OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of "olfactory three needles" on cognition, learning and memory abilities, as well as hippocampal microglia (MG) phagocytic activity in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and explore the mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating MG activation and improving remyelination, so as to ameliorate VD. METHODS: Among 38 SD rats meeting experimental requirements, 9 rats were randomly assigned to a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats underwent permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation to establish VD model. Eighteen successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, with 9 rats in each one. In the EA group, EA was performed at "olfactory three needles" ("Yintang" [GV24⁺] and bilateral "Yingxiang" [LI20]), at disperse-dense wave, the frequency of 2 Hz/15 Hz and the current intensity of 1 mA, for 15 min per intervention, once daily. One course was composed of 7 days, and 2 courses were required, with the interval of 2 days. The novel object recognition test was employed to assess the cognition of rats, and the Morris water maze was adopted to observe learning and memory abilities. Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining was performed to evaluate myelin sheath loss in the hippocampus, the Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) and proteolipid protein (PLP) in the hippocampus; and the immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the positive expression of PLP, sex determining region Y-box 10 (SOX10), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1)⁺ TREM2⁺ and Iba1⁺ lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)⁺ in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the rats in the model group exhibited the prolonged escape latency on day 3 and 4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), the increase of the total distance traveling (P<0.01) and the decrease of the recognition index (RI) and platform crossing frequency (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the rats in the EA group showed the shortened escape latency on day 3 and 4 (P<0.05), the decrease of total distance traveling (P<0.01) and the increase of RI and platform crossing frequency (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared with the sham-operation group, the rats of the model group presented uneven staining, sparse arrangement of myelin sheath fibers, unclear contours, and prominent vacuole-like changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. When compared with the model group, the EA group showed more dense staining, the increase of myelin sheath fibers with more orderly alignment, and fewer vacuolar changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group exhibited the increase of TREM2 protein expression and the decrease of PLP protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01), whereas the EA group showed the up-regulation of TREM2 and PLP protein expression when compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The positive expression of the hippocampal PLP, SOX10, and Iba1⁺LAMP1⁺ in the model group was reduced in comparison with the sham-operation group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the positive expression of Iba1⁺ TREM2⁺ was elevated (P<0.05). In the EA group, the positive expression of PLP, SOX10, Iba1⁺TREM2⁺, and Iba1⁺ LAMP1⁺ was higher compared with that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Olfactory three needles" can improve the learning and memory, and cognitive functions of VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the up-regulation of TREM2 and LAMP1 to adjust MG phagocytic activity and intracellular degradation, and promote remyelination.
Animals ; Dementia, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Remyelination ; Memory ; Hippocampus/cytology* ; Cognition ; Electroacupuncture ; Needles

The paper introduces the diagnostic and therapeutic ideas and clinical experience of Professor LIU Zhibin in treatment with acupuncture for Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment. Professor LIU believes that the basic pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment refers to the deficiency of liver and kidney, and the loss of mind control. Therefore, the treatment focuses on nourishing the liver and kidney, regulating the governor vessel, opening the brain orifice, and regulating the mind. The point prescription is composed of Tongdu Tiaoshen zhen (the points for promoting the circulating of the governor vessel and regulating the mind, i.e. four-mind needles [Extra], Shenting [GV24], bilateral Benshen [GB13] and Fengfu [GV16]), xiusanzhen (three-olfaction needles, including bilateral Yingxiang [LI20] and Yintang [GV24⁺]) and zhichan bazhen (eight anti-tremble needles, i.e. Baihui [GV20], Lianquan [CV23], and Hegu [LI4], Waiguan [TE5], Taichong [LR3], Zusanli [ST36], Sanyinjiao [SP6] and Taixi [KI3] on the affected side). Besides, the prescription is modified according to the syndrome, and the special technique of bone-touching needling is combined to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Parkinson Disease/psychology* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged

