To investigate the curative effect of electroacupuncture on hip osteoarth-ritis, 120patients with hip osteoarthritis were randomly divided into two groups, 60 cases each group, and treated by electroacupuncture and oral administration of slow released diclofenac tablet,respectively. The degrees of pain, activity and swelling were observed in both groups before and after treatments. A follow-up was performed for more than 2 years. The curative effects were assessed by JOA criteria for evaluating the effect on hip osteoarthritis. After treatment, the average score increased by 18 marks in the electroacupuncture group and by 12.3 marks in the diclofenac group (P<0.05). Electroacupuncture treatment has a significantly better effect on hip osteoarthritis than oral administration of slow released diclofenac tablet.

Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions.Methods Thirty-four cystic pancreatic lesions confirmed clinically or pathologically were collected,including 11 case of non-neoplastic pseudocyst,5 cases of simple cyst,6 cases of serous cystadenoma,10 cases of mucinous cystadenoma and 2 cases of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.All the patients underwent routine serial MR and echo-planar DW imaging examination of the pancreas with b values of 0 and 600 s/mm2.The appearances of signal intensity of DWI with all cysts were recorded.ADC maps were reconstructed,and the ratio of the cysts and cyst-to-pancreas ADC (ADCR) were calculated.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADC and ADCR.Results Among all the 16 non-neoplastic cysts,2 cysts were slightly hyperintense in DWI,and 14 cysts were isointense.Among all the 18 neoplastic cysts,17 cysts appeared slightly hyperintense or hyperintense in DWI,and 1 cyst was isointense.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.001).The ADC values of non-neoplastic and neoplastic cysts were (3.30 ± 0.30) × 10-3,(2.74 ± 0.34) × 10-3 mm2/s ; and the ADCR values of non-neoplastic and neoplastic cysts were 1.85 ± 0.20,1.31 ± 0.21,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.001).The areas under the ROC curves of ADC and ADCR diagnosing neoplastic cysts were 0.94 ± 0.04,0.98 ± 0.02,respectively.An ADC of 3.105 × 10-3 mm2/s showed 81.3％ sensitivity and 94.4％ specificity for predicting neoplastic cysts.An ADCR of 1.525 showed 100％ sensitivity and 88.9％ specificity for predicting neoplastic cysts.Conclusions Diffusion-weighted imaging is of importance in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pancreatic cysts,and can be applied as a complementary tool for routine MRI.

Objective To study the effect of heterozygous deficiency of SGT gene on the hematological and biochemical parameters of mice in young and elderly ages.Methods Blood samples were analyzed for complete hematological and biochemical parameters from heterozygous SGT-deficient and wild-type mice of 10-weeks and 6-months old mice, respectively.Results Age-related changes in most indexes were found statistically significantly different between young and elderly mice with the same genotype.Compared with the wild type at the same age, the platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) was lower in young heterozygous SGT-deficient mice.However, platelet count, plateletcrit (PCT) and neutrophil count were more significantly lower in elderly heterozygous SGT-deficient mice (P<0.05).There was no significant difference for biochemical parameters ALT, AST, LDH, urea nitrogen, creatinine and blood glucose.Total and unconjugated bilirubin as well as ALP were significantly higher in elderly heterozygous SGT-deficient mice but not for conjugated bilirubin (P<0.05).In addition, significant differences existed for the lipids between two elderly groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Heterozygous deficiency of SGT gene induced changes of some hematological and biochemical parameters in elderly mice.It provides helpful information for further investigation on SGT involvement in some biological and pathological processes.

OBJECTIVEChilling tolerance of salicylic acid (SA) in banana seedlings (Musa acuminata cv., Williams 8818) was investigated by changes in ultrastructure in this study.

METHODSLight and electron microscope observation.

RESULTSPretreatment with 0.5 mmol/L SA under normal growth conditions (30/22 degrees C) by foliar spray and root irrigation resulted in many changes in ultrastructure of banana cells, such as cells separation from palisade parenchymas, the appearance of crevices in cell walls, the swelling of grana and stromal thylakoids, and a reduction in the number of starch granules. These results implied that SA treatment at 30/22 degrees C could be a type of stress. During 3 d of exposure to 7 degrees C chilling stress under low light, however, cell ultrastructure of SA-pretreated banana seedlings showed less deterioration than those of control seedlings (distilled water-pretreated).

CONCLUSIONSA could provide some protection for cell structure of chilling-stressed banana seedling.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Cold Temperature ; Microscopy, Electron ; Musa ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Plant Leaves ; ultrastructure ; Plant Transpiration ; Salicylic Acid

OBJECTIVETo report the operative technique and clinical results of the neurocutaneous vascular axial flap with perforating vessels as its pedicle.

METHODSAn axial skin flap was designed along the axis of small paraneural vessels that was close to a concomitant cutaneous nerve. The cutaneous perforating branches of major arteries were used as the pedicle, which provided a rotation arc for the flap to cover the defects in the distal site of extremities. 43 neurocutaneous vascular axial flaps were transferred, including 13 sural neurocutaneous axial flaps (30 cm x 12 cm to 16 cm x 8 cm) supplied by perforating branches of the peroneal vessel; 9 saphenous neurocutaneous axial flaps (15 cm x 8 cm to 5 cm x 4 cm) with posterior tibial perforators as the pedicle; 8 posterior antebrachial neurocutaneous axial flaps (16 cm x 6 cm to 10 cm x 4 cm) based on the dorsal branch of the anterior interossea vessel and 13 reversed neurocutaneous axial flaps (6.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm) on the dorsal hand pedicled with the perforators at the interdigital web space.

