, moderate positivity, and strong positivity were 10.53%, 4.98% and 1.89%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that senior high school students (OR=1.473, 95%CI: 1.009-2.152) and junior college students (OR=1.467, 95%CI: 1.074-2.005), as well as those with an exposure-to-screening interval of ≥46 days (46-<61 days, OR=2.043, 95%CI: 1.478-2.826; ≥61 days, OR=1.291, 95%CI: 1.018-1.637) had a higher risk of TST positivity. Female student close contacts had a lower risk of TST positivity (OR=0.753, 95%CI: 0.649-0.873). Conclusion The TST positivity rate was relatively high, and gender, school type, and exposure-to-screening interval were influencing factors for TST positivity among student close contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective To study the diagnosis value of giant cell temporal arteritis with high frequency ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.Methods The total of 29 cases testified as giant cell temporal arteritis clinically were assessed by high frequency ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.The 29 cases were assessed by high frequency ultrasonography,the 11 cases were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging,mural thickness and lumen diameter of temporal arteries were examined,and were compared with the biopsy specimens.Meanwhile 30 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as control group,the ultrasonography of normal temporal arteries were analyzed.Results All temporal arteries were diaplayed clearly.27 cases were diagnosed for giant cell temopral arteritis by high frequency ultrasonography in 29 cases,the diagnostic accuracy was 93.1％.The 11 cases were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging,the diagnostic accuracy was 100％.The imaging features were mural thickness,the lumen stenosis,and partial temporal arteries occluded,the mural was contrasted by Gd-DTPA.Conclusions High frequency ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are noninvasive methods for giant cell temporal arteritis diagnosis,it is important clinical value for therapy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-paracrine substance on fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) rat, and to study the effect on liver function and hepatocyte proliferation. MethodsMesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)were separated from human umbilical cord, and surface makers of cells were detected by flow cytometry. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium(MSC-CM) was prepared. FHF rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine and they were randomly diveded into three groups: MSC-CM group, NS group, PHGF group. 24 h later, 1 ml MSC-CM, 1 ml 0. 9% NaCl solution and lml PHGF solution was injected into the tail vein of MSC-CM, NS, and PHGF rats, respectively. In each group (n=8 per group), blood samples were collected at 12, 24, 36, and 60 h after treatment from inner canthus for analysis of blood ALT and TBIL levels. We used five rats per group for tissue collection after sacrifice at 36 h after treatment and 10 animals per group for survival analysis. PCNA immunohistochemical staining was used in the sections of liver tissue to detect hepatocyte proliferation. Results24 h after treatment, the levels of ALT and TBIL in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups were lower than those in the NS group(P＜0. 05), but there was no significant difference between the MSC-CM and PHGF groups. There were more PCNA-positive hepatocytes in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups than in the NS group(P＜0.01), but there was no significant difference between MSC-CM and PHGF group. Survival analysis found that the survival rate of rats in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups was higher than that of rats in the NS group (P=0. 049), but there was no significant difference between the MSC-CM and PHGF group. ConclusionsThe paracrine substance of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can stimulate hepatocyte proliferation and improve liver function of FHF rats, potentially creating a new avenue for the treatment of FHF.

Objective To investigate the incidence of aspirin resistance (AR) in patients with Type Ⅱ Diabetes mellitus (DM) and the correlation between AR and advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) as well as the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Methods A total of 69 patients with Type Ⅱ DM and another 23 patients without DM as control group were enrolled between October 2009 and July 2010. Blood lipid, blood routine, fasting blood glucose, Glycated hemoglobin (GHb/Hb A1c) ,fasting insulin were determined at first. After aspirin treatment for at least 7 days, platelet aggregation stimulated by arachidonic acid(AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were measured. In addition, the level of serum AGEs was measured by using ELISA assay. The degree of insulin resistance was obtained by using HOMA-IR. Results The incidence of AR in patients with Type Ⅱ DM was higher than that in the controls(30.4% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.037 ); the levels of serum AGEs and HOMA-IR in patients with Type Ⅱ DM were higher than those in the controls [ (359.56 ± 120. 14) pg/mL vs. (275.45 ± 118.06)pg/mL, P=0. 004; (4.42 ±4.78) vs. ( 1.5 ±0.78), P＜0.01, respectively]; platelet aggregation stimulated by AA in the diabetic group was correlated with serum AGEs and HOMA-IR( R =0.463, P ＜0.01; R=0.290, P =0.016, respectively); and platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP was only positively correlated with HOMA-IR(R =0.242, P = 0.045). Conclusions The incidence of AR in patients with Type Ⅱ Diabetes mellitus is higher than that in the controls, and diabetics with higher serum AGEs and HOMA-IR are more likely to develop aspirin resistant.

