OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of different acupuncture depths of Lianquan (CV 23) for dysphagia after stroke.

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty-one patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into a deep acupuncture group (group A, 85 cases) a shallow acupuncture group (group B, 83 cases) and a glossopharyngeum acupuncture group (group C, 83 cases). Based on the conventional treatment, the glossopharyngeum acupuncture which was pricking without needles retained at lingual surface, posterior pharyngeal wall of the affected side, Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13) was used in the three groups. After the glossopharyngeum acupuncture, Lianquan (CV 23) was acupunctured 60-70 mm in the group A and 30-40 mm in the group B. The needles were all retained for 30 min. The treatment was applied once a day for 30 days in the three groups. Water swallowing test evaluation scale was observed before and after treatment, and the efficacy was assessed in the three groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 95.3% (81/85) in the group A, which was better than 85.5% (71/83) in the group B and 83.1% (69/83) in the group C (both P < 0.05). The water swallowing test scores were decreased apparently in the three groups (all P < 0.01), and scores in the group A were the most obvious decline (P < 0.01). The decrease of scores in the group A was more remarkable than those in the group B and the group C after two weeks of treatment (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23) can effectively improve the dysphagia after stroke. The acupuncture depth can affect efficacy and the effect of deep acupuncture is better.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Deglutition Disorders ; complications ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of selective renal artery embolization (SRAE) for the treatment of kidney diseases. Methods Seventy-four cases of renal carcinomas, 11 cases of renal angiomyolipomas (RAML) and 72 cases of traumatic renal haemorrhages were first demonstrated by renal arteriography under Seldinger technique to ensure a site, range and neighbouring relation of lesions and then followed by percutaneous catheterized selective renal arterial embolization with embolic agents. Results The edema around the carcinomas and abscesses became obvious, and bleeding were reduced, which were convenient for operation after SRAE for the preoperative adjuvant treatment of renal carcinomas. The clinical symptoms were improved obviously in 9 eases with advanced renal carcinoma after palliative treatment. The tumour volumes of 11 RAML were decreased evidently by 15 %-65 % with the average of 42 %. The bleeding in 68 cases of traumatic renal haemorrhage were ceased completely in 1-4 days after embolism, 2 cases with serious renal fragmented injury and huge perirenal hematoma combined with shock received successful operation after SRAE, 2 cases bleeding again after SRAE were cured by the second SRAE. No severe complications occurred after embolization in all the patients. Conclusions As a minimal invasive technique,selective renal artery embolization is a safe, effective method with less complications and an adjuvant pre-op-erative therapy for renal carcinoma or a palliative treatment for advanced carcinoma and an effective treatment for RAML and traumatic renal haemorrhage.

Literature review of the world on hospital brands, data collection in summary and comparison, and specialist consultancy were used to set the appraisal indicators, while the stratum analysis was used to calculate the weight coefficients of individual indicators, for building the appraisal indicators system for hospital brand effect. In addition, the indicators system and appraisal model were called into play to explore the use of hospital brands, offering scientific references for hospital management.

Objective To study the distribution characteristics of deposited eggs and pathological changes in the viscera of animal infected with Schistosoma japonicum at different time. Methods New Zealand white rabbits were infected artificially with quantitative S. japonicum miracidia,then the distribution characteristics and the hatchability of schistosome eggs as well as the pathological changes of the corresponding viscera of the rabbits 42 and 60 d post?infection were observed and compared. Re?sults On the 42nd day post?infection,among all the viscera observed,the percentage of eggs deposited,the number of eggs per gram and the hatchability were the highest in the liver,while on the 60th day post?infection,the tissues and organs with the highest values of the above 3 indexes were the liver,rectum and upper section of the small intestine,respectively. From 42 day to 60 day post?infection,the liver of infected rabbits became swelling,hardening and lost elasticity,the color changed from black to dark grey,and egg nodules gradually appeared in the different sections of the small intestine,and also the mucosal hy?peremia,edema and egg nodules were seen in the colon,cecum and rectum. The lesion levels tended to be correlated with the deposition of eggs. Conclusion The amount and the density as well as the hatching rate of deposited eggs of S. japonicum in the viscera of infected rabbits at different time are different,and the lesion level in the host is correlated with the deposition of eggs.