RESULTS42 flaps survived completely. One flap underwent venous congestion with necrosis on the distal one fourth of the flap. The color and texture of the flaps were good. The appearance and functional results were satisfactory as revealed by follow-up for 6 to 24 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified operation combines the advantages of both the perforator flap and the neurocutaneous axial flap, enlarges the size of the flap and extends the scope of reconstruction. The flap is characterized with delicate designation, easy dissection and reliable blood supply. It is a good method in repairing the skin defects of the extremities.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; blood supply ; innervation ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint electrogymnastics therapy on apoplectic hemiplegia, so as to further popularize this therapy in treatment of apoplectic hemiplegia.

METHODSUsing three-central, randomized, controlled, multi-blind methods, 153 cases were divided into an electrogymnastics group (n = 77) and an electroacupuncture group (n = 76). They were treated with acupoint electrogymnastics (AE) and traditional electroacupuncture (TEA), respectively. Shousanli (LI 10) and Waiguan (TE 5) on upper limbs and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the lower limbs were selected in the two groups. A JD-2008 hemiplegia treatment apparatus was used in the AE group. Fugl-Meyer method was used for assessment of motor function and sense function of the four limbs, balance function and joint activity, etc. before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn the motor function and sense function of four limbs, balance function and joint activity in the two groups had significant improvement after treatment (both P < 0. 001) with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth acupoint electrogymnastics (AE) and traditional electroacupuncture (TEA) have a similar therapeutic effect on apoplectic hemiplegia, but AE has the advantages of safety, reliability and convenience in operation, so it is suitable for long-term rehabilitation treatment of the patient and for popularization in hospital of basic level.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; therapy

β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) is a key component I molecule of the major histocompatibility complex class that assists in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response. Serum β2-MG content is dynamically correlated with many diseases. Most studies on β2-MG mainly focus on the pathogenesis of kidney disease, tumor and amyloid fibrils. In recent years, some studies have found that β2-MG is also involved in the adverse prognosis of cardiovascular system, cognitive impairment of aging and antibacterial effects. This paper summarized the domestic and foreign studies on β2-MG in recent years, and proposed the possible role of β2-MG in multi-system human body and its potential application prospect of drug molecular targeting.

Angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) is a novel combination drug that is a dual inhibitor of angiotensin receptor and neprilysin. In June 2021, the National Medical Products Administration approved ARNI for hypertension indications. This review provides an update of current literature on ARNI in elderly hypertension.

OBJECTIVESix1 and Six4 are expressed in several tumors, and associated with tumor progress and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Six1 and Six4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to evaluate their correlation with the clinicopathological factors and prognosis.

METHODSTissue microarray technology and immunohistochemical method (EnVision) were used to detect the expression of Six1 and Six4 in the tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent normal epithelium of esophagus from 292 ESCC patients.

RESULTSAmong the 292 ESCC patients, the positive rates of Six1 and Six4 protein expression in tumor tissues were 72.9% (213/292) and 56.2% (164/292), respectively, significantly higher than the expression rate of 33.2% (97/292) and 32.5% (95/292) in adjacent normal epithelium of esophagus (P < 0.05). Chi square test showed that the expression of Six1 protein was related to tumor size, depth of tumor invasion and patient survival status; higher Six4 protein expression level was related to poor differentiation and increased depth of invasion. Single factor Log-rank analysis revealed that gender, TNM stage, Six1 protein expression level were related to the overall survival of ESCC patients (P < 0.05), while the five-year survival rate was significantly higher in the Six1-negative group than the Six1-positive group [51.9% (41/79) vs. 43.7% (93/213)]. Multi-factor Cox proportional risk model analysis showed that TNM stage and positive expression of Six1 were independent prognostic factors for ESCC patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSix1 and Six4 are highly expressed in ESCC. Their expression levels are closely related to the progress and prognosis of ESCC. Over-expression of Six1 is related to poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Thus, Six1 could be used as an important prognostic indicator for ESCC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVE：To compare the volatile components extracted from the roots ，stems and leaves of Gaultheria yunnanensis. METHODS ：Steam distillation method was used to extract the volatile oils from roots ，stems and leaves of G. yunnanensis. Chemical constituents were analyzed by GC-MS. NIST 2011 standard mass spectral library was adopted to select the chromatographic peak with a matching degree higher than 80，and combined with relevant literatures for identification. Relative percentages of chemical constituents were calculated by peak area normalization. RESULTS ：Totally 95 chromatographic peaks were detected in valatile oil from the roots of G. yunnanensis and 54 chemical constituents were identified ，accounting for 82.35％ of the total content of root volatile components. The constituents with relatively high content were methyl salicylate （20.30％）， n-hexadecanoic acid （19.86％），（Z，Z）-9，12-octadecadienoic acid （9.26％），phenanthrene（4.37％）and so on. Totally 69 chromatographic peaks were detected in volatile oil from the stems and leaves of G. yunnanensis and 46 chemical constituents were identified，accounting for 97.10％ of the total content of volatile components in stems and leaves. The constituents with relatively high content were methyl salicylate （86.72％），n-hexadecanoic acid （2.60％），（Z，Z，Z）-9，12，15-octadecatrienoic acid （1.25％） and so on. Both of them contained 16 common constituents such as alkenes esters ，acids and so on. CONCLUSIONS：The chemical constituents of volatile oils extracted from the roots ， stems and leaves of G. yunnanensis are mainly esters and acids. The components are similar to each other ，but the contents of acids in the roots and esters in the leaves and stems are higher.