Acupuncture Therapy ; Diaphragm ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Paralysis ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Fenglong" (ST 40) for treatment of hyperlipidemia.

METHODSForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group (group A), a model group (group B), a model diet-control group (group C), a model + EA group (group D) and model diet-control + EA group (group E), 8 cases in each one. The rats in group A were fed with normal diet continuously while those in the rest 4 groups were fed with high-fat diet to establish hyperlipidemia model. Afterwards, the rats in group C and group E were fed with normal diet, while EA at "Fenglong" (ST 40) was applied in group D and group E, 30 min per time, once a day. After 28 days of treatment, macrophage was collected in each group. Oil red O-staining was applied to detect the formation of foam cells, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISE) was adopted to measure the contents of total cholesterol (TC) in macrophage and analyze the rate of cholesterol efflux.

RESULTSThe counts of positive cells of oil red O-staining and the contents of TC in the group B, group C and group D were significantly increased compared with those in the group A (all P < 0.01). The counts of positive cells and contents of TC in the group C, group D and group E were significantly clecreased compared with those in the group B (all P < 0.01), and the decline in group D was more obvious than that in the group C (all P < 0.01). Compared with group C and group D, the counts of positive cells and contents of TC in the group E was obviously decreased (all P < 0.01), which was not statistically different from group A (P > 0.05). In the meantime, compared with group C, the rate of cholesterol efflux in group D and group E was significantly increased (both P < 0.01), and the rise in group E was more obvious than that in the group D.

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture at "Fenglong" (ST 40) could significantly prohibit the transformation of macrophage into foam cell and increase rate of cholesterol efflux in macrophage, which could prevent and reverse the formation of foam cell and play an essential role in treating hyperlipidemia and stopping it from developing into a further level.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; Cells, Cultured ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Foam Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; therapy ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the patients younger than 18 years old infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant, and to provide a basis for determining the chest CT changes and efficacy of COVID-19 caused by Omicron virus variant in patients younger than 18 years old. Methods　The clinical and imaging data of 30 cases of patients younger than 18 years old infected with COVID-19 Omicron variant, who admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen from February 11 to March 26, 2022 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestations, imaging features and dynamic changes of lesions were summarized. Results A total of 41 intrapulmonary lesions in 30 patients with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The main manifestations were patchy or nodular ground-glass opacities and/or consolidation, with focal subpleural distribution, lesions mainly occur in the right lung (70.73%, 29/41). There were 42 lesion morphologies, with 22 (52.38%) striped shadows and 16 (38.10%) nodular shadows, with small lamellar and patchy shadows predominating. There were 36 lesion density variations, with ground glass shadows being the most common, with a total of 24 ground glass shadows (66.66%) in each lobe of the lung, and also 6 consolidation lesions (16.67%) and 6 mixed ground glass opacity and consolidation lesions (16.67%). With the progression of the disease, lesions gradually enlarged, appeared on the 2nd day (312.93 mm3), peaked on the 9th day (1 837.18 mm3). The average absorption time of the lesions was (16±3) days, and there was no significant difference between the absorption time of patchy and nodular lesions (ground glass and/or consolidation) (t=0.853, P>0.05). The lesions showed focal ground-glass opacity in the early stage, 77.78% lesions were absorbed after treatment in the late stage. Inflammatory nodules were absorbed slowly (9-19 days), without residual fibrotic changes. Conclusions　The imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in patients younger than 18 years old infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant have certain characteristics, showed patchy or nodular ground glass opacities and/or consolidation, mainly distributed in the subpleural area, with small and few lesions and slow change, didn't remain fibrosis. Being familiar with its clinical and imaging manifestations can assist in early diagnosis, but confirming the diagnosis requires a combination of epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and radiological manifestations.

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic changes in the protein marker expression in the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) of mice at different ages by iTRAQ protein mass spectrometry and to screen new markers using the bioinformatic proteome database.

METHODSBased on the postnatal weeks, we divided 80 healthy male C57BL/6 mice into eight age groups of equal number, harvested their testicular tissues, extracted proteins following purification of the SSCs by compound enzyme digestion and magnetic-activated cell sorting. Then we analyzed and identified proteins using two-dimensional electrophoresis, protein mass spectrometry, and protein database information.