Objective To reduce the occurrence of recurrent choledocholithiasis caused by biliary sphincter dysfunction after extensive endoscopic sphincterotomy ( EST ) for large stone extraction, and to investigate the sphincter-preserving effects of duodenal papilla occlusion by SureClip from MicroTech. Methods Three patients with large biliary stones ( 1. 0-2. 5 cm in stone size, 1. 2-3. 0 cm in common bile duct diameter) and without ERCP history underwent EST ( larger than 1. 0 cm) in Peking University Third Hospital from March 2018 to May 2018. Biliary and pancreatic stents were placed after stone extraction, followed by duodenal papilla occlusion with SureClip from MicroTech. Pressures of biliary duct and Oddi sphincter were measured at pre-EST, immediately after EST, and when stents were removed 3 weeks after EST, respectively. Healing conditions of papilla and complications were documented. Five pigs underwent similar experiments without stone extraction. Results The pressure of Oddi sphincter was significantly reduced after EST, and recovered after papilla occlusion 3 weeks after operation both in pigs and human. All stones were completely removed in the 3 patients without any post-ERCP complications. The papilla was healed under endoscopic observation when stents were removed 3 weeks after papilla occlusion. In animal experiments, histology revealed completely muscularis propria disruption of post-EST papilla without occlusion. In contrast, the muscle layer of post-EST papilla with occlusion by SureClip from MicroTech appeared scar healing. Conclusion The duodenal papilla occlusion by SureClip from MicroTech after EST works as "papilla remolding", which accelerates healing of papilla, and retains the sphincter pressure and anti-reflux barrier function.

There is accumulating evidence that microRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of neuropathic pain. MicroRNA-15a/16 (miR-15a/16) have been reported to play an important role in various diseases and inflammation response processes. However, whether miR-15a/16 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain development remains unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of neuropathic pain by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves. Our results showed that both miR-15a and miR-16 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Downregulation of the expression of miR-15a and miR-16 by intrathecal injection of a specific inhibitor significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of CCI rats. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 downregulated the expression of interleukin-1β and tumor-necrosis factor-α in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), an important regulator in neuropathic pain and inflammation, was a potential target gene of miR-15a and miR-16. Inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 markedly increased the expression of GRK2 while downregulating the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB in CCI rats. Notably, the silencing of GRK2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-15a/16 inhibition in neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of miR-15a/16 expression alleviates neuropathic pain development by targeting GRK2. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing neuropathic pain development.
Animals ; Computational Biology ; Constriction ; Down-Regulation ; Hyperalgesia ; Inflammation ; Injections, Spinal ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; Neuralgia ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve ; Spinal Cord ; Up-Regulation