Objective To develop a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation by using crude Humulus pollen extract.Methods A total of 24 Balb/c mice were divided randomly into two groups: control group and asthma model group with 12 in each.After sensitization by intraperitoneal injection,the mice were challenged by intranasal instillation of crude Humulus pollen extract.The total cell number and eosinophile percentage of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) samples were determined.The lungs of mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the degree of allergic inflammation.The cytokines in BALF and spleen homogenate were assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA).The total IgE in the serum was also measured by ELISA.Results Compared with the mice in normal control group,those in asthma group developed obvious allergic inflammation in the airways.Histological scoring for pulmonary inflammation significantly differed between normal group and asthma group(P

OBJECTIVETo identify the immunological characteristics of the recombinant major pollen allergen pTSX2 of Humulus scandens and evaluate its safety in immunotherapy of allergic asthma in mice.

METHODSWestern blotting was used to characterize the immunological properties of pTSX2, and its immunogenicity in normal mice was evaluated by detecting sIgG and sIgE levels. The mouse models of allergic asthma were immunized with pTSX2 and examined for sIgE and sIgG levels, total cells and eosinophils percentage in BALF, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in BALF and spleen homogenate, and changes in lung pathologies.

RESULTSWestern blotting showed that pTSX2 reacted with the majority (about 70%) of sera from patients allergic to Humulus pollen. In normal mice, pTSX2 mainly induced the production of sIgG. In mouse models of allergic asthma, intervention with pTSX2 caused a significant reduction of sIgE and an increase of sIgG (P<0.05), significantly decreased the total cells and eosinophils in BALF (P<0.05), obviously lowered IL-4 but increased IFN-γ in BALF and spleen homogenate (P<0.05), and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration and percentage of eosinophils in the lung tissues.

CONCLUSIONSpTSX2 shows a definite therapeutic effect and safety in the treatment of allergic asthma in mice possibly by inhibiting sIgE and inducing sIgG production, suppressing airway allergic inflammation and regulating the balance between Thl and Th2.

Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Asthma ; immunology ; therapy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Humulus ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunotherapy ; Interferon-gamma ; analysis ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pollen ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To isolate and identify 3 flavonoids (taxifolin, orobol and quercetin) from Cudrania tricuspidata, and develop a method for determining 3 flavonoid constituents in Cudrania tricuspidata. Methods Three flavonoids was isolated from ethanol extract of Cudrania tricuspidata by chromatography, and its structure was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance. The analysis was conducted on an Aglient C18 column (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5 μm) eluted with 1％ acetic acid and methanol as mobile phases in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and the detection wavelength was set at 310 nm. The column temperature was 25 ℃. Results Taxifolin, orobol and quercetin were isolated from ethanol extract of Cudrania tricuspidata by chromatography. The content of taxifolin, orobol and quercetin were 0.850 mg/g, 0.518 mg/g, 0.103 mg/g. Conclusion The method can be used for the quality control of Cudrania tricuspidata as a reference.

Objective To investigate the promoting effect of individualized intervention on social function rehabilitation in patients with schizophrenia. Methods Total of 200 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in a tertiary psychiatrichospital were selected as the research object and were randomly assigned to the study group ( n=100) and the control group ( n=100) . Patients in control group were treated with routine treatment and nursing, whilepatients in study group were given individualized intervention combined with routine treatment and nursing. Brief psychiatric rating scale ( BPRS) was used to assess the severity of the psychotic symptoms.Insight and treatment attitude questionnaire ( ITAQ) was used to assess the treatment compliance of patients. Activity of daily living scale (ADL) and personal and social performance scale(PSP) were used to assess their social function. Then, we compared the results of two groups that before and after the intervention. Results Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in BPRS, ITAQ and ADL scores between two groups ( P>0.05) . The PSP scores of the study group were lower than those of the control group ( P<0.05) . After the intervention, the ITAQ and PSP scores of two groups were significantly higher than those before the intervention, and the BPRS and ADL scores were significantly lower than those before the intervention ( P<0.05) . After the intervention, there was no significant difference in BPRS and ITAQ scores between two groups ( P>0. 05) . The ADL scores of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the PSP scores were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusions Personalized intervention enhances the patient′s self-care ability, daily activities ability and social competence, and promotes the recovery of social function.