RESULTSTotally, 248,510 mass spectra were obtained from the MS experiment and 1132 proteins were identified. By the criteria of >1.2-fold for protein abundance difference and P value <0.05, we identified 298 differentially expressed proteins and 9 currently known makers of SSCs (PCNA, GFRalpha1, CDH1, Annexin A7, UCHL1, VASA, CD49f, CD29, and PLZf). Compara- tive analysis showed different expressions of the proteins in the SSCs of the mice of different ages, and the differences in the expressions of GFRalpha1, CD49f, and CD29 were consistent with the findings in other published literature. Ten proteins (P63, CD71, CD98, K19, ACE, K18, K15, K17, SH2, and SH3) were selected as SSC markers to be further studied.

CONCLUSIONThe proteins in SSCs are differentially expressed in mice of different ages. The technology of iTRAQ protein mass spectrometry can be used to analyze and compare the proteome information of mouse SSCs, obtain differentially expressed proteins in mice of different ages, and thus offers a new ap- proach to further analysis and study of the function and roles of these differential proteins.

Adult Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Age Factors ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; metabolism ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Proteins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Spermatogonia ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern between electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy and moxibustion box therapy.

METHODSForty-one cases of low back pain of cold-damp pattern were randomized into an electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy group (group A, 26 cases) and a box moxibustion therapy group (group B, 15 cases). In the group A, the electric-thermal Bian-stone was placed over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The temperature of stone was adjusted in accordance with patient's comfort. In the group B, moxibustion box was used over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The treatment was given once every day or every two days. Ten treatments made one session. The symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were observed before and after treatment in the patients.

RESULTSThe symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were all improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01). The changing rate of symptom and physical signs and syndrome were (37.04 +/- 32.68)% and (22.85 +/- 29.95)% in the group A, and were (47.29 +/- 22.08)% and (23.89 +/- 22.53)% in the group B, respectively, without significant difference in comparison between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern treated with the electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy is similar to that of moxibustion box therapy. This therapy is characterized as more convenient, safer operation and less pollution.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion

The thermostability of the inulinase was studied in this resea rc h. Some alcoholic materials and thickening agent could enhance the thermostabli lity of the inulinase. Using glycerol、xanthic pastern and though orthogonal ex periments of three elements and three levels, a satisfying protective agent, whi ch included glycerin(6%), xanthan gum(0.6%) and CaCl_2 (100mmol/mL) and ha d a significant effect on the enhancement of the inulinase thermostability, was acquired.

Objective To discuss the risk factors for susceptibility of subcutaneous tophi with an aim to provide clinical evidence for the prevention and treatment of tophi.Methods A total of 5 321 cases of gout patients whose course of disease was less than 10 years were selected and divided into two groups according to whether a subcutaneous tophus was present. The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected.Results There were significant differences in the ratios of regular exercise, involvement of upper limb joints, combining renal insufficiency, kidney stone and coronary heart disease between the tophus group and the non-tophus group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were significant statistical differences in age, disease duration, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum uric acid, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, the number of joints involved between the two groups[(51.80±14.58 vs 48.45±14.45)year,(5.61±3.20 vs 3.28±3.06)year,(26.50±3.39 vs 27.05±3.45)kg/m2,(138±20 vs 133±18)mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa,(89±13 vs 87±12)mmHg,(486.66±121.96 vs 460.02±119.10) μmol/L,(112.11±62.97 vs 104.43±46.28) μmol/L, (86.46±37.99 vs 93.00±40.11 )ml/min,(2.89±1.86 vs 1.76±1.22) joints, all P<0.01]. There were no statistical differences in family history, gender, history of smoking and drinking, the means of waistline, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol between the two groups(all P>0.05). Further logistic regression analysis indicated that disease duration, a large number of joints involved, the involvement of upper limb joints, combining kidney stones, higher serum uric acid level, and higher diastolic pressure were risk factors of the early onset of subcutaneous tophi, while regular exercise and body mass index were protective factors.Conclusion Patients with long duration, high serum level of uric acid, a large number of joints involved, upper limb joint involved, kidney stones, and hypertension were more likely to develop subcutaneous tophi. These risk factors should be intervened actively in clinic.