Objective:To explore the early differential diagnosis method by comparing the clinical characteristics of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients complicated with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcus neoformans meningitis (CNM).Methods:The AIDS patients admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2011 to February 2022 and diagnosed with combined TBM and CNM after discharge respectively were included. A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical features of 21 AIDS patients complicated with TBM (TBM group) and 54 AIDS patients with CNM (CNM group) (all cases were confirmed by etiology). The data of meningitis-related symptoms and signs, blood routine test, CD4 + T lymphocyte counts, imaging characteristics and cerebrospinal fluid examination at admission were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by using independent sample t test, rank sum test or chi-square test. Results:The age of patients in the TBM group was (44.6±12.9) years old, which was older than that of patients in the CNM ((37.6±12.6) years old), the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.15, P=0.035). Forty-eight cases (88.89%) and seven cases (12.96%) in the CNM group experienced headaches and consciousness disorders respectively, with statistically significant differences compared to those in the TBM group (13 cases (61.90%) and nine cases (42.86%), respectively) ( χ2=7.25, P=0.007 and χ2=8.05, P=0.005, respectively). The proportion of leukopenia was 27.78%(15/54), and proportion of thrombocytopenia was 16.67%(9/54) in the CNM group, which were higher than those in the TBM group (4.76%(1/21) and 0(0/21), respectively), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.77, P=0.029 and χ2=3.98, P=0.042, respectively). The CD4 + T lymphocyte count in the TBM group was 74.0(92.0)/μL, which was higher than 19.5(56.5)/μL in the CNM group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.87, P=0.009). The CNM group had 46 cases (85.19%) with cerebrospinal fluid pressure >180 mmH 2O(1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa) and 24 cases (44.44%) with cerebrospinal fluid pressure >330 mmH 2O, which were significantly higher than those in the TBM group with seven cases (33.33%) and four cases (19.05%), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=19.61, P<0.001 and χ2=4.17, P=0.041, respectively). Fifty-two point three eight percent (11/21) of patients in the TBM group had a white blood cell counts>200×10 6/L in the cerebrospinal fluid, which was higher than that in the CNM group (1.85%(1/54)), with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=27.23, P<0.001). The white blood cell counts, protein and adenosine deaminase levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of TBM group were significantly higher than those in the CNM group (200.00(579.50)×10 6/L vs 17.50(66.25)×10 6/L, 1 863(2 858) mg/L vs 672 (513) mg/L and 6.60 (8.55) U/L vs 1.95(2.60) U/L, respectively), and the cerebrospinal fluid chloride level was lower than that in the CNM group ((107.71±8.22) mmol/L vs (115.99±6.55) mmol/L), and all the differences were statistically significant ( Z=4.11, P<0.001, Z=21.23, P=0.008, Z=2.09, P=0.040 and t=4.57, P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid glucose between the TBM group and the CNM group ((1.86±1.22) mmol/L vs (2.34±1.05) mmol/L, t=-1.72, P=0.090). The proportion of patients with bilateral lung lesions in the TBM group was higher than that in the CNM group, and the difference was statistically significant (100.00%(21/21) vs 40.74% (22/54), χ2=-6.53, P=0.011). Conclusions:Patients with AIDS complicated with TBM are more likely to have consciousness disorders, inflammatory response in the cerebrospinal fluid, and more bilateral lung lesions. In contrast, patients with AIDS complicated with CNM are more frequently to experience severe headache and significant elevation of cerebrospinal fluid pressure, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and lower peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocyte counts.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcal neoformans meningitis (CNM).Methods:Patients with AIDS and CNM who were hospitalized in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2015 to June 2020 were included and divided into VPS group and conventional treatment group.The data including symptoms and signs of meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, CSF routine examination, ink staining, Cryptococcus culture and Cryptococcus culture negative time were obtained, and the clinical efficacy compared between the two groups after six and 48 weeks of treatment.Two independent samples t test or chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 66 AIDS patients with CNM, 26 cases in VPS group were (35.7±11.9) years, and 11 cases (42.3%) had CSF pressure> 330 mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa) at admission, 25 cases (96.2%) were positive for ink staining, and 20 cases (76.9%) had positive culture of Cryptococcus neoformans in CSF. There were 40 cases in the conventional treatment group with age of (38.9±12.9) years, 15 cases (37.5%) had CSF pressure>330 mmH 2O, 32 cases (80.0%) were positive for ink staining, and 31 cases (77.5%) were positive for culture of Cryptococcus neoformans in CSF. There were no significant differences of age, the proportion of patients with CSF pressure>330 mmH 2O, positive rate of ink staining, positive rate of Cryptococcus culture between the two groups ( t=-1.02, χ2=0.15, 3.49 and 0.00, respectively; all P>0.050). All patients were administrated with antifungal treatment, decreasing CSF pressure treatment, nutritional support and symptomatic treatment after admission. VPS was performed in patients with poor responses after medical conservative treatment in VPS group. At week six of treatment, the recovery rate of CSF pressure in VPS group was 57.7%(15/26), and the partial remission rate was 73.1%(19/26), which were both higher than those in conventional treatment group (31.0%(9/29) and 47.5%(19/40), respectively). The differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=3.96 and 4.22, respectively, both P<0.050). At week 48 of treatment, the recovery rate of CSF pressure in VPS group was 92.3%(24/26), the negative rate of Cryptococcus culture in CSF was 100.0%(20/20), and the complete remission rate was 46.2%(12/26), which were all higher than those in conventional treatment group (37.9%(11/29), 67.7%(21/31) and 20.0%(8/40), respectively). The differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=17.52, 8.03 and 5.10, respectively, all P<0.050). In VPS group, 22 cases were complete or partial remission, four cases were ineffective, and no death occurred, while there were 23 cases of complete or partial remission, 12 cases of ineffective and five cases of death in the conventional treatment group. The proportion of ineffective or death in the VPS group was 15.4%(4/26), which was lower than 42.5%(17/40) in the conventional treatment group. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.34, P=0.021). Conclusions:VPS in AIDS patients with CNM could significantly improve the treatment outcomes, and reduce the rates of treatment failure and mortality.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Embelin on HL-60 cells by the impact of oxidative stress on DNA double-strain breaks (DSBs).

