Objective To sift out the optimized electric pulse parameters for electroacupuncture treatment for lower limb myatrophy and explore the mechanism of its treatment.Method A model of lower limb myatrophy was made in 40 SD rats.The rats were then randomized to groups A (model group without electroacupuncture), B (a pulse duration of 0.5 ms and a frequency of 2 Hz), C (a pulse duration of 200 msand a frequency of 2 Hz) and D (a pulse duration of 200 ms and a frequency of 1/2/3 Hz).Points Zusanli(ST36)and Chengshan(BL57)were given electroacupuncture for four courses of treatment.Thesciaticfunction index (SFI),gastrocnemius muscle wet weight ratio (GW), gastrocnemius muscle fiber cross-sectional area ratio (GC),gastrocnemius muscle cell diameter ratio (GD)and gastrocnemius muscle cell apoptosis index (AI)were determined.Result SFI, GW and GC increased significantly and AI decreased significantly in groups C and D compared with group A (P<0.05). AI decreased significantly in groups C and D compared with group B (P<0.05). AI decreased significantly in groups D compared with group C (P<0.05). Conclusion Apulse duration of 200 ms and a frequency of 1/2/3 Hz are the optimizedelectric pulse parametersfor electroacupuncture delaying myatrophy.Its mechanism is related to inhibiting myocyte apoptosis.

Midkine (MK),a newly discovered heparin-binding growth factor,promotes growth,survival,and migration in various cells. Meanwhile,MK stimulates statistically significant forms in new arterioles and capillaries,causes vascular remodeling,prevents ischemia myocardial cells from injury via inhibiting apoptosis. MK also regulates the level of blood-fat. In general,MK plays key roles in cardiovascular diseases.

Midkine (MK) , a newly discovered heparin - binding growth factor, promotes growth, survival, and migration in various cells. Meanwhile, MK stimulates statistically significant forms in new arterioles and capillaries, causes vascular remodeling, prevents ischemia myocardial cells from injury via inhibiting apoptosis. MK also regulates the level of blood - fat.In general, MK plays key roles in cardiovascular diseases.

Objective To sift and optimize pulse width for electroacupuncture prevention and treatment of muscular atrophy. Method A model of lower limb muscle atrophy was made in 40 rats. They were randomized into groupsⅠ (no electroacupuncture),Ⅱ (a pulse width of 0.5 ms and a frequency of 2 Hz), Ⅲ (a pulse width of 100 ms and a frequency of 2 Hz) and Ⅳ (a pulse width of 200 ms and a frequency of 2 Hz). Points Zusanli (ST36) and Chengshan(BL57) were given electroacupuncture. Sciatic function index (SFI), gastrocnemius muscle wet weight ratio (GW), the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers (GC), gastrocnemius muscle cell diameter (GD) and gastrocnemius muscle cell apoptosis index (AI) were used as indicators of therapeutic effect. Result Compared with group Ⅰ, SFI and GW increased significantly in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ (P<0.05). Compared with groupsⅠ and Ⅱ, AI on the affected side decreased significantly in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ (P<0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture is related to its pulse width. The pulse widths of 100 ms and 200 ms are significantly more effective than a pulse width of 0.5 ms from a conventional electroacupuncture device in preventing and treating muscular atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy and expression of IGF-1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in rats, and to explore the possible mechanisms of it. METHODS: Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EA group. Denervated muscle atrophy model was made by cutting off the left hindlimb sciatic nerve in the model group and the EA group. In the EA group, EA, dense-disperse wave, 2 Hz/33 Hz and 1.5-2 mA, was connected at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37). The treatment was given for 30 min every time, once a day and a total of 20 times were needed, there was 2 days interval every 5 times. The rats in the control group and model group were fixed in the same cage every day but not applied EA. Sciatic nerve function index (SFI) and ratio of muscle wet weight (RWW) were measured after treatment. HE staining was used to determine the ratio of cross-sectional area (RCA) and the ratio of fiber diameter (RFD). TUNEL and double immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the myocyte apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. The mRNA expressions of IGF-1 and AKT were detected by real-time PCR. The total protein of AKT, p-AKT (Ser473) and p-AKT (Thr308) were detected by western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, SFI, RWW, RCA and RFD of the model group were significantly decreased and apoptotic index of myocytes were significantly increased (all <0.01). Compared with the model group, the above indexes of the EA group were improved (all <0.05), and the expressions of PAX3 and PAX7 related to proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells were significantly increased (both <0.01), p-AKT (Ser473) protein level was increased (<0.05). CONCLUSION EA can improve the atrophy of denervated muscles, reduce myocyte apoptosis, and promote the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells. The mechanism may be related to the increase of p-AKT (Ser473) level and activation of AKT signaling pathway.
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscular Atrophy ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree suspected for branchiootic syndrome (BOS). METHODS: The proband was subjected to target-capture high-throughput sequencing to detect potential variant of deafness-associated genes. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of the family members. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor a c.1627C>T (p.Gln543Ter) nonsense variant of the EYA1 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that all of the 4 patients with the BOS phenotype from the pedigree have harbored the same heterozygous variant. Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PS+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION The c.1627C>T (p.Gln543Ter) variant of the EYA1 gene probably underlay the BOS phenotype in this pedigree. Above finding has provided a basis for its clinical diagnosis.
Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome ; China ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics* ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases/genetics*

Objective To investigate the application of liver three-dimensional (3D) visualized reconstruction technique in hepatectomy for children with complicated hepatoblastoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 30 children with hepatoblastoma who underwent hepatectomy for radical resection in PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center from January 2018 to October 2020, and according to whether liver 3D visualization with IQQA-Liver system was performed before surgery, the children were divided into 3D reconstruction group with 15 children and control group with 15 children. The two groups were compared in terms of perioperative parameters, short-term prognosis, and follow-up conditions. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the 3D reconstruction group had a significantly higher mean age (55.7±10.2 years vs 28.2±2.7 years, P < 0.05) and a significantly higher number of patients with POSTTEXT stage III/VI hepatoblastoma (12 vs 5, P < 0.05) or involvement of the hepatic vein or the inferior vena cava (11 vs 3, P < 0.05). All children completed the surgery successfully, and there were no significant differences between the two groups in blood loss, time of operation, number of times and duration of hepatic portal occlusion, and number of children receiving segmental hepatectomy or partial hepatectomy (all P > 0.05). The median follow-up after surgery was 9.5 months. In the 3D reconstruction group, 2 children experienced recurrence and were diagnosed at 10 and 12 months, respectively, after surgery, and they were treated with chemotherapy at the moment; in the control group, 4 children experienced recurrence, which was higher than that in the 3D reconstruction group ( P =0.651), and among these 4 children, 2 had recurrence at 7 months after surgery, received liver transplantation, and survived up to now, and the other 2 children died shortly after recurrence. Conclusion 3D visualized reconstruction technique helps to perform hepatectomy for children with complicated hepatoblastoma more safely and accurately, especially extended hepatectomy for patients with stage POST TEXT III/IV hepatoblastoma, thereby avoiding liver transplantation.