This paper introduces Professor LIU Zhibin 's clinical experience in the treatment of subjective tinnitus with acupuncture based on the "kidney-bone-brain" axis. Professor LIU proposes that the disease is most closely related to the kidney and brain. The lesion is located in the brain, and the pathogenesis is kidney essence deficiency, marrow sea loss, and ear orifice dystrophy. The "kidney-bone-brain" shows close correlation in physiological function, pathological changes and treatment. According to the "kidney-bone-brain" axis, Professor LIU proposes that the treatment of subjective tinnitus should be tonifying kidney qi, tonifying essence and filling marrow, and the principle of local acupoint selection, touching bone acupuncture, matching distal acupoints and proximal acupoints, tonifying kidney and benefiting brain should be adopted. The acupoints of Tinggong (SI19) and Yifeng (TE17) are selected to be treated with touching bone acupuncture, combined with Taixi (KI3), Shenshu (BL23), Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24), so as to achieve common benefit of kidney, bone and brain, and multi-angle treatment.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Bone and Bones/physiopathology* ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged

The paper introduces Professor LIU Zhibin's clinical experience in treatment of Parkinson's disease with constipation by the combined therapy of acupuncture and tuina. Professor LIU believes that constipation in Parkinson's disease involves pathological changes in sanjiao (triple energizers) system, i.e. upper, middle, and lower jiao, and proposes Tiaoshen Tongfu (regulating the mind and fu organs) acupuncture and Chang'an Liu's tuina manipulation are used to treat Parkinson's disease with constipation based on the "sanjiao theory". In acupuncture, the scalp points of the anterior hairline micro-acupuncture system (Touxue, Shangjiao, Zhongjiao and Xiajiao) are selected, complemented by Baihui (GV20), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), Quchi (LI11), Tianshu (ST25), Dachangshu (BL25), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Zhigou (TE6). In tuina manipulation, one finger pushing, rolling and pressing are adopted.
Humans ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To study bioactive compounds from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6 isolated from stem of Rhodiola tibetica, and evaluate its allelopathic activity. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. In addition, the allelopathic activity of compound 1 was evaluated by measuring the seed germination rate of R. tibetica. RESULTS: Two new polyketides 4-hydroxy-3,6-dimethyl-2H-pyran-2-one (1) and penilactone E (2), together with six known compounds walterolactone A (3), 5-hydroxyhexan-4-olide (4), 3-methyl-2-penten-5-olide (5), chaetoquadrin F (6), (Z)-6-acetyl-3-(1,2-dihydroxypropylidene)-5-hydroxy-8-methylchroman-2-one (7) and 4-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyhexanoyl)-5-methylfuran-2(5H)-one (8) were isolated from Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6. Compound 1 showed moderate seed-germination-promoting activity at a concentration of 0.001 mg/mL while inhibiting the seed germination at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.01 mg/mL. Compared with the positive drug 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), compound 1 could extend the seed-germination period of R. tibetica (up to 11 d). CONCLUSION Two new compounds were isolated from R. tibetica endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6. Compound 1 displayed plant hormone-like activity, which inhibited the seed germination of the host plant at high concentrations and promoted the seed germination of the host plant at low concentrations. The results not only enrich the chemical constituents of the endophytic fungi isolated from Rhodiola tibetica, but also provide a theoretical basis for understanding the interaction mechanism between Rhodiola tibetica endophytic fungi and the host plant.

Objective To investigate the value of pulse oxygen perfusion index(PI)and blood lactic acid(BLA)concentration in early prediction of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 128 preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital from September 2018 to December 2022.Among them,46 patients with ROP were in the ROP group,and 82 pa-tients without ROP were in the non-ROP group.Basic data of these preterm infants were recorded after admission.PI val-ues were continuously monitored with the Masimo Radical-7(USA)SpO2 blood oxygen saturation detector,and BLA con-centrations were detected with the ABL90FLEX blood gas analyzer.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the value of PI and BLA concentration in early prediction of ROP.Results There were no significant differences in gestational age,birth weight,sex,and delivery mode between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The PI values after birth were significantly different between the two groups(Fgroup=15.393,Pgroup＜0.001).The PI values of preterm infants in the ROP group decreased significantly at 1 h,12 h and 24 h after birth and slightly at 48 h to 96 h after birth compared with the non-ROP group.The PI values of preterm infants in the two groups sta-bilized at 96 h after birth.The PI values of preterm infants in the ROP group were lower than those in the non-ROP group at all time points within 96 h after birth(all P＜0.05).The PI values showed interaction effects between the two groups at different time points(Finteraction=5.061,Pinteraction＜0.001).There was a significant difference in BLA concentration between the two groups after birth(Fgroup=91.158,Pgroup＜0.001).In the ROP group,the BLA concentration increased significantly at 1 h after birth and slightly at 12 h and 24 h after birth compared with the non-ROP group.The BLA concentration in the ROP group was higher than that in the non-ROP group at all time points after birth(all P＜0.05).The BLA concentration showed no interaction effects between the two groups at different time points(Finteraction=0.567,Pinteraction＞0.05).The AUC of PI values at 1 h,12 h and 24 h after birth and BLA concentration at 1 h after birth for predicting ROP was 0.77,0.82,0.83,and 0.82,respectively.The AUC of combined PI values at 1 h,12 h and 24 h after birth and BLA concentration at 1 h after birth for predicting ROP was 0.94,higher than the predictive value of a single indicator.Conclusion PI and BLA concentration have good clinical value for early prediction of ROP.