METHODSHL-60 cells were treated with Embelin in different concentration (3, 10, 30, 100, and 300 μg/ml) for 24 h, and inhibitory effects was examined by CCK-8 assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by flow cytometry using DCFH-DA. Comet assay was used to detect the extent of DSBs.

RESULTSEmbelin inhibited proliferation of HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the concentration of 10, 30, 100, and 300 μg/ml, the inhibition rate was (12.74 ± 2.27)%, (23.49 ± 1.96)%, (30.30±1.89)%, and (57.55 ± 3.59)% (P<0.05). Embelin also lead to high level of intracellular ROS and deterioration of DNA damage (P<0.05). When HL-60 cells were pretreated with ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) for 2 h and then treated with 300 μg/ml Embelin for 24 h, the intracellular ROS level declined and DSBs relieved (P<0.05). Meanwhile, embelin-induced cell viability significantly declined to (32.75 ± 2.70)% (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEmbelin induced the death of HL-60 cells by increasing the generation of intracellular oxidation and the oxidative stress, which drived the damage of DNA double-strand.

Acetylcysteine ; Apoptosis ; Benzoquinones ; Cell Survival ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Fluoresceins ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species

Objective: To investigate the optimal duration of pegylated-alpha interferon (Peg-INFα) combined with ribavirin (RBV) in treating chronic hepatitis C infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Methods: A multicenter prospective study was conducted. The study subjects were divided into two groups; HIV/HCV co-infections (Group A, n = 158) and control with HCV-monoinfections (Group B, n = 60). All recruited patients received standard Peg-INFα plus RBV therapy. Group A was divided into 3 subgroups according to CD4⁺ cell counts: A1 subgroup, 79 cases, CD4⁺ counts > 350 cells /μl, who received anti-HCV before combination antiretroviral therapy(cART); A2 subgroup, 45 cases, CD4⁺ counts between 200 and 350 cells/μl, who did not start anti-HCV until they could tolerate cART well; A3 subgroup, 34 cases, CD4⁺ counts < 200 cells /μl, cART was administered first, and anti-HCV therapy was started when CD4⁺ counts > 200 cells/μl. The anti-HCV efficacy of two groups and 3 subgroups were compared. Statistical analysis for normal distribution and homogeneity of variance data was calculated by t-test and the counting data was analyzed by χ ² test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-normal data. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the comparison of multiple groups, followed by SNK method. Multiple independent samples were used for non-parametric tests. Results: There was no significant difference in age and baseline HCV RNA levels between groups and subgroups (P > 0.05). By an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, in Group A, the ratio of complete early virological response (cEVR) rate was 75.3% (119/158), the ratio of end of treatment virological response (eTVR) rate was 68.4% (108/158), and the ratio of sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 48.7% (77/158); in Group B, the ratio of cEVR rate was 93.3% (56/60), the ratio of eTVR rate was 90.0% (54/60), and the ratio of SVR rate was 71.7% (43/60); The therapeutic index of Group A were lower than those of Group B (P≤0.05). By per-protocol (PP) analysis, the ratio of cEVR rate in Group A [75.2% (88/112)] was still lower than that in Group B [93.3% (56/60)], but no significant differences were found in the ratio of eTVR rate and SVR rate between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Comparing the efficacy of subgroups (A1, A2 and A3) by ITT analysis, the ratios of cEVR rate were respectively 78.5% (62/79), 75.6% (34/45) and 67.6% (23/34); the ratios of eTVR rate were respectively 68.4%(54/79), 80.0%(36/45)and 52.9%(18/34); and the ratios of SVR rate were respectively 41.8%(33/79), 64.4%(29/45)and 44.1%(15/34). The ratio of eTVR in subgroup A2 was obviously higher than that in subgroup A3 and the ratio of SVR in subgroup A2 was statistically higher than that of subgroup A1(P≤0.05). However, by PP analysis, no significant differences of the therapeutic indexes were found among the respective subgroups (P > 0.05). Conclusion HIV-HCV co-infected patients would have better anti-HCV efficacy with Peg-INFα-2a plus RBV than HCV- monoinfected patients. The best time for initiating anti-HCV therapy in HIV-HCV co-infected patients is when CD4⁺ counts 200 cells/ μl.