Objective Obesity is one of the risk factors for gout.The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical characteristics of gout patients with different BMI.Methods A total of 5 104 patients with gout were enrolled and divided into three groups according to the BMI.The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected.SPSS software was applied for the statistical analyses.Results There were significant differences in the ratios of gender,regular exercise,hypertension,tophus,renal insufficiency,hyperlipidemia,impaired glucose metabolism,liver dysfunction among the three groups (all P＜0.01).The onset age in overweight [45(36,55) years] and obese subjects [40(31,50)years] were earlier than that of the normal weight subjects [50 (38,61) years].Moreover,waist circumstances [103(99,108) cm and 94 (90,98) cm vs 87 (82,91) cm],systolic pressure [130 (120,145) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) and 130 (120,140) mmHg vs 128 (115,140) mmHg],diastolic pressure [90 (80,100) mmHg and 85 (80,92) mmHg vs 80 (79,90) mmHg],fasting blood glucose [5.77 (5.30,6.44) mmol/L and 5.65 (5.19,6.26) mmol/L vs 5.55 (5.10,6.15) mmol/L],TG [2.10 (1.46,3.04) mmol/L and1.88 (1.35,2.78) mmol/L vs 1.52 (1.07,2.39) mmol/L],TC [5.20 (4.55,5.93) mmol/L and 5.07 (4.46,5.75) mmol/L vs 4.95 (4.27,5.65) mmol/L],serum uric acid [483(418,552) μmol/L and461(395,524) μmol/L vs440 (368,517) μmol/L],ALT [30 (21,46) U/L and25 (18,36) U/L vs 21 (14,29) U/L],AST [21(17,28) U/L and 20 (17,26) U/L vs 20 (6,25) U/L],the number of joints involved [2 (1,3) joints and 2 (1,2) joints vs 1 (1,2) joints] in the overweight and obese groups were higher than those in the normal weight group (all P ＜ 0.01).There were no statistical differences in family history,involvement of upper limb joints,kidney stones and coronary heart disease among the three groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Obesity is associated with an earlier age of gout onset.With the increase of BMI,the blood pressures,glucose,lipid,serum uric acid,liver transaminase levels and the number of involved joints increased gradually.Cautions should be taken in treating patients with different BMI.

This study was designed to investigate the correlation between autophagy and polarization of macrophages in atherosclerosis (AS) plaque in arteriosclerosis obliterans amputees. Femoral artery specimens from arteriosclerosis obliterans amputees were performed hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, oil red O and immunofluorescence staining to observe the morphology of atherosclerotic plaque, phenotype of macrophages and autophagy in plaque; using real-time quantitative RT-PCR technology to detect the mRNA level of M1 and M2 type markers in arterial tissue; to analyze polarized signal pathway and autophagy protein levels in macrophages by Western blotting. Arterial specimens staining showed obvious lipid deposition and obvious infiltration of amount of foam cells and inflammatory cells. Macrophages were mainly expression M1 type in percentage in fibrous plaque. Although both M1 and M2 macrophages were upregulated in atheromatous plaque, the increase was dominant in M2 type in percentage. The level of autophagy was significantly higher in the atheromatous plaque than that of fibrous plaque. The expression of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) mRNA was significantly higher in fibrous plaque than that of atheromatous plaque (P < 0.01 or 0.05), and arginase-1 (Arg-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), CD163 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA was significantly lower than that in atheromatous plaque (P < 0.01). The levels of p-STAT1 and NF-κB were significantly increased in fibrous plaque (P < 0.01), while p-STAT6 expression was significantly increased in atheromatous plaque (P < 0.01). The level of LC3-II was significantly higher in atheromatous plaque than that in fibrous plaque (P < 0.01). Macrophages in early atherosclerotic plaque were induced to M1 type through p-STAT1/NF-κB pathway and expressed moderate levels of autophagy; while macrophages in advanced plaques were induced to polarization of M2 type through p-STAT6 pathway. M2 macrophages expressed a higher level of autophagy than M1 macrophages.

Objective To detect and analyze thyroid tumor by two-dimensional sonogram and Doppler parameter, and evaluate the value of high-frequency ultrasound in diagnosing thyroid benign and malignant tumors. Methods The ultrasonic images of 104 thyroid tumor from 80 patients with typical features were collected. Thyroid tumor was classified into benign and malignant nodules, based on the shape, border, or the rear wall echo, echo attenuation loss, internal echo, and microcalcifications in two-dimensional sonogram and systolic blood peak velocity (Vmax) and resistant index (RI) in Doppler examination. The expected results of high frequency ultrasound were compared with pathological results on consistency and error rate. Results Prediction of benign tumor by high frequency ultrasound was 66, and pathology 61, consistency rate of the two was 92.4%. Prediction of malignant lesions was 38, and pathological examination 32, consistency rate of the two was 84.2%. The total coincidence rate was 89.4%(93/104) and the error rate was 11.6%( 11/104). Conclusions The typical features of thyroid tumor on high-frequency ultrasound are helpful in diagnosis of benign or malignant nodules, which is valuable in guiding clinical treatment.