Objective:To report single-center clinical experience with endovascular recanalization for non-acute symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery occlusion, to assess the feasibility and safety of endovascular recanalization and to propose the benefit group for selected patients.Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, 92 patients with non-acute symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery occlusion who underwent endovascular recanalization were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups (low, medium and high-risk group) according to occlusion length, occlusion duration, occlusion nature, calcification of the occlusion segment, and occlusion angulation, and the indicators of patients in each group were analyzed, including the general baseline data of the patients, surgical status and follow-up results. The technical success and perioperative complication rates of low, medium and high-risk groups were calculated. Meanwhile, the differences between three groups were evaluated using the χ2 test for trend or ANOVA analysis. Results:The overall technical success rate of endovascular recanalization was 83.7% (77/92), and the perioperative complication rate was 10.9% (10/92). Among the 3 classification groups, the recanalization success rate from the low-risk group to the high-risk group was 100%, 93.3%, 27.8%( P=0.047), and gradually decreased; while the overall perioperative complication rate was 0, 10.0%, 38.9% ( P=0.001), and gradually increased; the proportion of 90-day mRS score 0-2 was 100%, 83.3%, 22.2% ( P=0.026), and progressively decreased; 77 patients with successful recanalization were followed up, the rate of restenosis/reocclusion was 0, 17.9%, 80.0%( P=0.001), and progressively increased. Patients in the low-and intermediate-risk groups performed well with endovascular recanalization. In 88 patients (4 patients lost to follow-up), a median clinical follow-up of 13 (7, 16) months, stroke or death beyond 30 days was 17.4% (16/92). Conclusions:Endovascular recanalization is safe and feasible for reasonably selected patients with non-acute symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery occlusion, especially in low-and medium-risk groups, and it also provides an alternative to conservative therapy for patients with non-acute symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery occlusion.

Objective:To observe the effects of ointment and massage on inflammation, oxidative stress and angiogenesis after skeletal muscle trauma, and to explore their mechanisms.Methods:Forty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group ( n=6), an ointment and massage (O&M) group ( n=18) and a model group ( n=18). The blunt contusion model of gastrocnemius malformation was established in both the O&M and model groups using self-made percussion instruments. Two hours after successful modeling, the anti-inflammatory pain-relieving cream was applied to the injured area, and massaged evenly and gently for 5 minutes. That was repeated with an interval of 12 hours. No treatment was given to the model and blank groups. On the 1st, 3rd and 7th days after modeling, injured gastrocnemius muscles were resected after collecting abdominal blood. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescent (CD34) staining were applied, and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected. Results:HE staining showed that at each time point the gastrocnemius muscle fibers of the model group were significantly more swollen and deformed, collapsed and dissolved than those of the blank group, with a large number of inflamed cells. The O&M group had better recovery, with more newly-generated muscle cells, less inflammatory infiltration and more normal cell shapes than the model group. Fluorescence was stronger in the O&M and model groups than in the blank group at each time point, with that of the O&M group significantly stronger than in the model group. The average SOD and MDA levels in the model and O&M groups were significantly higher than in the blank group, and on the 1st and 3rd days the O&M group′s average SOD level was significantly higher than the model group′s average, though by the 7th day there was no significant difference. The average MDA content of the O&M group was significantly lower than the model group′s average at each time point.Conclusion:Ointment and massage can effectively reduce the local inflammatory response and oxidative stress after a skeletal muscle injury. They can accelerate local angiogenesis, promoting the repair of damaged tissues.

