OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC6) on mitochondrial autophagy in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) at different phases (ischemia and reperfusion phases), and to explore the bidirectional regulatory effects of EA at "Neiguan" (PC6) and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, namely, sham-operation group (n=9), model-A group (n=6), model-B group (n=9), EA-A1 group (n=6), EA-B1 group (n=6), and EA-B2 group (n=9). Except the rats in the sham-operation group, the MIRI model was established in the other groups with the physical ligation and tube pushing method. In the model-A group, the samples were collected directly after ligation, and in the model-B group, the samples were collected after ligation and reperfusion. In the EA-A1 group, EA was delivered while the ligation was performed, and afterwards, the samples were collected. In the EA-B1 group, while the ligation was performed, EA was operated at the same time, and after reperfusion, the samples were collected. In the EA-B2 group, during ligation and the opening of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery, EA was delivered, and after reperfusion, the samples were collected. EA was performed at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6), with a disperse-dense wave, a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, a current of 1 mA, and a duration of 30 min. HE staining was employed to observe the morphology of cardiomyocytes, TUNEL was adopted to detect the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, transcriptome sequencing was to detect the differentially expressed genes in the left ventricle, JC-1 flow cytometry was to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of cardiomyocytes, Western blot was to detect the protein expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1 (Pink1), Parkin and p62 in the left ventricle of rats, and ELISA was to detect the levels of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) in the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the cardiomyocytes of rats in the model-B group were severely damaged, with disordered arrangement, unclear boundaries, broken muscle fibers, edema and loose distribution; and the cardiomyocytes in the EA-B2 group were slightly damaged, the cell structure was partially unclear, the cells were arranged more regularly, and the intact cardiomyocytes were visible. Compared with the sham-operation group, the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes increased in the model-B group (P<0.001); and when compared with the model-B group, the apoptosis alleviated in the EA-B2 group (P<0.001). The differentially expressed genes among the EA-B2 group, the sham-operation group and the model-B group were closely related to cell autophagy and mitochondrial autophagy. Compared with the sham-operation group, MMP of cardiomyocytes was reduced (P<0.001), the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I were elevated in the model B group (P<0.001). In comparison with model-A group, the MMP of cardiomyocytes and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I were reduced (P<0.001, P<0.05), and the protein expression of Pink1 in the left ventricle rose in the EA-A1 group (P<0.01). Compared with the model-B group, MMP of cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.001), the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle, and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I decreased (P<0.001) in the EA-B1 group and the EA-B2 group. When compared with the EA-A1 group, MMP of cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.001), and the protein expression of Pink1, Parkin, and p62 of the left ventricle, and the levels of serum CK-MB and cTn-I decreased in the EA-B1 group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA at "Neiguan" (PC6) can ameliorate MIRI in rats, which may be achieved through the Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway. EA can alleviate myocardial injury by enhancing mitochondrial autophagy at the ischemia phase, and it can reduce reperfusion injury by weakening mitochondrial autophagy at the reperfusion phase.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Acupuncture Points ; Autophagy ; Humans ; Mitochondria/genetics*

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tip-flexible ureterorenoscope (tf-URS) with holmium laser for one-stage management of parapelvic cyst.Methods The clinical data of 26 patients treated with tf-URS incision and drainage using holmium laser from February 2016 to August 2018 were reviewed.The study were including 15 male and 11 female patients,ranging from 32 to 68 years old,with an average of 53.5 years old.There were 24 cases of unilateral single renal parapelvic cyst and 2 cases of bilateral single renal parapelvic cyst.There were 4 cases in 26 cases with unilateral single renal parapelvic cyst and contralateral single renal cyst,2 cases with unilateral single renal parapelvic cyst and ipsilateral kidney of stones.The diameter of parapelvic cyst was 3.4-5.6 cm,average 4.8 cm.All patients had undergone holmium laser endo-decortication of parapelvic cyst by tf-URS.With general anesthesia,tf-URS accessed pelvis retrogradely and decorticated parapelvic cyst with 200 μm Holium laser to drainage the cyst to pelvis.If the tf-URS was not placed successfully for the first time,Double-J tubes were retained for 1-2 weeks before treatment.The operative time,hospitalization time,blood loss,postoperative complications and clinical symptoms were collected and analyzed.Results The one-time access success rate of insertion of ff-URS was 88.5％ (23/26).All operations were successful without severe complications.The average time of operation was 17.2 min,ranging from 11 to 25 min.In 3-30 months follow-up,the cysts disappeared in 22 patients and reduced by more than one half in 1 patients.Flank pain relieved in 19 patients.Conclusions Holmium laser endo-decortication of parapelvic cyst by tf-URS could be a simple,minimally invasive,safe and effective method for parapelvic cyst,which is worthy of further promotion and application in clinical practice.

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of dilator-kyphoplasty (DKP) and balloonkyphoplasty (BKP) in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods From May 2007 to March 2009, 23 cases with 26 vertebrae were treated with DKP, while 29 cases with 29 vertebrae were treated with BKP procedures. The operating time, bleeding volume and injecting volume of cement were recorded during operation. The distribution of cement, the restoration of vertebral height and Cobb angle were observed. The patients' visual analogue scales (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were evaluated after operation. Results There were no differences in operative time, bleeding volume of every vertebrae and cement injected volume between these two groups (P＞0.05). The vertebral height, Cobb angle, VAS and ODI scores were significantly improved than those of pre-operation in these two groups (P＜0.05). The height of the anterior vertebrae and Cobb angle in DKP groups were restored significantly than those in BKP groups (P＜ 0.05). There were 1 case (1 vertebra, 3.8%) underwent cement leakage in DKP groups and 5 cases (5 vertebrae, 17.2%) in BKP groups. Conclusion DKP and BKP were effective in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The height of the anterior vertebrae and Cobb angle in DKP groups were restored significantly than those in BKP groups.

BACKGROUND: Conventional means in treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption include plaster cast or splint immobilization as external fixation and internal fixation using screws, and bone bolts or plates;however, some disadvantages such as unstable fixation and uncertain fixation exist.OBJECTIVE: To observe the primary clinical curative effect of newly self-developed fixation, Hook-plate fixation (HPF), for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption and its biochemical characteristics of HPF.DESIGN: Self-control observation.PARTICIPANTS: We recruited 23 patients with sustaining abruption of lower tibiofibular ligament union with fibular fracture who received treatment in the Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University Medical College, between October 2001 and March 2004. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification system, there were 11 cases of supination-lateral rotations, 7 cases of pronation-lateral rotations and 5cases of pronation-abductions. Among them 14 had bimalleolar fractures and 9 had trimalleolar fractures.METHODS: HPF was used on the 23 patients with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption. Radiographs were taken routinely. Talocrural joint function exercise was recommended at week 1 and partial weight bearing was allowed 2 months later. Functions were evaluated according to modified Mazur's criteria (excellent, good, fair and poor).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Healing time and function ev aluation after operation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption. ② Adverse events and side effectsRESULTS: Totally 23 patients entered the result analysis, with the mean of 11 months' follow-up. ①Results of healing time and function evaluation in the patients after operation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption: The healing time of fracture ranged from 12 to 18 weeks: 16 cases were excellent, 5 good, and 2 fair. ② Adverse events and side effects:There was no separation of the tibiofibular space, the distance between medial malleolus or lateral malleolus and anklebone was symmetrical.There was no mobilization or rupture of the internal fixation after operation.CONCLUSION: HPF is applied in treating distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption. It causes no postoperative complications, and can recover the ankle joint function with stable internal fixation and good biomechanical features.