Objective:To investigate the Chinese anesthesiologist′s proficiency, training experience and needs of flexible bronchoscope-guided awake flexible bronchoscopy intubation (AFBI) using a questionnaire method.Methods:The cluster sampling was used, and self-designed questionnaires that addressed 54 questions in 5 categories were distributed through WeChat and online platforms. The survey took one month, and the answers were automatically recorded by the WeChat server.Results:A total of 1 250 anesthesiologists participated in the survey in 30 provinces of China, 9 of them were not anesthesiologists, and 1 241 (99.28%) questionnaires were validated. In the valid questionnaires, 52.70% (654) of the anesthesiologists were from tertiary hospitals, and 74.78% (928) of the anesthesiologists were attending physicians or above, only 7.57% (94) of the anesthesiologists had sufficient confidence in AFBI. Twenty-five point two two percent (313) of the anesthesiologists preferred fiberoptic intubation as the first tool when dealing with the anticipated difficult airway. Forty-eight point one one percent (597) of the anesthesiologists had implemented AFBI. Among them, 80.74% (482) had experienced unsuccessful AFBI practices. Eight hundred and ninety-four anesthesiologists had received AFBI training, and the most common AFBI training strategy was theoretical lectures. In addition, the degree of satisfaction regarding the theoretical lectures quality, technical training, clinical practice relativity and non-technical skills training was 21.47% (192), 14.32% (128), 12.3% (110) and 17.90% (160), respectively. The degree of satisfaction with all the 4 training elements mentioned above was 7.27% (65).Conclusions:The awareness and practice of Chinese anesthesiologists in terms of clinical application of AFBI to treat difficult airways need to be strengthened at present, and the lack of high-quality AFBI training may be the key.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, laboratory characteristics and genetic diagnosis of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCD), and to improve the understanding of this disease.Methods:Four children diagnosed with AADCD from the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from August 2016 to June 2020 were collected, and their clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging data, and genetic test results were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All the 4 cases were diagnosed in early infancy, with the first symptom of feeding difficulties. They developed paroxysmal dyspraxia accompanied by eye movement crisis, movement regression, hypotonia, growth retardation, sleep disorders and autonomic nervous symptoms such as ptosis, excessive sweating and nasal congestion at the age of 2-4 months, respectively. The 4 children were siblings from 2 families with healthy parents. The dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase ( DDC) gene mutations in cases 1 and 2 were derived from the maternal missense mutation c.1040G>A(P.RG347gln), and from the paternal deletion of exons 11 and 12, respectively. The DDC gene mutation in case 3 was derived from the maternal mutation c.419G>A(p.G140E) and the paternal mutation c.1375C>T(p.H459Y), respectively. Case 4 did not undergo genetic testing. Blood amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles and urine organic acid analyses were performed in 3 cases, and no specific abnormalities were found. In case 3, the results of 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) screening by blood dry filter paper increased significantly. Cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitter detection results showed that the concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyldiol, vanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly decreased, while the levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 3-OMD were increased in case 3. Blood aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity decreased significantly in case 3. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) examinations were performed in cases 1, 3, and 4, among which the cranial MRI in case 1 was normal, while the cranial MRI in cases 3 and 4 suggested that myelination was slightly backward. The EEG was normal in all the 3 cases. Cases 1 and 2 died of pneumonia and respiratory failure at the age of 1 year and 10 months. Case 3 was given clonazepam, benxel hydrochloride tablets and vitamin B6 tablets orally after diagnosis at the age of 4 months, and then treated with selegiline hydrochloride tablets and pramexol hydrochloride tablets. At the follow-up of 1 year and 6 months, the frequency of eye movement crisis and movement disorder was reduced, sleep was improved and autonomic nervous symptoms were alleviated, but there was no improvement in developmental delay. Case 4 was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, but failed various antiepileptic drugs and rehabilitation training, and died at the age of 10 due to heart failure and kidney failure. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of AADCD are complicated and the misdiagnosis rate is high. Infants with early-onset hypotonia, developmental retardation, eye movement crisis, and movement disorders should be screened with dry filter paper as soon as possible for 3-OMD level, and suspicious cases should be diagnosed by cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitter detection, plasma AADC activity determination, and gene examination. Early diagnosis of AADCD in children and gene mutation carriers can guide treatment and provide genetic counseling to reduce the incidence of the offspring.